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[kinslayer]

[It's a traditional (ish) style Japanese tea shop. Not that Itachi's Japanese but all it takes is a little homework and the realization that the manners and customs are incredibly close to those of the Fire Country, add in enough Westernization to appeal to Londoners, and the business is doing well.]

[Of course for those who are in the know the tea shop is a front for a much more interesting business of information dealing and, rumor has it, assassination--or any kind of underground contract you might wish to procure.]

[But on the surface and at least in part it's a fairly popular "Oriental" novelty tea shop. The proprietor is rather young and quiet and strange, but the ladies he hires who do most of the serving and dealing with customers are quite charming. All in all, it's growing in reputation.]

Comments

[al_truism]

[He's still convinced, firmly, that he's dreaming, but the scent of tea is familiar enough. He can't seem to wake up and he has a splitting, throbbing headache.

It's going to be a nightmare. He can almost taste it.

And so a young man wanders in in a homemade leather coat, entirely unremarkable; except that his blond braid is down to his waist and he seems to be clutching what looks like a tiny black typewriter -- and on the thumb of his right hand is a terribly unique silver ring.

He sits with his back to the wall, trying to get his bearings. He's very near the counter-

And when he catches sight of the proprietor, he stares. Quite openly and on the edge of rudely.]

[kinslayer]

[The man wears a kimono and no rings on his fingers. Simple pony tail, and glasses. His tired expression makes him look much older than he is. Of course he noted Al when Al entered, but only when Al sat did he catch a glimpse of the ring. Coincidence? Unlikely. Not with how the blond is staring at him fixedly.]

[All the same he finishes what he's doing with no signs of awareness, methodically and carefully pours a cup of tea, murmurs something to one of the servers and walks over to Al, placing the cup, a small, delicate, earthenware cup, in front of Al.]

Good afternoon.

[Alphonse has the look of someone just pulled in. Itachi's expression is blank, no visible recognition. Then again, tests like this are how they've always interacted. And, perhaps, it's better if they begin again on this footing. Itachi cannot, after all, be entirely sure he's not mistaken about Al. Though he's smug enough in his assessment of the other already.]

May I help you?

[al_truism]

[Al quickly, carefully arranges his expression into a smile. Perhaps it's a little edged with the strain of his surroundings. The area under his eyes is a bit darker, like he hasn't been sleeping even before this. He's about three years older than Itachi remembers him. Much taller.

It would only make sense that Itachi would show up in a dream like this, he thinks.]

I'm not sure if you can. But I admit that I'm a little bit lost.

[He touches his fingers to the edge of the cup, finding it warm.]

[kinslayer]

[Al's taller then him by now. Probably close to his age as well. Itachi folds his hands in his sleeves, expression still blank. He could send the Amestrian to the cults... The Daughters and Sons of Perpetual Care would be least objectionable. Al would be able to deal well enough under their care. Of course, he could also send Al to the Church of Martel or the Esoteric Order Dagon, if he were feeling like testing Al severely... Then again, in the case of Dagon, that could also be considered a death sentence.]

[His face and eyes reflect nothing of his half-amused musings. He knows what Al means by being lost, but he asks the normal question anyway.]

Where is it you were headed?

[al_truism]

[Al watches him so very carefully. He's entertained no real possibility of this being his Itachi, but he wills it. No lucid dreaming for him tonight, apparently.]

It's not likely that you'd know the city, but it's called Adstringéndum.

[kinslayer]

[Should he keep teasing him? Perhaps. A bit. Itachi's happy to see Al, in one sense. In another, this place, while civilized and easier to survive in, in a way, may be even worse than that ruined city on the edge of the end of time.]

[So, continued blank expression it is.]

Is this your first time in London?

[al_truism]

[He keeps watching for anything that will give Itachi away, and finds nothing. Could he have been born here-? Was this this world's Itachi?

Al carefully looked around, taking in the decor. Very Fire Country... which isn't Japan at all. And Japan and London are not in the same world, as far as he knows.

The clues begin to fall into place.]

It is. But we're in London, England?

[kinslayer]

[Itachi just watches impassively. How long will it take Al? He could keep time and declare Al's record when he ends this charade. A possibility.]

That is correct.

[He stands still and serene, a proper proprietor, calm and polite.]

The city you speak of doesn't exist in this world. I surmise you are one of the outsiders that sometimes finds their way to London.

[al_truism]

[And how would he know that? It dawns on him, that surety, and Al slowly smiles up at him. It makes his eyes look the same in that older face. Warm, bright, the young innocent he once was when they first met.

He slips the ring off his thumb -- his hand is tanned around it -- and holds it out, cupped in his palm so no one else will see what it is.]

I think it's time you had this back.

[kinslayer]

Fifty-seven seconds.

[He's being generous and not counting anything before the conversation started. Itachi removes his hands from his sleeves and places one over Al's hand. But he curls Al's fingers over the ring instead of taking it.]

