Louis' Steak and Oyster Bar

[Hollywood Heidi]

Louis' Steak and Oyster Bar

Upscale restaurant located just across from the pier in Storybrooke.

[Ariel]

Finnick pulled up with Vanessa in his shiny steed in the parkade of the well to do restaurant. Finnick was glowing from ear to ear, knowing that he did good. Hopping out of the car, Finnick zoomed around to the passenger's side and with a satisfying click of the door handle opened the door. "Look at this! High scale restaurant, beautiful sunset view of the water - perfect evening for a meeting!" Or a date.  He hadnt even taken his own wife to this new hot spot in town. But with his marriage troubles and stress of the daily grind, Finnick needed this night with Vanessa to boost his esteem even if it was a business matter. Finnick displayed a pompous grin as he extended his hand to Vanessa to escort her inside. 

[DarkSideCookie]

"Look at this! High scale restaurant, beautiful sunset view of the water - perfect evening for a meeting!"

"It's stunning, Finnick.", she responded with a smile, as she had a look at it, closing the passenger door behind.

To Vanessa, it was a thing of course the man taking her out for dinner opened the door for her. And so she accepted his hand with one of her plastic-looking smiles and let him lead her in. It was not her first time dining in such a restaurant but was it in this one. The gentleman at her side really had spared no expense.

Inside she remained at his side, waiting for him to care for their reservation, while she was busy with just looking good.

[Ariel]

"After you, Ms. Bennett,"

Finnick held the door open for this fellow collegue in business as they made a grand entrance into the restaurant. Walking up to the host station, Finnick became slightly bothered as there was no one present to assist them immediately. Finnick brought his hand down on the service bell that sat on the station and soon enough came a young host, dressed to the nines. "My goodness, Mr. Lorne! So sorry to keep you-" 

Finnick put a single hand up to silence the host who was now shaking in his own tie, knowing the importance of this newly arrived company, "We've been waiting long enough now-" Finnick peered down to look at the young man's name tag before looking back up at him with a smile of charisma, "-Sebastian. Now, table for two, seaside view and brighten up the lighting in here. Chop chop, young man!" Finnick demanded as the host was sent away in a frenzy. Finnick knew how to intimidate the town folk and he knew that if this timid young man wanted to keep his job, then he would have to make up for the lack of service. 

Within seconds the host returned, "Mr. Lorne, your table awaits."

The host lead Finnick and Vanessa to the table for two, and as promised seaside view with proper lighting. "Good lad," Finnick gave Sebastian a nod of approval before his next request, "Your best bottle of wine and hors d'oeuvres will do for now," Finnick said and with a few claps of his hands the boy was off running once more. Pulling Vanessa's chair out so that she could sit, he sat himself down as he gloated in his appearing importance. "So, where shall we begin?" 

[DarkSideCookie]

"My goodness, Mr. Lorne! So sorry to keep you-"

Vanessa theatrically rolled her eyes at the young host's apology. She could relate only too well to the annoyance of someone making you wait. Just now she had to think of this horrible Gail person, one of the waitresses in Granny's diner. If they wouldn't make the best coffee all around the town, she had made the decision to get it somewhere else long ago.

"Mr. Lorne, your table awaits.", the host returned after only seconds. At least here the staff wasn't as sluggish as in Granny's.

Vanessa let the host lead them to their table for two, not promised too much. The seaside view was stunning. Whenever she had a look at the sea, it got to soothe her mind, no matter what crap she had to put up with during the day.

"Good lad,""Your best bottle of wine and hors d'oeuvres will do for now," At that the host left them.

With a smile she took a seat in the chair Finnick had pulled out for her. This gentleman knew how to enter a lady's home, to coin a phrase.

"So, where shall we begin?"

"A man that comes straight to the point.", Vanessa joked with one real intense blink of her eye and a maybe accidentally lick of her lip. Because this lady knew how to let a gentleman enter her home.

[Ariel]

"A man that comes straight to the point.",

Finnick boastingly adjusted the tie that accented his dress shirt as his mouth flexed into a smug smile, " Well what can I say? I'm a man of business," Finnick stated as he put up a single hand to thank the waiter who came by to pour the bottled wine into their tall wine glasses, "And not only that, I'm a man of my word as well," and just like the devil himself, Finnick's complexion oozed with charm as he reached one hand into the inside pocket of his dark blazer and pulled out a little black book. "You requested I bring along this,  my lady?" Finnick held up the book for Vanessa's eyes to witness before he placed it down on the table between them.

