(D10, LA, Open) Tea before sake

[Soshi Eiji]

Between chasing around sumai, telling longwided stories in court and preparing to for the even longer banquet, it was good to take a moment to enjoy tea. The ritual was a soothing time. Perhaps Eiji would even get to have a friend sit and have tea with him to discuss things.

Tea Ceremony, 29 vs 15 pass

[Shiba Ryusei]

And along came a Phoenix.

Truth be told, Ryusei had some business with the Scorpion, but he also simply felt like paying a social call on the guy who'd made him laugh so hard the other day.

[Soshi Eiji]

And along came a Phoenix.

Truth be told, Ryusei had some business with the Scorpion, but he also simply felt like paying a social call on the guy who'd made him laugh so hard the other day.

Eiji bowed at the arrival of the friendly Phoenix.

"Ah, Perfect timing Shiba-san. The water is just the right temperature for tea. Join me will you?" he asked.

[Shiba Ryusei]

Eiji bowed at the arrival of the friendly Phoenix.

"Ah, Perfect timing Shiba-san. The water is just the right temperature for tea. Join me will you?" he asked.

"Ah, Soshi-sama, tea in good company, how could I refuse? I trust the day finds you well?"

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji nods, setting out the tea service.

"I believe so. I was certainly surprised with court yesterday with how swiftly the court approved the treaty with the Crane, but it was a pleasant surprise." he offered.

A moment of silence passed as they observed the ritual of the tea ceremony.

"And does it find you well as well, Shiba-san?"

[Shiba Ryusei]

"Besides conducting business hand over fist, periodically looking up to see if there's some recreation I should be attending, and occasionally reminding myself of the political cross-currents, I seem to be finding time to spend in good company, so... for the most part, yes. Although I confess, the Winding Water isn't my idea of a good time."

[Soshi Eiji]

"Besides conducting business hand over fist, periodically looking up to see if there's some recreation I should be attending, and occasionally reminding myself of the political cross-currents, I seem to be finding time to spend in good company, so... for the most part, yes. Although I confess, the Winding Water isn't my idea of a good time."

That drew a grimace and a rueful shake of the head from the Scorpion.

"I will confess, Shiba-san, the banquet is the event I have been looking forward to the least all season." he said with a sigh.

"There was one minor winter court I attended, where the host imagined himself Lady Doji's gift to poets of the Empire. And so every day of the court was devoted to his bad poetry.....oh and they were bad poems Shiba-san. You spoke of people speaking with nothing to say, this man must have mastered No Thought because his poems were utterly devoid of meaning. They had the correct number of syllables, but the only thing they inspired was the dread that you knew more days of his wretched poetry was coming. And when he wasn't regaling us with his 'masterful' poetry, he spent the court picking apart the works of better poets on the pettiness of reasons, because he was jealous. Oh and he LOVED to rhyme he did it all....blast, no I shan't, I refuse." he said.

"And yet, it is expect for every samurai to attend this banquet. And while I could simply take a single cup and offer a single poem, that would be another insults to the arts. So I have been steeling myself for this battle of a banquet."

[Shiba Ryusei]

That drew a grimace and a rueful shake of the head from the Scorpion.

"I will confess, Shiba-san, the banquet is the event I have been looking forward to the least all season." he said with a sigh.

"There was one minor winter court I attended, where the host imagined himself Lady Doji's gift to poets of the Empire. And so every day of the court was devoted to his bad poetry.....oh and they were bad poems Shiba-san. You spoke of people speaking with nothing to say, this man must have mastered No Thought because his poems were utterly devoid of meaning. They had the correct number of syllables, but the only thing they inspired was the dread that you knew more days of his wretched poetry was coming. And when he wasn't regaling us with his 'masterful' poetry, he spent the court picking apart the works of better poets on the pettiness of reasons, because he was jealous. Oh and he LOVED to rhyme he did it all....blast, no I shan't, I refuse." he said.

"And yet, it is expect for every samurai to attend this banquet. And while I could simply take a single cup and offer a single poem, that would be another insults to the arts. So I have been steeling myself for this battle of a banquet."

Ryusei blinked.

"My own issue is with the, ah... imbibing. I rather like poetry... well. Some poetry. I doubt it improves as its authors get pickled."

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji offers a small shrug.

"A few cups tends to give the speakers bravery to perform that which they else might not be able to do. Many cups tends to wash away the audience's memory." he replies.

[Shiba Ryusei]

"Hm. Well."

Don't tell the Scorpion your father is a despairing, abusive drunk.

"My father's example makes me leery of it."

Oh damn it.

[Soshi Eiji]

"Ah I see," said Eiji simply.

"Perhaps then we might speak of the future. Will you be representing your clan in the Bowman's wager?" he asked.

There was truly no need to dig into Ryusei's family issues, as many things in Rokugan, Eiji was more than happy to pretend to not see it.

[Shiba Ryusei]

"Hopefully not the only Phoenix, because as an archer I leave much to be desired, but yes, I'll be participating."

He chuckled.

"I expect to learn more by watching the others, frankly. And you, Soshi-sama?"

He knew the guy wasn't a bushi, but he was also the only Scorpion Ryusei had seen doing all that much.

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji shook his head.

"I've certainly not done any training to qualify for such a competition before the best of the Empire." he admitted. "But perhaps I'll have time to at least come and observe."

[Shiba Ryusei]

"I anticipate spending much of the contest doing the same... but one has to show willing, after all."

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji nodded.

Poetry or Archery, certain things were expected that was truth.

"At least you can expect one or two fans from different clans to be cheering for you Shiba-san." he said.

[Shiba Ryusei]

"And I'll likely do them the courtesy of not forcing them to tax their lungs overmuch... I'm far better with the sword than the bow, it must be said."

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji shrugged.

"Who knows, Shiba-san? Perhaps our cheering will spur you on to heights of archery you've yet to achieved. Stranger things have happened at court." he said.

[Shiba Ryusei]

"Well, heights of archery I've yet to achieve is a modest enough goal that I'll agree it's... likely."

He chuckled.

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji smiled.

"I'm glad we're in agreement then, Shiba-san. We do seem to find ourselves often. It is quite pleasant." he offered.

[Shiba Ryusei]

Ryusei smiled and nodded.

"I think it helps that we both try to keep our eyes focused on the things we can impact... substantially."