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Did I get this right..? [ No, no, Haru you didn't. There's only audio right now and she lets out a little "hmph" sound before a click can be heard. She's turned the entire thing off and then back on, only to get text this time and then a blank confusing screen. After a few more attempts she finally gets a video feed on. ]

There! Finally! [ She bows dramatically, causing her fluffy pile of hair to bounce. ] My sincerest apologies for the trouble I may have caused with my mistakes. I'm afraid I'm not very good with technology. [ She looks a tiny bit dejected as she adds (in a small voice): ] I've broken every computer I've ever had...

[ But moving on. That's not the important thing here. The important thing is the little table she has set up in the kitchen of the gray building. Sitting on the counter are a handful of glass cups filled with matcha and strawberries. They get progressively better looking the further along the line one looks. ]

After trying a wonderful dessert brought by a dear friend at the community gathering recently I wanted to attempt to make it as a tea. These are...well, they're my best attempts. I know they don't quite look as lovely as that cake, but I did my best. I would be honored and appreciative if people would be willing to come and taste test for me! I only want honest opinions and I can assure you that my feelings will not be hurt by anything said.

[ She bows again. ] Thank you so much! If you are willing to stop by, I'll be in the Gray building's kitchen. Anyone at all is welcome, just let me know if I should expect you! [ She turns it off only to turn it back on quickly, clearly still fumbling over the entire thing. ] Oh, how silly of me, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Haru Okumura. It is wonderful to meet you all.

[ okay now she's good to turn it off. ]

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[ She gives him a very polite little smile and shakes her head. ] Oh, Haru please! If you don't mind that is. [ If he really wants to though she won't argue too much, she can understand wanting to be polite. Still, she does wonder if she's worthy of such politeness from a stranger. ]

Have you? Everyone else seems so natural with them that I had started to wonder if perhaps I was cursed. [ Clearly that was the most logical conclusion to come to. What else could there possibly be to it? ] They are rather fragile! It seems like one single mistake causes something like a...[ she can't really think of what to call it and so she just tilts her head thoughtfully until something comes to mind: ] snowball. One error message seems to turn into a complete disaster. [ Possibly because she tends to keep pressing buttons to try to fix it... ]

Thank you for saying so though! [ She moves her hand to her mouth as she giggles. ] Once I got the setting right I simply put it down. [ If you don't touch it you can't break it, right? ]

Oh, that's a shame. You missed out by not getting a slice, it really was lovely! [ And not just because her friend brought it, it really was just good. ] Besides the strawberries there's matcha as it's first ingredient, a bit of milk, and some sugar. Though, there's varying amounts in each one since I was trying to figure out what combination would work the best.

[ Really, it was more about the times he came from than anything, even if she was deserving of politeness in general. Until he found out someone’s preference, he went with the manners he’d grown up learning (as silly as they seemed to him sometimes) and then adjusted once he heard the person’s preference. ]

Of course, Haru, then! Oh- and uh… Forgive me for forgetting, but I’m Llewellyn Watts-Maresh. You can call me Llewellyn if you like.

[ He added, remembering a little late to introduce himself. ]

Exactly! One minute they’re fine and you’re pushing buttons, the next it’s making an alarming sound and giving those strange errors before it all… snowballs from there, as you said!

[ It actually was nice to know someone who also had a similar issue, given how some said that they were easy to use! ]

In that case, I’ll have to keep an eye out for an opportunity to try it again in the future. [ Llewellyn did get around when it came to buying meals and desserts out, given his poor cooking skills. But his attention was more on the drinks now as she explained them. ] Ah- so that’s why it’s green. I wasn’t entirely certain- I’ve seen green drinks called smoothies in the last world I was. But I will say the colour is pleasing, though I’ve never had matcha before either?

I wouldn’t mind trying it, though, if you’re looking for an honest opinion. Are you thinking of starting a cafe or is this a hobby?

