[D0, EA] Tea with the Boss (Open/Expecting)

[Bayushi Ameiko]

Ameiko escorted her charge down the street. She had been practicing the act of mindfulness as they moved. Knowing where people are, and making certain she walked a correct distance from the Otomo, adjusting her steps to be certain she drew the attention of those who seemed to be walking too close.

it took some getting used to.

"My Lord Gaitsu, it has been just half a day in this small town, have the Crane impressed with their hospitality?" she asked with a slight smile, necessary to not distort the look of her face paint. As they would speak, she ushered the Otomo to their destination, the Waving Grass Tea Room. Already she could catch the scent of the plants and pond, the weather was good for such, she thought.

[Otomo Gaitsu]

"The Crane have done as would be expected," Gaitsu replies. "Would that all did so."

Looking at the rabenda and the pond, Gaitsu raises an eyebrow. "Why here, Bayushi-san? As a yojimbo, why here?"

[Bayushi Ameiko]

"Far better this place in the early afternoon, when lady Sun watching all", she said and stopped on the steps at the entrance. "Is it not to your liking?" she asked and surveyed interior from outside, the roof, the walk way around the side.

[Otomo Gaitsu]

"Did I say such a thing, Bayushi-san?" Gaitsu asks, smirking. "But your assessment is important. After all, my life is in your hands."

He enters, proceeding to a seat smoothly and clearly at ease.

"But I think I can rely upon our hosts for safety for a bit. Come, sit, take tea."

[Bayushi Ameiko]

Ameiko strode after him, making sure she knew where the exits were that she could see, the positions of he windows in relation to where Gaitsu choose to sit. She settles down across from him, so she can watch the entrance, the service door way and block view of him from the side window.

She offered the Otomo a slight bow.

"One doesn't need say anything, and I ask for your own preference", she added. A small smile quirked again. "Yet I admit my Interest to try their lemongrass tea, do you like black tea, Lord Gaitsu?"

the Yojimbo signaled the staff to approach.

[Otomo Gaitsu]

"You'd've been told of any problem that needed your attention," Gaitsu replies. "And I have found black tea bracing. But the lemongrass might be a nice change of pace."

He waits while the order is placed, then says "Tell me, Bayushi-san, have you family with whom you have been close?"

[Bayushi Ameiko]

"Of course, my father and mother, as well as my brother and sister have all been very dear to me", she said easily. It was true, but also very untrue. "Though I would say I have grown closest to my uncle Shiken-sama, as the current master sensei of the Bayushi Dojo he has taught me much and I am very grateful to him."

Though attempting to remain serious, the admiration in her eyes is far too simple to see.

"Does Lord Gaitsu have close family?"

[Otomo Gaitsu]

"He did," Gaitsu replies, nodding. "An aunt to whom he was quite close, at one time. Quite renowned in several circles, as might be thought."

He sighs.

"But your uncle, he has taught you much, yes? Would you say that much of you is inspired by him?"

[Bayushi Ameiko]

She looks slightly embarrassed for a moment, but managed to keep her wits just.

"It is my hope one day he will recognize me as an equal, and invite me to teach others as he has", she told Gaitsu. Certainly true, but there seemed more to it. She seemed reluctant, but in the end could not hold back her praise. "I have much to do and learn, though. He was an emerald magistrate, has conferred much with my champion and even as a young man, not much older than myself, was trusted enough by his superiors to serve the court of the Chuushin district governor for a time. He has done much for my family's standing among the Bayushi."

She bowed her head slightly.

"Yes, he has inspired this one."

[Otomo Gaitsu]

"And worthily," Gaitsu affirms, nodding.

"Nor is a devoted niece to be faulted for admiring an accomplished uncle," he continues as the tea arrives, both cups poured from the same pot.

"Certainly, there are many who make much of their family connections--and not without reason, of course. The Little Teacher reminds us to keep our kin in mind, among many others."

