Legend of the Tea Master (Chapter 1 - The Festival)

Originally posted on MSPA by BestTeaMaker.

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> Pull the middlemost one.

> Pull the one with the best prize. Really, I don't know why people are suggesting anything different.

> Pull the one with the best prize. Really, I don't know why people are suggesting anything different.

^this

Korin>Pull a string in the middle

Alright, the best bet of getting prizes is to pull a string in the middle. You hand the eager hawker 5 coins and begin to pull. Sang looks expectantly over your shoulder as you tense up and pu--


<div style="margin-left:40px">Hey, Korin, didn't expect to see you here.</div>

You turn around and see a familiar face smiling at you.

<div style="margin-left:40px">It's me, Luo. I visited your tea shop the other day, remember?</div>

You smile and wave back. You remember Luo, the guard who came a few days ago when you first opened the shop. He was one of your very first customers, for goodness' sake! Luo comes on over and eyes the hawker a bit, then turns to you.

Luo
<div style="margin-left:40px">So, I was expecting you to be at your tea shop today, what with this being a festival and all.</div>

Sang
<div style="margin-left:40px">He's helping my father's shop for the day by selling some of his tea there. I'm Sang, by the way.</div>

Luo
<div style="margin-left:40px">Aah, I remember you. You were that little beauty who came to his shop after I left. I see you and Korin became friends.</div>

Sang
<div style="margin-left:40px">Thanks. We're taking a break right now and having fun in the festival.</div>

You ask Luo what he is doing here.

Luo
<div style="margin-left:40px">Ah, I'm a guard, as you know. We're usually on duty at times like these. Festivals can get quite out of hand, especially in a city as large as this. I got assigned to the Fountain Square area. What a coincidence I must say. Speaking of that, have you seen Zha lately?</div>

You tell Luo you haven't seen him since he hastily left your shop. You also fondly remember Zha, if only for the fact he gave you a huge tip when he left.

Luo
<div style="margin-left:40px">I'm slightly worried. A firecracker like that could be up to trouble if left unattended. I hope he isn't getting himself in trouble again. I really don't want another rabaroo incident.</div>

Sang
<div style="margin-left:40px">Really? He seemed like a really nice person. He was quite excited about the Autumn Festival. He left before I could even tell him that it was three days til then.</div>

Luo
<div style="margin-left:40px">Well, I guess one can only get into so much trouble at a time. So, Korin, I see you're playing the Destiny String game. Go on, pull it, Korin. I want to see what you'll get.</div>

You remember that you're still holding the string. You turn back and say your apologies for holding the game up. The hawker nervously chuckles as tells you not to worry about it as he tries to sneak glances at Luo. You give the string a good tug, and suddenly, you hear a loud DING!

Hawker
<div style="margin-left:40px">CONGRATULATIONS you have won the GRAND PRIZE OF DESTINY! You get this amazing prize box with a surprise that I totally got legitimately. And, for your lovely lady friend here, you get a second prize, a limited-edition Turtle-Duck doll! Yes, congratulations congratulations to you both, now please leave. Go on, you're holding up the line, yes you are. Please leave and don't look back.</div>

You, Sang, and Luo walk away. You see Sang and Luo trying to stifle a chuckle.

Sang
<div style="margin-left:40px">Are you sure it's alright to let him go?</div>

Luo
<div style="margin-left:40px">Eh, it's alright. He's mostly harmless. Most of his wares come from waste bins and garbage piles, so he's not really stealing. Sometimes I'll catch him with something he shouldn't have, but I see that you won that off of him. While you may be tired of this word now, congratulations, Korin.</div>

You say your goodbyes to Luo, who needs to return to patrol. However, before you can go, Luo turns around to tell you something.

Luo
<div style="margin-left:40px">Well, I guess I can tell you guys since you both seem trustworthy. We're actually getting reports of animal smugglers in the Lower Ring, so be on the watch out for any especially suspicious people here. I'm not actually sure what's happened, but recently they've been able to smuggle some rather rare animals into Ba Sing Se.</div>

Sang
<div style="margin-left:40px">Why would they smuggle animals?</div>

Luo
<div style="margin-left:40px">Mostly as exotic pets. Some of the nobles here like to show off their money, and a common thing to do is to acquire a rare pet or something of that kind. But, lately, there's a rumor of some sort of animal ring, where they bet money on fights and stuff.</div>

You and Sang look nervously at each other.

Luo
<div style="margin-left:40px">Ah, sorry for worrying you two. Don't mind me too much. Go and have fun. I'll be looking forward to your tea later. It'll be a great break from a long night of guard duty.</div>

Luo whistles as he walks away towards two children fighting over a Platty-Bear doll. You ponder on Luo's words for a bit, but Sang tugs on your sleeve.

Sang
<div style="margin-left:40px">Hey, come on, worrywart. Luo's on duty, so I'm sure it's going to be alright. So, where should we head next?</div>

Korin>_

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Ok, that's enough updates for a bit. I need to recharge and do some actual studying.