Topic: It's just the flavor of the week.

Race Bannen

Date: 2010-06-16 21:36 EST
He sat back in his office chair, fingers steepled in deep thought over what to send next. There had to be a sense of escalation to it all. First came the bottle of bubbles, then the leap in sending her the sails and bubble bath supplies. What could top all that had come thus far? It would need to be provacative, tantalizing, titilating. A whole lot of holy what the f*ck. And yes, there would be backlash. Of that there was little doubt. However it needed to be something that made any reprisals worth it. Definitely worth it.

At last an idea struck him. And with it came an image of wicked proportions. O hellions of night be praised for such sinful delight of mind! Cackling as the lights in his office dimmed an order was sent out. An order that would sew chaos in it's creation! Silver would have his head! But what a way to go.

Silver Starblade

Date: 2010-06-17 13:52 EST
Silver had just finished inputting her last piece of paperwork into that blasted computer. She wasn't sure if she liked it or hated it. It was so much easier to just handwrite things and send them off then sit here and hack at keys like a chicken hacking for food. She flexed her fingers before rubbing her eyes. She was still not used to staring at this glaring screen for so long.

Maybe she'd hire someone part time to sit here and turn all her papers into documents on the computer.

That could be a perk.

Then all she'd have to do is click and open them. She did think printing something was a lot easier then copying it multiple times, but this typing business was not for her. She wondered how Rona was faring. Silver made a note to check on the woman tomorrow since most of the staff had already gone home.

The soft music infiltrating the silence let her know that Race was still here, though she was sure most of his minions were gone.

Save for one. The single woman that walked in bearing a white box wrapped in a blue ribbon. "Bossman wanted me to deliver this to you." She said emotionlessly. She set the box on the Minister's desk before leaving and disappearing down the stairs.

Another gift' At the office" Silver sighed, staring at the box as if willing herself to open it. It wasn't large, so it wasn't more sails. It wasn't a crate so it couldn't be more bubble bath. Hesitantly she reached out, untying the ribbon to let it fall about the desk before she lifted the lid".

And stared inside in disbelief.

A single finger hooked into the spaghetti strap of the dark blue lingerie, lifting it out of the box as she stared incredulously at the garment. Beneath it were tiny blue satin panties.

If she were a cartoon, her head would be spinning and steam would be emanating form her ears. As she was not, her face simply turned an angry shade of red that was quickly heading toward purple and her jaw seemed to lock in place. Anyone close enough could almost hear the grinding of her teeth.

Sh*t. Son of a b*tch. Scurvy infested, lice ridden, mother—-r. Her mind reeled as she dropped the garment back into the box, dropping her head toward her hands as she rubbed her temples in slow, soothing circles. It was officially time for payback. The Minister slowly rose out of her chair, determinedly crossing the room to where she shut her door.

Let the games begin.

Race Bannen

Date: 2010-06-17 17:01 EST
( IT HAS BEGUN! ))

In the dimmed lighting of his office Race listened as Silver's door closed with an eerie click. Still that devious, near demonic grin stayed in place as he closed out saved files and turned off the screen, tucking it off to the side as ears stayed turned to that distant room.

Though finished for the evening he sent Secce home since he no longer required her services. A roll of the wheelie chair set him to the filing cabinet to put away what was done so far and to put the rest within the IN Progress stack on top The return to his desk brought with it a cold chill down his spine that something unnatural would be forthcoming.

Silver Starblade

Date: 2010-06-18 13:57 EST
Posted with Permission Silver stared down at herself, knowing she'd probably curse herself in the morning for this stupid idea for revenge.

The cloak that was kept on the peg near the door for rainy days was slid across her shoulders and loosely tied, her fingers working to pull it closed about her frame. She reached out a hand to snatch a bottle of rum from her unending stash before she stepped from her office, her steps unusually quiet as she crossed the hall to Race's office. Her free hand slid up to knock on his doorframe before she took a single step inside.

Race looked up at the knock, a curious brow raised having not expected so quiet an entrance. He'd braced for yelling, cursing, and good old wholesome violent fun. He leaned back in his chair, hand still resting on the files he'd been putting away, offering a slight smile. "Hey Silver, you need aaanything?" He blinked a little, not aware of what?s possibly in store.

