The New Winds

Sasaiko, having washed from the day's exertions, returns to the dojo's tea room and begins to lay out the accoutrements, hoping she will not be alone long.

She is not, as the Doji sensei enters the room quickly after Sasaiko is there.

"I am glad you sought me out. You have much potential, Toritaka-san."

"Doji-sensei gratifies," Sasaiko says as she bows deeply to her. "Please teach me."

"Certainly. The first thing you must do is understand that the tea ceremony is to be treated with great respect, serenity, and grace. It is much like a priest conducting a ritual"

"Yes, Doji-sensei."

Sasaiko watches raptly and attentively, listening with all she is.

Private lessons are to be valued.

The woman then begins to slowly and expertly set up the tools for the ceremony and sits seiza in front of the Toritaka.

"Every movement has a purpose, and even your posture and how you present yourself to those participating is key."

Sasaiko nods, taking in what she can.

The arrangement is a different rite than I originally learned. This seems simpler, somehow.

She then begins to prepare the tea, using pointed moves, her actions swift and with purpose, but still full of grace.

Sasaiko notes where her own motions had followed--and where they differed. And when she sees the place where she had erred the day before, her eyes widen.

So that's what I flubbed!

"Once ready, she then poured the tea in a certain way, and set the cup of it in front of the Toritaka, twisting it a few times before removing her hands from it and waiting expectantly.

"I receive it humbly," she says, bows, raises the cup in the accustomed gesture of respect. Turning it to avoid sipping from the front, she takes several sips to drain it, then withdraws a cloth from her obi, wiping the rim before replacing the cup where the Doji had placed it.

Continuing the ceremony, the sensei then takes the cup and pours herself tea, before finishing everything.

"Did you see everything clearly?"

"This one would like to think so, but she is not experienced enough to make such a judgment. The error of last night seemed clear, however."

"Good. Now, go out into the parade grounds and find me a flower petal that has been blown in by the wind. When you return, You must perform the ceremony exact, starting first with the setup."

And with that, she begins cleaning up all of the supplies and moving them out of their positions.

"Hai, Doji-sensei," Sasaiko says, and she hustles off to do so, bowing to the sensei and bowing herself out of the room.

(Need I make any roll to find such a petal, or can we assume it is done?)

(Assume its done, it's just an exercise to make your mind get jumbled so you don't perfectly remember where everything goes. "

(Thanks.)

Sasaiko returns after a bit, wind-blown flower-petal in hand. After she bows herself into the room and bows again to the sensei, she presents it in both hands. Once it is taken from her, she begins, first restoring any disordered implements to order.

(Any rolls at this point?)

((Tea Ceremony/Intelligence, TN6))

Sasaiko breathes deeply and begins the ritual again, this time faring far, far better. (Tea Ceremony 26)

She presents the completed cup to the sensei, bows, and scoots back ever so slightly out of deference.

The sensei takes her sip as appropriate and wipes the cup, setting it back down.

----------
((Tea Ceremony/Awareness, TN6))