Putting on a new face (D2 EM Yuas room)

[Otomo Yua]

When Yua arrived two days ago, she remembered the flurry of movement when she introduced herself. Her room had been prepared in a hurry, and she was pretty certain it was two rooms in one going by the small common area that her slightly bigger sleeping area had. For the morning though, she had folded her bedding up, placed the cushions around a small table that she had claimed where she had her teaset and two cups.

Rather than dress up, she had worn a simple light green kimono and she hadn't even put on any makeup - not that it changed much, as she didn't often wear much to begin with.

Now she just waited for her guest.

[Shosuro Hatsuki]

The tap at the door frame came neither too soon nor too late. "Otomo-sama, it is Shosuro Hatsuki," came the soft voice from behind it.

[Otomo Yua]

Yua moved to the door, sliding it open and giving the woman a bow.

"Good morning Shosuro-san. I hope you are well? Please come in, I was just preparing some tea."

She stepped to the side to invite the Scorpion woman into her room.

[Shosuro Hatsuki]

She bowed. "Thank you very much for your hospitality Otomo-sama," she replied, stepping inside. In one hand was a wide, multi-tiered box wrapped in a furoshiki. It almost looked as though she was going on a very elaborate New Years picnic.

She stepped inside and set the box near the table, waiting for the Imperial to sit down before she did. "Have you had rice today?"

[Otomo Yua]

Yua slid the door shut, then moved back.

"I haven't, but I was intending to arrange for some breakfast to be brought to the room. Has Shosuro-san eaten? I can arrange for some breakfast to be brought for you also. And please call me Yua, you don't need to be so formal here."

She poured the tea into a cup, the smell of strawberries coming from the brew.

[Shosuro Hatsuki]

She nodded with a small smile. "Yua-sama, then. Please, feel free to call me Hatsuki." It was only polite. "I was actually planning to finally find out about the fare at the Sunset Leaves Tea Room later this morning, so please don't feel the need to go out of your way."

[Otomo Yua]

"If you're sure Hatsuki-san" Yua said with a nod "it wouldn't be any inconvenience for me. You are my guest here after all. Please, enjoy the tea. It's a very unique blend that a Mantis gifted to me at the last winter court, infused with strawberries of all things!"

She moved the cup she had poured closer to Hatsuki, then poured her own cup.

"I would be curious of your opinion on it."

[Shosuro Hatsuki]

Hatsuki accepted the cup, taking a long sip once it seemed cool. Enough. she closed her eyes, letting herself explore the taste. "Mmm... It's interesting. Quite good. Sweeter than normal, but it's not overboard. Some people are tempted to go too far when it comes to strawberries and sweetness. With the natural vegetal bitterness of the green tea with it, it almost brings to mind a strawberry field rather than strawberries on their own."

[Otomo Yua]

Yua held her cup up, but she didn't sip the tea. Just quietly listened as Hatsuki described the drink.

"Thank you Hatsuki-san. When I was first given this tea I really wasn't sure, now I wonder if I need to locate an additional supply. It seems like a potentially wonderful tea to share with friends" she smiled softly, taking a sip "it surprises me that it came from a Mantis of all people though, I wouldn't have put a Mantis as one to work with teas or strawberries, let alone combine them. Surprises ne?"

[Shosuro Hatsuki]

"Many surprises, yes," she agreed with a small smile. "This event certainly seems to be full of them. It makes me look forward to this evening and seeing what sort of arts the others present have chosen."

She took another sip of the tea. "It makes me wonder what this would be like served cold. Probably very refreshing in the late spring and early summer."

[Otomo Yua]

"Cold?"

Yua looked at the tea then back at Hatsuki.

"I'd...never considered making this cold. Cold tea? Hmm...I suppose it might be prepared differently. Put it in water to chill for a while, rather than heating it up? A cold strawberry drink does sound nice for a hot summers court though."