Lunch time it is, and Vickers decided to change his day up a bit and actually get something outside to eat. For one who's routine is essential for his sanity as part of his work day efficiency, lunching out, in a Muggle place even, is a special thing.

And a good thing apparently, since he sees his boss ordering just ahead of him. But somethings a bit off with Lynley lately and Vickers, being ever so polite, tried not to make a big deal out of it. Except now it looks like she looks really troubled. Uhoh.

He stepped beside her ever so subtly, smiled at the order taker at the counter and murmured casually "Oh look, soup of the day with your choice of sandwich, sounds good huh?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steelsheen

Lunch time it is, and Vickers decided to change his day up a bit and actually get something outside to eat. For one who's routine is essential for his sanity as part of his work day efficiency, lunching out, in a Muggle place even, is a special thing.

And a good thing apparently, since he sees his boss ordering just ahead of him. But somethings a bit off with Lynley lately and Vickers, being ever so polite, tried not to make a big deal out of it. Except now it looks like she looks really troubled. Uhoh.

He stepped beside her ever so subtly, smiled at the order taker at the counter and murmured casually "Oh look, soup of the day with your choice of sandwich, sounds good huh?"

The voice next to her didn't register at first, but she looked over and saw it was Vickers. She sighed. "I see," was all she said before approaching the counter and ordering a simple salad. It was all she'd been eating lately, too apathetic to care. "How are you doing today, Vickers?" she asked gently after ordering, gesturing him up to order.

She'd be treating. The cashier was looking at him curiously, waiting for his order. "I think there's an empty table by the window--" she peered over the heads of the people in line and nodded. Perfectly. Window.

Even her appetite is off, the Ravenerd noted as he listened to his boss give her order, which adds to the list of things he's noticing about her. "Oh… I- I'm ok." he replied with an awkward smile. Hardly anybody asks him how he was doing, and he's gotten used to that. But that wasn’t the only thing that caught him unawares. "Th-thank you Lynley." he replied slightly flustered when she offered to pay for his meal. He wasn’t really expecting that, when he saw her here he thought the most he'll get out of her was a quick hello and goodbye as the normally assertive Department Head would continue with her day.

With the order given, which was a chicken panini and a cream of asparagus soup, he sought out that table by the window before somebody else took it. For once those long legs was actually an advantage as he reached the table in no time. He pulled a seat out for Lynley before taking his own opposite her.

A simple salad wasn’t a meal and the seeming melancholy he's seeing from her doesn’t do well on an empty stomach. He knew that much from personal experience. As soon as their orders were settled, he split his asparagus soup into another bowl and subtly set it near her salad. "Soup is good. Give it a try?…." he added as he took a few spoonful from his own.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steelsheen

Even her appetite is off, the Ravenerd noted as he listened to his boss give her order, which adds to the list of things he's noticing about her. "Oh… I- I'm ok." he replied with an awkward smile. Hardly anybody asks him how he was doing, and he's gotten used to that. But that wasn’t the only thing that caught him unawares. "Th-thank you Lynley." he replied slightly flustered when she offered to pay for his meal. He wasn’t really expecting that, when he saw her here he thought the most he'll get out of her was a quick hello and goodbye as the normally assertive Department Head would continue with her day.

With the order given, which was a chicken panini and a cream of asparagus soup, he sought out that table by the window before somebody else took it. For once those long legs was actually an advantage as he reached the table in no time. He pulled a seat out for Lynley before taking his own opposite her.

A simple salad wasn’t a meal and the seeming melancholy he's seeing from her doesn’t do well on an empty stomach. He knew that much from personal experience. As soon as their orders were settled, he split his asparagus soup into another bowl and subtly set it near her salad. "Soup is good. Give it a try?…." he added as he took a few spoonful from his own.

Table. Chairs. Window. Lynley took notice of the setup without much other thought, took the seat across from her employee. He looked well, of course, and Lynley was glad he didn't protest her paying for his food. She didn't feel like arguing today.

"Sure," she said simply about the soup before dipping a spoon in and sipping quietly. Hmm. "It's good if you like asparagus," she commented with a nod. "Which I do, so, thank you," she smiled weakly in gratitude at him. But otherwise went back to eating her salad.

And by eating her salad, it was mostly her pushing lettuce around with her fork. Her mind kept drifting....off. Elsewhere. To conversations with her brother recently, with her niece. She almost completely forgot she was sitting across from an employee and should probably do better at attempting conversation. "Do you have...children, Vicenzo?" she asked.

