-- written for @vesuviaweekly's prompt "tea vs coffee debate", with Nadia and Valerius! --
This is not how you expected your afternoon to go, but after a morning of sitting in on some of the dullest meetings known to Vesuvia, you're not mad about it. Valerius and Nadia are staring each other down from opposite sides of the palace salon. The innocent table between their couches holds two different steaming pots. You're holding Chandra on your shoulder and trying to hide your smile.
"Countess," Valerius begins with an annoyed drawl, "you are entitled to your opinions, but so am I. It is my opinion that the best means for caffeine is a cup of coffee."
"I respect your freedom to your opinion, Consul," Nadia shoots back with an icy tone, "you are free to hold any opinion, regardless of how true to reality it may be. I am a gracious hostess. As you can see, I have even allowed coffee on my tea table for your ... preferences."
"I wasn't aware that it was common practice for 'good' hostesses to judge their guest's choice in beverage. Your coffee table does not appear to be damaged by the extra pot on it."
Nadia leans back in her lounge, virtually bristling. ""Judge'? I am merely commenting on its shortcomings."
"What shortcomings? Coffee has considerably more caffeine and flavor. Any motivated person with the capacity for bold taste would find it far more efficient, unlike the watery presence of a weakly-brewed leaf." Valerius flings his braid over his shoulder and pours himself another serving.
Nadia smirks into her dainty teacup. "It seems the bitterness of your drink has scalded your sense of taste. I have no interest in sacrificing a delicate and nuanced aroma for efficiency's sake - rather, I find the ongoing presence of it a grounding companion throughout my day. From what other coffee drinkers tell me, it's rare to enjoy more than two cups without suffering unpleasant side effects."
Valerius sets his cup down with a loud clink, visible tremors in his hand. "I worry your sources may not be true coffee aficionados. This is my third cup, and my only affliction is the headache of a verbal barrage I was not expecting."
"A headache?" Nadia's concern is only half-fake. You both take in the sight of the unusual bags under his eyes. A glimmer of understanding appears in hers and you can hear laughter in her voice. "I wonder if that has anything to do with your choice of coffee this afternoon, rather than a robust red vintage."
"I will not allow my pursuit of a sound mind and body to subject me to judgment."
"Of course not." Nadia's teasing tone is completely gone now. "Distancing oneself from a relaxing influence under stress is a difficult and noble decision. Please, if there is any means by which I may support your endeavor, do let me know. In this regard you have my respect."
Valerius nods, looking unexpectedly appreciative. "My thanks."
Nadia smirks into her teacup again. "Even if that requires disgracing my tea table."
"Countess - !"
------------------------------
That night, as the two of you enjoy the moon rise, you watch Nadia peer thoughtfully into her wine glass. "Valerius moderating his drink ... it seems he truly has decided to improve his ways."
"I'm impressed," you mumble. The long day has left you sleepier than you expected to be. Nadia gives you a complicated look.
"Do you think that I might indulge a bit ... too much?"
"What do you mean?"
She sighs. "After some reflection, I realize I can't remember the last time I went a full day without a drink of some kind. I don't believe I rely on it, but ..."
She trails off, lost in thought again. You stand up with a yawn and hold out your hand. "Your choice is yours to make, Nadia. I'll love you either way."
"And I will always adore you, my darling." She takes your hand and leads you inside to her chambers. "I would even drink coffee for you."
With that, the "Cozy Comforts" prompt is officially closed!
The tags are the usual #vesuvia weekly and for this specific prompt, #tea vs coffee. The masterlist for all works submitted for this prompt will be under the poll for next week :D
Pairing: Julian/Sparrow (She/Her Apprentice), a little Asra/Robin (He/Him Apprentice)
Word Count: 1,414
Summary: Asra and Robin go into action when others in their family are at odds.
...
All was not well in the magic shop. Well, that wasn’t completely true as it was well but there was a clear tension in the air as Asra and Robin, huddled by the kitchen door listening to the love birds ‘argue’.
“I don’t see why you take such an issue with my drinking coffee!”
“I take issue with that sludge because every time you drink that stuff it causes you no amount of bodily harm!”
“Nonsense, I have been drinking it for years and I’m fine!”
“Seriously?”
Robin and Asra shared a knowing look. “Divide and conquer?” Robin asked.
Asra nodded. “I’ll take Sparrow, and you take Julian.”
“I don’t think we’ve had to use this maneuver since the twins were kids,” Robin sighed, as he prepared to open the door, “let’s hope it’s as effective now as it was then.”
Asra smiled as he moved to put the tea kettle on the stove.
…
The kettle let out a shout and Asra removed it, pouring some into a couple cups. “What do you think, rose and lavender or something spicier?” He asked, turning to Sparrow who stood with her arms crossed. “What is better to dish over? It’s been a while since we’ve had the chance to sit here and talk.”
Sparrow sighed. “I don’t think I’m really in the mood master.”
“Indulge me,” Asra said as he moved over to the pantry. “As the mistress of making tea I trust your judgement in this matter.”
Sparrow sighed again but released her arms. “At least you do,” she said as she joined Asra in the pantry. She quickly selected box of rose tea, showing Asra. “This one is a good sitting tea.”
