Umeko and her entourage have been invited to visit the local lord while passing through. A pair of impressive, obsidian-scaled Kiriga escort the guests to the tea garden, where Lord Kazuhiko awaits. The Jadaiian Kirin is a rare sight, covered in fine jade scales yet sporting more mammalian features - including hooved feet. The lord wears a gold and scarlet Zolk kimono that is almost the same shade as his flowing scarlet mane (with matching tufts at his wrists and ankles and the end of his tail). His black horn is so highly polished that Umeko can catch her own reflection in it.
"Greetings, Lady Tsuguri," Kazuhiko says, and actually bows. "You honor my humble manor with your presence as a Hero of the Empire. My household is at your disposal for so long as you wish to stay."
Umeko returns the bow deeply. She's attired in her 'usual' kimono for Jadai; zolk dyed deep purples. blacks, and laced with gold accents; and for once she is even without her daisho. "You honor me far more than I deserve," she says in a softer than usual tone. "There were many heroes in the battles that I fought in; it makes me nothing special. However, thank you for the invitation never-the-less. It is a rare honor to meet someone such as yourself."
"I am simply a humble wine merchant," Kazuhiko claims, sitting down to indicate that everyone else may sit. An attendant begins serving tea. "I merely dabble in literature and research, and try to be a patron of the arts. Why, the great ukiyo-e master, Hokusai, is also my guest at the moment."
Xander and Nawar take their places at Umeko's sides. The younger Lapi is trying hard not to stare at their exotic host.
"Ah? Well, if you already have a guest, I need not stay long and impose upon your time," Umeko offers as she slides herself down to settle on one of the cushions; movement so fluid it looks positively serpentine; down to how her tail curls about her legs. "I am simply showing my friends and servants some of my homeland, after all," she adds, gesturing to the others, "And need not take your valuable time with such trivialities."
"Ah, but you have traveled far yourself, and I do so love to collect tales of foreign lands and customs," Kazuhiko says, lifting his bowl-like tea-cup. "So little is known about Lapis in our lands, for instance. Or the wilds of Xenea. I was hoping that I might commission a portrait of you, if you are willing?"
"Of me? Surely there are prettier and more worthy subjects than myself to have a portrait of," Umeko says as she settles her left hand in her lap, and uses her right to lift her own teacup. "But if it is what you wish, I will not object."
"I didn't understand all of that," Xander whispers to Umeko, taking up his tea after the Kiriga does.
"He was asking if you could be served for dinner," Umeko explains in standard, completely straight-faced. but before Xander has a heart attack, she adds, "Or he simply commented that he would like to hear about Lapis and the customs of lands outside this one. Xenea was one he asked of."
"Ah, so.. adventure stories?" the Lapi asks.
"He also wishes a portrait of me," Umeko adds, then takes a quiet sip of tea. "But yes, adventure tales; or rather any tales of foreign lands."
"He'll probably want you to pose with your swords," Xander suggests, before sipping his own tea.
"Which are back in the wagon," Umeko points out. "It is not generally polite to bear weapons in the house of another."
Several servants enter, and begin playing on three-stringed box-lutes to add some relaxing atmosphere. The house-creens in the enclosed garden quiet down when the music starts. Maybe they're trained. "Tell, me, my lady: what was it like to meet the great Emperor-Potentate of the Nagai?" Kazuhiko asks.
"Crushing. Literally," Umeko answers, then takes another sip before continuing. "Greater around than our mightiest trees. He could, as stories say, swallow someone whole if he chose to. But, instead he chose to honor us by coiling across us as we bowed."
The Lapi mage shudders at the memory. "He has such big eyes.." he mutters.
"He was charming," Umeko comments.
"I hope to visit the mainland soon, once I have completed my instruction manual," the Kirin says. "I wish to spread some of Jadai's wisdom to the greater world, for the betterment of all."
"Instruction manual? On which topic of Jadai's wisdom?" Umeko asks.
"The lovemaking arts," Kazuhiko explains, causing Xander to nearly choke on his tea (but he recovers gracefully). "Kiriga are, after all, the most sensual and beautiful of this world's creatures, and it would be remiss not to give the other species something to aspire too."
Umeko's head turns and she eyes Xander for a moment. "Ah," she says, her attention returning to their host. "A topic I am not that well-versed in," she claims.
