A Proper Vintage (INVITE ONLY)

by **Visperia De Auvergne** Thu Jul 19, 2012 9:34 pm

Visperia had decided that she would attempt to meet up with Markuz again, and she had managed to source a bar actually worth its salt, it just so happened that this particular bar was in an area that was occupied by many magical creatures.

Not like Visperia much cared, in fact she was often partial to discussing among creatures, however she had to admit she had a weakness for vampires which she was going to have to try and ignore for tonight. After all the memory of Alessander was still in her mind and she found it hard to do anything without him appearing at the forefront of her thoughts.

Sitting down at the bar Visperia tugged down her dress and she hailed the barman, ordering one of the bottles of red wine in a cooler bucket, wondering if Markuz was going to turn up.

by **MarkuzDobcek** Thu Jul 19, 2012 10:03 pm

Markuz had been rather pleased when he got an owl from Visperia. She claimed to have found a good bar! Having run out of pain relief potion, Markuz walked into the Slaughterhouse with his cane firmly clutched. Spotting a mix of both humans and creatures, Markuz was pleased to see that the atmosphere was good. He would enjoy himself tonight then.

Walking up to the bar, Markuz spotted Visperia ordering a red wine as she tugged on her dress.

Walking up, Markuz offered his hand for Visperia to shake, once again resisting the temptation to take her hand and kiss it, before greeting her softly, "Hello Visperia, how nice to see you again. I must say you look excellent. The dress suits you. Do you mind if I sit down?"

by **Visperia De Auvergne** Thu Jul 19, 2012 11:32 pm

Visperia turned around when she heard Markuz approaching her and she smiled her normal gentle smile, it was nice to be able to have someone to meet up with and talk to after all those years in solitude, it was a strange experience but she was sure that it was a positive one.

When he complimented her Visperia smirked a little bit and she nodded her head in Markuz's direction;

"Of course I don't mind, sit down anywhere you wish." she said with a wry smile, turning her body towards the seat next to her, in an indication of welcoming "I'm glad you like it, it's new."

Noting with a slight double take, the cane that Markuz was holding Visperia gestured to the spare glass and the wine bottle;

"Help yourself, I bought the bottle for the two of us to share, it's a good wine in my opinion." she smiled.

by **MarkuzDobcek** Thu Jul 19, 2012 11:43 pm

Markuz smiled when Visperia turned to the chair next to her. Walking up, he sat down and he let out a soft sigh when he could simply let his knee rest. He hated those blasted Brits!

Placing his cane against his chair, Markuz smiled at Visperia.

"It suits you." Markuz said, when Visperia mentioned the dress being new.

Seeing Visperia do a double take when she spotted his cane, Markuz was slightly puzzled. Had he not mentioned his need of a cane yet? Ah well. If she wanted to know she'd ask. It was Visperia after all.

Seeing Visperia gesture to the bottle of red wine, Markuz smiled wider.

"Really? How kind of you, remind me that it's my turn to buy the next one," Markuz chuckled, "I should have known that the Frenchie would find a good wine bar within days whilst I've been living in Germany for years and still couldn't find one. How typical."

Taking a glass, Markuz filled up the spare glass and filled it. Taking a sip, he let out a content sigh. Yes, Visperia knew her wines alright, because this one was pretty great.

"Ah, delicious."

by **Visperia De Auvergne** Fri Jul 20, 2012 12:14 am

Visperia smiled gently and she turned herself back towards the bar, pouring herself some of the wine, she had only just gotten it when Markuz had come to see her after all, hopefully she would enjoy this wine at least, she had come a long way to get it.

Markuz, when he said that he was going to buy the next bottle of wine, made Visperia's eyebrows raise;

"How intoxicated do you intend to get me tonight?" she asked playfully "Two bottles of wine is a little too much even for me I have to say, I'm not so sure about yourself."

Sipping at the wine she sighed happily and loved the taste of this wine, it was very nice, and she would be sure to come back and give the bar her custom whenever she felt like going out for a nice bit of escapism.

"I'm glad you like it." she smiled gently "What have you been up to then since we last met, anything terribly thrilling I should note down?" Visperia teased.

by **MarkuzDobcek** Fri Jul 20, 2012 12:42 am

Markuz grinned when Visperia mentioned getting her intoxicated.

"Why, just intoxicated enough to take advantage of you of course!" Markuz joked.

Markuz noticed that Visperia too, was pleased with the wine she had chosen. Taking another sip, Markuz thought back to what he had gotten up to this past week.

