10039/Selling Flowers is a Growth Industry. HA HA HA HA

Selling Flowers is a Growth Industry. HA HA HA HA
Date of Scene:	08 February 2022
Location:	Sherwood Florist, First Floor
Synopsis:	Dinah confides in Arthur a little.
Cast of Characters:	Dinah Lance, Arthur Curry

---

Dinah Lance has posed:
It was her first day back to work after taking a week off. Not that Dinah hadn't been to the shop every day. The plants needing caring for, after all. But she didn't open for business, fill any orders, nothing that would be confused as work. It was the pleasure side of getting to water the plants, give a little TLC for those in need, trim the ones that needed to be kept from growing amok. Those things she had gotten into the flower business for in the first place.

The door was unlocked at 8am sharp. The open sign flipped over so those on the outside would know they could come in for their needs.

Honestly, early morning was not usually spontaneous shopping time. Things usually began hopping closer to ten when people were out running other errands and more shops were opening for the day.

She was at the computer behind the desk, looking at a few emails for orders and checking the dates against her calender to make sure there were no conflicts. Wouldn't do to agree to do two weddings on the same day, not when she ran the shop alone. She wasn't that much of a masochist.

Arthur Curry has posed:
    Eight AM was early.
    For a man who was not used to getting up until he naturally awoke, having someone near roll up and awake promptly at seven was enough to cause a bleary-eyed glower that would hurl daggers if it could. Repeatedly. And Arthur Curry was a man that if someone was up puttering around... he could not easily get back to sleep.
    Which is why when the shop opened its doors to the public, the man from Atlantis was heard stomping and tromping down the steps. But slowly. Lazy steps that were careful. The why of it clear when he stepped into view out of that stairwell and into the flower shop proper. For he was carrying a cup of coffee.
    Still a bit grumbly, but freshly showered, Arthur had his hair pulled back into a ponytail. He wore loose tan dark green cargo pants, a black and white 'Property of Gotham Knights Athletic Team' t-shirt, and some black sneakers. Yet still managed to look somewhat sleepy as he murmured, "Mornin'."
    The coffee cup was set down as he stopped long enough to touch a small smooch of greeting on her cheek before he took it back up and looked around for somewhere to sit.

Dinah Lance has posed:
There were a few barstools at the counter. Not the cheap wooden kind. She wanted her customers comfortable so they were well upholstered with mid backs. They were also shorter so that someone didn't have to climb on them, thus her more physically challenged customers had no issues. There was also a small sitting area off to one side, surrounded by various planets both living and cut flowers in appealing arrangements. At that place was a small love seat and two upholstered chairs. This is where longer meetings about events could take place, allowing for coffee or tea to be shared while looking over books of possible arrangements they might wish to purchase.

Dinah was on one of the stools behind the counter. That one was more utilitarian, just plain wood with no back. She didn't generally spend much time on it. Usually she was standing when talking to someone at the counter.

"Good morning." She put that G-word in front of it. Her cup of coffee was already there next to her keyboard and half full. "You could've slept in."

Arthur Curry has posed:
    "Couldn't." Arthur says as he settles on one of those stools nearby at the counter, leaning forward with his elbows on the surface and cradling his coffee as if it were life itself. His golden eyes wandered the room then returned to her as he murmurs, "What with you stomping around making all that yoga noise." Which, to be fair, there was no yoga noise.
    He takes a deep breath and rolls a shoulder, then looks back toward the door. "Do you get a lot of customers in the morning?" He lets his eyes drift back, one eyebrow quirking.
    "Or do you do most of your business online? I've heard foot traffic for flowers isn't hugely popular." Then again he's not exactly an expert.

Dinah Lance has posed:
"The only noise during my yoga is controlled breathing and it wasn't that loud," Dinah told him with a laugh. She was dressed in a pair of jeans and a dark blue blouse, button up and collared. It looked good with her eyes. When she was here, Dinah was herself. No wig. So her short black hair was on display. "I think you are just a light sleeper."

At his question she gave a little shrug. "Not a lot usually. This is my time to start my online work, see what orders there might be. I do my online orders for days ahead and a limited number of slots. Since it's just me fulfilling the orders."

She glanced out toward the front door, more a reflex since they were talking about it. "Walk-ins are not as common. Sometimes people coming in wanting to plan for an event. I'll schedule them a time. Afternoons will get a little busier as people remember the birthdays and anniversaries they forgot so they rush in for a last minute present."

