Who: Carolina and Li What: A stroll in the park Where: Commoners District Park When: This Saturday evening Rating: PG Status: Complete
The days had grown hot, but the evenings were still cool. In the park, a gentle breeze rustled through the branches of the trees at the park, and overhead, the crescent moon shone in a field of stars. During the day, this park was filled with picnics, dog-walkers, and clusters of people, children and adults, playing organized games.
At night, although the paths were lined with lanterns and dimly-lit, the park was quiet and nearly empty. Carolina and Li walked along the paths, side by side, in silence. Carolina knew that Li expected her to speak: they were here only because she'd asked for a conversation. Still, she was reluctant to break the silence between them. She enjoyed Li's company for what it was, and it had been a long time since she'd felt compelled to make conversation in his presence. Their silence was easy, comfortable.
She saw no reason to draw it out longer than necessary, however; and she knew that Li would not broach the subject on his own. He would wait for her to begin the conversation. She glanced up at him, noticing the straight lines of his face silhouetted against the light of the lanterns. "What do you think of what I said on the network?" she asked simply, and without preamble, her voice low and calm. "Are you truly unconcerned about how a known association with me might affect you?"