āāāāgaze Ā drifts Ā to Ā the Ā tiny Ā heart Ā scrawled Ā into Ā the Ā corner Ā of Ā the Ā flyer Ā before Ā lips Ā twist Ā into Ā a Ā smile. Ā small Ā and Ā helplessly Ā fond, Ā curves Ā at Ā the Ā corners Ā of Ā her Ā mouth. Ā thumb Ā smooths Ā at Ā crease Ā in Ā paper Ā as Ā though Ā considering Ā the Ā invitation Ā far Ā more Ā seriously Ā than Ā it Ā probably Ā deserves. Ā ć Ā well  ⦠ ć Ā priya Ā hums, Ā ć Ā it Ā would Ā be Ā terribly Ā irresponsible Ā of Ā me Ā to Ā stand Ā in Ā the Ā way Ā of Ā culture. Ā ć Ā a Ā soft Ā laugh Ā accompanies Ā that Ā tease, Ā and Ā it's Ā quiet Ā enough Ā to Ā be Ā carried Ā off Ā by Ā the Ā soft Ā sea Ā breeze. Ā ć Ā and Ā if Ā everyone Ā else Ā is Ā pretending Ā not Ā to Ā cry Ā i Ā suppose Ā i Ā must Ā do Ā the Ā same. Ā ć Ā eyes Ā flicker Ā off Ā the Ā flyer Ā in Ā favour Ā of Ā turning Ā back Ā on Ā to Ā valentina Ā then, Ā warmth Ā settling Ā easily Ā behind Ā them. Ā ć Ā alright, Ā i'll Ā come. Ā though Ā i Ā can't Ā promise Ā i'll Ā do Ā all Ā that Ā much Ā for Ā your Ā employability. Ā ć
"oh, so this was never actually a question," amara laughed, glancing down at the flyer before looking back up at valentina. "good to know i still have the illusion of free will."
she picked it up anyway, smoothing out one of the creases with her thumb, "i was probably going to end up there regardless. you had me at movie under the stars, honestly." her grin turned a touch more teasing, "though i'm a little offended that my official role is 'balance.' i was hoping for something with a little more prestige. emotional support? snack procurement? designated person to pretend they also aren't crying?"
she tilted her head, studying valentina for a beat, "and for the record, if you start tearing up at the end, i'm not saving you. i'll be too busy pretending i'm just really invested in the cinematography."
an elbow rests lazily atop the table, amusement etching into the corners of his eyes at each increasingly dramatic attempt at persuasion. he finds his opening when she stops for a breath. " āend of sales pitch ? " he slides a flyer closer, smoothing the crinkles with a thumb, feigning contemplation for a moment. " you realiseā " he folds the sheet in half and taps the crisp edge against the table, " you'll spend half the film shushing me for asking questions. you signing up for that ? "
she leans forward with a quiet click of her tongue, elbows finding the table now, too. her gaze narrows at him like sheās considering whether the threat of commentary is meant to scare her.
ā all i'm hearing is that you're volunteering to become my designated problem for two hours in exchange for my patience. ā she says, entirely unmoved. her hand reaches for the abandoned cup of gelato. ā luckily for you, i'm a saint. iāll even let you sit on the aisle. in case you need to leave halfway through and pretend it was for air. ā
she takes a mouthful of semi-melted pistachio, her chin tilting up. ā is that a yes, or are we still pretending this is up for negotiation? ā
"oh, sorry! let me justā " her hands grab the paper that had slipped from the pages of the worn journal in her hands, nearly brushing their foot. "can't lose that. or get footprints on it, otherwise i promise i'm normally not the type to get in someone's personal space." she offers an apologetic purse of her lips as she stands back straight. "i hope i didn't get in your way, i know people love taking photos here at this time."
the sole of valeās sandal stops a breath above the paper before itās rescued, her weight shifting awkwardly onto her other foot and one hand lifting as if the paper itself had asked for mercy. her eyes move from the sheet to the journal, then back to its owner, one brow lifting in mild amusement.
ā oh, donāt worry, ā she says airily. ā i only step on emotionally significant documents on wednesdays. your paper lives to see another day. ā
a beat.
ā i do think i'm legally allowed to be a little nosy now, though. you know ā since it was important enough to nearly throw yourself at my feet for. ā
ā Ā youāre Ā coming Ā tonight, Ā right Ā ? Ā ā
theĀ questionĀ leavesĀ valentinaĀ withĀ theĀ kindĀ ofĀ brightnessĀ thatĀ suggestsĀ sheĀ hasĀ alreadyĀ decidedĀ theĀ answerĀ forĀ them.Ā sheāsĀ sittingĀ acrossĀ fromĀ themĀ withĀ oneĀ kneeĀ tuckedĀ beneathĀ her,Ā sunglassesĀ pushedĀ intoĀ darkĀ hair,Ā aĀ half meltedĀ gelatoĀ cupĀ abandonedĀ betweenĀ themĀ andĀ aĀ stackĀ ofĀ piazzaĀ lunaĀ flyersĀ fannedĀ outĀ beneathĀ herĀ hand ā the paper sun-warmed and slightly creased from being folded in her bag for the better part of the afternoon.
āĀ theyāreĀ kickingĀ offĀ theĀ seasonĀ withĀ cinemaĀ paradiso,Ā āĀ sheĀ continues,Ā asĀ ifĀ thisĀ shouldĀ meanĀ somethingĀ devastatingĀ andĀ legallyĀ binding.Ā oneĀ ofĀ theĀ flyersĀ isĀ slidĀ acrossĀ theĀ tableĀ withĀ twoĀ fingers, alreadyĀ markedĀ inĀ theĀ cornerĀ withĀ aĀ tinyĀ crookedĀ heart.Ā āĀ whichĀ meansĀ youĀ haveĀ toĀ come.Ā itāsĀ culture.Ā itāsĀ tradition. it's old Ā people Ā pretending Ā they 're not crying Ā at Ā the Ā ending, Ā and Ā me Ā doing Ā my Ā absolute Ā best Ā to Ā look Ā employable Ā for Ā once. Ā ā
and NO ā she didn't cry at the ending the last time she watched it. the air in capri was just exceptionally dry that day.
ā Ā so Ā obviously, Ā i Ā need Ā you Ā there. Ā for Ā balance. Ā ā