New Americana

[Samuel Phillips]

Samuel had written off the speed dating event at the leaky cauldron as a total bust until a curious owl stopped by his window one morning. It was from none other than Elle Volkova, the last speed dater he talked to faithful night and admittedly the most interesting. He was far from sober when she approached his table but definitely not too drunk to forget her appearance and his interactions with her as well as interactions he had with Charlotte later that same night. The memory was very clear in Samuel's mind in spite of the amount of alcohol he knew was in system and he was pleased to have remembered Elle. It seemed unusual to hear from the woman after such a long time but he appreciated hearing from her nonetheless and quickly organized a time to meet up with her.

That time just happened to sync perfectly with his lunch break and on a day where his mood wasn't as dreary. His morning had not only flown by, but his shop was also being run smoothly by his newly employed assistant and it seemed like nothing could go wrong. Like the bad luck that seemed to plague him had called in sick, ridding him from stress for a day. The cheerfulness he felt overcame any other feeling in his body. Even his usual feelings of anticipation and worry over a first date were clouded by the spring in his step and overall cheerful demeanor. Yes, Samuel had decided this was a first date and was willing to call it so. And in order to conform to the customs of s first date, he tightened his bow tie as he walked to the cafe he was to meet with Elle and bought a single, red rose as he passed a florist. Samuel knew how first dates worked; their pretenses and expectations and he wanted to exceed it all as well as refuse to settle for anything less than romantic. When he arrived at the quaint cafe he took a seat, delicately placing the rose on the table before browsing through the menu. He wasn't going to order until Elle arrived but he figured there would be no harm in spending a few extra minutes mulling over his choices.
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[Elle Volkova]

It had been some time since Elle Volkova had gone to the speed dating, and was unhappy that it hadn't produced anything exciting for her. She was unpleasantly surprised that she didn't get any owls, or catch ups but wondered if perhaps they were just intimidated by her. Elle had been told before that her confidence and allure was scary and people often didn't feel good enough for her, but really, Elle thought that was her decision to make and was frustrated by that excuse. They had talked such big games at the event, but couldn't follow through. Still, her final speed date partner had been the most interesting to her, the one that she felt she clicked with the most, so after waiting awhile to see if anyone had the guts to invite her out, Elle took the situation into her own hands, much like she had done at the event, and owled Samuel Phillips herself, asking him out. The brunette was pleased at his timely reply, and she even managed to get a potion done before she got to go out and meet him.
Elle decided on leaving her hair down, styling it with curls, before applying her makeup. With a heavy hairstyle, her makeup was best if it looked natural. She chose a black dress, not wanting to look too formal, but definitely not wanting to look like a slob; though she doubted she owned any clothes that made her look that way. Elle was very fashion conscious. She sprayed a light mist of perfume before double checking her self, giving the mirror a nod of approval, and apparating to the cafe where she would meet Sam. Elle's eyes found the attractive man quickly, and she headed over to him, smelling cinnamon and peppermint. A smile grew on her face, cinnamon was one of her favorite scents. "Zdrasti Samuel." Elle greeted him in Bulgarian, sitting down opposite the man in a suit, smiling at him. "You're looking very nice."

 

[Samuel Phillips]

The cafe's menu was as useful to Samuel as a fish was to a bicycle. It was as pointless as it was impractical because as per the norm he couldn't eat much on the menu. Not that he would have wanted to eat much considering the fact it was all too heavy to eat in the middle of the day. If he ordered anything he would feel lethargic for the rest of the afternoon so he managed to settle on ordering nothing but a simple black coffee by the time a familiar voice greeted him and he looked up from the menu in his hands to see none other than Elle Volkova herself, looking as pretty as ever and exerting nothing but an aura of pure confidence.

It was exactly the way Samuel's drunk memory recalled her though it still did not do her appearance any justice. He smiled as his eyes moved from her head to her toes, and back to her eyes again before he uttered "Afternoon, Elle." in greeting before he stood from the chair, pulling it out for her as she sat down. As Samuel returned to his seat he nodded towards the rose he placed across the empty plate in front of Elle moments prior to her arrival. "That rose is for you." He said, continuing to smile. His mood was still cheery as ever and was only heightened with Elle's presence. "How have you been since we last met?" He asked conversationally, fingers returning to the menu he was previously holding which he scanned over again in case anything other than coffee stood out for him. Whether or not this date turned into anything was a forgotten thought in Samuel's mind as he focused on the present, getting to know the woman sitting across from him and seeing if there was anything both edible an interesting enough on the menu for him to order that wasn't his usual cup of coffee. ​

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[Elle Volkova]

Elle's eyes stayed on Samuel, smiling as he pulled out the chair for her. The date was already going well, the man knew all the stunts to pull and it was definitely working. Elle picked up the rose that he said was for her, and smelled the scent, smiling still. "Thank-you Samuel." She replied, putting it down next to her plate. The brunette brushed a piece of hair behind her ear, as she picked up a menu, not really looking at what was in it. She was still too intrigued by the man in front of her, he easily pulled all of her attention. Elle knew only basic surface details about Samuel, and she hoped to get to know him more, the first few moments quickly winning her over, and there was no way she wanted to let this guy go; he seemed perfect. A brief thought went through Elle's mind, wondering what the catch was, but it didn't stay, and was gone as soon as he spoke again. "I've been wonderful. Slightly saddened by not hearing from you first, but nevertheless, here we are." Elle joked, the smile staying on her face. "How have you been? And your shop - What was it called again?" Elle asked, though she wasn't sure he had actually told her the name. She didn't think she'd forget something about him easily.

 

[Samuel Phillips]

Samuel looked from the Menu he was holding and then towards Elle as she answered his questions. He kept eye contact, nodding while she spoke to show he was listening. He was inherently sober compared to the first time they met but that was no excuse for him to be his usual, rude and judgemental self. Instead, he wanted to show her his relaxed side; the side that he had shown her at the speed dating event which usually only became apparent when he had a few drinks in his system. It would be an effort on his part but he was determined to woo the brunette sitting across from him and not scare her away with his negative traits. Not immediately, at least. "I'm sure you noticed how drunk I was that evening. I admittedly didn't remember the finer details of our conversation or the note it ended on, so I was hesitant to contact you." He said, adding a white lie to his words as he remembered much more about that night than he was willing to let on. "But, I do remember how interesting you were, and I am glad that you are doing well." As he finished speaking, a waiter arrived to take orders. Sam folded his menu, ordering a garden salad and a glass of wine to go with it as his mind had changed from wanting a cup of coffee to get him over the afternoon slump. He was sure he wouldn't need it anymore as Elle's presence was interesting and equally as uplifting, enough of an energy boost in it's own respect. Samuel folded his hands together on the table in front of him, minding the placement of his elbows as he answered the pretty brunette's question. "My shop is named Scrivenshafts Quill shop, and it is doing fine. I'm also fine, of course. Though I'm much better now that you're here." His words were cheesy but they were honest in one way or another. Samuel quickly attempted to continue conversation with Elle until their food arrived. "Forgive me if I am supposed to already know this, but what do you do for a living?"​

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