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Anella had been around today, utilizing the sales of Destiny City's Main Street Valentine's Day Palooza in a way that was probably as harmful to her wallet as it was her figure. Chocolates and flowers were just the sort of thing a girl wanted to receive on Valentine's day, and if no one was going to buy them for her, she was just going to have to do it herself. Besides—even if she was waiting for the cheap-as-hell chocolate sales on Friday, there were places offering deals just a little too good to be true.

Like, for example, a pretty little flower shop advertising free chocolate just for stopping by. And fifteen percent off? That was worth browsing. Brushing herself off and making sure she didn't have helmet hair, she drifted towards the bustling establishment and smiled at the girl at the door. "Hey," she greeted, pretending like she wasn't here just because of the chocolate lure. "So, I'm not looking for anything fancy or romantic, but before I go brave the storm you've got in there, do you guys have any, uh," what were those things she liked called? Flowers, for as much as she liked them, were not her strong suit. "—You know, like. Pretty, round. Lots of petals, all—The, like, the Ranunculus type flowers? Or like, Peonies? Something big and colorful?" Because, those carnations she was giving away were cute, but if Anella was going to buy flowers for herself, they had to be special.

Bluefire Dragonz

Gwendolyn Caspian felt like a traitor, to be walking into another person's flower shop and not Padma's Bouquet. She had fully intended on going to her own job, as not only to work, but make a purchase as well, but she'd have to wait until the big sale was over before she could make her own purchase, and besides, with the knowledge of her girlfriend being family friends with her boss, getting a gift for Anandi and keeping it hidden from Krishna would have been... impossible. Not that Gwen suspected Krishna to be the gossiping type, and he would be far too busy running the store to really pester her or even care about her relationship, but still, it was best to avoid work until her shift started at all costs. Besides, it wasn’t just Krishna she was trying to hide her gift from, but that scoundrel across the street. The last thing she wanted was to see Richard’s face when she walked up to his side of the street to grab some chocolates. He’d ask too many questions, then eventually Gwen would have to ruin everything, as he wouldn’t have kept his damn mouth shut (though telling him she was already in a relationship would have easily kept the horndog at bay).

Nevertheless, Gwen’s decision to avoid purchasing Anandi’s Valentine’s day gift was what brought her to a rivaling store, and considering she was going to make a purchase at Padma’s Bouquet later in the day anyways, she didn’t feel TOO bad about walking into Farah’s Garden. The place was definitely pleasant to look at and there was certain sweetness in the air. It was like Krishna’s store, though there were obvious differences, and she was surprised that she was able to recognize some of the plants she saw, though there were still a lot that’s named eluded her. But that didn’t matter. What did matter was hurrying up and purchasing Anandi’s gift and leaving, before her shift started at Padma’s Bouquet.

She moved around, making her way towards the girl handing out flowers and Hersey Kisses, and without thinking, she dug into the kisses. This would be her breakfast as well as her lunch, as she was planning a big dinner later today with Anandi, so she was determined to make these Kisses last. While she knew a little something about some of the flowers, she was still clueless about a few, and seeing that Art was already assisting a customer, she looked towards Orah and Anella and figured that one of them would have been the best to question, once they were done with their little chat. She took a glance at her cellphone and gave a nod, preparing to wait. She had twenty minutes before she needed to run to Padma’s Bouquet… surely it wouldn’t take THAT long. So, Gwen decided to practice patience, something she’d need a LOT of today for when she went neck deep in her own job’s Valentine’s Day sale.

Orah smiled brightly, enjoying being able to help the pretty red head with her questions about flowers. Catching sight of another new comer, she grabbed another carnation and offered it to her.

"I can certainly help both of you! I was just about to show this lady some of our bigger, more vibrant flowers, but we have lots of traditional ones too. Are you buying for yourself, or for a significant other? Do you have an idea what you want, or are you just here to browse?"

This whole day was so exciting... Orah loved being able to help people and with so many people in the store she had as much helping as she could ever possibly want.

With the dwindling change in her wallet, Sirsce elected to end her Valentine's Day excursion by buying some flowers for her mother. She didn't really know what type to get her, and she figured roses were probably incredibly expensive on this day, but she had to find something as a thank-you for the money. After all, if it wasn't for her, Sirsce would be staying indoors the whole night with nothing to do but homework. And who wanted to do homework on Valentine's Day?

As soon as Sirsce opened the doors, the intermixed aromas of many flowers hit her like a wall. It reminded her somewhat of fragrance stores, but much more appealing to her senses. The place was tastefully decorated in Valentine's Day fashion; it sported its fair share of hearts and themed chocolates, which lent to the scents. Many of the bouquets looked appealing; however, as it was her first time in a flower shop, she didn't know where to start.

As a whole, the store was overwhelmingly full of stimuli. If it wasn't a plethora of flowers and wrapped bouquets adorning the shelves, it was a group of people she knew from school, or a someone dressed exceptionally well who piqued her interest. She stood in place as she constantly looked about the store, distracted by bright colors and displays coupled with impeccable fashion. She didn't even notice the person behind her waiting to get into the shop, and apologized profusely as she realized her mistake. After shuffling inside and staking out a corner, she began her search for someone who could help her select a fitting bouquet.

