2025-01-30 - Bobas Teas and Nerdy Things

Being the fortunate soul he is, Lee doesn’t have to be at work and the ungodly hour of early, or even the later half of early. They are a second shifter, which lets them have a leisurely morning/early afternoon of getting stuff done. Today those things are laundry and roommate. And here they can do both. A two birds one stone, sort of thing.

They are sitting at the counter on the smoothie bar side, dividing their attention between the TV where some early 2000’s cartoon is playing, and watching one of the staff prepare their boba tea. Lee is hard to miss, not with the long snow white hair, partially pulled back in a ponytail, a stark contrast to the black jumpsuit with gladiator sandals, and black oversized cardigan that they wear.

Shirley skips into the boba tea place and heads right for the counter with a bright smile. Her cat ears are all perky while her black fluffy tail happily swishes behind her. She is wearing her usually look of satin, lace, and ruffles but this time it is black and a dark purple today. Her usual heeled combat boots on her feel helping her feel taller now that she stands at a while 5'5", the five inches for her heels at least helping her feel a little less short. "I would like a vanilla black tea boba slushie with extra boba please. The normal tapioca ones are fine. Thank you."

She moves to wait for her boba, taking a seat right next to Lee as she looks over the early 2000's cartoon briefly before she looks at Lee and asks, "What kind did you order? I am Shirley by the way."

Pink hair, cat ears and tail, Shirley is in the hard to miss category as well. As she drops onto the stool next to them, Lee turns to look at her, gaze focusing on the hair, an awed smile on their face, “I love your hair!" they press their hands against their legs to keep themselves from reaching out to touch the vibrant locks "I wish I could have colorful hair like that, but my hair just won't take dye for over a day."

Even as the question about flavor of tea is asked, a large to go cup of purple liquid, with tapioca pearls on the bottom and small cream colored cubes floating in it is set on the counter "Taro with boba and custard." the drink almost matches the purple in Shirley's clothing "You can call me Lee."

Shirley smiles as she says, "Thanks, it took a few tries but I got it just right. And I met this woman named Annabelle yesterday who happens to hair and makeup so I will see her when I need a touch up." She aws softly and suggests, "Maybe Annabelle could give it a shot? It is a lovely color though, none the less." She looks over the tea and says, "Pretty color, and nice to meet you Lee. What do you do in the park? I am a bartender over at Tales and Tails at the Storybook Resort."

“Thanks.” Lee drawls out with the slightest bit of both vocal fry and vague mid-westernish accent. “I don’t think anything short of magic will help, since it’s the magic that did this.” They lift a section of hair between delicate fingers and examine the ends before flipping the hair back “Before New years my hair was black. I can dye it and shave it all off and I will wake up the next morning with like this." they fluff the hair that fall over a shoulder.

Dark eyes widen under white eyebrows "I work at the Storybook Resort too. I'm a chef at Chapters. Started back in November. I love Tales and Tails, I would go there more often if they had a dance floor."

Shirley looks intrigued, "Oh? Color me curious. Sorry the pun. They just happen." She listen and looks intrigued, "And that is when I got my ears and tail. I woke up the next morning cat-girl-ified. I love it though but I like anime is probably why that is." She laughs softly, "Yeah, not too much dancing there but it is ok. I do like to go out on my nights off though. What is your favorite thing to cook so far? I really like it when people ask me about the rainbow shots. They are so pretty when done right."

The pun has Lee covering their mouth as the burst out in a bubbly laugh “Never apologize for a good word play.” They shake their head, hair swaying with the motion, a small pout comes to their lips “I love puns and word play, but lack the cleverness to come up with them on the fly.”

The mention of ears and tail has Lee looking at then curiously “I wondered if that was shifting magic or the New Years change.” And now they know “My nights off are usually spent at the Paradise.” Which is also at the resort.

Their favorite thing to cook… that question has them flapping hands in excitement “Potato soufflé. It is sooo good. You would think since it is made with mashed potatoes it would be heavy, but nooo.” Again with the head shaking “It’s light, fluffy and cheesy. And if it’s cooked right it develops this crust that can be a bit chewy and crispy at the same time.”

