Blind Date at The Ivy {Tristan}

[Anna Michaels]

Anna hadn’t been this nervous for a date since she was still in school. Granted, it had been a while since she was on a first date but never had she been on a completely blind date. All that her friend would say was that the guy was great, sweet, charming and absolutely gorgeous. She had giddily gotten ready, dancing around her room, smile plastered across her face. Anna had tried on so many outfits her bed was completely hidden and her closet was nearly empty, a feat she personally found massively impressive. “Blind dates are impossible to prepare for,” she muttered to herself, rejecting yet another outfit. Shifting through the impossibly imposing stack, she began tossing things to the side yet again, furiously trying to find a particular dress that she had at first rejected but now, upon careful consideration, decided would in fact be perfect. Getting ready quickly to make up for the time lost by deliberation on what to wear, she let her hair down falling loosely. Her and her date’s mutual friend had just given her an address, no name, and strict instructions to not cheat and look into the date. It was to be a surprise. It took immense self-control not to use her recourses to investigate, but she had faith in her friend that she wouldn’t set her up with a total loser.

The woman knew what dating a loser was all about. Her dating history was interwoven with horrendous experiences with guys that were not worth her telling them the time of day in an elevator let alone dating them. Not all of her exes were complete losers, but none of them were champs either. That was why she was so excited about tonight. This guy, this Tristan, had come highly recommended. If her friend hadn’t been already been engaged, Anna would’ve been worried that she would’ve stolen him for herself. She would soon she would see for herself. Gazing in the mirror she gave herself a once over. Her hair fell in naturally loose brown ringlets and luckily they were actually manageable, not taking the woman too long to deal with giving her ample time to freak out about how nervous she actually was. About the outfit, she was extremely glad she had reconsidered. The simple dress, a plain yet elegant black and white number that was understated in all of the right ways looked fantastic, especially with the new shoes she had bought just for the occasion. That had been her biggest problem, finding the right dress to go with her perfect shoes. As always she wore the necklace her mother had given her. With an excited smile, the outfit was complete in its entirety. Before she could freak herself out and lose her confidence she left her house and headed to the mysterious destination, address in hand.

Awhile later, Anna arrived in London at a place called The Ivy, a well known restaurant. She was slightly early, but she didn’t mind waiting. Butterflies fluttering anxiously she walked up to the hostess. “Hello and welcome. What is the number in your party?” asked the polite woman greeting the guests. Anna, a bundle of nervous energy responded: “I am supposed to meet someone here and I don’t know if he’s arrived yet. Can you check for me?” The hostess smiled knowingly and began flipping through the book of reservations. “The name is Tristan Shaw.” Anna almost giggled out the name, peering over, looking down at the book as well. “I might be early. My name is Anna Michaels. Yes, table for two.” She smiled as the woman wrote her name down and then led her into the restaurant. Sitting down, she smoothed her dress and settled in to pass the time until her date arrived. She couldn’t wait to meet him.

[Professor Tristan Shaw]

(Terribly sorry for that long a wait.)

Tristan really didn't know how he was talked into the mess he was in. A blind date of all things. Really, he must be mad to think that he had the guts to just show up somewhere and try to make nice with someone he probably didn't even know. Some pretty girl more than likely out of his league. Yet he had allowed his friend to talk him into it. For the sake of not driving the other completely mad, he'd promised to go and make a try of it. Really all that had make him hesitate was nerves. Talking to women had never been his strong point and still had yet to improve. Still, he'd be the good friend that he was and show. Make an attempt not to embarrass himself at least. One would assume that being his age, he'd have matured. Which he had... to a point. Playfulness was a great deal in his nature regardless of age.

Unlike the fairer gender, Tristan didn't find it completely necessary to spend hours on his wardrobe. He knew that he was to 'dress up'. Like he had anything that could truly be considered as such. Rummaging through his closet had proved useful however, when he turned up with his father's old business suit. Eying the thing uneasily. It was hardly his tastes but it would do, to a point. He'd make the effort to look decent without foregoing his taste. Therefor he set off smoothing and dusting the simple dress shirt and jacket off after being buried away. It would have to do but there was no way he could fit into the massive slacks that went with them. Being the little time there was, jeans and boots would have to do. He could just imagine the look he'd receive from the Muggles that would see him. However, looking into a mirror would do him no good as he had an appointment to be at soon. Given that he had avoided apparition like a plague, he'd have to walk. Glancing around the room to make sure he'd grabbed everything he'd need before taking out the door.

The second he'd hit the streets he'd received stares from all sorts, not something that was completely unusual. If anything it amused him. Shuffling quickly through the streets so he wasn't terribly late. The last thing he needed was an angry friend jumping down his throat for accidentally making a lady wait. More then one thought coming to mind about turning around and hiding in his room for the next week or so out of cowardice. Too many 'what ifs' running through his mind just as he walked through the doors of The Ivy. The look he received from the host making him crack a grin and forget, for the moment, his nerves. Clearing his throat as he approached the muggle, "There should be a reservation for two. Name Tristan Shaw. My party is probably already here...." Leaning to the side to see if he might catch a hint of just who he was to be seeing beyond the many tables of suits. Making him feel quite under dressed but there had been little he could do at the time.

Shoving his hands in his back pockets as the host motioned for him to follow. Keeping his head high so he didn't look too much like his younger self back at school. He was, after all, dining at a quite fancy restaurant with a rumored beauty. There was little to be shy about. Nearing the table Tristan couldn't help but mentally smack himself for wanting to back out. Straightening up just a bit taller as he nodded his thanks to the host and smiled to the vaguely familiar woman before him. "Miss Michaels? I'm Tristan. I'm sorry for being a bit late.." Really he was at a loss for words. What were you suppose to say upon meeting your blind date exactly? Not wanting to seem impolite he raised his hand to shake her's, praying that he didn't look like a complete idiot in doing so.

