Amano is beginning to anticipate Illiendi's use of the word “master”, looking forward to the delightful little shiver, and almost hoping he never grows used to hearing it. [i]'I enjoy the rush I get,t he thrill of it. I hope it never gets boring'[/i] He glances at the demon with a smile on his lips as he passes him in the doorway and thinks, [i]'there is no way I will ever bore of this creature or anything he does. . .'[/i] Letting out a soft sigh he waits until Illiendi is in place before striking off down the street. He slows only slightly as the man suggest a detour, and with a glance over his shoulder he spots the faint caress of his gift to the demon.

He doesn't indicate he saw it however and gives Illiendi a not, letting himself be guided along toward the sweet aroma of flowers. He thinks over when the demon has to say, but in the back of his mind he recalls a rather inconsequential bit of information he thought would never be of any use. When they reach the stall outside the flower shop he murmurs softly, “Mother always loved tulips. . .” He reaches out to brush his fingers over the cut flowers settled in water on the wooden surfaces, but then his eyes go to the shop itself.

He remembers more now. Once, his father had actually upset his mother and brought her home a bouquet of cut white tulips in apology. [i]'But cut flowers only last so long, and as did his sorrow over upsetting her, if it was ever there at all. . .'[/i] He lets Illiendi open the door for him and they ender the floral, earthy smelling shop. Within minutes they emerge once more, Amano clutching a pot with a single flower growing in it. He knows that normally when one gets “flowers” for someone, one gets a bouquet, or at least a full bushel of them when getting potted ones, but he thinks his mother will understand when he presents her with his gift.

Not wanting Illiendi to think him foolish, and now out of earshot of the clerk, he explains softly so that only the sharp eared demon will be able to hear him. “Mother is always getting flowers from father, cut ones, and they are normally received well. However, for me, this means the gesture has been watered down for her. . .” He takes a slow breath. “White means sorry for tulips, and right now that is what she wants from me. She wants me to feel bad that I am causing her pain, and I got her this so that no matter how long I am gone, it will continue to grow back, renewing my feelings.” He glances over his shoulder, looking embarrassed slightly before turning his gaze back to the road.

I want to get her another one right before I leave, a pink one. It means confidence and happiness. I want her to know I am doing this for myself, and that it is making me happy, for the first time in my life, and that I am confident in what I am doing. . .” He bites his lip for a second before murmuring, “I know you didn't ask for an explanation, but as the flowers were your idea. . .And sorry, I know this whole love thing is not something of interest to you, but I do love her and want to put some thought and care into this beyond the simple act of handing over flowers that will die soon. . .” He glances over his shoulder at the one he gave Illiendi. “I really wish I could have gotten you one that would last. It suits you. . .” He gives the man a half smile before turning his attention back on the road.