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

[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.