[IC] Tea-time with the character above you ☕

Hope you love this!!

Also if NP has questions about Aliysa ping me and I will answer them :))

The tea house had a lively atmosphere. The 'taproom' was filled with travelers and merchants. Travelers and folk that wanted to strike a deal. The wooden floors were polished and white creamy paint on the walls made the room feel lighter than it actually was.
"I'm trying to write an opera, but it involves swordplay," he said. As he let out his breath. Xander thumbed the edge of his tea mug before placing it back on the small tea-house table. He poured more honey in his cup. "I don't know anything about swordplay madam," he confessed. While dumping another spoonful of honey, in his rose-hip tea.
"That's why I asked you here, madam," he said. Xander smiled. He eyed Aliysa.
"I've heard, correct me if I'm wrong of course madam, that you're quite the fighter. A swordsman as well." Xander tested his tea with his spoon, before picking it up yet again and taking a sip of it. Finally. Xander had added enough honey to mask the bitter taste of tea.

"You use bamboo swords, right?" He asked. Then blinked. "We don't have much bamboo here," the singer put forth. "We import it, yes. But we don't make weapons out of it. Can I see your sword?" He asked. Xander adjusted his glasses. Leaned forward. Then nodded.
"Those look like sharpened weapons," he stated. Slightly uncomfortable. Before shaking his head. Xander searched his bag and picked out a notebook and fountain pen. He cracked the gaslamp, that stood on their table, higher.
"Maybe you can tell me something about the basic techniques. Or thing we need to keep in mind madam," he said. Giving Aliyda a genuine smile.
"Oh! Maybe when the play is in production you can... Drop by and give us tips on the stage madam, I surely will compensate you for your time and work."

--

Xander as he tries to explain that Kretts aren't afraid of lizards but are from living-rock-monsters with iron magic abilities

 _{I wrote for young Brown cause I missed them interacting} 

Jack entered his cabinet. He kicked some of the dirt from his boots while he tried to unite them with his free hand. He held two dead geese in the other. The cabin was warm that morning, and it still smelled of eggs they'd eaten earlier.
"Brown," he said. His voice thundering through the place. "I'm back."
Jack lay his game on the kitchen table and pricked his lips when Brown entered the room. He moved to the kitchen, tabbed water in a kettle, and lit the stove.
"We can pluck those later," he said. Gesturing at the dead birds. "I first need some tea first. To warm-up."

Jack eventually placed the hot kettle next to the two geese and plucked mugs and dried herbs from his cabinet. He offered Brown a mug. Then poured it. Jack set down and let out his breath. His back tingled and his fingers slowly started to regain their color and life.
"How was your morning?" He asked. While dipping the herbs in the boiled water. He nodded.
"Maybe you can tag along next time," he said. Gesturing yet again at the geese. "If you don't mind... You know," he said. Before vaguely shrugging his shoulders. "We need you to get you a good warm vest first. Something for the cold," he said. "Sheepskin maybe," he said. Then plucked his fur coat. "Or wolves."
Jack shrugged again and took a long sip from his tea. "Think about it," he said. "These birds will keep us fed for days, so there is no worry to rush your decision," he said. Then laughed.
"Though, an extra hand in the hunt, especially when I'm…. Uh you know, secluded myself, would be useful."

--

Jack as soon as Emlyn leaves him alone with that honey

_{^AH MY HEART}
It rained and poured. The streets were pooling with water. Salvador used his cape as a makeshift umbrella, as he quickly made his way through the Drakenburg street. The thief halted his steps. The marketplace was empty, except for one girl. That maid, he'd seen earlier. Why was she still here? She stood there, alone. In the rain. Salvador lifted his cape higher and made his way over to Emlyn.
"Welvaren," he greeted. "It's raining." Salvador looked up, the sky was still grey, no chance that it was going to stop anytime soon.

