nomorekaraoke: (cat got the canary)
[personal profile] nomorekaraoke
Any given Sunday around this time of day (or night, as the case may be, sometimes) will find Lorne seeking the familiar comforts of his favourite tea house. Francis', named after its owner and proprietor, is a very hush hush place most readily accessible from smack dab in the middle of Manhattan's China Town. Or rather, the tea house itself can be accessed from China Town in various locations, should you know enough to gain entrance.

One needs only find the right door, knock on it twice, and speak the demonic pass word to be let in. Inside, the lone bouncer will gruffily jab a thumb at the wrought metal staircase winding its way down, down, down to the tea house proper. The moment one sets foot on the first step, the scents of freshly baked bread and sweet pastries will seize one's olfactory sense and urge one down the may twists of the staircase. There are three floors made available for guests and patrons alike, full of tables and plush armchairs and couches of varying shapes and sizes and color that blend into a warmth one seldom finds above ground. At the very bottom of the stairs is a polished wooden floor, coated with several layers of protective magic for those unfortunate demons to whom oak is toxic. To the side, a massive counter with all manner of treats available for inspection, all of which - rare though it may be for such establishments - are safe for human consumption.

Behind the counter stands Francis himself, rivalling the counter with his own gigantic, infectiously exuberant bulk, ever ready to take one's order.

In the far corner, blanketed by the warmth emanating from the nearby kitchens, sits Lorne enjoying his usual treat of very, very green tea and very, very scrumptious red bean pastries.

Date: 2009-12-20 05:36 pm (UTC)
stilljustandrew: (serious 2)
From: [personal profile] stilljustandrew
A nice feature of the tearoom is that the staircase is visible from any seat in the house that doesn't actually have its back turned.

This means that when an unprepossessing-looking human in sneakers and jeans comes meandering down the stairs, anyone in the room can see him coming.

Date: 2009-12-20 05:45 pm (UTC)
stilljustandrew: (neutral)
From: [personal profile] stilljustandrew
On his way to the counter, Andrew glances up -- and over his shoulder to see if he can spot who the demon's addressing.

Date: 2009-12-20 06:59 pm (UTC)
stilljustandrew: (neutral)
From: [personal profile] stilljustandrew
Andrew hesitates; he's here to talk to Francis. (Not for any specific information, just making his usual rounds, maintaining contacts.)

But with a shrug, he turns and heads over to Lorne's table instead. "Hi," he says, when he's close enough to speak without raising his voice.

Date: 2009-12-20 08:23 pm (UTC)
stilljustandrew: (serious 2)
From: [personal profile] stilljustandrew
"Yeah. How've you been?"

It's a little cautious, but only a little; they parted on reasonably good terms.

Date: 2009-12-20 10:03 pm (UTC)
stilljustandrew: (neutral)
From: [personal profile] stilljustandrew
"Um ... I'm doing okay. Catching up on stuff now that I'm back this side of the pond." He tilts his head, indicating their surroundings. "Checking in with my peeps."

Date: 2009-12-20 10:19 pm (UTC)
stilljustandrew: (grownupsmile)
From: [personal profile] stilljustandrew
Huh. If this were at Milliways, he wouldn't think twice, but ...

Well, what's the harm? He planned on spending the day maintaining contacts, after all, and arguably Lorne's a potential contact. Possibly a very valuable one. And ...

Who's he kidding. Lorne's likable, is what he is. And maybe, strange as it seems, a potential friend.

He gives a small smile. "Sure."

Date: 2009-12-20 10:53 pm (UTC)
stilljustandrew: (serious 2)
From: [personal profile] stilljustandrew
Andrew gives a little wave, and heads back towards the counter.

He spends about ten minutes talking with Francis over chai and bearclaws. His teahouse doesn't tend to attract the big movers and shakers of the demon demimonde, or the types involved in serious violence; it's generally neutral ground by virtue of common agreement, rather than any house rule. But the people who come here do still gossip, and Francis is so easy to talk to that he picks up a lot of it.

Not that Andrew's pumping him for information today. Just ... passing time, saying hello. Making sure things are okay.

Date: 2009-12-22 02:59 am (UTC)
stilljustandrew: (grownupsmile)
From: [personal profile] stilljustandrew
Round of gossip completed, Andrew orders a half-dozen almond croissants to take home and a second chai for here. Francis gives him the refill on the house, and Andrew tucks a little extra into the tip jar.

And then meanders toward Lorne's table, mug in one hand, white paper bag in the other.

Date: 2009-12-23 02:46 am (UTC)
stilljustandrew: (telling you)
From: [personal profile] stilljustandrew
"Ah, but this time the advantage is mine," he counters with a grin.

Beat.

"Um, where 'advantage' is defined as having a bag of pastries."

Date: 2009-12-24 12:38 am (UTC)
stilljustandrew: (confiding)
From: [personal profile] stilljustandrew
He slides into the seat and sets the mug and his bag on the tabletop.

"So what brings you here?"

Date: 2009-12-25 04:17 pm (UTC)
stilljustandrew: (serious 2)
From: [personal profile] stilljustandrew
"Yeah," he says, "Francis is pretty cool ... And this place does the best eclair in the city, hands down."

He takes a sip of chai, and looks a little wistful. "I don't usually get time to hang out and relax here."

Date: 2010-01-01 08:03 pm (UTC)
stilljustandrew: (confiding)
From: [personal profile] stilljustandrew
"I know, right? Something about the atmosphere here. And it's totally natural, no mood-altering magics, I checked into it."

Date: 2010-01-01 08:10 pm (UTC)
stilljustandrew: (well now let's see...)
From: [personal profile] stilljustandrew
"Demonitarian," he suggests, as though trying out the word.

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nomorekaraoke: (Default)
Lorne

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