Itinéraires Bistro

[The Exodus]

There is something inviting about Itinéraires. Maybe it's the strong aroma of French coffee and baking bread. Perhaps it's the warm beige and brown interior. Or maybe it's the way the staff's eyes sparkle. This is classic Parisian dining at its best. Perfect for lunch with the boss, coffee with your friends, or an intimate date night, Itinéraires captures the spirit of everyday elegance that makes Paris an inspirational point for so many.

[plantnerd92]

OOC: This is for Lori and Maksim! BIC:

Linnea Hepworth

Coming in through the doors, Linnea tossed her hair out of her face, and straightened the worn, 80's style denim jacket she was wearing as she walked up to the counter to order a cup o' Joe. With as much as she drank, she was pretty sure the inside of her stomach looked like tanned leather. But seriously. She was starting to get blood in her caffeine system, and that would just not do at all. She ordered, and took a seat with a magazine.

Linnea usually liked her coffee black, but this time she felt like she needed extra calories, and began dumping three things of amaretto creamer into her cup, and stirred, smiling as she took a sip, and cracked open the fashion magazine she was looking at. Nothing in it really suited her unique taste, but it was fun to see what sort of nonsense designers were coming up with this time.

[blueeyeddevil]

Maksim Volkov

Today was Maksim's first chance to actually go out and explore his new hometown. He planned on seeing all of the different landmarks that Paris was famous for and possibly meeting people outside of the businessmen who worked with him at the Rouge. It really didn't pay sometimes to be young in the business world. It certainly didn't make you many friends of your own age.

He had gotten up rather early in order to begin his little adventure but soon found himself regretting it. It was much to early be doing much of anything, at least not without coffee in his system. Coffee with amoretto creamer sounded delightful. Still, he was grumbling a few Russian curses under his breath as he entered the quaint little coffee shop.

He finally ordered his coffee, heading over to get some amaretto creamer when he saw that the basket labeled for those creamers was empty. Maksim almost let out another curse, but a young barista had noticed his problem. "Sorry sir but we're all out...I believe she took the last few," she said, motioning to a rather beautiful young woman with long dark hair who was sipping coffee and reading a magazine.

Maksim gave a tight smile to the barista, dumping in some hazlenut creamer instead as well a ton of sugar. He sighed and approached the young woman who was reading. "You owe me some amaretto creamer..." he said shortly, taking a sip of his coffee.

[plantnerd92]

Linnea Hepworth

"You owe me some amaretto creamer..." came a rather annoyed statement, snapping Linnea out of her reading, choking slightly on the sip of coffee she'd just taken. She looked up to see a dark haired young man watching her intently as he held his own cup. Linnea raised an incredulous eyebrow as she looked at him skeptically.

"Excuse me? I'm sorry mate, I didn't see any reservations on who the creamer belonged to. Finders keepers, Charlie." The Brit shot back smugly. Granted, his name probably wasn't Charlie, but Linnea called any man she didn't know by that name. It was just one of the quirks in her personality. "Run along now, that look on your face is souring my coffee."

[blueeyeddevil]

Maksim Volkov

Of course Maksim didn’t expect the woman to go out and buy him a thing of amaretto creamer or something. Even he knew there were limits to what you could make a stranger do. Still, he wanted her pay and heckling her until she at least apologized seemed like a good way to do it…he had very much been looking forward to his coffee with amaretto creamer and the hangover he had wasn’t really doing anything to improve his mood.

The woman looked rather taken back by his statement. "Excuse me? I'm sorry mate, I didn't see any reservations on who the creamer belonged to. Finders keepers, Charlie.” she said and Maksim narrowed his eyes at the nickname. "Run along now, that look on your face is souring my coffee."

Oh, she wanted him to leave, did she? Then annoying her would be easy…

“Actually, I think I rather like it right here,” he said, taking a seat right next to her. “Of course, you’re free to leave if you’d like. No one can make you stay.” Maksim shot her a sly smirk, lifting his coffee towards her in a sort of salute.

[plantnerd92]

OOC: Hehehehehehehe! BIC:

Linnea Hepworth

At her request for him to leave, the young man suddenly looked very smug, and Linnea had a feeling she knew what was coming.

"Actually, I think I rather like it right here," he stated, planting his fanny right on the seat beside her, making Linnea roll her eyes. "Of course, you're free to leave if you'd like. No one can make you stay." With a challenging smirk, he raised his coffee to hers tauntingly.

