darkpiety | Inviting a Guest (For chiron

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Inviting a Guest (For chiron_survivor!)

((Directly following up to these two logs Here and Here! ))

As much as Abysa wills it not to, time continues to pass; minutes, to hours, and hours to days go by as the priest contemplates his next move. One day alone was lost to fervent prayer at the hanging banner of his Lord of Guilt, and later taken to his proper shrine elsewhere in the massive, maze-like dwelling he has made home. His Dark Lord's answer came with both relief and fear, knowing that if the priest wished it, he could visit his realm any time, to turn himself in for this breach of conduct. Yes, that about confirms the presence of a sin! That in losing his temper, Abysa had used a particular magic in a way it is not meant to; He stole complete control of another's body, and without permission!

The day after that is fraught with anxiety and procrastination as Abysa decides if this will be the right course of action. Absolution by Guilt's court will be permanent and final in the cosmic scheme, but it cannot force the victim to forgive the perpetrator, or restore any of that lost trust. He spends much of the day at the bedside of his sleeping charge, relieved that at least, he seems to be dreaming peacefully. This magic too, this spell of suspended sleep that can leave a mortal in dreaming near-indefinitely, should not be used in this way, and the demon knows it, he just needs time. Abysa also knows that his eventual sentence may be too brutal for a mortal to witness, or 'witness', since his poor patient's eyes are yet to recover fully. This leaves him at a loss for his next step. If only he had better perspective, a mortal one, perhaps...

During the night, he is pulled out of his thoughts as he hears a muffled 'clunk' on the floor of Micolash's soft blanketed room. Looking over, the demon spots Henry the cat, busy pushing at objects on the desk with his paws. A book or two, a roll of bandages, and a sealed potion bottle have journeyed quite close to the edge, ready to join whatever it was that had taken the first plunge.

"Ah, you have been neglected without your master to entertain you. My apologies, Henry, but these belongings are not toys-" He begins to say, floating over to see what had fallen, and notices that it is his new 'tablet'. Now, it is not made of stone as he might have expected, but is a delicately encased device with a display screen that projects images and symbols. In other words, it is a communications rectangle, or a 'phone', and a brand-new one at that, purchased almost immediately after his and Micolash's last outing.

"Henry, you clever beast! I had forgotten I now have a means of communication! Not to mention, a new contact." Indeed, Abysa made his purchase with the specific purpose of inviting a guest at his leisure. He pokes at the device until the screen activates, and is caught up in the moment of learning to navigate the interface of this shiny new piece of technology, until he finds the contact list. There is one name on it so far: Adia.

She seems like such a kind mortal woman, and her helpful nature might aid Abysa in finding the insight he needs, but the demon still finds himself hesitating for a time. Even kind mortals may change their natures, especially if he is to admit of the events that transpired... But surely she might see that Micolash had been wearing down his patience and his graciousness with ill intent? Even then, if she were to take the human's side, it would only assure Abysa that facing punishment is the correct course, and then he would need someone to watch Henry while taking a visit to Hell! Maybe she would be up for that! Henry is an innocent in all of this, after all, and quite a charmer.

With one long finger, he delicately taps the screen in deep concentration, writing a 'text' message to Adia, detailing an invitation and some instructions:

Dear Miss Adia: I, Abysa, humbly request a visit as soon as you are able. The matter is urgent but not life-threatening, and for which I would appreciate the opinion and perspective of a mortal in advising a course of action. If you are able to, respond to confirm your attendance, and instructions are to follow:

Arrive to the Nexus, and wait at any spot you wish, but send your location to me. I will arrive shortly to teleport with you to my abode. Any additional accommodations such as food, hydration, medical care, and so on can all be provided on request. If you decline this invitation, there is no need to give your location, nor will you be beholden to any grudge or ill will. Yours Truly: Abysa, High Priest of Hell.

Awfully formal for a text message, really. It took up two bubbles! Abysa lets go of the device, allowing it to float beside him as he goes back to watching his charge sleep. Nothing to do but wait, now!

Henry knocks a book off the table.

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The text comes for Adia in the night as well, during one of the rare times that Caspar has fallen asleep before her, but her reaching for her PINpoint is enough to rouse him from slumber. He shifts in the sheets and blinks blearily at her while she reads Abysa's message.

