Owner	Pose
Chizue Nakamura	Little Tokyo is a tiny little place all things considered, not nearly as vast as Chinatown. Yet down a narrow alley between two resturaunts, and through a heavy steel door painted in brilliant Vermillion? Well down stairs decorated with faux-Torii gates deep beneath the street. Here finally, well it's a shrine to Inari hidden here from prying eyes.     A field of finely combed sand in a vast zen Garden, with a little freshwater pond set centrally. The walls are covered in intricately carved hardwood, save for the shrine itself which is further hidden amongst all the trappings you'd expect really. The mirror hidden under a delicate wooden cover bearing a loving inscription of the goddess. Her stone foxes are scattered about, bearing keys, scrolls and swords as is to be expected.     The ceiling has been blacked out carefully, before being carefully painted with gold and silver leaf, giving it stars and a brilliant full moon. It's a lovely bit of serenity really, silent save for the flow of water. Lit tonight only by a number of paper lanterns, so the place is decidedly dim but not quite dark.     Owari waits in absolute perfect silence for her two guests, kneeling just beyond a small tea service upon a brilliant red lacquer tray. As this is something of a formal meeting, she's dressed in silken finery and ancient jewelry. A neat black Kimono touched with a white inner collar, and a bright yellow Obi belt around her waist. She's even brought out her "dress" swords, and thrust the Daisho careully through that Obi. Her hair pulled back into a neat business like bun, and her face covered with the snarling visage of a carved Hanya Mask. A mask more ancient than the entire city around it, of course.
Peter Parker	Peter studied Japanese history. As well as many other cultures, back when he still wanted to be Indiana Jones. But there was a lot that was too well-hidden, or simply too obscure. Like the shadow players throughout the history of Nippon. Spider-Man was waiting at the entrance, trying not to be too obtrusive as he waits outside a steel door. He was here to introduce the one known as Lady Shiva to the Techno-Ninja, and...probably...the one to web them down if one or both started getting all stabby.
Lady Shiva	It is a sort of homecoming for Lady Shiva though brought up far from Japan and Japanese culture, her time with Otomo-sensei has imbued her with respect for the underlying aspects of the Shinto cult and its inherent regard for nature and people's place in it. Accordingly, she has prepared carefully wearing her shining hair tied back with a stiff cloth bow of red, good luck in her parent's culture. Her double-breasted tunic with frogged ties is old fashioned and of raw silk, red as old blood over loose black pants of the same material. The shoes are everyman's shoes in China, flat and black. "Hello, Spidey. Ready?" She examines the steel doors of the secretive sanctum. "Thank you for introducing us. Here we go."
Peter Parker	Spider-Man nods. "Glad to see you could make it..." he said, opening the door wide for Sandra. "Let's try not to wake the neighbors." Spidey felt a little out of his depth as he followed Sandra deeper into the sanctum of the shrine. It felt a little like going to church, except Owari and Lady Shiva were in no way like altar boys. He hoped things would go well, just like all the times his plans had gone well... ...almost.
Chizue Nakamura	Slowly she rises from her position. That mask cocks off to one side, and for all the world it seems to be scowling. Then it's profound craftsmanship is put on full display, as that scowl dissolves into a joyful smile the moment she rolls the mask around to face Peter and Shiva directly. "You honor me with your presence."That voice comes out soft as silk, and it comes from everywhere all at once. Haga trickery already on full display.     She follows that bow with one of her own, holding it for a long moment with perfect stillness. Then slowly she rises, hands sweeping around to clasp each other precisely at her centerline. Her every movement as fluid and precise as you'd ever dream to expect from a Ninja, of course. "I am the Kunoichi called Owari, the eighth sword of the Haga, Servant of the Honorable Jade Court and bearer of the Tokyo Justice Society's gold seal. I am honored to receive an audience with such a famous professional, please do have a seat and make yourself comfortable."     She offers Spidey a bow as well, before she simply motions for him to take a seat. "I do hope green tea will be acceptable for all, It was the only thing I had on hand worthy of such esteemed guests."And slowly she retakes her position, resting back in the exactly precise position she began from.
