The Emporium [Bentley and Sho]
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Human Solos =&gt; Topic started by: Sho on 16-10-2010, 06:31:01</h2>
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				Title: <strong>The Emporium [Bentley and Sho]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>16-10-2010, 06:31:01</strong>
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				Nestled deep within Chinatown, in one of the stranger and darker neighborhoods, was a sprawling shop announced only by a two-story front with curtains drawn over the windows. The top floor had gauzy red curtains with thick velvet ones over them, but they were always drawn tightly shut, never a single crack of light showing through the center. The bottom floor had two grand, sweeping windows, with traditional latticework frames made from ebony, worth a fortune and clearly antique. There were heavy wooden-and-metal shutters on the outside but during the day they were drawn back, revealing a wide sitting room filled with antique furniture that seemed to come and go.<br><br>Li ran the shop, inherited from his family, making quite a comfortable little profit.<br><br>It was already&nbsp; five thirty in the afternoon and the sun was sinking below the skyscrapers and towering apartment buildings shadowing the little street-level shop. It was spring, and the air was thick with the smell of fresh buns being cooked, Chinese meat being turned on spits, the chatter of people going by the storefront in the melodic, swooping tones of Mandarin and Cantonese. Li spoke both, of course, along with English and a handful of other languages. He had to, to run his business.<br><br>People trailed in and out, stopping in for high-end teas and herbs to use.<br><br>He was popular in the neighborhood - terrifying as well - but his popularity showed at the end of the day when he had a small stack of drawings from neighborhood children stacked atop the small tea table in the center. A little boy was in the shop with his mother, and as his mother looked at the small, meticulous labels in Chinese on the neat gold-trimmed placecards in front of the ornate lacquered Chinese boxes, he chattered on and on about how the night before, he had seen a man walking with a fantastic serpent wrapped around his neck, and how the serpent seemed to be dancing, coming out of the shop.<br><br>His mother scolded him gently for telling tall tales, and Li smiled, handing the little boy a sweet bean cake.<br><br>He scooped some fresh oolong tea leaves into a pretty porcelain bowl, capped it with a matching top, and deftly tied a neat bow. "I'm sure your grandmother will love this tea. Please, give her my regards."<br><br>"How did you know it was for grandmother-" murmured the woman, but Li merely smiled and bowed politely and the woman paid and then excused herself from the shop.<br><br>Li - Lee to the cops that had been stalking around his shop and trying to dig things up on him - shut the front door and got ready to shut down for the day. He walked outside and shut the huge shutters, trailing back into his shop. Without natural light, he lit a few flickering gas lamps, lending a beautiful golden glow to the room.<br><br>He pulled the heavy silk curtains across the windows, then, blocking any last bits of light or sound that might seep out, and looked around. The room was immaculate - huge porcelain urns were tightly capped, scattered about the room, along with huge chests and beautiful couches and chairs. There was a tray of sweet cakes that he'd cooked on the table, and a steaming cup of tea waiting on the sideboard that he picked up, taking a slow sip. He hadn't locked the front door yet, but it was rare for people to try to come in when the windows were closed, as that was when no one could see into the storefront.<br><br>The shadows seemed to dance and shift in the rich room, the golden lamplight making everything more beautiful, everything flawlessly polished.<br><br>There were no electronics to be seen - no television, no alarm system - but no one bothered him.<br><br>He looked at himself in the full-length mirror trimmed in beautiful mahogany. The room smelled faintly of peonies, and a few floated in bowls scattered around the room. He had hair that was long, to his shoulderblades, glossy and black and pulled back in a sleek tail that swung at the base of his neck. He wore a traditional outfit - though as small as he was, he looked quite feminine. He had on a cheongsam, a rich crimson one threaded with gold, slim legs encased in tight black pants that were trimmed in gold. His lips were full, and red, and his eyes were a beautiful grey, icy and cold. He looked mostly Chinese, but his eyes belied the fact that somewhere along the line, Westerners had crept in. He was a rare beauty, gorgeous in his delicacy, slim hands fluttering on the rim of his teacup. He was small, almost a bit fragile looking, yet there was a strength that seemed to curl from within him. He looked like one of the antiques - a memory from another time - on sale.
