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Post by Miso Shuu on Jul 2, 2011 11:31:13 GMT -7
The sign on the door read "Miso Shuu - Final Draft Editor" and essentially, Miso did look after the final draft of the newspaper. However, the editor of the Gazette was so good at the job he had been doing for twenty five years that Miso had only found a "mistake" two times in the last year and a half she had been working here. Not to mention it was entirely possible for Miso to remove or add articles at the last minute if she really wanted too, but usually she was far too busy finishing up her own column to bother.
Miso's door always remained shut so she would have plenty of warning when someone came in. Her computer was highly password protected but she always made sure she kept her articles on a flash drive disguised as a normal hello kitty key-chain. It was almost lunch time, but Miso had been distracted the whole morning by one particular.. vampire she had met the other night.
Every time she thought of him her heart beat a little faster and she found herself actually wanting to see him again which was unusual for her. She hadn't been involved too much with men in the past because sooner or later she discovered their true intentions by reading their minds. Miso didn't like to read minds unless she had a good reason, or if she was bored - and she tried not to read the minds of her coworkers or her "dates" at first. At least give them a chance, she thought, because essentially reading minds was the biggest invasion of privacy that existed.
And then there was Gin, who she couldn't read the mind of even if she wanted too. It was both intriguing and intimidating and even if she didn't know where the two of them would end up she at least liked him. That she would admit, at least to herself.
Miso flipped the screen back over to the final draft of the paper, crinkling her nose slightly as her mouse rolled down the screen. Her tummy was rumbling now, and in her rush to get to work this morning she forgot to bring her lunch. Well, damn it all anyway.
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Post by Rich Calburn on Jul 2, 2011 22:20:32 GMT -7
The great thing about being one of the golden children of the Gazette was that as long as he had his articles on the editing desk by the time they were due, Rich could pretty much do whatever he wanted. For the most part this meant that he could take his time getting ready for work, and usually he used this as an excuse to sleep in late. Today, however, he had used the time to attend the Fellowship of the Sun meeting and get his new assignment.
He had said that he had the perfect person in mind, and he really did. It wasn’t someone he spent a lot of time talking to usually, but she was perfect for what Keeper wanted. Miso was quiet, which meant that she was someone Rich could easily manipulate to his will, and she was high enough in the chain of command on the paper that he could use her to further Steve’s mission. Rich had a feeling that he would be done with his part of the mission long before Cajun managed to procure his little subject… it wasn’t a competition, but hey, who would know if Rich looked at it that way?
It was fortunate for him that deadline was today, because it gave him an excuse to talk to her without having to make up a ridiculous excuse. As it were, he printed off a double-spaced copy of his column and headed towards the closed office door that was Miso’s. He knocked lightly on the door, clearing his throat as he absently adjusted his shirt sleeves. He had stopped off at home to change, wanting to play up his genuine good looks. He had chose a new plaid shirt and tan pants, going for the business casual look that worked so well for him. On his wrist was a nice watch, but otherwise, he had no use for jewelry. His hair was long enough to take away a little of the “clean cut” look, but he was by no means sloppy. Overall, he looked like a model, and he was very well aware of it.
“Miso?” He asked, opening the door a crack. “May I talk to you?”
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Post by Miso Shuu on Jul 2, 2011 22:42:50 GMT -7
It was no secret that Rich was probably one of the most good looking people working at the Gazette, not that Miso wasn't pretty herself. She always heard the random thoughts coming from the women fawning over him in the lunch room and even a few guys. Miso always remained at a table off by herself and people generally ignored her, aside from her boss. Her boss, come to think of it, was the only one that talked to her for more than a passing moment.
She knew Rich from his anti-vampire column, he preached a lot but was an incredibly popular writer. In a way she was in direct competition with him but there were only two people in this world that knew that. She knew how crazy people out there could be, especially the ones that followed Steve Newlin's extremist mindsets. She was actually quite surprised that he had been the one knocking on her door and peeking his head in her office.
