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 Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2020 9:48 pm
The soft sounds of a small chuckle left Domcallion's thin, dark, lips and he smiled a warm, crooked, smile. He'd never gotten such a delighted response to his cookies before. Granted, he usually had them for grieving parties, and other applicants had turned them down out of some inane sense of interview propriety. ...perhaps another reason he hadn't hired them. Interview tip - Just eat the damn cookies.
"Well, I do know my way around an oven, but don't worry - I used the kitchen, this time," He finished with a joke.
Then he realized what he'd said. That...that was indeed a joke. He wasn't flirting. At least, he was trying to convince himself of the later.
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Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2020 9:57 pm
Amaranth's laughter, like the soft chiming of bells filled the normally solemn hall.
"So you do have a sense of humor," she said in a lightly teasing manner, and deciding to take another cookie, and test the temperature of her tea.
He had a nice smile, she noted, with white teeth stark against thin, dark, lips, and the lopsidedness of it, as if the muscles on one side of his face were stronger than the other. It made him look kind of charming in spite of his more detracting features.
She wasn't really sure why she had expected him to be lacking in humor - maybe it was because of the solemn nature of his job. Something about jokes just didn't seem appropriate in such a place. But it did set her at ease, and it humanized this imposing geist of a man.
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Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2022 7:18 pm
Domcallion chuckled a bit before taking a sip of his tea.
"In this line of work, you have to. Much of the job is so solemn and serious. To be that way all the time is the quick road to a life of melancholy and depression," he explained.
Actually, it was this line of work that had actually helped him to develop a sense of humor. A traumatic childhood and his myriad of health conditions hadn't given him a great outlook on life and he'd worn low morale like it was going out of fashion. It wasn't until his college and intern years that he'd truly come in to his own and blossomed as a person. He was more confident now, took things a little less personally, and had developed better people skills - another necessity in this business.
He looked over the profile on the clipboard in his lap. amaranth was more than just a florist, arranging flowers together. She'd even won an award for ornamental plant breeding. Most of the rest was a portfolio full of pictures of her work. They were innovative pieces, but nothing outrageously over the top. The flowers were displayed to best show off their beauty without being overwhelmed by clutter.
Really, there was only so much baby's Breath an arrangement really needed.
There were even flowers he wasn't really familiar with.
He was impressed.
"What varieties do you enjoy working with the most? Lilies are the most traditional flowers for funerals, with Carnations running a close second. Roses of course round out the top three."
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Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2022 7:47 pm
"hmm," Amaranth hummed thoughtfully, "I suppose one would. It can't rain all the time."
It made sense that one would have to find levity with such a job. Knowing when it was appropriate and how to be tactful, too. That was....so different from the people she was usually around. It was either humor and excitement amped up to 11, or at each other's throats. The calm and tact was....refreshing. She could already feel the anxiety the unknowingly carried lifting.
"Well, as you can tell, I do like the draping plants and vines, but those tend to be more accent than centerpiece. Wisteria is my favorite for that, but I also love to use plants like bluebells, snapdragons and foxglove. A lot of flowers that tend to grow in bunches like that. Although," she gave a small laugh, "I guess those are more suited for wedding arrangements than funeral... But! Lilies and roses are a staple that any florist worth their salt should be able to work with!"
She'd worked with a lot of different flowers, and had a lot of hands-on work with all of them.
"I actually did a bit of reading before I submitted my application. You know, taking note of the ten most common sympathy flowers, colors, and the kinds of arrangements."
She then began listing them off, ticking each one with a finger.
"Standing sprays, Casket, floor bouquet, wreaths, garlands~ There's a lot of room for creativity and respect with just about any plant, combining tradition with my own flair. I admit, I was kind of bummed to think that maybe I wouldn't get to do some of the really fancy arrangements like for weddings, but not having to deal with bridezillas? Worth it. Also, having the space to grow my own stock? ugh, sold."
