So caught up in the concentration of suggesting, Nic almost forgot she was speaking of food, when she mentioned Italian. He quickly shooed the vision of a pretty Italian signorina from his mind, and nodded in agreement.
"Tuesday, Italian, perfect...you know of a place, or should I scout one up?"
Again the only place that came to mind was the Piazza, and while Nic liked it well enough, he had already been there enough times that the waiters were looking familiar. A change of scenery would be welcomed. Besides, the last time he toured the museum he had ended up at the Piazza, and that had been slightly disastrous.
Now...the only other thing left for him to do was to see if he could find out more about Val in the mean time. It was irritating to feel like he had to go to these lengths, but he'd already pushed his luck into next year with Kem and Alfarinn. If he screwed up again, he had to think they'd both look to kick his ass out of Evenhet.
And he was so liking it there now.
"Shall I pick you up...around...sevenish?"
Late enough for him to get ready, and yet early enough to have the entire evening ahead of them. Just the little planning he was doing in his head now, was revving up his hormones, and he again cursed himself for not having more time available now.
The Finish Line
It was a good run Nic knew what he was doing and where the bike didn't have the same power it did have better maneuverability and fit places the Vanquish couldn't. However, Val had lots of practice and little traffic to contend with and wound up breezing by him.
She had an idea where the place was and found it relatively easily. The car was parked a ways back, not in the close spots, she wanted room on either side, and under a lamp. If someone wanted to steal it, they'd have to be seen. Locking it down and setting the alarm, she walked in.
She'd never been in Flanagan's, most 'Irish' places made her queasy, it was like being beat over the head with shamrocks and clichés. This one, however, wasn't bad. Val quickly commandeered a booth and ordered her Irish coffee, making sure the server knew she was expecting someone soon.
Nicholae
18 years ago
Valentine
18 years ago
"No I know a wonderful little place."Â?
And the owner's great grandfather had been quite the hell raiser, but Val had always liked him. It had at first seemed peculiar that the Mazza passion had been turned to cooking but Enzo made it pay. The boy, young man actually, treated Val with great respect and was always pleased to see her even if he was completely unaware of her affiliation with his family.
Not having a place in town to let Nic pick her up at she had to side step that offer.
"I'll meet you there about eight. I'll get one of my guys to drop me off on his way home. But I think you'll like è Aumentato very small but not at all quaint."�
Chic and exclusive were more to the point, but she would let Nic pass his own judgment.
She wrote down the name and address of the restaurant on a napkin and slid it across to him.
"You've all ready got my cell."Â?
And the owner's great grandfather had been quite the hell raiser, but Val had always liked him. It had at first seemed peculiar that the Mazza passion had been turned to cooking but Enzo made it pay. The boy, young man actually, treated Val with great respect and was always pleased to see her even if he was completely unaware of her affiliation with his family.
Not having a place in town to let Nic pick her up at she had to side step that offer.
"I'll meet you there about eight. I'll get one of my guys to drop me off on his way home. But I think you'll like è Aumentato very small but not at all quaint."�
Chic and exclusive were more to the point, but she would let Nic pass his own judgment.
She wrote down the name and address of the restaurant on a napkin and slid it across to him.
"You've all ready got my cell."Â?
Nicholae
18 years ago
"So, foiled yet again?"
He laughed.
"The place sounds perfect, and we'll make it eight then."
No matter how he went about it, she was tight lipped, this one. Sure she had told him about herself...her love of cars and horses and speed. But where did Val come from, and where would she go when she left him later?
"Usually they say guys are the ones who always want to talk about themselves...I think we've been given a bad rep. Here I've been bending over backwards to get you to talk about yourself, and maybe give me some insight into the personal Val, but instead you seem to like to dance. Speaking of which, that's something else I like to do. Maybe after dinner, and the museum, I'll take you by the Club Eternity. We can make a night of it."
Not really one to play it coy, or close to his vest, Nic saw no need in hiding himself from those he wanted to be with. However, he knew better than to think everyone was as he was, so for now he'd stick to his plan, and just take the time with Val as she dealt it.
"You're not married, are you?"
Now wouldn't that be a kick in the ass?
He laughed.
"The place sounds perfect, and we'll make it eight then."
No matter how he went about it, she was tight lipped, this one. Sure she had told him about herself...her love of cars and horses and speed. But where did Val come from, and where would she go when she left him later?
"Usually they say guys are the ones who always want to talk about themselves...I think we've been given a bad rep. Here I've been bending over backwards to get you to talk about yourself, and maybe give me some insight into the personal Val, but instead you seem to like to dance. Speaking of which, that's something else I like to do. Maybe after dinner, and the museum, I'll take you by the Club Eternity. We can make a night of it."
