Spies of a different breed.

[Mai Kobayashi]

- Drip, drip, drip. -

The rhythmic falling of water droplets permeated the quiet solitude. Every so often the bamboo would fill up to the brim and turn over by sheer weight of the water, unleashing it's contents into the hot spring with a splash of vigor. Windchimes played backup in a pleasant and constant breeze. Where it provided the high notes, it was the soft chirping of birds in the forest on the other side of the bamboo wall that filled natures very own chorus in a melody of pleasant relaxation. 

The smell of sulfur and minerals from the bath filled the air, the gentle breeze was carrying in the salty tones of the ocean on the other side of the inn. She inhaled deeply, her lips sucking in yet more of a pleasantly fragrant scent from the end of a long decorated pipe. The fragrance of flowers, dried tobacco leaves and a bitter twinge of ash filled her nostrils as  the smoke passed through her lungs. She exhaled between touted lips, blowing a perfect circle in the air as she closed her eyes. 

Sitting at a table just outside of the hot spring area, Nadeshiko was enjoying the peace and quiet of the a midweek afternoon. A smile crossed her lips as she watched over the bath.On most days,  several guests would be enjoying them throughout much of the day and she could not just sit here relaxing as she did now. She could only sit here after all preparations had been completed and before she had to entertain the guests at their meal. It was a quiet moment to herself, a highlight of a busy day where she could take a moment just to be by herself with no thoughts other than the delight of the pipe between her lips.

Right this moment though, it was still early in the day... She took the calm she was enjoying right now as a small blessing. Rather than a sign of business slowing down, it meant that it was the first day of a new month. The inn was closed to guests for a whole day and night for a thorough cleaning and to fix whatever rowdy damages had been done over the past month. The start of a new month and closing out the old one had been a pleasant swift experience this time. 

The ledger on the table in front of her showed that last month had been anything but lacking in guests, but the guests she had received were both unusually generous and unusually well behaved. Another blessing to count, larger than this small moment of peace in its scope. She closed her eyes as another puff of smoke exited between her lips, this time eliciting a small bit of coughing from a source other than the inn's owner. The comparatively gigantic woman opened one eye to look at the young girl standing at the feet of her chair, bathed in the smoke that was clinging to the ground.

"Mah, Elisha. Are you alright dear. You should have said something sooner."

She turned the pipe over above a clay jar on the table, inscribed with the character for 'Ash', and with a sharp tap against its rim, the burning coal fell out of the tip of the pipe and neatly into the pot. She covered it with a lid before resting her eyes on the young girl.

"Yes, Okami-san but..."

Before the girl could protest, or rather she seemed to stop on her own knowing that the large pink-haired woman would wave away her protest, and indeed so she did with a soft and generous smile.

"It is alright dear, it is the person from the government right? It's the first after all..."

A stoic nod from the girl confirmed every word the pink-haired giant of a woman had said with a stoic efficiency.

"Yes, as you say.."

A small smile and a courteous inclination of her head affirmed the young woman's words. Softspoken words meant to encourage and chip away at that stoic demeanor gave her firm directions without coming across as a command. There was an efficiency to her kindness that wasn't quite like anything the young woman was used to.

"You may show them here, have Erika and Aishe prepare some sake and a light afternoon snack as well."

Once more a stoic nod and the Mink girl sank to one knee in deference that was wholly unneeded. The large woman closed her one aquamarine eye and sighed softly. It would still be a long road for this one. Her loyalty and manners were top notch but she was lacking in the soft appeal that the customers valued in coming here. She needed a firm hand to guide her towards that realization but firmness did not inspire the qualities she was missing. What a difficult situation... How to best guide this girl... Perhaps...

"Yes, then I will be off..."

Yes.. that was exactly the problem. How troublesome... Well, perhaps a gentle chastisement would help her realize on her own. There was precious little to be learned from being told what to do without understanding why but small steps might be just what was needed by this one...

"Ahh, and dear... there is no need to be so stiff here. Rather than training.. consider it a vacation. This place is different than you were expecting is it not? That is alright, we do things a bit differently here than you are used to. "

Her voice was all kindness, all understanding, even a correction was cloak in soft tender words and carried on a gentle smile and for a moment the dog girl mink seemed burdened by that very kindness.

"But.. If I do not show you respect as a fellow elder my master will..."

The giant woman leaned back in her chair. folding her hands together and looking at the tiny young woman from under her all but closed eyelid. The milky-colored other eye did not close at all though its eyebrow quirked in soft amusement.

"Ara Ara, but I'm not a master my dear. Just a humble innkeeper. You will get more out of your stay here if you smile a bit more."

