Chad
Tomura silently walked the halls of the palace, his kitten in his arms and looking every bit as dangerous and cunning as his owner, Baka is a fierce Scorpion, yes.

Tomura himself was wearing only the top portion of his mask in the palace, he was safe... For the most part, within these walls. After his failed attempt of a date however, he was a bit more sullen then usual, som servants cleaning the palace found many books and art torn up in room as well as crumpled up death poems of all things, he may be a courtier, but he was still a young man in his early 20's after all.

Tonight, he found himself simply wandering the palace, no real aim other then to be with his thoughts.
Harold
Kotori herself sat on the verandah, overlooking the gardens and enjoying a spot of moon-viewing and sake. For once, she did not have her instrument with her, but her book of compositions was beside her with a graphite stylus resting in the spine of the open pages. A sake carafe and two small cups were on a tray beside her, along with a small plate of rice crackers. 

It was a lovely night. Just enough of a breeze to chill one's face, making the warm flush from alcohol all the more pleasant. The wind rustling tree branches was soothing, the soft droning chirps of the crickets almost hypnotic. 

*"I would quickly depart here and go back.
In the distance, I can see my parent's home.
In the distance, I can see my parent's home."*

She half-sung, half-sighed the melancholy little song to herself, pouring herself another cup of sake.

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Chad
Tomura heard the voice of the their new resident songstress, and followed, curious of what she was doing up so late... Then again he was hardly one to talk. He walked over to her, simply standing and holding his cat.

"Evening Bayuhsi-san." He nodded, looking up at the moon, "It seems I'm bot the only one having troube sleeping tonight." He shrugged and smiled, although his smile was more tired then anything, "Care for some company, I could use a drink... Although I disagree with the sentiment of your lyrics."
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Harold
Hearing a voice behind her, she turned and upon seeing Tomura, she smiled. "Bayushi-san, and Baka-san. Good evening to you."

"Please, would you join me? I would be honored by your company." She patted the space beside her, moving her things aside to make room. There was plenty of space, of course, but the gesture was meant to show he was welcome more than anything else. Without further prompting, Kotori poured a cup for him, offering it to him with both small hands.

"With which part do you disagree?" There was no accusation in her voice, only open curiosity.

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Chad
Tomura gave a bow and, after putting Baka-sama aside, knelt down on his legs.

He gave a nod of thanks as he took the cup from her, taking a deep sip and smiling as the alcohol warmed him, the feeling flooding his body and soothing the senses. He gave a smile and hum of satisfaction.

"I personally think going home would be a step backwards, not that I have issue with my parents, but I find this city far more intriguing, sights, sounds, people," The women, booze, vices of the big city, "I'm thankful for this posting and have come to see it as home, life is about moving forward afterall, even the Kami couldn't return to their parents."
Harold
"A very wise evaluation." She nodded in agreement, turning her face back towards the dark gardens. 

"I am finding myself feeling very much the same about this city. Though, I haven't the same sort of home to which I may ever return." A complicated expression crosses her pretty features for a moment, a strange intersection between longing, loneliness, and peace. "I would not mind at all if Ryoko Owari was to become my permanent residence."

Sipping from her own tiny cup, she lifted the carafe again. "Would you care for another cup? If you will forgive me for saying so, Bayushi-san, you look exhausted and not merely in body."

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Chad
"Another cup would be lovely thank you." He smiled, turning his head to look at her. "The city... Is the perfect representation of the Scorpion." He smirked, "It has a reputation of ill repute, yet people are drawn to it, it's seen as a stain of sin, but people are willing to fight over it, it's called a City of Lies and seen as an affront to Honor and Virtue, but without the medical supplies made here, the Empire would suffer." He drank deep of his cup again.

"Honor... Virtue... Such pretty words, but at the end of the day, they *Need* Us, we do what needs to be done for the greater good, the Crane preen and speak of culture, the Lion speak of valor when they want power... But it's the Underhand that the Hantei know are their loyal servant." He downed his drink at that. 

"We're the most honorable samurai in Rokugan... Because we dont' hide behind honor."
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Harold
Kotori listened as Tomura vented his thoughts and apparent frustrations. He certainly did have a point, and she nodded in agreement.

"While *We* Know all of this to be true, and *We* Know our value... It does get tiresome to be met with constant suspicion at every turn." 

Golden eyes dropped to the small cup cradled in her delicate hands, staring down at the liquid within. "But it is our duty, and we perform it without fail." 

She was silent for a moment then, but then summoned a smile and nudged the plate of rice crackers towards him. "Is there anything in particular that has you waxing philosophical this evening?"

