Kayse (prime)/Vignette: Tea for Two

The rain-washed florals intoxicated her senses as she stepped out onto the cafe’s patio.  Even for the wet season, the isle had been seeing more rain than usual and the brief break in it was welcomed to enjoy the weather outside again.


Misty followed behind the Aelotoi with a tray and set it down on a table towards the back. A pair of pear green eyes, watched the proprietor instinctively serve the tea. Much care being put into the cup she prepared.


Kayse breathed a sigh of relief as she realized she at least said enough to pique Misty’s interest to gain an audience with her.


Grabbing the cup that was handed to her by the elf, Kayse took a seat and brought the liquid to her lips. The zest of orange hit her tongue with a mix of cinnamon and clove. 


Misty remained standing and her eyes roamed over Kayse. "I've been thinking about what you proposed.”


Kayse set her tea down, her fingertip tracing over the gilded arabesque pattern that wrapped around the cup. “As I was saying and what you may have experienced yourself is many around town aren’t sleeping well.  Some are having nightmares.”


Misty's gaze grew a little distant, but then she nodded once.  "There's truth in your words," she commented.


“A sleep deprived town can not protect themselves against….invaders or whatever is coming.” Kayse’s voice slightly dropped off as she recalled what she had heard about the little girl, Reynai, clawing at her eyes weeks ago. She was not convinced the nightmares were over--for anyone. 


"The tea... is no trouble.  But I worry about introducing strange herbs... that's not something I'm overly familiar with."


Kayse nodded, her mien a mixture of sympathy and knowingness.  “This brew would help provide some relief.  I know the dosages of the herbs but brewing a tea is rather foreign to me.” 


"Look... I want to help, and this sounds like it might be a way that I actually CAN... but, to be frank, I don't know you.  How can I trust that what you're proposing is what you say?"


A pensive expression painted Kayse’s features as she picked up her teacup.  “The herbs independently are known to work in their intended ways. I admit combining them is unorthodox. But if I test the tea myself before we reveal your involvement or release it to the public, would you consider this partnership?”


Misty nodded slowly, a thoughtful expression on her face.  Then in a quiet tone, she asked, "And what is in all this for me?"


The words were rather familiar as they rang in Kayse’s mind.  “The tea could be made available to citizens to buy, so you could make a profit, of course.”


Misty regarded her shrewdly, then dipped her chin in a careful nod.


"But...” Kayse leaned forward, her voice dropping to a whisper, “I know everyone’s preferred currency isn’t always coin.”  


Misty quirked an eyebrow in the Aelotoi’s direction.


“It might be more strategic for your business to give the tea out and offer aid.  Perhaps there is some other form of payment we can decide upon.” Kayse leaned back holding the tea cup between her fingertips.


Misty gracefully took the seat across from Kayse and poured herself a cup of tea.  "I'm listening," she remarked, blowing gently across the rim of her teacup.