After the early-morning excitement of Umeko and Lilac awakening from the dream, they return to the Dreadnought to prepare to head out on the final assault on Besret and Hakuu's armies. Umeko is drawn off into more discussions and planning, leaving Xander and the others to fend for themselves for a while. By early afternoon, though, Xander receives a note delivered by courier-lizard. The handwriting is unmistakably Umeko's, reading, 'The Governess requests the presence of the Journeyman fire mage, Xander Lightfoot, in her quarters as his earliest convenience.' Having little else to do, Xander heads towards her quarters … and finds the door already open…

"Lady Umeko?" the Lapi calls quietly while knocking on the open door. "I'm here for the meeting… "

The room is … empty inside. Well, save for the low table that has been set in the center of the floor and surrounded by pillows. On the pillow closest to the door is a neatly folded bundle of cloth with a node sitting on top.

Xander nervously enters the room and picks up the note, to see if it's for him or not.

The stylized and neat handwriting is also definitely Umeko's. Xander's name is on the outside.

"I wonder what this is all about?" the Lapi mutters as he opens the note to read it.

The note is short and simple: "Xander, please change into the clothes provided atop the pillow."

The buck looks around suspiciously, then goes to close the door before changing out of his robes. "Must be for a tea ceremony or something," he whispers to himself as he picks up the folded garments and tries to figure out how to wear them.

The clothing is similar to Umeko's own kimonos, though not quite as elegant or detailed. They seem to have been crafted from some of the more utilitarian robes on the ship. Since the buck has helped Umeko put on her kimono before, it doesn't take him too long to figure out how the robe is supposed to go. Of course, this leaves the buck with the question as to how much of his own undergarments to leave on…

The mage sticks with his undershorts, and once dressed again checks to make sure nothing awkward can be seen through the fabric – since he isn't certain that black shorts with bright yellow fireworks patterns on them would really match well.

Fortunately for the Lapi, the robe goes down far enough to hide any of the brightly colored fireworks. While he's cinching up the belt, he can hear the door behind him open, then close, quietly.

He quickly looks over his shoulder to see who it is… and wonders how they knew when he was done changing for that matter.

When Xander looks over his shoulder he's greeted by the sight of … Umeko? Yes, it's definitely Umeko, hard to mistake that golden dragon. Only she's looking much more elegant than she has in some time. She has recently bathed and brushed her mane so that it flows and shimmers in the lantern light of the cabin. Her facial features, most notably her eyes, are lined with purple metallic lacquers. Even her webbed ears are adorned with various clip on jewelry. She bows her head lightly to the Lapi and offers him a smile. Without a word, she slips around him with a gentle grace and goes to the low table. As she passes, Xander notices in her arms is a small bundle of stuff.

The buck manages to close his mouth once the Kiriga has passed, and finally says, "Wow… you look stunning, Umeko. Should I have… brushed my fur or anything?"

The Kiriga shakes her head, her eyes crinkling up with amusement at his reaction. With slow, deliberate, movement her tail snakes around her body and hooks into her kimono. She pulls it back and up a bit so she can kneel down without snagging it. As she sets down the package, one hand slips way from it. With a languid roll of her hand and fingers, she motions for Xander to sit (or maybe kneel) on one of the pillows.

The Lapi falls to his knees inelegantly, and has to rearrange his kimono a bit as a result. He tears his eyes away from Umeko to glance at the package on the table.

As Umeko undoes it, he can tell it's a small charcoal brazier, a simple teapot, two cups, and what he presumes is a packet of tea leaves. After arranging the teapot and cups neatly to the side, the reptile starts setting up the brazier. Once that has been set up, she extends one of her taloned hands to the Lapi. Her brow ridge arches up slightly as she looks at him with expectant eyes.

Xander blinks, and offers his own hand. "I've heard of the Tea Ceremony, but never taken part in one," he explains with a bit of embarrassment.

