melodiesoflife | 💐🌺 Snow Flower 🌺💐

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💐🌺 Snow Flower 🌺💐

Who: Terra and Open
What: Adopting kittens, buying flowers and tea, some dancing, SNOW!
Where: Flower Shop: Jardin Verdoyant
When: Month of November
Warnings: KITTENS

Flowers & Kittens: November 2nd – 18th

Terra was grateful that her shop managed to avoid damage during the giant moogle battle. Her kittens were safe although when she finally was able to check on them they were a little frazzled. She had collected new kittens since the disaster bringing the number of kittens in her care to an alarming volume. Even with her flower shop she wasn’t sure she could support them all.

She chose to take bolder steps in finding her cute little strays’ homes. A sign has been painted, sitting just outside the flower shop, with large letters reading: Kittens for Good Homes. There was a cute design of a kitten next to the words which was sure to bring in more people passing by on the streets.

The flowers, which were kept at the front of the store, were in decent shape considering the cold weather. Her green house had been repaired and was flourishing. There were spring and summer flowers as well as holly and other more durable plants that could be bought. Her teas were finished with experimentation and she had three out to sell: one was a light flowery blend, another was a dark rich nutty blend and the last one was a youthful green blend. They were placed by the counter in the far left of the store with a sign above them reading: Teas

It’s an otherwise peaceful day at the shop. Terra took the time to water her flowers and talk to those growing in the greenhouse. The kittens bat at her ankles trying to grab the girl’s attention as she works. Her feet are bare and her green hair was pulled back letting only a few curls run loose. She’s wearing a light blue shirt and a sleeveless light white blouse. Her winter jacket, hat and scarf hung by the front door but working in the humid greenhouse made them impossible to wear them inside.

Once upon a dream: November 11th

Spending each day in her shop gave her time to do all sorts of things. With the weather cooling she couldn’t go out to collect flowers from the plains like she had most mornings. When the shop was slow she’d read, begin to sew or play with the kittens. As she worked another thought tugged at her mind, a memory from the month before as if it’s suddenly gained new relevance.

...it's not really my thing.

Terra chewed on the inside of her lip as she repeated the words over and over again in her head.

-I'm not sure I could...do that.

She didn’t know why it bothered her or why the thought wouldn’t leave her alone. She placed the small calico that had begun sleeping on her lap to the side and stood in the cleared space towards the back of her shop.

Terra closed her eyes and took a deep breath before she moved. She was alone in the shop, or she thought she was and so without an audience she began to dance. Her arms were held out as if holding onto a partner taller than her while her mint green hair swayed to the echoes of the invisible song. Her feet whispered across the floor, careful not to hit any kittens, while following each learned step. A tune slowly rose in her thoughts and a slight smile pulled at her lips as she spun.

Snow: November 25th – 30th

It wasn’t that Terra has never seen snow but she’s still surprised when the wispy white flecks of cold drift down from the sky. Her green house was quickly covered by a blanket of snow though the flowers were safe within the warm structure. At some point she’d have to clear off the windows but for now she just enjoyed the changing weather. It was better than rain and for some reason it brought a smile to the young Espers lips.

She stood outside of her shop, her jacket pulled tightly around her thin frame as she looked up at the sky. Her hand went out to touch the snow, watching as the jewel of ice melted within the heat of her palm. It’s magical and Terra found herself swept away by that feeling.

It’s obvious that she’s completely lost to her thoughts and Tempest decided to take that moment to show Terra what it’s really like in the snow. The moogle gathered some of the silky white fluff in her paws and packed it into a perfectly round ball. Without giving Terra any warning the snow ball was flying through the air, aimed at the blissfully unaware girl.

It hit and with it came the startling shock of cold. “Tempest!” Terra looked over at her friend feeling flecks of ice melt against her warm skin only to glide down her jacket. “That’s cold.” She began to brush away the snow from her neck, clumps of it finding its way to tangle and stick to her hair. Tempest just smile looking up at Terra with another ball of snow in her paws.

”It’s a game, kupo. Or would you rather build a snow man?”

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With the cold front of winter moving in, Ven's usual trek across the city to Terra's shop wasn't quite as enjoyable as it once was. You wouldn't guess it by his mood and smile, however, and there was no loss of energy from his step or enthusiasm from his cheer. He was bundled up nicely in his usual black coat when he showed up (being less than a fan of shopping, continuing to use his Time Mage coat just seemed so much simpler and more practical), but unlike his previous visits, it wasn't his moogle accompanying him, but Saori.

He moved ahead to open and hold the door for her, and once inside he did a sweeping glance of the shop, noting the healthy state of the flowers. As usual, a couple of the older cats came to greet them with warm mews, and he leaned over to scratch between their ears with a smile.

When he didn't immediately see the shopkeeper, he called out cheerfully, "Terra! It's Ven! You busy?"

