Dining

[Elsa Bellefonte]

Elsa sighed and tapped her fingers against the glass, watching the sparkling water within ripple slightly. Times like this, she truly regretted the US's drinking age policy. Of course, she wasn't supposed to be mixing alcohol with the medications she was currently taking to fight off her stomach parasite, but that definitely wouldn't stop her at the moment. what was the worst that would happen? The tapeworm would be drunk? That would probably make this meeting that much easier.

yes, meeting, because that's how Elsa saw this. Gabriel Lewis happened to be one of those that Elsa's mother would probably faint over. Elsa did make a noticeable effort to at least meet everyone who fit into that category, though the last time she'd tried hadn't gone so well. Then again, it had given her reasoning to start investigating, so she presumed it to not be too much of a bust.

It didn't help that things with her love life were... complicated. Complicated enough that Elsa wasn't sure if she could really call this a "date" or not. So, "meeting" was what it became, or perhaps dining. Yes, Elsa had curled her hair and done makeup and wore a dress that emphasized the slight tan she'd gotten from her recent charity work, but she still saw this as mostly business. Figure out Gabriel, small talk him, possibly arrange something more long term. Perhaps even enjoy herself in between.

"now I just have to hope he's not one who likes to be fashionably late," Elsa mumbled as she swirled her glass again, eyes going across the semi-crowded dining room of Kalispell's finest eating establishment and looking directly to the door, as if her gaze could summon her party guest. When after a few seconds it didn't, she took a swig of her drink and looked across the table reflectively, still lost in thought.

Gabriel Lewis

[Gabriel Lewis]

Gabriel wasn't exactly sure where this was going to go, especially since he had the whole plan to his dad a lesson going on with Selina. Of course that didn't mean he couldn't mingle with the females in his social class, but the ones he had met were incredibly...expecting? Maybe that wasn't a way to put it, but still she was most definitely the type of girl his grandmother would approve. It was that, that prompted him to try and make it to the date on time. Only with his meeting ending a little late and traffic he wound up being five minutes late. He smiled when he saw her at the table and walked over. He didn't rush because he was too cool for that, plus it wouldn't do well to make it seem like he was late even though they both knew he was.

Sitting down he smiled apologetically "Sorry Ms. Bellefonte, I'm a bit late my meeting ran late." He didn't offer any other explanation because there wasn't anything more needed than that. Unfortunately he was one of those people that worked entirely to hard and forgot about what really matter. He was nice enough, and probably easy to read but he was never one of those that let his emotions take the backseat...let alone the driver seat. He was more of a trunk person, his emotions were happy enough in the trunk.

"I hope you weren't waiting long." He said as he looked over his menu and then folded it, he knew she was under the drinking age but he felt like he should offer her some wine or something.

[Elsa Bellefonte]

He looked good. They so often did, especially if they could walk the line between confidence and cockiness. Too many fell into the latter without really realizing it, and they projected the former all the way up until they made just the wrong move. Elsa had a strong suspicion that his one would line up just as perfectly in the expectation as the others. After all, he'd already arrived a little late.

"Perfectly understandable," she replied smoothly instead. She held out a hand for him, already offering him a slight smile and a nod. Her mind stretched out slightly with the hand, not enough to be noticeable, but definitely enough to pick up surface thoughts, to get that strange feeling of reading his words the moment before he spoke them.

"It wasn't long at all," she replied easily enough. In truth, he wasn't that late, early by some standards. "and I can certainly understand how one meeting can eat into another,' there, more pleasant banter, accompanied with a smile. Now, what would he do with the offered hand? Kiss or shake? And what was going on in that handsome mind of his? At the very least, Elsa hoped to entertain herself with those queries; yes, at the very least indeed.

[Gabriel Lewis]

Gabriel smiled at the accepted apology, he didn't want to seem self-centered or like he was rude. He was sizing up the girl across from him, she seemed to be well-mannered but he'd saved that judgement until the end of the night. The meeting was something he set up on account of his grandmother, she wanted him to mingle with the upper class teenagers in kalispell. It didn't help that she had moved to America to keep an eye on him so she said. He was pretty sure, he should offer to get her something to drink but he didn't want her to assume that he was trying to get her drunk.

"Thank you for understanding." He said smiling and gently kissed the offered hand. He let go of her hand offered her a small smile. He wasn't sure he was trying to be charming so much as gauging the reaction of the beautiful woman across from him. "So did you order yet? I feel like I should offer you some wine." Though he knew she technically could order it he could and then they wouldn't have a problem would they?

"Why don't you tell me about yourself?" He said giving her his undivided attention. As long as they were on this date slash meeting slash whatever thing she would have his attention. Of course if she managed to keep after the meeting that would be great to, and interesting.

[Elsa Bellefonte]

Understanding, and a light kiss. Hm, quite interesting, that. Elsa could feel the thoughts, well, read them, and she could tell that a... grandmother was at the forefront of his mind. She felt a brow going up slightly at that, though she quickly lowered it, hoping that it would just come from his apology or his comments.

