The hostess that approached wore a chiton that was semi-sheer and embroidered with lightning patterns. Its fabric shimmering and somewhat revealing to what was underneath as she moved to greet them.
"Welcome to Kýpello Keravnós. How may I assist you today?" she asked with a bright smile.
Mirana stepped forward. "A table for three in the lounge area, please. My friend is performing later this afternoon."
"Of course," the hostess replied, her voice melodic and soothing. She led them through the tea house, her strut graceful and fluid. Her lithe movements drew the eyes of a few of the men and women disciples sitting at the tables she passed.
The interior was even more enchanting than the exterior, with low tables surrounded by plush cushions in rich hues of blue and purple. The walls were adorned with delicate tapestries that accented the overall mood.
Under her direction, they settled into their seats. The soft hum of conversations and the occasional burst of laughter around them created a relaxed atmosphere in the lounge area.
The stage was small but well-lit by unique enchanted spot lights in warm tones, and Lassim could see some instruments and a microphone already set up. The air was filled with the faint scent of flowers.
As they waited for the performance to begin, Mirana waved over to a passing waitress.
"Could we have a round of your Thunderbolt Elixir?" she asked, her voice carrying a hint of excitement.
The waitress nodded, a knowing smile on her lips. "Ah, an excellent choice. I’ll bring it right away."
"Thunderbolt Elixir?" Lassim asked.
"Just wait! It’s their specialty tea. It’s got a fun surprise!" Mirana replied.
Moments later, the tea arrived in delicate porcelain cups, each adorned with intricate lightning motifs, keeping a consistent theme. Steam rose gently from the surface, carrying a faint, electrifying aroma that tingled Lassim’s nose.
Each cup was accompanied by a small plate of sweets, intricately designed to resemble miniature storms, their vibrant colors and delicate shapes a testament to the skill of the tea house’s pastry chef.
Lassim took a sip of his tea, feeling a gentle tingle spread through his body, like a current of lightning awakening his mana pathways to expand slightly.
He felt his arm hairs stand up with slight goosebumps as the sensation spread all over him.
The warmth of the tea eased the tension in his muscles, while the tea’s delicate, slightly floral flavor with a hint of spice lingered on his tongue.
The tea’s unique quality of enhancing his connection to the ambient lightning energy around him made his spirit feel more attuned and energized. It was a wonderful combination of flavors and sensations that he thoroughly enjoyed.
They chatted quietly, their voices mingling with the mix of the conversations also happening around them that filled the air as they waited.
"It’s about to begin…," whispered Mirana to the ground as the lights around the walls dimmed. The stage’s spotlights becoming slightly brighter.
The performance began with a soft, haunting melody played on a guzheng, its strings plucked with delicate precision from behind the curtain. The melody roared out like the crack of a thunderstorm at first, creating an almost otherworldly atmosphere.
Lassim watched as a young woman stepped onto the stage from behind the curtain, her movements graceful and fluid.
The beautiful woman looked like a slender but mature musical fairy. She wore an outfit that was not a sect disciple’s clothes but instead one for the performance. It was a flowing dress in light green hues that shimmered with each step, its fabric embroidered with intricate music note patterns.
As she began to sing, her voice clear and melodious carried itself overtop of her playing on the guzheng. The room fell silent, and somewhat entranced as they were captivated by her performance.
The lightning sprites seemed to respond to the music, their glow intensifying and casting ethereal patterns of light on the walls as they flitted about. They danced in rhythm to her voice and notes.
The strings of the instrument lit up with electricity as she strummed and plucked each chord.
A few lightning sprites even started to swirl around her as she belted out lyrics that were uplifting in tune with her melody.
Lassim found himself lost in the music, the worries and stresses of the past week melting away as he watched the lightning sprites dance around her figure.
As the final notes of the song faded, the room erupted in applause, the sound echoing through the tea house.
The performer bowed gracefully, her smile radiant as she accepted the appreciation of the audience.
Mirana’s friend spotted her and waved, her face lighting up. Mirana gave an emphatic double thumbs up which made her friend smile before she hurried off the stage to go change and let the next performer get ready.
"That was amazing," Lassim said, turning to Mirana. "Thank you for bringing us here."
Mirana smiled, her eyes sparkling. "I’m glad you enjoyed it. My friend is incredibly talented, isn’t she?"
"Absolutely," Jiro agreed, slightly dreamy-eyed as he said, "She’s a natural! I could only hope to have a companion like her to melt my worries away with her music like that everyday."
Mirana nodded, her response somewhat naive and oblivious to his meaning, "Indeed. I definitely love her performances too."
As they sat at their table, Mirana’s friend, now clad in her sect robes of deep purple with light blue accents, approached them. Her slender cheeks were flushed with excitement despite the rosy makeup that was added.
"Lina, that was amazing!" Mirana exclaimed, pulling her friend into a tight hug. "Your performance was absolutely breathtaking."
Lina laughed, a bright, bubbly sound that seemed to linger in the atmosphere. "Thank you so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!"
Lassim smiled, still feeling the residual effects of the Thunderbolt Elixir. "You have an incredible voice and such mastery over your instrument! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a lightning cultivator have an instrument as their elemental spirit weapon before. From my experience at the academy, it’s usually wind element cultivators who have that happen, right?"
Lina’s eyes twinkled as she replied, "Oh, I get that a lot! My parents are traveling performers, both wind element cultivators, and they were just as surprised as everyone else when the gods gave me the lightning element at my spirit awakening ceremony. I’m the odd one out in my family, but I’m learning to make it work with lightning."
Jiro, his eyes still dreamy from the performance, chimed in, "It’s incredible how you’ve blended your technique with the music. The lightning sprites seemed to love you as much as I did."
Lina nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! The Tea House provides me with some special materials that help enhance my cultivation technique. Performing here is a way for me to practice and refine my skills. Plus, it’s so much fun and I get all the free drinks whenever I want!"
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They chatted for a while longer, exchanging stories and complimenting Lina. Jiro slowly started to drop more hints to flirt with her but she seemed to politely ignore them every time.
Mirana glanced at the sky, noting the fading light. "Well, I have some errands to run before it gets too late," she said with a sigh. "But we should definitely do this again soon."
Jiro nodded in agreement. "I have a few things to take care of as well. But this was a wonderful way to spend the afternoon."
Lina grinned, her voice very sing-songy, "I’ll be here performing every few days, so feel free to drop by anytime. It’s always lovely to have familiar faces in the audience that come to support me."
They quickly paid a passing waitress for their bill before leaving the tea house.
As Mirana, Jiro, and Lina made their goodbyes, Lassim found himself standing alone outside the Tea House, the soft glow of the setting sun casting long shadows on the ground.
He stretched his arms, feeling pleasant with the tea that left a lingering effect on his mana pathways, and took a deep breath, savoring the lingering scent of the nearby flower garden across from the tea house.
He had a few options for how to spend the rest of his evening.
He could head back to his quarters and continue his meditation to strengthen his bond with Mari. He could also go and walk and explore the full rest of the sect to get a better idea where everything was since he’d not had a map or anything as part of the sect’s disciple materials.
Possibly he’d receive that when he ranks up past being a servant, but that was still three weeks away.
Alternatively, he could try and see if he could visit some training grounds and see if he could get some advanced insight into how to break through to the Spirit Ascension stage.
That was the least likely to succeed though as he’d show up in servant colored robes and might get kicked out for even trying.
After a moment of contemplation, Lassim decided to...