The Kiriga takes the offered hand lightly in hers. She lifts it slowly while at the same time lowering her head. Her cool lips press against the back of his hand briefly. Then after trailing a claw along his thumb, she lowers his hand and places it atop the brazier. Again, she doesn't actually say anything; she just smiles then taps the back of his hand a few times before releasing it on the brazier.

Once his spine stops shivering, Xander gets the hint and starts chanting a cantrip to get the brazier lit.

Still smiling to herself, she opens the teapot. She reaches back into her mane and slips out a long, thin, piece of wood which she then starts stirring the water with. As she stirs, the takes up the small packet of tea leaves and shakes them into the water. A few more passes of the wood strip and she seems satisfied and sets it aside. Back the lid goes. Umeko draws back a bit and sets her hands folded in her lap. Now she watches Xander with unwavering (and almost unblinking) eyes as he gets the fire lit.

Xander doesn't rush – in part because he doesn't want to set off any magical alarms, but mainly because he wants to get the coals to a good temperature without having to start an actual fire. Eventually he pulls his hand away from the bowl of glowing coals, and uses part of his robe (the one he came in with) to wipe the dust and soot from his paw. He smiles hopefully back to the dragon.

Umeko's ears wiggle a bit as she continues that smile. With a slow, rather flourished, roll of her hand she lifts the teapot up and sets it atop the brazier to now warm. As before, she extends her hand to the Lapi.

The buck offers his hand again, and refrains from asking any actual questions. Since Umeko hasn't spoken yet, he assumes silence is part of the ceremony.

Umeko cradles the buck's hand in hers. She turns it over and checks the palm for any more dust or soot. Finding none, she traces along his palm, and then up each finger, with one of her talons. Again her head dips down and this time she places her cool lips against his wrist.

Xander feels his fur rise up and tingle from the touch, and his nose twitching doubles its pace as he watches in fascination. He isn't certain what any of this means, but he does like it!

Umeko doesn't stop there. She trails slowly up and places a kiss upon his palm … then one by one, each of his fingertips. The Kiriga then draws back and just interlaces her fingers with his and sets both hands upon the table. Head tilting to the side, she waves her free left hand lightly over the spout of the teapot, testing the warmth.

Licking his lips slightly, since they seem to have gone dry in the past minute, Xander whispers another cantrip to warm up his hands a bit. He's glad he washed them before arriving, too!

At least for the next minute or two, Umeko just continues to hold his hand and checks the teapot occasionally. Finally satisfied with the temperature, she extracts her hand from his and proceeds to pour two cups of the dark tea. As they steam on the table, she replaces the pot onto the brazier. Then with a playful smile, she reaches over and places a finger upon his nose tip, and a hand over his. She shakes her head from side to side slowly, then looks at him as if asking does he understand?

"Umm," Xander says, staring now. "Don't drink the tea right away?" he asks.

Umeko considers that, then nods as if 'close enough'. She releases his hand, then leans to the side. Now on all fours, the Kiriga slinks her way around the table, then around Xander. Only … she stops behind him. Without a word, she eases herself forward until her chest is pressed against his back. Around his waist her tail slips and holds firmly, yet gently. Her arms drape around him next. There she then pauses, as if worried any other movements might startle the buck.

Ear's folding to the sides of his head, Xander instinctively freezes. She's not going to eat me, his brain insists. That was only a nightmare. In stages, he begins to relax again and leans back slightly against the reptile.

When Umeko finally feels Xander relax in her arms, she starts moving again. Her head cranes forward and over his shoulders. Now settled, she proceeds to caress and pet the buck's cheek with of of her hands as she runs the horned ridge of her snout against his neck.

The rabbit mutters happily and half-closes his eyes, not having expected this. He can't help but stroke the tail around his waist with his hands, and he even 'wags' his puffball of a tail slightly.