Despite his request being couched in many layers of politeness, she can sense its importance. Something serious must have happened for him reach out like this. "I need to go meet with Abysa," she tells Caspar, kissing him once before slipping out of bed to get dressed. “He needs my help.”

Suddenly wide awake, Caspar sits up and frowns suspiciously. “Why, did Micolash’s head explode again?”

“No, I don’t think so…” She pulls on her clothes and runs a brush through her hair to try to make herself look like she hasn’t just rolled out of bed. Catching her boyfriend’s expression in the mirror of their makeshift vanity, she returns to him and gives him another kiss. “I’ll be fine. Abysa wouldn’t invite me over if it wasn’t safe for me, and I’ve got Reynard’s blessing.”

The mention of the Winter Spirit does not improve Caspar’s mood. “I’m coming with you. To the Nexus, at least,” he says, cutting off her protest. “I’ll see you off properly.”

~*~

Several minutes later, Abysa will receive a text in reply.

Hi, Abysa. I’m happy to help you. I’m sitting by the large fountain in the center of the The Plaza. My boyfriend is with me, but only to make sure I meet up with you safely. See you soon.

Abysa startles somewhat when he hears the cheerful little ringtone of his rectangle. He reads the message and breathes a sigh of relief; the response was quick AND favourable. With one last kiss to Micolash's slumbering face, he begins to concentrate on the location provided. The fountain at the center of the Nexus Plaza... As he envisions the spot, he is enveloped by the familiar purple smoky swirls of his magic.

"Watch him while I am away; it will only be a short time." He says to Henry as he fades out of sight from the room completely. Henry blinks slowly, and begins to lick his paw.

Abysa re-appears at the location provided, his entrance preceded by the telltale wisps of shadow magic that whirl about, barely a minute after Adia had sent her reply. The priest floats a couple of feet off the ground, looking about for any sign of her, and this boy and friend of hers. Oh! He does see a masculine humanoid at least! Perhaps he is the friend (and boy).

He floats on over to Caspar and touches down delicately on the edge of the fountain, the layers of his robes billowing just enough to look rather fetching. Though he doesn't seem to have landed very far from Adia, he doesn't appear to notice her! Instead, his attention is on Caspar.

"Greetings, ah, mortal man? Are you the male companion of one Miss Adia? She is a female human! Fair-skinned with brown hair, about this tall..." Abysa holds his palm out facing down, guessing her approximate height (and he isn't far off).

"Oh, there he is," Adia says as soon as Abysa materializes into the Nexus. It's impossible for her not to miss an entrance like that. She smiles at the demon, but doesn't get a chance to say hello before he's addressing Caspar first.

...or, he's only going to address Caspar. That's weird. Doesn't he see her? She looks over at Caspar, who is staring up at Abysa, his lips pursed into a skeptical frown, likely thinking the same thing. He doesn't seem thrilled at being addressed as mortal, either -- there was a time that he was functionally immortal and the reminder irritates him -- but at least the demon didn't call him a human.

"I am," he replies evenly. "You looking for her?"

"Abysa, I'm right here," she pipes up, waving an arm to get his attention. "Can't you see me?"

"Oh, is she-"

He makes a startled little "ah!" when he hears Adia's voice, and immediately looks around in the direction he heard her. It takes him a few seconds to finally SEE her and focus on her, and he tilts his head in clear confusion, putting his hand to his jaw.

"Miss Adia! So you ARE present. Have you been this whole time...? My apologies, but you seem, difficult to focus on."

"Yes, I've been here the whole time," she confirms, her mouth turned down into a soft line of worry. Why did it take him so long to notice her? Is there something off about his otherworldly sight? Is it because she --

The reason comes to her in an instant and she sighs, her gaze dropping apologetically. "I'm sorry, Abysa. A friend of mine gave me a blessing that camouflages me from ethereal beings. I forgot that it could have an impact on spending time with you..."

Caspar cocks his head thoughtfully. "Huh. Almost like it's not much of a blessing after all."

Adia sighs and holds back a frown. It was with her safety in mind that Reynard blessed her, but she hadn't asked for it, and now it was a nuisance rather than protection. "But you can see me now?" she asks hopefully. "And you can hear me without any trouble?"

"Hidden from ethereal beings? I suppose since most of my senses do not rely on my physical body, that would make sense..." Being a being with no eyes, and all. And no nose for that matter!

"Blessings can be of a beneficial and a hindering nature both. One must keep in mind the terms of the enchantments." He nods briefly to Caspar, then looks back to Adia.

