middaeg | [Open] Perhaps this is the spice of life

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[Open] Perhaps this is the spice of life

Who: Rich Goranski, a few embarrassed employers, and you!
When: From August 8 through to the 16th
Where: Tumeric or not Tumeric
What: Rich starts his new part time job as a spice salesman with his usual amount of enthusiasm. It... well, he's a little confused but he's got the spirit.
Warnings: Small mention of abuse/alcoholism. Also a writing quirk to hopefully get Rich's lisp across. It can be dropped in tags!

[So Rich was, as consistently and ironically as ever, completely broke. A bemused but sympathetic shopkeeper had taken his last bit of American money in exchange for a proper meal his first night, but after that, with his debit card useless, he didn't have a dime to his name.

Sure, he could live and eat without any real concern for money, but Rich wasn't going to be content with just that. There were clothes and books to purchase too, plus he definitely didn't want to stay in the barracks for however long he was stuck here, so that meant getting enough saved up to buy a place.

Should be a lot easier to do that than it was when he was losing three quarters of his cash to his dad's booze fund. Plus, it seemed the city had a lot of businesses looking for part-timers to help out! Making deliveries was easy and a good source of exercise, and now it was time for Rich to try his second job.

Tumeric or Not Tumeric is definitely an odd little shop, probably one that Christine would love. They seemed to have put as much emphasis during Rich's informal interview on theatrical performance as they did on their actual knowledge of their wares. Rich was asked to do a bit of improv work, which was certainly easy enough. Alliteration was fun, and had a bit of a rhythm to it when spoken aloud that had Rich bouncing on his feet. That eagerness and flair for the dramatics got Rich his job.

When the shopkeepers started teaching him the names of the different spices, they might have regretted their acceptance for a few moments.

Whenever someone passes by the storefront, Rich will eagerly wave them over so he can begin reciting.]

Salutations! Sorry to sidetrack your shopping experience, but I simply must insist that you stop and survey our scandellous selection of special spices! We've got subtle saffron, perfect for rices and ricottas, sweet cinnamon for your custards and cakes, and don't forget the citrus notes of sage for a succulent added scent to your sauces! Be sure to see me, starting salesman at this successful establishment, for any answers to your most intelligent inquiries about any of these wonderful wares!

[Rich ends his speech with an exuberant flourish, spreading his arms wide. The shopkeepers and a few gawkers awkwardly clap. And then Rich turns to look at you, breathless but jittery with anticipation.]

So? How'd I do?

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Rich's waving attracts the attentive eye of a curious blonde with ease. Adeline is one of the first to trot over to his little place in front of the window display (with purpose, even, as opposed to the awkward sidelong gawk the other passersby take.) When she gets close enough, she opens her mouth to speak― however, he interrupts her as he jumps into his alliteration-fueled spiel.

When he finishes, the blonde girl bursts into laughter; however, not a note of it is mocking, instead bright and gleeful when paired with her applause.

"Oh, how clever! What better to draw attention, yes?" One of her pointed ears gives an excitable, earnest little twitch from where it peeks out of her curls― and she turns slightly to point to her fellow onlookers. "Why, I think you did wonderfully! And I'm sure they do too― don't you think so, ser?

Rich beams widely and excitedly at the woman's laughter, motivated by her enjoyment of the whole charade. He made someone laugh! And someone super cute, by the looks of it. He leans on the little display case, even as her encouragement makes the strangers nearby awkwardly nod and then wander off.

Hey, glad you liked it, gorgeous! It's my first day, so I'm sure I'm not an expert yet, but I'm sure I'll be getting the hang of it soon with reactions like that to cheer me on.

"For your first day, you've an awful lot of the repertoire committed to memory," Ada replied cheerily― more than content to flatter in turn at his own flattery. "oh, and besides― charm is certainly one of the spices of life, isn't it? Knowing your product is second only to winsomeness, and I think you're a natural."

She poises a glove beneath her chin, glancing up at the sky in thought. "Why― come to think of it, my cupboard is entirely bare, too! I suppose I'll need the basics, won't I?"

"I've been trying to practice! They said my performance was important for attracting customers. But damn, you're a flatterer. I guess if you're charmed, mission accomplished for me."

All Rich really needs is to sweep a pretty gal or guy off their feet and it's a good day in his book. He chuckles softly at her admission and rubs his hands together.

"I can definitely set you up with the basics! We've got a great starter spice rack here, plus you can buy the three pack of the spices I was talking about for a discount! Plus, if I get a kiss, it's buy one get one free."

No, it's not, Rich, you gremlin.

"You're awfully bold, aren't you, ser?" The young lady replies, a playful grin putting s rosy hue into her cheeks. "―and, if I might be so bold myself, I believe you may have gotten just a little bit ahead of yourself― don't you?"

Adeline steps nearer to the open door of the shop, but doesn't cross the threshold― a fine glove against the doorframe. "Why, look: you haven't even managed to get me through the door, and you already speak of kisses! Speaking so freely might deter your customers― or bring in more, depending on the modesty of your clientele."

In punctuation, she gave Rich a catty smile through the curls swept over one playfully-raised shoulder; canting her head, raising a brow. Your move!

