Snow Queen

Chapter 4: Tea in Space

"Would you like some tea?"

Miki turned to him and held up a slightly chipped tea set, painted with small, pink flowers.

"Ah, oh, yes." He said, awkwardly.

She motioned for him to sit, as she shuffled to the far end of the cave, to the stove. Setting the tea set on the ground by the stove, she hustled back to the wardrobe to get teabags.

Kaito relaxed, letting himself sink into the couch cushion on the patchwork floor. This room was so relaxing and nice, it made him want to lay down and take a nap. He closed his eyes, propping his chin up on his hands, leaning on the table. He heard the sound of china colliding with wood, and opened one eye to glance at Miki, who was setting the tea set out on the table. A small teacup was placed in front of him, along with a pastry on a plate. He could feel the heat melting from the attractive desert. It was topped with a bright red cherry.

"The tea will be done in just a moment." Miki smiled, warmly.

The whole cozy feel of this place almost made Kaito forget that he was actually on a mountain.

"So, Miki, you're clearly into space. Do you study the stars?" He looked at her sleepily.

"No. I don't study the stars. I know everything about them, therefore I have nothing more to study."

Kaito thought nothing of this statement at first. It took him a moment to realize what she had said. Before he could ask more questions, she stood up and went back to the stove. She came back with a teapot. A smell came from the tea, it was nice and sweet and comforting.

She took his cup, filling it with tea. She set it back down in front of him, steaming, but she stopped him when he reached for it. She picked up a jar of golden liquid and scooped some out. She took it and put it in his tea, making it even more welcoming.

"That's honey, in case you couldn't tell. I don't know what you think, but I like my tea to be very, very sweet..." She smiled, stirring with the spoon gently before taking it out and adding the sticky gold to her cup as well.

She set the pot down, and settled herself on the cushion.

Kaito quickly grabbed the cup and lifted it to his mouth. He took a sip, immediately burning his tongue. He set the teacup down hastily, practically spilling the tea it held.

"It's hot." Miki raised the cup to her own lips, but gently blew on it, sending steam moving gently in Kaito's direction.

You could have told me that sooner!

"So, where are you from, Kaito?"

I want to ask you just that. "I'm from an island to the far south, but I'm a traveler. I've never stayed in one place for long." He tried picking up the tea again. He blew on it, the cup warm in his hands.

"Huh. I suppose it would be nice to never have to go home..." he saw something flash across her eyes. It was like the shadow of a memory came to her mind. It wasn't something he could describe, but seeing it made him feel terribly empty and sad.

"I do miss having a set place to go home to," He said, looking into her eyes "anyways, you said before, you knew everything about space. There are things even scientist don't know. How could you possibly know everything?"

She looked up at him, then back down at her tea, before holding the teacup up to her lips and kissing the edge, taking a dainty sip.

"It's because," she set her cup down, closing her eyes. "I'm an alien."

"W-what? Alien?"

"Yes, Martian from sector Z-21 in the deep northern solar system. We're more developed than average humans, as far as intelligence goes. Don't worry. We're vegetarian."

"Huh?" Kaito was utterly confused at this. "So, Miku calls you space girl cause you're really from space!"

"No, I spend my free time looking at the stars. The alien part of me is unrelated. Sit down now, and eat your dessert."

Kaito realized he was standing, and quickly sat down out of embarrassment and shame. He picked up his fork and stuck it in the pastry. He pulled some off and slipped it in his mouth, swallowing.

"W-wait! Why am I eating this? You're an alien!" He pointed at her with his fork, rudely, no longer caring about politeness.

She gave him a look of sadness, despair, and loneliness, with huge doe eyes. He immediately felt awful and regretted being mean.

"S-sorry..." He looked down at his tea, taking a sip. It was cold now. He didn't even notice how much time was passing.

"It's fine!" She quickly returned to her joyful, warm, welcoming state, acting as if nothing happened.

I feel like I was just slapped in the face.

"So, let's find where you're going to sleep now..." She stood up and stepped back to the wardrobe where she pulled out a folded futon mattress. She set in on the floor and looked at him, relaxed with her arms to her sides. "I'll let you sleep in my bed if you want. I can sleep on the floor. Or I can sleep in it with you, if you prefer. I suppose it gets rather cold at night, so body heat..." She trailed off, rambling to herself. She looked away with a blank expression.

Kaito pondered the though of sleeping on the same bed with this girl. Yeah, it definitely wasn't going to happen. No way.

"I'll sleep on the floor, thanks." He said uncomfortably, poking at the deformed pastry that sat his plate. It was rather spongy, and cold. It had become unappetizing as quick as the tea.

Miki bustled around momentarily, as Kaito sat at the table, a bit too afraid to move.

"Hey, Kaito, don't you have any luggage or anything? A backpack? Or did you really climb a mountain with nothing but a coat and scarf?"

"Ah," he shifted his weight, "I felt that this mountain was easy enough to climb with nothing. I'm experienced, see,"

"Ah. You know who else climbs mountains? Snow Queen. She's good at it. Anyways," She unfolded his bed and pointed at it, "It's time to sleep, if you want to be well rested in the morning."

He nodded. He realized how hot he was, still wrapped in his coat and scarf. He didn't know how, but the cave really was heated somehow. He untied his hiking boots, slipping them off, removed his coat, and unwrapped his scarf from around his neck. He set everything to the side and slid himself under the thick blankets. He began to drift off. What a weird day. He would definitely sleep on it, and maybe make sense of it in his dreams.

"G'night, Kaito. See ya in the morning..."


So. What are your thoughts? Tell me in a review. But, don't be too mean.

Thanks for reading! You're amazing. ~Meimei