On her lunch break Olly had done something that was very out of character for her. She'd left the Ministry to find some food and tea outside. Despite the fact that it was quite cold out. She just needed to get some fresh air, however. And it had done wonders to her nerves. Which weren't actually nerves but more like excitement probably. Excitement, yes.

THE day wasn't too far off now.

Okay. It was still about a month away but still.

Nonetheless, she was now inside the crowded café (okay, why had she come in HERE?!) and had somehow managed to get herself a pastry and tea to go. Only she wasn't going right away. Instead, she was now standing, leaning against the wall next to the door, sipping on her tea. It was hard enough to face Schuyler in her free time without giving anything away. So the fact that they worked together didn't exactly make things easier.

So in a way, she was hiding from her.

The cool February air did not sit well with this Brazilian. His charcoal peacoat was buttoned up tight, the much lighter toned scarf just peeking through around the neckline. A faint whiff of warm fabric could be noticed if one were paying proper attention, or close enough to the fella, as his coat was charmed to the perfect temperature to keep the gentleman warm and comfortable.

As he stepped into the threshold of the cafe, all sorts of fresh baked scents thwacked him on the nose, causing his stomach to growl as a reminder that it needed to be fed. As uncomfortable as it may have been, this reminder was often needed as the twenty five year old had a bad habit of getting wrapped up in his work and forgetting all of his needs.

Moving further into the cafe, the man noticed a woman lurking by the door. His eyes roamed over her and then flickered over to the empty tables. It wasn't any of his business, he supposed, but it was an odd sight to see. These Brits were all an odd bunch, weren't they?

He ordered himself some sort of flaky looking pie and a coffee, making his way back toward the door, pausing once more to glance at the standing woman and taking a seat at the empty table to her right.

Time was in his favor today.

Olly was aware of the guy looking at her. How could she not be? She was very observant after all. Especially today. Unlike the man, however, she had the decency to watch him half-heartedly when his back was turned and he couldn't see her. Manners. Plus, he wasn't THAT interesting, so her gaze soon wandered off to other people in the café.

None managed to properly catch her attention though.

Out of the corner of her eyes she noticed the man glancing at her AGAIN after he'd gotten his food and drink. Really? "Yes?" Looking straight at him, Olly raised her eyebrows at the man. Was there something he needed?

When she addressed him, his head tilted toward her, double checking that her question was indeed meant for him. A sly sort of grin played along his lips as his eyes met hers. She was gorgeous and feisty. How fun.

Cezar turned the rest of his body toward her, "I was beginning to wonder if you were a statue. Thank you for proving yourself otherwise." His Brazilian accent thick still, despite being here a year already.

"Do you ever sit down?"

Olly knew that grin.

And it amused her greatly, to be honest.

Not that she let that show. Okay, maybe if you looked closely into her eyes but the guy clearly wasn't close enough to do that. So all the look she currently wore expressed was disinterest. A statue, really? That was the best he could do? That accent was somewhat interesting though. Plus, she did need to pass the time while she was here before she could go back to work.

So after a few seconds of silent contemplation Olly walked over to his table and sat down in one of the free chairs. "I do." Sit down that is. Clearly. Her lips curled into a small smirk.

Steffie always felt comfortable in muggle establishments, being muggleborn and all. And even though she was all about the clean eating these days, she just HAD to splurge and get a bagel and cream cheese every once in a while, along with a coffee. If you didn't treat yourself, you'd be more likely to binge later, and then she'd feel AWFUL.

Humming happily to herself, the blonde poured some creamer into her coffee and took a sip. MMMMMMMM mocha. YUM.

Grace had to admit this little coffee shop was fast becoming one of her most visited places in and around the ministry .She really did not work well without coffee, and she'd been running a little late. So that meant she needed to pop into the shop and get herself a coffee. She figured she could always skip, but then she would not be good to work with. So she'd headed into the shop to hopefully get her coffee quite quickly.

She smiled, tapping her foot a little as she waited for her coffee to be finished. Hopefully not too long, she couldn't be late to work.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RachieRu

Grace had to admit this little coffee shop was fast becoming one of her most visited places in and around the ministry .She really did not work well without coffee, and she'd been running a little late. So that meant she needed to pop into the shop and get herself a coffee. She figured she could always skip, but then she would not be good to work with. So she'd headed into the shop to hopefully get her coffee quite quickly.

She smiled, tapping her foot a little as she waited for her coffee to be finished. Hopefully not too long, she couldn't be late to work.

People tapping their feet impatiently was usually a HUGE pet peeve of Steffie's - but when she looked over and saw a familiar looking girl standing nearby, she grinned instead. She didn't actually KNOW this girl, but Stef was good with faces, and she KNEW this girl was a Ministry worker. She'd seen her in the lifts a few times. Grinning, she walked a bit closer to the girl.

