Breaking the Ice (D2, LM, Player Event)

[Doji Tsubaki]

She had hoped to be hosting this event in her own establishment but the Fortunes seemed to have other desires. Still she had worked since dawn with the kitchen staff, and drawn upon her own private supply of tencha, to ensure that both tea and food were up to her exacting standards. She had pulled her various strings within the palace to bring in a number of screens from elsewhere to provide some separation and privacy for the various pairings.

A wide selection of teas, small foods, and sweets are available for those who wish them, all prepared to Crane standards, and with servers attentive and ready to bring them as soon as they are flagged down.

Tsubaki herself circulates now and then to ensure that all guests are having an enjoyable, and hopefully memorable, experience.

[Doji Hikaru]

Hikaru had a quest, but he also had a duty to the Crane. Sometimes this required drawing his sword. Sometimes this meant putting on his best kimono, making sure his hair was well brushed and tied, and his face was shaved and washed. In short, that he look his best.

This was one of those times.

Impeccably turned out, Hikaru stood at casual attention, his expression politely neutral, as he waited for his icebreaker match. Although he also made sure to give a bow to the hostess, low and respectful, for the honor she brought the Clan with her preparations. He also brushed the ice from his cloak; rather a lot for even such a short walk.

[Akodo Moshi]

As a relative whelp in the grander order of things in the Emperor's courts, any help with talking to others in a regimented way would be of great help.

[Isawa Kyosei]

Eager to meet someone new, Kyosei showed up, hair still a little wet from the hot springs, then the snow still coming down. He gave a quick bow, then looked for where he was supposed to sit.

[Anjing Sagara]

Sagara was guided to one of the most separate rooms. She was early so she would be awaiting her pairing one, Ryoshun Rei. The samurai-ko awaited standing the room, fixing her humble kimono, making sure that it was straightened out and that nothing was out of place. The soft music from the musician floated in the air eclipsing the strong wind outside that fought against the structure of the building. The crab woman looked over the pieces of food available, but held herself until the other guest appeared.

[Hantei Kinsen]

Welcomed in such a special way, Kinsen cannot hide the grin stamped on her face. She reads the name of the person she has been matched with and raises an eyebrow out of curiosity. With a thankful bow to Tsubaki, she heads over to the designated area with one thought in her head:

Who was this Scorpion, after all?

[Kuu]

Kuu arrives at the meeting and greets the host with a smile and a bow. After a few quick pleasantries he is told with whom he would be meeting and pointed in the right direction.

[Doji Misaki]

Misaki was here, keeping warm and meeting for a Lion she had not met before. But, after all, was that not the point of such an event as this?

[Makime Ayano]

Hikaru had a quest, but he also had a duty to the Crane. Sometimes this required drawing his sword. Sometimes this meant putting on his best kimono, making sure his hair was well brushed and tied, and his face was shaved and washed. In short, that he look his best.

This was one of those times.

Impeccably turned out, Hikaru stood at casual attention, his expression politely neutral, as he waited for his icebreaker match. Although he also made sure to give a bow to the hostess, low and respectful, for the honor she brought the Clan with her preparations. He also brushed the ice from his cloak; rather a lot for even such a short walk.

Ayano arrived at the Crane event and checked the pairings, she couldn't help but smirk at the list. Well the Lioness assumed it was a good sign if they need to seek allies....

After a short talk with one of the servers, she arrived at her partner for the night. The Makime was well dressed in her silken kimono, the perks of being in a family that still took interest in its production.

"Excuse me...Doji Hikaru-san I believe." She smiled warmly, "Ayano of the Makime, Envoy from the Lion. An honor to make your acquaintance."

[Togashi Satsuki]

Satsuki sighed, resigned to her fate of being social for the time being with uninteresting people. Well, ok, he was her cousin, unless there was another Hantei Genji, so maybe he wasn't that uninteresting.

The Dragon princess was dressed nicely again, though in this time something made by the Saru. A lighter garb in pale yellow and white that allowed for more freedom of movement, as well as showing off more skin so that the crane tattooed on her collarbone was visible, and the laced-up sleeves showed some of the dragon tattoo on her arm.

[Ongaku Masanori]

Masanori arrived, settling into the private corner he was assigned. He wore one of his best tunics, paired with bloused trousers, carrying a scroll satchel under one arm in case anything needed recording.

For now, he observed the others arriving, taking note of who was here and how they carried themselves.

[Doji Hikaru]

Ayano arrived at the Crane event and checked the pairings, she couldn't help but smirk at the list. Well the Lioness assumed it was a good sign if they need to seek allies....

After a short talk with one of the servers, she arrived at her partner for the night. The Makime was well dressed in her silken kimono, the perks of being in a family that still took interest in its production.

"Excuse me...Doji Hikaru-san I believe." She smiled warmly, "Ayano of the Makime, Envoy from the Lion. An honor to make your acquaintance."

Hikaru's look of polite interest grew a little more interested; almost a smile, but not quite. "I am." He said, bowing. "Well met, Makime-sama. And I am likewise honored to make yours." His kimono was silk as well, although not quite so fine; Ayano might recognize the blend.

He gestured to a nearby seating area, curtains giving it the illusion of mild privacy, but not so much as to imply the least impropriety. "Please, if you will be seated, allow me to bring us some tea to share. I can select something suitable... unless you already have a preference?" He asked, eyebrows going up. They were Crane teas, but one never knew what another had experienced.

