Antoine in Wellington

[piwakawaka]

The door opens onto a patio that's full of a huge family working on a barbeque and other things.

There's a view over a city with a horseshoe harbor and a wind that threatens to blow you over if you walk the wrong way.

Comments

[piwakawaka]

"Only way to see a city is with someone who knows it."

As they start going down the steps, she turns forwards and in a moment they're in the midst of a busy shopping street full of all sorts of people. A large Maori man with a full facial tattoo walks by and greets Tiwa who grins and says something to him in Maori before he moves on.

[ecrivez-moivite.livejournal.com]

He just grins and nods in response to that.

As they pass the Maori man, he bobs his head in what he hopes is an acceptably respectful manner, and, all in all, seems fairly overwhelmed. There's much too much to see.

[piwakawaka]

Before long they turn and reach the waterfront and she just beams at him,

"We could find a cafe and just watch everyone go by."

[ecrivez-moivite.livejournal.com]

"I'd like that."

As he's a little less likely to be run over in that case.

[piwakawaka]

She wouldn't let him get run over and pulls him over to the cafe at Mac's Brewery and an outside table,

"We'll get the sun and view here."

[ecrivez-moivite.livejournal.com]

He sits as he's told, leaning one elbow on the table and running his free hand through his hair.

"I suppose francs wouldn't be an acceptable currency here?"

[piwakawaka]

"Nope, but I've got an eftpos card and you're my guest anyway."

A friendly waitress comes over and gives them both menus and gives Antoine a beaming smile.

[ecrivez-moivite.livejournal.com]

He has no idea what an eftpos card is, but that's okay.

Smiling back at the waitress, he manages a slightly awkward, "Thank you," before taking the menu.

[piwakawaka]

Mac's is a classic pub and also a brewery so he can get good beer along with rather fusion food. Tiwa orders them some wedges to share and gets herself a soda.

[ecrivez-moivite.livejournal.com]

Figuring that she knows the menu better than he does, Antoine contents himself with reading what he can of the menu before having it taken.

As for beer, well. Getting drunk at noon isn't something he usually does, so he goes with the glass of water provided.

[piwakawaka]

"How hungry are you? I got us a snack to start with."

[ecrivez-moivite.livejournal.com]

"Not too hungry?" he says, almost questioning his own metabolism.

"I'd be fine with most anything."

[piwakawaka]

"They make the best fish and chips here and they give you a lot. We can share an order along with the wedges."

The meal is ordered and she grins at him while Wellington moves in front of them.

[ecrivez-moivite.livejournal.com]

He nods in response, and takes one of the smaller wedges to munch on.

As for the view of life going by, it's rather like watching a zoetrope, he thinks.

[piwakawaka]

There's a couple of dipping sauces,

"Tell me what you think of Wellington."

[ecrivez-moivite.livejournal.com]

"It's lovely," he says, after a moment's thought.

"It's full of life. Lively, I think is the word. There is a lot to see, even if you are not looking very carefully. Ah - that is not what I meant to say. Perhaps - there is a certain degree of..."

He trails off, gesturing and trying to find the correct words.

"Community? There are a lot of people."

Yeah, his train of thought left without him.

[piwakawaka]

"But it must be small compared to Paris."

[ecrivez-moivite.livejournal.com]

"Yes - it is. Paris - sometimes people are less ..."

More gesturing.

"Tight-knit. But she still has her merits."

[piwakawaka]

"My family's a bit weird though, have to take care of each other since the world can be dangerous."

[ecrivez-moivite.livejournal.com]

"The world is always dangerous. Just less so if you have someone to watch your back. Like you and your family."

[piwakawaka]

"You have someone though, right?"

She doesn't want him getting hurt.

[ecrivez-moivite.livejournal.com]

"Ah - I - I think so."

Said with a certain amount of uncertainty.

[piwakawaka]

She gives him a big hug as the food arrives and the waitress grins at them,

"Are you having a good time?"

"Oh yes, I'm showing Antoine who's never been to New Zealand before around."

"First time here, wicked. I hope you're having a good time."

[ecrivez-moivite.livejournal.com]

He offers up a quick nod and a smile.

"It's quite different from where I've been used, but it's a pleasant change."

[piwakawaka]

"I'm glad you like it."