Tea

The path we walked upon was dotted with a white stone void of any design, stark against the pitch-black earth leading directly to the main home which to the front viewed a large body of water and behind the twin peaks of the nearby peach coloured mountain, shrouded in daffodil coloured clouds.

It was for all sake and purpose a sight to behold. The backdrop was simply amazing, especially with the slope styled house I was in front of me.

"Amazing..."

I whispered.

"It is, the third family had this originally built a millennium and a half ago, it is the only fully original structure left on the estate in remembrance of our heritage."

A masculine voice softly said, almost forcing me to commit an act I might have later regretted. I thought as I looked at this young male he was handsome differently, unlike the brothers of mine who rather wear suits. This young male was garbed in a simple white robe, the usual broad sleeves with one side overlapping the other though instead of long robes it was simply paired with a loose pleated style wide leg pants falling to end around his ankles and what looked like handmade leather shoes.

"AH!"

I exclaimed, gazing, leaving him to view the house.

"Come, sit in the pavilion on the small lake. I have heard you favour the barley tea. I have prepared a pot for you."

"Third born family's first female adopted daughter gree-"

"There is no need for greetings, just call me brother Bo Hui, as the only young female in the family it is an honour to have you in my courtyard."

He said with a charming smile.

I thought to myself if I had a choice I would never allow myself to be here but alas it didn't matter, I must pay my respects to this human and even acknowledge this lower life form as my... barf. Brother.

Nodding, I followed him, looking at the small bundle of hair piled behind him and silently questioning, a bit puzzled. 'Did he always have long hair?' 

"My younger brother is not present since he must attend the school full time. So it will only be us. I am glad we can officially meet finally without many watching."

Bo Hui said ahead of me, passing Tau over to Hau, I gazed at the second family's heir properly this time without the need to end his life due to shock. He had a straight back, almost the mirror to the first family's sons Hyemi and Hyuen, just slightly lacking the arrogance... More so like a gentleman, but as a wolf, it was not hard to scent the blood lust he kept hidden.

They continued forward around the beautiful clear grey lake, a rare colour in this world I had learned, which proved it had many healing properties a truth; with the purple rose pads floating above it that were slowly budding as the suns set.

Soon we arrived at the entrance of the pavilion that had been built in a way, which made it seem as if it floated above the water's surface. Made from blue bamboo barks, it smelled of the slightly woody scent. It was a stark reminder of home, a reminder that she was a wolf even if her pack had clearly found her unwanted.

"The scent is calming."

Closing my eyes, I slipped into my mind space where my beast resided.

"it is, I have even partially been unaware I felt restless before."

"Sister Guai, please choose a mat."

I took my seat folding my legs under my thigh area so that I sat on my heels slightly, toes straight, big toes overlapping each other, something that I had learned a month ago during lessons along with the various types of tea ceremonies and cooking styles.

Watching the male sit in front of me, he looked no older than Hyuen, who was fifteen at seventeen. But that will change a year from now anyway, before freezing into that for a few years.

A low table was placed in front of us, presently bared, while a hip-high one was closer to the lakeside area ahead.

A maid flanking each side garbed in the females wore an inner red robe and a slightly thicker plain white outer with high collars to their jawline, long wide sleeves that covered their wrists. The length of the robe reached to their ankles and a red outer sleeveless vest secured with a four-inch-thick belt that tied at the waist paired with white shoes and the normal medium bun with a bright red frilled headcover.

One stood in the middle to perform the tea ceremony of adding the tea leaves, and then the hot water boiled to the desired temperature.

This was something I can never get old watching. The delicate wrists of a first rank maidservant who served by her master's side, her graceful movements.

"Sister Guai, is the maid performing the tea ceremony interesting to look upon?" 

Without pause and bothering to hide, I answered truthfully.

"Yes, her movements are truly graceful."

"Of course, it is a speciality passed down through her line."

"I see."

I replied when the other maids stepped forward and placed our cups down, followed by the maidservant who brewed the tea.