Train Man
Page 15
It was pink.
442 Name: Train Man ♦ SgHguKHEFY Post Date: 18/04/04 20:51
‘Do you have a preference?’
she asked as she picked up and showed me the different types of teas.
‘I’m only familiar with Afternoon Tea that I buy at the corner shop . . . ’
‘So then you’d probably want the OOOtea’
She mentioned some kind of tea and shook some out into the transparent teapot.
She brought out the hot water and poured it into the pot. I watched as the red tea leaves expanded. Boy, she knew what she was doing.
This making tea stuff.
‘It’s best to leave it steeping for a while’ she said, leaving the pot on the table.
She stood up to go to the kitchen and returned with some snacks.
‘My mum baked these . . . ’ she said, showing me 4 scones, ‘and here’s some biscuits, though they’re shop bought.’
‘Thank you so much.’ I bowed.
She poured the tea and there it was, right in front of me. The Hermes teacup.
FINALLY, THE OPPORTUNITY TO USE THE CUP HAD ARRIVED.
444 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 18/04/04 20:51
Darjeeling
Earl Grey
Orange Pekoe
450 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 18/04/04 20:53
There’s a lot of stuff Train’s gonna hafta learn.
I’m glad to be a Geek, I’m glad to be . . . glad to be . . .
452 Name: Train Man ♦ SgHguKHEFY Post Date: 18/04/04 20:54
>>450
Got to remember the details so I can report it all to you guys.
455 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 18/04/04 20:54
Home-baked scones? Don’t know if it’s Assam or Earl Grey but we’re talking loose tea leaves and not teabags. I bet you they have a deer head mounted on the wall above their fireplace.
461 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 18/04/04 20:55
And water pours out of a lion’s mouth into their bathtub I bet.
466 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 18/04/04 20:59
Dad enters puffing a cigar
467 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 18/04/04 20:59
Definitely no stuffed deer head on wall
490 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 18/04/04 21:06
>>452
Hey man, don’t worry about remembering the details for us.
Always remain focused on the person right in front of you.
498 Name: Train Man ♦ SgHguKHEFY Post Date: 18/04/04 21:13
I’m back. I’m e-mailing with her at the same time, so this could take a while . . .
518 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 18/04/04 21:24
Ask her what type of tea it was if you’re e-mailing.
525 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 18/04/04 21:28
>>518
Type of tea. Yep. Vital info.
559 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 18/04/04 21:39
>>452
Just remember whatever YOU find interesting.
I think trying to remember what she finds interesting and to be interested in that . . . that’s part of the whole being in love thing.
569 Name: Train Man ♦ SgHguKHEFY Post Date: 18/04/04 21:44
‘Do you take sugar?’
She brought out the sugar and milk containers but I said
‘No, this is fine.’
‘You know your teas very well.’
‘No, not at all.’
We bantered back and forth as I took the first sip.
I’ve only drunk tea from the corner shop so I had no idea it could taste so delicious. Not only that but the biscuits and scones went well with the tea. Then again, it was the fact we were drinking out of those teacups that made it so delicious.
‘Could I use one of your cups?’
‘Of course, of course. Please do.’
She reached for the teapot but I said, ‘Let me.’
‘Don’t worry. It’s not like we’re drinking alcohol Japanese-style.’
‘Please, allow me,’ I said, reaching for the teapot. Then I poured her a cup.
571 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 18/04/04 21:45
What a cosy afternoon tea set-up. For couples.
573 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 18/04/04 21:47
I shan’t partake of such silly afternoon tea matters I jest.
594 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 18/04/04 21:55
And why, pray tell, does Train not want to tell her how he feels?
598 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 18/04/04 21:56
He’s never professed his love to anyone before.
601 Name: Train Man ♦ SgHguKHEFY Post Date: 18/04/04 21:57
She took the cup in her hands and slowly sipped the tea
I watched her and thought how natural she seemed . . . sipping tea was second nature to her.
We talked about tea and baked goods for a bit. I told her that maybe I would start making tea myself at home. She recommended some tea companies and also some cakes . . . but I forgot already.
There were moments of silence but even that felt natural.
‘Do you always spend your days off like this?’ I asked.
‘God no, I’m usually just lazing around the house,’ she laughed.
‘Me too.’
Completely out of character for me--it continued on flowery and flowy . . .
615 Name: Train Man ♦ SgHguKHEFY Post Date: 18/04/04 22:00
>>518
She says it’s Benoist Tea
622 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 18/04/04 22:03
BENOIST TEA!
623 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 18/04/04 22:03
>>615
The stuff made for the British royal family!
624 Name: Train Man ♦ SgHguKHEFY Post Date: 18/04/04 22:04
Aha, Benoist tea . . .
