He shakes his head. You bring the usual. Regulars are the best. (set: $regularseated to true)
[[Return to the counter. |CounterTime]](if: $coupleseated is false) [The new couple giggles by the potted plants.] (else:)[The new couple pours each other tea.] (if: $regularseated is false)[Your regular is reading a book.](else:)[Your regular is reading a book. He sips his brew and smiles slightly.] (if:$strangerseated is false) [A stranger in a cloak hesitates by the door.] (else-if: $strangerserved is false)[The young man in the cloak seems to be doing deep breathing exercises.] (else:) [The young man in the cloak blows on his cup.]
(if:$strangerserved is true and $coupleseated is true and $regularseated is true) [(if: $twosomeseated is false) [A harried person with beautiful bracelets holds the door for someone you guess might be their elderly mother. The mother scoffs. The air between them fizzles with tension.] (else:)[The preoccupied twosome fret over each other. At least they have tea.]
(if: $vanhiseated is false)[Nearly stepping on their skirts, your friend Vanhi enters. When she sees you she gives you a wave. And winces. ](else:)[Vanhi holds her cup in her hands. Her eyes are closed.]]
[[ Review your inventory. |Peruse your menu.]]
(if: $strangerserved is true and $coupleseated is true and $regularseated is true and $twosomeseated is false)[[Greet the two people who may be fighting.]]
(if: $strangerserved is true and $coupleseated is true and $regularseated is true and $vanhiseated is false)[[Wave Vanhi over to the table closest to your counter.]]
(if: $coupleseated is false)[[Offer tea to the couple.]]
(if: $regularseated is false)[[Ask your regular if he would like to try something new..]]
(if:$strangerseated is false)[[Welcome the stranger.]]
(if:$strangerseated is true and $strangerserved is false) [[Return to the young man in the cloak.]]
(if:$strangerserved and $coupleseated and $regularseated and $vanhiseated and $twosomeseated is true)[[You turn. The young man in a cloak is behind you. |Salespitch]](set: $bftea to $bftea - 1)
They nod enthusiastically. You have the feeling that you could have offered them bathwater for all they would notice. (set: $coupleseated to true)
[[Return to prep their tea. |CounterTime]](set: $cdrink to $cdrink - 1)
They nod enthusiastically. You have the feeling that you could have offered them bathwater for all they would notice. (set: $coupleseated to true)
[[Return to prep their tea. |CounterTime]](set: $fbrew to $fbrew - 1)
They nod enthusiastically. You have the feeling that you could have offered them bathwater for all they would notice. (set: $coupleseated to true)
[[Return to prep their tea. |CounterTime]](set: $ndraft to $ndraft - 1)
They nod enthusiastically. You have the feeling that you could have offered them bathwater for all they would notice. (set: $coupleseated to true)
[[Return to prep their tea. |CounterTime]]They nod enthusiastically. You have the feeling that you could have offered them bathwater for all they would notice. (set: $coupleseated to true)
[[Return to prep their tea. |CounterTime]](set: $sslipper to $sslipper - 1) (set: $correct to $correct + 1)
They nod enthusiastically. "Oh wow, that's so romantic!" one says. The other nods at you thankfully. (set: $coupleseated to true)
[[Return to prep their tea. |CounterTime]]Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia CommonsYou run a tea shop.
The early morning sun filters through the leaves outside, dappling your tables and floor with soft light. It is silent now, but in a few hours, these tables will be full of chatting customers, clinking glasses, and old friends. You look at this shop, which you built with your own hands, with pride. (set: $shopswept to false, $teaprepped to false, $strangerseated to false, $coupleseated to false, $regularseated to false, $strangerserved to false, $vanhiseated to false, $twosomeseated to false, $cdrink to 2, $ndraft to 2, $bftea to 2, $sslipper to 2, $fbrew to 2, $doorsopened to false, $correct to 1)
(set: $teashopname to "")
You know the sign out front like the back of your hand. In pleasing, painted lettering, it spells out the name of your shop. Which means, of course, that it says: (input-box: bind $teashopname)
[[Sweep the shop.]]
You brace yourself, and approach the customers. They were mid-discussion, and as they see you approach, an uneasy silence falls around them. "Thank you for visiting $teashopname," you say in what you hope is a soothing voice. "Can I offer you some tea?"
"//I'll// take some," the person with the bracelets says in a harsh tone. There's an uncomfortable pause.
"We'll share a pot," the elder says, eyebrows raised. The younger flushes red.
You forge ahead. "Might I recommend the..."
