[D7, EA] Free Spirits

Mirumoto Wasako · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:56 pm **Posts:** 945

"Hai, kampai," she said in agreement before bowing slightly with her cup in both hands. She did take a sip of sake and a tiny sip at that. It took much in her to not grimace at the taste or the sensation of burning in her throat. She really didn't know what made people love sake to much but it seemed that the other women here thought it was a treat. "It's...uhm...spicy? That's good."

With that out of the way, she looked to the Crab. "Is this Kaiu-san's first trip outside of the Crab lands? What sort of Crab foods are waiting for you back home?"

Isawa Miwako · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 7:21 am **Posts:** 590

"Kampai." Miwako joined in and took a sip. She sat back and relaxed, waiting to hear Maiya's answer.

Kaiu Maiya · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 6:43 am **Posts:** 878

She responded with a nod and a couple of thinking noises. "It is my first trip outside Crab lands. Hai. There is a lot to see and learn about. The Empire is really big. It was a lot of walking to get here." Weeks and weeks in fact, but she didn't say that. She wasn't here to complain. Plus, honestly, she'd enjoyed it.

Maiya tried to remember some of the meals she'd had here in Nikesake. "As for the food in my homelands, well, it's not too different. It's more about the seasoning differences and what is popular. We have more thick noodles, poultry and seafood. The seasoning is noticeable. The Lion prefer rice meals and tofu. Their seasoning is less noticeable. The presentation is different too. My sensei said I should expect this, but I was surprised at first. I thought they would have as many ramen shops as we do."

Mirumoto Wasako · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:56 pm **Posts:** 945

"It's my first journey outside of the Dragon lands, so we share something in common at least," she nodded twice before looking at the cup of sake."I do find myself constantly finding new lessons or something to learn, both from my surroundings and the people around me. Isawa Miwako-san is actually quite experienced herself at many things."

She gave a nod at Miwako's direction before continuing. "You have more than a few ramen places? More than they have here? How do you decide which one to go to? What makes them different?"

Isawa Miwako · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 7:21 am **Posts:** 590

Miwako nodded at Wasako's words and continued to listen as she sipped more from her cup.

Kaiu Maiya · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 6:43 am **Posts:** 878

"And we both like fighting." Maiya added helpfully with a big smile before having a much longer sip of sake.

Wasako's question had Maiya thinking again. She hadn't thought about this before. However, there was a method to the art of choosing a ramen shop to eat at, or so she decided after some contemplation. She lowered her cup and continued sitting up straight to answer as best she could.

"Outside the residential and crafting areas there are often multiple per street. Some sell other foods too, but the best only sell ramen. They specialise. If you enter a restaurant that does rice meals and noodles and ramen and seafood then they are spreading themselves too thin. If you want ramen you go to a dedicated ramen shop. That is the rule. The chef there will have learned ramen above all else and be better at it. The next important thing is what kind of ramen you want. Each stand or ramen shop will have it's own unique ramen to stand out. Some also make a type of ramen better, because of ingredients or some secret spice." She paused there and looked down. "Gomen. I am talking too much."

Isawa Miwako · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 7:21 am **Posts:** 590

"Not at all, Kaiu-san. I like ramen." Miwako assured her.

Kaiu Maiya · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 6:43 am **Posts:** 878

"Ramen is delicious. I like shoyu the most. What is your favourite Isawa-sama?" Maiya asked, still feeling a little self conscious.

Isawa Miwako · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 7:21 am **Posts:** 590

"I'd agree with shuyo, but I like shio too." she said. "It depends on my mood."

Kaiu Maiya · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 6:43 am **Posts:** 878

Maiya began to relax into the waters once more. The atmosphere was very mellow. "Shio is also good. There was a shio ramen shop near my home that my father liked to go to. I wonder if it is still there."

Isawa Miwako · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 7:21 am **Posts:** 590

"There's one near the Moon Drop." she nodded. "That's where I got the taste for shio."

Mirumoto Wasako · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:56 pm **Posts:** 945

"I suppose we do like fighting," she chuckled at that point. "I suppose I would have to if I spend my days helping my sensei teach and spar with his younger students. There's a certain expectation you have to go into each lesson but walk out feeling rewarded regardless of the outcome. If you can't consider it fun, then you're going to walk out miserable every time."

"No, it's interesting. I guess I've never considered ramen to have such things as a different ingredient or...techniques? We only have one ramen place at the village by the dojo and I thought that would be enough, especially when they do make delicious ramen already. There's only one choice but it's more than enough..." She said before listening to the two list out their favourites.

Kaiu Maiya · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 6:43 am **Posts:** 878

Finishing her first cup the Crab shifted it about in her hands idly while listening to the rain. Being warm and safe from the rain made her feel especially content. The company was good too. It was her lucky day.

"Ano, what meals do you each like?"

Mirumoto Wasako · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:56 pm **Posts:** 945

She raised one finger up to make the first point. "If I had a choice...it would be Shisei's delight and rice. I think locally, they do make it a different way than usual where it's stir-fried with hot spices. However, I usually just make do with rice and beans."

Kaiu Maiya · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 6:43 am **Posts:** 878

"What is in Shisei's delight Mirumoto-sama? It has a nice name."

Mirumoto Wasako · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:56 pm **Posts:** 945

She took another sip of sake and finished the remainder of her cup. "I think it's depending what they are able to harvest...but it usually has vegetable and a mix of other fungi, shitake and wood ear. Oh! They mix it with tofu, turnips and carrots too."

Isawa Miwako · **Joined:** Sat Apr 04, 2020 7:21 am **Posts:** 590

"Mmm... that does sound good." Miwako finished her cup and poured herself another. "I'm starting to feel hungry."

Kaiu Maiya · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 6:43 am **Posts:** 878

"Mushrooms are good."

Maiya chuckled at the Phoenix's comment. "There are lots of places to eat, but it will be busy with this many people. I feel a little hungry now too."

Mirumoto Wasako · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:56 pm **Posts:** 945

"Gomen, I didn't mean to get people hungry," she said with a faint blush. It must have been the sake or just the bath heat. "We've spent a long time on the road, so I'm just thankful to have a ball of rice when we arrive."

She thought back to the refugees and was reminded that some of them didn't even get that luxury.

"I guess we just have to be happy with what we have at the moment and be sure to savour what we can relish later?"

Kaiu Maiya · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 6:43 am **Posts:** 878

"We can only do the best we can in our present circumstances. Always." Maiya states in the way one might quote the Tao. Certainly, she was quoting the wisdom of someone other than herself.

Feeling a little sad at the lack of a top up for her sake, and not noticing Wasako's blush due to her lack of awareness, Maiya set the cup down just outside the baths and relaxed into them fully. She even let the water rise up to her chin by sliding well back into the seating.

[D7, EA] Free Spirits

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