"Sorry about that, Lord Geun-tae."

"Nah, kids these days are curious! You sure brought a special one with you, huh?"

Tae-woo paused at that.

This guy... Tae-woo kind of wanted to punch him, but he held back, he definitely knows something is up with Noo-ri. Goddamit.

"I'm not sure what Mun-dok was thinking, but it's better if you don't bring that child around palaces as often as you probably do," Geun-tae told them, opening a door to a particularly scenic veranda, "I mean, mute people can't really live in the palace."

At that, Tae-woo and Han-dae paused, confused.

They had walked almost the whole of the Earth Tribe Castle for now, so they were taking a break with some tea that Chul-rang promised to serve them.

None of them had any particular interest in tea or cakes, but it was a formality.

"I mean, he's disabled, right?" Geun-tae said offhandedly, as if it were common sense-- and it was-- "they're automatically classified as a low-ranking citizen in the social hierarchy, regardless of heritage."

And that-- that was a surprise.

"Isn't that old thinking?" Han-dae spoke out of turn but he couldn't be bothered to control himself. The anger seeped through his voice, "King Il has begun movement on helping the disabled become a contributing part of the community--"

"Traditions don't change easily," Geun-tae was firm and unfazed, "the citizens may be more accepting of the disabled-- they've been coexisting further than King Il's reign, after all-- it's the nobles and the royalty that express discontent."

"But--"

"Han-dae," Tae-woo spoke up, sternly, "sign is considered the tongue of war and the language of the lowly. Noo-ri knows that-- that's why he didn't try to speak to Yun-ho just now in the garden."

And Han-dae clamped his mouth shut, irritated but speechless.

"There's nothing we can do about it. Maybe in another decade or something, mindsets will change, but for now, people like that kid are nothing to the economy," Geun-tae tells them, "they can't find work, they can't do business, they can barely be a servant in a little house, because people don't think they're capable."

Tae-woo's fist clenched over the table as they all sat down.

The beautiful view, yet such a morose topic.

"So, back to what I was actually interested in," Geun-tae's tone lifted, changing into a beaming grin, "so, why did Mun-dok put a boy in a dress? I want all the details."

Pause.

"Fuck, when did you find out?"

"Already dropping the manners? I like you already!"

-

"Ah, oh my."

Noo-ri had tried to pour tea,but he'd missed the cup. Only realizing a second too late he'd spilled the precious tea all over the counter.

Setting the jug down quickly, he bowed his head in shame.

Yun-ho had reached for a rag quickly, soaking up the spillage before it'd dripped to the floors. Some maids had fetched a wet cloth to clean up.

What a shameful display. He couldn't even act the part of a maid right-- this was even his best skill... why did he fumble, though?

Ah, because half of his vision is obstructed by the cloth mask. It made sense that his depth perception was awry. He should have made doubly sure.

"It's fine, Noo-ri, sweetie, lift your head, we all make mistakes..."

Reaching up to his cloth mask but not removing it, he cast Yun-ho another apologetic look.

Yun-ho watched his actions for a few moments-- then smiled.

"Wanna try again?" she suggested, reaching over to Noo-ri's sleeve, folding it upward once then tucking them in so they weren't as loose.

Almost shyly, Noo-ri brushed his bangs away from his face, and flushed a little before he nodded.

Yun-ho beamed.

"So, Noo-ri, where did you come from?" Yun-ho asked, "Lord Mun-dok must've picked you up from somewhere... Sky?"

Noo-ri shook his head.

"Water?" Yun-ho wondered, but Noo-ri shook his head again, so, "you're from Fire? No wonder your hands are so chapped and calloused."

When Yun-ho clasped Noo-ri's hands in hers, Noo-ri tore away in surprise. His hands were not the roughest, but it was definitely scabbed around the edges and the skin peeled from dryness. It was clean, but nasty to look at compared to Lady Yun-ho's smooth, gentle, and beautiful fingers.

Yun-ho giggled at the flustered reaction.

This time, when they handled the leaves, swirled the spoon in the pot, and poured the tea into cups-- Noo-ri was calm. He imagined himself in the past, joyfully brewing a pot for the same crowd, knowing their reactions would come in the same sequence.

Zeno would lovingly enjoy it. Abi would grudgingly admit it was delicious. Shuten and Guen both hated it, but they made sure to drink at least half of it every time, only leaving or discarding any in case of a fight. They never refused the tea.