"But you are a warrior, and thus familiar with the martial forms and dance, are you not?" Kazuhiko notes. "Such are the foundation of proper love-making, for without having full knowledge and control of one's movements it is very difficult to achieve a pure state of ecstasy."
Xander parses this out, and tries not to look confused. Nawar is more concerned with the tea and the musicians.
"Well, yes, I am," Umeko has to admit, "But that is all I use the skill for; combat. The extent of which I have explored unusual pleasures was allowing two metal studs to be placed in my tongue as they supposedly heighten certain usage."
"That.. is that foreign?" the Kirin asks, intensely curious - and not looking more closely at Umeko's mouth. "How are they used?"
Umeko flicks her tongue, and sure enough she still has two small metal studs in its center. "They supposedly make licking more interesting," she explains, then looks at Xander. "Does it?"
On the spot, the Lapi's ears go back. "Ah.. well, yes," he admits, looking a bit embarrassed.
"I would like to interview you further about this," Kazuhiko notes. "Would you be willing to demonstrate? It should certainly warrant a new page in the manual. Is it only affective on Lapis?"
"It was a spur of the moment decision. We were in Abu Dhabi at the time and a bit bored," Umeko admits as she returns to her tea. Webbed ears flick a bit at that request. "Demonstrate for the manual? I do not know if that would be appropriate," she admits, "And I do not know if it works on non-lapis."
"It is certainly a new avenue to explore," the Kirin notes, and strokes his chin-beard. "I will have to do some research when in Abu-Dhabi.."
"It is most effective when applied to the reproductive parts, in my experience," Umeko offers in explanation. "Or with lapi, the ears."
"Hmm, so it would be a variation of Form Twelve, the Dew of the Morning Lily," the Kirin notes. "I had not included any use of tools, as the tome would have been too large and not all could attain such aids. I wish something that all may learn from, poor or rich."
"Then I suppose you don't need a demonstration," Umeko says, almost coyly. She resumes drinking her tea and looking demure.
"Well.. I would still wish to slake my own curiosity of course," the exotic lord notes. "Was the procedure painless?"
"Far from it. It hurt," Umeko explains, "But no worse than sparring injuries hurt."
"Would you be interested in posing for a series on the Martial Forms?" Kazuhiko asks. "Master Hokusai has.. expressed dissatisfaction.. with many of the models I have employed for various necessary illustrations."
"I could, I suppose. There are no pressing matters requiring my attention. Do you have the required attire? I did not bring anything appropriate for combat," Umeko admits.
"I am sure that something appropriate can be found, that will not obscure the form overly much," Kazuhiko promises.
"Or is it you would prefer no clothing?" Umeko inquires. She glances to Xander, then asks him, "You will not be uncomfortable, yes?"
The Lapi seems a bit conflicted. On the one hand, seeing Umeko bare is always nice. On the other, he wouldn't be the only one, if he's even allowed in the same room. An the third hand though, he could eventually have prints. "I.. should be there to chaperone, of course," he finally replies.
"May the mage watch?" Umeko asks of the Kirin.
"I do not see why not, so long as he does not upset the artist," Kazuhiko notes. "When would you like to begin?"
"Whenever is convenient. Will I be modeling alone or with a partner?" Umeko inquires, then finishes off what remains in ter teacup. Soon it is set back on the low tabel before them without making a sound.
"I had not considered that," Kazuhiko notes. "Some of the forms would benefit from such. Perhaps one of my Ebon Guard could assist if needed."
Whatever you feel will work best. Will you be taking part in any poses?" Umeko asks.
The Lord chuckles, and says, "Only if you wish to pose for the manual, where I admit finding properly limber models that are acceptable to Master Hokusai has been a challenge."
"Perhaps if there is time," Umeko offers. She looks to Xander, then back to the Lord. "Do you wish him to pose for anything?" she asks.
"A general anatomical study would be useful," Kazuhiko notes, eyeing the adult Lapi. "Along with an expression serious, to record what the ear poses denote."
"You will also be posing," Umeko tells Xander in standard, and even explains what Kazuhiko wants.
"That sounds.. very.. scientific," Xander admits, a bit nervously.
"And I will not suggest a picture called 'devouring the rabbit'," Umeko promises, completely straight-faced.
"I.. thank you," Xander says. He's never sure when Umeko is joking with him, her reptilian visage still a bit unscrutable to the rabbit.
