A Feast for Friends

[19:45] <~Deedles> It's later in the evening after the group's return to Mt Baoban as Shen, Mingxia and Jian come to join the others for the feast. Leewan had been working like a madman in the large kitchen of the Temple, his temper flaring more than usual as he cooked with unrivalled passion, and it showed as the food he put before the young men and women was a delight to behold, smell and, they can assume, taste.
[19:47] <Earthflame> Jian has, for once, changed his outfit. He wears a silk robe of silver grey, accented with white and black in a curving pattern of blades. He greeted his friends with a smile and few words, giving Shen a meaningful nod- That he had been judged, and found worthy. But greater revelations are yet to come...
[19:50] <Shen> Shen was sat opposite, his nose perked at the scent of the food to his delight, he had remebered the masters food from before he had left. He was wearing his usual casual wear, same in colour to the Storm Dragon attire but without metal plating and outdoor garments. "It smells great." he offered.
[19:51] <Zero_Atma> Yoshihiro just grins fron his seat, looking over spread of food that covered the table, his attention soon fixed upon Mingxia. "What did I tell you? an imperial feast if I ever saw one. Master Leewan has been cooking up a storm since I got back to the temple."
[20:00] <~Deedles> Leewan had swiftly left the kitchen upon finishing the food, and why became apparent as he returned, pushing back his red hair which was damp with water, and wearing a crimson outfit which consisted of a tunic, trousers and a broad sash around his waist. Nothing fancy by most standards, but for his it was fancier than normal. "Had I known earlier I could of made an even better meal!" he interjects in reply to his student
[20:00] <~Deedles> Mingxia was wearing a white silk dress with accents of lush green and black, she's sat beside Shen and has her hands gently resting on her lap as she smiles at Yoshihiro. "I never doubted it. It smells divine." she says. "You can say that again!" Reisuki chimes, dressed in black pants, a white shirt and a black jacket of silk. Chiyoko her elbow onto the table, leaning her chin onto her palm as she smiles broadly "I've been spoilt while living here!"
[20:00] <~Deedles> living here!"
[20:01] <Earthflame> Jian smiles at Chiyoko, speaking softly. "It is good to see you again. You seem well."
[20:01] <~Deedles> Leewan then moves up to Shen, laying a heavy hand on his shoulder "Just wait til you taste it." he chuckles
[20:02] <~Deedles> Chiyoko smiles brightly at Jian "I am! Following your advice and coming here was the best choice I ever made." she states
[20:03] <Earthflame> He bows his head. "I prayed for the spirits to guide and protect you. But I knew you would find your way here."
[20:05] <Shen> Shen nods in agreement to Jians words. "It was only ever a matter of time." he smiles faintly at Chiyoko then turns his head to where Leewan stood. "Just as long as you don't try to drown me like last time, I look forward to it."
[20:07] <Zero_Atma> "I told you as soon as I could." Yoshi assures his mentor. He was dressed in an orange robe with no sleeves, trimmed in yellow at the seems, a long white shirt underneath and a yellow sash tied about his waist.
[20:08] <~Deedles> "Well... what's a feast without a couple of drinks, eh?" Leewan shrugs as he laughs "But I promise, just a couple." Chiyoko leans back slightly as she smiles at Jian and Shen "I can't thank you enough for your help."
[20:10] <Zero_Atma> "Couldn't agree with you more, master." Yoshi chimes in with a broad smile.
[20:12] <Earthflame> "The spirits guide us, and we do all the good we can." Jian nods to Mingxia and Reisuki in turn. "And we cherish the friends those deeds have brought us."
[20:13] <Shen> Shen shrugged as he listened to Chiyoko. "You can thank us by getting even stronger, that means more than words." he chuckled faintly.
[20:14] <~Deedles> "You bet I am!" Chiyoko replies with a laugh. "Are we allowed to tuck in?" Reisuki asks the chef with a sideways smile. "Go ahead." Leewan chuckles as he has a seat at the head of the table.
[20:16] <Earthflame> Jian begins to eat the meal, taking each bite slowly and thoughtfully as he relishes the taste of home...
[20:17] <Zero_Atma> Yoshi gazes around the table at everyone, his friends and his mentor, the drunkard looking down at his empty plate with a sad smile. As glad as he was that everyone had made it to Baoban safe and sound he wished more than ever that Haru and Mizuki could be here with them...
[20:18] <Shen> Shen feels for the food around him as he acclimatises himself to the table. He had become getting used to the idea of laying out everything in his mind and memorising it so he didn't stick his finger into hot ramen again. He ate slowly and methodically, for him, this was training too now. "Thanks for the meal." he announced and tucked in.
[20:23] <~Deedles> Mingxia was getting her own food in a manner much similar to that of Shen, though slightly faster as she was used to being blind. She got herself some fried noodles with prawns and some dumplings before slowly beginning to eat. Reisuki was piling food onto her plate as soon as she got to know she could, eating happily of it all. Chiyoko was doing much the same, enjoying the meal in silence for now with a happy smile.
[20:24] <~Deedles> "That's what I like to see!" Leewan cheers with a broad smile
[20:25] <Earthflame> Jian offers the mentor a bow of his head. "Your food is a blessing upon the body and the soul."
[20:26] <Zero_Atma> Yoshi snaps out of his depressing thoughs and decides to focus on dinner, who knows when they would get another chance to enjoy all this delicious food together? He swiftly fills his plate and digs right in, lips curling into a smile upon the first bite, it was good to be home.