Oh that's how it was going to be, was it? Linnea never declined a challenge when offered, and she wasn't about to start now. She looked at him with a cool, sardonic gaze and shrugged. "Well, in that case, by all means. Always good to have a bit o' company, now wouldn't you agree? And to top it all off, you're funny accent amuses me," she drawled back at him, her own cockney accent threading through her words. And with that, she took a sip of her coffee, and once again picked up her magazine like she hadn't a care in the world. Suddenly, without looking up from her magazine, she spoke again. "Now how about a name? Unless you want me to continue calling you 'Charlie'. It's your call, mate." she said casually, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she read.

[blueeyeddevil]

Maksim Volkov

The woman tried to look as though him sitting next to her hadn't bothered her in the least, but her previous eyerolling had given her away. He knew it was a rather childish thing to do, but enjoying getting a rise out of her far too much. Already, this woman was one of the more interesting people he had met here in Paris. Her eyes met his in a cool gaze as she gave a shrug.

"Well, in that case, by all means. Always good to have a bit o' company, now wouldn't you agree? And to top it all off, you're funny accent amuses me," she said and Maksim smirked. Going for his accent now, huh? Very mature...though was he really one to talk? He had instigated a stand off, for heaven's sake.

"Yes, I suppose my accent does seem rather out of place around here," he murmured, voice lightly laced with sarcasm. "Though I truly enjoy your accent! It makes you sound so...sophisticated." His dark eyes danced in amusement, watching her as he took another drink of his coffee.

She picked up the magazine she had been reading earlier, going back to it like nothing had happened. He silently wish he had some reading material himself, but the original plan had simply been to go in and grab the off and get back out. This woman had thrown a wrench in that plan...but maybe this was better. "Now how about a name? Unless you want me to continue calling you 'Charlie'. It's your call, mate." she suddenly said, not looking up.

He was slightly surprised to hear her speak. "Maksim Volkov," he said. A hint of a grin played at the corners of his mouth. "Does that name suit you or do you find it as amusing as my accent," he wondered, sitting back in the chair and folding his arms over his chest.

[plantnerd92]

Linnea Hepworth

She knew she was being childish, but Linnea had to admit that she was starting to enjoy this little interlude between her and this complete stranger. It was quite entertaining, to say the least.

"Yes, I suppose my accent does seem rather out of place around here. Though I truly enjoy your accent! It makes you sound so... sophisticated," he drawled sarcastically, making Linnea snort with amusement just as she raised her coffee to her lips. Honestly, this was ridiculous! She inquired after his name.

"Maksim Volkov. Does that name suit you or do you find it amusing as my accent?" he asked, leaning back in his chair. Linnea looked up to see a slight grin tugging at Maksim's face, and she returned it with a sugary sweet smile.

"I'll leave that to your imagination, Comrade," she told him mischievously, before extending her hand to him. "Linnea Hepworth, at your service, Sir." she introduced herself, still lacking the soberness of one who normally interacts with strangers.

[blueeyeddevil]

Maksim Volkov

"I'll leave that to your imagination, Comrade," she murmured with a deceptively sweet smile. Maksim smirked at the small jab. "Comrade, hmm? Nicely played..." he thought amusedly. He took the hand she offered, shaking it politely, but somehow he didn't think this handshake meant any kind of truce in their little game.

"Linnea Hepworth, at your service, Sir." she introduced herself. Maksim gave a smile, nodding once in aknowledgment.

"At my service, you say," he mused. "Too bad that service doesn't seem to extend to you getting me more amaretto creamer..." He grinned again, showing her that it truly was all just a bit of teasing now. In fact, along with this entertaining conversation they were having, Maksim found that he was rather enjoying the hazlenut creamer in his coffee...who would have thought.

[plantnerd92]

Linnea Hepworth

"At my service, you say... Too bad that service doesn't seem to extend to you getting me more amaretto creamer..." Maksim teased her with a grin, Linnea smiled, shaking her head.

"Unfortunately, no. My services are limited," she told him simply, before laughing slightly, taking another sip of her coffee. "So. What brings you to Paris, Maksim? Have you been here long?" she asked. It was almost funny considering how they had been acting earlier, going from a childish standoff to polite chit-chat in a matter of minutes, but that's usually how things sat with Linnea and her generally abrasive personality. She had a good feeling about this one though. She wasn't sure why, but she had a feeling she'd be seeing much more of Maksim Volkov in her future.

For one, he wasn't scared off by her aggressive attitude. That was usually a turnoff for most people.