There's a small shake of silent (laughter?) from the Kiriga as she continues to caress the Lapi in her arms. Unfortunately this doesn't go on for too long as her hands fall away and her head draws back. Now she reaches down and lifts up one of the teacups, cradling it in the palm of her hand. She raises it and holds it lightly to Xander's lips.

This isn't at all like the tea ceremony the buck's heard of, but he's not going to point that out at the moment. He dips his muzzle and tries to sip at the offered tea.

Umeko rocks the teacup back to make drinking from it much easier. The tea is warm and spicy; almost tasting like it has cinnamon in it. Finally Umeko says something, though only in a lilting whisper, "Do you forgive me?"

The Lapi freezes momentarily at the whisper, and tries to figure out what Umeko is apologizing for. Licking his lips again, he replies, "Of course I do, Umeko." He's pretty sure you should always accept a woman's apology, even if you don't know what it's for (especially since they seem to expect apologies for things he can never remember doing).

"Then you feel more like a male now?" Umeko asks next as the caressing of his cheek resumes. "When we talked the other night, hearing of your fears about how you see yourself … made me realize you needed to be shown that you are special too and that you do mean a lot to me. I understand better that you have … dreams about things. Is this as nice as your dreams or have I failed?"

"Oh, this is much better than my dreams!" Xander says, smiling now that he understands what Umeko is doing. "Is this what Jadaian wives do for their husbands?" he asks curiously.

"We are expected to, yes," Umeko answers, "Among many other things."

Xander seems a bit torn for a moment. "It must be nice," he admits. "I like that you're doing this because you want to, and not out of duty, though. That means a lot. On Rephidim… well, this would be something really special, I think."

"I never thought I would do this with anyone," Umeko admits, "But … if it is someone I care about I find that it is enjoyable for me too. I … do not feel any duty in doing this … you appreciate it." It's then that Xander can feel Umeko's mouth close lightly around his ear, then draw back. There's no feeling of teeth, but her slightly forked tongue does feel rather odd on the inside of his ear…

The Lapi nearly giggles from the touch on his ear, and blushes. "No one has ever made this much effort to make me feel wanted," Xander admits. "You should be careful, or you'll end up seducing me for sure!" he notes with a slight laugh.

"I had considered that," Umeko comments as she lifts the teacup to his lips again. "After all, I do not think many Lapi could ever claim that they had been romanced by a dragon."

Xander sips at the spiced tea, and then nods. "Well, none that I've heard of, certainly," he admits. "Your courtship ceremonies aren't widely known though beyond Jadai. I'd need a tutor to figure them out!"

"Well, this isn't quite following tradition, as I did not think you would appreciate the weeks of poetry that would have been expected before you would have been permitted to visit my residence. Traditional courtship would be much more complicated," Umeko admits, "I have been … adapting them, I suppose, to something I thought you would appreciate." Again, she nuzzles lightly against Xander's neck before asking, "Answer me honestly, would you want to be romanced by a Kiriga?"

"I wouldn't mind if it were you, Umeko," Xander says, and wiggles his ears. "I'd want to know how to do it properly of course. I'm sure I can write some poetry… uh… so long as I don't have to do it in Jadaian Imperial. It wouldn't be fair to you to just… snog."

"What about one of the hand maidens we saw?" Umeko teases a bit, "They were more beautiful than I am. I am ordinary compared to them."

"They were clearly weak-willed," Xander points out. "A pretty slave is still just a slave. You aren't a slave, Umeko. Your will shines through and makes you truly beautiful."

Umeko scratches Xander's nose tip lightly. "And that is all you would have to write. Things like that are how a courtship is expected to begin; stating what of the other you admire so," she notes. Sliding her hand low along the back of his arm, then curling her fingers between his, she adds, "And you would be expected to hold my tea for me, as I have been for you."

"I can do that!" Xander offers. "If you're going to sit in my lap though, I need to shift my legs. I think my feet have fallen asleep."

