princessences | [IC] Inbox @ deerington

Well, I definitely need a minute to thaw back out, but I'm okay, otherwise.

[ His smile widens, and he chuckles when he notices the mice peeking out at him. Approaching the counter, he extends his hands to them with a friendly 'hey, little guys.' ]

I actually came in to ask you... what flower you like the most.

[ He tries not to look flustered with mild success, glancing around at the various displays. There are certainly a myriad of choices in the shop, and he knows that roses are traditional in a certain context, but she's a princess from another planet so maybe the old traditions don't apply. ]

I'm doing a survey for the... National Center of Floral Opinions. [ Wow, lame joke. Bring it around, Holt! ] There might be follow-up questions.

[ Three of the four mice wave "hello" in return. Plachu judges silently, as he is wont to do.

Allura can definitely relate to that. Allura turns to the left corner of the room where a small water cooler and a kettle on a hot plate is sitting. ]

We have some tea, if you'd like. It is much too cold outside right now.

[ This will be her second winter in Deerington, and while she's more prepared, she doesn't necessarily have to like it.

Allura is admittedly surprised at his supposed reason for the drop by. She raises her brows and the mice all exchange looks with one another. ]

"National Center of Floral Opinions".

[ She glances down at the mice before setting her receipts back into their boxes--sorted, of course, not wanting to undo her work. ]

Is that so? I wasn't aware of such an organization. Very strange, considering I've been working at this shop for over a deca-phoeb. Their data would be ver useful.

[ Yeah, she doesn't believe that for a second, but she is curious if amused at what his angle is. Allura comes around the counter. ]

Would you like to see the nursery? We have a wide selection and there are quite a few I'm fond of.

[ Matt will win you over one day, Plachu. Just wait. ]

Tea sounds amazing, actually. Did you know that all tea is actually made from the camellia sinensis plant? The type of tea depends on when the leaves are harvested and how they're dried and processed, and of course other things can be added for flavor. Herbal teas are technically "tisanes" and not tea at all.

[ He receives the tea with a grateful smile, rolling the cup between his palms to warm them. The look she exchanges with the mice makes him chuckle, and he eases up. ]

It's a very recently-established research group, circa... twenty tiks ago, give or take a few. I'm the founding member, see. We're still working on the language for the charter, filling out all the appropriate tax documents. That kind of thing.

[ Her offer to take him into the nursery perks him up, his eyes alight with interest. He's curious about everything, always ready to learn. ]

I'd love that, actually! What kind of setup do you have?

...Is it?

[ Allura frowns, looking at the box of a "selection of herbal teas" that she picked up from the local grocery store. She's found that she enjoys most of the available teas, especially those of the floral variety, but... ]

So this isn't really Jasmine?

[ Not that she knew what Jasmine was prior to Deerington, but it does smell nice.

The mice all hop off of the counter and onto her shoulders as she starts to lead Matt to the glass doors off to the side. ]

Ah, of course. I'm familiar with the pitfalls and slowness of bureaucracy.

[ Plachu is unconvinced. He's watching you, buddy.

The doors to the nursery are unlocked, but the waft of warm air that flows out when she opens them are a welcome reprieve. Allura breathes in the scent before holding one open for Matt to follow her inside. It's a densely packed area, with plants situated close to their neighbors on various tables and shelves, or hanging from the ceiling. Wrought iron seems to be the go-to, a little archaic for her tastes, but it's aesthetically pleasing. The concrete floor itself is a little damp from a recent watering. ]

I'm not sure what's standard for Earth, but I imagine this must be it. We try to keep a majority of our plants in the nursery here, though the hardier kind will be out in the store front year-round--or others out on the sidewalk when weather or..circumstances permit.

[ Like. Not guts everywhere. ]

We're fortunate to have very attentive and knowledgable staff. I'm still learning the proper care for half of our stock.

Oh, no, jasmine is still tea! It's just the base is green tea with jasmine added in for flavor and aroma. [ He inhales a whiff of the fragrant steam and breathes it out slowly. ] It smells great. Is jasmine your favorite?

[ Walking into the heated nursery is even more of a relief than the warmth of the shop itself. Matt pulls his hat off and tucks it into his pocket as he takes a closer look at the plants. ]

I couldn't really tell you what's standard. I don't know if Pidge ever told you, but our mom is actually a botanist. She does some pretty amazing work--her thesis for her doctorate was engineering a strain of super hardy wheat that could grow in nearly-freezing temperatures by hybridizing it with a strain of algae that grows up sub-zero water. Wicked cool stuff.

