Post by theron on Jun 4, 2011 20:49:15 GMT -5
((Continued from FS.))
In a place like Death City, random interjections were basically the norm -- at least, that was the impression Theron had gotten in his months of living here. So he was only slightly perturbed when a newcomer jumped right into the conversation in a manner that seemed almost absurdly happy, the exact counterpoint to Prof. Reignhardt's melodramatic fits of insanity. A quick glance at the newcomer caught Theron's attention -- not in that way, heavens no, but in the respect that the new guy was both someone Theron hadn't encountered before and had an air of noble upbringing. First that entitled clod Levi, now this -- the young d'Metreon was beginning to wonder if Shibusen was really an aristocratic finishing school and no one had bothered to tell him so.
"LLLEEETS GO!"
Theron gave a small shrug. "Don't know where you're going, but I'm headed to the Tikoloshe Cafe, which is this way." He gestured with a nod of his head in almost the exact opposite direction that Niels was pointing. "I have someone meeting me there for a chess game, so I'm not exactly at liberty to dally. Everyone who's coming, follow me."
The Tikoloshe Cafe was certainly not your standard Death City "watering hole", that much was obvious without even setting foot into the place. The exterior of the building, while remarkably plain and not even having a proper sign out front, was instead identified by a cast iron statue of an ancient warrior in Arabian armor standing with his arms crossed and expression serious astride the coffee house's front door. Somehow, the artisan who'd made the statue managed to put a ceramic -- or maybe it was just painted to look so -- coffee cup in one of the figure's hands. A glimpse into the cup would find the remnants of a candle there, presumably removed during the day and lit at night.
Theron led them in past the front door into a small, narrow antechamber with stairs leading down on the immediate right. These he descended, leading the group down into the coffee house proper. An array of sights and smells rose to meet their senses as they approached; pulling aside a door-curtain of Indian-style fabric revealed a large eclectically-decorated serving and sitting area replete with mish-mashed themes and iconography ranging from eastern to western including distinct Japanese, Indian, Arabian, African, and Medieval European influences. At first glance the juxtaposition of cultures seemed haphazard, forced even, but upon closer inspection it became clear that the room "flowed" geographically, giving each major region its own corner, conglomeration of tables, or set of booths before easing itself in subtle degrees over to the next. There was a faint aroma of mixed incense in the air as if to fully report to any first-time visitors that they had entered what might as well be another realm of existence, so different was it from the streets of Death City that stood barely a few steps away.
A twenty-something young man dressed in a muted blue traditional Indian tunic approached them almost immediately. "Ah, ser Theron, welcome back! You are always good for business." He spared a glance towards the others. "Particularly today, it seems. I did not think you were wont to travel much in the company of others, but I am pleased to be wrong."
The young d'Metreon shrugged. "They asked me where to find the best kahve in Death City. Where else would I bring them?"
The man's face lit up at the compliment and he gave a light laugh. "Where indeed! Welcome, friends, to the Tikoloshe Cafe, a celebration of kahve, culture, and everything in-between! I am Mahir, proprietor of the establishment. Please, sit wherever you'd like -- room is plentiful, as most of our regular customers do not come in until nightfall. Yet all are welcome!"
He gestured to the quizzical array of furnishings: some tables were set with beautiful wooden chairs of assorted varieties while other, low-sitting tables were ringed with large Oriental cushions, plush rugs, or Asian floor mats. The tables, too, ranged across a spread of styles, sizes, and eras, some rich and elaborate with others being strikingly simple.
Theron glanced over towards one table in particular, a heavy-looking circular structure of polished oak situated squarely amidst the Medieval Europe area of the coffee house. Besides its imposing and archaic construction the table was notable that it had a chess board painted with rich wood stain onto the middle of it. The Romanian made a face that betrayed mild disappointment. "Barkley hasn't arrived yet?"
"Ah, no. He called earlier with news that he would be running a bit late this time -- a few things to take care of, he said."
For a moment Theron's expression seemed to drop slightly, but he quickly recovered himself. "Thank you. I'm sure he'll be on his way soon, if not already." He turned to his companions. "I'll be over setting up the chess table. Coffee's on me; I highly recommend the 'black cardamom cup', but try whatever suits your fancy."
(OOC: Just for reference sake, this is the type of coffee -- or "kahve" -- this place specializes in. Also, cardamom.)
