Zuberi walked confidently through the flower nursery, feeling a strong sense of achievement deep within him. Looking at the thriving green plants, he couldn’t help but smile with satisfaction. He had settled in comfortably with the Flower Sisters, who had become his beloved ones. While having found a place of belonging, he didn’t expect to find. The flower shop’s vast nursery was a goldmine of opportunities for the Siri.

The biggest value it brought was the raw cultivation of Miili Inakumbatia, a powerful herb essential to every Siri’s toolkit. This herb had versatile uses and had become a crucial component of the Siri’s operations. Its usage is most prominent in Ponyville and the Apple Acres. While Cloudsdale was showing a rapid increase in usage in a very short amount of time. While they had been able to grow sufficient amounts, they were still limited in its overall cultivation.

The conditions needed to grow it could only be met within a few areas in Equestria. With the shortage on the rise because of the rapid expansion of influence. They needed more, a lot more and soon. Ponyville’s own usage was becoming more and more demanding. Almost everyone within Ponyville had been affected in some way. Those on the outskirts were varied with how much they had been exposed to it…if at all. Something they were addressing.

Supply, though, was no longer a concern because of the Flower Sisters nursery. Originally, the flower shop was overlooked because the requirements to grow Miili Inakumbatia could not be met. That changed with the knowledge of the enchanted tools and equipment that they had. Being able to cultivate a bountiful crop in a short time was a boon. One that the Siri needed to avoid slowing their usage of it down.

“Mistress Zecora will surely be delighted with this.” Zuberi thought to himself. With a sigh of relief, he felt a comforting calmness envelop him, painting a warm smile on his face. “We have an abundance now, and we can sell the extra to secure more funds. She even approved cross breeding it with poppy flowers. If we can manage that-”

“Zuberi! Your brothers are here!” Lily’s voice rang out as she approached the back of the nursery, where Zuberi was tending to another plentiful harvest of Miili Inakumbatia. She swayed gracefully and as she neared him. Reaching for him, she planted a peck on his cheek, Zuberi returning one in kind. “You have fun hun.”

“Thank you, Lily." Zuberi replied, then turned to his ‘brothers,’ his fellow Siri agents who had arrived. “We’ve gathered another substantial yield to send back ‘home’. I’ve already prepared them for transport on the flat-cart." Addressing the older of the two ‘brothers’, he continued. “And I’ve readied the surplus for the youngest to sell at the Tea Shop. Do you think this will be enough for Tauli to work with Peul’a?”

“Yes, I think this is more than enough...might even be too much for an introductory sale if I am to be honest.” Peul’a replied, nodding in affirmation. “If he doesn’t sell them, I’m sure we can make sure they are used in some way and leave nothing to waste. The bits would prove more valuable right now though.” His voice held a certainty to it as he turned to Tauli, who seemed far younger than either, having a baby face with a rounder and softer face.

“Yeah, there should be plenty for me to work with.” Tauli asked. “Where is her shop located again?”

“I can tell you.” Lily chimed in. “From the front of the store, go left and head down the road about five buildings and across the street. It has an enormous billboard on its front with a teacup and green leaf on it.”

“Thank you, ‘sister’.” Tauli smiled and nodded. “I’m going to head out now.”

“Oh, you won’t be staying for lunch at least?” Lily asked, looking a little disappointed. “Surely a small bit of food couldn’t hurt?”

“Sorry Lily, he doesn’t have time today. He has other obligations he must attend to.” Tauli turned to Peul’a, who nodded at Tauli’s words. “He has to get ahead of his work schedule today.”

“Because you’re an unfamiliar face. Show Jasmine Leaf this.” Lily reached into her pocket and extended her hand towards Tauli and said. “ It should help with introductions.” Nodding in response, He resumed his motion and headed towards the back where the excess was and left the group’s sight. “It’s too bad, well maybe next time.” Her attention was quickly drawn to the shouting of Rose being heard in the background. Causing the mare to excuse herself and moving with a display of quickness, leaving the two Siri alone. “I’m interested in learning more about you all.”

“You’ve done rather well for yourself.” Tauli commented, looking at Zuberi. “I heard you went to quite the extremes for them.”

