Drink With Me

[Charlotte Williams]

It had been a rocky few months for this new adult. Her life a little bit of a mess, her time in any one place as always proved much shorter than when it was the situation with others. Having worked hard in school, in all the classes, she had been allowed to skip ahead, and this in turn had allowed her to be able to graduate at the right time, rather than a year late. She'd graduated, at long last with her head held high and memories from too many different schools. Through all of this however, the young blonde had amassed a number of friends, and with the help of her friends she had stood up to her family. She had stood up to her mother, telling her that she didn't want to be a figure head for the Williams family, set only to marry and bare children doing very little though she was more than capable of being successful. This had lead to many a fallout, but Charlotte being Charlotte had managed to get her way. She had asked and pestered for so long that her mother and father had just given in to her demands, and she had broken off from the family unit. Well, in part. She was in Paris, living on her own in a pretty penthouse apartment in the 3rd district of Paris. A relatively large place considering, close to the shops and little cafe's that Charlotte had always loved. While she split a lot of her time between London and Paris, the teen lived from the single bedroom apartment. Her bedroom had painted white walls, and her bed faced large windows overlooking the street and the not too far away garden. It was of course paid for by Charlotte's father who had finally sold the house in New Zealand and given the money to Charlotte to buy the flat. Which she had been thoroughly pleased about. It was a stunning place. Maybe a little big for just her, but it was what she needed. While in Paris, Charlotte was looking for a job, something to help her out until she figured out what to do. But, she spent most of her time with friends, or shopping. She shopped a lot, but part of this agreement with her parents was that whatever she bought was to be fitted to her exact measurements, which her mother had pre-decided. Which meant that whatever Charlotte wore was fitted to her thin frame exactly. All in all, while it would seem that Charlotte had not done much breaking off with her parents she'd done exactly what she needed to begin with. She had stepped away from that constant life, and was breaking into her own. Being herself and loving it. She had taken up art classes, and ballet classes. She'd ended up doing a few modeling jobs, people sometimes knew who she was. The daughter of a British Lord. A well respected man, as were her brothers. That had definitely helped with the modeling. But, with all that being said, there were some things that she felt she lacked in her life.

After a few pathetic tries at love, the girl had believed that maybe she just wasn't good enough for people. That she wasn't pretty enough for anyone. Which was wrong. She had long golden blonde hair, she had soft green eyes and a petite figure. Her waist was small, and her legs long and slim. She had a fair chest which suited her figure perfectly. Not too small but not too big. She spent hours putting on various bits of make up to make sure she was beautiful believing that she wasn't if she didn't wear any and yet she had no luck. However, at the offer of a date, Charlotte would never say no. It was why she had turned down an offer to go home for the weekend and had stayed in a snowy Paris late in December. Christmas merely a week away. That she would go home for. She had gotten up late, spent the day watching fresh snow fall onto the ground below. While strolling around her apartment with a skip in her step and a joyful air. The entire house was decorated for Christmas, various lights, and a small tree in the coroner of the room. She had begun getting ready later in the day, giving herself enough time to wash and then prim herself up. Putting the usual amount of make up, that emphasized her eyes, and her rosy lips, which she added pink lip gloss to. Subtle eye shadow, subtle blusher. It was only after all that, that the girl had finally gotten dressed. Her dress was brand new, it had arrived from her mother two days before. It was a birthday present, her 19th had been a few days before. It was a gorgeous strapless dress, with a detailed lace white bodice and a mint green skirt. The dress was a little tricky to get on, but using her wand, Charlotte managed it. Like with everything her mother bought and sent to her, it was fitted to pull in her waist, to the extent that it forced Charlotte to stand straighter, that it was difficult to bend and always made her wonder if this was a further indication from her mother that Charlotte was in her eyes fat. Which the dress didn't make her look in the slightest. The skirt came midway down her thighs. It floated up when Charlotte twirled in the dress as she looked at herself in the mirror. The fact it wasn't a pencil skirt Charlotte liked. She had many pencil skirts and dresses with pencil skirts, and those were always worse, since it really limited movement. This dress allowed her to walk easier, and really all it did was pull in her waist giving her a smaller appearance, and making sure that there was no stomach bulge. The last things that Charlotte did as it approached her being late rather than on time was the shoes, the matching pumps with a bow on the back, which made her legs look even longer and gave her a little extra height. Added to this was a small jacket, and her umbrella. It was winter outside, and this dress exposed much of what should be covered up in such weather. With that all done, she grabbed her bag and left the apartment.

