On Matters of Tea and Society

Fallen London
1

Summer in London is always dreadful, but this day is particularly unpleasant. The usual summer stench forced many to cover their noses with handkerchiefs, scarfs, or any piece of cloth that they could use to attempt to block out the smell. The heat seems to permeate throughout the whole of London. The Movement on the streets is sluggish as neither man nor beasts are left unaffected by the oppressive heat.

In stark contrast the grime and awful odor outside the Black Silk Cafe and its patrons remain refined and elegant. In part this refinement was due to societal standards and etiquette, but could be mostly attributed to the urchins that the owner of the establishment hired to fan the cafe’s patrons. Several of which were people of some influence in society. A gentleman in the cafe takes a sip from his cup of tea as he absentmindedly watches the movement along the street.

Lady Lallinka has only recently began to visit the Black Silk Cafe more frequently and right now she could not be more grateful to the series of coincidences that had led her here. The scenery behind the glass windows of the Cafe left much to be desired.

She closed her eyes and raised her coffee cup to her mouth to sip, when a snap could be heard and the little urchin girl’s fan broke. Lallinka sighed in annoyance, which must have sent the wrong signal, as the poor girl’s eyes widened and welled up with tears. She shot a frightened look to the door where the owner’s office was. She would probably get in trouble for both breaking the Cafe’s property and annoying a guest.

Lallinka reached into her purse and pressed a coin into the urchin’s palm. “Go get a new one,” she smiled. The urchin nodded gratefully and sprinted out of the Cafe.
Without the direct effect of a fan, the heat began slowly creeping up on the Lady and needless to say, she was definitely overdressed for this kind of weather. A small price to pay for being a part of the respected among the society.

She was just about to leave, when her eyes fell on a gentleman sitting alone at a table for two. She had seen him in this Cafe before, he was definitely one of the old Patrons. Slightly nervous, she approached the tea-sipping man.

She cleared her throat. “Pardon me, my good sir,” she started, hiding her nervousness behind a smile. “I’ve noticed you have a place at your table and you see, I have ran into some trouble with the fan at mine…mind if I take refuge at your table until the poor urchin is back with a new fan?”

(co-written by Lallinka)

2

[color=rgb(194, 194, 194)]It was self evident from his dress and manner that this gentleman was a well to do member of society. He returned his cup of tea to its saucer, while a delightful smile played at his lips. “I would not mind in the slightest,” the gentleman answered amiably rising from his seat. The gentleman walked over to the other end of the table, and pulled out the table’s second chair offering it to Lallinka. The urchin fanning the table repositioned himself to better accommodate the additional guest…[/color]

[color=rgb(194, 194, 194)]Lady Lallinka sat down on the offered chair, breathing a sigh of relief as the fan-created breeze reached her face. “You are most kind, sir,” she smiled at the gentleman. “Allow me to introduce myself. Lady Lallinka,” she said, offering her hand.[/color]

[color=rgb(194, 194, 194)]Lord Gazter accepts Lallinka’s hand. “I’m pleased to meet you Lady Lallinka. I am Lord Barnabas Gazter.”[/color]

[color=rgb(194, 194, 194)]Lallinka nods at the waitress offering her a refill. “You have my eternal gratitude, Lord Gazter,” she smiles. “You may just have saved me from walking in this terrible heat all the way home.” She looks outside. “It’s my first summer here in London…is it always this unbearable?”[/color]

[color=rgb(194, 194, 194)]“Generally yes,” Lord Gazter answers as he returns to his seat, “but even for London summers today is especially dreadful.” The nobleman takes a sip of his tea. “I must say that I have not seen you here before. Is this your first time here?” Lord Gazter inquires.[/color]

[color=rgb(194, 194, 194)]“To London or this Cafe?” Lallinka asks. “Actually, I’ve started coming here only recently and for the most part, because of the lovely service they have here,” she grins at the urchin steadily waving his fan. “It’s one of the few places that requires a certain…standing among the notable, but isn’t only for the invited. I’ve felt welcome here and not out of place which is…rather unusual for me still.”[/color]

[color=rgb(194, 194, 194)]“I am glad to hear that. It is a wonderful establishment. I’ve been coming here regularly for a few months now.” Lord Gazter readjusts his spectacles. “I believe I’ve heard your name before, but I’m at a loss in remembering where are when. Do you frequent court by any chance?”[/color]

[color=rgb(194, 194, 194)]Lallinka’s brows furrow as she thinks about it. “Well, I do visit the court from time to time, though I prefer spending my time in the palace,” she nods. “But I wouldn’t know if that’s where you could overhear my name…my rise up to the status of Notability has been rather recent, perhaps you’ve read about me in Mr. Slowcake’s Exceptionals? I’ve recently also started taking on Protegeés, as I’ve been told I have much to teach them in matters of persuasion,” the Lady smiles. “You surely know how important a skill it is these days.”[/color]

