melodiesoflife | Opening up the flower shop~

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Opening up the flower shop~

Where: Aqures Ixen: Terra’s new flower shop (Also a rescue center for animals and pets) located at the border between the 14th and 09th District of Aqures Ixen.
When: 9th through the month of May~ and June!
Summary: Terra has just opened her shop, Jardin Verdoyant, after spending some time and money getting it ready. Bartz had helped her where he could. Now it is open and ready for business. In June Terra can be found at the flower shop or her home. The memories left her feeling a little uncomfortable about people.
Warning: None.

Terra had made sure the shop was perfect before sending out Tempest with the flyers. There were rows of plants cut from the stem and rearranged in lovely patterns as well as rows of bright seasonal flowers that were still rooted to a clump of soft dirt. She wanted people to be able to plant flowers as well as have them to be placed in a vase or given as gifts. She had collected seeds as well, which sat in small baskets on the front counter, each with the flowers names written out on small pieces of parchment. The whole store front burst with colors drawing in those who walked by.

The back of the store was simple, Terra was in the process of outfitting it as a greenhouse of sorts and she hoped to have it set up so she could grow spring and summer flowers throughout the winter. On the far side of that wall there were pens and a dozen or so kittens were playing with small toys that Terra had made a few days before. Two of the kittens, whom Terra has trained, were wandering around the store front pulling in customers with soft meows. One was black with startling blue green eyes while the other was an orange tabby cat who’s eyes shined gold in the light of the sun.

Terra was excited and it showed in a happy smile as she lightly misted water over a collection of carnations.

She had her long green hair pulled back into a ponytail with loose strains falling to frame her delicate features. For once Terra wasn't wearing a dress deciding to wear a purple tank top and a pair of worn shorts. She wore brown boots that ended at her calf which were slightly covered in dirt and scuffed from work.

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Her gaze never left his. "You're right."

Even if it was conjecture, he was correct. She should leave. The reason that Terra had opened her flower shop was to be away from the thought of war; to instead be surrounded by life and warmth. Except she had told Jessie that she would stay and she wasn't the kind of person who would go back on her word.

"I didn't promise but I gave my word that I would stay. I know I shouldn't..." Terra took a deep breath shaking her head slowly. "... At the very least, I can promise you; I will be safe."

She wasn't looking to be reckless or rush into battle. She would protect the street around her shop and those she knew, who would be to stubborn to leave. The other shop owners along the strip had become close to Terra. They would stop in to see her kittens and say hello from time to time as well as come and talk to the hero about random topics. It usually let Terra a little confused but she didn't hate their visits.

The question that Sephiroth had found himself wondering just burned hotter, crawling underneath his very skin as Terra confirmed that -of course- he was right. He identified it as something similar to embarrassment coupled with irritation; one might make an entirely relevant comment but at the same time know they weren't well positioned to make such. Embarrassed that he had passed a judgment on her, yet at the same time irritated that he was right and Terra were choosing to act oppositely...which quickly led to another odd thought -

He knew that she was free to make her own decisions; it was wrong for him to feel somehow cheated just because she hadn't done as he thought was right.

That odd sensation was cooled a little as Terra enlightened that she had given her word, though. To Sephiroth, giving your word was exactly as making a promise and, being honest like that himself, helped to quell the intense feeling of disapproval. As she went on to promise him that she'd be safe it, it cooled further, but left behind a more prickly thought; he couldn't allow her promise that. Just as he'd denied her promises about being there for him previously - he didn't want to hold her to hold herself personally responsible for any of what might happen later on.

Sephiroth's eyes flicked instantly back to Terra's face as she arrived at that statement.

"No. I don't want you to promise that, Terra. It's more likely that no one who stays behind will be safe regardless of how you might try hardest to avoid any conflict. There is an view that is building, that they are coming for all of us..."

He searched her face rabidly with his eyes, only the kitten on his lap -now snoozing- preventing him from leaning forward toward her; anything to communicate how important it was that Terra make the next logical leap.

If it were true, what he were hearing more and more, no Hero of Light would be safe.

Edited 2015-07-20 12:04 (UTC)

Terra wasn’t able to discern the nature of Sephiroth’s thoughts but she noticed a slight flush to his cheeks that might be from the humid heat that circled through the green house. Her gaze glanced down at the water in her hand and she slowly took a long sip as if the cool liquid could steady her rising nerves. It was getting easier to talk to people but for some reason Sephiroth made Terra unsure of her feelings.

Tempest claimed she knew what it was but the little moogle left her hints cryptic hoping that Terra would discover the source on her own. It was more meaningful that way, or at least Tempest thought so.

