|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 4:59 pm
Summer was finally here, and it was showing gaily in the lower portion of Cyrus City; the streets were filled with people, the air was thick with the scent of foods and the day was hardly noon. The sky was the type you'd see in paintings, a clear and unbelievable blue without a cloud in sight, the weather warm without being stiffling just yet.
Crystal already missed the cooler weather, but that might have been that she wasn't a big fan of wearing shorter dresses. As it was, she doned a plain summer dress that fell just below her knees, a blue just a few shades lighter than the sky that brought out the muted cerulean in her eyes. Her normally curly hair was strangely straight, pulled back into a braided ponytail, hardly looking like herself without those signature ringlets. She was outside of The Gilded Lily, watering the plants, much to her mother's dismay; the grand opening of the cafe had been her birthday, but the girl had refused to stay home. She'd been working, as it was really all she knew to do.
The two rascal children she'd been watching over were strangely quiet and demur, sitting on a bench just outside the store with guilty expressions. They smiled at people who came and went, but said precious little.
The store itself was bustling; there were flowers of yellow, orange and red displayed outside, welcoming the summer with a grand swath of color. Arrangements hung from hooks upon the awning, with various potted plants lining the path to the store, although there were small routes where one could look at the smaller floral displays that were placed to the best advantage. It was these smaller ones on the opposite side of the cafe that the flower girl was tending to, humming to herself and her floral audience.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 10:05 pm
“Its such beautiful weather today isn’t it Callie!?” Lara smiled at her little crème haired child. For once, the girl seemed to be enjoying the day as much as her siren mother. Unexpectedly, Lara had left her wings out today. Not bothering to try and make them less discreet as she normally would.
The feathers moved very cautiously in the wind, as if they would all blow away if it started pulling too hard. Larainne wore her usual salmon pink dress, perfect for this type of temperature and kept her cool under the sun, when the breeze wasn’t blowing.
“We’re going out again aren’t we?” Calanthe leaned against the rail of the decking, at exactly the same spot Lara had first come across the girl. A salty breeze mingled with the smooth scent of coconut and Vanilla drifted past. Surprisingly enough, Lara had indeed found the girl one out fit she liked while walking along the street of beach side shops. It was a basic pair of three quarter yellow board shorts with flower patterning on one side and a white draw string, topped with an orange singlet inscribed with the words ‘ Island paradise’ and a picture of a beach in gold thread. Which of course, was the outfit she has selected for today.
Lara nodded. Today they were heading into the city. Despite how much they both disliked the metropolis. Unfortunately it was an unavoidable outing as Lara needed to pick up some new furniture that the beach regions just didn’t offer.
So here they were, two sea lovers in the big city.
“It’s nice…but some of building close out the sun,” Calanthe always had one thing to complain about.
“But it’s better than being locked up in the house right?”
Calanthe shrugged, giving her mother a black expression and tone in her response. “I’m here because I have to be,”
And that was the end of that.
Lara sighed, still walking along the street towards their destination ‘ House and Home furniture store’
“Can I ask you a question Lara?,” Calanthe caught the attention of her mother, pulling her hand to stop. She spoke in that way kids do when they want something.
“The idea of watching you looks at beds is really boring to me,” Of course it would be. Not even Lara found looking at beds fun. She nodded.
“ Well… you see. The store you want is just up ahead but on the opposite side of that you may see a.-,”
“Toy store eh?” Lara laughed. “You want to go in while I’m looking?”
Calanthe nodded.
The Woman bit her lip… unsure if she wanted to let Calanthe go in such a big place. It was going to be boring, and the store was just across the way but…
“I’ll be careful,” Calanthe tacked on the end, once again in that typical child like way.
“Fine. But Be careful. Promise?”
“Promise!” Calanthe gave Lara a high five. Her own way of saying ‘Thanks, I love ya’
Lara entered the furniture store while Callie entered the other.
