Connie bit at the second radish offered, then followed Nyra's gaze. "I've never been a fan of radishes, til now, anyways, an' yeah, mushrooms sound a nice change of pace."
She reached for the platter and picked up a large mushroom that any other time would have given her a rather phallic image. But tonight, a mushroom was just a mushroom.
She turned the plump head into the dip with a deft swirl and brought it before Nyra's lips. Voice raspy, her accent the thickest she'd heard it since the fifties, she quipped, "I've heard that someone who likes mushrooms could be considered a fun-guy. But then, my chest gives the lie ta that, dunnit?"
Second Dates are always interesting
Driving to the hotel made her palms damp. Surely at her age a date should not make her this nervous. But this one did. She had changed outfits at least a dozen times. Finally deciding on a warm tan peasant blouse with a bronze skirt that had embroidered swirls along the hemline. She found her nice pair of cream ballet slippers, nice meaning there were no obvious paint stains on them. A touch of makeup, minor light bronze eyeshadow and butterfly dust across her cheeks, and she was as ready as she could get. Wishing for lipstick she put on her Sun Dog Hemp Lip Balm before dropping it back into its cubby in her car's console.
The lights were on in the parking garage of the hotel, beckoning her to get out of the car. Picking up her crochet hemp purse (in a natural tone of dark cream) she got out of the car. She got two steps away before she remembered her keys were still in the ignition. Returning to the car she grabbed her keys, locked the car and dropped the keychain into her handbag.
"Dont be nervous. Dont be nervous. Dont be nervous." she chanted quietly to herself. "Its just your new neighbor, nothing more than a friendly neighbor offering you dinner when you provided it last night. Thats all. No other intentions at all. You just thought she was hitting on you last night, it was all in your head. Just go in and have a nice friendly dinner." Her littany lasted until the front door of the lobby.
A bellman in uniform opened the door for her and she stepped into the lush hotel.
Connie
19 years ago
Nyra
19 years ago
"That was trivia I never knew about mushrooms. Perhaps the meaning was fun-guy but guy as in person not specifically male? Because as you said, your chest definately shows your womanly side." Taking a moment to fully appreciate that chest she continued "Personally I think food aphrodesiacs are myths, its the company not the food."
With that she picked up a bell pepper stick and chomped it firmly in half with a half smile. She slowly fed the balsamic coated veggies to Connie. They took their time finishing each bite, savoring the dip and delisious bits of skin they tasted from eachothers fingertips.
When the waiter arrived with their soups Nyra reluctantly sat back in her seat. Before the waiter could leave she requested "Please bring us a basket of sourdough bread, no cheese, butter on the side. And you can leave the veggies on our table. We might want to nibble on them later."
She giggled and blushed at her audacity and began to delicately sip her soup.
With that she picked up a bell pepper stick and chomped it firmly in half with a half smile. She slowly fed the balsamic coated veggies to Connie. They took their time finishing each bite, savoring the dip and delisious bits of skin they tasted from eachothers fingertips.
When the waiter arrived with their soups Nyra reluctantly sat back in her seat. Before the waiter could leave she requested "Please bring us a basket of sourdough bread, no cheese, butter on the side. And you can leave the veggies on our table. We might want to nibble on them later."
She giggled and blushed at her audacity and began to delicately sip her soup.
Connie
19 years ago
Connie realized as the soup hit the table that Nyra was unconsciously reminding her of the proper course of a meal, the good things that came from water and salt, or even the fruit of the earth. Or vegetables, as the case might be.
She sipped carefully of her spoonful after blowing softly across it, cooling it. After a few such spoonfuls, she looked over at Nyra; watched as her date enjoyed her meal. Her date.
Nyra was her date.
Some things just occasionally didn't wrap themselves around Connie's brain as quickly as she'd like.
She found herself almost staring at Nyra, watching the quirk of her mouth as she took in soup, the flutter of her eyelids, the nearly invisible shrinking of her throat as she swallowed.
Should she try to fill the silence with conversation? It wasn't uncomfortable; just two lovely ladies filling their bellies with the salty, hearty soup. She decided to let Nyra speak... Unless they finished their soup first.
She sipped carefully of her spoonful after blowing softly across it, cooling it. After a few such spoonfuls, she looked over at Nyra; watched as her date enjoyed her meal. Her date.