Upon surveying the store, Sirsce laid eyes on a lavender-clad girl handing out inexpensive flowers to the customers. Since she didn't have the faintest idea what her mother would enjoy in terms of flora, she thought it was a better idea to ask the store clerks. Tentatively she approached, excusing herself past a couple customers in order to get close to the girl.

"Um, excuse me..." She muttered faintly, barely audible to the people around her. She elicited no response. After drawing a deep breath, she spoke up. "Excuse me, um..." Sirsce squinted as she read the tag off the girl's dress. "Orah, right? Um, I was wondering if you could help me pick out some flowers for my mom. She was nice enough to give me this money to go shopping and stuff tonight, and I wanted to get her something nice. But, um, I don't know what flowers she likes, and I can't really afford roses right now. Can you help me?" It seemed like a daunting task, but someone like her shouldn't have much of a problem solving her dilemma, right?

So many people to help!

Her attention caught by another new customer, Orah automatically offered her a smile and a carnation, welcoming her to the shop. Flowers for a mother? Oh, the answer to that was obvious. The brunette smiled thankfully when the red head decided to take care of her, having a feeling the two would do just fine finding something they liked. And if she got done and they were still around she could help them then.

"Take a look at the orchids!" She called after them, waving a hand. "Orchids are traditional, and popular, for mothers." Finally free, she turned back to the other customer before her, sighing as she offered her a bright smile.

"Okay, a gift for a girlfriend! Well, we have lots of traditional valentine's day arrangements. If you're looking for something on the cheaper side that also has a stuffed animal, there is this half dozen with a teddy bear." She said as she indicated a fluffy white bear wearing a red ribbon, its arms wrapped around a glass vase that held six red roses, a spray of baby's breath, and a couple sparkly red heart sticks. "As far as anything from India, well... A lotus comes to mind, but we really just carry cut flowers, you'd find something like that more at a garden supply store for planting in a garden pond. Rhododendrons are common in India too though, and it happens that I have a few branches in the back waiting to be put in an arrangement. If you wanted, I could put together a custom one for you. They're a pretty purple color."

Orah felt a little like a walking encyclopedia at the moment, but she really did have a broad knowledge of flowers and it wasn't all that often she ventured into the more exotic areas.

"Red roses are the traditional thing when it comes to romantic expression, but there are a few other flowers that have the same message. Daisies express purest love, while the Iris expresses faith and hope. Orchids say beauty and passion and admiration, while lilacs say 'do you still love me?". Sunflowers say 'adoration' and tulips represent perfect love. I have Lilac branches too, they would look amazing with the rhododendrons and a couple irises. A very strikingly purple bouquet… I also have more of the bears, I could put a purple ribbon on one and a couple branches in its vase..."

"Sure thing!" Orah said as she grinned, glad to get to practice her little hobby. "Just go over there to my dad and let him know I'm making you up an arrangement with the rhododendrons. He'll ring you up and I'll be out in a wink with your order!"

The teen pointed the way through the crowd to where a brown-haired, middle-aged man worked the register in an apron like hers. He had a kind, sort of absent-minded smile as he ran up a customer, pushing up his glasses on his nose when they slipped down. Even from here one could hear the lilting Irish accent in his voice, a lilt that was softend in Orah's voice and far, far less noticeable. Leaving Gwen to make her way to the counter, Orah breezed into the back room, weaving her way between people to get there.

The arrangement came together in short order, the image in Orah's head guiding her as to what to place where, shifting the blossoms so they lay just the right way... tucking a sprig here or there to fill out the shape. She kept it small, though the fullness of the rhododendrons and lilacs usually called for a larger shape. As they were going in the rose vase the bears carried, she didn't want it to look like a lollipop with a huge poof on the top. At the last moment, she left the red ribbon on the bear and tucked some sparkly red heart sticks into the arrangement instead, letting the red accent the purple in a rich, vibrant way. (kind of like this)

"Here you go!" Orah said as she brought the arrangement out from the back, joining her customer and father at the register. "Does this look okay?" She gave Gwen a bit to look over the flowers while she got out a bag for it, tucking some of the special water powder all florists put in their flowers.

Anella seemed a bit confused and momentarily taken aback when Sirsce started pulling her, however it didn't take long for her to adjust to the new course. When the girl plucked the bouquet up, Anella couldn’t help but smile. "Those are pretty—and I'm sure your mother will love them. You don't have to let me drag you around, though, if you've found what you want! I'm not shopping for anyone, so I can pretty much browse, find whatever I want." She made sure to release Sirsce. "Unless you want to come help me pick out flowers for me, but don't think I expect it of you."

She smiled, good natured as always. "Unless you want company or to help me pick things out, I think I can finish this journey on my own. I might not know much about flowers, but I like to think I can at least tell what looks pretty. You and your mother have a happy Valentine's day, all right?"

Strickenized