Summer Nights ~ July, 1978 ~ Mere&Ethan’s Date

[Ethan Vanderhyde]

Ethan had to work to dispel his want to laugh aloud at her words - she was amusing, there was no doubt about it, in calling children "things." And continuing on to disparage the youth of Hogwarts correctly. You do know you'll need to have children someday, don't you? I can't make an heir all on my own. While Ethan was surely getting ahead of himself, his future wife would need to not only be open to the idea of having children, but willing to make that happen. It was important that he continue his family's line - that was why he was here in the first place! And, thinking on it, ay child of theirs would be unstoppable - their combined looks, ideals, and intelligence? Even if Meredith wasn't fond of children, surely she could appreciate adding a specimen like that to wizardkind. It wasn't as if his own mother was particularly "motherly" - Meredith could do whatever she set her mind to, and if she could come around to the idea...

Way too far ahead of yourself, Vanaderhyde.

But was he? This was going well, and although pursuing her had begun as a ruse, Ethan was enjoying himself beyond the mere play of it. "I take it you don't have younger siblings," he said, allowing himself a smile. "Natalie isn't as much of a terror as those of lower birth, of course, but you get as well used as you can to the fickleness and demands of children when you're around one." While his sister would loathe to hear him speak like this - she fancied herself a fully grown adult, even though she still had two years left at Hogwarts - he had to do a bit of prying, here, and using her was an easy in. "I can't yet imagine what it'd be like to always have one around - can you?"

The question was innocuously enough delivered, Ethan hoped, as to not spook her. But she had to know this was coming, right? Their part of society didn't waste time when it came to things like this. She was pursuing her academics now, of course, but upon completion of her program, it was expected of her to marry and bear children, to be at her husband's side...

Could you do that? With me?

While their talk was interrupted by dinner, and then resumed so pleasurably with their teasing, Ethan found himself becoming anxious to get the bill. He didn't like having this table between them, he wanted to hold her tightly to him as they apparated to the next location, to have her hand in his as they listened to the celebrated pianist. This desire couldn't abate when she turned to him with such a genuine smile at the mention of dessert, and Ethan nodded agreeably to her suggestion. "You heard the lady," he said dismissively to their server, who bustled off with a bow and their plates after refilling their wine glasses. Ethan smiled across at her and took a drink, letting out a contented breath. His hand sought out hers, lightly gripping it on the table. "Tell me about this Mistress Max," Ethan said with a slight smirk. "Is she living up to your expectations?"

[Meredith Mulciber]

Her hazel eyes widened and a look of disgust crossed her face. “Of course I don’t have siblings.” Firstly, he should have known that, and secondly she have never wanted any siblings. She had a cousin a few years older than her and she had never liked how their parents had always thrown them together. Meredith would have never tolerated another child in her life; she thought if ever faced with that her younger self might have done something…drastic.

In weak moments, when she felt lonely, she thought it wouldn’t be so bad if she had an older sibling; but she always imaged them to be similar to herself. And as far as having children went…”I suppose that finding out exactly wait it’s like having a child around all the time is an eventuality for us both.” She said diplomatically. She wouldn’t be passing any tiny humans through her body in the near future but he didn’t need to know that. Pureblood men expected certain things from their wives, but she wasn’t just any pureblood woman. She was Meredith Mulciber, and she would finish her education, establish herself in the workforce using that education, and further the Dark Lords cause before she ever contemplated incapacitating herself for nine months and beyond. And that went for anyone, including Ethan Vanderhyde.

The blonde thought maybe Ethan could read her thoughts on her face, besides better safe than sorry, she took a long drink of her wine. Then set it aside. She didn’t know if there would be more wine and she didn’t want to go getting loose on her first date with Ethan. She really wanted this to turn out for the better. Dessert was a nice addition to the night and her goal of keeping things going between her and her long time classmate. Meredith was glad Ethan agreed, and more than a little surprised when he took her hand. So surprised she simply stared at their joined hands for a minute. There was a strange warmth spreading over her body and when she attempted an experimental squeeze of his hand with hers, the intensity ramped up a notch.

