Bloomed to Serve | Fancy A Cuppa?

Zoe had noticed Circe walking around with various trays of teas and cakes, realizing quickly that he had been roped into some kind of waiter position for the party by Cosette's momma. Thankfully, Circe didn't look like he was bothered by it too much. Admittedly, Circe always looked a bit somber and distant, so any semblance of attentiveness counted as visible enjoyment, in Zoe's eyes.

"Hey, Circe! Are you having fun helping out with the party?" They called out to him, waving a large sleeve in the air to catch his attention. The cossetling in question quickly made his way towards Zoe's table, looking down at her with a frown- but not one that was any different from how he looked most of the time.

"I'm enjoying it, yes. It's nice to help out in a way that leans into my strengths. That being said, would you like some tea?" He spoke with the same monotone voice that he always had, but Zoe could tell that Circe was genuine when he said he was enjoying it. Besides, if he wasn't a fan of the temporary job, he wouldn't have asked Zoe if they wanted any tea, would he?

"Tea would be great, actually!" She clasped her hands together. She had been wanting tea this entire time, but honestly was too nervous to ask. Most of the cossetlings running around here were ones she hadn't met yet- that is, except for Circe. And thank goodness that she was comfortable with him, or this was about to get exceptionally uncomfortable.

"Weak or Strong?" Circe asked. Zoe... blinked for a moment. She didn't know how to respond, so instead she just asked a question, putting her thoughts into words without filtering them first. "Tea can be strong? I thought that was only a coffee thing..." The other cossetling nodded, wordlessly making it clear that he wasn't insulting her for the lack of knowledge. "Indeed. Weak tea is diluted with additional water, while strong tea is poured as-is."

Zoe crossed her arms. "Well, strong then. I don't want my tea to be all watery." Heck, most teas were already pretty watery as is. If someone wanted their tea weak, they should really just get flavoured water at that point. She watched Circe pour the tea into her cup, making sure tht there was plenty of additional space for extra ingredients as to avoid future spillage.

"Alright then. Milk, Sugar, or Lemon?" He spun the tray around to present the options to Zoe. Sugar cubes, a small container of milk, and a little cup of lemon juice. Two of them were familiar to Zoe in terms of tea, but the other... well, it confused her enough that she verbally expressed said confusion.

"Lemon?" Zoe raised a brow, but immediately regretted questioning it aloud as she saw Circe reach for the small cup was balanced on the tray. "Lemon-" Circe started to repeat back, but Zoe quickly reached out for him, grabbing him by the wrist so that he wouldn't be able to pour the lemon juice anywhere near her tea."Wait, no! That was a question, not a request! Just milk and sugar, please!"

"Very well, no lemon then."

She could swear that he saw the other's mouth tilt upwards for a half second. For Circe, that was basically the equivalent of a laugh. Zoe felt her face flush a bit in embarassment, turning her gaze away from the tray. There was the sounds of milk being poured, sugar cubes being dropped, and then the light clicking sound of a tea plate being put down in front of her.

"Enjoy your tea, Zoe. Should you require anything further regarding your tea, do not hesitate to call for me."

She didn't turn back around until she was certain that Circe had walked off completely. When she did, her focus went to the tea. It looked good and smelled good. With a little sip she could confirm it tasted good too. But then again, tea tasted plenty good when it was just handed to her with a simple question of 'sugar or no sugar?' instead of all of that stuff about weak teas and lemon...

"Bah, who knew tea could be so complicated..." Zoe muttered, before taking another sip.