Janice
The Scorpion Palace was the jewel of the Noble Quarter, at least the Scorpion seemed to think so. It was a symbol of the Clan, it's power, reach, and the fact the Scorpion *Built* This city, the other Clans had embassies and worth places, but this, this was a *Palace*.

Sadly though, this was not a hight point of Scorpion control, so it was more or less a fancy embassy at this point, but that did not take away from it's beauty and splender, indead as the sun ran orange and red from the sunset, it seemd to make the Palace dance with shadows and colors as Lady Sun retreated for the day.

Bayushi Tomura waiting outside the palace, his mask only covering the top of his face, giving a view of the youthful and delicate features of his jaw. He wore a crimson and black yukata, with blossoms falling down, althought they seemed to be crimson, as if stained with blood... Or just in the shade of the sun. He waited patiently for his... Guest.
Jaqueline
Rin was getting better at this. Rather than just asking for directions along the way and getting an headache navigating the countless streets of the city, she had studied the map keenly, and managed to find the Palace on the first try! (Okay, third try, but she had recovered very quickly). Opposite to the Scorpion, her clothes were as bright and straightforward as her, flowing yukata in orange tones and a headband to back her red hair. Under her arm, a small book she had brought all the way from home: she had heard incredible things about Shosuro Playwrights, and just to make sure she wouldn't fall off in comparison, she had read this collection of famous plays all over again. It was a mystery how she was able to do this, and then fall asleep two pages In a strategy book.

She didn't notice her host until she was quite close, occupied admiring the building, but when she realised she was standing in front of him she stopped abruptly and stumbled into a bow. "Tomura-san, thank you for having me! I've been looking forward to this day!" She knew her voice was a bit too loud for circumstances, but she couldn't help herself: When her mood was high, so was the tone of her voice.

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Janice
'Tomura-san' he smiled at that. First name... This was going to be fun. "Rin-san." He said back, taking it as a sign to say her name, "Please, your the one blessing me with the joy of your company." He offered, guiding her inside, the Palace was a maze of art, heirlooms, armor, tapestries. "Your light brings much joy to these halls." He offered, leading her down a hall. Their where servants scuttling about on one task or anohter, masked bushi and couriters silently going about their buisness. Even when they where alone in a hall, their was a feeling... Of being watched.

"The play is just starting, I hear the Shosuro have done an amazing job, a new feature, so we'll be among the very first to view it." He smiled, looking at her, she was a rather fetching woman, and her hair... Unique, eye catching in it's shade. "You look amazing." He offered, as they walked, a soft noise could be heard, a small grey kitten walked over, and nuzzled itself against her foot. He leand down to pick the cat up. "I apologize, this is Baka, my assistant." He chuckled
Jaqueline
Unaware of the social landmine she had just dodged, she nodded her head and followed Tomura in gingerly. The Palace was... She didn't know how to describe it. The inside was beautiful, of course, her whole village didn't have the value or refinement of a single room in here, but it was all so quiet, like a temple. Had something serious just happened? Or were they just always like this? Either way, she tried her best to muffle her footsteps, as a courtesy to her hosts. 

But Tomura was making it hard. Not only she was going to see a Shosuro play, but it was a *Special* One, something she would be the first to see? She couldn't believe her luck! This assignment could be overwhelming at times, but in this moment she was truly glad to be in the city, witnessing things she otherwise would have never imagined. "Do I? You look very nice as well, Tomura-san! I like this other mask, shows more of your face!" The compliment was honest, and yet without an inkling of what it might have entailed. She was just happy she had dressed well enough to impress a true courtier, and she thought the best accessory for a face was a smile. Why the Scorpions insisted on wearing those masks anyway? People might have been more trusting with them if they didn't...

However, the purr cancelled such anthropological reflections out of her mind. Her eyes literally shined as she swallowed a squeal, and she raised on her tips to give the cat a better look. "Oh Heavens, they're *Gorgeous!* Are they male or female? How old are they? Can I pet them?" She shot out all these questions without a pause, raising her hands tentatively towards the cat. If she wasn't usually the brightest, her brain basically turned to a soft mush at the sight of a cute animal; her own family had several at her home, and for a part of her life they were her best friends.

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Janice
Tomura chuckled at the reaction to Baka.

"Baka here is about... A year or two old, he's a baby." He sighed, offering him to her to hold, "I found him on my way here, cold and abandoned by the road, I just had to take him in, if I didn't, who would? He asked, as if the choice to adopt him was obvious. He then lead her to a chamber which held the theatre of the palace, quietly leading her to their seats.