Not really one to play it coy, or close to his vest, Nic saw no need in hiding himself from those he wanted to be with. However, he knew better than to think everyone was as he was, so for now he'd stick to his plan, and just take the time with Val as she dealt it.
"You're not married, are you?"
Now wouldn't that be a kick in the ass?
Valentine
18 years ago
She shook her head and laughed. It wasn't Val's plan to be deliberately mysterious, it was just habit. Once you got her going though she could be quite a talker.
"All right I'll bite. You know Da was a trainer he and Ma emigrated from Ireland and I was born in Chicago a few years later. Only child, years of Catholic schooling which I've managed to shed with some success. Up until now, I've split my time pretty evenly between Chicago and Ireland but needed a change of pace so here I am. And I do love to dance."Â?
She'd get a place in the city in the next day or two. It shouldn't be hard and then add some pre-fab furniture. At least that way he'd have a place to drop her off at. Val wondered how long she could keep her family a secret.
The married comment got her to choke on her drink before laughing again, behind a napkin while dabbing at her mouth.
"No, not hardly."Â?
"All right I'll bite. You know Da was a trainer he and Ma emigrated from Ireland and I was born in Chicago a few years later. Only child, years of Catholic schooling which I've managed to shed with some success. Up until now, I've split my time pretty evenly between Chicago and Ireland but needed a change of pace so here I am. And I do love to dance."Â?
She'd get a place in the city in the next day or two. It shouldn't be hard and then add some pre-fab furniture. At least that way he'd have a place to drop her off at. Val wondered how long she could keep her family a secret.
The married comment got her to choke on her drink before laughing again, behind a napkin while dabbing at her mouth.
"No, not hardly."Â?
Nicholae
18 years ago
Finally! The relief in his face was almost palpable. As he listened, he maintained a look of serious regard until she said she loved to dance, and then his face lit up yet again.
"Not then, that wasn't too difficult, was it? And you dance too? Fantastic! The last time I took a woman dancing, well, you know what happened there. I really need to get back on that horse though, as soon as possible."
And not being superstitious per se, Nic also didn't like to laugh in fate's face.
As she began to choke on his question, his heart sank and he realized the other shoe had just dropped. She must be married. Though it wouldn't have been a true problem for him, he could see where it might complicate any future relationship that might develope. Luckily that wouldn't be the case, as she finally answered in the negative. And the concern was again replaced with a smile.
"Good! That IS wonderful news."
Now...how would she react if he happened to let more of his past slip out.
"I would have to guess though, a woman of your looks and brains must have had more than one offer...is it that you haven't met the right guy, or...are you just not the marrying type?"
With the way his luck was running, he hoped she wasn't now going to tell him she preferred women.
"Not then, that wasn't too difficult, was it? And you dance too? Fantastic! The last time I took a woman dancing, well, you know what happened there. I really need to get back on that horse though, as soon as possible."
And not being superstitious per se, Nic also didn't like to laugh in fate's face.
As she began to choke on his question, his heart sank and he realized the other shoe had just dropped. She must be married. Though it wouldn't have been a true problem for him, he could see where it might complicate any future relationship that might develope. Luckily that wouldn't be the case, as she finally answered in the negative. And the concern was again replaced with a smile.
"Good! That IS wonderful news."
Now...how would she react if he happened to let more of his past slip out.
"I would have to guess though, a woman of your looks and brains must have had more than one offer...is it that you haven't met the right guy, or...are you just not the marrying type?"
With the way his luck was running, he hoped she wasn't now going to tell him she preferred women.
Valentine
18 years ago
"Next time I'll bring a resume."Â?
She teased him, but she didn't point out Nic hadn't shared too much of himself. But there was some patience, somewhere, in her and she let it slide.
"One guy a few years ago. Never asked me to marry him but I didn't care. We were together for years and then sort of grew apart. But we're still on good terms, although I haven't heard from him in a while."Â?
What were the term... friends with benefits. That was the relationship they had now. How long had it been? Twenty years now, that seemed about right. He'd found her hiding out in Chicago. It had been a great week but then they'd gone their separate ways again.
"What's your deep dark secret? Must be something keeping you free and clear. Mass murderer, bigamist... lawyer; what's your flaw?"Â?
She teased him, but she didn't point out Nic hadn't shared too much of himself. But there was some patience, somewhere, in her and she let it slide.
"One guy a few years ago. Never asked me to marry him but I didn't care. We were together for years and then sort of grew apart. But we're still on good terms, although I haven't heard from him in a while."Â?