Shirley giggles before she responds, "Thanks, not everyone likes them. But to each their own." She hmms softly before she says, "It could potentially be both maybe? And I haven't been to Paradise yet. We could maybe go together though?"

She smiles brightly as they flap their hands with excitement at the questions, "I will have to get it next time I order food to take home. I love cheesy things. And sugary things. Not together though. That is just. No." She giggles once more briefly.

“Not everyone has good taste.” Maybe Lee needs a pair of cat ears to go with the catty attitude they have going on for the briefest of moments “I would welcome the company. You can never have to many clubbing friends.”

“If I wasn’t couch surfing with co-workers I would invite you over and make it for you.” They lean forward to whisper conspiratorially “It’s great at the restaurant, but not quite worth the price on the menu.” It is a resort, with resort prices. “Now,” they put their hands together as if they were going to pray, but it’s only a gesture of curiousity, “what is a rainbow shot?” Maybe they are praying it is something they would drink or could drink.

Shirley lifts her hands up and shakes them with excitement side to side for a brief moment. "Wonderful. I look forward to it. I like new experiences."

She perks up and asks, "Oh? Couch surfing? I was looking around for a roomie. The fact we both work at the resort means we would actually understand some of the struggles that happen with the patrons there, ya know?" She hmms softly and explains, "Oh! So it is a certain types of liquor that when I pour the mixer over, it will change it from clear to the colors of the rainbow, all seven. It's pretty boss. I have to get a more animal name for it before I feature it at the bar but it will come to me. I was pondering maybe something like the Proud Peacock or something. It is a work in progress on the name."

Lee mirrors the jazz hands. They share her excitement in both new experiences but also in the fact that they will be part of it “Oh, this is going to be great. They have all sorts of theme nights. What do you like to listen too?”

“Ohhh really?” A curious drawl as they chin tap. “I could really use an actual bedroom to sleep and store all my gaming stuff. Right now all my stuff is in a storage place in Traverse City. Not that I have too much, but it’s my stuff.”

Lee listens to Shirley description of the drink, taking a pull from his boba tea. “So the different densities of the mixers and alcohols make them float and not mix into a muddy color?” They find that sort of thing fascinating “That would be great to debut in June.” Pride month and all “Workshop the name, there are lots of flavors of colorful birds.”

Shirley ponders a bit, "I am pretty eclectic, I think the only things I really steer away from musically are country and heavy metal. Otherwise I usually like it. There are exceptions in those genres but it is a song by song basis kinda deal. What about you?"

Slightly tilts her head to the side as she asks, "What kinda gaming stuff? I like to play all sorta of stuff. I even did larping back home. I didn't really like the fighting though so I would just roleplay as one of the food makers, which really worked out for me. I liked when I was the baker most. So many tasty things."

Her boba tea arrives and she looks ecstatic, grabbing her thick straw and eagerly stabbing into the lid. She nods softly before she says, "Yes and the fruit juices do a little something to it as well admittedly. And if it isn't done correctly, then yes, it can be a completely muddy mess, still tasty but not as pretty. And I suppose I could hold it off until June. And it doesn't have to be a bird, it could be any type of colorful animal truly. It was just the first thing that came to my mind is all."

The mention of country music makes Lee’s nose wrinkle in distaste “I don’t hate heavy metal, and playing it on traditional instruments can be cool, but it’s not something I would listen to normally.” They smile brightly at sharing musical tastes “If I can dance to it, I will probably listen to it.” Except the country “My go-tos though are k-pop, c-pop, and j-pop, EDM.” Basically club music.

More excitement “Table top games, video games, anything RPG really.” They tick things off on their fingers. “I have a bunch of Magic cards, but I don’t know how to play, would love to learn.” A brow ticks up at LARP “I have never larped before, but I love cosplay. I have little crafting talent outside of cooking and origami so I throw money at people and shops to do it for me.”

“Wait, wait, wait.” Flapping hands again “You are a gamer and you didn’t think to name your rainbow drink The Chromatic Dragon?”

