|
|
Post by Lyra Newbury on Sept 14, 2016 12:22:17 GMT -5
The pair apparated at the restaurant, and Lyra couldn't be more pleased. Julian had given her exactly what she needed; reassurance that she would survive the struggles that she had been going through. Plus, a house elf. She beamed, thinking of how clean her flat would be by the time she returned home.
Looking through the window as they approached, Lyra noticed the restaurant was fairly busy, it was the lunchtime rush. But nothing about the patrons inside seemed rushed. Whether they were talking business or pleasure, everyone seemed to be at ease, enjoying their cocktails and appetizers. Lyra paused in front of the door, waiting for Julian to gallantly open the door for her.
|
|
|
|
Post by Julian Faust on Sept 14, 2016 15:22:16 GMT -5
Julian indeed opened the door for her and followed behind. Known for his excellent tipping, they were seated immediately. Unlike other wealthy patrons, he didn't like to flaunt his status, truth be told he didn't care much for his "station" in life, or the wealth that came with it. There were more important things.
One of which was the girl on his arm. Seeing her happy made him feel whole in a way he hadn't for a long time, it was a dangerous feeling, but he was still in control - for now.
They were seated in a quieter portion of the restaurant that afforded them a little bit more privacy to discuss matters. He ordered a vintage wine for the table and asked if she preferred anything else.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lyra Newbury on Sept 15, 2016 3:44:53 GMT -5
The accommodations one was granted when they paid well were perfectly suited to the discussion she knew would be coming. Although she was feeling more at east with the idea of Julian knowing her dirty little secret, she was still apprehensive about her troubles being overheard. The privacy of their table alleviated those concerns.
Lyra settled into her chair and looked over the wine list. "No, that sounds lovely," she answered in response to his query. Julian had wonderful taste and she knew she wouldn't need to read over the extensive beverage menu when he was ordered. The formality of her "date" ordering for her was appealing to Lyra, particularly now when her life was lacking in so many of those social formalities she had learn to be accustomed to. As the waiter left to retrieve the wine, Lyra fidgeted nervously with her hands under the table. This conversation would not be an easy one for her, and she certainly wasn't going to be the one to start it.
|
|
|
|
Post by Julian Faust on Sept 15, 2016 3:49:55 GMT -5
He gave her a knowing look before taking her hand under the table. "Lyra, I'm not going to pounce on you. Let's have a glass of wine, order our meals, and then we'll discuss how I can be of assistance." he said with a gentle squeeze of her hand.
The wine came quickly, quick service was also a perk of tipping well.
The waiter asked if they were ready to order and Julian gestured for Lyra to go first if she was ready.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lyra Newbury on Sept 16, 2016 2:02:04 GMT -5
His touch calmed her. She nodded and smiled at him.
Lyra hadn't so much as glanced at the menu, so focused on the impending conversation she suspected would be quite long and stress-filled. But she had come here often when she had the means, and had already decided what she wanted. "I'll have the Zucchini Mezzaluna," she said, passing the menu back to the waiter and reaching for her glass of wine.
|
|
|
|
Post by Julian Faust on Sept 16, 2016 2:12:29 GMT -5
Julian ordered as well. Once the waiter left Julian began to entertain Lyra with anecdotes from travels, business, pleasure, and whatever else he could think of to ease her mind. If conversation were a sport, Julian would be a prized athlete.
"Do you want dessert?" he asked once their meal, and several glasses of wine, had been consumed.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lyra Newbury on Sept 16, 2016 2:31:39 GMT -5
Julian was an excellent distraction. He effortlessly filled their meal with conversation that successfully eased Lyra's mind. In fact, for a moment she had forgotten her troubles altogether as she laughed with him over one of his stories. Her heart was light, but her stomach was full. "Julian, I have to watch my figure!" she scolded playfully.
|
|
|
|
Post by Julian Faust on Sept 16, 2016 2:40:08 GMT -5
There was a roguish glint to his eyes as he casually shrugged. Her figure was delectable, moreso than any dessert, but she would in no way suffer by an extra piece of cake or twelve. Lyra was a compact yet curvy package any man itched to get their hands on.
He ordered dessert and winked at her when he asked for an extra fork.
When the waiter left, he decided the time was right now that she was relaxed, "Another glass of wine then? And we can discuss your plans."
|
|
|
|
Post by Lyra Newbury on Sept 16, 2016 2:46:14 GMT -5
Yes, another glass of wine would certainly be required. "Please." She pushed her glass slightly in the direction of the bottle. She felt in control of herself now, but knew when she stood the effects of her several glasses of wine would take hold.
