Unicorns and Ghouls – TG.

 

Sunny the Nurse takes her new found friend home for tea, unaware that he is actually one of the city’s most feared Ghouls.  He is a killer…a cannibal.  Will he want more than just Sunny’s hot pockets?  Read on….

Scene setting – Sunny’s apartment – Tokyo Ghoul

Written with Fu.

 

Fu:

” Wolf huh? . . . I see. Alpha’s been spotted. ”

– Tenkai would say to himself in a quite tone as he followed her towards her building. They kept moving along the pathway towards the residential district and hopefully closer to her building , she was lucky to have given him information , he didn’t seem to have any need to make her into food so he instead kept his silence until she gave him a question in which needed a response. Sunny would eventually react to the curfew in a hasty motion showing it was time for her to go home but Tenkai didn’t react, he just thought of it as game time. Tonight however it seems like he’ll be taking it easy and so he would find himself asked about hot pockets while being tugged –

” Sure I suppose I like hot pockets ”

– Only if they were filled with human organs that is. –

 

Razorbackwriter:  Thankfully, Sunny’s apartment block was not very far when the sirens started to sound. It only took two minutes to find themselves in the foyer and then another three flights of stairs to reach her little abode. Gloria, her roomie thankfully was already on her shift at the hospital, so it would just be Tenkai and Sunny sharing a meal.

Entering the small apartment, it was quite clear to see that it was decorated mainly by Sunny. The walls were adorned with cutsie pictures of rainbows and unicorns. She had a stuffed animal collection that covered two walls and it was going to be hard just to find a seat. In one corner however you could see Gloria’s part. It had pictures of almost naked men, and a few nasty toys on display. Talk about complete opposites.

Sunny skipped into the kitchen and started to rummage through the freezer for some tasty hot pockets. Always so easy as a meal when you had little else. No one was going to be delivering take out when the curfew was on – this was why Sunny was picking up the ingredients, to try and beat the curfew. But, the plucky little nurse always kept emergency rations on hand, aka hot pockets.

Turning on the oven and setting the boxes to one side, she poked her head out of the kitchen and asked.

 

“Would you like some lemon pop?”

Ever the hostess.

~RB~

 

Temp:  Wolf continued to follow the nurse and the ghoul as they moved through the city. The curfew going into effect of course made no difference to her at all. Investigators knew better than to attack her. Being a one-eyed ghoul made her scent very peculiar to other ghouls, which typically made them avoid or otherwise ignore her. The night was a perfect place for her to observe and even intervene when it came to unique situations. This was one such situation. She easily scaled the outside of the building, and followed the scent of the two until she found a similar scent within the building. This girls room was very high up, but heights rarely meant much to a ghoul, especially one with a kagune like hers. For now she perched on the building near a window where she would be sure to listen in on what was happening within the room.

 

Fu:

 

– Tenkai followed her into her building and found it to clash with the personalities of the two occupants who lived with one another and he would stare at the entire apartment in awe before returning his attention to the female and contemplate his being here. He knew at some point he’d slowly try to dig out more information. but while he kept thinking to himself , he would hear Sunny ask him if he wanted some lemon pop. Tenkai would reply to her with his answer –

”Mind if I get coffee instead if you have it ? I’m a tad tired and I need to be alil bit more awake. ”

 

Razorbackwriter:  
‘Mind if I get coffee instead if you have it ? I’m a tad tired and I need to be alil bit more awake. ”

At the request of coffee, mad giggles erupted from the kitchen. They had coffee…boy did they have coffee. Gloria was one for always bringing men back to the apartment forcoffee, and often it had the young nurse, Sunny in hysterics. You could hear the sound of bottles tinkling in the kitchen cupboard, as Sunny brought out about eight different types of coffee jars. Many of them had never been opened.

“I don’t usually drink coffee, but Gloria always keeps it on hand.” Sunny sung out cheerfully.

Pouring water into the kettle, she then set it on the stove and flicked on the gas. Striking a match she soon had the blue flame going and the water was able to boil. Thankfully, she had some long life milk in the pantry, and sugar. This would make for Tenkai’s order of coffee.

Sunny chose the exotic brand of coffee and undid the cap, breaking the seal with a spoon. She took out a good spoon full and placed it in a large coffee mug, that was more like a bowl, than a real mug. The cheery nurse danced around the kitchen, opening cupboards and slamming doors. In her own little world till the kettle started to whistle. She took it off the heat and then poured the boiling hot water into the waiting cup.

The kitchen now had the smell of fresh coffee, and Sunny swanned out of the kitchen and offered Tenkai the cup.

“Might want to blow, or it will burn your tongue.” Sunny always made coffee too hot.

“Find a seat. Just knock off a few plushies. It’s quite comfortable here.” Sunny was just so nice…and happy. It was bizarre to say the least. She didn’t even think of how the young man would be able to leave and go about his business, now that the curfew was enforced.

