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 Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 5:25 pm
“Isn’t it nice out Tango?” May smiled her arms reaching for the sky in a lazy stretch. The young journalist listened half heartedly for a reply she didn’t really expect. It had been awkward to have a young boy sleeping in her house, not to mention that the young boy could be claimed as her son.
All throughout the night May had desperately attempted to start a conversation with the boy, however it seemed all one sided as he gave her an occasional glare, but for the most part ignoring her presence all together. If she hadn’t of heard his lonely ‘hi’ when he was first born she would have taken the boy for a mute.
The oddness of the situation only increased when she noticed the next morning that he had promptly stolen her favorite band shirt and was walking around the house in it as if it was his in the first place. Not knowing how to react, she merely told him he could keep it. There was no thank you.
Pulling down on the hem of her shirt, May stifled a sigh. It wasn’t exactly the most pleasant feeling having green eyes bore into your back. She was actually waiting for a small flame to burn into her shirt from the intensity of it all. “Yes.” She concluded to herself. “Its very nice.”
“My sister is visiting soon.” She informed, gratified when he picked up his pace a little to catch up to her, his eyes now trained on her face opposed to glaring at her back. “So we’re gonna get some flowers. You don’t mind do you?”
Silent once again reigned supreme and she actually let out the sigh this time. “Look, the shops right here.” She pointed out smiling softly, opening the door to allow the boy in first.
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Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 5:48 pm
The Gilded Lily was, much to the owner's distaste, quite a mess still. The grand opening of the attached cafe was tomorrow, yet there was still some minor debris and construction utilities on the right side of the flower shop. Despite the ongoing construction, painting, moving and general motion of the new addition, the shop still smelled gently of flowers. They had always prided themselves on not being cloying or too overbearing; despite the overwhelming odds, the gentle fragrance was still winning over the newer and stronger scents from the closed room to the right.
Rose was behind the counter. They hadn't had many customers since the reconstruction started - many people had assumed them closed, as there were indeed locked up for a few days - so the woman was appropriately startled when the soft tinkle of bells alerted her to a visitor. "Hello there," she called in a sing song voice, "please excuse the mess, we're--"
"Ma, I got it," a clear voice called from behind the closed doors, hardly muffled at all. They opened, omitting the dark haired flower girl and...two children that seemed to be clinging to her. Crystal was dressed in a simple reddish gown, a few hues darker than Tango's hair. Her hair was pulled into her signature curls, let down freely to bounce and lay as they pleased.
However, there was a girl attached to her back and neck, legs curled around the older woman's waist, giggling madly. She had blonde hair in pig tails, a toothy grin and bright blue eyes, dressed in a cute little pink summer gown. There was also a boy attached to Crystal's leg, who had dark brown hair and dark blue eyes, wearing plain brown jeans and a green shirt. When he caught sight of the customers, however, he quickly let go as though he were never playing with the older woman. The girl also slid down Crystal's back, following her brother's lead with a pout.
"Thank you," she grinned at the children, turning to greet the customer. "Welcome to the--MAY!" The young woman squealed with surprise, rushing towards her Masquerade friend with joy. She didn't know if the other would recognize her, as the mask she wore that night covered the majority of her face, but Crystal had not forgotten her dancing partners or the fun they had.
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Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 6:07 pm
Tango huffed silently, brooding a little, but walked into the shop never the less. He was quickly followed by May who smiled at the woman behind the register. She had just about opened her mouth to excuse the mess, if for no other reason then to put the other woman at ease when a familiar voice rang through the air.
May’s brows wrinkled as she tried to place a name with a face, but to no such avail. Instead she watched amusedly as a woman came out with children clinging to her. “See.” She whispered playfully towards Tango. “That’s how a kid should be.” Silence was once more her answer as the boy looked at her bored.
It was only upon the introduction however that it all finally clicked. May let out an amused chuckle and stared at the girl before her. “Welcome to the May? Gee Crystal I knew you had fun and all- but naming a store after me? Isn’t that a bit much?”
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Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 6:18 pm
"I know, it's a bit out there, but I couldn't help myself," Crystal joked back in turn, more than pleased to be remembered. She was about to embrace the woman when she spotted the sullen boy next to her. The flower girl quirked a slender eyebrow in question at May before gathering her dress enough that she could kneel and look at the boy properly. "Who is this handsome young man?" she asked, her seashell pink lips pulled into a warm smile.
The boy that had/hadn't been clinging to Crystal moments before pipped up sourly. "He's not that handsome!"
