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

Tea leaves were a language Hazel didn't dabble much in, but she was always willing to try. Especially with other people. If she only practiced on herself, then it was bound to get boring.

Good thing for her, she had a client - Romeo.

The girl waited with bated breath as she waited for him to finish. Not with his tea, but with the fortunte-telling process. After drinking, his job was to swirl the cup a few times while concentrating on destiny.

He did as told and slid the cup over. Hazel nodded. "Thank you," she said. "Now, let's see..."

She peeked into the teacup. Her eyes scanned the flakes of Orange & Cinnamon Spice scattered against the bottom. Maybe the leaves being associated with the consultant's favorite color would yield a better reading? She sure hoped so.

"Hmm..." the gardener squinted. "Oh, this one's easy. It's a heart."  She laughed a little and tilted the cup towards Romeo.

"I guess that means you'll find love in the future. Actually," she raised an eyebrow, "wait. You told me you already had a girlfriend, didn't you? Isaura, wasn't it? Then take this as a sign. You two are definitely going to make it together."

Hazel took her own glass of tea and clinked it with his. "Cheers to that," she sipped it with a smile. "I'll get you some more if you want, too."

-

for np: hazel is kind of stuck up when it comes to tea and may or may not act pretentious with it lol. feel free to play around with the tea leaves stuff too (i'm sorry there's not much to go off in her profile aaa)

A relative degree of precaution had existed prior to the hour that Hazel would arrive.

The table was set out with a small ciambella and a plate of florentines. A few empty cups and a pot of freshly brewed chrysanthemum tea had been placed near the center of that distribution. It was there that they turned their attention on occasion, in case anything might go amiss.

The moths and Aeliana had been set away to their respective areas, and although Lilium was certain the latter was sulking in the allotted room, they could not be sure. Regardless, they waited by the door for a short duration until a presence became apparent beyond that divide, and pausing with some indecision, they regardless opened it after a moment.

It did not take long to get things further set up, and for Lilium to start making an effort at conversation. They did not quite have a sense of what to say, and it was in that context that they started up a few words once sitting down, after having poured the flower-infused water into the basin sitting nearby themselves.

“...It is a nice day, is it not?”

Holding the mug carefully in both hands at first, this was set down after they finished that partial question, somewhat conscious of themselves.

“...Potion making is not quite different from related practices...”

Their voice trailed off momentarily before coming back to itself again.

“...It seems to be accurate, regardless. ... I do not decoct anything beyond plants, fungi, and the like, but considering the components present...”

A pause encompassed a lack of motion then, their attention no longer looking relatively off to the side.

“...If you need anything, I would not be opposed to supplying it. ... It can be fun looking for things that grow wild. ... The surroundings seem to change by the hour, not only through the season, which is interesting to note as well.”

Having grasped a thread of thought, they continued with it variously, hesitating to let the other speak on occasion.

"Oh! Hello! We haven't had anyone in here for a while. Uh- let met get you some tea!"

The cafe had been quite empty until Lilium entered. Very few tables were being used and even then, there was only one or two people at each. Soon after she disappeared, the squid like human came back with a pot of tea.

"I hope this alright, no one else is here right now so I had to make it." She pours some out of the pot but misses the cup and spills most of it on the floor. She panicked a little and ran for something to clean it up, apologizing profusely upon arriving back at the table.

"I'm sorry, I don't normally serve anything. Not since last time..." She trailed off for a moment until she jumped upright and her expression turned to that of determination. She ran back towards the back of the building to where she had brought the tea from and reappeared with yet another pot of tea.

"I'll leave it to you this time, if that's okay." She pulled out a chair, "I'd also like to join you, as a way of saying sorry."

The tea had a strange smell to it, while not unpleasant, it was not the nicest smelling tea Lilium had ever smelled. Both of them smiled and began to chat. Although in hushed, nervous tones, the conversation was pleasant. They both ended up staying far beyond closing time as the remaining people at the tables slowly left.

