十三

[o_tea_p]

[voice]

What a pleasure it is to have so many visitors! I hope you will all stop by the Jasmine Dragon for a nice cup of tea before you have to leave.

[ooc: Anything goes. Yay fourth wall!]

Comments

action AT A TIME OF YOUR CHOOSING

[thisismyjob]

[A comely blonde in old-fashioned business attire slips in without so much as a hello and approaches the counter.]

Warm milk, please.

action;

[o_tea_p]

[Iroh starts, and a broad smile crosses his face.]

Now there is a face that has been sorely missed.

[He quickly gets her a cup of warm milk.]

It's good to see you again.

action;

[thisismyjob]

You missed me?

[She takes her glasses off and gives Iroh a careful once-over. Something apparently meets with her approval, judging by the almost-smile.]

And you as well.

action;

[o_tea_p]

Of course! You are by far the loveliest woman to give me the cold shoulder. How long are you here for? Are you one of the one-day visitors?

action;

[thisismyjob]

I'm flattered.

[Sure, her tone didn't change, but there's a chance that she means it! She picks up her drink and laps at it delicately.]

This is a temporary stay, yes, and then I will return to my job.

action;

[o_tea_p]

You must be happy to be back at work. I remember that you missed your job very much.

action;

[thisismyjob]

I am. My job is all that matters.

[Is there a bit of wistfulness in that? Perhaps a hidden desire to take occasional tea breaks without the influence of her master or the squabbling of her family? She won't tell.]

And you. Are you content?

action;

[o_tea_p]

[Iroh chuckles]

I would even say I'm happy. I am not difficult to please.

action;

[thisismyjob]

I've noticed.

[She looks at him thoughtfully.]

That is a rare trait.

action;

[o_tea_p]

I would say that it is more of a skill. Anyone can learn to be happy with the simple things in life, if they care to put their minds to it.

[chuckles]

Of course, getting older also helps.

action;

[thisismyjob]

[She doesn't believe this. In her experience, most humans are miserable creatures who always want more. Not that Iroh can read this on her face since, true to form, Lulu Bell is rather expressionless.]

You can't be so old.

action;

[o_tea_p]

[Iroh grins.]

These old bones would beg to differ. But being in the presence of a beautiful woman such as yourself makes me feel young again.

action;

[thisismyjob]

[There's that almost-smile again. It's hard to tell if Lulu Bell likes Iroh or if she just thinks he'd make an interesting pet.]

My appearance has no bearing on your experience of age.

[She gives him a slow, contemplative cat-blink and finishes her milk.]

My master is far older than you.

action;

[o_tea_p]

You do great disservice to your beauty. I'm certain your master would agree.

action;

[thisismyjob]

Mm. Beauty has its uses.

[with what seems to be genuine curiosity] Do you have a reason for paying me compliments?

action;

[o_tea_p]

[Iroh smiles quietly.]

I am a great admirer of beauty in all her forms. Whenever I see her, I must pay homage.