"I'm guessing you're of Russian descent, judging by the name and accent. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong," she stated casually.

[Lets_Eat_Paste]

Penny MaCarthy

The smell of bread and coffee filled Penny's nostrils as the little bell above the door chimed her presence. She had a saying, a mantra in a way, that reminded her to always be early because opportunity awaits and the sooner she got to her destination, the sooner she could seize.

Now, this wasn't exactly an opportunity seeking moment. In fact, this was a social visit. She and Mrs. Michaud (Miss Blackwood now, she supposed, since she certainly couldn't call her Natalie) were both in Paris, and she figured the woman who stood as a second mum to her would love to see her as much as Penny wanted to see Miss Blackwood.

She settled herself into a corner booth as the translation on the black and white sign had directed her to and ordered a tea. She twirled it around absently with a spoon and waited for Mrs. Michaud (Blackwood, she reminded herself. Miss Natalie Blackwood.), tapping her heel gently against the booth seat. She flicked through the news (printed in English), and skimmed over articles. Things Heat Up Between Greene Heiress and Former MP, Lucian Michaud it read in boldface above a picture of the banker Henry Greene's daughter and Lucian Michaud talking and holding hands while walking down what looked to be the Champs Elysses. Typically, the gossip section of the daily paper annoyed Penny to no end. The private lives of others hardly counted as 'current events'. But this was closer to home. She felt a sudden wave nausea hit Penny. Wasn't the daughter of the banker half Lucian's age? Wasn't she engaged to Damien? How did Damien feel about these articles? Were they even true? Did Damien even know? Penny was confused, disgusted, and felt incredibly left out of the circle.

But when a blonde head bounced into her field of vision, Penny tucked the paper haphazardly under the table.

[The Exodus]

Natalie Blackwood

If Natalie had a daughter, she would have been exactly like Penelope MaCarthy. Efficient, ruthlessly ambitious, clever, beautiful… Every mother’s dream. Natalie remembered well the days that the MaCarthy rabble would come to her home in Salisbury and the boys would essentially tear the furniture up. William and Benjamin had even corrupted Damien and turned Natalie’s pride and joy into a muddy, loud-mouthed creature while visiting. Penelope was graceful and always clean; a model child. Natalie didn’t understand how Mildred MaCarthy had done it. She’d churned out seven children, all varying shades of wild, and then by some fluke, created a divine little daughter. It wasn’t fair. Not in the slightest. Natalie had spent seven years trying to conceive a daughter. Or even a second son. But complications from giving birth to Damien had rendered her incapable of having more children and after seven years and three miscarriages, Natalie settled on pinning her maternal desires for a mini-me on Penelope.

Seeing Penelope in the bistro sent a warm rush through Natalie’s being. It wasn’t the same as she felt when seeing Damien, but it was comparable. Like Damien, Penelope left home to live abroad and left Natalie missing them both dreadfully. Seeing her here and now was the most normal thing Natalie had felt since Damien came out of the closet and Lucian divorced her and Anthony abandoned her. A smile drew up Natalie’s full lips, which she quickly pressed to Penelope’s cheek.

“Lovely to see you, darling,” she said, taking the seat opposite Penelope. “How have you been?”

[Lets_Eat_Paste]

Penny MaCarthy

At the sight of Natalie Blackwood, Penny smiled brightly. It was like seeing a college educated, less busy, more attention version giving of her own mother. There was no resentment, of course towards Mildred. Penny didn't blame her mother for not lavishing her with attention and gifts and intellectual conversation. She was a poor homemaker who was smart, but uneducated, and with William and Benjamin running around, the worry of one of them breaking things must have filled up her mind. The best thing her eldest brother ever did was befriend Damien. Damien led to Lucian and Natalie, the kind of parents Penny would have killed for (but the thought of the magazine article made Penny unsure now and embarrassed for and of Lucian.) Natalie treated her like her only daughter and not like her third child. She offered not only a sense that Penny was higher on the food chain then she really was, but she offered her a second mother when her own mother was busy with the other six siblings.

“Lovely to see you, darling,” she said, taking the seat opposite Penelope. “How have you been?”

Penny smiled and fumbled with the paper beneath the table nervously. "I wish I could tell you I was doing well." She said with a sigh. "I really do. 'Working for the ambassador' sounded so much better before I got the job. I'm over qualified. Six years of Cambridge and I'm filing papers for his secretary. It's hardly fair." She sighed. "But I suppose every great politician has to start somewhere. You don't become the second female prime minister of Great Britain over night, right?"