And King Hiyuu would drink it calmly, savouring every drop, and smile in gratitude.

(Those were Sang's happiest, most useful days.)

Noo-ri made no mistakes this time. Serving up a cup just for him and Yun-ho, he set the pot aside and he held his hands together in a prayer, closing his eyes.

(May your hearts soar and your soul be at ease.)

Yun-ho cast him a curious look, but did not interrupt him. Noo-ri gestured for her to go right ahead, and Yun-ho reached for a cup quickly, admiring the pleasant aroma that wafted from the concoction.

Amazing.

Even she had never been able to bring out the aroma of the leaves this far. Was it in the way the leaves were steamed? The pot was warmed? Or the temperature of the water? She was so, so curious.

And when Yun-ho took a sip, the gentlest, softest smile bloomed onto her face. The response came so naturally to her, she only noticed she was smiling when she leaned in to take her next sip.

It was so warm-- so warm, she almost felt like crying.

"The tea you make is so kind," she told him, dabbing away the wetness at the edge of her eyes-- "I wonder what's come over me."

Something beyond her, something in her blood cried out for the warmth of home.

-

They walk in on Guen-tae bursting into laughter.

Chul-rang, his advisor, was there too, though his chuckling was far more controlled. Tae-woo and Han-dae had their faces in their hands.

"Oh, Yun-ho, come one in!" Guen-tae exclaimed when he spotted the pair, "the kids were just telling me the funniest story in the world. And kids, try out Yun-ho's tea. She's still trying things out, though."

"Noo-ri!" Han-dae noticed the maid-boy, holding a tray of tea behind Yun-ho. He waved for two seconds, then ran up to take the tray from the boy's hand.

Noo-ri's face fell, almost exasperated. What's the point of a maid if you help her with the chores? Are we still doing the maid thing? Can I take off the dress?

"Did you make a friend?" Tae-woo teased the sight.

Noo-ri looked away bashfully, and Yun-ho giggled.

Han-dae set the tray on the table, and Noo-ri reached out for the pot-- missing it by half an inch and nearly knocking over a cup before Tae-woo shot a hand out to keep it firm.

After that initial heart attack moment, they all breathed a sigh of relief and Tae-woo smiled fondly.

"Guess you really can't see well with that mask, huh?" he joked, and Noo-ri wanted to curl up into a hole and cry.

"Is it really that bad?" Guen-tae joked, "I've seen my fair share of ugly scars. Surely one more won't ruin my appetite for stinky tea."

"There's no point in hiding it if we're going to show you everything!" Han-dae insisted, arms held up in a whole big X, "Lord Mun-dok said no, so the answer is no."

"If we hide it wisely, it'll be useful," Tae-woo supplied, taking a cup off the tray and blowing on it before taking a careful sip, "like, for recon or something."

"You are actually insinuating spywork in the Earth Land right in front of me," Guen-tae wrinkled his nose at the tea, but took a cup anyways, "you have some great guts, kid. I expected nothing less from Mun-dok's brats."

"Lord Guen-tae, we are supposed to be having a political conversation," Chul-rang warned them all, casting stern glances at the Earth tribe general, then at the two Wind tykes, "please mind your threats-- both ways."

They all give equally whiny groans in retaliation.

"That aside--" Chul-rang picked up a cup of tea for himself, "this is certainly a splendid aroma, Lady Yun-ho. Are you trying a new blend?"

"Really? I still think it stinks," Tae-woo mumbled.

"It smells stronger than usual," Guen-tae muttered in agreement.

Han-dae picked up a cup for himself. Unlike the other two uneducated muscle-brains, he was the kind that sort of understood the strong smell of tea. But he was the kind that also didn't understand the taste of tea, so he didn't say anything.

"Oh-- no, it's the same blend as usual..." Yun-ho quickly denied, "I was surprised as well... Noo-ri makes such great tea, doesn't she?"

All movement in the vicinity paused.

Guen-tae took another thoughtful sip-- and stared at the teacup, his mind deep in consideration for this new piece of information.

Tae-woo's mouth hung agape in disbelief.

Han-dae took another sip, and laughed.

"Hey, Lord Geun-tae! I don't know a thing about tea and all of that, but you market this, it might sell!"