Baths after a long journey (D1 EA open)

[Shosuro Himeko]

The baths were, as Himeko suspected, exactly as she expected Crab baths to be. Basic, functional, and fit for purpose. It summarized the clan so well.

Beggars couldn't be choosers however, and so after entering she was quick to remove her clothes and wash off the travelling, taking care to clean her body and rinse a few times before she slipped into the waters with a sigh, briefly submerging herself before coming up just with her head above water.

Basic or not, she needed this.

[Kitsuki Naida]

First stop after a long trip meant a bath. Whistling to herself as she emerged from the changing area, she heard someone coming out of the water, strangely enough.

Walking over she spotted a woman with a wet head sitting there, "Are... you okay, Shosuro-san? Did you slip getting in or something?"

[Shosuro Himeko]

Himeko peeked up at the voice disturbing the peaceful movement of the water, and after a moment to rise and bow shook her head.

"I am quite well, it was intentional to slip under the water. It's not quite the waterfall I hear the Dragon reside under but it will do for now. I thank you for your touching concerns though. Please, come and join me, the water is quite wonderful."

[Kitsuki Naida]

A small sigh but then Naida removed her towel like sheet.

"Ah, refreshing yourself. I can understand that. Standing under waterfalls though? Totally overrated, unless all you want to do is wake up. Even in summer they're chill as ice and very noisy. I'll take a nice hot bath over that any day of the week."

Naida slipped into the water smoothly, almost sighing again from the nice relaxing feeling.

"These are very nice baths too. Much nicer than some mountain spring bathing with the monkeys."

[Shosuro Himeko]

Himeko politely looked slightly away as Naida slipped into the water. Only slightly though.

"Truly? I had heard many tales of Dragon under waterfalls finding enlightenment or some such comments. Maybe the path to Enlightenment is by freezing ones body to allow the soul to regain focus? I'll take a nice hot spring over a cold waterfall anytime though" she laughed, before now properly looking at Naida after she was in the water.

"Our hosts have provided us with warm water to help ease aching muscles after a lot of travel, one can't complain. It doesn't have the glamour that the baths at Kyuden Doji have, but I feel our hosts lean more towards function. The difficulty will be finding the effort to escape the warm waters later, ne?"

[Kitsuki Naida]

A small nod, though Naida seemed to jump to her question rather than contemplate the chore of getting out too much. Or the intricacies of Enlightenmenteither, "You have been to Kyuden Doji then, Shosuro-san? What are the baths like then? Are they big and magnificent? Or are they more cozy and artful? Do they use scents in the water or is it all natural?"

[Shosuro Himeko]

"The answer is yes to most of that. The bathing areas are big and magnificent, with the walls being a work of art in how the marble is displayed. The area is scented in different fragrances every day, but not too heavily scented. It's a very relating experience, and for those unused to such things very overwhelming. I know a number of my delegation became rather obsessed with it, which meant when they returned to more normal surroundings it was an adjustment" Himeko chuckled "I don't feel the need for quite that level of extravagance, but a happy medium between that and functional is always nice. That's what one would expect back in my home province, a mix between the two."

She peered at Naida, adding "and what of back home for Kitsuki-san? Do the baths provide relaxation aplenty or do they serve the purpose?"

[Sutorenja]

Sutorenja had cleansed herself as she had been taught and then entered the bath with a languid gait, slipping into the water with a soothing gasp. The Sparrow had been good hosts but she missed a true bath house, not that it didn’t have one but apparently there had been a tragic weasel or yam incident… or something rambling story that made it not operational.

This was living at least.

She did nod her head to the samurai present and the peasants that were there gave the samurai a wide berth, you know because they like living. On her shoulder though was a curious green lotus tattoo along with a few scars on muscled body, she seemed like a Matsu in build.

[Kitsuki Naida]

"The answer is yes to most of that. The bathing areas are big and magnificent, with the walls being a work of art in how the marble is displayed. The area is scented in different fragrances every day, but not too heavily scented. It's a very relating experience, and for those unused to such things very overwhelming. I know a number of my delegation became rather obsessed with it, which meant when they returned to more normal surroundings it was an adjustment" Himeko chuckled "I don't feel the need for quite that level of extravagance, but a happy medium between that and functional is always nice. That's what one would expect back in my home province, a mix between the two."

She peered at Naida, adding "and what of back home for Kitsuki-san? Do the baths provide relaxation aplenty or do they serve the purpose?"

"Oh I certainly don't need extravagance myself either, no. It's just fascinating to hear about things I know nothing about, and the gifts of artisans and engineers that we don't get much of up in the mountains. Our baths are functional indeed, and I think that means just as much relaxation as any other. I know some say the natural outdoor springs in the Dragon lands, due to the volcanos, are superior to any bath because of their natural minerals and the blessing of the kami and such... but I just find their smell a bit off putting myself compared to a nice clean bath like this."

She did nod her head to the samurai present and the peasants that were there gave the samurai a wide berth, you know because they like living. On her shoulder though was a curious green lotus tattoo along with a few scars on muscled body, she seemed like a Matsu in build.

Naida nodded in return, a brief squint not quite enough to make out what the tattoo was... but she somehow did not think the woman was a fellow Dragon.