The girl followed suit, "I tink he's cute."
Crystal chuckled quietly, glancing over her shoulder. "Ward, Nica, mind your manners. They may be friends of mine but you don't even know their names."
"May," the boy called Ward grumbled stubbornly.
Meanwhile, the girl called Nica had come up next to Crystal, looking shyly at the red-head boy from behind the flower girl's shoulder. "Hi-lo," she greeted him, suddenly very quiet from her previous giggling.
The older woman stood, smiling at May. "My cousins, Edward and Veronica. As you can tell, we're expanding the shop, and the whole family is in on it." She turned to wave to the woman behind the counter, starting to say, "This is my mother--"
The plump, apple-red headed woman waved dismissively, smiling over her small glasses. "Just call me Rose, deary. Any friend of my daughter is a friend of mine!"
"--Rose, who is being unusually quiet today." She cast her mother a playful smile before looking back to May. "Now that you know who's who in the Circus Beckett, what brings you here? Flowers, I'd assume?"
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Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 6:31 pm
“Well, its good to see that I leave such a lasting impression.” May jested back, beaming. “If I recall properly, I never got that promised-“ She cut herself off shaking her head, smirking. She figured the other would pick up on what she meant. The journalist watched with nothing short of amusement as her friend bent down towards Tango, who promptly leaned back a bit attempting to get away from her.
“His name’s Tango.” She smiled happily before suddenly becoming serious. She placed a gentle hand on the boy’s head, who in turn looked up at her agitatedly, before glancing back at the woman in front of him. “He’s like the boy from the masquerade.” She informed softly.
However, her joyful demeanor quickly returned at the children’s comment and she watched as Tango shifted almost uncomfortably at the girl’s compliment. The boy merely raised a hand in greeting, opting to not speak. May however was full of words herself. “Pleasure to meet you Edward, Veronica!” She chirped. “My, that’s a dashing dress Veronica. I’d like one just like it, mind telling me where you got it?” She turned her attention to the boy then. “And you’re rather dashing yourself Edward.”
“And its an honor to meet you, as well, Ms. Rose.” May spoke nodding in her direction before once more turning to Crystal. “Actually, no. I was just checking out the shop with my namesake.” May shrugged, raising an eyebrow at the girl a smirk playing on her face.
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Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 8:30 pm
The hubbub, the scent of newness, of work and toil – an extra building had sprung up on the street like a flower ready for the sun; ironic that, since it was cozily attached to a flower shop in the first place. Mary blocked her eyes from the sun that swam before her vision and peered across the block.
She had been apprehensive in returning to the park with her boy-king in tow after the last stint he had pulled. He had become a sort of nuisance to the other mothers that frequented the area, a name spoken of tersely behind hands and passed from ear to ear. Mary had been approached about the ‘wild boy’ one too many times, and though she had apologized profusely in accordance to her, ah, son’s actions the hens had gone on to murmur under the shade of the park’s trees about her lack of parenting skills.
Amahté was as pleased as Punch regardless.
He regarded the street with a look of hungry boredom, fingering the earring that hung from his ear. He switched his eyes upwards to his plump caretaker and lifted his entire face in query, “Where are we?”
Mary offered a faltering smile and held out her hand for him to take; he promptly ignored it and headed across the street.
“Well…” she huffed, padding after him, her footfalls echoing his tiny ones. “I found this little flier in that store down the street, and um, I thought it’d be nice…to check it out.”
The truth was that she hadn’t exactly told him that they’d been ‘banned’ from the park for the time being, and she really did hate the idea of keeping a child cooped up indoors when the weather was so nice; especially this child, who could shoot daggers from his eyes when he was feeling particularly persnickety. Mary had kept the truth from him – she told herself – so that he wouldn’t feel bad. After all, he was but a child.
But she knew the truth deep down inside; she’d rather keep silent than feel his inevitable wrath at their rejection.
Amahté paused in front of the The Gilded Lily’s door expectantly, hands tucked under his arms. Mary hurried to open it for the both of them and peeked inside.
“Oh…how pretty…”
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Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 8:46 pm
Crystal gave May a mischevious grin, knowing full well what the woman had been implying. "Perhaps we should fix that, come the summer festivals?" she inquired innocently enough. Her grey gaze shifted to Tango as he moved away, more than a little surprised as May informed her that he was like that terror from the Masquerade. "Don't worry Tango, I don't bite those I've just met. Besides, I like your hair." She smiled again at the boy, noting that not all those born like the creature at the Masquerade were as unpleasant and violent as it was. "It's nice to meet you."