It's a pleasure to meet you, Llewellyn. Or I suppose speak to you? Does this classify as a meeting? [ It seemed so impersonal to count this as a true meeting. But she also wasn't quite certain what you would call it. The repercussions of breaking every computer ever meant that she wasn't too familiar with chat rooms and things like that. ]

The snowballing is really a terribly frightening thing. I'm embarrassed to admit, but it does make me somewhat hesitant to mess around with them. I do try to be cautious, but somehow that blue screen always appears. [ Darn blue screen really is the worst thing ever. When she was younger she'd almost thought they were out to get her. Of course she'd known it was rather silly, but you couldn't always control those things. ] It is quite nice to know that I am not alone in that though.

[ She moves a hand up delicately as she let out a tiny giggle. ] I suppose you could make a matcha smoothie, but I think it might taste quite different than what you're thinking of. Matcha is finely ground powdered green tea. I'd be happy to give you a try of some of it plain if you would rather that. Or if you would like to try it in addition to the strawberry drink.

[ Maybe that would be the better way to do things since then he'd have a comparison. She blushed a bit at his question. ]

Oh, no, nothing like a café, just a hobby. [ Though she would really like something like that. It seems like an embarrassing thing to mention to someone she's just met. ]

[ What a polite young woman, and a very good question now that he thought about it. In his world, proper meeting did tend to be in person. But in these worlds were rather different by comparison. ]

That is a rather good question, I admit… In my experience with worlds like this, first contact with people tends to be by whatever communication device we’re bestowed and meeting in person tends to come later. Mm… So! I believe we can count it as a precursor to meeting? But it is a pleasure to speak with you as well, Haru.

Well, there’s no need for embarrassment in current company. Or… conversation, I suppose. [ Now that he was thinking about the whole video chat versus in person, it was hard to not contemplate that. ] While many seem to think they’re easy to use, I am quite unskilled… Between the two of us, I eventually ended up hiding mine and not mentioning it was broken. So you certainly are not the only one.

[ and the blue screen was so very alarming that the idea of looking at one again when he was in the middle of trying to access his notes was just too much anxiety to deal with on top of admitting what he’d done! Not that Enis would have done more than grumble at him and fix it, but he had eventually thought he’d done it one time too many, and then she’d disappeared. He was sure it was still sitting on a shelf in a dome at the bottom of the ocean, a useless paperweight. ]

That’s a kind offer, though uh- I admit I’ve been asked more than once if I wanted tea with my milk and sugar, so perhaps trying your strawberry drink would be the better way for me to try matcha. [ Yes, it was his turn to sound embarrassed. ] Well, it’s certainly a delicious-looking hobby- and convenient when you’re in need of some caffeine, I expect.

You have experience beyond just this world? [ Her tone seems almost mystified by the idea. Of course, it should have occured to her that there could be other places such as this. Yet, somehow, it was still simply incredible to think of. Though...perhaps a bit terrifying to think one could bounce from one to another. ] A precursor to a meeting? I suppose that does make sense! It's a pleasure to have this precursor then and I look forward to our first real meeting.

[ She gives a light little giggle at his admission. ] I will be certain to keep your secret locked away tightly! There should be solidarity between those of us that find technology a bit more troublesome than others. [ Solidarity amongst the unskilled computer users! Having the knowledge that there was someone else here that also struggled with technology was certainly helping to boost her confidence. Her voice was a little more steady and she sounded considerably more at ease with the situation. It really was surprising just how much help knowing you weren't alone with something could be.

Truthfully, it was terribly embarrassing not being as great as the other Phantom Thieves. Or just others in her own age range in general. Even her typing was pretty strange compared to others her age. It was easy to pick out that she was less than a natural. ]

Oh, is that so? [ She laughs. ] I know some people can be rather specific about the purity of their tea. [ So, she could imagine he could certainly get some looks for it. ] Then, please, come by and try some! Though, I only accept honest opinions. [ She smiles. ] Back home I was attempting to learn to make my own coffee from my own beans. That was nothing special though.

