#daijiro

Daijiro hums. "I was communing with my families' ancestors", he remarks. He then turns around and takes on the same formal pose, gesturing to the pillows on the floor. "Please, do remove your shoes and headgear and sit?" he asks.

Lebeaux lifted a shoulder in a small shrug as he pushed himself upright and removed his hat, hanging on a nearby partition. He left the boots on, though. If he was going to sit on the ground he wasn’t going to bother with the effort of removing his shoes. “I don’t intend to stay long. While the club shows at least a touch of Ul’dahn influence here and there I see you have built a little piece of Kugane here for yourself.” He mused as he flicked his wrist, tossing the folded parchment to land in front of Daijiro on the altar’s steps like an offering.

Daijiro inclines his head. "These are my personal quarters, after all", he remarks. Eying the other. He then bows forward, picking up the paper and perusing its contents.

It was a bill, of course. An invoice that gave very few details other than the patient’s name was Rashk Geilt and he had undergone a medical examination with intent to begin treatment. There was also a fairly hefty sum listed as the cost for the visit. “Of course. And they certainly do reflect you well, don’t they.” He mused as he looked around the small corner the altar was tucked into.

Daijiro hums. "That is yet to be seen", he remarks. He then looks over the document and frowns, putting it down. "Ah. Is this just a financial matter? Surely such things are better handled by Kareem." He folded the piece of paper and tucked it into his pocket. "Congratulations, you finally are getting your hands on some of my gil." He offers a faint smile then. "Ah. I shall have Kareem look into the price and such. I was given to understand you needed to travel to Ul'dah to treat Rashk?"

Lebeaux smiled sweetly as he laid a hand on his own chest, gloved fingers sinking into the fur ruff as he adopted a look of theatrical surprise at the accusations. “You speak as though that’s been my goal all along.” The smile returned and he smoothed the lapel where he had grasped it briefly. “I did, indeed. To his private rooms, to ensure there would be no unwanted ears nor eyes about.” He noted, lifting his chin slightly to peer down his nose at the Hingan, despite Daijiro being seated higher than him. “Cozy little place, isn’t it. Quite intimate. Who would have known fortune telling paid so well.”

Daijiro hums. "I have never understood why a personage such as yourself would be so crassly obsessed with money, rather than simply accepting an exchange of favours graciously", the Hingan says, looking down the other with ease this time. "But then, it is tempting to reumburse you for travel expenses and pass the rest of the bill on to Gakunin Kasumi. Ah. But it would be crass to make a point when Rashk needs medical attention." He folds his hands into his lap. "I do desire for my hosts to be happy and healthy, and if such requires gil, so be it."

Lebeaux held out his hands, palm upwards as though the matter was out of his hands. “There is nothing you are able to exchange that would be of equal value to me as my time and talents. Your favors mean little and less, but the coin I can put to good use.” He explained calmly. “I suppose you could bring Lady Kasumi into the matter, yet I suspect she would refuse payment, and you would as well. And I would be force to leave Rashk untreated until someone picked up the tab.” Lebeaux exhaled a soft sigh. “It would be unfair to leave him in such a purgatory.”

Daijiro hums. "This is so", he remarks matter of factly. "Though I will overlook the insult provided by your crude words. You simply cannot help yourself. Is this not so?"

Lebeaux lifted a dark brow, still smiling calmly all the while. “Now, now. There was nothing crude about that. Honesty is a virtue, is it not.” He lowered his hands back to his lap, settling them comfortably on his thighs. “I was simply stating the truth of the matter. If you believe I’m wrong, you are welcome to change my mind.”

Daijiro hums. "Ah. That would be too much trouble. You are the sort of personage that judges quickly and changes his mind slowly, after all. If you believe my skills and contacts to be useless to you, then so be it."

Lebeaux nodded slightly. “Mm, and you’re the sort to never show a full hand. Even if you were hiding a potentially valuable ace, it certainly would be well-hidden up those ridiculous long sleeves.” He teased with a low chuckle. “Speaking of hands, have you had the opportunity to test the gift I gave you yet.”

