Suite Affairs [Pacific Heights]
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Human Small Groups =&gt; Topic started by: Diesel Heart on 08-04-2017, 16:45:42</h2>
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				Title: <strong>Suite Affairs [Pacific Heights]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Diesel Heart</strong> on <strong>08-04-2017, 16:45:42</strong>
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				<div align="center"><span style="font-size: 18pt;" class="bbc_size"><strong>Suite Affairs</strong></span><br><em>Pacific Heights Thread</em><br><br>(https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/0d/55/74/2f/pacific-heights.jpg)</div><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Pacific Heights is an affluent neighborhood of San Francisco, California, which is known for the notable people who reside in the area. It is located in one of the most scenic and park-like settings in northern California, offering panoramic views of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Bay, the Palace of Fine Arts, Alcatraz, and the Presidio. Its location provides a temperate micro-climate that is clearer, but not always warmer, than many other areas in San Francisco. The oldest building in Pacific Heights, located at 2475 Pacific Avenue, was built in 1853, though the majority of the neighborhood was built after the 1906 earthquake. The architecture of the neighborhood is varied; Victorian, Mission Revival, Edwardian, and Château styles are common.&nbsp; Most of the neighborhood's boutiques and restaurants can be found along Fillmore Street, south of Pacific Avenue. They include stores like Athleta, Prana, Marc by Marc Jacobs, and Ralph Lauren. Other businesses in Pacific Heights are located on California and Divisadero Streets, as well as on Van Ness Avenue.<br><br><div class="codeheader">Code: <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="return smfSelectText(this);" class="codeoperation">[Select]</a></div><pre style="margin: 0; padding: 0;"><code class="bbc_code">[floatleft][img height=200 padding=5]Insert URL Here[/img][/floatleft]<br>[b]Name:[/b]<br>[b]Date:[/b] (Let's start posting on April 1, 2017)<br>[b]Time:[/b]<br>[b]Tagging:[/b]<br>[b]Summary:[/b]<br>[hr]<br></code></pre>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Suite Affairs [Pacific Heights]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>NightLux</strong> on <strong>12-04-2017, 02:34:03</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(http://40.media.tumblr.com/73b31295bc3727bd330adbc585e67ef6/tumblr_mnnmpbJtEG1qhv5sho7_1280.jpg)</div><br><br><br><strong>Name:</strong>&nbsp; <strong>Joao Silvas</strong> (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=265658.msg13115438#msg13115438)<br><br><strong>Date:</strong>&nbsp; April 1, 2017<br><strong>Time:</strong>&nbsp; Early Afternoon<br><strong>Where:</strong> Pacific Heights, unnamed walking/running trail<br><strong>Tagging:</strong>&nbsp; Sara McComb<br><strong>Summary:</strong>&nbsp; Out Running<br><br><br><hr><hr><br>As one of the younger doctors in the practice, <acronym title="California Pacific Emergency Physicians">CPEP</acronym>, Joao was typically given the night shifts; not that he really seemed to mind.&nbsp; There was a substantial shift differential, so he ended up being paid pretty well for those hours, but more importantly, it allowed him to spend beautiful afternoons like this one outside.&nbsp; Glancing down at his watch as he let himself rest from his run, he figured he'd been up and moving for about seventeen hours; he was good for at least another ten so he could try and reset his internal clock for the morning shift on <acronym title="April 3">Monday</acronym>.&nbsp; Some might balk at spending over a day awake but most of them hadn't been residents and interns working in emergency departments.&nbsp; He remembered pulling two thirty-six hour shifts with only twelve hours of sleep between them.&nbsp; Not that he would ever dare to try that again; he wasn't that young anymore.&nbsp; Wiping some of the sweat from his brow, he took a deep breath and started his jog again, letting himself get caught in his thoughts.<br><br>His random thoughts were his little way of telling how stressed or comfortable he was.&nbsp; Right now, his thoughts were in English, short ramblings about the rest of the day's plans, what chores needed to get done and taking a stroll through the building to see who else had moved in.&nbsp; Joao had moved in shortly after construction had finished, perhaps three months now, and had been astonished at how many people came from all walks of life.&nbsp; It was the reason he loved most cities - nowhere else could so many different people come together and give an area a life of its own.