The faint strains of 'Leaving on a Jet Plane' did not rouse Nyra from her sleep. She curled like a housecat in the sunshine for hours. At 4 pm she gradually woke up to a mess of paint smudged sheets and unsealed paintings.
She pulled herself out of bed, yanked off the sheets and pushed them into the small stacked washer/dryer combo hidden behind a kitchen cupboard door. There was a faint BEEP noise.
Frowning and not completely awake yet, Nyra poured herself a glass of Apple Juice and ate a plum, standing at the sink. As she was drying her hands, another BEEP. More awake, she rummaged around searching for the beeping thing. Her cell phone in her purse BEEPed again as she grabbed at it.
Listening to the voice mail made her smile. She returned the call "Hi Connie, just Nyra returning your call. I also had a wonderful time last night. I spent the entire evening painting, though I dont know if I should can bare to show them to anyone yet."
"I would love to accompany you to the mall whenever you are available. Just let me know when! Hoping to talk to you soon, Bye."
Looking at the clock made her realize she had slept all day. Her paintings needed to be checked over and possibly sealed, she needed to shower, needed to put new sheets on the futon and make something more substantial to eat. Deciding the shower was the most important she went to get clean.
Voicemail left the next day...
Connie's voice is bright, her accent solidly controlled as the message begins...
"Nyra, it's Connie.
I found you on my mind quite a bit last night and today and was a bit distracted at work for a while, so I figured I'd give a ring and tell you that I had a great night last night.
I have a meeting with the contractors after my shift today, so I'll probly see you at home at some point. Want to do something tomorrow? I probly want to hit the mall one more time before officially moving in, if you'd care to join me. Let me know. It's uh... twelve thirty. Talk to you soon, dearie."
Connie closed her phone and put it back in her purse, then perused her work email - something she hadn't done since she came in - and found the office memo...
CEO of Duibne Industries Marthinus T. Steyn collasped, cause believed to be stress related. He stayed overnight at a local hospital and is expected to fully recover.
Arching a brow as she read it, she realized she'd never met the man whom everyone seemed to look up to, as almost a father figure, more than The Big Boss.
By the end of the day, she realized she was extremely bored; four thirty came along too slowly when her next destination was Nyra.
Nyra
19 years ago
Connie
19 years ago
Traffic was horrible for a Thursday, or so she learned the next day. Getting from Duibne to the contractors' office took entirely too long; she was almost fifteen minutes late for her meeting.
Progress was exellent, she was told; the cable company was due tomorrow, the curtains and blinds system was done, the skylight would be delivered and installed tomorrow, and everything else was finished. Even her bed had been delivered; now all she needed was sheets and a nice quilt.
The head contractor offered to go with her back to the loft to see the progress, and Connie agreed. She drove in her car; he took his truck. The ride was much shorter than her commute to the meeting. She didn't think she'd ever appreciated the extreme lack of drivers so late at night as much as she did when stuck in traffic.
The framework to be installed around the skylight was rested against the wall between the two loft apartments as Connie mounted the stairs. "Metallic blinds, right, not a single piece?"
"That's right, ma'am. Fully adjustable, lifetime warranty." Connie couldn't help but grin. She expected her lifetime to be quite extended...
She left the door open - she hadn't seen any activity in Nyra's apartment, but then the gir... woman, had probably slept late - as she inspected the residence.
Progress was exellent, she was told; the cable company was due tomorrow, the curtains and blinds system was done, the skylight would be delivered and installed tomorrow, and everything else was finished. Even her bed had been delivered; now all she needed was sheets and a nice quilt.
The head contractor offered to go with her back to the loft to see the progress, and Connie agreed. She drove in her car; he took his truck. The ride was much shorter than her commute to the meeting. She didn't think she'd ever appreciated the extreme lack of drivers so late at night as much as she did when stuck in traffic.
The framework to be installed around the skylight was rested against the wall between the two loft apartments as Connie mounted the stairs. "Metallic blinds, right, not a single piece?"
"That's right, ma'am. Fully adjustable, lifetime warranty." Connie couldn't help but grin. She expected her lifetime to be quite extended...
