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Post by Roland Ferrera on Jan 5, 2009 12:27:58 GMT -5
The truth was, although he liked to have an occasional fling, he really didn't feel good about it most of the time. He had a lot of respect for women, in addition to his protective instincts. When he did fool around, he needed to be sure it was with a woman who knew exactly what to expect from it, and was open to it. So even if it turned out to be just a flirtation and not anything more, he still felt a tiny pang of guilt. Not enough to stop him, of course... but enough that he certainly didn't want his mother to find out.
"Thanks," he said. "I think I can handle her."
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Post by Judah Ferrera on Jan 5, 2009 12:42:24 GMT -5
Judah gave a nod of his head. "I'm sure that you can." He smiled again.
"Tomorrow or sometime, you should stop by and have dinner with Suri and I or just visit, it doesn't have to be dinner. She would like that." In honesty, Judah would like for that to happen, to at least make sure that the boy got something decent to eat rather than possibly eating out all the time.
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Post by Nathalia Webb on Jan 5, 2009 13:09:54 GMT -5
Nathalia's eyes flashed to Roland at his response to her, and she almost replied with something just as flirty... but the presense of the second man stopped her, and she just smiled instead. "I'll be right back," she promised.
A few minutes later she returned, two drinks on a little serving tray, and she set one in front of each of them. To Roland, she said, "Let me know how well I've done."
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Jan 5, 2009 13:54:18 GMT -5
Roland nodded at his uncle. "I'll try," he replied. "I haven't seen Aunt Suri in a while, so it would be nice to say hi."
Of course he knew what his uncle was doing. His family had the tendency to be overprotective--a trait he had certainly inherited--even though he really didn't need it. He found it amusing.
When the barmaid returned, he smiled up at her. "Thank you," he said, lifting the glass to his lips.
He took a sip of the amber liquid and felt it burn his tongue, then slide a fiery path down his throat. What it tasted like, he wasn't even sure, all he could taste was the burning sensation.
His lip quirked up in the corner. "That's perfect," he said, his voice sounding a little rough. "Two or three of these could knock a man out." He could already feel it going to his head.
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Post by Nathalia Webb on Jan 5, 2009 14:07:09 GMT -5
Nathalia smiled slyly as she watched Roland take a sip. "I know," she said, giving him a playful wink. The most she had seen anyone drink was five, but they were sufficiently plastered by the end. Roland had asked for strong, afterall.
She turned to Judah. "I think you'll like yours, too... it's nowhere near as strong. I'll come back and check on you two when I see your drinks getting low, but if you need me before then, just call for me. My name's Nathalia."
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Jan 5, 2009 14:21:01 GMT -5
"Nathalia," Roland repeated, his eyes still sparkling. "I'll be sure to give you a call if I need anything." He took another sip of his drink and shook his head. "The rumors are definitely true... You mix a hell of a drink. You must tell me what you call it."
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Post by Nathalia Webb on Jan 5, 2009 14:45:31 GMT -5
Nathalia, quick on her feet, replied easily, "It's my Double O Seven." She didn't know if he would get the reference, or piece it together, but his "Strong, not sweet" made her think of James Bond's "Shaken, not stirred."
"And I'm the only one who knows how to make it, so if you want another, you'll have to come back and see me again." She noted that he was keeping her at the table, asking questions like that. She, of course, didn't mind.
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Jan 5, 2009 15:05:16 GMT -5
Roland had, in fact, got the reference, having seen a few muggle films during his travels. His smile broadened. "I like it," he said. "I'll definitely be coming back to see you again, Nathalia... even without the drink."
He liked her playful attitude, and was enjoying himself immensely. After all the stress he'd been under, it felt good to just relax and flirt with a pretty girl.
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Post by Judah Ferrera on Jan 5, 2009 16:39:09 GMT -5
"Thank you," he replied politely as his drink was sat in front of him. Judah picked up his glass and took a sip. It wasn't really sweet, yet it tasted light and not that strong. There was barely even a burning sensation as he swallowed it. It was just perfect for the time being.
He sat back and had his amusement as Nathalia and Roland continued to talk. Judah finished off his drink. He wasn't dumb, he knew that the two would be more comfortable if he wasn't there. Plus, it was getting later and he didn't want to be late. "Well Ms. Nathalia, that was the best drink that I've had. I thank you, and if you excuse me I don't want to be late for dinner." Judah looked back to Roland with a grin. "Roland, I'll see you tomorrow, yes?" He stood up and handed Nathalia a few coins extra for a tip.
Just as he was about to leave the table, he looked in between them. "Have a good evening you two."
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Jan 5, 2009 16:55:01 GMT -5
Although he enjoyed his uncle's company, he was rather glad to have an opportunity to speak with Nathalia a little more freely. He smiled. "Yes, I'll try to be there tomorrow," he replied, trying to be non-committal. "I'll see you later, Uncle. Say hi to Aunt Suri for me."
As Judah departed, Roland turned to Nathalia with a full grin. "So where did you learn to make drinks like this?" he asked.