For a moment the girl seemed wrong-footed by that statement before with great effort producing a very forced smile. The large woman covered her mouth with the back of her hand and chuckled ever so politely at that rather awkward smile.

"Ahh.. I see... Then I will endeavor to do so. Okami-san. Shall I fetch your visitor?"

The girl turned slightly red in her face, that was good. It was the most she had shown of her genuine self since she had arrived so far. There was such a vast difference in methods and philosophy between the other different clans that those who came to study under her from the other parts of the world often found it difficult to fit in at first. All they needed was some patience and some guidance, she had both to share and quite a bit of it. All that was needed was time. But right now someone else demanded that time. She should make preparations to receive her guest herself.

"Please do, I'll depend on you~"

She said as she stood up out of her chair and headed towards the sliding paper door of the inn. The girl had vanished and a soft sigh escaped her lips. Vanishing like that was also something to work on Elisha dear... She thought to herself as she slid open the paper door to enter the inn and retrieve her Shamisen. A bit of music to great her guest would be quite nice...

[risaka]

Just in a neck of time, it was the start of a new month and the start of many new adventures for young people looking to sail out on the sea. Except, from this side of the story it wasn't gonna be about the carefree newcomers in pursuit for riches and glory. A man by the name of Coleman Garridan leaned on the edge of the passanger ship, looking over at the island that is Aityaia. Always so ever green and full of life, even when seen from a fair distance, but for Mr Garridan it only meant as another drive-by. Walking among large crowds of passangers easily cloaked his presence, to anyone he was merely just another man with a posh style.

Already been a month, I wonder what this visit may include, maybe I'll swing by that one popular corner food shop.

He pondered and idly rubbed his long chin, right before the enourmous passanger ship docked. Entering the streets hugging to the docks by the harbor Mr Garridan looked up for a brief moment to take another view, seeing the immense size of the city. To any tourist or newcomer this place can seem quite the maze at first, but not to this chap of a man, just another visit to the backpocket of his coat.

He naturally took a brief detour to visit the corner shop, he was hoping the owner of the shop remembered him.

''Here ya go mister, one steak burger!''

''Hm, mighty old thanks men. Pardon me, but haven't we met?''

''Wuzzat? Never seen you in my life, now move along, got more customers to attend to!''

''Figure.''

He told before shoving the steak burger nice and cozy into his coat pocket. He had a gut feeling the shop owner just didn't want to give out discounts. With a slight begrudged huff he tipped his bowler hat down and walk off from the queue. Might be time to find a new place to swing by in this city, its not like these burgers are quality.

Golly, look at the time, wouldn't be right of me to leave a mistress hanging for too long.

With a quick paced walk Mr Garridan ventured through several streets and blending in so well with the public, just a man making his way to the hot spring spa...

Arriving to the entrance of the Inn leading to the famous hot springs the chap took a deep inhale and popped his neck a few times. Then finally exhaling, easing his body and walked in, looking ever so disinterested with everything around him. Walking with silent steps he approached the front desk, hands in the pockets, an eyebrow raised at the girl who had her back turned on him. He did not recognize her, must be a new employee.

Then, when she did turn around, she almost jumped up in surprise, a clear contrast to the silent posture of the gentleman. Staring at eachother for a couple of awkward seconds Mr Garridan finally took his bowler hat off and bowed in a respectful gesture.

''Pardon me miss, but I am just a common visitor to the place, mind if I ask for the Hostess' attention? Just tell her its about the government.''

Putting his hat back on he watched the timid girl go to the back. Crossing his arms he did a small smirk, amused.

Well, she knows who to pick for the job, that's for certain.

Not having to wait for too long Mr Garridan followed the reception girl through a small hallway, which connected to a much larger entrance, for a good reason. Once he entered he looked up at the large mermaid, completely silent in his expression he took his hat off and gave yet another bow of courtesy.

''Miss Yamato, it has been quite some time hasn't it? I hope you've been well.''

[Mai Kobayashi]

The dog-like mink girl led the government agent into a room through a small paper and wood door. This particular door was a little usual in that it opened inwards into the room despite looking like a more traditional sliding door. TIt might have been because it was build right into the bottom corner of a much much larger-sized door. One that a girl that looked as timid and subdued as this particular girl did, would be hard-pressed to open by virtue of its sheer size. As always, the size of everything in this inn was much larger than that of most buildings. It gave you the feeling of suddenly becoming an ant and walking into a regular-sized human's home. Even the hallway was almost twenty feet wide and yet the hardwood floors sparkled with a fresh coat of wax. As the door gave entrance inside, he found himself standing in a large open space, big enough to fit a whole dojo inside.

