synflux | ( open ) march catch all

[ There is no denying those designer flowers are beautiful. They remind her of the flowers Merlin could create at will... The ones he had filled her Underworld with for a short but oh-so wonderful time. And normally, she would have been content purchasing them, had she not stumbled upon those flowers in the back. Real flowers. They're so beautiful. Imperfect. Ephemeral. Just like humans... And it's not like the designer flowers aren't beautiful! She would fill her Underworld with them if she could, without hesitation. But those real flowers... There is beauty in imperfection, isn't there? In how little time they have to live, yet how brightly they shine during that time.

Then why are they in the back, why are they so hidden from view?

Oh, she knows all too well. What a silly question! Because they're not perfect, of course. Because their withering reminds people of their own mortality. How disgusting it must be, to the humans of this world. Why would you put something so hideous and repulsing in the front window? It's best to put them in the back, where they can be forgotten and ignored. It's best to put a ridiculous price over them - so that even should someone stumble upon them - they'll turn away and focus on the perfect flowers. Nobody cares for hideous, imperfect things.

As she is about to reach for them, she hears a voice-- ]

You...?

[ Is he stalking her? Hmpf! Unlikely... At least this time she's properly dressed so she won't have to back away if she is to reveal who she is. ]

How much?

(Of course he isn't stalking her. He works here when he feels like it and today is just one of those days. )

You've just arrived, right?

(She's a newbie. Fresh meat. And he remembers what that's like. They didn't have much money to spend.)

485 kryptos.

(Signigicantly lower than what they're being marked as.)

[ 485 kryptos...? She doesn't know much about this economy, but this sounds very low! She'd been expecting for there to be a couple more 0s and she would have totally paid that much if needed for such beautiful flowers! ]

T-That little?!

[ She is tempted to buy them all for that price!! But that would be incredibly selfish, and a perfect goddess ought not to give in to such impulses. Other people deserve to enjoy those flowers as well. ]

Are you sure this is alright...? [What if he's paying from his own pocket for this discount? She cannot accept such kindness!] I am ready to pay more if needed.

(He laughs. What an open and honest reaction.)

That much!

(It's not a little. It's a lot!)

Consider it a welcoming gift. And if more people come after you, you must return the favor.

[ Return the favor...? So offering her services at a discount for newcomers, huh? That sounds reasonable, and honestly if she was a florist too she would absolutely do that! Not just for newcomers, but for absolutely everyone! Flowers are something truly beautiful and they should be enjoyed by the entire world. ]

W-Well, I would but... [A pause. That is one of those dreaded social interaction she doesn't know how to handle.] I work at a graveyard.

[ She stares at him. Very very awkwardly.

It's not that she won't offer her services to newcomers at a discount if she has to. It's just that it would be truly unfortunate. ]

Edited 2024-03-12 17:19 (UTC)

(

He stares.)

(And in an instant, he lights up, letting out a bright and cheerful sort of laugh as he leans across the counter, propping his elbow on the top so he can rest his hand on his palm and smile,)

You should have said so sooner!

[ ... ... ... ...???????????????????

Why... Why does he look so happy about it? She would expect people to be horrified by her working at a graveyard! Not as horrified as they are when they learn she is the Goddess of Death in her world, but still! ]

But... But why?

It's an important job.

(And he means it honestly. Truly.)

Not everyone has what it takes to keep watch of a grave, let alone many!

(It's like they're talking about ordinary jobs. Like being a barista or a teacher or a doctor.)

Have you tried it yet? What do you do?

(Ah, and he lets out an embarrassed sort of laugh and reels in some of his excitement. It's clear that she looks confused and he wonders if he should explain. Well, since they've gotten along so well already...)

I was once a grave keeper, too.

[ ... Ah. She understands. And this causes her to smile brightly. Not only he doesn't look down upon those who take care of the dead, but he once took on those duties himself! ]

... Few are those who realize the importance of watching after the dead. Fewer even those who once took it upon themselves to do so. On their behalf, you have my thanks.

[ She nods politely to him. Okay, maybe that sounded weird... She should probably formally introduce herself. ]

In my world, I am the Goddess of Death and Queen of the Underworld. [Totally, please don't doubt her.] Taking care of the dead is the reason I exist. I am glad to be able to continue this purpose here.

