The New Winds

Mai arrived at the desired place and time for her lesson.

The Doji sensei was already in the private room, everything set up. She gives a shallow seated bow to Mai.

"Hello, Mantis-san. Come, sit and watch. You have partaken in a tea ceremony before?"

Mai bows appropriately deep to the Doji. "Hello Doji-sensei. Thank you for inviting me. I have participated once or twice. My grandmother tried to show me when we visited the Suzume lands, but I was younger and was more interested in running around."

"Come, I will demonstrate properly for you, and then once you have witnessed and felt how moving it can be, I will teach you how to do it right."

Mai sits down and pays attention to what the Doji is doing. She knows courtly stuff is lacking in her training and she plans to make up for that.

The ceremony is perfect and elegant, leaving Mei's mind calm and feeling a tingling sense of energy and connection to the world.

"Now, leave here and go find me a flower petal. When you return, bring the petal and set up the ceremony just as I had it, you taking my place, and I yours."

D5 Serpent Tea Ceremony/Void: 6d10o10k3 28
Mei regains a Void

Mai does as instructed. It was not well done. She tried. She did. But she had forgotten the exact placement of a few things by the time she got back. She also spilled a little and hoped the Doji wouldn't notice. She probably did though.

D5 Serpent: Tea Ceremony/Void: 2d10 6

The Doji shakes her head.

"Terrible. I have had a better ceremony from children half your age in Crane lands. Pay more attention, Mantis-san. The samurai on the mainland have no time for Mantis buffoonery. If you want people here to respect you, you need to respect us."

Mai took the insult and tried to hide her disappointment, but it was hard. "I want to learn, Doji-sensei. I mean no disrespect. I apologize if any was given.

D5 Serpent: Etiquette/Awareness: 2d10 4

The Doji narrows her eyes at Mei, but nods.

"Fine, again. Show me you can learn from your mistakes."

Mai nervously repeats the process. She does better. Marginally.

D5 Serpent: Tea Ceremony/Void: 2d10 7

"Hm. Better, but you have a long way to go. Come, watch me again..."

Mai watches the Crane, trying to make note of where she did differently before.

((You can spend you ally if you have her for +1 Tea Ceremony, or use this as justification for a skill increase from XP))

((I spend the ally for Tea Ceremony 1.))