In the name of a good cause...

[bitterguardian]

Thanksgiving is over, but that's only the prelude to the holiday season. Now Christmas shopping is in full swing, the weather has turned very brisk, and the city is in full winter mode. Even on a weekday, the streets are crowded with shoppers, and the coffee shop is busy, too.

Horvath has proven easy enough to reach by email, and agreeable to meeting at the coffee shop of her choosing, offering to bring a few books along. Now, though, he's late, albeit only by ten minutes or so. When he does come in, he looms in the doorway a little, a tall, bulky figure made even bigger by a long winter coat and scarf. He's got a leather satchel, and his cane, and once he spots her he still has to get over to her table. Of course he could just bully his way through the crowd waiting to order their fancy drinks and get on with their shopping, but instead he takes the route of trying to make his large frame take up as little space as possible, squeezing through gaps in the massed patrons with mumbled apologies and a rocking limp. By the time he gets to the table, he's slightly out of breath and flustered.

So much for making a good impression.

Comments

[just2hands]

Anika is engrossed in some reading of her own and completely misses seeing Mr. Horvath come through the door. There's a half-empty cup of coffee already on her table, and she got there early enough to get a half-decent table for two with a window view. Just another medical text for her growing collection, it's dry as hell and filled with references to books that don't yet have English translation.

Something jostles her table, and she looks up just in time to capture her coffee from tipping as someone tries to get by. As her eyes travel upward, she sees the researcher only a few feet away and heading in her direction, as the man who nudged her table is caught going in the opposite direction. The two men manage to edge around each other, and Ani's smile beckons Maxim to sit down and relax.

"I hope you don't mind. I took the afternoon off to do some research, so I figured I'd get here a little early and catch up on my reading. Can I get you a coffee or something?"

[bitterguardian]

If she missed more than half of his struggling entrance, he's grateful for it, but he looms over her table for a couple of slightly heavy breaths. The holiday traffic tries his somewhat limited patience, and he has to compose himself so he doesn't snap at her. Wasn't he going to offer to buy? But there is no way he's going to go back to that mess of a line and stand and wait. His leg aches as it is.

"Could... you get me a mocha?" His smile is a little strained and apologetic, but he pats his pockets a moment to come up with his wallet, intending to hand her a bill big enough to cover it. Thank goodness she's picked a table that's relatively out of the way. It gives him the chance to sort himself out and recover.

[just2hands]

"One mocha coming up." She points to the corner. "My backpack is right there. You can put your stuff on it if you want. I've been here a few times, and I swear, normally it's not like this." She gives a sigh and rolls her eyes.

"But, 'tis the season and all that, I guess."

Anika slides a bookmark (previously hidden beneath the book itself) between the pages and closes it as she stands. She stands, and heads around behind another table, giving him plenty of space to put his things away and get situated. And on the way she hesitates, nods, and accepts his money.

And then it's her turn to stand in line, watching the other customers, attempting to keep some distance in spite of the crowd swirling around her. When the inevitable bump does happen, she flinches away slightly; readjusts her footing and then stands stoically for the next spot in the line. A few times her eyes glance over toward Mr Horvath, just making sure that he is settling in alright at the seats she chose for them. Once, when she's three customers back, she raises her hand, in those familiar leather gloves, and gives him both a shrug and a half-wave.

Finally, finally! She has both his mocha in one hand and his change in the other and starts heading back to the table. Lucky enough, the crowd is starting to thin out as well.

[bitterguardian]

'Tis the season indeed. Horvath does not have much in the way of holiday spirit. He's grateful for the chance to sort himself out though, draping his coat over the back of the chair and easing down in it, left leg stretched out under the table. The first glance shows him still settling in, but by the time she's returned with his drink he's made himself comfortable and caught his breath. Sitting down is good.

There's a few books and print-outs neatly stacked on the table, and he's found his reading glasses. He even finds a grateful little smile as she sits across from him again. Hopefully she won't find his leg in her way, but if she bumps against it lightly he's not likely to notice.

"Thank you love. That line was a nightmare. Now I feel as if I owe you. I would have paid for yours too, if I hadn't been late..." He nods at her coffee sheepishly. Maybe he can pay for her refill, later.

[just2hands]

"Honestly, Mr. Horvath, I got here early so I could get us a good spot and well, so I could relax and read for a while." She waves at the slowly dwindling crowd.

