brewed_to_a_tea [Curious Coeurlian RP Repository]

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===== 09/20/21 - Brewed to a Tea =====

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc>

|||On a day before any sort of worrisome visits or unexpected guests, Vinalo Mabunalo was working. Not on a customer's plant or one of their herbal medicines, but a different kind of blend. The tea drawer was open, and several of the containers were scattered about along with what seemed like half the spice rack. In the middle of it all was the resident tea-lover, humming to themself as they stared at a small bowl, seemingly lost in thought.|||

"Now what should I add next... maybe more of this... or maybe less?"

Vinalo tapped their chin as they glanced over the many, many things in front of them. They'd intended to work on their own tea blend for some many moons, but life had a way of interfering from time to time. Today was the day, however, and they were determined to get this right.

"...Misha?" they sort of shouted at the partially-closed door. "You busy right now?"

<fc #35adb5>''[Misha]''</fc>

"Mm? Just finishing up this chronometer, hun. You can come in if you'd like."

Her hair was down today, an indicator of what she identified as. For the moment, her attention is focused solely on placing this one gear into the broken wrist chronometer. It had been her project for the past few suns.

"What is it?"

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc>

"Trying to decide the citrus balance for this tea I'm putting together. Multiple fruits, but... I'm not sure the best ratio of lemon and orange peel. I've also another blend I'm thinking off and..." They sort of trailed off, seemingly distracted by whatever they were looking at. "...Was wondering what you think."

<fc #35adb5>''[Misha]''</fc>

"You wish for me to taste test? Sounds like a good time."

She sits up a big and stretches in her seat, back popping in a few places.

"I can probably stand to not be curled over my work."

Hopping down from her seat, she'd wander over to Vinalo and wrapping an arm around their waste.

"Although, you know I am biased so I might not be the best judge."

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc>

Vinalo chuckled as their spouse's immediate response to exiting the bedroom was to embrace them. They leaned their head into her's for a moment.

"You'll just have to pretend this isn't mine for now. Or maybe, since they're all mine, there's no bias to have," they said, glancing back down at the small mixing bowl. "But I think I'm onto something here with this one. You think more orange or lemon'll work well?"

<fc #35adb5>''[Misha]''</fc>

"I do not think i have had a tea with orange in it. I know lemon is common to have with honey to help with a sore throat."

Gently shepherding Vinalo back into the kitchen, Misha would stand by them and peer at the mess of experimentation strewn over the kitchen counter.

"How long have you been at it for?"

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc>

"Not too long, I reckon. Maybe just..." Vinalo looks over at the chronometer. "A couple bells. Maybe."

They grin sheepishly.

"But.. yes. Lemon's used for that, but this blend'll have orange and lemon peel as part of the tea itself. Brewed directly and such.

<fc #35adb5>''[Misha]''</fc>

"Sounds good. Why not pour me a cup?"

She leans forward a little to watch them work, interested as always in their doing. 

"Are you planning on selling your own blend?"

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc>

"We'll have to wait a few minutes if we want to try this blend. It's the first batch. We'll see if it turns out well."

Vinalo already had a kettle of water waiting to be heated up, and simply hit the switch on it to start the process. In the meantime, they carefully scooped the blend into a tea infuser and placed it in a waiting empty mug.

"Not sure if I'd want to try and sell it. I'd never be able to make enough. But... I'd gotten the idea to make my own blend last year and never got around to it. Was a bit busier than expected." The last bit was said with a small grin and wink.

<fc #35adb5>''[Misha]''</fc>

"Hey, I had nothing to do with that."

She feigns innocence, looking away with her smudged nose in the air. Still, she can't help but give them a sidelong glance.

"Things do have a way of coming up though, do they not? I think we are quite overdue another event."

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc>

"Yes, of course. Nothing at all." They snirked, watching the water quickly come to a boil. "And I right hope we get a bit of a breather before something else happens. I worry enough already."

Vinalo poured the now-boiling water into the tea-equipped mug. A vague aroma of spiced citrus would waft into the air, the tea brought to life by the sudden heat.

"Now we wait a bit longer," they said, turning back to Misha. "I'm also working on another blend. More of a simple black tea, but with... something more, I hope. What do you think'd be the best sort of tea, for you."

<fc #35adb5>''[Misha]''</fc>

"For me? I am afraid I am a simple person. I like my aromatic teas, as well as herbal teas. Not terribly exciting, I know."