The night hadn't gone well, after waiting outside her apartment for an hour, constantly calling the person who was meant to be taking her on a date, it had gotten too cold for the teen. She had proceed to go to where he'd said they'd be going merely the other night. She went in and asked if he was there, which he wasn't, and then asked if there was a reservation under his name, or hers. Which there wasn't. It had been pretty embarrassing and upsetting for her. She didn't cry however, Charlotte rarely did, and not over guys. She just reminded herself that she should've known better. Charlotte wondered through the streets of Paris. Putting her arms around herself as she walked, holding the umbrella up awkwardly. Willing herself to not slip on the ice in those incredibly high shoes. The last thing she needed was falling and hurting herself. Finally, three hours after she was meant to have gone on the date, she found herself outside a familiar sight. A restaurant that she knew, well, where she knew the manger, and head chef. Her father had employed them for a function once and Charlotte had charmed them both by helping out and by being herself. She was grateful, but noticed it was late, she doubted it was still open. Charlotte crossed the street quickly. She quickly saw it was still open and stepped inside. Brushing stray strands of blonde hair back into place. Closing the umbrella as she stepped in. The place was quiet, a few people were left clearly finishing up. The man at the door had been about to tell her that they were closing soon and could therefore not take anyone else. But, upon seeing Charlotte called behind him to the manager who quickly walked over to her and greeted her in the usual French manner. Taking her coat and umbrella from her, and leading her to a table by the window but close to a radiator. Saying how good it was to see her, how beautiful she looked, how she had grown and that he would send over a waiter straight away to get her order as soon as possible. Charlotte thanked him, and then sat down. Straightening the dress as she sat down. At least this would be nice. But, she did still realise that she was eating alone in a Parisian restaurant after being stood up by a guy who didn't even have the decency to call. For a short few moments, upon this realisation, Charlotte placed her head in her hands and let out a long shaky breath.
​

 

[Justin Joussane]

Justin had just started to get used to the job that he got recently. It was hard at first, after all, it was such a high-class restaurant that if he hadn't been able to learn that quickly, he was sure that he'd been kicked out of the job already. It had already been more than a year since he had graduated from Durmstrang and almost a year since his parents died and he became the provider for his siblings. And now, it had been three months since he had started to work in the L'Astrance restaurant in Paris, more than a month in which he worked in the kitchen, and now, he was a waiter in the famous restaurant. He had been the same as always in his work, hardworking, patient and not hesitating to work for the salary he could get for his family. It had always been that way for him since their parents died. Justin had once considered having Brody and Scarlet for adoption, and he felt bad for it and he decided to keep them, he wouldn't let themselves separate unless it was the younger's wish to do so, but for now, he would have to do his best for them.

It was the winter season and it was a very cold night indeed. He had brought Scarlet to muggle school before heading off to work before the start of his shift which was ten in the morning. He had been working hard from the start of his shift, seating customers, taking orders, bringing orders, cleaning up tables, assisting fellow workers. It seemed that his shift was never going to end! Although, when six o'clock came, he noticed that there was still a buzz of customers in the restaurant, each have reservations and eager to eat. Many of his fellow workers were already almost panicking, not knowing what to do to all the customers entering the restaurant. Justin sighed as this. Well, at least I get paid for the overtime, he thought to himself as he got back to work instantly, entertaining the customers whom he deemed had been waiting for quite sometime already. How he wished that roller skates were allowed inside the restaurant just so each and everyone of the waiters could just zoom to get an order, give the menus and give out the food. It had been such a busy day, and Justin thought that the working hours of the restaurant would never arrive. But it did.

