(D4, MA) Tea within the Scorpions Nest

[Miya Nishida]

Nishdia was sitting in the park, like every day, at the same time. Today, however, under a pavilion, the light drizzle left after the morning storm trickled gently onto the roof, and Nishida had some classical koto music played from his densai.

He had his teakettle on a low table beside him, and light clouds of steam were rising from it.

He was waiting for someone. He didn't have her Densai number, but he knew the Kestrel would find him sooner or later.

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D4, MA Tea ceremony 2 /Void 3 | 5k3 ⇒ 25 (TN: 15)

[Yūrei]

Nishdia was sitting in the park, like every day, at the same time. Today, however, under a pavilion, the light drizzle left after the morning storm trickled gently onto the roof, and Nishida had some classical koto music played from his densai.

He had his teakettle on a low table beside him, and light clouds of steam were rising from it.

He was waiting for someone. He didn't have her Densai number, but he knew the Kestrel would find him sooner or later.

-----
D4, MA Tea ceremony 2 /Void 3 | 5k3 ⇒ 25 (TN: 15)

The slightest sound of footfalls on the grass, a brush of fabric on wood and a kestrel nearly materializes out of the mists and across the table from him, then hurriedly explains to his yojimbo to please not shoot.

"Believe me sama, I've had enough of that to last a lifeturn."
Turning back to Nishida, a little paler than when they'd last met, maybe a little more tired.
"Miya-sama, forgive my tardiness. I had to attend to an important matter."

[Miya Nishida]

Akechi and Himei let Yurei through without further ado.
Nishida, who had just observed a few drops racing down a glass pane of the pavilion, turned to Yurei,
"You are forgiven. Besides, everything comes in its own time, doesn't it?"

He eyed her from head to toe, "You look terrible, may I offer you some invigorating tea?"

[Yūrei]

Akechi and Himei let Yurei through without further ado.
Nishida, who had just observed a few drops racing down a glass pane of the pavilion, turned to Yurei,
"You are forgiven. Besides, everything comes in its own time, doesn't it?"

He eyed her from head to toe, "You look terrible, may I offer you some invigorating tea?"

"My night was...eventful. Tea would be extremely appreciated."
She clears her throat and brushes a spec of blood off her sleeve.

[Miya Nishida]

Fortunately, or unfortunately, for Yurei, Nishida actually possessed a strong bitter crab herb tea that accelerated the production of red blood cells. Black Earth Tea was ancient but effective, not without reason it was passed from one generation of crab bushi to the next.

He prepared two cups, put some of the tea in them and poured the tea with hot water. He took a tea whisk and whirled the tea well in the hot water. Now all we had to do was wait for the tea to settle to the bottom.

A little time passed in silence before Nishida handed Yurei a cup and took one for himself. The strong smell of ginger, sage and ribwort filled the air.

"Here you go, drink it slowly." a short pause, "I hope your night was productive too." he said finally.

[Yūrei]

Snip

She pauses before sipping the tea, doing her best not to wrinkle her nose at the bitter taste.

"It was. Our friend was reluctant to share, but I was able to persuade them with time. They knew quite a lot about many things. I am sure Miya-sama will find the report most illuminating."
Not seeking to rush the Imperial she sips a few more times.

"As soon as the expenses for the evening are paid I will remember where I put the information. I pray that it proves my abilities to you."

[Miya Nishida]

She pauses before sipping the tea, doing her best not to wrinkle her nose at the bitter taste.

"It was. Our friend was reluctant to share, but I was able to persuade them with time. They knew quite a lot about many things. I am sure Miya-sama will find the report most illuminating."
Not seeking to rush the Imperial she sips a few more times.

"As soon as the expenses for the evening are paid I will remember where I put the information. I pray that it proves my abilities to you."

Nishida cleared his throat and Akechi came to the table, holding a suitcase in his hand, which he placed on the table.

"As I promised you before, a carp honors its contract. Your service on behalf of the Emperor shall not be forgotten or unthanked."

Nishida did not yet push the suitcase over to Yurei. "However, before you receive your compensation, I must make sure that you keep your part of the contract."

[Yūrei]

Snip

Yūrei appreciates the weight and heft of a briefcase.

"Of course, allow me to offer you a sample of what our good friend said."
She reaches inside her tunic and extracts a folded piece of paper, sliding it over in front of Nishida with one hand as she takes another sip. The tea really wasn't quite so bitter once you got used to it.

"He said a friend had been a bad boy, using his deceased family members to disperse his income to avoid taxes. Shocking what people will get up to, isn't it?"

[Miya Nishida]

Yūrei appreciates the weight and heft of a briefcase.

