Session Start (CD_SupTG:#PilzAznAnimaIC): Sat Feb 01 20:52:44 2014 -0500
[20:52] *** CelestialDoggie has joined #PilzAznAnimaIC
[20:52] *** CelestialDoggie is now known as Ritsuko
[20:54] *** Ichisumi has joined #PilzAznAnimaIC
[20:55] *** Kimiko has joined #PilzAznAnimaIC
[21:11] <@Pilz> Over the plains and rolling hills, a Caravan travels.  Its destination was nowhere special, once.  The town of Kuwikkukawa took a long time to live up to its name.  The river that passed through was slow and shallow-barely enough for irrigating crops, if there was more than rocks to be irrigated.  Of course, rocky ground is not all bad; and sure enough when a surveyor came through he soon realized there was gold d
[21:12] <@Pilz> dust in the sparkling waters
[21:12] <@Pilz> .
[21:12] <@Pilz> The town thrived for years on its own personal gold rush.  The Samurai family that had once struggled to pay taxes on their land grew extremely wealthy, even though they donated much of it to temples and the people.  Wealth, after all, is above the samurai's station.  Even so, many complained about this, saying the family was throwing away their money.  The old samurai lord smiled and said no, he was investing it.
[21:12] <@Pilz> he was investing it.  And the town Grew.
[21:12] <@Pilz> Eventually, of course, the mines ran dry.  The people whispered that it was the fault of the lord for squandering his heaven-given wealth.  The son of the old lord was ordered to close the mine.  As a final act of penatance, he was told to personally accompany his daimyo in inspecting the empty tunnels.  It was there, as the last of the gold was removed and the young lord prepared for his lord's displeasure, that
[21:13] <@Pilz> Lord's displeasure, that they saw something shining in the depths.
[21:13] <@Pilz> It was not gold, nor silver, nor any base metal they found.  It was a new metal, a strong metal.  White Steel they called it, and the town boomed again.  Now a vital point on a trade route for steel instead of gold, the inhabitants of the town are simple, but weathly folk.  While on the outside the town remains quiet when a caravan arives it explodes into activity.  And this Caravan is about to arrive, bringing tr
[21:13] <@Pilz> bringing food, money, and travelers with it.
[21:19] <Ritsuko> A starry-eyed young girl, possibly in her late teens, steps off the second to last vehicle in the caravan, taking in the sight of Kuwikkukawa and its bustling populace as the guards dispersed and the drovers tended to their animals. She is very tall, for being a woman, with straight black hair framing a fine-boned face and falling to mid-back.
[21:19] <Ritsuko>
[21:19] <Ritsuko> She wears a simply-decorated kimono in green and white, and carries a small pack on a string slung over a shoulder. Her expression is one of awe as she takes the first few steps forward into the city proper.
[21:23] * Ichisumi rides with the caravan, a simple travelling Geisha looking to entertain the nobility of the town. She wears bright and colorful clothing, and carries with her a biwa and a pair of fancy, decorated fans--likely for dancing. She is tall but not particularly so, and has kind hazel eyes. Her makeup is immaculate despite travelling ,and her long black hair is done up in a fancy bun...
[21:24] * Ichisumi held together by several decorative chopsticks and another fan. She has been quiet this whole trip, not speaking to anyone, simply gesturing when she needs to communicate--and unlike some geisha, has deigned not to sing. She smiles faintly as she takes in the town, eyes flickering from person to person.
[21:25] * Kimiko watches the caravan arrive with a smile. Kimiko is very much not a usual sight for most people, a shock of gold and white beauty in a much more mundane world. She stands tall and thin, her long blonde hair flowing free and blowing in a slight breeze that doesn't affect anyone else. Her hair frames a beautiful aristocratic face, marred by a slightly cheeky smile.
