Eating alone? [Elizaveta]

[Gilbert Beilschmidt]

The weather was absolutely miserable, temperatures hovering just over freezing, causing the precipitation to fall in icy sheets of rain over the small town. Gilbert stepped into the restaurant, shaking off the excess rain like a dog, and impatiently brushing the water from his eyes. He peeled off his drenched coat and scarf and held them away from his body with a irritated sniff. He’d only been in Russia for a day and a half and he was already growing tired of the weather. He wanted nothing more than to head back to the States, with his brother safe and sound at his side. But until then, he couldn’t do anything that put his brother at risk, and so he had to pretend like everything was normal, like this was just another business trip.

He spotted a kid standing nervously by the door. They exchanged a brief look before the boy held his hands uncertainly out for the German’s coat. “Thanks kid,” he said, handing the boy a generous tip and grinning when the kid smiled beatifically and took the coat and scarf from him. He turned back around and ran a distracted hand through his platinum hair, the rain making it stand up in uneven spikes, as he surveyed the restaurant. It was… quaint, quieter than his usual haunts. The music was soft, instrumentals weaving docilely through the muted conversations. The only light source came from dainty lamps that adorned each table and booth, and the overstuffed booths and warm cherry floors gave the place a cozy and nostalgic feeling. Normally, Gilbert would have passed on such a reserved locale, but between the jetlag and the driving chill that had settled into his body when he first stepped foot outside of the Russian airport, he could actually do with a little peace. Or so he thought. But then he followed the hostess into the dining area, and saw… her.

For the first time in his life, Gilbert was struck mute by the beauty of a stranger. She sat in a corner both, eyes downcast as she skimmed the menu. Gilbert marveled at the perfect arch of her shoulders, the waterfall of thick honey-colored hair that cascaded down her back, the rosy tint of her flawless skin. And then she looked up to order and for the second time as many minutes, Gilbert was blown away.  Her warm olive-green eyes sparkled, even in the dim light of the restaurant and her voice, inviting and soft and tinged with a slight accent that just begged for conversation. And he was certainly willing to oblige. Waving the hostess aside, he quickly strode over and slid into the opposite booth, looking for all the world as though he belonged there. He picked up the menu and began flipping through it nonchalantly. “A beautiful lady like you should never dine alone,” he said, flashing her his most charming grin.“And I could use some company. It’s a win-win for everyone.” He was confident, and rightly so. How could anyone say no to this level of perfection?

[Elizaveta Héderváry]

INFINITY (n.) the state of being limitless A nice, easy, relaxing day on town. That's what Elizaveta had been looking forward to all of today. All of this week, actually. Even a workaholic like Elizaveta knew that she had to take some time for herself. So she'd arranged her schedule to accommodate for it. It was one of her favorite restaurants, perhaps second best. Her first was the cafe she often visited with Nadya, except that was special and reserved for that woman only. It would feel unnatural to go there without the woman Elizaveta so often thought of as her mother, so she had come here instead. It was certainly classier than the little cafe, but it was warm and homey and it made Elizaveta feel peaceful. So different from the damp, darkness of the Underground, with its cheery lights. The people here were respectful, the waiters kind...Elizaveta could eat here and not feel judged from every angle. The food was good too. Large portions for a very modest price. Not that money was a particular concern for her. It was cold and dreary and such a terrible day to be in the Underground at all. She'd been watching the clock for hours now while she yelled at the guards and finished up the paperwork and groaned over everything she had to deal with. Watched it until she could watch no more and she called it quits early, heading home before seven at night for the first time in months. Aleksander had cheerfully waved goodbye to her as she left and she'd had to catch herself before she rather uncharacteristically waved back. And then she'd stepped in here and it felt like her worries had melted off her and she was smiling so brightly. Some time alone, some time to herself, some time to just let herself forget about everything. Seated at a corner booth, Elizaveta was in the perfect position where she could simply enjoy herself. She took the menu cheerfully from the waitress, though she really didn't need to, and within minutes she was already waving the girl down. It was miserable outside, but in here that didn't matter in the slightest. Elizaveta almost hummed, something she hadn't done recently either. Everything seemed perfect. Until, that is, someone else strode in. The man slid into the booth across from Elizaveta easily, almost as if he belonged there and was only now taking his place. He took up the menu and glanced through it before looking up at her, flashing two unnervingly red eyes that stood out amongst his ruffled white hair. There was a confident—no, cocky—grin on his face, as if he was certain of exactly where this conversation was headed. It was a look that Elizaveta had seen many times. It immediately dampened Elizaveta's day. Had she been in the Underground or had she been in a worse mood than she was today, she would have snapped at him immediately, or at least coldly asked him exactly what he meant by sitting down across from her. But for now, perhaps because she was feeling kind or perhaps because she still wanted to believe this day was salvageable, Elizaveta indulged his words. "A beautiful lady like you should never dine alone." Flattery. Cliché. Oh, they were off to a wonderful start. "And I could use some company. It's a win-win for everyone." There was that irking arrogance in his tone again. "Is it though?" Elizaveta looked at him with mocking concern. She leaned forwards as if she was truly considering his offer, her hands folding before her. "From the looks of you, I'd say you're the only one gaining anything from this conversation." She glanced pointedly at his hair, which stuck up in spikes, most likely from the rain. She wouldn't say that it was a bad style for the man (certainly, amongst men that had ever approached her before, he was far from the worst dressed), but she would much rather prefer some time alone. Perhaps if she made him feel self-conscious enough about his appearance, he would leave her alone. "Miss, will you be needing another set of dishes?" Elizaveta glanced up at the waitress with a smile. "No, I think we're good here. He was just leaving." She looked back at the albino and tilted her head to the side with an innocent smile, the implications of her words all too obvious.