"But yes, when you direct your attention on me, you become easier to detect, Miss Adia. This is fortunate, since it would be a much more involved process to summon you the old-fashioned way... or to even enact a dispel. But I would hate to interfere with another entity's blessing." Especially with the hot water he is in right now! But he doesn't dare to disclose that yet.

"He was scared that my mind was touched by a Great One," she elaborates. "I don't think he intended to make it hard for me to talk to my friends in the Nexus."

No, most likely he didn't care one way or another, so long as he thought he was keeping her safe from anything more powerful than him. The thought annoys her a little, but she keeps it to herself. Abysa's feelings don't seem to be hurt, and it sounds like there's an easy enough work-around to her camouflage. "I'll do my best to keep your attention, then. And if I'm somehow drifting out of focus, let me know, okay?" She shifts the weight of her messenger bag. "Whenever you're ready to go, I'm ready, too."

"Hold up." Caspar had been enjoying Reynard's moment in the doghouse, but he's all business again when it sounds like this meeting is moving forward anyway. "I want your word first that Adia is going to be safe while she's with you."

"Caspar," Adia protests gently, but he doesn't look at her, his gaze affixed on the demon in front of him, waiting for an answer.

Abysa looks back to Caspar, turning to face him as well. With a slight bow, the demon puts his hand over his chest.

"I can hardly fault a mortal for exercising caution in my presence. You will have my word, Mister Caspar, and the word of a demon is binding. I shall guarantee the safety of Miss Adia for as long as she is a guest within my dwelling, by my own body and soul-" Abysa pauses a moment, as to think on something quickly.

"Ah, rather, by any means I have available, and so I swear it shall be so." He seems reluctant to use more vague wording, but there must be some other commitment he is using his body and/or soul for at the moment if he cannot swear it completely.

"Shall I sign my promise with blood, or is my word alone satisfactory?" Abysa extends his palm and places his other hand's pointer finger upon the center, and gestures a cutting motion across it.

For a long moment, Caspar looks like he's actually considering Abysa's blood promise.

"Caspar," Adia says again, more forcefully this time, and the Cylon sighs and releases some of the tension in his posture.

"No, your word is sufficient. It's not you I'm worried about, by the way."

"I'll be fine," Adia says to Caspar, before kissing him goodbye and putting the subject to rest. She stands up waves a hand at Abysa. Just in case she's disappeared in the time that Caspar was speaking. "I'm ready when you are."

For Abysa, that goodbye kiss causes something in his thoughts to click into place, and he clasps his hands together with a gleeful smile. How lucky that he was able to see it, as his view of Adia flickers just a bit.

"Oh, not just friends, is it! Again, I must apologize to you both, I simply thought a 'boy friend' was a male peer! I must re-emphasize my promise! All will be well, Mister Caspar, for love creates a sacred bond, of which is the highest and most important focus of my order." Abysa bows deeply this time, with a flourishing gesture of his hands, practiced in such a way that it might be of cultural significance to his people.

"And, ah, Miss Adia, it would honour me to have your presence within my house at last." He kneels slightly and extends his hand down to her, expecting her to take it.

"Oh..." Adia blushes a little. "Well, sorry for the confusion..."

Caspar seems equally nonplussed, not sure what to say in response to Abysa's formal gesture. "Don't worry about it," he replies, before adding hurriedly, "The confusion, I mean. Adia means everything to me. Keep her safe."

Adia leans over to give Caspar another kiss goodbye.. "Love you," she whispers into his ear, which softens his expression considerably. "I'll see you at home."

And then, without hesitation, she takes Abysa's hands, preparing herself for what she presumes to be his style of teleportation.

"Boy-friend... what a cute term..." Abysa seems utterly charmed by the situation, even moreso when he sees the second kiss. He is smiling when he takes Adia's hand.

She may notice that once she does, that an odd weightlessness passes over her, like being in water, or zero gravity, as Abysa passes on his innate levitation to her through their touch. With that he lifts off with her, floating a couple of feet off the ground and holding her hand firmly.

"The spell shall be swift, worry not." He says with a little nod of his head. With that he begins to concentrate, not needing an incantation or anything of the like, only that he envision himself and his new guest with new purpose, arriving at his dwelling. Soft purple smoke envelops them, and for a brief few seconds, will cloud her sight completely.

