A Few Nasty Surprises

Estrella Drage

Estrella Drage

Obliviator for MACUSA | HNZ 1st Graduating Class
 
Messages
9,177
OOC First Name
Amanda
Blood Status
Half Blood
Relationship Status
Widow
Age
45
Wringing her hands, Estrella smiled at Jaken nervously. While they had to pay through the nose for this reservation, let alone a private room, the young woman thought it was well worth it. Might as well drop the bomb when their parents and close family were on a full stomach. Hopefully, it would keep herself and Jaken from getting their heads lobbed off. Both husband and wife had agreed it best that their guests were led to them- that way, it'd keep from causing a scene in the front of the restaurant. With a small sigh, she glanced to the far wall, admiring the port of Volos through a long row of windows.
 
Greece. Why Estrella had chosen Greece of all places to meet was beyond Tristan, but it gave himself and Julie a good enough excuse for a vacation. Merlin knew they needed it. His wife was pregnant again, five months to be exact and they were spending time preparing for yet another addition to their family. With Josh being invited too, they had finally made it here. It was a nice restaurant, wizarding at first glance. If the half goblin host didn't give that away, the candles hovering all over the place sure did. Tristan stood around in the entryway, smiling at his wife and best friend before scanning the restaurant for his kid.
 
Julie was excited. She and Tristan were on vacation together for the first time. She was feeling so relaxed and enjoying the time with her husband. Soon they would have another little one in the house and things would just be completely wild and crazy. It was interesting that Estrella wanted to meet in Greece, but she was glad for the time away. She wondered what was going on with her stepdaughter. The recent graduate had not been to visit yet. She always stopped in, even for a few hours, when she was done with school.

The couple made their way to the restaurant, having met up with Josh at their hotel. Julie thought it was curious that Josh was invited, but didn't say anything. All of this made her think that Estrella had something big to discuss with them. As she entered the restaurant ahead of the men, her eyes took in the scene. It was beautiful, and very obviously a wizarding establishment. Candles hovered above the tables, and the host was some sort of a creature she was unable to name. Moving across the entryway, she scanned the room. Not seeing the familiar noirette, she turned to Tristan. "Either we are way too early or we need to ask where she is."
 
It was an interesting letter he received from Jaken. Apparently, he wanted to meet with his father over something, and that place being Greece befuddled Kalif. Nonetheless, his suspicions were high. Grabbing his traveling robes, he apparated to the desired location. After recent events, Kalif was kept on edge - which made him wear his weapon upon his hand when he was out in public, but Alexander would not be pestering him for too long. After entering the restaurant, Kalif immediately stopped. His gloved hands immediately curled into fists, as he glared at none other than Tristan Drage. Approaching from the back, Kalif had to remind himself that he was in a public restaurant, and that he was still under his disguise. But why the coincidence of him, and whoever his girl/lover/wife of the week was, ending up in the same place as Kalif and Jaken's meeting?
 
Chavdar was invited to Greece for some sort of meeting with his nephew. Of course, the man could not reject Jaken. He kissed his children and his love goodbye, before he apparated wearing his usual black shirt and jeans to the location. Entering the door, he immediately spotted his brother. Chavdar approached him, and noticed that Kalif was rather tense, and glaring at some stranger. Chavdar put his hand on Kalif's shoulder, and he said in his normal, accented voice, "Kalif, calm down. Jaken wouldn't want you to be so ticked before meeting with him, would he." Chavdar hoped it would do some good. But his eyes landed on the couple that Kalif had his attention set on. What was Chavdar missing in this all? Was there some sort of history or something? Chavdar would hate to be the one that would have to be the referee of a brutal duel this time.
 
"Right," Tristan responded, turning his wrist with a quick glance at his watch. "We're not early. We can ask this- guy- over here." The wizard had to catch himself- he had nearly uttered the word 'little.' Not a good idea with a half goblin in earshot. In earlier days he would have said it on purpose, but he liked to think he was less of an ******* than he used to be. A little less.

He didn't make it to Tiny Tim, however. The man pivoted to see Kalif Styx burning holes in his skin. Tristan smirked at Josh. "Well, well, look what the sphinx dragged in."
 
Josh entered the restaurant after his friend and his wife. He thought it was a bit odd that Estrella invited him to have dinner with her family, but he was her Godfather, so he was glad to oblige. It was a bit odd being out in public as himself, choosing not to polyjuice for the occasion. Looking about the restaurant, he was impressed. The place was definitely a wizarding joint and it put Josh a bit on edge. You never knew just who you would run into in a place like this.

