[RP post] Autumn Blossom

[seiberwing]

It had been some years since Louis had come to Gotham. He hadn't been 'Lilac' then, just a scrubby little kid trying to leave behind a life that had rejected him. He'd gotten a job at a flower shop, with the aid of his 'mentor', and worked his way up to proper mobster. Now he had respect, power, wealth, all the things a good boss should have.

Now nobody could come in and shove him around.

Louis waited in his office, finishing the last stub of his cigar. He took his meetings in the smallest of his three flower shops, the one that got the least business. Not that business ever mattered, they were mostly his hobby/money laundering rackets, but it was stupidly charming to see people browsing his arrangements. At least some people in this city had a little class. The scent of flowers mingled with the reek of tobacco, emanating from the many brightly colored potted chrysanthemums placed throughout the room. His clients never picked up on the meaning of his rotating roster of blossoms, they rarely had enough culture to even distinguish between a dandelion and a posy. Louis set them up mainly for his own enjoyment.

The chrysanthemum was one of the "Four Gentlemen" featured in Chinese artwork. It was favored by Tao Qian, an influential Chinese poet, and was symbolic of nobility in that culture--this guy he was about to meet seemed to consider himself a real hoity-toity type, so it seemed fitting to roll out the floral red carpet without letting him know he was being mocked.

Comments

[nicowafer]

Gotham was new to Charles King. Granted, his father had done business here for years and he had visited once in awhile, but this was Charles first time truly living in the city. He'd just moved a month ago and already was picking up the pieces of his father's business here.

For years Charles' father had allowed his business ventures in Gotham to wane. He did real estate for the rogues of Gotham City, specializing in hideouts and fronts. The man he was meeting today hadn't signed any paper work. When he'd taken over the businesses of another mobster in Gotham, Mr. Lilac had done so without the intervention of the King service. Not that Charles thought a mobster cared much about such things. But, it was always good to keep a legal slant to your illegal business. That was how most villains got lesser prison sentences in Gotham, unlawful search and seizures of their private property.

The flower shop wasn't difficult to find and Charles made his way to the office where the acrid smell of cigar smoke mixed with the fragrant perfume of chrysanthemum. He'd chosen a muted toned tan suit with soft lilac tie and handkerchief. He felt it was appropriate when meeting with a man who called himself Louis the Lilac.

"Good day, Mr. Lilac, I'm Charles King. I believe we have some business to conduct." He removed his matching bowler, revealing the golden-red of his hair. He was matter-of-fact in speech and he held out a free hand to offer Louis an assertive handshake.