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[Miko Nakamura]

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Gracefully her hands seem like a gentle breeze floating over the table, nudging blossoms from their origin. Miko sat prostrate observing the tea ceremony in her honor. This was not the first, nor would it be the last, but it was one that signified a change coming to the Empress’s household, finally a woman without blemish to officially carry the title of Tenji, the Imperial Lady in Waiting to serve the Empress and the Heir apparent that soon would be elevated and crowned to share the power of the Islands of Tokuno. Yoshi Shimakaze her face shone so full of hope, and a civility that those outside of Tokuno have failed to understand about Her people.

The sound of the whisk forging the aroma from the granules of tea brought Miko back to the ceremony. Arrangements and announcements were to be made; Yoshi would soon experience Court life and be privy to her intimate relationships and goals. Caution was the best course of action, crossed Miko’s mind.

“Domo Yoshi Chan”, taking the delicate cup from her hands rising it to her lips taking the required drink of the tea. Letting her eyes fall on the girl the thought crossed her mind, “How your life is to change, to never return to normalcy that you recognize now.”

[Celestia]

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Yoshi's hands trembled as she offered the bowl of rich tea to Her Majesty, Empress Miko Nakamura. Keeping her head bowed and her eyes down she prayed the Empress would not notice. The aroma of the tea and the scent of orange blossoms filled the tiny embassy room set aside for such occasions. Yoshi's father, Ikrua, sat opposite her, his face full of pride.

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The day had been one of unexpected news. When Yoshi received the dispatch that the Empress would visit their home in Malas in the Land of the Great Lakes and that she would be required to perform a Traditional Tea Ceremony for the Royal Personage, she was dumbstruck. How could she accomplish this after only three lessons in the art? After a host of thoughts rampaged through her mind like an invading horde, she came to the decision that, although death was an attractive means of escape, it was ultimately the cowards way out. So, calling out her tutor, she instructed her that she was to see that Yoshi learned the ceremony, in its entirety, that very afternoon.

Protesting that such a feat was impossible her tutor begged her to find another way. Assuring the old woman there was no other way, Yoshi ordered her to gather her tools and meet her in the room where the ceremony would take place. Once settled, the lesson began. Yoshi had given her tutor one additional order; for every mistake she made her tutor was to strike a hard blow to Yoshi's arms with a thin bamboo reed.

Seven hours later, her arms lined with bruises and welts, Yoshi finished the ritual without a single blow landing anywhere on her body. The tutor wept with relief and begged to be excused. Yoshi dismissed her with a wave of her hand and a gentle "Domo Arigato."

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Yoshi knelt in silence as the Empress spoke with her father. There was talk of contracts and arrangement for moving. With every question asked, Yoshi obediently answered "Hai." She had been called to serve the Imperial Household as "Tenji"; Lady in Waiting. There was no higher honor.

Since taking up the Bow and Sword Yoshi's young life had belonged to her family, her father and her clan. She now willingly pledged that life to another: The Empress of Tokuno and the Imperial House of Nakamura.

She had taken the first step on a new journey.

[Shimakaze]

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