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.
A
"The Jasmine Dragon, huh?"
It was a touristy little place, but it had enough of what Mum would describe as je ne sais quoi that she'd at least consider the location. Of course, with her birthday next week it had better be the right place because they were running out of time.
"Excuse me," he called to a kid a few years younger than him, who was up a ladder adjusting Halloween decorations. "Excuse me, do you hire out the dining room for private parties?"
no subject
"We can probably do that. What day?"
Zuko dug a notepad and pen out of his apron, ready to write down the details. He could already see the look on some customer's faces when they saw the "closed" sign during opening hours. Small joys.
no subject
He chanced a look at the boy and saw him clearly for the first time. He stared at the horrible scar marking the side of his face and his voice trailed off. Then he shook himself and kept on talking.
"It's going to be a smallish gathering. Just my mum and dad, Gran, and a couple of aunts. Still, we'd appreciate discretion."
no subject
"Menus are over here," He swiped one off a table and placed it in Simon's hands.
"What would you need for a party?" That might sound odd, but Zuko wasn't really accustom to parties. He spent most of his time travelling in dingy bars and before that royal banquets of outlandish style as was the way of the Fae. If this kid had a more party hats and streamers thing in mind Zuko would have to stock up.
no subject
Well, he definitely needed to hire out the Jasmine Dragon now, to make up for it.
"Nothing special. Can you do a larger cake, in addition to the small tea cakes you have on the menu? It's for a birthday." Mum was turning 59 for the fifth year in a row.
no subject
"Cake? What kind?" Instantly in his mind he was imagining a three tier cake, complete with iced rose buds and lace pattern fondant. He was sure they could pay a bakery for that. Never mind the fact that it might be a rude surprise to find a wedding-like cake instead of a "happy birthday, mum" single sheet on the table. He had no idea what a human birthday would require. He never watched much telly sitcoms, or even had human friends. Zuko was a bit out of his element.
no subject
"A birthday cake, I suppose," he replied in a totally non-helpful way. "Mum likes chocolate, so maybe just a chocolate one with 'Happy Birthday Cynthia' written on it? It doesn't need to be very extravagant."
He paused to consult the menu.
"And I think just the full tea for six ought to do it. Or make it eight, just in case someone decides to bring a plus one." He really had no idea what he was doing, honestly, but it was the thought that counted, right?
no subject
"Plus one. I guess that could happen," he sounded very doubtful and not very customer service at all. He inwardly winced and in order to back pedal he added:
"I'll see if I can get you a discount. It being a birthday and everything."