Victory, anyone? (Gabby and Dahlia)

[Dahlia Alexander]

Dahlia walked into the cafe with a satisfied smirk curving her lips. She had just pulled off the coup of the century, and no one even knew it yet.

She'd learned about the vacancy at the Daily Prophet through the grapevine, so she'd walked in and comandeered a position. And, since it wasn't made immediately clear what the position was, she'd gone ahead and taken the one she wanted. Besides, that little Gabby girl wasn't getting much action anyway. They should thank her for pushing the girl out of the way.

Speaking of the girl, Dahlia thought. She doubted the kid would have any clue who she was, so Dahlia walked brazenly in and ordered a hot cocoa with whipped topping and a croissant. "Light on the butter, and no flakes on the cocoa, hm?"

[Gabby Brocklehurst]

Gabby looked up as the woman entered the shop. After she had ordered Gabby smiled innocently at her, as she didn't like her manner. "Coming right up" she said sweetly as she went into the kitchen to prepare everything. Gabby came back out again, floating the woman's order in front of her as she couldn't be bother to carry it. She lowered it to the table and blaced cutlery and anapkin next to it, "There you go" Gabby said, smiling again.

[Dahlia Alexander]

Dahlia gave a syrupy-sweet smile as she sat at a table. She gave one long, pointed glance around the empty room, then looked back at Gabby. "Not having much luck, are we?" she asked. Nothing like twisting the knife a bit. Dahlia shook out a napkin and laid it across her lap.

[Gabby Brocklehurst]

Gabby's face darkened slightly, but only for a second and it was too fast to notice. "Luck with what?" Gabby asked sweetly, playing the innocent.

[Dahlia Alexander]

Dahlia's eyes widened innocently. "Oh, you know," she said, gesturing vaguely with one hand. "Things in general. Word gets around, you know, and just look at the place." It was rather empty. "You should never be too proud for help. I'm sure there's any number of people who could give you some advice." Dahlia's glittering green eyes completely ruined her attempt at a straight face.

[Gabby Brocklehurst]

Gabby smiled although it didn't reach her eyes. "Oh i'm fine, I muddle along and Ryan's a help" she added.

[Dahlia Alexander]

Oh dear God. Dahlia had thrown the word advice at the girl, and it had gone straight over her head. What fun was it to toy with a mouse that didn't even know it had been caught? Dahlia's smile became downright patronizing. "I hear you used to write the advice column at the Prophet," she said casually.

[Gabby Brocklehurst]

~So this is where it was going~ Gabby had wondered when advice was mentioned. "I write the ocassional letter for it" She said, sitting down as she feared this was going to be a long conversation.

[Dahlia Alexander]

She didn't know. It was the only possibility. "I'm taking your column," Dahlia said at last. "If you only write the occasional letter, obviously you're doing something wrong." She gave a transparently vicious smile. "Besides, you don't need it. You have your darling little cafe and your helpful Ryan, don't you?"

[Gabby Brocklehurst]

Gabby dropped all pretence and looked at the woman seriously. "Look, how can I control how many letters I recieve, what do you suppose I do, make them up? That's dishonest and I shall not compromise my position." Gabby stood up. "I don't need it, but I like it and you will not take it." Her eyes were dark with anger and she was only just managing to hold it in. Gabby turned to walk away and said coldly, "A galleon and five sickles please."

[Dahlia Alexander]

"I haven't eaten yet," Dahlia said coolly. She crossed her legs under the table and set her foot swinging rhythmically. "If I thought you stood a chance, I'd fight you for it. Your advice versus mine, let the readers decide." Dahlia looked at Gabby slyly. "But I'm sure even your optimistic little mind wouldn't let you do something like that, would it?"

[Gabby Brocklehurst]

Gabby folded your arms, "I need to clean up the rubbish your talking, and I can't do it for free" Gabby said, referring to the money. "I'm up for the challenge as I know I will win. How can someone without a heart give advice" Gabby said disdainfully. Before the woman could reply Gabby turned on her heel and swept into the kitchen, the door slamming magiacally behind her. Gabby was fuming, but she knew that it wiuld just increase the woman's pleasure.

[Dahlia Alexander]

Dahlia rolled her eyes. How, indeed? She pulled out the requisite coins and dropped them on the table. "There, I've paid for your time!" she called. And since the girl hadn't actually kicked her out, Dahlia turned her attention to her food. She had all day, and Gabby couldn't possibly hide in the kitchen til closing.

[Gabby Brocklehurst]

Gabby stood fuming in the kitchen as she tried to calm down. It was hard though, this woman she had never met came in and was making ridiculous demands. Gabby took some slow deep breaths as she made a fire burn at the tip of her wand. She extinguished it and fixed a smile on her face. She left the kitchen and noticed the woman had left the money on the side of the table stalked over to pick it up without saying a word. She walked over to the till with measured steps and put the money in. She then busied herself by cleaning using her wand, the whole time ignoring the woman who was eating in there.

[Dahlia Alexander]

Dahlia entertained herself while she picked at her food by watching Gabby. She let the girl fume for a while, then set down her cup with a heavy clink. "So when would you like to have this challenge, hm? Say, next time you get a letter--assuming someone actually writes you--just send it on to me as well? Then we'll both answer it and see what the unwashed masses have to say." Dahlia peeled off a chunk of croissant and popped it casually into her mouth.