Alejandra
A faint shuffle and rustle of silk was the nonverbal cue that Tori needed to address her mistress. Kaori froze, the opium pipe nearly to the lamp, and glared at the hapless woman who bowed meekly before her. "Speak."

"Mistress, it is only to inform you that a woman of the Lion is here and seems intent on seeing you. She is cleaning herself off now, but I saw her studying the sword racks and her eyes lingered upon yours. When the proprietor asked if she required a private pool she declared she would find her own and my suspicions were roused."

The little Scorpion slammed her pipe back into its box irritably. "Rot her eyes. Very well, do not attempt to stop her." 

One of the Lion would probably not cause trouble in a bath house but Kaori lifted her hand to check the hairpins were still there, sharp enough to mark any who sought violence. Tori blew out the lamp and snapped shut the box, gathering the apparatus up and whisking it from the room. While the drugs were perfectly reasonable given her arm's condition Kaori was very sensitive to the appearance of weakness, and even more sensitive to the reputation of Scorpion interests. Such things could not be. No Lion would catch Kaori in such a position. 

She adjusted her pose before the Lion arrived, sliding to the shallow end of the pool so she was exposed from the hips up and reclining gracefully back. Let the Lion see her, the reaction would be useful. 

Her eyes nearly closed, she waited, a picture of nubile vulnerability, for her uninvited guest. 

||
Joanne
The minutes rolled by and, as anticipated, a woman's form would soon pass into the room. The Lion stood only just taller than the average Rokugani woman by a few inches at a glance but she was broad and well-muscled. Her hair was tied up and messily bound within a bun by a long strip of faded yellow ribbon and the front of her hair was cut short to only an inch or so of length. She had a wide jaw to match her broad frame and scarring littered her body. One would certainly not mistake her for a shugenja or courtier, with those scars the woman was clearly a bushi. 

On her face she had two, the elder nearly bisected her face diagonally while a second, shallower but pinker and more recent, lay over the bones around her right eye. Above her right hip, along her side, a thick dark scar ran for easily a hands length. There were a series of smaller scars along her arms from glancing blows barely dodged or weapons redirected and a few similar cuts along her thighs. Dragging down the side her left hip to her thigh were the scars of raking claw marks from an animal or worse it was hard to say. The muscle in the top of the woman's left shoulder seemed to pinch back and divit down unnaturally, the edges of silvery red-purple scarring there just visible indicating an old but serious wound that lay over her shoulder. The shape looked like flesh had been excised. The most prominent of the woman's scars though would tell Kaori more than any other battle wound. Marring the skin between the woman's small but plump breasts, resting over where the woman's heart would lay, was a brand of the Matsu mon.

Hotaru looked out at the Scorpion behind warm, golden-brown eyes, her orbs rolling over the woman's flesh in assessment as she leisurely padded her way to the edge of the pool, naked as the day she was born. Her gaze lingered longest on the wound of her arm, assessing the damage she had heard had crippled the limb. Hotaru's gaze would break to watch her feet as she stepped into the onsen, being careful of the slick stones. The Matsu bushi would sink down across the pool from Kaori before she spoke. 

"I am Matsu Hotaru. You are Bayushi Kaori-san yes?" She asked, there was a curiosity to her gaze though her tone was level.
Alejandra
Kaori took great pain in her own complexion, shielding herself from the sun whenever possible and scrubbing calluses from her hands with pumice, but she was not unmarked by her cruel profession. Her biceps showed the worst and freshest, darkly purple and apt to bruise when Moshi Kana forced her through certain exercises, but she had been marked at elbow where armor was thin and hip where a parry had not gone fully through. Her oldest and deepest scar was hidden by her thick dark hair which piled up in a great dark mound above her ears. When feet scuffed on the stones she deigned to open a single eye, determined not to allow this invader to spoil her relaxation. 

This affect was spoiled regardless by the sheer physicality of her tub mate and she reacted quite visibly, sizing up this great brute. She'd always heard that Matsu women took trolls for lovers when they fancied a brisk bit of exercise but she'd never given it credence before now. 

"Matsu-san, you have guessed correctly," She said. Her wounded arm was supported by a ledge, which doubtless advertised her identity to any in the know. "I am that samurai-ko. I would rise to greet you but the towel is so very far to reach."

A bit of insolence, the towel was within easy reach, but nothing out of character. She'd build a reputation of having many thorns beneath her tongue, would it be polite to spare a stranger now?

