xp_logs | Hope and Melody: On the job

xp_trance posting in

Hope and Mel end up working the same event and Hope has the chance to check in on how Mel's job is going.

Mel wasn’t allergic to flowers.

Or so she thought before taking this job, but the sneeze building said otherwise. These lilies were testing her sinuses and her patience. Sighing, she shuffled around the centerpiece in front of her again. It didn’t seem quite right compared to the others.

"Not happy with how it looks?" Hope looked up from her clipboard, long black gown and crepe twisted ivory silk jacket she tended to wear for events she was organizing already in place. "Oh hello Melody. Are the flowers not doing what you want them to do?"

Mel turned and smiled. “Hi Ms. Hope! How are you?” She gave an exaggerated gesture at the arrangement. “I ain’t really sure what’s wrong with this one, but it’s just not… right.” Maybe adding some more filler greenery would help…

Tucking her clipboard under her arm for the moment, Hope tilted her head from side to side as she took in the flower arrangement. "Now, I am not an expert in this, but it looks just a little lopsided to me with how the flowers are divided. Especially if you look at it from this angle. Come and see." Hope stepped aside, gesturing to invite Mel to take her place.

Walking over, Mel took a look at it from Hope’s previous spot. “Hm, yer right. ‘Specially cause the clusters on the right side are all smaller, and the left has those two big ones.” She shuffled some around to make it more even, and tucked in some of the filler just for good measure.

"Oh, that is an interesting choice." Hope eyed the flower piece again, slowly walking around it. "I would say that works a lot better. So how have you been settling in otherwise? You're already making flower pieces yourself?"

“Sometimes. Mindy called out sick today, so I got asked to come in and help out. I think I’m gettin’ the hang of it? Jus’ from watchin’ an’ practicin’ some. It’s mostly tryna replicate what the main florists make.”

"Not a bad tactic to start out with, I would say. And when you get a little more experience and confidence, you start adding a bit of your own style." Hope smiled, nodded at the piece. "Besides, I like how you solved that. I have to ask though..." Hope leaned a little bit closer, her smile just a tad misschievous. "Is the owner really as particular about things as she appears?"

Mel giggled. “<i>Yes</i>. Even in the office. I’m always out to fetch one thing or another ‘cause someone did something she didn’t like.” She paused, realizing she maybe shouldn’t be shit talking her boss. “I don’t mind it though, s’jus’ a bit silly sometimes.”

"I do believe that is what makes her as excellent as she is. Floristry is a true art form in her eyes. If you have the chance, you should see about attending one of her workshops on ikebana." Hope quickly glanced around, making sure nothing else urgent needed her attention, though she kept an ear out through the small earbud she was wearing. "But it always sounded like she was a bit of a challenge to work with and I am glad you seem to be settling in well."

“She is very talented at it, I’ve learned a lot so far. M’jus’ glad I ain’t one of the ones in charge of placin’ the flower orders. If those go out wrong…” Mel fake shuddered. “It’s been fun, an’ the hours are pretty flexible which is nice.”

"Yes, I can imagine flower orders can be quite challenging. Though I do not think you have seen one of these..." Hope gestured to indicate the event around them. ".. where money truly is no object. The most rare flowers flown in from all over the world... it can be quite insane if you think about it."

“Yeah..” It was hard to imagine events even fancier than the ones she’d already worked at. They were nice, sure, but the amount of money spent on flowers alone was staggering. “It’s been a glimpse into a whole other world.” One that she was not supposed to be a part of, even as an employee.

"It certainly can be." Even Hope had not been to huge amounts of those, though she had accompanied Sue a few times and served in the background for Warren time or two. "Those are a little more rare though. And even your own employer would be doing the type of work there you are doing now. That is for the 'big names'." Quickly pressing her earbud against her ear, she listened for a moment before snapping into the tiny microphone: "Then get a plumber out here. That should not be that complicated. You have been talking about this for twenty minutes now and still nothing has been done."

Mel smiled commiseratingly for whatever was happening elsewhere in the event space. She had a great respect for Hope being able to manage so many moving parts.

"My apologies. They insisted I work along a inhouse coordinator, but either they have never solved an issue without someone holding their hand or they are afraid to go against someone in management..." Hope paused, rolling her eyes. "I actually probably should go and see if that might just not be the issue. Especially with all the dithering about the inhouse handyman whom they could call just as well. I am sorry to just run, but it was good catching up with you a bit."

“Nice to see ya too, I hope everythin’ gets sorted out.” She gave one last look to her arrangement. There were still a few more to be done.