Topic: Dates and Dreams

Dru Granger

Date: 2014-07-27 08:29 EST
You could say what you liked about Jonathan Granger, but he always came through for his family. All it had taken was a single dropped hint from his baby sister, and within a day, he had a table booked at the Ristorante Galante for Dru and Josh to enjoy a few days later. He'd even survived the hyperactive squealing thanks said baby sister had bestowed on him when he had told her about it. Of course, Galante was a high class place, specializing in quality and discretion, and that required a little more thought when it came to dressing correctly for the evening. But then, Dru hadn't dressed up properly since coming to Rhy'Din, and despite all her attempts to hide it, she was very much a girl. She'd been working on making herself over for Josh's benefit for most of the day.

When she was done, even she had to admit that perhaps years of being styled and made over had rubbed off a little, steeling herself for Josh's reaction when he came to collect her. As her hands smoothed down over the soft silk of her chosen dress, she had a moment of panic - what if he brought the bike? - before remembering that he knew what he was doing. "Oh, for goodness' sake, Drusilla," she scolded her reflection. "You are engaged to him. This is just a date!"

It was a little strange not being there with Dru while the two of them got ready, but this was a special date, and he had insisted on them getting dressed separately. Besides, he had a few extra things to worry about, like transportation and flowers, while she had to do her hair and nails and whatever other things women did before going on a big date. He had retreated to the little cottage he'd been staying in when he'd first been invited to stay at Maple Grove to get showered and dressed, choosing a navy blue suit over a white shirt and print blue tie that matched the blue of his eyes. His hair was neatly combed to the side and gelled to give it a little lift, and a light scruffy beard covered his cheeks, now that he was able to grow one. He had decided to rent a limousine for the evening, not because he was afraid they might drink too much, but because he wanted to both impress her and enjoy the evening as much as they could without worrying about transportation.

The waiting was the worst part, Dru had decided. Not that she had been waiting long - she was, in fact, still fussing with her hair when she came to that conclusion. Last minute checks on her appearance were easily done - the cream halterneck dress clung and flared in the right places, the delicate bracelet and earrings complimented her ring, the crystal on her heeled sandals sparkled as she walked. Even the hair she was fussing with had managed to behave itself for once, falling in soft waves about her face and shoulders. She was as ready as she was going to get. Now all she needed was her date.

He was nervous, too, but it was a good kind of nervous - the kind of nervous you got when you went on your first date with the girl of your dreams, which was basically what he was doing. He checked his tie for the umpteenth time in the mirror and shoved a hand through his hair, debating whether or not he should have shaved. The scruffy beard was a new thing he had been trying out, but he hadn't decided yet whether or not he wanted to keep it. Here in Rhy'Din, no one cared, but back home, it might start a fuss. The limo arrived right on time, and he got inside, instructing the driver where to pick up his date. It wasn't much of a drive to Willow Manor from where the cottage was located and before long they were pulling up outside the house where Dru's brother and sister had grown up.

The sound of the car pulling up made Dru smile in relief. No more waiting, and she knew that the moment she was in Josh's company, she would relax, anyway. With a last admonishment to her security to sit and stay - which four fully grown, burly men took rather well from a petite teenager - she slipped out through the front door and into the gentle dusk that was beginning to fall.

What awaited her outside was a black limousine, from which a man in a very formal black suit exited to open the passenger door and usher her inside where Josh was waiting.

She was a little surprised to find a limousine waiting for her, laughing with delight at the effort Josh seemed to have gone to for a single evening out. With a smile and a nod to the driver, she climbed into the back seat, biting her lip with a hopeful smile.

Waiting for her in the back of the limousine was a very handsome Josh all dressed up for the evening and clutching a bouquet of red roses. Josh smiled softly, blue eyes lighting up when he saw her. "Evening, Princess. You look..." He looked her over admiringly, his heart swelling with emotion. "You look beautiful," he said, offering her a hand to help her inside.

