Fight Nights: Tea in Dorset

  "Your guest will be here shortly." The human in suit and tie; bald, tall, and pale, nodded politely to the bear sitting at the table. It wasn't his Mansion home, or his factory, rather a modest portion of property he acquired southwest of Dorset. The farmland he more or less gave on loan to the farmers around the area (collecting interest in fresh vegetable and fruit, he didn't NEED to eat, but why have the capacity for taste if you weren't going to enjoy it?) except for a small cabin at the very edge of vast sloping hills of green. Aside from the door's engraving (A rather elegant 'F') there was nothing particularly enticing or rich about the cabin.

	A large oak table was set in the center with two sanded chairs made of similar material on appearance. Candles adorned the surfaces throughout the home on bronze stands, but weren't lit for it was bright that day and the windows let in more than enough light. The kitchen was connected to the living area of the cabin, the bedroom and restroom at the back behind large doors. There was an attic as well, though Von Grappley had never seen it, given his weight the ladder and ceiling would no doubt collapse in on itself.

	"Thank you for the notice, she knows the location, if I could trouble you for some privacy?"

	"Of course, Sir, call me when you're ready to return home."

	The bear tipped his hat to the man, just one of his many butlers, and neatly folded his fingers along his side of the table. Given his mass, it was still far too small for him. The chair was specially made when he purchased the home, under the wooden exterior was a skeleton of pure steel. It wasn't long after when slender silver-gray furred fingers met their way to the door and the guest made her way indoors. She wore a dark gray dress of respectable length, and an equally dark ribbon tied her ears back behind her head. As soon as she made entry, Grappley stood from his seat, bowing respectfully as best his frame was able as she matched the gesture.

	"你好," Grappley spoke, his accent jarring the enunciation slightly. The rabbit smiled, her crimson eyes looking closer to gold with the warm sunlight dancing about the cabin reflecting off of them.

	"你气色不错, Sir Grappley."

	"-And you, Pushy 閣下. it's been a long time since I saw you last." The bear extended a massive hand which she took, dwarfing her own, allowing herself to be seated politely. The chair was much more suited to her size than the owner's. "I hope you'll pardon the English, I haven't updated my Babelfish extension in years, and were I to continue this I'd no doubt simply embarrass myself."

	"It's perfectly fine. I do appreciate you taking the time to come and see me. Were it not an issue of worthy concern I'd not have requested the meeting."

	"Pish posh, it's always fine to meet an old friend again, regardless of circumstance. Still partial to herbal?"

	"As much so as I'm certain you are to black, Mister Grappley."

	"Thus validating my purchase of two kettles." The bear smiled, filling both kettles with water and carefully setting them atop the burner. "While we wait, might I inquire as to how business goes?"

	"Hm? Perhaps considering starting a Chinese Branch of your franchise? I should warn you, the market is rather grueling." She smiled a tired smile.

	"Well, when you word it that way it sounds like a challenge, and a tempting one, that. No however, just curious. I was lucky enough to be born into a fine beginning point for my affairs thanks to my father, it's how I'm able to have the luxury of operating and paying for my dojos throughout Europe."

	"...Do you miss him?"

	The kettle hissed, and Grappley shrugged.

	"A little. Given how unusual our kind are, especially to have 'kin' I can relate to and am 'related' to at that, I almost am not certain how to deal with a concept like grief. The humans make it look so natural. It can get to be frustrating at times."

	A polite giggle, her voice was soft, "I suppose, though when debating price exchanges, the still face and ever-even voice of a robot has its advantages."

	"Pot half-full, hm? I can take that to assume you've been surviving well?" As he spoke he poured the hissing kettles into their respective pots.

	"The novelty keeps the shop alive, particularly with tourists, a Chinese antique shop run by a robot is enticing to travelers. I suppose that would be my good fortune in business, were I human I don't think I'd have seen the success that I have had."

	The bear grinned to himself. He debated accusing her of being too modest, but he'd often dwelt on the same situation himself and her thoughts bore a rational source.

	"It can be difficult sometimes wondering how much success one can attribute to dedication and work, rather than appearance."

	"The guilt runs strongest when I have the need to go shopping, and see so many poor and struggling. Then to have daily needs and requirements beyond them, I struggle with the concept."