"I like those, I also like some punk and ska too and what some people call emo music but the club remixes of them are pretty cool," Shirley mentions. As Lee list off what all they have in their collection she grins, "That's badass. I know magic, kind of. I know how to play it but deck building I am not super familiar with. But if you ever wanna play video games I am down. I love anything co-op. I try to avoid versus stuff. I'll be real, I am the sorest loser that ever lived, I just get all pouty and sulk. I don't get mouthy."

"Cosplay is a lot of fun though, I would do cat girl mash ups at the conventions down in Florida all the time. I haven't mind my own outfit though in a hot minute, not since home ec class." She then pauses and looks like she is processing things before she says, "I have no idea how that name slipped my mind Lee, thank you." She laughs softly and gives them a quick and tight snug hug.

"Facts. I am not a fan of straight up PvP play. I prefer co-ops too, though in MMOs I always end up being the camp parent." Lee laughs at the thought. "Always helping the new players learn the ropes and get the really good starting gear." There is an enthusiastic nod "I have pretty much all the consoles. At least the ones that came out post 2010. The others are back home."

There is a shrug "Hey, you did the heavy lifting of creating the drink, that's the creative part." They grin at her, waving off the gratitude "You were just to close, forest...trees and what not." The snug hug is returned happily, despite Shirley being a practical stranger.

"I go healer, cause I like to be helpful and some of the other combos get too crazy for me," Shirley mentions. "I like getting all the unlockable mounts and stuff and helping others get them too honestly. And if you wanted, we could put them in the living room. If we were to be roommates I mean."

"That is fair I suppose, and yes, however the saying goes," is commented. She sips on her boba tea, mmming happily as some of the bobas escape the straw into her mouth, daintily chewing them before swallowing, "Do you work tonight?"

There is a motioning gesture toward Shirley, Lee is quite animated when talking "You get it. Though I tend toward the sneaky, hit from behind characters, but I can play them all pretty well." Eyes widen "Just like that, moving in together." A hand to the chest "I hardly know you." Which is followed by the bubbly laugh.Teasing of course "That's great. I promise I have had all my shots." And the park definitely would have ran a BG check.

"I'm on dinner prep tonight, so I work until about 7:00." They lean against the counter taking another drink of the tea "What's the plan?"

Shirley laughs softly before she says, "Sorry, I just get excited easily sometimes is all. And I don't work until 8 tonight myself actually. As for the plan, I was wanting to get an apartment at the Turning Leaf. A two bedroom is pretty affordable between two of us. Oh, one thing before I forget. I do like to partake but I smoke on the roof, i also sometime make edibles but I will label them so you know if they are safe or not. Do you partake?"

"It's good. Feel your feelings, let them out, share them." their eyes crinkle as they smile in reassurance "Once you get to know me you will see that I don't hold back either." their eyes light up "I'm not picky about which complex, they all seem pretty much the same to me. We can met up after work and send in the apartment request to housing." they know that much at least.

Despite her not using the name, Lee knows what Shirley is talking about, "I don't myself, that's all a Buddhism thing and not a judgment call or that I think it's bad or should be illegal. It helps a lot of people with pain and anxiety, and other stuff. You do you." they run fingers through their hair "I tried it once as a teen," they shrug "Just wasn't a fan. As long as my clothes and the apartment doesn't smell like skunk I don't care."

Shirley smiles happily as she says, "Thanks, some people think I can be a weeee bit intense sometimes but I just feel intensely often is all, really." She nods and says, "Sure, after work is fine with me, I won't be off till 3am though just as a heads up. Assuming that it takes me a bit to usher people out, you know how bars can be sometimes."

She sighs in relief that they don't mind about her habit and says, "I only like to smoke outside, since the carbon monoxide is good for the trees. Even when I bake with it, it shouldn't affect anything. I use this machine for the actual infusion process that makes it scentless. Its called an Ardent Nova. It was a Christmas present from one of my friends back in Florida, it works amazingly. But I will be green ziplocks for those kind of treats do you know when they are tainted and aren't. Rather be safe than sorry."

