1963-11-18 - High Tea in Little Chinatown
Summary: Two strangers in today's Midgard meet up for tea.
Related: None
Theme Song: None
frankie keiden 


"No, fuck /you/!" shouts the woman getting out of a yellow cab on Broadway, just at the edge of Chinatown. She's in a red A-line dress with a long black overcoat, nylons and Mary Janes. Her hair is up in a bun, and she has a good sized purse with her, really more of a shoulder bag. Except, she doesn't sound mad at all. She sounds downright gleeful. And the cabby keeps cussing at her in unintelligible Raging White Man.

In response she says, "Thank you for the argument! You are a repugnant piece of shit, sir." Except, she couldn't possibly sound more cheerful about that fact. Frankie glances over her shoulder briefly, and then puts her elbows on the edge of the passenger side window, so she can lean her head inside and speak softly.

The resonant tones of magic ebb in her voice, "You will go home and grant your wife the divorce she desperately wants. And you will never strike her or your son ever again." She turns back to face the sights, sounds and smells of Chinatown, grinning broadly.

*

"I don't believe that is how those phrases are intended to be spoken," Keiden says, smiling at the newly-disembarked girl. He saw the whole thing, from there on the sidewalk as he passed, and the mismatch of words with their delivery caught his attention, causing him to stop and listen. Perhaps the polite thing to do would have been to ignore the scene, and keep walking, but Keiden is certainly not beholden to Midgardian social norms. Besides, the magical power coming off of this girl is palpaple, even to a relative novice in the mystical arts like the the Elf from Alfheim. "Did the driver of that passenger vehicle offend you, somehow? Should he be further reprimanded for uncouth behaviour?" Keiden's here to help, obviously. All smiles, and not shy about making conversation with complete strangers. The girl seems friendly!

*

ROLL: Frankie +rolls 1d100 for a result of: 3

*

Frankie makes an attempt to compose herself back to 1963 human norms, less giddy, less amused - Less Tourist. Turning to face Keiden she starts with a standard smile, and then she pauses for a second. A pause which is entire. Completely still, for a whole second, and then she blinks and her smile changes to something more knowing.

"What a lovely glamour," Frankie says, earnest. She makes an arcane hand gesture, the equivalent of the secret handshake common among human wizards of today. She must think Keiden is such as well. Her hand glows briefly, and then she offers it in greeting.

"No, I think the driver will be on his way to improving things now. Besides, I enjoy the rich tapestry of hu- cultural behaviors. Don't you?"

*

Keiden pauses as well, for just a moment. It should come as no surprise that a being with such a potent magical aura can see him for what he is, but it takes him aback just a moment. He's not used to being recognized as anything but a very handsome young human. "Oh," he says, "Thank you!" He gives a wave of his hand as well, trying to mimic the motions Frankie made to him, but utterly fails to replicate the movement with much precision. He'll have to work on that. In any event, it should be clear to her that he isn't as well practiced in the mystical arts as she might think. "I'm glad you were able to rectify the situation without violence," he says with a chipper lilt in his voice. "From which of the Nine Realms are you?" He asks, cocking his head slightly. Surely she can't be a native of this one, if she can see his glamour so readily. Apparently the exposure of his people on Mister Sullivan's television programme has emboldened the Elf to speak freely about such things.

*

"The Nine…?" Frankie asks, not confused, but definitely thinking about how to continue. "<I'm so sorry,>" she continues telepathically. "<I thought you were human! I mean no offense by that. Will you join me for tea?>"

Stepping to one side, Frankie nods at the tea shop nearby, one with the signs all in Chinese. Bouncing between voice and telepathy she says, "I'm Frankie Clarke. It's nice to meet you. <I'm from Midgard, myself. And you?>" She leads the way inside the shop, assuming the Elf will join her.

*

Keiden shudders ever so slightly as Frankie speaks to his mind directly. While not completely new to the idea of telepathic communication, he has never actually experienced it. It's fun and exciting! He smiles, as he is prone to do when discovering a new thing. "I love tea! Midgardians don't make it properly, but they do try," he says cheerfully, stepping to follow Frankie. "I am Keiden, of Alfheim. A pleasure to meet you as well!" He says, practically skipping along with the girl. "Forgive me, you did not seem to be a native of this realm. I should not have assumed, I apologize!" There's deference in his tone, but only vaguely, as it's covered largely with excitement. "Allow me to purchase your tea, as recompense," he says, pulling a small wad of bills from his pocket as if he weren't concerned about showing off the amount of money he's carrying. It's all ones, so it's not actually a lot, but his concept of human currency is fuzzy, at best.

*

"Wonderful. And I couldn't agree more. But the green tea from China is the best option, if anything is," Frankie says, as an elderly Chinese woman leads them to a private table in the back corner, and gets the two of them settled in.

Turning to their host, Frankie says in fluent Mandarin, "Thank you madam. After our tea comes, we will be happy to speak in private, without any interruptions." She also gives the woman a polite bow, and takes her seat opposite Keiden at their little round table. It would be a squeeze with three people, but two is just right.

Once they're both settled in Frankie switches back to English and says, "You don't owe me an apology, but you are welcome to pay. I know this custom makes people feel good." Sitting back, Frankie crosses her legs and asks, "Have you been away from Alfheim long? Do you miss it? I've never been."

