Chapter Text
“Nature is a complicated thing when you look at it up close. There’s a million little systems working hard to keep each part of you working the way you need to. Now of course, we all get sick sometimes. Why do you suppose that is?”
“They aren’t getting the nutrients they need?”
“That’s one part of it.” He smiles at his daughter sitting at his side. Hands meticulously sealing a newly prepared tea bag. “Though it’s not easy to tell what exactly one person needs in order to get over an illness. That’s why doctors exist, but us? We can help too.”
The little girl places a tea cup down for her father to pour the boiled water in. “If I give her the right tea could she get better?”
“Slowly but surely. In many cases tea is more like a crutch than it is a remedy.” He lets her steep the crushed tea leaves in the water. “It’s important to treat your body the way it needs to be treated. Naturally healing, resting when it needs to, working when it gets too settled. When it’s sick it needs supports.” He pours the water over the bag of tea. “Take this to your sister.”
“Okay.” She says with quiet fervor. Wrapping her small hands around the cup and walking to her sister’s room.
The tea woman works diligently to prepare her ceremony room for soon to arrive guests. Dust kicks up from the broom and feather wand, flying everywhere as she bangs the Zabutons against the wall outside. She has the tea set moved aside under a sheet to prevent the dust in the air from gathering on the porcelain and bamboo.
The sad little ceremony room is all she has but she will make the most out of it. Candles lit above to offer whatever light the plaster shades fail to. Decor she scrounges up and hangs to cover the poorly kept framework. It’s all she can do.
It’s been some time since she’s been able to serve some guests, excitement coursed through her, for the first time in a while too. Though, this ceremony leans more into a business matter; she thinks of her part as a gook luck ritual, for lack of a better description.
She’s been given the opportunity to serve a larger community for an extended time, and if this meeting goes well she could be relocated. So long as she performs well and impresses her guests with her skills she’s sure to be sought out.
Then again her hope is timid and fragile.
An ardent breeze whistles as it passes the windows. A reminder of spring’s full bloom. The season has hit quite strongly this year, evidently from the flower shop to the east she scours often. It’s been stock full of Tulips, Wisteria, and Plum Blossoms for the past week. Though this season’s pollen is hitting her like a sandstorm, she still powers through to find good plants for her tea herbs.
Y/n’s tea is exceptional. It has been said to promote many bodily improvements; muscle growth, rapid healing in illness and wounds, sleep quality and control. While tea normally assists with issues as such, Y/n’s brews are powerful. It gives people a stronger sense of bodily autonomy, to be able to choose what they drink and have it help their ailments faster than they can dry their own herbs.
Her confidence wavers slightly but when she sets her utensils out a smile graces her face. “I’ll be just fine.” She waves off her worries like they were but silly insults.
Her guests arrive promptly, escorted to her by her common guard. He glances at her before leaving the room with irreverent silence. Discarding any idea of respecting the space, just doing his job.
She immediately straightens up at the new company; fixing the wrinkles in her furisode and adjusting the flower pin in her hair. With a bow of humility and grace she welcomes the three men inside.
The Chief of the Swordsmith Village is who she was told about previously. She anticipated his arrival and she expected him to bring escorts for his safety or for the extra ears. Would they need to record bits of this meeting? The way the men around here talked about the Swordsmith Village gave her the idea that it’s a prestigious place. To her that meant it was a grand village with many esteemed individuals. So she will treat the Chief with the utmost respect she can.
“Welcome.” She greets with her face bowed down. “It’s a pleasure to meet with you, Chief Tecchikawahara.”
Chief Tecchi chuckles kindly under his Hyottoko. For what she considers/assumes prestigious, that mask of his puts a crack in her demeanor. Very amusing!
“Oh please, the name is such a mouthful. Just call me Chief Tecchi.” His voice is kind in a familiar manner. He is at the age where he doesn’t bother with age based respect and status and all that. “The pleasure is all mine. I’ve been waiting to meet you Ms. L/n.”
“I hope the atmosphere isn’t too depressing.”
“Don’t fret over it, I’m grateful to be served by you no matter the setting.”
He’s kind, she takes note of that with equal gratitude. Hope coats her eyes again as he starts to prepare the tea for them.
“Today, I will serve you all Ginkgo Tea.” She says with a punctuated pause to make sure there are no objections or looks of doubt.
Her choice of tea is purposeful; anyone who isn’t careful in the process of making the tea could accidentally poison someone. It’s a small gesture of establishing trust. She hopes.
