Title: Day 11

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Tifa looked over all of the notes on her vanity.

Clematis: Beauty of the soul.

Elm: Divine beauty.

Fleur-de-lys: Perfect beauty / Dependable / Hope.

Orchid: Beauty / Sweetness.

Thyme: Constant / Support.

Houseleek: Of a warrior's heart.

Myrtle: Home security.

Daisy: Childhood / Innocence.

Heliotrope: Devotion / Strong personality.

Lilac: Youth / First Love.

'Okay... Beautiful soul, sweet, help, constancy, support. Those are for friendship. However, beauty, divine, perfect and... First love, are clearly romantic.' Tifa's face was really red now. 'Youth and childhood... Childhood, that is for me then. Innocence, home... Marlene? This is crazy! I don't even know if he's talking about me! Warrior's heart, strong personality... Well, that could be anyone from AVALANCHE... Devotion... Aerith and her devotion to the planet? Hope... '

"Tifa! Open up! This one is good!" Islatro's voice sounded from the other side of the door. Tifa went to open it. "A Red Carnation! 'Falling in love!' It's a declaration!" Tifa stared at the flowers with wide eyes and a red face.

"... Uh... I- I...." Islatro put the flowers in the vase and looked at Tifa giggling.

"Oh, c'mon! Flowers, and now this? He loves you!"

" I- I don't think that's the meaning of 14 flowers, at least not with the Cloud I know..." After taking a long breath, Tifa kept explaining. "He's actions normally can seem strange, but their meaning are clear when you know what you are looking for. I know it sounds strange, but I know him, and I know that it can't be that simple. Not with Cloud. Besides, there are still three more flowers, right?" Islatro nodded. "See? We'll have to wait a little more still."

"... Do you like Islatro Lasant?" Tifa was confused at the change of subject. "My name, you like it?"

"... Well, it's pretty strange, but yes, why?"

"It's from another language. It means treasure." After a long pause, Islatro turned around and stared at the flowers. "Why would someone put such a name to the baby they abandon?" Tifa put a hand in Islatro's shoulder.

"... You mean... The Lasant family is not your real family?" Islatro turned around, smiling.

"No. Now, why?" Tifa inhaled sharply. "Why treasure?" After a few moments of thinking, Tifa answered.

"Because they loved you." Now Tifa was smiling too. 'It's like Cloud, the actions are not clear, but the meaning is what matters.' Then Tifa realized something. "Then... That's why he sent you. He probably knew the meaning of your name. It's just like the flowers!" Islatro's smile widened even more. "You knew it... "

"I figured that out yesterday, while Reno tried to hit on you. But I thought it would be better to let you figure it out for yourself." After a moment, Islatro added. "Are you going to read the note?"

Red Carnation: Hope in love

"Again, a flower with multiple meanings." Islatro sighed in frustration.

"I told you, Cloud is not that simple."

Day 11: Red Carnation