[011]

[fortune_sought]

[the CAT activates, seemingly by itself, to show Sophie Smith tending her flower shop. at the moment, she is arranging flowers in the front window, mumbling to herself as she does so. occasionally, she glances up to peer through the window--painted with the curly-lettered message "H. JENKINS FRESH FLOWERS DAILY"--to see if any customers might be coming]

[a voice drifts through the air, saying with a thick Welsh accent:] "If you were expecting an ultraviolet violet or an infra-red geranium, you got it wrong, Mrs. Mad Scientist."

[Sophie jumps at the voice. an expression of worry crosses her face for a moment--and then it passes. she goes back to her work as though nothing has happened, mumbling cheerfully as she puts a final sprig of Baby's Breath into a pot teeming with strange, navy blue roses]

[ooc: Sophie has assumed her resident persona for the current plot.]

Comments

[Video]

[manicurious]

[Ichijou claps his hands together once excitedly!]

Oh! Sophie!

Such beautiful work as always - it reminds me of the night sky!

Please tell me that you're planning a big display for this year's festival! I know it's not a major milestone like the one the year before last, but it simply won't feel complete without it.

[fortune_sought]

[Sophie smiles at her visitor] Why thank you, Mr Ichijou. And yes, I'll be putting something together. [she doubts the Mayor would allow her to back out of it if she ever tried] Are you helping with the decorations at all this year?

[manicurious]

Well nobody specifically asked me to help out, but I'm sure that was just a little mistake or the result of a bit of forgetfulness.

It may be better that way, anyway. While I haven't been asked to decorate the town, I have been asked to "decorate" several of the townspeople. It'll be a miracle if I don't run out of gemmed and feathered hairpins!

[fortune_sought]

[she smiles, amused] I'm sure it was.

Oh? [she's surprised by that description. hairpins, eh?] Who are you helping this year?

[manicurious]

I won't take it personally. I would have found the time for it of course, but this lifts a little bit of the weight off of my shoulders.

You'd probably get a shorter list if you had asked who I'm not helping this year! You know how popular my house parties are, yes? Well, I've used the most recent one to try to drum up excitement for this year's festival, and threw in a bit of shameless self-promotion on the side.

It turns out that putting your friends on the spot like that is a very effective way to fill out your schedule!

[fortune_sought]

[Sophie gives him a look, not entirely thrilled at his methods] Well, I'm glad for your success.

What styles do you have in mind?

[manicurious]

[He doesn't seem to notice, or he just doesn't care.]

I'll just be doing something simple for myself, but all of my clients will be in for an opulent treat! See, I've actually been doing research for this one - I've been looking at all sorts of illustrations and descriptions of queens, and I'm working based on those.

Isn't that a great idea? Everyone deserves to feel like royalty at least once.

[fortune_sought]

Oh! [despite his questionable methods, she nods, liking that idea] That does sound very nice for the festival. I'm sure you'll make your clients happy. [although she wonders if any of their husbands might protest]