TEA AND BISCUITS || HONEY

[Deleted]

The world may disapprove But my world is only you
And if we're sinners then it feels like heaven to me

JANUARY 28, 2025

Odette had just finished with a patient in the maternity ward and had left the care of the newborn child and mother to one of the nurses that had helped with the birth. Of course, there were complications with said birth, but the outcome had been more than pleasing to Odette. Both mother and child were thriving, but not without the help a little magic had brought to the birth. She had exited the room and smiled at the small family gathered outside; the mother had only allowed the husband in the room. "It's a girl. Mother and child are perfectly healthy. The husband is staying within for a few minutes but will be out to allow other visitors. Congratulations," she said with a smile, watching the family turn happy and giddy with excitement.

Odette disappeared from the maternity wing after that, disappearing to the tearoom that was located within. She enjoyed the little tea place; they had excellent tea and the most delicious little biscuits. And if one was hungry, she enjoyed the small selection that the location had to offer. Her sandals padded against the marble ground as she made her way to the elevators, selecting the floor that the visitor tea room and shop was located on, and stood with a few other people. One by one, people disappeared from the elevator, and others entered, and finally, it was her turn. She made her way into the little tearoom and looked around, a smile upon her face as she noticed the owner of the room, a woman she had conversed with a few times and had become friendly with. One could almost call them friends; their conversation always intriguing.

She made her way over, "Afternoon Honey," she started with a smile on her face once she was within speaking distance of the young woman.

honey satheesh varma || here ya go!

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[honey satheesh varma]

Over the many years that she had worked at St. Mungo's, one of the most interesting things had been seeing how the staff had crept closer to her in age. Honey supposed that that was something that happened with time, but it was always a strange feeling to realize that she was of the same age as a number of the hospital's Healers now, and not just its trainees. When shifts changed or when people inevitably needed a break from the stress that working at the hospital seemed to bring, it was funny how the conversations sometimes shifted anymore.

Honey was one of those people who tried to get along with everyone. Even owning the tearoom, she always found it a challenge to fire an employee or order people around to much. Maybe it was something that she needed to work on, but she had never been treated with anything but respect when she had started there, either. From her perspective, she rarely seemed to have problems with customers, though she had to chalk that up to the location. If people were a bit difficult to deal with, they probably had something or someone else on their minds, and she was always there to listen if they needed it.

One of the Healers on the maternity ward, a woman named Odette, came in as Honey was finishing up another customer's order and greeted her a good afternoon. Odette was one of the aforementioned Healers about her own age, and they had always made polite conversation with one another whenever Odette was in the tearoom.

Handing the customer whose order she had just fulfilled their tea and thanking them, Honey turned her attention to the maternity Healer. "Afternoon, Odette. What can I get you?"

@odette

[Deleted]

The world may disapprove But my world is only you
And if we're sinners then it feels like heaven to me

While it was the only afternoon, Odette had a long shift ahead of her. She already knew that there were a few people that had their due date for that day, besides the one that she had already helped deliver, but that didn't mean any of them would show up. Most of the time, it would be a few days before or after the due date, when they appeared within her care. However, she knew that one was being induced later that afternoon since she was a week late with giving birth and another that was coming in because her baby had stopped growing and they were worried about the unborn child. But for now, she needed something to kick start her to prepare for an eventful evening.

Thankfully there was only one person before her when she had gotten closer to the register to greet Honey, and the woman was given her order before the young woman's dark eyes turned on the crystal blue hues that Odette sported; 'Afternoon, Odette. What can I get you?'. She smiled, shrugging her shoulders, "Surprise me," she said, knowing full well that Honey would give her something amazing. Each time that Odette came in, she always asked to be surprised and was never disappointed. "And those biscuits that you gave me last time, I forget which ones..." she said with a soft laugh. "How has your day been? Busy?" she questioned curiously as she dug through her purse to find some money.

honey satheesh varma

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[honey satheesh varma]

"Surprise me," Odette told her upon being asked for her order. It was her usual answer, in fact—always wanting to try something different—and Honey never had any problem with that. If it led Odette to having a regular order, or even if it didn't, it was kind of fun to mix things up every now and then. "And those biscuits that you gave me last time," Odette added. "I forget which ones…"

Honey thought back to the last time that Odette had been in. "Oh! The Viennese whirls!" That was right; she had thought that those would be nice for a change, and, as it had turned out, she had been right about that. "Yeah, I've got some of those." Odette was in luck.

"How has your day been? Busy?"

Honey shook her head. "It's not been bad, really." It hadn't been too overwhelmingly busy lately, not since right after Christmas when so many people were hospitalized because of what had happened with the dragons. The last of those patients seemed to have been discharged, for the most part, and it was back to the usual accidents and illnesses and visitors that came with them. Delivering babies, however, happened every day, so that was something that she and Odette could both count on. "Yours?"

