Thread: For dinner & a song (atn: Constantino 1/15/10)

Constantino enters the cabaret and pauses while the door man inquires of his needs. Tonight, he is dressed not in black, but a vested grey (http://www.menswearhouse.com/webapp/...51?cm_vc=40159).

After surveying the croud and listening to the door man, A thin smile comes to his face and he speaks softly to the man. "My party is waiting in that far corner." He slips a bill into the man's jacket and begins to walk back to the booth. The smile on his face grows as he approaches.

Reaching the table, he pauses and looks down at the red headed beauty seated before him. "Pardon me, Miss...I noticed you were alone and was hoping that you would be so courteous as to accept the company of one as lowly as myself this fine evening. It would be a terrible shame for a beauty, such as you, to dine alone."
Constantino smiles slightly and waits for an answer.

"Pardon me, Miss..."

Emma looks up and meets Constantino's eyes with a smile.

"I noticed you were alone and was hoping that you would be so courteous as to accept the company of one as lowly as myself this fine evening. It would be a terrible shame for a beauty, such as you, to dine alone."

Amusement twinkles in her eyes as they half roll at his 'laying it on thick.' She motions to the chair. "I suppose you can join me... the guy who I expected to join me," She waves a hand dismissively, "he always dresses in black... very depressive fellow." She smirks, clearly poking fun and not meaning insult.

"Anyway... I doubt he'll be showing up tonight. Something tells me he has business, as always and will be too tied up to join me. So, sure... why not." She chuckles at her own commentary.

"You do look good, though it may take me a while to get use to the change. Gray seems so... what's a good way to describe it," She quirks her pressed lips, squinting one eye in thought. "well, proper I guess?" She raises her eyebrows doubting the choice of her own words.

"It's kinda like me in a dress... I suppose if you saw me on the street randomly it might make you say 'she's pretty' but, if you know me well... as you do... it does take some getting use to."

The waiter returns with a wine list and Emma directs Constantino to take it. "You probably know more about wines than I do and if I'm really gonna try this tonight... maybe you'd know better than I what to pick."

Constantino takes the wine list before replying. He browses quickly and picks out something light, but flavorful, and passes it back to the waiter.

Turning back to Emma, he sits quietly for a moment just taking in the features of her face. "I have to say I'm quite fond of you in a dress. I can truthfully say the first time I saw you in one, that night behind St Christopher's, my breath should have been stolen away."

Emma waits for the wine to be brought to the table, uncorked and poured before speaking again. She seems to be absorbing the enviroment and company more than anything else, occasionally she absently toys with her heart-shaped necklace... deep in thought.

Once they are alone again she speaks up, "I wanted to stay away from our usual topics of discussion... maybe try to see if we could actually talk like 'normal people' for a bit so," she chuckles nervously, "I went online to look for advice." She hesitates to see his facial expression before continuing, clearly having decided to continue with trying to keep it light-hearted.

"Needless to say they didn't have any good articles about how to keep your undead companion interested so... for the moment I'm going on looks and mutual dislike of general stupidity we're forced to endure on a regular basis. The jury is still out on whether or not that's going to be a good place to start." she shrugs. "On the plus side I hear this is a really good show." she picks up the playbook placed in the center of the table.

"Broadway Show Stoppers" She reads, "Highlighting award-winning broadway musicals." she makes a 'hmmm' noise and puts the playbill down. "Well, that's the last time I take date advice from a gay guy. Yeesh."

She laughs, "Hopefully it's not too bad! I've never been a big follower of Broadway musicals but, he swore this is the best show in town so... who knows."

Picking up her wine glass she puts it to her lip and timidly slips the tip of her tongue into the deep red colored liquid. Pulling it back she seems to roll the taste around for a moment before actually braving a full sip. It's clear it's not something she enjoys at all but she forces a smile.

"So, have you and Sophia made up yet?"

Originally Posted by deanna

Once they are alone again she speaks up, "I wanted to stay away from our usual topics of discussion... maybe try to see if we could actually talk like 'normal people' for a bit so," she chuckles nervously, "I went online to look for advice." She hesitates to see his facial expression before continuing, clearly having decided to continue with trying to keep it light-hearted.

Constantino chuckles slightly seeing that she is so uncomfortable. He leans forward and whispers quietly. "Don't worry Emma, I'm just as...well I'm out of my element when it comes to this as well." He winks and leans back hoping she relaxes a bit.

"I'm sure there are plenty of things on the internet that might bring loads of conversation material. Suppose you happened across Zombies, or something. A website telling you to prepare for the coming Zombie apocalypse maybe, then I could tell you all about how it will never happen, but if it does we could discuss what you really should do." Constantino laughs again knowing he sounds completely ridiculous.

After she goes on and on about the musical and the advice she recieved, Tino smiles. "I'm sure it will be fine, just being in your company lately is all I've really needed. I'm sure the same will be true tonight."

Constantino sips his wine and watches her do the same. "Not your taste is it? You are not going to insult me if you don't drink it. I suppose I could ask the waiter for some Killian's."

