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[1in_perfection]

By all rights, Mary should be in the city's hospital, doing her monthly check up instead of looking out at the water front. Especially since that hospital is only a block away from where she is, and she's supposed to be honor an appointment she made

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[orchidlover_wa]

A young man in a business suit walks by, looking distracted. He had just spent some time helping a frantic father look for his son without success, and it left him worried and anxious. He didn't remember ever feeling anxious like this before, which only made him feel worse.

He doesn't even give Mary a glance, but his shoe catches on a crack and he stumbles a little, dropping his suitcase. Shoot.

[1in_perfection]

Right now Mary doesn't quite have the fine coordination when it comes to turning around without falling over, so she ends up having to cling to the back of the bench when she looks at where the noise was coming from.

"...Sir? You need to be careful; the ground here isn't very straight, or stable at times. I know." And she certainly sounds like she speaks from experience on that.

[orchidlover_wa]

Caspar blushes a little, embarrassed that someone saw him trip. He carefully picks up his briefcase, then looks over at the woman addressing him. She's very pretty, but there's something a little off about her expression. "It... really?" Caught off guard, he doesn't know how to reply to that.

[1in_perfection]

Mary nods slowly, still careful about making the scenery and the colors blur too much.

"Yes, it truly does. That's actually why I took a seat, myself; it's best to ride these things out." She gestures to the bench, and several more close by, to back up her point. "Better then risking a fall, at the very least."

[orchidlover_wa]

It's so absurd, the way she speaks about the ground as if it were an ocean wave. Then he looks at her face again, and things seem to click into place. This woman is either intoxicated or on drugs.

Normally, he would continue on and not get involved in such things, but he's still distressed that he was unable to help Mr. Orr find his son. Perhaps he can be of some good here. Besides, she was well-dressed -- it was safe to speak with her.

He took a seat next to her on the bench. "Are you unwell, Miss? Would you like for me to hail you a cab?"

[1in_perfection]

"Oh, no, no, noooo. Not at all; I'm feeling better then I have in a long time, actually." And all of her body language seems to reflect that; she's completely relaxed, and there's no signs of stress anywhere on her face.

"It's also such a nice night out as well. It would be a shame to spend it in a cab, or indoors."

[orchidlover_wa]

He isn't sure what to say to that. She's relaxed, but high as a kite. "It... is a nice night," he agrees weakly. "I don't often spend time here. I usually just read indoors." Perhaps he can keep her company for a little while. What if someone tried to take advantage of her? Scoundrels were always out there, trying to take advantage of pretty girls.

[1in_perfection]

"What a shame...But books are nice." Although just now, she isn't ready to try reading one. She's not certain if the words will stay on the page, for one, and the light is a bit too dim for another. Such a shame that street light couldn't bend in a bit closer; then she'd have enough reading light.

It takes Mary a moment to remember she does have another person next to her after that, and that it's polite to continue a conversation.

"...Books are very nice." She offers again.

[orchidlover_wa]

"Yes, they are." He smiles faintly, at her discombobulated state. "What sorts of books do you like to read?" If he keeps her talking, perhaps that will keep her safe. There's also something about her that is making him feel safe, oddly enough.

[1in_perfection]

"Whatever I can get my hands on!" The volume goes up a bit at that, but at least she looks very happy; hard not to be when the subject is those glorious, mass printed magical paper bricks simply known as 'books.'

"Not much for fiction, but it's good as well in a pinch. Psychology is good, but things like history or books on culture is even better. Then there's those nice books that focus on different parts of Europe, and..." She could go on like this for hours if he doesn't feel like cutting in.

[orchidlover_wa]

He blinks, a little startled by her voice, then smiles a little as she babbles on about a subject that is clearly very dear to her. It's endearing. He waits until she pauses (if not to let him speak then for some air). "I prefer non-fiction as well. Have you read any books about the Netherlands? My family is from there."

[1in_perfection]

"Ah...A few." She holds up her hands to help her remember, and tries to tick off the numbers on her fingers. "There was that one for last summer...I think? And maybe one before that..." Her fingers waver with three up, and then Mary can't help but chuckle.

"I'm having a hard time remembering. Guess I've had a bit too much, if I can't ever recall something like that."

[orchidlover_wa]

He starts to ask her something more specific about what she read, but can't think of anything to ask. Shouldn't he know about the Netherlands? His parents talked about the Old Country all the time. Like their hometown of... uh... where they...?

"Too much of what?" he asks gently. Admitting there's a problem is the first step.

[1in_perfection]

"Too..." Even with that haze wrapped tight around her mind, the warning bells are still able to reach through it and alert Mary's mind. She...Might not want to be so free with her words, if she wants to enjoy the rest of the night.

"Just too much of things. I had a busy day today." Mary says with a slight frown: it's seriously starting to bother her that she can't remember the books she read. Her head doesn't feel that foggy, that she'd forget something she enjoys.

[orchidlover_wa]

"Ah, I see." He sighs and fidgets with the handle of his briefcase. "Are you sure you wouldn't like me to call you a cab, Miss?"

[1in_perfection]

"...No. I'm quite certain." And for a moment, her voice takes on a harsher edge. That only lasts for a few seconds though, before she shakes her head.

"I...My apologies, sir. I'm just not ready to go elsewhere. I think that a bit more fresh air would be good for my memory." Deep breath of said fresh air (even though it is a bit damp, thanks to the canal nearby) and she adds. "And perhaps a bit of solitude as well."