"Busy day today, huh? Especially in the Ministry, yeah?" she asked with a wink, whispering the last bit since they were in a muggle public place and she didn't want to be THAT obvious.

Con inhaled as he stepped into the Muggle restaurant. The smell of coffee in the morning was wonderful! His aim was to buy some of the delicious beverage and something for Addi. He was still trying to decide what to get her since her cravings would sometimes vary given that she was pregnant again.

But for now, coffee for him. He stepped up to the counter and placed his order. Wile he waited, he tried to figure out where he'd sit. It was still somewhat early but there were a lot of persons there already. Hm...

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19

Con inhaled as he stepped into the Muggle restaurant. The smell of coffee in the morning was wonderful! His aim was to buy some of the delicious beverage and something for Addi. He was still trying to decide what to get her since her cravings would sometimes vary given that she was pregnant again.

But for now, coffee for him. He stepped up to the counter and placed his order. Wile he waited, he tried to figure out where he'd sit. It was still somewhat early but there were a lot of persons there already. Hm...

Even though she had eaten breakfast before leaving to go to work, Gabby was still hungry and was craving a pastry. That was why she had popped out of the office and made her way over towards the bakery, thinking about what she wanted to get on the way.

Heading inside, she made a beeline towards the counter, but then stopped suddenly. So much nope. Even though Gabby was the sort to do what she dang well pleased without caring what other people thought, she was not in the mood to deal with Addi's idiotic husband. Then again when was she ever? There would be no fake pleasantries today, especially when her friend was not around to witness things.

Turning on her heel, Gabby made her way towards the exit.

SPOILER!!: Gabs! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhittyBitty

Even though she had eaten breakfast before leaving to go to work, Gabby was still hungry and was craving a pastry. That was why she had popped out of the office and made her way over towards the bakery, thinking about what she wanted to get on the way.

Heading inside, she made a beeline towards the counter, but then stopped suddenly. So much nope. Even though Gabby was the sort to do what she dang well pleased without caring what other people thought, she was not in the mood to deal with Addi's idiotic husband. Then again when was she ever? There would be no fake pleasantries today, especially when her friend was not around to witness things.

Turning on her heel, Gabby made her way towards the exit.

Con had only just collected his delicious cup of coffee and turned to head out when he thought he had seen Gabby. Of course she had turned around as well but there was no mistaking that haughty back of her head. “Forgot what you came here for, Gabby?’’ He hadn’t quite caught up with her as yet but he had said that loud enough for her to hear.

If she wanted to ignore him, that was quite fine too. Really. Connor did not like her and it would not be any loss to not have a conversation with her. Always rude woman. At least he had outgrown his rudeness but she seemed to like clinging to hers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19

Con had only just collected his delicious cup of coffee and turned to head out when he thought he had seen Gabby. Of course she had turned around as well but there was no mistaking that haughty back of her head. “Forgot what you came here for, Gabby?’’ He hadn’t quite caught up with her as yet but he had said that loud enough for her to hear.

If she wanted to ignore him, that was quite fine too. Really. Connor did not like her and it would not be any loss to not have a conversation with her. Always rude woman. At least he had outgrown his rudeness but she seemed to like clinging to hers.

Almost at the door, Gabby suddenly froze.

HOW had Connor been able to recognize her just by the back of her head? It was weird and quite frankly creepy. The urge to ignore him and leave was strong, but there was no way that her pride would let her walk away. Plus there was the fact that he clearly didn't like her and since the feeling wasn't mutual, she wanted to bother him. The only thing that had saved him at the park was the fact that he was married to Addi.

Rolling her eyes, she turned around and walked right over to him. "I really don't get what your wife sees in you." Rude, hypocritical peasant.

SPOILER!!: Gabby! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhittyBitty

Almost at the door, Gabby suddenly froze.

HOW had Connor been able to recognize her just by the back of her head? It was weird and quite frankly creepy. The urge to ignore him and leave was strong, but there was no way that her pride would let her walk away. Plus there was the fact that he clearly didn't like her and since the feeling wasn't mutual, she wanted to bother him. The only thing that had saved him at the park was the fact that he was married to Addi.

Rolling her eyes, she turned around and walked right over to him. "I really don't get what your wife sees in you." Rude, hypocritical peasant.

