✯ florist

@v bright Frustration had painted Liuyan's cheeks red, blood immediately rushing to taut skin. If only his conscience had been a little harsher this morning, because for the life of him he could not bring himself to carry a weapon into a place like this despite his lack of empathy even for the innocent. Anger, however, was an emotion he could get along with quite well. His anger told him to slam a fist against the counter, but Yangyang's shared front fortunately held him back from shattering a nearby vase and possibly committing murder.

"Be that way then," he muttered under his breath, something sinister lining his tone as he spoke in a quieter manner. "Yin will suffer for this, you know that, right? Hasn't he told you enough of our secrets?" There's a brief pause, then the sound of ivory running along the unpolished sides of an empty clay pot.

"Has he not told you of what I'm capable of doing to him if I found out he's been doing like this behind my back?"

All it took was brute force to shatter the pot, Liuyan's fingers finding a piece of it so thin and so sharp he could probably fight with if it weren't so brittle. However, he had other plans, holding the sharp edged clay shard up to his own neck, forcing the fearful Yin to share the front with him as he drowned Yangyang's voice out of his head.

@l yangyang Lukewarm gregariousness upon his visage masqueraded with absolute bewilderment, Bright returned the hostile glare with an inquiring upwards quirk of brow, trying to find a vindication for such a cantankerous treatment. Canting his head sideways, he keenly observed his recently acquainted friend, until he ears perked up discovering an oddity in the male's words. An individual referring to themselves in third person, Bright hasn't noticed his behavior nor that acrimonious tone of voice before.

Contrary to the fuming male in front of him, Bright regained his neutral composure and cool gaze connected unfalteringly with Yin(?)'s blazing ones.

"I am a capable adult. If I want something, I can get it on my own. I don't require cheap tricks of manipulation and bootlicking to reach my goal."

Came the monotonous reply, not necessarily offended by the accusations. Instead, Bright appeared quite amused while pushing himself from the lethargic stance of inclining against the counter. He stood upright now, tightening the loosely wound black apron around his narrow waist with a neat bow, behind.

"I don't know who 'the rest of us' are, but unless Yin tells me to stop, I will continue to be his friend." He explained lifting the coffee cup which was long forgotten since Bright was preoccupied with venturing the fiction world riding on the endless train of words. The caffeinated concoction had gone cold, but not unpleasant as he took a full of it.

"Now, if you'll excuse me. If you need a bouquet or anything else, please let me know."

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@v bright the light prod to ray's cheek cajoled the young girl into reinstating her attention on bright, concentration expeditious to reciprocate the transposition of theme. bona fide engrossment decked ray's juvenile lineaments as she hearkened, unco rapt in cognising the métier of a florist. the denominate of herself begot a giggle from the little girl's tiers, jubilant to be apprised of her pennyworth to the cause in some manifestation.

"gom-" essayed ray, lips pursed in concentration. "gomfe-?" pate canted to the side, the little girl stared at bright with inquisitive eyes, endeavouring again to enunciate the locution, "gomfena? what is that?"

heed was tout de suite hauled to the larger palm encompassing ray's small hands, umber orbs snapping to bright's stiff stance and vigilant visage, incertitude flooding the tiny body at the adult's abrupt attention, absolutely nescient of the presence behind her. "mr bright? what's wrong?"

howbeit, ray's inquiry wasn't returned when she was picked up instead, arms girded the adult's neck in a heartbeat, jocose titters slipping once more as she was carried. detecting his daughter's dearth of apprehension of his existence, ten glided away to the fore of the store, physique eclipsed by aisles and advent hidden away behind shelves. well-nigh akin to a phantasm, shrouded by psychedelic flora, it appeared to be as if ten wasn't just present in the flower shop, lingering outside of peripheral view.

at the notion of weaving floret coronets, ray's countenance brightened with a beam, nodding vehemently. "okay, mr bright!" transferring her focus to the spherical blooms, the little girl beheld the beauteous blossoms, eyes wide and mouth agape. "they're very pretty, mr bright! what did you call them? gomfena?"

