In Need of Cheering Up - Ben Tags Elaine

[Benjamin Rhodes]

Ben couldn't believe he hadn't bought Yulia any flowers for months. After finding out the young woman loved it and hadn't seen too much of it when she was in Russia, Ben had made it a point to get her flowers every now and then.

But with the impending date of her former partner's death anniversary, Ben thought why not go all out? So off he went to the mall to find a gift shop. He then remembered Cobalt's suggestion and decided to head down to his friend's shop. Mama's Garden it was called?

It was easy to spot and Ben was immediately drawn to it. Pushing the door open, he reveled in the warmth of the shop and smiled at the lone person by the counter. "Hi," he greeted her with a smile. "I'm trying to get flowers for um, grave visiting and also to cheer someone up. I need recommendations because I'm actually pretty bad with flowers." Ben grinned sheepishly, a quirk that made him look years younger than he was.

[Elaine Tonaya]

Elaine was sitting behind the counter reading when the bell above the door rang. She glanced up with a big smile.

"Hello, can I help you?"

He smelled...strange. For some reason she felt that her nose should be twitching right now, except that it wasn't. Peculiar, but not bad. He seemed like a nice guy.

"Grave visiting? And cheering up. Well, I will see what I can do."

She set the book--A Study in Scarlet--on the counter with a bookmark and came around the counter. "The person who died, do you know their favorite flower? You are going to visit them, and you should probably give them something they like. If you don't know their favorite, then you might try your own favorite flower, or a simple bunch of forget-me-nots."

Then she turned to a collection of tiger lilies on display. "What about for your friend? Does this...person have a set of flowers they particularly like?" She suspected from the smell that it might be for a guy, but she didn't want to seem presumptuous. "And it depends on what you're trying to say, really. Is this person you're trying to cheer up a rose sort of person..." she raised her eyebrow and said the word slowly while carefully holding a rose bud "...or a daisy person?" She said this with a chipper smile as she patted the flower.

"I'm Elaine, by the way," she said as she led the man around the store. "It's nice to meet you, sir. I don't get out much, so it's always nice to see a new face."

[Benjamin Rhodes]

Grinning sheepishly, Ben shook his head when the florist asked if he knew Evgeny. Obviously not. He didn't even know if Evgeny had a grave site. All he knew was that Yulia would probably want to get some flowers. The poor girl probably knew as much about flowers as Ben did. And he didn't know much of anything flowers, at all.

"I'm not the one who's visiting. It's for a friend of mine. She...probably doesn't even know you should have flowers. I mean, I don't know if you actually need flowers for someone who probably doesn't even have a grave." Why he was nervously babbling, Ben had no idea. There was just something about the woman that made him...antsy. It wasn't anything bad but just...different.

"Well, she doesn't have a favourite, I don't think. I remember she said daisies or...something. She grew up in a place where flowers don't come up too often I guess. I think anything that cheers people up I spose." Ben shrugged helplessly. Of all things he didn't care to learn about...

"Um, yeah I know who you are." The pychologist smiled, hoping not to sound too creepy. "I mean, I know Cobalt." He grimaced lightly at the name. He was supposed to apologise to the man but what with Oberon and the sudden influx of social workers laying claim on his expert opinion, Ben hadn't found the time. It didn't help that Cobalt had completely ditched him the other day without so much as a call. Maybe he should try mending things once more. Not with flowers. Somehow Ben didn't think Cobalt would appreciate flowers.

"I'm Ben." He followed her around, examining the place. "This is a nice place you've got here. Easy to maintain?" He asked, bending down to look at some potted plants that would be a great gift for Casey.

[Elaine Tonaya]

Elaine gave a little frown. "If you're not the one visiting the grave, you probably shouldn't be the one buying the flowers. But if your friend needs that much help and doesn't even know what kind to give, well..." She thought for a moment, then steered over to a row of flowers. "Lilies. They are a common flower for funeral arrangements, and I will put in a few fern leaves to highlight everything." She put together a small bundle and held it up. "Look nice?"

As she walked over to another display, she called over her shoulder, "That's all that really matters, you know. If you think they look nice. If you think they're pretty, it doesn't matter if it's the finest rose or a dandelion you picked on the side of the road. It has meaning."

She smiled as she went to the back section, where she had a display of orchids in a refrigerated container. "This, for example, is my favorite flower." She held out a purple orchid. "It is supposed to mean refinement, or be given to a beautiful woman." A memory came to her of her first date with Marcus, how he had brought her a purple orchid as a corsage for the homecoming dance.

