Nature's Tea (Prasad

[Oki W. Nanda]

Salvia spathacea grew plentiful in this area. Hummingbirds buzzed by the small woman, not upset by her presence only curious of the blooms they sampled from her hair. Oki hummed softly, plucking the leaves and smelling them. She loved the smell of the beautiful magenta flowers, they were pungent and bitter. Pulling a leaf free, she placed it on her tongue and bit down. Enjoying the numbness it brought to her tongue. Pulling her hair free of a plant, not removing the blooms which twisted within it. She laughed softly, a sparrow's chirp in the field, "It cannot have her hair. She needs that."

She threw leaves into a boiling metal tin. She'd slept outside, comfortably so. She didn't really have a home anymore. That was long behind her now. All those relics and toys, tiny giggles and nagging conversations- all gone. All gone and it was good. She'd left it behind for a reason... whatever that reason had been. Her gaze was distant, lost. She swallowed a mouthful of bitter leaf. Ah- better. She sat by her tiny fire and watched the tin- counting softly to herself. Tea was a good way to start the long day. It would only take a small amount of time.

[Marcus Prasad]

This field was one of the last bastions of natures beauty left in the neutral zone. Marcus always made it a habit of visiting the place before starting his morning runs, seeping himself within the tranq2uility and letting his mind drift to memories of Central Park.

Home

It used to be night time runs, but those were few and far between mostly because of the new responsibilities that managing a Crow outpost thrusted upon you. Poor guys just couldn't sleep the day away like he used to, nestled in the bleachers out on the 552 Football field.

So of course, when he saw the whisps of smoke, he assumed the worse and came running, ready to stamp out any fire that could have been started by any dipshit with a lighter.
Instead, he found himself in the burned out guts of an old conveniance store overlooking what appeared to be a young woman sitting by a campfire.

Half hidden in darkness, the man ran a hand through untamed shoulder length hair and sighed in relief.
He would watch her for awhile, curious as to what she was doing there. Odd how he had never seen her around before. It made him wonder how long she had hunkered down here for.

And then the smell of her camp fire wafted towards him, carried by the breeze.
"Is......Is that tea?"

[Oki W. Nanda]

Oki listened to the tall flower and the hum of the tiny birds. It was numbing, relaxing. It made those bad days seem distant and the good days seem closer. She sang silly notes, pulling her long hair into a messy ponytail, exposing the roses darkly pressed into her skin. She poured a cup of the tea for herself. A wild grin crossing her lips as... perhaps her madness had produced a new fascinated voice? No. She poured a second up. Making a show of it and setting it on a rock by her, "Oh if only she had someone to share her tea with. Perhaps a new face, be they mad or sane, friend or foe. Oh she wonders who will come and join her."

[Marcus Prasad]

The man had knocked his forehead with a clenched fist the second the words were out of his mouth. Well, mabey she didn't notice?

"Oh if only she had someone to share her tea with. Perhaps a new face, be they mad or sane, friend or foe. Oh she wonders who will come and join her."

FFFFFFFFFFFFFFuuuu-!

Well that was a definate critical fail on the old stealth roll. Marcus cursed himself out quietly for a moment before taking a deep breath. Well, he COULD jump down to say hello. Why it would be rude not to considering how badly he had given himself away!
Besides, if it turned out she was trouble, he was pretty confident he could handle it. Would make for a nice early morning warm up anyway. Fortunatly she didn't look like she wanted anything other than some company. She also seemed perfectly willing to share tea!

It had been a very long time since the man had some good tea!

Making a hasty exit via a hole in the wall, Marcus made the easy drop and landed in a splayed crouch with a heavy thump, though far enough away as not to disturb the curious woman with the asian features and the tea she had balanced so precariously on the stone beside her. He then began to walk over, feeling decidedly self concious.

"Eeeerm, hey. Just for the record, I was NOT spying on you....much. Kinda walked in on you chillaxing out here and was like 'OH! Hey theres a lady here' and got myself all curious like."
As he approached, he took a sniff of the air which was heavy with delicious scents.
"Sooooo uh. What kinda tea you got there?"

[Oki W. Nanda]

Oh my he was quite handsome. Her dark gaze washed over him with lavish affection. His mocha skin and susset hair, Oki took notice of the shape of his face, the way he held himself- she summed him up as a fighter, near her age and just as wild as the wind. Her smile held the delight as a hatter while still serene. To him, her pupils would seem a little dilated, she sat tall on the ground seeming right at home amongst the flowers and hummingbirds.

She took a mouthful of her tea as he'd spoken in his adorable ramble. She loved that Cheshire grin on his lips, the flash of his white teeth were something to admire. He cared of himself but did not. She admired that in people. Waving her hand, the scars of her burns open to the air, to encourage him to sit and partake.

