The spa was closed this day, she needed a day off. With the rush of customers and all the new faces to greet. But today was one Dusty had looked forward to and was well needed. After tidying up the herb area, she had been making more tea packets. Brandishing a basket, Dusty headed away from the spa. "Now lets see what we can find. Need something different, something... With a bit of zing in it." dusty muttered to herself as she looked around.
Homewood was as lush as ever, word of new beasts her reached her. Perhaps this was why she was getting an influx of customers? Shaking her head she moved through the trees looking high and low. There had to be something new around here that even the Botanics haven't got in their gardens.
What seemed like ages of looking and riffling through the bushes. Dusty hadn't really found too much besides some fairly common berries that would make good sides for tea. Frowning to herself, a little disappointed that there was nothing special. Well that is until she spotted something gold among the green.
Ears flicking forward, Dusty stopped carefully towards the bush. The bush was surrounded by bramble thickets. They were strange, they were new.. Perhaps they would be something that could be made into a tea. If not that they could be used as a side to accompany tea.
"Well hello there little berry, She said when she had traversed the thickets, "What do you taste like."
Reaching forward she grabbed a hold of one of the golden berries and pulled it from its stem. Raising her head she rolled it over her tongue before chewing. Her face pinched up as if the taste was sour or bitter. Shaking her head the taste changed to one of being sweet. So many flavors in one small package, that would be something to add to her menu.
"That was one heck of a zing. Three different feelings in one... Or that was just me... Only really one way to find out."
Grinning kinda like a mad Noul, Dusty plucked a few more berries from the bush. She hadn't really been the best at picking the berries. Some were smaller then others and some rather large. Perhaps the was a bit of her madness, but she was going to find a use of them.
Heading back to the Spa, she placed the basket down on a stone. She pondered over the berries as she set out a kettle to heat on one of the stone heaters. There had to be something to mix them with so that it would bring out the goodness of them.
"Hmmm. What will bring out that sweetness..." Dusty pondered as she poked through her herb stash.
She pulled out some mint, sage, Lemongrass and a few others. She would have to mix just a little at a time. She wasn't sure if it was all going to be a waste of herbs, but it was certainly something to test...
"Where is Halen when I need him. He's always wanting to help, I could really use another taster." Dusty mused as she tossed a few bits of mint into a bowl with one of the smaller berries.
Picking up the pestle she started mashing the two together. Difficult it was, the mint was strong and it was making her nose twitch. Pulling away she sneezed a couple times, not sure if the berries amplified the smell of the mint or what. But it was stronger then before. That certainly was interesting, if anything it would make a good awakener for those whom couldn't seem to rise and shine. Duly noted!
Tipping the bowl up she poured it into one of the mesh packets. Not was the real test, how did this taste... Awaiting on the heating stone, the kettle had started to steam and softly whistle as the water had come to a boil. With a horrible job of tying the small string to the packet she placed it into a cup. Taking the kettle carefully, she poured the water into the cup. Letting it swirl around the packet and become tea. Watching the mint change the water into a light green color though there was the gold leeching in there as well.
"Well, bottoms up as they say." Her tone a little shaky before taking a sip of the tea.
The results... Weren't what she expected as Dusty dashed for a bush... Mint and gold berries did NOT mix...
WC: 757
