[IC] Inbox @ deerington

[princessences]

❝ You have reached Allura. I'm sorry to have missed your call, but please leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as possible. ❞

[ deerlyBeloved ]

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[lostintransmission]

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.

[princessences]

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. ]

[lostintransmission]

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?

[princessences]

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.

[lostintransmission]

[ 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.

1/2

[princessences]

[ 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. ]

[princessences]

[ 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.

[lostintransmission]

[ 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.

[princessences]

[ 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.