“Miso? May I talk to you?”
Miso smiled softly, discreetly pulling out her flash drive and hooking the key chain to her pant loop. "Hai, of course, come on in Rich" An odd habit of Miso's was throwing in common Japanese words into her speech when talking.
Her stomach grumbled, but she ignored it as she gestured to the leather chair in front of her desk. "I thought you were off today. What can I do for you?" Miso couldn't hide the fact that she was curious, this was the first time Rich had said more than a passing "Hello" to her - not to mention it was his day off today. She didn't blame him however, usually he was busy giving attention to somebody else and that was just as well for the usually withdrawn and quiet Miso.
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Post by Rich Calburn on Jul 3, 2011 7:39:24 GMT -7
"Hai, of course, come on in Rich"
In a lot of ways, what made their team so successful was that Rich didn't force his presence on people like Cajun. He was subtle, manipulating them into thinking it was their idea that he join them, talk to them, spend time with them. When people were too stupid to pick up on what he was doing, well, then there was Cajun. He'd simply steamroll over them with force of will. But between the two there was no hope of escape.
He smiled at Miso, stepping inside and gesturing to the chair across from hers. "May I sit?"
"I thought you were off today. What can I do for you?"
"Well, I am." He flashed her a boyish grin and placed the paper on her desk before her. Usually on his days off, he just emailed his work into the office if he didn't hand it in the day before, but today was a special day. He had to get her to trust him. "It's just, I'm having a little difficulty with my piece this week. I was hoping you could read over it, perhaps suggest a few changes?" He was willing to allow his pride a few hits for the sake of the cause, if it came to that.
But Steve and Keeper better be damned happy about it.
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Post by Miso Shuu on Jul 3, 2011 8:41:56 GMT -7
"May I sit?"
A soft smile played on her lips, nodding as she crossed her legs almost nervously. If she was more extroverted she probably would of added 'Well, I don't expect you to sit on the floor', instead she just met his question with a soft nod. She wasn't use to people having their attention on her and in a place like her office where he was there to talk to her and nobody else it was just a bit intimidating.
"Well I am." Her dark caramel hues drifted to the piece of paper he set on her desk, was this what she thought it was?
" It's just, I'm having a little difficulty with my piece this week. I was hoping you could read over it, perhaps suggest a few changes?"
It was what she thought it was. She looked from the paper and back up to him, a sincere expression of apprehension on her face.
"Changes? Rich, that is like asking me to walk up to Leonardo Da Vinci and critique the Mona Lisa."
She had always admired Rich's passion in his writing, and when it came to something like editing his work it just seemed like the ultimate insult. Editing, making changes, or suggestions - she just couldn't bring herself to do it. They may of been in direct opposition of their own ideals but she could never...
"Rich, your work is flawless. I've read your column, the passion you put behind your words is refreshing and you don't need me to tell you that. You believe in every word you write and you write with such a conviction that nobody can touch you. I could never insult you that way."
That was how she viewed it, and after realizing she had said more to him in the last five minutes that she had said to almost anybody in that whole office she suddenly grew quiet. She kept her hands neatly in her lap and looked toward him again, slipping back into the shell she usually found herself in. Back to the realization that it was just her and him, as she wondered what he was going to do now. That was, until a little meowing chime came echoing from her key chain.
"Mew Mew! Lunch Time! Mew Mew!"
She blushed as the little cute voice echoed in the quiet and she quickly reached to turn it off. "Ah, gomen, gomen, it is my lunch alarm" She didn't know why she was apologizing, maybe because she was slightly embarrassed now when she looked back toward him. "Um, was there.. was there anything else Richard-san?"