Veronica, having not understood Tango's discomfort and not used to being complimented by new people, continued to hide behind Crystal. The woman reached down and picked the girl up, hoisting her in her arms like a pro. "What do we say to the nice lady when we receive a compliment?" she prompted the young girl softly.
"Sankoo," the girl mumbled around her fingers, which she had jabbed into her mouth. She shyly turned her face into Crystal's neck, still peeking at May out of the corner of her bright eyes.
Edward - playing aloof - nodded once at May, scowling a little. Without encouragement from his older cousin, he muttered, "Thanks. Nice to meetcha."
Before Crystal could continue to laugh about a store named The May, the front door opened, the tinkling of bells drawing her stormy gaze to the door. Instinctively, she stepped to the side, allowing May and Tango to go further into the store so the boy was not further distressed by people. "Hello," she greeted the woman and boy, balancing Veronica in her arms, "Welcome to The Gilded Lily." She couldn't squeeze out the rest of the greeting, still trying not to laugh over May and their little joke.
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Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 7:22 am
May nodded, a smirk coming to her lips. “I think the summer festivals will do just fine. I wonder if we could even find Sommer?” For his part Tango frowned a little. His green eyes shifted almost skyward attempting to look at the orange and red strands, only to give up when he realized the notion was pointless. That was the second time in two days that someone had complimented his hair. He had just parted his lips, much to May’s pleasure, when the bell behind them rung.
May squealed softly surprised at the noise, not noticing someone was behind her. Jumping a little she glanced back down at Tango, who’s eyes had narrowed slightly and closed his mouth. She let out a heavy sigh, figuring she should have known better and placed a hand on his shoulder ushering him forward some to get out of the new customers’ way.
Tango watched with bored emerald orbs before letting out a silent yawn, his eyes drooping ever so slightly. Stretching, now apparently tired of this scene, he slinked out of the immediate area to find a place where he could get a quick nap.
May frowned a little at the shops name. “Changing it already? I was just getting used to it.” She pouted playfully before smiling and waving at the two before her. “Hiya!”
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Posted: Sat Jun 23, 2007 9:18 am
Amahté was all but pleased. His eyes flicked around, nose curling at the lingering scent of flowers as if it overpowered the room and made him sick. Fingers brushed his shoulder and he instinctively jerked away, finally stepping into the shop to allow Mary enough room to come in behind him. Despite his scowl, his guardian couldn’t have looked more appreciative, hands clasped in childish glee. However, when she was greeted, her face fell, a hand coming to her mouth.
“Oh! Hullo…I’m not interrupting anything, am I?” she asked quickly; the familial atmosphere of the shop made her feel as though she had walked in on a matter of kin. “I just assumed it was open, so…I’m very sorry!”
She gave an apologetic giggle, brows knitting. If Amahté had been anyone else, he’d have smacked his forehead.
“Tell me, Mary. Does it look closed?” he asked coldly.
“Well, no, but—“
“Well then, it isn’t.”
“Yes, but –“
“No..” He finally turned to look up at the young woman, tiredly, as if he were explaining a very difficult theorem to a very idiotic person. “You assume and apologize much too frequently, and your voice is giving me a headache.”
And with that the little boy ventured farther into the shop, turning his back on the woman at the door.
Mary seemed to flounder where she stood, teetering the line between keeping silent and apologizing once again. Her eyes swept the floor and came back up, and any means to make amends died upon her lips; she knew why Amahté was spoken of so derisively, but she never questioned stepping up in his defense. There was a backbone in her somewhere, and it hoped dourly for some form of gratification on his part. Not now, but someday.
She unfolded the paper in her hands and smiled her worry away, “I just found this flier in a shop down the street, so I thought I’d come and take a look. Curiosity killed the cat and everything.” Mary beamed and glanced down at the paper again.
“I haven’t been in a flower shop since…” Her voice faltered and she laughed, waving a hand; something flashed briefly. “It’s all so lovely!”
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Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 1:10 pm
The flower girl smiled warmly at Tango, gratified that the young boy was even going to try to answer. That said something in her book, and she hoped she'd have the chance to talk with him again. Crystal was quite curious to these oil-children, especially this shy and uncertain boy that her boisterous and outgoing friend had become a guardian to.
