rollfordiplomacy: dns (Default)
[Everett Vaughan] ([personal profile] rollfordiplomacy) wrote in [community profile] middaeg2019-12-01 09:49 am

DiplomaTea | Grand Opening! | Mingle Post

Who: Any and all!
When: December 1st.
Where: The Haven.
What: Grand Opening of a new, mirrorbound owned shop!
Warnings: None.


DiplomaTea, a Florist and Tea Shop, is located on a street corner in The Haven. Today is its Grand Opening, complete with festivities to mark the occasion. The shop has a cozy and welcoming atmosphere, though a gothic aesthetic permeates throughout. Skulls, thorns, and lace are in much of the decor.

Above the main entrance hangs a dyed elk skull, decorated with white carnations and tea leaves. Entering leads one to a tidy shop, flower arrangements filling every possible surface. The air within is warm and scented by whichever section one might be in. Even the smells filling the shop are well organized and complimentary.



The floor plan includes plenty of space to walk through and admire the floral displays. Double doors are locked open, leading out to a covered, outdoor porch. Many are sitting to enjoy a cup of tea. The whole shop is pleasantly heated, the porch space a middle ground between the warm interior and cold, rainy streets beyond. A small stage accommodates a single performer with a compact instrument. Live music is playing throughout the opening day. Inside the shop is a long bar to take orders for fresh brewed tea and to make sales.



I. Enchant me by the Mistletoe

Over the door frames and upon the tea tables are a peculiar little plant, wrapped in ribbon. Being near to these cause a certain reaction. It's not so much a compulsion as an idea. An idea to kiss or hold the person nearest to you. Whether platonic or romantically depends on your ideas of them.

If they are a perfect stranger, well, it's likely to fall romantic. The magic is funny like that, keen to fluster!

It is only an idea, lasting so long as one remains near to the mistletoe. Or... until the idea is so indulged. Guests are more than welcome to take the enchanted bundle along with them, the effects should last a couple days. The staff have more on hand to set out in replacement... and magically woven ribbons of their own, which block such ideas from forming in their own minds. They don't need such distractions! It's a busy enough day as it is!

II. Illusory Flowers

A Grand Opening special! Roses and lily flowers with peculiar properties. Everett grows all the flowers stocking the shop himself and his magic mixes with the witch he's bonded to, Sokie. Some of her illusion magic affected this batch, in fun and often times unpredictable ways.

These flowers are still closed, waiting for the right moment to bloom. They are being given away freely, a single flower at a time, both inside and out front of the shop. When they pass hands, the petals open to blossom, and a small illusion springs forth!

Never harmful, but always surprising. Sometimes the illusion is visual, sometimes with a sound or a smell to accompany. Rarely do the aspects seem well matched, fire cracker like eruptions may leave behind the smell of ocean water. Small, ghostly creatures often springing forth, as if born from the flower itself. There's a wide variety that can manifest, even Everett's not sure of all the possibilities.

No matter what it is, it fades from the senses within a minute. All that's left then is a lovely, if ordinary flower.

III. A Springtide Blessing

The shop has much to offer with flower arrangements, but the tea blends are the real centerpiece on display. Everett prides himself on his perfect flavor combinations, which he assures have as much significance to them as any flower. For the grand opening, there are three specialty blends. Blessings of the Springtide, he calls them. All are available for tastings and purchase.




a. Adelheid's Heart

A floral, sweet tea. This is served with lemon and fresh honey, pairing well with tea biscuits. Easy to drink, even for those without a fondness for tea. Refreshing and said to always uplift one's spirits.

b. Enki's Ambition

A sharp, minty tea. Though it is served warm, it leaves a strangely cold feeling when swallowed. Soothing, all the same, and very brisk. Any congestion of the nose or throat is sure to be remedied by a cup of this. The ideal tea when in need of focus and clarity.

c. Ardric's Warmth

This tea is an absolute kick in the teeth. It's harsh and bitter. There's a spice to it that builds on itself, making it more and more difficult to drink in time. The caffeine is highly concentrated, there's no getting to sleep after a cup of this. Everett will reward a free tin of it to anybody who can get down an entire cup in the store. Most people cough or wretch after a single sip, a sure sign that it's been well crafted. It's said to burn out illness and boost one's fortitude against curses.

IV. Warmth in more than Tea

To mark the occasion, there's more than tea blends on offer this day. In two warmed barrels is a bounty of apple cinnamon cider. One with alcohol and one without. The former isn't very high content, just enough to warm the belly and relax with.

This is served throughout the day, but becomes particularly tempting once the sky darkens in the afternoon. Overcast weather settles above the city, then. Rain will begin pattering down over the covered porch come evening, which is bright with lantern light and tea candles set out on the tables.

Grab a seat, if you can, it's the perfect hour to watch people go by or cuddle up with a companion. That or merely pop in to escape the rain, warm up before going the rest of the way home.

