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 Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 5:47 pm
The morning had been sullen and dreary, the weather had been downright awful for weeks on end. As the entire town hid under rooftops or umbrellas with their jackets pulled tight around them, the main fell endlessly. It had not stopped for days and the clouds just hung low overhead, many buildings looked as if they vanished into the unknown distance like a ghost town. Perhaps the deary weather was seasonal or just rare, Shen didn't know, and downright didn't give a damn. His hair was clinging to his head, his jacket heavy on his frozen limbs, and his face locked in displeasure at the weather.
He nodded his head,'You would think they could come up with some better forecasters by the thirty-second century.' Shen had watched the news for days and every day a promised rise to this weather was promised, day-upon-day it was a sigh of disappointment and anger.
Tired of being bundled up inside the narrow manor Shen had dared venture out alone upon the frozen streets for some hope of exposure to the people of whom he shared this town with. The streets were practically empty, and every pub or bar he had encountered was full of individuals who were drunk or shouting angrily at the glowing screens overhead.
Displeased with the availability of someplace quiet Shen turned onto another streets and far in the distance his eyes spotted a floating light. It was glowing far in the fog and even though his eyes could not make out the glowing shape he knew it was the sign of some sort of business. The fact that no screaming could be heard was a good sign of something positive, for him at least.
Sheltering himself from the falling rain by hiding under the overhanging rooftops Shen scaled the walls in hopes of avoiding the falling beads of death but his efforts were flaunted as the houses turned into businesses and rooftops practically vanished from distance.
Pulling his coat tighter the doctor breathed into his sleeves and examined the sign again. It faintly read, in it's blinking brilliance, 'Barkers Tea House'. Smiling to himself Shen couldn't help but tasting the flavor of his favorite tea, earl gray, on the tips of his tongue as he got closer to the building.
Out into the streets flooded the sweet and home-y smell of the tea house. The closer one got to the building, the softer the air became and soon enough Shen found himself inside the relaxing building. A set of doors separated him from the true inside and pushing them open he shed off the thick coat and hung it lazily on a coat rack. Unlike being at the bars no one turned his was when he entered, the clerk didn't even acknowledge that someone had entered until Shen neared the counter.
"Can I have some tea?" he asked as his eyes laid fixed on the overhead menu.
The clerk smiled and stood up, brushing off her apron, "Yes si' wha' w'uld ye' like?" Her accent was strong and the was she moved was fluid and friendly and relaxing a bit more Shen tipped off his head and held it by his side.
"I will take the Earl Gray tea with some honey, and a scoop of sugar." Shen ordered, pulling out a small card to pay with his order. The clerk nodded and typed in the order on a small screen and took his card, swiping, and handing it back in one movement.
"T'ank ye', ten gold 'ave b'en taken from yer account Mr. Sh'n. Your order will be delivered to you momentarily, can we intere' ye' in a pa'try?" she asked.
Shen smiled and looked over the glowing counter. After a soft rumble of his stomach Shen reluctantly pointed to a loaf of pound bread. "I will take that." he ordered.
Pulling out his card again the lady only nodded and waved off the card. "Free." Shen could only smile and in thanks he smiled to her and maneuvered through the few people in the shop and found himself a window by the heated glass.
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Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 6:58 pm
Truth be told, when Rochelle woke up to yet another morning of that ugly, grey rain, she nearly pulled her hair out in frustration. This was just too much for her! Nearly a week with no sunshine? And it was dead freezing to boot; just grand. Somehow she had convinced her mother to let her out today, though she was expected back within a few hours. Rochelle might have outright laughed at her mother, but she did not want to risk her fury. She was a grown woman, after all. She had her right to do whatever it was she pleased during the evening. But of course, Na'ima was a vicious woman, and Rochelle tired her hardest to avoid her fury as long as possible.
Currently Rochelle was sitting in a nearby tea house; one her father and her frequented on his more lax work days. She was in the process of nursing her third cup of unsweetened tea, her nimble hand wrapped around the cup protectively, trying to soak up some of the warmth, though it was a futile attempt. Quite a few people had come in today, and she had to take one of the worst spots in the house - right near the door. She hated the way the air moved around her as someone passed by, but the other tables had been full when she came in, and she found it rude to change tables in the middle of a cup of tea.
