How can I help you today?

[meteormercenary]

Shortly before 10:00 a.m. in Shepherd's Haven, Jacob ties his apron behind his waist and unlocks the doors to officially open shop for the day. Jacob owns a flower shop and sells bouquets for fair, if not cheap, prices.

If any one studies the man behind the counter, they'll be greeted with a friendly smile by a man in his early twenties, silvered hair, and an eye patch.

He's friendly to all and will help you get the perfect bouquet to make that date perfect; show that someone special just how much you care, or even for home accessory reasons. All you have to do is walk in.

"Hey, come on in. Welcome to Dewdrops N' Clovers. How can I help you today?" he says with a warm smile as you come through the door.

Comments

[numberedshepherd]

He'll be 28 in October, but he absolutely looks like he could pass for a rangy late teen or early twenties. He's skinny and saucer-eyed enough, his build isn't particularly masculine, and if it weren't for an awkward and prominent Adam's apple, he might look like a rail thin and very homely girl.

"There are patterns you can pick up if you look hard enough..." he suggests, tugging at the dark hairs at the back of his head absentmindedly. "We've put together a handbook of sorts that we like to link new Numbers to, but... there's still so much we don't know about this process, even after meeting the Boy."

He seems conflicted about Jacob's conclusion. "Just being normal isn't something we'll ever had. Here we have the illusion, but it's just that," he says quietly. "Someday, this place could be attacked and we could all be killed, even with powered guardians. As for my 'role'..." he pauses. "Well, what's the difference, anyway? Between honor-bound and obligation."

[meteormercenary]

Jacob gives a puzzled look.

"The Boy?" He hadn't heard that part of the story yet. Jacob thinks for a moment on how to get his hands on the 'handbook' without outright asking for it.

Jacob takes a breath before answering.

"There can be a huge difference. Obligation means not wanting to, but feel like you have to. Honour-bound means it's your code, your right, what you live by. And, usually the path that would make you happiest if you followed it. Sometimes, the needs of the one must outweigh the needs of the many. If you can't take care of yourself, you can't help anyone. Sometimes, it's okay to put what you actually want first, not what you feel like you have to do to make anyone or everyone else happy."

[numberedshepherd]

"Yes... it was something we actually had to leave the Earth for. We basically had to argue that humans deserved to survive. The most stressful day of my life, and have some contenders," Lazarus says, eyes distant. "He was both young and ageless. A child god, so many parts capricious whims and emotion."

Lazarus wants to think that he has an honor code, but so much of it might just be his own neurotic fears controlling him. He has to gently level every such thought.

"...are you implying that I don't take care of myself?"

[meteormercenary]

"A child God," Jacob muses. "I bet that wasn't easy to reason with. I can only imagine how stressful it would be. It's amazing that you got through it. How did you manage to prove it, if you don't mind my asking?"

Jacob gives a warm smile and tilts his head slightly. It's not condescending or patronizing. It's a simple gesture of truth.

"I'm implying that maybe you forget about yourself while trying to take care of everyone else. It's called trying too hard. Most people do it at some point in their lives. Just remind yourself it's okay to breathe."

[numberedshepherd]

"It was a long and involved process, but what it came down to was just... finding common ground. Talking of things like parents and love, about what you might expect from the kind of scenario that would require a creature like him to change his view. My contribution was essentially... well, I like to think of it of having been plagued by horrible luck my entire life and still wanting very much to live, in spite of it."

And even though that wasn't always true.

"...that's helpful advice, even though I've heard it before. I'll keep it in mind."

[meteormercenary]

That explains why the kid probably looks more frail than he should. Though, certainly inspiring to some degree. People that can pull through despite how bad the hand they've been dealt may be, it earns a level of sympathy and respect from Jacob.

"I can only hope your luck has gotten better since then. And if not, then hopefully soon."

Jacob isn't sure whether he's being honest about the 'helpful advice,' or just brushing it off. He decides to offer further advice, not really in a 'glad to help' way, but more of a way to drive the point home.

"And some more helpful advice you've probably heard before: take it one day at a time. Nothing wrong with being prepared, but even then, there's no one-hundred percent preparation and you'll just look paranoid if you try."

[numberedshepherd]

Lazarus may have inspired people in his life. He certainly hopes so. They're things he talks about seldom, preferring to look to the future rather than dwelling on the past, and though he's accustomed to sympathy, respect is still fairly new.

"It's gotten much better," he answers with a pale smile. "Even through everything that happened a little over a year ago, I'm probably happier than I've ever been."

He seems surprised at the further advice being offered, but he does listen to it, albeit with a somewhat quizzical expression on his face. "That's how I've managed so far," he replies softly. "Not always without looking paranoid, but that's a different story, and a longer one."

[meteormercenary]

"Well, that's good, I'm glad you're much better off." He gives a warm smile in return.

He listens to Lazarus and nods.

"Well, I'm always up for a good story. However, you probably have someone waiting for you at home to give her a pleasant surprise."

He is, of course, indicating the flowers. And, though he would genuinely like to hear more about Lazarus's story, it's also important that the flowers stay fresh.

"Come again, sometime. I look forward to it."

[numberedshepherd]

"A good story? I don't know if it qualifies as that, but I do hope we talk again," he says softly, taking the flowers and gathering them into his arms. "Thank you for your help, and good luck with your business. I hope you do well enough in Shepherd's Haven to stay."

[meteormercenary]

Jacob nods at Lazarus's thanks.

"Thanks, I'm sure I will. Take care."

He gives that friendly smile again and watches as Lazarus leaves the store, letting the door fully close before rearranging some of the arrangements behind him, carefully checking for wilted flowers.