Turning his head to where Tristan was indicating. Kalif Styx stood there, looking as if he was trying to kill his friend with his eyes. "How interesting. Now what would the good Professor be doing this far from his plants?" He smirked back at Tristan, thinking about how interesting this night was going to be.
 
It was considered fortunate that this particular Death Eater remained under his disguise, or else he would have let these two get to him. Instead, Kalif remarked coolly, "I see that you two have failed to grow up." Not after recent experiences, Kalif thought that his drama would have ceased to a minimum because of his latest encounter with a pest. However, it appeared his problems doubled. "I think the better question, Hanson, would be this: why you are amongst a traitor?" His icy gaze fell from Josh and to Tristan. Of all the people, why did it have to be these two blundering idiots? Kalif resisted the urge to roll his eyes at his thought. If only we weren't in public, or else I would skin them alive and dismember them piece by piece, until they're dead. Kalif did not lessen in his glare, nor did he seem to be bothered by the smart-ass comments, which gave him an advantage.
 
Chavdar released a sigh, and he narrowed his eyes at the men, and then at Kalif. Apparently there was history, and by the sounds of it, not very good either. Chavdar turned his stare to Kalif and he murmured, but didn't bother to lower his voice so the other two would not hear, "Kalif, you recently got into a fight with a man. Could you not go out in public without losing your nerve?" Chavdar turned his attention to the men, and instead of siding with either, he decided to act civilized and he held out his hand to both, "Chavdar Zhefarovich, pleasure to meet the two of you." Chavdar gave them a subtle smile of greeting, and he stated, "We're meeting Jaken, I assume you aren't doing the same, but rather odd coincidence." Chavdar may be new to this Death Eater business, but that still didn't mean that he had to take his brother's side on a matter that Chavdar had nothing to do with. From his perception: Closing attitudes and pride.
 
Julie turned to glare at her husband and Josh. "Knock it off, all of you," she said evenly, looking from the men she was there with to the other two. "I don't know what has happened between the three of you in the past, but we are here to have a nice dinner with Estrella and I don't want any of you ruining it." She noticed how the younger man seemed to only deem the men worthy of an introduction. She narrowed her eyes at him, but did not say anything additional. She knew by the way Tristan had stiffened up that these men were Death Eaters and their mere presence at the restaurant could end very badly for them all, especially since she was a muggle.
 
The retort that was yanked back in the slingshot of Tristan's tongue was forced into submission, never to launch. He wouldn't have liked to prove Styx's point, anyway. Not to mention Julie would flay him alive. He could feel himself withering under his wife's glare. With reluctance he took the man's hand, shaking it quickly and tearing away. He had never liked Styx or his lot. Smirking at Kalif in an attempt to forever mock, he muttered, "Right, honey. Dinner. Hopefully we won't be seated near this filth blooded creton who still has the gall to parade under a phony name and an even phonier mask." The large man's eyes hardened considerably. Tristan had been told to play nice, but the animosity that existed between him and Kalif had been rubbed raw. "And I pray to Merlin that we won't have to suffer the presence of his pathetic brood."
 
Kalif did not mind the first insult thrown at him. My point proven. Kalif never was offended when people insulted him. However, the next words touched a rare nerve. His children... That was one thing that just someone should never do. His expression darkened considerably, and he was on the verge of releasing the same aura he had when Alexander comes around. Kalif pulled out his wand, and he pointed it right at his face. Kalif's black eyes narrowed and he threatened icily, "You dare insult my children, when one does not even know about her mother's death, and yet when yours are more often than not bastard children. Utter another hypocritical word out of that useless mouth of yours, and I will kill you here and now." Kalif appeared to look dead serious, as he was not one to trample with about his children.
 
Chavdar slapped his hand to his forehead. Oh no, that did it. Chavdar attempted to force Kalif to put down the wand, but it was no use. Chavdar stated, looking at Tristan, "Look, I don't know your name, but I assure you that you need to listen to your wife or whatever she is to you. By the looks of it, she reminds me of Rosaline who gets rather cranky when her man doesn't do what she says." Chavdar's cold gaze landed on Julie (he was oblivious to the fact that she was a muggle) and his expression softened just a bit. He hated to be the referee but sometimes it had to be done. Chavdar did not want any trouble, and his expression read it. Even so, Chavdar did not like the fact that there was two against one, especially since it was the other two that really said something to Kalif, not the other way around. Would it not have been better to just ignore him? Merlin...
 
