"A customer?" My sincerest apologies, the flower shop is clos -

Oh! You were here to chat? Well, that can certainly be arranged, my dear. Don't be shy, take a seat. For someone as lovely as you, I'm sure I can muster a few minutes to spare.My name is Ren, but I suppose you already know that about myself as you've been snooping around my things.Ha-ha, you think I wouldn't notice? I'm not inept.Ah, how rude of me. I have a guest, and I've yet to even offer them a sip. May I serve you something to drink?"

• Tea
• Coffee

"Tea drinkers have always had a more refined palate.

Do you have a preferred tea? I have quite the collection: oolong, jasmine, green- ah, hibiscus is in season- but if you're feeling spicier, I do have-Oh? Where did you-? Give that to me.This is aconite. The petals are a brilliant purple. It yields quite an earthy and bitter tea, one not for a beginner tea drinker.Although, ahem. You're human, and unless you're in favor of meeting Charon a few years early, aconite is highly poisonous. You'll have to settle for something of the milder sort. I'm not interested in "accidentally" poisoning anyone today. Not like last-Ah, that's a story for next time."

• Act polite
• Act flirtatious

"...Did you just ask me for coffee?

An interesting choice. Well, I suppose you can't force taste. Not a drink I'd choose for myself but to each their own.I'm much more of a tea drinker myself but I'm sure I have some grounds somewhere around here. Do you take milk? Sugar?...And voilà. A freshly brewed cup of this.

• Act polite
• Act flirtatious

"Is the drink to your liking?

Excellent. You are very welcome for it.The blend? I could send you home with a tin, if you'd like. It's my own, but I'm more than happy to share if you enjoy it so much....Well? Seeing that you made your way to me, I imagine there was something you wanted to talk about?"

• Books
• Music

"Aren't you a bold little vixen?

My, would you look at the time? Don't you think it's about time for you to leave?As inspiring of a visit this was, I'd prefer next time, we keep our conversations professional.Don't look so doe-eyed. I still may have interest in speaking with you, but only if you're buying something from the flower shop.I'm open weekdays from 10 to 6, save weddings or funerals scheduled that day. I look forward to your future business."

• Ren has kicked you out...

"Splendid! You know how to read!

I've always found it fascinating how we can practice escapism through the stories we tell. How writers can construe three-dimensional characters in two-dimensional spaces.How writers can give their characters a soul through vivid backstories and world-building. Entities that aren't alive, and yet, are, in so many ways.It makes me wonder if I'm a character in someone's story. Ha, a funny thought, isn't it?Though, I do suppose reading has its limitations. After all, escapism can be nice for a break from this world, but if I'm the same person in the end, how is it a big improvement on the life I've lived so far?Ah, that's enough about me. It seems you know quite a bit about my interests. It would only be fair if you told me about yourself. Who are you?"

• A lover
• A fighter

"Where words end, music speaks. Hans Christian Andersen.

Do you enjoy music too? I've heard that people process emotions differently. If I had to choose, I would say I process mine through music.Sometimes, it feels frustrating, like when you play a piece for the twentieth time, and yet it's not quite right. Or when your hands don't... cooperate......Apologies, I'm rambling. Ahem.Do I play any instruments? As a matter of fact, I do. Fancy a guess? If you're right, a reward may come out of it~"

• The viola
• The violin

"Excuse me?

The viola? Perhaps you're a dullard, but the violin and viola are two different instruments.Or did you genuinely think I played the viola? I'm hurt. Come back after you've bothered to learn something about me."

• Ren has kicked you out...

"My my, my little stalker remembers what instrument I play.

How adorable, you look so pleased with yourself! Yes, I play the violin.Your reward? Oh, you were actually expecting something! Would you like to be praised then?You'd rather listen to me play. I see. I suppose I can do that for you. I do hope you aren't bored by classical music then.I normally don't take requests, but seeing as I'm feeling admirable today, I'll give you a fragment of a choice. What are you feeling today?"

• Lively
• Emotional

"Something lively?

