Scene #7098: Yamato's First Circle Flower Viewing

Owner	Pose
Lilian Rook	How Lilian obtained a travel permit to Japan is unknown. It probably has to do with her petty officer status within the Immune corps, which are multinational and non-partisan by culture and necessity. Though she isn't on any particular mission there, it may be part of an agreed temporary deployment or something. She doesn't share it with Tamamo. What matters is that she is finally able to take her to her home country, as she wanted to weeks ago. The destination, of course, is what amounts to the capital Urban Center. The Yamato Urban Center, specifically, grandiosely named, which sits primarily encircling the coastal region of where Tokyo used to be. Much of the prefectures that go inland are no longer kept inside the wards or walls --at least half the total territory that Tokyo once occupied-- but the least rural regions are accounted for. The most Lilian explains about it is that the Japanese government put huge amounts of effort into protecting the capital city, which had become a prime destination for refugees, and it didn't suffer a legendarily out of proportion disaster like London --which couldn't have possibly survived no matter what. The population is over six hundred thousand, according to her, which makes it one of the largest in the world. Of course, with the standard urban planning being to divide these centers into third, second, and third circles, going out to in and roughly corresponding to 'class of work', there's no way she'd walk Tamamo through the extremely spartan and low-class outer reaches, or even the efficient, modern, and heavily policed middle; she is taken straight to the affluent, old-world construction, heavily decorated and exclusive central portion. The first circle. Where entire districts of Tokyo's flashy and bustling cityscape circa 2035 are still around, and places where they'd been war-leveled have been turned into temples, gardens, public artworks, memorials, and Japanese-style mansions, where large tracts of idyllic, popular olden-style land encircle a sunburst shape of gleaming cirt districts, nearer to the harbour and Arakawa river. As usual, there is a faint sense of the manyfold wards that protect the city in a sort of dome shape, but also the air is fresh and unpolluted, and here especially, lightly fragrant with the scent of transplanted nature, preserved by bringing it inside the city from without. The cultural revival doesn't seem to have gone as far as people wearing entirely traditional clothes, but the high class with important jobs and high social credit, as well as access to 'actual money', go about in modernized takes on cuts and patterns and natural themes that Tamamo would remember from old dress clothes. Unlike the Eastern English Seaboard Urban Center, where people mostly just gave her a wide berth, recognizing as one of those 'Non-Human Enlightened Entities' and keeping a respectful distance, here on the streets she is met with open stares, surreptitious picture taking, small group gossip, and frequent physical gestures of respect when she passes people closely. Lilian herself attracts a fair share of attention as pretty white people in Asian countries are known to, but there is a genuine sense that Tamamo is 'gracing' the place with her presence.
Lilian Rook	The destination, however, is an apparently famous natural reserve, where magic has obviously been used in the otherwise mostly mundane location to perfectly modulate the ambient conditions to be like spring already. Practical fields of artfully arranged and rooted flowers are everywhere, as well as great old trees blossoming and fruiting slightly out of season. Small wildlife prefers this place for obvious reasons, occasionally seen. Many small shrines and miscellaneous items like giza statues and purely decorative pagodas can be found here and there, though benches, small plazas, eastern-style gazebos, and similar are far more common. It is, essentially, a monument to the best and most beautiful of the natural world that used to exist outside, preserved for the public benefit. Obviously, Lilian has secured a basket of liquor and food.
Tamamo	Tamamo opts not to exercise her recently increasing interest in foreign fashion for this particular trip, instead arriving in what is likewise obviously Eastern but not quite matching any historical period. It's photogenic and it's easy enough for her to move about in it, and that's most of what matters. No doubt, word will spread instantly via social media, and that's fine. She responds to the attention with the archaically, formally polite response of ignoring it. That's allowable when one is of indisputably higher station, and means that no one has to guess at their own appropriate response should she do anything else. She does smile, quite a lot. Her eyes move over the people, never lingering on any one for long, up the buildings, and flicking to the corner now and then with a thoughtful "Hm," at the signs of localized magic, such as the wards. "There is much that begs familiarity," she says, keeping to her now regular position on Lilian's arm as soon as it's clear they won't be slowed by any crowding, "yet much, also, that is far too new." Passing by one of the larger trees, "The youth does venerate the elder, at the least, and here we see such expressed. To speak of spirits, perhaps not so unlike a child of Man, youth brings with it amorphous chaos, a thing yet to be shaped. Far more reliable is it to seek protection from the long-since formed," and looking in the direction of the distant wards, she adds, "of those that survive." To push away that other topic, she flashes another smile, and positively glows with warmth. Spring is still cool enough to feel it. "But tell me, what have you brought, upon this occasion? As I again look upon ancient sights, I am no less interested in what new experiences we might share. Might we see what new markets have sprung forth? And to recall, speaking of the mountain hermits, as we did upon that island the other week, I am further curious as to what new discoveries the hermits, monks, and alchemists may have yet made. There had yet been many inventions, of which I learned, that I may yet show you later, upon our return home." There's a few bits in there that are more 'familiar' than she'd been acting as of a week ago.
