I Should Have Been

His hunger sated a few cups of mulled wine warming his system Álarr decided to take it easy for the rest of the festival. He found a lone bonfire with a few familiars around it and settled down, nodding to the black cats but saying nothing more. He still hadn't known what to think of the whole event. Being so scientifically inclined his mind warred with itself over what he knew and what he didn't. What could be explained away and what seemed to be a form of magic. However, just because he didn't know much about spirits didn't necessarily mean that they were forms of magic and beyond explanation. Could spirits not exist and be proven to do so, and be bound by, scientific laws even if he did not understand or know such laws?

Álarr added a few more logs to the fire to keep it going. One of the familiars nodded approvingly and they struck up a brief conversation where he was encouraged to try divination during this most special of times. He didn't really believe much in that type of hocus pocus but something about the energy of this night made him wonder… could there be something to any of this? Would it hurt to try? Álarr had never done any kind of divination but Brynhildr had. He remembered the old raven telling him about how her previous mistress would read tea leaves. Well, he was something of a tea expert by now so that seemed as good a method as any. But what tea to use?

Álarr pulled his pack closer to himself and removed a ceramic bowl as well as a water skin. What tea would be used for scrying? Did it matter? Much of what he made might depend on what he had on him so he started pulling out various tins and jars of dried herbs, looking for something that would make a good tea but that could also be used for divination. He found some dried peppermint leaves and decided that would make the most sense considering the large meal he'd had earlier at the feast. It also had a particularly nice smell. A nice calming tea and then he could see if he could read anything in the remainder of the leaves.

Thankfully there was already a fire going so Álarr didn't need to mess around with getting one started though he typically preferred to heat his water for tea near some hot coals rather than a bonfire but he'd still give it a shot. Álarr carefully pulled up the lid off the tin with his claws to reveal the dried peppermint leaves.

Álarr grinned as the smell of peppermint wafted into the air. He enjoyed the smell. Taking his water flask he dumped a pint of water into the ceramic bowl that would make the tea. Replacing the cork he put the flask back in his bag, making note to refill it at a later date. It was always good to have water on hand. One never knew when they might find themselves in an area with less available fresh water. Not to mention when an injury or illness might need to be tended to.

Álarr scooted the bowl toward the fire, eventually setting it down atop a flat stone that he scooted a bit closer to the fire. He wanted the tea to at least get to a simmer before pulling it away and cooling it down to a drinking temperature. While the water heated up Álarr let his thoughts roam, mainly considering his future. Truth be told he didn't have much in the way of thoughts or plans. He'd just joined Avalon and was still in the process of getting settled down and building up his stores for his first winter with the new pack. While they occupied part of Fireside's territory it was a much smaller group. He couldn't say for sure how that would play into things. He really didn't have an intention of getting married or having kids nor did he have any lofty ambitious goals. He was simply going through the days one day at a time.

When the tea came to a simmer he let it go for a few minutes, watching as the liquid changed to a darker, green-tinged, color. Using a modified deer antler from his pack he scooped up the bowl and carefully lowered it onto the ground where he left it to cool. The smell was wonderful and he watched the steam rise up in twisting little tendrils before dissipated into the chill night air. Once it was cool enough to drink he lapped at the tea, enjoying the warmth of the liquid and the cooling after effect of the peppermint. Ahh… just what he needed. When he was finished he swished the peppermint leaves then dumped them out on the stone by flipping the bowl over. He removed the bowl and leaned in to see what the leaves might show.