mystery tea,

[upcards]

THE MYSTERY TEA MEME

THE RULES
1. Character 1 posts a comment including name/series/prefs/setup text (if desired).
2. Others reply, using RNG (1-23) to choose what kind of tea is being consumed.
3. ???
4. Profit. And fun.


GREEN TEA: Makes the drinker wiser. Bear in mind that wise doesn't necessarily mean smart.

EARL GREY TEA: Drinkers of this tea can't tell anything but the truth.

LADY GREY TEA: Drinkers of this tea can't tell anything but lies.

STRAWBERRY TEA: Causes uncontrollable hiccups.

MINT TEA: Causes a complete personality flip. Good is bad, bad is good, etc.

LEMON TEA: Instead of flipping personalities, suddenly gain someone else's personality.

CHAI TEA: Causes an uncontrollable need to dance, wherever you go.

OOLONG TEA: Causes an uncontrollable need to express everything in the form of a song. It might be a song you already know, or you might find you have a hidden talent for lyrics.

VANILLA TEA: Causes childish innocence, kindness, love of everything alive.

CARAMEL TEA: Have a little respect for your four-legged friends. Turns the drinker into an animal of the mun's choosing.

ENGLISH BREAKFAST TEA: Not only will the drinker be more arrogant, snobbish and better than you, but they will also voice it. Loudly. Narcissism is encouraged. So is slapping them back to their senses.

CHAMOMILE TEA: This tea will calm you down to the point of apathy and sloth. Don't bother leaving bed, it's not even worth it.

DAFFODIL TEA: SUCH A CALM TEA AT FIRST SIGHT BUT WHAT ABOUT WHEN IT MAKES YOU TALK IN CAPSLOCK?

THYME TEA: Suddenly your clothes don't seem to fit so well! Adult drinkers of this tea will be de-aged to childhood. Child drinkers will be aged to adulthood.

DARJEELING TEA: Causes the drinker to suffer severe delusions. They might just start to think they're the Queen of England, or a tree, or any number of things. I suggest you take videos for posterity and blackmail.

BLACK TEA: Causes blindness.

DECAF TEA: Sleep, who needs sleep?

Comments

[officing]

[ that response stops him from helping tenka through the window just yet. ] ...

... What?

[ sousei wouldn't doubt his ability to climb up here while not being able to see... but, still. ]

I don't have time for jokes.

[snapfan]

Geh- do you really think I'd climb all the way up here to tell a joke?!

[Well, actually he would. But now isn't the time for that!! Tenka's expression falls flat for a brief moment, unusually serious. It actually helps to note now that he isn't exactly looking at Sousei, and is blankly fixing his gaze a bit away from him.]

If you continue to persist, I'll just prove it to you. But I'm telling you now, all I see is murky darkness.

[officing]

[ sousei studies that, and his eyes narrow, a frown crossing his face before he turns on his heel (still leaving tenka hanging there). a long silence stretches throughout the room before he decides to speak up again, back turned. ]

Why did you come here?

[snapfan]

[Tenka nearly scoffs, and instead focuses on pushing himself through the window. Sousei...blunt as always!] Because I have two little brothers who would surely wake the dead with their pleading cries for someone, anyone to help their beloved big brother...

[He is SO loved, didn't you know??] I couldn't risk them running their mouths to our doctor so I escaped as soon as I lost my sight! Ahahaha! [He chokes off in a wheeze- still dangling from a window here!!- wincing.] Ah, they're probably looking for me, though. Completely lost and bereft without me!

Believe it or not, I need the help of the Yamainu for this one.

[officing]

[ that sets something off in sousei, whether he wants it to or not. suddenly he whips around, grabs tenka by his upper arm, and yanks him through– clearly still not considering tenka’s comfort on any level, and totally uncaring about whether or not he crashes to the ground afterward. ]

And? What do you think I can do for you? [ his teeth grit. no… he knows he can help. the yamainu definitely have the resources to aid tenka. he’s just speaking heatedly, and he knows it. ]

The Yamainu doesn’t exist to be at your disposal. No matter how much you think it does. [ his words lose their proper conviction when he remembers the way tenka looks… lost, almost, vision vacant. and, almost tiredly: ] This has nothing to do with me.

[snapfan]

[The grip on his wrist comes too quick and too unexpected for him to react properly.] Eh-

Oof!! [DOWN he goes, crashing chin first onto the polished wooden floor as the rest of his body finally pushes through the window. He groans briefly, lifting a hand to rub his chin, and opens his mouth to whine rather loudly-

and pauses. He can't see Sousei, but somehow, just by the way he talks...Tenka thinks he knows the look on his face. His mouth makes a small frown, eyes blankly gazing at the floor as he listens.

Well, he always was pretty selfish, right?