&nbsp; San Francisco lived and breathed like anyone, its heartbeat different enough for a visitor to quickly understand this wasn't LA or Vancouver or, god forbid, Oklahoma City.&nbsp; A slight turn of his head to the left, as he was running east, and he could almost make out Alcatraz in the bay.&nbsp; Joao had always loved the water, for as long as he could remember.<br><br>He grew up in Lisbon, a place that seemed a world and a life away, but he remembered his folks taking him down to the Rio Tejo, which might as well have been a bay as it spilled out to the Atlantic near Lisbon.&nbsp; He knew that's why he loved Vancouver and now San Francisco - it just felt like that home.&nbsp; But as he pushed himself, pressing himself to run harder and faster as he climbed a hill, breaking into a sprint, his thoughts shift back into his native tongue, into Portuguese, as he counted his steps.&nbsp; <em>Vinte e oito, vinte e nove,</em> he thought silently, finishing the spring with a single word, "Trinta..."&nbsp; Perching his hands above his head, he let himself slowly turn and take in the full sights of the city and bay beyond, the noises of the city and the others on the trail more than enough to make sure he felt at home.&nbsp; Even if he did always feel a bit alone...
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Suite Affairs [Pacific Heights]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Gypsy</strong> on <strong>12-04-2017, 03:36:20</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(http://i.imgur.com/5WGMhX4.jpg)</div><div class="floatright">(http://i.imgur.com/IgjDnJr.jpg)</div><br><strong>Name:</strong>&nbsp; <strong>Sara McComb &amp; Pepe</strong><br><br><strong>Date:</strong>&nbsp; April 1, 2017<br><strong>Time:</strong>&nbsp; early afternoon<br><strong>Tagging:</strong>&nbsp; None<br><strong>Summary:</strong>&nbsp; Moving Day<br><br><br><br><hr><hr><br>Once things had been arranged in the new apartment to everyone's initial satisfaction, Sara clipped on Pepe's leash ... the spare one having been found in Pepe's bed ... and headed out into the neighborhood, properly equipped to meet city ordinances for dog walking.&nbsp; There was a small park just across the street that would be perfect for tending to those 'needs', though Pepe was trained to use the Pet Loo, which was God's gift to the dog-loving city dweller as far as Sara was concerned.&nbsp; There had been no sign of the cantankerous old lady and her cane, nor, regrettably, Seren and Diesel, but several people stopped to say hello to Pepe and pet him, so he was content to trot along and explore, smelling the air and learning about his new environs.<br><br>Sara had changed into a pair of jeans and a green shirt, loose enough to let her enjoy the breeze in the comfortably warm temperatures, and comfortable shoes.&nbsp; They were really meant for jogging, but Pepe's legs were short enough that he tired out too quickly for more than a little run.&nbsp; She usually got her jog in in the early morning, three days a week, more or less ... usually less rather than more if there was a variation, while he was still burrowed under his blanket.&nbsp; This was a more leisurely activity, and they were both settling in, getting used to their new environment.&nbsp; Everything was going well until a squirrel - which Pepe seemed to think looked a lot like a new-style-American pussycat, darted out from under a bench to pick up a stray peanut no doubt left from an earlier feeding.&nbsp; Pepe wound the leash strap around her leg in his excitement, and by the time she'd got that sorted, getting a laughing round of applause by a couple of teenagers nearby to her impromptu dance, Pepe was wound around the leg of the bench.<br><em><br>"Naughty boy,"</em> she laughed, and bent to untangle him, letting go of her end of the leash in the process.&nbsp; That was a mistake, and whether Pepe had just been biding his time for the opportunity to go off unhindered in search of a girlfriend, or whether he zigged when she zagged, he darted off as soon as she had gotten the last coil undone, and her fingertips closed on nothing but the feel of the leash and empty air.<br><strong><em><br>"Pepe!&nbsp; Get back here!"</em></strong><br><br>Pepe ran on, as fast as his little legs would carry him, nimbly dodging a well-meaning bystander who tried to help.<br><br>The chase was on, and it seemed that Sara would be getting an afternoon jog, karmic payback for skipping the morning run with the rationalization that getting moved in would be enough exercise for the day.&nbsp; Maybe she should rethink that bit about him not being able to keep up on her jogs, because this afternoon, he had a good head start and was pulling away with an impressive burst of determination.