[[House green? It's the best in the forest."|TwosomeNormalDrink]]
(if: $cdrink > 0)[[["Convalescence Drink? Eases your aches and pains."|TwosomeCDrink]]](else:)[//you're out of Convalescence Drink!//]
(if: $ndraft > 0)[[["Nightglow Draft? Not to presume, but I've never known an argument that could survive a good pot of this stuff."|TwosomeNDrink]]](else:)[//you're out of Nightglow Draft!//]
(if: $sslipper > 0)[[[ Softheart Slipper? It's our most romantic beverage."|TwosomeSSlipper]]](else:)[//you're out of Softheart Slipper!//]
(if: $bftea > 0)[[[ some Bright Flower Tea? Hard to be melancholy after tasting this one."|TwosomeBFTea]]](else:)[//you're out of Bright Flower Tea!//]
(if: $fbrew > 0)[[[Flamebreath Brew? You both seem like you could use a boost of confidence."|TwosomeFBrew]]](else:)[//you're out of Flamebreath Brew!//]The couple sits in the corner of the room. They barely glance at you as you run through the menu's offerings. You smile fondly to yourself and offer them
[[a pot of your house green|CoupleNormalDrink]],
(if: $cdrink > 0)[[[a bracing, medicinal-tasting sage beverage |CoupleCDrink]]] (else:)[//you're out of Convalescence Drink!//],
(if: $ndraft > 0)[[[the comforting, bittersweet Nightglow Draft|CoupleNDraft]]] (else:)[//you're out of Nightglow Draft!//],
(if: $sslipper > 0)[[[a romantic brew with rose petals and honey pearls|CoupleSSlipper]]] (else:)[//you're out of Softheart Slipper!//],
(if: $bftea > 0)[[[a sunny pearl and dandelion tea to promote cheer|CoupleBFTea ]]](else:)[//you're out of Bright Flower Tea!//],
or (if: $fbrew > 0)[[[a fiery pepper tea to boost their confidence|CoupleFBrew]]] (else:)[//you're out of Flamebreath Brew!//].A soft breeze wafts in to your shop.
A few moments later, a couple follows. They aren't young, but you suspect they haven't been together long, either. They hold hands and smile when they catch each other's eyes.
A neatly dressed man makes his way to his usual seat. He is familiar to you. Brusque, but polite enough.
A stranger in a cloak hesitates by the door. (set: $doorsopened to true)
[[Offer tea to the couple.]]
[[Ask your regular if he would like to try something new..]]
[[Welcome the stranger.]]
[[Review your inventory. |Peruse your menu.]]You inspect your stock of tea ingredients. Technically, some of them are tisanes, but the last person that pointed this out is no longer welcome in your establishment.
(if: $cdrink > 0)[ ](else:)[//you're out of Convalescence Drink!//]
(if: $ndraft > 0)[ ](else:)[//you're out of Nightglow Draft!//]
(if: $sslipper > 0)[ ](else:)[//you're out of Softheart Slipper!//]
(if: $bftea > 0)[ ](else:)[//you're out of Bright Flower Tea!//]
(if: $fbrew > 0)[ ](else:)[//you're out of Flamebreath Brew!//]
(align:"=><=")+(box:"X=")[MENU:
Green Tea
//Whole leaf. Fragrant. Grown and dried in-house. //
SPECIALS:
Convalescence Drink
//seashell, sage, chamomile flower. A calming drink to return you to your center.//
Nightglow Draft
//mulberries, wicked basil, striderweb. To ease hard conversations.//
Brightflower Tea
//lustrous pearl, lightshroom, dandelion root. A bright-tasting herbal to evoke a cheerful atmosphere.//
Softheart Slipper
//rose petals, licorice root, lady's slipper, honey pearls. A slightly sweet tea that pairs well with passion.//
Flamebreath Brew
//lightning violets, snapdragon stem, rare scales, pepper zest. Zingy. For warmth and confidence.//
]
You check your ingredients. You have enough to make:
$cdrink pots of Convalescence Drink,
$ndraft pots of Nightglow Draft,
$bftea pots of Bright Flower Tea,
$sslipper pots of Softheart Slipper,
$fbrew pots of Flamebreath Brew,
and so much green tea that you're certain you'd run out of hot water before you'd make a dent in your supply.
"A known inventory is an anticipatable inventory," you say, to no one in particular.
(if: $doorsopened is false) [[[ "What's next?" |Sweep the shop.]]]
(else:)[ [["Now let's see how those customers are doing." |CounterTime]] ]Your cauldron-sized kettle burbles happily. You place your green tea leaves into a teapot and ladle water over them. In a few minutes, the tea will be ready to drink. (set: $teaprepped to true)
[["All set! Now, what to do, what to do..?" |Sweep the shop.]]He glances up at you, but quickly returns his gaze to his hands.
(set: $strangerserved to true)
"Might i suggest a pot of...
