A Steady Situation 3, Part 2

So, can I get you a drink or anything like that?

The resounding clamour of the festival outside was dying down, and little snippets of conversation peeped through the door and windows.

Thanks, I’ll have anything non-alcoholic you’re willing to give me.

All she had apart from a couple of bottles of wine was water, so she poured some out. She observed the ripples vibrating on the surface of the glass, and lost herself in introspection for a moment.

Would you mind lighting some candles? Somehow I always end up burning myself.

While he was going about doing that, she tried to think of something they could do. She wasn’t used to talking one on one to male friends and she felt stupid for the life of her that she was even trying. She noticed him observing her briefly, as she was clearly out of time.

Have you got any paper? Drawing could be fun.

She smiled and pointed a finger at him, and then went about finding some pens and parchment.

It took her a moment to realise that gesture was probably a bit rude, and then noticed she must have got it from her mother. She was embarrassed when she came back.

All I’ve got is drafting parchment so it’ll be pretty big.

That’s alright. Do you mind if I tear it up?

Nope.

Then she added, as an aside,

It’ll be pretty satisfying, probably, I can imagine it’s my work.

He beamed at her and laughed.

I guess if we were knitting I could get the same impact.

Then he added, as an aside,

But we’re not, so I’ll have to believe in this.

She sniggered before she even realised that it was a style of humour.