The tea salon, open for business

[tono_twerp]

Characters: Anyone and everyone
When: Sept 25th
Where: Adstringendum's Tea Salon
Rating: Arg, this always gives me trouble. PG-13?
Summary: Welcome to Adstringendum's Tea Salon, where you'll be served free tea or coffee, some snacks if any have been found, and get lots of attention from at least one of the hosts: Haninozuka "Honey" Mitsukuni or

Comments

[ennui_tonight]

The boy had certainly been persistent about getting her to stop by. And when Suigintou eventually decided to wing her way in the 'salon's' direction, it was completely not because she'd run out of food or drink and was having a problem with finding anything suitable

[tono_twerp]

He looked up as another customer entered, and his face relaxed in a genuinely pleased smile. In the strange and confusing world that was Adstringendum, where people laughed at his attempts at flirtation, and where his beauty seemed to go unnoticed by the world at large, the fact that Suigintou was a living doll seemed a mere detail: she was elegant, she was haughty, and she was appreciative of his attention.

He walked over to her with elegant, not-too-hurried steps, appraising her as he did so: elaborate dress, carefully-tied ribbons, boots that fit her perfectly and which clicked as she walked. It was nice to have a customer who cared about appearances.

"Welcome, lovely Suigintou," he said, sinking down on one knee before her. It was a good move, if he said so himself: reminiscent of medieval knights and a discreet way of making the height difference between them less obvious. "I am delighted you would honour us with your presence," he added, holding out a hand, should she wish to be escorted. "Where will it please you to sit?"

[ennui_tonight]

Though she waved off the gesture to be led, Suigintou laughed, more amused than unkindly, at the way she was greeted. It wasn't bad. Considering how rude and uncouth and familiar most humans seemed to be - not only to her, but to each other - the civility seemed proper.

"So you think you can entertain me~" she responded, while glancing around to an unoccupied couch, walking over to it herself - Suigintou had no intention of allowing herself to be carried, polite human or not - while glancing around the interior. It wasn't bad; a little more living than she preferred her surroundings, but it was pretty enough in its way.

[tono_twerp]

He followed her over to the couch, making sure to stay half a step behind her, as befitted a protective knight. As she reached her destination, he knelt again, holding out both hands palm-up, at two different heights, creating a staircase for her to walk up to the couch. It would be unsuitable for him to simply lift her up, after all, and having her scramble to get into the thing would be undignified - and Suigintou did rather seem like someone who cared about dignity.

"I can but hope that my humble efforts will suffice," he said, happily, keeping his hands very still. "Though I must already ask your indulgence for the many gaffes I have no doubt I will make, in your eyes. We cannot all be as refined as your lovely self."

Host interaction only

[ff_red_turk]

Vincent wasn't one to come back on his word, but he still wasn't one for crowds. So he opted to loiter on a roof above the Salon until it started to get dark and people trickled out, before considering his next move.

Normal people would go down and enter using the door, but Vincent hadn't been normal for too long now.

[tono_twerp]

It had been another successful day. People were filtering out, and Tamaki stood at the door, bowing as they passed him.

"Well, that was nice," he observed, as the last of the customers had left. Sighing in contentment, he threw himself into a sofa and leaned back, relaxing with a cup of coffee and thinking of nothing in particular.

[ff_red_turk]

Vincent spotted the last of the people coming out, and the boy bowing. He waited a few more minutes as the sky darkened, then jumped from his roof and strode across the road, pushing the door without knocking.

There were few shadows in which to hide, and Vincent knew he wouldn't be coming back during the day the moment he stepped inside. But he was ... curious. And the boy was either suicidal or just that naive about this world and its inhabitants. It was both worrying and rather refreshing. Even children in Vincent's world were scarred, marked by the fight their Planet had had to lead against the alien invader.

[tono_twerp]

He sat up abruptly when the door opened, his expression a little surprised. It wasn't in his nature to reject people, but the opening hours had been widely announced, and they were well past closing time.

Then he recognised his guest and smiled, getting to his feet.

"Hello," he said, his tone friendly. "Won't you sit down? The water is still hot, and I trust that some biscuits have escaped Honey's notice."

[female_warrior]

Asuna had been wandering about the area, still trying to get her bearings when she noticed a bit of commotion coming from a large two-story building. It piqued her interest and so she decided to investigate. She had her Artifact with her in case this turned out to be something that required her to fight.

However, upon poking her head in the front door it was obvious that there was nothing malicious going on here- just people enjoying tea. A rather puzzled look crossed Asuna's face but her curiosity demanded that she step inside and figure out the purpose of this new venue.

Keeping her Artifact still within easy reach, Asuna walked into the tea house and looked for a place to sit. Even if this turned out to be just an ordinary gathering area she could still get a nice cup of tea.