[20:40] <~Deedles> Leewan looks across at Yoshihiro, his expression thoughtful for a moment before he himself digs in, pouring himself a glass of wine to go along with the food. "I've been working on a new wine while you were away, thought I'd test run it tonight. Tell me what you think." he says to them all, but particular to Yoshi.
[20:42] <Shen> "Wine or Horse tranquilizers?" Shen jests with a grin not unlike him.
[20:42] <~Deedles> Leewan laughs "Possibly both."
[20:43] <Zero_Atma> Yoshi perks up as the word 'wine' is mentioned, pausing mid-bite of his food, lifting the cup beside him. "Hmm..." he sniffs at it first before bringing it to his lips, sipping just enough to get a taste...
[20:46] <~Deedles> For once the alcohol in it isn't actually that strong, surprising for Leewan, but you could still taste it. it seems he'd focused on the flavour more which was smooth and refreshing, with a fruity aftertaste.
[20:48] <Zero_Atma> Yoshihiro smiles at this, looking up from his glass to address the others. "You might actually like this one, it's very mild, not nearly as strong as what I usualyl drink."
[20:52] <Shen> Shen furrows his brow slightly, trying to estimate the claim compared to Yoshi's very relative idea of 'mild'. Nonetheless, he drank out of respect, slowly swallowing sips as he lifted the cup to his mouth. He nodded in appreciation. "It does taste good." he admitted with slight suprise.
[20:52] <Earthflame> Jian sips at the wine... And seems pleasantly surprised. "Very good..."
[20:54] <~Deedles> Reisuki nods in agreement after having tried some herself "Yeah!" Chiyoko smiles from behind her cup. Mingxia slowly lifts her own cup and hasa slow drink of it, blinking before she smiles "It's really nice..." she states "I'm glad it pleases you!"
[20:54] <~Deedles> Leewan says happily
[20:56] <Zero_Atma> "More please!" Yoshi requested, having already finished his cup while the others were speculating. "It goes really well with the food, you've outdone yourself master."
[20:58] <Shen> Shen chuckled at the table-wide appreciation as he ate slightly awkwardly.
[20:58] <~Deedles> "There's plenty more in the gourd in front of you." Leewan informs his student with a faint smile
[21:00] <~Deedles> Mingxia surrepticiously tries to help Shen to eat when or if he has trouble.
[21:02] <Zero_Atma> Yoshi grins while reaching for the gourd, refilling his cup before going back to his food. "So, Chiyoko, gotten better at fire breathing?"
[21:10] <Shen> At first, needing help to eat was hurtful to his pride but he soon realised that no matter what he said Mingxia was always ready to help him. "Thank you." he whispered quietly.
[21:11] <~Deedles> "Anytime..." Mingxia murmurs in response. Shen didn't need to see to know that she was wearing one of her sweet smiles.
[21:14] <~Deedles> Cihyoko grins "Yeah! I've been practicing loads!" she boasts, after which Leewan mutters something about 'aim' behind his glass while his free hand ruffles some singed hair on the side of his head.
[21:19] <Earthflame> Jian chuckles at the lively conversation, but remains relatively quiet, looking down at his food rather than up at those around him.
[21:20] <~Deedles> Reisuki nudges Jian gently as she smiles at him and leans in slightly "Everything alright?" she asks in a low tone
[21:21] <Earthflame> He glances at her, his smile failing for a moment, and he shrugs as he speaks quietly. "...I'm happy. But I don't feel like I belong here, anymore."
[21:21] <Zero_Atma> "You'll have to show me after dinner." Yoshi insisted. "I'd like to see what you've learned."
[21:23] <~Deedles> Rei nods slowly "It's a sad thing, losing your home, be that physically or emotionally." she lays a hand on his back "You'll find it though, don't you worry. Just enjoy where you are and who you're with..." Chiyoko grins at Yoshi's suggestion "It's a spar then!" she concludes
[21:26] <Earthflame> Jian gives Rei a smile, and nods his thanks to her. "...Forgive me. It must seem insensitive. For one who lost their home to pity me, who has returned to it but found himself wanting..."
[21:26] <Zero_Atma> "Heh, then I'm going to need more wine!" Yoshi insisted, drinking deeply from his glass.
[21:26] <~Deedles> Rei shakes her head slightly "It's not pity, it's empathy, understanding how someone else feels." she assures him with a slight smile.
[21:27] <~Deedles> Chiyoko laughs "Yes, you will!" she tells him before drinking a bit herself.
[21:27] <Earthflame> Jian smiles a bit more. "Thank you, Rei." He reaches for more wine, taking another sip and another bite of food.
[21:29] <Shen> "You also still owe me a spar at some point." Shen piped to Chiyoko after his stint of silence. "Albeit, you may have to give me a little while, but a deals a deal."
[21:32] <~Deedles> "You bet." Chiyoko replies as she smiles across at Shen "I know you'll be back on your feet soon, and when you are we will spar!"
[21:35] <~Deedles> Leewan rests his arms on the table on either side of his plate, a dumpling in his hand as he looks towards Mingxia who was eating in silence while listening to everyone around her.
[21:38] <Zero_Atma> Yoshihiro clears his plate rather quickly, slumping back into his chair with a relaxed expression, rubbing his full belly whie looking quite content.
[21:59] <Shen> Shen eats slowly and doesn't eat much at all. Not that he didn't find the food delicious, he just had his mind away from food. He finishes his last dumpling and leans back in his chair. "It is good to be home." he sighed.
[22:04] <~Deedles> "Aye, home is good..." Leewan agrees with a relaxed smile as he raises his glass slightly.
[22:08] <Earthflame> Jian nods slowly, unable to truly maintain his smile.
[22:09] <~Deedles> The feast goes on before everyone heads back to their various homes...