[Meng Long]

[nospaces]

[attr="class","ilikeyoumain"]

[attr="class","ilikeyouhead"]

[attr="class","ilikeyouheadimage"]

[attr="class","ilikeyouheadtext"]
The Tea Time Talks

[attr="class","ilikeyouheadsubtext"]Where there’s tea there’s hope.

[attr="class","ilikeyoutext"]

The Quad was a large space. While the far-off areas were regarded by the students as a place to hide away from the prying eyes of others, there was certainly one place that was hard to overlook. The central fountain of the Quad was, by some accounts, a large and garish construct. For Meng it was a very calming place. The sound of flowing water always calmed her mind. That made the fountain her favourite part of the Quad, and it was where she would drink a cup of tea if her daily schedule allowed it.[break] [break]

Today was one of those days. She had an hour to herself in the afternoon, without any pressing matters taking this away from her. She had brought a thermos filled with hot water, as well as the other necessities to make a cup of tea, stored in her robes as she walked over towards one of the benches surrounding the fountain. She took her seat, and began to brew an acceptable cup considering the conditions. She needed to resort to using tea bags, but Meng suspected that it would still be an enjoyable cup of chamomile tea when it was done. [break] [break]

Meng Long, Haven's oldest faculty member, was known to have her tea at this place. She has been doing it for well over a decade at this point, and even the new class would have most likely taken note of the ritual. Perhaps more importantly, it was also the time of day that she was the most amiable. Over the years, many a student have been given good advice at this very fountain. Some have even been given a lenient re-evaluation of a grade they received from her. if they gave at least somewhat of a convincing reason of course. [break] [break]

It was pleasant weather outside considering the month, with only a few clouds dotting the sky. Her tea was almost done steeping, and nobody had yet approached the old woman. There couldn't be a more opportune moment.[break] [break]

[attr="class","ilikeyoufoot"]

[attr="class","ilikeyoufoottext"]WORDS: 334
[break]
Thread Total: 334
[break]
NOTES: Grandma wants a chat!

✵

[newclass=".ilikeyoumain"]width:550px;border:solid 1px #eeeeff;margin:5px;background-color:#fff;padding:10px;[/newclass]
[newclass=".ilikeyouhead"]height:100px; background-color:#6c7681;padding:10px;[/newclass]
[newclass=".ilikeyouheadtext"]color:#eee;text-align:center;padding:15px;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:18px;font-family: 'Lato', sans-serif;[/newclass]
[newclass=".ilikeyouheadsubtext"]text-transform:lowercase;width:350px;border-top:solid 1.5px #eeeeff;font-size:12px;font-family: 'Lato', sans-serif;text-align:center;[/newclass]
[newclass=".ilikeyouheadimage"]float:right;padding:10px;border:solid 1px #eeeeff;margin:15px;height:120px;width:120px;[/newclass]
[newclass=".ilikeyouheadimage img"]height:115px;width:115px;[/newclass]
[newclass=".ilikeyoutext"]padding:20px;text-align:justify;font-size:12px; font-family: 'Roboto', sans-serif;[/newclass]
[newclass=".ilikeyoutext b"]color:#6c7681;font-size:12px;letter-spacing:.5px;font-style:bold;[/newclass]
[newclass=".ilikeyoutext i"]color:#6c7681;font-size:12px;font-style:italic;[/newclass]
[newclass=".ilikeyoufoot"]background-color:#6c7681;height:80px;[/newclass]
[newclass=".ilikeyoufoottext"]color:#eee;padding:20px;text-align:left;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:10px;font-family: 'Lato', sans-serif;[/newclass]

[googlefont="Roboto"][googlefont="Lato"]

[Deleted]

Each passing day it only seemed to get worse. The masquerade he had carved to fit his face helped for people to not notice it, but for him, what was happening was clear as day. As that fateful date approached, his mind sunk deeper and deeper into the sorrow he thought he buried months ago. But it seems he just lied to himself said months ago. After all, how can you easily let go of what nearly drives you to commit that? And so, every passing day seemed to stretch more and more than the last, and his willpower to bear them diminished fast.

And now, as he walked alone through the seemingly deserted quad, his eyes lazily drifted through what few clouds showed their faces in the sky. Holding in his hand the locket which had his and Aarden picture with such enough force that what little brainpower he could muster was wondering how the hell the thing hasn't bent yet.