~RB~

 

Fu:

 

– He allowed Sunny to go and do what she had to as he continued to look around the area some more , it didn’t take him long to decide he wanted to see the conditions for tonight’s curfew. He felt as if he wasn’t going to be able to go home at this rate but it’s common for him to be outside at this time of night but the hardest things to do is leaving or being in residential area’s and expect to retreat or move about. Clearly the CCG are keeping their eyes about and observing. So it seems like he’d be stuck here , for how long he didn’t know. He would overhear Sunny speaking about a woman named Gloria as his own thoughts ended up coming out of him around the time she had began to finish brewing the coffee and coming to give it to him –

” I wonder if I’ll be stuck here tonight.”

– Tenkai was cunning he knew that much when it came to his movements around others. But he knew all too well that he’d be walking into a confrontation if he was to leave her place . As Sunny came to give him his cup of coffee ; Tenkai would take the cup as she gave him the warning about the heat and the offer to take a seat as well –

” Thank you for the cup of coffee. ”

– He moved some things around to get a place to rest his rear and enjoy the cup. However he seemed to realize it was most likely beyond midnight by now and it wouldn’t really be long before it would be considered the next day and such so he pretty much would stare at the time on his phone and then her . He didn’t waste time sipping from the cup however. He enjoyed it warm. –

” I wonder how I’ll be able to leave without being suspected of anything or being placed back inside here due to the security they wish to keep over the civilians of the town.”

– As he took another sip ; Tenkai thought about his situation and was unsure as to why he felt so calm and easy around this woman. It was clear she was human by her appearance and personality as well as her smell. Perhaps she was too accepting. Tenkai normally would take advantage of that , in either form it could be seen as depending on his mood/tastes. But however today he just felt too passive to do anything. And he realized she’d be someone that could help him out in various pursuits. It’d be a shame to see her go. –

 

 

 

 

Dinner for Two – GS.

 

With Elissa coming over for dinner, Tommy needs to get his act together after the run in with Tamika and Madame Rose Li.  Will he let those events spoil his night?  Read on and see.

Scene setting : Tommy’s apartment – Gantz Series.

Written with VunG.

 

Razorbackwriter:  

Tommy’s apartment

6.30pm

The basket that had been left at his front door was now sitting on a lounge room chair, while Tommy was busy in the kitchen. He had made a promise to Elissa that he would cook for her that eve, and it was a promise that he had no intention of breaking. Tommy had decided on a family favorite. Thai green prawn curry with jasmine rice and condiments. One thing about Tommy was, he did keep a lot of fresh food on hand, being that his diet required it – that and he was passionate about cooking; something that had been passed down from his own Mother.

The kitchen now gave off a heavenly smell, and with the curry simmering nicely, Tommy took the chance to go and grab a quick shower and freshen up before his dinner date. Passing the large mirror just above a book case, he glanced at it. It was easy to see the worry lines now on his forehead. Frank still hadn’t called and the weight of guilt was starting to fall heavily on his shoulders. That….and the incident with Tamika out in the hall. Was he wrong to tell her the truth about his relationship with Elissa? Tommy had always been so non committal when it came to relationships, though Tamika had a way of worming into his life and his apartment at times. He knew he was going to have to try and get his key back off her at some point. Sooner, rather than later.

Before getting in the shower, Tommy did try Frank’s phone again. It simply rang out. Tommy let out an exasperated sigh. With what Madame Rose said, still fresh in his mind, he knew that something was definitely up. But what could he do? Everything had pretty much centered around Frank for the past week or so. Was Tommy being selfish, to just want to have one night not having to worry about the detective? Tossing the phone on the bed, Tommy headed into the bathroom, slowly stripping off as he did so. He left a trail of clothes that led up to the shower cubicle, where he could now be seen behind the opaque glass pane. The hot jets soothed his body, and soon he was busy scrubbing himself down, and then washing his hair. Elissa would be arriving at any moment, and he wanted everything to be just perfect.

Once out of the shower and patted down, he dressed in a simple grey t shirt and jeans. All formality and the usual suits going out the window. He even was padding around barefoot. This was his way of relaxing. Passing the red basket one more time, Tommy rolled his eyes, before picking out the bottle of champagne and taking it to the fridge. Might as well chill it. What could it hurt?

~RB~

 

VunG:  Elissa kept forgetting that Tommy had a bit of money on him–of course he would, he was a reporter. He might not be a business tycoon, but he was probably doing better than some, and this was a nice apartment complex. Taking a deep breath as she drove up to one of the parking spots, she made sure to give herself a nice look in the mirror, making sure she looked alright. Besides putting on the dress and some simple flip flops to go with them, she hadn’t done a whole heck of a lot. She’d brushed her hair and made sure everything was neat, had used a little make up to touch up blemishes but nothing that anyone would ever notice. She wasn’t a girly girl that really made herself up, as it was this probably a bit more than usual, but she wanted to look good for him, especially since he was going through all this effort. It wasn’t like she was uncomfortable in this either–while it may have looked nice, really it was just as comfortable as anything else she owned, perhaps more so in some regards. If he just wanted to relax and have a nice casual date, she was more than happy with that… again, she just wanted to make their first proper date a good one and look at least a little more proper than ‘I was just shot, can you tell?’