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Emporium [Bentley and Sho]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Bentley</strong> on <strong>16-10-2010, 19:27:19</strong>
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				Across the street from Li's shop there was a convenience store in a stout, three storied building. It sold the usual things. Drinks, quickly prepared food, and other miscellaneous items. An elderly couple owned it, living on the second level. Bentley lived on the third. Only semi-successful he was never one to be rolling in money. His landlords--seemingly out of touch with current rent rates--charged next to nothing. Occasionally, they even fed him. And if Bentley didn't make it to his doorway at night? Well, he usually awakened on their couch. All in all, it was a nice arrangement. Bentley was probably given more kindness than he deserved, but he preferred not to dwell on this either. <br><br>So focused was Bentley on his various projects that he failed to take complete notice of his surroundings. He awakened in the morning, started painting, went to whatever social engagements he had, and returned in a stupor at sundown. <br><br>Lulls in work and inspiration were a dangerous time for him. They usually meant a downward spiral into moodiness or forms of intoxicants much more risky than alcohol. Just as spring arrived, he encountered one of these breaks in business. The path he tread was no different from other times. He shut himself away in his apartment and simply watched the neighborhood beneath him. The sounds of Cantonese and Mandarin drifted up to him; the aroma of baked goods piqued his hunger. <br><br>Bentley felt himself drawn to the people observed and was disconcerted by the fact that he'd never paid them much attention before. In small increments he began to explore Chinatown. His fingers still twitched as though he should be holding a brush, but he managed. <br><br>In the dwindling hours of the evening, he walked around an open market. Men and woman chatted and bustled about and clamored for whatever they needed. Though mostly unsuccessful, Bentley was trying to attain some sort of grasp on the language. There were often snippets of English to be heard, however, and to a particular duo of speakers did Bentley's attention divert. <br><br>"...Li's teas are the best. I bought some for my grandmother..." <br><br>It wasn't the first time Bentley had heard the name and of course he'd seen the shop across the way from his landlords'. On impulse, he decided he would go there. After all, it was another place to explore, another place to immerse himself in. <br><br>Upon arrival, Bentley lingered near the storefront. The place was obviously closed, but besides disappointment there was another feeling he couldn't name. Was it foreboding? Bentley shook his head. He'd return in the morning. <br><br>At home he took a quick shower, thoughts revolving around his numerous excursions. Stepping out and wrapping himself in a towel, he gave himself a once over in the foggy mirror. Even with this obscured view, he could tell he was a bit scruffy looking. Around his chin and below his nose were the beginnings of a short beard and moustache. Higher up, his dark brown hair was a little longer than he'd like. While the latter couldn't be taken care of right away, the former could. Bentley shaved and sometimes met his own gaze. Thereafter, he went to crash on his bed. City lights danced across him, but it wasn't long before his breath evened in sleep. <br><br>After noon, Bentley got up and dressed in a white button-up shirt and tan pants. At his window he paused to check the shop across the way. It was open now and he hurried out. Truth be told, Bentley's experiences with tea were limited. Nevertheless, he crossed the street and entered the store. 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Emporium [Bentley and Sho]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>16-10-2010, 19:55:05</strong>
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				Li was exhausted. <br><br>That was the first thought that came to him as he woke himself - he'd never needed an alarm clock - and pulled himself out of bed after three hours of sleep. The night before had bee a busy one and he'd had little time to catch up on his sleep, but people would start to notice if his shop suddenly started closing in the middle of the day. <br><br>He rolled out of the antique, orgy-sized bed with it's downy pillows and blankets, the soft, gauzy hangings obscuring him from view. One pale limb snaked out, grabbing for a robe, pulling it over himself.<br><br>He got ready for the day, choosing an impeccably cut plum silk cheongsam, one that made his skin glow even brighter and paler against it's dark material. He&nbsp; slipped into a slim-cut pair of pants underneath it with tiny plum frog clasps at the ankles, matching shoes. The entire outfit probably would fetch enough to mortgage a small house - they were all antiques, passed down in his family. He made the bed, and looked around. Things were otherwise impeccable.<br><br>He headed downstairs, figuring that at his lunch break he'd deal with the more exotic pieces of his trade - he'd feed the things he was trading, then, and check up on his new stock - and he opened up shop.<br><br>Fairly soon after that, a young man came in - not Chinese, nonetheless, Li noted - and he wondered who he was. He looked quite familiar but he couldn't quite place him. Did he spend a lot of time in the neighborhood? Was he the police? Li's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, pale and framed by that incredible fringe of dark lashes.<br><br>He offered a faint touch of a smile as he stirred from behind his desk. He looked more like a life-sized doll than a human, even as he stood and let his fingertips brush the cherrywood counter. "Is there something I can help you find today?"
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Emporium [Bentley and Sho]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Bentley</strong> on <strong>17-10-2010, 02:33:25</strong>
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				For a moment there was a tremor of uncertainty, that perhaps he was stepping into someplace he shouldn't. It was not a totally unfamiliar sensation though. In his explorations he'd experienced it many times. More often than not it was unfounded. <br><br>Swallowing, Bentley clasped his hands behind his back. The scent of tea was heavy in the air and it was to their jars that his eyes wandered first. His attention did not linger there long, for the proprietor of the shop spoke. <br><br>Bentley opened his mouth to give a greeting, but faltered as he took in the sight of the other man and his exquisite garb. There was nothing antagonistic about his scrutiny, just simple curiosity and perhaps a glint of something more. After a few seconds of extended silence, he gave a short chuckle at his own awkwardness and ran a hand down his face. <br><br>"Excuse me. I apologize," he finally said, bowing his head and offering a smile in return. "I live just across the street," he hastily continued, cocking his head in the direction of his building. "I've been getting to know the neighborhood and I've heard people speak of your shop and your teas. I was wondering if you could suggest some for a beginner." <br><br>Again, he smiled, gaze shifting downward to where Li's fingers rested against the dark red countertop. "I'm Bentley, by the way," he added, extending his hand. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Emporium [Bentley and Sho]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>17-10-2010, 06:09:01</strong>
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				Li smiled faintly and nodded, looking across the street, "Ah," he murmured with a voice that had a faint accent that hinted he'd been taught English by a teacher actually from England, somewhere in his childhood, for his pronunciation was without accent. Or, perhaps, he had had a parent speak it to him as witnessed by those icy grey eyes hinting that he wasn't entirely Chinese. "I knew that I'd seen you before. Do you own the convenience store?" <br><br>Li himself had never actually been in the store, of course, but it was nice to know that his neighbors were stopping by to check out his little shop.<br><br>He idly wondered if he'd ever woken the man up with some of the sounds that came out of his shop at night.<br><br>His pale fingers seemed to glow against the countertop, odd in their flawlessness, long and slender and very smooth. He extended his hand but didn't seem used to shaking them, letting his cool fingertips gently brush the other man's palm before he settled there and gave his hand a gentle squeeze.<br><br>He looked back at the teas across the shop and right behind him, pursing those cherry-bud lips slightly, trying to decide what was best.<br><br>He looked like a living, breathing doll, standing there. Like one of the exquisite antiques in his shop; lovely but too delicate to really use. Too valuable to actually touch unless you were someone of incredible importance.<br><br>"Li," he murmured, giving his name politely. No indication as to whether it was a first or a last name, but it was presumably his first. He looked around for a moment and then settled on a small white lacquer box, opening it, "This is a nice oolong; fragrant but not too heavy, and it's one of the less expensive teas. Unless you'd like a green or a proper white tea. Or black tea. It really comes down to how you like your teas to taste," he murmured.<br><br>He met Bentley's eyes then, a faint smile tugging at his lips, "Everyone has some unique taste they can't quite figure out how to fulfill. Would you happen to have any idea what yours would be?"
