Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Human Solos =&gt; Topic started by: Elandra on 28-09-2007, 00:07:25</h2>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>28-09-2007, 00:07:25</strong>
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				<em>Beep, Beep, Beep!</em><br><br>Again her computer complained she had not answered the email that had arrived no more than a minute previous, that it was from her boss was a wholly different story. It was in the middle of the night for fuck’s sake, yawning she dragged her ass out of bed, nude she was, her petite figure almost gleaming in the moonlight that slipped through the blinds of her high-rise apartment. <br><br>”Coming already, Jeez,” she grumbled sitting down and typing in her password, wrong. <br><br><em>Beep, Beep, Beep!</em><br><br>"Damn it.” She swore, this time tying it in correctly. An IM from her boss appeared on the screen with just one word, the password she would need to decrypt the email. Decrypting it, she found her next assignment.<br><br><tt class="bbc_tt"><br>From: george@informants.com<br>To: Christina.slate@informants.com<br>Subject: Next Assignment<br><br>Christina –<br><br>A buyer has requested that we gain access articles to the upcoming issue of <em>Vogue</em>, the firm believes the best course of action would be through their computer support engineer, I have attached his information to this email. We have arranged a position in the same building for you as a data entry technician, because I know how much you love it. You start in three hours. Payment will be based upon the information you receive.<br><br>As always,<br>George</tt><br><br>”Shit, could you have at least giving me a little more time, dickwad and data entry.” She read over the information about the subject, which included a picture as well as the fact that he always grabbed a coffee from the local coffee house before going into work.<br><br>Quickly, she locked her system and took a shower, shaking out her long brown hair as the water cascaded down her body. Toweling off, she stared at her image in the mirror, she was not drop-dead gorgeous, but had curves in all the right places, a fantastic mouth and had that adorable quality to her. Avoiding makeup for the most part, she did line her lips, painting them a deep rogue to match her rosy complexion, she having reddish tan look about her from way to many hours in the sun. Her green eyes dazzling as she took one last look before disappearing into her closet, she went conservative, for her anyways, a emerald green sweater, tight black pants and boots.<br><br>The ride across town was quick and exhilarating; she taking her motorcycle to avoid the headache of traffic, an hour to go twenty blocks was not her idea of fun. Parking in the lot underneath the office building, she walked across the street, arriving just as she saw him enter the coffee house. <br><br>Taking a deep breath and pushing her green and brown-framed glasses back up her nose, she wearing them instead of her usual contacts, thinking the geek might appreciate them more, she entered. Checking out her reflection in the glass door she stepped in behind him in line, forming a plan of spilling coffee on him or perhaps dropping her bag at his feet. She had thirty minutes before she must be at her new job, long enough for a first contact.<br><br>To no one in particular, or so it seemed, she said "God, I need coffee."
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				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kalen</strong> on <strong>28-09-2007, 17:06:04</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Traffic had been heavy this morning.&nbsp; It always left him wanting to go back to sleep, and just forget everything for a little while.&nbsp; Today, he'd actually dozed off in gridlock, only to be rudely awakened by dozens of honking horns.&nbsp; He'd had to open his window and let the breeze in to make sure he stayed awake.<br><br>Finding parking, he made his way to the coffee shop, and waited in line.&nbsp; Three times, someone else cut in front of him in line.&nbsp; Was he invisible, he often wondered when this happened.. he could say something, he thought.. but the women who cut him off always looked at him, standing there in his inexpensive shirt and tie, his domestic shoes.. and ignored him.&nbsp; It was the perils of working a mid-salary job in a high-salary district.. he was beneath the notice of the important people. <br><br>It was worse at work, he mused as he moved up in line.&nbsp; Rick worked at Vogue, in the computer security division.&nbsp; All of the women at his work.. models, editors, photographers.. there were some insanely gorgeous women.&nbsp; But not one even spared him a BLINK.&nbsp; He didn't exist..<br><br>Then the woman in line behind him said something. He looked around, and saw that she was alone, and there was nobody in line behind her.&nbsp; He blinked, glad that he'd worn his contacts today.. "Are.. are you talking to me?"&nbsp; he said, and instantly felt the urge to kick himself.. why was he so damn intimidated by beautiful women?
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>28-09-2007, 22:05:47</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Waiting to see if he would take the bait was always the hardest part for Christina, she was never really a patient person unless it had to do with computers, people were never her forte, though seduction seemed to come easily enough. Her good looks helped quite a bit and she was a bad girl, a natural aphrodisiac for men and women alike, she always worried she would catch the wrong fish with it though, some day it would get her in trouble, but not today. <br><br>Smiling softly, she looked at him, he was not bad looking, though she hoped it was the job that forced him to wear the ill-fitting suit and not his normal attire, ”I wasn’t but I am now, the name’s Tina.” She had never been afraid to give her real first name, or at least a nickname, made the game a little more exciting for her or so she told herself. Lowering her voice, she stepped directly into the path of another snob that was about to cut in front of her prey. Glaring at clearly gay man, she hissed at him, ”the end of the line is behind me.” &nbsp;She reframed from any name calling…barely.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kalen</strong> on <strong>01-10-2007, 03:24:15</strong>
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				"Um.. Rick."&nbsp; he said, and managed a smile that he hoped didn't look too nervous or queasy.&nbsp; This girl wasn't one of the models that he saw at work.. but she certainly was about as close as a normal woman got to that kind of look.&nbsp; And she was talking to him.&nbsp; <br><br>To HIM!<br><br>And then she was cutting off the snobs from taking his place in line, and he got to see that she wasn't just an overly friendly person.&nbsp; To the other guy, she was absolutely NASTY.&nbsp; Then she turned back to him, and flashed a winning smile as the line-cutter slunk off looking peeved.<br><br>"So, uh.&nbsp; Tina."&nbsp; he said, trying to make small talk.&nbsp; "Is that short for anything?&nbsp; No, wait.. scratch that.. um.. do you come here often?"&nbsp; he babbled, wondering why he couldn't speak coherantly for the life of him..