Her gaze shifted to the table and her face dropped. "I've been looking for a job," she said rather quietly. "I don't know what else there is to discuss."
|
|
|
|
Post by Julian Faust on Sept 16, 2016 2:53:12 GMT -5
He filled her glass.
"Can I ask why? It's me Lyra, and trust me I won't think less of you. Why did your parents cut you off?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Lyra Newbury on Sept 16, 2016 3:07:58 GMT -5
Well yes, if he went the round about way there was certainly more to discuss. Lyra had thought about this so much after the initial fallout that it was settled history in her mind. But Julian knew very little of the events that led to her current predicament. She supposed the beginning was the best place to start.
"After everything that happened last year," she hesitated, thinking on Rystain. A dull ache rose in her chest. She started again, slowly. Her voice was very low, not wanting to be overheard, although they were quite isolated. "When I graduated I had no prospects lined up. Daddy said I should have had at least one suitor, if not more. He said I had wasted my time at Hogwarts, and of course I didn't even have the marks to prove I deserved to be there. So really, what was the point in me even going?" she asked honestly. Her grades had been rubbish in her seventh year, and she had completely bombed her NEWT.
|
|
|
|
Post by Julian Faust on Sept 16, 2016 3:11:51 GMT -5
Julian hid his distaste for the man whose love for his only child was determined by her ability to make a good match.
"I'm sorry." he said quietly. Children should be loved by their parents. He sometimes wondered how he had been so lucky to have the family he did when he knew so many with stories similar or worse than Lyra's.
"Well then I suppose all that's really left to ask is what do you want Lyra?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Lyra Newbury on Sept 16, 2016 3:30:02 GMT -5
What she wanted was to be back in her father's good graces, and to have her mother talk to her again. She wanted to stop the screaming red envelopes from flying into her living room and demanding to be paid. She wanted to buy a new dress and go out to dinner and do all of the other wonderful things she took for granted when she had money. She wanted all of these things, but couldn't find the courage to express these petty desires to Julian.
What she needed and what she wanted were, in actuality, very different. But Lyra couldn't see the forest for the trees. A proposal would allow her a place in her parents' hearts again, and they had the means to solve all of her troubles. "I need a suitor," she answered finally. "A real one, this time," she added. Lyra was grateful for their ruse, it had brought Julian into her life after all. She couldn't imagine her world without this wonderful man before her. But a fraudulent engagement wouldn't work with her father.
"And in the meantime, I need some way of paying my bills."
|
|
|
|
Post by Julian Faust on Sept 17, 2016 23:01:52 GMT -5
The wheels in Julian's mind were turning, arranging the pieces he had control over to manipulate a favorable outcome for his friend. He chuckled lightly when she mentioned a "real" suitor.
"Talk to Sam. I hear she has her hands full at the magazine and could use a trusted eye. I'm certain you will find approving fashion designs, beauty tips, and celebrity gossip much more suited to your skillset than waiting tables."
He swirled the wine in his glass before taking a sip and casually finished, "I've already settled what debts you owe, and your work at the magazine should compensate well above and beyond any new bills."
His eyes found hers, " As for a suitor..." he appeared in deep thought. Julian was a master of the social circuit. Eligible ladies and their matchmaking mamas adored him for his gallantry and courtesy, he was a well known and well beloved man in the marriage mart. Lyra's father had considered Hogwarts a "marriage mart" and was disappointed that his daughter hadn't made a match. Julian almost sneered in reaction to his thoughts. Lyra was beautiful, intelligent, charming, and savvy to say nothing of other skills, but she was wasted on a bunch of teenage boys too young to know the first thing about taking care of a wife. It was her father's responsibility to make a suitable matches for his daughter, at the very least it was her father's responsibility to put her in an active setting where she might try her wiles on eligible bachelors who were indeed actually *looking* for a bride. It looked as though Julian would be taking responsibility for her father's duty; he was honored to pick up the man's slack.
