Joan
The Gardens were certainly illuminated on a fine night as the wild life settled down for the day to close their eyes and rest. Yuto himself had decided to spend his evening here, collecting his thoughts whilst finding comfort. The large scorpion sat in the grass, just before a koi pond reflecting the moons essence making the variety of Koi visible to the eye. In his lap was a small hare, letting the Magistrate caress it gently with his hands. Despite his stature and appearance, small animals didn't feel intimidated by the man. Especially since he frequented the gardens often. 

Bayushi no Rokugo Yuto was dressed as one would expect of a scorpion. His mempo resembled that of a primate with Oni features, boasting vicious fangs. It covered the man's entire face, just barely showing where his pupils would leak from. Behind the mask was the mans dark mane, falling down to drape his shoulders. Decorating the cherry red haori underneath the many strands of hair. On the Samurai's back, although slightly covered by his hair, was the mon of the Scorpion clan. Besides those notable aspects, he wore a black kimono and Haori, with his Daisha set aside in the grass to the left. 

Ruffling through the grass close to where the man sat, the fellow would be in the company of other various animals. Lizards. Birds, and of course the occasional insect making their way discreetly. Despite the presence of such animals, the man was at peace and without alarm. Reflecting somewhat on an old friend lost, he use to be a handler of a specific animal. One he was quite fond of, but no more. A decision was made and one must show resolution behind them, that was the way of the Samurai.. 

Whilst he pet the little fuzzy creature, he took hold of a nearby pebble. Skipping it across the waters as he'd watch the small waves part. His lips pressed together subtly, still in thought. Many things seem to plague his mind, people, things, relationships, politics. Here he came to get away from these things, but Yuto could not clear his head of them. Thus he remained sat, letting the nights tranquility take him. Not expecting any company.. 

||
Edward
Emika would find herself bored while waiting for something to do, something worth her power and talent. Sure, as far as Shugenja were concerned, she might have been a Third Ring caster, but that was still far more power than most would ever taste in a lifetime. Regardless, making her way to the gardens was a good way to find peace and tranquility in an otherwise volatile atmosphere. Certainly there was something in the area that could offer her a good fortune. She -had- cast the Kawaru earlier, and the fortune pointed to a chance encounter, so it was unlikely she would try to avoid that, instead it was by coming here that she embraced the divination she had cast for herself.

For one of the Soshi family, Emika wore a fine silk kimono and seemed to walk with the grace and poise of a refined lady. In contrast to the chin style mask that covered the mouth that Yuto wore, her mask covered from her cheekbones upward, only her fair eyes peering from behind the oni-demon visage that the mask gave her. Small bells and chimes hung from the sides closest to her ears. A soft ringing heralding her arrival with each step. Part of her training was invested in being stealthy, and she could walk in such a manner so as the bells did not chime, but there was no fun in that when there was nothing to hide. It was the opposite. If the Fortunes intended her to meet a person, then she might as well give them cause to notice her presence.

While Yuto was not expecting company, the Fortunes had it in for him, as the Shugenja of the Soshi family approached him. A smile graced Emika's lips as she paused and offered a bow of respect. Though she said nothing, as to not interrupt him while he skipped a stone. Perhaps he would take notice of the bowing individual given the precession of ringing that had accompanied her? It was best to wait, than to be rude. Chance encounters did not always have to be pleasant, a fact she had reminded herself of while she was en route to the gardens. So it was best to remember what was expected of her, and to exceed those expectations in order to achieve the desired impression.
Joan
Typically one's keen senses would have caught onto being steadily approached easily. Though tonight the Magistrate had his vision far too clouded with distractions to notice. It wasn't until her shadow cast over him that he looked over. Ones first instinct would have been to quickly reach for his sword, but he quickly took notice of the bow and her colors worn. Using his arm to scoop under the little hare, he'd have picked the little creature up as Yuto stood. 

Rising to his full height, he towered over the newly arrived Scorpion. Standing six foot three as the man would cast an even larger shadow over her. Taking a subtle step back for proper spacing, the Bayushi would give a bow of his own. One deep enough to show anyone respect in court, speaking as he came back up. "Bayushi no Rokugo Yuto." The man spoke soft, in a meek tone. Had she been any further she might not have heard him. 