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Post by Nathalia Webb on Jan 5, 2009 17:02:15 GMT -5
Nat thanked Judah politely for the tip, feeling a little badly because she felt like she was the reason he was leaving. She hadn't meant to drive him off, but another part of her was glad that Roland was staying.
She pocketed the coins. "Nice try... I don't give away my secrets so easily," she replied. "You're going to have to get to know me better first."
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Jan 5, 2009 17:11:47 GMT -5
He took a sip from his drink, his eyes peering at her over the rim of his glass. "I was rather hoping you'd say that," he said with a smile.
He took a quick glance around and saw that the bar was pretty quiet, except for a couple of young witches over by the bar, a older wizard who looked pretty well sloshed over in the corner, and another one singing a badly out of tune version of a muggle song.
"You don't seem all that busy. Would you mind sitting with me a little while? My name is Roland Ferrera." He held out his hand for her to shake.
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Post by Nathalia Webb on Jan 5, 2009 17:18:39 GMT -5
Nat looked over her shoulder at her customers, then back at Roland. "No wife to run home to like your uncle?" She asked. You could never be sure with wizards these days, and she felt better checking.
"I can stay," she added, watching him as she took the seat that Judah left unoccupied.
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Jan 5, 2009 17:26:22 GMT -5
Roland shook his head. "No, I'm not married," he said. "Much to my family's disappointment, unfortunately."
He took another sip of his drink and winced. "That really is a strong drink... just as I asked for." Setting down the glass, he leaned back and looked at her curiously. "So tell me a little about yourself, Nathalia," he continued. "What are you doing working here?"
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Post by Nathalia Webb on Jan 5, 2009 17:50:07 GMT -5
Nat leaned forward, resting her chin in her hand as her elbow rested on the table.
"Why not?" She asked. "I spent a little time in the States going to school and just recently came home. I wanted to work so I didn't end up bored, and that lead me here. Stu's a great guy, and he offered me a job pretty much the second I walked in, and if you'll allow me to be a little arrogant or a moment, I think his business has picked up since I came."
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Jan 5, 2009 19:54:35 GMT -5
Roland continued to drink while she spoke. Although he was certainly not a lightweight when it came to drinking, the strong drink had him feeling a little bit lightheaded. It helped to put him in a good humor.
"I've no doubt that you're right," he replied. "It's the reason I'm here... Word is getting out about your bartending skills."
Setting the glass down again, he moved his chair a little closer to hers. "So you've been in the States, have you? I've always been interested in going there, actually, but my work and family keep me close. What's it like? Is that where you learned yo mix drinks?"
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Post by Nathalia Webb on Jan 5, 2009 20:17:11 GMT -5
"Are you going to be ready for another?" Nathalia asked, watching him drink, the grim lighting dancing in her eyes.
He continued to ask her about herself, and saw genuine interest in his eyes... or at least, he was really good at feigning it. She never ruled that out as a possibility. "Well, thank you for testing the rumors. I always appreciate it. I was only in New York, so I can't say much about the country as a whole, but it's... very different. It's busier. It feels more alive than London." She felt more alive when she was there, but that was personal and she kept it to herself.
She laughed as he asked again where she learned to mix drinks. "No, you still don't know me well enough, and I know absolutely nothing about you except what drink you prefer and that you have an aunt named Suri."
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Jan 5, 2009 21:19:45 GMT -5
Roland laughed at the offer of a refill. "I might," he said. "But if I have a second one, will I still remember anything that happened tonight? I wouldn't want to forget you."
He liked her smile and the way her eyes seemed to sparkle in the dim light of the dingy little bar. Or maybe that was just the effects of the drink. He supposed it didn't really matter either way. Taking another sip from his drink, he smiled as she turned the conversation around on him. "Fair enough," he said. "Well, what do you want to know? I asked you questions, it's only fair if you ask me a few."
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Post by Nathalia Webb on Jan 5, 2009 21:39:38 GMT -5
"Are you always this sweet to girls who make you drinks?" Nathalia asked. "Lie to me and say no," she added, that playful grin still there.
"All right, Roland. I'll start off easy on you. What do you do?" It was a typical question, and one that Nat adored. The instant a guy told her he was unemployed, she was turned off. She didn't want to support someone, and she was never into the ones that had it handed to them. What a guy did said so much about him.
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Jan 5, 2009 21:52:30 GMT -5
Roland chuckled at her comment. "No, I'm not, actually. I can be a right bastard sometimes. It just so happens you've caught me in a good mood. And it doesn't hurt that you have such a lovely smile."
It was actually a bit odd that he should be in such a good mood right now. After the day he'd had, he'd originally come to Stu's in the hopes of getting good and truly smashed. Maybe it was the talk from Uncle Judah, maybe it was just Nathalia's playful demeanor, or maybe it was just the drink. But he was feeling downright jovial tonight.
He wasn't surprised when she asked him what he did. It was a pretty basic question. And he had no problem answering it. "I'm an auror," he replied simply, studying her face for her reaction.
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