Lilian Rook	"You're probably right about that." That's Lilian's unreserved response to Tamamo's surprisingly 'romantic' views on youth, even certainly as a youth herself. "There's a little bit more to it than that though. If the older generations don't preserve what they used to have --what we all had-- then future generations might simply be used to what we have now. If they've never seen a flower garden, why would they care about how the world used to be beautiful, you know?" "I expect they've been holding a desire to see the generations that take over after them to feel motivated to fix things again. To take it all back. To have that dream instilled in them, and covet better times, rather than just be city rats forever, and never stray outside. At least, it's something I've gathered from older people." Even walking 'formally' arm in arm, Lilian can't help but step lightly and speak without reservation. Even through the drift of culture and time, she can feel the ways in which Tamamo has warmed. That 'familiarity'. It's a new experience for her. Something that's difficult to describe for her, but which she feels she enjoys. "Plus, it makes people feel safe. Privileged. Like they're doing the best in the world. Morale. A lot of popular culture shifted in that direction. Cultural revival, historical identity, people's roots. Of course it's all framed through the beliefs and fashions of the time." Hefting the basket a little bit, Lilian says "Well, I tried my best to pin down what would be suitable for the occasion. Rice wine, lunchboxes, some pastries." She says that in the very western sense, but the meaning is clear. No doubt it's heinously expensive, rather than stall food. "You know, I'm not fully familiar with those. The eastern ones, that is; I'm more familiar with the Gregorians rather than the Buddhists or Daoists. You know how it is though. War begets innovation. Survival demands evolution. I've heard of a few interesting things. The biggest thing is that they cracked that immortality elixir thing; much to the incredible distress of the Chinese. New methods of training and enlightenment are much faster and more dramatic than before. The reopening of the leylines and the increase in ambient magic has lead to some interesting new things in spirit summoning. Things like exorcism are very uncommon now, though. I hear things about necromancy from time to time, but, state secrets, as with the artifacts attributed to the gods, and the three Imperial treasures. It's done a lot to restore their identity after the western world largely dominated the globe in the information age." Tapping her finger to her lips, Lilian considers for a moment longer. "Probably the biggest feature of the country is the shrines. The Japanese respected them a lot even as the world turned more materialistic and, I guess, 'technologically nihilist'. Finding meaning in the tradition. Most of them were also secretly consecrated by secret societies as well, and resisted the encroachment of Antegent. Most are still intact, or were reconstructed, and provide a pretty unprecedented level of safe travel. A lot even have spirits actually enshrined. Some are sealed inside their own hidden barriers, like the hermitages and temples." "Huh? You're looking to go shopping?" Lilian finally says. "Well, of course that'd make sense to do today but . . . Well, which order I guess?"
Tamamo	Tamamo answers the last part first, being the important question of how to immediately spend their valuable time together. "Oh, we should lighten your load of supplies, first, no? I feel certain that we shall find something new with which to refill a basket in short order, rather than to load more upon it." She raises her finger for a short, cautionary waggle. "One should not examine the food markets while remaining hungry, as you must, surely, have since been told." Finding a good picnicking spot shouldn't be too difficult in this area, granted that people are permitted to use the space. It's that rare combination of wonderfully maintained and respectful of natural disorder. Tamamo looks about for a space as they walk with some sense of feng shui that she either can't or won't properly explain. A little bounce is visible in her step, carrying through to her vulpine features, swaying tails and perking a tall ear out for something difficult to catch. It might just be those small animals that are about. Along the way, she returns the earlier topics. "I mentioned the yamabushi before, did I not? Written as," she leans in, showing Lilian how she strokes the characters with one finger against her palm, "'mountain' and 'prostrated,' you see? Those hermit practitioners. I expect that their 'secret methods' did help them survive. Like the tengu who taught them, they are useful eyes upon the land, and keepers of old teachings. I might be interested in meeting with some, again, but those of the Middle Kingdom did not first find the secrets of the elixir, did you say? My, but I can imagine their consternation so easily!" She giggles, not /overtly/ maliciously. When they do find a spot, of course, she'll sit, in that seemingly difficult but very proper position, and help Lilian get things out without asking, unless specifically asked to leave it. "Though they were focused upon power and long life most of all, small matters of health and energy were well within the alchemist's domain. Perhaps they have yet further improved those convenient pills of theirs. I should like to see." Turning then to another mentioned group, only someone like Lilian, or even, only Lilian, specifically, is likely to have spent enough time with Tamamo to notice, when she says, "Ah, the exorcists, those onmyouji and their kind. I have little doubt, many are the spirits not unhappy to see such work decrease in prominence," how that hint of distaste means that Tamamo absolutely has some personal beef. It's disappeared when she says, "Ah, but I did meet an exorcist not too long past who claimed not to be an onmyouji at all. Curious, as neither was she a foreigner." Tamamo turns thoughtful when finally commenting, "The three treasures... should they be genuine, I wonder? If they had ever lost what She had granted them, they would be fools to admit it."
Lilian Rook	Lilian doesn't say anything specific about Tamamo's choice of settling down first, but she visibly brightens when she picks. Though still holding her by the arm, she largely follows her around to her chosen spot, this being a place of the sort most familiar to the fox woman than Lilian herself. She glances at the kanji being written out on the woman's hand, committing it to memory more out of habit than much else. "Moreso than most." she concludes. "Their hideouts, the light loads they place on the land, all that physical refinement, fasting, martial prowess, mystical sensitivity. Up the mountains is where more than a few people fled, mostly in the rural areas, and most stayed fairly intact. Few were really overrun, though some had to be abandoned." She giggles, knowingly, and a little darkly, at Tamamo's 'appreciation' for Japan beating the Chinese in that particular moon race expy. "Oh, probably. 'Modern' Chinese medicine was mostly garbage that pushed a lot of animals to extinction, but, well, that hardly matters now I think. All the real formulas were kept private; the stuff sold to the mass markets was obviously snake oil." "The tengu and oni and all those things that lived on to the modern age, and were most successful cooperating with humanity, mostly all belong to their own power bloc right now. Relatively influential, but independent. Their leader is trying to keep them that way, but who knows." When the pair are seated, Lilian opens the basket, and does indeed confirm the huge splurge on top shelf sake, possibly excessively large bento, and Japanese-style pastries, filled with sweet substances rather than mostly baked from sugar. "There's little need for those types anymore. Not many ghosts or evil spirits to trouble humans, or rather, humans seldom live in their territory, if it still exists. Youkai that felt 'uncooperative' retreated to their own little kingdoms, necessarily out of need for consolidated defense. The humans that used to deal with them are in low demand. Not entirely gone, but at a low point." She doesn't need to ask why Tamamo indirectly approves. "The Multiverse is strange like that. Full of similar but divergent ideas, and more often, people who simply claim to be what they aren't." Handing Tamamo her box, opening and pouring out the bottle, and taking the lid of her own, Lilian reclines for several moments just to breathe in and out, savouring the quiet, the smell of nature, and the fresh air, as well as the faint, warm tingle of the many leylines. The deep in and controlled out of her breath speaks to someone who's had to do more than her fair share of breathing exercises. "I'd imagine so. Like I said, nobody knows about the gods for sure, but there's no doubting they're extremely powerful. The ones on display were fakes, of course. They were held by a reasonably verifiable Imperial lineage, and used quite frequently since forty years ago. They probably are less omnipotent than the Imperial families and their associated loyalist Daimyo vassal lines would like to claim, but that goes for all things like that." Taking her drink slowly enough to indicate that Lilian doesn't intend to get half-sloshed to talk about anything difficult (again), she takes her time with her words as well. "Speaking of which, that Mount Fuji there. One of the few unsettled places in the entire world that still looks like it used to. A little battle worn in places, but it's a big point of Japanese pride. You'll find all sorts of temples and NHEE --youkai-- territories out there, though the mountain has never been very safe. No antegent either." Siiip. "Outside here, you start to find the ruins of the parts of Tokyo that weren't fully protected, but I hear it's not so bad. I don't know how you feel about the country, but the people did well; the old traditions and ancient spirits, I suppose, did well. You don't find this quality of life outside of the far east and western Europe."
