bakerstreet | the floriography meme

the floriography meme

the floriography meme

Flowers, in the Victorian Era (1837-1901), were often used as means of communication when people could not openly say things that we do these days. Think about someone who is naturally repressed; now imagine a whole society focusing on being repressed. You can see why lovers needed some sort of secret code. Poor things.

No longer used much, there are some remaining, well-known meanings—roses inspiring passion and love are a classic example. So, grab a bouquet and give it to someone special. Beware of what certain flowers could say, though. Not all flowers were used happily.

note: some prompts might cause triggers; be aware and specify in your comments

oo1. comment with your characters
make sure to put names, series, & preferences somewhere!
oo2. reply to others in character
oo3. go to RNG and roll 1-20
oo4. play out what happens! anything goes!
oo5. profit? profit!
oo6. originally from here

p r o m p t s

oo1. begonia ❀ beware

A hidden message is always appreciated. You need to keep an eye out, because your best friend might be banging your girl, or your girl is trying to off you!

oo2. chrysanthemum ❀ you’re a wonderful friend

Commonly used for funerals, this flower can also be used to send a gentle message. Someone is interested in you, but you only see them as a friend. Sorry.

oo3. clover ❀ promise

Promises, promises. Sometimes you mean them, sometimes you break them. Today, you promised your lover the best day ever. But does it work out?

oo4. daffodil ❀ unrequited love

There is an old tale of how a youth fell in love with his reflection and drowned. This is the ultimate rejection: no sparing of feelings, no kind words. Crush their souls.

oo5. forget-me-not ❀ memories, don’t forget me

This well-known flower is often given to loved ones as parting gifts. Who knows how long you’ll be gone? Maybe for only a day, or forever and a lifetime.

oo6. hazel ❀ reconciliation

You and a former love have parted ways for one reason or another. Time has cooled your head, but not your heart, so maybe it’s time to rekindle that fire.

oo7. hyacinth ❀ sorrow, forgive me

This holiday does not bring happiness to everyone. Yes, you’re sad and alone this year—but what are you going to do about it? Hopefully not mope with ice cream.

oo8. marigold ❀ cruelty

Love doesn’t mean a thing to you. The people around you are all puppets, and you love playing with them in the meanest way possible. Have fun, you psychopath.

oo9. mistletoe ❀ kiss me

Pure and simple: give someone a kiss! Your lover, your little sister, a stranger from across the room, or go wild and give the whole town some love!

o10. orange blossoms ❀ wedding, marriage bliss

Oh yes, you’re doing it: having a wedding on one of the cheesiest days of the year! Bring your rice and gifts, a priest is waiting to unite two people in love.

o11. plum blossom ❀ beauty, longevity

It’s a long shot, but you gotta try it. Flattery and buttering people up is one of the best ways to get what you want… romance, a date, money, sex…

o12. poppy ❀ oblivion

It is never good to be oblivious, and it’s awful to not see that someone is in love with you. But sadly, you are. Or is the other person the clueless one?

o13. primrose ❀ can’t live without you

You need them. More than lust or financial stability, you cannot imagine a world where you are not with this other person. Who said anything about a healthy relationship?

o14. rose (dark red) ❀ mourning

You never broke up with them, you never forgot about them. This is true love separated—they’re dead and gone. But have you moved on?

o15. rose (red) ❀ i love you, confession

Today is the day to express love, and nothing is better than expressing a love not expressed before! So go on, confess those beautiful feelings!

o16. rose (white) ❀ secrecy and silence

Sometimes you have to keep secrets. Sometimes that secret is someone else. So, enjoy a midnight rendezvous or run away for a passionate day somewhere.

o17. rose (yellow) ❀ infidelity

You couldn’t help it, this other person was just too… something to resist. That’s right! You’re cheating on your public lover today, but do you care or not?

o18. saffron ❀ abuse

Not all love is happy. Sometimes the problems are worse than money or cheating. It’s not limited to physical abuse either: there’s emotional, verbal, psychological…

o19. sweet pea ❀ good-bye

This day can really suck sometimes. Not as bad as being dumped on Christmas, but all the same. Your special someone obviously doesn’t feel the same anymore.

o20. violets ❀ let’s take a chance

Go for it! Love is exciting, and you don’t have to stay in a rut. Date someone new, elope, or do something creative. In the end, be different from the norm this year!

