Tests, Textiles and Tea

[Ashken]

"Not to worry dear! I'm sure you can get the weight around this and the overall colors and designs have my approval, though I wouldn't mind testing out the different shade of the colors you got if you have them?"

Rion took a moment to think, he was almost certain that they did have other shades and if they didn't well his family could fix it, by making it with ease, maintaining the old shop operational while struggling to keep with the times was only possible by the gifts that ran through the family line. "Unfortunately, I would need to check on the back, as you can see we are a little packed up front so not all the options are easily accessible" a half truth, there was so much more material, old patterns, 'outdated styles', or seasonal colors that where in storage to clear out space in the floor room and keep the place from just looking like a hoarder home for delicate fabrics. "I can verify for you later, I'm currently unable to leave my post" both his aunt and uncle had stepped away and whoever was manning the small tearoom was nowhere to be seen, leaving him in charge of everything.

"These are great choices Rian, you are pretty artistic."

"Actually I need to thank my mom and sister" he admitted his mother in particular had made some splash with modern fashion by bringing back classic handmade lace work, each dress a snowflake unique to its client, many have imitated, but machines could only copy never capture her creativity, and his younger sister well, Ursula had a long way to go, but she was already starting to come into her own style. "I learned most through them by accident" he was somewhat ashamed to admit that growing up he didn't realize how much he appreciated the freedom his mother afforded him to find his own style and expression something that had been instantly crushed and suppressed in his time in Japan.

Although he did try to defuse the situation with the other patron, it was clear he had failed, Tatsu gave her a dressing down the woman taking a number of steps back, the red rising up her neck only to disappear in the thick layer of makeup, she took every word as in insult, a vein started to bulge on her temple, the other women overheard, but most where watching to see how things developed, "How dare this girl speak to me as such..." her words were practically a growl under her breath, she took a glance to her side as if considering utilizing the nearby table to bludgeon the bug who decided to speak out of line, but before she could act further, Kinitsu approached her.

They seem like the proper affluent sort to be allowed in these hollowed grown not like the pauper over there who insulted her and spoke out of turn, she fully expected that mutt of an outsider to play nice and defend her instead of defending his family establishment and honor.

"If you have the free time right now, I can offer you a quick palm reading, the only payment is you leave that darling girl alone for the rest of the time she is in here. Deal?"

She wrinkled her nose causing some of the caked makeup to crack, maybe this lovely individual was not entirely worth allowing in this establishment, no point in all that money if they associated with the riffraff, but before she could say anything, she could hear some of her compatriot's whisper amongst themselves, some recognized Kinitsu, some were even huge fans, one grumbled loudly about being in a waiting list. She raised an eyebrow and evil grin grew on her lips, "Uhm, I am a very forgiving soul," she said as haughtily as she could "I'll allow her presence" she laughed her sharp, manufactured laugh. After all, she only needed to tolerate her existence for the rest of her time here... Something she could cut quite short the moment she got back to her cellphone.

Rion was starting to get annoyed at the situation and wanted badly to get this woman out of the store, but he needed to play nice for now. "I'm sorry," he whispered to Tatsu, "Usually people stay to themselves..." this woman hated him from the moment he stepped foot into the store. The first time she saw him she commented to his aunt that if she wanted to adopt a kid that she could find her a proper blue-blooded child, who could carry the family's legacy with honor. Once she knew his aunt had not adopted him, she constantly found flaws, Rion name was too foreign, his hair to red, his freckled skin a nightmare, he didn't speak proper, he didn't bow proper, her attacks had been to constant that if he had not been working on his own mental health, she would have broken him a long time ago.

[mermalaide]

Tatsu didn't break eye contact with the woman, she saw her out of the corner of her vision and watched the thick foundation crack like a dropped doll. She chose to say nothing, but she was bristling a little. She took a soft breath to think a prayer, one that was often said to purify space. She inclined her head to Rion when he spoke to her and hoped Kinitsu as the Fabulous Lady Maria would be okay. Though, from his movements, she gathered that he was used to difficult people, still moving with the practiced movements of a dancer.

"No, it is I that should to you. Sometimes it is better to say nothing, though, I feel bullies would be less bold if they got a little back." She got the feeling that this person was a pustule in their other wise unblemished shop and she could not help but feel a little perturbed on his behalf. She was careful to listen to him and try to hear some of what Kinitsu was saying but, it was hard and she wasn't as good at that.

"Hopefully everyone buys something this day. Even if it is small." She looked back to what they were actually talking about. "The reason why I asked was so I would not waste the big pieces on accessories and if I wished to create something new. Sometimes, the temple likes to have special promotional ofuda for our festivals." She tried to be careful what she said, thinking this bugbear might try to get at the temple. She remembered how women like that were so jealous of her mother, how they hated how beautiful she was, and that she had married a doctor. Her mother had had no friends in their neighborhood because of it, and it was even worse when her parents had died.

A dragon does not fear anything, especially not an old whale.

That laugh had bothered her though, even if she had tried not to show it. in made her back feel rigid. Oh, well, she was going to have to see how this played out, and dance as gracefully as possible. The woman obviously didn't know, and maybe that was to their advantage. The name Soma still carried some weight when it came to Onsen and a few other things. It was very antiquated though, much to the clan head's annoyance.

[oichi]

Kinitsu could taste the tension in the air as the Karen backed off from the affair. That laugh didn't help with the sheer audacity of her to try to get away with it. He didn't need to assess her future to know that karma will eventually not be in her favor. Sometimes it is the simple act of showing others hatred is what alters fate. Every action and choice has its consquence, whether good or bad, small or leaning towards fatal. It did seem that she didn't want the hearing after all as she went on her cellphone. The Kyogoku had power when it came to their natural wealth and amazing treatment of their foreigners. Though not as powerful in numbers as the Chosokabe, they conquer in political desputes.

Either way, there was the matter of having at least something on hand. It was fine that he couldn't do so at this time. Kinitsu was more focused on what Tatsu would be doing with all the cloth she can manage to find. Doing stuff for the temples sounded like a wonderful thing. While he follows christianity more so as of late, there was a good amount of respect for other religions. "That sounds wonderful. Giving back to the community by helping out the temples is great for being protected by the heavens above." he said as he brushed the hem of his dress from any dust the Karen might have given it.