Astoria Greengrass (soentitled) wrote in confringorpg, @ 2010-03-04 16:47:00 |
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Entry tags: | character: astoria greengrass, character: blaise zabini |
Dinner Date
Who: Astoria Greengrass and Blaise Zabini
When: Thursday, Early Evening
Where: Diagon Alley
What: Having dinner
Blaise gathered his things from his desk quickly. Usually he loved his work, but today everyone had been annoying him. He needed a way to relax, and that was why he was walking to his flat now. Luckily, he lived in Diagon, so it was far.
He went through the Leaky Cauldron quickly, and Ito Diagon. A slow smile appeared on his face as he saw the perfect thing to relax him. His new project. Astoria. He took a second to make sure he was presentable, then went up behind her again. "Astoria. Are you making a habit of being in Diagon whenever I am?"
--
Well at least this time she hadn't jumped out of her skin. Astoria was looking in a shop window, trying to decide if she liked a pair of blue heels more than a pair of silver ones. The reflection in the glass was so clear that she saw Blaise walking up behind her. A whispered spell and her cheeks were perfectly pink, eyes nice and bright. Turning around, Astoria looked up at Blaise with a please smile.
"Maybe it's the other way around. Maybe you're going out of your way to find me when I'm here."
--
Blaise smirked at her. "You caught me. I couldn't resist the chance to talk to you again." He looked behind her to see the shoes she was looking at. "Getting in some light shopping?" Blaise slipped his hands in his pockets, focusing on Astoria and trying to think of what he should do. "Astoria, since we ran into each other way, would you mind accompanying me to dinner? I hate eating alone." Blaise flashed a smile at her, knowing she wouldn't say no.
--
In an instant Astoria forgot all about the shoes she was going to purchase and quickly looked down at what she was wearing. Oh, thank the stars she didn't look a total mess. This was exactly why she never left the manor looking shabby.
"I'd love to," she said eagerly. Too eagerly. Drat, she was going to have to work on that, wasn't she? "Though I do hope you're not going to suggest the Leaky. I can't be seen in such a place." Astoria stepped closer to Blaise, feeling bolder than she normally did. She couldn't help it. He was so handsome and charming and her mother would skin her alive if she didn't behave properly.
--
"I wouldn't dream of taking you somewhere so common. There's a little French resteraunt down that alley." Blaise took a hand out of his pocket and pointed to the alley to her right and held out an arm for her. She looked so cute excited like that. And she smelled wonderful. She was getting more comfortable with him, and it took all his willpower not to take advantage of that. Yet.
--
Who was Astoria not to accept an invitation to dinner from a charming pureblooded wizard? She knew her parents would, eventually, find someone for her to marry if no one came calling on their own accord. Best not to ignore someone who was seemingly interested in her. Especially someone she fancied so much.
"Perhaps while we walk you can tell me a bit about yourself. I've known you since I was young, but I can't remember speaking more than a dozen words to you before."
--
Blaise took her hand and started walking. He hated talking about himself. It didn't help with his project in the slightest, but it was one of those neccessary evils. "Well, as you know I'm an Unspeakable. My best mate is Draco Malfoy, and I love escargot." He looked over at her and smiled charmingly. Once the got to the door of the resteraunt, Blaise held the door open for her, and signaled the waiter that they wanted a private room, making sure that Astoria couldn't see. As they followed the waiter, Blaise rested his hand on her back again, like he had the other day, and whispered, "I would much like to make up for not speaking to you much before."
--
Following Blaise, Astoria nodded and smiled politely to the staff. Her mother came to this restaurant often and would certainly hear of Astoria's visit. She would have to be on her best behaviour. Or so she thought until they were escorted into a private room. Astoria raised her eyebrows slightly. That was certainly rather forward of Blaise, but she found she didn't mind. He was exciting and she didn't have many exciting things happen in her life.
"That isn't telling me much I didn't already know," she pointed out. Once again she leaned back into his touch. Astoria was certain Blaise could touch her anywhere and she wouldn't mind in the slightest. "And how do you plan on making it up to me? Fancy dinners? I think it is going to take a far bit more than that," she replied and leaned in closer than was really proper. There was something about Blaise that made Astoria want to forget all of her upbringing.
--
Blaise moved his hand slightly so that his arm was now around her waist as he led her to a chair. Pulling it out for her, he smirked and asked, "Well, what did you want to know?" When she sat down, he pushed her in gently, and went to his seat, across from her. He ignored the menu offered him and watched Astoria. A private room may have been forward, but it would be worth it, since she didn't seem to mind. "I will do whatever it takes to make it up to you," he said with a smile. Let her take that as she will.
