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Post by Edmund Fairfax on Sept 21, 2008 23:11:51 GMT -5
Edmund hesitated in answer to that question. He didn't know anything about this woman. She was dressed in muggle clothes, as was he. He sometimes liked to masquerade as a muggle, not only to break a few muggle hearts, but also because he found the exquisite tailoring of muggle suits to be infinitely more flattering to his form than bulky robes.
They were in the shadow of Diagon Alley now, in fact, the Leaky Cauldron was visible out the front window, for anyone with the ability to see it. He knew it was preferable to be cautious, but there was something about her that made him want to test her, just a little.
"Ever hear of a little place called the Leaky Cauldron?" he asked in an offhanded way.
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Post by Danielle Thomas on Sept 22, 2008 5:38:27 GMT -5
Danny smiled. "I've heard of it," she said with a small nod. Thank Merlin. She didn't know why she felt so much better knowing he was a wizard, but she just felt a little safer with that knowledge.
"I prefer the Three Broomsticks," she added, catching his eyes. This was her way of telling him that she too was from the magical world. Something they had in common, she realized. She didn't realize that her body was becomng almost completely relaxed around him. In an unfamiliar way, he put her completely at ease.
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Post by Edmund Fairfax on Sept 22, 2008 13:02:11 GMT -5
Edmund broadened his smile at this. He felt even more relaxed, knowing that she was a witch. He was already thinking about maybe allowing this to stretch more than one night. Claire was so damn convinced that all he wanted was a one-night stand; he would have to show her that she was wrong. Danielle, with her lovely, innocent-looking face, was just the kind of girl to help him do that.
"Yes, actually, the Three Broomsticks does have a better atmosphere," he agreed readily. "I wouldn't mind taking you there sometime."
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Post by Danielle Thomas on Sept 22, 2008 18:29:37 GMT -5
"Oh?" She asked, smiling a little cheekily. "I wouldn't mind letting you," she said, finding it easier and easier to feel comfortable with him. The buzz from the alcohol had finally kicked in, and Ross, thankfully, was slipping from her mind.
Yes, she realized she was picking up a guy at a club, but she didn't really intend to let it get any further than the club. It was harmless flirting, and since Ross had ditched her, why shouldn't she have some fun? She wasn't afraid to match his sensual dance moves, and she held his gaze for longer now.
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Post by Edmund Fairfax on Sept 26, 2008 14:26:13 GMT -5
(Sorry it took me so long to answer. Edmund takes a certain flair to play, sometimes I have it, sometimes I don't.)
Edmund smiled, his eyes still locked on hers, while his hands began to wander just a bit. It was rare that he even considered a second night out with a girl, while still on his first. The only other one had been Angelique, and that was only because she'd been so resistant to his charms. But damn it, he had something to prove. Claire was convinced he only ever wanted one-night stands, so he had to show her he could be with a woman more than one night.
"Excellent," he said, reaching up and playing with a lock of her hair. "Tell me, when is good for you?"
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Post by Danielle Thomas on Sept 28, 2008 13:25:53 GMT -5
Oh no, he wasn't getting her that easily. He was attractive, and had alarmingly enchanting eyes. And he was charming to the core, but other than that, what did she really know about him? Besides, she wanted to make sure he had a reason to contact her.
"I'm not sure," she said, though she probably could have quickly mapped out her schedule in her head. "I'm very busy at my work this week." In girl talk, that meant, you're going to have to work a little harder.
Though Danny knew, one look into those eyes and he'd be done working. Especially in the frame of mind she was in now. She usually never let guys get so comfortable with her so quickly, so to speak, but she wasn't stopping Edmund.
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Post by Edmund Fairfax on Sept 29, 2008 14:16:36 GMT -5
Edmund recognized the tactic; he had seen it many times with women who were playing hard-to-get. Most of the time, he responded by just turning on the charm even more, persuading them to abandon their good sense and go home with him. But in this case, he had something to prove. Not to Danielle, but to Claire. So he was going to take his time with this one, lavish her with attention and flattery, and try to woo her, like he really wanted to do with Claire.
"Very well, then," he said with a serene smile. "I will have to send you an owl." What was the standard time to owl a girl after the first meeting? He did it so rarely that he'd forgotten the unwritten rule. Usually, there wasn't a second meeting... just a morning after.
"But for now, the night is young," he said with a wink. "Let's just enjoy it while it lasts." As he spoke, he slowly ran his fingers up her arm, all the way to her shoulder.
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Post by Danielle Thomas on Sept 30, 2008 15:08:43 GMT -5
Even when his words were innocent, his actions had a way of drawing her in and keeping her enchanted. His fingertips were giving her chills, but she ignored them.
"That sounds like a good plan," she told him, not even realizing that they had been dancing now for quite a few songs.
Maybe Ross should have stayed. He would have stolen her back by now and talked some sense into her.
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Post by Edmund Fairfax on Oct 17, 2008 18:20:49 GMT -5
Edmund continued to look at her with his intense gaze and allowed his fingers to lightly graze across her skin. One hand brushed lightly along her shoulder, while the other pressed against the small of her back.
"So, Danielle... or do you prefer Danny?" he began, his voice deceptively casual. "Why don't you tell me a bit about yourself?"
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Post by Danielle Thomas on Oct 17, 2008 19:02:46 GMT -5
"Danny is fine," she told him. Her friends called her Danny, and there were even a few patients that did as well, like Alastor Moody.
"What would you like to know, Edmund?" She asked. "I can give you the basics... I'm twenty something," she smiled at her own vague answer, "And I'm a MediWitch at St. Mungos. I live here in London."