What were the term... friends with benefits. That was the relationship they had now. How long had it been? Twenty years now, that seemed about right. He'd found her hiding out in Chicago. It had been a great week but then they'd gone their separate ways again.
"What's your deep dark secret? Must be something keeping you free and clear. Mass murderer, bigamist... lawyer; what's your flaw?"Â?
Nicholae
18 years ago
He winced a little at her mention of a resume, but knew she was teasing. It was more evidence that Nic had a hard time being subtle. Overacting had always been something he had to watch out for as well.
He was more shocked to hear Val hadn't more suitors. But then he thought, she hadn't lived for hundreds of years, so of course she wouldn't have even had time to meet that many men.
"No secrets here. What you see is pretty much what you get. There was a woman in my past as well...a long time ago, but she died." At least that was the conclusion he had drawn when Iuliana had disappeared and never returned. It had been a VERY long time ago, but Nic couldn't help feel nostalgic. She had been his only real love, ever, and though he was aware their love really hadn't been the "Romeo and Juliet" kind, it was the only one he had ever had.
"I think I've just been waiting for the right woman to come along.
To my knowledge I've never murdered anyone, never been married even once..."
He gave her a double take at the mention of being a lawyer, and grinned.
"And no...I haven't the brains necessary to argue or prove someone's innocence. Which is not to say I wouldn't try if I felt a close friend was being railroaded. But I would be fearful of the outcome none the less."
The first answer really was the correct one. Nic just hadn't met the one woman he wanted to spend eternity with. Or, in the off chance he had, she obviously hadn't wanted to spend eternity with him. Again his mind swiftly brushed over the memory of Maeve.
"Who knows...maybe the person we're both destined to be with is right in this room this very minute."
And though he was teasing as well, he couldn't help but wonder. He hoped that statement didn't send her back to choking though.
He was more shocked to hear Val hadn't more suitors. But then he thought, she hadn't lived for hundreds of years, so of course she wouldn't have even had time to meet that many men.
"No secrets here. What you see is pretty much what you get. There was a woman in my past as well...a long time ago, but she died." At least that was the conclusion he had drawn when Iuliana had disappeared and never returned. It had been a VERY long time ago, but Nic couldn't help feel nostalgic. She had been his only real love, ever, and though he was aware their love really hadn't been the "Romeo and Juliet" kind, it was the only one he had ever had.
"I think I've just been waiting for the right woman to come along.
To my knowledge I've never murdered anyone, never been married even once..."
He gave her a double take at the mention of being a lawyer, and grinned.
"And no...I haven't the brains necessary to argue or prove someone's innocence. Which is not to say I wouldn't try if I felt a close friend was being railroaded. But I would be fearful of the outcome none the less."
The first answer really was the correct one. Nic just hadn't met the one woman he wanted to spend eternity with. Or, in the off chance he had, she obviously hadn't wanted to spend eternity with him. Again his mind swiftly brushed over the memory of Maeve.
"Who knows...maybe the person we're both destined to be with is right in this room this very minute."
And though he was teasing as well, he couldn't help but wonder. He hoped that statement didn't send her back to choking though.
Valentine
18 years ago
How long ago was ‘a long time ago’. There was no way to know exactly how old Nic was. The way he said it though made her think it was similar to her own relationship with Giovanni, although she didn’t think she would take it well at all if he were to die. In her mind, he was truly immortal. Probably a foolish little girl thing to think but Val just couldn’t see anything happening to Giovanni.
She successfully prevented herself from laughing at the idea that he didn’t have the brains to be a lawyer. It was hard to judge intelligence in the few short meetings they’d had but she did conclude that if nothing else he was far too trusting.
“A romantic? Why Mr. Lache I never would have guessed that.”
It was easy to respond to his statement with a light quip, just the right amount of humor, but not so much as to be offensive.
She successfully prevented herself from laughing at the idea that he didn’t have the brains to be a lawyer. It was hard to judge intelligence in the few short meetings they’d had but she did conclude that if nothing else he was far too trusting.
“A romantic? Why Mr. Lache I never would have guessed that.”
It was easy to respond to his statement with a light quip, just the right amount of humor, but not so much as to be offensive.
Nicholae
18 years ago
"There might be a lot of things hidden inside Mr. Lache, that you would never guess. Sounds like you may just need to keep going out with me until we both have a chance to discover how much lies beneath the surface."
Nic chuckled again, and gave her his best sexy wink. For now Nic wasn't thinking beyond the next date really. With Maeve he had thought beyond, and wound up with a head full of unfulfilled images. With Alex he hadn't strayed from the moment, and wound up with nice memories, and only one or two minor regrets. He wanted more from Val, but didn't want his hopes trampled too soon, if they were to be trampled at all.
