Zuko (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
broiling) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
undergrounds2015-10-26 12:55 pm
broiling) wrote in undergrounds2015-10-26 12:55 pm
Entry tags:
first | OTA
A: Tea Shop
It was mid afternoon and Zuko found himself hanging little pumpkin lanterns in the window of the Jasmine Dragon. His boss said it was good for tourist, to get them in the Halloween spirit while they were away from America. Zuko was just thankful it wasn't tiny witch's hats. Nothing like insulting any supernatural guests that found themselves stumbling into the quaint little tea shop. And from what Zuko knew witches tended to be a proud lot. Not that he could mention any of this to his very normal human boss.
There was a jangling at the store front door and Zuko looked down from the step ladder he was balancing on to whatever guest just entered. Immediately he could tell someone from a faction had just walked in. He slowly lowered himself back down on to the floor ready for a tense conversation of him skirting around his own affiliations.
"How can I help you?"
B: Streets At Night
It had been a long day and the only thing on Zuko's mind was crashing in bed and not moving for several hours. However, he was becoming aware of another set of footsteps following his own down the mostly deserted street. He took a sharp turn to his right and listened. Definitely following. He waited until the person rounded the corner after him before he conjured a fireball and blasted it in their direction.
"Stop following me," he bellowed.
C: Hillingdon House
Not matter how many times he came here he always ended up feeling like a stranger. It wasn't too long ago he found himself here, a drifter in need of help and the clan had extended a hand. It was grounding and Zuko was always thankful for anything that showed him what path to lead. He just wished he could feel more comfortable talking to his fellow clansman. It was a problem that stemmed from him and he knew it. There was only one way over that particular hurdle, so he stopped by someone who seemed free and waved a little.
"Hey," Zuko said, "Can I ask you a question? Say you were avoiding someone for a long time, because you weren't sure if they'd want to know you anymore. Things were complicated. But then you ran into them. What would you do? Would you pretend nothing happened and try to build a relationship, or would you try to avoid them?"
He really wished his uncle was here. He was always brimming with confusing, but good advice. A stranger would have to do for now.
It was mid afternoon and Zuko found himself hanging little pumpkin lanterns in the window of the Jasmine Dragon. His boss said it was good for tourist, to get them in the Halloween spirit while they were away from America. Zuko was just thankful it wasn't tiny witch's hats. Nothing like insulting any supernatural guests that found themselves stumbling into the quaint little tea shop. And from what Zuko knew witches tended to be a proud lot. Not that he could mention any of this to his very normal human boss.
There was a jangling at the store front door and Zuko looked down from the step ladder he was balancing on to whatever guest just entered. Immediately he could tell someone from a faction had just walked in. He slowly lowered himself back down on to the floor ready for a tense conversation of him skirting around his own affiliations.
"How can I help you?"
B: Streets At Night
It had been a long day and the only thing on Zuko's mind was crashing in bed and not moving for several hours. However, he was becoming aware of another set of footsteps following his own down the mostly deserted street. He took a sharp turn to his right and listened. Definitely following. He waited until the person rounded the corner after him before he conjured a fireball and blasted it in their direction.
"Stop following me," he bellowed.
C: Hillingdon House
Not matter how many times he came here he always ended up feeling like a stranger. It wasn't too long ago he found himself here, a drifter in need of help and the clan had extended a hand. It was grounding and Zuko was always thankful for anything that showed him what path to lead. He just wished he could feel more comfortable talking to his fellow clansman. It was a problem that stemmed from him and he knew it. There was only one way over that particular hurdle, so he stopped by someone who seemed free and waved a little.
"Hey," Zuko said, "Can I ask you a question? Say you were avoiding someone for a long time, because you weren't sure if they'd want to know you anymore. Things were complicated. But then you ran into them. What would you do? Would you pretend nothing happened and try to build a relationship, or would you try to avoid them?"
He really wished his uncle was here. He was always brimming with confusing, but good advice. A stranger would have to do for now.
no subject
The witch smiled faintly. To normal people, Halloween was fun. Costumes, haunted houses, ghost tours. Even she'd gone on a few over the last few years, listened to all the stories of strange happenings. Things that had no explanation so far as they could see.
Of course, those histories were always a little more interesting in the supernatural community. But sometimes they were just as unexplained.
no subject
"You're looking for pumpkin? We've got an assortment."
While they chatted he was running over what supernatural entity would have an interest in a autumn blend. Was there some potential spell ingredient he was forgetting about? Was he handing ammunition into someone's hand? In the end he decided he didn't care, as long as the place didn't end up aflame.
He walked her to the back to the counter and pulled out little packets of tea and spread them out on the counter for her to see.
"Take your pick."
no subject
"I'll try a cup of this, if you don't mind."
no subject
"It's going to take about 5 minutes," he said.
He tapped his fingers on the counter, looked around at every corner of the shop, looked at the tea again. Anything to avoid looking at the woman in front of him. Zuko's customer service was awful. Finally he said:
"So, you come here often?"
no subject
The service was deplorable. But, well, it was quick and hopefully informed. If the quality of the tea was good, she wouldn't hold much against the owner for the help.
"But my normal tea supplier doesn't like to experiment. His teas are his teas, exactly as they have been for years. Good for stability, but..."
She shrugged her shoulders, looking around the shop carefully.
"I wanted something new for a Samhain dinner I'm having."
no subject
"My boss loves his weird blends," should he describe them as weird? That wasn't great salesmanship. He shrugged and reached for the tea that was done steeping. After lifting the ball out of the cup and emptying it in the rubbish bin, he slides it over to Abigail.
"See for yourself. I'm sure it'll be good for your... party."
no subject
"I'll take ten pounds."
Which... might sound odd. But.
"I don't need it right away. If there isn't enough on hand and it needs to be ordered. But I am willing to pay for the time or shipping."
no subject
"Let me ask," he said and he ducked out back quickly to exchange a few words with his boss and emerged with a bigger tin.
"This is the last of it. You got lucky."
He motioned to her to follow him over to a scale and he started scooping out the mix into a fancy green and gold paper bag. It had the words "Jasmine Dragon" stamped on the side with a scrolling illustration of a dragon.
"I guess this stuff is actually pretty good, huh."
no subject
After all, Samhain and Halloween, though sharing the same day, were vastly different from one another.
"Thank you for your help."
no subject
"Most tea shops go for trendy. We're traditional," he said, fully aware of the fact he had been hanging decorations minutes earlier to appear "trendy". It didn't matter, that's what he had been trained to say and the product spoke for itself.
"Good luck with your party."