The Tea Ceremony

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The Tea Ceremony was a virtual representation of one of Fujibayashi Naoe's genetic memories, relived through the Animus EGO.

Description

Naoe attends the tea ceremony and gathering organised by Imai Sōkyū.

Dialogue

Naoe returned to Imai Sōkun outside House Imai.

• Imai Sokun: You must changed into the kosode before I present you to father. I'll have a servant help you dress.
• Naoe: I can dress myself.
• Imai Sokun: You can put on clothes. There's a difference.

Later at night, Naoe was changed into her black kosode and entered the residence, performing a saikeirei from a distance as Sokyu was doing his work. Sokyu, having saw the act, addressed her.

• Imai Sokyu: Sanuki?
• Naoe: Yes, Master Sokyu.
• Imai Sokyu: Come closer. My sight is not what it was and I'm too old to post a threat.

Naoe got up and slowly moved forward, sitting at a closer distance than before.

• Imai Sokyu: I'm not surprised that one so young could secure the contract you brought us. Would you believe I managed the most prosperous warehgouse in Sakai when I was not much older than you?
• Naoe: Yes.
• Imai Sokyu: (chuckles) Very good. Tell me, did you receive the request from Lord Nobunaga directly?
• Naoe: I haven't had the honor of meeting him. I've only dealt with his agents.
• Imai Sokyu: Yes, that is how he would have arranged it. What is the name of this agent?
• Naoe: He told me his name was Chuta.
• Imai Sokyu: I do not know him. But I will. Now, tell me. What is the purpose of the tea ceremony?
• Naoe: The tea ceremony is a way of honoring the four virtues.
• Imai Sokyu: You follow the teachings of Sen no Rikyu?
• Naoe: I am still learning and would welcome further instruction.
• Imai Sokyu: Master Rikyu puts much on philosophy, but equally important is form. By respecting the ritual, we honor the experience.
• Naoe: I understand.
• Imai Sokyu: Good. I am pleased to say I was able to find three other women with simlar interest -

Just as Sokyu and Naoe were conversing, a servant quickly ran in to speak to Sokyu.

• Man: Forgive me, Master Sokyu. Lord Mitsuhide arrived unannounced. He insists on speaking with you.

Naoe, hearing those words, got up and sat at a corner.

• Imai Sokyu: Send him in.

The servant got up and retreated, with Mitsuhide coming shortly afterwards. Mitsuhide sat at Sokyu's table and greeted him with a bow.

• Akechi Mitsuhide: My apologies, Master Sokyu, but I must excuse myself from your ceremony in three days' time. I ride to Lord Nobunaga tonight.
• Imai Sokyu: Your absence will sadden us, Lord Mitsuhide. Though... it is odd that he who requested your seat should so abruptly take it away.
• Akechi Mitsuhide: Who can anticipate such a brilliant but unpredictable mind?
• Imai Sokyu: Indeed. I shall express my regrets to Lord Nobunaga in a letter.
• Akechi Mitsuhide: No need, I will convey them. And I've left gifts with your house steward.
• Imai Sokyu: Your acts of generosity are always appreciated.

Having informed Sokyu of the changes, Mitsuhide got up and left after giving a short bow. Naoe then returned to her original position.

• Imai Sokyu: Do you recoginize that man?
• Naoe: No. Should I?
• Imai Sokyu: That was Akechi Mitsuhide, one of Lord Nobunaga's generals.
• Naoe: Is that why you wanted me to stay? You believe he's connected to these contracts?
• Imai Sokyu: I believe nothing until I have evidence. Sometimes answers reveal new questions.
• Naoe: You don't trust him?
• Imai Sokyu: You have captured my interest, but do not presume to have earned more than that. The guests will gather in the garden ahead of the ceremony. You may join them there.

Sokyu pointed his finger to the door on his left. Naoe acknowledged with a bow and got up, heading the garden on the right. Upon entering, she spoke to the first guest on the left.

• Otama: Hello.

Naoe greeted with a bow.

• Naoe: I am Sanuki. It's nice to meet you.

Otama responded with a bow as well.

• Otama: I am Otama.

The woman took a glimpse at Naoe's kosode.

• Otama: You must be new to Sakai. You haven't caught up with your fashion.
• Naoe: I am not so interested in decoration. Unless it involves ornamented teppo.
• Otama: That much is clear.
• Naoe: You are friends with the Imai?
• Otama: Our families have known each other for years. And how did you gain entry to this coveted event?
• Naoe: Sokun and I have sealed many deals over sake.
• Otama: Really? Then... I wonder why he's never spoken of you?
• Naoe: It's not so strange. He never speaks of you either.

Otama looked on with an annoyed look.

• Otama: There's something about you that doesn't fit. Peasant with a piece of art. Or a cat with a silver coin.

Naoe took offense with Otama's words.

• Naoe: What did you say?
• Otama: You stink of the countryside. Go back to your farm before you get hurt.

Naoe walked away from Otama and approached another guest, this time an older lady.

• Lady Satoko: Hello. We have not met.

Naoe greeted with a bow.

• Naoe: I am Sanuki. It's a pleasure to meet you.

Satoko greeted as a bow as well.

• Lady Satoko: I am Lady Satoko. I was unaware they allowed children at these ceremonies.
• Naoe: We are partners in business.

Satoko took a look at Naoe's dressing.

• Lady Satoko: (laughs)' Forgive me. My uncle says I had to grow up before I could learn manners. I'm here on my husband's behalf, but I'd rather be hunting.
• Naoe: Oh? What do you hunt?
• Lady Satoko: Bandits.
• Naoe: Bandits?
• Lady Satoko: They are a scourge on our land. My maidservants are trained with teppo and we deliver swift justice to those who loot and steal.
• Naoe: But what of those who steal to feed their families? Or to take back what once was theirs?
• Lady Satoko: Theft is the most base and cowardly of crimes. No one should steal unless they are prepared to pay with their life.
  But this is hardly a fitting subject for this event. Excuse me while I contemplate this cherry tree.