Con stood there calmly and coolly sipping his coffee. Because he was so cool and Gabby was not. Too bad he had missed the eye roll because he would have been so amused. However, he still got to be amused because there was one rude woman walking towards him. Really? That’s what she was wondering? He lowered his cup, a smirk playing his lips.

“She sees plenty, Gabby. All the women do but I’m glad you don’t see any of it so don’t waste your time bothering to wonder what Addi sees.’’ Connor chilly took another mouthful of coffee. “Did you know Archer is blind, by the way? I think we already out to give him glasses. Dunno how he fell for you.’’ SMIRK.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19

Con stood there calmly and coolly sipping his coffee. Because he was so cool and Gabby was not. Too bad he had missed the eye roll because he would have been so amused. However, he still got to be amused because there was one rude woman walking towards him. Really? That’s what she was wondering? He lowered his cup, a smirk playing his lips.

“She sees plenty, Gabby. All the women do but I’m glad you don’t see any of it so don’t waste your time bothering to wonder what Addi sees.’’ Connor chilly took another mouthful of coffee. “Did you know Archer is blind, by the way? I think we already out to give him glasses. Dunno how he fell for you.’’ SMIRK.

UGH, THIS MAN!!

With every word that came out of his idiot mouth, Gabby got madder and madder. Now she could understand how Lynley felt about Archer even if her friend was completely wrong about him; Connor needed to get off of his high horse and stop thinking he was better than her. It was the opposite actually.

Clenching her fists, she kept her cool... until her husband was mentioned. Nope. So much NOPE. "Never talk about my Archer like that!" Furious, she hauled off and slapped him in the face before storming off.

SPOILER!!: Gabby! LOLOL <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhittyBitty

UGH, THIS MAN!!

With every word that came out of his idiot mouth, Gabby got madder and madder. Now she could understand how Lynley felt about Archer even if her friend was completely wrong about him; Connor needed to get off of his high horse and stop thinking he was better than her. It was the opposite actually.

Clenching her fists, she kept her cool... until her husband was mentioned. Nope. So much NOPE. "Never talk about my Archer like that!" Furious, she hauled off and slapped him in the face before storming off.

He was definitely hitting a nerve on Gabby's end.

Connor had to admit baiting her was so easy. His cool and relaxed demeanour; the words he used, especially when it came to how he managed to weave Archer into the conversation worked in what he would say in proud concinnity.

That is until she SLAPPED him.

That stung really badly more to his ego than it did to his face. Still, Con wasn't going to let that be known to Gabby. "You hit like a girl,'' he called after. Then why did his cheek hurt so badly?

Could he get some ice please?

Morning coffee before she grabbed her cup of coffee in the office was always a must. It was a nice pre-picker upper before the day really got underway and with everything she had planned for today, it was definitely warranted. Also warranted, an order of danish pastries because sugar at the start of any day was an absolute must as well.

Lex snagged a booth seat by the window, setting the steaming cup of coffee on the table before placing Emmerson down on the seat. No surprise the 9 month old was already scrambling to a standing position while making attempts at taking said cup of coffee. "That's not yours." Lex oh so kindly informed her, sliding it just out of her reach--unless she crawled onto the table. Kid could definitely reach it if she did that. Merlin, don't do that.

As if reading her mind and sensing the thing that would most upset her, the baby placed a knee onto the table and tried hoisting herself up. Circe could she glue her to the damn seat???? Would anyone notice?????? Would Emm scream once she realized she was stuck? Probably.

"No." Lex pulled her down, taking the spot next to her, already over the abounding energy the baby had woken up with this morning. "Here, this is yours if you promise to sit still and not choke." Lex broke the danish in half and offered it to her. Again, Emm climbed onto the table but this time she merely sat and reached for the outstretched treat. To be safe, Lex moved the coffee to the other side of her completely. She refused to lose even a drop to the entitled little girl that felt anything within grabbing distance belonged to her. Spills were inconvenient, as were burn marks and a screaming baby.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19

He was definitely hitting a nerve on Gabby's end.

Connor had to admit baiting her was so easy. His cool and relaxed demeanour; the words he used, especially when it came to how he managed to weave Archer into the conversation worked in what he would say in proud concinnity.

That is until she SLAPPED him.

That stung really badly more to his ego than it did to his face. Still, Con wasn't going to let that be known to Gabby. "You hit like a girl,'' he called after. Then why did his cheek hurt so badly?

Could he get some ice please?

... What was with this peasant and calling out to her when she was almost out the door? Didn't he see that she was done with him? Nope, he had to keep saying things that got under her skin. This time it was laughable, however. Gabby was actually laughing.