"Oh, aren't they just adorable?" Saori cooed when she saw some of the cats as they rubbed themselves against her ankles. She looked around at all the different flowers and she smiled. It was a complete contrast to how outside looked. While Ven was looking for the shopkeeper, Saori wandered a bit until she found the teas. A shop that held kitten adoptions and teas? Best. Shop. Ever.

"Terra?" Saori wondered why the name sounded familiar.

"One minute!"

Her soft voice echoed from the back of the shop. Terra was currently fighting with one of the kittens when she stumbles into the front of the shop. Her thin fingers lightly smooth out her skirt as she looks up at the pair. Her hair is tied back but soft wisps of green have found their way free. Her cheeks were tinted a light pink though it's because of the most recent kitten attack.

"How can I help yo- Ven?"

Terra looked at the pair a little more closely realizing who was in her shop.

"It's nice to see you. Are you doing okay?" She hadn't seen him for awhile and while she didn't remember Saori she was happy to meet a friend of Ven's.

When Terra stepped into view, Ven beamed, letting up on the ear scratches as he straightened up. "Hey!" he greeted. "I'm all right. Been a while, huh?" That couldn't really be helped with all the chaos lately, but he'd felt a little bad about not checking in on her before now. Seeing that she looked all right herself, however, did away with that pretty quickly.

"This is Saori!" he added, assuming from the mutual lack of recognition that the two hadn't met before. "Saori, this is Terra. She's the shopkeeper I was telling you about."

Now Saori remembered where she saw Terra from. She remembered the auction war between Sephiroth and D over her. Seeing how nervous and uncomfortable she was back there though, Saori figured it's best not to remind her of it.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Terra. I must say I'm impressed how beautiful these flowers are and you're taking care of kittens at the same time." Even without her goddess powers, she could tell Terra poured everything into taking care of both sides of the shop. She had admire that type of dedication.

Terra’s smile was slight though her eyes shined brightly at the compliment. She truly enjoyed putting all of herself in everything she did. She honestly didn’t know another way to handle things or face them. As she walked closer her fingers smoothed over her skirt before lightly tugging at the hem. It was a nervous reaction though it looked like a gesture that she did often. Her smile remained in place and while her posture was perfect it was also relaxed.

“It’s nice to meet you to Saori. I think I’ve seen you around some of the hero gatherings, I’m sorry we haven’t talked properly before now.” Terra didn’t really seek to talk to anyone though it was something she was slowly working on.

She stopped in front of them before her gaze turned to Ven. “I’m glad to see that you are safe.” The month before had been a little traumatic. “Who you like some tea? I was going to make some for Tempest and me.” Her moogle wasn’t here yet but Terra was expecting her to return in the near future and while Terra was running the shop she considered Ven, and any friend of his, guests.

Ven's smile softened at the remark about his safety, and it prompted a nod. "Yeah, I'm glad you're okay, too." He was the kind of person to be bothered by the fact that he couldn't help everybody all the time, even if he was well aware that it was impossible; but as long as they were all right in the end, he figured that was what mattered. He shook the feeling off easily enough.

"Tea would be great!" he added. "We wanted to talk to you, actually." And having tea together would definitely be a good opportunity to do just that.

Saori laughed sheepishly. "Oh no, not at all. I've been wrapped up in a lot of things too so it can be hard to properly introduce myself to everyone. But hey, I work in the police force so you can always call on me if you ever need help."

Her inner tea fangirl bounced off the walls at the offer."I'd love some," she said with a smile. She was long overdue in trying new teas. Sadly without her powers, that meant no producing her own tea out of thin air. On the other hand though, finding a place that sell their own tea was a win-win situation for both her and the shop.

"Yes, Ven tells me you've been fostering stray kittens and we'd like to adopt some." That's right. Some. Why? Kittens solve everything. Well, maybe not prevent world destruction but a good chunk of things. Speaking of kittens, a good chunk of them managed to crowd around the trio of heroes. Saori could just die from the cute the kittens, Ven, and Terra they seemed to emit.

“Yes, please come have a seat in the back. All the kittens are there too.”

Terra smiled and then slipped into the back to prepare tea. She’s taken her young blend and put the leaves in the tea pot to let them steep. It only took a few minutes since she already had hot water prepared. With trained motions she carries the full tea pot and three empty cups over to the table while not stepping on any of the cats.

As Ven and Saori step in the back they’ll notice it’s hotter, which explains why Terra’s wearing a skirt and a sleeveless blouse, and they’ll notice at least a dozen kittens and cats lounging around the area. To the right was the green house which was slowly gaining another wall in order to close it off from the rest of the shop entirely.

There was a play pen to the left as well as a small cot which a few cats have claimed as their bed. In the center was a metal table with two chairs to either side of it. After Terra placed down the tea she was off to find a spar chair.

“You said some? How many?” She knew that Ven wanted one so she’s glad his housemates decided too.

Ven took a seat at the indicated table, smiling as some of the cats followed. "Wow. You've got even more than before," he observed, sounding impressed. Were there that many around the city, or did her older cats have all these kittens?