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Joanne
"Ah, far be it from me to inconvenience you so, Bayushi-san" Amusement laced the woman's voice. Hotaru damn well knew her presence was likely already 'inconveniencing' the Scorpion woman. She didn't really care, not that much at least, curiosity had her by the reigns in this endeavor.

"I was sad to miss the bouts of the Crane's recent staring contest when I learned that swords had actually been drawn for once. I was intrigued when I heard a cripple had seconded the contest. Impressed when I heard it was with their off-hand." Hotaru's words were biting, but the amusement still held in her tone, and her gaze was clearly measuring Kaori's reaction. The Lion was laid back, relaxed, and there was a sense that she was more probing the Scorpion's sensitivities rather than being joyously malicious.
Alejandra
"I am no cripple," Kaori snapped without thinking, regretting the outburst immediately. *Is it her physicality that makes me uneasy? I am not the most dangerous creature in this room, am I so easily frightened?*

No, the Lion had touched a sore spot. "Cripples do not defeat the sound," She explained more calmly. "I shall regain my strength before the summer is over, no cripple can say as much. I am inconvenienced, and temporarily, nothing more." 

She shifted in her seat, sending ripples across the water. "Unorthadoxy can be as lethal as skill, and when your arm is tied down not even a Crane can sneer when you break with traditional draws. I was fortunate, I should not have achieved so much if I as sound. But I am surprised that the Lion passed on the chance to show the scions of Kakita that history is a lesson, not a fetish."

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Joanne
In truth, Hotaru did not see the woman as a cripple, only a fool would, the reaction to the word amused her though. There was a grin that split the Lion's face at Kaori's emotive reaction. It was a sharp thing, that reached the Matsu's eyes, it portrayed a sense that the Lion felt they had won something with Kaori's reaction. And, in a sense, Hotaru had. She knew now a weakness if she ever needed one to exploit. The Scorpion across from her didn't like to be seen as *Weak*. 

That incessant grin did not leave the Matsu's face as Kaori tried to turn the conversation back on the Lion. "A chance perhaps, but one that gains us little in the grand scheme of things. There was nothing to be won on that front. No land, no koku. Perhaps that is why we did not participate? There was simply nothing to gain." A lie. Hotaru was not sure if the rest of her clans' lack of showing in the Kakita tournament had shared her own reasoning, but the sentiments she uttered were not why *She* Had not participated. So the answer she gave the Scorpion was a lie. A lie that she did not believe to be wholly untrue, but it was a lie nonetheless.
Alejandra
"And no chance of honor lost either," Kaori didn't like the smile, it was far too pleased. "What do you call it? Charging the other direction? I heard that your best chose the poetry contest instead. There was much honor gained on that field I'm sure."

Without her drugs she was as ill mannered as a snapping turtle. Her arm was throbbing horribly after Kana's exercises. Forcing herself to break off her remarks before they grew personal she slid sideways and sank up to her neck in blissfully hot water. That was better. "Was it the arm that gave me away, or the face?"

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Joanne
The grin did not falter, though Hotaru did allow some of its edge to fade. She wondered if the Scorpion knew that had been her. Perhaps no honor *Had* Been gained regardless, but honor had not been the point, not for Hotaru. Poetry was a hobby, one she enjoyed, and it had taken up time she otherwise would have been lamenting over not being able to compete in the clashing of swords. The restraint was necessary though, and she understood that.

"Neither yet both I suppose. I only had your description second hand and hearsay is often misleading. What gave you away were your habits. I doubt there are many by your description that visit the bath house as regularly and consistantly as you do. Truly you were not that difficult to track down." She would let the scorpion have that information for free.
Alejandra
"No one in this city bathes as often as they should," Kaori sighed. "Indeed, it is a filthy place, all dust and river-stink. One must bathe daily at least to be at ease in one's own skin." 

She stirred the water with her fingertip idly. "Were I governor I would make such things mandatory. March them into the river at spear-point if necessary, to ensure a wholesome and healthsome population. But somehow I do not think my talents will take me into politics. Do you serve the Lion in the political arena? I do not think those muscles are for intimidating courtiers but your noble clan has been rather unorthadox of late and I would be delighted to watch you looming over that inbred Crane boy." 

Her perpetual smirk grew wider at the mental thought of Adohiro quailing in the Matsu's shadow. 

||
Joanne
"Your descriptor lacks specificty, all Crane are inbread" Hotaru chuckles, the movement of her chest sending ripples across the water's surface.

Hotaru's expression settles into an easy, relaxed smile. She lounges back against the wall of the pool, her arms resting outstreatched and open along the pool's edge, her legs outstretched in front of her, the ankles crossed. Shes clearly made herself comfortable and seems rather unconcerned as she answered Kaori's question.