Her smile froze, however, at the exchange between the boy and the woman - Mary, the child called her. Or was he child? Maybe he was a midget, seeing how well spoken he was; it was actually somewhat hard to tell, as the two didn't look much alike. She watched the boy stalk off, kneeling to let Veronica down as she approached Mary. "Please, come in, you aren't interrupting anything." She paused, casting a quick glance around the store, "You aren't the first to think us closed my Lady, please do not fret." The young woman spread her hands to encompass the store, debris and all. "It can be misleading." Her grey eyes flit to the paper grasped in the other's hands, her face brightening. "Oh my! You're here for the cafe, then? Were you interested in the shop or work?" Sometimes Crystal could be very blunt and to the point, although her whimsical smile suggested she was simply curious.
Meanwhile, Veronica and Edward were watching Amahté with an open type of shock, horror and curiosity; the girl with more of the first two, and the boy more of the latter. They'd never think to talk to their parents thusly, if not only because (a) they were children and had better things to think about than logic, (b) fear of being grounded and (c) they actually loved their parents and didn't want to humiliate them as the other had done so effortlessly with Mary. The girl edged towards Tango unwittingly, finding more comfort with the silent and uncertain boy than the assertive and flippant one; Edward kept a fair distance from all of them, still scowling at the absurd notion that he had been hugging Crystal.
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Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 1:12 pm
May stared at the boy for a moment, and suddenly was instantly grateful for Tango’s demeanor. He may have been silent, but at least he wasn’t condescending towards her. She smiled as the flier was shown and gave a small wave to them both, before pointing in the direction Tango had disappeared to. “While you help…Mrs. Mary here, I’m going to go take a peak at the flowers. Mmkay?” She did still want to pick up a batch for her sister.
Slipping away she fumbled through the flowers, stopping to sniff each kind that caught her eye, a silly grin plastered on her face. She wanted forget-me-nots. They seemed to best fit the situation. …now if only she knew what they looked like.
Tango yawned once more before finding a decent space of open wall. Sliding down the length of it until his bottom touched the ground he leaned his head back against it and moved to close his eyes. When he heard the patter of other feet however, he opened his eyes to see the girl- veronica- inching towards him. He stared at her unblinking with his emerald orbs. Hes stare was unwavering but not all unfriendly. He was merely attempting to see what she would be doing next, after all the bald kid did seem pretty snappy.
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Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 3:04 pm
As Amahté passed the rows of flowers, fingering the crisp and waxy petals, he began to systematically pull a few colorful pads from each one to scatter on the floor. His brows were a line across his brow, face lax in complete and utter boredom. When Mary had said ‘Let’s go out’ he hadn’t suspected going to a flower shop. Really! What interest could flowers hold for him?
Call it karma when his finger caught on a particularly nasty rose bramble; he cursed profusely and tore his hand away, sticking the digit in his mouth. When he turned, he stared openly at the other two children who eyed him candidly.
“What?” he snapped, voice pitching upwards childishly. Was he some spectacle to be ogled? His thoughts paused.
Why, yes. Yes he was.
“Not everyday you get to see royalty, huh?” he sniffed petulantly.
Mary held her hands up, giggling, “Please call me Mary. ‘Lady’ is title used for women of status! I’m nothing like that!” From across the room came a snort of agreement from the Spiced Apple child.
She didn’t mind Crystal’s brusqueness at all, and was at once cheered by it; lord only knew she herself would have tiptoed around the subject cautiously. A job wasn’t really necessary, but it’d be a nice distraction. Then again she had to wonder about the Scent’s presence – would his allowance be accepted?
She glanced back at the boy, who gave her a resolute glance before looking away.
“I’m here for work!” she chirped. There was a sort of choking yelp on Amahté’s part.
What was she thinking?
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Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 3:50 pm
Rose had watched the strange boy and his antics with the flowers, although there was no reproach or anger on her face; in fact, it was all she could do to hide a smile as one of the plants gave him a good sting. She was amused that so many people misinterpreted flowers as always being so fragile and dainty. The most beautiful roses had thorns you'd not soon forget if they got under your skin! The matron shook her head to herself, smiling coyly as she continued her work behind the counter.
Edward blinked at Amahté as though he was speaking another language. "Royalty?" he repeated dubiously, still frowning, "What are you doing here if you're royalty?" Despite his reluctant demeanor, the boy found himself curious over this strange and dark skinned 'royal.'
Veronica, on the other hand, chose to sit opposite of Tango, not close enough to be a bother but not far enough that it could be mistaken that she was choosing to stay near the quieter boy. Her fingers still in her mouth, she gave the scent a look that suggested he was far less scarier than Amahté, and that she much preferred his company. She didn't say anything, turning her gaze away and opting to stare at her toes as they pressed against each other, her other hand gripping her dress absently.
