Luke

[nosediving]

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Week 4 - Saturday

[nosediving]

[He's back in the kitchen—that is, he's about to enter when he takes note of Luke's presence. He pauses, then steps inside and makes a beeline for the cupboard.]

Don't mind me. I'm just here for something to drink.

it's takoyaki time

[dupelicate]

[he turns around, slowly unscrewing the lid from a jar of jam.]

Sure! Don't mind me either, then!

bad

[nosediving]

[jar . . .

this is too awkward. shang qinghua does his best not to look affected as he rummages through the kitchen for the necessary supplies to make some tea. more than once, though, he glances in luke's direction until he cracks.]

We've only spoken once, and it was during the previous trial. In all the time since, I neglected to introduce myself properly. My name is Shang Qinghua.

jarring, i'd imagine

[dupelicate]

Oh, yeah! [another super long name guy! he shoves the knife into the jar, and descends on Shang, arm stretched out.]

Sorry, I should've done that first. My name's Luke! It's nice to officially make each other's acquaintance, huh?

[glancing over his rummage supplies, he adds on:] Making tea?

bad!!

[nosediving]

[knife in the jar . . .

he looks down at the extended arm. tentatively, he reaches out.]

Yes, I thought I should have something to drink after what happened. Would you like some?

[he won't brew acid, promise.]

|[ ] it is a jar.

[dupelicate]

[his handshake is strong! firm! eerily familiar!]

Sure, as long as I get to check the ingredients! [ho hoho] What are you making?

i'm going to chuck it.

[nosediving]

[too familiar! he doesn't like this!]

I was thinking of oolong . . .

[here, take a look at the leaves.]

theyre good jars sheng

[dupelicate]

[he takes a look at the leaves

and gives them a good sniff]

Smells like... tea. [that's good at least? but in light of events? who? really wants tea??

but, he's being!! polite!!]

Can't wait!

who's sheng!

[nosediving]

[is that forced politeness?]

I understand that this is a strange time to be drinking anything. If you have doubts about the safety of this kitchen [and his hands, because maybe he's carrying poison or something], I won't force you.

mr shong

[dupelicate]

Woah, I didn't say that!

[he waves his hands, trying to mask the forced cheerfulness. so what if he was poisoned. it wasn't even friday yet. surely he'd be ok???]

Let's get drinking!

asch

[nosediving]

In that case, I'll prepare it now.

[making and serving tea is a collective skill he's fostered for years. his hands move deftly over the counter.]

Do you like tea?

MR SCHLONG

[dupelicate]

[Luke blinks, and considers.

no.]

Yeah! It's... hot and healthy, right? Who wouldn't?

repliku?

[nosediving]

[hot and healthy is one way to describe it.]

Does that mean you prefer hot food?

[dupelicate]

Of course! Who doesn't? I mean, if you had to choose between a salad and a steak, who goes for salad?

[nosediving]

There are those who abstain from consuming meat and look for sustenance in plants. Besides that, there are ways to heat vegetables.

[dupelicate]

Yeah, but vegetables are gross.

[nosediving]

Tea is made with plants, too.

[he holds a dried oolong tea leaf up to show luke. see this?]

[dupelicate]

Sure, but you don't have to eat it!

["tea is also bad", his face says, before he twists it back into a smile.]

[nosediving]

You can, but the taste isn't so good.

[he concedes on this much. well, there goes that tea leaf into the cup.]

[dupelicate]

[he gives Shang a long look]

...Did you eat tea leaves.

[nosediving]

It's not unusual to chew on them. Because of the tang and texture, though, most don't.

[dupelicate]

Isn't it? Isn't it??

[WHO CHEWS TEA LEAVES]

...Must've been pretty desperate.

[nosediving]

[chewing is only a part of the process. the next step is to swallow them.]

Actually, eating the leaves is healthier than drinking the tea made using them. But don't worry: You can let them sit in the cup as you're drinking.

[dupelicate]

Don't they normally get filtered out? [what's with this cursed tea knowledge???]

[nosediving]

[it's the curse of healthiness . . . ]

Not always. Right now, they're not.

[maybe they can dabble in tea leaf reading together! assuming luke doesn't choke on what's left in the bottom of the cup.]