Ephemeral Truths [Verity]

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

When Verity arrives for her daily shift, Schön's demeanor in answering the door suggests this might not be just another day at the office. "Ah, good morning. I wonder if you might feel like a small change in the routine?"

Comments

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"Perhaps you'll have the chance again, someday," he suggests.

[brave_heart_verity]

Clink, clink goes her spoon as she stirs her soup. "That's not the problem."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"No," he admits, spooning his own soup, "I don't suppose it would be."

[brave_heart_verity]

"But there's plenty of other places to explore," she points out when she rallies again. "I never traveled much, so it's not all bad."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"There are," he agrees. "Any about which you've wondered?"

[brave_heart_verity]

"The mountains," she answers eventually. "I think I'd like the mountains." Which mountains, and what she'd do there, haven't been worked out yet. "Or maybe Iceland."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"Iceland is pleasant," he muses. "The music scene in Reykjavik is a delicious blend of old-world and modern influences."

[brave_heart_verity]

"That could be fun. And I've heard they're a nation of readers." This, of course, is very important to her. "You think I should give it a try?"

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"They are, indeed, with their annual book flood." With a smile, he nods. "I think you could enjoy Iceland. Yes, you should try it."

[brave_heart_verity]

"Books and music and solitude..." That sounds rather ideal for her. "Yes, I think I'll see about a little vacation for myself soon."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"Do let me know, if you'd like any help with the arrangements."

[brave_heart_verity]

She hmms with amusement at the offer. "You have recommendations, I'm sure. Is the offer just for transportation, or logistics?"

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"Oh, I'm very good with logistics," he replies, smug and sly. "What would you want? A cozy fisherman's cabin by the water, far from anyone else? A penthouse suite overlooking the city? A mountaintop island lost in a sea of mist?"

[brave_heart_verity]

"Those all sound good," she admits with a sigh. "I would need to think about it. And decide if I can afford to lose that much hair."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

He laughs. "I'd not strip you of your lovely locks, Verity. Do recall, I take all manner of currency."

[brave_heart_verity]

"I know." Reading over so many of his contracts, she's well aware of the kinds of things he takes as payment. "But this is getting to sound suspiciously like work."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

He chuckles. "Is it? Do forgive me." Peking duck is sometimes a bit of a wait, but it's arrived at last. "Ah, here we are. As far from work as possible, unless you're going into restaurant criticism?"

[brave_heart_verity]

"Just don't ask me if we're really eating the expensive things boasted about on the menu, and it's fine." In other words: no, because that would be a nightmare of libel suits and paperwork.

She'd rather have a nice lunch with a friend.