"I wouldn't mind going to Best Buy, actually, because we've been doing housewares for a while, I think we should juice it up some!" Raven locks swinging as she giggled and directed Nyra towards the yellow-ticketed store, she snorted at herself.
"Ah know that was a bad joke, really, but Ah couldn' think of a good way to say 'let's go somewhere not quite as soft,' if'n you take mah meaning."
The duo entered Best Buy arm-in-arm. Connie's free hand flashed out to grab a sales circular, which she quickly handed to Nyra as the re-freed hand spun a cart into the aisle before them.
"Ah think Ah'm goin' to be gettin' a TV, stereo and speakers, and a DVD player. Maybe some movies and music. What about you?"
Sensational Shopping Scene
The trip to the mall was uneventful, though it appeared to be even darker now than when she peaked out the window. Connie pulled into the parking garage and drove to the lower level. There was an amazing amount of parking down here and a spot was easy to find. Interesting, Nyra hadn't even known it was there. Since they got a spot right next to the elevators, she didnt even comment on the subteranian enviroment.
As they were swept upwards to the mall, the two held hands. An elderly woman shared their elevator to the first floor. Her flamboyant straw hat with lots of ribbons and several fake birds made Nyra smile widely.
The couple walked to the map kiosk and looked at the selection of stores. Home Furnishings contained a long list, from Sears to Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel to William Sonoma. It sounded like lots of fun to explore the selections with Connie.
Oddly enough, Nyra never noticed the cloud painted metal rolling screens that covered the skylights because the mall was so brightly lit from above it felt like the sun was coming in.
"Where do you want to go first?" she asked the beauty beside her.
Connie
18 years ago
Nyra
18 years ago
Feeling slightly daunted by the large overwhelming technology, Nyra simply smiled at Connie, hoping she did not look as scared as she felt. Normally her music was purchased by her agent who knew her tastes and brought her a few every visit. Her mother also gifted her with CD's every time she went into a store. The rare times Nyra found something herself it was at a small store that was not quite so, intimidating.
"I think I will just pick out a stereo and maybe some music." she said, looking across the sea of colors and rectangles. This could be fun, she tried to convince herself. Surely some nice salesperson could help point her in the right direction. Plus if that failed, she could always follow Connie's lead. As a last resort she could call her Dad for advice. She could do this. No problem!
Glancing through the circular she mulled over Connie's list. Everyone watched TV, should she purchase one even though she would never watch it? Deciding that would be a waste, she vetoed that idea. Same with the computers they had in the flier. She didn't even know how to work one, so why bother. Stereo and music was all she needed.
Making up her mind with a nod she looked up for her lover and found her watching amused. Blushing she took Connie's hand. "To the stereos!"
The store was busy, but thankfully not fully packed with customers, Nyra observed as the women made their way to the audio department. The first clerk she saw was boasting and bragging to a male client about something called a Home Theater System. The woman with the customer looked angry and very unhappy. Cringing at the salesperson's attitude she looked for a different one to help her. Finally finding a timid looking girl, with what appeared to be children's movies in her arms, Nyra called her over.
"Can you help us with stereos?" She quietly asked the girl, who seemed to shrink in upon herself at being requested. Her manner changed though at hearing Nyra's request.
"Don't let Brad sell you anything." The girl confided. Her name tag proclaimed her to be Beth. "He will shove the highest priced thing at you, even if it sucks. Now, I personally own a Bose, its nice for my little apartment. No need for huge speakers or stands."
Beth continued on, extolling the bonuses and drawbacks of each system on display. She was very well informed and could answer all of the questions Nyra asked out of ignorance and Connie asked out of knowledge. Her friendly demeanor was open and honest. Pleased with her skills for people as well as the product, Nyra asked her for a system well above her needs.
Turning to smile at Connie, Nyra asked "Which one do you like?"
"I think I will just pick out a stereo and maybe some music." she said, looking across the sea of colors and rectangles. This could be fun, she tried to convince herself. Surely some nice salesperson could help point her in the right direction. Plus if that failed, she could always follow Connie's lead. As a last resort she could call her Dad for advice. She could do this. No problem!
Glancing through the circular she mulled over Connie's list. Everyone watched TV, should she purchase one even though she would never watch it? Deciding that would be a waste, she vetoed that idea. Same with the computers they had in the flier. She didn't even know how to work one, so why bother. Stereo and music was all she needed.
Making up her mind with a nod she looked up for her lover and found her watching amused. Blushing she took Connie's hand. "To the stereos!"
The store was busy, but thankfully not fully packed with customers, Nyra observed as the women made their way to the audio department. The first clerk she saw was boasting and bragging to a male client about something called a Home Theater System. The woman with the customer looked angry and very unhappy. Cringing at the salesperson's attitude she looked for a different one to help her. Finally finding a timid looking girl, with what appeared to be children's movies in her arms, Nyra called her over.
"Can you help us with stereos?" She quietly asked the girl, who seemed to shrink in upon herself at being requested. Her manner changed though at hearing Nyra's request.