"Someone dropped off a gift today." She arched a single brow, silver-webbed-blues moving across his office before she took another step inside. "No card, no return address." Silver slid her eyes toward him as her hand reached behind her, closing the door with a quiet click. "I wonder...."

"Oh yeah' That's a bit odd. If it was from me it'd be bubble related. You know that." Race's tone was steady but curious as to why she'd come to him with a mystery. Oh it was fun playing along with things to see what she was up to. That single, quiet click seemed like a sonic boom in it's resonance to his fate being sealed. The whale's mouth closing shut on Job.

"Bubble related....right." She lifted a single shoulder in a shrug as the hand that moments ago closed the door now rose to untie the loose strings about her neck. The cloak slid away to reveal the Minister in all her blue lingerie'd glory. Tanned skin was on display, sinewy muscles left unconcealed, as the cloak dropped to pool in an indigo puddle around her bare feet. "I think you at least got the color right."

At the sight of her in that blue number a pleased, intrigued, bemused, and heated look passed over Race's face; an amalgam of emotion before settling on amused. "Oh wow, my birthday all ready? I didn't think anything like this could happen..." His fingers steepled atop the desk as eyes raked up and down those tanned muscles shamelessly with a slow roll of his tongue to wet lips.

"I have no idea when your birthday is." Silver replied, lifting the bottle of rum to wave it back and forth in front of her. "But I brought the fun anyway." Long, incredibly bare legs began the slow, languid stroll across the room toward his desk as if she had nowhere else in the world to go. "Not quite my usual style....though might be something to sleep in when the weather turns hot and sticky..." She paused at the edge of his desk before she lowered herself onto the edge of it, setting the liquor bottle on the desk in front of Race.

"Four weeks off." In answer to the comment on his birthday. Then he looked up at her with a slight laugh at her choice of words when it came to hot and sticky. These were his favorite games. Mental foreplay, always enjoyable. or was this the black widow baiting the fly' Either way, could be fun! "Ahh rum, a woman after my own debauchery." Race nodded slowly as rested chin on one hand. "Reminds me of my pirates versus ninja days. Miss singing the bawdy tunes now and again. Good times."

"I don't sing. Unless there's a good reason to..and even then it's more of a yell, " Silver paused as if thinking for a moment. "Or a moan." Her bare shoulder rose and fell again as she tapped a single finger on the cork plugging the bottle. "Doing the honors, Deputy?" Her eyes moved from the bottle as she lowered her gaze to the man at the desk again.

"If the Minister desires, I can pop a cork. Or do you think we won't get through the whole bottle and want me to un..screw..it?" Race asked in curious tones as a hand rose and reached to wrap around the neck of the bottle, thumb curling just over the top of the cork.

"I've popped enough corks in my life." Silver watched as he drew the bottle toward him, her brow sliding upward again as she rose from the desk. "Though, I do wonder how you managed to figure out the size..." Her eyes dropped down to look over herself again as she almost seemed to do a pirouette, slowly turning in a circle before she raised her gaze back toward Race in an almost challenging manner.

"I have an eye for artwork, and I've plundered my fair share of booty. Personally a fan of viking trade agreements." Lifting the bottle to his lips, Race caught the cork between the right canine and supported it against the proper 'grinder' before twisting twice and jerking with his hand and neck muscles, drawing the cork out with a resounding clap. This didn't look like his first rodeo.

"I think someone has been snooping. Or staring?" Silver dropped her hand to the edge of the desk, trailing her fingers along the smooth wood as she rounded the corner to stand at the edge of the desk next to him. "I'm slightly upset this has nothing to do with bubbles...though it would go quite nicely with the bubble bath."

A faint smile appeared then as Race looked up with knowing eyes, chair turning to regard her fully where the balls of his feet rested on the wheels of the chair. "That just means it's not from me, and I get to enjoy a very appealing side of you. I'm glad you chose to share the gifts with me." Motions between her outfit and the rum, eyes once more roving shamelessly. "And, I don't stare...though I might have to start if you wear numbers like this more often in my presence."

