[Day 5 - Early Afternoon, Tearoom] Tea, Just Tea (Open)

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Within the paper screen confines of the Embassy proper, the oddly dressed Hoshi was found by herself in one of the more open tearoom with a hot pipping pot of tea. If one was to forget where they were actually, the space itself almost felt more home than the ship itself to her. She hadn't been hitting the evening hours with consistency back on the ship so the lone pot itself could be considered a treat.

[Iuchi Xiao Hua]

Another, more orderly dressed figure stepped in to the room. The Iuchi had taken advantage of of the leave, having shaven his stubble as well as groomed his long hair to a more proper state. Subtle scent of sandalwood and citrus surrounded him as he made his way towards the Scorpion, bobbing his head in greeting.

"Good day, Bayushi-san." He greeted her, smiling. Running his gaze from her head to her feet, he couldn't help to add. "Eager to experience the local culture?"

[Bayushi Hoshi]

There was a motion of her eyes that might have hinted for a brief smile before the returned the bow politely. "Good afternoon Iuchi-san. You mean...the outfit? Maybe. Maybe I wanted to exchange the weird looks I was getting outside for weird looks here instead. I would be successful in that regard ne?"

She fished out one of the few drinking reeds she had left on her, motioning to the table. "If you wish to join me in that or just tea, you're welcomed to."

[Iuchi Xiao Hua]

"Meh.. It suits you." he nodded. The Scorpion had the looks of her Clan that made her beautiful (and dangerous) no matter what she wore. Xiao Hua didn't even need to lie to be polite. "And I have seen people wear weirder things."

"And tea would me most welcome, thank you." the man dropped himself down to the floor. "Feeling better now?" He asked, referring to the bandages she wore. What she had done to get maimed, was not exactly his concern. Yet.

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi always had a difficult time accepting compliments easily. "I guess I win out to the weirder people then...but thank you Iuchi-san." She bobbed her head once and went on to play hostess, reached for the pot of tea to pour on cup for her guest. "Dozo Iuchi-san."

Once that was done, she settled the drinking reed in her tea and took a sip through the small gap between the rows of fangs on her mask. She made a mental note to switch to something with sleeves at the earliest convenience. "I didn't know that you were going to make a habit of worrying about me."

[Iuchi Xiao Hua]

"Thank you." he accepted the tea she offered with a smile, wrapping his fingers around the cup, before turning it half a turn and lifting it to his lips for a sip.

And then sighed. "Erm... I think Bayushi-san mistakes a common courtesy as a worry. One... who was concerned would have asked entirely different questions, no?" She had been uncounted for and she did have come back in a rather exotic costume after all.

Questions such as, what the fuck happened to you are what the hell you were doing when it happened.

"But, if Bayushi-san considers my question... too personal, I must apologise myself." he bobbed his head, his smile a little thinner than moments ago.

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi was quick to dismiss the apology with a few shakes of her head. "Iie Iuchi-san. It's fine really. This whole experience had everyone undoubtedly unnerved, myself included. I was taken as one of the many reminders that it's not a vacation here. This story ended without incident. I am appreciative of your concerns. You needn't defend yourself for this."

She went back to answer his question. "Hai, I'm doing well."

[Iuchi Xiao Hua]

"And I am happy to hear that." he chuckled with a smile. The storm raging outside was well audible indoors, the man wondering if such weather was common. "Now then, I do hope that you discovered something for your... pains." the man, added, curious.

"Speaking of which..." he quickly scanned her from head to toes again. "Are you fully.. recuperated?"

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi took a few sips of her tea, "I am actually. There's nothing much in the ways other than irritation. It's not really a discovery when I know nothing of it but I have little to complain about."

Getting the sensation that the bandage on her arm is attracting attention, thankful he didn't see the others. "This should be off by tomorrow."

[Iuchi Xiao Hua]

"Good, good." he nodded. "Talked to the captain yet?" In one regard Hoshi was correct. Her bare arms were getting some attention.

[Bayushi Hoshi]

She refilled both samurai's cups and shook her head. "Not since we've landed here. Where can he be found right now?"

[Iuchi Xiao Hua]

"Out. Should be getting back, any time soon." he told her, sipping his tea. "He has been quite busy, with people going and coming."

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi gave a glance to the Iuchi before she lowered her cup again from a sip. "Good. That's good. He's a ranking Mantis as well and they're the only samurai who are common around here, if we could even use that word around here...We've gone way out of our league being here, staying longer is just going to complicate things further. Don't you think so Iuchi-san?"

[Iuchi Xiao Hua]

"Hmm, what do you mean by that, Hoshi-san? Did something happen?" he asked her curious as the rather ominous storm raged outside. Iuchi was quite happy that he didn't have to be up in the mast at the moment.

[Bayushi Hoshi]

There was a peculiar lift of her brow when she heard her given name called but she didn't scrutinize that detail, for now. She gave a shake of her head to dismiss any idea of anything dire. "Iie...I just get the particular feeling that these gaijin are desperate for an answer, both from within and...without. Something of the Mantis's doing and their involvement in their culture many years back in that war. I was asked by a guardsman if we were here to help. As unwelcomed as we are, some may expect us to stick around and help them in the same way again. Mm...Not something that's better than being treated like an alien really..."

[Iuchi Xiao Hua]

The moment the man voiced her name, he realized he had plundered. "I see..." he sighed. "Maybe the captain will have a better idea. Then again, he might not." Sipping his tea, the man continued. "The city certainly felt restless..."

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi sighed after a sip of tea. "It is their last bastion of civilization, Iuchi-san. There will be many who push and pull here."

[Iuchi Xiao Hua]

The man chuckled. "Locals might not agree on that, though... yes, you are right. Yet, I don't think that it explains everything.." Iuchi sipped his tea. "The city felt restless. Then again, compared to burning sands..." He shrugged.

[Bayushi Hoshi]

Hoshi drifted her gaze to Xiao Hua. "-Ah...but it's not in the same way ne? What were you hoping to find out?"

[Iuchi Xiao Hua]

"That, you should ask from the captain." he nodded to her, meeting her gaze. "I guess, he'd want to know what's causing the unrest here."