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: (Time to raise a flag for the ceasefire)

[personal profile] firewalled 2019-12-20 02:52 am (UTC)(link)
[Rich isn't going to correct him on the 'demon' aspect of that. As far as he can tell, Everett's world likely didn't have much in the way of technology. That said, he will fill in some of the blanks in regards to just how demonic he considers this particular Mirrorbound to be, especially with his obvious agitation even just beginning to discuss it.]

It's from my world. I had one... Myr would call it 'possessing' me... about a year ago. It's the reason I look so fucked up, pretty much. The reason I act it too, sometimes.
Edited 2019-12-20 02:53 (UTC)
firewalled: (Looking in the mirror)

[personal profile] firewalled 2019-12-21 03:04 am (UTC)(link)
It's a little different, but... I mean, I guess it's close enough. I guess I always think of that like, the Exorcist or something. But I guess I shouldn't argue technicalities, since that's what it did to justify everything.

[As Aziraphale had quickly found out when he'd tried to discuss the matter with the SQUIP itself... Rich gives a small grin, trying to look more at ease than he feels so Everett doesn't end up fussing too much.]

I've got friends with me, so I think I'll be okay. [Never mind that Rich would consider himself more their protector than them his.] And I don't think it's going to come anywhere near me for a while, since I kicked its ass.

You should be careful too, though. I mean, me being safe is one thing, but if it tries to manipulate you or someone you know, it could end up just as bad.
firewalled: (Gonna disconnect from the hardwire)

[personal profile] firewalled 2019-12-22 02:43 am (UTC)(link)
I appreciate that. Trust me, I wouldn't be against you getting to know someone unless I really believed it was dangerous.

[Even with Linden, there was that whole thing with Jeremy but Rich mainly moved on from it. The SQUIP is... the discomfort Rich has with Linden taken up to 100. That, along with the fact that others had tried and failed to communicate with it, means Rich is stubborn about this.

Especially since Everett is too kind to deserve being taken advantage of like that. Myr as well, though Rich looks slightly flustered to hear the mention of someone being protective of him.]


Well, I guess that makes two of us then. I'd like to get to spend more time with you. Even outside of work, if you don't mind. Maybe at least to get some juicy gossip on you and Myr and the wedding plans.
firewalled: (To die)

[personal profile] firewalled 2019-12-22 07:45 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, yeah, I know bonding is like, magic marriage, but there should still be a celebration outside of that! I was talking more about an actual wedding. Especially now that you got all the mushy stuff out of the way, maybe some people would like to celebrate with you!

[Though he does remember how Everett was at the Masquerade, and maybe it is better that he tries to keep the partying to a minimum. He still smirks at the idea of an anniversary.]

I would be more than happy to be your party planner, if you'd have me. You and Myr are important to me.
firewalled: (Staring down the hole inside of me)

[personal profile] firewalled 2019-12-26 04:23 pm (UTC)(link)
[Rich at least has the sense to look a little sheepish then. He's never been invited to a wedding in his life, as far as he can tell... there might have been an invitation in the mail his father never bothered to respond to, though.]

Not exactly... I'm good at party planning in general, that's all. Used to help my friend Jake plan his get togethers. Though I guess back then the most planning we had to do was figuring out how much booze we could sneak in and how loud the bass should be.

And we haven't really done a big rager like that in a while. Last one didn't turn out that great.
firewalled: (Feeling like a hero but I can't fly)

[personal profile] firewalled 2020-01-01 03:29 pm (UTC)(link)
I didn't see how bad you got by the end of the night, you were only a little tipsy at first. But hey, don't worry. I don't drink anymore anyways, so avoiding alcohol is not an issue.

[Even if he's not going to make his friends deal with being sober for a whole party.]

There're lots of people who play instruments that I've met! Hell, I'd play guitar if you needed.
firewalled: (Staring down the hole inside of me)

[personal profile] firewalled 2020-01-07 01:36 am (UTC)(link)
I always thought it was important to have more passion than to be perfect! I think it'd be fun to play with you.

[Rich has a feeling that the two of them are used to playing very different songs, but they could probably teach each other. He gives a mocking pout at Everett's gentle teasing.]

Playing loud is the best part, though...