Henry grabbed the pen and began writing, his hand moving quickly across the page as the knowledge poured out of him. "Mondstadt," he said as he wrote. "Black Rock Tea—strong, dark, straightforward. Perfect for knights who need a wake-up call before a long patrol. And Rose Honey Tea—lighter, floral, more for the noble types. Something to sip while reading poetry or pretending to be cultured."
Alina moved around the counter to stand beside him, peering down at the paper. "Black Rock Tea? That sounds like something out of Liyue."
"It isn't, but I want something sounding tough. Mondstadt is the city of freedom, but also the city of knights. They need something that can wake them up." Henry paused, adding notes. "For coffee, Amber Roast—medium dark, smooth, approachable."
Alina tilted her head. "I've never heard of Amber Roast."
"That's because I made up the name," Henry admitted with a grin. "The concept is from my research. The name is... let's call it branding."
He moved to the next section. "Liyue. Jade Dew—green tea, light, refreshing, high-end. The kind of thing you serve to customers who appreciate something delicate and refined. And Silk Oolong—smooth, complex, a drink that lingers on the palate. Perfect for someone who wants to sit and savor their drink."
"No coffee?" Alina asked.
"No coffee. Liyue is tea territory. They have their own traditions, their own rituals. Coffee never really caught on there. Maybe some do drink it, but most don't. It's a cultural thing."
Alina nodded slowly. "I've seen Liyuen merchants in Mondstadt. They always order tea. I never thought about why until now."
"It's just how they like it." Henry shrugged and kept writing. "Inazuma. Matcha. Green tea powder, whisked into hot water. Strong, bitter, acquired taste."
Alina's nose wrinkled. "Powder? You drink powder?"
"It's not like drinking dust," Henry said, laughing. "It's finely ground tea leaves. You whisk it into hot water until it foams."
Alina still looked skeptical.
"It's good." Henry paused, tapping the pen against his chin. "Maybe it's subjective, depending on taste buds from person to person. But we can even add milk to make it more tasty and creamy."
"Sumeru." Henry paused, thinking as he tapped the pen against the paper. "Golden Milk Tea—spiced milk with cardamom and ginger, rich and warming with a gentle sweetness that soothes the senses. Lemongrass and Honey—light, refreshing, herbal, with a bright citrus note that lifts the spirit, something to sip early morning when you want to feel awake and fresh." He moved the pen down the page. "For coffee, Cardamom Brew—coffee brewed with cardamom pods, very aromatic, with a fragrant spice that lingers on the tongue and makes you think of bustling markets and exotic spices. And Dark Valley Roast—strong, dark, almost smoky, with a deep, bold flavor that stays with you long after the last sip."
Alina leaned closer, reading the names. "Cardamom? I've heard of those, but can you find them in Mondstadt?"
"Of course you can find them in Mondstadt—it's a type of spice used everywhere, I think, but you can find the source only in Sumeru. The spices, the flavors—it's a whole different approach to drinks." Henry paused, tapping the pen thoughtfully. "So we'll need to import most of it, but it'll be worth it."
"Import," Alina muttered. "We'll need to find suppliers."
"We will have to import these teas and coffees from Sumeru too. If we want to brand it with specific regions, we need to use the local ingredients. Or we might be called scammers."
"Fontaine." Henry smiled. "Bergamot Black Tea—black tea with bergamot, very elegant, with a citrusy brightness that sets it apart from ordinary teas. Lavender Black—black tea with lavender, floral and calming, the kind of drink you have when you want to unwind. For coffee, Midnight Espresso—strong, dark, the kind of thing you drink when you need to stay up late working. And Cream and Cloud—espresso with steamed milk, light and airy, with a velvety texture that feels almost indulgent. Very Fontaine."
Alina nodded slowly. "I've heard of black tea. It's famous in Fontaine. But bergamot? That's a citrus, right? So lemon?"
"Yeah. It gives the tea a distinct flavor. Very refreshing." Henry wrote it down. "Lavender is more floral, more relaxing."
"Elegant," Alina said. "Fontaine is all about presentation, isn't it?"
"It is," Henry agreed, glancing up from his notes. "But they do keep taste important too-there's no point in something looking beautiful if it doesn't deliver on flavor."
"Natlan." Henry grinned. "Hot Chocolate—rich and chocolatey. Cold Chocolate Milk—for when it's warm. And Lava Roast—bold, smoky coffee."
"OOOH!" Alina's eyes lit up, her voice suddenly loud and full of excitement. "I LOOOVEE Chocolate."
"Whoa." Henry leaned back slightly, startled by the sudden outburst. "Looks like you're a chocolate fan."
"Oh, you have no idea." Alina practically bounced on her heels. "After tea, hot chocolate was my go-to second drink—curled up in front of the fireplace, reading a book. Nothing beat it."
Henry grinned at her enthusiasm before turning back to the paper, his pen hovering over the final section. "And finally, Snezhnaya."
Alina straightened slightly at the word, her expression shifting almost imperceptibly. She didn't say anything, but her eyes stayed fixed on the paper as he wrote.
"Winter Black," Henry said, writing the name clearly.
Alina's hand stilled on the counter as she stared at the words on the paper, her amber eyes unreadable. "Winter Black?" she repeated, her voice carefully neutral. "That doesn't sound like a Snezhnayan name."
"It's not," Henry admitted, glancing up at her. "But the drink itself—strong black tea with fruit jam—that part is."
She was quiet for a long moment, her gaze distant as something flickered behind her eyes. Then she shook her head slowly, a small, wistful smile tugging at her lips. "So you really have done your research," she said softly. "My grandmother used to make it—she'd brew the tea so dark it was almost black, then add a spoonful of strawberry jam right into the cup and stir it in. It would sweeten the tea just enough without being overwhelming."