"Don't let Brad sell you anything." The girl confided. Her name tag proclaimed her to be Beth. "He will shove the highest priced thing at you, even if it sucks. Now, I personally own a Bose, its nice for my little apartment. No need for huge speakers or stands."
Beth continued on, extolling the bonuses and drawbacks of each system on display. She was very well informed and could answer all of the questions Nyra asked out of ignorance and Connie asked out of knowledge. Her friendly demeanor was open and honest. Pleased with her skills for people as well as the product, Nyra asked her for a system well above her needs.
Turning to smile at Connie, Nyra asked "Which one do you like?"
Connie
18 years ago
To the salesgirl - woman - person, Connie said, "Thank you very much for your information Beth. Please don' go far, we need to conference a moment."
Beth looked somewhat disappointed, but Connie winked as if to say, 'Everything's going to be alright,' and gently guided Nyra by her elbow to a quieter corner of the Audio department.
"I don't think you need that much of a stereo, dear, and in fact I was intendin' on purchasin' that exact one and had been looking at it all while we spoke with Beth. Unless Ah miss mah mark, you want somethin' small with smaller speakers so you don't have to deal with big ones around the apartment, right?"
Nyra nodded, and looked like she was going to speak. Connie stopped her with a shake of her head. Her accent disappeared as she continued, "I too thought she was an excellent sales person, and I would like to help make her day with this purchase. But it's more than you need. There's a similar system over... here..." She guided Nyra to a smaller, similarly silver stereo system with speakers that could perch on stands for serious sound system satisfaction. "We might not want to actually install the stands, and we might want to get a second set so we can place them whereever you need to hear it, but these could be sufficient to hear throughout the whole apartment."
Connie awaited Nyra's response; as the artist looked at the smaller stereo, Connie smiled at Beth and nodded.
Beth looked somewhat disappointed, but Connie winked as if to say, 'Everything's going to be alright,' and gently guided Nyra by her elbow to a quieter corner of the Audio department.
"I don't think you need that much of a stereo, dear, and in fact I was intendin' on purchasin' that exact one and had been looking at it all while we spoke with Beth. Unless Ah miss mah mark, you want somethin' small with smaller speakers so you don't have to deal with big ones around the apartment, right?"
Nyra nodded, and looked like she was going to speak. Connie stopped her with a shake of her head. Her accent disappeared as she continued, "I too thought she was an excellent sales person, and I would like to help make her day with this purchase. But it's more than you need. There's a similar system over... here..." She guided Nyra to a smaller, similarly silver stereo system with speakers that could perch on stands for serious sound system satisfaction. "We might not want to actually install the stands, and we might want to get a second set so we can place them whereever you need to hear it, but these could be sufficient to hear throughout the whole apartment."
Connie awaited Nyra's response; as the artist looked at the smaller stereo, Connie smiled at Beth and nodded.
Nyra
18 years ago
Looking up at Connie thankfully she agreed to the alternative system, barely looking at it. Before Beth got back to them to finalize things Nyra leaned up against Connie's shoulder.
"Thank you" she whispered "I have no idea what I am doing here."
The saleswoman Beth nodded happily at their selections and then ushered them over to the TVs for Connie to choose. Nyra stood quietly peering at things but not straying too far from her lovers side. She hoped this visit would be over soon and they could move on to a store she felt more comfortable in.
"Thank you" she whispered "I have no idea what I am doing here."
The saleswoman Beth nodded happily at their selections and then ushered them over to the TVs for Connie to choose. Nyra stood quietly peering at things but not straying too far from her lovers side. She hoped this visit would be over soon and they could move on to a store she felt more comfortable in.
Connie
18 years ago
Connie couldn't quite figure out Nyra's sudden reluctance to shop.
"Maybe she just doesn't like power toys much."
"That could very well be... She's never needed them, and a lot of her entertainment has been family-derived."
To Beth, Connie asked, "I've actually been looking for a plasma HDTV somewhere in the forty-eight inch range, but I didn't see any on the website when I searched the other night -" and whispered to Nyra's inquisitive look, "at work," then continued, "So unless you have some hiding somewhere else, we might be waiting on the TV. But that's not a big deal, we'll be back anyway. If you could," Connie said, deciding, "Pick a set of extra speakers that are similar to the smaller stereo and bring them up front, we have a few movie and music choices to make before we leave."
Connie moved with Nyra to the movies and selected an armful and waited while the artist selected her own, then they moved together to the music. She whispered to the artist, "We'll be out of here soon, love."
"Maybe she just doesn't like power toys much."
"That could very well be... She's never needed them, and a lot of her entertainment has been family-derived."
To Beth, Connie asked, "I've actually been looking for a plasma HDTV somewhere in the forty-eight inch range, but I didn't see any on the website when I searched the other night -" and whispered to Nyra's inquisitive look, "at work," then continued, "So unless you have some hiding somewhere else, we might be waiting on the TV. But that's not a big deal, we'll be back anyway. If you could," Connie said, deciding, "Pick a set of extra speakers that are similar to the smaller stereo and bring them up front, we have a few movie and music choices to make before we leave."
