The Restaurant

The restaurant was yet another monument of art through architecture. I'm starting to think I've spent far to many days behind my books and a screen then actually going out to experience the very things I have read about. We walked through the large French wooden doors, hallowed in the center with a glass murky enough to block a view of the foyer from the outside. The lobby itself was nicely decorated in a more urbanized standard, with some of the nicest jazz I have ever had the pleasure of hearing being played live by a very dapper man and his group of 4 other instrumentals. In all modesty, The Queens Corridor was quite classy, but not quite enough to qualify as a black tie dress code.  Though some patrons did wear dressier clothing, Will and I blended in quite nicely with our semi-casual attire. My eyes wandered from wooden table to other leather chair, but remained fixated on none other than my date, William. He however, all dressed and composed, kept his eyes forward with his natural smile on his resting face as he glided through the corridor. He was consistently greeting waiters, waitresses, hosts and hostesses that I can only assume he's made the acquaintance of by frequenting the establishment. I never felt out of place though, as he made it some sort of objective of his to remain within a close proximity of me, often times giving my arm a light tap if he were to change direction suddenly and request me to follow suit.

We were seated promptly on the upper floor, as the restaurant was split into three floors, the main floor being the bar, the basement some sort of party club based on the music and lights that escaped at the opening of its vault-like doors, and the upstairs, where all the fine dining took place. When we sat at our table, across from each other as should be, that was the only time I felt somewhat isolated. I always loved fine dining, not to say I'm expensive or high class, but I'm just into the nicer old things in life like the Victorian age of Britain.  Some say I'm an 'old-soul' yet I feel as if everything I encounter on the daily just seems to be new, despite how many times I may have seen it. However, the reason I felt isolated was due to my mannerisms. I wasn't raised by a silver spoon, but I had taught myself how to act high class through literature, all the way down to how I talk. Yet, with Will, it seemed he just naturally had it born into him. Like his very blood was laced with gold and his voice muffled under royal velvet. He sat so gracefully and had a smile of a charming Count, talked gingerly and carefully and placed all the table settings in proper order while I could barely keep up with the napkin on my lap. He never said anything of it, and neither did I, but it was so indirectly obvious how natural this type of lifestyle was to him, and relatively how it wasn't for me.

I had almost placed my order, once again the cheapest thing I could find with a modest sounding flavour, the 'royal fisher's chips'. Despite Will's proposal of modest pricing, I should've expected that his 'modest' was slightly off from mine, as this price range was rather steep for a minimum wage maker such as myself. Just as I placed my order, I got the same look from Will as I had been given at the cafe. I put down my menu sighing,"You can't tell me this fish tastes like liquorice cause I would be quite thoroughly confused at such a possibility." He laughed into his napkin after wiping the wine from his lips," 'Thoroughly confused' " He quoted me, letting the words simmer in his smile like he was trying to detect the flavour of a fine scotch,"I like that phrase. An odd combination, but definitely makes a statement! And no, the fish doesn't taste like liquorice." I chuckled a bit and picked my menu back up,"Then what was that look for?" He gave me a sly side eye, pretending he was looking out the window at the view, hoping I couldn't read whatever intent his eyes were hiding,"Just making sure you ordered what you genuinely wanted, that's all." I lifted my glass of ginger ale, that I insisted be put in a wine glass as to further shorten the gap between us,"I love fish and chips, and where better to get it then in good ol' England?" I tried my best at a British accent, but judging by his rather blatant scoff I could tell the last six months of being here had not yet consumed me in the culture. 