Meredith smiled for no apparent reason, one finger tracing circles on his soft skin. “Well, she is defiantly something. I mean she is really good, but she just isn’t, she just has this way.” Wait. When had she ever searched for words? Hastily she pulled her hand free and blushed a brilliant crimson color. It was fate that dessert arrived then, complete with two forks and Meredith gave a tight smile picking one f the utensils up and diving into the mousse. Again she found her voice, and this time she was confident in her words. “Mistresses Max is everything I thought she would be and then some. I could do without the “and then some.” And her little French birds are a right pain. How about you, how is the Ministry?”

[Ethan Vanderhyde]

"Apologies, love - I'm thinking of your cousin," Ethan returned, just as diplomatically as his date's response had been. It was disappointing but not altogether unexpected to find her less-than-enthusiastic about the eventuality of child-rearing, but their courtship did not have to be a short one. He could make it more organic, keep things going steadily...but how are you going to take it slow when she doesn't have to do anything to get you thinking about her between the sheets? The young man wished, for the sake of this project, that his thoughts were slightly more reined in - but she'd dressed for him to notice her, and so was it really his fault that he was?

Even in his new experiment of taking things slowly, hand-holding seemed an innocent enough tactic to employ. But, evidently, Meredith had been utterly lacking in touch lately. His smirk was unstoppable as the girl stared at their joined hands, and the smirk only grew as she started a little experiment of her own. For everything that she was above average at, though, this was not it. And it was gratifying.

Ethan was much too well-bred to comment on Meredith's inability to speak while their hands touched, or the gloriously satisfying rosy red of her cheeks as she realized it - but that didn't mean he wasn't going to smile across at her to let her know that yes, he'd noticed. It was a moment she couldn't take back or deny, and a moment he would remember. It was astounding to him - although, really, he should've given himself more credit from the start - how quickly she was losing parts of herself to him. She recovered some of her wits with the arrival of dessert, but the moment had been there, and he was still basking in it. He took up the second fork and sampled the mousse, which was not nearly as satisfying as what he'd just experienced. "Her little French birds?" Ethan repeated curiously. "Beauxbatons is no competition for Hogwarts - I'm sure you'll put them in their place soon enough," he continued definitively. But at his date's mention of the Ministry and his own work, he simply gave her another smile. "I can truthfully say that I am not satisfied - but who ever is, who knows his worth? While I appreciate the statement the departments make about forcing everyone to start from the lowest rung...quite honestly, I know my talents are currently better suited elsewhere - and, in the future, will be better suited for work when I am higher up in the department." The Department of International Magical Cooperation was overrun with interns - new graduates like himself - and Ethan hardly felt valued. Soon - he would make it so - he would be promoted within his current office, the International Magical Office of Law, to doing actual productive work. Grunt work? Not his style, not his forte...

[Meredith Mulciber]

Ah! Her awfully dim yet artfully endearing cousin. He was the nearest she had to a sibling and if he was the standard than the world was better off. Granted he did have some redeeming qualities -most his choice of affiliation in the brewing war- but it was hardly enough to warrant her patience. "You must have been." She agreed easily and let the topic drop. No sense in dwelling on siblings or children in general; and there really was no way to. Ethan was being very distracting with only the slightest of touches. Perhaps what people said about her was true: a prude through and through. But really would a prude be living on her own, dating at all? 

Still it was distracting have her hand in his and perfectly reasonable for her to want to be back in control of her facilities. She was glad for it too because listening to Ethan talk about his work was warming her further to him, she would have never been able to focus on his words if his hands were anywhere on her. Meredith blushed, her mind leaping to all the other places on her body he could touch and make her completely incoherent. Well you're a proper slag now. "Hogwarts is well above par, the French never stood a chance, no doubt a bout that. I've already proven my superiority." she said rather quickly, putting an end to her lascivious thoughts. Merlin help her tonight. Or maybe just Lydia, she would be an excellent help about now. 

"Of course you are worth more than lowly intern work. They are fools for wasting your talent. And I disagree, people should be judged by their worth not by when they were hired, it's an ignorant system." The dessert arrived then and Meredith paused, unconsciously licking her lips at the sight of so much decadent chocolate. She picked up her spoon and drew her attention back to her date while she scooped up a bit of mousse. "You know, there are other options if you are feeling undervalued. Father makes plenty of gold and answers to no one, at least not in that regard. The Ministry isn't the only place that employs people either. Though I would be rather gloomy if all that hard work we put into your interview went to waste. It stands to reason, however, that it already is if you are trapped in grunt work. Or you can just make them promote you."

