70th of Spring, 511 AV The man awoke abruptly to the echoing sound of light footsteps, a girl most likely, from the warrens of Wind Reach. It was still early and the fresh spring air seemed to roll in right through the gates. “Vala it’s been a while.” Though his voice was low from sleep, Val’s words carried with soft clarity. The young woman trotted up to the sitting man, a perfect smile plastered on her porcelain face. She jumped to a stop at his feet, hands folded behind her back. Rocking back and forth from the ball to the heel of her feet, Vala spoke up in a sickly sweet voice. “I know! I’m so sorry, but I brought you some tea leaves to make up!” Bringing her hands forward, Vala nonchalantly dropped an opaque pouch of tea leaves into Val’s open palm. There was something about visiting Val, something she use to do more often as a yasi, that had Vala acting extra childish. The oddest thing was that Vala wasn’t even trying to act fake, the childishness just coming out naturally. Val could usually tell when she was being extra fake, but she rarely ever was with him, so he never bothered to bring it up. He definitely wouldn’t be the one to try and scare of the skittish girl with prying questions on her character. Barely a second after Val snapped his fingers, a Dek appeared at his side, waiting for his orders. It was old and scarred, even on its shaved scalp. His eyes were cloudy from cataracts and age; Vala barely even noticed that he had been around, so use to ignoring the lowest class. “Go fetch me a pot of boiling water for my tea, as well as a two tea cups, please.” The wrinkled drudge had left even before he could hear Val’s nonchalant politeness. “Now dear, have you been practicing your common? Or how about your Lhatvian?” He frowned when he noticed Vala avoiding his eye contact. “Vala? Don’t tell me you’ve been squandering my gifts to you.” The wizened old man furrowed his brows and looked down his nose at the girl. He was just pretending, trying to spook the girl, but with actual intent of malice. Vala squeaked in fear. “No, no! It’s not like that at all. It’s just that I’ve been so busy at the Enclave, at the market, and all this business with silly... boys, that I just haven’t had the time to read anything for me anymore.” Vala looked down guilty, missing Val’s questioning eye brow raise. She was in no mood to start spilling the beans on her life drama; she was here to forget all that by visiting an old ‘friend’ and mentor. The drudge returned with the tea supplies. placing them beside Val’s seat. He melted back into the shadows without another word. Unravelling the purse that held Vala’s tea leaves, Val dropped several pinches into the steaming water, put the lid back on, and waited for the leaves to finish soaking through. Vala watched as he measured out the perfect amount, just by sight, for the amount of water. She was surprised his worn hands could be more dexterous than the many young men she had seen at the kitchens. She sat in silence, her eyes glued to his patient face, which stared into the distance, through the gates, for a few chimes. Without any other indication, than an internal clock, Val opened the lid and breathed in deep. Vala had forgotten to count how many chimes it had actually taken, but she still tried to observe Val’s quick an sure movements as he poured them each a cup. “That should be cool enough to drink in three chimes, my dear. Now about your studies…” Val smiled, almost wickedly. Vala raised her eyebrow, reaching out to take a little sip of her tea. “You owe me a story, Vala.” “A story?” Vala sputtered. “Like the stuff I have to do at the Storyteller’s well at the Enclave?” Val took another sip of his own cup of tea. “Yup just like that. Except for one little twist...” Val swirled around his cup, breathing in the earthy scent wafting up to his nose. “You have to tell it in Common.” |