"Liar." She watched him amusedly, noting the roaming of his eyes. "It's no coindcidence that the minute you manage to worm your way into my life I start receiving gifts....and then out of the blue, this?" She flicked at the little tie holding the top closed. "I don't buy that this isn't from you." Her eyes shifted once more around his room before one fluid motion had her legs straightening as she bent toward the desk. Her elbows propped on the top, her chin lowering to rest on her fists."Pity...I forgot glasses."

"I have not once denied the bubbly gifts. And I think we're both..mature..enough to share the bottle. Unless you're afraid of germs?" Could be true, though it was a fight not to let his eyes shift to the flattening of her back and the straightening of those legs. She knew what she was doing, that was for sure. "However, are you sure that's not bubble themed beyond the color?"

"Could be." Silver dropped her eyes to the swell that threatened to spill over the straining blue material. "Though these don't pop." A lopsided smile dimpled a single cheek before she looked back to the bottle and Race. "Bottoms up."

"Lady's first, and to yours." Cheeky grin as he offered her first shot at the bottle not daring to drink it first. Call him a chicken, but caution is a well learned virtue. Reaching under the desk, the motion disguised as his hand resting on the arm of the chair, fingers played over a single button.

Silver Starblade

Date: 2010-06-18 14:00 EST
Silver rose off the desk, reaching for the bottle to quickly lift it off the desk. "I'm feeling a bit underdressed." The bottle was placed to her lips as she tipped it for a long sip, the pink tip of her tongue darting out to slide across her lips for any remaining droplets. "I think you need to even the playing field." Her eyes glittered as she lowered the bottle, dangling it from her fingertips toward him.

"I do, now wouldn't that be a bit...inappropriate for the workplace" Both of us being in less than full dress" You're the boss, can wear whatever you please...I'm just a minion, wouldn't presume to think I have the same privileges." Race nodded slowly to respond to her words as fingers curled against the bottom of the bottle, carefully taking it from her.

"Oh no....don't try that on me." She leaned a bare thigh against the desk, arms rising to cross under her barely concealed bosom. "If I'm the boss, I dictate dress code."

"You like dictate huh?" There was something almost lewd the way he said it, but it was so subtly hidden perhaps unnoticeable. "However, I don't have anything as...aestheticly pleasing as what you have on. Afraid I won't stand up to the bar you're setting..."

Silver's fingers, now free of the bottle, snaked out toward the tie as she gave a gentle tug on it. "I seriously think you need to loosen up." Her lips twitched for a moment before they once more slid into a small smile.

"How loose are you wanting then?" A curious smile as she tugged on his tie, eyes looking up to her not wanting to assume anything but he was trying to read into whether this was a joke or not. At last he slipped off his shoes, letting them rest under the desk. "There, I took off some clothes."

"That's a step in the right direction." Silver grinned, sliding her fingers down the length of the tie as they drew back toward her and she recrossed her arms. "Though hardly an improvement." She leveled her gaze on him, as if waiting. Race smiled up at her passively, a hand coming up and slowly pulling off the tie and letting it fall to the floor. The briefest look of 'you want any more, you're taking it off me with your own hands' as he rose then, taking the bottle for a long drink of that fiery rum.

"I'll settle for that, for the moment." She challenged, a single step having her around the desk where she once more lowered herself to perch on the edge directly in front of him. A bare leg brushed lightly against his legs as he stood, her fingers falling to rest lightly on her thighs, watching as he took his own drink of the liquor. "Didn't think you were the type that settled for less than your way." He counter challenged, setting the bottle down to regard her calmly, eyes once more tracing the pattern of her top, where it criss crossed her tanned flesh leading down to those legs. Race really was a sucker for a shapely leg.

"I never settle." Silver's fingers rose from her skin toward the bottle once more as she leaned dangerously close toward him to retrieve the bottle off his desk. Her lips found the opening again as she took another long sip before she lowered the bottle to rest on her bare knee, balancing it on her leg with the lightest touch of her fingertips. "I think it's time you remove something else to join the party, Race."