<br><br><em><strong>"Pepe!"&nbsp; </strong></em>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Suite Affairs [Pacific Heights]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>NightLux</strong> on <strong>12-04-2017, 16:37:43</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(http://40.media.tumblr.com/73b31295bc3727bd330adbc585e67ef6/tumblr_mnnmpbJtEG1qhv5sho7_1280.jpg)</div><br><br><br><strong>Name:</strong>&nbsp; <strong>Joao Silvas</strong> (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=265658.msg13115438#msg13115438)<br><br><strong>Date:</strong>&nbsp; April 1, 2017<br><strong>Time:</strong>&nbsp; Early Afternoon<br><strong>Where:</strong> Pacific Heights, unnamed walking/running trail<br><strong>Tagging:</strong>&nbsp; Sara McComb<br><strong>Summary:</strong>&nbsp; Learning that he's not as agile as he thought...<br><br><br><hr><hr><br>His wrists still perched along the crown of his skull, fingers interwoven behind it, he took another deep breath and turned his head back to the trail; from here it was mostly downhill to the apartment and would make a nice way to cool down with his legs complaining about the previous sprint.&nbsp; Another deep breath filled his lungs as he pushed himself to a jog again, the scrape of his shoes against the concrete once again finding a rhythm as his legs churned.&nbsp; A small step to the side allowed him to give way to another jogger finishing his uphill climb but then, once the coast was clear, he pulled at the collar of his shirt to wipe away some sweat that threatened to drop into his eyes, blinding him for a few seconds.<br><br><strong>"Pepe!</strong> he heard the first time but it didn't quite process.&nbsp; It was San Francisco, he'd seen his fair share of people fighting in public and just assumed that was the case.&nbsp; But the second time he heard the name, a bit closer, he could hear that timber and whine in the woman's voice.&nbsp; <em>And when was the last time you met someone named Pepe, Joao?</em> he thought to himself, pulling his shirt back down and giving himself a moment to look around.&nbsp; But moment wasn't long enough as his eyes caught a flash of brown and black tearing towards him, the occasional flash of a red tongue and white underbelly bouncing among the blur, a leash trailing like a comet's tail.<br><br>As he forecast the next moments in his mind, it was as easy as planting one foot and holding the other up, waiting for the leash to come underfoot and then stomp down it, saving the day.&nbsp; Joao should have known better than to assume something that simple or that his plan would survive more than a couple of seconds in reality.&nbsp; The first foot planted just fine, a slight bounce to make sure he was free for his next planned move.&nbsp; But what he failed to account for was that the dog was chasing something... and that something took a hard turn to the right.&nbsp; And, with that turn, so did the illusive Pepe.<br><br>The next few moments were a blur of him attempting... something... Pepe running into him, his fall to the ground.&nbsp; It must have been funny to see, as while he worked to stand up he could hear some people jiggling as the small dog sat back looking at him, probably just as puzzled as to the chain of events as he was.&nbsp; But, by some miracle, the leash was within reach and, wanting to salvage some dignity, Joao snatched it and twisted the lead around his wrist to make sure it stayed secure.&nbsp; Seeming to writhe on the ground for a moment, he brought his knees in front of him as he sat and smiled at the dog, arms curled around his legs to take some of the strain off his stomach and abs.&nbsp; "Well hello there," he said softly, tipping his head to be bit more on Pepe's level.&nbsp; "Nice to meet you," he laughed, reaching out and scratching the dog behind the ears, content to wait until his owner appeared.&nbsp; He glanced around and in the direction he came, noticing the redhead jogging toward him, presumably to collect her dog, and the reason he began smiling even brighter.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Suite Affairs [Pacific Heights]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Gypsy</strong> on <strong>12-04-2017, 21:42:40</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(http://i.imgur.com/5WGMhX4.jpg)</div><div class="floatright">(http://i.imgur.com/IgjDnJr.jpg)</div><br><strong>Name:</strong>&nbsp; <strong>Sara McComb &amp; Pepe</strong><br><br><strong>Date:</strong>&nbsp; April 1, 2017<br><strong>Time:</strong>&nbsp; early afternoon<br><strong>Tagging:</strong>&nbsp; Joao<br><strong>Summary:</strong>&nbsp; Making an idiot of herself in the park<br><br><br><br><hr><hr><br>The race went on further than it should.