Barbara
Kokuto had been quite busy since her surprise patients. There were medications to refill, potions to make, new research to complete, gardens to explore, and a bevy of patients to deal with. She had managed to clean up the mess, though there was little sign it had stuck. The table above her bed was still covered in a jumbled mass of papers, scrolls, and books. Her workstation remained pristine across from her desk, a bastion of simplicity amongst the chaos. Before the door was still a strange, dark gouging in the wood with suspicious stains around. She had not yet figured out how to remove them without destroying the floor. Perhaps an acid. She shrugged and turned away from the stain.

Kota had been most helpful in their presence for the niceties had been observed. She sighed as she settled into her repose next to her desk. A fresh pot of her revitalizing herbal blend steamed from its spot on the cramped desktop. She poured herself a cup with a soft smile.

As she sipped the tea, one hand reached out to stroke a notebook at the top of a stack. It was a clean copy of Kobe's notes on her observations of the poisons she had tested. A low maniacal giggle burst forth from her as she fell back against the hard wall. She stood and bounced over to the cabinet maze and spoke as she stroked the wood drawers lovingly, "Oh, the making of antidotes and all those drugs be going smoothly with all the lovely, lovely poisons." She drew open a drawer to drool over the contents. A scattering of petals adorned the bottom. "Oh. Be needing more." She looked at the other drawers. "What else?"

Kokuto returned to the desk and retrieved a notebook bound with white ribbon. She flipped to a blank page and began to note down which drawers were low. Surely she would be able to finish the list to replenish this time.

||
Justine
This was Yutos first time ever actually coming to the Dragons embassy. He had escorted a few newcomers before, but never did the man step foot into their domain. Now he was here and for various reasons, mostly medical, but he had been wanting to see the dragon for a few things. Coming to their gates he was stopped by the guards, of course, anyone would be weary of a Scorpion but they were more polite than most. Yuto hoped they wouldn't mind if he just... 

**"KOOOOOKUUUUTOOOO-SAAAAAAAAAANNNNN!"** He said calmly. 

For such an injured-looking man, his energy was pretty relaxed and loose. Bandages covered his eye, his arm in a cast, and beneath the clothes were more wrappings. Yuto had healed enough to be on his feet again, but getting a professional to look at him was important, now he had one.
Barbara
The little alchemist had managed to make good work on her replenishment list when she paused for a moment. "Did you be hearing that?" She asked of the empty room. Silence was her answer. She tilted her head to the side and kept opening drawers and writing in the notebook.

A few moments later, a servant knocked then entered. "Yakuzaishi-sama, there is a man calling your name at the gates. He looks injured," The soft voice interrupted her. Kokuto sighed, maneuvered back to the open area around desk and work table, and placed brush and notebook back on the desk. "Best bring this way," She indicated the outside wall. The servant bowed and left. They would return several moments later, having led Yuto through the complex and indicated a door; it looked much like any other door facing the exterior, except for the profusion of plants that spilled out into the garden. Flowering plants, green leaves hiding innocent looking berries, a thorny bramble vine with white flowers and shiny drupelets, all growing with just enough room to move about between them. 

The cramped feeling continued into the room beyond. Kokuto was once more seated at the desk, a notebook with blue ribbon set before her. She looked up, gestured to the cushion the servant placed in the only clear space in the room, and bowed her head slightly. "Please, be seating yourself and telling this one what brings you this day," She said in a slow rhythmic tone that mimicked the prayers to the spirits, one hand resting close to a plain bottle and a packet of seeds between her notebook and the ink and brush.

||
Justine
He would have followed the escorts into the embassy. Being distracted by the various sights and unique of the estate. Yuto had never been within their walls, this was very much a new experience. Despite this, he didn't feel threatened or on guard, Even though he was here to confer with whomever he could. For Yuto this was a chance to heal and open an opportunity. A soft smile appeared over his face, growing brighter as he finally met with the Apothecary. 

"Thank you for seeing me Kokuto-san!" He obeyed her command and sat down, taking a slow gleam of the room. Shifting his stare back to her, the Scorpion would speak once more. "I was hoping you could look at my injuries, I believe you had offered back when we met in the Gardens. Figured I could take you up on your offer. How have you been since we last spoke? You didn't get poison from that plant and die did you?" 

He asked despite her clearly being alive and in front of him. The Magistrate appreciated nature, so the dragon's specialty in understanding it was fascinating. "So anyway I was hoping you could take a look at me! I've got a cut on my face, a black eye, a sprained leg, some broken ribs, I think I pulled a muscle in my back, oh and I hit my head pretty hard! So hard I shattered my Mempo! Then I got nicked a few times on my arm, pretty sure I dislocated my shoulder. Oh! I also think I broke my arm but I don't know I figured I should let you look."
Barbara
At first, the casual familiarity pricked at Kokuto. While she was not one for social niceties, the fact that this random person showed up to call her by her given name with such impunity and had the gall to be such a ***GIANT*** Had her back up. She had swelled with righteous indignation, thought briefly about throwing the bottle of sake at this brute despite the purpose it served in being an emergency offering to the spirits, and was on the verge of letting loose a tirade of disrespectful patients that should know their place when something he said finally penatrated.