    Shockwave watched intently as Leiko poured real tea into the tea set. She had never actually had real tea before. It was banned at the labs because the employees would slip stuff into it. She after being handed the cup, she placed it down quickly. “Ouch that’s hot!” Shockwave grabbed a couple ice cubes and plopped them into the tea cup. She looked at Leiko and watched her prepare and drink her own tea. “Oh I see, you can add stuff!” Shockwave dropped her tea cake into her tea and watched it melt intently. Then she stuck her nose in her cup to smell it. The tea smelled like lemon and vanilla. Shockwave drank some of her tea and smiled. “Mmm! This is delicious!” Her orange eyes light up and she began gobbling down the tea. After she finished she placed her mug down. “That was really good! Can we make more! Please! PLEASEE!”

Xander felt embarrassed. His cheeks had coloured a deep red as he shook his head. "Oh, oh," he started. "I am so sorry, I did not know that you're not the best reader," he said. Xander avoided Shockwave's eye contact and focussed his gaze entirely on the menu between them.  "Allow me to read the menu for you, madam. It's mostly teas, like the ones we're enjoying now." Xander tapped the edge of his tea mug, as if to prove a point. He then picked up the menu and gently pressed his thumbs against the side of the paper.
"They serve some fruity brews here. One with strawberries and vanilla. Oh, and a pumpkin chai, I highly recommand that one," he said. Xander looked over the menu at the other and smiled. "They also have an early gray, rooibos, oh!" His fingers paused on a line. "And an Ayurvedic blend with cinnamon, cardamom and orange," he read out loud.  He lowered the menu. "That's why I really like this tea house," he explained. "They have all kinds of teas," Xander said. He smiled. The type of smile that left small dents in the corner of his mouth and made his eyes light up. Void! He loved tea.
"Right now I have a rose bottle tea, my all-time favourite. It's good for the skin. Or at least that's what they say," he added with a laugh. Before self-consciously rubbing the wrinkles next to his eyes.  Xander placed the paper back down on the small table they were sharing." But if you're willing to hear my recommendations, madam," he said. Pausing just a bit too long to keep it exciting." I would recommand a lavender blend, or a valerian root one. It helps you fall a sleep," he said. "I heard you're quite the night-owl, and while that's of course not something bad," he said. Though, his lips twisted slightly. He surely was a morning bird himself. "A good night's rest can do wonders for the skin. More than rose bottle tea can, actually."  

--

Xander every time Umbrielle appears 

Quill sipped his beverage which, on account of the amount of sugar, could barely be described as orange tea anymore. He sat upright with one leg over the other and all the arrogance you'd expect from someone of his upbringing. However, he hasn't been very talkactive since he and Xander arrived at the tea house. "I must say your recommendation is quite good. It might even beat strawberry tea." he said. "..." And that's apparently all the tea talk he can converse without getting hostile. He was starting to get tense though, as his furrowed brow and finger tapping on the cup would suggest.
Then Umbrielle came flying to the table. The little feathered companion was holding something in her beak. "When she's not by my side she often returns with something." the outlaw explained. "Usually it's some sort of nesting material, but..." He took the coin that Umbrielle put on the table for himself. "I might have started training her for other stuff as well..." he smirked mischievously.
"What about your.. bird? I've never seen one like her." Quill asked Xander, his eyes suddenly filled with intrigue. He set his cup aside and leaned forward, clasping his hands in front of him. It prompted Umbrielle to hop on one of his arms and look at the sugary concuction that Quill created. "Did I hear that right? She can mimic sounds? That's quite impressive..." And maybe even useful. was a thought he decided to keep to himself. "Have you trained her as well?"

(I'm sorry that he's such a rat lol)

Tea was always served in the early afternoon, at eleven, on the dot. Petra, perhaps forced to hang around by expectation of the girl's father, just as much had the girl's attention. She was an older woman -- though Maribelle was uncertain of her exact age -- with a quick wit and an intelligence that set her apart from most scholars that passed through old Sauveterre, though more than anything else, her wealth aided her. Wealth always helped people find their place. Even Maribelle knew that, though as young as she was.

Maybe that was why the lord sat Petra down in the parlor. Frankly, Maribelle only happened to wander in for tea time, and almost immediately found herself self-conscious before her, though without interference from her guardians, she sat herself down without any more of a care. Could the woman even drink tea? The child wasn't sure, studying the rigidity of her features, the movement of her lips as she spoke -- and at last held the teacup to her mouth. It wasn't any fancy tea, just black tea. Caffeinated black tea, specifically, because who the Hell would want to deal with a jittery nine-year-old? Set on the table between them as well was a platter with pomegranate seeds, small sandwiches, and sugar cookies.

