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Post by Lyra Newbury on Jan 2, 2017 23:43:24 GMT -5
Lyra laughed. "Not all women know how to cook," she said quite seriously. Julian was still teaching her and without him by her side the food was barely edible. But she knew Nicolas was only teasing her.
"Yes, well I don't feel like going around smelling of whatever this is you think is cologne. I'll just pop back to my flat and meet you at the restaurant."
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on Jan 2, 2017 23:46:47 GMT -5
Nik frowned, "Have you thought of just asking Sam for a set of rooms?" he asked, "You're here often enough."
And it wasn't as though there were a shortage.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Jan 2, 2017 23:56:04 GMT -5
No, she hadn't. Lyra was happy at her apartment and she liked the peace of retreating to her home after a long day. She also enjoyed living on her own, something she hadn't done before when she was still in school or living with her parents. She knew Nik had his own space at Montgomery Manor and he found enough quiet to take a whole week to himself once a year without anyone bothering him so clearly the copious amounts of Montgomerys occupying the castle wasn't an issue. It had just never crossed her mind as something to even consider, let alone to actually ask.
"You just want me around more," Lyra smiled sweetly.
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on Jan 3, 2017 0:09:59 GMT -5
He walked into that one, and the expression on his face said as much, "Right, well you're probably right. I'm not even sure Montgomery Manor is big enough for the both of us." he said with a shudder.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Jan 3, 2017 0:27:49 GMT -5
She grinned at him. "Right, well I'm going to freshen up and then we'll have dinner and you can try to convince me that you don't want me around all the time." Lyra grabbed her bag and headed out the door, her attire shifting as she stepped over the threshold. She had learned her lesson the first time around and knew to stop just outside the doorway to adjust to the proper height of her shoes as her own clothes reappeared and her drab dueling clothes disappeared.
She apparated home, dropping her purse on her bed as she walked to the shower. She was quick in cleaning up, using magic to speed along the process. As she was dressing, Mimsy appeared. She looked nervous.
"Did mistress Lyra speak to master Julian?"
"No. I've been with Nik. Why? Did he stop by?" Lyra's expression brightened at the thought of him dropping in unexpectedly.
"Yes, mistress. I told him you were with master Nicolas. And, I..erm.." Mimsy pulled on her long ears and twisted them nervously.
"What is it, Mimsy?"
"I didn't mean to hurt him, mistress. I only meant to shut the door. I'm sorry, mistress."
Lyra laughed lightly. "I'm sure it was an accident, Mimsy. Julian will be fine. But I wonder why he didn't come by the Manor." Lyra brushed the thought off, assuming something came up that Julian needed to attend to.
She finished getting ready and then met Nicolas at the restaurant. She wore a simple green, fitted dress and black heels. She put in no added effort for Nik's sake but Lyra always looked gorgeous when she went out.
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on Jan 3, 2017 1:29:05 GMT -5
It was fortunate that they both looked attractive as they were always in the public eye. Nik served the better part of his life in the public eye due to his own social status, but whispers of an engagement or merger between his family and the illustrious Montgomery heiress all but secured his position in most every wizarding and muggle magazine at some point or another. It was one of the reasons he often kept his paramours secret. He was a gentleman and knew how vicious the public mind could be.
Strangely he didn't think anything of escorting Lyra around, or the fact that they had attended several functions and lunches together.
He held the door open for her, "Finally." he teased.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Jan 3, 2017 1:35:57 GMT -5
Lyra rolled her eyes at his comment. "I'm worth the wait," she said simply as she stepped inside.
Lyra too thought nothing of going out with Nicolas. Even after talking with Mason and realizing how vicious the media could be with the socialites she fraternized with, it never occurred to Lyra that anyone would view her relationship with Nicolas as anything more than platonic.
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on Jan 3, 2017 1:48:08 GMT -5
Nik could control the press, he'd been doing it for years, but there was always the young reporter looking for a scoop or a scandal.
"Keep telling yourself that." he said nodding.