&nbsp; Pepe normally was not long on stamina for running, but when Sara saw the flash of a brownish red tail, she got the gist.&nbsp; The little hussy was leading him on!&nbsp; &nbsp;She would laugh about that thought later, but as she chugged along, stretching out her stride far more than she ever did when just exercise was the goal, she just wanted Pepe back under control before he was steamrolled by …<br><br>She saw it before it happened, but she was too far away to do anything about it.&nbsp; One of the runners saw the galloping, tongue-lolling courser of love in hot pursuit of God knew what – what exactly would Pepe do with a squirrel if he caught one?&nbsp; Somehow Sara didn’t think it’d sit still and let him hump its leg, and he wouldn’t even eat chicken breast unless it was cooked well done.&nbsp; <br><br>It was amazing the tangents a mind could go off on while disaster unfolded.&nbsp; Sara couldn’t do anything other than pump along a little faster as the man moved, presumably to secure the leash, just as the squirrel took the opportunity to sabotage her (or his – Pepe was very open minded when it came to love interests – male, female, plant, statue, metal, plushie) pursuer and dodged, running right between the legs of the would-be interloper.&nbsp; Pepe followed, but his agility had been lessened by the ferocity of the run, and while he wasn’t big enough to bowl the man over, he was easily big enough to trip over, especially when not squashing him was a concern.<br><br><em>“Oh, no! <strong> Pepe!</strong>”</em>&nbsp; Of all the useless things she could call out.&nbsp; But at least the collision, or whatever it was, was enough to stop Pepe, and the man didn’t seem to be hurt … and neither did Pepe, who thought his valiant effort was well rewarded by the consolation prize of an ear scratching.&nbsp; Sara slowed, and drew in a couple of winded, yet relieved, breaths.<br><em><br>“Thank you.&nbsp; I’m so sorry.&nbsp; You aren’t hurt are you?&nbsp; Oh, I feel just terrible.&nbsp; &nbsp;He got away from me, the little rascal.&nbsp; Let me help you!” </em> The words all just came tumbling out, both from relief and because her brain – probably following Pepe’s terrible example – was busy processing that the obstacle on the course that he had failed was a very nice looking man, complete with tousled hair and a light beard and mustache, which set her heart thumping about as much as the squirrel had Pepe’s.<br><br>Sara abruptly shut up, annoyed with herself for acting like she didn’t have a brain above the waist.&nbsp; That might not be a quality that was as unique to the male of the species as women liked to think, but it didn’t mean she had to indulge it.&nbsp; <em>“I <strong>am</strong> sorry.&nbsp; We’re new to the neighborhood.&nbsp; &nbsp;I guess I haven’t learned all the pitfalls yet.&nbsp; You’ve already met Pepe, and I’m Sara.&nbsp; Sara McComb.”</em><br><br>If her face was a touch flushed, something that did not go especially well with her red hair, she hoped that he would blame it on the run.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Suite Affairs [Pacific Heights]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>NightLux</strong> on <strong>12-04-2017, 22:47:12</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(http://40.media.tumblr.com/73b31295bc3727bd330adbc585e67ef6/tumblr_mnnmpbJtEG1qhv5sho7_1280.jpg)</div><br><br><br><strong>Name:</strong>&nbsp; <strong>Joao Silvas</strong> (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=265658.msg13115438#msg13115438)<br><br><strong>Date:</strong>&nbsp; April 1, 2017<br><strong>Time:</strong>&nbsp; Early Afternoon<br><strong>Where:</strong> Pacific Heights, unnamed walking/running trail<br><strong>Tagging:</strong>&nbsp; Sara McComb<br><strong>Summary:</strong>&nbsp; Making friends<br><br><br><hr><hr><br>He chuckled at himself as she approached but before she talked, watching her as he thought, <em>Usually its your dog that helps get a woman's attention, never thought of using her own...</em> he joked before waiving off her question of whether he was hurt.&nbsp; Beyond some dirt on his clothes and a wounded ego, he was as fine as he was moments before.&nbsp; Joao turned waited a moment for her hand or some sign that she was going to follow through with her words, but as he watched her flush, he scooped up Pepe and stood on his own, cradling the dog and scratching his side.&nbsp; "I'm Joa..." he started, pronouncing it with a bit of an accent but stopping himself, "Just call me John, everyone else does," he finished, deferring her from the Portuguese pronunciation to something everyone would be more familiar with.&nbsp; Only Amanda called him by his real first name anymore, although he loved to push reading his real name onto those who were being arrogant to him, especially belligerent patients.