interstellar5555 | A Flower a Day Keeps the Bees at Play

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A Flower a Day Keeps the Bees at Play

Who: Usagi Tsukino (Serena Lapin) and customers
What: It’s Usagi’s real first day of work after all her training… wish her luck
When: All Day
Where: The flower store Usagi works at
Warnings: Just the cheerful klutz that is Usagi?
Notes: I’m more than happy to match styles!

A: Early Morning

Luna (and Mamoru) had learned long ago, that the way to get Usagi anywhere on time was to set her alarm clock an hour ahead. While Usagi knew the trick, she never bothered commenting on it because, well, it worked! She got up early, she got to things on time, and everyone was happy that she wasn’t late. Still, even if Usagi knew the trick, considering the situation she was currently in? She completely forgot to do it. After all, she liked sleeping in as much as the next person (probably more than the next person, actually)!

Which was why, running through the streets was the blonde bunny, in a bright white and blue dress, crying in dismay: "I’M LAAAAAATE! I’M LATE I’M LAAAATE!" with a bag on her shoulder and a lunch-box in hand. The rabbit was late and had no time to say hello or goodbye to those she was living with, she was late she was late she was late!

So frantic to get to work on time, she didn’t pay attention as she turned the corner...

And promptly smacked into someone, falling backwards and straight to the ground.

"OOOOOOOW!" she cringed and whimpered only a little. She rubbed her back, she paused to catch her breath, and then quickly popped right back up as if she hadn’t just fallen. She was so used to falling, honestly that it wasn’t something she couldn't handle. She didn’t have time to be upset, though, because not only was she late, and more importantly, she possibly just hurt someone!

"I’m so so so so so sorry! Are you okay? Are you hurt?" she had to go but she didn’t want to abandon the person she just ran into. She bowed deeply. "Really, I’m so sorry!"

B: Throughout the Day

Usagi let out a sigh of relief as she had made it on time. The flower shop owner, Ophelia, merely chuckled to herself and commented about how nice it was to have such an energetic girl around the shop.

The older woman was actually incredibly kind to hire her on. Usagi explained that she had just moved in with all of her cousins after an accident involving their parents. Serena Lapin was doing everything she could to support her family, five girls and one boy! Ophelia was an older woman, bent over and needing a cane to walk, and her son and his best friend worked for her as it got harder for her to work by herself, but at seeing "Serena’s" eagerness and willingness to work, her friendly and open nature, well Ophelia commented that it would be nice to have another girl around, hiring the very day Usagi applied.

And, on top of Usagi’s paycheck, she got to take home flowers that were too old to sale or were damaged in such a way that they couldn’t be given to their customers. She had already taken a few damaged roses, plucked off the ruined petals and leaves and stuck them in her hair. But Usagi was also thinking that flower bouquets would be a great way to keep the house smelling lovely and feeling warm.

Usagi, or rather Serena Lapin was ready to work! With her pastel pink apron and the name badge with a little thistle at the end of it, she could face anything. She looked up when she heard the door chime and greeted the guest with a bright smile.

"Welcome to Thistle Do Nicely: A Flower for Every Occasion! My name is Serena, how can I help you today?"

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The shop had a pleasant smell to it, the kind of place that you went into and just felt at home. Rei'd seen it while driving a few times, and today was the day she finally made the time to stop. Pulling into the lot in her little red coup and hopping out, she walked in and wasted no time in looking around. Some part of her hoped that the staff would just let her browse in peace, since she'd entered with another customer ahead of her and immediately skipped to one side.

She wasn't exactly wearing much of a disguise today, just sunglasses with her hair tied back in a long ponytail and a ballcap for Fukuoka Seahawks on over it but she could never be too careful. Ever. Couple the wariness of fans with her own general anxiety over being engaged by strangers and you had a veritable minefield of issues with overly excited salespersons. Like the one working at the side counter that she'd accidentally walked within line of sight of.

She jumps at the girl's happy chirp of greeting, stiffening and trying to smile pleasantly.

"Um...well...I'm just looking right now...but where are your roses?"

That wasn't awkward. Was it...?

It was a good thing she wasn't holding anything, because she would have dropped it. Her breath hitched and to see Rei and not sense... to not feel anything from that long connection?

She nearly wanted to cry. She wanted to clutch at her heart and sob out because Rei was here, and Rei was looking at her as if she was a stranger.

Because she was.

She thought she could do this. She thought she could handle this, but she didn't think she would be seeing Rei so quickly.

