Romulan Tea Ceremony

Posted on Fri Nov 14th, 2025 @ 12:28pm by Lieutenant Rune Thul & Vestar Khai & Vaia & Ipae Lepsain
Edited on on Sun Nov 16th, 2025 @ 10:30am

1,441 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Shoreleave [3-4]
Location: House of Truth, Green Sector
Timeline: Mid-shoreleave

When the Thuls arrived in green zone by turbolift, the young Romulan woman Ipae, often seen at the desk of the embassy (and anywhere else Romulan that there was a job to be done) was there to greet them. "Good evening, sirs. Jolan tru. Thank you for coming. Allow me to guide you to the House of Truth." She said politely, with a bow.

"Jolan tru," both Rune and Vestar replied, they mimicked Ipae's bow and smiled almost in sync. Rune stepped forward. "Thank you for this meeting opportunity."

Rune sported a brown and green asymmetric jacket over a grey shirt. His combadge on his left side, and he wore light brown pants with dark brown shoes to complete his earthy toned appearance. Vestar on the other hand was in asymmetric businessman attire in all purples, his jacket had frills on his left side. It is far more tame than his "The Spot" grand opening flamboyant robes.

"Before we continue, is it proper for non-Romulans to say Jolan tru?" Vestar asked, with curiosity.

"Of course," Ipae said reassuringly, "My people have been accused of many things, but jealousy over use of our language is not one of them. Many would consider other languages beneath them." She gestured with an open palm for them to come forward.

"Imzadi you know using other's language to them is the height of respect for them and their culture." Rune said as Vestar gestured that they will follow Ipae.

Vestar smiled. "Yes, true, I guess I wanted to actually ask."

The pair walked behind Ipae. "Betazed has a House of Truth as well." Rune commented though wanted to wait to meet the members to ask if they can compare the two.

"Really?" Ipae asked, surprised to learn it. "I had no idea." She said as they reached the rather unremarkable entrance, with HOUSE OF TRUTH written above the large doors in Romulan script.

Vaia, leader of the House emerged through doors that parted suddenly, opening her hands like a book in their traditional gesture greeting. "Jolan tru, Lieutenant Thul, Mr Khai. Welcome to the house of truth."

Rune and Vestar in complete sync returned the opening of a book gesture. "Jolan tru," both said together though the different tones of their natural voices added a chorus feel to the greeting.

The couple looked at each other and chuckled before facing Vaia again. "Thanks for having us," Vestar added.

Rune had turned back to Ipae. "I'm happy to talk all about our House of Honesty and Truth if you wish afterwards," he winked.

Ipae smiled, and backed away as Vaia received them.

"Please enter." Vaia told them, "And leave all your pretensions and apprehensions at the door." Through the doorway they were now in a hall in a simple Romulan style. A single table sat at the back of the large room, and Vaia moved towards it, stopping halfway across the room and turning back to the men.

"Is this each of your first time in a House of Truth?" Vaia asked.

"Yes," they both said in unison, Rune and Vestar shared a glance and chuckled. They seemed like young adults in love that were on the same wavelength to anyone looking at them.

Once it finished, Vestar gestured to the room. "Very beautiful setting," he said.

"Calming," Rune added.

"Will you take tea?" Vaia asked them, turning back and continuing to the table. "I know loseah leaf is not to the taste of many non-Romulans. We will not be offended."

"Did they say why?" Vestar asked curious.

"I'd like to try it anyway." Rune replied, "only one way to see is to try it."

"It is thick and it is bitter. An acquired taste." Vaia told them without hesitation.

The two nodded at Vaia. "There isn't other flavours?" Vestar inquired.

"Losaeh tea is stout, it is meant to prepare one for the day. It is part of our culture, not a commodity to be flavored for mass-consumption." Vaia explained.

"Do you grow Loss-a-eh here on the station?" Vestar asked, attempting the tea's name. OOC: wrote it as if he is sounding it out.

"There are many teas grown in the gardens in the organic sector. We are fortunate that many of the blends are still available to us. Have you visited it?" Vaia asked as attendants at the side of the room prepared a tray of what was required for the ceremony.

Vestar frowned. "No I haven't, I have been busy with 'The Spot' I think I forgot to explore the rest of the station." He smiled again. "Do you tend to the Gardens?" He asked, meanwhile Rune just kept quiet, happy to relax.

"No. My work is here." Vaia said. One of the sisters brought a tray that she set in front of Vaia. There was a small plate covered in hand-sized losaeh leaves, a romulan teapot, and a candle. Vaia pulled the lid of the pot back and let it hang on its hinge. She took the first leaf, and held it over the candle. Slowly it caught fire, and when the entire leaf was either burning or already blackened, she stuck it in the pot, holding it by the stem. She shut the lid over the stem and pulled it away.

The glass parts of the teapot showed the water turning bright purple as the burnt leaves were immersed. She burnt another leaf, and another, and the tea was a deep inky purple now. The Sister aiding Vaia came and took the tray away, another sister put out a simple cup without a handle with an intricate traditional Romulan design in front of each of them. Soon the tea came around, and a cup was poured for each, piping hot.

Vaia took the searing hot cup and held it forward in both hands. "Do not forget the fire."

"It is customary to repeat the phrase, and drink the tea. It is not expected of non-Romulans to hold the cup or drink immediately, given your relative tolerances for heat." An aide whispered to Rune and Vestar.

Like his husband could ever resist a provocation. Vestar mused the thought with a smile that knew him too well. He didn’t need to read Rune’s mind to see the inevitable unfolding before him. A glance confirmed it: the Betazoid’s hands were already halfway to his cup. His imzadi embodied Courage—every inch of him a product of the Seventh House’s creed. Rune didn’t just live by it; he was it. Challenge was not something he avoided, it was something he met halfway, eyes unflinching, heart steady.

Vestar adored that about him. It was also the trait that kept him awake on too many nights, fearing what that courage might one day cost. Their love had survived arguments born of that same impulse—Rune’s compulsion to act, Vestar’s instinct to shield—but somehow, through all the years and scars, their bond never dimmed.

“Rune,” he warned softly, the word an echo of a thousand others that had come before.

By then, Rune was already holding the cup in both hands, the rim hovering just below his lips. His gaze flicked up, meeting Vestar’s. An eyebrow lifted—half defiance, half amusement. He paused. “Oh, whoops,” Rune murmured, a mischievous smile tugging at his mouth. “Do not forget the fire.” He tipped the cup.

The heat hit instantly. His jaw tightened, eyes narrowing as he swallowed the searing mouthful. He set the cup down with care, exhaled once, then again—short breaths to cool his tongue. A low groan escaped him, wordless but eloquent.

“That’s what you get,” Vestar teased, his own cup poised near his lips. He blew across the surface several times before sipping. “Do not forget the fire,” he echoed, the smile returning to his face.

The tea’s flavor unfurled slowly—neutral at first, then edged with bitterness that lingered at the back of his tongue. He sipped again, uncertain whether the taste belonged to the brew… or to the truth that always hung heavy in this house. Both men, one after the other, nodded at the aide that had given them advice.

"Now. Would you like to see our gardens?" Vaia asked, as one of the aides opened a door at the rear behind Vaia in view of the two guests. Outside the wide holographic garden was visible, an austere but florid snapshot of Romulus in summer.

"That would be great," Rune smiled warmly.

"Forgive the question, what is your title?" Vestar gently inquired.

"Sister." Vaia said. She stood and led the way to the gardens.

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