Work Text:
A homicide just happened in Rhode Island.
The dead were the roses which bloomed in last week. A dozen of flowers were cut off from the branch. Petals fell next to the pot, which looked like blood. The delicate flowers now turned to shapeless red.
Lena, the owner of greenhouse, was the first person that arrived the crime scene.
“I went to the greenhouse for looking after plants as usual.” Lena said softly, “And just when I turned on the light, I saw this horrible scene.”
Doctor, commanding officer of R.I., was the second person that arrived the crime scene.
“I heard the scream from the greenhouse so I ran to it. Then I saw Miss Lena was standing by the destroyed roses confusedly. I knew Miss Lena cared her plants a lot. She definitely felt uncomfortable for this destruction.”
Sussurro, medic operator, was the third person that arrived the crime scene.
“I passed by the greenhouse. The noise in there attracted me to see what happened. Then I suggested Miss Lena to check the surveillance videos. It’s not a very big deal but I am afraid it can hurt the friendship between operators if it cannot be solved properly.”
Followed the instruction of Sussurro, Lena visited Dr. Kal’tsit. She felt unsure about this idea as Kal’tsit is always busy for work. But before Dr. Kal’tsit said anything, Closure helped Lena enthusiastically. She took Lena to the control center.
“The video recorded yesterday afternoon until today morning are here.” Closure typed quickly and poured coffee into her mouth, “Alright. Tell me about it if you find anything!” She ran away before the voice faded. Dr. Kal’tsit was calling her.
***
A new operator joined R.I. few days ago. He’s a swordsman from Kazdel.
All imagination of Sarkaz mercenary seemed appear on him: aggressive, keep-him-self, and hardly concerning things except battle. He often walks in R.I. with his blade. The blade was covered with dirty clothes. Some people regarded those blots are blood so they stayed away from him.
Originally, Lena didn’t have too much opportunity to meet the swordsman. Two corridors separated medic department and guard department. Hardly any people walked through such distance for a visitation.
The first time Lena knew him was through the complaint between medic operators. Due to his weird temper, the medic trainee suffered a lot. That trainee was a young girl. Her sparkling eyes let others feel she might cry out at anytime. And when the swordsman showed his reluctant for treatment, she seemed really going to cry. He didn’t restrain until Shining rebuked him. This accident gave a great shock to the girl. She cried when she went back to the medic department. Medic operators were scared by her and asked what happened. She repeated her experience, which evoked all operators started to remembered the “achievement” of the swordsman. Dozen of paper might not enough to record all these things.
Lena didn’t join the discussion. She was focusing on making new perfumes for Gloria. When she heard the girl sobbed: “He lied on the chairs and said nonchalantly ‘not necessary’”, she felt funny, then turned to distressed. Such rejective patient was a hard way for experienced medic, not to mention the trainee.
Next day, Dr. Kal’tsit came to visit Lena. She asked Lena that whether willing to take care the swordsman. After yesterday’s incident, his temper scared off many medic operators. Dr. Kal’tsit had come to ask Lena’s idea.
Although Lena didn’t meet the swordsman yet, the rumor of him led Lena wanted to refuse. She asked: “Then who will take care with Gloria?”
“Gloria’s symptom are in remission. I think there’s nothing to worry about her.”
“I heard he often refuses to cooperate with treatment. I am not confident with this deal.” Lena found another reason.
“No worries. You can always ask me and other operators to assist your job.”
Lena considered carefully and finally accepted the proposal. Maybe it’s not so terrible.
***
Coworkers showed empathy after they know Lena had to treat the swordsman. Lena still held chances: “He won’t give me a hard time, will he?” She made perfumes while she was thinking.
Time slipped quickly during the process of making perfumes. Now it was almost noon. Lena stretched. She watched the perfumes then decided finished making them before she goes for lunch. At the same time, the door of greenhouse was opened. She felt the smell of burned. It was not so obvious but she had uncanny sense of smell. She was using the eyedropper to move the fluid. She said: “Welcome” without looking up. Operators usually visit her greenhouse for relaxation. She got used to it.
A deep voice sounded behind her: “I am sorry for the disturbance. I just want to visit the garden.”
“No problem. Suit yourself. I am almost finish my work.”
“Uh-huh.” He took a glance with the plants in the room, then he stared at Lena.
"Done." Lena put the test tube back into the drawer before turning around to look at the visitor. When she saw the visitor, she froze. In front of her was a man she had never seen before. He was tall. He must bow his head slightly in the greenhouse. His hair on the forehead covered his eyes, which led his expression could not be seen. He wore a old jacket with burn marks. The smell of burning perhaps came from here.
