Chapter Text
Wocky is not exactly a fan of flowers. No, saying that was an understatement, Wocky thought that being a florist was stupid. Wocky would get up every day to his dreary job of selling flowers to people because he no longer has his parents to rely on; he no longer gets away with being rude and confrontational with the ordinary citizen; he can no longer be himself in this world. The only thing Wocky hated more than his job was the terrible weather that Winter would bring to California. The rain that was currently covering the city he lived in trapped him in his house like a prison door.
Going in to work on a Saturday, huh? What has my life turned into? Wocky idly thought to himself as he began his gloomy routine like he always did. The path to his workplace wasn’t far; it wasn’t treacherous at all. Ironic, Wocky considered it. Growing up, he always wanted to be some big, fearsome mob boss who had thousands of dollars and controlled thousands, but now… now he’s just some loser florist who can barely make ends meet.
The flower shop wasn’t even anything special. It was just some boring, random building on the side of the road. The sign out the front read “Kitaki Florists.” Inside, there was a small rug, flowers for sale in a central island and pots and other containers on the outside. The interior was narrow, and at the end lay Wocky Kitaki and the cash register.
Customer after customer came in, putting their wet shoes all over the floor like some idiots without even drying them first. Wow, I’ve truly become some old G who shouts at kids, haven’t I? Wocky mused to himself. The day ran like pretty much any other, with the exception of a single person. A woman, whose name he never even bothered to ask, came in with a long, wavy blue-ish hair, carrying some sort of sketchbook with her.
She wasn’t Wocky’s type, but wow, she made him nervous. Chill out, you’re an adult now, you know how to handle women… Wocky thought to himself in an attempt to calm down. She began to look around, and wordlessly inspected the flowers in the shop.
“Need any help there?” Wocky asked.
“Oh no, I’m just looking for flowers for a waiting room, that’s all.” She responded.
“Well, I’ve silk flowers if you want ‘em” Wocky said.
“No thanks. I want the flowers to be real.” She said gracefully.
“Yeah, yeah I agree, they wack. I’ve roses and tulips, along with more rare flowers too, if you wan’.”
“I think I will look on my own,” She said. She then began to look all around the store without talking to Wocky. Customers came and went, but she… she was an outlier in Wocky’s mind; a person wearing a rain jacket on a perfectly sunny day.
She perused the shelves for a while before deciding on a final bouquet of flowers to buy.
“How much would these flowers cost?” She asked. Wocky eyed the flowers she picked out: tulips, most of them being yellow or black
“Who are you, a beekeeper?” Wocky said, in an attempt to start small talk.
“No. I just enjoy this specific colour combination. I’m an artist, first and foremost, after all.”
Ah, so that’s where the sketchbook comes from
“How come a G like you’s buying flowers for a waiting room? You lookin’ to set up some sorta business or somethin’?” Wocky said.
“Yes… I’m actually looking to set up a tattoo studio.” She said
“Woah, I didn’t realize you were gangster!”
“Gangster? No, not at all. I just admire the way tattoos look on people. The thought of permanently inking something into your body. Is it not poetic?”
“Woah, that sounds like a whole lot of words for somethin’ that I don’t really get to be honest.” Wocky said. “I thought wantin’ to set up a tattoo place would be pretty gangster but I guess not, huh?”
“... I thought setting up a florist would be pretty poetic, but I suppose that’s not the type of person you are, is it?” Vera said.
“Yeah, hey maybe we should switch jobs, then the O.G’s finally know what to expect! ‘cept I can’t draw for shit…” Wocky said.
Vera let out a soft giggle before speaking: “Perhaps we should. Then again, I don’t think I could be a salesperson in anything that wasn’t related to art. I might just get too nervous talking to the customers.”
“Ah, well whatever! It gets easier over time, trust me, I’m a natural at making small talk with the customers.” Wocky said.
I am not a natural at this at all. I’m not even sure how I’m still talking to you, to be perfectly honest. Wocky thought to himself.
“Is that so? I’m sure I’ll be good at it then…”
“Yeah, well, look, I guess I know who to go to if I’m ever in need of a tattoo, y’know what I’m sayin’?”
“Ah, well, I’m still new to this after all… I’m unsure if you’d even want to go to somebody as inexperienced as me…”
“Nah, trust me! I don’ wanna be dealing with some wack needles or whatever; trust me, I’ve been there!” Wocky said
I have definitely not been there
“Oh yes, that is something I plan to avoid having at all costs…”
“Yeah, y’see! Real G’s gonna be flyin’ into your place!”
“Wow… that’s a very optimistic outlook…” Vera said
“But it’s true! And you wanna know why I know? Cuz I’m a real O.G down here! You get me?”
“... Wow, I’m unsure what to say. … Well, I have to go now, but these flowers look like they’ll suit my lounge well.”
“Oh yeah, be sure to Google a guide or 2 on how to take care of the flowers! Gotta make sure those beauties don’ go to waste…” Wocky said
“I’ll be sure to do so…. Goodbye.”
“So uh, that’ll be 12 bucks” Wocky said
“Oh, right... “ Vera Misham pulled out her purse and gave $12 to Wocky.
“Bye! And uh, see ya later!” Wocky said as Vera began to leave the shop.
It took a couple of seconds for what Wocky had actually just done to finally sink into his mind. However, once the realization hit, he became shocked.
Wait… I just did that. That was so smooth, I felt so good doin’ it, I was so confident… I feel like I just shot a guy straight in the forehead! How did I even make it out of that alive? Whatever, I know people by now… she probably doesn’t even like me back… right?
The rest of the day went about the same for Wocky. Customers came in, they bought flowers wordlessly, and the monotony of the work day began to set in. And with that monotony came with the realization that Vera Misham really was the royal flush among the pairs and 2 pairs.
Whatever, G’s like her probably aren’t gonna show up again, right? She already got her flowers, she won’ buy more.
At least, that’s what Wocky thought for now.