A check at the front desk for room number and an elevator ride later and she was at Tommy’s door, checking herself and making sure that she was all set. Satisfied, she gave a ‘shave and a haircut’ knock and waited for him at the front, hand on her hip just for the sake of theatrics. Oh shoot… had she put on deodorant? Bugger…

 

Razorbackwriter:  Tommy was just about to enter the kitchen to give the curry sauce a stir, when he heard the knocking at the door. A quick check of the time, and sure enough, Elissa was right on time. Tommy wondered if she had managed to come along by herself, and not had to bring the fluffy Princess. Striding over to the front door, he undid the two locks and swung it open, only to see his girl standing there with her hand on her hip – a real sexy pose. Tommy’s eye cast up and down to take in what she was wearing. She looked fantastic, but then again she looked just as good without clothes. Tommy found himself smiling freely, and took a step back to allow her to come in.

“Hope you’re hungry.” His voice had a richness to it. Standing there in his simple t shirt and jeans, it looked a bit strange compared to the backdrop of his apartment, which was almost clinical. It was a large open space, vast windows that showed the city skyline, and modern furnishings that would have cost a bundle. There was expensive art pieces on the walls, but in one corner, there were a series of black and white photographs of Tommy and his brother. They were taken by one of the paper’s top photographers on top of one of the city’s buildings. You could see the likeness and playful attitude between the two young men. Both athletic looking. Model material with natural features that just caught your eyes and you couldn’t look away.

When Elissa passed through the door, Tommy would close it, being careful to lock it. He gave the door a pat and turned on his heel as he knew that Elissa would probably be checking out his place.

After the rotten day he had had, and of course the drama when he entered his building, Tommy wanted to relax and just enjoy being with Elissa. To have her to himself again.

“Would you like a tour?”

~RB~

 

VunG:  Elissa was more than happy to see the look on Tommy’s face as he caught how she looked, smiling back just as freely as she looked him over. Apparently he was in a less formal mindset, but that said he still looked great in that shirt… not that he needed clothing to look good, but hey. As he stepped back, she would gladly follow him in, responding to his comment with a grin and a nod. Almost immediately she was struck by the smell of what he was cooking. She couldn’t pick up what everything was, she could cook but she wasn’t a mistress of the trade, but she knew the scents of shrimp and curry when she caught them. Good choices, though she hadn’t had the two combined. Would be interesting.

Of course, that took second place to his room. As she walked in she couldn’t help but marvel at just how nice the place looked. She had been expecting this to be a nice place, but dang! This was a lovely home, from the furnishings to the paintings. She especially liked the view–she was so used to being stuck way down low; it was rare that she got the chance to look out onto the skyline like this. Eventually she would catch the romantic place-setting for their dinner, and she’d smirk at the sight… he really was pulling out all the stops for her wasn’t he? It would be nice to be able to relax again. To get away from the madness of work, to forget about this idiocy with the ‘alien’, to forget that they had been in a firefight just yesterday… just to have some nice time between the two of them. Was that so much to ask? Was that too selfish?

Letting out a soft, content sigh, she would soon hear his question and happily turn to him and nod emphatically to him, before pausing, putting her finger up, going to the front and kicking her ‘shoes’ off and setting her purse down. ~Now, I would,~ she said, blushing a little.

 

Razorbackwriter:  “My mother always said that girls love a guy that can cook. So, I took my lessons from her.” Tommy was now feeling much more relaxed that Elissa was here. He enjoyed watching her walk into the apartment, and then stop to take it all in. It was much bigger than her place of course, and he hoped that it didn’t overwhelm her. Tommy didn’t exactly go into detail how much he was worth, but it was safe to say that he could afford the nicer things in life. Watching Elissa turn and show that radiant smile of hers was reward enough. He glanced down as she kicked off her shoes and set down her purse. She was more than ready for the tour.

Moving to her side, he took her hand in his and led her slowly through the spacious lounge area and to the right where his room was just off the side. They walked through the open doorway to view a large king size bed, adorned in a silver grey and black doona with matching cushions and pillow rolls. The room looked like it had been in Vogue, everything was immaculate, which didn’t match the way Tommy had been at her place. He must have a house keeper. In fact, he did. She also took care of the shopping, though Tamika had been keen to cook for Tommy on many occasions using her own supplies. A large walk in robe, that any New York girl would die for was to the right of the bed, then that went through to his ensuite. A shower cubicle large enough for four people, with a marble and white vanity and loo. Mirrors were everywhere and Hollywood lighting was around the mirrors over the vanity. It was glamorous….for a guy.

“The bed is not normally so neat.” Tommy squeezed Elissa’s hand as he said this. Well, he hadn’t been in his own bed for a few nights now. Thanks to…Frank and of course Elissa. That part he didn’t mind at all. Tommy then said off the cuff “It would look a lot better with you in it.” There was that cheeky Tommy resurfacing.

Bringing Elissa back out to the main open area, he pointed out his office, and to the right of that was the guest room. He had it set up for when his Mother came to the city so it had a woman’t touch. Not at all masculine. The office walls were lined with all sorts of sporting memorabilia, and there was a treadmill with large flat screen tv on the wall. A set of weights, and rolled up yoga mat was leaning against the wall. Seeing this side of Tommy, and how he lived might intrigue Elissa, or she could understand him a little more.

