(D0, LE) A Warm Cup of Tea (Open/Expecting)

[Taijo]

Taijo had been looking for some time when he finally found the entrance. he had heard that there were several fine tea houses in the area and he had not had anything to eat or drink all day.

Giving my entire dinner to a tanuki may have been more than necessary, but he did not seem likely to be in a sharing mood given my misstep. I will have to meditate on that.

The entrance to the tea house was more humble than he expected but he followed the directions he was given by a street vendor so he pushed the door open and stepped inside.

[Bayushi Choudai]

The Fallen Blossom was the closest to a house of ill repute that Teitaku seemed to offer...

And what self-respecting Scorpion would completely ignore the local den of vice?

Especially since, after the day Choudai had had, a stiff drink seemed like a good idea.

Or a completely horrible one.

One or the other.

So he had bellied up to the sake bar and ordered something midrange- no prestige, but also not cheap rat's piss.

He couldn't be seen to be celebrating the terrifying but wonderful news Hatsuki had given him, much as he wanted to shout it from the rooftops.

He looked up and blinked.

What is it with this town and monks?

[Taijo]

Taijo recognized right away that he was in the wrong place. He considered leaving for a moment but seemingly remembering something he smiled, bowed to the room and took a seat at the bar.

"Fortunes blessings upon you kind host, I am without coin and find myself thirsty. I wonder if I could trouble you for a cup of water."

[Bayushi Choudai]

Oh boy.

A monk without coin, in this place, asking for a cup of water?

There's no water here, it'd be too easy to get mixed up with some of the sake...

Still, Choudai dialed in his interest. He always liked a good show.

[Tsi Hamada]

There is a motion at the door. A young woman pushes the doors open brusqely and peers inside.

"Oh, thank the Fortunes! There is drink to me found here?!?"

The woman is dressed in well maintained, if somewhat plain clothing. Her face shows the signs of discreetly placed makeup to soften an otherwise severe face into something striking, and curiously, does not seem to be in any Clan colors.

She saunters over, raising a hand. "Bottle of sake for me. And cups for..." She looks around the room. "I guess whoevers table is willing to take me."

[Bayushi Choudai]

A lovesick Scorpion, a clueless monk, and a noisy ronin walk into a bar...

[Tsi Hamada]

There is no one who steps up. Instead, Hamada represses a sigh and motions for the bartender to prepare a few cups to go with her.

Right. You can't show that it bothers you. No one wants to hear a ronin grouse about not being noticed. Minor family. Right, that's what we call ourselves now.

Hamada grabs the bottle and motions to take a swig before remembering her manners and seating herself, pouring out cups for herself or any interested party.

[Bayushi Choudai]

Choudai looked from the ronin to the monk, wondering if there was some sort of cosmic joke being played out here.

But since he knew neither one, he was content to drink and watch things.