[Ethan Vanderhyde]

Catching her being so distracted by his touch was delectable, and Ethan - gentleman that he was - allowed her some space to recover. While it would have been so easy to take back her hand, or reach out to brush back her hair (not that any had fallen, but it was a simple enough move), or play with her feet under the table, he resisted. The look that passed between them had to satisfy him for now, and gave him the feeling that tonight’s inevitable goodbye would be a lengthy one.

He nodded at her affirmation of the position she was in with the other Arithmancy students, unsurprised to hear that Meredith was at the top of the cohort. "They never stood a chance," Ethan commented, sending her a warm smile. Ego stroke for ego stroke, eh?

Meredith Mulciber, not one known to be keen on sugarcoating anything, was shortly telling him what he knew to be true about himself. And it was glorious. The blonde was doing marvelous things in terms of stroking his ego, what with her talk of his talents being wasted, of him being worth so much more than what the department thought. Why didn’t you think to date her before? "I wouldn’t want to do anything to cause you something as dreadful as gloom," Ethan assured his date, winking at her from across the table as her words hit home. Make them promote me? I’m good, love, but I’m not that good. Do you expect me to Imperius my supervisors? He wasn’t idiotic enough to do that, or brash enough to burst into Asher Shacklebolt’s office and demand a promotion - the first would eventually get him sent to Azkaban, and the second would likely get him fired. He was playing a long game, and winning people over took time. And…Meredith bringing up her father in talking about him made him feel the slightest bit off, but Ethan persevered as he always did.

"Don’t worry about me," he continued, scooping up a polite amount of mousse, "or the work we put into the interview. I’ve only just begun there - stick along for the journey and you’ll see the tide turn." With that promise, Ethan gave her a confident nod before indulging in the treat.

[Meredith Mulciber]

It was hard. Hard to ignore the charge that seemed to be present between them. Hard to tell herself she wasn't falling. Hard to pretend she wasn't thinking the most inappropriate things. It was hard. Meredith felt as if she were fighting with herself. A large part of her yearned to give into Ethan, a relationship with him; it seemed they could actually make each other happy. Another, smaller, part choked on the idea, thinking only of Marc, and the devastation she felt when they split. So she let herself fall back into the conversation instead, keeping a respectable distance between them.

She smiled at his compliment, feeling a jolt in her belly when she met his gaze, his own smile was so...attractive. She looked away, indulging in more of their dessert. They were sharing dessert, for some reason the thought made her bite her lip. The conversation slipped into talk of the Ministry and his work. And at his next she laughed, her gaze snapping to his in time to catch his wink. It was a real laugh. It came out as a surprise and so wasn't her usual practiced chuckle. She covered her mouth with the back of her hand but she couldn't wipe the smile away. “It would be dreadful of you.” she said.


Maybe she was going a little loopy tonight. It really wasn't that funny. Perhaps it was more the fact that he didn't want to displease her, he always seemed to want to bring her only pleasure, despite the tease in his voice. The knowledge was a bit heady. Meredith returned to the chocolate delight when she was composed enough -which did take a moment- listening to her date with a tuned ear. She glanced at him skeptically, once. He was asking her to trust him. He was telling her to stick around.


“Alright then.” she said after a great deal of thought. The blonde set her spoon aside, pulled her napkin from her lap, placed it on the table, and took up her wine glass. She set back and met Ethan's eyes from across the table. “I understand there is more than one way to do nearly everything. I will trust that you have the situation in hand and I will not make any further suggestions about what other possibilities there are for your advancement.” She gave him a wicked smile. Several possibilities filled her mind: blackmail, intimidation...disappearances. And those were all very basic, not creative in the least. But she would not voice them. Meredith had spoken the truth: she would not impose herself in this way.
Yet.