The lounge area showed an eight seater leather lounge that was in an L shape, and faced a monstrous entertainment system with a large wall mounted TV. A great place to catch those late night movies. It was all very inviting.

~RB~

 

VunG:  Well, Tommy’s mom wasn’t wrong about the cooking thing, at least for Elissa. It was always a wonderful treat when one came home to find a wonderful meal waiting for them–granted that she also did the same, but she always preferred relationships that were a give and take. As for the home, she wasn’t quite what one would call overwhelmed–she’d been in nice places like this, though not as a date or guest or anything like that. That said, it was still impressive, and it informed her that, besides being a wonderful guy who was quirky, intelligent, great looking, and amazing in bed, he clearly had a bank account to lean on. Why not tell her he was the heir to a throne while you were at it.

When they got to the bedroom, she was mostly just surprised by how large it was; the details were impressive, but getting this much space in New York was like trying to get the golden egg laying goose to lay again after you’d dissected it and stitched it back together with googly eyes. The walk in robe probably didn’t impress Elissa as much as it would have most New York women, but she was still surprised by it–again, thanks to the size. And then there was the bathroom, and in her head she was already promising herself that they would go in there sometime soon. Honestly, she didn’t even question if it was femmy or not; she was a woman who shot bank robbers for a living, she was pretty certain that a guy who liked feeling nice wasn’t going to get any stranger looks.

As he first introduced the bed properly, she would roll her eyes at the ‘not so neat’ comment, assuming that the reason for that was that he was usually a bit of a lazy slob. A place this large, you NEEDED a house maid to look after it–either that or spend a LOT of time yourself. Then, just as she was running her hand over the fabric, wondering what it was like (quite nice, as the case might be), she would look up at his comment, immediately returning his cheeky grin and cocking her hips. ~You better believe it.~

The rest of the place was also pretty interesting, though not quite as much of a shock to the system that the other bits had been. The guest room for his mother was rather sweet, and something that she could definitely appreciate–it was nice when a man was close to his family. Actually, she needed to send another email to her folks, now that she thought about it. The sports memorabilia got a smirk out of her–suppose it was inevitable that every guy would like some sport or another. The treadmill was an interesting touch as well as all the other work-out equipment; she had a little herself, but she kept it tucked away under beds and in closets and such… then again she didn’t have the space to spare to keep it out in the open. It was good that he took such pride in looking after himself, not that she’d doubted it from the previous time.~A yoga man, huh?~ she commented as her gaze passed over the mat, ~I would’ve thought you more of a tai chi person.~

As for the lounger area, well it was about what she would expect from the sort of money on display–it was impressive and expensive. With the tour done, she would turn to him with a grin, ~You, my dear, are one fancy son of a bitch.~

 

Razorbackwriter:  Watching Elissa sign that she thought Tommy was more of a tai chi person, made Tommy chuckle. The idea of practicing Tai chi in those satin pajama like suits just wasn’t his thing. Besides, yoga kept him very fit and it was something he could do either with a class or at home – which was more the case. The reporter winked at Elissa.“Each to their own.”

Wandering back out into the main lounge area, the tour was over and dinner was about ready to be served, until Elissa turned around in front of him and showed that wicked grin that he loved so much.

~You, my dear, are one fancy son of a bitch.~

“Looks are deceiving. I’m just a regular guy. You should already know that by now.” Tommy poked her nose gently with the tip of his finger, before gesturing for her to take a seat at the dinner table. “I’ll be serving up dinner, why not grab a seat?”

The table was already set, but Tommy had to get things prepared in the kitchen so he could bring it out to be served properly. He padded back into the kitchen, which had a large opening view space so Elissa would be able to see him as he worked. By the way he moved about, Elissa would be able to see that he knew his way around a kitchen, and the steam rose off the curry as he lifted the lid and gave it another stir. Tommy started with placing a special cup mold of rice on each plate, then ladled out the shrimp, followed by a good coverage of the green thai sauce. He used garnish and had poppadoms ready in a small basket, along with yogurt and chutney. Tommy would need to make a few trips back and forth, but not before placing down the dinner plates. One before Elissa and another where Tommy was to sit.

Tommy selected the Champagne that had come out of the gift basket from the fridge, and brought that out last. The candles were lit and Tommy clicked the remote to have soft music playing in the background.

It was all very romantic.

Tommy took his seat, which was just adjacent Elissa and smirked at her. He was curious to see if she liked his cooking. He had done a lot in the small time he had before she arrived, so it was a bit of a rush job.

Off to the side on a chair was the basket of roses and chocolates from Madame Rose Li. Tommy had forgotten to dispose of it.

“Bon appetite, El.”

Tommy raised a glass to her and waited for her to reciprocate.

~RB~

 

 

Coming home – GS.

 

Following on from Tommy’s stop off at Madame Rose Li’s club.

