petals of the soul

A quick sweep of the store, she offered a smile to Flora. "You don't mind helping, do you? I'd love something Christmasy... but not too festive."

“Oh, I see… Well alright, I can do that! We’ve got lots of beautiful, wintery options. Poinsettia’s are a staple for Christmas, but they may fall into the ‘too festive’ category that you’re referring to. Are there any specific colors you find yourself drawn to? Or maybe you’re more partial to smaller blooms? Oh! Or perhaps you’d like a bouquet over something potted?" The fairy didn't mean to ramble off the amount of options that she did. To be honest, she didn't even realize she was doing it until she reminded herself that this was Vitani she was speaking to. 

Vitani knew Flora didn't like her, and she fed off of it. It wasn't that she liked being hated, but she'd been hated for things out of her control her whole life... she may as well be hated for reasons in her control. Zeroing in on the woman, she feigned surprise, as if she wasn't there just to rile her up because she was bored. "Oh, hello!" Her voice was sticky sweet when she spoke, enough she cringed internally at herself. "I don't suppose you could help me find what I'm looking for?"

"Vitani," Flora's soft voice trailed off as the woman commanded the room, her energy and attitude spreading like weeds. The fairy place the potted plant that she was tending to down on the counter. "You— You're in the market for flowers?"

samuel didn't really enjoy feeding in the woods like some animal. being alive as long as he was it felt barbaric to stoop down to this level, but he had to admit he wasn't being the most careful and since he liked his food fresh and from the source, he had to get a little old school. luring some pretty little thing into the woods wasn't very hard and he hardly saw anyone out and about in them at this time of day. so he figured his plan was pretty concrete.

even with his fangs neck-deep into his meal his senses were on high alert. so the simplest twig snapping had him carefully removing his fangs from the poor girl's neck and slowly turning around to a different beauty. she had this humming to her that made him curious, and while he should be more polite and wipe off the crimson that was dripping from his mouth onto his shirt, he figured he could make room for dessert so there was no need.

"what a nice day for a stroll, isn't it?" he said with a teasing grin, looking the woman into her eyes. "you have a beautiful smell to you, dear. almost...nothing like this woman next to me. do tell me; what's your secret?"

But not today. Something felt... off about the energy of the forest. Flora could sense a small anomaly. Was that a lack of life? But it seemed so condensed? What was this feeling? The fairy paused her search of wildflowers, taking the few she had already collected with her as she tried to find whatever the source of this emptiness was. It was only a few moments before her ears picked up a strange noise.

Flora proceeded cautiously forward, side stepping a rather large root of an elder oak tree. The silhouettes of two people came into view, and the empty feeling grew slightly. As she stepped a bit closer, the fairy averted her eyes in naiveté for fear she was catching the pair in an intimate moment. In fact, she was about to apologize until the man spoke to her... addressing her so casually. Flora's eyes flickered back upward only to uncover the scene she thought she had intruded upon was something else entirely. The man had blood on him, causing her own to turn cold. And the girl... something was wrong. Why did she look so weak? Was she even conscious?

The man spoke again, and the dreamy look that usually rested on Flora's features faded into confusion and anxiety. Her fingers flexed nervously before pressing one of the charms of her bracelet into the heel of her hand— a subconscious display of nerves. "What's— What are you talking about? What's going on here? That woman looks like she needs help..." 

It didn’t go unnoticed to the fae that Mamoru’s eyes kept drifting to the rose bushes. Flora smiled, a part of her heart warming at the sight. “Roses are quite impressive flowers. There can be so much meaning jam-packed into these little guys that many people don’t realize.” Her fingertips grazed the petals gently, handling them as if they were the most fragile thing in the world. She even made sure to admire the thorns and leaves— just as worthy of love and care. “Did you know that different colored roses hold their own individual symbolisms? Even the number of roses you curate into a bouquet hold specific meanings. They seem to really catch your eye over the other blossoms we’ve collected so far.” 

Flora often found that getting people to talk about their passions helped to take their mind off of whatever worries were weighing down their spirit. Maybe Mamoru worked like that. Regardless, Flora was very determined about helping him— even if it was only temporary. Plus, she absolutely adored learning about someone’s favorite flower. It told her so much about their heart and personality. 

surveying the casino, the man ran ringed fingers along the line of his jaw, feeling the muscle spazzing beneath stubble-infested skin as lids narrowed into iron slits. he could smell her before he saw her — notes of the freshest floral —like he were no more than a mutt with a good nose. barret's head turned to find the silhouette of flora — eyes meeting hers, though his gaze remained distant. elsewhere. " what are you doing here ?? " the man inquired, voice gruff, realizing now he hadn't uttered a damn word in what now felt like days.

When she heard his voice, Flora’s moment of relief was sweet but fleeting. Like cotton candy. She was glad to no longer be alone in such an overwhelming place so out of her comfort zone, and she knew not to anticipate the warmest of welcomes right now, but the girl wasn’t necessarily expecting that choice of words. “Shouldn’t be— but why? I know everyone’s peace has been thrown out of balance right now, but that’s why I wanted to come see you. I, um— I brought you something actually,” Flora mused softly, trying to tread as delicately as she could. In the knit tote bag over her shoulder, the girl pulled out a small potted plant. Cupping it carefully between her palms, she offered it hopefully to Barrett. “It’s just some lavender I grew myself. It has calming properties and can be really helpful with sleep aid and anxiety. I really love it in tea…” Her words sort of died off as she spoke. She could sense the turmoil within him, and the usual fire in his eyes wasn’t quite the same.