"Well, I had tea in the staff room at Durmstrang with Willow Hartman, she's the substitute professor at Durmstrang. She's nice, although maybe a bit naïve." Thinking of his talk with Willow, Markuz smiled a bit, she was friendly. Even though they disagreed on the Dark Arts.

"Then of course there were the British attacks, I fought against them in the Schläge Reitbahn, so that was quite something." Markuz' smile changed into a scowl. Those bastards had no business attacking unprovoked!

"And Kaiser ate almost a complete rabbit, but he didn't get sick so that wasn't a problem." Markuz smiled again, thinking about his beloved dog.

"How about you? Anything interesting happen to you?" Markuz was curious, he hoped Visperia hadn't been involved in the fights. And he wondered what the French Minister had wanted, but he best not ask, as that might be confidential.

by **Visperia De Auvergne** Fri Jul 20, 2012 2:19 am

Visperia smiled gently and she couldn't help but laugh at Markuz's own joke in return, but she thought to herself that getting drunk was not a good idea in the first place, it was easy to be attacked when you were drunk, and she was just beginning to sort everything out.

"Well you'll have to keep those thoughts to yourself for now, I'm not allowing myself to get drunk and make a fool out of myself." she grinned, taking another sip of the wine she was holding.

Hearing that Markuz had rather a busy week, Visperia hummed to herself, of course the attacks had made all of the papers, but, she had not been in one of them herself, simply because she had been in France at the time, sorting out the Minister's problem.

"Willow sounds like a lovely girl, if not a little bit young to be teaching." she smiled gently "I heard about the attacks, and the backlash thereof, it's created just a little bit of a political problem which I spent the rest of the week trying to deal with, even though France had nothing to do with it!"

Sighing a little, Visperia placed a small smile on her lips and she ran her hand through her hair; "Besides that I had a small talk with my daughter about moving into my home in the summer holidays."

by **MarkuzDobcek** Fri Jul 20, 2012 2:51 am

Markuz grinned, before carefully taking on a disappointed expression.

"Damn it, there goes that plan. Ah well, I'll live."

Seeing Visperia sip her wine, Markuz couldn't help but do the same, it was a really good wine and it had been way to long. His owl had returned from France with a pricelist, and he'd have to see about getting an additional income if he really wanted to start creating his own private collection.

Refocusing, Markuz heard Visperia mentioning being busy in France all week long.

"Really? You had to work all week because of an accident in Germany? The French aren't planning on getting involved, are they?"

Hearing Visperia mention her daughter, Markuz became curious.

"How did your talk go? Is she willing to move in with you? Or is this too private or uncomfortable to talk about for you?"

by **Visperia De Auvergne** Fri Jul 20, 2012 4:21 am

Visperia smiled and she shook her head when Markuz asked her if the French were planning to get involved in the war, it was one of the most frequently asked questions that was directed at the French Government, and she had all but memories the official answer.

"No no of course not." she said with a grin "That's exactly what I have been telling people all week, but they seem to think that we're going to come to the rescue of one of the countries."

Of course, when the topic of her daughter came up, Visperia frowned a little bit as her mind went back to the meeting, she couldn't help but think that she had been a little bit too business like...but she knew no other way to behave.

"It went...how I thought it would go." she said with a strained smile "Well, I only met my daughter last week, when I told her about the death in the family, and well..understandably the relationship is not the best, so she's not moving in straight away, we're going to get to know each other better first."

Laughing a little bit Visperia sighed; "I guess you could say we're a bit of a problem family."

by **MarkuzDobcek** Fri Jul 20, 2012 4:33 am

Seeing Visperia smile and shake her head, Markuz realised that he was probably not the first to pose that question. Feeling somewhat sheepish, he listened as Visperia confirmed his thoughts. He couldn't help but snort at her choice of words though.

"The French? Rescue us? Cute. From the nation specialising in the Arts, rescuing might be a bit much to pull off. I'd rather say the French would offer technical support, you know, sing the soldiers lullabies and cook for them." Markuz said with a challenging grin and a joking tone. Knowing Visperia, he was hoping for a funny comeback.

Markuz became slightly less cheerful when he heard Visperia telling him about her family issues. Seeing her smile being somewhat... off, he knew he had touched a sensitive issue.

"Yes I understand perfectly. Still, if you're getting to know each other better, you can form a bond before moving in. You can avoid the tension of two virtual strangers sharing a home that way."