Razorbackwriter: 

6.00pm

The lift door drew open slowly to show a troubled looking Tommy. Already having tried Frank’s number a dozen times and having left countless messages, there was no answer. Rose’s words were now ringing in his ears that she had done something, but what? She wasn’t exactly forthcoming, and told him to just be the reporter and get the story himself. Tommy hated her games, and it was clear she was in control of it. If only Frank would answer. After his last stint of vanishing, Tommy was starting to get a feeling that Frank didn’t want to be found. Had he gone and done something stupid again?

Turning the corner, he stared down the hallway, only to then see Jay open his door and wave him over. Jay being one of his neighbors, and a good friend.

“Dude, where you been? Tamika has been up to your apartment a few times and then came knocking on my door looking for you.”

This news had Tommy face palm. Tamika. The girl with the insane crush. It was all he needed on top of the fact that Frank was not answering his phone. With all that had happened the past few days, and his new relationship with Elissa, Tamika was the last person on his mind. Jay stood waiting to see what Tommy had to say.

“I’ve been staying at….uhm..”

“You’re dating another girl? Woah man.”

“I was never dating Tamika.” The reporter groaned. “She was just a friend.”

At this, Jay let out a loud laugh. He knew Tamika was besotted with Tommy, but Tommy just didn’t have those sorts of feelings for her. In fact, the way he felt about Elissa was all very new to him. Totally out of character. Tommy, the man that never committed had more or less done that with Elissa. Sort of.

“Tommy, you gotta deal with Tamika if you are with a girl….like…really with a girl. I can see the future, man, and….girls like Tamika don’t take rejection well at all.”

Tommy leaned against the wall, and pulled out his phone. Again checking to see if Frank had messaged or tried to call. Still nothing. Jay leaned forward, and whispered. “You going to send her a text?”

“No.”

“Whatever you do, don’t do it on social media. Do it in person. I seen this kinda shit turn ugly.” One thing about Jay, he knew when to lay it out there and thick. He was right of course. Tommy had no one to blame but himself. It was then that the sound of footfalls caused both men to look down the hall. It was Tamika.

“Tommy! Where have you been?”

Jay’s face was one of…~Here we go~ “Listen Tommy, I got something in the nuker. I gotta go.” He then promptly shut the door. Knowing him though, he would be listening at the other side of the door. Tommy was now in the firing line, as Tamika looked up at him expectantly.

“Tommy? I’ve been so worried.”

“Tam, listen. We….have to talk.”

He had that tone in his voice and Tamika looked puzzled by his words. “Can’t we do it in your apartment. i was going to fix you dinner.” Tommy tipped his head back and let out an exasperated sigh. “You can’t keep doing this, Tammy. I told you.”

Apparently Tamika was deaf and blind to what Tommy really wanted. He never considered them more than friends, as hard as Tamika tried to be in a relationship with him. Bringing his head down so he looked at her, he knew he had to come clean.

“Tam…I’ve met someone, and…I’m in love with her.”

There it was….the truth. Tamika just stood there as though she had been hit with the high beams. She let out a little laugh, and then smiled awkwardly. “What?”

“I’ve met a girl I want to spend the rest of my life with.” This was heavy. Really heavy news. Tommy didn’t know how else to say it. He didn’t want to hurt Tamika, but she never quite seemed to get it. And from the look on her face, she still wasn’t.

“You…met a girl?”

“Yes.”

“Oh…” Tamika was heart broken, and she looked down at the shopping bags in her hands. Looked like she wouldn’t be cooking him dinner after all. Trying hard to keep her composure, Tamika reacted in a very strange way. Almost like she was happy for him. You just don’t trust a woman who smiles after telling them something this traumatic. Tamika blinked repeatedly, and took a backward step. “I have to go….now.”

 

Tommy frowned as he watched Tamika trying to retreat. He was half expecting her to slap him, or yell. She did neither of these things.

“Tammy….I’m sorry.” Words said a little late, as Tamika disappeared around the corner. The guy had just broken her heart. She reached the lift and was hiccuping sobs as she pressed the button to leave the floor. Looking back, she couldn’t see he was still standing there. The lift opened and she entered quietly.

Now left to his own devices, Tommy turned and headed to his apartment door. Waiting outside was a basket. It had been sent by Madame Rose Li. It contained flowers….red roses, chocolates and a bottle of champagne. The reporter wanted to pick it up and hurl it down the passage way.

Women!

 

~RB~

One step ahead – GS.

Scene setting:  Elissa’s apartment.

co-written with VunG.

 

VunG:  It seemed that Tommy had taken what Elissa had implied the worst way possible. She was a bit of a cynic lately, that was just what the world had made of her, and so she was reluctant to say anything definitely even to herself. She wasn’t trying to tell him that this was nothing but sex, because it wasn’t; even if she didn’t fall for Tommy she definitely cared for him, and the last thing she wanted was to hurt him. Indeed, she enjoyed this physicality, but it wasn’t what she truly found precious. She felt so… warm with him, it was rare for something to penetrate the shell she’d erected around herself, and she was more than happy to have him there. Unfortunately, her bluntness had bitten them both in the ass.

