The New Winds

Mai meditated while she waited for her guest. She calmed down over the rather disturbing lesson she learned earlier. She wanted to be ready for this extra credit class coming soon.

D9 Rooster: Meditation/Void: 7d10o10k4 25

Recovered 2 Void

Nobuko had been surprised at the invitation, but pleased to have gotten it all the same. She had not had a chance to speak with Mai or get to know her well. Even with only a couple days before they were done with their odd experimental training it was still good to make new aquiantances.

Shen entered the room and gave a shallow bow, "Mai-san. Thank you for thinking of me."

Mai returns the bow. "Thank you for coming, Otomo-sama. I've been using today to meet some of those I haven't got a chance to talk you. If the goal of this dojo is have us interact with all the Clans and the Imperials, then it would be a good idea to do just that."

Ginkarasu was at a loss of what to do with the extra time he had. He tried meditating again, but he just couldn't find that connection the Kitsuki had mentioned, however hard he tried.

Eventually he heard a couple familiar voices and scratched at the door, seeing if they were busy or not.

Mai heard him and invited him in. "Yasuki-san. I was just about to perform a tea ceremony. Please come in." She bows to him when he comes in.

He bows. "Oh! Tea! That would be wonderful! What do you need from me?"

"Just please sit and enjoy." Mai performs a proper ceremony that relaxes her guests. Much too her relief. The last thing she wanted to do was fail again.

D9 Rooster: Tea Ceremony/Void: 5d10o10k4 24

Nobuko and Ginkarasu regain a Void.

Mai benefited from a tea ceremony earlier and does not.

Ginkarasu and his feathered cloak finally settle in as the tea ceremony is expertly performed.

It felt good to be centered again.

As the formal part of the ceremony ends and they enter the casual talk portion, Nobuko cradles her cup in her hands and nods towards Mai, "I am glad you thought of me, then. With as busy as everyone is, finding time to meet everyone has been difficult."

She inclined her head towards Ginkarasu, "Yasuki-san. That is a fine cloak. What is the occasion?"

"The sensei's extra testing. I thought I'd try and dress up!"

"Oh." Mai shrugged. "I was just going to where my student clothes. I didn't know we were allowed to wear what we want."

"I will be wearing my gloves. They have mostly not allowed me to do so during lessons and I dislike that. I have them to help save my hands for my art," Nobuko said. "But wearing whatever makes you comfortable, or gives you confidence, or..."

She smiled at Ginkarasu, "Leaves a memorable impression... Well, that is what you should do. Since it's not part of the regularly structured lessons."

Nobuko tilted her head at Mai, "Do you have something you'd rather wear?"

"A Tengu came down to Nigen-do in a lightning strike and gave me this. I figure I should wear it at least once!" He smiles.

Mai was about to respond until Gin answered. "Wait. What? Why do all these magical creatures keep coming here?"

"Part of the Tengu's riddles was about making sure we're ready for conflicts to come." He looks to the other two, then sits upright, "It said, 'We have been watching. Your generation gives us hope. You will face great perils, and you must not fail.'"

The speculation she'd shared with Jiro just a few days before was suddenly, unexpectedly confirmed.

"You mean to say, Yasuki-san, that there really was a Tengu? It was not just a story made up by overactive imaginations?"

"There was! Four of us got cloaks. Me and Kaiu Aiichiro-san, Yogo Otako-san, and Bayushi Kaidan-san."

"Incredible." All Mai got was attacked by a ghost. Wait. Otoko? Mai was a little disappointed she wasn't told about this, but on the other hand, she suspects Otoko doesn't see it as very important.

Nobuko did not think that had she been gifted such a fine and wondrous item that she would wear it so casually... but perhaps that was why Ginkarasu received it. He understood it was special, but would not treat it as something to preserve. He'd have it on just to have it on.

"You are all very blessed," she murmured and set her cup down in front of her, "Agasha-dono has said that many among the students here have been blessed by the fates. I suppose this is just confirmation that you, and the rest who were given these gifts, are destined for great things, Yasuki-san."

He shrugs. "Or I just tagged along when others went outside to see what the big thunder was. And really, the Tengu said our generation. That's all of us."