Welcome to Gaia! ::

Cassia had arrived in Oba just as the sun began its ascent across the desert landscape, casting a golden hue over the bustling marketplace of Kalv. The vibrant colours and exotic aromas of the bazaar stirred her senses, filling her with anticipation for the day ahead. As a tea merchant, she had travelled far in search of the finest teas to offer her clientele back in Tale. She'd had to leave her mother behind of course, but she returned periodically with some of her great finds. She wanted to bring prosperity to her family after the tragedy and this was the only way she knew to go about it.

Setting up her modest stall amidst the sea of foreign vendors, Cassia carefully arranged her assortment of teas, each one meticulously sourced from the verdant hills of her homeland. From delicate white teas to robust black blends, her collection boasted a diverse array of flavours and aromas, each one promising a journey of the senses. She hoped they would attract a lot of new clients, she hadn't spied too many other tea merchants but she knew Oban liked tea quite a bit. In each city she'd bene they'd been great buyers.

As Cassia busied herself with the final preparations, her keen eyes caught sight of a figure slowly making her way through the throngs of people. Tall and imposing, with an air of authority that commanded attention, the woman cut a striking figure amidst the chaos of the marketplace. She was dressed in, what Cassia could only describe as, the resplendent attire of an Oban army general, and exuded an aura of strength and confidence that drew Cassia's gaze. She briefly wondered what kind of shopping the woman was doing while she was here, could she perhaps be tempted into purchasing teas?

"Good morning, ma’am," Cassia greeted her politely, offering a warm smile as she stepped forward to assist her. "Welcome to my humble tea stall. Might I interest you in sampling some of our finest teas from Tale?" She always kept a few small jugs of the most popular teas in case some of the clients wanted to try them. Usually, that was the only trick she needed to use to get them to buy her teas. She didn’t know why her family hadn’t used these tricks before, granted it was something she’d picked up in Zena. The tea merchant she’d learned it from was very popular, but of course, when you made potential clients in a cold place try warm teas you were sure to warm their hearts too.

Cassia nodded eagerly, her enthusiasm for her craft evident in every word. "This is quite true. The teas of Tale are renowned for their quality and complexity. Each of my blends is carefully crafted to evoke a unique sensory experience, transporting the drinker to distant lands with every sip. I’ve also added some ingredients from other places to enhance flavours or create new combinations." With practiced hands, Cassia selected a delicate white tea infused with fragrant sajmine blossoms and poured a lukewarm cup for the general with a flourish. She’d picked this tea specifically because it could be enjoyed warm or cold. “This one doesn’t have to be served hot, you can also enjoy it cold.” She confirmed out loud.

Cassia smiled warmly, pleased by the woman’s appreciation for her teas. "I'm glad you enjoyed it," she replied, taking the empty clay cup from the general's hand. "And yes, we do offer special packaging for gifts. I can have them beautifully wrapped and prepared for delivery to any destination you desire."

As Karothdra inquired about other flavours suitable for both cold and warm enjoyment, Cassia's eyes brightened with enthusiasm. "Of course, we have a variety of teas that are perfect for any occasion. For a refreshing cold option, I recommend our citrus-infused green tea or our peach oolong. They have a delightful combination of flavours that are perfect for sipping on a warm day."

Cassia nodded eagerly, taking note of Karothdra's preferences. "Of course," she replied with a smile. "I have just the thing in mind for you." Turning to the shelves behind her, she carefully selected a few unique blends that captured the essence of Oba's warmth and the exotic flavours of the Chibale islands. She expertly combined aromatic spices, delicate flowers, and rare tea leaves to create a new blend.

"These teas are perfect for bringing a taste of Oba and the Chibale islands back home with you," Cassia explained, presenting the carefully crafted blends to Karothdra to smell. "They offer a delightful balance of flavours." She usually didn’t blend new teas on the go like this, she liked to sell her pre-made ones, but the general seemed to be a big spender so she’d make the effort.

Cassia's smile widened at Karothdra's request, pleased that the general was ordering so much. This was going to make her whole day. "Absolutely," she replied. "I have just the blends in mind for you." Turning to the shelves behind her once again, Cassia carefully selected her best-selling teas that could be enjoyed cold and warm. She made sure to choose a variety of options, from soothing herbal blends to invigorating fruit infusions, ensuring that Karothdra had plenty of choices to suit any taste.

"These are some of our most popular blends, beloved by locals and visitors alike," Cassia explained as she continued to look for the blends she needed.

Cassia nodded eagerly. "Absolutely," she replied with a smile. "I can certainly recreate these blends for your gift packages." She continued to work swiftly and methodically, her hands moving with practiced precision as she measured out precise quantities of tea leaves and herbs, ensuring that each blend was perfectly balanced.

After carefully packaging each blend into individual gift boxes, Cassia presented them to Karothdra with a smile. "Here you go," she said, her voice filled with warmth. "I hope these teas bring happiness and comfort to those who receive them. And please, don't hesitate to let me know if there's anything else I can do for you."