《open starter, casual》

little did anyone know being away from home has been the most most doleful thing she had ever felt. the only thing that stayed with her is the looks of her parents and the fact that she can still speak her mother tongue. lisa infrequently visited the florist shop. on certain days of the month she would come by and take a visual examination of the flowers, she was told her mother was into orchids and tulips while her father, he relished anything mom relished. a diminutive smile composed her tiers at the recollection. albeit she couldnt recollect them at all as she was too adolescent when her parents passed away, she still missed them. misprizing them at the same time for leaving her in a ditch. she ambulated around eyeing the bouquet of tulips. "wish you were here to stop me from my doings and guide me to a better life, mom." the female whispered as her digits caressed the soft petals; the physical contact being ever so soothing. causing her to close her eyes and sigh softly in content.

@v bright Yin felt ill at ease more than anything, feeling dread slowly consume him as if it were threatening to swallow him whole. For the past few days, he had been dithering whether to disclose his secrets to the rest of his alters. Yangyang, for sure, had already cognized what affairs he had been up to the moment he came to front one day with a bouquet of pristine spring flowers that he did not recall purchasing. Though, it was not the flowers that ultimately bothered him, but the man who sold them. The florist was not at all a bad person in any sort of way, but Yin had made the mistake of trying to befriend him without permission from the body's protector.

When Liuyan had discovered this forming bond, Yin had expected him to start cutting. But for the life of him, the persecutor just could not bring himself to badly harm their body's one and only caretaker. Instead, on that one morning he decided to risk visiting the shop, he had immediately forced Yin out of the way despite the other's desperate plea. Liuyan, completely aggravated, had stormed through the doors of the quiet, little flower shop. The way he glared at the man innocently standing at the front desk as if he had committed such a great offense to him had Yin feeling crestfallen and ashamed, as if he had already lost another chance at making a single friend all because their protector found a false threat.

"I don't know who you think you are or what you're planning, but I don't appreciate the way you're trying to get close to Yin, and to the rest of us for that matter. I suggest you don't push it."

@l ten The delightful outburst of merriment coaxed out a small chortle from Bright, who obediently lowered his head when the little girl stretched to adjust the flower behind his ear. Resplendent beauty withheld in her cheerful grin that strummed his heartstrings fueled by adoration. "Thank you, little princess. You always pick the best flowers." He supplied with immediate acceptance, then again who could possibly deny anything the sweet child said or did?

Certainly not him.

And obviously, Ray's elusion from his prying questions was overlooked when the sparkling umber pools stole away. A gentle poke that impermanently incurvates her chubby cheek, successfully regaining Ray's attention."My business?" Bright parroted with genial humor, retracting his touch from her face and allowing his hand to rest upon the kneecaps before weaving his digits together. Perhaps the little girl's inquisitive nature was one of several reason why he enjoyed Ray's company, that, and the conscience untainted by insatiable greed or deceitfulness.

"The business is fairing quite good, since I have some loyal costumers such as yourself. Have you heard about the flower, 'gompherna'?" Bright's voice trailed when he perceived some movement on front of the counter, caution ringing clear as he instinctively grabbed Ray's hand. However, rigid shoulders slackened when he identified the newcomer- Ten, the little girl's father. Bright pointedly stared as the manicured finger lingering across the male's plush lips, deciphering the meaning behind an abrupt game of charades with a small furrow atwix his arched brows. The florist gave a subtle nod of head, continuing their bonhomous conversation.

"Come, little princess. We will make flower wreaths for you and your father as a thank you for such a wonderful gift." He said, wrapping an arm around the little girl to lift her up, releasing a low grunt as he straightened his back. "This is gompherna." Bright pointed a finger in the direction to an aisle of globular heads of colorful paper bracts enfolding minute star-shaped cream white flowers drawing attention away from the silent spectator beside them, inclined against the counter.

@l yangyang Billowy argentate clouds pierced by beacon of flaxen streaks, unfathomable lazulite kingdom obliterated with monochromatic filter. A kaleidoscopic world bleached in melancholy as bespeckled sable orbs follow seamless stitch of black ink printed on repro paper, its ecru expanse stained with coffee reminiscent of unusual clumsiness exhibited by it's owner, seven night ago. His sternum aloft with lungful inflating to gather air enriched in strong fragrance of blossoms surrounding him. The shop boasted kaleidoscopic array of flowers, flecks of periwinkle here, vibrant erubescent petals there and carefully trimmed foliages containing a tincture of yellow in-between.