Daijiro shakes his head. "I have not. And I have no desire to inflict such cruelties on another personage", he states simply. "It is a memento and a reminder. Nothing more."

Lebeaux clicked his tongue, tutting quietly. “I see, such a waste. Such beautiful craftsmanship left to rot away on a shelf.”

"Would you rather have it crushing bone and flesh? I was not aware that Halone was the sort of Kami that enjoys pain as much as you do." He showed a slight smile. "But then, she may be just as secretive about such things as you are. It is difficult for an Ijin like me to tell."

Lebeaux chuckled quietly at that. “You aren’t a heretic, Halone would gain nothing from your pain and suffering. That was a matter between us.” He explained calmly. “Though if you mean in its original use, yes. The thumbscrews were intended to inflict pain on those who had forsaken Her. Their screams and pleas for mercy would be as hymns to Her.” A shoulder lifted slightly. “Yours were merely satisfying for me.”

Daijiro hums. "I see. Such an unusual notion. Then, were they as hymns to you as well? Ah. I mean, those screams of your victims."

“I suppose there is some satisfaction in hearing the honest remorse of those who have wronged you.” He noted calmly before he looked around. “Even though I said it was only a short visit, you’ve yet to offer me tea.”

Daijiro raises his eyebrows slightly. "Ah. You did desire tea? I had the impression you merely wished to drop off a bill, as a loyal paid servant is wont to do." He smiles faintly and rises. "Then, you shall be a guest and we shall have tea. Will you join me?" He beckoned for the other to follow him.

Lebeaux sniffed haughtily as he rose to his feet and removed his hat from where he had rested it on the partition. “Do you often sit around and have discussions with paid servants as well. If so, you indulge them too much.” He declared as he followed after him. “We have decided to be friends, have we not. It would be for the best to continue to treat me as such.”

Daijiro hums. "Of course I do", he says. "But then, if you were truly my friend you would not bring me a bill. Is this not so? The matter becomes quite confusing when one mixes roles." He then moved over to the bedroom, where he kept his tea.

Lebeaux tilted his head. “Then perhaps I should hire a servant to attend to such matters for me as well. Give me that bill back, I shall adjust it accordingly.” He teased as he followed the smaller man through the rooms. The smile flattened slightly as looked around the decorations of the ‘bedroom’ area. A few familiar looking wooden cases caused him to fold his arms lightly across his chest again as he eyed the smoldering embers nearby.

Daijiro poured two cups of bitter green tea, adding no sugar or cream. The drink served was clear and yellowish-green in colour. As Daijiro held it with both hands, he looked up. "Will you sit on the bed? I'm afraid I have no chairs in this place. Do mind the hot pokers~.”

Lebeaux accepted the tea and lifted his chin up high. Banishing any indication that he was anything other than calm in the presence of such unusual tools. “And you would call my tools barbaric.” He noted calmly as he took a seat on the edge of the bed, making himself comfortable as he held the tea between his hands. “Quite rich, coming from a man who keeps hot pokers within reach.”

Daijiro smiles faintly. "Ah. Then, is it troublesome to have such tools close?" he asks. "I am no torturer after all." He picks up his own cup and then joins Lebeaux, canting his head slightly as he takes him in. "You seemed on edge for a moment. I hope I have done nothing to trouble you? Would you like me to remove these tools from your sight?"

Lebeaux tilted his head thoughtfully. “That rather depends on just what it is you do with the tools. Do enlighten me.” He insisted, allowing the tea to cool. “There is no need for concern. I was simply taken aback to find such things around your bed after our little talk of cruelty.”

Daijiro hums. "Is it cruel to inflict pleasure upon a willing personage?" he asks. "Is it cruel to use such things to restore health?"

Lebeaux smiiiiled at Daijiro. “And which do you use the hot pokers for. I can’t imagine anyone enjoying third degree burns nor it having any health benefits.”

Daijiro smiles. "Then, that is simply because we have a different conception of health", he remarks. "Wounds must be cauterised some times. Whether they are wounds of the flesh or wounds of the spirit. You yourself have benefited from my fire treatment, have you not?"

