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 Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 6:05 pm
It was another beautiful midday afternoon in Midori, a warm day with a soft breeze that coaxed people out of their homes and workplaces to enjoy the simple pleasure of the blue sky and wispy clouds. Such was the case with the jovial flower girl, Crystal; while she was reguarly one who took peace in the warm days and was no stranger to the enticing nights, she found herself basking in the sun much like the flowers that had turned their faces to the inviting light.
The young woman hummed as she swept outside, smiling politely at the people who passed and taking a moment to chat with familiar faces. Quite a few people noticed her decidedly lighter clothes, namely her light blue summer dress that seemed to encourage into her eyes to part their normally grey clouds. She was feeling quite good today, given the events of the past few days, and it showed in her bounced step and open smile.
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Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 6:21 pm
After finally getting through a half-day at school, morning sickness included (oh how she hoped it was just for the first couple months like the OB/GYN said...), the green-haired dancer had made her way to where she had been planning to go for a couple of days. She had made sure Anbu was with one of her not-so-pushover-ish friends, so that she wouldn't have to worry about him causing trouble where she went for once. Kyoko hadn't really felt like dressing up in her usual way that morning, so her clothing was very tame for her: a black tank top with a knee-length green skirt and simple flip-flop sandals of the beach-print type. On her left arm, she had a canvas bag hanging from her elbow, with a small amount of things obviously in it.
She stopped in front of the flower shop, a smile on her face. She'd heard about this place via the grapevine at school (gossip could be good for something!), and was quite surprised to see someone she'd seen at the Masquerade tending the place. It was definitely a good thing she'd left Anbu with Terrance. She approached the store, smile on her face.
"Hello!"
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Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 6:34 pm
Crystal turned at the greeting, offering a warm grin and a friendly, "Hello!" She tucked a lock of thick curls behind her ear, tilting her head with a touch of curiosity on her brow. The woman looked familiar, but for the life of her, she couldn't place her face. The more obvious reaction would have been to try and place the remarkable hair, but Crystal wasn't usually such a base personality as that. "I hope you're having as wonderful of an afternoon as I am. It's so gorgeous outside!" the woman practically gushed, a wide smile playing over her lips.
As if suddenly remembering that she was, in fact, at work, and that this person could be a potential customer and not someone looking for idle chit-chat, Crystal had the grace to blush a little as she put her broom aside. "Forgive me, I get carried away with the breeze on days like these." The woman giggled a little, lifting the knee-high length of her dress in a curtsey. "Welcome to The Gilded Lily! My name is Crystal; please let me know if I can be of some assistance." She stood and dropped her dress, clasping her hands in front of her hips, still smiling grandly. There were only two things that could make it better, and she didn't expect to see either of them pass on by anytime soon. The mere thought made her smile a touch kinder as she watched the vibrant woman.
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Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 6:42 pm
Kyoko blinked and grinned. "No worries! I know how you feel! It's nice to be outside on days like this, when it's so alive!" She gave a dancer's bow to Crystal, since she hadn't exactly learned to curtsy, but wanted to be polite. Despite her morning sickness earlier, she felt in a mood to deal with the hoops normally associated with 'polite company'. She giggled inside, wondering what Kyuubi would think if he saw her being...well, normal. "I'm Kyoko! It's very nice to meet you Crystal!"
Kyoko was obviously a very cheery girl, and more amiable than her hair color let on. She looked around. "I haven't been in a flower store since I was little...so...Is there anything you would suggest to bring some life to an apartment? I recently realized how...stale my home looks." She scratched the back of her head, nervous grin gracing her lips. She really hadn't been in a flower shop since she and her brother had bought her mother flowers when she was 5.
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Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 7:00 pm
"Plenty to pick from!" Crystal laughed, pleased that the other was understanding of her exuberance. "It's nice to meet you." She paused, before adding a little sheepishly, "I feel like I've seen you before, please forgive me if we've met and my memory fails me." The flower girl extended her hand towards the shop door, where cool air could be felt wafting from. "If you'll come this way, and let me know what colors your apartment has, we'll find you something nice." Crystal gave a playful wink and another grin as she practically danced inside.
The Gilded Lily is an old fashioned shop that is mostly hidden by the display of flowers. The cool air inside not only keeps the flowers from wilting and turning brown, but it circulates the air so the scent isn't overwhelming when walking inside. There's a large counter in the back of the room, presumably where one rings up their purchases; otherwise, there's a single large table in the middle of the room and the walls are decorated with rows upon rows of cabinets, although every surface is taken with wild blooms of rainbow. Every color in the spectrum is represented, starting with white near the door - predominantly lilys, as the namesake of the store - shifting towards yellow, orange and earthy colors as one moved to the left, and strange blue, purple and almost black hues towards the right, meeting at the bulk of the red flowers towards the main counter. Crystal moved toward the table, giving Kyoko time to take a look around and formulate her answer.