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Emporium [Bentley and Sho]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Bentley</strong> on <strong>17-10-2010, 12:15:16</strong>
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				Bentley noticed both Li's eyes and his accent. As an artist, the former intrigued him the most. He wondered what color he would ultimately choose if he were to paint those irises. The latter, he felt would be rude to comment on, though its sound was pleasing. <br><br>At mention of the convenience store, he shook his head. "No, I don't..." Trailing off, he looked to the antiques arranged around them. He had no illusions about his skill. He was no Da Vinci or Michelangelo, but perhaps in a hundred or so years some of his work might be sequestered away in some shop. <br><br>"I'm an artist," he admitted with a touch of hesitance. "My landlords own the convenience store and I live in the apartment above theirs." <br><br>As they shook hands, Bentley returned the squeeze, lingering longer than was strictly necessary. His own palm and fingers were slightly rough and no matter hoe many times he cleaned them, his fingernails perpetually had flecks of paint beneath them. <br><br>Retracting his arm, Bentley studied the other man. In addition to his apparent fragility there was something timeless about him. This fact didn't make him seem any older in Bentley's eyes, but instead added another layer of interest. Bentley thought he'd like to know Li beyond the superficiality of a business transaction. <br><br>Bentley stepped closer to the counter as Li began explaining the tea. He came close to speaking once more, but then he was looking into the other man's eyes. The forthcoming question hung in the air and Bentley was unsure how to answer. He felt certain it was some sort of test. He would lose face if he failed. <br><br>"Tastes?" He echoed, tilting his head to the side. "I want something new. Something...exhilarating."<br><br>At that, he let it go. He wasn't being at all specific, but then neither had Li. He didn't know if he had passed the test.&nbsp; 
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Emporium [Bentley and Sho]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>24-10-2010, 08:32:44</strong>
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				"An artist?" Li's voice took on a hint of surprise - it wasn't he answer he had expected. He had thought the man across him had probably worked at the convenience store, since he had seen him there more than once, and he stood out a bit, not being Chinese. Li had had no idea that he was an artist. "Pray tell me, what sort of art do you paint?"<br><br>He wondered if it was comics, vast paintings, murals, or magazine covers. He wondered what Bentley considered art. <br><br>He managed to hide his smile when he felt Bentley's palm linger over his own.<br><br>His own hands were cool and smooth, incredibly soft, the dark silk of his sleeves sliding back to reveal the curve of a delicate wrist with skin so white it looked like snow spread taut and smooth. <br><br>Li couldn't help but smile when he heard the other man's response to his question, though, his pale eyes sliding away from the other man's eyes and dropping to the cherrywood of his counter. He had a smirk toying on his lips - he knew he shouldn't be introducing more clients to his products, as he already had so many that were involved in his slightly-to-incredibly illegal manuvers, but he'd start with something simple. <br><br>He bent down a bit, disappearing beneath the counter's top, and coughed slightly. He withdrew a dusty box, blew on it gently, full pink lips pursing. He opened it and glanced at it's contents - seventeen small keys of various sizes, what looked like a well-used keycard, and some sort of remote. A few white porcelain boxes, as well, taped shut. He took out one, closed the larger box, and slid it beneath the counter. <br><br>He untaped the box carefully, looking instead. There was enough for about three cups of tea; it was the most delicate green tea that could be brought from China, scented ever so lightly with a touch of English rose, just for a bit of tantalizing sweetness. Then there was a soft lacing of a hint of something else; drugs, perhaps, he wasn't quite certain. All he knew was all who drank the tea would have a soft heat that began in their stomach, the butterflies one gets when they first see the love of their life. It was usually sold as an aprodisiac or a tea meant to inspire greatness in artists, and it seemed fitting to give it to an artist.<br><br>Bentley's answer had pleased him; he seemed open enough to new things and that always meant there was a potential customer for his less-than-legal wares which brought him most of his income.<br><br>He held out the simple counter, leaves rattling slightly in the white porcelain, a faint and cool and utterly unreadable smile playing on his lips. "Take this as your sample. On the house. Come back if you like it, of course."
