Ah, yes. I have already prepared a selection of genus and colors that would be, I think, appropriate. You'll only have to make your choice when you pass by!
[ And half an hour later, he's at the shop. This time, he's here for real business. There are many beautiful flowers and bouquets on display, so he takes the time to look at them all and admire Ereshkigal's work.
He's done his research this time, so he is considerably more informed about flower language this time around. When he spots an azalea, he reaches out to it and gently touches its petals. ]
...In flower language, this one means to take care of yourself, does it not?
[ Though he's somewhat talking to himself, it's loud enough for Ereshkigal to hear if she's at the front of the store. ]
[ Oh wow, she didn't expect him to come so quickly! She's supposed to be on a break... And indeed when he arrives, Ereshkigal is sitting behind the counter, with a book in hand. Based on the pink color of the cover and the title "Doki Doki Death Club," it's hard to say if it's a romance of horror book. Perhaps both.
She seems pretty absorbed in her reading, but looks up and smiles when she hears him speak aloud to himself. ]
I see you've done your homework. [She doesn't move from her seat just yet, giving him time to look at flowers on his own if he wants.] A red or pink color will add a romantic connotation to the message.
[ Good, his sources of information were not inaccurate. Flower language seemed to be quite nebulous, from what he's managed to uncover through his research. ]
Then I would certainly like to include it in the bouquet.
[ He continues on in his browsing, and stops once again when he encounters a bouquet of white calla flowers. ]
Their shape is quite striking... Elegant and pleasing to the eye. But would it go well with the azalea?
[ Again, he's mostly talking to himself. He spotted Ereshkigal reading a book when he entered and figured she might want time to continue reading it. He is perfectly fine browsing the shop on his own for the moment. ]
[ She finally put her book down and goes to meet Ratio. She remains silent as he looks over the different kind of flowers, but smiles as he comments on the white calla. ]
You sometimes see them in weddings.
[ Together with azalea, as a matter of fact. That they would go well together isn't a question. She's a bit worried about the meaning. ]
However, they're typically used to denote purity, innocence and... [An awkward pause.] V-Various qualities of the spouse-to-be.
[ Like faithfulness, loyalty and... C-Chastity? She has no doubt all of those qualities apply, but the last? How is she supposed to know?! H-Hopefully he gets the hint and doesn't make her ask if that would be appropriate for Aventurine!! ]
[ Weddings... unbidden, Ratio starts to envision what that might look like, for him and Aventurine. He isn't sure if Aventurine would be receptive to the idea at all, but if he was... what kind of customs did the Avgins have when it came to weddings? He knows his home world's customs. It would be nice if they could be mixed together, he thinks. These calla flowers would be nice to display then. His expression softens and a faint flush of affection adorns his cheeks. He hopes both of them live long enough to vow their lives to each other.
But then Ereshkigal begins fumbling over the flower's meanings and... hm. Right, this flower embodied chastity. Well, the flower didn't have to represent all its meanings, right? ]
I'll keep this flower in mind.
[ Not an outright denial, but not a confirmation either. So Ereshkigal doesn't have to think any deeper about it. It wouldn't suit a bouquet with azaleas anyway, he concludes. Instead, he changes the topic to the next flower in his search. ]
Do you have a flower that represents... hm. Endurance, or constancy? One that means everlasting would be suitable as well.
[ Phew, saved! She ponders a moment though at his question. ]
There are many... [Dozens, really. The question is finding one that would marry well with Azalea while conveying the intended meaning.] Helichrysum. Also known as Immortelle and Everlasting.
[ She doesn't have them on display, those flowers are in the back of the shop. ]
I don't really use them for bouquets, but... [She points at a bouquet on display.] Look.
[ Isn't that so cute? She certainly seems to think so! A shame it'll probably end up withering there, nobody's bought it and it's been a few days since she made it already. ]
We could do something like that with Helichrysum as the background for the bouquet, and Azalea to write the message.
