A Grand Opening | video ►un: bloodrose

[immortalrose]

[Guess who’s been working their tail off in hopes of opening a new little flower boutique in town? This grumpy purple gentleman over here. Augustine begins this video with a clear shot of the boutique in question. The footage is a little grainy here and there but thankfully it’s doable at least. His knowledge regarding technology is a bit lacking at best but Augustine at least knows how to record video.

The storefront is mostly black and gray with a couple of dried herbs hanging from the glass awning above. It looks a bit worn, almost as if everything was made from random scraps of metal and glass. A testament of his resourcefulness despite being very frustrated over the lack of resources he can afford. Judging from the footage, this shop is just a few avenues away from the busy marketplace in the Harbor. While it’s not the most ideal location, it’s better than nothing.]

What I failed to achieve in life, I plan to achieve in death.

[Now entering the establishment, the video pans slowly through the cramped shop showcasing all of the exotic flowers and plants on display. Gardening was always his favorite hobby but flower arranging is his second passion. There’s a couple of noticeable bouquets on display with some flowers artfully displayed within decorative skulls and shiny brass tin chalices. Don’t ask if those are real human bones because he won’t answer.

This video tour comes to an end once Augustine sits his phone high upon a wooden shelf nearby. The purple dhampir is finally in view and he looks as dapper as ever. While he still retains his usual aloof nature, Augustine certainly seems quite pleased with himself. Proud, even.]

Welcome to Anthanasia’s Hortus, the newest florist boutique in town. For those who don’t know me, I’m Augustine Gheorghe Rosethrawn, the proprietor of this lovely little shop–

[Just as he was about to continue, a blinding bright light suddenly appears besides him in the form of a glowing blue faery with bright blue wings and a nasty attitude. While the pixie's silhouette can barely be seen, its shrill squeaky voice can be heard quite loudly.]

This cheeky old vampire thinks he's a gardener despite stealin' all my flowers for himself! He got some nerve, don't he? He's all proud of himself for settin' up shop in this dirty old hole in the wall.

[Looking absolutely mortified by the sudden appearance of this unwanted guest, the faery continues defaming his character for all to witness.]

You know what else he's been doin' around here? Whinin' and moanin' about his misfortunes like some wee babe. I get sick of just listening to him! Honestly, you would think someone as old as him would be more at peace with oneself but he's not!

A cryin' shame, really.

[His shock gives away for anger as he tries to swat the faery out of his face but he misses. It flies high above his head for a moment before getting just eye level with him again.]

He thinks himself as some sort of hero for helpin' find the Mourning Lantern but he's just another HEARTLESS idiot who thinks he knows everything!

[An honest to god hiss escapes the dhampir as he tries in vain to grab the faery. However, she thankfully vanishes just mere seconds before he could crush her within his bandaged palm. Yes, his right is hand is bandaged for some oddity. Maybe something happened before hand? Probably. Nevertheless, the faery leaves him to deal with the aftermath.]


…Well, it seems I have a pest problem.

---

(ooc: anthanasia's hortus is open for business! if anyone's interested in the shop, feel free to reach out in DM or the likes.)

Comments

text ↪ un: 012601

[craters]

（ at the sight of the flowers, the shop, everything in her chest tightens. her breathing is suddenly a concentrated effort, and it's foolish, really, how much she just wants to cry.

she misses ino.

she doesn't want her here, because of what it means to be here — even if she doesn't fully believe it, she's not going to take that chance. but she wouldn't want to deprive konoha of one of its other top medical ninja, either. but she misses her friend, and for a moment it's so overwhelming she just —

the moment is then absolutely shattered by the arrival of that pixie. for a moment she just stares at it as it flutters across the view, and then she starts to laugh. by the time the feed ends, the sorrow has receded like a tide. ）

You have yourself a new friend, I see... does she have a name?

[immortalrose]

[At least someone found some amusement in his suffering. That annoying pixie been annoying him all damn day! He tried to appease the little monster with some gold only to be scoffed at.]

You are mistaken, she is no friend! Only a pest.

[craters]

Awh! Have you even tried making friends? Maybe she's just lonely and acting out!

Video; un: warder

[heavenstorn]

[ Well now! This is a red letter week for the both of them, isn't it? Cedrik is all set to send his own congratulations when...

Pixie induced PTSD intensifies.

...but, no, that wasn't Feo Ul...he'd know if they showed up because the first thing they'd do is find him and tear his ears off for not calling for them first. And besides, that pixie was blue, not red.

For a moment he's a little disappointed, even if he wouldn't want them stuck here with him...

His fingers hover over the screen before he gives himself a good shake and hits 'send'. ]

Looks like pixies to me. Do you suppose that boy in the woods...?

[ Maybe Puck didn't like Augustine's answer to his riddle after all? ]

[immortalrose]

[A frustrated growl escapes Augustine once the little pixie appears before him briefly. She sticks at her tongue at him in defiance before vanishing yet again. It seems like his little friend is here to stay for now.]

Most likely. [He grumbles as he peers into the screen.] I wouldn't be surprised if Puck cursed me for my transgressions.

[After all, he was the one who wanted to kill the boy. It was Cedrik who stayed his hand during that encounter.]

I've tried offering it a coin or two but the faery refuses to leave me be!

[heavenstorn]

Sometimes with faeries there's no way to win.

[ His smile is sympathetic--though it shifts ever so briefly into teasing as he clarifies: ]

I speak from second-hand experience, not personal inclination.

