Horse Drawn Carriage
 

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A blanket of snow covers Holland Park, and gives the place a charm rarely appreciated during the winter months by the locals. The ponds in the West Central London Park are frozen over and the greenery on the flora is all but gone. Still there is beauty amongst the wooded area, open-air opera, and pavilions. Peacocks, squirrels, and a few other critters continue to roam the grounds despite the temperature, and the wessex saddleback pigs are as comfy as ever in their enclosure.

A few carriage companies service this park, but only one services both wizards and muggles alike. Virginia’s Treasure is a family owned business that for decades has been providing romantic trips through the beautiful park. The owner has set aside a white elegant Victoria carriage with crimson seating and downy blankets charmed warm for the couplet; two white draft horses stand eager to pull the cart, and one of the owner's young sons will be the coachman for this evening.

The ride goes through the entire park, allowing views of virtually every area including the Japanese garden and meadows, and the young coachman has no qualms about stopping should the romancers like to stop for a game on the giant chess board. Ms. Raphael has even been so kind as to provide the carriage with a picnic basket for the lengthy ride. Enjoy!

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Derrick arrived RIGHT on time. Though his heart jumped a bit when he saw a woman ALREADY in the carriage. "H-hello." Derrick picked up his pace to meet her. "I'm sorry to keep you waiting like this. ... I didn't think you would be here before me." Where are your manners? "Oh, I'm Derrick, and these are for you." he stuck his arm out and in his hand he held a bouquet of purple orchids and white lillies.

After a few more sighs, Eliza turned her head when she heard someone greeting her. So, this man was Derrick? She thought as she eyed him curiously. But quickly averted her eyes somewhere else, when he apologized. "I..uh..it's..it's fine. I was just a bit too early," she told him. Well, what else could she do? Her father was so pushy. "Thanks Derrick." she received the bouquet of flowers and smelled it. "They're pretty. Thank you." Now, what? "Oh..and I'm Eliza. It's nice to finally meet you." Should she ask him to get in the carriage now or what?

"So I guess we should probably get started.. Derrick awkwardly climbed into the carriage.. Gah Corin, You bloody cousin! Corin Vanderbilt had set him up on a blind date after things went south with.... Nevermind. Derrick! Think about something else! Once he was situated the carriage driver started getting the horses going and whatnot. "So, Eliza, You have a very pretty name by the way.. What do you do?" Simple enough question to start things off right?

Started? Started with what? Eliza stared at the man as if he was going to do something against the law. But then, he only climbed into the carriage. Quickly, she shook her head and moved a bit to her left side, giving him a bigger space to sit beside her. Then..the trip moved along the park. Eliza watched the peacocks and some squirrels roam around comfortably as they passed. She only turned her head when Derrick talked again. She had a pretty name? Really? No one had ever told her that, well, aside from someone unworthy to be mentioned, that is. "Thanks Derrick.." Quite frankly, she was already feeling secured being with him. He seems to be a good person. "I'm at the Ministry. Brooms Company and Shops Liaison, under the Magical Transportation Department. How about you?" she inquired back.

This carriage ride was nice and romantic, he remembered Mil-.... Someone else once said to him that this would be perfect. And it was perfect, even if it wasn't with.... her. She worked in the Ministry? And Derrick didn't know her.. Interesting. "I also work in the Ministry.. I'm Personal Assistant to the Minister of Magic" Which he was VERY proud of.

er... Now what? "So um... Do you have any pets? Wait.... You don't have kids.... Do you?" Cause That might be a problem... Slightly.

Super duuuper late! Sorry!! xD
 

He was what? Wait. That was his position in the Ministry? Uh-oh. Now, she feels like she's really obliged to be nice to him. "Wow." was all she could say. She was feeling small now.

"Kids? No.." Eliza said, and then she started chuckling. "No kids, no pets..I'm not really that fond taking care of creatures and living things." Merlin, what was she saying? Her father wants her to get married so she could give him a grandchild and now, she's actually saying she didn't like to take care of kids! "I..uhm..well, how old are you Derrick?" that wasn't such a bad question, right?