Taking his hand easily, Dru slid into the backseat alongside him, pausing to take in the sight of him, dressed in a beautifully tailored suit, the shade of blue perfect to bring out the hue of his eyes. She blushed lightly at his compliment, squeezing his hand before releasing him. "And you look very handsome," she returned it with sweet sincerity. Her glance took in the limo curiously. "I didn't realize you'd gone to so much effort."

"You wanted a proper first date, so it's a proper first date." Not like going out for pizza with the rest of the theater company or hanging out with her family. "These are for you," he said, as he handed her the bouquet of flowers, feeling like they were kind of doing things backwards. It wasn't like he needed to impress her, but he wanted the evening to be memorable.

Her smile deepened, surprised and touched by the romantic gesture. She breathed in the fragrance that clung to the roses as she took the bouquet, closing her eyes for a brief moment to savor the scent. "They're beautiful, Josh," she told him softly, leaning close to kiss him. "Thank you."

Not as beautiful as you are, he thought to himself, but said nothing, mostly because she had momentarily silenced him with a kiss. "You deserve the best," he told her, not because she was a princess, but because he loved her. Fortunately, he was in a position where he was able to spoil her a little, though he didn't really flaunt the fact that he was a duke's son and didn't have to worry much about money.

Dru Granger

Date: 2014-07-27 08:30 EST
"I must do," she agreed in a soft voice, her smile warm and affection, and entirely his. "You wouldn't love me if I didn't deserve it, and you are the best." She slid closer, tucking herself against him with a low, contented sigh. "Thank you for doing this," she said with a small giggle. "I know it must seem strange but, for some reason, I really wanted to do it."

"It's not strange," he replied, winding an arm around her shoulders as she tucked herself again him. The limo started moving toward their destination and away from Maple Grove. Once again, they'd somehow managed to ditch her security, but he knew they wouldn't be able to do that much longer. "I should have done this a long time ago."

"We should have," she corrected him affectionately. "You're not solely responsible for this sort of thing, you know." She giggled, smoothing her fingers against the lapel of his suit jacket, admiring the cut and fabric with an educated eye. "You do look absolutely wonderful tonight, you know."

"What about the beard?" he asked uncertainly, though it was not really a beard - more like just a few days of scruffy growth. He wasn't sure if he wanted to keep it or not, but he was more than a little proud of the fact that he could finally grow something that didn't resemble peach fuzz.

Her hand slipped upward to touch his scruffy cheek thoughtfully. "I'm not sure," she admitted honestly. "It is rather sexy, but it will take some getting used to. For both of us, I would think." Gently tweaking his hopeful beard, she smiled encouragingly, not about to tell him yes or no when it came to his own facial hair.

"I'm not sure about that," he remarked with a chuckle. He was undecided whether or not he wanted to keep it himself, though he was was anxious to show it to his older brother. At nearly twenty-one years old, he was finally looking more man than boy. He smiled as she tweaked his beard, his thoughts turning momentarily to home, but he didn't really want to talk about that right now.

"Well, I think it is rather sexy, and you have to be sure about that, because I love you," she informed him with impish good humor. Perhaps it was good that they had waited so long to go on a proper date - they were comfortable with each other, neither one too nervous or worried about saying the wrong thing. "I wonder why Jon chose this restaurant for us, though."

He didn't really equate the word sexy with himself in any way, even if female heads did turn when he walked by. He just wasn't very aware of it and didn't think much of it. The only opinion that really mattered to him these days was Dru's. "I don't know either," he admitted, assuming her brother had good taste. After all, unlike them, he was a Rhy'Din native and knew all the best places in town.

"Vicki said something about him possibly choosing the menu, too," Dru giggled - she wouldn't put that past Jon at all, but she hoped her big brother had the sense not to try and choreograph his baby sister's first ever date completely.

Josh arched a brow at that, wondering why he'd want to do that, unless he knew what all the best dishes were and wanted to make sure they tried them. He wouldn't be too surprised if they found the bill had been covered, as well. While he and Dru didn't really have to worry about money much, they were technically students living on a fixed budget, and it was no big secret that the Grangers were loaded. "What did your brother have to say about our engagement?" Unless, of course, she hadn't told him yet.

