Char of Lamia

Maia smiled at the man and began to figure out the cost of the flowers, based on the various flowers as well as how many flowers are in the bouquet. “It is going to be twenty-five dollars, even” She told him, wrapping up the flowers and gently handing to him. The idea he has about giving it to a friend was sweet, a part of her wondering if she should do the same with those that are friends. But that thought was fleeting, and her mind made her wonder just how well received the flowers would be to someone like Cor after everything. 

Focusing on the gentleman in front of her, she kept smiling and ready to finish the transaction for him. 

He rifled in his pocket a moment, balancing the flowers in his lap, before pulling a few notes. His heart landed nervously in his chest as he handed over the money. Though it settled. At worst, he’d get a nice bouquet to put in his house, he reminded himself as he pushed back from the counter. “Keep the change.”

Maia nodded, “I understand. It is a fine line and I think most people are worried about coming across weird or odd to others.” It was something that she never truly thought about until she arrived at Fableton. Really until she started branching out more. Now she just wondered if maybe she a bit odd to others. Feeling like she was acting odd now, she finished up the bouquet and handed it to him. “Here. Do you like it? Any other touches are you thinking about needing to be done?” She asked, lacing her hands together as she watched his reaction. 

He laughed quietly through his nose and nodded. His whole adult life - the part of it that he remembered - had be an onslaught of coming across weird. It still seemed to baffle doctors that somehow he hadn’t quite recovered his memories yet, so he’d learned to push it all down and pour it into his writing. Lottie, however, had given hi the opportunity to let it all back out and he wasn’t quite sure how well it would be received.

“Not at all. Really, it’s wonderful,” he smiled as he gazed at the bouquet. It certainly felt very Lottie to him. “How much is it?”

Feeling her cheeks turn slightly pink, Maia kept her focus on the flowers and smiled. Learning about them was all she had when she got to Fableton, convinced there wasn’t anything else. While she doesn’t research and study nearly as much as she used to about flower’s meaning… She was happy that it could help out someone that wants to give their friend a meaningful gift. 

“A coward?” Her eyes looked to him, curious, “I don’t entirely understand but I will get the bouquet all wrapped up for you so you can take it with you.” Maia paused, saying quietly, “I am sure your friend would appreciate the flowers either way but I definitely think you delivering them yourself would be extra special. Not that you asked for my opinion.” She shook her head, putting the flowers together, “Sorry, it really isn’t any of my business.” 

He shook his head and smiled softly. “No, it’s completely fine. Really, the encouragement is appreciated. It’ll...” He tilted his head to one side and tried to think of a way that didn’t make him sound weird. “Give me the confidence. I know she’s not the type to find it weird but there’s always that worry, you know.” Life wasn’t like fairy tales or love stories. Every nice gesture was always taken with a smile. As much as he intended it to be non-romantic, it had the potential to be creepy for the simple fact that it might.

“Thank you” Maia giggled, looking at the flowers, “Honestly when I first moved here all I did was work and then go home. Read. So I guess I just decided to read about the flowers and it stuck. I enjoy the messages they can give so much. They really can be wonderful things.” No matter what world she was always going to love flowers, especially since she came from a rose. She began to set up his bouquet, “Are you wanting us to deliver it for you or would you like to take it with you today?” 

“Yes it’s... really quite wonderful. Takes a lot of commitment,” he smiled. He’d know. Sometimes he’d pick up a bit of research for his next book and find himself staring at a wall when he lost the stamina to keep going. He loved his job, he really did. But sometimes it was a test of wills.

His eyebrows flickered upward at the offer of delivery. It was tempting. After all he imagined the hand-over would be more than embarrassing. But no, he was a grown adult. “As much as I want to be the coward, I think I’ll take them myself.”

“Tulips it is” Maia smiled, looking over at the flower, “I think it is a very good choice.” She tilted her head to the side in thought about the single pink rose, and nodded. “It does have a nice message and is a lovely color of a flower” She admitted, “We can definitely do that.” Heading towards the back, she continued talking, “I think I have a few flowers that can work with your bouquet that isn’t just another tulip.” Looking around she found the iris and calla lily that she found, walking back towards the front of the store. 

Gently, Maia placed down the two pots on the counter to show the man. “So I think these two might work, if you like them” She gestured to one of the pots, “this is the calla lily. It is suppose to represent joy, continuous growth, and change.” She motioned to the other pot, “This one here is the iris. It stands for wisdom, hope, and purity. Again, it depends on the message that you want to have as well as which ones you think would look nice together. If neither one of these interest you I can always get more.” 