[Ethan Vanderhyde]

While he was still attempting to determine how much flirting she was comfortable with - so he could go just beyond it, extend that zone - Ethan was flattered and surprised at the true laugh coming from her at his little tease and wink. Even he knew he hadn’t been particularly amusing in that moment, but if his date was finding him increasingly entertaining…that could only be a good sign. Meredith seemed shocked at the outburst herself, trying to cover her smiling mouth with a hand, and he was undeniably pleased. "Just as dreadful as you hiding that charming laugh from me for so long," he pressed, loving each moment of honesty he got from her. They were from the same sort of stock, she and him, and it was no surprise that there was more to her than met the eye, as there was more to him. Even that there was more to her that he could learn after years of sharing classes and living in proximity - they were a guarded people; the more someone else knew the true you, the more they could take from you, and why give them that power?

Ethan couldn't help but wonder what her relationship with Zabini had been like - it was an arranged relationship (wherein both parties knew of it), but had that made opening up easier for her? Since she was supposed to become a Zabini herself within a few years? While he was eager to learn more than the superficial things he did, Ethan wasn’t feeling ready to strike up a conversation about ex’s just yet. That would only get them into a realm of unpleasantness and wariness, would it not? He didn’t want anything spoiling the good that was starting to happen between them, and in his case, speaking about his failed relationship with Dorcas Meadowes - among other girls - would surely do so. The two girls had been fast friends in their youth, but their falling-out was well known within their circles. No, no - it was best to stay in the present tonight.

While he knew that what he was asking for was no simple thing - her faith in him, her willingness to stay with him for at least the near future, putting aside her want to better him - Ethan felt fairly confident that he would get the response he desired. He was certain she was full of ideas on how to get him promoted, but at work he wasn’t about to start making waves. Work in the Ministry was his cover, after all, and it wouldn't help a thing if he started being pushy there. Thankfully, after some consideration, Meredith gave her assent. He mirrored her movements, taking up his wine as she did, and steadily returned her gaze. "I’m glad we understand each other," he said with a fond smile, raising his glass in a little toast to her before drinking. Ethan stole a look at his watch and gave a subtle wave for their server to clear their table and bring the bill. Their dessert was done enough, and they needed to stay on schedule. "Some more wine before we go? Although, you wouldn’t want your mind fully muddled for what I have in store for us next," Ethan cautioned lightly.

[Meredith Mulciber]

Meredith knew that right now, she and Ethan were not just looking at each other, they were seeing each other. It was a little intense. She had always known that there were things about the young man that she didn't know, and may not ever know. That stood for everyone. No one could know another person so completely. She had learned that bit by experience. Tonight she was getting to know a good bit more about Ethan -and she was loving every minute of it, perhaps foolishly so- and he was learning quite a bit about her. She leaned forward a little, removing her hand to reveal her now wicked grin. “It's one of my little secrets.”

The topic then moved into work and soon she was agreeing to things she normally would never have. A little wine and some chocolate and she was a push over? Well, no, not exactly. She had only said so to please him, and she had only agreed for right now. Right? “Perfectly.” she assured him as they toasted. She let the matter drop altogether, not just between the two of them, but she also completely pushed it from her mind. She smiled as Ethan cautioned her, even being bold enough to wink at him before draining the last of the most decadent wine in the city. 

The waiter came to clear there table and drop the bill and when he was gone Meredith addressed her date. “I am very well aware of my limits, sir.” she told him, not unkindly, as he tidied up the bill. Though she didn't tell him she wanted another glass. When the waiter returned it was with a steward and their coats. “Compliments to the chef, I'm not just saying it, you had best make sure to tell him Meredith said it was delicious as usual.” She gave the boy a hard look which he returned with a practiced smile and a humble 'Of course ma'am.' Meredith nodded, pulling her coat around herself and turning to Ethan. Again, he was so handsome. No he was, he was so sexy. “Alright then you, take me away to the next surprise. I'm ready.”
Was she?