She left the door open - she hadn't seen any activity in Nyra's apartment, but then the gir... woman, had probably slept late - as she inspected the residence.
Nyra
19 years ago
The paint on her was dried fully, not just tacky like she normally washed it off at. This took a LOT of scrubbing to remove it fully. She sat in the shower, water flowing over her as she applied turpentine to her paint cleaning rag. Most of the paint was out, except for a streak in her hair of smoke grey. It wasnt coming out no matter what. Because she had run her hand through her hair and then slept in it. She might be able to soak her hair in paint thinner but right now, she didnt have time for that.
She soaped up, trying to get rid of the turpentine smell. She wanted to put sealant on the paintings and hide them before Connie got to the lofts and chanced to see them. The bathroom was steamy and all the blocks enclosing it slick with condensation by the time she was out and drying off.
She was pulling on a patchwork dress with cap sleeves when she heard commotion on the stairs. That must be the contractors, she thought. Deciding it was now or never, she snatched her only other set of sheets and made the futon up quickly.
She soaped up, trying to get rid of the turpentine smell. She wanted to put sealant on the paintings and hide them before Connie got to the lofts and chanced to see them. The bathroom was steamy and all the blocks enclosing it slick with condensation by the time she was out and drying off.
She was pulling on a patchwork dress with cap sleeves when she heard commotion on the stairs. That must be the contractors, she thought. Deciding it was now or never, she snatched her only other set of sheets and made the futon up quickly.
Connie
19 years ago
"No no no, the computer's on hold til the construction's finished, and the rest of the decorating needs to be planned for. Need to order a desk, too. Most of that I can handle on my own, and besides, my neighbor's an artist, so I might even get a few paintings to go on the walls. Oh! I might also contract you guys to build her some shelves for sculpture, but that's next week."
Connie leaned against the kitchen island. She'd asked for a similar kitchen to the one in Nyra's apartment (actually at the time she'd found out they'd designed the adjoining loft, she asked for "after" pictures and requested a few minor changes, before she'd even met Nyra), but with light oak table- and countertops and a black brushed steel fridge.
The bathroom was the very last thing to be finished, and that would be taken care of the next day.
As Connie spoke back and forth with the contractor, she kept sneaking glances at the door, hoping Nyra might pop over.
Connie leaned against the kitchen island. She'd asked for a similar kitchen to the one in Nyra's apartment (actually at the time she'd found out they'd designed the adjoining loft, she asked for "after" pictures and requested a few minor changes, before she'd even met Nyra), but with light oak table- and countertops and a black brushed steel fridge.
The bathroom was the very last thing to be finished, and that would be taken care of the next day.
As Connie spoke back and forth with the contractor, she kept sneaking glances at the door, hoping Nyra might pop over.
Nyra
19 years ago
Futons made up so easily she started spraying the paintings. Unfortunately with the air thick with humidity from her shower whole loft became stiffling with the toxic smell of sealant. Coughing she flung open windows and pulled open her door.
She waved her hand wildly about in hopes of clearing it out before anyone noticed. Of course it was a thick cemical smell that made your lungs heavy feeling, someone was bound to notice if it didnt dissapate soon.
Quickly spraying the other two, lightly, did not detract from the air 'quality' either. She kept an eye on them as she straightened and cleaned up last nights painting frenzy. Hopefully she could face them to the wall before Connie saw them.
She waved her hand wildly about in hopes of clearing it out before anyone noticed. Of course it was a thick cemical smell that made your lungs heavy feeling, someone was bound to notice if it didnt dissapate soon.
Quickly spraying the other two, lightly, did not detract from the air 'quality' either. She kept an eye on them as she straightened and cleaned up last nights painting frenzy. Hopefully she could face them to the wall before Connie saw them.
Connie
19 years ago
Connie heard the neighboring door open as she spoke with the contractor about different places she'd lived, different apartment styles, and how this was her first loft. She thought for a moment that he just wouldn't shut up... then realized it was she who was rambling, and his look of boredom wasn't because it was the end of the day.
"I've talked yer ear off enough," she said, grinning bashfully. "Don't get many visitors with my hours. You and yer guys've done a great job, and it's muchly appreciated."
