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

[bellabelgium]

[ She pulls away just as the waiter comes up with their pints and free bread, smiling and giving him a kind thank you as she takes hers. She looks at Germany, meaning to Prost with him but he's already got his tilted back. She blinks at him for a moment before smiling to herself and sipping from her own pint. Sorry, Germany. She wants to get your attention but she doesn't mean to get you flustered. ]

Hm, it's not Belgian. But it's alright.

[deutschemann]

[He puts down his empty glass, not before he signals the waiter for another one. It's a shame it's not like those bottomless options America has in his restaurants.]

Just alright? It was delicious! German beer has its own quality that nothing can compare to.

[She can't just say that and expect him to agree!]

[bellabelgium]

[ Quite the contrary, she said it because she knew he wouldn't. ]

Well, it's kinda fall in flat there's not much complexity there. So yeah, it's just alright.

[ She does her best to hide her smile, taking another drink. It's good... bust she can't say it's better than her own. ]

[deutschemann]

[He's not going to let this down.]

Maybe something's wrong with your tongue from all the beer you drink from your house.

[bellabelgium]

I will have you know that I have a very refined pallet, sir. I can pick up flavors and infusions in ways you couldn't even imagine.

[deutschemann]

That would explain why nothing you make tastes like actual beer! You put too many things, beer has its own flavor you should preserve.

[bellabelgium]

I try to appeal to everyone's tastes.

[ Smiles as she takes another sip. She's amused. He's getting so riled up. Just like he did with the chocolate. ]

[deutschemann]

Just regular beer alone should have appealed to everyone!

[Of course he's riled up! The pride he has for his beer is intense, even more than his chocolates. He just loves beer in general. He loves it so much his house allows teenagers to have some (light) alcohol at a young age. Because hey why not. It's not bad in moderation!

He slams his second? third? empty glass down. He's been drinking and ordering between rebuttals. He's about to signal yet another pint from the waiter--]

[But lunch finally arrives steaming hot with a strong smoky scent.]

[bellabelgium]

Not everyone likes regular beer... Some like it lighter. Some like it darker. Some like hints of other flavors. Some like ales. Some like lagers. And why not experiment and have fun with it?

[ The waiter comes and she smiles at him once more, thanking him sweetly as he puts her plate down in front of her. It all looks hot, fresh and delicious. ]

[deutschemann]

It's fine to experiment with it. Beer could be made without its original ingredients. There's even beer without alcohol. What matters is that the best beer is always made in my house.

[Germany tells it like it is while he picks up his utensils and starts cutting into his meatballs.]

[bellabelgium]

[ And she's digging into her potato salad. Quite good. ]

Whatever you say, dear.

[ She's got food now so teasing him has dropped on her priority list. She's gotta taste, gotta judge, gotta indulge in her meal. She's never been one to not appreciate food of any kind. ]

This is pretty good. Very authentic.

[deutschemann]

[He takes a bite of his own, and it does really taste like home. The meatballs taste good and the potatoes are amazing. He mashes them first before scooping them.]

[He isn't one to talk with his mouth full so it gets quiet between the two of them.]

[But he looks at her ribbon again, and tiny smile sort of tugs at the corner of his mouth, except it ends up looking like some kind of weird face twitch.]

[bellabelgium]

[ She doesn't mind the silence. Her brother is actually the same way. She east quietly, comfortable with the silence but she does glance up to see that face twitch. ]

Everything okay?

[deutschemann]

[He reverts back to his usual face, swallowing his bite of potatoes.]

What do you mean?