Work Text:
“Ah, so this is the shop they were speaking of? I must admit, it’s not as pretentious as I would’ve imagined it.”
Even at the voice, he continues to arrange the tulios in front of him. He takes his time in greeting him, aware that most of them approach for curiosity before turning away. He doesn’t mind.
When he is finally satisfied, he decides to turn around and properly greet the customer besides the common ‘hello’. Not a good first impression if you were going to be rude and non-communicable, especially if you wished to keep a business like this running on the outskirts of the Barrel.
The first thing he realizes is the outline of who he comes to realize is a man. He easily towers above him by a good five to four inches, accompanied by a square set of broad shoulders. As he approaches closer, he makes out the detail of his clothing. First Army by the color, and judging by the badges, at least a general. He chuckles at the indication. A man who has assumably sent others to death, standing in a shop full of nature’s bright beauty. An odd look passes through the man’s face.
Ah. Have I been silent for too long?
“Apologies, it’s just me who works here. Welcome to Floral Haven.” He gave a soft nod before pausing. “And to what you said earlier.. I’d certain hope this shop it isn’t being talked down on. I’d hate for it to receive such low ratings before it’s properly blossomed.”
Warm laughter echoed the tiny shop. Josef was surprised to find it had come from the stranger. “Not to worry. I’ll just look around if that’s fine?”
“Oh, of course.” An easy smile finds his face again. “If you need anything, I’ll be up front fixing some bouquets.”
He hadn’t waited for a response, simply turning away to return to his work. That was the most he spoke the entire day, and he’d really like to keep the quiet when arranging floral patterns.
His work was interrupted shortly, however, by the same man approaching in a (if he could even call it) gentler manner than before.
“Do you mind if I talk a bit?”
In the short amount of time it took for him to respond, Josef had genuinely considered it. Negative scenarios flooded his mind immediately, warning bells screaming for him to refuse. But it had been so long since he’s had company, and maybe the chatter of someone else besides his own thoughts would be nice for a change.
“Not at all.” He gently prodded an opening between the circle of flowers before sticking a single bold rose in the middle. Some commissions were requested with such bold messages.
“So what made you think to open a shop near here? I mean, I don’t mean to seem rude, and your work is certainly something to gaze at, but Ketterdam—well, setting up a place like this near the Barrel is practically asking for failure.”
Josef just gazed at him through the flowers, mulling the question over. “I just thought with how bleak this place is especially, it could use some color every once in a while.” He shrugged towards the bouquet. “It’s not all that bad.”
The shop dropped into a semi comfortable silence as he worked to trim the leaves into an orderly fashion. The sounds of each snip therapeutic against the gruesome work being done outside.
He peered once more at the badges before risking a question. Might as well start the conversation once.
“How is it being a general?”
“Definitely a contrast to the work being done here,” he chuckled. “Lots left to regret and ponder on at the end of the day, but lately the load’s been getting easier. Not much action involving us when it came to the uprising of Grisha lately.”
He gave a soft hum of acknowledgement despite the obvious evasive tone before turning the bouquet towards him. “What do you think?”
The stranger just stared and offered a half smile. “Not too sure, but meeting you has led me to think that regardless it’d look good.”
“I’m glad you think so. I’m the same with politics. Merely dabbled in them since I quit the army.”
The man brought his hand against the rose’s petal, gently running his fingers against its outline. “Why quit the army?”
Something about this man and the way everything came flowing out his mouth felt so familiar, but he couldn’t quite put a finger as to why…Besides, he couldn’t deny the company now. What was the harm in speaking to someone you’d never meet again? He’d overshare if he damn well felt like it.
Josef internally bashed at his mind’s inner dialogue. “Traveled all over. Met some really nice people, mourned for even more. I couldn’t quite make a proper means to say goodbye to them, but flowers always held a message and could accommodate any situation. Besides, they were often sold for much less there than they are here which allowed me to learn and explore what nature had to offer.” He moved to pluck a daffodil from his selection before offering it to the man. “I had always been charmed by the unspoken messages they gave, the fun while trying to translate the message.” That they would be given willingly and by choice rather than through force and subjection.
The stranger’s eyes moved to the daffodil in his hand, seemingly in thought.
“You’re either a whimsy one or that was just a genius marketing tactic.”
“Believe whatever you want,” he replied breezily. “I’m simply answering your question.” Finally his gaze caught on the slip of paper he’d kept on the desk. His eyes didn’t need to skim to know that he had a fairly big amount of orders he needed done and less time to prepare. He opened his mouth to the man to explain, and maybe to apologize, but the man just nodded in understanding.
They moved together. Josef didn’t know why he did it, but followed the stranger to the front, casting what he hoped was an apologetic smile.
“Well, duty calls.” He shifted his weight nervously as he watched the man open the door. The bell rang with a finality as he took a step outside.
“As does mine.” The man returned his smile before scrunching slightly in consideration.
“It was..” The stranger cleared his throat. “Good hearing from you. I’ll see you around then, Josef.”
His heart raced at the sound of his name from who he thought was an unfamiliar person. The door shut once more, and as it did, Josef couldn’t seem to see the man anymore. He sighed to himself. It was fairly easy getting lost in those crowds.
However…now that he thought about it, the ginger hair was much like someone he used to know personally. It was true that hair like that was common among the Kerch, there was only one he knew that styled it in surprisingly kept waves despite its history to be typically wild in curls.
“Sleep well. We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow. Ketterdam, remember?”
His eyes widened as he brought a hand to his mouth. He rushed to the door and yanked it open, throwing his body out the building. He glanced wildly around for the man in the uniform, pleading with himself to recognize it, but it was far too late. He’d seen how fast those crowds went during his downtime in the shop. There was no way he could keep up now.
He sagged as he entered the shop again, the bell somehow mocking him while he entered.
Once again stuck with his plants for company, he pondered on the last words the man had spoken.
“Until next time on a new year like this one, Frederic.”