Manhattan - Eclairant
The dining room repeats the motif of creams and neutrals, teak woods and ash, with the occasional dark panel for contrast. Etched glass panels hang from the ceiling and disappear into the taupe carpeted floor; some separate the tables, some are merely decorative, reflecting the white recessed lights that shine through them from the ceiling. There are splashes of Egyptian blue color throughout to break up the possibility of monotony: sprinkled in the carpet, accenting the wood panels, decorating the tables as glass candle holders.
The lighting here is dimmer, somewhat softer, giving it a more intimate feel for elegant dining.
Characters
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| Kieran Collins | Brooke Bishop |
There is a business meeting scheduled in Kieran's calendar. It's not just a cover; the vampire honestly has no idea where things stand with Brooke or how he should handle the witch. It grates a little because Kieran does not like to be uncertain about anything. He likes knowing things ahead of time and having a plan. He likes knowing that he is in control. In this, he is flying by the seat of his pants, and while good at it, he doesn't always enjoy it.
There are other things as well, occupying his mind. The body. The mystery. Gideon Hastings. Reasons that he shouldn't be doing this with Brooke Bishop tonight when those are things that need his attention; reasons that he should be doing this with Brooke tonight because those are things from which he needs a distraction.
He waits by the hostess station, patiently, his gaze turned half-toward the door, but also ever attentive to the comings and goings that happen in his restuarant.
**
Brooke is apprehensive about the meeting. She knows what she's supposed to be doing, and what she wants to do. The two aren't exactly completely opposite each other, but for appearances sake they may need to be. She is precisely on time for the meeting for what they set. Her laptop is in her bag, the one glamour spell she was able to find with Rhett has been set on her black rose earrings.
Spotting him, she offers a professional smile. "Kieran."
Beat.
"I appreciate you waiting for me. I hope I'm not late?"
**
Cool blue eyes flicker over the witch, dropping from head to toe and then moving appreciatively back up when she enters the foyer. Kieran feels something, a pull toward her that is inexplicable and he's taken two steps forward before he catches himself. He passes it off with a half-bow, dipping his head in a polite greeting. "Brooke."
Beat.
"No, you're perfectly on time. Thank you for agreeing to meet with me." Motioning with a hand toward the dining area, he asks, "Shall we?"
**
It's not as though she's not feeling the same pull, but Brooke is bound and determined to keep this dinner as professional as possible. Even though she's feeling that heat in the pit of her stomach that's radiating downward, and she takes a deep breath to keep herself from moving forward until she settles it.
"Of course. Your restaurant is lovely as always."
**
Kieran steps beside her and offers his arm to her. It's a gallant and gentlemanly thing to do, but also he's testing the waters. He's curious to see if she will flinch and step away from his presence. The vampire wants to know if she'll take his arm willingly; wants to see how much her innate reflexes kick in when he's in her personal space. How much will she instinctively panic, how much fear will rise to the surface?
"You're lovely as always." No, it's not very professional, but that's as far as he'll stretch it for now.
**
Taking the arm, she smiles at him. There is a little panic below the surface, but it's more than that. The general physical reaction to him is still there, and Brooke has to keep telling herself that this is a business meeting.
A hint of a blush can be found on her cheeks when he compliments her, and she lifts her lips in another smile. "Thank you." Reaching up, she pats his tie and clears her throat. "You look quite dashing as well."
Beat.
"I've brought a copy of the standard contract, which I will leave for you to go over with your legal team at your leisure. I am amenable to adding or subtracting services based on what you feel you need."
**
"We haven't even had a seat yet, and you're already discussing the contract," Kieran notes with a half-smile. "You do know that business doesn't have to be all rush-rush and straight to the point?" He pats her hand lightly, nothing untoward or suggestive in the gesture, leading her to a table in the back corner.
"It's quieter here," Kieran explains, releasing her arm so that he may pull out her chair. "We can discuss my business needs without distraction and interruption." The table is one of the betters for those who want private meetings or romantic dining. Out of the main traffic, but right next to the window, providing an excellent view.