“I did. I don’t regret them either.” Zuberi acknowledged with a nod. “I endured branding for their sake.” Peul’a reacted with a slight recoil at those words, though she couldn’t help but admire his dedication. “Impressive, my brother.” He complemented, before shifting his tone to one more serious and formal. “Now, let’s return to more pressing matters; the crossbreeding of the poppy flowers.”

---

Having loaded the modest shipment onto the flat cart, Tauli followed Lily’s instructions in his mind as he maneuvered through the bustling streets of Ponyville. He quickly reached the Tea Shop, with its charming maroon-colored facade and an elegant sign that read “Touch of Tea” in script above the entrance. Parking the flatbed cart, he made his way inside. Tauli opened the door, and the gentle chime of a bell announced his arrival.

Inside, the atmosphere was cozy and inviting, filled with the soothing aroma of various teas. The mare behind the counter, wearing a baby blue ascot and her hair elegantly parted to one side, matched the shop’s exterior in maroon. She held an exquisite teapot named Jasmine Leaf, a perfect choice for a tea connoisseur. The zebra felt a slight shiver, the warmth against his body contrasting with the herbal scents that enveloped him. Approaching the counter, Tauli was a mix of anticipation and curiosity. This marked his first encounter with the pony.

The maroon mare greeted him with a friendly nod, her eyes radiating genuine hospitality. As he looked at her, he couldn’t help but notice her professional and graceful but alluring appearance. The earth mare had a coat of reddish-violet, donning a thin, flowery blouse that gave a modest view of her cleavage. Her snug denim jeans accentuated her hips and complemented her figure, and a charming blue ascot adorned her neck. A lighter pink mane gracefully cascaded over one side of her face, and her focused, yet kind, blue eyes met Tauli’s.

‘I suppose she’s had some exposure to the Siri drug.’ Tauli pondered to himself. ‘Alright, let’s do this.’

“Welcome to the Touch of Tea." The mare, presumably Jasmine Leaf, warmly greeted with an inviting voice. “Are you interested in any particular flavor profile, or perhaps you’re looking to expand your palate?”

“Not entirely.” Tauli responded with a smile that mirrored Jasmine's welcoming and composed demeanor. “I’m here to propose something that I believe would benefit us both. You see, I have a wide range of specially prepared herbs and leaves that I think would be a wonderful addition to your charming shop. They all originate from the same root plant, as well, I might add.”

“Oh?" Jasmine replied, her eyes narrowing slightly, and her tone subtly shifting. “In that case, let’s address a few questions.”

“Questions?” Tauli asked, raising a curious eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

“Yes, I don’t just sell any hog posh tea here. I have high standards, which is why I charge as much as I do." Jasmine Leaf stated, motioning to the assortment of teas behind her, each priced between a dozen bits and two dozen bits per serving. Tauli blinked a few times before comprehending. “Those are rather...impressive prices. I hope I can provide you with the answers you seek."

“Yes, I understand.” Tauli replied, maintaining a calm and friendly demeanor. Jasmine's expression grew even more focused, and her voice adopted a direct and professional tone, taking him by surprise. “Please, go ahead, ask away.”

“Thank you." Jasmine replied, swiftly grabbing a clipboard. “Just a few questions to start with. Do you have samples to showcase the quality of your tea? Could you elaborate on the preparation methods? And lastly, what can you tell me about the flavor profiles?” Tauli had little time to respond as Jasmine Leaf listed her questions.

“Certainly, I’d be happy to." Tauli responded. He reached into his pocket, revealing a modest-sized bag. Opening it, he unveiled a smaller bag containing crushed tea leaves and another with a finer tea powder. “Just a moment. I need to get complete samples from my flatbed cart outside. But I’ll leave these with you for now." She nodded, her professionalism unwavering.

With a stride in his step and a movement that held a sense of purpose, Tauli made his way to the exit, leaving the shop briefly to retrieve more plants from his cart. He returned swiftly, the chime of the bell announcing his re-entry. Tauli presented Jasmine Leaf with several sets of whole tea leaves. “Here you go. These are examples of what we have to offer. I hope they meet your expectations." he said as he displayed the assortment to the maroon mare. “If you need more or wish to examine the product outside, please feel free.”