She blushed, biting her lower lip for a moment before raising her eyes to his. "I didn't tell him," she said softly. "It's a little complicated - I want to tell them, very much, but I don't dare until my uncle knows and gives his approval. Which he will do, I have no doubt of it. But I'm sort of enjoying being your secret fiancee."

"How secret is it with that ring on your left hand?" Josh asked, reaching for her hand as if to point it out. Her brother wasn't stupid, and neither was Vicki. In fact, he thought Vicki was more likely to figure out what was going on before anyone else did. "I don't think you have to worry about Jonathan. He loves you. He'll be happy for you." Now, Des was another story. Josh wasn't as acquainted with her oldest brother. He seemed a little more aloof than Jon, but maybe it was just the fact that he didn't live at Maple Grove and they didn't see him as much.

"It's not ....secret, exactly; it's discreet," she corrected herself, smiling as he drew attention to the ring that decorated her left hand. "If they notice, they'll ask, and I won't deny or confirm until after we're back. It's called diplomacy," she added with a wicked little tease, eyes sparkling as she grinned up at him.

"Well, it's not really a proper engagement ring," he admitted with a thoughtful frown. He rolled his eyes at her remark, chuckling a little. "Okay, so I failed that class. So sue me." It wasn't exactly the truth, but he'd never been terribly interested in those classes in school. He was doing okay with the tutor, but politics and diplomacy had never been his favorite things. On the other hand, drama class might come in handy, at least as far as being in front of a crowd was concerned.

"It doesn't need to be a huge stone or an antique setting for it to be an engagement ring, love," she insisted. "I happen to be very fond of this ring - I refuse to replace it with anything, unless you can give me a very good reason to."

"It wasn't very expensive, Dru," he told her, though that wasn't really a reason. Still, was it fit enough for a princess" He hadn't bought it for its worth, however, but for the fact that he'd liked the look of it and thought it would look nice on her hand. It wasn't a gaudy ring, but small and delicate with a heart-shaped setting set with a small diamond.

"I don't care," she promised him, understanding why he might be worrying a little, but intent upon wearing this ring above any other. This was the ring he'd promised himself to her with; she didn't care what anyone else thought of it. "I love this ring, because you chose it, and you gave to me. That's all that matters, Josh."

"I like it. It kinda fits you, I think," he admitted, rubbing a thumb over the back of her hand affectionately. Although what did he know about women's jewelry' If he'd been home, he might have asked for his brother's opinion, but then Josh might have bought her something entirely different, and this way, the ring and the thought behind it came entirely from him.

Dru Granger

Date: 2014-07-27 08:31 EST
"Then stop worrying about it," she told him, brushing a kiss to his lips once again. She felt the limo slow to a halt, looking up in surprise at finding them already outside the restaurant. "I didn't even realize the car was moving," she laughed, straightening up and making sure the driver wasn't going to get an inappropriate view when he opened the door for them.

And they hadn't even touched the champagne or sparkling water, but there would be plenty of that at dinner. "I thought it might be nice to enjoy the ride with you, instead of driving," he explained. Unfortunately, he only had his motorcycle here in Rhy'Din, and that kind of transportation wasn't made for formal-wear.

"I think that was a lovely idea," she agreed with him, in tune with his instincts. It was just another reason why she believed he was going to be so popular with the people when it was announced that he was her choice - they fitted together so well, without seeming to need much effort on either side. A cheeky giggle escaped her lips. "But I won't be taking too much advantage of it. This time."

He chuckled at her remark, blushing just a little at the reminder of their daring little adventure just a few days earlier at the beach. "That almost sounds like a threat," he said, blue eyes gleaming playfully. What mischief they could get into together if they were a little more daring.

"More like a promise," she giggled back to him, nipping his fingertips as the door beside him was drawn open. The driver, a consummate professional, didn't even glance inside, simply standing beside the door in case either one of them needed help to stand from the car.

