As promised, Lily meets Stephan Hawthorne for their date… along with Conrad and Brutus in tow. Lily displays a wicked streak nearly as devious as her mothers, when they discover Hawthorne in allergic to werepups. She plays coy and innocent when Hawthorne makes a fuss about the additional dinner guests. Brutus is an excellent watch-pup while Conrad tries to control his smirking.
Despite all her clever quips, Hawthorne is still not discouraged even as they arrive to the restaurant. Conrad sows brilliant acting skills when he gets Brutus admitted in to the place as Astro Gordon the famous pup. Lily is hard pressed to keep herself from laughing out loud. At the dinner table Hawthorne tries his hardest while Lily attempts to be as morbid and disturbing as possible. When Hawthorne leans in for a kiss, it’s Brutus that gives him a big lick in the face. When that still wasn’t enough to make him crack, Lily and Brutus make sure to order the entire meat menu! Even that wouldn’t do it, so Lily fakes being horribly offended and Brutus helps by making the man spill his drink and then jumps all over him. Hawthorne finally escapes!
Conrad mentions feeling almost sorry for Hawthorne, and Lily feels very much the opposite. They are both worried about Evangeline and Gabriel, and both intend to take care of the pup until they return.
Brutus was very excited! He jumped all over the place but at least he was clean!
Brutus appeared to know he was going somewhere so he wasn’t acting as energetic as he probably would have!
The elevator stopped and the doors opened! Brutus was the first out, walking with head high, showing off his collar only to stop and wait for Lily and Conrad!
There was a small crowd in the lobby! And all of them were women! They were going “ooh” and “aah” over something!
Brutus was right beside Lily!
Stephan: Now, now, ladies, I’m afraid that’s all I can show you. But … I have cards for everyone if you’d like to give me a call sometime. *He said with a wink and started passing out business cards. He looked up!* Ah, Ms Grey! Delightful to see you again! Excuse me, ladies. My date for the evening is here. *There were murmurs of sad “awhs” before they dispersed.*
Brutus barked at the man who smiled like mint toothpaste and … something else!
Stephan: *He smiled.* Not to worry. There is plenty of me to go around. *He bent to take her hand and kiss the back of it!*
Brutus started barking again and moved between Lily and the man! He started pushing the man away with his body!
Stephan: *Wanted to ignore the tiny furball but when he started pushing him like that!* What an adorable little … *He began to wheeze.* Pu … pu … ACHOO! *He sneezed and barely managed to turn his head in time to avoid splattering Lily and Brutus with germs!* Excuse me. *He stood up and reached into his jacket for a handkerchief.* Brutus … is he … is he … *ACHOO!* Dear God, tell me that isn’t a .. isn’t a … *He looked like he was about to sneeze again!*
Brutus sat, facing the man and barked! He wagged his tail!
Stephan: *No sneezing! He dabbed his nose with the handkerchief.* Surely you could just … just … *He waved his hand toward Conrad.* Leave him with … him. It is a little known fact but … I am allergic to weres.
Stephan: *Her guard?! And that pup?! No … He couldn’t break off a date! He never broke off a date! He quickly shook his head!* No. No. It’s … quite alright. I’ll … make do somehow. *He dabbed his nose with his handkerchief again.* Right this way, Ms Grey. *He started for the doors. He was going to make this work. He had to! Werepup and guard or not!*
Conrad: *Had to control himself from smirking or laughing … or a combination of the two! How convenient that the professor was allergic to werepups and they had one with them!*
Outside there was a limo waiting for them!
Stephan: *Waved the chaffeur inside and opened the door for her! He blinked! He had obviously not thought of the restaurant they were going to as puppy-friendly!* Well … surely we could eat inside and your … guard could take the pup for a walk somewhere. Anywhere.
Stephan: *Was about to reply when the puppy passed by to get inside and he sneezed! ACHOO! He only had time to turn his head!*
Stephan: *After dabbing his nose and eyes, he climbed into the limo and shut the door! The limo drove off!* I had dinner reservations at the most exclusive of restaurants, Légendaire Cuisine. You may have heard of it. It was featured in Gourmet Digest, the New York Times, and the New York Chronicles. A five star restaurant that is nearly impossible to get reservations into.