*Offer? Garden? Garden. An offer in a garden? An offer in a garden.* ***Ooohhhh.***

The thin fingered stained hand inched away from the offering upon her desk slowly. "Ah, Saru-san. Been wondering when you be getting here." She totally didn't forget from the distraction of all the poisons and the opportunity to taste them and make notes. Nope, totally did *Not* Forget. As he asked about her dying, she answered with a small smile, "Yes indeed. It was only a little death, though." That last poison had cut it a bit close, though thankfully she carried both a purge everywhere she went and a selection of common antidotes. She had only suffered the after effects for a few measly hours.

She eyed him as he narrated his injuries. ||Medicine 6, Observant|| She knew most patients had a poor understanding of their own bodies. As he continued the litany, she stepped around to stand next to him. "Let us be seeing, then," She said and indicated he should remove his garments from the waist up. She was not above stripping a patient herself, but that was usually reserved for those unaware of their surroundings or lost in fever of which Yuto was neither.
Justine
Tilting his head, Yuto found himself confused. Why does she look upset and feral? Then it hit him when she spoke his name! Could she have forgotten who he was? No, maybe this was her first time seeing the scorpion without the mask. That couldn't have been it either, they met in a restaurant and ate together! Maybe his face was so pummeled she just didn't recognize him, it couldn't have been that bad! 

"Hehehe, you didn't recognize me did you? That's okay, you're only the first person." He just, of course, chuckling at the joke he made. Now there was another matter, taking off his clothes... Yuto certainly wasn't comfortable, especially since he wasn't seeing a Scorpion Apothecary. He'd just have to suck it up. "Uhhh, alright! Though I think I gave you the gist." 

Yuto was no expert, but he knew the basics and how to assess injuries. || Medicine 1 Air - Awareness || However Kokuto would likely do a better job. Thus he took off his Haori, and only the outer coat. Clearly, he was still uncomfortable. "Alright! Now you have a good look!"
Barbara
"All the way," Kokuto instructed as she removed the inner kimono as well with care and a gentle hand in regards to shoulder and broken arm. The first order of business was assessing the dislocated joint. She grabbed his upper arm in one hand and set the other to feeling the muscles and bones at the joint as she manipulated the arm. "So, a healer is being used to the nakedness of flesh outside of bathhouses, and is needing to be seeing the whole of the injuries to make assessments and do you think one should use a horse hair fude or sheep's hair?" She waited until she felt the subconscious relaxing from the shock or confusion of topic change and snatched his arm back into place with an efficient little move. ||Medicine 6, Water 5|| It was not what her fellow practitioner would have done, but she was also apothecary and not doctor even if she had studied at both.

The little alchemist turned her attention to the forearm. This would be more tricky. Fingers delicately prodded the skin around where she suspected the break to be and paid close attention to his reactions. "Who be the physician to be seeing to the break?" She asked nonchalantly to help distract him from the painful relief of his shoulder and the prodding pain of her questing fingers.
Justine
Yuto was no stranger to pain, however, he was never prepared to strip before anyone. A scorpion felt unease with the fewer layers worn, this was one of those times. Always on guard despite the peaceful environment. When the snap came, Yuto let out a minor grunt, gritting his teeth as the shoulder was relocated. A breath of relief soon came, distracted by the lingering thoughts on this process. He figured Shugenja healed differently. 

When the dragon inquired about a healer, he tilted his head, confused by the question. "I didn't break it, all I did was wrap it to keep it in place. Figured it'd heal with time but the pain hasn't gone anywhere." Judging by how she asked that question, Kokuto wasn't going to... No it wouldn't be like that. 

"Anyway! I figured you'd just... You know." With his other hand Yuto gestured toward the dragon, twiddling his fingers at her. As if to express she'd use some Shugenja magic and make it all better. Yuto didn't know how that worked.
Barbara
The quiet and efficient Kota had been around Kokuto enough by now to know her mind well enough for this. An armrest was slid under the broken forearm as fingers continued to manipulate it. She entreated him to rest there for but just a moment. "Saru-san, what kind of healing do you expect to happen with such carelessness?" She asked slowly, almost cautiously. His wrist was manipulated and rotated to her satisfaction as she prodded his arm. 

Kokuto leaned forward, a truly awkward distance for any but lovers or family. Her fingers paused, hand laid flat on the arm as she waited for an answer. A wooden dowel appeared before his mouth with a slight waver from the hand that held it; the silent servant had a fear of most samurai. "You will be wanting to bite onto that," Kokuto murmured softly, her dark eyes serious, the fine lines around them only seen because of the little distance between them. She had every intention of staying there until the wooden rod was fixed between his teeth. Couldn't have him biting something in his mouth inadvertently.

