Some New Company

[Dannii Merrythought]

Dannii Merrythought sighed, and rubbed her temples as she looked in her bathroom mirror. She had spent the last hour doing her hair, and make-up. She had never been very good at winged eye liner, and so there was quite a bit more of it then she originally planned. It would just have to do though. If she started over she would be late for the opening speeches. Dannii slipped on her heals, and grabbed her clutch. The sooner she got their the sooner she could ignore everyone, and drink. Truthfully Dannii used to love these things, but as the years went on it was just the same snooty faces over, and over again. They all stood around, sipped wine, and all pretended to like each other while looking at the latest works of art. Dannii checked herself over one last time, and left her house. It was a short walk away from the barriers that protected her house from random people apparating onto her property. Once she was outside of the perimeter she took a deep breath, and then apparated to the gallery.

Once she was in London Dannii gasped for breath. Even after all these years her stomach still tied itself in knots every time. Once Dannii was sure she still had all her body parts she straightened herself out, and pushed her shoulders back. She would be damned if anyone would see her anything less then 100% confident in herself. As she entered the gallery she was greeted by a young wizard who took her coat. Dannii smiled at a few groups of people as she walked by. She would have to make the rounds later, but first she needed a drink. "I'll have a glass of the Goblin made wine. White please." Dannii ordered. While she waited for the drink she sat down on one of the stools, and began people watching.​

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[Aemleigh Hayes]

Aemleigh had been living in the United Kingdom for several years now, but had still yet to lose his LA accent. He wasn't sure why he had yet to shift it, but the reality of the matter meant that he could never quite assimilate into his new home, and it frustrated him. He disliked being viewed as an outsider from the place he had called home for a considerable amount of time. Aemleigh had more important things to attend to, however, namely a showing of a friend's artwork. They had met long ago at Beauxbatons, and he was pleased to see him succeeding in the art world once more. Aemleigh himself had only ever entertained the idea of being an artist - he had the perfect eye, but his hands just couldn't match it. A curator was a much more sound occupation for him, and one he very much enjoyed performing.

Aemleigh loved the atmosphere of galleries. He preferred them without people, of course, but big wigs were to be expected, and could be dealt with quit easily. Rattle off something about Pollock, and you could slip away almost unnoticed. He left and apparated with a quite snap to the gallery, handing his overcoat to the gentleman at the door, and wandered in to get himself a drink and go about finding Yosef. "Scotch, thanks," he ordered, his tall frame leaning against the bar as he waited. The 'show' hadn't quite begun yet, and he tried to remember not to drink too much in order to start his appraisals with a level head - but there was an attractive woman at the bar, and his confidence seemed to raise as he brought the drink to his lips and swallowed. The burn was delightful, just as the cut of her dress was, just on the right side of revealing. He approached her slowly, before sitting down on the stool beside her and offering her his hand in greeting. "Aemleigh Hayes," he introduced, his lips curling into a warm, confident smile.
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[Dannii Merrythought]

Dannii thanked the bartender when he brought her glass of wine. This man would be her best friend tonight so she wanted to keep on good terms. Dannii listed the glass, and swirled the wine a little before taking a sip. It was a sweet wine that tasted very fruity. Thank Merlin. The bottle they had last time was poop. The witch thought as she took another drink. Dannii placed her glass back down on the bar. It wouldn't exactly look the best if she got too drunk before the night was over. She needed to pace herself. Looking over the gallery Dannii took notes on who was here tonight. Who she absolutely had to talk to, and who she could ignore until another night. While she didn't have any works here tonight she would have to act the part if she ever wanted to be displayed again. When she had begun drawing at the age of four she had never imagined how much ass kissing would later be involved.

While she was taking notes she hadn't noticed a man joining her at the bar until he slid up beside her. Dannii had never seen him around before, but his air of confidence made him fit in immediately. "Dannii Merrythought," She introduced herself returning his smile, and his handshake. Maybe tonight won't be so bad afterall. Dannii picked up her glass again, and finished it off in one drink. The glasses they served in were much too small for her tastes. "Is that an american accent?" Dannii asked. She could tell because while she had been raised in New Zealand her sister has lived in the states where they were both born. She imagined her accent seemed out of place in the room as well. Hey it was something in common.​

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[Aemleigh Hayes]

Perhaps brushing up on his Pollock paintings was not necessary for this evening, as coupled with the good scotch and the beautiful woman in front of him, the night looked promising either way. The pureblood was always up for a good deal of fun t these events, as it was much better than measuring ties and pressing out the chin with all the other people in the room. Even now his own red tie came to thought as he smiled at the woman, and took note of her name. It was familiar, but being here he naturally assumed she had some sot of tie to the nights proceedings, an Merrythrought was such an intriguing and, well, beautiful last name that he didn't doubt if he had read it somewhere it would have stuck to mind in some capacity. Dannii not so much, but it was a name she rather suited, in his opinion (and much better than is own pitiful excuse of a name - Aemleigh). "That's a beautiful name, Merrythought," he commented honestly, tipping his glass slightly before sipping it. His smile only broadened when she downed her glass in one go with amusement, and he mimicked her playfully, before ordering another.

"Indeed, it is!" Fresh glass in hand, he sipped. "I haven't been there for years, but I still haven't lost it. It's a shame, really. How about yourself?" he asked, his smile becoming more coy. "You seem to have an accent of your own, not a native also?" He wasn't as knowledgeable with accents as he would like to be, but he could pick one out of the norm when he heard it. ​

 

[Dannii Merrythought]

Dannii was pleased that she had guessed correctly. It would be embarrassing if she hadn't. Although by now she had drank enough that it probably wouldn't have mattered. "Why a shame? Having an accent must help with the ladies." Dannii said with a small smirk. She always had men coming up to ask about her accent as an opener whenever she left New Zealand. "You're right as well. I'm from New Zealand, but I was born in America. So we have something in common." The witch told him. To be honest she had only spent the first year of her life in the states before her family moved to New Zealand. Still it was where her father's family was from so she did have roots there. Dannii gestured towards the bar tender to refresh her drink. Was this her 3rd or 4th? She couldn't quite remember. Talking with Aemleigh was proving to be fun. Dannii pulled some money out of her purse, and told the bartender to leave the rest of the bottle. She didn't want to have to interrupt the conversation anymore. Dannii took a sip from her glass, smiled at the man in front of her, and placed her hand on his thigh.​