[Ethan Vanderhyde]

Their give-and-take was becoming less cautious as the evening wore on, and Ethan was most grateful for it - especially as his tease got him such a splendid response. "Secrets? I daresay I'm compelled to stick around to find our more of them, if they're as lovely as this one," he returned with a light laugh. As their discussion about his public work came to a close, Ethan had to work to hold in a laugh, because his date - was - winking - at - him. Meredith Mulciber. Hazel eyes alight with mirth, a smile unstoppable, her beauty ever more evident for being in such a good mood. Had it just been so long since she'd been on a date that she was overjoyed at everything he sent her way, or was he really doing so well at charming her? Either way, Ethan was relieved, feeling lighter for it. He shot Meredith a smirk at her assurance, taking care of the bill speedily so they could move on. As they readied themselves to leave, he again held in a happy laugh, for now Meredith was insisting on her compliments being passed on. Growing up he'd usually heard complaints passed on, but for her to so vehemently desire her compliments to be heard? You are having quite the evening, aren't you Meredith? 

While Ethan knew that his date would be pleased by his taste of activities - having selected them for both of their benefits, of course - he part wished to be done with being out tonight when she suggested they leave. With the way she was looking at him, her eyes hungrily, lustfully, taking him in, he wanted to give their chemistry more of a test than seeing how much color he could make rise in her cheeks from a look across the table. He wanted to whisk them back to her apartment, away from prying eyes, and tear the coat she'd just put on right off...

Because this Meredith Mulciber he was seeing tonight? She wasn't only beautiful, something he'd known for years, but she was loosening up around him. After seven years of sharing a House, of sharing friends and acquaintances, and she was finally allowing herself to have fun in his presence. How could he not enjoy himself when she was opening up like this? As long as you don't think of Dorcas, you mean. While both had had their fall-outs with the Gryffindor graduate in the past, she and he had, in quiet, reformed a friendship. The girl was going to be livid when she found out that he hadn't only accompanied his classmate to the graduation ball, but was actually actively pursuing her...

But their lives were different, his friend's and his own. Dorcas had chosen to essentially leave their society, while he still found himself within it, doing what he needed to do to make it here. And this set-up? It was going well - she could find it in herself to be happy for him in a way, couldn't she?

Ethan took his date's hand in his own, meeting her eye with a smile to see how in agreement they were about taking this step, and led them out of the restaurant onto the cobble stoned street. "Your next surprise awaits us down the road a ways," he began to explain, "at The Magnifique - have you been to one of their salons before? They are most exquisite, I assure you." And expensive. The small events were exclusive, the uppity pianists seeing their art as unfit for popular consumption; the salons were a nod to yesteryear, and a place at an intimate performance was a coveted one. His father had pulled a few strings to secure them, Ethan owing him "a report of significant progress" in exchange for the favor.

[Meredith Mulciber]

She was sure, she was so sure: had her parents been involved in this budding relationship, well there probably wouldn't be one forming, would there? Meredith didn't think her parents were conducive to the courting process. Or any process for that matter. She and Marc had been engaged for Merlins sake, before her father had gone and mucked it all up. She would need to keep him away from Ethan as much as possibly if she had any chance of this not turning out pear shaped. Because, obviously, she was intent on seeing where this lead, whatever this was. 

All she knew, was that this was her, Meredith, winking and laughing and giving away secrets. She gave Ethan a guarded smile at his remark, coming to terms with the fact that she was actually acting this way. Oh, she had been like this before, for sure. With Marc, and more often with Lydia and Winnie in their dorm or over the summers- elf-made wine really was her undoing- but even without the alcohol, she remembered the almost incandescent feelings of those time. This time felt similar and Meredith found, she didn't dislike the feeling she was having with her long-time housemate. In fact, she fancied she actually liked it very much. Yes, striking out on her own without her parents had definitely been the right thing to do. 

Her conviction grew tenfold when Ethan led them from the restaurant and began to speak. A performance! she rejoiced to herself. Her parents would not have approved of such an intimate setting as her date had planned for the evening. Thank Merlin they had no say so in this, because quite honestly, Meredith was ecstatic about the prospect of attending The Magnifique. She was a true lover and proficient of the piano and had been envious for a very long time of all the people she knew who had been to one of the special performances in the cozy salon. She had asked to go with her then fiance only once and had been rejected. Meredith hated being told no, so, she had never tried again.  