Julie groaned when Tristan started in on the other man's children. I am going to kill him later! she thought as she tried to figure out what to do. She spotted a stray menu on the counter and picked it up and smacked Tristan over the head with it. "Are you TRYING to wreck our evening before it even STARTS?" she asked him, her eyes flashing in anger. "Knock it off already or whomever he is," she said with a wave in Kalif's direction, "won't even have the CHANCE to kill you. And you better believe that our plans for tonight are so off." Julie narrowed her eyes at Tristan, knowing full well that what they had planned was something that Tristan had been begging for for months.

Turning to face the other two, she looked at Kalif. "Would you mind putting that thing away? I believe my husband will behave now." Placing the menu back down on the counter, she crossed her arms over her chest, subconsciously pulling her shirt in such a way that it would be obvious that she was with child.
 
Josh stood next to Tristan, ready to defend his friend. It did not matter to him that Tristan had left the Death Eaters, or that his defense of him would make him a traitor. He watched Kalif pull out his wand, aiming it at Tristan. Fingering his own, he was about to pull it out when Julie smacked Tristan over the head. Wide-eyed, he never had seen the woman so mad in such a long time. Turning around, he bust out laughing at the situation, covering his mouth to try to contain his humor.

Having his laughter under control, he looked at those he was there with and realized that he had missed out on a bit of important news. Julie was pregnant again. Josh started to count in his head. That makes what? Six? Wow. I thought it was hard enough with one. His mind touched briefly on his only son, Blake, and the drama that had ensued over the summer. I need to check in with him, make sure he is doing okay.
 
All in one moment, Tristan's face was at wandpoint and was clobbered by a menu. Not a flimsy menu, either. His hand remained jammed in his pocket, wrapped around his own wand. Clearly, this was going to be a bad night. He could not stifle a groan as Julie hollered at him and threatened the worst. Damnit. He would have gladly cursed Styx into oblivion. However, losing his night, however much it pained him, was not as bad as losing his freedom. Duelling in a wizarding establishment would certainly bring authorities- neither of which himself or Josh could afford to run into.

Smashing his teeth together, he glared at Kalif and his brother. While cheerfully pummelling his friend for laughing seemed like a good idea, he kept his mouth shut. The forty five year old was obviously sulking. His gaze softened slightly as he turned to the waiter. The sooner he could get away from Styx and his family, the better. And the food had already taken claim of his nostrils.

The half goblin, who had been watching the exchange between these nutcase wizards, finally was granted an opening. When he was told names, he nodded. "Ah, all five of you are here. Excellent. If you'd please, your table is right this way..."

Tristan did not move, his brow wrinkling in confusion. "I think there's been a mistake." His voice was dripping with disdain. "There are only three of us."

Narrowing his eyes at the lot, the host grabbed his list again and read off their names. "Styx, Zhefarovich, Hanson, Drage, and Bennett-Drage. These are the names I have for a table. If there's been an error, I'm sure that the others will clear it up."
 
Cold, bleak eyes landed on the woman, and Kalif grew suspicious. Calling a wand what she did, was she...a muggle? Kalif thought darkly, He married a muggle... And I thought he could sink no lower. Kalif himself had an encounter with a muggle but he did not wish to remember even a bit of it. When the half-goblin or whatever the halfbreed was read off the five names, Kalif turned his head to it, before finally putting his wand away. Kalif hissed, "There has definitely been an error. I don't see how us five could have ended up at one table." Kalif was fuming, but his posture and blank, cold expression told otherwise. Even Chavdar was heavily confused. What was going on here? Whatever it was, Kalif did not like it, and if things started out this bad, then it would just get worse as time went on.
 
Josh reigned in his laughter just in time. He watched Tristan go from about to be killed to sulking in about 3 minutes time. It was comical to him, always finding a way to laugh at his friends expense.

He did a double take when the host creature attempted to lead them all to one table. "Yeah, I really don't want to dine with them." Tristan and Julie were just as confused by the looks on their faces as he was. "Wait. Others? We are only meeting one person. What is going on here?"
 
