High Tea at The Royal Academy
•─⋅☾3. Matcha & Celadon☽⋅─•
#FanFiction #AscendanceOfABookworm #HanneloresFifthYear
#wss366 #Mastoprompt #PIXIVCharitySanta
Hannalore was shown to a seat next to Sorrona. Each place setting was stunning. Handleless cups and plates with a jade-green glaze gleamed, which pooled in darker lines made by pattern of swimming #fish. What caught her eye most, though, was the fine web of cracks running through the glaze. They were lovely and unlike anything she had seen before.
In the table’s center was a silver three-tiered stand. The bottom contained a cake made of many thin, crepe layers with whipped cream sandwiched between each, and all dusted with green powder. It gave off a faint odor of tea. On the next tier were dainty crustless sandwiches, and on the top tier were tanieh jellies and soft, round confections covered with roasted samaneh seeds.
The mingled sweet scents made her mouth water. To think she would be among the first to taste Rozemyne’s newest creations. It felt like a miraculous honor. For once, just once, her timing had been perfect.
“I thought I would start our tea with a ritual that Rozemyne introduced to our court,” Sorrona said as the last guest was seated. “If you pass me your cups, I’ll make a special tea for you. You may decline, in which case you’ll be served a nice black blend. Either is exquisite, but the former is an adventure.”
As everyone passed their cups to Sorrona, Hannalore overheard the girl from Drewanchel say in a stage whisper, "Well, at least we don't have to worry about her fainting and leaving us hostless." Hannalore felt sorry for Sorrona again.
The target of the girl’s retort gave no sign of having heard and continued. "This is the finest tea, which is then ground into a fine powder. Rozemyne calls it matcha. You warm the cup with a bit of hot water, add this much matcha, add hot water, and whisk it. The temperature of the water is very important. If it is too hot, the tea will be bitter."
Sorrona picked up a small whisk and rolled it between her palms, turning the tea into a thick, emerald froth.
"Rozemyne says that any lady or gentleman should be able to do this for their guests. It is the highest honor. Having servants do it implies that you feel your guests are unworthy of your attention."
Some of the ladies looked shocked, but Hannalore thought, "I bet Ferdinand was the #architect of that custom to accommodate his eccentric wife." But it also seemed like a charming custom.
Tags: #SliceOfLife #AoaB #MicroFiction #TootFic #Serial #NMV366 #NMFic #Bookworm