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Post by Edmund Fairfax on Oct 18, 2008 2:10:49 GMT -5
Edmund's eyes widened. "A mediwitch, are you? Well, that's fascinating. Must be hard work. Tell me, do you know Tristan Collins? he's a healer there, in the Non-Magical Injuries and Illnesses Department." Maybe he could find out some outside details on the man Claire apparently liked so much. Suddenly, Danny had become more than just a fun way to spend an evening... she had information. Possibly valuable information.
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Post by Danielle Thomas on Oct 18, 2008 12:01:13 GMT -5
Danny nodded, finding his sudden interest in her colleagues a bit odd.
"Yes, I know Tristan," she said softly, but loud enough to be heard over the music. Her interest was feigning quickly. She didn't exactly want to be talking about her coworkers while dancing with Edmund. "Is he a friend of yours?"
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Post by Edmund Fairfax on Oct 19, 2008 23:23:15 GMT -5
"Not really, no," Edmund said. "In fact, I kind of hate the bastard." He gave a short laugh, realizing that this probably wasn't her ideal topic of conversation at the moment. He could already feel her interest waning. "I pity you for having to work with him. But let's not speak of him any further, shall we? Perhaps we could focus on more... pleasurable... topics." He moved in just a little closer, allowing the tips of his fingers to brush against the nape of her neck.
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Post by Danielle Thomas on Oct 22, 2008 15:49:53 GMT -5
She frowned, giving Edmund an uncertain look. "Tristan has never really given me any problems," she said, unsure all of a sudden how to read this man.
"I think I need another drink," she said, pulling away from his touches. It was either a chance to get more buzzed, as she was sobering up too quickly, or a chance to start distancing herself from Edmund. Whichever worked out.
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Post by Edmund Fairfax on Nov 5, 2008 22:24:10 GMT -5
Damn. Hearing that Tristan was apparently on his best behavior while at work did not make Edmund happy. He had been hoping for some bit of dirt on the man; something that he could tell Claire that would cause her to lose interest. But no, apparently Tristan Collins was a bloody saint.
"Well, I'm glad to hear he doesn't bother you. My issue with him is personal, anyway."
He could sense that she was losing the mood and he silently cursed Tristan's name again. "A drink sounds nice," he said, the twinkle returning to his eye. A good stiff drink was just what they both needed. He led her over to the bar and ordered a brandy for himself. "And whatever the lady desires," he added, nodding towards Danny.
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Post by Danielle Thomas on Nov 6, 2008 5:09:36 GMT -5
Danny had used getting a drink as a tactic to get away from him, but he followed anyway. At least he was buying her a drink.
She ordered something tall and strong, and took a good sized sip from it before she thanked him for the drink. "Tell me more about your work. I would probably have less confrontational views of your coworkers."
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Post by Edmund Fairfax on Nov 9, 2008 3:05:17 GMT -5
Edmund took a sip of his drink as well. "I don't exactly work," he said. He gave her an almost apologetic smile as he continued. "I don't have to. My family... we own a very large and profitable estate up in the Lake District. So I do have a responsibility to oversee the property and the various businesses that our family owns. I manage tenants and finances... things like that." He actually could have gone one for quite a while, explaining the nature of the old estate that dated back to feudal times, when his family's Knighthood was more than just an empty title. But some women, he had found, thought the details to be pretentious and arrogant. So he spared her the full story.
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Post by Danielle Thomas on Nov 16, 2008 21:38:22 GMT -5
Danielle nodded. She didn't particularly like the fact that he didn't work. That was always a turn off, but he was still obviously doing pretty well for himself.
Rich bachelors always had things come to easily to them. She would have to make him work harder, then, if he was truly interested.
"Well, thanks for the drink. I think it's time I see what other bachelors I can prey on now."
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Post by Edmund Fairfax on Nov 22, 2008 1:06:09 GMT -5
Edmund was used to a variety of different reactions from women when he revealed the truth about his status. Some women were even more enamored of him upon learning of his family fortune, whereas others were less impressed. And perhaps admitted that he didn't actually work, in the traditional sense, didn't help. This was not to say that he was not busy. He did have to work on running the estate, and that did actually require work. But it wasn't a job, in that he didn't have coworkers, and didn't collect a paycheck. Yet he made money, having actually tripled the Fairfax family fortune through a series of investments and business dealings. But these things certainly didn't keep him busy enough to keep him from the pleasures of life.
He supposed he could have explained all that to her. But when you had to explain too much to a woman, it totally killed the mood. And he had already sensed that he was not going to have his way with her tonight. But he wasn't about to give up for good. He wanted to pursue this one, and try to make it last a little while. She wasn't as stubborn as Angelique had been... he could wear her down.
"I've enjoyed our dance," he said. Glancing around at the rest of the clientele, he raised an eyebrow at her. "I honestly don't think any of these gits are deserving of you," he said, smiling. "But if you wish to allow these other men the pleasure of your company, I suppose I could go talk to the redhead in the corner." He nodded toward a particularly stunning redhead, who was surrounded by 4 other guys, none of whom were any real competition for Edmund.
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Post by Danielle Thomas on Nov 27, 2008 2:05:20 GMT -5
Danielle smiled politely and refrained from glancing at the redhead. She didn't really want to be jealous or do anything that would make her seem desperate.
"Thank you for the compliment, and I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening as well."
She got to her feet and smiled one more time before turning and leaving him. Oh well. The disappointing part was the sudden rememberance of Ross, and her buzz was killed one more time.
On her way back to the dance floor, she just decided to go home instead.
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