Brutus was behaving very well! He lay down in her lap and was looking oh so innocent!
Stephan: *He was going to do this! He was going to get through this date! He dabbed his eyes again.* Nonsense. It’s just … I haven’t met a were in such awhile and seeing one now, here, even … It just takes some getting used to.
Stephan: *Put his handkerchief away to get out another one to wipe his glasses! He blew on the lens!* Her … boyfriend, you say? It’s not often that I … meet the girl’s parents … *He cleared his throat as he placed his eyeglasses back on his nose.*
Stephan: *He was wearing that charming smile again.* I am sure she has her best intentions in mind. After all, one must take extra special care of a gem like yourself, Ms Grey. May I call you Lily?
The limo stopped! They had arrived! The chaffeur parked in front of the restaurant and opened the door!
Stephan: *Was the first to get out! He took a deep breath of air before anyone noticed and put on his best smile! He moved to the side so everyone could get out.* All … the time?
Brutus jumped out of the limo and glanced around! The restaurant looked very classy! Red carpet leading from the street, across the sidewalk and to the front door where a man in a suit waited! Bright lights, large windows, and music wafting in everytime the door opened to admit or let out some fancy couple!
Stephan: I’m sure we won’t run into anything your guard can’t handle. *Still wearing that smile as he walked beside Lily to the doors! The door man opened it for them and glanced at Brutus!*
“I’m sorry, sir. We do not allow dogs into our establishment.”
The doorman glanced around and scratched his chin. “I might be able to let it slide if … there was something in it for me. Perhaps … a little tip?”
Stephan: *He’d been so sure that the doorman’s refusal to let the pup in would do the trick! Then Lily was using that look and … He found himself sticking his hand into his pocket to pull his wallet out and forking out some cash.* Here.
The doorman took the cash and casually looked at the bill. He gave the professor a skeptical look. “Five dollars. Did I mention I got a wife and kids to feed? Seven of ’em. And a dog. Just like that little one you got right there.”
Stephan: *A hundred?! But he was still playing it cool and collected when he pulled out a hundred dollar bill and nearly threw it at the doorman.* Here. Now can we go in? *He straightened out his suit.*
The doorman winked at Lily while Hawthorne was fussing with his suit. “Much thanks, sir. And ma’am.” He opened the door and glanced the other way as they walked inside.
Inside of the restaurant, there was a small area for people to drop off their coats and shawls. Then an entrance where a stand sat with a book for reservations and such. The man in the suit behind the stand looked up. “Good evening, good evening. How may I help you?”
Stephan: *Forgot all about his troubles when she smiled like that! He smiled right back.* I … do what I can. *His attempt at taking her hand to kiss it backfired when–* ACHOO!
Brutus was standing right beside Lily, tail wagging and tongue hanging out.
Stephan: *Dabbed his nose! Blast! He’d been so close. He stepped toward the host.* Yes, a reservation for Stephan Hawthorne. Party of … three. And a dog.
The man looked around the professor. “A … dog?” He blinked. “I’m sorry, sir, but we do not allow dogs into the restaurant.”
Stephan: With all due respect, Ms Grey–Lily, I’m sure this man has the restaurant’s integrity in mind. We couldn’t possibly ask him to put this magnificent place at risk.
The man was speechless! He looked at Brutus, then at Conrad and back at Brutus. “A … dog …?”
Brutus was taking being picked up and held like this very well! He stayed perfectly still and just wagged his tail!
The man was still speechless! “Oh! Please … please wait!” He scrambled out from behind the stand to approach Conrad. “Donovan Geru is our most … treasured client. And this …” He turned to Brutus. “Handsome canine … We would be delighted if he would stay and honor us.” He clasped his hands together. “Please … I meant no offense. It is just … Well, we did not expect such a high-class client to be gracing our presence.”
The man blinked and quickly nodded. “Of course! Of course!” He stepped to one side and gestured further into the restaurant. “Right this way! I will have a private booth open for you immediately!” As he led the way inside, he clapped his hands once and a waiter appeared. He whispered into his ear and the waiter quickly nodded before disappearing past some curtains toward the back. “We have the finest food any restaurant can offer. And our services will be at your beck and call for the remainder of your evening.”
