[The inside of the tea house is dark, antique wood and the warm, spicy smell of tea. Behind the counter are hundreds of wooden drawers like a Chinese medicine cabinet with almost every types of tea imaginable. Cabinets of fine china line the walls as well as the odd bookshelf of well thumbed novels. A fire crackles in one corner below a worn marble mantel, banked low to give the room a warm, comforting feel.]
[There is the wafting scent of fresh baked cakes and biscuits coming from the little kitchen as Jack come out, dusts his hands.] Welcome. What can I get you?
[Tim peers around the comfortable place. It seems a pleasant shop, and Tim breathes deep, soaking in the atmosphere. He might be sizing up the competition a little, too.] Do you have Darjeeling?
[Jack smiles, welcoming Tim with a nod.] Several different varieties but for you... [He runs his hand along the drawers, pulling one down.] Queen Mary. A blend of Darjeeling and Ceylon. It's a little bit orangy. How does that sound to you?
You run the bookstore across the road, don't you? It's a beautiful place. [He places a fresh baked biscuit on a place for him.]
[Impulse sits down in the chair that Jack pulls out, though. He's wearing his costume -- though he has the half-cowl and goggles pulled down -- and it's kind of scuffed, like he's been in a fight. There's a small bloodstain on the right sleeve. When Jack gets a better look at Impulse's face, he might recognize the expression as "shell-shocked".]
No, it won't but it will help settle your nerves. [He presses the water into Impulse's hand and heads behind the counter to blend up a calming tea.]
[He comes back with a mug of slightly cooled tea.] Here, drink this slowly. It'll help. [He presses a damp cloth to Impulse's sleeve, checking for injuries.]
[There's a big black Great Dane pushing the door open with his big black head. Normally he's not this badly behaved but it looks like Ace is hungry and those biscuits smell good.]
Good boy. [Jack smiles, he likes dogs. He gives Ace a good rub before grabbing a bowl from behind the counter and fills it with water. He pulls a couple of biscuits off the tray for him.] There you go, boy.
A lady who knows what she want. [Jack smiles, reaching for the appropriate drawled and measuring out the tea into a pot.] Can I interest you in a shortbread biscuit? They're fresh out of the oven. [His accent has the same clipped British edge as Alfred]
[Jack smiles and fetches a couple of hot, fresh shortbreads.] On the house. [He rocks the pot gently before pouring her a cup] I'm Jack, Jack Whitechapel. Welcome to my grandfather's tea house.
[Jack gives a warm little laugh] A connoisseur? Wonderful. We don't actually have house blend, a few house favourites but in generally I blend to the guest's taste. So the question is, why kind of mood are you in?
Ah, Oxford. Lovely campus. I never studied there but I did have the good fortune to attend a couple guest lectures. [He trails off as he runs his hands over the drawers, putting a blend together for Tim.] The smell of old books, ancient stone and well worn leather. [He tips his mix into a waiting pot and sets it aside to seep.] May I ask what you studied?
Comments 127
[There is the wafting scent of fresh baked cakes and biscuits coming from the little kitchen as Jack come out, dusts his hands.] Welcome. What can I get you?
Reply
Reply
You run the bookstore across the road, don't you? It's a beautiful place. [He places a fresh baked biscuit on a place for him.]
Reply
Yes, I do. Thank you. So is this. I think you said you helped run your grandfather's tea shop back home? Is this the one?
Reply
[Impulse looks up. He seems kind of... dazed. He didn't even realize he walked into the tea shop.]
Oh, uh...
No, not really.
Reply
Reply
[Impulse sits down in the chair that Jack pulls out, though. He's wearing his costume -- though he has the half-cowl and goggles pulled down -- and it's kind of scuffed, like he's been in a fight. There's a small bloodstain on the right sleeve. When Jack gets a better look at Impulse's face, he might recognize the expression as "shell-shocked".]
Reply
[He comes back with a mug of slightly cooled tea.] Here, drink this slowly. It'll help. [He presses a damp cloth to Impulse's sleeve, checking for injuries.]
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
How about a cup of Lapsang Souchong? Two sugars. Hold the cream.
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment