Natsuko returns to the inn after the morning's test, and afternoon tea, a snack, a meander, and a bath. She leaves a sprig of fresh herbs beside the shrine on her way back to their rooms, counting doorways to pause and scratch at Jiro's.

There had been a small origami turtle on the shrine near where she set the herbs.

When she scratches she hears the sound of one twin approaching before the door opens. Looking out into the common area, he nods and invites Natsuko in with an extended hand. "Good afternoon Natsuko-san," he greets, using a more familiar term of address. He wondered and hoped she would do the same.

Despite cleaning up, after having spent time earlier in the afternoon making a big pot of curry he had a slight hint of spices lingering near him. Not enough to be strong, but enough to be noticed when within handholding distance.

She bows, glancing up a bit more sharply at the familiar address, uncertain what she thinks of it yet, though she takes his outstretched hand in her own, the grip light.

"I hope the fortunes find you well," after the slightest of pauses, she remains with the more habitual, "Shiba-san." Her own scent is all herbal, the sharp green of fresh ones and the spicier hint of dry, though her still damp hair retains a perpetual hint of temple incense.

"Was the turtle offered at the shrine one of yours? It was nicely made," she'll add as she enters.

He smiles warmly at her, and leads the way to the table he has set up with the ceremonial tea set. "The fortunes favor me by aligning our time for this visit. And yes, that was a turtle I made."

He offers her a seat and maintains his handhold with her until she is seated. After taking his own, he looks to her. "You remember the steps? Will you assist me, so we might enjoy it together?"

He awaits her confirmation before beginning.

Natsuko sits, smoothing her orange robes with her off-hand, then nods in agreement. "It has been a day rather full of tea. Quite pleasant. I am still learning the steps, but will aid where I remember, yes."

He nods and begins the ceremony, taking his time, keeping a steady, rhythmic breath, and focusing on the small world between the two of them that encompasses the table, tea and set. Unlike the previous attempt, this one goes much more smoothly with her assistance and inclusion. His mind is emptied of worry and concern as the cups are set in their final locations before them. He remains quiet and waits for her to raise her cup before he raises his own.

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D5, LA, Tea Ceremony, Assist from Natsuko | TN: 2 | Success: 3 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 2

Success, 4 strife healed, 2 Opps = 1 VP regained

Strife: 1/8

It is not difficult to assist, having seen the practice many, many times, and having a good sense of when one might need a tool or a subtle glance to the nearly boiling water to indicate where a gentle shift in timing would fit.

She accepts the tea with appropriate gratitude, feeling the warmth and the serenity of the ritual as she wraps her hands around the cup. With movements still in tune to the ceremony, she lifts and drinks, taking time to savor it.

After a pause, she lowers the cup, her usually placid expression seeming to radiate calm. "Either you've had the sort of day that generates such serenity, or the sort that makes you need the practice of it all the more."

"My day has been decent enough. Started off with two separate arguments followed up with barely passable performance at today's event. But, i had a nice lunch, snd now tea with you. So it's improving," he replies with a nod and light smile.

Reaching into his obi, he withdraws two carved wooden halves of a Phoenix yin yang. The detailing is very fine and perfectly balanced.



http://kiku.fallenash.com/viewtopic.php?p=5603#p5603

She examines the little carvings, looking at them from different angles to admire. "Very clever, and detailed. Your gift for the governor?"

She glances up a little quickly. "Arguments? That seems...out of character for you, and for the Phoenix at this tournament. It is good that the day has improved since."

"The arguments were minor things really, with a Lion and my brother. Never unexpected to have an argument with either really," he says with a chuckle.

"Not for the governor, no. One half for you, the other for me. Representative of my hope that we can find harmonious balance together." He places the two netsuke together so they fit snugly, even the wood grain matching up indicating that they came from one piece.

Blue eyes flick up to his, "do you argue with your brother often then?"

One finger traces along the matched grain. "This grew all in one piece and is now cut asunder, in symbol that we may...begin asunder and grow together?" she says quietly, thoughtful.

