InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "The pants command me!"

Cara Clark (warandbeauty) wrote in paxletalelogs,
@ 2010-11-23 06:31:00

Entry tags:

amun, freyja

Flowers and First Meetings
Who: Cara and Navid
What: Navid takes up Cara on her standing invitation to all Pax Residents to visit her shop.
Where: The Flower Petaler
When: 4:00 PM
Warnings: None foreseeable!

From the front window, the shop looked quaint and cozy. A swirl of color surrounded the room, blooming in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some were common -- red roses stood together, puckered and waiting to bloom and the petals of white lillies arched away from the stem in soft curves -- and others were lesser known beauties -- broad red anthuriums which looked more like leaves than flowers and the aptly named pincushion protea, whose pale yellow buds stood out against the pastel and magenta pink flowers nestled at its base. The variety seemed to somehow lead the eye deeper into the shop, each flower carefully arranged to stand out from its fellows, if only momentarily.

Stepping into the shop, a customer would be surprised at the way the room opened up. The dozens of varieties of flowers were arranged neatly, with plenty of open space for visitors to step. Small decorations – butterflies, ribbons, and decorative pots and vases -- were scattered throughout, accompanied by teddy bears, chocolates, cards, balloons. The room seemed designed to carry the customer along, flowers all subtly turned to gesture inwards. What could have been complete chaos seemed deliberately arranged, even if one could not quite determine how, as though the shop were itself an arrangement produced by the owner.

The scent of the place was, momentarily, overwhelming when one first stepped into the space. The scents of dozens of flowers assaulted the nose at once, combining into a heady, rich aroma that soon seemed to fade as the nose and brain adjusted – but, still, the scent lingered on, just out of reach of the senses until the customer strayed nearer to the flowers, searching to identify one scent from the rest.

In the back of the room, as though an after-thought, stood a broad, long counter. Its simple design made it easy to overlook among the brightly-colored flowers. A woman stood here, arranging a bouquet for a young and awkward-looking teenager. Her airy blue dress seemed somehow muted among the bright colors. She had pinned her dark hair into a carefully wound bun at the nape of her neck to keep it off her shoulders. Although her hands were currently busy – a lovely daisy bouquet stood before her, its brightly-dyed petals glowing with cheer – her green eyes rose to greet the customer as he walked through the door.

“I’ll be right with you,” she offered with a warm, genuine smile, accompanied by a gesture with a pink daisy to look around the room. The flourished daisy found a place in the bouquet and, after a few tender tucks, had apparently made itself a home between its blue and white neighbors. The flower completed the bouquet, and the teenager had soon departed with the bouquet tucked under his arm, scuttling as though he were embarassed to be seen with the arrangement.

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arzani
2010-11-24 02:38 am UTC (link)

Navid was impressed with the shop from the moment he walked in. There was nothing tawdry about the place, as flower shops so often tended to be. It was not garish or gaudy, nor overly cluttered; even the scent on the air was clean, the varied smells of the buds and bouquets working in perfect harmony, a welcome change from the cacophonous stench so often a hallmark of these stores. He drew a deep breath, releasing it on a contented sigh. For once he was pleased with the fact he'd strayed from his planned routine. He had left work early, a rarity in itself, and though there was no pending anniversary or otherwise special day to mark, no particular holiday coming up they held dear, he had felt inclined to surprise Zara with something out of the ordinary. Though any overt display of sentiment might have met with her approval, flowers had come to mind as he had recalled their new neighbor's recent arrival.

Such thoughts crossed his mind as he waited for the teenager ahead of him to leave, surrounded in his cloud of blushing, groundless shame. In his coat pocket he felt his mobile buzz, and ignored it. When at last his turn came he stepped up to the counter, putting work from his mind for one brief, unfettered moment. "Miss Clark, I believe?" It was a long shot, perhaps, assuming the attendant to be the owner herself; but he had read enough into the woman's forum post to believe her to be the sort of businesswoman often found in her own shop, tending to matters on the front lines more often than delegating. Hoping his assumption was correct, he carried on. "My name is Navid Arzani. I saw your post in our Pax forum. I don't buy flowers often, so I was hoping you might help me out."

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warandbeauty
2010-11-29 03:07 am UTC (link)

Cara had turned her attention to her next customer with a ready smile, her thoughts still lingering on the departing teen. Her amusement was still apparent, deepening her smile into something more warm and genuine than the cool, professional smile one might expect.

"It's a pleasure, Mr. Arzani," Cara answered with an extended hand. Her smiled had widened, revealing a hint of a dimple in one cheek. She was pleasantly surprised by his arrival -- she had had misgivings about posting to the forum to begin with, but, so far, it seemed to be paying off -- and using it for advertising was something she had not considered.

Her hand was soft, and her manicured nails were flawless. It was clear that she was unaccustomed to physical labor -- and, despite her career, there was not even a smudge of dirt on her skin or beneath her nails.

"I appreciate the opportunity." As she released his hand, she gestured towards the flowers along the walls. The gesture was gentle, a little airy, even. "What can I do for you?"