"In this time it is wise to show caution. For all he knows she is a madwoman amongst the flowers, speaking as if the rocks were alive[/b]," she praised him. Imploring caution with such times, he seemed embarrassed and it amused her deeply. Such sweet panic was nourishment to her lonely heart. Having just this one person so close made her realize very quickly how much she'd missed the sound of another person.

"Oki has made tea from the plant salvia spathacea. It blooms heavily in this area despite the rubble and turmoil of the land. The tea is called Hummingbird tea as it leaves a humming or buzz effect to those who consume it. It is harmless and non addictive. Her name is Oki Nanda, she is pleased to meet him." Oki turned from him, digging in her rucksack a moment and produced a jar of golden honey. Not the kind found in stores but the kind gathered by hand. She set it on the ground, "If he finds it too bitter, she implores him to use some honey[/b]."

[Marcus Prasad]

"In this time it is wise to show caution. For all he knows she is a madwoman amongst the flowers, speaking as if the rocks were alive,"

It took Marcus a moment or two to work out exactly what she was saying. It seemed she was the kind who talked in third person. Well that wasen't so bad, granted he had never met anyone who did that before. Still, there was something unsettling in her eyes as they scanned him up and down. Something almost uncanny in the way they looked so gosh darn wide. She was devouring him with her eyes, that at least he could tell and it brought his confidence up a level or two.

A Madwoman she may be. Marcus fortunatly was no stranger to madness. PHS# 552 was a haven for crazies of all shapes and sizes.
She was definatly something different though. Normally burn marks warped the flesh, but somehow this young woman managed to use them to put off an almost roguish aura. Her physique, and aye Marcus found he had trouble keeping his eyes off it, was defiantly not what you would expect from your run of the mill vagabond. For starters she was almost deliciously curvacious, yet petit. Pinched at the waist for a lovely hourglass figure. Her face was soft and almost inviting with Asian features and......something quite familier. She was a mix breed, like him. Now the question was what exactly was her other half? Charming, beautiful, soft spoken, He had a feeling most people would have lost thier wits around her before the Great Fall.

This realization made him become guarded. If she was a siren or some such thing, she wouldn't find him easy prey. But that was a thought that could easily sit in the back of him mind like a wary beast peeking out from it's cave. For now, she looked like a lonely young woman who wanted company and Marcus was always the kind to make a new friend.

Feeling cheeky, he pulled one foot behind the other and swept himself into a formal courtly bow.
"If she is truely mad, than He's afraid she is no longer one of a kind. For this whole world has gone mad in it's own way. One could only wonder then, if one is Mad in a sane world, would that then make them sane in a mad one?"
Pulling out of the bow, Marcus moved over to the curious young woman and found himself a seat closeby, but still at a respectable distance.

He then listened quietly as she explained the tea. Most people would have found it boring, but as a rule, Marcus always liked to know exactly what he was planning on tossing down his greedy gullet. From what she described, the man found himself reminded of yaqona, A Fijian grog made from sun dried kava root grounded into a fine powder and mixed with cold water.

Strange how that would hit him out of nowhere.........

"Well Oki Nanda, My names Marcus Prasad at your service."
He replied, dropping her manner of speech as to not be offensive. No matter HOW entertaining it was. Picking up the offered cup, he gave it a sniff, enjoying the smell while at the same time ensuring that there wasen't anything untoward in it. With a smile he would lift up his cup to her.
"Cheers!"
He would say before taking a sip, immediatly shuddering with eyes clenched tightly and lips pursed.
"Whew! That was....definatly a kick to the head then. I think I'll take you up on that honey after all."

[Oki W. Nanda]

She laughed, a chorus of canary twitters, at his behavior. Giving a polite clam of small hands, what a delight he was! She held no offense to his use of the third person, it was a playful imitation of her speech. Flattery in the highest regard to her. She missed her days of teaching English, of mending wounds... of seeing his smile on their faces. A flutter of long lashes, "it is the madness which makes them sane. He is well spoken[/b]."

She payed no mind to his gaze, there was no blush or reaction beyond her gentle smile. Oki was long used to being looked at by people, before the world had lost its sense and now when nature judged you without restraint. Paddle, laying contently in the tall grass behind her, made a hushed comment but Oki ignored him. What did he know? Be cautious? The young man wasn't looking for a fight, nor was he a previous student- too old. A little too broad for her preference, but good company none the less.

She watched as he took the taste. His expression was priceless, enough to make her chuckle warmly. At his request for the honey, she produced an ornate spoon from her satchel and popped the lid of the jar. The sickeningly sweet smell of fresh honey twisted in with the bittersweet of the fragrant plants around them- a sigh of contentment escaping the woman. Deftly taking his cup, not snatching it away but removing it with a gentle grace. Oki pooled a healthy spoonful of honey into, stirring until dissolved before handing it back.