While Tommy clearly made an attempt to act unaffected by her response, it was clear that he seemed… well hurt was the best word she could come up with. It broke her heart that that was how he’d taken it, and even as he rolled over she began trying to come up with words to attempt to fix it. Eventually, after a lot of brainstorming, she came up empty and decided to just wing it. Suddenly she swung herself back over to straddle Tommy again and leaned on him with her elbows, looking down at him with the softest, most apologetic expression she could manage. Slowly she reached up and took his chin to get him to look at her, and then leaned up a bit and signed, a sheepish expression on her face. ~I didn’t say I felt nothing,~ she said, almost as if she were chastising herself as much as him, ~I’m more than willing to find out if it is love.~ She really didn’t want to leave him feeling like his emotions were falling on deaf ears, because they didn’t; she adored Tommy, and he was brave to get those words out to begin with. Much braver than her, when she could only speak in uncertainties. She leaned in close to him, not moving to kiss, but just resting on top of him, and returning his poke on the nose, giving him an uncertain smile, hoping he at least forgave her for her unthinking callousness.

 

Razorbackwriter:  Tommy was wearing his heart on his sleeve. Laying there exposed and now flaccid. Amazing how the body reacts to the mind so quickly. The brave face was nothing but a front. A mask of feelings that were not genuine. Frank would smack the shit out of him for acting so stupid. He’d always been the one that loved and left. Staying to snuggle, hug….was never an option. He didn’t ever invest himself emotionally in a new relationship. Trying to stay one step ahead always. But Elissa had caught him off guard completely, and he reacted totally out of character. Was he even thinking of how she would react as he more or less mirrored her response. That gentle shrug. Trying to shake it all off.

 

The thing was he gave unsaid signals all by body language and Elissa was a lot quicker than he gave her credit. She was quick to straddle him, a dominant move just like earlier only this time it was not because she wanted to go for round two. Elissa took his chin in her hand and forced him to look at her as she sighed and showed a sheepish look. Elissa was trying to convey that she did feel something, but it just wasn’t love. Not yet. If Tommy had really been thinking, it would be impossible to fall in love with someone in such a short space of time. At least she was realistic. Grounded. This is something Tommy had to admire. He bore a crooked half smile as he tried to find the humor in the situation – always a fail safe. Then Elissa said something with her hands that he did understand. It broke through finally that she was willing to find out what love was. That would require time; and they both had plenty of that.

Elissa then poked his nose, rather than seal her words with a kiss. This would be their thing. She looked so hopeful that he understood what she felt and thankfully, he took her fingers and bit on them playfully. That boyishness returning in the full. His ego was bruised, sure – but not broken.

Tommy reached around and slapped Elissa’s backside playfully.

“You just wanted to be on top. I know all about girls like you.”

~RB~

 

VunG:  It was actually kind of strange, but Elissa was almost afraid of alienating Tommy… she didn’t know why, but she didn’t want to be left alone. She wouldn’t quite call it an alien sensation, but she certainly wasn’t comfortable with the thought; yet as had been made apparent she was more the sort to handle a problem head on than avoid it. Thankfully though, her bravery wouldn’t need to be tested, as once his expression cleared up, she could tell that he was at least mostly back, perhaps not fully but enough for things to more or less return to how they were moments ago. Of course, the way he decided to confirm those thoughts was… unusual, and when he began nibbling on her fingers she found herself stifling a laugh, not entirely certain how to react but finding it funny. She even went so far as to wiggle her fingers, playing with him as if he were a cat, happy to just take this playful stance. And then he went ahead and smacked her backside. She made a face like she would have yelped with surprise if she could, but then she promptly settled into a wickedly playful grin.

To his accusation of her being ‘one of those girls,’ she just sat gave him a ‘guilty as charged’ shrug, giving him a Cheshire cat grin as she did so. Then she sat up a bit straighter, looking down on him confidently, nibbling on her own lips thoughtfully. ~I didn’t see you trying to take charge,~ she countered challengingly, placing her hands on her hips afterwards, almost daring him to try something. Of course, she actually kind of wanted him to try something, whether it be just friendly non-sexual playing or bending her over and taking her furiously. In case he hadn’t guessed, she was a bit more rough and tumble than most gals, and while she could do soft, she preferred to go hard and heavy with whatever she did.

 

Razorbackwriter:  Oh she was the devil for trying to say that Tommy was not dominant. Not taking charge, eh? That was a dare if ever he saw one. Watching her sit up straight and place those tiny hands on her hips – the way she chewed her bottom lip all seductive like. Yep, she WAS one of those girls. Damn straight.

So…Tommy rose to the challenge. In fact the way he shot up would have her caught off guard, possibly falling backwards. Tommy was fast and reached for her legs, so he could make sure she did fall back on the bed as he went to being on his knees. Flat on her back. Who was the dominant one now? He didn’t grip her legs hard, but she wouldn’t exactly be able to wiggle herself free.

So there she was, legs spread and Tommy in a commanding position. Tommy arched his right brow as he cracked a wicked smile.

“Round two then?”

He’d seen the Cheshire grin, the playful tease. The earlier closeness and touching was now a memory as Tommy changed tact and decided to play the Dom. He bent forward and then licked her right nipple before biting it. The playing had just begun to get more serious.

~RB~

Wrong Impressions – GS.