While Sephiroth’s mind wandered, Terra’s did the same. She didn’t know why his approval or opinion mattered so much to her. She knew it was silly to make promises with him. She hadn’t promised that she wouldn’t get hurt but that she would try her best to stay safe; that she wouldn’t be reckless. It felt like something she could do. Something she could do to gain his approval in her actions. Terra released a shaky breath feeling the soft exhale of air as clear her mind.

She worried about him. She always had even though he had already assured her that she shouldn’t. Except Terra cared; she couldn’t stop these new feelings as if her inexperience with them gave them more power over her thoughts.

His words gave her pause. “Coming for us?” She didn’t show fear but there was a deep worry behind her gaze. It wasn’t for herself. Terra was worried for him. She knew that he wouldn’t run but this also meant that those who had run might not be safe either. As long as they were heroes of light

Terra wanted to promise and she wanted him to promise too. It was selfish but she wanted to be able to see him again. That thought made her pause. She swallowed trying to push any unnecessary thoughts away. This wasn’t the time to worry about how she felt on the matter.

For the time being his own cool drink of water was forgotten, the condensation climbing up the sides of the glass as it rested still on the top of the ornate table between them. Sephiroth was much too focused on attempting to will Terra to understand and then, logically, change her mind and make to leave the City before it was too late.

He couldn't get his head around why she had put her word to such an obviously dangerous request in the first place, which just stirred unkind thoughts toward Jessie for requesting that Terra stay behind and holding a new job to ransom for it. Misguided as he might be, he did not see Terra as a fighter at all, and to force someone into such a situation was not acceptable either.

How Jessie did not get the same impression? Had she done that on purpose? None of those questions were helpful given the fact that Sephiroth didn't have the time to go asking - he'd come by on his way back to the airport only.

So he nodded slowly, communicating the heavy consequences associated with that. "If popular belief is to be verified, the Empire has reached the conclusion that we are too dangerous to be tolerated now. If true, I have no doubt that they might accept to level all of Aqures in order to see their objective fulfilled."

He took a breath, and continued after a few long moments discreetly chewing at the inside corner of his mouth. As if it might help to curb that sharp concern over her well being that he didn't even know why he felt so much.

"You can't stay here."

Terra didn’t understand how Jessie picked the compensation requests. She had asked if it could be with something academic like before but Jessie had said she’s far too busy to think of anything else. Terra hadn’t been able to get a word in otherwise without waiting, which might have been the more logical action. Except that the skill that Terra was requesting was white mage and she felt that it would be more important now to have access to that magic. She hadn’t wanted to wait.

She studied Sephiroth, listening to the sad theory as it left his lips. If the heroes were the target then they would never be safe. No matter where they ran and if this Empire was anything like the one Terra knew then they wouldn’t stop.

There was a long silence before Terra spoke again.

“Why can’t I stay here?”

Her voice was soft but curious. She wasn’t pressing or demanding that she had the right, like every other hero, to stay and fight for the city that housed them. She didn’t want to just dismiss Sephiroth’s concern but if she left she’d be breaking a promise and something deep inside of her wouldn’t let her do that.

Then there was something else. Something more pressing than every other thought or feeling that bubbled beneath the surface of her calm expression. He wanted to her leave, he wanted her to be safe but that would mean he cared for her in some way. It didn’t make sense to her.

They spoke in Esdham and he had pushed her away. She was fine with that and from that meeting he learned that, even if she didn’t promise, she’d be there if he needed it. He won’t let her make a promise and yet every time she finds herself faced with a curious notion that they might be friends.

It was confusing and she couldn’t describe the way that she felt.

She wanted to know why; why was he so insistent that she leave? She wanted to hear him tell her. She couldn’t place the feeling that rose in her chest and she desperately wanted to understand.

Because I couldn't live with myself if you ended up getting hurt during all of this.

It was a knee-jerk reaction of a thought that was banished the instant Sephiroth realized he had thought it, the only tell that something like that had passed his mind was a heavier series of blinks almost as if she might be able to read it behind his eyes if he hadn't done so. The intensely serious expression he held, along with the frown dropped at the same time as he stumbled upon it.

For a moment or so, he was left looking blankly at the glass of water before chancing to reach for it and take a sip. It went down well, but since when had his throat become all dry? It was blamed on the humidity in the greenhouse though, of course.

"Because-" He started, still for the most part trying to find the words that would be appropriate to say. He didn't want to hurt her by trying to protect her, but at the same time it was either that or allow her to put herself in the line of fire.

