17-year-old Avera Ibori is a girl who has always longed for a life of adventure, but when her father mysteriously vanishes, she gets more of it than she can stand. Thrown into a hidden world of magic, intrigue, corruption, and kings, Avera must choo...
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"It's early yet. You'll find time," she told the fair skinned man in the black business suit and tie as she wrapped his flowers and the beautiful aroma of roses wafted up between them.
"Haha. I sure hope so," he chortled, his palms grasping the edge of the counter.
She wrapped the red ribbon tight around the bouquet, presenting him with an expertly arranged collection of red and spotted white.
He grinned happily as he watched her slender fingers tie the band around the roses, and his eyes danced with the light of eager expectation. "Hey, Dorothy, thank you!" the man said, brimming with exuberance. "I don't know what I would've done had you not been here. So few places are open."
"Yes, well... there are reasons for both those things," she reminded him.
"The closed I get. You being here, I don't," he moved his eyes from the flowers to her. "Why don't you come to the Kingsmen meetings?"
"Well, I..." she hesitated and the string slipped from its place, loosening the bow. "Blast!" she muttered softly.
"Dorothy, why not come with Louise and I to the congregation by the North Gate? Be our guest." He raised a finger with the idea.
"I... don't think so, Charlie," she said, maintaining a small, plastered grin as she attempted to retie the bow with shaking hands.
"Oh, come now, Dorothy! Why not?" he amicably protested. "Listen. Mr. Waverley has oversight, and he's the kindliest man you've ever met, I promise you!"
She smiled, pulling at the ends of the string which held the bright red bow around the deep green of the thorny stems of the dozen roses she had laid in the space between them. "I don't doubt he is," she replied softly, considering the beauty of the flowers she had wrapped for him. "I'm sorry," she said, her eyes still focused softly on the roses. "It's bad timing just now, but... perhaps, some other time." She paused. "I would very much like to hear him."
He watched her with quiet concern, unsure of what to say as he caught the sadness in her steely blue eyes. "Alright, Dorothy, some other time," he replied softly, then smiled and added lightheartedly, "But I'll hold you to it!"
"Please do," she lithely requested, her lips parting to a small grin.
He smiled with a nod. "Sure thing, Dorothy."
"Thank you," she said softly. "And a happy anniversary to you, Charlie," she added, presenting him with the bouquet and a friendly smile. "I wish you and Louise all happiness." There was a quiet sincerity to her words, though her heart remained heavy with the dull pain of an old memory.
"Thanks! It really should be a good one," he replied, holding the bouquet tenderly in his arms with silent contemplation. He took a deep breath. "Wow... good old fashioned roses." He smiled. "Louise will love them. Take care now, Dorothy, and thanks again!" he said happily, tipping his hat to her as he made his departure.