<br><br>"Mine would do the same, so you've no reason to apologize," he answered her, twisting the leach off of his wrist and offering it to her, "Although I can't think of the last time I could hold him like this.&nbsp; Probably as a puppy," he laughed, turning and offering Pepe back to her.&nbsp; "Here you go, Sara."&nbsp; Trying to stop the dog was just being a good dog owner himself, now it seemed that his good deed was paying more in dividends.&nbsp; "And welcome to the neighborhood too.&nbsp; Where do you live?" he asked reflexively, not realizing it was quite a personal question and not one usually given out on a whim, but he covered himself, "Sorry, only ask because I live over in the new Triumvirate Suites, so there's been a lot of new people coming in."&nbsp; Seemed a decent enough cover.<br><br>Once she took Pepe, he dusted himself off, straightening his shirt and twisting his feet in his shoes to make sure they fit correctly.&nbsp; A bead of sweat slid onto his nose and before thought otherwise, he lifted the bottom of his shirt to wipe his face, not wanting to be a sweaty mess in front of a pretty girl, only to give her a straight shot of his runner's phyisique.&nbsp; His words covered the otherwise flirtatious move with a bit of innuendo of their own.&nbsp; "If you need someone to give you the highlights, let me know.&nbsp; I run here anytime I can and there's a ton of good places to eat around here.&nbsp; And if you every find yourself in the ER down the way," he added, making sure she saw that feather in his cap, "Make sure you ask for me and I'll see that you're patched up quickly."&nbsp; Not that it had anything to do with the real conversation, but he was always taught to lead with your best features.&nbsp; Only then, after realizing he'd flashed his chest at her, did he flush in return, brightened by a large smile.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Suite Affairs [Pacific Heights]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Gypsy</strong> on <strong>12-04-2017, 23:53:46</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(http://i.imgur.com/5WGMhX4.jpg)</div><div class="floatright">(http://i.imgur.com/IgjDnJr.jpg)</div><br><strong>Name:</strong>&nbsp; <strong>Sara McComb &amp; Pepe</strong><br><br><strong>Date:</strong>&nbsp; April 1, 2017<br><strong>Time:</strong>&nbsp; early afternoon<br><strong>Tagging:</strong>&nbsp; Joao<br><strong>Summary:</strong>&nbsp; Making an idiot of herself in the park<br><br><br><br><hr><hr><br>“Way to go, Sara,” she scolded herself silently, covering the awkward moment by looking down at Pepe, who was wagging his tail like mad and looking far more pleased with himself than his behavior warranted. &nbsp;“You could have helped him up, and who knows … maybe you would have gotten unbalanced and fallen right into …”<br><br>She grinned at herself, showing a flash of white, even, likely expensively maintained teeth.&nbsp; She might be making a fool of herself, but at least she hadn’t made THAT much of a fool.&nbsp; More’s the pity … as her eyes wandered for a moment before snapping back to his face.<br><br><em>“Nice to meet you …<strong> John.</strong> “ </em> She reached out, but she was a day late and a dollar short again.&nbsp; He was already handing Pepe over to her, so instead of taking his hand, she took the dog instead.&nbsp; Of course, it was great to have Pepe back under control, where he wouldn’t get hurt, even if she was really doing a lousy job of maximizing her opportunities – something she stressed at work.&nbsp; &nbsp;<em> “Oh, you’ve got a dog, too?&nbsp; &nbsp;That probably means you’ll be walking him here …”</em><br><br>She closed her eyes, and mentally pictured stamping her foot – or possibly kicking herself in her own ass. &nbsp;“Next you’ll be asking him if his wife comes with him when he runs.”<br><br>Thankfully,&nbsp; her dog savior didn’t seem to read minds, and thank God for small favors.&nbsp; Pepe gave her a reproachful look, probably wondering why she wasn't kissing her way up his arm by now.&nbsp; &nbsp; At least John made the rather awkward faux pas of asking her baldly where she lived, though she had really invited him to with her comment about being new to the neighborhood.&nbsp; He recovered well, though she couldn’t help but wonder if using his shirt to wipe his forehead had been meant to show off some rather nice abs.&nbsp; The view distracted her again for a moment, making her miss a beat when the fact that they lived in the same building – or at least the same set of buildings – sunk in.&nbsp; <em>“Oh."</em>&nbsp; Her face lit up.&nbsp; No prizes for playing coy, or hard to get for Sara. <em> "We’re neighbors, then.&nbsp; &nbsp;We just moved in today.&nbsp; Me, I mean.&nbsp; Well, me and Pepe.