Closed Brewing is Not Cooking. pv| Accalia Avalon

─────𝓘f Nabi was one to count time between when they were supposed to meet, and when Accalia actually rocked up, she would have counted to ten minutes perfectly, though it was clear when Accalia did rock up, her stride unfaltering while the loud footfalls, and her loud, cheerful voice breaking the silence of the peaceful afternoon, her messy auburn hair swaying in the breeze announcing her presence as effectively as any horn or bell, she was late, she knew that much, in fact it was somewhat her normal to be. She focused on her parents lessons however that there was no point dwelling on mistakes you couldn't change, no, what mattered most was the follow-through, and she was determined she'd make this count! This girl would be her friend! Accalia felt practically drawn to her!

"Hi! sorry for keeping you waiting! I was on my way here when I got sidetracked but..." she remarked as she barreled up to the calm girl holding her hands out to reveal a small bearded dragon "I just had to bring my little lizard to meet you, her name is Remi" Accalia announced, eager to show off her pet.

Remi, for her part, blinked lazily, her golden eyes catching the afternoon light, a calm contrast to the whirlwind of her owner, Remi wasn't much for fanfare and as Accalia held her forwards the lizard licked her own eyeball before making a Krrikkrr noise.

"I thought she may want to join us for our teatime" Accalia remarked as her gaze fell over the meticulously arranged picnic setup, her grin widening as she spotted the cute little tea-set, the burner, and the kettle all primed and ready.

"Awesome! This is perfect, I can cook you the perfect pot of tea with this!" she remarked as she made her way over to the tea-set, making sure to ditch her runners before she stepped onto the picnic blanket, she personally didn't see the point of it but looking at the girl she wanted to befriend, well... she supposed that the girl would certainly be opposed to the idea, that and Accalia was aware of the fact that she was already late, she was willing to test her luck, but not to the point of breaking a potential starting friendship.
"It's like you somehow knew I would be late, needed to impress you and got it all set up for me!" She laughed again

She knelt by the kettle, checking to ensure it was clean before reaching for the fresh water she'd brought along with her, carefully she poured fresh water within, swirling it once, twice, then dumping that water for another lot of fresh water, sure her family was not known for delicacy, but she'd picked this much at least up from her own curiosity, she worked, humming away to herself for a moment, the soft clinking of the kettle and burner filling the space as she watched the water heat, gently bringing to a simmer, she was particularly paying close attention to the temperature of the water, knowing that too hot would sear the leaves, too cold would not properly imbue the flavor profile of whatever Nabi's chosen tea was.

To assess exactly what tea she'd be working with, her eyes flicked over to the parcel of tea presented to her, a confident smirk crossing her face. Green tea, delicate, precise and tricky to get perfect, Nabi seemed to be trying to play dirty, or as close to as she could without jeopardizing the test.

"Oh, well, you really are set on giving me a challenge aren't you? Must mean your friendship is as valuable as gold" she teased as she brought the tea-pot from the heat, measuring the green tea leaves before dumping them into the kettle, and while keeping a close eye to make sure she was brewing for the exact amount of time, turned her attention to Nabi, "Lucky for you I thrive best under pressure!"

"I brought some tea-snacks as well as Remi, feel free to snack on them while I am cooking, speaking of, how long will this need" she questioned, more to herself, as she took one of the green tea leaves, chewed it within her mouth and then spat it out over her shoulder and onto the grass. "Based on taste I would say we need to wait around four minutes and thirty two" she hesitated and swirled the taste through her mouth "Sorry, four minutes and fifteen seconds, gives us plenty of time to get to know each other right? Plenty of time to chat." She cleared her throat, realizing that she'd not yet made an introduction to the girl she was going to befriend.

She straightened, wiping her hands on her thighs, before extending one hand to her companion "My name's Accalia, heir primary of the noble Avalon household" She remarked, the Avalons were known among pureblooded society as being particularly... eccentric, they were as, if not more focused on developing their physical might as they were their magic, supposedly dating back to a knight who had won their magical blood through a great tourney dedicated to the ancients.

"Gryffindor student, pleased ta meetcha" she beamed, nodding to her hand for Nabi to do the same if she wished.
“And hey, just so you know,” she added with a chuckle, her gaze flicking toward the kettle, “if I nail this tea, it’s only because I’m trying to make up for being late, and wanna win this bet! Don’t expect me to be able to bake this fancy all the time.”