After a couple more minutes of aimless drift, he finally stopped a couple meters away from the fountain and saw the person currently sitting on the benches near it. It was Miss Long, one of the few teachers that Ryan truly appreciated in the Academy and the one that taught the classes that Ryan really looked forward to. He had never talked to her, like with most Haven if he was being honest, but that woman had a certain air around her that simply made Ryan feel calm. And so, his sole functioning neuron made a choice.

On increasingly unsteady feet, he approached the bench the woman was using and slumped down at her side. Deep down, another waking neuron couldn't help but wonder why he was doing this, what he was going to do now? But the other, far more lucid one told the other to shut up. Because even if they didn't talk, he needed to be calm now.

And unconsciously, the tightening around the locket disappeared, and he just held it by the chain as it now dangled freely.

---

Word Count: 344
Total Count: 344

[Meng Long]

[nospaces]

[attr="class","ilikeyoumain"]

[attr="class","ilikeyouhead"]

[attr="class","ilikeyouheadimage"]

[attr="class","ilikeyouheadtext"]
The Tea Time Talks

[attr="class","ilikeyouheadsubtext"]Where there’s tea there’s hope.

[attr="class","ilikeyoutext"]

Meng seemed to have had her gaze on the boy before he came close to the fountain. He didn't make any effort to hide his presence, however, as he seemed to be consumed by some sort of sorrow. Should I walk over and ask what is wrong? Is he homesick, or did someone say something mean? These youngsters needed to steel themselves for when the time is right, but to harden one's heart is a skill that even some professional Huntsmen are unable to accomplish. Ignoring emotion is never the solution, it is knowing how to find peace with the turmoil within the soul. [break] [break]

Guidance was key, and Meng Long was one of the few with a more gentle approach.[break] [break]

Luckily the boy came over towards Meng, and the aged teacher gave a nod of understanding when he approached. She made sure that he had enough space if he wanted to sit down. It was good that he did, as a talk with most likely help Meng discover the source of his sadness, and maybe give a hint as to how to deal with it. Miracles can't be done in a day, but one can always set the first step on that path.[break] [break]

Meng saw a locket in the boy's hands, and she was curious as to what was held within. Hmm, perhaps a general gesture of understanding was the best first approach. It wasn't like him to be sad. He was usually so spirited, and certain of himself. The senior educator turned her face towards her new bench mate, and asked in a pleasant tone of voice: "What can I do to help you, Aarden?" [break] [break]

It took but a second to realize her mistake. A mistake easily made, a slip of the tongue. One name, so connected to the other. By blood, by face, by name. [break] [break]

Still, it was a grave mistake. Meng Long's face froze when she understood her error, before her countenance shifted. Still kind, but very much aware of the situation now. Grief was most likely the source of young Ryan's trouble, and her own words certainly wouldn't help. You are a hagged old crone, Meng! Apologize![break] [break]

The woman turned her gaze away from the young man, her eyes fixed on the fountain before they were downcast to an imaginary point in front of her on the ground. Her tone was still filled with compassion, but also regret and sorrow. Enough emotion to be noticeable, but not enough to consume the woman herself in total misery. "I am sorry, Ryan."

[attr="class","ilikeyoufoot"]

[attr="class","ilikeyoufoottext"]WORDS: 424
[break]
Thread Total: 758
[break]
NOTES: Grandma made a mistake!

✵

[newclass=".ilikeyoumain"]width:550px;border:solid 1px #eeeeff;margin:5px;background-color:#fff;padding:10px;[/newclass]
[newclass=".ilikeyouhead"]height:100px; background-color:#6c7681;padding:10px;[/newclass]
[newclass=".ilikeyouheadtext"]color:#eee;text-align:center;padding:15px;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:18px;font-family: 'Lato', sans-serif;[/newclass]
[newclass=".ilikeyouheadsubtext"]text-transform:lowercase;width:350px;border-top:solid 1.5px #eeeeff;font-size:12px;font-family: 'Lato', sans-serif;text-align:center;[/newclass]
[newclass=".ilikeyouheadimage"]float:right;padding:10px;border:solid 1px #eeeeff;margin:15px;height:120px;width:120px;[/newclass]
[newclass=".ilikeyouheadimage img"]height:115px;width:115px;[/newclass]
[newclass=".ilikeyoutext"]padding:20px;text-align:justify;font-size:12px; font-family: 'Roboto', sans-serif;[/newclass]
[newclass=".ilikeyoutext b"]color:#6c7681;font-size:12px;letter-spacing:.5px;font-style:bold;[/newclass]
[newclass=".ilikeyoutext i"]color:#6c7681;font-size:12px;font-style:italic;[/newclass]
[newclass=".ilikeyoufoot"]background-color:#6c7681;height:80px;[/newclass]
[newclass=".ilikeyoufoottext"]color:#eee;padding:20px;text-align:left;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:10px;font-family: 'Lato', sans-serif;[/newclass]

