D1EE, Welcome Feast (Very Open)

[Doji Utemaro]

"If Bayushi-san will excuse me, a proper host does need to circulate amongst their guests, so I cannot indulge in a lengthier discussion at this time, but perhaps later in the competition we will have some time." he says, preparing to go mingle more.

That's alright, Utemaro can escape. There was another Scorpion who made certain to catch his eye, albeit this one may have an easier time. She shifted slightly as the Crane passed and bowed.

"Doji-sama, good evening!" she said, still near her charge, but not seeking to burden Gaitsu with pleasantries if he was enjoying his meal peacefully. "I am Bayushi Ameiko, and If I may I would like to introduce myself and thank you for the wonderful greeting and care I've received from your clan."

Utemaro bowed as he was addressed by another Scorpion.

"Good evening, Bayushi-san. It gladdens my heart to know that my clan's hospitality is up to your standards. I hope you leave the town in just as high spirits...if a bit sad for your time among us coming to an end." he replied.

[Bayushi Ameiko]

"Oh many Scorpion i believe have very fond memories of Crane lands", she nodded. "This is an expected thing, I believe, just as the Crane have traditionally enjoyed the Scorpion's hospitality. I wonder if there is a place that can equal lady Doji's lands it in Spring?" she asked, rhetorical as it was. "Have you ever been to any islands off the coast of Crane lands, Doji-sama? I hear they are quite temperate compared to other places much further out to sea, with the spring storms that often come, even getting there can be quite dangerous, don't you think? And perhaps there isn't anything of culture to be seen there at all. Could Doji-sama imagine traveling such a distance just to spend all their time inside while Osano-Wo rages? It would be very unfortunate."

A pause.

"Tell me, do you plan to be in attendance for the return of this tournament next year? I wonder where it will be."

Courtier/Awareness to Mudsling on Tomodachi, 2 raises, TN 30: 35

[Doji Yoshino]

Snip...

"At least one of us is pulling that off." She paused for a sip of tea as she glanced at Asano. She nods once in satisfaction.

[Asahina Asano]

-snip-

Asano wasn't sure what Yoshino meant by that, but she was used to her cousin's more cryptic statements at this point in her life; Asano had come to think of her shorter friend as somewhat Dragon like over the years, even if she was aware some of it was bitter snark.

"Well, I think we both are; Have you ever seen such opulent surroundings, after all? And I get so few chances to wear so many layers! Even if it does make it a tad bit uncomfortable to eat in."

[Mirumoto Jakuchou]

Jakuchou was there, enjoying the hospitality, if somewhat frugally. She was very much not used to fine things and excess. Though she had enough respect and manners to not refuse any request or offering outright, often happy with simply sampling and offering genuine and usually positive words for the food. But she did remain quiet and out of the way when she could. It was clear she was not used to large crowds, but also didn't seem put off. More like she wasn't sure how to navigate such a large gathering in a setting that wasn't military. Everyone was given bows and right of way if walking paths were crossed, treating it more like a war camp where she was the lowest rank samurai present.

[Doji Yoshino]

Snip...

"It keeps one warm. Better that than too few, ne?" Yoshino quips, letting out a single short scornful laugh. She looked back to her plate. "We're all very fortunate to be here." Another cryptic remark.

She began adding some food to fill her plate once more. This time it was sushi.

[Asahina Asano]

-snip-

Asano nodded to both of those statements, watching her friend eat mostly, at this point. Asano always had a surprising amount of energy for someone who ate like the birds she loved so much.

"Well certainly that. Warm that is. Though maybe that's my bad habit of drinking too much tea, as always..."

She settled back on her feet after setting her chopstick as such to let the servers she needed more rice.

"As to being here... surely as much other things as luck, no? I would love to think your skills were recognized in being chosen by your sensei and such."

[Matsu Inori]

-snip-

Should I? Can I....Ah whatever

After just a short, hesitant pause Inori answers, flatly:

"Not being an artist."

She let that stand for a second

"I suppose I have the skill to make art of some sort, yes. But...I'm not intent on making art"

[Doji Yoshino]

Snip...

Yoshino glanced around before leaning toward Asano. She motioned for her cousin to lean toward her. Then she whispered. "Careful, or you'll need to get up and pee. It's a pain with this many layers, ne?" She leaned back as her stoic demeanour returned. In regards to the other remark she merely shrugged her shoulders lightly.

As the servers arrived with more rice Yoshino delicately picked at a piece of salmon sushi.

[Asahina Asano]

-snip-

Asano listened and a blush grew on her face, which made her take out her fan. She hid behind it, peeking over it at her friend calmly eating her sushi, "R-Really? You... have experience with that sort of thing."

Taken out of context, it might have been a strange thing to hear. But it wasn't inherently wrong...

[Doji Utemaro]

"Oh many Scorpion i believe have very fond memories of Crane lands", she nodded. "This is an expected thing, I believe, just as the Crane have traditionally enjoyed the Scorpion's hospitality. I wonder if there is a place that can equal lady Doji's lands it in Spring?" she asked, rhetorical as it was. "Have you ever been to any islands off the coast of Crane lands, Doji-sama? I hear they are quite temperate compared to other places much further out to sea, with the spring storms that often come, even getting there can be quite dangerous, don't you think? And perhaps there isn't anything of culture to be seen there at all. Could Doji-sama imagine traveling such a distance just to spend all their time inside while Osano-Wo rages? It would be very unfortunate."

A pause.

"Tell me, do you plan to be in attendance for the return of this tournament next year? I wonder where it will be."