Connie moved with Nyra to the movies and selected an armful and waited while the artist selected her own, then they moved together to the music. She whispered to the artist, "We'll be out of here soon, love."
Nyra
18 years ago
Connie's request for a TV simply confused Nyra. She wondered just what exactly an HD or a plasma was. Standing carefully out of the way Nyra watched a screen that was playing something with a big blue monster. It made her smile and wish she could hear the sound.
When they moved to the movies, Nyra found the one with the big blue beast on it, Monsters, Inc. 'How cute!' she thought. Picking over a few more in that section. At half a dozen she stopped and followed Connie to the music. This she felt a bit more comfortable, knowing what she liked already.
They were offered a cart by Beth, nice girl, to hold their selections while they browsed. When they were finished and on the way to the register, Nyra spotted an alarm clock. She pointed it out to her lover, knowing there had not been one on the bed side table this morning. Connie nodded as Nyra put one of the small digital clock radio things in the cart.
They stepped up to the counter and paid for their purchases, making sure to note that Beth had helped them considerably. The stereos were to be installed tomorrow and thus they each walked out with a bag full of goodies that was manageable in size.
Together they walked into the Raymour & Flanigan store to look over the merchandise. Inside it was cozy and comfortable. Quite a bit more welcoming to Nyra than the Best Buy was. As they found the display of couches, after passing through several fake rooms and dinning room tables, the artist sighed.
A sea of beige cloth and brown leather depressed her just a bit. She did not want something plain or dead. Agreeing to meet up at the register the ladies split up to begin squishing the sofas in hopes of finding something worthwhile. Nyra decided that the standard offerings would not be in with the scheme of her loft. The first possibility was still the blah colors but had an interesting shape. Plus once it was decorated with some of the pillows just purchased it could fit right in. After many minutes Nyra finally stumbled across her second pick. Deciding to ask Connie her opinion, the artist took a brochure from each and ventured back into the sofa jungle.
When they moved to the movies, Nyra found the one with the big blue beast on it, Monsters, Inc. 'How cute!' she thought. Picking over a few more in that section. At half a dozen she stopped and followed Connie to the music. This she felt a bit more comfortable, knowing what she liked already.
They were offered a cart by Beth, nice girl, to hold their selections while they browsed. When they were finished and on the way to the register, Nyra spotted an alarm clock. She pointed it out to her lover, knowing there had not been one on the bed side table this morning. Connie nodded as Nyra put one of the small digital clock radio things in the cart.
They stepped up to the counter and paid for their purchases, making sure to note that Beth had helped them considerably. The stereos were to be installed tomorrow and thus they each walked out with a bag full of goodies that was manageable in size.
Together they walked into the Raymour & Flanigan store to look over the merchandise. Inside it was cozy and comfortable. Quite a bit more welcoming to Nyra than the Best Buy was. As they found the display of couches, after passing through several fake rooms and dinning room tables, the artist sighed.
A sea of beige cloth and brown leather depressed her just a bit. She did not want something plain or dead. Agreeing to meet up at the register the ladies split up to begin squishing the sofas in hopes of finding something worthwhile. Nyra decided that the standard offerings would not be in with the scheme of her loft. The first possibility was still the blah colors but had an interesting shape. Plus once it was decorated with some of the pillows just purchased it could fit right in. After many minutes Nyra finally stumbled across her second pick. Deciding to ask Connie her opinion, the artist took a brochure from each and ventured back into the sofa jungle.
Connie
18 years ago
"I must be weird," Connie mumbled to herself as she wandered the aisles full of (to some people) wonderful sofas, loveseats, and chairs... "But I just don't like any of em."
Brown, beige, a multitude of rather boring earthly tones. While she had come to appreciate these exact colors in the last two weeks, when enshrouding Nyra, on a couch, she just didn't want one in her new home, especially if she was going to be living with it for a very... long... time.
Granted, she certainly had the means with which to purchase new sofas every month if she was insane enough to do so... But she wanted one, the perfect one, to last her at least a few years. And not just a sofa, but loveseat, chairs, ottomans...
Something blue. Something with soft cotton upholstery. Corduroy maybe. No, definately. Not only was it comfy, but it felt great against naked skin. Lost in her own mental meanderings, she looked up as Nyra approached.
"I want blue corduroy. Have you found anything you like?" She noticed the brochures in her lover's hand.
Brown, beige, a multitude of rather boring earthly tones. While she had come to appreciate these exact colors in the last two weeks, when enshrouding Nyra, on a couch, she just didn't want one in her new home, especially if she was going to be living with it for a very... long... time.
Granted, she certainly had the means with which to purchase new sofas every month if she was insane enough to do so... But she wanted one, the perfect one, to last her at least a few years. And not just a sofa, but loveseat, chairs, ottomans...
