Tea for Two

December 20, 2025 - Windy Willows

Soft chatter filled the feast hall, while Melesians snacked and toasted each other’s health. Brocktree Lieutenant Blade gathered a group of those brave enough to sing another round of carols for everyone. He glanced at Princess ShyRedFox, who shook her head and smiled ruefully. Her voice was already hoarse and she needed to be able to speak tomorrow for the trip to the Badger's Heart henge.
  Shy pulled a box out of her bag, carefully unwrapped the contents, and hung her second keepsake ornament on the Yule tree—the one she had painted with a Japanese maple and birch intertwined and the date she and Yori were married. The date read December 20, 1851–Yule in this ‘verse over a century and a half ago. Each previous Yule had been a reminder of the cruel separation Black Carl had dealt her. But this year hanging the ornament symbolized her hope and the hard won victory over her past.
  After The Sixth Word War, Yori remained in Japan and still only communicated in letters. Understandable that he might be standoffish considering that Shy had been one of the Night Monarchs and had turned so many people undead. But he would have seen this ‘verse’s rebirth—even it he wasn’t right there at Shy’s side—and he would have heard of Shy’s refusal to take Carl’s life at her former captor’s judgement.
  Yori’s letter after the war said he was taking his time to consider his path, while he focused on his work helping the yokai and LitMon resettle in Japan.
  His latest letter said he was proud of Shy for making amends and atoning for her sins as Night Monarch. So, he would venture to The Den and make his home with her when he finished wrapping up his business with the yokai. Would it be today? Or tomorrow? Or this week? Or into the new year?
  Yori hadn’t figured out all of this ‘verse’s technology, yet. He was still writing letters in the brush and ink style that the Tomeverse relegated to ancient Japan. But the necklace he gave her so long ago would guide him to her once more.
  Not being able to immediately communicate with him like she did with the rest of her friends and family vexed Shy no end. She couldn’t track where he was to be sure he was safe, or ask when to have tea ready for him, or check to be sure he dressed for the weather.
  She tried to distract herself by taking in the lovely tree that she, Liath, Imogen, the Badger Scouts, and a host of others had decorated that night. But she couldn’t sit still. So she examined each of the keepsake ornaments. Some commemorating important dates. Some with seasonal greetings. And others with regional patterns and characters from all over the ‘verse. Maybe next year, she and Yori could hang their ornaments together. Warmth filled her chest then quickly turned to jitters again.
  If he was here watching her pace, he would have teasingly pointed out that her culture said patience was a virtue. She missed him so much that she even considered the infuriating aspects of her husband to be precious.
  While she wanted to stay up all night like those celebrating here in the feast hall, if she was going to be functional enough to lead the group up to the henge early in the morning, she needed to at least attempt to sleep.
  What if he arrived when she was dozing in her room? The guards on duty would wake her, that’s what. She took one last look back at the feast hall door.
  In bed, her ears pricked at every sound, causing her to toss and turn. So she pulled her pillow over her head and attempted the breathing exercises from her counselor. Would the nightmares plague her again?
  Clawdia lumbered out from her cushion by the fire then crawled up onto Shy's bed. So, Shy patted the covers and the Badger Scout snuggled next to her. Shy whispered, "Sorry to keep you awake, too." Eventually, sleep dragged the princess into unconsciousness.
 