The more she talked, the more comfortable she got, and she just kept going on and on, not realizing that she was getting less formal and was really at ease. Perhaps it was also the soft gaze that politely watched her as she spoke, and the way he seemed to really pay attention to her rambling about her ideas and ranting about certain flowers, and the florist school programs and, and and~
she could go on, and she would no doubt, if he didn't stop her. Or rather, the yearning for another cookie.
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Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2022 7:58 pm
Domcallion listened intently. Amaranth was so passionate about this, and excited. The more she talked, the more he got to see her open up and become comfortable, and really let her own personality shine. She was a really sweet girl, he thought. His mind was already made up half way through her exposition.
"Well, believe it or not, I have had a couple of people actually have their wedding ceremonies here - you know the kind; those looking for a halloween or 'spooky' wedding? So, you might get to flex your skills on a wedding arrangement or two every now and again.' he could see her eyes light up at that.
"Its another reason for the patio and courtyard renovations. If I can offer that as event space, then it brings more income for Anamnesis. Would you like to take a walk with me out there? The flower beds are empty for now, since that would also be part of your responsibility - and if wisteria is something you'd like to grow out there, I am sure it would look amazing over the trellises. I can also show you the greenhouse. I've had the best watering system I could installed."
He was eager to show it off. Even more so to someone who he thought would really appreciate it. He also wanted to hear her ideas for it. And he was sure she'd have plenty.
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Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2022 8:13 pm
Amaranth's eyes did indeed light up when Dom told her about the Halloween weddings. She had to admit - she'd thought about having a Halloween wedding before, but she hadn't thought about having it in an actual funeral home! She wasn't even sure that would have been an option! But wow - he sure was enterprising! And she loved the idea of having the patio and courtyard available for such things! Of course, she was sure it would be a welcome getaway for mourners who needed some fresh air as well, but....
"I would love a tour!" Amaranth said after taking a final sip of her tea. She hated to leave the cookies.... but she really wanted to see the greenhouse too!
"No lie - the idea of having my own greenhouse to work in is a dream."
She stood and bounced on her toes in excitement.
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Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2022 8:24 pm
Dom flipped the pages back to normal on his clipboard and slipped it back in to his bag. He could tell by Amaranth's excitement that he wouldn't get a moment to take the tea set back to the kitchen, but here was Janice to the rescue.
"Oh, my dears let me take that~" the elderly woman took the brass tray and all its contents, beaming. She had been watching, listening, and inwardly squealing.
"Thank you, Janice," Dom said, thankful for his receptionist's helpfulness in that moment, but he knew as soon as the interview was over and Amaranth was gone that he would be getting all the questions from her about his thoughts on the lovely young lady.
He stood, and opened the the patio door, holding it open for Amaranth.
The patio itself was large, and could fit a decent amount of four person round tables, ideal for a small reception. The courtyard itself was sprawling, with a large fountain in the center, with walkways leading from the patio, to the fountain, and then one branching off from the fountain to the greenhouse, and another smaller one branching off to the 'cottage.'
They called it that, but the two story house was in truth a bit big for that label. The exterior though, of rocks and homely wood, certainly gave it that feel. Although right now it was just himself living there in his basement apartment, he offered it as housing to interns when he had them.
But back to the courtyard - the trellises over the walkways were bare, as were the flowerbeds that bordered them and the patio. It was clear that there was to be some open ground space, and the grass was growing in nicely from the recent renovations, but he was eager to see what this could become. And even more eager to hear what Amaranth thought.
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Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2022 8:45 pm
Like a true gentleman, Domcallion held the door open for her, and Amaranth took her first steps on to the lovely wooden patio, and got her first real good look at the courtyard.