However the toy store didn’t end up being nearly as big as it looked on the out side and it only took her about five minutes to look at everything she found interesting.
“Well that was a waste,” Calanthe gripped, stepping out the front of the store. Hesitant to go find Lara.
She really didn’t want to go on a bed shopping spree, and would much rather hang around out side.
It was at that moment she caught the most wonderful aroma of lavender, rose, jasmine and an assortment of other flower scents she couldn’t pick out. It really was heavenly.
I promised to be careful…but she didn’t say where I had to be!
Calanthe took of down the street, following where the perfume came from.
“The…Gild-ed…Lily,” Calanthe read the words hanging over the store.
This place was a fire work of colour on a grey back drop.
She breathed in the scene of the store, beautiful it was. She bent her head low over a bouquet of assorted flowers. Maybe the city wasn’t as dull or lifeless as she had gained the impression of.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 3:36 pm
The flower girl exhaled softly between her humming, moving around to the other side of the walkway to continue her watering. It wasn't hot enough out that she'd have to put the misters out, and she rather liked being able to relax amongst the flowers like old friends. She wasn't too concerned about watching her cousins either, as their guilt was keeping them firmly stapled in place; it hadn't been that long ago that she had only herself to take care of, yet it seemed so long ago she felt as though she wouldn't know what to do without the children getting into some type of mischief.
Crystal turned to head towards the store, but was stopped by the sweetest little voice testing out the name of the shop. She turned her curious grey gaze around the area, not seeing anyone at first. Casting a quick glance to the children to make sure they weren't playing a joke, she padded around the side of the larger displays, spying an adorable little girl enjoying the scent of a colorful arrangement.
"Why hello there," she called quietly but warmly as to not startle the young one. "Are you enjoy your day?" She didn't feel the need for formalities with the young girl; more often than not, Crystal tried to be friendly with the younger populace, especially after meeting the likes of Tango and Amahte.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 4:21 pm
Calanthe shrugged in response. She could already see this conversation going the same way that hers and Lara’s had. She studied the woman’s very soft features, peach glowing skin contrasting beautifully against her medium black hair. Innocent cherub lips coloured with the hue of subtle pink and changing eyes of grey and blue. Blue in the light, grey under shadow.
“It’s a nice day but the buildings of the inner city block out the light,” Naturally she had assumed this woman to belong with the store as she noticed the watering can still held between her fingers. It was a basic observation but at least that let Calanthe knew that she should be nicer to the woman who helped the plants grow. Anyone who could grow pretty things should technically have some goodness in their personality.
“You’re flowers are very admirable,” Calanthe said, gesturing to the one she had just been bowed over.
“You must have fun taking care of them, right,” It was less of a question and more of a statement.
Calanthe looked down at the petals of one of the lilies kept outdoors to attract customers and continue the theme of the stores name.
She turned back to face the young flouriest, only now catching sight of the white flower tucked into her black braid.
“You have a flow in your hair to!” Calanthe exclaimed in surprise. It was something she hadn’t expected to see.
“ I have on as well! Right-,” Calanthe turned her head to the side and pointed at the vanilla flower. “ Here. See?” She smiled back at the flower woman now, please to have met some who had something in common with her. Great minds did think alike.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 10:43 am
Crystal hid a smile; this one was sharp, and intelligent. For some reason, the sight of her stirred a memory, although she couldn't place it. It reminded her of meeting Kyoko...which meant she probably saw this lovely girl at the Masquerade. She would have thought it was a small town to be running into all these people, but she knew better.
"The shade from the buildings is good, though," she commented with a smile. "Some flowers require shade to grow, like the lenten rose-" she turned around, pointing to a star-shaped flower, a soft pink that faded to white tips, "-or the hellebore, which is one of the few natural green varieties. Astilbe does well too...and it's one of my favorites." Crystal chuckled quietly, knowing she was going to get carried away if she wasn't careful.