"Well then, allow me to escort you to the studio," the Kirin says, smiling brightly.
And it doesn't help the way Umeko looks at Xander, then licks her lips rather suggestively. The kiriga then rises as she lowered, rather snakelike, and bows to the kirin. "I would be honored," she says.
Sitting on shelves are dozens of 'pages' of Kazuhiko's manual, with the text brushed in and space left for illustration. The spaces are blank, as the images would be added during reproduction from woodcuts. An easel and canvas are set up, along with a stool and a table of brushes, inks and bowls of water. A middle-aged blue Kiriga with gray-brown (and a bit unkempt) mane wearing a simple cloth robe sits upon the stool, stroking his moustaches and staring blankly at the canvas before him.
"Master Hokusai," Lord Kazuhiko interupts the artist's contemplation. "I have brought the Lady Umeko Tsuguri to be your subject, and display the Formal Forms of Combat."
The artist looks around, spotting Umeko next to the Ebon Guardsman carrying training swords. Xander is behind her, looking a bit nervous.
"What is that?" the artist asks, pointing a brush at Xander. His talent is such that rudeness is tolerated, it seems.
"While me may look like lunch," Umeko answers, her hands hidden in the sleeves of her kimono. "He is a known as a Lapi, and a Fire Mage. His name is Xander."
"Mage?" the artist asks, and then gestures to the Lapi. "Magical fire: does it cast smoke?" he demands.
"Well.. no, since it isn't actually burning anything," Xander manages to say without mangling things too badly.
"Ah! Useful! Yes, she has golden scales. Firelight is best for that," the artist says. "Cast me a bright flame!"
Xander looks to Umeko for permission.
"Please do as he asks, and please do not take offense. Those of the arts do not always have artistic manners," Umeko explains in standard.
The Lapi nods, and goes about casting a simple light spell. Kazuhiko bows to Umeko once more, and gestures to her garb. "May I?" he asks.
Umeko's answer to that is to nod in consent to the kirin.
While the Lord disrobes Umeko, the black-scaled guard goes to work pulling out a proper background (which seems to be a cherry tree on a small hill) under Hokusai's instruction. Once Xander's light is ready, the artist begins gesturing and pointing to the confused rabbit, who finally stands where the artist wants. The guard waits with a practice sword ready, and tries not to ogle too openly at Umeko.
Umeko's gait practically rolls as she approaches the guard; along with the serpentine sway from side to side that comes with each step and tail shift for balance. She takes the practice sword with both hands while bowing her head. As she steps away, the sheathed sword rolls and spins until it rests against the underside of her left forearm with her right hand upon his hilt.
The guard's tongue flicks out once, but he manages to maintain his composure. Again, the artist commands Xander to move around. "I want the flame to highlight the contour of the muscle, do you understand?" he tells the Mage, all the while shuffling his ink-pots (and adjusting the mix on some of them). "You may begin when ready, Lady.. uh.." the artist apparently didn't remember Umeko's name.
"Beauty of the Blade," Kazuhiko says. "That shall be the name of the series," he muses.
"Tsuguri," Umeko finishes the statement. "Tell me when you wish me to hold pose. I will be going through simple forms; pick those you wish to illustrate," she adds. The small kiriga seems even smaller when she crouches down, her back almost level with the ground and her balance held in check by her long tail out behind her. The sword in her hands roll again until it arcs with the 'edge' up in the scabbard. Like water flowing from a carafe, Umeko draws the wooden practice blade from is scabbard in an outward sweep. It draws to a halt before it goes too much past her body. She practically slithers forward as she draws upright, with the tip of the blade pointed towards an imaginary heart. The scabbard remains in her left hand, drawn back and curved to that it rests against the ridge of small horns hidden in her spinal-mane.
"Hold please!" the artist requests, and gesture Xander move a bit to bring his light closer. "First the sweep.." Hokusai mutters, his brush moving in practiced, efficient strokes. It takes several minutes before he hands the canvas off to the guard, and places a new one on the easel. From a glance, it's clear that he's drawn several images in an attempt to capture the original flow of movement.
After changing out for fresh brushes, and checking his ink, the blue Kiriga says, "Continue, please."
