Chapter Text
Tea Spot 1
Zodiac Village.
“Say Nephew,” Bajie suddenly spoke up, breaking the early morning peace as they lingered in the Zodiac Village, waiting for the Yin Tiger to finish his work, repairing the damage to the Monkey’s armour after a lucky strike had broken through the back of the plating. “By chance, have you heard talk of a woman who once lived in the forest at the edge of Wukong’s Mountain?”
The Destined One considered for a moment then nodded, using his claw to draw the characters of the woman’s name into the soil at his feet, wincing as the movement strained his injured shoulder and back. Xu Dog and Chen Loong had done what they could with what limited tools and herbs they’d had to hand, but the injury would still need a few days to properly heal.
Bajie looked at the characters for a moment and smiled. “Do you know where she might be?” The pig demon questioned, “I find myself craving a good cup of her fine tea.” He admitted.
The dark furred Monkey shook his head, his voice quiet from lack of use and his sentences a little broken, as he explained. “She went traveling with her cart. Have only ever met her by chance.”
“Ah, she still wonders then. Strange woman, always moving about.” Bajie huffed, “Ah well, if we are to meet her, then it will be a pleasant encounter at least. And a grand time to catch up.” He said.
“She was friends with pilgrims?” The Monkey asked.
“You do not know her story?” Bajie asked, seeming surprised. “Does the old Monkey not speak of her?”
Again the Destined One shook his head. “They argued. Elder no longer takes tea with her, when she visits, she only sees us. She is not open about past. Only that Old Sun was, dear friend and elder brother. She owes him.”
“She owes Wukong? HA! What foolish words. That woman owes him nothing by his own admission, Old Wukong would never keep a debt with her.” The pig asserted, shaking his head. “When and if we see her, I must remind her of this.”
“Well,” A voice called out and Bajie jumped several feet in shock as Shen Monkey popped down from the trees above, a cheeky smile on his lips at his successful sneaking. “If the Young Sage wishes to see the Tea Maiden, we might yet invite her to our lovely village.”
“Cheeky beast! Sneaking up on one's elders! Have you no manners?” Bajie scolded.
“Invite her?” The younger Monkey repeated Shen Monkey’s words, trying not to smile at his uncle’s sudden shock. “We can?”
“Why of course, one such as she is always welcome! Why the Great Sage himself even blessed her with permission to walk his Mountain even before she grew tall and powerful. Before he embarked upon his way West even!” Shen Monkey explained, “A young sister to him and others she was! I dare say, the favourite amongst the siblings too. Invited to everything no matter how small.”
“Oh-ho? What’s this about invitations?” Chen Loong asked as he approached, carrying a bundle of what smelt like fresh herbs and bandages. “Is there a party to be had?”
“The old Pig is craving good tea. Whom better to invite to our humble village than the Tea Maiden?” Shen Monkey questioned as he swung himself down from the trees and helped the Destined One remove his old bandages.
“Ah! Such a fine lady, but if she is to visit we must tidy the place some.” Chen Loong affirmed, clearly quite pleased by the thought of a visiter. “She would be quite aghast to see how poorly we keep our little courtyard, no doubt.”
“A good sweep, a bucket of water and honest work should be more than enough.” Shen Monkey smiled and was about to say more before the Yin Tiger spoke up from his place as he paused his work to inspect the process.
“So nice of you to offer Brother Shen.” The feline said before going back to his work.
Bajie snorted and the Destined One managed to hide his smile behind a flinch as Chen Loong cleaned and prepared his injury for another bandage. It was not often the Shen Monkey was caught in the traps of his brothers, but it was always amusing to witness.
Xu Dog handed over a bucket of water and a broom to Shen Monkey. “I am sure the Tea Maiden will be most generous with her tea should she find you were so helpful in preparations.”
After a few sputtered attempts to retort that ultimately failed, Shen Monkey hopped off to his appointed task while Xu Dog handed the Destined One a small pill, a familiar looking one that made the dark furred monkey wince. He recalled how bitter the taste of these pills was.
“Down with it Young Sage, tastes bad I know, but it is good for you.” Xu Dog said but offered the young monkey a cup of water to drink, to help wash away the taste of the pill.
