An Hour Among Flowers (Vicky and Emmet Valentine's Day Part 2)

>In a quiet little flower shop, a robust, mustached gentleman and his accompanying service android browse the various bouquets
>The man's eyes dart back and forth, from selections of flowers, to a list he had brought with him
>The android seemed interested in a bundle of white tulips. "These are quite lovely, sir. Would they suffice?"
>The man turned, and gave a polite but discerning shake of his head
>"Uhm, no, no Emmet, that's not quite it. Don't worry though, I'll find what I'm looking for."
>The man's eyes returned to his list as he slowly walked through the store
>"Of course, Mr. Winslow."

>Hector Winslow was out looking for flowers to give to his wife on the rapidly approaching Valentine's Day
>He insisted that Emmet, the Winslow family's Botler, come along to help make the selection
>Hector's tune changed as they walked into the flower shop, however, politely refusing anything Emmet had picked out
>Emmet didn't mind. He could tell Mr. Winslow was on a mission, and was simply trying to help. But after the fifth rejection, Emmet knew to simply observe and remain quiet
>...At least that's what Emmet knew he SHOULD do, but after nearly an hour of Hector walking in circles in the small store, and the cashier in the back getting irritated, Emmet could not help but ask...

>"Sir, I'm sorry if it's a bother, but may I ask what it is you're looking for, specifically?"
>With a gentle but exasperated sigh, causing his mustache to billow, Hector responded
>"Well Emmet, ya see... Gosh, how do I explain this. Ever since Jeanette and I got married, we do a little thing every Valentine's Day. She always bakes me this delicious little set of chocolates, and God bless her it's unique every year. Tells me the different chocolates show how she feels about me."
>Emmet smiled, "that's a lovely gesture on her part."
>"It really is."
>Hector inspected another set of flowers, then after looking back down at his list, a dejected frown finds its way across his face as he continues his seemingly futile slog through the store
>"But, as for me, I... I feel so bad. I'm no cook, I can't write, I can't really MAKE anything. So, what I do instead is I at least try to find the perfect bouquet for her every year."
>Emmet walks alongside Mr. Winslow
>"And what makes a bouquet perfect, sir?"
>Stopping in his tracks, the bespectacled man thinks for a moment before responding
>"The flowers have to... Th-they... Hm..."
>Hector stumbled over his words as he looked back at his list
>"...Like how Jeanette's chocolates tell me how she feels about me, the flowers in the bouquet have to show Jeanette how I really feel about her."
>Emmet holds his chin in thought. "Why not just buy the same flowers as previous years? Has how you feel about her changed?"
>"Yes! I mean, no. No! I-I mean, some of it has, and-... It's... It's hard to explain..."
>Mr. Winslow rubs his eyes beneath his glasses in exhaustion

>Emmet was usually the more compassionate of the Winslow's service androids, seeming to understand the many winding paths of human emotion better than his Nandroid counterpart, Vicky
>However, the intricacies of romantic love were something neither android really understood very well
>But both have taken it upon themselves to learn, both out of a curiosity to pursue romance with each other, and for the good of their family
>And Emmet saw an opportunity to learn today

>"If you don't mind, sir, may I try to piece together your thoughts?
>Readjusting his small glasses, Hector gives a huff. "Be my guest, Emmet."
>Emmet walks in front of Mr. Winslow, and as he places his hands together, he begins
>"You wish to buy a unique arrangement of flowers that reflect how you feel about Mrs. Winslow, correct?"
>Mr. Winslow nods. "That's right."
>"And, I must assume, the kinds of flowers, and their arrangements express different feelings?"
>"Yeah, you're on track, Emmet."
>"And you're having a hard time finding which flowers accurately express your feelings, because some aspects of your love for Mrs. Winslow have changed, and others haven't?"
>"That's... one way to put it, yeah." Hector strokes his mustache, perplexed
>Hector raises the list he'd been carrying as he stammers. "B-but it's also a matter of just... Every year, I want it to be different, but I'm just having... Trouble with that."
>Emmet notices Mr. Winslow's intense focus on that list, and gently leans forward inquisitively
>"I've neglected to ask, what IS that list you've been carrying with you, sir?"
>"Oh, it's a list of all the past bouquets I've gotten for Jeanette. I bring it with me every year."
>Emmet straightens up. "Ah, to help you avoid a similar bouquet from previous years?"
>"Yeah, but after 22 years together, it's getting difficult, you know?"
>"Might I see the list?"
>Hector hands the piece of paper to the Botler, who quickly scans it
>"Bellflowers."
>Hector slightly reels back in surprise as Emmet hands the list back. "Uhb, be-bellflowers?"
>"You've only used bellflowers twice, and in small amounts both times. You could shake things up by making them the main attraction this year. Plus, they symbolize never ending love, which I think, for Valentine's Day, sounds perfe-"
>Hector loudly snaps his fingers and points to Emmet's face triumphantly. "That's it!"
>He laughs in excitement and slaps Emmet on the back, nearly knocking him off his feet
>"That's the centerpiece I needed! My endless love for her! Yes! Oh, and they're beautiful too, just like Jeanette. It IS perfect! I KNEW it was a good idea to bring you along, Emmet!"
>Letting out a deep, glass-shaking laugh, Hector marches confidently through the store, totally sure of his selections

>Emmet steadies himself and quietly chuckled as he watched his owner make laps around the store
>He once more finds himself looking at flowers, taking particular interest in the roses
>His thoughts suddenly turned to Vicky
>Despite wanting to explore love, the Winslows' androids are ignorant to romance, and don't really know how to begin
>But if there was ever a day to begin, Valentine's Day just might be it

>"Sir? May I pick out some flowers as well? I think the upstairs hall could use a little color."
>"Absolutely, Emmet!" Hector screams with laughter from the register as the cashier shrinks in terror
>Emmet smiles as he gently picks out one of the roses
>"Reflect how I feel about her, hm... Perhaps they're a bit cliche, but..."