Rosie's Opening Party

[Gerrit]

They day so far had been pleasant, if not exhausting. He hadn't expected many to come, but there had been a steady trickle of interested people since Gerrit had opened Rosie's Roses as the new owner today. Some of them were old customers, now interested in what the change in management would bring. Some of them found the flyers he distributed in other small shops and were simply curious. Some of them were random passersby, mostly attracted by the free food handed out in front of the store. Gerrit made a deal with a nearby bakery - one of the contacts he had made at a convention for local businesses - and set up a folding table stuffed with small muffins and other sweet baked good. A second table stood on the other side of the entrance, set up with water and paper cups and a trashcan standing ready beneath it.

Now, the day was winding down and so was the stream of interested pedestrians. Although he officially closed the shop as the sun set, he still stuck around outside to celebrate some more. Foods and drinks have been refilled over the day by the student working part-time for him and he even put a few lanterns on the ground and the tables to provide some illumination. The man of the hour wore a relatively new pair of jeans, a white shirt with its sleeves rolled up to his elbows and a blueberry-colored apron. For a change he felt quite dashing, even if you could see behind the mask.

As there were less and less new faces around, the realization finally struck Gerrit: he did it. Of course there were plenty of things that could go wrong, but for now he could just enjoy the moment.
Sipping on some water the Ogre took a few steps back and proudly looked at the flower shop. His flower shop.


RosiesRoses.jpg

[Vivian Wing]

Vivian came to the grand re-opening of Rosie's Roses. She was feeling giddy and excited to see Gerrit again. She chose her outfit carefully for the occasion. She wanted to look really beautiful but in a casual way. You know, didn't want to look clingy or anything. Like they hadn't really defined what if anything they were going for so she wanted to keep things light.

So light was what she went with. A beautiful white dress with metallic colored feathers in the pattern, the style was off the shoulder with crochet detail on the three quarter sleeve. The short dress was perfect was for early sprint. Her long hair was curled and worn loose and flowing.

She bit her lower lip slightly as she walked through the door. Dinging the little bell. She spotted Gerrit. The new business owner! She headed over, her shoes making no noise over the floor despite the height of the heel.

"Hi Gerrit!" She gushed happily, glad to see him. She hesitated, a moment, but moved closer to him. Her arms slipping around his neck as she leaned up and kissed his lightly on the lips. Just a peck, and it was quick as they were out in public.

[Anatole]

Anatole had been intrigued by Gerrit message. Now the burned dwarf was building up to a brick-and-mortar purchase of his own, but he was more excited to see just what the big Ogre had gone and bought. The image of Gerrit holding court in a flower shop was simply beyond imagining - Anatole had to see this!

The Wizened turns up dressed in one of his cheap suits. The shirt he wares is better quality, as is his tie (today, the tie sports a bright abstract art). He muscles his way in from the street. door bell jangling as he marches through the entrance. He grinds to a halt, pausing as he orients himself in the shop and daring anyone to say something about his entrance.

He moves through the shop much more carefully, heading to where Gerrit and Vivian Wing stand by a circuitous route - vanishing into the plants at first, and then visiting the free food (where he purloins a drink and something to eat).

Still eating, he reaches the pair and as his mouth is full, salutes with his glass.

[Gerrit]

Gerrit almost knew who entered when he heard the little bell chime - as if it rang with a different quality as Vivian entered. Her outfit, her hair - she looked incredible and the Ogre actually had to remind himself to breathe again when he saw her. As if today could have gotten any better!

Any other day he would have hesitated, but tonight he was riding a high of success: he made his way to the door, meeting the Elemental halfway to welcome her. "Hello Vivian. I'm glad you came." Then Vivian took it a step further and although it was just a short moment he felt frozen in time as long as they touched. Before he knew it - and before he could properly return the embrace - she had stepped back again and so his arms hung awkwardly somewhere mid-air. A sheepish grin appeared on the Winter's face and blood made the bruises around his cheeks turn a deep purple.

It was probably for the better that she showed some restraint: although he wasn't big on PSAs he might have treated himself to some more warmth, a further sign that his life could change for the better again.
But that would have made for an curious moment when Anatole joined them.

He greeted the Wizened with a warm smile and offered his hand to shake. "Anatole, I'm glad that you're there. So, this is it." He let his hands wander a bit, proudly showing the small shop filled to the brim with flowers and plants. Well okay, in reality there was only a tastefully restrained amount of goods offered - he was starting freshly and didn't want to order too much in the beginning - but for this new businessman the room felt stuffed with life and beauty.

A curious young couple said their goodbyes and left - the Lost were alone for the moment.

Welp, since the store can only host ~5 people comfortably I wanted to have this happen outside.
I guess for now this is officially an indoor event.

[James Turner]

John needed a happy middle for what he wore to Gerrit’s opening. He could show up in the suit Sera had made for him but that might be a bit over-dressed for the event. No t-shirt, he wanted to show the proper respect to his good friend. No, he went with his other suit a dark gray affair that’s sleeves were just a little too short and pulled up a little too far when he went to reach for anything. He had walked up to the outside and grabbed his muffin, he’d stood there for a long moment enjoying every bite as he looked around the outside. Doors, windows, he couldn’t help but check for the ways in and out so he could run if necessary. Not that you’d get far wheezy.