"I'll consider myself warned," he smirked back at her, glancing to the door that the driver had just opened. "I guess we're here," he told her, brushing a soft kiss against her lips. "Ladies first," he said, though he wondered if he should get out first to make sure it was safe.

"I'm not a lady." Smirking a little, Dru pulled herself off the seat, bent almost double as she shuffled past Josh. Her hand extended automatically to accept the help that was so subtly offered, leaning on the driver's hand as he assisted her onto the sidewalk without mishap. Once there, she turned back toward the car, her smile as much an invitation for her fiance as it was a sign of her delight with the evening thus far.

"No, you're a princess," Josh reminded her, but from the way he said it, anyone who might overhear him would only think he was teasing her and nothing more. He climbed out after her of his own accord, neither requiring nor accepting the driver's help, once she was safely out of the way. He glanced around a moment, more out of habit than anything else, as if to make sure they were safe before offering her an arm. "Thank you," he said to the driver, not bothering to offer any further instructions since all that had been shared earlier. He was to park and wait until they were ready to leave, but he was free to get some dinner for himself while he waited.

"Why, my lord, your powers of observation overwhelm me," she teased him in kind, laughing as she curled her arm through his with a smiling nod to the driver. "Shall we go inside?"

"Unless you want to spend the evening driving around and making out in the car, I think we shall," he replied with a grin, tucking her hand against his arm and leading her toward the door.

"Mmm, don't tempt me," was her soft reply, falling easily into step with him as they entered the restaurant together. Heads turned, but not because of their rank; they were a young, beautiful couple, very obviously in love with one another. Anyone would want a closer look before leaving them to their privacy. The maitre'd met them at the inner doors, taking the name and leading them with supreme poise and grandiosity to a table set into an alcove, half-hidden behind gauzy curtains. The epitome of tactful privacy, it seemed.

It was obvious that Jon had made the arrangements for the restaurant, as evidenced by the table they were led to in a little private alcove set apart from the crowd. Josh found himself wondering if this was a favorite place for Jon and Vicki to get away from Maple Grove for a while. He let go of Dru's arm so that he could help her with her chair, waiting until she was settled before taking a seat for himself. He'd noticed the heads that had turned when they'd stepped inside and knew this was a luxury they would not be able to enjoy back home in Tirisano.

She thanked him as he helped her to her seat, settling comfortably as the maitre'd poured ice water for them and laid out two menus for them to peruse before slipping away to give them privacy. Dru couldn't help giggling a little as they were left in peace. "Do you know, I don't think I have ever had a meal like this where I was actually allowed to choose what I was going to eat," she confided warmly. "It's an odd sort of thrill."

"So much for the possibility of your brother choosing the menu," Josh remarked, a little relieved. It wasn't that he didn't trust her brother's taste or judgement, but he preferred the freedom to choose for himself. They'd have enough state dinners and such to attend where they'd have few choices, so this was a bit of a treat and more proof of their growing independence. "We should do it more often then," he added with a soft smile, happy she was pleased with how things were going so far.

Perhaps it was the quality of the light here in their private little alcove, or simply that she was truly happy and relaxed, but Dru could honestly say that Josh had never looked so handsome before tonight. Not that he wasn't handsome at any time, of course, but there was just something about tonight - the suit, perhaps, or the new scruff of hair on his face. Or perhaps it was as simple as knowing that she was his, and he was hers. "How often would you recommend it?" she asked him sweetly, finally allowing her glance to slip down to the menu, though she looked up at him often.

He had been watching her, too - the way the candlelight made her face glow with a warm golden light and lit up her eyes. She looked more beautiful and more relaxed than he'd ever seen her before. He liked the way her smile was just a little bit crooked and the way her eyes lit up when she was happy or excited, like she was now. "More often than possible, probably. How about we make a point of it every time we're in Rhy'Din?" he suggested, reaching across the table for her hand.

