It felt as if her entire body was going to be pricked any second by some hidden spike, a nondescript needle that she would have no chance finding with her clothes on.  Would anyone be so resourceful?  Would someone take that much time.  As she walked slowly towards Myrnal, curling her toes in case they were in her boots and taking shallow breaths with her back arched, Somnia's nerves slowly melted away in slow acceptance.  If it was going to happen, it would be too late by now.  The girl was frustrated at herself as much as she was at the situation.  She was never this jumpy.  Nervous, maybe.  Afraid of the circumstance, sometimes, but the chain of events were falling in like celestial bad luck.

"Mmm...l-let's get out of here." the mercenary meekly mumbled, settling back into her more normal mood.  She took a small breath and held it there for a while as her mind wandered to nowhere, shuffling herself against Myrnal with an impassive stare spotting the ground.  She choked up the sheath of her blade a few times, slinging the padded strap over her neck as she took the first few steps away from the dressing room, the two of them leaving the onsen before further trouble would stir Somnia's poor nerves.




". . . Just doesn't feel right."

Somnia stopped a good few yards short of the Inn, staring up through the higher reaches of the building and to the night sky that blanketed their surroundings.  She wasn't at all apprehensive about entering.  Her mind was almost absolutely sure that something would be waiting.  Her left arm was more of a reminding pain, with every beat of her heart brightening the heaviness of her wound.  The mercenary's fingers folded into her palm one by one as her eyes surveyed a listless sweep through the darkened windows, the shadows that grew when the light was at rest.  There was no movement, but the lack of movement felt as a presence within itself.  Somnia lifted her right arm slowly, just past the winged guards of her blade before lowering her hand to her utility belt, tucking her thumb in with a limp wrist.  She glanced towards Myrnal, then shifted her head up to look at the Inn's all too enshrouding roof.

"Hmm."

Somnia folded her arms, leaning her head to the side while tapping the tip of her boot against the ground a few times.  Inside was the Inn that could have held the same dangers that assailed them, as well as the strange scream that she knew nothing about.  Outside held an entire foreign land that could hold death behind every corner.  The difference?

"...I sup-...I suppose we do need to meet up with everyone."

Untangling herself from Somnia, Myrnal stopped inside the doorway. "Hold on a second. I don't know where that crazy f#@$ing dark elf is, so I'm just going to leave him a note rather than hunt all over Nijon for his shady ass."

She grabbed a slip of paper from the front desk, willing to let the extra charge go on her tab along with everything else.

Someone doesn't appreciate you being here in Nijon.
They gave us a little bit of trouble in the onsen tonight,
looking for you. We've probably taken care of it for the
most part, but keep an eye out and we'll do the same. I'll
tell Minshara what's going on as well.

-Myrnal

"Here," she told the man at the desk. "This goes to that freaky-looking drow who came in with us. Let me know if he gives you any trouble."

The man nodded even as the corner of his mouth turned up in a grimace he couldn't quite keep down. He wasn't eagerly awaiting the opportunity to converse with B'esctra, but other than the intended recipient, the task wasn't so onerous.

"Thanks."

Myrnal turned back to Somnia. "I think I'm going to hang around the inn until that woman gets back. If you had anything else to get done, you should feel free to take care of it. I'm just going to lurk until she gets back."

Oh, come on. Oh, you horrible old bitch just say it.

"........Thanks for giving me a hand earlier, by the way."

That said, Myrnal headed off to her room, trailing her hand along the wall for support so that she didn't have to lean on Somnia anymore. She had done-- and seen-- more things tonight than she wanted to think about.


The scene spread out before Aishigara was an encouraging one. Plenty of music, revelry, and enough spirits to sustain them both through the night. His optimistic smile turned into a grin when he caught the eye of a lovely lady enjoying the music some distance away.

Well, if that isn't a sight for sore eyes... he thought. The fireworks lit up the sky again  and he watched the light play across her cheek and down the curve of her neck. Sight for sore eyes indeed.

With a bow he handed a few coins to one of the dancers. Seemed like the best way to thank Daidlin for what could be a much better opportunity for relaxation than any men's onsen. The company of a beautiful woman was much more to his liking, and he lost nothing by striking up a conversation.

