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“This event holds special meaning for me beyond business,” he confessed. “It’s a celebration of lifelong brotherhood amongst my inner circle, my most trusted compatriots.”
My eyebrows shot up in surprise. I wouldn’t have guessed someone in Draven’s powerful position would use his venue to selflessly honor friends. It hinted at a depth I didn’t expect.
“That’s really thoughtful of you,” I said sincerely.
Draven cleared his throat gruffly. “Well then, shall we make this partnership official?”
He extended a large hand. I clasped it without hesitation, electricity shooting up my arm at the contact. The deal was struck.
I bid Draven farewell outside the casino sometime later, disappointed our encounter ended so quickly. But I was eager to begin crafting arrangements worthy of the gorgeous ballroom.
As I strolled off, I pinched my arm just to ensure this hadn’t all been an elaborate daydream. But the lingering tingle where Draven’s hand enveloped mine was real enough.
Despite the unanswered questions surrounding Draven and his intentions, one truth was undeniable: this commission was the most exciting thing to happen in my dreary existence since arriving on Thodos III. And I couldn’t wait to make the Black Star Gala bloom.
ELARA
The moment I returned from the Black Star Casino, I flipped the “Closed” sign in my shop window and dove into crafting the most spectacular floral arrangements of my career for Draven’s gala. I toiled deep into the night, fueled by trishem and determination, before collapsing into bed just long enough to rest my eyes.
My brief slumber was tortured by feverish dreams of Draven’s strong hands exploring my body, his hungry lips claiming mine. I jolted awake to my alarm, heart hammering, wondering just how big certain parts of the Vinduthi anatomy were compared to humans...
Shaking the scandalous visions from my head, I refocused on the monumental task at hand. This high-profile job had to be flawless to please both Draven and the elusive Alkard, who held my fate in his hands. I couldn’t afford to disappoint two powerful Vinduthi, especially my shadowy owner.
Yet despite the stakes, exhilaration flooded my veins. This was my chance to fully embody my family’s generations-old legacy as master florists, not just pretend to be one. I poured all my passion into crafting arrangements worthy of the Black Star’s grandeur, more alive in those feverish hours than I’d felt in years on Thodos III.
“The supply delivery should arrive any minute,” I murmured, checking my percomm messages again. By sheer luck, I scrambled to place a huge special order to stock up for Draven’s extravagant requests. My regular inventory could never handle an event this scale.
I kept the front door locked, only open for customers with prepaid orders to collect. The nonstop work would’ve exhausted anyone else, but I reveled in finally plying my trade after so long playing pretend. Every blossom was assembled swiftly yet meticulously, my standards refusing to slip under the deadline pressure.
As I worked, an idea popped into my head, eliciting a crafty smile. “Maybe I could make some complementary bouquets as an extra thank you for Draven’s business.”
I wondered suddenly if anyone had ever gifted Draven flowers before. What if I were the first? Heat crept up my neck at the thought...
Shaking off the foolish notion, I finished the arrangement in my hands and gently nestled it in a padded shipping crate with the others. I crossed another line off my preparation checklist, relishing the rare chance to put my rusty skills to use.
After a quick water break, I crafted an ornate ballroom centerpiece, painstakingly intertwining exotic alien blossoms. My percomm chimed with a new notification just as I secured the final knot.
“That must be the delivery now, right on schedule.” I scurried to the back entrance, sighing in relief at the stacks of crates awaiting me. I signed for the massive load and thanked the carrier before wheeling my precious cargo inside.
“Time to get all this unpacked,” I said under my breath, stealing a glance at the wall clock. Nearly the entire day gone already, though it felt like mere hours since I started. I set a soothing music playlist to keep me company while organizing the boxes.
I came across a smaller crate, promising rare botanicals within. Carefully releasing the airtight lid seals, I peered inside, then froze in utter bewilderment at the sole occupant nestled within.
“What in blazes is this?” I whispered aloud. Gingerly setting aside the lid, I knelt to examine the bizarre plant. No tag or invoice was included, yet clearly it had been packaged for shipping.
In all my years as an intergalactic florist, I never saw its equal. A slender violet stem spiraled upward, culminating in a fascinating bud cluster unlike any flower I knew. The swollen lavender ovary resembled a tiny bunch of grapes. Interspersed were vivid tangerine nodules, rhythmically undulating as if possessed.
Surrounding this colorful ovary, stark white petals shone with such brilliance, I had to avert my eyes. When I managed to look again, twin trails of delicate violet filaments tipped with minute anthers dangled below the petals.
“It’s... exquisite,” I breathed, leaning closer to inhale its perfume. The heavenly bouquet made my mouth water. Both the appearance and aroma were spellbinding in their allure. I stood mesmerized until my senses returned. This bizarre addition must have been a shipping mistake.
I snatched my invoice copy, certain I hadn’t ordered anything like this. But every item was already checked off as accounted for. Frowning, I studied the unknown plant again.
“Where did you come from?” I murmured. No answer was forthcoming. With a sigh, I moved the delicate specimen onto my work counter to call the supplier and sort out this confusion.
The line rang endlessly before someone answered. “How can I help you today, Elara?”
“Hey, Coreeshi. The delivery arrived fine but there’s an extra flower I didn’t order or pay for. It’s not even on the invoice.”
