Chapter Text
Rosa mended the crease of her blouse as she stepped through the all too familiar halls of the university. Her heels sounded on the ground as she traveled the vacant space toward the door that breached a smile on her face. Somehow the university had that familiar smell imprinted on her brain—ink from ballpoint pens, old library books, and freshly cut grass.
However, pressing the cracked door open just a little, she took in another memorable smell. You could tell her the scent wasn’t wafting from him this far away, but her mind wouldn’t hear it. Earthy tea with this pleasant freshness of aftershave and flowers. All the things that made Dr. Vyn Richter such a rich texture instead of just a muted face in the crowd.
He was gesturing to a PowerPoint behind him with ease and elegance—the beautiful displays of a swan on water. Actively kicking below the surface, but gentle and calm above. Such complexity was masterful in ways that Rosa had only witnessed on a rarity before him.
The professor gestured to himself and stole his eyes to the door while speaking. The curl to his lips was slightly prominent as the shimmer in his eyes grew. During a pause in his lecture, he gave Rosa a small nod and began wrapping up. She stepped from the doorway and breathed. What a warm day to wear a sweater, right? At least that was her excuse while fanning her cheeks.
Soon the melodic bells chimed for the end of the session, and she watched on as the young minds poured from the classroom. They all were smiling, and some enthusiastic students were even discussing the topic of the lesson. It was lovely for Rosa to see such vivacious enjoyment of Vyn’s class. She never found it dull or annoying because it was such a bold reflection of his instruction.
After the coast seemed clear enough, she moved to the door while pulling out a small box from her bag. The flutters of excitement rippled through her fingers as she held the navy box with care. A student was still speaking to Vyn as she entered, and Rosa decided to step to the side, allowing space and sanctity of their discussion.
“Of course,” the female student laughed and tilted her head.
Rosa had seen this girl on occasion linger. It wasn’t surprising, but an unfortunate delay, as usual. However, students will be students. Not that she needed to encapsulate his time. He was an extremely busy man, and Rosa knew that his instruction was valued. She herself had stalled after class in the past to retrieve whatever vital information could be spared.
It was minutes while Vyn was shuffling pages and seeming only half intrigued. Whatever the dialogue entailed, it wasn’t vital. Something worn and likely routine was built that his mechanics of preparing his departure was default to the humming of their back and forth. He stood taller a moment before gesturing his hand toward the girl in response.
The conversation finished up, and the girl in purple gave Rosa a single glance of indifference before leaving. Well, same to you. Rosa straightened her posture and smiled as Vyn ran his hand over his neck and beamed.
“Good afternoon, Rosa. You’re appropriately early,” he noted as she closed the distance.
“Good afternoon, Dr. Richter. I hope your classes were decent today,” she voiced while shifting on her heels.
“Yes, they were applicable. How was work? You sounded flustered over lunch,” Vyn mused as he gathered up his pages at the podium.
Rosa exhaled and twirled a finger in the air. “The life of an attorney,” she shrugged.
Vyn chuckled and glanced briefly at the box. “What do you have there?”
“Oh, yes,” Rosa jumped to attention and offered the gift. “This is for you. I remember you spoke of your fondness of the hummingbirds in your garden.”
His entire expression changed as his smile deepened, and his cheeks hinted just the dusting of color. “Oh, how thoughtful of you.”
“It’s just a small,” Rosa stopped when he set the box down, opening it in front of her.
His elegant fingers plucked out the small painted glass charm. It was a beautiful green and crimson hummingbird with bright gold eyes. Vyn examined the hanging glass, and he chuckled. “This will look beautiful above my hydrangeas, don’t you agree?”
“I, that’s,” she paused and rocked her head. “Yes, I was estimating that was where it might end up.”
Vyn gingerly set it back into the box and focused on Rosa in full. “I’m extremely touched at your thoughtfulness,” he rocked his head. “Thank you.”
“Hummingbirds represent plenty for cultures around the world. However, I see them as the keepers of joy and good luck. Their movements are erratic, but their grace is unopposed,” Rosa beamed ran a few fingers through her locks of hair.
“The keepers of joy,” Vyn mused with mirth in his tone. “I enjoy that, Rosa. We will have to find a partner for your hummingbird for my garden then.”
“We do?” She blinked.
“Yes, of course. Joy and luck are meant to be shared,” he said before pivoting to his bag. “Shall we take our stroll to my car?”
Rosa agreed as she gestured to him. “Whenever you’re ready, Dr. Richter.”
His car always held the fragrance of mint and lavender, which was such an odd combination, but worked with a delightful swirl. Everything had a place and space. She never noted an untidy moment. Had she not known this was his car, she could pick it from a lineup just on contents alone.
Vyn Richter was this pristine man of order. Within that order, the chaos laid intricate lines to form everything Rosa knew. A pack of elaborate playing cards was in his glove compartment. The story of why they were there still unspoken. He had a small bauble hanging from his rearview mirror. It looked almost like a cross but withered and crooked. However, it was the small horse she had given him that was most significant. He had planted it with a secure tape on his dashboard, which was endearing and sweet.
Their conversations were never dull. Rosa was always surprised when Vyn had something that may have been a passing thought turn into a full discussion. Today the topic couldn’t have been any more light and airy. They were talking about the inspiration to travel.
