|
|
Post by June Bankman on Apr 17, 2009 12:48:59 GMT -5
Galligan's was June's favorite restaurant, ever since it opened. A couple of the waiters even knew her by name, so when she had to pick a place to take Talon to meet Virginia, there was really no question that it would be the quaint little Italian place.
She and Talon were already there, sitting together on one side of a booth, and waiting for Virginia. She wasn't nervous about her friend meeting her boyfriend. What was there to be nervous about, afterall?
The bell above the door chimed, and June looked over her shoulder. "She's here," she said, standing up so Virginia would see her.
|
|
|
|
Post by Virginia duMaurier on Apr 17, 2009 14:37:43 GMT -5
Virginia found the little restaurant fairly easily, using June's directions. It was just a block away from the Leaky Cauldron, so she had apparated to there and walked. London seemed so... dark and gritty compared to Paris, but so far, she felt pretty welcome there. The people she had met had all been quite friendly, more so than in Paris. And that was definitely a good thing.
She entered the restaurant and told the hostess that she was there to meet someone. She looked around and found June rather quickly, as she stood up and waved to her.
"That's my party there," she told the hostess, and allowed the woman to lead her to their table. "Hi, June!" she said brightly. "And this must be Talon," she said, turning to the man sitting at the table. "Junie was right, you are tres adorable! Bon soir... It's a pleasure to meet you."
|
|
|
|
Post by Talon Harsey on Apr 17, 2009 16:20:52 GMT -5
Talon had been to Galligan's a couple times with June. This place wasn't one he'd been at alone. He was talking quietly to June when her friend made an entrance. Glancing toward the door, Talon immediatly started to observe the woman subtly. He needed to know June's friends, but he wasn't going to make anything obvious.
"Merci," he said. French was something his parents taught him when he was growing up. "Bon soir. It's a pleasure to meet you too Virgina. June has talked a lot about you." Talon put a smile on his face as he held his hand out to her.
|
|
|
|
Post by June Bankman on Apr 18, 2009 14:53:52 GMT -5
June hugged her friend, but quickly stepped aside as they did her job and introduced themselves. She smiled at Ginny's approval of Talon. It was a long standing rule between them, that was rarely ever used, that the boyfriends had to like both girls, or it just wouldn't last.
"Have a seat, Virginia," June said, putting a hand on Talon's shoulder to tell him the same thing. "You look fantastic," she added.
|
|
|
|
Post by Virginia duMaurier on Apr 18, 2009 23:00:01 GMT -5
Virginia hugged June and smiled brightly. So far she liked June's boyfriend. The fact that he spoke to her in French was a definite point in his favor. "Merci," she said again, blushing. "June, you look fantastique, as always. Such a charming little place this is! I am sure, if you like it, that I will adore it."
She sat down and looked around the little restaurant. It was fairly busy, and everyone looked pretty happy with their meals. That was important; it meant that the food was good. But then, Virginia trusted June's judgement and if she liked it, that was good enough for Virginia.
"So, what do you do, Talon?" she asked politely.
|
|
|
|
Post by Talon Harsey on Apr 18, 2009 23:15:06 GMT -5
Observing June's friend, there wasn't anything that rose to his attention that he should watch out for, yet. He always wanted it to seem that June did do whatever she wanted. Taking a seat as June put her hand on his shoulder, Talon smiled charmingly at her. This was a role that he could play extremely well.
"The infamous question," he said jokingly as he glanced to Virginia. "I'm actually inbetween jobs at the moment." Talon said it as if it were no big deal. "June tells me that you are running the new art gallery in Hogsmeade."
|
|
|
|
Post by June Bankman on Apr 18, 2009 23:24:08 GMT -5
Between jobs. June almost rolled her eyes, and cut in. "Talon's from one of those families that won't ever have to work a day in their lives for the rest of the generations to come." Money was a touchy subject, but Virginia was her best friend, and if she couldn't tell Virginia that her boyfriend was loaded, who could she tell?
She let herself fall quiet again after that, letting them continue to talk and get to know each other. So far, so good.
|
|
|
|
Post by Virginia duMaurier on Apr 18, 2009 23:42:20 GMT -5
Virginia didn't quite understand people who didn't have to work, and yet still chose to do nothing. Her parents were muggles, but they were fairly well off... they just had no interest in her. The closest thing to affection she received from them was a trust fund, which enabled her to attend art school and to live as an artist without actually starving. But at least she did something with the money she had been given, and didn't just sit around doing nothing. Surely the man had a hobby or something, right?
"That's nice," she said, though her smile had slipped inperceptably. "Yes, I just opened the gallery, and I hope to be adding some new paintings by some local artists in the next few weeks. So far I positively adore London."
|
|
|
|
Post by Talon Harsey on Apr 18, 2009 23:50:13 GMT -5
After June cut in with her comment, Talon took her hand underneath the table and squeezed it. It wasn't hard or anything like that. It was just a signal that they were going to talk whenever they reached his apartment. Virginia didn't need to know that he didn't have to do anything in order to have a constant money flow.
He avoided giving any kind of meaningful glances to June, but focused on the woman that was sitting across from him. "I do come from a family like that, however just sitting around doing nothing has become boring." Sometimes Talon did get bored. "I'm glad to hear that you're enjoying London. I hope that your art gallery goes well too."
|
|
|
|
Post by June Bankman on Apr 19, 2009 0:09:36 GMT -5
June's own smiled faded, but just ever so slightly, when Talon took her hand. She didn't mean anything bad by it, she was just talking. And had it been anyone but Virginia, she would have kept quiet. So she laced her fingers with Talon's and continued on.