Don't cry. Don't cry. Don't run over and hug her tight and tell her everything would be okay because they were here now. She gripped onto the counter as she tight as she could, her face pale and her eyes burning. Don't cry.

Her lips pressed together and she felt like she might break the counter but her feet wanted to hurry over to Rei. She just wanted to hug her and she couldn't. She wanted to reach out and protect her, tell her that this was wrong! This was not what she was supposed to be like!

She swallowed and let out a shaky breath, feeling sick to her stomach that she couldn't just reveal herself right then and there. She could do this, for Rei. She could do anything for her senshi.

"I-I would be happy to show you, miss!" she offered sincerely but she found it hard to let go of the counter because she was sure her legs would urge her to Rei and just wrap the girl up in a hug. She finally let go and slowly, with a breath on each step, she made her way over to the roses.

"H-Here are our roses. We're having a s-sale on roses, actually!" please don't cry, don't cry, don't beg for her to remember. She would do that back at the house.

"Are roses your f-favorite?" please say no, white casablancas, those are your favorite, those have always been your favorite. Her hands were shaking so she clasped them tight behind her back to hide them.

Edited 2016-01-30 05:03 (UTC)

Rei blinks owlishly at the strange girl, a little uncertain and nearly ready to bolt. Those eyes, staring at her like lanterns...piercing her, eyes that knew her somehow. Had she been recognized that quickly? Dammit! she swears mentally, fingers reaching up to her breast to cover the distinctive casablanca lily pin on her right breast. She wore it everywhere, as Ivan and the others wore their own flowers...but she was starting to wonder now if that was poor judgement. Something was decidedly wrong with this situation, with how this girl was visibly shaken by something.

But unless attention was called to it, she knew better than to let on. She could do this. She could talk to a stranger who recognized her. Absolutely she could. So, she followed, steps hesitant. She still wanted to run, to get out of here, before the shouts went up. Before someone else recognized her. This was just flowers, just something to send to Yosuke. Nothing worth worrying about. It wasn't important, but...now that she was here, she was committed.

"N-no, they're not my favorite. They're not for me," Rei answers the question with a slight tremor in her voice. "Do you guys do deliveries?"

She bit back concern when she saw Rei draw in on herself, and it hurt. It hurt to see the bold and confident Rei be so... so shy and scared.

It was just wrong! It was wrong and everything about it should just be different! She turned to look at the flowers, her hands moving in front of her so Rei couldn't see her clench her eyes shut or her hands shaking or the way she just wanted to scream and yell and cry all at the same time.

She just wanted Rei to remember. Please, please remember, Rei. Please just go "Ha ha, silly Usagi," like it was some joke and even if it wasn't something she'd do just do it anyways. Berate her for being so emotional and silly and getting upset in public while people could watch. She pressed her hands to her mouth to keep in the sob that so deeply wanted to break through.

She had to do this, she simply had to. There were too many lives at stake! Too many people involved for her to hug onto Rei right now and just beg and plead for her to remember.

"Ah I-I see. Yes, we d-deliver. We just need an a-address and name and what sort of flowers. We'll pick out the f-flowers and then y-you..." she closed her eyes and made a small noise to stop from crying.

For Rei she would be strong. For everyone involved she would hold it together. She took a deep breath and let it out in a shudder.

"Then you can just fill out the forms after it's paid for and we'll take care o-of the rest!" she swallowed again and opened her eyes. She straightened her shoulders and kept looking at the flowers to make sure Rei didn't see how upset she was.

"These are all our r-rose bouquets, I'll be right back!" she had to get herself together or she was going to break down right there. "Will you be alright by yourself for a little bit?"

To say nothing of how unwelcome that gesture would be. That was one of the more insidious aspects of what'd been done. Yes, she had her confidence, her inner strength, but it was directed solely elsewhere, towards other people and buried behind the wall of anxiety. A hug from a stranger would probably send her into a panic attack, if not outright get her to call the police.

The girl's behavior stood out, somehow. It seemed familiar, but from where? She'd never seen this girl before in her life, but she looked like she was about to cry. That...it made her feel a little queasy. She had to get out of there, she couldn't...she couldn't deal with this. Not right now.

Stepping back, she looked intently at the flowers, making sure that she kept a little distance between the blonde girl and herself. She couldn't...she just...she didn't want to deal.

And then there's that welcome reprieve. Whatever's bothering this girl is getting bad enough that she clearly needs a moment. So, please take it.

"I...yes. I'll be fine."

