The inner hall was lined with neatly arranged desks, where several stewards were bent over their writing or conversing in low voices.
A faint, steady scent hung in the air, a blend of pine-soot ink and aged sandalwood that calmed the mind somewhat.
They arrived at a relatively quiet side courtyard and pushed open the half-closed door of a wooden side room, its grain clearly visible.
The room was simply furnished, with several solid wooden chairs with smooth lines set against the wall and a low tea table.
Clear afternoon light filtered softly through the exquisite carved wooden windows, casting interwoven patches of light and shadow across the floor.
Phainon, Aglaea, Kryudera, and Hysilens were seated in the wooden chairs inside.
Several cups of clear tea and some Xianzhou specialty pastries sat on the small table before them.
There were lotus pastries shaped like lotus flowers, their flaky layers stacked upon one another, as well as smooth, tender almond jelly. They scarcely seemed touched, save for the half a lotus pastry missing from Phainon's plate.
Phainon was pinching an exquisitely shaped lotus pastry and bringing it to his mouth. The moment he saw March 7th and Cyrene push open the door, his eyes lit up, and he said indistinctly,
"Ah, you finally made it! The snacks here are pretty good, but waiting got a little boring." He patted the fine pastry crumbs from his hands and smiled somewhat sheepishly.
Aglaea elegantly set down the delicate celadon teacup in her hand. Its base made a faint, crisp sound as it touched the tea table.
She rose in greeting, her skirt swaying like ripples on water, every movement natural and fluid.
"I'm truly sorry to have troubled you both with making the trip."
Her tone was sincere, carrying just the right amount