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[Gilbert Beilschmidt]

Gilbert raised his hands in surrender, eyes widening at her edged words. Clearly this one wasn’t just a mindless beauty, easily swayed with a dashing smile and a few pretty words. Still… to be dismissed so ruthlessly and to have his looks insulted on top of it? This was obviously no ordinary opponent… He ran his hand though his hair again, trying in vain to tame the errant strands as he considered his options. Staying at the booth was out—she’s likely castrate him then and there…

“All right, all right, I can tell when I’m not wanted,” Gilbert said, getting to his feet with a smirk. “I just thought it might be nice to share a meal with some company.” He nodded to the waitress and swept to his feet with a theatrical bow. “I’ll get my own table then. Sorry to disturb you.” And without waiting, he selected his own booth… right behind the sharp-tongued beauty. Yet, despite this clear display of interest in continuing their interaction, he made no further move or even acknowledgement of her existence. Instead, he started up a rather lively conversation with the waitress about the menu before finally settling on a stew and a pint of beer. Still no outward notice of the girl behind him as he turned his attention to his phone, ostensibly consumed in responding to some business emails while he waited on his food. Still more time passed in silence. It seemed as though he had either given up on her, or else was waiting on her to make a move… Or at least that appeared to be the case until his food arrived.

“You know, my looks are widely considered to be exotic. It’s okay to be intimidated by them—lots of people are.” He said suddenly, twisting himself around to rest his chin on their shared booth seat. “Come on, when was the last time you saw anyone that looked like me?” He paused again, eying her appraisingly before continuing. “And besides all of that, you have no idea what I’m like in conversation based my appearance. I certainly had no idea you had so much attitude, going off of your looks… But, sometimes, we’re pleasantly surprised.” He grinned at her, looking surprisingly boyish despite his tailored suit, as his garnet colored eyes sparkling with mirth. “I would say it’s good to meet you, but we haven’t been officially introduced, have we?” He shifted again, raising his mug as though in a toast. “My name’s Gilbert…. And your is?”

[Elizaveta Héderváry]

INFINITY (n.) the state of being limitless Elizaveta was expecting a fight. It was very clear that this was a man who was used to getting his way. Men. Their arrogance truly stunned Elizaveta from time to time. To her surprise, the albino backed down, raising his hands in surrender before moving out of her booth. There was a smirk on his face...whether it was because he was trying to save face or not, Elizaveta had difficulty determining. Really, even despite the stupid little bow he gave, it was a little too good to be true that he was ready to leave her alone. This was immediately confirmed when he chose to sit right behind her. Elizaveta briefly considered moving, but there was absolutely no chance that she was going to be chased out of her spot because of some self-important, overbearing stranger. So she placed her order and as well as she could, ignored the man behind her back. She refused to look back to see what precisely the man was doing. It irked her a little that he was there at all, that his very presence distracted her from what was supposed to be a good day off. It was a little easier when her food arrived and she was more able to fully concentrate on distracting herself. Elizaveta was just dipping in, just returning to enjoying herself when a voice broke in through her thoughts. "You know, my looks are widely considered to be exotic. It’s okay to be intimidated by them—lots of people are." Intimidated? Intimidated? The thought that Elizaveta could be intimidated by someone with looks like his made her want to scoff. Elizaveta had stared down guards twice her size with arrogance that put this man's to shame. Intimidating was not a word that Elizaveta would even have dreamed of for him. The man continued to ramble on and finally, Elizaveta gave him the courtesy to even glance his way. He grinned at her, the backhanded compliments truly giving him a great deal of appeal...as if. Elizaveta was not an easily impressed woman. The albino shifted in place, raising his mug in a toast of sorts. "My name's Gilbert...and yours is?" Now came time to make a decision. Was it even worth talking to him? It was giving in to even tell him her name. And Elizaveta knew very well it wouldn't shut him up, just encourage him further. Still, Elizaveta could not think of a polite way to even deny him that. So she settled for halfway in between. "Eli," she commented. Nothing else. Not even her full name. It was the one she'd used as a child, back when she was much more of a tomboy. Elizaveta turned back to her food. He wasn't going to ruin the taste in her mouth...not today.

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