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 Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 2:40 am
Of course it was rare for a guest to ask the butler to share tea with them, but since Ruuvan and Maximos were practically family it also made Walter close to him as well. After all, without Walter's input and care for his master, Ruu might not have been able to go on his journey and get Maximos back. He smiled and bowed his head to Walter as the elderly genetleman went off to prepare their tea.
Taking in another deep breath Ruuvan started towards a small collection of rocks underneath a large tree canopy; the perfect place for a quiet cup of tea. The large, flat surfaces of the rock would surely do for a makeshift table and, with their positioning, the two would be offered a view off the edge of the island to see the slowly setting sun. Already the red and orange colours were bleeding into the sea and wisps of cloud, a fine sight to behold. So there he sat, watching the beautiful sunset and waiting for Walter to return, allowing his mind to drift back into thought for a few moments.
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Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 2:30 pm
It took about five minutes for Walter to return, with a tray. He made his way directly to Ruuvan and placed it down on a flat rock between the group "seats". The tray had an aged, although clearly carefully kept teapot two cups, and a small bowl full of sugar, and a small pot full of warmed milk, a glass bottle marked "Mellis", and another marked "Keno", which Ruuvan would be able to read from native Arian as "Honey" and "Cinnamon". And of course...two spoons.
Walter may have been invited as an accompaniment to the tea festivities but his duties as a butler and general servitor came first. Very delicately he lifted the steaming teapot and poured some of the faintly green liquid into the small black porcelain tea cup. And then set the pot down, gently picking up the spoon.
What does the Master take?
Formality, always key with Walter, at all times. Be it in speech, attire, or general gesture.
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Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 5:28 am
Since the series of events not that long ago, Ruuvan's mind had been a torrent of past memories and things he had learnt. Arian was his native language, this much was for certain, but with him being the only Arian here and nowhere had signs written in the language, it was a surprise to see two pots labelled in an otherwise strange manner which he perfectly understood.
After a brief pause to let this new occurrence sink into his mind, Ruu looked up to Walter with his usual warm and friendly smile.
"Just one sugar and milk please, Walter."
Ruuvan waited for his tea to be served, admiring the grace with which Walter performed his duties. After his was ready, he waited patiently for Walter to sort himself out and take a seat before going any further.
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Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 10:31 am
And Walter performed, just as requested. A single lump of sugar was poured gracefully into the cup, immediately followed by a bit of milk, just enough to add flavor and color without completely overriding the tea itself. He smiled and then placed the tea cup directly in front of Ruuvan on a small platter. And then he sat, adding a dash of honey into his own cup immediately followed by a serving of tea.
He sat very formally on the stone and gently stirred the faintly green liquid. If Ruuvan ventured a taste he would find it was a very sweet and very potent flavor. Though Life Leaf could never really be anything else. This tea had very heavy medicinal value and a sweet flavor to match. And while not currently present, Master Maximos would attest that no day was complete and no even was truly relaxing with a serving of Life Leaf tea.
Walter would pause gently stirring his tea until Ruuvan took a drink, at which point the butler would bring the cup to his lip and gently, as well as silently take a sip. And then lower the cup with a satisfied smile on his face.
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Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 12:01 pm
Ruuvan was never used to being waited on and he was pretty sure Walter would've been a bit less comfortable if he had offered to do the serving instead, so he waited patiently as his drink was prepared and waited for Walter to take a seat before bringing the cup to his lips. Before the liquid even entered his body Ruuvan could smell it; the sweet aroma flowing into his nostrils and releasing a satisfied sigh from his lips before he took a sip. It was indeed a potent brew, one of which Ruu could not recall having before, but it was sweet and settled down without a fuss.
After taking another sip and setting the cup back on its saucer, Ruuvan let out another relaxed sigh and smiled.
"This island never ceases to amaze me." He said, hinting at both Walter's amazing hospitality and the general look of the island, "You do a grand job taking care of it, Walter."
And he paused, waiting for Walter to speak and, if no questions were asked, he would continue.
"So, if I may ask, do you know of anything strange happening in Gaia? As I said, I have heard many rumours of strange goings on, but I have yet to get to the real details."