"I know that stung as well as you do. Basically a 'girl' can kick your butt." Yes, she was no girl. She was a QUEEN and he had better learn to respect that or she would be teaching him another lesson.

SPOILER!!: Gabs! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhittyBitty

... What was with this peasant and calling out to her when she was almost out the door? Didn't he see that she was done with him? Nope, he had to keep saying things that got under her skin. This time it was laughable, however. Gabby was actually laughing.

"I know that stung as well as you do. Basically a 'girl' can kick your butt." Yes, she was no girl. She was a QUEEN and he had better learn to respect that or she would be teaching him another lesson.

She was laughing now? Gabby was quite mad, that much was obvious. Con quickly pulled on his cool demeanour once more, smirking as though nothing had happened. "Couldn't resist coming back, huh?'' Yeah, maybe she liked it when she was getting attitude from others.

It was his turn to laugh. He did so through the slowly diminishing stinging on his cheek. "I think you wish it hurt. And you also wish you could kick my butt. But you're right about one thing. You're a girl, not a woman.''

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19

She was laughing now? Gabby was quite mad, that much was obvious. Con quickly pulled on his cool demeanour once more, smirking as though nothing had happened. "Couldn't resist coming back, huh?'' Yeah, maybe she liked it when she was getting attitude from others.

It was his turn to laugh. He did so through the slowly diminishing stinging on his cheek. "I think you wish it hurt. And you also wish you could kick my butt. But you're right about one thing. You're a girl, not a woman.''

UGGHHHHH!!!

This man was so INFURIATING.

Gabby was mad at herself for even entertaining this jerk, but somehow she just couldn't let Connor get the last word. Sometimes it was frustrating being a Slytherin, but in general she was happy to be in the best House in all existence. Of course it was the best House; she and Archer had been a part of it. "Yes, Connor. I couldn't resist your pretty face." HUGE EYE ROLL BECAUSE HE WAS EWWWW.

Oh really? He was going to pretend that didn't sting? Now he was a liar on top of being a jerk. Figures. Gabby was NOT in the least bit surprised by this recent development. "You're more of a girl than I could ever be, Connie." He was a girl, so he got called by a girls name.

SPOILER!!: Gabs! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhittyBitty

UGGHHHHH!!!

This man was so INFURIATING.

Gabby was mad at herself for even entertaining this jerk, but somehow she just couldn't let Connor get the last word. Sometimes it was frustrating being a Slytherin, but in general she was happy to be in the best House in all existence. Of course it was the best House; she and Archer had been a part of it. "Yes, Connor. I couldn't resist your pretty face." HUGE EYE ROLL BECAUSE HE WAS EWWWW.

Oh really? He was going to pretend that didn't sting? Now he was a liar on top of being a jerk. Figures. Gabby was NOT in the least bit surprised by this recent development. "You're more of a girl than I could ever be, Connie." He was a girl, so he got called by a girls name.

This was turning out to be even more entertaining than Con could ever have hoped. "I know right! I mean, I am certainly better looking than Archer.'' Heck no, he wasn't attracted to Gabby. She didn't even make the cut of women he would consider dating. Not that he had such a list. Addi was and will always be the only woman for him. "Roll your eyes more harder and they'd be sure to fall out.''

Ugh! Connie?

Seriously?

He hated that name!

But Con was going to play it off. "Why thank you for gracing me with that name.'' He made a small bow. "I'm glad you took the time to do this.'' He took a swig of his coffee. "I'd do the same for you but unfortunately I'm not as petty as you are.''

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19

This was turning out to be even more entertaining than Con could ever have hoped. "I know right! I mean, I am certainly better looking than Archer.'' Heck no, he wasn't attracted to Gabby. She didn't even make the cut of women he would consider dating. Not that he had such a list. Addi was and will always be the only woman for him. "Roll your eyes more harder and they'd be sure to fall out.''

Ugh! Connie?

Seriously?

He hated that name!

But Con was going to play it off. "Why thank you for gracing me with that name.'' He made a small bow. "I'm glad you took the time to do this.'' He took a swig of his coffee. "I'd do the same for you but unfortunately I'm not as petty as you are.''

Oh no, he didn't.

Pure anger flashed into Gabby's as Connor had the nerve to insult her husband's appearance. "Keep that up, and you will look as ugly as your personality is. Which is VERY." She would cover him with boils and then see who was the more attractive one. "MORE harder? Do you not even know basic grammar?" Seriously her daughters were smarter than him and they were just past being babies.

"Oh, Connie. I couldn't be as petty as you if I tried. You are a hypocrite who judged me from the very moment that we met." Yes, she had seen that from the look in his eyes.