Oh yes, those trellises were getting all the wisteria! it would be lovely! aside from that~
"Seasonal varieties will be great out here to keep things looking fresh through out the year. Winter pansies, nemesia, snapdragon, sweet alyssum for the colder months will keep it looking lively! The more common things that I'll use all year around would be best kept to the greenhouse, like the lilies, carnations, and roses. Having some here and there to help the butterfly population would be nice too. Did I add in my application that I've cultivated butterflies before? I think it really helps the garden, and i know they'd really thrive in the greenhouse. It'll be good for them and the plants~"
aaaaaand she was going on again. Plants, butterflies, gardening tips, the lot of it.
She stopped when they got to the fountain and she actually got to really look at it.
It was a glorious depiction of Hades and Persephone. Not in the typical kidnapping illustration, but Hades, pomegranate in one hand, and the other hovering respectfully above Persephone's waist as one of her delicately carved hands touched the fruit. Their stone eyes stared in to one another's. This was no depiction of trickery or deceit, but a promise and trust between the them.
At least, that is what Amaranth felt when she looked at it.
Water did not spray up in the air around them, but poured like a waterfall down the twelve inches of pedestal on which they stood. It made for a more quiet, serine feeling, and the colors that illuminated the rim of the fountain really gave it an ethereal look.
"It's gorgeous," she said in amazement. Then she smiled and looked up at Domcallion and suggested with a bit of a soft laugh "Maybe the courtyard should be called Elysium"
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Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2022 8:57 pm
Domcallion again listened, and nodded. She would know best when it came to plants. he felt like he could trust her to know what she was doing. he raised a brow - or would have if he had any significant brows to raise, at the talk of butterflies.
"I believe you missed putting that in there, but that is impressive. I certainly wouldn't say no," he managed to interject as she talked more about this and that.
She finally quieted as they stood in front of the fountain and as she observed it, he observed her, watching her take it in and feeling a bit of pride in himself. He had been very specific with the design to the sculptor.
"I take it you're familiar with your greek mythology?" he then, too, looked at the fountain, "Elysium would be a wonderful name for it."
"Anamnesis means remembrance. In ancient Greece, anamnesis was believed to include memories of past lives. Plato's theory of anamnesis says that there are certain concepts or beliefs in the mind from before birth, which explain aspects of the learning process undergone by normal human beings; and may be summed up in a single phrase: learning is recollection. His basic argument is that human beings know certain things, or possess certain concepts, which could not have been gotten from sense experience. Plato’s explanation is that the human soul knew these things before it was born, so that learning these things is really just a matter of remembering them."
After that long tangential explanation, Domcallion cleared his throat.
"In short, I chose the name because a funeral is where one comes to remember their loved one."
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Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2022 9:14 pm
Amaranth looked at Domcallion as he explained the name of the funeral home, and smiled softly, a bitter-sweet smile, as she listened.
"It is a beautiful sentiment, Domcallion. You really put your heart in to all of this, didn't you?" her smile warmed.
It shouldn't have surprised her that he would be a sentimental sort. Empathetic, kind, gentle. These were all things she could see in him. Past the imposing exterior, he was like a fortress, tested and tried by life and time, but protecting a sweetness within.
After their moment of sentimentality, Amaranth looked to the glistening of the greenhouse not far off their left. It was so much bigger than she envisioned in her mind, even from here. Her opalescent eyes lit up once again. before Domcallion could even begin to escort her there, she was already headed in that direction, stopping just before the elegant door to the glass fortress.
Her heart thudded in her chest like the wings of a hummingbird in flight. It was like something from another life. A fantasy made real. A memory.
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Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2022 9:27 pm
Domcallion followed after the excited young florist casually. After all, one of his strides was equal to several of her own, and he was quickly caught up to her and opening the doors of the greenhouse to allow the awe-struk young lady entrance to what could soon be her domain.
He could have explained everything, every technical aspect that he had ensured this palace was endowed with, be he instead chose to sit and let her explore with excitement, taking in the sight with a smile on his face.