Elbows on the table, chin in her hands, Misha watches them fondly.

"Now tis my turn to watch you work on something you care about, it seems."

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc>

"You've watched my work on plants plenty, but... reckon this is a bit different. Don't get much a chance to create something usually. As for the other tea, then..."

Vinalo hummed to themself, carrying something resembling a tune.

"Might have to ask the others. Get a variety of opinions, you know?"

<fc #35adb5>''[Misha]''</fc>

"Ohh, so my opinion is not good enough? I see how it is. How cruel."

She sighs melodramatically, without a hint of actual sadness in it. Giggling softly, she nods.

"Tis nice. I get to see you truly focused, like when you garden. But not as intense."

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc>

Vinalo leaned on the counter, glancing to the brewing tea. Just few seconds...

"Well, if I'm to make a unique blend, a lot of input'll be needed. This one's more of a... vanity work, I suppose?" they say with a smile. "Ah! That'll be long enough to brew."

The infuser is carefully removed from the still very hot tea and set aside. Vinalo takes a good whiff. Their nose wrinkles a tiny bit.

"Well... seems a bit strong, but we'll know for sure in a moment." They look back "My gardening's intense?"

<fc #35adb5>''[Misha]''</fc>

"Oh sure, specially if it's a clients plant. You get so into finding out why it's displaying as it is. Very stubborn"

She sits up and leans in to take a whiff. 

"Well, I am not adverse to strong teas.."

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc>

"I'll not argue with stubborn. Reckon it's helped me out a lot. And others. And others' problems," they said with a little smirk. "But we'll see how it works here."

Vinalo waited a bit for the tea to cool enough to take a tiny sip, holding the mug up carefully.

"Well, who should have the first taste?"

<fc #35adb5>''[Misha]''</fc>

"Well, you wanted me to, yes? Why not give me the first taste and then see how it goes?"

She holds her hands out expectantly.

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc>

Vinalo nodded and handed the hot mug over

"Careful."

<fc #35adb5>''[Misha]''</fc>

Blowing at the steaming surface, Misha'd take a sip. A thoughtful hum, then takes another. She closes her eyes.

"....Vinalo, I love you, but this is a little too bitter even for me."

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc>

Vinalo tilted their head to the side, eyebrow raising.

"...Too bitter? Could've sworn I didn't... The tea leaves didn't seem that strong..." they started, gaze drifting in thought. "Peel should've masked it if... hmm."

They looked back to Misha.

"How's the citrus, then? Too much lemon? Too much orange?"

<fc #35adb5>''[Misha]''</fc>

She takes another sip, focusing. Ah, here's the hint of citrus, a medley of flavors.

"They're there, but a little muted. Maybe try a lither tea?"

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc>

"Something lighter... maybe half've the leaves should come from..." They  stopped thinking out loud and chuckled. "Well... reckon it's my turn for the sip then. Between us I'll figure it out."

<fc #35adb5>''[Misha]''</fc>

"I am not very good at tea, though..so I would not bank on my opinion alone."

She hands over the mug. "If you drink from the same place, we'll be sharing a kiss."

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc>

Vinalo grins.

"We share plenty of those already, right? But... since you mentioned it." They proceeded to take their own sip from the same spot Misha did. Their tiny smile contorted a bit as they took in the flavor. "Mhm... I see what you mean. Balance is off. Underestimated how much the leaves' flavor'd come through."

After taking another thoughtful sip, Vinalo placed the mug on the counter. They crossed their arms and drummed their fingers on the opposite arm.

"I think... the flavors and spices are right, but... yeah, the balance is off. Something to add to the notes and try again with."

<fc #35adb5>''[Misha]''</fc>

"Am I helping? I hope so. My tastes are nothing compared to yours. Except in life partners, I have to say I have excellent taste there."

She beams at them and winks.

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc>

"But you've tasted a lot more fancier and such food than I've ever. And you're helping, surely!"

Vinalo couldn't help but giggle a bit, their ears reddening just a tiny bit

"I can work with this and make it better. And once I do, we'll have another tea mix for the... erm, inventory."

<fc #35adb5>''[Misha]''</fc>

"Sure but I have no idea what goes into those teas. Perhaps we have to make another trip to Ishgard so we can get some of that high class tea. I remember the brands."

She winces, then, remembering the last time they had visited the city.

