(D1, MM, Naugh-tea Little Store) Assasing the goods

[Miya Nishida]

Nishida, who would call himself a tea connoisseur, did not miss the opportunity to visit the tea store in the mall.

From the things he saw there, he was, to put it mildly, not particularly enthusiastic. As a rather "traditionalist", the 'bold' tea blends were for him bordering on heresy.

Nonetheless, he rummaged around in the store, hoping to find something that might appeal to him. Akechi and Himei were also there, trying to keep an eye on him.

[Yūrei]

A humble voice from across the store.

"Miya-sama?"
A ronin woman, no doubt disreputable despite their clean tunic and respectful attitude had been barred from approaching the Miya by his yojimbo.

"If I might offer my services towards tea selection? My knowledge is meager, but I do have some familiarity with the local teas and those found within the store."

To Yūrei's mind, approaching an Imperial was never without risk, but the possible rewards were often worth it.

[Miya Nishida]

Nishida, who had just been perusing the shelf, spun around and raised an eyebrow.

He looked it over from top to bottom and thought she was clean enough.

"What's your name?" he asked nonchalantly, and with a wave, he gave her the go-ahead. Akechi and Himei stepped aside, but kept their gaze focused on Yurei.

[Yūrei]

Nishida, who had just been perusing the shelf, spun around and raised an eyebrow.

He looked it over from top to bottom and thought she was clean enough.

"What's your name?" he asked nonchalantly, and with a wave, he gave her the go-ahead. Akechi and Himei stepped aside, but kept their gaze focused on Yurei.

Approaching and bowing very deeply, giving every appearance of respect.

"Yūrei, Miya-sama. I've lived my whole life on the planet and so have had a chance to become intimately familiar with the local flavours. If I may."
Still keeping her eyes downcast, she points to a small green tin two thirds of a way down the packed shelf.

"Lucid Dreaming is potent but pleasant, perfect for any samurai who has to attend to any duties while not stooping to baser products."

[Miya Nishida]

"Hmmm," Nishida thought aloud. "Lucid dreams on the World of Dreams? Where may they lead me?"

He reached for the container, weighed it back and forth in his hands, and put it back. He would perhaps have a servant from the embassy pick it up later.

"Tell me, Yūrei, when was the last time you enjoyed proper tea?"

[Yūrei]

"Hmmm," Nishida thought aloud. "Lucid dreams on the World of Dreams? Where may they lead me?"

He reached for the container, weighed it back and forth in his hands, and put it back. He would perhaps have a servant from the embassy pick it up later.

"Tell me, Yūrei, when was the last time you enjoyed proper tea?"

"Proper tea?"
She thinks back, proper tea for a Miya was a high standard
"A little over a year, Miya-sama. A client invited me to the Twilight Blossoms Tea House after I was able to assist them."

[Miya Nishida]

"Hmm,...I see." He turned to her and cocked his head a little, "What kind of work do you do, Yūrei-san?"
His tone was friendly, but his eyes remained hard.

[Yūrei]

"Hmm,...I see." He turned to her and cocked his head a little, "What kind of work do you do, Yūrei-san?"
His tone was friendly, but his eyes remained hard.

"Anything that needs doing, Miya-sama. I am fortunate to be able to serve in a variety of ways. I have helped samurai explore the planet, or assisted when they have had issues that needed resolving. My lowly status means I have to find my work where I can."

[Miya Nishida]

"Anything that needs doing, Miya-sama. I am fortunate to be able to serve in a variety of ways. I have helped samurai explore the planet, or assisted when they have had issues that needed resolving. My lowly status means I have to find my work where I can."

"Well, Yūrei. As it happens, I am part of the Imperial Revenue Service. This winter court is one of the few occasions when talents like you could be called upon. The Imperium could use and greatly appreciate your services. However, it would be in bad taste to discuss this matter in a tea store."

He pulled a card out of his suit and handed it to Yūrei.

"I expect to see you tonight at the Tower of Night Eternal." His gaze swept over Yūrei again. "Don't worry, you will be my guest."

[Yūrei]

Without outwardly missing a beat.
"I am honoured by the invitation, Miya-sama."

Inwardly: Shit, shit. Where am I going to find something to wear for Benikage?!?! Maybe I can borrow one...Fukroko's almost my size, and she owes me...