Lady Shiva	Straight backed, she paces into the sanctum of peace aware of its timelessness; she could be transported through time and space so carefully has the attention to traditional embellishment and detail been carried through. Stopping several paces short of the kneeling woman, Shiva bows low, hands in the masculine style of greeting at her sides rather than crossed before her thighs. The wooden mask, old as Japanese culture, made renown through Noh theatre is an interesting touch. A touch of theatrics, perhaps? Though the woman before her is unknown to her, her instincts tell her that she is standing before a worthy adversary, Shiva holds it for several seconds underlying the solemnity of the occasion then nods to Peter. "Hajimemashita. Namae wa Shiva desu. Dozo yorushiku. Thank you for your time. Tea is perfect." Kneeling, Shiva sets herself formally in seiza facing her host.
Peter Parker	Spider-Man steps back. He may be tthe felicitator of this meeting, but he is not part of it. He's just the referee, making sure no one gets killed or seriously hurt. These are two very dangerous people, and their palaver is not *his* palaver. So he moves out of conversational range, letting the two principals connect.
Chizue Nakamura	This isn't the famous tea service, but it's not entirely divorced it would seem. She portions, spoons and pours with obvious grace. A display no doubt honed long ago to put on rather casual display, exactly the dexterity of the server. Indeed delicately she slides those cups foreward to both Shiva and Spidey, before oncemore coming to rest in exactly the precise pose she adopted at the start.     "I am honored and happy to receive your company of course, but I cannot help but wonder what business you should have with a lowly kunoichi such as myself."And finally a slow roll of that mask to one side, letting it's apparent expression change from that scowl to something more puzzled. "It has been long years since a member of the League has met with anyone from the Haga, and clearly you have no need of my skills even if they were for sale at the moment."
Lady Shiva	"The honor is all mine. Again, I thank you for your time. One who has taken someone with Spider-man's inherent abilities to train surely is ranked the highest among the shinobi though their name and face remain unknown. When a practitioner of any art considers themselves above the necessity of learning then they should count themselves dead. Only the dead are perfect in that they can not change or grow." Taking her cup up with two hands, Shiva balances it on her palm and takes three short slurping sips with a pause between each one to give her time to savor the tea's flavor. Placing it before her, she slides her hands back onto her thighs, eyes respectfully on the mask that glints, changing expression with the exacting movements of her host. "Your student embellishes your reputation, sensei. I come with no ulterior motive beyond hoping that we would fight though I don't seek a death match. Nor, do I come in the name of the League. They are no longer my concern."
Peter Parker	Spider-Man's ears are feeling a mite warm. He hopes they are being complimentary. Still...this is something two, two separate worlds he knows almost nothing about. His curiosity is tingling almost as much as his Spider-Sense when Rhino was hunting him in that warehouse. But some place, you have to be invited in. And although he is learning at twice the speed of Owari's best student, he has a LONG way to go. And to use a more European saying, he had no interest in killing the golden goose. He needs training...not a bunch of goose guts.
Chizue Nakamura	"I must sadly decline this great honor of a bout. If it pleases you, you may of course claim victory by default. Unfortunately as I am on assignement, I can not risk an injury."and a slow bow. "I am but a simple Kunoichi never the less, and hardly worthy to fight one such as yourself."Slowly rising upright to once again retake her exact previous position.     "Surely you understand, Duty must always be my priority. I have a very long fight in front of me."
Lady Shiva	"I am no more than a lowly practitioner following the teachings of my masters," Shiva refutes the claim to fame knowing that pride brings a great fall among those who truly follow the martial arts. Shoulders squared, hands turned inward with precision she inclines her head. "A great disappointment, I had hoped to learn from you. The subtleness of ninjutsu is of great value to ones like myself. I am always learning." A pause follows in which Shiva thoughtfully sips her tea. "May I enquire into the long fight you have before you? I don't wish to insult you by offering my services but tender them, nevertheless."
