“Right now, anything that does not involve waiting in line sounds good.” She admitted with a sigh as she looked at the line of couples waiting ahead of them. It would take an hour or more given the holiday, for them to get to eat and she was starving. “Another place. I’m starving and at this point, I’d be happy with just pizza."
"I am sincerely apologetic on my part. I should’ve planned this before they started telling me that no reservations were allowed,” which was only a clear sign that spots had filled up and this was the end result. “I’d hate to ask this, considering it is the day. And I’ve made a poor job of doing what was expected thus far,” Bard murmured as the two of them decided that turning around and making a beeline back to the car was a better decision. “When people say it is just another day, is it… really just another day for you?"
“Isn’t it ridiculous? The best hope is to come up with something interesting and original, I suppose. I hope whatever woman you’re trying to win over will appreciate a different approach to the holiday, because unless you actually made reservations, you have no other real option.”
“Well isn’t that just precisely it. I’ve not a clue, and everything is so last minute. I suppose it all seems to be a fit of desperation, and for what— the point of a labelled day when it is just an ordinary day out of the year? I don’t understand the whole fuss, but it doesn’t seem to fail year after year. And what of you on this day? ”
“Well it is Valentine’s day so it is not really a surprise. Guess we’re going to have to wait a while.”
“I’m only sorry that this would be so long– unless an impromptu improper picnic would suit us better.” A night among the beaches, self made food– sure. It wasn’t as luxurious, but certainly, an adventure it could… become. “Would you rather wait, or get out of here for another place?"
❝ Well, excuse me. There’s a company to be taken care of and a whole career to make, how was I supposed to remember about the whole Valentine thing? — ❞
"I suppose the subliminal hints for the past two weeks haven’t sufficed then. Why the rush if there hadn’t been enough hints dropped by the significant other— if there is one at all?“
Another wave of soft chuckles followed soon after Bard’s words, yet she couldn’t help but to arch her eyebrows in curiosity. It was not for the drinking though, but more the dancing part. Oh, surely he was a better dancer than her, but Tauriel suddenly wished to see for herself and mayhap, should his words be true, gave a laugh of her own as revenge…
”Oh, certainly,” the woman insisted, “who else always got me to the dance floor in the first place?” The words one of accusation yet the redhead couldn’t help but smile at the memories.
Hearing Fili’s name Tauriel immediately turned on a reflex to see for herself if the man was there too. She couldn’t see him now of course, but she wondered just how many times she might have passed him this night. Turning her attention back to Bard, she smiled softly. “Quite so, even though this was not my idea—I’d rather be at home sipping wine in silence but they,” a small gesture of her head towards her chatting colleagues, “insisted on a proper celebration for my promotion.” Tilting her head to side Tauriel gave a half-smile, obviously more interested in getting out of this place in one somehow sober piece…
”But how are you no fun?” the woman asked with a teasing smirk.
“Not me. No. No.” He denied vehemently, but his words slowly morphed into contemplation instead. He tapped his chin in thought, refusing to meet her sight directly because he’d probably succumb immediately. “Was it me? Remind me not to drink past my limit,” he began to utter ironically, although two more drinks promptly appear before them. Hm.
“He’s out there somewhere, I’m sure.” Bard laughed aloud, the corners of his eyes crinkling as he faced her again, awaiting her response of her reason for being here. “You, a wallflower? I don’t see you being a homebody, Tauriel. But the last I’ve seen you, my, it was ages ago. We ought to have a proper meet up where we don’t have to yell over the idle chatter.”
“I don’t think that I’m not fun, but tonight is just a downer. Work issues, that whole ordeal of being so bloody dispensable.” He shrugged his shoulders, hoping the entirety of the topic could be dropped soon, but it was probably a better thing to let it out. Considering the topic had been brooding in his mind the whole week… “It’s a midlife crisis, I’m sure. No big deal, and certainly not something you have to concern yourself with. Come on, drink up,” Bard attempted for a distraction as he lifted his glass upwards, waiting expectantly.
Kili shifts hesitantly at the others words. “He… He doesn’t live to far.” He didn’t sound very convincing at all. He glances down the street, seeing if there was anyone else around.
He sighs shaking his head. “I… I don’t have money for a cab.” He says back honestly. “And I don’t know where my brother lives.” He rubs the back of his head slightly.
Bard felt stuck to say the least. In no way was he obligated to help the stranger. That’s right, repeat it like a mantra. Stranger. Stranger. Yet he felt compelled to turn, while keeping a very safe distance between the two of them, pockets rather not wisely stuffed in his pockets. “You… You’re headed to your brother’s, but you don’t know where he lives…” He reiterated slowly, trying to comprehend the logic.
“Hey, I’m not going to hurt you in any way. I don’t want to take anything from you. If you need help, I’m– I can try.” He ended rather weakly, thumbing against the phone in his pocket. “If anything, my house is just around the corner and you could contact your brother from my place. Charge your phone or something, y'know?"