Nyra was her date.
Some things just occasionally didn't wrap themselves around Connie's brain as quickly as she'd like.
She found herself almost staring at Nyra, watching the quirk of her mouth as she took in soup, the flutter of her eyelids, the nearly invisible shrinking of her throat as she swallowed.
Should she try to fill the silence with conversation? It wasn't uncomfortable; just two lovely ladies filling their bellies with the salty, hearty soup. She decided to let Nyra speak... Unless they finished their soup first.
Nyra
19 years ago
The soup was amazing. Savory, hearty, a tang of salt and a squish of muchrooms. The barley was so soft one did not even notice it as a texture. She concentrated on eating until the waiter brought the bread.
Tearing a chunk of the soft and fragrant sourdough bread she offered it to Connie. She smiled as the other woman took it and nibbled it delicately. Nyra took her chunk of bread and dipped it into her half eaten bowl of soup. Sucking the broth from the morsel and chewing slowly she watched her new neighbor with a sense of awe.
"Most people cant stand silence. I mean, I talk to myself but only to actually make things sink in, not to hear my own voice. I greatly appreciate the fact that you can sit here enjoying dinner and hopefully my company in a companionable silence." Blushing a bit over the length of her speach about the joys of silence she resumed slowly dunking her pieces of bread and savoring each bite.
Tearing a chunk of the soft and fragrant sourdough bread she offered it to Connie. She smiled as the other woman took it and nibbled it delicately. Nyra took her chunk of bread and dipped it into her half eaten bowl of soup. Sucking the broth from the morsel and chewing slowly she watched her new neighbor with a sense of awe.
"Most people cant stand silence. I mean, I talk to myself but only to actually make things sink in, not to hear my own voice. I greatly appreciate the fact that you can sit here enjoying dinner and hopefully my company in a companionable silence." Blushing a bit over the length of her speach about the joys of silence she resumed slowly dunking her pieces of bread and savoring each bite.
Connie
19 years ago
Bread swam in her mouth with a swirl of soup, and Connie swallowed as Nyra commented about silence.
"I've been alone for so long... talking to mahself, as you do, both ta make things sink inta my brain and ta hear someone speaking..." She picked up another bit of bread, and dunked it in the soup, "that silence shared with another person is one of the greatest gifts I've been given."
Soup-mush bread was popped into her mouth, preventing her from speaking. She knew that if Nyra looked into her eyes, she'd probably see the same pain, longing, and loneliness that Connie saw every day after waking.
Sometimes the biggest smile and the most happy thoughts didn't erase the agony of eons.
"I've been alone for so long... talking to mahself, as you do, both ta make things sink inta my brain and ta hear someone speaking..." She picked up another bit of bread, and dunked it in the soup, "that silence shared with another person is one of the greatest gifts I've been given."
Soup-mush bread was popped into her mouth, preventing her from speaking. She knew that if Nyra looked into her eyes, she'd probably see the same pain, longing, and loneliness that Connie saw every day after waking.
Sometimes the biggest smile and the most happy thoughts didn't erase the agony of eons.
Nyra
19 years ago
"Sometimes talking to yourself is prefered to the alternative. Which is actually listening to your own thoughts and fears."
She put her spoon down, suddenly not as hungry as she was before. Living alone meant you could never escape the fears or memories that were apt to haunt anyone that had lived. Taking a small sip of water she wondered how to change the mood and subject.
She put her spoon down, suddenly not as hungry as she was before. Living alone meant you could never escape the fears or memories that were apt to haunt anyone that had lived. Taking a small sip of water she wondered how to change the mood and subject.
Connie
19 years ago
It all had been going so well.
"And I had to go and screw it up."
She sighed in her mind.
"And then once in a while, the voice that slips through these lips, the words that are formed, are so completely the wrong ones. Did you bring that crowbar from my apartment with you?"
"And I had to go and screw it up."
She sighed in her mind.
"And then once in a while, the voice that slips through these lips, the words that are formed, are so completely the wrong ones. Did you bring that crowbar from my apartment with you?"
Nyra
19 years ago
Happy at the opportunity to change the tone she joked along with Connie. "Actually I left it at home. I figured the really kinky stuff could wait till our 4th date."
