Tea Ceremony

Posted on 24 Oct 2020 @ 7:09pm by Lieutenant Xu Chang Lau & Lieutenant JG Oliver Stevens

Mission: R&R - after facing the Planet Killer
Location: Lau's quarters
Timeline: R&R Before wedding
1591 words - 3.2 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Oliver wasn't sure what to expect and he had held off reading up on this particular part of history as he found he really wanted to be surprised by Xu.

He hadn't been able to stop thinking about their last date and after the aftermath of the planet killler and the ship having to logistically organise hundreds of the Europa crew new assignments and quarters and now hundreds of transports to new ships at 308 or 308 itself, plus her needing to study for her bridge exam it had felt a long time since he had seen her.

The invitation last night popping up on his terminal had made him very happy.

He had figured he should make an effort and replicated some what he was told by the computer was authentic Japanese clothes.

He was in a blue traditional hakama kimono, which had taken some figuring out exactly how to get in it. It had rather higher waisted pants than he was used too.

And it seemed he had to have White split-toe socks, although they had to be removed upon entering the ceremony. He assumed he would be barefoot from that point on. He had made sure to wash his feet really well.

Stopping at the location he had been asked too, he took a breathe then entered.

Xu greeted Oliver at the door, her hair pulled up into an elaborate design, interlaced with white gem inlaid in gold, so delicate it looked as if it would break if handled with anything more than the most gentle of hands.

The Kimono she had chosen from her collection was dusky pink with a white, ruby and gold floral pattern that blossomed at the lowest most hem and travelled up tapering off before it reached the waist. The Obi around her waist was a muted gold with no design on it and the makeup was the most traditional element of her entire attire. A white face with gold eyeshadow and elongated eye liner making her eyes look as if framed by longer eyelashes than she actually had. Rose on her cheeks and a vibrant red lipstick.

As he entered she ducked down, like a curtsy only more restrained due to the restrictions the kimono put on her.
Once she had righted herself she leaned in for the kiss she seemed to have been missing for more than a few days. She savoured the sweet taste of his lips for a moment before pulling back and admiring his Hakama.

"Ollie, I am impressed! You didn't need to. I know the split toe socks are not for everyone!"

"They are "interesting" he agreed. "You look ... wow like another goddess. Stunning. Those colours really suit you.

I take these off now right. Tradition?" he asked. They really were odd feeling.

"The tradition goes that one changes into the Tabi, split toe socks, before entering the tea ceremony... It is a sacred ceremony and one shouldn't be dirtying the room... But this is your first time so I'll let you off", she allowed a playful smile to bloom across her features.

She took his hand and gently guided him across the room, allowing the doors to slip closed as they went. The room lighting was low, candles on the small table giving most of the illumination around the small dias which held a black pot which has steam gently billowing from a small vent on the top. The sound of bubbling water could also be heard however faintly. Next to it were small porcelain mugs, a small brush and ladle, both made from some form of reed, as well as two squares of fabric, one red and the other white.

"Would you like something to eat first... I have some Cha-kaiseki... Its often eaten before the tea but I wasn't sure if you would be hungry or not?" she motioned to the table and it was a spray with soup, rice and an assortment of other dishes. "It all comes from the Zen Monks of old. Each dish is supposed to taste in such a way that the four seasons manifest in each dish!"

"Oh I like this," Oliver said looking round. "Very calming. And candles." She looked even more beautiful in candle light.

"I'm curious how a dish represents the seasons, yes please. I would love to taste them," he nodded. "Although they look so beautiful it seems a shame to disturb them," he chuckled. His stomach rumbled though .... Crossed legs?" he asked lowering himself down to the small elegant table.

"Actually you kneel on the floor cushions... Please!" she motioned for him to take a place across from her at the small table before serving him a bowl of miso soup and gently pushed two other bowls towards him.

"This is Saba no misoni, a simmered mackerel dish. The other is Unagi... I won't tell you what that is until you have tried it!"

He gamely used his chopsticks and sampled the mystery one first. "Subtle, sweet, slightly chewy. Another fish?" he speculated driving in to try the mackerel next.

"Eel to be specific" one of her personal favourites but she knew that it didn't necessarily translate over very well to others.

"Eel," Oliver smiled. "Well its much nicer than the jellied ones they serve in London."

Xu moved to the small dias that held the Furo (blazer), chashaku (tea scoop), sensu (fan), chasen kusenaoshi (whisk shaper), chasen (bamboo whisk), cha-ire (tea caddy), chakin (white silk cloth) and fukusa (purple silk cloth). All with their own part of the ceremony to complete.

She knelt down infront of it and motioned for Ollie to sit the same way before she started to prepare the tea, each movement gentle, purposeful but with a serenity and calm.

What followed was an ornate dance of utensils used in specific ways, each as calming as the next. Turning the small bowls half turns, tapping the chashaku with a rhythmic pattern each time it was used. The way that the bowl was cleaned after each use with the chasen and then wiped around with the chakin.

It was almost musical but no sound was heard during the ritual. Finally a piping hot green liquid was presented to Ollie after she had turned the ceramic tea cup a half turn twice in her hand.

Oliver had sensed he was to stay quiet. This was a ritual and he watched her intently. She was so graceful and this was just making tea. My gosh if she could be so spectacular making tea just what else was this woman capable of.

He held his hands out for the tea and smiled at her bowing his head. He didn't know if that was right but it felt like the right action to acknowledge the respect and work that had gone into creating the tea.

He lifted it up both hands cupping it, scared he would spill it. That would the worst thing he could imagine right now. Once he knew he had a good hold on it and his hands were steady he raised it to his nose and sniffed.

"Thank you," he said. "It smells really delicate. Can I? May I taste?" he asked not sure if some other response was needed first.

She smiled, beaming at his innocence and charm with the way he handled the tea cup and gentle yet somehow childlike excitement to taste it.

"Of course. It wouldn't be much of a tea ceremony if no one drank tea!"

She poured herself a cup also, the same few half turns once the tea was in the cup before she too started to sip at the liquid. It was the same blend her grandmother had used and it immediately filled her with a warm homely feeling.

Relaxed, calm despite her worries about the bridge officers examination... It had been a very long time indeed since she had felt this serenity to her life.

Oliver took a sip and found it to be very pleasant. "Its very good," he said. "So what situations would warrant doing this ceremony?" he asked.

"They can be formal or informal meetings. The meal usually denotes a more formal situation... As this is a, well... "She stumbled over her words before taking the plunge "As this is a significant date I decided on the formal... I just hope I've read the situation correctly!"

"What's the situation?" Oliver asked with a slow smile on his face. He hoped this was going the way he hoped. He didn't dress up in weird socks for just anyone. He really liked this girl.

"I... I would..."
She was an adult but still found herself feeling a mix of embarrassment, joy, trepidation and lust while facing the man she was starting to fall for, and in a very rapid way. The rapidity was worrying her more than anything else yet she wanted him. She wanted him to stay the night, to be with her. The pause had gone to long by the time she realised she still had to finish what she was saying. Instead she stood and stepped around the table, holding her hand out to him.

Oliver just smiled and gave her his hand then stood up. The atmosphere had just seemed to change. Now it was charged in a good way. Exciting way.

And whatever she "would" he knew he wanted it too.

Silently she clasped his hand and began to lead him across to the adjacent room, he wasn't going back to his own quarters tonight.

OFF: