Tulips and Ribbons

[Albany]

(ooc: Open only to Liechtenstein and Albany to start their friendship.)

Adolescent city had situated himself on a bench of the downtown park as he admired the late spring air, the glittering warmth of the sun hitting him, only whispy white clouds streaking through the blue sky. A mini paradise for him, Albany felt himself growing warm as he wore his usual red sweater on his body. With the growing heat, the Capital city rolled it upwards as he took it off, revealing a Hollister beach tee with a logo embedded on it. Yes, it was truly a day of relaxation as Dirk took the sweater and tucked it under his left arm.

...And it wasn't like anything important was going on that day anyway. No state or cit meetings that needed his attendance, his siblings, New York City and Buffalo were probably busy with their own matters, and he was certain that his best friends, Saratoga and Troy were busy as well. With that thought in mind, Albany sat upwards and sighed to himself. While he did enjoy the peace, it was truly a lonely day.

He then glanced over his shoulder to notice his pet Karner Blue Butterfly, Blu sitting right there this entire time. The teen smiled gently at the winged insect petting it gingerly before he started to walk away. As he looked to see children having a gleeful time at the playground and couples enjoying picnics in the grass as he teens hung out to themselves walking and chatting endlessly. "Well, it looks like everyone is having a nice time." He thought to himself plainly as he walked, a wonderful sighting catching his green eyed glimpse.

That sight was tulips, many tulips of different hue and variety as they were aligned to the center of the park, where many of the well known city statues were. The pride of his city and his brother, Holland. These flowers meant everything to him, including racking up what little tourism he had during the late spring and summer months when they were in bloom.

"They're lovely aren't they Blu?" Albany asked his butterfly as he picked a small, pink tulip from the bunch. Normally one would've been scolded by the park rangers for such thing, but being the actual city himself, Albany himself was exempt from the rule. Besides he was never one to pick out random flowers that were raised for showing. The tulip was a tiny thing, a light pink color painted on it, smaller and notably weaker than the other flowers. He glared at the plant for a bit. It probably would've been wisest of him if we took it home to raise until it was big and strong.


(ooc: Have no idea what would make Lili come here. Hehe, so sorry.^^')

[Liechtenstein]

The young country had been wandering through the downtown park, teal orbs wandering this way and that. What was she doing there? Good question. There had been a world meeting in America just the other day. Living with Switzy, Liech was a pretty sheltered country. She was curious about the world, and this seemed to be an opportunity to look around. Turquoise eyes fluttered over to a city sitting on a bench, holding a small tulip in his hands. The blonde female looked at him for a moment before mustering the courage to speak up. She liked how the park looked, especially with the tulips.

"E-excuse me mister, but can I sit there?" Liech managed to sputter out as she looked at the city. She noticed there was an open space on the bench he was sitting on, and she wanted to get a better look at the flower he was holding. "I-I like that flower you have." The young country hoped that Albany would let her sit down with him. He didn't seem like he was too dangerous. Switzy wouldn't like her being around strangers, but he seemed kind enough.

[Albany]

"Hmm, what?" Albany's eyes glanced upwards as he caught sight of the female. Judging by her appearance, she was probably roughly the same age as him, if not slightly younger. But of course, it wasn't like he had a way of telling whether she was a place like him, or just an average person, though the German accent did raise his suspicions. That wasn't something one heard everyday.

Though in response to her question, he just simply nodded. "Of course, I don't mind." He replied honestly and glanced to the area of space behind him where the girl was free to sit. He scooted his body a bit to allow some more room for Liech to sit. He then briefly glanced at the pink tulip in his grasp, studying it for a bit in thought before looking back at the country. " Oh, thanks. " He smiled at her before speaking again. "So, uh I've never seen you around here before..." He started to speak as an icebreaker, still quite curious of who the blonde truly was.

[Liechtenstein]

"Danke." Liechtenstein responded, taking a seat beside the adolescent city on the bench. She put her hands in her lap, taking a brief moment to enjoy the scenery around her. The Germanic country figured that the city was relatively around her age, perhaps a bit older. The thought of why he was in the park looking at the flowers hadn't really crossed her mind. This was a free country, right? At least, that's what America seemed to believe. You could do pretty much whatever you wanted.

The young country nodded instead of saying 'you're welcome' when it came to the tulip, figuring that Albany would know why she would nod. That's when she realized that he had noticed he never really saw her around. "Oh. Well, I'm Liechtenstein. There was a world meeting not too long ago taking place here. I-I thought I could just look around for a little." the Germanic female responded.

[Albany]

"Liechtenstein?" The male repeated the words, almost as if they were alien to the ear. The name that the country had said though seemed familiar enough, maybe overheard it once on a passing time and didn't pay much attention to it, he really didn't care if it wasn't his business. Simple as that.

Though, what debatably picked up his attention was the mentioning of a world meeting. A world meeting in his city, that was unheard of. Yes, he heard of the world meetings that countries took the pleasure of attending. Not that it really did matter to him as a city, but he was envious of them for that. But he knew he wasn't alone with the notion, the other American cities as well as cities from other countries most likely had shared the same feelings as him. However, it was suspicious that he didn't have previous knowledge of it, New York or America should've at least told him of this.