"I tend to fall into into my books sometimes, so getting here early just seemed the logical choice. But if you want to get me a hot cocoa later? Or, or maybe we could split a pastry or something?" Her smile is shy but hopeful. And she can't help but glance at his satchel with curious eyes.

His change gets handed to him, and now it's her turn to bump into someone as she pulls out her chair to sit. Her bulky winter jacket is slung over the back and between jacket and hood, she loses even more room. With a muttered apology she slides into her seat and tries to pull herself close to the table. And yes, her leg accidentally bumps his injured one as she does.

"I come here a lot really. There's a used book store just down the street, and the owner knows me by name now. That and the bus stop is right over there so I can just jump to get to work or... or you know what?" She changes the subject abruptly, suddenly feeling like she's over-explaining, and talking too much. And she's sounding awkward. Again.

"How did your research go?"

[bitterguardian]

He considers this, taking his coffee and breathing in the steam. "...Well, if you hadn't gotten here first, we might have had to fight for a table, so I suppose it all works out. And I'll buy you whatever you like." He smiles gently, but doesn't even seem to register it when his leg is bumped. It's very hard, foot stuck at a roughly 90 degree angle.

He's content to let her babble, wearing a look of quiet amusement. When she winds down, he slides the books and papers over between them. "I know you wanted some more obscure figures, but of course the more obscure they are, the less there is written about them- I hope Mary Read isn't too mainstream?"

[just2hands]

"That's true." She nods in agreement, reaching for her cup of coffee. She pauses in mid-sip "Mary Read? Mary, OH! The Pirate!"

Taking that sip she puts the cup down and begins perusing his papers. Anika looks up with a huge smile and a laugh brightening her face. "Oh the girls will love this!"

She continues reading the papers for a few minutes, then turns to the books. Some people treat books as treasures, and from the way she slowly slides her hands across the cover and carefully opens them, it's apparent that she's one of that group.

"These are wonderful resources, Mr. Horvath. I really, I don't know how to thank you for all of this."

[bitterguardian]

"Yes, the pirate queen..." He looks amused, but settles in to sip his coffee and get warm again while she reads. Now that the crowd is beginning to thin some, it's growing quieter in the coffee shop, and he's settled with a sweet drink. Despite the struggle to get here, his mood is brightening now.

Mary Read is possibly the most well-known figure he's chosen, because the rest of the figures he's pulled research on are a little more eclectic. There does seem to be an underlying theme of women's rights, although possibly that's to be expected. One book has post-it notes and other scraps of paper (he respects books too much to highlight them), highlighting information about Empress Maria Theresa, and Empress Wu Zetian, while another slimmer volume is a book about Dorothy Hodgkin. There's printed research from online archives, some of them requiring subscription, about Mary Wollstonecraft and Nadezhda Krupskaya. He's gone for some racial diversity and skipped across history, obviously. Strong women are a personal interest of his, and not in a creepy way.

[just2hands]

Silently she reaches for her coffee, turning her head so that she sips the lukewarm drink away from the table and away from the books. Then she watches her hand as she sets it back down.

Silently she goes looks through one book, pausing to read the highlights he had written on the post-it notes, then reaches for the next book. Anika ends up arranging the books alphabetically, one carefully set on top of the other.

"Wow, all this - this is fantastic stuff. I can't wait to go through it all. And I'd never even heard of a couple of these names, like Ms Krupskaya here. This is wonderful!"

Taking her eyes finally off the stack of research before her, Ani finally looks to the man sitting across from her, the one who had been patiently waiting while she gotten lost in all the work he had done.

"Seriously, I have no clue how I can you. This is so amazing that I, wow. I'm kind of speechless here."

[bitterguardian]

"Oh, she was... something else." He gives a mild smirk, very briefly lost in thought. "Not that I expect you want to teach them all about Marxism, but still... her aims were well-intentioned."

He's a patient man, or possibly he's just settled in very comfortably, while she pored over the research. When he came in he seemed flustered and annoyed, but he's mellowed now that his drink is half gone and he's warmed up. Her praise makes him give a little smile, and after a brief hesitation he says slowly, "I... had the honor to know a very strong woman, when I was younger, who opened my eyes to the struggle of being regarded as men's equals. It's something I've tried to keep aware of, ever since." His tone is slightly reluctant, and definitely wistful. Whatever's happened to her since, that woman meant something to him.

[just2hands]

"Knowing some of my girls' parents, I'm going to be very careful about talking about that whole Marxism part."

