RP: Dinner for Two

[tt_cecilia.insanejournal.com]

Date: 30. November, 2001
Characters: Cecilia Proudfoot and Sirius Black
Setting: Early evening, Sirius' house
Content: TBD
Status: Open: Private


The basket on the kitchen table had been packed even before Jamie had left to join the rest of his class for the astronomy camp-out. Some of the faster growing vegetables in her own garden were on the verge of being ready for harvesting; another short week or so, she estimated, but they weren't completely right for tonight. So, she had made a round of the market, adding to the things she already had in her cooler and cupboards as well as a good portion of what most of all resembled dark turkey meat. She forgot which animal it came from, but she recognized it as a favorite whenever it was available.

After her shower she had let her hair dry into the stubborn curls she had given up on trying to tame, though she did let it hang loose, rather than tying it up in the usual ponytail. The clothes took a bit more consideration. Dinner with Sirius called for something a bit less casual than her regular everyday clothes, but they would be cooking, which took out some of the formality. She eyed her tank tops and cargo shorts longingly, but those wouldn't even be considered casual; they were her work clothes. Finally she settled on her white tunic with the black lace decoration over her sand coloured denim skirt and comfortable sandals. There, relaxed without being too casual.

With a light jumper draped over the basket, she apparated to Sirius' house, taking a moment to run her fingers through her hair, before she knocked on the door.

Comments

[tt_cecilia.insanejournal.com]

"Sometimes people are just... ugh." Cecilia sighed deeply, shaking her head as she combed her fingers through her hair. The fact that they had been given this second chance, being relocated to a place safe from the disastrous winter that was brewing in their old world and to a place where every step to avoid a society divided by class, and still they refused give other people the same second chance frustrated her deeply. Still, it explained a few things. "That's... why you were so worried about how being seen with you would affect me?"

His comment, however, had her chuckling softly as she nodded. "It's what I do, Sirius," she smiled at him, touched by the gentle squeeze of his hand. "Or, well, it's what I used to do. Back then it just wasn't a volcano or pterodactyls I had to take into consideration, but the neighbor's sheep or a leaking greenhouse." Tilting her head slightly, she watched him for a moment. Then she smiled and nodded. "I hope I won't make you regret that invitation."

[tt_sirius]

"Partially. There was the fairly remote chance that you hadn't heard of me and I couldn't take that chance. Kingsley gets away with associating with me because of who he is here. I would loathe for you to suffer from your... friendship towards me," Sirius replied gravely. He glanced toward the front of the house, where the shadows of dusk were making it impossible to see further than the light of the front porch.

"And now you have volcanos, pterodactyls, dragons, continental shifts and neighboring sheep, cows, goats, chickens, and ducks to worry about. I'd add in whale-sized sharks but I doubt you go that far out on the water - at least, I hope you don't. I'm down at the docks once a month helping to relayer the wards on the fishing boats as it is," he added, slightly serious, slightly teasing. He felt a tension in his stomach at the thought of this witch out on the water in that kind of danger.

The timer in the kitchen began to sound, making Sirius realize just how much time had passed while they talked comfortably. He flashed a sly smile. "It's not an invitation I offer lightly," Sirius pointed out, rising to his feet and holding out a hand to her. "But I daresay you won't make me regret it."

[tt_cecilia]

"Hey," Cecilia said softly to regain Sirius' attention as he looked away from here, and with a gentle hand on his cheek, she physically urged him to do so. "Your friendship means more to me than their judgment," she assured him. "Simple as that. I told you, the only one whose opinion matters to me, is Jamie, although yours is beginning to gain a bit of significance as well, but as long as I'm not forcing you on him, I don't see how he could possibly have any objections to this..." she shrugged slightly. "If he does, I'll deal with that as well. Alright?"

"Among other things," Cecilia chuckled as Sirius listed all of the things she had to take into consideration here. "You forgot the downpours and generally different climate altogether, but yeah, it's a challenge, but one of the better ones." With a smile, she shook her head. "I'm not a marine botanist or marine anything, for that matter... I prefer my feet on solid ground, so I sincerely doubt that the whale sharks will be much of a concern for me, at least when it comes to my work."

The sound of the timer had Cecilia look to the kitchen, surprised that the food was already done. Time had flown as they had talked, and with a smile she accepted Sirius' hand. "We'll see how regretful you are when you're trapped in your own home, surrounded by edible plants."

In the kitchen, she opened the oven and moved the dish to the counter. Careful not to burn her fingers, she worked open the paper package and smiled satisfied when the aromatic steam came wafting out smelling perfectly. "Perfect," she beamed up at Sirius, and unfolded the paper completely, letting the dish serve as a serving plate for the fish and vegetables. "All we need is the bread and the wine."

[tt_sirius]

It took a moment of mental struggle not to cup her soft hand to his cheek but Sirius had given his word that he would be a gentleman and he would abide by that as long as she let him. Sirius nodded. "All right."

"After twelve years of feeling like I would never be warm again, I rather enjoy the climate here," he chuckled warmly after she made it clear that she didn't go near the boats. That was a thought that would have haunted him, to be sure. As it was, he was somewhat assured of her ability to safely explore - on this continent, at least. She was a thoughtful witch, so the risk of being near the volcanoes was minimized there.

Following Cecilia into the kitchen, he circled around behind her and opened one of the cupboards to select two plates. He set them on the counter and returned to the cooler to retrieve the bread and the wine bottle. "Done and done," Sirius declared with a flashing grin as he set the bread into a shallow basket then levitated both over to the table.

"Just getting the cutlery," he added, nodding that she should head to the table with the main dish. Pulling one of the drawers open, Sirius selected knives, forks, and a set of larger spatulas to transfer the fish, then he joined Cecilia at the table. "That smells great."

[tt_cecilia]

"I didn't say I didn't enjoy the climate," Cecilia grinned back at Sirius, "but when you're used to colder weather, even for an Herbologist, the change of weather is a challenge. It's a different mindset, so to speak." Looking at Sirius, she felt a sense of relief, of delight, that he was comfortable here, that he was no longer cold and hoped that he would eventually begin to seem more at ease with this second (or was it third?) chance of life he had been given.

Placing the fish on the table, Cecilia took a seat and gestured for Sirius to start serving. "Hopefully it tastes just as great," she smiled at him, and made herself comfortable, ready for a comfortable night with Sirius.

[tt_sirius]

Sirius' easy smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he began serving, first to her plate, then to his own while Cecilia refilled their glasses from the wine bottle. It was a much easier setting than had been earlier and he was content not to push the envelope there.

"Mmm, this is a great deal better than what I normally have," Sirius commented after taking a bite. He'd have to remember the trick of wrapping the fish and veggies up - it could work over an open fire as well though he normally stuck to what was quick and necessary out there.

Dinner passed with easy conversation, safe topics, and the wine smoothed out any internal arguments Sirius might have felt though he was far more interested in listening to Cecilia regale him with tales of her exploring adventures since arriving on the island.