Upon closer inspection, Florent realized he actually recognized the items on the table, he had simply failed to notice them earlier due to the angle...
The tray held only two items: a shallow half-glass of red wine and a new pipe. There was also a small dish containing tobacco and spices, as well as an ornately decorated golden lighter.
Karl said little, merely picking up a pipe with his left hand while gesturing with his right, "Help yourselves, gentlemen. Consider the pipes a small gift."
He then began carefully packing his pipe with the finely prepared tobacco and spices.
Though Florent didn't quite understand how to properly fill a pipe, watching Karl's meticulous movements piqued his curiosity.
He had never smoked a pipe either (or even a cigarette), but pretending to do so wasn't difficult, especially when following the others' lead a step or two behind.
The luxurious-looking lighter, while seemingly ordinary at first glance, produced a flame that burned in an unusual direction compared to standard lighters.
Through careful imitation, Florent successfully transformed into what felt like a rebellious youth preparing for his first smoke, though it was worth remembering that he was only eighteen, barely an adult.
The first inhale hit him like a wave of unfamiliar intensity. The taste was far stronger than the smell of secondhand smoke, but Florent suppressed his discomfort.
While he had never smoked before, there was no harm in trying...
However, substances with more severe consequences, like the Desi Bay equivalent of cannabis, were best avoided.
Soon, thick smoke filled the room. With each exhale, the mingled fragrance of tobacco and spices permeated the air.
To Florent's surprise, the scent of burning tobacco and spices was unexpectedly pleasant, and unlike the acrid smell of cigarettes, it carried an additional layer of aromatic richness beyond the usual tobacco notes.
After a period of silent smoking, the carefully prepared tobacco and spices gradually turned to dark ash.
When Florent exhaled his final puff, he felt some of the tension he had been carrying release, perhaps due to the quiet atmosphere, the hazy veil of smoke, or simply the uniqueness of the setting.
For a moment, he thought he might actually enjoy this kind of environment... But he quickly dismissed the notion.
Though the smoke eventually dissipated in the poorly ventilated room, the lingering odor of burnt tobacco and other unidentifiable substances remained.
Florent still couldn't bring himself to like smoking, especially as he watched the other three close their eyes, inhaling the remnants of the scent with evident pleasure. He suddenly felt isolated.
'Don't you guys find this smell absolutely terrible?' Florent screamed internally.
'And smoking is bad for your health! Do you want lung problems?'
But then he remembered that even 'Apothecaries' in this world could concoct medicines surpassing Earth's medical treatments, so he decided not to voice his concerns.
Once the smell of smoke faded (or once their noses grew accustomed to the heavy scent) Karl, Quevedo, and Erich opened their eyes one after another.
Karl gestured to the wine accompanying the pipes, "This is Ormir red. While not an exceptional vintage, it's far superior to the average Ormir. Please, enjoy it. Afterward, we'll continue our discussion."
Quevedo's excitement was palpable, though his movements were surprisingly careful, seemingly radiating reverence for the wine.
He slowly lifted his glass, swirled it under the light, sniffed it twice, and then began sipping it in small, deliberate tastes.
Florent, on the other hand, was far less invested. Though he went through the same motions, he didn't derive any special enjoyment... after all, he had never drunk wine before, nor even much beer.
It seemed Florent had been a non-smoking, non-drinking model citizen in his past life.
The Ormir red didn't smell like grape juice, the only reference he had for wine. Even expensive red wines he had tried before paled in comparison to simple grape juice in his opinion.
The aroma wasn't even distinctly grape-like; instead, it carried complex notes of blackcurrant, cherry, and other fruits, rich and layered.
Florent even detected a faint spicy undertone, which intrigued him. Without further hesitation, he took a small sip.
The intense fruitiness combined with the robust alcohol created a powerful impact on his palate, living up to the wine's namesake... Ormir, which like a giant was full of strength.
Beyond the fruitiness, there was a pronounced woody fragrance, as if the most luxurious smoked timber had infused its essence into the wine.
After the initial wave of fruit and smoke, a sharp acidity emerged, followed by a subtle bitterness. Yet once the full experience settled, what lingered was a rich, unmistakable grape flavor.
Having never tasted such a bold and complex wine before, Florent found himself thoroughly impressed. Even his breath carried the wine's aromatic depth afterward.
As he savored the Ormir red sip by sip, he noticed that while each taste was similar, subtle variations created a distinct sense of depth, making the experience all the more enjoyable.
"Whew, Karl, this Ormir red feels completely different from any I've had before. It's truly magnificent. It must be aged wine... " Quevedo said, the first to emerge from his wine-induced reverie.
"Indeed," Erich added simply.
Though Florent knew little about wine, he still offered his praise, "This is the best red wine I've 'ever' had."
Karl acknowledged Erich and Florent's compliments with polite nods, but to Quevedo, he said, "Today marks my first step into a new world. Consider this a one-time indulgence."
Quevedo clutched his chest in exaggerated despair, "Oh, Karl! How could you be so cruel? You lift me to heaven only to cast me down without mercy! Have you no conscience?"
Accustomed to Quevedo's theatrics, Karl merely responded with calm detachment, "Now, what can you tell me about these Beyonder gatherings?"