Before you stood a building made from concrete, however it had greens and forage breaking from cracks, and a rather large over grown tree. It was somewhat difficult to tell if it were real, or just for appearances. It stuck out quite a bit from the bustling city around you, and the sign read 'Tea-Leaf Cafe'.


You walked into the doors, hearing the inviting jingle of a bell above you. The first thing that would catch your eyes were the displays of sweet treats, and a big tea maker in the back of the bar table. You walked there, taking a seat on one of the bar stools. Behind the bar, a door opened and a very big vixen with light brown fur, hinted with mint green and honey yellow on her paws. Her forest green hair was decorated with sweet little sunflowers, and what looked like leaves. Curious to what kind of fox she was, she saw you sitting there and fitted a welcoming, warm smile on her lips.


“Oh! A lovely guest coming to my little shop!” She walked over, paws clasped together, leaning in close enough that you could feel the end of her fur brush against your face. Maybe a little too welcoming, but you smiled nonetheless, at the very least not to be rude.


“I've heard people talk about this place, they always mention your tea so I figured I would come in and see what the talk was all about,” You spoke. She leaned back, turning around and moved about the little bar, her massive tail swinging by. She leaned down to fill a tea pot, hearing water pouring into it. She turned again, and smiled once again, sweeping the front of her maid outfit off and began then to wipe the bar table. “My name is Juniper. I own this little cafe, I have had it for a long long time, even back before the city was built around here. I've seen a lot of people come and go.”


“Really? This place must have a lot of history out here in Finwick.”


Juniper nodded, putting her napkin away and placed her paws on her hips. “My Family were farmers in this area back then, I grew up with foods that you can't find anymore. Maybe could grow them, if it weren't for all the streets and buildings and what not.. land heals, afterall. After awhile.” She sighed, looking beyond you, “As technology began to rise up, more and more of our farmers left and that tower took over in time, my family built this little place. It's been here for years, as long as I can remember.” Her paws lifted, and she tasseled her hair a bit, only stopping when the sharp whistle of the kettle had her turning for the tea. Her big tail once again brushed passed you. There was the sound of tea being poured into a cup and a few drops of sugar cubes being dropped into the cup that now was sitting before you, a tea cup with a little leaf painted on the side.


“This is our signature. The Tea leaf. So try it out, it's a little warm. Some people prefer it cold.” She watched as you took a sip, the taste somehow felt familiar though you had no recollection of ever tasting something similar. A word that could describe it was comfort. It made you take another sip.

“Wow, Juniper. This tea is great, I see why people enjoy coming here.” You stopped, to drink some more and then curiously asked, “Some people in the city say there is music coming from the cafe. Wondered if I could ask what that's about.”


Juniper seemed to blush beneath the thick fur that covered her cheeks, “Ah.. yes, that's my harp. It's just a little hobby of mine, I don't get much time to myself while running this place, but every now and then I take the time to practice. It can be hard with my big paws. So I got this high tech one.. anyway.. I've found the music of the harp can be calming, and that's what I want for the people who come here, to feel at home and comfortable. This cafe is my families legacy after all.”


Juniper took a seat behind the bar, “I was very young, and I remember my mama and papa were always busy running this place, but I was able to be around and help with some things, I remember being able to meet so many people. It was wonderful to see them so happy, even those who came in who were poor got a meal. No one wasn't forgotten about.”


Her ears lowered, seemingly uncomfortable, “But when the war began, I was becoming an adult, people who were hiding from all the bad stuff came here, my Father had a heart of gold and he couldn't turn anyone away, not anyone that needed help... Eventually though, my Father was shot. A white dragon had done it while my Father was out trying to help people. I saw him being drug inside, bleeding to death.” Juniper paused, her throat caught with emotions. “Whoever he was, I don't know. He wanted death for the people my Father helped. And he died too.” she sighed, standing up and grabbing a rather yummy looking slice of pie, despite the grave story and tucked into it. “My Mother eventually passed away from old age, but she was the reason I have my harp. She played one for me at night to help me sleep.”


“How do you deal with the bad and good of people that come in here? That must be a handful.” You asked her, taking the last drink of tea.


Juniper scooped a spoonful of pie into her mouth, “It's easy hun, keep your problems outside. If they can't do that, then I toss them out. Trust me, I don't like to fight.. but I will grab your face and toss you out the door.” She giggled.


“How can you do that?” You asked her. She grinned, standing up and picked up one of the heavy wooden tables. “I am a one in a kind kind of fox, have these big paws for a reason. I can move just about anything heavy.” she shrugged, putting the table back down. “but I don't fight. It's wrong.”


“I can see why no one messes with you.” You said, rubbing the back of your neck. “Could I have more tea, Juniper?” You asked nicely, and she responded with a smile and standing up to prepare another cup.


“Any time.”

Done by us
Art done by https://twitter.com/kibblesyourbits