Title: Quiet Morning
Universe: Freedom
Characters: Ayami, Ero
Word Count: 597
Rating: G
Summary: Tea is a wonderful way to start the morning.
Notes: Tea challenge piece, set in '05 NaNo-verse, an "extended scene" from the novel. Ayami and Ero again, since they're all my sick holiday-over driven senses will allow at the moment. And it would be bad if I didn't write something for the theme I suggested!
Ayami sniffled as she yawned and shuffled down the hallway toward one of the castle’s many dining rooms. Bleary-eyed, she hugged her robe more tightly around her petite frame as she began dreaming at the thought of breakfast.
“One, two, three,” she mumbled to herself, trying to remember exactly where the room was located. She hadn’t exactly been paying attention during the grand tour the other day. “Was it the third door on the right, or the fourth?”
“Ah-ha!” she cried triumphantly as she tried a door and opened it, pleased to see a table already set for a meal. Much to her surprise, however, she wasn’t the only one up at this early hour.
“Hey you!” she said, smothering a yawn, “I thought I was the only one who woke up at such unruly hours.”
The young prince, Ero, smiled calmly as he gestured to a seat. “There is quite a bit to do, and not nearly enough time to get it all done.”
“Of course, of course.” Ayami slid into a seat, curling her pink fuzzy bunny slippers around the legs of the chair. “Francesca was up and out earlier as well. I guess it shouldn’t be that surprising.”
Ero nodded, as he was busy taking a sip of coffee out of his mug. Unconcerned, Ayami began opening the tins of tea assembled on the table, trying to figure out which one she would like today.
“So you are a tea drinker?” asked Ero curiously as she began pouring hot water into a cup. “I always assumed that you would be one for coffee as well.”
“My mom got me started on the tea business when I was little,” she replied idly, squeezing out the leaves before adding in liberal amounts of sugar. “I like it better than the coffee. It can be sweeter and more fruity and it comes more colors! Red and white and green and black and all sorts of stuff.”
“Oh, well that makes sense, I suppose,” answered Ero after a moment’s pause. “What has you up so early, Miss Ayami?”
Ayami bristled at the formal tone. They were friends, right? “Well, your highness,” replied Ayami, sarcasm brimming from her tone, “Francesca is quite the early riser. However, as a part of my training, I can’t sleep that late usually, so I figured I might as well get up too. ‘Sides, it’s a nice day. I might as well make use of it.”
“Your point has been made,” said Ero. “I won’t call you Miss, if you would just refer to me as Ero. This is what you knew me as first, after all.”
“Fair enough,” agreed Ayami. With a cheeky grin, she raised her mug of tea to Ero’s coffee cup. “A toast,” she explained. “To our friends.”
Obliging her, Ero clinked his mug with hers. After a moment of silence, he nodded before he spoke again. “Well, I am afraid I’m not much for conversation so early, but feel free to help yourself to breakfast, Ayami.”
“That’s just fine.” Shrugging at the silence, Ayami breathed in the spicy scent of peppermint tea while she helped herself to breakfast. This was nice, actually. Eating with a friend, looking out the windows at a fresh world after the rain has cleaned everything, making it fresh and new. She’d go out and train today, working out her neglected muscles. She needed to be in top shape for the journey ahead.
But for now, she was content to sit in this cozy nook with her mug of tea and her friend sitting nearby.