It was only once he had bitten down that she leaned back with a sigh; all of her weight focused upon the hand flat against his arm. The fragile snap of a barely but badly healed broken bone reverberated through her own arms. "The spirits that come to the healing of the body heal as is. They are not knowing the human body above another any more than they are knowing the language you speak. If this one would be calling them to heal the harm done to you, healing you as you were they would be doing with gladness." She bound his arm to the rest with a board atop it. It was rather awkward were the intention for him to leave like that, but it did excellent to keep the bones from moving once she had set them. She moved to gather a few things from other parts of the room.
Justine
He shook his head, a smug expression came over him, especially after the dragon spoke. Snickering his tongue, the scorpion waved a finger as he went on to correct the woman. "You underestimate me Kokuto-san, I'm not careless! I wrapped the arm carefully!" He spoke as if he just dropped ground-breaking information to the dragon. Yuto was by no means an idiot, he was simply a stubborn man who believed himself invincible, whom possessed no medical knowledge. 

Of course, it was then he found a wooden rod in his mouth, confusing the Scorpion. Tilting his head, he gave the apothecary a concerned look. What was she about to do? It was then he realized what she was doing, as the pain tore through the Magistrate's body. A grunt was sheltered beneath his teeth as she broke the arm, it may have been a scream if he weren't biting down on the rod. His eyes watered but no tears fell, forcing them back in to maintain face. 

'C'mon Saru-San! You're a manly man!' He thought to himself. 

He spat the rod out into his available arm, placing it on the table grumpily. Staring at the arm-breaking medic with a betrayed look. "You could've told me you were going to break it!" He pouted, clearly upset. "If I knew you were gonna break my arm I would've brought crackers to munch on, that wood taste like... Wood."
Barbara
Kokuto only gave him a bland look as response to his earth shattering revelation that he wrapped the arm tightly before she continued. Setting the bone was child's play to her, and she had given it the same amount of attention. When she returned, she had a funny looking fude, a container of seemingly plain water, and several herbs. She gave instruction to Kota to grind two different pastes out of the herbs. "If being told it was to be broken again, you would have tensed. And of course wood be tasting like wood! Tasting of what else would it be?" She frowned at him in a slight confusion. Perhaps the damage was also to his head. *Oh well, nothing they can do about that.*

"This one is not giving you the medicine to block the pain because you will not be needing it long. If you were not needing the healing with the spirits, taking the long road you would be doing with the killing of pain and numbing of senses." She spoke as she smeared the pastes on Yuto's wounds. It was not absolutely necessary to show the spirits what and where to heal the way she was, but it helped when she had the time. Plus, the spirits ate it up when she treated a normal invocation as a ritual. They did so loved to be made much of. The strange fude was dipped into the water and as she wrote incomprehensible letters around the pasted skin, it became clear the fude was made from yet more herbs. The water had an oily feel as it clung to the skin instead of rolling off.
Justine
The dragons bland expression and silence were ignored, seeing as Yuto was more interested in watching what they were doing. While he had some medical experience, it was nothing on this level, a natural curiosity swelled within the Scorpion. He wondered if the dragon had found work, perhaps among the other clans or establishments within the city. The Magistrate was here to discuss several matters, this seemed to be a strong opportunity. 

"Well, numbing is nice but I'd like to be healed soon as possible. Lot of duties to attend to, I suppose you're quite busy yourself. Do you get a lot of visitors here or work at another location?" 

Figuring it was best to throw the question up, he didn't want to proceed into any details too quickly. Learning more of the dragon was key, he didn't know much of Kokuto, besides their dinner and strange garden encounter. "Have you met others with your expertise? Outside of Kuni-san."
Barbara
There was some good-natured grumbling about him being like fire, impatient to move things along and how that was why the fire kami made poor healing spirits. Something about kids always being so eager to get back out and play the games that led to the hurt in the first place followed. "Visitors here, this one be visitor. Only finished unpacking few days ago. Already the floor is burned," She grumbled with a darting glance to where acid blood had been cleaned from. One or two boards had been bad enough they had needed replacing, so the stain was broken in the middle by planks as yet unstained by age and wear.

She gestured for silence for a moment as her focus turned inward to that place where the spirits were heard. The low, flowing words sounded like a monk's chants over a shallow creek, at least that's what she had been told. To her, it sounded like a normal voice.

