Ice Skating (Romani Carnival)

[Anna]

Anna arrived early.  This wasn't a date and she knew that, but nerves would happen anyway. She wanted to get there early enough to collect herself beforehand.  She was glad for this time though.  Even though they were just friends, Anna was looking forward to spending time with Cade.  She was actually surprised that he had so quickly come up with a way for them to spend time with one another.  

Anna stood near the tarot reading booth which meant, the reader was trying to get her to pay for a reading.  It was all in good fun, so she agreed. "I'm looking for advice on a relationship I'm pursuing," Anna asked, looking around to make sure Cade wasn't around yet.

The woman, the name on the booth said Renata Vas, smiled at her. "And here for a meeting with your possible suitor, are you? We will be quiet so he doesn't overhear."

Anna nodded at her question and chuckled at her response.  She shuffled the deck and drew a card, setting it down in front of her. "Ahhh...the hanged man for the past - upright.  You are at a crossroads in your life. Patience, and possibly sacrifices, will be needed if you are to make the right choices." A second card. "The Queen of Pentacles - upright. An understanding woman. For the present, empathy, kindness, and patience need to be cultivated within you. And last." She turned the final card. "The Three of Cups - upright. A fresh start leading to success. Old ills are being resolved and you are finding a new direction." Vas faced her, talking now directly to her. "The cards are telling me that you have a good chance with your relationship, but you must exercise kindness, empathy, and above all patience.  Do not rush this. I sense in the past, your relationships have not been strong, but you want this one to be.  You're ready for that, but it is not your readiness that is important.  It is his readiness that is important. The journey to this relationship with test you, but in the end, you will be stronger for it, and possibly have an attractive man by your side."

Anna chuckled at that, thanked the woman and paid her with a tip.  Anna wasn't a believer in these sorts of things, but the reading had been spot on for the situation she was in.  She could see why people would go to readings now.  Even as a non-believer, it had brought clarity to her situation. She turned and waited for Cade to show up.

((OoC: Renata with permission))

[Cade]

Cade's leg bounced nervously as he rode in the cab to the Carnival by the river. He'd said "hey, let's go ice-skating." And she said okay. He didn't want to go ice-skating. He hated the cold and the rink was outside and Moscow weather wasn't getting any warmer.

It wasn't just the ice-skating. It was the whole going out thing that had his leg bobbing up and down. It'd been a few years since Lacey passed, but still it felt awkward. It wasn't a date but it wasn't like he wasn't interested either. It was all very confusing.

And he didn't want to get involved with someone his brother knew if his brother and he did't get along. Things would get worse that way. And he didn't even know if he was staying in Moscow.

By the time he got there he was still a mess but coffee sounded good -- ice-skating not so much. The wind was a biting as he stepped out of the car and then it died down. Yeah nope, he still didn't want to go ice-skating. The Carnival was still in swing though and he made his way to the tarot tent which Anna was just walking out of.

He chuckled. "Decided to get a reading while waiting eh?" Cade smiled. "Did she tell you about my secret?"

[Anna]

Anna greeted Cade with a smile, a wave and a laugh at his question. "Yeah, it's all in good fun," She said, approaching. "No, no secrets were told. She told me about myself."

Anna noted that Cade seemed cold, and she could understand that. She herself wasn't a fan of it, but she had prepared better this time. Lots of layers! She had grown up in Chicago, an area not exactly known for balmy winters - especially if the wind from Lake Michigan came in. Cade was from...well...she didn't really know where he was from - except the United States, but that is why they were here - to get to know each other.

It was then that she realized, it was unlikely Cade actually wanted to ice skate. He had recommended it, maybe as a joke, but no matter, Anna would adapt. "Let's go get something warm to drink. Coffee shop is this way," she said, leading the way.

They entered and the warmth hit them, Anna moved to the counter. "Caramel macchiato for me, please." She waited for Cade to order and then they could find a seat and chat.

[Cade]

Cade shrugged "There is nothing wrong with finding advice in strange places. The cards, your palm, in the stars. We can take meaning from anything and apply it as we need to in our lives. That's how these things make their money. It's general advice, we provide the context." Cade had seen a fortune teller once or thrice as with all the prayers for his son. It had been neither boon nor burden, but the insight into his own mind had been enlightening.

Anna lead the way to the afore mentioned coffee shop and once they were both seated in at a warm table with their drink of choice he made his confession. "I'm glad your fortune teller didn't reveal the secret I was keeping." He grinned and leaned forward to whisper "I didn't really want to go ice-skating." He leaned back and spoke in his normal voice. "It was a joke, but you seemed keen so I thought I'd try, but I'd rather have a coffee and talk."

