THE GOLDEN TURTLE GRAND OPENING! [Active/Open]

[whitelotustea.livejournal.com]

Character(s): Iroh and ANY ONE WHO WANTS CR OR TEA OR BOTH
Content: The new tea shop in town opens, and he likely promised
Setting: The Golden Turtle [L5-6]
Time: Late Afternoon, Early Evening (Early Week 26)
Warnings: YOU MIGHT HAVE TOO MUCH FUN!

If you read about it in a tourist magazine, it would likely carry the advertisement:
A tea shop owned by Iroh. It features a wide variety of teas unfamiliar to the city, a warm atmosphere, plenty of tables for games of all ages!

"Come one, come all! Come in and have a cup of tea!" Iroh shouted at the passersby on the bustling streets of Paixao. It seemed like it was all too familiar, having opened a tea shop in Bao Sing Se not so long ago. Still, it didn't mean he wasn't excited about meeting new people and sharing his craft with others.

He was hoping to see so many come through his doors, especially since he practically offered free tea to every single visitor he knew. He had a hard time gathering what he would do about natives, but he supposed that if some were to be regulars, they would be entitled to a free cup after a while. And the dress code would be very very loosely observed. VERY loosely.

Comments

[whitelotustea.livejournal.com]

Iroh watched as Setzer came into the shop, taking note of his wonderful clothing style that somehow managed to stay within the confines of the Praetorian code. He concluded that maybe some people could just wear it better than others. He dusted off the sleeves of his robe so he could even hope to match the new customer's elegance in appearance.

"Good day to you, sir! Welcome to the Golden Turtle, Paixao's newest tea shop. How can I help you today?" he said cheerfully.

[withwingstofly.livejournal.com]

As far as Setzer was concerned, there was no reason not to long nice if at all possible. And besides, the coat had a practical purpose as well - the skies tended to get more than a little cold and he'd yet to find a make of airship that didn't leave her pilot exposed to the elements.

Which quite honestly would have been a shame. Feeling the wind in one's hair was part of what made it so enjoyable.

"I thought I'd come see what you had to offer," Setzer answered with a slight shrug. "Better I lay in my chips with a store with a less strict dress code, than one of those already here."

[whitelotustea.livejournal.com]

Iroh felt enlightened by Setzer's calming philosophy. "I suppose you have placed your bet wisely. It is the Golden Turtle, after all! Perhaps you can have a look at the wide selection we have and make a choice from there. Do you have any preferences to the kind of teas you enjoy?"

[withwingstofly.livejournal.com]

"I haven't tried very many," Setzer answered with an honest smile. It was hard enough to keep his home afloat without needing to worry about finding a place to fit in a teakettle as well, and even if he had he rather doubted that he'd find the teas he was most familiar with in another world.

"What do you suggest?"

[whitelotustea.livejournal.com]

"I see, you possess a sense of adventure," Iroh said with a wry smile. "It reminds me of the time when I was a young warrior with a wild spirit as well." He began reminiscing over stories of wartime shenanigans in the bunks of battleships, but it seemed to fall under the threshold as he noisily rifled through his various boxes of teas.

He carefully took a pot off the burner and hurriedly placed it on the counter top. He began tearing apart some pre-made bags and combining certain elements of each bag into a new pile. "A surprise blend for the new customer!" he announced before plopping the new bag into the hot water.

[withwingstofly.livejournal.com]

"I wouldn't call myself a warrior," Setzer answered with a smile, "but I can certainly understand the feeling. Not everyone takes well to being chained down."

Be it literally or more metaphorically, as was the case with him. He didn't mind coming to ground now and then but the sky was his true love. Even in a place where there wasn't any sky.

"Here's to the luck of the draw, then."

[whitelotustea.livejournal.com]

With a few drops of honey and a stir of the spoon, the cup of warm and pleasing tanin was finally ready. Iroh took the greatest of care in transferring the cup onto a small plate with a white lace doily in place. He added squeeze of fresh lemon on the surface of the beverage and then pondered if it needed anything else. With a deep sniff of the tea, he smiled and slid the plate gently before Setzer with both hands.

"Enjoy, sir!" he said cheerfully, hiding the small nervousness in his chest.

[withwingstofly.livejournal.com]

Setzer smiled as the tea was placed before him. Here was a true gamble, and that was something that had sadly been missing in his life. He didn't taste it immediately, though, instead taking in a moment to smell the scent wafting up from it. Not an unpleasant one, and that was in itself a good sign.

It was only after that decision that he decided to try the tea itself. Something like this would be best warm, and thus there was no more hesitation. Fortunately enough, the gamble held true, and it tasted as good as it had smelled.

"A fine brew."