Chapter 3 #2
“They’re for you, Yeri,” he said quietly. “Let me do this for you.”
“Dex, that’s,” Yerina said, flustered. “It’s too much. I don’t know—”
“Auntie Yerina, we’re starving,” Eunny announced. “You said we could have cookies. You promised.”
“So I did,” Yerina agreed.
“Come on kids, get your cloaks on,” Terryl said, grinning widely at Yerina and Dexter. “Your auntie will meet you in the back.”
Yerina’s hands rose in a wry, helpless gesture as she faced Dexter. “It really isn’t usually this hectic all at once.”
“Busy is good for you,” he replied. “I only meant to drop this off.”
Yerina watched as he withdrew a burlap-wrapped bundle from his cloak pocket. He offered it to her, the object so small it fit into the palm of her hand.
Nestled within the cloth was a koi figurine carved from unglazed red and white clay.
Yerina gasped. “Dex. Oh, it’s beautiful.
” She held it up in front of her face, soaking up every detail.
A few lines were pressed along its sides to give the impression of scales, so tiny when the body of the fish was scarcely larger than her thumb.
Flowing fins accentuated the curve of its spine, creating movement while also keeping the figurine stable.
“Thought it was a better pet than a rock,” he said, a ghost of a smile on his lips.
Yerina hugged him. “I love it.”
Surprise had him tense, but it only lasted a moment before Dexter relaxed beneath her touch. His fingers brushed against Yerina’s back, tentative, as if he wasn’t sure of how to hold her. Not as though he didn’t remember, but whether he was allowed.
More whining from the hungry children decided things for them. Reluctantly, Yerina stepped back.
“Thank you for my fish.” She hugged the tea pet close to her chest. “You have to come by soon for its first pour. I won’t use it without you.”
“I will,” he said. “I’ll come earlier next time.”
Yerina bid him goodbye, then went to switch places with Terryl, promising to bring her back lunch for minding the shop.
Herding the children along, Yerina listened to their chatter with half an ear. The rest of her kept turning Dexter’s parting words over and over in her mind.
Next time. They would have a next time.
Dexter became something of a regular at the Mighty Leaf.
True to his word, he managed to renovate the indoor pond fiasco and its busted pipe, shaping it into a gentle waterfall with a generously sized pool.
A sheet of glass rose up, allowing water to trickle down its grooves.
The rippling water and its ambient noise further helped to balance the sound levels emanating from the various sections of the tearoom.
Adding in a low footbridge kept the pathing smooth and easily navigable rather than purely decorative, transforming what had once been a tripping hazard into a centerpiece.
Yerina, Terryl, and Dexter cobbled together a pleasing assortment of furniture as more space in the tearoom became available.
What they couldn’t find, or to fill certain niche needs, they made themselves.
Or rather, Terryl or Dexter made them. Yerina provided specifications and moral support, but actual handiness she left to those with skill.
On occasions when Terryl could mind the shop, Yerina endeavored to make time most days to visit the other businesses in town.
Introducing or reintroducing herself, forging connections with her fellow shopkeepers and the townsfolk alike.
Having Eunny and Anadae along a few times went far in thawing some of the frostier personalities of Sylvan.
Yerina had the girls pick out fabrics from a market vendor for Terryl to sew into seat cushions.
Stuffing came from another merchant; handwoven linens and runners and placemats were exchanged by the local weavers’ guild for reserved table space and tea.
A trip across the lake to Renstown to place an order for storage jars and drop off half of the current ones for renewed freshness seals offered a change of pace from Sylvan.
Yerina went by the inn to leave a note for Bioon, whom she was told wasn’t in at the time she came to call.
No answer made its way back to the Sylvan mail hub either.
Yerina considered if she should make more of an effort, but Eunny didn’t ask after her mother.
As midsummer drew closer, the never-ending list of things needing doing around the Mighty Leaf soon drove the niggling worries from her mind.
Days turned into weeks, and Yerina felt as if all she’d done was blink her eyes only to find the summer solstice arrived.
“Terryl thinks we should have an official opening event,” Yerina said as she and Dexter shared a pot of aged white tea she’d been hoarding.
“Do you want to?”
“We don’t really need one,” Yerina said, gesturing at several already-occupied tables despite the early hour. The pair of grad students who’d been her first customers had all but carved their names into their favorite table. “But… it might be nice. Something to commemorate the Leaf’s revival.”
“Then you should,” Dexter said. “If it would make you happy.”