Tenka pushes himself up on his knees, giving his cheek a rub for good measure.] Well, I believe you're right about that one. It really was too much to ask, huh? I couldn't expect the Yamainu to deal with such a delicate situation...

[But before he can dig himself into a deeper hole he smiles again, looking up at wherever he thinks Sousei might be.] So think of it as a personal request! From one citizen in need to one Captain of the Yamainu! From me to you.

[Tenka lifts a hand, beaming.] How about it, then? Haha!

[officing]

It’s– [ it isn’t in their department.

it doesn’t oblige their help.

it’s not worth changing his perspective over.

it’s not worth forgiving you over.


sousei stares motionless and unyielding at tenka’s hand, before he turns around again, this time, ready to leave. ] Unless it has something to do with the Orochi, I’m directing you to the prefectural doctors.

[ and yet, somewhere in there, he might be admitting that he’ll at least hear him out. ]

1/2 omf

[snapfan]

[It's?

With his eyesight gone, his remaining senses have heightened tenfold to adjust to his surroundings, and although he's only been blind less than a few hours, his keen hearing picks up on the brief hesitation there.

It's so quick, like a bird's wing- fluttering one second, then gone the next. Tenka's lips purse together as he hears those heavy boots move away again. Sousei. His smile withers just a tad, hand lowering back to his side.

Our duty has always been in regards to the Orochi. There is a time and place for everything, but certainly not that. And by the looks of it, Sousei was merely going to hand him off to a bunch of prodding docors. Ah. If Sousei wants him to ham it up...tch.

Then why not?!]

[snapfan]

H-Hrgh...

Ugh, [Tenka drops- literally, onto his stomach while emitting an odd kind of groan. He keeps this up for a minute longer, his voice emitting something resembling indigestion.] Doctors...they wouldn't understand a thing, Sousei!

They wouldn't believe- eugh, that something as simple as tea could cause blindness...!

[WELL, at least he finally admitted the cause of it!] Be a dear, help me up, w-won't you...?

[officing]

[ … ]

... Huh?

[ did he just say tea? sousei glances over his shoulder and observes tenka’s crumpled form with a hesitance tenka was probably hoping for. those noises weren’t pleasant at all and certainly stopped him from heading out the door.

he turns to tenka, but still, doesn’t help him. ]

I refuse to believe tea did this to you.

This is a joke after all, isn’t it? [ goddammit tenka he’s just going to kill you and be done with it. ]

[snapfan]

[Tenka's head whips up so quick it's a blur, pain and indigestion suddenly gone.] Sousei, it's not a joke!

I swear, on the dignity and pride that is held by the Kumou Family, that I'm actually the victim here! Of course, one wouldn't expect their morning tea to be poisoned of all things, although I do wonder if this is a new attempt at getting me to drink less alcohol, and I do wonder on Shirasu's knowledge on all things toxic-

But, besides all that! [Tenka's hand dives into his robes, fishing around for a second before revealing what seems to be an innocent brown pouch.] If I'm correct, this is a tea bag, right? Normal looking? Well, it just so happens I had a sip of this stuff just this morning...

...and before I knew it, my sight had disappeared! Sousei. [His face shifts, from vaguely amazed to stern. He really hopes he's looking at Sousei right now!] It's too strange to leave alone, don't you think?

[officing]

[ he’s looking at him full front, now. the absurdity– no, perhaps… immediate danger of this information finally allows sousei to forget anything else he felt personally about tenka coming here, especially once he considers the idea that whatever did this to tenka could be spreading. as he continues, sousei approaches him, and once tenka is done he can perhaps feel sousei’s hand carefully taking the bag from his grip.

there’s a long pause as he considers, feeling it, smelling it, and then placing it on his desk so that it doesn’t seep too far into his hands. ] I can’t detect anything on it. [ but he supposes tenka would be able to as well. ] But if it is in fact poisoned, it’s possible it’s being distributed somewhere.

[ a beat. ]

I’ll look into it. [ there’s a falter in his conviction when he realizes the only reason he’s agreeing so easily now is because he trusts tenka, and that slight pang in him keeps him still from helping tenka up.

he’ll continue on, though. ] How much did you have?

[snapfan]

[Well, that's just fine because Tenka is already lifting himself up, grinning just a bit now at the change of tune. That is, until he brushes at his clothing with a slight scowl on his face- he can't tell heads or tail with anything, even the state of his robe.] About half a cup. The peddler who sold me the package said there were only two bags inside, so I naturally assu-

Ah! The peddler! [Tenka slaps a hand over his forehead with frightening accuracy.] Of course! Somehow, I can't recall what he looked like, but I do remember the voice.

We should- [Tenka's hand means to stretch out and guide his way from any obstacles that might be in front of him, but what he doesn't realize is how close Sousei is, or how

close his face is. Which he's just swatted with a hand.] AH...s-sorry!!