He waited patiently until she came back with the flowers, a small smile resting on his lips. “You’ve definitely got the eye for your job. I really don’t know how you remember all this. But they’re beautiful and they fit, so I’m happy with it.” Though really, for as many messages as they conveyed, he doubted Lottie would spend too much time reading into it. She’d likely just grin, like she did, and plant them in a vase on her side.

“Baby’s breath would be lovely. Just enough to give a good balance to the flower arrangement.” Maia nodded, beginning the progress to get a few more flowers to show her new customer, a small, content smile never leaving her face. “The flower, baby’s breath, also mean pureness and innocence” She told him, “As well as everlasting love, whether it is familial, platonic, or romantic. They are some of my favorites because of that.” 

“But let’s start with some pink flowers, shall we?” Pulling a pot full of pink flowers, so bright they were almost magenta, Maia nodded, “These are tulips. The bright pink ones tend to mean life and a passion for it, if that is the meaning you are wanting to go for.” Gesturing to the pot she was working on, “There is also the pink lilies, known as the Stargazer Lily. They are for ambition and encouragement.” She paused, before pulling out pink roses, “I know that you don’t necessarily want roses but the pink coloring tend to mean adoration, gratitude, and respect.” 

He nodded along as she spoke. He’d known they were for pureness, but not necessarily the everlasting love. Perhaps that was a nice touch. “Tulips, I think.” Lottie was certainly life and passion squeezed into the body of person. Though he thought to steer away from the lilies. Of her ambitions, the one he was most acutely aware of had been one to marry a prince and while it wasn’t a bad dream, he always imagined her as much more than that. “Perhaps if I take a single pink rose, not to overpower it then. I can’t deny that’s a nice message to give to a friend,” he smiled and glanced to a row of more yellow flowers. “What do you think would match the ones I’ve picked already?”

Lottie: That's all I ask haha

Lottie: Now we just have to find you a lucky lady so we can go on double dates together!

Lottie: ...No comment ;P

“Oh. Well that is actually a very sweet idea” Maia smiled, “I think it is sometimes lost that love is not always in a romance sense.” Nodding she moved towards the desk to pull out an order form and pen, beginning to write down the specifications. “Pink and yellow can definitely be the main color of the bouquet then. Now, I would recommend like a smaller, white flower to kind of balance it all out. Something simple.” Tapping the pen on her lip, she looked around the room at her flowers, “Now. You can move around and see what flowers catch your eye that remind you of your friend. Or I can bring out some flowers and we can pick from there. Either way, I will explain the meanings to you as we go so that way you get the perfect, unique bouquet. Sound good?” 

He let out a quiet sigh of relief. At least someone thought it was. White was a good idea, otherwise it might have ended up as an atrocious punch in the face in terms of colour. “Baby’s breath?” He’d always liked the little clusters of flowers. They were sweet and unassuming and possibly something that could break up the assault to the senses that were the colours he’d picked. “Maybe you pick some flowers and we’ll go from there. Otherwise I’m scared it’s going to look even more awful than it sounds,” he laughed.

“I… Actually I was going to apologize for that so I am just going to stop.” Maia let out a small laugh, realizing that the man was completely correct that it would be a never-ending cycle of apologies. “Something pretty and that isn’t roses. Possibly pink and yellow. Well that is a bit new” She looked around, “Most want roses this time of year. But… I think I can definitely help you with that. Are we still wanting to have the flowers that mean romance in them?” She settled into a role that was much more comfortable, one that was her simply being an associate helping someone with picking flowers. Her smile grew as she stared at the flowers, knowing that all of them are beautiful and unique in their own way. She came from one, after all. “We do have a few good selections here for you. Just all depends on the message you want to say.” 

He gritted his teeth and sucked air through the corner of his mouth. Did he want the message of romance? It should have been an obvious no, but some masochistic part of him almost said yes. “No, no. Just for a friend. She means a lot to me, though so I thought I’d re-purpose the Valentines message.” He tapped his fingers against his thigh. “They don’t have to be yellow and pink in the same flower. I just- Those are two colours I associate with her.”

Relaxing a little,Maia shook her head, smiling softly, “No, no. I was the one that wasn’t paying attention. Which is rather rude considering I am the only one working here right now.” Looking around she took a deep breath, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Let me redo my introduction. Welcome, my name is Maia and I am here to help you in anyway I can.” The man must be looking for a bouquet for Valentine’s Day. Most people have been filtering in, though she is aware that they will have a few procrastinators on the actual day. 