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>01-10-2007, 23:53:55</strong>
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				”Nice to meet you, Rick,” &nbsp;she said barely able to contain the laughter that was creeping around the edges of her smile as he fumbled his way through a greeting. Ignoring his nervousness, idly hoping that sweaty hands did not come with the package, the line crept forward, were they actually going to be able to get their coffee before they had to cross the street.<br><br>”The name is short for Christina,” she replied her smile broadening, allowing a nervous twinkle to appear in her eyes as she continued, ”This is my first time….I start a new job somewhere around here, perhaps you know where this office building is?” she asked, knowing full well she worked in the building across the street and over one from the coffee house and on the seventeenth floor, one above his own floor. Searching through her purse for what seemed like an eon, she finally produced a slip of paper, one she had hurriedly written, or at least it seemed that way, as if she was writing down an address someone had given her.<br><br>They advanced in line so that there was just one more customer ahead of him before it was his turn to order, the barrister turning to him and saying, ”The usual, Rick?” 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kalen</strong> on <strong>02-10-2007, 05:30:45</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				"Uh, yeah, the usual.. " he muttered, handing over his money as he glanced at the piece of paper in his hand.. blinking in surprise, he looked again.&nbsp; She worked in his building, on the floor right above his!&nbsp; And she seemed actually interested in talking to him.. could he use this to get to know her?<br><br>Taking his coffee, he stepped out of her way so she could order, and looked at the paper again.&nbsp; "Yeah, I know this place.. it's just across the street.&nbsp; Actually," he said, lowering his voice into a conspiratorial almost-whisper that he hoped came across more suave than silly.. "I work on the floor right below that one.&nbsp; I could walk you right to your office door, if you like.."<br><br>As he waited for her to answer, he took a gulp of his coffee, and gagged.. this was NOT his usual.&nbsp; As usual.. the idiots behind the counter ALWAYS got his order wrong.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>02-10-2007, 23:02:19</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Approaching the counter, she ordered a double cappuccino, dry with lowfat milk and paid the exorbitant fees they were charging for squeezing the liquor from some beans. With exaggerated patience she waited for them to deliver her drink as she watched him read the note, she could see the recognition in his eyes as he mulled over how best to take advantage of the fact she was just a floor above him, she had played her cards right indeed, an easy prey so far.<br><br>The barista handed her the steaming cup of coffee, one sip letting her know that indeed they knew how to make it correctly, smiling she turned back to Rick, ”That would be fantastic, I would really appreciate it,” she whispered, brushing his arm with her fingers. Looking at her watch, they had ten minutes or so to get across the street, ”Lead on, my knight in a tie,” &nbsp;she said, showing a quirky sense of humor.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kalen</strong> on <strong>04-10-2007, 06:50:32</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				He'd really hoped that she'd take him up on the offer.. but her reaction was well beyond everthing he'd hoped.&nbsp; A smile.. a brush of her hand against his arm?&nbsp; Rick was awkward with women, but he wasn't dumb.. this woman was either extremely friendly with everyone.. or she was flirting with him.<br><br>"Right this way.." he said, and held the door for her.&nbsp; This not only made him look polite, but gave him ample time to check her out as he walked past.. he thought he was being subtle, and suave..
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				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>04-10-2007, 22:27:14</strong>
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				<em>Don’t play it up girl or he might notice…or will he?</em> She had thought, shaking her head and smiling at him when he held the door for her, shifting her backpack on her shoulder, her cappuccino secured in her hand. As she walked through the door, her knight had a view of her shapely ass, the crease well-defined, leaving nothing to imagination through her tight pants. If she were techie, she obviously spent some time in the gym and not always inside staring at a computer.<br><br>Walking up the street and to the stoplight, they stopped amongst of thong of people, all intent on making it to work on time, over the murmur of the crowd, she asked him, her body close to his so she could hear his voice, ”What do you do, Rick?”&nbsp; The light turned green and the mad rush to cross the street before it turned red again began, the two of them pushed and shoved by some, Christina <em>accidentally</em> spilling her coffee on an overzealous fashion executive who was being overly push, whispering some sort of apology to him as the two of them made it safely to the other side. <br><br>Walking towards the building they had some time to continue their conversation. 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kalen</strong> on <strong>05-10-2007, 07:12:58</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				He most certainly did take note of her well toned ass.. choked on his coffee as he noted the way that her slacks rode so sweetly up and in between her cheeks, seperating and defining each of them.&nbsp; Rick had to hurry to keep up to her, and as he did, he idly wondered at what she must do for a living, to be in that kind of shape.&nbsp; She couldn't be an office slob, like him..<br><br>At the light, his heart raced as she pressed up close to him.&nbsp; Then she asked him a question, and he had to actually blink as she called him by name.&nbsp; His actual name.&nbsp; She'd remembered.&nbsp; NOBODY remembered his name.. ever.&nbsp; As they crossed, he suddenly wished that he did something more interesting.. IT was just so.. dull.&nbsp; "I work for Vogue.."&nbsp; he said, trying to make his life a bit more glamorous without actually lying to her.<br><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>05-10-2007, 19:41:17</strong>
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				They neared the lobby and with the revolving door, there was really no way for him to hold it for her, but that did not stop her from making room in the small quadrant she entered for him to join her, of which she had no doubt he would. <em>What must be going through his mind?</em> It was inevitable they were close enough for her to smell the scent of apples, her shampoo had a distinct smell, something her hairdresser had used when she was younger, it always brought her back to when he lathered her hair, his strong fingers massaging her scalp. <em>Present, Tina, we must concentrate on the job.</em> <br><br>”And what do you do for those pretentious snobs?” she asked, showing her distaste for the fashion models who thought they were better than everyone, their new outfits for the summer were supposed to make one look unique and yet if every woman in town was wearing them, how would it be unique, ah logic, can’t beat it. The walked across the marble floor and arrived at the elevator bank, she pressing the button for the next available elevator.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kalen</strong> on <strong>10-10-2007, 14:50:22</strong>
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				Rick almost dropped his coffee when Tina squeezed into the revolving door with him.&nbsp; He shuffled his feet, moving along with the door, and very politely tried not to bump his body into hers.. and thanked his lucky stars when he failed miserably.&nbsp; <br><br>Those brief moments were magical to him.. there was a scent in the air, something fresh and clean.. he couldn't identify it, not right away, but it made him want to bury his nose in her hair, in the nape of her neck.. and he had to actually shake his head a little as they left the revolving door, to clear it.&nbsp; <em>Get it TOGETHER, man..</em> <br><br>"I work in their IT shop.." he said, grinning in spite of himself.&nbsp; "I make sure their network is up, running, and secure."&nbsp; He shrugged, making it seem as if his job were unimportant.&nbsp; He opened his mouth to say something else, but the elevator dinged, and he stepped in, holding the door open for her.&nbsp; <br><br>He punched the button for her floor, and faded to the back of the elevator as other people started getting on.&nbsp; "So.. uh.. what do YOU do, Tina?" he said, clearly trying to keep the conversation going as long as possible.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>12-10-2007, 00:02:42</strong>
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				Sliding into the elevator, she leaned back against the railing, smiling at him as she made the greatest face when an overly perfumed woman stepped in at the last minute, it was so bad, Tina’s eyes began to water. Attempting to ignore the overbearing woman, she replied to the question with a question and then an answer, ”Do you work with desktops or servers?” &nbsp;The former being the lowest end of the totem pole while the latter combined with working on the networking gear being on the higher end of the spectrum, it also showed she was at least more knowledgeable than a fashion designer.<br><br>Finally the over-floral woman stepped from the elevator, waving a hand in front of her face, she stated, ”Wow for a moment there I thought I was going to die,” , a pair of what she guessed where administrative assistances giggled, agreeing wholeheartedly. Turning back to Rick, she said, ”My current job is only temporary and is on the lame side of things, but the bills have to get paid, data entry for some warehousing company. It is really just a paycheck.” <br><br>The elevator dinged and they had reached her floor, she hoped he would be forward enough to ask her to lunch or figure out a way he could meet her again, otherwise she was going to have make up something.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kalen</strong> on <strong>12-10-2007, 18:34:37</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				"In the security sector, I do it all, actually.." he said, impressed and somehow all the more nervous that she knew something about the business.&nbsp; But of course, she did work in data entry, so she'd have some computer knowledge.. "Right now, Vogue is in a transition, and I'm the first hire for their data security.&nbsp; I used to be in charge of their data servers, but when they fired the old security firm and decided to take it inhouse.."&nbsp; he shrugged, smiling at her.&nbsp; <br><br>As the elevator reached her floor, he was already kicking himself.. how could he get to know this woman better?&nbsp; He had to think of something, and quickly.. he opened his mouth, and words spilled out.&nbsp; "So, um.. do you eat?&nbsp; I mean, if you'd like, I could tell you where the restaurants around here are, or something.. " he blushed furiously, and dug out a slightly wrinkled business card.&nbsp; "I mean, if you don't want to, that's ok.."
