Covent Garden Flowers, Thursday, 9/3

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

Between Edward leaving (wah!), the play happening again tonight, and sparring with Azula tomorrow, Dinah's mood was all over the place. But she thought she'd come to the right decision about something else.

She was explaining it to the flowers as she was watering them, because she may not have had Ino's connection with them, but they'd still been wonderful to work with all summer.

Covent Garden Flowers

Vida Boheme, prop.
Fresh flowers from nosegays to bouquets!
Delivery available upon request.

Covent Garden Flowers is open.
[ocd freeee]

Comments

[divinesurfchick.livejournal.com]

Aphrodite had seen the sign about the new owner of Covent Garden Flowers, and she was sad that Eliza had left. But as she came back from lunch at Ching Tai she had a thought that maybe some flowers would brighten up the store.

And get that ridiculous idea out of her head.

With that purpose in mind she stepped inside, surprised to find someone she knew behind the counter.

"Dinah!"

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

"'Dite!" Dinah sang back, pleased to be able to indulge in some alliteration. "Hi! Welcome to Covent Garden! Were you looking for something special? Maybe some roses or passionflowers?" She grinned.

[divinesurfchick.livejournal.com]

"Passionfl-- oh, you naughty girl, you." She wagged a finger at her young friend.

It was interesting, though, to see Dinah outside the store. She seemed much more at ease, and Aphrodite wondered what it was in Decadent Delights that embarrassed Dinah so much.

"I'm just looking for a bouquet or two to liven up the store this afternoon. Any suggestions?"

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

Pretty much everything. And a sense that she didn't belong in a store like that, and someone, somewhere, would ask what a kid like her was doing in there, and kick her out. Ridiculous though it was.

"Oooo, how about orchids? And astroemeria?" Dinah suggested, pointing out two of (http://www.beautifulorchids.com/orchids/orchids_potted/oncicidium/oncidium_sharrybaby.html) her favorites (http://k53.pbase.com/u40/ntebrd/upload/40596064.DSC_3726L.jpg). "The astroemeria's not as well known, but I think they look like tiny little tiger lilies. And those orchids smell like chocolate. Mmmmmmmmmm."

[divinesurfchick.livejournal.com]

"Ooooh, verrry nice choices." Aphrodite stopped to smell the orchid. "It really does smell like chocolate -- that's fantastic!"

She nodded, deciding. "Can you make two bouquets with some of each?"

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

"Sure! Would you want vases with them?" Dinah started picking out the best blossoms for 'Dite, stopping to sniff a couple to see what she liked best, and soon had a lavender, white, gold and red bunch of astroemeria, mixed with the scarlet orchid blooms. "Like this?"

[divinesurfchick.livejournal.com]

"That's great. And yeah, a couple of nice vases. I can put one on the counter and the other by the fish bowl."

She watched Dinah choose flowers. "Have you worked here long?"

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

"Since the beginning of May," Dinah said, carefully arranging the first bundle in a nice Art Deco vase. "I wanted to earn money so I could have a motorcycle next year."

[divinesurfchick.livejournal.com]

"Oooh, a motorcycle. Very cool, Dinah." She leaned on the counter. "I'm kind of embarrassed that I never knew. I mean, I count you as a friend, and to not know that kind of thing . . ." 'Dite shook her head. "What else don't I know, Dinah? What else have I not asked about?"

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

Dinah laughed, and said, "Uhh, I don't know where to start? Or what would be important? Hmm. My sister already has a motorcycle, that's why I want one. I... am not going to be working here much longer?" she offered. "At least, I'm working until Miss Boheme says she can cover it. I'm kind of starting an independent project this semester." She put the second bunch of flowers in another vase, and grinned teasingly. "Guess?"

[divinesurfchick.livejournal.com]

'Dite laughed. "What am I guessing? What your project is, or what I've forgotten to ask?"

She looked thoughtfully at the flowers. "If I had to guess at your project, I'd say it has to do with something more than plants. Maybe something with that motorcycle," she winked, "and -- probably something to do with helping people. I've always kind of gotten that vibe from you."

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

"Either-or," Dinah said, then her smile widened. "A little of both? I'm going to try to prepare to be a private investigator, as a career, when I get home. Detective-Constable Day said she'd give me some ideas and pointers, and I thought I could take extra classes or do practice work for it." She handed over one of the vases. "The plants are pretty, and soothing, and it's been great working with them, but it's not what I'm going to do for the rest of my life." She grinned mischievously. "The motorcycle's the best way to zip around New Gotham to do it."

[divinesurfchick.livejournal.com]

"That's excellent, Dinah! I didn't know you wanted to be a PI. Did I?" She shook her head. "You and I should sit and have a long talk sometime. Do you have class early tomorrow? If I close the store a little early tonight, would you like to get some dinner?"

Talking to Fiona had just about made up her mind, but -- maybe getting Dinah's perspective as well would help.

"Someone yesterday gave me an idea and I'd like your opinion."

[auntie-vida.livejournal.com]

Vida swept into the shop. "Pumpkin!" she said. "At last I meet my final floral ninja!"

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

Dinah blinked, kind of stunned at the oomph of that entrance, and said, "Miss Boheme? Hi!" And... hi? Was she seeing this person right? And wow those were great shoes.

[auntie-vida.livejournal.com]

Of course they were great shoes. And a great hat and coordinating purse.

"And you must be Dinah," Vida said. "It's delightful to finally meet you."

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

"It's great to finally meet you," Dinah said, deciding to roll with it. Although now her apology-present looked even sillier. "Um. I brought you a present from Vancouver, but I don't know if you'd want it?" She reached under the counter and pulled out the wrapped present (http://www.thegreatcanadiangiftcompany.com/Large-RCMP-Stuffed-Animals_p_1068.html) she'd bought for her boss. "Since we never met. And it's a little juvenile."

[auntie-vida.livejournal.com]

"Why thank you, sweetpea," Vida said. She unwrapped the gift and made a delighted squeal when she found the stuffed moose. "It's adorable!"

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

Dinah had to squee back in agreement, because hey, she'd loved it when she saw it. "Isn't he? And since I couldn't bring you back a real Mountie when I missed work, well. I figured I should bring something anyway."

[auntie-vida.livejournal.com]

"I think I would've had to triple your salary if you brought me back a real mountie," Vida beamed.

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

Dinah grinned at her and said, "I really wanted to bring back the one I met, but I think Canadian Customs would've had words with me about that." Then her face fell. "Now I feel even worse, now that I've met you." And found a boss who appreciated Mountie Mooses. "Well, maybe... Okay. I was thinking of giving two week's notice to you today. But now..."

[auntie-vida.livejournal.com]

Vida clasped a hand dramatically to her heart. "You can't leave me, pumpkin!" she said. "What would I do without you?"

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

Dinah laughed. "There'd be no one to cover Thursdays! This can't go on!" Just because it was fun to be Dramatic.

[auntie-vida.livejournal.com]

"I might have to hire an unknown talent!" Vida proclaimed. "The flowers could suffer! Sales would plummet!" She fanned herself with her hand.

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

"Well we can't have that," Dinah said, shaking her head. "So I guess I'll keep working here." She nodded, then smiled. "Until you find someone you trust, at least. Someone who'll love this place like it deserves."