RP: Opening Day

[shh_eloise]

Date: March 19, 2005
Characters: Eloise Midgen, Viktor Krum, Marietta Edgecombe, Horace Slughorn, Roger Davies, Marcus Flint, Luna Lovegood, Draco Malfoy, Katie Bell, Cedric Diggory, Su Li, Caradoc Dearborn, Ron Weasley, Eleanor Branstone, Anyone else
Location: Just Desserts
Status: Public
Summary: The grand opening of Just Desserts
Completion:

Comments

[shh_draco]

Draco looked back at the man who'd jostled him on the pavement, curling a lip. Just what the hell was his rush? Nothing terribly urgent ever happened in this sleepy little town, anyway, and there was no reason at all not to take one's time. At any rate, why run, when you could Apparate? For Merlin's sake

[shh_eloise]

"Good afternoon, Draco Malfoy," Eloise said with a slight smile as she noticed the man creep inside. She almost rolled her eyes at his behavior, as if he'd be struck down for daring to venture into a chocolate shop.

"Welcome to Just Desserts," she added.

[shh_draco]

He looked up at the greeting and wondered what was so amusing to Eloise this afternoon. He tilted his head and lifted a corner of his mouth. It was as close to friendly smile as he was likely to get.

"How do you do? Eloise Midgen." He smirked and looked around, noting that there were quite a few customers. "You seem to be doing fairly decent business," he commented.

[shh_eloise]

"I do well," she quipped, returning his smirk. She smiled. "Yes, it's been rather constant today. I imagine the weather and free samples have helped a lot, though. We'll see how business is after the opening."

"So, are you looking for anything in particular or just browsing?" she asked.

[shh_katie]

Katie had noticed the sweet shop when she'd been out earlier for her run, but hadn't stopped in, knowing that she shouldn't. But hours later, and a shower in between, she found herself back in front of Just Desserts, giving into temptation. It was hardly just the fact it was chocolate and ridiculously unhealthy, it was that she'd spent a good portion of the remainder of what muggle money she had left on Saturday with Cedric, and a quick trip to the market the next day. But, it wasn't like she was contemplating buying a diamond necklace - and she was sure she'd enjoy the chocolate a lot more anyway for a fraction of the price.

Besides, opening the cinema would refill her pockets - she was sure of it. Katie was learning the art of thinking positively, although sometimes it was a bit of a challenge still. She kept picturing herself being the only one in the cinema when it opened.

Entering the shop Katie didn't see anyone she recognized, and ended the shielding spell she'd put up to protect her from the drizzle outside.

[shh_eloise]

After finishing with the two children who were fascinated at seeing the shop, Eloise smiled as she watched them leave. Marian would be home from school soon, which was good because she needed to go check on the fudge she had cooking so the trays could be replenished. Marcus was helping a lot, but she didn't want to use him too much.

She smiled at a young woman that entered the shop. "Good afternoon. Welcome to Just Desserts."

[shh_katie]

"Hello," Katie told her with a smile, stepping aside as the children the owner had been helping headed out the door. The Weird Sisters were playing in the background - it was been far too long since she'd heard music by them. "Merlin, I'm getting a sugar overload just from the smell."

Glancing around, Katie pondered exactly what she wanted. The store seemed to have a wide selection of everything. "I'm pretty much a chocoholic," she said with a laugh, "but I don't suppose you have any truffles?"

[shh_eloise]

"You've come to the right place then," Eloise said. "And of course I have truffles. Right this way. I'm Eloise Midgen, by the way. This is my shop."

She led the woman to the appropriate display case and indicated the variety she had made. "I have simple chocolate, chocolate and honey, chocolate and creams, liquers, and these are dried fruit, and those are the varieties of nuts." She smiled. "Sorry, it's probably overwhelming. Do you have a particular favorite?"

"This is milk chocolate, butter, and rum, which is quite good. Or there's white chocolate and coconut or dark chocolate, raspberry and brandy here. If you prefer fruits, this is a favorite. It's white chocolate and rum soaked apricots," she said, pointing out various options. "And, of course, a simple English toffee."

[shh_cedric]

Cedric had seen fliers for a chocolate shop and even if he'd usually rather have baked deserts over sweets, he was hardly going to turn down fudge. Besides, the way for the Wizarding world to get back on its feet was to support local businesses. So he'd made a point of dropping by after getting off for the evening at the museum. He was headed home to eat, then he'd be headed back to work on the mural, and he could always use the fudge as 'brainfood.' So to speak.