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Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 7:11 pm
Kyoko followed Crystal into the shop, smiling at the play of the cool air on her skin after the warmth of the sun. She was astounded by all the flowers. She didn't know this many types even EXISTED, let alone be in one place. "Oh...wow...Uh..." To say the talkative girl was speechless was an understatement. For a moment her mouth opened and closed, a bit fish-like. When she came back to her senses, she shook her head. "Oh..uh...Sorry about that! I've just never seen this many flowers before. Anyways! I was at the Masquerade a few weeks back!"
While waiting for the response of Crystal, Kyoko thought about the colors in her apartment. Let's see...there was the original eggshell in most of the rooms, but the living room was a kind of beige-brown color. Yes...that's the room she wanted to liven up! The color just reminded her too much of bare stones! "A kind of beige-brown...That's the color of the living room I want to bring some life to."
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Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 7:23 pm
There was clearly something very...unusual about the day, but no one would really notice, for the only difference was that there was a new presence upon the streets that many had never seen before. A man in dark but stylish sunglasses was walking past buildings with a strange flare, for he was clearly in a hurry to get somewhere. His dark coat billowed slightly behind him as he walked and dark dress shoes clicked a bit louder due to the hurried pace. The strangest part about the man though was that he held a black-lace umbrella to his shoulder that flared over his head to protect him from the sun's glittering rays.
Why anyone would want to shield themselves from the sun on such a stunningly beautiful day was anyone's guess, but the man had finally reached his destination and the sight of a certain woman was more than enough to make the venture into the light more than worth it. Catching just the last glimpse of Kyoko's words he'd shake his head and step up behind her, folding his umbrella and pushing his sunglasses to his forehead as he spoke. "The most beautiful of flowers are those topped with black."
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Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 7:34 pm
Crystal grinned as she leaned against the table, watching Kyoko with a sense of pride. It was true, many people didn't know there were so many different flowers, let alone with the colors the shop offered. At the mention of the Masquerade, her eyes flashed in memory; the man that had picked a fight with Irene...she'd seen Kyoko dancing with him! "Of course! Twice as good to meet you, in that case." She laughed softly, relieved that the mystery had been solved; she barely got her smile under control as Kyoko started to describe her home. The woman had no time to speak as a very unexpected visitor came through the shop's entrance. For once in her life, Crystal couldn't have been happier at being wrong in her thoughts of not having the day be better.
"Qadir!" she cried out in surprise and joy, pushing off of the table and gliding across the floor to greet her dark companion, extending her hands to his and giving him a delicate squeeze. "I must admit, you were the last person I thought I'd see today, but easily the one that makes my day the brightest!" Crystal looked over to the green haired woman, grinning apologetically. "Miss Kyoko, this is...Qadir." She had almost slipped on his title! "Qadir, this lovely woman is Lady Kyoko. We were discussing what best to liven up her home, although I'm afraid my flowers will hardly hold the appeal that you do." Crystal openly complimented the man, approving of his dark but attractive attire.
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Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 7:50 pm
Kyoko chuckled. "It's always nice to see faces you aren't sure you'll meet again!" She then blushed when Qadir walked in and Crystal introduced her. The only ones who had called her lovely in any way were Kyuubi and her father. And it was certainly strange being called a woman. She was more often referred to as a 'punk' or 'rebellious child'. "I believe each flower has their own beauty, and each needs the other colors to fully experience the dance they create." She gave another dancer's bow, a smile on her face. She could be poetic when she wanted! She made it a priority to tell Kyuubi and her father that line later. She was quite proud of herself.
"It's nice to meet you, Mister Qadir." Kyoko couldn't help but feel a little awkward using formal speech. She wasn't exactly rebellious, but she was far more casual than a lot of people she ran into on a daily basis. And then there was the fact that Crystal was quite obviously flirting with the dark man. It made Kyoko want to giggle like one of the girls at school. She needed to talk to the doctor about that at her next appointment...she was acting more girlish than usual.
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Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 7:56 pm
Qadir grunted at the title of mister. He'd have to scold her later if she continued to use it, but he figured he'd let the girl have atleast one slip up. Tucking the umbrella back against the door he'd sweep into a large and graceful for the two woman before straightening and leaning over to press a quick kiss to Crystal's cheek before she could escape him. You never know when your chances will disappear and Qadir was not the type to let a chance go so easily, especially when it had rushed so very easgerly into his arms.
"I could say the same for you my dear Crystal," he'd begin before turning his gold soaked amber eyes to the green-haired woman, "The pleasure in this meeting is all mine miss Kyoko. I was not aware that Crystal had friends as beautiful as she. Quite a feat in itself I dare say. Lifting his head he'd look around quickly for the delightful Rose, but he didn't let his gaze linger from the two for very long. didn't want to be rude now did he?