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arzani
2010-11-30 04:10 pm UTC (link)

He took her hand, giving it a practiced shake - firm, but not overly so, his fingertips drifting light over her palm as he withdrew. His smile was small but sincere. "I'm looking for a gift for my girlfriend," he said. "Not for any particular holiday or event, just..." At her gesture he glanced again around the room, taking in the myriad available wares. He gave a small, self depreciating laugh. "Making up for lost time, I suppose. I'm not usually given to gestures such as these."

It was a rare thing for Navid to feel even remotely out of his element, but he certainly did now. He shifted his weight, one foot to the other, his mind working at a furious pace as his dark gaze alighted upon first one skillfully designed, minimalist arrangement, then another. "Roses seem cliché, don't they?" he mused. "She'd want something colorful, I think, and not overly busy." Laughing quietly, he added, "Nothing funereal."

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warandbeauty
2010-12-01 05:40 am UTC (link)

Cara's eyebrows rose a little as Navid explained his request, and there was a momentary glimpse of white, straight teeth when he mentioned that it was unusual for him to present flowers to his girlfriend without an occasion. Another person might have accused him of lying (or at least thought it), but Cara was more than happy to accept his explanation. She found the impulsive purchase to be sweet and thoughtful, and she had no trouble in saying so.

"The wonderful thing about flowers is that you don't need a reason," she answered smoothly.

She couldn't help but notice how the man stood and the glances he stole about the room. He looked a little overwhelmed and unsure where to begin. Fortunately, there were no wrong choices in a flower shop.

"I would be happy to prepare a fresh bouquet for you from the flowers on the floor," Cara offered, hoping to relieve a little of his burden. Her feminine frame slipped around the corner of the counter, and she paused to smile confidently at him as she passed. "Why don't we start simple?"

Her movements were smooth and graceful; it was an easy thing to picture her strolling in her own private gardens somewhere, glowing with the light of the afternoon sun.

"Would you like to begin with her favorite flower? Or her favorite color?"

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arzani
2010-12-04 12:05 am UTC (link)

These questions seemed to overwhelm Navid no less. There were many options, it seemed, and he had so little idea where to begin. He tried instead to think of what he had seen her bring home in the past; things she had pointed out or commented upon when they had taken short trips to gardens and botanical exhibits. It was a more difficult task, he now found, than perhaps he had expected. By slow degrees recollection returned to him, a jumble of ideas and memories collected over the years.

"Water lilies," he said. "Dahlias, calla lilies." His lips thinned as he thought, his black eyes turning heavenward as if the gods themselves might take interest in this self appointed task. He chuckled at his own hesitation, so rare in any other facet of his life. "I'm not sure what's in season, really. But I do hope that helps at least a bit."

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warandbeauty
2010-12-04 03:30 am UTC (link)

Cara glanced at him with surprised pleasure when he managed to name a few flowers. Her smile stretched into a knowing smirk, glimpsed only briefly as she turned away.

"Your girlfriend has exquisite taste," Cara complimented bemusedly as she chose a few flowers. "Those particular flowers are often reserved for special occasions -- weddings, in particular."

It was a leading statement Cara couldn't help but make. Lilies sang of romance, of wedding bells and white, poofy dresses. If he really was as out of his element as he seemed, he probably wasn't aware of the connection -- but, surely, every young woman would.

"I have white calla lilies and autumn dahlias." They were common enough flowers that she could keep them on hand even this late in the season. Water lilies, on the other hand, she would need to special order.

The white lilies rested in her arms, the petals gently swaying with her steps. She had been careful to hold them to protect the tender flowers, and, as she returned to her customer, she handed him a flower to inspect. Only once the lilies were set down on the counter did she scoop up a vase of orange, yellow, and red dahlias, also lifting them onto the counter for his inspection.

"Did you want a bouquet or an arrangement?"

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arzani
2010-12-04 11:10 pm UTC (link)

His brow quirked sharply at the mention of marriage. But had he known the implication he would not have chosen differently; Zara had her preferences, and he saw no reason to discard them now. Still, it was cause for fresh discomfort in already unfamiliar territory. With a smooth, unstudied motion he slipped his hands into his pockets, rocking slightly back on his heels. "I hadn't really thought about it," he said, quietly amicable. "I had hoped for the water lilies, but I suppose I left that too long, hm." He gave a quiet sigh.

"I suppose a bouquet," he said, after a moment's further contemplation. "I assume that can limit your creativity a bit, being smaller. Could it still be..." He waved a hand in the same vague gesture that had frustrated countless attendants in years past. Navid knew what he wanted, and nothing less would suffice; communicating this to another was a different matter altogether. "Simple, and somewhat minimalist, but still colorful enough."

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warandbeauty
2010-12-06 04:43 am UTC (link)

"Let's see what we can do," Cara answered with a confident smile. There was not a doubt in her mind that she could make this work to his satisfaction.

She unrolled the thick paper used for wrapping the bouquets and laid it out on the counter in preparation. Next, she chose a handful of white calla lilies and set them aside. Most of the bouquet would be made up of the yellow, orange, and red dahlias with the white flowers used as accents.

