Neptune, Steph Denenberg's House, 6:04 pm

[argyle_princess]

It's been a good day.

For one thing, her parents have (unintentionally) been very helpful with making certain logistical aspects of this visit easier. Mom had errands to run that kept her away all day, and (even better) Daddy has gone off for a conference in Detroit.

So it was easy enough to slip into Milliways and slip back out to Neptune. And while there wasn't a great deal of time for sightseeing, they managed a short tour of Neptune (avoiding the sites of interest most tourists come for now -- namely, where the Echollses died). Hannah packed a lunch, sandwiches and pretzels and chocolate chip cookies, to eat at the beach, which was half-deserted and fairly quiet.

And then, because she didn't think he'd be at all interested in sitting in a salon for an hour and a half while she got her hair done, and because not getting her hair done really is not an option, she left Henry on his own in Barnes and Noble.

When she got back, it took a while to find him, but she did, eventually, sitting in the floor with his back to the shelf, and a neat stack of books about two feet high next to him.

"Little light reading?"

Henry just looked up at her and grinned. "No."

Hannah laughed. "Do you need help with those?"

He let her help, in the end, but he took the heavier bags.

And now? Now she is upstairs, engaged in ritual that has changed only in its details since 1802, Getting Ready For a Dance.

And he has just finished a ritual that hasn't really changed at all since 1802, Meeting Her Parents.

Comments

[politestpirate.livejournal.com]

Overall, it went well. Mostly because Hannah's first impression of Wellard (safe, reliable, sober) was thankfully shared by her mom. Wellard knowing to call her "Ms. Denenberg" instead of "Mrs Griffith" also helped quite a bit.

Wellard was prepared for most of the questions Steph asked- where he was from ("London"), where he and Hannah met ("Vermont"), why he was out in Neptune ("Looking at colleges"), and what he planned to study ("Engineering"). The rather forward question of what exactly his plans were with Hannah before and after the dance took him a bit by surprise, though Wellard did have answers, and they were good enough to ease Steph's concerns.

He did miss out on the 1802 version of this ritual, but even Wellard can figure that Meeting Her Parents has not changed at all.

[argyle_princess]

"Ms. Denenberg" is, actually, fairly charmed. He's polite, well-spoken, and she's reasonably certain that he won't be the cause of anything she'd have to ground Hannah for.

So she doesn't mind all that much when Hannah calls down the steps for help, even though she suspects it is as much about interrupting the interogation as it is about having trouble with a zipper.

[politestpirate.livejournal.com]

There may be a faint sigh of relief as Ms Denenberg goes up the stairs at Hannah's call.

Though now that means there is no distraction while Wellard paces the livingroom, toying with the ribbon tying the corsage box closed.

Surely it will not be too much longer?"

[argyle_princess]

Patience is a virtue, Mr. Wellard.

In fact, if he steps out of the living room and into the foyer now, he should see her, in a long gold dress and a shawl that he should recognize over her shoulders.

Surely, he didn't mind waiting for that.

[politestpirate.livejournal.com]

Also, good things come to those who wait.

Of course he recognizes the shawl. Or Wellard would, if he had eyes for anything other than the vision of loveliness as a whole.

"You're beautiful."

[argyle_princess]

She flushes slightly, and looks away, but when she looks back to him, her smile is dazzling.

"Thank you."

She kisses him on the cheek and very lightly.

"Very handsome."

[politestpirate.livejournal.com]

Wellard turns red, of course, and gives Hannah a faint smile.

"Thank you, as well." Quietly.

And whatever else may have come of that moment gets rather lost, as the flash from the camera startles Wellard.

[argyle_princess]

Not all moments are opportune.

"Sorry," says Hannah's mother, "you just looked so . . ." she trails off, because she's not sure what the word she wants here is.

Her daughter shrugs. "It's all right. Good to have pictures. We just weren't expecting the flash."

Steph looks amused. "Yes," she said. "That much I could see."

[politestpirate.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately not. And neither is this the moment to find out how exactly that camera works.

Wellard smiles faintly, then holds the corsage box out to Hannah.

"Ah. This should match your dress, then."

[argyle_princess]

Really, opportune moments should probably not involve mothers. And Hannah will be happy to explain digital cameras later.

Hannah's smile is not at all faint, when she takes the box.

"Thank you. It's lovely."

[politestpirate.livejournal.com]

Opportune moments are usually far from such things. But, this is a different sort of moment.

With Hannah holding the box, Wellard undoes the ribbon holding it shut. He opens it, taking out one of the two corsages inside- dark pink rosebuds, brilliant blue statice, the usual white baby's breath, backed by dark green leaves- and carefully tucks it into Hannah's hair.

"It would have to be, considering."

[argyle_princess]

Different, but no less remarkable, it its way.

"Considering what?"

[politestpirate.livejournal.com]

"Considering that you're lovely, of course." He smiles faintly, taking out the last corsage- the larger one, and carefully slips it onto Hannah's wrist.

[argyle_princess]

She catches his hand, laces her finger through his, but whatever response she might have made is lost by her mother's decision that it's time to remind them they're not alone.

There are, after all, rather a lot of pictures still to be taken.