All prompts are open to any and all to play around with! The Grand Opening is from morning on the 1st of December well into the night. OOC Questions can be asked on the permanent locations post or Everett can be asked ICly in his TL here. DiplomaTea's permanent open post available through the Location Page is open to anybody who wishes to use the setting in the future. Have fun and tag around!
bergamotrose: (noble)

iv

[personal profile] bergamotrose 2019-12-04 04:07 am (UTC)(link)
That is good to hear.

[Lorenz had been in and out of the shop throughout the evening, enjoying the flowers and the teas as he intermingled with the various people who came to investigate this new place of business. DiplomaTea was a lovely shop. Though Lorenz was certain he would be back, however, he wished to catch up with familiar faces.

The timing was perfect.

Taking some supplies easily from Wataru's hands, he smiled.]


It gives me enough time to help you with this.
kivatteru: (065)

[personal profile] kivatteru 2019-12-04 11:22 am (UTC)(link)
[ He'd seen Lorenz hanging around the place, though they hadn't interacted a lot since he was served by a coworker instead. It seems like the man grew already fond of the place, which makes Wataru elated. But the surprise is clear on his face when Lorenz takes the supplies from his hands instead of sitting at a table or looking at the flowers like a customer would do. ]

Huh? [ Wataru is genuinely confused. ] Help me? Why?
bergamotrose: (modern)

[personal profile] bergamotrose 2019-12-11 03:56 am (UTC)(link)
Why not?

[Lorenz chuckled, holding fast to the parcel he had relieved from Wataru's care.]

You've been working quite hard tonight, between your music and your keen senses. It's only right to help where I can.
kivatteru: (043)

[personal profile] kivatteru 2019-12-12 10:35 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Wataru stares at him for a bit longer, before relenting, his shoulders sagging a bit. It's nearly close time and maybe Everett isn't strict about letting patrons help a little. ]

Thank you. I was just about done, anyway. Do you really not need anything?
bergamotrose: (tea)

[personal profile] bergamotrose 2019-12-21 02:59 am (UTC)(link)
I've had my fair share of tea for the evening,

[Lorenz said airily, while watching Wataru's from the corner of his eye. The young man's exhaustion was readily apparent.]

Worry not about me. Perhaps, when we're done here, we could get you something to eat?

...If you're feeling up to it, that is.
kivatteru: (118)

90 YEARS LATER im here, holidays messed with me, etc.

[personal profile] kivatteru 2019-12-30 02:30 pm (UTC)(link)
[ It's embarrassing how he feels his own stomach rumble at the mention of eating. He'd been so heavily caught up with his work and what happened with the mistletoe in the middle of it, he completely forgot the concept of food. Maybe that's why he's especially tired now. It brings him back to when he kept skipping meals due to crafting violins non-stop, putting his health at risk.

Mentally beating himself up, Wataru gives a little nod. ]


I would really like to get food later, and I don't mind your company at all.
bergamotrose: (Default)

IT'S OKAY. December screwed with me too, like most people on DW

[personal profile] bergamotrose 2019-12-31 03:22 am (UTC)(link)
Then it's settled.

[Lorenz smiled gently, hoping to ease some of Wataru's concerns as he helped with the closing chores.]

We can go anywhere you wish, then. It shall be a pleasant night.
kivatteru: (119)

[personal profile] kivatteru 2020-01-05 10:01 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Things are easier to manage than he thought once Lorenz stepped in to help. He pauses briefly, musing to himself about the places he likes to frequent. ]

There's this one restaurant that serves... steak. [ He mentions quietly. ] It's not really like what I used to have back home, but the food is really good and it's not too noisy.
bergamotrose: (judgemental)

[personal profile] bergamotrose 2020-01-10 03:51 am (UTC)(link)
[The quiet utterance brought to mind a certain towering redhead, whom Lorenz had the pleasure of meeting that evening, and he nodded in understanding at the commentary.]

If you're saying that you would like to try this... steak, then I would certainly be glad to join you.

[Likely in part to stave off any awkwardness, if that certain redhead happened to be in the vicinity.]
kivatteru: (062)

[personal profile] kivatteru 2020-01-19 01:40 am (UTC)(link)
[ He said it quietly also for the reason one of his coworkers is unironically named Steak. Good thing the indirectly spoken of redhead has left the shop already. ]

Alright. We're almost done, so... ah, you may wait for me outside. You've done enough, so thank you. I'll be quick.

[ The idea of hanging out instead of going straight home put him in a good mood quickly. ]
bergamotrose: (modern)

[personal profile] bergamotrose 2020-01-24 03:40 am (UTC)(link)
Take your time, [Lorenz called, admiring the look of the snow covered street illuminated by lamps in the night. It was a wonderfully poetic sight.]

We're in no rush. The restaurant will wait for us, you know.
kivatteru: (127)

[personal profile] kivatteru 2020-01-28 02:23 pm (UTC)(link)
[ With a nod, Wataru sets off to finish whatever tasks are left to do. Arranging chairs, cleaning the last bits of dust off, one more sweet over the floor, and he then retires to the staff room to change out of his uniform and back into his warm robe and coat.

He's fixing his scarf and hat when he steps by Lorenz again. ]


I'm here. Sorry for the wait.