"Come," he invited. There was a 'wachttoren' nearby. A hideout. Krakers had eyes everywhere in the city. Small outpost. On rooftops, in the streets, or like this one: partly build against the city wall. It was a shack partly made of brick. Mostly made of wood. An abandoned guardshouse, rotten by time and taken over by thieves.
Salvador opened the 'shed's' door. He made room for Emlyn and picked up the kettle. Salvador filled it with rain water. Used his tinderbox to light the small fireplace in the wachttoren. It was a cozy place, a bit damp. Two wooden beams could function as cough, the firepit in the middle kept them warm.
Cans made of tin and glass bottles stood on shelves of the shack's wall. Salvador picked a small can from it.
"It's mushroom tea," he told Emlyn. "Dried." Salvador clamped the tin underneath his arm and grabbed two crooked mugs.
Salvador let out his breath and set down next to her. He placed the kettle anove the fire.
"It rains a lot in Drakenburg," he told the maid. "Your lord should give you an umbrella next time. For the rain."

--

Sal with his boba.. poor man doesn't know what boba is and it shows

(OOC: aYE fizzleston we meet again!!!)

The famous Windblume Festival was in full swing in the city of Mondtstadt, which meant dances, parties, and guests from other lands.

One such guest was in the Angels Share Tavern, but seemed to be drinking tea rather than anything alcoholic. The second youngest child of the Ragnvindr family (said family who owns the Tavern), Danica Ragnvindr noticed would notice this sort of change.

Of course Danica  exploits her freedom to do whatever she wanted due to being too young and having no specific job as much as she could, unlike her older sister Lucasia who had to man the bar, Tudor with his affiliations with the Favonius Church (no he does not worship the Anemo God he just helps out) and Candida with her job as a sniper.

Danica went up to Salvador with boba tea (OOC: boba tea supremacy no Danica does not like actual tea) in hand, sitting next to him where he was seated in the tavern as she attempted to make small talk.

”So! You drink tea!? That’s cool! Tea is epic! What kind of tea are you drinking? Something from your lands, you look like a foreigner after all!”

"Hmmm, do you prefer tea or coffee?" The tall Aziel loomed over the counter. "I'll get coffee. I hate being up before noon." There wasn't much that awkward Aziel could do to initiate a convo. He brought a notebook to write just in case tea time just becomes a study session. He nervously added sugar and creamer to Danica's coffee, careful to get the perfect combination. Ironically, he oversaturates his own coffee with creamer as he prefers his coffee too sweet over dark. The girl was about a decade younger than him, and yet her boldness made Aziel feel like the child. Aziel didn't know why he was so nervous, as he was just as loud (& perhaps brasher) when he was her age.

Spot hummed uncomfortably in his chair, feet not even reaching the ground. Why oh why did he let Eclair always talk him into these sorts of things while she was away? He didn't like being...nice...or friendly with people!

He squinted softly at the small cup in his hands, the smell of the slightly minty tea being tempting at least. Attempting to avoid the usual boring or awkward conversation starters, the small watchdog opted to swing his legs around before speaking up.

"Tea is actually kinda boring," It was a boldfaced lie, but Spot was always one to seem tougher, "I mean you gotta agree right? You seem tough with your scar and all. What about a cooler drink?"

A cooler drink? What in the heavens could he have meant by that anyways? Either way, after a moment of fumbling and seeming 'tough', the alien did take a few tentative sips of the tea, most likely confusing Aziel on just...how his species ate or drank. Spot wouldn't reveal the answer. It's funnier that way.

     "You find tea boring?" Allegro mused. He blinked slowly then looked down at his drink. Even En hated having to sit down and drink tea. In fact, now that he thought about it, there were quite a few that didn't like this. Was it really because it was boring?
     "I suppose it's nothing more than warm water, isn't it?" he pondered aloud. This was probably the closest he'd ever get to a breakdown, but even then he seemed casually surprised rather than panicked. To be fair, it was probably because his tea was, ironically, keeping him calm.
     The prince took another sip before looking off towards the garden. "When I have tea, I don't just sit and drink it. I think. It gives me time to relax and sort out my thoughts. Sometimes, I like to look at the flowers and the butterflies around them. Aren't they such nice flowers?" He smiled over at Spot. "You were looking at them, too. Do you have any of your own?" His gaze drifted to Spot's helm. "That helm of yours is broken, too, isn't it? There must be a story to that, as well. Would you mind telling me?"

Bernard is not obligated to be by Allegro's side the whole time. As a Captain, he had his own obligations to deal with in the city. Yet that does not mean he hated being around the Prince. Perhaps, Ser Valence is tired for Allegro's constant attempts of throwing himself into the soldier's arms whenever he is with him.