Terra's question made Ven glance at Saori. "Well -- I see you still have Terra and Aqua around." The two cats in question had been among those to greet them, and now sat watching the visitors curiously. Catching their bright gazes, Ven grinned. He'd been partial to those two, for obvious reasons. "If they still need a home, I was thinking about taking them in, at least."

"I was thinking one for myself too, so that would be three between the two of us. I still haven't decided yet. Or should I say, I haven't met the cat that wants me."

Goodness, there were a lot of them here. Though she can't help but notice some of the kittens seemed to resemble the older cats. Oh dear. While Saori was slightly horrified by the implications of this reveal, a white and gray cat approached her and chirped as it rubbed itself against her assassin's boots..

"Hey there," she said when she looked to find the cat staring at her with its blue eyes after it was done. "Aren't you a pretty one?"

Terra smiled at Ven before pulling up a third chair and sitting. She poured them tea and carefully passed it around the table so that everyone had a drink. "You are welcome to take Aqua and Terra and I have many kittens that might like you." She's been socializing the kittens since she got them and she was sure that Saori would find a fit.

Some might be related but since coming off the streets Tempest had made sure that they don't breed however she did this without informing Terra. Tempest was far more practical than the flower girl and she didn't really want to explain it to her if she didn't have too.

"So you are looking for three? There are a few that are pairs and they wouldn't do to part them. Aqua and Terra are one of those pairs."

Ven couldn't help beaming at the news that the two cats in question were still up for grabs. He glanced at them with a new look of excited appreciation, and then back at Terra at her last remark.

"Oh, yeah? I guess that makes sense." It'd be kind of sad to break up good friends, after all. To Saori, he added, "Do you have anything in mind?" If gender, color, or personality was a preference, that would be a place to start.

"Hmm, that's a good question. I suppose an older cat would be better. Kittens are cute and all but I can't be around to monitor them with my job in the police force. Though kitten therapy at the police station may do some good..." No, Saori had to be realistic. Sure a box of kittens could possibly melt a criminal's heart but it's the maintenance that would be costly.

"Though it looks like this one's rather set on calling dibs on me," she laughed. The same cat from earlier managed to climb up onto her lap and laid down there. Thankfully the boots and the rest of her threads made the claws hurt a little less. The cat even gave her arm a headbutt to which she was happy to return the affection with some scratching under its chin.

Terra looked down at the cat and smile. "That's usually how it is. They choose you more than you choose them." Most of Terra's cats appeared at her shop as if knowing that it was the way to a new home. She didn't seek them out and yet the found her. They were all very smart cats and kittens and able to survive on their own for the first part of their lives.

"I think you should take her."

She nodded down to the cat before wrapping her fingers around her warm cup of tea. There was a soft smile playing across her lips as she nodded towards her bed where two cats were snuggled up.

"The only two that are older are Sea and Howl. I have had them for awhile and they are older but I'm afraid I can't separate them. They've grown up together though they are the two besides Flower who sometimes watch the flower shop for me."

Ven also laughed as the cat seemed to lay claim on Saori. He hadn't spent a whole lot of time around animals that he could remember, but cats definitely seemed more territorial than dogs. ~~They were also meaner, but he didn't hold a grudge about that incident.~~

"She definitely likes you," he agreed. "She's cute, too. What do you think?"

"You know what? I think I will take her home with us. What's her name, by the way?" The cat purred and looked up at Saori. Such beautiful blue eyes. Saori could get lost in them for hours until the feline decided to curl up for a nap on her lap. Well, she's not going to be moving for a while now.

"Three cats should be more than enough for the household. We'll just have to get them some collars and other things later." Since she was being pinned down by her new pet, she took the time to have a sip of the tea.

"This tea is delicious, Terra. It's a wonderful blend you got here."

"She doesn't have a name yet, I haven't had her for very long." It usually took weeks for Terra to find out what the cats name was. When Saori mentioned her tea she smiled a little brighter.

"Thank you. I've been experimenting and this one is my favorite."

She hadn't known how much she liked tea until she made her own. Plus she's able to make a dark brew that Sephiroth likes.

Oh, right, they would have to do some shopping for the little guys, huh? While Ven wasn't much of a fan of shopping for himself, he was glad to do so for others. Aqua was headbutting his shin for more attention, so he leaned over to scratch her ears. Not to be left behind, Terra trotted over and demanded the same with an expectant look. Ven had to set his cup down to oblige, but he didn't mind.

"So you get to come up with one for her, huh?" He observed the sleeping cat thoughtfully, but Ven was the type to name his pets and familiars after those he knew, so he wasn't sure if he would be a lot of help in that regard.

Oh, and speaking of people he knew, that reminded him -- he looked up at Terra (the human one). "Oh, yeah! While we're here, I wanted to pick up some flowers, too." He hadn't really thought about what kind, but Terra was the expert, anyway. "For... a friend," he added hesitantly, unsure whether that was really the right term. "Somethin' to say I hope she feels better."

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💐🌺 Snow Flower 🌺💐

November 12

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