Snippet #2466796

Sun was seated in a small teahouse situated off the corner of one of the nicer streets of Little Shintenchi; though, nicer was a matter of opinion, as it was through money paid to local criminals that kept it nice. Protection rackets were common place around the neighborhood, and often times not optional for many of the small business owners. You either paid up, or you suffered the consequences. Extortion under the guise of protection. Still, as far as places go there were worse ones out there.

The teahouse was modestly small in size, and she was the only customer at the moment which allowed her a sense of peace and quiet away from the busy streets of Little Shintenchi. The shop owner was a friendly old man by the name of Huan, and he had leathery skin, greying hair and a peppered beard. Usually he was keen to gossiping with his customers, but today he was in the back cleaning and she had the front area to herself for now.

The teahouse was on her daily route and she often stopped in to enjoy an early afternoon cup of tea on her way to the Ming Dojo. At the age of twenty-seven she had been running the dojo for three months now, ever since her father's ailing health hadn't permitted him to keep up with it any longer. The Dojo had been in the family for three generations now, and she had been proud to take up the mantle, but sometimes she found herself reminiscing over the possibility of moving to Shintenchi.

It was idle fantasies though. She liked it well enough here, and had no intention of abandoning the family dojo. Still though, she might take a trip out to visit Shintenchi someday.

With thoughts of travel on her mind she finished her tea and put a few bills down on the table for Huan before heading out.