Wedding at Fire Shrimp Village an L5R PbP

With some thought to matters it was easy to see how Shitoru found himself standing outside the accommodations for the Crane that afternoon. The Crab would have much lavished upon them as host, even the Crane would be granting them much as they were taking a warrior from the Hida. And so, as a guest and samurai of some courtesy, Shitoru found it proper to pay the birds a visit. He even had something to offer in the satchel slung across his shoulder.

With a scratch at the door he announced himself.

"Beg pardons, children of Lady Doji. This one is Bayushi Shitoru. I come to offer tidings from myself and my people to your honorable selves."

Servants show the Scorpion into the common room, where Kakita Yuuwaku looks up from some papers on which she has been idly practicing another of her arts; rough calligraphy marks the pages. The jewel on her forehead sparkles as she rises--admittedly, not much; her stature is small and slim--and bows to the announced guest, and she replies "Bayushi-san, to what do we owe the honor? Please, do take a seat."

She gestures to one of the many cushions available and waits for him to settle himself before she joins with a "Kakita Yuuwaku, of the Academy at Tsuma" to identify herself to him.

Shitoru bowed to his host, taking in the scene and artisan together. He seemed to approve. Settling down he removed his satchel, being careful with it feeling something missing at his side since checking his blade at the door.

"I am Bayshi Shitoru, Kakita-san. Thank you for your time", his eye caught the glint off her jewel. "That is a pretty ornament, is it an heirloom or a choice of fashion Kakita-san made for herself?"

"Oh, this?" One small hand reaches up to touch the sparkling thing. The wrist revealed as Yuuwaku's kimono sleeve slips back ever so slightly is slender, but the forearm that can be glimpsed is muscular, though pale. "Some of each, to be certain. It was a gift at my gempukku, something my older sister had, but the attire of every day is a choice, neh?"

She gives a slight smile.

"One might ask the same of Bayushi-san and what he wears."

"Forgive my rough dress, I have but the simple garments of the warrior", he bowed. "And my mask, as customary, was a gift upon my gempukku. My sensei Bayushi Kitahara granted it to me with the warning to not remove it unless a need to send others screaming into the wilds was nigh."

Was that a joke?

"Rough? Say, rather, that they are garments that have seen much and served well for long, Bayushi-san. You need not sell yourself short.

"But I am rude. Would you like some refreshment? Our hosts have provided much, and what is given freely is surely to be shared."

"On that matter", he picked up his satchel. "As I am a guest of Kakita-san's in this moment, it would be rude of me not to provide a gift or manner of service, in thanks for your kindness."

Taking out some items and setting them down revealed a bag of matcha, a large cup, a tea scoop, whisk, cloth, and a small pot. "Might we have some water boiled, that we might enjoy a fine a tradition together?"

"Bayushi-san need not trouble himself so," Yuuwaku replies, although a subtle gesture sends a servant running. The game must be played, but the outcome is, of course, known. "We are happy to host him and to pass along what we have ourselves been given."

"Worry not, Kakita-san. This one has an appetite for what the Crane might offer, but courtesy demands I prove my worth first. It is a poor samurai who offers not, only receiving."

Yuuwaku looks at him a moment, an eyebrow raising ever so slightly. Ooh, this one's dangerous, she thinks, but he could be such fun!

"Bayushi-san's worth is evident without proof, of course, nor would a test of it be demanded for so pleasant a thing as taking tea together."

The second refusal offered, the one servant seems ready to re-enter with water.

"Like as not, I've come here for courtesy and received it from a proper lady of the Crane", he said, sounding quite content with the game. "If a ceremony of tea cannot be allowed, then it might be this one returns in shame. Surely Kakita-san has the heart to save this one from such a fate."

She smiles, with just a touch of edge to it, making clear the jest.

"I could hardly condemn a man for such a thing. It would be a pleasure to take tea with you, Bayushi-san."

Maybe some other things, too, depending.