[Anna]

Anna sat down and took a sip at her macchiato. It was hot and sweet. Despite her layers, she was appreciative of the heat the drink provided. She smiled as Cade leaned in and whispered to her his secret. It was sort of adorable.

You know. if I actually had thought about it, I probably would have come to that conclusion on my own. The fortune teller wouldn’t have had to tell me that secret anyways,” she admitted. ”But you’re right about that. I’m not a believer in fortune telling or anything - this was my first time, but it was rather enlightening. But back to your ice skating dilemma. It’s totally fine, I’m happy to sit here, talk and enjoy the heated room.” she grinned. ”You may recall, I’m not a big fan of the cold either, although if I had to guess, I’m perhaps more acclimated to lower temperatures than you are. Grew up in Chicago - hockey was a big deal there, so had skating parties often with friends. Which makes me wonder,” she leaned over the table, both hands grasping her cup. ”I know you’re from the US of A, but what part?”

[Cade]

Cade grinned. "The mystic can be helpful and hopeful when it's not used as a divine inspiration. "

She admitted to actually knowing how to skate to a degree. Cade didn't know how, had no interest then either. "I grew up the Southwest. Born in Sante Fe. We get cold but it's not like this. There wasn't a lot of hockey in school. Not that I was interested. I much preferred the spring." The fall was alright too, though he preferred the blooming of flowers than the falling of leaves.

[Anna]

Santa Fe - yeah - just a little bit warmer than Chicago, and a lot warmer than Moscow. Santa Fe had reminded Anna of a song and she began to sing it. "Let's open up a restaurant in Santa Fe. Oh, sunny Santa Fe would be nice..."

Her voice was sweet and pleasant, even if it wasn't as good as someone like Cadence. The song was from a musical now nearly fifty years old called 'Rent.' Anna had been listening to it since she was working on a routine for a different song from that musical, but Cade didn't seem to be the type into musicals, but who knew. He had surprised her before.

"Spring is a lovely time of year. Everything is growing, it's a really pretty thing to see." She smiled, remembering the flower he gave her. It still sat in a glass of water on her nightstand. With her skill with plants, it wouldn't be there long, but it was a nice keepsake for now.

[Cade]

Her voice was pretty, but he didn't know the song. He didn't listen to much music, it wasn't helpful in his studies. Even though Lacey had loved to sing and dance and every other thing artistic. He could listen to her sing all the time. He looked far away as he remembered and he gave Anna shy smile. "Sorry."

"Lots of pretty things. I'd get to plant the garden with my step mother. It was the one thing we did together. There are some pretty botanical gardens here in the spring." He didn't want to say he hoped he could take her or that she could see them. He didn't know where he'd be in the near future. His brother was still key to many things.

Cade sipped at his black coffee and stared out the window at the skaters outside. "I don't think I'd like ice-skating"

[Anna]

Something changed in his demeanor, and it wasn’t hard for Anna to figure out why. The way he stared off for a moment betrayed where his thoughts had gone. She had inadvertently made him think of his wife. Anna felt no jealousy at this. She felt only compassion and empathy for the man before her. At his apology, she placed her hand on his, not in a romantic gesture, but as a reminder that she was here for him.

”You have nothing to apologize for.” she said, turning to look at the skaters as he did.

Anna removed her hand, not wanting Cade to think she was pushing him towards a relationship he wasn’t comfortable with. The subject had changed, quickly from spring back to the coldness of winter. Anna sensed that his wife was still there in his mind, even if he was now present with Anna. She didn’t know what she should do - if she should change the subject or enocrage him to open up. She had a feeling that he hadn’t opened up - that this had been on his heart for a long time. The Gypsy had told her she needed to cultivate kindness, empathy, and patience. She summoned them all, and added a little courage to the mix as well.

”Do you want to talk about her?” she said, her voice soft and calm. ”You don’t have to - not if you don’t want to. But if that’s what you want - or if that’s what you need, I’m here. And this is a safe place to do so.”

[Cade]

Cade was grateful for the understanding and he did want to talk about Lacey, but that wasn't what this conversation was about. He didn't want to dwell on the past, he could do that when he found his brother. But new friends should focus on the future. "While I do, I don't want to. It's not about trust or anything like that. Coming to Moscow is a move forward and new friends should be in that direction not back." He smiled.

"What brought you to Moscow? It surely wasn't the weather."