Be Thankful For What You've Got (Polly / Open)

[Tiffany Fumberger]

There was rain streaming down the windows of the cafe as Tiffany just stared, her face vacant as she watched a customer walk out and wondered who it would be to brave the cold and rain in order to come inside. It hadn't been a good day for the cafe, the till was light and though she'd never read the financial review nor the business section of The Global Voice Tiffany didn't need it to know that times where tough. It wasn't hard to point the blame either, Basil had said it was all because of the Abbott mob talking down the economy but Tiffany wasn't sure. She couldn't count the number of worried faces and the news headlines had hardly been favourable. Stressful as it was Tiffany was hanging on, it wasn't like she could bring herself to let anyone go and so slowly but surely she'd started to make some local friends and regular customers.. although none as regular as a Mr Gerard Hunter Q.C of course.

Tiffany was on a slim-fast diet this week, it wasn't the first time she'd tried it but she knew all she needed was the willpower to make it work. It wasn't easy going from a small town to a place with real competition, Tiffany was glad that they'd chosen to focus purely on the food and give away the computers and dinners for sure could hardly manage the books as it was without all the complexities that Basil had always dealt with. With a sigh Tiffany was never one to stay in one place long, nor to dwell when there was work to be done, and one thing the cafe always offered was a never ending supply of work from the moment Peter arrived early to set the ovens and bake the mornings bread till she did the final check and locked up that night before the nightly bank run.

Brushing away some stray bits of lettuce left over from the lunch she carefully tossed it in the scraps bin before pulling off her rubber gloves and washing her hands, the sound of the door swishing open causing her to focus, a bright smile lightening up her face at the sight of a familiar face. "Dear Me, You'd better hurry in before you catch a cold" Tiffany called out, she hadn't been outside at all since arriving at work but there was no doubt that it was horrible weather to be outside in. "Oh.. farewell Mrs Ponts.." Tiffany was distracted for a moment in farewelling the last customer, unsure of what to do with all the table's empty she fussed with her hands before asking the obvious "Now what would you like today? We have freshly baked Banana bread and Chicken Noodle soup" Tiffany added gesturing to the specials before waiting to see what Polly would order.

[GuestGuest]

There was no matinee today, not on a weekday so
Polly finished up the paperwork that came with cinemas, packed up the movies that had finished their runs to return, put the Kung Fu Panda 2 posters aside for Cara for Ebby and for the girl guide, Buffy that loved panda bears and grabbed her purse and the packages to head out for lunch. Stopping first at the post office, she shook the rain off and folded her umbrella before stepping inside and handing the package to the clerk at the counter to send back to the distributor. She took the receipt and tucked it safely in her bag before heading back out and traveling the short distance from there to one of her favorite places in town. The Bluebird Cafe.

"Yes, ma'am," she replied to the familiar voice of Tiffany, folding her umbrella and settling it near the door frame so it wouldn't drip all over the floor and she could grab it on her way out. Settling at an empty table, she waited for Tiffany to come over as she shrugged her raincoat off and let it settle over the back of her chair. Propping her chin in her hands, elbows on the table, she looked about as lost as Tiffany felt as she thought about what to order. "I guess I'll try the soup? And my usual with it?" she asked Tiffany

[Tiffany Fumberger]

"Ohdear.. you do make me feel a thousand years old" Tiffany said with a blush at being called 'Ma'am' her, Tiffany Fumberger, why she was hardly anyone and yet ever since she'd become a manager people thought that she was well.. important! "It really is most frightful weather" Tiffany stated as she dried off her hands and came over armed and ready with her notepad and pen to take Polly's order, why it did certainly rain much more down in Drouin then up north.. but there had been none of those awful floods which was most certainly a relief. "So a Skinny Cinnamon Dolce Latte and don't worry.. the soup's only one point" Tiffany said softly with a knowing smile, while she hadn't managed to keep her weight off for long she'd long memorized the various complex calculations required to know what was what. "That will be Twelve dollars twenty" Tiffany said after doing some quick shorthand to tally up the numbers on her notepad.