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Chad
"It's something no one else will ever see, and it's better they do not, for if we are loved, how can we serve the Empire?" He nodded, Baka nuzzled next to him, giving a soft meow as it acommpied his owner.

"It was more... An observation, on why this city is our jewel, *Our* City." He smiled, "No matter what, it's a Scorpion, she may be married off to the Otomo, Unicorn, or anyone who tries to take her, but at the end of the day, she's a Scorpion." He smiled softly, then at her question turned to her in some confusion.

"Oh... No, not really, my mind has been wandering a bit is all, had a bit of hiccup recently, but nothing too serious."
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Harold
"I know..." Though she did not sigh, one could easily hear the weariness in her voice. "I take great pride in what we do. I just... I suppose I wish that the 'necessary' part of necessary evil was acknowledged once in a great while. But it is much easier to recognize evil, no? And I suppose it gives other clans another uniting factor."

Hearing Baka's mew, the musician turned her head to look at the small feline. It was difficult to remain in a pensive mood when faced with such an adorable animal, and a smile bloomed unbidden on her face.

"How comforting it must be to have a devoted companion." She wanted desperately to find out if Baka was as soft as it looked, but propriety stilled her hands. 

"I think there is just enough for one more, should you like." The sake bottle was lifted in offering. A slight flush had settled intently on her cheeks and neck, the pinkish color disappearing beneath the collar of her kimono. 

"I hope you are able to find your peace, Bayushi-san. Hiccups, however brief, may still be painful."

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Chad
Tomura looked down to Baka, a soft smile on his face, and then looked to Kotori, giving a silent nod of permission to touch his companion.

"I think I would like another glass, thank you." He said, holding the cup up, once it was poured he took a more restrained sip. "What have you found to be... Enteraining in this city, if I may ask?" He looked to her, "Sure, music seems to be your specialty, but surely you have other outlets?" He mused. In his line of work, it was always a boon to learn what his Clan mates desired, it could give him a way to incentives or reward his peers, as much as he did the paperwork, he also had more... Clandestine duties, and he had to make agents of everyone. 

"I'm sure a woman as lovely as yourself as no issue finding some small entertainment in the city."
Harold
The smile on Kotori's face become an outright grin as she reached over, gently petting Baka's head. It was a markedly girlish expression for a woman that otherwise looked like a devouring tigress herself. In fact, she even giggled. "Such beautiful fur!"

After a few moments of petting, she withdrew her hand again and poured the last of the sake for Tomura. "Oh, the city is a wonder in my eyes. There is so much to see and do every day." She looked back at him, letting her eyes meet his steadily. 

"I have interests outside of music, certainly. I enjoy the theatre and have been studying games so that I might improve in that area as well. But I have spent much of my time making the acquaintances of other samurai in Ryoko Owari."

"I harbor no delusions about my value, Bayushi-san. I cannot wield a blade, nor do the kami whisper to me I know that my most powerful asset is my appearance. So... I am doing my best to make proper use of it, and will continue to do so. I know Rokugo-sama intends to place me at the bathhouse, but we wait for that to be made an official decision, it is all I *Can* Do."

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Chad
Tomura nodded along, and chuckled as she finished.

"Well... I've been so sickly since birth I've never so much as riden a horse, I'd die the moment someone decided to fight me, and I'm pretty sure I'll die before I'm grey due to some health issue... But we're the Scorpion, not the Lion or the Phoenix, might and magic are useful tools, but they are just that, tools." He looked back up the stars.

"The mind is the most dangerous weapon at the disposal of the Scorpion... That and a pretty face, with these two hallmarks of our Clan, and to a lesser extent, the Bayushi, we will *Always* Prove that the fan is mightier then the sword, a sword can kill a man, but a few words have been known the destroy hundreds, you just need the right ear."
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Harold
Kotori laughed softly. "I have also never ridden a horse before." She too returned her attention to the night sky, drinking the last of her sake. "I, too, do not expect to see old age. Who knew we had so much in common?" A slight, somewhat sad smile touched her lips before flying away into the night. 

"It is strangely reassuring to learn that someone knows, at least in part, what it feels like..." She did not elaborate on that further, giving a little shake of her head and tucking a loose lock of hair back behind her ear. 

"I still have much to learn." 

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Chad
Tomura simply giggled at that.

"We should be careful, we might give people the impression that the Baysuhi are all chronically ill." He smiled as he finished his sake, picking his cat back up and nuzzling him a bit. 

"What if feels like to be confined to your room entire days, travel the world through the written word, be mocked and riduculed by the other children and often be told, 'this may be your last winter'?" He asked, cocking his head, "Some people, those who truely know me, may describe me as a hedonist, that's only because I had to come to terms at a young age, life if short, *Live it*."
Harold
Kotori found herself nodding in agreement as Tomura spoke. Everything he said was striking a chord within her, in rapid succession. "To be denied the ability to even play as a child. To be told your face is your only merit. To spend countless hours alone because you are not seen as worth the effort."

