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 Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 8:07 am
 A day ago, Ikebana had gotten an order.
An order for an arrangement. A flower arrangement.
A tall, athletic stallion had seen him working at the park, just fiddling about with flowers from the market, and asked if he took orders. Ikebana saw no reason to say otherwise, so he accepted. The stallion -- Fourseam Fastball, he called himself -- then gave him money and told him where to deliver the arrangement when he was done. He wrote a note on a card and told Ikebana to deliver it with the flowers, but other than that, he'd given no direction.
"You've got a talent," he'd said. "I trust you."
Ikebana had pored over the flowers at the market for hours. Fourseam Fastball had only seen one of his arrangements, a simple thing that he had made for his own amusement. It confused Ikebana. Didn't stallions want to get their special someponies big, impressive bouquets, with flowers bursting from every angle? Didn't they generally go for the bigger-is-better routine? His flowers certainly never looked that way... would it really be okay to give this 'Moon River' mare something different?
After a long time, Ikebana selected white and yellow flowers. Bright yellow daffodils, tiny white tulips, and long, curved reeds with subtle white blossoms. He arranged them in a vase he found at an antique store, a plain black semi-circular bowl on a tall thin stem. The reeds he set on either side, coaxing them into a half-moon shape, and garnished them with small green blossoms in tiny bursts. In the center, he put the bright daffodils and set the tulips to one shy side, where they complimented the shine of the daffodils.
He then packed the arrangement securely and carried it to the performance hall for delivery, feeling faint with anticipation. He was going to make the first delivery of his life. Would the girl like his flowers? Or would she be unimpressed by the simplicity?
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Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 8:43 am
Moon River was getting ready for her latest show. While everyone else scrambled about to make sure everything was in order, she sat prettily in front of her large mirror. She was humming a lovely little melody as she smoothed out her wings. The song turned into a frustrated grumble when the singer came upon a feather that just wouldn't go down. Every inch of her had to look fabulous before she went on stage so she was not going to let this fly! But before she could grab any goob to put over the silly piece of fluff a stage hand was at her side, "Moon River, there is a little pony asking for you." He said while looking over a piece of paper that had the schedule scribbled all over it.The lass huffed at being interrupted. She hadn't finished primping! She was going to look like a mess on stage! But this was the new Moon River. The one working on being a little bit nicer. She couldn't turn someone away, especially a child. "All right. I'll see them. Bring them...actually...I'll go."
Rather than drag the little guy through all the craziness happening backstage she might as well meet with him outside. So Moon River actually left her precious mirror before she was finished to see the youngster.
When she saw the cream colored colt waiting outside with some kind of package Moon River couldn't help but be surprised. My oh my what was this?
As she came upon him the mare put on a lovely smile, "Hello there." See. She was getting better. Not only did she break her pre-show ritual but she also was making time for her fans. How kind of her, right?
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Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 9:26 am
Ikebana stood just outside the backstage doors with his package, looking with mild interest at all the comings and goings of the phony stagehands and workers. The hustle-and-bustle of it all was certainly not his style, but he had never seen an event like this, and the newness of it all was interesting.
When Moon River approached -- because Ikebana was certain in looking at her that she was Moon River, based on the coloring and the cutiemark, and the fact that she looked like someone that would associate with the athletic stallion he'd met earlier. He stood straighter as she approached, wanting to appear more businesslike.
"Hello, Miss Moon River? I am Ikebana. I have an arrangement for you," said Ikebana politely, gesturing to the package beside him. "It is a little fragile. I can carry it elsewhere for you, if you like."
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Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 1:21 pm
An arrangement? Moon River tilted her head to the side as she looked over the package. Did this little guy make it all by himself? Goodness she was surprised! Usually the children just wanted autographs. She didn't think she ever received a present from one of her younger fans. "You brought that all the way here? Well aren't you sweet. Come in, we can put it in my dressing room."