Perhaps his choice of conversation was not the best for a relaxing afternoon, but with the tea as nice as it was and the weather refreshing, it was hard not to relax.
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Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 12:34 pm
Walter looked up from his tea cup for just a moment, with a small calm smile on his face. Walter never seemed to show any real drastic emotion, he was always centered, calm, and really unsurprised by most anything. And it was just that sort of calm smile that met Ruuvan, and the sort of voice that might come from such an expression that seeped from him.
My thanks, Master Ruuvan.
He even very slightly bowed his head in gratitude. He couldnt formally bow as he was sitting down, and that would be rather awkward. But he got the gist and he appreciated it. As for Ruuvans question...well, that sort of thing is always tricky.
Sadly, Master Ruuvan my senses are not as they used to be. Since the island returned to the skies I've not heard much at all.
He gently set the cup down, looking to the left off over the horizon. Not toward Barton, but toward something kept in a far more melancholy location. Did he know? Did he not? There was no real way of knowing.
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Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 12:51 pm
"Hmm." Was all Ruuvan could muster once Walter had finished, a careful set of eyes placed on him as he looked into the distance.
He didn't suspect Walter of anything, he was just surprised a man of his calibre apparently knew nothing of the current events. Well, if one is a butler everyday of their life for a floating island, it is bound to diminish their senses as well as keep them out of the loop in general.
"Well it is not that important, all that matters is that we're still breathing." Ruu said with a smile, raising his cup slightly to Walter before taking another sip, "I'm just happy to be back and my curiosity got the better of me; rumours tend to do that."
A few more minutes of silence would pass, unless Walter said something of course, after which Ruuvan took another sip of the tea and rubbed his hands together for no reason in particular.
"So my friend, have you had any interesting guests make a temporary stop on this island?" He said with a glint in his eye and a smile on his face.
Of course it wasn't that anything that happened on this island was ever not interesting.
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Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 1:08 pm
Indeed. Though in truth he had never revealed to Ruuvan exactly what sort of caliber of man or being he was. Neither would he, not if it could be helped. He simply knew his place.
Thats likely for the best. These matters have a way of sorting themselves out.
He said gently lifting the cup for another small sip, and another small smile. Being a servant for the majority of his day Walter wasnt involved in much conversation and so sadly he wasnt much of a conversationalist. There was a silence, broken only by the jingle of porcelain cups meet plates and spoons stirring through very warm liquid. Until of course Ruuvan questioned him forward.
Indeed.
He said, turning to meet Ruuvan's glance.
A young lady by the name of Kai rode in on a parasol, she requested a room for the eve. I suppose she's likely sleeping about now, after enjoying a full hardy meal.
Another small sip.
Other than that it was a relatively quiet day. Save for Master D, and Lady Teira enjoying a romp through the fruit garden.
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Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 1:30 pm
Well Ruuvan knew not to expect much conversation from Walter, but he always seemed to enjoy their little chats well enough and, for some strange reason, Walter was a person he could relax around.
"A parasol?" Ruu raised a brow at Walter and laughed lightly, "Not the most conventional means of getting onto this island, but to each their own I suppose."
Mention of D brought another smile to his face, remembering the weird and wonderful times they had in Heaven and the caves somewhere near latent when Ruu was working for Raven Industries, something which he would rather forget. He was not a mercenary for hire, not any more; it pained him to think back to that time.
"Well it is good to hear that D and Maximos are well, that's for certain." Ruu said with another smile and another sip of tea, "Of course, even if the rumours I mentioned earlier aren't important, I can only hope that whatever has happening doesn't reach those who are practically family and the place I would like to call my only real home."
Walter was included in the family; Maximos was his dearest friend and Walter took good care of him, so of course Ruu counted him as such.
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Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 2:31 pm
Indeed.
Walter had actually expressed the exactly same sentiment in watching Ms. Kai drift to the isle. For her own dignity and to save her any jests he would leave out the fact she had as spell cast on herself which caused her to attack imaginary wolves.
