Different cultures make tea differently. [She inclines her head slightly, all doubts are forgiven.]
I am, all my life. If anything is ill or not right, it is my job to investigate and remedy it to the best of my ability. Sometimes, it is by voice, some with medicines, and sometimes the clarity of mind activities like this can give.
[Arha thinks it's important to come back to one's senses in a ceremony of this nature.]
There are specific types of teapots and cups that only tea itself can keep from deteriorating and thus a tea ceremony must be held to keep them beautiful. The tea flavour soaks into the ceramic and becomes part of it, enhancing the tea consumed the longer it is used to make that flavour.
I have some like that back home. I trust that they are being well tended in my absence.
This set functions well enough in their stead.
[He pours and waits, glad enough to be quiet for a minute. The peace of the ceremony is soothing, and he likes it better than the honesty that had afflicted him. He suspects some of the compulsion remains, but it's at least soothed enough to keep him from blurting things out.]
[She nods wordlessly - that's the best part of tea sets like that and lets herself become absorbed in the ceremony itself. The best part is the peace that comes from it and making sure that peace is instilled with the tea that will be sipped. Arha's barely noticed the truth compulsion as her own truth-telling is something that is close enough to the compulsion that there's not much more truth left to be compelled.]
[When the tea is brewed and everything is ready, Huaisang fills each cup and sets one down in front of each of them.] Will you tell me about your homeland?
[He'd rather talk about her than himself. He always prefers to avoid vulnerability, but now more than ever he wants to avoid speaking about himself.]
The world I came from was a city, the whole thing. I do not know where I was truly born but that was where I grew up, where the Witches of my time gathered. I prefer more peaceful places, little ones I found that are all grass and water and fresh air. The only peace of my home was inside the Temple where it was much quieter.
[She smiles, cradling the cup for its warmth between her palms.]
I'm glad. [Huaisang sips at his tea, pleased.] I almost begin to feel rather settled here. With my friends, their temple, my business, my submissive. I almost feel as though I belong here.
At ease might be overstating things. I don't recommend that anyone feel at ease here. This place has a way of tripping up and overthrowing even the most powerful and comfortably-settled LIERs. I feel fortunate in many ways, but I remain on my guard.
Well, as at ease as one might be. [She sipped her tea carefully.] Of course, being on guard is always recommended in any situation. Safeguards are the best defence.
It's true, but I also want to have fun. [Huaisang looks down, chewing on his lip.] A couple of the parties I've been to here have ended in... Well, I'm getting used to being drugged with aphrodesiacs around here.
I went to a party like that recently. I did not know there was such things until it was too late but I managed to make it as enjoyable as I could. Is it too unpleasant? I found my libido...significantly higher than I might have wished but talking to my partner of the evening and being very careful with them seemed to help matters.
I find I have... mixed feelings about it. The desire is quite enjoyable, and I like freely having sex. But ... last month I was still trying to remain exclusive to my two partners, who felt that exclusivity is important. So one of those parties resulted in me breaking my promise.
I find that no so much breaking as being forced to do so by chemical means. I am sorry your partners felt it was something that was your fault. I see little logic in that.
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You're a healer?
[Huaisang pours as they speak, warming the pot and cups, waking the leaves, discarding the excess water and pouring again.]
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I am, all my life. If anything is ill or not right, it is my job to investigate and remedy it to the best of my ability. Sometimes, it is by voice, some with medicines, and sometimes the clarity of mind activities like this can give.
[Arha thinks it's important to come back to one's senses in a ceremony of this nature.]
There are specific types of teapots and cups that only tea itself can keep from deteriorating and thus a tea ceremony must be held to keep them beautiful. The tea flavour soaks into the ceramic and becomes part of it, enhancing the tea consumed the longer it is used to make that flavour.
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This set functions well enough in their stead.
[He pours and waits, glad enough to be quiet for a minute. The peace of the ceremony is soothing, and he likes it better than the honesty that had afflicted him. He suspects some of the compulsion remains, but it's at least soothed enough to keep him from blurting things out.]
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[He'd rather talk about her than himself. He always prefers to avoid vulnerability, but now more than ever he wants to avoid speaking about himself.]
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[She smiles, cradling the cup for its warmth between her palms.]
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One of my friends from home is planning to build a temple here, similar to what we knew at home. You might like it there.
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I am, yes. I would very much love to see this temple when it is complete. I have no doubt it will be quite elegant.
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