hidden blog - the french connection

[bro_codebreaker]

[Barney wasn't necessarily second guessing himself ... but he was still fidgeting idly as he sat at the bar of the fancy five-star restaurant he'd invited Vivian to as half of her Christmas present. she seemed like someone who'd appreciate a dose of high class, but he hoped she wasn't going to take the whole thing too seriously. she was just a friend, after all. a hot friend, one he wouldn't mind a night or two with, but... still just a friend. if she took it the wrong way, he wasn't sure how he'd handle it. but he decided to just go with the flow, and sipped at his brandy while he waited for her to show]

Comments

[formersocialite]

[The dress that she had received from Barney was exquisite and it fitted her perfectly; Vivian hadn't expected to get such a lovely gift from someone and it really made her quite happy Being invited to the restaurant was another lovely surprise: Vivian hadn't been there before and she was looking forward to spending time with a good friend of hers

Vivian arrived a few minutes late without meaning to. It was because of traffic. she walked towards the bar, spotting Barney almost instantly and came over to him, a warm smile on her face.]

Hey, sorry I'm late. Traffic was a little busy.

[bro_codebreaker]

Hey, it's cool. [he slides off his barstool] … at least it wasn't like that Chevy Chase movie and you weren't stuck going in circles. ... Nice dress, bee tee dub. Where'd you get it?

html fail ;;

[formersocialite]

The dress? Oh, it was a present from someone. [She replies, looking in his direction.] Although I'm wondering how they knew what my measurements were.

/still loves you

[bro_codebreaker]

They've probably just got a good eye. [he grins as the waiter shows them to their table] … or maybe they read your hem tags during strip poker.

/loves you back

[formersocialite]

I'm thinking they just read the tags. [Vivian laughs lightly, clearly amused by that.] Thank you for the present, Barney and taking me here.

[bro_codebreaker]

Who's to say it wasn't a little of both? ... And hey. It's Christmas. Why wouldn't I?

[formersocialite]

Okay, both is a possibility. Yeah, I know. I never made any plans for Christmas so this is very sweet of you.

[bro_codebreaker]

[he makes a face at her, a cross between amused and annoyed] Why do you have to keep calling me that?

[formersocialite]

I believe it to be true. But I know not to share it with anyone else.

[bro_codebreaker]

[he opens his mouth to protest, then realizes this is probably like when Lily used to call him nice. it's not going to stop no matter how much he tries. he closes his mouth again, then picks up the menu]

Mm. [that little noise is as close as she'll get to an "Okay, if you insist, I guess you might be right".]

So, did you ditch your fancy job yet?

[formersocialite]

[she bites back a smile when she sees his face, before picking up her own menu to study it carefully, wondering what to order for herself. there's so many things to choose from as well which only makes it harder for Vivian.]

I did pack it in. Figured there wasn't much point in continuing to work there. Especially because it was stressful.

[bro_codebreaker]

Good. [he nods, decisively] … The whole point of this stuff is to have fun, right?

[formersocialite]

Exactly. As much fun as one can have in fake Paris.

I have enjoyed my time here though. Seriously.

[bro_codebreaker]

Crazy magic fake Paris, get it straight, Viv, geez. .... What else've you done?

[formersocialite]

Right, yeah. Crazy magic fake Paris. Hmm, I went shopping, revisited some sights I haven't seen in a long time.

[bro_codebreaker]

Yeah? That's cool. I'd only been here the once, back home, and it was for work, so I didn't get to see much.

... I do know I'm not doing foie gras ever again though.

[formersocialite]

[she makes a face at that.]

Yeah, foie gras isn't at all nice. Even I admit that and I've eaten some strange dishes before.

Do you know what you're going to order tonight, Barney?

[Vivian glances at the menu again, still not sure what to get for herself.]

[bro_codebreaker]

I was looking at the steak au poivre ... steak is always a good choice.

[formersocialite]

An excellent choice. I think I may go for the coq au vin myself.

[bro_codebreaker]

[he's just... going to chuckle at that because sometimes, mentally, he is about ten years old.]

[formersocialite]

[Vivian just shakes her head at him in amusement.

I think we should order since we know what we're both getting.

[bro_codebreaker]

Yeah, sure. [he signals the waiter, then looks at her in mild surprise] .... No appetizers? Really?

[formersocialite]

Maybe I'll have a salad to begin with, I'm not incredibly hungry. Besides, I want to leave room for dessert.

[bro_codebreaker]

Thank you for not saying you're watching your figure. [he rolls his eyes] It's not fun going to dinner with a girl who orders a lettuce leaf and stares at you while you're eating.

[formersocialite]

I'm a girl who likes her food and nothing will ever change that. I don't calorie count or diet. Just a waste of time. [she follows a healthy regime, yes, but Vivian does indulge on occasion.]

[bro_codebreaker]

Miracle of miracles. [he grins as the waiter shows up to take their order. he takes the liberty of picking an appropriate wine, too]

I haven't been to a place this nice since before I got here. I almost forgot how nice it is to go to swanky spots I don't own...

[formersocialite]

How many swanky spots do you actually own, Barney? I know about the coffee place and the Nines.

[Both of which were very nice to be in, according to Vivian.]

[bro_codebreaker]

Just those! ... I thought about picking up the nightclub my friend Jay tried to open? But I like having a life.

Oh, and I'm in the Host Club now, too.

[formersocialite]

Don't do too much or you'll get stressed, Barney. I think what you already own is enough for one person.

You know, I've never been to one of those Host Club things before.