[21:26] <@Pilz> The city is not a 'proper' city.  It has no walls or grand buildings.  No castle where the lord lives, and only a small garrison to keep the peace.  No, this is a merchant's town.  Streets and streets holding shops and houses.  There are bars, inns, geisha houses, forges, glassblowers, basket-makers, fabric weavers, and a hundred other specialized places of business.  The city does not cluster, it sprawls out alon
[21:26] <Kimiko> Her outfit is simply amazing, a radient white and gold kimono that is untouched by the slightest stain or mark. The exact material is hard to understand, almost like it was woven from pure sunlight. She stands taller than her already tall height on a pair of tengu geta, somehow maintaining her balance without effort.
[21:26] <@Pilz> out along the river which burbles and flows through the center of the town*
[21:33] <Ritsuko> Unsure of where to begin first, Ritsuko simply begins wandering, looking very much like a star-struck tourist--chiefly because that's exactly what she is. She withdraws a small pouch from inside one voluminous sleeve, checking the coins inside, before coming to a decision and striking for one of the inns with a...less-worn exterior.
[21:33] * Kimiko looks over the caravan with interest. Perhaps THIS will have something interesting. She sighs, the slight breeze blowing her hair dramaticly.
[21:33] <@Pilz> Merchants push in on you, demanding you look at their wares.  Other merchants, the more respectable ones, stand by their shops ready to assist should your taste be good enough to lead you to them.
[21:34] * Ichisumi wanders out into the town as well, on the lookout especially for anyone particularly... rich and important looking, more or less. She smiles faintly at th emerchants and shakes her head, fanning herself gently and easing her way through the crowd.
[21:36] <@Pilz> Kimiko: The caravan has the usual things: Food, mostly, and coin.  Not much grows locally, and the river has been fished out long ago, so the city is utterly dependant on food from outside.
[21:38] <@Pilz> Ritsuko: The inns are easy to find, and upon entering you seem to have chosen one of the better ones.  No bustle inside; everyone sits and eats quietly.  Those who do talk are mindful of their voices.  A man sits on a raised platform in them midddle of the room, playing a shamisen.  He's fairly good, and the relaxing music washes over you.
[21:38] * Kimiko sighs. Nothing again. This is not a good day. She decides to head back towards the inn she is staying in, coincidentily the one Ritsuko chose.
[21:41] * Kimiko floats in through the door. Metaphorically, of course. It's tiring to do that litterally too many times.
[21:43] <@Pilz> Ritsuko, Kimiko: Entering at the same time, you find yourselves shown to the same table.  It's small; barely big enough to hold plates, but the place is fairly full.  It's the only table left, and most of the others are overfilled already.
[21:45] * Kimiko huffs slightly, her clothes seeming to darken for a moment like a cloud of the sun. Then the radient smile returns as she smiles at Ritsuko.
[21:46] <@Pilz> Ichisumi:  Several of the geisha you pass outside parlours eye you with concern.  They clearly don't want you muscling in on their turf.
[21:48] * Ichisumi offers them nothing but a friendly, cheerful smile. Her eyes catch someone quite well-dressed and rich looking, and she slowly guides her way into the inn. She inclines her head at the person seating people and motions to Kimiko.
[21:49] * Ritsuko turns as someone else sits with her...and is absolutely blindsided by the vision sitting across from her. "Woooow..."
[21:49] <@Pilz> It's not hard to get a seat next to Kimiko.  The woman waiting tables seems relieved to not have to cram yet another business person into one of the more packed tables.
[21:50] * Ritsuko scoots to make room for the other person before blinking at her, too. "Oh, my. I, uh...I feel kind of inadequate. Are you sure I should be sitting here?"
[21:52] * Kimiko smiles to the pair "Such a pleasure to meet new faces." She raises an eyebrow at Ritsuko "Why ever not?"
[21:54] <Ritsuko> "Well, I'm...certainly not of the same means as you look to be. Oh, I probably shouldn't even be talking to you."
