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 Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2016 6:20 pm
Reiko folded her legs underneath her. The cool clear water reached up to her shoulders when she lay down, though the water was deeper towards the center of the pool. The water here was incredible. It was fed by a spring, coming from deep within the mountain. She would have preferred a hot spring, like the onsen she heard her mother talk about, but she made do with what she could.
Her dark furred pelt lay on a clean rock to one side. Her otter companion, Tatsuji, slid into the water behind her. He clambered on top of her back and began to dampen her mane with cupped water and deft hands.
"That feels nice," she murmured absently. "Thank you." Tatsuji was somewhat of a cross between her friend and her attendant. He was excellent with her mane, and she was much looking forward to a thorough washing and brushing.
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Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2016 6:31 pm
Hikaru was worn out. She'd woken up before the dawn so she could tend to her garden before the heat set in. She'd worked for hours, until her dark coat absorbed too much sunlight for her to continue. It was then, dirty and sweaty, that she'd decided to stop. She wasn't overly concerned with her own cleanliness but she knew she needed a bath.
The garden was coming in nicely this year. She grew some food plants, lettuce, peppers, and the like, but the main purpose of her garden was to support her art. She grew plants that she could make dyes from, and with the dyes she stained fabrics, paper, and whatever else she could get. She was skilled enough with making her dyes that she always kept a portion of it to trade. She had a few contacts that would come for miles to pick up her newest colors.
She smiled to herself as she reached the pool, but then paused. It was already occupied, a rare sight. She didn't recognize the kirin mare, though she matched the description of a group Hikaru knew was around.
"Hello," she said as a polite greeting. "Is there room enough in there for another?"
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Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2016 6:34 pm
Reiko's initial response was one of displeasure. She wasn't accustomed to sharing her little bathing sessions with anyone other than her familiar. Her expression softened somewhat when she took a look at the stranger. Her color was a deep and rich purple, but that wasn't what interested her. The mare was part-kirin. She had the horn and the tail, even the long and graceful legs of a kirin. It was just the flutter wings that spoiled the picture. It was pity to see the nobility of a kirin marred by wings that didn't even look large enough to fly with.
"You may join," she finally said, though she almost took it back after a closer look. The mare looked filthy.
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Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2016 6:37 pm
Hikaru didn't mistake the welcome for a warm one. She felt a tinge of hurt at the frosty reception and almost backed away right there. Think positive. she told herself. Maybe the mare was just naturally aloof.
"Thank you," she said. She slipped into the pool near enough to talk but not so close that she would be butting into the other kirin's personal space.
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