~A Florist's Heart~

~^Gloxinia^~

"Love is the emblem of eternity; It confounds all notion of time; Effaces a memory of a beginning, and all fear of an end." -Madame de Stael, Corinne.

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Small rays of sunshine slowly slinked into the indoor garden, passing through the laminated windows. Dancing across the checkered floors and creamy-white walls making their way to the blossoms decorating the floristry. The leaves began to lift displaying their newfound joy.

I small ding rang throughout the store, shattering the peaceful silence. Only for it to return moments later. The glass entrance shut with a gentle click. Footsteps sounded out, the quiet click-clack falling upon the ears of plants alone.

A hand came up and grabbed a pair of sky blue pruning shears painted with small, fluffy sheep. Soft humming bounced across the walls as hands tossed down a heavy messenger bag accompanied by a dull thud. The shears approached several of the florets making small snips in their legs and continuing down the line.

Snip.

Snip.

Snip.

A smile crept onto the florist's lips as his emerald eyes observed the newest bouquet. His creation consisted of original white daisies, purple crocus, baby's breath, then a single hibiscus. All together a gorgeous bouquet in his opinion.

Innocence, Youthfulness, Trust, and Delicate Beauty.

He placed the new bouquet in a crystal vase tying the stems together with an elegant lily-white ribbon. Grinning at his work he skipped off to water the children of his floristry. A hand pushing fluffy chestnut hair out of radiant, green eyes. He snatched his signature metal Watering Can filling the container with pure water.

Drip.

Drip.

Drip.

Petals spin and twirl celebrating a drink. Placing the watering can down. He pulled his phone out of his long-forgotten messenger bag. Soft pop music made its way around the building. Flipping the Open sign over, so it may be displayed to the city of New York. He sat down and waited for his customers.

Anyway, a few hours later around mid-day. The first customer came in. A charming old man waltzed in and up to the counter. A booming voice, much like a general, happily hollered, "Morning Aziel! How's it going?" Flashing his bright Colgate smile up at me. I reply with the normal sass, " It's going wonderfully. How may I help my dear, Elder."

He gasped dramatically, "How dare you! You know it's me! Young and tough Oisin!........And I'll have your newest bouquet for the Mrs. she always loves your flowers." Oisin added quietly. Smiling I lift the stems gently like a newborn child and dry the 'roots' off. Wrapping them in the usual white paper. I hand the collection of Pink, Purple, and white blossoms over. " $4.50. Please and Thank you."

Oisin giggled pulling out the respective money and handing it to me. I snatch the green bills and put them in the register. I wave him off as he prances away to find his Mrs.

What a great couple...

I sit myself back down in the spinning office chair and wait patiently for the next person.

Ding.

I look up and spot a little old lady with white braids at the door peeking inside. "Oh, Aziel! Have you seen Oisin? We were just walking in the park and he ran off." I grin softly at her replying to the dire question. "Yes, he just stopped by. I believe he just dashed toward Central Park." She nodded handed me $4.50 and gently grabbed a bouquet of Red and White Camellia.

Flames in my heart, and adorableness.

Good combo.

She wandered out the glass door again moving into a speed walk. 'Amazes me how fast those oldies can move...' I thought to myself watching her turn the corner down the street. I sit myself down again and spin around in circles like any normal person.

Humming to the soft pop music, he played a game on his phone. Still waiting even when the sun went down. The never-sleeping city's lights popping on.

Ding.

I look up expecting to see one of my usuals ... but he's new. Black hair, hazel eyes, freckles, cargo pants, and a black tank top hidden under an old bomber jacket. About my age actually. I blink and observe him gaze at the bouquets. Wonder who he'd be getting flowers for...

He wandered up with nothing in the end and stared at me blank-faced. I decided to introduce myself. "Hey! I'm Aziel Humpaw. It's great to see a new face around my shop. Find anything ya like?~"

He shook his head a small smile making its way onto his plain complexion. 'Quite cute.' He finally replied, " Hehe... I'm Dario Kalex. I was looking for a custom made bouquet for my girlfriend." I grin and wave him to follow. Skipping down a hallway I open a door and hold it open for him.

Dario blinks but complies with entering. I followed in after him and looked at all of the flowers. "Okay. Mr.Custom-made. What do you want your flowers to say?"

I scan his confused body-language. I shake my head with a chuckle. "Florets have meanings, silly." Turning I hear a small "Oh." before I grab my pruning shears. "Mkay. You wanna say something like, 'I love you' Or 'You're beautiful'?"

Viewing over my shoulder, my emerald eyes can see He's hesitating. "Or...?" Dario blinked thinking about it. "Damn, maybe I should've learned this in class ..... Strange flower language. Could you mix your two ideas?"

I nod and slip around the tables bolding the groups upon groups of florets. I smile and snip a few of the White Jasmine. Gently lifting the stems. I hold them in a circle making my way toward the other side of the greenhouse Dario in tow. I snag some of the Red Tulips and Purple Violets.

Sweet Love, Passion, and Devotion.

I softly lift them off the soil and let them enter the bouquet. I show them to Dario to get the approval, but he just ....... stares at them. I wave a hand in front of his face to make sure he hasn't gone star gazing.

"Hmm? Oh sorry. Spaced out for a second." I roll my eyes playfully and drag him out of the greenhouse to the cashier. I place the bouquet on the counter and wrap it in my personal Lily-White ribbon. I hand it to him. "That'll be $4.50, Please and Thank you."

He chuckles and shifts the bouquet to his right arm, pulling out $4.50 from his back pocket. I take it and smile. "Now... Which flower do I pick for you..." I walk to the glass cases in the front displaying my creations. Dario looked beyond confused at the moment. I gaze over my children until I spot the one. A Gloxinia.

Love at first sight.

I put the flower behind his ear and pat his back. "Nice doing business with you! Hope to see you again!" I wave goodbye to him as he walks out the entrance with a bouquet and a beautiful smile.

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Word Count : 1174

Hey, it's Maniac. Welcome to the first chapter's end. I'm not sure when i'll update this again. Let's hope soon, eh? Anyway have a good night/day. Ta-ta.

-I_Am_A_Maniac_1234