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“Happy Valentine’s Day!”

To say that Richard Moreau counted the days to Valentine's Day like an eager child counted the days to Christmas would have been a gross understatement. To an openly romantic man (in which Richard was an advocate for, though for the more physical part and not so much the sugar words and the sometimes lengthy lead in that was required for some people), Valentine’s Day was a day where couples could go to ridiculous lengths to express their love (despite there being 360+ days in the year to do so without the big hoopla to go with it). And to a business man who co-owned and ran a candy store, Valentine’s Day was another day that he could reap the benefits of that simple yet complicated affection human beings had for one another.

Richard wasn’t necessarily greedy, per say. It wasn’t as though he would snoop around the store and reach into people’s pockets. Nor would he go through exaggerated lengths to push a sale- he simply didn’t need to! If people were flocking to his and Krishna’s store, then the sale was already in the bag and there was no need to harass any individuals. As far as Richard was concerned, there was little he would physically have to do to get money today. In fact, he would have to work harder to chase customers away, but today he wasn’t going to make that challenge to himself. Today was a day for business, and that business was to make sure that everyone that entered his store left with a box of chocolate and some beautiful roses to go with it.

Baldwin, the happy but well behaved Irish wolfhound that sported the dangly heart headband, manned his station with extreme interest and took a sniff at everyone that passed by, the excitement in his large brown eyes plain to see. Next to Baldwin was a sign that clearly read, in bright red letters, “DO NOT FEED DOG CHOCOLATE!”, and added under those bold letters were smaller, more curtly written “See Richard for bacon.” The dog could not read this, but there was an employee nearby to keep check on this, as well as keep an eye on the leash and make sure the horse of a dog didn’t wander off (and take the entire stand with him!). Richard gave Baldwin a quick scratch behind the ears and whispered to him, knowing his dog wouldn’t understand the words but knowing he’d understand the authoritative tone in his deep voice. “You behave, and don’t accept any food that isn’t B-A-C-O-N.”

The dog said nothing but his licks his own nose and twisted an ear, a clear enough indication to Richard that he was had paid attention, and that was enough for the Candyman to get to work. He greeted his customers again, taking a quick moment to wipe some disinfectant on his hands, in case anyone feared the unseeable little germies would contaminate the chocolate or the roses. He felt alive and energetic, absorbing as much energy from the crowd, like the true extrovert that he was. ”Welcome to Sugar Shanty! If you’re coming in from Padma’s Bouquet, please see the table here for your voucher, otherwise please step inside and have a look around. There are free samples set up near the jelly beans, though I guarantee you’ll find everything we have to be delectable!”

Richard was eager to please and eager to assist. Despite the love that was in the air, he was determined to keep his attention on the job- after all, it wasn't just his business he was promoting, but Krishna's as well, and he made a mental note to check on his compadre later. For now, he kept his eyes on the prize (though he always welcomed a pleasant distraction...)

One would know that it was that time of the year again when almost everyone in school started going into a frenzy over whether they had a date as well as what they should be getting for that special someone in their lives at least a fortnight before the actual day itself. It made Hafwen wonder if they were overdoing things really. Surely people should make an effort to make their partners aware of their feelings for them on a daily basis rather than leave it to this one day in the entire calendar. Then again, what did she know?

With a smug look on her face, she had proudly informed her circle of friends that she had a date this year, the details of which were known only to herself though she might consider letting them in on how it went post-Valentines'. If she felt up to it. Of course she had conveniently left out the juicy details such as who the mysterious person who had managed to snag her heart somehow was, secretly amused by the amount of interest the partial white lie had generated in her class alone subsequently.

Was getting hitched that big a deal really?

Guiding young Mercy down the street with the younger female's hand held in hers, it wasn't long before Hafwen's attention was drawn by the temporary booth located next to the Sugar Shanty, a smile lighting up her face as she raised her hand to point it out for the little princess' benefit before tugging her towards it. "Remember the chocolates I got for you awhile back from this shop called The Sugar Shanty? This is it!"

It seemed that the candy shop was holding a joint promotion with the flower shop from the signs displayed. Lucky! She was pretty sure that Mercy was going to be in for a big treat now that she could be here in person to see the candy shop for herself as part of their special Valentines' date with each other. Whatever the case, she would ensure personally that the redhead wouldn't leave the shop empty-handed for sure.