As the comment left her mouth, Nyra looked quite startled to have said it out loud and so uncensored. She swiftly covered her mouth with her hand and tried to restrain a giggle. Unfortunately she was not successful and began laughing out loud. Her laugh was low and free until the waiter brought out two salad plates.
Smiling up at her date she let the waiter take her half eaten soup but did not let him take the bread.
"So tell me," asking once the waiter left "what do you like most about Nachton?"
As the comment left her mouth, Nyra looked quite startled to have said it out loud and so uncensored. She swiftly covered her mouth with her hand and tried to restrain a giggle. Unfortunately she was not successful and began laughing out loud. Her laugh was low and free until the waiter brought out two salad plates.
Smiling up at her date she let the waiter take her half eaten soup but did not let him take the bread.
"So tell me," asking once the waiter left "what do you like most about Nachton?"
Connie
19 years ago
Connie laughed with Nyra as the ice was re-broken. "Stop philosophising," she told herself.
"I don't rightly know. I haven't been here long enough to really say. I've only been in town four days."
She paused a moment, then grinned. "Though, in four days, I'd have to say the thing I like most about it is... you."
And it was out; she sounded like a dating advisor's worst nightmare, dropping lines as bad as she'd heard in bar after bar after club, year after year.
"I don't rightly know. I haven't been here long enough to really say. I've only been in town four days."
She paused a moment, then grinned. "Though, in four days, I'd have to say the thing I like most about it is... you."
And it was out; she sounded like a dating advisor's worst nightmare, dropping lines as bad as she'd heard in bar after bar after club, year after year.
Nyra
19 years ago
"There you go again making me blush with such compliments." Waggling her fork at Connie "You are going to make my head swell with all this praise."
Taking a small bite of salad, enjoying the sweet almonds and tangy sauce over the mild greens. "I think you will enjoy Nachton. The town seems to be catered to night owls, like yourself. Even the mall is open very late. Shops almost all offer delivery service, which is very handy. Oh and they even have a beautiful garden that is open all day and night."
"Perhaps we can explore town together?" She shyly looked down at her lap and fiddled with the napkin, dabbing at her mouth with it.
"Would you tell me about all the places you have been?" It was a lot to ask, but as Nyra did was not very well travelled she was highly curious.
Taking a small bite of salad, enjoying the sweet almonds and tangy sauce over the mild greens. "I think you will enjoy Nachton. The town seems to be catered to night owls, like yourself. Even the mall is open very late. Shops almost all offer delivery service, which is very handy. Oh and they even have a beautiful garden that is open all day and night."
"Perhaps we can explore town together?" She shyly looked down at her lap and fiddled with the napkin, dabbing at her mouth with it.
"Would you tell me about all the places you have been?" It was a lot to ask, but as Nyra did was not very well travelled she was highly curious.
Connie
19 years ago
"It's not just your head that I'm aiming for."
The fork full of saladgreens paused on its way to her mouth, then sped up and she chewed self-consciouly.
"I really need to get that checked out. I don't think I've ever had such a problem keeping my mouth shut."
Forkfuls of the tasty salad prevented her from speaking as Nyra mentioned the nightly proclivity of Nachton. Should she mention the nearly literal Latin translation of "Nachton"? "Probly not." she told herself.
She tilted her head at Nyra when asked about the places she'd been. "Do you mean in town? Or everywhere in the world?"
She commented under her breath just loud enough for Nyra to hear. "Of course she means everywhere in the whole world, you silly goose, you told her that you weren't in town long, so why would she ask about Nachton?"
Connie reclined slightly, her napkin taking a dive off her lap, but caught as her leg twitched and her hand reached for it. As she resettled it on her legs, she mumbled to herself again. "The world... where have I been in the world..."
Nibbling on another leafy tart morsel, she started (after her mouth was empty,) "Wayel... I was born on a plantation down south... As I mentioned my siblings died very young... I ended up moving from place to place... You coulda probly traced all the places I'd been and ended up with a pretty whacked lookin' shape if'n ya really tried to draw it. New York, Philly, the Mid-west, Washington, New Mexico, Florida... I've seen pretty much all-a these United States, but that's about it. Never been one for flyin'. Drive darn near everywhere, walk if its close enough. Walkin's more fun. Ya see more of what's aroun' ya, instead of speedin' by it faster than you can spit and bite yer tongue. Do a lot of picture-takin' too, when I walk or even when I stop when drivin'."
