2024-12-20 - Dragons and Dancing

It's getting to be afternoon which might as well be Rosemary's morning. She's taking some time to stroll the Boo'dwalk before having to get ready for her shift at the hotel tonight. She's dressed down in a pair of dark blue jeans with beat-up sneakers and a thin, long-sleeved black t-shirt.

She pauses in front of some of the holiday decorations, grinning to herself and making a little small talk with some guests that are admiring it. "Be sure to get your outfits for the Winter Ball!" She encourages them. "It's going to be an event you won't want to miss!"

Where Rosemary had yet to start her shift, Hawthorne had just completed his. His work coveralls have been unzipped to his waist with the arms tied around his waist now that there wasn't the risk of further dirt or thorns from assorted foliage. The tshirt he wears is mostly dirt free as a result, but his face and pants still show the signs of a busy day. With his hair still pulled back in a bun and kept out of his face with a makeshift bandana headband, he lifts a thermos of water to his mouth.

Booted steps carry him at a casual pace across the park and as he nears a display of holiday decorations he can't help but smile at the wonder it causes in the guests. Letting her promote the upcoming event, Hawthorne waits until the group is starting to head off before nodding to Rosemary. "It's definitely starting to feel more like the holidays with these decorations. Pretty great yeah?"

Rosemary waved the group off, turning toward Hawthorne with a bright smile. "Absolutely great." She agreed about the directions, giving him a quick once over. "Just get off work?" She asks curiously, taking note of the telltale signs. "What part of the park were you working on today?"

His grin relaxes more with her enthusiasm and Hawthorne nods, "Yeah. Figured I'd enjoy the sights a bit before heading back to my room."

"Ornamental Gardens," in response to where he worked today. "The upkeep for the rest of the park isn't as bad with colder months so I like using the extra time to check in with the topiaries to make sure none of them are struggling or being dramatic."

A glance back to the holiday decorations now, "I take it you're excited about the Winter Ball?"

"That sounds like a nice way to spend the morning." Rosemary decides slipping her hands into her pockets and laughs, "Oh, well, yeah. It should be a fun time. I don't get much opportunity to dress up in general, hm? Plus it's fun to see what everyone pulls together. I'm not entirely sure what I'm going to wear yet. I probably won't decide until the last minute." She admits with a laugh.

"What about you? Are you going to go?"

"It is yeah," Hawthorne agrees. Listening, he nods, "Well. Whatever you pick out I'm sure it'll be great. Everyone is always so creative here."

The question has him blinking then, "Oh. I hadn't planned on it. Not that I don't think it won't be fun. I just...usually don't...do fun?" His face shows his self awareness as soon as he says it, a grimace as he chuckles. Shaking his head then. "Sorry. I don't mind fun honest. Just not sure what I'd do at a ball much less what I'd wear to one."

"There are a lot of creative types. Unfortunately, I'm not one of them, but I'll happily put myself in someone else's creatively capable hands." Rosemary muses and gives Hawthorne another smile, looking curious.

"Everyone does some form of fun. Maybe it just doesn't line up with other people's idea of fun." She decides. "That's fair. I'm envisioning just dancing a little and helping myself to the plethora of food. I'm probably just going to go with some friends. So, when you aren't tending to the grounds, what kind of stuff do you do?"

"Dancing sounds intimidating. Food sound fun though," Hawthorne admits. The question about his hobbies has his thumb tapping against the thermos some. "Uh. Well. I read? I like reading. Writing too, but...not professionally or anything. Walking. It helps me clear my mind. Plus gets me out of the room too. I also have plants at my place."

An awkward grin as he shrugs, "The job opening was appealing for more than one reason. Money is nice, but working with plants is fulfilling." The thumb taps a little quicker on the thermos before he stops it and takes a drink. Looking to her then he nods, "How about you?"

"Food is always fun." Rosemary agreed, "Dancing...well. I won't lie, that's not for everyone. It's a lot easier if you don't care much about people seeing or what people might think." She smiles brighter a moment. "I'm a terrible dancer." Then she's listening closely to his answer, having to actually think about her own answer too when Hawthorne turns it on her.

"Reading can be relaxing. I sometimes catch up on my reading when nights are slow at the hotel." She shifts, drawing her hands from her pockets so her arms can cross loosely over her chest. "I like to play the arcade games at Arcane Arcade too. I'm saving up tickets for the big dragon plushie they've got on the prize display."

"Yeah food is not what I have the problem with." The comment about dancing and people seeing gets Hawthorne's free hand raising to point a finger at her, "That's what I have the problem with. One of the reasons groundskeeping works so well... people look at the flowers and not at me."

There's a grin at the terrible dancer comment, "Well at least I'd be in good company."

A brow lofts then, "Oh wow. Really? I've seen that dragon. It's quite the goal. How close are you to getting it?"

"You would be. We could step on each other's toes." Rosemary laughed, happy to leave the Ball talk aside in favor of the dragon. "About halfway I think? I've been saving for a while. Archer, one of the carriage drivers, donated to my cause the other night. Quentin did too. He works at Seven Scoops. I really need to get over there and try that ice cream. He said there's a Captain Gingerbread special flavor right now? Which sounds super good!" She rocked on her heels briefly, "I should try and get in some arcade time before my shift..."

There's a grin, "I'll be sure to wear my work boots. They have a thicker toe." He listens to her talk about the dragon.

"Well I have confidence you'll get there in no time!" He lofts a brow then, "Captain Gingerbread? That does sound good. Ice cream always tastes best when it's cold out...or maybe I'm just weird," he laughs. "Either way I'll have to stop by and check it out thanks for the heads up."

At her mention of the arcade he puts the cap on his thermos and nods, "Well I won't keep you from your valiant mission. I should probably get back to my place and cleaned up. Not everyone enjoys the smell of dirt as much as I do," he chuckles.

"Now that's smart thinking." Rosemary chuckled about the work boots. "Ice cream when it's cold, soup when it's hot. I totally get that vibe." She assures Hawthorne. "Let me know how it is if you do get over that way!"

She shifts her stance to start heading off. "I hope you have a great rest of your day, Hawthorne! I'm sure we'll see each other again!" She waves before she's disappearing off into the throngs of visitors.