[ Though speaking of his own experiences... ]

The pixies I've known have little care for coin. They were children, in truth. Trinkets or sweets might work better as a bribe.

text — un: LAURENT

[wrists]

[ laurent's interest in flowers is innocently mild, having been surrounded by vere's luscious gardens in his youth, but his interest in the obnoxious faery currently ruining augustine's grand opening is — well, grand. ]

did you kill some poor children for those skulls or just some grown adults with abnormally small heads?

[immortalrose]

No, of course not! What kind of monster do you think I am?

[That's a rhetorical question at best. Augustine is quite aware of his somewhat ghoulish appearance but he's no monster.]

I swear you mortals far more deranged than I previously thought.

[wrists]

[ this begs for an answer, and he deserves a large bouquet of appreciation for holding his tongue. ]

i'm not the one using human remains for baubles, but as you like.
where did you get the pet?

un: undying

[midway]

[ ... ]

Did the pest come with the flowers?

text

[immortalrose]

Well, there's a novel concept. I don't believe she did but...there's a possibility.

[A huge possibility since he was visiting the Oakwoods.]

[midway]

Not a friend from home either...?

video; [ un: daughter-sea ]

[seaboard]

Master Augustine, that is -

[ whatever she is going to say is completely cut off by the little creature, a spitiful thing too. Her eyebrows lift as it seems to ramble on and on.

She waits, letting her face stay blank to not pass any judgement on it, one way or another. ]

... As I was about to say, it is wonderful for you. I did not know you had a passion for flowers.

[immortalrose]

[Oh no, Gilia saw all that?! Augustine can't help but look like some undead deer in headlights right now. He's positively embarrassed that dear Gilia bared witness to that faery's insane rant. The poor dhampir doesn't know how to get rid of that accursed pixie for the life of him. Nothing seems to work, not even the promise of gold seems to work against that malevolent little hell sprite.

He's at his wit's end judging from his hesitant chuckle.]

A-Ah, thank you. [He takes a moment to clear his throat. This all so terribly awkward.] I always possessed a rather peculiar fascination over flowers, roses in particular because of my family namesake.

That and well because my mother quite fond of flowers.

[seaboard]

[ She keeps carrying on like nothing particularly had happened, it would be so much worse to acknowledge and let him think she thought anything dreadful of him. ]

A mother's love can shine beauty onto many things in life, I am glad she has given you this, too.

Roses certainly suit you too.

un: fraldarius

[boarwitness]

You stole them? Were you too impatient to grow your own?

[immortalrose]

Don't believe everything the pixie says.

[He doesn't know who you are but he's nipping this rumor at the bud.]

I took a couple of samples and seeds to regrow at my leisure.

[boarwitness]

Samples still sounds like theft.

Did you ask?

[is he........... ruleslawyering flowers?]

audio > un: bmadrigal

[fallingsand]

[ What the... ]

Uh, congratulations on the shop, I guess? But did you really steal your flowers from that... little... person?

[ He's unsure. He has no idea what that little faery is. ]

Re: audio > un: bmadrigal

[immortalrose]

I didn't steal anything.

[He stresses with a hit of a hiss in his words.]

I take offense of being called a thief when I was merely harvesting from nature's bounty.

audio > un: bmadrigal

[fallingsand]

[ Good thing this isn't video because Bruno very clearly cringes away from his device. ]

Okay, okay, I was only asking! If you didn't, I believe you. Maybe it's just an angry forest or... nature... spirit thing, then? A very, very itty bitty one.

video | un: raindrops

[aflowers]

[ There's probably stuff in the video she should be concerned about, like the pest problem he mentioned, or the bandage on his hand, or even the fact that some of the arrangements look a little, well, macabre—

But right now? Well. She's excited, to put it mildly. Aerith has been responding mainly in text to those she doesn't know, but in this case? Oh, this needs not just voice, but a video. And when Augustine receives it, he'll see a bright, smiling face with excited green eyes staring at him. ]

Hi there, Mister Rosethrawn! My name's Aerith— I don't suppose you need any help in this shop of yours?

[ Honestly, it's something she might have thought to do herself, if she hadn't been so busy getting her lifedeath together since arriving here. But for now, at least, she moves the camera, allowing it to pan over her little adopted home in Serene, still sparsely-furnished, but liberally decorated with flowers she's found around the place, all replanted and thriving as much as something can thrive in this place. ]

I'm pretty good at looking after flowers. And they usually seem to like me okay too.

[immortalrose]

[Augustine was in the middle of arguing with that annoying little pixie again when he receives this message. They both turn towards his phone in confusion once they heard the notification.]

Ah, greetings! [He quickly shoos the pixie away before appearing on screen. This is an important call and he doesn't have time to fight with the fair folk now.] It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Aerith.

I haven't had the chance to put up a flyer but yes! I'm in need of an assistant, someone who's quite knowledgeable about gardening---

[He trails off the second she pans the camera towards her humble little home. Yes, he notices those lovely flowers in the background. How could he not?! They're absolutely---]

Gorgeous.

[He mutters quietly.]

My goodness, look how vibrant your flowers are! How did you manage to cultivate such works of art? They're perfect in every way!

audio; un: viktor; hope u don't mind... lateness...

[theorems]

Sounds as if you have settled on this being the afterlife.

[But he sounds more amused than judging. The faery bit was pretty funny.]

I recognize the street. A rougher part of the Harbor for a flower shop.

<3 no worries!

[immortalrose]

[He vaguely recognizes this voice. How could they not? They had a long lengthy conversation about the sanctity of life after death. That's why he can't help but sound a bit amused right now.]

It seems I have. [He chuckles.] For better or for worse, I've made my decision to make the best of a bad situation.

[Although, he plans on killing that blasted faery later.]

It was only real estate available at the time that wasn't a cardboard box.