“Very good. This should suffice for now." Jasmine commented, jotting something down on her clipboard. “Do they require specific methods of preparation, or is general preparation acceptable? Are these locally grown? And how much are you looking to offload at the moment?”

“I’m not entirely sure if it has a specific preferred method.” Tauli responded. He was a bit surprised by the thoroughness of Jasmine's inquiry. “But I can certainly provide a modest amount for any preparation methods you might have.” Pausing for a moment, he continued. “As for the quantity, I currently have a flat cart outside with around two hundred pounds. I can supply more if needed." Then a realization struck him. “Oh, I almost forgot to mention this, my apologies. My brother, Zuberi, told me about this place, and he’s already prepared a lot to show you.” He retrieved the piece of paper that Lily had given him, realizing he should have shown it earlier.

“Oh?! You’re Zuberi’s brother?” Jasmine seemed a bit surprised but a lot more welcoming to him as she reached out to accept the piece of paper. Accepting it and skimming over it. Her expression shifted back to a more relaxed one. “Well, that changes a few things. The Flower sisters have supplied me before. That makes things easier with them being local and a place I trust. So I can accept them without issue, but I still have to do my part and properly examine them.” She checked off something on her clipboard. “Now, since this is a new tea product, I have a personal testing routine to evaluate them.”

“Please, feel free." Tauli replied, smiling at the mare. “I have these samples, and I can provide more as needed.”

“Great to hear.” Jasmine's once stern tone had now softened, echoing the warmth she’d shown when first meeting the zebra. She set her clipboard down on the counter.

“Give me a moment, won’t you? I need to grab a few things for my evaluation. It won’t take too long." Jasmine said, disappearing through a door behind the counter. “Feel free to explore while I’m at it.” Tauli couldn’t help but admire the grace of her departure, his eyes briefly drawn to the subtle curves of her form. As she disappeared into the back of the shop and Tauli’s eyes no longer lingering on her curvaceous figure.

“I suppose I should familiarize myself a bit more with Tea.” Tauli said out-loud to himself. He was out of his element right now. “Still, a pretty nice shop.”

Tauli ventured further into the enchanting emporium of tea, its ambiance akin to that of an apothecary or even a spice shop. Taking in the atmosphere a bit more, the very air seemed to pulse with a captivating charm, bringing out a sense of familiarity. As he explored the shop’s offerings, he couldn’t help but draw parallels between this place and his homeland.

‘It reminds me a little bit of home...I see what Zuberi meant now.’ Tauli thought to himself. The memories of a simpler time, before he became a Siri. ‘We share so much in common with ponies.’

He continued to drift around the ever endearing store, picking up and examining many of the unique blends. The various teas, reading their labels and taking in the enticing aromas. He marveled at the variety, from classic black and green teas to exotic herbal infusions. It was overwhelming, if he was honest with himself.

‘There’s just so many…’ Tauli thought to himself. ‘I can only imagine what she would sell if she was a potion maker.’

The quality was obvious, and he appreciated the attention to detail in the packaging, many sharing unique designs for each variation. Moving to another section, encased in a glass display case, Tauli’s eyes fell upon a collection of tea accessories that included delicate infusers, elegant tea strainers, and beautifully crafted teacups. It was increasingly evident that “Touch of Tea” was not just a shop but a haven for tea enthusiasts, a place where the quality of each product was meticulously selected and curated.

“I can respect the dedication to one’s craft.” Tauli remarked. “She clearly enjoys what she does.”

“Thank you. I pride myself in it." Jasmine Leaf said as she brought out a wooden cart adorned with a few select items. Her selection of equipment spoke volumes about her expertise and dedication to the art of tea-making, something that exceeded anything Tauli knew. “Sorry for the wait. I decided I’d bring out some of my nicer ones for the evaluation since you come at the recommendation of the Flower Sisters.” She then took the prepared samples Tauli had provided.

Tauli watched with interest as Jasmine Leaf carefully measured a specific quantity of the Miili Inakumbatia from the samples he had provided. The earthy aroma of the dried leaves wafted through the room, filling the air with a sense of anticipation and curiosity. Tauli maintained an unwavering focus on Jasmine Leaf as the world around them seemed to blur into obscurity. It was evident that she was firmly entrenched in her element, effortlessly navigating the art of tea preparation. In what felt like mere moments, Jasmine Leaf had skillfully crafted the first pot of tea, adorned with a luminous sigil that emanated a mystical glow. Tauli couldn’t help but question it.