With fresh bandages and with the Courtyard cleaned, Shen Monkey helped Chen Loong carry a small table into the courtyard while the Destined One and Bajie brought out chairs to the space, enough to seat all of them and one extra before Xu Dog laid the table with a pleasant spread of fruits, meats, buns and sweets, and cups for everyone. Once everyone was seated, Yin Tiger lifted the floorboards of his home and brought out a wrapped package, carefully he up wrapped it to show a beautiful silk square, embroidered with tiny peach flowers and fruits, the Ruyi Jingu Bang leant up against the bark of a branch and set close by, the image of a steaming cup of tea beside a teapot, one that looked to be exactly like the one the silk square had been wrapped around.
It was a beautiful thing, even simple in its design. A snow white base painted with delicate tea leaves and blooming camellias, but only big enough to pour four cups at most.
The Destined One noticed that hidden within the falling petals of the peach flowers were names. The names of the Zodiac beings, the names of the Pilgrims, the Great Monk, and even the names of some other Demons from the stories. Wukong’s name was tucked alongside the Ruyi Jingu Bang.
“This was Wukong’s tea mat.” Bajie said, “He carried it with him on our Journey. I caught him adding our names to it during times when the rains were so strong we had to stop for a time.”
“It was originally a gift from her.” Shen Monkey explained, “A thank you to him for allowing her to live happily in the forest ‘neath his Mountain.” He added and made a clear effort to sit still, waiting patiently as Yin Tiger carefully removed the lid from the pot and set it down beside the pot on the mat.
At first there was nothing and then, the pot began to fill with steaming water and into each cup, small bricks of tea were suddenly dropped as the pot seemed to lift up, the lid replacing itself with ease as each cup was filled with water, something impossible in the Destined One’s mind for all of a moment before he remembered, the Tea Maiden was of Goldy birth and knew how to bend the will of things to her own design.
“Hello Brothers.” A feminine voice said, and Shen Monkey smiled as he offered his hand towards the woman who had stepped from seemingly nowhere.
Cháhuā, Goddess of the Camellia River, also known as Tea Maiden Chi Yue, and when amongst the Heavenly ranks, she was known as Lady Chayi, disciple to Lu Yu the Great Sage of Tea. The latter was a formal title that she openly rejected when not amongst the company of Gods or Celestial beings.
She was a short woman, only 165 centimeters tall, taller than Bajie, but not quite as tall as Shen Monkey, who walked with bent limbs and slouched most of the time. Her hair was dark, and styled back in a high ponytail, decorated with a simple cuff that shone like gold when the light caught it and a silk blue ribbon, to match the silk blue trim of the hanfu she wore. It was a simple thing, depicting swaying tea leaves and camellia flowers across the sleeves and hanging from her belt, a scented pouch, shaped like a teapot, the tassel of the pouch acting as poured water that swayed and cascaded with every movement she made.
She had no visible weapon, and the only item that seemed out of place on her person was a fan, tucked into the sash at her waist. She wore little makeup from what the Destined One could see, her lips were a faint shade of peach and there was the faintest dusting of a similar shade along her eyes and over her cheeks.
“Hello little sister,” Shen Monkey greeted as he guided her to sit down at the seventh and last seat at the table, between Shen Monkey and Yin Tiger.
“I hope the tea is to everyone’s liking.” She asked, smiling as Chen Loong passed over a plate of sweet cakes to her.
“It is impossible for you to pour a bad cup, Cháhuā.” Yin Tiger said, the first to use her name as he put his mighty hand to the back of her head with great care and gently petted the woman’s hair in a fond manner.
“Some would disagree.” The woman smiled. “My Master admits only the Ladies of the court enjoy my blends, while the men complain the blends do not taste as fresh as his blends.”
“The Men of Heaven’s Court simply can not fathom the delight and flavour that your blends bring to their bland pallets.” Chen Loong asserted from his seat. “They are rather boring in their ways, afterall.”
“Not all of them.” The goddess replied as the plate of moon pies slid towards Chen Loong. “My Master is quite fond of my blends. As is Her Highness.” She added, taking a bite from the cake slice she’d been offered first.
