Chapter 4-5 • A Family Heirloom

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Chapter 4-4	A Firelit Sky: over the Sands • Chapter 4-5	Chapter 4-6

Scalding Sands - Zahab Market

Malleus

If the coffee's that strong, perhaps I should get some for Silver. It might help him stay awake.

Kalim

Good idea! He'll love it. Are you going to get some for Sebek too?

Malleus

Sebek doesn't drink coffee. Hmm, what should I get him...?

Jamil

What about some tea? Black tea is another one of our specialties. It's said people here drink 10 cups a day.

Trey	We've got a big tea culture in the Queendom of Roses too, but 10 cups is a lot.

Jamil

Like our coffee, we brew our tea leaves loose, without an infuser.

Grim	Whoa... Sounds as bitter as the coffee I just had...

Jamil

Yes, it's quite strong and bitter. Which is why we put a lot of sugar in it. And also eat it with sweets.

Grim	So you put sugar in the tea AND have it with sweets? Talk about a sugar high.0

Jamil

Tea can have a calming effect. I would think it'd be the perfect gift for Sebek.

Malleus

True. He can get rather worked up at times. Very well, I shall buy Sebek some tea.

Kalim

Something wrong, Jamil?

Jamil

You know, I just remembered something that happened recently in Flight class... Sebek had put a cookie Malleus gave him in his breast pocket, because he didn't want to ruin the gift by eating it. But of course, the cookie broke the minute he started moving around. He was inconsolable. It was kind of heartbreaking to watch.

Trey	Oh dear. So you think Sebek won't drink the tea for the same reason?

Cater

Ahaha, just think. It'll become a family heirloom!

Jamil

You should tell him to drink it right away. Tea leaves are best brewed fresh.

Malleus

All right. I'll give him strict orders to do so.

Trey	Hey, those are some sweet hourglasses.

Kalim

Those aren't just hourglasses. They're also good-luck charms! Different colors of sand give different benefits.

Jamil

This also comes from a legend, by the way.

Trey	Oh, they've got a list of what the different colors are for. Let's see...

Trey	All right, I'm gonna go with the peacock green one and the crimson one.

Cater

Who are you getting them for?

Trey	The green one's for Deuce, and the red one's for Ace.

Cater

Okay, let's check out what those ones mean...

Cater

Aha. The peacock green one's based on the princess Jamil told us about. She was really clever, so this color is for getting good grades.

Jamil

The legendary Sorcerer of the Sands wore crimson. He worked tirelessly for his nation, so his color represents improved focus.

Cater

Ahaha! Definitely the right ones for those two.

Kalim

That's such a great idea! I should get one too. Now which one would be good...

Jamil

(Just get the same ones Trey did. In fact, I'd gift them to you myself.)

Malleus

Clover, Diamond—did you get gifts for anyone else?

Trey	Yeah. We got a red teacup and saucer for Riddle.

Cater

We went halfsies on the set.

Jamil

You can certainly find a lot of tea ware here, given our strong tea and coffee culture. Gold-lined porcelain cups and glass tumblers for iced drinks are popular souvenirs.

Trey	I also picked up some dried fruit in the Camel Bazaar. Pineapples, oranges, kiwis, bananas, some of that melon we had, dates…

Malleus

That's quite a few purchases.

Trey	I figured I could use them next time I make a tart for Riddle.

Malleus

Ah, so they are not all gifts to be handed out. I'm sure Rosehearts will be most pleased.

Cater

I got some pretty slick souvenirs too! Peacock green beaded bracelets, handkerchiefs with traditional patterns... Oh, and some individually wrapped chocolate-covered dates and little bags of coffee...

Kalim

Wow, that's a lot for Riddle.

Cater

Oh, it's not all for him. I got enough to share with my dormies and classmates. I'm sure some people will want things that give off a Scalding Sands vibe… While others would be happier with something they could eat, rather than just getting more stuff. And if I know Riddle—which I totally do... He'd refuse any gift I got him if I didn't have something for the rest of the dorm.

Trey	For sure. That's another reason I want to make a fruit tart, so we can all share it.

Jamil

You've covered all your bases. I guess that's why you're the tyrant's—I mean, your rigorous housewarden's right-hand men.

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