Drip, Drop (Day 3 Early Afternoon)

[Hiruma Daichi]

Bathing in the rain seemed more than a little counterproductive to Daichi, but he also didn't really give a crap. Filthy from his time at the collapsed mine and stewing over the fact that only a very few court attendants had come to help, a bath was what he was going to have. Plus, if he showed his face in court today, he was very much likely to throttle someone. Maybe even several someone's.

This isn't helping you know.

"I know." He muttered in return as he sank into one of the heated pools well away from busier large pool. "Just be happy I'm not drinking too."

[Yogo Kiuchi]

A dirty Scorpion joined him. Though less dirt, and more mud seemed to on him. He bowed. "Hello. I am Yogo Kiuchi. Mind if I join you?"

[Hiruma Daichi]

"Not at all." Daichi replied it seemed the man could need a good scrub and a soak too. Which likely meant he hadn't been prancing around in court when lives could be saved. Something the young Gunso could approve of.

[Yogo Kiuchi]

Kiuchi joined him the bathes. Removing his mask showed that the one eye was not just stylistic. He was missing right eye and had a scar from katana strike to show it was no accident. Maybe it was why he wanted to be away from the bigger pools.

"This feels good. It's been a while since I've gotten this dirty."

[Hiruma Daichi]

((As an aside you generally clean up before entering these baths then soak afterwards, wasn't quite sure if you knew so decided to double check. Either way I'm gonna hand-wave it as happening and move on, if that's cool by you!))

"It's a bit of a different story on my end." Daichi replied, his lips curling up into a wry smile. Weeks on the road could lead to a very dirty Hiruma, luckily you became kind of immune to the smell after a time. "But this has thus far been a pretty dirty one, and it's nice to get all that muck off your skin."

"I'm Hiruma-ke no kashin Tetsumura Daichi by the way." If he was shocked by the Scorpion scars, he didn't show it. But then Daichi had his own share of scars, though none as severe.

[Yogo Kiuchi]

((I had forgotten. Thank you for the handwave. Kiuchi would have known.))

"A pleasure to meet you. And a pleasure to get clean. It reminds me when I got locked in the kennels when I was child." Kiuchi shook his head trying to get rid of the memory. He assumed his mother was behind it.

[Hiruma Daichi]

"Not a very envious place to find yourself at a tender age." Daichi replied, honestly unsure of what else to say in regard to that. He assumed it was some sort of child's prank gone too far though; other explanations were fairly unseemly.

"I suppose it saw you nearly as dirty as how you ended up today though?"

[Yogo Kiuchi]

"Hai. Albeit a bit less embarrassing. At least, a child accidently locking himself in with the dogs is a bit more understandable. I tried to help appease the Earth kami." Kiuchi just let that and his condition speak for itself on how that went.

[Hiruma Daichi]

Well, that explained why he hadn't seen him at the mine. "That does explain it." He offered with a nod. "And while not many among the Ikoma will likely thank you for your efforts, I at least appreciate it. Nothing good comes from an earthquake and it's my opinion everyone should pitch in a hand at such times of strive."

Which of course seemed to run counter to many people's though. "I tried to help evacuate the collapsed mine myself."

[Yogo Kiuchi]

"Thank you. I had heard something about that, but as a shugenja, I went to help with the rituals. Not my place to give thanks per say, but I am glad you and others went to help the miners.

"Knowing the Lion, I doubt our efforts will be appreciated, but we are here for the Empress's Court. The way I see, the Empire must serve. It is not to insult the Ikoma. But to serve the Empress as one Empire. At least that's how I saw it." His tone suggested that they would not. "Were I hear for a Lion Winter Court, I would have stayed in."

[Hiruma Daichi]

Daichi might of went anyways, but the Scorpion did have a bit of a point. This was an Imperial winter court, with the Empress present, to let all help without discord would have been a fitting action given the circumstance. "All will have their opinions and while mine is more in line with yours, there is little we can do to change that of others."

"Of course that doesn't mean we can't bitch about." He finished with a soft chuckle.

[Yogo Kiuchi]

Kiuchi chuckles too. "Hai. Honesty is one of the tenets of Bushido after all." Kiuchi considers. Especially since it appears the ritual failed, possibly quite horribly. "I have a feeling we are in for exciting Court from here on out. My mother always told me, 'May you live an interesting times.' "

[Hiruma Daichi]

"I've never thought that a phrase you said to anyone you liked." Daichi mused in return. "I suppose if it is the case we are all in for it.
Even if my own hope is an end to these earthquakes."

The houses they were in weren't poorly built, but they also didn't seem like they were built to be a permanent addition. He really didn't want it falling down around his head. "Other than today's interesting start. How have things been going for you though Yogo-san?"

[Yogo Kiuchi]

Kiuchi almost nodded in agreement about that phrase not being nice one. But he did stop himself.

"Well enough, I believe. I am no grand courtier like the stories say of Clan. I'm just a humble shugenja and merchant. But that said, ominous tidings aside, I think things have gone well enough." Kiuchi did wonder if he is doing enough. How much more can he do? "How about yourself Hiruma-san? I hope things things have gone well for you." And he meant it. He respected the Crab like most Yogo and Daichi seemed friendly enough.

[Hiruma Daichi]

"That's good." Daichi replied with a smile.

"Can't say they've gone too poorly." He admitted after a moment. "I managed to pass along my gift well enough and help out my clan mates some here and there." The Crab shook his head. "Though I'm no great courtier either, I mostly just take care of matters on the southern border."

"Doesn't quite prepare you for court that."