Now that’s unusual.

Opening the flower shop, Blade followed a familiar routine.

First, he lifted the rolling shutters to give the many flowers displayed outfront sunlight and fresh air. Then, he busied himself with getting the store presentable and ready as his part-time workers slowly clocked in. Deliveries of soil, fertilizer, and new pots were stored away, and the flowers were pruned and watered as needed. By the time the shopping center began to fill with customers and calls of other stores promoting their wares, Blade was finishing up the last of his inventory calculations.

It seemed like the day was going to be the same as any other—sunny, pleasant, and calm, but the black hat that’s been bobbing amongst his flower displays pointed to the contrary.

Normally, Blade would’ve ignored it.

He didn’t care what kind of customers showed up, so long as they bought something and didn’t disturb his other customers. However, you had barely moved from your spot since you entered the store an hour ago, and the other customers and his part-timers were giving you a wide berth. Some of the employees have even begun shooting hopeful looks at him, clearly hoping he’d do something.

With a long-suffering sigh, Blade finished ringing up the last customer in line. Handing the register over to a nearby employee, he walked over to the bobbing black hat.

Between the many rows of wooden flower display stands, you were crouched in front of a particularly beautiful specimen of a red carnation. Dressed to match your hat, you wore a long black hoodie and a pair of black sweatpants. As if to leave no doubt that you were a ‘suspicious person’, your face was completely obscured by a mask and a pair of sunglasses.

How annoying.

Blade stood next to you, silent and with his arms crossed as he waited for you to acknowledge him. You didn’t, remaining focused on the carnation and oblivious to your surroundings. Blade’s motivation declined rapidly as he realized this was going to take longer than expected.

“Can I help you with anything?”

You jumped, startled by his voice. When you moved back to look up at him, Blade finally caught a glimpse of what you were doing. Sketchbook perched on your lap and a pen between your fingers, the open page was filled with sketches of the carnation. In the same moment, he also noticed the edge of a tattoo, revealed by your hoodie as it shifted with your movement.

Blade’s thoughts drifted to the tattoo parlor across the shopping center. Its owner was a known eccentric, covered head to toe in tattoos and constantly designing new tattoos for themselves or clients. There was a bet going around the shopping center on the number of tattoos the owner had, but Blade paid little attention to it. But, when your clients happened to pass by his shop, Blade would hear their enthusiastic praise for your work.

Gesturing around the store, Blade spoke again.

“You’re bothering the other customers.”