A few pieces come to mind, but this may be one you already recognize. Do sit back and at least try to have fun."
⠀

⠀
Bach, Partita No. 3, Gavotte en Rondeau. Covered by Augustin Hadelich.⠀"Ah... That seems to be all the time I have for you today; I do hope the music was of satisfaction to you. It's been a while since I've had an audience. I wouldn't be averse to playing you something else at a later date.For now, my dear, this is where we part ways. Until our paths cross again."

• Thank him and leave...

"Something emotional?

You know how to charm me, don't you? There's just something about melancholic pieces...Hmm. I hope you enjoy.
⠀

⠀
Bach, Sarabande. Covered by Ray Chen.
⠀"Ah... That seems to be all the time I have for you today; I do hope the music was of satisfaction to you. It's been a while since I've had an audience. I wouldn't be averse to playing you something else at a later date.For now, my dear, this is where we part ways. Until our paths cross again."

• Thank him and leave...

"Who are you?

A lover? My my, what an interesting response to the question! You would lay your life down for your friends and family. How romantic.Romance has never been one of my favourite genres. In some ways, love is nature's way of furthering evolution. Not that I could, er, have children of my own. To think my genetics prohibit me from reproducing. I'm truly not meant to exist, am I?I think I'm done with children anyways. The one I'm involved with is quite the... responsibility.What do I love? Now, let's see... My cat is somewhere on that list. Pluto. Have you seen him? Of course not. He doesn't like strangers in our home.I'm quite keen on botany as well. I'm a florist, you know. You should stop by for business sometime.A discount? No, why would I offer you that?"

• His friends?
• His family?

"Who are you?

So you're a fighter. In some ways, I too, see myself as a fighter. Given you've, ah, pried around my home now, I imagine you already know my story. When the world is against you, you do what you must to survive.It makes me wonder... If circumstances weren't so, what kind of person would I have turned out to be? Hmm...Say, if you had a wish, what would you wish for?"

• Peace
• Power

"What a marvelously ignorant thing to say!

Do you really think peace is possible? What if I were to say that my version of peace is that all humans were to, ah, collapse? That one day, everything you know and love just disappears?Of course, I don't actually wish for that.But you see how unrealistic "peace" can be. As long as people have differences, which they always will have, there will be disagreements, and there will always be someone drawing the short end of the stick so to speak.Go ahead and idealize peace if that brings you hope for the future. At least one of us should.Who knows? Maybe you can be the one to go and prove me wrong."

• All done

"How self-fulfilled you are. I'm quite the same.

Ha-ha! You're funny, I like that about you. You don't have a sense of control in your life, do you?How I can relate to that.I can assure you, my dear, power isn't all daisies and roses. People fear power. People envy power. If I wanted to, I could have you dead on the floor before your pretty little mouth can even form an "o".I have no intention of harming you. Yet, anyways.What were we discussing again?Ah, yes. The absence of power. Sometimes I feel like a bystander in my own body. My thoughts, actions, not my own. That the past I've lived and the future I'm approaching are part of someone else's plan.Or maybe that's an excuse for my inability to be responsible for my own life. It's much easier to blame my misdeeds on someone else than to own up to them. Who knows?"

• All done

"Do I have friends?

I'm not a lonely old coot. I do have friends, you know.It's quite ironic. I grew up hating humans and Witches and now I'm befriending them. Is this what they call character growth?Is there anything else you'd like to talk about?"

• His family?
• All done

"You're curious about my family?

Do I have a family? What a silly question, everyone had to come from somewhere!But as a more direct answer, not anymore. Not traditionally. My mother passed a while ago and I never met my second parent.Her name was Lily, if you're in the mood for remembrance.There are some people I consider family. We're not biologically related, no, but that hardly matters when it comes to the makings of a family anyways. I'm sure you've heard of one of them. She's quite renowned, dare I say, popular, here.Give Vera my greetings when you see her....And do let her know to please stop by sometime. She's left her coat and I would hate to venture that far into town to return such a measly item.Is there anything else you'd like to talk about?"

• His friends?
• All done

"Shall we conclude for today?

What a delightful conversation. I'm genuinely saddened that I must cut this short.Take this. It's my blend of your drink from today, in case you wanted to make some at home.And, ah, please do find your way here every so often. I wouldn't mind the company. Until our paths cross again, my dear."

• Leave