Tamamo	"Oh, of course," Tamamo says regarding Chinese medicine, "those were never pills meant for common folk nor, even, for common soldiers." That old Middle Kingdom was the height of rigid hierarchy in practice and she makes the natural assumption that it wouldn't have changed that much in a mere thousand years. Her chosen spot has that perfect combination of contrasts, the variety of both sunlight and shade, grassy stretches with trees, only the path they came in along slightly distant. "I could most easily do without meeting many oni, but this 'bloc leader' you mention, I might do well to learn some things, from them, regarding the Antegent. I have some interest in how their behavior toward those other-than-human might differ." She begins with just a little of the sake, herself, carefully holding the cup, just letting the taste linger before getting to the foodstuffs. A bento-style preparation means a good variety in small proportions, and she looks through it all before finding and quietly pointing out the ginger as a palate cleanser. Very important for appreciating varieties of flavors. Mount Fuji is a welcome topic. "Fuji, Haku, and Tate," she says, each the same two-syllable rhythm. "Of them, Mount Fuji is... pleasing to see. I did think of myself, for much of that life, as 'a Japanese woman.' Their culture was mine, and even She was much affected by them." She puts the topic to the side, to return to slightly later, and leisurely takes her time with the food. Eventually, though, curiosity drives her to another topic with its own dark shades, regarding the Imperial Treasures. "War begets too many emperors, but I suppose you mean an old and unbroken line, with some of its own secrecy, to an emperor who had mattered. I should easily tell whether their mirror was truly what they claimed it to be, but perhaps they should, all the more, not wish for me to see it. It might be quite dangerous for them to take such a risk, over their current arrangements, no matter how possibly illusionary." Her own mirror is not in evidence, as is usually the case, much as she seems to carry it with that total convenience of 'letting it float on its own.' "It is a curious matter, come to that, to speak of spirits and independence. Priests did serve gods, and people prayed to spirits greater and lesser for protection, and so it is oft provided. Now, however, they think in terms of alliances and soldiery, is it not so? Monasteries did provide for armies in those distant days, and I have little doubt they continue with the same. To remain above conflict is to remain distant, and here these distant worlds have grown ever closer." She looks again in the direction of the mountain, feeling the coursing of the leylines. A lot centers around Mount Fuji, so close to old Tokyo. "On the other hand," Tamamo gives Lilian a look carrying far too much unspecified Meaning, "to grow ever closer has its many benefits, no? Here, I see your own bento lacked these, and so, shall I share with you some of my own sausage?" It is a small sausage. It is not sliced to look like a little octopus, but it easily could have been. Tamamo is proferring it via chopsticks. She looks expectant.
Lilian Rook	To be fair, China really hadn't changed much in all that time. Solely the economy and goverment exploded in modernization for a very short time and went off the deep end, in an amount of time that is relatively tiny. Lilian doesn't even bother to say anything on it. There's probably the impression that she isn't much of a fan of the country, even if she only seems to have a distant sort of respect for Japan, rather than being any shade of cultural fanatic. "Mmm, that'd be . . . interesting." Lilian says, between sips and mouthfuls. "Since she's supposed to be a kitsune herself. Albeit, of the regular kind." she says, a little slyly. "I'm not exactly an expert, but I believe it's mostly a matter of antegent aggressively invading their land, and killing off varius supernatural folk with the conversion of their territory, breaking of leylines, desecration of holy territories, and so on. I don't think the targeted animosity extends to things that never were human, but they'll still kill them in self-defense, or if necessary to get to humans. Though, obviously the average oni or what have you is far more prepared to deal with them." "Oh, you'd certainly be correct." she responds lightly on the subject of emperors. "It split off around the era where the Shogunate took over everything as a sort of military government. Historically, you'd read that it was more or less due to them not bothering the Imperial family and letting them 'rule' on the side, but the hidden history of it has more to do with those blooded with real power abdicating the public eye as the nation became more secular and militaristic." "I doubt they'd take that risk unless they needed sudden clout, or to renewe the faith in their power base." she agrees. "Most people are fairly convinced of its original mythological authenticity. There's little need to prove it. I've heard plenty about warrior monks, but . . . well, more 'exotic' cooperation comes out of nobody profiting if the Earth is destroyed utterly, and many especially lose out if humanity itself is extinct. After allying in a time of desperation, it's no longer possible to fully divorce all those beings from human civilization again. Many of them of course no longer have strong wishes to remain tied to humans at all, but many more have taken advantage of their inroads and connections, to their benefit." Largely through the main subjects upon which to think and guess and opine, for the time being, Lilian remains silent for a good, long moment after Tamamo's final question, even if it sounds half-rhetorical. Though meant to be a thoughtful pause, there's a clear bit of colour in her cheeks, and it's not been enough sake for that yet. "Y-yes, indeed it does. I'm certain back in your first time, people used to be much closer than they were fifty years ago. The explosion of the modern age . . . it pushes people apart, or rather, they drift apart, and become absorbed in the never ending swamp of their own worries and responsibilities. It's easier to get by without each other, and other human beings become stressful to deal with. I'd like to think that's changed now. That the low trust society of the past is gone, at least mostly. I'd like to believe that people know they can rely on each other." "I'd like if the feeling I get around you . . . well, if other people experienced it too. It's . . . I-I think good for me." The nervousness is apparent, even if the act of artfully dodging around the strongest words is perhaps locally appropriate. Her face isn't any paler by the time Tamamo offers the little sausage --quite the opposite. Glancing surreptitiously to both sides, Lilian leans forward and opens her mouth. It wouldn't do to disappoint Tamamo at this point, after all.
