Imaginative Title

A cocked brow, curious stare, and a hoof with what seemed to be a mind of its own was all he remembered before stepping into the tea shop. Azure had naught but a vague idea why he'd entered the place to begin with. The aromatic, old fashioned shop that sold beverages was pleasant to say the least, so he didn't exactly regret entering. His gaze drifted to and fro, taking in the various sights within that small, out-of-the-way kind of building. He wanted to chuckle, remembering how he'd almost walked by without noticing it.

The place seemed to have a few individuals seated here and there. Business wasn't exactly booming, but of the customers who were there seemed happy. The staff was no exception from what he could see. It was almost like a cafe, minus everything but the tea. He wandered around a few moments before settling down at an absolutely deserted table situated by a fountain. He figured that fountain was the centerpiece of the shop; it was rather large, and had moving parts of bamboo incorporated within--all powered by the water. The blueish pony sighed, content. Apparently he was to wait until somepony came to take down what type of tea he wanted to drink. It was right about then that he wished he was more knowledgeable about such things, he only knew of a few flavors.

Calla Lily pushed open the door, and the little bell tinkled. She blew her mane out of her eyes and examined the room. There weren't many ponies, but every table had one or two ponies seated, either sipping at the aromatic tea or waiting for their orders. She spotted a stallion at the table by the huge fountain. He seemed to be the kind of pony who she'd want to meet. Trotting over, she gave a small smile to the pony.

"May I sit with you?" she asked. "There aren't any empty tables left."

Calla couldn't wait for her first taste of Ponyville tea.

Red Harvest has been all over the market in his time being in Ponyville. But never has he entered the Tea Shop. He was curious and thirsty today. He entered and saw a mare and a stallion sitting together. He never saw them pass through here before, and he remembers faces pretty well. Obviously they were new here, so they all had something in common. He walked over to the table as well "Is it a bother if I sit here as well?" There weren't many seats left, he wanted new friends, and he was thirsty. What perfect timing!

"Feel free," he said out of instinct, not really registering that he'd been approached until a few moments after it had happened. He turned his attention to this new pony, and gave her a warm, inviting grin. He waited a few moments for her to comfortably situate herself with this new acquaintance before saying anything else.

"Pardon my lack of manners, my name's Azure Cloudburst. Wonderful to see a new face," he commented with a gentle nod. He shifted a small amount in his seat, and was preparing to exchange some enjoyable conversation between them. That was until not a minute after, they were approached by yet another individual.

Goodness, I must be popular today, he thought to himself. Though, in all honesty it was a tad aggravating, to be interrupted twice in such a short time frame. He didn't even get to learn this mare's name yet.

"Is it? Well, I don't mind... but as you can see, I'm not the only one sitting here, so it's not my decision alone," he said with a level tone, gesturing to Calla.

"My name is Calla Lily," she said, sitting gently in the seat. She dropped her gold saddlebag and hung it over the back of the chair, where it settled with a thud. "I only dropped in because I need a relaxing atmosphere today, but, now I might stay a little longer. Have you ever had the tea here?"

"Hey, there," she said to the new pony. "Nice to meet two new people. I'm Calla Lily, by the way. What brings you both here?"

Red was shocked they actually let him sit with them. "Sorry if I'm interrupting. I just really need to relax." He pulled up a chair and sat with the two. The chair was more comfortable than trotting around selling his crops. "I guess I should introduce myself as well. My name is Red Harvest. I made quite a few bits today and I'm very thirsty. Saw this place and you two, and thought, why not" Azure didn't seem too thrilled about Red being there. But Red's sure he'll get around to liking him

He nodded towards Calla, grin retaining the warmth he'd initially given it. This kindness was also spread to be shared with their new guest, Red. "Oh please, you aren't interrupting anything. In fact, Call and I were just getting acquainted when you'd arrived."

"A pleasure to meet you, Red," said the stallion, having shoved anything that might have put a damper on his mood to the back of his head. He'd do well to get over such childish things as being upset at somepony interrupting something before it'd even begun.