Indeed, I have! And it’s as different from this world as it was from my own. I am rather partial to this one, though. It’s a bit chaotic at times, but there are a lot of nice aspects of it. [ He added, knowing how strange it sounded. It sounded weird to him too, every time he mentioned it… But he liked it here best of the three worlds he’d been in thus far. He grinned lightly at her agreement with his thoughts on their meeting. ] Indeed, I uh- am pleased to have had this precursor to meeting as well.

[ Didn’t quite roll off the tongue… But it did make the most sense! ]

That is quite appreciated. We can keep these details to ourselves then, and no one needs to know how cursed we are with technology! [ Aside from everyone who knew them and had witnessed these clumsy blunders either with the tellphone or other things… But he was glad she seemed to at least be a little more at ease after her rather confused attempt at addressing the network. These situations could be quite unsettling and difficult to adjust to, after all.]

People are quite particular about how it’s prepared at times, I um… Appreciate that you don’t judge it too harshly! [ And he nodded finally at the suggestion. ] Then I shall do just that! Mm… You said you were set up in the gray building’s community kitchen, correct?

[ And he would be by. Hopefully she wouldn’t mind a wrinkly little dog with him either! ]

I would love to hear about the previous one you were at. If you don't mind that is! I would not want to make you uncomfortable. [ After all she had no idea what he might have gone through there. However, she certainly was curious about about what this other world was like. ]

Agreed. It can be our small secret. [ And everyone that hears this conversation.
Of course, the fact that people could listen to these hasn't occured to her yet. ]

I would never judge what someone enjoys! I believe that is the most important thing, that one enjoys what they are drinking. [ And nothing really makes her more happy than knowing someone else is happy. ] Yes, I'll be there for a while testing out a few more ideas!

Oh- no need to worry about that, I don’t mind talking about it. It is in the past, after all, and some do find it rather interesting. How about I tell you about it while I sample those drinks you mentioned? I’ll be there shortly, I believe.

[ And he was, Pretzel in tow- or towing him, more like… The dog was trotting ahead at an excited pace as usual, dragging the slouching detective along behind as they entered the gray building and found their way to the kitchens. Glancing around, he announced his presence with a small knock on the doorframe of the gray building’s kitchen. ]

Mm… Hello?

[ The counter of the small kitchen was filled with four different kinds of strawberry matcha drinks. Haru was wearing a light green apron and had a small bowl and whisk in hand. ]

Hello, Mr [ wait no, he'd said to call him Llewellyn --] Llewellyn! I was just making you a non-flavored matcha to try before the strawberry! [ That way he could have something to compare it to! Besides, she rather enjoyed the ritual of mixing it. ]

[ Ah, there she was! And looking quite busy with mixing more matcha. Smiling at the slightly clumsy greeting, he offered a proper one of his own. ] Ah- hello, Haru. It’s nice to actually meet you in person. [ And her explanation solved the mystery of what she was mixing more matcha for. He moved over to the counter and leaned on it curiously to get a better look at everything. ] Oh! I see, thank you for thinking of that. It wouldn’t hurt for me to see what it tastes like for comparison. That was very thoughtful of you.

It is indeed! I am very happy to meet you officially. [ She continues to whisk it up, causing a small bit of foam to form with tiny bubbles on the surface. After a few more seconds of whisking she hands him the small bowl. There's not much in it, enough for probably three to four sips before it was all gone. ] Traditionally, the whisking was meant to be a part of the meditative practices. The whisking can help you to tell your mind and body that this is a time for relaxation. [ Or so they said. Haru could at least confirm that tea time was a very relaxing time. ]

Forgive me if there are any lumps. I tried to make certain there would not be any. [ But she has no confidence in her abilities. ] And if you find the taste unpleasant, that's quite alright. It can take some getting used to.

[ He knew of the stuff, of course, but seeing it being made for the first time was rather interesting. It looked so bubbly as she whisked it! ] I see… so there is more to it than simply preparing it for drinking. The steps have other meanings? It’s interesting, I don’t know much about it and it’s actually a nice shade of green, I must say.

