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"No, I don't think so," Aldrec said innocently "I think that she'll just take it as a gift So may I please have a pink one?"

Aldrec paid for the rose and thanked her, but received only a curt nod in return

That was odd, he thought, pausing as he stepped outside the flower shop with his rose Does she know the procession of roses? It is strange indeed if she does; it's an alotten tradition I should have asked her, but she didn't seeain, hulanced back towards the marketplace, and heard Mericlou call his na Slowly, she h the flow of traffic Discreetly, he checked his pocket watch She was on tiirls -human ones, at least- to be 'fashionably late' ItMericlou's punctuality He liked that

"Strange to see a girl on ti his rinned bemusedly, and handed her the rose, suddenly nervous and unsure of what to say "Um … for you," he said aardly "I hope you like it"

It was a to see her alift, but he had the decency not to laugh The tender and delicate way Mericlou touched its petals and stroked its steift was very much appreciated

"That's so sweet, Aldrec," she said in a low, gentle voice "Thank you! How'd you know that pink roses are my favorite?"

"They are?" Aldrec ejected, before he could stop himself

"Oh, yes!" Mericlou answered rapturously "As a matter of fact, I love flowers and plants; that's the reason why I live here in Lusea, you know? You elves have the best tastes in plants when it comes to décor!"

"Well, thanks for the compliment," Aldrec said humbly, "But I'm not the one who built the city, you know"

"I know that, silly," she said, playfully backhanding him on the shoulder "But I just have a lot of esteeet much business from them I e did"

"Well, do they know about your service?" Aldrec said