Leaving Polly for the moment Tiffany left Paige to make the coffee as she took a soup bowl and filled it, setting it on a plate and adding a spoon and serviette. From the kitchen there was the sound of Gold 104 on the radio which Peter insisted on playing all day as he dealt with the cooking and baking for the bakery display. A glance at the clock and a rumble in her stomach (that she'd been trying to ignore for the past half hour) told Tiffany that it was time for her to take a break and so giving Paige a nod and thanks she put the drink on the tray alongside the soup and grabbed her own prepared salad from the fridge and grabbed a bottle of diet vanilla coke. "There you go.. one Skinny Cinnamon Dolce Latte and soup of the day" Tiffany said with a hint of pride as she set the drinks down. "That is a lovely blouse you have today" Tiffany added as she set out the food before sitting down herself, ever weary of someone walking in and needing her assistance. Of course they could always close but that would mean missing out on any business that might happen to come their way. A luxury that in these times they could hardly afford.

[GuestGuest]

Polly blushed at Tiffany's words. "Oh sorry, Tiffany," she apologized. "It's been nothing but little old ladies since the latest movies opened. 'Yes, ma'am' this and 'No ma'am' that," Polly explained. "I'll be glad when they change out this Friday," she admitted. Polly nodded in agreement when it came to the weather. "It's keeping almost every one else indoors, I guess," Polly commented considering that the cinema hadn't been much more crowded the past couple of nights than the cafe had been. As Tiffany repeated back her order, Polly managed a smile at hearing the soup had only one point to it. "Good," she commented, pulling out the bills and change that would cover the cost while Tiffany excused herself. The money was ready by the time Tiffany returned.

Polly wasn't much tinier than Tiffany so she too followed the latest best methods and currently had gone back to the points system to try and get the weight back down, again. She smiled at the compliment Tiffany paid her. "Ops shop last week. Just a couple of dollars and it looked like it hardly had been worn." As Tiffany joined her, Polly picked at her soup, wanting to be all chipper and tweetybird cheerful but not managing it at all.

[Dunena Reid]

Dunena walked in to the Cafe out of the rain which had missed him, thanks to a brilliant piece of magic. He had stayed out of sight for a couple of day to get his new disguise in place, ( IE note the goatie) and had a lovely black pinstripe suit. Dunena was in Australia to follow up on the story of the french lady trying to get the Australian Minister to break their connection to Ronald Frump's Ministry back home.

Dunena had been to the MoM in Melbourne to get in touch with his old friends and get all the inside news from those who would help him, even now that he was exposing the secrets to the public. There were some that hated the MOM as much as he did and gave all the information he need to get this out. He had stopped here on the advice of a friend saying this was the first town to sight the french woman.

Wonder if i can smoke in here Dunena walked to a table near the only other diner in the place. Never under estimate the power of listening in which, to Dunena, was not eavesdropping but just listening with more attention. He picked up the menu and read the specials of the day. Mmm, banana bread. The two ladies seemed to know each other which was good, the gossip was better that way. No ash tray, bummer. Well, no smoking in here then. Dunena looked around. This was way away from the city life he was used to in New York but it was a nice change and no chance of running into Greta or the assassin here. He had left Bill and Ted ( the lamas ) in a field with some alpacas not far from here to keep them safe for now. The charm that he placed on them meant the muggles could only see them as alpacas.

Dunena really was on a roll here with his story to follow, safely away from New York and, well, Banana bread. All he need was a hit and all was good in his world.

[Fifi LaRoux]

Fifi was trying very hard not to think of what she was doing here tracking down a certain American. Her sudden visit had come as a surprise which would have caused a minor diplomatic situation had it not been for her agreement to have drinks with the Minister himself and ensure that his hospitality would be forthcoming for her unscheduled visit. Of course there had been the Witch Weekly exclusive to organize and a appearance to oversee the new line of Matacore 'fashion' robes which had made her time spent renting the penthouse to enjoy the unexpected five star comforts of Crown Towers. While Fifi had read that Melbourne had it's own fashion scene and was 'world class' it was another thing all together to find that Australia had more too it then rugged men in unfashionable headware and awful, awful accents. It had been all too easy once she had managed to organize a driver to take her into Melbourne, from there a simple matter of sourcing a expert to repair her watch. Unfortunately the mechanisms where fragile and so what had been a day had stretched into weeks of waiting. Fifi knew 'the powers that be' where impatient for her to return, something about a reporter in New York had put the wind up them and it seemed only by luck that her visit to Australia had created a alibi. Indeed there was no greater 'truth' then a five page puff piece in Witch Weekly detailing her every move as written by her associates back in France.

