[Gift] A helping hand
“I’m so sorry for the trouble, Yoo-ah…” Cosette seems a little flustered. Embarrassed, even. How can she not, when her mother is asking one of her guests to help serve out tea to the other guests?
Sensing the birthday girl’s unease, Yoo-ah offers her a reassuring smile. “It’s no trouble at all, Cosette. I insisted on helping, it’s the least I could do for your family’s warm welcome.”
Cosette looks a little apprehensive still, but she doesn’t argue. Instead, she returns the other cossetling’s smile and nods her head in understanding. Today is meant to be a jolly day, after all!
“Now then, I should go and serve the guests. These teas won’t pour themselves, after all.” Yoo-ah winks before she begins to walk once again, giving the other a little wave of ‘see you later’ with her free hand without glancing back at her.
From this distance, Yoo-ah can see that the number of cossetlings in the vicinity have grown in number. How many acquaintances and friends does Cosette have? What a mystery… She’ll need to ask Cosette how she knows all these people later.
Yoo-ah approaches one of the guests that has made themselves comfortable in a seat, carefully setting a teacup and teapot in her hands down onto the table. Gracefully, Yoo-ah begins to pour tea into a cup, naturally placing it before the guest with a smile on her face. “It’s darjeeling tea. I would recommend drinking it as is without sugar or milk.”
The blonde cossetling tilts her head upon being addressed. Wide teal eyes stare at Yoo-ah, then at the cup, then at Yoo-ah. She smiles.
“...thank you,” she speaks in a whisper.
Slender fingers raise and curl around the handle, gently lifting the cup into the air and bringing it closer to her lips. She sips, long and quiet. Another sip, and another, then a nod.
“Darjeeling… I like it.”
Yoo-ah’s smile widens a little at the approval, the tray grasped close to her chest as she nods along. “It’s nice, isn’t it? Cosette’s mother sure serves the best tea I know in Latorre.”
The blonde hums and nods before taking another sip. Not much of a talker, Yoo-ah supposes.
“Zelle!” A bright voice pipes up, catching both Yoo-ah and the blonde cossetling’s attention.
At a distance, a red-clad cossetling waves in their direction. A red rose – Yoo-ah notes the flower tail wagging behind her.
“Zelle, you didn’t cause any trouble, right?” The red rose approaches the blonde with a look of worry, accusation in her voice. It’s only when Yoo-ah looks back at the other cossetling – now named Zelle – does she realize that she, too, is a rose. A yellow rose.
“I’ve been good.” Zelle pouts, crossing her arms in front of her chest after setting the half-drunk cup of tea down. “Drinking tea doesn’t cause problems… Right?”
Yoo-ah can’t help but let out a little laugh, which prompts the red rose to look over at her with a look of mild surprise.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Yoo-ah quickly apologizes, only for the other to shake her head in response.
“Oh– no! No, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to ignore you.” She clarifies, a bright smile soon decorating her face. “I’m sorry for interrupting your conversation with Pretzelle.”
Pretzelle? Yoo-ah’s brows raise. Ah… It must be the yellow rose’s name. Then, she supposes ‘Zelle’ is a nickname.
Yoo-ah returns a warm smile and shakes her head. “You weren’t interrupting. I was just serving tea to our dear guests.” Her eyes briefly darted over to the empty teacups on the table. “Would you like one as well?”
The red rose’s hands clasp together and she nods, quite enthusiastically. “That’d be lovely!”
Well, Yoo-ah certainly doesn’t need to be told twice to pour her one of her own with trained elegance, her hand gesturing the cup to the red rose cossetling after. “Please, enjoy.”
Yoo-ah watches as she reaches for the tea, the soft clinking of saucer and cup heard as the red rose picks it up and brings it closer to her face. She takes a whiff, enjoying the aroma of darjeeling with eyes closed before taking a meaningful sip. Her ears seem to flutter, stars dancing in her golden eyes when they unveil.
“Oh, wow– This is pretty good!” She exclaims with a gasp. “I’m normally not a fan of tea but, wow.”
A soft giggle escapes Yoo-ah’s lips at her amazement. How cute. “I’m glad you enjoyed it, miss.”
The red rose blinks, mouth opening in a small shape of an ‘o’ as she realizes that she has yet to introduce herself. “Hani.” She smiles. “You can call me Hani.”
Yoo-ah hums, then nods.
“My name is Yoo-ah.” She introduces herself too, placing a hand on her chest and giving a little bow before she begins to collect the unused teacups onto the tray once more. “It’s been a pleasure to talk to you both, but I’m afraid I’ll have to greet the other guests.” She offers an apologetic smile.
Hani blinks again, then waves a hand in the air. “Oh pfft– It’s fine! We can talk again some other time. Right, Zelle?” She grins, placing a hand on Pretzelle’s shoulder and prompting her to hum in agreement. “Mhmm.”
A soft chuckle slips past Yoo-ah’s lips and she nods, before quickly excusing herself to resume her task to serve the other guests.
Submitted By RAO
for 🎈 Fancy a Cuppa?
Submitted: 1 month ago ・
Last Updated: 1 month ago