689 Name: Train Man ♦ SgHguKHEFY Post Date: 18/04/04 22:34
‘I’ve never spent my day off like this. It’s nice, isn’t it . . . ’
‘ . . . (ha ha ha) . . . ’
We chat for a while and finish the baked goods and tea. I ended up drinking three cups.
The doggy was hanging around wanting to be noticed so I waved at him to come over, and sure enough he did.
‘He’s so well behaved.’
‘He just loves people.’
Indeed, he seemed to be enjoying my company.
I’ve never had any animal like me so much.
‘This dog is from that Disney film isn’t he?’
‘He’s a ’
‘He’s adorable.’
I felt myself falling for the dog the more I played with him.
‘He’s really into you, isn’t he?’
‘I think I really like him.’
So we kept on talking about dogs and pets and such.
Apologies for the boring report.
648 Name: Anonymous Post Date; 18/04/04 22:14
* Hey, how old is she?*
698 Name: Train Man ♦ SgHguKHEFY Post Date: 18/04/04 22:36
>>648
I haven’t asked yet. I’m sure she’s older though.
I know what she does for a living but I’ll keep that to myself.
Probably makes a lot of money.
742 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 18/04/04 22:52
Benoist Tea
Manufactured since the 18th century by an upmarket English foods company steeped in tradition. (Officially launched in 1910). A Master French Chef nicknamed ‘Papa Benoist’ started the company. In fact, in England, the company only makes the tea available to a limited number of upmarket restaurants and to the British royal family. Japan is the only place in the world where it’s available retail. The tea company is famous for its tight quality control and being one of the very few tea companies which holds 3 royal warrants.
751 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 18/04/04 22:55
>>742
Good research. Well done.
747 Name: Train Man ♦ SgHguKHEFY Post Date: 18/04/04 22:53
‘Is this your room,
Hermes?’
I reckoned it wasn’t, but I asked anyway.
‘(ha ha) No it isn’t. I can’t show you mine. It’s too messy,’ she replied all slippery smooth.
Oh and I guess I kind of influenced her and now she wants to buy a PC. And no, she does not own one if you can believe it. She emails on her phone.
I gave her some info about what she can do on a PC.
So we decided to shop for a computer, together. (`·ω·´)
Blah blah blah . . . time flew by.
‘Well . . . won’t your parents be back soon?’
‘You’re right’
‘I shouldn’t be here, right?’
‘It’s fine.’
‘ .....aahh.....speeeeechless’
I guess she’s already told her parents all about me . . .
About how we’ve been seeing each other on the weekends and stuff.
That they weren’t upset that she had me over, in the house . . .
But I told her that I was kind of anxious and that I’d better get going.
775 Name: Train Man ♦ SgHguKHEFY Post Date: 18/04/04 23:00
She said she’d walk me to the station but I told her to stay put because I was worried about her walking back home alone (`·ω·´) As for telling her how I feel about her, well . . . this is our fifth ‘date’ and I’m not sure about the timing. But apart from anything, I can’t work up the courage to tell her that I like her.
How do you all work up the courage?
791 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 18/04/04 23:03
Train Man: ‘When you come across a website you like, you click the favourites button like this . . . ’
Lady Hermes: ‘What is this 2-Channel thing . . . ?’
Train: ‘Oh, well, you shouldn’t go there . . . ’
Lady Hermes: ‘Moomin and the Pointy Hat . . . ? What is this?’
Yikes!
798 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 18/04/04 23:05
>Train Man
A while back, a girl came on to me kinda like this.
I knew instantly that she liked me but it was a first for me and I was afraid things would change if I said anything so I kept it to myself. As for her, she couldn’t take my lack of response and basically cut her feelings off from me. For women like Hermes, they can switch their feelings off pretty quickly.
Once they cut their feeling off, there’s no turning them back.
Don’t make the same mistake I did. All you need to do is tell her you like her.
811 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 18/04/04 23:10
I reckon that even after Train gets all twisted up inside and tells her he likes her, she’ll be like
‘Oh, thank you so much. I like you too. (smiley face)’
‘Aa, umm, ohh . . . . . . well . . . ’
There’s no doubt that two off-balance people make for a difficult couple.
817 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 18/04/04 23:12
>>775
We’re not talking about you being courageous or not!!
You like Queen Hermes don’t you?
Just tell her your feelings straight up. I’m being sincere.
Don’t even think about being turned down.
Don’t worry, we’ve got your back. You can absolutely do it.
On your next date, go somewhere moody and romantic with a nice view . . .
and seduce her. She will react to you just the way you want her to.
And that’s when I will reply by lobbing the biggest ball of jealousy at you to congratulate you from the bottom of my heart.
833 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 18/04/04 23:16
If you can’t see it turning into a romance, then think of it as an extended battle.
One of my strategies was to ‘move into her life on many fronts’.
