Interesting Customer
“Have a nice day, and enjoy your flowers!” the florist exclaimed. She then turned to her manager and said, “Yeesh, I feel bad for whoever he’s givin’ that flowerpot to. Like, purple cyclamens, seriously?”
“Come on Bae, maybe it’s not like that. The person they’re giving it to could just be making a big life change,” responded Fauna. The woman was a kirin, which you could tell by the two small horns pointing out from the her green-haired head, although they look like antlers to most. She’s also the owner and manager of the flower shop called Mother Nature’s Greenery.
“I don’t know Fauna, his face looked like it was full of pity to me,” replied the woman named Bae. Bae was noticeably shorter than Fauna, maybe it was due to her being a rat. The red-haired girl was also Fauna’s florist and friend. She was offered to work at the flower shop after getting fired from her other job for accidentally slamming her boss’ face with a door. It’s not her fault, he shouldn’t have been there anyways!
“This is why I usually keep you behind the counter Bae. You always associate flowers with their negative connotations,” said Fauna.
“Well sooooorry, but almost every person who walks in here buying flowers always have a gloomy feel about them,” responded Bae.
“Are you sure it’s the customers being gloomy and not you?” asked Fauna.
“Pshhh, as if. Nobody really asks for help anyways, they just pick up whateva looks pretty and buy it,” Bae quipped. “Besides, it’s not like that many people bother to do research about flower symbolism anyways.”
“Hmmmm, well maybe they just need other people to teach them! You can do that right now by helping that customer over there, I think she needs some anyways,” Fauna said as she pointed over at a confused looking girl who seemed to be anxiously fiddling around with her phone.
“Me? Why can’t you do it, you run the place,” questioned Bae.
“It’s BECAUSE I run this place that I have more important matters to attend to, which means I can’t help customers all the time. Now shoo,” quipped Fauna.
“Alright alright, I’ll help her. Jeez,” Bae says. She then makes her way over to the confused girl to offer her assistance. “Hello! Is there anything I can do for ya?”
“Hm? Oh! Are you one of the florists here?” asked the woman.
“PFFT- HAHAHAHAHA,” Bae just laughed at the stranger.
“Hey! What’s so funny?!” the woman asked, seeming more confused than she already was.
“Ohhhh man. It’s nothing, just, I don’t think I’d be wearing an apron and gloves if I WASN’T one of the florists,” Bae answered. “Anyways, yes, I’m one of the florists here. The name’s Bae, and you look like you need help finding something.”
“Well miss BAE, you’d be right. My dad sent me out to pick up some flowers for my mom, but all he told me was that they had to be pretty and represent, charm? I don’t know anything about flowers, or what that means,” said the woman.
“Somethin’ with charm huh? I think our pink godetia bouquet would be a good choice. They’re said to represent enthusiasm and charm, so they’re a good flower to give to a loved one,” Bae gestured over and pointed at one of the bouquets.
“Oooooo, I think my mom would really like these! I’ll take one bouquet of pink godetias then please,” agreed the woman. She proceeded to delicately pick up the bouquet she thought looked the best, and followed Bae to the counter.
“Let’s seeee, that’ll bring you to $35. Cash or card?” Bae asked.
“I’ll be paying with card if that’s okay,” the woman said.
“Alright, just put your card in there, enter your information, and wait for the beep!” says Bae, patiently waiting for the transaction to finish. *beep beep beep* “Oh, this one fell out, let me put it back into the bouquet for ya.” She then picks up a stray godetia and gently placed it back into the bouquet.
“I didn’t even notice, thanks!” replied the woman. “I’m sure my mom will love these.”
“Well of course! They came from the best flower shop in town after all,” Bae said proudly. “Anyways, I hope your mum enjoys the flowers.”
The woman chuckled at Bae’s bold declaration. “Yeah, thanks for the recommendation, I’m not sure what I would’ve gotten instead,” the woman says, gently caressing the bouquet.
“Ah, I just noticed, but the flowers kinda match your hair, and one of your eyes as well. They’re very pretty,” says Bae with a smile. “Be sure to have a safe trip home, and have a nice day!”
“O-Oh! Um, thanks,” the woman stuttered, face turning a slight shade of red. “I’ll be on my way now, thanks again!” She turned around to make her way out of the shop, but before she left, she said, “You know, you’re pretty funny, maybe I’ll stop by here more often,” and then she was gone.
“Uuuuuu, what was that about Bae~,” Fauna asked the rat, who was obviously a little taken aback by the returned compliment.
Bae cleared her throat before she spoke. “Just some friendly conversation between an employee and customer. Nothin’ more, and nothin’ less. Although, she was pretty interesting, nobody ever really sasses me back like that, it’s refreshing.”
“She looked really captivating, with her horns and heterochromatic eyes,” says Fauna. “I hope she keeps her word when she said she’ll stop by more often. Business needs to keep steady after all.”
“Yeah yeah, I know. I wouldn’t mind if she came around more often either. The customers who usually come in here are too gloomy for me, and she was really… bright, if that makes sense,” Bae said.
“Uuuu, it sounds like she’s brought some light into your life,” Fauna teased.
“As if! We’ve only just met. Besides, I still don’t know her name anyways,” snapped back Bae. “If you think I’m interested in her then you’re being delusional.”
“Ohhh? I never said anything about being interested in her,” responded Fauna.
“It was implied by your teasing tone, that’s for sure. Now enough chitchat, I’m ready for this Thursday to be over already,” says Bae, resting her chin in her hand on the counter.
“Yes yes, let’s make today a productive one as well,” replied Fauna, patting Bae’s head.
“Yo! Hands off ma head!!” Bae says, smacking away Fauna’s hand with her free arm. “I don’t like when people mess up ma hair. Man, you really are like a mum sometimes.”
“You’re just so cute! I couldn’t help myself~,” responded Fauna. “Anyways, let’s keep on working. There seem to be more customers who need help around the shop.”
“Yeah yeah, I hear you. I’m goin’,” Bae said, getting up from the counter and bouncing between the customers who need help.
*****
“Daddyyyy! I’m here with the flowers you wanted me to get,” said a woman.
“IRyS! Come in come in. Sorry for making you get the flowers,” said the man called PapaRyS.
“Oh wow, these are really cute.” He takes the flowers and sets them down on the table. “Your mother is currently out right now, but I’m sure she’ll love them. Did anything good happen while you were out?”
“Mmmmmm, oh! One of the florists at the flower shop was really interesting. She was kind of snippy, but also really cute,” IRyS replied. “I wanna visit that shop again.”
“Is that so? It sounds like my daughter has herself a little cruuush,” teased PapaRyS.
“Maybeeee,” IRyS chuckled in response. “Anyways, I should get home myself before it gets too dark. Tell mom I love her for me!” she said as she was getting ready to leave.
“Of course, and be sure to visit more often. It’s nice seeing at least one of our daughters every once in a while,” PapaRyS said.
“I’ll try, work is keeping me busy you know,” IRyS said. “I love it, but it’s really time consuming.”
“I understand. Jeez, you and your long streams,” PapaRyS chuckled. “I’m really proud of you for finding something you love to do though.”
“Thanks dad, it means a lot. Now, I really should get home,” says IRyS. She hugs her dad and says, “I’ll try and visit again soon!”
“We’ll be looking forward to it then. Have a safe trip back home,” PapaRyS said as he hugged back. “Now get going.”
“Bye daddy! I love you,” IRyS responded with as she was leaving out the door.
As IRyS was walking back home, she thought to herself, Maybe I’ll visit that flower shop again tomorrow. I wanna see that girl again.