"She has found very few enjoy it without sweetness. Oki admits it cuts roughly but it well worth the small agony[/b]." She closed the jar, leaving it out with the spoon on top- she'd shown him how to do it if he'd wanted more. A soft coo, that familiar buzz as the minor opiate effect began to take hold and press the numbness deeper that only full lips. "He seems wise to the ways of the world. Oki has not been in touch, the sea her only companion. What is there to know these days?" She hoped for talk of gangs, of Dion or Hades, to know current events and if it was wise to travel in the city major. Her gaze held level, glimmering innocent curiosity.

[Marcus Prasad]

Oh, did the honey ever help! Marcus let out a happy little sigh as he felt the buzz start to seep into his brain. He had felt conflicted before, the choice between rising up to the challenge of drinking the tea unsweetened and proving his masculinity due to the fact that he was a prideful person, or indulge in his hundred mile long sweet tooth. A choice that was made for him as the cup in his hand was plucked with expert ease and grace, leaving him blinking in surprise.

He was still riding the buzz that had began to spread to all his extremities when her voice bubbled into ears and slowly spead into his surface thoughts.
"Hmm? News huh? Oi, where to start........"
Marcus raised his face to the sky, head tilted as he tried to re-assemble his chaotic thoughts into some semblence of order.
"Well, for starters, Sean Barker is the reason why the whole worlds been firebombed back to the dark ages. As it stands, The Dragons, Crows and a few Factions in the Experiments are at the moment all that stands in his way. Everyone thought Leon Sudeki was dead for awhile. I sure as hell didn't and lo and behold it turns out he wasen't. Other than that, everyone is pretty much doing what they can to salvage what they lost, live and thrive."

Putting the teacup down, Marcus stretched his arms up high, creating a series of popping and cracking noises.
"Anything or anyone more specific you wanna know about?"
He asked slowly as he began to sway slightly without realizing it.

[Oki W. Nanda]

From her time as a nurse, she knew most of those names. She'd meddled here and there... met and poured hot tea on the lap of one. But he'd not given her anything she'd wanted to hear. Gangs still, at a time like this there should be unity- not quarrels over space or power.

Her smile remained, it was information for later if anything. Only two people would know where the twins were, maybe her sanity as well. No... her sanity had died with him. Oki was foolish to have fallen so hard, so quickly but- the heart wants what the heart wants. She bowed her head, chocolate colored hair twisting as it fell around her face, "Dion and Yuanji Regen are who she seeks. Her Zach is long lost, but maybe they are still around. Does the school stand in pieces? What is it they are quarreling over? Are there many ill? Are there places to live? Safe places to go[/color]?"

She sat up a bit taller at the sounds of his joints, lifting her head and allowing the ringlets to fall and frame her face. Her dark eyes narrowing only so slightly, studying the muscle movements as they were made- making notes of the structure. Her tone held notes of motherly scolding, "He shouldn't do that. He will encourage arthritis and create deposits in his joints where there should be cartilage. He doesn't wish to be a hunched old man when he grows old- certainly not Oki would think[/color]."

[Marcus Prasad]

Marcus balked at the gentle reproach in the womans voice.
"Errrrrm, no I guess not."
He said sheepishly as he brought his arms back down.

There was alot going on behind those crazy eyes of hers. Marcus didn't get to where he was without being perceptive. For a moment he could see a flash of pain in her eyes despite her serene smile. He shook his head after she spoke the names.

"Not too familier with them I'm afraid. The school....."
Memories flashed within his mind then. A carcass of stone and rubble. Kicking aside a chemistry stool with his foot. The encounter with Sean Barker.
"Stands in ruins and Lies dead center in the part of the city Sean Barker calls his own. As for what we are quarreling about? Barker wants to own the world, The rest of us want to stop him. As for the sick. Well that depends on where you go. Barker territory is the worst. I've been there. Dysentry and disease run rampant. It's cleaner in the other territories though. People everywhere are having breathing troubles from the dust storms though."

"There are plenty of places to stay that are safe. Pretty much anywhere Barker isn't. You could shack up in one of the Dragon territories, Crow zones or even take your chances out in the grey area's between the different factions."

[Oki W. Nanda]

She listened to him, warm eyes slowly widening as his tale became worse, disheartening. She arched a pristine brow at his comment on dust storms, masks and goggles were all which was required if they could not reach higher ground. Was it not common knowledge? "Masks and goggles is all he needs. Those with breathing issues already would need to be checked. What of the hospital[/b]?"

Certainly the hospital was available, certainly the gangs were working together to help the ill. No- that was something far too hopeful. There were sick untended and ignored, she'd though with his big talk Barker would be more concerned with such things. A man who wants to rule the world cannot when it is empty. Then he is just a child playing alone in a sandbox.