In the mist of his thoughts, Albany remembered that he was dealing with a guest, a guest who was foreign that was, and didn't really look like she was familiar with the area, at he could've offered to help if needed. "Oh yeah, I'm sorry. I just didn't know that there was a world meeting going on." He first responded, his green eyes glancing up at Liechtenstein's teal ones. "Well nice to meet you, Liechtenstein." He said, surely butchering her name. "I'm Albany, you know the city where we are right now." He introduced himself formerly, looking over at Blu who flew over to land on his lap, next to the tulip.

[Liechtenstein]

Liech nodded once the male repeated her name. Teal orbs looked at Albany as he explained that he was unaware of the world meeting. He didn't appear to be a country, so that would explain why he wouldn't be aware of it. He may not have heard of it. The young country listened to him when he said her name again. It was a reminder that it was a very long name to pronounce, not to mention a hard one. Germanic words weren't very kind to those not native to the language, not to mention it wasn't a pretty language to most.

"Y-you can just call me Liech if you like. Or Lili." Liech said, figuring that Albany might want to call her something shorter. Albany. Huh. That was an interesting name. Her teal eyes fluttered over towards the butterfly for a moment, then back at Albany. "Good to meet you too, Albany."

[Albany]

Liech or Lili, seemed simple enough for the Capital city. "Alright, nice to meet you then, Lili." Albany replied using the latter nickname to refer to her as. With his mind already inquired that the girl was here for a world meeting, his mind pondered on what exactly to talk to her about. Judging by her name and accent, she definetly seemed European, maybe she was from around Germany or any of the surrounding countries. It wouldn't harm to ask, would it?

After a small pat or his best butterfly, Dirk glanced back at the female country. "First time here in my city, I take it?" He asked, trying to sound warm, but ultimately falling a bit short. "So Lili no offense, but where exactly is your country?" He asked, now rubbing the back of his head. "I'm sorry but being a city, I really don't get to interact with other except for other cities near me." He said honestly, his attention briefly turning to see some photographers taking photos of a nearby tulip garden, managing a weak smile from him.

[Liechtenstein]

It was a lot easier on the timid country's ears to hear Lili instead of Liechtenstein. She'd have to try to remember reminding new people about her nicknames. It'd certainly help in avoiding the butchering of her name. Liech nodded her head once in response to Albany's first question. "Yes, it is my first time." she spoke softly. He sounded like he was trying to be extra warm and friendly, but it didn't work out so well for him. Lili had to shrug it off and continue on with the conversation when Albany asked where her country was. Her eyes wandered upwards for a moment. Where was it? It was right by Switzerland, of course. "My country? It's... by Switzerland. In Europe." Lili didn't think that the city needed to apologize. She was sure many people had no idea what Liechtenstein even was. They probably gave up on the name when they got halfway through reading it on paper.

Though, she did understand not getting to interact with anyone other than the cities. Well, she didn't interact only with the cities. It was more of she only really interacted with Switzerland. "N-No need to apologize, Mr. Albany. I don't see anyone besides my bruder Switzy." Turquoise orbs wandered over to the photographers for only a brief moment before looking back at Albany once again.

[Albany]

"Europe, that sounds about right." Albany had thought to himself, his attention switching from the busy photographers back to Liechtenstein. A first timer in his city, that was the first of something he hadn't seen in a while. As long as the city could remember, it had always been his siblings who were the tourist attracters in the family, he was always the one who was stuck being the serious political one. Due to the fact he spent most his spare time fullfling his duty as New York's state capital, he never really got around to making his place a real tourist destination. Aside from passing summer tourists who were traveling elsewhere, things were usually quite for him.

"Interesting." Was all Albany said before speaking again. "And don't need to be so formal with me. Just call me Albany." He replied in a calm manner before trying comprehend the last of what the female had said. Bruder, did she mean brother? Sounded about right, so she was Switzerland's sister. Yes, Albany had heard about the loner gun fanatic who lived in the protection of the Alp Mountains. He had a sister? Small world it was indeed.

"Ah, I see." He responded, an idea coming into mind, mentally debating for a bit whether it was a good idea or not, hopefully he wouldn't come to regret his decision. "So, you say you don't see other places much. I could give you a tour around town if you wish." He said, smiling a bit, hoping that Lili would agree.

[Liechtenstein]

((Super late, sorry. ^^)

Liech didn't really need to be so formal with Albany? That was just fine with the young female nation. She could definitely deal with not being so formal with the city. A simple nod in response was all she gave to the statement that said she didn't need to be so formal. Lili was pretty used to being polite to new people, despite Switzerland's attitude towards strangers and how he spoke of them so negatively. Lili didn't think they could all be so bad. Her interest in the conversation grew once a tour was mentioned. That didn't sound bad. Knowing where everything is sounded like a good thing. Once more, Lili nodded.

"I would like a tour, i-if it's not too much to ask." Lili said, voice still soft. She was a bit worried that the city would change his mind about the tour and just abandon her, although she reassured herself that he seemed like a good person who wouldn't do that.