"I do not serve my clan as a courtier. I have little patience for squabbling that could be more simply resolved with a blade." The statement was true. Kaori's assumption was incorrect though, her muscles *Were* For intimidation. She had averted more conflicts than she caused by appearing to be dangerous, any lessor agitators rethinking engagement with the intimidating woman before blades were even drawn. Such a demenor *Was* Thuggish, but Hotaru could not deny it's affectiveness. Her appearance and the reputation of the Matsu as beserkers did much for her in terms of projecting an image that greatly differed from how she fought. Misdirection was a favoured tactic of hers.

"I serve my clan as a soldier, my role in the city to bolster the Embassy's ashigaru for any required defence of the Taisa or Ambassador, should it be required. I've been very bored, summer cannot arrive sooner." Hotaru laments.
Alejandra
The Scorpion grunted. "Well, if you are here to challenge me to some sort of spar or duel, I am afraid I would be a sore disappointment. I do not spar casually, and my arm would preclude any sort of a duel for the next few months at least by which time our masters would find an excuse to call off the affair. Besides, I would rather not quarrel with the Lion. We have shared rivals that would be a far better target for our energies." 

She wiped a lock of hair from her forehead. As a troubleshooter who sometimes hacked trouble to bits instead of shooting it, she appreciated it when other samurai were direct with her. She had enough on her plate without playing games. Her best defense was her silly, pompous reputation. "I have the honor of bearing a Lion-forged No Dachi, and I look forward to wielding it in the summer to come. Perhaps when my arm is healed we can do a few test cuts out in the fields." 

||
Joanne
"You are the second Scorpion I have met now that has a preference for nodachi." Hotaru mused. 

It was a pity the woman did not casually spar. Hotaru did not fear live steel, but she did respect it and had a keen understanding that accidents would happen when sparring with steel that were less likely than with bokken. The promise of a challenge though weighed heavily against her duty to be in a fit condition for the clan as they needed her. Perhaps circumstance would smile on her in the future and an opportunity might arise where a clash of steel could be organised with little repercussion should things go wrong. She could only hope.

"I would not be opposed to live steel, though the arrangement of such a test may be contingent on forces outside of me. I will admit to disgruntlment, but I can respect a woman who spars as one fights wars, with cold steel and the risk of death. It is a sentiment that appeals to me, though duty tempers when I may draw my blade for combat." She noted with a dispassioned sigh, dropping one of her arms to settle atop the water, running her fingers gently back and forth through the liquid, sending soft ripples across the pool's surface.

"It is my hope, come summer, that my clan is drawing blades to the throat of the Unicorn once more. I think though, perhaps, your previous master's understimated the animosity between our clans. We would have warred again soon enough, had the Scorpion not intervened. Now politics are left messy, where once a clear path lay, now the water is murky with blood. When I heard of the deciet I was grossly dissapointed." Hotaru was curious over how other Scorpion viewed the incident.
Alejandra
A most impressive snort rose from the Bayushi's dainty nose. "Oh, that. An unfortunate thing, truly, young and hungry samurai eager to serve our clan. They acted without our knowledge. One of those ideas that sounds good when you are deep in your cups, you understand. Rest assured, I knew nothing of such things. False flag operations are the first things suspected when anything happens among multiple clans like this." 

She smirked. "I have better ways to make things happen. Had I been consulted there would have been many more dead Unicorn, and no chance of the Lion being offended. Indeed, I would have invited your bravest warriors to work alongside us, as a way to build rapport between our two clans." 

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Joanne
A deep chuckle rose from Hotaru's chest, large ripples gliding across the water in response. There in an edge in her tone of her voice, the glint in her eye and the crease of her smile. The edge spoke to violence, though her words clearly indicated the sentiments werent for the Scorpion. 

"I would have seen the same had I the chance. Instead I walked the lands in the wake of the attack, escourting my Taisa's Karo who's family reside within the region. Your clan's upstarts have greatly complicated matters. An alliance would have been a certain thing before the attack, I would think. Now we await word if the koku thrown our way will satisfy the Daimyo, or if we must reassess who our alies in Ryoko Owari are. The situation is.. *Unfortunate*, though I am holding out hope that something can be salvaged. Neither of us want to see the Unicorn control the city." Hotaru practically spat out the last words, as if the mere thought of the Unicorn controling Ryoko Owari made her sick. Her contempt for the Unicorn a clearly palpable thing.
Alejandra
"In my experience, people in power do not like to meddle with the status quo," Kaori said thoughtfully. "If we are able to make a demonstration of good faith, your clan and mine working together..." 

