Chapter Text
“Once again, I gaze through this window. Man, people out there must surely be having fun. Even if it was turned green by the dirt from people’s trash and the wrongs of this world, the water doesn’’t lie, the sun shining bright reflects on it with all the vigor of first love.”
- I say that to myself as if it matters. Rainy, sunny, cloudy, it’s ‘finny fun’ all day at my work!
His tea was warm and his legs warmer.
- I wish I could sleep in here.
He glanced over at that door. The door didn’t react.
- Eeeeeeeh. I gotta fill my time but me sleeping to fill the quota still counts.
He walks over the counter sale and goes outside to take a chair from the table outdoors of this empty food establishment. It didn’t take effort or soul; he wouldn’t have tried if it was needed. But in this transient state he found himself in, even the simplest of natural phenomena could become a surprise, for those who search nothing become susceptible to anything. Thus, he becomes surprised seeing his reflex in the water.
- BOY, I’m not missing anything by not seeing myself!
It’s hard to see it clearly, but his cat ears and long upwards head are noticeable. His dark orange shirts become a little greener when the pollution comes closer in waves and clearer when it washes away. But nothing could hide his simple and dark pants.
- WHY DO I KEEP THINKING ABOUT MY PANTS GETTING WET?!?
More dirt comes in. When it washes away, his vexed face is shown crystal clear in the water. He downs his spirits and speaks in a meek tone
- I had tea fall over one time… Why did the name catch on…
He stares at the river some more.
- Teapants… All I ever do will boil down is to ‘Hi, I’m Teapants, I sell tea and even let some fall in my pants ONCE!’ guy.
That’s the name he carried with him.
Once with focus recovered he grabs the chair. He walks back at a speed fast enough to not lose more time and get anyone’s attention, but not fast enough to catch anyone’s attention. Oh! But attention too, is a natural phenomena; and it too takes Teapants by surprise when he hears a soft and windy voice call him.
- Excuse me sir. Do you work in this shop?
“Gee. When it rains, it pours. Just when I decide to catch some z’s a client decides to come in.” “You know what? I will hit him with my smile! It scares away the children, and this guy sounds as naive as one.” Teapants turns around with the widest and most unhinged smile he could conjure up. He wanted the client to go away, but this surprise man just stood there. Confused about the client and angered with the sun hitting his side and not the perturber’s, he squints his eyes to make out the details of this newcomer who seems… Surprised? He then notices the horns and floppy auricles, his white fur clashing with the shadow he is in. He squints some more and sees the green shirt with a single yellow stripe, somewhat wrinkled. Just like his dark green cargo shorts. And then there was his light and bright green eyes, staring him… The client looks away and asks again no less gently, but a bit more flustered.
- Do you, perhaps, work in here my good man?
Pants can’t take away the smile. He doesn’t know why. Confused, he says the first thing that crosses his mind.
- I’m Teapants!