The dinner arrived not too shortly after I had finished my first drink, I had always had the bad habit of filling up on liquids and spoiling my meal, but I took extra caution today to drink slowly and enjoy every moment. I looked at the waiter, nodding my head graciously as he put down my meal in front of me. When I took a look at my plate, I was in shock to see the extravagant portions! It is a well known fact that fancy places give small portions, but this was not the case. My fish looked more like a small shark rather than a standard Halibut. This however, was great news to me, knowing I couldn't eat this all in one sitting, I would be able to take it home and have it for lunch tomorrow! How splendid! I shift my gaze slightly up, eyeing Will and his meal, a large steak medium done and a ceasar salad as the side. I too unfortunately had a side salad big enough to be deemed an appetizer in itself. I don't necessarily hate salad, I just hate vegetables in general. Horrible flavours camouflaged by bright pretty colours and hiding nutritious treasures. I eat them often despite my disdain for them. This is due to the fact they're cheap and carry necessary supplements for basic human functions, but I can never become accustomed to their flavours. My new beverage was brought within seconds of the meals, sitting on the coaster as it dripped with the condensation forming between the ice cold drink and our warm hot meals. I mimic Will's etiquette and prepare my napkin, grab my knife and fork. Time to dine. 

We had been almost halfway into our meal with minimal conversation when a snowflake visited our window,"Snow already? Your weather may just be worse than Canada!" I stated that with a little hint of sarcasm in my breath, thinking back to his previous mockery. Will looked out at the snowflake and nodded as if he was giving the snow a stamp of approval to fall down,"Ya, this time of year can be quite unpredictable when it comes to the weather. Then again, the holidays are just around the corner." I looked at my little snowflake friend as he melted into a drip similar to that on my drink. Christmas was just around the corner, and I had been wondering what I might do this year. Surely I'd watch the Christmas marathons like every year that was certain, but what about Christmas Day? I suppose take an extra long nap, as no stores were open. "You plan on travelling back home to visit the folks?" My face must of given off my confusion,"Well you did tell me you guys were on odd terms with you moving for school, but everyone puts that aside at least for the holidays no?" I shook my head nonchalantly, "I haven't celebrated the holidays with my family in three years Will." I put down my fork, the rattle stinging my nerves. I had become accustomed to being my own person, but explaining it to people is always a hassle. The sympathy, the pity, and the overwhelming advice on how I should handle my life is just too much for me to stomach."Three years? But you're only 19." He stared quite perplexed,"I'm well aware of that Will." I looked down at my nails, how ugly they've gotten from me gnawing on them constantly. I really must book a manicure soon."Mason, why haven't you been with your family for three years?" He reached his hand over the table with concern and laid it on mine. His stare of sympathy was burning my skull on contact and his hand felt venomous to the touch, but luckily I had learned to handle my poisons,"I left when I was 16. We had very differing views on important topics. Strong feelings of disdain formed between my parents and I, and that bred issues at home that I just wasn't willing to deal with.  So, I grew up. I got a job, a home, a whole life without them. And now I'm here in good ol England!" I gave my best facade smile as I took my hand back from under his, grabbing my drink and pressing it to my lips, the cold drops biting at my cuticles. I put down the drink and looked back over at Will, his eyes looking down at his plate as if it were a puzzle he was ready to give up on. He looked back up at me with concern, but it quickly was washed over with a light-hearted acceptance. His face softened and he returned to his meal. Now I was the baffled one. What had I said this time that made it so easy? Maybe a short explanation answered enough questions that they could piece together the rest? I put down my napkin and thought of something to quickly turn the subject around before the questions could bubble out of his cauldron mind,"What about you Will? What are your plans over the holidays?" He set down his knife, looking up at me as if what just happened was many years ago,"I go home and spend time with the family. I may not agree with them all to much, but I still love them." I nodded, nipping the bud of envy deep in my stomach before it could ever bloom, tossing it's dead corpse in the pile,"That sounds very lovely, any traditions you British folk have?" He cracked that angelic smile of his as he picked up his wine once more, "My siblings and I have a race at the skating rink near our house. Every year my brother wins, but I've been training secretly.". He whispered this across the table as if it was a matter of national security. I couldn't help but laugh at such a serious face, and he returned it by putting his finger to his lips, "It's our secret". Now the drops of water came straight from my eyes and into my drink as we laughed the night away together.

