Floriography for dummies

A language spoken through flowers seemed about as strange as it gets to Gale.

Colors, placement, and type all combined to mean an entire message hidden in the fragrant bundle. It seemed like a joke. A joke his girlfriend had become incredibly interested in as of late.

It wasn’t uncommon for Raven to go through a dozen or so different interests a month, and Gale was more than happy to indulge her… even if he never looked particularly pleased.

The trip to the florist was a strange one for Gale, a place he’d never thought twice about before.

Hollyhock & Iris Floral Emporium, a place recommended to him by Ruby through her many connections and explorations of Burrowgatory.

The inside of the shop is welcoming and bright, two rows of tables and one of the walls absolutely filled with flowers of every kind, arranged to be as pleasing and easy to access as possible. Cards and other bouquet supplies line the other wall, offering every possible combination a bun could need.

Looking around is almost overwhelming for Gale, a man who very much preferred a monochrome palette for everything in his life. However… Raven was more important to him than being a little bothered by color.

“Hello! Can I help you with anything today?” A bubbly voice pulls Gale from his unintentional staring contest with a bucket of Hyacinth.

“Uh… flowers. Y'know…” Gale gestures vaguely to the assortment in front of him, getting a bemused smile from the woman to his left.

“Are you… looking for something in particular?” She asks. “We have a wide selection of options, you can pick for yourself or have an arrangement made.” She continues.

“She’s into that flower language stuff right now.” Gale says, as if the poor florist is supposed to know who he’s referring to. She seems to take it in stride though, nodding in understanding.

“I see,” she steps away to look around the shop in thought, “what are you looking to say to her?” She rubs her chin with her first two fingers, already starting to come up with a few options depending on what the greed bun tells her.

Well shit. 

It had somehow escaped Gale’s mind that to make a bouquet that says something you have to have a meaning in mind.

Sure Gale had plenty of thoughts about Raven, but expressing them? That’s an entirely different story.

“Uh well… she’s… nice?” The words come out with a grimace, knowing full well how unhelpful he is. “She’s good. Patient. Means a lot, you know?”

“Mhm… mhm…” the lust bun nods just a bit, looking Gale up and down in an appraising manner. “Is this a romantic offering? Or are we indulging an interest?” She questions, taking a few steps around one of the tables, the click of her heels the loudest sound in the quiet shop. Maybe she wouldn’t have been quite so invested had Gale not been the only person in the shop in the last hour.

“Bit of both. I don’t… tell her how I feel very much.” He admits, his gaze drawn to the ceiling in an attempt to avoid the awkwardness of saying such a thing to a stranger.

“I think we should keep it simple.” The florist says, moving on quickly. “Most white flowers have meanings like purity or innocent love. They also look lovely in most homes.” She says. “Take this for example, lily of the valley. It means love, sincerity, and a return to happiness.” She gestures to a simple looking option with a curved stem, the bell shaped flowers in small clusters and long narrow leaves appealing in its simplicity.

“And orchids mean love. A bit of a repeat but I think it would look good.” She points to another bunch, a larger flower, attached to a thick stem, its petals curved and gentle.

A silent nod from Gale is the best the florist gets. Thankfully she doesn’t look too bothered by the greed bun’s struggle to interact.

“They’re nice lookin.” He speaks up after several silent seconds, earning a kind smile from the florist before she goes back to considering options.

“Hmm… how about some color? This is Garden Pink. A nice bit of color and the flower represents affection.”

The flower is… well, pink. Very pink. Go figure.

“Probably… not right. She’s very uh… blue.” He gestures to his hair, as if to illustrate the colors of his significant other.

“I see.” She nods, stepping off to the wall to pull out a new flower, one that Gale actually recognizes. It was almost relieving to see something that isn’t completely unknown.

“Lavender.” He points and the florist smiles. “It means loyalty and devotion. A nice blue and purple color.” She says.

“And how about… Queen Anne’s Lace for some volume? It means haven, a safe place.” The florist offers, waiting for Gale’s response.

A safe place. A coincidence at best that the florist would pick something that feels so close to Gale’s heart. Relationships are supposed to be a safe place for anyone; but for Gale, a bun who had been uncomfortable and reserved the majority of his life, Raven truly was safe to him.

“I like that.” He nods and the lust bun quickly busies herself with gathering and arranging.

Shortly after, Gale has his bouquet. Simple, pure, and affectionate. It’s almost cheesy but Raven adored cheesy cute things.

The walk home was silent and undeniably tense. Despite having given his significant other gifts dozens of times Gale still felt an immutable sense of anxiety when giving her things that proved in any way personal. 

“Home!” He announces as he steps inside, kicking off his shoes with a sigh.

“In the kitchen!” Raven’s voice comes from the archway into the kitchen and Gale pauses, looking at the bouquet in his hand. Taking a deep breath he takes the few steps from the front door into the kitchen, finally seeing his girlfriend for the first time in the day.

She’s facing away from him, humming quietly as she makes food. It smells good. Probably spicy. Her hair is tied up, swaying back and forth as she dances a little to her tune. 

“Got you something.” He announces, the paper wrapped around the stems of the bouquet crinkling and crackling as he shifts his grip to offer it as she turns to face him.

Her eyes light up at the sight of the flowers, a grin on her face as she happily takes them. “Oh! Gale! This is wonderful!” She exclaims. “It’s so— Smelly…” She holds it away from her face and Gale can’t help the chuckle that escapes his lips.

“You know, people that are into flowers usually enjoy the smell.” He comments, pulling the bouquet from her hands to set it on the counter.

“Maybe flowers should smell better. Not my fault they’re so gross.” She shrugs.

She eyes them intently as Gale puts them safely in water, setting the vase in the center of their dining table.

“Hmm… I think I’m safe in assuming that my fancy new bouquet means that you love me.” She rubs her chin as she leans over the table, squinting at the arrangement.

“Actually,  means you’re weird lookin and my mortal enemy.” He responds, earning a playful glare.

“Just tell me for real, I left the book at my place.” She says and Gale looks between her and the bouquet for several long seconds. It wasn’t uncommon for Gale to take a long time between responses and Raven was very used to it by now, no matter how impatiently she might have to wait.

“Means… I love you. You make me feel safe.” He looks down at his feet as he lists the meanings of the flowers and their names to her. Gale shifts uncomfortably, clearing his throat. “Yeah. All that.”

Raven's expression softens, a smile spreading across her features as she takes in Gale's words. Without a word, she steps closer to him, wrapping her arms around him in a tight embrace. The awkward air dissipates quickly as Gale hesitantly returns the hug, resting his chin on the head of the pride bun, being sure to avoid the fragile bat wings that poke out from her hair.

"You know, Gale," she begins, "for a man who barely speaks, you sure do have a way with words. Way with flowers…?”

Gale chuckles as they part, Raven returning to cooking as Gale makes his way to the living room.

Maybe this ‘language of flowers’ isn’t that silly.