Replacements
After getting back to the Domicile, Alec and Ginnie parted ways temporarily to stow gear and wash up. Alec also had ulterior motives, but expected that they would be well received. Wandering through the motor pool, he noted that Mathias and Shay were talking with Carol at the far end of the hall. Waving in their general direction, he continued on his way to his floor.
Arriving in his suite, he headed into his main room to the recently created "Securities Wall". Stowing his gear in their appropriate receptacles, he headed to the bathroom to take a quick shower. Savoring the hot water running over his form, he felt for any incidental damage. Sometimes when travelling tension wires he'd store charge for awhile, but he didn't seem to be doing so this evening. He'd probably discharged it when arriving at the van and taking off his gear, so it couldn't have been too bad if he'd not noticed. Rubbing some soap lightly over his body, he pondered the way Ginnie's meetings would go after this job. Would his antics complicate matters? Did they help in the long run? Would she be safe there?
Chuckling, Alec realized how stupid he was being. Of course she'd be okay. She'd been okay on her own for almost 300 years. There was next to nothing he could have done to protect her, really, and she certainly didn't need it. Rinsing off, he slopped a tiny amount of shampoo into his hair to get the neoprene smell out - the oil smell never seemed to really leave, but it was good that smell did...he didn't find it terribly pleasant. Rinsing the shampoo out of his hair, Alec switched off the hot water and let the cold water shock him back into full awareness. Feeling his skin tighten over his frame, Alec smiled. Most folks hated that cold water rush...he rather enjoyed it. It felt like a concrete definition of boundaries to him.
Shutting off the water, he toweled off and headed to his closet. Having had a long night, he decided to go casual. Slipping into black silk boxers, well worn black denim, a white tank top and a black short sleeve button up, he opted to forego shoes and socks and stepped into a pair of black leather sandals. He very rarely wore them due to the noise they made, but since he wouldn't be leaving the Domicile tonight, they were unnecessary.
Grabbing an empty duffel, he filled it with the lingerie, a pleasantlt sweet white zinfandel, clean white socks, a change of boxers and his backup toothbrush, just in case. Realizing he hadn't brushed his teeth since he fed, he went back into the bathroom and brushed up. It wouldn't do to be kissing his love with Old Man Breath. It just isn't done.
Chuckling, he double checked the bag, grabbed the vase, rose and headed out, making sure his door was secure behind him. Walking to Ginnie's room, he encountered no one, which wasn't unusual. Smiling as the intercom popped the latch and her voice said, Come on in, love.
Stepping into her home, Alec extended his senses. She was just out of the shower, still toweled up - the moisture in the air let him know that she'd showered with the doors open. He'd almost always showered with the door closed. Wondering what that said about his personality, he moved to the couch, put his sandals where his shoes had been the night before, put down his duffle after removing the wine and headed to the kitchen. Placing the vase and rose onto the counter, he then selected the two most appropriate glasses from Ginnie's cupboard and placed them, flanking the vase. Decanting the zinfandel to the proper half line, Alec smiled. Hopefully she was afan of the sweet wines as well, as this was a particularly enjoyable one from the Napa Valley.
Running his fingers through his hair, he leaned against the counter. Listening, it sounded like Ginnie was dressed. It would only be a moment.
She took a bite of her toast and took herself back over the centuries to her childhood, and smiled.
"Master was a genial man most evenings and would tell us stories of Arabian Knights and the Czars of Russia. We were allowed to have hot chocolate on Christmas eve as we sang carols and danced around the Christmas tree. We went to mass every Sunday and had large wonderful feasts when we got home.
Some days were spent rolling down the hills behind the manor or laying in the grass and telling stories. We took lessons and I learned to play the lap harp and to dance the ball steps. We rode horses and learned to fence. I had a wonderful childhood, I had never thought about it really."
She ate the rest of her toast and began to butter and jam her second piece. She have loved deeply and fully of all those around her and had never had cause to be frightened or angry with the adults around her. It was in its essence a perfect childhood.
I guess things are starting to make a bit more sense to me, now.
Sipping at his warm cup, he frowned a bit.
I'm sorry if my little outburst was unpleasant for you. I just have a difficult enough time keeping everything sorted out without false memories coming up through my subconscious in my sleep. I guess confusion doesn't suit me, much...probably why I took up my trade. More of a veneer of control superimposed on an out of control world, or something similar. Or I was too lazy for honest work.
Chuckling a bit, Alec took his tray to the kitchen, asking
Is there anything particular I should be working on today, aside from not wearing Simon's clothes and talking to strange skulls?
"Just do what ever it is you do to get ready for a hit. I'll check in with you around dawn or so. I have a lot to do today. After my meeting I'll be at the lab if you have an emergency, but I should let you know I get pissy if bothered during work."
She rinsed out her cup and set it down. She turned around and crossed her arms, watch Alec in her kitchen. It seemed so right to have him there and she had a lovely idea...
"Move in with me." 'What the fuck! Where did that come from?' Her inner voice snarled. She just grinned and waited for Alec to answer.
So...does that mean you'll be carrying ME across the threshold, then?