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Emporium [Bentley and Sho]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Bentley</strong> on <strong>30-10-2010, 08:18:36</strong>
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				Bentley nodded, hands rising to lie flat against the shiny countertop. He was accustomed to people asking about his art so it was no surprise when Li did just that. Still, there was a moment of silence, as if Bentley was unsure how to answer such a simple question. A lull in work had prompted him to explore the neighborhood and his last painting seemed like a long time ago. <br><br>"Whatever strikes my imagination. People, landscapes, the world in general," he finally answered. It was a truthful but not altogether enlightening answer and Bentley wondered if it would satisfy Li. <br><br>Bentley's eyes lowered as their hands parted, seeing the curve of Li's wrist and feeling the softness of his palm and fingers. <br><br>The diverting of Li's gaze and his smirk were not lost on him either. So far the residents of Chinatown had been friendly, but now he wondered whether he had inadvertently done something comical or deserving of ridicule. As Li disappeared behind the counter, Bentley dismissed this thought. If he'd done something offensive, he imagined Li finding a subtle way to direct him outside. <br><br>When the box was presented, Bentley couldn't help but lean forward to try and catch a glimpse of its contents. The keys elicited raised brows. Were there even that many doors in the entire building? Bentley didn't know and reminded himself it would be presumptuous to ask. <br><br>As the tea container was opened, Bentley inhaled deeply. His nose wasn't quite skilled enough to pick up individual notes of scent, but its overall smell pleased him just the same. <br><br>"Thank you," he said when Li had handed him the sample. <br><br>Bentley felt at the surface of the porcelain, closing his fingers around the small box. "I'll be back tomorrow if it's all right," he said, then giving a small and somewhat awkward bow. <br><br>With that Bentley smiled to Li and walked out of the small store. He headed directly to his apartment, only stopping briefly to exchange a few words with his landlords. <br><br>Once in his place though, he paused. In the corner with the most light stood his easel. The canvas it held had not been graced by any color. Its stark whiteness seemed to taunt Bentley. He shook his head at the ridiculous notion, crossing the small space to his kitchen area. There, he set a pot of water to boil. He had no teabags so he simply sprinkled a handful of the green tea into his cup. Leaning against the counter, he waited and thought of his visit to Li's shop. He looked forward to going back. <br><br>Eventually, the water boiled. Bentley poured it into his cup until it was filled. Not wanting to burn his tongue, he wandered over to the stool before his easel to sit. He had no idea what he was doing. His fingers twitched and he set his cup on the windowsill to his right. Reaching down, he withdrew a brush from the cup near one of the easel's legs. The odor of acrylic paint almost overpowered the tea. With a grunt and a twisting of expression, Bentley flung the brush behind him. <br><br>Letting out a breath, he remembered the tea and brought it to his lips. He hadn't bothered to add any sugar but he didn't mind its bitterness. A few gulps later and he felt calmed and clearheaded. The blank canvas was no longer antagonizing. It was an opportunity. <br><br>Bentley drank until his tea was gone. Then he made another cup. The rest of the day and night passed quickly. With frenzied abandon, he painted as the hours drew towards early morning. Colors were chosen without thought, spread across the canvas in jittery strokes. <br><br>Around three am he crashed on his couch, paint under his fingernails and on his shirt. Ten hours later, he awakened to sunlight and traffic noises. Groggily, he lurched upward. The night before was foggy and indistinct. He could have sworn he was hungover, but there was no headache or sensitivity to the brightness outside. To his painting, Bentley wandered. A hand ran down his face as he realized what he'd chosen to paint. From the canvas Li's shop greeted him. <br><br>Going to stand near the window, Bentley glanced between the actual thing and his rendition. Everything was there. The latticework, the red curtains, the artfully arranged antiques seen through the front. What would Li think of it? <br><br>Deciding he'd just ask, Bentley took a long shower and dressed in a green shirt and tan pants. Shoes slipped on, he hastily made his way out of his building and back to the shop. <br><br>"Li?" He called once inside. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: The Emporium [Bentley and Sho]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>03-11-2010, 06:27:27</strong>
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				Li wondered if the other man would paint something unique, as he settled in for the night, just after dawn peeked a shy head over the gleaming tops of skyscrapers. He shut his eyes and drifted off, his own cup of tea growing cool on his nightstand. His body was laid out, pale and pure, beneath the heavy red silk comforter that made him look like a tiny doll, all trussed up and framed in a rich bloody red. <br><br>When he woke at ten it was with reluctance, dragging himself to the claw-footed porcelain tub, sinking down into it with an appreciative sigh.<br><br>He heard the front door rustle; someone was downstairs. Waiting for him. The shop, apparently, was unlocked. He cursed his carelessless and tore himself out of the tub, drying himself quickly, slipping into a beautiful violet robe with a golden phoenix curling up the back. It seemed to come alive as he moved, shutting the robe tightly with the frog buttons all down the back, all the way up to his collar, piped in gold. <br><br>Simple, tight silk black pants went on underneath, fitting him as closely as leggings, showing through the thigh-high slits in the fabric as he moved to the mirror. Hair secured back, he made his way down the stairs, face cool and pale and lovely as freshly fallen snow.<br><br>His face was, of course, equally as cold.