*"I call to the spirits of the flowing waters of life,
Those spirits that all life comes from and all life must return,
Harken to the call of this your servant.
As direction is given by oil and leaf so shall it be taken
To speed the body along to good health and whole self,
To Regrow the Wounds of harm and hurt."*

Her eyes had closed as she chanted in that other language that only priests and spirit speakers are taught. A small smile grew as she felt the slow tide of Water turn to lap and flow over Yuto's wounds. Like footprints in the sand disappearing as the tide came it, the wounds would heal as the spirits followed Kokuto's direction. She watched with a critical eye as she answered his question, "Others? A few. Some of the healers of the Dragon sent to the city in recent times. Not more. The running of hither and thither has been a delaying factor to the meeting of other associates. This one has given medications through clansmen, though."
Justine
Yuto bobbed his head side to side slowly, like a child that didn't know what else to do, trying to entertain themselves as they waited. His eyes peered to the floor where she glanced, she burned her floor? Kokuto moved quick, bouncing between task, it was hard to focus until she was ready to give the prayer. Calling upon the Kami was always something he fascinated by, learning more about them was probably important, especially with the offer he had to pitch. Currently, Yuto wasn't a very good leader, that would have to change. His spirituality was something the Magistrate neglected, if he were to grab at more power, this was one of the first steps. 

Watching the spell function was an unreal experience, part of him wished he were a Shugenja. If he was, he'd have been a one-man clan in the city, however, the Kami would never reach him. "You have my gratitude, Kokuto-san. You deserve more opportunities to display your talents and meet those alike yourself. I've been putting something together if it interests you." 

Now was a better time than ever to ask, seeing as they were on the topic. "You could help a lot of people in this city. Unless you only warrant your talents to your clan and that of friends, which I hope we are considered."
Barbara
The little alchemist waited until the spirits had done their work before moving her attention to other things. She smiled as Yuto thanked her, though the smile did not reach as far as it had before. Her left hand reached out to grab at a selection of herbs left beside her without seeing. She stuffed them in her mouth and chewed methodically as she unwrapped his arm. "Being careful for the next few days you should be doing. Easy to rebreak what has been healed so quickly," She said to him through the mouthful of plants.

One hand waved away the flattery. She was never the one to accept honeyed words, especially from those that presumed to be overly familiar. Ah, well. She couldn't ask for much when she couldn't be bothered to remember someone's name. She gave a lightly dismissive shrug to her own thoughts as Yuto continued on. *Oops, still talking. Best pay attention, stupid girl.* She frowned at the mention of helping a lot. "This one refuses none that can offer the price of services rendered," She said airily. She did not mention what the price was. "Even the burakumin," The sharp look and hard tone suggested that if he found a problem with that, it was something he would have to deal with on his own. 

Yuto lost her attention as she wandered into the thought of what people had paid for those services. From money to high value goods to snippets of information. She remembered one village where a plague had torn through the children; the village elder had thrown himself on her mercy as she passed by on her way to hunt some rare medicinal herbs known to grow in the region.

She chuckled to herself as she remembered the look on his face when she told him she would take what he had offered when she finished treating the remaining children. He expected her to decimate their food supply; she only wanted the weeds from their gardens. She snapped back to the here and now. "Concerning this is to you why?" She asked him, intrigued by his answer. Scorpions were not known for their altruism; she was interested in how he would answer.
Justine
He nodded when she recommended to be careful, Yuto knew not to underestimate a doctor's suggestion, even though for days he had ignored them. Once she finished wrapping the arm, he tested just how much motion he had, making sure not to go outside of it. He somewhat chuckled at her casual manners, eating and speaking with herbs in her mouth. Now that his arm was fixed he could address another problem with her, but first came the offer Yuto was going to make. 

However, when she brought up the Burakumin, Kokuto would notice the young man's face brighten. Yuto was vastly different from a traditional scorpion, and that was more than just his appearance. He wasn't against charity and hospitality, these concepts were not distasteful by any means. Before she'd have been able to utter another word or make an impact on him with the sharp glance and tone she threw, he shouted: 

**"THAT MAKES YOU PERFECT!"** 

He'd have stood up, getting real close to the Apothecary. The man immediately dug his free hand into his kimono, struggling to grab at documents he carried. This was until he pulled out a copy of a few letters:  showing her the coming project. 

"The plan is to dedicate a temple that'll serve as a clinic and bathhouse, open for all. I've been searching for Shugenja and those with relative skill to help us back the project! I can go into more detail of you want to join in! You'd be a great asset!"

His eyes widened in surprise at Kokuto's tumble, but he was still invigorated and excited towards the task at hand. Yuto was passionate about pursuing his ideas, the Magistrate was broadening his creativity and opportunities. Building relations with the dragon was indeed one of them. As she readjusted herself to be seated on the floor, Yuto bent down seating himself before the apothecary to see her reaction and impressions. 

"Saru-san be having the many plans that do the intrigue, he also be having **WA!-san** If she wish it." 

He smiled, tilting his head to the side before releasing a chuckle. After a moment he stood back up, offering an assisting hand to the Apothecary. Even though Yuto was injured, he was more than strong enough to pull her off the floor. 

"The meeting is in a week and I plan to send one of my own Shugenja to help discuss the project. Backing from someone like yourself would really influence the success of this endeavor. I figured you love what you do, with this you'll be able to have many resources at your disposal, and help everyone." Yuto spoke with a kind energy. || Etiquette 4 - Sincerity || To him and the Scorpion this idea was a step in the right direction, for the Dragon it brought more opportunities. 