"I know a girl who works at Stu's... well, not that well. But I think she paints. You should talk to her about getting something up on the walls." She glanced at Talon. "Virginia is a sculpter. And quite a good one at that."
|
|
|
|
Post by Virginia duMaurier on Apr 19, 2009 0:18:27 GMT -5
There had been a time when Virginia would have instantly noticed the slightest change in June's demeanor. But time and distance had separated them, and she didn't quite have the inner sense when it came to June anymore.
"Oh... Stu's... that's the little bar on the edge of town, n'est-ce pas? I will be sure to check that out as soon as I get a chance."
She glanced down at the menu, which was quite expansive. "So... what is good here? Do you recommend anything?"
|
|
|
|
Post by June Bankman on Apr 19, 2009 0:25:39 GMT -5
Being the only one of the three of them that really knew the menu inside out, June reached across the table and flipped Virginia's menu open to a specific page and pointed at the Melanzana Parmigiana. "That's my absolute favorite. Talon likes the Rigitoni alla Vodka... that's pretty good, too."
She ran her free hand through her hair. "There's a new waiter here, Virginia. I'm not sure if he's here tonight... but he might be single." She smiled wider. "And he's cute."
|
|
|
|
Post by Virginia duMaurier on Apr 19, 2009 13:30:34 GMT -5
Virginia couldn't help but laugh at the mischievous sparkle in her friend's eyes when she mentioned the cute new waiter. She had a feeling that, if June had any say in the matter, Virginia's dateless streak would be ending very soon.
"I'll keep an eye out for him," she replied with a knowing smile.
She glanced up at Talon for a moment, trying to make sure he was included. "I have a feeling that June is hoping that the next time we three meet, it is for a double date. But tell me, s'il vous plait, how did you two meet?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Talon Harsey on Apr 20, 2009 20:44:34 GMT -5
He gave a laugh. "Yes, June always tries to make sure that everyone is happy." Talon was doing his best to keep everything pleasant and close to picture perfect. "How did we meet? Oh, that's a story." He gave another laugh.
"I was in London and I happened to notice June. She looked like she was a little lost at the time, and I thought that I would be nice and direct her in which way she was trying to go. I ended up walking her there and well, I asked her to go to lunch one day and things just went from there." Talon gave a smile and then gave June's hand a light squeeze.
|
|
|
|
Post by Virginia duMaurier on Apr 20, 2009 21:08:49 GMT -5
Virginia smiled. "June always was better at having guys just walk right up to her and offer to help. She always gets this cute little lost lamb look and the boys always flock to it. It's my own fault for being so competent and practical. I never look lost, and I never get gallant gentlemen approaching me with offers of help."
She wasn't bitter about it, but it did sometimes bother her that she could seemingly walk down the street virtually unnoticed by men. She was not an unattractive woman, she knew that, but somehow she just didn't seem to catch anyone's eye. Did she walk too fast? Dress too conservatively? Pull her hair back too tight?
|
|
|
|
Post by June Bankman on Apr 20, 2009 21:15:07 GMT -5
June frowned slightly, but it was only in a teasing way. "Hey, that lost lamb look is well practiced, thank you." June was smart. At least, she considered herself to be. Maybe not books smart, not like Virginia. But she knew how to do things they didn't always teach you in school, she knew how to deal with people, and she knew how to get by. That made her smart. She also knew how to play dumb... which, as awful as it was, usually got her what she wanted.
Her eyebrows went up and she nodded towards the waiter who was walking towards them, giving Virginia a little grin as he asked if he could start them off with drinks.
|
|
|
|
Post by Virginia duMaurier on Apr 20, 2009 21:23:05 GMT -5
Virginia smiled. "Mais oui, of course it is. I, unfortunately, have never been able to perfect it. That is why you have the charming Talon here, and I do not. Perhaps you can again teach me your techniques."
As the cute waiter approached the table, Virginia shook her head and smiled behind her menu. Indeed, the waiter was quite handsome. But she turned her glance to Talon. "Perhaps we could order a bottle of wine for the table?" she asked. "Unless you prefer something else?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Talon Harsey on Apr 20, 2009 21:34:33 GMT -5
He listened to the ladies speak and he was patient. Talon gave the occasional smile. June did have that little lamb look about her but that wasn't the only thing that drew him to her. If he was asked what that was, he wouldn't know how to describe it. Plus, she was easy to persuade to do whatever he wanted, even if she didn't realize it.
"A bottle of wine actually sounds perfect," Talon said giving a smile to Virginia then to the waiter. "Do you have any kind of preference?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Virginia duMaurier on Apr 20, 2009 21:53:04 GMT -5
Virginia considered a moment. She usually preferred white wine, as it was a better accompaniment to the rich cheeses and cream sauces of French food, as well as seafood, which she enjoyed as well. But for most Italian dishes, red wine seemed to compliment the tomato sauces better. Sometimes it bothered her that she was expected to order the drinks before she had chosen her meal... what if she chose the wrong thing to go with her meal?
"Well, it depends on what you are thinking of ordering," she said. "A nice merlot would be good if you're looking at pasta with a red sauce. But if you are going for a white sauce, then red wine would clash terribly. I wouldn't want to throw off your palate."
Being French, these things were of the utmost importance to Virginia, and she felt it necessary to fastidiously plan ahead. The wrong wine, she felt, could destroy a good meal.
|
|
|
|
Post by Talon Harsey on Apr 20, 2009 22:15:03 GMT -5
"I was personally planning on getting a pasta with a red sauce. However, if you ladies are planning on getting something with white sauce, I can always change what I want. It does not matter to me, after all I want to make sure that you two are happy with whatever you get." Talon knew how the French wanted to match their wine, because June would usually be the same way.
"You are the guest Virginia, so it is up to you."
|
|