**
"I am well aware of that," Brooke replies with a laugh. "It is simply best to get down to business, while I have the document fresh in my mind so that I don't forget to give it to you." Not that she will, it's more or less that she did it to keep herself from being unprofessional with him for the moment.
"There are other things we should discuss beyond the business contract that will affect whether or not you wish to hire A Touch of Magic for your public relations needs."
**
Once she is seated, Kieran takes the seat across from her. He loosens the buttons on his suit coat, allowing it be a more comfortable fit as he seats himself. "We certainly wouldn't want you to forget," Kieran winks at the witch, with another one of those small smiles. There are two menus, one across each plate, and empty wine glasses on the table. It is a business dinner after all.
Lifting a hand and two fingers to get the server's attention, Kieran turns a professional, yet still charming smile to his dinner companion. "Yes, and we will. As soon as I can get you something to drink? Wine? A cocktail?"
**
"A glass of white, and some water." It is a business dinner, so she's trying to keep her wits about her and she knows that getting tipsy over dinner is not going to look great to a potential client.
Brooke sets her bag by her feet and pulls out a file folder full of information that they will wind up going over.
"If you don't mind, though, I will let you choose the dinner."
**
Kieran orders the house white, a glass of water for Brooke, and the crab cake appetizer. For dinner, there is the chef's specialty of prime fillet of steak and seasonal vegetables. With the order placed, Kieran fixes his full attention on the witch, and nods his head. "I'm curious about your … thoughts on the matter with regards to promotion and what could be beneficial to me, Brooke. Why don't we start there?"
**
"Upper East Siders love their charity events, like the one we held here for Miss Roche's book launch. I would suggest holding one every quarter if possible. It will promote Eclairant as the upscale place to be, or host events." Brooke opens up the folder and shows him a document on how similar things have helped other restaurants in the same price range.
"The other thing that you could consider would be to come up with a signature drink. You have one at Purgatory, but not here."
Beat.
"Speaking of Purgatory, you could allow for a contest, held randomly throughout the year, in which you allow patrons to win a key to either Elysium or Abaddon."
**
"Charity events." The words are not dismissive. They are almost reflective, and Kieran looks over the document Brooke hands to him. It's something that has been mentioned before. Something that Kieran has toyed with in the past, but he hasn't the attention it would take to organize such things, and he and Nichole are a bit sparse between the three businesses. Or, rather two, because Maeve does manage Flanaghan's rather well.
"You believe that Eclairaint would benefit from a signature drink?" The vampire is wholly professional now, still charmingly so, however. He looks comfortable, a man considering the options that are best for his business. If there's a flicker in his gaze every now and then, a softening as he looks at her, it comes and goes quickly.
"What do you imagine the logistics of such a contest being?" Kieran takes a sip of his wine. "Patrons to Abaddon are carefully screened, for obvious reasons. Would you suggest pre-screening for such a contest?"
**
"Charity events," she echoes again. "I believe Eclairant would definitely benefit from them, and you come out on top for being involved so much in the community and the greater good."
Brooke smirks a little and winks at him. "And you wouldn't have to do an annual cock strut like a certain businessman we both know."
Lifting the glass of wine to her lips, she nods. "It would. While people do come for the atmosphere, and the ability to be discreet here, you do have a younger crowd of Upper East Siders that would frequent the establishment if there was something more 'trendy' about it. A signature drink would draw the younger crowd of up-and-coming entrepenuers and business-elite."
A manicured nail taps against the side of the wine glass as she considers. "We could indeed do a pre-screening, or allow you to choose those people who could easily be vetted on the fly. Otherwise, you simply allow the keycard up to Elysium. There is hardly anything up there that would be offensive, and they would gain the prestige of being allowed into a VIP area."
**
Kieran smirks as well at the mention of Kostas Annual Ball. "I like the idea of showing how involved I am in the community. I do enjoy giving back." There are several charities that Kieran donates to every year. They make wonderful tax write-offs, and also there are causes that he supports: anything that keeps humans healthy and alive? A good charity in his opinion.
"All very good ideas," Kieran admits. He takes another swallow from the wine, blue eyes watching her intently over the rim of the glass. His tongue touches his lips and he sets the glass down. Leaning toward her and the table, Kieran asks, "If I were to hire your firm, Brooke, how would manage my business needs in addition to those of your other clients?"