Their teasing, borderline flirtatious, behavior was natural. They hadn't gotten off to the greatest start, and they were both so deeply in love with their quasi-significant others that there was generally very little if any pretense of being anything but devoted.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Jan 3, 2017 1:52:02 GMT -5
Lyra gave a smug look at Nik as they approached the hostess who guided them to a table. As was always the case when Lyra went out with any of her wealthy friends, it was a relatively private table and a waiter came over almost immediately to get them started.
"I'll have a dirty martini," she said with a smile toward the waiter.
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on Jan 3, 2017 1:59:54 GMT -5
"Of course." Nik snickered, they had been going on quite a few lunches together and Nik - ever the observant gentleman - had Lyra's orders nearly memorized.
He on the other hand appreciated variety and ordered a vintage wine.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Jan 3, 2017 2:05:14 GMT -5
"Is there a problem, Everhart?" she challenged with a raised eyebrow as the waiter left to fetch their drinks. Lyra had enough variety when she was with Julian as he ordered them all manner of wines. And she could keep up with Sam when they went out, doing shots and harder drinks. But when Lyra didn't feel obligated to match anyone's preferences she went with what she liked. And she felt no obligation to change for Nik.
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on Jan 3, 2017 2:33:21 GMT -5
"The list is too long sweetheart." he teased her.
Truthfully he liked her just the way she was, but he'd die before admitting such a thing.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Jan 3, 2017 2:50:18 GMT -5
Lyra made a not so attractive face as she mocked his teasing and rolled her eyes. She let it go as she looked at the menu, deciding on what she wanted to eat. She was conflicted; she had gained a few pounds, more than likely contributed to the meals Julian cooked for her which always included a scrumptious dessert than to Nik's workout as she had suggested earlier. As the waiter returned with their drinks and asked if they were ready to order, Lyra settled on a salad and a cup of soup.
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on Jan 3, 2017 3:01:22 GMT -5
The look Nik gave her voiced his disapproval with her choice. To spite her he ordered a huge cut of the best meat they had on the menu.
When the waiter left Nik gave her a huge grin.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Jan 3, 2017 3:08:16 GMT -5
Lyra glared at him. "So this obsession you have with me," she started with a small smirk. "You know I'm taken, don't you?" she teased.
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on Jan 3, 2017 3:20:32 GMT -5
"Oh right, because I'm the one who demanded self defense lessons. And I'm the one who comes over all the time to pester you about my significant other's past and moodiness." he stared her down challenging her to accept her own obsession.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Jan 3, 2017 3:29:05 GMT -5
Lyra laughed. "Actually, you're the one who took me to Milan and bought me jewelry." She raised her right hand and wiggled her ring finger which sported a lovely emerald ring. "You're also the one who wants me to move closer to you so we can have late night chats and play drinking games like roomies."
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on Jan 3, 2017 3:49:57 GMT -5
Nik curled his lip in disgust, "We're both obsessed. And we're both gluttons for this disastrous, ego-crippling, farce of a friendship." he said admitting mutual defeat and nothing less.
He loved her.
Not romantically. But with a fondness that he knew he'd do anything for her, as she had somehow wormed her way into his heart.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Jan 3, 2017 4:03:32 GMT -5
Lyra grinned and shrugged her shoulders in reluctant agreement. Yes, she loved him too. She wasn't very successful with it, in fact she made quite a big mess of it when she tried, but she would always go to great lengths to ensure her friends knew how much she cared for them. Even if that meant swallowing her pride from time to time.
After a few sips of her cocktail, Lyra leaned forward. "I didn't hear how things went with Julian after the art show. Truth be told, I've sort of been avoiding him." His missed visit today was the first she'd heard from him as well, so she assumed he was pretty angry with her meddling in his friendship with Mason. Again.
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Post by Nicolas Everhart on Jan 3, 2017 4:18:01 GMT -5
"Bloody idiot." Nik said, "He went home to lick his wounds. Probably sculpted some new monstrosity."
Nik brought his wine glass to his lips and drank deeply for the effect rather than the taste, as Julian's stupidity frustrated him immensely.
"When it's a woman..." Nik looked at her, "-nee, you - he paints. If he's mad at one of his mates, he sculpts. Maybe he sculpted something and then painted it. I don't know."
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