Leading her to their spot, he knelt down on the ground. "Most of the audience are Scorpion, so that would make you the first Lion, if not outside the clan to witness this play, had to pull some strings for the ok." He chuckled, was that the truth, who knows. 

The play started, setting a story of a Lion warrior of the Matsu family, sent to guard an Ikomo courtier on a diplomatic mission, they are set upon my bandits on the way, the Matsu finishing them off, but her charged is killed, however their seems to be a letter implying a Samurai from the meeting they where going to has hired these thugs, thus she continues to find the root of his dishonor, and avenge her charge.
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Jaqueline
Her look to the Scorpion as he recounted the tale was one of reinforced admiration. See? She knew he was actually a good guy, Scorpion and all! *Who knows, maybe he isn't the only one like this? They are also samurai under their mask, after all, they just happened to be given an harsh duty.* She resolved to be more open-minded in her dealings with them, feeling very wise for this decision.

However, the flame of this intention was almost instantly snuffed as she entered the hall. For once, she didn't need Tomura to realise that all the people in here wore black and red, and that she awfully out of place with her bright yellows. She would have almost preferred if someone directly gave her an ill look, but experienced courtiers could do this thing where they don't actually look at you but it's like they are, and she hated it. Her only comfort in the situation was Baka, whom she had safely nestled between her beefy arms, and she held him like a lucky charm as she walked sheepishly to her place.

"O-Oh, you shouldn't have, Tomura-san, I don't want you to get in trouble for a whim of mine..." Now she worried for Tomura as well. For all her philosophical musings, she had grown up with horror stories of the deadly intrigue of Scorpion courts, and for a brief moment she imagined the young man lying in a puddle of blood. Morbid thoughts. Just focus on the play, it'd help her relax.

And indeed, it did. In a few moments, she was completely focused on the show, leaning towards the stage as if she was going to fall into it. The actors were up to her expectations, nothing like the spontaneous but unrefined interpreters they had in the province, but so far the plot was pretty common, if the Shosuro considered it a daring experiment it meant the twist was yet to come...

And yet, all of these considerations remained stuck in a marginal part of her mind. Her secret to enjoying Kabuki so much was being able to erase the barrier with the fictional world, and live the story from the eyes of the characters, without pretentiousness or prejudice. 

It also helped when one of the characters in question was a brave, honorable hero she could relate to, like the Matsu in question.

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Janice
"Please, Rin-san," He whispered, "It brings me joy to see you enjoying our hospitality... I know we're the subject of some... Vile rumor and slander," He said, his voice saddened now, "I just hoped, prehaps, you could see that we are not all the villains the plays make us out to be." He said, gesturing to the play.

The Matsu indeed had arrived at the conference, where a refined Doji, a wise Togashi, and a suspicious Bayushi. The Matsu knew then and there, clearly the Scorpion was the man who killed her master. She just had to prove it.

"Yes, their are some... Tactics we use, but all is in service to the Empire, all are so we can live in a world where no one need dirty their hands..." He smiled brightly, his voice filled with some hope, "At least, that is my dream." He shrugged, then leaned in a tad close, whispering in her ear. "I do hope... We could be friends, Rin-san." He said softly, Baka making a small meow.

In the play, the Matsu was met by a servant, claiming he overheard some supicous activity, she leaped at the chance to catch the Scorpion, and lied in what. The bandit leader, disguised as a soldier, arrived for payment, and who could it be but he Doji! The Matsu learned it was the Crane who killed her charge, and challenged him to a duel, his Kakita Yojimbo represented him.
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Jaqueline
If some people had a heart of stone, Rin's was made of mochi, so Tomura's saddened tone was more than enough for it to start pumping droves of empathy (so much, in fact, that she completely glossed over the "Tactics" He mentioned). She started turning her head to communicate him just that, but he wasn't where she had imagined: instead, he was right next to her, blowing a warm breath in her ear. Involuntarily, she turnt as red as her hair, and stumbled a bit on her answer. "O-Of course, Tomura-san, we're already friends for me..." This interaction was weird. Did all city people spoke so close to each other? That almost felt more like flir-

*Nah, what am I thinking, he just said he wants to be friends!* This thought erased completely the realisation that had been surging in her mind, suffocated instantly by her naivetè. Still, she adjusted the collar of her hakama. It was kind of hot in here.

It didn't take long, however, for her to be sucked again in the play. She had almost been assured this would be yet another play with a Scorpion, a tried and true classic, but the twist caught her off guard. Sure, Lion plays weren't exactly kind to the Crane either, but usually if a Scorpion was on the scene, they were the villain or were helping the villain. In the corners of her mind, she started to realise why this play could be seen as offensive to other clans, even if personally she didn't understand why. It was fiction, so why be so sensitive over it?