“I confess I have not.” she admitted to Ethan, the green of envy seeping away from with the knowledge that soon, that statement would not be true any longer. She opened her mouth to ask him the same when a thought occurred to her, and just like that another color green painted her insides and she turned to Ethan, insecurity something inside almost weighing her down and forcing words from her mouth. “But i'm sure you have. I wager you take all the girls to The Magnifique.” Maybe he had taken Bronwyn already, her long time roommate in Hogwarts. Or worse, Meadows...no! They were much to young then to be attending such places. Still, the thought stabbed at her until she feel heat rise in her face. Sweet Nimue! She couldn't believe she was actually growing jealous! Meredith thought, as they walked side by side along the street, she was well and truly lost to the likes of Ethan Vanderhyde.

[Ethan Vanderhyde]

Her hand was pleasantly warm within his as they left the restaurant, and Ethan looked over in amusement to see her so surprised and joyous at his announcement. Her admission only made his smile broaden, and he looked back down at her in curiosity as he detected notes of jealousy in her commentary. They had been leisurely walking in the direction of the salon, but Ethan gently slowed them to a stop at that. This was a moment of importance, he felt, not something to be ignored. Meredith Mulciber, are you getting invested? If his suspicions were correct, than this night was going better than he'd dared to hope.

"I've only been once, and in company not nearly as wonderful as this," he assured, a small smirk growing on his face as he brought her closer. Visiting the prestigious space with his father had been more of a test of his abilities to be proper than anything else, whereas tonight...not terribly improper to kiss you, is it? With the way she'd been eyeing him, Ethan knew the blonde was willing to test the waters with him, and he had been putting off that progression to ease her into the date... 

"I've been waiting for the right girl to go with, Meredith. And I promise - that's you."

He and his ex-housemate had had their differences in the past, it was true. Chiding one another for foolish things, for tempers flared, for brief annoyances. But he was on a mission, a mission for this relationship to pan out properly. And underneath their differences at school, there had grown a certain respect, the respect that academics had for each other. That respect was growing, on both ends he felt, even though this was being put upon him by their parents. And he'd known, as everyone with eyes did, that she was a beautiful girl. It wasn't hard to be attracted to her, and not too hard to look past the nasty falling out she and Dorcas had had...not when she was looking up at him like this. And so it was easy, really, to move to hold her face in his hands and to confidently meet her eyes with his, before closing them and lowering his lips to hers. He was intent in the lengthy kiss; she was going to feel something real from him tonight, he would ensure that that happened...

[Meredith Mulciber]

Meredith hated herself for the way she felt. She hated the lime bug of envy inside her at the thought of Ethan with another woman; at the thought of Ethan bringing someone here before her; knowing she was last in a long line of her friends and ex-friends who had dated him before her. She hated the way it all made her feel. This was not her at all! She was strong and confident and she didn’t need anyone to make her feel that way, she did it all on her own. So, if that was true, why was she seeking comfort? Why was she so bloody jealous? 

The blonde huffed, swatting a stray lock of hair away. She was frustrated with herself, and nearly pulled away when Ethan drew her to a stop – he was touching her again and that was only adding to her anxiety. She cut her eyes to her date as he spoke, looking away quickly so he wouldn’t see the disappointment in her gaze. Well, that wasn’t really the answer she had been hoping for, to say the least. She bit her lip, trying not to think things over too thoroughly, but unable to stop her mind. What did he mean, ‘company not as wonderful as this’? That could be anyone! It could be Winnie or Dorcas or any number of his former lovers, no-one’s company was as good as hers! 

She looked to Ethan again, preparing a witty retort, though she knew her eyes were belying how much his words meant to her, when his last statement brought her up short.  She stared for a moment, trying to decided if it was true or not, if he was lying. Part of her wanted him to be lying –it was all too much, she was falling for him already!- while another part yearned for his promises to be real. And he did sound earnest, as he always did when speaking with her, and what reason would he have for being untruthful? She wanted to believe she was ‘the right girl’…so, she did. Meredith smiled up at him, buoyed in his regard for her. “Well, when you put it like that.” 