Tamamo	"Ah, a non-deific kitsune, you mean." Tamamo thinks for a moment, finger to her chin. "I can think of few examples of incarnations such as myself, and so, I have little way to illustrate the difference. You might consider, merely within your imagining, if some god should incarnate into a human form. If they had not spent the same few decades learning to be human, you might easily notice the differences in their manners, no? A fox of some centuries of age might notice the same of myself, even should I attempt to hide such origins." Something in this amuses her. "And yet, I had found kitsune to be most welcoming, during that past life. Perhaps they sympathized, and thought to soften the blows I had just experienced at the hands of others by treating me as one of their own." This last is said wistfully, to a memory of mixed emotions. She dances on to the next topic. "I still hold some surprise for the ease with which they would retreat from the Chrysanthemum Throne and into obscurity, letting loose their pride long enough to hide their power, but wars do create such times as call for desperate change, whether that be the ceding of thrones or the forging of strange alliances. To be certain, such as now occurs upon this world does call for change." She looks about to go on, but doesn't, lapsing into a silence that she transitions into a slow chew upon the last of her vegetables. That sauce is strong. Lilian accepts the proffered sausage. Tamamo beams, well pleased. Anyone who did sneak a look, whether kami or shinobi, should know well enough not to speak of what happens at a private picnic for two. Fortunately, for Lilian's peace of mind, there are only so many things still remaining in the lunch that Tamamo might try to feed her by hand. "We should take as many opportunities as we may to speak of such feelings, I should think." Keeping in mind the time and place, for more than mere politeness' sake. "I have not yet seen so much of these 'modern' ages, but in those times... yes, people did come together. For their family, their village, and their own survival. Ever have humans, so long as She has viewed them, been creatures that did need rely upon one another. 'Heroes' might be such exceptions to this rule, but those that stood alone were nigh forever beings of tragedy, no? If I might take some small part in that... to be another's support, and so, to be supported... but you know what it is I seek, that specific question, and its answer that I must feel with my own being." Tamamo takes this chance, her meal being now complete and her cup empty, to hold Lilian's hand. "I do well like the vision of sharing this with you." The moment can last, but not forever. There is still much of the day to go, and many things to see, to experience, and to satisfy her ever-present curiosity for 'the new,' along with, for today, this prominent, local survival of 'the old.' "Shall we? I expect I shall enjoy the markets, here. Let us see... perhaps a jeweler? I have seen several sellers of silk of late, and could still make use of more, but fewer chances have we had for those more particularly sparkling aspects of an outfit, no?" Her own outfit is hardly lacking. Maybe something to do with her ability to summon pure gold. "There are also those who use cut jewels as vehicles for power, owing to their purity. Perhaps you have heard of these?"
Lilian Rook	"I guess that'd be perfectly true." Lilian muses on the subject of kitsunes. "That one would be used to centuries of life as a fox spirit, or demon, or however it works. A creature of the Earth and all. Probably still veiling it with Japanese culture and all, but still. It might be hard to mistake one for being similar to the other." A sideways glance and a sly smile catch the rest. "Really now? I didn't know you spent time as a distinguished fox amongst many. I'm sure they were really pretty too~" "Mmm, what's that about a Chrysanthemum Throne though? I haven't heard that name before." she asks, offhandedly. Lilian's embarrassed flush sure doesn't stop just after eating a bit of hand-offered food. She coughs quietly at the following conversation, abruptly stopping after a second. "How many opportunities do you expect there are?" It doesn't go down either when Tamamo's hand lays on her own; something that hadn't been going on walking around the reserve itself. "It's probably best that you missed that lonely world, I think. I wasn't around for it, but the way my brother and parents describe it . . . it's a vivid picture." Regathering her confidence, she puts on a perfectly self-satisfied smile then. "Besides, I wouldn't have been there, and that's a tragedy~" Finishing off her lunch, packing away the remaining items into the basket, and standing up again, Lilian holds out her arm for Tamamo, saying "Of course I'm far less familiar with where to go here than in my own home town, but we can find our way around, no doubt." Indeed, she's already calling up a map application, in the style of the mighty and mythical 'Google'. "Ooh, jewelry is something we haven't had the chance to go over before. It's one of my favourites. It's the kind of thing where a craftsman can express themself in any number of ways, like a tiny artwork in of itself. Granted, sold at exorbitant markup, but why not pay an artist for their labour, hm? It's a good thing to patronize the arts, or else there wouldn't be any." It is a good thing indeed for Tamamo that she didn't get one of the millions of female Elites who insist that they have no need of makeup and no interest in jewelry, settling for generically pretty. "Most jewels actually have properties like that, but most people can't measure their qualities in that regard either. Synthetic jewelry is really common these days too, since you can grow plenty of them 'perfectly' in a lab and cut them with lasers. It makes it more affordable to the masses. If you're looking for jewels for that 'magecraft' . . . hmmm." Considering the map for a moment, still paging through results and skimming over reviews, Lilian finally fingers one --an artisanal jewelry store operating out of part of a mansion-style building, with a couple of other sections dedicated to a clothier, an herbalist, a teahouse, and gambling parlour, all apparently owned by the same old, old family. "Does this look good?" she asks.
