#coldspice

[ask-runaan-anything]

Do you have a specific kind of tea that’s your favorite?

Coldspice. It makes a tea similar to mint - bracing and invigorating all at once. But plain black tea is entirely serviceable. I don't need a tea treat every day.

yes I stole this cup from Ethari I am full of crimes

[ask-ethari-anything]

Are there any blood-sucking little insects in xadia, that can spoil your evening? For example mosquitoes? Or ticks? Or something similar? Are there special moonshadow ways to keep them off?

Coldspice is excellent for keeping various suckbugs at bay. One time, Runaan took me to a meadow of coldspice at dusk, when the bitewings come out to congregate with their little glowing red butts. They’ll fly after you until you drop of exhaustion unless you can find running water, a colony of bats, or coldspice. Runaan pulled me down into the coldspice plants and told me to look up, and there above us was a whole humming glowing army of bitewings that dared not get close enough to bite us.

Well. Then we couldn’t leave the coldspice patch until dawn. *exasperated chuckle* This is what passes for high romance with Runaan. Danger and drama, being trapped together under threat of attack, and huddling for warmth all night. How thoughtful of him to bring blankets!

[andya-j]

🌶 🔥 ❄ #Fact #Chemistry #ChemistryFacts #ChemistryFact #Spices #HotSpice #ColdSpice #Chilli #Wasabi #Horseradish #AllylIsothiocayanate #Capsaicin (at Bexhill, East Sussex) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEFImXSBs-K/?igshid=11vfketkivhrj

[kaiswritingcorner]

Moodboard: Shoto Todoroki

[beautifulterriblequeen]

Now

I had a ficlet in me today! It feels so good to have the spoons to write. Please enjoy some soft Ruthari.

tw for light injury, because of course this is hurt/comfort

________________

Runaan sank back against the couch and felt his horns slide against its overstuffed top. His tongue was hot with fresh coldspice tea, and its aroma filled his nose with comfortable tingles. With his eyes shut, he inhaled slowly, letting his breath slip through the coldspice veil on its way to his lungs.

An ice pack against his soft green shirt, right over his ribs, formed a sharp counterpoint to the warming balm of sun's tears that swathed his opposite shoulder. And his knee. And his other ankle. Miraculously, nothing much hurt at all, in that moment.

Well, it wasn't really a miracle. It was Ethari. But Ethari being in Runaan's life, now... that was a miracle, and a most blessed one indeed. Runaan smiled, thanking the Moon for the precious elf behind his welcome comforts.

"And what has you smiling so mysteriously over here, love?" Ethari's murmur warned Runaan of his return.

Runaan's smile broadened softly for a moment. He sought Ethari's face, reading his mood in the rise of his brows and the softness of his mouth and the set of his shoulders as he brought in a second cup of tea for himself. "Now," Runaan said.

"Now?" Ethari repeated.

"Now has me smiling." Runaan sat up straight and held out a hand invitingly.

Ethari's brows rose with swift interest, and he set down his tea in a hurry. He knelt carefully in front of Runaan.

Runaan lifted Ethari's chin with a gentle finger, drawing him forward until their lips met in soft communion. "Now nothing hurts, because you're here, my heart."

Ethari's fingers fluttered across Runaan's tended injuries, and then his worried eyes found his husband's again. Words of protestation had rarely had any effect on Runaan's training regimen, so Ethari swallowed his sadness and cupped Runaan's cheeks, pressing their foreheads together. "I'm here."

Runaan took another slow breath, and Ethari's rich scent mixed with the aroma of tea. His arms slipped around his big buff husband, and he began to settle back against the couch, pulling Ethari against him.

"I don't want to hurt you..." Ethari began, mindful of Runaan's several training injuries.

"You could never." Runaan's voice was soft but firm.

Ethari held onto Runaan's waist tightly as he settled back, keeping the ice pack in place. He shot the assassin a faintly exasperated look, but Runaan's eyes were soft and glowing, and a tiny smirk played across his lips.

"Holding me together?" Runaan teased.

"Apparently," Ethari sassed.

Runaan softened immediately. "Thank you." He traced light fingers along Ethari's cheek as he gazed into his warm eyes.

"You're welcome," Ethari replied. His soft tone threatened more of the same in the future, and the corners of his eyes got suspiciously damp.

Runaan's eyes prickled hot. So much of the world was beyond his control, and when it hurt him, it hurt Ethari, too. But his husband's heart worked differently than his own, remaining endlessly willing to share in that hurt in order to soothe it away from those he loved. How had Runaan--of all elves--been blessed with such a precious love?

Their shared gaze drew out, and the room faded away until all that remained in Runaan's awareness was himself, his husband, and the endless fountain of joy and completeness that Ethari's love filled him with.

Then Ethari's finger brushed Runaan's cheek, swiping away a warm tear. "Nothing hurts, hmm?"

Runaan's grin was a bright flash, his kiss as sharp as a sun-warmed blade. Ethari gasped through his nose and hummed as he leaned into the kiss, pressing himself closer against his husband and holding Runaan tight against him.

Runaan broke the kiss with a wince and caught his breath for a moment. "The best sort of overpowering," he teased, pressing a hand to his side.

"Sorry." Ethari bit his lip with chagrin.

Runaan tapped a finger under Ethari's chin until their eyes met and gave him a look of mock affront. "Don't you dare be sorry. If I want kisses, and you want to give me kisses, then I should get kisses."

Ethari blinked, and a little chuckle burst from him. "I... can't argue with that logic."

Runaan flashed him a smirk. "Your farseeing wisdom is one of my favorite things about you, my heart."