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				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>16-10-2007, 19:44:41</strong>
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				Relief flooded the woman as the geek found the courage to ask her out to eat lunch, she still unsure how she would have approached it if he had not done so, but the point was moot now, thankfully. Smiling, she placed a hand on his shoulder and turned him towards her, a gesture a little too familiar for two people that just met, but also one showing that she had some affection for the man, ”Surprisingly, I do eat and if you are not too busy, being shown some of the better restaurants and which ones to avoid would be great.” <br><br>Looking back towards the door that had the name of her current employer, Data Compilation, Inc. (DCI) stenciled upon the door, a virtual warehouse of people typing in numbers or letters all day, filling in stats for this or that, she shook her head. ”Is there a way I can contact you? I have no idea if I am going to have a set lunch hour or not, more than likely they will want to monitor when I go to the bathroom and give me exactly sixty minutes for lunch,” she sighed heavily as she spoke, inwardly thinking, this is why I hate normal nine to five jobs. 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kalen</strong> on <strong>16-10-2007, 20:38:17</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				He followed her off the elevator, letting the doors close behind him.&nbsp; He was already a floor above his destination.. it would be much easier to just talk to her, then take the stairs down.&nbsp; "Well, my email and phone numbers are on the card.. desk, blackberry.. you name it.&nbsp; I'd assume they'll give you a phone?" he said, and winced once more.&nbsp; Why was he making such a fool of himself?&nbsp; There were prettier women, half-naked, in his work all day..<br><br>Of course.. none of them knew he EXISTED.&nbsp; That was the difference.&nbsp; He gulped, and tried to calm himself.. his sister always told him that he was TOO available.. he had to act aloof.&nbsp; Right.<br><br>"So, Tina.. if you want to call, I'll be there.&nbsp; Or whatever."&nbsp; he said, wincing inwardly as he did.&nbsp; Too much?
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>17-10-2007, 01:30:24</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				She had to laugh, she tried not to, but it was hard not to with his ineptitude, she began to wonder if she were the first woman to give him the time of day, poor thing. Hoping to cover her laughter, at least a little bit, she took his card, caressing his cheek when he winced with his words, ”I will be sure to call, Rick, don’t you worry.”<br><br>She had wanted to kiss him there, but feared it would be way too far the man might feint or worse, he might figure out she wanted something more from him and so she back off, though he was adorable in his mannerisms. Unable to stop herself, she whispered to him as she went through the door to DCI, ”Might I suggest counting to five before speaking, it is a good relaxing technique, a good way to calm your nerves.” She hoped he would take her advice to heart, as she stepped through the door. He would hear before it closed behind her, ”Christina Clark, here for the temp position.”<br><br>The receptionist, smacking her gum loudly stared up at her, asked for her identification, made a photocopy of it and then directed her to her boss. A half an hour or so passed and then he arrived, ”The rules are simple, Miss Clark, be here on time, complete your work accurately and in a timely fashion and you will be paid, otherwise you won’t. Your cube is over here, along with a stack of information you need to enter into the database, you have worked with Oracle before, I presume.” She nodded, she had built several databases before, administered a bank’s financial database for one of her previous jobs.<br><br>Lunch time soon came, after several hours of typing away and after asking a co-worker how much time they had for lunch and learning as long as the stack of paper was gone, they had all the time in the world, she made the phone call, ”Hey Rick, it’s Tina, ready for lunch?”
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kalen</strong> on <strong>17-10-2007, 19:44:27</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				It was a near thing, but he managed to not lean into her hand when she stroked his cheek.&nbsp; That just would have been too much!&nbsp; His heart leaped when she told him that she would indeed call him, and he grinned easily in response.<br><br>But her next words, intended kindly, made him blush furiously as she vanished into the door to DCI.&nbsp; She knew how nervous he obviously was, and she was trying to give him advice on it?&nbsp; He closed his eyes as he headed for the staircase, and shook his head.&nbsp; If she was giving him advice like that.. she more than likely just thought of him as a friend.&nbsp; The thought depressed him as he took the staircase down, and then used his security clearance card to enter Vogue's offices.&nbsp; <br><br>Everyone ignored him for the morning.. a sign of a good day.&nbsp; As long as security was working, he was invisible.&nbsp; Once things went poorly.. he was a human pinata.&nbsp; So when his phone rang.. he hoped it was her.&nbsp; And when it was, the excitement was back again.&nbsp; "Hi Tina.. Yeah, I'm ready for lunch.&nbsp; I'll meet you on the landing for your floor?" he said, already walking out of his office and locking the door behind him.&nbsp; The blessing of a blackberry.. you could go anywhere.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>18-10-2007, 20:46:42</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Placing the phone on mute for a brief moment, she laughed, the geek was just too easy, and where was the challenge? Unmuting, she replied softly, mirth still present in her voice, ”Unless the restaurant is on the top floor, how about I meet you in the lobby?” &nbsp;She was sure he would not miss her, probably had memorized every one of her details, she had certainly memorized his, but alas that was how she was to receive her paycheck. <br><br>He had agreed to the new arrangement and so she hung up, sure she could have used her cell phone, but she had not had a chance to purchase one for this job yet, never did she use her real one for these assignments. Grabbing her bag, she popped a Listerine film into her mouth, cinnamon of course, and waltzed out the door, locking her screen before leaving her desk of course. The data entry work, oh she had completed what needed to be done within an hour, but she had always been good and making it look like she was still busy.<br><br>&nbsp;Climbing into the elevator with the rest of the lunch crowd, she rode it downwards, it filling up before the tenth floor, happy to have reached the lobby when they finally did so, damn some people need to shower every once in a while. Stepping from it, she looked around and spotted him, he looked worried as if he somehow expected her not to show, ”Phew finally made it, where to Rick?” &nbsp;she asked.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kalen</strong> on <strong>19-10-2007, 17:48:17</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				He HAD been waiting nervously in the lobby, wondering when she would show up.&nbsp; Rick had been burned time and again by women, and had become comically skittish.&nbsp; Which, naturally, didn't help.&nbsp; He'd been chewing gum from the moment he'd talked to her, hoping to have perfect breath when she arrived.&nbsp; Now, when she did, he gulped hard, swallowing it.<br><br>"That would depend on what you want to eat.."&nbsp; he said with a thin smile.&nbsp; "Mexican, pub, sushi and a diner are the four closest.."