( closed to unevoke )

[hoasen]

[It's a nice, quiet day. Or at least it is seemingly so, in a place as volatile as Cerealia. Yet it will be treated so. Another work day, another collection of flowers to sell.

It's different now, though. As Shinjiro has quit his previous job as a janitor and is working in the flower shop. Is it a drastic change? Vietnam thinks not, she finds that Shinjiro can fit in anywhere should he put in some effort. He's just quiet sometimes (most of the time.)

Still, it has been some time and she keeps checking on him to see if he's doing okay. Like right now, making her silent approach as he works--]

Shinjiro, do you need any help?

Comments

[unevoke]

[During hour one, Shinjiro had worked studiously, grateful for the soft light filtering through the windows onto the assorted vased flowers in front of him. Unlike the janitorial job, this one was much more relaxing, much more calming and enjoyable (insofar as repetitive arrangement of flowers could be enjoyable). Somewhere around the two hour mark, his focus had started wandering off, fingers stilling for longer and longer periods in between arrangements, and by hour three he'd deviated completely from his task, mind lost in the past as his fingers wove daisies together bit by bit.

Which is where Vietnam comes in.

He jumps (literally) and spins around, the flower crown dropped and then brusquely pushed off the table, where it flutters through the air for one two three seconds before landing sadly in a heap of white petals and stems.]

Can't you knock on the door or wall or somethin' like normal person?

[Hypocritical words given his own penchant for sneaking up on others, and said in a harsher tone than he really means. (It's a cover-up for the embarrassment slowly creeping up his neck.) ]

[hoasen]

[She knew Shinjiro is a hard worker. She just didn't know that he is capable of procrastinating, and what kind of procrastinating he would attempt.

Seeing a flower crown made her wonder if there was an order, or he was just making one? Because he wanted to? Nevertheless, she goes to retrieve it, gingerly picking it up to make sure that no damage has been done.]

I am sorry, I did not know my approach was so silent. I will make myself heard next time. Especially since you were concentrating. [She could've ruined his good work!]

[unevoke]

[He's a lazy teenager, Vietnam, what did you expect....! But to his credit there is a nice stack of flowers cut to the right, and another stack of pre-made bouquets in front of him. So some work had been done! He'd just been too stubborn to ask for a break.

He picks up the flower crown after Vietnam sets it back on the table carefully; his fingers hold it with a delicacy that's not suited to his overall appearance.]

Nah, it's fine. Need a break anyway.

[He glances around the shop.]

You got a lotta flowers here.

[hoasen]

[Lazy unless he loves what he's doing, huh...but look, he can be responsible too! That's pretty responsible. She wants to give him a break though...

He's so careful and diligent. He's making her look bad?!]

Good, you've been working hard, so your break is deserved.

[She nods.]

We grew some ourselves, so it helps, having a lot.

[unevoke]

[Please?? Vietnam is like the epitome of responsible and diligent while Shinji is the world's biggest slacker. The only reason he doesn't slack as much as he could is because slacking leaves too much time for thinking, and the last thing he wants to do is overthink.

He is curious, however, about her answer and the history behind the flower shop.]

What made you wanna start this whole thing up anyway?

[hoasen]

[Um no? He's the best? Well, at least when no one is looking, and she can tell when he's working hard. Because how are things completed otherwise!

She crosses her arms and thinks about this.]

Hmm...I probably never would've started it if it weren't for CERES' recommendation. It was one of my suggested occupations.

omg this took forever, i'm so sorry

[unevoke]

[He listens quietly, eyebrows lifting at the simple explanation. Truth be told, he'd expected something a lot more meaningful—I've always loved flowers or a friend of mine here asked me to help out—but he supposes the reason given is good enough. Vietnam had always seemed like a straightforward enough person, a quality he'd always liked about her.]

Yeah? Huh. [And, because he remembers the list of ludicrous suggestion CERES had firsts given him upon arrival—] What were the other ones?

[Maybe she'd picked this one because it was the most sensible....]

KASJKLSAL SAME...SHHH

[hoasen]

[It's true, she never even thought she'd be good at selling flowers, since while she can handle them, she's never thought about it as much as she does cooking or sewing. It was actually a pretty refreshing experience!]

The others? CYbuddy groomer, which I do from time to time, and fast food restaurant manager.

[unevoke]

[CYBuddy groomer and restaurant manager, huh....? He thinks back to his experiences with McCeres and America as the slightly whackjob (but surprisingly okay) boss in charge, and tries to imagine Vietnam in place of America.

It doesn't really work (no offense, Vietnam).