Umeko remains statuesque-still as the artist works. Maybe training under Master Longtooth paid off; all those hours of poses ... (where Longtooth had accidentally fell asleep while standing). When the command to continue comes, Umeko glides to the right, bringing the scabbard around as if to deflect away an oncoming blow. The sword rolls and dips, its edge never leaving its place at 'pointing' towards the invisible foe. The kiriga's whole body then rolls, as if being pushed by the attack as it slides along the scabbard. However, the momentum from this movement is to her advantage, because she translates its force along her own body and back through her blade as it now sweeps upward as if to strike her foe.
Once again, Hokusai works to capture the movement as well as the final form. He seems tireless, churning out canvas after canvas (and they can't be cheap, covered in white Zolk). Xander has to recharge his spell several times, and the sun has long set by the time Umeko reaches the final form, bathed in the yellow glow of mage-fire.
"Yesss, yess, must get one of those mages.. so much more convenient," the artist mutters. An entire long shelf is filled with stylized impressions of Umeko now, with sweeps and swirls of light blue to denote the motion paths.
The form closes with the blade sweeping back flawlessly, then tilting up until she is running the back of the blade along her forearm. When the tip just slips off her fingers, it clicks into the waiting opening of the scabbard and she sheathes it once more. With the blade closed, Umeko then bows to her unseen, and presumed fallen, foe.
Applause is not a Jadaiian custom. The Ebon Guard bows deeply, now clearly more impressed by Umeko's technique than just her beauty. Lord Kazuhiko also bows. "Thank you for such an excellent display, Lady Tsuguri. If there is any garb or setting you wish for your official portrait, please merely name it and I will see to it being made available."
Umeko considers. "Where will this portrait be displayed?" she asks.
"Such personal things are usually kept in my own chambers," Lord Kazuhiko explains. "Unless you would wish it to be shown in one of the main rooms. I also have the means to create a woodcut press of it."
"If it is for private display, then I leave it up to you for how you wish me to be attired. I am fine with using my kimono as my attire if there is no alternate preference," Umeko offers.
"Ah.. well.. for private display, may I be so bold as to request a simple repose upon the couch, as you are now?" the Kirin asks, with a coy smile.
Xander's left cheek twitches once.
"I believe the Mage may wish a woodcut of that," Umeko comments upon noticing the suggestion. "And if that is your wish, I will agree to it."
The guard looks stunned at the agreement, and quickly changes out the backdrop and drags the lounging-couch over.
Hokusai prepares by setting a much larger canvas onto his easel, and replenishing his pots of gold ink.
Perhaps Umeko is flirting with Kazuhiko, or perhaps the guard, or perhaps even Xander what with the way she slinks over to the couch and slithers herself onto the lounging couch. She even turns a bit, so that she lies upon her side, and stretches her arms up and over her head, making her already lanky body look even longer. Her head tilts just so, and she smiles with a bemused sort of sly smile, then licks once over her lips with her slightly forked tongue. And in that pose, she waits ...
Xander is quivering, and it doesn't help that Hokusai keeps having him shine his light on different areas. Kazuhiko is affected as well, his scaled and tufted tail slithering a bit while he maintains a practiced noble bearing. The poor guard can only clutch the practice sword and turn his attention to the inked paintings of the sword forms.
And Umeko just remains maddeningly still; as if some sort of forbidden creature just out of reach. "I am evil," she thinks to herself, all too proudly, at that.
Hokusai gets up from his stool and comes to get a closer look at some particular detail every so often - mostly to do with the way Umeko's hair is braided. He doesn't do it often, and seems wholly concerned with the artistry of it all rather than flesh-and-blood subject. "Yes, yes.. magical light is quite the must," he mutters, and finishes the painting. "Molten gold.. so hard to capture without the proper light.."
"Quite.. impressive," Kazuhiko expresses. "Such control of stillness." He picks up Umeko's kimono, and approaches the lounge. "You have moved me, Lady Tsuguri," the Kirin notes. "If you wish to learn of the perfected forms of pleasure, you are most welcome to join me in my chambers tonight," he offers.
"I wonder if Lapi explode if they are teased for too long, Umeko wonders while she holds her pose. "I am honored by such an offer and I will consider accepting it," she tells the kirin. Xander might not like her going off with the Lord, after all.
The Lapi looks like he's about to comment, when Hokusai interrupts. "The white grid backdrop now, and strip the usagi please.."
The Kirin extends a hand to help Umeko up, her kimono draped over his other arm.
This comment makes Umeko blink. "Poor Xander," she has to think as she finally relaxes the pose, then takes the offered hand to rise.