S C E N E _ M U S I C In a place like Death City, random interjections were basically the norm -- at least, that was the impression Theron had gotten in his months of living here. So he was only slightly perturbed when a newcomer jumped right into the conversation in a manner that seemed almost absurdly happy, the exact counterpoint to Prof. Reignhardt's melodramatic fits of insanity. A quick glance at the newcomer caught Theron's attention -- not in that way, heavens no, but in the respect that the new guy was both someone Theron hadn't encountered before and had an air of noble upbringing. First that entitled clod Levi, now this -- the young d'Metreon was beginning to wonder if Shibusen was really an aristocratic finishing school and no one had bothered to tell him so.
"LLLEEETS GO!"
Theron gave a small shrug. "Don't know where you're going, but I'm headed to the Tikoloshe Cafe, which is this way." He gestured with a nod of his head in almost the exact opposite direction that Niels was pointing. "I have someone meeting me there for a chess game, so I'm not exactly at liberty to dally. Everyone who's coming, follow me."
--------------------------------------
The Tikoloshe Cafe was certainly not your standard Death City "watering hole", that much was obvious without even setting foot into the place. The exterior of the building, while remarkably plain and not even having a proper sign out front, was instead identified by a cast iron statue of an ancient warrior in Arabian armor standing with his arms crossed and expression serious astride the coffee house's front door. Somehow, the artisan who'd made the statue managed to put a ceramic -- or maybe it was just painted to look so -- coffee cup in one of the figure's hands. A glimpse into the cup would find the remnants of a candle there, presumably removed during the day and lit at night.
Theron led them in past the front door into a small, narrow antechamber with stairs leading down on the immediate right. These he descended, leading the group down into the coffee house proper. An array of sights and smells rose to meet their senses as they approached; pulling aside a door-curtain of Indian-style fabric revealed a large eclectically-decorated serving and sitting area replete with mish-mashed themes and iconography ranging from eastern to western including distinct Japanese, Indian, Arabian, African, and Medieval European influences. At first glance the juxtaposition of cultures seemed haphazard, forced even, but upon closer inspection it became clear that the room "flowed" geographically, giving each major region its own corner, conglomeration of tables, or set of booths before easing itself in subtle degrees over to the next. There was a faint aroma of mixed incense in the air as if to fully report to any first-time visitors that they had entered what might as well be another realm of existence, so different was it from the streets of Death City that stood barely a few steps away.
A twenty-something young man dressed in a muted blue traditional Indian tunic approached them almost immediately. "Ah, ser Theron, welcome back! You are always good for business." He spared a glance towards the others. "Particularly today, it seems. I did not think you were wont to travel much in the company of others, but I am pleased to be wrong."
The young d'Metreon shrugged. "They asked me where to find the best kahve in Death City. Where else would I bring them?"
The man's face lit up at the compliment and he gave a light laugh. "Where indeed! Welcome, friends, to the Tikoloshe Cafe, a celebration of kahve, culture, and everything in-between! I am Mahir, proprietor of the establishment. Please, sit wherever you'd like -- room is plentiful, as most of our regular customers do not come in until nightfall. Yet all are welcome!"
He gestured to the quizzical array of furnishings: some tables were set with beautiful wooden chairs of assorted varieties while other, low-sitting tables were ringed with large Oriental cushions, plush rugs, or Asian floor mats. The tables, too, ranged across a spread of styles, sizes, and eras, some rich and elaborate with others being strikingly simple.
Theron glanced over towards one table in particular, a heavy-looking circular structure of polished oak situated squarely amidst the Medieval Europe area of the coffee house. Besides its imposing and archaic construction the table was notable that it had a chess board painted with rich wood stain onto the middle of it. The Romanian made a face that betrayed mild disappointment. "Barkley hasn't arrived yet?"
"Ah, no. He called earlier with news that he would be running a bit late this time -- a few things to take care of, he said."
For a moment Theron's expression seemed to drop slightly, but he quickly recovered himself. "Thank you. I'm sure he'll be on his way soon, if not already." He turned to his companions. "I'll be over setting up the chess table. Coffee's on me; I highly recommend the 'black cardamom cup', but try whatever suits your fancy."
(OOC: Just for reference sake, this is the type of coffee -- or "kahve" -- this place specializes in. Also, cardamom.)