Something blue. Something with soft cotton upholstery. Corduroy maybe. No, definately. Not only was it comfy, but it felt great against naked skin. Lost in her own mental meanderings, she looked up as Nyra approached.
"I want blue corduroy. Have you found anything you like?" She noticed the brochures in her lover's hand.
Nyra
18 years ago
With a sympathetic smile Nyra showed the brochures to Connie. "I want the red one and I am contemplating the cream one as well. Its pretty blah but with such a pretty shape. I wonder if they would recover it for me."
Looking intently at her selection for a brief moment Nyra contemplated the prospect. Nodding her head, she looked up for a sales person. Seeing one across the store at a register, Nyra gave Connie a brief kiss on the cheek.
"If you can find a style you like, I think we can get it recovered without too much fuss."
Within a few minutes the artist returned with a very nice salesperson who was listening intently as Nyra described what she wanted. His enthusiastic nod and scratching pencil as he took notes. Briefly he went to a desk and returned with a giant fabric sample pack. Each piece of material was 6" by 6" and punched onto a ring that had to be six inches in diameter. Nyra smiled happily as the young man launched into his description of the available fabrics and how swiftly it could be accomplished.
Soon her selection of both couches, a love seat from one, a chair from the other, as well as two ottomans from each had been recorded and fabric picked out to recover the beige one. The red set was beautiful as it stood and would fit her loft nicely. The other set would be redone in lovely fabric that was a pale brown with creamy swirls.
Turning to Connie, hoping she had found something she liked in the material or styles available.
"Any luck finding something we could modify for you?"
Looking intently at her selection for a brief moment Nyra contemplated the prospect. Nodding her head, she looked up for a sales person. Seeing one across the store at a register, Nyra gave Connie a brief kiss on the cheek.
"If you can find a style you like, I think we can get it recovered without too much fuss."
Within a few minutes the artist returned with a very nice salesperson who was listening intently as Nyra described what she wanted. His enthusiastic nod and scratching pencil as he took notes. Briefly he went to a desk and returned with a giant fabric sample pack. Each piece of material was 6" by 6" and punched onto a ring that had to be six inches in diameter. Nyra smiled happily as the young man launched into his description of the available fabrics and how swiftly it could be accomplished.
Soon her selection of both couches, a love seat from one, a chair from the other, as well as two ottomans from each had been recorded and fabric picked out to recover the beige one. The red set was beautiful as it stood and would fit her loft nicely. The other set would be redone in lovely fabric that was a pale brown with creamy swirls.
Turning to Connie, hoping she had found something she liked in the material or styles available.
"Any luck finding something we could modify for you?"
Connie
18 years ago
"I like some of the styles, but none of the covers. And none fit the mental image I had for filling the space between the bed and the door..." Connie stands and faces one of the longer, higher sofas and closes her eyes. Reaching her arms out, she waves them about as she describes, "I wanted something in an 'L' shape, high-backed, soft arms, with the 'bottom' of the 'L' towards the kitchen. A matching loveseat opposite," she said, wiggling her right hand, "with a recliner in between."
Her right hand pointed, then waved behind her. "Coffee table, TV, stereo, and so forth behind me against the wall next to the door. Maybe a couple ottomans. All in blue corduroy."
She turned back to Nyra, eyes slowly opening, a sheepish look on her face. "I'm weird, I know, corduroy is so nineteen sixty, but I love the way it feels and it's so comfterbul."
She looks back out over the couch options. "But none of these are tall enough or the right shape for what I want."
Tilting her head, she amended to herself in that mumbly voice, "In a couch, that is. Of course, if I could get a Nyracouch, I'd want to sit there forever..."
Her right hand pointed, then waved behind her. "Coffee table, TV, stereo, and so forth behind me against the wall next to the door. Maybe a couple ottomans. All in blue corduroy."
She turned back to Nyra, eyes slowly opening, a sheepish look on her face. "I'm weird, I know, corduroy is so nineteen sixty, but I love the way it feels and it's so comfterbul."
She looks back out over the couch options. "But none of these are tall enough or the right shape for what I want."
Tilting her head, she amended to herself in that mumbly voice, "In a couch, that is. Of course, if I could get a Nyracouch, I'd want to sit there forever..."
Nyra
18 years ago
As Nyra tried to picture what Connie wanted the salesman was thinking hard. Soon as she finished talking he began talking a mile a minute and leading them to a back room. Frowning slightly as they walked past the dirty warehouse that stored plastic wrapped mattresses and dust bunnies. Second thoughts about following this young man flitted through her head. Just where was he taking them.
Shortly they found themselves in a section of the warehouse area that had racks holding furniture. Thankfully it was well lit and there was people moving about loading and unloading trucks.
"We received a new shipment today" the salesman was saying. "I think something might be just exactly what you have in mind. Its a sectional and can be made to any size or shape you want. With recliners or even sleepers. While recovering one would take a bit longer than a standard couch, these are so much more interchangeable."
