Kyuden Shika

Murato pushed himself across the pool of spring water, drifting to the other side from the place he entered. It was such a muggy day, but being in the bath allowed him to ignore that for a little bit. Plus it helped digestion.

Once he got to the other side he took a moment to center himself and focus on the nothing. The water surrounding his became as the air as he simply meditated into nothing.

----

D3 LA, Bath time Meditation [Void], TN ? | TN: 1 | Success: 1 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 1

Passion removes 3 strife, 1 negates 1, 1 opportunity to reduce TN of next Fire based roll

It's not long after that Narumi arrives, and removed her kimono et al, folding the fabrics carefully and setting them aside before scrubbing down thoroughly in preparation for a soak.
Her footpads land softly on the tiles, and her head tilts to one side on approach as she recognizes the Lion in the pool. Is he... hmm.
She opts not to say anything, and simply descends into the waters as gingerly as she can to not disturb him, though disturb him she knows she will, and her wincing expression reads as much.

His eyes remain closed, though he grows a smile. "I have a visitor," he says, opening them. "Or maybe I am the visitor, as the water is more your domain than mine, Usogawa-san. I hope the day is treating you well."

"Your powers of perception continue to delight me, Kitsu-san," she says with a lowered tone, regarding him and meeting those orange eyes. "Have you had your rice today?" she greets him and returns the smile.

"I have. I hope you have been blessed by Inari as well," he replies, his eyes happily reflecting back to Narumi's. "And it's less about perceiving in the bath. More about feeling the change in water pressure, and the small ripples. Especially when you are doing your best to make as few of them as possible."

He moves once again from his spot at the far end of the pool, drifting toward Narumi before finding a spot much closer. Not touching close, but definitely arm's reach close.

"Have you been well since the gifting? I hope you have not had any further troubles," there was a definite hint of concern, but also of hope that nothing else had afflicted her.

"Hai, well, this one knows all about the desire to make as few waves as possible," she watched him draw closer, and tilted her head towards the approaching Lion.
"Oh! I have! That was a fluke, a trick of this one's condition, that's all," she lied through her teeth, hopefully somewhat convincingly. "Your concern, and that of Kuni-san's, will not be forgotten. It was a long day, and it's an interesting situation we're all put in, isn't it? So much pressure to make connections immediately, this one isn't used to being so, hmm, let's say vulnerable."

He sit's comfortably nearby, so that they can have a quiet conversation in comfortable speaking tones.

"I am glad to hear it," he says. "That you are okay, not that you have a condition. But everyone deals with things in their life. You have what you are dealing with. I have a spirit hanging around watching me all the time, telling me what I'm doing wrong. We just have to be positive and see the bright side," he beams a smile at her.

He was not making it really clear why he felt the need to be so close. Maybe he was just being forward, maybe he just preferred a quieter conversation, maybe he was just super comfortable in the bath. Whatever it was, he didn't seem to be ogling or anything inappropriate. Just relatively close.

"Looking on the bright side has never been my forte," she admitted candidly, and did not balk at the Lion's closeness to her. The smile she wears falters some.
"Your spirit sounds like they'd get along with my aunt. As is, I'm more accustomed to rolling with what's presented before me and attending to what needs done, or placing others' needs and desires before my own."

"Such is the burden of service," he says with a nod.

"But we should not deny ourselves the simple pleasures that can be provided by comraderie and onsen," he smirks with that. "And you are at a miai. So even if you feel you must be deferential back home, here you should make it clear what you want with passion. Be honest with yourself and others. Guard your heart a bit but don't be afraid to put it out there and see if another might feel as you do. Live the most courageous life you can here, even if that courage is just a whispered feeling or a gentle touch."

How she could've used such encouragement the previous night, a hint of colour touched the Otter's cheeks at that. "Your words echo the advice I give to the prospective suitors here, Kitsu-san.. But I suppose those who can't do, teach. I'm... unaccustomed to following my heart. I'm afraid I don't know how to do it," she gave a wry laugh, and looked away.