sentiment spent on emotions

Flowers were a frivolity that seemed quite out of line with Rell's rather severe demeanor, and yet they gave her a sense of comfort.  When she could spare the time and resources she often bought herself some flowers to bring a little life to her otherwise Spartan living arrangements.  A potted plant might last longer and be more cost effective, but the young brigadier had already tried that route.  She discovered, much to her own consternation, that she was sorely lacking in anything resembling a green thumb.  So the occasional bouquet of flowers it was.  At least when they wilted and died it was to be expected.

Her last set of flowers had wilted weeks ago and Rell was sorely in need of some fresh flowers to bring a fresher scent and spark of life to her stuffy room.  In light of that she headed to one of the very few flower shops in the Dome.  In fact, if there was another one, she didn't know about it. 

The bell tinkled above her as she opened the door and stepped into a room of color.  The scent of the flowers nearly masked the musty smell of old building, but Rell wasn't especially bothered by the bitter undertones.  She nodded at the young woman running the store, though her sharp features didn't so much as twitch into an intimation of a smile. 

When selecting flowers, Rell tended to prefer something aromatic without being cloying, and often gravitated towards red and white blossoms.  It would be difficult to pick out the right kind of scent in this cacophony of aromas, but she could find a decent looking bouquet at least.  Her eyes looked over the assortment of flowers, pacing slowly into the shop.