It seems I don't need it here. Will you hold on to it for me a while longer, Alphonse-kun?

[There's a gentler tone in his voice as his expression unbends just a little. How many years must it have been for Al? Certainly more than it has been for Itachi. He looks at Al over his glasses. This close his creeping blindness doesn't blur the other man's features too much.]

Now how did you wander your way here? Did you crawl from the river or wake up on the street?

[He is hoping it's not the river, though there's no inflection in the tone of his question. Eventually Al is bound to learn those who are dead are dragged up from the river, but he has no interest in explaining the importance of the question right now.]

[al_truism]

[Al laughs under his breath, eyes shining. Trust Itachi to make everything a test.]

If you'd like me to, I will.

[Even if this is a dream, it's a very kind one. It's been too long.]

I think I washed up on the shore of the river. I woke up half in it.

[kinslayer]

I would.

[Itachi takes his hand back to fold it in his sleeve once again. There is not much reaction on his face, save a slight downcast of the eyes at Al's answer.]

Hm. Step into the private tea room with me. I'll make you some matcha.

[And there they will not be bothered while Itachi explains this place to Al.]

[al_truism]

Then I'll keep it safe.

[Al nods and gets to his feet, ready to follow. He's watching for anything else he can glean while they walk. Knowing Itachi, this isn't just a tea shop.]

[kinslayer]

[There's the main shop itself, quiet, peaceful atmosphere, tastefully decorated. The serving girls are all young and cute but if Al looks closer there's a certain way they hold themselves, an alertness to them. The clientele ranges from the young and in vogue to the more sedate and fashionable middle aged and well-to-do.]

[In the back the room Itachi shows Al into is not the only one of its type. Several are already occupied. The rooms themselves are made to imitate Japanese rooms, with tatami mats and wood and paper paneling. There's a covered wood walkway that connects and loops around a Japanese style garden. Itachi closes the door leading out to that, though, and fetches the instruments to prepare the matcha.]

[A room like this, soundproofed, Al might notice when the doors are closed, would make an excellent place to conduct delicate business.]

[Itachi kneels on the cushions in the center of the room, letting Al do as he likes as he whisks the tea.]

Your first question?

[al_truism]

[Carefully, he takes it all in, filing it carefully away. There is a different way he holds himself. More wary, older. He's grown so much since Itachi saw him last, both in spirit and body. There are so many scars that Itachi won't recognize.]

Why did you ask whether I came from the street or the river?

[Itachi would never make small talk like that. There was a reason for that question.]

[kinslayer]

[He doesn't show how proud and pleased he is by Al's changes. By the observable difference in maturity and wariness. He simply finishes whisking the tea, sets Al's cup on the low table.]

The dead come from the river. Fished out like flotsam. The living arrive other ways.

[Still blunt.]

[al_truism]

[Al shrugs his shoulders upward, giving him a tiny smile as he picks up the cup.]

At least it's not a surprise. Ah, thank you.

[kinslayer]

I would advise steering clear of the river from now on, however. The Deep Ones are aggressive and strong. And you may find your alchemy more difficult here.

[Just going to make himself a cup of tea.]

[al_truism]

The Deep Ones?

[That's a bit disturbing to contemplate.]

[kinslayer]

[Taking a sip of tea, no biggie.]

The Eldritch horrors of this place. Mutations born of the contamination of this place altering humans, or children of the twisted monsters themselves.

[Taking another sip.]

The gods of this place are unlike the Animus. Just as mad, but far more pervasive. Perhaps you already feel their presence.

[al_truism]

[Al looks up at him through his lashes while he sips his tea, then carefully sets down the cup.]

That would explain why I feel so on edge.

[equipoises]

[Given Ange's natural habitat of seedy underground places, she's heard about this place. Girls can get a job here and while she's not strapped for cash, her work isn't exactly wholesome. Though this could open some options up in those areas, too.

And they have good tea. Can't ask for more than that.

Ange still wears her usual attire but tries to be polite to the man at the counter.]

...As long as it isn't matcha, I'll take come tea and a job, if you've got one.

[Yep, polite.]

[kinslayer]

[Itachi's heard of her. She has a decent reputation and a girl like that, with that outfit, stands out. He prepares the tea, flawlessly, and sets it before her, without answering, face blank and calm. Lineface, meet lineface troll.]

Darjeeling. A mild, mellow blend. [A Western tea for an Asian girl in Western attire. An unfitting tea for her reputation.]

What are your qualifications?

[equipoises]

[Ange loves trolls, apparently. She surrounds herself with them. And she sips the tea without any real reaction to it. Not like it's bad or anything. Actually, she's not very particular about tea anyway.]

...I guess it depends on the job. But I'm good at dealing with rude customers no matter the type. If I have to smile, though, I might scare them away.

[kinslayer]

Smiling is not a prerequisite.

[She's not the type to work in a tea shop. He folds his hands in his sleeves and continues the mundane questions one expects of any proprietor.]

Do you have any knowledge of teas?