[ His voice takes on such a nostalgic tone as he speaks of his mother. It's obvious he holds her in high esteem, and that he misses her terribly. But, he realizes he's allowed himself to get completely sidetracked.

Taking a sip of the tea, he clears his throat and nods towards the section where he sees the most colorful of the flowers being housed. ]

You mentioned there were a few back here that you particularly favored?

Oh, I see. Green tea is so bitter in comparison, I would have never guessed.

[ She's definitely going to be reading all the labels and ingredients much more closely now. ]

Pidge never mentioned that, no. Wheat is a staple crop here on Earth, isn't it? So if she was studying this was she preparing for interstellar travel?

[ She knows that Humanity hadn't gone very far out of their own solar system by the time that Voltron came into the picture, and with both Matt and his father being part of that groundbreaking mission (as she understands it), it seems like a fair assumption. Pidge is another Birreberry fruit that grew off the Birrerol Bush, isn't she? ]

Your "algae" is a very fascinating life source. We had something like it on Altea, but here it seems to be treated as a nuisance. At least in regards to our gardening equipment.

[ Got to keep these things clean. ]

Yes, though of course I will give the caveat that it should "depend on the occasion", but I think these are lovely on their own.

[ She's working on the assumption that he's trying to prepare some flowers for...something. Likely not Pidge. Maybe another one of his homegrown experiments? But now knowing this about his mother, it's an easy guess that he may want to connect with her as well.

They approach a collection of tall stalks with several small flowers. ]

The gladiola come in a variety of colors, but I try to make sure that we always have some pink in stock.

[ And a little further down the isle, she picks up a pot very carefully. In it are a collection of very healthy burgundy flowers. ]

The cymbidium is a type of...orchid, I believe? [ Those Earth names. ] But I enjoy them because each one looks like it has its own little face.

[ Chuchule gives a squeak in agreement. Allura smiles at the mouse before putting the pot back down. ]

However, if I had to choose just one...

[ Almost towards the back they come to a selection that is entirely lilies of a variety of sizes and colors. Allura reaches out to gingerly touch the petals of a bright magenta flower. ]

It's this one. Lilium orientalis, which I may have pronounced horribly.... The "Stargazer Lily". It's not in season, so it's not the easiest to keep growing-- [ A little Altean alchemy can help with that. ] --but it's very reminiscent of the flowers that grew in the fields behind the Castle on Altea.

Some greens are more bitter than others. You'd probably like white teas, too. I'm a fan of black teas myself--Earl Grey lavender is particularly good. There's one I like that has catnip in it, too.

[ Matt nods at her comment, ready with more facts and interesting tidbits as always. It doesn't occur to him that his mother's occupation as a botanist and all the random knowledge he's acquired as a result is obscuring the purpose for his visit. ]

Algae can definitely be bad if it's growing in the wrong place, like fish tanks, but it's the first step in a lot of ecosystems' food chains.

[ He nods at the gladiolas, noting that she makes a point of keeping the pink variety in stock. When she pulls out the orchid, he grins in amusement. ]

There are actually several species of orchids that mimic the look of insect species like bees and flies to lure insects in for the purpose of pollination. Vanilla beans come from a species of orchid, too. It used to be considered an extremely rare and valuable flavoring for foods back in pre-industrial times.

[ When they reach the lilies, Matt's focus is more on Allura than on the flowers. Her expression, her voice when she speaks of Altea... he understands what it feels like to miss home, but he can't begin to imagine what he'd do if he lost his planet the way she'd lost hers. She's stronger than he'll ever be, probably.

He nods decisively. Stargazers. It's perfect, really. ]

This is the one. The Stargazer. Can I get one of these?

"Earl Grey"? We should have that back at the house. [ So she must have tried that one. ] I admit that I tend to add honey to some of the darker brews. Is catnip any good?

[ Yeah she has no clue that "catnip" is anything to question. ]

Is it? I suppose the plants that we have in here don't use it as a food source, in that case.

[ There are specific fertilizers that are recommended to use, but she's fairly certain none of them contain "algae". She knows it as the gunk that they have to clean out of the hoses and canisters.

But Allura does have to laugh after he gives her a short lesson on orchids. ]

I'm starting to feel that you may be better suited for this position than I am. I had no idea that "vanilla" came from orchids! It's fitting that such a lovely flower produce such a delicious treat.

[ FINALLY a food source that makes sense. (Not getting into milk.)

She smiles at his choice--proud, even if she will be sad to see one of them go. They do grow these to be sold, after all. Though she does think of it as a personal garden at times, they all deserve a good home. And, hey, maybe he will want to keep it in the house where everyone can admire it. ]

Of course.