Oh- [ He shook his head lightly at the apology. ] I’m sure it’s fine. It looks as though you’ve mixed it quite well?

[ At least there was a little relief in the fact that she wouldn’t mind if he wasn’t fond of the taste, took a little of the pressure off since he really hadn’t been known to enjoy tea without a lot added to it. ] I’ll keep that in mind, but I appreciate the chance to try something new.

[ and with that, the detective tried a sip of the offered matcha. Quiet for a few moments as he considered the drink more carefully. It… wasn’t unpleasant, not in the way some teas he had were. ] It has an interesting consistency, and I can, uh- assure you, there are no lumps. Though I think I still prefer teas a little sweeter, it’s more enjoyable compared to other teas I’ve had in the past?

Tea rituals are quite important and popular where I'm from. [ Though she certainly knew that it wasn't as common other places, so it was no surprise he didn't have too much knowledge on the subject. ] My father had me learn how to preform tea ceremonies. [ And truth be told she had not minded that, it had been a nice thing to learn at the time. Looking back she knew his motivation wasn't entirely kindhearted, but she held no animosity towards it. ]

Thank you. It's always nice to talk to others that are willing to try new things. I've found that some are only willing if you leave certain unpleasant parts out of a description. [ Like not telling someone the coffee they're drinking is made from poop. She probably could have left the warning about the taste out and just seen how he reacted, but this seemed a bit....nicer and filled with less pressure. ]

I am glad there were at least no lumps! [ That was quite good to hear. She gave a nod and a light giggle at that. ] I have several friends who feel quite the same about their beverages of choice.

[ Llewellyn had heard of tea ceremonies, even if he had never actually seen one before. The detective had never quite made it to Japan, though he was slightly versed in the language and a few others. He offered a smile at the explanation. ] Ah- well, you certainly have a particular skill with making it, in that case. I can’t say I’ve ever seen a proper tea ceremony before.

[ Just the Inspector’s daily shout for Higgins to put on his afternoon pot of tea. Far from an elegant and important tradition. ]

I’ve always been fond of getting to experience new things or try foods I might not have before- one never knows what they’re missing if they don’t! [ And sometimes it was just nice to share something with someone who might not get to otherwise. And given Haru was new, it would be good to support a new face around the city. He even took another sip or two to finish the sample of matcha she’d made. The detective wasn’t fond of waste and it wasn’t as bad as some teas he’d had. ]

So you’re at least used to such preferences. That makes me feel an, mm… smidge less awkward about it. [ He added with a grin, before his eyes turned to the strawberry iced matcha. ] So that leaves these. They do look quite pretty, and it is a good time of year for strawberries.

Oh, that really is a shame. Perhaps we could change that sometime. [ It seemed like a shame for him to have never experienced it. Though, she wasn't quite confident in her abilities to fully organize and execute one by herself. ]

I quite agree with that. There's considerable value in trying new things, especially if one intends to work in food service. >[ Which she actually did eventually. Though, she did also see the value in simply not wanting to miss out on something. The real value to her was the experience it gave. For instance, trying different coffees gave her a wealth of experience in regards to different ways to make coffee, including different beans to use. ]

Very used to them, there's no need to worry at all. Everyone has distinctly different preferences when it comes to their drinks and that's quite alright! The important thing is to enjoy what you're drinking. [ Some people might have disagreed and pointed out that needing more sugar meant you had young tastes, but she would never go there! What was important was people being happy with what they had.