"-because it's not safe for you here. You might get hurt, or-" Sephiroth shook his head as the thought of Terra being killed knotted somewhere deep in his gut. He wouldn't be around to be able to stop that, and it tore at his intention to leave here and go back to Esdham. Considering he wasn't sure that he wanted to go back to work there anyway, but duty had called him.

"-a lot of people will end up getting hurt."

Terra’s expression softened slightly, the knot in her chest slowly releasing as she took a deep breath. Her bright blue eyes were looking at him in a way that she might not have before. It was something akin to affection though if asked Terra wouldn’t say it was any different from any other expression.

“Thank you.” Her eyes flick down towards his glass before meeting his gaze once more. “…for worrying about me.”

It felt strange but she was happy. She knew that the warmth in her chest was from that overwhelming feeling of joy. She shouldn’t be happy. War was about to start and she knew she’d find herself in its middle but that didn’t seem to matter right now. In this single instant she was purely happy without another emotion trying to stifle that flame. The sensation was new and of course it wouldn’t last but that was okay because she’d remember it.

“Is it okay… if I make one promise before you go?”

Terra didn’t know how long the soldier could truly stay but she wanted to promise; if nothing else, that they would see each other again.

He was focused on glaring into the glass but he could see Terra's expression a little thanks to his peripheral vision and it took a great deal of effort not to look up and acknowledge what, to anyone else, might well have been affection written all over her face.

But almost as if the fact she looked to the glass too, drew his eyes up to meet hers Sephiroth found it was too natural a reaction to really control. There had always been something about those big blue eyes that made him feel important to her, somehow. Gave him a purpose, even if it were something as immaterial as just being in her company.

He felt another hot flush as if remembering how almost unbearably warm it was in the room, blinked and took another -longer- sip of water. Terra's question took him aback a little and Flower stirred some in his lap then, as if the kitten just realized that for the most part the petting had stopped. Sephiroth looked down at the small cat as it did so, distracted again for a moment before it settled again.

"You don't need to promise me anything, Terra. I want you to be safe."

"I know."

She wanted to promise that she would be safe but the words wouldn't form passed her lips. She sighed feeling the heat in the room prickle at her skin. She should be able to say more but she was so unsure. It was warm, far warmer than how she usually felt even in the humid room. After a moment words slipped from her lips but she couldn't remember forming the sentience in her mind.

"I want you to be safe too."

She looked surprised for a moment before slipping into a mask of calm. Terra knew that he was a soldier, that he would be out there and he would be fighting. She knew that he would never run away from that fight. Terra's fingers tightened slightly around her water glass.

The words that fell from Terra stirred yet more inexplicable thoughts as a result.

They both wanted the same thing of the other; to be safe. How could that be right, that he expect her to do as he says to protect herself if he were willingly putting himself into unsafe situations again and again due to his role in Esdham. Even if Sephiroth weren't to be assigned anywhere near Aqures for the battle, even in defending Esdham from whatever distraction the Empire would launch there was risk involved. Quickly those thoughts spiraled outwards; was anyone ever truly safe? What was the real mean of the word, in the context here? Sephiroth's logic smoothed it out as a relative thing; it depended on circumstance and preparation.

He had been trained for his entire life as a soldier, so risk was lessened. But then, hadn't Terra? Sephiroth knew that much, but he had also seen first hand what cruel hand war had dealt Terra when she was smaller; something tight curled it's fingers around in the bottom of his chest as he reached the conclusion. Just being involved in fighting like that would harm her in some way, and he wanted to protect her from that.

"I'll be safer in Esdham, as they won't be going there to target me." Carefully Sephiroth tried to explain his reasoning.

"How is it, that you will be safe here?"

It was backtracking a little but he did want to believe her.

Terra’s thoughts were racing just as frantically as Sephiroth’s except it wasn’t about the theoreticals of the word ‘safe’. Her mind ran in circles trying to make sense of his actions and then her own. In the end she was lead to a feeling that she didn’t recognize fully. She was worried, she was scared for him, she was inspired and in awe while feeling comforted by his presence. It didn’t make sense to her and try as she might it wouldn’t unravel into something simple.

His words brought her back pushing the feelings and thoughts to the back of her mind. She had to focus and could sort things out later.

Terra quickly realized that she didn’t have an answer to his question. She swallowed realizing then that her water glass was empty. She didn’t want to get up and refill it so she left it on the table, her thin fingers wrapped around its base as if it steadies her.