<br><br>What he saw was exactly what he didn't want to see; a cop that stopped snooping through his boxes of tea for just long enough to look ashamed, glancing up at him. "I thought you were open...the door was unlocked..." the man's fake and simpering apology made his eyes narrow ever so slightly.<br><br>"May I help you, Officer? Perhaps you're looking for some tea, or an antique? Otherwise I'm afraid I won't be much help."<br><br>The officer stared, wondering if this delicate little slip of a thing was the fearsome Li who was supposed to be a key player in their underground markets.<br><br>Black markets still reeling in his head, he shook his head slightly, "Just taking a look around." <br><br>"I'm going to have to ask you to come back when my shop is properly open, then. Unless you have a search warrant?"<br><br>The man shook his head uncomfortably, but made no move to head for the door. Li stood his ground as the cop circled around him, seeing the predatory gleam in the man's eyes that came to light as he took in the slim frame, the tiny long-fingered hands hovering at his hips. "No, no search warrant."<br><br>He glanced at the man's nametag as he passed by. "Officer Smithson, I'm not ready to open my shop for the day. Please leave."<br><br>The officer finally left, trailing out, and Li set up shop. His foul mood dissipated somewhat when he realized that the man had walked past anything illegal without knowing what it was. All of his doors were hidden, afterall, and he disappeared into one. It wasn't until he heard Bentley returning that he came out, slipping out of what looked like a solid wall, but at second glance, was clearly a curtain stretched tight. <br><br>"Ah, I see you enjoyed your tea." He wondered if the other man had seen the officer on his way in. "Did you get any painting done yesterday?" His voice was smooth as silk, a somewhat predatory look lingering on his finely-carved features, still a bit angry that the police were dipping into his business.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Emporium [Bentley and Sho]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Bentley</strong> on <strong>08-11-2010, 09:17:06</strong>
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				Bentley had seen the cop, raising a brow but heading inside anyway. Though a tad curious, it truly wasn't any his business. His relationship with the tea shop owner was only in the beginning stages. So far, they were just friendly acquaintances. As he breathed in the intermingling scents of tea, Bentley thought back to the painting in his apartment. <br><br>When Li materialized, he jumped. Suddenly he felt awkward and foolish, questioning whether he should just keep the activities of the previous night to himself. It would be nothing at all to say he'd enjoyed the tea and then try to sell the painting or hide it away in a closet. <br><br>However, Li's words dashed that impulse away just as rapidly as it had come. Bentley noticed the other man took care to specifically mention his art. He wondered at that too and wasn't sure what to make of it. <br><br>"Yes, I did," he said, pushing any lingering doubts aside. It could have been the answer to both questions. Bentley didn't immediately clarify, striding closer to the counter and setting his palms upon it. Fingers traced shapes into its shininess as if he were working through a thought. <br><br>"I enjoyed the tea and I painted," he amended,&nbsp; deliberately not saying what he'd exactly done. For a long moment, he simply stared at Li's delicate hands. "It was amazing," he continued, the words tumbling out in a single rush. "It was like my hands were moving by themselves. I didn't even think about what picture the paint was forming. It was all just so very natural and when I woke up this morning I could hardly recall the night before..." <br><br>Bentley paused, turning a little red like he'd just admitted to some heinous degeneracy. "I wound up painting the outside of your shop. It's beautiful," he added. <br><br>Lifting his attention to Li's face, he awaited some sort of reaction. 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Emporium [Bentley and Sho]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>14-11-2010, 07:14:43</strong>
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				Li's lips curved into the faintest hint of a smile when he heard what the other man had painted; he had known that his tea would inspire a certain reaction but he hadn't expected one quite like that. Not that he was complaining. It was nice to know that his shop had been at the forefront of the other man's mind when his brush stroked the canvas. <br><br>"Thank you. It's really quite a humble little shop, though."<br><br>Minus the millions of dollars of antiques, hundreds of millions of dollars of drugs and humans, not to mention the other illegal things that passed through it's walls. He ran his fingers back through his hair just once, sending the glossy locks sliding back from his face, only to have them fall back and slide forwards to frame his face. <br><br>His hands folded themselves gracefully in front of his flat stomach, and he glanced up at the other man, those grey eyes cool but somewhat more welcoming than before. "I'd love to see the piece at some point. In the meantime, may I offer you some more tea? It's the least I can do given it was my shop you painted."<br><br>His voice still held that faint British accent, hinting that he hadn't learned English hear, that it had probably been in a city where the British had had a strong presence in China.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Emporium [Bentley and Sho]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Bentley</strong> on <strong>30-11-2010, 00:15:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Bentley expected incredulity or something more forthright. In his own mind it seemed creepy or at least strange to suddenly have the desire to paint the shop owned by a man he'd only recently met. Doing so bespoke something intimate.