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>19-10-2007, 23:43:51</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Sneezing, or at least she hoped he believed she was sneezing when she covered up her laughter after realizing he had just swallowed his gum, she desperately attempted to compose herself, dating geeks was not her specialty, and he was certainly not her type, she preferring the more suave, bold and confident man, the type that was too dangerous and yet too alluring. <br><br>Returning to the present, she smiled and stated, ”How about picking something off the beaten path, a place quieter than the rest of them so I can actually hear what you have to say?” &nbsp;she said, hoping her forwardness would not send him into another tizzy fit. 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kalen</strong> on <strong>23-10-2007, 15:55:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He pondered that for a moment, then snapped his fingers excitedly.&nbsp; "There's an italian place, a little out of the way.. but it's really quiet.&nbsp; That should work, if you want to talk.."&nbsp; he said as they made their way to the street.&nbsp; "It's a bit further, so we'll have to take a taxi."<br><br>As they reached the street, he raised his hand, hailing a cab.&nbsp; When he had something to concentrate on other than her, he was ok.. a bit more confident, and secure with himself.&nbsp; But when he looked at or talked to her.. he became a complete fumbling ninny.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>23-10-2007, 20:26:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				”Sounds delightful and perfect,” she said absently following him to the street, completely relaxed at least outwardly. She did not have long for this task, would have to get the information within the next ten days, the cycle of the next issue already halfway through, the articles only half written, her timing would have to be impeccable. <br><br>Sadly she could not use a normal method of slipping a Trojan horse laced with a backdoor that would allow her full access to the network from wherever she happened to be enjoying free Internet access; with his position he would easily be able to detect it. This meant that she would have to sleep with him more than likely, giving him the once over, at least he was not all that bad looking, hopefully he was decent in bed.<br><br>Climbing into the Taxi beside him as he gave directions to the driver, she buckled up and looked at him, ”I don’t want you to get any chivalrous ideas about paying for my ride or meal, Rick,” &nbsp;she said, smiling to soften the words.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kalen</strong> on <strong>23-10-2007, 21:07:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				This forced a laugh from him, one of his most honest reactions to her so far.&nbsp; "On my salary, Tina.. chivalry is dead."&nbsp; he looked at her with a sideways glance, grinning.&nbsp; "And my health plan didn't allow for any heroic measures to revive it.&nbsp; Besides," he said, looking out the window.<br><br>"I'm just showing a new friend around.&nbsp; It's not like this is a date, or anything.." he said, his face coloring ever so slightly.&nbsp; They just couldn't arrive soon enough to the restaurant, where at least he would have a menu as a distraction!<br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>24-10-2007, 01:08:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She laughed along with him, relieved that he had a sense of humor, relieved that he was not one of these men that insisted on being the hero. Calmly, she stated, ”That is exactly correct, just two new friends enjoying lunch.” As they rode in the taxi cab, the driver weaving in and out of traffic, blazing horns following them whenever he turned the corner, it was in short order they arrived at their destination. <br><br>Handing the driver, he already finding his next fair a twenty and telling him to keep the change, she climbed from the taxi, thankful though not outwardly showing it, to be on solid ground once again. ”So how did you land a position at Vogue, Rick, it just does not seem to be your scene?” &nbsp;she asked, hopefully nonchalantly as they walked down the red carpet and into the restaurant, the thick aroma of tomatoes, garlic and basil filling her nostrils. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kalen</strong> on <strong>25-10-2007, 15:45:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He held the door for her as they entered.. chivalry was dead, but good manners weren't, after all.&nbsp; Besides, he mused as she walked in ahead of him.. he liked the view from back here more anyway.&nbsp; "Oh, I don't know.." he said as the hostess led them towards a table at the back of the restaurant.&nbsp; "In IT, you go where the work is.. and follow the money.&nbsp; That led me to Vogue last year, and I've been working my way up the ladder ever since."<br><br>They were seated in a private booth, and the hostess winked at him as he sat down.. she obviously thought that the young man had scored himself a girl who was out of his league.&nbsp; Rick was a bit disapointed that Tina had made it so clear that they were just friends, but he planned on learning as much from this relationship as he could.&nbsp; If he could learn how to talk to Tina without having a coronary each time she spoke, he'd be ahead of the game.<br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>26-10-2007, 20:14:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She sensed the disappointment, but a girl had to play hard to get, especially one that he perceived out of her league, she would slowly hint at the relationship being more than a friendship, sensing that a fling might get her into a hotel room, but not his home. She knew from her own experience and the fact that she had researched the fact he had a partial T1, paid for by Vogue going into his home that he had the setup she needed to gain access, she just had to figure out a way to be invited into his home long enough to act upon it.<br><br>Looking at the menu and the plethora of items, she gazed at him just over it, ”What is your favorite dish here?” &nbsp;she asked, hoping he would avoid the corny answer. Smiling when the waitress returned and asked about drinks, she asked for mineral water, normally she would ask for hard liquor, but appearances prevented it for now.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kalen</strong> on <strong>26-10-2007, 20:35:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He stared at the menu, and scratched his jaw.&nbsp; "I like the fettucini alfredo with chicken and garlic bread.." he said, pursing his lips.&nbsp; "But I like that with a glass of red wine, after work.&nbsp; I don't think it'd be the same without it."&nbsp; he said, wanting to at least SEEM a bit worldly to her, even if he was just simply telling the truth.<br><br>Staring at the menu, he considered the possibilities, and rejected them out of hand.. too messy, too silly, not sophisticated enough.. he ordered a cola, then asked the waitress for more time.&nbsp; "I might just get lasagna, actually.. it's all good, though."&nbsp; he said, hoping that she would not find him foolish.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>29-10-2007, 18:30:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She smiled at him and for the first time it was a genuine smile, he was not half bad once you found a familiar territory, a place where he felt more relaxed, the jitters disappearing from both his voice and his hand. Her eyes glided down the menu, he probably expected her to order a salad of some sort, it was the <em>in</em> thing to do, but it was certainly not her choice for a meal, she never one for grazing. <br><br>Looking up from the menu, she asked, ”Hey, want to split a cheesy garlic bread appetizer?” somewhat excitedly, there was something about the combination that always had Tina close to drooling. Whether or not he said yes, when the waitress came around again, she ordered the spaghetti with one large meatball as if she were unafraid of making a mess of her shirt. