D9LE, (Young) Women's Side: Soaking, and It Ain't Sake (Expecting, but theoretically open)

[Otomo Mariko]

Having washed--because how not?--Otomo Mariko soaks herself in one of the hotter tubs. The effect is curiously like throwing jerky into a bubbling broth.

[Agasha Yuna]

And, oh, what good chance, here was Yuna coming along, scrubbed clean as clean could be, and wrapped in a towel.

Her hair was drawn up into a tight bun on the back of her head, to keep it out of the water. No sign of her usual gold headdress.

She approached the side of the tub, and gave a deep bow, more or less visible depending on if Otomo-sama had her eyes open.

"Otomo-sama, it is good to see you. Would you like some company, or are you in meditative contemplation?"

[Otomo Mariko]

"Please, Agasha-san," Mariko says, nodding in reply and gesturing to the other side of the tub.

"That a young woman enjoys a soak doesn't mean she doesn't enjoy company."

[Agasha Yuna]

Yuna slipped out of her towel and into the water.

"Oh it feels so good! Mmmm."

She took a moment to breathe in the steam. To slow her breathing. To savor the encounter with water in one of its sacred forms.

"Ah, have you enjoyed the day? I have quite enjoyed the past lives picnic, the young Lion giving their speeches, the legal debate... I imagine the clans are keeping you very busy reviewing all the marriages related to their trade deals."

[Otomo Mariko]

"Oh, my, yes," Mariko says, nodding. "But then, we are all here to do our duties to our peoples, aren't we?

"Imagine life without them. Nothing to do but sit on some couch and eat dainties while being pampered by servants."

She smiles.

"Perish the thought."

[Agasha Yuna]

She nodded.

"I wished I had no duties remaining tonight." Even this - finding her - it was a chance to fulfil a duty, and she'd do so. That was life. But it didn't have to be the first thing she did.

"But that does sound nice. I think I could savor doing absolutely nothing for a week or two. Still, if I was absolutely dreaming about an escape I would get lost in the Ikoma library with nothing to do but read read read, any topic that interested me, day in and day out."

Imagine!

[Otomo Mariko]

"Yes, but what would your Shiba think?"

Mariko partly covers her mouth and laughs a little.

[Agasha Yuna]

She smiled.

"Ah, I could not spend a day without him! I must update my fantasies."

Getting lost in a library was a girlhood fantasy. A thought from her school days and later service.

"But how can I make the dream any better than getting to marry him and be his wife? It is the best dream of all. Though there could be a book or two in that life also."

A giggle.

[Otomo Mariko]

Mariko smiles.

"There are some things that a bride-to-be could read to help with such things," she says. "Dessert recipes, I mean."

She sighs slightly.

[Agasha Yuna]

Oh? Books on being a good wife? A good cook and a good wife?

"I should definitely find such books! Do you suppose there is a section in the Ikoma library? I have arranged access!"

[Otomo Mariko]

Mariko chuckles again, once again covering her mouth.

"You are such a dear, Agasha-san!

"But it may well be that there are some texts here that speak to such desserts. The First Ikoma had, it is said, quite a sweet tooth!"

[Agasha Yuna]

"The First Ikoma... I can certainly read up. Perhaps if his private letters or journals are available to visitor perusal."

She looked at Otomo-sama curiously.

"If you could name one book or scroll that has had the most impact on your life, what would you pick?"

[Otomo Mariko]

"One is tempted to say 'the Tao,' of course," Mariko says, "and I suppose that's true in a grander sense. But I think Agasha-san means closer to my daily life, so I would have to say the scroll detailing the terms of my marriage with Husband-san. Unless she means something else?"

An eyebrow raises under what is surely not a gray head of hair.

[Agasha Yuna]

Yuna had asked in simple earnest. A woman who likes to read and always enjoyed recommendations.

"Oh, those are great choices! The Tao, that's my number one. But the marriage contract ... ah ... it is the most valuable piece of paper in all Rokugan."

Thank Heaven it had been approved.

"And now we get to plan a wedding!"

"Speaking of ... I do actually have another marriage to run by you. I could make an appointment if you'd like to avoid anything so dutiful while we are pleasantly soaking."

[Otomo Mariko]

"It might be best to do so for full details, Agasha-san," Mariko says, "but we are already here, and marriage is a pleasant topic to discuss for most."

[Agasha Yuna]

She nodded.

"I think it's a particularly good match. Puzzle pieces that fit together."

"We have Hasegawa Gazan (Male, Status 5, age 27). A leading shugenja and researcher in the Agasha laboratories, Gazan is famous for developing a more efficient lacquering process. He is also famous for being a bit of a bully, refusing to give time or attention to others’ insights, an attitude that may well have stunted his potential."

"He would marry from the Tortoise: Kasuga-ke no kashin Sone Harumi, a student of Kasuga-ue. She's 26 and [Status 4]. Tough and clever. Able to hold her own and exert influence. She will marry into the Dragon."

"The Tortoise are aware that this is an opportunity for the right wife - tough of temperament and understanding how huge his potential is, if he can learn to work better with others - to prune him for greatness."

"The related trade deal is 4 gold, buying 1 sake this year, and pre-paying 3 tea next year."

[Otomo Mariko]

"Izumi's been busy, I see," Mariko says, nodding. Her motion causes the water to ripple. "If she says this Harumi can handle your Gazan, then she can, I've no doubt."

She settles back. "Izumi's many things. A fool is not one of them. Damned annoying, sometimes."

[Agasha Yuna]

She smiled.

"She does make an impression. It will be good for him. A chance to rise if he can be guided. And if he rises, they both do."

"Ambition can be a good motive, if it aligns with what serves the clan."

She paused. Curious.

"Forgive me if this is an unfair question to ask - there's absolutely no need to answer - but I can't help but be curious. What is the most ambitious marriage seeking your blessing this winter court? Are there some chasing Imperial matches?"

[Otomo Mariko]

"'Chasing,' Agasha-san?" Mariko asks. "No."

She grins, showing teeth. "I have suggested one, however, to a handsome lump of Crab here.

"Why? Are there Dragon who seek such grandeur?"

[Agasha Yuna]

She shook her head. No, no.

And then paused. Expression reflecting that she hadn't thought about it before.

"I suppose it is actually useful to mention we have an esteemed Mirumoto-ke no kashin Tsukioka Yumeji (Male, Status 7, Age 42). A staid and stoic general of the Mirumoto army and long-time bachelor, Tsukioka Yumeji maintains a near-religious commitment to decorum."

"An option for you. If you need someone of that rank for any reason. But no ... we did not imagine an Imperial match for him."

"That wasn't the cause of my curiosity. Honestly, I was curious if it was possible we'd see an Imperial marriage before the winter court is over. I have a friend glad of fashion reports, and an imperial wedding would be the absolute apex of fashion. But I would surely not be invited, and such events would likely to take months to plan, so it is just a fantasy. Like getting lost in a library."