Chapter 8: Captain Bai

Nightmares of familiar but better-forgotten hands reaching for her throat and shoulders haunted Hana that night. Memories of a time lifetimes ago but only a few years past crept into her mind instead of restful sleep. When the morning alarm sounded, she was grateful to be awakened from the torture.

As the sleep left her, she focused to clear her mind that she was safe and present, hundreds of millions of kilometers away from the pain of those days. So instead of the terror of dreams, she luxuriated in the morning’s UV light system beaming on her skin as she stretched her legs and arms. Her shoulders shimmied in their familiar shake as she hoisted herself up into the day.

Morning’s hours passed without any activity, save from a digital message on her room screen from Lunara.

“Sorry about last night. Not always like that I promise. Always at least one idiot when things first open. Appreciate the help though. -L”

That apology and appreciation was welcome for Hana and helped her move into her day. In the absence of patrons, Hana spent the morning shifting her plants across the tea room floor, re-evaluating the energy as she went. After a few hours and a few moderate attempts at ikebana, Hana decided it was time for lunch. She made an effort to take lunch earlier than others so that on the off chance a patron came by during lunch she would be there.

So she took her planned stroll to the sector cantina to enjoy her daily lunch ration of nutrients. Rockside daily meals were modest fare, with non-perishable ingredients mixed into greens grown on the outpost hydroponic lab. Thankfully, Hana’s diet was mostly vegetarian back on Earth, so it was not much of a change for her. Today, she picked out microgreens, kale, an orange, and tofu.

As she made her way back to Shinrin-Yoku, she waved to E’twobe and several automatons that were assembling more shops. Soon the street would be fully built out and occupied. At least there would not be any more bars, Hana laughed to herself.

Her thoughts had her distracted as she returned to her doorway and entered without immediately noticing the man sitting in the waiting area outside. He sat up as Hana passed by, causing a slight rustle from the bamboo nearby. Hana noticed him and almost screamed.

He was tall, older, with a prominent beard and black hair with streaks of grey. Even without immediately seeing the markers on his collar, Hana could immediately guess who he was. It caused her to stand up straight as she turned to him.

“C-Captain Bai.”

The man laughed.

“Surprised you know who I am. Must have actually read the debrief.”

“I did. All three hundred pages. You’re Captain Bai Mùyáng. You’ve been an asteroid captain for over forty years.”

“Very good. Almost fifty at this point. And you’re Hana, the girl who opened a tea room on this outpost.”

His tone was unclear. Hana could not tell if he was mocking her or curious.

“Shinrin-Yoku, yes. I’m very honored to be here. Would you like to come in?” she asked.

His eyes glanced at the sign, and then, after a pause, he nodded. She couldn’t help herself from double-checking.

“You, you want tea?”

“Yes, may we have a full ceremony? Gongfu cha, or, chanoyu.”

“Of course!” Hana beamed as she answered.

“Please wait here and give me just a moment to prepare.”

Captain Bai nodded once more and returned to his bench amongst the bamboo.

Hana made her way indoors and immediately began her preparations. Heat was applied to the water. Utensils were gathered, inspected, and cleaned. The alcove’s scroll and flowers were in position. Hana was ready.

“You can do this. Just another ceremony. A ceremony to… the captain… You’ve got this!”

She fixed her hair and straightened her kimono’s folds then made her way to greet the captain.

He had not moved from his seat, and Hana couldn’t help but notice a pensive, solemn look on his features as he sat alone.

“Captain Bai, I am ready for you,” she said as calmly as she could.

They bowed to one another. He made his way to the stone lantern and basin then washed his hands without instruction, then entered the nijiriguchi and crawled into the chashitsu. He moved with certainty and familiarity, as though he’d done this before more than a few times. Hana noticed he even sat in the correct spot without her instruction.

“You’ve attended chanoyu before?”

He nodded.

“Forgive me if I am rusty. It has been many years,” he said as he crossed his legs behind him in seiza position.

The ceremony began.

“I enjoyed your garden. You did well in your choices of stone and plants,” said Captain Bai.

Hana bowed to him for the compliment and motioned to the tokonoma alcove where the scroll and flowers were displayed.

“Would you care to observe the decorations?” she asked.

His gaze followed her motion towards the alcove and settled on the small grouping of snake plant stalks rising from their stone container.

“These plants are commonly known as snake plants, or Saint George’s Sword. They are durable, efficient, and strong air purifiers. They are easily identifiable by their bright yellowish outlines and striped leaves. I selected that in honor of those who are steadfast, dependable providers for this outpost.”

She bowed to him, hoping he received the subtle compliment. A small turn upwards on the right side of his mouth implied he was smirking as he bowed back to her.

Returning her focus to the alcove, Hana pointed to the scroll. Captain Bai observed it with unblinking curiosity.

The scroll was painted showing a single figure with a cane looking out at a foggy landscape that stretched to the horizon.

