Shinnosuke hadn't really known where he was going when he began strolling the castle hallways--it was more in the way of general exploration, really. But in any case, his journey hadn't lasted long, since he had soon been captivated by a cozy guest alcove with a small window looking out through the courtyard toward the temple complex, now mostly in darkness but with the hazy gibbous moon hanging above the glowing lamps of the shrines. There were tasteful silk cushions and a little table, and the space was warmed comfortably by a brazier, and in short, it was perfect for--

"Toichi, please go and get my tea set, you know the one. Thanks."

A short time later, one would find Shinnosuke, seemingly quite at his ease in the heart of this Lion castle, laying out his tea implements while Toichi heats the water over the charcoal brazier. The only thing missing is company, and he keeps an eye on the corridor for anyone passing by who might be persuaded to share a cup.

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Pre-rolling: D1 LE Tea Ceremony +1R for extra person | 5k3 ⇒ 22 (TN: 20)

That means up to two other people can have some tea (and a Void point restored) later in the scene.

A slim Yasuki in a navy blue kimono with geometric patterns was wandering the halls when he ran across Shinnosuke getting ready for tea.

"Ahh - forgive the intrusion, Doji-san," the Crab said, bowing politely. "I've just arrived, and was just exploring the castle to get the lay of the land. I did not mean to interrupt your preparations."

"I am called Yasuki Ryoichi," he added, bowing again.

"Nothing to forgive," the Crane says smoothly, making an expansive gesture with the hand holding the tea scoop. "You're only interrupting idleness." He sets the tea scoop aside, rises, and bows. "I am Doji Shinnosuke. I don't suppose you would care to share a bowl of tea and this moonlight? Neither one is better solitary."

"I am honored to meet you, Doji-san," Ryoichi replied, returning a respectful bow. "Tea sounds wonderful. If you're certain it won't be an intrusion...?"

"Absolutely not," Shinnosuke says, his fine voice taking a light but firm tone. He gestures casually at the young servant tending the kettle. (Toichi ignores his employer's tomfoolery but doesn't seem put out.) "That boiling water is an invocation to summon me some company. And, look, it worked!" he concludes with a cheerful smirk. "I wonder if it's done working, or if anyone else will arrive before it boils."

“Ahhh, so you must be quite a master magician, then,” Ryoichi commented with an amused smile as he took a seat across from Shinnosuke. “Are you often able to conjure guests out of the mists, simply by brewing tea? Clearly, your spell has worked to summon me.”

Having returned from her evenings adventure, the young Ikoma had been passing through the Tenshu when she noticed the small gathering of two people, a tea set and servants with hot water. Curious, Honoka slightly deviated from her path to cross closer.

"Good evening Mina-sama" Honoka said as she drew close enough, bowing deeply and a friendly smile on her face "forgive me for my interruption, the evening seems to have directed me towards a warm room. I hope you are all well?"

"It does work," the slim Yasuki marveled, before remembering his manners and offering the new arrival a polite bow.

"Good evening, Ikoma-sama," he said. "We were just saying it would be nice to have some company tonight. I am called Yasuki Ryoichi. The tea master is called Doji Shinnosuke."

Shinnosuke's smile turns quite self-satisfied when another samurai appears. "Fate works in mysterious ways," he observes, waggling the fingers of one hand in a wizardly sort of gesture. It is a bit of a check to his ebullience that the newcomer seems to be a kid barely older than Toichi, but he doesn't show it. "You are welcome to join us, Ikoma-san. I was about to address myself to this early spring Cold Wind Hills tea, if you are interested." An open hand indicates the bamboo tea canister in question

"That would be wonderful! Company and warm tea is perfect for a winters evening ne? I'm Ikoma Honoka, it's an honour to meet you both Doji-sama, Yasuki-sama" Honoka with a warm smile made her way in, lowering herself down to sit a little more energetically than required.

"I hope you have found your first day at Kyuden Ikoma to be enjoyable? I imagine winter will only get more busy from tomorrow on."

"Already quite busy. I feel as if I've run over half the Kyuden already, and it's only the first day," Shinnosuke says, a trifle wryly. "And seen the backs of the heads of every courtier in the Empire in court this afternoon, one at a time. Not that the sight wasn't worth seeing," he temporizes. It had been awfully long, though.

At this point, Toichi shuffles over to place the now-heated water kettle within Shinnosuke's reach; Shin smiles at the young servant and gives him a nod of dismissal, and he scoots off happily enough to find something else to do with himself for a while.

"It has been a bit overwhelming," Ryoichi agreed with Shinnosuke. "So many courtiers! So many different clans! A moment of peace with a cup of tea will be most welcome, to be honest."

"Kyuden Ikoma can be quite big, and that is without being filled with the brightest and most important names in the Empire. Plus all the servants rushing around to meet all the needs of the people gathered here now" Honoka nodded a few times with a small laugh "the markets down at Ikoma's Eye was almost at a standstill with so many deliveries happening and dignitaries moving up from the river. Still, quite exciting right? Seeing the preparations happening, and now seeing it all come to fruition."

"Does Ikoma-san reside here, usually? Outside of the court season, that is. There must be a great many changes right now, since the Hantei doesn't visit often," Shinnosuke says in a rather innocuous tone, his elegant hands beginning the task of measuring and sifting the powdered tea.

"It's certainly lively, though for me, still less exhausting than being on the road and in post-stations every day. It may take till the end of the Court season for my back to recover entirely," he adds with a rakish smile. "I suppose Yasuki-san may tell me not to complain, though, if you rode further than I did."

"Ohh, Doji-san gives me too much credit," Ryoichi demurred. "In fact, we arrived by river barge. The wind and water kami did all the work - along with good Yasuki sailors, of course."

"Ah, that sounds much more civilized." If only some rulebook writer hadn't decided to include a riding steed in his school equipment, perhaps Shinnosuke too could have enjoyed such comforts. "Sitting in a little cabin, out of the rain and cold, able to get up and walk about whenever you want."

"I often find myself on the road travelling, but I spent the last few months here. Much can be done in a short amount of time, such as every clan house in the courtyard which were constructed for this. The tenchu was prepared for the arrival of the Imperial delegation of course, Ikoma's Eye also had some small changes to allow for more stalls as well as easier transport between the river and the gates of the city as I'm sure Yasuki-sama benefited from" she nodded to Ryoichi "and some of the Crane I understand also travelled there. Everything was prepared and planned carefully."

"Do we have you to thank for the clan houses, the river docks, and the other preparations, then, Ikoma-san?" Ryoichi asked. "They all seem very nice; the Ikoma family have been wonderful hosts so far."

"Yes, it's all very nice for brand-new construction," Shinnosuke agrees. "The fresh-cut wood aroma in the residences is novel, but I can't say it's unpleasant. Lord Ikoma seems to have thought of quite everything." As the three have been speaking, he's finished measuring and sifting the tea and now begins adding the water, each movement precise and graceful.

"I of course cannot take all the praise" Honoka replied with a small laugh "however I thank you both for your comments, I will ensure Ikoma-dono receives them. For such a prestigious event with so many prestigious guests all efforts were made. The river docks of course existed before just to clarify, just more efforts were made to ensure easier passage between the dock and the gate. If one wanted they could take a nicer, more scenic route and get a better view of both the castle and the river but I imagine when travelling long ways by barge the last anyone wants to do then is see the sights."

She paused, noticing the preparations for the tea had begun. Not wishing to cause any distractions.