#ianthe nixon ~ thread

[thefvrious]

@thursdaygrl 03/03

ianthe is nervous as she approaches booker, she can feel the heat rising in her, the anxious sweat starting to blister up on her skin. as she lays eyes on him, she offers him a practiced smile, "promise me you won't overreact!"

[thefvrious]

ianthe is overcome by the warmth she feels radiating off of penn, off of the establishment at large. it will be her utmost pleasure to spread the wrod about PSIHI, to her colleagues and friends and family members alike. she's pretty certain she can get at least a handful of people to check the spot out, and isn't that something? penn's energy is magnetic, contagious. ianthe can't help but giggle right back. "alright. i won't argue anymore. scouts' honor." she says and holds her hand up in what she hopes is the appropriate gesture.

"ahh! it's a pretty small business, so it's not like there are that many of us. i'd say, company wide, there are like 22 of us total, and we're rarely ever coordinated enough to go out together, but thanks for the offer! i'll certainly keep it in mind. do you have any special events? or maybe some business cards i can hand out?"

penn lets out a soft laugh that sounds like a mix between a chuckle and a giggle. technically speaking, this is a local business, that's right, but their line of thinking is that a grand first impression is long lasting, and if it gets ianthe back in PSIHI, they shall try their best to satisfy. it seems, in this occasion, that coming to an agreement is what will satisfy this particular guest. "okay, you make a good point there!" they nod a few times. "i'll take off just ONE, but i'll take off whichever is the most expensive, that seems like a fair compromise, right?" their smile widens. the business has been having a somewhat rough start (only manageable due to their parents' KIND initial loan), and although the thought of more guests means more money and that's amazing, penn is truly most honoured that their guest would think to spread good words about the restaurant to her co-workers. "we'll absolutely LOVE to have you guys! if you ever come in big numbers, just give us a quick call before hand and i'll be happy to accommodate you in a more comfortable table!"

[thefvrious]

for the briefest of moments, she was wounded by his reaction. she rolled her tongue around in her mouth then bit down on it, forcing a smile at him before batting her lashes prettily. "doesn't have to be you, could be any persona you want to put in, if you think you're not good enough for me or something..." ianthe said, blinking at him again with her wide, hazel eyes. "i want them to believe that i have a boyfriend, alright? and you're a boy who is a friend, what's wrong with you being my option for the night? i promise, i'll tell them we broke up after the holidays. i'll even make it my fault, if that makes you feel better. please! i'll owe you one, too!"

booker's eyes narrowed, bracing for whatever she was going to say which... he didn't have high hopes for what it was gonna be. her introduction to the conversation had already put them off on he wrong foot. what she ianthe did say, however, took him aback. "what?" he understood fibbing to get people off their back, but then going as far as having someone pretend for her? his brows furrowed. "you want people at your work to think i'm your boyfriend?" booker hated how it came out, but he brushed it off. "jesus, ianthe..."

[thefvrious]

ianthe's smile falters only a little, "no, wait, but... can you just take off one, not both? that hardly seems fair. i'm trying to support a local business here!" she insists, eyes wide and blinking up at the self-reported manager of the place. "perhaps we can see each other's lines of thinking after all..."

the platinum blonde's grin grows exponentially when she's finally greeted with a handshake and their name. "pleasure to meet you, penn! i'm sure i will. it's really central to my office, so i bet i drop in often, maybe even with some colleagues?" she offers, wiggling a bit in her seat.

infected by their guest's smile, penn reciprocates. "you've got it, i'll get those taken care of!" they confirm for the sake of it, smile not leaving their face for a second while listening to the other speak. "well, business is what i do, so compromising is a must, right? i can appreciate that side of your brain," they joke. they reach their hand out to meet ianthe's. "i'm penn! it's a pleasure to have you, ianthe. i do hope you return again, and again, and again..," penn half-jokes. the compliment strikes a particular sweet spot of theirs that's been harbouring a seed of self-doubt, and for a moment they feel a sense of pride in PSIHI as their baby.

[thefvrious]

the small, relatively new restaurant had been recommended to ianthe from a classmate, and she had been dying to check it out. before calling the manager over to the table, she'd even posted a review on google and a photo of her meal to instagram with a raving review tagging the establishment in it. it wasn't like she had a lot of followers, but if it made even one more person come to PSIHI then it would have been worth it. "you're welcome!" ianthe replies brightly, her grin on 1000 watts now, lighting up her eyes. "i hope that it makes them smile!" she folds up her napkin and sets it on the table then looks up at the other in shock. "no! no, i insist on paying! please?"

the past three months since opening the PSIHI have been hectic for penn. dealing with the business side of the restaurant while keeping their promise to be a present owner has proven to be quite the challenge, but so far, so good. moments like this one are what keeps them optimistic that in spite of the troubled waters they've been sailing through, they'll find the feeling of satisfaction they've been looking for. "wow, no, thank YOU," they say through a genuine smile. "i'll make sure to let shiloh and the kitchen staff know, i'm really glad we could make your day a little better!" penn's eyes quickly roam the room for the mentioned waiter, a quick proud nod thrown in their direction before looking back at their guest. "we'll cover your dinner!" it's an impromptu decision, and the first time penn's chosen to let a guest go free of charge; they've been dying to pull out this move.

[thefvrious]

ianthe has always thought there's not enough positivity in the world so, any chance she gets, she tries to spread some. her server tonight has gone above and beyond, been exceptional, and the food just the same. so, she wants to spread a little joy. when the other appears in front of her and speaks, the petite blonde perks up with a sparkling smile. "i just wanted to say thank you for such a wonderful dining experience! i've been under a lot of stress lately and shiloh was really great... the food was great. the atmosphere is amazing!"

open to: m / f / nb !! muse: penn prichard, 32yo, they/them prompt: penn owns a bougie ass restaurant in a kinda gentrified spot in town/city; someone's having dinner ( alone or not ) and for some reason asked to speak to the manager

"good evening, hi, you asked to speak to the manager?" they know they are NOT the manager, but they also don't bother introducing themself as their actual position - what difference does it actually make? "is everything alright with your meal?"

[thefvrious]

ianthe had been so busy with work that she hadn't been able to foster much of a social life. she had a few friends, sure, but most of them were confined to work — with the exception, of course, of booker. wincing she offered him her sunniest smile. "well, i maybe kind of told everyone i work with that i was seeing someone, and i'm totally not, and now this holiday party is swiftly approaching, and... i just assumed you'd come with me and play along? i'll make it worth your while."

booker is almost startled by ianthe's sudden presence, though he was admittedly very absorbed by the twitch clip playing until the blonde is in front of him and his eyes widen and then suddenly squint. "wait, overreact to—" his gaze darkens, tone becoming accusatory. "what did you do?"