“Not at all, but I won’t argue with you. Otherwise, I’m afraid we might be here all day debating which one of us is the sorriest,” he laughed, turning a little to gather a better view of the flowers. “Well, actually I was hoping you might, Maia. I’m looking for something that’s pretty, but isn’t filled with roses. Maybe something yellow? No, pink? Yellow and pink?” He pursed his lips and gazed at the rows of flowers that seemed in that moment to tower above him. For a book or two he’d studied the meanings of flowers, but other than that, he knew very little about them. “I need help, in short.”

“You will be my wings…” Maia sang softly to herself, as she began to trim some of the flowers in the Flower Shop. It was quiet, with not a lot of people coming in, something that she guiltily enjoys. She knows that a shop needs customers… But sometimes she just enjoys the quietness. Now more than ever in her old world, especially since it was going to get busy in the upcoming days. Already there were quite a few orders that needed to be done in order for the busier time for the shop and she had to continue to work diligently. Putting away the freshly cut flowers, she turned and let out a startled scream when she saw someone had walked in and was standing there. “Sorry… I’m sorry” She gasped, giving a small smile, “I didn’t even hear you come in.” 

Char wanted to get Lottie something for Valentines day. Not because they were anything. No. She had a boyfriend now, if that was the word for it. But, he supposed, he wanted her to know how much he valued her as a friend. Valentines was about showing love for people, it didn’t necessarily have to be romantic. At least, he hoped it didn’t. He hoped she wouldn’t take it that way. Probably.

He pushed his way into the flower shop slowly, though the girl sung so beautifully, he couldn’t being himself to interrupt. Well, until she turned and screamed. “Don’t worry. They tend to be quiet,” he said, patting the wheels of his chair and offering a soft laugh. “I have a terrible habit of confusing or frightening the life out of people. It should probably be me apologising, really.”

Lottie: Sometimes I just need a second opinion, especially when I have a big idea and need to be talked down from it lol

Lottie: Thank you :) I don't know where it will lead, but how things are now works.

Lottie: I know, and I like your place plenty, but I like the idea of being able to hang out with you in my place too.

Char: I'm a bit of a fantasist so I can't say I'll be much good at talking you down, but I suppose I can try.

Char: I'm really happy for you.

Lottie: I might bounce some ideas off of you along the way. Hope that's okay :P

Lottie: Richard. I think it always was Richard, but he's been really great lately. He even came and helped lug boxes all over the place for me :)

Lottie: Of course I did! I couldn't very well live somewhere you could never visit.

Char: Go for it. I can't guarantee my responses will be any use to you, but I'm all ears.

Char: Oh wow! I'm really pleased for you.

Lottie: I hope it lives up to the hype. I'm on a tighter budget than I'm used to, but I'm excited to finally put those skills to work again.

Lottie: I actually took whether or not there was an elevator into consideration. Luckily Kristoff's place had one or I would have had to look elsewhere for a roommate.

Lottie: Had to make sure my best guy could come and visit me whenever he wanted

Char: I'm sure you'll find a way. You manage to with everything else. On which note, any news on the man front?

Lottie: I don't know any other way :P

Lottie: There is! It's on the other side of the building, but it works lol

Char: Well, I'm looking forward to seeing one with my own two eyes. Very exciting stuff.

She couldn’t help but smile when she felt his head lean against hers.  It was nice to know that even when she felt like her head was going to explode, he could keep her from having an emotional blow up.  “I’ve known Richard longer, but he didn’t ask me here tonight.  John did.  But I don’t know him as well as I know Richard.  I think I need to give John a proper chance tonight, and then I can decide if it was enough to make me want to forget about his brother,” she decided, nodding once firmly before pulling away a bit and placing her hands on Char’s shoulders.  “You, sir, are one of now two Lottie whisperers.  You should exchange notes with Tia,” she joked, leaning in and giving him a big kiss on the cheek.  “I should get back to my date, but lunch this week?”

He raised his head and nodded, trying his best to look enthusiastic. Perhaps it was a little too much for him to compute, the kind of thing he imagined only happened in stories and soap operas. When faced with the glaring reality of it, for some reason, it seemed so much less romantic from where he was sitting. “Good plan,” he said softly, giving a short nod and her arm a gentle rub. “Definitely. Text me, yeah?”