[Little has changed, but also it feels as if everything has. The complexity of their feelings brings some strangeness as they sort through their feelings and dance around the issue. But their Bond also feels much warmer and brighter than it ever has, and Alice finds the awkwardness worth it for that alone. They'll figure it out eventually.

She leans a bit more slightly into Karin, sitting shoulder-to-shoulder as she takes a sip of her own cup of tea.]

I prefer the tea, but I'll be happy to drink some coffee later on. [If only because it's Karin who's making it.] I suspect we'll need the boost of energy given the dreary weather.

The shopkeeper said this is a floral chai: earl grey tea with rose petals, lavender, and spices. I'm glad you like it.