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Moonflower swayed as the orchestrion played her favorite songs. She was inside the Rising Stones and vases of all shapes and sizes surrounded her. On the counter in front of her were a riot of cut flowers and greenery. Once she arranged them, they would be placed around the Scions’ headquarters to brighten the building and also perfume the air.
Right now, the scent from such a myriad of flowers was overwhelming and clashing in some cases, but Moonflower was no novice to flower arrangement. It was one of her favorite hobbies, and she knew how to combine the plants for the most appealing bouquet to both the eyes and the nose. Perhaps there was an expert in Revenant’s Toll somewhere, but she was more than happy to do this for her friends and comrades. It would be a lovely surprise!
The door opened behind her and she looked up. There goes the surprise, she thought, disappointed. “Hello Alisaie! Welcome back.”
Alisaie coughed, surprised by the heady scent of flowers. “Hello to you too, Moonflower.” Acclimatized to the strong scent, the young elezen came over to stand at her friend’s side. “I see you’ve kept yourself busy. Are you planning a party?”
Moonflower patted Alisaie’s hair and went back to adding a stem of sweet peas to the vase she was working on. “Not a party. I just wanted to add some color and freshness to the Rising Stones. It’s just so dark here, isn’t it?”
Alisaie scratched the back of her neck in thought. “I suppose you’re right. There isn’t any natural sunlight, so we have to make do with the ceiling and table lamps. But it’s not so bad.” If anything, their headquarters was much better lit than other buildings without natural sunlight. They could read and converse with one another, and could move about with ease.
“The air in here can get…” Moonflower tried looking for a word. “Let’s say, musty? It might not be the best word, but you understand me, don’t you?”
Her friend nodded. “Without windows, once again ventilation and air circulation become important. But won’t the flowers overwhelm each other? The tables aren’t that far apart.” If it was overpowering now, she couldn’t imagine it not being so when they were placed somewhere.
“Don’t worry, they’re not all going out into the common area,” Moonflower replied happily. “Some are going into Dawn’s Respite too, as well as the Solar. I know we don’t really go in there anymore, but I’m sure Minfilia would be happy if we left some flowers for her.”
Alisaie lowered her gaze, and then leaned against the taller woman. “I miss her,” she mumbled.
Moonflower wrapped an arm around the girl, pulling her close. “I miss her too, Alisaie. That’s why I want to put flowers in her office.”
“Do you think she’s out there, somewhere?”
“I think so. In the Lifestream, I think. Unless she’s part of Hydaelyn completely now.” She remembered the conversation she’d seen through the Echo, and how Minfilia let go of her life force when Ryne met her. “But I like to think she’s in the Lifestream. She’s waiting to be reborn.”
“She won’t be our Minfilia anymore.”
Alisaie sounded so heartbroken that it took Moonflower by surprise. “It’s sad, I know. But we had her in our lives while we could. We have memories, and the things she left behind.”
“It’s the same with Grandfather,” she confessed. “It still hurts, even after our adventures in the coils.”
“Grief doesn’t die, Alisaie,” Moonflower answered softly. “I still keep a shrine to Nagamasa.” Her tail snapped to keep the grief away. “Why don’t you pick which vase to put in the Solar?”
She thought about it. “Maybe when you’ve finished,” she decided. “Can I help…?”
“Of course you can. That’s part of the fun, you know! Now, pick a piece of greenery to showcase the sweet peas here…” Together, they finished arranging the flowers into their own bouquets, and Alisaie was smiling by the end of it. Some of her choices were unusual, but that only made it lovelier in Moonflower’s mind. Maybe she’d be willing to do it again sometime. That would be a nice way we could spend time together.
Alisaie tapped one of the vases. “This one, for Minfilia.” It was a cute, short vase with white and yellow flowers inside, dotted by deep red roses. “I think she’d like it.”
“I think so too. Shall we?” Moonflower gestured for Alisaie to pick up the vase, which she did with care. Then the warrior led the way to the Solar, knocking out of habit before entering. The air here was still, and there were signs it was rarely used. “Just stopping by to decorate,” Moonflower said helpfully to no one. “Where do you want to put it, Alisaie?”
The girl looked around, holding the vase to her chest. “Perhaps we can clear a corner of the desk?” she suggested after a moment. “That way it won’t be where someone wants to work.”
“Good idea.” Moonflower moved some paper and pens out of the way, which allowed Alisaie to set it down. “There, doesn’t that look better already?”
A smile appeared again on Alisaie’s face. “Yes, I think so. Much better. I wasn’t sure what to think when you said we’d put a vase in here, but it does help.”
“That’s one thing I love about flowers, they make people feel better. Now, let’s go put the other ones around the Rising Stones.”
Alisaie actually cheered a little and together they hurried back to start decorating.