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Tweak says, "Dijon, like the mustard"

Adrian Pucey (everupward) wrote in pandorarpg,
@ 2012-01-10 13:32:00

Entry tags:

!status: incomplete, ^date: november 11 2003, character: adrian pucey, character: melinda bobbin

Dinner date
Characters: Adrian and Melinda
Setting: Hogsmeade, Tuesday November 11, 7 PM
Summary: After some unpleasant days at work, Adrian wants to have a nice evening out.
Rating: Worksafe

Adrian was not in the best of moods. Between the most recent death and attack on an Auror, the nightmares - or rather, memories and he was believing them to be now as well - not seeming to be letting up, Adrian was frustrated.

On the plus side, Ron's being involved solved on little nagging detail - why these bodies never had any spots on them, though friends or relatives claimed the deceased had had them. Ron had seen the mark actually disappear. Adrian's day was spent turning first Ernie's conversation, and then Ron's observations over and over in his mind. He shared what he'd learned with the others working the cases, and was relieved to find that there was finally something somewhat concrete to go on. A vague description of a woman that didn't match Pandora Zurlo, but it was still more than they'd had.

Adrian had had Sunday off, though he'd worked Saturday, and that Sunday had been the first day off in over a week. he was fairly certain the following week would be as difficult. That was why he left precisely at 6PM Tuesday night, went home, showered and changed and arrived in Hogsmeade promptly by seven PM. He had a date he'd already had to postpone once, and he wasn't about to do so again. He waited outside the Three Broomsticks for Melinda Bobbin to meet him, trying his best not to dwell on what had gone on at the ministry.

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curapersonalis
2012-01-17 06:52 am UTC (link)

That smile as she approached caught Melinda off guard, making her stomach flutter. Goodness, but he was even more handsome than she remembered, and her own smile bloomed wider in answer. "A picnic? I'm afraid I've forgotten my blanket," she quipped. "We'll have to make do spreading our coats out." He had a sense of humor. That was good to know, and made him all the more appealing.

Joining Adrian under the overhang, Melinda was glad for the dim light. It hid her blush when he suggested apparating. It meant having to trust him. But even more than that, it meant standing close, holding on to him as he took them to whatever destination he had in mind. She hesitated for a moment. She didn't know him at all to trust him like that. But the way her pulse was jumping had her throwing caution to the wind. "I don't mind, no," she said as she stepped closer.

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everupward
2012-01-17 05:20 pm UTC (link)

Adrian found himself actually smiling a little more when Melinda stepped closer. The dim lighting lent a glow to her honeyed skin and he was glad she agreed to let him apparate her. He drew his wand, and wrapped an arm about her waist, casting the spell. They disappeared and reappeared with a very quiet popping sound, in front of a restaurant simply called Number 16 The outdoor decor was very slightly rustic, as though it was an old building that had been lightly modernized.

The interior was warm and inviting, done in reds and golds with soft candle-lighting. Adrian gave his name upon them stepping inside and he only then let go of Melinda. "May I take your coat?" There was a coat check by the door for the diners' convenience.

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curapersonalis
2012-01-19 05:19 am UTC (link)

Side-along aparation wasn't one of Melinda's favorite things. She didn't like the lack of control, never mind the odd sensation. However, Melinda was far more occupied with the pounding of her pulse than the unpleasant jerking in the pit of her stomach as they traveled. When they arrived at their destination, Melinda was only a little breathless and barely dizzy at all.

The sensations passed quickly enough - well, maybe her breath was still a tad uneven, but she knew well enough that had nothing to do with apparation. "You're quite skilled at that," Melinda murmured as they stepped inside. "I don't know anyone who can apparate so skillfully or so quietly." It was curious, and Melinda hoped Adrian would explain, but for the moment his nearness proved a welcome distraction. She gave a slight nod and undid her coat to let him take it from her shoulders. "I hope I'm not over-dressed."

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everupward
2012-01-20 05:14 pm UTC (link)

Adrian nodded at the observation - he saw it as that, not so much as a compliment. "I'm an auror," he replied. "We're trained to apparate both well and silently." He got a look at what she was wearing when he removed her coat and shook his head. "No you aren't overdressed. You look lovely. More than," he added.

He rested a hand at the small of her back and guided her to their table. It was cozy, slightly out of the way. It was enough to give them some privacy, but not make them feel too far removed. Adrian had requested that table, or one close by it. "Let me apologise again for having to postpone until tonight. A number of things happened at the office yesterday that kept me late. I'm glad we were able to reschedule."

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curapersonalis
2012-01-25 08:41 pm UTC (link)

"An auror?" Melinda's eyes went wide as she looked at Adrian. He wasn't at all what she expected an auror to look like - nevermind that any relation of the Yaxleys was still employed by the Ministry at all - but she couldn't hide that she was impressed by this new knowledge. "Not what I expected, I admit. But very interesting."

Melinda blushed at the compliment, a reaction she chastised herself for, but she murmured a thank you and tried not to dwell too much on how nice Adrian's hand felt at her back. . When they reached the table, private, but not secluded, she sat. "Oh, don't apologize, please. I imagine your office has had to deal with lately considering recent events." It made her curious about which case he might be working on, but she wouldn't ask. It was non of her business and it would be terribly gauche.

