elijah chickened out. frankly speaking, the speed dating event was altogether too much. an ordeal that tested him— tests him every year like a seasonal heatwave.

but this matter is easier to weather. a stroll in the wood, an opportunity to boast expertise... all this and more allows elijah the platform to feel more confident and secure than when he is at neutral.

"wolfgang, was it? aight. we're planting a flower seed, yeah? you actually need my help for this or did you just want some company?" elijah says upon arrival, chewing words as his gogoat chews nearby grasses.

wolfgang volkov

the outburst of energy punches elijah in the face and leaves him with a black eye. he's too tired for this.

but the procured "premium" goods piques his interest. peels away the fatigue one cell.

elijah scrutinizes the packet with dull eyes, fingers careful not to crush the seeds as he holds it still. a musing grumble trickles out between closed lips.

"they make pretty flowers." elijah says. "that's really it. usually give bouquets of them as thank you gifts."

he folds his arms.

"if i'm helping you plant these, then you can give me the blooms as thanks."

wolfgang volkov

elijah shrugs. he too, is a part of the flower shop fuckery. the flower shop fuckers. although he genuinely believes in the beauty of his craft, others may deem it as ridiculous embellishment. ribbon and bow for marketing.

sure, elijah supposes. sure, some people can think of it as scam and connivery in a pokemon world. however, the miracle lies in the appreciation of nature's bounty. the surprise of a sudden bloom. the sweet sensibilities of a surviving flower in the sidewalk crack.

"yeah. they're beautiful. don't ask questions. are good listeners." elijah says. "like em better than people."

he opens his own packet and leans down with wolfgang. his hands help him collect soil too.

"give the gracidea a chance."

wolfgang volkov

"you a material person then?" elijah says.

although his face betrays very little, his gaze is a little less sharp than before. calm. like a softened shore wetted by low tide.

he is content with wolfgang's burgeoning green thumb. the planting of the gracidea seed.

"or is money so hard to come by that some plant seed is too expensive for you?" the apothecary questions, perhaps, a bit too pointedly.

wolfgang volkov

"no waste lifestyle? i can fuck with that." he says.

every part used. no limb or leaf discarded. throughout his childhood, elijah begrudgingly ate his veggies. chewed through all points of produce at the behest of his mother- and at which point it became apathy or stubbornness or moral philosophy, he did not know. but now he chews through shrimp shells.

"guess i am. since i'm still here."

the photo is received. in the quiet of the wood, they find secret communion with crystablooms.

wolfgang volkov