"Fare you well, Mister Caspar!" Are Abysa's parting words as they disappear from the plaza entirely.

--

When the smoke clears, Adia and Abysa will see that their surroundings have completely changed. In contrast to the openness of the plaza, they are now in a large, squarish, stone brick room without windows. Sconces line the walls and dimly light the room, and the floor depicts a large magic circle, which they touch down in the center of. Abysa loosens his grip on Adia's hand, allowing her to let go if she pleases.

With a small gesture, Abysa wills the lights to flare brighter, to make it easier for her to see.

"Ah, there, no trouble at all! Welcome, Miss Adia, to my home. We are now underground, and this room is the entry room, as denoted by the floor's sigil. All teleportations, portals, summons and so on are directed here automatically, unless I authorize a custom conjuring. Worry not about smudging the lines; they are engraved into the floor directly. Oh, listen to me, like a tour guide...!" He smiles bashfully, with a small laugh.

"But it was just to explain that my home has no physical door with which to enter. This room functions as the 'door', more or less."

She makes a small sound of surprise as she is levitated into the air and tightens her grip on the demon's hand reflexively. It is a strange sensation, to float weightless, but she has little time to process it before he is whisking them away in a cloud of purple smoke. Like any other time she has teleported, her body barely reacts, but she needs a moment or two to mentally get her bearings once her feet touch down on the ground.

So Abysa lives underground? She listens to him ramble on while she wonders if he does so out of preference or necessity. She hopes it's the former. "Oh no, I appreciate the explanation," she reassures him. "It sounds like a very safe way to secure your home."

"One can never be too cautious, especially me! I have tried to make the place more hospitable since moving in, ah, but there are many floors and rooms still unfinished... It is quite a vast complex, something of a 'dungeon', I have heard such places referred to as. I find that too harsh of a word, myself." Abysa lifts off the floor once more, floating quite low to the ground, enough that his long skirts nearly brush against the floor.

"So! I have called you here officially, for your advice. But if you are say, famished, dehydrated, in need of a latrine, or anything at all, I have all the accommodations one could possibly need. Should we proceed straight to the sitting room, or what would you prefer?" Abysa clasps his hands together and smiles, looking the part of an eager, if not a bit anxious, host.

The windowless space reminds Adia of a wine cellar more than anything, although she can understand why some might compare it to a dungeon. The thought makes her a little sad. This is Abysa's home, after all, not a prison.

His word choice in regards to her needs makes her smile. He is being such a good host, even though he clearly is still learning how best to make a human comfortable. "We can go right to the sitting room, but, ah... if you happen to have some tea? Or coffee, maybe?" She was about to go to sleep when he texted her, she could use a little caffeine boost. And she's sure it would make Abysa feel useful, too.

"Oh! Tea and/or coffee, I know just the place! Please, follow me; I will show you to the kitchen." Abysa floats over to the door, which opens without being touched. As the priest moves, the lights in the room furthest from him seem to dim, and the ones closest go brighter.

"One other thing is, this place is rather labyrinthine in design, so please keep close. At first I considered simplifying the floorplan, but I am already used to things as they are..." Once outside the room, it becomes evident that Abysa is not lying in the slightest. Directly in front of them stretches a long, dark, stonework hallway, lined with doors and spaces where it branches off into other hallways. As well, directly to their right and left are two more halls, almost identical to the first.

At the sight of the identical hallways, Adia makes a soft sound of surprise. That surprise turns to worry as she remembers that she is at least partially camouflaged from her host's senses. "Do you think we could hold hands?" she asks tremulously. "In case I forget to get your attention." The last thing she wants to do is get lost down here, especially because they've just vacated the only room that she can effectively leave from. She scoots close to him anyway while he floats along, whether he offers his hand or not.

"Oh, certainly! My senses are greatly enhanced when experiencing direct bodily contact, you see. It should make losing you much more difficult to do. Ah! Not that I would want to under any circumstance." Abysa offers his elongated, grey-skinned hand with a smile, though Adia will have to reach up a bit to hold it.

"I wonder if your blessing will also apply to sweet little Henry... Oh, he is a lovely cat, I am sure we will meet him later. Perhaps I will bring a treat for him, that you can give. The kitchen is always stocked, as I would hate to leave any mortal tenants going hungry or thirsty. What sort of tea, or coffee, do you like? Tea is a common beverage in Hell, in addition to wine. I do try to exercise restraint when it comes to the wine, however..." Abysa chatters on as they go down one hall (was it the left, the right?), and turn a corner, and shortly turn another corner after that into what feels like many identical hallways after another. Sometimes the doors seem to be of different make, and style; some wooden and ornate, some metal and barred, some lacking a latch or knob, as if to imply each room within might be drastically different from each other.

