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

[seaboard]

[ She does take a few minutes, trading off one apron and blouse for something less worked and stained thereby. Taking the time to scrub her hands clean if her work and flick water and lavender oil over herself to at least feel a little sweet. Fixing her veil and wimple neatly allowing just the one or two curls to escape the front of her hair. It made no sense to fuss so much, but she did, all the same. It was just that that it was nice to have a reason to be presentable here, that was all.

Not that she felt so pleasantly glad at the thought of his company.

So much later, she is opening her head in through the shop door, a basket in her hands of her own gifts in celebration for the opening, all the same. ]

Master Augustine?

[wrists]

i want one with big blue and yellow flowers in a golden chalice. the other one can be to your tastes so i can see whether you're even good at this at all.

[ he could give it away, perhaps. if he had anyone to give it to. which he doesn't, so he puts the thought out of his mind. ]

getting yourself caught up in trouble?

[immortalrose]

Not a single hint. Although, she's seems quite curious about the food I keep in the cupboard.

[boarwitness]

So you didn't. [gottem]

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. ]

[immortalrose]

How can one steal from which is provided by nature?

[Don't worry, he'll wait for a suitable answer.]

[midway]

It is a tough economy out there to find food...

[immortalrose]

It's supposed to be a surprise but I suppose I could give you a hint.

[That and the fact his slightly worried that Sakura might have food allergies.]

It's a hearty meal consisting of chicken, lardons, and an impressive medley of vegetables such as carrots and mushrooms. The meat is browned in wine and simmered to a crisp, while the mushrooms are expected to be sautéed in butter.

You're not allergic to garlic and onions, are you?

[He's been fortunate so far to find decent enough vegetables in the marketplace. As for the bacon, that's a bit harder to find.]

[immortalrose]

Very well. I'll be sure to have everything done by tomorrow or so.

[The first bouquet seems easy enough. He ironically started growing calla lilies a couple of weeks ago. They'll be perfect for the first bouquet but now he needs to find something blue. Maybe a couple of hydrangeas would do?]

That's a question I should be asking you, your highness. Where you able to sneak beyond the palace halls?

[He hasn't forgotten about that conversation.]

[immortalrose]

I doubt faeries are bound by the economics of our corporeal selves.

I suspect the faery wants something in particular from me. Something I allegedly own.

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.

[craters]

（ that sounds... delicious, but also completely, entirely foreign. oh, she'll try it, though! the cuisine in each of the shinobi villages can vary wildly between regions, and while she has her favourites to be sure, she's not stuck on one type of food or another. ）

That sounds amazing!

And no allergies to speak of. At least, not to anything in my world...

But don't worry about me! Even if I am allergic to something here, I've got some tricks up my sleeve that can punch anaphylaxis in the face! ୧ (୧◕ᴗ◕ ✿)

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.

[midway]

Your flower shop?

[immortalrose]

It will be a cold day in the Netherworld before they get my flower boutique.

[midway]

Was it a life's goal of yours?

[immortalrose]

I...I suppose it was.

I mean, actually--I used to have a garden filled with sorts of wondrous flowers. It eventually fell to ruins throughout the long years but I was in the process of revitalizing it when suddenly, I awoke here.

[immortalrose]

Ah, Gilia!

[He was in the middle of setting up the table when she arrives. Despite this being an impromptu tea session, he felt the need to add some unnecessary bells and whistles by adding a lovely bouquet of pink and white camellias in the middle along with some delicious buttermilk treats. He's using his fancy china today, a little something he brought at a thrift store. While the dainty white and gold tea cups have a few cracks in them, they're still quite lovely. The tea is still steeping but once ready, he'll pour her a cup.]

It feels like it's been forever since I last seen you. [Augustine says with a delightful smile. It seems he's in good spirits.] I hope all is well?

[He asks while pulling out a chair for her.]

[boarwitness]

Your visitor just clearly stated you stole from them. Where else would they get the idea if you weren't taking things out of other people's plots?

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]

My uninvited visitor is a liar. Most faeries are.

I merely took these flowers from the Oakwoods and cultivated them here.

[boarwitness]

Either of you could be lying.

[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!

[immortalrose]

It seems that way.

[He answers with a slight huff. Poor Augustine is annoyed, horribly annoyed.]

This spirit-thing is a faery of some sort, most likely a forest faery judging from her sudden appearance. I know that Serene was blessed with powerful magic but I didn't expect such spirits to exist there.

[immortalrose]

And yet you're siding with the fairy...!