seasonsrpg | ☀️ all the trees change in the fall

WHO: Everyone who wishes to visit the tea house.
WHAT: Tea house opening!
WHEN: Forward-dated a couple of days, but early July!
WHERE: shinrin-yoku, Sunwaning
WARNINGS: Mystery hot pot………… (shudders)

[ It had been a couple of months ago, when Ayaka informed the network of her desire to open up a tea house. Many people showed interest, and as such, may receive either a written invitation (so formal) from her, informing them of the tea house's opening. Others may find the invitation via network from the white heron ~~which we will conveniently handwave~~, announcing the opening of her tea house, shinrin-yoku in Sunwaning.

The invitation somehow asks guests to bring an ingredient for food– whatever it is they like!-- with no explanation whatsoever. Huh… wonder what that's about?

And to those who visit, they may find themselves in a little haven of zen for a while. ]

Welcome
🌸 shinrin-yoku seems like a simple tea house upon entering, with a large wooden sliding door that's already opened for guests to enter.

Ayaka will be the one to personally greet her guests, offering three possible areas for seating– the traditional Inazuman set up, the space for where you can let your legs down and not kneel while seated, or outside in the gardens. Of course, since it is a grand opening of the tea house, people aren't limited to their own tables! Familiar faces may be abound, and guests may like to walk around and see the interior, perhaps even say hello to the manager who is walking around and sniffing people here and there.

For future endeavours, Ayaka informs guests that they may use the shinrin-yoku for business gatherings and meetings. Members of the Welcoming Committee and Ayato's own committee are more than welcome to use the shinrin-yoku, and may even become a place for exchanging information and the like. The tea house promises to be a safe place to all.

A Simple Game of Snack
🌸 While guests may order food separately with any of the tea house's servers, there is a long table at the garden area offering all the items on the menu (except for the udon). It's free, and part of the ways Ayaka wishes to celebrate the opening of her tea house. There is a small card in front of the display of food, however, and it reads:

a cup of tea, warm
savoury, sweet wagashi
new names under trees

Strange? Random? What does that have to do with food? Well, it seems our little proprietress just loves it when people gather. She doesn't wish for the grand opening to just be a simple transaction, and she wishes for her tea house to be a venue where people can make friends, exchange stories, and feel safe.

It is why these snacks offered at the buffet table are laced with enchantments. The side effects are not harmful at all, and she only wishes for her guests to mingle, as well. As such, some may make people extra friendly, wanting to break the ice with a joke or a funny story. Some may end up bursting into song because of the snack they ate, while some may not be able to hold it in. They have to compliment another person before they can proceed with the rest of their conversation!

Ah, now the poem makes sense… as for the tea? Guests will have to order their own, as it is best served hot.

Mystery Hot Pot
🌸 Thanks to Ayaka's time spent in Nippon, she's become. . . excited and wants to continue this tradition she has when she hosts gatherings. If her guests have brought ingredients, there is a large pot of broth being boiled in the garden, with a card informing guests to put in the ingredients they brought! It also informs guests to try the hot pot, despite not knowing what others have put in it. [it is a mystery.png] Ayaka has started it off by adding matcha powder into the hot pot, giving the broth a bit of bitterness to it.

One of the things she enjoys whenever she has the pot boiling are people trying to figure out what the taste is, together. And anyone who manages to finish their bowl of mystery hot pot, regardless of how delicious or questionable it is? Will just have to show their bowl to Taroumaru in order to win a prize!

The prize is a box of Snow on the Hearth, a special kind of sakura mochi that only Ayaka is able to make. Be glad, for people of Inazuma would consider receiving a mochi like this a blessing! If one had the honor of enjoying such a treat while having tea with a princess as graceful and noble as a white heron, one would surely yearn to have that moment stretch into eternity.

Sunset in Sunwaning
🌸 Much like how beautiful the sunrise is, the sunset is beautiful and provides the tea house a nice and cosy ambiance. Guests needn't stay at the tea house the whole day– if they are done with their meal and tea, of course they are free to say their goodbyes! But the tea house is definitely open to all until the sun is down, should they wish to stay and spend the rest of their day here.

As the celebration begins to wind down, lanterns are lit in the gardens to keep it well-lit, yet still cosy.

Those who stay until nightfall may be treated to Sunwaning's local theatre group performing. Celebrating the tea house's opening, the theatre group volunteered to perform at the shinrin-yoku with a performance. It is very familiar to Ayaka and the Kamisatos, and no doubt those from Inazuma and Japan, but it may be a new cultural experience for those who have yet to witness such a dance.