"Oh' What's that?" Slightly amused as he watched her, Race was rather enjoying the light banter. He now fully understood she was only out to embarrass him and meant nothing else by her charade. This wouldn't end like some penthouse forum article that was for damned sure. Silver arched a brow. "Whatever you deem appropriate." She lifted the bottle toward him, leaning backwards as her freehand snaked out to rest behind her on the desk, propping her up.

"Whatever I deem appropriate" It HAS to be my clothes?" Race teased lightly there before his fingers undid a few buttons on the shirt as the socks came off. He certainly was prolonging the banter. "So....how are the sails" Sorry I didn't get to see your actual reaction."

"You are such a cheat." Silver's arm rose higher as she waved the bottle in front of him. "The sails are in storage for now. Maybe if I need a replacement. Though the soap suds have come in handy."

"I only play fair in board games and structured combat." Race winked, taking the hint to drink more, wondering just how loose she was trying to get him with this. "Well that's what they're for. You seem rather tense when I see you in the evenings. Seems before you start joking with people there's a rod shoved some place uncomfortable." Race was honest to the point of blunt.

"Am I not supposed to be tense in the evenings" This job takes a lot out of you, especially when you have your own crew that expects you to look after them, and a shipping industry on top of it. And I don't put rods in uncomfortable places." Silver lowered her free hand and slid it behind her with the other to lean back, a single leg rising as it slid to cross over the other, her bare foot brushing against his calf as he stood next to her.

Did the color around his collar just darken a bit at that brush' "It's the evenings, and you're in public. And my words go before you had this job missy. Half the gifts are because I felt you needed to lighten up. And to have a bit of fun. What's the point in money if you have nothing to spend it on' Four years in this place with nothing to spend money on, was good to find a reason to write checks." Race shrugged, just a minor one as he took another drink, steps bringing him in front of her, bottle dangling loosely. "And if your crew shouldn't need you to look after them. Supposed to be like a family right' They should be looking after you."

"Why, Deputy, did you just admit to finally finding something to spend your money on?" Silver arched a single brow again, her gaze slipping up toward him as he blocked her escape route. "I'd like to think we look after each other." She responded, daring to reach a single hand in front of her and teasingly undo another button on his shirt.

"Maybe." Was his answer to the question before leaning just a bit closer to her hand, eyes watching her very carefully. The hamster was definitely running a marathon on the wheel that was his brain. "That's a good thing at least, right?"

"What is?" Silver dropped her hand back behind her as she resumed her lazy lean, her gaze sliding from the button toward his face again.

As her hand fell away Race stood back up as if he'd been pulled by a magnet. A few more buttons fall away to leave his shirt open down the front revealing a white t-shirt with a wrapped present across the chest, the painted tag reading "To: Women". "That you look after each other." He finished.

"Yes, it is." Silver watched the button down fall open, her smile reappearing and laughter spilling from her lips. "That's a nice shirt. Were you expecting other company?" Her eyes shifted from him toward the door for a moment, the lopsided grin never fading.

"Not really, just hoping to get lucky." Light wink before setting the bottle down beside her hand. "Thanks though. So how much has to go before you no longer feel underdressed?"

"Until you're in your skivvies." Silver's eyes slid back toward her company, narrowing slightly. Her fingers slid along the base of the bottle as she slowly sat straight up on the desk, her legs pinned between his and her body sliding incredibly close to Race's. She picked the bottle up again, turning her head to toss back a long couple of sips before she dropped it back to his desk. "It's only fair." She finished, looking up at him.

"I just have this insane feeling you plan on stealing my clothes after getting me drunk. No offense, but given our little history here..." A raise and drop of his shoulders ensued before taking another long pull, eyes not once leaving her though he backed up a step to free her legs, shrugging out of the button down to let it fall to the floor.

"A single bottle of rum and two people, and you're thinking we'll be drunk?" Silver stared at him as if he had two heads. "Shame. I thought more of you." Her eyes followed the button down for a moment before looking at the liquor in his hands, silently wondering if he was going to be drunk at the end of that bottle.

