Connecting with another human being- Characters: Wanda, Daimon, Raven, Tony Setting: A NYC restaurant and later the Avengers Tower Content: Probably cursing, but not until later Summary: A double date followed by an unfortunate discovery
Good manners could only go so far and at the moment they were the sole reason that Wanda was at Tony’s side, following a bubbly hostess through an elegant restaurant. The place was nice enough (actually, it was more than simply "nice enough" but Wanda was in no mood to really appreciate it); a modernist lounge housed in a former hotel penthouse and a large heated garden on the roof above. It was to the latter that the pair was led, the magnificent spectacle of Manhattan’s skyline shining beyond the windows completely lost on Wanda. Even the fresh air and view from the rooftop were not sufficient to put her at her ease or make her want to be here. She still wasn’t sure how she’d got from politely skirting around her dislike of Tony’s girlfriend in a message conversation to agreeing to have dinner with the couple. Wanda was quick to suggest that they make it a double date in the hope that Daimon’s presence might make things more bearable for her. Her resolution that she would be happy for Tony because he was happy did nothing to alter Wanda’s resentment of Raven. Nor would any assurance from Tony dispel Wanda’s notion that Raven harbored the same feelings towards her. First impressions died hard.
They were seated at a wrought iron table close to the dance floor, surrounded by tall potted ferns and palm trees strung with lights, protected from the early-spring chill by the warmth of a nearby heat lamp. The smile Wanda turned to Tony had faded with each step through the restaurant and was now reformed with false brightness and a nervous glance. The ride over had been fine, she and Tony had chatted and teased and it was easy. Once they arrived it was suddenly difficult. All Wanda could think was how little she cared for this situation and, based on precedence, how embarrassing this evening could become. Her expectation of mortification made her silent now and that silence grew awkward.
She traced the tabletop with her fingers, watching servers and other patrons, watching the rooftop door and the dance floor, waiting and looking everywhere but at Tony. At any moment their dates would arrive and Wanda’s good manners (curse them!) dictated that she greet Daimon in a self-conscious display of affection and address Raven with feigned regard. They would all have to make overly enthusiastic reintroductions with allusions to the couples' last uncomfortable encounter and follow it up with an evening of pointless small talk until they finally left, pretending they were all great friends. Wanda was fully aware that she was over-thinking this, but that knowledge neither prevented her anxiety or improved her mood. At least, she reason, no one would be drunk this time. Probably.