--
"Everything," she said with a smile. Astoria was naturally curious. She liked understanding people and learning about them. There were so many different people that made up the world and she wanted to know about all of them. Humanity was like a great symphony. Various personalities and cultures making up the melodies and harmonies. It thrilled Astoria to learn a new note. "Why did you become an Unspeakable? Do you ever get lonely? What makes you happy?"
The prospect of being able to ask questions so freely excited Astoria. Too often she was told to be seen and not heard. Blaise didn't seem to mind how much she spoke. "Anything? I'll keep that in mind. Maybe something will come to me later on this evening."
--
"Everything will take a while. And I'll only tell you everything, if you tell me everything as well." Blaise smiled at her and nodded to the waiter as he brought over a glass of wine the staff knew he loved. "I became an Unspeakable because I know they do lots of research, and I'm very fond of research and learning new things. I only get lonely if I'm reminded that I haven't seen anyone in a long time. And I'm quite happy right now." Blaise smiled at her and took a sip of the wine. The part about Blaise that makes him so good at getting what he wanted was that he is honest. Everythng he said was true.
"My turn. Are you close to your parents? What do you do when youre not shopping and playing piano? And finally, what would you like the waiter to bring you?" Their waiter had come back and he smiled at Astoria as he watched her.
--
"Well I don't mind how long it takes. That will just give me more time to spend with you," she said with a small smile and took a sip of her water. She wasn't the biggest fan of alcohol and Astoria had no intention on drinking any unless it was placed in front of her. Even then she had mastered the art of sipping a drink as to not become intoxicated.
"I always thought that if I were allowed to work I'd like to be a Mind Healer." That wasn't something Astoria admitted to many people. Just her sister and the boy from school she didn't allow herself to think of anymore. "People are fascinating, don't you agree? We're all so similar and yet so utterly different. But, it's not proper for a woman of my standing to spend hours upon hours with the depraved and demented." Was that a bit of regret in her voice?
"Oh! I'm sorry!" Astoria didn't bother scanning the menu before ordering. "A salad please, vinaigrette on the side. That will be all."
--
Blaise nodded to the waiter once she had ordered, and then they were alone again. "Oh, people are most definitely fascinating." He sat back and listened to her speak with a small smile on her face. She was definitely different from the girls he usually chose. She wanted to help people, she was incredibly sweet, and innocent. It would be a lovely little challenge.
He picked up on the regret in her voice, and that made her curious. "Surely there's a way to volunteer for an hour or so. That way you'd be doing what you want and not upsetting your parents too much." She hadn't answered his questions about her parents but he didn't mind. They'd get to it.
--
"At the Janus Thickney ward?" Astoria laughed and shook her head. "My parents would never allow it. I'm the youngest and a girl. There is simply no way they are going to let me do anything beyond what is considered acceptable." She didn't like it, of course, but Astoria accepted her place in the world. It could be far worse. She could be like Co-- others.
"What about your parents? Do they have a say in your life or are you one of the lucky few that does what you please?"
--
Blaise listened to her and couldn't help but allow a tiny smile when she revealed just how upset she was about her parents. That would come in handy. Of course, his smile seemed sympathetic to her. Blaise nodded as the waiter brought in their food. Salad for her, his usual small plate of escargot.
"Well, as is usual in our society, I'm generally allowed to do what I what. I'm the only child and a man, so really, my mother just let's her opinions be known. She wouldn't forbid me from doing what I want. It's not exactly fair, is it?" Of course, he truly did believe that. Just like he thought that if Astoria was allowed to be a mind healer, she'd be very good at it.
--
She nearly agreed with him. Astoria nearly said that no, it wasn't fair or right. But she quickly checked herself and looked down at her food. "It's not my place to question the decisions of my parents or the rules of society. I'm quite fortunate and really should be happy with what I have." Astoria picked up her fork and began to eat, very slowly. Judging from the rate lettuce was leaving her plate, she might finish her meal within the next day.
"And what do you want to do? Besides work, that is."
--
He had to hold back a laugh. She sounded like she was quoting her parents, which she probably was. "Yes, we're quite lucky. Doesn't mean we can't recognize when something is wrong. Surely you can agree with that?" Blaise picked up his fork and expertly got the meat out of the shell and took a bite, before placing the fork back on the table. He wanted this dinner to last as long as possible. A wish Astoria shared, apparently.
"To enjoy myself. That's really all I can do, besides work. Meet with friends, have dinner with a beautiful woman." Terrorize blood-traitor waitresses, and find a way to join the Death Eaters. Blaise offered her a smile, and took another sip of his wine, his eyes never leaving her face.
