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!
firewalled: (Staring down the hole inside of me)

[personal profile] firewalled 2019-12-08 05:09 am (UTC)(link)
Hm? Thinking about something? Probably about how cool this shop is, huh?

[He might be getting some genuine vibes of curiosity and excitement off of Jeremy... or he could just be reading Jeremy's facial cues. It's really hard to tell.

He rolls his eyes at the comment and laughs quietly.]


I think you'd need to check in with my boss for that one. I'm pretty sure the only giveaway for tea today is a tin of Ardric's Warmth if you can finish a cup... That's more a torture session than a sample, though.
heerequeerandfulloffear: Jeremy mouth closed happy (Default)

[personal profile] heerequeerandfulloffear 2019-12-08 05:14 am (UTC)(link)
[Jeremy is well aware, and disappointed, that he can't pester Rich's new boss to ask.]

Okay, I want to try them all though, so...

[He digs around in his pockets for the money. He's been using the coins L gave him sparingly, since he doesn't have many expenses these days, but they're almost gone.]

Hey, since when do you work here, man? You never mentioned it. I thought you were a busker.
firewalled: (Gonna disconnect from the hardwire)

[personal profile] firewalled 2019-12-08 07:06 pm (UTC)(link)
[What's stopping him from talking to Everett? He's just a faun dude, dude. He's not thatintimidating.

Rich shakes his head as Jeremy forks over his coins.]


We've gotta find you a job, man. I don't mind being your sugar daddy, but it'd be good to get you out of the house once in a while.

Oh, and I still play every once in a while! It's just Everett needed the help, and I didn't want to turn him down, so I helped him set up and now we're open so... today's my first official day, I guess!

[Better for him to have a job inside during the winter, anyways.]
heerequeerandfulloffear: Jeremy mouth closed happy (Default)

[personal profile] heerequeerandfulloffear 2019-12-08 07:19 pm (UTC)(link)
I dunno, I don't have any qualifications... although I guess the job market here is a little different than the one back home. Let me know if you see a "help wanted: someone who can program magic video game displays" sign around.

Are you gonna be full-time from here on out?
firewalled: (No you never crash if you don't try)

[personal profile] firewalled 2019-12-08 09:06 pm (UTC)(link)
Like I've got any, dude. I still can find a job, so I'm sure there's something that'll work out. Listen, my first job was selling spices.

[He gestures to his mouth as if to demonstrate why that might have been a little catastrophic.]

I think I'll work here pretty close to full time, yeah. As long as they need me, anyways. I'll still be home a lot, though. Can't just ditch you guys.

[He'd honestly be a little terrified of one of them disappearing on him.]
heerequeerandfulloffear: Jeremy mouth closed happy (Default)

[personal profile] heerequeerandfulloffear 2019-12-08 09:12 pm (UTC)(link)
[Jeremy's mouth drops and he nods.]

I didn't think they had "spices" here.

[He glances around the busy shop, feeling like he's holding up the line.]

Do you have a break any time soon? ...Are there labor laws here?
firewalled: (Feeling like a hero but I can't fly)

[personal profile] firewalled 2019-12-09 10:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Dammit, Heere, I mean cinnamon and shit. No drug use in my good Christian tea shop.

[He smirks teasingly before looking for a clock.]

Uh... well, let me serve a couple more people and I'll meet you at a table for my break. Everett's not a slave driver, don't worry. And I'll bring the tea!

[And hopefully not spill it all over himself.]
heerequeerandfulloffear: Jeremy mouth closed happy (Default)

[personal profile] heerequeerandfulloffear 2019-12-10 12:49 am (UTC)(link)
Thanks. Spill the tea.

[He grins, big and cheesy, as he pushes away from the counter.]

Was that good? Was I the first person to make that joke? 'Cause there's gonna be more, literally every day, you realize.

[He turns, saying something unintelligible except for the word "tea-riffic."]
firewalled: (Staring down the hole inside of me)

[personal profile] firewalled 2019-12-11 12:55 am (UTC)(link)
[Rich gapes at Jeremy for a moment before groaning loudly behind him.]

I made that joke first, Heere! Get some more original puns! [He yells after him, but then gets back to work.

Jeremy only has to sit and brainstorm pun ideas for a few minutes before Rich arrives with three steaming mugs of tea. He's wobbling a bit, but miraculously hasn't spilled too much.]


Coming through, man!
heerequeerandfulloffear: Jeremy mouth closed happy (Default)

[personal profile] heerequeerandfulloffear 2019-12-14 01:51 am (UTC)(link)
[Jeremy glances up with a smile, but the expression quickly turns to alarm.]

Holy--dude, I thought you'd leave them on the counter and call out Bearimy or something dumb!

[He jumps up to take one mug, then another. Jeremy definitely spills some on his shirt but he doesn't seem to notice.]
firewalled: (Staring down the hole inside of me)

[personal profile] firewalled 2019-12-16 02:29 am (UTC)(link)
Nah, we do this fancy cafe style, not Starbucks style. And I for one will always spell your name right.

[He gives a sideways grin as he sits across from Jeremy with an exhausted sigh. Now that he's off his feet, he realizes that he probably was pushing himself a little too hard today.]

Man, retail is rough.