A while of walking later, nearing sunset,
They finally arrived at the Lawrence Estate...
...
Upon seeing the big mansion in the distance,
Collei couldn't help but feel both impressed,
As well as a little concerned...
*Are they really going to get inside there...?
...
She already knew of everyone's plan,
But for her...In such a fancy looking place...
*Besides, today was good enough already,
There was no need to go this...
...
Wait, were those Rukkhashava Mushrooms decorating the place...?
*And the rest of the decorations seemed to be in a light green and purple palette...
...
Just like the colors of her hair and eyes...!
...
...
-Everyone made sure to decorate the place just for your welcome, Collei! -Amber soon said, looking and sounding glad, as she took the other's left hand into her right. -This was made for you, so don't be shy about accepting this gift. -She soon reassured the other, clutching her hand in comfort as she did so. -Now, let's go inside and see what other surprises await!
She happily added upon leading the other through the open gate and inside the grounds,
Making sure not to walk too quickly, so that her friend can look around as they proceed deeper through the path...
*Grateful to see that Collei was soon doing just that...
...
-...Oh, it's not just a big mansion here, but there's also a nice garden...With a fountain in it...? -Collei couldn't help but say aloud, as was inspecting the place. It looked like a nice place to spend time at. It also kind of reminded her of the Pardis Dhyai garden that she visited with Master Tighnari some time ago...Even if it was different and...-...Is that an…Aviary in the distance...? It looks pretty new and...
-Want to make a small detour and check it out...? -Amber soon asked her, as she stopped in her walk, prompting her friend to stop as well. -We can check both it and the garden if you want! That would give people a little more time to prepare, right...?
-You are not wrong. Knowing the people involved, I wouldn't be surprised if some trouble arose. -Diluc was the one to answer, as he soon walked towards the two, looking and sounding a little annoyed. -And while you check those places, I ought to...
-Diluc can join you from here on! -Kaeya suddenly interrupted, looking and sounding quite amused, as he also walked to the trio. -I am certain that my dear brother can teach you a lot about falconry! He does know a lot about birds, after all~ -He explained, getting even more amused as he saw Diluc's now even more annoyed expression. -And in the meantime, I will be the one to make sure everything goes swimmingly. Even Rosaria is going to help out, right...?
He added, while turning towards the nonchalant looking nun standing nearby,
Who was currently twisting one of her daggers on her left hand's index finger...
*Bennet, Fischl, Razor, Caleb or Sophia were nowhere to be seen, having left the group at some point during the discussion...
-...I suppose I can. It's not like I have anything else to do at the moment. -She soon said, as she stopped her twirling and took the dagger in her hand. -...For a while now, I was simply following the group. So this wouldn't make much of a difference, really.
...
-Fine, I will join them. Something tells me I wouldn't be the only "guide" there anyway. -Diluc finally said in some reluctance and thoughtfulness, as he glanced between Amber and Collei, before shifting his gaze to Rosaria and then Kaeya. -Just make sure no sudden crisis happens again.
-As you can see, this aviary was only recently made, hence it still lacks some of the necessary facilities for all manner of birds. Currently it's being used as a dovecote and...-Diluc explained upon showing around the place, before his words suddenly trailed off, as he stopped in place, looking towards a certain area with a weary expression. Of course something was bound to happen by now...-...Surveyor Mika, yes...? What happened...?
He couldn't help but ask the "human-pigeon hybrid" standing a few feet away from him,
As the teen was completely silent at first, before his expression turned embarrassed...
*Or at least that's how he perceived it, since it was barely seen due to all the pigeons sitting all over him...
...
Diluc already noticed that those pigeons seemed to like Surveyor Mika, but this started getting ridiculous...!
*And was it just him...Or did they look like they were actually drunk...?
How in Teyvat's name did this ha...?!
...
That bard must be at fault somehow,
He wouldn't be surprised, honestly, if this was the case...
*It was fortunate then, that the Pigeons found Mika to latch on...