"You'll also have the opportunity to meet others like yourself, figured it's a win-win situation if we can see this through. What do you say? Making the city a better place is never a bad idea."

||
Barbara
Kokuto was beyond annoyed at his parody of herself. There was a flash of it on her face before she hid behind the mask of the stoic doctor. He had seated himself only to stand again, with a hand offered to her. She swiftly brushed the hand away. What need had she of rising only to stand about uselessly? She was not so old that she needed help to stand.

His words helps soothed the sting his actions caused. The idea *Did* Appeal to her, and he made his case well enough. She was not by any definition greedy, but she knew how to best maneuver capital gains to suit her needs. ||Commerce 3|| He was right that this would be a good opportunity. She leveled a calm look at him from the floor. "You may be counting me in. When?" She said sagely, while she removed a small journal from the folds of her clothes. This one had a dark ribbon from it, tucked quickly out of sight. With a deft hand, she wrote something quickly, then looked back to him expectantly.
Justine
Pouting at her refusal to simply take his hand, Yuto only wanted to help! Weren't dragons supposed to be nice? Well, he was a Scorpion, thus he had no other expectations of treatment. Shortly after he grew even more excited as she agreed to the planned endeavor, there was much to discuss! Bending back down so he didn't have to strain his neck or speak louder, he went into more detail. 

"You're okay with a little diplomacy yeah? Figured I have my own Shugenja to push this forward, hopefully, I can link you two up to discuss an angle before the meeting. I'd do it myself but I've got a lot on my plate, it's more fitting for those who can speak to the Kami to do it!" 

Bobbing his head side to side, the Magistrate was like that of a child, moving not knowing what to do with himself. Yuto stated as she took out a journal and began writing, to which he casually asked: "What're you writing? Oh! I was also wondering if you'd be up for another visit to our Garden. I appointed a new overseer, but she has a poor condition. Perhaps you'd like to take a look at them?"
Barbara
Kokuto stared at Yuto evenly as he pouted. She did not have to stare long as he got the hint and bent back down. She had no desire to stand, much less stand and crane her neck to look at him. *Beastly man. Who has any right to grow that tall?* A small shake of her head dispelled the thoughts as she focused her attention on his words.

"Diplomacy is necessary in all walks of life," She confidently stated with what she thought was not one bit of malice ||Courtier 0, dislikes having to be polite||. She nodded her head in agreement to his suggestion of an introduction, though the idea that he had a lot on his plate caused her to raise one eyebrow in delicate doubt.

She bit her lips together to avoid embarrassing him with her response to his prying. "In the course of working, much that is time sensitive is what I be doing. Writing down appointments helps the planning of such sensitivity," She avoided telling him about how she could and would forget if she did not write down such things. The notebook was filled with shorthand notes, dates and times next to them to show that they were meetings or deadlines of one form or another. She made no secret of what she was writing, though it was clear after one look that it would only make sense to her or someone that knew her mind intimately. "Accepting new patients always this one is doing," She said with an idle wave of her hand, though there was a slight tremor that accompanied the gleam of excitement at returning to the gardens. She had not yet trimmed clippings from all of the plants; some would do better with summer, fall, or even winter clippings to create new plants.
Justine
The more time he spent around this Apothecary the more confident Yuto became in his decision. While her skills in diplomacy could be questionable, her passions and skills couldn't be denied. That's all the Magistrate needed to bring her into the fold, connecting her to his own contact will be of utmost importance. There were more briefings to be done in time for the meeting, showing up without a plan certainly wouldn't do well in delivering their case. 

"Tansaku no Yogo Kiyo, is my contact who you'll be attending this meeting with. Before long I'd like to connect you both to go over strategy and of course the specifications for how the temple will be remodeled and used. You both possess many of the same skills, so I'm hoping you'll get along to make this endeavor work." 

He smiled at her again. Now that he thought about it—both Kokuto and Kiyo were weirdos, did unique individuals get along? Placing a finger on his chin he looked up, not bothering to hide the fact he was deep in thought in front of the dragon. His attention was pulled back down as she answered the questions about her writing. 

"Well, if we can get this plan to succeed, all those in need of your talents will know where to seek your help. Including those unable to schedule appointments through letters. It gladdens me that you take to this idea."
Barbara
"Yogo, Kiyo," Kokuto muttered slowly to herself as she wrote it down. With her luck, she was bound to forget it. Without a face and personality to match with a nickname that would stick, that would be disastrous for her. She already had enough bad things going on, no need to add to them. She scrunched up her face in distaste at the thought.

While he wandered in his own thoughts, Kokuto had the time to wonder what they were. She did not overly concern herself with it but patiently waited for his self to return to his body and the present time. "It is good that they will be knowing. By word of mouth this one has been operating upon. Sufficient for the moment, but," She trailed off as one hand gestured at the admittedly cramped room. "This one was expected. The collection was not," She gave a rueful smile.

