(D2MA) Afternoon princess tea

[Otomo Yua]

(expecting someone but it is open tea house)

With her mornings activities taking longer than usual due to the delightful makeup artist visiting, Yua was later than normal visiting her usual tea spot. Thankfully, her usual seat was not taken, so she was able to take her place by the tree once again. Ordering a different tea today, the 'Butterfly Pea Flower Herbal' tea, she looked at the tree with a thoughtful expression as she pondered the day.

[Asahina Asano]

While there wasn't someone sitting in Yua's usual spot... there was someone sitting in the spot next to it.

A lone Crane woman sat at the table a cup of tea in front of her. The woman didn't seem to bothered by the tea, instead absent-mindedly playing a finger around the rim of the porcelain cup as she looked at Yua. Seeing the Otomo turn to look the Crane woman busied herself with the tea suddenly, taking it in both hands and sipping it gently.

[Otomo Yua]

Perhaps that would be the right story for today... Yua was stirred from her thoughts by the tea bring brought over, which focused her gaze more on where she was looking - which seemed to be on a Crane woman. There was a small tilt of the head, then a smile and a small flicker from her hand in the Crane womans direction. A subtle movement to invite her if she wanted to join her.

[Asahina Asano]

Asano certainly noticed it and stood, walking over with small steps before bowing deep, "Oh, good afternoon, Otomo-sama. You don't mind if I join you then? This one is Asahina Asano, priestess of the kami."

She kept her tea steady as she did so... and as she got close Yua would notice just how much taller than her the Crane woman was.

[Otomo Yua]

Yua gave the Crane a seated bow.

"Good afternoon Asahina-san. Please, come and join me. Good tea deserves good company ne? I am Otomo Yua. What tea were you drinking? I haven't had this yet" she motioned to the pot of tea she hadn't poured yet "and I would be happy to pour you some Butterfly Pea Flower tea, but if Asahina-san is enjoying her current choice of tea I won't be offended."

[Asahina Asano]

Asano smiled and took a seat, elegant despite her somewhat lanky proportions, "I had just gotten one cup of the Butterfly Pea Flower myself, actually. Normally when I'm in a place like this I get a whole pot, but... I had a friend recently warn me about drinking too much tea while I'm here. So I'm trying to watch myself..."

She blushed slightly and looked down at her lap.

[Otomo Yua]

"Is that so? How fortuitous, I can top up your tea and your friend will not have to question you on getting an entire pot of tea for yourself" Yua said with a chuckle, pouring herself a cup and then pausing to see if the Asahina girl would accept a topup or not.

"Not that I've heard of a warning of too much tea. What reason did your friend give?"

[Asahina Asano]

That got a deeper blush, "Well... she said... if you drink too much tea, it would make me have to... you know, GO. In the middle of a competition or court."

[Otomo Yua]

There was a pause as Yua looked at the woman trying to work out if she was serious or not.

"...Your friends concerns are valid but one would assume before you put on what is often a five or more layer kimono you wouldn't drink an entire pot of tea by yourself. However to make sure you don't suffer such a fate, I'll share this pot with you. Then neither of us are drinking too much tea, ne?"

[Asahina Asano]

Asano brightened a little at the Otomo's words, "Wise enough. The best of both worlds really; Plenty of tea, and plenty of company. Or at least, just the right amount of both. The middle path, as the monks like to say."

She picked up the tea cup and sipped it a little.

"I suppose I'm just not used to all the layers; Certainly temple training back home doesn't have anything like that. The ceremonial robes are rough and difficult to do things in, to be certain, but perhaps not in the same way."

[Otomo Yua]

"The middle path" Yua nodded in agreement "good company, good tea. And it has such a lovely name ne? Butterfly Pea Flower. I wonder what the actual flower looks like."

There was a small chuckle as the comment on layers.

"Thankfully my training prepared for it, however it certainly took some getting used to wearing my first six layer kimono. It made winter warm though, so there was a benefit to it. Some were wearing eight or more though, I think I'll stick to five! I can't imagine there would be any reason to wear so many layers in temple duties, but for warmth maybe it's not so bad?"

[Asahina Asano]

"The middle path" Yua nodded in agreement "good company, good tea. And it has such a lovely name ne? Butterfly Pea Flower. I wonder what the actual flower looks like."

There was a small chuckle as the comment on layers.

"Thankfully my training prepared for it, however it certainly took some getting used to wearing my first six layer kimono. It made winter warm though, so there was a benefit to it. Some were wearing eight or more though, I think I'll stick to five! I can't imagine there would be any reason to wear so many layers in temple duties, but for warmth maybe it's not so bad?"

Asano nodded a little, "I suppose so; It doesn't get too cold down in southern Asahina lands, down near the coast. Usually on colder mornings I'd wear something thick and made of linen. But if I understand not everyone is so fortunate with their weather. ...is there any chance you have any pointers for wearing layers then? From one woman to another."