No doubt they too would be horrified by her return to that little town.. Drouin where she had emerged from her hired car with butler on hand to ensure her hair would not be ruined by the rain. Was there any place that was less likely to be prepared for a visit by Fifi LaRoux then The Bluebird Cafe? But while her heart called for her homeland and each day parted from Alvin and La Fronz along with her apartment did leave her that little chill of paranoia that someone might have called on her home and sanctuary in her absence Fifi couldn't leave Australia without one item of business, one hanging thread that unpicked would dwell in her mind where there hardly seemed room for more thoughts of things she had left half done. Mr Reid was one of them.

Stepping into the Cafe Fifi looked around, no it had not changed since she was last here to borrow a telephone. She didn't want to admit it to anyone but she had ended up dwelling on that day more then she should have. On Marty that strange American who had pulled her out of the mud and offered her a ride. She'd walked off on him and something about that had egged at her until here she was looking around the cafe he had so warmly recommended only to find....... him.. no not Marty.. the other him.. Mr Reid.. her target? Fifi ignored him, her superiors had been livid that she'd lost his trail and instead it seemed that he'd walked right back into her world. Not today though, Fifi had her mind on other things and so went straight up to the table where the rather large woman was. "Excuse moi, Ai am looking for a Marty Harper?" she asked before noticing the other woman, oh my. While the one she knew as Tiffany was plain as the town there was a style to the young woman that was not to be compared. Of course Fifi knew she shouldn't take any undue attention onto herself with him here but if there was one thing more important then a big shot contract it was fashion. "Oh my dear! Such class.. such elegance.. please I do insist you are wasted in this... dwelling.." Fifi said passionately as she tossed her coat casually aside the back of a chair and sat down, as far as Fifi considered the world now consisted of herself and this girl with bows in her earrings.

[GuestGuest]

Polly had been about to ask Tiffany if she wanted to go to Melbourne when they had their shared day off later this week but before she could, the door of the shop opened and some stranger walked in looking rather amazingly dry for such a rainy day. Polly rolled her eyes hoping some of the Muggles unaware of magic hadn't noticed the fact or there would be as many or more questions asked then when the two "strange looking children" had showed up in town to deliver Miss Tiffany a message, or Lady Tiffany as the pair now called the woman they referred to as the 'queen of all who bake cakes'. Apparently, they were now addicted to Tiffany's desserts. But that's another story, for now, there was the stranger who showed up.

Since he minded his own business, Polly returned her attention to her food and her conversation with Tiffany as the stranger settled at the table and appeared to be looking for something. Polly suspected it was to see if he could smoke. She'd seen customers do that at the cinema. However, since she knew Tiffany had her own creative methods for dealing with smokers but the man was not seeming to give in to smoking anyway, she went back to the conversation with Tiffany. "I was thinking we could...." Until the door flew open again and another prospective customer made her entrance.

And entrance was an understatement as they could see her being assisted by a butler? With an umbrella? Well, Polly thought, if the lady was a witch at least she had more sense than the guy who had just come then using magic to stay dry. Funny how, from that perspective, the woman's entrance was less blaring then the man's. What Polly did not expect was the question the woman asked, about a Marty Harper. The name was not familiar to Polly, though if the woman had described him, Polly would have known who she meant right off. He had been in to see a couple of movies since his arrival in town. Quiet man. Plain in his appearance yet pleasant to know. She hadn't asked his name though.

However, perhaps no one was ready for the next statement to come from the woman and Polly knew the woman was right, she had thought the same for the longest time. "Oh I know! Tiffany has such amazing style! I love it!"

[Tiffany Fumberger]

"I really must get to the Cinema.." Tiffany said with a slight blush meaning 'I and a Mr Gerard Hunter Q.C of course'. It was a sad fact but even at thirty six the mere mention of Gerard would either cause her to blush or giggle like a oversized schoolgirl. Ensuring that the money was safely away and the meal was set Tiffany allowed herself to relax as she tried to convince herself that the salad was anything more exciting then it really was. "Oh lovely, you have the best luck" Fifi said, she tended to end up giving in to the allure of the Plus Size section of Target or Millers which was why her credit card was often in the red. Tiffany sighed, who had thought life would lead her here? In some ways she missed the chaos of life at home, there was always someone needing her at home and now she was..gone. Funny that she had always dreamed about leaving town and going off to have her own life in the big city, to be a great star like the people on tv and yet now that she was for all intensive purposes living that dream, in a small way with her cafe and of course Mr Gerard Hunter..her hero in a BMW Tiffany felt something..lacking that she couldn't quite put her finger on.

