[SCENE] Diego and Iris in "Kiss Me I'm Iris"
Diego: *Diego Armando is walking down the streets of downtown LA on a late afternoon, making his way to In Bloom, the flower shop where Iris works. He takes note that it's in a nicer neighborhood than he had been prepared for, which is a relief*
Diego: *He checks his watch as he comes to the door of the store; he's only a few minutes early. He steps in, grinning at the cash jockey and signaling that no, he's not actually there to buy anything, before looking around for Iris*
Iris: *Iris happens to be just a few feet away, with two tall black plastic buckets (used for keeping cut flowers in) stacked on top of each other. They appear to be quite stuck -- another employee is grabbing onto one end while Iris has a grip on the other, the bottom pressed against her abdomen*
Woman: Okay, I've got it. Now, pull.
Iris: *nods and begins to tug with all her might, furrowing her brow and straining when it doesn't give* Nnh. Nnng... Ah. Ah. Ah!
Diego: *flinches visibly at Iris' voice, his grin falling away as he looks over his shoulder - then he sees what she's doing and turns to her properly, and in his head he is scolding himself, glad she can't see his eyes* Do you need some help, ladies?
Iris: *turns her head, smiling as soon as she sees him. The other employee gives him an odd look* Oh, if you wouldn't mind... *nods to the woman, signaling her to let go. She flips the bucket, holding the bottom end out to Diego with a small frown* These buckets can be so stubborn. No matter how hard I yank them, I've never been able to pull one off.
Diego: ...
Diego: *takes the end of the bucket in his hands, holding it firmly, telling himself over and over that she doesn't mean anything* Try twisting when you pull.
Iris: Twist it? Like this? *does as she's told, straining again as she pulls* Unf! *the bucket slides off, and she gives a sigh* Oh! It worked like a charm. Thank you, Mr. Armando. *smiles at him*
Diego: You're... welcome. *puts one hand in his pocket, apparently quite self-aware as he hands off the bucket to the other employee* Long day?
Iris: *the woman gives Diego another look as she takes it and goes to the back room. Iris puts the bucket in a huge sink and turns on the faucet, filling it with water* It's been a very productive day. We received a large shipment of new flowers today, so I've had to practically rearrange the entire store. I'm about ready to fall into bed.
Diego: No doubt. *his composure is level, but steam is starting to rise from his head* Would you like to get something to eat, first? My treat.
Iris: *puts her hand under the running water, testing its temperature* I would love to. I am quite hungry, and I do need the energy. After all, when I say I'm ready for bed... *looks straight at him, her expression serious* I don't mean to say I'd be using it for sleep.
Diego: *there is no change in his expression* ...What.
Iris: *smiles!* It's my feet. They're quite sore, but I can't relax just yet -- I have laundry and some cleaning to do tonight. The couple I live with...I offered to help clean their kitchen. It looks as though it hasn't received any love in some time. *checks the water level and turns off the faucet*
Diego: ...Oh. That would make sense. *fights the urge to grab at his own head* A man must always mind the upkeep of his house, with or without a woman's help.
Iris: I agree. *brings out the bucket and takes a gerbera bunch from another bucket, switching it to the new one* Will Pearl be joining us? *dumps out the old water into the sink*
Diego: No - I had her stay at Kurain, right now. I'm not that comfortable with her walking into a den of rats armed with knives. Will that be all right?
Iris: I'm all right with that. *passes the bucket of flowers onto another employee, who takes it to the shop floor* Well, that's the end of my shift. Let me go grab my things, and then I'll be all yours. *walks through a door leading to the back room*
Diego: Keep saying it and it might end up true, kitten.
Iris: *emerges wearing a purple coat, a yellow scarf around her neck; her sandals have been replaced with white sneakers. She says goodbye to the other workers and goes to Diego's side* I'm not certain if I've asked before...Do you like flowers, Mr. Armando?
Diego: *he takes note of everything she's wearing - and weirdly enough, it suits her* Yes, I do. I find they make an excellent contrast to many, much harsher forms of decor. *opens the door and holds it for her* Why do you ask?
Iris: *steps out into the chilly February air* I was just wondering...I haven't met too many men who appreciate the beauty of flowers.