Dru Granger

Date: 2014-07-27 08:32 EST
Her fingers slid easily over his palm, happy to lean in and touch, deepening the intimacy of this startlingly intimate moment. "I would like that, very much," she nodded in agreement. "And I was thinking ....I'd like to build a house here, for us. Not on the Grove - at the cove, where we ....spent the afternoon."

"Is that where you want to stay when we're in Rhy'Din?" he asked, wondering if she wanted to maintain a home at Maple Grove, as well, or just build a house on the beach.

"Yes." It was a simple question, and had gained a simple answer, however strongly she felt about it. "I love my family, but I don't want to live on top of them. What appeals most about Rhy'Din is the freedom and the privacy. We could have that on the beach. But it isn't my decision alone, Josh. You don't have to go along with everything I say or suggest."

"No," he started, linking his fingers with hers, ignoring his menu for the time being so that they could settle the matter once and for all. "I love the beach. There's a sense of freedom there we don't have back home. I just don't want to take you away from your family." Though they wouldn't really be far from her family with her sister and cousin living close by. There was something appealing about having a place where they could completely escape their lives back on Tirisano and the constraints of their lives there.

"I'm glad." She squeezed his hand tenderly. "So ....perhaps we could talk to whoever built Lena and Tommy's house, and set things in motion before we have to go. Would-would that be a good idea?"

"No, I think that's a great idea, so long as you're sure that's what you want." They were young to be making such decisions, but they weren't children anymore, and they'd been raised to be independent and and responsible at a young age. Even Josh, who'd been a little spoiled by his mother and encouraged to pursue things other than that politics and government, knew he had a certain responsibility and expectations to uphold that were part of his birthright. "Just one question..." he mulled with a frown. "How are we going to arrange to have your family there for the wedding if no one knows they're your family?"

Dru frowned, biting her lip thoughtfully. "I don't know," she admitted. "There are a few ways it could be done, and I am fairly sure we should be able to invite at least my brothers and sister. Beyond them ....I think that will need some careful planning."

"Yes, but no one knows they're your siblings," Josh pointed out. Still, he thought that, of all her family members, her siblings should at least be there, as well as her Uncle Humphrey. Beyond that, he wasn't sure.

"We could commission Lena to do the official engagement photographs," she suggested, thinking it through as she spoke. "That would warrant an invitation. Jon is a prominent member of a profession that you have openly expressed interest in, so that's him. Humphrey could be there as a representative of the trading interests between Tirisano and Rhy'Din. I just ....I can't think of anything to fiddle to get Des there."

Josh shrugged. He had a suggestion, but it was a pretty simple one. "Maybe he could just be invited as a friend," he suggested. No one had to know he was her brother, and while there would be people going over the guest list to make sure everyone invited belonged there, he couldn't imagine them questioning Desmond's presence.

"Maybe," she nodded in agreement. "We won't have to work it out entirely by ourselves. The usual dignitaries will have to be invited, naturally, but if we present the planning committee with a list of non-negotiable names of those we want to be at our wedding, they have to find a way to make it happen. It's one of the perks of being in charge."

"Well, Desmond is sort of a dignitary, isn't he" I mean, he's a lawyer. Isn't he involved in politics or something here?" Josh wasn't too clear on what Desmond did exactly, other that he was a lawyer and that he was involved with GrangerGuild Conglomerate in some way.

"I don't really know," Dru admitted with a quiet giggle. "But the point is that we don't have to make the excuses. The committee will have to do that, and make them convincing. All we have to do is insist on that core of people who have to be there."

"Well, I mean, we do have friends here," Josh pointed out with a smile. No one had to know that they were really a lot closer than that. "Maybe we should drop in on your brother sometime before we have to go home. On Desmond, I mean."

Dru hesitated before she responded to that. "You're probably right," she nodded. "I'm a little intimidated by Desmond and his family. They're such a compact unit, so tightly bound together; they don't need anyone else to be happy with each other. I suppose I've been telling myself that I don't want to intrude."

"They're still your family, Dru, and Desmond is your brother. That's important," he told her, giving her hand a light squeeze. While her role as Princess Royale of Tirisano was important, she'd come here to find and know her family, and that family included her eldest brother. "You're lucky to have such a big family. I only have one brother. You should know them all, and they deserve a chance to get to know you."