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kalen</strong> on <strong>29-10-2007, 19:48:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He grinned at her suggestion, and agreed with enthusiasm.&nbsp; "Sure, that sounds good.. oh, and the lasagna, please."&nbsp; he said as the waitress arrived just at that moment.&nbsp; Now that he knew that the pressure of her liking him as more than a friend was gone, he was more relaxed.&nbsp; It was strange, he thought as he had a sip of his drink.&nbsp; He was more than likely a much more likeable guy when he wasn't trying to impress a girl.&nbsp; And he was inexperienced enough with women that he just never put two and two together, and stopped trying so hard...<br><br>As the waitress left, they were left alone with no menus, just their thoughts.&nbsp; "So.."&nbsp; he said, trying to start up a conversation again.&nbsp; "You're in data entry today.. what did you do before?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>29-10-2007, 22:37:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Ahh the dreaded questions, she had always hated them, though she had become used to giving half truths since she had started down the road of corporate espionage, she was good at it, very good, both the lying and the manipulating of her mark. Relaxing against the booth bench, she sipped her water, ”Oh I am a Jill of all Trades so to speak, at least when it comes to computers. I have done all the typical jobs, waitress, barista, receptionist, and of course I have done some system administration, though mostly desktop support.” she said, appearing to babble though she was not, she had wanted him to feel skilled, above her when it came to computers.<br><br>Their appetizers came and she took the first piece, the cheese string stretching from the appetizer to her plate until she cut it with her knife, oh this would be fun. Biting into it, she was overwhelmed by garlic. ”Guess kissing a vampire tonight is out of the question,” she quipped, adding as if out of the blue, ”And you, what did you do before Vogue?”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kalen</strong> on <strong>30-10-2007, 17:24:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He raised an eyebrow as she listed all of her jobs off, and grinned slightly.&nbsp; "So, either you like change, or you can't hold a job.."&nbsp; he teased.&nbsp; "I guess I won't get too used to having you around the building, then.." he said with a chuckle as the garlic bread arrived.<br><br>He took some as well, and smirked at her quip.&nbsp; "I don't have to worry about that, much less with a vampire.." he said with a self-depreciating laugh.&nbsp; "Let's see.. before Vogue, I was with a consulting company that sent us, well, everywhere.&nbsp; When it folded, I was on the Vogue job, upgrading their network.&nbsp; They just decided to keep most of us on."&nbsp; he said with a shrug.<br><br>"Most people who work there, it's their dream job, that they've worked towards for years." he said, shaking his head in disbelief.&nbsp; "Me.. not so much."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>30-10-2007, 19:58:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				”I suppose I should admit that those that are not computer related I had during my days in college, I had to support myself and selling my body was not high on my list,” she said with a wink that suggested that maybe, just maybe if he had played his cards right there could be more than just a friendship, or did it. ”As for the change from desktop support to data entry, I recently moved to the city, escaping a bad situation, data entry pays the bills, but yeah I don’t plan on having it forever.”<br><br>Before she could make a comment or ask him another question their main dishes arrived, she pleased at the size of the meat ball, it was huge. ”Anything else?” the waitress asked before disappearing again, Tina shook her head and began twirling the first of the spaghetti. ”What is your dream job?”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kalen</strong> on <strong>30-10-2007, 20:19:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She timed it perfectly.. he was taking a drink just as she mentionned selling her body.&nbsp; She luckily didn't get him to do a spit take, but he did choke a little.&nbsp; "So.. not high on the list.. but it was on the list?" he said, coughing slightly as he coughed into his hand, his eyes watering.&nbsp; <br><br>The waitress ignored him as she dropped the food, and by then, Tina was already asking another question.&nbsp; Rick tapped his fork on his food, truly considering his answer.&nbsp; "Well.." he said, pusring his lips slightly.&nbsp; "I don't like doing the same thing every day.&nbsp; I'd like a bit more excitement in my life, and the chance to do.. "<br><br>He paused, and shrugged.&nbsp; "I don't know.&nbsp; Something else.&nbsp; Something where I don't have to be.. me all the time, if that makes any sense.&nbsp; But back here in reality?&nbsp; I guess I'd like to manage my own IT shop.. to actually make the decisions, instead of having someone dictate them to me."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>30-10-2007, 22:47:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She watched and worried as he almost gave her a coke shower, thankful he had somehow managed to swallow it, though his coughing gave her concern, she mouthed ‘sorry’ to him before slurping the first bite of the spaghetti into her mouth. Wow was it tasty, the garlic and oregano were done just perfectly. <br><br>”Yeah it was on the list, as a last resort, though not as a whore,” she talked more in whispers at this point, sharing the secrets with him but no one else, though she could tell the young college students on the right of them wanted to hear what she had to say. ”as an escort for one of those services.” She had always been amazed at the money her roommate had brought in having sex with strangers, she had always resisted, at least for the most part.<br><br>Stuffing her face with the meatball as he basically stated his dream job was what she did for a living, she suddenly had thoughts of a partner, but then thought better of it. ”Seems logical, me, I would like to find steady work, a place that provides excitement but then also gives a steady paycheck.” 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kalen</strong> on <strong>31-10-2007, 14:42:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The thought of her as an escort made him fumble his fork.&nbsp; "An escort.. really?"&nbsp; he said, leaning forward.&nbsp; "I mean, you've certainly got the looks and all.. but do you think you could have done it?&nbsp; Not every guy that uses those services is exactly.. clean-cut."&nbsp; he said, fumbling for his words.&nbsp; <br><br>"Sure, but what kind of job could provide change and excitement, but also stability?&nbsp; I can't imagine one.. and I've been trying, believe me."&nbsp; He took another bite of his lunch.. the food here always WAS excellent.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>31-10-2007, 20:31:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Comfortable in her own sexuality, perhaps more so than a data entry weenie should be, Tina raised an eyebrow as he almost dropped his fork….twice. She had seen some of the worst a client could do to woman, she had taken her roommate to the emergency room more than once, the main reason she had not signed up so willingly, despite the enormous amount of wealth it would have brought her. ”Obviously a girl has to be careful. One of the reasons I never did go through with the plan was the unwillingness to be used as an object, beaten…” she whispered softly.