Victoria sat at her computer at work, double checking the time that her assistant had bestowed upon her for her meeting.
“Janice?” She called out to the younger woman, the blond poking her head in.
“Yes, Ms. Demure?”
“I will be taking my lunch now. Hold all calls and take any messages. If it’s an emergency, have them sent to my work cell,” Victoria said distractedly, closing her laptop and turning off her desktop. She zipped up her purse, a stylish yet understated leather Prada, and moved to exit.
“Yes, Ms. Demure,” her secretary replied, offering her a smile. “Enjoy your meeting.”
All of her staff, Heck the whole city knew that she despised being called ma’am. Somehow word had even spread to the local coffee shop.
As she left the office, her secretary gave her an odd look at her retreating back, quietly wondering why her boss had taken to so many late working lunches.
Wasn’t her place to wonder such things though, she reminded her.
Victoria exited the building and walked down the block to the cafe on the corner, waiting in line patiently, though, her nerves belied her true state as she wrung her hands in front of her.
“Can I get a medium soy latte, blond, quad shot, and extra hot,” she ordered, her eyes glancing around the lobby for the billionth time.
She would grab her beverage and a table in the corner, far from the others, and would wait for her companion to arrive.
“Janice?” She called out to the younger woman, the blond poking her head in.
“Yes, Ms. Demure?”
“I will be taking my lunch now. Hold all calls and take any messages. If it’s an emergency, have them sent to my work cell,” Victoria said distractedly, closing her laptop and turning off her desktop. She zipped up her purse, a stylish yet understated leather Prada, and moved to exit.
“Yes, Ms. Demure,” her secretary replied, offering her a smile. “Enjoy your meeting.”
All of her staff, Heck the whole city knew that she despised being called ma’am. Somehow word had even spread to the local coffee shop.
As she left the office, her secretary gave her an odd look at her retreating back, quietly wondering why her boss had taken to so many late working lunches.
Wasn’t her place to wonder such things though, she reminded her.
Victoria exited the building and walked down the block to the cafe on the corner, waiting in line patiently, though, her nerves belied her true state as she wrung her hands in front of her.
“Can I get a medium soy latte, blond, quad shot, and extra hot,” she ordered, her eyes glancing around the lobby for the billionth time.
She would grab her beverage and a table in the corner, far from the others, and would wait for her companion to arrive.
The time at home had been restless since that morning..
She'd gotten into her work meeting with her publicist and editor and been accosted with several newspapers featuring her face and that of the one-night stand she'd had. Her features were unmistakeable but Jesse had at least a little bit of hope to conceal his identity.
VIOLA TESH: FREAK IN THE SHEETS, SKANK IN THE STREETS? WHO IS THIS HOOK UP-
Tesh felt horrific for putting the poor guy in that situation but.. as they say.. No publicity is bad publicity.
Unless you're the civilian who probably didn't want to get caught in that crossfire.
The tiny, quiet woman eventually had to put it out of her mind if she wanted to get through this meetup and not seem morose or down. Heavy boots carried the otherwise pastel hued darling through the coffee shop doorway, head twisting this way and that with big yellow eyes peering here and there. Everything smelled simply divine..
The sight of a very imposing woman ordering a.. well.. whatever it was, had Tesh bobbling up behind her in line to count out her change. Sure, she knew that Victoria had offered but she still felt bad letting people buy her stuff.
"I uh... I'll take one of those coffee slushy things- A frappe? Yeaaah.." Twisting her head around, pausing momentarily to stare up at Victoria, she'd chirp, "Are you uhh.. EvilQueen in the chat??" Smoothe.. like a doofus. Hand extended, dainty appendage partially obscured by her massive sweater, "I'm Tesh!"
She'd gotten into her work meeting with her publicist and editor and been accosted with several newspapers featuring her face and that of the one-night stand she'd had. Her features were unmistakeable but Jesse had at least a little bit of hope to conceal his identity.
VIOLA TESH: FREAK IN THE SHEETS, SKANK IN THE STREETS? WHO IS THIS HOOK UP-
Tesh felt horrific for putting the poor guy in that situation but.. as they say.. No publicity is bad publicity.
Unless you're the civilian who probably didn't want to get caught in that crossfire.
The tiny, quiet woman eventually had to put it out of her mind if she wanted to get through this meetup and not seem morose or down. Heavy boots carried the otherwise pastel hued darling through the coffee shop doorway, head twisting this way and that with big yellow eyes peering here and there. Everything smelled simply divine..
The sight of a very imposing woman ordering a.. well.. whatever it was, had Tesh bobbling up behind her in line to count out her change. Sure, she knew that Victoria had offered but she still felt bad letting people buy her stuff.