She pulled the cups out and started with this one. ] This was my first attempt and...the cream...I'm not certain what happened. [ But it seemed to have kind of come apart a bit. The strawberries were sweat at least! Though it did kind of look worse than the other two by far. She pointed to the second one. There were a few bits on the side that had dripped off there. ] I tried to make a puree with the strawberries for this one and a bit less cream. [ And finally the last one. The cream had mixed a bit more and the strawberries were decidedly on the bottom with a bit of the puree coming up. It definitely looked the best. After placing a straw for him on the counter she would now just watch him hopefully for a reaction after he tried them. ]

Oh? I’d like that. [ he responded, tone curious. Not today, of course, given he was here to actually assist with something… But one day? Llewellyn would gladly add it to the list of cultural traditions and rituals he’d been given the chance to see.

And she really was a very nice, kind young woman. Quite open minded about the tastes of those around her without being particularly judgemental. It was always a refreshing thing considering how often he’d met people who were otherwise in Toronto. So he was happy to focus on each glass as she set it in front of him. Resting his arms on the countertop and leaning lower to get a look at the drinks more closely. ] The way they’re layered is really quite an uh-pleasing effect to look at.

[ Even if the last one was the prettiest, the other two weren’t exactly ugly. Just… Different? ]

I see what you mean; I think… The first one seems to have separated over the short time since it was made, as though the cream reacted to the strawberries somehow. [ Llewellyn was sure one of his colleagues could have explained why that was, but he wasn’t particularly scientific minded. He picked the first one up, though, not about to go straight for the best looking one. Just because it wasn’t as pretty didn’t mean it would taste the worst. ] Hmm… It’s not bad? The strawberries give it a nice sweet punch. I think the flavour combination is a great idea.

[ The second one that was made with puree. It looked like it had remained more blended than the first, even if some of it had run slightly. Taking a sip, he smiled at that. ] Oh- this one’s good too. Just in a different sort of way. The texture of the puree is nice with the smoothness of the matcha. I think I like this one slightly better if I’m to be honest?

[ The third one had him quite curious by this point, though he could genuinely say that he might drink more tea if he could have it like this. It was more like a dessert, and a nice cool drink in the summer was nice. ] Oh! I see, there’s more cream blended into it with the puree. I think it rounds the flavors out the best of the three. It’s like having a dessert, which I must say is nice on a warmer afternoon.

Then we shall certainly have to do it! [ She thought she might enjoy sharing something like that with someone who had never experienced it. ]

I had a few prior to this that...well, the layering fell apart quite dramatically. [ It had been a complete and utter disaster that she would have never allowed anyone to taste. She had tried them herself and the taste hadn't been awful. She certainly wouldn't have called it good either. In all honesty she might not have even called it adequate. Those had been failures. These were the first three she considered mild successes. She gave a nod at his explanation of the separation. ]

Mmhmm, though really I'm not quite certain why. [ Which was a bit vexing. What had caused the reaction to go so badly in this one in particular? ] The flavor combination is quite common. I liked the idea of the more...chunky strawberries but I think that might be a case of the idea being better than the end result. [ They hadn't quite worked together as well as she had hoped. Maybe it was the chunks that had caused the reaction in the first place. She let him comment on the other two, watching closely with a very nervous looking expression. ]

I would agree myself, it was the one I enjoyed the most. [ It was also the best aesthetically, but you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover. ] A dessert was precisely what I was gong for actually! [ Oh, that made her very happy to know she had gotten it at least somewhat right. ]

I’ll look forward to it, then. [ He responded with a smile, tone entirely honest. He really did enjoy learning about these sorts of things, and often ended up invited to experience food traditions and celebrations back in his world when he was travelling… Sometimes even around Toronto, depending on the people he met through work. It was always an interesting and enjoyable experience.

Considering her explanation, he wondered if there wasn’t a way that she could at least work in larger strawberry pieces without it messing up the layering… The larger pieces were pretty, he supposed, as much as they were delicious. ] Perhaps with the last version, you could garnish the top with a few larger strawberry slices to complete the look and include them as you wanted?

Hmm, but wouldn't they float to the bottom? [ That seemed to be what happened with the versions she tried with the large chunks... Though...hmm, she looked at the glass and then her eyes widened excitedly. ]

Oh, what if I cut a whole one just enough to put it on the rim of the glass? [ That might work to incorporate the bigger pieces while also not having them just sink to the bottom and ruin all the layering. ] They could be like a tiny special treat!