"Ah, yes, sorry. I forget that you aren't used to kneeling for hours on end," Umeko admits as she pulls back so the Lapi can stretch. "There is something I must also ask of you, if you do not mind. It can not go beyond these walls."

After stretching his feet out under the low table, Xander nods and says, "My lips are sealed, Umeko. Ask away."

Umeko lets Xander stretch for bit, then slinks around Xander in rather a serpentine manner and slides into his lap. As she eases back against the buck, she asks, "Would you be willing to look after Lilac? What I must face ahead … there is likely a chance I may not survive. She needs someone to protect her if I fall."

"I will, although Gibson will be looking out for her as well," Xander says, and reaches around the Kiriga to pick up the other cup. "And actually… well… I hadn't wanted to suggest this because it would impact your honor, but you might want to consider letting the Empire think you did perish in the coming conflict," the buck suggests. "It would free you of your Governorship obligations, and might even fool the Cinders for awhile."

"It is something I considered, but have not decided on," Umeko admits as she leans back, "Only time will tell if that will be the path I walk." She pauses for a moment, then asks, "Do you suggest this also because if I remain the Governess it would mean we would part ways?"

"Well, I assumed you'd want to continue as a team," Xander notes, and raises up the cup with one hand while stroking Umeko's throat with his other. "You did not seem all that thrilled with the Imperial appointment."

The seams of Umeko's neck-scales pass under the buck's fingers as slight indentations. "That is because I fear my Father coming when he hears. He is a harsh Kiriga," she answers, "And I question my ability to lead such a large undertaking. But … it has had advantages too. We actually have a chance here now."

Xander sniffs Umeko's hair, and then cheek-rubs the side of her neck just as she did for him. "Well, having the army is handy," he admits. "It's all of the cleaning up afterward that would inconvenient."

Her hair smells … well, there is the ever present scent of a reptile, of course, coupled with hints of flowers and spice. As Xander did earlier, Umeko seems to practically melt in his arms when he nuzzles against her neck. "As for cleaning up … I wonder if the Emperor would permit me to continue pursuing the Cinders if we presented them as a threat to him," she murmurs.

"I'm sure there are high-ranking infiltrators in his government," Xander notes, and then does some Lapi-style ear-grooming on Umeko's fans with his tongue.

The spines in her ears feel rather flexible … in fact, this close the buck can tell she can move each spine independently. That explains how she can flare her ears, or collapse them, as she's been seen to do on occasion. "Oh, I expect there are. In either event, do you think he would wish to see me in person after this … should we succeed?" she asks.

The question gives Xander some pause. "Well… I couldn't say. The Emperor is inscrutable and extremely scary to me. And the whole lying down to be squashed by him ritual makes me think you'd be better off not meeting him."

"You would find my father equally terrifying, then," Umeko notes as her eye close. "Of course, if you decide to court me … you may have to meet him … "

Xander blinks at that, mid-nibble on Umeko's ear. "He'd… want to squash me?" he asks nervously. "I figured he'd spit me and have me for dinner for even touching you… "

"The squashing would be for tenderizing," Umeko notes. Her tail then ripples and tries to tickle the buck lightly. "And I am teasing you," she says … just to make sure he realizes that. "Whom I decide to allow court me isn't his concern anymore."

The Lapi grins, and has to ask, "And what happens to the ones you decide to not allow? I'm fairly certain that Hakuu didn't write you any poetry."

"I hunt them down and destroy their lives," Umeko deadpans.

"Well… I'm glad you like me then!" Xander says. "Otherwise you'd never get any rest from the chase," he jokes.

Umeko does the unsettling bit where she turns her head completely around to look at Xander. "But, you have never tried to chase me," she says and somehow even manages to sound disappointed about it.

"You haven't tried to run?" Xander reasons.

"Would it encourage you?" Umeko counters.