"I uh... I'll take one of those coffee slushy things- A frappe? Yeaaah.." Twisting her head around, pausing momentarily to stare up at Victoria, she'd chirp, "Are you uhh.. EvilQueen in the chat??" Smoothe.. like a doofus. Hand extended, dainty appendage partially obscured by her massive sweater, "I'm Tesh!"
Victoria had only taken a few sips from her center-of-the-sun latte when Tesh walked in. She watched the young woman order, exchanging a secret smile with the barista as the drink was already paid for, with a generous tip left for the workers.
She stood to greet Tesh, her politician smile waxing into a full blown grin at the woman. “Victoria will do just fine,” she said by way of greeting, offering a firm yet still feminine handshake to the girl.
The politician would gesture to the table she had snagged for the two, wondering if she should pull out the author’s chair or not. She walked over to it and then seemed to second guess herself and instead went to sit down.
“None of my people know I made that account so, if we could be more discreet about it in the future,” she trailed off, arching an eyebrow at the younger woman. Her eyes would glance to the drink she chose, clearly judging her life choices as it was written plain across her face.
However, she would simply shake her head and chuckle to herself.
“Thank-you for agreeing to meet me. I didn’t realize you were based out of Seattle and I figured I could use some of my political pull to score a private meeting with you. Being a councilwoman and hopeful Mayor does have its perks, occasionally.”
She frowned slightly at her own behavior, wondering why she was treating this as a business meeting. Then again, she wasn’t quite sure why she had arranged this to begin with. It was extremely out of character for her.
“Anyway, why don’t you tell me a bit about yourself. I know you’re a world renowned author but I feel as if I know that side of you, from your writing,” Victoria leaned toward, resting her chin inside her hand as she studied Tesh.
She stood to greet Tesh, her politician smile waxing into a full blown grin at the woman. “Victoria will do just fine,” she said by way of greeting, offering a firm yet still feminine handshake to the girl.
The politician would gesture to the table she had snagged for the two, wondering if she should pull out the author’s chair or not. She walked over to it and then seemed to second guess herself and instead went to sit down.
“None of my people know I made that account so, if we could be more discreet about it in the future,” she trailed off, arching an eyebrow at the younger woman. Her eyes would glance to the drink she chose, clearly judging her life choices as it was written plain across her face.
However, she would simply shake her head and chuckle to herself.
“Thank-you for agreeing to meet me. I didn’t realize you were based out of Seattle and I figured I could use some of my political pull to score a private meeting with you. Being a councilwoman and hopeful Mayor does have its perks, occasionally.”
She frowned slightly at her own behavior, wondering why she was treating this as a business meeting. Then again, she wasn’t quite sure why she had arranged this to begin with. It was extremely out of character for her.
“Anyway, why don’t you tell me a bit about yourself. I know you’re a world renowned author but I feel as if I know that side of you, from your writing,” Victoria leaned toward, resting her chin inside her hand as she studied Tesh.
Well.. how could you argue when your drink had already been covered?
Tucking that change back into her pockets shyly, she'd return the shake and gave a bright smile, "Of course, I don't mind at all! My lips are sealed and if need be, my publicist will spread fake tabloids so that the info gets swept under the rug." It was a joke.. kinda.
As they settled on a place to sit, Tesh pulled out her own chair and smiled bashfully to Victoria, "Hey its not problem! I'm kinda just excited to get away from the laptop, y'know? Plus-" She'd pull the first, mint hard-cover copy of her newest novel out of her messenger bag and set it on the table. Pen was produced, soft lavender ink glistening in the plastic as she began to scrawl her name in unusually tidy script across the acknowledgments page.
For Victoria~
Love and health, Tesh~
Sliding it over to the politician, Tesh would perk up and thought about it a moment, "O-oh! Uhh.. Well.. I'm not all that fun or interesting, honestly.. Umm.. I'm twenty-four- which I mean I guess you probably already knew.. my folks live in Louisiana, I currently have a cabin here in the more rural area outside of the city.. I have three rescue cats named Larry, Curly and Moe..." Pen was lifted to Tesh's lips and she'd give a shy laugh, "I.. guess that's it! I'm honestly not all that interesting.. My favorite color is purple? What about you? Tell me all about yourself, I'd love to hear!"
Tucking that change back into her pockets shyly, she'd return the shake and gave a bright smile, "Of course, I don't mind at all! My lips are sealed and if need be, my publicist will spread fake tabloids so that the info gets swept under the rug." It was a joke.. kinda.