Though he is surprised by the fact that she helps out elsewhere, and he can't help but raise an eyebrow at that.]

You really like helpin' out, huh?

[Well, he supposes there are people out the in world that balance out his slacker self.]

[hoasen]

[It's true, imagine her in the uniform. Imagine her supporting this type of food. Imagine her being like...America. She'd cry.

Does she like helping out? She wonders about this herself.]

Perhaps. I like to keep busy, and I suppose it is better if I do so by helping others. I am more selective than many believe. [She does a lot of general helping only because she's used to it.

But if she was allowed to choose, she'd go with Shinjiro before some others. What is this bias?!]

[unevoke]

[Then he'll do them both a favor and lay that garish image to rest as it properly deserves. The serenity of the nooks and crannies of the flowershop suit her far better, in his opinion (not that it'll ever mean much anyway). Her eventual answer, too, suits her - someone kind but not overly so, still willing to place her own comfort and safety above those of others.

Maybe it's why he trusts her and willingly stays around despite his doubts. But his doubts have no place in this conversation and he barges ahead, with a little less tact than his usual. Which, admittedly, he doesn't have much of to begin with.]

That why you don't have a boyfriend yet?

[Look, she's attractive and kind, surely guys are all over that kind of thing!]

[hoasen]

[He's a saint. He might not admit he's a saint, but he is?! And his opinion counts as well? But really, she does like being surrounded by flowers. It's soft, softer than the harsh edges of...well, life. That being said, she likes hard edges too. See: Shinji.

His lack of tact catches her off guard, however, and the colour just rushes to her face.]

I-I suppose so, but wouldn't be the other way around too? I believe many find me intimidating. [She's never really given it much thought, but it's still embarrassing!!]

[unevoke]

[Her protests fall on deaf ears; instead, Shinjiro shrugs, not at all concerned by the fact that others might find her intimidating. (But given the kind of air he gives off, maybe that's not so surprising.)]

Then they're a bunch of idiots not worth your time.

[IT'S TRUE IN HIS MIND....no one's good enough for Vietnam, tbh. Though, hmm, maybe he ought to be more respectful of her wishes.]

What kinda guys do you like anyhow?

[hoasen]

[Shinjiro has the patience of god...at least when it comes to her. Some gods have to be as stern as he is anyway.

She actually seems quite touched that he thinks this?]

O-oh, well, I am sure I could've tried harder, but no...

[She's just flushing deeper at the talk of her type now.]

I...hmm. I guess, someone I can trust. Can get along with? [She has to think about this?] What about you? I mean, what would you look for in a significant other?

[unevoke]

[Don't turn this around back on him???? He doesn't deserve a significant other - or rather, no significant other deserves to be saddled with a useless person like him - so the question's moot anyway, a fact he makes evidently clear with a dismissive wave of his hand.]

Doesn't matter what I want. [Since he's never going to get it anyway.] Makes more sense to focus on you first.

[Leave his squishy marshmallow interior out of this....]

[hoasen]

[UM??? NO??? He's cute too? His squishy marshmallow interior is allowed love too, gosh!]

No, it does matter what you want. [She's pretty firm about this, whoa.] You're also allowed to love. We can also focus on you. [See!!]

[unevoke]

[No!! This wasn't where the conversation was supposed to head, dammit. Shinjiro flushes a bit, started that Vietnam would be so insistent about such a thing. (Not that he doesn't expect her to be the type of person to be firm, but not about this.)]

There's some people that'd disagree with you about that. [Namely, himself.] I can't offer anyone anything anyway.

[So it's pointless!!]

[hoasen]

[Why does he have so much self doubt?! (not that she can talk, but)]

They do not understand. You are wonderful just the way you are. [She's determined!!] You already try your best, I think you offer all you can. Even so, it is not able what you can offer, but what one loves most about you. [And she can list a lot? Don't make her shake him wow.]

[unevoke]

[That's what happens when you kill people and ruin their children's lives......it's pretty unfortunate, 0/10 would not recommend.

Also 0/10, would not recommend standing next to Vietnam while she's on a complimenting rampage, this is getting incredibly uncomfortable and Shinji's already flustering under his beanie, scowl deepening even as his face turns more and more tomato red.]

Alright, alright, enough already! [Before he melts into a puddle on the floor from embarrassment.] I just do what anyone else would do. That's it.

[hoasen]

[Well...yes that but he doesn't need to be a martyr?!

She's determined to make sure he loves himself more! Understands self-worth! So much that she's ignoring that he's flushing so deeply.]

There. [She still huffs as she looks up at him, and touches between his brows.] You are too humble, but that is also another good quality you have.