[Bayushi Ameiko]

She nodded, and since tea was poured from the same pot, she took her sip first after a short moment to enjoy the aroma...and sniff it for anything unfortunate.

She placed the cup down gently and waited a beat, to be certain she felt right still as Gaitsu has continued.

"Shinsei's words are wisdom, and I would never deny such care or closeness, but...I am pleased Shiken-sama does not watch over me so closely now", she asserted. "It allows me to surprise him when next we see one another."

A beat passed as she gauged his reaction to that.

"Your aunt, Lord Gaitsu, would you tell me of her, then?"

[Otomo Gaitsu]

Gaitsu chuckles at Ameiko's words and waits until she is done speaking to take up his own cup and sip from it.

He sighs contentedly before he replies.

"Ah, my dear aunt was a wonder, truly! Graceful, beautiful, skilled--all the things she should have been. And," he grins, "I was her favorite nephew, of course.

"But, as all too often happens with those to whom much is given, she came to view herself as worth more than had been given her. She reached for that more, and she...overbalanced herself somewhat.

"Fortunately, there was a strong branch for her to grasp and prevent herself from falling too far. But she never did climb much higher afterward, not trusting her strength or the support of the more...rarefied foliage."

He takes another sip of tea.

"I am fortunate that I was not...disallowed from climbing after that, though a rope may well have been measured for me to ensure that I would not fall too far."

[Bayushi Ameiko]

Well then...

Ameiko unfortunately had a great deal of an idea of what Otomo family relations would be like, having met a particular pair just a few months ago, and watched the two of them decide how everything would turn out despite the interruption of dark magic and excessive violence.

She understood why the Scorpion needed to be close to them. She also understood the story was not completely to tell tales of his family, but perhaps a warning of sorts to Ameiko herself.

"An interesting tale", she said vaguely. "This may sound childish, Lord Gaitsu, but do you believe she found any measure of happiness in that outcome?"

[Otomo Gaitsu]

"There is promise in youth," Gaitsu replies. "And I believe, yes, that my aunt found contentment later. Not least because her nephew learned from her teaching."

He takes another pull from his tea.

"One can only hope that others learn from their own aunt's...climbing lessons and can avoid having their own ropes...tied off."

[Bayushi Ameiko]

"For myself, I know I will strive, for what other meaning should youth seek?" she asked more rhetorically. "Though it is my honor to serve Lord Gaitsu on his journey, and it is my aim to be useful, so though it may be unbecoming for me to say so, I am grateful to have one such as you rely on me."

She bowed slightly toward him with sincerity and then sipped her tea.

"It is perhaps not strong enough for my taste in a black tea, how do you find it?"

[Otomo Gaitsu]

"Flavorful, but, as you say, not the strongest," Gaitsu replies.

"Still, one hopes to see Bayushi-san acquit herself well in the quaint festivities that are planned here."

[Bayushi Ameiko]

"If any come with an ear for what I can give them, it will be a mercy", she said, a bit too seriously. It was clear that no matter how much she seemed to practice, or perhaps how skilled she could be with the flute, the young woman did not think much of her musical endeavors. She put her tea cup down and offered to top off Gaitsu's drink.

"Though perhaps I am cautious over what songs should be played", she added. "The Crane, though a quite traditional clan, have been known to see art as more than a way to honor their ancestors. As a Scorpion one must wonder if stretching the limits of propriety might bear fruit among the judges."

[Otomo Gaitsu]

"You'll find the judge to be a playwright, if memory serves," Gaitsu says. "His wife, however...she is...adept in...critique."

He drinks more tea.

[Bayushi Ameiko]

"Then, standing out too much would invite conflict from her, yet not standing out with would show disinterest from him?" She smiled again. "A delightful quandary."

[Otomo Gaitsu]

"And not the only one that presents itself here, no."

Gaitsu shakes his head.

"We will have to see that the caliber of performance is such as brings credit to the Throne that has permitted this tournament. And that is not a small thing, to be sure."