It had been a long time since Maria had over-thought an outfit. She had that morning, however. She wanted to pick something sensible but attractive, effortlessly elegant, flattering but modest. Something that could make her look her best without giving a bashful priest anything to feel the need to avert his eyes from.
In the end, she chose a colourful skirt, a cardigan and a minimal amount of jewellery. It felt dressy, but not too dressy. She could still hide in the obfuscation that this was a normal trip to a garden show. They were just there to find plants, ornaments and equipment, nothing more.
"It looks like there is a lot to see", she said, pulling into a make-shift parking lot that had been created on some spare land. "Where would you like to start?"
In the end, she chose a colourful skirt, a cardigan and a minimal amount of jewellery. It felt dressy, but not too dressy. She could still hide in the obfuscation that this was a normal trip to a garden show. They were just there to find plants, ornaments and equipment, nothing more.
"It looks like there is a lot to see", she said, pulling into a make-shift parking lot that had been created on some spare land. "Where would you like to start?"
Johann didn't have enough options to put as much thought into it as Maria. He did, however, opt for one of his nicer button ups that actually fit him. He was as pressed as he could get without donning his priest robes.
"I should like to see the heirloom vegetables. I have heard there are some unique squash and pumpkins with amusing names and colors. Would be a good place to grab a few seeds. Something fun for a project at Miranda's school."
Plants seemed to put him in a good mood. He looked downright rosy.
"I may also pick up some garlic plants for old times sake."
"I should like to see the heirloom vegetables. I have heard there are some unique squash and pumpkins with amusing names and colors. Would be a good place to grab a few seeds. Something fun for a project at Miranda's school."
Plants seemed to put him in a good mood. He looked downright rosy.
"I may also pick up some garlic plants for old times sake."
"Well, it is good in cooking, it would be nice to grow more vegetables,", Maria admitted, although she quickly tried to steer the conversation in another direction, haunted by visions of her garden full of strange herbs and reagents secretly designed to thwart the intrusions of vampires.
They found the area with the heirloom vegetables and quickly got into a rhythm of commenting and critiquing on them. The variety and feats of botany behind them were genuinely fascinating.
"This is all a bit new to me, really. I've always loved plants, but I didn't have the luxury of a fixed abode in the circus, and in the city there isn't much room," she explained as they set off to look at an area full of a rainbow of pumpkins.
They found the area with the heirloom vegetables and quickly got into a rhythm of commenting and critiquing on them. The variety and feats of botany behind them were genuinely fascinating.
"This is all a bit new to me, really. I've always loved plants, but I didn't have the luxury of a fixed abode in the circus, and in the city there isn't much room," she explained as they set off to look at an area full of a rainbow of pumpkins.
"Truthfully it is somewhat new to me too. I used to garden back before... well. I used to garden when I had permanent employment in New Jersey." He showed a shudder of a bad memory but quickly shoved it aside. This wasn't a gloomy place and he wasn't in a gloomy mood.
"It took a bit for me to get back into the rhythm but I have found with good soil and patience you can grow nearly anything. It is humankind's purpose you know. To tend the garden of Eden. Those skills are still there somewhere, they just need cultivating."
He picked up a lumpy pumpkin covered in odd green growths. "They call this one a Warty Goblin. I am sure they would be a big hit with the young ones, ja?" He smiled. Never mind that the young ones were all destined to be monsters too, aside from young Gio.
"It took a bit for me to get back into the rhythm but I have found with good soil and patience you can grow nearly anything. It is humankind's purpose you know. To tend the garden of Eden. Those skills are still there somewhere, they just need cultivating."
He picked up a lumpy pumpkin covered in odd green growths. "They call this one a Warty Goblin. I am sure they would be a big hit with the young ones, ja?" He smiled. Never mind that the young ones were all destined to be monsters too, aside from young Gio.
"I'm sure they'd find it very funny, especially Dimitri and Cuckoo. I think it does children good to see how they can nurture and grow things, don't you? Especially those children-"
Her words caught in her mouth: vampires again, and this time she was the one mentioning them. Brahm's advice about baggage came back to her and Maria relaxed. Of course the subject was going to come up, it was part of both of their lives.
"Would you like to stop to sit own and get a drink? It's surprisingly tiring walking around looking at strange vegetables!"
Her words caught in her mouth: vampires again, and this time she was the one mentioning them. Brahm's advice about baggage came back to her and Maria relaxed. Of course the subject was going to come up, it was part of both of their lives.
"Would you like to stop to sit own and get a drink? It's surprisingly tiring walking around looking at strange vegetables!"
He internally flinched a bit at the mention of the Varga child. But he didn't seem offended or upset. "They need a nice normal activity, a healthy one. If Miranda can make a good impression on the children then perhaps the next generation can be better off."
He perked up when she mentioned food.
I would love to." He gently set the prized gourd down and followed her to the food court.
"I will cover lunch, since you were so kind to drive me to the show. I think I will have a hot dog."
