paradisalost | (no subject)

Elektra glances at her phone. She usually ends up places early. It was nothing new. It was not as if she had absolutely nothing to do with such a spectacular view to appreciate. Wesley should really have been here by now. She frowns. This is one of the few times she misses Kimagure. If he was in the area she could just take a "look" around.

She did not get much of an opportunity to sulk before Wesley made his appearance. Elektra sets down her cell phone and gives him a small smile. "Trouble?"

"I'm sorry about that. There was a mix up with a delivery of artifacts to the museum and I had to go and sort it out. Obviously some are on loan from private collections and to have them go missing, even for a few hours, can lead to panic stations."

He offers her an apologetic smile and takes the seat opposite. Despite what clearly has been a stressful morning for him, he doesn't appear to be particularly harried. In fact, for Wes, there's a faintly zen air about him.

"So, how have you been? Settling into your new Parisian life?"

Elektra studied him for a moment. He did seem oddly calm. Elektra knew what the kind of people who owned private collections could be like. She used to be one of them. She would not be surprised if they threw themselves on the floor and began screaming like a three year old until the problem was fixed. Which made her wonder how he managed to get out of it with any form of calm.

She would have to ask later about it. Truthfully with the discovery of Abel, Elektra couldn't settle down into the so far peaceful week. That of course meant omitting certain things until she found a way to properly deal with Abel. "Everything has been quiet. What about you? I don't think I've ever seen you so calm before."

"Calm?" He reached for the glass of complimentary water and took a sip, then shrugged nonchalantly. "Well, I suppose I'm just enjoying the lack of the other kinds of dramas Paradisa has a propensity to inflict upon us."

Did he really look observably different? Looking at the beverage menu, he was tempted to order a bottle of bubbly. But no, that might give something away. Elektra didn't drink wine anyway, or at least she'd eschewed it the other time it had been available. "Have you ordered anything yet?"

"Really?" Elektra is skeptical but, willing to move on. They have an entire lunch date to sort out the real reason why he was in such a good mood suddenly. "Not yet. I didn't want to order anything without you here anyways. It's rude."

She is finally picking out her menu to look through the selections. "So any recommendations? Make it good if you do. I feel like we should celebrate nothing going wrong so far."

Perhaps he had cause, after all.

"It was my birthday yesterday, actually. Do you mind if I indulge in some champagne? As far as the menu goes, I am not all that versed in French cuisine. What sort of things do you like to eat?"

"Your birthday." Elektra is distracted for the moment. She should have known about this... somehow. "Of course. We can get whatever you want." Elektra waves this off like its of no consequence. She may not actively drink but, knows how people like to celebrate. She is willing to indulge the right people. "Why didn't you say anything before?"

"Well, I didn't want to broadcast it, otherwise people feel obligated to get something and Christmas is only a couple of days away." He indicates to the waitress that he wants a bottle of mid-priced champagne and then turns back to Elektra. "I don't usually celebrate it much." There's a subtle, almost indiscernible emphasis on the word 'usually'.

"Wesley I can afford to get you two gifts. It's not a problem." Elektra frowns. She gets not celebrating. During her entire stay in the castle she only mentioned her birthday to one person reluctantly who was long gone. That would likely never change either. "Just tell me you did something special yesterday." Otherwise she may have to pay someone to throw him a party.

He'd been about to wave his hand dismissively and protest that it wasn't about money so much as the inconvenience of timing when Elektra's words make him glance at her sharply for a moment.

She can't have known. And yet her insistence can't help but put him slightly on guard. He tries to cover it with a neutral sort of smile. He ought to say something, otherwise he has a feeling she'll take it upon herself to organise a celebration on his behalf.

"I did, actually. Fred came over and spent the evening with me. It was very...pleasant." Oh good god, that has to be the understatement of the year. He rearranges some cutlery and then pretends interest in the food menu again.

Elektra had been confused at that look. Was this going to be a thing against parties? They couldn't possibly be that alike. Once Wesley makes an effort to do anything but, look at her after mentioning spending time with Fred, Elektra starts to get it. Since this was not Fred and their first real meeting was when he was a a child she could not even think of asking him what was running through her head. Fred would be a different story however.