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Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 8:04 pm
"Well said," she smiled warmly at Kyoko, falling into a shy grin as Qadir kissed her cheek. Crystal momentarily thought that she really shouldn't be entertaining such behavior, but she knew what the man had gone through to get here. If he wanted a kiss or two, she would not begrudge him that! "She's in the back. I'll go get her if you'd like, or you can call for her. I'm sure she'd hear you in the next city," the girl said to the gentleman, knowing exactly why his eyes wandered. Despite his sweet words, she knew very well he was as fond of her mother as Rose was of him.
Clearing her throat in a dainty manner, she turned the full shine of her smile onto Kyoko. "Now, my Lady. What did you have in mind? Something as vibrant as you, or somewhat more understated?" Crystal could juggle familiarity and still be professional; she was raised for such things, and thrived off of the interaction. She felt it was a personal challenge to make sure Kyoko's home was as unique and pretty as the woman herself.
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Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 8:19 pm
Kyoko grinned. She'd noticed Qadir's dislike of the term 'mister', and it made her a bit less awkward...and then he called her beautiful. She flushed a nice red, unmistakable on her pale tan skin. "I...uh...I'm really not that beautiful! Cute maybe...but I'm certainly not as beautiful as Crystal!" She looked a bit like a puppy that had gotten an unexpected treat for reasons it wasn't sure of. (Thankfully, she'd left her collar at home that day -something about the teachers thinking it was inappropriate-.) Her eyes quickly wandered the store, taking in all the flowers once more.
To take her mind off things, and hopefully distract them from her bright red face, she spoke up again. "Please...just call me Kyoko. And...I think something a bit less uh...green than me would be nice. I think my 'Tou-chan and my son see enough green with me and my room." She chuckled nervously.
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Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 8:28 pm
The man's tanned cheeks gave away the soft hint of a blush. It was hard to notice, but if one did it would be quite surprising. Qadir? Blush? "Well...I did promise her I'd say hello next time I was in the shop didn't I?" he murmurred softly, sounding just a hint bashful before shaking his head and almost sending his sunglasses flying. "Perhaps in a moment I shall have to bother the delightful woman. For now though I wish to gaze upon the only thing I desire to take from this shop."
Turning back to Kyoko he'd flash a wide grin, those fangs that Crystal had taken so long to notice flashing in the dim light of the flower shop, "I'm afraid that, in the matter of my own opinion, I am the only one allowed to make a choice, and thus I shall continue to call you beautiful, stunning, exceptional all I desire." Oh yes, what a charmer. "I recommend lilies, but I am quite biased towards them personally."
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Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 8:37 pm
Kyoko's and Qadir's comments made Crystal's cheeks start to flush a delicate rose; it must have been quite a sight, all three occupants blushing for different reasons. However, for the safety of her heart staying in her chest, Crystal assumed that Kyoko was being polite and that he meant the aforementioned lilies rather than...ah, there really was no option. Lilies. She'd only make herself blush like a loon if she entertained the thought that he could have meant anything else.
"Quite an attractive bunch, by the sounds of it," Crystal offered, sounding very much like her mother. Shaking her head in a sea of bouncing curls, she smiled at Kyoko's next comment. "As you wish, Kyoko. However, green isn't the only vibrant color," she moved towards the left, using her deft hands to motion to the section that contained roses, daffodils, sunflowers and the like. "Yellow is quite eye-catching, especially the golden varieties." Her lips quirked as she realized her words could be taken in context to Qadir; she let it slide, however, finding a large sudden amusement at the idea. She continued on, grinning widely, "You could mix and match as well, to create the illusion of a setting sun or night sky." Dangit, she did it again! Only he would catch that, however, unless Kyoko was far more observant than she was and noticed Qadir's distinct fangs.
Unbeknownst to the trio, a pair of intelligent green eyes watched intermitently from the back, a bemused smile on a motherly face.
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Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 7:00 pm
Kyoko's draconic eyes followed Crystals movements, admiring the flowers. They were quite eye-catching...She tried so hard not to blush further at Qadir's comment, shuffling his suggestion for the lilies into the growing list of ideas forming in her head. In fact, one particular idea struck her as Crystal started going on about combinations.
"What about...something like a river? The color of the wall kinda reminds me of stone, and there was a river with stone banks near where I was born." And it was then that something she had noticed not minutes before actually hit her. Qadir had fangs. Crystal was making allusions to the night... Wow. She seemed to be running into mythical races every which way now! First Nyoko and Kyuubi, now Qadir. Of course, being the spontaneous girl she was, she pointed her observation out, turning back to look at Qadir once more.
"Dude...You've got fangs! Totally awesome. Uh...Not to pry, but are you a vampire?"
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