Little Shop of Flowers--

[demoenic]

[ the brightest spot of the day, to Oichi, has always been arranging flowers into her own original creations, rife with meaning that she'd only explain when prompted to. But next to that was when she received a shipment, welcoming the newest flowers into the shop with gentle fingers and a soft smile, the promise that they would not be neglected. The newest arrivals just so happen to be a bunch of some of the largest sunflowers she's had the honor of housing, their yellow so bright that it almost hurts her eyes to stare at them too long. But it's a good hurt, she likes to think, as she carries her armful over to the counter. And a familiar one; they remind her of someone. ]

What others might you like to sing with, I wonder...

Comments

[tokugawa]

[He has a natural tendency to walk with a skip in his step and a hum, but today is especially wonderful. He's not entirely sure why... but he's just accredited to have something to do with the sun. It's quite the bright and happy day, which is enough to make Ieyasu extra jolly.

It's when he's on his path to nowhere in particular that some bright, popping yellow manages to catch his attention. He pauses mid-step then to look inside the window and...

Open the door abruptly!]

Whoa...! Those are beautiful sunflowers!

[HIS OPINION ON EVERYTHING MUST BE HEARD]

[demoenic]

[ do you know what Oichi doesn't do well with?

EVERYTHING SUDDEN LOUD MOVEMENTS AND NOISES, so Ieyasu is not only greeted with the sunflowers, he's greeted with the young woman squeaking and half-brandishing them in self-defense, half.... hiding behind them. ]

[tokugawa]

[.... asdl;fj.

He blinks for a moment, a little taken aback by how... remarkably cute that is.

So he chuckles a bit sheepishly then, a hand coming up to rub the back of his neck as he tilts his head while the other hand comes up in his defense.]

I'm sorry, miss...! I didn't mean to startle you.

[demoenic]

[ there's a long pause, in which she slowly... sloooowly lowers the flowers, giving him a scrutinizing stare as though she's not sure what to make of him.

... That's exactly true. ]

Ah, I'm... sorry for... [ u-um. ] ... swinging them at you.

[tokugawa]

[He shakes his head, bringing up both hands now.]

No, it's my fault for making such a rude entrance, miss. You needn't apologize... they're beautiful flowers though.

[... and he blinks, tilting his head and looking at her.

Then his mouth continues that nasty habit of running on its own-]

They accentuate your own pretty face very well.

[demoenic]

[ she blinks.

... And then blinks again, and by now, her cheeks are starting to glow, from sheer embarrassment. TIME TO AVERT HER EYES. ]

T-the flowers... would you like to see them?

[tokugawa]

[That makes him smile and nod, curbing his enthusiasm a bit for her. She seems shy... so he'll be careful from now on.]

If you would let me.

[demoenic]

[ she nods - permission granted - and takes a few steps forward to offer him her handful. ] You looked happy...

[tokugawa]

[He just gives her a chipper response as he takes the handful of sunflowers, holding them carefully. This is a flower shop after all- he imagines that these might go to a lucky home soon...]

It's a beautiful day, is it not?

[demoenic]

It is... the flowers are singing.

[ Ichi, it's stuff like that that makes people think you're weird. ]

[tokugawa]

[ . . . Ieyasu blinks for a moment before giving her a grin.]

What does the tune sound like?

[demoenic]

...

[ a pause to press a hand over her chest, and then she sings a few notes. No real lyrics, just a small tune left to float in the air. ]

[tokugawa]

[... he's silent for a moment before nodding and giving her a soft smile.]

Yes... now that you mention it, I can hear it too.

[demoenic]

[ it's enough to lower her guard, prompting an unconscious smile in return. ]

You must have an open heart, sir.

[tokugawa]

[... he likes that smile an awful lot. So he gives her a grin in response.]

I try to.

You must have a remarkably kind one for being able to hear it at all, miss.

[demoenic]

[ she shakes her head in response, even as she looks faintly surprised. Seems she's never heard that one before. ]

I only wanted to learn more about them... so I listened.

[tokugawa]

[He grins a bit at that and tilts his head.]

What else do they tell you?

[demoenic]

I can't tell you all of their secrets.

[ that would be rude. ]

[tokugawa]

[... okay he's just chuckling softly at that before he nods.]

Ahh, of course. I'm sorry.

I'll ask them myself then.

[And he tilts his head idly at the sunflowers he has in hand.]

[demoenic]

[ that earns him her curiosity, half-wondering if he's teasing her... but there doesn't seem to be any air of ill intent about him. ]

[tokugawa]

[He ponders this for a moment... and then he turns back to her, tilting his head again.]

Will you make sure I'm hearing them right? I would hate to translate it wrong.

[demoenic]

[ she leans in obligingly, head tilted in an almost perfect mirror of his posture. ] What have you heard?

[tokugawa]

[a soft sigh and... well, it's worth a shot-]

That... they seem to be very fond of sunlight.

[demoenic]

... Yes. They are the flowers of the light, after all.