"I should have known she'd come along to save the day." Elektra glances back down at her menu. She might be smiling a little. "You're still getting a gift for your birthday."

"She does that quite often. Saving the day, I mean." He is not flushing. That would be ridiculous. "So, um, see anything which takes your fancy? I can translate if needed. And you really don't have to get me anything, Elektra."

Elektra is taking note of that as she looks up from the menu; that not flushing. "It's fine. I want to get you something." Let's pretend she gave the name to some French food here.

Wes explains that she's considering a veal and green lentil dish. He plays it safe and orders mushroom crepes for himself. The champagne arrives and is opened by the wine-waiter. He offers them both a glass before settling the bottle in the ice bucket and departing.

"How is your young charge? You never did tell me his name."

Elektra takes a sip before replying. "His name is Emil. He's adjusting well to everything. I even got him in school before the holiday break began." She knows it wasn't exactly necessary but, it was a chance to put his eyes to go use for the time being.

Relieved that they were no longer on a topic which came dangerously close to recent developments in Wes' lovelife, he relaxed slightly. "That's good to hear. Have you had much experience with caring for children before?"

"Not really," Elektra shrugs casually. "I usually end up getting stuck rescuing them from something. The only child I've really taken care of before is Helen and that was only for a week at a time."

Something tugged at his consciousness. "Helen? You had a child here in Paradisa like many of us did?"

He reached for his champagne again. He still thought about Patricia constantly. He missed her terribly. The child that he and Fred would never have. At least not back home.

"Yes." She adjusts her glass to align perfectly with her fork and knife. It was a sore subject for her. Given her current lifestyle back in her world she doubted she would be manage a relationship much less survive a possible pregnancy. Her plans for the future ended with making amends with Matt and meeting Abby again in some far off time.

"She's a great kid." Elektra glances up once she finishes. "You would like her until she tries beating you up."

He smiles, trying to picture what Helen would be like. "Strong and fearless like her mother, I'd wager." Then his expression grows a bit more pensive. "It's a pity we only get to spend a week with them. It seems a little cruel."

"Yeah." Elektra takes a sip from her glass. "But, I get it. It's hard enough to protect the children pulled in with us now. Imagine if all of us had one." She shakes her head. "I'm sure they're safe somewhere."

"The incident with the Slenderman was certainly a wake up call." Then Wes nods, his expression becoming somber but faintly hopeful. "Those who've had the chance to see their children more than once seem to firmly believe so. If Fred and I are still here by next May, we should have the chance to see Patricia again."

He twisted the stem of his glass between his fingers.

"Actually, it's something I haven't thought about before. Ae we even able to have children here? Has anyone become pregnant?"

Elektra visibly pauses at that. She can't think of anything. It seems strange. All these people being coaxed into kissing each other every year and nothing happens? She thinks at one of the couples would hit it off. If not the established ones should have at least one accident along the way.

"No." Her brows knit together. "I've been here over a year and we haven't seen so much as a pregnancy scare."

"Hmmm. I wonder if that's the Castle at work." It's a troubling notion, one which he hasn't really given much thought to, until now. But with the information from Libet still fresh in his mind, he finds himself pondering, once again, the purpose of bringing them all to Paradisa.

Their food arrives and, in some ways, he's glad for the distraction.

Edited 2012-01-09 11:00 (UTC)

Elektra is as well. She certainly wouldn't be happy about the prospect of being pregnant here or her own world. The fact it didn't seem to be an option was suspicious. Keeping them stuck at a certain age, reviving the dead, and now this? She can't help wondering what kind of end game was happening here.

She takes a bite of her food and smiles. "You picked well. The food here is excellent."

"It's comforting to know that the place closest to work offers decent cuisine." Wes smiles in return, enjoying his crepes. "The view certainly makes it well worth the visit." His gaze shifts to the Eiffel Tower looming in the distance.

"I ought to make sure to take Fred there before this whole relocation ends. She's never even been out of the country. So this has been a wonderful opportunity for her to see things she never would have had the chance to."