[ Oh. That bouquet is... unfortunately, it's gaudy in his opinion. It's one he thinks Aventurine would pick to present to him if only for a laugh, but that is something Ratio would never pick for Aventurine. He shakes his head, cheeks slightly red. ]
No. I'd... prefer something more subtle and elegant.
[ There are honestly far too many beautiful flowers and he is not well versed enough in flower arrangement to pick a combination that would look good. At least, not in an hour, which is the amount of time he's given himself to complete this task. He looks at Ereshkigal, a small frown on his face. ]
I'd like to see the kind of arrangement you'd recommend, and consider modifications from there. The general message is, ah... [ The flush on his face deepens and he averts his eyes. ] ...so long as it conveys deep and enduring affection, it should suffice. It need not include Azaleas if you cannot find a way to fit them in.
[ She gets it, no offense taken. She thinks it's cute, but sometimes you want something more traditional and elegant, especially when it's to send a love letter to your boyfriend! ]
Deep and enduring affection...
[ She nods to herself and looks around the shop. She can include the Azaleas, it's no problem. ]
You're taking this too seriously, doctor. Do you know what will convey deep and enduring affection? [She smiles.] The fact that you're the one gifting him the bouquet.
[ It could be totally unfitting flowers, he would still get the message. But she is Ereshkigal, aspiring queen of flowers and a likely better goddess of love than her sister is!! There is no way she will have him offer unfitting flowers to his lover.
She grabs a few flowers and goes back behind her counter. ]
It's going to take me half an hour, give or take. You can stay or come back later today to pick the bouquet.
[ She's not wrong. He highly doubts Aventurine would be aware of this planet's flower language. What is common knowledge regarding flowers would only pertain to those that grow on Pier Point and any other hub planets in the IPC's sphere of influence. Perhaps he really is overthinking it. ]
Perhaps so. Still, I would prefer to offer him flowers that accurately convey my feelings.
[ Aventurine would expect him to overthink it, since they know each other too well. Ratio was a scholar for a reason. ]
Ah, I am not in need of it today. I will require it in three days' time.
[ Did he come several days early just to ensure the bouquet would be perfect? Yes, yes he did. Because he's an overthinker and overplanner. ]
[ That's unusual. She does get orders every now and then to deliver at a specific date, but it sounds like he just wants to make sure she'll take her time. Now that would be shameful bribery if he expects her to put more effort than usual in the bouquet because they're friends!
... Thankfully, she always puts her all in her bouquets and she doesn't mind putting in an extra touch for a friend. At least, if he thinks that word is still appropriate between them. ]
[ He expects excellent service, yes, but not because they're friends. More because he's paying for it, and he's more than willing to fork up the money to make sure the bouquet is perfect. ]
Is that an issue?
[ The way she questions him... was it so unusual? Perhaps he really was overthinking it. ]
I expect nothing less. The arrangements you have on display are proof that I can entrust this task to you.
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@rubber ducky, a day after the Spa opens
no subject
> Action
[ And half an hour later, he's at the shop. This time, he's here for real business. There are many beautiful flowers and bouquets on display, so he takes the time to look at them all and admire Ereshkigal's work.
He's done his research this time, so he is considerably more informed about flower language this time around. When he spots an azalea, he reaches out to it and gently touches its petals. ]
...In flower language, this one means to take care of yourself, does it not?
[ Though he's somewhat talking to himself, it's loud enough for Ereshkigal to hear if she's at the front of the store. ]
no subject
She seems pretty absorbed in her reading, but looks up and smiles when she hears him speak aloud to himself. ]
I see you've done your homework. [She doesn't move from her seat just yet, giving him time to look at flowers on his own if he wants.] A red or pink color will add a romantic connotation to the message.
no subject
Then I would certainly like to include it in the bouquet.
[ He continues on in his browsing, and stops once again when he encounters a bouquet of white calla flowers. ]
Their shape is quite striking... Elegant and pleasing to the eye. But would it go well with the azalea?
