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 Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2017 9:07 pm
 Aurianna was taking a walk through a neighborhood she had never been in before, looking to see if this was a place she could take her brothers on one of their weekly outings. She always made sure the neighborhood was safe before she went to look, it was just trying to find places she thought the boys would be interested in,
enough, to bring them, which lead to her wandering the streets of places like this, seeing what they had on offer. This neighborhood, so far, had been pretty,
and fairly quiet, but she had noticed a few shops the boys might like, and parks, so she thought this was likely to be a win.
She had been about to turn and head back towards home, when a flash of color caught her eye. She looked around, trying to spot what it was, and then smiled. There was a plant shop across the street, and it was the window display that had drawn her attention. She looked both ways, then darted across, and peered at all of the plants in the window. They were obviously well cared for, and there were quite a few succulents. She made a small noise of interest, and decided to go inside. Maybe she could find some pretty plants that would be child safe, to decorate the Daycare with.
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Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2017 9:23 pm
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-"No problem, boss. Take the time you need...No, don't worry, I've got all the orders...Okay? No, seriously, it's all good. Yeah, just get better."
Finishing the phone call, Zaakir chuckled softly to himself. Aden hadn't had a day off as long as he knew the imp, and now a slight illness was forcing him to stay home and get better. This left Zaakir in charge of the shop fully...and today he was going to be alone, as it was Khadia's day off. Thankfully, all the orders that had been called in already were finished, the store was cleaned and all the plants had been watered that needed it. All there was to do now was wait and see if anyone else came in before closing.
"Welcome to The Secret Garden!" Zaakir called cheerfully as the bell above the door made a delightful little jingle. Smoothing out his apron, he stepped out from around the counter, picking up a small bowl containing several succulent plants in a cute arrangement to carry with him. He'd been working on the bowl for a while now, and was loathe to leave it out of his sight.
"Can I help you find anything today?" His spiel ended with a smile.
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Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2017 10:57 pm
Auri was looking around, smiling at the tinkling of the bell, and then she looked at the person approaching her. "Ah! Hello. I was exploring the neighborhood, and saw your shop. It's quite lovely." She gave them a warm smile, and then glanced around at the plants on display again. "You seem to have a wide selection, but a fondness for succulents. It's wonderful to see."
She then tilted her head, and said "Perhaps you can help me find some good selections that would be good around small children? Things that are safe in case of accidental ingestion, and have no sharp edges to catch small fingers?"
She brushed a lock of her hair back, off of her face, and then continued. "I run a daycare, here in the city, you see."
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Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2018 11:00 pm
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-Huh. something for kids?
"Well, it depends- " he began, turning right back around to head over to what looked like a bar of plants. All of them were single-growth, and beside the display itself was a cabinet full of different pots to plant several in.
"Are...you looking for something for them to plant, themselves? Or just to have around? Indoors or outdoors?" gesturing to what looked like a clump of little pink flowers, his smile grew again. "I will suggest Milkweed for outdoors. Pretty, easy enough to keep alive, and they attract butterflies."
Moving on, he picked up a small pot with what looked like fuzzy green leaves. "And these are lamb's ears. They often fly under the radar, but they’re a wonderful addition to any garden. Tolerating sun, shade and even drought, they’re very forgiving. Plus they bloom from early summer to frost, so you can enjoy them for months. The soft, woolly leaves make them a must-touch plant. They really do feel like a lamb’s fuzzy ear"
It was difficult without his boss around to offer even more information, but hopefully this customer was at least a little impressed?
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Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2018 11:15 pm
"Hmmm..." She followed him over to the plant 'bar' and examined the selection, curiously. There was an interesting variety of things on display, and her violet eyes scanned across the plants with interest, taking in the details, and the pot selection too.
When he asked her about the intended uses, her eyes refocused on his face.
"Indoors, I think, for the moment. The 'yard' has mostly been converted into a play-yard, and I'd hate to have any poor plants trampled to death by excited children playing chase. It can be rather like a herd, when they get each other going." Her tone was fond, as she spoke of the children she cared for. "So something to brighten up a room. The children I care for are, I think, a little young to be entrusting with the life of a poor, innocent plant. I don't wish them to die of forgetfullness, after all."
She looked at the Milkweed and the Lamb's Ear, and then, very gently, reached over to run a finger along one leaf. Her expression showed delight at the soft feeling, and she nodded, quietly. "Is this one good for indoors? If so,
I think I might like a few of these. What colors are the flowers, once it blooms?"
Aurianna was certainly intrigued by the information the shopkeeper was giving her, and he had her interest, as he talked about the plants.
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Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2018 4:46 pm
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-"Well..." He hadn't thought about blossoming plants. But it made sense when he thought about it. "These don't blossom, they're strictly leafy."
Holding he pot in his hand, he reached down to pick up another small pot, this one sporting small pink blossoms alongside it's succulent-like leafage. "So, this is Schlumbergera, also known as a christmas Cactus. But unlike cacti, there's no spikes anywhere! Non-toxic, and it could be fun for the kids to snip off pieces of it to grow new plants. I can get you a brochure for that kind of thing later, if you're interested."
Moving on, he used the tip of a wing to gently poke at another planter, housing rocks, water, and easily-recognizable bamboo. Beside it was another plant, with rounded leaves and big purple blossoms.
"And then there's the African Violet. the only issue is, these guys require certain lighting, so can be tricky. If anything, I would definitely suggest this guy-" he held up the 'cactus', "As they can vary in blossom color! and like I said, if the kids are into it, cutting off pieces to grow other baby plants could be fun, too."
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Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2018 5:01 pm
"Well I might still get a few of these Lamb's Ears, because it might be soothing for some of the little ones when upset to pet the leaves gently." She nodded, and said "Yes,
that sounds good. Please, I'd like four of them." She brushed the leaves one more time, an expression of pleasure at the soft texture on her face, an almost sensuous expression.
She then looked at the next two plants that the shopkeeper suggested to her.
"I'm still not, exactly, inclined to risking putting poor little plants to death by putting them in the hands of children to care for, but perhaps... As a project for the oldest ones, as a sort of 'graduation,' for when they're about to go on to the Academy, so that they have something small to remind them of their time with me."
She looked thoughtful, then said "Tell me about the tricky lighting on the Violet? I might still like some of those. But yes, at least 6 of the Schlumbergera, to get them properly started. Thank you..." She looked very pleased,
and then a slight frown crossed her lips. "Ah. My name is Aurianna, by the way. What is yours? I was going to thank you, but I realized I do not know your name, and calling you 'Shopkeep' would be most rude!"
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