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everupward
2012-01-27 06:55 pm UTC (link)

Adrian pulled out her chair for her and only after she was seated did he do the same. He tilted his head, a curious expression on his face. "Oh? What did you expect, may I ask? But I'll add you're quite right. It's been terribly busy." He didn't want to go into specifics if only because hit wasn't approaching proper dinner conversation." He had to wait for an answer though, because a server came by then to recommend various house wines, appetizers and mention the special of the day.

"Red wine or white," he asked Melinda, preparing to order a fairly good bottle of whichever she preferred. It was only after the server left again did Adrian turn his full attention back on her. The soft candlelight threw such a pleasant glow over her, making her skin almost glow. It was actually very difficult to look away. He had to though, finally to peruse his menu.

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curapersonalis
2012-02-15 04:32 pm UTC (link)

Melinda shrugged a shoulder at Adrian's as she opened her menu and listened to the listed specials. After placing their order and the waiter took his leave, she finally answered, "I'm not sure what I expected. Something in business, perhaps. You certainly don't dress like an Auror." No, his clothes were too finely cut, and Melinda expected they might even be out of the budget for even a well-paid Auror. "As for being so busy, I hope you don't mind me asking if any progress has been made. I don't need or expect details, just...knowing something is being done would be nice."

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everupward
2012-02-16 01:01 am UTC (link)

Adrian gave her a slightly amused smile. "Well, I'm not on duty at the moment. I'm taking a beautiful woman out to dinner and I prefer dressing for the occasion." He had no idea she was referring more the quality of his clothing, and thus the probable price of them, than the fact that he was just dressed more smartly than an auror would. But as he said, he wasn't on duty.

He did expect her to ask about the cases though, once he'd mentioned it, and he didn't mind at all. "Yes, some progress has been made. There are some more minds working on the cases now, and that's already been a big help." He neither could, nor really wanted to, get into details over dinner, but it was hardly a topic he could avoid. "There are too many people who need to see justice done, and I won't stop until that's happened," he added firmly.

The waiter brought them a bottle of wine, and Adrian actually went so far as to taste it before nodding and having the waiter pour some for Melinda and then himself. He could be a bit old-fashioned.

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curapersonalis
2012-02-22 06:25 pm UTC (link)

Melinda couldn't help but smile at the compliment as she smoothed her napkin over her lap. "But you were dressed just as well when we first met. I believe you said you'd just got off work then, and your clothes were just as fit...and this is probably rather strange dinner conversation," she said after an embarrassed pause. Melinda glanced away, her smile apologetic. "I'm sorry. I'm a bit out of practice at this sort of thing."

Hearing Adrian talk about the murders left Melinda was more questions than answers as she expected, but she was somewhat satisfied with his talk of progress. "I'm sure you're all doing your best. It can't be easy to track down someone so vicious." Melinda thought of all she'd read about the cases in the paper and shuddered. Best to concentrate on more pleasant things—like enjoying a lovely dinner with an incredibly attractive man, Melinda thought as she watched Adrian taste the wine.

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everupward
2012-02-23 03:54 pm UTC (link)

The server was then prepared to take their order; Adrian first questioned Melinda on her preferences and then placed the order first for her, then himself. When he'd left again, Adrian let his mouth curve up in a pleased smile. "You recall what I was wearing when we first met? Isn't that my job?" The tone of his voice had gone a bit teasing.

"I recall yours as well. You certainly caught my attention. I wondered when Bobbin's began hiring such beautiful and elegant shopgirls, because I knew I hadn't seen you there before. Consider my surprise when I discovered who you were and that all these years I must have have spectacularly poor timing to have not caught you."

He smoothly poured her wine and slid the rounded red wine glass to her, his eyes on hers. It amused him to think that despite everything she had going for her blood and wealth-wise, she still likely wouldn't meet with his mother's approval. Lillian would prefer Adrian marry a Parkinson, a Greengrass or any other cultured young lady would was just as fair as him.

But Adrian was taken by Melinda's honeyed brown complexion, her pleasant smile, her strength of personality, and her intelligence. And well, if his mother wouldn't approve, he had to admit that helped make Melinda even more appealing.

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curapersonalis
2012-03-02 07:34 pm UTC (link)

Melinda felt an embarrassed flood her cheeks at Adrian's comment. "I'm observant," she said a little more tartly than she intended. "And you're rather difficult not to notice." The last was added in softer tones as Melinda suddenly found her wine glass fascinating. Merlin, had she really gotten so bad at this? She didn't have nearly as much trouble flirting when she was trying to get a business deal to go her way. But maybe that was it. Then, it was just business and this was anything but.

Certainly not if the way she warmed at Adrian's words was anything to go by. She unconsciously toyed with her necklace as she chanced another look at him across the table. "I'd say we both had equally questionable timing if you're such a frequent customer. I've also never been on a regular schedule there. That, among other things, I suppose it couldn't have been avoided us missing each other." Melinda's mind briefly went to the time wasted on her failed engagement and she took a sip of wine to wash away the bitter thought. Better to dwell on the present.

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everupward
2012-03-13 07:58 pm UTC (link)

Adrian Sipped at his own wine as she replied and after a moment, he replied, "I could say the same for you. You did catch my attention immediately, after all." He watched as her fingers went to her necklace which called attention to the very lovely line of her throat and...Adrian blinked and refocused his attention on her, though looking at her face was no less distracting.

"It's a shame, but I suppose we can just go ahead and make up for lost time now, hmm? I'll start by asking where in Scotland you and your family are from. I was surprised and pleased to catch it in your accent." Adrian may not have cared much for his family, but he certainly was fond of his country.

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