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 Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 8:52 pm
Shen-ru stepped lightly into the tea shop he had just be in a short time before, just before the attack on the Avatar and the Masquerade. He looked around slowly, blinking as he tried to look for a certain familiar face in the tea shop. Not yet spotting him, the poet carefully took to a table closer to the door, ordering a simple pot of green tea, accepting the offer to have green tea with added apple chips. For now, he would wait, having brought his ink and his parchment and brush, deciding that he would take this time to write a bit of poetry, letting the atmosphere inspire him.
'Soothing scent of tea', he wrote carefully, starting a new haiku. He had taken to longer poems lately, but now chose to write what he had become a touch renown for. 'A sigh of steam, glance for him'. He paused, chuckled, then continued on - how silly was he. He felt a bit like a sap, but continued writing. 'Curiosity.'
It was hard to wait.
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Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 9:11 pm
"Ah, you are quite skilled with words, my young Shen-ru!" Ghazan's charming grin shone down on the boy as he spoke from his place behind the youth's chair. A short bow was made, and he laughed. "When I heard that you had ordered some tea here, I almost didn't believe it. Come, I never sit out here."
Ghazan, after all, owned the shop. He was extremely happy to see Shen-ru, and his enjoyment showed. They hadn't seen each other since he had dropped off Toshiro-Qi and Shen-ru at the earth kingdom boy's home. The tall man led the growing boy to a backroom, where the boy's pot of tea awaited. Taking a seat, he gestured for Shen-ru to join him.
"Tell me, how are you, Shen-ru?"
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Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 9:23 pm
Shen-ru jumped when Ghazan spoke up suddenly, very glad that his brush was no longer near the paper. He twisted to look up at the other, smiling brightly. "Ghazan! I did not expect to see you here so quickly..." he managed, before having to quickly gather his things so he could follow the older man into the back of the shop.
He sighed contently at the smell of his tea, settling at the table beside Ghazan and setting his stuff down once more. "I'm doing rather well now, especially after the masquerade. I've been doing all I can to relax after it," he explained, grinning sheepishly and shrugging one shoulder. "Lots of yoga has helped me get rid of that adrenaline rush. How have you been, in turn, Ghazan?"
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Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 9:35 pm
"Oh, well, I suppose." A brief, smile and he poured his own, separate pot of tea. Black tea. Taking a slow sip, his eyes simply took in the boy across from him, gaze thoughtful. "A tad lonely, if we're being completely honest. I hope we shall be, as lies do not belong amongst friends."
One finger reached out to lightly touch the paper as an eyebrow rose. "Tell, me, Shen-ru, of your... Situation? You have a patron, I suppose? Or, rather, patrons? It is quite common, here."
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Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 9:39 pm
Shen-ru reached to pick up his own pot of tea, carefully pouring himself a cup and looking pleased at the scent, even more so at the taste. "They certainly don't," he said, smiling warmly. "Only truth between us two, I can promise you."
The poet paused, though, when he was asked of patrons, sighing slowly. "I, unfortunately... have none. I've been supporting myself on writing and delivering poems for customers, but not very many returning customers. I support myself on a tidy inheritance I received from an uncle of mine."
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Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 9:43 pm
"Well! That simply will not do, my dear boy. A poet of your wit and skill should not be unsupported." Ghazan took another sip, before a smile flicked across his face and a bit of a mischevious look came into his eyes.
"... It has been a while." He didn't explain the cryptic remark for a long moment, instead finishing his cup. "Perhaps you would accept Lord Ghazan as your patron?" He had a large, relatively empty estate, and plenty of money.
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Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 9:48 pm
Shen-ru chuckled quietly, shrugging his thin shoulders when Ghazan spoke, lifting his cup to take a sip. He was used to taking care of himself, and had not thought much on having a patron take him on. When Ghazan spoke again, he spluttered, nearly making a mess of himself and quickly lifting his sleeve to cover his mouth, looking up at the older man with wide eyes.
"Are you serious?" he asked, sounding more his age with his disbelieving words. Seeing the seriousness in the other's face, he laughed a bit squeakily, making sure he had no tea on his face, before nodding slightly. "I can't find myself willing to refuse, Ghazan... Lord Ghazan? What exactly is it you do, to earn such a title?"
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Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 10:18 pm
Ghazan's laugh was more than a little amused and pleased. Nodding, he smiled at the boy's questions. "I advise the Fire Lord in many matters." He minimized his lofty position, gesturing to a servant to bring them some light food to make their tea into a lunch. "I assure you that you will be well cared for, Shen-ru. You will also gain many clients from the court, I believe." A warm smile.
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Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2008 7:05 am
Shen-ru blinked a bit owlishly, watching as the servant brought the food in and thinking on how things were going to change now. "You will not be teased, for taking on a skinny Earth Kingdom poet?" he asked playfully after a moment, looking up at Ghazan with a smile. "I truly cannot thank you enough, Ghazan... I'm honored that you're willing to become my patron."
He paused, glancing over at the poem he had written while waiting, before sliding it over in front of the older man. "I wrote this of you, you know," he said, wrinkling his nose a bit - he was embarrassed.
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Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2008 11:40 am
"Teased? Hah." Ghazan served himself from the main platter, nodding to Shen-ru to do the same. "Of course, but only the harmless banter between associates and peers. They would tease for any poet, skinny or fat, young or old, earth or water... It matters not." Just as he teased him.
"I had hoped." Ghazan smiled slightly, eyes meeting Shen-ru. "As the first of many, I hope. May I keep it?"
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Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2008 11:52 am
Shen-ru was blushing faintly as he carefully selected food from the platter brought to them, humming a tiny bit and nodding. "Certainly. I would be happy if you kept it," he explained, smiling up at the older man and meeting his eyes when he felt a bit less embarrassed and a bit more brave. "I'll probably write a few more while we're here... I don't like letting inspiration pass."
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Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 4:11 pm
Ghazan, while a friendly man, was a rather important one, and rarely spent a long time in one place, unless it was at the Fire Lord's side, or at his own estate. Taking up a brush himself, he wrote down something for Shen-ru, sliding the paper across the table to him as he got to his feet.
"This is where you can find my estate. Give that to any of the servants and they shall get you established. I am needed elsewhere, but I will be sure to speak with you soon."
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Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 5:42 pm
Shen-ru was rather surprised to find their meeting ending so quickly, accepting the paper and reading over the information given. "All right, thank you," he murmured, getting to his feet and bowing low and polite to Ghazan.
"I will be seeing you soon, then, Ghazan."
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