[PRP] It's A Decaff Tea-Party (Athera + Autumn)

[Green Minuet]

When: Late evening
Where: Athera's hive, Salamire Swamp

 

[Green Minuet]

Ⅱ Autumn Vikare

“Cat, quit it!” Autumn hissed, yanking the tray away from the gluttonous lusus. A few cooked veered dangerously towards the edge of the plate. “These aren't for you!”

The yellowblood and her lusus stood outside the home of a certain mutantblood. They had planned the arrangement several nights prior, when Autumn had read up on classical tea parties and decided to experience one for herself. A tea party by one's self was a sad affair though. Mentally going down the roster, she could think of no one better suited to her needs than Vremea, but the officers were always much too busy to play. So, she settled for the next best.

The young mutantblood, Athera, was cute, intelligent, and undeniably a good deal classier than the rest of the Salamire population. She would be an excellent fit. Besides, Autumn was determined to be her friend. Now she had the perfect opportunity.

Balancing the tray on one hand, Autumn curled her hand into a loose fist and gave the door a gentle rap. “Athera, it's Autumn,” she called in a sing-song voice. As she waited she saw Caterpal make another dive for the cookies. “Behave yourself!” she mouthed.

saedusk

: D

 

[saedusk]

Truth be told, Athera had waited on the edge of her metaphorical seat for this meet up from the very moment they'd planned it. Part of it, of course, was excitement over hanging with Autumn. She loved trolls whether she knew them well or not and she'd take any excuse to do something that wasn't lay around the hive waiting to see if Cynril ate something he wasn't supposed to again.

Admittedly, that wasn't the only reason, though. Autumn was bringing cookies and just the thought of sweets made Athera's mouth water. Blame Muerte for making her first 'meal' in the swamp one of chocolate and peppermints.

"Autuuuumn, you maaade it!" The door swung open in tandem with her enthusiastic greeting. "Come in. Oh-! We can have our party in the garden. What do you think? I bet your lusus would like it. Bumbs always does when he comes over." They were both bugs she thought after giving Caterpal a once over, so it made sense, right?

Green Minuet

 

[Green Minuet]

Autumn Vikare

“Of course, of course! Nothing short of a baking accident would stop me.” At this she gave her lusus a pointed look. Caterpal avoided her gaze and instead pretended not to hear. She could see him periodically sneaking glances towards the plate.

“In the garden?” Autumn continued. She tapped her chin, thoughtful and surprised. She had not expected such a sophisticated move from the mutantblood, especially not when one such as Byakko was responsible for raising her. Still, it confirmed her instincts. She had made the right choice in selecting Athera after all.

Autumn fluttered her wings to show her pleasure. “That sounds wonderful! I'm sure Cat would appreciate it. Lead the way, miss Athera.” Autumn bobbed into a curtsy, careful not to spill any of the cookies. Caterpal blinked a sigh.  

[saedusk]

"Weeell, you know what they say—if at first you don't succeed..." Athera laughed, letting the proverb hang. Most everyone knew how it went, she didn't really need to finish it. "Good thing there weren't any disasters, though." Before turning back into the hive, she gave both Autumn and Caterpal a generous smile.

"The garden is kinda far, but it's the best place for a tea party." After ushering them inside and shutting the door, Athera led the way up. The path wound around the outside up the tree, up and up and up until they finally reached a hatch leading into the gardenblock.

"This is my favorite place ever," she told her guests excitedly as they entered. The entire space was bursting with plant life, but interspersed were obvious work stations with notebooks, beakers, and other equipment. In the middle of the room and right beneath the open skylight, Athera had situated a table and chairs.

Green Minuet

 

[Green Minuet]

Autumn Vikare

As Athera guided her through the shared hive, Autumn could not help her wandering gaze. As close as she felt to Byakko, the mutantblood had never invited her over, a fact Autumn attributed more to her tendency for privacy than a reflection on their relationship. Still, she had often wondered what their fearless leader lived like and it was... quainter than she expected. Her eyes flitted back to Athera, guiding the way. She doubted Byakko had it in her to keep such a tidy home, and the thought of Cynril tidying anything was laughable. That meant...

“Ah! It's so charming!” Autumn exclaimed with genuine delight. Her wings lifted her off the floor and she fluttered from one end of the room to the other in clear awe of the arrangement. After a moment she collected herself. With a polite cough, Autumn drifted back to the floor. She placed the cookies in the centre of the table, then turned to Athera.

“I adore it. Ah, would you like help making the tea~?”

While her back was turned, Caterpal inhaled a cookie. He began to silently choke in the background.  

[saedusk]

"I'm so glad you like it!" There was obvious pride in Athera's voice as she stood a bit taller and straighter, hands on her hips. Letting her know her hard work was appreciated was one of the best and downright simplest ways to get on her good side. That, and showing a little willingness to work hard, too. The fact that Autumn did both meant great things for their friendship.

"No, no, don't worry about it! You did the baking, I'll get the tea together. It'll just be a second-"

Athera paused before making any move to leave the room, though, and leaned as if trying to get a look around Autumn. Caterpal's choking had caught her attention, but not the actual cookie theft. "Um... is he gonna be okay?"

Green Minuet