(Day 1, LN) Midnight Tea - Lion

[Vutall]

This Event is for Lion Clan members only

[Matsu Qiang]

Matsu Qiang arrived early, and began heating the water in preparation for tea.

[Ikoma Eichiro]

The night is quiet and peaceful as the guests of the inn sleep. However, something strange causes them all to wake...A bright white light is glowing in their room!

"Nijiro, we need to be sleeping to be ready for tomorrow..." Eichiro objects, trying to look past the light to see who is holding it.

[Ikoma Nijiro]

Nijiro moves ever so slightly at the sound of his brother talking. “Eichiro, put down the light, I’m trying to rest.”

[Ikoma Eichiro]

"Its not my light, bro." Eichiro stands and nudges his brother with his foot. "Something isn't right..."

"Comon, let's check it out."

[Vutall]

All three lion suddenly find themselves sitting in a private room on top of cushions. The set set is placed within reach of all. And a stoic man dresses in Crane colors asks:

“Who will serve the tea?”

[Ikoma Nijiro]

As the sleep washes away from his eyes at the same speed the color fades from his face. Nijiro states in shock at the Crane who has magically appeared, and placed the set in front of his brother and the other Lion. His mind returns a moment later

Remember your training, focus!!!! His eyes close and his heart stops galloping and returns to a trot.

He looks at his brother “Well, bro? You are always better at serving tea than I am”

[Matsu Qiang]

"Wha--?" Qiang said, leaping up in surprise as the Crane suddenly appeared.

"Who are you? How did you get here? Explain yourself!" he demanded.

[Akodo Kichiro]

Akodo Kichiro enters the room with a tranquil disposition. A bow first offered to all in attendance followed by a second bow offered to the young Matsu for properly prepping the tea. Mind totally focused on the task at hand, Kichiro begins going through the motions of the tea ceremony with as much restraint and grace as expected of his station.

D1LN Tea Ceremony in Lion's Room Voided: 7d10o10k6 47

Once the ceremony was complete, Kichiro moves to sit alongside the rest of his peers. Kichiro's brown eyes displaying a hint of weariness both from his travels and the hour.

[Vutall]

While Kichiro began, the man raises his hands gently to show no offense.

“Calm, Matsu-San. I can see you have never spent time in Otosan Uchi. I am the Emerald Champion, Doji Satsume.”

When the tea was finished, Satsume held the cup reverently with both hands, savoring it’s warmth and smell.

“Ah, such a good blend, don’t you agree?”

[Matsu Qiang]

The Crane’s calming gesture coupled with the ritual movements of Kichiro’s tea ceremony forced the headstrong Matsu to take a few deep breaths to compose himself, before sitting down to tea.

After a polite sip from the tea cup, Qiang tried to maintain a neutral tone as he spoke again. “I beg your pardon, great lord,” he heard himself say. “I don’t wish to be disagreeable, but I have on good authority that Doji Satsume passed away some weeks ago. How can that be?”

[Akodo Kichiro]

A single long held blink is enough to vent his relief at the emerald champion's praise without breaking On.

"Hai. A fine amenity that speaks highly of our host's hospitality."

[Ikoma Eichiro]

"Our ancestors grant us guidance all the time, so such a thing isn't completely unknown..." Eichiro bows to the Emerald Champion. "Although, I don't think we are at all related, Doji-dono."

[Vutall]

“How mysterious.”

He comments blankly at Qiang, a tiny hint of sarcasm in his otherwise stoic demeanor.

“There is a boy named Hitoshi, from the Mantis. I need you to ensure he passes his gempuku.”

[Ikoma Nijiro]

After sipping his tea, No matter what the Champion is now, how can I refuse the tea? Nijiro is silent, a washed in the bewilderment from the scene unfolding before his eyes. This is clearly not a normal night for a soon to be samurai.

Or is it? he muses to himself.

Bowing deeply to the former Champion, he finally speaks. "Honored Doji sama, we of the Lion understand duty to the Empire, and as such I will agree to complete this task for you." He pauses to calm his nerves. "However, sama, I have two questions that I would ask to assist me in this task."

[Akodo Kichiro]

Kichiro strongly nods in agreement to Nijiro's acceptance of this task.

[Matsu Qiang]

The Matsu looked rather skeptical, but said carefully, "Naturally we must give serious consideration to doing this favor for the Crane."

"In what area does Doji-sama consider the Mantis boy's preparation for his gempukku to fall short?" he asked.

[Ikoma Eichiro]

"Hmm, but is it truly a favor for the Crane, Matsu-san or a favor for an honored ancestor?" Eichiro seems to consider it for a moment. "The former may benefit our clan, the latter may grant us the blessings of the denizens of Yomi itself."

[Vutall]

"The fortunes work in mysterious ways"

The man closes his eyes and suddenly there is a flash of light and the four Lions are left standing in Qiang's room, no different than what they had seen before. Satsume is gone, and the only reminder that the event actually occurs is a single teapot, still warm with freshly brewed tea

[Matsu Qiang]

Qiang blinked for a moment, his eyes lingering on the spot where the Crane had vanished from.

"How curious," he commented at last, then rose to refill the cups with tea.