Mm… I suppose if they were heavier chunks, they might not float so well as a thin slice might. [ he responded with a small frown, leaning in to get a look at the glass again as he pondered over alternatives. Then he looked up with a start. It seemed like Haru had come up with a possible fix already. ]

Ah-ha! Yes, that would actually look quite nice, a garnish that could be enjoyed while you drink it without it messing with the drink itself.

[ He slid the glass her way so she could add one to see how it looked. ] I think I’ve seen some drinks with slices or fruits sitting on the rim, so it should work, I’d think.

I have as well. They seem to be rather popular as garnishes for alcoholic beverages. [ Not that she had tried any of those herself. However she had seen a few of them. ] There was a very lovely jazz club that a friend took me to that made the most wonderful drinks. A few of those used fruit on the rim as an accent. They looked so beautiful you almost didn't want to ruin them by drinking them!

[ As she spoke she went about cutting a strawberry in half, using a ridiculous amount of caution to make certain that she didn't go completely through it. She pulled it apart and checked to make sure it still had at least a small bit of the flesh connected to hold it all together. Satisfied she put it gently onto the rim and then smiled. ]

There we go. What do you think?

Yes, precisely! It’s quite an, mm… nice little addition to a drink? I’ve always liked the idea of having something of a little snack with a drink. [ Not that all garnishes were meant to eat, but he really did like them. ] A jazz club? Mm… A friend of mine runs a salon where sometimes she has jazz singers in, among others. It’s quite a nice atmosphere.

[ Llewellyn often went to enjoy the music and the atmosphere, even if it had gotten a little awkward recently... He could rather imagine Violet and her partner in the business incorporating some fancier beverages like this. ]

Hmmm, let’s see. [ He tilted his head at the glass and smiled at the strawberry resting on its edge. ] Yes, I uh- believe this completes the look quite well? It seems more… complete with a garnish. A pretty snack, and it indicates what the puree is as well for any who might not be sure?

I feel the same! It makes it feel a bit more complete. Though I suppose that sounds a tiny bit silly. [ Only a tiny bit though! Perhaps that's just Haru thinking it's silly though. It really is a bad habit for her to put down every idea she has. ] That sounds like a lovely place. I really was not certain what to expect from the club, but it was very relaxing! I could see myself missing that here. [ Especially now that she's started to work on learning how to make drinks somewhat similar to there!

Her eyes widen and she smiles. ]Oh! I hadn't thought of that. It would be a helpful visual aid to prepare someone for the flavor.

[He nodded, gesturing to the glass again. ] Exactly, sometimes expecting something to taste one way and then it tasting another could be a bit jarring, so a strawberry to suggest that’s what the flavor is- as opposed to something like raspberry perhaps, would also help as much as it looks pretty?

And It really was, the decor was quite mm… elegant? It had a lot of personality compared to other places in the city to visit. I think there’s something nice about the idea of a place where people can go to relax and enjoy various talents, either music or otherwise. I believe I agree. It’s a bit sad that this world is lacking that at the moment. But! It’s uh- always possible that we’ll see something similar one day, with how much it’s changed since I arrived.

[ and then Llewellyn squinted lightly, as though a thought rattled into place. ] I believe I also owe you a story about where I was before this, in return for this delicious drink, didn’t I?

You make a very good point. While I enjoy raspberry it would be rather surprising to have it when I expected strawberry. It might even ruin the enjoyment of it. [ Which would then be terribly disappointing. ]

I wish I could see the décor! I agree, it really is a shame there's nothing quite like that here. It also seems somewhat surprising that nobody has thought to open one. [ There seemed like there were plenty of people here with a variety of talents and expertise. It seemed rather odd that none had thought to open a place like that.

She nodded in response. ] Indeed! Though, if you feel uncomfortable about sharing please don't feel too pressured.

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