&nbsp; And Victoria.&nbsp; My niece.&nbsp; She’s my niece, staying with me for a while.”</em><br><br>“Oh, that’s good.&nbsp; Why don’t you flutter your fingers around, or maybe twirl Pepe’s leash around them so he can see you’re not wearing a ring?”<br><br>Sara smiled brightly again, and resolutely held her hand still, refusing to make the juvenile gesture, even if a part of her really, really wanted to.<br><em><br>“That would be marvelous.&nbsp; Didn’t you just move in?&nbsp; I mean … I thought the building just opened?&nbsp; But I guess if work nearby, it’d make sense that you know all the good spots. “</em><br><br>Well, that was a little better.&nbsp; Sara gave a snort of introspective laughter at herself, shaking her head, even if it made him think she had a few marbles loose. <em> “Though I think I’ll just save myself the trouble of figuring out a reason to send myself to the ER to see you again.&nbsp; How about dinner one evening, to thank you for stopping my runaway dog?&nbsp; Take it as&nbsp; a neighborly gesture … or as the fact that if I walk away without asking you out, or you asking me out, Pepe will never let me hear the end of it, after all the trouble he went to to arrange an introduction.&nbsp; Of course, if you’re involved ... "Please, God ... let him be single.&nbsp; And no girlfriend.&nbsp; And heterosexual ... or at least bi."<br><br>"Well,&nbsp; I’ll admit to a certain disappointment and hope you’ll take it as a funny compliment instead of something … you know … crazy dog lady stalkerish.”<br></em><br><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Suite Affairs [Pacific Heights]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>NightLux</strong> on <strong>13-04-2017, 19:37:32</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(http://40.media.tumblr.com/73b31295bc3727bd330adbc585e67ef6/tumblr_mnnmpbJtEG1qhv5sho7_1280.jpg)</div><br><br><br><strong>Name:</strong>&nbsp; <strong>Joao Silvas</strong> (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=265658.msg13115438#msg13115438)<br><br><strong>Date:</strong>&nbsp; April 1, 2017<br><strong>Time:</strong>&nbsp; Early Afternoon<br><strong>Where:</strong> Pacific Heights, unnamed walking/running trail<br><strong>Tagging:</strong>&nbsp; Sara McComb<br><strong>Summary:</strong>&nbsp; ... and now making plans<br><em>Note: I apologize now, but I'm using Google Translate to create his Portuguese.&nbsp; Hover over for translations.</em><br><br><hr><hr><br>It might have seemed out of nowhere, but when she mentioned walking his dog, he couldn't help but laugh, "I don't walk Peq'," he started, using his dog's nickname, "That dog walks me.&nbsp; He's funny, he won't rush out the door, but once he realizes he's going somewhere, he wants to get there <strong>now!</strong>" he chimed in, offering a bit of his dog's personality for absolutely no reason, just playing with the conversation, trying to make his dog a bit endearing to her and, by proxy, himself in the process.&nbsp; <em>... <acronym title="unless she starts to think he's an aggressive, untrained dog">a menos que ela comece a pensar que ele é um cão agressivo, destreinado...</acronym></em> he thought, realizing his nerves had him thinking in his native tongue.&nbsp; He took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves lest he just start speaking some language that she wouldn't understand.<br><br>Her next words helped.&nbsp; "Neighbors?&nbsp; Wow, what are the chances?" he laughed, mentally adding a mark in his favor; if she were living close, it'd make running into her so much easier.&nbsp; Not that he'd stalk the mailboxes or the pool or the other common areas in the buildings... "That's kind of you; I did the same for my sister after..." and he let those words end, deciding it probably wasn't best to start into an entire sob story after meeting thirty seconds prior, "I mean, she lives with me too.&nbsp; Kind of nice to have someone else around, isn't it?&nbsp; I mean, dogs don't really talk to you.&nbsp; Well, they communicate, but that's different," he rambled, her nerves matched by his own.&nbsp; <em>Shut up, shut up, shut up!</em><br><br>"Dinner would be great! he interrupted, jumping on that invitation, especially when she mentioned it was going to be more than just a thank-you dinner.&nbsp; He was attracted, the smiles and tripping over his own words were clumsy signs, "And no attachments.&nbsp; None."&nbsp; He paused, took a deep breath and reset.&nbsp; "I'm free night or tomorrow night, you're pick.&nbsp; Here," he paused, pulling his phone from the arm-strap he used when running, opening the iMessage app and then glancing up at her, "What's your number?"&nbsp; He smiled as he waited, already coming up with something he at least thought was fairly suave.