|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 10:38 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 11:01 pm
 |
|
|
|
There was a certain feeling of delight that came from routine and the predictability of the day. Though weather and circumstances could always change, having something constant, moving like clockwork, help keep one balanced and in tune. Rastin, being someone who valued both his privacy and his sanity, appreciated these things as though they were gemstone. Rare, precious, and worth more than his weight in protection. He held onto them, breathed through them, and lived by them.
As a child he'd never dreamed he could find these things in another troll but, as though the world wanted to prove him wrong, Sephos existed. He'd come into Rastin's life when he'd been far more defensive, cold, and unwilling to open himself up, and from that day forward, they seemed to understand one another on a level that was effortless. Eventually, all it took was a glance, the shifting of a hand, or an odd tilt of a tea cup, and everything was understood. No words, just comfortable air, and good cups of tea.
Now, gently clutching the side of his robe as he set the kettle down, Rastin was expecting Sephos to arrive. It was time for their daily tea-time, with berry biscuits that the purpleblood himself had baked. CatDad was having a snooze outside the door, his fur pressed firmly up against the window, and would no doubt roll over in greeting as Sephos approached. With this in mind, Rastin grabbed an oven mit and checked on the biscuits.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2017 4:33 pm
|
|
|
 |
Time was usually meaningless to Sephos. He'd been raised without any clock except what was inside him and the motions of the moons in the sky. His time was kept by actions, changing with the seasons as needed, and had little to do with numbers or alarms. It simply was, just as the cycle of life was, and now that Maku was 'sleeping', it was usually for him and him alone.
Except for one thing.
Somehow, Sephos always knew when it was time to go to Rastin's hive for tea. He felt it deep in his stomach, a sense of fluttering anticipation like the first butterflies of spring. It was a pull in a certain direction, and he would always set his current task aside, wash his hands, and pick up whatever he would be bringing that evening to Rastin's tea.
Today he arrived at the outskirts of Rastin's hive, carrying a basket of fresh fruit and a tea blend he'd made the night before - dried current and ginger, along with the tea leaves. He thought it would be nice to bring.
Seeing Catdad by the window, he offered a hand to him in greeting. Maku would want him to relay those greetings, even if he was currently... asleep. He gave catdad a few pets before moving on to the outdoor table and setting out his things.
Rastin would be there with the rest, and it was going to be a beautiful night. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2017 12:08 pm
|
|
|
|
CatDad was quite pleased with his job as a house greeter instead of a house guard these days, especially because it meant he could nap as much as he liked and not get attitude for it. He stirred at Sephos' approach and purred, the wall behind him shaking in response, before letting Sephos pass and fell asleep again.
After giving the biscuits his approval, Rastin set them aside to cool and checked on the kettle. The water was just about there, judging by how hot it was at the bottom. However, the sudden shaking of the house signified Sephos' arrival, and the purpleblood's lips curled up in a smile. Good, good, everything was going just as he liked it.
He moved toward the counter and watched Sephos settle by the outside table through the cracked glass window. It looked like he'd brought another one of his homemade teas today, a thought that brought a flutter and a hum to his chest. Whatever it was, he knew it was going to be something delicious and unique. He turned, grabbing a plate from under the sink, and then to the upper cabinets for the tea cups and saucers.
Biscuits plated and kettle boiled, Rastin nudged the side door open with his foot and made his way out to the outside table. He gave himself the time to set everything down before looking up to Sephos, smiling, and motioning to everything on the table. A gesture of greeting, pleasure, and approval before he took his seat and glanced at the sky.
Lovely weather, wasn't it?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2017 9:36 am
|
|
|
|
Rastin's lusus made very pleasing sounds, Sephos mused. He swept off a few stray leaves and seeds from the table and the chairs. He didn't mind sharing his eating space with plant matter, but he knew Rastin did and the table did look nicer without other things on it. Plus, it made room for the tea.
He looked up to see Rastin approach with the teakettle and - ohhh, the biscuits. They looked good tonight; Sephos could smell their richness in the calm, cool air.