<br><br>Returning to her food, she took a slice of meatball, it was fantastic, all of it was really and she was amazed, ”The food here is really good, how did you find it?” she asked wanting to change the subject before she revealed her own job satisfied those exact parameters. She was given a regular salary, enough to live on barely and then bonuses for completed assignments, not to mention the paycheck from her temporary assignment.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kalen</strong> on <strong>01-11-2007, 14:46:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He shrugged, downing another bite.&nbsp; "Well, I don't know or like that many people at work.. finding a nice place to eat was a way to keep myself amused at work, I guess.&nbsp; I mean, it's not like I have to worry about getting home late, or anything.. my cat is quite understanding about those things."&nbsp; Too much information?&nbsp; He wasn't sure.. and was a bit distracted by the thought of their other conversation.<br><br>He had to gather his thoughts, trying to decide how to approach the subject without offending her.. finally, he steeled himself, and spoke.&nbsp; "So.. you seem to know a lot about it.. escorting, I mean.&nbsp; You really must have considered it seriously, or been approached, or something.." 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>01-11-2007, 19:45:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Attempting to cover her mouth, a hand in front on of her face as she slurped an errant noodle, she raised an eyebrow, that he lived alone and had no current love interest had been marked in the file, that he owned a cat had not been. They were getting sloppy in their research again; she would have to admonish her boss in her report that night.<br><br>Using a napkin, she smiled, ”Yeah my television does not miss me much when I have strange hours,” &nbsp;she said, hoping to share in his misery of being alone.<br><br>Laughing to relieve some of the tension that had been building between them as their question again turned to escorting, well technically it had never left, she said, ”My room mate can be persuasive when she wants to be, she even convinced me to interview for a position, which I got and turned down, at one point.” What she did for the interview she left to his imagination, not wanting to spoil the boy’s dreams.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kalen</strong> on <strong>01-11-2007, 20:32:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He nodded as she spoke of her tv.&nbsp; "Ah, but since I got TiVo.. my TV just NEVER misses me.. " he said, ang chuckled before polishing off his lasagna.&nbsp; He couldn't believe that the meal had passed so quickly.. normally, he was far too nervous to eat when he was with a woman.&nbsp; Tina just.. put him at ease.<br><br>"An interview.." he murmured, shaking his head.&nbsp; "I hope for your sake that it was just a conversation.. I can well imagine what they might ask you to do, otherwise.." he said, unable to avoid flicking his eyes over her, before looking pointedly away.&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>02-11-2007, 00:37:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Finishing her spaghetti about the same time as he had, she pushed the plate back a little, surprised at how much she enjoyed his company. ”Now see that means you don’t miss any good television, a wholly separate subject.” &nbsp;she said with a playful smile.<br><br>Laughing softly at his nervousness she try to assuage his embarrassment, ”There are many non-typical interview questions revolving around what exactly your limits may be, but no, no demonstrations, at least not in this interview.” She did however suspect her first client would have been the owner of the service as it had been with her roomie.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kalen</strong> on <strong>02-11-2007, 16:00:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He raised an eyebrow, and leaned forward.&nbsp; "Ah, to be a fly on the wall for THAT conversation.. even if it was just questions.. I can only imagine what the questions might have been!" he said, smiling gently.&nbsp; "Was it the questions themselves that made up your mind, or just knowing what your roommate had experienced?"&nbsp; he asked, thinking as he did that he was just going too far.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>03-11-2007, 00:06:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Always she had been opened about her sexuality, talking about it frequently in online forums where she posted in stories with characters that reflected her own life experiences, or in chat rooms, or even with friends. Though he was almost a complete stranger, she figured it would bring them closer so instead of backing off, she smiled and surprisingly answered his question, ”The questions did not bother me, I have always been open about who I am and what I enjoy, I just got an uneasy feeling about the whole arrangement, decided the money was not worth it.”<br><br>At least with her current employment she chose the moments, she was the aggressor and not the one required to appease the client, she much preferred it. Just then the check arrived, she looked at what she owed and gave him the cash, figuring he could pay for the cab ride back.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kalen</strong> on <strong>05-11-2007, 15:33:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He nodded along in a manner that he hoped looked wise, and worldly.. all that he knew is that he needed to control his breathing.&nbsp; The thought of this classy, sexy lady doing a calm interview to be an escort.. it made him more than a little crazy with desire.&nbsp; And once again, he damned the fates who had made him what he was.. criminally bad with women.&nbsp; <br><br>He payed the waitress and left a generous tip for the two of them, and held the door for her as they walked out into the street to hail a cab.&nbsp; "How did your roommate do with the arrangement?&nbsp; Did she do ok with the money, or did she end up having the kind of problems that you were afraid of for yourself?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>06-11-2007, 20:29:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Giving him a heart stopping smile as he held the door for her, she always did like a gentleman, even if her relationship with him was all part of the job, he was sweet, a change from what she was used to, especially in her line of work. The first cab passed them by, filled with passenger, it was not until the second cab came screeching to a halt in front of them did she answer his question. Again he held the door for her, she climbing inside and telling the cabbie where they needed to go, he nodded and hit the flag, they off before Rick was able to close the door completely.<br><br>”She did quite well, moved up the ranks and now owns her own business,” she said, wondering if he wanted her card. The cab arrived back at their building, quicker than she would have liked, she needed to figure out how they could meet again, maybe dinner or something. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kalen</strong> on <strong>07-11-2007, 17:40:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				That earned a definate raise of the eyebrows.&nbsp; Her own business?&nbsp; He idly wondered if he could get the woman's card, and if dropping Tina's name would get him a discount.. then dismissed it.&nbsp; He was still trying, on some level, to impress this girl.. asking her for the name of a girl who would set him up with a prostitute?&nbsp; Not all that impressive.&nbsp; In his mind, it would make him look like a desperate loser.&nbsp; And that was the image he was trying to break FREE from..<br><br>"So, Tina.. this was fun." he said, paying the cabbie as they arrived back at their building.&nbsp; "Would you like to do lunch again tomorrow?" he said, hoping she would say yes.&nbsp; He didn't have many friends, much less female friends..
