(no subject)

[die_tician]

It's eleven A.M. in New York City, and Dr. Raven Sable has already had a busy day. A series of complicated acquisitions mean that large sums of money have changed hands more than once, fueled by greed (hunger), jealousy (hunger), and other desires for things denied. His sleek black suit blends seamlessly with a hundred others as he strides into the stainless steel corporate lobby. And if Sable's immaculate suit is a little darker, a little more absorbent of the soft fluorescent glow of artificial light as he steps into the elevator, no one notices. Three people reach as one for gum or single-calorie mints as he joins the group going up.

One by one they step off at their appointed floors, until Sable is alone in the humming silence. He tilts his head in a stretch that sounds like bones cracking, and his features flicker slightly under the lights.

The door opens. Composed, he steps out, nods to Frannie, and turns toward his office in time to catch a flash of red hair. A slow, thin smile spreads itself across his face.

"Frannie? Cancel my eleven-thirty. I've had another meeting come up at the last minute."

Frannie blinks. "But your eleven-thirty is with Albert Keller. It's that new distributor you were so anxious to meet with."

"If Keller complains, just tell him that national security comes first. He'll understand."

"Yes, sir," Frannie says hesitantly, but Sable is already gone.

Comments

[redhorserider.livejournal.com]

She's wearing a purposefully not-conservative cream coloured suit, the skirt just short enough not to be too short. She's sitting on top of his desk, her legs crossed.

"I hope Mr. Keller won't be too disappointed," she says with a sharp grin.

[die-tician.livejournal.com]

"He'll have his chance," he replies smoothly, closing the door behind him.

"The man's chomping at the bit, as they say. He'll probably ask to wait, assuming he arrives before Frannie tracks him down."

[redhorserider.livejournal.com]

She's very resourceful. I can see why you've kept her around for so long. Maybe I should get an assistant as well. You know, now that I'm an important figure and all." She grins.

[die-tician.livejournal.com]

"She takes suggestion well, too," he says, with a hint of pride. "She's convinced that taking on reception as well as the accounts was a step up."

He moves around the desk to sit in the tall executive chair behind the wafer-thin monitor.

"I'd recommend it. They can be a great help when you don't feel like running your own interference. And you have such a lot of responsibility now."

[redhorserider.livejournal.com]

She doesn't turn around, playing with a razor sharp letter opener (she gave it to him) as she speaks.

"It's true. I have to write up a report about North Korea threatening us with nuclear weapons this afternoon." She uncrosses and recrosses her legs.

[die-tician.livejournal.com]

"Oh, no."

He's frowning, but almost has to bite his lip to keep from relaxing into a grin. It's ridiculous how quickly Red can make him lose control.

[redhorserider.livejournal.com]

She turns her head toward him, but not all the way; she watches him out of the corner of her eye.

"Is that sarcasm I hear?"

[die-tician.livejournal.com]

"Not at all," he says, covering quickly.

"I know how much detail you have to put into those reports. You're very thorough."

[redhorserider.livejournal.com]

"Especially when I make it all up," she says, sighing.

"Is there a store or something where I can just go pick up an assistant?"

[die-tician.livejournal.com]

"Well, I found Frannie in another office," he suggests.

"Convinced her to come work for me, instead. Most of them respond well to power, I find."

[redhorserider.livejournal.com]

She grins. "Shouldn't have a problem with that one."

[die-tician.livejournal.com]

"No, I shouldn't think so."

He leans back, smirking, and reaches toward the table behind him to pick up a pair of sparkling crystal glasses.

"Can I get you a drink?"

[redhorserider.livejournal.com]

"Drinking on the job?" She says playfully. "What've you got?"

[die-tician.livejournal.com]

"Sparkling, still, flavored no-cal, energy booster zero, foodless shakes--" His litany slows as he glances up.

"And bourbon. The usual."

[redhorserider.livejournal.com]

"I'll have the bourbon, thanks."

She stands and walks around to his left, resuming a spot on the desktop.

Looking around his office she notices something: it's so empty.

"Why am I not surprised," she says to herself.

[die-tician.livejournal.com]

"You came looking for surprises?" he asks, swiveling around to reach under the bar. Crystal clinks together as he pulls out a lavishly decorated bottle of water, bourbon, and two sparkling glasses.

[redhorserider.livejournal.com]

"I always come looking for surprises," she says with a smile, watching his slim hands move the glass and expertly pour the drinks.

[die-tician.livejournal.com]

He smiles in return, concentration bent on his task.

"Here's hoping I don't disappoint," he replies, and hands her a glass.

"To your new position," he suggests, raising his own.

[redhorserider.livejournal.com]

She quirks an eyebrow. "New position? We've done it on the desk before." She grins like a knife.

[die-tician.livejournal.com]

"Position," he says crisply, clinking their glasses together.

"Not location."

He grins back and takes an infitesimally small sip.

[redhorserider.livejournal.com]

"Position," she purrs, sliding off the desk and into his lap.

She takes a larger drink than he does and kisses him, forcing it into his mouth. Some of it spills onto his suit.

[die-tician.livejournal.com]

He nearly chokes as the bourbon passes his lips (calories! :o ) but looks scandalized at the spill on his suit.

One bony hand wraps into her hair and pulls her closer.

[redhorserider.livejournal.com]

She bites his bottom lip and looks down at the spill and then up into his eyes and says flatly, "Whoops."

[die-tician.livejournal.com]

"Now it would really be a surprise," he says, voice slightly uneven as he trails a finger along her jaw, "if you apologized."

[redhorserider.livejournal.com]

"Do you even remember the last time I apologized and really meant it?" She runs her hand suggestively up and down his tie.