9664/Trees and Portents

Trees and Portents
Date of Scene:	16 January 2022
Location:	Queens Giant Garden
Synopsis:	A trip to the Queen's Garden means a random run in with Jan for Atilla and Veira. Dinner plans are made.
Cast of Characters:	Veira Lazarescu, Jan de Wit

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Veira Lazarescu has posed:
Veira's been rotated out for the moment at work, that means she's had the day off and when she woke up the first place she wanted to go was the park. Even if it was chilly she could bundle up and take Atilla out to enjoy some time in the world that doesn't involve Angels trying to level it. The Queen's Garden allows for some privacy and the raven haired woman was wanting some of that.

She's laid off the gothic glory today and instead is dressed in dark wash jeans, black t-shirt and her long wool coat. She's wearing a light blue scarf that's wrapped around her neck and black gloves. She's seated on a bench with a to go cup of coffee, much like she's been seen doing before.

Jan de Wit has posed:
It was always the way - the park somehow called to Jan. There was no definitive reason, only a subconcious want to be there. Honestly, it had never even occured to him why he often found himself wandering through Queens Garden. Today was was one of those days, with the man bundled against the cold. A nice wool jacket, a comfy looking scarf and a cup of steaming coffee - he was decked out for the blustery day. Things were still up in the air regarding upcoming shows, so there was no rush in his steps.

Moving along the walking path, the benches are within easy spotting distance from where he wanders. A smile, recognizing the woman on the bench as he gets closer to where she's seated. "Hey there, Veira." He calls over, before moving a touch closer. "How are you today?" Jan wonders, taking a sip from his coffee.

Veira Lazarescu has posed:
Veira looks up from her phone scrolling when she hears Jan speaking and there's a smile, "Hi, Jan." she waves at him before slipping the phone into her pocket. "I got rotated out. So down for twenty four hours. Woke up and wanted to come here and enjoy some cold flower watching." she tells him with a smile. "And you? I'm guessing shows and things are still off for now?" she asks him.

She then scoots over on the bench, offering him a spot to sit. "The wind is blocked here a bit if you're looking to not have to deal with the cold so much." she offers with a nod to the spot next to her.

Jan de Wit has posed:
"Still off for now, yes. I'm doing well, thank you very much. I just wanted to get out and stretch my legs." Jan responds, nodding to her as he takes the offered seat. "Twenty four hours? All at once?" The man teases, good-naturedly. "That has to be rare for a government official." A wink is offered over to her. There's a look out over the cold landscape, chuckling at the mention of flowers.

"It is odd to think that there are winter flowers, honestly." Another sip of his coffee. His face turns back to regard her. "And the time off, it is going well for you? Getting enough rest and relaxation?"

Veira Lazarescu has posed:
"I'm sorry." Veira tells him as she looks to him when he takes the seat. "Getting out is probably better than being stuck in a hotel room...unless it's five stars, then I might be alright with it." she chuckles to that. Then she grins, "Yes, a whole twenty four hours in one chunk. I feel like I won the lottery." she admits.

She bumps her shoulder against his softly, not wanting to make him spill any coffee. "In Romania there are flowers that thrive in the colder regions. Up in the mountains there are these little red flowers that smell wonderful. I have starts of them at home, but they take a lot of TLC." she explains. "It's going alright. I was going to text you a bit later to see if you still wanted to go to dinner, but this works as well." she tells him. "I'm relaxing as much as I can with everything going on." she frowns.

Jan de Wit has posed:
The bump to his shoulder earns a grin from Jan. "You don't have a five star hotel room? And why not?" He laughs, shaking his head. "I wasn't aware that there were those out there with less than five." He's joking, right? "I'm certainly glad that you get the time off - it must be harrowing with all that is going on."

"I think I would like to see such flowers some time - I am very curious as to what sort would bloom in such a cold environment." A soft smile. "Dinner would be fantastic - and this is a happy coincidence, yes?" A look around the park, then back to her. "I really do like this place. It has a lovely feel to it. I tend to meander here often, when I have time."

Veira Lazarescu has posed:
"I think I've had one...once. And that was do to a mixup really." Veira gives an amused chuckle to that. "Though I could go for a staycation in one after this." she admits. "Oh...there are all sorts of stars for hotel rooms. I've seen one star. It's pretty sleazy." she whispers to him. "I'm hoping that it will be over soon and that destruction and lost life will be minimal, but I also have to figure that it could go horribly wrong." she frowns as she shakes her head.

"I'd be happy to show you the flowers, I'd debated sneaking some into the garden here." she whispers conspiratorily to him. "I like these happy coincidences and I am not stalking you at all." she points out with a laugh. "Where do you like to have dinner? Somewhere swanky with dim lights and wine or some other place?" she asks him.

Jan de Wit has posed:
A grin. "Well, if you ever get stuck in a situation where you need better accomadations, please let me know. I can at least make sure you have a three star room." Jan teases. "I am certain that the entirety of Manhattan is going to need a vacation." A slight sigh. "At minimum." A shake of his head. "I do not find myself in the thoughts of failing to deflect this odd situation. Failure is not an option." A wink.

