tea party time

It is not often that Meridian encounters new allies at his place of business. Most adventurers into the ‘Taco Hell’ were there for sustenance and nothing more. That is a mission he respects, of course, as in order to strive for the largest victories one needs to be satiated. 

But, that did mean that the rare brave soul that decided to converse with him had a powerful energy about them innately, able to recognize the same power in himself. So, when the cherubun ‘Dove’ crossed paths with him several times in his place of business, he was happy to converse with them for as long as they were present. And they seemed interested in some of the darker dealings of the world, asking about his runed attire or fateful lost eye, which made for delightful conversations. Eventually, Dove asked if he’d be willing to stop by after work for a small tea party they were hosting. And that sounded nothing but splendid to the pride-horned bun. He had much to learn about the realm of Angels, if Dove was willing to spill that sacred knowledge.

He shows up to the small pavilion, out of Taco Hell uniform and holding a basket. The small visor that was necessary shielding armor in the kitchens was tucked away in a bag, allowing him to arrive in his full typical regalia. His runed fabric flutters in the wind as he walks over to the small table that Dove is already sitting at, two teacups laid out either side.

“Hail and well met, delver of the Hells and champion of above Dove! It is an honor to break bread with you here today,” Meridian proclaims, sliding into the seat opposite of them. He sets the basket down to the side of the tea, some sort of freshly baked smell emanating from it. 

“Hi!” Dove says, holding the teapot before them. “I’m glad you came, Meridian. And I’m glad you… didn’t have any enemies accost you?” They say the last part hesitantly, as if mimicking something Meridian had said to them before. 

“Yes! And same to you as well, Dove,” he says. “I oft worry that my association with others may leave them at risk to my deepest foes, so it is brave of you to invite me here today. I will remember this bravery for the eons to come.”

“Well, I suppose I am just starting to try out those sorts of risks.” Dove smiles softly, tucking a lock of hair back behind their ear. “What’s that in the basket, Meridian?”

“Ah! Well, this here….” he opens it up, revealing some tasty looking (if a bit rustic) cookies. “I have done my best to create some of the ritual tea snacks that my research of old revealed to me. Some of the ingredients had to be substituted, since I do not want to risk bringing foul magic into a tea party hosted by another less familiar with desummoning rituals, but they do have a slight warding effect baked into them.”

Dove picks one up and turns it around in a dainty hand. They appear to be some sort of homemade biscuit with cinnamon and sugar glazed on top of it. The smell is delicious, even if some of the runes drawn on top of it have melted into indistinguishable shapes.

“This looks lovely,” Dove says. “I haven’t had many homemade sweets down here, most of the ones I buy from a shop, or I homemake ones that are more typical to the meadows. This will be exciting to try with the tea.”

Meridian puffs out his chest, obviously proud. He had put a lot of hard work into those biscuits, pouring over recipe book and rune books alike. 

“Yes, I am sure they will pair excellently with your tea selection. Like two brothers in arms, on the battlefield of taste.”

“Exactly,” Dove goes to begin pouring the tea into each teacup carefully, with the kind of precision that only comes with practiced motion. “This is an apple blend I’ve discovered recently. The apples in Burrowgatory are unique in their sour variance, so it gives an extra dimension to the tea leaves I typically prepare.”

Meridian nods, taking the teacup with both hands regardless of the heat. It burns slightly, of course, but his shadow-stained hand could more than take it… And for the other hand, he just grins and bares it. A little pain is nothing in the grand scheme of the universe and his destiny!

Dove simply holds the teacup handle with one hand, waiting for it to cool slightly. 

“So,” Meridian says, wise enough to wait slightly before sipping the scalding hot liquid. “Your ventures amongst the buns of Burrowgatory… how goes it? Are you faring well on your quest throughout an unfamiliar world?”

“I’m finding it quite an invigorating experience,” Dove says with a grin. “There is so much I do not know, and much more that I am enjoying learning. It seems that everywhere I turn is a new encounter with a tradition or person I have never even dreamed of being real before. It is a lot to try and fit into the world I believed I knew so well, but it is well worth it.”

“That is excellent to hear,” Meridian braves a sip of the tea, enjoying it greatly despite the slight burn. “If I am honest, I can relate a small amount to that struggle. Of course, nothing as great as being raised in an entirely different plane of existence and being told horror stories of where we now live, but I do find myself a bit out of place at times.”

Dove tilts their head to the side, curious. “Is that so?”

“Yes, indeed.” Meridian takes another small sip. “I was not raised by Murmur, as many of the folk who walk the Burrowgatory streets were. My progenitor was in fact another demon. A wonderful soul by the name of Lilith took me in while I was young and is all I can remember growing up.”

“Oh!” Dove begins sipping their tea, listening politely. “I did not think there were many other beings raising buns besides Murmur, Gremory and… Melangel.”

“There are not many. I was the only one raised by Lilith that I know of, and if she did raise other buns it was few and far between. I was very happy growing up, but at times I believe that perhaps the world Lilith was preparing me for is very different than the one that everyone else was prepared for…” Meridian trails off, looking into his teacup. He seems to be having a moment of reflection. Perhaps of which world prepared for was the most accurate to reality? 

Dove takes the time to quietly grab a biscuit to eat alongside the tea. It was really quite good. They don’t want to interrupt Meridian if he needed a few moments.

“Anyways!” He says boisterously, moving past the moment as quickly as he can. “Anyways, it leads me to feel a bit similarly shocked at times. Shocked at what the other succubuns are unaware of when it comes to the realm of magic, evil and runes. I do my best to help inform where I can, but I don’t wish to scare people. This tea is wondrous, by the way.”

Dove recognizes the attempt to move past the subject and decides to ignore it. “It can be hard,” they respond. “But it’s good to share world views and experiences with each other, even if it feels very different. Like we’re doing right now! The tea recipe is one of the Heavenly Meadow, the ingredients are from Burrowgatory, and you have shared some pastries with the runes and protections I assume  Lilith had taught you?”

Meridian gives a shy smile for a moment. Then, it quickly shifts into the confident one he is far more comfortable wearing. “An excellent observation, champion Dove! You have concocted a meeting of cultures, and so casually at that! You know, it is a good thing the newcomers to this realm have a friendly face such as yours to see as they become settled into this world. If any of them ever need instruction in the arcane, you have an eternal offer of my assistance in that.”

“Thank you, Meridian,” Dove says. “I’m sure I’ll take you up on that when it’s needed.”