Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2015 18:26:23 GMT -5
One of the formal gardens with its small pavilion was selected to host the tea ceremony to which the Archadean merchant lord was invited with his expatriate translator. Mariko oversaw many of the preparations herself, perhaps to Ame's frustrations with her capricious little mistress, wanting to make a grand impression on the Deliambre lord. She was an excitable girl, a marked contrast to her more reserved and aloof samurai-ko, one in whom curiosity was never truly sated. The land of Archades was a fascination to her, something she hoped to learn more about and perhaps go to visit if her father could be persuaded.
A low, square table was placed in the center of the pavilion, a lacquered ebony that gleamed in the slanting sunlight through the tulip trees. The folded cloth that would be laid over the table was placed on the corner for Mariko's use when the time came. Opposite sides of the table held the exotic chair-frames and cushions that served as seats in Sokoku, resting on a finely woven bamboo mat. Unlighted lanterns swung gently to and fro from the cross-beams of the pavilion while she indicated the box holding the delicate porcelain tea cups and spoons be placed next to the cloth. A warmer for the water was added but not lighted yet, and the box that held the implements to prepare the tea sat tidily at the other side of the table, also crafted of thin bamboo.
In anticipation of their guests' arrival, the Sokoku princess wore a pale green kimono embroidered with peonies and cherry blossoms, tied with an obi of gold and red. The kimono was one of Mariko's favorites, and her hair bore hair sticks made of jade and rose quartz, sparkling against the deep black strands. She opted against the heavy outermost kimono for now as she would be performing the tea ceremony herself.
Now ready, she stood before the pavilion, waiting for Lord Cesare Deliambre and his companion to join them. This would make for good relations!
Cesare Deliambre, @inoueame, @nakamurashiro