Ren Si (Black Tortoise)/Side Tale 4

===Much Ado===
Characters involved: 
Dialogue
Graywater. The Bounty Hunters Guild
Triki enters the Bounty Hunters Guild foyer and spies Ren Si sitting off to the side in his seat, he looks worried.
: What are you worried about now, Ren Si? I hope our recent deal is still on?
: It's not that. Evening Sounds accepted our proposal... But I'm afraid I've offended Melanie...
: Melanie? The Evening Sounds waitress?
: Yes.
: And how could you have offended Melanie?
: Because last night...
-
: I think that concludes our new arrangement then. Here's to our new partnership.
: Evening Sounds welcomes partners from anywhere in the world... but we like to keep it strictly business around here. I hope you don't get any other ideas.
: ???
: If I wanted to chat you up and send you flowers, I wouldn't use business as a pretext.
: This is strictly a business relationship.
-
: And then she left, just like that.
: My dear Ren Si, don't you realize the essential ambiguity of giving flowers in such a situation?
: Triki... I can be a bit dense at times, but I'm not a fool.
: I chose herbs that can be easily turned into medicine. It's a very useful gift.
: And what kinds of medicines can these flowers be turned into?
: Lavender and evening primrose, both of which are good for sleep. I grew them myself as well.
: And I got the florist to gift-wrap it to make it obvious that it's nothing more than a nice gesture.
: The florist... And what did you say to the florist then?
: That I'm giving these flowers to someone, so please wrap them nicely.
: Do you know what other things lavender and evening primrose can signify?
: What can they signify?
Triki sighs with despair at Ren Si's confusion.
: Goodness me... It's my fault. I should have told you.
: Some of the girls at Evening Sounds, particularly poor Melanie, have had a rather rough time with certain men in their lives, and thus they're a lot more guarded than most.
: Lavender can symbolize the notion of someone "waiting to love to happen" and, worse still, evening primrose can symbolize a kind of "silent, respectful love" for someone else.
: That brilliant floral green packaging doesn't help your case either. I can understand how she could have gotten the wrong impression.
:...
: My family ran a chemist and herbalist shop in Tangton, as you know.
: All I know about flowers, herbs, and their various uses came from the big book of pharmacology. I can tell you, there was nothing about romance in that book!
: Fair enough. But I suggest you read up on it in your free time then, least we repeat this experience.
: OK, I'll memorize it by heart.
Triki looks at Ren Si with another bittersweet smile.
: You don't have to memorize it, do you?
Several days later
 Evening Sounds Staff: Melanie! Melanie! There's a delivery for you. A gift from a Mr. Ren Si of Graywater.
: Ren Si? What could he be sending me now? Don't tell me it's more flowers?!
 Evening Sounds Staff: Miss Melanie, may I suggest you calm yourself?
 Evening Sounds Staff: I heard Mr. Ren Si is a bit slow on the uptake, and doesn't understand the "symbolism of flowers" as he probably should.
 Evening Sounds Staff: Perhaps he just meant to send well-wishes for our partnership.
: Plus, he did look awfully confused... So there probably wasn't any subtext.
: Not to mention the flowers are quite beautiful, and really tie the room together.
Melanie takes a deep breath and opens the package. She finds a small card.
: What is this?
: Ah!
On top of the small card is a pot containing a very spiky cactus.
 Evening Sounds Staff: Miss Melanie - your hand is bleeding! I'll grab the first aid kit!
 Evening Sounds Staff: Looking at you hand... perhaps you should take tonight off?
Melanie looks at her damaged fingernails and the item in the box, then grinds her teeth furiously.
: Ren Si!!!