[D3, LA] Proper? Possibly Not (Open)

[Akodo Michi]

Michi arrived at the brewery, thinking of a gift to return home with. A small reserve of sake for her parents to enjoy with her prior to her first assignment would only be proper.

Yet she would have to...inspect...or rather, peruse? ...the products first. Clearly. For the sake of keeping her honored parents pleased with her choices.

She wore a more stylish furisode, more proper for going out than training at the dojo. her hair was up and she held a small bag. She was not nervous, and would never show it if she were besides. Yet she was happy, perhaps excited. She had not spoken to the Seppun since arriving, and her conversation was a pleasant one. Kakita Yuuji was also a fine young man to meet, though she may have to kill him one day, but such is the way of things.

She met with a host and explained her circumstances, asked if a servant could remain on hand as a chaperone and to make certain they were well-looked after for refreshments, then annexed the proper table size for the glory of the Lion clan.

[Seppun Urusai]

Michi will not be waiting long, Urusai arriving shortly after the glorious annexation to ensure that all is done in accord with the wishes of the Throne. Policies must be observed, after all. And he greets her with a bow and a smile. "It was a pleasure to receive your invitation, daughter of the Akodo," he says. "I shall look forward to your recitation at the end of this event.

"But first, to the spirits, to whom reverence is due. Are you acquainted with such as these?"

[Akodo Michi]

"Welcome, scion of House Seppun and honorable companion", Michi replied with a bow, rising until he had been seated. "It was my distinct honor to issue said invitation, but in answer I admit I have not seen to the spirits of this place prior."

Now seated again, the servant approached, but the Lion waved them off for now.

"We await one more, a member of our hosts shall join us hence, and when they arrive we shall see to what this esteemed and storied house may offer."

[Seppun Urusai]

"I shall look forward to it," Urusai says, having seated himself shortly after the exchange of bows.

And he, too, awaits their third.

[Kakita Yuji]

Yuji made his enterance from outdoors with a shiver, shaking lose a piece of hail. Hopefully the Heavens would relent a bit after the work that had been done upon the shrine, but for now a cup of sake to ward off the chill and refrsh the body from the exertion sounded like a fine idea. And with company was certainly better, even if he was someday fated to strike the Lion down in a duel over her slandering of soy sauce.

He bowed respectfully to the pair.

"A fine idea for a gathering, Akodo-san." he said. "After all, we worked quite hard today, at both test and at the shrine, yes?"

[Seppun Urusai]

Urusai returns the bow, remaining seated. And he rubs the knot on his forehead gently.

[Akodo Michi]

She stood again at the Kakita's approach and bowed.

"All good work is rewarded, either in this life or the next", the Akodo proclaimed. "If one can find such reward in this life, all the more gratitude is offered for it."

She straightened properly and offered him a seat, waving the servant back over.

"It was a fine time, the fortunes tested our mettle with this weather, and so here we sit among honorable companions to enjoy the moment. Thank you both for arriving despite such trials."

She bowed a second time to them both, then sat as the servant arrived to take their order.

"I leave our journey in drinking to Tsuma in our valiant Kakita's hands, do you accept this duty?"

[Kakita Yuji]

Yuji bowed.

"As a representative of the hosting clan, it is my honor and duty to serve as such, Akodo-san." he replied with equal formality.

He cvnosidered the pair.

"I assume that Akodo-san would prefer Junmai-shu ? Would that suit Seppun-sama's tastes as well?" he asked.

[Seppun Urusai]

"There is considerable variation within that heading, son of the Crane," Urusai replies. "But it is likely better, given the challenges that face us tomorrow."

[Kakita Yuji]

"There is considerable variation within that heading, son of the Crane," Urusai replies. "But it is likely better, given the challenges that face us tomorrow."

Yuji nods.

"Right you are Seppun-sama. But it does help establish a guideline for further choices." Yuji agrees. "Did you have a particular one in mind?"

[Akodo Michi]

"Maneki Neko, being a most esteemed sake house, even by Crane standards, perhaps in all the Empire as they claim, one cannot imagine them not having the finest drink of only rice and water", she said. "Bring it forth, for I have had more fruity tones, and seek to find that which your clan finds most refined and refreshing, kakita-san."

[Kakita Yuji]

"Maneki Neko, being a most esteemed sake house, even by Crane standards, perhaps in all the Empire as they claim, one cannot imagine them not having the finest drink of only rice and water", she said. "Bring it forth, for I have had more fruity tones, and seek to find that which your clan finds most refined and refreshing, kakita-san."

Yuji nods at the Lion's words.

"Of course, Akodo-san, so you have asked so shall it be." he offers, placing an order. IF it was displeasing to the Seppun, something else could be ordered after all.

Th order was processed with a swiftness.

"This is Maneki Neko's 'Yukikage'. It is a 'solid as your father' sake that has a mild nose filled with green apple, bamboo, steamed rice, apricot, and pudding elements." he says introducing the bottle prsenting the lbottle for inspections.

He pours for the two, with the label showing in a graceful manner, serving himself last.

[Seppun Urusai]

Urusai nods.

"It seems we are beginning with a standard selection," he says. "It's a good start."

He waits until all are served, then picks up his cup and smells of it.

"I smell the bamboo, certainly. And," he breathes in again, "there's the fruit."

[Akodo Michi]

"As an admirer of Inari-no-kami, I arrived for the rice", she added, taking in the scent herself. A moment passed and though her harsh expression did not vanish, some manner of enjoyment could be measured in it as he eyes closed and her lip curled in a small way.

"Simple, but well chosen, Kakita-san. To what shall we drink?"

[Kakita Yuji]

"As an admirer of Inari-no-kami, I arrived for the rice", she added, taking in the scent herself. A moment passed and though her harsh expression did not vanish, some manner of enjoyment could be measured in it as he eyes closed and her lip curled in a small way.

"Simple, but well chosen, Kakita-san. To what shall we drink?"

Yuji considered, swirling his cup as he did so.

"To the future Topaz champion, Akodo-san. No matter what colors they wear, no matter where they serve, may they inspire all of us to reach the pinnacle of what it means to be a samurai. Kanpai!" he toasts

[Seppun Urusai]

"Kampai!" Urusai echoes, raising his cup in salute and taking from it.

He smiles, thinking This is how it ought to be.

[Akodo Michi]

The Lion agrees, adding her shout to the chorus. After a slow sip, she places her cup on the table before her and takes a moment to breathe out after having taken in so much.

She thought about the last time she shared sake with others, it was also the first time. It made the drink bitter, her eyes turned away from Yuji and she focused on the Seppun.

"Worthy of the task, would you not say, Seppun-sama? One hopes the Topaz Champion is worthy of such a salute, but perhaps they can only be such, with so many noble competitors to stand in their way."

[Seppun Urusai]

"At a minimum, we will ensure that the Champion earns the position!" Urusai replies, perhaps slightly too loudly. But only slightly.

[Kakita Yuji]

Yuji kept an eye on his guest's cups. It would not do for them to go empty while he was hosting.

"Ah perhaps. But it is early in the tournament yet. Far too soon to be sizing the Topaz armor for Suzume Rin or Funegao no Hirame. Which is fortunate in it's own way, they are, after all built quite differently." he offered.

[Akodo Michi]

"Kakita-san is a size between them, perhaps he will carry it into the greater world", the Akodo offered. "A young man of Tsuma, wearing the armor that is much a symbol of the village as it is the title. You could take a piece of your home with you."