<br><br>Exhaling, he allowed himself a wry smile. "You're welcome," he said, taking a gander at the various items arranged about. Bentley was far from an expert on antiques, but he suspected there was much monetary value to be found. The furniture and sculpture certainly all looked very nice. <br><br>His eyes wandered back to meet Li's, hunched shoulders relaxing at the welcoming glint the other man's held. "I would love some more tea," he murmured, leaning against the counter. <br><br>The hint of the British accent led Bentley to ponder Li's origins. He questioned whether it would be presumptuous for him to ask after them. <br><br>"I imagine that everything here--including yourself--has a story," he began. "If it isn't too intrusive of me to ask, I would like to know yours." <br><br>Bentley fidgeted a little, waiting to be denied or granted his request. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Emporium [Bentley and Sho]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>03-12-2010, 04:58:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Li didn't speak for a minute, merely disappeared back into a small room off the main show room, coming back a few minutes later with a steaming porcelain kettle. He dropped a handful of tightly curled leaves in the pot - they looked like bullets - and held the pot out to Bentley so he could watch them unfurl like flowers. They seemed to bleed, staining the tea a rich crimson, and he reached for two more small pinches of other teas, one a powder and one a handful of what looked like dried flower and fruit bits that had all been crushed and ground into a mix. <br><br>He held out a cup of tea and wandered to two antique armchairs, upholstered in plush crimson silk, settling himself catlike in one. His back was utterly straight; it never touched the back of the chair. "Please, sit down," he gestured to the chair across from him. <br><br>He poured two cups of the tea, handing one to Bentley; the tea was aromatic and naturally sweet. <br><br>"Everything in this shop does indeed have a story; whether or not mine is one you want to hear...well, that's an entirely different matter. It's a rather dark story, I'm afraid. It would be rude to depress a guest with such an unimportant little tale," he murmured, though his voice was playful. He wasn't going to give up his secrets quite so quickly. "A short story wouldn't hurt, though."<br><br>He leant back and took a slow sip of tea, looking up at the ceiling for a moment, then towards the window before he finally let his eyes settle on Bentley. "I was born and grew up in Shanghai; I spent my years there until I was sixteen, living with my grandfather. I then moved here, just before I turned seventeen, and began an extension of his shop. I still work closely with him, though I have run this shop for a few years, now. I now branch into a few other areas of business that he hadn't worked with; different countries, different demands, you see." <br><br>From somewhere below the shop there came a soft scraping noise; it was rhythmic, almost frantic, and while it died down quickly it was muffled, as though far below ground. Li closed his eyes, isolating the sound. Then he smiled faintly; there was something off about the smile and it was cold, almost mocking. Not mocking of Bentley, though...but there was certainly something receiving the sharp edge of Li's personality. "Please don't worry about that sound. Old plumbing, and all that. Now, onto a more interesting topic...tell me about you. What is <em>your</em> story?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Emporium [Bentley and Sho]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Bentley</strong> on <strong>09-12-2010, 11:05:52</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Li's abrupt and silent departure didn't ruffle Bentley. He waited and watched the tea shop owner's delicate fingers as he returned to dole out tea into a pot. Leaning over the counter, he lowered his gaze. The diffusion of color reminded of him of paint, stretching across and seeping into a fresh canvas. <br><br>Bentley followed when Li went to the seating area. He lowered into the chair, touching across the polished wood and wondering how much money he was sitting on. The rigidness of Li's posture was not lost on him. In comparison, Bentley lounged into the soft cushions. He accepted the tea, inhaling its heady fragrance. <br><br>Listening to Li, he shook his head and gave a smile. "The world is a series of interconnected stories. No single one is inherently more important than another." <br><br>He also took a sip of his tea, though he didn't allow his eyes to drift away from Li. During the storytelling, he nodded once or twice. "Do you miss Shanghai?" he asked at the end, meaning to continue. <br><br>However, the noise captured attention. He rose from the seat but faltered when he saw Li remaining stationary. The smile elicited a shudder down Bentley's spine. <br><br>"Are you sure?" He asked, slowly re-seating himself. <br><br>The conversation moved on before Bentley could get an answer. It was only fair that he give his own story. <br><br>He began haltingly, taking another sip of tea and picking at the fabric of his pants. "I grew up on the west coast. Childhood was tumultuous, I guess. I mostly did whatever I wanted. Tried art school after I graduated, but that didn't much work out. Came out here and get by on commissions." <br><br>Bentley finished and took another drink. They were both giving the shortened versions of their lives, but he was still worried he might have disappointed Li. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Emporium [Bentley and Sho]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 00:29:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Sometimes," Li murmured quietly, "There are certain things I miss about Shanghai. The smells. The sights. The ability to lose myself in the crowd. Most of the time, though, I'm more than content to be here." Plus, it was nice to run the business himself, rather than acting as a gofer for his grandfather. Here, the shop was his, and he could run it according to whatever rules he felt like. <br><br>He nodded when the other man asked if he was sure they could just ignore the sounds. "Oh, yes. This shop sits on top of some abandoned, collapsed subway tunnels. Every once in a while things end up creeping through there. It's best to just let it be." <br><br>He listened to the other man's story, running his fingers back through his hair, shaking it out with his fingers for just a moment.<br><br>He took a slow sip of tea. He let it roll along his tongue, swallowing, nodding slightly. "New York is a good place to come and do art. Why did you end up leaving art school, if you don't mind my asking?"