Asra smiled as he nodded. “Once again, you are very right my dear. Shall we?” Soon he was leaning back against the counter, watching as Sparrow carefully steeped the tea, adding the right amount of magic to it before handing it to him, and then beginning on her cup. There was a bit of tartness to the tea, which Asra assumed could only be the emotion in Sparrow’s magic. Soul magic was sometimes very emotionally based. He didn’t make a face just watched as Sparrow took her sip. “You know we used to do this a lot when you were younger,” he mused, “we’d make a cup of tea and then talk about things going on.”
Sparrow shot him just a bit of side eye. “If you are trying to get me to talk about Julian- “
“I know how much of a handful he can be,” Asra said, in between sips, “I know he can be kind of set in his ways, especially with his habits.”
Sparrow set her tea down as she sighed. “I know, I just thought I was finally getting through to him. He was getting more sleep, eating better, and now with this he refuses to even listen. It’s just a cup of coffee, not even that it’s sludge! It’s black ooze and he refuses to even consider he toll it’s taking on his body!” Sparrow threw up her hands in exasperation as she continued, soon settling into crossing her arms again as her face became pouty. “It makes him all jittery, breaks his sleep cycle, not to mention I am pretty sure it’s one of the reasons he’s getting ulcers! But every time I try to bring up the idea of giving it up, he refuses to listen! Why is he so attached to this stuff?”
Asra set his cup aside and looked at the young lady in front of him. She had come a long way from the days of crying over young men, but clearly some things never really changed. He smiled gently as he chose his next words carefully. “Did Julian ever tell you the story of how he discovered coffee?”
Sparrow’s face perked up, just a little. “No, he hasn’t.”
“It’s probably because it came at a very chaotic time,” Asra mused, “you see, he once told me it was back when he was a medic in the war.”
“He…” Sparrow began, her body softening a bit as she released her arms, “Julian doesn’t talk about that time.”
“He will,” Asra assured, laying a hand on her shoulder, “it took him a long time to be comfortable in telling me. I remember he told me that coffee was one of the few things that he and the other soldiers had to hold on to. They would enjoy a cup of coffee and talk about their lives back home. It was something they could share, a good thing that brought them a bit of happiness and made them think it was possible to get back home. Now for Julian It’s a reminder of those good times, of sharing a drink with those he cared about. Asra knowingly glanced at his and Sparrow’s teacup. “Kind of reminds me of how you make tea for the people you care about.”
Sparrow said nothing at first, just looked at Asra. She then leaned in and gave his cheek a kiss. “Excuse me,” she said as she moved to the door. She turned back as she reached it and smiled. “Thank you.”
Asra watched her go with a smile. He set the teacups into the sink and wondered how Robin was doing.
…
“If you brought me here to talk about Sparrow- “Julian began but stopped as Robin poured a drink into his glass. The alcohol was clear and sweet smelling.
Robin shrugged as he poured himself some drink before putting the bottle back down on the bar. The Rowdy Raven was pretty quiet, it being a weekday afternoon which was probably a good thing. “I just figured you could use a drink,” Robin offered picking up the drink in his hand, “that sounded like quiet the disagreement.”
Julian sighed as he picked up his own glass leaning back against the bar. “I love your sister, but I swear sometimes she can be so stubborn!”
“You are preaching to the choir,” Robin chuckled, “I grew up with her.”
“Granted I know she was only trying to take care of me,” Julian argued, “and usually I would agree but giving up coffee, the thing that has gotten me through these hard times! I would rather give up one of my big toes and not be able to walk correctly for the rest of my life than give up coffee! And then she suggested that I take up drinking tea, I mean nothing against tea but it’s hardly coffee! I mean you’ve had coffee, so you understand right?”
Robin winced just a little. “Well…”
“Et tu Robin?”
“You fell in with a tea loving family,” Robin chuckled, “Sorry bro, it’s a trait passed down through our family. Actually, did you know our mother used tea to heal people?”
Julian’s eyes widened a bit as he blinked. “No, I don’t think you…or Sparrow have ever brought it up?”
“Well, I don’t know how much Sparrow actually remembers,” Robin mused, taking a sip of his drink. “I think I got most of the memories when the whole thing happened, and I haven’t wanted to cause my sibs any pain, so I’ve kept it to myself. But yeah, our mother was kind of a healer, kind of like a doctor but with just a bit more magic to it. She would make potions for people as well as special teas that would help heal sickness as well as maybe send a bit of love or luck their way. When Sparrow was little, she used to follow our mother around, being her little helper. I think it’s where Sparrow found her love of helping people as well as her skills in making potions and more importantly tea.” Robin swirled the clear liquid in his glass, watching as it sparkled, even in the low light. “You know, after our mother’s…death, I think that was what she really held on to. She makes potions and tea to help people, because she inherited not only our mother’s looks but also the desire to help all those that she can. Sometimes she gets a bit too stubborn about it but it’s always because she cares.”
Julian was silent, staring down at the drink in his hand. Then he downed it with one gulp. “I have to go,” he said as he hurried towards the door.
Robin smiled. His part in divide and conquer was a clear success.
After Notes:
Sparrow and Julian did make up, and they came up with an agreement of three coffee at most, it just didn't fit well in the end.
