D4 LA: Tea with a friend

[Kaito Haruki]

"I have, he's a little rough around the edges, but what child isn't?"

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"Anything else about him that you noticed?"

[Kaito Haruki]

Haruki pulls out a fan, both to cover a little discomfort and what he says next. "He reminds me of a certain someone in Tsuma."

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

Sasaiko blinks for a moment before taking the meaning.

"Oh. That would explain much, then."

She pauses, adding "Do you think they're close kin?"

[Kaito Haruki]

"Closer than he knows."

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"Oh?"

She leans in, plainly curious.

[Kaito Haruki]

"Hai, the thing with the Mantis is that they work so closely with their servants. " His fan comes out again, this time to take off some of the heat, "but sometimes they lose a thing of 2 on accident."

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"That is...odd. Then again, given those involved..."

She trails off, not really sure where to go with it.

"Will you want a refill on your tea?"

[Kaito Haruki]

"I would. Thank you for the hospitality, I thought there was something familiar about that kind man I help on my way to Tsuma, Ryo-ojisan I think it was."

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"You'll have to tell me or remind me; it's been busy, and I forget which."

Sasaiko sets up for the tea ceremony. When she moves to serve, she does so with grace and elegance (Tea Ceremony 34 vs TN 15; get you back 2 VP).

[Kaito Haruki]

(Yay, I won't immediately die if those 3 ronin attack me at once)

"Ah yes, Ryo-ojisan didn't spend much time here. He does have to walk back and forth from his lord's estate. His current duty is to return every one of his lord's personal effects to his brother. It's incredible, he's so likable that he was trusted with such an important task alone."

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"I cannot help but feel I am missing some context, friend."

[Kaito Haruki]

"His master was the Emerald Champion. May he rest in peace."

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"Indeed."

Sasaiko sighs.

"Kaito-san, are your lands near to the Asako's?"

[Kaito Haruki]

"I am afraid my lands are not near any other family's lands. Few want to live in a place where it is winter half the year. The closest would be Kyuden Isawa, and that is a few days' travel."

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"Half the year? Truly?"

Sasaiko, having grown up in the southern Empire, seems put off.

"I imagine your summers are short, then."

[Kaito Haruki]

"Yes, but they are quite lovely while they last. Even winters become more welcoming once you get used to them."

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"Oh? And what all do you do?"

[Kaito Haruki]

"Enjoy nature that is mostly undisturbed by people, climb great mountains, and enjoy the beautiful colors that the sun makes when it reflects off the snow."

[Toritaka Sasaiko]

"That sounds lovely. I wonder if the Asako lands boast such things."