	"I think all of us robotic sorts do. I hear humans do the same by my employees, though on their end the concerns tend to lean more philosophical, 'Do they truly think?', 'If they are programmed, how do they know if their emotions are real?' Absurd, I could ask the same question to the chemical equations that compose their mind and receive the same lack of answer."

	"Trust must be an issue with so many humans working under one robot, ah, 谢谢." Between two fingers Grappley set her teacup on the table on the floral decorated napkin before her, a fine trail of smoke danced its way to the ceiling in slow, lazy waves. She brought the tea to her lips.

	"Too bitter?"

	"No, it's perfect. Thank you."

	Grappley had his own cup, black as pitch English tea, and took his seat across from her, a comfortable silence drafted about the room as they took time nursing their cups. The heat had caused the silver tufts of hair that extended forward past Pushy's ears (and cheeks) to frazzle slightly, though she wore the strange look with a curious dignity.

	"Now then, may I inquire what this business concerns? Namely whether this is a personal issue, or one on behest of China?"

	"Mm..." Pushy paused, mulling over a few thoughts in her head before speaking. "-You do realize I'm not officially an ambassador of China? I merely own a shop there."

	"Just as I merely own a Toy Factory , but we're a unique breed and I don't doubt your government pesters you about investigating and dealing with their own affairs as much as mine does."

	A smile hidden behind a closed palm, she looked far older than her model was in that moment. "Probably moreso, I try to stay distant from such affairs when I can. No, the issue is of a personal matter regarding the dojo you've established in Kunming last year."

	Grappley leaned backwards against his protesting chair, debating whether or not it would be impolite to light his pipe.

	"That's my first Chinese dojo. There was a lot of debate and lawsuits along the way in establishing a location so far East. I admit to hosting concern it would be the reason for your visit."

	"I'm afraid your concerns were correct."

	"Hm... Is it in poor condition? I had a very competent team assemble it, to say nothing of construction-" Fingers scratched the bottom of his chin, a tic of sorts when the monocled bear was thinking.

	"Nothing of that sort at all. Rather the company it's attracted. It started honest, respect was paramount to all participants, I had enjoyed participating myself on occasion but in the past six months there's been a major migration from the East."

	"Japan?"

	Pushy nodded her expression masked by her teacup.

	"Among them seems to be a gang of sorts, not the Yakuza but similar in activity though not as infamous, they have started participating in your dojo."

	"That's unfortunate..."

	"It is, they've yet to permanently injure or kill anyone in the fights, but after suffering losses, it's become frighteningly common for them to follow the winner home and to beat them either for revenge or for whatever they have on them. It's gotten savage and it's seeming dangerously close to a point that they will steal ownership of the dojo. They're already fighting to instate a betting ring outside the dojo before battles and I've had to rescue two innocent humans from attack outside the ring."

	Grappley kept his eyes on the ceiling. Pushy dodged the glare of his monocle as it tilted. A wave passed through the room, the bear was silent, but the aura was thick enough for Pushy to read with ease.

	"You're angry."

	"..."

	"If the events kept as they have been, I was going to try and retake the dojo myself, but given history it seemed proper to inform you of this."

	"I'm glad you did." Grappley pinched his brow, deciding that now was the appropriate time to light his pipe. "To attempt to criminalize my dojo is no less than to criminalize my family name. That is something I refuse to tolerate."

	He took a slow drag of his pipe, Pushy set her finished cup down, brushing her ears away from her shoulder, her eyes on the bear, curious and slightly concerned.

	"What do you intend to do, Sir Grappley?"

	"Well... That depends, when is your return flight to Guilin?"

	"Seven this evening, why do you ask?"

	"Because I intend to join you. It appears this weekend will be more eventful than anticipated."

	"You intend to retake your dojo alone?"

	"If necessary, I suppose I don't have a choice. Though I could always use a second set of hands to remove the trash from my dojo."

	"I close the shop on Sundays."

	"Payment?"

	"I'd be offended to take it, this is my home after all."

	"Then I'll need to inform my Butler to redirect my limousine to the airport instead. Care to join?"

	"I'm pleased at the offer, though I think I will walk instead."

	"Walk? It's many miles to city proper."

	"Yes, but the grass is green here and the fragrance of the air enticing- I will meet you by Six."

The End.