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 Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2016 10:18 pm
Mneme's caretaker had advised him that he needed to go out and make more friends... his frankly unhealthy reliance on his twin Melete was really starting to get concerning... But the trouble was, Mneme didn't really like other kids. Most of them were just so... so... dirty. All the time! Didn't they know that they were going to spread sickness like that?? Didn't they!?
It had taken hours for the caretaker to talk Mneme into the idea of joining a club- just a once a week commitment to hang out with some other kids in a relaxed environment... Out of all of the clubs, the Tea club seemed most interesting. Tea was nice and relaxing, wasn't it?
After inquiring, it seemed the person who made the club was a junior named Hawthorn. That nearly put Mneme off this entire venture once more - talking to older kids was scary. What if he wasn't old enough to join? Oh, this was a bad idea...
He'd been told where to find the club room by his caretaker, so... after waiting for the other club members to leave, Mneme scooted himself into the room as quietly as possible. The older kid certainly looked clean... Maybe this wouldn't be so bad if he was old enough to join them...
"Excuse me..." He started, voice quiet. He tried not to sound too timid, but oh, he couldn't help it. "Is this the Tea club...?"
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Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2016 12:04 am
 Hawthorn was just laying the items out for this week's Tea Ceremony Club. Today's session was the Bakeneko Tea Ceremony, and so they would be sitting at mats around a low kotatsu table. When he heard a voice from behind him, he turned on his knees to look. The Freshling appeared timid, neat, and unsure. With a piercing glance, Hawthorn evaluated and judged. Approving, despite the interruption, he offered a measured smile. "Welcome to the Tea Ceremony Club. May I help you?" He didn't want to jump to conclusions, but from first impressions, this newcomer looked as though they would fit into the club atmosphere quite well. If they intended to join today's session, he'd need to make some quick alternations to the prepared portions in order for this guest to have a serving of the treats prepared by its existing members.
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Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2016 7:23 am
Tea Ceremony club. Mneme mentally kicked himself- he'd gotten drawn in by the caretaker shortening its name and therefore, messed it up. What a terrible impression right off the bat - on top of interrupting the older kid. He really did try not to look too nervous, but it was for naught. The little hybrid ended up wringing his fingers together, nervousness rising under that evaluating gaze. This was surely the part where he was told to leave-- but... it wasn't.
He blinked, gathering himself, then tried to continue speaking in the same quiet but polite tone. "I was wondering if, perhaps... There was an age minimum or member capacity for this club...?" Capacity. That was a fairly big word he'd just learned- may as well use it since the opportunity had presented itself!
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Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2016 9:36 am
Hawthorn carefully watched the other's conduct: the wringing fingers, the pinched in posture. Nerves, undoubtedly. A rare wave of sympathy burbled inside Hawthorn's stony breast. He offered a benign smile. "I started this club when I was no bigger than you," he offered in his soft, husky voice. "If I could manage to run the club, I have no doubt you can manage to attend. As for capacity... We all contribute based on the number of individuals signed-up for the next session. We will flexibly grow as our members require." He looked down at the place settings and began slightly adjusting their placement to make room for another--albeit small--body. "Today we are doing Bakeneko Tea ceremony. It's quiet and refined, and involves a lot of watching the other members appreciate their tea. If we set you at the end of the table, you'll be able to observe the others so that you can pick up the steps. How does that sound?"At last he turned back to his guest, the gaze even. He would not talk down to a Freshling anymore than he appreciated older individuals talking down to him. Hawthorn had always believed that one's worth was based on their capacity, their mind, and never on the limits of their body. To Mneme, he would show no less respect no matter how small he might be. After all, he spoke well, his manner was subdued, and he was cleanly presented. Hawthorn quietly approved.
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Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2016 10:31 am
Oh! That was news that Mneme had not gotten during his search for a club that he might actually want to be part of. Why didn't they keep track of when clubs were started? Or at least, how old the club president was?? Mneme couldn't help but smile just slightly, not enough to show any teeth, but it was definitely there for a few moments.
"I didn't want to... intrude, where someone my age wouldn't be wanted." He offered up his explanation for the question and...glanced off to one side doing so. He could add on 'because I know a lot of kids my age tend to be loud and obnoxious,' but decided to hold his tongue. It wasn't the most polite thing ever to speak ill of your peers even if you didn't really like them very much.
The offer to set him up at the end of the table caused him to perk up again, eyes widening just slightly as he looked back to Hawthorn. "Oh, if you would be willing- I would love to attend." He nodded his head a couple of times and then... realized he'd forgotten to introduce himself. How rude.
"Oh- I- my name is Mneme. It's very nice to meet you." Since he wasn't very close to Hawthorn, he settled for bowing his head a little- though that threatened to knock his tiara off of his head so he ended it earlier than normal and reached up to gently secure the item back into place.
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Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2016 11:17 pm
"Welcome, Mneme. I'm Hawthorn." Hawthorn approached around the side of the table and offered a crisp handshake. "A pleasure to meet you." Then he let the Freshling towards his new spot at the table. "Our guests will be arriving presently to finish preparing the food and tea for today's ceremony. Before that bustle commences, a few basics..." And Hawthon began indicating the various implements of the ceremony: whisk, cup, spoon, mat, first steeping saucer, tray, canister, and the features that identified them. His instructions were cursory so as not to overwhelm the newcomer. His goal was to orient Mneme to the instruments of Bakeneko Tea Ceremony so that when it began in earnest, he'd have a precursory understanding of what and where everything was. He paused, peering at him with a piercing gaze to ensure Mneme wasn't lost...or worse, bored.
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Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2016 10:59 pm
Mneme gently shook Hawthorn's hand in return- he was never quite sure on what sort of grip to use, and so ended up using a somewhat weak one just in case. He followed Hawthorn's direction, nodding in a silent acknowledgement that the other guests would be arriving soon. He remained silent while Hawthorn gave his instructions on what the items were... though on occasion when he thought Hawthorn may not be looking, he inspected the pieces to make sure they were, in fact, totally clean. It was better safe than sorry! But he also did not want to be rude.
Of course, he'd not noticed that Hawthorn had stopped talking until his hears picked up on a prolonged silence- he'd been busy inspecting the last item Hawthorn had introduced him to. Blinking, he looked up and nodded.
"I understand. Thank you for explaining." It wasn't a lie- he just... hoped Hawthorn didn't ask what he'd been doing instead of listening with his full and complete attention. "I think it's too late now but... next time, should I bring a contribution..?"
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