middaeg | . summer's play

[Dimitri follows closely, though he falls a few paces behind - cautious steps made lightly around the delicate stock. All he'd need to do is bump into a shelf once and he'll have caused hundreds in damages, he's sure.

Still, he does his utmost to follow Lorenz's suggestions, and easily recalls the scent of mint.] It has a rather strong aroma, but I don't mind.

Would it not overpower the chamomile? [He's probably drank such a blend before without knowing, little attention paid to his food and drink over all.]

I've actually found that they serve as a nice compliment to each other.

[Lorenz said with a smile, pulling out one of the jars for Dimitri to see. The contents were plain through the clear glass, as the golden buds of chamomile swam amid the crisped, verdant mint leaves within the container.]

Chamomile mellows the mint's sharpness, while the mint helps bring out the chamomile's character. It's not unlike watching a dance between a pair who had practiced for many hours together.

[Dimitri has no reason not to trust Lorenz's knowledge of tea. He commits the explanation to mind so as to properly thank him for the help later.]

I see why you're such a sought after partner for tea. [Such flowery language doesn't quite suit Dimitri, but he can appreciate the value it holds for many others.] I'll take enough for one cup a day.

For however long it will maintain its freshness. [Honestly, he probably wouldn't notice much if the tea grew a little less potent, but he isn't going to disrespect Lorenz's love of the craft.] I'll also need a cup, [Or two, or several... they're so fragile.] and an infuser.

Are you certain?

[Lorenz asked, shaking the jar in front of Dimitri curiously.]

You haven't even tried a sample yet to see if you like it.

[Dimitri's lips part - a pause, a sharp inhale, and then-] That's true, but I am confident in your selection.

[Truly, he trusts Lorenz to know far better than anyone what constitutes quality leaves. It's a pity he won't be able to taste what the noble has chosen for him...

Though, if Lorenz insists, Dimitri will do no more to turn him down - it's impolite.]

[Casting the young man an appraising look, Lorenz was sorely tempted to insist that Dimitri take a sample just to be a cad. They were not close, but there were precious few people that he could tease in Aefenglom-- and, who better than the younger version of a King he didn't claim fealty to?

But this was his place of work, not a playground. As much as his boss might enjoy the tale, DiplomaTea was a popular establishment. As assistant manager, he didn't feel it appropriate to dawdle.]

...You are right to be confident, [Lorenz said briskly, smiling at the young ~~cheese lad~~ man as he turned toward the front counter.] There are few in Fodlan who are as dedicated to Tea as I am.

Come up front with me, and we shall get you set up with enough equipment to get started. Did Sylvain not have a set you could borrow... or is the scent of Bergamot to strong for your taste?

Few in Aefenglom as well, I am sure.

[Dimitri readily continues his praise - partially because he truly believes that Lorenz would be loath to be bettered by anyone in the matter of tea or propriety.

That's all he really knows about his peer, though... maybe they should sit for tea sometime. Dimitri makes a mental note to extend an invitation.

He follows Lorenz to the front carefully, a few paces behind in order to give himself enough space to angle his shoulders away from every shelf.]

Sylvain?

Ah. He did extend an invitation for me to live with him, but I've turned him down for the moment.

I feel it's better if I live alone right now. [What a fucking awkward thing to say DIMA]

[That is fucking awkward DIMA-- particularly to the Deer turned Enemy who was later killed by Sylvain in the redhead's memories and yet still chose to Bond with the man!

Lorenz cast Dimitri a look of unhidden perplexity at such candor for a moment before quickly nodding his understanding.]

That's a reasonable sentiment. I myself feel the same, and did the same after Sylvain invited me under his roof as well. There's something to be said about the peace of a home to yourself.

[Getting settled at the counter, Lorenz started measuring out the herbs in the way he knew he personally liked them blended. Until Dimitri gave him more information, that was the best he could offer.]

If you need someone to talk to, my doors are open for you to drop in when you need. Do let me know before you drop in, because I may be out at that time. [He shrugged, smiling pleasantly.] Why stay home when there's so much to see here?

[Dimitri takes some small comfort in knowing that someone else had turned Sylvain's invitation down - though he's not sure why even extend one to Lorenz in the first place. So far as he could remember, the two didn't care for one another. Another thing changed by war, he supposes...

Waiting at the counter with a pleasant smile, Dimitri watches Lorenz bag his tea without question. He doesn't have such intricate preferences.]

Thank you for the offer, I appreciate your hospitality. [He plucks some coins from a pouch on his belt, and offers them forward on the counter.] I'll admit, I find myself out in the city more often than at home, as well.

There's so much to learn. [He's mostly interested in the state of Aefenglom's society, himself.]

[It was a complicated matter of grudging mutual respect, acknowledgement of each other's strengths, and a certain familiarity that culminated with Sylvain saving Lorenz from a moment of ferality and literally dumping him in the bathtub. Unfortunately, disparrate philosophies and the ~~oddly hot~~ knowledge that Sylvain had personally felled Lorenz within his own timeline were distinct barriers to this process.

Dimitri needn't know the details. They were too messy for his pure, cheesy brain.]

Then let's make arrangements to meet,

[Lorenz said with a smile. If he was concerned about Dimitri's lack of understanding of tea, he wisely kept that information to himself.]

I do not live far from here, and if you don't mind cats my kitchen is otherwise unoccupied. If you prefer a different setting though, there are plenty of other spaces around town that we can use.

[While Dimitri is sure Lorenz could show him many of the city's finer venues, he's interested in visiting the man in his home. To see what someone from Fodlan with a sense of design had made of this place. To allow for the quality of time required to get to know one another.

If Sylvain trusts him, Dimitri should try to do the same.] I don't mind pets - do they have any special dietary needs? I'll bring them a treat when I come.

My schedule is hardly busy - tell me when you'd like me, and I'll be there.

[Dimitri earns himself an amused look.]

He's just a young cat, not quite a year old yet. [He waved a hand, passing off the packaged parcel of tea-- chamomile and mint, blended perfectly.]

Feel free to bring anything that you would give the cats at Garreg Mach. He's far from picky.

[A kitten... Dimitri wonders if it's a playful thing. If a toy would be more appropriate than a snack. Not that he'd know where to get something like that, and trying to make one himself would be hopeless.

Some fish it is.

Dimitri takes his tea with care, tucking it in his arm.] I'll look forward to meeting him.

And to the tea.

[He nods, a polite goodbye, and exits the store as cautiously as he'd entered.]

. summer's play

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//end on dima's side