“Magic?” Tauli pondered aloud, his curiosity piqued by the enchanting sight before him. “I was not aware you used magic?”

“Indeed!” Jasmine Leaf confirmed with a nod, a faint trace of annoyance tainting her voice as she responded, remaining focused on her tea making as she did. “It not only enhances the brewing process but also aids in detecting impurities or undesirable substances within the tea. You’d be astonished by the audacity of those who attempt to peddle contaminated products.” She huffed at the end and her brow furrowed. “Can you believe someone once tried to sell me Poison Joke? The audacity of people sometimes.” Her voice grew heavier, causing Tauli to involuntarily flinch at the sharpness of her tone. Sensing his reaction, she took a deep breath and offered an apology. “I apologize for my outburst. I hold a deep love for tea. The thought of those types of people disrespecting it, it gets under my skin.”

“No no, it’s alright.” Tauli shook his head. “It’s reassuring actually. I’ll make sure to never become one of those that would get you so upset. I fear I might not survive your wrath!” he replied, a somewhat joking display of fear and playfulness to the tense atmosphere. Earning a chuckle from the mare at the childish display.

“Well, Mister Tauli. I’m happy to see that you understand the dangers that come with crossing a mare's passion.” She quipped in an equally playful tone, the atmosphere having been lightened as playful banter interwoven between the two. A warm smile graced her face as she finished her preparation, extending her hands to offer a teacup and a small saucer under it to Tauli. “Would you like to join me for a cup?” Pouring two cups of tea, she extended one to Tauli.

“I’d love to.” Tauli responded, accepting the offer without hesitation. “I think it would speak poorly for me if I didn’t try my own product with you.”

As Jasmine Leaf took her first sip, a wave of tranquility washed over her. The tea’s soothing flavor danced on her taste buds, savoring the unexpected aroma that followed. She could feel the gentle warmth in her cheeks rise and then slowly spread down her body, caressing her chest like a pair of warm hands massaging her breasts while her nipples gently stiffened. A sultry soft moan escaped her lips, a slight quivering in the back of her throat as she struggled to hold the cup up without trembling.

The heat continued downwards, running over her thighs and slipping its way between them, tingling as it tickled the damp folds of Jasmine Leaf’s pussy. Her thong grew damp from her marehoods gentle cascade of sweet arousal, which trickled down her legs within the tight jeans she wore. Like the beads of sweat on the outside of the warm ceramic cup, she was now struggling to keep steady.

Jasmine Leaf gently rocked her hips from side to side. The gentle friction against the cloth of her undergarments brought her back to the present moment with a sudden jolt of pleasure. The subtle fragrance of her own desire wafted through the air. Jasmine Leaf glanced towards Tauli, who sat there, sipping his tea, his eyes shut as if he was unaware of the intense response she was having to that very cup of tea. However, the tightness of his trousers suggested a different story, though it remained concealed to her.

“Oh.. oh my.” Jasmine Leaf commented, pausing for a moment as she set her tea down. Startled but such a delightful response. “That was...unexpected.” She pondered for a moment before shifting her attention back to Tauli. “I have to ask...does this particular plant hold any distinctive effects? It did seem to elicit a quite pleasant warmth.”

“Ah, yes.” Tauli paused, as though he was deep in contemplation. He spoke with a mixture of truth and deception. “Well, personally, I haven’t noticed any, but my mother always claimed it’s excellent for relieving stress.”

“I see…” Jasmine Leaf said as she wondered what kind of stress relief that was but having an idea. As Tauli seemed ignorant of it, his acting left her none the wiser. Tauli watched as Jasmine Leaf nodded, jotting something down on her clipboard. “It has such a strong flavor.”

‘I didn’t expect such an immediate reaction, at least not one so powerful.’ Tauli thought to himself. ‘I wonder if she knows how obvious of a reaction she had.’ The zebra pondered as Jasmine Leaf began preparing what he assumed was Ice Tea in the making.