Oki touched slender fingers to her temples, instantly sober. She would have to skirt Barkers territory if that was where the most illness was. Haritaki paste, pomegranate leaves, lemon juice with salt, curd, guava, apple pieces boiled in milk, or ripened banana pulp mixed with buttermilk. It was guaranteed if she was to find even half of that she'd have to work very hard. Especially buttermilk.

She ran her hands from temples through her hair, exhaling a steady breath as she reset her ponytail. "How are the gangs set? In layers or quadrants? Who leads them[/b]?"

[Marcus Prasad]

"Masks and goggles is all he needs. Those with breathing issues already would need to be checked. What of the hospital?"

Marcus shook his head ruefully.
"Looted and abused with Most of the useful equipment in the hands of benevolent factions who ration them out as best they can, or ruthless tribes who lord it over the less fortunate."

Well, that was pretty much proof right there that this lady didn't quite know how the world worked now. Marcus cringed inwardly at the thought that she was going to have to find out one way or another. In fact it seemed like it was happening already as Marcus noticed her eyes hardening. He felt a chill as the woman went from flighty and soft to firm and steeled right before his eyes.

"How are the gangs set? In layers or quadrants? Who leads them?"
The quiet authority in her voice immediatly flicked a switch in Marcus' brain and he found himself answering without thinking.
"Quadrants if you mean what I think you mean. Most of Long Beach is chopped up into feifdoms of sorts.
It took Marcus a few minutes, but he began to outline most of the factions borders using a crude drawing dug into the earth with his finger, the names of landmarks and major streets.

"Not sure about the Leaders names though. Sorry."
Marcus answered evasively, catching himself in the nick of time. Oki seemed harmless enough, but one couldn't be too careful, especialy after that rather startling transformation she just went through.
"Not gonna lie though, I'm pretty surprised you don't know any of this already. Where the heck have you been hiding all this time?"

[Oki W. Nanda]

She listened to him, dark amber eyes processing the information silently. Quadrants meant there were safe paths to travel everywhere. Two borders rarely meeting, not without a constant power struggle which would be easily identified. She watched him draw and began to decide her next wandering. Her lips moving silently to memorize the street names and landmarks. She knew most of them, knew where they were. One was were her old penthouse had been- she hoped everything had been cleaned out, saved or sold by family or friends. "She should visit the borders and listen to lungs for the ill. There are many natural remedies which can be made, simple easy cures without heavy medicine[/b]."

She would not call him on the rigid snap to or the small catch. She wondered if he knew he was so easy to read, perhaps things like that came with age. He was certainly handsome, but that was a fault more than a benefit. Pretty people held pretty secrets, petty venom; she had found. Oki looked up and smiled at him, "Knowing the quadrants so well is more than enough for her. Oki is very grateful to him for the kindness. Information is expensive in a world as he describes."

She took a deep breath, pouring the rest of her tea on Paddle. He thanked her, as he always did, as he was thirsty. She wondered if Paddle was beginning to catch ill from the poor news. It was certainly making her heart upset, without a doubt. She pressed her fingertips against her lips, smiling- Paddle was always the charmer.

She looked up at his question, studying him for a long time. Smiling brilliantly, "She has been in her own personal Hell. There are several rhymes and reasons why she slipped away. Sometimes reality can and will be too harsh on those with softer hearts. But her senses have returned, perhaps she felt the ill calling to her. If he wishes to know where she's been exactly, Oki cannot say. But Oki can normally be found by the sea. She has a small place where she stays but he is more likely to find her on the sands when the tide is rolling out. She likes to fish then."

[Marcus Prasad]

Well that was certainly one way of describing ones situation. Her sudden burst of sunshine and rainbows made Marcus wonder how far over the cliff she had truely jumped. Still, he could understand the need to get away when the heart and mind suffered more than it could handle. It was one of the reasons he had taken his decade long trip around the world. He just wanted to get away from it all, boil his life down to the simple bare nessesities and do alittle soul searching while he was at it.

She seemed pretty keen on helping the sick. Mabey she was once a doctor? It made part of him want to try and recruit her for the crows, but after getting the measure of her, he was pretty sure she would refuse. Too much of a wild spirit, another thing he could appreciate. Best to just leave her be. Looking back down at the teacup in his hand, Marcus downed the cup to it's dredges and gentley put it down.

"Hmm. Well, good luck to you then. You wont find a shortage of people who need help, that's for sure and lord knows they could use all the help they can get. hell, we ALL could."
Slowly he would rise to his feet and give a respectable nod of his head.
"Thanks for the tea. If you ever find yourself in my neck of the woods and need a hand, well let's just say don't be surprised to see me again."

Yes, best to leave her be, and god willing she could inject some sunshine in this gloomy city. Hands in his pockets and hood pulled over his head, Marcus turned and made his loping way out of the small meadow and back into the cracked dingy streets.