flower city

The idea’s pretty fun, gotta say. He’d probably have been thrilled by the prospect. A novel and inexpensive gift, but homemade, in a way. 

Science is just really awesome. 

Yes, it really is a marvelous thing. [But Lilli didn’t stop by to talk about science, did she? There’s no point in dancing around what’s been hovering between them. Still, she finds herself unable to just dive right into it.]

Right. Yes. Very busy. You've been busy too, haven't you? You know how quickly time passes when you're in such a state.

Anthonie Beerstraten - Haarlem brewery “De Drie Klaveren on the east side of the Spaarne river in Haarlem, looking south towards the "Eendjes- of Leidse Waterpoort ” at the corner of the Kampervest and Turfmarkt - 1660

[ oh he’s not worried about Koen, he’s glad she’s talking to him about it even if it’s not a big deal to him. Koen is one to get around, after all ]

Oh I see. Makes sense! Good for you for being bright like that. What sort of degree? I’m sure you look great in a cocktail dress or nothing at all.

Oh wait, you do look great in nothing but pearls as well. [ a cheeky grin ]

I don’t mind, Lilli. I’m glad you’re really honest though.

Ähm, well I never actually finished. I failed out. Ultimately, geometry doesn’t help recover from wars, either. [She still feels like a terrible failure for that, though. She’s the only nation that she knows of who doesn’t have a single degree to their name.]

[ he’s smiling still as she speaks, albeit mildly concerned ] Koenraad? Well that’s alright. I’m assuming not… Well how recently? I don’t want to pry, of course, but I’m just curious I guess, since he and Amy are the way they are.

You did schooling after the war? I can’t recall the last time I set foot in one… Might not be a bad idea to look at though. [ allow him to just scribble that on the napkin close by ]

The most recent was…during their last breakup. Before they got together, now. [She feels awful telling him this, but it’s not as though she knew she would be going out with him. She really hopes this doesn’t put him off. He’s such a wonderful man and she would be devastated to lose him, though she would understand why.]

Oh I see. Makes sense! Good for you for being bright like that. What sort of degree? I'm sure you look great in a cocktail dress or nothing at all.

Oh wait, you do look great in nothing but pearls as well. [ a cheeky grin ]

[ nom ] Oh no problem. I taught many to skate. My neighbor to the north is a madwoman on them, so I had to learn so I could try and beat her at her own game. [ chews slowly ] Still can’t do it, but speed skating is fun.

We’ll be sure to bring a chair and butt pillow, ha. [ an amusing idea ]

[ well he hadn’t thought much on the subject in ages so he may look a bit blank a moment ] Oh it was in the 50s. A girl from Canada. She was very sweet and soft spoken. Heart of gold. She came with her family to see the tulips that were like those she saw in her own country. A botanist. [ he doesn’t mind sharing, it has been so long ]

Anything else since has been rather… casual I suppose?

That is how it’s been with me, too. [Well, he opened up to her. The least she can do is open up to him.] I haven’t had a steady since, well, the turn of the century I think? After the wars, I was too busy failing out of high school for something more permanent. [She laughs at her own self-depreciating humor before she goes on.]

[ he made it awkward, oops. he’s happy though, albeit hungry and enjoying his pie ] Oh okay, just making sure. I was talking about you at work and the subject came up, I assumed clarification was in order.

I would, yes. I haven’t… Really done this in a long time. It used to be ‘going steady’ last I was involved, haha.

[ are his cheeks rosy? Maybe ]

Ice skating is… An option then? Later. Days from now. Are you alright?

Ice skating would be lovely. [She agrees to the date the second she finds her voice, again. It’s a little strained and she’s definitely going to practice some scales when she gets home to make sure her range isn’t damaged but she’s fine.] You will have to keep me upright, however. I am terrible at it. Really, just awful.

We'll be sure to bring a chair and butt pillow, ha. [ an amusing idea ]

[ well he hadn't thought much on the subject in ages so he may look a bit blank a moment ] Oh it was in the 50s. A girl from Canada. She was very sweet and soft spoken. Heart of gold. She came with her family to see the tulips that were like those she saw in her own country. A botanist. [ he doesn't mind sharing, it has been so long ]