clan cloud brush

Lute laughed and wiped his hands off his apron. "No worries! Truthfully, I talk to myself out loud too often, that was on me. Come in from that rain and let me get your usual." The usual was a medium roast coffee with honey and a pinch of cinnamon. Lute served the mug with a flourish, which made Grand smile. “What brings you around these parts today?” “Just wanted to see how you were going on,” the guardian grinned. “Nita told me you had set up your space nicely, which was a relief. Cloud Brush’s borders can be as vague as they come, so it was good to hear you still managed to get customers.” “Squat Frog Coffee House exists just as much for my pleasure as it does for treasure. How do you know Miss Nita? You seem close.” “Oh! Maybe she forgot to tell you? She’s…well, they might not say it out loud, but she’s Zareen’s mate. They are very private.” Lute’s eyes went wide. “No, she didn’t say! Had I known, I would have insisted on taking some of my tea for her journeys. Our clan leader’s beloved deserves the finest I can give her.” “They don’t mind, and Nita was happy to help. Something about being a ‘fellow entrepreneur’ was more than enough. She’ll be sure to bring you good finds on her travels. Which reminds me…” Grandloves rummaged around a bag on his waist. He pulled out a small pouch and held it out for Lute.? “My eldest brother, Shuck…he joined a Water clan when he was a young man, and has settled there. We keep in touch on occasion, and he sends gifts like these sometimes.” The spiral opened the pouch, seeing several large fluted seashells that smelled briny.

“I read somewhere that Water dragons sometimes use ground shells in their brews…maybe it would be something for you to try?”

Lute let out a little gasp of delight.

“Thank you, how thoughtful! Yes, I have heard of these techniques. Oh, I'll be sure to make something…they might bring out a unique saltiness with some experimentation…oh, maybe a rehydrating drink of sorts! With some sugar and much much more water, yes…Seashells are usually used as binding agents in alchemy and construction, and crushed shells were a common addition to garden soil and livestock feed. Perhaps powdered, and simmered for a long time separate from tea first…”

The coffee master was about to prattle on further when he abruptly caught Grandloves' eyes on his—fervent and fixed on his a beat too long. There was an air of…something that the spiral couldn’t parse.

The guardian hastily broke their eye contact and took a big sip of his coffee. His face was a touch pink—making his freckles stand out all the more.

“Ah, I'm glad to see you enjoy them! If you’d like more I can request them from Shuck for you again. Maybe he can visit someday and taste your creations himself.”

Lute tucked the pouch into his own house coat and broke into a toothy smile. He reached out to clasp Grand’s larger hands between his own, provoking a squeak. The guardian’s bright green eyes were wide and shining.

“My dear Grandloves,” the spiral said, comically grave, “This is an incredible gift. I insist you come and taste this brew when I have figured it out. I know you are not much of a tea drinker, but I will report back when I have transfigured this into a suitable coffee. Promise me you’ll visit often for this!”

The red-faced librarian nodded. “O-Of course! Since you insist, I mean. I’d be glad to.”