#He supports small businesses; appreciates flowers; acknowledges love beyond the romantic.

[cultivatxr]

@onuscientia​ whispered: The blossoms he could tell were so gently, so delicately tended to, drew him from the straight lined focus he was notorious for, eyes pulled from his phone to gaze upon them. "These remind me of my mother..." He says, ever so softly, daring not reach out to touch her wares without permission, but smiling fondly all the same, "How much for all of them? If not for me, then... I would love to purchase them in memory of her on this day of love. If that is alright? I will gladly aid you in procuring more, if necessary." He could use them to decorate... to mentally transport himself back to a time when things weren't so rough. So uncertain. "Ah-- Happy Valentine's Day, by the way, m'lady. Perhaps it was fate that we crossed paths on a day meant for emotional reflection.”

She’ll never get tired of this day. Never tire of the infectious joy and warmth of affection as it overtook the pessimism and negativity of her suffering city. Sure, it helped that business was booming - but it was the impact on people she treasured most. The drawn out glances and lingering smiles, the squeals of delight that cut through the air with chorus upon chorus of smitten and heartfelt laughter. It was a day for love in all it’s forms, from the platonic to the downright sappy - it was humanity at it’s pure and wholesome finest. 

Plus, it meant she got to bring flowers to the masses - and you should never underestimate the will of a gardener to introduce more unsuspecting souls to the joy and magic of multicoloured blooms. Propped up against her cart, Aerith was nothing short of amicable at the arrival of an appreciative eye, pride radiating from her cheeks at the attention her floral children, so diligently tended had calmly received. ❝Really? Did she have a favourite? Mine was always a fiend for Wisteria.❞ With a genuine smile, the question was ventured, a subtle invitation to speak if he had near of a foreign, but, empathetic ear. 

❝All of them?!❞ Shock overtook the sincerity for a moment, her eyes widening ever so slightly before it muted into something half delighted and half concerned. ❝Are you sure?❞ There had to be something close to 200 flowers left in that freshly polished cart, an entire field’s worth of memories and planetary affection. She couldn’t fault Ignis for his logic though, nor his attention to detail and due reverence in remembering his mother. The sentiment alone tugged at her heart strings, the sheer purity of the occasion throwing true business acumen out of the window in favour of making someone’s day. 

❝For you? 150. But are you sure you’re going to be able to carry all these on your own? ❞ Briefly she had visions of him turning into a walking flower bush, dotted with multicoloured blooms from head to toe and being chased by bee and butterfly alike, the image alone cementing amusement in the apples of her cheeks. ❝It’s really sweet of you to remember her. Most people get hung up on the romantic at this time of year, they always forget about the other kinds of love. For parents, for siblings, for friends. Maybe even the odd chocobo too if you’re lucky to call one a pet. ❞ Lopsided her grin shifted, her head canting from side to side as she tried to work out the logistics of quite how to bedeck her would-be customer in his requested wares. 

At the mention of Valentines specifically, soil flecked hands extended the edge of her dress in a small but theatrical curtsey. ❝Much obliged, sir. I hope you have an equally splendid one. Even if you are going to have pollen up your nose for the next fortnight with all of these… ❞