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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Reaching a hand out to scratch behind the ear of one of the kittens in Terra's lap, she watches her recent companion with a soft expression. "It is nice, even through it drives you crazy. I'm sorry you didn't get to have that. You know though - family doesn't have to be blood. People choose their own too." Many orphans she knew made a surrogate family from friends, Lulu and Wakka treated Yuna like a little sister.

"Looks like you've started, in your own way." A small gesture indicates the kittens in the shop.

Ah ok, so an Esper was her world's Aeons. Rikku listens to the woman softly speak, the gentle cadence of the words delaying the Al Bhed's realization of what was said.

"Wait...huh." Clover irises curiously search the woman's blue eyes, as she leans down to try to catch Terra's averted gaze, "You're part summon?"

Think of Terra's parents always made her a little sad. She had no memories of them and only knew what had been written in that report. She wished that she knew more about them, how they met, how they fell in love. There was so much she wanted to ask them.

Since then Terra had been in the care of the Empire. She didn't remember much of it but the things she remembered gave her nightmares. She wouldn't call anyone there family. She was happy for the kittens but she hoped to find them different homes. Better homes than staying with her.

Terra looked over at Rikku curiously. "Yes." She really couldn't say anything else about it. She had told Ramza and Sephiroth about it but no one else. She didn't know what to think. She was a monster and she knew what it felt like to lose control after the last dream they shared.

Rikku had not meant to imply Terra had family, the woman would have known, made it clear she did not - rather, that she could choose to build one now. Nor had she meant to make the mage grow quiet again, there was always a finesse one had to maintain to keep the softspoken ones talking. Especially when you first met them and they were building their way towards learning to open up with you. The chatterbox was confidant that she would find that balance with time - the more she got to know the florist.

Her spiral pupils may have appeared somewhat dizzying as her eyes darted side to side, peering into her counterpart's crystal blue eyes with newfound intensity. She appeared curios, amazed - though if there was any doubt, "That's amazing!" Clearly Summons were profoundly different in Terra's world - Rikku had barley put it together, if the woman had not mentioned that her mother had been human which so distinguished the two she might have missed it during her new friend's soft discourse.

Her mind tumbled over a thousand questions she wanted to ask, tangling her up with where to even start. In her excitement she paused, her brows furrowing slightly. "People can't summon you somehow and force you to do things...can they?" There was worry in the question, a touch of anger. She'd always felt bad for the Aeons back in Spira, Yevon revered them, but to her, they'd seemed like prisoners - and while they were impossible to read, she always felt like they were sad. Maybe it was the fact they were all in chains.

Her question made Terra pause. The kitten in her lap batted at her fingers a few more times before looking up at Terra with wide curious eyes. The kitten didn’t understand why the woman had stopped and in its protest let out a soft defiant meow. As if sensing Terra’s distress it began to rub against Terra’s hand purring to comfort her.

Terra felt a hole in her chest grow as the recent dream appeared in her thoughts with a sharp alarming clarity. Her hands were shaped like claws and blood dripped from her fingers staining the ground as she moved forward. Terra felt her heart hammering in her chest. “I don’t know.” Her voice was soft and scared as if her usual defenses shattered. “I hope not.”

She heard a growl as those claws sank into flesh tearing free the sickeningly sweet sense of blood as it spilled on the floor. Terra’s hand pushed at her forehead to erase the memories she had been trying so hard to forget. Her vision swam and she felt cold despite the heat of spring.

“I’m sorry… I..” Her voice sounded far away when she spoke. She couldn’t turn to look at Rikku.

Rikku's face fell, "Terra, I'm so sorry..." She quickly shifted from a sitting position to a crouch at the strong reaction, spilling a kitten to the floor. A ready sentry to spring and catch the woman if she fainted, it hadn't gone unnoticed, how more than just the half Esper's voice seemed to sway at the question.

"I can't even imagine, that must be terrifying." Her lips press into a line when the mage can't face her. "I'm not gonna let that happen to you." No, people were not tools, that was too cruel. Rikku would protect her friend, she echoes the same rhetoric she had earlier about helping her dying world, "I'll think of something."

Terra took a moment to steady herself. She didn’t feel well but she didn’t want to worry Rikku. She wondered where Tempest was but that thought quickly left her mind. She focused on each breath slowly breathing in and out watching as her chest rose as if to remind her that she was here; that she was alive. She looked over to Rikku her vision slowly clearing.

“It isn’t your fault.” She didn’t know if she should say more. It was only a dream and she didn’t know if Rikku was close to the person in the dream who had been her puppet master. She didn’t blame him. She didn’t want people to think of him that way. It was just a dream. Except that it hurt. It hurt to breath.