His eyes focused on the woman's Mempo. It wasn't common for the scorpion to have one made in such fashion. Typically a Scorpions instinct was to hide their mouth, and sometimes the eyes along with it. To only cover your eyes meant one had confidence in mastering themselves, in the presence of others that was important. Yuto himself had not stressed nor relied upon the tradition, but he could read between the lines. 

Nudging his arm, he motioned it to scratch behind the hares ears. Ones gaze never straying from the woman in front of him. Not bothering to grab or even look towards his Daisho. "What do I owe the pleasure on such a desolate night?" While keeping the same forbearing tone, the words possessed more base. Staring intently as if he eyed someone behind her.
Edward
Emika looked up from her bowing posture and smiled gently. Yuto's apparent affinity for animals and wildlife was intriguing to her, but she chose not to comment on it. Either he had trained them, or he had a personality that they took a preference to. She decided that it would be better to leave the guess work to her divinations later, rather than make a hasty assumption. "Soshi, Emika. Shugenja of the family Soshi.", she said in introduction, responding to his own by respectfully providing one of her own. "I would have said the same thing, but the coins never steer me wrong. They said I would meet somebody interesting here, and so it seems I have.", the Soshi woman remarked before brushing a rogue strand of hair out of her masked visage.

While it was true, most Scorpions would choose a mask that covered their mouth, Emika had chosen hers as it only added to her exotic beauty and allowed the Fortunes to work freely if she ever chose to invoke the wind spirits into enhancing her already natural appeal. "Besides, one can sit around the palace, waiting for something to do for so long before the need to walk and stretch one's legs takes precedent.", Emika said with a hint of a cheerful ring to her tone. 

She was not unhappy in this moment, the time to be dark and brooding was for when she was alone, and solitary. Thoughts of her deceased brother were absent in the here and now as she regarded the man with a rabbit in his arms. "Bayushi, Tomura did say he would make sure my arrival was known."
Joan
Soshi Emika.. While the man expressed content in learning her name, he couldn't help but put similar faces. Having met two of the Soshi family once before, Junichi and Miyoko. Those two had not left a positive impression on the Magistrate, although he'd not judge the whole family based off two individuals. Yuto would observe her once more, Emika certainly carried herself dignified and without motive. Of course this was only the beginning of the first impression, thus he wouldn't be so swift in judgement. 

Chuckling softly, the Vassal spoke: "I suppose there's a first time for everything. Can hardly imagine myself interesting." Remaining humble he spoke gently. Not wanting to boast of himself, not that there was any honors to brag of. Though that could simply be his lack of self worth. Despite being a Vassal, he was placed at a high station. "An honor to behold your greetings, Soshi-san, I am the Scorpion Clans Magistrate representative here in Ryoko-Owari-Toshi." 

He informed the woman of his status, in case she'd have wondered why he addressed her as san and not sama. Despite his place as a Vassal, he was ascended to quite the rank. Regardless, he spoke humbly without arrogance or boast in his tone. Usually he'd have addressed all those of the four great families with sama, but due to a certain experience he no longer provided such a courtesy. "There's no better place to loosen the body and strengthen the mind than that of our Gardens. A wise choice." 

Once she mentioned Bayushi Tomura, he smiled. Seems those two have already met, perhaps becoming acquainted. He'd have given another bow, this time one that was apologetic. "You'll have to forgive my ignorance. Had I known of your arrival, I'd have prepared your accommodations. Duty has left me with little time. How have you fared since arriving?" He spoke with a hint of concern and worry, the man was truly compassionate.
Edward
Emika raised and lowered a hand gently in a dismissive manner. She was not at all concerned about the impromptu provisions and Tomura's aid in that department. "Everything has been fine. Peaceful, even, which is odd. I imagined that I might be greeted with requests for various things, like divinations, and beseeching the Fortunes for the various blessings people seek.", she remarked with an amused inflection to her tone. "Not that I'd condemn anyone for laying those requests before me. As a Shugenja of the Soshi family, it is my duty. However, such talents shouldn't be used frivolously, like the skill of a swordsman. Time and place, would you not agree?", Emika asked of Yuto with a grin now. It was time to see how his answer to her question reflected on his own character and set of virtues he kept.