[officing]

[ sousei had been studying the tea bag distantly from the front of his desk and was just concentrated enough that tenka’s hand makes contact with the side of his head before he realizes he was even close. sousei flinches once… and is suddenly deathly quiet. ] ...

... [ … ] Tenka.


Go wash your hands. [ and that’s it?

there’s a room to do just that across the hallway, very near– but sousei is going to let him get there on his own. ] And come right back. I don’t need you plaguing the other members with your presence today.

[snapfan]

[Tenka slowly retracts his hand and bites the inside of his cheek at the same time. Don't be childish, don't be crude.] Oh? Is it because I'm more enjoyable to be around?

Say no more, Sousei-kun! I understand completely! [And Tenka, being the cheeky brat he is, somehow manages to bound past Sousei and make it to the hallway.] Ahaha! What a rude person you are...

[At least now he's preoccupied with groping the walls of the hallway, grumbling and cursing softly as he does- barely any noise bounces off these walls! Although he does find the room soon enough, and begins his perilous journey to find the sink and wash his hands of whatever substance Sousei assumes is still on them.

After a second, there's a loud clank and some vague muttering in the distance.]

[officing]

[ seeing as tenka has already downed half a cup of this stuff, he imagines whatever effect the residue on his hands would do will have already been done. frankly, he just wanted tenka out of there for the moment, and he doesn’t bother retaliating to any of that before he stumbles his way out.

and as he’s doing that, sousei cleans off his hands (and the side of his face) with a handkerchief after having quarantined the tea bag in another bag and a box. he’ll send that in soon enough, when the other members aren’t busy.

once he hears that clank, he sighs and decidedly approaches the exit.

wherever tenka is when sousei opens the door, sousei opts to use his voice instead of grabbing the man– however impatient he’s feeling at this point. ] Get in.

yea

[snapfan]

[One doesn't simply accept that they've lost all sight in their eyes gracefully– it just doesn't happen. Tenka, above all else, is fallibly human... but one wouldn't think so by looking at him at the moment. He beams at the reflection he can't see in the chipped mirror and dutifully listens for Sousei just outside his door.] Oh? Done with the evidence already, Sousei? [He hums, mostly to himself.]

[With one arm languidly tucked into the seam of his robes he steps into the adjoining office– the corner of his eyes crinkled just slightly as he takes in the creak of the floorboards beneath them, the singing birds outside the window.]

So then! [Tenka grins broadly and hopefully somewhere in Sousei's direction.] Have an idea of where to start? Incapacitated as I am, I'm sure I could point you to the right direction if I just had a bit of help myself!

[officing]

There's little I can do with a soaked tea bag at the moment. [ a simple and blunt response as he begins slipping out a few log books of officially sanctioned merchants in tenka's area; where they come from, where they typically travel. the information is basic and limited– although they are typically more competent than the local police, this information is plainly some the yamainu have no need to keep updated themselves. ] I'll have Ashiya analyze it for traces of a curse once he's returned.

[ stranger than assuming tenka would be susceptible to a common criminal's dabbling in onmyoudou is sousei divulging his plans to the yamainu's only ex-member.

... there's no denying that the situation is potentially dangerous, but he refuses still– to work alongside tenka again. his clenched jaw eases after considering tenka's offer, resolute in his reponse. ]

Yes, we'll have you start by answering some questions, Kumou Tenka. After that, you may return home until the effects presumably wear off.

[ with that, tenka becomes a mere citizen with a concern the leader of the yamainu is addressing. the empty distance of a burned bridge measured in an instant.

the answer is simple: absolutely not. he will not work with tenka as an equal. after all, tenka declared that he was above the yamainu's purpose when he left, didn't he? sousei decides he'll deal with this situation without even humoring such a traitor. ] Sit down.

[snapfan]

[It hardly takes working eyes or even a glance for Tenka to know that Sousei is not addressing him. Not properly. He's speaking to him the way he would any resident of the area– and even then he finds it far too detached! How does the Captain of the Yamainu expect to comfort some poor villager with a tone as icy as that?

Tenka smiles faintly.

Ah, but that isn't the purpose of the Yamainu, is it? It never was.] Yes, yes!

Anything you say, Sou–sei. [He says breezily, swinging his arm forward until he catches the edge of the chair. From there he shuffles towards it and plops down unceremoniously, letting out a groan far too loud to be exasperated.] I must admit, I didn't expect losing all sight to be so taxing! Maybe we could have some biscuits sent up here? Tea perhaps?

Ah– or maybe that wouldn't be the best idea... [He mumbles around the words, just a hint of bemusement hidden under them. How he wishes he could see the stiff line of Sousei's shoulders– wishes he could chop a hand between them to get him to relax. His sandals scraps the floorboard restlessly.

How he wishes he could see right about now, regardless of the circumstances.] I, Kumou Tenka, will answer to the best of my ability!