Yerina smiled, eyes going to her koi tea pet stationed on the corner of their tea tray. It was too new for a patina to have developed, but she liked to think the daily tea soaks she’d given it had imparted the beginnings of a shine.
“I don’t need a party for that,” she said.
“Only more rocks?”
“I wouldn’t say no, if you’re offering,” she teased. Yerina swept her hand out as if indicating an imaginary display. “We could have a whole shelf. ‘Locally made tea treasures.’ The visitors from Graelynd would love them.”
Dexter grunted his tepid enthusiasm for her idea.
“We need more tea first. It wouldn’t do to have an opening and run out of stock.
” Yerina sighed. “I’ve been going back and forth with a new supplier Haze was excited about, Milksplash Brewaway.
She specializes in unique blends, sources ingredients from all over, but she’s extremely picky about whom she collaborates with.
The Leaf has to have the right—the right… fit.”
Yerina gazed at the tea shop, with its mismatching tables and chairs and tea sets. “The Leaf has character, I just don’t know if it’s the right kind. Milksplash has been very vague in her letters.”
Dexter’s eyes pressed closed, his lips forming the words “milk splash.” He looked at Yerina, then shook his head. “That is not a name.”
She shrugged, trying and failing to hold back a grin. “She’s very trendy.”
“What’s wrong with the teas here?”
“I like the ones the local vendor has, but we need more variety.”
There wouldn’t be anything mighty about the Leaf without a robust selection of tea. While the renewed interest in the teashop was most welcome, it meant the generous-yet-finite stash Haze had stockpiled was noticeably dwindling, and the local vendor only stocked a portion of them.
Dexter’s frowned, contemplating his mug. “I might be able to help if you need more matching cups.”
“Oh, don’t trouble yourself. I’m just— Don’t listen to me,” Yerina babbled. “Being whiny is all.”
“I want you to,” Dexter murmured. “Complain. Not that you are, but you’re allowed. I’ll listen.”
“Dex, that’s…” Yerina forced herself to smile, lips pressing together to hide how they trembled.
“Yeri!”
Yerina turned toward the sound of her name, the clear voice ringing through the quiet of the teashop.
“Haze? Oh, Goddess break, it’s the solstice. Haze, you’re here!” Yerina jumped up and went to hug her boss. She turned to indicate Dexter, who’d gotten to his feet. “Haze, you remember Dexter Burl, right? He’s a— A dear friend.”
Dexter’s head jerked with a short nod. “I’ll leave you to catch up,” he murmured before slipping away.
Yerina carried their used tea tray into the back room. As she rinsed the pot and cups, Haze slowly toured the shop, admiring the changes.
“You’ve been busy, girl. Place looks great,” Haze said, their long, ash-colored bangs flopping across their forehead with each vigorous nod.
“You don’t mind? I tried to keep the original lines where I could,” Yerina said. She wiped the wooden tray dry, hands clutching the towel in a death grip as her mentor paused for a final look at their shop.
Haze grinned. “Nope, love it. It’s still the Leaf, but it’s got your touch.”
Relief whooshed through Yerina’s lungs. “I’ve had help,” she admitted. “Everyone here has been very good to me.”
“That’s Sylvan for you. Win ‘em over and they’re dead loyal,” Haze said. “Not that I’d really know, I guess. I think I barely got past tolerance.”
They took a step toward the courtyard window, where Eunny and Anadae could be seen playing outside.
“Your niece?”
“Yes, Eunny, and her best friend, Ana.”
“Where’s your sister?” Haze said, tone going neutral. Too light—the nonchalance too heavy compared to their normal merriness. “I’d like to meet the gal you want named as a co-owner.”
“Bioon? She’s— She’s had to handle other, um, business. In Renstown,” Yerina said in halting tones. “How long are you staying? I can try to—”
“Just the day. Going to tidy up a few things in town and try to catch a windrunner back to Central tonight.” Haze headed toward the door. “I’ll stop by again before I leave.”
The rest of the morning and early afternoon went quickly, and even if Yerina had managed to get to Renstown, she didn’t know if she could’ve convinced her sister to come back.
Presuming that she could even find her. Would Haze insist on remaining a part-owner of the Leaf?
Or perhaps they wouldn’t transfer the teashop at all.
It wouldn’t be the worst thing, and Yerina did love her mentor.
She couldn’t imagine they’d try and micromanage her from Central.
But the notion of the Leaf being hers—a part of Yerina had latched onto it something fierce.
Activity in the teashop quieted down by late afternoon. Yerina was about to put a pot of tea on for herself when Dexter reappeared at the back door, a crate under one arm.