The waiter had brought me my to-go container and I began to load in nearly half of the Megalodon into it. I asked for the bill after packing away my future lunch and got out my money accordingly. The waiter came back and looked at my money dumbfounded, in which I returned an equally confused gaze. Surely he wasn't expecting a travellers check? "Thank you Ramone, that will be all." I turn to Will curiously as he dismisses our waiter, the British pounds held in my hand like I was being painted for the Renaissance,"Why didn't he take my money?" He smiled at me as if he had won a game I was unaware we were playing, "I had already paid for our tab prior to our dinner. Surely you didn't think I'd invite you to dinner and expect you to pay for your own food?" Checkmate. I had been fooled! And to think I had accredited his lack of opposition as merely him accepting my independence. I put my money in my pocket defeated and stood up as he handed me my coat,"I pay next time, understood?" He smiled as he patted down my coat shoulders and leaned in towards my ear,"I'm happy that we both agree that there will be a next time." I covered my mouth, but the burning in my ears had exposed me. I jumped the gun didn't I? "And If you insist, you can pay on the third date," He turned to me as he held open the glorious doors of this little banquet, "Maybe." He smirked, and I could feel myself melting as I walked through the door. If it weren't for the cool air I'm sure I would of been reduced to nothing but a puddle before we could even get to his car. How quiet such a busy city could be at sunset. The wind had a hint of nostalgia in it, I could smell my old home from my childhood. Not sure when in my childhood, but the scent was gone as quick as it had came, leaving me to appreciate the sight of it dancing in the leaves. As we drove back he told me of various other traditions his family does. Things like tea roulette, where one tea has a spice mixed in, and only the one who drinks it will find out how spicy. I kept listening to his little tales of family shenanigans and looked out the window, seeing that the moon had began to crescent just slightly. It would seem that Mr. Moonman was beginning to take an interest in my life once again. I turned and looked at William, laughing away at his own jokes, and realized that I too, was becoming interested in my life once again.

Inevitably, we pulled up in front of my loft. The ride had seemed longer to the restaurant, and truthfully I had wished it was longer coming back. I got out of the car accompanied by Will, who insisted on walking me the mere five steps to my front door. I turned around as I unlocked it, the urge to invite him in for a drink was strong, but I had no intent of rushing any of this. I smiled as I held my carton of food awkwardly, placing it on my windowsill and turning back to Will,"Thank you for the dinner Will, I had an amazing time. However, I do insist I pay next time." I tried my best to look stern, but his smile invoked mine. "Maybe you will, maybe not. How about we leave that to fate?" Such a simple answer, yet the meaning was more than words. He embraced me slowly, and I to him. It wasn't sudden like the movies, but a mutual development. Not awkward, just casual. We remained like that for a few moments till he pulled back, his arms still on my sides. "My apologies, I didn't intend on doing that for so long." This sheepish side of him was rare, and valued as such to me, "Nonsense. A hug isn't a hug unless a heartbeat is shared. That's my philosophy." His uncertainty faded from him and he held me a bit longer, then he pulled his hands to his sides,"Goodnight Will, I'm sure you'll get a text from me shortly." He nodded like a child,"And the same pleasure to you Mason." I walked into my home and waited at the window, waving bye to him as he got into his car and drove off. 

After undressing, I sat on the couch for a quick breather, thankfully I had no classes tomorrow and didn't work till the afternoon, as the time was already one in the morning. I went to grab a drink and heard the doggy door swing shut. I look out my kitchen window to see Mycroft, sitting on the porch with his back turned to me, "I will adopt you one day Mycroft! You'll see! You will let me love you!" He looked back at me with the same apathetic look like always, leaping off into the garden. I sighed as I grabbed a soda from the fridge,"Darn Cat." I went and sat on my couch to see if any Christmas movies had started yet. Holidays, how joyful a time they are...well, were.