(D11 EE Open) tea to soothe the soul

[Ikoma Honoka]

After a frustrating performance in the bowmans water, Honoka had decided to take some time to calm. And what better way than with tea!

Only needing hot water meant it didn't matter that food wasn't being served at this point, and so she went about making the preparations, and covering up a yawn.


(ooc - first person that joins and needs a VP can have a tea ceremony. D11 EE tea ceremony, TN15+5 for fatigue kicking in from now | 5k4 ⇒ 21 (TN: 20) already prerolled)

[Soshi Eiji]

After a frustrating performance in the bowmans water, Honoka had decided to take some time to calm. And what better way than with tea!

Only needing hot water meant it didn't matter that food wasn't being served at this point, and so she went about making the preparations, and covering up a yawn.


(ooc - first person that joins and needs a VP can have a tea ceremony. D11 EE tea ceremony, TN15+5 for fatigue kicking in from now | 5k4 ⇒ 21 (TN: 20) already prerolled)

After a frustrating performance in court, an ex-Lion had been stalking the halls for most of the afternoon. He was NOT in the mood to perform art and was seriously considering simply spending the night in the Scorpion house alone with a bottle of sake.

He paused slightly noticing the rising Lion star preparing tea. He'd noticed her early reaction to his calls in court. Disinterest. Had she charged forward to support him or even the denounce him, then that would have been one thing. But to fail to be more interesting than the back of her fan? That rankled him.

She's young...and she was probably already spoken to about her outburst in court. And it's not exactly easy to call for your lord to take responsibility.

Eiji sighed. It would be better to know her mind that simply ascribe it to her. So he approached.

"You're too young to be yawning like that at this hour, Ikoma-san. When I was your age, we'd just be getting warmed up at the bar." he offered.

[Ikoma Honoka]

Honoka looked up at the voice, then rose to bow and smile.

"Good evening Soshi-sama. Forgive me, I was up very late yesterday. I hope you are well? I was just preparing tea if you would like to join me."

[Soshi Eiji]

Honoka looked up at the voice, then rose to bow and smile.

"Good evening Soshi-sama. Forgive me, I was up very late yesterday. I hope you are well? I was just preparing tea if you would like to join me."

Eiji returned the bow.

"I would be happy to Ikoma-san. I find I could use some enhancement of my calm. Thank you for your invitation." he says politely.

[Ikoma Honoka]

Honoka sat back down, going through the preparations as she signalled for the hot water to be brought over. As the water arrived she carefully poured it, then with the final preparations she passed the bowl across.

"Please enjoy some tea" she offered quietly

[Soshi Eiji]

As was traditional, Eiji received tea in silence, turning the bowl and then drinking from it before passing it back. It was calming to go through the motions of the ritual. Honoka's sensei could certainly be proud of her poise.

[Ikoma Honoka]

Honoka took the bowl back with a small bow, turning a few times then taking the sip before putting it down on the table.

"Thank you for sharing this with me Soshi-sama" she offered with a soft smile "I hope it helps you find the calm you were looking for."

[Soshi Eiji]

Eiji nodded.

"Hai, I believe so, Ikoma-san. Given the turbulent nature of these times, I'm glad that the Lion have certainly stocked up on tea for this court. There will definitely be a lot of need for calm." he remarked.

[Ikoma Honoka]

"I wonder how much tea is consumed at a winter court" Honoka replied as she began to prepare a separate pot for normal tea to follow "it must be a considerable amount. The amount of attendees is close to the hundreds, and if each one were to have at least one cup a day...hosting a winter court is a tough ask on the tea stockpiles. I wonder if the clans hosting have a shortage for a few weeks after! I hope not."

[Soshi Eiji]

"It is a hard task for all the stockpiles. Food for not just meals, but banquets. Paper and ink not just for communication but for art. And so much sake. And the asks for an Imperial Winter Court are even higher than a normal court. It is a great honor, but it is probably wise that no one is asked to host the imperial winter court two years in a row." he muses.

He looks at the Lion.

"It is perhaps, not said enough, but we are grateful to you and yours, Ikoma-san, to host us this winter."

[Ikoma Honoka]

"It has been our honour. The winter has not been with many hardships, but to host such a prestigious court is one that no clan would shy away from no matter the difficulties" Honoka said with a smile "after this I'm curious what the next one will be like. Will it be calmer? Will it have its own memorable moments? Maybe the heavens test the winter court harder than any other, it carries far more weight than other courts."

[Soshi Eiji]

This prompted a small shrug from Eiji.

"I would not tempt the Heavens by claiming it will be one way or the other, Ikoma-san." he says. "But whether it will be the capstone to a year of prosperity or peril, it will likely not be the Lion clan's honor nor duty to bear."

He looked at the young Lion curiously.

"I must admit, however, a personal curiousity as to what the coming year holds for the Lion clan. You and your fellow Lion have spent the winter setting the tone for summer, what do you think will happen?" he asked.

It wasn't his clan anymore, but Eiji still knew people in the Lion clan, so he certainly had an interest in what the coming year promised for them.