---

((OOC: Ayaka's tea house is finally open! The prompts are set throughout the day, and are definitely open to anyone and everyone! Feel free to make your own top level and mingle~

The tea house serves the NSFW tea that was mentioned in the recent quests, but she also doesn't want anyone to engage in nsfw activities in her tea house. Anyone who orders those flavours of tea will be advised that there is an inn just down the street FDASGDSGH ))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ The ball is taken with an encouraging ruffle of Ringo's head before the toy is tossed off again for him to fetch. ]

He's an expert at fetch already.

[ And because Thoma knows his manners, he'll be stepping away to wash his hands before taking his seat across from her. ]

Have you been teaching him anything?

It is my understanding that Pokémon are not just pets, but companions who are capable of combat.

I have been exposing Ringo to Taroumaru, so that he may learn some things.

[ The newest recruit to the Shuumatsuban! ]

[ Is Thoma about to get beat up by Ringo next- ]

Well if Taroumaru is involved, then he's about to become a truly skilled fighter.

[ Fighting animals is just the norm when you're from Inazuma. ]

Yes, I should hope so!

[ A ninja Eevee. That surely is something to see.

Now that Thoma is settled, she serves him some tea. The plate with snacks is placed in the middle. ]

You do not mind, do you?

Mind? Not at all. If anything, Taroumaru sets his own schedule and has his own keys to the house, so he comes and goes as he pleases.

[ We don't talk about the specifics of the key, but the important part is he has one. ]

I think he'd actually be pleased to have something to do again. He seemed like he was getting a little restless just staying at home all day.

Oh, then that's good! And since he is also managing the tea house, I am sure Taroumaru will have lots to do.

[ As busy as a dog can be, anyway. ]

I must make sure to always have treats here.

He did seem really happy on the way here today.

[ Thoma had even teased him about that extra bounce in his step this morning, which had earned him a nip at his heels in turn. Which isn't too bad considering the extent of damage Taroumaru is capable of. ]

He's going to be real happy if he's getting treats on the job too.

[ Thoma's relationship with Taroumaru is so very interesting. ]

He did? What did he say on the way here?

[ A relationship he really hopes Taroumaru hasn't been telling anyone about... Thoma might just die of embarrassment. ]

Hmm... Bark bark bark?

[ Thoma's got a pretty convincing bark. ]

That sounds just like Taroumaru!

[ Not really, but. . . you know. She must support Thoma. ヽ(o＾▽＾o)ノ ]

What does it mean?

[ We support bad dog speak attempts here, no one tell Gorou. ]

As far as I've been able to work out, it's either 'looking forward to a good day' or 'clean up the kitchen'.

And it most certainly was not "clean up the kitchen".

[ She's laughing now, covering half of her face with her fan as she giggles. ]

What does Taroumaru do whenever he goes off on his own? Does he tell you?

[ Oh good, it always brightens his life to see Ayaka laughing. ]

I have no clue, but he's doing something profitable. He pays me for his rent and share of the groceries right on time every month, even when I try to tell him he doesn't have to.

[ Now she's looking at Thoma as if he just grew another head. ]

Eh? He pays rent?

I told him he doesn't have to, but he insisted. He's a very stubborn pe- ah, dog.

[ Trying not to accept payment from a former ninja dog is a lot harder than a person might think. ]

I suppose old habits die hard. He has been working all his life, after all. And even after retirement, he put up a business.

[ Dog likes to be on the go! ]

I'd agree. And honestly, he seems all the happier for it. I think he enjoys being able to support himself and have something to do.

I'd say it's something I understand well.

[ Workaholics unite- ]

It makes me wonder why you haven't applied to become my brother's secretary yet.

[ If he's so keen on working... ]

[ That makes him laugh in turn. ]

But then who'd keep the house clean?

[ He likes housework more than paperwork! ]

I can learn.

[ She can do what you can do, Thoma >:c ]

Aren't you already busy as is?

[ Ayaka you are running a tea house and hosting entire events?? ]

I will make time.

[ Said as if it is the easiest thing to do. Ayaka likes to keep busy, after all... She does set time aside to organise the house every now and then— probably twice a week, but cleaning is something else! ]

[ Really... who would Thoma be if he didn't encourage Ayaka in learning any and everything she was interested in. He's well aware of her goal of becoming a superior housewife for Cloud, and he imagines that even with his availability as a housekeeper, there are a few things she'd like to take over for herself. ]

Then... I can certainly teach you a few things.

O- Oh, there's no need! I could just look for some video tutorials, or attend a class.

[ Not because Thoma wouldn't be the best teacher, but... ]

That time you would spend to teach me could be used for other purposes. Ayato might want to spend time with you, after all.

The time spent teaching you would be as valuable to me as spending time with Ayato. There's all sorts of tips I could show you because of my familiarity too.

[ Don't deny him Ayaka time :( ]

(no subject)

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