<br><br>The noise downstairs had faded away slowly, but suddenly there was a loud scraping noise and a choked scream. Li rose swiftly, and set his teacup upon the delicate saucer he'd brought. He sighed, but there was a hint of anger bubbling beneath that delicate surface. "Please, stay here. I'll go deal with that. It will only take a moment." <br><br>He walked to the staircase and turned slightly. He pulled back a curtain, revealing a door set into the wall behind it. It was next to the staircase, and when he opened it, there was nothing but cement, and broken stairs. It looked like it had once been a service walkway to the subway below.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Emporium [Bentley and Sho]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Bentley</strong> on <strong>14-12-2010, 20:06:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Bentley gave a small smile. He too had often sought the same odd solitude of losing oneself in crowds. However, he didn't say so, allowing Li to keep speaking. He realized he liked listening to the other man talk. The various intermingling of accents was pleasing to his ear. <br><br>At the vague explanation, he inclined his head, forehead furrowing just a tad. "I had no idea there were abandoned subway tunnels..." <br><br>Li's question elicited a sigh.<br><br>Bentley looked away, scratching at his chin. "I wanted to change the world. Or at least effect it in some way--" he said, already feeling foolish for admitting such a thing. "I wasn't achieving that in school. Its confines were too restrictive to me." <br><br>He focused upon Li and gave a laugh that was nearly a bark. "A lot of good I've done. I'm hardly changing the world right now, am I?" <br><br>His attention snapped downward as the new noise reverberated around them. He hesitated as Li told him to stay, but this time was not so easily dissuaded. Bentley followed a few steps behind the shop owner, eyebrows shooting upwards as the service walkway was revealed.&nbsp; <br><br>"What is this...? What's down there?" He asked. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Emporium [Bentley and Sho]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>14-12-2010, 21:59:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Li paused at the doorway and looked back at Bentley, "What's down here? It depends on what you think is down here, Bentley." He picked up what looked like a cattleprod from where it had been leaning against the wall, "I have a few rather unpleasant little things lurking down here; that's not to mention the things that wander up from the tunnels. I assure you, though, I can take care of myself." <br><br>He smiled, and this time it was downright frigid, as though whatever was at the end of the tunnel was going to get a nasty surprise. <br><br>"I'll have to ask you to wait there, please. Wouldn't want any harm to come to you; I can take care of myself, but taking care of two people might prove to be a bit beyond me." <br><br>The scrambling sound had started again, and a young woman stumbled up from the inky darkness. She was lovely, though her ragged jeans were ripped and dirty and her t-shirt was stained. Her hands were bloody, as though she'd scratched her way out of something, wrists bruised and burned from rope. <br><br>She froze when she saw Li. <br><br>Her hair was neatly combed back, tied into a braid along the back of her neck. It appeared that the dirt and bruises had come from whatever she had been fighting off. She stared at Li and then whimpered, "God, no..." she whispered, then took a step back as though she was seeing her worst nightmare, dressed in a delicate cheongsam, standing before her. <br><br>She tried to charge past the two men and the cattleprod caught her in the middle of the stomach. The shock knocked her back, utterly unconscious, onto the floor. Li tsked softly, shaking his head.<br><br>He looked back at Bentley, "Vagrants," he said softly, though for all appearances the girl was healthy. She didn't exactly look to be a vagrant by any means. She seemed to be out cold and Li leant the cattleprod back against the wall, "She'll wake in a few hours. I'm sure she'll wander her way back down to where she came from. Come, come. Let's leave her; our tea is getting cold." <br><br>Cool hands pressed at Bentley's chest, giving him a small smile, "Back out in the shop proper, please. I hardly want her waking up and scaring any potential customers. Don't look so concerned; it was a nonlethal shock. I keep it there to stop any junkies who live in the tunnels from wandering into my store and hurting me or my customers. She'll wake up and head back into the tunnels where she inevitably came from."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Emporium [Bentley and Sho]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Bentley</strong> on <strong>19-12-2010, 11:47:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Bentley's hand rose to grip the door-frame. Eyebrows shot upward and his head shook when he received more vague answers from the tea shop owner. His imagination shot in wild directions. He imagined some cave like structure, hiding a feeble, captured dragon. Of course there would be treasure, gold glinting even in the darkness. How else would Li pay for the myriad antiques? In addition to the teas, there truly was something else going on in the store.&nbsp; <br><br>His eyes flicked from Li to the cattle prod, a hand running down his face. There was no point in letting his thoughts run away from him. There surely was a legitimate and logical explanation. <br><br>At Li's smile, he gave a shudder but did as asked.<br><br>But then...the girl. She filled Bentley's sight. He was both appreciator and sometimes creator of beauty. That of the woman did not escape him. He would have tried to push beyond Li, but the proceeding scene happened far too quickly. Before Bentley knew it, she had crumpled to the floor. <br><br>His jaw set. "Vagrants?" He questioned. "Was that really necessary? Is that why the cops were here? Do they know you're taking such extreme measures?" <br><br>Breathing quickly, the rise and fall of his chest slowed by fractions, somewhat calmed by Li's touch. "She doesn't look like a junkie," he said softly, attention focused on the girl. <br><br>He looked back to Li. The cattle prod had already been set back against the wall. He was larger than Li. He could--<br><br>Bentley suddenly shook his head, inwardly berating himself. "Okay," he said, more to relax himself.