Wrapping his arms around her, he looked into her eyes, all business again. Pure seriousness on his face, he whispered
Of course, love.
Kissing her tenderly, a smirk bubbled up from behind the serious answer, though - he just couldn't keep it in.
I will have to have you committed, you understand, for inviting a thief into our home time and again. Really, we're lucky there's still furniture!
Kissing her playfully, he took her dishes and started rinsing them in the sink.
Oh...and should I do the dishes before or after you carry me over the threshold? I'm not quite sure how these domestic ceremonies go.
"We'll do them together and I am not carrying your skinny ass over anything, you have to walk like the rest of us, slick."
Geez, next you'll actually want me to WORK for a living...like actually STEALING things and whatnot instead of bribing city employees to do my job for me while I make documentaries. I'm going to have to see if I can get in good with the Nachton Zookeeper's Association next - a polar bear could be good fun, too. Oh, and I've got some excellent leads on a rabbit farm for sale.
Pecking her on the cheek, he washed away at the dishes, remembering to wipe down the counter where he'd vodka'd earlier.
Oh...I think I'll finish converting my current place in the Domicile into a workroom, then - I've got a lot of hardware that doesn't need to clutter up your...uh...our...living room. And when should we change over the tech to let me in? I could try to do it from here, but Carol might shoot me in the face, and I understand you're not too keen on folks shooting me in the face, and I don't want you to get mad at our silly little antics. I guess we can chat with her on the way through at some point tonight.
Um...and where did you want me to set up my other stuff? I was thinking I can put my desk and chair over on that far wall...and all of my clothes should fit easily in your monster closet. I'll start looking for someone to caretake the Colonial, then...unless you'd like to live there, of course. We should go through so you can see what bits of furniture you'd like to have here. Oh. I'm rambling. Sorry. Just a bit excited, I guess.
Turning, he brushed her cheek with his wet hands. Smiling, he said
Thank you. I'll shut up now.
"Uh, I can program you into my lock, it's a nifty little feature called follow the instructions on the screen. That will work for your desk for now, we may end up rearranging the whole place, but it will do for the moment."
What else had he said? 'Oh yeah, clothes.' "I'll have to move some stuff around, but I'll manage. Do you need a dresser or would a drawer or two in mine do? Because if you need a dresser we'll need to go buy a whole new bedroom suit, since they don't make anything that would match what I have."
She glanced around the living room at her hodgepodge of furnishings and muttered 'not that anything else matches.' That made her smile. Nothing matched in her apartment, so whatever he brought in would fit perfectly. But the new bedroom was starting to stick in her head and she really would like to go shopping for that with him.
"Um, no I need to live here, it's sort of important. I own a lot of property myself, but none of it in Nachton, hell none of it is even in the state, but it keeps my assets looking legal. " Ok that was off topic, moving along...
"Love you can bring what you want, we'll find a spot for it."
She leaned against him and took a big cleansing breath. 'Oh my fucking God, what have I done?' She didn't technically regret her offer, it was just going to be a huge adjustment. She hadn't lived with anyone since college and that was in the sixties. She really hoped he was a neat person, she could not imagine living with an Oscar.
Nah, clotheswise I'd just need a drawer for my socks and unders. Everything else hangs, but I've got a decent amount. I've a lovely set of armoires at the Colonial, if those appeal to you and you think we need the extra room for hanging clothes. I'll probably just need my desk and a new terminal set up here aside from that. Almost everything else I own is...ah...business related, so I'll leave that over at the workspace.
A bout of butterflies hit his gut, tumbling about. He'd never lived with someone before - what if he did all manner of horrible things just because he didn't know the rules? He'd hate to think that he could screw things up with Ginnie by where he left his toothbrush or something. Panicking a bit, Alec mentioned
Also...if I am doing anything that you don't like, just let me know. I don't know what strange living habits I may have since I've never lived with someone.
Shutting off the water, he stepped back from the sink and kissed her gently.
Well, I'm going to go take a pleasant bath to celebrate. I'll figure out where to put the litter boxes for my nine cats when I get out of the tub.
Grinning at the slight sinking of her features at the mention of the imaginary feline horde, Alec gently patted her hand.
Luckily I just made that cat thing up - I don't keep any pets. I'm just trying to break the tension. I really won't be bringing that much over other than clothes and anything you might think would look nice. I'm portable like that.
Kissing her quickly, he walked to the bathroom to start running his water.
"I think I'll join you in that shower." She gave his chest a poke and made her face look like her estimation of a mean boss lady. "No monkey business, slick. I have to get to work soon."
Why Miss Ginnie, whatever do you mean? Me and my nine cats wouldn't even know where to begin making trouble with you in the shower, nor how to involve any monkeys!
Turning the water on, he prepped it hot. Not sure how to use the lemongrass scent with showering water, he skipped it. He'd watch to see what she did when she got in. Popping in, he got good and wet before stepping back as she joined him.
Should I try washing your hair again? I promise I'll not overflow the tub with bubbles this time...
"I got it, love. Though use about this much next time, mkay?"
She rubbed the soap between her hands and began to work it through her hair, starting at her scalp and drawing the hair up on top of her head, when it was fully covered she scrubbed a bit before turning around to rinse it out. She let the water fall over her body, reviving her and helping to wash any of her doubts away.