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Janice
As the play went on, the Kakita and the Matsu met at sunset, a duel to avenge her charge, her friend. So, as Matsu and Kakita once fought, so too did this young examples of Bushido. It was not quick, they dueled with equal skill, the Kakita almost gaining victory, but Lady Sun reflected on the sword of the Matsu, blinding him enough that she was able to slash his gut, winning victory. The Crane's treachery was exposed and the Matsu avenged her friend. Later, seeking the servant who aided her, the Matsu could not find the young man.

Later, at nightfall, the play showed the lone Scorpion retiring to his room, removing his mask to reveal the servant who aided the Matsu in finding justice, content that he worked in darkness to serve the light of righteousness. 

"Are you allright, Rin-san?" He asked, his eyes concerned as the play ended and she seemed flustered, "It is rather warm, mayhaps we can walk the gardens, the sun has gone down and the night air may provide a cooler environment?" He suggested
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Jaqueline
Rin did not answer immediately, still staring at the now empty stage with the look of who's still in another world. A web of wrinkles appeared through her soft face as she tried to fully grasp the meaning of the play: surely it was meant to be celebrative for the Scorpion, no doubt. However, their maneuver had been dishonorable, hadn't it? By helping the Matsu dishonorable they had also dishonored her. But did that still count if she wasn't aware of it? Surely the Ancestors wouldn't punish you for something you weren't even aware of. Overall... She thought she understood better the Scorpion philosophy from when she had started. 

"Oh?" With a bit of delay, she finally realised that Tomura was speaking to her, and hurried to answer. "A-Ah, of course, that would be much appreciated!" Indeed, she was always someone to prefer staying outdoor when she could. Besides, she wanted to chat more with him about the play and it felt inappropriate to do so in a public place.

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Janice
Tomura stood up and lead Rin outside, the sun had indeed set and the moon provided them with illumination, along with the crimson lanterns that hung above the garden. As he walked he looked at Rin, a soft smile forming on his face.

"I must deeply thank you for accompanying me to the play, I found it quite thrilling, I did not expect the Crane to play villain." He admitted, "But, I'm curious to your own thoughts on it, Rin-san." He cocked his head, following them of course was Baka, when Tomura was in the palace, his cat was never far behind.
Jaqueline
"No, no, thank *You*, Tomura-san! Were it for you I might have never been able to see such a beautiful play!" Now that she was out of the theatre, she could finally express all her enthusiasm without embarrassing herself, struggling to contain her strife into a proper stroll rather than a full blown march. "The Crane as the villain was a surprise indeed, it is unusual In a tragic play... Perhaps it's because the Cranes write most of those?" She casually expressed a scathing insinuation that would have definitely earned her a challenge was she in presence of any son of Doji. It wasn't meant to be insulting though, as she was simply thinking aloud.

"But to me a bigger surprise still was the Scorpion in the role of the helper... There's a few plays in which they're the heroes, like *Father and Daughter*, but I don't think I've seen them in the role of supporting the main character. Is this something that happens in real life, Tomura-san? A Scorpion helping while remaining unseen?" She turnt her large eyes at him, full of childlike surprise. It took quite long, but eventually, she had come around the point of the play.

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Janice
He chuckled, looking up to the moon.

"It is... An interesting twist," He admitted, walking down the garden path, they were currently alone, save for the cat, the soft sounds of crickets were their primary companions.

"Their is a saying I'm fond of, that the Crane and the Scorpion are simply reflections of each other, two faces but truths of court... My mother was a Crane," He admitted, "So maybe I'm the whole thing." He mused.

"But in any case... Before I answer your question, please, let me ask, what did you think of the Scorpion, before we met?" He turned to face her
Jaqueline
Her eyebrows raised. The Crane and the Scorpion... Two halves? She did recall her sensei saying something on those lines, that a Scorpion was just a Crane that didn't pretend to be honorable, but she had always thought it was just one of her cranky moments. "Well, congratulations then! If you're the whole thing, you have an advantage on everyone else!" She still didn't understand what exactly he meant, but it seemed like a good thing, so she complimented him.

However, his words made her pause. Her cheeks reddened, feeling like she was being accused of something: and yet, to be honest, there wasn't anything she should have been embarassed of. If someone would have asked her, she would have certainly agreed that all Scorpions are villains, but she would only be repeating what she had heard from her kin and seen in plays. Her heart didn't hold any true hatred for them, as she was kind of ashamed of that, since it seemed to her that a proper Lion is angered by a lot of things. She had hoped that visiting Ryoko Owari, the ultimate Scorpion stronghold, could have roused in her the righteous fury she lacked. But now... She wasn't so sure.