Her eyes narrowed and she gave the door a pro forma glance. "Do you believe it is better to ask forgiveness than permission? Because if you are serious about your desire to unite against the Unicorn, I think we could make something happen that would benefit everyone. I speak not of things we *Should* Do, but merely speculate aloud without making any kind of proposition, you understand? I am suggesting no course of action at this time." 

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Joanne
Hotaru's lips pinched in consideration and her eyes sharpened. "I have no qualms over talk Scorpion, particularly were we to speculate to the Unicorn's detriment. They will hear no talk of such considerations from me, but I will warn I have great respect for my Taisa, and I would not act without his grace." Hotaru had no qualms using misdirection or even lying to those she was not loyal to, but the Matsu soldier was dutiful and it would take much to budge her from such a position.

There were layers perhaphs, to read into the Lion's words. Hotaru did not seem like one who would just talk of action yet have no intention to follow through. Then there was the mention of the Taisa. The Taisa and not the Ambassador or both was an interesting distinction, perhaps is spoke to a closer relationship? Or hinted at the military holding control in the embassy? The exact nature of the distinction was hard to discern without follow-up. There was that comment though *Not acting without his grace*, a sense there that the bushi, who presented as nothing more than a foot-soldier before her, perhaps was comfortable enough to bring up such topics to a clear superior. 

Then there was the frankness of the woman. Matsu Hotaru may not like politics, but she clearly had the capacity to play at it. The woman was a strange mix of blunt, violent meathead and something else.. Cunning perhaps? At the very least, the woman was certainly intelligent.
Alejandra
There was a lot in the Lion's words to drink up, Kaori mused on them as she sank back in the hot water. Was Hotaru telling her who the real power behind the local Lion was? Or implying that the Lion Ambassador did not speak with the full confidence of her clan? 

There was certainly a sense of open speech. Kaori was certain that anything she said to this woman would find its way to high ears. Indeed, as a source of indirect contact, Hotaru might be invaluable. 

"How do you find the edge of your sword after such a long winter?" She asked, seeming to change the subject but her tone implied otherwise. "I always make a practice of testing my blade when the last of the spring damp has been chased from the air. Would you and perhaps a few of your associates be interested in a little cutting party once summer has officially begun? My arm should be in form once more and I could finally test the magnificent gift you delivered to us." 

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Joanne
That confident grin returned, "A dulled edge is unfit for purpose and does not weather reapeated summers. Winter may not be for war, but a blade should still remain sharp throughout." Hotaru kept her skills sharp throughout the year. It benefited her duties as a yojimbo to keep her instincts honed throughout the courts of winter, it gave her an edge of those that overconfidantly let their skills wane with the seasons. 

"And I have never known any of my brethren that do not enjoy a good party, though it is unknown if we will have prior engagments already on the calender." Hotaru could give no certainties. She held interest, and she had no doubt that her clan would want to consider an opportunity, but such decisions were above her. She and her brethran at the embassy were left to the whims of the Lion Daimyo and where they desired the Lion's great armies to be applied. So far, no decision on that front had been made as far as Hotaru was aware.
Alejandra
"I shall be sure to pick a good date. And I shall prevail upon the local prisons to find us some good subjects for our tests." The Scorpion spoke of human lives with no outward sign of concern. "We shall make something of a picnic out of it, if you like. All bushi, none of the sensitive artists should be encouraged to attend." 

She wiped her face, the heat of the bath was making her sweat. "Perhaps a bit of friendly competition could also be inspired. I shall consider ideas. Do you think there would be healthy interest from your contingent?" 

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Joanne
Hotaru huffed in amusement. "It would depend on the crimes I would think. My clansmen are not butchers and the preferred game is typically less intelligent. A band of bandits though or ronin plauging traders and locals would be far easier a sell." 

Hotaru herself had no qualms cutting down prisoners for sport provided they were given a sword. Their lives were given to the fortunes at that point and it would be their luck and the grace of the Kami to survive such an ordeal. But Hotaru was aware that not all her clanmen would be amenable to the idea. Give them noble purpose though, direct them towards bandits or ronin plauging the lands and they would be far more amenable to a violent end of things.
Alejandra
The Scorpion shrugged. "If mercy is your concern, then fear not. Cutting games are the most merciful of deaths. Have you never seen someone hanged before? And that is the death most prisoners long for. I knew a lord once who was downright macabe in his executions, always striving to outdo himself from one day to the next. He seldom had to execute someone, but his whole village would turn out to watch each time. The lesson has always stuck with me." 

