DiplomaTea -Aefenglom Business-

[rollfordiplomacy]

Everett Vaughan's Florist and Tea Shop, DiplomaTea, is located on a street corner in The Haven.

The shop has a cozy atmosphere, though a gothic aesthetic permeates through the decor.



The main entrance leads into a cozy store, well arranged and tidy, though flower arrangements seem to fill every possible surface. There's a fenced off, covered porch along the sidewalk, giving a pleasant outdoor space to sit for a cup of tea. The porch includes a gate to enter and exit from and a small stage to accommodate a single performer with a compact instrument. Inside the shop is a long bar to take orders for fresh brewed tea and to make sales.



In addition to functioning as a small cafe, the shop will sell; flower arrangements, tins of various tea blends, tea supplies, and other folksy, homegrown items. Everett will be stocking the shop from his own home garden and growing some items on property using his Faun magic. He'll also sell hand-rolled cigarette's with fresh tobacco, but this is only upon specific request and he does not stock any on the shelves.

(CW: Illicit Drugs) Additionally, Everett can be gone to for certain grown apothecary supplies. These are likewise kept in the basement level, away from the general public, but available upon request.



There is also a cellar, of which Everett is setting aside for. Additional activities.

It's for gambling. He'll be inviting other Mirrorbound to indulge in drinks, pool, dice, cards, and gossip. He's keeping this a secret so there is some space tucked away from the Coven they can potentially hide away in, if ever needed.

More plans with the cellar to come! I plan to ask for Mod permission for a few things in the future, for now, it's just a locked storage room with a very simple false wall illusion.



If you're interested in having your character involved with DiplomaTea, please feel free to PM me at this journal!

This is an Open Post, available to any Aefenglom characters who wish to play in this setting. Please mark all content appropriately, no need to ask further permission before posting!

Comments

CURRENT STAFF

[rollfordiplomacy]

Staff:

-Everett: Owner, Client Manager, Garden Tending
-Viren: Manager, Accounting (Everett is bad at math)
-Myr: Garden Tending, Administrative Work/Accounting, Beekeeper

-Lorenz: Assistant Manager, Tea Server, Flower Sales
-Wataru: Tea Server, Flower Sales, Live Musician (Violin)
-Diarmuid: Tea Server
-Allura: Flower Sales, Tea Server
-Steak: Deliveries, Restocking, Handyman

Other Involvement:

-Caster and Sokie: Cellar ""improvements""

QUESTIONS

[rollfordiplomacy]

If you have any questions, feel free to ask me in this thread!

Below this point is an Open Post! OTA to any Aefenglom characters who wish to play around with this setting, at any time.

early feoveuer

[ua_duibhne]

[In a lot of ways, this isn't really that different to being at court. The life of a knight of the Fianna was a strange one, constantly following conflict but punctuated by periods of peace. Perhaps more than some of the others, Diarmuid had equally comfortable with both; he was a gracious subject, versed in the more gentile parts of their life. It's that same charm that he brings to work, turning his radiant smile on customers and bantering in between delivering drinks and ringing up orders.

Not so today. Ever since the business with the Rathmores, the mask has begun to crack. It was inevitable, really, but the combination of his lover's absence and the lingering guilt and emotional exhaustion has hit him far harder than he imagined it would.

Crash.

A chorus of shattering china and glass fills the tea shop as the tray falls to the floor. Diarmuid had only let his thoughts stray for a second but it was enough for the edge of his tray to catch on a table and slip out of his hands completely. For a few moments, all he can do is stare at the mess, embarrassment creeping over him. His only consolation is that it happened after closing but that does little to stop the burning across his cheeks or the renewed, compounded sense of his own incompetance. With a soft, weak sigh, he drops down onto his knees and begins to clear up the shards. A simple spell is all that's needed to repair them but that's not really the point.]

[rollfordiplomacy]

[Everett is likewise trying to keep busy. It's easy enough for him, his usual momentum helps him keep going in times of stress or worry. There was more than enough for him to do! He should do as much as possible. Best to be focused.

He's perhaps too focused on setting up a display, balanced on a ladder, a real testament to his confidence on those new legs of his. He climbs buildings, a ladder is nothing-

Crash.

Everett jumps, somehow managing to teeter the roses display onto the shelf and save it from an untimely fall.

While also completely falling side ways off the ladder, goat legs jotting out perfectly straight as he hits the floor of the shop himself.

There's a very undignified BLEATING from him after he realizes what's happened. BLllleeeeehhhhHHH.]

[ua_duibhne]

[Diarmuid is back on his feet in an instant, dress shoes sliding on the perfectly shined floors in his haste to get to his employer's side-]

Sir Everett?!