"Oh, I get that. I have lost track of how many times I have gotten the you're really great, but just to much for me brush off from people." Lee lets out a sigh giving themselves a moment to feel the frustration before letting it pass and getting back to their cheery self. "Well I will just have to stop in to Tales and we can get it done during the slow times or your break or something." it's Thursday, it couldn't possibly be that busy...could it?

Lee nods as they listen to her describe the process "I would love to see that in action." they have never heard of such a thing. "I wonder what other kind of applications it could be used for." they laugh at the ziploc code, "Green, how appropriate is that!"

"Sure, that works too," Shirley mentions easily enough, "I can usually take a break without a problem easily enough." She brightens as she says, "Sure, I can have you watch me do it. It is honestly a lot of set it and forget it to occasionally check to see when the color shifts. I don't mind showing or teaching though. And depending one what I infused the weed to, it has a lot of applications, could even turn it into a massage oil to help with aches and pains. I also make a weird butter tea after, that really helps with pain but it knocks me out if I don't sip it slowly enough. It is an odd but kinda tasty flavor. It isn't quite like popcorn but almost, it is the closest thing I can think of that it tastes like."

"And maybe you can let me taste test the chromatic dragon." Lee says in a stage whisper as if her doing to is going to get them in big trouble for breaking rules. "That would be great. And then I can tell my mom and aunt all about it next time I go home. They own a few bakeries back in Toronto, baking edibles for a dispensary could be a way to expand into a new market."

"Oh, I've had butter tea before, just not spiked with anything. It's not something I would drink regularly, especially with the traditional yak butter. It's very pungent." they ponder a moment "Popcorn? Really? I might like yours better than what I was served when I went to Tibet in school."

Shirley laughs softly before she says, "Sure, I am down for that, have to make sure it tastes amazing after all as well. I have a few ideas with how so it would be a good idea to get the perspective of someone else. And I am down with teaching, always happy to help others flourish."

She makes a mild face at the idea of yak milk and says, "Apologies, I just, I have smelled one once and I. I don't I could drink something from that. This is a good bit different, it is more weed butter tea because it is the left over weed after I have infused it into the butter and strained out all Active ingredients I can without making a huge mess. Then just steep the that, essentially cook weed in butter with hot water for a while and ta-da sleepy pain relief tea."

"Just don't let me drink more than one." Lee pleads? Warns? Something in between "More than one drink and I make very bad decisions." they are short(ish) and just on the border of skinny better get them a sandwich stat, so not being able to hold their liquor isn't a shock. "And I am down with learning new things in the kitchen." even if they won't eat it themselves.

"I'm not Tibetan, and even some of the younger generations there aren't into it." no need to apologize to Lee "And I agree, there are just some things you have to be raised with to appreciate. I was raised in Toronto, I can appreciate poutine, sure, not yak butter."

Shirley looks curious as she asks, "Are you talking about the tea I make? I.. I would give you a very small amount if I am honest. It can be rather potent. I use it to help me sleep when the flower, normal weed, doesn't work." She pauses before she asks, "Or you mean like liquor, I can easily cut you off if you are at my bar and that is a concern but it is seven shots when I am done with it. Are you sure you would want to do a whole one?" She is a bartender and knows that everyone has varying limits.

She loudly mmms, "Poutine, now you are speaking my language but I love cheese curds a bunch of different ways. Have you ever tried them deep fried? So good, especially with this spicy ranch sorta sauce."

"The shot..." not being a bartender of any sort Lee didn't realize that there were seven shots of liquor in it. "So maybe not. I would rather not face the consequences of that action." they shake their head "Oh the tea would probably put me out for a good week, but it would probably be the best sleep I ever got." definitely not something he should be doing. "Maybe just a one shot drink."

"I don't think there is a way I haven't tried cheese curds." they will definitely have to think about that one. "Oh!" they reach into a pocket to hand over their cell phone "We should probably exchange info if we are going to be roomies." from the other side of the wall between the areas "I think that is the dryer my stuff is in."