Al-Farabi ; Wednesday Evening

[necroslacker]

So, it was date night. And since it was Sam's idea, he'd picked the spot after getting some help with the language and the things offered from the hotel staff. And after some discussion, Sam had picked a small place that was both a place to eat, a place to look at art and a place to buy music. He thought it'd be Natalie's heaven and he figured he could enjoy it as well through her eyes.

He'd gotten himself dressed, told her minimal details about the place and was now standing outside the building with her hand in his hand. He still couldn't read the language so he glanced at her said, "You know enough to read any of this yet?"

Hopefully that meant she'd help him not order something with meat in it. Or something else just as gross.

[NFB and for zee girl]

Comments

[whenshewasnice]

Natalie stood in front of the shelf, head tilted to the side andher fingertip brushing over the spines of the books as she read the titles, sounding some of the foreign words out in her mind, occasionally pulling a book out for a closer look.

She glanced over to where he was, but he didn't seem to have imploded yet so she went back to her browsing.

[necroslacker]

Sam did eventually get their drinks as well as a phone number. Yep. Apparently, he was just that irresistible or just that dumb when it came to other people who didn't speak his language.

He appeared behind her, holding their drinks and watching her browsing. "See anything good?"

[whenshewasnice]

"Think I just found a Brazilian copy of Alice in Wonderland," Natalie told him with a quick look over her shoulder at him. "Was getting drinks easy?"

[necroslacker]

"Uh, depends on your definition of easy. I got the drinks and the bartender's phone number for some reason."

He shrugged. "I got the drinks though.:

[whenshewasnice]

Natalie huffed out a laugh.

And then, on some whim she'd blame on the smell of books, reached out to tug him closer for a little kiss.

You know. Not to be possessive or anything. Just because.

[necroslacker]

Luckily, Sam kept a good hold on the drinks and was able to realize what she was going to do so he could return that kiss. A part of him wondered if she was being possessive but the other part didn't care because it was nice to get kissed.

"Books putting you in a good mood?" he murmured quietly.

[whenshewasnice]

"I was already in a good mood," Natalie told him, quietly, and maybe that had been a little possessive but at least she let go of him now, with another glance at the books before she held a hand out for her drink.

"I think it might be you."

[necroslacker]

"I'm putting you in a better mood?" he asked, passing the drink to her and looking over at the books in front of them. "Mmm, that's a nice compliment."

[whenshewasnice]

"Glad you like it," she quipped, taking a sip as she turned more towards the books again. "It's not just flattery."

Because she didn't do flattery.

[necroslacker]

"I know," he said and took some initiative of her own by leaning forward and kissing the back of her neck. "You smell nice tonight. Look nice too."

[whenshewasnice]

She sighed. "Thanks." Her voice was quiet because this was private. "I didn't make an effort."

[necroslacker]

"And I bet a lot of girls hate you for that," Sam said, stepping back and taking a sip of his own drink. He let his shoulder lightly bump against hers as they looked at the books.

[whenshewasnice]

"I'm sure a lot of girls hate me for any number of things," Natalie replied, idly. It sounded like a fact she was about as indifferent about as... well, anything that didn't matter to her.

A book caught her interest, and she tilted her head at the shelf before reaching for the book in question for a look at the cover. "Hey. Breakfast at Tiffany's."

Well, Bonequinha de Luxo. Same thing.

[necroslacker]

"I know that one," he said warmly, looking over at her as he said it. "And girls might hate you but I don't."

Quite the opposite, actually.

"You gonna get that one? Maybe compare and contrast the languages?"

[whenshewasnice]

"Yeah," she decided after a pause, just looking at the cover. "It's a good book, no matter what language it's in."

And she had a bunch of reasons to like it.

[necroslacker]

"Sounds like a good reason to get it," Sam agreed with a nod. He stroked his fingers down her back twice before stepping away to look at a few of the books himself.

He didn't understand the language but he could try to at least decipher some of the words.

[whenshewasnice]

Natalie shivered a bit, but wandered a little further away along the bookshelves, grateful that she was coordinated enough to be able to handle carrying a drink and a book and still be able look at books without spilling anything.

He waa right. She was in her element here.

[necroslacker]

Sam wasn't in his element but this had been about her. So, he found a seat amongst the aisles of books and taken it. He'd sipped idly at the drink before he just closed his eyes and listened to the soft strains of music floating through the building.

[whenshewasnice]

Natalie wandered around for a good while, getting lost in thought and exploring.

But since this was a date, that didn't last forever. When she showed up again, her drink was almost gone and she had more than just Bonequinha de Luxo in her arms. She'd found a couple more books, and a few vinyl singles that seemed promising and exotic.

She didn't have a player but she figured she could come by and borrow his.

"This place is nice."

[necroslacker]

"Yeah?" He opened his eyes and smiled at her. "Looks like you're taking advantage of it too. Need any help carrying all that?"

[whenshewasnice]

"No, I'm fine." Well, she had a bag to put it all into. "Food?"

Before she spent her travel budget on everything else.

[necroslacker]

"Sure," Sam said, getting to his feet and smiling again. "Worked up a hunger with all your purchases, huh?"

[whenshewasnice]

"Something like that," Natalie agreed, as she managed to get her purchases to go into her bag. "Also it's a dinner date, even if that's not all it is."

[necroslacker]

"Hey, I figured food wouldn't be first on your mind when I brought you here," he said but did gesture towards the little restaurant area where he'd made a reservation so a table was all ready for them. "Books and music in one place? That's like your heaven."

[whenshewasnice]

"Well, there are only a few things that could make it better," Natalie replied as she moved towards where he'd gestured. So, he wasn't wrong. "Good job."