Sapphire Ambassadors

Once again, Hatsuki made her way to the tea house. The steady patronage helped them, and the mid-morning snack kept the constant hunger that came with this stage of pregnancy somewhat at bay. Though she felt as though she could probably eat everything they had available and still be hungry.

This one doesn't have the good tea - but it has the good food.

The days were turning into an unrelenting slog for Inori - several hours of painting and preparation every day, coming up with new ideas, running around, and on a shoe string budget....it was getting to her. But getting stressed and tired didn't make her better at sensible, frugal decisions.

She wanted food, dammit. Right now, ideally, without having to make it herself.

Literally. Or rather asking the spirits to. Which I think is a rather frivolous use of their power.

Still, when she entered she saw a...well, not really a familiar face, but a known one. Hunger was one thing, and a general feeling of wanting to be quick-quick, but curiosity got the better of her. Besides, it didn't do to be antisocial either. She approached.

"Good morning, Shosuro-san"

She bowed when the Matsu approached, smiling softly, with all the genteel manners of the Crane maiden she'd been raised with. Which likely meant she was either in very good mood or a particularly bad one.

"Matsu-San, what a pleasure to speak with you again. Won't you join me for tea and snacks?"

She already had a small selection set out, and poured a cup of tea. "The honey ginger goes well with the seafood here."

All the hospitality left Inori a bit...unsettled. In that particular way both Crane and Scorpion were very similar, and she felt as if the Shosuro was tapping into both of those sources.

"Thank you Shosuro-san. Don't mind if I do"

She said, eyeing the spread before her. Not her first choices, but if recent experience taught her anything it was that her tastes were rather...pedestrian. She tentatively extended a hand towards the teacup.

"It's been a bit since we last spoke"

All of two days. This event is messing with my perception of time

"A bit, but it feels longer," she unknowingly agreed with a sip of her own tea. "How have things been for you in the last couple of days?"

"I'm still surprised I won, even once. More than I set out to do, to be honest, and a relief because it means I did right by those who trusted me to be here. But" she said, considering for a second whether she could even say that much "To be honest I'm growing more and more exhausted. I will be happy to not paint again for a few days once we're done with the contests"

Hastsuki sighed and nodded. "I think that I will also be spending a few days bared-faced after this. Burnout is a real risk for artists."

"Is it weird that right now I halfway miss long marches?" Inori said. "You know, just brainless exertion. Or maybe I'll go to a temple and pray and meditate for a bit"