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Everything smelled of morning dew, or at least it had when she first came outside. For now everything felt numb.. or dull. It was quite saddening, as the scents after a fresh rain usually were very nice.. Especially within the city like this. Such a change was nice and welcomed to the senses.

She had been called out here early in the morning, on behalf of their Oka.. or rather the Okiya has a whole. There had been reports.. That something happened and someone had to come and see what all of this was about.

Asami regretted it though.. Having to come out here. Government workers were moving about and two constables had pulled the body out from under the bridge. She was here to identify the body, but she did not want to be here for such things. She'd much rather be back at the Okiya cleaning anything.. It would be far less horrifying than this.. As they explained it, she had probably been here overnight, the wounds done that night too, but it was hard to say.. She had been stabbed many times and dumped here, like trash.

Questions were passed back and forth to her and answers were demanded. Anything Asami could tell them, she did. All she knew of the girl was that she was a Maiko, as Asami had been and was under someone else's charge.. She knew the girl though. They often talked of the ceremony that would come with being a Geisha.. With growing up. She was just 17 and it was so strange to see her dead now.

It was saddening above all. Asami truly wanted to cry, but she refrained from it, stiffening her lips so that she would not frown or break down.. If she cried then she'd break the poise of a Geisha.. she'd mess up the makeup that took hours to apply and she'd ruin the image.. She couldn't do that, so crying would be reserved for later.. She desperately wanted to as she stared down at the mess of hay and kimono that covered the body.

After a time she was let go, and made her way back for the tea house. She had to work, despite this.. After work she could be sad and break down all she wanted. It didn't take her long before she was back in the district that she truly belonged in. It was known as flower street and it was for the geisha and courtesan workers. The teahouse and her Okiya was here, as well as several other establishments that offered a similar entertainment to that of a Geisha..

She held up the hem of her Kimono, as the outer layer was quite long.. It kept her from tripping while she walked around. Asami couldn't wrap her head around who would do such a horrible thing.. Surely this would stick in her mind for some time.";
"What structures! Amazing, how they are fashioned and such. And the way the people carry themselves! So similiar, and yet so different!" The eager and energetic voice of an Englishman was very out of place. And the way he acted, eyes were drawn to him quickly. He didn't seem to care though, as he was taking in everything around him.

The man behind him though, might have looked a little embarrassed at the way his companion was acting, had he been able to show emotion. But he just walked behind him, arms crossed, though ever ready to pull out his blade if it were needed.

"Tell me, Ayumu. Are all of your cities like this?" Frederick said, turning to glance back at the man. Ayumu looked at him for a long moment, before he sighed, nodding his head.

"Though... many are losing their old ways for new ones. Ones your people have brought in."

"Fascinating," Frederick said, turning and continuing on. By then, he had pulled out his notebook, and was scribbling furiously in it as he walked. Surprisingly, he was nimble in doing so, avoiding bumping in to everyone. He stopped eventually, looking around again. "Hmm, this seems to be a sort of entertainment area?" he asked, looking around at the buildings and the people. There were tea shops, and what looked to be escorts of sorts walking around.

"Hai," Ayumu said, stopping when Frederick had, arms still crossed.

"Excellent! Let's go for some tea! I think I would much like that. It has been a few days since I enjoyed some."

He turned, and made his way toward a small shop, hoping to be served some nice, hot tea. Ayumu followed obidently.
The shop on the outside looked very small, though once inside, it was easy to see that it connected to other buildings. There was a inn, as well as a larger area further back. Asami was at the main counter, speaking with the woman behind there, obviously giving bad news, as well as discussing the contract for today.

The teahouse hired geisha, and the geisha worked. It all worked out. "Welcome." the woman said once the two entered. Asami turned to look at them, staring for a moment, before she dipped her head inward. She did not speak, rather she nodded to the woman and moved on further in, to one of the room's in the back. She'd have to be serving someone depending on what was done.

"What can I help you two with today?" She spoke Japanese despite the foreigner in the room, before she truly realized and spoke slow English. "Shoe's please.." She motioned for them then begun. "We have many assortment of teas.. Hire room with entertainment. Relax.. spend enjoyment here. Yes?" She was not very good at speaking English and practically begged the ronin with the man to help translate..
Luckily, Frederick knew a small bit of Japanese, and was able to understand the woman for the most part, but did have Ayumu help with translation. "Ah, yes, tell her I would just like some warm tea. Entertainment is not necessary." Ayumu nodded his head, and looked to the woman, speaking Japanese.

"Yes, hot green tea and entertainment. I enjoy the finer arts, so I will pay the extra. That Geisha that was here... does she speak poems? Does she perhaps do calligraphy?"[/i}

Frederick wasn't sure he understood correctly, since he thought he heard his companion tell the woman that he wanted entertainment. He didn't really have time for such things, because he had so much exploring to do. But, with that said, he might enjoy the entertainment, because of this small aspect of the society.
"Yes, yes. She is skilled in these things. She will dance and play music as well, if it is what you wish." She nodded. "Go into the room back there.. She will be there shortly with your tea." The woman smiled to them. "Payment comes after enjoyment, but you must pay." Or Goemon was going to come from the back room and slam stone tablets down onto your hands and feet..

She simply smiled to Frederic and Ayumu. "Thank you!" She said in English, giving a small bow.
Frederick nodded his head and looked to follow Ayumu, frowning a bit. "I thought I said no entertainment?"

"You will enjoy. This is a part of our culture. If you wish to learn it, then you must see it." Ayumu made his way into the room, and sat at the table, atop a pillow that had been placed on the ground. He crossed his legs and removed his sword, setting it beside him.

Frederick watched, and followed suit, sitting next to him, and studied the gestures and movements of the ronin beside him.
As it had been promised, Asami slid the door open and proceeded inside with a tray containing the things for the tea ceremony, as that on it's own was a form of entertainment.

She moved towards them, stopping just before the table. She knelt down and set the tray aside, bowing her head deeply. "Good morning." She spoke English for them, seeing that the ronin was accompanied by a foreign man. She lifted her head. "I will be your entertainer for the time you are here. It is a pleasure to meet you." Her voice was soft, and rolled along like silk on skin. Her English matched Ayumu's. Of course it would not be perfect, but it was well enough.

"I will perform for you, the tea ceremony." She reached near her to pop the tile of floor up and move it. Inside was a black pot. It was like a sort of dutch oven, and had been boiling water while they were here. Something not often known.

"I am here to entertain, so please, feel free to suggest or ask things of me, or to talk if it is what you wish." She would begin the ceremony without waiting any further. Ayumu would probably be able to tell something different about her. Frederick however would not be able to..

She worked effortlessly it seemed, and was open for conversation.

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