"She's never been out of the country?" Even before her nomadic lifestyle she saw other countries. It was one of the few perks of being originally from Greece and having a business man for a father. She knew the world. "Well that settles it." Elektra smiles playfully. "You better spoil her. Take her to see every ridiculous little attraction this place has to offer. I'm putting this on you."

"Oh, I plan to spoil her. Don't you worry about that." He smiled broadly. Then, realising that perhaps he was again giving away something in his demeanour, Wes concentrated on eating the rest of his meal and finishing off his glass of champagne. "Is it terribly selfish that I don't want it to change back again?"

Elektra is more than happy to let him off the hook for a while. The food is good after all. Pushing things right after his birthday is a little mean spirited even for her. His question gets her to look up from her food. She takes a sip of her champagne before replying. "No." Elektra says carefully. It is clear she has given this some thought. "It'd be better for all of us if we didn't go back. We're on a level playing field here. We can live out something closer to normal lives too."

"I liked what my job was back in Los Angeles. Fighting supernatural crime. So, what I was doing in Paris wasn't exactly what I used to do, but...it felt like I had a purpose again. Something to really apply myself to."

He leaned back in a chair for a moment, sipping at the wine.

"Don't get me wrong, I count myself among the lucky ones. Paradisa may not be ideal and at times it's frustrating and even distressing, but I've had chances and experiences there which I now know for certain I wouldn't have had back home."

If he even viewed Los Angeles as home anymore. He had a home in Paradisa. One that felt more like a home in some ways than any other he'd lived in.

Elektra sips her drink thoughtfully. The truth is she feels more or less the same way. The only things compelling her to miss home are Matt and Abby. She knows meeting them again is important to make amends and to see how things turned out for them. Despite that she feels alright here. No one is trying to kill her. More importantly, people care what becomes of her. That is something rare and precious to Elektra.

"I understand. It can be... nice in some ways. If it weren't for this castle I would have never met you or Fred." She smiles slightly at that. "I think I would have regretted that if I knew to."

Wes smiles slightly in return. He's touched by the thought that Elektra considers him someone worthy of befriending. It hadn't always been that way.

"I have more friendships in Paradisa than I did back home. I don't know what that says about myself, really."

The waiter returns to remove the plates they are finished with and enquires if either of them would like to see the dessert menu. He's tempted, but shakes his head ordering coffee instead and glances to see if his companion is interested in something sweet.

Elektra orders the same. Despite owning a sweets shop she is not big on indulging in them. "Don't expect me to think badly of you. I don't have any at all." Elektra raises her hand to stop the waiter before they can leave. "Do you want some cake? In honor of your birthday."

"I--well, yes, actually that would be nice." He doesn't know why he feels guilty about it. It's just ingrained in him not to make any kind of fuss about himself when it comes to personal matters.

"But only if you'll have some too."

Elektra smiles. "Fine but, you have to pick what kind we have."

Since it's a day for smiling, Wes nods and places an order for Canneles Bordelais. He had noticed they were on the menu and now he has an excuse to indulge. The little cakes are slightly crunchy in texture on the outside, and yet soft and moist inside with a splash of vanilla custard in the center. The rum-based sugar glaze makes the outside of the cakes glisten.

"I got to sample these when I came here as a boy. I don't think mother realised what they were drenched in."

Once they arrive Elektra doesn't waste any biting into one. She smiles and swallows before speaking again. "Not surprising. Most parents would just assume they wouldn't give it to a child."

Wes also doesn't waste any time in enjoying the little cakes. They are just as he'd remembered them. He's going to have to bring some back to his flat so that Fred can enjoy them too.

"My parents weren't most parents." It's a light, offhand admission, he's determined not to spoil the day.

It might be if Elektra didn't get a taste of what they were like from his headspace. She takes a sip of champagne to give herself a moment to think of an appropriate change in subject.

Maybe that thing glimmering nearby will help her out with that.

Wes manages to spot the incoming trouble and he springs up out of his seat abruptly, reaching for Elektra's hand to urge her up out of hers as well.

"We need to get out of here, now!"

