[Gift] An Ice Cream Chat in Gardens

Limon had several suppliers she favored going to for ingredients to use in her products. Alcohol, coffee, flowers/herbs and tea; anything else you name she has an supplier.

Through, the coffee is the only one she has strictly one supplier for: her best friend and littermate, Ione. They would be severely disappointed if she switched suppliers and besides they produced the best blends for her sweets.

Limon regularly cycled through suppliers for other ingredients and it greatly grate onto her nerves but it is what it is. However flowers and herbs was her most grating ingredient to secure a supplier for as flowers were in high demand and Limon understood that yet found it frustrating that she has had to rotate through suppliers. Her current supplier had run out of several flowers and had promised next batch but it would be several days to few weeks so Limon had to go to Ione to figure out whether or not they knew any alternatives.

"There is Shuichi's Garden. Kuchi looks after that and it welcomes all visitors during open hours. They allows the plants to be harvested, repotted, reseeded, trimming the hedges and such. It's the same place where Kuchi hosts The Envy & Others Peer Support Group." Ione had spoken while wiping dishes dry "Just few carats as entrance fee, they run on donations if I remember correctly. Through, I do know food are always appreciated." Ione had recalled bringing over several of their coffee blends on few occasions and it had been highly appreciated.

"Hmm...Thanks Ione. I'll see if I have few containers left to bring over. I really am running low on flowers and herbs....." Limon groaned softly "And I've been getting an influx in requests for my floral and herbal flavours." Ione reached over to pat her head with a small smile.
"It'll be fine. You'll be welcomed. Go."
Just as Limon reached the door, Ione called out "You forgot this!" with a soft amused sigh as they held up the piece of memopad paper with directions to the gardens. Limon hurried back to grab it from their outstretched hand.
"Got it! Thanks!~"

So that was how Limon had ended up carrying an insulated bag full of four containers of floral and herbal flavours in various forms:
Lavender in ice cream, Cinnamon Basil in ice cream, Lavender Peach in ice cream & gelato, and Thyme Lemon in ice cream.
She was going to see if she couldn't perhaps have a light discussion about incorporating more floral flavours in her offerings. Herbal were easier to use but flowers?. She only had four and she wanted to branch out. Well, okay two since basil and thyme were not technically flowers but she'll be damned if she didn't at least show her versatility with plants! Limon takes great pride in her handicrafted sweets after all.

When she arrived at the gardens and paid few carats for entry, it was immediately obvious that it was a popular day for visiting. Giggling to herself, she headed toward the roses section to browse as she had gotten several requests for rose options and it had been on her mind. She hummed as she browsed the various types of roses in all stunning colours. Climbing roses, hybrid tea roses, hedging roses....She easily stopped by the hybrid section as those had the petals she would love to use.

"Beautiful aren't they?" A gentle voice called out from behind her startling Limon as she whirled around to face a lovely prideful doll with black hair. Immediately recognizing them from The Daily Grind, Limon took a deep breath to calm her racing heart as her tail swished around quickly then offered them a sweet smile
"Hello Kuchinashi. You startled me!"

They looked apologetic at that as Limon offered up the insulated bag
"Brought along some ice cream. Ione told me that food are always a hit around here? They're Lavender in ice cream, Cinnamon Basil in ice cream, Lavender Peach in ice cream & gelato, and Thyme Lemon in ice cream."
Kuchinashi took the offered bag with their eyebrows raised in mild surprise
"This is a treat. Thank you, Limon. What brings you by?"

"Oh....Some harvesting? I'm running low on both flowers and herbs, and my current supplier won't be able to get me any for few weeks." Limon frowned as her tail fell down by her legs.
"And I thought I could take the opportunity to check out other flowers here and maybe try few new combinations....? Herbs are easier for me to use."

Kuchinashi blinked as they listened to her speak, racking their mind for what business this citrus bun ran. Ah right, Citrusy Cream Parlor. Azrael is rather fond of that place.

"Ah. Citrusy Cream Parlor was it?" When Limon nodded, Kuchinashi's tail swished in pleasure as they continued
"I can assist in harvesting the lavender as you already offer those in your parlor and we can have a seat to enjoy those containers while we discuss other floral offerings? You seem to be stuck on that aspect...." The fact Limon had not began to harvest anything was telling to the prideful bun. From their past visits to The Daily Grind, they had occasionally seen the citrus bun and how self assured she had appeared to be with her knowledge of food. The fact she had hesitated around the roses had told the prideful bun that she is out of her depth. Not to mention the way her tail was currently twitching slightly.

When Limon had agreed to their offer with their posture quickly relaxing thus confirming their suspicions, they went to cut few stems of lavender and after Kuchinashi had set it aside in a container, they settled down at a small table to enjoy the offerings that the lust bun had brought along with her.

"Those are good through I prefer more sweet flavours. Do think my favorite is the lavender and peach." Kuchinashi smiled as they took in another spoonful of mentioned flavour as Limon grinned while enjoying thyme lemon flavour.

"I had already planned to do some chocolate pairings with florals regardless. They work well together when I sampled some of other chocolatiers offerings and wanted to incorporate into my shop." She took another spoonful before continuing with a light hum

"Besides. Hazelnut cookie coffee blend? That one makes for excellent gelato. Speciality order only." Her voice was slightly teasing as the prideful bun jerked up from their ice cream with eyes widening in surprise.
"Oh I know Ione's regulars just as much as they know mine. We often help each other with their cafe and my parlor."

"....It had slipped my mind that you two are close." They admitted as Limon finished her bowl with a soft laugh
"Don't worry about it, it's easy to forget, especially considering how opposites we both are. Anyways. I'm thinking of doing rose and dark chocolate, lilac and milk chocolate...."
"Hibiscus can be sour and slightly acidic. Pair that with vanilla and add in mixed crunch of white and dark chips" Kuchinashi added and Limon blinked
"......That would be excellent except for a minor issue; Hibiscus is far too acidic and has caused my milk to curdle no matter what type I use. It'll have to be used as topping only." She smiled slightly in amusement as her tail curled around one of her legs.

Kuchinashi frowned "A shame. It is a rather excellent flower."
"Indeed. I will be harvesting them through as I had wanted to experiment with them for toppings," Limon sat back in her seat "That's an alternative that will work excellently. "Could I harvest several types of flowers and experiment with them? I'll bring them back for you to try if you'd like?" She also secretly wanted an excuse to return to the garden. It really is beautiful and relaxing place to be.
"Certainly. That would be lovely. Come on." Kuchinashi got to their hooves and stretched out their back as Limon did the same while settling the insulated bag down on the table for Kuchinashi to retrieve later to share with their burrowmates.

Several flowers had been harvested and the citrus doll thanked the prideful doll for their advice, the chat and the assistance in harvesting as she departed the gardens.

"Intriguing bun.....I see why Ione is fond of her. Perhaps I could have Azrael take me to that parlor?" Kuchinashi mused as they returned to their duties around the garden. The insulated bag was retrieved and kept in fridge until after closing where they were taken back to the burrow to be shared with the others.