Won't You Just....Give In Already?

[Benjamen Zhefarovich]

It felt almost magical to have his two children, one was an adopted child, to be home for the holidays. Finishing the OWLs was a big step toward adulthood, and Benajmen Zhefarovich was quite proud. He wished he had been there for both of their infancy years and such, but that would involve knowing about Alaska, and finding Damon when he was younger, both of which he was not able to do since he was just ignorant of their existence. Benjamen had another motive right now. After he told both of them that he was proud of them, he let them run off to go play in their rooms. He had another motive in mind. He went into the kitchen after ordering all the servants to leave immediately. No, he needed to do this in silence, and everyone else was in the way. As he started to make a special dish, his mind wondered off to Damon Kyle. He was not as cheerful as he had been since he was first adopted. It seemed as though the Zhefarovich influence was finally getting to him. It also helped that he was a pure-blood, but perhaps finding out about his family really changed his mind. Damon had a big brother, and the big brother actually lived with Kalif. Benjamen should probably tell him that...

"Oh sh*t." Benjamen was so lost in his thoughts, that he burned the side vegetables. He quickly replaced them and started to cook them with a different amount of seasonings. He did not want to really make it too harsh. But let’s face it, Benjamen knew literally nothing about American cuisine. That was where Viviana was from, from what he could gather. He was making a few sliders with a mix of steamed vegetables. Plenty of greens and different colors to add. This was American, was it not? He did not know since he had only been there once, in New Orleans. Benjamen shoved this out of his head, and he went to serve the food onto the table that was set beautifully. Candlelight, dim lights, special china. Women liked this crap, right? Benjamen had absolutely no idea. Benjamen got Volos to go and get Viviana to come down to the dining hall, where she would be served the top food by the best chef. Well, one of them. Axel actually cooked better meat than Benjamen could, but Benjamen could do sides and desserts. It was an odd combination. He ducked into the shadows, hoping to see her first reaction. Volos would not spoil it, saying who would prepare for it. Thankfully.​

 

[Viviana Baros]

Viviana was in the middle of tidying up her room when Volos the house elf came into her room and requested her presence somewhere. Pale green eyes fixed themselves on the house elf nervously before they darted back to the bed she was trying to make. Not that she had anything against the creature, it was just that he was awful vague about where they were going and Viviana still wasn't one hundred percent comfortable in this house. No one seemed to mind her presence within the house but she still wanted to be careful. Members such as Asparuh and Kalif didn't seem to keen on having any outsiders around and that included Viviana. The brunette figured that she would just finish fixing her room later and instead focus on following the house elf. The moment they left the room, she made sure to stay close to avoid getting lost. Despite being here for some time, she still had a big fear involving her getting lost in the Manor and never found again. Viviana wasn't sure if that was even possible, but with the size of this place she didn't really want to risk it. Viviana followed Volos until they arrived at a table glowing with candlelight.

"Hey Volos is this-eh? Where'd he go?" Viviana turned to ask if this was what he wanted to show her, or if this little setup was for someone else. Eyes darting around the dimly lit room as best as they could, Viviana saw no sign of the elf. Where did he wander off to? Viviana figured he would return, but until he did she might as well inspect the setup to see what was going on. It was obviously supposed to be a romantic dinner for two. Perhaps one of the younger Zhefarovich men was trying to woo themselves a lady-friend? "I'm surprise any of the men in this family know what a slider is." Viviana was impressed, and suddenly hungry. A part of her wondered if the dinner was for her, but she didn't want to risk it not being for her and ruining someone else's night. She'd probably get killed if she did. It looked very nice though, the smiled that graced her lips was enough to show proof of that. Minutes passed and Volos still did not return. Viviana signed and took a seat in one of the chairs, she wished she had worn better shoes for this. Did he seriously just abandon her here? This couldn't be for her, who would do all of this? ​

 

[Benjamen Zhefarovich]

Was Viviana in awe at the presentation? She should be. It was all for her. This was the perfect way to impress her. Well there was fireworks but he was informed not to set them off in the house. So, that idea was out the window. He would at least try to win her affections. One day, he just might have her on his arm. And by her own free will too. He did not know when would be the best time to introduce himself as the one that did this dinner. Would she even stay once she found out that he was the one that cooked it? She might not. And he may not blame her an ounce. Now might be the best time. "Greetings, Vivi." Benjamen stepped out of the shadows, dressed in robes and an apron with the mess that came with the dinner that he managed to spill. Yet it still turned out pretty good. It took him ages to figure out what sliders were. She was from a different country than he was so he had no idea. Benjamen gazed at her in an admiring manner. She was beautiful. She probably didn't know it. Or believe it.

"Don't leave though. My daughter really helped with the research of Americans to find out what you like. It isn't poisoned either. I want you to feel more at ease around me. I am also a decent cook." One could tell that he was trying so hard to woo her but he had a feeling it would take so much more. Maybe he should shower her in gifts. Maybe take her places. If he took her with out her permission, wouldn't it be kidnapping? He didn't want that. After he accidentally killed Axelle, he had been a little guilty over everything he did. She was happy now as a ghost. She was with her husband but the guilt remained. He wanted to make things right. And the first one he had to work for was Vivi. She was the one that he wanted above all else. Especially when Ivy chose Axel in the end. Just like everyone else did.
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