The New Winds

Mai waited for her kinsmen to join her for a proper tea ceremony.

Kokyou arrived after a short moment, bowing to Mai. “ “Ahoy thar, Mai-Chan. How 'ave ye been farin'?”

She bows to Kokyou. "Hey Kokyou. I have been doing well. Please sit. Doji-sensei tried to teach me how to do a proper tea ceremony. So, you're my experiment."

He sits down in seiza, nodding. "Aye, Ye can experiment wit' me as much as ye wants. Make sure ye'll be a great and beautiful wife 'n grow up our Clan."

Mai's eyebrow raises. "I have a while before I'm ready to start our Clan. First, I'm going to master the seas and the storm." Mai then performs the ceremony remarkably well.

"So, what' cha think Kokyou-kun?"

D6 Horse: Tea Ceremony/Void: 3d10o10k2 26

Mai and Kokyou regain 1 Void Point

Kokyou follows up the ceremony in silence until Mai asks him back. He slurps the tea dry and puts it back on the floor, turning it to his clan mate. "Everythin' ye do be great, Mai-chan. Aft all, ye're me clannie. It tasted wonderful. But I confess I would even drink salt water if ye served it so gracefully t' me."

Mai blushes a little. "You're too kind, Kokyou-kun. I think this is the first time I got it right." Well, apparently Doji-sensei certainly knows what she's talking about. "But thank you." Mai still feels a little embarrassed, so she tries to change the subject. "So, how have your studies gone?"

"Awfully." He says, and gins. "Awfully extraordinary. Nah only I am a shungeja know, as many scallywags doubted. I discovered I am actually invincible. I've been beaten so hard 'n well-nigh died. But nay, I am too great t' die. So the Heavens reckon."

"Why were you beaten?" She heard rumors of thugs breaking into the dojo. Did Kokyou get himself mixed up in something?

"The Fortunes wished me t' learn an important lesson." He nods, squaring his chin and pursing lips up. "Osano-wo hisself thundered down o'er me head in the form o' a shinai. Repeatedly. They showed me that I am stronger than I reckon. Thougher. Invincible... if nah by yer charms. Which I would surrender, o' course."

"Well, then let us pray you never face a charmer on the battlefield." Mai gives a small laugh. "I'm thinking of joining the bushi training next time." Mai puts down her tea and holds up her fists. "Show everyone what even our shugenja can do. As you already are."

"Aye. I was sure ye would 'ave heard about me new found powers. Ye shall do as ye reckon 'tis best, Mai-chan. Thar are no boundaries fer the bold 'n courageous." He takes her fists and gives it a firm shake.

Kokyou could be infuriating. One minute implying you're supposed to be a baby machine. The other making you believe you can do anything. "Thank you." Mai shakes her head and decides to change the subject. "Oh. DId you hear they found some sort of tunnel at the forge?"

"Aye. 'twas thar that the Fortunes gave me the power o' a shugenja. Although, keep this as a Clan secret. I ask o' ye." He nods a couple of times.

Mai nods then stops. "Wait. You were one of the ones who found it?" The excitement is obvious in her eyes.

He clears his throat, correcting her. "The one o' the ones? I be the one!"

With another nod he wiggles that left eyebrow. "The only one."

"Wow." Mai was impressed. "What sort of treasure did you find?"

"A large piece o' crystal. Some koku 'n the gift o' the Earth that has been bestowed upon meself. But that's our secret, Mai-chan. Clan secret." He nods to her, eying her with his left,

She seems excited. "Wow. That's something. Not even out of gempukku." When mentions a secert, Mai get serious. "Of course. I would not betray the Clan."