[googlefont="Roboto"][googlefont="Lato"]

[Deleted]

The name struck Ryan's brain like an arrow. One by one, slowly at first but then with the force of a hurricane, all of the memories with his brother which he had managed to lock away flooded his mind. All of the laughs, the cries, the ups and downs, the wins and the defeats that he had tried so desperately to forget so he could move on.

But it's impossible to forget about the person that impacted your life the most.

And so, it was simply too much to bear for him. Whatever Miss Long say afterward wasn't registered by Ryan as his mind already overwhelmed by sorrow and grief tried to keep itself together. But the second his name was uttered, it was simply a missing battle as ground was slowly, but surely, lost. Leaning forward while resting his elbows on his knees, he dropped his head on his palms. Then, he finally couldn't contain it anymore as months of grief, sorrow, and other emotions he couldn't name were freed from his soul through tears. He didn't care if his glasess were wetted, he didn't care if his voice leaked out. He just wanted to move on.

Thus, with only the sound of the fountain and Ryan crying to be heard, he just let it all go. There was simply no point in fighting back anymore. And the locket, now with no strength left to held it, fell to the ground with a soft metallic click.

---

Word Count: 246
Total Count: 590

[Meng Long]

[nospaces]

[attr="class","ilikeyoumain"]

[attr="class","ilikeyouhead"]

[attr="class","ilikeyouheadimage"]

[attr="class","ilikeyouheadtext"]
The Tea Time Talks

[attr="class","ilikeyouheadsubtext"]Where there’s tea there’s hope.

[attr="class","ilikeyoutext"]

The moment Ryan collapsed in grief, was the moment Long truly cursed herself internally for her words, wishing nothing more than to have taken them back. It was clear to see that Ryan hadn't fully griefed over the loss of his brother. Well loosing someone close is never easy, Long couldn't imagine how it must feel like to lose a twin. The mirror image with who this boy spend so much time together, most likely. Aarden, why did she needed to say that name?[break] [break]

Aarden, what was he like again? She knew how he looked, and that he was a helpful student when he was still alive. The kind who looked out for others. Was he strong? Honestly, she didn't quite remember. Meng Long had tutored many huntsmen over her years, but quite honestly, she had a rather odd position. While of course she knew that the Academy's purpose was to ensure that their alumni were capable warriors, she was not the most attentive in keeping up with their fighting capability. She didn't teach any combat classes, nor was she truly spry enough to get into the thick of it herself. She kept up with basic training exercises to keep sharp, but that was it.[break] [break]

Still, this young man's grief was now important. Meng wanted to reach out for Ryan, but waited for a moment as she needed to be careful to give the proper response. Too much affection, and it might have a reverse effect. In the end, Meng Long opted for placing her hand on Ryan's back. It was a show of support as he wept, but it was not too intrusive as he was dealing with his expression of grief right now. Luckily, the Quad was rather abandoned at the moment save for the two of them. Meng Long gave but a few words of encouragement, and to let Ryan know that she sympathized with his outburst. "Let it out, Mr. Vas. One cannot grief truly without the tears to show for it." [break] [break]

She noticed the pendant falling from Ryan's hand, but she didn't want to take hold of it. She would alert Ryan about it if he left without picking up.[break] [break]

[attr="class","ilikeyoufoot"]

[attr="class","ilikeyoufoottext"]WORDS: 334
[break]
Thread Total: 1092
[break]
NOTES: Grandma tries to make up for her msitake!