She motioned to the computer. "Once I see what I have in email, I pull up my orders for today and work on them. Things like weddings or funerals, I usually start on a couple of days ahead or schedule it in the morning of the day."

Arthur Curry has posed:
    "You have loud footsteps." He says, unwilling to surrender the argument, but his half-smile gives the lie to his seriousness. He sips again, however, and leans there as he listens to her words. Another glance is given to the door and he nods as she speaks about orders.
    Once she's done he's looking back and making a face somewhat, "Do you enjoy it?" He asks as he ponders this thing. A moment of hesitation then he adds, "Dealing with people?"
    Another pause and he seems to drawn in on himself as he adds, "Being _nice_." A shake of his head is given, as if he can't imagine.

Dinah Lance has posed:
"I do," Dinah says with a little laugh at the way he was saying it. As though it was such a strange thing to deal with people and be nice. "Sometimes," she added.

"Most of the time, I'm happy here. Taking care of the plants, enjoying the peace. It's very zen." Then she gives that little shrug as she shuts down her email and opens her calendar with the orders for the day. A light day since she didn't want to overload herself on her first day back after a staycation.

"Other times I'd rather be out punching some thug in the face. Just depends on the day of the week."

Arthur Curry has posed:
    A small exhalation is given, perhaps a laugh if it was given more strength. Arthur shakes his head and sips again even as he looks the place over. Though this time, however, he tries to see it somewhat through her own eyes. So he looks across the room. At that small conversation nook. The plants along the walls. That cute plethora of bouquets in the window. Then he looks back at he woman who calls it her own and he nods a little.
    "I can see it, I think. It's good to come home to some peace as you can find." He looks again at the door, eyes distancing in some thought or another of his own, reflecting most likely. Then he looks back, "You think people might start to notice if the Aquaguy starts spending time here?"
    A hand lifts to scritch at the stubble on the tall man's chin as he considers, "Might cause some problems. Identity-wise, if you think about it." He tilts his head to the side as he considers the other Justice League member.

Dinah Lance has posed:
"It's a double-edged sword."

Dinah clicked on an order, then rose from her seat. In the back work room there were all sorts of plants she could use to actually make arrangements. Which is where she would need to go to work on things. But she had plenty of time before anyone was due so opted to spend time conversing with her guest instead.

"People probably would figure out something was up with you hanging around. Or at least suspect. But not sure they could put it together since I look very different from my costumed I.D." She picked up her up of coffee and moved over to that sitting area, settling down on the love seat.

"But considering about 80 to 85 percent of my customers are heterosexual women, I suspect that you would draw in a lot more business. I might require you to wear shorts and no shirt while watering the plants." Her eyes are filled with mischief and the twitch of her lips show she is trying not to laugh.

Arthur Curry has posed:
    Casually wandering after, Arthur just follows with Dinah as she moves about prepping for the orders, readying her day. He keeps watching and looking, looming like some great flower-curious mountain of a man. Though he nods along with what she's saying as they stroll.
    Then she mentions people figuring it out at least somewhat with him being around. But it's when she gives her insight into increasing foot traffic in the store that he shoots a sidelong smirk at her, one eyebrow quirking as he looks at her with the most admonishing glower.
    Yet he smiles and murmurs, "I see, get them distracted so they don't look at my face, thus protecting your identity. Brilliant." He shakes his head, "Or I could adopt a secret identity here, floral assistant Marty McManus. Wear glasses, maybe a toupee."

Dinah Lance has posed:
"I can help with wigs," Dinah said since she had learned from the best, being her mother. After all, hers didn't even budge in fights. "Some contacts to hide your eyes. But I am afraid that the tattoos are pretty distinctive. You'd need to be publically shirtless as Aquaman less often."

She moved to the selection of flowers again, taking a few bits of babys breath to mix in with the roses. Then off to the greenery. Just the right balance to keep it looking lovely.

"Glasses if you wanted. But yes, I would be using you for your looks to drum up business. I suspect I'd get a lot more foot traffic and many smaller orders since they would want to buy something to keep you in your boss' good graces."

Arthur Curry has posed:
    "Mmmhmm," Arthur says as he wanders along, following in her wake to lean in and sniff an occasional flower. Or to lightly touch a petal. It was all fairly new to him, but he seemed to enjoy the exploration of it. A glance is given sidelong at her and he murmurs, "I think this is probably not the best idea. But we'll see talk to me when you figure out a wage."
    That said he grins behind his cup of coffee and then /finally/ drops into a seat in that conversation nook, content to settle down. His gaze remains on her as he murmurs, "So you have plans for this weekend? Or taking it slow for now?"