Taking a sip of wine, Markuz almost spilled when he felt a particularly vengeful stab in his knee. Damn it. He really had to look into stronger painkillers. Hoping Visperia hadn't noticed, he continued.

"Problems are meant to be solved. Everything will work out fine eventually, you'll see."

by **Visperia De Auvergne** Fri Jul 20, 2012 6:26 am

Visperia smiled gently and she thought the French weren't well known for their battle skills in magic, and that their schooling was a little bit wishy washy, she was still proud of her nation and she didn't want to be able to sit here while it was insulted to that extent.

Merely sipping at her wine Visperia showed no outward signs of annoyance, and only hoped that Markuz would be able to redeem himself throughout the conversation.

"Although we might not be the most, brutal of nations like Germany, we do in fact have some good points to us, which don't include excessive use of dark arts." she said with a small smile.

When he told her that it would be all sorted out, Visperia tapped her wine glass and thought to herself, that he didn't know how stubborn her daughter, or herself actually was.

"Well I suppose she see's me as a replacement for her father, he was the one who died, we were, seperated for many years however but, still it's a harsh blow to take." she said with a sigh.

by **MarkuzDobcek** Fri Jul 20, 2012 6:56 am

Noticing that Visperia hadn't countered with some bad points of Germany, Markuz decided to name some good points of the French, just to make sure Visperia didn't take he hated France or something.

"Of course, France home of chivalry and honour. And of course the nation of the legendary attitude, 'My center is giving way, my right is in retreat; situation excellent. I shall attack.' A nation great in spirit and ethics at the least."

Seeing Visperia sigh, Markuz felt bad for her. He didn't like seeing her down. Then he registered exactly what she had said. Her husband had died! Markuz thought she had lost an aunt or something, when Wisperia mentioned a death in the family!

Remaining calm outwardly, Markuz spoke softly, "It is in situations like these when I like to think of what my father used to tell me: 'Where there is a will, there will be a way. And if there is no way, then you simply have to make one.' "

Smiling gently, Markuz continued, "I am certain that, with time, you can work out whatever issues you have. Time heals all wounds after all."

Taking another sip of wine, Markuz smiled happily. This was really the best wine he had had in a very long time.

by **Visperia De Auvergne** Fri Jul 20, 2012 9:23 pm

Visperia nodded her head when Markuz countered with some good points about France, she was glad that he did, otherwise there would be serious waves made between the two of them. However, she calmed down and sipped on her wine.

"Good save." she said with a smirk "I just happen to be one of the French born with that excellent attitude, although most people find it annoying to be in a conversation with a French man."

Although she knew that Markuz was attempting to give her all of the advice that he could, and was being quite personal about it, Visperia had heard it all before from about five different people. Of course she knew that the situation would rectify itself and the loss would become less pronounced but...

"I am certain that I will be able to get over my husband in a timely fashion, I hadn't seen him for years after all, I was starting to grieve from that point on really. But what about yourself, enough of my family problems, how is your family?"

by **MarkuzDobcek** Fri Jul 20, 2012 9:31 pm

Markuz sipped his wine as Visperia smirked at him. Grinning, he spoke,

"Remember me never to get into a fight with you then. I don't think I'd like the results of an angry Visperia."

Continuing in a somewhat more serious tone, Markuz smiled,

"Speaking to a French man is only annoying if their accent is so strong that you can hardly understand what they are trying to say."

When Visperia asked him about his family, Markuz smiled softly. He didn't really like talking about them, but fair was fair after all.

"Well, I'm the last one actually. My mother died at child birth and father never found another woman. He died when I was twenty and the other branches of the family died out decades ago. We were quite poor by the time I came around. We used to be a rather important family in Poland. Now we're no better then muggleborns in standing. I didn't even attend my father's burial, I was fighting terrorists in Hannover with my squad."

Smiling softly, Markuz continued, "I have moved past it. I would have loved to see it differently, but it is what it is."

by **Visperia De Auvergne** Sat Jul 21, 2012 12:59 am

Visperia smirked a little bit and she nodded her head, of course you would never want to make the measured woman angry, because if she showed that she was angry, then there would be really no hope for the person that her anger was targeted towards.

"You're a very wise man." she chuckled "Well working in Government I learnt to school my accent a little bit so it's not really so strong after all, luckily for you."

It seemed that between them they had rather a depressing sort of family history and she thought that the best solution would be to drown their sorrows in some wine and forget about it for the time being.