[- but he just catches himself on the counter before he can turn this into a trilogy of errors. Regardless, he's quick to start helping the faun back upright, offering him one hand as he reaches for his fallen spectacles with the other. Thankfully, they've been spared the same fate as the cups and saucers.]

Are you alright? [He shakes his head, embarrassed.] Please forgive my clumsiness, I'll try and be more careful in the future.

[rollfordiplomacy]

[Everett will quiet himself out of some sense of embarrassment, given he basically just reacted like a fainting goat. The undignified bleating isn't helping with that. He manages to stand with Diarmuid's help, though not without some slipping of his wobbly legs before he can steady himself on the counter. There he is, on his hooves!]

Ah... ahaa! Yes, yes. I am... tousled? Disoriented, but yes. Just fine- Oh! [he'll take his glasses back, yes, those help. He's blind as anything without those.]

Are you alright? What was broken?

[ua_duibhne]

You're sure?

[Now that he's ascertained that Everett is quite alright, he can allow himself the smallest of smiles. Really, the bleating is endearing in its own way; it's not the kind of noise one would expect to come from someone like his boss. It's a brief distraction, though.

As soon as he's reminded of the broken china behind him, the frown returns and, embarrassed, he ducks his head.]

I'm fine but... I can't say the same for the teacups and glasses on the table I just cleared. My apologies, it was entirely my fault. [From anyone else, his earnestness might come across fake or stiff but he sounds so earnest that it somehow makes dropping some cups feel like the gravest of failures.] If I can't fix them, please take it out of my pay.

[rollfordiplomacy]

[Everett just gives a pat to his employee's shoulder, before straightening out his own jacket and clothing after the fall.]

Worry not for mere objects, my lad. Such can be replaced. Nothing sharp scattered about the customers feet, did it? We should attend to any clean up right away. [his hooves aren't the most sensitive, being a mountain goat he's only meant to traverse across rugged terrain, but they should definitely have a nicer environment than that about the shop]

... hadn't you dropped that same set just yesterday? Is something about it so unsteady? [at least Everett is nice enough to think it's just the tea set's own fault]

Early Feoveuer- For Lorenz

[rollfordiplomacy]

[With the trail underway, DiplomaTea has a solemn, if quiet atmosphere about it. There is a radio on the porch, playing out the news of proceedings, many huddled around it to get their fill of information. The smell of flowers and the quiet whispers of guests fill the air. Everett is inside, leaning on the counter with a journal before him.

When the door opens, the chime draws his attention upward after a short delay of finishing his current sentence.]

Welcome, welcome. I will- [he finally looks up, smiling to see a familiar face!]

Sir Lorenz, a pleasure! Warmest of welcomes, indeed. How are you, lad?

[bergamotrose]

[There was a certain air of calm once Lorenz stepped through the doors of DiplomaTea that he found fortifying, even with the solemnity and the buzz of voices relaying the news from the radio, and the young Faun felt his shoulders relax with a sense of relief.

This was no place to worry too much. It was a place to relax amid the flowers with a cup of tea.

Lorenz smiled in reply to Everett's greeting, and carefully made his way through the shop. With the low hanging bunches of flowers hanging from the ceiling, it would be a dreadful embarrassment to get his antlers caught among them. Besides, that could also wreck the artfully placed camellias he had taken to wearing on his antlers in the last few weeks.]

Much better than many others here, Sir Everett. Myself and most of the people I call friend were spared from the worst of these dreadful happenings.

How have you been? It's been some time since we last spoke. I've been meaning to find you again.

[rollfordiplomacy]

[Everett leave the counter and his notes, moving to greet the younger man with a friendly handshake and a pat to the opposite shoulder. Well met, well met.]

That is very good fortune, I'm pleased to hear it. Glad too, that you could find me here. [he'll gesture Lorenz to follow him back towards the tea counter, Everett moving to prepare them a setting to share over conversation]

As for myself, I am well as one can be such troubling times. The trial could change the tide for us Mirrorbound. To be hoped for the better, the worser evils recognized and burned out from this fine city. One can hope the sensible conclusion will be made... [but there's obviously some skepticism there, because there is no gaurentee, not until the trial is concluded and sentences drawn or pardons given...]

[bergamotrose]

[Well met indeed. Lorenz's grip for the handshake was solid and firm, but not overwhelmingly so, and he gladly followed Everett's lead while they discussed current affairs.]

It would be a shame if you couldn't be found here. This shop and it's keeper are both quite popular among the Mirrorbound. [Himself included.]

Hoping is all we can do at this point, [He added soberly, a whisper of sentiments more serious in his tone while he spoke.] If sensibile conclusions are foregone, I am acquainted with a few who would take issue with such a verdict... myself included.

[He sincerely hoped that he wouldn't have to take matters into his own hands. Young though he was still, he knew enough of politics to know when more creative solutions were warranted-- and how to enact them.]

