"Is this your Oasis, Saint?" Nahern asked as he looked around, disinterested. Oz swore he was attempting to look bored as he looked around. Still she caught the interested glint in his eyes, an amused expression on his stoic face.
"It is lovely!" Selene offered, her face warming from her bright smile.
The backyard was made up to truly be the backyard Oz promised her inner child if she ever got out of that horrible house.
It was still a rooftop penthouse, so she was limited in some regards. Instead of lush grass she could sink her feet into, she splurged for a soft astroturf with a higher ply then usual. Thick and soft, with a network of outdoor tiles with hundreds of holes drilled through them underneath to keep things from getting soggy. The runoff from rain all ran past her terracotta pots to soak into the soil to water her plants before going down the roof's drainage system. The large shade mesh was still up from the previous day. Despite it being still nearly winter, the sunlight was harsh without any other tall buildings to act as shade. Scattered about were large lounge chairs, a heavy cushioned swing set up under the shaded area for sleepy naps. With the fence and tall plants acting as a noise break, it was hard to believe a city was just outside the fence.
"You like?" Oz wanted to slap herself for sounding so awkward. Her cheeks burned as she looked away, fumbling to unlock the front door.
It was an awkward feeling to stand in her home with the two elves. Thankfully Nahern closed the door behind himself. She rubbed her arm nervously for a moment as the pair politely removed their heavily laced boots. She felt caught between wanting to know if they liked what they saw...or if she honestly cared. Her home was decorated with only her comfort in mind. It was a comfy escape from the hard life of a hunter.
Despite having most of the roof surface area, there were still limits of how much someone could build. How her grandfather got permission to make the tiny house always confused her. The apartment had a spacious open floor plan, the living room and kitchen blended seamlessly into one another. Her underused dining room table was covered in baskets of supplies and materials that needed more processing before taking to the guild. The sofa was the centerpiece of the living room, covered in cozy blankets and pillows. Her large mounted tv across the way was flanked by built-in cabinets, with all sorts of goodies scattered about. More plants keep the air fresh and clean.
"It feels so homey, Saint." Selene smiled as she looked around. "But where do you get your heat? There's no fireplace."
"It has central heat." Oz said without thinking, the elf eyed her confused. "Hot air is sent through vents, I can control how warm or cool I want it by adjusting the vents around the house."
She pointed out the few vents scattered about, she preferred it on the cooler side anyway.
"Much like our heat pumps back home." Nahern finally spoke up, unclipping his cloak and leathers. He draped them over a chair before promptly sitting down. With his long legs, it looked comedical as he sank into the soft armchair's cushions.
"...So now what?" Oz offered as she fell into host mode. She dug into the fridge, instinctively pulling things out before she paused. She peered over the counter.
"You two want drinks or something?" She awkwardly called out.
Selene smiled as she walked over, stripped of her cloak and sword. "Anything would be fine, Saint. Oh! Tea!"
Her eyes seemed to sparkle as she held the tea-tin. Oz watched as the young elf cracked the tin open the smallest bit to breathe in the tea. It was just a cheap blend of breakfast teas and Earl Gray, but to Selene it felt like she was breathing in the most sacred of incense. Selene's fingers gentle as she carefully held the tin, as if she were worried about denting it. The same hands that easily sliced through monsters in the dungeon and carried her full adult weight like nothing.
"I can brew a pot if you like." Oz offered with a smile. "It won't take long at all."
Selene's skin flushed with color at that, snapping the tin shut. Oz had to smile, even the young woman had her moments of embarrassment.
"No no, saint. I could never, I merely..." She floundered with her words as Oz took the tin carefully. "...Such a drink is reserved only for the higher courts. It reminds me of our mother."
Oz motioned for Selene to sit at the bar, unnerved as she felt Nahern's icy gaze simply following her about the kitchen. She filled the electric kettle with fresh water from the filter and set it to a low boil.
"Is...tea a common drink here?" Selene asked. "For us it only grows in the south, where the land is at its warmest. Trade through the ravine makes it hard to make it all the way to the capital."
"I would think so," Oz offered, pulling out mugs from the glass cabinet behind her. "I think it used to be rare, but it has been traded over the centuries. I think everyone drinks it in some fashion, from the cheap dusting of leaves to the expensive straight off the bush. It really isn't thought about much."
She grabbed one of the teapots off a shelf, and after a quick rinse out set it to brew a strong few cups. She could use the caffeine before she crashed. To round it off, she raided what remains of her cookie jar for something to snack on.
"Your world is quite something, Saint." Selene sighed softly. "Tea is a rare treat for us. Mother loved it." Her eyes softened at the memories of her mother. Nahern snorted as his only reply.
"...Yah it's something all right." Oz grumbled, taking the tray to the coffee table before the sofa. She flopped ungracefully into the familiar cushions, legs stretched out as she stared at the ceiling.
"What happens now?" Oz asked, allowing herself to finally relax. In the comfort of her own home.
She saved her home, she got back in time. But by that hateful glare of her Aunt, she knew her real problems were just beginning.