Kokuto would be the first to admit that she had gotten a bit carried away over the last few years. Some of the clippings she had dragged from court to court could have easily been sourced there, but she had a hard time believing any would husband their herbs properly. It was the solvents and other less easily cultivated parts of her potions and unguents that had stayed in short supply. Heavy to carry, hard to find, even harder to properly use in the field. She kept them in the courts she had been stationed in and moved them only when necessary. It was a collection of a lifetime, and it showed. The cabinets of small drawers made a maze to the inner door, one that was tall but narrow - a person of Yuto's stature would find it cramped despite the height. The maze was definitely arranged with the slight alchemist in mind, complete with a little moveable ladder that looked more at home in a library. She would be delighted to be able to have a bit more elbow room. Maybe even work on several potions at once, if she could get the room for several tables with the oh-so-valuable glasswares. She chuckled at the thought of the experiments she could do with a bit more room.
Justine
Taking a look around the room they were in, Yuto noticed it was cramped. Usually in the hospitality of others, he let his judgment wash away. The man had been used to his height and broad stature making the interiors of structures quite uncomfortable. Luckily the Shosuro Palace was a grand monument that offered more room, so he had his chance to stretch. There weren't many opportunities to visit others, none trusted a Scorpion in the confines of their embassy. Kokuto seemed rather in her energy, not bothered by Yuto, that or the woman was good at hiding it. It allowed him to give an appreciating smile. 

"The copies of those letters I showed you are yours by the way. Suppose I ought to extend the gratitude for fixing up my arm. I'm a bit achy but I should be alright." 

Rubbing his chin even more, the Scorpion did need to think of something. Here he was asking the dragon for help with various matters, but he had not been giving! While most courtiers would simply accept the assistance not having to repay, Yuto had a sense of honor! "Now that I'm thinking about it, you'll have to forgive me. I have not brought you a gift, I'll have to gift one to you the next opportunity I have. Before that though.." 

He figured to just go ahead and ask, "Is there anything I can assist you with? I'm sure there's something I can do for you."
Barbara
Kokuto nodded once more at being told the letters were her copies. On hand rose to waggle in mimicry of the merchants of the bazaars as they accepted payment. Her voice held amusement as she spoke, "This one accepts all manner of coin and valuables as manifested gratitude from the great and honorable samurai." Her dark eyes glittered with a mix of emotions. The alchemist knew her services did not come cheap and rare was the lord that refused them. She saw the wheels turning as Yuto rubbed his chin.

A gift? People brought gifts just for visiting? Kokuto blinked her way through processing that as he spoke. She was used to receiving gifts in return for her services. Since many that she treated were often servants, farmers, and laborers, those gifts tended to be acts of service in return, food, and a lack of concern about running out of cabinets and transportation. Even Kebano had been one such gift, now that she thought about it. *Something to concern myself with later*, she thought as she turned her attention back to Yuto once more.

"Something... For me? Haaa," She exhaled a strange sound. Was there something the ape could help her with? She had problems - oh boy did she have problems, but were there any a Scorpion could fix? More importantly were there any *This* Scorpion could fix? She made a decision. "Perhaps. Things best suited to yourself are being what?"
Justine
He stared dumbfoundedly as she answered his questions, knowing any form of value was acceptable brought a content look. Yuto didn't find her to be particularly picky when it came to receiving things, were all dragons like her? Now that he thought about it, the Magistrate had only met one other dragon since they'd been in the city. Mirumoto Katsumi wasn't it? Pretty girl, but whatever happened to her? Shrugging his shoulders without explanation, he dug back into the conversation. 

"Well, I'm no doc like you are, but I possess quite a few skills. Some which developed after coming to the city." He smiled smugly, "I'm a Magistrate, so things like investigation, coordinating Yoriki, paperwork, and of course putting people in their place come naturally with the job! I'm also pretty good with a Sword, a bow, and my hands, taking care of animals, a bit of gardening..." He kept thinking, saying this may have been risky. "I am also the coordinator of our agents in the city, unofficial for now until some more work gets done that is. Diplomacy has also been a big part of my job, surprisingly. Can't say I'm good at everything but I know how to connect with people, anything I can do for you?" Despite listing quite a bit, Yuto spoke from a place of humility. 

It was then he smiled with a cocky grin, his eyes started from the floor, slowly peering back up to the Dragon. "I'm also quite the comedian! Got told it would give me luck with the ladies, but hasn't so far." He pouted, "Think there's a cure you could whip up for that?"
Barbara
Kokuto blinked as the list continued. She stared at Yuto blankly as she processed everything he said. *He's either a braggart or telling the truth. Either way concerns me, but not in the manner Scorpion usually do.* She shook her head slightly to dispel the thoughts. "There is nothing pressing. Retain the favor for later this one thinking is best." Togashi had sent her for a reason; she had run into Bayushi Yuto for a reason; it simply needed time for that reason to be revealed.