"Mister Horvath, if I may be so bold, it seems like you have a passion for this. Would you mind greatly if I spoke some more with you once I've read through all your books? It may take me a week or two, I have to be honest about that. But I would love to talk more with you about, about all of this actually."

She had started to read again, but stops as soon as he began to speak. Leaving a finger to mark her spot, Anika looks up, listening intently to his words and how he speaks them.

"It sounds like she was a fascinating, independent woman."

[bitterguardian]

Horvath pulls his gaze from somewhere far away, but smiles gently. "...She was." That's a long story, and one he's not planning to share today, but he thinks it's unfortunate there are no books written about her.

"I'd be happy to meet again, but perhaps... after this chaos is done?" He waves a hand vaguely, even though the crowd has thinned out now. His smile turns a little apologetic. "I don't mean to sound like Ebeneezer Scrooge, but I'm not fond of the holidays. It suits me fine to have an interesting project to work on, instead. What exactly are you planning to have them do with the research?"

[just2hands]

"Oh, most definitely." Fortunately for her, most of her time would be spent in the lab for the rest of the month. Far away from the so-called holiday cheer and pandemonium.

"I normally work extra during the holidays anyhow, and give those who have families extra time off with their children or loved ones. After all, I figure the holiday is for the children anyhow. I might take New Years off this year, but I don't know what I'd do even if I did take that night to myself."

"As to what they are going to do with it?" She sat up straight, and leaned forward slightly with her elbows on either side of the stack of books, speaking as her hands gestured and her face became animated and her eyes brightened. "Like I said, one of the badges that my girls involve getting an in-depth view of how government works, and Independence. We were hoping to involve the Juniors along with the Cadettes - who need their 'Citizen Skills' badges - involved in some round-table discussions on how these women lived; how the ones in government changed their societies for the better; and what challenges they probably would have had to go through at young ages to get to where they were. One of the Den mom's suggested having the Cadettes do a group project where they write up historic mini-documentaries explaining these women's lives and using the lessons learned as ways they can enrich and expand their own horizons."

"We... that is... " She ducked her head down, reached for her now-cold coffee. "That was the idea."

[bitterguardian]

It's reassuring, somehow, to hear that he's not the only one who dislikes the holidays. Christmas is supposed to be about goodwill toward man and helping each other and all those things that Merlinians should embrace, but cynicism and loneliness have rendered him grouchy over the holiday. He feels guilty for it, and that just makes things worse. Knowing he's not the only one to feel that way at least absolves some of the guilt.

Horvath nods thoughtfully. "That's more what I was wondering, I suppose, if they had to write a paper or give a short lecture or something. It's a wonderful idea!" He does know something about teaching children, even if he feels he's not terribly good at it.

[just2hands]

There are reasons she doesn't talk about family. Doesn't visit, doesn't call, doesn't send cards or presents or flowers. Its safer this way, is what she's told herself for years now. Safer for them. Safer if she stays dead, like they believe her to be. And so she buries herself in work; after all Christmas is just another day.

"You really think it's wonderful?" She beams under his compliment.

"I hope they do too. There is also an AV badge, ah, audio-video. I had suggested that, once they get the writing done - one of my friends' has some camera equipment - and the girls can take turns being their own 'news anchor', explaining and expanding on what they'd written down. Maybe even have a round-table discussion, like on morning TV. And then we'd be able to replay the news casts back this summer at the big, regional meeting, so that they can see themselves and remember again what they've learned so far."

[bitterguardian]

It may be harder, in its way, to have family out there one could be with, but can't for complicated reasons. Horvath has simply outlived nearly anyone he cared about.

"Ah, yes, anything that uses more modern technology may interest them more, I suppose. I haven't had a student in ages, so I'm a bit behind the times, but a video presentation sounds like a good idea. Or perhaps some kind of mini documentaries..." He drains his coffee slowly. "But it sounds like you're full of ideas for them already. They must appreciate you as a teacher."

[just2hands]

"Well, they see so much on TV, and music videos. We really wanted to give them - oh I don't know. An alternative to seeing women as screeching harpies, or getting ahead by showing their bodies."

She hastens to add "Not that those don't work, and aren't for some people. I'll never put a person down for their personal preference in life. But that shouldn't be all that young girls have as role models. They need the scientists, and the astronauts, and the physicists, and the mechanics as well. They need to know that what counts is what is in their brains, not just the makeup that they put on their faces, or the clothes on their body."

