lilli-of-the-mountain‌:

“What is it about the Winter season, I wonder, that creates so many secrets?” They posed a very interesting theory in their talk of trees. Lilli sat back in her seat while their wine and meals were served and took the opportunity to mull it over.

“I’ve gotten into a lot of trouble during Winter. Is it the hibernation? So many bodies kept in one place for the weather that creates the necessity for secrets?”

“I think it’s very easy to keep secrets when you’re forced into limited spaces for long amounts of time. And that happens to quite a few during the winter.“

They drum their fingers on the table lightly as they think. “I’m sure that has something to do with it. The need to be indoors and ending up around so many others in a similar situation can certainly bring a lot of trouble when one isn’t careful. And even if one is – you never know what you might encounter.”

lilli-of-the-mountain‌:

“Are you that daring soul, Saima?” Lilli believed she already knew the answer to that and yet she wanted to ask it all the same. Provocation was always fun to her and a witty repartee was the hoped for result. Saima was intelligent. Far too intelligent for her and yet she loved to see it shine through.

“Oh, are you doubting my daring nature?“ They reply sharply with a small smile. “Funny you’d ask – they can be quite talkative in the winter. They see many things even when it’s so quiet. Especially when it’s so quiet, my dear friend.“

As far as they were concerned, winter was a great time to get the deeper secrets that often end up hidden for the sake of ‘propriety’.

lilli-of-the-mountain‌:

“It is stunning in the Winter, like my Liechtenstein. But not just like it. You have forests and lakes.” Whereas Lilli had mountains. Mountains dusted with snow were beautiful in their own right but it was hardly like walking through a forest dredged in snow. The snow crunched under her boots softly and the world was quiet and still. It left one feeling splendidly isolated in the season’s majesty.

“And the trees? Are they awake in Winter? Or do they sleep as their appearance would suggest?”

“Indeed. And they seem to take on a whole another feel in the winter. Something quite surreal in the softness and change.“ They’ve spent many a winter, out among the forests, walking through the snow and even over some of the frozen lakes.

“Oh they are awake, but they are quieter in the winter. They take it easy but are still there for anyone who dares listen close enough.“

lilli-of-the-mountain‌:

“Oh, Heavens, how long has it been since we’ve been to a performance together?” Lilli struggled to recall it while a waiter took their orders for dinner. Somewhere between August and July, her mind traveled instead to the weather and how lovely it was that night. Perfect for dining with an old friend.

“But I would love to go. And when it starts snowing, too. I love your country in the Winter.”

“It must have been months, I’m sure.“ Even Saima had a little trouble recalling the last time they had seen a show together. All the more reason to have Lilli accompany them to a show sooner rather than later. 

“Perfect. It is getting to that time of year quite quickly. So the snow would make the whole situation all the more beautiful to be a part of. It’s ..it’s really darling when it snows, isn’t it?“ They smile, the changing of the seasons being a fascinating process even after all these years.

lilli-of-the-mountain‌:

“Well, I would say it is a resounding success.” And she was right. They looked stunning in the pearls. With Saima’s natural radiating glow the pearls took on a luster which Lilli could never replicate with her own. The more she thought about it, the more she wondered how pearls of other shades would look. Her mind flitted to black pearls in particular.

“When I am at your home, next, I should like to see the other pieces you have.”

“Glad that you think so. Something about being able to wear a dress that fits me so well and feel so comfortable. It’s truly a wondrous thing Lilli, so I’m always glad for an opportunity to go in such.“ They smile a way that shows all too well how much they’ve longed for a comfort like this. 

“Of course! I’d be glad to show you a place. Maybe I’ll take you to a performance – that’d be especially one of my favorite kind of spaces.“

lilli-of-the-mountain‌:

This was just like the pearls. Lilli wanted to spoil her friend and treat them well. At least this time she was not attempting to be sneaky about it.

“The duck looks lovely. So does the lamb. I don’t know.” The choice would come down to what Lilli wanted for wine, she supposed. White with the duck or red with the lamb. In the end, she settled on wanting a white wine so duck it was. 

With that settled she closed her menu and turned her attention back to her friend once more. “So, tell me, where did you get that dress? It is perfect for you, Saima.”

“Hm, duck does seem pretty tasty. It’s been a while since I’ve had it.“ With their usual meals being simpler yet delicious enough things, indulging in something rare seemed like the appropriate choice.

Still, they glance over the menu to see other choices just in case. “Ah, the dress? I had a friend recommend this site for dresses and I really had to try it out for myself. Took some references and recommendations to find my proper size – but since then, I’ve gotten a number of nice pieces from there.”

lilli-of-the-mountain‌:

“My cats are my babies. What can I say?” Did Saima really anticipate anything different coming from Lilli? She could spend the entire meal gushing about the animals if they let her.

“I hope you don’t mind coming somewhere a bit nicer,” she wavered while picking up the menu, “I am inviting you so I don’t want to hear a single word about splitting the check. Get whatever you would like.”

“I’m sure that you could say quite a bit about them.“ They teased a bit, not surprised by her dedication to her precious cats. It was just something that comes with being such good friends with her. 

“I don’t really mind – but..“ The comment about not splitting the check made them pause for a moment. “Well, as you insist – I won’t dare uh question you picking up the check.“ It wasn’t something they were very used to but it was appreciated nonetheless.

In the meantime, they started to peruse through the menu trying to decide what to get.

lilli-of-the-mountain‌:

“Isn’t it? I love to watch all the little boats drifting through the canals. Did you know they have a boat that is a cat shelter? It docks every so often so people can come aboard and adopt.” Lilli babbled about the cat boat until they were seated, her expression clearly showing how enamored she was with the charity ship.

“That is where I got Theodore. He was all by himself on the boat and as soon as I saw him I was in love.” 

“Ah, I think I had heard mention of that once or twice.“ Certainly, it’s one of the interesting little quirks about the area. “That sounds really nice – to be able to visit and spend time with the cats. “

It was endearing to see Lilli so enthusiastic and passionate about the cat boat. It made Saima all the happier to see their friend go on about the ship. 

“Aww, that’s a great little story. No wonder you’re so incredibly fond of him.“

lilli-of-the-mountain‌:

Thankfully, city traffic kept Lilli’s driving fairly tame otherwise Saima might have regretted allowing her to drive for the evening. As quickly as Lilli could have managed, she got them to the restaurant and deposited the keys to her precious BMW in the hands of a very eager valet. 

“It is such a lovely night that I thought we could eat on the patio,” Lilli explained to Saima, linking arms with them once more to establish a partnership in the crowd of patrons. “I thought it would be nice to watch the boats go by.” Now that she was surrounded by water, Lilli savored every opportunity she could get to spy on the waters.

It was nice that city traffic had served had an inadvertent purpose in keeping Lilli’s driving in relative stability. But it wasn’t really something that Saima hadn’t really worried about since they had gotten to the place in one peace. 

“Oh, it makes sense to enjoy the view from the patio.“ They hummed a bit as they linked arms with Lilli, glad to show their association among the other patrons. “Having a few of the water, and those who navigate it is especially satisfying.“