Terra shook her head slowly. “I’m sorry. I don’t think… I should say more.” Her vision swims again and she glances at the kitten who had now stopped and was staring up at her. She needed to lay down but she feared moving. She had done so well to keep those thoughts from her mind. She was scared, it was hard not to be but she wanted to face her fears.

Rikku felt it was her fault, at least, for leading her new friend to such a dark place. The girl had to wonder, did hardships make heroes? She made a note to tread lighter in the future. When the mage speaks, Rikku bites her lower lip slightly. At first Rikku thought the reaction was fear of what might happen, and truly the thought that you could be controlled to the girl who had known its torture was terrifying enough for her to believe the strong reaction was suitable to a fear of what might be. It wasn't though, was it? Why would someone be so afraid of something they did not know? Terra's words made it clear, something had happened.

"Terra, I said friends tell each other everything, but. Only if they want to ok? You can always talk to me, about anything. I don't want you to force yourself to if it's gonna be painful though, only if it would help. I didn't mean to, bring up such hurtful things." Rikku's hand moves gently, hesitantly, to try and support the woman's arm when she sees the green haired woman sway. She was worried it was a bad idea, whatever had happened to Terra, it may well be possible touch is the last thing she wants - but she looked ready to collapse, and Rikku wasn't about to let her get hurt.

"Please, you really need to lay down. I'll lock the shop, people will just think you're on lunch and won't know any better. Ok?" Maybe she could find a cool cloth somewhere too.

Terra knew she shouldn't have run from the dream. She had talked with Sephiroth but she didn't think it helped. She had so many things buried while trying to be strong. She shook her head slowly. "I-I'm sorry." She shouldn't feel so weak.

She slowly rose letting the kitten drop from her lap so that she could find a place to lay down. It wasn't that she didn't want to talk about it but she felt like it was someone else's secret to share.

"It isn't just about me. I don't want..." She moved slowly. "What would you do if you wanted to help someone close to you and they wouldn't let you?"

"There's nothing for you to be sorry about. So don't apologize, ok?" Rikku rose after her friend, concern etched in her features, she follows close beside in case the woman grows unsteady and in need of support. The shop she would take care of once Terra was settled.

The thief turns the question over in her head, "I would...make it clear I was there if they needed me. Then I would give them all the time they needed and remain by their side." The answer was an offer as much as it was her honest approach to such a situation.

Terra smiled. "That's what I did but..." She looked back at Rikku feeling as if she was telling her more than she should. "I don't know if he understood." Terra wasn't good when it came to understanding how she felt but she knew that he was her friend. Maybe her first friend and she didn't want to lose that.

Very slowly, Terra made her way to a bench that rested along the side of the shop. She took the plants from it and placed them on the floor so she could sit. Her eyes went to the ceiling and she felt a soft smile on her lips.

"Don't worry. I think it's just because I haven't been sleeping well." She looked at two of the kittens that followed her. "These guys like attacking feet in the middle of the night." She didn't want Rikku to worry.

"Hmm. Well, if you were being subtle about it just tell him in plain Spir...er. Whatever the heck language it is were are speaking here." Rikku was little if not direct, and growing up with boys heavens knew, they could be dense. "Just be all." She points a finger to an imaginary person, pantomiming out a mock discussion, "Hey bozo, I'm here for you if you need me. And I respect you're not ready to turn to me for help - but I want you to know you're not alone."

After Terra settles herself, the thief pads over to the door, turning the lock and setting the sign to closed. When she returns she offers Terra a cool cloth - she keeps a few in her alchemy pouch to prevent her vials from clinking, and fresh water was easy to find in the store. Beware calling Rikku your friend, for she'd make herself right at home. With any luck, Terra kept sweets around.

It's clear from the expression of worry on the Al Bhed's face that she does not believe the excuse, but she's not going to press the woman about it and make her feel worse. If the mage wanted to play it off, so be it. She plopped on the bench next to Terra, grinning at the felines, "Yeah? That has to tickle."

Terra smiled. She wouldn't tell him exactly like that but she supposed that was sort of what she said. Rikku will only find kupo nuts as far as sweets go. There was a lot of animal food and plant food in the shop but less people food.

she didn't mind Rikku poking her nose into everything. She had nothing to hide though there were things she hoped would stay organized in the girls searching.

"A little. It wake you up." Though she can't blame her kittens. The pair had managed to climb to Terra's lap and were now fighting over who gets to sit there. It was the cutest fight ever because the kittens would just push back and forth with their paws.

