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!
overworker: (pic#13539203)

[personal profile] overworker 2019-12-11 02:37 am (UTC)(link)
That does sound lovely. It sounds like something I'd really enjoy.

[Towa lowers her head to get a smell of it and comes up smiling. It's the first time someone's picked out a blend special for her-- rather fittingly, too. She can't help but be tickled by it.]

Oh-- not at all. We're blessed to have you here to share them with us. I'm actually quite a fan when it comes to tea. It's something with a lot of history back home, in the east. I have some family that was originally from the east, so I've picked up a love for it myself. So really, I consider this quite the treat.
overworker: ToCSIII screenshot (pic#13376467)

[personal profile] overworker 2019-12-25 02:35 am (UTC)(link)
[The sight of the petite tea cookies brings a sparkle to her eyes. She can't deny that sweets are a bit of a weakness. And tea cookies are just the perfect balance to go with it. The keen choice of flavor pairings isn't missed by her either.]

My family history has ties to the eastern part of the country, so I know a little bit about traditional tea ceremony. It's something of a hobby. [Since they're sharing traditions and such with one another--] Perhaps I can show you sometime.

[Towa cradles the cup gently in her hands, feeling the warmth seep into her hands before lifting it to her lips. She sighs happily, before nibbling on one of the cookies.]

It's quite a divine flavor. I could get used to this.
overworker: (pic#13606761)

[personal profile] overworker 2019-12-27 12:31 am (UTC)(link)
[While it wouldn't be a bad idea to invite such a tradition to the shop on a larger scale, the idea of being watched by that many people--

And then he just finishes her off completely with that disarming wink.
]

W-well I wouldn't say you couldn't implement something like that here as a special event, however--

[Explaining it might take some of the fun out of it though. So she leaves it there. If he really wants to know, he can ask.]

It might be easier if I show you first. Which... in this case, your place might be better.
overworker: ToCSIII screenshot (pic#13376467)

[personal profile] overworker 2019-12-30 06:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Heehee... I’m really looking forward to it. I’ll need to prepare a few things first, but it shouldn’t be too difficult. Oh! What are your favorite colors?

[She can implement something like that quite nicely. It’ll make it feel a little more special. But this way she doesn’t have to spoil too much of the surprise either, it can be a little vague.]