He diverted himself for a moment by attempting-- and failing quite miserably-- to play one of the flautist's instruments. He laughed and handed it back, and the amusement of watching Aishigara's attempt seemed enough of a reward for the bards. No harm done. They got a self-esteem boost from listening to him, and Aishigara got to kill a little time. No good to approach her immediately.

Had to be casual. Friendly. No urgency or pressure. Always let the woman feel as though she's in control, especially if it's not true. It was the best way to keep her in her comfort zone, only to get her out of it and out of her kimono.

Always worth a try.

Still laughing from his failed attempt, he took a few steps over to the lovely lady's bench and sat down on the ground at Minshara's feet. Good way to let her feel like she was in control, sitting higher than Aishigara and all. Seemed like a good enough idea, and he couldn't say he had any particularly strong aversion to the courtyard dirt.

Sighing and catching his breath, he looked up at her. "Deepest apologies for the noise, miss. I thought I could emulate the music these fine devotees are making," he indicated them with an exhausted sweep of his hand, "But I fear I made a mess of it and the din must surely have offended Daidlin himself."

With his head tilted back, he enjoyed the sound of her playing for a few minutes. He had to focus to catch it, but it didn't matter. He didn't hear anything glaringly atrocious coming from her, and that's all he needed.

Don't tell her she's beautiful, she surely already knows that, he resolved. Compliment her choices and her skills, not her. And... It just so happens that I do have a thing or two to learn from the lady...

He waited until she reached a pause point in her music to catch her breath. "You're very talented," he called up to her. "In fact.... Hold on!" He held up a finger to let her know he'd be back. He laid a hand on the bench and pushed himself up off the ground, heading over to the one of the musicians again.

Tossing an arm over the man's shoulder he leaned in to speak in his ear. "I would like to borrow your flute. For the lady." When the musician glanced over and saw Minshara already had one of her own, he held back a grin and nodded. It was to impress the lady. Aishigara slipped him a few coins and took the flute back to the bench. He grinned as though he'd captured a remarkable and priceless treasure from the minstrel.

Throwing himself back into the seat as if exhausted, he turned to Minshara. He noted with satisfaction that he had moved up to an equal seat with her. He turned the flute over and over, pretending he was examining a curious artifact from a foreign land.

"Now," he said, "I've forgotten. Which end do I blow into again?"

“You should stick to conversation… for now, at least.”

Perfect. More perfect words could not have fallen from more perfect lips to more eager ears than Aishigara's.

Oi! There's progress, Kikuchi. There is a step in the correct direction right there. This young lady is quite the little firebrand. Not afraid to take charge in the least. He held in a grin, but poorly. That's all right. We'll stick to conversation if she likes. ....For now. If her way leads where I think it will, she can be as assertive now as she pleases.

"A geisha," he began. "Is a woman of class and sophistication. Of refinement and expensive tastes. You are the first woman of that description in a long time who has had any time for me, and perhaps it's for the best." He chuckled.

"But lest you think me too uncouth, allow me to introduce myself. I am Aishigara Kikuchi, though you mustn't feel any need to stick on formalities. Most people simply call me Kikuchi."

Aishigara tilted his head drastically to one side like a cat, and the subsequent nod he gave Minshara could have been a gesture of courtesy if Min couldn't feel anger gathering itself like a thunderhead behind that polite visage.

Just going to leave, huh? Just like that?

He stood and in the same motion took a step toward her. "It has been a lovely evening. Why ask that it end so suddenly?"

Keep your temper, Kikuchi. This is how you get into trouble. But what am I supposed to do? If I have to deal with one more woman who pretends she's interested just to entertain herself at my expense... Just leave it. What're you going to do, pull her outside for a fight? She's not even armed.

"Seems like a very sudden decision, given how comfortable you seemed a few minutes ago with staying out late at the temple."

Cool down. Don't let one stupid broad ruin your day. You already arranged to get rid of that treacherous little bitch, and nothing some other woman says or does...or doesn't do... will spoil that.

"...Would you at least allow me to walk you home? This late at night it isn't wise for a young lady to be out alone. People might get ideas."

Minshara could feel some of the anger subsiding as he mustered his will for another try. From the speed with which his outlook change it was easy for her to sense how impetuous Aishigara was.

A little silly. That I can believe. Nice young woman like this, her retainers might be worried if they knew she was out all alone, picking up strange men....

He nodded in reply to her explanation, and held perfectly still as he waited for her to finish speaking. How he behaved in the next several seconds would count for a lot.