[Shosuro Himeko]

"Oh I certainly don't need extravagance myself either, no. It's just fascinating to hear about things I know nothing about, and the gifts of artisans and engineers that we don't get much of up in the mountains. Our baths are functional indeed, and I think that means just as much relaxation as any other. I know some say the natural outdoor springs in the Dragon lands, due to the volcanos, are superior to any bath because of their natural minerals and the blessing of the kami and such... but I just find their smell a bit off putting myself compared to a nice clean bath like this."

"I can't say I've been near enough to the volcanos of the Dragon lands to know the smell. However perhaps with sufficient fragrance they could become a bigger appeal? In the general area of course, I'm not sure there is enough fragrance in the world to chance the scent of an entire volcano" Himeko chuckled in amusement "but hai, I agree with you in that functional baths are fine, although I am given to understand these are not the only baths, just the only available ones."

She shrugged, gazing over at the other person who had arrived before speaking again.

"We're not all gathered here to judge the baths though, ne?"

[Sutorenja]

She nodded politely but did not say anything to the higher ranked Scorpion.

[Kitsuki Naida]

"I can't say I've been near enough to the volcanos of the Dragon lands to know the smell. However perhaps with sufficient fragrance they could become a bigger appeal? In the general area of course, I'm not sure there is enough fragrance in the world to chance the scent of an entire volcano" Himeko chuckled in amusement "but hai, I agree with you in that functional baths are fine, although I am given to understand these are not the only baths, just the only available ones."

She shrugged, gazing over at the other person who had arrived before speaking again.

"We're not all gathered here to judge the baths though, ne?"

"The appeal is supposed to lie in the benefits to health; Local legends say certain hot springs are blessed by the spirits, and the natural waters infused with all four elements... the fire heating it, the earth in the minerals clouding it, the air in the bubbling gas, and of course the water itself... Well, they say they can do everything from keep your skin young to cure bad joints. I suppose you're right though; We're not here as bath consultants. Though I imagine I'd be as much help with that as anything else at a wedding. Complex politics and alliances are hardly my specialty."

[Shosuro Himeko]

"The appeal is supposed to lie in the benefits to health; Local legends say certain hot springs are blessed by the spirits, and the natural waters infused with all four elements... the fire heating it, the earth in the minerals clouding it, the air in the bubbling gas, and of course the water itself... Well, they say they can do everything from keep your skin young to cure bad joints. I suppose you're right though; We're not here as bath consultants. Though I imagine I'd be as much help with that as anything else at a wedding. Complex politics and alliances are hardly my specialty."

"Kitsuki-san sells her clans hot springs so well I'm considering a trip up into the mountains already" Himeko said with a chuckle "I can't say I have bad joints, however I quite like my youthful skin and would want to keep it for longer" she held up a hand out of the water as if to make her point.

"A wedding is to celebrate a union between two individuals and two clans, I assume that is why you're here? On behalf of your clan?" She tilted her head "I'm sure both the Crab and the Crane are honoured that you have made the long journey to be here for this occasion. Regardless of your experiences, I'm certain you have something special to offer."

[Kitsuki Naida]

"Kitsuki-san sells her clans hot springs so well I'm considering a trip up into the mountains already" Himeko said with a chuckle "I can't say I have bad joints, however I quite like my youthful skin and would want to keep it for longer" she held up a hand out of the water as if to make her point.

"A wedding is to celebrate a union between two individuals and two clans, I assume that is why you're here? On behalf of your clan?" She tilted her head "I'm sure both the Crab and the Crane are honoured that you have made the long journey to be here for this occasion. Regardless of your experiences, I'm certain you have something special to offer."

"My sarcasm did not come across? More's the pity. But yes, I received an invitation. I'm not sure how much I'm representing the Dragon though, in this case; We are hardly a unified front at the best of times, and right now..."

A small shrug with some accompanied rippling of water.

"Well, if nothing else I've made some friends in my travels, so this is an opportunity to expand my social circle, maybe receive more invitations to such things in the future."

[Shosuro Himeko]

"My sarcasm did not come across? More's the pity. But yes, I received an invitation. I'm not sure how much I'm representing the Dragon though, in this case; We are hardly a unified front at the best of times, and right now..."

A small shrug with some accompanied rippling of water.

"Well, if nothing else I've made some friends in my travels, so this is an opportunity to expand my social circle, maybe receive more invitations to such things in the future."

"Perhaps that is why you're representing your clan Kitsuki-san; because you're not the usual kind. I cannot say I know all the details about the Dragons situation, but if there is one thing I know about your clan its giving individuals the chance to walk their path. This is your path, and you may gain friends to expand your social circle but you gain something almost as valuable; experience" Himeko smiled "I'm sure there must be a hundred sayings in the Tao about wisdom and experience, not that I've read it that recently to say for certain. I wouldn't be the person I am now however without the experiences of travelling throughout these lands on behalf of my clan."

[Kitsuki Naida]

"Indeed; The actions of our Kami's esteemed family, what they do and who they send where, are a mystery to me as well. But they certainly know the sayings of the Tao better than you or I, I should think. I just hope none of my actions have reflected poorly on them; I like to think all my friendships and conflicts have been above board though, to borrow a saying from the Mantis. After all, one must stand up for their ideals as a samurai, and to help make ties both professional and intimate to better expand the sphere of connections and favors one can pull from in order to help serve one's lord. At least, that is the way I think of it."

Naida sighed and leaned back in the water a little, letting her long hair dip more into it, "So perhaps you're right, and there is a greater purpose to all of this."