December 21, 2025

Shy’s alarm went off at 5 am so she could be ready to greet all those journeying to the henge for the solstice sunrise. As she got dressed, she sighed. Another Yule without Yori.
  Rap, rap, rap! A voice came over the room’s security suite intercom. “Your Highness…”
  Shy jumped several feet off the floor. She tapped her phone to answer. “Y-yes?”
  “Sorry to bother Your Highness, but there’s someone who politely, but insistently requested your presence for an introduction to House Meles.” The one at her door was Garth, one of the long time sentries.
  “Me, specifically, instead of one of the greeters at the front desk?”
  “Yes, Your Highness. He’s been skulking around for a few days, asking everyone a lot of questions about you and where their loyalties lie. The guy earned a special spot on our watch list with such suspicious behavior. There’s a bet going on who he’s a spy for. May I tell him to leave?”
  Could it be? Her breath hitched and she had to force the words out. “N-no! Where is he?”
  “The feast hall, Your Highness. He asked me to tell you he’s making yuzu tea. I really am concerned and think we should send him away after asking some pointed questions. What if the tea is poisoned or something?”
  Of course HE would watch from the shadows first. “I said NO. I’ll be right there. Have the maids prepare a private audience room. He’ll insist on bringing the tea.” Yori was the only mage she knew that practiced tea magic. He’d have some fancy spell to keep it the perfect temperature and yuzu was her favorite flavor in the world.
  “Your Highness knows who it is?” Garth asked.
  “My husband.”
  A gulp came through the intercom. “I apologize for my impertinence, Your Highness. I’ll relay the message. Does Your Highness require an escort?”
  “N…” Did she? Yori wasn’t a threat if he was here to stay at The Den. But could she make it to the feast hall? Her hands were trembling badly enough already. What if he’d listened to those who suspected she’d turn back into a Night Monarch again?
  Shy shook her head. Yori would tell her ‘what if’ had no place in a calm mind. And he prepared yuzu tea. Not something he liked more, himself. A sign of peace. A promise. “Please. To make sure I don’t fall down the stairs or something equally ungraceful.”
  She could swear the halls had become three times as long as yesterday. And the boots of Brocktree Lieutenant Blade and Second Lieutenant Liath echoed ominously on each side of her.
  Maybe she shouldn’t have asked for the escort? Would Yori feel threatened by their presence?
  A claw on her foot caught on one of the stone tiles, tripping her, and Blade’s hand grabbed her elbow to steady her.
  Laith asked, “Are you alright, Your Highness?”
  The shaking had grown worse. Surely, Blade could feel it. Breathe. “I-I will be.”
  Both raising an eyebrow before reapplying a passive mask, the guards nodded and resumed their pace at Shy’s side.
  Upon reaching the intricately carved doors to the audience room, Blade put a hand on the door handle and paused to glance at Shy as if to say, “You ready?”
  Shy took a deep breath. Her heart was pounding in her chest.
  “Does Your Highness want us to accompany you inside?” Liath asked.
  “Thank you, but no. I’m ready.” She fought to keep her words steady and crushed the handkerchief in her pocket.
  In unison, the guards nodded and opened the doors. Shy’s heart caught in her throat as she glimpsed Yori serenely kneeling on the floor rug with a tray and his favorite tea set in front of him. His head was bowed as if he was meditating while he waited. His top-knot hair was shorter and he wore a deep blue, instead of the greys she remembered. But he appeared to be the same loving and kind samurai she remembered.
  When he looked up, Shy couldn’t breathe.
  Blade announced, “Her Royal Highness, Princess ShyRedFox Meles.”
  Yori’s eyes went wide as he met Shy’s gaze. Her heart told her to run to him, but it was as if someone had cruelly left super glue on the tiles below the pads of her feet.
  Slowly, he rose and bowed deeply, keeping the pose for a few extra beats to show his respect. Gods, how could he always remain calm when everything warred inside her? Memories of what she’d done as a Night Monarch flashed before her eyes.
  She had to move immediately or he’d feel slighted. Shy’s back creaked with the force she used to bow just as deeply and held the position for extra seconds, too. Finally, she convinced her wobbly legs to move her into the room.
  To the attendants Shy commanded, though her voice sounded weak, “Leave us.” The doors closed behind the servants.
  Shy’s voice cut off as she whispered, “Yori…”
  He smiled and gestured to the tea set before kneeling. Did he not trust his voice, either?
  Kneeling beside him, she watched every graceful move as he used Literomancy to warm the cups before pouring the tea. With utmost care he slid a small wabi-sabi cup toward her. The pottery didn’t even make a sound on its course.
  The crisp, clean bite of the yuzu mixed with the earthy green scent of the tea brought her back to the first time she met him. He’d served her yuzu tea then, too, didn’t he? That time in the hopes of catching her eye. Was this is way of starting over?
  Warmth welled inside her and tears traced their way down her cheeks as she took a sip at the same time he did. Doing things in harmony, like they were now, had always been his idea of the perfect relationship.
  He paused to set down his teacup, shattering the moment.
  Shy followed suit and sniffled, as she tried to puzzle out his next move. Was the broken harmony a sign saying that he was done with her?
  His intense gaze made her shrink. His brows furrowed as he wiped away her tears and his hand trembled.
  Shy leaned into the touch as if it contained the entirety of her salvation—a balm for every wound, a light in every darkness, forgiveness for all sins. Something to be worshiped and remembered for the rest of her life.
  Suddenly he pulled her to him, his arms wrapping her in warmth, comfort, safety, and acceptance. All the things she so desperately needed, but hadn’t dared to hope for herself after all she’d done. Sobs took over and she clung to him as his arms tightened around her. His head buried in her shoulder and his own tears soaked her collar.
  When he started to play with her fuzzy ears, she melted. Everything was going to be ok. He still cares. “I love you,” she choked out.
  Shy wasn’t sure how long they held each other, but he pulled away too soon, saying, “There’s an important destination this morning, yes?”
  She nodded, and wiped her tears with her handkerchief. They would have to finish catching up later. But they would, come hell or high water. ”Have you seen the Badger’s Heart henge, yet?”
  He shook his head. “Does it have to do with the two words people here keep saying?”
  Holding out her hands and shrugging, she asked, “Which ones?”
  “Kith and kin. I’ve heard them used over and over, even in the missives you put out.”
  She said, “Kith means your dear friends and kin is your family. Like a clan.”
  But his expression turned grave. “When I arrived, I quietly asked about you and the life here, to be sure you were safe and had no enemies lurking in the shadows. That’s when people used those words to describe this House. I felt like a fool not knowing what they meant.”
  Grinning, Shy squeezed his hand. “You sure got the attention of the guards. They thought you were some spy or ninja or something.”
  He shrugged. “There are no ninja. They don’t exist.”
  “As you always tell me.” Shy tried to keep in the chuckle, but his answer was just like they used to tease in their home 'verse.
 

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(Henge visit after this scene is posted in House Meles RP.)