‘Flowers for All Occasions’
An elegant sign hung above the door with a repose that was nothing shy of resplendent. That was to say, everything about the business’ store front appeared picturesque from every angle.
From the way that the shop’s letters curled and swept up into one another before branching off into leaves and floral accents that while colorful, proved not to be too distracting to the eye- to the earthen-toned shutters and cobblestone pathway that led up to the main entrance from the street, everything about the building seemed ethereal.
Which, on some level, only acted to heighten the feeling of guilt that nagged at her senses.
Barbara Gordon had always thought herself to be a law-abiding citizen. At least, as much so as any self-proclaimed vigilante could adhere to the conscripts of law and order whilst meanwhile acting above their everyday station in the highest self-governing authority. But, well… that was something else entirely.
From where the masked woman was perched across the alleyway from Gotham’s most exotic up-and-coming greenery, she realized that the full irony of her current situation was not entirely lost on her.
Here, Doctor Pamela Isley, PHD and former ecoterrorist (to the nth degree) had established a new name for herself. Not as Poison Ivy, a spurned advocate for all that mother nature intended, but as a scientist again. This time, hanging up the lab coat to nurture plant life for those refined enough to appreciate it as she did, while also beginning to publish new works on her findings. Albeit, the papers were few and far between, but such was the nature of Ms. Isley’s condition. Until her reform, people had never really been her forte, although argument could be made that the human condition had not grown on her any more in recent years than it had in her murkier past dealings.
And now, in repayment of her fresh start, Batgirl found herself with every intention of breaking and entering into the former villainess’ new fortress. Babs clicked her tongue as she continued to scope out her entrance plan in the twilight darkness.
To be fair, she needed a consult with the doctor, and she didn’t exactly have an after-hours contact for the botanist. Nevertheless, their numerous encounters in the past should have been enough reason for the head-strong redhead to reevaluate her options. She knew what the scientist was capable of, even If she claimed to be free of her previous inclinations.
Above all else, however, this was not a social visit.
Shiloh Iqbal, president of Myriad Science Pharmaceuticals had only been in Gotham for a week, cycling through closed-door meetings and vying for financial support of his newest pet project had been found dead in his office not more than an hour earlier. The distress call had lasted a mere 13 seconds before the line had fallen silent, as listless as he had proven to be when Babs had finally managed to reach him.
Despite his ripe age of 52, heart attack had seemed unlikely. Despite the first responder’s earliest suspicion. Although, given the fact that the first responders had arrived second to the scene, Barbara could understand where first second glance may have offered up cardiac arrest as the most likely cause of death.
They hadn’t found the calling card.
Folded almost tenderly into the palm of his upturned palm the masked maiden had discovered a flower, so innocent that she almost didn’t dare move it. Even without sunlight it’s demure periwinkle coloring had glistened with a strange incandescent sheen. As she had moved it delicately into a small evidence bag the petals shifted into something deeper- close to blood-red magenta that held her gaze captive. Enough to know that this was not something you could find in your local supermarket bouquet.
And so, she had secured it away in her belt and made her way across town to the only specialist she knew might have an inkling on the matter. Bringing her here, in this moment, to a brisk April rooftop, overlooking the same specialist’s shop- planning a less-than-lawful entry.
In the end, it was the desire for answers that overpowered her guilt, and Barbara made her way across the alleyway with a ballerina’s poise, pausing only a moment to gauge the evening’s response before moving with the same fluidity onto the greenhouse rooftop beyond.
While she hadn’t expected any of the greenhouse windows to yield without a fuss, it didn’t take more than a few moments before she had managed to rig one open at the latch with one of the more useful multi-tools in her arsenal. As she eased the ceiling panel open enough to allow herself room for entrance, the woman exhaled deeply- allowing herself one final opportunity for fresh air before plummeting into the lion’s den below.
Landing in a gentle roll, the youthful Gordon began to take in her new surroundings with bated breath as new thoughts began to invade her conscious. Although Pamela had claimed reform, perhaps she could have planned an entrance with less hostility. After all, the woman had never taken kindly to strangers approaching her children without her consent.
“Shit.” Babs cursed wordlessly. Maybe it would have been worth the effort of trying to make her way in through a shop window, rather than the greenhouse itself.
At this point, only one question remained: would it prove more advantageous to announce her presence, or to attempt to skulk into a less private area of the establishment?
Thinking better of startling her unwitting host, Babs began to move through the rows of potted and soiled plants, taking no stock of their inventory as she made careful note to avoid them at any cost. If she could only make it to the side door beyond- it seemed to open into an outdoor garden, an area presumably more open and welcome to her intrusion. If she could only make it there, maybe then she would truly be safe to introduce herself.
(Let me just say thank you for all of your patience. Not only has life been demanding recently, but I have wasted too-much time overthinking this starter already. While it may not be the gem that I had hoped, I had to finally bite the bullet and hope it will suffice.)