"I wouldn't say we argue often, but we definitely have discussions where we disagree on things. They're generally polite and civil," he says, tilting his head.

"That is one way to look at it. All interpretations of artistic creation are correct for the one observing. When I created it I was more focused on the resulting creation rather than meaning behind the source material. In fact, the idea to split it didn't come to me until during the crafting. I had originally planned to offer it as one piece that simply represented the pair of phoenix as part of the same balanced circle. But further consideration led me to the idea that it might be better if I split them and carried half myself so that in order for them to display their balance we would need to be together," he explains.

"But I do like the idea that this grew as one thing, then it was split in two, and now represents two different beings starting apart and growing together.
It's a lovely thought and I'm glad that you shared it with me."

She pauses, still tracing one faint line of grain. "Is it?" The movement stops as she looks up. "Just...someone said to me that the way one supports artists is to tell them their work is good, even if it is not. But if it is really awful, they need to know so they do not try to gift it publicly where it will embarrass them. That seems very difficult to figure out. But also makes me wonder if artists apply that standard outward as well."

Another pause. "I should refuse this. The betrothal gifts have surely already been handled by the nakodo, and, this is unnecessary."

"I don't tend to judge art to be good or bad. To me, it is either meaningful or it is not. It elicits an emotional or mental response or it doesn't. And this is different from person to person. I would much rather know that a piece I've created inspired some sort of thought or discussion in another than to know who thinks it's pretty or not. Of course, it doesn't hurt if it looks good, but that is not the real point for me," he says.

He then smiles at her. "Which is, of course, incredibly pretentious and pompous, as I can be at times, much as I can be the opposite at others. The dichotomy of a samurai that wants to influence other's minds with artistic expression, but then sings inappropriate work songs while cutting trees alongside other woodcutters, smiling and laughing at the simple pleasure of a hard days work. Even in my explanation I am a bit of a blowhard."

"There is no need to refuse I think. It is less a gift and more a representation of a hope. And besides, I'm giving half of it to myself. But if you are more comfortable performing the ritual, I am glad to make another offering," he says, clearly letting her choose, and implying that her last statement was a first refusal if she wished to go that route.

Her head tilts a bit. "I am not sure that singing work songs and other art are opposites, are they?" She withdraws her hand from the piece as she speaks. "In any case, you might not like to judge, but others will. There are consequences to gifting a daimyo art that they think is rude or mocking."

"Still, I have my answer." She examines the carving again. "And this...I feel..." A pause and long breath, finding her way through the unfamiliar territory, "uneasy that I have not prepared such betrothal gifts, nor was given any appropriate to the circumstance. But the pair...is a connection I should support." Neither a clear refusal, nor acceptance. Her tone never wavers, but the small crease across her forehead offers a hint toward the confusion creating such ambiguity.

"I make things. It is what I do. There will be no prompting or suggestion that it will happen. It is a mood, or a feeling, that I get. I'll make things all the time that will be inspired by or intended for you. Not out of tradition or convention and not because I expect or want anything in return. It is simply a thing I will do, much like putting on a kimono or drinking tea," he says with an offered smile.

"It's a means of expression to me. So when I offer something to you, it will likely carry some small meaning at least, maybe more than small."

She nods once. "Which half is meant for each of us then?." Her gaze lifts from the carvings to meet his.

"I figure that it's not too important, and we could exchange them occasionally," he says with a small smile. "Unless you have a preference for the darker or lighter side?"

A nod. "There is symmetry to trading them," she agrees as she reaches to take one, making not effort to avoid fingers brushing against his palm. "I expect that the dark suits my connections and nature more strongly."

A bit slowly, with a hint of thoughtfully, she asks, "are there ways I can support you and," she holds up the carving, balanced on her palm, "your art? I admit that I am not well-trained in any of them, while you seem to do...everything."

"I practice my art to support others. I'm not sure how it might be supported itself," he admits, thinking about that. "I suppose if you wanted something for someone else then please ask me. Or if you would like to participate or practice alongside me I would welcome the opportunity."