"You know Cobalt, huh? Well, it's good to see that he is meeting new people. He was the crankiest person...but I hear he's getting better, especially now that he has that new intern. Apparently it is difficult to be antisocial when you have someone who invites people over to your house." She glanced at Ben again. "Have we met before? You seem a little familiar..." She wanted to say that he smelled familiar, that there was something in his aura that she almost recognized, but that just sounded strange to someone who was unaware of her power. And she wasn't the type to just talk about her power all the time, especially since it was so difficult to explain.

"I love my store, I really do. But sometimes it gets to be a bit much. You've caught me during the slow season. But I do get calls for weddings a lot a little later in the year, and there's always funerals, and I get very busy around all the school dances. I expect a lot of business when Easter hits, as well. I'm starting to think I'll need an assistant, actually, though I can't really afford to hire someone full-time. Especially not after--" She cut off, but since she'd already started, it seemed rude not to finish the statement. "Not after the break-in, anyway. I had to dip into my savings to repair all the damage." And that was all she wanted to say on the subject.

[Benjamin Rhodes]

"I know," Ben winced at the woman's frown. "Lia feels awkward enough getting out of the house to go to the mall let alone be seen with a bunch of flowers." He grinned apologetically. As Elaine started pulling flowers and what seemed to be long leaves and bunching them up together, Ben regarded her in awe. A tiny smile crept up from the corners of his lips. "Yeah, they look amazing." He rubbed his hand against his scruffy chin. Damn, he needed a shave.

Elaine walked him through the shop once more and he concentrated on what she was saying. The smile on Ben's face lifted when he saw the purple orchid. He didn't want to sound dorky in front of the woman so he refrained from saying something stupid like: "No wonder that's your favourite flower." Although to be fair, the woman seemed rather refined herself. And there was no questioning her beauty for sure.

"Yes, I do..." he paused and held back a smirk when the woman called Cobalt cranky. Cobalt? Anything but pleasant? Why I never. What Elaine said next reminded Ben of the still unfinished tale of Poker Night and he laughed slightly. "Sorry," he apologised for his sudden outburst. "I...I was reminded of that night. Cobalt told me about it." He explained before it suddenly dawned on him. Wasn't she the woman he saw dancing with Cobalt that night at the Christmas bash? And again during New Year's Eve at Riley's?

"I think we have. I must have not recognised you. Both events we were at had a lot of people and I-" mostly concentrated on Cobalt was just at the tip of his tongue. It was lucky he held back and thus tried to save his embarrassment. "...Was probably a little too drunk to notice anything or anyone else." He grinned sheepishly. This was a little too embarrassing. Why was he so damned nervous around this woman?

He listened intently at Elaine's almost wistful speech. The part where she mentioned a break in surprised him. "Someone broke in to your shop? Why would they...?" Of all places to break in. Had the culprits thought it was an easy target? Heartless bastards. Elaine seemed like such a nice woman. Bad things just shouldn't happen to such nice people, Ben thought. But such was life. He was overcome with admiration for the woman's strength as he reached out to squeeze her shoulder, dropping his hand down to his side immediately. "I'm so sorry for the loss. But the place looks absolutely wonderful despite...everything." He nodded with a small smile.

"All I can do to help is probably have my friends come over here for anniversary gifts for their wives." A chuckle bubbled from his throat. "You're incredible with flowers, obviously."

[Elaine Tonaya]

Lia. The name was definitely female, which led Elaine to think that this wasn't for any romantic purposes. She was aware enough to pick up on some of the more obvious traits in his aura. "Glad you like them. And if you trust me enough with the lilies, then maybe I can find something else for you."

His face lit up a bit when she held up the orchid, and since she could guess that the flower was for a woman, she went ahead and placed it on the counter. "Lilies and an orchid, and next time you come in I'll be sure to get you a few tulips. Those have a tendency to brighten any room, though I think that this will be enough for now. Unless you would like more." She didn't like to push huge purchases on anyone, rather asking that they come back in. Repeat customers were better for business and for her mental health--she always loved having good conversations.

She had to smile too as she thought of the infamous Poker Night. "I know what you mean. I wasn't there, but I heard about it, and it was honestly one of the funniest things I've ever seen to watch Coby's face of disgust." She accidentally (or was it?) slipped into using her pet name for the friend. "We've been friends for a while, and teasing him is one of the most entertaining parts of my day."