As they settled on a place to sit, Tesh pulled out her own chair and smiled bashfully to Victoria, "Hey its not problem! I'm kinda just excited to get away from the laptop, y'know? Plus-" She'd pull the first, mint hard-cover copy of her newest novel out of her messenger bag and set it on the table. Pen was produced, soft lavender ink glistening in the plastic as she began to scrawl her name in unusually tidy script across the acknowledgments page.
For Victoria~
Love and health, Tesh~
Sliding it over to the politician, Tesh would perk up and thought about it a moment, "O-oh! Uhh.. Well.. I'm not all that fun or interesting, honestly.. Umm.. I'm twenty-four- which I mean I guess you probably already knew.. my folks live in Louisiana, I currently have a cabin here in the more rural area outside of the city.. I have three rescue cats named Larry, Curly and Moe..." Pen was lifted to Tesh's lips and she'd give a shy laugh, "I.. guess that's it! I'm honestly not all that interesting.. My favorite color is purple? What about you? Tell me all about yourself, I'd love to hear!"
Victoria smiled kindly at her, taking a small sip from her latte as she listened to the girl talk.
“Oh, are you planning to involve me in another of your scandals?” She said with a wry, teasing smile. The light intonation made it clear that it didn’t seem to bother her much. If Tesh were an ordinary citizen perhaps but she had national acclaim and that led her to have a bit of protection in political circles.
Besides, Victoria was typically under fire for many things: her age, being a divorcee, being a single mother, being a woman of color, and being bisexual. What was the harm in befriending an author with a wild streak?
You should peek inside... she is much more interesting than you know... came the hissing voice within her.
Not now, Victoria imagined back, wishing she could slam a door shut on the voice and go about her day normally for a change.
Don’t you want to know how she became so famous so young... look inside, take a little peek she’ll never know... the voice sing song’s to her.
“I can imagine. I am just as excited to take a break from my campaign. It typically absorbs most of my free time. That and work,” she commented in return, ignoring the chanting that was building within her.
Her free hand came up and attempted to massage subtly at her temple, as if that would banish the voice to the outskirts of her mind.
Her smile grew up size, beautiful and beaming as she gently picked up the book and cradled it to her chest. A prized possession already. “Thank-you so much. You have no idea what your books helped me through. I only just found them all after I came over during the Collision. They’ve helped me through a divorce and losing, then finding my son,” she said softly, her eyes like shiny, molten chocolate as she gazed gently at the woman. Hoping to convey how grateful she was.
“Twenty-four?” She croaked out, eyes widening now and her cheeks flushing. God, WAS she going through a mid-life crisis? What next, was she going to be an absurdly fast and loud sports car?
Her eyes followed the pen as she reclaimed her thoughts, her smile not wavering but definitely a bit more tense. “Louisiana? I grew up in California. So we’re both transplants. No pets as of yet, just my son Jerry. My favorite color is also purple,” her lips relaxed a bit at the common ground, “I am forty-seven. I actually write in my spare time as well, but it’s much more a hobby than anything else. I enjoy hiking when I can find any availability to do so, as I said my job keeps me quite busy as well as my prospective new job.”
“Oh, are you planning to involve me in another of your scandals?” She said with a wry, teasing smile. The light intonation made it clear that it didn’t seem to bother her much. If Tesh were an ordinary citizen perhaps but she had national acclaim and that led her to have a bit of protection in political circles.
Besides, Victoria was typically under fire for many things: her age, being a divorcee, being a single mother, being a woman of color, and being bisexual. What was the harm in befriending an author with a wild streak?
You should peek inside... she is much more interesting than you know... came the hissing voice within her.
Not now, Victoria imagined back, wishing she could slam a door shut on the voice and go about her day normally for a change.
Don’t you want to know how she became so famous so young... look inside, take a little peek she’ll never know... the voice sing song’s to her.
“I can imagine. I am just as excited to take a break from my campaign. It typically absorbs most of my free time. That and work,” she commented in return, ignoring the chanting that was building within her.
Her free hand came up and attempted to massage subtly at her temple, as if that would banish the voice to the outskirts of her mind.
Her smile grew up size, beautiful and beaming as she gently picked up the book and cradled it to her chest. A prized possession already. “Thank-you so much. You have no idea what your books helped me through. I only just found them all after I came over during the Collision. They’ve helped me through a divorce and losing, then finding my son,” she said softly, her eyes like shiny, molten chocolate as she gazed gently at the woman. Hoping to convey how grateful she was.
“Twenty-four?” She croaked out, eyes widening now and her cheeks flushing. God, WAS she going through a mid-life crisis? What next, was she going to be an absurdly fast and loud sports car?