Henry didn't press, simply let her have the memory. "Sounds delicious."
"It is." She paused, her voice dropping to something quieter. "I haven't had it. Not since I left."
"Well, you can have it here after the café opens." Henry smiled at her as he wrote it down. "Winter Black. Snezhnaya. Strong black tea with fruit jam."
Alina watched him write, something warm flickering in her amber eyes. Then she cleared her throat and pointed at the paper. "Now that we're done with the drinks menu and the snacks menu, how will we get the ingredients?"
"Dammit," Henry set the pen down, dumbfounded at how he could have forgotten such a fundamental detail. He placed the snack menu beside the drink menu—18 drinks, 14 snacks and stared at the numbers as if they might offer a solution.
"I think our café is going to be pushed away for some weeks. I need to go to Liyue. I know who can help me."
[Wow, look at the great visionary. Plans an entire café, drafts a full menu, and only now realizes he needs ingredients to actually serve anything. Ha ha.]
Alina raised an eyebrow. "Liyue? That's a long journey."
"Or will you be teleporting?"
Henry grinned. "I have a plan."
"Alina, since you've moved here already, you can go each morning to continue monitoring the Swift Bikes shop. Also, don't forget to teach Anthony to manage the shop—he needs to be ready to run things on his own eventually."
"I know," she said. "I've already started training him. He's... enthusiastic. Not always competent, but enthusiastic."
Henry nodded, satisfied. "Good. Then I'll head to Liyue now and—"
"Wait." Alina removed her sunglasses, her amber eyes narrowing. "You are going NOW?"
"Yeah. Why not?" Henry shrugged. "The sooner I leave, the sooner I get back."
Alina's expression shifted, her eyes narrowing. "Aren't you forgetting something?"
Henry blinked, genuinely confused. "What?"
"Ughh." She let out an exasperated huff, her eyes flashing with something between frustration and disappointment. "Forget it." She turned sharply and moved toward the stairs, her footsteps heavy and deliberate, each one carrying the weight of her irritation.
Henry stared after her, genuinely baffled. What is with the sudden mood swing? Is there a problem?
[DON'T say it. I know what you're thinking, Henry. Do not make that joke.]
What do you take me for, Orianna? Do I look like the person who would crack such jokes?
[Yes.]
Ouch. I'm hurt that my own system doesn't believe me.
[You are dumb. Do you remember the promise you made after your second appearance into her room—twice—and saw her almost naked?]
Henry's eyes widened in realization. His mouth opened slightly, then closed. Of course. I forgot. I had promised to take her out. Dammit.
He climbed the stairs quickly, his footsteps echoing in the quiet building. When he reached Alina's room, he found the door locked—a clear barrier of displeasure. He knocked softly. "Alina! Are you there?"
"Go away. Get lost to Liyue." Her voice was muffled through the wood, but the irritation was unmistakable.
"I'm sorry, Alina." Henry knocked again, more gently this time. "Please open the door."
Silence. Then the click of the lock turning. The door opened, and Alina stood on the other side, frowning deeply, her hands folded under her breasts. Her amber eyes were sharp, unimpressed.
"Yes?"
Henry put one hand on his chest and extended the other forward, adopting his most sincere expression. "My apologies, my lady. Please do me the honour of coming with me out on a date."
Alina's frown wavered slightly. "Finally realized, have you? Too many girls in your life, right? Hard to keep track of all your promises?"
"No, no." Henry shook his head. "You are an important woman in my life. Please come with me. I again apologize for not taking you out earlier. It was completely my fault."
[I call bs.]
Henry ignored Orianna.
Alina studied him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then, slowly, her frown broke. "Ok, ok, stop the chivalrous acting." She waved a hand dismissively, but there was a hint of warmth creeping back into her voice. "Now get out and wait for me downstairs. I need to get ready."
Henry nodded, relieved. "Take your time."
"Don't tell me what to do." But she was smiling now, just a little. "Go."
He turned and headed downstairs, letting out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. That was close.
[You're lucky she's forgiving.]
I know. I really did forget.
[You forgot because you have too many women in your life.]
Not necessarily. I mean, I've been quite busy these past months, haven't I?
There was a pause, as if Orianna didn't want to agree with him.
[Ok, I'll give it to you this time. You were indeed busy these past few months.]
Henry glanced down at his clothes—the simple, practical outfit he'd been wearing since he arrived in Teyvat, the kind of thing that made him blend in with the NPCs of Mondstadt. Maybe I should make a custom outfit for myself.
He headed to his own room and took a quick shower—yes, Henry had indeed installed modern showers in all the rooms on the floor. When he emerged, wrapped in a towel, he stood in front of the small mirror, contemplating his options. His usual clothes were fine, functional, but if he was going on a date-a real date, so he should probably put in some effort.
He reached into his System space and pulled out a crisp white shirt, tucking it into a pair of black pants with a brown leather belt completing the look. He added his watch—the one from Earth, sleek and modern—and examined himself in the mirror. Not bad
He ran a hand through his hair, which had grown longer than he was used to, and styled it with gel, giving his beard a quick shape-up before heading downstairs.
He settled into one of the chairs near the counter, the café peaceful with the AC keeping the air cool and comfortable, the golden lighting making everything feel warm and welcoming. He waited. One minute passed, then two, and Henry found himself staring at the door, his mind wandering. Well, it's true when they say women take time to get ready.
I wonder if I'll find exceptions here in Teyvat.
His eyes grew heavy, the warmth of the café and the quiet hum of the AC lulling him toward sleep. He was just starting to drift off, his head nodding slightly, when he heard it. Footsteps.
Heels clicking against the wooden stairs, deliberate and measured, the sound growing closer with each step.
___
Drop powerstones please?
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