[Makime Ayano]

Hikaru's look of polite interest grew a little more interested; almost a smile, but not quite. "I am." He said, bowing. "Well met, Makime-sama. And I am likewise honored to make yours." His kimono was silk as well, although not quite so fine; Ayano might recognize the blend.

He gestured to a nearby seating area, curtains giving it the illusion of mild privacy, but not so much as to imply the least impropriety. "Please, if you will be seated, allow me to bring us some tea to share. I can select something suitable... unless you already have a preference?" He asked, eyebrows going up. They were Crane teas, but one never knew what another had experienced.

Ayano fought back the urge to appraise the silk, she did take note of the cut and style...the Crane were already setting the standard of fashion. Well the Crane and the Imperial Consort, but that was probably a wound not worthy of opening.

"Thank you Doji-san," The Lioness took the offered seat, "Forgive my ignorance with these particular blends. I will leave my fate in your hands when it comes to tea choice." She studied him silently, already wondering if he was the sort to choose what he preferred or what he might think she preferred. A lot of useful information might come from this choice.

So the Brave Warrior of the Crane now found himself watched by a pair of very perceptive green eyes resting above a pleasant smile.

[Bayushi Sasori]

Welcomed in such a special way, Kinsen cannot hide the grin stamped on her face. She reads the name of the person she has been matched with and raises an eyebrow out of curiosity. With a thankful bow to Tsubaki, she heads over to the designated area with one thought in her head:

Who was this Scorpion, after all?

Sasori made her way in and blinks a few times as the name was revealed. Yosh... I hope I leave a good impression "Good morning Hantei sama." She gave the woman a low bow. This one is Bayushi Sasori. It seems we have been paired." The young lass straighten.

[Hantei Kinsen]

Sasori made her way in and blinks a few times as the name was revealed. Yosh... I hope I leave a good impression "Good morning Hantei sama." She gave the woman a low bow. This one is Bayushi Sasori. It seems we have been paired." The young lass straighten.

Kinsen's lip curl up nearby the left corner as she sees the young maiden bowing properly and with good humor. She replies with a bow, "Good morning, Bayushi-san. I hope you have had your rice this morning. May I treat you with some sweets from the lands in the south and pour some tea?"

[Ryoshun Rei]

Sagara was guided to one of the most separate rooms. She was early so she would be awaiting her pairing one, Ryoshun Rei. The samurai-ko awaited standing the room, fixing her humble kimono, making sure that it was straightened out and that nothing was out of place. The soft music from the musician floated in the air eclipsing the strong wind outside that fought against the structure of the building. The crab woman looked over the pieces of food available, but held herself until the other guest appeared.

Rei arrived later than she would have liked. A certain piglet had demanded more attention from her. She dipped her head apologetically as she approached the Crab.

"Good morning, Anjing-san. I am sorry for keeping you waiting."

[Saru Yatsufusa]

Yesterday, Yatsu had went to the Camellia House to relax and to discover how the people of the plains differ from the mountain life of his people. Today the owner of the tea house was organizing an event, and of course the young dragon had to go there, in order to be social with other clans and peoples.

The Saru appeared, slowly walking, helping himself with his walking stick.

[Bayushi Sasori]

Kinsen's lip curl up nearby the left corner as she sees the young maiden bowing properly and with good humor. She replies with a bow, "Good morning, Bayushi-san. I hope you have had your rice this morning. May I treat you with some sweets from the lands in the south and pour some tea?"

A nod from Sasori and a smile can be seen. "This one has been blessed." She helped by holding the cups. "I am honored Hantei sama." she gave a small bow. "I hope you enjoyed the party last evening."

[Doji Hikaru]

Ayano fought back the urge to appraise the silk, she did take note of the cut and style...the Crane were already setting the standard of fashion. Well the Crane and the Imperial Consort, but that was probably a wound not worthy of opening.

"Thank you Doji-san," The Lioness took the offered seat, "Forgive my ignorance with these particular blends. I will leave my fate in your hands when it comes to tea choice." She studied him silently, already wondering if he was the sort to choose what he preferred or what he might think she preferred. A lot of useful information might come from this choice.

So the Brave Warrior of the Crane now found himself watched by a pair of very perceptive green eyes resting above a pleasant smile.

Hikaru looked back, meeting that gaze with the barest hint of a smile of his own... and then turned his attention to the tea. His expression was thoughtful indeed as he examined the pots; clearly he was taking this very seriously indeed.

It was perhaps a minute later that he returned, carrying a pot, a gentle waft of steam still rising from its spout. "This blend is Tsuru." He said, lifting the lid; more steam rose, and the scent of a moderate green tea. "It is a balanced tea, enjoyable for those trying it for the first time, yet rewarding for those who have had a thousand cups."

He inhaled a bit of the steam, and then knelt, putting the pot at the edge of the low table. "Another minute, I think." He looked across at Ayano. "If there were a tea that best fit the Crane, I would say it was this one." Another almost smile. "I suppose you shall be the judge of that soon enough."

[Hantei Kinsen]

A nod from Sasori and a smile can be seen. "This one has been blessed." She helped by holding the cups. "I am honored Hantei sama." she gave a small bow. "I hope you enjoyed the party last evening."

"I did enjoy it very much. A fruitful evening to many accounts." Kinsen says while settings the utensils for the tea ceremony for inspection and politely waving for Sasori to help her into proceeding with the ceremony. "What part did Bayushi-san find it enjoyable?"

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D2, LM, Breaking the Ice TN 15: 4d10o10k3 20
Sasori and Kinsen may recover 1 VP