Fine Company and Fine Dining, ala Illya
What was intended to be a brief courtesy visit, had, almost magically, extended itself into hours of pleasant conversation, ranging over an incredible variety of topics. If there was a subject Illya was not well read and up to date on, it had not yet appeared.
Behind a movable section of the bookcase which spanned one wall floor to ceiling, was exposed a hidden door, which opened into a vast wizarding space, created by powerful enlargement charms.
Exposed, besides many more overflowing bookcases, was an intricate electronics workshop, a mini-gym where the Agent had everything needed to keep himself in top condition, and a 'relaxation corner', here hidden from prying eyes (and cameras). Conversation had included that this portion of the apartment was entirely enclosed in a Faraday cage, which meant that microwaves and so forth could not "listen in" here, as was used to spy on magicals where neither listening charms nor muggle bugs could be found.
On both of the walls which formed the corner were pictures, documents, and other keepsakes which might expose too much of the carefully hidden facets of Mr. Kuryakin.
Besides ones for various academic honors, and kudos from the agencies he served, were a Forty Year Certificate from a Grand Lodge of Freemasons, and one proclaiming him an Active Member of the International Supreme Council of the Order of DeMolay.
Hanging over the latter was a chain of square golden links, ending in drop jewel with an intricate emblem in its center.
James could not help commenting on the Masonic certificate, which was NOT issued in the name of "Illya Kuryakin". Neither were most of the items displayed here.
"When I am able, I enjoy spending time with the members of the Brotherhood, which is composed of good men always trying to become better. I have to be someone else when I am thus involved, for I have no desire for the enemies my work has made for me, finding ways to attack me through my fraternity Brothers."
"The DeMolay boys are the youth group the Masons sponsor, and working with them keeps me young. In most of the world, outside of your benightedly provincial UK. Even Russia today has young men striving to grow into better men, but your hidebound English Masons seem blind to the need for more good men in the future, as if you were overstocked already."
Harry stage-coughed something that sounded quite a lot like "Fudge".
Illya smirked, knowing whom Harry was referring to.
The hour beginning to grow late, the Agent invited them out to dinner, and took them to an inconspicuous place, far from the usual haunts of the tourist class, where he indulged them in one of the finest dinners they had ever experienced, even when spending frequent summers in France or Italy. They did not fail to notice that he was warmly greeted by name by the owners, but the name he was greeted by was not "Illya".
They deferred to their host on ordering and he had them served paprika hendl.
The dish was chicken served in a creamy sauce, much like that of beef stroganoff, but rather reddish in color, awash in smoky flavored Hungarian paprika.
Their host informed them that it was popularly known, at least in America, as "Chicken Dracula". Not only for the somewhat blood colored sauce, but from being mentioned in the actual novel.
They enjoyed the meal, soaking up every bit of the sauce with pile of crusty bread served for just that purpose.
Illya had explained, over dinner, that, though he did not usually have time to cook for himself, as much as he enjoyed doing so, he had acquired a full set of fine dining locations throughout the city, through some years where he had collaborated with Nero Wolfe on some of his, Nero's, more difficult cases.
Nero had always arranged for him to come and go unobserved from the well known brownstone. He then paid him with handwritten notes to the owners of the best, and least well known eateries in town, where he dined on Wolfe's tab.
Eastern European restaurants, run by expatriates, were especially welcoming to him, since he was able to order dishes, using interminable strings of consonants, as if vowels were an upper-class affectation. Once again the roguish grin broke through.
As the dinner broke up and the Potters prepare to depart, Illya presented James with an envelope containing a number of 3 by 5 index cards, with handwritten notes.
These accompanied a list of fine dining establishments in Florida, most NOT in the "Magic Kingdom" itself, where such fine meals as Duck Montmorency could be had, and with them being wizards and witches, travel to such places was no issue. Hidden spots with apparation coordinates were thoughtfully provided.
Particular recommendations were made on Stone Crab, eaten with mustard sauce, since it was in season, at a 'dive' called 'Catfish Dewey's' in Ft. Lauderdale, and to odd locations found in spots like Tampa's Ybor City, on Cedar Key, in Cross Creek (must try the Sour Orange Pie!), and a place called 'The Mucky Duck', on Captiva Island, near Sanibel.
Illya mentioned that he had chosen not to include any spots in the Keys, and especially Key West, as he did not want these poor English persons minds to be permanently damaged from their first visit to "the colonies". He also advised putting off a visit to New Orleans, too, if they had that in mind.
As they enjoyed their excursions through the rest of their stay, Lily and James quietly decided that no reports on their visit to New York would be filed with anyone in MI5, MI6, or the Ministry.
Illya lived a mysterious life by choice, though he had chosen to share a glimpse of it with them. They decided to fully respect his privacy.