She escorted the man back to the stairs and was hit by the almost overpowering smell of chemicals - ones she recognized to be similar to the sealant scent from Nyra's paintings. She was tempted to peek inside, but decided to walk the contractor to the door. She shook his hand as she opened the door for him and told him that she'd be working early again tomorrow so the men could finish their work.
She returned slowly up the stairs, taking in the minor changes to the skylight, where the retractable blinds were going to be attached, and paused outside Nyra's open door. Chemical scent still abounded, but it didn't bother her much, so she knocked, hard enough to be heard.
"I've talked yer ear off enough," she said, grinning bashfully. "Don't get many visitors with my hours. You and yer guys've done a great job, and it's muchly appreciated."
She escorted the man back to the stairs and was hit by the almost overpowering smell of chemicals - ones she recognized to be similar to the sealant scent from Nyra's paintings. She was tempted to peek inside, but decided to walk the contractor to the door. She shook his hand as she opened the door for him and told him that she'd be working early again tomorrow so the men could finish their work.
She returned slowly up the stairs, taking in the minor changes to the skylight, where the retractable blinds were going to be attached, and paused outside Nyra's open door. Chemical scent still abounded, but it didn't bother her much, so she knocked, hard enough to be heard.
Nyra
19 years ago
At the knocking she turned, aerosol can still in hand, towards the door. Seeing it was Connie standing in the door and not the EPA she waved her inside. Since she had picked up clean cloth and was holding it to her mouth and nose she quickly finished up sealing the last corner on the painting in front of her.
She finished it neatly, put the cap back on the sealant and ploped it back down inside its box. She waved the rag around a bit in hopes of clearing the air. With a ruefull glance at Connie she smiled and shrugged.
"Did I mention that toxic fumes is part of creating?"
She finished it neatly, put the cap back on the sealant and ploped it back down inside its box. She waved the rag around a bit in hopes of clearing the air. With a ruefull glance at Connie she smiled and shrugged.
"Did I mention that toxic fumes is part of creating?"
Connie
19 years ago
"It may be part of creating, but you really should get masks or a fan!" She took Nyra's elbow in her hand and gently steered her through the open door across the hall and into her apartment. "Then again both would be nice, too; I've heard of people who use altered perceptions ta create, but I'm thinkin' it is more detrimental than not."
She sat Nyra down on the edge of the bed... A tall four-poster with no canopy (yet), intricately carved posts and a low headboard stood in the corner of the windows with just enough clearance around it to walk. Connie raised a hand gently to Nyra's face, then through her hair. "Get attacked by a paintbrush, hmm?" Joking and smiling, she couldn't help but notice the interesting dichotomy of fresh clean showered and protective petro or acrylo-chemical aerosols. It was refreshing, and a bit arousing; much like the scent of sterility carried by a doctor she once dallied with. He was a distant memory, though, compared to the beauty before her.
She sat Nyra down on the edge of the bed... A tall four-poster with no canopy (yet), intricately carved posts and a low headboard stood in the corner of the windows with just enough clearance around it to walk. Connie raised a hand gently to Nyra's face, then through her hair. "Get attacked by a paintbrush, hmm?" Joking and smiling, she couldn't help but notice the interesting dichotomy of fresh clean showered and protective petro or acrylo-chemical aerosols. It was refreshing, and a bit arousing; much like the scent of sterility carried by a doctor she once dallied with. He was a distant memory, though, compared to the beauty before her.
Nyra
19 years ago
Still clearing her throat a bit to get the worst of it out of her lungs as Connie set her down on a bed. It was big and beautiful but she hadnt a moment to take it in when the other woman's hand was in her hair commenting about being attacked by a paint brush. Thankfully one good cough, into her rag, later she was able to take a nice deep breath.
"I think somehow it all got out of hand. I should not have tried to seal them after all that steam from my shower was saturating the loft. But I wanted to finish them so I could hide them from you." Blushing brightly at the comment slipping out. "Not that I want to keep anything from you, I just didnt think it was the right time to show them to anyone yet."
She wanted to hide her face in her towel. She was going to need the jaws of life to pry her foot from her mouth if she didnt shut up soon. Finally deciding to pretend nothing was amiss she smiled at Connie. "Hi, its good to see you again! I couldnt sleep last night for thinking of your kisses."