[21:55] * Ichisumi inclines her head to Kimiko with a smile, and then to Ritsuko. She raises up one of her fans in a light wave as if to say don't worry about it, resting her biwa on the table.
[21:56] <Kimiko> "Oh please." The smile is briliant, if her perfume a little strong. "I have never been one to dislike spending time with those of any means. Nobility is not the only source of interest."
[21:59] * Ichisumi nods lightly in agreement. She motions lightly with her hands, the first few handmovements of a common dance among Geisha, smiling as she does so, then sweeping her hand across the room, as if ot suggest that entertainment might be found anywhere.
[22:00] <Ritsuko> "Oh, well. In that case." Her earlier uncertainty already forgotten, she's suddenly a bundle of restless energy. "Have either of you been here before? Are you from here? What's it like? What is there to do? Are there any interesting things in the area, or maybe around outside the town?"
[22:06] <Kimiko> "Oh my. You are very animated. I arrived a week ago...and have been bored out of my mind to be honest. There is not a lot to do here if you do not enjoy trading."
[22:07] * Ichisumi quirks an eyebrow and smiles again, this one a bit more steel than silk. She makes a motion with her hands, a defensive one, then holds them up as if performing shadow-theatre--a running man, then a greedy merchant. She finishes by cupping her palm, face-up, like holding a sack of coin, before drawing a finger across it like a knife.
[22:08] <Kimiko> "Chasing a thief? Oooh, facinating."
[22:08] <Ritsuko> She blushes at the comment about being animated, but carries on anyway. "Nothing to do? But there's so many places! I mean, there's not a ca--" She cuts off when her other tablemate begins to pantomime, then squints, obviously trying to decipher exactly what's being "said."
[22:09] <@Pilz> The waitress finally makes it to your table, inturrupting the session of 20 questions doubtlessly about to ensue.  As she sees the table full of women, her large fake smile disappears...but her eyes start to twinkle a bit.
[22:09] <@Pilz> "Madems."
[22:09] <@Pilz> *She gives a small bow*
[22:10] <@Pilz> May I take the orders of your honourable selves?
[22:10] * Ritsuko reels back a bit in surprise--she obviously wasn't paying attention to her surroundings.
[22:10] <Kimiko> "What do you reccomend?"
[22:10] * Ichisumi inclines her head to the woman, but shakes her head at Kimiko. She makes a general waving motion, very nonspecific. She turns back to the waitress, and pulling out a sake cup, taps it twice with a smile.
[22:12] <Ritsuko> "Hm. I suppose--ooo, sake? That sounds like a great idea!"
[22:13] * Kimiko nods "Very much so."
[22:14] <@Pilz> "One, two...three bottles of sake?  Alright then!  I was worried you'd ask for something boring, like tea.  Anything else?"
[22:14] * Ichisumi shakes her head gently.
[22:15] <Ritsuko> "Uh...--I mean, no, thank you."
[22:16] <Kimiko> "I will have whatever you have organised for lunch, as will my companions."
[22:16] <@Pilz> "It's alright miss, if you need anything just ask.  I'm so glad to be serving some women for a change.  Normally it's nothing but men in here, whispering about how they're going to make more money."
[22:17] * Ichisumi chuckles soundlessly at that.
[22:17] <Ritsuko> A dark look crosses Ritsuko's face for a moment. "Yeah, I know that feeling," she mutters.
[22:17] <@Pilz> "Today it's a stew.  My father's going to have to get supplies from the caravan that just arrived.  We've been skimming by on bones and local roots for far too long."
[22:18] <Ritsuko> "Is there nothing nearby to hunt? I mean, besides the river?"
[22:19] <@Pilz> "Not too much.  Noise from the town keeps them away."
[22:19] * Ichisumi nods, an understanding look on her face. She motions to her mouth, then her ears, then all around.
[22:20] <@Pilz> "Don't worry, you'll get used to it.  I'll be right back with your orders."
