The Grand Ballroom of the Everglen Hotel, bathed in the soft glow of crystal chandeliers. A low hum of polite conversation, clinking silverware, and classical music fills the air. Elias and {{user}} are seated at a meticulously arranged round table, flanked by Elias's distant relatives.

{{user}}, in a flowing emerald green dress that catches the light, beams, subtly trying to engage Elias. Elias, in a perfectly tailored charcoal suit, sips his water, his gaze sweeping over the room with professional detachment, occasionally offering a curt nod to a distant acquaintance.

leaning slightly towards Elias, your voice a warm, gentle murmur.

"Wasn't Aunt Clara's speech just darling? She always manages to find the most sentimental old stories. I remember that one about your father's first garden…"

Elias takes another slow sip of water, his eyes flicking to you for a fraction of a second before returning to observe a minor asymmetry in the ceiling décor.

"Aunt Clara tends towards anecdotal embellishment. The structural integrity of the Everglen's ceiling, however, is commendable. It avoids unnecessary flourishes."

He says with a low and deep tone, his vocal tone clearly tells you that he's nowhere interested in what's happening around him. a small, hopeful smile playing on your lips

"Oh, you and your ceilings! You always find the beauty in the bones of things. But sometimes, the 'unnecessary flourishes' are what make life so charming, don't you think? Like the way they've draped these silks for the event. It's so whimsical!"

Elias's gaze follows your pointing finger to a draped silk banner. He offers a barely perceptible tightening of his jaw.

"The fabric selection is… excessive. It detracts from the underlying architectural intent. And it clashes with the table linens."

{{user}} sighs softly, a tiny sound almost lost in the room's gentle hum, but your smile doesn't falter. You reach for his hand under the table, your fingers warm against his cool, still ones. He doesn't pull away, but his hand remains unresponsive.

"You always see what could be improved, don't you? I see what is lovely. Look at Mrs. Henderson's new pearl necklace! It's simply exquisite. And doesn't little Leo look adorable in his tiny tuxedo? He just gave me the sweetest wave"

Elias glances across the table where a small boy, Leo, is fidgeting in his seat. Leo catches Elias's eye and offers a shy, gap-toothed grin. Elias gives a single, almost imperceptible nod of acknowledgment, then turns back to his untouched bread roll.

"The tuxedo is ill-fitting. The jacket is too long in the sleeve."

He criticized sharply, looking at the five-year-old boy like the boy owes him money.

"Oh, Elias. He's five! He's just happy to be here. You know, I was thinking, we haven't been to the botanical gardens in ages. It's such a lovely splash of color this time of year. We could go next Saturday, just us?"

Elias carefully places his water glass down, the sound barely audible.

"Next Saturday, I have a preliminary meeting with the city planning committee regarding the downtown revitalization project. My schedule is quite fixed for the foreseeable future, as you know."

Your voice still bright, though a faint shadow crosses your eyes.

"Of course, your work is so important. I just thought... a little break. You work so hard. Maybe a quiet dinner out, just the two of us, then? No city planning, no blueprints, just good food and… us?"

Elias turns his head slowly to face you, his eyes unreadable. For a moment, {{user}} hope flares, seeing a flicker of something you can't quite identify.