Around The Campfire

*Z reaches out a hand and scratches behind Dara's ears and under their chin.*

*After a few moments you realize that Z has a giant smile plastered across their face and their eyes have crinkled up with happiness.*

Dara gives a pleased sound, and Hanuel smiles. "How long have you been drawing?"

*Z glances up and blinks*

"For as long as I can remember... "

"Wow. I don't have anything I've been doing for 5 years, other than being able to bring forth Dara..."

"Not like its anything special."

*Z turns and pulls out a porcelain tea pot and sets some water to boil.*

"I disagree. Not everyone is so skilled at it." Hanuel reaches over and gives Dara a pat on the head.

*Z grunts at you.*

"Well, if you'd rather talk about something else, I'm willing. Though you don't seem like someone to talk about your past much."

"The past is the past. I don't see what there is to be talking about."

"I'm always interested it hearing about other people's pasts. I don't have much of one yet myself, so hearing others stories makes me wonder what I might be in for in the future."

*Z gives you a forlorn smile of one who has seen very dark days and barely lived past it.*

"My past is not of such to be shared. Suffice it to say I have become who I am by not being drowned in the past. Some would say you can learn from the past, but when the past would chain you down in shackles it is best to break past it and run toward the future. Would you not agree?"

Hanuel nods, getting Z's meaning. "I suppose so. Still, since we're companions, I'd like to get to know you better."

"Knowing my background is irrelevant, that is not who I am. And you would only learn a fraction of who I was"

"I didn't mean your background. I can tell you'd rather not bring it up. I just want to know who you are now."

*Z makes no further comments instead busying themselves with the tea pot which has started to boil. You get the impression that they aren't upset with you simply they considered the conversation to be finished and so moved on. As you watch them rifle through their bag, you might catch yourself wondering what they are looking for. Finally the pull out three small sealed boxes and pulling a small dab of the materials there in they add it to the steaming water. Shortly there after they pour a bright pink liquid into two mugs and hand you one. It emits a pleasant berry smell with just the hint of nut and citrus and is a bright pink color.*

Hanuel sniffs at the drink curiously. "What is it?"

Hanuel and Dara(Toilarin) wrote:Hanuel sniffs at the drink curiously. "What is it?"

*Z turns and grins at you.*

"Smells heavenly doesn't it. Its a mix of three of my new favorite teas. Youthberry makes up the base and that's where most of the flavor comes from too. A very sweet fruit, and lovely by its own right, but poisonous until its dried. Then there's Wild Orange Blossom, that's the hint of citrus you're catching, but ironically they don't use the fruit just the blossoms. The fruit is tiny and very bitter, but good in many medicines. The hint of nuts your catching is actually Silver Needle White Tea, and its the reason you have to strain this very carefully. They are wide, but sharp bristles from the Silver Pines in Northwestern Aluvia. I feel it adds a nice contrast to the otherwise sweetness of this drink. You can add sugar to it if you like, but keep the amount you add small or you end up with a a syrupy sweet drink which takes away from the natural flavors of the tea."

Spoiler:

Hanuel takes a sip and chuckles lightly. "Well, that seemed to get you opened up a little. Or at least talking."

"Ah well.. tea ... tea is something wonderful... it should be shared.. and you seemed to show an interest and a lack of knowledge...I probably went overboard..."

*as Z speaks they start mumbling toward the end your not even certain if you heard it right.*

"No, no. Not at all. Now I know a little more about you. I know a good gift for you can be tea." Hanuel laughs again, smiling and taking another sip of tea.

*Z raises an eyebrow at you.*

"........"

Hanuel looks slightly embarrassed. "Uh, well, I mean, before we joined up with you, when we were at the Spacial Temple, Kolson gave us all gifts, and I've been meaning to pay him back, and if I got a gift for him, I figured I should give one to everyone, and I'd feel bad if I didn't one for you and I didn't know what to get, and now I do."

*Z turns and nods. Clearly understanding your words if not the sentiment.*

*Having once more joined in the campfire festivities. Z heats some water in her tea pot then pours a steaming glass inserting a tea bag of Ogre's Delight. She lets it cool then walks over to Rory and sets the glass down. A heady never to be forgotten smell wafts into his nostrils.*

Z wrote:*Having once more joined in the campfire festivities. Z heats some water in her tea pot then pours a steaming glass inserting a tea bag of Ogre's Delight. She lets it cool then walks over to Rory and sets the glass down. A heady never to be forgotten smell wafts into his nostrils.*

With a raised brow, he asks, "What, is that mine?"