"Thank you for sharing that with me." she smiled gently "Being on my own for a while now, makes me forget what its like to have people confide in you, it's a nice feeling."

With a small smile on her lips Visperia drank the last of her wine and poured herself some more; "More wine is needed I think." she smirked.

by **MarkuzDobcek** Sat Jul 21, 2012 3:03 am

Markuz chuckled when Visperia said he was wise. He doubted that really. A wise man would have stayed far away from the army.

"Yes, I'm rather pleased with your weak accent, you've reached the point where you can make men go wild with a sultry look and just a tinge of accent." Markuz grinned, he wondered if Visperia had ever tried that trick on political opponents, although he doubted it. She had enough other qualities to aid her in the world of politics.

When Visperia smiled at him, Markuz smiled back. He felt they could sympathise with each other.

"Yes, it's nice to have someone to confide in as well. Makes it easier to carry your burdens and what not. Now, perhaps for a lighter topic? Any suggestions?"

Markuz laughed. "More wine is always needed!" Before draining the last of his glass and refilling as well.

by **Visperia De Auvergne** Sun Jul 22, 2012 7:30 am

Viseperia smirked and she thought about the times in the early days of her career that she had to get those little looks in with some of the older people in order to get the positions that she wanted, of course, it was only to get noticed, once she was established, she was good at what she did.

"Well I would try it on you but I don't think that would be such a good idea, but I can't deny using my charms a little bit to get what was needed when men refused to note my skills." Visperia grinned.

Sipping some more at her wine, Visperia thought back to something that she had thought that she would ask Markuz, after all, it was a lighter topic for sure. It was what someone normal might actually ask in a conversation.

"Do you have any pets or something Markuz?" she asked with a smile "I personally do not, however I have always been interested in people who do have them."

by **MarkuzDobcek** Sun Jul 22, 2012 8:00 am

Markuz had to admit to being shocked that Visperia had actually used her looks in her early career. Who wouldn't take note of her skills? Everybody could see that she was intelligent, could they not?

"Well, I would like to see you try. Although I doubt I'd be able to keep serious now that I know that that look has probably been used on some less than attractive men." Markuz joked. Visperia was a good looking woman alright, but knowing what he knew now, he should be able to resist her natural charms if ever that would come to pass.

Markuz grinned. He had a pet indeed, his beloved Kaiser. Taking a sip of his wine, Markuz spoke happily, "Yes, Kaiser. My German Shepherd. He's two years old. He might very well be my closest male friend. Actually, he is. I got him while I served in the Army, and he hasn't left me since. It's only when I go out, like today, or when I'm teaching that he isn't with me. Why don't you keep a pet? If you're interested in people who have them, why not get one yourself?"

Markuz smiled, he really did love Kaiser. He owned his life to that dog after all.

by **Visperia De Auvergne** Mon Jul 23, 2012 6:37 am

Visperia smirked a little bit and she shook her head, she only used her skills when she really needed to, after all, she knew that it would be very degrading to have to lower herself to levels of other secretaries in order to get progression through the 'glass ceiling'.

"Well then maybe I would just have to try, when you're least expecting it." she grinned "Or maybe I will actually mean to use them in a non-manipulative way when you see them, I only use it for brutish sexist males after all, youre not that are you?"

When he told her about his dog Visperia hummed a little, she didn't think that she would like a dog as a pet, after all, they would have to be walked and they would need to be fed and given attention...that just wasn't her style.

"Sounds like a very loyal pet, you must like him an awful lot for him to be your best friend. I don't have a pet because I personally don't have the time to look after one. If I had one though...I'd want a domesticated Tiger."

by **MarkuzDobcek** Mon Jul 23, 2012 7:46 am

Markuz grinned again, he'd love to see Visperia try. Taking a sip of wine, he looked at her a bit more closely. If he didn't know Visperia, and he'd meet her in a political context, then he would probably fall for her charms. He would probably be able to resist that in the current context though.

"I repeat, I'd love to see you try. I dare say it is rather difficult to catch me unaware. And no, I'm not brutish, but I have been called perverse before. I'm joking when I act like that though. Fortunately, I can assure you that I'm most certainly a male." Markuz grinned at his own joke.

Hearing Visperia hum when he mentioned Kaiser, Markuz looked at her questioningly for a second. Hearing her explanation, Markuz smiled softly, he had to admit that he should have known that Visperia didn't have the time for a pet. A domesticated Tiger would fit Visperia quite a bit though.

