PROMPT: May Flowers

[Christine Daaé]

May is known for being a time when Spring is in full bloom. After the April showers come May’s flower’s. Also for us, the coming of May means the coming of a new prompt with the new month, and thus a new opportunity for you to earn some more Euro. With the new shop being opened soon, where you can buy things such as boards and characters beyond your sixth, what better way to earn some Euro to spend there than with another new prompt opportunity? Responding to the prompt is worth 15 euro, and you may earn for responding with each character. Once you have completed your response, be sure that it meets the guidelines outlined for the specific prompt option, and then go post in the IOUlist to let the admins know and to receive your due Euro.

OPTION ONE – FURNISHED AND ADORNED WITH NOTHING BUT FLOWERS

Flowers are often used in decoration, whether in everyday living, or in special events and holidays. Often, there is a reason why a particular flower is chosen, whether it be a color, a meaning, a specific desired atmosphere, a fragrance, etc.. Imagine that your character is planning some sort of event and is going to use flowers in the decorating. What sort of flowers would they use, why, and where would they get them? Examples of events include (but are not limited to) a date, a wedding, giving a gift, a religious service, a meal, a visit to someone in the hospital, an anniversary, an engagement, a shower of some sort, etc.. Your response must be at least three paragraphs in length and contain both proper spelling and grammar.

OPTION TWO – THAT WHICH WE CALL A ROSE

Think about your character’s relations to the people around them in the Manor. They may have some with whom they are very close, some whom they despise, and some they merely watch from a distance. Now choose one specific character in the Manor that your character has met. If your character were to compare that person to some sort of a flower, what sort of flower would they be? Would they be a rose, full of beauty, but with thorns that can hurt you if you’re not careful? Would they be a dandelion, bright and full of life, but also irritating and difficult to get rid of? Would they be a poinsettia, associated with cold and wintery harshness, but really rather warm and homely inside? These are just a few suggestions, but the list is endless! Try to be unique in your flower and reasoning. Your response must be a minimum of three paragraphs in length comparing another character currently in the Manor to a flower. It must contain proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Please also include an image of the flower to which you are comparing the other person to. Use the code [img][/img] with the direct link to your image in between in order to post an image.

OPTION THREE – THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS

Did you know that flowers once were (and still are) sometimes used to send special messages to friends or to lovers? Doing so was actually quite popular during the Victorian Era in places such as France, England, the United States, and even across Asia! You can read some more about the language of flowers here on the Wikipedia page. After browsing through the Language of Flowers, think about the different meanings. With this in mind, your character is sending a series of flower messages to another character in the Manor. Write a short story about them sending these flowers, and their thoughts and feelings as they do so. You may write your story as if it is a diary entry in first person if you wish, though it is not required. Your response must contain proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation, and must be at least six paragraphs in length. Please use a minimum of five different flowers in your character’s flower messages. Note that if two flowers are used together for a single meaning (i.e. a red rose and a white rose together means “united”) it still counts as one flower. A single flower may be used for multiple messages (i.e. a thornless burgundy rose can mean “unconscious beauty” due to color, but also “love at first site” because it’s thornless), but it still only counts as using one flower. Any plant listed in the Language of Flowers may be used, with one added (wolfsbane = I’ve a knight in shining armour).

[Erik Carriere]

OPTION 1

It seemed the best and worst things seem to happen in the garden. There had also been a saying in the village that he had heard quite a few times 'April showers bring May flowers'. It sparked a rather nice idea for a picnic. He had yet to have a picnic with Christine and it seemed that the Dreamery was not the best place to do this in. So the real garden will do.

Erik picked out a nice little spot that had the interesting aroma since the little grassy spot was surrounded by Baby's Breath, red and violet roses, and a hint of oats, which was absolutely strange in the little mix but it added a nice little touch. He laid out a plain navy blue blanket on the green grass and sat down a little woven basket. He smiled happily and began to hum as he laid out the little lunch, a bottle of white wine, a sandwich for each of them and a little plastic box with freshly rinsed strawberries.

Erik stood up and started to head back for the manor. He hadn't told Christine what he had been planning and wanted to show her the little scene as a surprise and then have a wonderful lunch with her. But this idea was short lived because once he reached the doors to the manor, the sky had grown considerably dark when it had been so much lighter than before. He paused for a moment and felt a few drops tackle his hand. Erik sighed and started back for the picnic, he would have to move it at least. But once he got to it, it was pouring rain and they sandwiches were ruined and he rushed as he put everything back in the basket and held the soggy blanket in his hand and ran for cover. There would be no picnic today. So much for 'April showers'.