Is it super-concentrated or something? That looks like the amount I use for my hair usually. Maybe man shampoo is different than woman shampoo. Or our hair is less bubble productive or somesuch.
Running his hands over her slender hips while she rinsed off, he looked at the other bottles, curious.
So...what are all of those for? My shower just has a bar of soap and a bottle of shampoo. All of these pastel bottles are a bit intimidating.
Pointing to each in turn,"That one is shampoo and so is that, that's a deep conditioner that I use once a week, that's my daily cream rinse. That one there is body soap and so is that and that one. Those two are shave creams and that last one there is face soap."
She looked at them all, gosh she used a lot of crap on or skin and hair, but it was definitely worth it.
"I have several more in the closet there, so I can rotate them out. Mostly they are citrus scents I have a few that are cherry blossom though."
Ok. We'll pass on the closet lesson for now...but what is a cream wash for? I'm guessing the image of you in my head dumping a pitcher of milk over your breasts isn't exactly right...what's it for, and what does it do?
Sniffing at the soap bottles, Alec grabbed the middle one and squeezed a small amount into his hand. Rubbing his hands together, he then started rubbing it all over his body, except his face. Might as well see if he could tell the difference. Maybe it was more tingly or something.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't laugh." Another cough stifled the bubble stuck in her throat. "Cream rinse is another term for daily conditioner. I use it to keep my hair from looking like I stuck my finger in a light socket. It also helps with tangles."
She giggled again, and picked up her shower poof. She liked these new little gizmos they were plastic mess all wadded into a ball and made great suds, and had the added benefit of exfoliation. She'd been using them for the last ten years or so. She put an orange cranberry scented soap on it and began to wash her body. She really needed to learn how to control her emotions with Alec, laughing at him was very nice, really.
No, you SHOULD laugh...just like I would laugh if I ever caught you dumping milk all over yourself. Just try not to hurt yourself in the process...no laughing with a knife in your mouth, or in slippery, high places. Tub is ok. Something tells me you could survive the fall.
Frowning at the definition, he asked
So...conditioner and cream rinse do essentially the same thing, but in slightly different ways? Ok.
Watching her take up the wad of plastic mesh, Alec smirked.
Ok, and I think I know what that is. That's like the modern replacement for loofah, right? Less bacteria, more regular bubble production and sponge friendly or somesuch, right?
Smelling the orange cranberry, Alec smiled and wrapped himself around her again, rubbing lightly against her sudsy body, getting himself all bubbly in the process.
Mmmm...orange cranberry. Oh, and this isn't monkey business at all - this is more like feline business or canine business. I'm simply rubbing against you in an act of scent marking. Yup. That's it.
Kissing her lightly on the lips, he released her and rubbed the soapiness around some before rinsing it off. Quickly washing his own hair, he rinsed it through, wondering what he'd be doing today, other than a flyby before the evening's operation.
"I hate dressing for the fucking House of Pain." She said aloud to her clothes. She pulled down a skirt and top and shoes that would do and threw them all on the bed. Panties and bra followed along with hose. She dropped her towel and began to lotion up. She noted the hair on her legs and made a mental note to schedule a wax, she figured her naughty bits were due as well.
"Any plans for the night? Beyond work?"
I hadn't really given it too much thought. I'll hold the moving until we can take time to go through the furniture together, so I'll do that another day. I might feed, but I'm still pretty good here. Oh...on this job, how long will you be inside? It'll help with my parts of the planning. Two hours was a really long time to keep folks occupied. The offer stands for me to do the inside recon, too, but your call. I got those camera loops plotted out, as well as the electronic overlays - we won't need to cut power on this building unless you want to.
That still leaves me with a good deal of time. Maybe I can set up a Union demonstration or something. I'll figure something out. Oh, have some calls I could make, too, so I'll probably do those after you head to work.
All dressed up, and nowhere to go, Alec plopped down on the couch in the living room. Laughing softly, he quipped
Or I could try to finish a movie while you're not around, but that seems hardly sporting now, does it?
"Hmm, an hour tops on this one. I just need to inventory, and I doubt they were smart enough to steal my stuff. These guys are better at protecting what they have then getting more."
She turned on the dry just as he remarked about the movie.
"Oh I don't know," She called over the whir of the machine. "You could try, but I doubt your hand is as much fun as I am."
'Wee that was fun. I wonder how he'll take that...'
At his second comment, cocked his head for a moment, and looked at her oddly before turning quite the shade of pink. Chuckling, then laughing, then guffawing, Alec suddenly went stone-faced.
I am certain I have absolutely no idea what you could be alluding to, and would probably be offended and or insulted if I did! Your sentence is passed! Your punishment, chosen!
Walking over, he unplugged the dryer and wrapped his arms around her waist, kissing her softly. Smirking, he plugged the dryer back in, stepped back and pointed at her.
That'll larn yah!
Snickering, he shook his head sadly.
Yesterday I get accused of being a crossdresser in order to buy you gifts and now you're accusing me of chronic masturbation. I just can't win.