Chizue Nakamura	"The hand and Foot clans were declared outlaw for their treasonous, dishonorable conduct many years ago. Now that they no longer live in their homeland, they have fallen into base immorality. They have fallen to simple banditry, mind control, despoiling of children, human trafficking, murder and torture without cause. Their brazen actions have brought great shame upon the clans, and so I have been tasked with their erradication."The task alone is quite the feather for her cap, right?     "This is an internal police action essentially, as we desire to show them how weak they have become. It is intentional that I alone have come to carry out this task, for this is the maximum attention they warrant. As such I can not ask for your help, nor do I believe myself in great need for this task. I would never the less be thankful for any you may slay, and ask only that you leave none alive."Mask rolling upward ever so slightly to change expression oncemore. Anger perhaps? "One does not arrest a feral beast, you put it down like the filth that it is."
Lady Shiva	Nodding deeply several times, Shiva exhales in disappointment. "Were I to encounter either the Hand or Foot Clans I assure you they will only return home in urns if there are any remains." With a subtle tilt to her head, Shiva studies the woman before her before saying more emphatically. "I respect the honorable task your Clan has laid on you, sensei. We will not let such beasts roam the city. Perhaps, Spider-man would inform me if I can, without interfering, help sweep the streets of this filth. I've taken up enough of your time." Moving the teacup aside, Shiva bows, hands placed into an exact triangle before her, pauses, then rocks back, pulling her feet under her to rise. "Thank you."
Chizue Nakamura	"You honor me greatly, I am truly in your debt."She rises in perfect time with Shiva, half turning to bow and hold it. "The next time we meet it shall be as allies I think, I thank you for the privelage to fight upon the same field as you."And a bow.     "I wish you good luck and great fortunes in your endeavors, feel free to contact me directly if you have want of more tea."As still as statue, until she rises oncemore.
Peter Parker	Spider-Man takes a deep breath. "Annnnd here's where I put my thirty cents in. Stamps haven't been two cents for a long time." He looked to the two of them. "I am willing to help get dangerous people off the streets...but I will *NOT* be a party to murder. If I help, I do so with the assurance that both of you will do EVERYTHING in your power to stop them WITHOUT killing them. I am not going to aim you at anybody if I know I'm going to read about the body count in the BUGLE tomorrow. That's MY say on it. You want to just wade in and slaughter them all? You do that. But I won't help you...and if I catch you killing anyone without trying less-terminal options, then you're next on my Web-Up-and-Leave-for-the-Cops shopping list."
Lady Shiva	"You do me great honor with this invitation, Owari-sensei. Perhaps I will take the chance and impose my unworthy self on your good graces." Under the tranquil mask that Shiva has held during the meeting, a wave of amusement washes through her eyes, at Spider-man's threat. "What Owari-sensei does with the miscreants of the Hand and Foot Clan does not regard me. I have no problem with delivering them to her door, bound hand and foot, for her to depose of as she sees fit." Backing up, she bows to them both again, turns on her heel and walks back up the beautiful shrine's path to the outside world.
Peter Parker	Bound Hand and Foot. Great, he's even missing the good puns. Spider-Man sighed as he looked to the departing Shiva, then looks back to Owari. "This is all getting a little too JAPANESE for me. And I need to know EVERYTHING you have on these two clans. I need to know what I'm dealing with if *I* run across them, and I get the bad feeling that I'm going to before too long."
Chizue Nakamura	Silently she watches Shiva go, waiting for the door to close before finally just sighing. Shoulders slump, and finally she just sinks back to finally sit. "Fuck me. "Casually discarding the knife in her sleeve, before retrieving the hand grenade hidden in the tea kettle. Delicately replacing that pin, before setting it aside. "It's ninja on Ninja warfare Spidey, nothing you need to worry yourself over."And she slips a hand under that serving tray to hold firm the land mine hidden there, which is gingerly removed and it's pin replaced.     "They're bad guys you're unlikely to meet except by chance, and then I'd suggest just letting me or Shiva know."Gently lifting a hand to remove her great great grandmother's mask, and set it delicately in her lap. "And yeah they die, all of them die. Theres no reforming, theres no curing, capture them and they'll suicide."
Peter Parker	Spider-Man looked at her for a long moment. "The problem with contained violence is that there IS no such thing. Right now, I have enough good luck going for me that I am GUARANTEED the rotten luck to drop in in this...MESS." He shakes his head. "Well, if they are going to take that option, then they will, but I'll be DAMNED if I just let it happen."