Sapphire Ambassadors

After spending her morning being part of the entertainment (if one could call it that), the young Imperial decided to visit the tea house that had caught her attention the previous day once again. Arriving early, she was able to make sure she claimed the best place to sit in the house- right next to the tree.

Ordering herself a pot of White Peony, she leaned on her hand and looked at the tree, letting her thoughts drift.


(ooc note - am willing to do a tea ceremony for the first player joining that wants one. More than one person could be tricky though!)

Hatsuki finally decided to patronize one of the tea houses. They were all supposedly rivals, so it might be worth seeing what each offered.

He eyes light on the Imperial present. Imperial? Hmmm...

Hatsuki approached the table. "Please excuse me, Otomo-sama. I'm Shosuro Hatsuki. Do you mind if I join you this fine morning?"

When you prepare for trouble, you should make it double, apparently. A second Scorpion entered the tea house, for similar reasons. The Waving Grass Tea Room, with it's ample foliage and pond had certainly lived to it's reputation of a warm and pleasant place. This day, after a quick check in with her charge, Ameiko decided to visit the Opening Blossom after training that morning.

She had heard there was a dog, but on the way there a peasant had mentioned it was owned by a different tea house. That was disappointing. Yet to her pleasant surprise upon entry she was quite taken with the cherry blossom trees and spent a long moment watching them wave in the morning spring breeze. She smiled.

Shosuro Hatsuki wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 07, 2022 4:22 pm

Hatsuki approached the table. "Please excuse me, Otomo-sama. I'm Shosuro Hatsuki. Do you mind if I join you this fine morning?"

There was a small turn of the head as Yua is approached and spoken to. The Imperial woman gave the Scorpion a small smile and a polite seated bow.

"Good morning Shosuro-san. Please feel free to join me, I have requested a pot of White Peony tea and I'm sure they can provide a second cup. I am Otomo Yua, it's lovely to meet you. I hope you are well?"

Otomo Yua wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 07, 2022 5:37 pm

<snip>

She bowed initially, and again when Yua accepted her request.

She's beautiful... I can see why someone might blush when asking about her. I wonder if she's the one he was so interested in?

"You are most gracious, Otomo-sama," she said as she accepted and took a seat. "I am. Have you had rice today?"

She made note of her clanmate, as well. Well, she would join them if she wanted to, she presumed.

"How have you found the town thus far?"

A sigh. At the very least, this was actual relaxation. Something to see, something to experience. Not stillness, which only wanders the mind into poor form.

She was greeted by a servant but waved them away and took in the rest of the tea house. A Shosuro and an Otomo. Two mons she recognized easily. She wondered if they would benefit from a Bayushi's company. Ameiko hadn't been terribly social her first day, and while she was away from Lord Gaitsu she might as well try. Perhaps they might know a good kite maker.

She would not interrupt their conversation quite yet though. they had barely introduced each other and Ameiko could be quite an attention glutton.

Shosuro Hatsuki wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 07, 2022 5:55 pm

<snip>

"I have" Yua nodded, pausing as the tea was brought over and quietly requested a second cup. Moving the first cup in front of Hatsuki with a smile.

"I hope you have also? This village is very...quaint I think. After a lifetime in the capital sometimes an escape to a quieter location does wonders ne? A curious start to the day though, our hosts sponsoring a display one would not consider artistic. Still, it's nice to see the Crane humouring the Crab before the many days of artistic endeavours don't you think?"

She noted the other Scorpion hanging by the entrance.

"A very diligent yojimbo you have."

Otomo Yua wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 07, 2022 8:31 pm

<snip>

"Excellent."

She accepted the bow with a bow of gratitude. "Indeed. I suppose everyone has their own way of approaching the arts. Are you here to participate, Otomo-sama?"

She glanced over her shoulder to the other Scorpion. "I'm afraid we haven't met. I wouldn't presume on your hospitality as the hostess of this table, but perhaps we should invite her to join us, as well?"

Oh, well, Ameiko doesn't need a real invitation. She's certain people would like to meet her anyway. Though she was already scoring the Imperial well for identifying her as a yojimbo. She smilled cheerily and approached the other two.

"Apologies for my curious ears, dear ladies, as we have not met", she said with a bow. "I am Bayushi Ameiko, I am here to compete in this tournament by permission of my charge, Otomo Gaitsu. I am perhaps overanxious, but it would be an honor to join you both."

Shosuro Hatsuki wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 07, 2022 8:43 pm

<snip>

"Indeed. Although one would question if Commerce can be considered an art. Still, I have not visited the Crab lands yet, perhaps it is commonplace to entertain ones self with Artistic bartering" Yua brought up a small hand to cover a chuckle, before a tilt of the head "and is that so? I would be delighted to bring kin together in such a wonderful establishment."

Bayushi Ameiko wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 07, 2022 8:56 pm

<snip>

"Ah, Bayushi-san" Yua offered the woman a seated bow and a smile "good morning. I hope you are well? There is no need to be anxious, I'm sure you are aware how friendly and welcome the Otomo are if you have been blessed to serve as a yojimbo of the honourable Otomo Gaitsu-sama. Unless of course it is the lovely Shosuro Hatsuki-san here that is making you nervous?" She looked back to Hatsuki with amusement "In which case I'm confident to say your honoured and quite lovely kin is eager to meet you also. Please, feel free to join us. I shall signal for another cup. I am Otomo Yua."

Otomo Yua wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 07, 2022 9:28 pm

"Ah, Bayushi-san" Yua offered the woman a seated bow and a smile "good morning. I hope you are well? There is no need to be anxious, I'm sure you are aware how friendly and welcome the Otomo are if you have been blessed to serve as a yojimbo of the honourable Otomo Gaitsu-sama. Unless of course it is the lovely Shosuro Hatsuki-san here that is making you nervous?" She looked back to Hatsuki with amusement "In which case I'm confident to say your honoured and quite lovely kin is eager to meet you also. Please, feel free to join us. I shall signal for another cup. I am Otomo Yua."