[tono_twerp]

He looked up and smiled as a girl entered - a girl who was in his usual, familiar client group, even. She seemed composed and interested, but not shy: better and better. This would be just like at Ouran, he was sure.

"Good afternoon, my princess," he said, his voice warm and happy. "How wonderful that you could join us! Let me entertain you to the best of my humble ability..." He dragged a hand through his hair, his expression apologetic: the girl was likely to be overwhelmed by his beauty, after all.

[female_warrior]

Asuna just stared at him for a few moments. She was something all right but 'overwhelmed' wasn't it.

"Er- thanks." She looked around the inside of the establishment. "What kinds of tea do you have?"

[tono_twerp]

So help him, she was the pragmatic type. He nearly whined - this was a client type that hardly ever made it to his host club at home, and he had never properly worked out the techniques that worked on this kind of customer.

Still, he had his duties as a host, and didn't allow his disappointment to show in his face. With a nearly audible click, he changed gears from Seductive Host™ to Purveyor of Refined Teas™.

"All kinds!" he said, cheerfully. "To make the selection process easier: Do you prefer green, white, Wu Long or black teas? Or herbal tisanes?"

[insipid_poison]

Ohhhh, but this was wonderful. Estellise hadn't known that there was a place quite like this around. Not quite as chaotic and crowded as the picnic, at least not yet, Estelle slipped into the tea shop with an inquisitive glance around.

Very very nice indeed! Unable to spy any familiar faces yet though, Estelle opted to saunter over to one of the unoccupied tables, delicately seating herself as she rested a chin on one hand, watching in rapt fascination as people - clientele and hosts alike - mingled.

[tono_twerp]

It was only because things were getting busy that he had failed to greet her at the door: when he did notice her, he hurried over to the table, smiling apologetically.

"My princess!" he exclaimed. "I apologise, I should have been here to lead you to your seat. It is a rare delight for our humble salon to get such distinguished guests as yourself, after all." He beamed at her, pleased to have a client who reminded him of the ones at home.

"How may I serve you? Would you prefer coffee or tea?"

[insipid_poison]

Whoah wait what? How did he kn- oh right, Alex guessed she was a princess right off the bat too. Estelle waved a hand reassuringly, smiling, "Oh, please don't worry, I can see that this shop is doing wonderful business. It must keep you very busy, and I don't mind waiting at all." She paused to consider the two options, and gave the blonde man a warm smile again, "Oh, tea would be lovely!" She hasn't had a good cup of tea in forever.

[usachanwakawaii]

Honey had been bounding by when he overheard Tama-chan and someone else talking. She looked very pretty and graceful, almost like a real princess...

"Do you want something to eat too?" Honey asked as he popped up by Tamaki's side, smiling widely with his eyes closed. "I only ate a little so the guests could have a snack too! It's not nice to not share things, don't you think? I can go get it for you, whatever you want! Want to watch Usa-chan for me?" he exclaimed, holding the pink bunny out. "It'll only take me a second!"

[foundtheheart]

While Ulquiorra wasn't too eager to interact with the humans scurrying around the city, food and drink seemed rare enough that he wasn't going to count out an easy source of liquid just to avoid seeing the masses he watched through the PCD anyway.

Walking into the worn down building, his first opinion was that it was pathetic, though compared to the rest of the city, he had to admit that it looked somewhat decent. His main objection was that it was full of humans, but there were few places he could go in the city where he wouldn't have to put up with them.

Putting aside that train of thought, he sat down at one of the more elegant of the out of the way tables, adjusting Mercielago at his waist to slide past the back of the chair and folded his hands in his lap. Hopefully the humans running the place wouldn't keep him waiting too long.

[tono_twerp]

Tamaki blinked in slight surprise at the sight of the newcomer; only slight, since he had been in Adstringendum for a while, and was getting used to the idea of non-human sentient beings. Who drank tea. Which, ultimately, was what mattered.

"Good afternoon," he said, friendly and polite, giving his guest a smile and a slight bow. "Welcome to our salon. How may I serve you? We have teas and coffees available, as well as a variety of biscuits." At least, if Honey hadn't eaten them all yet.

[foundtheheart]

Ulquiorra looked at the host, briefly thinking about how strange it was that even ordinary humans could see him as clearly as if he himself was human, but that train of thought was put aside to be followed later. At the summary of the menu, he replied in an emotionless tone, "Green tea."

[tono_twerp]

"Ah, green tea!" he exclaimed, delighted. "What an excellent choice, my good sir! Nothing like a bit of that pure, clean taste, is there? I will get it to you at once!"

He hurried over to the stove to make the tea, reflecting that his new guest seemed a little reserved. Nothing like a good host to help with that.

"Here we are," he said, returning to the table, bearing a pot and two cups. "May I join you? It would be my pleasure to make your acquaintance."