"I'm sure it would!" Xander chuckles. "Although, it's not like I need encouragement. But you're the predator, so I'd think you'd prefer to do the chasing. The Savanites sure seemed to enjoy it!"

"Ah, then I will just chase you some day. You like predators, don't you?" Umeko teases, then smiles very fangily.

"Well… it does add a little thrill to it all," Xander admits, grinning. "Plus, it's fun to tease them!" He tries to actually tickle the dragon's ribs along with that remark.

Umeko actually squirms a bit from the tickling. Somehow she manages to lean her head back until her nose is against his and she says, "Just be prepared for the consequences when you are caught, then. I prefer to enjoy my prey slowly… " She nose bumps him, then turns back around. "Now, before the tea gets too cold, we should finish the ceremony," she adds.

"Oh, right!" Xander says, focusing on the ceremony again. "What do we do next? I can warm up your cup… "

"Just offer me the tea to drink," Umeko prompts. "That is all. The ceremony in itself is simple; it is all in how each participant decides to present it to the one that they care for. With you … I thought you would enjoy it most if I just showed you everything instead of telling you about it along the way. You seemed to enjoy mystery."

Reaching around again, Xander gets the tea cup and holds it up to Umeko's muzzle. "I've never done this," he warns. "So… uh, please don't bite me if I spill any?"

"Not even a nibble?" Umeko teases. Her lips part, but instead of just taking a sip … her tongue curls around Xander's fingers and the cup. She draws it back and closes her lips over the rim of the small teacup, then tilts her head back so that the tea flows into her mouth.

Xander's eyes go wide at the prehensile tongue. "M-maybe a nibble," he says. "When I had to bring tea to mages doing long rituals, I just included a straw… "

The Kiriga releases the cup and Xander's hand, then licks along her lips. "Speaking of mages … would you like to apprentice with the fire mage you were helping earlier? Or practice with?" she asks.

"Well, we seemed to get along," Xander admits, placing the cup back on the table. "Although I don't know how much help I'll be in the attack on the airfield. I'm sure those ships will have mages ready to counter magical attacks, so it will be the artillery that makes a difference. And after that, I'll be with you going down… into… the… " He can't seem to bring himself to say more about the planned infiltration through the Temple's guts.

"The Temple of Being. I wonder if it could make you into a Kiriga," Umeko muses and rubs her chin.

The Lapi squeaks at the notion. "Lilac said you had to sacrifice something to the Temple for things like that," he points out.

"I know. I am just teasing. I would not expect you to want to be a Kiriga, anyway," Umeko says. "Would you?"

"It took me years to learn to be a Lapi," Xander says, hugging Umeko from behind. "I'd make for a very awkward Kiriga. And a dull-colored one at that."

"Ah, then that only leaves another option," Umeko notes.

"What?" Xander asks. "What other option?"

"I could become a Lapi … " Umeko teases.

The Lapi blinks at that suggestion too, and asks, "Err, why? Don't you like being a Kiriga?" Maybe because he's a mage, he actually takes these sort of suggestions seriously.

"I am just teasing. I am happy with what I am," Umeko answers as she leans back. "Now, were you actually serious in wishing to learn Jadaian customs… ?"

Grinning once more, Xander says, "Yes! It's always good to know how to act politely to impress people and keep them from hurting you."

"Well, then why don't we begin now? I'll explain the idea behind sharing tea with someone. It is not just about drinking tea as it is a demonstration of trust and affection for someone. Every action done by a Jadaian has such meanings like that; purpose," Umeko starts to explain. She waves to the table in front of her lightly, "And the choices made in presentation have meaning too. You are a mage of fire, something strong. I chose a tea that had strong flavor and left a tingling burn when drunk. It was to show that I understood things about you."

"Wow, so you really need to know someone well to do this," Xander comments, his ears perking up again. "It's another form of poetry, right?" he asks, getting into it now, and thinking of the appropriate blend of tea for a certain Kiriga…