"But these are just ideas, we have yet to turn them Iinto reality. If you have any other suggestions, I'd be really happy to hear them?" Nervous? Oh yes she is.

"And they appreciate the fact that I take time to be with them, and to listen. In this day of tuning out to cellphones and computers - real, human interaction is so very important. Especially at their age."

[bitterguardian]

With a small sigh, Horvath leans back a little in his seat, considering the cup with a distant expression. "Historically speaking, there's a great deal of women using prostitution or manipulation of men in positions of power, so that may be tricky to avoid turning up in research. I suppose there isn't anything wrong with that, but more frequently women tended to employ these methods simply because it was the only option available to them." This is the kind of thing that makes him ashamed for his gender as a whole.

"I don't know... how old these girls are, or if they should be hearing about that yet." He smiles weakly. "And I'd hate for them to get the idea all men are like that, or that we live in an oppressive culture that can't be changed."

He has less experience with children in the current era of overwhelmingly present handheld electronics. His last apprentice was before World War I.

[just2hands]

"Historically speaking yes. And one way or another it's still going on. I've met some sex workers, I've patched them up after" She pursed her lips. "After some bad experiences, where they didn't want to go to the hospital or the police. It's so very frustrating because I worry so much and..."

"And" she shook her head and looked away, past his head to a window that showed the street beyond. "And, you know what? We were talking about girl scouts. The ones I work with range between the ages of eight and twelve to thirteen."

Her drink was cold, and about empty, but she picked up the cup and drained it anyhow.

"Look, history being what it is, we have still come a long way. And I know we've still got such a long way to go. But, for instance, I was born in Nigeria, emigrated to the States with my family when I was eight. It can be done. And good role models can't hurt".

"Role models, Big Brother's and Sisters organizations, after-school activities. Things like music, and art, singing or sports - it all helps to expand their horizons, help them strive for something better. It"

"Blast it, I sound like I'm preaching again. I really need to stop this, I apologize. I do go on tangents occasionally."

[bitterguardian]

While she may not be looking his way, Horvath's expression fell into a sympathetic grimace. His own experiences with women in that position are very limited, but he does know just enough to imagine what kind of 'bad experiences' she could be referring to.

One can only hope her girl scouts, having her attention, will escape that kind of fate.

Expression easing into quiet thoughtfulness, Horvath listened to her tangent, not at all bothered. "It sounds as though they have an excellent role model right in front of them, every meeting. Would you like a refill? I think I could brave the line, this time." His own cup is empty, too, after all.

OMG forgot these two - forgive me!!?

[just2hands]

"No, I try but I'm not the best role model." She shrugs. For her, her flaws are obvious, so why even try to hide them?

"I get obsessive, I go without sleeping - even without eating when I have something that I get involved in. Heck, remembering to eat at all can be hard sometimes. I used to carry SlimJim meat snacks around, because I could fit them in my pockets and occasionally I'd remember them!" Ani laughs easily.

"And that's the tip of things. I want them to grow up to be better than I am, to do better than I do. I want them to have full lives, rich lives. Not my life."

"And you know what? A refill sounds delightful!"

XD It's okay! Just figured the muse was quiet.

[bitterguardian]

Reaching across the table easily (he has astonishingly long arms!), Horvath pats her arm gently. It might be a little bold of him, but it's fatherly kind of gesture, and then he picks up her empty cup because that was the other half of the reason he reached over. "That's what I have the cats for. They have their schedule, and they won't let me go too long without feeding them, so that reminds me to pull my nose out of the books once in a while." He doesn't look like he misses too many meals, so it must be working.

"What did you have?" He levers himself up carefully with the cane, glad the place isn't crowded now and he can take his time without worrying about bumping into anyone. Both their empty cups he can manage in one hand.

[just2hands]

"Maybe I should look into getting a cat after all." Maybe I should look into getting my own place again, she thinks as he talks. The pat on her arm startles her, but she flashes a smile, hoping that he isn't put off by the fact that she has that whole 'startle-jerk' reflex.

"If I got an apartment or something, maybe? I used to rent this two-room place on the edge of the ocean while I was going to school out on the West Coast. It was so beautiful there, so peaceful and yet colorful and it was right off this secluded beach. I still kept a room with family but... but it was nice to have a place to go to also. And a cat is independent, if I got two of them, I could... "

"Oh but rent is just so expensive here in the city. I'll have to think about it." She shrugs good-naturedly. "And I was drinking hot cocoa with a peppermint swizzle-stick. Thank you!"