It takes all of her willpower not to bolt, but rationally she knows that the girl's probably just going to get a camera, or those forms, or maybe both. That's fine. That's really fine. she's one of those not creepy fans, just the emotional kind, Rei supposes. And even if she did want to bolt, she'd have to go around Serena to get out, and that might cause more trouble than it solved...

"Take your time."

Usagi bowed in thanks before hurrying into the back room where employees could have lunch or just take their breaks. Through the backroom were three separate doors. A restroom, Ophelia's office, and the store's green house with all their extra plants and flowers. She made her way into bathroom and promptly closed the door. She pressed her back to the door and slid down to the floor, the sob that had been caught in her throat finally came out.

She pressed her hands to her chest and clutched her heart as she felt nothing. She couldn't feel Rei at all! She had thought maybe it was just the distance but no.

No, Rei had stood right beside her and she felt absolutely nothing. What did they do to her! Rei didn't recognize her, Rei didn't sense anything either. There was no sensing of them destined to know one another...

She would even take an ofuda to the face with Deimos and Phodos attacking her again if it just meant Rei would say "Usagi-chan."

She sobbed into her knees and kept clutching at her heart.

How could they? How could they! She leaned her head against the door as she just let the tears fall.

But no.

She could only do this for a few minutes, because she couldn't let this... she couldn't let herself break down like this! She tried to think of how mad Rei would be if she had broken down like this on a mission. She already knew that Haruka would be. She hugged her arms around her chest and tried to take as many calming breaths as she could. She could feel the ginzuishou pulse with her distress but she couldn't not so early in the mission. One more calming breath and she pushed herself up. Usagi made her way over to the sink and washed her hands and face.

With an idle finger she ran some water under her eyes, making sure they weren't swollen. A tiny bit red but... She removed all the wrinkles from her dress and apron and took another shaky breath.

"You can do this," she whispered.

She swallowed, took another breath and made her way out, grabbing the delivery forms as she went out. As she made her way back out, she peeked about, trying to see if Rei was even still here.

"Miss?" oh no! What if she left!

There wasn't much Rei could do except wait. She did honestly, earnestly want to buy these flowers. They were for Yosuke, a way to brighten up their week and offer a little token of affection he could hold onto for a little while but this girl? This girl was unsettling.

Her eyes roamed the store, her feet pacing back and forth anxiously as she thought and thought. What was going on? Why was this person acting like this? It wasn't like she'd done anything. This person wasn't from some meet and greet, she remembered most people, and a pretty blonde like that would have stood out. It wasn't someone from school either, not with a name like that.

Who could that be?

While she's standing there, wracking her brain, she's idly drumming out a little tune, an unhappy one she'd heard...somewhere. The Rain Tree she thinks to herself, It's not a happy song, but something about her makes me think about that tune. She couldn't say why, since it was a song about love, and there was no way she'd ever been in any way connected to this girl in a romantic sense.

Maybe a friend of Ivan's? It hurt too much to think on, though, so she waited and busied herself thinking of what message she'd send her boyfriend, and how best to get around thinking about this girl. Maybe she would just call him tonight, meet up tomorrow night, do something to forget all this. That was probably best.

When Serena returns, Rei looks up and offers a stoic smile.

"I'm still here. Do you...have that form? I'd like to send my boyfriend some flowers."

Usagi had to stop herself from squeeing with joy at the idea of Rei having a boyfriend. She was glad Rei found someone she was interested in, and yet... yet Rei had never shown any interest in any man before. Was she actually interested in him or was this also something because of the kidnappers? She hoped not, to use love in such a way was unforgivable!

But you would never know Usagi had had a meltdown in the bathroom. She was smiling, though not as brightly as she normally would, and she held out the forms.

"Have you found the bouquet you want, miss?" she asked as she indicated to the flowers. "If so I can take care of you at the register. We also have a 'Create your own' bouquet starting at a very reasonable price if you don't like the ones we made already."

Rei looked up, accepting the forms but couldn't bring herself to meet the stranger's eyes. Whatever was bothering her, it was obvious that she'd upset the girl and she mentally resolved to do her best to figure out what it was and fix that.

"I'd like to have someone arrange the bouquet for me. If that's alright. I'd like a rose of each color sent and the finances aren't any trouble. You're the experts, ikebana isn't something I know anything about."

Starting to fill out the forms, Rei provided an address, a few other details, and a personalized note that definitely included a heart or two.

"Is that too much? Is there a word limit, miss?"

Usagi looked over the message and inwardly, she just felt awful, because this wasn't how Rei would write or talk. Minako certainly, Usagi herself definitely... Rei...

