#earthrunes

what's this? a flick of tea leaf that must have almost gotten mixed in. But not typical.

What is the interloper?

Gyokuro! The tea that almost got put in is Gyokuro!

A type of green tea popularly called sencha, the Gyokuro is an exotic variety that produces a beautiful jade tint, just like the meaning of its name. This tea is typical to the Uji district in Japan. Unlike other kinds of tea, the Gyokuro is cultivated in the shade, and takes about 2-3 weeks to be ready for harvesting. At roughly 650 dollars per kilogram, it is not a tea for the idle drinker

Eyes widen.

Earl is not there to see the "curiosity-glint" appear, but perhaps he senses it in some karmic way...

Perhaps! What a delight.. this is, well, one doesn't wish to impugn one's current residence, but a level of culture she may not have expected

This 'regular tea' is quite nicely made. But oh yes, she must learn more of this new and most pleasant knowledge.

She sips, and savors, and ponders.

And, as if sensing her pondering, she hears Earl's footsteps out the door. Oh he's softer footed than many trolls, but she knows the sound of his steps like she knows her own heartbeat.

That heartbeat which quickens just a touch.

a soft knock, "My hind? "

"Enter, my Hunter."

He enters "Charity asked me to tell you she's done in the library ... and I thought I .." His eyes fall on hers, and he notices the sparkle in them, like moonlight on black river "oh my."

"She promised to be gentle with the litter of dust bunnies..."

"She was' He says "I took a peek. They might be feeling like they lost their living room, but they'll regain ground again. They always do." Earl says "But that's not what that look in your eyes is about."

"No, no it is not."

"There is a new tea in the kitchen."

Brows shoot up, "They restocked the Earl Grey?"

"No!"

"More exciting than that..."

"Come, I should return the china..."

"Charity is probably going to show up for it... but it does let you have an excuse to sn... investigate" He corrects before he says 'snoop'

"So yes, let's return the china" A smile

"I know not is it was imported... I do not think we have that kind of sophisticated tea drinker here...."

"Oddly, if Gerd had the money, aye, she would know of it..."

"Gerd can flicker flash," he says "Took me all my life.. she whips it up in two years. Maybe she's gone to the far east?"

"Mayhaps. It is a rare variety - it takes special care..."

"Not something one can just poach easily then" he grabs the tea set when she's done

"Nay, for it grows in shadows... tis most rare. I know not if it is even cultivated in the States..."

"So it's a mystery. Well, it brought it on itself by being so" and they make their way to the kitchen. Zara realizes she has not been in the kitchen.. has she ever been in the kitchen here? She often has tea in the library, and the dining hall is large and lovely. The kitchen is SUPER clean, and always busy with a large staff (Of boggans mostly).. so it has not been a room she's felt a need to explore.

A tiny grimace - so clean, and bright, and antiseptic...

"Can we help you?" Two or three boggans asks. Earl shoots Zara a look. Does she want him to draw the limelight and distract them? Or does she wish to do the speaking?

She holds out the cup. "I am returning the china..." Barely audible.

"Oh, thank you, we should have gotten that" the cup and tray are whisked from their hands "We hope you liked"

While they talk to her, Zara peeks around... a proper kitchen THIS size should have an area for the tea that.. ah, there, away from the sinks , good. Less noisy.

"Oh, aye... though... I was wondering... where is the tea kept? I should not bother you every time I am in desire of a cup..."

"Oh, it's no trouble" another says a touch of alarm. Non kitchen staff? in here? "It's our pleasure" //"And duty" another say //"Almost one of us always here" Another assures

Zara notices their glances, brief, confirm her suspicions on where the tea is.. that alcove.

"Aye..." A fuss, drawing closer to the shelter of Earl's side.

"Thank you, ladies. " He says

"But there is always, too, a pleasure in making tea..."

"Well, we'll bring you the fixins" One says.

Zara can only imagine how the Scarsdale elite would feel about tea making refered to as 'the fixins'.

She looks briefly vexed.

And earl suprises closes the door, "Thank you so much, ladies." and then he makes a hand motion to the side?

Zara follows.

Earl goes around the side of the room "Far alcove right about.. here?" he taps at a wall gently

A grin!

"Aye. About there."