Ethari opened his mouth to protest, but he closed it again, entirely failing to stifle a smile. Shaking his horns in light exasperation, he said only, "Drink your tea, love. It'll do you good."

Runaan took a deep breath and claimed Ethari with his arms, snuggling him against his chest, centering his husband's ear against his own heart. He sighed and relaxed, feeling Ethari's arms embrace him back with firm support. "This does me more good."

Ethari closed his eyes and listened to the steady thump of Runaan's heart. The comforting proof of life made him squeeze Runaan even tighter, causing the assassin to release a small oof and a chuckle.

Runaan rested against the couch and smoothed a lock of hair from Ethari's forehead, and then he kissed him softly between the horns. "Now is when I love you, my heart. And it's always now."

Ethari squeezed Runaan again, in the way that meant he was too feelsy to speak without giving away his tears. Runaan accepted them anyway, along with everything else about his beloved. Ethari's tears of love were now, too.

[kaissimpparks]

Has anyone ever thought to call Todoroki Coldspice? Cause that’s all I ever call him since Bakuhoe calls him icy hot.

[todoroki-kohai]

It's a beautiful coldspice dumbass.

What is it?

[luekhemmings]

I rev logged one of your wallpapers of Luke and Ashton and Ashton has one of his fingers painted black. Why?😂

i don’t know!! i think it must be an inside joke/dare between them bc the other week luke had a black painted nail 

[ask-runaan-anything]

Do you have a favorite tea?

I’m sure you would like tea of the highest quali-tree. Get it?

Coldspice tea is very healthy for you. If you pick the leaves during a full moon, and then "accidentally" leave the leaves in and oversteep it, it gets strong enough to turn you into your full Moonshadow form no matter the Moon's actual phase.

[ask-runaan-anything]

Happy Birthday! 🫖 I made tea!

Thank you. Is this the coldspice elf mint I ordered?

[ask-runaan-anything]

Do you have any remedies you use for body aches? Nothing I use works and I’m desperate.

I do hope you've been consulting with a doctor. They tend to have better bedside manners than assassins, or so I'm told.

I've had my share of aches and pains in my time, little shadow, so I can tell you what works for me: a combination of medication, ointment, and down time, preferably in Ethari's good company--though I manage with a book if I must be by myself.

My ointment of choice is made with a bit of sun's tears and a bit of coldspice. The combination helps me focus on other things besides how sore I'm feeling. Pain is important, but if it keeps repeating the same message, it does get tiresome, doesn't it.

[ask-runaan-anything]

Hi Runaan, I completely forgot it was a new moon tonight, I hope you're doing well! Do you need anything? Snacks or tea or something? My sister and I haven't been doing great lately either so tonight we made a fruit cake, your welcome to have some if you'd like.

Snacks, you say?

And tea? You wouldn't happen to have coldspice, perchance?

[ask-ethari-anything]

Ethari! Hello! I'm curious; I have a guess at your answer, but I want to ask first. Do you have a favourite type of tea? If you do, why is it your favourite (is it the taste, how it makes you feel, a memory, something like that)? I bet Xadia has all sorts of cool teas that I can only dream of. Also, do you have any tea-related stories that you could share? Thank you! 💜

Moonberry tea does me just fine, love. If I pop a few fresh berries in my cup to sweeten things up, it doesn’t hurt anyone. Or some honey. Or coldspice leaves. Or whatever you like! Tea is like soup. You can have it plain and simple, or you can dash it up and make it very pretty. 

One time Runaan  had a bad head cold and was tucked up in bed for days. I made him tea to drink as often as he wanted, to keep him warm and hydrated. And I put cute little herbal things in it to help him feel better. One morning, the new ingredient was pepperblossoms. They’re tiny little purple flowers who lose their color into the tea over the course of a couple minutes, infusing it with warm healing properties.

Runaan was mostly asleep when he took his first sip, and he accidentally got a flower in his mouth. He paused and pursed his lips and his eyes went curious and wide. Then he stuck his tongue back out with the flower on its tip. “Ethawi, ith thew a flowa om my tumg?”

Well, I had to nibble it off with a kiss and tell him “Nope, no flower, love. Just drink your tea.”

“Hmm. I thought not,” he replied. And went back to sipping his tea, more carefully.

[ask-ethari-anything]

(Sick anon) *sips the coldspice tea* wow! For someone who's not big on tea, this is really good! I'm feeling a lot better now, thank you!

Xadian tea brewed with love will cure what ails you. Take good care of yourself! You deserve it.

[ask-runaan-anything]

Are their any herbs and spices exclusive to Xadia?

Yes, plenty. Ethari’s been baking up a storm all Yule so far, so my house smells like most of them right now. Glimmerleaf, dazzlebean, sparknuts, shadowort, snapcrack, coldspice, tartening, citrissa, jasp flakes, starleaf, crescentblossom, uhhhhhhhh I’m forgetting one. The one he uses in the thing. With the pecans. I’m really not an elf for lots of wild and crazy flavor, much to Ethari’s dismay, so--oh! Ground skullberry strings. Mmm, very earthy.

Don’t be fooled by its name. Skullberries are gourds--you know what they’re shaped like--and the wet little strings inside are very intensely flavored. Dry them out and grind them up, and they’re amazing in pecan pies.

Hey. You asked.

[ask-ethari-anything]

Ethari, I'm sick. Do you hab any Moonshadow remedies that mide helb me get better? I can't find bogey berries where I live

Ohh, poor love, not feeling well today? *hands you a steaming cup of coldspice tea* Try this, and have as many cups as you like. 

Feel better soon!