<br><br>One last look was spared for the girl and he took a few steps backwards. However, a previous thought remained. The selling of tea wasn't the only thing going on here. <br><br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Emporium [Bentley and Sho]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>22-12-2010, 08:19:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Li clucked his tongue, attempting to shoo the man back into the main shop, not wanting him to pull the hero act. He would hate to have to add Bentley to his sales. He was an attractive man, and frankly, Li had been entertaining much more amusing acts that could be accomplished with Bentley. "Yes, yes. It was entirely necessary. As you can see, I'm not exactly musclebound...I'm not going to fight anyone hand to hand if I don't have to." What he left out was that he was more than able to do that, "I'm not going to take the risk of some girl knifing me in my own shop. What a horrible way that would be to die." <br><br>He looked out at the shop, a slightly anxious look crossing his face before he calmed himself, terribly afraid that a cop would walk by and glance in the window and see the cavernous passageway. "And, really, how extreme is it?" His voice was silky smooth. <br><br>"It's not a lethal weapon. She'll be up and moving in a few hours. She can then wander back from whence she came." <br><br>His English was smooth, meticulous, if slightly dated. He shrugged when the other man said that she didn't look like a junkie. <br><br>"I didn't know. I'm not exactly an addict, myself..." also, another lie. He'd enjoyed opium from a young age, though it was hard to find nowadays. He wasn't a raving junkie, but he still enjoyed the occasional bit. "Now, if you please, our tea is getting cold. It's no good once it's reheated, so let's enjoy it while it lasts. Continue to tell me about your art. Please." <br><br>His voice and hands were firm; his fingertips were warm on the other man's back, exerting a gentle but firm pressure. He let his hand splay, feeling the musculature, offering a faint smile that he didn't realize was on his face. He was attracted to the other man. It was a pleasant feeling - it had been a long time since he'd felt it. "Please," he added again, a bit more softly, letting a bit of that attraction come to his eyes. It made them glow, almost, so bright in his face. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Emporium [Bentley and Sho]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Bentley</strong> on <strong>10-01-2011, 04:12:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Bentley remained silent. Li’s explanation seemed a little rushed, maybe even irritated. To protect oneself was the simplest of concepts, but still, Bentley felt as though things should be clicking together. They weren’t, though he didn’t have enough information to say why. <br><br>He saw the anxious look, eyes wandering to the passageway. “I guess you’re right,” he finally murmured. <br><br>With that, he shifted away from the entrance way, nodding silently. Bentley may not have given an outright lie, but he make one of omission. During his time without work, he wasn’t above experimenting with whatever substances that would distort his perception of the world. In fact, he was of the mind that it helped his work. <br><br>He moistened his lips as Li’s hand spread against his back. Recalling the way the fingers had felt when grasped in his own. A shiver ran up his spine, but it was not an unpleasant or disturbed sensation. Looking to Li’s eyes, he could not miss the wealth of feeling they held. Truth be told, he found it disarming, the suspicion of the previous moments seeming to evaporate with that single look. <br><br>“Yes, of course,” he said. <br><br>Briefly, he raised his hand to touch Li’s arm before returning to the seating area. Lowering into his chair, he reached for the tea and took a long drink. “I paint whatever comes to mind, whatever inspires me. Or whatever my commissioner wants…” He spoke haltingly, struggling to find the threads of their previous conversation. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Emporium [Bentley and Sho]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sho</strong> on <strong>26-01-2011, 07:19:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Li flushed ever so slightly, a ruffling of that cool veneer, when the other man leant closer. He saw the attraction in Bentley's eyes and to know that it was mutual was a beautiful thing, but at the same time intimidating - and was he, maybe, misreading the signs? Could he be wrong about that? He was surprised to feel the other man touch his arm, an eyebrow raising slightly, though clearly welcoming the contact.<br><br>Ah, romances were born out of the oddest circumstances - in this case, with a girl left passed out in the hallway below them, a look of fear frozen on her face, terrified of the slim man settling back into his chair across from Bentley. <br><br>"I'd love to see your work. Perhaps I could commission something." <br><br>He smiled faintly, taking a sip of his tea, "My family has always been active in the arts, from performing to painting to acting as patrons - though I must admit, my talents lie more on the patronage side. Other than a few instruments here and there, art of any form was never my strong suit." <br><br>He finished his cup of tea and smiled at Bentley, though it was almost sinister. <br><br>"Speaking of art...I should get you some more tea. Another free sample - I insist. You seem to have liked the last one..." and with that he rose, pouring a few leaves into another red lacquer box, adding a pinch of some dusty greenish powder, and then a greyish one, mixing them with some more leaves and then a flower, crushing it all in the box. It produced a fine lavender powder - a delicate thing, one that would send Bentley into even deeper states of inspiration. He wanted to incite the man - see what he could really do. He wondered what was on Bentley's mind. <br><br>"Here you are." He held out the box between two long-fingered hands, that tiny smile still playing on his lips.
			</dd>
		</dl>
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