Still, it was nice to hear such sincere sentiment from Ruuvan. It while at some rudimentary level it was funny to imagine someone actually attempting to threaten Shadow Island, he understood that Ruuvan wasnt joking, and so he took it upon himself to deliver a bit of comfort.
I sincerely doubt it. Should a storm truly be brewing on the horizon.
He gently placed his empty cup down on the table.
Rest assured there is no squall nor cloud that can shake this home.
Walter had a way of saying things and making them sound absolute, without ever really changing his tone or the look on his face to the serious. Something about his nature told others that when he said something would a certain way, it really would. And this was no different. Without revealing any detail he could assure Ruuvan there was no threat in this world, to this home.
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Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 7:03 pm
Kai woke up, yawned, washed up and got dressed within 10 minutes. She then went outside to find Walter. Apon finding him with a friend outside, she greeted both. "Well, mister Walter and.... um, who ever you are, thanks for the stay."
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Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 8:54 pm
Of course, Ms. Kai.
Walter said with a smile from behind his tea cup. Pausing his conversation with Ruuvan for a moment, to see the guest off. He had to be a proper host after all.
Have a save flight back to the mainland.
He would of course wave, though he wouldnt follow her to the edge of the island and off. She had found her way on she could likely find her way off. He was simply watch to make sure she left safetly. And then returned his attention to Ruuvan.
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Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 8:15 am
Kai opened her parasol before she started flying towards and off the edge. She waved at Walter and headed to Barton Town.
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Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 10:42 am
No sooner had Ruuvan heard someone approach than he looked up to see the woman floating away on her parasol, a few words exchanged between her and Walter before doing so. Now, Ruu had not expected to see the woman float away on her parasol, what with half dismissing her manner of arrival as a joke from Walter, but now he had seen it he had a brief realisation in his mind.
Shaking his head as the woman drifted away and Walter gave a slight wave, Ruuvan let slip a relaxing sigh and scanned the horizon yet again.
"My thanks for the tea, Walter." Ruu said with a slight bow of his head, "Is there anything that might pass the time more quickly whilst we await Maximos' return?"
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Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 9:38 pm
Maximos Flying was one of the biggest thrills in D's life, granted the physical acuity necessary to perform a sport like this would probably be impossible by someone his age, but D wasnt exactly your usual child. And what he himself didnt have, the sword helped with. Theres was a partnership of a more clandestine nature. D quickly leaned back bending at the waist and leaning his right foot down adjusting the sword into a downward spiral. Just below the surface of the island was a rather large cone of land extending down an extra four hundred feet, with their proximity Teira would be able to see the incredibly large runic array painted into the cone of the island, allowing it its flight and its security. Now the runic arrangement likely wouldnt mean much to her, but it did glow a fancy violet, and it seemed to sparkle when anyone got near it. And near it, is exactly where they were, so near it infact, that D was able to reach his hand out and run it against the runes. The runes were surprisingly smooth like dipping into bright glowing paint, and it left a streak of violet streaming from D's hand to mix with the path of black the sword was carving in the air. Meanwhile, he cut a downward spiral around the cone of the isle, the sword adjusting the make sure the angle was just sharp enough to give its riders a rush, without being so harsh that it would hurt D or Teira. Until, finally the two reached the bottom of the cone, at which point D immediately crouched low pushing on the back of the sword. The blade quickly cutting a straight vertical cut directly up, and up, and up, until they finally broke over the edge of the islands surface where D immediately cut to side shaving a huge chunk off of one of the bushes as the sword came a steady, calm stop. It was like a wild roller coaster! Without any safeties!
Nimble as a cat, Teira hopped from the sword and landed in a graceful crouch. Turning as she stood, D would catch a glimpse of her shoulder blades, where the shadow toga didn't cover her back. The uppermost tips of some sort of marking was scrawled over the elf's pale flesh, and what was visible of the line was glowing a dull red. The light lasted only a moment, before fading as she made a firm connection to the earth.
Stretching, she let her legs readjust to being on solid ground, as she looked around at the purplish lights. Something seemed oddly familliar about the patterns they formed, but why that was she didn't know. They WERE gorgeous however! And she couldn't resist dipping her hand into the purple light curiously
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