"If anything, I'm glad to not venture into this shop for the first time all by my lonesome; some company would definitely do me some good."

The waiter pony trotted over.

"What can I get you?" he asked, smiling warmly at the table.

Calla thought for a moment.

"Hmm. How about... something fruity. Maybe a little caffeine?" she asked, smiling at the pony.

"But of course," he replied. "And for you sirs?"

Red was now getting comfortable. The two ponies were accepting of his company, and he can almost sleep in the chair he's in. But with his work, a hot bed of iron could be comfortable. "Well, I guess I'll take what she's getting" He could use a little caffeine anyway. He was exhausted for the most part. Tapping his hoof on the table he waited for him to move on to Azure.

"A friend of mine used to drink a certain kind of tea all the time... never could stop ranting about it. Do you have any Opus Rouge Rooibos?" he inquired with a mild tilt to his head. He offered the waiter a genuine smile, hoping his request wasn't out of the ordinary or anything. Soon after, his attention went to the fountain. It had an odd allure that consistently drew him back to it. It was nice to look at, and the stallion often found him spacing out in lieu of being in the presence of company.

Eventually pulling himself out of that trance, he looked back to the two sitting at the table with him. "So, do either of you come here often?"

Calla blushed and looked at her hooves.
"It's my first time," she explained. "I've just been so busy fi-- I mean, settling in. I've only been here for s month."
The tea was brought to the table, and Calla used her horn to levitate her cup to her lips, taking a delicate sip before setting it back on the table. You, Red?"

Red sat back up in his chair, feeling a bit impolite. "My first time too. I'm usually too busy working to go anywhere. Working a farm is a hassle, but it makes a good bit of money." Red was getting drouzy. If that caffeine didn't get there soon, he'd pass out. "So, what do you guys do for a living?" Maybe some conversation will keep him awake

"You'll pardon me if I'd rather not delve into what I do to put food on the table, I hope," he said politely, not exactly too keen on sharing those details with others. The way his talent had manifested into his profession was a bit complicated, and he wasn't in the mood for a long-winded story.

The waiter nodded towards Azure, jotting down the request. How wonderfully lucky of him that blend of tea was known here. He'd finally get to taste it.

Calla was starting to feel a little light-headed, but she brushed it off.

"I'm on a quest," she whispered, leaning in. "I have money from school."

She felt an intense need to keep drinking, and soon, the cup was empty.

"Wow," she commented. "That was rather fast for me. I never... never..."

She was starting to feel weak. Why did it suddenly feel a thousand degrees in here?

As soon as his drink came, he drank it in a heart beat. He woke up, and noticed Calla not feeling so well. "You alright? You're looking pretty sick." He got up to check on her. Didn't look great. "How the hay did this happen? I think you should see a doctor or something" This didn't look great. Nor did it feel great. First time meeting a mare and she looks like she's dying.

"Perhaps she just isn't taking well to the tea?" he mused, not sure why exactly the mare was suddenly in such poor shape. It made the most sense to him; though he wouldn't have expected that to be because of foul play. "Maybe she should lie down," he said, his tea having just arrived. It was placed onto the table, and the waiter gave a very brief bow of the head before retreating to serve others. He carefully lifted the cup to his mouth, still not aware anything major was amiss. A small sip of the tea; it tasted rather nice.

"Ugh," muttered Calla. "Why is it so hot in here?"

Her vision was spotting. It was getting harder to breathe.

"What in Faust's name?" she sputtered. "This has never happened before. I drink fruity tea all the time..."

She was starting to feel really light-headed.

Red was starting to panic. It really looked like she was dying. Something in that tea wasn't right. But he'd rather focus on her rather than the tea that did this right now. "Azure, help me out. We need to take you to a hospital" Red wrapped one of her arms around her and waited for Azure to grab the other. Why do bad things always seem to happen when Red is around?

Calla's horn glowed, trying to fight back the invading virus in her body. No, no, no! This couldn't be happening! She had so much ahead of her! She had to solve the mystery of her cutie mark before she...she...
Calla blacked out under the immense pressure to her head and the shouts of Red and Azure as they grabbed her.