As unfortunate as it was, Nic could sense the usual weariness that overtook him at daybreak. Though he really didn't sleep long at all, sunrise almost always knocked him out. So he knew he would need to wrap up the little mini date he was enjoying, and reconfirm their next date.
"It pains me to say this, but I really do need to get going. One of those secrets of mine, I'll let you in on early...I turn into a pumpkin at sunrise, and totally lose the ability to function. Never fear though...it's a condition a couple hours sleep always cures."
Again he grinned a teasing grin, and drained the last of his beer.
"Can I walk you to your car?"
This way, at least, he'd get a chance to kiss her goodnight. During their short time together tonight, his eyes had wandered to her mouth several times. Each time he resisted the urge to taste her, but somehow he would before he bid her goodbye. He would not resort to any of his abilities, deciding if she followed through, it would be all her idea.
Nic chuckled again, and gave her his best sexy wink. For now Nic wasn't thinking beyond the next date really. With Maeve he had thought beyond, and wound up with a head full of unfulfilled images. With Alex he hadn't strayed from the moment, and wound up with nice memories, and only one or two minor regrets. He wanted more from Val, but didn't want his hopes trampled too soon, if they were to be trampled at all.
As unfortunate as it was, Nic could sense the usual weariness that overtook him at daybreak. Though he really didn't sleep long at all, sunrise almost always knocked him out. So he knew he would need to wrap up the little mini date he was enjoying, and reconfirm their next date.
"It pains me to say this, but I really do need to get going. One of those secrets of mine, I'll let you in on early...I turn into a pumpkin at sunrise, and totally lose the ability to function. Never fear though...it's a condition a couple hours sleep always cures."
Again he grinned a teasing grin, and drained the last of his beer.
"Can I walk you to your car?"
This way, at least, he'd get a chance to kiss her goodnight. During their short time together tonight, his eyes had wandered to her mouth several times. Each time he resisted the urge to taste her, but somehow he would before he bid her goodbye. He would not resort to any of his abilities, deciding if she followed through, it would be all her idea.
Valentine
18 years ago
“Trying to tempt me are you?”
She offered him a very generous, yet closed lipped smile. He was forward but no too forward and she found that intriguing, she would have understood him better if he’d gone for the zero to sixty method.
It took a lot of effort but she didn’t laugh when he spoke of turning into a pumpkin. She’d half been waiting for him to say something. However, she wasn’t sure how far she’d have pushed things to keep her identity under wraps, but it didn’t matter now.
“Of course. I’m parked in back.”
She offered him a very generous, yet closed lipped smile. He was forward but no too forward and she found that intriguing, she would have understood him better if he’d gone for the zero to sixty method.
It took a lot of effort but she didn’t laugh when he spoke of turning into a pumpkin. She’d half been waiting for him to say something. However, she wasn’t sure how far she’d have pushed things to keep her identity under wraps, but it didn’t matter now.
“Of course. I’m parked in back.”
Nicholae
18 years ago
Standing, Nic picked up the tab the barmaid had set down on the table, and put enough cash down to cover it, and then tucked a twenty under his Guinness bottle. He moved over to hold Val's chair for her, and once she had stood up, placed a casual hand on her lower back. Rubbing against her back softly, he guided her to the door, and as they walked he looked around a little more carefully.
"This is a really nice little, homey type place...think I should look into buying it? Or maybe I should ask...is this the type of place you'd come back to?" The more he thought about it, the more he liked the idea of owning a friendly, happy place like this. He still wasn't giving up his plans to build a hotel, but decided something like Flannigan's would keep him busy until he got the hotel construction begun.
Pushing the door open, by putting his hand on it, over Val's head, Nic waited for her to leave the bar and followed her out. His hand returned to the small of her back, and they walked around the building until they were standing alongside her car door. His hand slid up her back then, and tenderly cupped the back of her neck. He turned her, and himself, until they were facing each other, and he smiled down into her face. She really wasn't much bigger than a minute, he thought.
"I really did have a very nice time tonight, and have to say almost running into you might have been one of the more lucky things to have happened to me in sometime."
His grin turned into a more tender smile as he lowered his face and brushed his lips across hers. Lifting up slightly, he looked into her eyes, and when he saw she didn't intend to stop him, he kissed her again, but with more feeling, and pressure. Slipping inside her mouth, Nic was met with a delicious warmth that filled him with a passion he hadn't felt in a while either. As his tongue searched he stopped briefly, considered, and plunged ahead. Wrapping his arms about her waist, and lifting her up until there was no issue of height, he deepened the kiss. When he began to forget that they were standing in the middle of a parking lot, Nic pulled away, and set her feet back on the concrete.