*

"All of the tea I have tried since arriving has been a kind of light brown colour. I have heard it also comes in green, but why not blue? Or purple? Surely if they can make it one colour, they could make it in all colours," Keiden says, and then shrugs happily. "Midgardians are such curious beings." He sits as well, his lithe form having no difficulty squeezing into even the tighest of spaces. Elves are naturally very good at getting and out of small areas. The words in Mandarin strike his ears as though spoken in his own native tongue, but he doesn't speak up himself. He just gives the woman a similar bow, mimicking Frankie's mannerisms, because when you don't know exactly how to act, you follow someone's lead who seems to know.

"I will pay. I don't understand how there should be an emotional attachment to the act of doing so, but I understand it is the cultural norm for the male to expend the currency, while the female reaps the benefits," he says with a bit of a laugh. "I have been away from my home for going on five decades, but only on Midgard for a short time. I miss my Alfheim, and my family, but I have had such adventures in my travels, I would not trade them for anything," he says. "Is it customary to add anything to tea that is green, as opposed to brown?"

*

"Well, I think Midgard is not as familiar with the wonders of a place like Alfheim," Frankie says with a smile, eager to discuss the differences. "Most of our plants are green, and then turn brown when harvested. So our teas are the same. Although if you haven't tried a hibiscus tea yet, you should do so before you return. I don't remember if you have hibiscus in Alfheim, but I quite like it."

"And you're right about our strange customs and what not. Although, it can change from place to place. For instance in the country of Japan," Frankie says, drawing a mystic circle on the round table between them. In the circle, an image of a bustling Japanese city appears. "In their homes, the business of running the household falls to the female," she says, grinning.

*

Keiden watches with interest as the circle appears, nodding along as Frankie explains. "You have visited Alfheim? I have only ever met one other Midgardian who claimed to have travelled to the other realms. A very old man, by human standards," he says, recalling Merlin. "Is this where you are from? Japan?" He seems very interested to learn about Frankie's origins. "My travels around Midgard have taken me through much of the continent of Europe, and America, but I have not had the opportunity to travel to the eastern parts of the largest landmass," he says. "Someday, perhaps."

*

When the tea arrives, the little old lady either doesn't notice the portal window to Japan on the table, or it's not visible to her. She sets the tea service down on top of the moving images, and Frankie dismisses the spell with a smile. Once everything is set out, the woman leaves them alone again, and Frankie takes a sip of the hot tea.

"Oh no, I'm not from Japan. The place I'm from isn't on the map yet, but in a sense, I'm from all of Midgard. I love it here, and studying our people is my passion." She takes another sip and leans forward attentively. "I'm always curious how visitors think of us. What is your favorite place in Midgard so far, Keiden?"

*

The comment about 'not being on the map yet' draws a quirk of Keiden's eyebrow, and a tilt of his head. But then the tea arrives! Distraction! He turns to say a polite thank you tot he woman, words which are spoken in his native tongue, but she'll hear in perfect Mandarin, and Frankie will hear, presumably, in English. Allspeak is handy, particularly when travelling. He picks up the tea, and smells it, letting the aroma wash over his senses, bringing another smile to his lips. He sips, just a small one at first, because hot, and then puts the cup back down. "Oh, Manhattan, certainly. There has been no end of adventure here, from demonic invasions in the Park called Central, to giant insects, wizards and mortals randomly blessed with power beyond their ken," he says excitedly. "This is very nice tea," he comments as well.

*

"I'm forced to agree," Frankie says with a bright smile and a laugh. "I had my pick of assignments but I chose Manhattan. It is a pivotal place for Midgard." She sips her tea, in spite of it obviously being too hot to drink. "I'm glad you like the tea. And you're right, the number of people in this age with strange abilities, or access to knowledge they aren't ready for, is fascinating. It's almost as if someone or something has given us these things just to see what might happen. Like an experiment." She gets animated in her speaking and accidentally gestures with both hands, but rather than dropping or spilling her tea, the cup just levitates for a moment before she takes it in hand again.

*

"This place certainly seems to be a center of unusual activity, to say the least," Keiden agrees, taking another sip of the tea. "Delightful," he murmurs after swallowing a mouthful. It seems a bit strange to drink hot drinks on warm days, but every day is warm when you're accustomed to an arctic climate. Other humans, no doubt, feel the cold like any other November day. "It would be an interesting thing, if there was a being in control of such things," he says, "But I do not believe the Allfather would allow Midgard to come under such sway," he says a bit dismissively of the notion. The floating tea cup gets a smile. "Your mastery of such magic seems almost effortless, Miss Clarke. I've always found magic fascinating. My own skill is limited to illusion, I'm afraid, though I like to think I have a flair for glamours."

*

"Unless," Frankie says with a wink. "Unless there is something with sway over even the All Father." She grins, not at all serious in her mock theological debate. She bobs her head in gratitude at the compliment and says, "Thank you. Where I'm from, most people have the basics of such things as a matter of course. But I have to remember when to be discreet."

Glancing up at the clock on the wall, Frankie frowns slightly. "Ah. I almost lost track of time. I'm afraid I have to head out. It's lucky for me you've offered to pay, Mr. Keiden of Alfheim."

Frankie finishes her tea, and stands, a softly glowing yellow outline surrounds her already when she reaches out to shake Keiden's hand, and once they've said their goodbyes she turns and steps away into nothingness, leaving the elf on his own in the tea shop.

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