"I know," she sighed softly, nodding her understanding. "And I am running out of time. Would you come with me, when I visit them' I would feel more confident if I didn't have to go on my own." While she'd socialized with Des and Piper at various family gatherings, including being a bridesmaid at their wedding, she wasn't quite brave enough to bite the bullet on her own.

"Of course I'll go with you," he assured her with a smile. "You think I would miss the chance to get to know your family better" He's going to be my brother-in-law someday! Besides, it doesn't hurt to be on good terms with a lawyer," he told her, a teasing gleam in his eyes.

She giggled, immediately reassured by the promise of back up when she faced her most intimidating sibling and his happy family unit. With a last squeeze of his hand, she turned her attention to the menu, spoiled for choice. "How are we going to choose from this? It all looks delicious!"

"Then don't choose," he suggested. "Order a little of everything." Rules were made to be broken, after all. At least, here in Rhy'Din. He smiled at the squeeze she gave his hand and turned his own gaze to the menu before him. "We could order a sampler platter and share," he suggested.

Dru Granger

Date: 2014-07-27 08:33 EST
"That's a good idea," she nodded, enthusiastic for this suggestion. "They wouldn't mind doing that for us, would they' It isn't as though they aren't cooking everything on this menu anyway."

"The worst they can say is no," he replied, lifting a hand to get the waiter's attention. He had a feeling that being connected to "The Great Jonathan Granger" might be a bit of an advantage when it came to asking for special treatment.

Their waiter responded to the signal immediately, cementing the suspicion in Dru's mind that Jon had organized for them to have specific staff waiting on them tonight, as well as everything else. "Yes, sir," the exquisitely turned out man said politely. "Are you ready to order?"

Josh spoke for both of them with his inquiry regarding the menu and whether or not they could order some sort of sampler plate to be shared between them, pleasantly surprised to find the waiter and restaurant extremely accommodating. He ordered them both a glass of sparkling water, though back home in Tirisano, they were old enough to enjoy a few glasses of wine, and before long they were presented with a plate of appetizers and two glasses of bubbly spring water. "So," Josh started as he took up the glass, offering it up in a toast to themselves, as this was supposed to be a celebration. "To us."

"To us." Dru's smile was wide once again as she gently touched her glass to his in the toast, taking a small sip before setting the glass down once again. Now there was food on the table, she couldn't ignore the fact that she hadn't eaten since breakfast, her stomach letting out a very unladylike growl. "Good grief ....how many appetizers do they serve here?"

He touched his glass to hers before taking a sip, chuckling a little at her question. "A lot, apparently. Especially, if you're Jonathan Granger's sister!" he said, though he was careful to keep his voice low enough that no one overheard him. He took up a stuffed mushroom on his fork and popped it into mouth, chewing and making appropriate appreciative sounds at the taste of it. "It's good!" he declared once he'd swallowed. His own stomach growled in appreciate, as if once presented by food, his body remembered how hungry he was.

"Gods help us if they ever find out who my uncle is, then," Dru murmured teasingly, raising a delicately seasoned sliver of chicken to her mouth to taste. Her slightly inappropriate moan of delight was more than enough to signal her satisfaction with their choice. "We should hunt down this chef and steal him."

"Think he'd be willing to relocate to Tirisano?" Josh asked with a grin, as he skewered a bit of chicken for himself. He was only half teasing, as they were likely to spend more time in Tirisano than Rhy'Din in the coming days, and once they were married, they'd presumably be free to hire their own chef.

"If we cram enough perks into the job offer, yes!" Dru giggled, swallowing her mouthful to take a sip of her water. "Although it would be nice to have this place as a real treat, when we're here. Somewhere we know we'll be spoiled rotten, and not just because of who we are."

"Well, we don't want to offer too much vacation time or we'll miss his - or her - cooking," Josh remarked, only half seriously. He wasn't really sure whether the chef was a man or a woman, nor did it really matter. He took a sip of his water as he thought on that a moment. "Actually, I think you're right. We should probably leave well enough alone, so we can enjoy this place when we're in Rhy'Din."

