Tea. It was Misaki's favorite drink. The stuff cleared the mind and warmed the body. It was a subdued, complex flavor, with each set of leaves, preparation, and temperature making a big difference to each cup.

Having found what was supposedly one of the best places for tea in town she got a simple cup and sat down, sighing happily as she leaned in and took a long sniff.

A tall Crab woman entered the tea house, and was perusing the different blends of tea the house offered when she noticed Misaki.

"Excuse me, miss," the Crab said. "I'm not sure which kind of tea to get. There's so many! May I ask what kind you are drinking?"

Another visitor, dressed in green, entered after the crab woman. Seeing she was inspecting the tea blends he politely waited behind her for his turn.

Yoshitsune Chizu wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 07, 2021 8:38 pm

A tall Crab woman entered the tea house, and was perusing the different blends of tea the house offered when she noticed Misaki.

"Excuse me, miss," the Crab said. "I'm not sure which kind of tea to get. There's so many! May I ask what kind you are drinking?"

"Ah, hello Crab-sama. This? This is a blend called "The Lord's Favor". It's quite dark and warming, if that's what you're looking for. Or... were you looking for something else?"

Doji Misaki wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 07, 2021 10:35 pm

"Ah, hello Crab-sama. This? This is a blend called "The Lord's Favor". It's quite dark and warming, if that's what you're looking for. Or... were you looking for something else?"

"Dark and warming will suit me very well," the tall Crab replied, and placed an order of the same tea blend with the attendant.

"Thank you for your assistance," she said, turning back to Misaki and bowing. "I am called Yoshitsune Chizu."

Wu Zhe wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 07, 2021 8:41 pm

Another visitor, dressed in green, entered after the crab woman. Seeing she was inspecting the tea blends he politely waited behind her for his turn.

Yoshitsune Chizu wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 08, 2021 3:43 am

"Dark and warming will suit me very well," the tall Crab replied, and placed an order of the same tea blend with the attendant.

"Thank you for your assistance," she said, turning back to Misaki and bowing. "I am called Yoshitsune Chizu."

Misaki glanced at Zhe before turning bsck to the Yoshitsune, "Think nothing of it, Yoshitsune-sama; If my knowledge of teas can help match someone with their tea needs, then I think it is the least I could do. Especially since this establishment is run by one of my same School."

Wu Zhe wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 07, 2021 8:41 pm

Another visitor, dressed in green, entered after the crab woman. Seeing she was inspecting the tea blends he politely waited behind her for his turn.

Chizu stepped aside to let the new arrival place his order. "Please pardon me for taking so long to choose," she said with a polite bow.

Doji Misaki wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 08, 2021 4:01 am

Misaki glanced at Zhe before turning bsck to the Yoshitsune, "Think nothing of it, Yoshitsune-sama; If my knowledge of teas can help match someone with their tea needs, then I think it is the least I could do. Especially since this establishment is run by one of my same School."

"Is that right?" the tall Crab said. "I had heard the Crane were training people in courtly arts and such. Is the art of tea one of your specialties, then?"

The young man returned the bow with a light honest smile

''Oh it is all right. I am unfamiliar with blends myself so I understand the indecision''

As he said he began looking over the tea selection

"I would not say my knowledge of tea is an art of any sort; More of a practical or scholarly pursuit. Still, that should be enough for basic pairing I think. I can only pray I would not offend someone with a more refined palate than myself by suggesting something suboptimal."

"Oh, anyone who would be offended by such a small thing is likely to be offended by almost anything," Chizu suggested offhandedly. "I'm sure it will be just fine."

And indeed, the teahouse attendant soon arrived with a fresh pot and tea cup for the Crab. She took a seat at a nearby low table and began to pour a cup.

The green man continued to stare at the menu and resolved to ask a waitress

''Is there simple green tea available...no blends, nothing added...just...green tea?''

Yoshitsune Chizu wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 08, 2021 9:14 pm

"Oh, anyone who would be offended by such a small thing is likely to be offended by almost anything," Chizu suggested offhandedly. "I'm sure it will be just fine."

And indeed, the teahouse attendant soon arrived with a fresh pot and tea cup for the Crab. She took a seat at a nearby low table and began to pour a cup.

A small nod, "Still... you might be surprised what that offense can do sometimes. Something as simple as recommending the wrong tea or spilling tea... or accidentally brushing up against them. I suppose maybe those days are going away though, as Heaven's Children bring order and peace more and more. Less room for bullies and demagogues."

Wu Zhe wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 08, 2021 9:44 pm

The green man continued to stare at the menu and resolved to ask a waitress

''Is there simple green tea available...no blends, nothing added...just...green tea?''

Truthfully, Misaki had some plain green tea run of the mill green tea back in her room. Though she somewhat suspected the House here did as well. Though... maybe she should not mention any of that before the staff had a chance; She suspected they might have people ask those sorts of questions somewhat regularly.

Doji Misaki wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 09, 2021 7:42 pm

A small nod, "Still... you might be surprised what that offense can do sometimes. Something as simple as recommending the wrong tea or spilling tea... or accidentally brushing up against them. I suppose maybe those days are going away though, as Heaven's Children bring order and peace more and more. Less room for bullies and demagogues."

"Perhaps that's for the best," Chizu offered. "I mean, I train for war, as do many from my clan. It's good to be prepared to fight - to defend our family and clan - when it's needed. But often peace is what brings prosperity."

Chizu took a sip of the hot tea. "Mmmmm," she said. "The Lord's Favor, I'll have to remember that one. Thanks again."

Yoshitsune Chizu wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 09, 2021 8:59 pm

"Perhaps that's for the best," Chizu offered. "I mean, I train for war, as do many from my clan. It's good to be prepared to fight - to defend our family and clan - when it's needed. But often peace is what brings prosperity."

Chizu took a sip of the hot tea. "Mmmmm," she said. "The Lord's Favor, I'll have to remember that one. Thanks again."

"You are welcome. I suppose war is necessary sometimes, and there can be valid reasons for it more than certainly. But we can just hope it's never for petty reasons, like some might take offense for. As to the tea, if you ever want any other recommendations, I am sure I or the House here could have all sorts of suggestions based on needs."

Marginally disappointed he resolved to try the tea that had been recommended to the woman before him. He was almost certain she had been a crab and, as far as he knew, crabs had a good taste in food and drink.

He took a seat in a lone alcove and looked at the architecture of the Tea house while waiting

Chizu smiled and gave a friendly wave to the Dragon as he selected the same blend of tea.

"Looks like that tea's popular today!" she said cheerfully.

The dragon waved back with a smile before tasting the tea for himself.