What's that thing they say about a rose by any other name?

Chapter 1: The Florist in Snezhnaya

Meanwhile in Snezhnaya

Yumie's P.O.V:

"hmm... I wonder what causes such harsh winds today? This won't help any of the flowers," I said while taking care of the flowers in the backroom of my store, hearing the wind banging against the windows. I finished fixing up the glaze lilies. I sigh heavily and go to the windows to lock them up before going to the front area and turning the open sign, letting people know I'm open. "There we go. We need to fix up these orders. I have to finish up these Glaze Lilies for Mr. Steven." I said to myself, and I went to get the Bouquet from the back as I heard the doorbell go off.

"Hello? Miss Yumie?"

"in the back, Mr. Steven! I have your order ready!"

I yell out, coming out with the Bouquet, smiling kindly as I put the Bouquet on the counter. "Thank you again, Miss Yumie. I know this order was last minute. I will pay the full amount as promised." Mr. Steven said, getting out a bag of Mora and gently putting it on the counter before I chuckled softly. "Please, it's the least I can. Your wife was so kind to me over the years," I said as I wrapped the Bouquet carefully in a protective layer of plastic. "I just can't believe she died so soon. I know Death comes for us all, but still... well, I hope you have a good day, Miss. Yumie." Mr. Steven said with a sad look before taking the Bouquet and leaving the store as I returned to work to the other orders. I'm not surprised that Mr. Steven's wife died. She was pretty old, and the cold wasn't helping her health. I wish she hadn't asked me to-.

BANG

I finish hearing the door swing open, and I go to the front area, see who it is, and then sigh with relief. "Teucer, what did I say about slamming my door open?" I said, looking at Teucer, who seemed very happy to see me with an older Gentleman with a white mustache and rounded glasses along with.. pointy ears? Odd. "not to. but Mr. Pulcinella said we can get the flowers for Big Brother!!" Teucer said with an excited look, and I smiled at the boy. "All alright, but you must promise not to slam my door open. do you know what kind of flowers your brother wants?" I said as Mr. Pulcinella closed my door, and I watched him. He looks pretty familiar. I just can't put my finger on it. Maybe he knows... no, he doesn't know. I had never met him before. But he keeps looking at me like he knows-

"mhm! I promise! He said he wants to gold ones!! He wrote in his letter that he wants to give it to the person he loves!!" Teucer yelled out, interrupting my thoughts, and I chuckled at him as I started to work on a Bouquet of Qingxin and daffodils with a card saying, 'Will you be my lover?' as I wrapped it up in a plastic lair. "There we go. anything else, Little Troublemaker?" I smiled at Teucer and messed with his hat, making him laugh a bit. "no miss, Yumie! I have the-"

"Teucer, I will pay for it. I believe I said that earlier before coming in here," Pulcinella said, interrupting Teucer, getting out a big bag of mora and putting it on the counter. "I already told Teucer this, but I will tell you because you don't know about my shop. I don't accept large amounts of Mora." I said as I gave him the bag back and Looked at Teucer before telling him. "just tell your brother he owns me three types of flowers, ok?"

"Understood!" Teucer said with a smile before taking the Bouquet and running off back home. Pulcinella looked confused before running after Teucer. I sigh heavily and go to the back, closing the door very fast as I hold my chest, breathing heavily, and my hair starts to shift again. 'stay calm. It's ok. You're not in danger. No one is going to hurt you. Breath Yumie. you have to Breathe!' I look around before going to one of the batches of Silk Flower and start working on them to calm my nerves as I slowly regulate my Breathing. 

"too close. That was too close... I can't get caught. not again." As I picked up the silk Flower and admired it, I felt the flicking of the tongue, and I petted the small part of my hair. "I know that I can't get rid of you, but I will keep you all safe," I sigh as I look into the mirror in the backroom, seeing my reflection, hoping it would change, which it never does. My Ivory blue hair, the snakes moving around my purple eyes, and a scar over my left eye reminded me that the world is cruel, and none of the Archons will save those who truly need it.