[ There's a pause as she looks over the various flowers and ends up selecting one of the largest that has a smaller, secondary flower sprouting off the edge as well as a few buds that have yet to bloom. ]

How about this one?

[ They're individually potted, so she simply carefully lifts the pot up and out. ]

We do have some packaging that can keep it warm in the weather. Or, well, warmer. Are you making any other stops this afternoon?

Catnip is a member of the mint family of plants, so yeah, it's pretty nice and fragrant. That tea came from a specialty shop back home, but I might be able to recreate it if I can remember what else they put in it.

[ A project for another day, perhaps. He's not a super-taster or anything but he could probably approximate it with a little trial and error. Allura's observation about the plants not using algae as a food source earns a little grin, and he shakes his head. ]

Not directly, no, but other microscopic animals feed on the algae, and larger animals feed on them, and their waste and decomposing bodies provide nutrients that the plants need. It's the circle of life.

[ Not that she'd get that reference, but the point stands.

When she chooses a particularly lovely lily and lifts the pot off the shelf, he receives it from her very carefully, holding it against his torso in the crook of his elbow since he still has the tea in his other hand. He smiles warmly at her, and it crinkles at the corners of his eyes. ]

This is great, Princess. It's exactly what I needed.

[ Flower in hand, they begin to head back towards the front of the shop so he can make his purchase. ]

I do have to run to the grocery store on the way home. I was going to make a stir-fry for dinner and needed to pick up a few things. I could get some tofu for you if you'd like.

I do like mint tea, though I haven't been able to tell the difference between mint and "peppermint". I'd be interesting in your incarnation.

[ Really, as long as it's not Allura or Shiro making any decision in the kitchen, they should be fine. Allura can handle making tea, at least. Boiling water and putting a bag in a mug? Nailed it.

She's really only studied up on the plants that are in the nursery and what is necessary to take care of them. Her research has strayed when a particular specimen catches her interest, like the Stargazer Lily, but checking out some basic books at the library is hardly the same as an expert. ]

Indeed. Though the almost symbiotic relationship animals on Earth have with the plant life is very fascinating. I was concerned to hear that plants require human breath to exist.

[ Earth is a very, very strange place...and to know that fact isn't Deerington specific?

She's glad he likes the flower she picked. Allura does move some of the flowers on the shelf around to fill it up a little better before starting back towards the nursery entrance. She claps her hands together at the thought of stir-fry. (She and Shiro did live off take-out for a while.) ]

Oh, yes! And some of those water chestnuts? The white crunchy slices of nut.

[ They're delicious.

She holds the door to the nursery open for him before rounding back to the counter. The mice all hop off her shoulder--well, three of them do. Plachu stays where he is so he can stare Matt down appropriately. ]

Here, we can wrap that up for you.

[ "We", meaning the mice. Platt, Chulatt, and Chuchule all hop to attention to start running on a roll of plastic, letting it accumulate until there's enough to create a little tent for the lily. ]

Plants do require carbon dioxide but they'd do well on their own without humans around, I think. Animals also exhale carbon dioxide, and plenty of it gets released by decomposing flora and fauna, and even from stored pockets in the earth or melting ice. It's a very complex system.

[ Though that makes him curious about how the biosphere functioned on Altea, but that is a topic he's definitely not going to broach right now.

Instead, he makes a mental note to grab a can or two of water chestnuts, per her request. ]

You got it.

[ Meeting Plachu's eyes, Matt arches his brows before turning his attention to the other mice. He'll have to get a treat for them while he's at the store, too. Not... not cheese, though, based on Allura's feelings on the subject.

Setting the lily down on the counter, he pulls out his wallet. It's full of coin and currency from half a dozen systems, all accumulated over his travels in space. Thankfully, there is newly-acquired Earth money as well. ]

What do I owe you for the flower?

It is, but fascinating. The fact that so many walks of life take part in this exchange are what is remarkable. I'm not sure what worlds you were able to visit in your own travels, but the diversity found here is very unique.

[ Earth is something special. She feels a little silly having overlooked it for so long. A small world in the arm of an average-sized galaxy, in a distant corner of the universe. So little research had been done. What could they have learned of Earth from 10,000 years prior?

Allura takes the plastic once the mice rip it free and carefully folds it up and around the lily, tying it with a string at the top. It's transparent, light inside the shop refracting off the folded edges. She knows they make printed ones for the holidays and wants to invest in that if she can. (It's the little things in Deerington that keep them going.)

