Sapphire Ambassadors

(open space, expecting)

Asano had gotten a letter from an unexpected person; Her mother's sister's husband's niece, one Doji Yoshino. The two used to play together and visit together back when Asano was in school, and Asano thought Yoshino was just the best! So smart and together and she had such a pretty voice...

For now she waited for her friend and cousin, sitting at a table looking out at the pond with a pot of tea freshly placed at the table, hands folded on her lap.

"Rabenda flowers."

She turned from the flower beds to study the shop entrance. It was a tea shop. This had to be it. Yoshino stepped inside, enquiring briefly with the staff if another Crane maiden was present. There had been a moment of doubt from them toward Yoshino before she was guided to where Asano was sitting. As she followed the dark haired Doji noted the Crane victory paintings.

Recognising Asano she idly raised a hand in greeting as she wore a detached expression. She spoke apathetically too. "Good morning cousin." A modest bow followed and she waited for the staff to step away so she could sit down.

Asano looked up from the pond at the sound of the voice, smiling brightly despite being a samurai. Fortunately she did at least have enough presence of mind not to go through with her thoughts and hug Yoshino, but she gave her a few little bows, "Cousin! I had just gotten news you were here this morning! Please, please... have a seat and join me for this tea. It's only just been put out so it's plenty hot still. We have soooo much to catch up on!"

"I suppose." Yoshino set her legs to the side and wiggled about for a moment to get comfortable. She studied Asano a moment. It didn't take long for her to notice some things.

"You've grown again." She states dryly. A hint of a smile teased the corners of her lips. "Some tea would be nice." Yoshino reached up to rub her face, particularly around her eyes. Asano might have noticed her cousin still had some bed hair.

Asano nodded as she sat as well, a little bird landing on the window next to her and looking at Asano curiously as she in turn looked at Yoshino. "I have. Another few dingers in height since we last met. Mother says hopefully I've stopped in her last letter. I will admit I wouldn't mind either way; If I were taller, I could reach more things, but I wouldn't be able to fit in as many places..."

She trailed off and reached into her sleeve, producing a compact mirror and comb, "I don't suppose you'd want to touch up your hair quick? It's fine as is, though a bit wild."

For a moment Yoshino's gaze dropped to encompass more of Asano's body. There was some resignation in her eyes as they drew up again to catch Asano's vision. "If you get any bigger nobody will believe me that I'm your older cousin. Were you really smaller than me once, or am I fooling myself?"

That hint of a smile played at her lips again.

"A bit wild? Sorry, am I embarrassing you?" She asks deadpan though she nonetheless extends her hand for the mirror and comb. "I was rushed this morning."

"No, of course not! I just think your hair looks really pretty when it's well combed, that's all. ...I think the wild look kind of fits you too, to be fair."

She sets the two items down in Yoshino's hands; The mirror is a little compact with a silver mirror inside. And the comb is a tortoiseshell comb with pretty green soapstone tines.

The items were pretty, but what Crane hadn't seen plenty of pretty items before? It went with the territory. She expected Asano to have pretty items. "I'll go with pretty. Wild wasn't intentional, but good to know I can pull it off." Yoshino comments with some amusement as she straightened up and lifts the mirror to check her hair. "Oh. That is a bit wild." She tilts her head so she can begin to comb.

"Thank you for those." She says after a few moments, offering the items back with her hair looking much more presentable. It really could have used a little further fussing over, but it at least wasn't wild anymore. Just a bit plainly done.

"... Tea ceremony to celebrate our reunion?" She offered with a shrug after glancing at the tea available.

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D1 LM Tea ceremony roll. 6k3 vs TN15 = pass. +1 void back each.

Asano nodded as she tucked away the items, turning back to Yoshino and folding her hands in her lap, "Hai, that would be wonderful. I always did love how you did the ceremony..."

She particularly liked how doing the ceremony seemed to draw out a peace and beauty in Yoshino, a peace Yoshino seemed to rarely get otherwise. At least that Asano saw.

"I'm flattered you like methodical and humdrum. I've been perfecting it for years." Yoshino jests with a little smirk toward Asano. However, she does take out her tea ceremony items and calls out 'sumimasen' to get the attention of the staff. She places an order for the Lemon Honey Tea, albeit separate to the water so she could prepare them.

While they wait for it to arrive Yoshino has a little stretch, arms to her sides, and a look toward the pond. "Oh. Koi."

Asano giggled behind a fan and turned as well, smiling, "Finally noticed them, did you? And yes, I quite like beautiful but mundane things. Like tea ceremonies and koi and pretty little combs, neh?"

"Funny, I tend to spot things lower down." Usually as she had her head down and she was hardly tall. "I hadn't looked. Too busy being happy to see you." She comments with a languid, longer smile in Asano's direction. "Let me set up."

She placed what she'd need into different spots around herself. It was timely as a staffer soon arrived with what she'd need. She worked unhurriedly yet efficiently to prepare tea for them both. Naturally, Asano was offered the cup first. Yoshino kept the whole ceremony very calm and orthodox.

Asano didn't get in Yoshino's way as she set up, leaning against the window sill to look outside. As Asano stared at the koi a breeze blue her long white hair, making it undulate like the waves in the ocean, not seeming to disturb her focus. Even a sparrow landing on the sill next to Asano's hand got little more than the opening of the fingers on her right hand, the sparrow hopping closer and letting Asano languidly pet it under the chin.

Yoshino didn't disturb Asano either, aside from serving her tea and receiving back the empty tea cup. She had her own in peace. Finally, she was feeling more awake.

After some time she was leaning back, hands on the ground behind her, and peering at the koi. It was a peaceful end to the morning.

As Asano turned to the ceremony the sparrow finally flew away, Yoshino's cousin bowing to her to begin the actual ceremony...

=------------------------=

After it was finished, Asano felt more peaceful indeed.

"It's funny... I often find peace in nature. But a tea ceremony is a different sort of peace all together."

"The Dragon swear by their meditation, but I've never seen the appeal. Maybe one day when I'm old and bitter... more bitter." She grins at Asano. "Until then, I find a pleasant tea ceremony helps me focus."

She cleaned her spoon in preparation for putting things away.

"Feeling good about tomorrow?"

Asano put a finger to her chin, "Maybe you just haven't found the right conditions? ...no, that's not right. Well, no need to do something if it doesn't help you. As to your question... yes! I'm very excited, and I know I'll do more than fine. You as well?"

"I'm trying not to think about it." She shrugged softly. "How about you catch me up instead? When did we last meet...?" Yoshino looked toward Asano to see if she could remember.

Asano blinked, "What, us? At my gempukku ceremony last year, I think. You came by yourself, so I had a hard time picking you out in the crowd. I remember you didn't even RSVP telling me you were showing up. Something about it being a surprise?"

Whether it had actually been a surprise or not... well, Asano wouldn't be able to tell that.

"Yes, that's right."

She listened and nodded.

"It was a surprise, wasn't it? You seemed at least a little happy for me to be there."

Placing her chin in her hands, Yoshino looked to Asano with sudden interest.

"And now here we are. When I was younger you mother said something about keeping an eye on you. You haven't tried persuading me to do anything yet, like rolling down a flower hill, so you really have become an adult." She flashed Asano a teasing smile. "Or was that next?"