After his hurried pitch, he picked up his little walkie talkie and asked for loader assistance in Sectionals. Nyra and Connie still looked at the swatches of fabric until a forklift motored up to them. There was a tired looking woman standing inside the cage, popping her gum.
"Whacha need Jeremy?" she asked with a lazy pop of bright blue colored gum. Jeremy immediately launched into a complicated request of merchandise to be brought out of the racks for viewing. She nodded and began extracting the plastic wrapped palletized pieces.
In just a few minutes there was couch pieces out of the plastic and off the wood pallets. Jeremy got to pushing pieces together. The simple design was pretty even with an ugly beige fabric. A sleeper sofa snugged against a love seat sized piece and then against a wedge which turned the long couch into an L shaped couch with the addition of a reclining love seat. The single pillow back and lack of excessive poof and stitching made the artist believe this would be the best to put the proper fabric on.
Gently nudging Connie to try out the seating, Nyra flipped through the swatches. Finding one with the right texture was easy, though it said chenille on the back. Clutching it tightly the artist watched her lover inspect the sofa on the warehouse floor.
Shortly they found themselves in a section of the warehouse area that had racks holding furniture. Thankfully it was well lit and there was people moving about loading and unloading trucks.
"We received a new shipment today" the salesman was saying. "I think something might be just exactly what you have in mind. Its a sectional and can be made to any size or shape you want. With recliners or even sleepers. While recovering one would take a bit longer than a standard couch, these are so much more interchangeable."
After his hurried pitch, he picked up his little walkie talkie and asked for loader assistance in Sectionals. Nyra and Connie still looked at the swatches of fabric until a forklift motored up to them. There was a tired looking woman standing inside the cage, popping her gum.
"Whacha need Jeremy?" she asked with a lazy pop of bright blue colored gum. Jeremy immediately launched into a complicated request of merchandise to be brought out of the racks for viewing. She nodded and began extracting the plastic wrapped palletized pieces.
In just a few minutes there was couch pieces out of the plastic and off the wood pallets. Jeremy got to pushing pieces together. The simple design was pretty even with an ugly beige fabric. A sleeper sofa snugged against a love seat sized piece and then against a wedge which turned the long couch into an L shaped couch with the addition of a reclining love seat. The single pillow back and lack of excessive poof and stitching made the artist believe this would be the best to put the proper fabric on.
Gently nudging Connie to try out the seating, Nyra flipped through the swatches. Finding one with the right texture was easy, though it said chenille on the back. Clutching it tightly the artist watched her lover inspect the sofa on the warehouse floor.
Connie
18 years ago
Connie watched fascinated as the furniture grew from a single palette to seven, all supporting the plastic-covered sections. "Get me one additional double-armed love seat in the same style, non-sectional, and a reclining chair, and recover them with the fabric swatch she's holding, in a deep blue, and we'll take it. It's perfect."
She slipped her arm into Nyra's again. "Have you decided what you want? We could have it all delivered at the same time. Ah can' wait to see the office manager from downstairs when a dozen delivery trucks pull up to our door to start haulin' stuff upstairs." She giggled at the prospect.
She slipped her arm into Nyra's again. "Have you decided what you want? We could have it all delivered at the same time. Ah can' wait to see the office manager from downstairs when a dozen delivery trucks pull up to our door to start haulin' stuff upstairs." She giggled at the prospect.
Nyra
18 years ago
Happy that there was something suitable Connie liked, Nyra smiled. As the taller woman slipped an arm through hers she held on tight and nodded.
"We just might be done here. Jeremy has my list, now yours as well. So we simply have to pay and set up delivery. I hope everything fits up the stairwell." she giggled.
They would be busy for a while when everything got delivered. Nyra tried to make a list of things to do, but kept getting the chores confused. She didn't need to paint the floors, she needed to wash the floors and work on another painting for Bertrand. Sometime soon she needed to call her mother as well.
As she was contemplating what to tell her mother, her stomach rumbled loudly. Looking up embarrassed, she noticed Connie signing her receipt. The two made their way to the front door of the store.
"I think we need to get something to eat. Lets put our purchases in the car and try to find a cute Italian place on the strip." Nyra was suddenly very hungry for pasta with veggies and basil. Something savory and served with hearty crusty bread. Of course it could be due to them not eating anything yet today.
The two dashed across the parking lot as rain drizzled down from the dark sky. Depositing their bags into the trunk of Connie's car, they were ready to go. Leaning up, before buckling her seat belt, Nyra kissed Connie's cheek quickly.
"Thank you so much. Today has been fun."
"We just might be done here. Jeremy has my list, now yours as well. So we simply have to pay and set up delivery. I hope everything fits up the stairwell." she giggled.
They would be busy for a while when everything got delivered. Nyra tried to make a list of things to do, but kept getting the chores confused. She didn't need to paint the floors, she needed to wash the floors and work on another painting for Bertrand. Sometime soon she needed to call her mother as well.