"As for Sophia, she'll figure it out eventually. She's actually pulling herself back into my good graces." He pauses, pondering his next statement. "Truthfully, the puppy was her idea. I should give credit where it is due." Tino smiles hoping the truth, or at least that small fraction of it, didn't set her mind racing.

Constantino's wink and admission of discomfort did little to ease Emma's nerves but the discussion about Zombies made her actually laugh. It seemed as soon as her date was willing to laugh with her, most of her discomfort fled.

When the topic of the wine came up she shook her head. "No, no, it's not the wine I'm sure it's all things. Ashes. I just can't seem to shake the taste of ash." She shrugs. "Sometimes I think I can taste things but then I start to wonder if maybe I'm just remembering what it felt or tasted like and then it's gone. The only thing I ever can taste without tasting ash is... well, two things I suppose. One isn't appropriate to discuss at the dinner table and the other is a family brew that comes out of a flask that I got from my Uncle Quinn shortly after this happened." She motions to herself in indication of her vampiric state.

"As for Sophia, she'll figure it out eventually. She's actually pulling herself back into my good graces." He pauses, pondering his next statement. "Truthfully, the puppy was her idea. I should give credit where it is due." Tino smiles hoping the truth, or at least that small fraction of it, didn't set her mind racing.

Still holding her wine glass she smiles into the liquid at the mention of the puppy. "I sincerely hope this woman I hired can house break her soon... Lord I'm tired of smelling accidents. It wasn't such a big deal back when I was... you know... but now I smell EVERYTHING. Still, she's just so darn cute. Sophia was right to think I'd want a new dog and it seems to be bringing some comfort to Penny so, I'm very happy to have the spunky little one around. Though, I'm still stuck for a good name."

"You know, Constantino, about Sophia ... I think it's wonderful she's making ammends for what she did to disrupt your clan this past month but," She obviously knows this isn't her place but she tries to be an empathic friend offering advice rather than be seen as meddling where she's not welcome, "... what about her accepting you back into her graces as well?" Emma pauses

"She seems to be understanding enough of your position and what you have to do in order to keep your family safe but, I'd dare say her ego is not much smaller than a few other Giovanni I've had the pleasure of knowing." Emma smiles softly, her green eyes sparkling with the tiny jab at her companion. "Her deeds, no matter how disasterously they panned out, were obviously done with the best of intentions as any done by someone who loves you. Is there some way to ... I don't know, I probably should be butting in but... jussst... let her know you appreciate her worry for you without encouraging her to keep this dangerous behavior up?"

Emma sits the glass back on the table. "I know in your position of leadership it must be hard to also manage your connection with your family personally. I could talk to her, if you like but, it would mean more coming from you personally I'm sure." As the waiter comes to take their dinner order Emma quickly adds, "Everyone has their baggage to overcome Constantino and in many ways she's still a child... you'd have to be blind not to see it." she whispers, "Death took her too soon."

"Welcome to Old Town Cabaret. I'm Juan and I'll be your table's server this evening. Have you had enough time to review our dinner selections?" The young man in a very neatly groomed white outfit asked politely with a smile.

Constantino looks up to the waiter. "I'm sorry, sir, we have been slightly distracted. Please return soon." Tino watches the waiter walk away before getting back to the conversation at hand.

"That's just it, she's still a child in far too many ways." Tino sips his wine and shakes his head. "I know, I expect too much sometimes. But knowing what she has dealt with up until this point, I had just hoped that she could put aside her attitude when it comes to other family, and just listen for once."

"I don't want to put you in the middle of our spat Emma. I really do appreciate you taking the time to listen to her, I tend to see things from a business angle when it comes to family. Its how we were raised."

Constantino picks up the dinner menu and browses it quietly for a moment. "So you up for dinner, or should I just send him away?"

"You didn't put me in the middle of your spat Constantino." She smiles. "But I'll stay out of it if that is what you would like," she shakes her head forestalling any reassurances. "It's a family matter, I get that, no offense was taken."

As the waiter returns she looks down at the menu. "I've got to keep trying, isn't that what you and Sophia said?" Looking up to the waiter she reads off, "The stuffed chicken marsala please. Tossed salad with oil on the side. Could you also be sure to bring the dessert cart by when we're finished. I may want to try that turtle cheese cake."

She looks to Constantino and waits for him to order and the waiter to leave before continuing. "She hasn't come home yet." Emma spreads the napkin across her lap, her tone betraying a little guilt and some worry. "I'm... I'm starting to wonder if maybe she didn't come because she never got the call. A few of the books she only takes when she goes off to visit family are gone. I don't know how long she'll be gone so... don't expect her for chess, just in case."

Constantino listens as she continues. "I'm not trying to get you to but out, everyone needs someone to talk to. I just don't want to make it seem worse than it is...."

As the waiter comes back and she orders and large smile grows across his face. He nods at the mention of cheesecake. "Veal parmassean for me please. Salad with ranch dressing." He hands off the menu and continues to listen before offering up more conversation on the new subject.

"I hate to think that I would be driving that much of a space between you too. I really hope that she has gone to visit family, and that is why she didn't respond to your plea. If not, it truly makes me question her motives... Have you talked to any others on the council, have any of them heard from her?"

Tino's eyes shift to the shadowlands to see if she is around.