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>07-11-2007, 22:18:26</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She watched him intently from the corner of her eye, not wanting to give him the wrong idea that she was easy, despite the fact that she would more than likely be just that at least in his eyes. She had hoped to get with him tonight, but then realized it was for the best that she had the time to finish her preparations, she would need a cell phone under her current alias. ”Lunch would be great, perhaps you could show me that sushi place,” she said with a sudden craving for maguro sashimi.<br><br>Smiling as she stepped from the cab and walk with him through the revolving door, once again they ended up brushing against each other, she making sure of it a couple of times before they waltzed towards the elevators. Waiting for the cars to arrive, she whispered, ”Though I am sure we will run into each other across the street at the coffee place tomorrow morning as well.”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kalen</strong> on <strong>08-11-2007, 15:49:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Sure thing, I'll look forward to it.." he said as they walked through the revolving door.. she STILL insisting to walk through with him.&nbsp; After the flirty lunch, with the talk of her being willing to be an escort?&nbsp; He was all the more aware of her soft body, her delicious scent.&nbsp; <br><br>Waiting for the elevator, he blushed as she whispered in his ear.&nbsp; "I'm sure we will.." he said, replying in a quiet voice as they stepped into the elevator. "And you can mail me, of course, if you get bored today.. that's on the card as well."<br><br>As the elevator arrived on his floor, Rick took a chance, and brushed his hand against Tina's as he stepped out.&nbsp; "I'll see you tomorrow, then.." he said as the elevator door closed.<br><br>Once she was gone, he let out the breath that he'd been holding, and looked up to the ceiling.&nbsp; He was amazed at how the lunch had gone.. and the mixed signals that he'd been getting.&nbsp; Rick wasn't that experienced.. but it seemed to him that Tina had TALKED about being friends, and ACTED like she'd been interested in more.<br><br>As he made his way back to his desk for a day of highly charged daydreams about Tina, he smiled.&nbsp; He would never understand women.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>09-11-2007, 20:10:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As he brushed her back, she inwardly smiled, he was getting the hint, she would not need to club him over with overt actions to convince him that if he made a move, she would respond in kind. She had smiled at him, one of those, I felt what you did and liked it smiles meant only for him as they climbed into the elevator, ”I will be sure and write; for there is no doubt I will be bored at work.”<br><br>Saying goodbye to him as he exited on his floor, she stepped out on her own floor and walked back to work, her lunch had been roughly thirty minutes longer than the standard, her boss giving her the eye when she walked back from it. He had said nothing when he checked the progress of her work; she had done more than the rest of them did in an entire day. Her reward, more work. <br><br>Sighing, she sat at her desk, created an email account on gmail in her new name and started entering data into the database. She waited two hours before taking a break to write him.<br><br><tt class="bbc_tt">From: tina.chase@gmail.com<br>To: rick@vogue.com<br>Subject: Boredom<br><br>Rick,<br><br>I had a great time at lunch today, thanks for showing me the place. I hope my bluntness about my past did not embarrass you too much.<br><br>Tina</tt><br><br>Sending it, she returned to typing in numbers and names, attempting to ignore the glares from the others.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kalen</strong> on <strong>15-11-2007, 14:49:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As Rick changed backup tapes, he heard a soft yet insistent beeping from his blackberry.&nbsp; An email had just come in.. normally, that meant that his boss wanted to yell at him for some perceived mistake that she thought he had made.&nbsp; He HATED reporting to someone who had no idea how computers or networks functionned.. despised it.&nbsp; So he ignored the beeping for a moment or two, finishing up his work.. then took the handheld device from it's holster with a sigh.<br><br>The email was a very pleasant surprise, and made him smile widely.&nbsp; He had been worried that she'd get mad at him for brushing his hand against hers.. and here she was hoping that she'd not OFFENDED him.&nbsp; He snorted.. he really DID have a lot to learn about women.&nbsp; Returning to his desk, he settled in, and started typing.<br><br><tt class="bbc_tt"><br>From: rick@vogue.com<br>To: tina.chase@gmail.com<br><br>Tina!<br><br>I had a great time too.&nbsp; It's my pleasure to show you around.&nbsp; Honestly, I don't really fit in where I work, obviously.. so it's nice to meet someone I can actually talk to around here.&nbsp; <br><br>And as for being blunt?&nbsp; You didn't embarrass me, not at all.&nbsp; I was surprised, certainly.. and flattered that you'd confide something so personal to me.&nbsp; I'm finding myself looking forward to lunch tomorrow already, even though I don't know how I could possibly keep you entertained!&nbsp; <br><br>How are you settling in at work?<br><br>Rick Arsenault<br><br>From: tina.chase@gmail.com<br>To: rick@vogue.com<br>Subject: Boredom<br><br>Rick,<br><br>I had a great time at lunch today, thanks for showing me the place. I hope my bluntness about my past did not embarrass you too much.<br><br>Tina<br></tt><br><br>He hesitated over the send button.. then shrugged, and clicked it.&nbsp; They were just friends.. right?
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>18-11-2007, 15:01:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The waiting was always the hardest part, she was severely bored at work and new if she asked for more there would be a rebellion amongst the others who did data entry, there needed to be a symmetry, she should not be bucking the system, but really she could not resist at least not too much. Choosing not to ask for more work, she surfed the Internet, reading news sights, always so depressing, though she was always amused at the different takes FOX news and CNN would take on the same subject as it crossed political lines. Too she also located the nearest cell phone provider, made sure they were open late tonight, until 7, which was plenty of time for her to get the phone she needed.<br><br>Finally, he responded, why had she been so interested in seeing it, doubting that he would reply, she shook her head, what is it with this computer geek that has her so intrigued. Quickly, she replied, though she waited for a while to hit the send button, not wanting to seem too anxious.<br><br><br><tt class="bbc_tt">From: tina.chase@gmail.com<br>To: rick@vogue.com<br>Subject: re: Boredom<br><br>Rick!<br><br>Work is pretty damn boring; I swear the morons they hired here would be lucky if they could type 30 words a minute and the coffee breaks they take, about one an hour. And the guy two cubes down from me is a chain smoker, enough that I can smell it from here, but I should stop rambling on here, you don’t need to read my whining.<br><br>Don’t belittle yourself, you found a place where you could excel quickly gain the skills you needed so that you might one day escape the horrors of the fashion world. Really I do believe, in the short time that we have talked, that you have a real chance of going places.<br><br>Tina</tt><br><br><br>About thirty minutes later she finally did hit the send button, just before getting up in search of the water cooler. Grabbing a glass of water, she smiled at the gal sitting near it, the woman had some of the best cube art, Futurama posters and it looked like she had some of the action figures lining her shelves. <br><br>Tina walked up to her and introduced herself, pointing towards Bender and Fry, ”Man, I might have to watch the DVDs tonight, loved that show.” &nbsp;The girl smiled, and not the typical get out of my cube smile, and nodded, ”The penguin episode was on last night, I laughed my ass off,” she confided. ”Oh that is one of my favourites,” Tina stated, eyes gleaming before she reluctantly returned to her desk, at least soon she would have an email to respond to, something to speed up the last hour of work. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kalen</strong> on <strong>22-11-2007, 17:34:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Down a floor, Rick was just going over the firewall logs when he heard the beep of another incoming message.&nbsp; This time.. he dared to hope that it might be Tina.. although he somehow doubted that a smart, sexy woman like her would bother replying to him more than once.&nbsp; When he actually took a moment to read the message, however.. he was shocked.<br><br>She'd replied!&nbsp; &nbsp;So it was with a wide grin that Rick sat down, and hammered out his reply.<br><br><tt class="bbc_tt"><br>From: rick@vogue.com<br>To: tina.chase@gmail.com<br>Subject: re: re: Boredom<br><br>Hey, Tina!<br><br>Only 30 words a minute?&nbsp; What are they using, their toes?&nbsp; Oh, please, DO ramble on.. hearing from someone else who not only hates their job but has a clue about computers is SUCH a breath of fresh air for me.. not to be needy, but I'd love to read anything you have to say!<br><br>In working here, I think I've managed to bring a whole new meaning to the words 'fashion victim'.. of course, I don't have all that much style, it's true.. but being walked on by these people isn't a joy either.&nbsp; I am keeping the resume up to date, though.. and am always looking for opportunities.&nbsp; Thanks for the kind words.. you've got your shit together, so from you, I take that as high praise!<br><br>I've been clockwatching, and I'm RUNNING for the door in an hour.&nbsp; It'll be good to get out of here tonight, and get away.. I think I'll go to a movie or something.&nbsp; Anything, to get my mind off of these security upgrades I'm putting in.&nbsp; <br><br>So.. coffee, tomorrow morning, was it?<br><br>Rick</tt><br><br><br>He hit send, and smiled to himself.&nbsp; Maybe he'd go out shopping tonight, and get some new clothes.. and a haircut?