The bell above the door rung and Tiffany looked up to watch a man wander in off the street. He looked quite respectable apart from a rather shady beard upon his face. She didn't like the look of him, he seemed untrustworthy and indeed she couldn't help but notice the way he glanced at the menu before the table. Humph! About to get up to see what the man wanted Tiffany was left to sit with her mouth hanging slightly open when Fifi LaRoux walked in. Oh yes Tiffany knew who she was! She'd read all about the supposed love triangle between Miss LaRoux, the captain of the French Quidditch Team and the Minister for Magic himself! Of course Tiffany hadn't recognized the woman on the first visit.. Gerard had called in that day and well.. to say she was distracted was a understatement.

Gulping when the 'number 4 on Witch Weeklys all time best dressed Witches list' came up to her Tiffany could only stammer a answer when Fifi LaRoux asked her where Marty.. (a lovely man who had seemed quite lonely Tiffany had thought) was. "I..I..I'm so sorry Miss LaRoux but I don't know.. " a blush starting to creep up her neck at not being able to provide a answer to the famous witch who............ excuse me? Tiffany realized that the woman wasn't even listening to her but talking to Polly.. oh.. Talk about a brush with fame being utterly ruined. That blush deepened as Polly tried to be nice and say that it was her. "Your just being kind.. but Miss LaRoux was talking to you Polly.." Tiffany said before quickly getting up "Would you like a drink Miss LaRoux.. or we have a range of.." Tiffany started to babble before stopping at a wave of a hand. Tiffany had never been so ill treated by any customer in her entire life! "Humph!" turning her back she tried not to let her emotions show as she walked over to the unsavory man to take his order. "Good afternoon... could I take your order?" Tiffany was trying very hard not to look back and glare at the woman who was far skinnier, more famous and glamorous then Tiffany could ever wish to be. Worst of all was that sinking feeling that Polly was her friend and no doubt it would be just like in gradeschool when her best friend had dumped her to hang out with the 'popular' kids once the 'Tiffany's a weirdo' tale had gone around the school and made her the most unpopular kid in the class.

[GuestGuest]

Emma had a free day, as it was the weekday her shop in Melbourne was closed so she had thought she might drive to Drouin and see how things were with her family there. Having paid a quick morning visit to Mel and Ashleigh, Emma decided to have a light lunch at the Bluebird Cafe before driving to Warragul to see Ethan at the library. Finding a parking space not far from the cafe, she grabbed her tote and quickly walked the distance, entering to find a few people there already, including two faces she sort of recognized but wasn't sure about. One was a woman with a rather commanding presence and Emma thought she resembled someone she had seen in a magazine somewhere though she couldn't place the name right away.

The other, well a memory of a visit to the Ministry offices in Melbourne one day some months ago came to mind. There had been a gentleman there who had kindly assisted her when she had gotten lost trying to find the right office. But he had not had a beard of any kind so Emma was sure it could not be the same man. But there was enough resemblance to remind her of that day. Since Tiffany was already busy helping him, Emma took off her raincoat and sat at a table not far away and just waited, taking out her knitting to work on as she waited.

[Dunena Reid]

Dunena was seated in the cafe watching the exchange between the two woman and Fifi LaRoux when another person enter the cafe soaked in the rain he could not place the face it was then the plump woman asked him for his order
"Umm yes I would like the soup umm the banana bread and and a very strong black coffee Please"
Dunena waited a few moments the decided to ask weather he could get a ashtray. he really need to smoker or some thing
"Umm can I get an ashtray?" Dunena asked he hoped that she would not be to upset about him wanting to smoke inside given all the rain outside.
Dunena was still thinking about Bill and Ted (the Llamas) and how they are copping with out smokes as he did not dare leave any there for fear some one might see the butts and put the pieces together and use them against him to bring him out in to the open and kill him.
Time to try and find out about some ministry news and what the plan was with the French ministry and Australia was there some plan to get out of pottermore or are they all working together. he placed his hand in front of his mouth in very thoughtfully way.
"so Miss LaRoux staying in Oz much longer as those ministry meeting can tend to drag can't they?" Dunena hope to get as much information for his next broadcast as he should since this opportunity had just fallen into his lap so early.