Scene setting: Elissa’s Apartment – GS.

co-written with VunG.

 

VunG:  Oh, the precious feelings of the after-glow. For the first time in what felt like ages Elissa could feel her barriers lowering; here the real world couldn’t touch them… they were away from it all. It had been far too long since she experienced a moment like this, where she could just take to someone like this and embrace. As they continued to kiss, her hands roamed a bit, straying down to his backside, lightly feeling and testing his wonderful body. Even if this wasn’t love, she felt absolutely enraptured by this wonderful intimacy.

As he took her cheek, she gladly looked back into his eyes, relaxing and searching him, trying to figure out what thoughts were going through his head. She, for her part, didn’t think that this was love… yet. She had felt this sensation before, her husband and another man on the force before him. The latter never progressed beyond a physical relationship, but she always cared about him as a friend, even now that he had left the city she kept in contact with him. This was something that could become love, and she had no issue with that, but at the same time it could just be the warmth of intimacy.

She too was aware of the day beginning, but she was in no hurry to let get the day get going. There was nothing she knew of that they really needed to do, unless Tommy had work, and while she definitely needed to get clean, she couldn’t shower proper for a few hours yet so it was something she wanted to put off as long as possible. She was perfectly fine just staying here with him, perhaps just snuggling, perhaps going out on a proper date, perhaps showering together, perhaps watching movies, perhaps making more bed music. To her the outside world wasn’t so much tearing away at their little world; it was laying siege, but she had more than enough food to last for a while yet.

And then suddenly Tommy said something that completely threw her off-guard. He was falling for her. She blinked with surprise, looking down and to the side in thought, trying to figure out her own thoughts. She… wasn’t quite there for him… she definitely cared for him, she wanted to find out if she would fall for him… but she wasn’t there. Still, she supposed they’d find out what this was in time. She didn’t talk in response, but she returned her gaze to him, a soft smile appearing on her face as she shrugged lightly. She didn’t want to crush his spirits, hurting him was so far out of her desires it may as well have been in China, but lying to him was something she also didn’t want to do. Regardless, she intended to try. Slowly she leaned back in and kissed him, softer this time, but still with a great deal of passion.

 

Razorbackwriter:  Tommy had said what he felt in his heart, the problem was he also wasn’t thinking. The words blurted out like he was a love struck teenager. But that is not who Tommy really was. Was it? It didn’t take much to see that Elissa was totally caught off guard by Tommy’s surprise admission. The truth of her feelings came not from the soft smile, but that gentle shrug of her shoulders. To Tommy that was a sign that she didn’t know how she felt…..but she didn’t feel the same. That single moment was like time had slowed and Tommy found himself now in uncharted waters. He closed his eyes as she moved in to kiss him again – still with that hunger. The passion was there, yes.

 

But it was just sex……..

Tommy reciprocated and kissed her back as he tried to put douse the feelings. He was a fool for thinking that this was love. He was a man for god’s sake. If Tommy could have slapped his forehead and cursed he would have, but instead he just held her. The wandering of his fingers came to a slow stop. Tommy drew back and then shrugged his shoulders too, before placing a finger tip on her nose and pressing it lightly. Rolling back he pulled his hands so that they would be resting behind his head – staring at the ceiling. No amount of words was going to fix what he had said.  If only the world could swallow him up.

 

~RB~

Happy Memories – GS.

 

Scene setting : Detective Frank Malone’s Apartment.

co-written with Chor.

 

Chor:  The knock at the door was almost a relief. The silence and painful small-talk that went between them was awful. It was like watching people trying to pronounce words incredibly wrong or babies trying to walk for the first time. As the food entered the apartment, Isa knew the first thing she was going to do was eat. Then she could assess and conquer the situation. At the very mention of the food, she didn’t waste any time coming to where Frank had laid out the food. She pushed her slightly loose buttoned sleeves up to her elbow, showing more of the strange markings running from where her wrist met her palm to the crook of her elbow. They were so old news to her that she barely even noticed the black marks anymore.

“Wow, this all looks amazing,” Isa spoke aloud, though it was mainly to herself. She was getting slowly more comfortable. Not knowing just what she wanted, she took a bit of everything, but mostly she helped herself to the bread. For someone who doesn’t eat much, Isolde loves garlic. She supposes it’s some cosmic proof – or maybe a joke- that she’s not a vampire, despite her looks.

Isolde was just a few steps behind Frank as she took up her plate and went back to where they would watch the movie. The previews, which she was intensely uninterested in, played in the background as she settled on the couch, bare feet tucking to her left underneath her as she balanced her food on her lap expertly. On hand holding her beer, Isa raised it to Franks.

“To Claura,” she said, nodding to acknowledge Rory and her sister before taking a swig.

 

Razorbackwriter:  Frank made sure to tap his beer can against Isa’s as she said the name of the person she wished to toast. Both took a swig of their beers right after. Frank took quite a large mouthful of beer, before letting out a loud belch. It wasn’t intended to happen, it just kinda did. Frank looked a bit sheepish and placed the beer can down on the coffee table, taking up his plate and then easing back into a more comfortable position on the couch. With one eye on the TV screen, Frank happened to notice that Isa had taken a liking to the naan. It was then he remembered it was garlic naan, and this caused him to let out a chuckle.

