How Green Becomes Wood

Dark nodded, standing politely as he looked at the pictures. "Do we have a bell we could add to the ribbon, Tristan?" He asked. It didn't look like any of the characters had bells as part of their costumes, but for some reason, he imagined they would jingle. They looked like their should be bells. While assembling in his mind what flowers would work best, "You said your girlfriend either adores or detests blue, do you want to risk including it? It seems Sailor Moon and her friends wear a lot of blue."
 
Tristan thought about it for a moment. Then he turned and headed for the back. "There is not a big demand for bells in the floral industry, but I think I might have something. Give me just a moment."

"Um," the guy said, watching Tristan roll away, "I guess.... let's add it. Since it's in a lot of the clothing, it can't be evil, right?"
 
"Okay," Dark nodded, and after thinking about it for a moment, he said, "If we choose only one or two blue flowers, but make them special, and she responds saying she hates blue, you can say you wanted it to represent Sailor Moon, but you specifically asked they be easy to remove. If she loves blue, she will appreciate the fact they are unique." He led the man around the store, helping him to choose flowers which had the delicate, very feminine look of the two shows. "I should warn you, depending on what mistake you made, flowers may not be enough."
 
"I forgot her birthday again," the man admitted. 'In my defense, I forget everyone's birthday, so that's not special. Lat year, I only remembered my own birthday because she got me a cake. I was going to take her out to a musical, a dinner and show kind of thing. I hate musicals, but she loves them."
 
"Last week," he told Dark.

The sound of soft tinkling announced Tristan's return. He'd found a tiny box with even tinier bells he'd used as part of some holiday decorations the year before. He held out the box to Dark. "Will these do?"
 
"And when did you realize you forgot her birthday?" Dark asked. One week was not great, but was not terrible. It was better than realizing a month later, anyway. He picked up one of the bells and held one to the light, satisfied by them, and then asked the man, "What do you think? I thought one or two could go on the ribbon which ties the bouquet."
 
"Earlier today when she reminded me before storming out to go to work," the man winced. He stared at the bouquet. "I guess it's good? I don't know. I've never bought flowers before, but I didn't think they came with bells."

Tristan smiled slightly and went to greet a single woman who came in. She was watching Dark and a little flustered, but she let Tristan help her.
 
"Well they do not, typically," Dark replied, turning his head to the side, "But we want to make it special, yes?" He gathered all of the flowers they had chosen and brought the man to help pick out the ribbon, "Now, if you have not already, and can find one that is still open, I would recommend stopping by a bakery to also bring her home a favourite treat. Or, I suppose, wherever her favorite foods may be found." He worked to assemble the start of the bouquet, leaving it ready for Tristan to fix when he was free. "It may not fix things, but it is a start."
 
The man was hanging on Dark's every word as he watched Dark with the ribbons and the flowers. "You really think so? You really think this'll help things? I mean, I want to make this work and prove I'm not a complete loser, not to mention I kind of like her - a lot - but you really think flowers are going to do something?"

Tristan came over and deftly worked with the flowers, adjusting them here and there and tying the ribbon expertly. He added in a care card tucked unobtrusively among the stems, wrapped it in the paper sleeve, and handed it back to Dark before rolling back out onto the floor to address two more women who'd come in.
 
"I suppose it depends on who she is, and also how you deliver them. If it were me, and I were apologizing to my wife, I would give her the flowers but also apologize, acknowledge her feelings, and let her say what she needs to say. If I just handed my wife the flowers and walked away, she would feel I was buying her affection back, but I do not know your girlfriend, she may be the sort who would want more space and view them as a way to apologize before she's ready to talk about it."

He took the bouquet back from Tristan and went to the counter to ring the man up, "What I would do, is work to put together a nice date for her. Surprise her, if she likes surprises, plan it with her if she does not, but be clear you want to give her a special day. My wife appreciates those sorts of gestures. It is your judgment and your awareness of your girlfriend to know if she likes them, too."
 
"Cool. Thanks, man, I appreciate it," the man said, paying for the flowers and taking the bouquet. "I think I'm on the right track with the musical thing, but I'll make sure to plan out some other stuff, too. And some kind of treat."

He headed out, walking right past a couple of women who were openly staring at Dark with adoration. What a lucky wife!

Tristan headed over to Dark. "Very nice. You fit in quite well at a floral shop."
 
"I think you are, too." Dark agreed with a solemn nod as the younger man left. He caught the gaze of the women, but did not linger on them long. Instead, he walked over to Tristan and asked, "Have you ever thought about stocking charms to add to the ribbons of the bouquets?"
 
"I had not. I try to keep things simple and let the flowers shine by themselves, but I suppose a few charms would not hurt," Tristan mused. "Originally, I was not even certain about the ribbons since most bouquets are unwrapped and put in a vase, but I liked how they looked. What sorts of charms are you thinking of?"
 
"I ma not sure. I immediately think of keys, for some reason." Dark replied, trying to imagine what kind of charms he would choose, and then almost immediately, what sort of charms people less like him would choose, "There are so many complaints about purchasing flowers, because eventually they die--this is not a flaw to my eyes, you understand, I appreciate how finite they are, I think it is an important lesson--but if the bouquet includes a charm, which then may be transferred to one's keys, or to a bracelet, then whoever receives the flowers always keeps a memory of them."
 
"Hmm. That is not a bad idea. Certainly better than stuffed animals and chocolates, in my opinion, though those do seem to sell well," Tristan commented. "I will have to look into that. Thank you for the idea." He indicated the two women with a slight nod of his head. "Those two requested to be served by you, but it is only a few minutes until you are scheduled to leave. You can help them, or I can tell them that you are clocked out for the day. Whichever you prefer."
 
Dark checked the time and hesitated, "I really should be going. I promised my children I would bring pizza home for them tonight. Do you think helping them would take long? As flattering as it is to be adored, my family is my priority." He took a brief glance at the two women and gave them a nod before redirecting his attention to Tristan.
 
"I think they will attempt to make it take long," Tristan said, backing up. "You go ahead and head out. I will let them know your shift has ended and you are going home to your family. Thank you for your help today. It has been a blessing."
 
"It was my pleasure," Dark replied, making sure he had his keys, wallet, and phone, "I will see you tomorrow. Good luck to you."

With a small nod, he left the store, accidentally hitting his head on another hanging basket as he left, picked up the pizzas for his family, and drove home.
 
Tristan eyed the hanging basket thoughtfully. He took his time helping the women, who left shortly after Dark did, and when he was able to eventually close the shop after another wave of hopeful onlookers, he took a minute in the sale's floor to rearrange a bit. He had a long stick with a hook that he used to hang or bring down hanging plants when he didn't have an able-legged person with a step stool to help. It was a bit awkward, but he was able to fish down all the hanging baskets. He returned a few to the ceiling where they would be out of the way, but the rest had to find a place either outside in the exterior display or on the floor tucked in corners. It didn't take him long, and soon he was able to retire home as well.

Back at home, Xander had returned home from Judo but had gone straight out to his shed after a shower. Alec sat alone in the living room with Ivy playing with her. He'd moved the coffee table against the wall and had brought out his Cyr wheel. It was all together now, with the joints barely visible, and he'd lain it on the floor with blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals laid out inside the wheel with Ivy among them.
 
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