When the doors opened for the umpteenth time, Rochelle barely even bothered to glance up from looking deep into her cup of swirling tea. She registered this was another older man, one who looked just as dour as she felt. At least this one was not wearing a ridiculously false smile like the others were. Though the smile he gave Mrs. Abaegayle was anything but fake. Rochelle even found herself smiling with this man, surprisingly.
Finally, Rochelle managed to finish her cup once she had successfully made herself out to be a creep, watching that poor man all the way to his seat. She shook her head, wondering to herself if she really did have some sort of thing for older men, and stood up to go get another cup of tea. She was willing to find any crackpot reason for staying out later at this point.
"Hey, Abby. Another cup please." Rochelle mumbled, looking up at her good friend. The woman smiled at her, and though it was just a business smile, Rochelle knew it was sincere. She had a knack for figuring out that sort of thing, most of the time. "So," Rochelle began, lowering her voice ever so slightly. "who's the guy that just walked in?" she asked, gesturing over her shoulder crudely.
The woman rolled her eyes and shook her head at Rochelle's antics. "Na Rocky, hun, tha' man is a bit ol'er than ya. Y'need ta go wit' men yer own age."
Rochelle waved off Abby's words and scoffed at her, though it was all in jest. She took her now refilled drink and returned to her seat, blowing into her cup silently, minding her own business.
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Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 7:20 pm
Shen had not given an ounce of attention to anyone but the clerk unless he nudged someone as he passed. A quick pardon was offered than and he kept moving over to the table by the window. The air was warm in the corner and feeling secluded Shen relaxed enough to withdraw a book from his pocket and set to reading the first few pages.
It was entitled, 'Chinese Philosophy and influence on Modern Science'. The book had been recommended to him reluctantly as a parting gift one time and since then he had yet to read it. Now he set forth on the task.
Peeking up as his tea was delivered to him Shen nodded. "Yo'r te' sir." the clerk smiled. Shen took the cup and sipped it silently. When a nod of appreciation was shared between them the sweet lady vanished again to serve another customer and Shen continued to read.
The book became boring after only a few moments so laying it down the doctor took another drink of the perfectly made tea and a bite out of a cut slice of the pound bread. All of it tasted perfect and Shen felt as if this was a nice escape to the dreary day outside.
It reminded him- him of that terrible day on the battle field.
No, he couldn't think of it. Quickly Shen took a swift drink of the tea and swallowed a gulp before lowering it and staring out the window. The liquid scorched his throat but he didn't care. In fact, no one seemed to.
Eying the Tea House occupants with care Shen spotted a few people he might have known, and by the door he eyed one girl who was sitting alone. She was one of few who were in this calming place who was not accompanied by a giggling companion. Nodding his head in agreement with his thoughts Shen stood up and made his way over to lady.
"Excuse me, miss, would you be honored to join me at my table this evening?" he asked with a small bow.
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Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 8:24 pm
Rochelle's lips were still puckered from blowing none-too-gently on her tea when she turned and faced the man now standing in front of her. When her brain finally registered who it was, she sputtered and wiped at her mouth with the back of her sleeve. The epitome of her manners, to be sure.
"Uh, um. Wha?" Smooth, Rochelle, real smooth. She seemed to catch herself after a prolonged and equally awkward moment of floundering and straightened herself up, trying to do her best impression of looking uninterested. "Erm, well. Y'see...I'm perfectly fine where I'm at...sir. Though you're welcome ta join my table." she said curtly, nodding her head once at the man and bringing her cup up to her mouth to hide her face.
Rochelle peeked out over the top rim of her cup questioningly, and made a motion for the man to sit, leaving him no alternative, least he look like a jerk and refuse a seat offered by a lady. At last she moved the cup away from her face, frowning at the man even though only a few seconds had passed. Well, don't jus' stand there, sit down!"
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Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 8:55 pm
Shen was taking his seat just as he was demanded to sit down. Shen pulled his hat over his head just as a few heads turned their direction, he didn't like being stared at; especially since he felt as if he had done nothing wrong of the sorts, but he kept quiet. Shen assumed that this lady wasn't quite fond of his company so he took his own cup of tea into his hands he took a couple drinks before setting it back down. Sighing, Shen remained silent for a few moments, taking occasional sips of his tea before he broke the withstanding silence.
