Cogwheels in the Sand

Chapter 3: Desert Sunrise

A/N: Well this thing got finished. And what is this? Almost plot-like developments, oh my.

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Cain slumped over at the table, a steaming cup of hot coffee clutched between his fingers. The warmth seeped into him, helping him to awaken. The inviting aroma gently beckoned him to wakefulness, the hot steam swirling happily somewhere over his form.

He decided to keep his forehead where it was planted on the table, however.

The promise of caffeine, whilst not summoning him from his nigh-unconcious state, had dutifully called his twin up from his death-like trance. Abel was reclined contentedly next to their mother's unoccupied seat, his highly sweetened milk tea being leisurely sipped at. The bags under his eyes betrayed his activities the previous night, however. (In addition, he sported a rather prominent bruise surrounding one eye, but as he had a twin brother, and there had been reports of Cain screaming in anger the night before, the servants elected to say nothing.)

Abel still had to fight off a yawn, however, the caffeine and sugar had given him the energy to wake up, but it had not solved the root of the issue. Namely, his lack of sleep the night before. He smacked his lips almost unconsciously, and blearly gazed off to the side as he raised his cup for another sip.

"Would you care for some additional milk in your drink, my lord?"

Cain barely managed to make himself raise the mug.

"And more chocolate."

The sleepy mumble was almost indecipherable from where it sounded against the wood of the table.

The servant dutifully accepted the mug, pouring an additional shot of milk and spooning in another spoonful of a soft, sweet chocolate. The chocolate swiftly dissolved into the dark liquid, although it had been rather lightened by all the milk that had been added over the course of the past few minutes.

As the servant shook the excess off of the spoon, he gently replaced the mug in the young boy's hands, lightly patting his shoulder in sympathy as he grasped the mug once more.

Cain groaned wearily as he forced his head up, his blond hair sticking to his face. He shook his head, trying to detach the clumps. His face was flushed with red from where it had been pressed against the table, primarily on his nose and the forefront of his forehead. The servant carefully reached over his young master's shoulder and pried the hair off from his face. Cain gave him a grateful look.

Shaking his head lightly in an attempt to clear it of the fog of sleep, he grasped the mug firmly in both hands and raised it to his lips. While he couldn't say coffee was his favorite drink in the world, the many additions he made to it certainly made it more palatable, softening the bitter taste.

Oh, and the promise of caffeine was a good incentive.

Ah, wakefulness.

As the warm liquid made its' way down his throat, its' heat seeping through his body, the doors opened to admit his mother and father, his younger sister being cradled gently against their mother's chest, fast asleep.

Lucky brat.

Cain fought back a yawn as his parents sat down in their respective places, servants placing their morning drinks dutifully before them.

Their father enjoyed a cup of tea in the early morning, much like his younger son, although he prefferd a chamomile blend sweetened with an addition of honey as opposed to milk tea and sugar, preferring to start his day off calm and relaxed.