_{Banner by Miss Elena Clark}

Date & Time: 2024.09.18, 19:10 | Interacting: @Accalia Avalon | Note: Thoughts, Speech |

Portable Tea Set: Reducio

Nabi had begun to think that Accalia would not show up until she heard the chaos the young girl brought with her. Hm...late by ten minutes...goodness any louder and the whole Castle will hear her pass by, she watched as the red-haired girl approached her and gave her an excuse for her tardiness, figured as much, woolgatherer. Nabi's eyes fell to Accalia's extended hands and upon a bearded lizard dragon, as it blinked lazily, How unfortunate for you dear, to have such a horrendous owner. If she can not even be on time, I do not want to know how often she feeds you... Nabi observed the lizard lick its eyeball, with a soft hum she looked back at Accalia, "How...", odious, "charming", the Krrikkrr sound emitted by the lizard caught Nabi's attention for a moment as her eye narrowed upon the lizard, is that thing happy?...huh

Nabi continued to observe the lizard for a moment longer, why name a lizard Remi?... odd. With a slight nod, she acknowledged the set-up she had made while she waited for Accalia's arrival. Everything was well placed, the teacups neatly placed beside the burner and small kettle. Nabi sighed inwardly as she heard Accalia call the process of brewing tea cooking.

Brewing is not cooking...

With a soft hum, she watched Accalia take off her plimsolls^* before stepping onto the picnic mat, at least she has some manners. Nabi stood there for a moment as she observed Accalia glance over the set-up, she gave a small hum in response to Accalia's comment before taking off her shoes and stepping onto the picnic mat herself.

Calmly taking a seat, she watched Accalia hum as she poured some water into the kettle, At least she appears to know what she is doing.... Nabi's eyes followed Accalia's movement but she remained silent as if she were waiting for any sign of hesitation from the young girl. The sound of the clicks from the burner engulfed Nabi's ear and she glanced over at the burner, I wonder if she even knows how to use one..., not a moment longer, the soft hue of the light blue flame came to life. With the kettle over the small flame, the water slowly heated and Nabi continued to observe Accalia intently without a single word spoken. Her gaze followed Accalia's over to the porcelain tea caddy that stored the green tea, Surely if you are as good as you claim to be, the task will be a walk in the park. Nabi had been curious to see what Accalia's reaction would be when she learned the tea would be in question, not many people can brew Green tea adequately and Accalia's smirk did not go unnoticed by her.

Nabi raised an eyebrow at Accalia's teasing comment on the value of her friendship, I do not have friendships; I barely consider them acquaintances. She watched as Accalia dumped the tea leaves into the kettle. Her eyes narrowed slightly, but she said nothing, Hm...normally the heated water is poured over the leaves for a better steep.... She hummed at Accalia's confident statement, so much confidence for someone who does not even know the difference between cooking and brewing, she glanced over to the snacks Accalia had mentioned, all piled to the side on the mat; Remi was doing what lizards do best, nothing.

Nabi gave her usual monosyllabic response as she observed Accalia spit out the bit of tea leaves she had been chewing, how uncouth. Nabi raises an eyebrow at Accalia's hesitant supposition, four minutes and fifteen seconds? that is longer than even the longest suggested steeping time. Saying nothing, she decides to let Accalia steep the tea on her own accord, after all, it is still a bet.

She watched as the young girl wiped her hands on her clothes before extending a hand toward her and introducing herself. Oh goodness... As she heard Accalia's last name, Hm, I suppose that makes sense as to why she is so...mannerless. The mention of the Gryffindor house came as no surprise, of course, I heard they are the most raucous of all the houses.

Nabi gave her a handshake, her voice stern as ever, "I am Nabi Park, scion of the Park line. I am in Slytherin". She was not one to boast about the aristocracy of her family, but she figured she might as well educate the young nomad on who she was speaking to. Being part of an old pureblood family with a rich history and success certainly has its perks, much more so when being the sole progeny to the surname.

With a soft hum and a raised eyebrow, "That is if you rise victorious, Miss Avalon", I would not call this fancy either. She narrowed her eyes at her, "Do take note that I take my tea very seriously, with or without a bet. I would hate to have an over-steeped tea this evening". Nabi hums in thought before glancing at her once again, "and brewing is not cooking, there is a clear difference between the both".

^*Plimsolls: trainers, running shoes, sneakers