Tea Party of Fragrant Memories Ch. 6

[yumemory]

Index: Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10

 

(Location: Sarkara’s store)

Oz: …. He didn’t listen to the warnings he was given, and still went into the castle to gather the confectioneries.

Rutile and Mitile who were anticipating Riquet’s tale of bravery bursted out simultaneously.

Rutile: Heheh, that’s just so like Riquet.

Mitile: To try eating even the confectionery castle…. Oh, he sure likes to eat, doesn’t he?

Looking at Mitile, Oz added quietly.

Oz: ...He said the pastries look lovely, so he wanted to show them to you.

Mitile: !

Mitile’s eyes flew open in surprise. Soon after, a smile gently appeared on his face, as if he just found a treasure.

Mitile: Riquet….

Rutile: You have a wonderful friend.

White: ...Indeed, they are lovely. I can imagine how Riquet must have felt.

White had a look at the showcase in the corner of the store. It’s filled with sweet pastries that were most likely made by Sarkara.

It was a house made of pastries, with an adorable combination of colors. Biscuits and macaron together made the roof and chimney. It also had a door.

Akira: It’s so rich in detail, it’s beautiful…. Sarkara is really amazing.

Cain: Yeah, he’s one fine confectioner.

Sarkara: I’m sorry to have made you wait. Here are the tea leaves you asked for.

We accepted the paper bag filled with tea leaves, decorated with a cute ribbon.

Cain: Thanks, I’ll invite Heath and come visit one of these days!

Sarkara: Yes, please do! I’m currently working on a ship made of sweets. When it’s finished, please come and bring everyone!

The smile Sarkara wore on his face is shimmering bright with hope. His new work must turn out to be a splendid creation.

We head on to our next destination with warm feelings in our chest. 

---

(Location: Town of Seething)

Mitile: So this is the Town of Seething…. It’s a quiet and pretty town.

Shino: When we came here before, there was a festival going on, so it was more of a bustling town.

This town was once thrown into confusion; the people were both enwrapped by the joy of the flower festival, and by the unease of the drought.

With the help of the Sage’s wizards, the incident resided without loose ends. It’s just a peaceful townscape now.

Akira: That time, there were a lot of women wearing white dresses.

Cain: Yeah. During the festival, there’s a custom where you’re supposed to give words of blessings to the women wearing white dresses.

White: Oh, that sounds just spectacular! Next time, me and Oz shall come to visit.

Oz: Absolutely not.

Shino: Even Arthur followed the customs. If an apprentice could do it, there's no way their master can’t.

Rutile: Master Oz is a man of charm after all. I’m sure the women will be happy to hear your words of blessings!

Oz: ….

All of the wholesome comments surrounded Oz. He looked like he had something to say, but decided to give up and didn’t speak a word.

White: Speaking of which, Shino. You said there is a rare flower growing in this city. I don’t see anything that looks like it, however….

Shino: Thought so. Rainflowers will not bloom outside a certain period.

Oz: Then what now.

Shino: You do this.

Shino whistled like he was calling an old friend.

A gust of wind suddenly breezed, and the view in front of us started to sway. The next moment, a white wolf of one eye appeared.

The impact of its entrance took away the breaths of the younger wizards. Shino was the only one to step up front.

That sight was all but unfamiliar. When the same thing happened back then, Shino was also the one to face the wolf.

Shino: Haven’t seen you in a while, Lord of The Spirits. I just recalled that you owe me something.

Shino: We need the flower used for the flower wine. We can’t possibly wait until it blooms. Do give me some if you have it.

Wolf: ….

The white wolf vanished, not a howl, not a threat.

Rutile: That was… the Lord of the Forest Spirits…. No wonder he looks so dignified.

Mitile: He’s really big…. I-It’s not that I’m scared of him, though!

Shino: Your legs are shaking.

Mitile: No, they’re not! I was just a bit surprised, that’s all!

Shino: Relax. He’s not just some wolf, he won’t sneak to devour you or such.

“Together with the wolf’s howl, the rain will cease to pour.” The incident behind the saying is told to be the spirit in the form of a wolf who once came to the town to wed a maiden.

The citizens were seized by terror; will a misfortune be casted upon them? Will the wolf come again to kidnap yet another maiden?

But if truth be told, the wolf wasn’t all what they had feared. The wolf was only lamenting, trying to find his missing wife.

Shino: That wolf was once treated as a monster that kidnaps maidens and rouses fear in town. I was no exception.

Cain: ….

Akira: ...But now, you’ve known the truth.

Shino laughed lightly as a reply. The incident that happened in this town has made Shino all wiser.

Rutile: Ah, Mr. Wolf has come back.

The wolf came back with a branch of tree between its teeth. On the branch were pretty white flowers in full bloom.

Shino: Thanks, this should be enough.

Shino accepted the branch, and glanced at the wolf.

Shino: Is your bride doing well?

The wolf reached for Shino’s hands, its snout nuzzling as a response.

Shino: ...Don’t let her wander off again. Being all by yourself is quite dreary.

The wolf looked back at Shino. He closed his eyes, slowly opened them again, and disappeared into thin air like a fog.

Shino, after seeing him off, turned around to us.

Shino: Let’s go.

 

Index: Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10