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!
bloodwit: (good to the people)

[personal profile] bloodwit 2019-12-08 02:43 am (UTC)(link)
[ viren nods again, but this time in gratitude. he maneuvers anything needed to make space. for the most part, he'll drape that luxurious cape over himself; not to appear too bundled (cold as hey may feel), but enough to cover.

black tea may be standard, but he does appreciate its bit of caffeine.
]

Have you had an opportunity to try that 'Ardric's Warmth'? ... All the rage, apparently.
weirdnecro: (Heave-ho he said)

[personal profile] weirdnecro 2019-12-08 02:57 am (UTC)(link)
Not yet. I'll likely enjoy it in a bit, but when I've time to play around some more.

[She sat down, fussing over her tea, tasting it before adding a little sugar and milk. But seeing how he was playing with his cape...it clicked. Ah, right. He was vulnerable to the cold.

Her hand moves up, and twitches in a come hither motion.]


Give me a corner of that? I can add a little something to make you feel less cranky.
bloodwit: (picking up the cues)

[personal profile] bloodwit 2019-12-08 03:06 am (UTC)(link)
[ ... viren doesn't yet to move to pour himself tea. instead he gives sokie a look at the request, one that smarts of incredulity. he could demand an explanation, one that might result in a lie, regardless. or he can refuse.

he doesn't trust her, no, and over something so silly. there is that part of him that sort of wants to see where she's going to go with this.

alas. he gathers some of the cape, handing her a portion of it — the corner, as asked.
]
weirdnecro: (Heave-ho he said)

[personal profile] weirdnecro 2019-12-08 04:09 am (UTC)(link)
[Yeah, she gets it. He could refuse easily, but well, if he didn't want want to, she won't call him out as a weenie.

Well, not in the first five seconds at least. She didn't say anything at first; instead of saying anything, her lips moved and her fingers curled around the cape. But after a few seconds, the cape filled with a gentle and stable heat.

And her hand let go, letting his game fall to the floor.]


That should last you for about half hour or so. It'd be better if we had some metal or rocks- then you could have it last longer.
bloodwit: (that the people would)

[personal profile] bloodwit 2019-12-08 03:32 pm (UTC)(link)
[ !!!!!


that is, really, quite nice; the second viren feels the warmth flood throughout the cape, he's instinctively wrapping it closer about himself. his expression had relaxed into something pleased, but then he must recall the circumstances --
]

[ (can't blurt out that gratitude too quick, apparently, even as the cape's tucked beneath his chin) ]

... You're being... unusually helpful today. [ the remark lacks any bite behind it. he regards her, though, an eyebrow quirking: ] What's the occasion ...?

[ is this an effort at amends? does she want something? hmm!! ]
weirdnecro: (He said Now hush love)

[personal profile] weirdnecro 2019-12-11 02:58 am (UTC)(link)
[Yeah, she thought that he might like that-and that he might need it too, even if the place wasn't cold per se. But of course...he had to be all shy about saying thanks.

...and well it was reasonable too to suspect something from her.]


No reason.

[She let the cape go, and made to pick up her cup of tea.]

But if it makes you feel better, I'm making nice.
bloodwit: (i'll never forget)

[personal profile] bloodwit 2019-12-11 04:15 pm (UTC)(link)
[ viren gives her a scrutinizing little look, like he does find this answer peculiar. well, it does decide his the next course of action-- ]

I see. [..] I appreciate your assistance, in which case.

[ he pushes his chair away from him as he stands, palms laying flat out onto the table. and straightening, the cape's wrapped around to make himself a cape burrito. a necessity. ]

I will go outside, gather some rocks. [ thankfully, with any rain, he did bring an umbrella. ] It will be just a moment.

[ so he says, anyway. if there aren't any protests, he's going!! ]
weirdnecro: (Default)

[personal profile] weirdnecro 2019-12-13 10:03 am (UTC)(link)
[Of course it was a strange bit of information about it. She waited, fiddling with her tea as she ensures that she has enough milk and sugar in it.

