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.

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(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

[immortalrose]

Well, Cedrik did mention candy. [He mutters whole searching for something in the background.] Faeries are likened to children and pixies like her are no different.

[There's not a child alive or...dead, who doesn't like candy. Surely he must have something here that could appease this pixie.]

You've never seen a faery before but ghosts are commonplace?

[fallingsand]

Oh, no, I... I've never seen a ghost for real or. Or really anything supernatural before, y'know, besides my own family? At least, before here, anyway. B-but you never know? I just, uh. I keep salt and sugar on me in case of ghosts or bad luck or witches or... stuff.

[ Sorry, he has some issues but, no, the fae aren't a thing he's aware of. Nature spirits, sure, that's a concept, but other than that? Nah. ]

Candy sounds like a nice way to get rid of something, though. Are you going to try that?

[immortalrose]

Really now? [He can't help but sound a bit surprised.] You're almost as mundane as they come.

[He remembers vaguely what Bruno told him about seeing visions and the likes.]

I don't know how effective salt is against ghosts. Many of those old wise tales are nothing but pure lies.

[Augustine knows from experience since so many people think vampires are allergic to garlic.]

Yes, that is if I can find any candy here. I might have to make a trip to the market.

[fallingsand]

[ Bruno can't decide if that's an insult or a compliment. On one hand, he certainly is not mundane. On the other, he would really like to be. ]

Um... thanks? [ Compliment, he decides. That's better than taking offense, even if that 'thanks' is incredibly uncertain sounding. Well, maybe a human who has visions was mundane to a vampire. ] And, uh, I don't know. Things down here seem to lean towards superstitions so maybe they actually work? It. It's not like I've been able to test it or. Or anything.

[immortalrose]

[It's a little bit of both. That comment could easily go either way depending on one's mood.]

Stick around long enough in the Shadowlands and you will.

[There are plenty of little ghosts and ghoulies around for Bruno to threaten with salt. Augustine just hopes that Bruno doesn't plan on adding any pepper to the mix.]

Nevertheless, what do you think? A flower boutique in the middle of hell. Talk about a novel concept.

[fallingsand]

And I... oh, no, no, no, don't say things like that! I... that's...

[ Hold on a moment. There's a distinct sound of something knocking on wood, along with a quiet, nervously muttered knock, knock, knock, knock as he does, in fact, knock on the wood of whatever pew he's probably sitting on back in his chapel in an attempt to dispel that absolute curse Augustine just wished upon him, whether he meant to or not. ]

...okay... that's just. Just don't say things like that, okay?

[ What a weird man Bruno is. Uh, anyway. He clears his throat awkwardly and does his best to put their conversation back on track. A flower boutique! ]

Oh, I think it's a nice idea, actually? I'm no good with plants myself but I do like flowers. I had a niece who could grow them, any kind of flower, just think about it and point and, boom, flowers. There were always so many flowers around the village because of that.

[immortalrose]

[Did...Did he really knock on wood just now? Augustine is a little dismayed by that. How much of a scardy-cat is Bruno? Come now, ghosts aren't that terrifying, unless they go 'geist'. Then again, Augustine has very little to fear in terms of ghostly ghouls.]

Fine, fine... [He can't help but sigh at this strange little man.] I knew you were a tad superstitious but you'll be jumping at shadows in no time with such a weak constitution.

[A dark side of him really wants to scare Bruno too, especially while in his shadow form. If this man is scared of ghosts, he'll probably be scared of shadowy snakes too.]

Is that right? Well, would you like a couple of flowers for your newly acquired home? I wouldn't mind donating a few bouquets.

[fallingsand]

What makes you think I don't already...?

[ He's fearful, very fearful. Look, this is purgatory, there are real monsters lurking around the place, and that isn't even including, say, certain vampires in that listing! But then he pauses from his end of the conversation, considering the offer.

Flowers... ]

Flowers would be... nice, actually. It's so gloomy out here, although I'm not sure how long they would last. There's a well for water and it's okay but not really great, either.

[immortalrose]

[Augustine can't help but sigh. It's nothing short of a miracle that Bruno hasn't suffered a heart attack yet. May such good fortunes continue to shine upon him.]

I'm certain that the bouquets would last for several weeks despite the harsh conditions. After all, I made a plant solution out of sugar, vinegar, and ginger that will help keep them fresh.

[All Bruno would have to do is provide the water. Preferably boiled water that has been filtered and cooled.]

[fallingsand]

[ It helps that he's otherwise healthy, which is also good for when he needs to run away in terror! ]

Sugar, vinegar, and ginger...? How does that work? Flowers don't mind stuff like that?

