[Byleth was quiet as they got themselves situated at the tea house, and he sat across from Claude on the edge of his seat, straight-backed and poised, as if he expected to leap to his feet a moment's notice. He set the book on the table as well, and clasped his hands together atop of it.]
I'll eat if you eat. [Claude looked like he needed carbs and sugar in him, truth be told.] Is that fine?
[Is Byleth trying to coax him to eat something? That's actually pretty sly for a Byleth who hasn't spent much time around him at all to pick up his habits, and the amused glint in Claude's eye seems to indicate his approval.]
Deal. [He passes Byleth a menu and glances down to scan through his own.] And-- thanks.
Hmm? I should be thanking you for this outing. Think nothing of it.
[But he was pleased that his cunning ploy had worked. Jeralt pulled it on him enough times that Byleth could comfortably mimic it. He scanned the menu, but didn't really absorb much of what was on there. As Claude said, there were cakes and the like there, and a cake was a cake at the end of the day. Byleth would eat anything.]
What would you recommend? This is my first time at a tea house. I don't know what will... [What was the term nobles used?] ...pair? With tea.
Hmm... What tea do you like? Or we could do it the other way around, and you could choose a cake or a pastry you like, and pick a tea based on that. Or you can throw convention to the wind and pick two totally random things that pique your interest, pairings be damned.
[Claude laughs. He's not really one to do things the proper noble way, himself.]
[Byleth looked at the menu again, a little overwhelmed at the choice laid out to him. It was easy eating meals at the camp, because either you had stew or roasted meat, or Shez decided to make something for you. As a mercenary, the meal of the day was whatever they bought from the village they passed through, or what animals they caught in their traps. This was the first time Byleth had held a menu in his hands.]
I don't have a favourite tea. I'll drink and eat anything. So, I'll pick at random. [he set the menu on the table and quickly settled his finger on the list of teas, frowning as he read:] Cinnamon tea and... [Another random point at the cake list.] ...bas-bou-sa?
[Claude leans over a little to see what he's pointing at, and he grins.] Hey, good choice! It's sweet, so it'd go well with cinnamon. You don't get stuff like that in Fódlan, but I promise it's worth a try.
[He opts for a pistachio and rose cake and a mint tea, himself. By the time their orders are taken, just the thought of good food and drink with good company already has him perking up.]
[If there was one thing Jeralt (and his tavern tab skipping ways) have taught Byleth, it was to never refuse free food.]
Thank you, Claude, that's kind of you. In which case, would you mind if I order a few other things from this menu? Jeralt always said to take advantage of a man's open offer for food.
[Ah, Jeralt. How very... mercenary of him. Claude laughs at just how brazen that is, and he has to respect it, in a way.] Well, if your dad said it, I can't say no to that. Order as much as you want.
[Their first orders arrive shortly thereafter, and Claude leaves his tea to steep as he looks to Byleth.]
So, what else are you gonna go for? [Jeralt aside... Okay, maybe he just wants to spoil Byleth a bit.]
[Byleth visibly perked up at being given the go ahead to order more food, and he perused the menu as their first orders arrived. At Claude's question, he lowered the menu and pointed:]
These ones: brunsviger, kuih lapis and cotton cheesecake.
[Perhaps he's being a little too greedy, but Byleth was rarely given a chance to indulge in sweet things like this, due to the fact they were normally something only the nobility enjoyed. Most treats for commoners were unsweetened, as sugar was so expensive, and jam got rather samey after a while.]
They sound sweet, and novel. I'm curious to try them.
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I'll eat if you eat. [Claude looked like he needed carbs and sugar in him, truth be told.] Is that fine?
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Deal. [He passes Byleth a menu and glances down to scan through his own.] And-- thanks.
[For worrying about him, he supposes.]
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[But he was pleased that his cunning ploy had worked. Jeralt pulled it on him enough times that Byleth could comfortably mimic it. He scanned the menu, but didn't really absorb much of what was on there. As Claude said, there were cakes and the like there, and a cake was a cake at the end of the day. Byleth would eat anything.]
What would you recommend? This is my first time at a tea house. I don't know what will... [What was the term nobles used?] ...pair? With tea.
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[Claude laughs. He's not really one to do things the proper noble way, himself.]
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I don't have a favourite tea. I'll drink and eat anything. So, I'll pick at random. [he set the menu on the table and quickly settled his finger on the list of teas, frowning as he read:] Cinnamon tea and... [Another random point at the cake list.] ...bas-bou-sa?
[Is that a cake? He's never heard of it before.]
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[He opts for a pistachio and rose cake and a mint tea, himself. By the time their orders are taken, just the thought of good food and drink with good company already has him perking up.]
We should do stuff like this more often.
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[A pause, and then, almost tentatively, Byleth attempted to joke:]
Also... I enjoy anything that involves food. Moreso, if it is free.
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[He quirks a smile and relents.] Nah, I'm joking. I was already planning to pay for yours.
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Thank you, Claude, that's kind of you. In which case, would you mind if I order a few other things from this menu? Jeralt always said to take advantage of a man's open offer for food.
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[Their first orders arrive shortly thereafter, and Claude leaves his tea to steep as he looks to Byleth.]
So, what else are you gonna go for? [Jeralt aside... Okay, maybe he just wants to spoil Byleth a bit.]
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These ones: brunsviger, kuih lapis and cotton cheesecake.
[Perhaps he's being a little too greedy, but Byleth was rarely given a chance to indulge in sweet things like this, due to the fact they were normally something only the nobility enjoyed. Most treats for commoners were unsweetened, as sugar was so expensive, and jam got rather samey after a while.]
They sound sweet, and novel. I'm curious to try them.