Who: Riza and Maes When: July 23, Afternoon Where: Flower Alchemy What: Maes has come by to pick up flowers for Gracia and to chatter with Riza Rating/Warnings: Low/None Status: Complete
Maes was big on romantic gestures, like really big, even with the change in his job and everything else, Maes still wouldn't miss a chance to show his wife how much he appreciated her. His first stop was by Flower Alchemy, not only to see Riza but to pick up a bouquet of flowers for Gracia and a smaller bouquet for Elicia.
Pushing the door open to the flower shop, Maes glanced around. "Riza!" He greeted the blonde with a wide smile before he pushed his glasses up, "How's my favorite florist doing today?"
Riza always liked seeing Maes, he was friendly and kind and obviously loved his wife very much. He was good company and Riza rather liked hearing about his daughter’s latest escapades.
Smiling as he entered the shop she turned, “I’m doing even better for seeing you” she told him, “So what colors are we going for today?” she asked, so she could work on putting them together while they spoke.
"Really? Most people want to run away when they see me coming." He teased with a grin, and a wink.
Making his way over to the counter, Maes leaned against it, lips pursing in thought. "For Gracia purples and blues. She loves the Irises you have here, so definitely some of those if they're in season. For Elicia? Sunflowers. Everything has been sunflower this and sunflower that lately." One of his hands fluttered about as he spoke, "I think I'm going to have to redo her bedroom come to it. She's been asking if we can paint it yellow."
Maes, personally, wasn't sold on the idea but he would do anything she asked him to do.
“You know better than to think I’m most people” Riza teased back, she was one of the people who rather enjoyed seeing pictures of his family. It warmed her heart that he cared so much for his family.
“I happen to have some Irises secreted away for just such an occasion” she informed him and then chuckled, “Well at least it’s a bright happy color, in a few years time it might all be black and skulls if she goes through a goth stage” Riza grinned as she set about gathering the flowers to put together two beautiful bouquets.
Giving a small inclination of his head, Maes chuckled. "This is true." Riza definitely wasn't like other people, he'd come to learn that over the time he'd known her.
Maes's face lit up, "Do you really? That is wonderful news! Gracia will be so pleased." He could just see his beautiful wife's face now when he handed her the flowers. He still had a few more things to pick up before he headed home, but for now, he wanted to focus on talking with Riza. "As long as she doesn't push me away? I don't care what she's into." Maes really didn't, but the idea that his daughter would hate him, or push him away made his heart break a little. "It's either that, or we'll do a mural of sunflowers in her room. That way she has her yellow, and something pretty that will last for a little while." That was, until she grew out of it of course. "How has life been treating you, Riza?"
Riza smiled at the way Maes looked so happy, if there was anybody who could cheer you up it was him. She’d come to value him as a customer and a friend and looked forward to his visits. Especially since he appreciated all the flowers in her store. “Oh I can’t imagine she will ever do that, you’re a wonderful father” and it was true, Elicia was a lovely child who was adored by her parents. “Oh a mural would be lovely” she said, and less headache inducing than bright yellow walls. “Oh it’s had it’s ups and downs. But I’m adjusting to having two teenage boys around. The mood swings can be trying” Not that she’d change it for the world, she’d worked hard to get them with her.
Pride was a sin, everyone that read any sort of religious text knew that, but Maes had it in spades when it came to his family. He was so proud of them, of what they did and who they were, that he would've given them the world if he could. He nodded with a slight smile, "I think so too. Perhaps I'll talk with the girls tonight and see what they think about it." It would be a work in progress, of course, and finding an artist? Well, that shouldn't be too hard. He'd have to remember to ask people on the network if they had any artistic talent. "And here's to hoping that nothing of that sort will happen, it's just, you never know." Maes canted his head to the side as she spoke about the boys. He remembered her talking about them, "I'm sure that it is trying, but I'm also sure that you're doing a fantastic job with them. Just remember," he held up a hand, "to keep plenty of food on hand. My mother used to complain that I was eating her out of house and home when I was that age."
Luckily Riza wasn’t the kind to hold any kind of religious text above common sense and it made perfect sense to her that you should be proud of your family. “Good idea. I’m sure there will be somebody with a good eye and talent for art who will offer their services” She nodded with a chuckle, “Oh yes, I’ve already discovered that. My refrigerator is constantly opening and closing now”
"Here's to hoping." Maes replied with a long sigh, "I'm sure someone out there can do it, although I'm not looking forward to re-painting her room so that they can paint the mural." Yellow sunflowers wouldn't exactly look great against a bright pink background, but Gracia had insisted upon it being that color before Elicia had been born. He laughed, a smile settling on his features as he shook his head. "I can imagine that it is. Are they settling in okay?"
Riza nodded, “I think so” she said, “Edward is worried about his brother but definitely happier now they’re together. And Al, well, Al is wonderful really. He’s settling in wonderfully. I’m enrolling him in school come September and I really think he’ll come into his own then”
His brows furrowed slightly as he listened to Riza, and he gave a nod. He didn't have any siblings, but he knew family and how important they were. So that was something that he could understand. "Good, good. I'm glad to hear that they're back together, and that they're settling in." He knew it was important for Riza to have them there with her, "We'll all have to get together one evening to have dinner." He smiled softly, with a nod.
"That would be lovely. I'm sure Elicia and the boys would get along and I'd love to meet Gracia" Riza said, she needed to socialise more and she could then return the invite another time.
"Oh, she'd love them." Maes agreed with a nod. Really, it was rare that his daughter met anyone that she didn't like, and from the way Riza spoke about the boys, he was sure they'd like her as well. "We'll plan for something soon. I'll have to talk with her, and see when would be a good time." Gracia did have her own things to do after all, so Maes couldn't speak for her on that, but he would make a mental note to ask her once he got home. Pulling his wallet from his back pocket, Maes opened it up to see how much cash he had on him, or if he'd need to use his card. "How much do I owe you, Riza?"
“That sounds great” Riza smiled before telling him the price, with a decent discount because he really was a good customer, and making sure she included some of the cut flower food to make sure the blooms would last as long as possible. “I hope they both like them, I’m sure they will” she told him happily.