#he cant wait to try tea with them CRYCATS ON THE FLOOR if fontaine floods again its because of me

[goldenorder]

@sylvctica — birthday ask!!

Another year coming to an end, another one coming to rise up; and so on the last day of it, it would be his birthday once more. Well, self-proclaimed birthday, anyway. It's quite fitting, now that they sit to think about it properly. Another year of living coming to an end, and another new year of wonders to follow. Fingers tightened on their gift, a wooden container with nine teas, carefully captured in small, airtight containers. Oolong, white, black, green, yellow, puer—all carefully raised, cultivated, oxidized and prepared by Sylvie themselves. The other two were far simpler in their tastes: jasmine silver needles, and a simple blend of cardamom and rose buds ( as per Sylvie's words, quite popular within Sumeru with black tea ). They waited patiently to find the consultant, perking up a little upon seeing him and eagerly walking towards him with long strides; if they were to find his hands empty, the box would be placed gently within his palms—before taking his face within their hands and pressing a full on kiss to him. Other people be damned. Regardless, it was a short, chaste, but loving kiss, quick to pull back and move their hands to settle upon his shoulders. "Happy birthday, my asan. I ... hope you like your present this year, I worked quite a bit on it." Green eyes glanced to the side for a moment as they spoke, but were quick to look back on him. Hands moved to lace behind their own back, looking at him with unspoken anticipation. "There are small cookies, too, to go along with it."

As the curtains are readying to draw this year to a close, he walks towards a new tomorrow. Although he can not guess on what new year shall bring, he quite prefers it that way, with no clear objective in mind other than to enjoy life as it comes. The past few years have already brought him many joyous occasions, including the rekindling of an old friendship. To this day, he is grateful to have been given the chance to mend his bond with Sylvie that–unexpectedly–blossomed into something more.

With the fellow god occupying his thoughts, he finds it difficult to withhold a smile, his lips only widening upon seeing them—as if his very thoughts manifested them in front of him. No words needed to be exchanged as he approached them in eager steps, followed by a taste of spring from their lips. The kiss only lasted for a few short seconds, but at that moment, nothing else around him mattered.

Sighing softly into them (a quiet plea for a second longer), he does not miss the intricate box that was placed into his hands, his fingers glossing over the smooth, wooden surface which smelled of fresh pines. While there was no attempt by Sylvie to hide what they had planned for him, that didn’t make him any less delighted to receive tea prepared by their own hands. If anything, he has been looking forward to it—very much so. Tea is a pastime he heavily indulges in, he was of course intrigued to taste the fruit of their labor.

That said, he would have been more than content if they just opted to buy some tea leaves…but he also can not deny the sense of pride he has in knowing they’ve cultivated their own sense of appreciation for tea not only in his interest, but out of their own as well. The gesture almost meant more than the gift itself, making his heart flutter to its very core.

“Thank you, Sylvie.” He breathlessly chuckles, his gaze fixed on them with nothing short of love. “I have no doubt that I will make great use of your tea…and what greater way to enjoy it than to share it with an old friend?” After all, tea can not be enjoyed as dried leaves; though the flavors and herbs are certainly appreciated in their own way.

“Preparations have already been arranged at Mt.Tianheng if you would care for a pleasant stroll.” It was not anything extravagant. Just a simple set up with a table for two, much more quaint and humble compared to previous celebrations. But in truth, he welcomed it.

Because at the end of the day, all he asks for is to have them by his side.