"I think something could be arranged with the botonists, yes? A donation of a rarer breed of flower?" He hrms. A happy laugh at the mention of stalking. "I am sure I have a file on me, now. I've confided secrets with you." Again, he is clearly joshing her - no malice or concern on the man's features. "And not stalking? I feel left out." Another sip of his coffee. "Dinner, truly depends on the feel of the evening. I do like more quiet, intimate settings in terms of restaraunts. Too much ambient noise and you miss out on the conversation with the people you share your table with."

Veira Lazarescu has posed:
Veira can't help but smile at the teases from him, "Oh, a three star? You know how to make a woman feel special." she winks at him. "And yes, they most certainly will. We needed one after that Alien attack as well." she admits to that. "Failure is most assuredly never an option. I just hope we can get it done." she states.

There's a thoughtful look to him, "I think that's a good idea." she nods to that. "They have an amateur group that takes care of the place as well, I'd debated reaching out to see if they wanted help. Gardening has always been something that soothes me." she comments. "I could start stalking you if that would make you feel included?" she teases him warmly. "I think something quiet would be nice as I enjoy talking with you." she smiles to him. "Though I think I will let you pick a place given your experience with places." she explains.

Jan de Wit has posed:
A chuckle from Jan. "Least I can do, I promise." A wink. "And I do try to make women feel special - I'd be a rather brutish person if I didn't." The man smirks, nodding at the mention of the vacation from the previous incident with the extra-terrestrials. "Indeed, I recall that mess. It does make me wonder if Earth is simply at the center of some great plan, where all things come to cause a ruckus." A grin to her, nodding. "I have faith in you, and the people working to rectify the situation. If I can help, I am glad to do so."

He looks pleased as she mentions that she thinks he offered over a good idea. "I think they would be quite open to the suggestion - especially as it might offer up a whole new season of viewing for visitors." A nod. "They also would get to learn about another species of flower, right?" Another genuine laugh. "I might know if you were stalking me, though." A grin. "It all depends on intentions."

"Something quiet. I do know of a wonderful sushi place, it's upscale so they give you more privacy at the table than not. Secluded booths and quiet atmosphere - thankfully they did a fantastic job of working with an acoustical engineer and there's no real eavesdropping to be done."

Veira Lazarescu has posed:
"You do a good job of not being brutish, Jan. I'd be shocked if I saw behavior like that from you." Veira tells him quietly. "Sometimes we have to be a bit harsh though." she adds. "I think it's something like that with Earth...and it's annoying that horrible things happen to good people." she explains. "If I find a way that you can help I will let you know, I think right now just making sure that people stay safe is the biggest thing. I'll do the dangerous work." she winks at him.

"Giving people a new flower for the garden sounds like something that will benefit everyone, so I'll send an email to them this week." she smiles to that. "Oh I'm definitely not going to try to knock you out and drag you off like a cave woman, that would be rude." she laughs.

She listens to him explains the sushi place and there is a smile, "That sounds delightful." she admits. "A chance to dress up is always nice." she adds with a grin to him. "Though if there are things that you'd like to ask I'm happy to answer. So think about it some." she offers. "Do you have any plans for tomorrow evening or would dinner then be alright?" she asks him.

Jan de Wit has posed:
A nod of his head and a bit of color to his cheeks at the compliment. "I would much rather be polite for the first encounter, then determine which way to behave after that. It's difficult to recover from a bad beginning." Jan mentions. "Even if it's morale and food for government agents, I'd love to help" A wink.

"I think that would be something to see." A grin. "Both the flowers and the attempted dragging." A waggle of his brows. "Though, if you knocked me out I would wager I couldn't see much after all." Another sip from his coffee, then the cup is returned to his side.

"I think dressing up is order. Did you have a preferred color?" He wonders. "Tomorrow would be perfect for dinner." There's a moment of pause. "I feel I should extend you the same courtesy of course - if you have questions for me, I'd be glad to answer. I realize that our discussion over coffee may have raised a few."

Veira Lazarescu has posed:
"You don't always have to act like a gentleman. I'm not some sheltered wildflower, I've seen plenty in my life." Veira tells him. "But I appreciate it none the less." she adds. "That and you're very thoughtful. A lot of men these days just aren't or shove their foot down their throat very fast." she chuckles. There's a giggle from her, "Mmm, bribing the government, I'm sure there's broken laws there." she teases him. "Also, if I am monopolizing your time during my time off I can wait patiently to get to see you. I know you probably have other things to handle as well." she points out gently.

There's a laugh, "I could probably pick you up and carry you...but that might be weird." she muses. "I can show you around my apartment sometime. It's not the Hilton, but it's home." she shrugs. "And Atilla can make fun of me after you leave." she whispers to him with a smile.

At the question of preferred colors there is a smile, "Obvious choice is black, but I'm a fan of crimson and other shades of red." she admits. "Dusty rose pink is a private favorite color, don't tell anyone or my street cred plummets." she tells him teasingly. "What would your favorite color be, Jan?" she asks him.

"It sounds like dinner will be tomorrow and we'll have some questions for each other more than likely." she grins. "I think that is a thing to look forward to." she states as she looks to him.