(( *Wayel - the word "well" pronounced with considerable southern drawl ))
The fork full of saladgreens paused on its way to her mouth, then sped up and she chewed self-consciouly.
"I really need to get that checked out. I don't think I've ever had such a problem keeping my mouth shut."
Forkfuls of the tasty salad prevented her from speaking as Nyra mentioned the nightly proclivity of Nachton. Should she mention the nearly literal Latin translation of "Nachton"? "Probly not." she told herself.
She tilted her head at Nyra when asked about the places she'd been. "Do you mean in town? Or everywhere in the world?"
She commented under her breath just loud enough for Nyra to hear. "Of course she means everywhere in the whole world, you silly goose, you told her that you weren't in town long, so why would she ask about Nachton?"
Connie reclined slightly, her napkin taking a dive off her lap, but caught as her leg twitched and her hand reached for it. As she resettled it on her legs, she mumbled to herself again. "The world... where have I been in the world..."
Nibbling on another leafy tart morsel, she started (after her mouth was empty,) "Wayel... I was born on a plantation down south... As I mentioned my siblings died very young... I ended up moving from place to place... You coulda probly traced all the places I'd been and ended up with a pretty whacked lookin' shape if'n ya really tried to draw it. New York, Philly, the Mid-west, Washington, New Mexico, Florida... I've seen pretty much all-a these United States, but that's about it. Never been one for flyin'. Drive darn near everywhere, walk if its close enough. Walkin's more fun. Ya see more of what's aroun' ya, instead of speedin' by it faster than you can spit and bite yer tongue. Do a lot of picture-takin' too, when I walk or even when I stop when drivin'."
(( *Wayel - the word "well" pronounced with considerable southern drawl ))
Nyra
19 years ago
Resisting the urge to prop her head up by placing her elbow on the table, she listened intently. Not only was the accent dreamy the fact that to be so young Connie had travelled so far. Being so eccentric Nyra had only ever been around Oregon, the town she went to college in and Nachton. How exciting to be so well rounded.
"Wow, I would love to see pictures. I mean, if you would want to share them. I am just so unworldly that I can barely imagine having seen all that, and for you to be so young at that! You must have been constantly on the move."
Looking down at her salad, she hoped she hadn't embarassed Connie with such naivete.
"Wow, I would love to see pictures. I mean, if you would want to share them. I am just so unworldly that I can barely imagine having seen all that, and for you to be so young at that! You must have been constantly on the move."
Looking down at her salad, she hoped she hadn't embarassed Connie with such naivete.
Connie
19 years ago
"Pretty much. It wasn't easy, always picking up and moving on after only a lil while in places, 'specially cause you couldn't get to know a place very well if you didn't live there longer or get ta know the people... But it all has helped me appreciate the virtue of good air conditioning, as well as, well you might not be so interested in a Philly Cheesesteak, but the food is oh! so wonderful all across our land."
Connie's trust and caring for this woman, this human, this... flower of a person kept blooming and growing the more they spent time together.
"Watch yourself, Emma Constance Mathilda, or you'll get yerself and her in a heap of trouble. Just take it slow." The voice of reason. Sometimes, Connie thought, that voice needed to be drug out back and whipped.
Connie's trust and caring for this woman, this human, this... flower of a person kept blooming and growing the more they spent time together.
"Watch yourself, Emma Constance Mathilda, or you'll get yerself and her in a heap of trouble. Just take it slow." The voice of reason. Sometimes, Connie thought, that voice needed to be drug out back and whipped.
Nyra
19 years ago
Before she could ask more questions their entree arrived with two fresh plates and utensils. The waiter even brought out another pitcher full of water and fresh ice. As he finished putting things on their table, and taking away the salad plates and old pitcher, Nyra looked at Connie. "I dont believe I have ever seen such courteous and efficient service before. Thank you" peering at his name tag "Eric."
The man smiled and with a small bow of his head was gone. Finding she liked the new server much better than Peter, Nyra looked at Connie. "I think he deserves a good tip! Just for not being Peter." This time she could not restrain a giggle at the picture of Peter and his measly two bits.