Sephos brushed his hands off and wiped it against a cloth - a clean one he'd swapped out at home. He took the cups and, carefully, with one of Rastin's spoons, apportioned out the tea into each cup. Rastin would appreciate, he knew, a little more currants and ginger, while Sephos needed a slightly stronger tea. Once upon a time, Sephos would have used his hands. He was surprisingly dainty with his big, tough, hardy fingers, and he considered himself very accurate with measuring things with hand and palm. But Rastin had told him not to - in that way he had when he held something back. Sephos had listened, and he would be the first to admit that the spoon made it easier to control what went in each cup.
That done, Sephos followed Rastin's gaze to the sky. Where Rastin lived, there were breaks in the canopy. The stars and the moons shone through behind wisps of glowing cloud. A gentle breeze - just enough to be felt - whispered through the trees, carrying with it the forest's earthy scents and lively sounds.
Sephos sighed gently, barely more than an audible exhale. Yes - it was a lovely night. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2017 9:53 am
|
|
|
|
Rastin watched as Sephos portioned out their tea and couldn't help but smile as he noticed the subtle differences in what was being served. He had gained quite an appreciation for how keen Sephos was on picking the perfect notes for something and ensuring that both of them had a cup filled with flavors they enjoyed. In fact, so far, Rastin had loved every single tea that Sephos had brought and felt that it was an indicator of how much the greenblood cared.
With these feelings in mind, Rastin lifted the kettle and carefully poured water into each cup. He watched the steam rise and curl for a moment, like smoke from a candle, and set the kettle down in favor of clasping his hands. He still had a smile, though soft and subtle, and gently closed his eyes.
The smell of the tea brewing beside him gently melded with the scent of the foliage and breeze around him. Warm and cool aspects of air swirled together against his skin and through his hair. He looked quite relaxed there, an instance of being rarely seen or felt, and slowly allowed his eyes to open and glance to Sephos. While he was sitting here feeling calmer than he'd ever felt, he was just as concerned with how Sephos was doing. He arched a brow and motioned to him.
And how are you today, my friend?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2017 10:36 pm
|
|
|
|
Sephos brought the tea. Rastin brought the water. It was not always like this - sometimes, it was reversed, with Rastin handling the tea and Sephos the water - but Sephos liked it best. It felt right to be the one to portion the tea, leaving the water and artistry to Rastin.
Sephos's posture left much to be desired, though he certainly wasn't hurting his back in the comfortable slouch he adopted. One hand rested near the cup, feeling the heat that radiated from it as steam rose from it. It was a trait shared by the fresh biscuits, too. It was like a fragrant mist, though Sephos noted that it was actually a very clear night indeed - without even the normal thready mists of the forest to compete. The day must have burned it away. The actions of the unseen sun were a part of the natural order of things, one that had fascinated Sephos (insofar as Sephos could be fascinated) since he had realized that his Lusus - and the plants - lived a large and important part of his life in the day.
These were the thoughts that had taken his focus for the moment, but he was brought back by Rastin's motion. His lips, caged though they were by his sharp and ragged teeth, twitched upwards. He nodded, once.
Well.
He looked out into the forest, his eyes - as always - drawn by plants and moonlight. After a moment of contemplation, he turned back to Rastin, his head - burdened by his horns, tilted slightly.
And you? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2017 9:02 pm
|
|
|
|
The subtle smile and nod from Sephos was all Rastin needed to see. Good, good. Now he could put that bit of worry behind him and fully relax.
He allowed his elbow to lean against the table and gently cradled the side of his head in his hand while the opposite hand held his cup. Not a position he'd be caught taking anywhere else but here, with the company he so enjoyed. His eyelids fluttered a moment, giving him a slightly dreamy look, and he hummed.
Well, if not a bit tired.
He'd spent most of the night so far cleaning and organizing the house, the dust lingering on his cloak was there to prove it, and only stopped to prep for Sephos' arrival an hour ago. It was considerably harder to keep his home looking it's best when it was so often covered with a thick coat of fur. He paid his snoozing father a quick side glance and turned his head to the side with a sigh.
No rest for the weary, though, I'm afraid.
He raised the cup to his lips, sipped, and quickly beamed.
Absolutely delicious.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