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[He is going to move away for the time being, anyway, as he needs to set the vase down somewhere. Ritsuka does not intend to hold it for the entire visit. Surely it is not going to do wonders for his arms.]

Yeah, fine.

[Ritsuka does not mind Natsuo and Youji hanging around, really. Even if they do say things he does not exactly like hearing.]

[Soubi's heart gives an eager little leap at this. Even a moment longer with Ritsuka is a gift. Ritsuka does not only consent to around him - he willingly comes to visit and even to stay for a time. It's more than Soubi could have hoped for, though he knows that Ritsuka will need to become closer to bond fully. He beckons the boy to the kitchenette, smiling.]

I'll make tea, then. Would you like green tea, or cinnamon? There is a blackberry infusion as well.

[He does not put up a fight in this matter as he has already agreed to stay a little longer. Ritsuka quietly follows after Soubi and is quick about setting the vase on the table. Then he pauses. Tea?]

I don't typically drink tea. You pick.

[And now, of course, Soubi is all energy. There is practically a spring in his step as he moves toward the stove to put the teapot on. He turns to look at Ritsuka, eyebrows raised and a look of fake-shock on his face.]

You don't? Then you're missing a wonderful thing! Tea is good for the body and the mind, Ritsuka, and it sharpens the senses. You're still growing; you need nourishment in every area.

[He picks up an ornate tin of loose tea.]

Let's start with blackberry then, so that you can become accustomed to it. It's very sweet.

[Soubi's attitude is enough to get Ritsuka's attention. He is not quite sure if he should feel wary around the man at times like these. For the time being, however, some weight is lifted from Ritsuka's shoulders.

I...

[Wait-- is he being made fun of? Ritsuka huffs as he stands by the table, continuing to watch Soubi. That is not the first time he has heard that. The other man is always talking about things like that. Being younger, those sort of things did not matter.]

Okay, I'll have some.

[He sighs.]

Thanks, Soubi.

[Despite apparently being busy readying the small Japanese teacups and tea strainer, Soubi is very much watching Ritsuka's face. He sees the emotions chase over his Sacrifice's features: nervousness, indignity, and acceptance. Ritsuka is so cute: he still finds it difficult to cope with his older servant. That will change with time.

He opens a top cabinet and takes out a tiny box of traditional tea cookies. He hands them to Ritsuka.]

Pick a few that you like. Normally they're eaten with green tea, but they're delicious with anything hot.

[As long as it is not spoken of. It is not something he wants to hear about. Such things are mere lies as well.

Ritsuka reaches to take the little box and carefully opens it up. The lid is placed on the table as he looks inside the box. They do look as though they are going to taste good. With a bandaged hand, Ritsuka pulls one cookie out.]

Do you want one, Soubi?

[He crosses to the small, round table with its mismatched chairs and puts down two small plates.]

Yes. I will have a green one. It's made with matcha.

[The teapot is starting to whistle, gently. He takes it off the burner and pours the water into the stone pot before the whistle becomes too shrill. Fits the tea-strainer on so that the loose blackberry tea leaves are submerged, and then brings the pot to the table.]

We'll let it steep for a few minutes, so that it takes on a strong flavor.

[Ritsuka will pick out the particular cookie to put on one plate for Soubi. The box is set down as he takes the moment to watch Soubi again. The way the man is moving in his own environment is captivating. Just these things that are not done on purpose are enough to lure him in.

It takes a moment for him to snap out of his daze and to process what Soubi is saying.]

That's fine. You know what you're doing, anyway.

[Soubi knows exactly when he is being captivating; a life spent learning how to please his master has made him become very in-tune with the moods of others. He smiles gently as he brings the two small teacups to the table.]

Come, why don't you sit down? We can leave some tea for seconds if you like it.

[Well, Ritsuka hasn't anything to think about that matter. He doesn't want to think about whatever master has Soubi or just...stupid things like that. The boy is quick to rub at his face before he does as Soubi asks him and settles down in his seat. And yet now it bothers him. It has not even been brought up and he is troubled.]

Soubi...Honestly, tell me, why are you doing these things.

[He looks up at Ritsuka, polite surprise on his face.]

Should I stop?

[Not that he would, even if Ritsuka told him to.]

[A hand balls up into a fist before Ritsuka is standing again. What a terribly difficult question. And yet he does not hesitate to try to answer. If he takes too long then he isn't going to know what to say.]