"It's only polite to wait for your companion to arrive before ordering," she pointed out, adding a slight nod as she withdrew her hand. "As for the wine, I'm afraid I can't have any for a number of reasons, not the least being that I'm only nineteen," though her smile and slight fluttering of lashes made that sound less like a drawback and more like an advantage. A little flirting never hurt anyone, especially during encounters like this one.

Ah, the dreaded "tell me about yourself" question. Often feared but horribly predictable, at least by those who fancied that they were more interested in the other person instead of themselves. "Let's see... nineteen, identical twin, ex-headmistress, current college student, with a rather high net worth," she smiled at the last, taking a drink. "Or were you hoping for a dress size?"

[Gabriel Lewis]

Gabriel nodded, he knew how old she was but he was sure he could make the waiters for get about. "I see, well then ill just have water then. It would be rude to drink when you can't" He wasn't the type of person that enjoyed drinking when his company wasn't. It was also something that set someone up for failure. Being drunk around a lot of sober people wasn't a good look, and it made you easy to manipulate. At any rate he was going to keep on going with the conversation except he didn't know what to order.


"Do you recommend anything? I bet lost at what to order." He knew he was paying but that was as far as it went. Also that it was supposed to be the finest eating establishment, whatever that meant. Though in small town standards he was waiting to see a possum scurry across the floor. It was kind of rude, but he did like the charm of the restaurant. Expensive was expensive and he had heard the food was good from a number of people.

"Only if you're willing to give it." He said smirking at the question. He was actually hoping for something he didn't already know. However it seemed like he was going to have to ask her, that was a first. Most of the girls he met couldn't wait to start talking about themselves. "What are you majoring in?" He asked curiously. Maybe he just wanted to see if she had any ambitions before he made his judgement.

[Elsa Bellefonte]

Politeness? Or a slight? There was something in his thoughts that indicated the former, but Elsa still couldn't quite be certain. "Please," she said gesturing toward the glasses between them, "don't feel as if you have to put yourself out on my account," and again with that winning friendly smile.

she managed to keep it as he asked for a suggestion. That also made sense: she'd grown up in the area after all. Elsa had lost track of the amount of time she'd actually spent in this particular establishment. It didn't even take her long to come up with a response: "The steak," she said, tapping the menu. "We're too far from the sea for even this place to have fresh fish. There's some mountain animals that are good if you're feeling daring or appreciate bigger game, elk and the like. I'd definitely avoid anything vegetarian, at least here." There were definitely better places to eat for that, better places for good food too. You came here to make a statement.

And that definitely didn't include dress sizes. Elsa clicked her tongue and arched her brows. "Careful now: you wouldn't want to insult a lady. If you really want to know, you'll have to find out the hard way," she added a slight smile, figured out her own order, and settled in to take another drink of the water they'd put at their table from the beginning. "Currently I'm looking into tracks in business and dance," she replied offhand. "Looking into the possibility of becoming an adviser," or perhaps a dancer. She was still less determined on that and more determined to have a solid avocation that let her unwind. She looked up at the young man, again considering. "And yourself? Continuing the family dynasty, I presume."

[Gabriel Lewis]

Gabriel shook his head gently "Its no big deal, I just don't feel right about it." He was if anything stubborn and polite. He didn't think she wouldn't take advantage of him but he didn't want his judgment impaired. Just to make sure she didn't think she was making him miss out "I also drove here, I shouldn't drink and drive. Last think I need is a DUI and bad press." He offered her a half smile at the last part. He figured she'd understand the whole press thing, after all her last name was well known.

"Steak it is then." He said smiling gratefully and folding his menu and resting his arm on the table. He kept his elbow off the table of course because he did have manners. He snickered a bit at her warning and nodded. He didn't really care about size anyways.

"Well if I did offended you, allow me to apologize. You're dress size doesn't matter to me in slightest, but id that's in invention to try and find out. I gladly accept the challenge." The first part of that was serious the later more playful. He made the change of tone obvious just in case she wasnt quick on the uptake. He was hoping she wasn't because he didn't want to offend her. He hadnt made enemies that he knew of and he wasnt planning on it.


He smiled and nodded "Well im sure whatever you choose, you'll excell at." and then she asked him about his plans for the future and he shrugged a bit. "Yes, that's the plan. My grandma is also signing over the hotel chains but she wants to wait to till my dad retires also. So when I graduate I have both of those. I dont reallt have anything else I wanna do besides mess with technology" It was simple to him, he wasn't bragging about what ue had going for him. It was nice to talk to someone that wasn't a stuffy businessman.

[Elsa Bellefonte]

"You mean you don't have a driver?" Elsa asked, adding a half-smile to punctuate it. She had one, nearly everyone she knew of the same social status had one. Hell, even many of the ones who didn't could get one. "You could always call for the school to send a sober chauffeur too," which had been a program that Elsa had supported, yet had been in place for some time then. He was already deciding his order, following her advice. Elsa nodded: she'd be ordering a salad with it.