It was already closing time and most of the other workers had already left. There were only just two tables occupied and there were only three waiters left in the hall aside from him. Most of the kitchen staff had already gone home as well, it was winter and most wanted to go home already thanks to the freezing weather. Truth be told, he was already getting ready along with the other workers when the manager walked up to them and told them that there was a special customer that had arrived and they had to take care of the said customer. The others groaned complaining that they were still a long way from home and that they had promised their families that they'd be home early. And the manager just had to look at him. Justin could only nod, and the manager smiled. The worker could only think that at least there'll be extra money on his paycheck after this major overtime. But he couldn't help but sigh as he thought about Scarlet worrying since he was not home yet. But then again, he had managed to plaster a smile on his exhausted face as he approached the customer, a lady, whom had her head in her hands. Justin walked up to the customer and waited for a while, whether the customer would notice him or not. But, it seemed that she would not, and so he spoke. "Bonsoir, Madame. I will be your waiter for this fine evening and here is your menu," he spoke calmly with a smile.

Spoiler: Translation

</COLOR></I></FONT> French​ <i></i>	</COLOR></I> English​ <i></i>
<FONT font="Monaco"><COLOR color="#008B8B"><I>Bonsoir, Madame.​	<COLOR color="#CC0066"><I>Good evening, Ma'am.​

[th colspan="2"]Translation[/th]

 

[Charlotte Williams]

Head in her hands, the girl let out a small sigh. She was so annoyed at herself. Thinking that this would be a good thing. That the terrible person would've made a good date. he'd been some average person who'd most likely tried to date her on a dare, and at the last minute pulled out. Charlotte was not overly well known in Paris, she was from an important and influential family in the UK, much less so here in France. In the right circles people knew who she was but in others she was just the petite blonde who spoke a pristine english and perfectly fluent french. with not one hint of the english accent which she had. Which was the dream. Charlotte hadn't even spent the time that day doing things that might've helped her. Get another modeling job, or a real job, something more permanent and better. She had an abundance of money yes, her parents provided well for her despite the small split, but she had a desire to try to make it on her own. She wasn't doing so well so far, but being young she knew that she had plenty more time for things to fix themselves and for her to be able to do what she wanted. Maybe she didn't have the best grades, but what did that really matter. She could manage, plenty of others had why couldn't she. Suddenly, it appeared that the manager had, as promised sent over a waiter. She wasn't sure how long he'd been left waiting there, and Charlotte felt her cheeks flush a light pink at the thought. She flicked a stand of stray blonde hair from her face and looked up at the waiter. Forcing a small polite smile. "My apologies" She said as she took the menu from him. She pretty much knew everything on the menu, and while she was pretty hungry, she wasn't sure what she'd be able to have considering how late it was, and she imagined that most of the other people had gone home. Which was understandable. It was late, and she wasn't making things better for them. Reading the menu over a few more times she looked up at the waiter, wondering what would even be possible. She really wasn't sure, and she hardly wanted to ask. it would really be an acknowledgement of the fact she was here so late, and making trouble for everyone.