She doesn't think about why bodily contact would make a difference, there's only relief that holding his hand will protect her against getting lost. She reaches up and takes his hand, as she has done several times before, and gives him a grateful smile.

"is he a supernatural cat?" she asks, in response to his musing. Either way, she looks forward to meeting him. "I'd love to give him a treat, sure. Um... I'm not picky about coffee or tea, so long as it's caffeinated." What kind of a Hell is this, she wonders. It can be like the ones she's heard about if there's tea and wine available.

As they continue along the corridors, she makes note of the doors and their different styles. "Who built this place?" she asks. "Why are there so many rooms?"

"Henry is a hell-born feline, bred and trained specifically to be a familiar, so of course he does possess a supernatural talent or two, as well as being quite intelligent. Not quite sentient, mind you, but enough to be quite clever and aware of his surroundings." In other words, a literal Cat From Hell! At least Henry sounds like quite the sweetheart, despite that.

"As for this, ah, complex... This underground structure, I am not the original owner, nor does there seem to be any sign of the previous inhabitants. Much of it is still quite dilapidated and unexplored, but an initial skim tells me it is roughly 100 levels deep, with each tier being of varying sizes and floorplans. I assume, judging from the damage I had witnessed above ground, and in the upper floors, that some sort of battle took place, but I have not seen any remains of sentient beings amongst the ruins at all. Nor any living things, perhaps save a few rats, or insects... Henry has done well in keeping the occupied floors clear. We are only about ten levels down, as that is deep enough to deter most curious spelunkers while still being moderately close to he surface for convenient teleportation and monitoring. Oh, and no worries, it is quite stable!" As Abysa rambles on, they take a couple more turns, and eventually they come to a pair of doors, which stands out from most of the single-door rooms they've passed. They are made of dark wood, with shining brass knobs.

"Ah, and we are here!" Abysa wills the double-doors open, and the kitchen within is in stark contrast to the cold and dark stonework of the hallway, entirely of warm, pale and beige tones from floor, to wall, to ceiling. In addition to being earthy and cozy in colour scheme, it is very large in size, with generous counter space, and containing all manner of appliances, with the most notable being an industrial-sized refrigerator that takes up a portion of the far wall. This kitchen could not have been any sort of light undertaking in construction or in being filled and stocked, with all sorts of cookware, spice racks, and dried herbs lining the walls and hanging from high shelves. One can only assume the cupboards and the fridge must be similarly stuffed!

"Ah, one of the counters should have matching chairs, I did request as much..." Abysa makes to float inside, looking about.

His description reminds her of Crookshanks, Hermione's familiar. Minus the born in hell part. "Hopefully he can sense me fine. I don't want to weird him out."

An underground structure one hundred levels deep -- what a weird sort of space. Even calling it a dungeon doesn't seem to do it justice. Was it built as prison or refuge? It doesn't really matter, she decides, its initial purpose, whatever it was, has clearly failed. "How did you find it?" she asks. "We didn't have anything like this on the Colonies. Not even our secure military structures were built this deep."

The kitchen is a wonderful breath of fresh air, nearly surreal in its warmth and familiarity. Adia steps inside, letting go of Abysa's hand and taking a good look around. As large as the kitchen is, she is unlikely to get lost in here. "It's so nice," she says admiringly, running a hand over one of the counters. "You could run an entire restaurant with a kitchen this size."

It's too bad such a magnificent kitchen is wasted on Micolash. She picks a seat and settles into it, trying to be a good guest for her demon host. She'd offer to help, but if there's tea in hell, then Abysa probably knows what he's doing.

"Oh, thank you! But I cannot take credit, only the finest transmutation specialists, oremongers and artisans could have crafted such a wonderfully functional kitchen to my specifications exactly. I designed the floorplan and drew up the order for its contents. Shame that, ah, it does not get much use." Not for it's intended function, anyhow. It's a Henry Treats and Micolash's Vitamin Sludge storehouse now.

When it seems like Adia is settled in her chosen spot, Abysa floats about the kitchen, eventually picking up what looks like a recipe book (the writing is illegible, somehow), and flipping through it.