[22:21] <Kimiko> "Now..." She looks over at Ritsuko "Why ever did you think you should not sit with us?" That smile looks a little worrying now.
[22:22] <Ritsuko> "Thanks!" she calls after the waitress, before settling back down with her companions. "So what brought you to this place a week ago, if it's so boring?" she asks, before catching herself. "If I may ask."
[22:23] <Kimiko> "I believe I asked first." She nods "Travel. My family...suggested it. One cannot learn to govern if one does not understand the world one must govern."
[22:24] <Ritsuko> "Govern?" She pales noticeably. "Are...are you *sure* it's okay that I sit here?"
[22:24] * Ichisumi smiles at Kimiko, inclining her head in agreement. She holds up her hands as shadow-puppets again--showing first an emperor, then the usual representation of such a person's court.
[22:26] <Kimiko> "Why would I think otherwise?" The brilliant smile grows more concerning, like the shiny white teeth of a shark.
[22:27] <Ritsuko> "I...don't know," she says, shrinking in her seat.
[22:27] <Kimiko> "You don't know. Everything has a reason."
[22:34] * Ichisumi nods, quirking an eyebrow and glancing around. She motions to her mouth again, then holds her hands over her ears... then holds one flat, palm-down, and lowers it, then motions around the room.
[22:35] * Ritsuko catches Ichisumi's motion from the corner of her eye, but before she says anything something across the room happens...and she claps a hand over her mouth, her eyes merry as her shoulders shake.
[22:36] <Ritsuko> "This place, at least, isn't boring," she says, lowering her hand.
[22:36] * Kimiko looks at the pair, eyebrow raised. She has no clue what they are looking at.
[22:36] * Ichisumi blinks, and turns to look at what Ritsuko's looking at.
[22:37] <@Pilz> The serving girl returns with a tray bearing bowls of rice and bottles of sake.  She sets them before you and grins at Ritsuko
[22:37] <@Pilz> "Stew'll be out in a minute."
[22:37] <Ritsuko> "Sounds great!" she chirps. As the serving girl walks away again, she smiles. "This place is great."
[22:38] * Kimiko looks about for whatever Ritsuko was looking for "You never did answer my question."
[22:39] <Ritsuko> "Which question?" She looks utterly confused. "Sorry. I got distracted by the serving girls."
[22:39] <Kimiko> "About why you think you should not sit with us."
[22:41] <Ritsuko> "O-oh." And just like that, her good mood is gone. Again. "Well...isn't it bad for someone in your position to be seen spending time with someone below her station? I mean, I wasn't *bad* where I come from but I ran away aft--IIIII shouldn't have said that."
[22:42] * Ichisumi gives another soundless chuckle, giving a friendly smile to Ritsuko as she pours some sake for herself.
[22:43] <Kimiko> "Ooh, ran away." The friendly smile has become a grin by this point. "How interesting." She takes a drink of her Sake, eyes not leaving the ronin.
[22:44] <Ritsuko> "Wwwwell...promise you won't kick me out, if I tell you what happened?"
[22:44] *** MagicalBlue has joined #PilzAznAnimaIC
[22:44] *** MagicalBlue is now known as Malik
[22:44] * Ichisumi quirks an eyebrow, gives another chuckle and nods. It's as close as the silent woman gets to a promise.
[22:49] <Kimiko> "How about this? You tell me and I'll get you an outfit as nice as this one. I did see you looking at it."
[22:50] <Ritsuko> Her eyes grow positively huge. "You mean it?!" She sounds...breathlessly excited.
[22:51] <Kimiko> "My word is my bond."
[22:53] <Ritsuko> She closes her eyes for a moment, obviously bringing herself back under control...aided by taking a sip from her sake. "Okay. So...I was pretty much raised to be a geisha. Like most of them, right? Except the place that I worked was...awful. Like, it was seedy, and dirty, and the clients were...well, the less said about them, the better."