She presents the men with small speeches of knowledge to their interest, answering questions they have, doing anything to keep them entertained and talking. A calm and light atmosphere. Tea is her passion so she is eager to share either way, maybe she is looking for an excuse to chatter.
Then Chief Tecchi speaks up, seeing it time to start getting serious. “Ms. L/n, I’m curious. How do you make your tea so strong and effective while avoiding an overwhelming taste?"
She smiles and nods in acknowledgement of his curiosity. Understandable, though it’s the one thing she can’t ramble about if she wanted to. "It's a technique passed down through my family." She admits, offering little explanation, or rather keeping such information from him.
The Chief nods with this information. “I see. I won’t push to know a family secret.” He takes another appreciative sip. “You must come from a long line of talented Tea Masters.”
“I appreciate the praise.”
He continues. "Our sword smiths are diligent and skillful but it's only natural we're all lacking in certain areas. Whether it be stamina or focus."
"Only natural," She repeats with acknowledgement.
"So perhaps you can offer us… A crutch."
The word pulls her eyes away from the tea set and a smile finds itself across her lips. “Crutch.”
After the ceremony the Chief and his escorts leave to speak with the leader of the outpost. Y/n’s hand here in this community is greatly appreciated though it’s acknowledged that her skills can be put to much greater use. Tecchikawahara is adamant on that subject.
“Consider this instead,” The current outpost leader has been trying to negotiate for the past half hour. “perhaps we can ship stocks of her crafty little hobby into the village monthly.”
Chief Tecchi shakes his head. “Quite frankly, the budget wouldn’t feel worth it and the secrecy of our village would be compromised with the constant coming and going.”
With a sigh a puff of smoke leaves his lips from the pipe he smoked and he leans back in his cushioned seat. One leg resting across the other and the arm not holding the pipe rests back over the edge of the chair. “We understand your interest but in order to let her go we’d have to have some backup in her place.”
Chief Tecchi nods, his rand rubs the chin of his mask in thought, he would not leave without this woman. “I have little to offer for backup, but…"
Despite the reluctance a contract is signed and Y/n’s housing situation is in the hands of Chief Tecchikawahara now. For a year’s time she will serve her skills to the village people. Until a decision is made at the end of the contract. This is the best option in the end and she is so grateful.
So now, relocation is approved and she is on her way to the Swordsmith Village. The blindfold given to her for the trip aids her nap as she is carted along in a wagon to haul some of her stuff. Not a huge load. Things close to her heart and books and such. Of course her tea set is essential.
Before she knew it the wagon slows to a stop, waking her slightly with the addition of the Kakushi coaxing her up. “Ms. L/n, we are almost to the village.”
Y/n hums and sits up to straighten her appearance and calm her nausea. She would hate to arrive looking like she just woke up; drool on her face, hair messy, face imprinted from using her sleeve as a pillow. The trip had made her tired and sore. “It’s been a really smooth ride and we’ve arrived so fast.” She yawns. “Thank you for waking me.”
The Kakushi smiles happily under their uniform curtain mask. Compliments are rare for them, most only acknowledge them under smaller circumstances, otherwise they’re typically just a sentient tool in a mission or ceremony.
Y/n readjusts her hair with her hairpin and runs a damp cloth over her face. Then she turns towards the head of the wagon to converse. “So, the village. Is there a big population?”
“Not particularly.” The Kakushi responds. “The people who reside in the village are only essential by the Chief’s word. Exceptions are given to spouses and kids. Each household would have a swordsmith or another person working in an essential role to the village; doctor, carpenter, chefs or food stand merchants, but mostly swordsmiths. They’re a tight community.”
Y/n nods as she listens. “I guess the Chief saw a tea expert as another essential!” She says with a tone of jest, making the situation sound more humorous.
“Yeah, I guess so.” The Kakushi stops and sets the wagon down.
Y/n smiles warmly. “If you have the time and you're ever in the village again you should come by for tea.”
The Kakushi nods and smiles in return under the curtain mask. “I will do that… Are you ready then?”
Y/n looks at the Kakushi and nods. “Yes…"
The second the wagon rounded the corner to present the village gates a chorus erupted of welcomes. It wasn't startling but Y/n did tense a little. She was told there would be a welcome party but she still didn't take it seriously.
There were many warm welcomes for the new addition to the village, along with the gift of a traditional Okame mask. A plump face with a kind smile, presenting a warm feminine presence.
She was hesitant for a while, unsure what these people would be like and how she would be treated, but this first impression had made all the difference and she feels at ease finally. Ready to start her work here in the new village.