Tea Time!

“I’m delighted you could make it!” The little cherubun excitedly scuttles to grab Jae-eun’s coat and hang it up. What a darling little thing. Jae-eun encountered them when they came to the hospital with Jackal to get a checkup. Jae-eun can’t say that she quite likes Jackal’s apartment, but this sweet little Dove was so excited about potentially having visitors that who was Jae-eun to deny them?

Jae-eun has heard about these so-called cherubuns, but hasn’t had the privilege before this to have encountered them. It would be good to get to know Dove as a cherubun contact. As a hospital director, Jae-eun has a duty of care to all her patients, and with the increase of cherubuns coming to live in Burrowgatory, it’s necessary to know how best to treat them and see the differences between themselves. She knows they can’t take succubun medicinal drugs, for example. But it’s nice to know the cultural and personal differences as opposed to only knowing the anatomy and structural differences.

Dove smiles innocently and simply at Jae-eun, leading her down to the kitchen where they have laid out the kitchen table with a lace tablecloth. A cake stand is set upon the table with delicate little pastries, cakes, and finger sandwiches are laid upon the plates. A dainty floral cup and saucer sits on the table, and a teapot is brewing on the stove. Dove indicates with a gentle and almost floaty hand towards one of the chairs slightly angled out of the table. Jae-eun smiles at her and sits down. How quaint. The little thing has laid out a cloth napkin and even several sets of silverware. Jae-eun didn’t expect Jackal to house such a delicate little creature, but Burrowgatory can be full of surprises. Chuckling quietly, she looks up at Dove as they bustle about the kitchen, pouring hot water from the kettle into a porcelain teapot. 

As they walk around, a bell jingles with each step they take. How very cute indeed. Jae-eun smiles and watches them as they peer into the teapot, no doubt checking the tea leaves. They take a square of white and pale blue patterned cloth to protect their hands as they bring the teapot over to the table, setting it upon a plate in order to protect the lace tablecloth. 

How darling! Jae-eun looks upon the cherubun as they add finishing touches. Finally satisfied, Dove indicates towards the cake stand.

“Would you care to try a slice of my sponge cake?” They ask with a sweet smile. “I made it specially with fresh raspberries and strawberries just earlier today.”

“How early were you up, my dear?” Jae-eun asks, holding up a plate. Dove gets up, taking a small silver cake server. They put a slice of cake onto Jae-eun’s plate. 

“Not quite as early as usual, but Jackal was… well, smoking in the house, so I had to air the place out before I could get everything ready!” 

They scrunch up their nose with distaste. Jae-eun thinks this is adorable, and puts a hand delicately over her mouth to hide her smile. 

“So I’m truly very sorry if you can smell the cigarettes!” Dove finishes, sighing. They lift the lid of the teapot gingerly, checking to see if it’s brewed. 

“Oh, don’t worry about that, darling,” Jae-eun reassures, waving her hand. She takes the plate back from Dove, who then serves a slice for themselves. 

Checking on the tea again, they smile, eyes lighting up. Replacing the lid, they take up the cloth again and pour an almost pale pink coloured liquid into two of the floral cups. Finally sitting down, Dove pulls their cup and saucer towards them and smiles at Jae-eun again. They indicate towards a small honeypot on the table, and again towards a small glass bottle of milk.

“Please, do take some honey if it’s not as sweet as you like! I also have some milk if you would prefer.”

“Oh, you darling.” Jae-eun smiles and peers into the cup. It’s a lovely pink colour. Taking the cup and saucer, she blows to cool down the tea before taking a sip. Malty, not bitter at all. A pleasant sweetness from a hint of fruit, perhaps raspberry? It tastes as floral as the pattern on the cups. Rose tea. That’d explain the lovely colour. It’s wonderful. Dove looks at her hopefully and Jae-eun smiles at them. “It’s delicious, dear.”

“Oh, I am glad!” Dove beams. They take a small fork and tuck into the slice of cake on their plate. Jae-eun decides to do the same, taking a small bite. It’s light, airy, and just as delicate as they are. The fresh cream is thick and abundant, layered with sharp, tangy and not too sweet raspberry and strawberry jam. The sponge springs back when touched lightly with a fork. Delectable. How do they do it? Taking another mouthful, the cake melts on Jae-eun’s tongue. 

“Mmmm, that’s wondrous,” she can’t help but say. 

“Oh, I’m delighted!” Dove smiles again, their eyes lighting up. 

“Is it a cherubun recipe?” Jae-eun asks.

Nodding, Dove’s eyes lower onto the plate a somewhat unspoken sadness about them.

“Yes, but I have tried my best to make substitutes with some Burrowgatory ingredients. I’m delighted that it tastes good!”

“More than good, darling.” Jae-eun raises the cup and takes another sip of tea. “I must have the recipe.”

Giggling, Dove puts a finger to their mouth, raising their head. 

“That’s a cherubun secret!”

“Oh, you!” Jae-eun laughs good naturedly. Her eyes linger on a pastry. Dove notices and indicates towards it.

“Please, do try one of my berry tarts!”

Taking it with the server, Jae-eun sets it onto her plate. Her dessert fork cuts so easily into the pastry and she takes a mouthful. It’s so flaky and light, so much so that if it were any lighter it’d grow wings and take flight. She smiles and nods approvingly. Dove puts a hand to their chest, the bell on their ribbon jingling. They sigh with relief but smile sweetly. These cherubuns are so darling. Jae-eun will have to treat them delicately! If it means being invited for tea often, then making the effort to get to know these new creatures is not such a bad thing.