Kyuden Shika

After waking and washing, Nesshin makes his way to the Blushing Maiden once again. Though how maidenly it is when I've been inside so many times, and so many others have, I don't know, he thinks. He waves to Koi as he enters, saying "I'd like the taste of Hitomi on my tongue today, and maybe some soba?" as he finds his way to what seems to be a usual spot for him.

He sighs, thinking on things. I didn't do well with my performance this morning. But then, it was a long night, and a busy one.

Elsewhere in the tea house Murato sat sipping from a cup. He did so enjoy a hot cup of tea after a hot bath. He watched people coming and going, wondering about the flow of their movements.

Nesshin, receiving his cup--the food will take a little longer, so sorry, he is told--raises it in the Kitsu's direction.

"How goes it?" he asks. "And is that Mayako you've got with you, or maybe Kumiko?"

He returns the raised cup. "I was told that this was the sweetest, so I am enjoying some Yuri. It's very nice."

Nesshin smiles and nods.

"I've drunk deeply of Yuri no few times, myself," he says. "Though today I found myself more in a mood to partake of Hitomi."

His food arrives--with apologies, of course--and he says "And something else to eat, as well. Because a person must eat at the, why, minimum to be able to be dutiful and diligent."

"Do you have a particular favorite here? One that you enjoy more than the others?"

"Oh, they're all wonderful to wet the mouth with," Nesshin replies. "Akina's especially good in cooler weather, as is Yasu. Kumiko's definitely more summery."

He takes a drink from his own cup and adds "Hitomi's bracing; so's her close kin, Natsumi. Some more adventurous types will even take both together."

"I've never tried to drink two teas at the same time. Would you not lose some of the distinctions like that? I feel like I would prefer one at a time, but wouldn't mind having them back to back," he says.

"Some say back to back," Nesshin replies. "Some front to front, or side to side.

"And it is true that some nuance is sometimes lost, but sometimes, the combination brings out things not otherwise evident; it enhances as often as it detracts, or more often."

"Assuming one has the palate to distinguish such things. I may not, since I am not overly experienced with tea. The Lion tend to be more practical about it. Usually the same taste every time, steeped until almost bitter, then finish in just a few sips," he says with a shrug. "Not much nuance to appreciate in that."