David
Zed this was over a year ago
Jimmy
*The local coffee shop. Many gathered here to get together, to have breakfast, or just to relax and watch the city sights. But just like today's average college student, Cuo was here to do one thing; study.*

*She had (possibly unfortunately) discovered the deliciousness of coffee with extra cream and sugar, with 9 empty mugs surrounding her as she sipped a tenth, her eyes pouring over the pages of Garuda's grimoire. Also next to her were 10 plates, with an eleventh holding a half-eaten raspberry danish. It seems that she was blowing her pay on snacks and coffee.*
Teresa
Myhan strode in, mostly looking to probe the rumor mill for new information after returning to Kadho, when he suddenly stalled in his tracks, noticing that for once most of the attention of those idling in the coffee shop weren't on his stature, but rather a ravenous being that had taken up the form of a Runranian girl, which it had probably consumed to steal her face-

Wait no, that was just Cuo and Garuda... How was she stuffing so much food and drink into her stomach though? Was Garuda actually a hungry ghost? 

He just had to know. Anyhow, it would be rude to pretender his party member was not there.

Myhan slowly strode over, ignore the looks of the others shift onto him before slowly and awkwardly coughing behind her back.
Jimmy
*G-"What was he doing here?"*

*The crow, watching from a nearby fencepost, watched the Titan enter the coffeeshop that Cuo was studying at. Curious, she walked in behind him with her stubby crow legs, before flying and perching on his shoulder as he stood behind Cuo. Said Cuo turned around, facing Myhan's chest before looking up to see the Titan. She looked at him for a moment, before the danish floated up to her mouth and she took a bite without so much as a look to the pastry.*

"Oh! You're the sweaty elephant Garuda was telling me about! The coffee here is really good! So are the pastries! You can't have any of mine though."
Teresa
"Sweaty el-" Myhan sighed, letting out a deep exhale. "That damn crow certainly does have a way of words alright- and speak of the devil." He murmured as said crow perched on his shoulder.

Resisting the urge to grip the bird with his massive palm, he instead returned his attention to Cuo. "Yes, yes. This coffee shop has got some renown to it. I'm a patron myself whenever I'm in the city. He strides over, using a flick of his fingers to conjure a massive chair to sit on, before leaning into it. 

"...Don't worry about me stealing your pastries, though I have to ask... How are you putting so much food and drink away?"
Jimmy
"How? It's good! That's why. It's better than the regular tea in Runra."

*Cuo talked through a mouthful of pastry and jam. The crow laughed at Myhan before flying over onto the table, pecking at some of the crumbs she left behind.*

"Though, my taste for tea might be soured by people putting weird stuff in it."
Teresa
"...So good that you can clear enough food and coffee for a small family?" He raised an eyebrow at the stacked plates. 

Sure, sure. Likely story. 

"What kind of tea are you used to seeing, anyway?" He had heard of exotic teas from the orient, but there were many regional products and he was no tea connoiseur, anyway.
Jimmy
"Really? I just kept ordering more and more. I didn't get to eat a lot when I was young, so I can eat a lot now!"

*Meanwhile she was barely an adult.*

"Oh, uh, most of the time it was normal. But I've had people put some weird leaves in it, or sometimes bugs, squashed and not. One time even their feet. It's why I don't like tea much anymore. Garuda said drinks like tea and coffee are good for studying though."
Teresa
"...How much is didn't eat a lot?" Myhan's eyebrows rose, suddenly feeling slightly concerned. "And while I've heard of tea brewed with different herbs... Bugs are a bit exotic and... Feet? Feet tea?!"

His eyebrows continued to scale Mount Myhan, and his concern had condensed from a vapour into liquid, manifesting into the real world in the form of a few beads of sweat.

"The crow's right that tea and coffee help to focus the spirits, but I'm not sure any amount of... Feet tea would help with focus. What's up with that, anyway?" He asked, finding that he might be taking a step into a very strange rabbithole.
Jimmy
"Oh, that was because they'd know the tea was for me. It's nasty. Only regular tea is good. Now I can't drink it without thinking about it though."

*Cuo briefly looked at her book, flipping the page to what looked like a magic focus in the shape of a sword hilt that lacked a blade. A floating cup of coffee was once again sipped; it was a wonder that she hadn't spilled at any point.*

"Aren't you going to get anything? Most people drink coffee at a coffeehouse, you know."
Teresa
"...I don't know much about you used to do, but it sure doesn't sound like those people you knew were treating you well." Myhan blandly stated the obvious, as his eyebrows reached the stratosphere with concern.

There were only 2 reasons for what she had said, and he very muched doubted any local tradition would involve dipping feet in tea for someone.

Anyway, it seems that Cuo was studying something magic related. The picture was quite curious and rather interesting, though he had no frame of reference for it- he would probably have to ask later what it was. 

Myhan blinked as Cuo reminded him what a coffee shop was meant for- he had been so distracted by the shenanigans Cuo had been getting up to that he had forgotten what he had initially came to the coffee shop to do.

Eying Cuo's admittedly impressive telekinetically manipulation of the cup, he nodded at her, before turning to whoever was manning the counter.

"I'll have a *Kapuziner*. Extra large mug, of course." He stated as he slid a few coins across the table.
Jimmy
"...."

*Even if it was briefly, Myhan could detect a sudden release of malice from the young mage as he mentioned she wasn't treated well. Rather than a conscious expression though, it was as if it were water being released from a dam. Her heart rate increased, her skin got hot, her pupils dilated, and her breathing became heavy ever so slightly before she calmed down again. Cuo seemed to avoid the question, and the Titan began to feel the same malice from the grimoire of all things.*

"Garuda, what's this weird thing?"

*The titan's coin was accepted, with the waiter taking the empty plates and mugs and giving Garuda some pets, which she seemed to enjoy. An extra large Kapunizer was soon brought over, dark, rich espresso with a healthy serving of whipped cream on top, sprinkled with some fresh grated chocolate.*

G-"It's a battle wand. It acts like the gauntlet Sirdan was wearing. When some spells are cast, you're vulnerable. This helps with that. Ooh, I can't wait to dual wield again-"
Teresa
Noticing the question had not sat well and some exceptionally strange feelings from that direction, Myhan decided to not prod her further now. The lack of answer basically confirmed things for him, anyhow- no need to cause her more distress.

There was something particularly strange about the grimoire, but he could not quite put a finger on it currently.

After thanking the waiter and taking a swig from his almost decadent cup of coffee with pleasure and trying not to choke at Garuda getting petted, he put his cup down and took a closer look at what they were discussing.

"A foci, hmm? Interesting design." Myhan was less focused on the magical profession, but he had more than ample time to refine his knowledge of magic over the past centuries.

" Almost like a sword's hilt..." He mused, noting the obvious. "Is there any reason for that design choice?" 

He had seen quite a few similar designs, but a hiltless blade rather unique even among them.
Jimmy
G-"Yes. Here, when fully activated, it should look sort of like this. Imagine this feather is a stream of magic that's being channeled."

*Garuda plucked out a feather, placing it on the hilt. Together, it looked like a sword with a black feather blade.*

G-"Of course, the mana color depends on the spell being cast. But it effectively allows me to wield magic in melee range without much risk of counterattack. As for why it looks like that, well, it looks cool. Eventually, when the contract is expanded even more, I may even be able to wield more proper weapons while being able to cast spells."

*The crow turned to the next page, with a variety of weapons being shown. Blades, a 3 section staff, polearms, and even a massive mace, but all seemed to work as magic foci as well.*

"Using these requires heavy specialization into combat casting. Channeling mana through a weapon can be difficult for spells not made for it."