Flower, Flower on the Wall

You've come to a small clearing.  Inky leans against a tree and begins to roll up a cigarette.  “Want to hear the story?”
“Which one?”  You motion that you also want to smoke.
He nods and begins to roll a second cigarette.  “The story of the old man who sought after eternal life, who sought the purple flower.”
“Well we found it pretty damn easy.  Nearly pissed on immortality.”  You kick a nearby log to see if it will make a sturdy seat.  Chunks of rot fly off.  You mumble and then sit down on the forest floor.
He taps the decapitated plant.  “What if the bloom avoids those who seek it out and seeks out those who avoid it?”  He fires up the lighter and hands you one of the burning cigarettes.
"Then I'd say it reminds me of some bitchy girlfriends I've had."
Inky begins his story.