As she was contemplating what to tell her mother, her stomach rumbled loudly. Looking up embarrassed, she noticed Connie signing her receipt. The two made their way to the front door of the store.
"I think we need to get something to eat. Lets put our purchases in the car and try to find a cute Italian place on the strip." Nyra was suddenly very hungry for pasta with veggies and basil. Something savory and served with hearty crusty bread. Of course it could be due to them not eating anything yet today.
The two dashed across the parking lot as rain drizzled down from the dark sky. Depositing their bags into the trunk of Connie's car, they were ready to go. Leaning up, before buckling her seat belt, Nyra kissed Connie's cheek quickly.
"Thank you so much. Today has been fun."
Connie
18 years ago
Connie smiled into Nyra's kiss and leaned towards her, placing her forehead against the artist's. "The day's not over yet, though I do have to go to work sometime between nine and ten."
They drove quickly along the strip - it was rather empty for being a Wednesday - and parked by a meter out in front of La Cucina. Connie handed a few quarters to Nyra, then stepped out, dragging an umbrella from right next to her seat. Opening it, she moved over to Nyra's door and let her out, then stood next to her as she fed the meter the coins.
Holding the door as Nyra entered, Connie shook off the umbrella and stepped into the restaurant. "Two for non smoking," she heard Nyra say, then followed through the softly lit aisles. They were seated, and two glasses of water with ice appeared nearly instantly.
"I dunno about you, but Ah'm really hungry, and I think thisses already startin' out better than the Piazza did what with icy water!" Giggling, she unrolled her utensils and folded her napkin into her lap.
They drove quickly along the strip - it was rather empty for being a Wednesday - and parked by a meter out in front of La Cucina. Connie handed a few quarters to Nyra, then stepped out, dragging an umbrella from right next to her seat. Opening it, she moved over to Nyra's door and let her out, then stood next to her as she fed the meter the coins.
Holding the door as Nyra entered, Connie shook off the umbrella and stepped into the restaurant. "Two for non smoking," she heard Nyra say, then followed through the softly lit aisles. They were seated, and two glasses of water with ice appeared nearly instantly.
"I dunno about you, but Ah'm really hungry, and I think thisses already startin' out better than the Piazza did what with icy water!" Giggling, she unrolled her utensils and folded her napkin into her lap.
Nyra
18 years ago
Nyra was enchanted by the cute restaurant Connie picked. How warm and inviting it seemed. The yellow gold table cloths matched well with the burgundy napkins. The plates were a creamy color from what she could see on other dinners tables. Large water glasses brimming with ice and frost were inviting. As was the basket of bread, bowl of herbed oil and small plate of olives and cheese.
With a thankful smile at the waitress Nyra glanced through the menu. Realizing she would not last long, she grabbed a deep black olive and popped it into her mouth. The tangy but savory flavor exploded on her tongue as she carefully nipped at it, trying to find the pit. When none was found she decided she loved this place - they pitted the olives!
"This place is wonderful" she exclaimed to Connie soon as she swallowed the olive. "I think the fact that they pit their olives rather than making me spit out the hard seed pushes this place to the top of my favorite places list."
With a giggle she tried to scan the menu a second time.
With a thankful smile at the waitress Nyra glanced through the menu. Realizing she would not last long, she grabbed a deep black olive and popped it into her mouth. The tangy but savory flavor exploded on her tongue as she carefully nipped at it, trying to find the pit. When none was found she decided she loved this place - they pitted the olives!
"This place is wonderful" she exclaimed to Connie soon as she swallowed the olive. "I think the fact that they pit their olives rather than making me spit out the hard seed pushes this place to the top of my favorite places list."
With a giggle she tried to scan the menu a second time.
Connie
18 years ago
"Some of the most simple things make her smile."
"Of course. It's easy that way, and yet very difficult, for some people to be so innocent, so child-like, to find a lot of things so brand new. It's one of the things that draws you to her. You never had that sense of awe, the attraction of the simple things, the obvious things, because of how you grew up."
"So I'm living vicariously through her?"
"Partially. She is also a very good companion for you. She's absentminded and yet focused, intelligent yet naive, young and yet has seen more than some folks her age."
"Just 'very good companion?'"
"Well, no sense arguing with yourself to label it. Just go with it."
Connie smiled at Nyra's exuberance about the olives. "I think that with both of us being relatively new to Nachton we'll find a lot of little places in the city or just outside or nearby that tickle us pink just because of one thing that makes the whole experience that much more enjoyable."
"Did that make any sense?" Connie's brow furrowed as she tried to retrace the words that just fell out of her mouth, then she mentally shrugged. Her hand reached out for the olives and gently pushed one onto each of her fingertips. She glanced about furtively, as if she was doing something bad, and curled her fingers, holding out her pointer finger for Nyra, adorned with an olive.
Her cheeks flushed. Looking both slightly embarassed as well as mutedly aroused, Connie asked Nyra, "Would you mind pickin' somethin' for me? It'll take me a while to get used to eatin' the same sort of stuff you do."