Hundreds of strange people appeared in R.I.. Lena was only stunned for a moment, then she smiled: "I wonder how to call you?"
“Flamebringer.”
Flamebringer? Isn't that the same name that was written on the medical records that Dr. Kal’tsit brought yesterday? It's also the same Sarkaz swordsman who made the medical operator cry days ago.
“You are Miss. Perfumer, are you?”
“You may call me Lena.” Lena smiled awkwardly. She was considering about how to get along with the swordsman. Unexpectedly, he visited her first.
Flamebringer didn’t show any uneasiness. He walked around in the garden.
“Looks your plants are having a great time.”
“Thank you. The operators also helped a lot. They are glad to work in garden.”
“Does it mean I can do planting work, too?”
“Sure. You are always welcome here!”
“Well. Sounds good.” He walked out the greenhouse. He turned back after he took few steps: “Dr. Kal’tsit told me that you will work for my treatment. Is that right?”
“Yes. You will have a medical examination at 3 p.m. I will see you at that time.”
“Sure.” He left.
Lena just felt that her hand sweated. She didn't expect to be so nervous talking to Flamebringer. “But he didn't seem that repulsed my work.” She wondered.
Few hours later, Flamebringer appeared in medic department.
“I made a calming perfume for Gloria, which can help you sleep. Try it too.” Lena lightened the candle. A light orange scent spread out. Flamebringer closed his eyes comfortably.
“I hardly use any tranquilizers. They might make me dull.”
“Appropriate rest is necessary. Keeping alert for a long time would be tiring.”
“You think so? I am already used to it.”
“Sorry. But I am not sure that I can understand your meaning.”
Flamebringer looked up at Lena. The girl from Minos seemed confused. He knew that she is not familiar with the world, so that can not understand his difficulties.
“Well, it's lucky you can't understand." He closed his eyes again, "Anyway, this perfume smells good. I like it."
After the medical examination, Flamebringer followed Lena back to the greenhouse again. They planted some thyme together which were able to provide for the kitchen. Lena was surprised that the swordsman had a deep interest in this aspect of planting yet. She thought he never care anything other than combat.
At supper time, they left the greenhouse. Lena did not lock the door. She had always left it unlocked, in order to let the operators to visit at any time. And the operators are also very conscious. But on this day, after 14 hours, Lena found the "rose homicide".
***
Lena started to watch the video. She was not sure about how long time does she need to check all record. After she watched for an hour, Flamebringer came to her.
“Mr. Flamebringer?”
“Miss Lena, Dr. Kal’tsit told me you are here.”
“Oh yes. How can I help you?”
“Well, I just wanna know what you are working with.”
Lena answered questioningly: “I am watching the surveillance video. My roses were destroyed by someone.” She turned her head to stare at the screen. The surveillance was showing the scene at 10:00 p.m. The building was empty at the moment.
"You don’t have to." Flamebringer pressed the pause button, "I did it."
They were quiet for a few seconds. Lena blinked and asked, "You? Why?" Her tone didn't sound angry.
Well, you will laugh at me when you hear the reason."
"Come on. You should always give me an explanation."
"Ahem." Flamebringer changed his stance, "Your greenhouse is very appealing to me. Last night I talked with the Doctor until almost 1:00 a.m. I was a little bothered, but I felt relaxed in your greenhouse. Thus I went there. But what I didn't expect was that the alarm bell suddenly rang, and I was just ...... startled. The blade in my hand blundered and scratched off your roses."
His expression looked innocent and a little apologetic. Lena stared at him for a long time. Finally she puffed out a laugh: "You said that you are always on guard. I still do not believe it."
Flamebringer eyes flashed with fleeting embarrassment. He digressed: "But I have some compensation for you." He held a large handful of roses out from behind him.
"I bought them this morning when I left the ship to go to the city. Although I can't make up for it, please consider it as my apology."
"Thanks......" Before Lena could finish, Flamebringer had already walked out of the monitor room, and Lena felt a bit of a fall from grace as she watched his back.
***
The next day, Flamebringer found a bouquet of freshly picked roses near the door, along with a note that Lena had left for him.
"Mr. Flamebringer,
I remembered an experience as you gave me the roses yesterday: when I was still living in Minos, there was a man who always secretly put a bouquet of flowers under the porch. I never saw that person and I don't know who he really was. When you sent the flowers yesterday, I remembered the incident. It seems that I do have good luck in receiving flowers.
Thanks for the roses, and I look forward to the future.
Lena."