A Liquid Lunch -Open-

[Keara Sonnet]

It was a relief when Tristan enlightened her view of his lifestyle. Keara could not imagine her having wasted all of this time getting to know a guy and finding out he was actually way too good to be true. The moment he flexed his arm, she couldn’t help but laugh softly. “Oh yes, I definitely see,” she commented, taking another drink from her glass. She realized when she set it down that it was empty. “Well, this is getting disappointing,” she muttered, damning her vampire blood to hell. No matter how happy she was sitting next to Tristan, she could not feel happy about her lack of a buzz. Two glasses of the strongest stuff they had in the place and she wasn’t feeling a damn thing. Turning her attention back to Tristan, she tried to find something in common with him. Drinking was an obvious connection, the one that was bringing them together at this particular point in time. However, the gym was not something she worried about for obvious reasons. Despite her petite frame, no one could understand the muscles that hid underneath the pale skin. Quidditch was not much of a connection for them either. She understood the sport and could play it, but she had never been much of one to sit around and watch it. In some instances, it had bored her.

“No, nothing fairy about that. If anything, it’s only turning me on that much more.” The smell of the food caused him to turn his head. She merely glanced at the bartender as he walked over holding both dishes in his hand. The smell of the cooked meat disgusted her, nearly to the point where she wanted to gag. There was just something purely wrong with it, but she pushed it aside and put on a smile as the lasagna was placed in front of her. Before the bartender had a chance to walk away, she pointed to her glass. “And this one is going on MY tab. I refuse to walk out of here feeling terrible for you paying for everything. Not my style,” she pushed, knowing full well he would probably push right back but she wouldn’t take it. In fact, if she could get away with it, she wasn’t going to let him pay for anything. However, how well that would work would be the best question to ask.

As the glass was refilled, she took a look down at it and the food. She refused to let him pay for all of this. Afterall, the first glass she had was the only one that actually did anything for her and that was only because she put her own addition into the glass. She would feel terrible if he paid for all of this and she didn’t enjoy a single bit of it. How worse would she feel if he were to find out she was a vampire? Then he would know that he wasted all of those galleons on her. No, she wouldn’t let it come down to that. When Tristan made a reference to her food, she gave him a smile before picking up her fork and cutting off a bite. “I don’t think we’re going to have a problem with that. I tend to be a good girl and eat everything I’m given,” she assured, giving him a smile. She put the lasagna into her mouth and as predicted, she barely tasted a thing. There were some flavors there but nothing like she imagined a normal person would taste. But because she was who she was, she kept eating.

When he spoke up with a mouthful of food, she giggled softly. “Please, don’t apologize. I’m friends with men who have terrible table manners and don’t even care.” She, of course, was referencing to Damien and Jackson. The two honestly didn’t seem to care what people thought of them, especially when they were wasted. However, that was what she loved about the two of them. They never cared to follow the crowd and it made it that much easier for her to get along with the two.

[Deleted]

His fork dropped from his hand and onto his plate. The idea of having a girl pay for her own tab while in his presence was unacceptable. Grabbing the napkin from his lap Tristan wiped at his mouth and looked at her. He had been raised to be a gentleman. Growing up with six other women taught him to be anything but. His sisters would always find some way to pry the information out of him after he had gone on a date. After, they would all group up on him and fill give him lines of advice. ”You always open the door for them Tristan!” “You never ask a girl if they want to go play Quidditch Tristan! Tristan, do you really think a girly girl thinks hiking is a good date?! Never ever let them pay for their own food unless they turn out to be a bitch then you can leave them there.” The only time he had ever left a girl on a date at a restaurant had been when the woman had began to go on about their future together and how she loved that he was Greek so they could have a huge family together. He thought he had due cause for leaving that one.

Thankfully, Keara hadn’t turned out to be like that one. It had been a long time since he had enjoyed a witch’s company this much. He knew they had only been together for forty five minutes, but it was enough to leave a good impression for him. Tristan began shaking his head furiously. “Absolutely not.” Looking at the bartender, he pointed at Keara. “Mate you let her pay for anything on my tab, I will have no problem lunging across this bar and knocking you into that display of glasses over there.” Doubtful that the man would actually say anything in return Tristan began to pick at his food again. “But I’m serious Keara,” he started, gathering a pile of potato, cheese and bacon on his fork, “I would be terribly offended if you did any such thing. Well I am flattered that you enjoy my company as much as I am yours, I will not allow you to pay for anything of mine. And if you try to, I will have no problem with this being our first and final meeting.” His last statement was brash, but Tristan would simply not accept being paid for.