"My papa likes you." Maribelle spoke simply, and then again it seemed to her that the lord liked everyone. That was what made him so wonderful. "He told me you're a businesswoman. Or were one. He's said you took a while to get a hold of." At this point, she might as well ramble on. "What'd you-- what did you deal in? About your business? Madame? ..Miss?"

She heard through the grapevine that Petra had a daughter, and fortunately not much else about that daughter, only ever a murmur. But, did that mean Petra was married and 'madame' was more valid a title here? But without word of a husband... was she a 'miss'?

"I heard someone say wine." The girl's eyes sparkled. "Or artwork. D'you-- do you? I don't know how it all works... do you just trade art or do you make it and sell it? Or... I heard about rocks, too. Do you own mines?" She then couldn't help but to ramble on. "My papa owns mines. So does his other friends." If such a word could apply to Petra, though again the lord was all too welcoming and all too close. Maybe it didn't help the child's curiosity any. At least Petra seemed to tolerate it.

..Tolerate it, where the newcomer did not tolerate the girl herself. Or at least her presence. The door opened and in another language, the older man hissed something out to his daughter. Maribelle winced at the interruption, and now more in the spirit of a kicked kitten, she picked up her teacup and shied to one end of the loveseat so that the lord could sit and talk proper.

Talk proper to the lady, talk proper about arrangements. Whereas the girl probably only ever talked about nonsense, and now nothing at all.

@ NP: You are free to respond to this younger version of Maribelle, or her default profile or slightly older version. Please just let me know if you choose differently from this one.

Perhaps it’s odd that Demetrius ended up here, seeing how he isn’t affiliated with the nobility or actually acquainted with Otto in any manner, but here he sits tucked away in a corner of the lord’s entry hall. If nothing else, he’s a passing scholar granted a moment of shelter from the elements outside. Unbothered and frankly uninterested in the political going-ons of the house, he sits absorbed in a thick compendium on medicinal plants. On the table before him is a quaint traveling teaseat, presumably brought by Demetrius himself and possibly produced from under his hat. 

The witch only shakes out of his own little world when he feels eyes on him. It’s a young girl passing through the room; he notes that she’s dressed too lavishly to be anyone who would be interested in him, but her gaze is steady. At first Demetrius thinks it must be because of his outlandish wizardly looks, but he realizes no… she’s trying to get a look at the title of his book. He holds it up to her, and that must be invitation enough for the girl to come over- though he can only imagine a noble girl might be eager to talk to somebody new too.

Seeing that Maribelle’s interest doesn’t wane even when she’s close enough to see the rather dull academic-looking cover, Demetrius sets it down and slides it across the table to her. She eyes him for a moment, but is tempted enough to sit and take the offer. He doesn’t think to ask if she’d like tea as well - because of course, who wouldn’t! - and pours her a cup. “Would you like sugar?” he asks, his words written out in bubble letters in the space next to his head. He’s not certain whether it’s out of politeness that Maribelle hesitates to respond or if she’s just put off by how he communicates, but he doesn’t miss her longing glance at the sugar bowl. With a patient smile he spoons it into her cup, until it almost starts to feel irreverent to call the concoction ‘tea.’ 

He passes the cup over to her as well, and without a second thought pulls another book from somewhere within his excessive pockets, flipping it open to a marked page. This one also seems to be about plants, unsurprisingly. “Do you like this sort of book?” he asks, gazing into his book so as not to put her on the spot by staring. It may be out of line for him to speak to the lord’s daughter so casually, but Demetrius -as the kids say- doesn’t give a damn. “If you like it, we can sit and read- provided you don’t have classes to be at.”

She’s quiet, Demetrius can only assume a mix of shyness and reservation, but there are occasional questions - first only about the contents of her book, then the flowers seemingly growing from his hat. Hearing that he works with plants seems to be what throws open the floodgates; mostly asking, but also volunteering information about her own studies into botany. Demetrius is, of course, absolutely delighted to find a new student! And here of all places, even if only until the weather dies down. “Do you think you’d like to do something like this when you’re older? If you keep this sort of passion for learning, I could see you teaching next to me someday. Here. I hope this will remind you to always stay curious.” 