Her eyes followed the pen as she reclaimed her thoughts, her smile not wavering but definitely a bit more tense. “Louisiana? I grew up in California. So we’re both transplants. No pets as of yet, just my son Jerry. My favorite color is also purple,” her lips relaxed a bit at the common ground, “I am forty-seven. I actually write in my spare time as well, but it’s much more a hobby than anything else. I enjoy hiking when I can find any availability to do so, as I said my job keeps me quite busy as well as my prospective new job.”
Hands slid up to her face and hid her eyes behind those slender fingers, "Oh no.. the scandals.. rest assured miss Victoria it's.. Ok well." Hesitating, she'd sit back in her chair and looked perhaps a tad defeated, "It admittedly.. wears on me once in a while but- oh.. You were joking." Cheeks flushed dark, the purple haired woman leaning forward on her elbows. She'd been in the tabloids a lot lately.. that's how it always happened when you started hanging around someone new. Mouths started flapping.
"Oh you're totally welcome! I thought you'd really like it.. It's probably my favorite book I've written so far.." Brows rose at the notion that her books had helped the woman in such a manner, expression softening, "Ah.. I'm so happy that my writings have been able to contribute to a little peace of mind.. That makes me terribly proud." Tesh was remarkably modest for someone so young, fingers tucking strands of darkest orchid behind her ear while those bright neon eyes watched the woman across from her.
"Yeah, Louisiana- well I mean I was born and raised in Mexico until about 4 years old.. What's Jerry like?" Lips pulled up into a grin and she'd blossom into a brighter expression at the mention that Victoria herself was a writer in her spare time, "Really? I would love to read some of your stuff sometime! If that's not too forward that is I mean- Also I'm a big fan of the speeches you give, it's like you hypnotise people into listening to you. You just have this beautifully respectable, smooth voice."
"Oh you're totally welcome! I thought you'd really like it.. It's probably my favorite book I've written so far.." Brows rose at the notion that her books had helped the woman in such a manner, expression softening, "Ah.. I'm so happy that my writings have been able to contribute to a little peace of mind.. That makes me terribly proud." Tesh was remarkably modest for someone so young, fingers tucking strands of darkest orchid behind her ear while those bright neon eyes watched the woman across from her.
"Yeah, Louisiana- well I mean I was born and raised in Mexico until about 4 years old.. What's Jerry like?" Lips pulled up into a grin and she'd blossom into a brighter expression at the mention that Victoria herself was a writer in her spare time, "Really? I would love to read some of your stuff sometime! If that's not too forward that is I mean- Also I'm a big fan of the speeches you give, it's like you hypnotise people into listening to you. You just have this beautifully respectable, smooth voice."
Victoria cracked a wry smile at her companion, taking a sip of her drink to hide it. “Please, just Victoria. You’ll find that I have a surprisingly excellent sense of humor,” she said with a throaty chuckle.
Eyebrows raised, eyes glancing quick to the book then back to the author. “Oh? Well, I am even more intrigued to read it than I already was.” She paused to take another sip, smiling kindly at the girl, “you should be proud.”
She seemed caught off guard by the question about her son, cheeks flushing pleasurably at anyone taking an interest in her dearest boy. “He is eccentric and clever and so so kind. I actually lost him during the Collision and we only recently reconnected. It’s been wonderful,” she said, honestly, her eyes and voice warming like a cup of hot chocolate on a snowy day.
“Oh, thank you, dear. I actually write all of my own speeches,” she said with a side of pride. “That’s quite alright. Writing is just a hobby of mine and one I enjoy but... my true passion is in my city.”
The voice within her was hammering like a war drum and she finally, finally relented and...
Death, destruction, and fires upon fires...
Victoria ensured her face remained a blank mask as she probed the girl’s mind, deciphering through the memories and...
You really ought to listen to me more often...
“You know, dear, I think we’re going to be fast friends,” she said with a charming smile.
Eyebrows raised, eyes glancing quick to the book then back to the author. “Oh? Well, I am even more intrigued to read it than I already was.” She paused to take another sip, smiling kindly at the girl, “you should be proud.”
She seemed caught off guard by the question about her son, cheeks flushing pleasurably at anyone taking an interest in her dearest boy. “He is eccentric and clever and so so kind. I actually lost him during the Collision and we only recently reconnected. It’s been wonderful,” she said, honestly, her eyes and voice warming like a cup of hot chocolate on a snowy day.
“Oh, thank you, dear. I actually write all of my own speeches,” she said with a side of pride. “That’s quite alright. Writing is just a hobby of mine and one I enjoy but... my true passion is in my city.”