Tristan continued to eat his food. He was grateful for Keara understanding the fact that he was a man and he did things in a manly manner. His plate was empty soon after. Throwing his napkin on the plate he pushed the plate towards the end of the bar and leaned back in his chair. He folded his hands behind his head and smiled. He was satisfied. His stomach was full and alcohol was coursing through his veins. He wasn’t drunk, but was extremely relaxed. It was 12:30 and Tristan knew he had to be getting back to work soon. Truthfully, he should have been leaving now, but he wanted to stay with the witch for just a little bit longer. There was something appealing about her. Tristan couldn’t put his finger on it, but there was something about her that was fascinating. Pulling his hands back from behind his head Tristan pretended to write on his left palm indicating that he was ready for the check. Hopefully the idiot wouldn’t mess the checks up.

“So what are you getting yourself into for the rest of the day miss?” Tristan asked her, leaning forward as the check was placed in front of him. His studied the items on it. Everything was there. Anything Keara had ordered was on the check. The two of them were expensive, but nothing he couldn’t handle. Placing twenty galleons on the bar, he slid the tab in the bartender’s direction. “Keep the change mate.”

[Keara Sonnet]

Keara playfully glared at Tristan. “Well, since I refuse to not see you again, I have a feeling I have no choice but to give in to your demands. But I swear, one day I will pay you back for this. I am never one to let anyone pay for anything. So just be warned, when you least expect it, I will pay you back for this one way or another,” she warned, putting another bite of lasagna into her mouth. It was as tasteless as the bites before it but, she was halfway through it. It was actually taking away some of her hunger, but it would never satisfy her cravings that have haunted her since birth. She never was a normal child considering she was the child of vampires. There was no explanation on how she even survived because in nearly all cases documented, any child of a vampire died either at birth or before birth. Keara was a marvel, but no one really knew it. She never informed anyone of her past and it was because she never wanted to be a spectacle. If people knew, she would be torn into pieces to find out how she survived and there was no chance of that happening.

The moment she swallowed the last bite, she decided she couldn’t have any more. Lack of flavor, and lack of wanting more substance in her stomach made her set down her fork and decide that she wanted nothing more to do with the food. Rather, she took her glass and tipped the entire thing back in one swoop. She didn’t really realize that it was still nearly full, but then again, she didn’t much care. The glass was placed back onto the counter and the bartender went to fill it up once more. Keara waved him away though, deciding that if Tristan was going to pay for this, she was not going to make the bill much more than it already was. And in any way, she felt like he was getting prepared to go back to work since the moment he set his fork down he also set aside his napkin.

“Honestly, I wish I had an idea about that. However, I have no plans. Perhaps I can get ahold of one of my old friends and go out, but if not, I fear I will sit around all day.” Keara sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. It was not her anticipation to sit around the entire day but she was never fond of going to the clubs on her own and the bar scene was never fun without the quartet. This was one of the few occasions that she had enjoyed it. If she had the choice, she would lock him in the building and not let him leave but she knew that he was going to have to go back to work at some point. When he paid the bartender, she almost felt like pouting.

“Don’t tell me you have to go back to work because I’m sure you might just devastate me,” she said sadly as she propped up her chin on her hand.

[Deleted]

The witch was still trying to pressure him about paying. Tristan rolled his eyes and continued to shake his head. “I don’t think you understand Keara, I am a gentleman. If you haven’t met many of my type, it is out of the question for beautiful witches as yourself to pay for anything we order. For any future meetings I may have the pleasure of having with you, there will not be one time in which any of your galleons will be used. If you cannot accept this, then I’m afraid you will have to roll over my dead body to get your way. You’ll find I’m very stubborn and stuck in my ways of thinking.” He was being truthful. Many years ago when he was still playing Quidditch at school Tristan remembered one particular instance in which he argued for an hour straight with an opposing team’s chaser over a Quaffle getting thrown into one of his hoops. While he had made the mistake of knocking it in himself, he somehow won the argument, making the referee convinced of everything he said to her. A few charming smiles here and there helped his argument. They usually did. Hopefully they would help with Keara.