But Ser Valence found it rather enjoyable in his the garden. With the two of them. Alone. Bernard has no worried about Allegro doing those foolish things he does around him. It was peaceful, despite the constant remarks. He lets out a chuckle every once in a while to laugh at his light-hearted jokes and continued to sip his tea in his seat across Allegro in their small tea table. And every time the soldier would take a sip, the Prince would ask him "How is the tea today?" at least once.

"I'll wait as long as it takes for you to marry me." He would say so nonchalantly. "You're the only one who can keep my attention." Maybe the "I always care about you." Or something along those lines. But every time the two of them would have tea together, Valence would just listen to him. He'll slip in a few flirts here and there, but it was tolerable because... he sounded much more sincere because it was just the two of them. It seemed like... having tea in the garden was the only escape for the two of them. And perhaps, Bernard will hear it again and again and eventually... he'll return his feelings. He hoped that he'd be happy even if he becomes old and frail.

He takes another sip. Valence hoping that he'd ask how the tea was today.

But there was silence.

Clink. 

He places the teacup onto his small plate. His eyes, seemingly closed now opened slightly. His golden eyes turning glassy when the man he was envisioning sitting across from him - never being there in the first place.

He sighed.

"If only I'd told you sooner." He whispered to himself.

     En tried not to openly grimace as he set his tea cup down. "He always did love this stuff, didn't he?" he grunted. Tea. He hated tea. It was just warm water to him. His brother, though, always said it was different, that every type of tea had a subtle difference yet a plethora of benefits. Although the king still didn't believe him, Allegro had always been calm and relaxed, so maybe there was some truth to it.
     He glanced across the table. Valence sat there, silent as ever but with that pleasant look on his face. He looked like he hadn't aged a day. En's expression softened, and he looked away towards the castle at the far distance. "... Another year," he said after a while. "It's still hard to believe he's gone. I always wonder what he would've thought about us now." A low chuckle escaped him. "I feel like he'd have originally come to help me get out of your jail, only to end up flirting the day away with you."
     The chuckle bubbled up to a laugh, but soon it died down. "He had a lot of lovers," En quietly said. "Some are still talking to me today about how he was "the one", but... if I'm being honest, I think he loved you. He cared about everyone he was with, but I think he would have picked you over all of them. You were all he could ever talk about-- for years. I think at one point I saw him reading up on laws he could break just so end up closer to you." A sad smirk. "He was always persistent when there was something he wanted. I'm sure he would've still been putting off marriage to this day if it meant having a chance with you."

You can reply to him, his younger self, or his evil self!

[i want young en. thank you.]

Tea was a rarity. Sugar, too, was a rarity. Nevertheless, Noel did his best to get both, and hopefully, En would be more of a fan of the classic, diabetes-inducing southern sweet tea, because that was honestly the only tea the old man bothered with. Maybe if he hadn't left his wife on the side of the road, he'd be open to expanding his horizons, but...

Noel set down the cups on the single, decrepit, wooden table, and followed up with the tea kettle. The table squeaked under the weight of these items alone, and for a moment, it looked like he was going to have a heart attack as he poured the tea, and as he so happened to claim the only seat in the entire cabin. En could either keep standing or sit on the floor, though it seemed -- emphasis on "seemed" -- that Noel simply didn't notice this development. He paid his own greediness no mind.

"It's sweet." he droned, as he took his own cup in his hand, "Nothing like that herbal piss people sometimes drink." Well, the fact he apparently never drank a good cup of chamomile tea in his life explained his shitty mood. "That's what my wife liked, before she went and stepped in the soil. Gods forbid you marry a crier..." He shifted carefully in his seat, half-leaning on the table. The table sobbed in protest.

"I mean, things could be worse than a crier, though." Noel sipped his tea. His awful sugar water. "You could be unlucky enough to marry literally anyone in my family." That was utterly repulsive. "Pray your princely ways can get you someone better... If you even decide to marry."

"Or, you can just become the housewife." he then scoffed, "I need you to hold the vegetables for me when I cut them, whenever I get to that. I'd ask Maribelle, but she's... wherever she is."

i'll hopefully follow-up :'V ping me if you want