"Of course, allow me to offer you a sample of what our good friend said."
She reaches inside her tunic and extracts a folded piece of paper, sliding it over in front of Nishida with one hand as she takes another sip. The tea really wasn't quite so bitter once you got used to it.

"He said a friend had been a bad boy, using his deceased family members to disperse his income to avoid taxes. Shocking what people will get up to, isn't it?"

Nishida unfolded the note and studied it throughout. The report was indeed genuine and would probably be enough to flush some koku into the state coffers. So the whole report had to be a real goldmine.

He pushed the suitcase slightly in Yurei's direction. One hand on the suitcase and looked at her expectantly.

[Yūrei]

Nishida unfolded the note and studied it throughout. The report was indeed genuine and would probably be enough to flush some koku into the state coffers. So the whole report had to be a real goldmine.

He pushed the suitcase slightly in Yurei's direction. One hand on the suitcase and looked at her expectantly.

"May I have a look?"
She gestures at the buckles on the case.

"A matter of my impatience Miya-sama, nothing more."

[Miya Nishida]

He nodded, turning the suitcase toward her so she could open it.

Inside were 75, unmarked, Koku. Freshly punched as it looked. The power of the Imperial Clan was obvious.

[Yūrei]

He nodded, turning the suitcase toward her so she could open it.

Inside were 75, unmarked, Koku. Freshly punched as it looked. The power of the Imperial Clan was obvious.

Yūrei keeps her expression casual as she nods and closes the briefcase with only the slightest shake of her hands

"Thank you. Here's a copy of our friend's talk, in full."
She reaches into a pocket within her tunic and retrieves a small portable drive and slides it across the table.

"I do not object to you checking it."

[Miya Nishida]

Yūrei keeps her expression casual as she nods and closes the briefcase with only the slightest shake of her hands

"Thank you. Here's a copy of our friend's talk, in full."
She reaches into a pocket within her tunic and retrieves a small portable drive and slides it across the table.

"I do not object to you checking it."

Nishida took all the time in the world to read through the first few pages. He nodded from time to time and drank some of the tea.

For a while, beside the silence, only the sound of the koto music and the trickling of the rain could be heard.
Nishida put the report aside after a while and slowly reached into his suit....

[Yūrei]

Nishida took all the time in the world to read through the first few pages. He nodded from time to time and drank some of the tea.

For a while, beside the silence, only the sound of the koto music and the trickling of the rain could be heard.
Nishida put the report aside after a while and slowly reached into his suit....

Despite playing it cool Nishida's slow reach sets Yūrei on edge, her hand drifting to sit near her leg holster.

She forces herself to take another sip of the tea, slowing her heart rate.

[Miya Nishida]

Despite playing it cool Nishida's slow reach sets Yūrei on edge, her hand drifting to sit near her leg holster.

She forces herself to take another sip of the tea, slowing her heart rate.

He took out a business card and slid it over to Yurei.

On it was all the contact information she would need to reach him by phone or email.

"I was talking to Otomo Koroshi-san the other day, he would also be interested in the tour, and I realized I don't have any contact information for you."

He picked up a cup again and took a sip.

"You have proven to be a reliable partner, Yurei-san, so feel honored to be one of the few to receive my Densai address."

[Yūrei]

Snip

She forces a smile onto her face and accepts his card respectfully, exchanging her own.

"If you call that number they'll know where to find me."
Looking back up with a raise eyebrow.
"I am honoured to have your address, but, you know Otomo Koroshi-sama? We have spoken several times. He is quite...remarkable."

[Miya Nishida]

"He is eager, energetic and,.." a danger to himself "idealtistc" Nishida said nodding.

"Spiritual inbalance is very close to his heart and he asked me if we would look at the facility together."

[Yūrei]

"He is eager, energetic and,.." a danger to himself "idealtistc" Nishida said nodding.

"Spiritual inbalance is very close to his heart and he asked me if we would look at the facility together."

"Of course the idea of guiding both of you simultaneously is...quite...something?"
She gives Nishida an 'I need a good for that' face

"Between your mastery of industry and his understanding of the spiritual elements at play the visit could be very useful indeed."

[Miya Nishida]

Ronin, he thinks to himself, you give them 75nKoku and they always want more. He grinned, I like her.

"After the exhausting day as a tour guide, I suppose Yurei-san would like to rest for a night at the House of Blooming Nightshades? I've heard the service there is to die for."

[Yūrei]

Snip

Her gaze snaps up, people like her got beaten up just for walking past that Hotel.

"I have never been inside myself, but I have heard it is truly divine. My own accommodations are modest."
Apparently they had bath tubs better than her place.

"If that were possible after ensuring your visit was safe and educational I would be deeply honoured."