It's the first hint of sunshine, for a week or so I'd say~

It was deffinitely not a melancholy day. The sky was a crisp blue, which made up from the storms that seemed never ending over the past week, the birds were singing and laughter clung to the air. While the air around them still had a bit of a cold bite to it, people were outside soaking up as much sun as they possibly could before the weather returned to the muck that Beata had become accostumed to. Even a group of new students could be seen trying to aqquaint themselves with their fellow pears, one of which being Verona. Having only arrived an hour or so earlier, the girl was trying to meet as many people as she could within the first day. Not that she had trouble with that, with her power it was almost as though she was a magnet to curious folks. Just flash them a smile and they'd be hooked. But it wasn't that simple, lately she had a hard time distinguishing who really likes her for her and who likes her because of her power. But she was here and with new places comes new possibilities, new starts and goodness knows she sure was ready for one of those.

He, like many other students, wanted to take this opportunity to head outside and catch a little sunshine was there was still the chance; luckily Melody had pardoned him for the evening, though he still had to be back at a certain time. It was a bit cold - in the 60s, he believed - the young man paid no mind to the slight bitter frost and let the warm light touch his skin; what was showing anyways. He was only in pants and a shirt. Sitting on a bench and straightening out his reading glasses, the young man had his face buried in a book from the library.
Ethan didn't pay any mind to the other people around, and certainly not girl standing a few feet away. This book was just too damn interesting.

"Yeah, it was lovely meeting you too!" Vera called to a rather attractive NPC, who had reluctantly left after realizing he was late for his internship. A blush still light on her cheeks, the girl looked down at her feet and adjusted her tweed skirt. She debated if she should sit down somewhere, but looking around she only saw one open bench. Er- well it wasn't exactly open, there was a person on it, but there was an open space. Seeing her chance, the girl made her way over and sat down next to him. "Hi," Vera said folding her hands across her lap. "I hope you don't mind me sitting here. There weren't any other benches with a spot open and I think the ground is still a little wet." With a slight laugh, she looked over at him and studdied his face for a reaction, but noticing his intense eyes studdying a page of a book she found herself asking, "So, what are you reading there?"

Having been so engrossed in his book, it took Ethan a few minutes to realize that he had even been approached. Did she say hello? He never noticed. The young man finished the paragraph he'd been on and gaze across the bench at her, pushing his glasses up his nose with his index finger. "Oh, that's fine." Ethan blinked at her, then pausing for a few moments, as if he'd forgotten what he'd been reading at all. He flew through books so fast, sometimes it was hard to remember what he was on exactly. The young man closed it glanced at the cover, "The Phenomenology of the Spirit: A Study into Theories of the Self-Conscious and Otherwise." Well now... "The title interested me. Being short and sweet, 'ya know?" He joked lightly, though he felt it fell flat and felt a little awkward, turning back to the page he was on.

Glad she was accepted to be his company on the cold bench, Vera smiled slightly and bounced her knee lightly. With a quick nod, she leaned forward to get a better look at the cover and listened to him recite the title. "Oh really? So is it just mainly based off the psychological aspects of bodily awareness or possibly the factor of jealously of the socially acceptable views of society by those who do not have the traits?" She questioned with narrowed eyes and a slightly tilted head. What? Surprised? Sure, she was a flirt, but she was a well rounded flirt. A flirt who spent hours on end reading and trying to remain top of her class.
Letting out a slightly warry laugh, Vera nodded. "Right, right. Only the most logical thing to do!" Her voice still had a slight ring from laughter and her eyes sparkled with a certain mischeif. Also feeling the conversation getting stale, she quickly piped up. "I'm Verona by the way. I guess you could say my parents were a fan of Italy... and Shakespeare, She babbled, before remorsefully adding, "Sorry for interupting your reading."

