Flowers

Posted on Thu 4th Jul, 2013 @ 4:34pm by Lieutenant JG Lys Greystone

1,306 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: http://sb109.sim-station.net/index.php/sim/missions/id/4
Location: Scent of Love, Promenade Deck 615
Timeline: MD 03, 1345

Lys had repotted plants all morning. She thought about her own hybrids and wondered if there was a florist on the base and what kind of stock they might have or could acquire. She checked the base's manifest and sure enough there was a florist. She washed her hands and her face because as usual she had rubbed her cheek with the back side of her hand, and it always left a muddy streak on it. Lys stepped out to see if she could find the florist. After a few times around the promenade she found it tucked back away from everything else. She entered and took a deep breath and smiled. It smelled green, damp and refreshing to her.

Hearing the bell over the door ring, Flavia popped up from behind a counter where she'd been organizing pots and vases, fitting the new shipment into former stock. Her peaky spiked hair was purple with blue tips today, to match the hydrangea bouquets she had put together earlier in the day. "Hello, Lieutenant," she said cheerfully. "What can I do for you today?

"Terminus!" she exclaimed, without taking a breath. "You stay out of that Opuntia Cactaceae or you'll be sorry!" The one-year-old boy blinked up at her, his hand a scant centimeter from being speared. Apparently deciding she meant business, he pulled his hand back. "Where is Herodia? She's supposed to be watching you this afternoon." She scooped him up and planted a kiss on the top of his head.

Flavia looked at the Starfleet officer and smiled. "Sorry, but what was it you were interested in finding?"

Lys looked at the boy and then at the mother. She scratched absently at her wrist and almost turned around. "I'm looking to speak with the proprietor of the establishment. About perhaps an opportunity."

"An opportunity? For what?" she asked.

Herodia entered from the rear of the shop and pulled up short when she saw her mother with a customer. She walked sedately toward them, and held out her hands for Terminus. "Sorry, Mama. He just gets away so fast."

Flavia handed the boy over and nodded, "I know, sweetie, but he almost stabbed himself on one of the plants, so try to be a little faster than he is, please."

Her daughter nodded and walked back toward the opening she'd come through, talking with her brother as she went, scolding him softly for escaping. Mrs. Smith shook her head, and turned again to the lieutenant. "I'm the proprietor," she said. "It usually isn't so exciting around here."

Lys smiled politely. "It is fine. Although I suspect they get into things they shouldn't now and again. But what I was wondering is what kind of specialty bulbs or flowers you have that could be used to create hybrids."

"If you're looking strictly for flowering plants, I have some heirloom miniature roses, and also some orchids from Earth. Follow me," Flavia said, and led the lieutenant to a back corner. "From Bajor, I have this native stock of lilacs, but also very interesting, are these katterpods. They're raised on Bajor for the edible root, but it is basically a bulb, and did you ever see anything prettier than these soft creamy orange blossoms? They remind me of lilies, but the color is so unique."

"I see, nothing else?" Lys asked as she looked at the katterpods. Her slender fingers touched the petals lightly and she picked one up to peruse it a bit closer. "I'd love a few of these." Graystone gestured to the Bajoran plant as she set it back down.

The florist hesitated a moment, looking at Greystone as if trying to decide whether she were worthy of something. Finally, she said, "In the back, I have three Antarian moon blossom plants. They all have buds, and I could only sell you one, but if you want it, it's yours."

"I'd love it! In exchange, I would love to provide you with a new one as it continues to change and stabilizes into a new unique plant," Lys replied lightly with a smile. "Although I have to warn you, sometimes it takes years for that to occur."

"You buy what you want now, and if the day comes that you have something you want to sell back to me, then I'll buy it. How does that sound?" Flavia said, but didn't wait for an answer. "So one Antarian moon blossom for sure. Any of the others? Or I can special order for you. Things usually arrive within a week or two, depending on how far they have to come. Where are you growing things? You could always check with Hieronymus Block for garden space, but I think you'd get better results talking to that Jade Lantz. She's planning all kinds of things for her Tivoli Gardens idea, and she's a woman who gets things done."

Lys laughed "Indeed, and where is the garden. I have to learn where things are on this base. I swear I spend half of my time running in circles."

"It isn't built yet," the florist said. "When things settle down from the circus, we're going to have planning meetings. If you're interested, I'm sure she'd appreciate your input. Why don't you stop by Orchids & Jazz and have a talk with her. She owns that place, and it has pretty nice music, if you like jazz. Or maybe you've already been there. I'll leave it to her to describe what Tivoli Gardens will be, but it's going to be a boon to all the Promenade businesses, I'm sure. People will come here to vacation, once it's built. Those of us who live here will enjoy it, too."

Flavia reached for a miniature rose. "This is an heirloom miniature. There hasn't been much call for full-sized rose bushes on the station, but I can order some for you, if you have particular varieties you're interested in using. Just give me a list of what you want, other than the moon blossom. I'll have it delivered to your quarters whenever you wish."

"I've been to Orchids & Jazz, it's one of my favorite places." Lys' eyes lit up. "Miniatures you say. Hmmm wonderful idea." Lys tapped her finger to her lip thoughtfully. "I could use some miniature fruit trees, citrus preferable, but a plum and apple could be good. Preferable a red plum and a variegated apple, or even yellow or green. How about all three."

"Sounds like you're going to need quite a bit of garden space. What you want is an apple compote tree," Flavia suggested. "All of it on one tree, and I'm pretty sure there's a dwarf variety, but I'll check. Takes at least two of them, though, for pollination. Red plum's no problem, but a cross pollinator is a better deal there, too. Just has to be from the same genetic stock." Flavia was making notes as she spoke.

"Now for citrus, how about a fruit cocktail tree with oranges, grapefruit and lemons? Or would you prefer limes? I can get it either way."

"Limes sound better." Lys replied "I guess that should do it unless you have another suggestion."

"Sounds like a really great start for whatever you have planned," the florist said, making final notes. "And you're going to need plenty of gardening space! I'll package the things I have now and have them delivered to your quarters. Let me have your thumbprint right here." She held out the PADD to Greystone. "I'll order the rest and update you on the arrival date. If you need any other supplies, shoot me a message with a list."

Lys nodded as she pressed her thumb to the PADD.

Lieutenant jg. Lys Greystone, CSciO

Flavia Smith,
Scent of Love, flower shop owner extraordinaire
played by Jade Lantz

Starbase Protector, Theta Fleet

 

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