kingsglaiverp | Tea Lessons

"So, that's where you made mistakes."

"I see." As usual with these small ongoing tea ceremony lessons, Tan takes it all in stride, no matter the criticisms. Usually, he just waves it off with something about how he learned tea ceremony a long time ago and thus it can't help that he's rusty. Cor finds that to be no excuse, personally, but... Again. Arguing with Scientias.

And besides, at any rate... Once all the criticisms are done with, it's still nice enough for the two of them to sit there in serene silence, drinking tea, and soaking in an atmosphere that Cor has to admit he doesn't always make the time for.

It only lasts for so long before they both have to pack up and leave, but still.

Ignis is waiting for his uncle when they leave the venue that they rent for these purposes, meeting with his remaining family for a dinner together. Polite as always, Ignis bids him farewell, and takes his uncle along in his car. It's only until they're a good distance away that he casually inquires, "So, how long do you think you'll be able to keep up this ruse, Uncle?"

"It's hardly a *ruse*. I really am somewhat rusty with proper tea ceremony."

"Oh, of course. But I'm sure it's hardly enough rust to last even a fifteen minute speed cleaning video."

The next morning, Cor attends to his duties properly at the Citadel. It's coincidence that he runs into Gladio, where a little bit of small talk is exchanged... including when he asks, "So, how's the tea ceremony going with Uncle Tan?"

He makes the most minute of sounds. "It would go faster if he stopped playing about."

"Oh? He not taking the ceremony seriously?"

"He is." Well. For a given value of that. "In the places it matters, such as actually making the tea or handling the equipment, he never falters. But I know he's doing all other little things incorrectly on *purpose*."

Gladio grinds sidelong at him. "Wonder why."

And he can keep wondering.