“Gotta love a girl that is game to eat garlic.”

He didn’t mean to sound rude, but it may have come off as such. Realizing his gaffe, he then started to recant a story about one night where he had been on a double date. It was back while he was still married, and of course the focus of the story was on his male counterpart – Rory.

“Ever been to Giano’s pizzeria palace? No? Well, one night four of us went down there and it was the night I learnt that my mate Rory loved garlic. Man, he had garlic on just about everything. Every course. I can remember his girlfriend.”At this point Frank’s eyes started to water, as though he had remembered something terribly funny. “Rory used to give her dutch ovens. Man…that night. I heard she ended up sending him to the couch. Ahaha. He totally reeked.”

By now, the movie had started, and Frank was belly laughing at the memory of that wild night with his dear friend who stunk of garlic.

“Was coming out of his pores and everything.”

~RB~

 

Chor:  After Isa’s sip,she was nearly scared to death by Frank’s burp. She turned to him, hand covering the stupid grin on her mouth. Because of a dysfunctional belch reflex, Isa has never been able to burp. She envied those who could and found burping quite hilarious.

“Yeah, you’d think I’m Italian instead of German the way I inhale this stuff…” Isa said, chewing off and swallowing another bite with a sip of her beer. Isa listened to Frank and simultaneously had her eyes on the screen for the movie to begin while his story was told. The story was personal, and quite frankly hilarious. Now it seemed they both were stepped from their comfort zones, baring souls and telling embarrassing stories. As the movie began, the story ended, but Isolde was still laughing. Frank had an infectious chuckle and you couldn’t just sit there and let him laugh alone. Is knew of the garlic pores. When she still lived with Claura, the two would eat Pasta Margherita at least twice a week and would have to spend the night locked in their rooms away from each other, using copious amounts of industrial strength mouthwash.

Soon after the movie began, whether it was the beer the tryptophan in her system from all the food she could not stop eating, it had caused her to become drowsy. She blinked a couple of times, trying to focus on an honestly confusing and sad movie, but mostly found herself unable to. Eventually, she couldn’t keep her body upright and gently slid into a comfortable sleep, her body surprised she made it through that much of the film.

 

Razorbackwriter:  Isolde had the most beautiful laugh, and thankfully she didn’t find Frank’ story to be rude. She knew how garlic affected some people and she happily joined in even with the movie starting in the background. Frank had to wipe away the tears of laughter with one of the napkins provided with their curry meal. It felt so good to be able to laugh at something so trivial, especially about Rory. A happy memory in amongst so many that were sad.

Whatever tension there was before, had now abaited and the pair were able to enjoy the movie as it got going, whilst eating the curry from that random curry house suggested by the singing cabby. It really was a great meal, and Frank noticed that Isa had taken to it with relish. A gusto that could have been brought on by the beer possibly. Frank finished off his plate, using a piece of naan to scrape up the last traces of curry, while Isa seemed to be focused on the move. Or was she? Taking their plates, he was about to say he would wash up, when he noticed that she had fallen asleep. Right there on the couch. Frank chuckled softly as he took her plates and cutlery and eased off the couch gently so as not to wake her. He tip toed into the kitchen and then started to do the washing up, ever so often peeking through the gap between the bench and the cupboard to see if Isa had roused at all. Poor thing must have been truly exhausted.

Finishing up the dishes, Frank packed everything away – for once, and came back into the lounge room to turn off the TV. The quiet of the room only interrupted by the sound of the traffic outside his apartment building. Gently, Frank put his arms under Isa and carried her into his bedroom. He laid her down on his bed, and brought the cover up and over to lay across her as she continued to sleep soundly. Isolde was probably the first woman to sleep in his bed, since he had moved to this part of town. He bent down to kiss her forehead, before grabbing his own pillow and a blanket from the cupboard, and making his way back into the lounge, to sleep on the couch.

~RB~

 

Chor:  Isolde very rarely made it to the REM stage one so preciously needs to fully experience sleep. This also happens to be the sleep during which you experience dreams; one thing Isa tries desperately to avoid. It seemed the alcohol in her system gave her the faintest of reminders of the last time she indulged herself and the nightmare that followed was one of complete and utter torture. Her weakened body could not fight it off at first, but soon finally she awoke with a short yelp. Bolting upright, Isolde shoved the sweat-matter hair from her forehead and looked around. Where was she…oh god, she was in his bed? Not again.

She glanced down at her clothes, still on her body although highly disheveled,and uttered a sigh. There was a mirror on the other side of the room. Isa’s state could be considered treacherous. She really did look like she’d just tumbled down a mountain. Buttons unbuttons, skirt ridden up to the point of no return and hair knotted and wrapped in every which way. She looked like a commercial for the 1980s. What had she gotten herself into this time? Speaking of time…what time was it? Was it even morning. The room was dark, but she saw light peeking from behind the closed bedroom door. Had Frank slept out on the couch? Immediately Isolde felt guilt. She didn’t mean to force him out of his own bed.