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Post by xiaomei on Sept 20, 2011 18:04:55 GMT -5
The routine for that day was the same as always. Today, though, she was working on an arrangement of roses. Roses and lilies and baby's breath and greenery. Honestly, she hoped the person liked perfume scents. The arrangement was going to smell delightfully strong for days.
She looked up and smiled as someone walked into her shop. "Hello. How may I - " But she stopped as he spoke. "You must be Yao...?" She queried, her voice soft. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you. I'm glad you liked them... I hoped you would. Really." She smiled, tilting her head. "I suppose you know me already... But... I'm Mei." Absently, she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, careful not to dislodge the peonies clipped in her hair.
"Is there anything I can..." But she paused. "Oh, but... Where is Ning-Wei?" Immediately, concern flooded her voice. "Is he all right? I hope nothing has happened to him..."
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Post by china on Sept 20, 2011 18:12:22 GMT -5
"He will be fine. He's caught a bad cold, but I'm taking good care of him." Yao smiled again when he noticed she was even wearing peonies in her hair. They looked nice on her.
"I'm glad he's taken good care of when he comes here, he looks full and happy when he comes home every time." He said, followed by a little chuckle.
Yao picked up a pouch and put it on the desk, looking at her. "Do you have more of those striped peonies?" he asked. He'd really liked them...
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Post by xiaomei on Sept 20, 2011 18:27:06 GMT -5
"Oh. Oh, poor Ning-Wei." Mei murmured, a light frown on her lips. She felt badly for him. "Please, if it's no trouble... please give him a hug from me?" When he chuckled, she relaxed slightly, a smile crossing her lips again. "I hope you don't mind him staying as he does... I've begun to grow bamboo especially for him."
She looked at the pouch, then up at him, a delighted smile lighting her face. "Oh, oh- yes! Of course. Wait here. I'll get them for you." She was thrilled that he'd asked for those. Without any hesitation, she slipped past him and to the back of the little shop, returning moments later with an armful of peonies. Most of them were, of course, the striped ones he'd asked for; but she did add in some white and pink as well. "Will these do?"
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Post by china on Sept 20, 2011 19:36:11 GMT -5
"Those are perfect. Thank you." He said, looking at them. The striped peonies were really pretty, and the fun pattern made them even more special and attractive.
"I don't mind him staying here at all, as long as he returns before it gets dark." Yao said, putting the gold the flowers cost on the counter.
"It's very sweet of you to spoil him like that. It's a nice treat for him after taking that trip, and a welcome rest." he said. The first couple of times Ning-Wei had just come, gotten the flowers and paid and left. He was then tired when he got back, but after he'd started resting here before going back, he was in a much better mood and well-rested. Yao always worried when he sent the panda out, but he was happy he and Mei had become such good friends.
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Post by xiaomei on Sept 20, 2011 19:59:40 GMT -5
"Of course. A-and he really is welcome any time, not just when he's on an errand. Oh... You as well, Yao, sir. Please, if you're out in town and nearby, you're more than welcome to come in. I've usually got tea on." Mei stated. Well, he was one of her best customers. She certainly wouldn't mind. And he did seem as kind as Ning-Wei, which spoke well of him (what spoke even more highly, though, was the fact that the panda seemed to adore him. Well, he'd have to, to stay as he did).
"If it's no trouble..." She began hesitantly, fiddling with a spool of ribbon, "I would love to hear how you found him." White with these? No, pink. Always pink. Carefully, she measured out a length, and cut it before tying it in a well-practiced bow around the stems.
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Post by china on Sept 23, 2011 21:53:53 GMT -5
She wanted to hear about how he met Ning-Wei. Yao smiled softly and leaned against the counter a little with his hip. He saw no reason not to tell her. If Ning-Wei trusted her, he figured he could trust her as well. And it was a nice story.
"I met him a few years ago when he was just a cub. He'd been abandoned by his mother I believe. He was all alone and even hurt, so he was naturally scared. It took me a while to get close to him, but I managed to take care of him and he's been with me ever since. He's loyal and my best friend." Yao told her, looking at the florist.
"The first few weeks were really hard and a great test of my patience with all his crying and resistance. At one point I was close to giving up, but I decided I had to help him. And it's paid off, I believe..."
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Post by xiaomei on Sept 24, 2011 16:14:35 GMT -5
Mei watched as Yao leaned against the counter. It was strange, even though this was the first she'd ever met him... she was completely at ease. She didn't mind him leaning on her counter, like she would any other customer.
As he told the story, she listened, smiling softly. Poor thing, abandoned by his mother - but he had Yao, now, and so he'd never have to worry again. It was really very sweet. "I think it has. Both of your lives are better for having each other - you, because he is your friend. And Ning-Wei, because without you, he wouldn't have survived." She fiddled with the bow again, then lifted the flowers and held them out to him. "Here are your flowers... But... But you don't have to rush out, if you've got time." A faint smile crossed her lips. "I do have tea."
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Post by china on Sept 29, 2011 14:15:41 GMT -5
Hearing Mei say those things made Yao feel happy inside. He smiled at her words. "I think you're right... I do feel happier with him around. And I really hope he's happy with me. He hasn't complained yet." He said with a chuckle.
The flowers were just as beautiful as the last time. He took them, looking at them and smelling them. Beautiful and a great scent.
At her suggestion of him staying a bit longer, and tea, he smiled and nodded. "Tea sounds great. Thank you."
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Post by xiaomei on Oct 3, 2011 21:01:37 GMT -5
Mei smiled again, glad that he wasn't leaving right away. She'd wanted to meet him for some time now, this man who always asked for peonies... and now that she had, she wanted to get to know him better. After all, if Ning-Wei liked him, and stayed with him, he had to be worth knowing.
"Here, please... sit. There are chairs behind the counter, there. I'll get the tea." Actually, she had to get the cups first - they were in the back. She slipped past him, pausing at the door. "I'll just be a second."
True to her word, a minute or so later, and a fragrant herbal tea was placed in front of him in a delicate china cup. The teapot and another cup soon followed, and a small plate of purchased cakes. She'd soon settled in the chair next to him, shifted so she was looking at him. "I realize this might sound forward, Yao, but... would you mind telling me a little about yourself? I... I like to get to know my customers. It makes arrangements so much easier."
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