[ It isn't him disbelieving it, of course. He really wants to know. ]

[immortalrose]

[Don't worry, he'll explain. If there's one thing Augustine knows, it's flowers. The second would be demon summoning and blood magic but Bruno wouldn't like either topics.]

The sugar assists in feeding the flowers the necessary nutrients to survive longer even after they've been are cut. As for the vinegar, it assists in keeping the pH levels of the flowers balanced, and thus preserving and prolonging their lifespan. The ginger, however, keeps pests away from harming them and adds a bit of a boost in nutrients.

[He only started adding hints of dried ginger to this solution recently. So far, his bouquets tend to live a bit longer than three weeks thanks to it.]

Oh, here's a fun tidbit. Depending on the health of the soil nearby, you might be able to replant the flowers by taking a few trimmings. That might be a fun little task if you want to watch them grow.

[fallingsand]

[ No, no he would not, but flowers! Flowers he finds very charming. It wouldn't have been the hobby he expected from someone who drinks blood but that goes to show what he knows. ]

Huh, I never knew keeping flowers could be that complicated. [ Sugar for nutrients and he doesn't even know what pH levels are, to be honest. ] Uh, though I... I'm sure I would just kill anything I tried growing. Besides, I don't think you'll find much nice stuff growing out in a place literally called the Barrens, y'know?

[immortalrose]

[Just because he has a pair of fangs and creepy bat wings, doesn't mean he can't appreciate flowers.]

Flowers are lifeforms much like us with different wants and needs. It takes time to master such an art, especially since it's so easy to accidentally harm them.

[Bruno has a point there. Trying to grow anything in the Barrens would be a trying endeavor. Fruitless, even.]

Fair enough but I wonder, why are you living at the Barrens? I know I found an old shack there but even I am starting to have my reservations about staying.

[fallingsand]

[ And oh boy, would Bruno harm them. He wouldn't mean to and he'd feel terrible about it, even if it's only flowers, but... ]

What, out in the chapel? I, uh. I dunno. It's familiar, I guess, just a little. Kind of like the one back home and I've never been to a city before Stygia and it was. A lot. [ He's not really sure where else to go would be the summary of it. ] Maybe I'll go somewhere else, someday. Who knows.

[immortalrose]

You used to live in an abandoned church before?

[While he knows that everyone here comes from various economic backgrounds, it still puzzles him as of why anyone would want to live in a church beyond the clergy. Then again, Augustine has a very awkward relationship with religion as both a mage and a vampire.]

Do be mindful of your surroundings, Bruno. There are many unpleasant creatures who prowl around within the shadows of the Barrens.

[There's a hint of worry in his tone].

[fallingsand]

What? Oh, no, I meant it reminds me of the one from home, that's all. I lived in... some walls, actually, so this, uh. Kind of a step... up?

[ Sorry, Augustine, he's a weird hobo. It's typically beyond the understanding of more regular people, too, to be completely honest. ]

Um, but y-yeah, I know. There's this gargoyle that keeps bothering me buuuut it hasn't gotten me yet, so, haha... [ Oh boy, that's some nervous laughter. ] Yeah. It's fine.

[immortalrose]

You lived inside of a wall?

[Well, that definitely is a step up. No wonder Bruno decided to claim the chapel for himself. It seems he didn't have much in life. That's kind of...sad.]

A gargoyle? Why didn't you say anything sooner about that?! I could easily slay that little pest for you.

[Probably not easily but he would still attempt to get the job done.]

[fallingsand]

Yes? And... also yes?

[ Okay, while he'd rather focus on neither of those topics, not really, he's going to focus on the gargoyle one because that's so much less personal. ]

I mean, why would I say anything about it? It's just. Things live out here, sometimes they bother me. I kind of figured that was just going to be normal.

[immortalrose]

Having a hungry man-eating gargoyle as a neighbor is anything but normal, Bruno.

[Yes, he's plotting on killing that thing later. Bruno certainly wouldn't survive if he attempted to fight such a fiend. Therefore, he takes it upon himself to slay it on Bruno's behalf. He does this because he's a good neighbor and this what neighbors do. Sorta.]

Nevertheless, do take care of yourself! I swear you are almost nothing but skin and bones. It wouldn't hurt if you fatten yourself up a bit.

[fallingsand]

It hasn't gotten in yet, at least.

[ Oh, how uncertain he sounds. He knows that isn't the best way to convince someone of his own safety out here. It's been a close call once or twice, sure enough. ]

Wh... wait, what? [ Okay, that derails the whole gargoyle conversation. Worry about something else eating him and then the guy who technically also eats people — well, their blood — tells him to fatten himself up! Wow! ] Augustine, this is how I've always looked?