"I know my limits. Not yours. Your height makes up for my...girth." That was a good way to put it. "Besides, I didn't eat much today, so not a whole lot to absorb the rum. I could still go for something to eat..." Race gave another shrug before a slow motion of fingers dropped to undo the buckle of his belt. Silver's lips pursed before sliding into another amused grin, her silence saying it all. There was nothing she'd say to that. A hand moved to push through her hair before it fell behind her as she leaned back once more, long golden waves tumbling to lick the top of the desk. "So you're a cheap date. Good to know." She fell silent again, simply watching.

Race Bannen

Date: 2010-06-18 15:24 EST
(Posted with permission)

"You'd like to think that. Proper incentive and my billfold widens rather nicely." Race moved around he reclaimed a seat in the chair again, bare feet lifting to prop on the corner of the desk, eyes taking in her profile appreciatively. "That is a good color on you." Silver's eyes followed him to the chair, smirking as he leaned back. She reached out pushing his feet off the desk as she leaned precariously off the edge to poke at the belt hanging from the loops in his pants. "This is not skivvies."

At that poke his hips rose up, inviting her to pull it out herself. "Care to pull me?" He grinned teasingly as hips rose and fell gently while trying to balance on the rollie chair and keep steady for her to take the belt.

"And here I thought you were man enough to do it yourself." She slid a finger through the metal belt buckle as she tugged, watching as it slid from around his waist and came loose to dangle from her finger. She turned her hand, letting the belt fall to the floor. "Still uneven." Race used her pull on the belt to stand up, a hand fell, finishing the work started, slacks falling around his ankles revealing a set of black boxer-briefs Comfortable but not too loose. Now for that awkward not so sexy moment of stepping out of the pantlegs that often involves a lot of kicking. Silver reached out the same hand for the bottle again, noting there was only half of it left as she lifted it for another sip. The liquor was replaced on the desk, her hand dropping to rest next to it as she shifted, legs raising to bend and perch next to her as she stretched along the length of his desk.

"And here I thought there might be another message." Silver laughed quietly, the arm that seconds ago was draped down the length of her side was now holding out the bottle toward him again. Taking the bottle, he brought it to his lips taking a healthy drought to smooth over the awkward moment that is impossible to make look cool and stylish. "Well I haven't gotten a pair that says "surprise inside" yet. Got a shirt. Just nothing to match."

"I don't really think what?s under there is a surprise." Silver smirked, sliding her legs lowering off the desk as she slid to stand up, almost brushing the entire length of her body against his. Her fingers rose to trail lightly up the shirt. "Though I'd say the t-shirt says it all."

"Now I know you're jerking me." Race snickered at the words with a shake of his head to the little opening jab. At the brushing of her fingers, a twinkle danced in his eyes before setting the bottle down. "Well you got as desired..." Now what, just hung there in the air between them as he took another step closer, eyes looking up at her almost in challenge, though the playfulness was there.

"Oh?" Silver didn't move, nor did she even flinch as her fingers pressed into his skin as he took another step closer. "And just how do you know?" She raised her eyes to match his gaze.

"You get pissed whenever I use that little nickname in public, often remarking how you want to see my *** kicked. You get a really inappropriate gift, show up in my office wearing it, now you've got me down to my skivvies. Not complaining, but I'm not arrogant to think you like me in any...adult manner. But then I know little of your..tastes...in men. Could be wrong and you might surprise me." The words honest, even his facial expressions honest and open. Just who Race is.

"To be called Bubbles in public is a completely different story." Silver responded, slipping her fingers up toward his neck. "And since when is a girl supposed to get mad when she gets lingerie as a gift from a man?" Well, Silver would be mad, but she was trying hard not to show it. The trail her hand took faltered for but a moment at his bare honesty, before she leaned in toward him and placed a kiss to his cheek. "Guess you won't find out tonight, will you?" She whispered in his ear before she stepped away from him and turned, long-legged strides carrying her back across the room.

"I'm willing to find out, but only if you're up for it." A counter challenge as she made what seemed a hasty retreat, slowly he came around to the front of the desk and leaned back against it, arms crossing at his chest, legs at the ankles. Race watched her with a faint smile. "Since...I don't know what?s going on at this point."