Jan de Wit has posed:
"I shall note that, and look for the correct time to be a bit more of a rake." Jan teases. "And I have had my fair share of eating my own foot, I promise. We all have to learn, after all." A wry grin as he crosses one leg over the other, his hands folded and placed on his knee. "Yes, bribery indeed. I am likely to be carted off in handcuffs, I would fear." A grin and a chuckle, his eyes dancing with mirth. "And you are most certainly monopolizing my time, but it is freely given - so it is no worry. I should be the one apologizing for pestering you on your day off. You've been absurdly busy, and I am sure peace and quiet is something you might be looking for."

His eyebrow arches a bit at the mention of her picking him up and carrying him. "Is that so? Are we going to trade stories, then?" Jan muses, a grin still adorning his face. "And why would he make fun of you?"

The colors are noted, smiling. "Do you favor rose gold, I wonder? I love the look of that, though the shade of metal suits certain people better than others." He holds up his hand, as if taking a vow. "Your secret is safe with me. I would hate to see you beset upon by the pranksters in your office for enjoying the color." He grins.

"Myself? I prefer deep blues and purples. It reminds me of the night skies." He admits. A wider smile at the mention of conversation over dinner. "I most certainly look forward to it. Did you need a ride arranged? Shall I pick you up or meet you there?"

Veira Lazarescu has posed:
Veira tries to keep a straight face, but she laughs when he says he'll look for a good time to be a rake, "Oh that'll be a delight." she grins to that. "We all trip up sometimes, especially those of us who haven't been trained as greatly as you have." she points out with a smile. "Oh I don't have any handcuffs, zipties are about as far as I go with cuffing people if we need." she tells him.

She shakes her head softly, "I enjoy spending time with you, so I am not complaining." she tells him with a warm smile. "If that doesn't sound weird..." she adds. "Very much so, we can exchange strength training stories if you like." she smiles to that. "Sadly my job does come with the danger of conflict. So I've trained." she admits. "Oh Atilla made fun of me last night for sitting at my desk debating if I was going to text you." she confesses to that. "He kept trying to select your number with his tail." she muses.

"I do love rose gold and silver for metals." she nods to that. "And I thank you for being so willing to keep my secrets, Jan." she gives him a soft smile.

"Mmm, purple. I'll remember this." she grins. "Do you prefer the night?" she asks him. On the topic of transportation she gives a soft smile, "I can meet you there if you don't mind?" she offers.

Jan de Wit has posed:
The laughter is shared, it's a lovely sound when people are enjoying themsleves after all. "Zipties. That sounds uncomfortable." The man chuckles. "And yes, even those who practice as much as I, trip up. It's part of the process. You have to fall to learn. Bruises and sprains are great lessons."

A sly grin at the mention of Atilla. "Well, the dragon has some good taste." He teases. "And I am glad I seem to have passed muster for him. I doubt I'd be able to survive the wrath of your draconic overlord." A smirk. "I would have welcomed a text, truth be told. I quite enjoy our conversations and learning about you, Veira."

"Secrets are a sacred thing, and trust is even more so. I would be quite the ass, were I to betray such things." A smile. "I like both, night and day. I enjoy the shadows that form, and the way the world changes when darkness falls. I also love the feel of the sun on my face. I don't try to tan, but I do enjoy absorbing the warmth of the sun." A chuckle. "And of course, meeting me there is quite fine. Did we want to start earlier, or later for dinner?"

Veira Lazarescu has posed:
"They are amazingly uncomfortable." Veira admits with a laugh. "I've fallen a lot, but it builds character." she nods to that. "I'm looking forward to learning more though, even if I do have a few more falls." she grins at that.

She gives a playful roll of her eye when he states that Atilla has good taste, "He does. He just knows I'm a scaredy cat sometimes." she admits to that. "I think the fact that you didn't try to kick him when he appeared won you a lot of points with him." she points out. "Yes, his imperial highness has great taste." she smiles to that. "Next time I'm staring at my phone I'll go ahead and text then." she nods to that. "Nights can be hard sometimes, but I try to soldier through." she explains.

His talk on secrets earns a warm smile from her, "I have a lot and I don't trust easily. I'm sure others are the same these days. So I try to keep confidences." she explains. "So if you tell me a secret it will be kept." she dips her head to that.

She watches him as he talks about liking both the night and the day and there's a soft smile that graces her features. She shakes herself out of her thoughts and gives a grin to him, "I am good with any time really. I don't have to be back to work until the following morning." she tells him.

Jan de Wit has posed:
"I imagine that the plastic is terribly chafing." A shake of his head. "As I mentioned before, I'd be glad to help you with your steps." Jan offers. "It's a matter of finding time, of course." Jan gives a smirk at the roll of her eyes. "What is there to be afraid of?" A grin to her. "And text. More often than not, I'm a light enough sleeper to hear the message chime."

"So then, secrets shared are secrets kept between us. We have an accord." A chuckle. "Also extended to Atilla, then."

He considers, thinking a moment or two. "Let's say seven then? Early enough to enjoy more conversations and properly enjoy a full array of sushi." A laugh. "And also order some for you to bring home to his imperial highness."