Oxford with Iris Part II

[balancingminds]

As the rain kept falling, they stayed in Charles' hideaway in the library.

Finally though hunger and a touch of stiffness made it seem wise to move on and Charles led Iris to one of his favorite pubs that's close to the river.

It's a place frequented not by scholars of his discipline but my scholars of the mind where he can pick up on new topics without having to worry about having to talk too much about his own work.

They get rained on a little bit and he's laughing as he pulls her into the pub and to a cozy booth near the fire.

Comments

[chrysopteron]

'Movie'. Another question for later. "Hmm. I don't know if I would invent words for this, but I can see the appeal."

[balancingminds]

"I don't think there's time to show you one today but another time. Yes, it was in something created for children and they like creating words."

[chrysopteron]

"More things like your book from earlier." In case saying 'Hardy Boys' might be a bad plan here.

There isn't anything wrong with imagination.

[balancingminds]

"Yes, they can be rather fun and that song has a way of getting into your head."

[chrysopteron]

"Perhaps another time. Let's head out?"

[balancingminds]

"Yes,"

He'd gotten the bill with dessert and leaves the money on the table before standing up and taking her hand. She looks charming in his jacket.

[chrysopteron]

The shift of ambiance from pub to the street is extreme, but welcomed. A breeze is coming in off the water and breaks between the automobiles on the road.

"Is there a place to go in particular, or are we just heading to the riverside?"

[balancingminds]

"We're heading towards that bridge, which is where the boat rentals are. Its also a nice place to be near the water,"

They don't have too far to go and the rain has turned into a touch of mist.

[chrysopteron]

The latter is all Iris had been intending, but standing out here in the mist and spray puts a beaming smile on Iris' face with an idea.

Would you like to see something?

[balancingminds]

"I'd love to,"

Her smile is beautiful and he gets his arm around her as they reach the bridge.

[chrysopteron]

Iris touches her finger to Charles' hand on her hip. Look at the buildings.

In Iris' mind, they are all shifting in color and texture and light in the near-dark of the Oxford evening. The afternoon and evening rains have turned everything wet - and in so doing, renewed.

"I have to remember that others might not see it the way I do."

[balancingminds]

He gasps at the change and holds her hand.

[chrysopteron]

"It is important to remember these sorts of things in life. Everything is shifting and new and ancient all at once."

[balancingminds]

"Yes, nothing ever truly stops."

[chrysopteron]

Except their walk, at the riverside. Everything is built up closer to the residential and business area, but here Iris can get right up to the water if she wants to.

Which she might; she's debating.

"I do not feel anyone," Iris notes. "It's bizarre."

[balancingminds]

"I'm sorry. It might be a case of our worlds are quite different in the aspect,"

He hasn't let go of her hand as they walk and its wonderful to see Oxford through her eyes.

[chrysopteron]

"It is alright. Perhaps whoever had been here has found a happier place to be."

A forever-optimist.

[balancingminds]

"Perhaps. What would you like to do next?"

[chrysopteron]

The real answer is fly with you but it's unreasonable here.

"I'm...not sure."

[balancingminds]

"We could go back to the flat for a time or even Milliways,"

He squeezes her and kisses her cheek.

[chrysopteron]

"The flat?" It comes out as a question.

[balancingminds]

"Yes, we're not too far from it here."

[chrysopteron]

Iris nods and lets Charles lead her back towards his home, now and then letting their hands swing between them in slow pendulum-arcs.

"Do you like it better here than where you were raised?"

[balancingminds]

"Mm, yes and no, I love it for itself but still love my home. Westchester is beautiful and close to New York City while Oxford is Oxford,"

He shares with her memories of growing up not too far from New York City and all the space in his family home, which sometimes felt empty.

[chrysopteron]

"Have you ever thought of picking up and starting over somewhere else in your world?"