Cori tugs on the hood of his cloak, pulling the black fabric closer around him. He sighs, watching Jack and Trian skitter around him excitedly while he attempts to shop in peace. It was maybe 10 in the morning and the shops were busy as hell.
Good god he is not having a good time. He tugs the hood further over himself, both out of self consciousness from being a San'layn and from the stupid morning sun that always gave him killer headaches.
"Trian! Jack! Going to the next store," he tells the two who follow at his sides as he steps into a nearby flower shop.
He'd felt a little bad just bringing the housing listings to Ria like 'get out', though that's not what he meant. He meant it a little bit, he's been getting increasingly anxious with her around him. Which meant he was going to do what he does best. Vague the fact that he's apologizing but never say it directly.
He huffs at his own internal jab at himself.
-
He lets Jack and Trian do whatever as he leans down, peering at one of the collections of flowers. Pinks and reds and blues. He tilts his head to it, squinting, before moving onto the next collection. Golds, oranges, reds. Fiery.
He hums, feeling the petals gently in between his fingers softly. His ear flicks and he tugs his hood over his head more. He could hear the shop lady speaking to a different couple who were interested in the flowers as well, so he tries not to call attention to himself, just moving to the next bunch of flowers.
He trails the tips of his fingers along the edges of the next bunch. Reds and golds. He didn't know the name of any of the flowers, truly, so he was just going by color and look.His mind briefly trails off, thinking about the different looking flowers that he could draw. Maybe make them look like fire itself but softer, hints of red--
He shakes his head, tapping his own forehead. He's getting distracted. He looks over his shoulder to check on Trian and Jack but it seems they were just talking on a bench. Good good, he doesn't have to worry about that. His fingers run over a different collection of flowers, these ones just being golds and blues. Doesn't fit Ria at all so he moves on immediately.
"See somethin' ya like yet?"
He damn near jumps out of his skin and almost falls over, straightening up immediately. He adjusts his hood, looking up at the tall Zandalari troll woman, "Ah-- uh." Wow, much intelligence.
She laughs heartily, brushing her hair back, "Whatcha lookin for?" She asks, leaning on the counter to smile at him and be a little bit more eye-level.
"Eh-- uhm," he stutters before clearing his throat. Dammit Cori, you're FINE it's just the morning chill OUT, "A Departing gift of sorts? My roommate is going to move into her own place soon--" He hesitates, "It's also kind of an apology,"
She hums, low and long, "I see, I see," she nods, "So are ya lookin' for somethin' in specific, or are ya just wingin' it?"
"I'm uh. Just winging it," He scratches the back of his head, slightly embarrassed.
He tugs on his cloak, flickering his gaze over at Trian and Jack to make sure they weren't gone before looking back at the lady.
She taps her fingers against the counter, humming again, "Well, a good place ta start is always somethin' like," she pauses briefly, "What she's like, hm?"
He scratches his arm, "Oh uh, I don't know shit about flower language," he nervously laughs, kind of feeling bad.
"Oh dat's unfortunate!" She laughs, "What she like den?"
He scratches his neck, "She's uh, nice. A bit emotional-- but not in a bad way, eh. Very stubborn. Self sufficient," he scoffs, adding the last part more like a mumble, "To the point of stupidity, in my opinion,"
She raises her eyebrows and he waves his hands, "She's very endearing though! I envy her in her confidence with showing her feelings,"
"I see I see," she nods again, plucking a few different collections out. She splays them out, "Do ya have a bit o' time for a lil lesson in flower language?" She asks, smiling warmly at him.
He blinks and nods.
-
He walks home, Trian and Jack at his sides once more, a small basket of large, white, fully bloomed flowers along with a few light red carnations. He was satisfied with his purchase, a tiny bit proud of his newfound knowledge on flowers, a tiny smile on his face.
Which was quickly soured by the looks he got from the people around him and he realizes that he left his hood off. He sighs, pulling it up. He needs to remember to cast the spell to make himself look like a normal deathknight next time.
He shakes off the feeling, stopping after a bit to sit down with Jack and Trian, who look at him a little bit in confusion at the sudden stop. He mumbles a quiet incantation as an afterthought, the flowers glowing gold for a second before going back to normal. Chronomancy is very useful in tiny increments. Now these won't die.
He starts walking again, scratching his chin, he wonders if Ria would actually appreciate that. He shrugs, and steps back into the house, finished before noon.
