[ tighnari just on the other side of the bushes whispering what to say to sumi cyrano de bergerac-style ]

It's a fitting metaphor, yes. The most precious things in life rarely come without dangers, or a high cost.

[ Maybe that's not exactly what she meant, but it's how he's choosing to interpret it for his purposes. ]

Yet many flowers don't have thorns. You'd think they'd learn from the others of their kind that take measures to protect themselves.

[ Is he even talking about flowers anymore... ]