Kyuden Shika

Matsu Ishioka had had the brilliant idea, he'd planned for this, and he arrived first to ensure good tea and a light food spread were ready. Everything was on track. So why am I so nervous?

He settled his feet flat on the floor and took a deep, centering breath.

Murato moved past Ishi, patting him on the shoulder, before sitting across from him. "Ishioka-san." He smiled at his fellow Lion.

Narumi entered the tea house and had a look around for... there.
Her heart swells in her chest at the sight of Ishioka, but she presses her lips together to focus and makes her way over. Bowing to both Lions, she flashes a winning and friendly smile before taking the seat next to Murato.
"Ohayo, Matsu-san, Kitsu-san; have you had your rice today?" Don't be suspicious, don't be suspicious... "The table looks lovely. Thank you for arranging this meeting." -her gaze flicks to Ishi and her smile shifts to something decidedly warmer.

Mura greets Narumi with a bow and a soft smile... his face a mask of pleasantness. If he found anything off about her being here he revealed nothing. "Usogawa Narumi-san. I am pleased to see you again."

The last to arrive was the little Otter. Emiko, under her blue umbrella expecting more rain, entered and put it to a side before looking about for the group. Spotting them, she smiled and made her way over, bowing.

"Good afternoon! Thank you for this lovely invitation, I hope you are all well?"

"I think it fair to say that Kitsu-san and I are decidedly better thanks to this kind company," Ishioka says, a modest but still charming smile on his face.

"I am honored that my simple idea to bring us together was well received. Exciting ideas are not necessarily my strong suit," he says with a little chuckle.

As her cousin joins them, Narumi bows to her as well, "Usogawa-sama, happy to see you, as always."

"I requested something calming for tea today," Ishioka mentions, not standing on ceremony and wanting folks to be comfortable. He glances across at Narumi, perhaps showing the tiniest pout that she'd sat beside the Kitsu, but carries on without interruption. As he pours tea, he adds, "This morning's concert seemed fairly... energetic... so a mellow tea seemed proper. Of course if something stronger would be desired, I'll request that as well," he offers, looking, as much as the big stoic man can, like an attentive server.

Murato greets Emiko with a bow as she arrives. "Good afternoon Usogawa Emiko-sama. I am delighted to see you again."

While Ishioka may be a little pouty about the seating, Murato sees it for the blessing it is. If Narumi was next to him, he had a view of Emikos eyes and she had the same for the Kitsu.

The pout is met with a raise of one manicured eyebrow and a familiar smirk.
"Thank you, Matsu-san; your generosity surely knows no bounds." She accepts when he fills her cup and draws it close to her.
"I rather enjoyed all the shows. It was a good change of pace from the series of more serious events we've been run through. I think we can all appreciate something lighthearted, neh? Besides, the real treat was seeing who paired up with whom." She runs a fingerpad around the rim of her cup. "Both the Lions are this table were especially admirable, and your choices of partners expressed your harmony perfectly. It was a treat to watch you perform." The words are kind, her expression was kind as well, but Ishioka was familiar enough with her to note the emotion in her eyes did not match, instead they spoke of melancholy.