[22:53] <Kimiko> "Sounds like a fun place to visit, if not to live."
[22:54] * Ichisumi nods, an understanding look on her face. She motions to her own makeup and hair, then points to the ground. She holds her palms out, then curls her fingers into claws and makes a climbing motion with them.
[22:54] <Ritsuko> After another sip, she goes on. "So I was kind of resigned to that being my lot in life. Grungy and awful men would come in. Some of them would just want to come in and smoke their opium, drink their sake, so I'd just have to sit quietly. Others did that as a prelude to...other things. But if they got rough they got kicked out, so that was good. I guess."
[22:56] <Ritsuko> "But then one of them actually managed to kill himself, I guess. Too much of the opium. I hate that stuff...anyway, so after he seemed to fall asleep I tried to wake him up but he was all cold and stiff...and then I thought, 'If these guys can do whatever and make all this coin to spend on their sake and girls like me...who says someone like me can't?'"
[22:57] <Ritsuko> "So I snatched his weapon and hid it in my clothes, and when I was supposed to be sleeping I snuck out and left the city. It took me like a week to walk to the next one over, where I met Sacchi-sensei, who taught me how to use the guy's weapon that I took."
[22:57] <Kimiko> "Oooh, sounds like the starts of a facinating play."
[22:58] <Ritsuko> "It *is* kind of a silly story, isn't it? Anyway, I joined this caravan after Sacchi-sensei said he was done teaching me. I think...I annoyed him too much."
[22:59] <Kimiko> "I never said silly." Her eyes dance. "I said facinating."
[23:01] * Ichisumi nods, inclining her head at Kimiko. She gets a smile on her face and fans herself gently, before eating some rice and drinking a bit more sake.
[23:01] <Kimiko> "Now...I think I owe you something."
[23:03] <Ritsuko> "Oh. Well, sometimes when I think about it it sounds silly. I mean, who actually would think you could get away from a place like the one I was at? I hope they're not looking for me..."
[23:04] <Ritsuko> Her eyes brighten at Kimiko's words, and she actually manages to sit in silence for more than three seconds in a row.
[23:05] * Kimiko reaches into a very large sleeve...and pulls out an Ofuda. It is covered in golden caligraphy. She smiles and focuses on the symbols...and they start to dance before the others eyes.
[23:07] * Ritsuko stares with rapt attention. "Whoah..."
[23:07] * Ichisumi quirks an eyebrow and watches, curious.
[23:08] <Kimiko> The symbols leave the page, floating into the air...and then diving into Ritsuko's clothes like fish into water. The Ofuda itself continues to glow with mirrors of those symbols in brilliant golden light.
[23:12] <@Pilz> Thankfully, most everyone is far too absorbed in their conversations about money to notice.  Only a couple of drunks do, and when they fall out of their seats in astonisment and fear they're promtly shown the door.  This place has no time for people too drunk to sit on a stool.
[23:13] * Ritsuko shifts her stare down at herself as her kimono seems to...ripple, then shine a brilliant white. When the light fades, the fabric is obviously of a much higher quality than it was before, the style and decoration seeming straight out of Tsukikage; the color has shifted from green to a plum purple, with intricate designs of animals sewn in lighter pinks and purples.
[23:14] <Ritsuko> The girl is beyond astonished at the effect, once again rendered speechless...though from awe, not horror, as made plain by the expression on her face.
[23:15] * Ichisumi gives an approving nod, and glances to Kimiko with a smile.
[23:16] <Malik> Despite that, you hear chuckling behind you, moments before a very, very large man steps around to enter your view. "It's not often I get to see a sight like that. Perhaps coming out here on assignment will not be a waste of my time after all." He is clad in a high quality, yet rugged set of traveling kimono, and adjusts his Daisho as he sits at the table. "Don't mind me, the waiter said to...