Ethan honestly couldn't help but stare at her blankly for a few moments, because lets be honest here - just judging on the way she spoke and dress alone, he would've never seen that coming. "Never judge a book by its cover." The young man recited to himself with a small sigh. "You had it right first. Its mostly about the human self-conscious, our ability to reason - where we get our morality, as well as our spirit." He shrugged. Age old questions in the form of a six-hundred page book. No big deal. He stayed quiet for a few moments longer, apparently in thought. "Its understandable why. Italy is arguably the most beautiful and cultural country in the world; having such deep rooted history when it comes to art and architecture..." It would seem he went into a ramble of all his own, the smallest shade of red coming unto his face, so subtle he himself hardly noticed. "I mean - erm. I'm Ethan. Nice to meet you."
He took off his glasses (he didn't even really need them, they were just for show) and stuff it in his shirt pocket, offering her a hand to shake. "It's alright. I could probably use a break anyways."

With a sly half smile, Vera slid of her tortoise shell framed sunglasses, and placed them securely into her bag. Cocking her head slightly to the side she raised an eyebrow? "I'm sorry, I didn't catch that." She said, referring to the comment about not judging books or something like that. With a small giggle of satisfaction, Vera nodded. "I figured it would be something around that nature," She started happily. "Who's work is this? It doesn't sound like anything I've read before." Vera stared at him as he went into detail describing Italy. She wasn't sure if he was hitting on her or...? But he seemed like a pretty factual person and as far as she could tell her power was under control and he wasn't under her spell. "Have you ever been to Italy? It's even prettier in person." She muttered dreamily. While visiting her mother's family in Ireland, Verona had talked her cousin into taking her to Italy. Amungst the Italian culture, architecture, and boys it was amungst the most magical things she had ever seen. Paris was lovely to, but there was something about Italy she found more enticing.
Looking down at his hand, Vera grasped his hand fimly and gave it a prompt shake. "It's nice to meet you too." Nodding slightly she attempted to make eye contact with him before saying. "Well that's good, I'd hate to know I was making you miss out on something." Her tone was light, but it held a slight edge of flirtiness that often laced itself into her every word.

Ethan looked the other way and shrugged, "Forget about it." He muttered quietly, figuring if he'd try to explain what he'd just said to himself, the young man would just start to try and ramble off awkwardly and it'd probably just confuse her more, and embarrass himself. "Its the work of an old German philosopher. 'Round the 1800s." He explained. It probably wasn't something many read, he had found it in an old and dusty shelf in the back of the library, but it was an interesting book - none the less. The boy looked thoughtful for a few moments longer before a solemn look covered his face. "No, I haven't." Ethan said a little sadly. He wasn't about to pour out everything suddenly to this girl he'd just met, and it was rather difficult to explain, but he'd never stayed in one place for too long - and certainly not enough for time to vacation anywhere; let alone a beautiful country like Italy.
The winter shook his head and forced a light smile, "No. I'm actually new here, so I think I can appreciate the company a bit. I don't know many people." He rubbed the back of his neck uncertainly. Well, there was Kimberly - but their run-ins never seemed to be the best.

Vera narrowed her eyes, but let the comment drop and her half-smile returned. She bit her lip and was suddenly lost in thought. Most of the pieces she read were more contemporary, but she had read a few old works other than the required classics for school. "Hm, I was imagining another author," She said, stealing a glance at him. "They must have very similar views." After a sudden silence she looked over at him, reading off of his suddenly sad tone. With a sympathetic frown, she almost put a comforting hand on his shoulder. Yet she stopped herself, seeing that he seemed like the kind of person who would react badly to her touch. Instead she opted for a subtle, "You'll get their someday." Nothing more, nothing less- because she could tell that his comment had a deeper meaning than what he was willing to share.
"Sweet, I'm new here too." Verona said, looking around the courtyard. "So other than reading, what else do you do?" She said, trying to lighten the mood with a laugh. She could feel their conversation deflating and was trying to avoid an awkward silence by trying to get to know him.