Kenna was in the back room. Singing to the plants. It was scientifically proven that plants reacted positively to music, after all. And she was a dryad, so making plants happy was important. Granted, she did not actually need to sing to them to make them grow fuller and brighter. That did not mean she would slack on the care. Plants were family. Sort of. Mostly. It was her way to relax and smile to herself. A soft voice floating among the music in the background that echoed off the cramped space, which was stuffed to almost bursting with a variety of flora. She loved work. It was a great place to relax and let herself prepare for her painting and classes. Often, she sat back in this room when she was trying to study, and it was slower than a snail going uphill. It almost felt like home, much like the forest did. The constant chorus of chatter from nature around her. A buzz much like what was heard in a coffee shop, but just for her.
She had been on shift, repotting a few ferns that had outgrown their first containers, when the storefront grew loud. The bell on the door that tinkled was pointless, as all the plant life announced someone was coming into the shop. Her tongue poked out of her lips as she focused on getting the last of the soil in the container and comfortably packed in to keep the stem sturdy. She heard Shara’s voice ring over the bustle of the plants and smiled and let out a giggle. She stood and gently pet one of the fronds of the fern lovingly and skipped out of the back room, wiping her dirt-covered hands on her smock as she went. By the time she got out front, the front of the tanned garment has two distinct strips from her hands. Her hair was pulled back messily, and she had dirt on her face from rubbing her cheeks.
“Shaaaaaraaaaaaaaa,” she called excitedly as she waddled her way, arms stiffly at her side so she gave a remarkable impression of a penguin hurrying along, around the counter and over to the hob. “I would give a hug, but my hands are all dirty so air kiss. Air kiss.” And she did so, mimicking a cheek-to-cheek kiss. “What is this?! IS THIS FOR ME?! SHARAAAAAA.” She squealed a made grabby hands at the caffeinated bliss. “How are you? Are you on break?”