[23:16] <Malik> ...find the best table - And I can think of few tables with more interesting beauties." He adjusts a small pair of glasses, taking stock of Ritsuko's transormation. "My name is Malik. It is a pleasure to meet you all."
[23:16] * Ichisumi inclines her head in greeting at Malik.
[23:17] * Ritsuko eeps! as he suddenly appears behind her, covering herself in something akin to embarrassment before remembering that she's actually still clothed.
[23:18] * Kimiko shrugs "If you wish." She looks to Ritsuko, the grin widening as the Ronin eeps. "I trust you like it?"
[23:20] <Ritsuko> "Like it? I *love* it!" She runs her fingers along the neckline. "Oh, my...silk? This is..." Her gaze snaps up to Kimiko, seemingly forgetting Malik is even there. "How did you do that?!"
[23:23] <Kimiko> "I believe the correct explanation is...magic."
[23:25] <Malik> "And an impressive display at that."
[23:26] <Kimiko> "A mere trick. Nothing a skilled tailor couldn't do in a few weeks work." She waves her hand.
[23:26] <Ritsuko> "A trick? But...it's so...but magic!"
[23:28] <Kimiko> "Indeed it is. But for magic? Just a trick."
[23:29] <Ritsuko> "But..." she trails off, suddenly conscious of the words they're tossing around, and she looks around the place--spotting Malik again, and jumping slightly when she does. "...Is there...can you teach me how to do that?"
[23:30] <Kimiko> "If you have the talent. One cannot teach a fish to fly...but I have heard of fish with wings..."
[23:30] * Ichisumi chuckles again. She inclines her head lightly, and picks up a single grain of rice, balancing it carefully on the edge of her bowl. She inclines her head at it lightly... and half of it balls back into the bowl. She holds up a finger with a smile, a slight glint winding back into her sleeve, nearly impossible to see.
[23:30] * Ichisumi holds out her hands and motions around, then to Ritsuko's new dress and the cut in half grain of rice.
[23:31] <Ritsuko> "Oh, well, I gue--"
[23:31] * Ritsuko breaks off with Ichisumi's display.
[23:32] <Ritsuko> "...What just..." Something seems to click as she stares at the other woman. "You, too?"
[23:32] * Ichisumi shakes her head, grinning and fanning herself lightly. She puts the fan down and holds her hands as shadow-puppets again, showing the puppet-shape of a warrior, then a yojimbo, then a weaponsmith.
[23:34] <Ritsuko> "Oh, phew," she sighs in relief. "If you could...the 'm' word...too, I think I might explode of jealousy."
[23:35] <Kimiko> "Magic?"
[23:36] <Ritsuko> "...Yes. That one. Sorry, it's a reflex. A...lot of the people I used to 'see' had kind of...negative opinions on the subject."
[23:39] <Malik> "Understandable. There are many who are spooked of things they don't understand."
[23:42] <Kimiko> "And I care not for what they think. For I am Oda Kimiko, heir to both nobility and power."
[23:43] * Ichisumi chuckles, grinning and going back to her rice.
[23:44] <Ritsuko> "Oh!" She turns red again. "I'm sorry, I never even gave you my name! I'm Ritsuko--immensely pleased to meet you all."
[23:46] * Malik chuckles as well, stroking his beard as he nods. "I imagine not many tell you what to think.  It is a pleasure to know your name." He turns to Ritsuko as well, "A pleasure to meet you as well, miss."
[23:48] * Ichisumi withdraws a small scroll of her own, small enough to fit in a small pouch. On it, in nice calligraphy, are the words 'Ichisumi, Wandering Geisha'. She hands one to each of the other three with a smile.
[23:48] <Kimiko> "A pleasure to meet you all..."
[23:49] * Ritsuko takes one of the cards, and her eyes widen as she reads it. "You too? I have a sister in the business now!"
[23:51] * Malik takes the card and reads it carefully, as is proper. "Ichisumi. Delightful."