Episode 1 - Scene 2

ACUMEN (-): Akhi? That's not a name you've heard before. But it has the same 'k' sound as Skylar. Maybe they're siblings.

AK (huff) So you are here.

AK How convenient.

SK Answer the question!

AK I know your eyes aren't the best, but surely you must hear the cart.

SK Cart? What?

SK Hold on - did you bring something?

The 'cart' is unlike one of the sturdy ones you've seen; this one is thin, metallic, and hardly fit for carrying a tall potted plant. It's more like a wagon. Its wheels are certainly creaking like one.

PERCEPTION (+): She shoves the flower she was cradling under her hat (you pray it's more spacious in there than it looks) and approaches the man.

SK What's that?

AK A plant.

SK I mean, why's it laying down like a person?

AK In order for it to stay in place.

SK Why didn't you get a cart with taller walls?

SK Or maybe you could've put it in a box? There's boxes where you work.

SK Why aren't you at work? We could start there, too.

AK Take a guess, Skylar.

SK Uh, I dunno.

AK ...

SK You're here for flower stuff?

AK Correct.

SK You actually listened to me?!

Skylar's jumping up and down now, with a big grin plastered on her face.

SK Yes! I knew I'd inspire you!

AK The concept of visiting a florist is not yours alone, Sky.

SK But I totally inspired you!

SK C'mon. No coincidence it's the one I told you about.

SK You trust my judgment. Because I'm smart like that.

AK (sigh)

SK Thank you.

AK That wasn't an admission.

SK It's okay, Akhi. You're good at other things.

You bristle a little, expecting his expression to turn steely. But he doesn't seem as intimdating as he looks. Skylar does have a way of keeping the mood light, you suppose.

EMPATHY (+): You're reminded of the times you've messed around with your brother. It warms your heart, even if it makes you awfully sad.

SK So, how'd you get your hands on it?

SK It's not yours, right? You don't have a single green thumb in your body.

AK First of all - phrasing.

AK Secondly, no. I brought it from the library.

AK It requires some specialized care, as you can see.

AK And, your feedback notwithstanding,

AK I've done my research on this place. It's reputable in its own right.

He nods towards you. You wave, a little flustered.

GB Umm... yes! We are!

GB Hello!

GB You're dropping that off for us?

AK That's correct.

AK I assumed this would belong with the others outside, but there wasn't enough room.

GB Yes, that's where they would usually...

GB Wait, there wasn't?

You stand up.

GB Goodness! I'm sorry! I should've checked sooner!!

EMPATHY (-): Darn that Program channel! You should never get so distracted on the job, inconveniencing the customers like this!

GB Excuse me, Skylar! Mr. Akhi!

PERCEPTION (+): There's an entire row of them! At least they don't look too heavy...

COURAGE (+): Lift with your arms, not with your back!

SK Uh, you want some help?

GB That's alright - I'll be quick!

You nearly trip over some sacks of soil as you place the pots down next to the back curtain. There will need to be a few more trips back and forth to get the rest. For now, it's good enough that there's a little room, in case people need to use the drop-off.

AK I'm not in a rush, Miss Eleazar.

GB Don't mind me!

GB I, umm, need to stretch my legs a little.

EMPATHY (-): It's a pain, but it's something you have to endure. Make it a lesson to learn from.

SK Some people like to work out. Have you thought of that?

AK No. Because I would expect better of her during business hours.

SK Why are you so judgy? You don't even know her!

AK (sigh)

GB Oh, and let me get that little dear from you!

PERCEPTION (+): This one's not nearly as heavy as the others, though it's certainly in poor condition. Poor thing. Must've been stuck wasting away in a dusty corner somewhere.

AK The cart.

GB Huh?

AK You can use the cart.

GB Oh, that's okay!

GB It's, umm...

COURAGE (+): You're too full of adrenaline and embarassment to slow down, especially since you spent such a long break watching TV. But they don't need to know that!

GB It's my fault for slacking off. I'm making up for it!

You offer him what you hope is a reassuring smile as you place the Pothos next to the other handfuls of sick plants. Finally, you draw back the curtain and open the back door.

GB These need to go to the greenhouse. I'll only be a minute.

GB If you could wait right there with Skylar, Mr. Akhi, that would be great.

AK Wait. You've got it wrong.

AK She calls me that, but my name isn't -

EMPATHY (+): You wouldn't normally leave the store unattended, but... you can trust Skylar. She's been here enough times.

AK ...

EMPATHY (+): And... you think you can trust him, too.

SK Did you really need a cart for that little thing?

AK You ask too many questions.

> ???

CS:/ep1/virgodenuo4