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Post by Rich Calburn on Jul 3, 2011 20:20:07 GMT -7
At her nod, Rich took a seat, taking a moment to straighten a crease in his pants and stretch out his long legs. He had a certain… leonine grace, no matter what he was doing, but it seemed to really show through right at that moment. “Thank you.” He said politely, meeting her eyes. His own were green, flecked with bits of gold that seemed to glimmer, even in the low light.
He tried not to look amused at the look on her face as she took the paper from where he had placed it, picking it up in her delicate hands and glancing it over. He rarely gave anyone an open opportunity to openly criticize him- at least to his face- which included allowing anyone to read his drafts before they were ready. Her surprise wasn’t all that surprising to him, but the expression was well worth it.
"Changes? Rich, that is like asking me to walk up to Leonardo Da Vinci and critique the Mona Lisa."
Rich laughed, the sort of noise that didn’t seem like it would be out of place in the pantheon of Greek gods. A lot of women would agree that Rich’s laugh was one of his top ten best features, especially when it was at something they said. “You do me too much honor.” He said humbly, though of course his ego definitely agreed with her. It wasn’t far off to say that Rich definitely thought a lot of himself, and the constant praise he received only fed his narcissism.
"Rich, your work is flawless. I've read your column, the passion you put behind your words is refreshing and you don't need me to tell you that. You believe in every word you write and you write with such a conviction that nobody can touch you. I could never insult you that way."
“Really, it isn’t an insult. You’d be doing me a favor- I’d hate for someone to pick up a piece of mine and lose sight of the real message because I was having an off day. Surely you could just give it a look? Ease my fears a little?” He gave her a smile, hoping it would win her. How many women had he felled with just a smile, after all? Why would this shy, quiet woman be any different?
"Ah, gomen, gomen, it is my lunch alarm. "Um, was there.. was there anything else Richard-san?"
Rich shook his head. Sometimes God just dropped opportunity in his lap. “Mind if I join you? I haven’t had time to grab a bite to eat yet myself.”
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Post by Miso Shuu on Jul 3, 2011 20:52:38 GMT -7
“You do me too much honor.” Miso didn't think she did, she was always sincere with both her compliments and her criticism - though it was rare for her to give either. She could tell he was flattered, even if that hadn't been her aim, she was just being honest.
“Really, it isn’t an insult. You’d be doing me a favor- I’d hate for someone to pick up a piece of mine and lose sight of the real message because I was having an off day. Surely you could just give it a look? Ease my fears a little?” She was still hesitant, but he had seemed so sincere - and his smile had been the final step to convince her. She finally nodded and returned the paper to the top of her desk rather than passing it back to him. "I will take a look at it after lunch and have it back to you by three o clock"
When she had mentioned it was time for lunch and she rose from her desk, she certainly wasn't expecting him to ask to join her. "You want to join me?" You could tell by the tone of her voice that she was surprised. She glanced toward the door and back to him, if they went to the lunch room the girls would immediately began to gossip because he was sitting with her rather than the rest of them. Then again, part of her just assumed that he would go to them anyway. Maybe it would just be a better idea to skip the cafeteria today altogether but if she did that Richard would know something was up because she always went to the cafeteria every day. Best to just stick to what she knew best.
Miso locked the door behind them, keeping her head down out of habit as they walked down the hallway. Before they had got to the cafeteria however, she had stopped to look up at him.
"Um.. Rich.. I just, before we go in there.. I just want you to know, it is alright if you don't sit with me. No obligation or anything here alright?" She had expected he wouldn't anyway, Miso, well, she wasn't exactly the best at social interaction.
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Post by Rich Calburn on Jul 5, 2011 13:39:12 GMT -7
"I will take a look at it after lunch and have it back to you by three o clock"
“Thank you, Miso.” He said, injecting enough sincerity into his voice that he nearly convinced himself of his intent. Rich was a damn good actor- almost as good as he was a writer. He was pleased that she had fallen for it, to say the least. “It means a lot to me.”
"You want to join me?"