It was a little difficult making it back to her room. Moon River led the way and snapped warnings at those who nearly tripped over the little pony and his present.
When they got back to her room Ikebana was met with a ton of colors. It was full of dresses, jewelry, and most of all pictures of her. "Here. You can set it on the table. Now..your name was Ikebana... right, little guy? Would you like a picture of me? I'll sign it. " She had to give him something for his kindness and who wouldn't love that?
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Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 1:38 pm
Ikebana followed the pegasus in an even pace, carting the package carefully and checking to make sure he didn't entangle his hooves in any wires, or collide with any stagehands or techs that were buzzing around the stage. He was silent the entire way to the dressing room, and when they finally arrived, he found a spot of real estate near Moon River's dressing table where he could set the package down.
Her room had other bouquets in it, more traditional ones. Bunches of roses, dotted with baby's breath, giant bouquets that, in Ikebana's opinion, assaulted the eye rather than catching it gently, drawing it towards them. Beautiful flowers deserved to each get their own balance, achieve their own sense of harmony, and impart that on the viewer, did they not?
Or maybe he was just being a fussbudget gasbag. Maybe his own work was just sparse and spartan, rather than generous and colorful.
As Moon River spoke, Ikebana looked up from where he was disassembling the package, revealing the beautiful half-moon bouquet. He shook his head and offered the mare a polite smile, giving her the card Fourseam Fastball had included with it.
Sorry about the other night. Knock 'em dead tonight. - Fast.
"It's kind of you to offer. But I am just here to deliver the bouquet from your friend." Ikebana paused, and suddenly felt compelled to add. "I hope you like it."
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Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 5:25 pm
When she turned around to face the youngster Moon River was amazed at what was sitting pretty on the table. She gasped and just stared with wide eyes at the arrangement. It was absolutely stunning. She'd never seen anything like it before.
The pegasus crept closer to get a better look at the piece of art. It looked just like a half moon and the flowers were so beautiful. The whole piece was breathtaking.
"Hm? O-Oh! A card?" She glanced down at the little piece of paper and flushed a lovely shade of red when she saw who the generous giver was. Her lovely eyes twinkled as she reread what he wrote. Well this was a surprise.
Little Ikebana's voice snapped her out of it and she quickly looked back down at him, a wide smile on her face, "It's beautiful. You did a wonderful job. It has to be my favorite out of all the flowers I've received. You did this all by yourself?" She set the card down and went back to admiring his creation. "I really do love it. The flowers, their colors, and how you made the half moon. It's breathtakingly beautiful!"
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Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 5:56 pm
Ikebana's normally serious expression changed as he watched Moon River turn and see his work. Her smile was different. It had gone from a humoring starlet's smile to one of actual appreciation and amazement. He watched her gem eyes trace the flowers' shapes, actually contemplate the arrangement for a moment before pulling away. She even gasped at the sight of it.
It was the most gratifying thing he'd ever experienced. Normally introspective and quiet, Ikebana was cognizant of a sudden overwhelming feeling, pride and humility mixing inside of him. It was just a flower arrangement, and this moment -- this happiness Moon felt on reading her card -- was clearly for someone else. But Ikebana couldn't help but feel his flowers were a medium to all of that, a real thing that showed thought and care had been put into their gift.
A living flower
Simple beauty for your eyes
Says more than I could
It made his insides flutter, and discommoded him like he never had been before. He wanted to laugh, or to hug Moon River. Instead, he checked himself to a small smile, and allowed himself to listen with pleasure as she heaped what sounded like sincere compliments upon him.
"You are too kind," he said with a bow. "I was inspired by your name... I am glad that you like them so much." Normally, he would have stopped speaking here, when his message had been said and felt. But now he continued. "It really means a lot to a colt like me that you like my arrangements... I always thought it was just my family, but to have you say it, when you have so many other flowers in here -- it really means a lot. So, thank you."
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Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 9:38 pm
Moon River was filled with absolute joy. This was such a surprise and to know Fast had done this for her, well, it made her heart skip a beat.
