Can You Love Me Even If I'm Broken
Chapter 2: The glass palace
Maeve(fl bestie)
📱Good morning, sunshine! 🌞
Maeve(fl bestie)
📱I know you're probably very nervous, but remember you are a brilliant artist, and he asked for YOU.
Maeve(fl bestie)
📱Now, what's the final outfit decision?
Iris Vance (fl)
📱I think the simple green dress and my flat shoes.
Iris Vance (fl)
📱If I'm going to be walking around a greenhouse all afternoon, I need to be practical.
Iris Vance (fl)
📱And thank you! I keep repeating that to myself. "He asked me for my work. He asked me for my work."
Maeve(fl bestie)
📱He asked for YOU, Iris. Your talent is a part of you!
Maeve(fl bestie)
📱Now, go. And text me updates.
Julian Thorne (ml)
📱Good morning, Iris.
Julian Thorne (ml)
📱I hope you're having a good Saturday so far.
Julian Thorne (ml)
📱Robert, my driver, will be at your address at 1:00 PM sharp. He's very kind, so don't be nervous.
Iris Vance (fl)
📱(to Julian) Good morning. Thank you for the information.
Iris Vance (fl)
📱I'll be ready. I am looking forward to seeing your greenhouse.
Iris Vance (fl)
*secretly texting Maeve*📱I'm here. It's not a green house. It's a palace for plants
Iris Vance (fl)
📱I feel like I'm in a dream
Maeve(fl bestie)
📱 A PALACE??? I'm dying. Take a picture for me. Is he there??
Iris Vance (fl)
*She looks up and sees Julian walking down the path*
He isn't in a suit, he looks more soft and approachable.
Imagine he is wearing something like this
Julian Thorne (ml)
I'm so glad you're here. Welcome.
Iris Vance (fl)
Thank you for having me, Julian. This place is ..... breathtaking.
Julian Thorne (ml)
It's my favorite place in the world.
Julian Thorne (ml)
Come in, I'll give you a grand tour before we get down to business.
They look around for a while
Iris Vance (fl)
*secretly takes out her phone* 📱He's incredibly knowledgeable.
Iris Vance (fl)
📱He knows the history of almost every plant in here.
Iris Vance (fl)
📱And he is much quieter and much softer than he was at gala.
Maeve(fl bestie)
📱that's a good sign!!! It means he is comfortable with you!
Maeve(fl bestie)
📱Maybe you are seeing the real him.
Julian Thorne (ml)
*noticed Iris texting someone* Everything okay?
Iris Vance (fl)
*slipping her phone away quickly* Oh! Yes, sorry. Just....a friend checking in.
Iris Vance (fl)
I told her I was coming here today. She's a big fan of your work.
Julian Thorne (ml)
*giving out a small, genuine laugh* Hopefully she'll be a fan of ours, too, once we're finished.
Julian Thorne (ml)
This way, I want to show you something magical.
He guides Iris towards the ghost Orchid
Julian Thorne (ml)
It's a ghost orchid. Isn't it just magical??
Iris Vance (fl)
Yeah. It's so beautiful yet so delicate.
Julian Thorne (ml)
It reminds me of your artworks. It doesn't need to be loud to be noticed.
After almost an hour of touring, they find a bench among the tree ferns where Iris starts sketching the plants.
Julian Thorne (ml)
It can be a bit overwhelming. There are so many plants.
Iris Vance (fl)
It's alright. I could sit here for hours with my sketchbook
Julian Thorne (ml)
It's the one place where...well. It's quite here.
He looks as if he wants to say more, but is interrupted by the sound of the main opening.
A talk, serious looking man appears.
Iris Vance (fl)
*typing with her phone carefully hidden beneath the table* 📱His father is here. The energy is changed completely the moment he entered.
Maeve(fl bestie)
📱Oh god. Just be polite and professional. You got this
Arthur Thorne (ml father)
❄️Julian. I wasn't aware you had a....guest. I thought this was a project meeting ❄️
Julian Thorne (ml)
*serious, his smile is gone* It is, father. This is Iris Vance, the botanical illustrator I told you about
Julian Thorne (ml)
Iris, this is my father
Arthur Thorne (ml father)
❄️ Ah yes. The artist. I trust your...drawings will be up to our standard.❄️
Arthur Thorne (ml father)
❄️This project is highly visible. We can't have any amateur mistake. ❄️
Iris Vance (fl)
*nervous but speaks politely* I understand, Mr. Thorne.
Iris Vance (fl)
I assure you, I am thorough and dedicated to accuracy.
Arthur Thorne (ml father)
❄️I hope you are.❄️
Arthur Thorne (ml father)
❄️*colder than before* Julian, I need to have a word with you when you're done. Don't linger.❄️
He walks away. The quiet of the greenhouse feels heavy now.
Julian Thorne (ml)
*sighs softly* I apologize for that. He can be....very direct.
Iris Vance (fl)
You don't need to apologize. It's alright.
Julian Thorne (ml)
It's not but thank you for saying so. Shall we look at those plans?
Julian Thorne (ml)
*unrolls the architectural plants*
As they talk about the plant choices, Iris finds herself lost in work, pointing out issues while Julian listens intently
Julian Thorne (ml)
You are absolutely right. I hadn't considered that.
Julian Thorne (ml)
That's exactly why I wanted you in this. You see the living part of it, not just the lines in the paper. *genuinely complimenting*
Iris Vance (fl)
*smiling* It's easy to see when it's something you love.
Julian Thorne (ml)
Yes it is.
Julian Thorne (ml)
*hesitant* Would you....would you be open to visiting the actual sire with me next week?
Julian Thorne (ml)
To get a feel for the space and the light? Maybe Wednesday afternoon?
Iris Vance (fl)
I would like that very much.
Julian Thorne (ml)
Good. it's a da- I mean, it's an appointment. A meeting. *flustered*
Iris Vance (fl)
*not getting the hint* Wednesday is perfect. Just let me know the time.
Back in the car Iris updates Maeve about the situation
Maeve(fl bestie)
📱It's a date!!! You already planned your second date woww!!
Iris Vance (fl)
📱Its not a date it's just a site visit with him!!
Maeve(fl bestie)
📱Keep telling yourself that, my dear. 😉😉
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