"I think somehow it all got out of hand. I should not have tried to seal them after all that steam from my shower was saturating the loft. But I wanted to finish them so I could hide them from you." Blushing brightly at the comment slipping out. "Not that I want to keep anything from you, I just didnt think it was the right time to show them to anyone yet."
She wanted to hide her face in her towel. She was going to need the jaws of life to pry her foot from her mouth if she didnt shut up soon. Finally deciding to pretend nothing was amiss she smiled at Connie. "Hi, its good to see you again! I couldnt sleep last night for thinking of your kisses."
Connie
19 years ago
Connie couldn't help but giggle at Nyra's near-imitation of changing the subject when a foot got caught in a mouth. Her hand dropped to Nyra's and softly touched, stroking the back of her hand. "Hi, I had a similar problem sleepin' too, 'specially since my blouse had your scent all over it. And you needn't feel bad about hidin' a new creation, I almost never shared anything I created immediately after it was done. I gave it some time to stew, before decidin' if it really needed or wanted to be shared."
Connie looked around and grinned. "I hope you don't mind I've gotten you in bed so soon, but the chairs, stools, and sofa's not to be delivered til Saturday. And when we hit the mall, I need to get sheets and a quilt."
Connie looked around and grinned. "I hope you don't mind I've gotten you in bed so soon, but the chairs, stools, and sofa's not to be delivered til Saturday. And when we hit the mall, I need to get sheets and a quilt."
Nyra
19 years ago
"I noticed but wasn't going to complain really." The thought of Connie tangled up with that beautiful shirt simply because it had a faint scent of her on it made her flush with heat. She cleared her throat again, to get past the lump this time instead of fumes.
"Since your place is in need of the mall, and mine is being fumigated, how about we head out? If you wouldnt mind me following you around a crowded mall that is."
"Since your place is in need of the mall, and mine is being fumigated, how about we head out? If you wouldnt mind me following you around a crowded mall that is."
Connie
19 years ago
"Wayel, I was kinda hopin' I'd be doin the followin' so's I could watch the cute sway of your tush, but I think it'd be safer fer both of us if we were to walk side-by-side. And it's too early in the week for it to be much crowded, but we could stop and get a bite to eat, too. And I'm early again tomorrah, so we have pretty much all night."
Ramblemuch, Connie?
Ramblemuch, Connie?
Nyra
19 years ago
She was captivated by Connie's accent and simply nodded happily at everything the woman said. Oh how she could listen to that voice all night. She stopped herself when her thoughts turned to how low and husky it would be in the middle of the night. That train of thought was brought to a screeching halt.
Taking a deep breath to clear her mind. "Let me just close up my place and I am all yours for the evening."
Blushing she glossed over that opening quickly. "I wonder if anywhere in Nachton has good mexican food. If you enjoy the cuisine of course."
Taking a deep breath to clear her mind. "Let me just close up my place and I am all yours for the evening."
Blushing she glossed over that opening quickly. "I wonder if anywhere in Nachton has good mexican food. If you enjoy the cuisine of course."
Connie
19 years ago
"I like jus' about anything except Japanese. Somethin' about raw fish gives me the willies. Course, five days isn't much as far as gettin' ta know the city. And I probly should stop counting how long I been here. Anyway, I didn't get a chance to stop at the hotel room to change and freshen up after work, you mind if I kidnap your bath right quick? Oh and you're driving again, that car is too much fun!"
Nyra
19 years ago
At the thought of Connie naked and wet in her shower, Nyra flushed with heat. She breathed a bit heavily. "Sure"
Somehow she was able to stand, lead Connie by the hand back to her place, inside and deposit her at the bathroom door. Unfortunately the door was only opaque by the vertical ridges in the glass. She swiftly turned away from the bathroom and tried to concentrate on something else.
She organized her paints, stacked paintings for shipping, and cleaned out the fridge. Finally she could stand it no more and got out a sketch book. Flinging herself down into a bean bag chair she drew.
Somehow she was able to stand, lead Connie by the hand back to her place, inside and deposit her at the bathroom door. Unfortunately the door was only opaque by the vertical ridges in the glass. She swiftly turned away from the bathroom and tried to concentrate on something else.