But, enough seriousness. I wanted to thank you for taking the little girl, Leslie, under your wing. A person of importance from my land, who resides within these walls currently, has taken her under her protection. She is quite safe, but children are children and they tend to get themselves into trouble.

[rollfordiplomacy]

Young Leslie! Yes, yes, I kept an eye on her for the time I could. She was keen on being helpful. What a very sweet and well mannered child. [He takes in a breath a lets out of a more relieved sigh than perhaps he really intended. Everett was reminded of Florencia somewhat, a girl he helped raise, practically a daughter to him.

Florencia was always pure trouble, though... Leslie was far better behaved! A relief, that.]

I am glad she's been taken in properly, may I ask the name of her keeper? If ever she wishes to return and be under my supervision for a time, she is welcome to have a seat with tea or help where she can about the shop.

[bergamotrose]

She is, isn't she? After we met in that ghastly jungle of a dream, I was concerned for her welfare. [She child had been shoe-less and in her nightclothes in the wilderness. It was quite an unseemly state of affairs!]

Leslie's caretaker is named Lady Edelgard von Hresvelg. She is... from an Empire adjacent to the country I hail from. [The Emperor herself, actually. Lorenz didn't voice this for discretion's sake-- the details were unimportant.] You would know her by her dignity and gallantry, the quiet passion in her eyes...

Or, perhaps from her favorite tea-- the Bergamot. The one that many here call Earl Grey.

[A flavorful, dignified blend not unlike the woman herself. Lorenz like to think he could guess a little bit about the person by their favorite kind of tea. He was fairly certain Edelgard would have dropped by DiplomaTea at least a few times. Fine establishments for tea were hard to come by!]

I am doing my part to keep an eye on Leslie as well, when it's possible. She's a very curious and active young lady.

However, it is unsettling to think on the fact that someone so young has been brought here. Someone as young and impressionable as her shouldn't have to face the hardships here.

[Like the affairs last month. Children were children, and she was liable to learn the less-than-pleasant details in an indelicate manner. Not that recent events needed to be sugar coated-- but it was a concern when the pulse of the city was so intimately tied to the trial being broadcast on the radio at that very moment.]

Late Feoveuer- For Sokie

[rollfordiplomacy]

[After the return home from the expedition, Everett had been meaning to spend an evening with Sokie. His dearly not-quite-fully bonded. Showing her down to the cellar of DiplomaTea after shop is closed for the night, he's moves through her handiwork of an illusion to the space beyond.]

The illusion down here has been quite impressive, none have noticed even when looking for an issue! But I still shall need to bother you or Caster to expand it. Anybody familiar with the floorplan, say from the Coven, would easy walk right back here. I would rather not explain... [who would, Everett? Though, it's still nothing too sinister, it's the thought of hiding it that counts. He moves to the bar, pulling out a bottle of wine. A familiar one. From the first festival they met at.]

My last bottle! And still, that memory has alluded me. Perhaps I can finally be rid of this foul stuff, once and for all. You'll not have to hear a moment more of my bleating. [over this particular thing, at least. He'll have new things to bleat about!]

[weirdnecro]

We may need to do some mudane hide in plain sight too. Faes can see through illusions pretty handily.

[She made a soft noise, and held up a bottle of....moss water. ]

I'll drink this, warmed up in a cup and we can enjoy foul tasting nasty brew together. Seems only fitting as a way to celebrate the illusion wards.

And tormenting yourself.

[rollfordiplomacy]

You'll make me suffer the whole bottle on my own? What cruelty! [he says, popping the bottle open of his own conscious choice and volition. He doesn't worry what that says about him, not with Sokie. She's well aware of his masochistic tendencies. No hiding those, might as well lean in and enjoy the discomfort he causes himself.

He pours himself a tall glass]

Hiding in plain sight would be clever. I've always been good at that. [a tap to his glasses, the decorations hanging there have always been lockpicks and few catch on before he reveals them.]

[weirdnecro]

What can I say? I'm utterly, utterly cruel to you. You just look so darling and helpless when you're writhing around.

[Sokie calm your thirst. At least she's grabbing a kettle to boil her earthy moss tea. She's not enjoying it, but it does make her feel more balanced. Plus, nice buzz.

Once she filled the kettle, she set it down, lightly resting her fingers on the metal, and with a murmured word, started to warm it up.]

You do love your clever little toys. Which is always fun. I mean...we could make it even just bookshelfs on wheels, that could be locked in or out of place.

Completely mundane, especially if there's a tapestry wall covering.

But of course, you know I'm biased.

[He's seen how many books she's gone through. Nerd.]