Satoko moved on, leaving Naoe to approach the final guest outside the final guess nearby.

• Wakasa: Good evening.

Naoe and the lady exchange bow greetings.

• Naoe: I am Sanuki.
• Wakasa: What a beautiful kosode! I love the trim. You wouldn't mind if I steal it from you? (chuckles) I mean no disrespect. I am Wakasa. You may have heard of me?
• Naoe: I've only recently arrived, but I would love to learn more about one so famous.
• Wakasa: You have good instincts. Trust them. I am something of a legend in the making. I have my sights on Sakai. I wasn't born here and some find my manner bold. Are they polite or plain spoke in... Where did you say you were from?
• Naoe: I never told you. Sakai is the only place I wish to call home.
• Wakasa: A good answer. Enjoy the ceremony. If you plan to stay in Sakai, come by Osaka Castle. I'm overseering some work there.

The two bid each other goodbye with a bow. At this time, Imai Sokyu made an announcement.

• Imai Sokyu: The tea ceremony will begin soon. I would ask our newest arrival to Sakai to come forward.

The three guests and Naoe gathered in front of Sokyu outside the tea ceremony house. Sokyu first welcomed them with a bow.

• Imai Sokyu: On behalf of House Imai, allow me to welcome you... Sanuki.

Naoe responded with a bow.

• Imai Sokyu: As my honored guest, you will sit at my side that you might better appreciate the preparing of the tea.
• Naoe: You do me too much honor.

Naoe and the guests entered the house, with Naoe sitting on Sokyu's right. They watched as Sokyu showcased the steps of making tea. After making a cup, he first passed it to Wakasa, who took a sip.

• Wakasa: Hmm... I know this tea. Many years ago, I had it with the shogun. When there was a shogun.

After drinking, she passed the bowl to Lady Satoko who then took a sip.

• Lady Sotoko: This tea is truly sublime, Master Sokyu.
• Imai: I did not create the leaf, merly realized its potential.

Otama, who was next to take a sip, picked up the bowl.

• Otama: The aesthetics of this bowl are exquisite.

She then took a sip of the tea.

• Imai Sokyu: It belonged to my master, Takeno Joo.

Otama passed the bowl to Naoe, who was the last to take a sip.

• Naoe: The blend of flfavor puts mind and soul in balance.

She then returned the bowl to Sokyu. After the end of the ceremony, the guests each present a gift to Sokyu. Wakasa was the first to do so, offering him a dagger.

• Wakasa: Master Sokyu, for your hospitality, please accept this dagger owned by the late shogun, Yoshimitsu.
• Imai Sokyu: It is remarkably well preserved.
• Wakasa: It endures. Like the Ashikaga.

Lady Satoko was the next to present her gift, handing him a scroll painting.

• Lady Satoko: Master Sokyu, I hope you will have the time to reflect upon this painting of wild geese.
• Imai Sokyu: Thank you, Satoko. It is beautifully rendered.

The third was Otama, who presented a noh mask to Sokyu.

• Otama: I would like to ffer you this noh mask, Master Sokyu. Crafted by the artisan, Zekan.
• Imai Sokyu: From Ono City? A discerning choice. I thank you.

As the final to present her gift, Naoe presented the bamboo ladle she obtained from Sen no Rikyu.

• Naoe: Master Sokyu, please accept this humble gift.
• Imai Sokyu: I recognize that ladle. It's a Shutoku, from Lord Nobunaga's personal collection.
• Naoe: I got it through Master Rikyu. I'm sorry to have caused offense.
• Imai Sokyu: I see. That explains much. You gave no offense. I shall repay Master Rikyu for this act of generosity.

With the gifts presented, Sokyu addressed Naoe and the rest of the guests.

• Imai Sokyu: You have honored me with your presence and gifts. I will cherish this meeting. You may see yourselves out.

The guests bowed to Sokyu and then took their leave. Outside, as the guests are coversing with one another, Naoe observed them from afar to identify her father's killer.

• Naoe: How can I be certain any one of these is Father's killer? But I can't risk missing my chance at revenge.

She first observed Lady Satoko.

• Naoe: This one possesses a noble grace I didn't sense in the killer that night. She's grown hard out of necessity, not cruelty.

She then observed Otama next.

• Naoe: I can see Otama commiting murder on a moonlit night. Does she know who I am, or is she just bad?

Finally, she observed Wakasa.

• Naoe: Wakasa and I are more alike than these others. She fought for her place here, but that path couldn't have been easy, or clean.
  I can't let this opportunity walk away.

Just then, Wakasa approached her.

• Wakasa: You've been watching me with more than idle curiosity.
• Naoe: I meant no offense. I've never met a woman quite like you.
• Wakasa: And I suspect there's more to you under the mask.
• Naoe: Mask?
• Wakasa: We hide our true selves in public. What do you say we talk somewhere we can let those masks drop?

Naoe, now confident in Wakasa's identity as one of the masked ones, agreed.

• Naoe: I would like that.
• Wakasa: Then come to my house. It's not far.

Outcome

Naoe met Wakasa during Sōkyū's gathering, deducing her as the one of the group who killed her father and the wielder of the golden teppo. Wakasa, still oblivious to Naoe's identity, invited her to her home to have a chat.

Behind the scenes

The outcome of the quest depends on the target the player chooses. If players chooses Otama, the memory Defensive Position will become available next.

However, canonically, the target is Wakasa, and this memory will automatically lead to the next one, Drive the Point Home.