"Kaiser is very loyal, and I don't just like him, I like that dog. I owe my life to him as he owns his to me. I dare say he understands me when I talk to him. And sometimes he gets this look in his eyes, and I fully understand what he means."

Grinning, Markuz continued, "A Tiger would suit you. Beautiful, proud, vicious when provoked and elegant. Yes, I can see the similarities. Then again, if you don't have the time for it, it's best not to get a pet at all. So you probably have the right idea with not taking a pet."

With a soft smile, Markuz sipped from his wine again. Delicious!

by **Visperia De Auvergne** Wed Jul 25, 2012 3:51 am

Visperia ran her hands through her hair and she let it curl gently around her shoulders, she was very glad that she wouldn't have to worry about Markuz attempting to become a brutish male when he was around her, however, raising her eyebrow at the fact that he admitted to being perverse, she wondered if she had to look out for something different.

"Well I would be worried about your hygeine if you were a woman." she smirked, before continuing "But the pervert part definately fits in with the fact that you're a man."

Sipping some more at her wine, Visperia smiled warmly when Markuz complimented her, through her own choice in animal that she would keep as a pet;

"Maybe I should take a pet whenI retire and settle down a little bit, which wont be for several years yet I'm afraid." she chuckled gently. "I suppose you can tell a lot about a person through the pets they keep, if your description of Kaiser is anything to go by."

by **MarkuzDobcek** Wed Jul 25, 2012 4:59 am

Markuz was puzzled when Visperia mentioned his hygiene if he were a woman. He didn't get that. Although he grinned at the joke about all men being perverts.

"I don't understand the hygiene reference, but the men joke I can appreciate. It is quite true after all."

Markuz smiled when Visperia mentioned that Kaiser and he were quite alike. That was quite the complement in Markuz' books.

"Why thank you, you are too kind. And yes, if you are going to wait until you retire, by which you mean once you are both old an no longer needed, then I doubt you'll be getting a pet during the coming century." Markuz stated calmly.

With a content smile, he took a sip of wine. It had been a good idea to come here tonight, he was truly enjoying himself.

by **Visperia De Auvergne** Wed Jul 25, 2012 11:46 pm

Visperia chuckled lightly when she heard that Markuz did not understand the reference she had first given, it was really odd the way that she might have minced her words, but she thought that she would explain what she had meant;

"I mean you look a bit rough, and in need of a shave if you were a woman, but you're not so you don't have to worry about that." Visperia explained, taking another sip of the wine still left in her glass.

Laughing a little bit, Visperia shook her head and placed her glass back on the bar and she ran her hand through her hair as she thought about what he had said to her, it was a compliment that was for sure. Although it was a sad fact.

"I hope that I might actually be able to become a lady of leisure again, before I turn 100, if I even live to be that old." she grinned "I hope that the French Ministry can pull itself together before that time as well."

by **MarkuzDobcek** Thu Jul 26, 2012 2:40 am

Markuz grinned when Visperia explained the hygiene remark. Now that she explained, he had to admit that she had a point.

"Ah well yes, if I were a woman, I would most definitely need a shave. And indeed, it is rather fortunate that I won't have to worry about that. I don't think I would make a very good woman... I rather like being a man, so I don't plan on finding out how good a woman I might be any time soon."

Visperia laughed when Markuz mentioned the fact that retirement was still very far away for someone like her. Hearing her explanation, Markuz smiled softly.

"Yes, I hope so for you as well. And you most definitely will reach that. The French Ministry isn't in a terrible shape, but replacing you will always be a hard task, no matter the time or circumstance." Markuz spoke calmly.

With a smile, he drained the last little bit of wine from his glass.

by **Visperia De Auvergne** Fri Jul 27, 2012 3:30 am

Visperia found herself enjoying Markuz's company very much, and she hoped that they might be able to make a regular thing of this meeting up, after all it would seem that he enjoyed her company also, it would be nice to have a friendly face to talk to about her problems, or to talk to full stop.

"Well I would be a little worried if you were thinking what it's like to be a womam Markuz." she teased lightly "You man have it all easy, women have to go through all the pain." Visperia smirked playfully, because in a way they did.

Thinking about all the people who wanted her dead, Visperia pulled a little bit of a face when Markuz said that she would definately live that long, she didn't have that much hope, but she might be wrong.

"I'll trust you on that point." she smirked gently "On both of them actually, have you never thought about going into politics Markuz? You seem like you'd do well."