"I look forward to joining you tonight, and hope the cuisine meets your standards."
Nishida's card is respectfully taken and disappeared into a pocket.

[Miya Nishida]

"I hope so. I'm curious to see what the World of Dreams has to offer. As long as they don't serve mushrooms I'm d'accord with that."

A slight shiver ran through his body.

"You said before that you also organize tours, right?" he said, swinging the topic back a bit. "I'm interested in the forges. "

[Yūrei]

"I hope so. I'm curious to see what the World of Dreams has to offer. As long as they don't serve mushrooms I'm d'accord with that."

A slight shiver ran through his body.

"You said before that you also organize tours, right?" he said, swinging the topic back a bit. "I'm interested in the forges. "

She blinks, her mind mentally switching gears.
"The Dark Iron Forge is unique and well worth a visit. There are rumours it's haunted but...I find that only adds to its reputation. Would Miya-sama wish for me to organise a visit?"

[Miya Nishida]

She blinks, her mind mentally switching gears.
"The Dark Iron Forge is unique and well worth a visit. There are rumours it's haunted but...I find that only adds to its reputation. Would Miya-sama wish for me to organise a visit?"

"Yes" he nodded "Before my time in the IRS, I was in the business of manufacturing, supplying and selling personal protective equipment." he paraphrased his occupation as an arms dealer, "and it's been a while since I've seen the Great Forges on Green Carp."

[Yūrei]

"Yes" he nodded "Before my time in the IRS, I was in the business of manufacturing, supplying and selling personal protective equipment." he paraphrased his occupation as an arms dealer, "and it's been a while since I've seen the Great Forges on Green Carp."

"I'll see to it then, I'm sure when they are informed of such an illustrious visitor I can organise an exclusive tour."
Another samurau she might have asked about the Great Forges, but she was pretty sure it would at best be viewed as wasting his time.

"There is a maglev directly to the forges for ease of access, I'll make the necessary arrangements."

[Miya Nishida]

"Very good, Very good" he said and a slight smile settled on his lips. Inwardly he was glad to be back in a place of progress, industry and economy. No comparison with the backward planet Asakaze.

He seemed to have run out of things to talk about, now that the business had been discussed. Small talk with the lower folk seemed a bit pointless to him, but now he hardly had a choice. "Tell me, is this 'Nari-Chan' famous here? I rarely deal with entertainment media, but it was on in the lobby of the embassy today."

[Yūrei]

"Very good, Very good" he said and a slight smile settled on his lips. Inwardly he was glad to be back in a place of progress, industry and economy. No comparison with the backward planet Asakaze.

He seemed to have run out of things to talk about, now that the business had been discussed. Small talk with the lower folk seemed a bit pointless to him, but now he hardly had a choice. "Tell me, is this 'Nari-Chan' famous here? I rarely deal with entertainment media, but it was on in the lobby of the embassy today."

Yūrei's On was getting a workout today as she struggles to keep a straight face.

"The digital video personality? She's...uhhh. She appeals to a section of the public who like certain things."
Pause, realising she probably can't just leave it at that.
"Who really like cat-girls and fox-girls. I think she has 23 million followers now."

[Miya Nishida]

Nishida raised an eyebrow "And there are people who follow a virtual person because,....?" The concept was beyond his comprehension. "With 23 million 'followers,' there must be some substance to it. Are they teaching the masses about anything?"

[Yūrei]

Nishida raised an eyebrow "And there are people who follow a virtual person because,....?" The concept was beyond his comprehension. "With 23 million 'followers,' there must be some substance to it. Are they teaching the masses about anything?"

Yūrei opens her mouth and pauses for a half second.
"About what they want, I think. Maybe some of them um, discover something about themselves...through her."
Rubbing the back of her head.

"I don't watch a lot of her content but I once had a case helping someone find their...uhh...Nari-Chan pillow...which...happened."

[Miya Nishida]

Disgust stirred in his face as it slowly clicked in his head.

"I see."

He adjusted his glasses and made a mental note to see if there was any way to profit from such things in the future.

"The world of dreams, literally."

[Yūrei]

Disgust stirred in his face as it slowly clicked in his head.

"I see."

He adjusted his glasses and made a mental note to see if there was any way to profit from such things in the future.

"The world of dreams, literally."

"When they say you can find anything here Miya-sama they mean it."
Bowing deeply
"If I may take my leave to prepare for this evening?"