escordvi | (no subject)

Who: Kaveh and YOU
Status: Open
Where: Surasthana Cafe on Eltrut!
What: The grand opening of a book cafe.
Warnings: God I hope not.

[Kaveh hasn't talked much about what he's been working on for a few months now, because he wanted this moment to be a surprise (and because he didn't want to be scolded for overwork). It has finally paid off, now, with the grand opening of the Surasthana Cafe, just in time for the deep end of the fall season. The cafe is cozily furnished and warm, the smell of lovingly brewed coffee floats through the air, and soft music plays from Mehrak.

Kaveh isn't expecting a huge rush on any given day--this was done for his own sake more than anything, but now on weekday afternoons, the little book cafe can be found and people can stay a spell, enjoying expertly made coffee drinks and some light reading in a ridiculous plant paradise.

If you have any requests for new kinds of books, or wish to purchase various accessories, stop by the front counter! The owner is happy to accommodate you, after all.

ooc: you may also treat this post as a mingle and toplevel accordingly, just mark if you are doing so! Otherwise, Kaveh will be coming for you!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Oh dear god and Founders, it's that mechanical suitcase with a face. The appearance and the beeping of Mehrak startles her and she shoots it a glare as it moves to pick up the small piece that had fallen to the ground, and once that's done...]

...

Shoo.

[She waves it off, or tries to, but she is getting the feeling that it will not take any orders from anyone but its owner. Today was not the day she thought she'd feel judged by a briefcase—]

Bii-po?

[Mehrak considers the command; Kaveh has said similar in combat to fungus! But this is not a combat situation and there are no function, and Benedikta is not Kaveh, so Mehrak discards the order entirely.

So instead she levitates over a cup to set it in the teacaf. Clearly that's what Benedikta wanted to do, right?]

[Well, sure, she wanted a tea... but now she has to deal with two machines instead of one.]

I don't know what 'bii-po' means.

[Glaring at Mehrak before she's searching around the café for Kaveh from behind her hood. Come get your suitcase companion, sir!!! Save them both......]

It means she doesn't know if you wanted tea or coffee.

[Right, he'll pop out from around the corner, having decided to take mercy on poor Benedikta.]

Not that we should let her program the machine. She really only knows mine and Alhaitham's orders.

[His voice startles her before she can locate him, and her hood falls away from her hair when she whips around to look at him. Surprise turns to relief that she quickly hides behind a sharp click of her tongue.]

Tea would be fine.

[That is... he is going to prepare it for her, yes?]

Does she do this often to unsuspecting customers?

[And he will, fishing out a tea bag and pressing the buttons.]

Greeting people? She's predisposed to try and be helpful, so she's probably startled one or two customers so far, but most people on Eltrut have seen her with me already.

She recognizes you, though, that's why she came right over.

I think startled is an understatement.

[A glare at the briefcase before she's clearing her throat.]

Well, I would very much like some tea, and this... [A broad gesture to the teacaf as if it had said something offensive to her.] ... I need not say more, I think.

I'm surprised you haven't bullied Cid into having it take voice commands.

[Kaveh, unaware he may have sown the seeds of marital discord, puts the cup and teabag into the machine to brew.]

I doubt you'd have much trouble convincing him.

[Oh, they have certainly been over this a few times by now, as is made evident by the her indignant huffing.]

I do not see what's wrong with simply boiling water over the stove in a kettle. It can hardly do any wrong.

There's nothing wrong with it, for someone with the time and physical ability. But I imagine he made these for people who are in a rush, or don't have steady hands.

[Kaveh manages, barely, not to smile at her huff. Ohhhh that's an ongoing argument, huh?]

Personally speaking, I have these at the cafe because I can't serve everyone individually. But they're not in my house.

[Kaveh is a massive coffee snob and he WILL be hand-grinding his coffee every morning thank you.]

And what do you do in your house, then?

[She eyes her cup of tea with interest.]

Surely it is something that Cidolfus can learn from. He has been quite obsessed with coffee as of late.

He consulted Alhaitham and I on these machines, actually. But I prefer to grind my beans by hand.

[He chuckles.] Coffee is very popular in Sumeru. Drinking it can be a quite relaxing experience, and taking the time to grind beans, measure out the water and boil it on the stove is a few moments of meditative peace.

[after some time to steep, the machine pours a cup of tea right into the cup with a pleasant hiss of steam. Kaveh shakes his head as he picks it up and hands it to Benna.]

But that seems like a process he'd need to let himself sit still and relax for.

[She snorts under her breath as she accepts the cup, the floral scent of the tea already helping to soothe those nerves that have been on edge since she walked through the doors.]

Not exactly something that he is known for.

[He probably could if he tried, but he is ever the busy man.]

Perhaps you should teach me sometime how to do so.

I'd be happy to. I've considered planting coffee trees at the Roost, honestly...

[There's not enough room for the trees at his house, but in the Orchard......hmmm.]

It's a finicky process to learn, but it only takes patience, once you've got the hang of it. [Kaveh pauses, and grins somewhat conspiratorially.]

Haitham's not great at it, either.

I will be sure to tell him you told me that.

[She jabs an equally conspiring finger at him.

It's really too bad that Benedikta has hardly the patience to make a regular pot of coffee, let alone a fancier version of it, but she will try. Maybe surprise Cid with her skills later, once she's able to master the art of it.]

Are the trees difficult to grow? I am sure that the girls up there would enjoy helping. There are a few who have taken up quite the green thumb, last I had heard.

Go ahead, I've told him to his face.

[Kaveh laughs, but he makes a thoughtful sound at her next question.]

Not difficult, but slow-growing. I suppose the magic could fix a great deal of it...and brewing and roasting our own beans is something I'm sure Cid will find a way to make money off of.

[He's noticed Cid's number of businesses...] It's not the worst idea. I'd just need to find saplings to plant.

[Oh jeeze, do not give him anymore ideas—]

Could you not obtain them from your home world? I have heard of people doing so by offering favours to the Leviathans...

Oh, they grow here too, but different strains grow from different plants. It might be nice to grow a few different breeds from different worlds and see how they taste...

[Benedikta you've given him ideas now.]

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sorry I'm so late ;;