Open The Whimsy of Tea Leaves

[John Amber]

DATE: 15TH SUMMER 518 AV

The time was mid-afternoon, and John could be found where he was always found when that time came: Mhakula Teahouse. He never had an interest in their other endeavors, but John always enjoyed the feeling a freshly made cup of tea in the afternoon; there was no place better than Mhakula. There was something soothing about the shop, whether it was the garden outside, or the calming arrangements inside, the stout pudgy man always felt at home.

John made some small talk, as he usually does, with the server. Today, he told her a silly little joke he heard just that morning. It wasn’t very funny, but it drew a chuckle nonetheless. He ordered his usual pot of traditional tea and as he was paying, he made one of the topaz disappear out of sight. The server looked on with amazement and then waited for John to stop his jesting and give her the last topaz. He wiggled his finger and told her to look in her pocket, only for her to reach in and find the missing topaz. The server seemed suitably impressed and went on her way.

As she left, John took his prayer necklace in his left hand and rolled the beads through his fingers. He cupped his chin with the other hand as he lost himself in thought. Lhavit was a beautiful city, the most beautiful city his family had ever seen, if his grandparents were to be believed, but what was beyond the city limits. What kind of adventures could be had? What dangers narrowly escaped? John wasn’t much of a fighter, in fact he fancied himself a lover not a fighter. He probably didn’t stand a chance out in the wild, but still his heart yearned for excitement and he wasn’t getting any younger.

His thoughts were interrupted by the soft thud of the tea tray and the smell of brewing tea. John’s smile spread from ear to ear. A fan of tea he was, and the joy it brought him was more than the longings for adventure. John took the spoon that came with the tea in his hands and showed the server. He gripped it so it was hiding from sight and clapped his hands making it disappear. He held up a finger and then pointed to his mouth. John pulled the spoon out of his mouth, this time the server was equal parts amused and disgusted. Surely, the man she was serving didn’t know where the spoon had been…

The server left the strange little man, and disappeared behind the counter, leaving John to his thoughts again. What was tea without company? John looked around, perhaps there might be someone to entertain or at least with whom to have lively conversation.