The late afternoon sun cascaded into the small shop's windows. Purple emperor butterflies fluttered around bushes of geraniums that littered the store. A slender individual pulled the green curtains closed, sending the interior into darkness as the sunset attempted to peer through the corners of the window. A small sign clattered on the door as they flipped it over, indicating that the 'boutique de fleurs' was now closed. Humming to themselves, Sarin cut a dead, thorny bud off of a bushel of roses. Then, they took off their green apron. The boutique's shelves were stacked high with potted flowers and plants. When suddenly, an old, sophisticated voice echoed through the empty shop. "Good work today, Sarin," the old man praised. Sarin turned to him with a sly smile. "...Does this mean I get to go out to the Carmine Café?" They pleaded, their multicolored eyes shining with hope. The old man folded his arms across his chest, sighing. His black hair was littered with white streaks. "You /know/ I don't like that place, Sarin. Isn't it a bit late for coffee?" Sarin frowned. "...but, I promised Karito and Okeetee I'd stop by! They'll miss me, Stuart." The younger cat batted their eyelashes. "No. They're a bad influence, and you... you just don't know it yet. But I can /feel/ it," he said, his viridescent eyes avoiding Sarin's as he adjusted his steel oval glasses. "You know they're hiding something from you. And whatever it may be, it doesn't seem good, Sarin. ...Now come close up the cash register," Stuart ordered. Sarin narrowed her eyes, walking towards the door. "I've tried /so/ hard to make friends. I'm not going to let them slip through my fingers," she sighed, exasperated with her guardian's strict rules. Her fingers traced over her shoulder, along a mark that wasn't permanent... at least, not yet. "I'm old enough to make my own decisions. It's been a long time since you took me in, Stuart. I'm not the same 4 year old I was 16 years ago," she murmured. Reaching towards the door, her hand hovered above the knob. "SARIN DROSERA! Do /not/ open that door." Sarin hesitated, until... Knock, knock, knock. Sarin opened it. And in front of her was a tall, handsome figure. In his left hand, was a bouquet of crimson begonia flowers, which he held outstretched towards Sarin. His body was illuminated by the golden evening sunshine. But, the brightest light came from the figure's own stunning smile. "Hey, Sundew." "Karito..." Sundew hesitantly murmured, a blush crawling up his face. He hated nicknames, but not when they came out of Karito's mouth. "What are you doing?" He giggled quietly, taking the bouquet and stepping out the door. "I..." Sundew looked down at his shoes, fidgeting with his golden necklace. "Where did you even get that? We're the only flower shop for miles..." Karito smiled, his purple irises shifting from Stuart to Sundew. "I have my ways," he hummed secretly, stepping away as Sundew playfully hit his shoulder with a grin. "Karito, you...!" "Come /on/, let's go," Karito said, his leather lug boots tapping against the road's stone pathway. Karito's violet eyes watched Sundew carefully. His rich voice clouded Sundew's mind as Sundew began to shut the door behind him. Stuart began to walk towards the exit, glaring at the younger couple... before suddenly halting in his tracks. Looking at Sarin's beaming face and shining eyes, Stuart frowned, turning away. "I hope you know what you're getting into, Sarin," Stuart muttered under his breath as the door clicked shut. As Stuart approached the curtains, he drew them open, his green eyes peering across the street. He could hear their muffled words slowly become more distant as the pair joined their hands together, disappearing behind the entrance to the Carmine Café. The old man sighed. --- art / writing by song is Majora's Mask - Song Of Healing