Then he was kissing her. Really kissing her. And she should have pulled back, stepped away -kissing on first dates meant you were a slag, right?-but she didn't do those things. Instead, her hand shot up to span along the side of his neck, because she was liking it, Meredith was liking the good snog Ethan was giving her. It felt, not quite right...but...appropriate, somehow. The contradiction was not lost on her -this was not appropriate in the least, and in the middle of the street at that- she was past caring, however, about logical thought, or being able to comprehend it. This was everything, kissing Ethan like this, she could barely think straight; she wanted to catalog every minute but she couldn't focus on anything but the way her body sang. The kiss deepened by his account or hers, she wasn't sure, but she knew she liked it. Meredith's tongue darted out to touch on Ethan's and...she wretched herself away. Her hand flew to her mouth, shocked at what she had just been doing. She swallowed thickly and ran a nervous hand over her hair; oh she was in a right state now! “Do not do that again.” she said breathlessly. No! Do it again! Do it again, please, please do it again!

[Ethan Vanderhyde]

It appeared that his date was not pleased with him for admitting to having been to the salon before, but Ethan wasn't about to alleviate her worries. No, no - although the only other night spent at The Magnifique had been with his father, Meredith didn't need to know that. It was much better this way, for her to feel a need to be jealous, for her to let her brilliant mind run through the various possible scenarios. His dating history was no secret, after all, to anyone in his House. She knew who he'd been with, and knew many of them well enough to picture the scenes quite vividly, Ethan expected. No, no - better to let her stew in envy, if only to experiment and see what she did with the feeling.

The blonde grew slightly mollified, it seemed, at his compliment, and gave him enough encouragement to take the next step. He didn't know if he'd spent this much time on a date without testing these waters, but perhaps it was his multitudinous failures that had stayed this for so long. If he did things differently this time, would this be the last time he had a first date? It was a shocking thing to think, after every misstep he'd taken, but worth a shot.

Ethan drew their lips together in confidence, knowing that this was something he was good enough at to get away with surprising her with. Even Meredith Mulciber couldn't complain about a proper snog, could she? The girl was immediately in the kiss as well, her hand springing to his neck to pull him in closer; he let one of his hands trail down to the middle of her back to press her slim figure towards his, to hold her there just so...After a daring little move on her part, Meredith rather flew away from him while he stood in place, a smirk in a suit.

This is going to be fun.

Ethan held himself back from laughing at her breathless demand, knowing that she was fully capable of letting people know when they had crossed a line and earned her ire - and that this was not the look that she gave those people. That look was a lightning strike, a viper bite, the end of all. This look of longing, near helplessness in her want...was one he wanted to see again and again. The bloke's confidence had gone above mountains and below valleys in recent years, with his various successes and failures - he needed the girl he was with longterm to put him on an upswing, and by Merlin, that's just what Meredith was doing.

"If you insist," he replied breathily as he held his hand out to Meredith, fingers waggling until she took them. "Come now, we wouldn't want to be late." Like either of us won't prompt that again tonight, the snake thought smugly as they continued on towards their next destination, thumb stroking her hand as they walked together. Oh no, his date would be begging - with her eyes, just as she was now, if nothing eyes - for them to be at each other again before long. And after having a taste of her? He was readily available to appease what she truly wanted. But he knew himself; he could hold off until the opportune moments struck. It'd not been so terribly long since he'd snogged someone like that, after all. But Meredith...How long's it been? The blonde had gotten past her initial shock quickly, for the first time in his presence letting her body take the reins instead of her mind. Feels good, doesn't it? 

Their next stop was not far off, and before long they were being shown in - once Ethan had showed their tickets and given identification, of course - to the intimate space. Elegant couples of their status had claimed seats on cream chaise lounges, or stood talking of politics and art over swirling glasses of wizarding brandy...This is where we belong. Although both members of the young pair had pledged themselves to the Dark Lord in some manner, Ethan at least would be content with a secure life of nights like these. Eventually this could be their reality, could it not?

A cleanly dressed elf approached them, balancing a heavy-looking tray of glasses. Ethan took up two glasses of what seemed to be Superior Red - Of course Lucius has this place in his pocket. - and gave one to his date. "What do you say - take the best seats in the house while they're still here?" he asked under his breath, smiling roguishly in excitement.

[Meredith Mulciber]

They were just standing in the street staring at each other. Meredith could feel every heart beat in her throat and she was desperately curious as to what Ethan was feeling. She would never ask, but she wondered. She also wondered if it would feel like that every time. Her dating experience was limited, her sexual experience, even less. But it was easy to know what felt natural. Being with Ethan felt like that. Thankfully, he broke the tension, else, she might have said something she didn't want to.