She nodded in agreement, laughing a little at how easy it was for them to talk to one another. Most girls her age couldn't see a future beyond next month, and yet here she was, already certain of her future and who would be the most important person in it. Even better, he wanted to be a part of that future. "You have to promise me that you won't let me get too boring," she said suddenly. "I don't want to be an elderly twenty-year-old."

"That's part of the beauty of this place," he reasoned. "We aren't anyone here. No one knows who we are or cares. We can be ourselves and do what we want. You think we'd be able to go surfing back home without drawing a small crowd" I'm not even sure we'd be allowed to." He skewered another stuffed mushroom on his fork and gestured with it as he spoke, as if to emphasize his words.

She paused to swallow her own mouthful of prawn. "They wouldn't be able to stop us, but it would be a nightmare," she agreed reluctantly. "So much security, and people panicking every time one of us wiped out. It would suck the fun out of it in no time."

"So it's something we'll save for here, which makes this place even more special," he said, popping that mushroom into his mouth with a smile. "This will be our home away from home."

"The only problem is that here we'll be so far away from your family," Dru pointed out in concern. She knew how close Josh was to his father and brother, hating the thought of damaging that relationship in any way.

"Who's saying they can't visit us here?" Josh pointed out. Yes, he was close to his father and brother and even missed them from time to time, but he wouldn't have given this up for anything, not just because of Dru. He'd known right from the start that this was the chance of a lifetime and likely to never be repeated.

"Well, there's nothing to say they can't visit us here, but it doesn't seem fair, somehow," she shrugged lightly, her small smile just a little guilty on her face. "Here, we're virtually surrounded by my family."

"A family you only just met recently," he reminded her. He wasn't doubting how close she was to her family - or at least, certain members of her family - but it hadn't been very long since she'd come to Rhy'Din and met them all. "Besides, I like your family. Those of them that I've met anyway."

"You've met as many as I have," Dru giggled, careful to put down her fork before she gorged herself on appetizers and had no space for the platter that was coming. "I was meaning to ask you, actually ....why are you so nervous around Lena" She's one of the sweetest Grangers there is."

"Am I?" he asked, both brows lifting uncertainly. He wasn't aware that he'd acted any differently around her sister as opposed to anyone else. Did Lena make him nervous, and if so, why' He wasn't quite sure.

Dru Granger

Date: 2014-07-27 08:35 EST
"You always seem to tense up a little when you're talking to her," the princess told him quietly. "I probably wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't had my hand in your back pocket a couple of times it happened."

He frowned a little worriedly. "I'm just not used to her yet, I guess." He shrugged uncertainly. Maybe it was the fact that Lena liked to tease him and he wasn't quite sure how to take her yet, or maybe it was Tommy who made him nervous. "I just have to get to know her better, I guess."

Dru's smile softened as she reached across the table to touch his hand. "Don't worry about it," she tried to reassure him. "I was just wondering if she'd said something to make you uncomfortable. Because I would talk to her about that, you know, if that was the case."

"No, I don't think so," Josh replied, shrugging his shoulders. Even if there was a reason for him to feel a little uncomfortable around her sister, he wasn't going to tell Dru. He thought things would get better in time as he got to know them all better.

She eyed him curiously for a moment, but didn't push him for any further detail. "All right," she conceded with a gentle smile. Leaning forward onto her forearms, she sighed contentedly, shaking her hair back from her face. "So what should we talk about now?"

"World peace and uh....social reform?" he asked with a teasing smile. Two subjects he really had no interest in discussing at the moment. "How about what are we gonna do about the theater while we're gone?"

Giggling, she rolled her eyes at his teasing suggestion. "What do you mean by that?" she asked, though, curious as to what he meant by the theater. "Are you talking about the Shanachie?"

