Hilda

Oh dear, I'm thirsty again. If only I had a drink.

Ferdinand

I have some tea. You are welcome to drink some.

Oh dear! I didn't return my library book!

Oh. Thank you. Ferdinand, how did you get so good at doing things for me? It's like you know what I need before I do.

I have lots of practice fielding your requests. All I need to do is think for a bit, and I know what you need. I can practically read your mind.

Oh, you know what it's like in here, huh? OK. Tell me what I'm thinking about right now.

Sorry! Nice try. Actually, I was thinking... I've become quite fond of you.

I suppose that is inevitable. I am rather fond of you as well. I find your laziness endearing.

Hey, the "fond" thing was just a joke! Really I was thinking about tea. Kinda thirsty.

I said, I admire you. You are gifted and accomplished. I used to underestimate you.

I said I was kidding, didn't I? This is all a bit—

You feign sloth to obscure the considerable breadth and depth of your talents. Such delicate discretion, such noble prudence! If only I could emulate it.

I've never been called prudent before, but...I like hearing you say it. Thank you. You're good at giving compliments. In return for all your help, I promise that I'll keep being prudent.

I thought you wanted some tea! The dining hall is the place for that.

Stay back, Hilda! I will no longer entertain your clever little requests. Your wiles will not work this time!

You shouldn't yell at a noble maiden. It's a no-no, etiquette-wise. By way of an apology, you may brew me some tea.

I am sorry to have offended you, but delightful as it sounds, I will not be brewing any tea at present. Besides, I taught you how to do it before. You should be able to do it on your own, so why don't you?

You did show me how to do it, but I can't do it as well as you.

You selected just the right leaves, and you boiled them just right. You even considered the room temperature and humidity. Then you set out just the right pot, along with the right cups. You immediately picked out a design that you knew I would like. When you poured, the temperature, the timing, and the technique were all impeccable.

Hm. You seem to know an awful lot about tea, for someone who cannot even pour it.

Oh, uh, not really! Maybe I picked up a couple of things from watching you. Even the sound of the liquid pouring into the cups was like music. Taken as a whole, it was an almost spiritual experience. A symphony for the senses.

I was just making tea in the traditional fashion.

Oh, I'm so flustered, I'm not getting my point across. I'm trying to say that... Your tea is like love. You're devoted to bringing happiness to those who drink it. I could taste that from the first drop.

Well... When serving another, one must put in a little bit of love. But I must say, you surprise me. Not many are so attentive to the finer points of tea. I made quite the impression on you! Perhaps I ought to pour you another cup.

I shall find us a suitable brew. Wait here a moment.

Haha! Oh, Ferdinand! So simple. And yet... so kind.

I apologize, but I must graciously decline.

I can proffer a guess. Instead of relying on others, why not try doing something on your own? Nobles should not be lazy or idle. We should accomplish our goals through earnest effort.

Easy for you to say! You're the very model of a diligent noble. Always contemplating the noblest course of action, never stopping to take a break... Your chore today was repairing the weapons, right? There are so many weapons here, and yet you're already done. That's pretty impressive.

It was nothing! Anyone could have done the same.

Look at me. I'm supposed to be organizing these library supplies, but I have no idea where to start.

What could be difficult about such a task? You simply line them up and count them.

There are too many! Maybe it doesn't seem difficult to you, but that's just because you're so clever.

Granted, there might be some creative approaches to completing the task...

Hm. I can point you in the right direction. To start, divide them up by size.

Right, right. I'm with you so far. And then what?

Now, put similar items together. That makes it easier to get a handle on the numbers.

Now that you have arranged everything you can begin counting. See how easy it is?

Wow! You did that in no time! You really saved my neck there. Thanks, Ferdinand. Bye!

It was nothing! I... Oh. I suppose I ended up doing her work after all.

Wow I am thirsty. I could really go for something to drink.

Hey, Ferdinand! Thanks for your help earlier.

I do not desire your gratitude. I have a bone to pick with you. At the library, you pawned your job off on me!

Actually, I never asked you to do the whole thing. You started teaching me how, and got carried away. Meanwhile, I was just awestruck by your cleverness and generosity.

Ah, well... Hey, wait a moment! Your charms won't work this time. You were just using me.

Aw, that hurts my feelings. I really was awestruck. If I had to arrange all the library supplies on my own, I'd have been there past nightfall.

With a steady pace, you would have finished by twilight at the latest.

Oh, no. I'm not competent enough, honestly. I don't even know how to make a cup of tea.

You're quite a defeatist, Hilda. I... H-hold a moment. Did you just say you cannot make tea?

That's right. I can't touch things that get hot. I'm always scared of getting burned.

Trust me, it is not difficult. You just need to be cautious as you are pouring. I can teach you.

Really? Great! Please teach me, Ferdinand.

This is a crucial skill for nobles, Hilda. If nothing else, you must learn the art of tea brewing.

Look here. You bring the water to a boil, and you put the leaves in here... All right, that should be enough time steeping. Now we can drain the water, pour the tea, and enjoy.

That took longer than I expected. Well, thanks. Bottoms up!

You may have to steep it for more time or less, depending on the leaves. From now on, you can—

Mm. That really hit the spot! Thanks. I'm a slow learner, so I hope you'll teach me again sometime.

She...she fooled me again! That was the last time, I swear it.

Triangle Attack