“I'm not the one who interrupted our walk.” Meredith told her date pointedly, though her mouth curved in that amused way as he waggled his fingers at her. No. She could not let him think that was an acceptable thing to do whenever he chose! She trained her features into one of neutrality and continued on her way, her hand in Ethan's. In her mind, she was replaying the way he had held her much more closely than this; they way he had kissed her. It had been such a long time since she had been paid that kind of attention. But...it still wasn't appropriate for a first date; she was looking forward to future dates, however.There wasn't too much time to stew on all that, thank Merlin, they arrived at The Magnifique in short order.

Meredith was much to in awe and excitement to linger on such pleasant-unpleasant things; her focus was immediately diverted to the elegant and talented, her mind appraising all that was around her. At some point she pulled her hand free of her dates to run it along the back of a fine chaise lounge. Her eyes traveled along the walls lined with exquisite art. Then she spotted the piano and she was all but lost. It took all the recent graduate had not to sit down and feel the keys beneath her fingers. To make the music in her soul for all to hear. This was not her piano, she was here to observe tonight, and she was perfectly complacent with that.  

She turned to look at Ethan as he spoke with a contented smile, taking her glass of wine. “Yes.” she agreed. “Shall we sit here?” Meredith asked her date, going over to a cozy looking divan. “This will have a perfect view of the musician.” 'And isn't so crowded'. Meredith glanced about at the other people, other couples, feeling a little of her old anti-social-ness resurfacing. 'So what.' she told herself.'This night isn't about any of them.' She turned away from the others in the room and sat herself in the best seat in the place, holding her head high. When she and Ethan had made themselves comfortable, she raised her glass to him. “Here's to keeping me on my toes, Ethan Vanderhyde.”

[Ethan Vanderhyde]

"I felt no complaint," he directed back swiftly, smirking back as Meredith couldn't hold in her own tell of amusement. It was apparent that the striking young woman was not in the practice of the more romantic aspects of a relationship, or speaking of them; but it couldn't hurt to tease her just a little, could it? Ethan needed her to keep thinking about that kiss, even if all they were doing at the moment was chastely holding hands on the way to The Magnifique. Just as he was recalling the feel and taste of her lips, she certainly was too. Even as they entered the salon and her attention was pulled away from him - he was the one who she'd forever associate this experience with. The night was to be memorable for all of the right reasons; it had been orchestrated to be such, and he was not going to fail at this again.

But, oddly, at the moment Ethan was anything but worried. Meredith was simply aglow in this space, and he had made that happen. She would not be forgetting that anytime soon. He watched intently as her head moved as if on a swivel, so earnestly was she attempting to take it all in. Watching her candid reactions was...not amusing, but...endearing. He didn't mind being caught at it when she returned her attention to him, taking the wine and his suggestion easily. He nodded and followed her to the divan, chuckling lightly as he attempted to sit on the low sofa without looking as though he was all limbs. At times it was difficult to be elegant, although he never stopped trying. "The perfect view, indeed. I expect they will start organizing everything soon," he commented as Meredith situated herself. He leaned an elbow on the arm of the divan, crossing ankle-over-knee, and started to smirk as his date gave a toast. Marvelous.

"I'd prefer to fully sweep you off your feet, but I'll take it," Ethan said with a laugh, knowing the line was foolish, but unable to stop himself. Now that they were here, among people he saw as their peers, preparing to enjoy the performance of a lifetime - and now that they had kissed, and it'd gone so well - he was feeling himself relax. He took a drink, confirming that the wine was Malfoy's Superior Red, and turned a look of slight challenge to the blonde. "I want to hear you play again soon," he commented, refraining from telling her of the grand piano in his apartment until the right moment came. At this point she would take that as a means for him to coerce her into coming home with him, wouldn't she? The last thing he needed was her thinking he was forcing anything. And, honestly - hearing her tear up the keys of any piano sounded like a good night to him. "I listened closely at school," he continued quietly, draping an arm behind her, resting his palm on the other side of her hips on the cushion, "I've known you have talent...but I want to see you at it again, with fresh eyes. Artists...come alive when they play, don't you think?"