Work Text:
Setting:
Campfire somewhere cold or damp: everyone sitting around the fire in the evening.
Its quiet, not silent, just quiet.
Today had a long climb so they all decided to rest and start the real work in the morning.
Mahanon flopped first, Raven second, right at the edge of the fire. Varric sits on a piece of fallen tree. Solas on a rock almost out of the fire's warmth. Dorian looks around at everyone and decides that if he wants conversation he needs to sit by Varric.
.
Elani starts a bit of water boiling and starts to dig through her bags. After a moment she places three pouches on the log beside her.
Varric, a little incredulous asks, "How much tea do you carry with you?" She looks over and then at the rest of the group who are watching curiously.
"Almost enough. Lets see if I've thought this through. Everyone give me your cups." Elani demands. Raven having been the recipient of gift tea before is the first to offer her cup.
.
Elani smiles gratefully at Raven as she takes the cup and sets it beside her.
Varric is next "I'll bite but if it's bad I will tell you."
She chuckles and nods. "I should hope so."
Mahanon brings over his cup, Dorian's and Solas's.
.
Elani stops and looks at everyone indivually, guaging their moods, and reaches for a fourth pouch.
Varric chuckles behind her.
"Maybe not enough, I'm not sure yet." She replies as if Varric's chuckle is in itself a question.
The first pouch is a black tea with chocolate pieces, that tastes more like chocolate than tea. She walks slowly to Dorian carrying his cup in both hands. The cup is not just serviceable its beautifully adorned as well. She transfers it gently into his hands and goes back to the fire so she's not looming over him, wringing her mental hands.
Tea is important to Elani. It is a reminder of home, of family, of drying flowers and berries with her son, tending the mint so it doesn't take over the garden. Summer warmth, spring rains and fall breezes. Growth and life.
The second pouch is a green with lemon peels and mint. That goes to Mahanon and Raven.
Raven smiles at Mahannon excited to share one of her favorite treats with her friend.
"It reminds me of living in the forest, sharp and green." He nods at her.
Raven leans into his side, settling into little sister mode and sips contentedly.
Elani smiles and turns back to the hot water.
She sets aside the third pouch for a moment and picks up the fourth.
"Ok Varric here you go." It's a red with spices, tasting of apples and fall drinks. "It has a bit of a bite to it but it'll keep you warm." She passes it over but this time she stands and waits. Hands on hips, head cocked to the side and a smirk on her lips. She knows she picked this one correctly. Varric rolls his eyes and sets his cup down to steep. Elani laughs and turns back to her teas.
The third pouch she picks up and opens, it looks more like flowers and fruit peels.
"Rosehips, hibiscus and orange. No actual tea but the citrus is good for you." That blend goes into Solas's cup. "Oh! Wait." She turns back to her makeshift table and rummages through her pouches again. "Yes!" A triumphant sound as she brings out a small bundle wrapped in butcher paper. Unintentionally hiding it from view she cracks off a piece and drops it into his tea. Another piece she pops directly into her mouth before putting it away. She almost skips over to Solas, proud of herself. He watches her with one eyebrow raised over his amused expression. As he takes the cup, a bit of magic flows between his hands through the cup, too fast for anyone else to see. She rolls her eyes at him but says nothing.
Solas takes a hesitant sip, but finds it exactly as she had promised. The scent of orange, and citrus of the rosehips, the sweetness from the chunk of honeycomb melted perfectly. His shoulders relax as he turns all of his attention to enjoying the tea.
From deep in her pockets she opens her fifth pouch, it is a black tea. Normal cut black tea. That she adds to her own cup.
After hers is finished she walks towards Raven to sit beside her and nearer to Solas. Or she would have if Dorian hadn't chosen that moment to try his tea. He lets out a very decadent pleased sound. Laughter bursts out of her and she trips flinging her cup off to the side and faceplanting behind Raven practically on top of Solas's feet.
Raven catches her eye and smirks, starting them both laughing. When she catches her breath, she flops back onto the ground and holds up a hand."
"Okay, Mahannon, Raven, and Dorian are pleased with their tea. Yes?" Three yesses answer her. "Solas?"
"While not technically tea..." Elani smacks the side of his foot by her head and scoffs. He continues, "It is delicious. You have taken all of our personal tastes into account." Raising herself up to rest on her arms she turns toward Varric and waits.
"Alright, hang on." Varric takes an expiremental sip keeping his expression neutral. A second later he grins. "Not bad Blue. Not bad."
Elani reaches out to the closest person for a fist bump, Raven obliges.
"I'll take it." She flops down onto her back until Mahanon hands her her cup, refilled.
The quiet continues but this time it feels a little warmer for everyone enjoying tea.