"I've never really thought about languages being beautiful," Marek said. Beauty, in general, was not something he thought about much. He could recognize beauty in people, but the aesthetics of other things often escaped him entirely. That had never been more evident than around Valentine's Day this year, when he tried to make a locket for Melinda, and hadn't even noticed its lack of elegance until he saw it beside her other jewelry. But it was still made just for her, with his own hands, which gave it more value in his eyes. "But it'd definitely be useful to me, for lessons."
He lifted a hand to wipe his brow, even though the pleasant evening air had mostly cooled it by now. "I've worked up an appetite. Do you have any interest in showing me a bit of Italy and getting a bite to eat? Of course, if it's too rude to invite myself to spend more time here with you, feel free to say no."