"Of course. It's easy that way, and yet very difficult, for some people to be so innocent, so child-like, to find a lot of things so brand new. It's one of the things that draws you to her. You never had that sense of awe, the attraction of the simple things, the obvious things, because of how you grew up."
"So I'm living vicariously through her?"
"Partially. She is also a very good companion for you. She's absentminded and yet focused, intelligent yet naive, young and yet has seen more than some folks her age."
"Just 'very good companion?'"
"Well, no sense arguing with yourself to label it. Just go with it."
Connie smiled at Nyra's exuberance about the olives. "I think that with both of us being relatively new to Nachton we'll find a lot of little places in the city or just outside or nearby that tickle us pink just because of one thing that makes the whole experience that much more enjoyable."
"Did that make any sense?" Connie's brow furrowed as she tried to retrace the words that just fell out of her mouth, then she mentally shrugged. Her hand reached out for the olives and gently pushed one onto each of her fingertips. She glanced about furtively, as if she was doing something bad, and curled her fingers, holding out her pointer finger for Nyra, adorned with an olive.
Her cheeks flushed. Looking both slightly embarassed as well as mutedly aroused, Connie asked Nyra, "Would you mind pickin' somethin' for me? It'll take me a while to get used to eatin' the same sort of stuff you do."
Nyra
18 years ago
Nyra found a lovely pasta with veggies in an olive oil and garlic sauce on the menu that sounded divine. She closed her menu and put it on the corner of the table. Noticing Connie was making "Olive Fingers" put an indulgent smile on her face.
"I can think of several things that are enjoyable enough to tickle me pink."
With an impudent smile she leaned forward and sucked the olive off her lovers fingertip. Her lips never touched the beauty's digit but the brief suction of air was teasing and tempting.
Taking a chunk of the crusty warm bread, Nyra dipped it into the oil gently. After making sure it would not drip she offered a bite to her dinner companion.
"Never feel like you need to change for me. I like you just the way you are, and if that means you eat meat, well, I can deal with that." She was very serious about this topic. "Be yourself, but if you would like to try something new, I am having the Bowtie Pasta with grilled veggies in an olive oil garlic sauce."
"I can think of several things that are enjoyable enough to tickle me pink."
With an impudent smile she leaned forward and sucked the olive off her lovers fingertip. Her lips never touched the beauty's digit but the brief suction of air was teasing and tempting.
Taking a chunk of the crusty warm bread, Nyra dipped it into the oil gently. After making sure it would not drip she offered a bite to her dinner companion.
"Never feel like you need to change for me. I like you just the way you are, and if that means you eat meat, well, I can deal with that." She was very serious about this topic. "Be yourself, but if you would like to try something new, I am having the Bowtie Pasta with grilled veggies in an olive oil garlic sauce."
Connie
18 years ago
Connie leaned forward to take a nibble of the bread. A drip of oil snuck out onto her lip, which she carefully licked off.
When Nyra commented on eating meat and being able to deal with it... The vampire couldn't help but wonder if she truly would be able to handle the selection of meat she preferred on a weekly basis.
"Bowtie pasta sounds good, but Ah could always snitch somethin' from yer plate, so if you don' mind pickin' me somethin' else?" Connie smiled at Nyra.
Connie was too preoccupied to decide what to eat. It - that is, telling Nyra the truth - was a scenario that occupied her mind with frightening regularity for the past week. While it briefly was pushed to the back of her mind with the excitement and tenderness of their lovemaking... It was a weight that pressed continuously on Connie's mind. She knew she had to say something about it. She knew enough about herself that there would come a point that she became so comfortable with Nyra as her companion that she would slip or say something off or accidentally bite her or come home with blood visible or any others of a number of different mistakes that could end up badly.
Her thoughts flitted to the poem she'd written and was hiding at the bottom of her list... She hoped Nyra wouldn't be terribly frightened by the poem itself... Because then she still would need to hear Connie's confession.
Worrying about the possible responses and reactions scared the hell out of Connie and made her more nervous than just about anything she'd done in recent memory.
When Nyra commented on eating meat and being able to deal with it... The vampire couldn't help but wonder if she truly would be able to handle the selection of meat she preferred on a weekly basis.
"Bowtie pasta sounds good, but Ah could always snitch somethin' from yer plate, so if you don' mind pickin' me somethin' else?" Connie smiled at Nyra.
Connie was too preoccupied to decide what to eat. It - that is, telling Nyra the truth - was a scenario that occupied her mind with frightening regularity for the past week. While it briefly was pushed to the back of her mind with the excitement and tenderness of their lovemaking... It was a weight that pressed continuously on Connie's mind. She knew she had to say something about it. She knew enough about herself that there would come a point that she became so comfortable with Nyra as her companion that she would slip or say something off or accidentally bite her or come home with blood visible or any others of a number of different mistakes that could end up badly.