His eyes fell to her half-eaten plate of lasagna as she pushed it away from her. Perfectly good food going to waste was unacceptable. It was disappointing that she had been unable to finish, he had such high hopes for her. Pity that he was going to have to help her out. Without asking, Tristan reached for the plate and pulled it over to him. He figured she would understand. He finished the food within three unattractively large bites. How the woman still wanted to be seen next to him amazed Tristan. He reached for his napkin again, wiping away the tomato sauce he felt stuck around the corners of his mouth. He was unsure whether he had gotten every speck off of his face but his skin didn’t feel hindered. Satisfied, Tristan threw the napkin by the plate pile. Now he was satiated.

Tristan coveted the freedom Keara would have for the rest of the day. In a few minutes, he would apparate himself back to the Ministry and back to that awful desk piled with papers. Honestly he was surprised the thing hadn’t collapsed from the weight of everything sitting on it. Merlin his life was depressing. “I’m sure your time will be more worthwhile then mine will be. The Quidditch World Cup is starting in the next few months and yours truly has to go over all the contracts being sent out to teams, vendors, venues and camping grounds.” He held up his hands as to restrain her. “Contain your excitement if you will. It’s not nearly as exciting as you picture it to be.” The cute look on her face caused a smile to appear on Tristan’s own. “Trust me sweetheart, the last thing I would want to do is devastate you. Unfortunately the Ministry has other things it seems more important.” The clock on the back wall of the bar read 12:40. He was going to be late if he didn’t get going now.

He lifted himself from his bar stool and slung his jacket over his shoulder. Taking a step closer to Keara, he grabbed her hand and planted a light kiss on the back of it. “It pains me to leave you stuck here Keara, but duty calls.” With that, he began to walk towards the door. As soon as he approached it Tristan turned back around and grinned once more. “I’ll tell you what. If I can make it out of hell earlier tonight, I’ll send you a post and meet you for a liquid dinner. If I can’t, keep your eyes peeled for a message from me within the next few days.” He meant every word he had said to her. Giving her one final wink Tristan turned on his heel and left the restaurant. He was thankful that the witch had managed to lift his spirits. It would make the day much easier, as well as giving him something to strive for the finish his day earlier. He could perhaps talk Marguerite into reviewing some of the contracts for him herself though he would opt out of telling her the exact reason why he needed her assistance. Knowing that she was helping him go out with another female wouldn’t go over well with her.

He continued to think of Keara as he walked down Alzubra Alley. There was something about her that captivated him. If only he was aware of just what that captivation really was.

[Keara Sonnet]

Knowing full well that she wasn’t going to make way in the conversation about allowing her to pay for her own goods, she dropped it. She would, somehow, make up for it one day. Even if it took her using her vampire speed to put galleons into his pocket, she would manage it. There would be no giving up on this attempt this early. Keara loved a challenge. Nearly moments after she pushed the plate away from her, it disappeared. She glanced over at Tristan who was successfully shoving the leftovers into his mouth. He wasn’t kidding when he said he would eat whatever she wouldn’t finish. She didn’t mind at all, and it actually made her feel a little bit better that she wasn’t wasting his money. That was the last thing she had wanted to look like she was doing.

As he began to talk about the reasoning of him leaving her momentarily, she found herself less intrigued. Why did he put himself through all of that trouble for a simple Quidditch game? Was it really that important to have the games going? She wished she could understand why people were fascinated with the game but she knew she never would. When he stood up, she felt like attaching to him and not allowing him to leave. There was no want to be alone the rest of today. It was becoming more obvious that she was going to have to find something else to occupy her time for the day, however. As he kissed her hand, she smiled lightly. “I understand,” she said softly, turning as she watched him walk towards the door. When he turned around, she raised an eyebrow. Please tell me he’s going to stick around… she thought to herself, mentally crossing her fingers. But then he spoke and she knew she wasn’t going to get that lucky. However, she would within the next few days if he kept to his word.

It was then that he left the building, leaving her sitting there on her own. She bit her bottom lip and turned back around to face the bar. Why was she so interested in him? Was it just his looks or was it really the fact that he was so kind. Either way, she was glad to know he was interested. She just hoped that it wasn’t completely due to her being a vampire. There was an obvious attraction of humans to vampires because of the seductress gene they held, but there were sometimes where the feelings were real. She could only hope it was real and she wasn’t just holding out for a guy who was only under her unintentional spell. Deciding she needed to get out of the place if she was going to enjoy the rest of her day and not dwell on Tristan too much longer, she turned in her stool and walked towards the door. As she walked through, the idea of Tristan didn’t leave her mind and, instead, she could only think about when she was going to hear from him next.