OPTION 2

Love Lies Bleeding. The flower resembles hopelessness... but that is the last thing Erik thinks of when he is around her There is always the red rose that he liked to compare to Christine.... but he thought that the best flower that truly resembled his Christine was the Love Lies Bleeding heart. It was a lovely colored plant and he always liked seeing them in the garden, next to the roses.

Whenever Erik had the chance to look at these flowers, they did not look sad to him, on the contrary. He always imagined that the hearts looked like they were bleeding because they were overflowing with love. Like Christine, they were beautiful as any plant but so unique and beautiful. They heart shaped flowers glowed in the sun, like the way Christine seemed to glow in the warmth and happiness.

They can bundle into groups and look like one graceful stream of love, or they could be individual and precise - lined beautifully as it curs down and its branches flow down like the weeping willows'. Some may say that it is sad... like many might see Christine sad. But Erik saw only beauty and a promise of happiness, just as he saw beauty and happiness in Christine. All the Christines were roses... but his Christine was also Love Lies Bleeding.


OPTION 3

Erik smiled after having deciding that he would send a bouquet to Christine each day of this week, Sunday through Friday. Each day would represent a different thought or feeling... though they would all be connected to his love of course. He felt that she deserved the flowers and that she would love them, even if she didn't know their meaning. Erik read books on their meanings, he was interested in that sort of thing sometimes, and decided that now would be a perfect time to put that knowledge to the test and show a little more of his love, not that material things prove anything.

But it was now Sunday morning and he dropped off the first bouquet to her front door and knocked on the door then quickly and silently walked away smiling. Within the little bundle of flowers, there was two Acanthus flowers, three large Amaryllis flowers, and a whole bunch of Amaranth flowers that made it look full. Acanthus means art, Amaryllis means pride, and Amaranth flowers mean immortal love. What he thought of when he put together these flowers was that his love for her and music was immortal, since art could mean music in certain perspectives, and he took pride in her with all his heart.

The next morning, he left another bouquet at her door, racing away quickly as he had done before. This time, there was two Arborvitae flower stalks and then between them, a large mixture of different colored Arbutus and Aster flowers. Arborvitae means everlasting friendship, Arbutus means "You're the only one I love", and Aster flowers mean symbol of love, daintiness, talisman of love,trusting. When he put this bouquet together, he thought of their everlasting love. He only loved his Christine and she would be the only one to return his affections, he trusted her and they would last forever and happily.

It was now Tuesday morning and he left the new bouquet of flowers. He was guessing she was liking them and had found them if he didn't find the same bouquet still sitting in front of her door. This time, the flowers consisted of three Bells of Ireland flowers, eight Borage flowers, and then Baby's breath to make it look full. Bells of Ireland flowers mean luck, Borage flowers mean courage, and Baby's breath means innocence and pure of heart. When putting this together, Erik felt that this is what it took for Christine to love him back and for their relationship to grow so strongly. His love was indeed pure of heart.

Wednesday, this next morning he did the same as he had done the mornings previous to this one. This bouquet had two Bird of Paradise flowers, five white carnations, and quite a few of Camellia japonica flowers that made it look complete. Bird of Paradise means Liberty, magnificence, good perspective, faithfulness, white carnations mean sweet and lovely, innocence, pure love, faithfulness, and Camellia japonica mean unpretending excellence. He felt that some of these meanings described Christine and as a reminder of her loveliness, not that he needs one. It was some of the things he loved about her.

It was the morning of Thursday as he placed a new bouquet of flowers at her door. These flowers were different, though they looked beautiful, their message were little less than depressing. Six little groups of Cypress flowers, eight Rosemary flowers, and a bunch of Winged seeds to make it look full. It was the smallest bouquet but it meant a lot. Cypress means death, mourning, despair, sorrow, Rosemary means remembrance, and Winged seeds mean messenger. Erik sort of felt that this resembled her life the first time she came into the manor, before she was sort of reborn. Remember the message.

And now came the last day he would be sending her flowers like this. Of course there would be more bouquets for other occasions but for now, this would be it. Eight yellow Hibiscus, seven blue roses, and four Plumeria flowers. Hibiscus flowers mean rare beauty, delicate beauty, blue roses mean mystery, attaining the impossible, love at first sight, and Plumeria flowers mean perfection, springtime, new beginnings. He felt this is what he saw in their future and all that is within. Love, the impossible, and beauty. Christine was everything Erik could possibly ask for. And with this being the last day, Erik put a small round tag on the ribbon that held the bouquet together and it read, 'From Erik, with love. To Christine'.