[Fifi LaRoux]

There was two types of people in the world, those who walked into a room and those who entered a room. Fifi was forever one of the second, from the moment she stepped into the establishment her eyes did a quick wip around to insure that everything was as expected. The not so welcome sight of Mr Reid was not expected but worse was the attention of the woman.. Tiffany Marty had called her. How plain. "Ai see.." Fifi just said, not wanting to go into defail as to why exactly she was tracking down a Muggle, no doubt the papers would have been curious to know that France's top Hit Witch's current assignment seemed to be a mild mannered American Muggle. Disappointment with the setback Fifi cast a seemingly casual glance towards Dunena Reid before turning her attention to the ever so intriguing young woman. It seemed the girl was modest too, Fifi was caught short as the girl spoke and Tiffany glanced between her and the one named Tiffany. A rather red faced overweight woman, she did her best to hold her tongue while said woman spoke before giving a curt nod. "Indeed.. one hardly counts following trends as style.. now you must tell moi all about yourself Miss.. Polly?" and like that Fifi had sat down, put her handbag on the table and crossed her legs as if everything else was just a background to her far more important conversation with young Polly.

Of course there was the waitress, Fifi had noticed 'the look' when she'd walked in, neither had she appreciated the foolish woman speaking her name to the room at large. Still it had it's advantages "A café noisette.. not too hot and with a extra drop of creme if you would please" Fifi told the waitress with a flick of her hand. Normal people read menus, Fifi didn't need menu's just a good stare and a well placed name drop would ensure her service would always be second to none. It wasn't hard out here in the 'new world' there was so few wizards of note that it had been all to easy to step into the public face of Fifi LaRoux and enjoy the attention of the world at large. Casting a glance at a young woman with blond hair Fifi thought a moment of her sister, but only a moment before that oaf spoke up. Dunena Reid, how large his voice was in her thoughts and how troublesome he'd made himself to the wrong people. What a spate of bad luck to have him here of all the places in the world. Uncrossing her legs carefully she turned around, pushing her sunglasses down just a inch to make a show of looking at him "Mr Reid, that beard is hardly flattering. Ai am afraid Ai cannot answer any questions at this moment.. unless your little radio program does wish to buy out W. Weekly's exclusivity contract" Fifi fluttered her eyelashes at him before rudely turning her back on the man. "Men today, they are so needy" Fifi stated as she turned back around to find her coffee. A careful sip later and satisfied Fifi still couldn't help but wonder where it was that Marty had gotten to. That strange Muggle man, but of course she'd traced dark wizards, cruel men corrupted by magic.. surely one Muggle couldn't be that hard to find?

[GuestGuest]

Polly never thought of herself as a fashion plate. She had no idea what was ever popular or what was ever 'in'. Her shopping method was simple, if it had bows it was purchased. She also had not recognized the woman until Tiffany mentioned her name and then only to be really excited for Tiffany at the compliments she was sure Fifi was paying her friend. Even with the trend comment, Polly had no clue it was supposed insulting to Tiffany. "Oh, I know! It's why I love the way Tiffany will wear things no one else has here! She's so ahead of the times and in such a good way!" Yes, Polly was definitely not going to give up her loyalty to her bestevahfriendevah. Siamese twins couldn't have been closer. Even with her friend's insistence that it was Polly the woman was referring to, she added, "Oh no, Tiff. You're always wearing such wonderful outfits!"

Though at the question about telling about herself, Polly did blush a bit and looked over to Tiffany again, not sure what to do but started hesitantly. "Not much to tell. Raised in Melbourne when my parents came here. Mum worked in the cinema. I now work in the cinema. And Tiffany is my best friend, like the sister I never had!" Yes, yes, rather descriptive and continuing on rather clueless, Polly asked, "And you ma'am? You work in Melbourne?" Since she had not seen her around Drouin at all, Polly figured she must live and work in Melbourne, that is until the bearded gentleman spoke up and the words W. Weekly came out of the woman's mouth. Polly had seen the recent issue and realized just who was raving over Tiffany's style. Fifi LaRoux! "Oh my! You are THE Miss La..." her gushing interrupted by the flowing skinny cinnamon dulce latte she had knocked over in her excitement and recognition with her hands as she talked, the drink flowing wildly over the table.

