Tea for two

[whitelotustile]

Characters: Iroh! You!
Date: mid-to-late May
Location: All over the city.
Situation: Advertisement.
Warnings/Rating: None

[One of the lesser known weaknesses of the console problems is getting news to the Foreigner population. Iroh knows how to contact the radio station, but that doesn't mean he won't do the legwork advertising the grand opening of the Keelai branch of the Jasmine Dragon teashop on the 26th of May in the Fire Sector.]

[Of course, Iroh can only write in Chinese, so that's another problem the consoles would solve... or someone who can write at least one of Keelai's written dialects. You can find him out and about, and also asking for help for those people he knows.]

[But the posters do show a teacup and tea leaves and a simple map, so hopefully people get the idea. And Iroh is talking to the local shopkeepers and other service providers near his area. He also has a thermos purchased from the Metal Sector (or a few thermoses). He does believe in free samples, after all. As well as sampling his own product. For tasting purposes.]

Comments

[watcheslanterns]

[Rapunzel was slowly fixing up the clothing shop left in her care after the recent attacks. It hadn't suffered as much damage as other shops, likely because she didn't serve food or drink, but it still need some work. She was outside applying some paint when Iroh came by with his posters. She recognized him as a fellow foreigner, but didn't know his name.

She greeted him with a pleasant smile and a wave.]

Hello! Can I help you with something?

[whitelotustile]

I'm finally in a position to open my tea shop here. I have some posters, but...

... well, they aren't in the local language. Who knew there were so many?

[Because it did seem like a single language and writing system was used by most of the powers in Iroh's world, to the point where two kids from an isolated village and one from a century ago could still read and write fine.]

[watcheslanterns]

A tea shop? Oh, that sounds lovely!

[She takes a look at one of the posters and smiles. Goodness knows everyone needed something calming like tea to settle the nerves as of late.]

If you tell me what it says I can be sure to tell anyone who visits the shop here.

[whitelotustile]

It says that the Jasmine Dragon Tea Shop is opening on Monday, and gives the address.

[He named a place in the Fire Sector]

And that there will be specials on some tea blends.

I have some copies without writing. The language here is very tricky. I would have used the consoles to ask around, but, at this point, I think I'd have to write anyway to get the message across.

[watcheslanterns]

I think I can remember that to tell people. But I'll take a poster, too. It's very eye catching! Did you make them yourself?

[whitelotustile]

I did. I learned calligraphy as a child, but drawing is something new.

[watcheslanterns]

It's really nice! If you ever need more painting done, I'd be happy to help.

[He might notice the decorative flowers, suns, and other assorted paintings now decorating the outside of the shop.]

[whitelotustile]

I'll be sure to ask you. is this your work?

[pointing to the painting]

[watcheslanterns]

Oh, yes! [Rapunzel lights up at the question.] I thought it would help cheer things up a bit.

[whitelotustile]

It does. Little touches like this can make a place feel a lot more homey.

[watcheslanterns]

Thank you. I'm glad to hear it.

[She holds out a hand to him then in greeting.]

My name is Rapunzel. What's yours?

[whitelotustile]

{iroh took a moment before shaking it... he's been here some months and talks to people, but decades of bowing instead of shaking hands is a hard habit to break]

My name is Iroh. It is a pleasure to meet you, Rapunzel.

[watcheslanterns]

It's nice to meet you too, Iroh. [She shakes his hand briefly, but not too long. She had a feeling it wasn't his normal form of greeting.]

Have you been here very long?

[whitelotustile]

Since winter, but it reminds me a lot of places I've visited. Except I've never been to a city on a giant turtle.

[Lion turtles on Iroh's world did grow to island size, but it wasn't like they were common enough to live on.]\

[watcheslanterns]

[Rapunzel giggled a little. She was so used to the thought of her new home, but it still managed to amaze her.]

It's go great, don't you think? That one life is carrying so many others on their back?

[whitelotustile]

It is. And it's good to remember that we are in such an interesting place.

[watcheslanterns]

Yes! I just wish such terrible things weren't happening in it.

[whitelotustile]

Yes, but we are here and that gives us the possibility of stopping it.

[watcheslanterns]

I don't know what I could do to stop things from happening, but I'm doing what I can to help once they have happened...

[whitelotustile]

Sometimes that help is what stops more things from happening.

[watcheslanterns]

[She lets out a small sigh.]

I sure hope so. I'll do whatever I can for as long as I can.

[whitelotustile]

That's the spirit!

[watcheslanterns]

[She smiled and looked at the poster again.]

And I just know that this will help raise people's spirits, too.

[whitelotustile]

There's nothing like the comforts of home to raise spirits in a new place.

[watcheslanterns]

Yes! That's exactly why I try to keep this shop running.