(D10 MA, Expecting) Rolling in the Mud

[Agasha Inoshishi]

With all of the fire born in her, she charges the Matsu, counting her steps and rhythm the way the monks taught her, flinging herself heedlessly into the air and twisting her body around in a circle, rolling over halfway through, hoping to catch the big Matsu by surprise as a ball of Inoshishi tries to grapple his upper body...or maybe just hug him if this goes poorly.

She feels the exhilaration she always does when moving with reckless abandon, her teeth bared in a happy smile.

[Matsu Ishioka]

The Stone Matsu wasn't surprised by Inoshishi's move. Well, definitely true to style. And as she came crashing toward him, he had another thought: That probably explains this morning.

For a "stone" man, Ishioka's reflexes are quite sharp. Taking a half step forward and turning slightly, the Matsu catches Inoshishi from the air and spins with her momentum to keep them from falling. As the spins stop, she can look up into Ishi's eyes to see a swirl of emotions that he hadn't been showing for Murato and Oubaihime. Right here, just between them, she can see that he's carrying weight from the night and morning. With her in his arms and a slightly stern look on his face, he pivots away from the others and toward the river.

[Agasha Inoshishi]

Inoshishi lands lightly, though nowhere near as lightly as Ishioka somehow does. She's not a gymnast, not really. She's okay, but not great. She see's the anger and other emotions swirling in him and, in typical dragon fashion, thinks those things should be used to power something, not simply held inside. She remembers how her instructors got them to let their anger out and nearly yells the same, before remembering some of what Ishioka has been saying to her. She speaks in metaphors and he's just a straight forward Lion. Fine, straight-forward with a goad.

Her back facing the river, a quick head check to make sure anything particularly hard is a long way away, she turns to the Matsu, knowing exactly what to say, hesitating, then going with it. She really hopped wherever she lands will be bouncy.

"Ishi-san, I know you're mad about the shochu. If it makes you any madder, I don't remember what it tastes like. So bring it ON!"

Her storyteller voice echoes despite the rain and the river, her desire for punishment for what she's done rather than a nonreaction or sadness driving her goad into a snarling voice. Her arms spread wide, as if for a hug, but clearly demanding he take the kid gloves off. She is, after all, samurai. She can take it.

[Matsu Ishioka]

The Lions eyes narrow, his face alternating between smirks and clenched jaw. But there's no hesitation as he scoops the skinny woman in his arms and takes three long strides toward the edge of the river. If not for the warring emotions, it might be a sweet, even romantic position that he was holding her in.

Ishioka doesn't say anything as he reaches the water's edge and gives her a modest toss into the river. It's not the farthest he could toss her small frame, nor as high, but it's also a more aggressive move than just dumping her straight down in the shallow water.

[Agasha Inoshishi]

Inoshishi twists in the air, eyes shining as the Matsu finally let's out some of that pent up something. It might just be Ishioka's imagination, but it looks very much like she's making a rude gesture while sticking her tongue out impishly before she smashes into the water. She surfaces very quickly, not as fast as Ishioka, perhaps, but fast.

"Best out of three!" The girl calls, soaked entirely and now showing far too much of herself as the thinner undergarments stick to her skin, still making her way out of the river.

[Kaito Oubaihime]

Murato took one of the small fish cakes that Oubaihime brought. He broke off a piece and took a bite, then broke off another piece and put it near her lips while he chewed. Because that was the best way to share a snack. Why eat as individuals when you can eat as a couple.

He smiled widely at her.

"Arigatou." She took the piece. She watched her two sibling wrestle and sighed. She was glad that Murato understood why she couldn't go with it. "You may think I am a coward, Murato san." Bai looked at her piece of taiyaki. "for being all talk and no action."

[Kitsu Murato]

"Arigatou." She took the piece. She watched her two sibling wrestle and sighed. She was glad that Murato understood why she couldn't go with it. "You may think I am a coward, Murato san." Bai looked at her piece of taiyaki. "for being all talk and no action."

"Never once did I think so," he says with a gentle expression, one of his hands moving to rub her back. "Not wanting to do something that has caused conflict in your heart is natural. I would never think less of you for that. Or love you any less."

[Kaito Oubaihime]

"I am sorry..." The Kaito moved closer and forgot about the bruise and winced. "I should make more medicines..."

[Kitsu Murato]

"Careful Bai," he says, giving a worried smile. "Does it still hurt a lot? I will apply the balm again if you make more."

[Kaito Oubaihime]

"Just when I forget that is there and move carelessly." Bai smiled. "I will make more... also next time you stay, please." The Kaito kissed her hand and placed it on his lips.