Silver bent down to pick the forgotten cloak up off the floor, a slow turn of her head causing golden strands to slip and slide over her arm and down her back. She looked at him from over her shoulder before turning to pull open the door. "Thanks for the gift." She began, stepping into the hall. "I'll think of you while I'm sleeping." Her eyes rose to his for the briefest of moments before she pulled the door to his office closed and slid quickly down the hall to the sanctuary of her own.

That answer made Race hang his head as if defeated, mind playing over different answers he could have made. He would just have to be content and see what came of the days ahead. Slow in and exhale of breath before slowly gathering up his clothing. Then eyes fall on the bottle of rum, a faint smile now. Taking it up, he recorked it and began the slow walk down to her office not sure about keeping it or giving it back. Perhaps that was her plan, something to remember the night for him' Maybe.

She had managed to wiggle back into her pants, tying them around her narrow waist before she paused in her movements, tipping a head to the door. Paranoid, she told herself, dropping into her chair as she reached to pull her boots on.

A light knock then at her office, hoping she had come back here and not simply left.

Silver's eyes shot toward the door, her last boot pulled on. Her mind whirled as she glanced down at her top, still wearing the ridiculous lingerie. ***. ***. She stared at the door in silence for a long moment before she rose from the chair and crossed the room, pulling it open a few inches.

"Hey, know it might be a bit soon. But thank you Bubbles." Was that a softer tone" Probably as he held up the almost empty bottle. "Thought you might want the bottle, maybe build a ship in it or something." There was definite respect in his eyes now when he looked to her. Joking and flirting aside, this was perhaps a glimpse at the man behind the jester.

Silver stared out into the hall, watching the man on the other side curiously. She shook her head from her refuge behind the door. "Don't need it. Keep it. Don't say I never gave you anything." She flashed a smile, however confused she was, at the man standing at her door.

"You've already given me more than enough Silver." Not waiting, Race set the bottle on the floor and turned around, slowly walking back to his office. And yes, he was still in his skivvies and that ridiculous shirt.

She watched him walk down the hallway before looking at the bottle on the floor. What just happened? She thought, looking back toward his office. Silver moved back across the room, pulling off the blue nightie and replacing it with her shirt. Not bothering to tuck it in, she simply took both the nightie and the near empty bottle back down the hall to his office. With a grin, she set the rum bottle outside his door, slipping a single spaghetti strap of the lingerie over the neck of the bottle and draping the rest of the top across the floor. Here's something to remember, she thought, turning on a heel and making her way out.

Reopening the door, dressed and ready to head home, Race saw the lingerie on the floor a smile played across his lips. Digging out his cell, he dialed a number. "Hey, Marcello. I need a favor, and bring your stealth gear. Have a gift to deliver to someone's home."

Silver Starblade

Date: 2010-06-19 20:28 EST
Silver paced outside the door to her office. They were late and she needed to make sure this went off before he got to the office. Otherwise there was no point.

She glanced up toward the road, watching as four figures rounded the corner, each carrying a rather large crate. Finally, she thought, turning to unlock the door to her office.

"Delivery to the Ministry of Tr?"

"Yes. Yes. Right this way." She cut the man off, quickly ascending the stairs toward the suite of offices. Instead of going straight, Silver turned left and opened up the door to Race's office.

"In here." She motioned, the four delivery men stepping past her to set the crates on the floor.

"What do you want us to do, ma"am?" One asked.

"Let them out and take the crates with you. I'm sure they'll be returned eventually." Silver responded, stepping back into the hall.

The four men looked at each other before shrugging and unlatching the crates. Bunnies hopped out in all directions, quickly invading every corner and spot in the Deputy's office.

The men gathered the now empty crates and quickly made their way into the hallway as Silver reached to close the door behind them.

"How many did you bring?"

"Fifty ma"am. Like ordered."

"Perfect." Silver smiled, slapping the nearest man on the shoulder and showing them out. Her eyes befell the few interns starting to straggle in, her gaze narrowing as she stared at them. "Keep your mouths shut. If you can't handle that, I'll ban you from the office and replace you with someone that can."

The three interns nodded dumbfoundedly before scurrying away to begin their morning rituals. Silver, content for the moment, smiled absently to herself before disappearing into her office.