Turning Alexandre eyed the red haired man, a single brow raised in question. Nose up in the air and looking as haughty and arrogant as he indeed was. "Perhaps because if we're to celebrate one emotion than why not them all? Perhaps sadness? And anger as well. I'm sure we can garishly decorate for them as well." Oh yes, someone didn't like this holiday one bit and had a lot against it. Maybe it was made worse, more profound, by the simple fact he was a teenager and teens did tend to do such things - make a mountain out ofan ant hill, but not likely. He really didn't seem the type, he seemed to honestly dislike the holiday as much as it sounded like.

"I simply don't see the point in making a special day to celebrate what people have every day. A need to do what you do every day, or more often than once a day. It's rather annoying and the over the top nature of this holiday is simply unbecoming and obnoxious." He made a good point though one that was likely to upset people, perhaps even get some romantic girls to object and argue his opinion. But it was the same as his opinion on marraige was. Why did people need to get married, aside from the legal reasons, he didn't see why people had an emotional need or want for it. Showing your love for a person was showing your love - ring or not.

Perhaps though it was just him being a realistic pessimist but he couldn't help the words which proud from his mouth; they were honestly spoken after all.

"That aside I need chocolates for my mother. Dark or milk chocolate is fine but perhaps something with some alcohol in it? Or some hazelnut filling?" He asked, deciding to finally put aside his dislike for today and get to the heart of his problem today.

Mercy's parents had plans for most of the day today – and the evening as well, as did her older brother and her younger brother was spending most of the day and evening with his friend, so that had again left Mercy in the lurch. That was until Hafwen had suggested the “date.” The idea of going out with her best friend had been entertaining enough. Mercy had dressed up for the occasion too, rooting through her wardrobe until she found a cute floral print sundress and matching hat. She'd also grabbed one of her floral print jackets to wear in case the weather remained on the cool-side, since it was only February after all. Traveling hand-in-hand with Hafwen wasn't unusual for the girl, in fact, she skipped along side her best friend, humming softly under her breath as they walked along.

When Hafwen pointed out the Sugar Shanty she beamed up a the older girl. “I remember!” She declared, before her face fell for just a short moment. “Mom was supposed to take me to check it out after you brought the stuff but she never... had the time.” She smiled up at Hafwen again.

“I'm glad I get to see it with you though!” she hugged Hafwen for a moment before turning her attention back to two the two older men hawking their wares to the customers. When the redheaded man called Hafwen over, Mercy suppressed a frown as a small spike of jealously wormed its way into her. It wasn't that she wasn't actually upset or anything – just the realization that her best friend was on good terms with the shopkeeper, (another redhead, this was not lost on her.) was awakening the small green-eyed-monster inside of her. But, jealously was unladylike and she pushed it aside without a second thought, allowing herself to smile at the man and bow her head, giving him a slight curtsey.

Then the brunette man approached and offered her the peach-colored rose she blushed a little bit and accepted it, looking down at the ground and scuffing her foot against the pavement. So he appreciated her, then – if she remembered her rose colors and counts right.

“T-thank you, sir,” she stammered out, before looking up at him and smiling. “It is a very nice rose.” She brought the flower to her nose and inhaled, sighing a little. “Do you have any pink or red roses?” She asked the man, while also allowing her gaze to drift toward the candy as well. “Also, any yellow?”

She was also going to need to get candy too – but if this gentleman had the roses she needed – well might as well get that out of the way since he'd approached her right? The young girl smiled at both men now, feeling about fit to swoon really – so much attention!

Truth be told, Hafwen hadn't exactly been expecting Richard to remember her with the number of customers passing through the candy store on a daily basis. She had to admit however that it certainly added a pleasant personal touch to the shopping experience given the redhead's amiable nature, which she was pretty certain would be extended to Mercy beside her as well. That man did know his way around his customers and business well come to think of it in fact.

But sampling the candy store's wares would likely have to wait now that Krishna had apparently snagged Mercy's attention with his flowers it would seem. It was the first time that she had ever heard the young girl stammering like that and she found that absolutely adorable, her hand giving the other's a small squeeze as a form of encouragement as she chipped in to the conversation with the flower shopkeep as well. "So it's only the red, peach and white roses that are included as part of today's special? Would it be possible to extend the deal to the pink and yellow roses as well if we pick up some chocolates while we're at it?"

Richard was looking forward to seeing Hafwen again, as well as meeting her friend, but it seemed that the two were spirited away by his own business partner. It was hard for Richard to not feel his feathers raffle at the sight of the snake, slithering out of nowhere and coaxing them with his silly flowers. He tried not to appear hurt, though if one looked closely they would have spotted the subtle twitch on his curled lips and the gleam in his eye. Yet, he could find no fault in Krishna's action- after all, he either jumped in at the right moment and was pushing a sale that would ultimately benefit them both, or he found a clever way to draw attention back to him.

