The wagon was silent as Zayden sat with his guest at a low table. He gazed at his guest from behind his veil for a moment, reading them from their posture to the shift of their eyes and air intake.
'She's anxious. Not of me or the ceremony. A lover? No, not exactly. Unrequited love? That would be more likely.'
His thoughts moved quickly as he got to work, filling a small bowl with vanilla beans, rose petals, and a single Strix stick. He poured the hot water bow, swished them around, and delicately poured it over a clay teapot before refilling the bowl of now-washed herbs.
Instantly, the smell lightly wafted from the bowl as he let the brew steep. He held the bowl to his nose first, smiling behind the veil at the scent and offering it to his guest.
"Would you tell me who it is that brought you to me?" He asked, letting the young Elven woman lean forward and smell the brewing tea as well.
She blinked at him, but her posture had relaxed. He was right on the Cuts.
She took a slow breath, her gaze shifting as a small, content groan sounded from the side of the room. In the corner, lying on a lavish cushion, was a Kitsune. Only his dark paws and the dark tips of his nine elegant tails broke up his snow-white fur. He also had dark markings around his eyes that accented the bridge of his nose. He'd opened a golden eye at the guest, and Zayden was glad for the veil as he felt his eyes roll. Minori couldn't resist hearing gossip, especially from guests.
The Elf maiden sighed, refocusing. "A roaming trader." She answered, a ghost of a smile appearing on her lips.
Zayden nodded. From her clothes, he ventured a guess that her family was a respectable one… He was guessing from a vineyard… Yes; he thought he recognized her. Melody, her name was. While it wasn't necessary to have the names of his guests, Zayden was fairly good with names. "Does he love you back?" He asked, wondering whether it was unrequited love. If it were, he'd have to be delicate, lest she catch Star Tears.
"I admit I don't know," Melody answered, watching Zayden pour clear, hot water into the cups to warm them before pouring the tea. "He always seems so busy, and I never find the right moment to start the conversation."
"I see," Zayden answered, pouring his guest the first cup of tea and offering it to her before pouring his own cup. "There is only one way to go about this. Which I'm certain you're already aware of. However, why has this brought you to my table?"
He lightly lifted the bottom of his veil and sipped from his cup, the scent of rose and vanilla hitting his nose before tasting the Strix stick's warm space.
Melody took a slow breath and sipped her tea as well. "I want to know if it's worth the chance."
"Always," Zayden answered, setting his tea down. "Whenever there's a chance to form a relationship when friendly, serious, personal or professional, connections keep us all from losing our way."
"That's not really what I mean," Melody responded slowly.
Zayden regarded her for a moment. "My lady," he began. "I'm a simple Tea Mage. I regret to say I'm far from a Seer or a Fortune Teller. I'm simply a friend to listen to and offer little guidance."
Melody tilted her head. "But don't Tea Mages read tea leaves as well?" Melody asked.
Zayden chuckled warmly. "That would be more of a Fortune Teller's skill." He informed her, shaking his head and keeping his voice warm. "I don't believe it is my place to peer into what Lady Terra has in mind for you."
Melody sighed and looked at her cup again. Zayden hated disappointing his guests. That wasn't the point of being a Tea Mage. It was to put his guests ' souls at ease. "My lady," he added, hoping to smooth things over again. "Isn't it better to see what Terra has in store for yourself? Why would you want to spoil the beauty of your own story by trying to see into the future?"
"I… I suppose you have a point." Melody answered, taking another sip of her tea. "So then… how do I start a conversation with Sparrow?"
'Finally, a name,' Zayden thought before lightly topping off Melody's cup. "Just as you are with me." He answered. "Though I suppose getting something for him would also be a good door opener. Perhaps something you created to offer a more personal relationship."
"You believe it's that simple?" Melody asked, looking a little more relaxed.
Zayden smiled and nodded. "As sure as I am of the tea in my pot," He answered.
***
"And here I was hoping for something juicy and scandalous." After their guest left the wagon, Minori sighed, her purse lighter by four cuts. "Honestly, she's only setting herself up for Star Tears with this distant pining. It's dumb of her."
"It's not our place to judge, Nori," Zayden answered, putting the cuts away, cleaning up after the tea ceremony, and removing the veil. He was young-looking, perhaps in his mid to late twenties. He braided his long silver hair back in a way resembling a long leaf, symbolizing his path as a Tea Mage. When he completed his training, he'd earn a new braid on the side of his head to show he'd journeyed as a Tea Mage. His hazel eyes watched his fox friend, their shade constantly shifting from blue to green as if they couldn't decide what color they wanted to be. "Our job is to listen and offer guidance."
The Kitsuné groaned and stretched before standing, his tall ears flicking a little. "I know, I know… Still, I'm itching for something fun, at the very least. When can we petition to be in a court?"
"After a year and a day of travel," Zayden reminded his companion. "And I need to perform the ceremony for my master. After he evaluates me, I can petition for a Noble House to work in."
Minori's ears flattened to the sides. "I hate waiting…"
Zayden huffed a chuckle. "I do, too. But at the very least, we can see Myth and all it offers."
"There is that," Minori answered, standing and jumping on a nearby desk.
Zayden had asked him several times not to stand on the furniture in his fox form, but Kitsune was much like cats; you request something, and most of the time, they'll either stare at you blankly as if you're speaking gibberish or flat out ignore you. Minori was the Ignoring type. At least, he thought those rules were foolish. So Zayden had given up on trying to correct the Kitsuné.
Minori was looking over the map of Myth, looking over the route they'd taken and what village would be next. "Looks like the road ahead has options," Minori told him.
Finishing his cleaning, Zayden joined Minori at the desk and looked at the map. Having grown up on the small islands northwest of Chernik called The Stepping Stones, he and Minori had started their journey in Chernik, planning to travel the Elven Borders up around Golden Leaf and then on towards The Bridge. Depending on how long that journey took, it would determine if they would go back to Western Myth or continue on to Eastern Myth.
From what Zayden saw, they were approaching a dense aspen forest bordering the Darnassea Forest. Good. There will be no more scorching desert days for a while, then.
The options Minori discussed were mostly small trade villages—resting points for travelers. Those towns offered little business besides inn rooms and meals, but he could still help the people there.
"We'll head for Foot Path," He said, tracing the path leading closer to the Garden Borders. "Perhaps we can get tea ingredients from a passing Fae."
Minori looked at him. "Aren't most of them tricksters?"
"Aren't most foxes?"
Minori grinned, and his nine tails swished. "Touché," he answered before hopping off the desk and stretching.
Zayden rolled his eyes and changed out of the kimono he had worn for the tea ceremony into something more comfortable.
"Their food is really delicious," Zayden admitted, grabbing his purse and stepping out of the wagon with his companion.