018 // action - union divine theater/ninetales vale/around union

[actsmagnificent]

[ a - union divine theater ]

Ah.....Left.

[ The Machomp and Nidoking holding up the decorative carving nod and move accordingly. Haruka surveys the result from several paces away, arms crossed. ] That's good.

[ A hired carpenter and her Mankey move in to affix the refurbished peace. No longer needed, Haruka glances around the rest of the damage. The dorm is mostly repaired by now, but the Theater is a long, slow process. They won't be putting on any more plays for a while...

...wait. ] Gene!

Woop! [ A Wooper flees the scene, the small rain cloud that'd been forming above some paint cans dissipating. Isn't he even allowed to dance his support anymore?!

He isn't really looking where he's running, and may very well end up lost. ]

[ b - ninetales vale ]

[ Ninetales Vale, while a haven for the physically spiritual, is also a place one can come for less directly spirit-related needs as well. For example, this unassuming building that has just reopened for business, every perfectly-shaped roof tile in place, is widely-known as one of the best places to go for a form of meditative hospitality centered around the drinking of tea.

Haruka is headed there now, dressed appropriately in a robe that crosses across her front. She takes a deep breath in front of the place, smiling to herself. Things are only going to get worse from here. She might need this. ]

[ c - HEADED RIGHT AT YOU, OH SAVIOR, GET OUT OF THE WAY ]

Move!

[ If the shout doesn't get you moving, Union pedestrian, perhaps the sound of a professional racing Rhyhorn thundering towards you on the open street might. It looks terrified, and is being pursued by a tall young "gentleman" on foot, who hurdles over a table of street wares like it wasn't even there in her quest to catch up to the stray beast.

The street is too crowded. So the young man looks for a handhold and begins vaulting himself up...onto the rooftops. Hope you weren't about to open a window! ]

Comments

[faithfulflame]

[The display of precision is impressive, for sure, and Rei does as expected and bows too.  Now they’re getting into the meat of the ceremony and she needs to pay attention, for the Mienshao’s benefit, if nothing else.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Mienshao does not let the fact that she is totally psyched to prepare this tea interrupt her poise as she begins. Her motions remain fluid - even though all she's doing is following the etiquette to prepare this tea, it's almost like watching someone dance, or execute a choreographed martial arts bout. The trailing flaps of her fur don't even get in the way. ]

[faithfulflame]

[Which is really pretty astounding, in Rei's estimation. How wonderful! This really is a rare treat!]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka is watching closely too - according to Sky the Beartic, Michiru's Nidoqueen, Stradivarius, is interested in tea ceremonies. So, although Haruka'd never admit to it, she watches Mienshao's motions carefully, looking for little ways she's managed to adapt the ceremony's requirements to paws instead of hands. Stradivarius will need...a lot...of that sort of trick.

Mienshao cleans her whisk. It makes a pleasant swishing sound. When she holds it up for inspection, she turns it slowly, so both she and her guests can see it's free of residue or dust. ]

[faithfulflame]

[Inwardly, Rei’s clapping for the little fighting type, but the only reaction she offers up is a polite bow, hair swaying.  It’s excellent work, and she’ll say as much with her body motions if the Mienshao cares to read that far into it.  Silence is, of course, a big part of the ceremony, just enjoying the sounds and smells of the tea being prepared.

It’s nice, and in a way it makes her want to bring Ami next time, and she has a feeling her fiancée will enjoy it a great deal.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ A repeat customer would thrill Mienshao, as that's a sign she's provided excellent hospitality. She draws a の in the water to finish cleaning her brush - she thinks she's seen a symbol like that in some old books of her Trainer's, it's intriguing - and places her whisk down to warm her tea bowl.

This is the tricky part. Her paws are tinier than human hands, and there's some very precise motions she has to execute....

Haruka sits forward a bit more, watching. ]

[faithfulflame]

[Rei does too, seriously hoping the little thing can pull it off. She's doing such a great job so far and the priestess wants to see her succeed. But...not interfering!]

[actsmagnificent]

[ The water has warmed the bowl. Mienshao empties it using her left paw only, but the bowl begins to wobble. As a result, she discards the water perhaps a bit more quickly than the rest of her ceremony's tempo, but she gets it out and her bowl level again. Now to wipe it.

This way...then that way....then curve like this...

When she finally sets the bowl down in front of herself, it's like a weight has lifted from the whole room. ]

[faithfulflame]

[Well, poor thing.  That is a pretty difficult task for something with such small, delicate paws, though it’s endearingly cute to see it at work.  Rei smiles at the Mienshao as it finishes, bowing once more in a deep, respectful nod.]