Tamamo	"Oh, do they no longer speak of it as such? It is as the Dragon Throne across the sea, or the nearby Phoenix Throne, no?" Tamamo says, not clearly explaining. Lilian's hand remains held long enough for her own self-satisfied smile to be returned with one of Tamamo's. Pride isn't a vice, as far as she's concerned, or at least, not one that seems to bother her. "It is a happier time, now, for all that there is much tumult. The kitsune, back then, were only able to provide some small comfort, and only for that short a time. Shorter than it has been since you called upon me." Tamamo stands with Lilian, taking her arm and leaning against her, peering at the same map. At Lilian's mention of her favorites, "Oh, so it is? I believe I have some eye for quality, having seen many of high standing, but never have I spent such time among craftsmen as to think myself a master of their arts. A patron, as such, I would readily be." She has yet no knowledge of the rarity of highly successful, multiversally active women who accept personal beauty as a worthwhile art. That may be a surprise for another time. "With a clothier, and with tea? I have no objections, of course, so long as the gamblers are not too raucous. Lead on, my knight, and I shall obediently follow." There's another of those lines where it's hard to tell if she was joking. She's not literally following, at least, since she's sticking as close to Lilian's arm as possible. "I should tell with some ease whether a jewel is fit for my purposes, at the least. Some of particular quality would not be unwelcome. I would say 'only the best,' but one must not spend so long in perfect preparation that the preparations remain unfinished, no?"
Lilian Rook	"Mmm, I've heard of the saying 'perfect is the enemy of the good'. The Confucius version I think was 'better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without'. I've never quite subscribed to that, but . . . well, I have more time than most." Lilian says. The last sentence is said in perfect innocence, but the implication hangs, privately, between the two of them. "You don't have to be an artist yourself to know good art when you see it. Artists don't do well without patrons, as much as I'm sure they'd wish that wasn't the case." "Come to think of it, did I ever tell you that I used to draw? And play, actually. I don't have much time for it anymore." Lilian adds with a sudden flash of thought partway to their destination. "A couple of years ago. The science insists that it 'expands the brain' for growing children and teens to engage in creative pursuits'. And it's just 'culture'." Seeing as Tamamo is pleased with the destination, Lilian has them arrive in short order. The parlour certainly appears to be on the upper scale end, without people whooping and hollering over mahjong. There appears to be some bleed over between places with the teahouse, as people sit down to them occasionally with hot beverages while waiting on staff. Of course there's a certain quantity of music, performed live, that wafts through the whole building along with the fragrance of various perfumes and fresh teas. This time it's Lilian who is doing an adequate job of not looking like she feels out of place, despite the continued 'pretty white girl in an Asian country' effect, and the general scraping around a regal kitsune. Tamamo is pretty much immediately accosted by a server on the way past the teahouse. The jeweler's shop itself. Predictably, the miniature plaques that come with any display piece, along with the certificate of authenticity, label exactly where the associated materials came from, both for the benefit of knowing history of the item, and for whatever regional properties would be relevant to Enlightened customers. There is a surprising quantity of merchandise beyond rings, brooches, necklaces, and so on; jade idols, gold-adorned charms, matched sets of glittering buddhas, elaborately filigreed and inlaid fans, as well as simply quantities of raw gemstones and rare geodes, not all of which are mundane sorts. The owner appears to be an older man with two sons as apprentices and a daughter managing the storefront, in a fairly traditional fashion. Near the long rows of glass display cabinets, there is the faint smell of hot gold and glass, cooling steel, wood smoke, and earth, covered up to some extent by incense, though not altogether unpleasant anyways. Most of the small jewelry is extremely detailed and precisely handmade, ranging from nature-themed designs of flowers, waves, trees, clouds, the sun and moon, and similar, to religious iconography, and serpentine dragons, mythical birds, storm critters, and even some more occult pieces regarding centipedes and horned demons in the corners. The ones that command the highest price have the owner's name stamped on the certificate, and are higher quality. The names of the apprentices are on the pieces they've made, though they're not far behind in terms of raw quality, and have more adventurous, abstract, and modern themes.
Tamamo	"Oh, did you, now? You had not mentioned such. To draw is, hm... a different matter than painting, I am aware. I could not say I have great confidence without brush or knife. I am yet unused to graphite, to which I can only liken chalk." Tamamo walks along with Lilian, her eyes moving to take in such sights as she can without need to move her head, flicking from her escort to the buildings, then back again, then over the passing, or bowing, people. When a server appears, she does stop (because power walking is for commissioned officers and business executives), delivers a vaguely defined order for green tea with the unspoken understanding that it will be filled to the finest level and brought to her, nudges Lilian's arm to give another moment should she also wish to order, and then continues on. There should be no difficulty in finding the pair, at least. Though it had been almost spur of the moment to decide to go shopping, a merely natural result of having gone out to a 'new' location, Tamamo is anything but vague when she enters the shop. She begins with inspecting the merchandise on display, bringing Lilian along to note to her particular designs, the contrast of the old and new designs, the traditional meaning of every single flower, and a few words on portrayed youkai, though noticeably absent is any explanation of Sun and Moon symbolism. Once she's made a full round, she's ready to call for the attention of the owner, to specify her order. She's all gentle smiles and warmth with a commanding presence, a stately patron of the arts in full knowledge of her position, or at least such is the aura she projects with such sincerity. She lays claim to several designs of flowers. Camellia, chrysanthemum, sunflower, forget-me-not, hydrangea, lily, and peony, several of each should they be available, and requests for more if not. She further asks for jewels and settings, a quantity of thin chains in gold, and at some point has retrieved her folding fan from inside her sleeves so as to gesture at existing pieces and explain the exact kinds of rings and smaller, interconnecting bits that could only be part of a custom order to a skilled craftsman of precision work. The total sum has to be more jewelry than one person could wear, and still pushing good taste for two. It might be more work than one shop could reasonably handle on short order, for that matter, without an (absolutely unacceptable but) inevitable drop in quality. Of course, she completes her list with no indication of this being an imposition or question as to whether it can be handled.