“I won’t be alone. I haven’t yet but… I was going to talk with others about some sort of plan. I can…” She paused and thought about it hoping that her words might bring comfort to him. “I can use black magic and white magic instead of other things. I can stand back and fight.” It was another tactic that she was used to doing though Kefka often used the young mage as a shield when she was ordered to burn down a village.

She swallowed again, the prickling heat of the room almost intensifying as she tried to pull reason into her words. She was calm, at least on the outside and it was clear that she had thought through her plans carefully while being open for any suggestions he might wish to give.

He tried to keep how unimpressed he was as far from being expressed as possible but around Terra it had become harder and harder to keep everything in check. Sephiroth watched her face carefully as she composed herself further and then attempted to answer his question.

To be fair to her though, how any of them could come up with a viable plan against the behemoth of a force the Empire might send was a daunting prospect. That Terra were even trying to muddle through the details deeply spoke to a strength inside her that he knew that she had. Sephiroth had always done his best to stoke that small fire of confidence borne from her inherent determination and, despite the near-sickening feeling he still had over the possibility of her getting hurt, found that he did feel a little proud of her for that.

"You must make sure that you aren't left alone, Terra. The Imperial forces are ruthless and it's not just a Coliseum on the line this time."

He took a breath, falling into conflicting thoughts a little about how well Terra might be able to fight when it called for it. He respected the skills that she did have but that red-hot thought that he won't be there to protect her burns deep.

"Promise me, that you'll be careful."

"I will."

She smiled but it was slight, a gentle curve of her lips, as she looked up into Sephiroth's brilliant gaze. She wanted to promise and to keep her word to him, more so than anyone else. It was strange but his words comforted her somehow. She felt calmer than she had a moment before, more confident and happy. That bubbling warmth was back, rising in her chest but it felt different than before.

Accepted?

Terra couldn't describe it and for now she stopped trying to. She'd enjoy the feeling and look forward to the day it would come again. She shook her head slightly tousling her light green curls. Her features were relaxed, no longer hidden behind that calm mask.

"Will you promise too?" He didn't have to, she wouldn't expect him to but it was a happy thought and without knowing why, she felt that heat in her chest swell.

Flower was scritched at a little as if Sephiroth needed to do something with the idle hand that rested atop the kittens body. In truth he'd only just remembered that it was resting there, he'd been so fixated on watching Terra. Trying to get his points across.

But that hadn't been the problem, it was obvious that Terra knew the risks involved but Sephiroth couldn't bring himself to then be hypocrite and bid her away from it all when he were going back to serve in the thick of the same threat. He didn't like that she had decided to stay in Aqures, but he hoped that if she listened to his advise then she might have more of a chance than if she did not.

It felt wrong to have to now think about leaving her side, like a septic burning all on the inside of his skin, but again there was little to be done about it. Sephiroth had to go where Sephiroth was most capable of helping; it had always been in fighting.

"My job requires me sometimes to take well-calculated risks." He started, unsure of whether he could make and then keep that same promise in return. His expression narrowed some and he canted his head forwards, bangs falling on either side of his face as if to hide him away while he thought over that obstacle before flicking his eyes back up to meet Terra's.

"I can promise you, that I will always do my best to be careful."

At first her expression was a little concerned. Her gaze was bright and hopeful like the innocent gaze of a child. It was only when he said he'd promise that her features relaxed into a warm smile. In that moment she felt as if he had given her wings to fly. There was a warm feeling inside of her that she could only describe as heavenly. It was to complicated and to pure to describe as anything else though Terra hardly has experiance with this sort of thing.

"Thank you, I wouldn't ask for more than that." She knew that he had a job to do and it was important. She couldn't stop the brave hero from following his own path, it was admirable that he was willing to do so much for the army and for the city. He was fighting for what he thought was right.

Her gaze stayed on him even as he looked away. It was hard to break eye contact and she had to remind herself to blink after a moment of staring but the knot in her chest had untangled. She could do this. Even with that small nagging sensation pulling at her deep within her memories.

The way that Terra looked at him was exactly the reason that Sephiroth had looked away before settling on the exact wording to put into a promise. Like a warmth pressing into his forehead he imagined he could feel her eyes on him and just about feel the intensity of her expression without even having to look up.

"But I-"

Instead, he raised his gaze just slightly to the glass -meeting Terra's eye contact again just briefly- before drinking the last of his water. It didn't even touch the sides on the way down and only seemed to make the curling knot of sensation in his gut twist around even further.

He just couldn't quiet that slight anger within him that Terra wouldn't at least try to get out of harms way by evacuating and it was only by his stern resolve that he cut his own comment off lest he confuse the situation even further.