[bitterguardian]

He does notice the reaction, and looks just a little apologetic for it. Horvath has the underlying instincts of a very physical, touchy-feely person, and the self-consciousness to know he's a very large man and therefore needs to keep those impulses to himself. It's all too easy to be seen as threatening. For the most part it's habit, now, but when he starts to get comfortable around somebody, sometimes he slips up...

Horvath gives her a smile and a nod, though, taking just a moment to steady on his feet once he's up, and limping for the line that now consists of just two people. Another cocoa with peppermint for her, a chai latte this time for him, and seeing him juggle cups they're kind enough to give him a drink carrier. He still walks back slow and careful not to spill, putting the drinks down before he even tries to sit.

"Rent is ridiculous, here... but that place on the beach sounds nice. I haven't been to the West Coast here in the States, yet."

[just2hands]

Its ok, she has pretty much made up her mind that he was one of the good guys, one she wouldn't mind sharing a thread with. At least that's what she calls is - the clairvoyancy by touch. But at least for now, she's in long sleeves and gloves so there is no skin-to-skin contact. Not yet at least.

"It was wonderful! It had a tub outside, if you'll believe it. And these big windows that looked out toward the ocean. It was tiny, and with my load of books everywhere it was even tinier. But something like that would be a godsend here in the big city. But of course it wouldn't be in the city, would it?"

She slides his drink out of the drink holder, sets it down in front of his seat. And then she slides her own out, and starts stirring the cocoa with the stem of candy. And she wants to, but she's very careful not to pull the peppermint stick out and lick it. Manners, after all.

"I loved it out there. But my work was here, and my friends came East,and I feel I can help more people where I am now. Maybe someday I'll go back. I would love to visit again."

He opened up the subject, so she feels it's ok for her to ask. "Where have you traveled while over here in the States?"

[bitterguardian]

She'd probably get more than she bargained for, if it came to that. Using any kind of clairvoyancy on a mind that old is a tricky business. He doesn't seem to have taken offense, but he has begun to notice just how covered up she keeps, and it's put him wondering.

Horvath eases back into his seat and props the cane out of the way again, then wraps both hands around his cup and breathes in the steam, thinking. "More up and down the East Coast than anywhere else, but I've been to Chicago once or twice, and... somewhere out in the... deserty..." He waves a hand vaguely, the gems in his rings flashing in the light. "In the middle of the country. I'm afraid I couldn't say precisely where. It was a while ago." During World War Two, in fact, to see one of the more horrifying applications of science he's ever encountered in the form of atomic testing. What state it was in has slipped his mind, in light of the rest of that particular memory.

"New York suits me, for now, because nobody seems to actually be from here. We're all just visitors to the city, some of us longer-term than others."

[just2hands]

"The desert. I used to love going riding in the desert" She catches his eyes as he looks up from his drink.

"I own a motorcycle. A very special kind of bike. It's candy apple red, and it was my one true indulgence. Made for me by um" Oh man, how could she describe the strange, hugely built, white-skinned, black-haired and red-eyed mechanic that she met while living outside of LA?

"Made for me by someone who really knows his bikes." Yes, that's safe.

"Its hard for me to get used to New York. I mean, city life is city life - but all the twisty, winding roads and the winter weather? Make it hard for me to really get away. I'm not used to driving in snow. But the subway system is excellent."

"As far as people? I don't get out much, so I really don't know."

[bitterguardian]

"I can't imagine what a motorcycle is like in the snow... it sounds absolutely freezing." He won't question how hesitant she is about mentioning the mechanic that built it.

"The subway is... useful, and New York is really a city made for walking, but it's nice to have a car on hand." Walking, after all, is not something he enjoys doing too much of. His own car tends to raise eyebrows, though, more than a bike could. It's only thanks to all the various subtle protection and preservation spells on it that his car has survived the city. "I suppose the place is a mix of good and bad, like any city, but things here do seem to tend toward extremes."

[just2hands]

"Motorcycles and snow simply do not mix. And I can't ride a snowmobile here in the city, which is too bad actually."

She picks up her spoon to stir the hot cocoa, and pauses in mid-stir. "You know, that's really true. This city is very much for walkers. Or bus riders, or subway riders. There really isn't much space for individual owner's cars here is there?"

Mainly because too many cars clogged the roads as it was. And too, Ani's bike is - unique - and she fears it getting stolen.

"I think I'll just store it away for a while. The subway gets me where I need to go and I never have to worry about parking tickets."

