D2EA, Waterfowl (Open)

[Kitsuki Naida]

She shook her head, "No shrimp or tofu yet, no. And I absolutely LOVE a good tofu too. Especially fried tofu; My favorite food if it's done just right. Tough on the outside a bit, but fluffy and creamy on the inside, and it absorbs sauces so quickly that you can dash it at just the right time minimally with great effect."

Naida sighed before looking back at Yuuwaka, "...if you don't mind me rambling."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Yuuwaku, for her part, has been leaning forward, attending closely to Naida.

"Oh, not at all. It's always gratifying to see clear passion for a subject, after all, and even the simplest things are rarefied by it.

"But it sounds like there's a place in your past that does it particularly well. Where was it? How did you find it?"

[Kitsuki Naida]

"I've had a few good places. My favorite was in Ryoko Owari though; A little hole in the wall place that served tofu fried in peanut oil, served over fluffy rice, and the whole thing dashed with a boiling red sauce at the table that sizzled and filled in all the nooks and crannies in the tofu. It was hot and extremely spicy. Made with peppers from the Mantis Isles they said. My face was drenched in sweat by the time I finished, but it tasted too good to stop eating."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"Sounds delightful! I'll have to look for it if I'm ever there.

"The shrimp last night didn't quite leave me sweating, but I've had meals that did. It was a different experience than many, to be sure, but well worth having."

Yuuwaku looks at Naida again. "Seems like a thing we could look for together while we're here."

[Kitsuki Naida]

"Together, hm? It's a deal, Kakita-san."

She only realized at this point how close Yuuwaku had moved as they were talking, and she experimentally moved her leg under the water as she talked so her knee would briefly brush one of Yuu's, just to test how close she actually was really.

"You really do move gracefully though. I would also love to see your kata some time, if you're feeling up to it. If you've strained yourself too badly, I could always try to help."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Yuuwaku starts ever so slightly at the touch of the Dragon's leg against hers. But she does not move away. No, she lifts her own leg slightly to slide it along Naida's just a bit.

"Kata, Kitsuki-san? Oh, no. I am no bushi; I study on the other side of the Academy. Dance, in particular. And I appreciate an interested audience, always."

[Kitsuki Naida]

Naida hadn't expected that reaction to her probing touch; The Kakita was closer than she thought under the water, and her leg was sliding against her own.

Breaking out of the brief shock, she responded, "Aaaaah... a dancer. I tend to not think of the Artisan school as that sort of stuff. Mostly poetry, painting, bonsai, sculpture... things you make rather than performance art. It does explain a lot though, about your grace and particular beauty."

And the feel of that leg; Naida couldn't help rubbing back, but she didn't show it above the surface of the water, not wanting to seem out of place in a public bath. But a dancer's legs just felt so... so nice.

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Yuuwaku smiles as heat rises through her, flows through her, and her foot slowly works around Naida's leg under the water.

"I do study painting and verse, as well, but as secondary fields. Dance has always been my focus. And the flexibility is a blessing in many circumstances."

Such firm calves, she thinks.

"Perhaps I could arrange a demonstration after or as we eat and explore."

[Kitsuki Naida]

"As we eat and explore?"

That clicked rather quickly considering the busy foot, and Naida lowered her voice, "Bold words for a public bath, Kakita-san, bur color me intrigued. I do not know the town well, and share my room with a fellow Dragon at the inn, so I do not suppose you know a good spot for dancing demonstrations?"

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"One or two come to mind" comes Yuuwaku's reply, similarly quiet. In a more normal voice, she says "It would be a pleasure to have you to dinner in a day or two. Duties permitting, of course. Or if you are a morning person..."

She trails off. Beneath the water, her leg remains wrapped, her foot pointed, around the Dragon's for a moment longer, then slowly releases, nary a ripple disturbing the bath.

[Kitsuki Naida]

"I would not consider myself a morning or evening person. I'm ready for anything any time; Call it a product of traveling. And it would be a pleasure; I'll present myself when invited, breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Schedule permitting."