The voice within her was hammering like a war drum and she finally, finally relented and...
Death, destruction, and fires upon fires...
Victoria ensured her face remained a blank mask as she probed the girl’s mind, deciphering through the memories and...
You really ought to listen to me more often...
“You know, dear, I think we’re going to be fast friends,” she said with a charming smile.
The purple haired girl brightened immediately, eyes widening a touch at the plea to just refer to her on such a personal level, "O-oh! Sure.. Sorry, I'm very used to having to play it formal- especially figured it might be necessary considering my company." A smile appeared immediately, perhaps a bit thrilled that she didn't have to be so reserved.
Hand came to rest beneath her chin, that smile only seeming to grow at the talk of the woman's son, "That sounds so lovely! I'm so glad for you that you got to rekindle that relationship. He sounds absolutely wonderful... we aren't humans without our quirks and unique perks."
At the mention of writing her own speeches, Tesh perked up and a twinkle appeared in those neon disguised eyes, "Do you really? That's amazing! I've been a fan of how precise and to the point they are. Its no wonder you're always so popular with the people. People believe in genuine words, heart and truth. Its so easy to hear that in your speeches when you give them. Plus, you're literally an S-tier orator?"
When the woman read the passages, brows lifted and she'd flush a pretty rose, "O-oh! Well.. that makes me really happy, Victoria! I'm glad." Smiling a bit more, she'd hesitate when her phone began to chirp and twill, "Shhhoot- that's my publicist.. I think I'm going to have to take off but I've had such a lovely time getting to speak with you!" Quickly, she'd scrawl her own phone number and the number for her manager's on a piece of napkin to slide to Vic. "If you ever wanna get another coffee sometime, feel free to call me on my cell. Business things are always open too if you ever need it!"
Hand came to rest beneath her chin, that smile only seeming to grow at the talk of the woman's son, "That sounds so lovely! I'm so glad for you that you got to rekindle that relationship. He sounds absolutely wonderful... we aren't humans without our quirks and unique perks."
At the mention of writing her own speeches, Tesh perked up and a twinkle appeared in those neon disguised eyes, "Do you really? That's amazing! I've been a fan of how precise and to the point they are. Its no wonder you're always so popular with the people. People believe in genuine words, heart and truth. Its so easy to hear that in your speeches when you give them. Plus, you're literally an S-tier orator?"
When the woman read the passages, brows lifted and she'd flush a pretty rose, "O-oh! Well.. that makes me really happy, Victoria! I'm glad." Smiling a bit more, she'd hesitate when her phone began to chirp and twill, "Shhhoot- that's my publicist.. I think I'm going to have to take off but I've had such a lovely time getting to speak with you!" Quickly, she'd scrawl her own phone number and the number for her manager's on a piece of napkin to slide to Vic. "If you ever wanna get another coffee sometime, feel free to call me on my cell. Business things are always open too if you ever need it!"
Victoria felt her face creasing again, a bit amused by the girl. “I certainly don’t want to be here in any official capacity as I essentially fangirl over you, Tesh.”
She studied the girl for a moment, gaze far away and eyes narrowed slightly. “Yes, we are but humans,” she said, tongue running over her teeth for a moment.
She doesn’t know! She doesn’t even have a clue, cackled the Voice.
The moment broke and she had to bite back a laugh, shaking her head. “Ah, thank you. Public speaking has always been one of my strong suits, that and debating. It comes naturally to me but it’s still a craft I take the time and effort to crone. I would be more than happy to assist you, should you find yourself struggling with public speaking,” she offered, rather kindly, but careful to conceal her eagerness.
“Yes, I will definitely be calling after you again, dear. I think we still have so much left to talk about,” Victoria stated as she stood up, her Politician’s smile wide and sharp on her face. “Enjoy the rest of your day.”
She studied the girl for a moment, gaze far away and eyes narrowed slightly. “Yes, we are but humans,” she said, tongue running over her teeth for a moment.
She doesn’t know! She doesn’t even have a clue, cackled the Voice.
The moment broke and she had to bite back a laugh, shaking her head. “Ah, thank you. Public speaking has always been one of my strong suits, that and debating. It comes naturally to me but it’s still a craft I take the time and effort to crone. I would be more than happy to assist you, should you find yourself struggling with public speaking,” she offered, rather kindly, but careful to conceal her eagerness.
“Yes, I will definitely be calling after you again, dear. I think we still have so much left to talk about,” Victoria stated as she stood up, her Politician’s smile wide and sharp on her face. “Enjoy the rest of your day.”
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