"My name is Qing-Yuan Shen, or Shen for short." he said, tipping the hat he had laid on his head moments earlier. Most of his hair had dried and without reason to believe it had dried in a ball of fluff he was reluctant to dismiss himself to find a mirror.
"Dreary weather isn't it?" he asked, attempting at a burning pile of a conversation.
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Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2010 12:55 pm
Rochelle stretched in her seat as the older man across from her looked downright confused at her behavior. She supposed he was not used to this sort of treatment from anyone, let alone a woman, judging by the rather old fashioned way he was dressed and the utterly proper way he carried himself. He just screamed 'snob', though she could not help but remember how he had smiled at Abby, and in her book, that was as good as any reason to give him a chance.
Plus, the man seemed to be the more courageous type, and anyone who had the gall to walk up to Rochelle and offer her the 'honor' or sitting with them was certainly going to turn out to be an interesting character, indeed. Nodding to herself, Rochelle leaned forward a bit in her seat and flashed the man a bright smile. But before she had a chance to voice her opinions, the man started to introduce himself. Rochelle had a difficult time pronouncing the name under her breath as he said it, so she just smiled again and went along with his nickname.
"So, Shen," Rochelle started, now studying the man's face carefully. "You tellin' me you came all the way over here to talk with me about the weather? Though it is rather 'dreary', I'll admit." Rochelle took another sip from her tea, looking down into the cup curiously, waiting for the man to reply. When nothing was said after a few moments of this, she cleared her throat and had this sheepish look on her face. "Oh, do forgive me. My name is Rochelle, by the way." she said, dipping her head slightly in a mock curtsy. "So what brings you here anyhow?"
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Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2010 7:53 pm
Shen mused for a moments in his own thoughts about the girl and the way she talked. It was respectful, on the edge of being impolite, but still kind enough to be approachable. He only nodded though and dismissed the thought.
"Perhaps, being stuck inside for a week has made me a little to withdrawn. So I decided to leave home- in this dreadful mess of a weather. Thought some social interaction would be nice but it seems as if the entire town is hiding away like I was, or in some rowdy mess of a bar watching some thing on the tele." he responded. The weather had been dreadfully boring and incredibly foreboding but never was it enough to lock a person inside their house, the worst part was the fact that it was cold outside... then again, it was winter.
"Please excuse me for a moment," he said dismissing himself to the counter for a refill. A moment later he returned and took his seat at the table and glanced outside the window."Why were you drawn away from your- home-" he said, hoping 'home' was the appropriate word, "on this sullen day?" His question was about the weather again, but as to why he shouldn't get to know Rochelle was beyond him.
Treat one as you wish to be treated, and as they treat you. More so the last was reflected in society. He only snickered and took another sip of his tea."Do you know anything about the past war?" he asked, wondering if this girl had any experience with the bloody battles.
Shen didn't mean to ask, but the question escaped his lips before he could silence himself, too late.
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Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 12:30 pm
Rochelle kicked her feet under the table while listening to Shen talk. The way his low voice drifted over the table soothed her into a lull of sorts, making her weary as she slid down in her chair a bit, much like a small child would when they start showing signs of boredom. When the man excused himself to get a refill, Rochelle brought her own cup back up to her lips, inhaling the wonderful aroma of the tea and sipped at it happily, loving the feel of the warm liquid race down her throat and settle in her belly. She set the cup back down after a moment of watching Shen at the counter and reached into the pocket of her jacket just as he started to return. Rochelle's fingers felt something smooth and rounded and she gave a little smile as she pulled it out, setting it on the table while Shen sat down.