The half goblin nodded, if only to sate the hostile guests with agreement. He snatched several menus and lead them to a private dining area. It was spacious, with a narrow walk in closet for jackets and other articles that might get in the way during the course of the evening. There was also a door leading to an outside patio. He looked up at the two young adults and addressed them. "Your guests have arrived. They say there's been an error."

Estrella breathed in deeply before spinning around with a smile. Well, she couldn't be told she hadn't tried. "No, everything's in order, thank you. We're glad you all could come." Her glance flitted quickly to Jaken and then to the floor. She wasn't so sure of the reaction of any of their guests and she didn't want to invite any more animosity than already present.
 
Of course there's been an error. Tristan was rigid as he stood next to Julie. He'd thought Estrella had the sense to dump the Styx kid ages ago. Apparently not. His annoyance was blatant in his posture, the way he glared at the youth next to his daughter. Only his wife's weapon of harsh threats and possible realities kept his response relatively tame.

"Lovely evening, isn't it? Great to know we'll be spending it with others." He all but spat the last word, with no initiative to murder the vehemence that oiled his voice. Any dinner spent with Kalif or those yanked from the same pile of dragon dung was going to be miserable. Optimism be damned.
 
Julie walked along with the others, keeping an eye on Tristan. This was not starting out well. Placing her hand on Tristan's arm as they entered the room, she was surprised to see Jaken there. She looked from the boy to her stepdaughter, and noticed the nervousness between them. Oh wow! They are going to get married I bet! Ok. I can handle Tristan for her. She listened as they spoke, then moved to give Estrella a hug. As she closed in, she whispered in her ear. "Don't worry, I will take care of your father. Just relax. It will be fine."

Crossing back to Tristan, she slipped her arm through his, and softly spoke to him. "You can do this. For your daughter."
 
Jaken was nervous to say the least. His father, his uncle, in the same room as Estrella's dad and her friend...and her step-mother. He managed a smile for his father and his uncle, before it faltered in the presence of Tristan Drage. The large man left this man in fear. But his fear increased tenfold when he saw his father's expression, and his uncle Chavdar seemed rather tense about the whole situation. Watching them take a seat closet to him, and Jaken gave Estrella a hopeful smile but whispered to her, "Are you sure you want to go along with this? After all, we can always you know, never tell them." Jaken chuckled, but received a cold look from Kalif which made Jaken stop smiling immediately.
 
Chavdar took a seat and he stated, "So, how about we just ignore our differences and see why this has come to be? And why in Greece?" Chavdar nudged Kalif in the shoulder, only to receive yet another death glare. Chavdar frowned and he muttered, "People really need to lighten up around here." Chavdar's smile and good mood quickly evaporated. Things started to come together. Are they getting married? Oh boy, won't this be a nice, quiet dinner. He thought in his mind rather sarcastically. Chavdar bowed his head slightly, before he cast a lingering glare over the table.
 
After giving Chavdar a death glare, Kalif's cold, icy gaze went back over to the couple. I never thought that they would last this long. It amused him slightly, but still, this was suspicious enough. Kalif narrowed his eyes at his son, showing how displeased he was with the boy. "Get on with it," Kalif ordered, his voice lined with frozen venom. So much for a drama-free night. Even with Tristan and Josh here, things were just being tempted, like two bombs about to go off. It was mainly Tristan and Kalif who hated each other. Kalif did not know where Josh stood, but Kalif could not care either. Kalif continued to glare over at Jaken, his eyes alone demanding the reason why they were here.
 
Estrella hugged Julie back tightly. What her cousin/stepmother said gave her some semblance of hope; perhaps things would go well after all. "Thank you," she murmured back. She really didn't need a temperamental parent on her case. Not any more than he was going to be, anyway. Despite Julie's reassurances, relaxing wasn't so easy. The tension in the room seemed to be much worse than she had thought it would be at this point. Maybe she was just imagining things? Breathing heavily, she let her shoulders drop, wishing that her nervousness would melt off of her body like heated butter.

"Now is better than later." Smiling weakly at her husband, the young woman held eye contact with him until it shifted moments later back to their family. They had both done enough to incur the wrath of several in this room. Prolonging the news would only make them angrier. She pulled out her chair and took a seat, hoping that the others would follow suit. They could take all night to tell them as far as she was concerned- what she couldn't wait for was food. If she wasn't careful, she would end up ordering everything and anything that graced the menus.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)
Back
Top