"A VERY nice time." He murmured into her ear, as he hugged her and then released her to her car.
"This is a really nice little, homey type place...think I should look into buying it? Or maybe I should ask...is this the type of place you'd come back to?" The more he thought about it, the more he liked the idea of owning a friendly, happy place like this. He still wasn't giving up his plans to build a hotel, but decided something like Flannigan's would keep him busy until he got the hotel construction begun.
Pushing the door open, by putting his hand on it, over Val's head, Nic waited for her to leave the bar and followed her out. His hand returned to the small of her back, and they walked around the building until they were standing alongside her car door. His hand slid up her back then, and tenderly cupped the back of her neck. He turned her, and himself, until they were facing each other, and he smiled down into her face. She really wasn't much bigger than a minute, he thought.
"I really did have a very nice time tonight, and have to say almost running into you might have been one of the more lucky things to have happened to me in sometime."
His grin turned into a more tender smile as he lowered his face and brushed his lips across hers. Lifting up slightly, he looked into her eyes, and when he saw she didn't intend to stop him, he kissed her again, but with more feeling, and pressure. Slipping inside her mouth, Nic was met with a delicious warmth that filled him with a passion he hadn't felt in a while either. As his tongue searched he stopped briefly, considered, and plunged ahead. Wrapping his arms about her waist, and lifting her up until there was no issue of height, he deepened the kiss. When he began to forget that they were standing in the middle of a parking lot, Nic pulled away, and set her feet back on the concrete.
"A VERY nice time." He murmured into her ear, as he hugged her and then released her to her car.
Valentine
18 years ago
She really was surprised to her him talking about buying Flannigan’s to all appearances it was not his style. Maybe she’d misjudged him, it wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing if she had, just surprising.
“It’s a good place one I wouldn’t mind coming back to. But getting into it with a good Irish family will bring you nothing but trouble.”
It hadn’t taken long to figure this was a family establishment and from her own personal experience picking, a fight would be a problem in the long run.
Noting the hand on her back, she let him escort her to her car and was not at all surprised at the kiss. He was nearly a foot tall her than she was, more actually as she wasn’t wearing heels tonight, and so she had to stand on her tiptoes to meet him; but he took care of the rest.
She knew he’d noticed her fangs, if nothing else he’d have one or two questions but next time. He was not exactly thinking about much else right now she decided, of course neither was she.
When he set her back down Val only smiled wickedly.
“A –very- nice time.” She agreed readily. “See you Tuesday.”
Switching off the alarm she unlocked the car, slid in and with a final wave drove off.
((OOC... out))
“It’s a good place one I wouldn’t mind coming back to. But getting into it with a good Irish family will bring you nothing but trouble.”
It hadn’t taken long to figure this was a family establishment and from her own personal experience picking, a fight would be a problem in the long run.
Noting the hand on her back, she let him escort her to her car and was not at all surprised at the kiss. He was nearly a foot tall her than she was, more actually as she wasn’t wearing heels tonight, and so she had to stand on her tiptoes to meet him; but he took care of the rest.
She knew he’d noticed her fangs, if nothing else he’d have one or two questions but next time. He was not exactly thinking about much else right now she decided, of course neither was she.
When he set her back down Val only smiled wickedly.
“A –very- nice time.” She agreed readily. “See you Tuesday.”
Switching off the alarm she unlocked the car, slid in and with a final wave drove off.
((OOC... out))
Nicholae
18 years ago
Though he didn't say it, he would certainly not fight someone over a piece of land or building. And, maybe Val was right...maybe that was one reason Flannigan's held so much appeal...the family atmosphere. He nodded in agreement, but held fast to his resolve to at least look into it.
The kiss was more than pleasant, and somewhat revealing as well. In Nic's mind there was nothing but good that had come out of this short date, and he now wondered how he would fill the time between now and Tuesday.
He was glad to hear she was thinking about Tuesday already, as well, and waved as she drove off. Next time she wouldn't be leaving so quickly, if he had anything to say about it. He grinned and walked back to his bike.
(Nic out)
The kiss was more than pleasant, and somewhat revealing as well. In Nic's mind there was nothing but good that had come out of this short date, and he now wondered how he would fill the time between now and Tuesday.
He was glad to hear she was thinking about Tuesday already, as well, and waved as she drove off. Next time she wouldn't be leaving so quickly, if he had anything to say about it. He grinned and walked back to his bike.
(Nic out)