[ ... Okay she wishes she could pursue her dreams for once, but pretending you're happy is part of the job. ]

(He doesn't seem at all bothered or surprised by what she says. Not only does he understand but he agrees. As whimsical and carefree as he can be, if there is one thing he hates... those who would defile graves are certainly at the top.

He only raises his hand and shakes his head as if there's no reason to thank him. As far as he's concerned, there's no reason. He hadn't made the decision for himself. It had been assigned to him and he'd simply risen to his duty.

He dips forward, giving her a small but respectful sort of bow. A goddess of death, a queen of the underworld... yes, she's certainly greater than a simple protective spirit like him,)

Tsurumaru Kuninaga. (He's smiling,) I'm quite renowned where I'm from but I'm no god of the dead or lord of any land.

To think LILITH could summon even a goddess of death... I'm surprised.

[ Even so, thanks are always deserved! Imagine if you go tens of thousand of years and never get a single "thank you", not even a word of appreciation or praise... Now that'd be be enough to drive even a goddess to depression. ]

It is as surprising as it is worrisome. Thankfully, she summoned this avatar and not my old self...

[ Beyond being human history's first yandere, her old self is also more of a social disaster than she currently is. Truly, this avatar is an improvement in every aspect. Besides beauty, perhaps. She'd argue her true body is far more beautiful, but you can't have everything. ]

Ereshkigal. [She hadn't said her name, had she? Sniff, she completely ruined her intro... But he seems to be nice, so that's alright.] You needn't be renowned for your contribution to matter. Please accept the praise and thanks for your work- For no work should go unnoticed.

"Eresh..kigal."

(The name is foreign and he can feel his tongue trip over the unfamiliar sounds but he's careful to say it as best he can.

He smiles and shakes his head. If she knew his entire history, he wonders if she would really thank him. It's neither here nor there for now, though. He holds up the bouquet for her,)

If not as a gift, consider it an offering, Ereshkigal. (But he isn't finished--) And if you ever need anything for your graves, you can ask me for help.

(He would happily supply flowers.)

[ He-He's giving it to her? And he's already guessed she would refuse the gift so he's asking her to consider it as something else: ]

An offering...?

[ That's... That's so unexpected and kind. Little does he know she's the least worshiped goddess in human history. Death is something humans fear and hate, something they would rather avoid and ignore till it's too late. Why, even the other gods didn't like her. As Death incarnate, of course they would all hate and ignore her.

And he's eve offering to give her more for the graves... The bouquet in hand, she turns around and brings her free hand to her eyes. ]

M-My apologies, it would appear I have something in my eyes! [A likely story.] I... I thank you kindly for your offering.

(Ah, to be a goddess of death. Cold, dark, spoken of in hushed whispers or angry screams. He can only imagine what it may be like for some... but his relationship with death has always been a special one. Being as old as he is, he's seen plenty of death in his time, too. Of course, his view would be... different.)

It must be allergies.

(He doesn't even question it.

But he lowers his head just a bit in a quiet, solemn bow. There's no reason to thank a humble spirit for such a small gift.)

Thank you for receiving it.

[ She nods. Y-Yes, allergies! It makes total sense. This avatar is surely allergic to something, and that "something" is here with them right this moment.

Deep breathes. Wiping her tears away. Okay, she can pull herself together! Though she'll definitely have to do more training before her mirror if she is to handle the unexpected things that can happen anytime on the surface world! ]

[ When she turns back to him, she's all smile! As if nothing had happened. Absolutely nothing suspicious about this at all, nope. A perfect goddess cannot be found crying or showing her emotions in such a shameless manner. she closes her eyes and places a hand on her chest. ]

It has ever been my dream to see the Underworld filled with flowers... [Impossible, of course. She had tried so hard, even Enkidu had. Nothing can grow where death reigns.] But maybe this dream can partly come true here.

[ Covering the graves with flowers here won't change anything to the situation back home... But that'll make her working feel less lonely. Hopefully it'll make the dead feel some warmth in whatever afterlife exists in this reality.

She lowers her head in return, respectfully so. ]

I shall return here regularly to ensure it is so.

[ And next time, she'll pay! It's not like she needs the money for anything besides flowers really. ]

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