[DarkSideCookie]

"Well what can I say? I'm a man of business," Vanessa gave him a smile at that, her eyes not even glancing at the approaching waiter out of their corner. "And not only that, I'm a man of my word as well,"

Vanessa's eyes were following, as Finnick produced the famous little black book out of the inside pocket of his blazer.

"You requested I bring along this, my lady?"

She guessed it was with him whenever he left the office though. He just seemed to be the type of man, that was all time prepared. But then, this whole date actually was about business... potentially.

When Finnick lowered the book in his hands and instead placed in on the table right between them, this time Vanessa didn't avert her gaze from his face. "A man straight to the point and of his word.", she joked with a flirtatious smile, as she raised the filled glass in front of her in his direction. "A drink to that."

[Ariel]

"A man straight to the point and of his word.", "A drink to that."

One hand resting on the book between them, Finnick swept up the glass full of wine next to him with his free hand. He raised his glass in mirror of Vanessa before basking in his smug delight.

" A toast to ... well,  great minds coming together to create success. May the feeble minded continue to envy our ever increasing levels of prosperity," And with a slight nod of the head, Finnick tipped his glass to Vanessa's before perching the glass to his lips and taking in a sip of wine. Sitting tall and proud, Finnick felt like he was in his element with Vanessa for it a nice change to be in the company of someone who possssed the same mind set as he did.

Placing the wine glass back on the table, Finnick cleared his throat lightly, folding his hands to rest on top of the book in his care. " So as you are ready to scratch my back, I am fully prepared to scratch yours. The deal here is that I am looking to expand my successfully growing empire and I believe that the investment is worthwhile. I am led to believe that others think the same. I'm sure you would have some recommendations on connections that might be interested in lending the ever talented Mr. Lorne a guided hand in the right direction?" Finnick grinned confidently as he knew that she would point Finnick in the right direction, with a price of course.

[DarkSideCookie]

When Finnick raised his glass with his free hand, her eyes were peeking at his other, still resting on the little black book between them, for one little moment. She was actually in quite a mood to make this appointment not professional only; but then again, business was what had brought them here, wasn't it?

"A toast to ..." Vanessa looked up back at his opposite, her lips raised to a lovely smile. "well, great minds coming together to create success. May the feeble minded continue to envy our ever increasing levels of prosperity,"

"Hear ye, hear ye!", she agreed, as their glasses met with a celebrating clinking sound. Vanessa took only one little sip of wine herself. With wine it was like with men; not this the older the better idiom but the way you enjoy both of them. Her smile even widened at that thought, before she replaced her glass on the table in front of her, almost at the same time as he did.

"So as you are ready to scratch my back, I am fully prepared to scratch yours. The deal here is that I am looking to expand my successfully growing empire and I believe that the investment is worthwhile. I am led to believe that others think the same. I'm sure you would have some recommendations on connections that might be interested in lending the ever talented Mr. Lorne a guided hand in the right direction?"

And then Vanessa slowly leaned back in her seat, not like leaving the conversation but like allowing it to go completely in the business direction; for the time being at least.

"Well, I've quite a repertoire of connections, just like you have. And why would I keep any of them from making business with one of the most talented men in town?" At that, she leaned forward once again. Also, in mind, she added that she would definitely keep some of them from coming into contact with a helpful man like Finnick. But that was not the point anyway.

"In fact", she added, as she let the tip of her forefinger slide over the rim of her glass. "I just have to think of this young woman who's still searching for someone to pimp up her whole property. And when I say whole property I mean a huge playground for investments." With one of her famous blinks, Vanessa raised the glass a second time, her eyes not breaking contact with Finnick's.

[Ariel]

"I just have to think of this young woman who's still searching for someone to pimp up her whole property. And when I say whole property I mean a huge playground for investments."

Swallowing the alcohol in his mouth, Finnick pointed a single finger as he gave nods of approval, "My dear, I love the way you think! A classic example of both brains and beauty sits before me," Finnick expressed delightfully as he placed the wine glass back on the table, his fingers resting on the stem, "Thus young lady must know that I will be on the job first thing tomorrow. As the most hireable and reputable there is a around this town, she surely won't be disappointed with my fine work." Finnick did have a spark of interest for his line of business, however his passion for a more than good investment was greater and although he would deal with clients firsthand, he would have his minions perform all the dirty work in hopes they may get a noble raise someday.

