Chapter 4-5: A Family Heirloom
The group continues looking at the stand with the different coffee and other items.
"If the coffee's that strong, perhaps I should get some for Silver. It might help him stay awake," Malleus says.
Kalim smiles, "Good idea! He'll love it. Are you going to get some for Sebek too?"
"Sebek doesn't drink coffee," Malleus says, and tries to think of an idea, "Hmm, what should I get him...?"
Then Jamil suggests, "What about some tea? Black tea is another one of our specialties. It's said people here drink 10 cups a day."
"We've got a big tea culture in the Queendom of Roses too, but 10 cups is a lot," Trey says.
"Like our coffee, we brew our tea leaves loose, without an infuser," Jamil says.
Grim becomes surprised, "Whoa... Sounds as bitter as the coffee I just had…"
"Yes, it's quite strong and bitter. Which is why we put a lot of sugar in it. And also eat it with sweets," Jamil says.
"So you put sugar in the tea AND have it with sweets? Talk about a sugar high," Grim says.
"Tea can have a calming effect. I would think it'd be the perfect gift for Sebek," Jamil says.
"True. He can get rather worked up at times. Very well, I shall buy Sebek some tea," Malleus says.
Kalim turns to Jamil and asks, "Something wrong, Jamil?"
"You know, I just remembered something that happened recently in Flight class… Sebek had put a cookie Malleus gave him in his breast pocket, because he didn't want to ruin the gift by eating it. But of course, the cookie broke the minute he started moving around. He was inconsolable. It was kind of heartbreaking to watch," Jamil explains.
Trey is a bit surprised, "Oh dear. So you think Sebek won't drink the tea for the same reason?"
Cater laughs, "Ahaha, just think. It'll become a family heirloom!"
"You should tell him to drink it right away. Tea leaves are best brewed fresh," Jamil says.
"All right. I'll give him strict orders to do so," Malleus says.
"Hey, those are some sweet hourglasses," Trey says.
"Those aren't just hourglasses. They're also good-luck charms! Different colors of sand give different benefits," Kalim says.
"This also comes from a legend, by the way," Jamil says.
Trey also notices, "Oh, they've got a list of what the different colors are for. Let's see…" And looks around for an hourglass. He then picks one, "All right, I'm gonna go with the peacock green one and the crimson one."
"Who are you getting them for?" Cater asks.
Trey says, "The green one's for Deuce, and the red one's for Ace."
"Okay, let's check out what those ones mean…" Cater says, and looks at the hourglasses, "Aha. The peacock green one's based on the princess Jamil told us about. She was really clever, so this color is for getting good grades."
"What about the other hourglass? The sand is a red color," Sereia asks.
Jamil answers, "The legendary Sorcerer of the Sands wore crimson. He worked tirelessly for his nation, so his color represents improved focus."
Cater laughs, "Ahaha! Definitely the right ones for those two."
"That's such a great idea! I should get one too. Now which one would be good…" Kalim says, and looks to find one.
Jamil says in thought, "Just get the same ones Trey did. In fact, I'd gift them to you myself."
Mallues turns to Cater and asks, "Clover, Diamond—did you get gifts for anyone else?"
"Yeah. We got a red teacup and saucer for Riddle," Trey says.
"We went halfsies on the set," Cater says.
"You can certainly find a lot of tea ware here, given our strong tea and coffee culture. Gold-lined porcelain cups and glass tumblers for iced drinks are popular souvenirs," Jamil says.
And Trey says, "I also picked up some dried fruit in the Camel Bazaar. Pineapples, oranges, kiwis, bananas, some of that melon we had, dates…"
"That's quite a few purchases," Malleus says.
"I figured I could use them next time I make a tart for Riddle," Trey says.
"Ah, so they are not all gifts to be handed out. I'm sure Rosehearts will be most pleased," Malleus replies.
And Cater says, "I got some pretty slick souvenirs too! Peacock green beaded bracelets, handkerchiefs with traditional patterns… Oh, and some individually wrapped chocolate-covered dates and little bags of coffee…"
"Wow, that's a lot for Riddle," Kalim replies.
But Cater says, "Oh, it's not all for him. I got enough to share with my dormies and classmates. I'm sure some people will want things that give off a Scalding Sands vibe… While others would be happier with something they could eat, rather than just getting more stuff. And if I know Riddle—which I totally do… He'd refuse any gift I got him if I didn't have something for the rest of the dorm."
"For sure. That's another reason I want to make a fruit tart, so we can all share it," Trey says.
"You've covered all your bases. I guess that's why you're the tyrant's—" Jamil says, but quickly corrects himself, "I mean, your rigorous housewarden's right-hand men."