Helping her buy a computer is a good thing for you to do.
She will refer to you for all things PC, at least.
Keep introducing things into her life that she depends on you for, little by little, one by one.
877 Name: Train Man ♦ SgHguKHEFY Post Date: 18/04/04 23:27
I was reading Mr Mole’s log.
To be quite honest, it was freaking me out.
878 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 18/04/04 23:27
>>866
Don’t use the Mole card . . .
Though you do have a point.
I mean originally, this thread was about us depressive shadowy types poking out to read your posts and then retreating into the dark . . .
879 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 18/04/04 23:28
I’m posting this just in case
‘Mr Mole, you are really a good person but I don’t have those types of feelings for you. Please don’t misinterpret my behaviour.’
881 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 18/04/04 23:28
>879
arghwaaaaarhhhhhhargghhhh
882 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 18/04/04 23:28
>>879
Don’t post just in case
883 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 18/04/04 23:29
>>879
Ffffffuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
886 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 18/04/04 23:29
>>879
aaaaaarrrrrrrgHermessssssssssss
888 Name: Train Man ♦ SgHguKHEFY Post Date: 18/04/04 23:29
>>879
889 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 18/04/04 23:29
It’s Train’s romance so it can only go the way Train feels.
It’s up to Train whether this will be an express or chug along like a local train.
I could understand if he was still starting off but Train is by now a big grown man . . . . . . Lucky him, he’s havin so much fun. Lucky him . . .
890 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 18/04/04 23:29
>>877
will leave selecting the options to you
love>when your heart is in your mouth, tell her so.
Help me with coming out with it
Is all you need to say for us to rush to your rescue!!!
891 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 18/04/04 23:29
Man, you guys really are some good people.
To get all serious about a stranger . . .
If I had people like you around me . . .
I think my life would have been a lot more fun . . .
914 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 18/04/04 23:34
I cried reading you people’s responses.
This social retard is blossoming into coupledom while . . .
It’s just so unfuckinfair?!?!
922 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 18/04/04 23:36
>>914
Life in coupledom isn’t always that great . . .
Well, umm . . . I’m just guessing . . . . . .
Train Man waivers between professing his love and feeling as if he has misinterpreted Hermes. The thread splits between two camps – one that urges him to profess his love and the other to go at his own pace. Can Train come out with it?
Mission
5
Stop Leading Me on So Much
Fellow Geeks renew their interest in the Benoist tea Train Man drank out of the Hermes teacups. Some went hunting for the tea itself.
126 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 19/04/04 11:55
I asked a tea-lover friend of mine about Benoist tea but
he’s never had it either . . .
And apparently it is really difficult to get, not to mention expensive.
She didn’t seem like your average person from the fact she sent Hermes teacups but this really takes the biscuit.
140 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 19/04/04 13:41
Apparently you can buy and drink it at the Matsuzakaya Department store in Ginza. There’s also a salon in Kokoda.
141 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 19/04/04 13:47
I called Benoist.
>>140 is dead right.
All right, I’m going to speed down the Shuto Expressway and check it out.
Over to you . . .
147 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 19/04/
04 14:09
located Benoist bunker
http://www.matsuzakaya.co.jp/ginza/service/gourmet.shtml
150 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 19/04/04 14:29
hey hey hey, are you guys under the impression that drinking Benoist tea is going to bring happiness into your lives????
159 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 19/04/04 14:44
They’re going PC shopping together aren’t they?
He’s gonna get to take her to Akihabara
161 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 19/04/04 14:47
Make sure you don’t expose too much of your true techie self at Akihabara – and don’t you dare set foot in the figurine shops or anything!
165 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 19/04/04 14:49
Why don’t you just get the parts and build one from scratch at her house?
That way you can be her full-on tech support.
171 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 19/04/04 15:00
Why don’t we work out which is the best (▪∀▪) scenario for Train
Desktop
Laptop
MAC
Self-built
This is one area where we can help
178 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 19/04/04 15:19
Turn the tables and make Hermes a techie Akihabara-hag
179 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 19/04/04 15:24
And in the end, Hermes becomes a 2-Channeller herself.
180 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 19/04/04 15:25
and it all comes out in the open . . .
189 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 19/04/04 16:02
Here goes
• MAC (iBook—for some reason, it’s convertible)
• Buy the parts (so Train can be the tech support)
• Internet ready
• Choose router, modem, FTTH
• DVD player (burning not necessary?)
• Laptop
• Longhorn compatibility
• Download films (only to get arrested)
All right, so which machine can handle all of the above . . . . . .
195 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 19/04/04 16:36
like a fish in water . . .
198 Name: Anonymous Post Date: 19/04/04 17:16
But when it’s time to teach her . . . I mean, he is a Geek after all (´A`)