--
"Maybe I can," she said without looking up at him. Disagreeing with her parents even when they were miles away still felt wrong. She'd been brought up to never question their word and it was a lesson she'd learned very well.
Her gaze finally returned to his face, though she wasn't staring at him with the same giddiness as she had been earlier. "Do you really think I'm beautiful," she asked. "My sister is far more attractive than I am," she insisted. "I can't imagine why you want to spend all this time with me."
--
He looked back at her evenly. "Would I be here with you if I didn't? And if I found your sister attractive, you would know. Just know that I think you're beautiful and I love spending time with you. That's all that matters, Isnt it?" Blaise picked up his fork again and took another bite, before putting his fork down again and returning his gaze to Astoria.
"You never did answer my question about your parents. Forgive me, but I'm very curious. With everything we've been talking about, I get the impression you disagree with them a little." Blaise's expression was every bit the patient listener, and he hoped she would answer him honestly. He needed to know how much power her parents had over her.
--
Astoria truly doubted Blaise didn't find Daphne attractive. Everyone did. And who could blame them, really? Her sister was stunning. "Well, thank you." She certainly appreciated his attention even if she didn't understand it. But maybe the more time she spent with him, the better she'd be able to understand him.
After another small bite of her salad, Astoria shrugged her shoulders lightly. "They're my parents. I love them very much, of course. They've always been good to me." That was really the extent of her opinion about them. Astoria didn't know her parents beyond what they told her to do. "Regardless of what my opinions on certain subjects may be, they are still my parents."
--
"No need to thank me. You asked a question and I answered." Blaise shrugged and took another sip of his wine. "Of course, I was merely curious. I would hate to meet your parents and get off on the wrong foot with them." That wouldn't be good for him at all. Blaise finished the last of his escargot, and sat back, watching Astoria again.
"Please, tell me something else about yourself." Blaise smiled and took another sip, clearly not wanting this to end.
--
"Such as? I'm not all that interesting, I told you that." Astoria folded her hands in her lap and looked at Blaise with a small smile softening her face. "I play the piano, I sing, I work with Daphne occasionally, but I hate it. My friends and I shop quite a bit because we have nothing else to do. I'm terrified of dogs, don't like cats much either and have always dreamed about moving out of my parents' home." There. That was a fair bit about her, wasn't it?
Astoria reached across the table and took Blaise's wine glass, taking a small sip. She needed that. "And I'd really like it if you kept seeing me because I haven't fancied someone in a long time."
--
Blaise smiled at her as she took some of his wine. "My mother has this poodle she takes with her everywhere she goes. Most annoying thing on the planet." He reached over and took the glass from her hand, taking a sip of his own and placed it on the table between them. "Well, it's a good thing I plan to keep seeing you then, isn't it?" Blaise flashed a smirk at her and continued, "If you could move out of your parents house, where would you live?"
--
"Hogsmeade," she said quickly. Almost as though she'd been thinking about the answer for years. "Think of all the people there. Witches and wizards. Totally cut off from Muggles and Scotland is gorgeous, isn't it? Hogwarts was the best time of my life.. I'd like to be close to it again. And there is this library there. Four stories tall and filled with more books that you could imagine." Here she was, rambling on about books and villages. That wasn't the sort of girl Blaise was interested in. Astoria gave herself a mental kick and her sincere smile was quickly replaced by a more poised and polished one.
"Though, London is quite lovely as well. And the shopping isn't to be beat. I suppose I'd take a flat in Diagon. I've heard there are some lovely buildings here."
--
Astoria was wrong. He liked smart girls, it only made sense. He loved books, and women, why not combine the two things he loved? "The library in Hogsmeade is amazing, I'll agree. It's probably the best wizarding library in the country." It still didn't have the information he was looking for, but still. "Diagon is alright, I suppose. I live in a building the block over. Personally, I would prefer Hogsmeade, but I like being close to work." He smiled as the waiter came to clear their plates. "Would you like to take a walk with me?" He stood up and offered his hand to her.
--
Nodding, Astoria picked up her nap to blot her lips before standing and placing her hand into his. "Anything you'd like," she said and squeezed his hand lightly. It was a good thing he was someone she knew. Astoria would have been in a great deal of trouble if she had agreed to wander off with just anyone. But Blaise was different. She could trust him.
--
Blaise linked their fingers together and led Astoria out of the resteraunt. "There's a park near my building that I pass on my way to work. There's hardly anyone there." He smiled over at her. She was making this so easy for him. But he had to stick to his plan. Keeping them somewhere public would show that he wouldn't take advantage of her. Blaise gave her hand a slight squeeze and smiled at her while leading her toward the park.