-...U-uh, I was in the middle of doing a task for the Captain, when they suddenly flew over and well...This is the result...-Mika finally said, sounding quite uncomfortable, before he became quiet for a few seconds. -...I tried to get them off me, somehow...But I can't...They are sticking to me too much...And I can barely move like this...Can you help me out...? It's getting hard for me to stay like this...The whole upper part of my body is starting to hurt...A-and I felt too embarrassed to ask anyone for help before...!
He soon almost pleaded, starting to sound teary,
As the mass of Human-Pigeon began to shake...
-I am going to help get the pigeons off you and manage their condition, Surveyor Mika. -Diluc was the first to say, as he was taking certain items out of his Vision's "Hammerspace". -Amber, Collei, you can continue sightseeing the aviary without me, if you wish to. Taking care of drunk birds is quite the messy experience.
Though not quite on the level of the drunk bard...
*He could still remember how the last Ludi Harpastum went…
…
"...But, I wanted to reach the 77 glass…
...You know, 77? Like "the seven", but twice...?
TWO Murata's are HOTTER than ONE~ Ehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehe~"
…
"It's going to be just fine, master Diluc~ If something does happen, you will protect me, just like you did until now, right...?
Even in this kind of situation, you won't let me die~ You will find a way to fight from up in the sky~
Because you love me this muuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuch, right...?"
…
"Like what you see...?
... Does this make you looooooove me even mooooore, by chance...? Diluc-senpaaaaai~"
This was enough embarrassing memories for one day!
*Hopefully, "Venti" never gets so drunk ever again…!
…
…
…
Wait, what was he thinking about again…?
…
…
"I am going to help get the pigeons off you and manage their condition, Surveyor Mika.
Amber, Collei, you can continue sightseeing the aviary without me, if you wish to. Taking care of drunk birds is quite the messy experience."
Oh, right,
Managing the drunk birds…
…
…
Yes, it shouldn't take as much time and effort in comparison...
-I wish to stay and help you. -Collei suddenly said, looking and sounding determined. -I might not be feeling the best at the moment, but I am still a Forest Ranger Trainee.
-I will help out too, if you don't mind! Just tell me what to do! -Amber soon added, looking and sounding pretty serious, before she glanced towards the "Human-Pigeon pile" again. -...I think we should start soon, looks like Surveyor Mika is going to fall over any moment now.
She added in concern and some urgency,
Which soon prompted Diluc and Collei to look towards the scene as well,
Moments later all three of them deciding that they already dawdled long enough, starting with their aid...
The Lawrence Estate Garden,
A place full of memories from ancient times,
Having recently been given a modern touch, the two coexisting in harmony,
Full of beautiful flowers sprouting all around, the most exquisite of them being the blue rose...
...
Yes, this place was indeed the most fitting for a grand tea party to be held,
This place, which was previously full of malice and deceit, now full of hope and...
"Mein Fräulein, I apologize for interrupting you at such a pleasant moment, but the Knight Trainee has tried to get your attention for quite a while.", Oz soon interrupted her thoughts, sounding respectful, yet a little concerned, "You might want to answer her soon, lest she and everyone else get worried."
...
Oh, she...
...
She shall do that, yes.
-I apologize for the delay, my good Lady Knight. It is shameful to admit, but during one of my contemplations, I have lost track of time! -Fischl soon said, looking and sounding apologetic and slightly dramatic, as she noticed the tea pot in the other's hand. -...I would like to have a refill, thank you very much.
-It is no problem, investigator Fischl. -Noelle respectfully answered, as she proceeded to refill the other's cup. -It is my pleasure to serve you at this tea party.
-...Talking with so many hard words. Is it necessary...? -Razor couldn't help but wonder soon enough, as he was watching the scene in some weariness. -...I not sure I can do that...Still not good with words. And the talk is confusing.
-Don't worry, Razor! It's fine if you talk normally. Honestly, I am also not that into being all formal. I would rather just be spending time with my friends! -Bennet reassured him, as he took a cookie from a nearby plate and hovered it towards the other, who soon took a bite from it. -To begin with, we just planned to check the garden out and found Noelle tending to it, one thing went to another and now it's evening and we are having a tea party! -He recalled, letting his friend eat the other part of the cookie. -...Want another cookie...?