She grinned again, this time a bit mischievously, when she heard him hesitate on his explanation of their meeting. "Don't worry, I understand perfectly. It's hard to remember everyone at a large gathering, especially when other people are holding your interest." And she caught another whiff, and suddenly it struck her. His smell was familiar, not just because of him, but because of who he was like.

"Um, you don't mind me asking, but...have you ever met Joshua Bernstein?" Elaine wouldn't forget the name of Cobalt's friend--the one person in Pilot Ridge who she was allergic to. And this Ben smelled...uncannily like the other man, with just enough difference that she wasn't sneezing constantly. "You remind me of him. Your...personalities are similar." Personality, not aura. Because saying "aura" made her sound like some sort of hippie or something.

"I don't know why they broke in, but it doesn't really matter. It's all fixed now, and looking better than ever, I think." She forced a smile as she looked around the shop, which had received a complete cleaning and a fresh coat of paint during its restoration. "And I'm glad you like it. Good to hear that hard work is still appreciated."

Elaine took the compliment with her usual grace, meaning that she waved her hand around in the air and ignored it almost completely. "Please. Anyone who spends twenty years around flowers becomes good at picking things out. Besides, I've got a bit of a leg up in that I can often match a person to a flower after only a few minutes. It's a 'Mom' thing, understanding people. For example..." She spun around and dug around for a moment until she came up with a small stem of purple flowers. "I bet that you are a hyacinth person. Do you know the myth of Hyacinth and Apollo?" The wicked grin was hidden behind the flowers, but the gleam in her eye was still quite evident.

[Benjamin Rhodes]

Ben simply nodded and smiled in reassurance as Elaine flitted about the shop, trusting her more than enough with flower arrangements. The woman seemed to have the Midas touch.

He held a hand up and shook his head when she asked if he wanted more. He only had two hands. He was quite sure if he needed more, this would be the place to go. "No, thank you Elaine. I think these are more than enough already. Thank you so much."

A smile crept across his lips when Elaine used a name Ben hadn't thought of associating it with Cobalt of all people. Surely if 'Coby' was used once, he hadn't been such a cranky bastard when he was younger. Oh Ben. If only you knew how wrong you could be. "I'm sure," Ben chuckled, running his fingers through his hair.

He balked at being caught by the well-mannered blond woman of his blunder. Did the woman know? How could she? If she hadn't been that aware of him during the party to recognise him now, Ben was confident she hadn't seen the glances he had thrown subtly at their mutual friend.

Frowning slightly at the question, he slowly nodded. "Yeah, I do. I've been his friend-" he paused when Elaine said they had similar personalities. He had no idea how they equated in...personality but he wasn't going to argue with someone who was handling his flowers. "I...thank you...?" he laughed slowly.

His smile softened when he noticed the forced smile. Was it wrong that he felt like scooping the woman up into a hug right then? "Oh I do like it." He glanced around appreciatively. He could definitely see the hard work put in to make it feel sort of homey and warm.

Intrigued at her theory, Ben looked on as she produced a pretty purple flower. An eyebrow raised quizzically and he shook his head. "I don't know much of myths at all. Certainly not one revolving around a flower." He leaned forward in interest.

[Elaine Tonaya]

"Don't worry, it's a good thing to be like Joshua. The two of you are nice and loyal, which are the best traits in a friend. I'm sure you would never turn your back on a friend." She smiled at him again as she rang up his purchases and set them on the counter.

She was grateful that he was willing to not question her any further on the break-in and complimented her on the store. She got the distinct sense that he wanted to comfort her more, so she shook off the pain and continued with her business. Mothers didn't need comforting, remember?

"Ah, the beautiful Hyacinth. He was the weapons bearer of the god Apollo, god of the sun. Known for his exceptional beauty and his..." she quirked an eyebrow up, "...close relationship with the god. One day while Apollo was training though, the sun god accidentally struck Hyacinth a lethal blow. The youth died, wrapped in the golden arms of a deity, and was transformed by the love between the two into a beautiful flower. The Hyacinth." She held the flower up to him. "Very handsome and loyal to the end. I think it very appropriate." She placed it in next to the bundle of lilies. "Tell you what, this one's on me." She smirked again.

[Benjamin Rhodes]

A smile spread across Ben's face when Elaine branded him nice and loyal even without knowing him fully and on a more personal level. "I'm...yeah, thanks. I can assure you I wouldn't turn my back on a friend." He shook his head in determination. He'd sooner suffer than betray a friend, that was certain.

