Bluejay: The Protégé of Black Canary

I like Purple Tea

I buttoned up my white collared shirt in the mirror, making sure that the bruise on my shoulder was hidden by the fabric. School was postponed for a few days, much to the Team's gratitude. It gave the city a couple days and to look over damage while it gave us time to recover. The little cuts on my ankle and torso from the thorns and gash on my forehead looked a tiny bit better, and the bruising I'd gotten from the plant creatures could be covered with makeup which was good.

When I checked my phone after the mission, I smiled when I saw a frantic text from Barbra on mine, Artemis, and Dick's group chat asking if we were okay and if any of us had been downtown when the plant emerged in Gotham. We all reported we were fine, which was a relief.

I tucked the shirt in my skirt and fixed the silly tie before pulling up my socks. It was getting colder, so I was grateful for any extra layer I could get. Our stupid dress code didn't allow the girls to wear slacks, which was super annoying. My only comfort was that I knew I wasn't the only one struggling with this problem. I imaged Artemis cursing at her skirt as well.

I gathered the rest of my schoolwork from my desk and headed for the kitchen, yanking a puffer jacket over my blazer as I went. Kaldur sat in a stool conversing with M'gann as she assembled the contents of three paper bags. He held a steaming mug between his hands. It looked like tea.

"Good morning!" M'gann beamed when she saw me.

I greeted the two of them back, setting my backpack on the floor next to the counter. Kaldur was dressed in orange swim trunks and had a blue towel on his shoulders. He probably was going for a swim once we left for school. I hung my mouth open in disbelief.

"Kudos to you, dude. I'm already freezing when I go outside and I'm dry. Are you sure you're toes aren't gonna turn into popsicles and break off your feet?" I sucked in a breath through my teeth.

Kaldur seemed amused by that one. He chuckled and rolled his mug between his hands. The liquid inside it, interestingly, was colored a deep purple. I watched the way his eel tattoos slithered over his arms.

"The water temperature in Atlantis falls far below zero during the coldest months of the year. I assure you, my toes will remain intact." He gave me a small smile. "Although if you're cold, there's some tea left in the kettle if you'd like it."

He motioned to the red ceramic tea kettle resting on the stove. Faint steam twisted from the spout, indicating it's contents was still warm. I decided I would indeed like it. Especially before I had to walk to school in the cold October air. I opened the cabinet to see a variety of mugs displayed inside. I suspected many of them had been gag gifts because there were a bunch with different super hero logos on them, and even one that read:

Any-fin is possible. Just don't trout yourself!

I figured Kaldur didn't choose that one on purpose. I thanked him for the tea and took a seat next to Kaldur, enjoying the warmth that was radiating through the mug.

"Are you excited to go back to school?" I asked M'gann, even though I already knew the answer.

She nodded furiously.

"The bumblebees are learning a new routine today! With practice postponed and the big game coming up, it'll be a lot of work but it'll be fun." She beamed.

I blew on the tea and took a sip of it. I'd never been a huge fan of tea, but my dad had. Especially before he went to bed- it helped him sleep. I swallowed, not quite sure I recognized its earthy and sweet taste.

"Just don't break your arm like Wally." Kaldur advised.

I hummed in agreement and M'gann giggled. Wally had basically gotten out of doing anything from it, and it was beginning to become slightly irritating.