"I'll have the Salade Niçoise, and I'll have a bottle of the Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Les Embrazees, from 2010. Merci" The girl asked in her usual polite french, which flowed easily. All the years spent at Beauxbatons were not for nothing. When the waiter left, Charlotte looked around herself. Her green eyes followed the boy who'd just taken her order. He looked not too much older than her, and he looked exhausted. She felt pretty bad. Charlotte almost felt like asking the manager if he would mind if she took it away with her, so he'd have less to do. But, she decided against it. Instead, the blonde got to her feet, leaving her belongings at the table, and walked across the room. The dress swayed slightly as she walked. The blonde hair bounced and she was smiling slightly. She walked to where the manager was and spoke a few words to him. Asking after his family, in the same way he had done previously to her. Then she noticed her waiter leave the kitchen heading to the bar, to get her drink. She asked the manager for a small favour, to which he kindly agreed. Which lead to Charlotte walking over to the waiter. She brushed down the edges of her skirt. Pushed in at the waist for no reason, since her waist at that point couldn't possibly be any smaller not matter how much her mother made her think it could be. The waiter had his back turned. She coughed slightly, so he'd notice her. "I spoke to the manager, I feel bad for keeping you this late, so I am extending an invitation to you to join me for a drink? Monsieur LeCarre says it is alright, and it is on me, so take whatever you like, my way of an apology." Charlotte said nothing else, but turned and walked back over to her table. She knew that what she'd done hadn't been the norm in any sense. She hadn't thought that she was stepping out of line. If he didn't want to join her, she wouldn't mind. If he did, all the better. Charlotte had spent such a terrible day that she wouldn't mind getting turned down at this point by someone she barely knew. But, a part of her really wanted him to join her. Before sitting back down, Charlotte flattened her skirt. She was sitting up right, the bodice of her dress didn't allow for relax of any kind. With a small smile to herself, she could at least be glad that she looked good in the dress. If all else failed, Charlotte could be glad that she was pretty beautiful in the dress. With her body face slightly away from the window, it gave her legs extra room as she crossed them. Since the heels made her knees higher, this was just much better.
​

Sorry for the slight god mod, and for how awful this reply is. The rest will be better. Honestly!

 

[Justin Joussane]

Justin didn't mind waiting for the lady customer. After all, it was part of his job, and by now, he was already used to it. As the lady apologized and took the menu from him, he only gave a slight smile and appreciative nod. It wasn't everyday that a customer would apologize, thus Justin clearly appreciates the situation where there are some that do. The man could only watch the customer as she struggled to pick what to order, and he wasn't too quick to think on the reason for this. He was only able to understand the situation when the lady had looked up at him, as if wondering. Of course she would wonder! It's late! he mentally punched himself as he gave the lady an assuring smile. "Quelque chose de l'ordre, madame. Je vous assure que la plupart, sinon tous, sont toujours disponibles pour être faite par nos chefs," he spoke calmly. Truth be told, there was only two in the kitchen staff left for cleaning up, but one was a chef, and he used to be part of the kitchen staff too. With the three of them, he was quite sure they could whip up anything his customer would order.

Justin could only nod as he wrote the lady's order. It was only a salad and a drink, but he was a bit sure that the lady wouldn't just be contented with her said order. It was late, and he was certain that the lady wasn't able to take dinner yet, and she seemed a bit tired too. And so, he took it as a signal to tell the customer, "S'il vous plaît dites-moi à tout moment s'il ya autre chose que vous souhaiteriez avoir ce soir, Madame," with such politeness and a hint of concern in his voice, before he bowed his head lightly and headed to the kitchen. He spoke with the chef for a couple of minutes asking for the customer's order and if he would be able to stay for an hour or two. Thank god that the two of them were a bit close that the chef did agree to stay for half an hour, but besides that, Justin was on his own, which he was completely fine with. He gave off a smile before heading to the bar to prepare the lady's drink. As he was about to pour the drink onto a glass, he was a bit surprised to find the lady behind him, he turned his head as he listened.

Justin was considering his options as he prepared the drink. It wasn't everyday, heck, it wasn't even every week that a customer would invite him for a drink. But would it really be alright. This was seriously confusing him. But if the manager says it's alright, perhaps he could have a drink or two with the lady. He put the drinks on the tray, with an extra champagne, which he assured himself that he would be the one to pay for that one, and an extra glass. He then brought it to the customer's table with grace and flawlessness that any waiter should possess. He set the drinks down carefully before leaving for a few moments to get the salad the lady ordered. As soon as he went back, he set the table with the speed he had built for months before setting the tray down on another table. "Pardon for the intrusion tonight, I accept the invitation for a drink," he said with a kind smile as he took the seat opposite of hers, hoping she didn't mind.

