Minutes passed.
Neo opened his mouth, closed it, then opened it again.
Finally, he spoke.
"Please, sit. I'll make some tea."
"Mhm."
Hades looked around the room once, as if committing its layout to memory, then sat down calmly.
Neo turned and walked into the kitchen.
His steps were steady, but his shoulders were tense.
He boiled water, measured the leaves, and poured carefully.
His hands didn't shake, but his thoughts wouldn't settle.
When he returned, he placed two cups on the table and sat across from Hades.
They drank in silence.
The tea cooled slowly between them.
Neither spoke.
After a while, Neo stood, collected the cups, and returned them to the kitchen.
He rinsed them, dried them, and placed them back where they belonged.
Then he rested both hands on the counter and took a deep breath.
[Master, talk to him. Are you going to just stay silent?]
"Shut up," Neo muttered under his breath, glaring at the screen. "I'm trying."