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>27-11-2007, 00:57:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Work completed, she had been surfing the net, again, reading about the newest and greatest Joss Whedon series suddenly very interested in seeing what the genius would come up with, especially now that Eliza would be starring in it. Damn she was a geek, if men only knew how much of one she was, sure she was a suave spy, one who flaunted her sexuality, but deep inside she was that nerd in the back of the classroom, pushing up her glasses and day dreaming of when she could go home and play another round of Zork. <br><br>Every male nerd’s wet dream.<br><br>The computer beeped, dragging her out of her reverie and she smiled, he had written her back, desperate to hear from her again.<br><br><tt class="bbc_tt">From: tina.chase@gmail.com<br>To: rick@vogue.com<br>Subject: re: Boredom (I hate all those re’s:)<br><br>Yeah it is pathetic some of these folks, but oh well at least they had the intelligence to hire me, though perhaps it was something I lacked when I accepted the position. It might have been safer to wait until another opportunity came along, safer for my sanity anyways. Oh well, it is money, something we all need to live in this world, I suppose I can cope with the pain of being surrounded by bumbling idiots.<br><br>Security updates? I hope they do not take too much of your time, I know what a drag it could be to spend all your time at work and not enough time out in the world, even if it is at home curled up with a good book or a computer game. Anyways, it is quitting time, just wanted to send you one more note before I headed out the door, though I will probably check my mail when I get home later tonight if you want to continue the conversation.<br><br>Coffee tomorrow, this time I am paying and they will get your order correct for once. <br><br>Tina</tt><br><br>She hit send and packed up, quickly exiting before he could catch her in the elevator and making it down the street to the cellular phone kiosk at the mall. She purchased a throw away phone with the simplest of plans, immediately setting it up with the data plan and sending Rick a quick note.<br><br><tt class="bbc_tt">From: tina.chase@gmail.com<br>To: rick@vogue.com<br>Subject: Almost forgot…<br><br>Here is my cell phone number in case you want to keep in touch….(707) 555-8462.<br><br>Tina</tt><br><br>Satisfied, she hopped into her car and drove home. There she popped leftovers into the microwave and walked back to her computer to see what he had sent her.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kalen</strong> on <strong>28-11-2007, 14:01:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Almost the instant that he had sent his message to Tina, Rick had left the office.&nbsp; His gentle flirting with Tina had made him realize one thing.. that maybe some of the kinder women in the office were right.&nbsp; It was time for him to get a little bit of a makeover.&nbsp; For years, there had been one hairdresser in particular that had been reccommended to him.. and he was there when his blackberry started beeping.<br><br>As it was impossible to answer it right then, Rick ignored it for the moment.. and by the time he was over the shock of the COST of his stylish new do, he'd utterly forgotten to check his mail.&nbsp; For the next few hours, he was engrossed in shopping.. an assistant editor had given him a list of stores to hit about a month or so back, and he was finally doing it tonight.&nbsp; If for no other reason than to finally get rid of his ridiculous image of the nebbishy nerd from the server room.<br><br>By the time Rick got home, he just tumbled into bed, falling asleep the instant that his newly coiffed head hit the pillow.&nbsp; <br><br>The next morning found him waiting for Tina at the coffee shop, looking much better in his stylish new clothes and his fashionable hair.&nbsp; As he waited, he checked his messages.. and winced.&nbsp; She'd mailed him last night, and he'd not answered!<br><br><tt class="bbc_tt"><br>From: Rick@vogue.com<br>To: Tina@gmail.com<br>Subject: Whoops!<br><br>Tina,<br><br>Sorry I didn't get back to you last night.&nbsp; I got caught up in a few things after work, and forgot to check my mail when I got home.&nbsp; Yes, I know the pain of being surrounded by idiots all too well.. but obviously, you can put up with it (after all, you DID have lunch with me.. ha!)<br><br>I'm just getting into the coffee shop now, so I'm guessing I'll see you soon?&nbsp; <br><br>Rick<br><br></tt><br><br>He gulped, and put the device away.. she'd actually not only wanted him to mail her, but had given her cell number!&nbsp; Had he screwed up by not getting in touch with her last night?
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Elandra</strong> on <strong>03-12-2007, 18:20:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Arriving in the parking lot, her cell phone beeped, looking down at it, she read the message and thought the man was adorable, shaking her head she reminded herself he was the mark, but it was hard to think of him as such, he was nerdy, not her usual type and yet he had some of the best qualities in a man. As she walked towards the coffee house she keyed in her response.<br><br><tt class="bbc_tt">To: Rick@vogue.com<br>From: Tina.chase@gmail.com<br>Subject: Be right there<br><br>Rick, <br><br>I fully understand the need to unwind, please do not worry about replying to my emails, it is just nice to have someone to chat with who is not an airhead. You will probably be reading this as I step into the coffee shop, so look up when the blackberry beeps.<br><br>Tina</tt><br><br>She hit send just as she entered the shop, looking around she spotted him in the corner and was standing there with her mouth wide open, the man had had a makeover and looked fabulous.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Secrets of the Mundane (elandra and kalen)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kalen</strong> on <strong>15-02-2008, 13:54:52</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Standing near the back of the line, Rick's cell beeped, indicating a new message.&nbsp; He pulled out the phone with his heart pounding.. could it be her?&nbsp; Most likely, it was his boss, wanting her computer to do the impossible.&nbsp; He had to keep telling himself, that Tina didn't want to be anything more than his friend.&nbsp; And then.. he actually read the email.<br><br>He read it, and smiled.. then looked up.&nbsp; He laughed out loud, something he rarely did in public, as he saw her coming into the shop.&nbsp; Her timing was impeccable!<br><br>As she approached, he held up a finger.&nbsp; "Hold on, hold on.. " he said, trying to suppress a grin.&nbsp; "Important email to reply to."<br><br>He lowered his head, and pretended to type.. then just smirked, and put the cell phone away.&nbsp; "Oh, who am I kidding?&nbsp; Good morning, Tina.. did you sleep well?"
			</dd>
		</dl>
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