perfect.

Ella: Oh, goody! I very much enjoy that idea! Lovely!

Ella: What kind of pie is your favorite?

Snow: Strawberry or blueberry

Snow: We can each bring a small snack, main course, and desert! How does that sound?

“That’s quite alright,” he responds, shaking his head as his eyes moved toward the ground for a moment. “There’s no need.” In reality, he would have enjoyed receiving something material, but, obviously, there was no way the woman knew flowers were coming her way. The mention of people fulfilling their dreams is almost music to Gaston’s ears, and his head perks up at the recognition of such words. “Quite! There don’t seem to be as many wandering feet around these halls during recent days. I’d hope for a change soon – that’d bring much beneficiality for your dream, yes?”

“Seeing them go is nice but, yes, I didn’t help as many as I would’ve liked to. I’m glad they found their own way though.” Snow sighed, she hadn’t seen a new face around in a while. At least that allowed her to try and make stronger bonds with those who had been around a long time. Gaston was a perfect example. 

“How long is it you’ve been here, if I might ask? I started the initiative last summer but I’ve seen you around for a while now.”

Ella: Picnic it is then! 💖

Ella: Perhaps we could make salads and acquire a form of bread? I do enjoy those, but my palette is skewed toward what is offered in France. I'd love to try something new if you have a meal that you favor?

Snow: How about you bring some of your favorite things and I'll bring some of mine? All small things so we have room for the variety

Seeing the familiar face, Gaston stood, face lighting up just a smidge. “Lovely to see yourself as well.” He handed out the plants her way. “There are for you.” He bows for a moment, wanting to be as polite as possible. This wasn’t behavior that the man was used to, but he needed to act his best. Gaston returns to a standing position, smiling. “How’ve you been?” He almost asks about her dream, but decides to wait before jumping right into the business side of things that he had planned. Yes, Gaston wanted to discuss what was in his mind, but he also seemed to enjoy the woman in general. Mainly because of her seemingly similar personality that he surely wasn’t expecting during their date. “Up to impressive things, I assume?”

The small talk effort was appreciated but she could sense discomfort in Gaston, as if it wasn’t usual for him to say these things. Again, Snow wondered what his motive may be. 

“My, thank you. These are very lovely. I regret not getting you anything.” Snow took the flowers carefully and pretended to admire them. “I’ve been good. Nothing out of the ordinary. It’s been getting rather quiet around here I feel. Maybe too many people have gone off and fulfilled their dreams. I supposed that’s a good thing though.”

Ella: ☺️

Ella: Since the weather is becoming much more pleasing, what if we planned a picnic? Or some sort of plans outdoors? Do you enjoy the outdoors? Because we stay inside as well if that's preferable to you.

Snow: Oh, yes, I love the outdoors

Snow: Either is fine though but I do love to cook and bake so arranging picnic food sounds lovely

Ella: That's very true. Thank you for the kind words, I appreciate them much.

Ella: Yes, I have to agree with that as well. How is everything going with you recently? We haven't spoken since the telescope, it'd be great to spend time together once again!

Ella: If you'd be interested, of course.

Snow: Oh of course!

Ella: I haven't had caffeine lately. I'm not sure if I'm stressed about something in particular.

Ella: It could be due to my university classes? Final examinations are coming soon. They are part of my Astra dream. I hope I do well and don't disappoint them.

Snow: I think it would be hard to disappoint Astra. They chose you for a reason after all. And I'm sure you know there are much more difficult members than you here

Ella: I can't sleep. Do you know any methods to ease this problem?

Ella: I've tried warm milk, reading with dim lighting, things like that...

Ella: Also, I apologize for bothering you so late in the evening.

Snow: It might help to know the reason you aren't sleeping?

Italian was probably Gaston’s favorite type of food – besides eggs, that is – though, because of his lack of geography (and most other things), he wasn’t aware if there were any places nearby with that style of cuisine. “Personally, I am a fan of Italian, but if you prefer a different style to eat, I would not be opposed to that either.” He smiles. The brunet even surprises himself by his ability to offer up the opportunity to pick their choice to the woman; that was not typically something the man would do. But it felt right in this moment. Opening the door, he sends a bow toward their instructor as a simple ‘goodbye’, then turns back in the direction of leaving the place. “After you, mademoiselle.”

“Italian sounds delightful. I believe I saw an Italian restaurant just down the street, close to Astra.” It was one of her favourite types of food as well, next to Korean. She silently thanked the initiative for allowing her to meet such an interesting person. So far Snow hadn’t found anyone so perfectly fit in to the mold she was looking for. If her job was to help people become better and learn about different people, Gaston fit the template exactly. Despite his pompous demeanour, he seemed to still be hiding a lot underneath. Nobody was truly simple after all, people were all complex and Snow would crack the code.

The thought-process that she was explaining to him didn’t capture Gaston’s attention at first. Not until she mentioned things like ‘happy to assist you in the future’ and ‘making connections.’ A bit of ‘being friends’ as well, but that last bit didn’t engaged the man quite as much. As sad as it was. “Well, that’s a statement that I’m quite happy to hear.” Gaston smiles as laughs and, soon afterwards, the music stops. “Maybe I’ll have to listen to you and your words of wisdom more often.” He bows forward toward Snow, not truly thinking she was smart, but liking what she was speaking nonetheless. Maybe that was something she would like to hear; something that would continue making her say things that reflect wanting to help him out. But Gaston knew that he had to keep playing this role to make that happen. “Why don’t we take this elsewhere? I’m sure there’s plenty of restaurants still open to continue our conversation?”