At first, his look did nothing to endear him to her, but his words made her hand rise to cover the snort that resulted from laughter she knew was rude to let loose. "Love potions this one is never making but," She gave him a teasing, sly smile, "A cure for ... Performance is easily made." She had gestured with her left hand, fingers waggling to indicate his sword as she paused. There was enough insinuation for him to grasp that she could mean his wakizashi that hung at his hip or, more likely, the sword that took a different kind of skill to wield and could not so easily be discarded.
Justine
Yuto was somewhat bummed by her not having anything he could do. However she didn't seem like the type to let a favor from the Scorpion go, so he simply rolled the worry off his shoulders. Nodding to the apothecary he smiled, "Okay! Just let me know, I'm certain there's something. We have quite a few talented scorpions I wouldn't mind offering up for assistance." He then stared at her comment on performance. 

Tilting his head to the side at her hand gesture, he pursed his lips in confusion. Yuto even mimicked her finger gesture for a moment, trying to put himself in her headspace to understand—until a lantern shined over his head in realization. "Ohhhhhhh! I see! Hehehehehe." He chuckled before continuing. 

"You know I never really thought I needed a boost in performance, I've never really struggled in a fight until I was poisoned and hit by lightning! But you know, maybe a performance booster before my next mission would be good! Do you have one on hand? I'd like to test it out!" He almost forgot the fact he was injured.
Barbara
Kokuto blinked at Yuto for a good minute before she stood and moved away. She had to, else she would have ended up bursting into laughter to his face. As it was, she busied herself at a shelf filled with ready-made medications and vials of potions, all the whole her shoulders shook with suspicious regularity.

From behind, it almost looked as if she were crying. Shoulders shaking, strangle little gasping sniffs, an inability to stand straight. If Yuto had been able to see her face, he would see her face scrunched up with the effort not to let the laughter out. Little giggles wiggled their way forth, almost sounding like little sobs or cries as she grabbed a few things from those shelves. She waited until she had composed herself before turning back to him.

"Here, this be a quickening of the mind for one sword," She handed him a vial of red that glittered with a golden glow. It looked almost like flames that had been made liquid and bottled ||Warning Flame potion||. Her voice was almost normal. She handed him a small twist of paper that contained tacky little balls she had coated in rice flour to prevent them from gluing together. Her voice shook a little as she spoke, "Here be for the other sword. No more than one, otherwise we will be needing to leech the sword." She glanced away to mutter, "And the body only be having so much blood to spare for that." She did *Not* Want to have to deal with another patient like that. The crying, screaming, pleading, and begging had gotten on her nerves after a while. She had been forced to show him the alternative before he accepted the leeches without too much more sobbing.
Justine
A wide smile crossed his lips as she moved away from him, so Yuto was funny after all! Rising back to his feet, he kept shrugging his shoulders to test his arms out. It got to the point where he simply started waving them around like a child, perking his lips out of impression. The Magistrate then noticed her twitching and fidgeting, taking a few steps closer behind Kokuto. Leaning his upper body side to side, he tried to peer at the stuff she was grabbing, until she turned around. 

"Looks tasty, can't wait to try it. What you put in it?" He held the bottle up admiring the contents, it looked unreal. Yuto may have held the bottle a little too close, checking to see if it was possible to spot the Agasha through the potions bright colors. "Have you ever used one of these?" 

He stashed the bottle in his Obi when Koluto offered up the rice balls. Tilting his head to the side, she kept saying other sword.. What did she mean by that? Scrunching his lips in contemplation, he offered a hand for the apothecary to place them in. "Do they taste good? Can I try one?" 

Yuto was going to pop one of the tiny rice balls into his mouth, but he paused to speak, "You know Kokuto-san, you're pretty handy. I was wondering, are there any potions that make whoever drinks them tell the truth?"
Barbara
Kokuto had noticed he loomed behind her but had left the issue for later.||Observant|| She watched him look at the world through the potion. "Things," She answered flatly, as if she would ever reveal those secrets. The lurid red glow made her flat stare at him seem more sinister, the halo of gold giving the illusion the world was on fire. "Once or twice before this one has used such a potion, or one like it," She answered. It had proved most useful when she found herself hunting medicinals in the Shinomen Mori.

She placed the packet into his hand. It wasn't large and looked almost like a craftsman's twist of spare beads.||Meticulous|| His response caused her to laugh as she waved her hands gently in a negating gesture. "Trying them you may be doing now, but you will be going elsewhere immediately. This one does not do such," She rejected his offer of copulation and did not elaborate on what exactly she did not do. Such obfuscation had always served her well in the past.

She thought about his question and ignored the quip about her usefulness. There were probably ways. Certain drugs that could be used, though she had never tested the validity. It was hard to do in a clan that upheld the bond between word and action. One hand had made its way to her chin to stroke and tap in her thoughtful concentration. "Perhaps. There might be ways. Much experimentation a definitive answer would be needing."
Justine
She clearly wasn't interested in explaining what she put in the potion, Yuto didn't mind though. Kokutos temptation seemed like it dwelled more in passionate experiments than killing somebody. Staring through the bottle he chuckled to himself at the apothecary change in features, the Scorpion was fascinated by such little things. Hearing she used one before was a surprise. 

