[Crew Quarters, Moon 7 - Morning] The Stable of the Sea

[Shinjo Qulan]

"Yes, feats of athleticism seem mundane to the average bushi. But courtiers and shugenja would find them more interesting." Qulan decided to roll her shoulders a bit, if only for emphasis. She did find it to be quite amusing, after all. Stretching entertaining? Almost sounds like one of her sick-minded classmates. Almost.

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

Rinzuki watches the other woman curiously.

"Sore shoulders?"

[Shinjo Qulan]

That made the Shinjo stop and think a moment. She did just get here, weeks of travel. She almost didn't notice how tense and sore she really was. "Actually, they are a tad bit sore. No biggie, though."

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

Rinzuki makes a 'tut' sound and motions for Qulan to sit down on the floor in front of her. "We can't have that, can we? Have a seat, and we'll see what we can do about it."

[Shinjo Qulan]

Another blink. "Okay, Rinzuki-chan." The tall Shinjo made her was to the designated spot, seating herself carefully in front of the Iuchi. What is she planning? Hmmm... Oh well, must be harmless.

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

The shugenja kneels down behind Qulan and places her hands on the other woman's shoulders. "Now," he whispers, "just relax your shoulders and we'll see if we can't work out that kink."

Her fingers begin to work almost as soon as she finishes, rubbing and kneading the muscles beneath them in the manner of a skilled masseuse.

[Shinjo Qulan]

There was a moment of extra tension due to the no small amount of shock. Poor Qulan didn't see it coming, even if it was blatantly obvious. She chalked it up to Rinzuki being helpful and... Medical-y.

"Oh... My... Rinzuki-chan, wouldn't this look weird if someone came in?"

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

"That I was helping you with sore shoulders?" She leans away from Qulan, her hands sliding off her shoulders and down the woman's arms. "Now that you mention it, it might."

There was a frustrated sigh from behind her.

"My apologies, Qulan-chan. I just wasn't thinking."

[Shinjo Qulan]

"It's..." Qulan sighed, feeling a bit guilty. "It's okay. I'm not thinking half of the time. I tend to say stupid things."

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

"It's not your fault," Rinzuki says as she climbs to her feet. "Really, you have my apologies. I have to remember that we are not in Unicorn lands, where such contact is not given a second thought."

[Shinjo Qulan]

"Yes... You never know what they'd say about us if they saw us touching." She sighed and shook her head. "Sometimes I don't understand it, but oh well."

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

"Oh, I'm sure they would claim that we were involved with each other." Rinzuki shrugs her shoulders in a manner than implied that such a rumor wouldn't concern her overly much.

[Shinjo Qulan]

Qulan looked rather embarrassed. "How can you be so nonchalant about that? They'd... Well... They'd be saying all sorts of things behind your back."

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

"Why would I care about what they said behind my back? We aren't currently involved romantically, so it would be little more than empty, foolish gossip."

Rinzuki smiles as she reaches down, offering Qulan a hand to help her stand up.

"And honestly, as far as idle gossip goes, it's just not that amusing. Perhaps if one of us were married, or held a prestigious position, but two relatively unimportant, unmarried women?"

[Shinjo Qulan]

Qulan accepted the offered hand, getting up with relative ease. "Well, I suppose you're right... You're pretty level-headed, yknow?"

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

"Thank you for the compliment," she laughs, her hand continuing to hold Qulan's own in a loose grip. "I like to consider myself an advisor of sorts, so that sort of recognition means a great deal to me."

[Shinjo Qulan]

"Well, you're a good advisor, Rinzuki-chan." Qulan smiled, not exactly minding the fact Rinzuki was still holding onto her hand. "I'm glad we were stationed on the same ship."

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

"So am I." As Rinzuki speaks, she gives Qulan's hand a gentle squeeze. "It's always a pleasure to meet interesting women such as yourself."

[Shinjo Qulan]

"Thank you. You're interesting yourself."

How long is she gonna hold my hand? Would it be rude to pull away? Would it upset her?

[Iuchi Rinzuki]

The comment earns a playful smile from the shugenja.

"In a good way, I hope."