Watching Tomura nuzzle Baka brought another smile to her face, and she once again gave the cat a little scratch beneath the chin. How miraculous was the ability of an animal to soothe a tumultuous heart. Kotori understood immediately, in that moment, why Yuto was so fond of spending time in the gardens. 

"I admire your courage to indulge in your desires, Bayushi-san. I have spent so long terrified of everything *But* Shadows I sometimes find myself at a loss as to how to embrace living instead of merely surviving." 

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Chad
"Bayushi family curse prehaps?" He mused, leaning back to lay on the floor, only his elbows supported him as Baka simply curled up in his stomach. "But I play it to my advantage, everyone see's a weakling with his face buried in books and paperwork, they won't see the stinger." He turned his head to look at her.

"It's not courage, it's the simple fact we're going to die, the two of us perhaps younger then most, so If I'm going to be snuffed like a flame in my youth, I'm going to burn with passion, song, drink, music, food, flesh," He chuckled at that last one, "I'll indulge every last one before I burn out, every flavor I can get my hands on... Of course this is for my own time, duty to the Clan always comes before self indulgence."
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Harold
When Tomura adopted a much more casual pose, Kotori allowed her own posture to relax as well, shifting so as to rest on her hip and thigh on one side as opposed to her calves. "That is because you know you *Have* A stinger." She offered a little smirk, the alcohol-flush in her cheeks slowly starting to spread down the slender column of her throat. "I sometimes wonder if I mine is merely slow in coming, or entirely absent."

"I still think your ability to chase your desires it is a type of courage. To know such an inevitability is lurking, and still be able to pursue what you want without fear is an admirable thing, in my eyes." Her smirk broadened slightly, teasing. "On your own time, of course."

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Chad
He shook his head as if in some slight disappointment. 

"Dear cousin, your a scorpion, of course you have a stinger, it's merely a matter of finding what your poison is." When Baka hopped off him, he lazily turned on his side to face her.

"Your music disarms and captures the senses, lulling people into a sense of security, not to mention that such music is coming from such a beautiful woman... Think of it this way, you can be both the tide and the rocks, and they are more then happy to crash into you, as long as they can bask in the art you create."
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Harold
*"Dear cousin"* 

Such a simple address. Just two little words. Even Kotori herself had not expected they would have such a profound effect on her. 

Even the cousins alongside whom she had been raised had rarely addressed her as such. It caught her so by surprise that she inhaled sharply, like she'd just pricked herself on a needle, or perhaps more fittingly, the thorn of a flawless rose.

And beyond that... He was being so kind and encouraging. Without even realizing it had happened, Kotori's vision blurred with unshed tears. 

"Tomur—Bayushi-san," She blinked those tears away, a beatific smile lighting her features. "I am afraid the sake has dulled my wits and made my tongue heavy. Please forgive my lack of eloquence, but thank you. Thank you for your reminders of my place, and my worth." 

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Chad
He simply raised a brow under his mask and shrugged. If their was anything Tomura took pride in, it was that he was a Scorpion and held the name Bayushi, the most noble of the Kami.

"Think nothing of it, I'm simply speaking facts." He offered simply, "You wear the mon of Bayushi, wear it with pride." He looked down at his empty cup, "That was a fine vintage, I thank you for sharing it with me."

He reached his hand over, petting Baka who in turn leaned into the hand that was offered, "This is a nice distraction."
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Harold
"It was my pleasure."

Whether it was the sake or Tomura's words, something inside her clicked. Realigned. Reignited. Her eyes took on an almost feverish light as she looked at him in the soothing darkness, the tears vanished and replaced by some new, unnamed emotion. 

Straightening up to a proper seated position again, fingertips pressed to the floor and she bowed to him. What other way could she show her sincerity in that moment. 

"I feel as though a veil has been lifted from my eyes, Bayushi-san. Again, I thank you."

"I would be delighted if we might do a bit of moon-gazing again in the future."

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Chad
He looked to her bow and nodded, gazing back to the moon.

"I would be glad to, I'm more of a night owl anyway, so I'll be found wandering the palace these hours anyway, should prove to be a lovely pastime." He raised himself to sit up straight, "Be sure to be bring more sake." He chuckled 
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Harold
"I, too, find the night time hours more agreeable. And having company on occasion would make even more so."

"And as you wish," Kotori nodded and grinned. "I will be sure to bring more sake."

"Good evening, Bayushi-san. Baka-sama." She gave the little cat one more caress before getting to her feet. 

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