The servant enters with the water, placing it where it needs to be.

"Then allow me", said the scorpion and he arranged the items properly between them. First the tea added to the cup in meticulous movements, three scoops and each with a ceremonious tap to rid the utensil of excess. Using the cloth he wiped the scoop slowly, then laid it against the tea caddy with a practiced motion. The kettle next, holding it just so, his sleeve tugged to keep free of the water as it poured slowly but surely. Steam rose as the pot was placed carefully down, Shitoru returning to a neutral position before taking the whisk on hand. He stirred steadily, paying careful attention to his work, humming a soft tune that kept time with the motion. Tapping the excess tea out on the cup, he laid the whisk down on the cloth. Then the cup itself was turned with his hands, allowing the steam to air and the scent of the matcha to fill the space between them.

Leaning forward, the Scorpion placed it before Yuuwaku in offering, the tune ending and his eyes rising to meet hers.

OOC
TN 15 tea ceremony: 16
Gain 1 VP after drinking.

Yuuwaku is not a practitioner of chado, but she has seen it done many times, and she appreciates the presentation. Taking the cup gently, turning it as she has seen done, she sips at it, wipes the rim, and places it down again.

"It is a fine blend. Local to your homelands?"

Shitoru took the cup back and performed his own turns before drinking in silence. He wiped the cup and placed it down. To her question he shook his head. "The particular blends change seasonally, but they are all grown by monks in the highlands near Shinden Osano-Wo in Kawa province. Is it to your liking?"

"Quite so, as is the company. Both are refreshing.

"And I trust your journey here went well? What was your route?"

"The road to reach this moment was long, but I can see now the journey was worth while", he said, a grin creeping out from his mask. "I traveled from the fastness of Blackened Sight, where I was ordered to accompany my fellows of the clan. We had short stay in Sweet Yam Village of the Sparrow, a small junction before arriving upon the Crab border...though to our dismay the inn was unavailable."

A pause, perhaps his expression could be read by the air of amusement.

"It seemed some weasels had burnt it down, prior to our arrival. Truly rascals, these creatures. The Sparrow's homes were fortunately unmolested by such misfortune."

Yuuawku blinks twice.

"Weasels? Truly? It seems a scene from a farce--though I believe you are saying truly what was said to you, of course!"

"Perhaps I could tell a tale of how this one imagines it, but it would no doubt be a pale thing to the truth", the Scorpion assured her. "Yet I find myself wary of small furry things now, are they all of a mind for arson?"

"Perish the thought!"

Yuuwaku laughs lightly, covering her mouth with her fan.

"Is it your first time in Crab lands, then, Bayushi-san?"

"Aye, and I look forward to what might unfold. Yourself?" He asked innocently enough.

"The same. I'm looking forward to getting out a bit and exploring, as time and duties allow. The change of pace from home is welcome; it allows for a broadening of artistic vision."

She looks at him.

"Did the village live up to its name, at least?"

"The yams were sweet, aye. I would think the Sparrow not of the sort to misname a place for the sake of tourism", he offered. "Not as if they have much else in offer. A curious people, them."

He refreshed the tea cup.

"And yet I've not the ken of this village name. Have you spied any shrimp of flame? Perhaps the inn could be in danger here as well."

"I actually heard about that!"

There is an open enthusiasm in Yuuwaku's voice that rings through.

"Along the way here, my kin and I were joined by a Hiruma Oguri, a maehashira. Sumai wrestlers know their food, of course, and he remarked to us that the shrimp take their name from the brilliant color they take on as they are cooked."

She pauses, and her fan taps against her lower lip for a second. It and its mate are a deep pink.

"I suppose I'll need to get out and have some of those at some point. It'd be a shame not to, don't you think?"

"Enjoying the fare is a must for travelers", a nod, his well kept hair showing some shine under the light. "If Kakita-san is amiable to it, this one would join such a tour of tastes."