Bright's back was pressed against the counter facing towards glass door entrance, he lifted his chin in order to punctuate further immersion inside the book. Impassive orbs spared a couple of seconds to appraise the lack-lustre world outside his small floral shop. A roaring yawn breaching neutrality governed upon his favourable mien, Bright picked the sterling bookmark by its single braided tassel and sandwiched it between the pages, with the intention to continue after a brief inspection of new flower batch delivered in the morning. The book is set aside on the aged mahogany countertop albeit with apparent reluctance, however a rather brisk entrance stole his attendance. His countenance showed semblances of cordiality as much as Bright's propensity allowed.

"Greetings, Yin. How may I help you today?"

@v bright content brimmed within little ray's chest upon hearing bright's exclamation, her nod ebullient at the query as she lavished no time in easing the flower behind the florist's ear. paroxysms of titters escaped between pink tiers as umber orbs turned up into crescents, lips extended into a grin, reaching one ear to the next. "the flower looks very pretty on mr bright!" she extolled, eyes coruscating lucidly. "i knew i picked the correct flower!"

on being interrogated, ray's lips pushed into a pucker, gaze evading from meeting bright's, an affectation of innocence. in an assay to detract bright from the probing, ray instead responded with a question. "how is mr bright's business going? were there many customers today? what is the flower of the day?"

concomitantly, ray's parent approached the florist's, a box of cake depending from his digits as he trod towards the entrance. gently pushing the door open, ten set foot in the flower shop, years of indoctrination amounting to an innate calibre in being soundless. much like a feline, the father of the little girl neared the duo at the cashier, reclining against an isle as he perceived the two individuals before him.

ten stood by until bright took notice of him, swiftly lingering a slim finger before his mouth, shushing the man from disclosing his arrival. he just nodded for bright to resume entertaining his daughter, letting his little girl realise by her own that her father had arrived.

@l ten ()here comes my little Billy~

The afternoon frittered away in the sedentary posture, his slouched spine conformed to shape of the cross-back chair exposing silver skeleton underneath the chipped turquoise paint and outstretched long legs crossed at the ankles. Occasionally, Bright would catch himself and attempt to rectify his pose verbalizing soft squeals from the old chair whose narrow metallic legs scrapped the tilted floor, beneath. Ruminations brewed like dark roast arabica from the siphon coffee-maker situated upon the wooden shelf, recently installed adjacent to the counter. The caffeinated decoction was poured inside white ceramic mug etched with his initials on its brim and sipped in mouthful after regular intervals.

Cherubic vibrations displaced the floral shop's sedated milieu, the disruption was received with approbation. Bright leaned forwards and searched the little visitor, ripe tiers enkindled in simpers when Ray stepped out of her surreptitious space behind the counter presenting a white aster bloom, so delicately grasped within her small hands.

"Hello, little princess. Oh, what a beautiful flower! Thank you." He exclaimed, attempting to match the little girl's enthusiasm. Bright pushed back the chair and knelt in front of Ray, "Should I wear it on my head, Ray?" The shop owner entertained his regular costumer, habituated to her "gifts" on alternate week days. This little girl was one of the few individuals that he voluntarily initiated conversations.

Once the stem was tucked behind his ear, Bright lifted his head and cruised his gaze inside the shop, searchingly. "Little princess, did you come here running alone again?"

@v bright ray was sempiternally reminded, "don't wander off by yourself, it's dangerous."

yet, the exhortation done nothing to cease the valiant girl from visiting the florist by one's lonesome. her sire idled in the bakery two blocks down anyway, not unduly far apart. she would return hitherto her father descried she evanesced.

traversing the threshold of the flower shop mutely, ray padded behind an aisle, peeking around the corner to the counter where the owner sat. a subdued giggle slipped once umber gaze espied her target, lithe digits plucking an accessible flora and clasping it close to her chest. once the florist had his surveillance diverted, she bounded up to the cashier and presented the flower, beaming brightly.

"hello, mr bright! a flower for you on this fine day!"