[bitterguardian]

"I keep it in a rental garage, but it's... a bit old," An antique white Bentley, in fact, which he's had from new, but to say that gives away that he's much older than he looks, since the car is from the late 1930's. "The subway system is excellent, really, and I should walk more than I do." He gives a rueful little smile. "I need the exercise. But this time of year it's far more appealing to curl up with a book and an extra blanket. I'm lazy." He sips his chai latte thoughtfully.

"If you're looking for a garage to keep the bike, I could recommend you mine. The fee's probably cheaper for you, since it takes up less space."

[just2hands]

"And my bike is just the opposite. It's a new, experimental type." Ani gives a sudden grin over the concept of their opposite vehicles ending up becoming parked next to each other, whatever car he has.

She lifts the cup to her mouth, takes an experimental sip - almost but not quite - a slurp. Up comes her glove with napkin in hand, trying to wipe away any cocoa that gets left at the top of her lip.

"You have my number, any time you want to walk around one of the indoor malls, give me a call. It will do me good to take some time to get away from my research." She pauses.

"Really? Winter is my most productive time, I think. In the summer all I want to do is go riding, or sailing, or swimming or things like that." Not that she actually does do all these things, still it's fun to dream. "Winter time is when I crunch down and get my work done."

[bitterguardian]

"I'm afraid I'm not nearly as adventurous as I used to be..." He glances out the window, tone just a little wistful. Riding, he misses, but horses aren't nearly as commonplace as they once were. Practicing with a sword he misses badly, but he's been reduced to waving the blade around one-armed while constantly staggering and leaning on the cane as his somewhat-precarious balance is threatened. There are, quite possibly, activities he could enjoy regardless of the prosthetic, but the truth is he hasn't ventured much beyond his old interests.

With a mild shake of the head, Horvath pulls his thoughts away from their maudlin track, "I'm prone to settling in with my books and my cats, regardless of the time of year. But outings like this probably do me good. Is... walking around shopping malls... something people do?" He's a little mystified. To be fair, there aren't many shopping malls in New York itself, although it's never far to the suburbs. "E-mail is probably the best way to reach me..." His phone number goes to Skype, since he refuses to keep an actual phone.

[just2hands]

"Neither am I" she sighs, remembering the desert highways, her hair in the wind, how it felt to be almost like flying.

Bookworms are all alike it seems, good thing for Anika that she has her 'girls' to pull her from her research or she'd probably never be seen at all. Ever.


"Walking around shopping malls is really good exercise, when you think about it. It's protected from the rain and ice, you have security there and cameras so that the chance of crime is lowered. There are lots of places you can stop and sit to people-watch if you want, sometimes there are shows or buskers providing live entertainment; and really - there are snacks too, and real plants. And with the weather outside? Its warm in there. Bright lit. It makes sense, in a few ways."

"Email, got it."

[bitterguardian]

"I've... never tried it, but you do make it sound appealing. Although I'm afraid I might find myself sitting down and people-watching more than walking. I don't know where the nearest shopping mall is, but I'll keep it in mind." He's not good at getting regular exercise, but he does occasionally try. Unfortunately his own 'girls' may pull him out of his research, but not out of his home. He relies on the Nexus and outings like this for getting away from his books.

"At least there's the park, in summer. I don't think I used to mind the winter so much, but then there's the ice to slip on, and the holiday crowds, and the cold does seep in, and I... oh dear." He runs a hand over his mustache and beard, and gives a rueful little smile. "And I do believe I've become a grumpy old man."

[just2hands]

"So? Nothing wrong with people watching. I do it myself." And if her cautious glances seemed a bit wistful as she watched families and couples stroll past, casually holding hands? No one would pay enough attention to her to take note.

"No, no not at all." Her glove reaches out to pet his lower arm this time. Very quick, very light, and quickly withdrawn. "You simply sound like everyone else on the East Coast. Winter has been brutal."

Oh look, rapidly cooling cocoa. Must fix this. Ani takes a sip, more to check temperature than to taste, then she takes another, longer, more enjoyable drink.

[bitterguardian]

At the touch he gives a slightly better smile, and sips his own drink. "Well. It's been a rougher winter than some..." It's more that his autumn was a busy one, in ways that he doesn't dare elaborate for now.

"And I meant I'd end up sitting down more than I ought to, instead of walking. I suppose just being out in public is probably good for me. Better than holing up at home. I'll end up with a vitamin D deficiency..."