-...I would like one, yes. -The wolf boy answered him, soon getting fed a second cookie, which he also ate quite fast. -Cookie is tasty and the garden also nice. If I can no use hard words, I am glad. -He gratefully added, upon looking around the lit garden. -But how long we stay here...? Today everyone help Collei, no...?
-I am not sure, honestly. Before we left back then, I did hear they planned to check some other parts of the estate...-The adventurer noted, his words soon trailing off. -I thought they would be checking the garden by now, I wonder what's taking them so long. Did something happen...? Was there some trouble again...? -He couldn't help but wonder aloud, as he still absentmindedly fed Razor another cookie. But if they went to the falconry place first and knowing how much Amber enjoyed flying...-...I think they just lost track of time looking at the falconry place since Amber loves flying so much! The building must already be mostly done by now, right...? I wonder how many birds are already staying inside!
"Perhaps, if the "next event" doesn't start soon, we can check it after this!", was left unsaid,
Though Bennet wasn't sure if he should say it or not, since he had no idea when their tea party was supposed to end...
*And he didn't want to hurry anyone, especially not Fischl, who was one of his best friends now and seemed to enjoy this tea party a lot...
...
Well, he could always check the other place some other day, right...?
Ever since his bad luck suddenly disappeared, it was a lot easier for him to do all kinds of stuff!
*He didn't even choke on food anymore or get hit by a sudden lighting strike or a random rock even once!
It was truly a miracle, how finally, he didn't have to worry about any hazards following him~
...
...
But he also heard how...Albert(was that his name?) keep getting into trouble around the same time his luck got better,
With the older man(and Barbara's fan?) having been missing for quite a while now and...
-Can we join your tea party...? -His thoughts were soon interrupted by a voice nearby, as Amber, Collei and a haggard looking Mika entered the location. -Sorry about taking so long to get here. There has been some...Trouble.
Amber apologized upon glancing towards Mika for a few seconds,
Before turning back to look between the people enjoying the party...
-I had some trouble, but thanks to Master Diluc's, Miss Collei's and Miss Amber's help, I am okay now. -The surveyor reassured, as he also looked between the people gathered, his gaze soon stopping on Noelle. -...Knight Trainee Noelle, did you forget what the Captain's last order for you was...? "Water the flowers and oil the lamps in the garden. Afterwards, you are required to take a break.", were the Captain's words. Yet you are working again.
He couldn't help but sigh soon enough, realizing that the other went back to her bad habit,
The weariness he felt from his recent ordeal not really helping in the matter...
*He was truly thankful for the help he have gotten minutes later,
As well as Master Diluc's insistence on staying back to watch over the now sleeping birds...
...
"...U-uh, I was in the middle of doing a task for the Captain, when they suddenly flew over and well...This is the result...
...I tried to get them off me, somehow...But I can't...They are sticking to me too much...And I can barely move like this...Can you help me out...? It's getting hard for me to stay like this...The whole upper part of my body is starting to hurt...A-and I felt too embarrassed to ask anyone for help before...!"
...
And he acted in such an embarrassing manner before...
*Even if the situation was like...That, he should still have some pride…!
...
...
-Surveyor Mika, you look so tired. Do you want a calming cup of tea...? Miss Collei, Miss Amber, I will like you to join, as well. -Noelle soon said, as she motioned for him to sit down on one of the free chairs, doing the same for the two friends moments later, before her expression turned thoughtful for a few seconds. -As for the Captain's order, I am still following it. I like serving everyone tea, so it's not work to me, but a break. -She soon explained, just as the arriving trio took up their seats by the table, with Collei and Amber sitting together, as Mika sat near Razor. -...Now then, Mister Mika, Miss Collei and Miss Amber, what would you like to drink? The tea options for today are...
She soon started explaining the four sorts of tea leaves that were prepared,
How long they took to brew and the effects of the different teas on the human body...