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You both went up the stairs to your place, and with a turn of your key, you went through first to turn on the lights, turning around to see Winnifred hanging her coat on the post near the door, next to your own- they both matched. Cute, but also so was the outfit she had underneath. Her striped top cut off below the ribs, showing off her pale, splotch-marked skin, appealing imperfections that defied anybody to call them such.
“That’s a nice shirt,” you had to comment, “Didn’t keep any of that baby fat, huh?”
Winnifred pinched her flank. “For better or worse, weight never lingered on me. There’s another piece I wanted to try, of western fashion, that goes well with it. The benefit of the Intelligence Network’s <span class="mu-i">holidays</span>. They can hardly keep us from collecting souvenirs, inspirations.” She looked around further. “A woman’s touch has been here.”
“My recent ex, yeah. Keeps the place warm, even if she’s not here.”
“You are not with Wolfe, then.” Winnifred surmised.
“Nah. Broke things of to see other people. Felt like we hit a wall. But hey, Linda doesn’t call me Squid Breath anymore.”
“A shame,” Winnifred said breezily, “I thought you were a good fit for each other.”
“Sure.” You leaned on your nightstand and shook your head in remembrance, “But scars fade. The wounds cut deep, but they didn’t fester.” Finding that out meant your drifting apart was inevitable. “Leaves me unlucky for Langenachtfest, though.” You pointed a finger gun at Winnifred, “Pretty lady like you’s probably already taken.”
Winnifred laughed a single, hollow, dry note. “I don’t have fondness for the tradition. My Langenachtfest dates were compensated. Men paid higher premiums in the season. Not the most bitter memories I have, but these days, I appreciate peaceful, solitary holidays for what they are.” She glanced to you, “I presume a man as you had other plans, if you’re concerned for your luck in 1934.”
>Sorry, but a peaceful Langenachtfest would be evading Winnifred Von Lowenkreuz this year. You found her- and you'd be keeping her, no matter what her opinion on that might be.
>She hadn’t been told yet, but you were picking up Linda tomorrow. She’d finally get her chance- it was the least you could do, with all she’d been done for you now.
>A Queen owed you a favor- and how often did you get to go on a date with a queen? Even if, admittedly, any relation seemed platonic at best, and a political matter to even imply to advance…
>Other?