He plucks one of the preserved flowers from his hat, and lays it on the table next to Maribelle’s teacup. Though it’s not long afterwards that an adult appears after Maribelle, he assumes a retainer of some sort. Demetrius is apologized to, for the girl being allowed to bother him so, but he waves it off, a bit irritated at being interrupted- though he understands, of course, he wouldn't want her getting in trouble because of him. “No, no, she’s delightful,” he says, and at least for the brief time they’ve known each other, he means it. 

Quietly somber in the shadow of his research ship, the old doctor perched by a well dressed table as the cavern waterfalls crashed down nearby, throwing the smell of water around. The professor gazed at the patron across the way as he rose his cup to savour another helping of the tea that he had prepared for him and any visitors who may have stumbled upon his little corner of paradise. He sets the mug down as he crossed one leg over, adjusted his glasses and goggles before resting his hands on his lap.

"It's nice of you to come across my little pocket paradise; Who else wouldn't like to spend solitude in a cave with nothing but your own company? Alas I have studied your past quite vigourously... but not intrusively. Hmmm... it was reported that you were once in the "care" of a religious cult? Bit like some 'controversial' orphanages run by religious priests; Familiarities go hand in hand, I'd say." He spoke without a smile as he took another shot of tea before continuing with his in-depth 'research' in J's past.

"Though I am glad that you have escaped the maws of religious oppression, no one wants to be pushed and pressed to do things because of another's beliefs. You are safe here and what I hear is between us. 

so tell me...what was it like?"

The fabled professor glanced towards the individual as they mentioned his rather prestigious past. "Well, I had a few ups and downs regarding my position. A lot of humankind would've remained on Earth without my knowledge." He said as he sipped his tea with the other.

Then came that all difficult question. A seemingly invincible creature that seems nearly undefinably unkillable. A hum of acknowledgement followed the cup as it was rested on its chiseled marble saucer as he clasped his hands together.

"Hmmm, a creature with that ability. Its quite puzzling to think within the confines of your own knowledge and moreso when it can't be unwavered by conventional means." He went as he adjusted his glasses.

"I have no quarrels when they pose no threat to the future of this universe but... if they do well it'd have to be defeated in a way that even it won't expect.

From my study, it takes energy for it to completely restore itself. Therefore, perhaps the best solution is to starve it of a key element to its survival. If it breathes, contain it in carbon monoxide. If it survives by eating, reduce its nutrition intake; even if it would resort to eating its own parts to survive, it can only last for so long on its own body." He explained as he rose his cup to drink from it once more.

Hanako has always been a sweets over whatever else person. There's just something about the way it feels like you have heaven right on the tip of your tongue. It's why on the table in front of the two laid a wide variety of treats. Ranging from cookies to lamingtons. Cupcakes to panna cotta. If was like a child's dream come true. For Hanako though, he looked forward more to the cup of warm taro milk tea resting between his hands.

Setting the drink down from his lips, Hanako's eye was shut as he hummed to the welcoming taste of Taro. He allowed himself to relish in it for a few more seconds before finally addressing the other person in the room.

"You have quite the aliases, Doctor Irvine"

Glancing up at the other, there was a hint of curiosity within the heart shaped pupil. "Congratulations. Truly. You've caught my attention." Using his finger, Hanako traced over the rim of the cup. "From one 'creator' to another, doctor to doctor - you have my respect" letting a small air of silence enter the room, Hanako took another small sip before he spoke up again.

"You also scare me"

The entire time Hanako spoke, there was the warmest smile on his face. A welcoming look in his eyes and their voice a soft alluring tone. But even with all that, those with extreme awareness would be able to sense the hint of uneasiness in the air.

"I'd love to hear how you'd deal with a certain... scenario. If you will. Theoretically, of course. But then again, if you'd rather go home that's also, well. Fair enough."

Crossing one leg over the other, Hanako straightened up. His fingers brushing through his hair to readjust how it was sitting on top of the eyepatch.