[[ plain green tea?" |StrangerNormalDrink]]
(if: $cdrink > 0)[[[ our Convalescence Drink? Eases your aches and pains."|StrangerCDrink]]](else:)[//you're out of Convalescence Drink!//]
(if: $ndraft > 0)[[[ the Nightglow Draft? I've never known an argument that could survive a good pot of this stuff."|StrangerNDraft]]](else:)[//you're out of Nightglow Draft!//]
(if: $sslipper > 0)[[[ Softheart Slipper? It's our most romantic beverage."|StrangerSSlipper]]](else:)[//you're out of Softheart Slipper!//]
(if: $bftea > 0)[[[ some Bright Flower Tea? Hard to be melancholy after tasting this one."|StrangerBFTea]]](else:)[//you're out of Bright Flower Tea!//]
(if: $fbrew > 0)[[[ Flamebreath Brew? You seem like you could use a boost of confidence."|StrangerFBrew]]](else:)[//you're out of Flamebreath Brew!//](if: $correct < 2) ["You don't really understand people, do you?" he asks. All trace of caution is gone from his voice.
"That's not my job," you say. "My job is to serve tea."
"And that's all it ever will be," he says, lightly, dismissing you as if you were a stray leaf on his shoe. He leaves. Shortly after, your patrons do, too. You don't understand. But then again, you never have.
THE END](else-if: $correct > 2 and < 4) ["Your intuition is very... human," he says, in a voice that is distinctly //not.//
"Thank you?" you hazard, unsure where this conversation is going.
"Keep trying," he says. "There's something special about this place." He presses a small pebble into your hand, and turns on his heel, cloak billowing around him. You examine it, confused. It's a regular rock, though it's been carved to look like an Everlasting Coal— a legendary stone that produces unending heat. Still, you know if you display a replica like this the right way, is likely to draw a crowd. You drop it in your apron pocket, deciding to tinker with it once $teashopname closes. As the patrons leave and the sun sets, you close the doors, and settle comfortably into your plans for the future.
END] (else-if: $correct > 4)["I must compliment you. You have quite a connection with your patrons. Almost... uncanny." He presses a small pebble into your hand, and bows slightly. He turns on his heel, cloak billowing around him, before you can ask who he is or what business he has with your customer service techniques. You examine the pebble, and gasp. You've heard legends about Everlasting Coals: small rocks that produce unending heat. Having one in your possession would eliminate the need to tend your fire. Not to mention the //tourism potential//. You grin, and from that moment until the sun sets and releases its orange fingers through your overgrown windows, you are hit by wave after wave of gratitude and satisfaction. You made the $teashopname into something more than just a place where people gather. And tomorrow, you'll do it again.
END] (else:) ["Your intuition is very... human," he says, in a voice that is distinctly //not.//
"Thank you?" you hazard, unsure where this conversation is going.
"Keep trying," he says. "There's something special about this place." He presses a small pebble into your hand, and turns on his heel, cloak billowing around him. You examine it, confused. It's a regular rock, though it's been carved to look like an Everlasting Coal— a legendary stone that produces unending heat. Still, you know if you display a replica like this the right way, is likely to draw a crowd. You drop it in your apron pocket, deciding to tinker with it once $teashopname closes. As the patrons leave and the sun sets, you close the doors, and settle comfortably into your plans for the future.
THE END]
[[Credits]](set: $bftea to $bftea - 1)
"Oh. Uh. I could do that," he says. He retrieves his handkerchief from his pocket and twists it around his fingers. It looks painful. (set: $strangerserved to true)
[[Return to prep his tea. |CounterTime]](set: $cdrink to $cdrink - 1)
"Oh. Uh. I could do that," he says. He retrieves his handkerchief from his pocket and twists it around his fingers. It looks painful. (set: $strangerserved to true)
[[Return to prep his tea. |CounterTime]](set: $fbrew to $fbrew - 1) (set: $correct to $correct + 1)
He lets loose a big sigh. "You know? That sounds really nice." He pulls his handkerchief from his pocket, looks at it, and smiles slightly. (set: $strangerserved to true)
[[Return to prep his tea. |CounterTime]](set: $ndraft to $ndraft - 1)
"Oh. Uh. I could do that," he says. He retrieves his handkerchief from his pocket and twists it around his fingers. It looks painful. (set: $strangerserved to true)
[[Return to prep his tea. |CounterTime]]"Oh. Uh. I could do that," he says. He retrieves his handkerchief from his pocket and twists it around his fingers. It looks painful. (set: $strangerserved to true)
[[Return to prep his tea. |CounterTime]](set: $sslipper to $sslipper - 1)
"Oh. Uh. I could do that," he says. He retrieves his handkerchief from his pocket and twists it around his fingers. It looks painful. (set: $strangerserved to true)
[[Return to prep his tea. |CounterTime]]Your floors gleam. (if:$teaprepped is true)[ The smell of fragrant green tea fills the air. You pour off a cup for yourself.]