"I... I think the best way I can explain it is that I was confused." She murmured softly, looking away. She fiddled with the tie of her obi nervously as she spoke. "I just couldn't understand why you'd be dishonorable all the time. I mean, we all know of the Celestial Order, right? I couldn't see how you could be aware that you were hurting your dharma and still do what you do... I don't know how I feel about it now. But I think I understand why."

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Janice
Tomura chuckled, stopping in the middle of their walk and turning to her, he cocked his head and stared into her eyes, an amused smile on his face. 

"Think of it like this, if we are the villains everyone says we are, would the Emperor, in his wisdom, not have us destroyed?" He pointed out, "Yes, we use cunning, but everything we do... Everything *I* Do, is for the Empire, for the Emperor, for Rokugan." He gestured to himself, "Look at me, I'm a harmless boy, I'm hardly even an experience samurai yet, what schemes could I come up with, from my glorified desk job?" He asked.

Then he smiled, leaning in and bringing a hand to her cheek, stopping *Just* Short of touching her, merely hovering beside her.

"I hope... That one with your warmth... Honesty... And beauty, can see that we don't sting... But we just want to protect." He whispered, "I hope you can see that... Rin-chan."
Jaqueline
She blinked: eh, that was a fair point. However, she didn't like seeing him putting himself down like that, so she hurried to speak up: "D-don't say that, Tomura-san, you're doing great! You're so young and already the chief courtier in Ryoko Owari, and I could never work with papers and administration like you do, I'm sure you could concoct a lot of schemes- Ehm, I mean, if you wanted to." She was about to further excuse her inappropriate attempt of a praise, but before she could do that, something strange happened.

She felt something tickling her hair, and as she glanced that way, she realised it was his hand. Her eyes widened almost comically and she opened her mouth, but before she could say- something he started doing that thing again, whispering when there was no need to conceal your words. She didn't know why, but it made her feel weird. *Beauty? How does beauty even matter here?* She could appreciate his compliments, but beauty didn't seem to match with the rest of the list. Did *She* Have beauty, even? It wasn't an attribute people used with her a lot. Okay, okay, even admitting it was just a misplaced word, why was he close to touching her cheek?

She needed to find an explanation: at first she tried looking in his eyes for an answer, but suddenly, it was hard to do so, who knows why. *Okay, there must be a reason here. Think, Rin, think. Where did you see a scene similar to this one? Right, in that pillow book when the heroine... Wait! It can't be... Is he...?*

*I get it!* 
Her hand raised, coming close to his- and going straight past it. "Ah, thank you, I hadn't noticed it!" She was referring to a strand of hair that had come out of her messy knot, and she hurried putting it back in clumsily. This time it had been close, so so close. But even when could reach it with logic, her complete inexperience in these matters clouded her judgement again. "I think I will, Tomura-san! I don't know many Scorpions yet, so I can't speak about all the clan, but you definitely look like the protector type! Ah, if only everyone was like you, surely our clans wouldn't fight anymore!" As she spoke cheerfully, she unceremoniously undid and then remade her bun (even messier than before), not only killing but straight up axe murdering the vibe. However she looked up, realising she had missed something. "Ah, also, I don't mind being called Rin-chan, just so you don't worry about it Would you like to also call you Tomura-kun as well?" After all, that was a normal way to refer to friends.

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Janice
Tomura just blinked under his mask... Where all Matsu this stupid. He just started to giggle... Then chuckle... Then laughed, laughed and laughed.

"Yes, you can call me Tomura-kun." He chuckled, then looked right at her. "Rin-chan... I'm going to go against centuries of tradition and every instinct in my body as both a Scorpion and a Courtier, and say this frankly so their is no misunderstanding." He didn't move his hand from hovering.

"Your amusing, your genuine, your beautiful, I asked you here as a date, and I want to spend more time with you, frankly I wish I could kiss you now but clearly that's not on the mind." He chuckled, finding this so amusing, "I've been droping hints like crazy, but if this is the way I need to do it, with honesty so be it."
Jaqueline
She didn't know what they were laughing for, but his laughter was contagious, so she eventually joined in, her voice ringing way too loud in the empty courtyard. This was fun! They were here chatting, laughing, on a date-

*Oh.*

Her whole body froze, as she finally internalised what he had said. This was a date?! Why had nobody told her? Heavens, her first date and she hadn't even been aware of it for the longest part. Wait, back on track, what should she do now?! She had involuntarily put herself in a scathing situation, possibly dishonoring her name and her family and all that stuff! If word of this came to her embassy, or worse, her cousin...