She tilted her head at the comment, sending her braid over her shoulder. "I do enjoy to take care of them. Who wouldn't want to tend to such beautiful and fragrant children all day?" While Crystal didn't mean to, her statement held a double meaning for the small girl before her.
At the mention of the flower that was visible in her braid, the flower girl laughed, nodding. "It's a lily," she said shyly, "fitting for the store, don't you think?" The woman carefully put the watering can down, shifting to the side to better see the flower behind the girl's ear. It wasn't one she'd seen in the store, although it did look familiar to her. Having leaned closer, Crystal got the vaguest hint of some scent that reminded her of baking cookies. "Vanilla!" she exclaimed in surprise, "That's a flower of a vanilla plant, isn't it? It's gorgeous! Take good care of it, you wont see many of them around these parts." She laughed, delighted, quite enjoying the younger girl and her sudden burst of energy.
"Would you like a few flowers to add to your collection?" she asked as she motioned to the gaggle of flowers surrounding them. The woman put her hand by her mouth, as if sharing a secret, whispering, "I don't mind sharing with those who can appreciate them." With a playful wink, she dropped her hand, displaying a perfectly white grin. "My name is Crystal. It's an honor to meet someone with such spectacular taste."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2007 6:50 pm
On hearing the woman’s statement on fragrant children, a smirk crosses Calanthe’s lips. She couldn’t help but wonder if Crystal knew how differently the pair were hearing the sentence.
Part of her took the words as a compliments. After all she had said ‘Beautiful fragrant children’ she could have just said fragrant. Then again she was just talking about the flowers.
No, it was best not too read too much into what had been said. Maybe she could just mention the store she had come from later on, then things might get interesting. Inside, Calanthe chuckled silently. Maybe the woman already had brought something from there and was yet to find out what came with her purchase was more than just a scent. Which she could add to her collection of floral fragrances.
The young girl nodded in response to her opinion on the flower befitting for the store.
“ Aren’t lilies those plants which grow in ponds and stuff?” she said, showing how little knowledge she had in regards to botany and floral matters, which was rather close to none what so ever.
‘A lot of the time, people paint the lilies as either pink or white. But I read somewhere that they have pretty blue lily flowers somewhere,” Calanthe continued looking at the sweet little white flower. It didn’t look the ones you found in ponds, but it looked nice all the same. She would ask Lara to take her to a pond sometime to look for lily plants.
“That would be the one” She said, pulling the vanilla plant out of her hair delicately. She sighed.
“I noticed that they were kind of hard to find. Mines lost all it’s scent so I’m trying to get one with a stronger smell before this one wilts too much,” She looked down on the small flower in her palm, a slightly frustrated look on her face, before placing it back into her hair nicely and she smiled wistfully.
But there was no need for her to keep her dismayed expression on for very long. At the mention of actually taking home, some of the gorgeous fragrant surrounding her, Calanthe’s eye illuminated with delight. “ That would just awsome!” she exclaimed with an eager thrill in her tone.
“Thank you very much for the compliment and offer Miss Crystal!, Please, just call me Calanthe or Callie works too,”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 8:24 am
The flower girl laughed delightedly at the mention of the water lilies, nodding enthusiastically. "Yes, the water lilies, although they do require being water-bound to survive, so I'm afraid we don't have those." She paused at the mention of the blue lilies, a little surprised that the girl had read about them. "The blue lily is known as the Lily of the Nile. At least, that's the most common variety. We had a few that were potted around here somewhere..."
Crystal trailed off as the girl talked about her vanilla flower. To her experience, the flower usually only lasted a day before it died; that this girl had it longer, and that the smell was still so fragrant - was this another child like Tango? Her curiosity melted into a warm smile as Calanthe shared her enthusiasm, making the girl practically glow. It was difficult for Crystal not to get caught up in such a pure and simple joy. "You're welcome, Calanthe. That's a beautiful name. And please, just Crystal...'Miss' makes me feel old and stuffy." She giggled a little, turning to motion behind her at the plethora of flowers.
