[Day Eleven - Early Afternoon] Imperial Matcha

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

Her meeting with Otomo Ryuji perhaps had the unfortunate circumstances of being planned prior to a siege where they assumed all things would be normal. That was far from the case now and nothing was normal. However, she did still have an abundance of time and was someone who kept to her word. At the very least, there could be some semblance of normalcy found in this occasion?

She would make her way to Ryuji's room, dressed in her mother's green hanfu.

"Otomo Ryuji-sama? Good afternoon, it is Mirumoto Wasako," she announced herself.

Otomo Ryuji · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 5:41 am **Posts:** 289

A small lunch spread was prepared for Ryuji and his Dragon guest. An assortment of fruits with nigiris pieces and rice. The matcha was perfectly made, the way his father taught him. Ryuji was properly dressed as after lunch he would attend court. He heard Wasako at his door.

A simple scratch at the door would have sufficed...

Ryuji slid the door open.

"Welcome Mirumoto-san. Please come in. A small lunch is prepared." he greeted with a proper bow.

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

Wasako bowed deeply when the Otomo appeared at the doorway.

"Thank you for having me and especially in your busy schedule," she said with a small smile before entering the room, closing the screen behind her. It was surprising to see what was being offered on the table. While small, she perhaps considered it a banquet between two people. "I can see that it is already quite an honour..."

Otomo Ryuji · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 5:41 am **Posts:** 289

"It is no trouble at all Mirumoto-san. Thank you for attending my invitation." Ryuji directed her to the cushions and table. He took position across from her and prepared a bowl of rice for her and nigiri pieces. He then poured her some matcha.

"Most terrible news about the heroes."

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

Wasako nodded in thanks at the gesture and made her way to the assigned cushion before settling down on her seat. Her eyes went to the pour matcha, which was the reason for their meeting initially. However, she wasn't going to have curiosity get the better of her and merely took the cup to have it on her side of the table. She allowed the tea to simmer down slightly and subtly took in the fragrance.

She raised her brows at the mention of the heroes and looked down with a soft frown. "Hai, there were many great lives that perished yesterday and they came entirely as a surprise. I've had the honour of making their acquaintance but only briefly. I've met the honoured Asako Kashiwagi on my first full day at Toshi no Omoidoso and also briefly met the honoured Kayou there as well. This has dealt a serious blow to our spirits."

Otomo Ryuji · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 5:41 am **Posts:** 289

"The assault upon us was indeed horrid. But our resolve must be stronger." Ryuji raised his cup.

"Let us drink to our resolve and remember the fallen."

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

She gave a resolute nod at that and picked up her cup to raise it in the same manner. It wasn't sake but she didn't exactly drink, so tea was still better. "Of course, there is still a battle before us and we must prepare for what is ahead. May their actions and sacrifice grant us courage to fight in their stead to honour their memory!"

Otomo Ryuji · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 5:41 am **Posts:** 289

Ryuji took a sip and watched her drink.

"How is the matcha, Mirumoto-san?"

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

Wasako joined Ryuji and took a small sip from her cup, pause to savour it. She nodded in appreciation afterwards. "Mm...it's smooth at first but I could sense there is a rich aftertaste that really brings out the flavour after a sip. There are more than a few things to appreciate here."

Otomo Ryuji · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 5:41 am **Posts:** 289

"Is there now?! I would have to agree but I simply must know what else you appreciate here?" he asked with a faint smile.

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

"Hai..." she said cautiously at first. "I suppose, it would warrant another sip at the very least."

With that, she took another sip from her cup. She paused as she considered her second review. "It's probably a more bitter aftertaste compared to other matcha but it's a pleasant one. I guess it might interest to see what the tea could compliment?"

Otomo Ryuji · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 5:41 am **Posts:** 289

"Ah... yes the matcha can be bitter on a second sip immediately following the first. It's why you want to take a bit of a longer break in between. I was thinking that you were speaking of appreciating the comforts of the room, the artwork on the pottery, or...the company."

He produced some almond cookies.

"Perhaps these may compliment your tasting."

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

"Oh! I suppose there is likely a lot to appreciate in the Shiro I imagine. The city of Nikesake apparently has a very storied history that I don't know the full details of. There is a lot of Crane and Phoenix presence but it is now in Lion hands, so I guess it's a place with a very deep history. That's the same about our honoured host and the guests they choose to keep," she bobbed her head once in appreciation.

"Thank you, those look pretty tasty..." she said before reaching over to take one and took a careful bite.

Otomo Ryuji · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 5:41 am **Posts:** 289

Ryuji rubbed the bridge of his nose and slightly sighed.

"The almond cookies were a bit hard to come by. Hope you enjoy them."

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

She crunched on them with a few bites and nodded soundly in appreciation. "I could only imagine, hai. Especially, when food comes as a rarity and we must ration what we have...so I'm thankful that you've chosen to share them with me. They are delicious. Actually, your offerings are quite elaborate, Otomo-sama."

"I believe you had some questions regarding my training?"

Otomo Ryuji · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 5:41 am **Posts:** 289

"Yes. So are you trained in the famous Niten style?"

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

"I do come from a family of bushi and my brothers have the honour of being schooled in the Mirumoto art of Niten. However, I have trained in an entirely different school by my uncle in the art of Mirumoto folk swordsmanship. Locally, we would be known as the Mirumoto Taoist path."

Otomo Ryuji · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 5:41 am **Posts:** 289

"I have not heard of this. Please go on."

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

"Most people haven't, to be fair. We don't usually fit in traditional structures when it comes to the military or the courts and find ourselves secluded to rural areas and the wilderness. We don't use technique remotely close to the famed style of Niten either but instead favour one sword and a tenant of minimalism. I suppose we combine our focus on swordsmanship with the pursuit of Enlightenment weaving the two in one path. My dojo is found in the outer reaches of the Empire in the Northern Wall Mountains, almost just as secluded at the Togashi monks."

Otomo Ryuji · **Joined:** Tue Apr 14, 2020 5:41 am **Posts:** 289

"Interesting..." Ryuji said sipping his matcha.

[Day Eleven - Early Afternoon] Imperial Matcha

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