[16:11]Lebeaux Desrosiers sniffed in distaste. “Cauterization is a last-ditch effort on a battlefield to save a life at any cost. Not for clinical application where other options may first be utilized.” He explained calmly. “And there is quite a difference between a needle and a poker. The burns from that treatment only took a spot of aether to soothe.”

Daijiro nods. "I do use the needle more often", he admits. "Ah. But it does add to the aesthetic of this place. It provides a certain energy. Is this not so?" He takes a sip from his tea. "You might enjoy my music box as well."

Lebeaux smiled flatly at Daijiro before he took a small sip of his tea. Immediately wrinkling his nose in distance. “This would do well with some sugar or honey.” He suggested. “If your energy aesthetic is that of a torture chamber, then yes. I would say it fits the bill quite neatly.” He stated calmly. “You seem to damn me for enjoying others’ pain, yet I suspect you savor it just as deeply. If not more so.” He held the cup out to Daijiro. Still expecting a sweetener. “Why, what tune does it play.”

Daijiro hums. "It is not considered a civilised custom to drink tea with sweeteners. Especially tea such as this, of the first harvest, which is especially favoured." He took another sip from his tea, seeming quite pleased by it. "It is healthier too." He smiles faintly. "As for the tune, ah, it is a rather haunting one. I suspect you might not have the bravery to face it. Though I admit that I am curious."

Lebeaux rolled his eyes, for both the tea and the music box. “It tastes a bit burnt.” He noted off-handedly as he took another sip. Yep. Still bitter. The laugh he exhaled was dry and humorless. “Bravery, to face a music box. What a curious turn of phrase. Is there supposedly a kami trapped within it or some such."

Daijiro looks faintly surprised. "Burnt? What a curious notion." He then smiles faintly. "Not exactly a Kami, and not exactly trapped", he remarks. "One is simply confronted with ones' own imaginings."

Lebeaux drank the tea anyways, for lack of anything else to wet his mouth with. Still not appreciating the finer nuances of a good green tea. “Then it is supposed to ensnare those who hear it.” He mused thoughtfully. “Or releases some sort of mind-altering magics. Have you tried it yourself, or only on others.”

Daijiro hums. "Something like that. The shade thus summoned can be a pleasurable or a fearful experience. Usually a bit of both", he remarks. He sips from his tea. "For complex reasons I cannot be affected by the music box. Lest you plan something along those lines. You do have a scheming mind~."

Lebeaux smiled sweetly enough over the rim of his cup to cancel out even the bitterest of teas. “All this time and you still mistrust me so.” He noted in a bemused sort of tone. Plainly enjoying that. “That must be frustrating. Having such an interesting toy in your collection and not even being able to enjoy it properly.”

Daijiro chuckles. "Ah. I derive plenty of enjoyment from it. Please do not be troubled on my behalf." He shakes his head slightly.

Lebeaux smiled thoughtfully for a moment, his icy pale gaze drifting down from Daijiro’s face to the other’s lap before it raised again. “Hm.” He noted with a small shrug. “So it creates illusions akin to nightmares, or sinful dreams. It sounds a touch dangerous. Possibly tainted.”

Daijiro smiles. "I can contain the dangers. To do so one simply stops playing the music. And then, it is only a shade." He hums. "Even so, it is best if the personage in question is constrained in movement."

Lebeaux allowed the smile to dim slightly, suddenly less than amused at the prospect. “A rather complex story you have woven for the sake of tying me up and humiliating me. Again.”

Daijiro shakes his head. "Not at all. I did not believe you would have the courage to surrender yourself to such a degree. Therefore you will not experience the pleasures of the box." He sips from his tea primly. "I would have mentioned it sooner if I thought you might."

“And yet you would mention it now.” He noted calmly as he took a sip of his own tea. “You are aware of how displeasing me does not end well for you.” Or your fingers. The medic explained calmly. “With that in mind, you may show me the box. You have certainly piqued my curiosity.”