"Feel free to make yourself a bouquet, Calanthe. The sunny colors are out here, and the cooler and darker ones are inside." She smiled again at the girl, curious to see what she would make with such freedom. Crystal almost asked if her parents were near, but she decided against it for the time being; she didn't want to dim that sparkle in Calanthe's eye, one that showed that she was still a child behind that intelligent face. The thought made her look over to her cousins, who were scooting to the edge of the bench to get a better look at the fair and pretty girl; even they could tell she was unique, and they were likely wondering if she'd be as diverse as Tango and Amahté.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 7:00 pm
Calanthe didn’t have a clue how to respond to Crystal’s gesture. She was truly delighted to have such a wonderful chance like this, she was sure not all people were like and it was nice to meet someone so friendly. She took a looked at some of the sunny colours and decidedly picked up a few of the yellow tulips in bloom. She wanted something that might match the house and would look pretty just under the window. The window of course having a beach view, meant she should follow the colour scheme the landscape did. Sunny yellows for the sunlight, cheery blue for the sky. She knew her bouquet of yellow tulips and violet blue Irises would sit wonderfully against the horizon.
However while the two flowers by themselves looked rather nice, it still seemed plain. She wanted something to give it ‘panache’ and diversity. But what? She turned back to Crystal, skipping over to her in a few steps before presenting the chosen flowers. Calanthe’s eye jumped from the flowers in her hand to the young florists face.
“ I like these ones,” She said, an underlying tone to her voice.
“ But they seem…missing. Do you know what I could add maybe?”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not too far away, Lara exited the furniture store. She had indeed needed to buy the new furniture it seemed. She had very recently been sent a letter in regards to having a new someone staying with her, and she needed some things if she were to be prepared for the new arrival.
A delivery truck to be around at the house tomorrow around ten in the morning, so she guessed it would be at her place at noon.
Over the road she crossed, reaching the toy store. An attentive teenager stood at the desk, putting things in display cases whilst on the look out for entering customers. She gave Lara a brief hello as she walked in. Not that she needed it, Lara was just here to pick up Callie.
She didn’t see Callie when she walked around the first time, it was a small but store but there were a lot of corner and shelves which could easily hide someone. She would just have to walk around once again. And again. Again.
Before she even started circling for the fourth time, Lara began to feel her throat dry up a little. She should have found her by the third attempt, right. She approached the welcoming desk girl, trying to force down the worrying she had.
“ Calanthe Kardon, please come to the store desk. Someone is waiting for you,”
The announcement was made over the shop microphone. If Calanthe was in there, she would hear it.
No one came.
“ Is it possible she left the store?” the concerned girl asked.
“I don’t know where she would go. She hates the city usually,” Her voice almost broke on the last word. Almost.
“ Do have a photo, description anything? I can ask if some people have seen her,”
“I don’t have a picture sorry. But she’s very hard to miss. Tan skin, platinum blonde hair, almost white actually. Always has a flower in her ear and she smells like van-,”
“Vanilla right ha! I told Dan it was vanilla,”
Lara threw a puzzled glance at her.
“ Dan said she smelt like coconut, I said vanilla,”
“Actually it’s both,” then it clicked.
“ YOU SAW HER!,” A combination of relief and worry came over her. At least someone had seen where she was last, but where was she now.
“Yeah! She left the store actually. She went outside and turned down the road. You shou-”
“Thank you so, so much!” Lara turned on her heel before she could finish, she had an idea of where to look along. And she could ask passer bys if they had seen her. She would find her, it would be okay.
At least that’s what she kept thinking to herself, and the thought was enough to keep her from going into hysterical, hyperventilation mode.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 10:51 am
Crystal smiled warmly as she watched Calanthe go about her choices, grey eyes shifting between the white-haired girl and her own cousins, who were continuing to remain silent and sitting put as they, too, watched the girl. As the vanilla girl came back, Crystal kneeled, observing the flowers thoughtfully as her mind sifted through possible additions. "I suppose that would depend on what look you're going for," she started conversationally, as though addressing an adult. She stood, brushing off her gown and moving towards the brightly colored flowers, indicating a willowy white flower.
