Team Chaggie

Flower Shop (Human AU)

Vaggie was walking down the sidewalk, the sun shining against her long, dark brown hair and sun-shone skin. Her eye, the color being the same as her hair and the other eye concealed by bangs, was darting this way and that.

The Salvadoran woman was looking for something in particular. Also, by the looks of it, she was making it her mission to find it. And pissed off as fuck that she doesn't seem to be succeeding.

How the fuck is there no flower shops in this part of town!? Now I have to go even further away from my apartment! Why do I even have to go this far for her to begin with!?

Considering just what the occasion is for the flowers, Vaggie’s not really excited about going all that way. In fact, she’s practically stomping her feet on the ground like mini earthquakes, only being somewhat mindful of keeping control of her outward demeanor and her face.

The Salvadoran woman had almost made it to the subway station when she happened to notice a ground bush of flowers in between the building and sidewalk. She stared at them for several moments, discretely looked around herself for anyone watching, and then extended a hand. Although she paused, feeling hesitation about doing this. Even if she didn't want to go so far for.... that woman, this was still something to get in trouble for.

Of course, right when a flower was about to be plucked, “Um… Excuse me but-“

Vaggie jumped, scared of what this person’s gonna do. Sure, she’s not immediately being yelled at and accused of stealing but tonight could still end with her getting in trouble with the police. After all, not all racists make their beliefs obvious, at least not from the get-go.

The apprehension must have been detectable because this wide-eyed lady went, “Oh, sorry! I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to frighten you-“

“No, no, it’s okay!” The Salvadoran woman collected herself after she cried out in her panic. “I mean, if there hasn’t been anything wrong, then of course, there’s nothing wrong. No need to worry.”

Who am I kidding? I'm not looking natural at all… And that was the last coherent thought Vaggie has had before she turned around and got a good look at who was speaking to her.

Long hair of golden strands, tied back in a loose ponytail of sorts, soft facial features, and bright eyes that seemed a little reddish at the right angles or lighting.

Then there was a pleasant-sounding voice when she spoke. “Hi, I’m Charlie. And what I wanted to say before was… if you really wanted some flowers, then you can come with me to my shop. It’s a flower shop. In fact, I’m on my way over there now. I’m done with my lunch break.”

It took some seconds before Vaggie’s brain was able to get back on track.

“Your shop? Que?”

“Yeah! The Morningstar Glory! Maybe you wanna come along with me? To there? I know it’s not exactly anything spectacular. You see, I’m just starting out, but you can still check it out if you want.”

The Salvadoran woman didn’t hesitate in accepting that. She just saw something in this woman that made her want to be close. Not that she was going to let her guard down but she still had the desire to be close.

Along the way, Charlie and Vaggie were walking on the way over, since the former’s store was actually within walking distance from where they were. The latter was prompted to ask about it.

The chipper blonde answered, “Actually, my grand opening was only yesterday so news of it hasn’t spread very far yet. I only had enough money for a single commercial, when it came to the advertisements.”

“Really? What about ads in the papers or some flyers? Wouldn’t either one of those be a little bit more longer-lasting than a commercial? At least, not everyone has a TV.”

“It wasn’t until after I already spent the money that I thought of that. I- I kind of struggle in budgeting.”

If that wasn’t a prime chance to get closer, the Salvadoran woman doesn’t know what is. “You know, I can help you out with that, the budgeting. I already had to do it when I came to live on my own so I got the basics down.”

“Oh, no, I couldn’t trouble you for that. Not when you’re a customer!”

“Really, it’s fine. It’s the least I can do since I might not have enough money on me for a proper bouquet.”

“Maybe you got enough money on a credit card? I’m sure credit cards will work out just fine. I think. We’ll be able to work something out, I’m sure of it! Sorry, I'm new to the whole thing of buying things with a credit card on the cash register's end.”

“…I really think you should accept my help for this and not just because I wanna do a trade for the flowers.”

It was a while of this before, finally, the pair of women made it to the store. Vaggie took a moment to look at the outside and found herself liking it.

The front was of a simple design. More specifically, the sign was a vivid red with shimmering golden cursive font saying the store’s name. The front door had small apple trees on both sides, under glass domes, those domes likely to prevent apple theft. Of course, the windows displayed an impressive array of flowers.

The inside was pretty nice, too. The variety of flowers was even larger inside, of course, what with all the Calla Lilies, Dahlias, daisies, dianthus, hyacinth, hydrangeas, irises, jasmines, all the different kinds of orchids, peonies, poppies, sunflowers, roses, tulips, and zinnias. Of course, let’s not forget the morning glories.

Charlie walked over to the counter, grabbing along the way a white, red-trimmed apron with the shop's name, the garment bound to be the shop’s uniform. “This isn’t much, I know. But I like to think of this as a humble start. You know, just starting small before making it big, just like how everyone else would.”

The Salvadoran woman continued to look around. If it wasn't for the fact that the Morningstar Glory was rather tucked away from the main streets, a hole in the wall if you will, then she wouldn't have believed all this flora was a humble start.

Then she couldn’t help but inquire about something deemed important to ask about. “So… I wasn’t so sure how to ask but… did you just started being on your own? Taking care of things by yourself?”

The bright-eyed blonde had chuckled nervously before, “Yeah… my parents are kinda high-ranking people but I wanted to try being independent.” Then after a brief pause, “But then I needed your help. That means I’m still not as independent as I hoped.”

“Hey, there’s no need to feel bad about it,” Vaggie assured as she walked up to the counter. “You said that you’re just starting out, right? Well, it’s uncommon for people to really have smooth sailing when they’re just starting out. Even people who are completely prepared can be thrown out of whack because of, well, life. Or at least they’d have a problem or two some-where.”

“I’m guessing that’s how it was for you?”

“Yep. But how about, for now, we just get our minds off crap like that. In fact, you think you can recommend me a bouquet?”

“I would be happy to! So what’s the occasion for it and who are the flowers for?”

The Salvadoran woman put in some effort to not cringe hard. She chided and kicked herself viciously for a second that she’s reminded of life when she insisted on not fixating on the troubles of life.

Vaggie struggled for a bit, if only because she’s trying to word the answer. “It’s… it’s for my mother. It's a- I guess an anniversary. Kind of hard to say.”

Charlie stared back with a kind of gaze, that kind that indicated she had an inkling that she was entering super personal shit. The bright-eyed blonde had stared quite a bit, like she was debating on something. Naturally, the silence was so damn uncomfortable. Perhaps even close to suffocating, if only because this isn't the first time something like this had occurred.

Finally, “Well… I think the purple hyacinth are good. I can decorate them with some Baby’s Breath and maybe throw in some stargazer lilies. I’ll have to see how it looks. And I can finish it off with a big, blue bow.”

It had shocked the Salvadoran woman greatly, that the bright-eyed blonde wasn’t pressing at it. Really, it’s always significant when someone does that. Particularly when so many others get more curious than considerate or even with common sense.

And that ensured that Vaggie would want to be with Charlie long after this purchase of flowers.