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Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2022 9:40 pm
It was perhaps for the best that he simply sat there and let her flit about like a little butterfly as she inspected the entire greenhouse with excitement and awe. The flowerbeds, the water system, the state of the art everything while maintaining an delicate aesthetic, an elegance. Amaranth really felt like she was in a fantasy scene. The true icing on the cake would have been if it were full of flowers.If given the chance, she would bring that fantasy to life.
There was more room in here than she could have ever imagined. The amount and variety of flowers she could cultivate would be more than she could ever need. Well, barring a mass death event in Destiny City, like a plague or something, but well.... Best not to want such a thing just to be able to make full use of the place.
"Domcallion, this is more than enough. We'll be exporting flowers to other shops if I fill this place! It will more than pay for itself in a year or two!"
But she was sure he had already thought of that. She wasn't intimidated at the thought of all the work it was going to take, even though she maybe should have been. On the contrary, she was excited. Flowers really were her life. The quiet cultivation of beautiful buds and the arranging of elegant compositions of blooms called to the very heart of her. She wanted this so much. She couldn't believe she had ever been hesitant to send in her application here. It was everything she could have wished for!
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Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2022 3:55 pm
"That would be ideal," Domcallion replied, "Time depending, if you felt like it you could even do outside work. The funeral home wouldn't demand a cut. That would be pure profit for you, unless it becomes a detriment to the main job."
He was offering a lot of freedom in exchange for hard work and discipline, as well as skill. He could see the ambition in Amaranth's eyes though. This was something she truly loved. He'd been through many applicants, and none of them had even gotten past the interview chair. It was almost as if this place had been built for her specifically, even though he had never even known of her existence until today. Well, yesterday when the application was handed to him, but...semantics.
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Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2022 7:37 pm
Amaranth let out a light sound of laughter, "Of course! Though, it's going to take some time to get things going. If I could make plants spring up over night, that would be one thing, but I suspect we're going to need to be the ones importing first to get the ball rolling on arrangements."
From there, they talked about the technicalities and expectations and projected timeline. Amaranth, being the one more knowledgeable on plant growth and what to expect there, helped expand on those projections, and soon enough the two had a pretty solid idea, a plan, for what was to be expected.
As ambitious and eager as she was, Amaranth had to be realistic about things here. There was clearly already a lot of money sunk in to this venture, and then paying her, and even more to be spent before profit would really be made. From what she gathered though as they talked, Domcallion was as much a business man as he was a mortician.
She couldn't help but wonder just how much money he was making to be able to afford all this. It wasn't her place to ask though. Destiny City had more than its fair share of mysterious deaths amongst the more 'normal' or 'mundane' ones.
As for her own wadge, starting out it was good enough. At least, considering she wasn't having to worry about rent or utilities, since she has staying...here...
"Oh! I did select to live here. Do you think I could see the house while I'm here? Unless...that's for if an actual offer of employment is made, in which case-"
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Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2022 7:50 pm
"Of course!" Oh, he'd said that a bit more...exhuberantly than he'd meant to... "Of course, I would love to show it to you."
He would be lying to himself if he tried to tell himself that he wasn't trying to find a way to keep this 'interview' going anyway. As far as he was concerned, she was hired. Of course, a formal offer of employment would have to be sent out, and before that, he would have to make some small show of at least making it look like he was having to think about it...
Domcallion rose fro the work table in which they had sat down at when they began talking technicalities and budgets and the two casually headed out of the greenhouse - him holding the door like the gentleman he was.
It was a short walk from there to the 'cottage.'
"There are no student boarders at the moment, so you would have the place to yourself for the most part. I have my own apartment in the basement, and really only make use of the kitchen, and my herb garden out back," he explained as they walked up to it.
There was a bare trellis at the entrance to the cobblestone walkway which cut through the small, empty, fenced yard. Upon the sturdy mohogany front door there was a seasonal wreath, but everything seemed fairly nondescript. The rest of the outside of the house was very old German cottage-esque.
Domcallion took out his key and opened the door for Amaranth.
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