a la mode (Lola, Vic)

[Lovely]

Name: Lola Ninovan Aliases: Lo played by: Lovely likeness used: Kate Walsh

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Name: Victor Corvid Aliases: V, Vic played by: Tripp likeness used: Jonathan Rhys Meyers

[Lovely]

Jan 1, 2011
9pm


So much for a new romance for the New Year! Yeah, that was a good theory and it was what convinced Lola to take the chance and go on this date. First day of the new year and a fresh start, she sighed as the car door slammed a little harder than she meant it to. Obviously she was a bit more cranky than she realized - she'd had a wax done for this stupid date! At least she'd also have a nice manicure for awhile, she sighed again as she pulled the door to the diner open and stepped inside. It was nice to find that this place was still the same and as comforting now as it was after a busy day at work. Lola brushed her auburn brown hair over her shoulder as she slipped her jacket off to reveal the slinky little black dress which was very different than her usual business attire. She chose not to sit at her usual table but one more in the corner, so she could sort of hide, the date had been awful. Lola was nearly embarassed by the whole thing, she sighed yet again, almost growling as she fussed with her hair, it was partly clipped up with the rest flowing loose in this sort of sexily mussed style. Too bad they didn't serve hard drinks here, she could use a few right about now. Her long legs crossed beneath the table, pushing her dress further up her nicely toned thighs.

She passed his table and he hadn't even thought to look up, yet. It was a night when everyone coming in was waiting to meet someone to go somewhere else. The last three girls had upheld his theory, so why would he think differently now? The noises were different, though, and pulled his attention from the warm cup he'd been nursing for several hours. He looked up to see her ankle grace the aisle a moment as she adjusted herself into a tense party of one. She was certainly dressed for cocktails, not waffles, and his curiosity began to rise about who she would have to wait on who wasn't already here waiting for her. The wall clock had ticked its way past nine already - shouldn't she be at any of the myriad of parties surely still going on to celebrate the New Year? The frustrated sounds made him wonder if there was supposed to be someone, or perhaps her companion was just outside fixing a tire, or gassing up and she'd only come in to keep warm. He gathered the slight dress was hardly a comfort against the January weather. She'd pushed her hair back over her shoulder, but not yet turned to look for anyone to bring her coffee or a menu. The least he could do was offer her a smile and maybe some good cheer to help warm her up while she waited. He came up and pushed the menu he'd had onto the corner of the table in front of her. "Happy New Year," he offered with a bit of an accent and a bit of a smile. His sweater was thick as was his dark hair under the knit cap he kept on. His hands were uncovered and shoved into his pockets as he hovered for a moment, trying to place the face of the girl who seemed suddenly very familiar.

She hadn't been looking at anyone or anything in particular and hearing a male voice near her table had her turning with a slight glare and clench of her jaw. The expression didn't last as she saw him in his comfy looking sweater and hat, he seemed almost sweet. Lola let out a breath and a softer expression, one that included a small smile replaced the scowl. "Thank you.. Happy New Year." She reached for the menu but didn't look away from him, something kept her from simply turning her head and dismissing him. Maybe it was the little bit of an accent or that he seemed familiar to her? Was he another regular she'd passed in here many times but never took a moment to notice? She played at brushing her hair over her shoulder but realized she'd already done that and licked at her lips. "Do.. you have big plans for tonight?" She asked politely, knowing it was merely an excuse to keep him there another minute or so.

"Not a one," he said, shaking his head a little. "'Cept for keeping a warm cup tonight." He nodded to the table he'd been sitting at and the cup he'd finally let go. He shook his head again and furrowed his brow a little. "Sorry, but I'm sure to sound stupid. I feel I know you from somewhere."

She chuckled quietly and shook her head. "You don't sound stupid at all.. in fact I was just thinking the same thing about you." A very faint blush accented her statement and her fingers played with the sides of the menu he'd been kind enough to share with her. "Ah.. would you like to join me?" She asked, not wanting to be pushy and hoping it came off as more of just an innocent and friendly invite to share some company for a little while.