Yes--

[Damn.]

No...I-- I don't know!

[Too slow. Or maybe the question isn't meant to be answered. He brings a hand up to his face, trying to not allow himself to appear too bothered. But it's pointless, he knows that. It is not as though he can hide as he goes on with speaking.]

Every other thing you say is a lie. What you do is because someone else tells you. I hate it. I want to hate you but I can't.

[And it's so damn frustrating.]

[Soubi watches Ritsuka's outburst calmly, without moving. His poor, confused, beautiful Ritsuka. It must be this way, he knows, for Seimei's orders were to protect Ritsuka and thus he will protect Ritsuka with his life. This includes keeping him from knowing things that will hurt him, things that will make him sad beyond measure. It's to keep his Sacrifice safe from harm.]

I am your servant, Ritsuka. I will do as you say. Even if you do hate me for it, I won't stop loving you.

No! I don't want a servant! That's what I hate! What will make you understand that!

[He feels he is wearing himself out by raising his voice but there is no mind to stop there. No, he is going to keep going with a hot face.]

I don't want to be someone's master. I don't want you to do everything I tell you to do. Even when I do tell you something, you don't do it!

[He grits his teeth at that. What does he hate the most? Everything Soubi is made of. Everything that he is about.]

And you don't love me. You don't believe it. You were told to do so. All you do as you're told by-- by Seimei! Always Seimei! You don't love me like I lo--

[Dammit.]

[He still hasn't moved. He's watching Ritsuka and the boy's sadness is heartbreaking. It's in his tense shoulders and gesticulating arms, his knit brows and the thin, desperate line of his mouth. He can do nothing about it, though he wants to wrap Ritsuka in his arms and make him believe that everything will be all right. Instead, he must stand as a brick wall for Ritsuka to beat himself uselessly against.

But his last words give him a rising hope. He looks up from where he's sitting into Ritsuka's face.]

Like you love me?

You at least understand something, now.

[That slipped. It is agreeing without directly giving a yes.

Despite the anger, he isn't going to physically lash out or begin to slam things down. That is not practical and he is not going to stoop so low to reach such behaviour. But he does remain standing, feeling his shoulders shake slightly. Because even with Soubi finishing his sentence he still doesn't truly understand.]

[Despite Ritsuka's anger, Soubi's heart leaps with joy. Ritsuka has said that he loves him. More than he can understand. More than just as a tool or as a gift. More, Soubi knows, than he has ever deserved...]

I love you, Ritsuka. I will always love you, no matter what you believe. I would love you even if you told me not to - it's one order I couldn't follow.

[He would love Ritsuka even if Seimei told him not to, he thinks, and the thought makes him frightened, though he doesn't show it.]

[He sighs. Maybe he is tired of this. Orders this, orders that, lies. Yeah, he is tired of it. And yet there is a lot that is felt. Pity, happiness, adoration. It is frustrating and not leaving him. It is then he inhales, trying to get a grip of himself.]

I don't want things to be thought of as orders, Soubi. I want you to function as a human being. Please.

[Just those things that Soubi says are not that of natural. Speaking of such horrid things and softer things in one sentence and then of peculiar things that may be gross. The wording is never natural. Or maybe that is just Soubi. The truth is impossible to distinguish.]

[Soubi knows that Ritsuka does not yet understand, cannot yet understand how a Fighter like himself works. He cannot know that without orders, Soubi will crumble to dust. Without orders, without being told how to behave and whom to trust and to serve, Soubi cannot live. That is the way of a Fighter. Take orders, serve, protect. Survive through your master. One day, perhaps, Ritsuka will understand. But he is not ready to understand today.]

Are you telling me I must function as a human being? That's an order too.

No, I didn't mean...

[Damn it all. Soubi twisting his words however he pleases. But is it true? No! It isn't an order.]

I didn't tell you that you must.

[He doesn't like how things are. He wants Soubi to be honest. But maybe that is an order. Maybe Soubi doesn't want to tell him the truth. Maybe it is better because he is at least making his own choices. But isn't it Soubi's choice to be a 'servant?' Ritsuka grits his teeth. He doesn't like that logic. He doesn't want them to be 'master' and 'servant.'

Slowly, Ritsuka steps away from the table.]

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the floriography meme

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