Rochelle did not look as Shen began talking to her again, but instead she was preoccupied with a small device that had a protective casing. It appeared to be some sort of mechanical device, but Rochelle had yet to do any studying of this object. She had found it on a impromptu dig last week, and it amused her to no end. Taking off the cap, slipping it back on after observing the inside mechanics; great fun, oh yes. Finally, once the table had been silent far too long, Rochelle looked up and shrugged at her table guest. "Oh, I dunno. I wanted to go out today. Been stuck in my house for the past few days and it's horrible finding something to do when you're by yourself all day. Though I did get some reading in yesterday..." she trailed off, looking back down at the object in her hand and shaking her head. "But I'm glad I got out. We'd run out of tea about two days ago." Rochelle shrugged again and took another sip of her tea, eying Shen over the rim of the cup.
When the older man brought up the war, Rochelle almost rolled her eyes, though the way he asked made her think differently. "My parents never really liked talking about the war, so I never learned anything from them first-hand. But I've been reading some material I've gathered from the most recent war years, and I've learned a bit from those." She did not add how she absolutely despised that sort of violence, though the thought was in the back of her mind, to be sure.
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Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 7:51 pm
"Such a painful war it was for us all. Too much tragedy befell many a friend and family." he noted as his hand lowered the empty glass to the table. His eyes scanned the room and the outside once more before finally raising to his feet. "If you will, would you be obliged to join me on a walk? It may be dreary but such days are one in few." he asked. If Rochelle joined him his time walking would be peaceful and maybe a bit exciting, if not, there would be no trouble in walking alone.
Standing up the doctor ordered himself another cup of beverage and turned to retrieve his jacket. The rain has slowed to a drizzling mist and the fog seemed to have lifted off of the streets. It felt as if the storm might finally be leaving this dreadful town.
Taking a sip of the chocolate substance his smiled to himself."What might that gadget be that you were playing with earlier?"he asked as his hands worked on securing the jacket around his body. Better to keep the warm in, and the cool out.
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Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 8:37 pm
Rochelle shrugged indifferently, still intent on playing with the object in her hands. "I was just a baby when it ended, so I don't remember any of it." she says a bit curtly, not wanting to talk about something she did not agree with, especially not with a stranger whom she knew nothing about. She glanced up at Shen as he stood, noting his rather blank expression. Rochelle looked back down at her hands, tossing the thing between them before she pocketed the object again, willing herself not to play with it too much, least she break it before she figured out what it was.
Rochelle returned her attention to Shen now, slightly frowning. "Well, no. I am not obliged to go anywhere with you." she nearly spat, not at all liking how this man decided to present himself in a much higher status. "Though I will walk with you, as I need to start heading home anyway." she said finally, standing up as well and grabbing her empty cup and bringing it over to Abby, who just smiled at her and easily accepted the glass with a slight nod.
Rochelle went back to the table and snatched her over-sized coat from the back of her chair, sliding her arms into it and pressing a button near the end of her sleeve which closed the jacket and made it conform to her body in order to minimize heat loss. She rolled her eyes at Shen as he attempted to do the same with his...manual jacket. So last season. "Hm?" she said in response to his question as she made her way to the door. "It's just somethin' I found. Dunno what it is yet, but I'm currently looking in to that." She slipped her hand into her pocket, letting her fingers caress over the object there before she stepped out into the street, looking sullen and waiting for Shen to make his way out as well.
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Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 4:50 pm
Shen looked at his jacket when Rochelle did and shrugged. He needed to update his wardrobe but much of his wardrobe had some sentimental attachment. Nodding his head and pulling the had over his matted hair he made his way outside. "I apologize for my English if it confoun- is overly proper. I do not speak it well." he attempted, trying to sound somewhat natural as he spoke it.
Shen knew nothing of his natural born language, in fact, he had trouble speaking basic English. The only reason he knew it was due to the war and since he had tried practicing. Pulling on a pair of gloves the doctor tightened them around his wrist before he activated small pouches in either one which helped heat up his hands. The miracle of modern, and yet, ancient chemical formulas.
"Regardless of what it is, I think it is pretty-" he paused, searching for the right word, "interesting. I hope you find out what it is though, it is never fun not knowing what an object is that one possesses." Shen couldn't help with his English but he did she same to found natural. Pulling the coat tighter around him he shivered.
The cold was annoying, and it continued to trouble his train of thoughts. Pulling out a bottle of pills the doctor shoved one down his throat and instantly felt some muscle relief in his body. "I don't know why I don't just get warmer clothing, some unknown reason I guess." he smiled.
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