[D3, LE] Tea and Conversation

[Bayushi Jiro]

Having taken his finished painting up to his rooms at the inn, he made his way to the Red Lotus for an evening tea before bedtime. Setting himself down to a table toward the rear of the establishment, he received the pot with thanks and took to musing on the day's events.

[Kitsuki Asahi]

"Excuse me, Bayushi-sama, may I join you." the Dragon offered a bow after approaching the table. "I am Kituski Asahi."

[Bayushi Jiro]

Jiro looked up. "Of course, Kitsuki-san," he said, rising to bow. "Please, have a seat. I'll see about getting a second cup." He signaled to a server to bring one over. "How are things?"

[Kitsuki Asahi]

"Good." he nodded. "The day started a bit odd, but it went well. I hope it has been the same for you."

[Bayushi Jiro]

"It has not been without its trials, I am afraid. My performance in the obstacle course has been rather difficult for me to swallow. That said, I think on the whole it has been pleasant. Someone has been rather free with my personal information in the rumors, but it has not yet caused any trouble."

[Kitsuki Asahi]

"Rumors?" he frowned. "I've generally found those to be exaggerated, at best. But, they can be troublesome, if someone is targeting you."

[Bayushi Jiro]

"None of them were an attack, exactly. Just about my being on the marriage market, and about my having seen the former Emerald Champion last night."

[Isawa Tanshin]

"May I join your company?" Tabshin asked casually.
He had a tea cup in hand.

"Jiro-san, I recall you from our time at Hirosaka."
He bows to the Dragon.
"You may call me Tanshin. I come from the Isawa. I do not believe we met."

Settling in to the table, he asks:
"You saw Satsume-sama as well?"

[Kitsuki Asahi]

"Kitsuki Asahi." He offered the Phoenix a bow. "That was what I had hoped to speak with you about, Bayushi-sama. It seems several have seen this spirit. I have not. I am curious about it, however."

[Bayushi Jiro]

Jiro returns Tanshin's greetings. "I did, yes, Isawa-san," he replied, putting just a little more of a polite rhetorical distance between them.

"It was the night before last, Kitsuki-san. I woke to a bright light in my room and found myself taking tea with the former Emerald Champion. I was not aware that he appeared to anyone but Bayushi Kaidan and myself, but I suppose that I am not entirely surprised. I wonder, did he make a request of you as well, Isawa-san?"

[Isawa Tanshin]

Tanshin nodded.

"He did. The second time I saw him was in a tea ceremony, just as you described. He was concerned that Hitoshi would be prevented from passing his genpukku by un-named adversaries, and that he should be helped."

Tanshin sipped his tea, and looked to the others.

"Was that the message he relayed to you?"

[Bayushi Jiro]

"Yes, though he mentioned his brother-in-law to us." Jiro tilted his head. "And I think we have all seen the method being used."

[Isawa Tanshin]

"Indeed. I've heard that some of our fellow contestants have broached the subject with some of the judges."

"What did Satsume-sama have to say about Toshimoku-dono? I believe his involvement is key to this situation."

"Have you heard anything of this Asahi-san?"

[Kitsuki Asahi]

"Others have mentioned it, saying what you have said." he nodded. "Not having seen the spirit myself, I wanted to hear of the account from many of those who had."

[Bayushi Jiro]

"He said only that his brother-in-law, whom I took to be Kakita Toshimoku, was especially likely not to want to see Hitoshi perform well."

[Isawa Tanshin]

"He also mentioned another thing in passing that caught my attention. While we were quartered in the House of the Laughing Carp, Satsume-sama seemed to think he was in the House if the Red Lotus."

Tanshin spread his hands outward.
"Where we find ourselves."

[Kitsuki Asahi]

"What tea set was used?" Asahi asked.

[Isawa Tanshin]

Tanshin reflected for a moment.

".... I don't recall. I believe it was all conjured as part of the vision."

[Kitsuki Asahi]

"If he thought he was here, it may be a set that is or was used here." he explained.

[Isawa Tanshin]

"That's an interesting thought." Tanshin rolled the idea around in his head.

"If we found it, what would that mean? Tea and tea sets are common settings for conversation."