David Xanatos (selfmade_man) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2020-06-07 22:16:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, catherine pinkerton, david xanatos |
Who: Catherine and Xanatos
What: Xanatos compliments Catherine on her stunning cake
When: Xanatos' party, May 8th
Where: Xanatos' mansion
Rating/Warning: Low/none
Status: Complete
After the tour of his mansion, Xanatos allowed D to have the first slice of cake and then watched him slip into the crowd after his detective. He really was an interesting fellow, one whom Xanatos had had trouble reading. The acrobats were taking a break now after flying across the ceiling of his ballroom, but the DJ was still keeping the music going, and some people who weren’t eating cake or engaging in conversation were still dancing. But as he scanned the crowd, his attention was caught by a woman who was enjoying one of the slices of cake and watching everyone else.
He approached her and smiled. “Enjoying the party?” he asked.
***
Catherine always made a point of stopping in on the parties she provided cake for if it was possible. Xanatos had made it easier on her to do so by inviting everyone on the Network so she’d just used that when the doorman asked her how she’d heard about the party. She’d pulled out one of her party dresses from the back of her closet, black with red shimmer overlay that she hadn’t worn since before her graduation from culinary school. It was one of the nicer things she had and while not as dressy as some of the women she looked good in it.
She had waited until most of the other party goers had gotten their cake to go grab a slice herself, proud of how well it had turned out. She’d have to remember this combination for when Pink’s Treats was open to offer. She was lost in thought, thinking of the different shapes she could make for the cakes, when she heard a man’s voice breaking through her thoughts and she turned her attention to him, face heating up as she realized who had essentially snuck up on her. The man behind the party himself - David Xanatos. She gave him a smile as she answered his question. “I am. It’s amazing. Thank you for throwing it.”
***
“Thank you,” Xanatos said. He had seen enough to know that his party was a success, though it was still nice to hear about it first hand. “Though I’m afraid you have me at a disadvantage. I take it that you must be from Valarnet.”
He didn’t recognize her as one of the wealthier guests or one of the business contacts that he had made sure to invite personally, which meant that she most likely had to have come from the social media website. He didn’t recognize her from his post, however. It wasn’t a surprise - there were a few people from the Network here who hadn’t commented on his post, such as D and his pet detective.
***
“Actually I heard about it from Caroline. We met one another in New York while we were in school and became friends. I missed the notification on Valarnet about a party because I was busy finishing up an order for a cake. I’m a baker - Catherine Pinkerton.” She said holding out her free hand for him to shake. She didn’t know if Care would have told him the name of the person who had provided the cake or just given him the business name she’d contracted with.
***
Xanatos didn’t trouble himself with details like who the baker was any more than he had memorized the names of the waitstaff; he had left all of those details to Caroline to figure out. That was why he had hired her in the first place.
That didn’t mean that the name didn’t ignite some dim spark of memory. Combined with the fact that she had mentioned that she was a baker, he thought he might have spotted the name on one of the invoices that Caroline had provided him. “Of Pink Treats Cake Shop?” he asked after a moment. “Are you the one responsible for this cake?”
***
“That’s my business.” Catherine confirmed, proud of herself for not letting her nerves show at the fact that he recognized the name. She’d put it on the invoice for Caroline just to keep her own books neat and tidy when it came down to it.
“I am. Care and I discussed the flavor profiles and design for it and the cupcakes.” She told him, unable to prevent a tinge of pride from coloring her voice. It had turned out exactly how she’d imagined it when they were discussing it.
***
“Between the two of you, I would say it was a hit,” Xanatos said, turning his attention back to his other guests who were enjoying the cake. Even his wealthy guests - the ones not from the Network who were undoubtedly wondering who had let in the hoi polloi - seemed to be enjoying themselves, which wasn’t an easy feat.
“I’ll look forward to being able to have a piece later.” Xanatos had made sure to have one of the staff take a piece back into the kitchen for him to enjoy once everyone had left, though he’d as of yet not tried any.
***
“Well I hope you won’t be disappointed when you do get the chance to try it.” He wasn’t the first client she’d worked for that had waited until after the party to try the desserts. More intent on mingling with their guests than eating cake. And when Catherine was honest? She’d probably be the same way when it came down to it if she was hosting a party like this. “Caroline did most of the work. I just talked through the cakes with her and did the baking. She’s a genius when it comes to decorating and planning events.” It wasn’t a lie as far as she was concerned. And she would never pass up an opportunity to praise her friend.
***
“I’ve noticed,” Xanatos said, giving the ballroom a satisfied look. “You know, she planned all this in just four days. I wasn’t sure that I could do it. Though, for you to whip up the cake in such a short amount of time is also quite impressive. I’d like to send you a bonus for how last minute the whole thing was, if that won’t cause any awkwardness.”
***
Catherine was torn for all of about five seconds - on one hand the bill had been handled and it had been generous for the time but on the other a bonus for her work was always good and she could use it with getting her physical shop furnished and ready for it’s grand opening in June. She’d make the smart business decision. “I don’t think that would cause any awkwardness at all Mr. Xanatos.”
***
“Excellent,” Xanatos said jovially. “Then I’ll have someone run by with a cheque in the morning. “In the meantime, I suppose I should let you get back to enjoying the party. You can ask any of the staff for anything that you might need.
***