[Anna Michaels]

(I now win the longest wait ever. I am so sorry! <3 )

With a relieved smile, Anna looked up at the approaching hostess and craned her neck, gazing past the woman eagerly to view her date. She could not have been more pleased at her first impression as it far surpassed many of the situations she had been imagining the past few days as she anticipated this very moment. The nervous witch had been running through every possible scenario in her frantic mind, from her date completely standing her up, to being someone absolutely horrid, to it all being a vet complex practical joke. But never had she imagined that her date would be so...handsome.

He was attractive in an unassuming way, looking as nervous as she must have. She noted with a quick once over that although he was dressed rather sharply from the waist up in a shirt and jacket, he was wearing jeans. While some women might be offended by what they would perceive as a lack of respect to the situation, his slight casualness was rather different and somewhat soothing. She had dated so many straight laced men who cared only of what others thought of them, that she was frankly sick of it. It was a welcome change to see that her friend had found someone who on first glance seemed more neutral to the whole deal than what she was used to.

Realizing how utterly rude she was being, appraising him before he had even spoken she stood too quickly grazing her thigh on the underside of the table. Trying to cover it up and play it off, she straightened to her full height, a small embarrassed smile creeping across her face as she reached for the man's outstretched hand. "Anna," she said with a more complete smile. "Really it is alright. I wasn't worried that I was being stood up at all," she teased. "At least you are here now." She smiled at him and then at the hostess who seemed amused at the encounter between the two.

"Well, now that you are situated, Melissa will be your waitress," the woman said indicating to another sharply dressed member of the staff. "If you need anything, I am sure that she would be more than willing to accommodate you." Turning to go, the hostess gazed back at the two, and Anna didn't miss the almost reluctance of the woman to leave and she knew it was not for her the other woman wanted to stay. Having known her date for all of 30 seconds she was sure that this night was going to be interesting to say the least if the jealous gazes of their fellow dinners were of any indication.

"So, Tristan..." Anna started as she resumed her seat careful to not bump into anything more on her return trip. Realizing that she honestly had thought of nothing past that simple introduction to conversation, she nervously giggled and took a sip of the water sitting in front of her on the table, trying to avoid gawking at the man sitting with her and looking like a complete dolt. And basically failing at that simple task. She looked down at her hands, then back up at her date then at her water. "I have never done this before," she explained lamely. "A blind date I mean. I have gone on dates before but never a blind one.." she trailed off embarrassed at herself and her awkward and fumbling attempts at conversation.

[Professor Tristan Shaw]

(We might get this started one day... XD)

It had been a long time since Tristan had even bothered to put himself out there for the finer part of the species. In all honesty, he was far more afraid of someone getting hurt on way or another. Not that he would ever intentionally hurt a woman, physically, magically, or otherwise; but sometimes you just can not help who you fall in love with. And on occasion that leads to hurt. Something he'd much rather avoid all together. Although, looking across the table he was almost positive this would be one of those times he made an exception. Who was he to turn his back on a friend's request, or a beautiful woman for that matter? Hardly. With that in mind he turned his attention fully on the lady before him and dismissed any other thoughts. Might as well just go with the flow as he was already so far out of his element.

Refocusing his thoughts and attention on the woman before him he smiled. Completely oblivious to the attention he was getting from anyone other than her. Something that was normal for him. He was utterly hopeless in seeing that he was rather dashing, and perhaps in some eyes, quite the catch. Glancing only at the hostess long enough to show that he acknowledged her presence and was by no means attempting to ignore her. Though Anna was doing quite the job of keeping his attention with out really meaning to. A feat all on it's own with his constant attention-span about the same as a puppy. Was that something shiny? Shaking his head, once again, his grin widened as he clasped the woman's soft hand in his own calloused one.

Just at the teasing mention of him standing up he looked appalled; albeit it was in jest. Despite being completely terrified at the prospect of a blind date, he could hardly find it within himself now to even think of doing such a thing. After all, she was stunningly beautiful. Breath-taking, as cliche as it might have sounded and without a second thought to it. He voiced such. "I could hardly see myself standing up someone quite so beautiful." Red tinting his cheeks the moment the words left his lips. Horrible. He was still just as stumbling as he was in school. And that had been years ago! Listening to the hostess politely, yet watching Anna from the corner of his eye. Nodding his thanks but hardly even noting her lingering as his attention was back on his date before she'd even turned. After all, he had been sent to the Ivy to meet with Anna. Not the hostess.

However he did notice that his date seemed to be as nervous as he was. A very comforting fact given he was still blushing slightly. Fidgeting with his own glass of water, rather tempted to drink it all in one go just to ease how dry his throat had become. At her word however he just shook his head in amazement. "I haven't either. Really I tried to get out of it in all honestly." Leaning across the table conspiratorially, "I've heard so many horror stories about this sort of thing. I was kinda worried." His accent rather pronounced for having lived far from his birthplace for so long. Settling back in his chair he chuckled softly. "Perhaps, we should start out with the basics then? What do you do for a living, for instance?" Maybe he wouldn't kill himself to take a little more lead on the conversational aspect. After all, most of his friends in school had been of the female variety. Talking was their specialty and he tended to pick up on certain things. Or so he hoped, he didn't want to look like a baboon... or was it buffoon that they called it?