Disclaimer: I do not own the Quarter Scene Restaurant or any of the other ones that I mention in this fic. It is an awesome place to eat in Louisiana though. (( gotta love those independently run businesses that dominate the city.))
The two southerners slowly glided down the uneven pavement of the French Quarter. Remy had asked Marie if she wanted to take a cab, however, she insisted since the location was only a few short blocks and the evening climate was comfortable that they walk instead. Remy didn't mind at all. The journey was soundless at first before Remy began an ice breaking conversation.
" So mon cherie, how old are you?" he queried. Marie casually looked over to him and smiled. "Twenty, and yourself?" A smile beamed upon his face before he offered an indirect reply. "How old do you think I am?" Marie remained silent as she toyed with the question in her mind while her eyes gazed upon his visage. "Well, I would say maybe twenty-three or twenty-four." His eyes locked with hers before he gave her a sly grin. " Well den, deres your answer."
As Marie continued forward, Remy dislocated his coat from his upper body and placed it gingerly upon her shoulders. "Why did you do that?" She asked softly, slightly surprised by the act of chivalry. "Well, dere are some men out dere dat still practice chivalry you know. It's so sad that women act surprised when a man treats her like a queen, dat is how it always should be." A small giggle fled from Marie's lips. "Is that so?" Remy nodded rapidly before replying, "Well of course, women are truly wonderful beings. Can' stand a man dat treats a girl de wrong way. My papa and my aun' taught me so. " Marie listened intently and nodded in agreement. "Well I am glad to see that good manners are still taught."
"So Marie have you ever been to the quarter scene before?" Remy quizzed softly. "No, Ah heard it was good though." She replied as the couple arrived at their destination. The doors to the business gaped open as the host welcomed them inside. "Sit anywhere you would like." The host stated as he handed both a menu. "Dat seat over by de window suitable?" Marie nodded as he guided her through the active restaurant. Once the pair sat down a waiter placed half a loaf of French bread down upon the table along with two plates and a few individual containers of butter. " Can I take your drink orders?" the waiter inquired. "Water for meh." Marie replied before looking to Remy. "Make dat two." He replied. The waiter nodded as he took down the order then excused himself.
"So Cherie, what are you interested in? Surely such a beautiful woman as y're self is also incredibly gifted." Marie couldn't help but blush lightly at his statement. ' I wouldn't call my powers a gift or a talent.' She pondered to herself. "Well, Ah enjoy art, painting, especially oils and contemporary. Ah paint and do photography as well, and that includes the developing and enlarging process. Ah just graduated from beauty school about two years ago so I am a hair stylist. Sorry Ah know that must sound a bit lame..." Remy shook his head and smiled. "Actually Ah think it quite interesting. All of the activities you listed take a lot of time, skill and precision. I respect that a lot and I have a friend who does the same thing for a living and I realize it is more of an art then just a job. Ever worked with any important clientele?" Marie fumbled through her memory, trying to recall if she had ever done work for anyone significant. "Well I cut hair for a few Calvin Klein models for their photo shoot. Ah also learned a lot of techniques about photography, the company let me tag along to the shoot after Ah expressed interest. Enough about me though, let's talk about you for a minute." Remy laughed softly, "A line from Alanis Morsette." He mused.
(( ok yes I know that isn't what Marie does for a living but like I said this an AU fic and I like to make them ordinary every once in a while. I don't know why I see Marie being artsy but I just do. Also in the comic book series it has been rumored that her name is Marie D'Ancanto. This alters between which series you read. I know in X-treme it was flip flopped and she was known as Anna and an associate of hers was known as Marie D'Ancanto. Marvel make up your mind.))
"So what is it that you do for a living Remy?" Marie inquired. "I am really a jack of all trades, but I am a bit of an art expert..." Marie's eyes lit with interest. "Really, how did that come to be?" Remy cleared his throat softly and smirked. " Well, you could say it runs in de family." (( heh...well he isn't technically lying...but he isn't telling the truth either now is he?)) Remy studied his menu for a moment, as did Marie before she continued with her interrogation of questions. " So, what works of art have you seen or handled before?" Remy's grin only grew as he placed his menu down. "Dali, Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Da Vinci, Picasso, Klimpt...Monet, and I can' remember the rest. (( Yes, I enjoy art as well and so does my mother so that wasn't really hard to ramble off. If you have no idea who these people are I suggest you look up their works...they are truly interesting or beautiful. I say interesting on Dali's behalf.)) "Wow..." Marie breathed.