Diego: *stares after her for a second before following, letting the door swing closed behind him* ...I'm sure there are plenty. They can be an important part of any man's life, whether he admits it or not.
Iris: *looks up at him, waiting for him to take the lead* They're quite enriching, visually. Such an important history that comes attached with them, too...I've always had some fascination with them. Is there any kind you're fond of?
Diego: *there is an upturning of the side of his mouth as he lets his hands sink into his pockets - he's pretty sure he knows a decent sandwich shop within a walk's distance, and starts in that direction* Every flower is a work of art on its own. To try to compare them would be to lose sight of what makes the individual beautiful.
Iris: *stays close by his side as she follows him. She takes a moment to take in his words, a sort of dreaminess in her tone* That's very true...Each one holds its own special beauty. In fact, some were created by nature to attract certain little creatures.
Diego: *looks down at her, now openly grinning, watching the expression on her face* Were they, now?
Iris: Yes. The vivid colours to catch the eyes of hummingbirds...the way they wave to bees by swaying gently in the breeze, beckoning them. There are some orchids that mimic the appearance of certain types of wasps, which happen to find the flowers intensely attractive. They're drawn to the bloom, make love to it, and move onto the next, spreading its pollen... *keeps her head forward, her face serene*
Diego: *stares, glad that it can't be seen, trying to figure out whether she's talking about the beauty of nature (vis a vis a wasp raping a bunch of flowers) or ... nah* That is a good way to look at it.
Iris: *coyly* I'm sorry -- Is it too cheesy...? I wonder if it's the season. I've been in...a romantic mood.
Diego: *he nearly loses his footing at that, but then his mouth sets in a line and he considers her: it's been a very long time, he knows, that she's spent more or less alone* Romantic?
Iris: Perhaps it's not the right word to describe the feeling. ...Affectionate? *thinks to herself*
Diego: Toward whom?
Iris: Hm? *glances toward him with curiousness* No one in particular.
Diego: *notices her head turning and is already looking forward before she's looking at him* This is a rough place to be alone in. Like straining coffee with your teeth as the filter.
Iris: *looking straight* I haven't run into too many problems so far. I'm fortunate to have such an uplifting job. Every day, I get to witness the glow on people's faces when they receive flowers from someone special.
Diego: Hm. *the sound is appreciative, and he looks down at her again. To his eyes she looks tired, and not the way that one gets after only a day* Still. *licks his lips* It has been a long time like this, Iris. Far longer than it should be.
Iris: I suppose four months is a little while...but time does fly. Some days, It feels as though I moved here only yesterday.
Diego: *it's not what he means, but it's close enough* Iris. *he reaches over, placing a big hand on her shoulder, and looks down at her as they walk* You know you do not need to be alone. You always have your sister, and your cousin. And me.
Iris: *turns her warm gaze to him* ...Of course, Mr. Armando. It's because of you and the others that I don't feel alone in the least.
Diego: *he puts his hand back into his pocket, and then he grins again, and he relaxes when he do so so that it's more natural and there's a different cast to it, one he hasn't had in a while* Good. Because you won't be. Let's make these dinners into a regular thing.
Iris: *brightens, despite her remark that she doesn't feel lonely* Let's -- that's a wonderful idea. Oh, all this walking and mention of food's made me hungrier...I'm in the mood for a cold chicken sandwich.
Diego: Ha! I know just the place we can go for a serving of cold roasted c-*coughs into his hand, then hits his chest with the side of his fist* Excuse me. Chicken.
Diego: *after another few moments they come up under the deli he had in mind - the Flying Bagel, whatever that means* Here's the place. Best cold chicken, ham, roast beef- *stops, then looks at Iris again, and tries not to bite his tongue as he opens the door for her*
Iris: *thoughtfully* Hmm...I'm more into chicken than I am into ham or roast beef. Though I do occasionally enjoy a nice, hot serving of sausage to fill me up in the morning. *steps through the door*
Diego: *his free hand clenches into a fist, which shakes violently* Lord God give me strength until I can get some decent coffee. *steps in after her, letting the door swing shut behind him*