Or maybe she was just that in love? Usagi wanted to hope for the best, she wanted to pray that this was all of Rei's own desire and volition.

"Ah it's about a 150 character limit, unless you want a card to go with it and then you can write it as lengthy as you want! We do have those as well. And don't worry, the rainbow bouquet is pretty popular too! We can make it up in no time. For an additional small fee, we can even add the rainbow rose itself to the bouquet."

Usagi was doing everything she could to focus on the task at hand, not looking Rei in the eyes either. It was easier to pretend this wasn't her Rei, if only to get through this without any further suspicion. She pulled out a binder and showed Rei the rainbow rose in question.

"We make it on order only, but it's a Thistle specialty! Did you want to pay extra for the rainbow rose?"

Rei really, truly had gone through a lot of foibles and troubles because of this relationship. She cared about her Yosuke, and they'd tried to make the best out of being together in the midst of a rivalry. Ultimately, it's not likely something that would've happened in her right mind, but that was because Rei likely wouldn't have given him a chance.

"You know what?"

Rei looked down at the photograph and reaches into her pocket, pulling out a black credit card and passing it over to the shorter girl. She did want that, she thought, and it seemed to please her, so...why not.

"I'll take that. And the card too. Just give me that so I can write it out personally, if you don't mind. I'd...rather not someone I don't know be sending notes to him. You understand, right?"

Idle chatter, but it was easier than focusing on how strange this encounter was. She could do this...

"Okay miss!" Usagi clapped her hands, smiling and glad to see Rei so excited, even if she was usually so frugal, but then, she supposed there was no shrine to save up for here.

"Our cards are right here to my left, may I see some ID please?" she asked although she knew Rei like she knew her own heartbeat.

"And I completely understand, I always want to write my own letters too. Personal touches are what makes it special, you know? It takes a full two days to make the rose so we won't be able to send it until a bit later in the week. Will that be acceptable?"

Just... keep breathing. Pretend this isn't your Rei. She looks like Rei, sounds like Rei, smells like Rei, but she isn't. It's easier to pretend lest she break down again.

"Right, of course. On both counts."

Rei pulled out a laminated driver's license, figuring that yes, she was about to get squee'd at. She hated showing it, but she didn't exactly have a fake ID. And the credit card had her name on it as well. And with that done she picked up a card with a dog on it and started to write out a fairly lengthy note, just a simple but loving message.

Once it's done, she slid the card over to Usagi after closing it. After the card had been rung up, she just...she had to ask. She was committed now, to interaction. It wasn't like it would be polite to just leave it sit. IF she'd done something to this girl then she should apologize.

"And...miss, forgive me for this, but did I...you look like you recognize me, and I...um. Where from? Did you come to one of our concerts?

Usagi didn't gush, mostly because Usagi already knew. She saw the ID, nodded and rang everything up, having the list of how to do it in front of her as her own little cheat sheet that one of the boy's wrote. She took the card and added it to the slip Rei had filled out before stapling receipt and the pink copy of the order together and handing it to Rei. She was filling in the section she needed to as an employee and her hand stopped in mid-word at Rei's question.

She swallowed and hadn't thought up this story yet, mostly because she hadn't thought she'd even meet Rei yet. She couldn't lie, her prior reaction had made it pretty obvious that she was upset despite her best efforts. She paled, trying to figure out what to say.

Well, she couldn't lie, Rei would sense a lie. Or, well, the old Rei could, she didn't know if this Rei could.

"Uh no, I've never been to a single concert of yours," which was 100% completely true. She nervously rubbed her engagement ring. "I'm really really sorry about earlier, I'm just nervous," also 100% true, for multiple reasons. "It- I'm just really I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable in any way, that wasn't anything I wanted to do at all!" also 100% true.

Edited 2016-01-31 09:06 (UTC)

Rei hadn't yet regained the fullest extent of her power. She had regained some, but not that. Her psychic powers were weakened, and the observations had just come from simply that. She finally bring herself to look at the girl now. Serena. Brushing her hair back with a nervous smile, she took back the card and receipt, answering a little more steadily.

"It's...alright. I guess you're a fan of Flowers over Bones? We're grateful to all of you...though the reality is that I'm not very good at talking to people off stage." All her passion went into the music, and she didn't feel too bad admitting it. She was known by some as being skittish in public, and it was kind of obvious after this exchange.

"Would you like me to sign something? An autograph, or...actually. I can give you one of our albums, if you let me go to my car."

The out was there and Usagi almost didn't want to take it, she didn't want to add to whatever those kidnappers were doing to Rei and the others.