Spoiler: Translation

</COLOR></I></FONT> French​ <i></i>	</COLOR></I> English​ <i></i>
<FONT font="Monaco"><COLOR color="#008B8B"><I>Quelque chose de l'ordre, madame. Je vous assure que la plupart, sinon tous, sont toujours disponibles pour être faite par nos chefs,​	<COLOR color="#CC0066"><I>Order anything, Ma'am. I assure you that most, if not all, are still available to be made by our chefs.​
QS'il vous plaît dites-moi à tout moment s'il ya autre chose que vous souhaiteriez avoir ce soir, Madame.​	Please tell me anytime if there is anything else you would wish to have tonight, Ma'am.​

[th colspan="2"]Translation[/th]

 

[Charlotte Williams]

The blonde expected that no matter what she had ordered the person would've been made to get it, but Charlotte hated being a bother. She hated flaunting her wealth and power over others much more since this restaurant that she was in already knew her as an important client. She really disliked that. Her father had a lot of influence over things and while for times like this it was useful. Although she hoped that it wasn't too much of a bother, she hoped that she wasn't keep him too long beyond the time he was meant to be there. Which was why she had ordered something so small and had said that he could join her. Which she sort of hoped that he would. While her night had been terrible, she hoped that in part she could salvage someone else's evening from being a little more terrible. She sat, alone however gazing out at The view from the windo. Watching the snowflakes fall upon the surrounding cars and the few people left walking the streets. There were not many people left. Charlotte once again sighed, brushing a few strands of hair from her face. They moved whenever she moved her head but she had no intention of trying to stick them further into place, in fact it gave her hands something to do. Where they had nothing and were just sitting fiddling with the table cloth. She have considered giving the guy another call. Seeing if there was a reason, a valid reason as to why he had been there. Or called, or really done anything. But she decided against it, believing that it was pointless and that nothing would come of it. She would just end up being if possible more let down than she had been before. Which wasn't the point of this dinner at all. She was trying to remind herself that she was beautiful and that it was his loss, not hers.

As she sat, she noticed that the waiter had returned and left the food at her place, she smiled slightly sadly at her plate and picked at it with her fork. She smiled however when the waiter returned and sat with her. Her bottle of wine on his tray. She noticed the extra glass and sat down with her. She smiled happily at him. She poured herself a glass and then at him. "Thanks for joining me" she said, honestly while taking the wine back and finally taking a bit of her salad. She raised the drink to her lips and took a sip. She brushed her hair out her eyes, "How long have you been working here?" She then pushed her plate towards him. "Take a bite!" she gave a warm smile at him. "and don't worry about intruding, I've had a horrible evening. Honestly, I don't know why I even bother sometimes." she took another sip of her drink while taking another few bits of salad. She was enjoying it. It was a good salad made in short notice. "This is good. My compliments to the chief" she closed her eyes slightly and smiled to herself. "I'm sorry about keeping you late by the way. I was hungry, and the manager is a friend of my father's. I took advantage of it. I'm really sorry." she raised the glass to her lips. Sighing slightly. She hoped that the boy who had joined her would actually enjoy himself with her. Though she hoped actually that she wouldn't be too depressing. It had been a long evening. She wasn't often stood up, but when it did happen she took it hard.
​

 

[Justin Joussane]

Justin didn't mind at all sitting with the customer, how he wished that the rest of the customers everyday were this kind. Some were just too demanding for their own good, others were impatient. Well, there were a lot of customers that he engages with in his everyday, but this one sure was different. He smiled inwardly at this thought. "Well, I should thank you for inviting me," he said with politeness as the lady thanked him for joining her. It was certainly true that it was supposed to be the lady to be thanked for if she had never invited, he would have never thought of sitting and joining her, especially since she was a customer and technically, he was still working overtime. Justin could only look at the beautiful lady in front of him as he took a drink from the wine that she had earlier poured.

