[Day 4, Late morning, Jade Sun, open] No tea like home's

[Togashi Kazuma]

"Very well prepared." I say taking my attention off Izo-chan for a moment. I think she was talking about my dried fish I got at the market earlier. It was sold at a nearby vendor, and I'm giving Izo-chan pieces. "I am used to Mantis created meals, so the spices were not unfamiliar to me, but I think my friend is happier with it than I." I start my soup. It is very tasty, reminds me of home. Well, Kyuden Kitsune at least, if not my true home.

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

"I see". I don't care for the bird much. I go back to my miso soup. It does not take me long to finish it. I look up towards the Rhumaal expectedly "sumi masen". I am wondering when the main will arrive and i'd like to ask the girl some questions when she's free. It seems to be a quiet time. Not yet lunch but past normal breakfast time. A good time to go in future perhaps.

[elonweis]

Suriya was picking up dishes from the other tables when the woman called her. She glances up and bows, murmuring politely, "I will check for you, Mirumoto-sama."

Without a rude word or glance, the gaijin slipped into the curtained door leading to the kitchen with her burden. Several dozen heartbeats pass before she returns with another tray. As quietly as before, she sets a bowl of rice before the Togashi along with a whole steamed fish, garnished with green onions, ginger and a bit of soy. A square lacquered box was set before Tomoe, the different cuts of fish artfully arranged on top of a bed of rice. There was even a bit of tamago, cut to resemble a rabbit.

A separate dish was provided for soy sauce, along with a small stoppered jar. It all looked achingly familiar and one could almost ignore the strangeness of one's surroundings.

"A thousand apologies for the wait."

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

(ooc: Even I got hungry upon seeing that picture!)

I smile at the beautiful presentation of the meal, the heavenly smell and the familiarity of the ingredients. I wave my hand in the air to dismiss the woman's apology "please, there is no need to apologise - I would have willingly stayed here for many times as long for such a good meal and it would not have been a wait". Eager to begin I give thanks for the meal before taking out my own chopsticks. I look at the Togashi, flashing a tiny grin, before I start with the rice and a little of the fish... I hope it is as good as it looks!

[Togashi Kazuma]

I smile at the servant. "No apologies needed for me as well, this is fantastic." The smell is already making my mouth water. I love ginger. The fish seems to melt in my mouth, and I let a simple smile shoe through. My brothers in the order might chastise me for my giving into a luxury, or they may be envious of my meal. I've not thought about them in several weeks. Since I've been away from the mountains, I've seen perhaps half a dozen of my Order. I feel better with some Dragon around though.

I notice Tomoe's grin. Perhaps we are not so different. I return her smile.

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

The food is excellent. I am set for the day. Perhaps slightly too hastily I work my way through it. I see Kazuma enjoying it also. It's refreshing to see a Togashi who enjoys life rather than trying to live above everyone.

When finished I take the time to start another conversation with Suriya "Suriya Malik-san, could you please tell me about Lanka if you are not too busy? I would like to learn more"

[elonweis]

The woman, refilling the pot of tea at the elbows of the other other patrons, looks up when she's called. She bows, "Of course, Mirumoto-sama. If I may set this down...?"

She indicates the large copper pot with steam coming out of its spout.

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

I nod back "of course!" I respond unusually energetically. The woman's earnest nature is good to see.

[elonweis]

The kettle was taken back through the curtain before Suriya returned. She didn't sit down with the Dragon but, instead, knelt to the side and waited to be addressed again. It was a natural and graceful movement, uncomplicated by differences in culture or convention.

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

I continued to use her full name until instructed otherwise. I was perhaps being too stifly formal but I found it difficult to be otherwise. Smiling at the girl I indicated the food "I'll come again for food like this. Thank you. Please, Suriya Malik-san, could you tell me a bit about Lanka then? I imagine you have always lived here...?"

[elonweis]

"I have, Mirumoto-sama," she replies with a faint smile, "Is there something in particular you wish to know...? After all, to try to answer your question in its entirety is to try and drink a river dry."

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

"I am not quite that thirsty" I reply, smiling more at the woman's comment. "Well, what do you like about Lanka?"

[elonweis]

"It's people. We're a trade port mostly and people come and go, the one's who stay and make a life here are kind and generous with their time and their hospitality. They are welcoming," she replies with a small smile that held a hint of sadness, "It has not changed too much, but grows a little harder with all the new people now..."

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

I nod in understanding "A city cannot be alive without people". I take a moment to offer her a smile in the hopes of cheering her up somewhat before continuing. "Lanka does seem very packed. Lots of temporary buildings to house people too. What is the reason for all the new people arriving?" I ask in a friendly tone

[elonweis]

Suriya's expression changes subtly, becoming closed at the question. "War."

[Togashi Kazuma]

I almost spill my tea. War? With whom? I look at Tomoe and I allow a brief look of concern to pass my face. She seems to have a better rapport with the servant, but I look at it, and I ask "Could you clarify that? War is a very broad word. Is someone going to attack you?"

[elonweis]

"No, Togashi-sama," she replies politely but firmly, "It is ill-luck to speak of it."

[Togashi Kazuma]

Superstitious mumblings. Perhaps commoners are not so different regardless of where they live. I nod, I'd like to demand more information, but I am a guest. I will not dishonor myself with such a display. I look into its eyes, and I allow myself a smile. "I can respect that. Perhaps a different question, is there anything we can do to help ease the unrest?"

[elonweis]

"I am a serving girl at a shop, Togashi-sama, not a kshatriya or a brahmin to answer that," she replies politely.

[Mirumoto Tomoe]

I think back to her previous comment. "What is good luck to speak of then Suriya Malik-san? Please speak of that instead. Surely there is something positive to be hopeful about in all of this?" I ask, doing my best to look reassurring and cheerful. If a Lankan girl who interacts with Rokugani daily is this tight lipped about what is going on in Lanka then it will be difficult to get much information...