[Hello! This is a 2nd account of Kaien-Aerknard and this account is where I will publish for Bungou Stray Dogs only. So this fiction is a collection of ficts with themes (or prompts?) provided by /bsdwrite in twitter. I am sorry I can't join the first week but this week I will join.
The #BSDwrite 2nd week theme is 'Drink'. Well then, hope you enjoy this fiction of mine! Reviews are very much welcomed!]
Disclaimer: Bungou Stray Dogs - Asagiri Kafka & Harukawa 35.
Warnings: OOC may exists, OC - Cao Yin.
Chapter 1 -Afternoon Tea
None could resist the calming scent of Chinese tea, especially after working themselves off since early morning. The antique grandfather clock at the edge of the room showed that now was the time for lunch, and that is why Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald, the leader of The Guild was here, standing before the large glass gates that separates the corridor with the balcony. A lady with Chinese traditional garment was sitting right beside a round glass table; a porcelain cup was cupped in both hands and he could see a tea brewing set was resting on top of the table.
"Hmm… The tea smells great as always."
Upon his words, the lady turned to face him, giving him a full attention.
"Your tea brewing skills are no match under the Heavens, young Lady."
A gentle chuckle escaped from Cao Yin's lips, soft blush adorned her lovely features. "You flattered me too much, Brother Fitzgerald," she replied. "Would you like to have some tea? It would be great to have you accompanying me in this tea time."
Winter, check. Cold weather, check. In need of warmth, check. Needed something relaxing, check. Fitzgerald stepped into the balcony, sitting across the Chinese. His azure orbs were watching each and every of the lady's careful movement, the art of Chinese tea brewing always excited him. The Leader of the Guild knew that brewing needs patience and care to produce the best taste and scent; a normal grade tea leaves were able to become a high grade tea with the right brewing technique.
Maybe if it was him who brewed the tea, his tea wouldn't even nearing the expectation by an inch, for his patience burns out quickly.
In several minutes the tea was ready, Cao Yin carefully poured some into his cup, allowing him to enjoy it afterwards. Due to her hobby of having tea, Fitzgerald was able to remember the different scent of several Chinese tea, but this one was new to him. "Tell me, young Lady. What leaf do you brew this time?"
"Ah, it seems that I have not introduced this one to you," she picked out several leaves from the tea bag, showing it to him. "I do believe that stating that this tea is matchless is not an exaggeration."
"You sound so confident in this. Tell me more."
"Have you ever heard about the 'great red robe' tea?"
A slight smirk was there on his visage when he acknowledged the tea's name. "So, this is the fine tea you are very proud of?"
"It is very hard to obtain it, Brother Fitzgerald," she sighed as she remembered how she got those. "I had to battle in the auction several days ago. It feels like a real battlefield with these wealthy people kept on raising their price…"
"Ha! As if they can match me in auctions. Hell, I won twenty auctions straight in past few months, obtaining these leaves won't be much of a problem with me joining in the fun."
Working under this man meant that she had to deal with his proud self, Cao Yin couldn't argue the fact that the wealthier the person is, the prouder they are. It was how the world rotates these days, where rich people ruled over with their enormous amount of wealth under their name. So in reply, only her typical chuckle was voiced before she sipped a little amount of the tea.
"Money sure is able to buy anything, is it not?" she asked of all sudden. "They say that it could not buy happiness but as long as it could purchase anything you desired for, it is counted as purchasing happiness."
"There's not denial in it."
"Yet, money is like a double-edged sword. If you are not wise, it may bring your own downfall."
Fitzgerald laughed. "We are playing fire, are we not? Every our move proves to be fatal, not only to ourselves, but also applies to those who work under us."
"…Indeed."
Silence grew between the both as eyes focused on the raining snows from the grey clouds.
"It is by Heaven's bless we survived up till this moment, Brother."
"That won't work if you are lazy."
"True."
"What a serious topic you are having there, youngsters."
Shifting their attention to the speaker, Herman Melville was walking towards them, prompting himself to sit between them. "May this old man join in to taste the finest tea?"
It was a lively conversation with Melville joining the both, all stress and the harsh cold of winter was forgotten at that moment as they gone deeper into their own small world.
Author's note: Though short and not that great, I still hope you are enjoying this!
I love Fitz and Melville-jiisan.