The surprise on her face was almost laughable, and Rich stifled his laughter into a mere grin. “If that’s all right. I won’t be offended if you say no- I know how nice it is to have a few minutes to yourself during your work day.” Not that Rich ever got to enjoy it. If one intern wasn’t harassing him in the name of “flirting,” another was. It was quite irritating, when it came down to it. Yes, he wanted to be admired and adored, but he also wanted to eat his lunch in peace without hearing about Sue’s cats or Kim’s mother.
"Um.. Rich.. I just, before we go in there.. I just want you to know, it is alright if you don't sit with me. No obligation or anything here alright?"
“Sounds like you’re trying to get rid of me.” He mused, tilting his head. He was sure now more than ever that he had chose right for Keeper’s little “mission”- Miso was perfect. “If you want me to go sit somewhere else, just say so. It’s no big deal.” He fixed her with the sort of stare that made most girls melt- it was the equivilant of a puppy look, in most ways. His gaze was intent, and solely on hers- as if she were the only girl in the world, or at least the only one that mattered.
“I mean it, if you don’t want me sitting with you, then I can go. I just thought it might be nice to get to know one another. We work together every day and I know hardly anything about you.” He shrugged.
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Post by Miso Shuu on Jul 5, 2011 17:27:38 GMT -7
“Thank you, Miso. It means a lot to me.”
She nodded politely again, though she was still quite certain that she wouldn't find anything wrong with it. Still, if it would help him to feel better in the end she would set the time aside to give it a run through. “If that’s all right. I won’t be offended if you say no- I know how nice it is to have a few minutes to yourself during your work day.” She shook her head and smiled softly. "Of course it is alright"
Truthfully, Miso spent enough time alone - granted, there was a good reason for that but once and awhile company wasn't that bad. It was a lot easier to turn her ability off when it was just one or even two people, it was just the crowd that he usually had around him that frightened her off.
“Sounds like you’re trying to get rid of me.” She looked up at him, immediately turning red when he made the suggestion. "No! I promise you, it isn't like that" She felt bad now, she didn't want him to think she was rude she just...
“If you want me to go sit somewhere else, just say so. It’s no big deal.” She had stopped by the door, looking down at the ground as one hand still rested on the handle. “I mean it, if you don’t want me sitting with you, then I can go. I just thought it might be nice to get to know one another. We work together every day and I know hardly anything about you.”
"I don't exactly make it easy for people" She let go of the handle then, this time looking at him with her dark caramel hues, a light smile on her face. "It is just, you always have a crowd around you at lunch. Everyone loves you, I didn't want you to feel obligated to sit with just me if you get called over to another table."
She had held the door open for him.
"I would be happy if you joined me for lunch."
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Post by Rich Calburn on Jul 5, 2011 18:32:49 GMT -7
"Of course it is alright"
Rich beamed. “Good.” Things were playing out into his hands, just the way he wanted. It was going to be so easy to twist her around his finger and bring her to Keeper and Steve. So easy it almost wasn’t fun.
“I’m glad to hear that.”
Despite the fact that Rich was almost always surrounded by people, he was, at heart, a loner. The people were his camoflage, his flock of sheep to hide the wolf under the wool cast offs. Everything he did was because it benefitted him, no matter how “nice” it might seem for someone else. The other people in the office would see his lunch with Miso as him being nice to her and trying to make friends with the shy girl. Rich saw Keeper’s good graces, and a win for his competition with Cajun. If Miso benefitted? Well, good for her.
"No! I promise you, it isn't like that"
“Then what is it?” He forced a perplexed look, but he enjoyed toying with her like a cat and a bug. It was too easy, really, for it to be a real challenge. As soon as he grew completely bored, she was done for. The thing was, how long would his interest hold out?
"I don't exactly make it easy for people"
“Isn’t that the truth?” He teased.
"It is just, you always have a crowd around you at lunch. Everyone loves you, I didn't want you to feel obligated to sit with just me if you get called over to another table."