“I was hoping you would walk me back…"

He thought, Progress and...

"Perhaps you’d allow me a few more minutes of your delightful company," she continued.

...score one... he noted.

"And if the circumstances permit, and then some.”

...for Kikuchi. He smiled. Look how cute she is; she's blushing. I can afford to take a night to myself after all this mess, he told himself. They'll be out investigating little Minaru-chan, and I'll just... relax until I hear they've run her to ground wherever she calls home. They'll find her, and I won't have to do a damn thing until it's all over.

"Anything for you, Min." Aishigara took one step back and gave her a deep bow. "I am at your command as long as you require me," he added.

Somnia's turned as Myrnal went inside the inn, the girl still crossing her arms with a bit of an unnerved pinch holding her breath.  Did she really want to go out there?  Did she want to stay outside for that matter?  Grumbling to herself, she shuffled a bit in her boots before whining softly at the pain in her arm. 

Inside it is.

Uncrossing her arms and peeking a few paranoid glances around, Somnia made a slow trot towards the inn quite a while after Myrnal went in herself, pushing the door open with her bad hand while reaching with a cowardly twitch towards the winged blade's handle behind her head.  She peeked in quickly, so quickly that the girl opened the door on her own face, causing her to stumble a bit while slinging open the door.  It is for this reason, and not for statistical value, that heavy weapon and armor characters are not meant to be stealthy.  Rubbing her nose, Somnia whined as gently and a mewing cat as she stepped inside, closing the door silently even though she made plenty of noise already.

Inside her room, it still looked as if Somnia was still moving in.  Her duffel bag still laid slouched, falling a bit and dragging across the floor as Somnia grasped it to her bed.  She sat down at the edge of her still neatly sheeted and comfortable bed with the closed pack between her legs, pulling her chained sheath from her back and laying it gently on the floor to get a bit more comfortable.  It looked as if she was going to do something with her pack as she fumbled with the lock and clasps on her pack, but after a few tired nudges Somnia slouched, resting her elbows on her legs.

"What am I doing..." she mumbled to herself, staring down into nothing as her knees bent together.  Somnia didn't have time for this.  She was almost a day late for a mission that would have taken six hours at the most.  Complete strangers were no strange thing to her, and usually she was able to avoid them.  Whether it was from a premeditated cold act, or from her instinctive fear of people, the girl usually had no problem losing a group that caused her too much trouble.  Yet here she was, tired, a stab wound on her arm, and from what?  One woman in a pink kimono.  Changing from confused to angry, Somnia's eyes furrowed as she rest her chin in her palm, slouching even further over her pack.  Somnia Delunar was no weakling!  She was shy, clumsy at times, and an utter social disaster, but those could be dealt with.  She looked down at her arm for a while, clenching her fist and loosening it a bit to feel the pain as her biceps rose and fell.  It was because she relaxed too much.  No training, just living from place to place and slacking off forever.

Somnia sighed as she finally ripped open the top of her long pack, twisting the key set in its lock and popping it off.  She dug through her bag for a while, tossing the Orc's teeth bounty and signet rings onto the bed behind her.  From within the pack, she pulled a wrap of medicated linen and a few small sacks of ground leaves, along with a skin of water long since made lukewarm.  The night was still young, and as she began to treat and wrap the wound, she would have quite some time to think about the future.

She turned to take the glass from him, smiling as she did so and being somewhat aware of his attentions. Although, Min conceded one did not need psychic powers to know that he was just waiting for the right time to make his move. Lifting her sleeve delicately, she poured him half a glass; uncorking the small vial and mixing in the sleeping draught she normally reserved for herself. It was a strong concoction, opium based, transparent and rather tasteless. Her own recipe too and something of a personal milestone of Minshara's medical skills.

"It's from Tarsis," she told him, coyly challenging him. "I've poured you only half a glass since I'm not sure how much of a drinker you are."  She passed him his portion and then proceeded to pour herself a full glass of the liquid, and drank it down slowly - all the while not breaking his gaze. "Most Nijonese don't really like the strong flavour but I've acquired a liking for it."

It would take half an hour to kick in. Faster if he decided to drink more and tire himself out. If she read his body language well, this seemed like the kind of man, whom, while not evil, was most probably a smug bastard who wanted her to think that he was god-like or at least superbly fantastatic in everything that he did.