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 Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 10:09 pm
"Madam, you would insult my pride as a gentleman if I allowed you to treat me to anything. Please, it will be entirely on me so do go ahead and order whatever it is you would like."
Houkan motioned for Huan Yi to do so, a smile gracing his face as he honestly felt like buy this young woman before him something to eat or drink. She was cute, more in terms of adorable to him at this point in time, with the way she was always blushing and stammering out apologies. It reminded him a little of Pasayo when she was still a child, and it almost made him wish she was that way again; she did not chide him as much then.
"Pasayo, the same if extended to you. I know you are probably not that hungry since we ate earlier, but a cup of tea may do you some good all in all. For myself, do you have any scones?"
"I would like a peppermint tea then, if it is on Master's tab. Could you make sure to leave the bag in for a longer soak, I prefer my tea slightly strong. Also, do you have tea sandwiches? If so I would like cucumber and sour cream, please."
She was so refined as she ordered, almost as if she knew what they did and did not have, but in reality it was because of how many times she had served and had been served tea while she was living in the Manor. Tea time occurred so many times each day she had lost count, and her preferences had been set.
"Please, do not hesitate for anything Lady Huan Yi. Master rarely likes to do things for those he has just met, unlike his older brother, so you should jump onto this chance."
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Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 1:13 am
"Only if you insist." Huan Yi said this with a touch of hesitation, but she nodded to the waiter and held her hand up to indicate she would be ordering one more thing. "Uhm.. scones sound wonderful. Blueberry for me, please." She had come here enough times to become acquainted with the treat, and therefore looked forward to it upon every return visit. She looked over to Houkan as her cheeks colored, remembering his generosity. "I-I highly recommend them."
"Very good," the waiter said with a bow of the head. "We've just finished a fresh batch. I'll bring some out." With that, he hurried away, the only indication of his presence was the resounding jingle of the overhead bell on the doorway.
The girl timidly found her eyes wandering towards her new companions. They were so.. composed and elegant. It was as though she were watching one of her period romance movies come to life before her. While she thought herself well-mannered and polite enough, the grace that came with such always eluded her, but the courtly elegance that Houkan and Pasayo seemed to emanate was almost intimidating.
Or perhaps it was because of Houkan. She had never had a boy talk to her so kindly before, outside of asking to borrow school notes or a pencil. The egg beside her wiggled its wings teasingly, as though to imply something, and Huan Yi tutted and moved it into her lap. It was moreso a calming method to herself, seeing as the blush wouldn't leave her cheeks.
Would she have to raise her young one to be that composed, or did it seem to come naturally? With that question, anticipation rose within her for the egg's hatching.
Before she could venture another thought, the door jingled again and the waiter brought out a tray laden with the ordered goods. A plate of fresh scones appeared before them, as well as a small platter of cucumber sandwiches. A silver teapot and two matching cups appeared before her companions, the smell of peppermint perfuming the air around the table.
"If that is everything," the waiter ventured, placing the check demurely on the table and bowing, "Do enjoy." He bowed again and made his way back through the doorway.
Huan Yi eyed the check as her egg wiggled more relentlessly in her lap. Their intimate teatime was almost over. Despite the slight awkwardness that had permeated the meeting, she had begun to feel open and comfortable with these newcomers. It was like having friends.
This... was having friends, wasn't it?
"I.." she began, nearly choking on her own words. The egg nestled into her lap sadly. It seemed that it, too, didn't want things to close out so soon. As though to sate it, she reached for a scone and held it timidly between her fingers. "I certainly hope we can do this again sometime."
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Friendly Conversationalist
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Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2008 7:29 pm
"Of course, though next time you should come to our Manor instead for tea. Pasayo is really good at making it and Sol can make some surprisingly tasty scones. He makes the cream as well, so it is generally more fattening than what they have here at cafes."
Houkan chuckled softly as he took a bite out of one of the scones placed before him, nodding to himself over its taste though in his mind he did find that he was favoring the ones Sol made. Perhaps it was because they were butterscotch most of the time, and his favorite, or perhaps it was because those were generally free and not costing him a chunk of his wallet.
"I think it would be nice to see you again anyway, without the need for an excuse, but that is mainly because I know Pasayo is practically starving for a female friend. Other than when my cousin comes to visit she is the only woman in our household of men."
