Last Tea Shop - The First Day

 The First Day

Supplies:  *Ginkgo Leaf, *Kowakawa Leaf, *Dried Sage  

Visitor: Sailor 

Weather: Shadow mists | Emotion: Scared

Recipe: Comforting Brew (Dried Sage)

    - Creates a Safe Space, Eases what ails you.

    There is a rough knock on the door as a sailor pushed through the doorway. A scowl scourged their face as they exited the dark mists lingering outside of the building. 

    "Welcome to Memory," I spoke, beginning to fill a kettle with water and readying the stove for the day's work. "The mist outside is quite heavy today, I see?"

    I gestured toward the center table, spotting the anxious visage of the patron. "Please, have a seat if you feel the need. There is a blanket over the chair should you desire."
    A moment of hesitation passed before the sailor moved to the table, taking a seat and wrapping the blanket around their shoulders to ward off the chills of the outdoors. Their eyes darted back and forth between the closing door and owner of the store. Noting their evident fear, I looked to my shelves and plucked out the remaining Dried Sage, readying it for the teapot.

    

    "So, what is it that worries you? What is it you regret?" I asked, considering the potential as to why it was the Shadow mists that guided the patron here. "It's been a while since I've seen that darkness about."

    Compelled to speak. the shaky voice began to murmur. They began to recall the traumatic moment only days prior: the storm, the crashing tides, and the screaming. They recounted each piece of equipment, loot, and supplies that flung off the deck of the ship. As the kettle began to scream atop the stove, the recounting became erratic. Each name, and each face flashed back into their mind, every crewmate that had been sent into the depths below.

    Fear clung to the sailor both then and now, the only remaining desire known was to have had the ability - the bravery - to save even one of the lives lost. The only thing that remained from that night was the pendant, loosely thrown to them among the chaos. A lasting memento to keep that day in their mind for the rest of their eternity.

    

    As the tension peaked, I set the teapot onto the table with a distinct clank! I'd hoped the noise would be enough to pull them out of their stupor. With cups being placed on both sides of the table, the soothing aroma began to permeate around the room. I began to pour the tea out from the pot, and hoped to present a moment of levity for the sailor.

    The sailor brought the cup to their lips, only barely managing not to spill a single drop with their shaky hands. A sip taken, their face scrunched as the steaming liquid hadn't taken the chance to cool. Yet, they swallowed and released a deep exhale after, their posture loosening slightly as the cup returned to the tabletop.

    "And so now, there's something left unfinished, isn't there?" I asked, taking a sip of the tea myself, hoping the calming effects had taken its course.

    Following a pause and a finishing of their cup, the sailor took another deep breath and inspected the pendant. They held the chain above their head before opening it up for both of us to see proper. A chuckle exited their mouth as they began to talk about the individual that handed the pendant over, regaling me with personality, passion, and joy. With this item being all that remained, they looked over the image within. Their final, remaining journey on the seas was decided in that moment: to return the pendant to the one that would mourn it's owner's departure, and give closure to all parties involved.

    With their newfound resolve, they stood up and chugged down the remainder of their refilled cup. There was work to be done, and the outside mists had already cleared to make way for them.

As they exited the door, all I could do was wave them off and begin to pick up the dishes. A new patron would come soon, I hoped.