[color=rgb(194, 194, 194)]“A truly noble goal,” nodding approvingly Lord Gazter responded. He ponders the matter of Lady Lallinka’s name, while plays with one of the ends of his mustache. “That must be where I’ve heard your name before.” He turns his attention back to Lallinka. “But it is a travesty that I have not made your acquaintance till today. It is an error that must be corrected.” He smiles warmly at Lady Lallinka. “Would you be willing to tell me a little bit about yourself. If I’m not being too forward in asking of course.”[/color]

[color=rgb(194, 194, 194)]“Oh, of course not,” the Lady shakes her head. “It is only fair that you knew whom you’re sharing a table with,” she adds with a smile. She takes a better look at the gentleman, whenever he isn’t looking, as not to appear too rude. He is a person of a better standing after all, or so it seems. “What would you like to know?”[/color]

[color=rgb(194, 194, 194)]“What was it that brought you to London Lady Lallinka?”[/color]

[color=rgb(194, 194, 194)]“Looking for a better way to live my life, I suppose,” the Lady smiles. She doesn’t add that she is not yet sure she’s found it. “I have lived in a good family in a nice house in a good town. Back on the Surface. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you, as a girl my future was shaping up to be rather dull. I have heard stories about a distant relative who made herself quite a fortune in the Neath. I tried to track her down and my quest has helped me end up here,” she finishes. “Would you mind telling me what brought you into this great city? Unless I’m being too brazen, of course.”[/color]

[color=rgb(194, 194, 194)]“It is a fair question considering the fact that you have already told me the same.” Lord Gazter’s disposition becomes more sombre. “What brought me to the neath was more of a personal matter. You see that my father was in London at the time of its relocation to the Neath.” He takes another sip from his cup. “I was a young child at the time, and was unable to do anything. So you see that which brought me to neath was my wish to discover, what had happened to him. Unfortunately my venture has not been quite as successful as your’s.” He sighs. “I have searched for any knowledge on the fate of my father, but alas I have not found even so much as a trace. As such I have done my utmost to uphold the Gazter name in his stead.” The nobleman pauses for a long moment ruminating over the matter. [/color]

[color=rgb(194, 194, 194)]
[/color]
[color=#c2c2c2](co-written by Lord Gazter)[/color]

3

Lallinka’s smile drops and she hopes she hasn’t crossed any lines. It would do her reputation no good to be disliked by the likes of Lord Gazter’s himself and besides, she found herself rather enjoying his company. “I am very sorry to hear that, lord Gazter,” she says. “I do hope you find out whatever befell your father. And, well, I did manage to track my relative, but we never had a chance to meet. A rather unfortunate incident forced her to hastily retire to the Tomb-Colonies, so I never really could ask her about the life in the Neath and how to make the best of it.”

Lord Gazter looks up over his cup. “Oh no need to apologize Lady Lallinka.” He smiles a amiable albeit slightly sheepish smile. “In fact, I wish to apologize. I did not mean to wax on about a dreadfully old matter and ruin this lovely conversation.” Lord Gazter waves a hand dismissively. “And I did not mean to give you the wrong impression. I have enjoyed my time in London and consider it a blessing that I have been able to experience the beauty and magnificence of London.”

“Nothing’s ruined,” the lady grins. Her eyes widen with realisation. “Gazter!” she exclaims with excitement. “Phlegethonian Gazette, that belongs to you, doesn’t it?”

“Yes, I am indeed the owner of the Phlegethonian Gazette.”

“How delightful!” Lallinka exclaims with glee. “I have just recently had the pleasure of being interviewed during the election mayhem. I must say, your paper did a marvellous job keeping me oriented in the mess that time turned into.”

Behind his spectacles, Lord Gazter’s eyes seem to twinkle. “It fills me with pride to know that my paper is well received by its readers. I never knew that it would be as well regarded as it is now. To think that the Phlegethonian Gazette would be a name known throughout London.” Lord Gazter takes a long, but dignified sip from his cup. “I am so very overjoyed to hear that you enjoy reading it, Lady Lallinka.”

“I may have converted a friend or two to put down their usual papers and try your Gazette instead,” Lallinka grins. “Being quoted in a newspaper has a tendency to make me…campaign for it really hard, so to speak.”

“I just had a wonderful idea, Lady Lallinka.” Lord Gazter places down his cup back on its saucer. “The Phlegethonian Gazette is always in need of new stories. I might be able to have one of my reporters interview you. How does that sound Lady Lallinka?”

Lallinka smiles bashfully. “Are you sure? I am a big fan of your paper, but I’m not sure if I have any interesting stories to tell.”

“Oh I am sure a story on a new and up and coming member of society will be one that many will read,” Lord Gazter insists. “What day would be best for you Lady Lallinka?”

“Any time next week should be good,” Lallinka smiles. She turns to the small urchin girl tapping her shoulder. She has a new fan, identical to the one that broke earlier and she’s handing some small coins back to Lallinka. “You can keep them, for your troubles,” the Lady says kindly to the girl, then looks at her watch. “Oh, my, is it so late already? I have some errands to run. It has been a great pleasure meeting you, Lord Gazter.”

“I look forward to our next meeting, Lady Lallinka.” Lord Gazter gives one last smile, and then returns to his drink. His eyes return to the street and its weary travellers.

(co-written by Lallinka)