"Maybe I have. I'm sorry if I did get a little too forward..."

And it's true! He does look genuinely apologetic to her, though that fades into a look of mischief as he realizes she's starting to tease him.

"But at the same time, I'm not going to hide who I am just to get a couple extra bucks from commissions. I'd rather build a client base that loves me precisely because I have no filter. That'll get me way more in the long run, I think. And I won't feel like I'm deceiving anyone!"

He played the long con with pretending to be someone else, and it lasted so long he'd lost who he was in the first place. He's not about to make that mistake again, even if it may get some raised eyebrows from customers.

Adeline gives Rich a slow nod of empathy as he speaks, though her teasing smile remains.

"Someone crueler than I might tell you to lower your expectations," she replies coolly, passing him to scan a shelf of spices with her eyes before turning to face him. "―however, I'm of the opinion that boldness is a blessing! You never know for certain if you stand to gain anything from being a wallflower, but they do say fortune favours the bold, don't they?"

Ada takes the time to coyly study a glove, a blithe smile laid over her features. She is a merchant's daughter, after all, but such advice isn't strictly adherent to business― and neither is her meaning.

"So you shouldn't apologize for boldness," Adeline continues, folding her hands at the sash of her dress as she pointedly raises her eyes. "you'll have no reason to, if you can keep your momentum. Though― a proper salesman should introduce himself, shouldn't he? There's no finer way to form a connection with the customer. A name has a great deal of power."

"Lower my expectations? You really think there's going to be that many people who wouldn't like me?"

He tries to tell himself he doesn't worry what anyone thinks, but he does feel concerned that being genuine to himself is going to leave him shunned by everyone. Well, except for this lovely stranger.

"They sure do say that, though I don't know who 'they' is. Probably some crusty old white dudes, so I don't know if I care what they think. I'm more concerned what you think! And if you like the boldness, I'm not afraid to put a name to the face."

He offers a hand to the woman with a wide grin.

"Rich Goranski. It's a pleasure to have you as a customer."

She waves a glove dismissively, aiming to dash any fear of failure with the motion― though she warms at his flattery, more than happy to fit her little glove into his palm.

"The pleasure is mine, ser Goranski," Ada replies with a winsome smile, the touch of her hand all velvet softness and warmth; she takes the moment of closeness to study him just a touch more closely, noting the splash of scars on his skin, the freckles that follow. "my name is Adeline, but you can call me Ada, if you like."

"―and bear in mind― I'm notyour customer," Sitting back on her heel somewhat, but keeping his palm against her own, that same smile piques into coyness. "not yet."

Rich gives her hand a squeeze, noting that she's studying his arm, but largely dismissing it. He can't expect her to completely ignore them when they're so blatant, even if it does make him feel a little uncomfortably pitied.

"Ada's a cute name. So Ada, what do I have to do to win you over? If you're going to keep playing coy, I'm just going to have to keep charming the sale out of you."

Grinning, Adeline gives a lighthearted bob of her curls. "You flatter me! And— why, as you might make any other sale! Unless more personal treatment is how you feel so inclined, that is. Am I so easy to read?"

"I don't think you're easy to read. I'm just trying my best not to piss you off. I think it's just lucky if it's working."

He clears his throat. "So! Do you happen to do a lot of cooking, Ada? Because I just so happen to know some great recipes with these spices..."

"You shouldn't sully such a sweet face with such bitter language."

The velour of Adeline's glove is soft on the innermost side of his arm. "―oh, is that so? I'm not one to cook much, but I have been known to bake when I can spare the extra moment."

"Bitter? Is it that big of a deal if I swear? I get you want to be a lady, but I'm probably the furthest thing from a gentleman."

He does beam at her answer though. "Well, you're in luck! I know some cookie recipes that are great with a dash of cinnamon! It works well, especially with ginger or pumpkin... Oh, and we can't forget cinnamon buns!"

"I've seen much further, if you can believe it!" Ada grinned, peering along the canisters of spices and their gilt-adorned labels. "Besides, some of the finest examples of gentlemanly manner come from the humblest of beginnings, didn't you know?

She gives a little hum of pleasure, clearly pleased― clearly playing right into his trap. "Oh, doesn't that sound wonderful? Cinnamon and ginger, yes... oh, and vanilla, too!"

"Well, I guess you'd probably be right that I've got a humble beginning. I'm much closer to a pauper than a prince. Unless the scars make me more Quasimodo."

That was exactly what he was hoping to hear, and he beams much wider.

"Yes, exactly! Cinnamon goes well with just about any kind of sweet flavour, so the baking possibilities are nearly endless."

Adeline matches his smile with one of her one― softly coy, warm.

"Consider it sold, then."

"Yes! You won't regret this, I promise! Just the cinnamon, then? Or do you want to try the other spices?"

He packages one satchel, but he gestures at the other two with the quirk of his eyebrow.

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[Open] Perhaps this is the spice of life

anyway nevermind the fight with L that is TOTALLY happening above/below me let's get softe

IT'S TIME FOR SOFTE FRIENDS

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