“Couldn’t sleep, miss?” William asked, looking up from his spot in the kitchen. He seemed to be cleaning the heaps of dishes that were left over from dinner. Michael was humming softly by William’s legs, smiling and waving hello to me.
“No. Not really.” I sighed, leaning against the doorframe as I patted my forehead clean of the drops of sweat that still lingered. “Why are you up?”
“I never sleep. A blessing and a curse of being the living dead, I suppose.” He chuckled, wiping his hands dry with a towel before slinging the towel over his shoulder as he turned to look at me. Michael nodded in agreement, muttering something about missing sleep. “Nightmares, I take it? I see it often.”
“I never used to have them but lately they seem to be getting worse.” I smiled tiredly, walking over to sit at the counter. As soon as I sat down, I laid my head down on the old, creaking wood. Seeing that made Michael fly over and sit next to me, trying to pat my head but he kept going through me every time. But it was the thought that counted.
“I wouldn’t be surprised considering everything that you have been through the last month alone.” William said wistfully. He patted my shoulder in comfort, brushing a strand of hair that fell in front of my face away and behind my ear. “Maybe some tea to help calm your nerves?”
“That would be lovely, if you are not busy.”
“Oh, it is not a problem at all, miss.” William grinned, twirling around and heading to a cabinet. When he opened the cabinet, it let out a loud squeal before revealing a massive collection of tea. He skimmed through the tiny little glass jars of what seemed to be tea leaves. “What is your preference in tea? I have come to learn that everyone has specific teas that they tend to like better.”
“For instance,” He rambled, pointing to certain tea jars which made me laugh softly under my breath. “Master Hades tends to like bitter, black teas. Miss Cora, who I have noticed has returned, is quite fond of lavender tea.”
“I am not sure.” I chuckled softly, looking at the tea jars with uncertainty.” I don’t really know much about tea.”
“Well then, let’s start light.” William grinned a reassuring smile, grabbing one of the first tea jars in the front. “A good old earl grey tea should do for now.”
And with that, he started to prepare the tea. He rushed around, filling up the kettle with water and setting it on the stove with a dramatic flair which made both Michael and I laugh. He seemed to do everything in a rushed, but very graceful manner which was quite amusing.
“If you don’t mind me asking, William.” I said after a little while, tapping my fingers on the counter as we waited for the boiling water to be done. “What exactly is the deal with Cora?”
“That depends, miss. You are going to have to be specific when it comes to Miss Cora.” William hummed, as he finished up the last of the dishes while the kettle started to ring a bit, but not quite the right temperature yet.
“Well, who is she?” I asked, trying to keep it casual despite the beating of my heart. “She seems quite close to Hades and I just… am trying to figure out how everyone stands here.”
“She is Master Hades’ best friend. Childhood best friends.” William explained as he started to set the tea leaves in the little tea bags. By the time he finished with the tea bags, the kettle was done boiling. So he prepared the tea, stirring it softly before handing me the teacup with a sugar bowl set at the side. “They have always been close, despite the fact that they are both opposites. At times, it is almost like they are two halves of one whole I would say.”
I hummed as I tried to process the information, putting a couple of sugar cubes in before idly stirring the tea as I got lost in thought. Interesting. So Cora is like Hades’ Warwick. Or it’s the other way around. But either way, they’re close.
“Miss?” William snapped his fingers in front of me, bringing me out of my sea of thoughts. Michael seemed to have disappeared somewhere, probably floating around somewhere in the mansion.
“Oh. What were you saying?” I asked, setting the spoon down awkwardly as I looked up.
“I suggest you drink your tea now while it is still hot. Maybe try going back to sleep after. I have a feeling that you will be needing your strength and you will need as much rest as you can get.” He advised, giving me a wink before leaving the kitchen. Perhaps it was to go tidy up the mansion. Or to go tend to Hades. Either way, it left me alone in the kitchen with my thoughts.