[ Again, he's mostly talking to himself. He spotted Ereshkigal reading a book when he entered and figured she might want time to continue reading it. He is perfectly fine browsing the shop on his own for the moment. ]
no subject
You sometimes see them in weddings.
[ Together with azalea, as a matter of fact. That they would go well together isn't a question. She's a bit worried about the meaning. ]
However, they're typically used to denote purity, innocence and... [An awkward pause.] V-Various qualities of the spouse-to-be.
[ Like faithfulness, loyalty and... C-Chastity? She has no doubt all of those qualities apply, but the last? How is she supposed to know?! H-Hopefully he gets the hint and doesn't make her ask if that would be appropriate for Aventurine!! ]
no subject
But then Ereshkigal begins fumbling over the flower's meanings and... hm. Right, this flower embodied chastity. Well, the flower didn't have to represent all its meanings, right? ]
I'll keep this flower in mind.
[ Not an outright denial, but not a confirmation either. So Ereshkigal doesn't have to think any deeper about it. It wouldn't suit a bouquet with azaleas anyway, he concludes. Instead, he changes the topic to the next flower in his search. ]
Do you have a flower that represents... hm. Endurance, or constancy? One that means everlasting would be suitable as well.
no subject
There are many... [Dozens, really. The question is finding one that would marry well with Azalea while conveying the intended meaning.] Helichrysum. Also known as Immortelle and Everlasting.
[ She doesn't have them on display, those flowers are in the back of the shop. ]
I don't really use them for bouquets, but... [She points at a bouquet on display.] Look.
[ Isn't that so cute? She certainly seems to think so! A shame it'll probably end up withering there, nobody's bought it and it's been a few days since she made it already. ]
We could do something like that with Helichrysum as the background for the bouquet, and Azalea to write the message.
no subject
No. I'd... prefer something more subtle and elegant.
[ There are honestly far too many beautiful flowers and he is not well versed enough in flower arrangement to pick a combination that would look good. At least, not in an hour, which is the amount of time he's given himself to complete this task. He looks at Ereshkigal, a small frown on his face. ]
I'd like to see the kind of arrangement you'd recommend, and consider modifications from there. The general message is, ah... [ The flush on his face deepens and he averts his eyes. ] ...so long as it conveys deep and enduring affection, it should suffice. It need not include Azaleas if you cannot find a way to fit them in.
no subject
Deep and enduring affection...
[ She nods to herself and looks around the shop. She can include the Azaleas, it's no problem. ]
You're taking this too seriously, doctor. Do you know what will convey deep and enduring affection? [She smiles.] The fact that you're the one gifting him the bouquet.
[ It could be totally unfitting flowers, he would still get the message. But she is Ereshkigal, aspiring queen of flowers and a likely better goddess of love than her sister is!! There is no way she will have him offer unfitting flowers to his lover.
She grabs a few flowers and goes back behind her counter. ]
It's going to take me half an hour, give or take. You can stay or come back later today to pick the bouquet.
no subject
Perhaps so. Still, I would prefer to offer him flowers that accurately convey my feelings.
[ Aventurine would expect him to overthink it, since they know each other too well. Ratio was a scholar for a reason. ]
Ah, I am not in need of it today. I will require it in three days' time.
[ Did he come several days early just to ensure the bouquet would be perfect? Yes, yes he did. Because he's an overthinker and overplanner. ]
no subject
[ That's unusual. She does get orders every now and then to deliver at a specific date, but it sounds like he just wants to make sure she'll take her time. Now that would be shameful bribery if he expects her to put more effort than usual in the bouquet because they're friends!
... Thankfully, she always puts her all in her bouquets and she doesn't mind putting in an extra touch for a friend. At least, if he thinks that word is still appropriate between them. ]
It'll be the prettiest bouquet you've ever seen.
no subject
Is that an issue?
[ The way she questions him... was it so unusual? Perhaps he really was overthinking it. ]
I expect nothing less. The arrangements you have on display are proof that I can entrust this task to you.