"So, yes, tea and coffee for mortals, for humans, that is... I see, so, none of that type... Interesting. Oh! I know, I shall make you this one." As Abysa talks to himself, a cupboard door opens on its own, and a labeled tin floats out and clunks softly onto the counter, soon, two teacups and two saucers follow from a different cupboard, and a sink nearby turns itself on, filling a kettle that also seems to be moving on its own. Soon, it becomes difficult to watch all the pieces of this tea puzzle float about at the same time, operated by some invisible force most likely attributed to Abysa.

"I am preparing one of my favourite blends, I do hope it is to your taste. I made sure the ingredients were non-toxic to humans first! It is quite safe. Oh, and of course, there is a suitable amount of caffeine included."

"They did a lovely job," she agrees, watching Abysa as he begins the preparations to make tea. The floating objects do not frighten or surprise her, considering what she has already seen of the demon's abilities, but the complexity of their movement, as if multiple invisible people are working together to make the tea, is a sight to behold. Her gaze jumps from kettle to cups to Abysa himself as she takes it all in.

His reassurance that he has selected a non-toxic blend is probably overkill, but she appreciates it anyway. "I'm sure I'll like it," she says with confidence, hopefully not startling him. She has been silent for a while, forgetting to make her presence known as she observes the telekinetic show around her. "I didn't know you liked tea, I would have brought a sample from home for you."

"It is no trouble! Perhaps if you visit again, I could remind you of that. I am quite patient, though now I am curious about what sort of tea it is. I have a very broad palate when it comes to teas." Abysa seems pleased at the thought; receiving a human-made tea from another world is just the sort of new thing he likes to experience!

Soon, the floating assembly settles down, two cups and two saucers landing on the counter first, one in front of Adia (or where Abysa last heard her; it is close enough to be in arm's reach at least) and one in front of Abysa. Ceramic jars follow, along with delicate silver spoons for each, labeled 'sugar' and 'cream' and 'honey', landing with a soft little clunk close by. Lastly, an ornate teapot with hand-painted decor, resembling dark red flowers, floats on up to Adia's teacup, tipping to pour out some steaming, perfectly steeped tea. Just from an initial sniff, it seems remarkably similar to your average black tea, with a hint of spice, though the colour is a deep violet as opposed to a familiar dark red or brown. The teapot then floats over and fills Abysa's cup before landing nearby and neatly upon a lace doily (which had also been floating around close to the end of the preparations).

"Though I suppose I might just enjoy all sorts of beverages, in general. Food, also! It is unfortunate then, that I do not need to eat or drink very much. My people are adapted to surviving long periods without nourishment or sleep, and so I find I get full much too quickly... But I always find time for a nap or two." One can hardly oversleep the way one might over-eat, after all.

"Ah, also! Wait not for me, please, let me know what you think!" It seems Abysa has finally remembered his own tea, and picks up his cup delicately with his long slender fingers. It wasn't noticeable at first, but the demon's cup is a little bigger than Adia's, in perfect proportion to their respective sizes.

The tea itself tastes much like it smells; some sort of black tea blend with a hint of cinnamon and ginger-type spice to it. Further tasting also reveals a hint of a third flavour, that seems somewhat minty, or floral. It is much like tasting something you are used to, only for it to be just different enough to be new.

The entire setup reminds her of something from her grandmother's kitchen. It's the doily that cinches it. It's both familiar and foreign, much like the tea that the demon has brewed for her. It smells like a spiced black tea, but the violet color suggests something else. Eschewing any sweeteners for the moment, she lifts up the cup and takes a small, curious sip.

"Oh, this is very good," she says enthusiastically. "It's not quite like anything I've had, but I like the combination of spices." Her palate is not discerning enough for her to be able to identify the third flavor, but the mystery only makes it more appealing. Now that she knows how it tastes plain, she has a better sense of what to add to it, so she sets down the cup and spoons out a bit of cream, turning the deep violet into a softer lavender shade. She does give the honey jar a second glance, though, and wonders where it came from. There are cats in hell, so maybe there are bees, too...

The demon's confession on his love for food conflicting with his actual needs makes her smile softly. "Caspar is the same way. I don't think he cares much for sleep, though." She takes another sip of tea. "I'll bring you a variety next time. We've been making our own blends from the plants that grow wild on our island."

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