"And of course,  for your help is of a value. What is it that you desire out of this...business meeting, dear?" Finnick spoke rather slyly as he opened the palms of his hands to welcome any requests she might have for him to fulfill. He knew more than anyone that all things come with a price.

[DarkSideCookie]

"My dear, I love the way you think! A classic example of both brains and beauty sits before me,"

Just as expected. He rose to the bait. Vanessa let out a quiet chuckle of pretended gratitude, as the glass in her hand found its way back to the table. She was, in fact, absolutely aware of both, her brain and her beauty. But then again, who didn't enjoy listening to it over and over again?

"Thus young lady must know that I will be on the job first thing tomorrow. As the most hireable and reputable there is a around this town, she surely won't be disappointed with my fine work."

Aw, really first thing tomorrow? No, she didn't think so. A triumphant smile flashed over her facial features, probably getting misconstrued as an endorsement of his statement anyway. Not only did she think Finnick here was quite a cash, but also was she hoping for some time in the morning to have her own look inside his little black book. What's it called again? Ah yes; trust, but verify.

"And of course, for your help is of a value. What is it that you desire out of this...business meeting, dear?" Vanessa was just adjusting her lipstick, when she looked up at him again, closing the little makeup mirror with a snap.

"There is something I desire indeed.", she suddenly spoke in quite a seductive way, not even getting the idea of her ploy could fail and as a result making her lose her credibility. And then she went the full monty, which meant to accidentally create physical contact by flipping her leg a little and get in touch with his.

"Ooops", she apologized with a chuckle, pretending to sound abashed. "I'm sorry."

[Ariel]

"There is something I desire indeed,"

Finnick had been discreetly leaning in closer throughout the progress of the conversation at hand, falling into her seductive ways. His wife currently absent in his mind, Finnick was like putty in Vanessa's perfectly groomed claws. He wasn't a man to be so easily swayed unless considering the fact that there was something in it for him. And for a few slight moments that evening, the little self centered business man thought he had a shot with the most elegant woman in Storybrooke. 

Folding his hands in between them on the table, Finnick was about to spout his loyalties before he was stopped by a sudden touch of her leg brushing his.

"Ooops",. "I'm sorry."

She's totally into me. Who wouldn't be?.... Finnish thought to himself. Grinning slyly, he put his hand up to stop her apologies. Though he didn't tell her it was fine, that it was just a mistake. Even if it were truly a mistake on her part, Finnick wouldn't lie and say he didn't like it.

"Whatever you desire, I can provide. My services are all yours," Finnick's tone dipped to a lower, more seductive level as his eye contact remained on hers. He would get the deal, and the woman.

[DarkSideCookie]

Vanessa was aware of the fact that she was going to win. This fish was hooked, so to say. With one more look of abashment, Vanessa gave him the feeling that she'd be one of those brainless beauties; or at least not as brainy as she was in fact.

"Whatever you desire, I can provide. My services are all yours,", the seemingly quite interested man opposite her uttered, his voice adopting a more seductive sound as well.

Vanessa's abashed smile grew to one of great confidence once again. It was time for take-off. For some more moments, she remained silent, allowing the silence between them to become part of the game, before she bit by bit leaned forward in his direction. "This service is a little bit more of secret nature, so I don't want us to get eavesdropped, y'know?"

And with that Vanessa took also the last centimeters that were parting them, making sure that the initiative was coming from both instead of only her in every moment of their approaching. And then they finally had drawn close enough to each other so that this couldn't get called a business meeting anymore. But instead of allowing their lips to meet, hers reached for his ear ...

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***

Even though there was no magic in Storybrooke, it happened that sometimes objects, especially those locked away in Mr. Gold's shop, held something that could be called a residual magic. One of those was a shell that had left the shop just in the morning of this day. And it happened that this shell, a lovely voice, one that could make a witch look like a graceful lady, inherent inside, got to fall onto the ground, only a few streets away from this place, and broke into pieces. This was the moment when the magic within freed itself and demanded back what once had been its. A voice for a voice.

***

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... Vanessa's lips almost touched Finnick's ear when she raised her voice to purr some sweet words into it, unbeknownst to herself that a change had already happened.

And so it came that, with the most disgusting voice one could think of, the intended words of sweetness and seductiveness came out quite contrasting.

"A night you never will forget."

The voice broke off as suddenly as it had raised, leaving Vanessa behind shell-shocked.

"What the hell...?", she gave it another try and yet again couldn't believe her ears. What was going on here??!!

[Ariel]

"This service is a little bit more of secret nature, so I don't want us to get eavesdropped, y'know?" 