A warm smile spread across Snow’s red lips, she had barely noticed the music stopping. Perhaps on the surface it was like the clicking of two strangers, Astra probably wanted these blind dates to result in such an outcome, and perhaps it even seemed a bit magical. But it was more like a spider weaving a fly into its web. Of course, one could never really tell how firmly they were grasping another in the conversation. As she was saying sugar coating words to appeal to his ego, it wasn’t unlikely he was doing the same. At least he knew she should be perceived at wise at the very least, even if he didn’t believe it himself. Yet. Even if he was trying to get something of his own gain by saying kind words for her...that was her point in the first place, wasn’t it? She would help him either way but it was fun to see him trying.

“I would be happy to. We could have an early dinner somewhere down the block. They have many different restaurants there. Do you have a preference?” Snow asked as she nodded in thanks to their instructor and then approached her bag to have a sip of water. 

They stumbled a bit, and maybe Gaston would have laughed in any regular day’s situation, but right now he was more interested in the conversational topic that was developing and the thought of laughter hadn’t even graced his mind. Listening to her response, he became more thoughtful himself. “Do you truly believe such things?” His eyebrows were scrunched together in thought, looking up at the ceiling and its bright lights. “Because I’m not sure that I, myself, do.” He pauses for a brief moment. “In my personal opinion, being “nice” has a tendency to lead to the result of people walking upon you. And that’s not what I’m looking for. I want to be taken seriously. It is within my intention to do just that.” His eyes had moved down to look this woman in the face, not so much with frustration or anger within them, but neither with amusement. It was almost as though his expression was blank; just giving out information without anything behind it. This was most likely due to the fact that she hadn’t angered him (knock on wood). He wasn’t sure how she would respond, but surely their conversation was on to something particularly interesting now.

Maybe he wasn’t as dense as she originally believed. It seemed to be that their minds were dancing as well as their feet as they tried to work around each other. Attempting to see the other person’s side while also trying to convince them of their own. At least he was capable of such an exchange. 

“That is understandable. It is a risk. That much is certain. It can open the doors to more benefits but, yes, you do also have the chance for people to take advantage of you. But at least then, because you were nice, people who care about you will be there to held you when you fall. For example, you have been quite courteous to me despite the fact we are strangers. It would be easy for me to be happy to assist you with anything in the future because of this. Is that not the nature of making connections and being friends?” 

Gaston listens to her explanation. “I was never told to be nice as a child.” He doesn’t realize the true sadness that can come from a statement such as that, it’s simply the first thing to come to his mind and the man states it as a fact rather than trying to look for sympathy or something of the like. “My father was the one who taught my brothers and I what the most advantageous way to live was. An ideology I follow to this day.” They turn ‘round, moving to the music and as the man thinks, his eyes land upon the instructor who seems pleased with the way that two are moving. This only makes Gaston smile in reference to the obvious approval, looking back at Snow again to continue their conversation. “Nice is weak. You have to keep the upper-hand. That’s how you become successful in this world.”

A little spark lit up in Snow. As sad as it was to hear that someone lived a life so devoid of kindness. But finding them with the prospect of helping was very intriguing to her. More than ever she was interested in figuring out this man. How lucky she was! Snow even stumbled a step in her excitement. Resetting herself, putting her hand back on his shoulder, she prepared a response. 

“Unfortunately, yes, the world can be very harsh. It is really all about being on top at this point in society. But those who are nice do become quite successful. They make connections that help them in their professions and personal lives. It can be a source of strength in itself.” Besides, being nice was how Snow gained the upper hand. Not that she needed to. She found it so ironic when people claimed to be tough because they were mean. Giving in to the cold world was the weakest thing one could do. A coward’s option really.

Gaston listened to her explain where her dream stemmed from, the conversation being held up slightly by the instructor. Eventually, after beginning the dance both the man and woman were going to be learning and asking them to repeat it back, the two brunets turned to one another again, getting in position. This is when Gaston took her hand and answered her question once they began to dance. “I… had not thought about it that way before.” He was a bit in his head now with though; luckily he wasn’t one to step on toes. “I guess I tend to be in my own mind a lot of the time.” He looked at her as they moved, curiosity more in his eyes rather frustration as one would tend to probably expect. “Have you always been so selfless?”

His comment sparked a bright smile on her face. A true feeling of satisfaction washing over her. That was truly the kind of praise that really moved Snow. It was always nice to be perceived the way you want to be. Was she already helping him learn something knew? How wonderful.

“I’ve always tried to be. They always tell you it’s important to be nice when you’re a child. It can’t always be easy of course but the more it’s done then the more natural it feels. And the more satisfying as well.” Snow didn’t address his criticisms of himself, sometimes those things needed their own time to be thought of by the person. She didn’t want to make any additional assumptions, at least not out loud. Snow already knew how to waltz, at least a little bit. She tried her best not to anticipate the steps, he was the one leading after all.