"Leave that to me."
|
|
|
|
Post by Lyra Newbury on Sept 19, 2016 23:23:29 GMT -5
Lyra had never once considered speaking to Samantha about a job, as she would have had to let on about her financial troubles as well. Lyra's past year had been nothing compared to Sam's, what with the Hogsmeade attack and the ensuing dramatic consequences, but Lyra was still unable to admit to her friend that she might be struggling. It was only now that Julian had shown her she didn't need to hide from her friends, that she would even consider what he said to her. She very well might be able to help out at the magazine, and she would certainly prefer that to any job she was currently considering. She hardly had time to think on his suggestion, however, when Julian casually mentioned that he had already alleviated the mountain of debt she had buried herself in.
"Julian!" Her voice carried much further than she had intended it to. In her shock she was unable to control herself, but cautiously reeled herself back in. When did he even have time to do this? They had been together since he discovered her shameful secret, hardly any time had passed at all. She had only excused herself to the restroom for a short time, mostly to fix her hair and adjust her clothes once she realized she was wearing the same outfit she had been cleaning in earlier. It took her away from him for no longer than...well she thought it was just a few moments but perhaps it took her much longer than she realized. She had used a few charms to curl her hair and fix her makeup, and she noticed some small stains on her blouse that she magicked away. When she returned to the table Julian commented on how lovely she looked, but perhaps he only noticed because of how long she had been gone.
No matter when or how he had done it, Julian had once again saved her. Leaning across the table, she took his hand. The rest of his plans fell on deaf ears as Lyra looked into his eyes. "You are simply amazing. I don't deserve you." This might have been the biggest compliment Lyra could give to anyone, as she indeed believed she deserved everything.
|
|
|
|
Post by Julian Faust on Sept 20, 2016 0:13:29 GMT -5
During Lyra's not too long trip in the bathroom, he had sent out a few owls, but what he couldn't get to he instructed Mimsy to take care of and use his name. He was pleased, but not surprised, that she didn't feign or feel indebted or upset that he had taken care of things. Julian liked to swoop in, but some called it meddlesome.
He was surprised when she said she didn't deserve him. Mentally and emotionally her words pained him, this was all he could give her, when she deserved more something that he wouldn't be able to give her.
He squeezed her hand gently, " You deserve a whole manner of things Miss Newbury, the least of which are financial, but I am happy to be of assistance."
|
|
|
|
Post by Lyra Newbury on Sept 20, 2016 2:33:47 GMT -5
"Flatterer," she replied with a smirk. "Do go on." What had appeared to be a truly horrific day for Lyra was quickly becoming her best in a long time. A house elf. Some peace from her financial burdens. And a release of the stress that had been weighing on her shoulders as she kept her shame secret from her friends.
|
|
|
|
Post by Julian Faust on Sept 20, 2016 2:42:49 GMT -5
He laughed then leaned back in his chair, "You don't need me to extol your virtues, of which there are many."
He sighed it was good to see her smirk and the line of worry ease from her usually smooth forehead. He was relieved that he had stumbled upon her predicament when he had and that no real damage had been done. Julian knew that creditors could be vicious and Lyra was young and stubbornly alone. It was nothing to take over her finances until she could get on her feet, as they dined he had instructed Mimsy to stock Lyra's fridge - Mimsy was also an excellent cook - and see to it that the shops would know he would cover Lyra's charges and to open credit lines for her as she had been used to when she had lived with her father.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lyra Newbury on Sept 20, 2016 3:04:21 GMT -5
Lyra smiled boldly. "I know I don't need it, but it's ever so fun to listen to."
Julian's thorough planning would be like a series of gifts to her, and when she returned home to find a full kitchen and a warm meal, she would gush over him all over again. He would be getting many enthusiastic letters from her over the next weeks, as she discovered just how much thought he had placed into her welfare.
Finally, she gave in. "Fine. Enough of me. Tell me all about what you and Nicholas have been up to. Sam was rather cryptic the other night. Was it intriguing, or simply too boring to bother talking about?" At the time, Lyra didn't want to push Sam for too much information about Julian. She had thought of him often, but kept that to herself as well. Lyra suddenly realized how isolated she had forced herself to become. It would have to stop.
|
|
|
|
Post by Julian Faust on Sept 20, 2016 3:12:48 GMT -5
"Too boring to bother talking about." he said in a flat tone, " Business. Mergers. Money making more money."
What he hadn't told her was that they had also been working on Julian's estate overseeing an addition to the east wing. It was an unnecessary addition, the estate was already larger than any single person could ever use, but this addition was personal for Julian.
"And Nicolas fawning over Sam, berating me for taking up his time. As usual."
|
|
