CHAPTER 19 – Just Friends

Although Saphienne knew the layout of the village well, she had seldom spent time in public spaces other than the library. Her mother disliked going out unless she had to, and children under the age of fourteen were not able to request provisions, not without a responsible adult to deliver the request on their behalf. Library books were different, owing to the fact that they were borrowed and returned, and Filaurel was especially welcoming to young elves who wanted to read, which had meant Saphienne was forever spending time there — once she was old enough to come and go from her family home.

Faylar had encouraged her to explore what the village had to offer, during their visit to the bakery, and had demonstrated the proper way to make requests. He had also mentioned that sharing tea with others was a good excuse for conversation, which is why Saphienne later suggested it to her fellow apprentices after their first lesson concluded.

Nevertheless, she was somewhat nervous as the trio made their way through the groves and toward one of the small clearings in the middle of the village. Celaena and Iolas were both older than her, and their guardians likely spent more time with them around the village. She had only just turned fourteen; they would be more at ease with taking tea than her, and she didn’t want to come across any more oddly than she already had.

Iolas grinned. “Want to stop by the bakery?”

Saphienne opened her mouth to answer, then shut it when she realised he was talking to Celaena–

Who was hurriedly looking away from the bakery’s window, and who suddenly felt tense beside Saphienne as they walked arm in arm. “No, thank you.” Celaena was blushing as she answered, and glared at him.

Perhaps she liked pastries? “We could stop by if you want,” Saphienne said. “I went there with Faylar a couple of days ago.”

Iolas was laughing now, and Celaena was blushing even more brightly.

“She’s not sweet on the baked goods,” Iolas joked. “She likes one of the bakers–”

Celaena squeezed Saphienne’s arm as she spoke over him. “We’re just friends.”

“Really? She doesn’t look at you like you’re just her friend.”

“Shut up, Iolas. Saphienne doesn’t need to hear about this.”

Saphienne found his smile infectious, understanding now, remembering what she had read in the restricted section of the library. “I don’t mind. You’re allowed a… love life?”

Celaena let go of Saphienne’s arm and sprang away, bright red and speechless, while Iolas nearly folded in half with laughter. The older girl clutched her hands to her chest, scandalised.

Iolas patted Celaena on the shoulder as he found his breath. “She’s not– ha! She’s not wrong!”

She shrugged him off. “We’re not even with each other!” Celaena’s voice was full of reproach to them both, but her defensiveness made it hollow. “We’re certainly not… we haven’t done that.”

Saphienne blinked. “I didn’t say you were… um, going to bed with her?”

“That’s the implication of–” Celaena glowered at Iolas as he started laughing again, and her temper frayed. “Oh, shut up Iolas! At least I’m talking to someone! No one’s so much as given you the hour of the day.”

He was wiping his eye. “No, I’m not with anyone,” he agreed. “I don’t have a– ha! I don’t have a love life. But I wouldn’t be so sensitive about it if I did.”

“That’s because you’re an insensitive–”

Celaena caught herself, and stared at him as she took a deep breath.

He folded his arms and smiled back.

“…Oh, leave me alone.” She hung her head, and turned away to grab Saphienne’s hand and continue on. “Ass.”

Saphienne didn’t know what to make of it all, but Iolas was catching up with them when she glanced back. Celaena still blushed, though made an effort to raise her head and square her shoulders.

“Sorry,” Saphienne whispered.

Celaena gave her a small smile. “I didn’t expect that from you. And we’re fine, just ignore Iolas. He likes to make fun of things that don’t concern him.”

“Celaena,” Iolas said as he fell in beside them both, “likes to tease people, but she gets hot around the ears when she’s teased back.”

She shook her head. “And Iolas isn’t as polite as he would let you think. An elf of good manners would know, matters of the heart are not–”

Iolas laughed. “See? She admits it!”

“…I hate you.”

“And that’s another lie.”

Saphienne studied them both. “You’re friends, right?”