[rollfordiplomacy]

I am fond of such clever mechanisms, myself. I've told you of Vaughan, haven't I? He is master of vault making, creating the finest locks in all the world. He would become so cross with me, when I would make sport of breaking them. [hence his lock picking skills, all sprung out of a game he'd play with his father figure, to annoy the man into doing better work. Vaughan had appreciated it, as much as it annoyed him to be tested by a child in his care, it was a challenge he required]

He avoided using magic in his creations, when possible. I should keep that philosophy in mind. [he hums, swirling the wine some to let it breath.]

[weirdnecro]

That's a smart thing. Because...especially with magic in this world, it's a current, and it's upkeep. We're straining things a bit as it is with the illusions. Better to be clever about it then not.

[She smiled at him, her lips crooked as she continued warming the kettle. It must have been fun, to do that. Annoying family.

She wondered how much he missed him.]

Any ideas coming to mind? About the wine or for the secret room.

Maiuril- New Arrivals (For Myr)

[cuteganon]

[Finding himself in a new world, broken from his tether to Myddvai, was quite the experience. Not exactly pleasant or unpleasant, just curious. Worrisome, to some degree. And irritating, as the city reminds him all too much of the Springtide cities he once fled from. The sky is at least bright these days, not the catacombs of the Below Lands.

But reminders catch his eye, some too distinct to ignore. A Ward of Adelheid? Over a... tea shop? "DiplomaTea" ... admittedly, that gets a puzzles smirk out of him. Who would think of that-?

Silas enters, the flowers upon his head nearly blending him in with the surrounding bouquets. He looks over the place and spies someone behind a counter, serving up fresh tea to customers. A blind Giant? No, they're called something different here. Fauns. Silas approaches and clears his throat]

Fine morning to you, sir. What tea might you recommend?

grips... the pig...

[faithlikeaseed]

[Life's only just begun to resume something like a normal pattern for Myr, after the tumult of the previous month. His days have a pattern to them again, he's returned to his work at DiplomaTea, and he's found himself up to interacting with customers with something like his usual cheer.

He's just racking up a set of clean tea cups as the sound of an unrecognized tread on the floorboards reaches him; his ears swivel to track the newcomer, a moment before he's lifting his head and smiling at Silas' question.]

For a day like this, serah? Adelheid's Heart with some fresh biscuits; we've got blueberry ones today. [A moment's perversity takes him, then, and his smile grows a little more wicked,] Though if you've any trouble waking up this morning, there is Ardric's Warmth; we've the original version here, not the watered-down stuff they'll pass off elsewhere.

[cuteganon]

An Ardric's Warmth. If you please. [Traditional Springtide brews... no mistaking it. Silas doesn't even realize he'd require money to pay for something, so long a Druid and never keeping property, the custom escapes his mind in a foreign place.

Too focused on the knowledge at hand, that at least one of those people are here. Perhaps more.]

Served at many establishments here. Is it?

[faithlikeaseed]

[Well well. Either this fellow's heard of the stuff by reputation or he's in for an unpleasant surprise, given Myr's...entirely forgotten to give any description of it, like he ought for customers who aren't regulars. There's a hitch in his motion as he realizes that in the middle of reaching for a cup; a moment's hesitation before he shakes his head to dispel the mental stumble.

Come on, keep up, answer the question.]

Imitations, only, [he says with a strange pride.] Most of 'em will just give you anything off their shelves with too much cinnamon in it and claim it's anywhere like. Even the places that really try balk from making it really undrinkable, like it's s'posed to be. Won't even make your eyes water.

[He is fortunate in that he hasn't any eyes to water, so preparing a cup isn't quite so hazardous to him as it otherwise might be. For...that reason, anyway; he treats the dry ingredients with all the respect due to culinary chemical weapons, cleaning his hands meticulously once he's portioned them all out. Hot water's another danger again for a blind man but the Coven, Maker bless them, has invented insulated tea pots that only dispense a cup's worth of water at once.

He sets the completed cup on its saucer and puts the whole lot on the counter, cautioning,] It's meant to burn going down, serah. No shame if you don't drink it all, though we don't offer refunds on this one if you don't like it.

[Though at the measly sum of cune he names for the price, it's not going to hurt anyone's wallet more than their entire respiratory tract to try it. ...Unless, of course, someone isn't carrying any money. Whoops.]

[cuteganon]

[Refund... cunes... Oh.

Whoops.]

My apologies, good sir. I only just arrived. How thoughtless. I have no money to offer you in payment.

[Been a Druid so much of his life, money is never a concern. Or rather, it's not his concern. Years spent in the Elsewhere only disconnected him further. When he emerged to mingle, it was usually disguised among the Rahuth, where he was still welcome. They made no demands of the sort, not if a healer.

A Springtide is here, placing that ward and naming these teas, providing these recipes. A Springtide wouldn't charge him...]

Allow me to inquire. What is the name of the Springtide who must work here?