Well done, little one.

[actsmagnificent]

[ Oh! Oh, goodness her. Mienshao's latest obstacle to keeping her composure is happiness, not nerves. She can't help but feel like she's showing off a little as she holds her tea scoop in only one "finger" to free the rest up for removing the lid from her tea chest. It took quite a bit of study in dexterity to manage this, and it's not how a human would do it, but...she works with what she has. Like the potter from Caldera who used a different glaze. Her tea ceremony has its own flavor.

That's how Haruka is seeing it, anyway. ]

[faithfulflame]

[It's certainly how Rei sees it too, and it's pretty charming, though she's careful not to distract the Pokemon. It's new, interesting, and a genuine treat to watch. It's always amazing just what Pokemon are capable of, without being human...but how human seeming they can be.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Now they're getting into the part that Mienshao has practiced the most: the art of actually preparing the tea while moving her utensils around for aesthetic purposes. This is like a dance, or a martial arts form, which makes it much easier for a Fighting-type like her to remember.

So are there more intricate movements involved in opening up her tea and scooping it out that might strictly be required to get the tea where it needs to go? Of course. That's the point, and yet, there's a simplicity to this, as well.

In what feels like no time at all - there's a timeless quality to this ritual -, it's time to whisk her tea. Mienshao smooths her fur flaps behind her paws and begins. ]

[faithfulflame]

[The ceremony continues, with Rei sitting forward just a bit, eyes watching.  The simplicity of it is charming, quite so, and it’s hard not to grin.  The pokemon is working so hard, and it’s obvious it’s practiced.  How splendid!]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka is even more alert now too, but only because her cue is coming up; as technically the highest-"ranking" guest at this ceremony, she'll be the first to receive tea once it's ready.

And it's just about done. Mienshao has to take the texture of this bowl into consideration when whisking so no froth flies out, but she's nearly ready....

....and there she goes, drawing that same swirly symbol on the top.

She did it. She prepared the tea. ]

[faithfulflame]

[Rei grins at Haruka, waiting for her turn to be served. It's curious, and the way Mienshao is doing things is just...frankly...so thoughtful it's adorable.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ To indicate the tea is ready, Mienshao places the bowl across the mat from herself. Haruka scoots forward smoothly, also used to elegant movements, and places her fingertips between her knees and the bowl. ] Thanks for the tea.

[ And then, as etiquette dictates, she turns to Rei. ] Pardon me for going ahead of you.

[ What? She can do formal when she has to do formal.

Acting! ]

[faithfulflame]

[When does Haruka Tenoh apologize or ask pardon for anything? Clearly it's acting! But Rei bows her head.]

Of course, Senpai.

[She can be formal too.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka seems to be enjoying this tea quite a lot. She also seems to notice that Mienshao is watching her expectantly without wanting to look too needy, because when she finishes her sip, she inquires: ] May I look at the utensils?

Shao. [ Mienshao fetches them for Haruka's appraisal. Haruka exhibits an appropriate amount of reverence for each tool.

Sorry to make you wait for your tea, Rei. She wanted to do this for their hostess. ]

[faithfulflame]

[It's quite alright. Rei can be patient, and will sit there silently, watching the pair.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ When the utensil parade is finished, Haruka takes another sip of her tea. She then returns it exactly where it was before, wordlessly this time - the rest of the guests may have their tea now.

Mienshao cleans the bowl and prepares tea for Rei. Here you are. She doesn't speak, not to someone who isn't the most prominent guest, but she lets her welcoming gestures do the speaking for her. ]

[faithfulflame]

[Which amuses Rei to no end, given that she's the heir to one of the most important families in the city, with a great deal of political power on her own as one of Ninetales Vale's patrons. Mienshao must have assumed based on height...

Rei sits patiently though, waiting till Mienshao's done before taking and sipping the tea quietly.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka must have beaten Rei to that seat. Whoops. That, or someone at this tea shop is a theater fan and they're sucking up.

Either way, Mienshao is actually far more interested in Rei's reaction. Maybe that's mean, or unfair of her. But Rei had encouraged her before, and is a regular. She can't help it. ]

[faithfulflame]

[Rei lowers her cup and smiles fondly, meeting Mienshao's eyes.]

Thank you.

[As polite and formal a thank you as can be managed, and traditionally appropriate too.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Mienshao bows gracefully back. She is grateful to have such accommodating guests at her first solo tea ceremony. ]