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc>

"Ah... well, we don't have to go back there. Could probably ask Luna to get some for me next I'm at her tavern. Surely she knows the ins and outs of it. Her own brewed tea is very good. I could make it myself, but... just wouldn't be the same. Or authentic, I suppose"

<fc #35adb5>''[Misha]''</fc>

"I'm sorry. I thought I'd be over it by now."

She mumbled, but she was still smiling a little.

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc>

Vinalo shook their head, reaching out for her hand.

"No apologies. I still don't much care to return there, and I wasn't the target of anything other than a few insults. You've plenty of reason to still have it weighing like that, even if we both know how wrong everyone on the other side of that table was."

They smiled that gentle smile they often do when trying to be assuring.

"If we want that tea, we'll get it another way."

<fc #35adb5>''[Misha]''</fc>

"I'm surprised you didn't go with the tea we gathered during our trip to the Steppes."

She lets the subject pass, comforted in their words.

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc>

"Mhm. Those I don't think'll work well with what I was trying for. And... I'd not want to waste any of that on some experiments. Could always teleport back for more, but going that far's still a bit of a rush. And we'd have to go searching the plains again for it."

Vinalo chuckles a bit.

"Maybe another time. But for now I'll just use what I can easily get here."

<fc #35adb5>''[Misha]''</fc>

"I wonder if the hinterlands have tea. Or the sea of clouds. Tis kind of barren up there, from what I remember."

She taps her chin. "Did you want me to try something else?"

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc>

"We'll just have to search when we're there, right?" They grinned "And... don't have much else to try yet. Unless you want to sniff the other blend I'm working on. Not nearly ready to be drinkable."

<fc #35adb5>''[Misha]''</fc>

"Do I get to just watch you fuss around then? That would be cute. I do love watching you work."

She's got that dreamy look on her face again, smiling at them.

"Or maybe I just love you."

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc>

Vinalo laughed. One of those happy laughs.

"Like I said, I'm going to get some more opinions on this one. Make sure it's got plenty of input."

They stepped forward and lightly bonked their head into her's.

"And I love you too, Misha. And... I'll not mind if you want to watch. Just don't want to keep you from your work. I know those chronometers need fixing."

<fc #35adb5>''[Misha]''</fc>

"Tis nearly done and they can wait a day or two."

She rests her chin on the counter, smiling at the laugh. 

"I am so very happy, you know."

 <fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc>

"I can tell," they respond with a grin of their own "And so am I, Misha."

Vinalo begins the work of gathering up the needed spices and tea leaves, organizing them much like they did a bell before.

"Well, reckon we'll try and make this tea better this time. Second time's a charm, right?"

<fc #35adb5>''[Misha]''</fc>

Hopping down from the seat, she'd approach the working Vinalo and encircle them from behind, giving them a million kisses on the cheek, thereabouts.

"How about now?"

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc>

"M-Misha!" they managed to get out through the onslaught of kisses, and the giggles that followed. "Hard to w-work like this!"

Though Vinalo protested, their expression and laughter spoke more truth than their words. They turned quickly, and landed a proper smooch right on her lips. They held it for just a few second before pulling back, face baring a wide grin.

"How about now?"

<fc #35adb5>''[Misha]''</fc>

Not used to such things from Vinalo even now, Misha can't help but blush and hide her face in the crook of their neck, the red reaching the tip of her ears.

"I do not know I did not think I would get this far."

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc>

Vinalo giggled and leaned their head against her's.

"That's fine. Play it by ear, right?"

<fc #35adb5>''[Misha]''</fc>

"I ought to pick you up but then it'd make a mess."

She's still hiding. Obviously all flustered. "So I will just have to leave an iou for that."

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc>

"Still plenty of time left in the day for that.... I reckon," they said with another chuckle "And the next day and the next day."

<fc #35adb5>''[Misha]''</fc>

"Or we could go snuggle in bed..."

Trying to coax them playfully, giggling at their playfulness.

<fc #0A9532>''[Vinalo]''</fc>

Vinalo looked at her, with all her persuasive gestures, and tried to resist. Their own smile probably made it harder.

"...Just a bit more, and I think it'll be time for a break."

They laughed another happy laugh and tried to get a little more work done, difficult as it would be.

|||And so they did manage to get some work done, thinking of both the tea at hand and the love to their side. Vinalo very much hoped that things would remain quiet for now, as the last thing they both needed was another crisis to land at their door. But that's something for another day.|||

----

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