"I love it! Honest." She knew she was capable of faking what she really thought but this was truly genuine. This little colt was extremely talented and created such a beautiful piece. She was dumbstruck! This assortment of flowers, styled to resemble a beautiful golden moon, was unforgettable.
"Believe me, you have a real talent for this. Could you tell me more about the flowers you used? What kind? Why these?" He put so much thought into creating it there must of been reason behind each piece that was placed and she actually wanted to know. He obviously took the time and thought to create it, why not let the little artist describe what he did? It was his time to shine. Thankfully...they weren't competing for the spotlight.
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Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2013 7:32 am
The joy Ikebana felt within him at hearing Moon's assessment of his work bordered on giddiness. He fought to temper his smile, but it threatened to burst out of him, so he allowed it to play on his face unchecked. It was a lovely smile, young and earnest and full, making him look his own young age.
"Thank you again. I am so pleased," he said in his straightforward way, but there was an earnestness to his voice that colored the words. He gestured to the flowers with pleasure, continuing. "Your friend told me your name and said that you are beautiful -- excuse my impertinence in mentioning it -- so I wanted something that might compliment both of those things. The daffodils are bright, but less ostentatious than a rose, like moon's light in comparison to sunlight. The reeds are meant to express the ever-changing contours of a moon's phases. The white tulips are the sun's light bouncing off of the moon, and the green blossoms express that halo. As you can see, there is also space here," He indicated to the reeds, which outstretched the flowers' placement. "So it can act as a sort of frame for yourself, should you desire to view yourself through your arrangement."
Ikebana bowed his head, suddenly self conscious. He shifted his weight. "I know it seems a bit overwrought. But I like to think of flowers as poetry, something that might inspire you rather than just sit prettily in the corner."
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Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 8:16 pm
Moon River couldn't help but feel pleased to see a sweat smile play along the colt's face. It suited him. She could feel a warmth spread inside her chest like blooming flower. He was so serious for a child! So mature! She certainly didn't mind this attitude but goodness he was so young. Wasn't this the time that children ran about as if they were on a constant sugar high? Instead little Ikebana held himself better than some adults and had even begun his own business. It was quite the impressive feat but he certainly still needed childhood joys.
The periwinkle mare's thoughts were pushed off track as Ikebana mentioned that Fast had said she was beautiful. Fourseam Fastball said that about her? Not only that but he bought a gorgeous flower arrangement all for her. It was...so touching, heartwarming really.
Moon lowered herself to get a eye line view of her flowers. She was back in the present and listening to Ikebana's description. He was filled with a passion Moon knew all too well. Although they held it for different things, it was still the same feeling.
"I can certainly see myself. You've captured my beauty and grace through flowers which I've never ever seen done before. You indeed created poetry and a beautiful piece of art." Ever so carefully she raised a hoof and brushed it against the edge of a lovely tulip. She glanced down at him with a delighted and sincere smile. "Little Ikebana, you've made something wondrous, I think you have a lovely talent. You should make more. So many phonies would be happy to see your arrangements and thrilled to receive one as a gift. I feel inspired and honored to have been given your first one. What an amazing purpose you have."
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Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 5:44 pm
What an amazing purpose you have.
That's what she'd said. Purpose.
Ikebana's ears lifted slightly, and he looked down and then up again, his smile steady on his face. She was happy, this mare. She had no agenda, no reason to humor him the way she was. She was truly happy with this arrangement, one that he alone had thought up and made. It made Ikebana's heart swell with pride.
"Thank you, very, very much," he said. He could think of no other way to say it, nothing else to add. It was all he meant. Her words had given him drive, taken away his insecurity. He loved his creations. He was made for this work. And there was no shame in following that passion, making others feel as pleased as he had this mare. Knowing that was strangely freeing.
"And thank you for letting me talk so long," Ikebana bowed. "I'll leave you to your preparations. Have a wonderful night tonight."
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