"Yeah," he replied, though the next musical on the schedule was Annie, which wasn't until the end of August. The lead role in that wasn't going to be one of them. That much was certain. "I wonder if we could stay on in guest roles or something," he said, knowing he was going to miss the theater once they returned home for good.

"I don't see why we couldn't," she mused thoughtfully. "After all, Mataya isn't truly a member of either company, but she auditions when she feels like it. Perhaps we should just stay in contact, and you could arrange auditions for the productions that will be in progress while we're in Rhy'Din."

"So long as no one back home finds out," he added. He could just see it now - the press would have a field day if they ever found out, but just how long could they keep it a secret. "Maybe we should take stage names. That way if anyone ever gets hold of a program, they won't recognize our names."

She blinked, surprised and impressed. "That never occurred to me," she admitted, laughing a little. "It's such a simple way of protecting yourself while you're performing. Yes, we should take stage names. Absolutely."

"Yours would be easy. You can just call yourself a Granger." Though he was uncertain whether or not she'd want to use her real first name. He'd have to give his own stage name a little thought. He didn't want to pick anything too obvious or there wouldn't be much point. The waiter arrived at their table to collect what was left of the appetizers and replace it with their dinner, taking a moment to refill their drinks before leaving them on their own once again.

As the waiter fussed about them, Dru realized she was having the kind of thought that only a few months ago would have remained private in her mind and never spoken aloud. Josh, however, was training her out of that. As soon as they were alone, she leaned forward and said impishly, "Of course, if you really want to protect your privacy, you could become a female impersonator. Reinvent yourself as Trixie-Lou Bubble-Bottom."

Thankfully, he wasn't eating at the time or he might have choked, laughing at her very unexpected and, he assumed, not serious suggestion. "I don't think so. Not quite the same thing as musical theater, unless it's La Cage aux Folles."

Laughing, Dru lit up at the sound and sight of his laughter, glad he had taken her suggestion the way it had been intended - a silly bit of teasing fun. "So ....there is a possibility that I might well see you in fishnets and heels at some point in the future?" she asked with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Gods, I hope not!" he replied with another chuckle. If the Shanachie did a musical where he was required to dress in drag, then he'd do it, but otherwise, it was out of the question, at least as far as he was concerned, though she might be able to talk him into it if she tried for the right occasion.

She giggled cheerfully, finally turning her attention to tackling the beautifully displayed selection of miniature main courses set between them. "You might possibly have just made that my goal in life now."

"I think you better come up with a different goal because that's never gonna happen!" he warned her with a smirk as he poked at the miniature variety of main course that had been laid out between them.

"Ah, but you're forgetting my incredibly influential contacts," she teased him sweetly, deciding on the salmon to try first. "I suggest it to Jon, Jon suggests it to Mataya, and there you have have it - Joshua Stuart strutting about on stage in a feather boa and heels."

He rolled his eyes at the suggestion, unable to imagine himself in such a situation. "If I'm gonna be in drag, so's your brother," he threatened, though the threat was made with a smirk that showed he was only teasing. Sort of. He couldn't help but wonder what the "Great Jonathan Granger" would think of dressing in drag, but then he knew nothing about the man's little body-swap when Vicki was pregnant.

"That just makes it funnier," she pointed out with a fresh giggle, loading up her fork and offering a mouthful of deliciously tender pork to him. "Was it supposed to put me off making the suggestion?"

He chuckled at her reply. "Not really. You'd probably get as much a kick out of seeing your brother in drag as anyone else would. Maybe you should put a bug in Mataya's ear," he suggested with a smirk before opening his mouth for the mouthful of pork.

She laughed at that, loud and unrestrained, drawing curious, indulgent glances from the other diners around them. All they saw was a young couple enjoying one another's company, sharing a multitude of little dishes spread over the table between them. All they saw was the here and now, the love and affection, the closeness that was growing. They didn't see the past, the build up to this moment; nor did they see the future that was lit so brightly ahead. All they saw was a girl and her man, and knew that it was love.

((First date comes shortly after a secret engagement' Only on Rhy'Din! Many thanks to Josh's player for being awesome!))