Tea Ceremony

[crow_dad]

Who: Kogarasumaru and you!
Broadcast: Yes
Action: The Dojo on the Iskaulit
When: 8/2

Broadcast

[The pretty sword appears on the screen with a smile on his ever polished face. Politely, he bows his head before speaking.]

Greetings. I would like to host a tea ceremony for those interested in attending. If you do then I will be holding these ceremonies in my dojo on the Iskaulit. There is no requirement for dress code aside from the removal of your shoes when you enter.

[Lowering himself down, he bows where he is kneeling, hands brushing the floor.]

I look forward to seeing those of you who are interested.


The Dojo

[For those who are interested in coming, the dojo looks the same on arrival. The same traditional Japanese setup. In the center of the room Kogarasumaru can be found kneeling, bowing politely to the ones who enter before rising to his feet.]

Please come in. I will get you a cushion to sit on.

[He is not going to expect anyone to kneel like he will. It can be terribly uncomfortable for most.]

Have you ever attended a Japanese tea ceremony before?

Comments

the dojo

[universal_charm]

_{[ After the excitement of the mist, a tea ceremony sounded like a calm, soothing experience that he and everyone else needed. Very much so. He smiled when Koga greeted him, slipping off his shoes at the entrance. ]}

No, can't say I have. But that's all the more reason to come.

[therewerefifty]

[Well, now, Makie has two reasons to come. First is Manji has mentioned Kogarasumaru and a certain match and her interest has been piqued. Second, though...

...well, she's an 18th century ex-samurai lady who's been trained in such ceremonies. She has a distinct interest to see if many of the details of this one are similar. She arrives at the dojo, then, in kimono and shawl, shamisen tucked in the fold of her arm, and hesitates at the doorway.]

Kogarasumaru-san, is it...?

I require no cushion, but thank you.

[crow_dad]

I hope that you will enjoy your experience then.

[He smiles at him then goes to begin bringing in what he needs to begin the ceremony, setting a cushion down for the man so that way he will be more comfortable.]

[crow_dad]

It is. Please, make yourself comfortable.

[He waves a hand for where she can kneel, taking note of the instrument that she's holding. It won't be too bad to ask about it first before they begin.]

The shamisen is a beautiful instrument. One of my former masters enjoyed playing. May I ask how long you have been practicing?

[scalpelofmarmora]

[This particularly appealed to Ulaz for several reasons. First, it was Kogarasumaru. He enjoyed being in the company of the sword. Also this was an opportunity to learn about the culture that the sword came from. He'd already learned about greeting with bowing (and likely done it less than correctly though Kogarasumaru had said nothing). Now this was something else.

So Ulaz took him up on the offer and headed over to the dojo. He had at least put on some of the nicer clothes he had in his wardrobe (not the Hawaiian shirt) for the occasion. When Kogarasumaru bowed to him, he bowed back the best he knew how]

Thank you. No, I have never attended something like this before.

[therewerefifty]

[She bows before entering, then steps carefully across the floor to the place he suggests, and smiles faintly.]

Since I was a child. Lessons with my mother. I made it a living for a short while.

I am Otono-Tachibana Makie.

[crow_dad]

Perhaps one day you will give me the honor of playing for me. In return, I will dance for you.

[He smiles at her then fetches his tea supplies, kneeling easily. With that, he lets the ceremony begin, cleaning the tools before her so she can witness this for herself.

All the while his posture is perfection, graceful and elegant.]

[crow_dad]

[Since Ulaz seems to be one who is ready to learn about his culture, he sees no reason not to show him exactly what he needs to do. So he waves a hand to where he will be kneeling before doing so himself.]

Please kneel like so. There are cushions should you find discomfort in the position. However, this is how a guest witnesses the ceremony.

[universal_charm]

I have enjoyed every moment with you, Koga. I doubt this time will be any different.

_{[ He smiled back and he did at least give an effort to sit like Koga had, knees tucked beneath him. He had seen Sulu do so as well, during some of his training sessions, but his legs soon began to tingle and he shifted into a seated lotus position. ]}

[therewerefifty]

[She's quiet a moment before answering, observing his actions. Were it not for what she already knew about him, she'd be amazed at such poise in one that seemed so young.

She wonders how old he really is. But that's a rude question to ask.]

I would be honoured. Your grace is exemplary.

[scalpelofmarmora]

[He appreciated that Kogarasumaru was showing him honestly about the culture. It had bothered him how easily the Galran military swept through entire systems and disrupted the cultures of those they conquered. Those who agreed to support them were left better in tact, but still that meant nothing to the wrong commander.

While he couldn't necessarily do anything to help that, especially given his state back home, he could at least appreciate the opportunity to learn when it came up.