They glanced at each other in confusion.

“Most of the time,” Celaena answered testily, “when he’s not being an ass.” Then she read Saphienne’s expression, and her irritation softened. “Yes, we’re friends. I’m not actually angry at him. Not too angry, anyway.”

Iolas agreed. “We became friends a few months ago. We hadn’t spoken much, before that first night at Almon’s. Celaena and Faylar knew each other better.”

“Don’t you and Faylar make fun of each other?” Celaena tilted her head toward Saphienne, curious. “He’s even more of a jester than Iolas.”

“He jokes.” Saphienne shrugged. “I joke back. But not as… we don’t go so far.”

“Well.” Celaena squeezed her hand. “I suppose he makes allowances.”

Coughing, Iolas gave Celaena a meaningful glance. “Sounds like he has tact. Knowing what you should say and how far you can take things, well, you need to know your audience for that. I only tease Celaena because she teases me. And because she’s unusually uptight about her friend.”

“You’re one to talk! He’s incredibly proper about things, Saphienne.”

“Being ‘proper’ and being uptight aren’t the same thing.”

Celaena rolled her eyes. “Whatever.”

Saphienne couldn’t help but giggle. “I didn’t imagine you like this.”

The other girl smirked. “Really? How did you imagine us?”

“I thought you’d be more… serious. More like the adults?” She forced herself to open up a little more. “You’re both so much older than me. You’re… a little intimidating.”

Celaena and Iolas looked at each other, and this time they both burst into laughter, and Celaena released Saphienne’s hand and pulled her into a sideways hug, shaking her head as she spoke. “Trees keep you, Saphienne! You really are an odd bird.”

Saphienne blushed, knowing she was being laughed at, not quite sure why, and not minding their laughter, since it came with their acceptance.

Still, her prickliness stirred as they walked on, and she couldn’t help but mutter under her breath. “…I’m not that odd…”

* * *

The clearing they were walking toward was not entirely without trees, having two that had been grown together and then built around to form an airy teahouse. Saphienne had never gone in before, but she had wandered the wild garden that grew throughout the clearing, and she often saw elves sipping tea amid the tall grass and rose bushes.

“Inside or outside?” Iolas asked as they reached the clearing.

Celaena examined the sky. “I don’t see rainclouds. Not too windy, either.”

Saphienne could spy two other elves through the open door of the teahouse, adults, sitting on one of the couches. “I’d prefer outside.”

Iolas nodded. “Outside, then. Shall I make the request?”

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

She was about to insist she could ask for herself, when Celaena accepted. “Just plain green tea for me,” the elder girl said, and turned to Saphienne. “What do you want?”

What was available? Saphienne didn’t know. “I’ll just have the same.”

Iolas sensed her hesitation. “How about you find us a good spot to sit, Celaena, and we’ll fetch the tea?”

That suited Celaena, and she gave them both a small wave as she strolled off into the depths of the garden. Saphienne followed after Iolas into the teahouse, where the scent of roasted nuts and burning wood was carried on warm, steamy air.

“You’ve never been in here before, have you?” Iolas asked her.

Saphienne glanced up at him. “Am I so obvious?”

“Not really.” He stopped before a board on which the teas and soups of the week had been listed in bright paint. “I just had a feeling. See anything you like?”

The teahouse offered far more options than she expected. “I usually just drink black tea,” she said, “with oat water. I don’t see it on here.”

“That’s because Alinar always has it available.” Iolas pointed. “See there? He lists the green teas with flowers, but doesn’t list plain green tea. All the common drinks are usually offered, along with lentil soup.”

She studied the more elaborate options. “How do you know what’s always available?”

“You can ask him.” Iolas had a small smile. “That’s what I did. Would you like to make the request?”

Saphienne glanced over at the counter. A man was stood behind it, drying cups, chatting idly to a younger elf, perhaps the same age as Iolas, who was sat on the end of the countertop, sketching against her knee.