"Lily of the Valley would go well with those if you wanted something light and airy." A delicate hand motioned towards the darker flowers towards the storefront, namely a deep purple bloom that faded to a soft pink and white at the base, "Morning Glory is a lovely purple that could add a vast majesty, or a Hyacinthe for inbetween purple and white." Crystal paused thoughtfully, adding, "You could also bring out the blues if you want, with a smattering of Hepatica...oh goodness, I'm getting carried away again!" The young woman grinned a little sheepishly, waiting to see if she'd lost the girl.
Had she been paying more attention to the bustle of the street, she may have caught sight of the frantic Lara near the bend, Crystal's own store just a short ways down; as it were, her eyes were all for the bewitching Calanthe, her back turned to the main street.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 5:09 pm
Calanthe understood absolutely nothing about what Crystal was saying, but she did comprehend that she was giving her tips on what would look best. She listened intently to what was being said, holding the flowers in one hand while she did so. When Crystal apologised for getting lost in her own words, Calanthe assured it was no problem and that she didn’t mind at all. “I think I like the first one,” She said. But in all honesty, she had no idea and had just chosen one at complete random.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Everyone on the street seemed to be getting in the way of her feet. She pushed against them all trying to move forward steadily, but it still felt as if it was all moving too slowly. “Calanthe!” She called out repeatedly to try and get the girls attention. If she was even in the crowd.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“I think that’s Lara,” Calanthe said, hearing a voice. It managed to sweep over the heads of everyone and into the quiet spot that she and Crystal were surrounded by.
“I guess I should have just staying in the toy shop,” The blonde girl said with a slight laugh of guilt to it. Calanthe had started to like Crystal, and she didn’t want her to think Calanthe a bad child. “ I should have gone back before. But I guess she’s come looking for me,”
“Of course I came looking for you! Why did you run off like that Calanthe!” an exasperated voice chimed from the front of the store. Lara walked in, a flushed from running the entire street. Her arms pulled Calanthe to her and gave her a hug.
“It wasn’t that far away. I could hear you and everything. Nothing to get worried over,” She replied rolling her eyes. “Besides, I was gonna go back to the store in a second,”
“But I didn’t I say to stay in there while I was shopping. You promised me,” Lara cooed over the girl, glad to see her. “Well, I thought you might like these,” Calanthe said handing them over to her guardian. “Crystal helped me pick them”
For the first time, Lara noticed someone else in the store. “Thank you so much for taking care of her, I don’t...you can’t realize how relieved I am to know she was at least with someone,”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 3:40 pm
"Morning Glory it is," the woman said kindly, reaching out to the designated flower, withdrawing a few before handing them to the young girl. Grey-blue eyes shifted up as Calanthe indicated that someone named 'Lara' was coming. Crystal was deeply grateful that the woman was completely engrossed with her daughter, as the flower girl could not help but stare in wide-eyed wonder at the winged lady.
She regained herself quickly, standing quietly with her hands crossed over her apron, smiling to herself. The amazing appearance aside, the two were obviously mother and daughter, and a sweet pair at that. She was privately pleased that she'd allowed the young girl to pick out a bouquet for her mother; she sincerely hoped it would brighten both of their days, as it seemed the woman had suffered some stress at the girl's disappearance.
"It was my pleasure, my Lady," Crystal replied warmly, winking at Calanthe. "She is a delight to have around." She inclined her head to the two females, taking a small step back, trying not to encroach on their little reunion.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
![[ Hot Chocolate. ]'s avatar](https://a1cdn.gaiaonline.com/dress-up/avatar/ava/6c/15/7e95b2ac30156c_flip.png?t=1292982835_6.00_00)