“They are two of the rare, sensible ones.” Xu Dog stated, picking a sweet plum from a plate and rolling a small peach towards The Destined One with a smile.
“Speaking of sensible people, what’s this about you owning Wukong I hear?” Bajie asked as he pushed away a small bowl of nuts aside and instead took a cookie from a different plate. “You were given his blessings to come and go as you please.”
The woman shrugged after swallowing the mouthful of food she’d taken. “I do owe him, Bajie. It was his blessings that let me stay in the forest and survive this long.” She explained.
“Wukong himself cleared any debt between you two long ago, you know he’d never allow you to feel indebted to him.” Bajie reminded the woman, pushing a plate of berries towards the woman. “Further, you are traveling again. Has trouble come sniffing at your door again?”
“Even if it did, there is little that can be done, Bajie. Heaven has no hold over me, and I am only permitted to enter again with the blessings of Her Highness, not the Emperor. But let us not drag the mood down with such talk.” She smiled and lifted her cup, “A drink to good times and memories we make along the way.”
“To good tea.” The Destined One offered and the woman’s smile brightened. “And family.”
“I’ll drink to that.” Shen Monkey smiled, lifting his own cup. “To the finest drinks of all time, no matter the brewing and the Family we hold dear.”
“To pleasant company and flavourful fancies.” Chen Loong added smiling as he tipped his cup. “No matter the distance.”
“To a healthy and long future.” Xu Dog offered his own cup. “With all we cherish.”
“To honourable ends.” Yin Tiger smiled, lifting his cup. “And the memories we leave behind.”
Bajie huffed, knowing better than to push the topic with the woman he lifted his cup. “To all our grand tomorrow and glorious tales of yesterdays.” He said.
They all drank and the following hour or so was spent enjoying retellings of old tales and joyful memories that went over with bouts of laughter and cheers, some mocking and a few challenges to be met at a later date. Shen Monkey and the Destined One having been chosen as the judges as the two Monkeys couldn’t be bought out or bribed, Chen Loong lamented that the party was without good music until Xu Dog reminded that the last time any of them sang, they were all very much drunk and it only sounded good because of the alcohol. Bajie and Yin Tiger had to get between Chen Loong and Xu Dog before they could argue, reminding the two that they were attending a tea party and insulting the lady amongst them would be the greatest sin.
The Destined One and Shen Monkey shared a look before glancing at Chi Yue, who only smiled and sipped her tea quietly.
When all the tea was gone and they’d all eaten their fill of the food, the others returned to their work while Shen Monkey brought their little sister to his space and asked her advice on a blend he wished to brew, but struggled to find the balance of while the Yin Tiger called the Young Sage over to fit the repaired armour.
“You are sure you are in no danger?” Bajie asked the woman. “Wukong would have my head if I did not ensure his promise to you was upheld.”
“I am sure, Bajie,” she nodded, “Wukong’s promise and seal has held, even after his passing. My home is secure and my wandering is just my own need to move and explore. The only one who could be a bother to me has made himself wisely busy elsewhere, as well he should after the last time he interfered in my life.”
Bajie smiled, “Ah! Still as fiery as ever. Good! Very good. Keep that fire, and if he shows himself again, you remind him just how wrong he is to think you were some weak and frail maiden.”
“Encouraging violence, old pig?” Shen Monkey teased, “Hardly the efforts of a pious Buddha.”
“I am not encouraging violence, cheeky brat.” Bajie said, using his rake to poke the monkey firmly. “I am encouraging the lady to use the words she knows will hurt worse than any weapon of violence to put a heavenly fool in his place.”
“Thank you, Bajie, but I’m sure my words aren’t that harsh.” She smiled, then called out. “Young Sage, a moment of your time, if you can spare it?”
The Destined One came over from where the Yin Tiger had finished taking measurements to adjust the armour for the monkey.
“Should you need a fresh cup, or desire a moment of rest on your travels in future, use this to call on me near any of the shrines on your path.” She said and offered the Monkey a small roll of tea coins.
The Destined One nodded and offered a bow in thanks.