That made Richard respect the guy, despite the barely contained jealousy and indignation he felt at another man taking away what he felt was his customer and no act against him yet. That, and the customer that he was already attending to, of course.

It seemed that Alexandre was one of those guys, the type that would always show up to a party to weigh everyone down with logic and pessimism in the guise of 'realism'. Yes, Richard had dealt with a lot of people like that. In fact, his brother was just like that. And Richard figured that he would simply have to combat this fellow in the same fashion as he would his brother- no, not sock him in the eye and run away laughing. But with gentlemen like patience, with a touch of snark.

"Well, that is true. We could have many holidays based on various emotions, and each one of those holidays could easily be commercialized, just as 'love' is. Why, imagine a single day in the year dedicated to Anger- I could easily come up with several candies with that theme, should such a holiday be announced." Richard already had a few ideas in mind, though he had little time to write it down. He'd simply have to hope he'd remember it later, assuming the little teen didn't try to deter his good mood. Maybe if he pushed him hard enough, he could make a fondant cookie with his likeness and take immense pleasure in biting its mouthy little head off? Later. For now, he remained sickly pleasant, and focused on the sale. Getting Alexandre to like a holiday that he personally exploited (in more ways then one) wasn't his goal- having him leave with a box of candy and roses was! "You're in luck! Hazelnut is one of my more popular selection all year round and is one of my personal favorites as well."

He turned around for a second and grabbed the kissy lips shaped box, presenting it to Alexandre without opening the box. "This assortment will be to her liking, I think. Most of it is milk chocolate, though there are a few darks here and there and those are the ones that'll have liquor in them. Will this suit her, you think?"

Seeing Krishna with the roses reminded him of their sale, and he made sure to motion to the booth to show him what flowers he could select from, as a girl on her bike approached his booth. Richard was a little busy with the sale and hadn't noticed her, but Baldwin did. For the most part, the oversized dog had expressed some excitement and looked at people as they approached, waiting for a pet, or even a hand to sniff, but few paid attention to him. That was until the girl with short hair approached him, hand extended for him to sniff, and his whip-like tail picked up, slamming against the booth and giving a customer a jump. Baldwin liked friendly people, and he gladly accepted the invitation to sniff her, and then some. After a thorough sniff, he gave her hand a lick, and he looked up at her with big, brown eyes, wondering if this sweet girl had brought him a treat.

He'd love her forever if she had a treat for him...

From across the street, Gwendolyn Caspian had hoped that the crowd would work in her favor, as she tried to sneak into Padma's Bouquet without being seen. Like Alexandre, she was short, but this was an advantage, as she held her precious cargo close to her chest and hoped that Krishna nor the pervert across the street would have spotted her. Thankfully, it seemed that her boss was busy helping two highschool girls and Richard was preoccupied with an obviously dissatisfied customer, though he was so short that she thought he was talking to the floor until she got at the right angle (and given how drunk Richard usually was, she wouldn't have been surprised.). Even the adorable Baldwin was busy, his eyes and ears set only on the girl before him, and Gwen took this opportunity to carry her package inside and slip it somewhere safe, as she threw on her apron and got immediately to work. She was to man the inside of the store, and she'd do one hell of a job! "All right, let's do this! Maybe I can impress people with my new knowledge of flora!"

Despite her enthusiasm, she still felt a little guilty for going to Farah's Garden first, but she had her reasons, and she was going to stick with it, unless she got caught. But that was a bridge she'd cross later... or never, if she could help it.

There was love all around, and Fleur was doing her best to appreciate that rather than be bitter about having not received any of the cute gifts it seemed everyone else at her school had. She was actually doing a pretty good job. Kind of. She was alone, oh well, she could still… look at the paper hearts decoration the town? Or she could get herself some chocolate, the good kind. Yes, that was better. She’d even heard of a candy shop nearby…

Fleur approached the booth in Sugar Shanty’s parking lot. The area was filled with people, so that which was good. Hopefully that meant the chocolate was worth coming for. However, most of the chocolate was hidden in shiny red boxes. On the other side of the table, however, flowers were in full display. “These are so pretty,” she said to nobody in particular. She turned to the owner of the flowershop, though she wasn’t really looking for flowers. He seemed less busy than the other owner, only talking to two girls about flower colors. “Do you have any purple flowers?” she interjected. “I know they’re not as romantic, but they’re special to me.” She smiled, but she wasn’t necessarily going to buy. She was very open to being convinced, that was all.