For wont of needing somewhere to divert his attention in the silence that followed, Sephiroth looked down to the small kitten who was now snoozing in his lap. He was suddenly reminded of the time that he'd been sat down with Terra and that he did have other places to visit before making for the airport.

"...I should go."

She was glad that he wasn’t pursuing the matter of her staying to fight. She had already felt a little unsure about the situation but she didn’t see another way to look at it. She had promised Jessie before realizing the weight of what was coming and it was her own misguided steps that led her to this. She wasn’t the type to run away and she didn’t want to go back on her word.

She’d promise to be safe as he had in return. That promise stayed in her chest, branded, like a reminder of what could be.

She gave him a firm nod at his mentioning to leave but then he didn’t move. She watched him for a moment longer feeling the familiar mix of confusion and curiosity.

Terra’s head canted to the side while her gaze stayed fixed on the man sitting across from her. The warm feeling wasn’t abating and it was leaving her thoughts addled. After a long moment she glanced down at her glass and then back up towards Sephiroth. Silence settled between the pair but it wasn’t unpleasant. Terra found silence comfortable in most cases except that he said that he should go.

With that in mind she stood, taking his glass and hers in hand and placing them next to the sink. When she returned he was still sitting in the same place.

In the meantime, he passed his hand over the small body in his lap more firmly in an attempt to stir Flower from the nap she had decided to take but all it afforded was an ear twitch and something of a tail swish against the side of his thigh. Oh and a tiny purring sound.

As Terra returned Sephiroth glanced up at her and then down to the kitten again before attempting something probably not best advised. He drew his hands in to either side of the kitten's torso and cup-lifted her from his lap. There was an annoyed mewl sound from the creature as he did so and made to place her on the table.

It worked, eventually, but not without having to adjust his grip a little so that he might not hurt her flailing limbs. It was very difficult for him to temper the strength with which he gripped at her but as soon as she were on the table Flower got to her feet and leaped down from the table - trotting back towards where the other kittens had congregated nearby.

Finally, Sephiroth was able to stand and smooth down the front of himself where her whiter hairs had been left clinging even to the leather of his pants.

Terra’s confusion lifted upon seeing Sephiroth’s attempt to move the sleeping kitten. She quickly stepped forward, gently placing her hand under his to catch the kitten’s paws. They really didn’t like having nothing below their feet. Her fingers lightly brushed against his and she paused, feeling a slight static jump between them. Her hands were small in comparison but sufficient enough to move the kitten without incident.

After a long awkward moment she finally moved, guiding his hands towards the table so that they could safely place Flower down. Her cheeks flush slightly as she pulls her hands away from his. “They like to have something below their feet.” Her voice was soft and informative but it sounded like she was trying to explain herself.

Her eyes look down where cat hair clung to his paints before she looked back up into his gaze. She then looked away feeling a strange flutter in her chest.

“I can walk you out.” Not that he didn’t know where the door was but it felt like the polite thing to do and Terra wanted something to think about that wasn’t the feeling of his hand brushing against hers.

The static shock between the two of them raised the invisible hairs on the back of his hand and forearm, but it was over as soon as it had happened and they both made successfully to place the kitten down safely. If he thought on that sensation of her hands brushing his and then guiding his to the table then it wasn't obvious at all outwardly. It would be putting too much weight into mundane actions and they had been occupied with the kitten.

But that didn't stop the fact that he might have imagined Terra blushing when she pulled her hands away. Sephiroth didn't chase it though and was soon too busy brushing the cat hair from down his front. There was an odd tension forming between them both as he stood there doing so, something he didn't really comprehend that well.

Had her eyes just- no, that was a completely inappropriate thought.

Finally Sephiroth nodded and made to collect the long sheath which held Masamune, and to lift the heavy pack back onto one shoulder. He would wait until he was outside to secure it properly to his back again. After all it would take some shifting of his long hair as well so that it wouldn't get caught plastered against his sweaty back.

"It's been good to see you." If Terra moved first, he'd follow her back into the shop and to the door but as it was he was getting keener to leave now that he'd made the intention to do so. Lest they get caught in a long silence again, Sephiroth made the move towards the door if Terra hesitated.

Terra nodded and walked towards the door so that Sephiroth could follow. She felt a little strange but she pushed it away and focused on his leaving. She stopped next to the door so that she could see him out properly and smiled.

“Thank you for stopping by.”

It was always good to see him and while their conversation had been a little tense she was happy that they had been able to talk. She felt a little bit more confident about the oncoming fight and she had hope for the future of the city and the heroes.

It was always nice when he came to see her.

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Opening up the flower shop~

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