"Three months. Well, if it's being a waiter, only two months. I've been part of the kitchen staff for my first month here," he answered with a smile and was certainly surprised as the plate was pushed towards him. Justin was not used to this after all and wasn't exactly sure on what to do. But after he had seen the warm smile, he could only heave a soft sigh and smile as well. "If you insist," he said as he took a bite of the salad she had earlier ordered. "If I may ask, why did it turn out to be horrible?" he asked in curiosity, still trying to maintain his politeness, especially in asking such a question. The lad couldn't help but smile as she complimented the chef. "He'd be glad of your compliment, Mademoiselle," he said with a smile. Justin wasn't exactly mad or frustrated with the lady. She was good company, not to mention a beauty as well. And by keeping him in the restaurant, she was also helping him have overtime which meant that maybe he could take Scarlet out shopping or something out of the little girl to enjoy. And so he shook his head at the apologizing lady. "It's most certainly fine. Thanks to you, I might be able to take my little sister to buy stuff she wants with the pay I get for the overtime. Besides, good company is always welcome," he said with a smile grazing his features. He hoped she would stop apologizing already, since he was enjoying his time with her after all.

Out of Character:

I apologize for extreme lateness..

 

[Charlotte Williams]

Charlotte had always been kind to those around her. It was just her nature. She found it silly when people were not kind to one another. She guessed that was why she had been sorted into Hufflepuff when she'd attended Hogwarts. She didn't care who she was taking to, being kind was the easiest thing a person could do, so she did just that. Obviously it wasn't often that she extended an invitation for a waiter to sit with her, but weighing the circumstance, and how her evening had gone, she wasn't exactly against it. It was nice for some company, and the company wasn't exactly bad to look at either. "It's no bother" She said with a small smile. She took her glass and took a long sip from it. It was always nice to drink away when her evening had gone so terribly. She had dressed up nicer than normal. Charlotte didn't exactly manage casual, she wore dresses and heels at almost ever occasion. She felt comfortable in them. Even if her mother insisted on making them fit her figure to a t. She smiled at him. She hadn't had a job that last that long in ever. She wasn't exactly looking for a serious job, mostly because she didn't need to. The odd modelling jobs she got, and appearances paid for everything that she needed. She didn't really have to work seriously. Which was the advantage of her family. Which was why she was always so happy to be doing any work. It wasn't entirely what she wanted from life, but she was young and she had plenty time to figure things out later. She smiled at him, as he asked why it was so horrible, she gave a little laugh, looking from the plate of salad to the waiter.

"I was meant to go on a date with this guy, and he stood me up." She gave a little embarrassed laugh, before, picking up a bit of salad. Blushing ever so slightly. She hated that it happened to her. It made her question if guys actually liked her. She tried hard for them, and got very little in return. "I'm sorry to say, but guys can be such jerks" she added, hoping to brush over that situation. Having always stayed from being a bother, Charlotte was glad to hear that she would not be causing much disruption to the waiter, he would be able to his little sister shopping. "That's sweet of you! How old is your sister?" Hoping these questions were not so weird for people who'd just met. "I also have a younger sister, we don't see each other often, but I do love taking her shopping too." She did. Although Charlotte did just really love shopping, and she spent a lot of her spare time shopping, looking her best for whatever the situation. She imagined that the waiter probably thought of her as shallow, but it wasn't a thought that bothered her. She did love clothes and she did love shopping. "Good company is always welcome. Very true" She nodded in agreement. After taking another sip of her drink, she extended a hand to him, "I'm Charlotte, You?" She gave a warm smile, since she now knew that her company was a little welcome, and since she'd invited him, it would only be right to introduce herself to him. It would be weird if they didn't. "Have you lived in Paris all your life?"
​

I apologise for the stunning lateness of this reply.