✵

[newclass=".ilikeyoumain"]width:550px;border:solid 1px #eeeeff;margin:5px;background-color:#fff;padding:10px;[/newclass]
[newclass=".ilikeyouhead"]height:100px; background-color:#6c7681;padding:10px;[/newclass]
[newclass=".ilikeyouheadtext"]color:#eee;text-align:center;padding:15px;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:18px;font-family: 'Lato', sans-serif;[/newclass]
[newclass=".ilikeyouheadsubtext"]text-transform:lowercase;width:350px;border-top:solid 1.5px #eeeeff;font-size:12px;font-family: 'Lato', sans-serif;text-align:center;[/newclass]
[newclass=".ilikeyouheadimage"]float:right;padding:10px;border:solid 1px #eeeeff;margin:15px;height:120px;width:120px;[/newclass]
[newclass=".ilikeyouheadimage img"]height:115px;width:115px;[/newclass]
[newclass=".ilikeyoutext"]padding:20px;text-align:justify;font-size:12px; font-family: 'Roboto', sans-serif;[/newclass]
[newclass=".ilikeyoutext b"]color:#6c7681;font-size:12px;letter-spacing:.5px;font-style:bold;[/newclass]
[newclass=".ilikeyoutext i"]color:#6c7681;font-size:12px;font-style:italic;[/newclass]
[newclass=".ilikeyoufoot"]background-color:#6c7681;height:80px;[/newclass]
[newclass=".ilikeyoufoottext"]color:#eee;padding:20px;text-align:left;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:10px;font-family: 'Lato', sans-serif;[/newclass]

[googlefont="Roboto"][googlefont="Lato"]

[Deleted]

Time flew by slowly as the tears he never allowed himself to shed left his eyes en masse. One, two, three-who knows how many minutes he spent sited there finally allowing himself to openly grieve the loss of Aarden. Meanwhile, deep down on his heart, he berated himself for doing this to himself. Why had he tried to keep a strong facade? Who was he trying to lie to other than himself?

Ever since that day, he had lied to himself. Saying that Aarden had left. Speaking with himself in the way Aarden would. Locking away memories, and, gods forgive him, by even trying to forget that Aarden even existed. But as tears washed away all the bottled-up grief and liberated locks and torn down walls. Ryan's mind finally allowed itself to use the single word it had never dared to place near his brother's name.

Aarden was as dead as someone can be. And nothing, nothing would bring him back. He has to stop lying to himself. He has to stop pushing back everything he had pushed.

But it was easier said than done. But for now, even if subconsciously, Ryan had taken the first step to focus on the good times with his brother, than to just focus on the tragic final hours. After another couple of minutes, he finally stopped crying. Cleaning his eyes, he stared down at the floor in silence. There where so many things he wanted to say to Miss Long.

But he just couldn't. His vow, no matter how stupid the reason for him taking it must've been, still existed. And he was going to uphold for as long as he could. So he simply sat there. Staring down at the nothingness.

But then, he felt his left hand weirdly empty. Slightly clenching it down, he noticed that the locket was no longer there. In a fit of panic, he looked through the floor until his eyes caught the soft glint reflecting off it. Picking it up, he stared at its circular form as his fingers, ever so slowly, almost as if he didn't want to, opened it to see the picture inside.

And for the first time in months., the picture only evoked a smile.

---

Word Count: 357
Total Count: 947

[Meng Long]

[nospaces]

[attr="class","ilikeyoumain"]

[attr="class","ilikeyouhead"]

[attr="class","ilikeyouheadimage"]

[attr="class","ilikeyouheadtext"]
The Tea Time Talks

[attr="class","ilikeyouheadsubtext"]Where there’s tea there’s hope.

[attr="class","ilikeyoutext"]

While it was such a familiar scene, Long honestly wished that it wasn't. Having lived for over six decades, she was no stranger to grief gripping at her own heart, or at the hearts of those who stood around her. Both the bloody war and violent peace she had survived claimed the life of many. Enemies, friends, distant family, colleagues, strangers she was supposed to have protected better. Misery seems to follow a huntsman till it catches up with them one day. While Long might not have fallen in the war, or in the field as a Huntress, she knows that misery did not end for her. Like a silent predator it laid in waiting, making her almost feel at ease thinking she was safe from it.[break] [break]

She wasn't. In one day she had lost not only almost all her students, but also her colleagues who she knew for over a decade.[break] [break]

