FLORIOGRAPHS
Chapters 1. Encounter

The sound of wood crackling over the embers forced him to open his heavy eyelids due to drowsiness. The girl exhaled and felt a cold air contact envelop her body. He deftly inserted a kettle filled with water and heated it on the stove.

Elea completed several sets of her morning routine and took time for breakfast before leaving. This brown haired girl wore her favorite embroidered blue apron dress with a brown coat sewn to protect her from the cold air around.

The soft sound of ocean waves along the coastline and the crowds passing by are the things he most often encounters when he wants to start his day.

Setting up a flower shop was the wish of his parents before both of them died.

Risen from his grief, he fulfilled their last request as a form of respect and made himself a better person as he knows it today.

Elea stepped in after opening the door, the sound of bells clanking being the opening before being followed by another rush of busyness.

No wonder that in early spring, more and more customers come to buy flowers. The girl tightened her dexterity and immersed herself in her preoccupation.

The afternoon had come, the crowd had passed. The girl was sprawled from exhaustion.

Shortly after, a young man came to the store, looking for an herbal plant to treat himself. However, Elea shook her head because at that moment she did not have it.

The young man endured the pain of bleeding from his right leg, unable to support his body anymore, he fell down. The girl was screaming hysterically. Without a second thought he hired the young man to immediately give him treatment

***

His eyes slowly opened up.

A buzzing sound suddenly spread as he raised his head. He grimaced as the pain pierced his forehead into his brain. Instantly he fell on his pillow again, staring at the ceiling of the room that now feels different

He leaned over the edge of the mattress and found severe injuries to his leg had been treated and bandaged

The clattering of footsteps faintly reached his ears.

"Are you okay? Does it still hurt?"

"Y-Yes, but ... um, it's okay" He scratched his nape to remove the doubtful tone. "I've been better now.may be able to recover in over 2 days"

the decision was made to move forward

"So, where am I now?"

"You passed out and now you're in my house".

The young man tried to remember while fumbling his left temple, moments later he only realized that a bandage had bandaged his wound, which proved that he had fallen to the floor very roughly. He nodded silently and understood what had happened to him.

The girl kindly extended her hand and was greeted by the young man she had helped earlier.

"I'm Elea and.. You?"

"Lucas."

"It's nice to meet you," as Elea wanted to add her words, the sound of rumbling bellies reached into their hearing. Lucas lowered his head, embarrassed. Elea wrapped her little laugh.

***

"Please, it looks like you are hungry"

He smiled "Thank you"

Elea nodded her head while lighting some torches on the wall for additional lighting.

Without a second thought, Lucas devoured some of the stew that had been served on the table. A knotty smile was engraved on her lips, The girl sat next to her with a face on her lap while daydreaming to notice the young man's reaction. Lucas, who looked at her in surprise, then opened his voice

"Did I finish your meal? I'm sorry..."

Elea shook her head "No. absolutely not"

He added grimly, "Huh.. It's been a long time..."

"Are you okay?" Lucas turned his eyes and watched her.

Elea lowered her head. He's been holding it for a long time. Lucas heard every exchange of emotions throughout their conversation. He calmed the girl down and acted as her support.

An hour has passed. Lucas was still staring at the nearly extinguished candle before him. The girl is asleep. His slightly puffy eyes caught his attention. Soon he rested the girl on the bed so she could rest.

Lucas felt that there were some things in common within them. He is also weak if left behind, however, although he is not very good in terms of human emotions and feelings, Lucas feels that Elea has revealed a vulnerable side of herself and believes that she has earned her trust.

Staying in the position of looking at him, Lucas assumes that he is still given a chance to live through him. One day, Lucas is almost caught by a group of slave traders who injure his right leg. He was hunted by them since the Master who adopted him had died and managed to escape by infiltrating the cart. A few days later he was still on his way to find a village he thought he could stop by to heal his wounds. However, due to his wounds that were too much blood to starve during the journey, besides that his body was already on the verge, he finally fainted. only the hysterical screams of the girl were ringing in his head and making him come to his senses.

.

***

The sound of gently flowing water pushing away the debris and rocks from a nearby beach invaded his ears to wake him up.

Elea found herself lying on her bed, covered with a blanket, and she lifted her head and turned to look for the young man she met yesterday, Lucas, but she was never found.

As Elea stepped across the room, Elea closed her attention to the sound of the kettle being heated in the kitchen under the stairs,

Elea forced herself to walk and find out. As he descended, an echo broke the silence

"You're awake, Good morning Elea"

"Uhh. It's you, Lucas. Good morning, are you feeling any better?"

Lucas replied "yes, it's healed." he rubbed the nape of his neck that didn't itch

"Hey uhm. I'm not very good at saying thank you, but, I made you tea. Chamomile, passionflower, spearmint, and lemonbalm are mixed with honey for their sweetness. It might help you relax" Lucas took a cup from the kitchen table as he walked over to give him some warm tea

Elea smiled gently at him, sitting on a wooden chair as she slowly greeted the warm cup of tea Lucas offered "Thank you, Lucas"

"Sama-sama" Lucas replied with his familiar gentle gaze

***