Inbox for duplicity

[chopoffyourhead]

Username: rosehearts

Comments

[chopoffyourhead]

[..hm...

Riddle pours himself a cup quietly, then takes a seat as well as he brings the cup to his hands.]

I did, yes. Jamil grew me a rose button bush for Christmas... So I thought I'd give it a try.

It's still quite small, so I've been very sparing with it to be on the safe side.

[dealing_fine]

[It's fine. He's fine.

Azul nods slightly to the explanation.]

That's quite sensible. Reckless harvesting has been the cause of ingredient shortages with far more than plants. It is excellent tea, as well, it would be a shame to have to start over.

[chopoffyourhead]

[The compliment has expression immediately softening in surprise, a blush coming to his face.

Normally he would take such compliments with ease, but... he hadn't practiced very hard at brewing tea. That, and it was Azul. He literally had just commented on how refined his taste is.]

You really think so?

[There's a touch of shyness... And then a pleased little smile appears on his face.]

I'm glad. Thank you.

[dealing_fine]

[Azul takes another sip and nods thoughtfully. He offers Riddle a small smile.]

I do. The preparation has some flaws that I imagine will remedy with more practice, but the quality of the ingredients shines through clearly. You've evidently been taking excellent care of the flowers and it pays in a fuller, more nuanced flavor. Any spotting or withering on the petals, visible or incipient, can add an unpleasant undertone of bitterness that isn't present in this.

[He does tend to go on a bit when he's evaluating, doesn't he?]

1/2

[chopoffyourhead]

[Azul can tell this all from just a couple sips? That's incredible... He can't help but be a bit awestruck.

He nods enthusiastically before he takes his own sip of tea and lowers the cup again.]

Of course. Any living being, sentient or not, should be taken with proper care and respect. Especially a gift of a dear friend. I would settle for nothing less even if I hadn't come up with the idea to try it as a tea.

[He considers what Azul said earlier. About being an atypical merfolk. His gaze softens a bit in thought...]

... is... that part of why you didn't want to return to the ocean? [He slowly looks back up at Azul.] Because you felt you didn't belong?

2/2

[chopoffyourhead]

...ah.

[Embarrassed, he brings up his tea again.]

Sorry, that was too personal a question. Ignore me...

[Siiip....]

I'm so sorry

[dealing_fine]

Your sense of duty and responsibility is as amazing as ever, Riddle.

[Azul is carefully breaking his snack in half when Riddle asks the question. His hands freeze for a second before the moment passes, but...

By the time Riddle is apologizing, Azul is already smiling. It's more his sales smile, though.]

Forgiven, of course. How could I possibly hold the pursuit of knowledge against such a diligent student?

[chopoffyourhead]

[Yikes. Talk about saying "yes" without saying "yes".

...but... the question has him earning a frown.]

You make it sound as if it's a strictly educational question. I can assure you that's not the case.

[Ah... is he wasting his time, trying this? Trying to... learn Azul behind all the facades and production?

But then, he supposes he caught him at a bad time. Of course he'd be feeling more defensive, more sensitive than usual... if this wasn't a hot-button topic for him.

He closes his eyes. Furrows his brow briefly, and lets out a breath.]

...anyway... [He reluctantly presses on, dropping that topic for now. After all, he should be a proper host for Azul.] How has Duplicity life been treating you?