Late Night Tea 1197

The Imperial College, after lights out.

Mask removed, Shosuro Beniha sat across from Yasuki Terumasa.

The huge Crab said "Beniha-San, will you join me for tea?"

"I would be honoured Terumasa-sama." Sitting, Beniha watched as Yasuki Terumasa went through the careful motions of the tea ceremony.

"The students did well at the dojo today I hear."

Terumasa shrugged

"Do you think they will perform acceptably at the tournament?"

The Crab shifted his weight slightly and grunted noncommittally.

Beniha sipped the tea, savouring the warm, earthy flavours of Crab tea.

"The Lion and Crane alliance is a dangerous foe to have" rumbled Terumasa. "And there are some surprisingly well trained entrants to the tournament. Not all of them Crane or Lion clan. But I'd wager a year or more's stipend that at least some of them are backed by them."

The Scorpion smiled "Then we will need additional...advantage."

"What do you have in mind?" Asked Terumasa.

"Maybe we should see what can be achieved behind fans and flowered words."