Funny though. Kogarasumaru doesn't know the Galra determination. Discomfort was nothing they'd frown at so when Kogarasumaru indicates where he will be "sitting" and kneels, he kneels as well, copying the position]

It is common where you are from to kneel like this?

[crow_dad]

One would think you are flirting with this father.

[He's only teasing him though. He smiles at him and waits for Kirk to realize the position is uncomfortable and for the man to sit in another way before he gets his supplies set up.]

I will walk you through this since this is your first time.

[crow_dad]

[He smiles and bows his head to nod his thanks to her for her kind words. No words are spoken on his end for now so he can maintain his role as a host.

The time to prepare the tea has come and he carefully places the matcha into the bowl and pours the water over it. Whisking it quickly, he soon finds it ready for more water which he pours into it as well.

With that, he turns to her and presents the bowl to her.]

[crow_dad]

I would say it is traditional more than common. Particularly in ceremonies like this one.

[Leaning forward, he rests a piece of cloth before him, folded so perfectly and beautifully clean.]

This will be for later.

[Kogarasumaru then moves to where he has the rest of his supplies neatly laid out.]

The nature of this ceremony is to appreciate the craftsmanship of not only the tea but the efforts one puts into presenting it. It is considered an honor to present as well as to be served.

[As he speaks, he gracefully begins to clean the tools he will be using.]

[therewerefifty]

[She has so rarely been on this side of a ceremony. But thus far the tenets of this one mirror closely her own. Makie bows her head forward and accepts the bowl, turning it in graceful fingers to examine its working. Then she drinks from it, pausing afterward to wipe its rim.

If there are other guests, she'll pass it along. Otherwise, she returns it quietly to Kogarasumaru.]

[scalpelofmarmora]

I see.

[He watched intently and with curiosity as Kogarasumaru put that cloth down and began to gather the supplies, making note of each one. He couldn't be faulted at least for not paying attention to the ceremony]

I'm honored you would show me.

[universal_charm]

Would said father be upset if one was, just a little?

_{[ Teasing. Halfway. Flirting came as naturally as breathing, half the time, or as a defense mechanism depending on the situation. But hey, if it worked... otherwise he was fine to trade playful jibes. ]}

It would be much appreciated. You seem to be doing that a lot for me lately.

[crow_dad]

[When the bowl is returned to him, he cleans it before her so she can see what he does. The teaware is also cleaned and the tools once again.

With that, he allows her to inspect the teaware, sitting back so she can take her time to do so. After she has handed them back to him, he replaces them where they are meant to be.

At this point they would bow and she would depart. The look on his face says he knows as much as he turns to her.]

If you would like to stay longer, we can say our ceremony has concluded. I do not believe any dishonor will be had if we stop here. I have tea for guests of my dojo should you wish to linger.

[crow_dad]

The honor is one bestowed on me.

[He smiles at him then continues.]

Now the tea can be prepared. This is matcha. It is a powder of concentrated flavor of green tea. Small portions of this powder are put into the bowl then whisked to create the tea.

[And he demonstrates, tilting the bowl slightly so that Ulaz can see the green of the tea he is creating.]

[crow_dad]

Said father might ponder intentions but I assure you he would be complimented.

[He looks amused then lifts the tools up one at a time to clean them.]

The ceremony begins after the guests are seated. The host will then clean each tool to be used.

[scalpelofmarmora]

[At that statement, the faintest of smiles crossed Ulaz's face. He's come to appreciate hearing that he was wanted around. He had spent more time than he cared to remember isolated either physically or emotionally from others. He'd been here such a short time and still...

He leaned forward a little more to watch what Kogarasumaru was doing. It was all so fascinating]

It certainly is green.

[So yes... green tea]

Matcha is the only tea used for this?

[therewerefifty]

[The offer is a surprise, mostly because she was expecting the ceremony to end formally. But after a moment, she smiles faintly.]

I would like that. It's so rare that I get much of a taste of home.

/slams into this late

[nosferatanking]

[Morgan is always up for trying something new, and the ceremony that Kogarasumaru mentions easily grabs his interest.]

[He's there almost as soon as Kogasumaru opens the Dojo, smiling broadly.]

I haven't! What do we do?

[crow_dad]

It is a flavor that is strong and allows one better appreciation of the tea.

[He adds more water to the paste before whisking again. When he is finished, he sets the tool down and presents the bowl to Ulaz.]

Lift the bowl and admire the craftsmanship of it without spilling the tea.

[crow_dad]

I had wondered. You were so familiar with the ceremony I thought you might like the chance to talk to someone who is also Japanese for a time.

[Rising to his feet, he goes to fetch a tray with a pot and two cups. Something he keeps here for guests when there are no ceremonies or lessons or sparring to be had.

Kneeling before her, he pours tea for her first and offers it to her before pouring some for himself.]

How long have you been with this fleet?