"Seeing how I love food, your trip makes me very envious. To have tasted such local flavors sounds marvellous. Though, what we have in front of us looks divine." The golden brown pastry sat atop the garlic brocolli rabe, two delicate pastry leaves decorated it. "I love the whole concept of en croûte. Just knowing that it hides something so delicious and savory makes me want to cut it open. While its beauty makes me want to leave it whole."
Reaching for her fresh knife and fork, she began the task of gently cutting the pastry round in half. Fragrant steam wafted from the vegetables inside. Nyra put aside her fork and using the serving spoon the waiter had thoughtfully included she lifted half of the pastry and a good bunch of its bedding to Connie's plate. She then scooped the remaining half up for herself before returning the spoon to the plater. Each woman had a modest serving on their plate that looked delish.
Realizing she had been mothering Connie unnesessarily, Nyra placed her hands in her lap, fiddling with her napkin. 'Stupid, she doesnt need you to cut up her dinner, idiot!'. With a faint blush covering her cheeks she peeked up at her date, chagrined.
The man smiled and with a small bow of his head was gone. Finding she liked the new server much better than Peter, Nyra looked at Connie. "I think he deserves a good tip! Just for not being Peter." This time she could not restrain a giggle at the picture of Peter and his measly two bits.
"Seeing how I love food, your trip makes me very envious. To have tasted such local flavors sounds marvellous. Though, what we have in front of us looks divine." The golden brown pastry sat atop the garlic brocolli rabe, two delicate pastry leaves decorated it. "I love the whole concept of en croûte. Just knowing that it hides something so delicious and savory makes me want to cut it open. While its beauty makes me want to leave it whole."
Reaching for her fresh knife and fork, she began the task of gently cutting the pastry round in half. Fragrant steam wafted from the vegetables inside. Nyra put aside her fork and using the serving spoon the waiter had thoughtfully included she lifted half of the pastry and a good bunch of its bedding to Connie's plate. She then scooped the remaining half up for herself before returning the spoon to the plater. Each woman had a modest serving on their plate that looked delish.
Realizing she had been mothering Connie unnesessarily, Nyra placed her hands in her lap, fiddling with her napkin. 'Stupid, she doesnt need you to cut up her dinner, idiot!'. With a faint blush covering her cheeks she peeked up at her date, chagrined.
Connie
19 years ago
Connie guessed that Nyra was embarassed about doing all the serving, and decided to ease her embarassment. "Thank you fer doin' that, I don't think I coulda done it without spreading at least half of it on the table. Then again, I'm also not used to sitting down to eat, either..."
She picked up the pitcher and filled both glasses, then raised hers to Nyra. "I know that toasts are traditionally done with wine, but water works for our purposes. To... a blossoming friendship and a natural arteest."
She picked up the pitcher and filled both glasses, then raised hers to Nyra. "I know that toasts are traditionally done with wine, but water works for our purposes. To... a blossoming friendship and a natural arteest."
Nyra
19 years ago
Thankfull at the comforting way Connie made it all ok, she smiled across the table. Lifting her glass in toast was easy. "To blossoming friendship and an amazingly strong, well rounded woman." Sipping the water helped cool her down just a bit, between the sensuous to the embarassing, she found herself unable to relax fully.
"I think perhaps I should tell you why I dont drink. Since it appears I am never going to be able to relax." she sighed ruefully.
"My grandfather, my mothers father, was a drunk. Not only did he drink to excess, he would hit anyone who had the nerve to say something in his presence about it or anything else about him."
Taking a deliberate bite of the savory meal in front of her, she contemplated how to finish the story. "He finally died when I was a toddler. I dont remember him, I just know the impact he had on my family. Grandmother had taken up painting, he hated it. Hated everything she did that let her think for herself. When the paintings sold he got even more angry. She couldn't even go to her first gallery showing because he had broken her nose."
"She withstood it because she had been taught that you are obediant to your husband no matter what. Thankfully he mouthed off to the wrong person in a bar, on a business trip. They found him in an alleyway, dead from six gunshots." Realizing she had finished half of her entree while talking she put her knife and fork down and folded her hands in her lap.
"I think the only person that mourned him was his friend, who was the exact same way. Thurston showed up at the funeral drunk and shouting at everyone how it was my grandmothers fault for being such a horrible woman. He spent a weekend in jail to sleep it off. No one touches any alcohol in our family."
