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Post by Mano Berwyn on Jun 24, 2015 12:35:08 GMT -5
Although most of Mano's time was spent working was in his shop in Valfirid, he did have to check in with his crew in Diagon Alley from time to time. He was sure Eros would never understand his interest in being so hands-on with his work, but since their extended honeymoon had ended Mano had actually been glad to get back to work. The mix and rush of people, the interesting faces and flirty transactions he couldn't resist. A simple golden band on his left ring finger was far from enough to stop the flow of flirtation that was a staple when he was in the cafe, whichever it was.
He chatted behind the counter with the location's manager, who was giving Mano a first-hand rundown of how Mano's newest additions were going. The honeymoon hadn't been entirely pleasure, after all. How could he have resisted testing some exotic pastries and ingredients to add to his collection when travelling the world? From the reports coming in from his two cafes, the work was paying off. Maybe he should look into expanding to Hogsmeade...
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Post by Caspian Catalyst on Jun 25, 2015 1:04:07 GMT -5
Evelyn had needed to get some shopping done and Cat hadn't been to Diagon Alley in ages, so here they were. Well, here he was. He had a paper bag with some odd potions ingredients inside, and some time to kill while his girl did her thing. Someone had pointed him toward the café and he hadn't had a thought for the owner. Of course, he'd never met the man, so why would it matter anyway?
He stood in a line that moved quickly enough, eying the menu as he did so and ignoring curious looks. He was used to them. When he got to the front, he had his order ready. "I'll have a grande masala chai, and a roast beef sandwich with chips." Maybe he'd get something sweet later.
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Post by Mano Berwyn on Jun 25, 2015 10:40:11 GMT -5
Mano glanced toward the customer during a lull in the conversation with the manager, then took a second look when he realized he recognized the man. He wasn't exactly easy to miss. "I've seen you around Valfirid," he said, nodding his head in greeting. Just because they'd never officially met didn't mean he couldn't be civil. He usually didn't see Valfirid residents in Diagon Alley, or the reverse. The girl at the counter started to ring up the man's order, but Mano waved her away to start preparing it and took over the job.
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Post by Caspian Catalyst on Jun 25, 2015 12:19:53 GMT -5
Cat gave half a shrug and a bit of a smile at the recognition. "I get around," he said. His coin pouch hung hidden amongst the scarves that hung from one side of his belt, and it only took a moment to dig out the necessary money and slide it onto the counter. "You aren't the owner, are you?" he asked, looking at the man. "I've heard about you."
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Post by Mano Berwyn on Jun 25, 2015 12:22:31 GMT -5
Mani grinned and nodded, his hair swinging loose from behind an ear. "That I am. Mano Berwyn, at your service," he said, giving a little pseudo-bow. "I'm always curious in hearing what people have said about me." It was usually good for a few minutes' worth of amusement, at least. Sometimes, like with Mallory, it resulted in more, but mostly it was just fun catching up on his own gossip.
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Post by Caspian Catalyst on Jun 25, 2015 13:42:05 GMT -5
Cat gave a bit of a laugh and shook his head. He might have heard more than most people, though not by much. A certain roommate of his didn't like to talk about her big brother. Cat let himself look at the guy a moment, trying to see any similarities between the two. "Just heard that you're friendly," Cat said.
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Post by Mano Berwyn on Jun 25, 2015 13:46:20 GMT -5
Mano chuckled at that and shrugged. "I suppose that's one way to put it," he said. Friendly. Well, he tried. "I hear some people talking about you, mostly girls from the university." His eyes drifted over the man, though he typically wasn't interested in such a look. Despite the ink and jewelry, Cat was an attractive one.
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Post by Caspian Catalyst on Jun 25, 2015 14:23:50 GMT -5
"Yeah, last I heard they're thinking of making the school mascot a leopard," Cat teased. He'd announced himself as the VU welcoming committee to two years of incoming freshmen, but he didn't own the place. He just... got around. "Ah, I oughtta get out of the way, but it was good meeting you." He gave the witch behind him an apologetic look that she wasn't quite certain what to do with, then stepped aside to wait for his food.
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Post by Mano Berwyn on Jun 25, 2015 14:33:12 GMT -5
Mano helped the witch behind Cat, giving her a flirt or two almost without thinking about it and sending a flush straight up to her graying roots, then the girl took over the register again as if it was perfectly normal for her employer to randomly take over for a customer or two. Well, it was. He plucked the man's drink from the preparation counter and handed it over. "So what brought you to Diagon Alley you couldn't find in Valfirid or the muggle town?" he asked, unwilling to let his prey disappear so soon.
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Post by Caspian Catalyst on Jun 25, 2015 14:43:51 GMT -5
"The potions shop and five feet three inches of sexy-ass witch," Cat said. He took a sip of his drink and gave an appreciative nod at the rich, spicy-sweet taste of it. "She wanted to try something from the beauty shop and the potions shop in Valfirid sucks compared to the one down the street." Cat leaned in slightly as though imparting a great secret. "The owner's a douche." With few, if any, redeeming qualities.
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Post by Mano Berwyn on Jun 25, 2015 14:53:59 GMT -5
Mano raised an eyebrow and leaned over the counter on his forearms. "Is that so?" he asked, keeping the low, conspiratorial tone. "He comes in my shop sometimes. Much more interested in this five feet three inches, though." His eyes clouded over briefly as his mind worked, then widened. "Wait, Evelyn. She was at a ball with...your brother?" He'd been thoroughly distracted by his reunion with Mallory and enjoying being out with his little secret marriage at the time.
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Post by Caspian Catalyst on Jun 25, 2015 15:18:02 GMT -5
Sh~. "He didn't get into trouble, did he?" Cat couldn't regret having stayed home that night, but he'd sure as hell talk to Castiel if the kid had done anything stupid. "And yeah, Evelyn. It's a small world, isn't it?" Even smaller when you threw Society into things. Cat shouldn't have been surprised that Mano would make the connection somehow.
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Post by Mano Berwyn on Jun 25, 2015 15:23:28 GMT -5
"No, he was...amusingly ideal," Mano said, his eyes glittered briefly at the memory of his brief encounters with the boy. "Evelyn danced with a friend of mine, she was actually his date to one of the balls his family threw. When you know as many people as Eros and I do, the world does indeed seem incredibly small. She is quite the catch." From what he'd heard from Eros, she had a lot more ink than she showed at balls, too.
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Post by Caspian Catalyst on Jun 25, 2015 15:41:31 GMT -5
"She is," Cat agreed. "We've been together like a year now and it's still not old." He glanced back into the room before returning his attention to Mano. "I'm gonna sit to eat," he said, "but I don't mind company." Plus, his sandwich had just come up and it looked like a two-hander.
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Post by Mano Berwyn on Jun 25, 2015 15:49:17 GMT -5
Mano gestured for Cat to lead the way, though he nodded toward a particular booth near a window as a suggestion. "Window seats are always worth taking," he said as he made his way out from behind the counter, grabbing a mug of warm, rich coffee as he went. At a window he could watch the street and measure the crowd, see who was passing by and take note of anything interesting.
It's still not old. He'd had long-term partners in the past, though never anything exclusive. Exclusivity had never been in his plans, but he had found it easier than expected. He sighed softly. The itch to spread out would probably come back to haunt him at some point. Thankfully, Eros was a generous god, and any itch shouldn't be a problem.
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