Hadananzi looked around the Camellia House with an air of approval. He'd become quite aware of the successful chain of tea houses, and of its owner, Doji Tsubaki. Though Hadananzi hadn't met the woman yet, he found himself increasingly intrigued by her growing success, and had decided it was time to meet the woman in person.

The attire he'd chosen for the occasion was relaxed and casual, but still spoke of a certain formality, as if the man were here looking to discuss business with a longtime friend. He hailed an attendant, and asked after the mistress in charge of the house, giving his name when requested, and waiting patiently where directed, hoping his sudden arrival wouldn't be interrupting anything important.

Hadananzi was not left waiting long before he was led into one of the private rooms. Within Doji Tsubaki rose smoothly to her feet from a relaxed sitting position, if she was flustered or shocked at such an august visitor on short notice it did not show, and bows deeply. The various tools of the tea ceremony were at her side.

"My lord Hadananzi-sama, such a pleasure to have you grace my presence so soon, thank you for this honor. Should I call for entertainment or do you prefer a quieter setting?"

Hadananzi returned the bow politely, then raised one hand as if to forestall any thoughts of entertainment. "No need for that, I prefer a more private setting for what I wish to discuss." He gestured towards the door behind him with a sweep of one arm. "This is quite the establishment you've produced here. I've heard much talk of the Camellia Houses in other cities. Are they all built to such a standard as this one, or is the imperial capitol a special consideration?"

A nod of acknowledgement regarding entertainment.

"Thank you, Hadananzi-sama. Though all are built to my exacting standards I must admit, with the resources of the Imperial Court assisting me, this location so far eclipses the others though the original, outside of Doji-sama's palace, comes close."

"As well it should be. Few things should come close to imperial purity, but Doji-kami's beauty is definitely one of them. May I be seated? I have much I wish to discuss with you concerning your enterprising efforts with these tea houses." He smiled warmly. "Perhaps we could discuss it over that special blend of tea you created in honor of my recent marriage."

She gestures to the arranged cushions, "Of course, of course. Make yourself comfortable."

Moving aside the tools of a tea ceremony and replacing it with the more basic pots and cups for culinary consumption she tends briefly to the irori to get the water started.

She then settles in to the cushions across from her guest once he had been seated.

Hadananzi sat with almost inhuman grace, settling into position with that same smile he always wore comfortably resting upon his lips. "I thank you for your hospitality in seeing me on such short notice. A woman of your talents must be perpetually busy with the workings of your small empire within the empire."

She offers a soft laugh and smile, "One does not get to the point of having such an empire without knowing when and who to make time for. Plus I follow our Lady's example and delegate to trusted individuals where necessary."

"Ah, yes, delegation of duties to trusted advisors, a most important lesson to master. It cheers me to know you've taken so well to the task." Hadananzi's smile deepened in an unreadable way. "How do your blossoms fare of late? Do they thrive despite the harsh snow falling around them?"

As steam rises from the water she carefully portions out servings of tea into two cups before adding the hot water.

"It still needs to steep a moment. As for the blossoms they are often hardier than they may look at first. As any gardener knows you cultivate the strong and pluck away the weak so they do not drain resources better used elsewhere."

Hadananzi inhaled deeply, enjoying the scents on the air. "Ah yes, not one to get sentimental then. The strong are strong and the weak are discarded. A philosophy I can thoroughly approve of." Something changed in his smile. "And you stand at the pinnacle, strongest of all, a beacon to those who would emulate you. I find such strength enviable."

A coy smile though the flattery was clearly appreciated, "Well not quite the strongest I would say. You could have my head with a word, after all, but I certainly seek to provide proper example to those beneath me."

"This is true, I could order a great many things from my position, such as it is. For instance, if I had a certain thorn I wanted pruned, you would be the person to consult, correct? Given your extensive knowledge of botany." He gave something of a knowing smirk with this statement.

A slight raise of eyebrow matches raising the cup to her lips and taking a sip, "I suppose if I did not already know the right method for removing such a thorn safely without damaging the plant as a whole I would have the resources to find the right tools and methods needed..."

"I am pleased to hear so." Hadananzi also took a sip of his tea. "Quite the excellent blend you've made here, but I digress. What I ask needs the touch of a skilled gardener. The thorn I speak of seeks information that would be damaging to the greater garden, and should be impeded in finding out the truth. Tell me honestly, how thin are the walls of the Camellia House from where we sit?"

She nods as she listens, "The only ears within these walls belong to me and none but my literal ones have been invited within this space."

"Good. That is good. What you learn here is critical to keep secret at all costs." Hadananzi took another sip of tea, then placed the cup delicately down on the table, once again with that inhuman grace. Then there was a moment, just a single moment of power, dark and inviting, and for the barest second Hadananzi didn't look human at all. The moment passed in just a flicker, fast enough to be a hallucination, but leaving a very strong impression behind that there was far more to the man sitting across from Tsubaki than mere looks could convey.

Perhaps Hadananzi would be surprised at Tsubaki's lack of reaction to that moment, perhaps he would not, but she nods, "Discretion has never been an issue for me, Lord Hadananzi."

At that Hadananzi laughed, a genuine mirthful laugh. "Oh, I was right to come to you. I'm certain you can see why this secret needs to be guarded, but it wouldn't do to have you protecting a secret you didn't know yourself. Especially from a certain thorny little Bat. But I'm certain such services don't come free..."

"It is indeed difficult to protect that which one does not know. As for repayment... well a favor owed by one such as yourself holds great value as is."