Crystal grinned her acknowledgement to May before inclining her head to Mary, her smile laced with knowing. Not many people liked to be called 'lord' or 'lady' if they didn't feel it applied, but it was bred into the flower girl and she could not help herself. "If it pleases you, Mary. My name is Crystal, and I'd be more than happy to help you." The woman chuckled to herself, deciding she'd be the one to deal with Mary; indeed, her mother would probably frighten the poor woman, and her father would certainly chase away any prospects, period.
She swept her hand to indicate the back counter where Rose was, making sure she stood by the debris so Mary would not trip (as Crystal had more times than she'd care to admit). "This is my mother--"
"Rose," the woman said with a smile, glancing up kindly.
"--Rose, and she'll be in charge of the cafe." The younger woman paused thoughtfully, adding, "Would you be adverse to working in the cafe or the shop? I imagine they go hand in hand." Crystal cast a puzzled glance at her mother; she obviously hadn't thought that far in advance.
Rose chuckled in a motherly way, putting her pruners down. "It's up to Miss Mary here where she'd rather work. If she wants to juggle both, I applaud the effort." She fished out an application, putting it on the counter. Strangely enough, the application didn't ask for very much; standard name and address information, times available and...favorite flower?
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Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 2:27 pm
Tango watched as she played with her dress and stared at her toes before heaving out a sigh. A yawn followed suit as he stretched lazily before turning his full attention on the girl once more. He honestly did like the idea of the girl liking his company more so then the twerp over there, and as such decided to make the best of the situation.
“Veronica, right?” He questioned his own memory. “Nice name. I’m Tango.” But then, May already took care of that part for me he added with a mental sneer. “How old are you?” Really, that was the best he could come up with. He wanted to shake his head at himself, but withheld the action.
May scurried around the flowers, not really picking any, but stopping every now and then and a pretty one and taking a whiff of it. It really did make sense that Crystal would work in a flower shop, it just matched her personality. Such an eloquent woman.
Speaking of which, May chanced a glance over the flowers near her to look at said girl and her company. Curiosity sedated, she moved back to her flower searching, promptly moving further away from Amahté as he rambled on about being Royalty.
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Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 7:45 pm
"Yes, royalty. I didn't stutter." Amahté raised his nose and looked away again, only taking a step down the aisle of flowers before he stopped again. Did this boy really doubt him? Either he was very foolish, or very brave to question HIS motives! The Scent crossed his arms, eyes squinting shut.
"I can and will do as I please," he returned, his high voice edged. “I don't need to answer questions of those below me!"
He briefly considered his thoughts, and more because he liked the sound of his own voice he continued, "A king - no, a GOD! must come out to greet his subjects, right?" - he spread his hands in a manner ill fitting of a child - “It raises morale!"
Mary tried her hardest to keep her focus on both Crystal and her unruly Scent, but there was difficulty in such a task; in the end she opted for the former, though did wince every so often when the little Egyptian's voice rose to a feverish pitch. The smile she returned to the young woman opposite faltered, and again - thanks to her subconscious - her eyes darted towards Amahté before settling on Crystal. She wanted a job, focus, focus! She licked her drying lips and did her best to ignore the boy with whom ruckus followed and waited upon hand and foot.
"It's a pleasure to meet the both of you!" she nodded, turning towards Rose with to return her friendly gesture. They seemed exceptionally kind, but Amahté did not help her image - it was true that she wasn't in dire need of a job, but she would sorely like to have one to kill the time and to hopefully entertain the boy, but so far...
Oh, he wasn't helping her image at all! She could feel the beginnings of panic p***k the tips of her fingers.
"I wouldn't mind either - this place seems so pleasant, I wouldn't care where you'd put me to work!" Mary laughed gently and pressed her hand to her lips; it was easy to see that she appeared a bit stressed. Soon she felt she'd begin chattering incessantly.
Gravitating towards the counter where the application was set out, she felt a surge of affection. It was such a simple sheaf of paper, as if trusting her from the get-go. As she fished for a writing utensil to fill it out with, her gaze darted between mother and daughter.
"I'd gladly juggle both, if you'd have me of course!" Another cursory glance downwards had her laughing.
"Favorite flower!" She sounded delighted, and one a pen was acquired, hastily scrawled out in slanting cursive: sunflower.
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