[Tiffany Fumberger]

Tiffany was red in the face when Fifi LaRoux spoke about her.. such cruel words! But Tiffany guessed it wasn't surprising since she was hardly a style icon. Her mother had always said she was mutton trying to dress as spring lamb and today more then any other day Tiffany felt every bit a unwanted castoff probably found in the bottom of a barrel somewhere that nobody would touch with a ten foot pole. Oh life was so cruel. Tiffany had read all about Fifi LaRoux and knew that she could be 'stern' but never in a million years had she expected to meet the woman face to face. She was certainly shorter in real life too. "Polly dear.. it's okay.. I'm sure Miss LaRoux knows best.." Tiffany managed to force herself to say. After all rude or not Miss LaRoux was a customer and they where always right.. always... "Coming right up Miss LaRoux.." Tiffany muttered as she turned her back on the woman and passed the order onto Paige to prepare while she handled the other customer.


It didn't take more then a second to discern that he was American, after all his accent was quite strong. "Lets see Soup of the day, banana bread and the soup comes with a special two dollar bottomless cup of coffee.. will that be all for today?" Tiffany asked as she tallied up the bill. Shaking her head Tiffany felt a little sorry for the man as she replied to his question "I'm sorry.. but you cannot smoke in here.. it's the law" Tiffany explained. Not that the law really meant all that much, Basil had never allowed people to smoke in the Cafe even before the new smoking laws had been brought in. "That will be eleven dollars and ten cents" she said as she wrote the number down and ripped off the bill to place on the table. "Just come up to the front counter to pay when you're ready" she explained with a warm smile as she saw Emma walk in. "I won't be a minute Emma.." My how busy her day had gotten all of a sudden! However not all was to her liking as it seemed the American too was knowledgeable about Fifi LaRoux. Tiffany was a hopeless gossip and eavesdropper but quite frankly she'd had enough of Miss LaRoux after the first couple of moments for a lifetime. Alas as she collected the drink for the woman and set it down on the table Tiffany knew even without it being said that despite the effort Miss LaRoux wouldn't be paying her bill. Lucky that the french woman only wished for a drink for surely there was not much that could be messed up with that?

..except that said drink was no sooner placed down then it was split all over the place.. "Oh dear Polly.. are you quite all right?.. oh and Miss LaRoux.. I'm so sorry.. Paige will make you a fresh coffee right away.." Tiffany stopped talking as Peter walked in with a tray, utterly oblivious to the famous Hit Witch currently gracing the cafe. "Oh Peter.. do straighten up a bit won't you..?" Tiffany pleaded at the sight of his tshirt and flour stained clothes.. no doubt Miss LaRoux would have a lot to say about that! With a sigh Tiffany took the tray laid out with Dunena's order and after seeing that they where set neatly before the man went with a sigh of relief to take Emma's order.. finally someone she knew! Tiffany was nearing her breaking point when it came to Miss LaRoux, Fancy her coming in like this and trying to take Polly away! It just wasn't right! But putting on a brave face Tiffany gave Emma a smile "What would you be having today dear? I'm sorry for the delay.." Tiffany couldn't help a small glance back in Fifi LaRoux's direction.. after all it was all the woman's fault that Tiffany was at the end of her nerves. To think she'd actually read all of the spread on Miss LaRoux and they had never mentioned that she was a horribly rude woman. Difficult yes, rude not at all. It just went to show that not everything in magazines was true after all.

[GuestGuest]

It had been a long and tedious few weeks. Not much time for going places and not much time for being with others, even though he had managed to carve some time out for that one special person he had found in his life. But the last of the papers were submitted, the last of the arguments given before the courts, the wig and robe hung up for at least a few days and the barrister was free for the rest of the day. It was no surprise he made quick time of the drive back to Drouin and a small coffee shop for lunch. Maybe there were others there. Maybe it would just be watching from afar, but he knew that the most beautiful woman in the world was there and he was in the mood to see her. Okay so maybe he was always in the mood to see her but at this moment, he also had time and the freedom of no schedule for the rest of the day to do so!

The drive seemed to take forever this time as the anticipation of who waited at the end grew, the current issue of Witch Weekly tossed in the backseat from the last time they had a few minutes together, his tie no longer around his neck, tossed back there as well, shirt collar open. Gerard parked the BMW with practiced ease in the nearest available space near The Bluebird Cafe.

