[open]

[coughcoughshank]

[From the looks of it, Souji has just finished some practice - the bokuto are put away neatly, but he hasn't bothered getting changed yet. He's sitting out on the porch, still wearing his hakama and gi, hair tied up off his neck. He fans himself with one hand - it's a bit hot today for training, but he didn't want to waste a string of good days

Comments

o hai

[notpissedoff]

[Susumu has no orders to carry out today, which means he has nowhere to be. Which means a day of being pestered by a certain bratty red-haired page who doesn't understand the concept of staying out of other people's rooms unless invited in. It isn't that he minds the brat's company - in small doses. But an entire day of it is too much for him to deal with. Thus, he has taken refuge on the roof of the training hall, where he has been sitting silently for the past couple of hours, so far undiscovered.]

[Things seem quiet around the base now, though. In this heat, most people have retreated inside, out of the sun. Hoping that he's in the clear for awhile, Susumu hops lightly down from the roof, landing in a crouch on the ground a short distance away from Souji. As he stands, he nods to the other in greeting.]

:3

[coughcoughshank]

[Souji has a pretty good guess what Susumu was doing up on the roof - Tetsu is loud enough to hear straight across the compound, really - and so he just grins and gives the ninja a cheerful wave.]

Enjoying the sun, Yamazaki-kun?

[notpissedoff]

[At Souji's question, Susumu glances away and rubs the back of his neck a bit gingerly.]

I'm probably sunburnt.

[He joins Souji on the porch then, although he doesn't sit. He stands a few paces away from the other, folding his arms in front of him and gazing ahead in silence for a few moments, before speaking again.]

Training in this heat?

[It's a pointless question - he's well aware that's what Souji's been doing - but he's really not good at small talk when he isn't wearing makeup. He'll look at this as practice.]

[coughcoughshank]

[Souji kicks his feet a little, and nods, even though Susumu can't see him.]

It seemed like a shame to waste a good day.

[paintedkoi]

[Her kimono were messy, certainly not what one might expect from a woman out wandering alone. She walks slowly, with a cane in hand, but she knows she will reach what had being called to her soon.

Plain sandals on her feet, she carefully prods at the ground before her, and then turns to him. She raises a hand in greeting, bowing her head slightly and looking at him with eyes that were filmed over, like a dead fish's.]

Hello.

[coughcoughshank]

[Souji looked up and blinked in surprise. This woman did not look like the type to be wandering around Shinsengumi headquarters - but then again, this was temple land, as well. Perhaps she lost. Either way, it never hurt to be polite.]

Ah, hello!

[paintedkoi]

[Tapping her cane against the wood he was sitting on, she settled herself into place beside him, but not close enough to be rude. He eyes didn't focus on him, instead looking forward, always forward. That was how her life was, no matter if it was aiding her emperor or simply resting at the temple.

She smiled softly, drawing her robes around her.]

I am not lost.

My name is Ren. You are Souji Okita, correct?

[coughcoughshank]

[Another surprised blink from Souji - though the woman /did/ carry herself like a miko, even if she wasn't dressed as one, so...

He made a small affirmative noise]

I am. Were you looking for me?