Third Times the Charm (Mid Afternoon Day 5)

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

The party the Mantis held was under way, an area of beach marked off and visible from afar as a series of tables and cooking fires as well as a stage. Before entering the area people from the Crew of the Sea will warn guests that while things within the area may not seem as the appear. What the see is harmless and the are encouraged to enjoy themselves.upon entering they are greeted by the following.

For the party redux part two Meiko has opted for a wholly different motif. One that wouldn's be famialr to any that hadn't heard stories from the Unicorn. Or at least Studied them. The beaches sand had become rollign dunes that seemed to go on for miles and miles, the center of the oasis dominated by a lush oasis.

Foreign trees dotted the area around the watering hole full of crystal clear water. As well as various shrubs and flowering desert plants. The stage looked to be some elabroate affair draped in silk, and faux carpets and gaily colored pavillions pulled it all together, and shaded the party goers from the sun beating overhead.

Serving men and women wander through the gathered Samurai offering cups of Sake, Shochu, Tea, or water to those that arrive and their is a variety of dishes available prepared by the cooks from Shouji's ship. Other then rice and a variety of pickles it's exclusively seafood items though, prepared in the Mantis style. No entertainment has started as of yet, but if the stage is any indication there is at least some planned.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

Now Shouji liked parties as much as anyone, but hosting three in a row was pushing it more then a bit. Especially since Minari had fallen ill and this one had to be put together in something of a rush. He had a cup in his hand, but had decided on tea ratehr then sake. At least for now.

He needed to have his head in the game today as it were.

[Kitsuki Naida]

Naida stood next to him with a cup of tea as well, "It's not a bad day for tea. Seems the weather is a bit more blustery then the other times today has happened, oddly."

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"Mmmm... That it does." Shouji offered with a glance to the side. He wouldn't know anything at all about that. Not one bit.

"Not that a wind really detracts if the atmosphere if good." He glanced around. "This one screams warm."

[Kitsuki Naida]

"A warm wind, hm? ...maybe the tea should be cold then?"

She takes a sip thoughtfully, looking out at the intricate illusions.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"I don't think that would help any." He replied with a smirk.

"The illusion might look warm, but it doesn't really do much to change how it feels. So if you want something cool that will warm you up, well you're looking at some shochu." Not that such was the only way to warm up in this place. But he really didn't need to start thinking about that sstuff already.

[Kitsuki Naida]

"I'm comfortable whichever; The cold never bothered me much, nor the heat. Osano-Wo-Okami's blessings they say. Still, there's a time and a place for everything, including the right outfit and the right drink. ...shochu doesn't sound bad right now, either way."

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"You make a fine point there." The Captain mused eyeing the Dragon for a moment, before tipping his cup back and finishing the tea."

"So shochu it is."

[Kitsuki Naida]

"I wonder if you could mix alcohol and tea, and whether they would be any good together."

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

'That's something i doubt." He ofered with a wry smile.

"If you want to give it a try though..." He shook hsi head. "i'll make sure you don't makea fool of yourself."

[Kitsuki Naida]

Naida looked over him, tiltingvher head, "You think so? Now I just have to try it. I can't after a doubting comment like that. I'll get you a cup too; Hold my tea."

She placed the cup in his hand, switching it for the emoty cup there smoothly before walking off the put the empty cup with the shochu.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"It sounds like I'll be drinking it too." He mused, watching the older woman as she stepped away. Holding the glass of tea she had given him while she collected what she wanted.

[Kitsuki Naida]

Coming back with two cups of satsuma-imo (sweet potato) shochu, Naida did a deft switch of the cups so she was holding one cup of shochu and one of tea, the exercise particularly easy with her Mirumoto training. Not that she would say so.

"There, that's better."

She looked at the two cups.

"Now, I wonder the logistics of this."

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

"Sip from one then the other?" Shouji offered his smile a bit teasing. "Or are you just worried about having both hands full and me with one free to poke you?"

He playfully poked her in the arm to demonstrate. "What ever the case im sure you'll manage."

[Hida Daichi]

Word was out that there was a party and anyone that didn't bet that Daichi would be there was a bad gambler. He walked in solo looking around to see who was there, noticing less of a crowd than he expected he simply shrugged the space was done up really well and Daichi certainly looked to drink his fill and let loose a little.

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

Daichi recieved a polite nod from where Shouji stood talking with Naida. It was nice to see the big man making it out three days in a row.

[Kitsuki Naida]

"Ah, good afternoon, Hida-sama."

She did not bow much, just her head. Naida kind of had her hands full, after all. Then her eyes went to Shouji, "I swear, if you make me spill any of this, you will suffer the wrath of double cup Niten style retribution."

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

He chuckled at that. "Might want to start drinking then." Shouji offered his smile playful. "I may be tempted to see what double cup style is."

The Captain didn't keep poking her though, instead bringing his cup to his lips for a sip.