The Magistrate didn't move her eyes from Mizuki's body, giving her no privacy, but no sense of lechery either... the gaze more like she was... testing the Shugenja. When she finished Kumori paused, looking into her eyes, then nodded once.<br/><br/>"Adequate. Continue to practice. You say the words, but you must believe them, and have others believe them. Go stand at the side of the room, Ari. You shouldn't be sitting at a table with Samurai. Such an overstepping of your place will end in you losing your head."<br/><br/>The Magistrate nodded once to the tea pot.<br/><br/>"Freshen my cup, and offer any of the others who wish it the same."<br/><br/>Another Kimono was brought out, this one a pattern of Yellow flames, and emerald trees, a forest fire consuming a forest, terribly and lovely. The Obi was pure white, glistening almost, catching the eye immediately. The cut and fabric were similar to Mizuki's, meant to show the form, not to be everyday wear like the Kimono she wore now.<br/><br/>"Ikoma-San. Your turn. Please get changed. Your name is Nowi. You are the daughter of Lion Samurai and his Bonge, who he became in discreet with on campaign. You were sold at birth, so your mother and father could avoid the shame of admitting an illegitimate child. You know neither of their names, and have never met them. Your Okiya lay in Lion Lands, thus your accent, but it was arranged for you to enter service as a Geisha here, after your apprenticeship, for some feared that you might come across your father. You have just finished your apprenticeship, and bought your freedom. Now you are to try running your own tea house. You were the one who brought up the idea of starting a tea house with her..."<br/><br/>The Soshi's eyes drifted to the Hare for a moment... but turned back to the Lion. It was important for each of them to know their roles, and jumping around would confuse the matter.<br/><br/>"...and have borrowed deeply from me to make it happen. However, if the teahouse is a success, you stand to become a rich woman, along with your business partner. Perhaps one of you will even replace me as the Okaasan of the Docks, when I decide to hand off the reins. Repeat."