Brutus barked and wagged his tail!
The man got to the curtains. “Please, wait here while I check on your accomodations.” He disappeared for a few minutes but then came back with a bright smile on his face. “May I present our private booth.” He pulled back one of the curtains to let them inside. Here, there was a large booth with beautiful leather cushions and polished wood. There was a stool for an entertainer to sit on in the corner and spotless silverware and glassware.
Stephan: *Was keeping as far away from that puppy as possible and dabbing his nose and eyes! He still didn’t know what had happened. It had all happened so quick! He attempted to get as close to Lily as possible!* Now that we have a moment alone, Lily, perhaps we can get to know each other better.
“Your menus.” The man handed each of them one. He paused when he got to Brutus. “Would Mr Gordon like to see the menu himself or would someone like to order for him?
* ”
“Oh, of course! Would any of you like something to drink? Water? Tea? Wine, perhaps?”
Stephan: *Paused!* I will take tea, thank you. *He smiled over at Lily.* I’m sure there are lots we can talk about. School. Dreams. Anything.
The man nodded and left!
Stephan: *Different ways to be killed! Not a subject one would prefer to discuss–especially over dinner!* Well, I suppose this just means we have to make every moment in our life count. Am I right?
Stephan: Yes. Uh … Demons. Perhaps a kiss now then? *He leaned forward and closed his eyes!*
Brutus was only too happy to give kisses! Wet, sloppy puppy kisses!
Stephan: *Finally leaned back and wiped his face.* My that was … quite … quite … ACHOO!
Stephan: *Smiled at Lily!* You know what they say … Practice makes perfect. I am sure there will be plenty of time for that. *He said, winking before returning to his menu.*
Stephan: *Was going to lean in for another kiss when he started having a sneezing fit!* ACHOO! ACHOO! ACCHOO!!
Stephan: *Accepted the napkin!* Thank you. But … nonsense. *He dabbed his nose. But there was no mistaking his red eyes! Denial or not, it was getting worst!* It … only take a … while to … go away.
The drinks have come! The man passed it around and asked if they were ready to order!
Brutus barked on the beef choice!
Stephan: *The menu hid his face falling! Roasted lamb? And the pup was going to order the entire beef or chicken menu?!*
The man was jotting it down. “Yes, of course! Rare it will be! Anything else for you, sir?” He asked Brutus!
“Yes, yes!” The man turned to Stephan and Conrad! “And you two gentlemen?”
Stephan: … *Passed the menu back.* I’ll … just stick to the tea, thank you. I have to watch my diet after all.
Stephan: *Was trying very hard not to panic … but he was about! Lily and that pup of hers could eat!* Surely you don’t want to affect that gorgeous figure of yours Lily by gorging yourself …
Stephan: *Blinked! He quickly waved his hands!* Uh … no, of course not! It’s just … these gourmet foods … they can be awfully hard on the digestive system, that’s all!
In came their waiter! He’d like to know how everyone was doing and if there was anything else he could get for them!
Stephan: *Shocked!* No, I mean … I really didn’t mean for it to come out that way, Lily.
Brutus suddenly ran under the table and stepped on Stephan’s feet, causing Stephan’s drink to spill all over his suit!
Stephan: Ow! *Winced and was trying to hold his foot while cleaning his suit!* Oh no, my suit!
Brutus came out from under the table and began to bark! He’d be only too happy to help! He climbed on top of Stephan!
Stephan: No! No … that’s quite … quite … ACHOO! ACHOO! ACHOO! *He was sneezing so badly now that the table shook and germs were flying everywhere! He became so ashamed!* Ex … ex … excuse me! *And he stumbled off of his seat and out of the private booth!*
Brutus sat down and watched him run off! He barked once!
Brutus turned around and sat down to look at Lily and Conrad. He barked, tail wagging and tongue hanging out!
Brutus was tilting his head at them!
The waiter came back! He wanted to know if there was anything else he could get for them!
The waiter nodded. Professor Hawthorne was a frequent customer of theirs. He wishes them a good evening and disappears!