As she started on the tale of the flower, Ben got the distinct impression that he was missing something. Words like 'exceptional beauty', 'close relationship'...how did they relate to him?

He felt rather embarrassed that Elaine called him handsome and loyal but he shrugged it off, like he didn't quite care. It had been awhile since he had been complimented on his looks but coming from Elaine, Ben kind of felt that it came off more sincere than if it came from someone else.

The smirk, however, made him rather sheepishly uncomfortable. What was this woman implying?, he wondered. He chuckled it off and took out a few dollar bills for his purchases, extending it to Elaine. "How do I take care of it?" He queried, patting the delicate looking flowers.

[Elaine Tonaya]

He didn't get the story. Thus he didn't get her veiled attempts to let him know that she knew that he was vaguely interested in her best friend.

Why were all the guys in this town so dense?

There was nothing for it, though. She really didn't want to just go out and say "I know just about everything about you through awkward resources that I don't care to reveal to you at this point in time." It generally was bad for business. So she just had to let the whole thing go and hope that everything would work itself out later.

She kept a smile on her face and finished the financial transaction. "These are pretty easy to care for. Cut the stems diagonally, place them in a vase with some water. They should last for a few days, up to a week if you're good about it. The orchid you may want to float in a bowl of water." She raised her eyebrow. "You do have a vase, right? If not, I have a few here, or you can check out a supermarket to find something. Or use a cup."

As he was finishing up, Elaine pulled out a plate of cookies. "Here," she said, placing them on the counter. "Have a cookie. They're chocolate chip. I always keep a few around. And feel free to come back at any time, even if you're not needing flowers. It's good to have friends around. And I am sometimes pretty good at giving advice, too, if you ever need it."

[Benjamin Rhodes]

Oh the crimson shade that would colour Ben's cheeks were he to finally understand what Elaine meant...it would be rather embarrassing, really. Especially on a grown man such as him. He couldn't have known where Elaine got her information from anyway even if he knew what she meant in the first place. Surely Cobalt hadn't talked about him.

...Nah.

Ben listened to Elaine as she explained how to care for the flowers and he made a mental note to find a vase. He was sure he got one way back when he first moved in as a housewarming gift. "I think I have one at home." He nodded with a smile.

The plate of cookies presented looked delicious and his smile widened. "Those look delicious. Did you bake them yourself?" He asked, not resisting the temptation to grab one. Taking a bite, he took his purchases in his free hand. "These are delicious, Elaine." He took another bite and shook his head in wonderment. "I'm...definitely taking you up on that offer." Someday, Ben thought to himself. If he wanted to reconcile with Cobalt, he definitely needed help. And what better way than through a friend?

"Oh! Do you mind if I take your business card? Need to spread word of your shop somehow." Ben smiled pleasantly.

[Elaine Tonaya]

"Yes, they're a personal recipe of mine. Handed down through the generations and perfected over hundreds of years, then carefully retrieved by me from a Better Homes and Garden cookbook, just like all the best recipes." She laughed a bit. "I'm glad you like them. It's a good sign--means I haven't been shoving a bunch of bad food at people over the years."

She sensed that he might need some advice, but wasn't going to offer any unless it was asked. Especially since it might be something he wasn't willing to talk about at this time.

"I don't actually have a business card. Aside from the fact that I never needed one before now, I don't know what I'd put on it. I was never good at that sort of thing. Best way to spread news about me is through word of mouth, I think. Or you could make up some flyers if you really wanted to. You'd probably be better at that sort of thing, anyway." Lies. But it's good to make some sort of poor assumption so that they don't feel like their privacy has been invaded.

[Benjamin Rhodes]

Ben laughed in response to her reply. "Well, you've done them good." He nodded appreciatively.

"Oh, well I'll definitely spread the word. And no, I'm not actually that good at that sort of thing. I can barely write my way out of a thank you note. But I do have a business card. I'll give it to you in case you ever want me to drop by for a chat or something." Ben offered the woman a warm smile as he fished out his own business card and placed it on the counter.

"Again thank you so much for this." He held his purchases up as indication. "I'll send my friends your way if they ever need some flowers. You've been a tremendous help." He smiled and held one hand up in a wave. "Say hi to Cobalt for me." He added as an afterthought.

[ooc: wrapped for Ben ^^]