CHAPTER 284: CHAPTER 284 - ROSE IS NOT THE NAME, PICK ANY OTHER!

When I stalk over to look closer at the plant she chose to first stop at, she follows close. Making it even clearer that it is quite important. Considering she brought up herself that she built this place after her mother died, it stands to reason...

"She had interesting taste. However, I feel that this is likely not your favorite flower, even if it’s the one you care for the most."

"No, that... actually Ms. Lomdi, why do you need to know what sort of-"

"I don’t. I simply did not see an obvious display or overabundance of a particular kind, at what small glances I’ve given your garden."

Without looking at her to see the *visuals* on that smug tone, I interrupted her immediately with an explanation. Already, I was steadily reconstructing my little mindscape vandalism. Starting with the mint grown in one corner because the mint did nothing wrong.

But just to be vindictive, I wanted to make sure to remove her personal favorite from the space. Her purple polka dotted lilies can stay, since I have no quarrel with the mother. And as a favor since the lovely space was built because of her.

"Cosmos... is what I usually tell people. I’ve never been picky about the variety. Though everyone thinks I mean white."

Glancing around, I do see a couple cultivars of that from Helene’s memory... which I add back to my representation. Because judging by her phrasing, they aren’t actually the one she likes most. Just the option she tells others - probably assuming they are going to buy them as a gift.

I have to say, I too would have assumed a white flower or perhaps a red one of some sort. But looking around, this place really doesn’t have any prevalence of color in what is currently in bloom.

My hand lingers on the petals of a bright orange marigold, but I shake my head and add it back as well. For some reason I’m sure that isn’t the answer. Though the longer this is taking the less conviction I have about being this petty.

"You don’t keep it here, do you? The one you really like."

"...No. Not here. How did you guess?"

| TASK: Name The Flower Within 6 Attempts |

As I look over at her, the blue of the system swirls into such an intrusive text. Honestly, it is giving me too many of them related to the silly wolf to be a mere coincidence. I’m almost certain the Fated Mate pull between us is having an effect on what it thinks I feel...

Of all the flowers in the world, picking six that I even know by *this* world’s name is already putting the odds against me this time. Not that I dislike challenges, but this one does not seem as easy and ’what I would already be doing’ as the others.

But I guess I was asking her about it.

And what happens if she just blurts it out, would that fail it? It could be useful to know the penalties, if there are any.

Or is it *so* certain that she is not prepared to tell me tonight? I could order her... but is this something she would push back on? I really don’t understand the point of this!

All I’m doing is circling in my head, now, just because of-

"Citra, what’s wrong? You look upset."

"...A system thing. It’s being annoying about something again."

"Again...?"

The woman’s face grew especially serious at my accusation, but she didn’t press for details. Which was a small mercy, considering the things I find annoying are... basically all related to her?

Nope. Lets not think about what that says. Or why I don’t want to admit that and have her misunderstand.

I looked around the garden again and tried to read between the lines of what wasn’t here compared to what was. Which was hard, since it wasn’t like every plant was currently in bloom.

Changing the tactic to think about the person... she projected control and authority. But underneath that - at least around me - was something softer at times. More traditionally feminine than she probably allowed most people to see.

"Is it perhaps something delicate with hidden beauty at the right times? Such as cherry blossoms?"

"They are actually pretty, I think... but no."

I already knew I was wrong when nothing pulsed at the edges of my vision, but her answer confirmed it. The preferences of hers I know are so few, but the way she seemed to favor contrasts - the white suits with red accents, the pristine office with the wild garden retreat.

Even her scent is just so. Purity in snow, power in iron.

"Something with passion beneath the elegance. Like a classic rose?"

"Also no, though I’m starting to see a flattering pattern in how you see me."

There was obvious amusement in her voice once more, tinged with something that might have been bashfulness. But that made two failures so quickly. Guessing at random like this is never going to work.

But now that I’ve given it any try, I’d hate to lose. At least through my own efforts. Learning I can’t cheat would be good.

I pulled out my phone and typed on it quickly. To the only person I can think of that could and would help immediately.

C: [Your boss’s favorite flower. Tell me.]

BK: [Ooh, someone’s finally trying to be romantic?]

C: [This isn’t about that. Don’t make me block you again.]

BK: [Fine, fine. Glory-of-the-snow. Little violet-blue things hardy enough to sprout before full thaw.

BK: [But be careful. She’s kind of... weird about that particular flower.]

"Glory-of-the-snow."

Not taking that advice to heart at all, I said it aloud. Obstinance, confusion, resignation, and what looked almost like relief rolled along her face in waves.

"Yes, that’s it. Of course Claire would answer you. I’m glad you are getting along, by the way."

| TASK COMPLETION ✓ |

| REWARD IMMINENT ⚝ |

The system’s notification appeared quickly but flickered out quickly. In it’s place, my hand began to shimmer and... when I looked at my palm in confusion something just appeared in the air between us like it was the single item pulled from Stash.

A perfect bloom just materialized out of thin air in my hand - delicate violet-blue petals with a white center, exactly as I’d pictured it from the name. A flower Helene had seen before...

Which ironically makes it one of the few I ’could’ have guessed correctly if I felt like playing fair. Regardless, I stared at the flower with immediate and severe irritation. Not just because I’m learning for the first time that ’items’ are possible.

"You have got to be kidding me."

Why am I upset? Really!? It’s trying to make me look like some romantic smooth-talker! I didn’t conjure this thing intentionally - it did to frame me! Who would be happy about being set up?!

Orange eyes were fixed on the supposedly favorite flower while I held it out to the side and away from us. Like it might bite me - or like I was scared she would take it happily.

"That... was unexpected. Maybe even a better trick than the first time I saw it."

Kyrie spoke quite softly. To the point that I feel compelled to respond. To defend myself.

"It was not my idea. I swear."

For a while, the werewolf just looked at it. Something wistful in her demeanor before her complicated and nostalgic smile turned over.

"I see. It does do quite annoying things, hm?"

Before I could respond to that confirmation, she reached out and took the flower directly from my hand. Without any more speech or ceremony, she closed her palm around it.

And crushed it completely. I just stared as she worked her hand, make sure it was not going to be seen as a salable good any longer. Perhaps if it had been dried, this would turn it into ’potpourri’?

"Kyrie? Why did you...?"

"Because you didn’t want to give it to me that way. And I did not want a gift like that from your... system."

Opening her hand to let the crushed petals fall, she began to brush them out with her other fingers. Picking at a stubborn piece with her nails and flicking it hard down to the ground.

"And well, because they’re complicated for me."

She was quiet for a few seconds while staring at the destroyed remnants. When she gestured toward the space where the toad lilies grew, my eyes naturally followed..

"My father used to give my mother glory-of-the-snow every year for their anniversary. She told him repeatedly that she preferred toad lilies - those were actually her favorites."

A half resigned, half still angry chuckle tore from her throat. Practically the hallmark of ’family complications’.

"But he never listened. Just kept bringing her the same bouquets because he thought they were prettier. Thought how they sprouted was more romantic."

"So the true rationale you don’t keep them here is because..."

For some reason, I really wanted to know the details. My wolf stirred strongly in my mindscape.

Yes. For some reason.