“I just haven’t had a true chance to enjoy culture elsewhere. I’ve been so busy that it’s like vapor in the wind. A passing thought before I’m off to my next priority,” Rosa confessed.
Vyn hummed while focusing on the road. “That’s understandable. Do you feel it’s necessary to experience all facets of the culture in question, or only what it perceives to be?”
“That’s quite an open-ended question, Dr. Richter,” Rosa snorted while smiling over at him.
“Then let me narrow it,” he agreed. “Do you feel that culture is different than tradition?”
Rosa rocked her head and rolled her shoulders. “Yes, to an extent. Tradition peels away with time; culture is a foundation from which the lives of generations were built. To expect tradition not to evolve is a misconception.”
He chuckled and nodded. “That’s very accurate, Rosa. tradition is shackling without the proper evolution of time.”
“You’re from Svart. How do you fair in considering the differences of culture?”
Vyn’s eyes were on the road, but there was something sharp in the gaze. “I feel that there are things that Stellis breathes to live where Svart has yet to learn,” he said.
“I see,” Rosa murmured.
The tension in the car was definitely less than light now. A sore subject she hadn’t realized she tripped upon. Rosa knew about the strain with his cousin but hadn’t a clue it was tendrils of a larger problem. Whatever Vyn left behind, he certainly wasn’t interested in discussion at leisure.
“Would you like to visit Paris eventually?” Rosa asked in a sudden diversion.
“Paris?” He smiled. “It’s charming there. We could discuss a trip in the future if you were interested in seeing the Louvre.”
Rosa clasped her hands together and gasped. “Oh, Dr. Richter! That would be amazing! Can you imagine the absolute beauty? Have you been to the Louvre before?”
He laughed and nodded. “When I was younger on a trip to Paris. It was lost on me that the monumental pieces of mastery rested within that museum. I’ve come to value the memories of such an exquisite display since.”
“That’s definitely on my bucket list,” she voiced and glanced down at her buzzing phone. Odd. Her brow tightened, and she glanced sheepishly at him. “Do you mind if I take this call?”
He shook his head.
Rosa pressed the phone to her ear. “Artem, what’s wrong?”
“Celestine informed me you left earlier. I wouldn’t usually disturb you and your Friday if I didn’t need to know where you set those case files you were reviewing earlier,” Artem hummed through the phone.
“Oh, shoot, yes,” Rosa huffed and recalled her swift departure. “I set them on Kiki’s desk to hand to you. I’m sorry I didn’t wait for your return to the office. I had an engagement on my schedule.”
“Engagement. Yes, I think I recall you mentioning leaving the office promptly for it. Well, thank you for the direction; I found them on her desk waiting for me,” Artem declared.
Rosa smiled and laughed. “I suppose she didn’t wait around either. Anyway, sorry for the confusion. Have a great weekend.”
“You as well. Don’t forget we have dinner tomorrow night,” Artem said.
Rosa rocked her head out of habit. “Yes, I remember. Six sharp. I’ll be waiting for you down the stairs.”
“Excellent. You’re always punctual, so I haven’t any concerns. I’ll see you tomorrow night,” Artem voiced before the call disconnected.
Rosa exhaled and set her phone down before directing her attention to Vyn. “Now, what were we discussing?”
Vyn turned off the main street and onto his pleasant road. “You’re having dinner with Artem tomorrow evening?”
“Oh, yes, some work function. I dread it, but it’s for one of our clients,” Rosa sighed.
“Is this a large dinner?” Vyn pressed.
Rosa hummed and bounced her shoulders. “I’m not quite sure, to be honest. Artem made it seem like it was an intimate affair. We worked on their case last month. It was the restaurant owner and his wife that were being accused of the allergy anomaly.”
“So this is a dinner at their restaurant?” Vyn inquired.
“Yes, with some of their friends and a few of our staff at Themis,” she responded.
Vyn smiled while pulling up to his home. “That’s a beautiful way to show gratitude.”
“Yes, but occasionally I do just feel like a flower in the wind at these dinners,” Rosa sighed as she reached for her bag.
“Why do you believe that’s your metaphor?” Vyn asked while parking the car and turning his attention to Rosa.
She waved her hand as color painted her cheeks. “The food is always decadent, the formalities are pleasant, but the company is quite surface pleasures. I often repeat the same things and feel out of place.”
He smirked and exhaled. “Rosa, you’re an interesting attorney.”
“Don’t I know it,” she giggled and breathed. “Now, are we going to freshen up before the movie?”
He rocked his head and unbuckled his seatbelt. “Yes, we can have some tea before the movie. It doesn’t begin until seven. Would you like dinner before that?”
“Oh, we could if you would like to eat before. I’ll end up eating too much popcorn,” Rosa shook her head as heat brewed on her face.
“Then we shall eat dinner before,” he agreed.
They poured out of the vehicle, and Vyn held the small box in his hand with his strapped briefcase over his shoulder. There was nothing that screamed crude or ungraceful about him. Rosa happened to enjoy the smooth subtleties of the Psychiatrist. Neither impatient nor rushed. Everything deliberate with cause. It’s what made the guessing about what was working under the surface that much more interesting.