The waiter reproached with their drinks in hand and set them gently upon the table. He then removed his pad of paper from his apron and smiled kindly, "May I take your orders?" Remy gestured towards Marie. "Oh, umm I'll have the Cajun Chicken with a side of mashed potatoes." The waiter jotted it down swiftly then looked to Remy. "I'll take the Seasoned Catfish with a side of mashed potatoes as well."
"So where are we are we headed?" Betsy asked as Warren/Tobias escorted her outside. "Well, I thought maybe some dinner and dancing. My...boss is hosting a company party at one of the plantations. There is going to be some live jazz music and a dance floor. I figured we could catch a bite to eat on the way since all they are going to serve are cocktails." Betsy smiled warmly at Warren's/Tobias' suggestion. "Sounds like a wonderful plan, Warren" She said, curious to see if she noticed the difference in names. Oddly Warren paid no attention to his true name being spoken, instead he stepped away from her for a brief moment as he flagged down a cab. And opened the door for her. Betsy thanked him as she stepped in, Warren followed in suit.
"Where to man?" The cab driver asked as he looked over at the pair." 1403 Washington Avenue." Betsy decided now was not the best time to bring up the manner of his true identity so she played coy. "So where are we going?" She questioned. "There is this place called Commanders Place, I heard it was supposed to be excellent." The cab pulled away from the curb and began its journey down the street.
(( I don't own Commander's Place, and it is real and the address is where it really is located. I looked it up online. It is very elegant and has really intricate types of cooking, which I thought was fitting for Warren and Betsy for some reason. Anyway back to the story, the place is pretty, despite the name's appearance. ))
"So Warren what company do you work for again?" Betsy asked softly. Warren paused as she referred to him by his true name, knowing lies were useless against a telepath Warren began his confession. "Look Betsy, my name isn't Tobias and you're correct I am Warren Worthington III. I didn't tell you in the beginning because I have met too many women that only show an interest in me due to wealth. It grows irritating, so I decided to lie since you seemed so different. I hope you can forgive me, I only did it so we could get to know each other without materialistic things getting in the way."
Betsy lowered her head and blushed; she could understand the logic behind it. She felt slightly foolish for thinking he had other reasons but she was greatly mistaken. "I understand, and I am not mad. I was at first but now that you told me the truth behind it all I can completely understand. " Betsy's eyes then shifted to the cabdriver who was listening to a football game on his radio. Confirming he wasn't listening in she looked to Warren and spoke again. "It's like how I hide my abilities from the world, when people know it seems to be all that they focus on." Warren nodded his head and smiled. "Glad to see we're on the same page then."
"Still haven't told me what company you run..." Warren laughed softly. " It's a dull job really, I am the chairman of the board at my company, and principal stock holder of my company, called Worthington Industries. It's nothing interesting like your job. You said you were a child psychologist right?" Betsy verified his statement. "Nor is it nearly as satisfying. You help people, I really am just sort of a figure head." Betsy shook her head. "Well did you start the company yourself?" Warren nodded. "Then that is definitely dedicated work. If it is successful then I would definitely call that satisfying as well. "
"Hey buddy, we're here." The cabby announced as he turned to the couple. "$10.00 is your fair." Warren reached in and handed him fifteen before exiting the car. Warren shut the door and walked around to the other side and opened the door for Betsy, extending his hand out to hers. " Thank you love." Betsy cooed as she gripped his firm hand and stepped out of the car, shutting the door behind her. "I hope you're hungry Betsy." A small smile blossomed upon her lips as she slipped her hand behind his trench coat and rubbed his wing. "Starved."
To be continued...
(( sorry this fic hasn't gotten dramatic yet. I promise it will soon. I will hopefully be introducing our antagonists within the next few chapters. Please review.))