A pitcher with a similar legendary etching along its side stood nearby. As the pitcher was filled, its transparent glass frosted over, and ice cubes took shape within it, crafted from the tea itself. As the pitcher thawed, it took on the appearance of the quintessential image of a chilled pitcher of tea on a scorching day, with tiny droplets of moisture trickling down its surface.

“With or without lemon?” Jasmine Leaf asked. “The flavor can change dramatically, if you didn’t know.”

“I actually didn’t know that.” Tauli commented, nodding his head. “But without please.”

Nodding Jasmine Leaf produced a nice chilled glass of ice tea, offering it to the Siri agent. Tauli, who accepted it graciously, the gentle jostling of ice meeting glass as he took a sip of it. Jasmine Leaf followed suit and took a sip, feeling the icy coolness wash over her lips and tongue, transporting her into a vivid dreamscape like space.

A gentle, refreshing breeze caressed Jasmine Leaf’s skin, almost as if it carried the cool, mysterious touch of an unknown entity that left an icy sensation on her lips. Her thoughts fixated on this enigmatic presence, envisioning gentle hands exploring and teasing her chest, their cool fingers brushing her nipples and sending shivers down her body. She couldn’t help but whimper in response to the sensation. The response to her plea sent her breath quickening and a shiver down her spine.

Suddenly, a sharp, chilling, yet pleasurable feeling pierced through her. With a gasp, Jasmine Leaf snapped back to reality, her wide eyes fixed on Tauli, who appeared to be casually sipping his glass of iced tea. Her chest, breasts, and the pit of her stomach tingled with a frosty but electric-like sensation, causing a noticeable blush to spread across her face. Her mind raced with questions as she gazed down at the glass of iced tea.

“What was that...who...was that?” Jasmine Leaf wondered, her mind slightly hazy still, recoiling slightly from her otherworldly likeness. “I don’t think I’ve ever had a tea with such a flavor profile!”

She shook her head, making a quick note on her clipboard, her focus undivided as she delved into the art of crafting a Chai Tea. The process differed slightly as the unusual contraption came to life once she introduced dried leaves, followed by warm milk, sugar, ginger, cinnamon, and a selection of aromatic spices. Tauli observed with interest as these peculiar devices conjured a thicker liquid that ultimately poured into an elongated cup with a broad handle. It frothed at the top, creating a sprinkle or dusting effect.

“That’s...intriguing." Tauli mused silently to himself. “I didn’t know it could froth like that.”

“Have you ever tried Chai Tea before?” Jasmine Leaf inquired. “It’s very popular from the far Eastern lands.”

“I can’t say that I have.” Tauli responded, smiling at her. “But it does seem intriguing.”

“Well, you’re in for a delightful surprise. It’s one of my personal favorites.” Jasmine Leaf explained with a smile as she offered the first cup to Tauli. “Thanks to the enchantments on this device, we can skip a few traditional steps that would otherwise make this process much more time-consuming." Jasmine Leaf quickly prepared another cup for herself, while Tauli felt a comforting warmth. Tauli, intrigued by the novel experience. He took a sip, finding himself unexpectedly enamored with the unique texture and flavor. “This is amazing, I wonder-oh.” He saw the distant and glossed over expression across her face as a faint froth rested on her upper lip.

She felt a powerful warmth encompassing her as she was pulled into her own thoughts once more...the feeling of dozens of hands all over body as her body entered what could only be described as a pseudo heat. The hands exploring her body so freely...feeling them probe, tease and stimulate her like an object of pleasure. Jasmine Leaf wanted more...feeling the growing pleasure as she yearned for more. Her heart skipped a beat as she felt the hands slip inside of her. Vivid scenes played through her mind, the first hand slipping into her folds and then another two spreading bottom and another with its two fingers penetrating her rear.

She was filled in both places and felt a warmth pooling in her belly as she felt the hands move with such care, each finger curling and hooking her marehood and tugging. Another probed her marehood, twirling within her wet insides, caressing them and stretching them wider.Jasmine Leaf began to moan, the heat becoming too much as she began to pant. Her eyes shut and head tilting back as the hands within her began to pump, the fingers within her moving faster and faster until her insides quaked and shuddered. She felt like she was being lifted off the ground as these gripping hands of pleasure drove her to climax.