He looked at her sideways as she fought the same familiarity in search of a name. "Aren't you... waiting for someone? Woulnd't want to get in the middle," he suggested, cautious of the likely-present companion.

Her expression fell and her eyes were distant and sad for a moment, she gently shook her head. "No.. I'm not waiting for anyone.. unless you consider the hope of someone coming to sweep me off my feet - waiting?" She laughed at the end, trying to make it into a joke. "I'm sorry.. please..?" She motioned to the empty seat but totally expected him to decline the offer.

Her face misted over and he wondered if the black dress hadn't been for a party at all, but something more solemn. "Just a moment," he nodded and stepped away to get his cup, coming back to sit across from her. He watched her as he casually leaned on his elbows. "Don't suppose you know where a broom might be, then?" He winked and tried to hide his smile in the sip he took from his cup.

She felt a wash of relief flow through her as he decided to join her, it probably showed on her face and in her eyes as he came back with his cup and sat down. "Broom?" It took a few seconds and then she laughed softly. "You're supposed to bring that." She whispered like sharing a secret with him.

"Oh. Well, must've left it home with the big plans I didn't have," he apologized, still smiling as he set the cup down and spun it slowly in his fingers. "While I slowly go insane trying to think of yours, my name's Victor," he offered, not certain they'd actually met in person. "Could be I just can't forget a pretty face I've seen over the tomatoes in the market, hah?"

"Ohh.. well maybe another time." She pouted but it was in teasing and she finally opened the menu to glance inside. Her gaze came up as he spoke of wondering where he knew her from and offered his name. "No need to drive yourself insane over it. I don't think we've actually met before, I think you may have it right on target that we've seen each other somewhere. I come in here almost everyday, before or after work and sometimes both. It's probably hard to place me without the laptop and and cell phone attached to my head." She gave a shrug of lame apology for being such a workaholic. "I'm Lola." She set the menu down and reached across the table to offer him her hand.

The fogginess melted away as she described her usual attire. He reached up for her hand. "That explains a great deal," he nodded, holding an imaginary phone to his ear with the other hand. "A key accessory I'm glad you could leave at home tonight. Often I'm here with my own, at least a few books and a pile of papers I thought I could do without tonight. I mean, it is still a holiday, right?"

"It would have been more interesting than.." She stopped and laughed, shaking her head a little. "It is still a holiday for those who still feel the desire to celebrate. I was having a rather unenjoyable evening before I came in here." Her almost bare shoulder shrugged and she sighed again. "I'm glad you don't have a pile of things to distract you tonight.. you might not have noticed me.. and I'd still be having a miserable night."

"What's not worth celebrating, then, hah?" He looked out the window and turned back with a raised brow. "It's not snowing, and your hands are warm as well as the company. What's so miserable about that?" He paused and leaned a little closer to whisper, "You know, you might not have noticed just now, but that laugh? Sure sign of a not-miserable person."

"I didn't say I was miserable now.. I'm sorry if it seemed that way.. I meant before.. earlier tonight, not now.. and not here. I had a rather amazingly crappy start to my new year and no, I didn't feel like celebrating anything. I came in here to have.. something, I didn't feel like going home and being even more miserable.. or alone. I was going to drown my misery in pie or something, I don't know.. I just know if I had gone home.." She shook her head and waved it off, looking around for the waitress now to give some distraction. "Your company is not making me miserable at all.. I probably wouldn't have laughed tonight if not for you.. so thanks."

"You're very welcome, though I hardly did a thing. You could still drown in some pie, if you like. Better, why not share some and maybe we'll both stay afloat. I insist," he said, sneaking the menu away, though he already knew the contents from memory.

"Your kindness was more than enough.." She told him with a bit of a smile as she tried to tug the menu back but then let it go so he could look at it. "Sharing some pie, with you, sounds really good. What's your favorite kind? .. and please tell me you like cream on top!"

"Apple, warm and crisp," he agreed, putting the menu down and crossing his hands over it, guarding it. "Ice cream is the best with it. So, one piece and two forks or would you like your own? My treat."