The Rose Code

**The Rose Code** is a special system used in Goldriver when referring to the Ishidas, and even by the Ishidas themselves. Ishidas refuse to mark their bodies with ink, so they use coats, while associates and others in Goldriver use tattoos. The Ishidas are fine with associates using tattoos, but if an associate wishes to instead use a coat, the letter A is printed onto a petal in a contrasting colour, meaning "Associate".

## Rose Petals And Their Meanings

### A rose with one petal

This rose will likely cost you your life. It means the bearer has successfully killed an Ishida. One person is known to currently bear this rose - Aoi Ishida's killer.

### A rose with two petals

This rose will also likely cost you your life. It means you have made an unsuccessful murder attempt on an Ishida. Hanako Ishida's attacker is known to bear this rose, as well as a man who attempted to stab Saki Ishida.

### A rose with three petals

Ishidas and those not affiliated do not wear this rose. An associate bearing a rose with three petals is willing to turn traitor, and if discovered, they will almost certainly be killed. They tend to cover a single petal with a handkerchief if they bear the rose on a coat, or in the case of a tattoo, have a single petal removed.

### A rose with four petals

The meaning of a four-petal rose depends on who is bearing it. An Ishida bearing a rose of four petals in their job colour has lost a close associate. An associate will usually bear four petals. The roses of associates are always magenta.

### A rose with five petals

Only Ishidas bear five-petal roses. Their meaning depends on their colour.

## The Rose Colour Code

Each rose colour has a meaning behind it.

### White

A white rose worn by an Ishida means they are under the age of ten, and as such, do not have a job and are uninvolved in the actions of the Ishidas.

### Orange

An orange rose worn by an Ishida means they are undergoing an ability assessment. This is never a permanent rose.

### Purple

A purple rose is only worn by the Ishida matriarch (or, in certain situations, the patriarch).

### Red

A red rose is only worn by the successor to the Ishida Collective.

### Green

A green rose worn by an Ishida means that the Ishida is a hacker.

### Blue

A blue rose worn by an Ishida means that the Ishida is a smuggler.

### Yellow

A yellow rose worn by an Ishida means that the Ishida sells secrets, and specialises in blackmail.

### Turquoise

A turquoise rose worn by an Ishida means that the Ishida collects debts for Ishida Loans.

### Black

The most dangerous Ishida to cross. A black rose worn by an Ishida means that the Ishida is a contract killer.

## The Meanings Of The Leaves

Leaves on the rose mean as much as petals.

### No leaves

A rose with no leaves always has either one or two petals. This signifies a murder attempt, successful or not (depending on the number of petals), against an Ishida.

### One leaf

One leaf is worn by associates along with four (or, if willing to turn traitor, three) petals. One leaf is also seen with white roses on very young Ishidas.

### Two leaves

Two leaves are worn by Ishidas who have a job, but are not yet 20. Examples include Himari Ishida and Shohei Ishida.

### Three leaves

Three leaves are worn by Ishidas 20 and older, such as Saki, Hanako, and Akihito.