Penny sipped at her tea. "How are you?" Penny avoided surnames, the change still tasting foreign and undercooked on her tongue. "It's been far too long."

[The Exodus]

Natalie Blackwood

There was a soft rustling sound from across the table. Natalie wondered why Penelope would fumble with a napkin under the table; concern knitted her brows at the thought.

"I wish I could tell you I was doing well,” Penelope confessed with a sigh. "I really do. 'Working for the ambassador' sounded so much better before I got the job. I'm over qualified. Six years of Cambridge and I'm filing papers for his secretary. It's hardly fair."

Natalie smiled sympathetically. She’d once sought a job, when Damien was ten, and her Oxford credentials hadn’t gotten her far, either. Instead, employers saw only that she’d been a stay at home mum for a decade and was a term shy of finishing college. But Penny had six, not just four, years of education on her resume, from Cambridge, no less! It was no small feat from a girl of her social stature and surely that had to count for something.

Penelope sighed again.

"But I suppose every great politician has to start somewhere. You don't become the second female prime minister of Great Britain over night, right?"

Natalie’s smile felt a little tight. Perhaps Penelope would find success where Lucian had failed, but if there was one thing Natalie had learned about politics during her marriage, it was that at the end of the day, it didn’t matter how good you were at your job. It mattered what connections you made and with whom. Penelope would be better off taking this diplomacy route and buddying up to those in Whitehall from a distance.

"How are you?" asked Penelope from behind her teacup."It's been far too long."

“It has,” Natalie agreed. It was her turn to sigh and she rolled her shoulders in a half-shrug. “I must admit… I’ve been better. I know you know about the divorce, so I won’t hassle you with the details. “

Natalie took the pot of tea and poured herself a cup. Then, habitually, added in the milk and sugar, swirling the spoon around until the tea went a milky, caramel color. It did no good going into details, as most were unflattering. Natalie liked her place as the martyred wife. She could play the role for Penelope and for strangers; too many others she knew saw Natalie as little more than a gold-digging hussy these days. It was degrading and infuriating. Benjamin had actually been one of her most vocal critics, the few times he’d visited with Damien. His boyfriend—whose name Natalie never bothered to learn—and Damien both had tried to force Benjamin’s mouth shut. Worse still, Benjamin persisted in calling her “Mrs. M”.

“Ben’s a moron,” Damien tried to assure her. “He means well.”

But Natalie wasn’t so sure that was true. Needless to say, aside from Lucian and his rebound, Benjamin was the person Natalie least looked forward to seeing at Damien’s coming out party. At least the other MaCarthy’s had varying shades of tact. If the other siblings knew or speculated about Natalie’s role in the divorce, they at least had the good sense—perhaps good manners—to keep their mouths shut.

“Although, honestly, I still don’t know what to do with myself,” Natalie admitted. “I’ve felt rather useless since Damien moved to Paris.”

[Lets_Eat_Paste]

Penny MaCarthy

“It has. I must admit… I’ve been better. I know you know about the divorce, so I won’t hassle you with the details."

Penny silently thanked her. Growing up, William was always in and out of meaningless and juvenile relationships (she doubted he remembered most of their names), Benjamin was a terrible boyfriend to the man he had been with for a few years and Penny wouldn't be surprised if they broke up before they got married, Frederick kept people guessing as far as his relationships went, Rupert had been pining after the same girl since he was eleven, and Virginia was probably too young to even know what love was. With all of this going on, Penny had relied heavily on the relationship of her parents (so passion-filled and deep they cranked out too many children than they could afford) and the relationship of Lucian and Natalie, which had seemed unshakable. It made Penny question what else in her life seemed stable but would just as easily crack and crumble apart under pressure. It was a scary thought and she chose not to think about it. Not thinking about it made it smaller, less significant, right?

“Although, honestly, I still don’t know what to do with myself,” Natalie admitted. “I’ve felt rather useless since Damien moved to Paris.”

"Well, Rupert tells me he's interested in law enforcement, and law is right up your ally. I'm sure he'd love it it you talked to him about it." Actually, Rupert had told William (whom he somehow idolised), who told Frederick, who told Penny. It was how things worked. Frederick, who lived in Switzerland, doing the most idiotic but admirable thing he could, was the one who kept her up to date. It was how she found out about Damien's engagement, about the divorce, about Natalie's affair, Lucian's rebound, the end of Damien's engagement. Frederick was just full of information.

"How long are you in town for?"