Pasayo gave an agreeing nod from behind her tea cup, the corner held gently to her lips with her pinkie finger extended. Even the way she drank tea was an exact replica of an elegant woman, her eyes cast down and her movements like a small dance. This came from hours and hours of constant practice, not that the young woman minded. It was fun.
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Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 3:43 am
Huan Yi nodded as she finished her scone, reaching for the remainder of her chai. Her egg smugly flapped its wings before settling into quiet again. It was as though she had done the action merely to bring some measure of attention back to her, to remind them that she was still there, and that she had been the cause of this meeting (or at least that's what Huan Yi thought).
At Houkan's invitation her eyes returned to his face, and she felt butterflies flutter in the recesses of her body as he gave a quiet laugh and filled her in on the state of their house. The idea of being in a manor at all made her reel - not that the Maison de Croisement hadn't been pretty luxurious, but it was nowhere near a manor. It was a country cottage at best. What with all their elegance and grace, the girl couldn't help but imagine some enchanted locale. Oh, what fairy tales made a girl dream of!
"I would like that," she finally replied with a small smile. "I would gladly come visit you both." The butterflies subsided for a warm feeling that spread to the tips of her fingers. It felt good to be invited places. And to think, she had the little egg to her left to thank for it all.
The bell jingled, and the waiter appeared again, only flashing a small smile and slipping a piece of paper onto the table. "I hope you folks have a good day; I'll be your cashier whenever you're ready." He bustled away quickly as other customers called out to him.
The time of departure was quickly arriving, but Huan Yi didn't feel so hesitant to say goodbye. There was to be another meeting, so this certainly wouldn't have been chalked up to chance and kept stored away as a solitary fond memory. Although, to arrange details and ensure that..
"Do you have a phone number I could take down?" She had begun digging through her bag at her side, grasping a scrap piece of paper and a pen. "I-I think a number trade would be a good idea, rather than simply dropping by unnannouced." The egg seemed to stir, folding its wings in approval.
"And.. if it's not too bold to say, I would very much like to invite the both of you to my house sometime, as well." She smiled, surprised by her own daring. But today had been a day for surprises, after all.
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Friendly Conversationalist
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Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 12:44 am
"I would like that very much, truly."
Pasayo spoke softly from behind her tea cup, her eyes moving back and forth from Huan Yi's face to the egg that seemed to calm down once it became the center of attention. She set the cup down with a slight clatter as she dabbed at the corner of her mouth with a napkin, even though nothing was there, and she turned to smile at the young woman.
"But there is a small problem with your suggestion of a number trade. You see, neither myself nor Master Houkan own a cell phone, nor do we have a computer in our home for mail exchanges. You could say that my Master prefers to be slightly old fashioned in terms of communication, even if we do own a television set. We do however have a main phone line, of that is what you meant for numbers."
The Ashe teen reached over towards the pen Huan Yi and pulled out and, reaching also over and taking Huan Yi's hand from her side and into her own, Pasayo scribbled down a series of numbers.
To be honest, Houkan was shocked. He did not think Pasayo would touch someone of her own free will, let alone someone she hardly knew.
" . . . "
He watched as Pasayo chatted away with this other girl, his face looking happy as he smiled over at her. The young Ashe probably was starved for female contact, what with the house being something of a male-only dorm, and he was glad that she seemed to be making a new friend. He hadn't objected to her giving their home number out to this other girl - he saw no harm in it - but he knew he would have to tell Piero none the less...though he was certain the older man already knew.
"If you ladies are done with your exchange, I do believe it is time for us to go, Pasayo. It is getting late and I am sure my brother is wondering why we have not returned yet. It was very pleasant to meet you Huan Yi, I look forward to being together again in the future."
Pulling a bill from his pocket that was large enough to cover their costs and leave a sizable tip for the staff, Houkan rose to his feet and reached his hand out to help Pasayo up, the young woman taking it in turn.
"Please, do call us some time. I would greatly like the company."
Pasayo knelt down and planted a small kiss, a type of Victorian affection, on Huan Yi's cheek before she adjusted her gloves and took Houkan's extended arm. Together they made their way out of the area, but not before they looked over and waved one last time.
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