<br><br>Once she gave him those desired digits, he typed out a few quick words - <tt class="bbc_tt">This is John.&nbsp; Looking forward to dinner.</tt> - before he tapped the little world icon on the keyboard, flipping it to Portuguese and typing out a few more words as the smile grew - <tt class="bbc_tt">Eu seria um tolo para dizer não a uma mulher tão bonita quanto você.</tt> - then hit send.&nbsp; Turning his attention back to her, he laughed before he reached forward and petted Pepe, waiting for the message to ding.&nbsp; "There, you have my number now too.&nbsp; I'll translate what I said at dinner, deal?"&nbsp; It might not have been suave, but he'd settle with cute.&nbsp; Sliding his phone back in the arm-strap, he smiled brightly.&nbsp; "Definitely not stalkerish.&nbsp; But crazy dog lady?&nbsp; I can handle that."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Suite Affairs [Pacific Heights]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Gypsy</strong> on <strong>13-04-2017, 23:51:07</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(http://i.imgur.com/5WGMhX4.jpg)</div><div class="floatright">(http://i.imgur.com/IgjDnJr.jpg)</div><br><strong>Name:</strong>&nbsp; <strong>Sara McComb &amp; Pepe</strong><br><br><strong>Date:</strong>&nbsp; April 1, 2017<br><strong>Time:</strong>&nbsp; early afternoon<br><strong>Tagging:</strong>&nbsp; Joao<br><strong>Summary:</strong>&nbsp; Making an idiot of herself in the park<br><br><br><br><hr><hr><br>Mentally, Sara was taking notes and assessing.&nbsp; That, she supposed, was where her professionalism came in, even if it wasn’t exactly stepping up to keep her from acting like a teen with a first crush.<br><br>Big dog.&nbsp; A quick glance down at Pepe made her wonder just how well that would work.&nbsp; The dogs just had to get along, as she just couldn’t see getting involved with someone who didn’t love Pepe.&nbsp; Well, he seemed to already like Pepe, and Pepe liked him. <em> “Getting a little ahead of yourself, aren’t you?”</em><br><br>But so what?&nbsp; There were worse beginnings, and even if it didn’t turn out like Snow White and Prince Charming … but who the hell actually knew how that turned out?&nbsp; Maybe that first passion had fizzled.&nbsp; Maybe Prince Charming couldn’t keep it in his pants, or was lousy beneath those silk sheets.&nbsp; Maybe Snow White found she really didn’t like the messiness of sex, or was horrified when she found out that Charming wanted to put that where?<br><br><em>“You are kidding, right?&nbsp; THIS is what you think about when trying to flirt with a gorgeous man?&nbsp; A doctor?&nbsp; A nurse?”</em><br><br><em>“Oh, yes.&nbsp; I’m in the Octavian.&nbsp; We’re in the Octavian.&nbsp; Oh, you have a sister?&nbsp; That’s nice – maybe she and Vicky are close to each other in age.&nbsp; &nbsp;It would be wonderful for her to find a friend in the building.” </em> And preferably a friend that didn’t make Sara worry about what she was out doing, though if she were honest, she didn’t really worry all that much.&nbsp; People had to live their lives, make their own mistakes – and hopefully have a lot of fun doing it.<br><br>John didn’t seem to mind, and they both kept smiling at each other, smiling, indicating that the interest was at least mutual.&nbsp; &nbsp;If there were awkward moments, neither were taking them to heart, and the information was flowing and neither one seemed to be bothered about how polished it was.&nbsp; She could listen to that beautifully accented voice all day long.&nbsp; No attachments – now those were some beautiful words in any language, and as Pepe might say, he was speaking the language of love.&nbsp; Or at least lust.<br><br><em>“Well … how about tonight?&nbsp; I haven’t been shopping yet, so the cupboards are pretty bare.&nbsp; Maybe Vi … “</em>&nbsp; Her traitorous mouth closed tight on the almost suggestion that Vicky might join them, and his sister, too.&nbsp; &nbsp; It would be the nice thing, the right thing to do, but would she seem terribly selfish if she didn’t?&nbsp; Maybe she could suggest that she order pizza for them instead?&nbsp; <em>“Vicky probably would prefer pizza – you know how kids are.” </em>&nbsp; &nbsp;Boy, she was glad Vicky wasn’t around to hear her shave a few years off her age.&nbsp; That wouldn’t be pretty,&nbsp; not pretty at all.<br><br>Luckily, her phone was still in her pocket, so the exchange of numbers was completed, along with a puzzle.&nbsp; Maybe she could try Google Translate?&nbsp; But no, that would spoil the surprise.&nbsp; <em>“I’d love that.&nbsp; I hope you'll say it for me, too.”</em>&nbsp; <em>"You'll feel pretty damn foolish if it means 'I'm allergic to shellfish'."