Peek: A Spot of Tea (Patreon)

Olander sits in the busy patio of the Dungeonview Cafe, watching the people as he waits for Tula. Cobblebread definitely has the better location, with the main gate of the manor grounds right there, but the cafe isn't terrible. The wrought iron fence here doesn't have much greenery to disrupt watching delvers, and more than a few of the diners enjoy betting on if someone will make it through the hedge maze with their prizes.

While he often likes his tea chilled, he's of the opinion there's enough chill in the air right now, thank you very much, and he doesn't need more in his drink. Besides, the spiced tea they offer here isn't nearly as good cold. He smiles as he spots Tula, though he has to force it as he takes in the small details. She looks tired, with her hair a bit limp and her robes bearing a couple new ink stains. While he can appreciate her getting into her work, she really should take better care of herself.

He doesn't voice that opinion, and instead waves for her to join him. "Tula! I'm glad you could come! Looks like you're keeping busy," he teases with a smile.

She responds with a tired nod, looking like she's been burning the midnight oil, yet her eyes still shine bright and eager. "I have been! You probably have been, too, with preparing to fight Rocky!" Her exuberance dims as what she said sinks in. "How are you feeling about that, by the way?"

He shrugs. "I'm feeling pretty excited, to be honest. I've heard a lot about him and got to see a small demonstration from him the other day. Beating him's not going to be easy."

"What if you... lose?" she asks, looking nervous. Olander does his best to banish her concerns with a bright smile.

"Even if I do lose, I'm sure I'll be fine. Did you know the dungeon has healing slimes? I'd only ever heard of them in theory! Not to mention two of Thedeim's scions apparently specialize in healing, too. Everyone talks about how nobody has died in there yet, which seemed ludicrous to me. But after having helped with a few other inspections around here... I can believe it."

Tula doesn't look as certain about that, but the waiter interrupts her thoughts as he comes to check on the table. "Can I get you anything, miss?"

"Oh, uh..."

"You should try the spiced tea. It's very warming," suggests Olander, which the waiter nods to.

"It's very popular, especially when there's still a chill in the air like today."

"Then... that please. Thank you." The waiter smiles and nods before leaving to get her drink made, and she turns back to her friend. "I've been drinking a blend from Karn lately. He says it's a bit bitter, but good for energy. And with a bit of dungeon honey, it makes a perfect study drink!"

"Yeah?" asks Olander, curious. "Why specifically honey from the dungeon? If you have a sweet tooth, normal honey is probably cheaper?"

"You'd be surprised. It costs a little more, but apparently one of Thedeim's scions is a bee with knowledge affinity! Her honey makes it much easier to focus, and makes Karn's energy tea a lot easier to swallow."

Olander chuckles and shakes his head. "That dungeon really has done his best to get into as many different things as possible, hasn't he."

"That's what is seems like. No wonder he's the god of change. It's like he's impacted every facet of life here."

Olander pauses before taking a drink of his tea. "God of change? That's what the enclaves worship him as, then?"

Tula looks a bit awkward at that, and deliberately waits for him to set his tea down before answering him. "I suppose, but he's also a true deity. His Voice is also a Herald."

"Huh," comments Olander as he considers that, much to the disappointment of his friend.

"That's all you have to say? I waited for you to finish with your tea before telling you, afraid I might be wearing it if I didn't!"

Olander laughs at her outburst before explaining. "It's probably hubris and a lack of theological acumen on my part, but I deal with very powerful things pretty regularly. A strong dungeon or a fresh god doesn't make much difference to me."

Tula folds her arms and grumbles at him, and Olander lets her. He's probably coming across as a fresh adventurer off a successful delve, thinking he can take on Conduits with his eyes closed, but he hasn't been smote for it yet, so he's probably fine. The waiter comes by with Tula's drink, and the first sip improves her mood significantly.

"Oh, that is good!"

"Right?" He smiles as she takes a long draw, before he continues. "So, sounds like you know what I've been up to. How about you? You look like you've been hitting the books pretty hard."

She nods at that, her eyes closed as she enjoys the tea, and starts speaking before she even opens them. "Yeah. I've been working hard in the guild library and... well, I found the Ice Sage."

"Oh? Do tell! It's not often I get to hear about someone succeeding on a mission from the Great Mother!"

Tula hums at that as she puts her thoughts in order, taking another sip of tea before she speaks. "I'm not quite sure where to start, but I think starting with Rocky is a good place."

Olander gives her a confused look. "Rocky? Is Ice Sage a type of undead, then?"

Tula giggles and shakes her head. "That's what I thought at first, too! But no, he's not the Ice Sage. But the Ice Sage did earn her class by trying to follow how he works his magic. You've seen him in action, right?"

Olander nods. "Just the once. I don't know how he did it, but..."

"It should have been impossible, right?" asks Tula with a knowing look, and Olander nods. "I got a demonstration from him, too. So did the Ice Sage. I... I don't want to say her name, sorry. It's just, after seeing her transform fire and ice and somehow manifest kinetic affinity... she wants to be careful about who knows."

Olander quickly shifts through confusion, shock, and grudging acceptance at that information. Confusion about why she wouldn't want to tell him, then shock at someone just gaining an affinity, and finally acceptance of operational security. "I get it. The fewer times it's said, the fewer times it can be overheard. She really gained an affinity while you watched?"

Tula nods. "I saw her levitate her staff with it. Her fire and ice manipulation is superb, but her kinetic was... rudimentary. She could have been lying, but..." She shakes her head and the two sit in silence for a few long moments before Olander speaks up.

"So what are you going to do? It seems to me like the Great Mother probably wants to know as much about the Ice Sage as possible, and probably spread the class around."

Tula sighs and nods. "That's what I think, too. But... I also think She's willing to go slow. It might even be part of why She sent me, instead of a strong priest or mage. I'm a scribe, not a powerful caster. I think She wants understanding more than She wants a strong class."

It's Olander's turn to hum as he take a drink, mulling that over. "Makes sense to me. If She wants you to do something else, She'd probably tell you, yeah?" he asks with a smile. "Still, if the Ice Sage ever feels like sharing, I'd love to meet her. If an adventurer can fight like Rocky does, they'll have a bright future."

Tula nods at that. "I think her and her friends are going to be really strong someday. They already seem incredibly strong, but I don't really have the experience to tell."

Olander chuckles and finishes his cup. "Honestly, a lot of success in adventuring comes from attitude. Take it seriously, but still have some fun with it. A lot of people get caught up in the power and think they're invincible, or get so intimidated they jump at shadows and age a decade every delve. It's a balance."

Tula nods in agreement. "Then I think they'll be fine. They chat and have fun with the fighting, but don't take stupid risks and work well together."

"Sounds like your Ice Sage has a great party with her, too. They definitely sound like the kind of people I'd like to meet." The conversation drifts as he orders another tea, though the idea of the Ice Sage and her party settle in the back of his mind.

He really would like to meet them all, but he doubts they'll want to meet him. If Rocky is as big of a challenge as he seems to be, Olander won't be able to keep his cover. And if it comes to that, he's more concerned with Tula wanting to still see him again than some nameless faceless Ice Sage. And if he's being honest with himself, he'd much rather get to spend more time with Tula.

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Inspired by Ethan Barrow, who wanted to see Olander and Tula hang out a bit more. I was going to use it as a full chapter, but I suspect I might face a mutiny if I delay the Olander and Rocky fight much longer :P