audio:

[charring]

[Charlie's trying so hard to sound professional, here. Calm. Cool. Collected but fffff this sand is everywhere.]

Until further notice, The Jasmine Dragon is closed. The staff apologizes for any--[and there is a whoosh, the sound of something small and granular skidding across a floor and a thud followed by Charlie swearing.] I'm alright! Stupid sand.

[And apparently screw professionalism, too. Falling sucks.] The shops closed unless you guys feel brave enough to drink a steaming hot cup of sand. Or want sand cookies to go with it.

[There is a groan, a muffled 'ow', and the feed cuts off. She'll be here for a good long while, trying to clean and salvage what she can. Which is fuck-all.]

Comments

Voice

[threeolives]

[ Well damn. ]

Everything okay over there? Sand problems aside.

Voice

[charring]

I stepped in a hole that wasn't there before. Fell through a chair that is now partly sand.

This is frustrating.

[ TEXT ]

[notelegrams]

On the road to ultimate surrender, capitalism is a surprising first victim.

[ TEXT ]

[charring]

[What even?]

Or...this could just be an extended curse ruining everyone's day.

[ TEXT ]

[notelegrams]

You closed your doors at the first challenge.

[ TEXT ]

[charring]

By necessity. All of the tea has turned to sand and there's none to be found elsewhere. Plus the furniture is falling apart.

[ TEXT ]

[notelegrams]

Amend the decorum, present the tea as incense. Recover a percentage of your capital.

[ TEXT ]

[charring]

Everything's falling apart, though. Even the building. I don't think there's much I can do at the time.

[ TEXT ]

[notelegrams]

There is not much you choose to do.

video;

[socoolbrewster]

[OHEY look who's playing the smirk monster again.]

You alright over there with the balance problems?

video;

[charring]

Yes! Yes, I am.

[Also, shit now he knows where she works.]

Random hole in the floor.

[ TEXT ]

[charring]

You could always discuss it with my employer. Use your voice though, whoever you are. She's blind.

[ TEXT ]

[notelegrams]

Thankfully, you are of the literate persuasion.

[ TEXT ]

[charring]

Yes, I am. And I apologize if I came off as rude. Falling through a chair that was sturdy and new a few days ago is a bit much. As is discovering all of the tea leaves have turned to sand. I'm Charlie.

[ TEXT ]

[notelegrams]

You are Charlotte, Charlene or Charla. And a courtesy of your literacy is that you are capable of reading my recommendations, such as you see them fit, to your employer.

[ Video ]

[latenightfondue]

Y'okay there, Lena? Never like to hear a lady's down on the floor unless it's for a good cause.

video;

[socoolbrewster]

[Dangerous information, that.]

Uh-huh. Maybe you should look before you leap. Wouldn't want you breaking anything.

[OH SO SINCERE only way less well-intentioned.]

[coyote_walking]

It is ridiculous, isn't it?

[ action ]

[yourbestguysgun]

[ He turns up at the Jasmine Dragon about ten minutes later. ] Hey sweetheart, need a hand cleaning up?

[ Video ]

[charring]

I'm fine. Just embarrassed. [And she bruised her ass but she's not about to mention that.] And the Dragon is falling apart.

video;

[charring]

[Her life sucks.]

That's the thing; the floor is usually flawless. There's nothing to look or leap for. Except now.

[She turns the camera to the floor. It's riddled with small holes and cracks and of course, sand.]

[charring]

Pretty damn ridiculous. I feel like I've been sweeping for hours and just more sand keeps showing.

[ action ]

[charring]

I would love the extra help. I think I bruised my ass. [She says this with a faint trace of amusement. Mostly annoyance.]

[ TEXT ]

[charring]

Charlene. Charlie, preferably. And I will when I see her next.

[coyote_walking]

I hear you. I'm afraid to touch anything.