For Belgium

[deutschemann]

[He arrived an hour early before the promised time despite spending all night reading on manuals about what to do on dates. He's learned from his past experiences and made sure the books he got had some credibility. So now he's wearing something comfortable and less formal. Just a simple brown coat, beige dress shirt, light brown slacks, and clean cut loafers.]

[He's also holding a small present which he keeps inside his pants pocket for later. No flowers, nothing too big. He wouldn't want to give too much of an impression. No, never again. Hopefully, this time it would go well without any misunderstandings.]

Comments

[deutschemann]

Mm, of course. We're already wasting time as it is by being idle.

I've already planned our course.

[pulls out a brochure he procured the day before too, and wrote down their trip and the times and all that in red marker]

We should start with the Waters of the World section since it's closest to the entrance.

[shyly...offers his hand sort of]

Since it's the weekend, there are a lot of people today. You might get lost...

[bellabelgium]

Of course you did.

[ So much for spontaneity. Then he offers her his hand and that IS a surprise but she smiles and takes it anyway. ]

Wouldn't want that.

[deutschemann]

[Her hand is warm against his, it's a new sensation to him. The book said that some form of physical contact was a good way to express willingness and openness to your potential partner.]

[He tries his best to hold her as gently as possible, to the point his fingers try not to go all the way.]

If you think my grip is too tight, inform me as fast as possible...

[And he slowly starts walking to the first attraction, which is displays of different bodies of water and how fishes change their appearances and traits to adapt to their ecosystem.]

...Do you like marine life?

[bellabelgium]

[ Oh Germany, you think she can't handle your grip? She gives his hand a squeeze, trying to tell him that it's alright, he can hold her hand however he wants to. ]

It's not tight.

[ They get to the first exhibit and the lights streaming through the water and glass leave the floor dancing with streams of different shades of blue, so lovely. ]

I do. All kinds. Fish, seals, whales and dolphins, penguins...

[deutschemann]

[Hearing that, he relaxes a little and lets his hand hold tighter. There's still some tension but a lot of it has gone away.]

[It's a crowded with people and children, so they have to squeeze in a bit to look at the aquariums themselves. Germany picks the Pacific ocean, since it's a fairly big view of a lot of things.

A voice on the speakers narrates how these marine animals coexist in a symbiosis with their environment. He's listening intently to both her and the speaker.]

Do you have a favorite then?

[bellabelgium]

[ She's not bothering to listen to the speaker, she can read plaques later. This is a date so she's focusing on him. ]

Oh, well I like orcas. I think they're absolutely fascinating. I also like the reef life. The small, colorful fish and the seahorses. I like seals too. So sweet and playful.

[ SHE CAN'T CHOOSE!! ]

[deutschemann]

[He's focusing on her too, but he's extremely poor with small talk. So he's hoping to have something to say by listening to that voice.]

I see...you named a lot. If you want we can check them all later. Did you want to see anything in particular?

[bellabelgium]

[ He's trying so hard, bless him. ]

Oh yes. I want to see the whales! I know they're at the very end though. Oh and the shark tank. It's a big tunnel that you walk through now.

[deutschemann]

[pulls out map/schedule and looks at it]

I suppose I can adjust our time in those places and extend them. [His pen is in his pocket.]

...Is it okay if I let go of your hand for a moment? I need to write it down. It won't take long.

[bellabelgium]

[ Buhyoo, Germany!! How are you even this cuuute? ]

Well, alright. But only for a moment, okay?

[ She gives him a smile, she can't help herself. He's precious. She expected him to just drop her hand but asking for permission to let it go? She isn't sure she's gonna make it through this whole thing without getting a nosebleed at least once. She understands now, Spain. ]

[deutschemann]

Understood.

[He releases her hand and quick digs through his pocket for a pen, jotting down and allotting longer time for whales and sharks. He checks his watch for the time.]

Is there anything here we can reduce? If you don't like anything, speak up!

Ah--You didn't mention liking jellyfish or dolphins, are they anything important?

[bellabelgium]

I want to see everything.

[ But at this rate they're going to waste time just trying to figure it all out. She watches him as he struggles to think up a game plan, biting her lip before reaching out to rest a hand on his arm. ]

Hey, how about you and I just go through the exhibits as they come. No agenda. We're already wasting time as it is trying to make one.

[deutschemann]

[He stares directly into her eyes with confusion. His cheeks are a little flustered from her touch.]

Without a plan or schedule, we could miss a lot of things. It would be ideal to be able to see the most important locations, wouldn't it?

I wouldn't want you to miss the whales or the sharks.