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dj_jiraiyaIn this day and age, witches weren't exactly rare. They weren't exactly common either. A bit of a worst kept secret type deal. Don't interfere with them and you really got nothing to worry about. Indeed, there have been several cases of witches being on the good side of the respective cities and town they chose to reside in. Otherwise, they liked to simply hide in plain sight.
One such witch was Yosuke Hanamura. While there were a few trusted souls who knew exactly who he was, most did not and he preferred it that way. He wasn't really one to dabble in people's lives anyway and his wares were hardly out of the ordinary so it was actually incredibly easy to disguise himself as the owner of an apothecary and small tea shop. His regulars got a kick out his pun-filled menu items which only further hid his true nature. It wasn't even that Yosuke was all that nervous of being found out (he had enough anxiety as it were) but he just didn't want to deal with what normally came with it. The requests for things he didn't want to make, love potions and such. It's why a lot of witches hid their true natures. Humans could be incredibly selfish and even turn violent were they so inclined. It just wasn't worth it, in his opinion.
There's a reason even his business tended to be looked down upon by other witches, given all the human traffic he got. But he always shrugged it off. Fortune tellers got the same, after all. Still, that didn't mean he didn't remain wary and cautious over who he had dealings with. All of his suppliers were other herb witches, after all. He just couldn't allow himself to trust a human to do what he needed to do. That is...
Until he actually needed to.
Yosuke rubbed his face, cursing to himself as he realized a few of his jars of dried plants were empty and his back up stores were also empty. His supplier was late this time and he needed these herbs for a few select potions that one of his regulars would need soon. She was an elderly woman and she swore by his salves and teas to help her aching joints moreso than any other painkiller over the counter. He could probably give her something else to tide her over but he wasn't sure he could handle the disappointment. She was always so nice to him! But where else could he go? His scooter was broken, so he couldn't go out of town to an acquaintance that he could likely borrow from and he couldn't ask them to come by his place.
Just as he was about to give up, Yosuke noticed a nearby sign that had been taped to the window of his shop. A flower sale? Did they even have herbs? He could maybe get a few flowers and perhaps experiment to substitute the rest... or maybe... he tapped his chin, he supposed it didn't hurt to at least take a look. He really had no other options right now. Yosuke sighed and flipped the 'Closed' sign on his door, locking it shortly after and made his way to the little flower shop that was just around the the bend of his own, tucked away shop. He stepped onto the main sidewalk and followed the street signs that led to the little corner flower shop. He stepped inside, the little bell chiming.
"Er... hello?"
One such witch was Yosuke Hanamura. While there were a few trusted souls who knew exactly who he was, most did not and he preferred it that way. He wasn't really one to dabble in people's lives anyway and his wares were hardly out of the ordinary so it was actually incredibly easy to disguise himself as the owner of an apothecary and small tea shop. His regulars got a kick out his pun-filled menu items which only further hid his true nature. It wasn't even that Yosuke was all that nervous of being found out (he had enough anxiety as it were) but he just didn't want to deal with what normally came with it. The requests for things he didn't want to make, love potions and such. It's why a lot of witches hid their true natures. Humans could be incredibly selfish and even turn violent were they so inclined. It just wasn't worth it, in his opinion.
There's a reason even his business tended to be looked down upon by other witches, given all the human traffic he got. But he always shrugged it off. Fortune tellers got the same, after all. Still, that didn't mean he didn't remain wary and cautious over who he had dealings with. All of his suppliers were other herb witches, after all. He just couldn't allow himself to trust a human to do what he needed to do. That is...
Until he actually needed to.
Yosuke rubbed his face, cursing to himself as he realized a few of his jars of dried plants were empty and his back up stores were also empty. His supplier was late this time and he needed these herbs for a few select potions that one of his regulars would need soon. She was an elderly woman and she swore by his salves and teas to help her aching joints moreso than any other painkiller over the counter. He could probably give her something else to tide her over but he wasn't sure he could handle the disappointment. She was always so nice to him! But where else could he go? His scooter was broken, so he couldn't go out of town to an acquaintance that he could likely borrow from and he couldn't ask them to come by his place.