Courtier/Awareness to Mudsling on Tomodachi, 2 raises, TN 30: 35

"Oh many Scorpion i believe have very fond memories of Crane lands", she nodded. "This is an expected thing, I believe, just as the Crane have traditionally enjoyed the Scorpion's hospitality. I wonder if there is a place that can equal lady Doji's lands it in Spring?" she asked, rhetorical as it was. "Have you ever been to any islands off the coast of Crane lands, Doji-sama? I hear they are quite temperate compared to other places much further out to sea, with the spring storms that often come, even getting there can be quite dangerous, don't you think? And perhaps there isn't anything of culture to be seen there at all. Could Doji-sama imagine traveling such a distance just to spend all their time inside while Osano-Wo rages? It would be very unfortunate."

A pause.

"Tell me, do you plan to be in attendance for the return of this tournament next year? I wonder where it will be."

Courtier/Awareness to Mudsling on Tomodachi, 2 raises, TN 30: 35

Utemaro nodded.

"I have heard that is a considerable possibility were the tournament to be held off of the mainland, indeed. As to whether or not I will attend next year, would depend on whether or not an invitation was extended or not. I suppose it would be quite hard indeed to refuse were the invitation to come from your clan, Bayushi-san." he offered, a slight hardness around the mouth.

"Ah, but if you will excuse me, BAyushi-san. A host's duty is one of perpetual motion and I must see to the other guests. Please enjoy all the hospitality of my clan during your stay here, and good luck during the competition." he offered, excusing himself with a bow.

[Moshi Tatsuya]

Jakuchou was there, enjoying the hospitality, if somewhat frugally. She was very much not used to fine things and excess. Though she had enough respect and manners to not refuse any request or offering outright, often happy with simply sampling and offering genuine and usually positive words for the food. But she did remain quiet and out of the way when she could. It was clear she was not used to large crowds, but also didn't seem put off. More like she wasn't sure how to navigate such a large gathering in a setting that wasn't military. Everyone was given bows and right of way if walking paths were crossed, treating it more like a war camp where she was the lowest rank samurai present.

Observing the Dragon long enough to see that she felt out of place here, the young Moshi then moved alongside her to chat very non-confrontationally.

"Dragon-sama," Tatsuya said with a respectful nod and pleasant smile, a drink in his hand. "A most dynamic environment, isn't it? So much going on, and so many opportunities for danger to sneak up on one, ne?" The tall Mantis made a small show of laughing, evidently to prove it was simply a joke.

"I think a pleasant tea house - especially the Waving Grass Tea Room - is a more manageable level of vibrancy, eh Dragon-sama?" That question seemed genuine and earnest, with a smile and bright eyes that were hard not to associate with the named tea room.

--------
Roll:
Relevant skill (Commerce/Intelligence) TN 15, to get 1 Tea Point for the establishment, +1 Tea Point per Raise.
Passed w/2 CR and 1 FR.
Total: 4 tea points for Waving Grass Tea Room.

[Akodo Yaukwari]

Snip

"Animal...Ah. The storied Kitsune connection."

Yakuwari nods, understanding.

"That makes sense, then."

[Doji Yoshino]

Snip...

Yoshino only responded when she had finished her piece of sushi. She gave Asano a sideways look. There was some disbelief that it hadn't ever happened to Asano. "It has come up."

[Otomo Yua]

<snip>

"I hear not being an artist is a unique way to approach an artistic gathering" Yua commented with a small chuckle, sipping her tea "I would imagine the Lion did not send you here unprepared though. Or are you only here to observe?"

[Kitsune Shizenko]

Snip

"Yes... I have heard the Matsu have a connection to animals as well." The Kitsune wondered.

[Matsu Inori]

-snip-

Inori took a sip of the drink - probably good tea, she had little reference to tell. Plus she was preoccupied, but using it to gain time to think.

"No, I am a participant. I will not let my liege down, either" her tone made it obvious that she did not relish the prospect - despite her minimal and futile efforts to stay neutral "The topic, after all, is something close to all of our hearts."

The way of the warriors...

"Will you grace the event with your contributions, Otomo-san?"

[Akodo Yaukwari]

Snip

"The Beastmasters, yes," Yawkuari affirms, nodding.

He eats a bit more before continuing.

"I have not had direct experience with them. The Matsu I have known have been more rank-and-file bushi or, well, Matsu-san at this very event."

He does note gesture, as that would be too easy to take as rude, but his eyes wander thence again.

"I shall look forward to her accomplishments, certainly."

[Otomo Yua]

<snip>

"There, that's what I wanted to hear" Yua said with a nod and a warm smile "what is the saying...forgive me if I misquote, but it's something like When one commits fully to a course of action, with no doubt or remorse in one’s heart, defeat cannot be the outcome. I believe?"

There was a nod, sipping her tea before replying.

"And hai I do indeed intend to participate. I cannot say I'm as skilled as some I have seen here, but the first Sapphire championships should have an Imperial representative ne?"

[Mirumoto Jakuchou]

Observing the Dragon long enough to see that she felt out of place here, the young Moshi then moved alongside her to chat very non-confrontationally.

"Dragon-sama," Tatsuya said with a respectful nod and pleasant smile, a drink in his hand. "A most dynamic environment, isn't it? So much going on, and so many opportunities for danger to sneak up on one, ne?" The tall Mantis made a small show of laughing, evidently to prove it was simply a joke.

"I think a pleasant tea house - especially the Waving Grass Tea Room - is a more manageable level of vibrancy, eh Dragon-sama?" That question seemed genuine and earnest, with a smile and bright eyes that were hard not to associate with the named tea room.

She pauses and hears the onslaught of information before nodding, "Please tell me more. What other advantages are there? Does their tea selection match up with this establishment, or do they have completely different selections?"