You would think that if a tower has been standing for a century, just another storm would not tarnish it truly. The tower knows the fury of storms, and the changing of the seasons. It had withstood attacks from all sides, and different flags fluttering on top. Others know that the tower is sturdy, that it has this history even if they do not know the details. They can see the tapestries on its walls, and learn that what the tower wishes to teach. Never the whole story. Even if the storm might have given it a few new cracks, it remained sturdy even if everything around it was swept away in that storm. You have to rely on something, do you not? People come to it for comfort, come to it for shelter when they need it. Even if age had made it unsuitable for battle, people imagine the battles it has been in and that it came out still standing. Maybe its cracked walls and missing tiles give it charm, even. Nothing that has lived such a life as that tower would remain without crumbling a little bit. Still, the foundations were strong, and so were the walls, and the roof. [break] [break]

So, the tower could not deny this new seeker of refuge. Lost after the storm, all he could do was weep the tears he had denied himself, it seemed. A victim of tragedy, even if they did not even felt the rain on their face but only heard the thunder in the distance. Shaped through loss and fear, and regret perhaps? It could not cave in now. Not till the day people looked at the tower for shelter and comfort. When the day had come that the tower could keep upright anymore, and when the thousand tiny cracks became too much to bear, then it could collapse and slowly pass out of memory.[break] [break]

So, Long merely let Ryan take comfort in the mere fact that she was present, and fully accepting of his emotion and grief. While the compassion was unmistakably clear in her eyes, Long kept herself from shedding tears. This was not her moment, not the time to crumbling. When Ryan was done with crying, the old woman removed her hand from his back. She noticed the panic in the boy, and saw how it receded again when he had discovered the new location of the pendant. Taking it back in his hands again, Long seemed happy that looking at the picture brought Ryan some measure of joy instead of more tears. While his grief wasn't over, Long thought, this was at least a step that needed to be made in the right direction.[break] [break]

After giving Ryan a moment to enjoy this feeling, Long did upon her mouth again. She wanted to let Ryan know that she would be here for him. "I do wish for you to know, Mr. Vas, that you may always confide in me. Even without a voice, the heart has no trouble speaking. While everyone has their own burden to bear in the end, seeking comfort in the company of others is something I can almost always advice." After her hopefully encouraging words, the teacher presented a cup of lukewarm chamomile tea to Ryan. "What I do not advice if letting this tea grow any colder. Please, take it. It calms the mind."

[attr="class","ilikeyoufoot"]

[attr="class","ilikeyoufoottext"]WORDS: 712
[break]
Thread Total: 1805
[break]
NOTES: Grandma offers life lessons!

✵

[newclass=".ilikeyoumain"]width:550px;border:solid 1px #eeeeff;margin:5px;background-color:#fff;padding:10px;[/newclass]
[newclass=".ilikeyouhead"]height:100px; background-color:#6c7681;padding:10px;[/newclass]
[newclass=".ilikeyouheadtext"]color:#eee;text-align:center;padding:15px;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:18px;font-family: 'Lato', sans-serif;[/newclass]
[newclass=".ilikeyouheadsubtext"]text-transform:lowercase;width:350px;border-top:solid 1.5px #eeeeff;font-size:12px;font-family: 'Lato', sans-serif;text-align:center;[/newclass]
[newclass=".ilikeyouheadimage"]float:right;padding:10px;border:solid 1px #eeeeff;margin:15px;height:120px;width:120px;[/newclass]
[newclass=".ilikeyouheadimage img"]height:115px;width:115px;[/newclass]
[newclass=".ilikeyoutext"]padding:20px;text-align:justify;font-size:12px; font-family: 'Roboto', sans-serif;[/newclass]
[newclass=".ilikeyoutext b"]color:#6c7681;font-size:12px;letter-spacing:.5px;font-style:bold;[/newclass]
[newclass=".ilikeyoutext i"]color:#6c7681;font-size:12px;font-style:italic;[/newclass]
[newclass=".ilikeyoufoot"]background-color:#6c7681;height:80px;[/newclass]
[newclass=".ilikeyoufoottext"]color:#eee;padding:20px;text-align:left;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:10px;font-family: 'Lato', sans-serif;[/newclass]

[googlefont="Roboto"][googlefont="Lato"]

[Jay]

XP Distribution

@redhood: 9 XP
85 + 9 = 94

Meng Long: 18 XP
43 + 18 = 61