Tea Time Tasting Test (Day 3, LM, expecting)

[Doji Misaki]

A small brief chuckle under her breath, though very contained so as to not interrupt the student's work with the tea.

"It's nothing much. What happened is the runoff off the roof knocked some firewood over and startled the goat, and it ran out. So I thought, what if I used the motion of water to make noise like that and scare off vermin and such from gardens? Scarecrows can work sometimes, but animals need to see them first, and some can get used to them. Instead, I designed something where a fountain trickles water into a suspended bamboo tube which causes it to fall and clack against a stone underneath. The water drains out so the bamboo resets, and the process repeats. So it creates a steady but unpredictable noise that startles animals and keeps them away. The hard part really is getting small, inexpensive, reliable fountains for power the things."

[Doji Tsubaki]

Tsubaki lightly claps her hands, "Ingenious, I shall have to see about recommending some of those who grow for me implement such a concept."

The water having boiled San prepares two cups and quietly moves over. After being acknowledged she presents them to the two full Crane. The brew within tastes strongly of mint.

San keeps her eyes cast low, "I thought to combine it with some wild mint I collected on our way to the Capital."

[Doji Misaki]

"Oh my, thank you."

The brew certainly smells minty. And while that is something Misaki more associates with summer, it was always a welcome addition in her book. Especially to help wake up in the morning, even if it was truthfully a bit late in the morning for that... Still! It was the thought that counted and she took the cup carefully in both hands to let it warm them.

"As to your suggestion, I could get you a blueprint if you'd like. It's not complicated of course, but there are considerations to weight distribution and materials if one wishes to take into account longevity and frequency of the sound..."

[Doji Tsubaki]

"I would greatly appreciate that, Doji-san."

Tsubaki samples the tea but keeps any reaction from her face, "Your opinion on San's work, Doji-san?"

[Doji Misaki]

Misaki takes a sip, the mint indeed a refreshing note to the somewhat bitter brew. It's a bit of an overpowering note though, not to mention... Unfortunately, Misaki had a strong compulsion not to dance around things when asked for her opinion.

"The water was boiled just right, but the mix is all wrong. Too much mint, especially considering the weakness due to the tea leaves not being crushed finely enough. It overpowers the brew and makes it somewhat medicinal. Also, it's not quite the right time for a stronger mint flavor anyways; Peppery Earth Mint is better dried and used in summer, once it's mellowed out and fits the weather. On a bitterly cold day it just upsets the warming quality tea can have. Plus, the cups were overfilled; While it DOES make the cups nice and warm for the hands, it also means hot cups that are more likely to spill and cause problems."

Another small sip, Misaki's face tranquil despite the criticisms.

[Doji Tsubaki]

Tsubaki raises an eyebrow with a smile, "And here I thought you may end up being too soft, Doji-san. You are perfectly correct."

She looks to the dejected San, "The attempt was ambitious and I applaud that and, with work, it will be a good addition to the summer menu but you must take these factors into account before serving. The balance needs work and mind the season."

San nods and, while somewhat disappointed, seems relieved at a less vicious reproach from her 'mother' than she might have otherwise expected.

[Doji Misaki]

Color touched Misaki's face, "I am not viscous, Doji-sama, I think. But I abhor dancing around the point when asking for an honest opinion. If given without judgment, even a harsh opinion can be of great help, if the person asking is genuine in wanting an opinion and not just false praise."

[Doji Tsubaki]

"A solid approach, Doji-san, at least outside of the subtleties of court itself. Now did you wish to demonstrate your own skills or shall I go next?"

[Doji Misaki]

"I can certainly make a small pot, leave the best for last for us to talk over, neh?"

[Doji Tsubaki]

"Who knows, perhaps my talents are overblown and you shall far surpass me?" Her eyes twinkle with humor, "But, in either case, I look forward to the result. You may draw upon any of the leaves gathered here as well as those you've brought yourself."

[Doji Misaki]

Nodding a little, Misaki pulled out her own tea. It was in a small clay jar which she opened to reveal it was basically two attached bowls. Inside were some dried tea leaves, picked and dried somewhere in the middle-age of teas.



Using the provided tea implements rather than the experimental one she'd gotten out earlier, Misaki started boiling the water, checking it carefully and often with both her eyes and fingertip.

[Doji Tsubaki]

Tsubaki quietly enjoys the music while Misaki works so as not to interrupt or interfere.

[Doji Misaki]

Misaki is certainly very studious and almost scientific about the whole process, pouring it out only when she is precisely satisfied with the temperature and time, and making sure to fill each cup to the same point. She is still graceful in this all, but it is more the measured grace of origami or bonsai than the energetic grace of a cat.

That said, the tea was done and Misaki presented it, a plain but aromatic cup of medium strength black tea with hints of juniper the only real added notes to fit the particular blend.

[Doji Tsubaki]

Tsubaki savors the tea in silence for a moment before nodding.

"A very solid choice, Doji-san, I can see how your knack for engineering comes out in the process."

[Doji Misaki]

"E... Engineering?"

Misaki is caught off guard, eyebrows going up in surprise.

"But, I just made you tea."

[Doji Tsubaki]

She smiles, "Yes but the heart of it is in the making. For me it is an art, for you it is a science. I am not saying my method is better - just that the difference is apparent when watching it made."

[Doji Misaki]

"Oh. You have a good point."

A slight blush, "I suppose trying to make sure the tea turns out the same each time isn't really necessary as such. But it does bring me piece of mind, and the familiarity brings me peace and security to my day. I like variety though, truly, and trying new things."

[Doji Tsubaki]

"They do say that variety is the spice of life and I certainly cannot say I fault them for it. Which likely becomes apparent in the number of offering we have for our guests here."

[Doji Misaki]

A nod and a wan smile, "And yet all I've ordered has been what I'm comfortable and familiar with. I suppose that's the way a lot of people are who say they want to try new things; They end up just defaulting to their usual regardless."

[Doji Tsubaki]

Tsubaki reaches over to rest a comforting hand on Misaki's arm, "Well we'll just have to make sure that you spend some time breaking out of that shell over the winter then."