The floor was covered in tatami mats, each several times as long and wide as he was tall. The walls stretched upwards to a massively high ceiling above, showcasing the fine craftsmanship and several kinds of different redwoods that were polished up, to break up the sense of overwhelming scale. The far wall held several long shelves lined with all manner of curious trinkets, among them various metal boxes that were as tall as he was but probably served as small storage boxes for the truly massive woman sitting in seiza on a pillow below them. Draped in a fiery red and white kimono of fine silk, covered in the image of a phoenix sat the woman he had addressed as 'Miss Yamato'

Her hair and features seemed all but immaculate and her elaborate hairstyle had been dressed up with fine accessories that seemed dainty only in relation to her sheer size. In truth, even the needles pinned into her carefully styled hair were the size of swords and as thick as a man's arm, but her imposing size was all but forgotten by the mesmerizing smile covering her handsome features. A single eye of sea-green rested on him while the other, a milky white stared off into the distance. A thin scar underneath the eyer, expertly camouflaged with just enough makeup to not seem gaudy, yet still hide that one blemish on her face.

"Arara, If it is not Garridan-san? A good day to you. "

Her fingers danced across the strings of a lute-like Shamisen resting on top of her knees, a pleasant calming chime greeting him into the room. A table and chair fit for his size stood in the middle of the room, far away enough from the woman to constitute a respectable distance yet still feeling like she was joining him at his table. The woman brushed her hand across her forehead, brushing aside a single strand of loose hair as with the wooden strumming plectrum in her hand she motioned quietly at the table, inviting him to sit.

"We are doing quite well, as always. Maa, You seem to be in quite high spirits yourself, do you not? "

It was quite impressive how despite her large size she managed to still come across as a dainty flower, how her voice managed to be soft-spoken and filled with tender kindness. It was almost enough to make one forget the difference in stature, almost...

"We have taken the liberty to ask our girls to bring out the Osake (Alcohol) and Okashi (Sweets) for our esteemed guest. Will that be alright?"

Though she politely asked him his opinion, it was a matter of speech alone. She had already arranged for such items to be brought out and whether he refused or not, they would still be set out on the table in front of him soon enough. She closed her one seemingly functional eye and inclined her head ever so slightly before resting the wooden tool in her hand against the strings of the instrument in her lap.

"For the moment, while both we wait, shall we play you a song? You must be quite weary from your travels are you not?"

[risaka]

From where he stood, truly she had the presense of someone quite magnificent, a towering beauty that most men and women would have a hard time not admiring. But as a man of focus he completely held his behaviour in line, most might even mistake it for genuine lack of interest of any form. Putting back on his hat he nodded, a pleasent greeting could never be beat.

''Can't complain, I visit plenty of bizzare islands so coming back here is always a delight. Not that it is my intention being here for that reason of course, as I'm sure you know.''

Seeing the neatly presented seat Mr Garridan walked over and sat down with his arms crossed, idly looking up at the Innkeeper with curious eyes. He felt a slight ruste underneath his coat, his tiny partner being awake and trying to crawl out. But without breaking the eye contact with Yamato the chap pushed his buddy back inside the inner coat pocket.

''It'd be rude of me to turn down such generous offers, but I sadly still am on 'patrol' to say the least. But I don't mind if my partners within business enjoy themselves during these meetings. Although..''

He commented before cutting his words short, taking a gander over up-sized room, giving a much greater interest on the girls working in this inn, walking in as they see fit. Staring back up to Yamato Mr Garridan raised his left bushy brow.

''I'm certain we'll keep this meeting brief, and uninterrupted. However.''

Then with a more lax sitting position he leaned back and rested his left leg on the right, making himself feel at home while listening to the generous entertainment of music. Brushing his hand over his flat chin he pondered for a moment what kind of music he enjoys, a question he hasn't really answered, perhaps just a lack of taste?

''But yes, it has been somewhat weary, not that its within my right to admit, just all part of the work I do. But please, enlighten me with your skills of the musical realm, if you got a recommended song in mind then play with your whole heart.''

Putting a greenlight to her offer the chapman of an agent relaxed for a change, his expression however still showed the calm stiff emotion. Despite wanting nothing but getting the job done he needed to roll with the waves. Keeping a healthy relationship with his intel brokers is essential, and he has plenty of patience to give. 

[Mai Kobayashi]

The smile across her lips was ever pleasant as she inclined her head in recognition of the fact that he had given her permission to proceed. The wooden pick between her fingers delicately strummed across the strings of the shamisen, filling the room with the soft, melodious reverberation of the instrument. Though still high pitched, there was a deep richness to the music that no doubt stemmed from the sheer size of the instrument the slow and harmonious tune was being played on. Rather than a song by itself, the strumming on the stringed instrument formed a soft background pleasantry that did not infringe their ability to carry on a conversation in the slightest.