Finnick knew very well where all of this was headed. He knew that this was no longer a business meeting, and he had no intention of stopping what was unraveling. He always said he was a man of his word, but one word he never seemed to be able to upkeep was the words to his wife. But Finnick had gone over Flora's attitude and nature, she didn't seem to care about him anymore. So here he was with Vanessa, about to break his word he had given to his wife. And in this moment, he couldn't seemed to been bothered.

Sitting rather still, Vanessa came to him as her face glided all the way up to his ear. Hoping she couldn't hear his heart thudding loudly against his chest,  Finnck remained composed as he awaited her sweet, seductive voice to enter in his giddy state.


"A night you never will forget."

A raspy grotesque voice surprised Finnick to the point where he jolted away from Vanessa and almost fell over on his char. A look of sheer horror overcame Finnick as he stared widely at his beautiful companion, unbelieving of what just came out of her mouth. The seductive ambiance faded into the night, leaving Finnick in an awkward position. 

"Uhh, I, Uhh," Finnick stumbled over his words as he stood up right, "...excuse me." At that moment, Finnick wasted no time as he ran out of the restaurant and to his car, leaving Vanessa behind with his little black book.

Back in his car, he managed to catch his breath. He replayed the whole evening in his head as he realized what he had almost done. "I'm sorry, Flora," he whispered to himself as he drove away from the restaurant. 

*** Finnick exits ***

[DarkSideCookie]

Vanessa actually didn't catch anything of Finnick's reaction to her changed voice, as she still was too busy with that herself. Again and again was she trying to get rid of that slip-up, or however else she should name what just had happened, with a clearing of her throat. But no matter how often she did, something seemed to have ruined the sound of her angel-like voice.

"...excuse me."

Vanessa didn't even look up when his perturbed companion was taking to his heels; instead, did she start to weep bitterly. Eventually, her head darted at the watching crowd around. "What the hell are you clowns staring at?", she clamored all of a sudden, whereupon everyone's eyes widened even more and at the same time hurried to look somewhere else immediately.

Her voice had broken off into another wave of howling before she pulled herself together at least a little bit. She was almost about to just leave when she realized not only the left-behind black book on the table right next to her but also the fact that she had been left behind as well - left behind with a bill to pay. Vanessa angrily produced some banknotes and literally threw them onto the table, obviously no one from the staff brave enough to complain about her behavior, before she grabbed the black book and rushed out of the restaurant.

On her way home Vanessa's eyes filled up with more tears. Not that she ever believed in something like karma, but was this supposed to be the prize for getting what she desired? Pshaw, nonsense! She let the book disappear in her handbag, aware of the fact that it would remain there until she would have paid the hospital a visit first thing tomorrow morning. Oh, and they better won't tell her they couldn't do anything for her! The premiere of her newest musical The Little Mermaid, with her in the role of Ariel, the mermaid herself, was in three days... Three days!
Oh, the doctors and nurses will better do a good job at Storybrooke's general hospital!

***Vanessa exits***

[Hollywood Heidi]

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The night passes and it is now Tuesday morning,

two days after the clock started moving.

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[Hollywood Heidi]

Gabriella had been up early and walking from business to business, making use of public announcement boards or clearing with the owner the posting of the fliers she'd printed when she'd gotten home late last night.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Will's Itty Bitty Wonderworld has suffered minor fire damage. William Robinson has been a kind and giving member of the community. Looking for volunteers who would like to show the same kind and giving spirit by helping with repairs and refurbishment so that he has a home and store to return to when released from hospital. Costs are covered.  Supplies and paints have been purchased. Additional tools and paint supplies would be helpful but it is your dedicated time and work that would be most appreciated. Work to begin noon Friday and continue at all hours throughout the weekend until completed. Volunteers are welcome to report for whatever times are convenient. Thank you.

[Hollywood Heidi]

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The rest of Tuesday passes uneventfully.


It is now Wednesday, October 26, 2011, early morning.


Three days after the clock started moving

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[Hollywood Heidi]

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The rest of Wednesday passes uneventfully.


It is now Thursday, October 27, 2011, early morning.


Four days after the clock started moving

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[Hollywood Heidi]

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Approximately nine hours later.

The early morning and afternoon have passed.

It is late afternoon of Thursday, October 27, 2011,

four days after the clock started moving.

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[Hollywood Heidi]

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Several hours pass.

It is late evening of Thursday, October 27, 2011,

still four days after the clock started moving.

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