The Architect

“Optimistically speaking, yes. Yes, I do.”

“I’d have to say it’s pretty much a tie between old books and lavender. Both just calm and comfort me greatly.”

“If you look in our little library, I’m sure I still have the book of it from college.” Figuring she could take a look if she ever wished. Lips pursed for a quick moment then his head shook. “Yes and no... It’s a gothic style so the point is to be scaling and draw attention upwards towards the heavens and God, himself. That’s the general definition of it. But it didn’t have to be considered the tallest around, either, just for the sake of it. Finding her question both cute and rather odd. Many occasions they’d gone into places and he lit up, pointing out various details with a smile. “Yes? That’s part of the immersion.” He left it at that, wondering if perhaps she forgot or something else with all that was going on currently in her brain. He then helped lead her to the gateway so they could walk in where a few people were already moving in and out with phones and cameras in hand. “Did you want to take any pictures inside? I have to admit, I haven’t been inside myself, yet, but by how gorgeous the outside is, I’m anticipating the same in here.”

His own was a bit more reserved. As eager as she was, she was on the more timid side when it came to new people and animals. keeping the the outerskirts to rub her face on. “Hm?” His head turned the the sound of the woman then grinned, looking back at the sight. “I think most do and who can blame them? It’s rather fun to just jump into a pile of leaves.”

“I don’t think they were that convinced in the first place, Sadie.” The older sibling released a fond laugh. Those memories and many more were so precious to him and it was a nice feeling thinking how his niece and nephew could hopefully share the same dynamic of closeness they did. His smile faded, although he understood, he still wished circumstances were a bit different for her. “You think they’ll approve of me?” It was best not to tell her how she deserved a break as he so often did. “You know the stories of her mother. If only they’d both just sit down and really talk. Get all those things out and in the air to discuss but she prefers to avoid which just makes it that much worse.” A heavy sigh broke his words. “I’ll try my best, though. As for the gifts, you can just have them shipped to our place. Save on transfer and all that.” Her words of Lakyn’s holiday spirit rang all too truly. “She’s already talked about me becoming S-A-N-T-A and this whole elaborate rouse. If possible, she would probably also be my E-L-F and I’m already anticipating Clark Griswald levels of decorations come December.”

“There’s a whole book of architectural jargon.” He assured her with chuckling amusement. “It’s rather confusing but when you’re essentially making a structure meant for people to use and be in, there’s going to be a lot of details and information to maintain and check at least ten times before everything is started up to build.” It was easy to get overwhelmed yet Scott just took to it like a duck to water as if he was born into such a world. All the facts and creative uses of various knowledge it took was distinctly right up his alley. His hand slipped to the small of her back as Lakyn leaned herself against the iron railings. Watching her adorable inquisitive side appear that put a soft smile onto his face. “Mh? Yes, they do. There’s reasons there’s towers and even modern buildings look so imposing.” Free hand gesturing around to the more modern skyscrapers along the streets across the way. “Long and lean. Not just to conserve space, but if it were as wide as it is tall, it’d actually have the opposite effect in making it seem shorter.” His smile returned then at her next question. “Of course. It is a church. Open to the public and they don’t mind tourists, we just have to be respectful.”

Scott just shook his head. Opting to push past the minor hurt that scurried into his system she forgot such a conversation about their passions. Briefly wondering if she just found it boring or unimportant but at least she cared enough to ask him again on the matter. No, he focused on her next question. Moving to a source he was more sure on. “Oh, okay, well, see this whole place is littered in pastiche details. It’s glorifying that resurrected gothic structure from the ground up. You can see it in the spires, the windows. Those Mullions there.” He pointed more directly to the windows. “Are all derivative of the pastiche of it. Mullions are the details between the window panes.” Then adding. Architectural jargon could get confusing to those not in the know. “We just tend to call those--” The two statures built into the side of the stone walls themselves. “Just figures or even sculptures or details. From what I remember, those are supposed to be guardians to help protect the church, itself.”

“Wherever Lakyn and my family are.”

“Learning something new. Doesn’t matter what it is, there’s always a thrill in gaining new insight to things you didn’t have beforehand.”

“Italy. The entire country. I’m absolutely smitten with it.”

“Uhh-- Lakyn? Maybe? When we were chopping up some onions.”

“I think it was my sister?”

“Need I share the story of the tooth fairy to the youngsters?” His brow cocked up in place. Referring to when she was a child, trying to gain extra money by passing off tic-tacs as extra teeth under her pillow. “Well, you know they’d be happy to fly you and these two on over. I could help chip in.” He didn’t want his sister to feel stuck and alone for the holidays, after all. “You know I don’t mind at all, plus there’s those frequent flyer miles I’ve kept away. As for the presents, you’re welcome to buy them and just bring them over here. I’m sure Lakyn would love to wrap up the gifts. You know how enthusiastic she is about the season.”

He got startled as two dogs bounded over and soon a flurry of leaves was kicked up. Straightening up with a self conscious yet amused laugh as he brushed some leaves off clinging to his shirt. “Well, hello there.” Not yet seeing their owner.