A hotdog was a large enough meal for someone who ate like a cottontail rabbit most days.
He perked up when she mentioned food.
I would love to." He gently set the prized gourd down and followed her to the food court.
"I will cover lunch, since you were so kind to drive me to the show. I think I will have a hot dog."
A hotdog was a large enough meal for someone who ate like a cottontail rabbit most days.
"Thank you, that's very kind. You know it's probably years since I had a hot dog?"
The hot dogs were hot, straight from the vendor, tasty but messy. Trying to avoid getting globs of caramelised onions and sauce everywhere wasn't exactly a romantic dinner for two , but Maria decided that this was probably her moment. She made sure they were sitting in a secluded corner where they were unlikely to be disturbed.
"I have a slight confession to make," she said, wiping her fingers on a napkin. "I wanted to come here with you to enjoy the fair, but I also have something I want to talk to you about. It's hard to know how to begin. I- I just hope it doesn't spoil things."
The hot dogs were hot, straight from the vendor, tasty but messy. Trying to avoid getting globs of caramelised onions and sauce everywhere wasn't exactly a romantic dinner for two , but Maria decided that this was probably her moment. She made sure they were sitting in a secluded corner where they were unlikely to be disturbed.
"I have a slight confession to make," she said, wiping her fingers on a napkin. "I wanted to come here with you to enjoy the fair, but I also have something I want to talk to you about. It's hard to know how to begin. I- I just hope it doesn't spoil things."
Johann chewed and swallowed his hotdog nervously. "Well. I am a priest. Used to getting confessions." He winked. Was Brahm rubbing off on him?
"Is it something to do with vampires? Always seems to boil down to vampires with me." He wiped the mustard out of his mustache and folded his napkin. He was joking but only to cover his wariness.
"Is it something to do with vampires? Always seems to boil down to vampires with me." He wiped the mustard out of his mustache and folded his napkin. He was joking but only to cover his wariness.
Maria laughed: she wished it was about vampires, even vampires were easier to fathom than what was happening inside her. The wink cinched it though. He really was utterly ridiculous and utterly adorable in equal measure. She really did have feelings for him.
"No, for once, it's not vampires. You see, when my husband died I didn't consider trying to find someone else to fall in love with, I felt like that chapter of my life was over. But lately, I've found myself becoming attracted to someone-"
She met his eyes. She had to try to gauge his reaction, every twitch of every facial muscle.
"I've found myself becoming attracted to you, Johann."
"No, for once, it's not vampires. You see, when my husband died I didn't consider trying to find someone else to fall in love with, I felt like that chapter of my life was over. But lately, I've found myself becoming attracted to someone-"
She met his eyes. She had to try to gauge his reaction, every twitch of every facial muscle.
"I've found myself becoming attracted to you, Johann."
"Oh, well. It's perfectly natural to have feelings for someone after the mourning period has passed, it's a big change but- wait. Wat?"
He blinked twice and begin to turn redder than the heirloom radishes he had purchased seeds for.
"...me?" He pointed a finger at his own chest.
"I am. Surprised! Really. I mean, you have so many much younger, more wealthy and less mad men you could have." He only seemed to be getting redder.
"I-I am flattered and I must admit that I...," how to say it?
"I find myself thinking of you quite often. Wanting to impress you. Wanting your company. I just fear that I do not know how." He removed his hat and scratched his head.
"An old, sad, celibate priest is hardly well versed in the art of wooing a lady." He wished he had some of Brahms charm now.
He blinked twice and begin to turn redder than the heirloom radishes he had purchased seeds for.
"...me?" He pointed a finger at his own chest.
"I am. Surprised! Really. I mean, you have so many much younger, more wealthy and less mad men you could have." He only seemed to be getting redder.
"I-I am flattered and I must admit that I...," how to say it?
"I find myself thinking of you quite often. Wanting to impress you. Wanting your company. I just fear that I do not know how." He removed his hat and scratched his head.
"An old, sad, celibate priest is hardly well versed in the art of wooing a lady." He wished he had some of Brahms charm now.
"Well," Maria said softly, trying to hide how shaky she felt at finding out that her wild, unlikely feelings might be reciprocated.
She could hear her own heart pounding. The mumble of the festival faded away.
"I have to admit, I did fight the way I was feeling for a while because I know things are... complicated. You've been through so much, even in the short time we've known each other. But I feel how I feel. I care for you: tragic past, strange ancestry and all. And if you care for me, tragic past, strange ancestry and all then..."
Her breath caught. She tried again.
"Then I'd like to know what you want to do."
She could hear her own heart pounding. The mumble of the festival faded away.
"I have to admit, I did fight the way I was feeling for a while because I know things are... complicated. You've been through so much, even in the short time we've known each other. But I feel how I feel. I care for you: tragic past, strange ancestry and all. And if you care for me, tragic past, strange ancestry and all then..."
Her breath caught. She tried again.