Taking a few more bites, a thoughtful look on her face. "I think it feels better to have told you. No more skelletons in my closet to fall out and scare you off. After his death, my grandmother was free, she has had several lovers, even another woman and a much younger man. I am very inspired by her courage and flamboyance."
"I think perhaps I should tell you why I dont drink. Since it appears I am never going to be able to relax." she sighed ruefully.
"My grandfather, my mothers father, was a drunk. Not only did he drink to excess, he would hit anyone who had the nerve to say something in his presence about it or anything else about him."
Taking a deliberate bite of the savory meal in front of her, she contemplated how to finish the story. "He finally died when I was a toddler. I dont remember him, I just know the impact he had on my family. Grandmother had taken up painting, he hated it. Hated everything she did that let her think for herself. When the paintings sold he got even more angry. She couldn't even go to her first gallery showing because he had broken her nose."
"She withstood it because she had been taught that you are obediant to your husband no matter what. Thankfully he mouthed off to the wrong person in a bar, on a business trip. They found him in an alleyway, dead from six gunshots." Realizing she had finished half of her entree while talking she put her knife and fork down and folded her hands in her lap.
"I think the only person that mourned him was his friend, who was the exact same way. Thurston showed up at the funeral drunk and shouting at everyone how it was my grandmothers fault for being such a horrible woman. He spent a weekend in jail to sleep it off. No one touches any alcohol in our family."
Taking a few more bites, a thoughtful look on her face. "I think it feels better to have told you. No more skelletons in my closet to fall out and scare you off. After his death, my grandmother was free, she has had several lovers, even another woman and a much younger man. I am very inspired by her courage and flamboyance."
Connie
19 years ago
Connie looked down as her fork hit the plate with a soft 'clink.' The bowl was empty. Almost open-mouthed, she stared at it, then at Nyra and her nearly-empty bowl. "Listenin' to yer story was better than a movie. I don' think I've ever eaten something so blindly, and still enjoyed every bite."
With a sip of cold water, she munched quietly on a piece of ice, and rested her hands in her lap. She reached across to Nyra and picked up her hand, giving a squeeze. "Your grandmother sounds like a very strong woman. Unless I miss my mark, I think you have more than a little bit of her in you."
With a sip of cold water, she munched quietly on a piece of ice, and rested her hands in her lap. She reached across to Nyra and picked up her hand, giving a squeeze. "Your grandmother sounds like a very strong woman. Unless I miss my mark, I think you have more than a little bit of her in you."
Nyra
19 years ago
"There you go complimenting me more when I thought the last one could not be topped." blushing "This has been such a lovely evening. Thank you for being so wonderful. You are very easy to talk to, makes me feel quite comfortable, and I appreciate that greatly."
Looking down at her plate she found it mostly empty. The meal had been superb but the company made it so much more than just a simple dinner. "I cant possibly eat dessert, but I have no wish for the evening to end. You wouldn't want to go for a walk, would you?"
Looking down at her plate she found it mostly empty. The meal had been superb but the company made it so much more than just a simple dinner. "I cant possibly eat dessert, but I have no wish for the evening to end. You wouldn't want to go for a walk, would you?"
Connie
19 years ago
One more sip of water emptied Connie's glass. "I would enjoy a walk... Where do you want our feet to take us? We could head over to Vesper Gardens, since you mentioned you liked it there?"
Nyra
19 years ago
"The gardens do sound lovely." Placing her napkin on the table next to her plate "I can think of nothing better to finish off this wonderfull evening than a moonlight walk with you."
Their waiter Eric, came up to their table at the sight of her napkin. He picked up their plates and began offering them dessert. While he rambled on about the dairy laden creations Nyra grabbed her purse and swiftly pulled out her Platinum American Express card. "Nothing further Eric, please wrap up the leftover crudetes and dip. If you could be so kind." He took their plates, leftovers and her card off, deeper into the restaurant.
"I dont know how far it is from here, should we walk to there or drive I wonder."
Their waiter Eric, came up to their table at the sight of her napkin. He picked up their plates and began offering them dessert. While he rambled on about the dairy laden creations Nyra grabbed her purse and swiftly pulled out her Platinum American Express card. "Nothing further Eric, please wrap up the leftover crudetes and dip. If you could be so kind." He took their plates, leftovers and her card off, deeper into the restaurant.
"I dont know how far it is from here, should we walk to there or drive I wonder."