With a shutter and a loud gasp, Jasmine Leaf was released from her stupor, falling forward on the counter and panting. Tauli could see her legs were slightly spread and saw her folds were dripping wet. Tauli feigned ignorance to it all as Jasmine Leaf recovered herself, unaware of what even happened but trying to keep her professionalism after such a visceral reaction. As she got herself together, she thought it was about time to wrap this up...even if it wasn’t finished. She had had a problem she needed to tend to. It was becoming more problematic, and she doubted Tauli would go unaware of it the next time around.

“So far I think these are all wonderful. Some are far better than others, but I fear I have made a lapse in judgment at how long it would be.” Jasmine Leaf stated, trying to quickly leave the conversation as her thighs rubbed together more and more. “I have forgotten that I have a matter I must attend to. So I must end this a bit sooner than I intended.”

“Oh, it is alright.” Tauli acted. He knew exactly what was going on and was giving her the out she needed but he needed to finalize things. “I’m still learning about all these flavors.”

"These flavors are quite unique, and I can almost feel a warm tingling inside from it.” Jasmine Leaf nodded and said. “I believe these will sell beautifully.” She then looked at the zebra with a curious eye. “Now, there is the final matter of profits. What percentage are Zuberi and the sisters asking for?”

“I was told to seek the same pricing arrangement for the sake of simplicity and because of where they are grown.” Tauli replied, not fully knowing what the arrangement was, but was trying to be as quick and easy about it as possible. Knowing that things could be easily adjusted more in their favor if needed later. “So I believe that would be satisfactory enough.”

“Indeed, it will." Jasmine nodded, looking back at the samples she had experienced. “Well, for now, you can bring the cart you brought around back, and then you can tell Zuberi and the Flower Sisters. I look forward to doing further business. I’ll get a formal agreement written up and sent his way as well. It should be ready within a few days.

Tauli nodded and excused himself as he headed out the door much with a sense of haste. As soon as Tauli left, Jasmine let out an audible, shivering sigh of relief. Her face erupted into a scarlet blush, and she couldn’t help but pant a little as she was clutching her chest. She couldn’t figure out what had happened, but she felt as if her entire body, from tongue, down her throat, and from her belly, spread throughout her being. Even the still air of the room on her skin was sending small shivers throughout the rest of her body. Looking around, she was certain she was alone, and it brought some comfort.

“What happened?!" Jasmine panted quietly to herself, looking around to see what could’ve caused this feeling. Looking down at the three beverages, she shivered at the otherworldly state of mind it took her. “Was that the tea...or was it me?” She the pool of her own arousal drenching the floor. “I’ve not gone so long without a stallion that I’d be having such thoughts because of tea. Have I?”

Looking over to the front door of her shop, she considered her options. She could try to force herself to deal with the rest of her workday, holding back these growing, burning feelings while selling tea. Or she could take an early break, just close the shop for the hour, and work out these feelings. It was hard to say, as she swallowed nervously, biting at her lower lip as she was shivering the more she tried to hold herself back. After a few agonizing minutes of indecisiveness, she let out one more annoyed sigh.

“Alright, alright! I can’t do this!" Jasmine groaned, all but dragging her legs over to the door. Flipping the sign over, she set the small cardboard clock to show an hour from now. “Just an hour. I can get a clear head in an hour.”

Once the sign was set, Jasmine Leaf locked the door. She looked at the cups of tea she had before as a vivid reminder of earlier washed over her. The icy kiss...the heated touch...mixing sensations of fire and ice across her skin. She let out a shallow moan at the thought of it. Her hand had already found its way in her pants and under the fabric of her thong. She pulled her hand out, seeing the wetness drip down her index and middle finger as a strain connected the two...biting her lip.

“Fuck...maybe I need two hours.” Jasmine said to herself as she added the time to her cardboard clock. “Yeah, I think a couple hours should be fine. I…I’m sure the shop will be fine.”

Turning on the hoof, she quickly made her way up the stairs, leading to the portion of the building in which she lived. She locked herself away in her room. Within it was a modest room with a simple bed and furniture. A deep but intense warmth overwhelmed her core as a pleasant cool sensation mixed along the surface of her skin that made her fur stand on end. Shivering, she knew what she had to do. She had to get out of these clothes.

Next Chapter: Chapter 11: Savoring Tea Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 11 Minutes