**
"That depends entirely on if you wanted me involved with all three businesses. Flanaghan's, from what I recall, does pretty much run itself. The only advice I can offer there is to promote it as a niche market and hire a few bigger name Irish or Celtic bands to perform there from time to time." Brooke taps her nail against the glass again, then chuckles. "That I will give you for free."
Considering it quietly, she looks down. "You would honestly become my largest client if you wanted me for even just two of your businesses. My time would be devoted to them as much as possible, but as you would only really need me if a scandal were to arise, or during events, it shouldn't hinder my current clients."
Beat.
"If it does, I will hire another PR Manager to take care of some of the work load."
**
The appetizer arrives and there are a few more questions, mostly Kieran picking Brooke's brain to see how her mind works and maintaining the pretense of a business dinner. Not so much a pretense, though, perhaps. It is a business dinner.
By the time the meal arrives, Kieran gives her an inquiring look. "If I were to wish to hire you, Brooke, would you be comfortable working with me? Most of the day to day operations are handled by Miss Welles, but there might be occasions where we would have to work closely together. Is that going to be a problem for you … or other parties?"
**
Brooke doesn't answer right away. She waits until there are no servers nearby and murmurs a word in Latin to essentially envelope them in auditory privacy.
At that point, all pretenses are dropped.
"Only hire me if you feel it's necessary for your businesses." Licking her lips, she glances across at him and then smiles. "I have no trouble working with a vampire. I've done work on several occasions for Kostas, with the blessing of the Coven in the guise of keeping up good relations."
Beat.
"Regina wants me to stay close to you to 'spy' on what Kostas might be up to. That was one of the three options she gave me. The other two were to stop seeing you completely, or to stay with you and be excommunicated by the Coven."
**
The vampire is silent for a long moment. He takes time to mull over what Brooke is telling him, and refills his wine glass as the thoughts chase themselves around in his head.
"As much as it pains me to say it, I'm at a loss, Brooke," Kieran says at last. He takes a long, large swallow of his wine. "I don't know what to do with you. With us. Is there even an us anymore?"
Beat.
"I'm not used to being at a loss." Settling back in his seat, Kieran watches her with an odd sense of intensity. "I didn't lie when I said that I like you. Or that you're more than a cute puppy I picked up to keep me company."
Beat.
"What do you want?"
**
"I think it's a rare thing for you to be at a loss," she says quietly. Dipping her head down, Brooke falls silent for a little while. Everyone has been asking her what she wants, and the truth is she doesn't know.
"Do you want there to be an us?"
That is the important question here.
Biting her lower lip, she sets her hands to her lap and exhales a slow sigh. "You." The word is barely a whisper. "I'm willing to play Regina's game and see where it leads us. It's the best possible scenario. We continue to spend time together as we want to, and so long as I give her a piece of information every once in a while, she won't say or do anything."
**
"It is," Kieran agrees. "You, however, are bound and determined to be my latest conundrum."
A brow lifts at her inquiry and Kieran chuckles lightly, a soft rolling sound that makes his eyes crinkle just a bit. "Brooke, luv, if I didn't, I wouldn't have made the effort of seeing you again. Even if it's only a business dinner."
Beat.
"Then I'll hire you." Kieran holds up a hand to stop an argument. "Professionally, I think that I could use your services. Personally … it lets you do as Regina asks and gives us the opportunity to spend time together."
He finishes off the glass of wine rather quickly and pours himself another, offering to top hers off. "If you were to be excommunicated, and if we play our parts well enough that shouldn't happen, but if it does, I can ensure that you wouldn't have to leave the city. If it should come to that."
**
Feeling her heart begin to race, she lifts the wine glass and empties it. Closing her eyes, she nods a few times and then slowly exhales a breath. "Don't hire me just yet," she says quietly. "Have your lawyers read over the contract first, in case there are any changes that they think are necessary." Brooke will sign them, she usually always signs them provided the changes aren't ridiculous.
Glancing at him, she bites her lip and then holds the wine glass out to him when he offers to top it off.