The waiter is moving to intercept them, probably concerned they're trying to leave without paying the check.

Elektra for once is none the wiser about the fairies. She's tense at the thought another disaster may be falling on their shoulders that she couldn't foresee. She lets him take her hand without a fight and lead her.

"What's wrong?" A glare at the waiter. "Can't you see we're in the middle of something?" She glances back at Wesley. "Wesley?"

Wes doesn't need to look up to know that the glittering dust is being sprinkled over them. He opens his mouth to warn her of the danger, but then the urge overtakes him and he leans closer, capturing her mouth in an unexpected ardent kiss. One hand comes up to cradle the back of her head, while the other presses against the small of her back. Elektra is a fine woman. If it wasn't for Fred he might even have entertained ideas...

A round of spontaneous applause erupts around him as other restaurant goers observe the clinch and assume it's just a Parisian moment.

Her first thought is to knock him flat on his back and demand to know what has gotten into him. He is Fred's in her mind just as she is Oliver's even if it was largely unsaid. She wasn't the type to betray that. Lucky for Wesley the dust is more powerful than her sensibilities right now. Instead Elektra eagerly kisses him back, while one hand goes up to gently cup the side of his face.

In a minute she'll likely snap out of it and return to her original thought process. For now she seems to be enjoying herself.

He knows he shouldn't be doing this. This is Elektra, his friend, Fred's friend. Oh god, this isn't right. He's spoken for and he suspects that she is too. But the compulsion is impossible to shake and he finds himself pressing even closer, his body now flush against hers. His hand on her back travels upwards in a slow caress along her spine. His other hand shifts as well, the backs of his fingers tenderly tracing the contours of her cheek. A soft sighing breath escapes him and he deepens the kiss - tasting the sweetness of the cakes which lingers upon her lips - but at the same time it becomes gentler and perhaps more intimate because of it.

Edited 2012-02-16 23:11 (UTC)

She is with him under the thrall of the pixie dust up until that split second pause before he deepens the kiss. It is just long enough for her to finally get a grip on the situation. Elektra tenses as it finally sinks in that he's touching her.

She cares about Wesley. He is her friend. Undoubtedly she would cross a lot of lines to ensure his happiness and safety if it came to it. This wasn't one of those times.

She shoves him back with her free hand while the other that had been gently cupping his cheek seconds ago is getting pulled back. Elektra forms a fist and hits him hard before she can really think about what she is doing. It's a knee jerk reaction; she doesn't like being touched with very few exceptions.

After all if Elektra had been thinking instead of reacting she might have noticed they were both covered in the same tell tale gold dust.

He probably should have seen that response coming, but the lingering dust has him still caught in the grips of a powerful desire to keep kissing Elektra and so he's completely unprepared for the blow when it comes. He stumbles backwards, bumping into someone else's table and dislodging some silverware onto the floor.

Pressing a hand to his now tender jaw and full of embarrassment, Wes tries to right himself and apologise to the people around him who are having their meals disrupted on his account.

Luckily the waiting staff are moving to smooth things over.

Wes gives Elektra a chagrined look, but at least the compulsion to kiss her has well and truly been knocked out of him.

Edited 2012-02-21 01:10 (UTC)

Right about now the rational explanation is sinking in. The fairies. The dust. Why else would they have acted that way? She is embarrassed to say the least. For a woman who tried so hard to be in control it took so little to set her off even now.

"Wesley... oh my God." She crosses over to him. She makes a move like she might touch his jaw before thinking better of it. "I'm so sorry. I wasn't thinking." Elektra lowers her hand completely and fidgets uncomfortably. She's upset with herself. "Are you okay?"

Wesley waves her off, trying to make light of what has just happened.

"I'm fine. And it was understandable considering the circumstances. That's quite a right cross, I must say. Fred is in good hands with her training."

He gives her a rueful smile and straightens his clothing, resisting the urge to touch his smarting face again.

"I should probably get back to work. I had a good time, Elektra, despite the excitement at the end." He hands the waiter enough money to cover the meal and a sizeable tips as well.

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her paid is gone so default icon forever...

but it's so pretty!

i'm glad you like it. ;;

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