Chilly boulder - Early afternoon

[provostsdog.livejournal.com]

Mayhap they were cracked to go out for ice cream in this weather, but they'd spoken of it for weeks now. Besides, the ice cream would still taste good even if Beka was relieved Emma had made her buy a winter coat. Even if it'd probably be colder in Corus by now, at least it wasn't raining. It was rather clear, which made the snow stuck to the windows all the more stranger.

"I've not seen snow make patterns like these afore," she told Jonas as they entered the ice cream parlor. Twas warmer inside, but there wasn't anyone else in except for the server behind the counter. Most folk didn't go eat ice cream in this weather, it seemed.

[For the boy with her, but Chilly boulder is open of course. If you're cracked enough to want ice cream in December.]

Comments

[see-beyond.livejournal.com]

"I've only seen snow once before," he commented, following her in and keeping his hands in the pockets of his coat, "so everything is new to me. They can change pattern?"

[provostsdog.livejournal.com]

"Not exactly," she said, shaking her head. "Tis usually ice that'll make stars on the windows. Not snow. And it doesn't feel cold enough for snow."

[see-beyond.livejournal.com]

"It doesn't," he agreed, shaking his hands out once they were inside and letting them warm up. "I like the snow. I learned how to sled just over a year ago."

Well, he'd seen a memory of sledding when the Giver had given it to him. It wasn't all the way lying, at least.

[provostsdog.livejournal.com]

"I'm not... fond of it," she admitted, unzipping her coat. Zippers were strange. "It means you get to freeze your ass off when you're on duty."

[see-beyond.livejournal.com]

"Do your duty shifts last long?" Jonas asked, eyes scanning the menu board for what he wanted to try. He was leaning towards trying something new today but wondered if that would be safe.

[provostsdog.livejournal.com]

"Eight hours," she replied, considering the menu as well. "We start on the fifth hour in the afternoon and muster out at one in the morning. I think I want the strawberry."

[see-beyond.livejournal.com]

To Jonas, eight hours doing one thing was almost an eternity but his memories of activities and volunteer work weren't the best things to use as a comparison.

"I don't know what I want," he replied, thoughtful. "Perhaps the mint chocolate? Those two flavors sound like they'd be good together."

[provostsdog.livejournal.com]

Not the best comparison as Beka hardly considered it as doing the same thing for eight hours. There was plenty to do and you'd not get bored with it. Boring evenings were a rare reprieve.

"Try it then and if you don't like it, you can get sommat else. Gabe would approve of the chocolate part," she told him.

[see-beyond.livejournal.com]

"I think I'm easily convinced today," he said and decided on that. "I'll have to let Gabe know how it is the next time I see him. He asks each time I call or visit."

[provostsdog.livejournal.com]

She chuckled and gave their order through to the server.

"Does he call often?" she asked, watching with mayhap some eagerness as the server set to making the ice creams.

[see-beyond.livejournal.com]

"I speak with him at least once a week," he replied, nodding. "He knows how to use a telephone but people in the Village keep him busy with different things. He's well cared for there."

[provostsdog.livejournal.com]

She nodded and did her best to ignore how much she missed her own family. "And I'm certain he tells you all about what's keeping him busy."

[see-beyond.livejournal.com]

"In his own way. Mostly that consists of a lot of fast talking, screeching and dropping the phone," he told her, smiling. "It's never the same conversation when I talk to him."

[provostsdog.livejournal.com]

She chuckled. "He'll not let you get bored," she agreed.

[see-beyond.livejournal.com]

"Next time, I'll have to give him your telephone number so you can witness it firsthand," he teased.

[provostsdog.livejournal.com]

Beka snorted and she picked her ice cream from the counter after paying for them. "I've not yet used my telephone. That might go wrong."

[see-beyond.livejournal.com]

"Not at all?" he asked, taking his and shooting her a glance. "Why not?"

[provostsdog.livejournal.com]

"Why would I?" she asked, shrugging a shoulder. She headed for one of the booths near the window. "I don't know anyone who has one."

[see-beyond.livejournal.com]

"People here seem to have them," he said, sliding in across from her. "Though, I suppose you could just walk and find them. There wouldn't be a need to call."

[provostsdog.livejournal.com]

She chuckled and picked up her spoon. "Yes, I'd much rather see someone's face than speak through a tiny thing."

[see-beyond.livejournal.com]

"I've found they're helpful for talking to people who don't live in the same place," he said, nodding. "Like Gabe. It's a piece of technology I don't much mind and it was easier to learn than others."

[provostsdog.livejournal.com]

"I can see how it'd have its uses," she agreed, giving him a small smile. "Sadly none of my friends have one."

[see-beyond.livejournal.com]

"Perhaps if you bring yours back on a visit, you'll have them all wanting one," he said. "You could start a trend."

[provostsdog.livejournal.com]

"Would that work?" she asked, having no idea how a telephone did actually work.

[see-beyond.livejournal.com]

"It's an interesting device," he said, taking a few bites of his ice cream and deciding that mint and chocolate went well together. "It allows communication over long distances just using your voice and it's clear. It's useful."