"You are both most gracious, thank you", she said, bowing again and seated herself carefully. As she did so a cup appeared from her sleeve and graced the table. "It has been a long standing tradition of the Scorpion to never be without a cup." She smiled pleasantly at them both. "I hope both of you found travel to Crane lands pleasant and have had a chance to acquaint yourselves with this little town?"

Otomo Yua wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 07, 2022 9:28 pm

<snip>

"Oh dear, there was bartering?" She covered her mouth with her fan, covering a highly amused and surprised expression. "How interesting."

Bayushi Ameiko wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 07, 2022 9:37 pm

<snip>

She bowed when Ameiko arrived. "Very, thank you. It's been refreshing to have the opportunity to visit my homeland again, especially for an artistic endeavor. Do you each have specialties in that regard?"

Shosuro Hatsuki wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 07, 2022 9:59 pm

She bowed when Ameiko arrived. "Very, thank you. It's been refreshing to have the opportunity to visit my homeland again, especially for an artistic endeavor. Do you each have specialties in that regard?"

"Music, I practice the Shakuhachi", Ameiko claimed confidently. Perhaps she had worked on it just enough by now to say so. "And you are Shosuro Hatsuki? Ah, you are a make up artist, neh?"

Shosuro Hatsuki wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 07, 2022 9:59 pm

<snip>

"Indeed they were" Yua replied with a small nod "one of your kin informed me that this is something they partake in within the Scorpion army due to quality of materials? I confess to being unaware of the plight of the Scorpion, please accept my condolences on the situation. I would be happy to raise the situation with my kin on your behalf."

Bayushi Ameiko wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 07, 2022 9:37 pm

<snip>

There was a curious look at the cup.

"The Scorpion carry teacups with them also? I'm certain the owners of this establishment would be fine with you using their own, it all matches then ne?"

The Otomo woman looked upon the two Scorpion sympathetically as she poured the tea for each of them, before she returned to a polite smile.

"This is my third time visiting the Crane lands, although my first time to this quaint little village. I quite enjoy it here, very quiet compared to the Capital which I would imagine is why it was chosen. So a musician and a makeup artist. Very different fields of work but equally interesting. I lean more towards the musical side, but I have a deep interest in makeup"

Bayushi Ameiko wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 07, 2022 10:04 pm

<snip>

"Oh, wonderful. I am glad to hear we have so many musical artists here. It will truly be a joy to the ears. Makeup art is my primary focus, but I enjoy singing, as well," she replied with a nod. "Though I am curious how you knew of my pursuit of makeup as an art form. I don't believe I had mentioned it yet."

Otomo Yua wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 07, 2022 10:26 pm

<snip>

"Ah, truly? It's true that logistics are important. If Otomo-sama feels moved to act on our behalf, we can, of course, only be grateful for her beneficence."

She smiled, still. "I also make custom formulations specific to who I am working with as needed. I'd be happy to discuss it further, or even offer my craft at either of your wish. I always like to practice with new people."

"Matching tea sets are a quaint thing to see on a shelf, or on display at a gathering", Ameiko said with a slight bow to the imperial. "Though it is your own cup that one is most comfortable with, and a proper way to show off a gift given to you where ever you go as well."

Though her cup wasn't anything special, it would seem.

"And Shosuro-san you would think no one has heard of you? Your humility is refreshing, as is your offer. I would be delighted."

"Perhaps Shosuro-san is more famous within her lands than she realised? It would explain some nervousness among her kin" Yua commented with a smile as she picked up her cup of tea, enjoying the scent for the moment and dismissing the talk of specific cups for the more interesting topic "although I find myself curious, perhaps I should ask what Shosuro-san would recommend for myself? As the expert on the subject."

"I suppose that could be the case."

Well, that prevents me from pushing on the subject. Ah, well.

"Hmm..." Hatsuki studies Yua's face, staring at her with an intensity and for a length of time that would normally be quite impolite if not for the context. She wears a small frown, tapping her fan gently against her lips. "Well... Otomo-sama has a very elegant bearing and an almost ethereal sort of feeling. I would want to emphasize that as part of a look I would create. She has very clear skin that is somewhat neutral-toned, so she could wear a lot of different colors well. I think... some form of violet near the eyes. It's hard to imagine anything else for you just now. It's a rare tone, and sets off the emerald of the Imperial colors in her clothing well. Maybe some cream and a softer gold leading toward it along the inner lid to ease the look in and bring it together with your clothing. Nothing too ostentatious, of course, as that would take away from the elegance. Just a little liner on the upper lid, and possibly white along the water line of the lower, and a peony-pink color on the lips, since summer blossoms are beginning to come in. An acknowledgment of the season is as appropriate in one's makeup as it is in one's poetry."

She sighed, taking a sip of her tea with a soft chuckle. "Now I want to do some work."

Ameiko blinked a bit. She was dressing the other girl's face, essentially. She had not considered make up in that way. Her face paint felt crude and awkward suddenly.

Yua remained quiet and unmoving as Hatsuki studied her, keeping her blue eyes on the other woman and a polite smile on her face. Just holding the cup. She waited a few moments after Hatsuki finished speaking before taking a small sip of the tea.

"That was very detailed Shosuro-san, I am very impressed. You say you want to do some work, and I feel inspired to see such a vision brought to life if Shosuro-san wishes."

She put the cup down.

"Violet near the eyes...that is very unique" she looked to Ameiko "what did you think Bayushi-san?"