Series: Flaming Ivy||Title: In The Meaning of Flowers
Characters: Sora, Takenouchi Toshiko, Mimi (mentioned)
Chapters: 1-1||Words: 783
Genre: Family, Friendship||Rated: G
Prompt: Sora Takenouchi Week 2022, day #2, flowers
Notes: This takes place in a Healer/Firestarter AU.
Summary: The Takenouchi line has always been Healers – except for Sora. Sora hears the song of the flames, and that means she's not going to be her mother's heir. And to make it worse, she cant keep her thoughts focused on the plants even when she tries.


Sora kept her flames tightly reigned in as her mother continued to lecture about flowers. Exactly what she was saying didn't matter. Sora had heard the vast majority of it many times over the years. She did her best to pay attention, but it just wasn't possible. Her thoughts kept wandering back to the fire in her room and how good it would feel to snuggle up to it and get some sleep.

Winter had that effect on her, as it often did on most Firestaraters. Firestarters didn't exactly hibernate in winter, but it was a lot easier for them to sleep than any other time. Staying near a burning fire would be the best way to remain awake, only burning fires didn't go so well around her mother's plants.

The Takenouchi line hadn't produced a single Firestarter as far back as records extended – at least not until Sora. Until her first sparks and the fire started to talk to her, she'd always rather thought that one day the plants would say things and she'd understand. Her mother made it seem so easy.

"Sora." Her mother regarded her calmly, and Sora bit back a brief sigh. She didn't want this at all. She wanted to be somewhere a lot warmer. The greenhouse here held a very pleasant warmth, but it wasn't the same as her rock garden, not at all. Here was the warmth of life and growing things, the scents of flowers and grass that she'd smelled almost every day of her life. Her rock garden offered the stability of the earth and a different kind of warmth. She had no words for it. No Healer or Firestarter did.

"You can at least pay attention." Her mother continued, unaware of Sora's fire-quick thoughts.

"I'm sorry," Sora admitted, ducking her head down, her fingers twiddling together. She cast a quick glance outside to where snow wafted down from above. Inside here it was almost impossible to be awarae of the snow, but it could be seen.

What she really wanted to say was that she wasn't interested in following in her mother's footsteps. But she couldn't bring herself to say the words. She felt like her mother knew regardless. She was a Firestarter, not a Healer. Takenouchis were Healers, not Firestarters.

Maybe I should see if Mimi wants to come over? Being around Mimi certainly helped her relax. Maybe sometime soon they'd be able to court one another. She liked the idea of being Mimi's Firestarter. Now if only Mimi felt the same way...

Her mother clicked her tongue lightly. "You're daydreaming," she reproved lightly before a tiny smile touched onto her lips. "Let me guess. You're thinking of Tachikawa Mimi."

Sora blushed the deepest shade of red that she could have imagined. She wanted to claim that she was doing no such thing, but her mother only gave her a very firm look before reaching out to touch one of the flowers on the table before her. Responding to a Healer's touch, the flower blossomed beautifully, pale blue petals gleaming in the light.

"Why don't you ask her to come over?" Sora's mother wanted to know, unconsciously mirror Sora's own thoughts. "I'd like to see what she thinks."

Sora's lips worked again and this time she managed to squeak out a reply. "You mean it?"

"You are the heir," her mother replied, glancing back at her. "But you Sparked. You didn't Bud. You're not that interested in plants."

Sora sort of wanted to tell her that wasn't true but she suspected her mother would know better if she tried. Besides, the way that she was being looked at made her suspect that her mother would get very firm if Sora didn't pay attention to this request.

"All right," Sora agreed at last. She fidgeted a fraction more, then decided on something very quickly. "Mom - can you show me how to make an arrangement?" She drew in a breath, tightening her fingers into her palms. "Something for a Healer."

Her mother regarded her thoughtfully before she nodded. Sora feared for a few moments that she would come out and ask if Sora intended to court, or might at least broach the subject of courting. Instead, she gestured to one of the arrangements set against the wall. "Something like that? Or something else?"

Sora glanced at the beautiful arrangements and shook her head. But it didn't feel like what she wanted Mimi to have from her. IT didn't feel right. "Something else," she said, racking her brain for what Mimi might like. Perhaps something involving peonies and violets?

"Let's see what we can make, then," her mother agreed, and Sora smiled at her.


Notes: One day I'll go into more depth on Firestarter!Sora's life coming from a Healer!family. Also, peonies mean bravery and honor, while violets are for expressing sincerity or love.