"What?" Xander asks, as the black-scaled guard rolls out a new backdrop of crossed lines with height markings on them.
"Get naked," Umeko translates for Xander.
Kazuhiko helps Umeko back into kimono, while Xander just seems stunned. "Now? Right now? After looking at you.." the Lapi starts to say, but the guard is there, trying to undo the Mage's robes. "I can do it myself!" he insists, reverting to Standard, and turns around to strip to his fur, his little spirit flame bobbing around his ears and getting brighter, as if blushing for him.
"Yes, apparently right now," Umeko agrees as she slips her kimono back on with help. For some reason her arm actually remains around the kirin's once the kimono is back on.
Xander is made to spread out his arms and legs before the screen, and turn to each side and show his back as well. The guard and Hokusai, being unfamiliar with mammals, probably don't notice that he's aroused, although the Kirin (being of similar anatomy in that regard) does notice. "Ah, and you did not have to lick him," he notes to Umeko. "Is he always like that?"
"Often around me. I seem to have that effect on him," Umeko explains, "It's ... an endearing feature that he likes me so much."
"Well, you have similar effect on me, my Lady," Kazuhiko admits. "Do you think he'd respond to a Kirin woman the same? My daughter is of age, and fond of novelty."
"Him? Likely. He likes different ... and for his kind, potentially scary," Umeko says. "I would ask him if you wish."
"I thought we could all bathe together, and just see what happens," the Kirin whispers and winks to Umeko. Maybe teasing Lapis is just a cultural thing in Jadai.
Umeko actually chuffs a laugh at that. "It would be terribly cruel, and likely very amusing," she admits. "And also that you want to be sure I retire with you tonight," she adds, noting she realizes his intentions.
"Ah, the ears move independently?" Hokusai exclaims. "Amazing! Show me all of the significant positions.."
"Well, can you blame me?" Kazuhiko says, looking innocent. "Marriages are short among my kind, due to the scarcity of females. After Honmay was old enough, my mate left me to find a new husband, and thus maintain our kind."
"That sounds rather lonely," Umeko notes.
"It does tend to focus one on.. hobbies," the Kirin notes. "I am quite fond of the Kiriga form, and have studied it extensively in order to create my manual. Although I still hold hope of meeting a true dragon someday. But such is a childish wish for one as old as I, don't you think?"
"I dreamed of becoming a warrior and it came true. Dreams happen if you make them happen," Umeko explains to the kirin, then shrugs. She glances sidelong at the strange creature for a moment; then seemingly does something completely on impulse. She kisses him, on the lips. Not quick and light, but one that shows off the two little studs for its duration. "And there, now you have a little more information about kiriga for your manual," she adds afterward, as if nothing happened.
"Ah, and.. yes, perhaps there is still more learn then, in exotic far off lands," the somewhat stunned noble replies, and places an arm around Umeko's shoulder.
"Can you make that move up and down too? No? What about the tail? Well, just spread your legs and bend over for now.." the artist tells Xander, nearly at the end of his anatomical studies.
"Or tonight in your chambers," Umeko remarks as if it were completely normal, "You can teach me the Dew of the Morning Lily." She's now back to watching poor Xander. That Lapi is endlessly abused.
A moment later, Xander is next to Umeko, still pulling up his pants, and pleading in quiet Standard, "That guard was looking at me funny near the end. Can we get away from that sadistic artist now? He made shine my light in places.. that don't see light normally.."
"Yes, we will. You will be soon sharing a bath with myself and the Lord's daughter," Umeko tells the poor lapi. "Unless you would rather we leave soon."
"A.. girl Kirin?" Xander asks, his whole attitude brightening up. "One that isn't deceptively smooth in.. uh, ahem. I could do with a bath, yes. Nawar can mind our room on her own for a bit longer.."
"I wouldn't want to put any more stress upon you. So ... only if you are sure," Umeko tells the Lapi.
"I'm up to it," Xander claims. "Do I look stressed? Is that bad?" he asks, and tries to groom his ears with his fingers.
"You look like you are going to explode," Umeko admits,
"Well.. I am a Fire Mage," Xander notes, adjusting his robes. "We're supposed to look like that.."
"Then I am sure the bath will cool you off," Umeko says. She knows full well it won't ... but something about Xander just makes people want to torment him. This night will either be the best night, or the worst nightmare, of the Lapi's life...