Just as he was about to give up, Yosuke noticed a nearby sign that had been taped to the window of his shop. A flower sale? Did they even have herbs? He could maybe get a few flowers and perhaps experiment to substitute the rest... or maybe... he tapped his chin, he supposed it didn't hurt to at least take a look. He really had no other options right now. Yosuke sighed and flipped the 'Closed' sign on his door, locking it shortly after and made his way to the little flower shop that was just around the the bend of his own, tucked away shop. He stepped onto the main sidewalk and followed the street signs that led to the little corner flower shop. He stepped inside, the little bell chiming.
"Er... hello?"
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Rows and rows of potted foliage, hanging plants, and succulents, something that resembles a literal tree in the far back that curves and curls and happily blooms. One of those "fuck you sun" plants that prefer it in small doses and love the dusky atmosphere. Tall, thin cactuses, vines with white flowers, hanging red and white decorations, shelves with potted, odd plants that you don't see often around. The entire place smells of mint and citrus and faint orange light of the day reveals a bit of dust floating in the air.
And the owner of the shop standing up after being obscured by the middle aisle and abundance of plants on it- growing tall, but perfectly trimmed. Tall, with glasses and in work clothes, apron dusty from dirt, hair in a bowl-cut but bangs clipped back with what appears to be a flower and leaf hair clip.
Souji Seta had opened this store after finishing college in Botanics. He was always curious about plants and raising them. With his degree, he probably could've worked at some huge research company or meddle in food products, but he was never into that. He loved finding new plants and bringing them to his place and then trying to grow them. Little by little he opened the most curious shop ever, and his cousin Nanako loved it (she was the one to decorate it with hanging paper charms). He could've been rich, yes. But he left that stress aside and chose the peaceful life of plant nurturing and living modestly.
He had seen the man before, working at the apothecary nearby. Old ladies that drop by to buy hanging lillies or wall crawlers always chatter about his products. But this is the first time he meets him face to face. He offers a very wide happy smile as if he's not holding odd, kinda creepy, a translucent flower with dirt stains on his cheek and forehead.
"Welcome! How may I help you today?"
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“Uh, h-hi,” He finally stammered out. Shit, this wasn’t good. He wanted to just be in and out! But it was also obvious that, yes, this guy likely did have herbs. His eyes landed on the skeleton flowers in his arms and he tilted his head a little. “Those don’t normally grow in these parts. How’d you manage that?”
Not to mention their magical properties tended to be tricky to deal with. It wasn’t dangerous, but they were the picky sort of flower that you to do things just right or you’ll easily ruin your potion. He had made so many duds with them that he stopped trying. Once they pollinate and become blueberries things are a bit more solidified but it was just easier to buy blueberries at that point. He only really used them when making sweet teas or tinctures for the elderly who wanted to try and keep a sharp mind. They were good for long term memories along with just the usual health benefits of the superfood. Yosuke just like making it better when he used them in potions. But it’d be nice if he mastered the flower themselves, since it was already imbued with magic and was far more potent.
Oh well.
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"Proper care and lots of love," Souji nods. "I got a stem from one friend of mine that loves to travel. I gave it a go and succeeded. It's been blooming ever since." He raises the pot and looks at it quite lovingly, "Wonderful plant, isn't it? As if it's made of a thin spider web. I've never seen anything like it before." He gently lowers the pot on one of the nearby shelves, making sure it has enough space and light, then wipes his hands off of his apron.
"Are you looking for something specific?" Souji chuckles, "I can talk about plants all day, but I ought to serve you first as a customer." He doesn't want to be rude. After all, maybe the guy's in a hurry.
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The guy sure was poetic about the flowers. It was kind of touching. He knew some humans could get attached in a far different way than witches, but it was nice to see and hear.
“You’re the only one close enough with anything close to what I need, figured I’d give it a shot. It’s totally okay if you don’t. I think I can make certain substitutes for the time being.”