"I would appreciate that."
**
"I will," Kieran assures the witch. "It is a true business deal, and it only makes sense that I would do that. No offense."
He's a bit amused that she's not more curious to know about how he would stop such a thing from happening, but figures it's conversation for a later date.
"I am sorry about how things transpired between us, Brooke." Kieran leans forward, resting an arm on the table as he watches her. "I can't say that I would have revealed myself any earlier had I known the outcome, but I am sorry for distress it caused you."
**
"None taken," Brooke replies with a chuckle. "I suspected that if you were really looking for a PR Manager, you would send the contract through your lawyers, and add to it as you saw fit." She doesn't have a lawyer, but she's studied contract law as much as she could afford to on the side, and knows them fairly well. If she needs help, she'll take it to Bryn to have him go over it and see if the changes are fair.
"No, Kieran. If anyone should be apologizing, it should be me. I'm sorry I reacted as I did. Especially in light of the conversation we had. Waking up with that information in my head just had me panicked." Her hand reaches out tentatively, but Brooke never touches him.
"It could have chosen a better time to come back to me."
***
"I am really looking for a PR Manager."
Beat.
"Now."
Kieran runs a long finger around the rim of the glass as he watches Brooke. "That's the crux of the issue. You weren't supposed to recall it all until I walked you through it." He tilts his head in consideration, wondering how that happened and also wondering if Bryn has found anything out about it. "My intention was to restore the memories before Regina revealed me so that we could discuss it further."
**
"Is that an unusual thing for you?" Brooke watches him curiously, not at all sure if it is normal or not. "You were supposed to recall it to me, and yet it came back before that. I woke up, and I just knew."
That was unusual for her. She's no telepath, and hearing information that she didn't know she was supposed to know was strange for her.
"We can discuss it further now? I know we can't just dive back into what we had, but I want you."
Beat.
"I mean I want to give this relationship a go."
**
"It's very unusual," Kieran concedes. "I've never had it happen before that I'm aware of."
The vampire meets her halfway. Setting his glass aside, Kieran extends his hands across the table, palms face up. "I'd like to give this relationship a try as well. Now that that secret is out in the open, things should be … well, not easier, but more open?"
**
It's a very tentative, almost shy gesture that Brooke gives as she sets her hands so lightly on his that they're barely touching at all. "Yes, more open. I know that you have the need to keep things that Kostas is doing under wraps, and I won't pry. It's not my business."
Beat.
"I'll just need to keep Regina apprised of what could be useful to her."
**
Kieran scrapes his fingers lightly against her palms and gently squeezes her fingers, watching her face the whole time. Not just her face, but monitoring her reactions - heart rate, breathing, how fearful she may or may not be.
"I've not hurt you, ever," Kieran reminds her in a quiet voice. "I'm not going to start now." Giving her fingers another squeeze, he starts to withdraw his hands. He isn't going to force the contact, though in the back of his mind there is a faint bit of irritation at how far he's going to have to scramble back.
"We'll work on how we're going to keep Regina apprised."
**
"I know you haven't, and I know you won't." Brooke has no idea how she knows that, she just does. "If you wanted to hurt me you would have done so before now." Grabbing his hands as he starts to withdraw them, she takes a deep, shuddery breath.
"Do you have to work after this dinner is done?"
**
"I'm not going to force anything that you don't want," Kieran tells her, stroking his thumbs over the back of her hands. "We can go back to the very beginning and get to know one another all over again if that's what you prefer." It'll drive him a bit mad, but he's lived a long time and he can find some point of patience by keeping his mind on the long goal.
Kieran shakes his head. "No, I don't have to work. Why do you ask?"
**
"I know you won't." Brooke closes her eyes, just enjoying his touch. There's an intensity to it that she felt on their first, and then their second date, and she can't deny it. There's a part of her that's still afraid of what he is, but she's not afraid of him.
"Because I don't really care to go back to the beginning. I'd rather move past this little bump, and keep going down the road we were on."
The second glass of wine is lifted up and she drinks it quickly. Setting it down on the table, she sets her hand back atop his and looks him straight in the eye.
"I thought that we could do something after dinner."