"Let's say, there's this creature. Unkillable as far as anyone knows. Burn every cell, every atom that makes it up. Vaporize it all you want. Yet it still somehow turns up again. It can regenerate constantly with no limits. Even has the ability to control others." Tapping his finger on the glass gently, Hanako tipped their head to the side ever so slightly. Their gaze unwavering.

"How would you attempt to get rid of it? I'd love to hear your thoughts, Doctor."

The words rolled from his throat as a purr. That being the last sentence Hanako spoke before falling silent to hear just what the other has to say. 

----

[@ NP ping me pls !]

For all of the normal interests Coal had, tea-time was not one of them. Perhaps it was too easily cemented in his mind as a thing for the upper class, or for actual businessmen who had politics to slight each other over while pretending to be friendly. Safe to say - he was never particularly enthralled by the pastime, not even when he'd had the opportunity to try it out as a younger man. Too many useless tidbits of etiquette to remember, and not enough little cakes for the trouble. So, the surprise he felt at having his invitation accepted was palpable, to say the least.

His humble abode in the middle of the off-limits forest was probably not well-equipped to host something so formal at all - especially not for someone who seemed as high-profile as Hanako - but, it was doing its best. The dining room wasn't luxurious, nor was it very fancy, but it was enough. A table with a spread of common-folk snacks - crackers, store-bought biscuits, ham sandwiches cut to look fancier than they really are - lay before the two participants, fit with a fairly normal cup of sweet tea for both. Coal had been confident that it would be enough. What reasonable man would turn his nose up at sweet tea? Certainly not one he wanted to make acquaintance with, anyway. The video producer stirred his gently, enjoying the noise his teaspoon made against the ceramic of his cup.

"S-So," Coal began, before clearing his throat once he realised how rough it was. "So, you're a researcher. Or, do you prefer doctor..?" Hanako's appearance certainly didn't communicate that prerequisite information very well - his eyes danced over the heart pupils his tea guest sported. Was that the fashion these days, then? Coal hadn't spent enough time out of the forest to really catch up with trends like that. He hoped his suit hadn't already become antiquated in the few years since his seclusion into filming. Maybe Fals would know a thing or two about it.

"I once considered going into biology," the man mused, continuing to stir his drink without actually drinking it. "But I didn't have high enough grades for it. You must be pretty intelligent to make a living off of something like that. I'm barely making ends meet, and I've got niche stardom going for me. Ha ha ha." Despite the kind of over the top look of the person sat before him, Coal couldn't bring himself to even fake feeling fear. To be honest, compared to the forest around them, very few individuals could stand to frighten him - not even researchers with permanent smiles on their face. Instead, he couldn't help but wonder if he ought to have bothered wearing a tie for once.

Even the dining room wasn't fully safe to foreigners, actually. In the background. the stray spirits that clung to Coal's body fluttered around the two. Fortunately, they weren't corporeal enough to disrupt the spread of food - else Coal would consider dropping his video producing career to entertain the idea of becoming an exorcist. (Not that he would do that. Coal fidgeted with the ring on his finger. He knew that every minor spirit was important to his husband, even if they couldn't recall their names. So, his irritations with them were fleeting at worst, and if the researcher took offense to them, he would simply have to cope with it.) He offered a gentle smile to the good doctor, as apology. 

"Sorry. I don't entertain company that much. I hope it's not too obvious." Not physical company, at least. He preferred it when people assumed the ghosts on his show were fake. "Still, I'd love to know more about your career. I've always had an interest in topics along that line." 

Finally, Coal brought the teacup he'd been nursing to his lips, taking a sip as he focused on the guest before him. His glasses fogged up with the rising steam, so he wiped them idly with his spare thumb, chuckling all the while. The tea was average at best, but the video producer had no reason to desire anything more than that. Hopefully, he mused, his guest wouldn't mind all too terribly. He'd heard tell of how picky the more successful doctors of society would be. Pickiness was not something that Coal could stand.

Despite his inner trepidation at how his preparations would be recieved, he smiled anyway, waiting for a response.

gvre
_{NP - Feel free to use either of Coal's forms, depending on what makes most sense. Also, I'd love to be pinged.}