Emika then looked about the garden before her, not taking her eyes off of the Magistrate before her very long as she made a note to regard what he had said about a place for the body and mind. It seemed properly in balance, and perhaps there were a few spirits lingering about that contributed to the wellbeing of such a place. It would need further investigation. But, like she had questioned, time and place. Perhaps this might be the place to commune with various nature spirits, but as for the timing? It would take preparation and research, as well as a proper offering so as not to anger or insult them and cause more trouble than it did benefit. Curiousity was a valuable thing, but it could also be a danger to one's self if surrendered to blindly.

||
Joan
His concerned expression faded once she assured him of her arrival. The Samurai was glad to see she wasn't overwhelmed upon being received, it's common for such a thing to happen. Scorpions were dedicated to their duty, often forgetting they themselves were humans. Underestimating their need for rest and clearance of the mind, Yuto himself was included in this. When she inquired, the man did nothing but nod in agreement. She'd find the Magistrate wasn't the most verbal. 

With a soft breath, he turned slightly. Bending down to gently let the Hare out of his grasp. As it would run off into the gardens the moment it touched the grass. Standing back up to his full height, he concealed his arms in the shroud of the Haori worn. Keeping an appropriate distance between them, he gestured to speak: 
"You seem quite enthusiastic to be present here in the city. The clan will certainly make good use of your talents, if you ever require a guide, I am able." 

He did the kindness of offering his service, not finding her to be any suspicious. Had she truly trusted the fortunes, Soshi Emika, in this moment didn't seem to possess ulterior motive. Yuto could tell when someone was lying, and this wasn't one of those times. 
"Have you paid visit to any of the temples?" 
He inquired softly, wanting to learn more about her, without being obvious.
Edward
"Not recently. I was spending time with my family before my arrival here. During my travels here, I blessed a small family shrine with my prayers and presence... But you are correct, I was pretty eager to make my presence known.", Emika assured Yuto with a soft nod of her head. The motion caused the bells on the edges of her mask's cheek portions to chime.

"Nothing is gained with idle hands. We must work hard, and prove fruitful if our dreams are to be realized.", Emika then added. It seemed like a thought she had spent much time meditating on. Perhaps a training mantra literally beaten into her during her time in the Dojo. "So, with that in mind. I am prepared to contribute to whatever cause you may have me to."
Joan
She blessed a small shrine with her with her prayers and presence.. Could that have been a hint of how she saw herself? Yuto wasn't foreign to knowing Shugenja could see themselves on a fabricated plateau, though he wouldn't jump to judging the woman as arrogant. He gave a pleasant nod instead, enjoying the sound of her masks decorations. Bells huh? Were the gentle chimes meant to announce the Soshi's presence wherever she ventured? Most favored discretion, and while Emika seemed traditional, that was quite a standout. 

"Your visitation to a humble shrine will have surely been appreciated by the local Heimin." 
He spoke to compliment her before listening once more. The Magistrate was content with the woman's presence, not finding her irritable or monotonous. Rather he viewed the Shugenja as a book, taking in all its aspects beyond the mere words inscribed into it. Her true nature was yet to be seen, though he did not believe her speech wasn't genuine. 

"Your words are very percipient, Soshi-san. You'll find in this city that idle hands are rare among the other Great Clans. Our hands must move with finesse and cunning if we're to overcome the ensuing impediments." 
He chose to be deft with his words. While this was her first impression of the Rokugo, this was not the vassals typical behavior. Though he deemed to make this a constant. His mind soon saw opportunity in the woman, already seeing opportunity within her presence here. 

"Until further arrangements are made, I would be delighted to have your company within the temple district of the city. Due to my obligations I've not yet been able to show my respects to the Kami and the Fortunes. Having one more experienced in such fields would provide much solace." 
He inquired of the woman. Yuto was not a spiritual man, but in recent times he seemed to desire the fortunes favor. Feeling as though he needed it to succeed, this was not a common thing for him to feel.