He walked into the Bluebird like he was walking onto a yacht
His hair had strategically dipped above one eye
He wore no scarf of apricot
He had one eye on that table as he strode across the floor and

She might have been so vain, she probably thought he was looking at her

But Emma knew who he was looking at and grinned as Gerard called out "Afternoon, gorgeous," before slipping his arm around Tiffany for a quick hug as he grinned at her reaction. "It's all done but waiting for the verdict," he told her, feeling more relaxed than he had for a few weeks.

[Dunena Reid]

Dunena sat there as the rather lovely woman took his order and then LaRoux spoke.
'how did she know it was him?' the goatee was amazing he loved it, it made him look different.
" I'm not sure what you mean madam" Dunena advised her.
He pulled out his wallet and got out 15 dollars to pay for the meal he then pulled his brief case and grab the paper sent to him by Smoking not so Anonymous Joe from the Amarican Ministry of Magic in DC.
The paper were mostly crap but as he went throgh them he came across a ledger that had names of spells and potion followed by a price and then a name.
Dunena kept going throgh those papers they were some how going to get Frump for his house and this need to hide from the hit man.

[GuestGuest]

Emma rolled her eyes at Gerard's exuberant greeting of Tiffany, half expecting him to sweep the woman off her feet into a spin and laughed a bit, glad to see her cousin more relaxed than he had been since this situation had started. Of course, she was fairly sure none of the other barristers working on it had been any less tense either but it was necessary work and they would hopefully make things better because of it. Leaving the pair to their greetings, Emma's attention returned to the the words the stranger had spoken to the gentleman with the beard.

'Mr. Reid'

Though he seemed to refuse to admit it by his response, Emma continued to stare at him for a few minutes as he pulled documents out of his briefcase and eventually, rose from her seat and walked over to the table. "You are him. You're the man that helped me several months ago at the ministry," she commented. "I never had a chance to thank you, Mr. Reid."

[Fifi LaRoux]

"Why yes.. Ai am sure that it must not be difficult to be at the cusp of style in such a small..dwelling" Fifi's natural instinct was to use some rather less polite words in term of the nothing village that had on first and second visit offered nothing in terms of a ounce of class. How it was that this girl had managed to use what little inspiration was testament to what Fifi's imagination was already seeing once the poor child was given access to a proper wardrobe and stylist. Indeed it was a relief when the bothersome waitress went away and Fifi was able to finally get down to business. "Oh do not be so shy child.." she teased gently.. or well in a way that she thought was gentle. To Fifi it was almost selfless charity in her mind to do what she could to rescue the girl from such a dreary little drab world. "now then, Ai must say you just need to meet ze right kind of people and there will be no end to ze friends you can have". Fifi mentally shuddered, to be stuck with such a well.. ungracious woman as that Tiffany for companionship would be a circle of hell surely?

Of course being such a meek person Fifi didn't at all leap on the chance to talk about herself, even with the infuriating Mr Reid present. "Ai have business in Melbourne yes but my dear that iz just ze beginning.. Paris, Rome, London.. New York.." Fifi cast a glance towards Mr Reid at the mention of his home town. "Milan.. et patati et patata" Fifi waved her hand vaguely, after awhile the names did not matter so much, Paris would always be the jewel with little need to move beyond but for the ever pressing affairs of her work and maintaining her image. Speaking of which just what was it that Mr Reid was trying to play with that horrible goatee? "No doubt you do not know Mr Reid would surely have better judgement then to think a mere piece of facial hair could disguise his.. je ne sais quoi" she called back at Mr Reid, a quick glance noting the wallet, briefcase and a glance after confirming the papers that he appeared to be reading. How interesting, Fifi knew her keepers as they where would be pleased to know that Mr Reid was still very much alive, well and on what she could guess would be the correct path. No distractions, that was the motto and while there had been slips Fifi knew that it wouldn't take much to ensure a man such as he co-operated. She allowed herself a small smirk, pretending that she was enjoying the drink.. which wasn't a moment too soon as turning her head sharply to return her attention to Polly saying something the drink went splashing all over the table and dripping on her lap.

