[ti]private[/ti]Spilling the Tea

It had all begun with an Alchemist's scientific curiosity: the leaves of different Pokémon are said to have unique effects, what sort of unique things could she make with them? What could she do with ingredients collected from all over Asper? Gentle notes of chamomile, soothing lavender, invigorating black tea, comforting freshly roast coffee, and so much else. There is much that is different in the game, different names and different effects, but what is created by the human mind draws from their experiences in the world, and thus, a teashop can exist as a place filled with familiarity for all.

Or, a T.E.A Shop, rather.

There is much more than beverages to found at the small trade centre, after all — small treasures, equipment, and apothecary wares alike. Yet, when its door opens on every blessed Tuesday, it would seem that most players visit to have a taste of the Alchemist's own recipes. They come and go, sitting at the tables to enjoy their drinks, trading something that may seem of little worth in return, and perhaps even taking some of the items stocked at the few aisles and shelves before they leave. The system is known. To her, a welcomed routine. Could the shop do better if it opened on more than just one day of the week? Yes, of course but success is not the point of it.

"Hey." Tuesday has never met Alistair before, but it's with a smile that she greets him from behind the counter when he walks through the door. Tea is poured from a crystal teapot in which flowers bloom, and nearby, a rotund bird roughly the size of a volleyball ball naps on its perch — masked and of violet plumage, with long tail feathers that flow right down to the floor like crepe paper streamers. "What can I get for you? Drink? Item?"

Alistair had had the fate to enter the shop at a time when it's mostly empty, aside of course for a handful of Tuesday's own Pokémon and the cute couple that sits at the kotatsu she had had the brilliant idea of setting up when Winter begun. It looks like Kazuki and Verai had finally decided to redeem the free drink coupon that she had given to Kaz all those months ago. Adorable. If they could see this, the r/UNOVR Veruki fans would love it.