She scratched her jaw absently. "I will not describe them here, in this place of relaxation, but perhaps when you come to the cutting party I will tell you of some of his methods. He *Did* Claim that most of them were pioneered by the Lion, for dealing with Crane prisoners, but that may have been mere speculation. I was a little distracted when he said that." 

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Joanne
"Mercy is not my concern, no. I am more pointing out that I am not overly familiar with many of the other warriors within the embassy. At least not in respect to their sensibilities around punishment. I will enquire and see if there is interest outside myself." Hotaru noted.

"Would there be many Scorpion of interest in such an event?" Hotaru was curious as to the number Kaori believed would be interested on the Scorpion's side of things.
Alejandra
She shrugged. "Rokugo Yuto is eager to do his duty as a Magistrate, I am sure he will join. There are several others who will come out (npcs). That would probably be all for the bushi. I can't speculate as to anyone else. Call it half a dozen Scorpion? Plus guards of course to actually manage the prisoners, and some servants... Maybe two dozen, all told, in addition to any Lion you bring." 

The water rippled as she swirled her hand under the water. 

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Joanne
Hotaru nods along, absorbing the logistics. "A good number then. There are a handful I have served alongside that are here and would have interest. I will enquire with the others though and see what numbers I can rally. Is there a place of residence where I might send a letter to inform you? Or shall I impose myself upon you again and visit while you bathe?" The Lion's lips were peaked in amusement, she clearly much preferred the second option, as her lazily wandering eyes might have otherwise indicated.
Alejandra
The little Scorpion snorted indelicately. "I usually do not discuss anything so mundane in the baths. Letters addressed to the Bayushi manor will find me. This is my sanctuary, not my office." 

With that implied reprimand she settled back in the water up to her neck once more. "If you would visit me here, bring something more interesting next time. News of how Akodo Akechi fares, for instance. That handsome young bushi is becoming quite the celebrity, isn't he?"

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Joanne
"Oh? Has the suave Lion caught the Scorpion's eye per chance?" Hotaru's tone was conspiratorial, her lips crooked into an intrigued grin.

In truth, she had spent little time with the Akodo. From what she knew of him, he was skilled, charming and had a love affair for geisha.
Alejandra
"As the city's loveliest flower, I like to keep tabs on the most elligible bachelor," Kaori said with a straight face. Her mutilated face had long ago precluded her from being mentioned in any terms of beauty, she firmly believed. "Just so the gossips don't catch me by surprise. After all, people *Do* Like to imagine relationships where none exist." 

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Joanne
"Ha, that they do. They would be poorly informed gossips i would think though, to presume that Akodo-san has such interests at all. I believe he solidly falls into the wedge of us that would prefer death in the line of duty over marriage" Hotaru chuckles deeply. "I can see why people might hope otherwise though. It is undeniable the pair of you would likely spit out some beautiful children." 

Hotaru did think the other woman was beautiful, scars included. Whether Kaori thought the Lion was pulling her leg with the comment or believed that Hotaru actually found her attractive would be up to her own interpretation.
Alejandra
Scars didn't carry over. Kaori knew she was one of the most beautiful women in the city before she stopped a crossbow bolt with her face, and even now if she wore half a mask she could still stop traffic at fifty paces. She preened at the Matsu's compliment. "Yes, they would be gorgeous, wouldn't they?" She asked. "But I think I will settle down to raise babies only when the Scorpion has no further need of my other talents."

She could imagine herself enjoying a semi-retirement, teaching the art of the sword at the Deathdealer academy, raising her children in those hills... Yes, it would be lovely. But somehow she didn't see the dashing Lion beside her in that image.

"Well, at any rate, it will be a good way to spend the summer," She giggled. 

 ||
Joanne
"I echo your sentiments on children. I think there are a great many of us women that would much prefer to continue service to our clans through just our blades." The Matsu lamented in agreement. "But yes, such plans sound like a pleasant begining to the summer." She nods.

The Matsu shifts in the water. "Well, I will admit to being pleased to have had my suspicions confirmed. You are an interesting woman Bayushi-san and I can appreciate the clear skill you have. As much as I am enjoying myself in these baths, I feel it is only polite to leave you to you peace." The Lion is clearly rising from the water with intent to leave.
Alejandra
"Fortunes keep you," Kaori waved a hand languidly. "Be well, Matsu-san. I shall send you word when I have more information regarding our cutting party." 

She closed her eyes as the water swirled, basking in the heat like a happy, sweaty lizard. 

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