<br></em><br>Yes, her face said that she could probably put her head in the cup of her hand and just stare at him across a candlelit table for a few hours while her imagination went wild.&nbsp; Love at first sight, lust at first sight, maybe it didn’t matter.&nbsp; She wasn’t about to look a pint-sized gift horse in the mouth.<br><br><em>“I’m glad.&nbsp; I’m usually not so … easily flustered, believe it or not. “ </em> Her smile reached her eyes, warm, inviting,&nbsp; and she reached out to lay her hand on his for a moment, given that she’d missed the opportunity before.&nbsp; Let him believe what he wanted to believe about the reasons.&nbsp; He didn’t seem like the sort of arrogant ass who’d take making women’s eyes erupt into stars as his due.&nbsp; He seemed nice, sweet,&nbsp; and if Pepe approved … well, maybe there were just all sorts of possibilities.<br><br><em>“Seven o’clock?&nbsp; It's a little early, but I skipped lunch, what with the moving.&nbsp; Since you know all the good places around, how about somewhere we could walk to, sans leashes?&nbsp; &nbsp;I’m pretty easy when It comes too food – and drinks, too.”&nbsp; </em>There, that should cover the eventualities, and even if he picked her least favorite cuisine, she could deal.&nbsp; Why sweat the small stuff when the possibilities were so … attractive.<br><br><em>“We could meet in the Atrium.&nbsp; I met a few of the other neighbors there earlier.&nbsp; Mrs. Jordan … have you met her yet?&nbsp; She took one look at Pepe, and I thought she was going to yell for someone to bring a can of Raid.&nbsp; I'd love to know what she thought of your dog.”<br></em><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Suite Affairs [Pacific Heights]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>NightLux</strong> on <strong>16-04-2017, 21:38:37</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(http://40.media.tumblr.com/73b31295bc3727bd330adbc585e67ef6/tumblr_mnnmpbJtEG1qhv5sho7_1280.jpg)</div><br><br><br><strong>Name:</strong>&nbsp; <strong>Joao Silvas</strong> (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=265658.msg13115438#msg13115438)<br><br><strong>Date:</strong>&nbsp; April 1, 2017<br><strong>Time:</strong>&nbsp; Early Afternoon<br><strong>Where:</strong> Pacific Heights, unnamed walking/running trail<br><strong>Tagging:</strong>&nbsp; Sara McComb<br><strong>Summary:</strong>&nbsp; ... and now making plans<br><br><br><hr><hr><br>She was rambling as much as he was and, oddly enough, he found the same comfort in that she did, unbeknownst to him.&nbsp; Looking back, he'd surely laugh at himself for half of the things he said, especially what he said next.&nbsp; "I'm fine with ordering them pizza if you want to go out just the two of us," he volunteered, not realizing just how forward it sounded but was the un-distilled truth of his thoughts, "I mean," he started to hedge, but her words about walking somewhere meshed perfectly.&nbsp; "Oh, there's a really good little Italian place not too far from here, Jackson Fillmore <em>Trattoria</em>," he rattled off, the Italian turned just a bit Portuguese as his accent took over, "Atrium at seven, done?" he wove between her comments.<br><br>Wiping the last bit of sweat from his neck with the back of his head, he comforted her, "I promise I'm not either.&nbsp; Its just... I got tackled by a dog and met his beautiful owner, nothing like I expected to come of the run."&nbsp; It was a bit thick and obviously flirty but he just wanted to make her smile.&nbsp; That was his real test of relationships and people - if he could make a woman smile with his jokes and teasing, there was a chance; compatible humor and personalities meant a lot more than physical attraction, but Sara wasn't lacking in that department.&nbsp; John had wasted enough years on what he now knew was a bad relationship.&nbsp; "Promise I'll be much more collected tonight."<br><br>John involuntary glanced in the direction of the towers when she mentioned neighbors, eyes rolling upwards as he thought.&nbsp; "I've 'met' some of the neighbors, passed in the hall, waved as we came and went, but beyond just a handful, no one really interesting.&nbsp; I would have remembered anyone who would treat someone like Pepe as a pest.&nbsp; Unfortunately you get people like that."&nbsp; Shifting on his feet, he let a moment of silence float between them, giving him time to smile and take a breath, reset his thoughts and take a good look at her, fiery red hair framing her face.&nbsp; [color]"I'm headed back, want to walk with me?"[/color] he offered, halfway tempted to offer his arm, but instead deciding not to treat this as if it were the 18th century.&nbsp; "So who else have you met?&nbsp; Its a bit embarrassing that you've met more people in a day than I have in a few weeks..."<br><br>
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