She organized her paints, stacked paintings for shipping, and cleaned out the fridge. Finally she could stand it no more and got out a sketch book. Flinging herself down into a bean bag chair she drew.
Connie
19 years ago
Connie felt like she could eat a horse or drink a gallon of water (or otherwise) after relieving herself. She also felt a bit better getting the construction grime off her face and neck; she'd have to make sure she vacuumed the place well before seriously finishing to move in.
She reentered the main loft and quietly stood over Nyra, bewitched by the confidence her hands displayed, awed by the power of her mind and its creative abilities. "I could stand here all night, watching her..." She squatted down and leaned over her, not too close to startle, but close enough to hear her breathe, smell her clean-chemical scent, and still be able to watch the "show."
She reentered the main loft and quietly stood over Nyra, bewitched by the confidence her hands displayed, awed by the power of her mind and its creative abilities. "I could stand here all night, watching her..." She squatted down and leaned over her, not too close to startle, but close enough to hear her breathe, smell her clean-chemical scent, and still be able to watch the "show."
Nyra
19 years ago
She was sketching a moonscape of lush fantasy proportions. The female centered in a waterfall probably would look like Connie if she had enough time. As she glanced at the bathroom, she noticed the door was open and the object of her thoughts was watching her. It was embarassing being caught doodling, but to be doodling the other person nude might be taken the wrong way. Flipping the book closed she smiled a bit widely at Connie.
"Lets get going so your place feels like a home!" And before she noticed the paintings or asked about the sketch.
"Lets get going so your place feels like a home!" And before she noticed the paintings or asked about the sketch.
Connie
19 years ago
The picture that had started to take shape before her very eyes looked lovely; then Nyra caught her watching.
She flipped the book closed so quickly, Connie guessed that she was a bit self-conscious about creating, or at least, being watched while creating.
"I'm sorry, I was admirin' yer working so hard, you had the makin's of a great piece... I didn't want to disturb you."
Connie made a decision. "We could stay in tonight, if yer in a creatin' frame o' mind. Most of the chemical cloud's gone..."
She knew the cloud was the least of Nyra's worries, but maybe if she could ease her friend into realizing it was "okay" to be creative...
She flipped the book closed so quickly, Connie guessed that she was a bit self-conscious about creating, or at least, being watched while creating.
"I'm sorry, I was admirin' yer working so hard, you had the makin's of a great piece... I didn't want to disturb you."
Connie made a decision. "We could stay in tonight, if yer in a creatin' frame o' mind. Most of the chemical cloud's gone..."
She knew the cloud was the least of Nyra's worries, but maybe if she could ease her friend into realizing it was "okay" to be creative...
Nyra
19 years ago
"Oh no, we can go! You need things and we can grab some mexican food while we are out." Hastily pushing the sketchbook in a box with other supplies, Nyra grabbed her purse and opened the door for Connie.
"Sorry I sometimes get involved in my art. Really, I can art around anytime."
"Sorry I sometimes get involved in my art. Really, I can art around anytime."
Connie
19 years ago
Connie laughed at Nyra's comment about "arting around." "Arting around. I like that. Apt, I'm sure!"
Raven hair bounced as she nodded her thanks to Nyra on her way towards the door; she reached out and gently pinched her bottom, saying, "When I pose for you, I wouldn't mind you bein' involved in yer art then, same as I'm not mindin' it now. I appreciate and admire the creative mind, and wish my own worked more that way sometimes."
With a wink, she walked down the stairs with Nyra, then held the door for her as they moved to the car.
(( Connie and Nyra out, continued in Exploring the Mall and Possibilities ))
Raven hair bounced as she nodded her thanks to Nyra on her way towards the door; she reached out and gently pinched her bottom, saying, "When I pose for you, I wouldn't mind you bein' involved in yer art then, same as I'm not mindin' it now. I appreciate and admire the creative mind, and wish my own worked more that way sometimes."
With a wink, she walked down the stairs with Nyra, then held the door for her as they moved to the car.
(( Connie and Nyra out, continued in Exploring the Mall and Possibilities ))