@odette

[Deleted]

The world may disapprove But my world is only you
And if we're sinners then it feels like heaven to me

Odette practically lived in the little tearoom when she came to work at the maternity ward. If she wasn't working with mothers and newborns, she was usually down in the room eating or merely reading. Today, was one of those days, and it was always lovely when Honey was working the place.

The moment she told the woman what she wanted, and of course, forgetting the little treat that was offered to her last time in replacement of her usually order, the woman realized what she wanted and stated they were the Viennese Whirls. She smiled brightly and nodded her head "Yes, those. I have to remember that next time," she said truthfully; she felt terrible forcing the woman to remember the names when she should be able to order it. Honey said that she was in luck that she had some left, and she was so thankful. If Honey told her they were out, she would have told her to surprise her on those as well.

'It's not been bad, really. Yours?' Odette smiled as she handed over her money for the tea and treat before speaking, "It's been the usual. We had a birth just before I came down, was a little difficult but the mother pulled through. It's pretty busy today; I have a few more appointments later in the day for inducements." she said with a smile.

honey satheesh varma

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[honey satheesh varma]

Odette confirmed that it had been the Viennese whirls that she wanted and said that she would have to remember them for the next time.

The maternity Healer paid for her tea and Viennese whirls and said that it was really the usual for her on the ward. There had been a birth earlier, just before she had come into the tea room, where the mother had managed to pull through in spite of the difficulty of the delivery. There were also a few appointments scheduled later in the day for induced births, Odette added, and Honey nodded.

"Thanks. I'm happy to hear everything was alright with that mum and baby," she smiled as she took the payment from Odette, wondering how it was possible for the Healer—or any of the Healers—to stay so calm in trying situations. "Hopefully, everything later goes well, too." That was always the goal, wasn't it?

"And at least you've got time for a cuppa now," she added, going to get Odette's cup of tea prepared.

@odette

[Deleted]

The world may disapprove But my world is only you
And if we're sinners then it feels like heaven to me

Retelling the story of the birth she had this morning throughout her head, made her a little weary. She knew that sharing something so personal to Honey would have both been rude to the mother, but might have made the other woman a little sick. Odette was used to the traumatic births, ones that were hard and scary, but Honey was not. That was why, she stuck closer to the short and sweet word, of the mother being alright. She would keep the story to herself and share it as an example in the future to a trainee that passed beneath her for training.

Odette nodded her head, "Yes―I believe we are all happy that is the case," she said truthfully. Sometimes things didn't turn out happily with the problematic births. Odette had lost a mother once when she was still training and simply helping, and it had hurt her. She has yet to lose a baby, though, and she wasn't about to start. The blonde nodded her head with a smile, "Thank you for saying so...I hope that is the case as well,"

Odette let out a soft laugh as she moved from in front of the cash register and stood where Honey was preparing the tea, peering over the vast machines that were used to make the different drinks. She nodded her head, "Yes, I am always thankful for a little relaxation. Though every time I say that, it seems I get called away because someone has gone into labor earlier than expected," she laughed.

honey satheesh varma

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[honey satheesh varma]

Odette expressed her gratitude that things had turned out the way they had for her patient and the newborn earlier and thanked her for wishing her well with her patients later on in the day. She said that she hoped that everything would go well for them, too, though Honey didn’t think that there were many Healers at all who would have wished their patients ill. None of hers when she was a child and a patient at St. Mungo’s had been that way.

The Healer moved over slightly, looking over to watch as she prepared her tea. She nodded her head at the comment about finally getting a cup of tea. “Yes, I am always thankful for a little relaxation. Though every time I say that, it seems I get called away because someone has gone into labor earlier than expected,” she added with a laugh.

Honey laughed, too, knowing how often things like that were the case at St. Mungo’s. “Hopefully you’ll get to finish your tea and biscuits before that happens, Odette. Touch wood,” she smiled, finishing up preparing the Healer’s beverage and getting out the Viennese whirls for her from the case.

@odette

[Deleted]

The world may disapprove But my world is only you
And if we're sinners then it feels like heaven to me

Honey was always a sweet young girl; she enjoyed the company that she got when she was able to speak simply with the girl. While they were always too busy to fully spend time together talking, it was nice to be able to speak in short conversations. They had talked for longer amounts of time before one of them was called away, but Odette knew that this was not the case. She knew, it would be her luck, that she would be summoned away or Honey would get a customer that needed assisting.

Odette smiled, "I hope so too. Or else I'll end up with a burnt tongue and a mouth full of biscuits," she said truthfully. She had done it before, and it had been a horrible afternoon until she healed her tongue. "So, tell me about this tea..." she said curiously as she looked down at the beverage that sat on the counter, Honey moving to get the Swirls out of the case.

honey satheesh varma

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[honey satheesh varma]

Odette lamented the misfortune of possibly winding up with a burnt tongue and a mouth full of biscuits, at which Honey shook her head. She hoped that the other woman wouldn't have to rush off that quickly; it was nice chatting with her when she got the opportunity, and a burnt tongue was unfortunate.