"Well, just as the leaves on a single tree are never the exact same across two different seasons of fall, it is our experience that a person's moods and needs are never quite the same on two separate visits. "

It was a careful insinuation, tactfully hooking in on the fact that he ended his confirmation with a denial of being here to indulge himself. This was not the first time this particular envoy of the government had visited her. Stoic, taciturn. Goal-oriented were words she would use to describe his demeanor but above all. He seemed to be a man who was very concerned with efficiency. She did not dislike those who wished to spend no time on anything but achieving their own goals, yet a lack of subtle indulgence made for an unbendable tree. One day such a tree would face a storm it could not weather and break rather than bend.

"We thank you for your kind praise, yet, we cannot help but feel both intrigued and a bit disheartened. You are always so reliably adamant in avoiding our efforts to make your stay a just little more pleasant."

Or rather, those who never indulged in a moment of quiet relaxation and were all business all the time would eventually wear away even that stone conviction and find themselves truly jaded and cold. well, the more he insisted on keeping things business like the more she felt the opposite was required. This had all the hallmarks of someone needlessly restraining themselves. That was one thing she would absolutely not allow within these walls. Letting a guest leave unsatisfied, even if by their own choice to abstain was inexcusable. Besides, allowing him to praise their service and yet deny it at the same time? That was a blemish on their very reputation as hosts and service industry workers. One she would be doubly sure not to let endure.

"But, it seems that unlike most of our guests you prefer the thorny road of denying yourself the comforts your employers so generously reimburse us for providing. Well, instead of Osake (alcohol), would you prefer if we prepare some Ocha? No matter how efficient one aims to be. We have no intention of allowing you to leave without pampering you at least a little bit."

A small concession was made, it was made in a manner that almost seemed to bend and sway towards his preferences but as the last notes of the melody faded and she let the wooden pick rest softly against the strings, her lips smiled though her eyes had that determined gleam of a woman who absolutely would no longer accept 'No, thank you' as an answer.

"We do apologise, Garridan-san. But as your hostess that is one piece of pride, we shall not relinquish. No one who crosses the threshold of this inn leaves with their belly as empty as when they came in. "
She reached up, retrieving the fan from her hair and with a flick of the wrist extending it fully before covering her mouth behind the fan. A chilling breeze rolled across the room from the amount of air such a large fan displayed even by just being swung once. Her singular green eye rested on her visitor, her expression neutral, though the tone of her voice was ever so slightly teasing.

"Ufufu, Well then, if you wish to acquire that which you came here for, we must insist you make a choice. Surely if it is for the sake of your expediency, indulging an old Lady by sharing a drink or two with her is a small sacrifice of time you can afford to make? We would be ever so delighted."

[risaka]

Once the music of the shamisen filled the room with the rhythmic waves the gentleman leaned much more relaxed on his seat, yet he kept his arms crossed and his expression half amused, but one could tell he isn't a man of expressions.

''Hmm, a lovely melody, I am not too familiar with music as a whole, but I find admiration in this play most certainly, hm hm.''

But as the conversation went on, it became aboundedly clear to the courier that the hostess had her goals set in mind. While he may be focused at his work and nothing but his work, it could possibly never overcome someone's passion. He shows no passion, he just do, but Miss Yamato? She knew where to put her soul at, to give satisfaction and service to those visiting her, even if theres more to it.

''Harumph.. the common folk might call it difficult, or unpleasent, but it is nothing for others to worry about, nor someone as generous as you. Truly, I am not doubting your motto, and never will, my satisfaction are the results of my work.''

With a short nod to himself, he leaned a bit back forward, still standing his ground, infront of this mighty large mermaid. Was it his ego? Maybe it is the foreign feeling of just letting it go for a brief moment. Whatever it may be, Mr Garridan is a tough nut to crack.

''So with all due respect, Miss Yamato, I believe this is not nec-''

With only a few words away from rejecting her offer he took a final look at her sharp stare, the words written in her eyes. Yep, he knew exactly what went through her mind, and she knew that he sees that. He begrudgingly moves his upperlip, making his stache to ruffle. Hearing her ultimatum ontop of that gave him with very little choice.

''As I was saying, I believe we have gone through this last time, and the time before that, and beyond that. If that is truly how you feel then so be it, I can't bring myself to disrespect your inn's hospitality. But just Ocha please, I usually drink tea to satisfy my mornings so that's more than enough, thank you.''

Accepting a social drink with the hostess shouldn't take much time, would it? Mr Garridan with work still in his mind hugged his torso with his crossed arms tighter, reminding himself of the papers beneath his coat, the many checks promised to Miss Yamato.

''I hope you don't mind if we go over the content during our share of drinks, from what I recall you got a big haul this time around, at least that's what the telegram indicates.''