Dinah Lance has posed:
The bouquet was finished up and she moved to settle it into a vase with water. A bow and that one would be ready to go. She moved back to the nook and sat, picking up her coffee up and taking a sip. Dinah just kept it in her hand, balanced on her leg as she looked to him.

"I...have some plans. For Friday night. Saturday too, depending how Friday goes." She dropped her eyes to the side and seemed uncomfortable as she made that answer. Then she added, "But Sunday is open." In case he was looking for something to ask her out on.

Arthur Curry has posed:
    At first he had been looking at the plants, considering, pondering. But the way that Dinah answered, it drew his attention fully back to her. Sitting up a little in his seat he shot a glance her way.
    Arthur is not the most perspicacious of individuals, but he isn't entirely oblivious either. That hesitance, that brief moment of reluctance, he could see it in the way she held herself. And the way her tone changed subtly. Another sip of coffee, then he lifts his chin a little.
    "Yeah?" Curiousity, but also wariness is there in his words as he then asks, "Something going down?" He offers her a way out as he murmurs, "I mean doesn't have to be my business. I know you got stuff going on out in Gotham." Easy for her to just accept that and move on. But he did ask.

Dinah Lance has posed:
The conundrum. She didn't want to lie to him. Things were in their early stages between the two of them and the idea of telling him lies from the start didn't settle well with Dinah.

But telling him the truth might lead to some issues as well. Because doubtful he would approve. Although he was more open minded about such things than some of the other League members might be.

She made her choice and looked into his golden eyes. "On Friday and Saturday nights, I fight." Which he might think as a vigilante or hero but the way she held his gaze and said it pointedly might clue him in it was more. "Arranged fights. Not legal." There it was. "If I'm not hurting too much from Friday, I go Saturday. It's...a release for me."

Arthur Curry has posed:
    "Ah that's..." A pause then as Arthur worries at his inner cheek, looking thoughtful. Those eyebrows rise as he considers, gaze leveled on her and pondering. He stops then swallows and nods a little. "Because of how things went down before?"
    He asks that at first, then adds, "With Roulette?" Though perhaps he knows that as the likely reason. He nods slowly, one hand lifting to push a hand through his hair, but forgetting that it's tied back so instead he just curls fingers over the back of his neck and makes a small 'hnh' sound.
    The cup of coffee is set aside. "I mean, there could be other ways to work through that stuff. Right? I mean I'm not one to judge. I don't live in your shoes." His eyes distance again. "I know some of the League, they've done similarly. In the past."

Dinah Lance has posed:
"I think partly," Dinah says as he asks his question, pulling up her cup and taking a sip as she considers. "I wasn't in control then. But I did fight using my own skills. And...I liked the fighting. I liked winning. Even when I wasn't the one who was choosing to fight then."

She pulled her leg up, cup balanced on the upraise knee. Her other leg was tucked under her, folded up. "Now it lets me cut loose fully. Not like when I have to pull punches as Black Canary. I can go all out and that other side I discovered has freedom. Just for those few matches."

Arthur Curry has posed:
    A nod is given as Arthur continues to look a little distant. A little thoughtful. Eventually he looks back to her, pensive still in expression. But also a touch worried. "Well," He rubs the back of his neck, then lowers his hand. "You mind if I tag along next time? Probably better for me to have a better idea about it."
    Then he says with a slight smile, "I mean, I'm not going to tell you how to live your life, Dinah. You're your own woman." A deep breath is taken as he pushes himself to his feet and steps across the room, footsteps quiet as those sneakers walk across the rugs on the floor.
    "You ok with that?" His coming along. He asks as he stands there and then gently rests a hand upon her shoulder.

Dinah Lance has posed:
That was not what she had expected. Dinah looked as confused as she felt for a moment. Then she gave a little shrug. "If you really want to. It's not a nice place. The crowd are not good people. Betting. Drinking." Then she had to grin, shaking her head a little bit. "Somehow I don't think any of what I just said is a deterrant to you."

Since they both liked a good bar, even if it wasn't a high end club.

"If you want, I can take you Friday. Just please don't interfere. And I do go in disguise. Since I don't want them to know I'm Dinah or Canary."

Arthur Curry has posed:
    "Alright, Dinah." Arthur says with a nod, then takes a deep breath. "Alright."