"So, tell me about this tea…"

"Well," Honey laughed as she saw Odette eyeing the cup of tea, "you said you wanted to be surprised. It's not a surprise if I tell you what it is." In truth, it was just a peppermint tea—nothing too complicated or exciting, and hopefully not too overpowering with the Viennese whirls, which Honey plated and set on the counter beside the tea.

@odette

[Deleted]

The world may disapprove But my world is only you
And if we're sinners then it feels like heaven to me

After musing about her past misfortunes of a burnt tongue and crumbs of biscuits that were barely tasted before being shoved down her throat, the other woman shook her head. She didn't blame her. Tea and biscuits were to be enjoyed, not devoured as if she were a monster that hadn't eaten in ages. She usually wasn't like that, but if duty called...one had no choice. She was always on her toes at St. Mungo, and while sometimes it was annoying not to be able to relax, she enjoyed it. She enjoyed helping others, especially pregnant women and their babies.

'Well, you said you wanted to be surprised. it's not a surprise if I tell you what it is.' Odette smiled brightly and nodded her head, "That would be true," she said as the cookies were plated and set on the counter, allowing Odette to delicately take the cup of tea and bring it to her face. She smelt it first and got a whiff of...was that peppermint? She frowned before slowly taking a delicate sip, and while at first, she was skeptical, she quite enjoyed it. She liked it more than the last tea that she had tried through Honey. "Whoa, it may be simple peppermint tea, but it is delicious. I have to say; it was better than that mango and...what was it? Cinnamon? That you gave me last week," she said with a smile as she placed the cup back down and took a small bite of the Swirls.

honey satheesh varma

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[honey satheesh varma]

Acknowledging the truth of her statement that it wouldn't be a surprise anymore if she ruined it, Odette brought the cup of tea up so that she could smell it, rather than taking her chances with sipping it first. It was amusing, Honey thought; she hadn't laced it with anything, and she had always tried to surprise Odette with teas that she thought that she would enjoy. She wasn't in it to make up any combinations that would turn Odette off of ever coming back up for tea.

This time, the Healer took a sip of it, the look of uncertainty upon her face easing into one of pleasure. Honestly, she sounded shocked. It might have been just a peppermint tea, Odette said, but it was delicious. "I have to say; it was better than that mango and… what was it? Cinnamon? That you gave me last week."

Honey smiled at Odette's glowing response, glad that she liked it so much. Sometimes simplicity was best. "The cinnamon, yeah. It probably wasn't the right season for the mango," she agreed. "And it might be better iced…" Although iced tea was more of an American concept, Honey didn't doubt that it would be refreshing served cold on a warm summer's day.

@odette

[Deleted]

For as long as Odette had worked at the hospital, she had never really stopped by the tea shop as frequently as she did since Honey had taken over. She felt like she could live in the little cafe and drink all the tea that Honey was willing to supply her with. A few of the teas that she created were terrific, some were even still her favorites that she would go back to in a heartbeat. But there had been a few misses that had tasted weird...or even gross to the blonde's tastebuds. The mango one that she commented on, that was a miss for her.

Honey seemed to realize just which tea that she was referring to and confirmed that the spice mixture had been cinnamon, agreeing that it was probably wasn't the right season and that it would have been better iced. Odette found herself smiling, "I'm not much for the American creation of iced tea, but I would be willing to try it iced. Maybe another day," she said as she took another sip of her current tea. She needed to get in as much drinking as she could before she heard her name called to return to the maternity ward.

honey satheesh varma

[honey satheesh varma]

Odette smiled at her suggestion that perhaps the mango tea that she had served her before would be better iced, though the Healer admitted that—while she wasn't very interested in the idea—she still would be willing to give it a try another day. "I'm not much for the American creation of iced tea, but I would be willing to try it iced. Maybe another day."

Honey nodded in response to her, happy to hear that Odette hadn't completely shot down her suggestion. She was very proud of her little business, even if it didn't get much in the way of fanfare, and it was always her hope that someone found something that they enjoyed on her menu. That, along with good service, was what kept people coming back. (Or, at least, that went for the employees of the hospital.)

"That's alright," Honey assured Odette with a smile as she readjusted her glasses upon her face. She knew that different people had different tastes in teas, anyway, and she tried to cater to as wide a range as possible without making things too overwhelming. "I'm glad you like the peppermint so much."

@odette

[Deleted]

Honey was the type of creator that Odette wished that she could be. While she helped bring creations into this world and care for them within the hospital - she would never truly create. And the way that Honey produced these teas and mixed them to perfection, though some were flawed in their way, she was envious. Which was why she promised to try whatever the girl was willing to offer, even if it wasn't something she favored. Coffee and Ice Tea - they weren't something she enjoyed, but she would always try them if Honey were offering them.

'I'm glad you like the peppermint so much.' Odette smiled, taking a sip of the tea once more and nodding, "Oh yes. I'm glad that you suggested it. You always seem to have the perfect tea for each moment," she said with a smile.

honey satheesh varma