“This kakejiku is special to me. I found it while traveling many years ago. It is an artist’s interpretation of a European painting from hundreds of years ago, titled ‘Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog’. Notice the man is pensive, still, aged, yet dignified, upright, even confident. We as the viewer are invited to consider the fog before them. Is it uncertainty? Is it adventure? Is it the passing of time within our lives, where we can see our goals and purpose but must accept that there will be moments where that goal and purpose might be hard to find…”

Moments passed before Captain Bai looked away. Hana thought she saw tears in his eyes. She allowed him to observe as long as he desired. After a period of reflection, he looked away and bowed to her.

“It is a marvelous scroll. Thank you, Hana-san. I am moved by your thought and consideration in these decorations.”

She received his compliment and bowed back once more. It was time for the tea preparation. Utensils and equipment were gently placed in Captain Bai’s sightline so that he could observe the procedures. A chasen whisk was set beside the natsume tea container and chashaku scoop. Tea bowls, sweets plates, the kettle, and the brazier were staged as well. Her guest did not move once through the process. A small ceramic container was opened to reveal several small sweets. Hana removed a sweet and presented it on the plate to Captain Bai.

“This is a white bean pastry from the Hokkaido region of Neo-hon. The cream within is from free-range cows who spend their entire lives out of captivity. Please take this.”

Captain Bai ate the sweet and seemed pleased. His eyes opened slightly as he chewed his first bites.

“It is very flavorful. Thank you,”

After finishing the sweet, he placed the plate on the mat before him. Hana retrieved it and then chose his tea bowl. Several options were before her, and after a moment she settled on a minimalist, subtle brown bowl with white brushstrokes adorning a single flower. Hana began to purify the bowl with her fukusa cloth. Her utensils were also cleaned and purified. Water was warmed to the ideal temperature.

Koicha; thick matcha was prepared first. Three scoops of matcha were poured into the bowl then a cup of water. Chasen whisking’s quiet brush sounds were all that could be heard as the ceremony proceeded. Captain Bai watched without speaking. As Hana worked, she felt herself entering a flow. Motions became habit. Thoughts became meditation. Her breathing slowed and softened, with air entering through her nose to take in the scent, then out through slightly parted pink lips. Peace found her for the moment and enfolded her like an old friend, which she then poured from her body into the bowl.

Once the whisking was complete, the matcha was ready. Its color was vibrantly green and foamy. Captain Bai’s weathered hands received his bowl. He carefully rotated it twice so that the flower faced away from him.

“I am grateful you have chosen to be here today,” she said in a deep bow.

“Otemae chohdai itashimasu,” he replied.

The first sip touched his lips and his eyes closed. Hana waited with curiosity as his face tensed. To her surprise, a single tear ran down his cheek. She had to stop herself from moving and asking if everything was okay. Trainings had taught her better, and it was necessary for the ceremony to move at the speed and emotion of the guest. His eyes stayed closed through the entirety of the bowl. No other tears fell. Several sips later, the bowl was empty. A deep exhale came from his chest as he lowered the bowl to his lap.

Next was the usucha; the thin matcha. Hana poured one scoop of matcha into the bowl and one cup of water, creating a much thinner beverage. Captain Bai drank it, and a calmer, more pensive tone took over his aura as he drank. His eyes stayed closed once more. Stillness drifted through the space and Hana made sure to not disturb the zen of the room. Soon, the usucha was gone as well.

Once the bowl was cleaned, Hana returned it to Captain Bai to observe as she cleaned the utensils.

“Please see the white flower on the bowl. I was reminded of our outpost here on the rock. In the midst of muted color, there is a single glowing flower, full of life.”

He nodded in silence.

“It is a lovely flower. I am grateful for your thought and care. I am very happy Shreve told me you were here.”

This caught Hana off guard and almost pulled her out of her flow. She noticed herself blush.

“Mr. Shreve told you about me?”

“We were debriefing on the situation at the bar, and he mentioned you had a tea room I should come visit. My w- I… I used to love tea, and it has been many years since I have had any, much less a full ceremony. You have brought me great peace today. I thank you.”

He bowed to the floor. Hana returned his honor and bowed fully to him.

Soon he was gone and the first full ceremony was complete. Surprise fatigue set in as Hana cleaned. It had been so long since she’d done a full multi-hour ceremony, and certainly not for such an important guest, that she could not help but feel tired. Reflection on the day’s events occupied her thoughts as she wound down the room for the remainder of the workday and transitioned into the evening.

Dinner time was upon her and she felt her stomach rumbling with emptiness. She made her way to the sector cantina and ate in silence before returning to her space for the night. After cleansing herself in the quick shower and putting all of her personal items away, she climbed into bed in her silk robe. For the first time, she became aware of the breeze from the air purification system as it drifted along the exposed parts of her body like a lover's lips. In the quiet stillness, she let her fingers run along her collarbones and thighs as the softly moving air caressed the silk against her skin. 

As she luxuriated in the moment with her fingertips moving across her stomach, thoughts of Mr. Shreve and his boyish smile crept into her mind. She did not immediately dismiss them. Her lips parted in an exhale and she welcomed the coming sleep.