However, just like with the Infinity college, she would play along with this too. Hopefully she could just do it better than before. She nodded, not sure she'd be able to convincingly lie since she didn't know a thing about the band. Minako was still looking into that information. When it came to idols, no one knew how to get better information on them than her.

"Ah! Are you sure? That would be so nice! If that's alright I'd love an album!" which was true! She could get the album and let everyone listen to it. Maybe then they would have an idea of what to do. Haruka played music and Minako sang, if anyone understood the process (besides the senshi who would the absolute best at it being home), they would.

"Really this is great!"

"Just a moment then. I'll be right back."

And Rei left, turning quickly on her heels and walking out. She did think about just leaving, going and not coming back...because whatever this was was bothering her. But something about that girl, those big blue eyes...she didn't want to disappoint a fan. Not over something so simple. So a few minutes later she comes back with a CD case in her hand and offers it in both hands, with a bow, to Serena.

"I hope you enjoy it. This is one of our first albums, and it's been signed by everyone."

If she opens it up, it's a copy of their debut album, Flowers over Bones. The music is a collection of tasteful classical pop music with credits and signatures: Doctor and Luce on Cello, Ivan Karelin on Shamisen, Rei Hino on Violin, and Pao-Lin Huang on percussion.

For once, Usagi was actually really unsure on what Rei would do now that everything was different about her on such a fundamental core. So when she came back, she brightened up considerably and clapped her hands together. When she was handed the CD, she hugged it to her chest and smiled brightly.

Even so different, Rei still has such a warmth, truly like fire. They couldn't change that, no matter how much they tried. She would save her, she would bring her Rei back and then together with the girls and everyone else, they could save everyone.

"This is really so nice, thank you so much," she said with absolute sincerity. "This means a lot to me."

Rei bows again, smiling gently, some of the discomfort vanishing with that. The sincerity there, and how this girl seemed to calm down struck a chord in her. She hadn't been sure of what to think of this encounter at first, but Serena's honesty was nice, and the fact that she wasn't just making a fuss about meeting her was even nicer.

"It's nothing. I...appreciate you not, y'know...screaming and making a lot of noise. I'm not very good with the public. Just having a normal conversation is nice."

Reaching up to her breast, she unclips the casablanca pin from her shirt and offers that over as well.

"Take this too. If...you're a fan, you should have one. Ivan made it for me, to give to someone who was nice to me."

The White Casablanca.

It was still her favorite.

"Ah-" she took the pin and held it close for a moment. She looked at it and then suddenly bounced, smiling.

"One second!" she hurried over to the lilies before plucking out the casablanca lily and coming over to Rei, smiling as she held it out to her.

"Here, just for you, on the house. And it's alright," she paused, wanting to say Rei's name but instead, "Miss Hino, you should be able to go places without getting worried about fans," which Seiya had lamented about often enough that Usagi figured it applied to Rei as well. "Thank you so much for the pin, and I hope you have a wonderful day yourself."

She was holding the CD and the pin close to her chest, not wanting to let them go because they were from Rei, because they were important to Rei and things Rei made. She hoped she really liked making the music, she sounded like she did, even if the circumstance of it was so horribly wrong.

"Please feel free to come again anytime!"

Edited 2016-02-01 01:19 (UTC)

The music, the pin, they were both very, very important to Rei. Now maybe, more than they would have been. But she was always a passionate person. She was always, always good at what she did, and she never did anything by a half measure. If that meant turning to music, then she was going to be an amazing violinist.

"I may do just that," Rei said with a bow, holding the lily she'd been given in her hand. "Please, have a nice day, and enjoy the music. And...if you have the chance, come to the charity event. My...ah...band mother...Luce? Organized it. I think you can get tickets online still."

And with that said, she does turn and leaves the shop quietly. Once she's outside though, her resolve crumbles, falling away like so much broken glass. She bolts for her car, not running but walking briskly...and swallowing heavily. Tears start to fall as soon as she opens the door and gets inside, turning the little coup on and letting it idle a moment.

Who was that girl? what was really going on? What was that damn Rain Tree song, and why had she looked like she'd seen a ghost? Am I going crazy?

Flipping out her cell, she hesitated for a half second, fingers hovering over the speed dial for Yosuke...and then Luce...Doctor...and Ivan. But no. Not yet. She had to get back. She'd call when she was home. So, home she went, tearing out of the parking lot with a squeal of tires and completely uncertain of whether or not she'd be back.

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A Flower a Day Keeps the Bees at Play

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