#fabulouslyvisualkei

When an envelope lacking a return address was found in the mail, Charles was already rather leery of what it could be. What little was written on the envelope didn’t make things any better either, considering the there was the one person who had tried texting him relatively recently. Why was there always someone going out of their way to annoy him?

 Still, he sighed and opened the mail, pulling out the card inside with mild curiosity.

  When Rick woke up, Julius was already gone. Yawning as he exited his room, still in his chicken pj’s, Rick spotted something on the table in the living room. Looking closer, there was a flower, boiled eggs, and a note. Julius got him a present? Not only that, eggs. All Rick got Julius was some cheap earrings....Oh, wait. It was probably just because Rick invited him to stay at his apartment.

   Rick picked up the note to read it. Julius even apologized for it being a lame gift. I mean, Rick had plenty of eggs. He actually just bought some fresh eggs from the bazaar, but these boiled eggs probably cost more then the earrings he bought. Maybe he could pick something up for Julius while he was out.

Molly returned the smile as the customer approached, setting aside the bottle she had been fixing a label to. 

@fabulouslyvisualkei

With the Thanksgiving Festival coming up, and Illuminata setting up a cross promotion with Julius between Carnations’ and Crystalline, it had her thinking. She hadn’t really been planning to get anything for anyone she knew, didn’t think it’d be much of an issue. But the more she thought about it, the more she considered getting everyone something. She hoped she could find things for each of her friends easily enough, but...

There were some questions she need answers to first! Just to make sure the gifts worked out! So, she pulled out her phone and got to texting.

[ to Juli-Jelly Bean: ] juiliiii~!

 Rick was very eager to work lately so he could make some money to make up for his loss. Then, Julius walked in. Oh no, is he getting a pet? Rick was quite fond of animals but the thought of a dog or cat running around the apartment making a lot of noise. It can’t be too bad. Rick greeted Julius with a smile as was the store’s policy. Did he just ask for a canary? A bird? Oh hell no..

   “You want to buy a bird? Are you sure? They’re quite noisy you know.” Rick suddenly had a vision of himself lying in bed late at night, not able to sleep because a bird tweeting is keeping him up. Why did their apartment have to allow animals? He couldn’t refuse a customer and he was in need of money. Rick went and got the canary out of it’s cage and put it in a smaller one, bringing it to the front desk.

fabulouslyvisualkei

Standing at the counter in Carnations, Illuminata waved goodbye to her most recent customer. They had come in rather late, frazzled and close to the shops closing time, claiming the needed a bouquet urgently. And who was she to decline their business, it wasn’t like she had any reason to rush home!

That said, the customer had taken a decent amount of time decided on what flowers they wanted in the bundle. But that was over now, they had left happily enough, Illuminata having suggested which flowers and colors to use. And now she was alone, locking Carnations’ entrance so she could take care of closing without disturbance. There were a few things that had to be done so it’d be easy to start another day tomorrow! She readily got to it, humming a bit to fill the air as she did so.

Oh, but what was this?

Attention pulled away from her tasks thanks to her phone buzzing away in her pocket, she pulled it out, eyes lighting up as she saw who texted her and what he said.

[to Illuminata] hy~ ;) do u stll wnna mt ^ smtme :* <3 c:

Well that was easy to respond to! Except.... He hadn’t seen how she usually texts. Maybe... maybe she’ll slow it down for now, actually make sure she’s spelling things right. Mostly.

Gems, for the better or the worse, had reigned as the prevalent apple of her eye. (That was how people phrased it, correct?) It wasn’t a superficial love, not saccharine-sweet like the smiles some people forced on long days. They intrigued her, fascinated her; but above all, she found a hint of purpose in the hunt. 

She had long given up her days of hunting—that’s what she wanted people to believe, in the least—but her love for jewels remained as clear as day. To think, she would settle for a city life! She could have been out there, in the rain and wind, bustling sea towns or acres of forest. But perhaps something had called her here, for she felt as though Altelia wasn’t simply just a city. She could feel it in her bones.

But the transition from her last city to this one was very smooth. She just had to find a second job to blend in with the rest of the faceless waves of people that ebbed in and out of her life. Raking her fingers through lingering locks of hair, she tucked the loose ends back and maintained her usual calm demeanor as she approached the store in mind. The sign read flawlessly, pressed and fancy. “Crystalline Accessories.”

Ducking in elegantly, she nodded her head out of respect for the owner. Her eyes glinted for a moment, accessing the assortment of gems that were on display. My, my, certainly a selection here. There was no need for her future boss to worry, however. As a matter of dignity, Lily prided herself of never having stolen any treasure that belonged to another, despite the ‘treasure hunter’ title she adorned.

Confidently holding out a gloved hand, Lily graced a winning smile. “Hello, my name is Lily Cheng. It will be very delightful to work with you from now on.”