Opening the door, he walked in. The place certainly smelled good. And he immediately spotted more than just chocolate. Coffee and tea, too. Excellent. Depending on the selection of coffee beans, he might be even more interested in the coffee than the chocolate.

Coming in out of the bright into the dimmer shop, and warmer, he unwrapped his scarf. It might be relatively sunny out, but it a cold snap had come through Devon.

[shh_katie]

Katie was just turning to leave the shop when she spotted Cedric entering the store, although he didn't notice her. Holding her newly purchased tin of truffles in her arm, she made her way over to say a quick hello before she left.

"Hey," she greeted him, when he looked up after taking off his scarf. "I didn't expect to see you here."

[shh_cedric]

A familiar voice surprised him and he looked around, smiling. "Hey, yourself. I just got off work, and thought I'd drop by on the way home. I didn't expect to see you, either." Not that he minded, but he was a bit surprised at how hearing her voice had shot a brief thrill through his chest. "I reckon a lot of people will be by this place." He grinned, and pointing to the tin in her hand, asked, "What'd you buy?"

[shh_katie]

"Ah, perhaps you've not discovered my secret weakness then," Katie told him, gesturing at all the chocolate around the shop with a smile, "A place like this opening in town? There's nowhere else I would rather be. I tend to keep it under wraps sometimes - but really, sometimes I crave the stuff."

She held up the tin, shaking it slightly, "Truffles - an assortment. Eloise is not lacking selection, I can tell you that. But be careful, she might talk you into more than you came for."

"And," Katie added, "I think you came at the right time - I believe there are some fudge samples on the horizon."

[shh_marcus]

Marcus was beat. He didn't realize there was so much work involved in selling chocolate. He had come in with the intention of holding trays, refilling the samples, and washing dishes but it turned out to be a whole lot more including sales to old men and their house elves

[shh_eloise]

When Eloise noticed Marcus sitting down eating chocolate, she motioned for Marian to keep an eye on the few people browsing while she went to pour two cups of tea. She'd been on her feet since opening and was more than ready to have a sit-down for a few minutes. Besides, Marcus had been working his finely shaped arse off, so the least she could do was give him tea.

"You look like you could this," she said as she sat the cup down and then took a seat at his table. "It's been pretty hectic today, hasn't it? In a good way, of course, because people are enjoying the chocolates and buying things. I honestly couldn't have made it without your help, lovey. Thank you for the offer, even if you might be regretting it by now."

She grinned. "I'll owe you for today, of course. Terms are negotiable but might include dinner."

[shh_marcus]

Marcus had found a seat and started to enjoy his second piece of fudge when he saw Eloise approach. She was gorgeous and he watched her hips sway seductively as she moved toward him. He put the fudge down before he reached over and pulled out the chair next to him while smiling

[shh_eloise]

She leaned closer and whispered, "I have rum and whisky in the back, but you'll have to wait until after close."

"I certainly didn't expect to stay this busy, but it's great, isn't it? I'm glad the weather and warmth is bringing people in," she said. At his compliment, she grinned. "Only you could make 'fucking amazing' sound so good."

She laughed and shook her head. "You just want to get naked for me in hopes that I'll succumb to your manly charms and shag you rotten. I'll give you a raincheck on that massage, lovey."

"You can, can you? And what would those options be exactly, Flint?" she asked with a mischievous smile. "Actually, you'd better not tell me right now or I'll never be able to focus on smiling and charming people."

[shh_su]

Although she had seen signs mentioning the event earlier, Su had completely forgotten about the chocolate shop's grand opening until she overheard several colleagues talking about it at work. One woman had stopped by on her lunch break, and was sharing some fudge with the other woman. The smell made Su's mouth water, and she decided to stop by on her way home.

Arriving at the store, Su was happy to walk inside and escape the cold. She breathed deeply, enjoying the rich scent of chocolate, before walking to the counter. Su noticed the goods imported from other countries, but thought the fresh, home-made kind looked much better. She surveyed the various offerings and mentally decided on a sample box.

[shh_eloise]

"Good afternoon," Eloise greeted as she approached the woman standing at the counter. "Welcome to Just Desserts. I'm Eloise. Can I help you with anything?"

[shh_su]

Su smiled. The woman behind the counter was quite nice, and the chocolates looked even better up close. "Good afternoon, I'm Su, and I'm interested in the sample box. What do you recommend?"

[shh_eloise]

"Well, Su, what types of things do you enjoy?" she asked. "Do you prefer dark or light? Solid or flavored? Would you rather have fudge or sweets? I've a nice selection of truffles and other sweets, even though fudge is my specialty. If I can get an idea of what you like, I'll certainly make several suggestions."