Who: Riza and Vala When: Early March Where: Flower Alchemy What: A new opportunity Rating/Warnings: Low/None Status: Complete
Riza had been happily surprised when she’d received a call from an event organiser wanting to speak to her about possibly contracting her to provide flowers for any events which may need them. She’d been happy to arrange a meeting of course, and had spent a couple of hours the previous day clearing out her office so that it was presentable.
She was just finishing displaying some of the days fresh flowers when the bell went above the door and she turned with a smile, “Good Morning, welcome to Flower Alchemy”
Vala was in a good mood. The sun was shining, the crime spree was seemingly over and she was sorting out one of her favourite events; a wedding. The venue was sorted, a beautiful winery on the outskirts of the city and now she needed flowers to suit an early summer wedding. Pushing the door to the shop open, she was greeted by the aroma of a plethora of flowers. Smiling at the girl behind the counter, she introduced herself. "I'm here for a meeting about a wedding?"
“Vala right?” Riza smiled holding out her hand, “My name is Riza and I own this shop, I’m pleased to meet you” she said as she came out from behind the counter. “Let me just turn to sign to closed for a bit while we talk in the office” she added.
“Hi Riza, nice to meet you,” Vala took the other woman’s hand to shake. “Sounds great,” she smiled, before looking into her bag for the little box of chocolates she’d been given. “I’m afraid I didn’t get a chance to bring coffees or anything. My meeting this morning ran over, you know how young brides with big budgets can be, but I did get given a little box of luxury chocolates by the bride’s mother we could share if you’d like?” she pulled the box out and showed it to Riza with a grin.
“Oh don’t worry about that. I can’t offer coffee but I can offer soda or juice” she smiled, “And I never turn down chocolate” she grinned in response. “How close is the wedding? Bridezilla already showing her true colors?” she joked as they entered the office at the back of the store.
“I would love a can of coke if you have it?” Vala smiled at the woman and followed her into the office. “This one’s wedding is still over six months away and I think the mother-in-law is starting to regret her son’s choice of bride,” she laughed and took a seat in the office.
“Of course” she said, moving to the small fridge that was in the corner of her office. “Oh no, that bad huh? I have to tell you I think you’re a wonder dealing with that. I’m not sure I have the patience, I prefer flowers that don’t talk back”
“Thanks,” Vala smiled kindly as she took out her folder and flicked to the right section for flowers for the wedding she was here for. “Oh it’s alright really, I just give her what she wants. It’s going to look ghastly and extravagant which is what she wants right now. I’ve not made any concrete plans yet. I know the type, in three months time she’ll change her mind completely and it’ll all be for nothing,” she looked up at Riza. “Saves a lot of time and effort being a bit more fluid,” she winked at the woman.
Riza chuckled, "You obviously recognise the type, it must be handy being able to do that. Fluidity wasn't really something I learnt well" because it was all about structure in the army. Though she was learning on the job now with Ed. "So what flowers is she currently wanting?" Riza asked.
“This one? Miss Diva, as I’ve taken to calling her, is currently wanting red roses and white lilies with everything,” Vala sighed, crossing her legs. “But I’m sure it’ll change, I’m betting on a change to pale blue by the end of July at the latest, so I’ll keep you posted” she laughed. “The one I’m here for though is a doll, sweetest little thing you’ll ever meet. Tiny waif of a girl and a fiancé that dotes on her, it’s very cute,” she grinned.
“Ah I see” Riza said realising Vala was here to discuss a different bride, “Oh now that sounds more like it. As it should be” she nodded with a smile. Weddings were such lovely happy events after all. “So what flower ideas does she have?”
"Well it's all very pretty and yellow. Her dress is covered in lace and has a yellow sash. So she'd like her bouquet to be yellow and white. I was thinking baby's breath and maybe some yellow roses? Unless you have any other suggestions?" Vala explained.
“Oh that sounds like a very fresh and pretty color scheme” Riza said, “Yellow roses work well. They mean joy, friendship and new beginnings so that’s nice too. Freesias would work too if we wanted a less traditional approach. Also sunflowers and daffodils around the venue may help with the spring, joyous feeling”
“Hmm, well she’s asked for just a bunch for her bouquet, nothing drapey or anything, so I think maybe go with the roses for now,” Vala looked down at her notes and the idea board she’d spoken to the bridal party about. “Perhaps punctuated with a some purple. I said she might want to think about having another colour in there, make it a bit more interesting,” she smiled up at Riza. “But I like the idea of sunflowers…” she paused to think, then waved her pen in Riza’s direction feeling an idea coming over her. “I like that idea a lot,” she grinned and wrote down a note to remind her to tell Lucy when she next met up with her.
“A purple daisy might work well with yellow roses” Riza said thinking about what would look right. Riza smiled, “Well I can get hold of whatever you need. The common flowers only take a day or so but the more exotic ones can take longer depending on the season and whathaveyou”
“Sure, well if I can get some ideas together then I can present them as options I think she’ll like that. I don’t suppose you have any sample pictures of what it could look like?” Vala ventured.
“I do have a few, let me grab the folder” she said moving to the filing cabinet in the office and retrieving the wedding folder. “There should be something similar in here” she flicked through the pages, “So something like this but obviously the white daisies would be purple”
“Love it,” Vala told her brightly. “I think this could be the start of a beautiful partnership.”
“I think I’d have to agree” Riza replied with a smile.