"And do you greet all fellow travellers with such sarcasm?" was the rejoinder. The Iwata teahouse along Nakasendo Way was an old establishment just slightly off the main thoroughfare, its favourable location rooted in the fact that it overlooked the valley crossing below and the heavily trafficked Owari Bridge. Spring would bring forth the blooms of cherry blossom trees that would meander alongside the river below in a curvaceous procession of ethereal pink and rosé. In fact, Tomoe was sitting at the perfect spot to enjoy such a view, the cornermost bench of the teahouse's outdoor seating.
Except that this year's blossoms were anaemic. The sun had not shone its light for nearly a year now, and what fragile flora existed had withered in the ensuing darkness. Even though the most enduring trees continued to to stand erect, they were a skeletal shadow, a black memory of the beauty of the past. Little wonder that the person who was eyeing Tomoe treated her comment as sarcasm.
There were a few other patrons seated about, though none paid any interest yet to the conversation unfolding.
"Have your masterless wanderings turned your honour into such pessimism?" The speaker was another swordsman, judging by the katana on his belt, his dusty clothes signaling an long journey undertaken. With him was an older man, some sort of tradesman by the looks of the bamboo backpack he carried. Removing his hat, Tomoe had a flash of recognition.
OOC:
Welcome to one of the encounters in your wandering journey! Please roll 1d4 for food and 1d4 for water to note what supplies you have with you. I'll let you decide if you want to detail how you know this person or if you prefer for me to create the story, but first roll 2d6 on the Reaction table, p73 if you're using the Barebones pdf. High rolls are favourable, low rolls are antagonistic.
Also, if you haven't done so, roll for your connection with Genji.