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He notes the tattoos and for once he feels like he's encountered a fellow plant-lover; you don't get so many flower tattoos if you didn't like flowers to begin with. Right? He takes the paper from him and looks over the list, hand on his hip. "Hmm. I have most of these. There are two plants here that are high-end medical stuff that I just can't grow here, I'm sorry. But everything else, I can get it for you."
He walks over to hanging drawers (obscured by so many plants) and starts pulling out containers and bags, matching the list that was given to him. "Would you like Echinacea fresh or dry? I have leaf, stalks, and roots in both forms. Which one do you prefer?" He's still rummaging through the drawers as he asks, placing everything on a neat, wooden tray next to him.
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Yosuke sighed in relief, most was better than none! He followed the man to where he was getting the containers and bags. He couldn’t help but be surprised at the question. “Oh! Uh... will it cost anything different?”
He could dry them himself if fresh was cheaper but it would certainly save some time as well. He also was surprised at the variety. Honestly, all three were useful but not necessary at the moment. “I need the roots, but a few leaves wouldn’t hurt.”
He had a feeling he knew which two in the list were two high end for this place, so his mind was already whirring with what to use to substitute. It was going to be tough, but there was no other recourse now.
“Switch out the ones you don’t have with evening primrose, if you don’t have it as an oil already that’s fine, I can make it myself. I’m not sure I can replace the other, but I’ll figure something out.”
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He pulls out a box from underneath the table and starts arranging items in it in neat order, making sure nothing tips over and mixes with other stuff. "Very well, I'll add it to the rest." Souji nods and reaches for the cupboard and pulls out a slender, brown box, which is then placed on top of another one with the rest of the products. It's in oil form and a very elegant bottle. The dry roots and handful of fresh leaves are neatly packed in a tight-sealing bag.
"Here, this should be everything from your list," Souji hands it over to him, then picks up a small bottle of grinded tumeric and adds it to the rest, "Your first purchase here so it's on the house," he grins.
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He picked up the bag and handed over the cash he owed, but he still felt like he was getting more than what he asked for somehow.
"Fine, but then you'll get free tea on the house if you come by my apothecary sometime. It's not just for medicine, you know."
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Yeah, he's rambling a bit, but he honestly doesn't run into a lot of people that just want to talk plant stuff. "You are doing right stuff by making healing products so this is my way of saying thanks." Souji accepts the money for the herbs, storing it neatly in the cash register. It's less for him and more for buying plant treatment items.
"Then I'll make sure to drop by in the evening if you are open." After he puts plants "to sleep". He will also have time to actually shower and look decent. Right now he looks like a moving pile of mud.
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His blush returned as he hugged the bag of herbs and plants to his chest a little more. He wasn't used to that kind of praise. It wasn't that never got it, but a lot of adults thought the apothecary was part of the new age fad. It was traditional folk who saw the perks of herbal medicine and sometimes the very hipsters who decried his ways. Of course, no one would know what he does has been around for centuries.
"I'll be open, don't worry." Nah, Yosuke thought he looked adorable like that. It wasn't like Yosuke himself was well-kept himself. He was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, flannel over it with the sleeves rolled up. Everything about him looked worn, even the bun holding most of his hair back was messy, bangs and long strands framing his face. He tapped his foot and then gave a bow in goodbye. "I'll see you later, then... uh... oh, I'm Yosuke. Yosuke Hanamura."
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"Wonderful, I will make sure to drop by then." Souji nods. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Yosuke. I'm Souji Seta."
Is it weird that he's feeling excited about this visit? It's been a while since he got together with someone to just hang out. This... is hanging out, right? Does it count? Souji's not sure why, but there are certain nervous butterflies fluttering around in his chest and stomach and for the first time he can't wait to wrap up his job so he can go see Yosuke (they guy didn't even leave yet, this is why he's weird).
"I'm looking forward to talking to you later." Understatement of the century.
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Yosuke smiled at the name and nodded. He gave a small wave as he left. "Same here, see you later, man."