She rings up the flower on the register, tapping a few keys. ]

It's $7.99 before taxes, but with the... National Center of Floral Opinions discount, it's $6.54 with tax.

[ Matt feels a little swell of pride on Earth's behalf at Allura's praise. It really is a beautiful, unique little world. Her being stuck in a place like Deerington really limits the scope of how much of it she can see for herself, which is a shame--he makes a mental note to find some of his favorite documentary series for her, assuming they exist in this version of reality. ]

I saw my fair share of the universe by now, and there are some amazing places out there, but you're right. Carl Sagan--a twentieth-century astronomer--said that Earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena, but I hope you get to experience more of it for yourself, one day.

[ The fact that she's still playing along with his silly survey yarn makes him blush a little, and he wants to argue the discount but knows she probably wouldn't hear it if he did. He pulls a slightly-foxed ten out of the wallet and hands it to her, and once the change is received, he stows it and tucks the wallet back into his pocket.

Picking up the wrapped flower, his blush only deepens as he proceeds to offer it back to her. ]

This is for you, actually. I know it's kind of corny, coming in here like this, but I wanted to get you something you liked. And, the follow-up question I mentioned earlier... [ Be brave, Matthew! ] Would you like to New Year's party with me? It's okay if you don't want to, or if you have other plans! I just... think you're really great and I'd be honored if you'd accompany me.

[ He may be surprised at the plethora of movies and shows that are available for their viewing pleasure. Of course, Allura watches anything in Deerington with a heavy grain of salt, not knowing how much is altered due to the nature of the town. But...sometimes the things she thinks must be a fabrication are, in fact, "legit". So it's hard to say without an expert on hand. ]

As do I. Preferably once we leave this place.

[ That really needs no explanation.

But he's right, he will just have to accept the discount. She knows it's not the sort of thing she should do all the time, but when her friends do show up, she does like to help them out when she can.

To his credit, Allura is absolutely not expecting to have him pass the flower right back. She blinks, brows raised as she quietly accepts it and holds it to her chest. A gift for her?

Plachu crosses his arms even before Matt gets out the rest. He always knows. ]

[ Oh.

So that's what this is about. The flower would be nice enough on its own, but Allura has also been wondering on and off what exactly she's going to do for that party. She knows well enough that any time they receive items in a box they should be wary, especially when any of them request their presence at a "get together". Not all parties in Deerington have an ulterior motive, but many of them do. Enough to be wary.

But she can't exactly push away that feeling that she should go. And that she shouldn't go alone. She doesn't want to go alone.

The other three mice climb up to sit on the register as they look back and forth between Allura and Matt while Plachu stares at the human with the same unyielding, untrusting gaze that his little red eyes have had the entire time. Allura's expression, on the other hand, softens to a smile. ]

The honor would be mine, Matt. I'd be happy to accompany you to the party.

[ It's actually a huge relief to him when Allura accepts his invitation. He'd been second-guessing himself the entire time, and it would have been easy enough to abandon ship at any point, but now he's glad he stuck to his figurative guns.

In spite of Plachu's obvious cynicism, Matt doesn't have any untoward designs on the princess. He just thought it would be good to invite her, to give her a gift as a token of his regard for her. Now that he has, his face is practically incandescent. ]

That's amazing! Thank you! I mean... Yeah!

[ He gives an easy laugh and rubs the back of his neck, trying not to fumble everything now that she's agreed to go with him. His expression softens and he bows very slightly at the waist. This place might be a hellhole but she's still a princess and she deserves to be treated that way. ]

I look forward to it, Princess Allura. [ Then he looks over at the mice, his grin turning sheepish. ] And I promise to be a perfect gentleman.

[ They could all use an excuse for something fun. Even though the previous month had been much less personally horrifying, it wasn't easy. Too many people she cares about being hunted down like animals, so much clean-up from the month prior. Having a relatively uneventful few movements would be a boon and getting to herald in a hopefully more productive new year with something positive? Yes. That would be nice.

The three mice on the register look between one another before giving Matt a series of nods. Proper manners, that's important. Plachu continues to glower but there's honestly nothing new about that.

She'd be lying if she said she didn't miss being called "Princess", even if she doesn't request it with anyone new that she meets these days. It still is something she's proud of. ]

I expect nothing less.

[ To be a gentleman, that is. All the mice cross their little arms then--clearly that's what they expect as well.

Looking down at the flower, Allura's smile deepens and she sets it aside on the counter. ]

The flower wasn't necessary, but it is appreciated. Thank you. I may put it on the dining table so everyone can have the opportunity to admire it.

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