EP.13|Is It One Lump Or Two?

Evie sat in her Sorcery class, scribbling in her notebook. Operetta looked at Evie’s notebook to see she kept scribbling the name Evie Damoola on the paper. “Evie Damoola huh?” Operetta snickered as Evie hummed, still scribbling it on the paper. “So, Miss Damoola. When is the baby due?” Operetta smirked.

“Baby?!” Evie jumped out of her seat. “I'm just joking.” Operetta laughed. “Miss Evie! Miss Operetta! In there something more important than your classwork?” The teacher, Miss Aurora scolded. “Anything really.” Operetta whispered as they both started laughing. Miss Aurora hmph-ed and went back to teaching.

“To perform the Change Your Own Appearance spell, one must learn the chant of the spell.” Miss Aurora continued to explain as the chalk began writing words on the board. “I call upon the Ancient powers, to mask us now and in future hours. Hide us well and thoroughly, but not from those we call family.” Aurora chanted as she turned into Snow White.

“See, easy. Now you try.” Aurora smiled. Operetta waved her wand. “I call upon the Ancient powers, to mask us now and in future hours. Hide us well and thoroughly, but not from those we call family.”  Operetta chanted as she turned into Evie and Evie turned into her. “You’re right, your blue hair does smell like blueberries.” Operetta chuckled. “Told ya.” Evie smiled. “Okay now everyone change back. We have to continue on with the class.” Aurora smiled as everyone changed back.

“As you know, Briar’s annual tea and crumpets party is this afternoon.” Aurora announced as Operetta rolled her eyes. “A tea party is supposed to be formal. So, before we continue I want to go over so tea party etiquette and manners.” Aurora added as the words Tea Party Etiquette and Manners appeared on the board.

“This should be fun.” Evie said sarcastically. “You should listen, you two could learn something.” Winter smirked as Operetta held Evie back from punching Winter.

“So now how should you behave at afternoon tea? Well, there are several etiquette rules that must be considered and followed to ensure proper, civilized behavior.” Aurora began to explained as the chalk wrote The Tea on the board.

“When it is time to pour the tea, you may ask the guest if he or she would like strong or weak tea. For strong tea, pour the tea no more than 3/4 full. Weak tea is typically poured only 1/2 full. This allows for extra hot water to be poured in the cup.” Aurora continued as teapots filled with tea and tea cups appeared on each of their tables.

“I say, Miss Queen, would you like some tea?” Operetta asked, as though she was the most fanciest person on earth. “I will take some tea.” Evie answered, using the same voice as Operetta.

Operetta then grabbed the teapot and began pouring the tea, she didn’t notice that the cup was all the way full until the tea spilled over. Operetta and Evie started laughing.

“That, students is what you should not do. Never fill the tea cup to the brim. It is ill-mannered to spill any of the tea on the saucer, table, and yourself.” Aurora warned as Operetta and Evie continued laughing.

“Miss Queen! Miss Styles! This is no laughing matter! This is an important life skill to have in the future.” Aurora scolded. “Sure. It is.” Operetta said sarcastically.

“I’m serious Operetta, learning proper tea etiquette is important life skill.” Aurora said. “When it comes to drinking tea, there’s some things to remember.” Aurora started as the chalk began writing again.

“Pinkies up is actually considered ill-mannered. Do not blow on the tea to cool it off. Take small, dainty sips; do not gulp and never make a sound when taking a sip. The tea cup goes in the right hand. Never cradle the cup with your hands. Use the handle only; that is what it is for.”

“If standing, the saucer is held in the left hand. In some social circles, especially Asian cultures, you place your hand  on the bottom of the tea cup so the bottom is not seen.”

“Never make noise when you are stirring with your spoon. Never tap the spoon against your tea cup. Gently place the spoon to right side of the saucer without making a noise.”

“Never place the spoon on the table. Never place the spoon in your mouth.” Aurora said. “So where the hell is the spoon supposed to go? In you butt?” Evie asked laughing. “Can’t you two ever just be mature?” Briar asked. “No.” Operetta laughed.

Evie could've sworn she saw a red anime tick mark on Aurora’s forehead. “Continuing on what I was saying. Sugar Packets vs Sugar Cubes.” Aurora growled as the chalk drew a sugar packet and a sugar cube.

“What’s the difference? Sugar is sugar, one’s in a tiny bag and the other one is formed into a cube. I really don’t see what the difference is.” Evie scoffed.

“Miss Evie! I won't say it again, every part of this lesson is important! Even the part about the sugar!” Aurora slammed her hands on Evie and Operetta’s desk.

“Choosing whether to use sugar packets or sugar cubes depends on availability and knowing your guests. Sugar cubes are preferred for formal tea, whereas sugar packets may be used with informal tea gatherings” Aurora calmly explained.

“Now. Does anyone know what One Lump or Two means?” Aurora asked walking back to the board. Mostly everyone raised their hand. “I know I’m gonna regret this. But. Operetta?” Aurora asked. “Well Evie? What does it mean?” Operetta asked smirked.

“Well, I think it mean we have a guest.” Evie smirked as she got up on the table. “Please don’t do what you think your gonna do.” Aurora groaned. “You know the words! Come on everybody! It's a guest! It's a guest!” Evie began tap dancing.

“Oh please no.” Aurora sighed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qQ__xrUF3Y

“Come on Aurora. Sakes alive, well I'll be blessed! Wine's been poured and thank the Lord I've had the napkins freshly pressed.” Operetta started making the napkins and tea come alive dancing around her.

“With dessert, she'll want tea. And my dear that's fine with me. While the cups do their soft-shoein'” Evie poured tea and placed the cup on Aurora head. “I'll be bubbling, I'll be brewing.” Operetta started mixing potions together making a small explosion. “I'll get warm, piping hot. Heaven's sakes! Is that a spot?!” Evie gasped.

“Clean it up! We want the company impressed!” Evie pretended to mop up a mess. “We've got a lot to do!”

“Is it one lump or two?”

“For you, our guest!”

“She's our guest!”

“She's our guest!”

“She's our guest!”

“Be our guest! Be our guest! Be our guest!”

“Everybody!” Operetta yelled. “Why me!” Aurora groaned. Be our guest! Be our guest!”

“Our command is your request”

“It's been years since we've had anybody here”

“And we're obsessed”

With your meal, with your ease

Yes, indeed, we aim to please

While the candle lights still glowing”

“Let us help you, We'll keep going”

“Course by course, one by one”

“'Til you shout, "Enough! I'm done!"

“Then we'll sing you off to sleep as you digest”

“Tonight you'll prop your feet up”

“But for now, let's eat up”

“Be our guest!”

“Be our guest!”

“Be our guest!”

“Please, be our guest!”

“Why was I stuck with them Grimm Brothers! Why!” Aurora repeatedly kept hitting her head on her desk. “Hey Aurora!” Operetta called out. “Remember. One lump. Or two!” Evie laughed as the bell rang.