Lilian Rook	"Graphite isn't the greatest." Lilian says conversationally. "It's best for easily drawing fine lines that don't smudge much and can be easily erased, for writing and things like architectural plans. Charcoal and ink are much better for most purposes." So, she does probably have a fair amount of experience, and isn't just talking it up. Vaguely aware that it's probably impolite to refuse, Lilian settles on the classy version of 'whatever she's having' when the server shows up, then bows and slides away through several adjoining sliding doors. Going through the jewelry, however, holds much more of her attention. Never having been especially introduces into arts such as flower arranging, most of the meanings are secret trivia for her. Off the top of her head, she tries to list through the ones Tamamo orders specifically: Desire, passion faithfulness. Loyalty, devotion, support, birth and rebirth. Good luck, happiness, adoration, positivity, support. Fidelity, true love, shared memories. Understanding, prosperity, gratitude, heartfelt --but the double meaning of disinterest, coldness, and heartlessness gets her there. Who came up with these?-- emotions. Passion, regality, purity, motherhood fertility. Wealth, romance, beauty . . . She's starting to detect a theme. Though the flowers have a large number of different meanings each, there is a common thread through them. Once again, that danger instinct goes off in the back of her head. The shopkeeper doesn't ask questions. He doesn't complain. He doesn't refuse the order. The old man himself is brought out by his sons and takes down the order with deadly seriousness, growing even more determined as he too starts to detect a theme, and as he realizes that Tamamo isn't just ordering symbolism she looked up, but large quantities of genuine jewel craft. Retreating into the back, he returns with quite a few similar or duplicate items to the display pieces, having no doubt made each one in small, exclusive batches, and he sends both sons to gather up all the connecting pieces and individual gems on his behalf, often from high shelves his back is too stooped to reach. In that reverse way that the Japanese language allows for in 'politeness', he finally arrives at the fact that a third of the order or so will take more time to put together; given the obvious importance of the client, and the black card Lilian casually throws down, it is of course, now a priority order. He intends to have both his family apprentices work on the basic forms, and hand finish them himselves, to have the order done, he claims, within the week. No doubt a number of other clients are getting delayed. Only when they're out of the store (and with delicious, high quality green tea each), Lilian finally asks "Sooo . . . what was all that about? I expected you to pick a new pair of earrings. I didn't realize you were a jeweler too."%
Tamamo	A week proves acceptable. Tamamo only checks any additional item if specifically presented to her for her examination, approving them and showing the socially appropriate trust in accepting anything packaged for her by not so much as looking at it. Her smile, a little too well-characterized to be thought of as merely polite, a little too attentive and knowing, remains throughout. To Lilian, Tamamo doesn't give /all/ the meanings of the flowers, their cultural usage, the little trivia like why camellia japonica (which she pronounces 'tsubaki') shouldn't be given in sympathy, and so on. That would be much too long a lecture, when she clearly had specific aims for this trip, as Lilian now asks about. "Oh? I have some plans in mind." Her subsequent, potentially mischievous smile is hidden by the tea. "It is best to have every color of paint at once, than to think, 'this sunset requires a yet different red,' only to find it lacking upon your palette, no? Such is the act of spending but little this eve, and saving much on the morrow." The tea can't hide her expression forever. She is, absolutely, planning something. "I have some skill with clothing, let us say. I remain no master tailor, but I should think my needlework to be at least half as adept at my knifework." Comparing sewing to sashimi preparation directly might make for an unclear scale. Nevertheless, she continues, "Jewelry is closely linked to such, in practice, no? One must understand the reasons that a stitch is made, a color is worn, a sleeve is held long, a ribbon is crossed left over right, a rose is white or red, in the meaning of gold, jade, gems and their particular cuts. Otherwise, the meaning is not conveyed. One does not understand that which is of import, and one communicates mere noise with one's appearance. Ink splashed upon parchment, birds over the sea disappear." Evasive, yes. The way her eyes wander. "One must avoid revealing yet unfinished work, of course. Perhaps you may show me some of your own artwork before my own little projects reach completion. Perhaps," her brows raise, refocusing, at once showing that expectant curiosity, zeroed in on Lilian, "you may grant me a portraiture?"
Lilian Rook	"Plans, hm?" Lilian sounds equal parts interested and suspicious. Well, perhaps two thirds of one and a third of the other. "That seems like a lot of jewelry, so I can't imagine what it would be. I'm dying to find out." She picks a place to sit down that's quiet and out of the way, probably with some folding screens involved, where some nice number of zither and flute and drum can be heard. "Well of course I get the basics of colour theory and visual design being relatively universal. Sewing at least seems relatively 'domestic'." she considers. "But jewel crafting seems like it'd be a more intensively specialist sort of thing. All the little tools and need of heat and magnification at some parts. Like the old and beautiful version of soldering." "Well, dexterity is dexterity, I suppose." she finally concludes. "Oh fine. If you want to hide it until it's finished, I can't really argue. Sometimes opinions on the final piece are coloured by what you've seen in progress; I understand that." The look she finally exchanges with Tamamo is . . . well, carefully informative. "Oh? I'm sure I could find a little time for that~" She says. "It's been a while since I've picked up something like that, so perhaps it'd behoove me to practice before hand. Especially depending on what kind of portrait."
Tamamo	"Oh, it is," Tamamo agrees, "and so I am pleased to find such craftsmen. I shall have few difficulties with what remains." Though it seems that she'll be setting gems on her own, and some of those small parts of unclear purpose have to be fit together, somehow. Seated, Tamamo doesn't remain entirely proper, instead leaning forward once she's mostly through her tea. Recalling earlier words, she murmurs, "'How many opportunities,'" but instead continues with, "I should like to see whatsoever you may like to draw. Perhaps you might capture my best side upon your paper? I shall leave it to you to determine as to which side of myself that may be." There are so many possibilities, there. "'Colour theory...' Ah, this is a different matter, though, perhaps, a related one. If I may speak of the hidden arts for a moment..." Leaning onto Lilian is the appropriate, conspiratorial stance, here in a semi-public, semi-private setting. "There is meaning, and there is agreed upon meaning, and there is hidden meaning. There are powers within words, the kotodama." That term didn't quite translate. "You might say, 'the spirit of language,' or 'the magic of words.' Perhaps you know of some traditions that write words of power, or barter in True Names?" Kabbalah would be an easy one, probably, if not regionally relevant. "Whether it is through the spoken word, or through a carefully constructed arrangement of flowers, the connections created between the symbol, its meaning, and its understanding, form useful pathways, do you see?"