The comment had what amounted to a standard flirtatious comment. the slight tone shift was at least somewhat interesting, Elsa had to give him that. He clearly wanted to dance the social dance as well, even keeping hi mind focused on that sort of thing. The socializing continued with comments that Elsa paid only partial attention too, finding his thoughts much more interesting. Acceptance, and something regarding technology.

"Thinking of starting up one of those internet companies?" Elsa asked, arching her brows. "Or is there some new wave of the future? I'm not quite up on that," only a slight lie. She'd definitely pulled some strings and worked to support various technopaths at the school. She hadn't checked in with some in a while though: she'd have to remember to check her contacts.

"Ah, the help," Elsa said dryly as the waitstaff approached, already preparing herself to order without making eye contact.

[Gabriel Lewis]

Gabriel shook his head, he didn't have a driver. He preferred to drive himself mostly because he didn't need to hire people to do simple things for him when he could do them himself. "No I don't, I never found the need to hire one after i got my license. More privacy that way, also i like driving." He offered a smile and took note of the sober driver thing, he did not need a DUI showing up in the papers.

"Eh, I'd invest in a company before I start one to be honest. I think it's simpler to help a person with a vision reach his goal, by offering a bit of help. If it takes off, Ill buy controlling shares. It's better than having to deal with the backlash of a failed company." He wasn't sure that they were getting away from the business topic, he was willing to talk about it as long as the simple things. He was interested in getting the information on Elsa, She wasn't forthcoming with it so he would have to coax it out of her.

"No, No new wave per say, a lot of video games coming out and new gaming technology. Nothing major I don't think." It was just a little lie, but anything to try and change the subject. The waiter came over and he was polite, ordering what Elsa had suggested to him.

[Elsa Bellefonte]

"Oh, one of those self-sufficient types?" Elsa said, letting a bit of playful teasing leak into her voice. She'd met quite a few who certainly made that claim, and most of them didn't live up to it very well. Something told her that this particular young man did his best to actually live up to it. Probably was one of those who enjoyed the adventurer's life or something along those lines. Was definitely free about mentioning investing and so forth.

"It's quite tricky, but it does have its own rewards," Elsa agreed. "I've done a few investments myself," she offered another amused look, "I'm still waiting for a few to pay off." The wait staff appeared, technology was discussed, and Elsa was placing orders. Strange that the "self-sufficient" man had gone with her order suggestion. Or maybe he was just the type to take good advice when he heard it? Either way, Elsa was mildly amused yet again.

"Well, if you've any investment tips, I'd certainly be interested," she offered gesturing toward him. "I do have to admit to being somewhat curious as to what someone such as yourself is doing in a little town like our Kalispell here." Very interested indeed, and she was almost hoping it had nothing to do with the Bellefonte name. Somehow, she doubted it.

[Gabriel Lewis]

"I try, though I'm pretty useless when it comes to cooking. I can clean and do laundry and dress myself but decorating my apartment...that's not something I'm good at." Gabriel offered her a smile, he could admit his flaws. There were just some things he had never learned to do mostly because there was no need for them. His school provided meals and he could always afford take-out even if it wasn't the healthiest of options.

"Tips, i'd say trust your instincts, If you don't think something is gonna work out it probably won't but just because the idea seems crazy doesn't mean it won't work." At least that was his advice, sometimes things that were different or new seemed a bit strange at first but it was all about seeing it come together. He didn't expect her to take his advice, it was probably really horrible advice at any rate.

"My dad is expanding his hotel Chain here, also a branch of the company. I'm overseeing the construction and the company expansion. Since he's retiring soon as well as my grandma, they both want to see if I can handle the work load they'll be signing over to me. I heard about the school and wanted to check out since i'm in America." It was an honest answer and he wasn't bragging. He kind of wanted everything to last a bit longer so he can have time to relax, he knew that once he was in charge he would have no room for fun or a personal life. At least not one that had all his time and energy.

[Elsa Bellefonte]

Elsa nodded along as Gabriel outlined all the things he was actually decent at. "I'm pretty poor at pretty well everything... save for dressing myself," she hesitated for a moment, knowing that was a hint to look at the ensemble she'd put together, "and decorating. I often end up letting my sister do one of those anyway though," which was just how things had gone. Elsa's strengths lay elsewhere, and she didn't see any reason not to simply go along with that.

Which was precisely what she did now with Gabriel. Elsa listened as he outlined some of his plans, and, well, was mostly disappointed. She elected not to let it show on her face. He probably thought he did well enough, and clearly whatever he was doing worked for him. Elsa was certainly in no position to make any judgment calls about it.

She was far more interested in the why he was here anyway. A new hotel chain. "I believe I heard mention of that," she said absently. "A college town does make for a halfway decent place to put up one of those, if you don't mind semi-seasonal," she had considered that sort of investing herself. "I also know all about being the chosen heir as well. Oh, the heavy crowns we wear," she gave him another salute with her drink before taking the sip. How much did he know about Elsa's own attempt, she wondered?