"Didn't take you for someone that indulged in combat and war. Though I'm not surprised by the underestimation and nature of the Dragon clan." He spoke as if he were praising the Agasha and by extension the rest of the Dragon. 

He laughed at her refusal, completely misunderstanding what she meant. "Of course Kokuto-san! I just had you heal my arm after all, I'm not that quick to wanna stick a sword back in it." If it was that potent to make someone bloodthirsty he ought to save it for a serious occasion. 
 
A lantern popped over the Scorpion's head as she spoke of experimenting with a truth serum. Raising a finger as he spoke, "How about this, since you've helped me with my injuries and are assisting me in this temple endeavor. I'll volunteer to be a subject for your experiments! Long as I don't die."
Barbara
Kokuto smiled slightly at his surprise. "This one has been on a battlefield or two, but the potion was used in more dangerous locales," She cleared up the confusion with a murkier matter. It was only humans with which her status as apothecary and healer kept her from harm. Even bandits and lawless waveriders were willing to allow her unmolested travel; she had given succour to them in her travels, after all.

Dark eyes blinked rapidly at Yuto's response. *Did he,* She stopped her thoughts. She wasn't sure she wanted to know anymore. The boy was either a child or dense, and she had no desire to find out which. One would make her feel old, and the other would invite her wrath. She shook her head gently. Then he offered to be a test subject.

The downright unholy gleam that came to those dark eyes would have sent a demon running for cover. "Most appreciated that would be! Difficult it is being to be both observer and test subject sometimes," She sounded like a gourmand talking about high cuisine, or a torturer speaking about new techniques. Somewhere, the ever-silent Kota sneezed. Kokuto went off on a bit of a tangent detailing the ways it was difficult to test certain potions for herself. She happily babbled about taste being easy enough to test, but the dangers of testing things that required harm to work from made her voice lower dangerously.
Justine
She seemed rather upset than suddenly happy after Yuto pitched his offer, however, he needed to establish more details with this temple engagement. Now that they were in agreement, there was nothing better than going all in! Taking a deep breath, he somewhat spaced out as she started talking about potions. Sinking deeper into thought, there was a lot of things to balance in the coming week. 

"Would you be open for meeting Yogo no Tansaku Kiyo before you meet at city hall? You know, discuss things like strategy, the temple usage, who'll be involved, that sort of thing? It'll be good, she isn't a preferred diplomat but shes intelligent and possesses similar skills to you. I think you guys would get along." 

Perhaps this worried the vassal more than he let on. Trust was deeply rooted in his subordinate, but the man couldn't help but show some concern. 

"Once they see two Samurai that can fulfill and lead the endeavors of the temple, I believe they'll be more inclined to listen and put things in your way. Besides, the old temple needs to be remodeled at some point, letting the temple district be infected with a ruined site is a dishonor."
Barbara
"Yogo, huh? Prove interesting indeed it should," Kokuto thought about it for a moment before standing, "Ok, show." She gestured for him to show the way. It was obvious she thought he meant now. She spared no thought for how she looked, bland boring brown clothes beneath a thick white sleeved apron. Her haori and wakizashi were nowhere in sight. It was clear she was focused upon the task at hand, like a farm dog digging a hole after a varmint.
Justine
When she inquired for Yuto to show her, the Scorpion pressed his lips together. Man she was certainly not pressured by societal expectations, he thought to himself. Raising a hand, as if gesturing to stop he elected to speak up. "I've some matters of importance to attend to, one of the reasons I'm passing off this task to Yogo Kiyo with your assistance. However, a meeting can be arranged with you. I'll have to notify Yogo-san of your involvement." 

However, one thing for sure could be done. Chinatsu would be able to arrange something! She wasn't here today, but she'd be able to fill the two Samurai in on the matter. "Chinatsu-san, my attendant can arrange for you guys to meet and discuss strategy. I don't have an impression of this Matsu Tatsuji, but I believe her acknowledgment of this 'righteous' undertaking will give you two an edge." 

The Rokugo bowed, "I believe this is where I must take my leave. I appreciate your service and hope to repay you in time. Oh! I'll also let you know if the fighting enhancement works!"
Barbara
Kokuto deflated for a moment before collapsing back into a seated position. "Oh," She said simply as she absorbed his words. A light shrug and she turned to her desk to begin notating the visit. The right sleeve pulled up enough to show the edge of bandages as she shifted back and forth to prepare writing, her left hand rose to acknowledge his parting with brush in hand. "Yes, indeed. Be needing to know if adjustments must be made to account for body," She smiled at him as he prepared to leave, completely forgetting how he had made a wrong assumption on the medication she had given him. It wasn't as if that would come back to haunt her, after all.