Rikku would not leave messes, one did not become a master thief by leaving evidence. Unless she was using Terra's kitchen to make something - then all bets are off.

The thief smiled as one of the kittens reared too far back to pounce and wound up flopping sideways.

Lacing her fingers together, her hands move to rest behind her head, "Huh, do you eat? Or is it like a half Esper thing that you don't have to?" She realized Terra did not live here full time but it seemed odd not to have any food, when she snuck about looking for a rag before settling for the one in her alchemy pouch she hadn't found any. "Ohhhh" She turns to her new friend with innocent, wide eyed speculation, "Do you eat flowers?" No wonder she wouldn't want poisonous ones!

"I eat but not flowers. The shop is still new. I don't have any food here." She smiled shyly at Rikku. "The kitten's will sometimes eat the flowers." Which was why the young Esper didn't have any poisonous ones around the shop.

Terra was feeling better though she thought about closing early and heading back home for the night. She'd been sleeping at the shop for a few days now and it might be a nice change to head home, though she'd wait for Tempest to get back. The moogle had volunteered to watch the shop and keep an eye on the kittens for Terra.

"I'm feeling better now. I'm sorry to have worried you."

"Oooooh" It made sense, Rikku was glad. Now she could introduce Terra to yummy things like flavored ice, if the woman didn't know them already. Never the less, despite the fact that the thief was clearly younger than her mage counter part, she pointed to her friend speaking out in somewhat bossy, well intended tones, "You should have food! You can't stay somewhere without it! That's no good!"

She tapped her fingertips to her lips. The thief wouldn't lie and tell her green haired friend she hadn't been worried - that was what friends were for - instead she reached a hand out - wiggling her fingertips. "Lemme see your moggle whistle? I wanna tweak it so, if you blow on it a little harder than normal you'll call Mochina - that's my moggle, and she can get me to run to you. I want you to...understand you're not alone. Cuz. I'm you're friend now. That means you're not." A steadfast nod accentuated the last statement. Rikku - stood by her friends.

Terra was about to argue but seeing the look on Rikku's face stopped her. She smiled shyly feeling touched by the gesture. She wondered how many times the young Al Bhed had felt alone.

She slowly moved through her pocked pulling out the familiar little whistle and holding it out to Rikku. She wasn't sure what the girl was going to do to it but the gesture enough made her happy.

"I will eat and I can start keeping food here." She was sure that Tempest could help with that. The back of the shop was still undergoing repairs but soon she'd have the whole store set up and then she can see about leaving snacks here for herself or guests. There was some stuff to make tea but no way to heat water so she supposed she should find a way to do that as well.

Taking the delicate whistle with a grin, the girl extracts her own along with some of the finer tools from her alchemy pouch. Used for extracting small seeds from pods or scraping residue, they almost appear surgical. Closing one eye, she looks down the length of each whistle. There may be a bit of magic to them, but in the end they are a tool as well, a finely tuned instrument like a fragile component on a machina.

Rikku makes a couple fine tuning adjustments, for a brief moment enveloped in complete silence - her attention on the small mechanism in front of her. "There." She offers it back " If you blow a little harder than normal now it should jump to hit the pitch for Mochina. We can't test it right now, we will later. Call her anytime you want to come get me - do it sometime soon to try it out." Mochina spied on Rikku's cousins for her, since life in Aqures made having a Guardian hanging over one's shoulder a bit awkward. Moogles though, they were like wallpaper.

Stashing the tools away, the thief hops back up to her feet, "I should get going. Want me to turn the sign back to open, or you wanna stay closed?"

Terr watched Rikku curiously as she worked. She didn't dare say a word in fear of shattering the young Al Bhed's concentration. When she was finished Terra held out her hand, her eyes growing wide. She looked from the whistle up to Rikku.

"Thank you."

She didn't know what else to say to her.

"I'll stay closed for a moment longer." Terra smiles shyly though it's more open than before. "You're welcome to come back." She was going to feed the kittens before she changed the sign back to open. She had to make sure the kittens were happy and had lots of attention just like the flowers.

Rikku grins up at her new friend, spinning on her heels. She's at the door in a flash of color, even when she's moving casually the girl can't help but be quick, "Oh I'll be around. Don't be shy using that whistle yourself huh?"

Leaning down, Rikku gives a kitten that had followed her to the door a farewell pat before opening it to slip out, leaving the sign set to closed, "See you soon Flower Girl, take care of yourself." The door closes gently behind her.

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Opening up the flower shop~

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