"Yeah, the research constraints are probably part of the problem. Anyway. There's a tea party a week from Saturday, Octavia Potter's hosting it, my grandfather'll be so pleased if I bring a date, care to come?"

"Sure."

Timothy's grandfather is delighted. The party's not terribly tedious - Timothy seems to be enjoying himself - and miscellaneous classmates of hers are there.

Karen makes polite conversation! And drinks tea!

And is asked ooooooh are they dating how'd she do that will his father approve this time -

This is the first time so it's hard to say in the long term! She was just by to get measurements for some wand projects and he asked her, it was a surprise!

Minor meanwhile invites Miranda to go flying in Iceland with him, the glaciers are supposedly stunning.

Ooooh glaciers.

He borrowed one of those fancy tents that's four rooms on the inside!!

The glaciers are as advertised. Minor thinks Icelandic is charming.

"It's amazing that you can even hear the spaces between the words, it all runs together for me."

"It'd take me a while to properly get the hang of it but it's not far off from Danish and I can usually understand about half of what's said in Danish."

"And you settled for that? Who are you and what have you done with my boyfriend?"

Giggle. Kiss. "Well I could go out and pick up some more of it but I was going to suggest hot chocolate."

"I'm sold."

Hot chocolate. "Michael'd save up for a house twice's'fast if he stopped giving Rebecca endless foreign desserts as presents, I checked. But I do see the temptation."

"Twice as fast? Doesn't he know how to multiply bonbons?"

"Had a set in the kitchen that were for multiplying when they ran out. Catherine ate 'em. The elves unconvincingly endeavored to take the blame."

"Awww."

Minor finishes his hot chocolate and kisses her.

Her hands are still cold. She finds someplace warm to tuck them while she kisses him back.

Ooooh.

"I love you," he says in Icelandic.

"Hm?"

"Don't think it's quite time to say it in English, yet." Kiss. "Even Cricket would find it satisfactorily complimentary, promise."

Kiss. "Are you sure, he has such high standards."

"Sure, but they're correct high standards. For instance he thinks you're fantastic."