Lilian Rook	"I'm glad to hear they meet your approval." Lilian replies to Tamamo. It's a little more neutral it seems, in the sense that she doesn't feel any particular pride invested in a foreign country like this, but is still plainly happy that Tamamo is satisfied. "It's one of the best routes to elevate you and yours to something like high society. Finding a craft and perfecting it until even people who wield magic take notice of it, even if only for conveniently meeting their needs and standards. Craftsmen like that, whose lives and livelihoods hinge on those services, tend to be more reliable than someone who has other things to do, don't you think?" Even in this more closed off setting, away from lines of sight that could potentially involve someone stumbling by, Lilian can't help a certain degree of warmth and colour in her face. At least that reassures that she isn't embarrassed for the idea that someone might see her like this. Even then, again, without awkwardness of hesitation, she murmurs back. "Mm, I can think of a few. There's no need to stop at just once, is there? We have plenty of time." Her arm slides around Tamamo's back as the woman leans on her, coming to rest partway around her waist. "Ah, that I'm familiar with. 'Perfect Words'. Sacred Geometry. True Idols. Completely mundane things, but just because they are such and such a way, they gain power. This thing is powerful because it is precisely this shape. This pattern is powerful because it has precisely these dimensions. This word is powerful if pronounced with precisely this wavelength. The holy grail, Stonehenge, the three names of the Lord, the human body itself." "Mmm, and you're looking into that through . . . jewerly, yes? Now my interest is even stronger~"
Tamamo	"It was not always for 'those who wield magic,' but the same likens to such histories. Perhaps you knew of this." Tamamo continues in a storyteller's tone, "For the lords were supported by the samurai, and the samurai did need two things above all, and those who supplied to those two needs were so elevated. Thus did the swordsmith and the farmer rise in station, for the warrior saw no certain use in the merchant or the clerk." She makes a soft, disapproving sound, and murmurs something about poor cooking. "Craftsmen may have risen in respect, though for myself, I did always admire those with passion. Some other aspects have not changed quite so much, perhaps." She ends with an only faintly curious tone. Back from the talk of societies to this individual situation, Tamamo brightens further, if still short of 'literally glowing,' for now. Yes, though they're still, ostensibly, in public, she's quite comfortable with this much contact, now. Or maybe she had just been waiting for the opportunity, for circumstances to reach the point where sitting beside Lilian with an arm about her was the proper and appropriate thing to do, and had merely been resisting indecorum. She makes a sound very suspiciously like a purr, though she is still, to be certain, a fox. "Ah, so you do know of many such things. I should say, however, that not all such are such for the same cause. Ah, but I should not explain every such detail, should I? You have already had many teachers for such things, no? You have the right of it. Consider a fearful man, who looks to a symbol of pride, and so converts cowardice to bravery. There is no need for the symbol to grant power, but only to rearrange those energies that yet exist. In this, one finds great use in such things as geometries, and the matter of whether the power of a sound preceded the recognition of the sound as powerful becomes immaterial." Excited for the topic, she did end up explaining further details, anyway, then covers her mouth to give a light laugh, as if covering a trace of embarrassment. "And yet, it is still only a small project of mine, and not yet one to be called 'complete' even in part. I might even require to... but no, I should not speculate unlikely, bitter possibility. I will say, instead, that you should please look forward to it." A trace of concern is replaced by another happily beaming smile. Her tea is all gone, and she doesn't care.
Lilian Rook	"Only two things?" Lilian lofts one brow, slowly, and not really in question. A smile slowly spreads halfway across her face, but she keeps her mouth shut. "I know a little about the obsession with swords. Well, I shouldn't be quite one to talk. In that sense, I suspect swordsmiths were the one kind of craftsmen given universal respect --when putting together commission pieces rather than mass production, obviously." There's no real point to her musings. She's just happy to talk. Happy to giggle softly at the uncharacteristically (slightly) grumpy mention of poor cooking. Happy to shift her arm to hold Tamamo a little tighter. "Even more basic than words that are powerful because the Are, hmm? Or maybe more 'fundamental' to people. Things that draw from recognition rather than some sort of universal resonance. Or both?" Unable to keep up the fully academic pretense, Lilian politely, but hurriedly, downs the last of her tea in one go, and then gives up on sounding on sounding merely interested on the principle of the thing. Behind the folding screen, she turns her head to look straight at Tamamo and raises her free hand gently to the side of the beaming fox woman's face. Her touch is if she fears that Tamamo's smile is something that might break and topple the moment she lays her fingers on it; excessively gentle to the point of reverence, only just daring to touch something she hadn't realized she never expected to see, but now suddenly doesn't want to go away: The soft contours of a genuinely happy face; happy because of her, happy to see her, happy to be with her, unreserved, unexpectant . . . just . . . there. "Whatever it is, I'm sure it'll be wonderful. Beyond wonderful. If you're so passionate about it, of course I'd like nothing better than to help you see it through. I'd really, really enjoy seeing whatever it is that you're so happy to create, no matter what it is."