(set: $shopswept to true)
(if:$teaprepped is false)[ [[Prep a pot of your most popular brew.]]]
[[Peruse your menu.]]
[[Open the doors.]]
(set: $bftea to $bftea - 1)
"I suppose that will suffice," says the elder. The younger looks like they might want to say something, but ultimately, they stay silent. (set: $twosomeseated to true)
[[Return to prep their tea. |CounterTime]](set: $cdrink to $cdrink - 1)
"I suppose that will suffice," says the elder. The younger looks like they might want to say something, but ultimately, they stay silent. (set: $twosomeseated to true)
[[Return to prep their tea. |CounterTime]](set: $fbrew to $fbrew - 1)
"I suppose that will suffice," says the elder. The younger looks like they might want to say something, but ultimately, they stay silent. (set: $twosomeseated to true)
[[Return to prep their tea. |CounterTime]](set: $ndraft to $ndraft - 1) (set: $correct to $correct + 1)
"Presume away," says the younger. "But //she// started it."
There's a moment where everyone is so silent that it feels like time itself has abandoned you.
Then, the elder bursts into laughter. "It's true!" she says, wiping a tear from her eye. "I absolutely started this one. You're too patient sometimes." The younger is surprised, and huffs once. But they're smiling.
(set: $twosomeseated to true)
[[Return to prep their tea. |CounterTime]]"I suppose that will suffice," says the elder. The younger looks like they might want to say something, but ultimately, they stay silent. (set: $twosomeseated to true)
[[Return to prep their tea. |CounterTime]](set: $sslipper to $sslipper - 1)
"I suppose that will suffice," says the elder. The younger looks like they might want to say something, but ultimately, they stay silent. (set: $twosomeseated to true)
[[Return to prep their tea. |CounterTime]](set: $bftea to $bftea - 1)
"Anything you make is sure to help," she says. She's always saying things like that, though.
(set: $vanhiseated to true)
[[Return to prep her tea. |CounterTime]](set: $cdrink to $cdrink - 1) (set: $correct to $correct + 1)
"Really? You have something like that?" she says. You nod. In fact, you came up with this recipe just for her. You would do anything for Vanhi.
(set: $vanhiseated to true)
[[Return to prep her tea. |CounterTime]](set: $fbrew to $fbrew - 1)
"Anything you make is sure to help," she says. She's always saying things like that, though.
(set: $vanhiseated to true)
[[Return to prep her tea. |CounterTime]](set: $ndraft to $ndraft - 1)
"Anything you make is sure to help," she says. She's always saying things like that, though.
(set: $vanhiseated to true)
[[Return to prep her tea. |CounterTime]]"Anything you make is sure to help," she says. She's always saying things like that, though.
(set: $vanhiseated to true)
[[Return to prep her tea. |CounterTime]](set: $sslipper to $sslipper - 1)
"Anything you make is sure to help," she says. She's always saying things like that, though.
(set: $vanhiseated to true)
[[Return to prep her tea. |CounterTime]]You hug. "What a pleasant surprise! How ''are'' you?" You ask. "It's been so long!"
"Oh, you would not believe some of the things..." she cuts off and hisses through her teeth. "Oof. My head is not doing well. Do you have any magic back there for me?" (set: $vanhiseated to true)
[[Offer Vanhi green tea. Can't go wrong with a classic.|VNormalDrink]]
(if: $cdrink > 0)[[[Offer Vanhi Convalescense Drink to soothe her headache.|VCDrink]]](else:)[//you're out of Convalescence Drink!//]
(if: $ndraft > 0)[[[Offer Vanhi Nightglow Draft to bolster her relationship with her headache.|VNDraft]]](else:)[//you're out of Nightglow Draft!//]
(if: $sslipper > 0)[[[Offer Vanhi Softheart Slipper because you know, secretly, that she loves her headache.|VSSlipper]]](else:)[//you're out of Softheart Slipper!//]
(if: $bftea > 0)[[[Offer Vanhi Bright Flower Tea so that she can be happy despite her headache.|VBFTea]]](else:)[//you're out of Bright Flower Tea!//]
(if: $fbrew > 0)[[[Offer Vanhi Flamebreath Brew so she can have the courage to admit she has a headache|VFBrew]]] (else:)[//you're out of Flamebreath Brew!//]"Hello, hello! Welcome to $teashopname," you call to them in a practiced voice-- bright, but not harsh, carrying across the room but not loud. Even so, they startle slightly. The young man removes his hood, looks up, composes himself, and inclines his head.
"Yes! Oh. Um. I mean, thank you," he scrambles past the other customers, and finds a seat at a small table away from the windows. Nothing is tipped over, but it's a near thing. (set: $strangerseated to true)
You decide to give him a minute to compose himself.
[[Check on your other customers. |CounterTime]]