But hold on. First of all, how did *She* Feel about this?

"Tomura-kun..." She began, and then stopped. Her mind was completely empty, just staring into his eyes as if she could fish out the answer there. "I-I-I am flattened, b-but I don't have an answer to this as of now... We barely know each other, after all, and a samurai should save themselves for-" She was about to say "For marriage", but then she remembered that all her favourite love stories were essentially based on adultery, and thought it would have been hypocritical of her to say so. "-I just don't know. You're funny and smart and noble and... Good-looking," Her face turnt so red that it almost blended with the crimson walls, "But right now I can't tell if I feel about you that way. Would it be fine for you to... Wait? Think about this? I don't want to give a rushed answer and possibly ruin our friendship... It would make me very sad." Her eyes fell down. Ugh, why did things had to become this complicated? It was so much easier when they were just on friendly terms. Maybe it was her fault? Did she somehow provoke him with her behaviour? But picturing herself as a man eater was so ridiculous that she would have laughed, were it not for the situation she was in.

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Janice
Under his mask he raised a brow, Matsu where truly some of the most frustrating Samurai in the empire weren't they, but outwardly he simply smiled.

"Please, accept my humble apologies if I have offended you in any way." He moved back and gave a bow, "Of course, if you would rather us be friends, then so be it." He put on a bright smile, "Take all the time you need."

Baka, being a cat, muzzled Tomuras foot knowing the courtier wished he could dissappear into the Shadowlands right now
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Jaqueline
Her heart shrunk two sizes at his apology: suddenly she felt terrible, and didn't know why. Is this what pretty people had to deal with all the time? That sounded terrible. "N-No, please don't apologise, Tomura-kun! There is nothing wrong with expressing your true feelings, I know it wasn't easy for you as-" She was about to say "As a Scorpion", a thought pattern inherited from her clan, but she stopped herself out of fear of offending him.

 "S-Still, I swear I will take your proposal seriously. Can we keep seeing as, uh... Friends? That way we can know each other better. I am sure this would help both of us making up our mind." And who knows, maybe when he'd see just how messy she really was, he'd lose interest. Hopefully. Or hopefully not? Ugh, her head was hurting now.

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Janice
Tomura raised himself from the bow, looking at her with a slight smile on his face.

"No, please, It was my lack of communication that brought us here," He assured, "And yes... I do wish to be friends with you, Rin-chan." He said, leaning down and picking up Baka, "I... Don't wish to hurt our friendship, I assure you though, my feelings are not hurt nor my heart shattered, I'm just a tad embarrassed mostly." He shrugged, then looked up to the night sky and sighed.

"I'm not the greatest of men, I'm no warrror, I'm a twig," He holds up an arm, showing a lithe and delicate build, "So... I can understand, why I may not be the kind of person you would wish... To be close with," He simply chuckled, "But if I can be your friend, at least, I would love that."
Jaqueline
"No!" Her answer was way too loud, reverberating in the empty courtyard like the sound of a song. Immediately her ears turnt red again, but she could have not done anything to contain the vehemence of her answer. Her tone is unusually determined, as if she was sure of what she was saying for once. "T-Tomura-san, listen to me please. There is no shame in not being a warrior. We all have our gifts, don't we? I was given a strong body, but I don't have much in here..." She Points at her head, "...While you do. My ma used to say that everybody fights their own battle: bushi fight against other bushi, courtiers battle against other courtiers, doctors battle against illnesses, even farmers battle against pests and weather to grow crops. Your role is not the important thing, but rather how valiantly and honorably you fight. That is all I care about."

For a moment she falls quiet, having exhausted both her breath and her profundity of thought in her speech, and this pause is enough to make usual clumsy Rin resurface. "I-I mean, not just in a partner, also in a friend, but what I said also counts for a partner- uh, how about we go back inside? I kind of wanted to speak with the actors, and changing topic could help make things less awkward again!" She realised too late the last line would have been better left unsaid.

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Janice
Tomura rubbed the back of his head and blinked... Maybe he was teasing her too much, part of him starting to feel bad.

"Of course... And thank you for your kind words, truly." He looked back the palace, internally sighing as he was sure this little play would be the subject of palace gossip for the next few days. "In any case, I'm sure the Shosuro would love to hear what you thought of their project, I heard it's been cooking for few months." He smiled.

"I'm glad your my friend, Rin-chan." He said simply, then led her back into the palace, all the while mentally bashing his head agains the wall