This was going to be the longest day of his life, he just knew it. Yosuke mentally prepared himself to not only get the medicine made for his customer in a bit of a hurry, but also keep himself busy throughout. Weekdays weren't exactly the busiest and it wasn't quite summer vacation yet for the students, so even the town wasn't too living just yet. It'll get there soon enough though. For now, he had to focus on this and make a call to his supplier for a better idea on when he would get his normal shipment in. But he was definitely going to keep Souji Seta in mind as a back up supplier. A little flower shop likely wouldn't be able to be a regular supplier, but for emergencies like this? It would definitely come in handy.
The hours eventually went on by, he got the ointment made and in the usual tin, along with the box of tea made for his customer and delivered on time. He was, of course, truthful about the slightly different formula and told her to call him if anything happened but otherwise he was confident it would work just as well for now. After that, it was the usual various people trickling in and out to browse his wares or order some tea. But the end of the evening, there was really no one inside aside from maybe a couple stragglers here and there. He spent that time straightening and cleaning, purifying the shop with burning sage and revitalizing any wards that needed to. His shop was a safe space for a reason.
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When he heads out to the apothecary, he's in fresh new clothes, the hair clip he had in hair is now playfully clipped on his jacket. His outfit is casual- fitting jeans, white t-shirt with a playful yellow and orange print on it, 'Sunlight' written in cursive, and blue jacket on top with hairclip acting like a brooch. He could probably work on his choices of clothes but, it's a hanging out time, right?
He enters the apothecary around 19:15, looking around curiously as he closes the door behind him. He gives a nod to one elderly woman that drops by his place to buy bouquet of lillies every week, and then searches for Yosuke.
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He had assumed the second presence in the store was just another customer, browsing or something, and he would address them shortly for tea or products, but he wanted to finish this up first. He deftly wrapped the sprigs of various plants around a couple crystals, lips moving silently as he spoke the spell. Were anyone to look, a music note on his middle and ring finger shown faintly as did a few petals of the sunflower on his palm and only a few of the vines entwined around his forearms. Once done, they were placed in a jar and sealed, set upon the window sill with a few others. Once more, different petals and vines glowed faintly, he smiled softly once finished and set the last jar on the sill.
Tomorrow, he'd crush these and make them into some kind of potion. Each one had their use.
Yosuke turned and jumped a little when he raised Souji was there. He quickly pulled down his headphones and jammed his hands into his pockets. "Dude, you scared me! I didn't think you were coming."
Just keep it smooth and deflect...
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He didn't see that Yosuke used a spell or anything, as he was peering into the neat row of packed teas on a shelf nearby- Souji looked very intrigued because plants. Dried plants for healing purposes but still plants.
Souji looks up from the boxes of tea when Yosuke speaks up and he grins, giving him a little wave.
"Well, I was invited for tea. Or, is it maybe a bad timing right now?"
Yosuke did look busy and he won't mind leaving if stuff popped up that Yosuke had to take care of. Sick people can't wait after all.
"I can come back some other time if you're busy."
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"Nope, not bad timing at all," He replied, reaching for the herbs for the tea he had planned to make for whenever the florist arrived. "I told you I'd make you some quali-tea and I will."
He turned with a large smile, spooning in some of the ingredients into the tea strainer that would eventually go into the kettle. The water was already being heated. "So, how was the rest of your day? Busy?"
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"I'm really looking forward to it now. I think it will be egg-sceptional."
Smile, smile. Whoever just heard him from lingering customers is probably giving him a weird look.
"It went alright," Souji leans his chin against the palm of his hand, looking relaxed and chatty, for a guy that has a semi-blank face. But he's in a good mood right now. "My niece helped me out with some planting and replanting, and we had some customers, so I can't complain. How was your day? Did the ingredients work out for you?"
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Still, he was attentive when Souji told him about his day, smiling lightly as he pulled the now whistling kettle from the burner to pour into the mugs.
"They did, yeah," He answered. "I figured out a replacement for the one we couldn't get, but otherwise it all went well and my orders were done. Just kept busy after that, cleaning and restocking what I could."
And repowering a few others, but that wasn't something to be said out loud.