Fifi's fingers involuntary curled, nails biting into her palms as she took a slow breath. Do not lose your temper.. she couldn't afford to lose her temper in front of these class of people even if the feeling of the hot coffee soaking though her skirt made her want to scream and set fire to the entire horrible little parody of a cafe. Deep breath.. relax.. it was only a accident.. don't hex the stupid dumpy faced waitress babbling and promising a replacement. Not that she cared at all but the last thing she needed was to cause a scene and scare away this intriguing young Polly O'Brien from Melbourne. Tact was required, Fifi didn't like to fall to tact but she held herself stiffly then nodded that yes she was that Fifi LaRoux. Now what came next? Oh yes a joke or light expression to improve the mood was a common thing. Fifi pushed her chair out slightly to inspect the damage, tutting over her ruined skirt as she picked at the stained fabric. "It does seem that this is a very messy town" Fifi just muttered to herself in memory of her first visit to Drouin.

Of course who would walk in but a man in a suit, broad shouldered, hair neatly parted and a good natured smile upon his face. Fifi smirked at the greeting, why of course she was gorgeous! and he wasn't too bad himself either. She didn't mind the older gentleman and his rugged good looks (and was that Prada?) where a blessed change from the Australian Minister who had all the charm of a rutting bull. Of course she hadn't been idle in her time, she read the newspapers and so it didn't take long to put a name to a face.. Mr Hunter.. from England, Queens Council and a Muggle working with the old firm ties back in London to Muggles United.. how quaint! The Minister had certainly had some interesting words to say about him. None however mentioned his complete, and utter, lack in taste of women.. Fifi felt suddenly nauseous. How disgusting! Oh if Mr Hunter kissed that Tiffany why she would just have to keel over and die here! It was just too much for Fifi, turning back to Polly she stood up and made the best of bushing off her clothes "Ai do believe things have become a bit too.. common" the word on her lips spoken on a level of a unspeakable disease. Digging though her pockets she found a card and slipped it on the table.

~ Fifi LaRoux ~

"Adieu Miss Polly..do send a owl.. they will know where to fine moi" she said tapping her finger on the enchanted card before collecting her things and heading for the door. "Farewell Mr Reid.. I do look forward to your next little Radio Show.." and with that she was gone, slipping out the door and into the street with only time to admire the BMW Automobile before turning her head and walking the short distance to a place where she could use her porkey to go home.. finally to France with time to clear her head of all these thoughts running about in it before no doubt her bosses would wish to have her report on the days interesting developments. Such was life though when you where Fifi LaRoux.

[GuestGuest]

Polly was flustered to no end. Here she was sitting at a table with a famous person and Tiffany was suddenly busy and unable to join them too. She looked over at her best friend with an almost pleading look because, for as much as Polly was relaxed as she greeted any and all at the cinema, even strangers, this was different. After all, this was not just any stranger, this was an important stranger, the famous Fifi LaRoux! "Tiff?" she squeaked out but business had picked up and Tiffany was taking care of the new arrivals. Even though it seemed Miss LaRoux was reassuring, it was hard not to be shy for Polly. She simply resorted to nodding her head at what the fashion elite across from her was saying. Well, except for when she was profusely apologizing for dumping the drink all over her. "Oh I'm so sorry.. I didn't mean.. Accident..." as Tiffany came to Polly's rescue and she flashed her friend a rather grateful smile of thanks.

Oddly enough, Polly's nerves managed to calm down a bit as one Gerard Hunter, Q. C. arrived at the cafe and headed straight for the one woman that held his attention, Tiffany. She giggled as she heard him greet her friend and managed to blush and laugh as her friend found herself in what appeared to be a very romantic kiss. Unfortunately, by the time it was over, Miss La Roux was leaving her card and leaving the shop. Polly sighed and looked at the card on the table. She'd ask Tiffany what to do later.

[Dunena Reid]

Emma spoke to him but he was to busy to really here as he was far to busy trying to get fife to admit what she was really doing here. But alas she had seen thro his desgise
dam it, well no sense is ignoring a pretty lady Dunena place his papers away
"well miss LaRoux i do not wish to wast thy money, it was Emma was it not and it is i that should Thank you, you add some beauty to and another wise drab halls of that building" Dunena tip his head at Emma as Fifi abandon the building.
"well it seams that the self obsess have left us perhaps Emma you will find time to join me for a meal one day soon " Dunena asked Emma as he took a bite of his fresh banana bread that had been deliver to his table.

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