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]

[He clears his throat and tries to look calm.] Ah, there's a French one and an Italian one. They both serve seafood but neither of them probably have beer.

And there's a Japanese restaurant a few blocks away that has sushi and sake.

Is there a specific cuisine that you want to try?

[bellabelgium]

Well, I have French and Italian all the time. And sushi seems... well-- we're visiting an aquarium today.

[ Glances about once they get outside, it's much brighter out here than inside but she spots a few fast food places, a food cart and a German restaurant. ]

How about there. I'm sure they'll have beer.

[ She's taken him out of his comfort zone enough today. ]

[deutschemann]

[He was hoping he could overlook that German restaurant, proud as he is of his house's culinary flavors, they were never quite recommended as a romantic option. It was almost always those other three that set the mood more properly.

But there is beer...]

Are you sure about this?

[bellabelgium]

[ She's hoping a little taste of home may make him more comfortable and relaxed-- and she's part Germanic as well, as most seem to forget. And she can be romantic as well. Hopelessly so. Germany, she'll take you to the German restaurant, how's that? ]

I'm absolutely sure.

[ She gives his hand a squeeze and leads him there, giving him a big smile. ]

[deutschemann]

[He can't help but smile back, if she wanted a German restaurant then he'll have to accept it. His priority now is making her as happy as possible rather than impressing her.

And there was beer! What more could he want?]

I'm already hungry!

[They enter inside, and it certainly did feel like home, although he can already see mostly Bavarian designs as tourists tend to associate those with him. But there was an air of authenticity, or that could just be the smell of smoky frankfurters.

And of course, barrels of beer.

Germany doesn't hesitate to pull up a chair for her, choosing a table near the window, where they could have a view of the town while they ate.]

[bellabelgium]

[ She walks in with him and she can instantly see the change. He's comfortable here, happy here. That's what she wanted to see. She's hoping that will help him relax and lighten up so they can just enjoy each other.

She smiles and thanks him when he pulls out her chair for her, taking a seat and checking out the beer menu as he takes his. ]

Any recommendations on beer?

[deutschemann]

All of them are good since they're authentic, but I'd like you to try this for today.

[He points to a somewhat expensive one. The thought of having some is already filling his mind with joy.]

It's refreshing served chilled and consumed with good company.

[bellabelgium]

Alright. I'll go with that one then.

[ She browses through the menu, looking over the different plates, platters and combos before finally finding the lunch specials. ]

Oh, the schnitzel special looks good. I think I may go with that.

[deutschemann]

It's a good choice. I guess I'll have Konigsberger Klopse and some soup.

Is that all you're having? I'll call the waiter.

[bellabelgium]

It is. Thank you.

[ She offers him a smile as he calls their waiter over, glancing out the window at the street and watching the people go by. ]

[deutschemann]

[He places their order and the waiter leaves. There's a silence in watching her stare out the window before he decides to parch his throat with some water and begin speaking.]

While we're waiting, there's something I'd like to give you.

[bellabelgium]

[ She's comfortable with the silence. She doesn't want to pressure him into small talk and get his panties in a twist again. When he does speak she gives him her full attention though, smiling warmly before giving him a curious blink. ]

There is?

[deutschemann]

I thought it would be something you'd like.

[He draws out a small white box from his coat pocket and hands it to her.]

[The book suggested giving her chocolates which he felt might be too unnecessary seeing as she was always surrounded by it. Hopefully, this present would be of much more use.]

[bellabelgium]

[ Flowers, chocolates... promises you don't intend to keep. ]

[ She blinks down at the small white box curiously for a moment, looking at it before looking back up at him. Is this a trick? Maybe a joke? Either was she reaches out to take it, giving him a small smile before she opens it up. ]

[deutschemann]

[Who's the paranoid one now?]

[He waits eagerly for her to open it, hoping she's just as excited.]

[It's a white silk ribbon that seems to have a hint of gold floral patterns when the light hits it just right. Admittedly, he asked some of his closest friends to decide which one would be the best for her.]

Do you like it?

[bellabelgium]

[ Well she's just seeing a small box and that's enough to make any girl question. Either way when she opens the box she looks quite surprised, gingerly pulling the ribbon out to inspect it. It's a brilliant white silk, smooth to the touch but when she looks at it in the sun she can see the very pretty golden floral inlay.

She looks a little caught off guard but she her lips tug into a gentle smile, looking back up at him with a soft pink blush. ]

T-Thank you. It's beautiful.

[deutschemann]

[He gives a small smile back. It looks like the gift he chose was the right one. Hopefully she didn't expect a Belgian waffle wedding ring.]

You're welcome! I'm happy you like it!

Is it okay to see you wear it right now?