Though seeing that he's still wrapped up like a little blanket burrito...she didn't look up as he decided what to do.]


Of course. I'll be right here.

[And she would be, though she will be amused no matter how many rocks he brings back.]
bloodwit: (will call me rex)

[personal profile] bloodwit 2019-12-13 09:34 pm (UTC)(link)
[ viren will be about ... ten minutes.

his progress is made slower due to the cold, but he does! eventually return. wandering back over to their corner, he dumps a handkerchief filled with rocks of shapes and sizes right onto an empty space on table. he took the time to brush off each one of dirt and snow, wanted them to be neat.

so, well. there we go. viren drops down into his chair again, immediately reaching for his tea with shivering hands. with his cape still warmed, he likely won't need long to adjust again.
]
weirdnecro: (He said Now hush love)

[personal profile] weirdnecro 2019-12-15 05:07 am (UTC)(link)
[It's plenty of time for Sokie to pull out her spell journal and get transcribing a few notes for a few spells she's been interested in- in divination, and scrying in the past in particular.

And she's halfway through her cup of tea when he comes back. Silently, she looks between the rocks, thoughtful, to his hands.]


Witch blood makes it more potent. I'll do it in ink, but once you wash off your claws, I'll do it over in my blood.

Or you can just have it in ink.

[She's already leaning down to grab an inkwell out of her bag.]

It's up to you in what you want.
bloodwit: (that the people would)

[personal profile] bloodwit 2019-12-15 07:44 pm (UTC)(link)
[ viren's eyes widen at that - he certainly hadn't anticipated her to offer her blood for the spell, so there's almost almost a moment in which he overfills his tea cup. he stops in that, abruptly.

he has a vial of witchblood available to him, yes, in one of his pockets, but —
]

If you're offering, then I prefer blood.

[ a smile. the claw comment does catch him off-guard, he's uncertain if he's misinterpreting - ]

I can, [ uh ] wash off my claws. If that's what you need.
weirdnecro: (Default)

[personal profile] weirdnecro 2019-12-18 07:01 am (UTC)(link)
[The look on his face, and how he almost spills? Priceless. Oh boy. He nearly broke it in his excitement, didn't he?

Boy does love his magic.]


Blood it is.

[A pause, and:]

Your claws, unless you've trimmed them back or have a safety file, would be better. People might get nervous if I pull out a knife, even if it's just to prick the back of my thumb.

I'll just wait for you to wash them then?
bloodwit: (and to you)

[personal profile] bloodwit 2019-12-20 10:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Claws, then.

[ with a nod of assent, he will go ahead to do just that -- a few minutes pass, and viren returns. he shows her his claws with a twisting of his wrist, tidy and their golden tips very nearly sparkling with how cleanly they appear. so clean, you could eat off them. or hygienically claw a witch for her blood, either way.

presuming them to be satisfactory, viren settles back into his seat with a flourish of his cape burrito. he extends his hand toward her, palm upward, running on the assumption that she would allow him her wrist, or something similar.
]

[ friendly smile! ]
weirdnecro: (He said Now hush love)

CW: blood just in case

[personal profile] weirdnecro 2019-12-22 06:42 am (UTC)(link)
[It's really funny how she's basically sending him on fetch quests and he's going along with it completely. Eagerly even. Poor thing must have been suffering due to the snow.

At least his smile is less sniveling this time. She offered him a friendly smile, and pressed her thumb down on his claw. And the blood welled up, carrying with it its scent and the sense of magic.

(She wondered, idly, if the sensation would make Viren's fingers tingle.]


Not a bad idea with the wrist, but I don't want to accidentally slash the tendons.

[She dipped a tiny brush into the bead of blood, and started to quickly draw the runes on the first rock she had ready, just for this.]

Plus, I find that fingers bleed profusely enough for both of our needs.