"Then I'd like to know what you want to do."
"Well... we are already friends. That is a start. I think the next step is just to... stop being so shy about closeness. I have often wanted to hold your hand but it is rare I allow myself to."
He rested his hand over his mouth. "Being a priest complicates it too. I suppose I have to formally retire, again." He chuckled.
"This will be my fourth attempt at retiring."
He rested his hand over his mouth. "Being a priest complicates it too. I suppose I have to formally retire, again." He chuckled.
"This will be my fourth attempt at retiring."
"I know the feeling. Well, sort of. I keep trying to retire and then getting dragged into some other career. I'm not sure what I'll do now that being a notable sceptic has lost its charm," she laughed, before clasping her hands together in deep thought.
"You wouldn't mind retiring, then? I'd hate to stop you doing work you enjoy. And you rely on your work for somewhere to live, we'd need to make alternative arrangements. Then there's the matter of telling people... family..."
"You wouldn't mind retiring, then? I'd hate to stop you doing work you enjoy. And you rely on your work for somewhere to live, we'd need to make alternative arrangements. Then there's the matter of telling people... family..."
"I don't know if you could call what the church gives me an "income" to be quite honest. Mostly they just ensure I do not starve to death."
His smile faltered a bit at the mention of family. "That is another sticking point. Can I be very honest with you?"
He swallowed hard. "For a long time... I sort of held a candle for Ariadne. And in many ways I know she felt the same. But when Marko returned suddenly both of us knew she must be loyal to him. And I would never want to come between them!"
He reassured her. "But I do wonder if feelings might be strange, now. Not hurt but... strange."
His smile faltered a bit at the mention of family. "That is another sticking point. Can I be very honest with you?"
He swallowed hard. "For a long time... I sort of held a candle for Ariadne. And in many ways I know she felt the same. But when Marko returned suddenly both of us knew she must be loyal to him. And I would never want to come between them!"
He reassured her. "But I do wonder if feelings might be strange, now. Not hurt but... strange."
"Oh. I see", Maria said, slowly, processing.
"That is difficult. Ariadne and I have always had a bit of a rivalry. We squabbled when we were children and I'm afraid it took me a long time to stop seeing her as a gold digger when she and Marko first got together. When he died and she cut Rosa and I off... it hurt me very deeply. And then not telling me when he came back... not contacting me even then..."
She shook her head sadly.
"Things have been getting better lately. I hope that this doesn't spoil that. I suppose it all depends on how Ariadne decides to react."
"That is difficult. Ariadne and I have always had a bit of a rivalry. We squabbled when we were children and I'm afraid it took me a long time to stop seeing her as a gold digger when she and Marko first got together. When he died and she cut Rosa and I off... it hurt me very deeply. And then not telling me when he came back... not contacting me even then..."
She shook her head sadly.
"Things have been getting better lately. I hope that this doesn't spoil that. I suppose it all depends on how Ariadne decides to react."
"I see. I suppose we won't know until we bring it into the open. And I should like to do so sooner rather than later. I am too old for hiding." He shook his head.
"The only question is, how to spring it on them? Simply announce it over dinner? Or just walk in holding hands and let them figure it out?"
"The only question is, how to spring it on them? Simply announce it over dinner? Or just walk in holding hands and let them figure it out?"
"Perhaps a simple announcement over dinner? Although you could break the news to Ariadne first alone if you think it might help her."
"Does Marko know that you two were... well. That you nearly had that type of relationship? I think that would hurt him quite deeply. Besides being besotted with Ariadne, I know he's worried that he's disrupted our lives."
"Does Marko know that you two were... well. That you nearly had that type of relationship? I think that would hurt him quite deeply. Besides being besotted with Ariadne, I know he's worried that he's disrupted our lives."
"I think he suspected, if I am honest. A strange man hanging about his wife's home while he was gone... I would think him quite naive if he did not suspect."
He sighed. "But when he arrived I backed off. We both did. It wouldn't have been proper after that." He shook his head.
"Maybe it will be a source of relief."
He sighed. "But when he arrived I backed off. We both did. It wouldn't have been proper after that." He shook his head.
"Maybe it will be a source of relief."
"I hope so. To be honest the fact that she was your friend marked you out as special to me from the start. There aren't many people Ariadne allows close", Maria said wistfully, aware that she didn't really know her sister-in-law at all any more, such a large number of years had passed between them.
"You know, if we are going to waltz up there holding hands, perhaps we could get some practice in looking around the rest of the fair."
She stretched out her hand towards Johann, smiling broadly.
"You know, if we are going to waltz up there holding hands, perhaps we could get some practice in looking around the rest of the fair."
She stretched out her hand towards Johann, smiling broadly.
"I should like that." He replied with a shaky smile. He wiped the cold sweat off his palms on his shirt.
"Forgive me if I am a little rusty. I haven't had a lot of practice you know."
"Forgive me if I am a little rusty. I haven't had a lot of practice you know."
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