With nary a ripple there seemed to be a following under the water, and a slightly rough feeling foot gently brushed up the Crane's knee and slowly down her calf."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Yuuwaku shivers at the reciprocated touch, despite the heat of the bath.

Yes.

"Breakfast tomorrow, perhaps? Mid-morning?"

[Kitsuki Naida]

"Breakfast? Sounds delicious. I shall be looking forward to it then, and the opportunity to see your art for myself. I am no artist myself, but I think I should be able to share something with you in return. A small gift perhaps or such."

The foot drifted back away.

My my... I shall have to not eat so I'm extra hungry tomorrow morning then, judging by how hungry this one seems.

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"The pleasure of your company will be gift enough," Yuuwaku replies. "No performer will turn away an appreciative audience."

I knew this would be a good trip!

"Will you still want me to have your kimono at the end of the parade route?"

[Kitsuki Naida]

"I thought you said it was tradition? I have no special need for it if it's not; I am comfortable walking back to the inn either way, neh? So long as the weather holds of course."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"I said I didn't know--but my kin want to have them handy. They might say it's so they don't ruin people for anyone else!"

A bit of laughter at the joke.

"But you've certainly got the right stuff to show, Kitsuki-san. You lucky woman, you."

[Kitsuki Naida]

"Ah... but who is luckier; The shower or the viewer I wonder?"

A small smirk, Naida sitting up a little so the top of her chest sat right below the water line.

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Well, thinks Yuuwaku, she is a Dragon.

"It would depend, I think, on how much an exhibitionist the shower is. Or a performer--as one, I always appreciate an engaged audience, and I well know how to be one, myself."

[Kitsuki Naida]

"I suppose it is a give and take relationship, like most worthwhile ones in life. I suppose I wouldn't be so excited to lead a shrine this afternoon if I didn't know there would be people watching and engaging with the energy of the parade. Speaking of..."

Naida stood up in the bath, water cascading down the taller woman's form, "I should probably start getting ready for that. I have to get dressed, then go meet a Hida, Bayushi, and Otomo to coordinate things."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Yuuwaku stays where she is for just a moment, looking on, before she stands to her much less impressive height and says "I probably should, too. I have to be waiting for people at the end, after all."

The water glistens on Yuuwaku's pale skin, tracing the toned muscles the dancer sports. "And I'll look forward to seeing you."

[Kitsuki Naida]

Naida froze and went silent for a moment or two.

By the Heavens, she was hiding something impressive under the water. Good thing she's into wandering duelists apparently!

"Oh, you're changing too? Any chance you can help me then? The chest wraps can be tricky without extra hands."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Yuuwaku sees the attention and replies "If you'll help me in turn, of course. You're right; the extra hand helps."

And she turns to leave the bath, kneeling down demurely to retrieve her towel--and highlighting the development of a dancer's lower body.

Rising and turning to face Naida again before she begins to wrap the towel, she gives just a hint of a wink and gestures to the dressing room with her chin.

[Kitsuki Naida]

It seemed the Kakita woman was a spicy one it seemed. Naida certainly didn't mind a person who knew what they wanted though.

Wrapping her towel around herself as she stepped out, she held it with one hand while motioning for Yuuwaku to follow, "Of course; Always glad to help where I can."

Entering the changing area, "I'll get the stuff on that are easier on my own quick; Really won't take long."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"Of course," Yuuwaku replies, and she sets about the work of toweling off. Dressing over wet skin is hardly fun.

But she has no trouble getting that work done, nor the first stages of re-robing. And when the Dragon is similarly poised, she holds up the binding strips, asking "How tight will Kitsuki-san be needing them? It's always a different thing, I find."

[Kitsuki Naida]

"Hm?"

Naida looked up and turned around, using her katana in it's saya to help stand up as she looked at Yuuwaku.



"Oh, right. Fairly tight, I should imagine; Want everything staying in place while I'm carrying a heavy shrine, no? I'll hardly have a chance to fix things while carrying it."