"Does your girlfriend also live at Pax Letale?" she inquired politely, hoping to get him to open up a little more without actually prying into his affairs. Her motions were quick but careful as she began, displaying an uncanny speed and artistic flair as she worked to bring the cluster of autumn-colored flowers to life.

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arzani
2010-12-06 04:41 pm UTC (link)

"She does." He watched her work with earnest interest, admiring the evident skill such labors required. Creativity - of this improvisational sort, at least - was not his strongest point, and he found her sure, steady movements a fascinating thing. "We recently moved in together," he said, smiling softly. "It's a change, getting used to sharing space with someone. Well, someone who isn't a sibling you can argue with without real consequence."

As he watched, the bouquet was coming together beautifully; he was surprised at how quickly she turned it from a jumble of component parts, pretty enough but quite disparate, into something quite stunning. "How are you liking the building so far? Have you met many tenants?"

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warandbeauty
2010-12-07 01:31 am UTC (link)

Cara risked a glance upwards, her own smile a reflection of his. It was a sweet sentiment. He had played his cards so close to his chest so far, she had to wonder if he even knew he had allowed his emotions to blaze so unmistakably across his face.

"It sounds like you're doing just fine," she answered encouragingly. There was nothing she liked more than to listen to people talk about those they loved. She wasn't sure why, but it was like glimpsing another person -- perhaps, who they were willing to become for another.

Cara looked to her work, momentarily concentrating on forming the bouquet. She was now reaching for the calla lilies. She would not add many; she wanted them to stand out, to bring depth to the dahlia bouquet.

"So far, I've only met -- really met -- a few people, but they've all been wonderfully welcoming. They're all very...real -- no airs at all." She had paused after the word "real" and then, after further consideration, tagged on the last bit. She didn't want him to think her insane, after all.

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arzani
2010-12-09 09:16 pm UTC (link)

Though his interactions with their neighbors had been somewhat limited, his experiences bore her observation out. Even those less friendly and welcoming had appeared quite earnest, if nothing else; there was a strange sense of familiarity among them all that seemed to lend a sort of sincerity to their interactions, however fleeting. It was a tenuous pleasantness Navid did not expect to last, but he saw no need in allowing his practicality to encroach upon things now.

"I know what you mean," he said. "I only knew one fellow tenant prior to moving in, but everyone at the Halloween party was quite welcoming. Silly costumes and all."

It was good to meet everyone," he added. "I'm hoping management hosts a few more such events. Although I suppose at some point I'll throw some kind of fundraiser or other that will attract my building-mates' attention." Again he smiled, one brow quirking as an idea came to him. "You're quite good at this. I may end up calling on you for part of the decor."

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warandbeauty
2010-12-12 10:39 pm UTC (link)

Cara's face brightened perceptibly at his compliment, and she gave a little bow of her head in thanks. "Thank you. I enjoy my work." She hoped she would feel the same way in even five years.

"What kind of a fundraiser?" she asked curiously, green eyes flickering up from the forming bouquet. She was almost done with it now; her eye regarded her work critically, daring to make a few adjustments to the piece. "Would you like a ribbon and card?" she inquired, referring to the flowers.

Her attention, then, went back to the conversation at hand. "I would be flattered to provide anything you require." She grinned as she added, "At an appropriate discount for a charitable event, of course." If not outright given as a donation, Cara would be happy to offer, in the very least, a substantial discount in the name of charity.

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arzani
2010-12-22 05:30 pm UTC (link)

"No card, thank you," he said, waving a hand dismissively. He could not begin to think what he might say; any option that immediately came to mind was too saccharine, too cliched, or simply not what he wanted to convey. Such matters of sentiment were best left, he had found, to Zara, and her prowess could not be leaned upon now.

"My events and programs focus on the spiritual community," he said, blithely switching gears. "Particularly with regards to interfaith cooperation." He smiled, clearly at home with this topic and pleased at the opportunity to share it. "I feel it's important to embrace one's own faith and still accept and welcome others. To be an example of right behavior rather than just a public speaker. The fundraisers and events provide the capitol for our projects - cultural and religious education, primarily. Broadening worldviews." Navid laughed, his smile warm and bright. "I ramble, but it's a real love of mine."

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warandbeauty
2010-12-27 04:57 am UTC (link)

A blind man could see the way his body language changed, becoming both more open and more at ease. His face, likewise, brightened and instantly became more animated as he described the events. She couldn't help but to become captivated, drawn into his enthusiasm willingly.

"Not at all," she answered smoothly, addressing him with a smile as she returned to wrapping the bouquet. "No one can fault you for being passionate and championing a cause."

It was actually rather refreshing. Few of the charities she had attended had interested her or her family; they were expected to go, and so they had went.

"It sounds lovely," she added appreciatively. "What's your next project?"

The bouquet was almost done now. She tucked the paper gently around the flowers, folding it inwards to protect the delicate petals against the cold weather outside.

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