He finished it before dusting his hands off and heading inside to throw it away, seeing others gathered, noting them but he couldn’t help but look around in awe. Taking in the vibrant colors, the rich smell of the flower on top of the smell of worked earth. It was pleasant, relaxing. It made it easy to offer a smile to the Lost gathered. “Hey everyone, wow Gerrit, this is something else. I love the way it smells in here.” He bristled a bit about the close proximity of people but he was one who liked his distance so it was to be expected.

[Seraphina]

When she received the letter, she had practically been jumping with excitement!

He did it! He chased his desire and took the chance! So of course, she would be there!

Picking a bright yellow dress, the perfect color not only for Spring, but for celebration! Her long hair was French braided on the side, a few red flowers added into the intricate design. For those paying attention, they might look familiar. Her engagement ring was on and she wore sandals that had straps that wrapped around her calves. Makeup was very minimal.

Sapphires spot the flower shop and she practically skips inside, eyes wide as she takes in everything. There were so many beautiful flowers! And she pauses here and there to smell as many as she can, her own wild flowers growing as she walked.

Spotting Gerrit, and a few others, she waved a hand, “Gerrit! This is wonderful! Congratulations!” gushes the Nix, “If you have any business cards, I’d love some to put on the counter at my shop.” She offers, hoping she could help him advertise. “Maybe we can even work on some ideas I have with the beautiful flowers you have.” Wanting to display them.

Looking to Vivian, “Hey you! Love the dress!” a smile offered to the Summer.

Then the Autumn, “Anatole! How are you doing?” good to see him out.

Finally, John, “Hi John, how are you?”

[Cassandra Reeding]

Cassandra arrives at Rosie's wearing a floor-length red dress with cape-like, sheer sleeves. Her scarlet hair is braided to the side, a piece of red ribbon somehow holding the bottom in place. She notices what looks like a small gather inside and decides to make her way in. It is a little cramped, but not too much so. At least, not yet. Perhaps they will soon convene outside. Who knows?

"Why, look at this lovely spread of guests," Cassandra says with a wide smile, "Gerrit, this place looks absolutely wonderful." And there are a lot of people in here. At the same time, the aroma of the shop is both calming and sharp all at once, that mixture of low and high notes filling the senses.

She gives a wave to each of the people in the room making sure not to linger on John as she does so. It would be so easy to, after all. The Polychromatic makes her way up to Gerrit, "A wee token." She hands the Stonebones a small wrapped gift.

Gift

Inside is a gardening shovel that has been engraved to say, 'Where flowers bloom, so does hope and new beginnings.'

[Ram]

Ram found the address alright, but he still ended up a little late. Especially since it seem everyone else Gerrit had summoned might have already arrived.

The Render hesitated in the door frame. For a moment he considered leaning against it but decided to not risk dented the entrance. Though that did kind of just… looming there and looking curiously around the shop at everything and everyone and thinking that if he tried to join them it might make things a little crowded.

“Hey,” he greeted everyone “So what’s the big surprise?” he asked Gerrit.

[Kaze]

Kaze parks his truck a few blocks away and enjoys a leisurely walk through the neighborhood. He's relaxed, wearing denim jeans, a solid white shirt and athletic shoes.

He pauses outside Rosie's Roses to admire the storefront display, and look around to see if Jenna's there yet.

He enters to find the shop surprisingly bustling with people and activity for the relatively late time of day! Wow. What a cool neighborhood! He recognizes a few people from the local coffee shop he'd visited with Eulogy before.

Sara, John...and that big guy, whos name he can't quite remember.

"Oh, hey John! Sara!" Kaze says to the people he remembers! "What a cool shop!" He exclaims! "Um, I'm 'Chris'. I saw you guys at 'Garden Grounds'. This is a great neighborhood!"

[Vivian Wing]

Vivian giggled like the wicked little pixie she was after stealing a kiss from @Gerrit! "It's good to see you too, Gerrit." She picked up a few star gazer lilies, which smelled divine, and lowered her face innocently to sniff them, sobering a bit as Anatole joined them.

"Hey @Anatole! How are you!?" The Airtouched chirped happily at him. Lowering the flowers a bit only to reveal she had flower pollen all over nose. The little wicked smile on her face was self satisfied, as if she were a cat that single handedly wiped out the entire bird population of northern California.

"You should smell some of these type, John! They smell super good!" The Airtouched informed him, and looked like she was holding back from shoving the flowers in his face. See....some progress at last.

Vivian raised up an arm and wildly beckoned to @Seraphina. "You have to smell these ones first! They smell really really good!" Yup, she totally yelled that across the shop. "Thank you!" She beamed at the compliment. "Your dress reminds me of blowing heat across the world." She smiled adoringly at Seraphina, and yes it was a compliment....whatever that meant exactly.

"Hi Cassandra!" Seeing the gift the Airtouched scrunched up her face a little. "Were we supposed to bring gifts? Did I miss the gift memo? Is it like uh uh...ahhhh uh...a birthday for the shop?"

Vivian grabbed a pussy willow branch and wacked Ram with it. "Duh...he owns this place now?!" She rolled her eyes at him shaking her head with a mischievous smile.

To Kaze she watched him closely, moving a little in front of Gerrit instinctively, protectively, and just observing how he interacted with the Monarch's for now. She remembered him from New Year's eve at that club.