Her thoughts flitted to the poem she'd written and was hiding at the bottom of her list... She hoped Nyra wouldn't be terribly frightened by the poem itself... Because then she still would need to hear Connie's confession.
Worrying about the possible responses and reactions scared the hell out of Connie and made her more nervous than just about anything she'd done in recent memory.
Nyra
18 years ago
Smiling at her companion Nyra nodded. "Try the olive and caper penne, it sounds lovely. Or the roasted tomatoes and basil. I don't mind sharing my food with you at all."
Without thinking she took a bite of the bread in her hand, illustrating that she did indeed share just fine. It was just another moment before the plump waitress was asking them what they wanted. She was so jovial and perky it was almost like an aura around her. Washing everyone in golden light of joy.
Distracted by the phenomena Nyra pointed out what she wanted and stressed the lack of dairy. The waitress frowned at Nyra's comment that water was fine. Shaking her head she told them about the fresh squeezed lemonade that she would bring out for her to sample.
Both women smiled at Connie. Nyra wondered if her lover could feel the perky just rolling off their waitress. Hiding her giggle behind an olive, Nyra fussed with her napkin.
Without thinking she took a bite of the bread in her hand, illustrating that she did indeed share just fine. It was just another moment before the plump waitress was asking them what they wanted. She was so jovial and perky it was almost like an aura around her. Washing everyone in golden light of joy.
Distracted by the phenomena Nyra pointed out what she wanted and stressed the lack of dairy. The waitress frowned at Nyra's comment that water was fine. Shaking her head she told them about the fresh squeezed lemonade that she would bring out for her to sample.
Both women smiled at Connie. Nyra wondered if her lover could feel the perky just rolling off their waitress. Hiding her giggle behind an olive, Nyra fussed with her napkin.
Connie
18 years ago
"Lemonade would be great, and I'd like the roasted tomatoes and basil over linguine, please." Connie noted Nyra's distraction as she fiddled with her napkin, then finally focused on the waitress. Her patient smile was wide and warm, infectious even. It reminded the accountant in no small way of Nyra's own smile... and her hugs... and her lips, scent, and...
"And a plate of bruschetta, too, lightly toasted. And no dairy for me, either please. She's quite allergic and we plan on sharing a little."
As the waitress nodded and walked away, Connie's gaze slid back to Nyra's eyes and smile. Something inside Connie clicked into place. Even if the prospect of spilling was so thrillingly terrifying, she was going to do it. Tonight.
"Wayel, I was hopin' you wouldn't mind sharing yer food, considerin' we were sharin' a whole lot more than that last night."
Smiling as she took out her list from her purse, she commented, "Would you mind shopping tomorrow again if we need, or do you have more painting to do?"
"And a plate of bruschetta, too, lightly toasted. And no dairy for me, either please. She's quite allergic and we plan on sharing a little."
As the waitress nodded and walked away, Connie's gaze slid back to Nyra's eyes and smile. Something inside Connie clicked into place. Even if the prospect of spilling was so thrillingly terrifying, she was going to do it. Tonight.
"Wayel, I was hopin' you wouldn't mind sharing yer food, considerin' we were sharin' a whole lot more than that last night."
Smiling as she took out her list from her purse, she commented, "Would you mind shopping tomorrow again if we need, or do you have more painting to do?"
Nyra
18 years ago
Blushing red as the memories raced to the front of her mind, Nyra took a sip of her ice water. "I don't mind sharing anything with you that you want to sample or give."
Popping another olive into her mouth the artist thought about what they had bought today. She had to do a lot of stuff before her loft would be ready for it all. Plus with Bertrand pushing for more paintings meant work was urgent.
"I think I will paint while you work, so our schedules can mesh a bit making it OK for us to spend time together. Of course this may be based upon how much work I can get done and in the dark at that."
Nibbling on her bread she contemplated the difficulties of creating sunsets and sunrises at night. Doable since she had a good imagination, but less inspiration to work with. Though she never seemed to find lack of inspiration to paint moonscapes during the day. 'Oh well' she thought, filing the worry away for later.
Soon the bubbly waitress had their appetizer and drinks on the table.
"Shopping is fine if I can finish up what I have left to do at home before our next trip." she finally agreed with an nod. "What else do you have on your list?"
Popping another olive into her mouth the artist thought about what they had bought today. She had to do a lot of stuff before her loft would be ready for it all. Plus with Bertrand pushing for more paintings meant work was urgent.
"I think I will paint while you work, so our schedules can mesh a bit making it OK for us to spend time together. Of course this may be based upon how much work I can get done and in the dark at that."
Nibbling on her bread she contemplated the difficulties of creating sunsets and sunrises at night. Doable since she had a good imagination, but less inspiration to work with. Though she never seemed to find lack of inspiration to paint moonscapes during the day. 'Oh well' she thought, filing the worry away for later.
Soon the bubbly waitress had their appetizer and drinks on the table.
"Shopping is fine if I can finish up what I have left to do at home before our next trip." she finally agreed with an nod. "What else do you have on your list?"