The sun is shining bright and Li tilts his head into it, feeling the warmth on one cheek. But he doesn’t stop for long – he’s due at work in a half-hour, and he wants to make sure he can get there a few minutes before time. That way he will be ready to work the moment his shift starts.
Pao is a very good businessman, a kind merchant for bringing him in and giving him employment. One day, if Li is lucky, he can honor him by taking over more duties. Maybe take over the teashop himself, once Pao retires.
Honor…
The word slips in and out of his head, leaving a strangle ripple of disquiet in the tranquil pond of his thoughts. Li shakes his head and continues on. He must not be late.
He greets customers at the door, shows them to tables and takes their orders. He enjoys his work. Enjoys recommending the day’s special… smiles at a pretty young lady. She looks at him with hopeful green eyes.
If given a choice, Li would probably work through his break. His body is young and not tired, but Ba Sing Se has labor rules and all rules should be adhered.
He is out in the back, sitting on a crate and taking in the last of the dying sun, when Mushi the old tea-maker comes to him. He kneels down, eye to eye, and presses something into his hand. Li looks down. It is a cup of tea.
“A special blend,” Mushi says, and he is staring at him so intently that Li almost feels unnerved. “To stimulate the mind.”
Li drinks obediently. The tea is strangely spicy, but good. Mushi watches him the whole time.
His break is ending – Pao is yelling from the shop that there are more customers. Li hands the now empty cup back to Mushi and quickly puts his closed fist in an open hand in a bow. “Thank you, sir. You have a gift with teas.”
Li thinks that his compliment must mean a lot to Mushi – why else would the man’s eyes tear up? Li offers a smile and then goes back into the shop; time to finish his shift.
After the door swings shut, the man known as Mushi sinks down to the crate. He stares into the empty teacup, and silently weeps.
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timeasmymeasure
Li, The Tea Server of Ba Sing Se
The sun is shining bright and Li tilts his head into it, feeling the warmth on one cheek. But he doesn’t stop for long – he’s due at work in a half-hour, and he wants to make sure he can get there a few minutes before time. That way he will be ready to work the moment his shift starts.
Pao is a very good businessman, a kind merchant for bringing him in and giving him employment. One day, if Li is lucky, he can honor him by taking over more duties. Maybe take over the teashop himself, once Pao retires.
Honor…
The word slips in and out of his head, leaving a strangle ripple of disquiet in the tranquil pond of his thoughts. Li shakes his head and continues on. He must not be late.
He greets customers at the door, shows them to tables and takes their orders. He enjoys his work. Enjoys recommending the day’s special… smiles at a pretty young lady. She looks at him with hopeful green eyes.
If given a choice, Li would probably work through his break. His body is young and not tired, but Ba Sing Se has labor rules and all rules should be adhered.
He is out in the back, sitting on a crate and taking in the last of the dying sun, when Mushi the old tea-maker comes to him. He kneels down, eye to eye, and presses something into his hand. Li looks down. It is a cup of tea.
“A special blend,” Mushi says, and he is staring at him so intently that Li almost feels unnerved. “To stimulate the mind.”
Li drinks obediently. The tea is strangely spicy, but good. Mushi watches him the whole time.
His break is ending – Pao is yelling from the shop that there are more customers. Li hands the now empty cup back to Mushi and quickly puts his closed fist in an open hand in a bow. “Thank you, sir. You have a gift with teas.”
Li thinks that his compliment must mean a lot to Mushi – why else would the man’s eyes tear up? Li offers a smile and then goes back into the shop; time to finish his shift.
After the door swings shut, the man known as Mushi sinks down to the crate. He stares into the empty teacup, and silently weeps.