originallutece | (no subject)

I'd request a blue rose, but I think that's a bit impossible at the moment.

So why not a camellia?

Are blue roses your favorite?

I can manage a pink camellia, I think. As a substitute for the impossible.

I'm very fond of them, yes. I'm always fond of the impossible and the unusual.

Are you going to tell me the meaning of a pink camellia?

It means "longing".

A white one, given to a man, is thought to bring him good luck. I'm not sure why it's only to a man, though — that's simply the context.

[. . .]

And is there a flower meaning "anticipation"?

Forsythia. They're small yellow blooms with four petals each, that grow in sprigs along the branches of a bush.

Then that's what I want. Something that isn't a negative, but a positive.

Longing implies there's something we won't achieve. That it's a negative state of being, never to be resolved, something desperate and awful. And that isn't true. I don't long for you, because I know that in a month or so I'll have you.

Give me something to anticipate.

I don't know if I've ever seen you in yellow.

I expect it's a flattering color on you, but without a concrete basis for it, I don't want to offend you with my empty flattery, either.

I look best in greens and reds, in my opinion, but I've a yellow dress I've yet to use much this summer. Whether I look good in it is up for debate; it's certainly not on for me to praise myself.

What does it look like?

I don't mean a picture. I mean describe it for me, as best you can.

It's a bit old-fashioned. Sleeves that go down to my elbows, the hemline reaches my knees, and a V-neckline. It's one piece, but built to look as though it's folded over itself. There's a matching length of cloth that acts as a false belt.

What color yellow? Pale, saturated, closer to orange or to green?

Golden. I tend to wear it with my hair down, when the mood to be carefree strikes me.

I'd like to see you in pale yellow — almost champagne. Something with ruffles, that moves when you do.

Is that right.

Any particular reason why?

...

Because I want to have something to look forward to, when all this is over. An image in my head to think of, when next I'm down there contending with whoever knows what.

Then I'll buy that dress, so long as you get a suit.

And when this is all over, we can go dancing, you and I. Any kind you like.

What color suit? Black and yellow?

Black. You can match your tie and cufflinks to my dress.

Shall I teach you how to dance formally? You'll have to teach me the opposite.

You should.

And I will.

Promise me.

I promise.

When all this is over. I promise.

Tell me, then.

Tell me how you'll show me to dance. And I'll tell you the same.

Describing club dancing isn't a particularly romantic prospect, you realize.

Yes, Christopher, I'm more than aware of what club dancing entails. But given this is to be a fantasy of anticipation . . .

Unless you're prefer to stick to waltzing.