Tamamo	Tamamo nods along, through several points. "They were most concerned with their swords, of course, and furthermore, a lord's power to maintain an army was measured by the rice they could supply." Two things. Squeezing in against her side means brushing up against at least one fox's tail. How those never get in her way when walking, sitting, or laying down is something of a mystery. "One might surmise that inherent power within the patterns of the universe has greater strength, and that a power based upon 'recognition' is, by contrast, a more efficient effect upon which to call. You are quite the clever one, and as you say, 'either or both' is that general answer." Tamamo clarifies, eyes still alight with interest upon the topic, though it's moved up toward those edges where things would only be better explained with a lot of further, likely boring, study. For whatever reason, trying to boil down esoteric traditions to a punchy summary never turns into something useful, if even technically accurate. Lilian's touch, careful as it, does not shatter Tamamo's smile. The goddess's face remains as it is, looking straight back at her. Whatever her expectations, they've been fulfilled. Whatever her reservations, they're no greater than keeping gifts wrapped until the appointed day. It's not as if Tamamo hadn't ever wanted anything out of Lilian, but what she'd sought, she'd attained, whatever her goals and criteria had been. Now she basks in the happiness of success, of finding what she'd been looking for, and in the joyful anticipation of what is to come. "Oho, for you to go so far as to say this, I may hold you to those words. Should you play along with these whims of mine, I will be certain to see you rewarded. Now, now, do not protest. My appreciation will be unlessened no matter what support I give in return."
Lilian Rook	Lilian can't help the little sound that escapes her retreading 'two things'; it's a little puff of air like the start and end of a laugh joined together. She can't even tell if Tamamo is doing it on purpose or not, but there's no point in pursuing it. "Well, it's better than sayings about how 'men only care about one thing'." she says, still laughing under her breath. And then, after a moment, it seems her humour only continues. It turns sharply upward, coming from a position of quiet, dry amusement, to the partially vocalized kind that comes from not knowing what else to do, happy to not think about it for a little while. "You know, I've been called clever a hundred, two hundred, times before, but I think I stopped taking it seriously after I was a child. 'Well obviously' you know? I never thought I'd hear it like this. I never thought I'd be sitting here, able to talk about things like this with someone, as just . . . conversation. Outside of a classroom, not trying to impress anyone or tell them what to do. Like . . . I suppose most people talk about sports or television or something, don't they?" "It's fun~ I'm having fun." she decides, spontaneously and emphatically. Emboldened by a lack of disaster inherent to daring lay hands on someone else like this, causing no instability, no wild change of relationship, not coming back to hurt her in any way, her fingers stroke gently down the side of Tamamo's face, pushing her hair back just a little, and returning. The kind of physical contact that just silently fills a nameless sort of need --one she couldn't put a label to even right now-- in some vast, previously invisible space between 'appreciating someone's usefulness', 'enjoying their company', 'feeling pride from someone's respect', 'being engaged by what they have to say or do', and 'sensing no threat from them, even passively'. A weird mix of long overdue satisfactions that make it just okay to be close like this, without anything else going on. "Don't be surprised at how far I go~ You should know by now that I'm that kind of girl who never knows when to stop. Pushing what I can do is part of who I am~?" Lilian even says it in a kind of tone she's never really used before. One that'd developed, very slowly, privately between the two of them; one tested, worked out, strengthened without realizing it. "Maybe it's just because I've had such a wonderful time today, but I can't think of anything that I wouldn't go along with you." She leans forward, essentially forehead to forehead. "I feel like I've gotten so many things so fast that it'll be a long while before I can catch up to giving that much back. I don't think I could name them all, but try not to go too crazy~ I must just end up spoiled an unable to deal without you."
Tamamo	There are always limits, a time and place for everything, and propriety and Face to maintain. But with those paper screens between them and the other patrons, being left alone here with their tea, having this much fun is well within the allowed. Tamamo returns the gesture gently, as much to maintain that yes, she is this close, present and truly within reach, as to return that feeling of unreservedness. All that from a hand over a shoulder, against a cheek, or touching a lock of hair. Having a greater sense of presence than most is the goddess's usual manner "Oh, I most certainly have seen your willingness to leap forth, after only a glance at the danger." That could be referring to so many things. Or, maybe, to just one thing particular. "And I shall seek, as I yet have, to protect rather than to dissuade you from such ends. I might spoil you, but is it not the expected result, that one seeks greater risks when one is well-supported? Succeed, and you may share in the reward. Fail, and by your partner's preparation, you survive to try once more, and is that not the way of things?" Tamamo doesn't quite stand up yet. Not until after Lilian's agreed on what happens next. "And now, though we have done much, there is still some of this evening that remains. Before we leave, shall we take advantage of this opportunity to learn yet one more skill? We have here a gambling parlor, and you /are/ confident in your luck, no? I expect that I might teach you every winning hand of mahjong in but a few minutes, and we might then enjoy, together, giving the taste of utter defeat to a few of the establishment's regulars, if we could be so bold. Shall we?" Still, she's smiling. And as many times before, there's that hint of mischief.
Lilian Rook	The mention of her behaviour around danger has Lilian almost fuchsia behind the screen, the warmth rising to her skin now palpable so close together, but she wisely keeps her mouth shut. "I suppose it is." she adds, thoughtfully, rather than to deflect, as if it'd only really just occurred to her. "Well-supported . . . Mmm . . . well, I'll just believe I've done something to earn it~ Going higher than anyone else, faster, better . . . I really do feel like I could do all sorts of things I might've waited for, before. I couldn't say why --not completely confidently-- but it really does feel as if a lot of new things are within my grasp, in a way." "Hmm hmm, being rewarded and spoiled for a change doesn't sound bad though~ People love to get the idea that because you're better than them, you were pampered and handed all of it, but I don't think there's been anything in my life I haven't had to either fight for or justify getting it after the fact. Everyone wants something from you. Everyone wants a return for their investment. The 'elite' aren't the type to be kind enough to spoil. So . . . I want to see where it goes with someone who only wants 'me'. Someone I like a lot more than the rest of them~" Though reluctant to get up at all, it seems Lilian realizes she has to do it at some point. Three different, uncharacteristically 'perfectly readable' thoughts go through her eyes, settling on the warmly resigned look of 'there's all the time in the world for more later'. "Oh, amongst other things." she replies, on the subject of her luck, still a little pink in the face. "That does sound entertaining, though. I've never played it myself. I'm sure we could get quite the bet from their confidence in beating a 'foreign tourist'~" Honestly, she's too well in-synch with that mischief.