24 Loshis 2720
Elspeth looked up toward the sky and saw a few birds roosting on the building across from her dwelling — it was small, not too ostentatious. It looked like the other homes in the area, but it had—at some point in the last year—been converted into yet another law firm. Elspeth had not noticed this before, and only just then took note of the placard hanging outside the door.
LeBLANC, SUSPIRIOR, NOTABLES, & BROWNSWITHE
She made a face. ”What a mess,” she said under her breath, before finally closing the door to her home and taking a hard left turn from under neath the awning. She skipped across the wet pavement toward Willow’s Rest. It was almost the tenth hour of the day, when she was set to open shop.
She unlocked the door to the greenhouse and subsequently stumbled in, awkwardly holding her apron and gloves in her arms. The smell and warm atmosphere greeted her immediately and she smiled. She took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of the plants and dirt. It never failed to lift her spirits.
”Good morning, everyone,” she said aloud with a smile, and walked over to the counter and set down her things. She rolled up the sleeves of her pastel green cotton sweater, slipped her beige apron over her head, tied it up, and put on her gloves. She went to work, opening the shop for business. She took a small, stand-alone sign outside, which plainly displayed ’OPEN,’ and placed it outside to the left of the entrance.
She lit a small oil lamp and placed it on the counter; the gloomy weather and early daylight made the shop somewhat dark. She went around to the various rows of plants—four in total—and checked on their inhabitants. The first row on the right side of the greenhouse was filled exclusively with ferns. She had a selection of sword ferns, royal ferns, a few lady ferns, and more—one being the fickle oak leaved ferns, whose colors normally would have turned rustic this time of year, if not for the warmth of the greenhouse.
The next two rows were flowering plants of various verities, from chrysanthemums, pansies, hydrangeas, various kinds of lilies, tulips, and the more commercial roses of various colors; she had also began to keep a small bed of daffodils and daisies, as a personal project, which was nestled in the back corner of the third row on its own small table.
The final row was smaller than the rest, maybe half the size, and exclusively housed the orchids. This is where she spent the majority of her time, and where the majority of her income really came from. Her orchids came with an unofficial promise of longevity. She often used her spellwork to encourage growth, helping each one to develop a healthy system of air and subterranean roots, strong stems and columns, and vibrant petals, sepals, and overall blooms.
She offered upkeep help for any plants that she sold. A customer could always return and speak with her regarding any issues they were having with upkeep. She would sometimes offer her services as a Living Conversationalist, and weave spells to ensure the plants could be brought back from the brink, or she would simply help by trimming and preening the plants as needed, or offer certain fertilizers or chemical remedies.
She was proud of her shop, and on this gloomy day in Uptown Vienda, she could feel the day brimming with possibilities.
Then, she heard the shop bell ring as the first customer of the day walked in. She walked around the corner, toward the counter.
”Good morning,” she quickly greeted them. ”How can I—“ she began, pausing. She realized she knew the man before her, but not exactly. A tiny, almost unnoticeable smile made its way across her face. ”Well, hello you. I never thought you’d stop by. Been a while, aye?”