“So I’m too popular to sit with you? I don’t know whether to laugh or be slightly offended.”
"I would be happy if you joined me for lunch."
“Then I believe I shall.” He smiled, heading inside.
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Post by Miso Shuu on Jul 5, 2011 19:11:20 GMT -7
“Then I believe I shall.”
Miso nodded, walking to her usual table and glancing toward the usual group of girls that followed him with their eyes as he followed her. They all seemed surprised, and as Miso expected their thoughts weren't actually them cheering on the fact that he was "befriending the shy girl".
"Oh my god, what is he doing with her? He always sits with us!"
"I don't get it, why would he be interested in a little mousey girl like her?"
"Oh, he definitely just wants something from her. I bet he just wants her cause she is Asian. Boy is he in for a surprise, I bet she is a real prude"
Miso actually grumbled underneath her breath as she went into the fridge and grabbed her lunch before returning back to the table. She sat beside him, because of the way the chairs were situated, and she felt strange being this close to him. She wasn't entirely comfortable with this, but she decided she would at least give him the chance. For some reason her mind drifted back to Gin and she found herself wanting to seek his guidance.
Well that was weird, why was being close to Richard making her want to reach out to Gin? She felt like she should be saying something to start their conversation up again because to her, any silence between them was incredibly awkward. However as she looked at him, she felt incredibly out of place and the thoughts of the girls a few tables over were not helping matters anyway.
Oh wait. Saliva was coming over. Saliva had to of been Rich's number fan girl in the office, and she was rather blunt with everything she said. Miso just kept eating her sandwich as Saliva flipped her blond hair with her hand and leaned on their table to address Richard.
Saliva was also the one that thought Miso was a prude.
"Rich, babe, the girls and I were just wondering if you are doing anything tonight? We are planning on going to the dance club and we would love for you to join us"
Miso remained quiet, eating her sandwich as if she wasn't even there.
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Post by Rich Calburn on Jul 7, 2011 21:14:10 GMT -7
It took Rich only a few minutes to head to the fridge and pull out a plain brown bag, which he brought back to the table he was sharing with Miso. If he noticed the other girls watching him, he didn’t show it. In fact, it was almost like he had no idea there was anyone else in the room besides himself and Miso.
In truth, Rich was damn well aware they were watching him, and he didn’t give a shit. He flirted with all the office girls, giving them just enough to keep them interested, but never committing to anything. It was like Karen, only he actually felt a little bit of attraction to these women. With Karen, all he wanted was a shower in nitroglycerin.
He pulled his sandwich out of the bag, taking a bite as he resisted the urge to check his phone. Rich was one of those guys, the ones that carried their Blackberry obsessively and seemed to have it permanently attached to their hand. He was sure that by now, at least one of his fellowship members had sent him an email or a text, and he sincerely hoped it wasn’t Karen.
He had almost grabbed for his phone when he remembered that he was there on a job- and he smiled politely at Miso. He opened his mouth to say something when a voice interrupted him, and he turned to glare at the woman that had interfered.
"Rich, babe, the girls and I were just wondering if you are doing anything tonight? We are planning on going to the dance club and we would love for you to join us"
He had the perfect view down her shirt from where he was sitting, and something told Rich that that was intentional. “No thank you.” His words were polite, but his tone was frosty. “I don’t want to go. That is… unless Miso wants to.”
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Post by Miso Shuu on Jul 8, 2011 13:12:26 GMT -7
She should of been entirely comfortable with Richard, who woudn't want his company? He was a very attractive and intelligent man who had seemed to have no other intentions than just getting to know her. It all seemed a little odd to Miso, but she was willing to give Rich the benefit of the doubt. Like she told him earlier, it wasn't like she made it easy for people to get to know her.
Was Miso annoyed that Saliva had rudely interupted their lunch and was currently bent over the table so that unfortunately she was forced to look at the woman's breasts as well? - incredibly. Miso could hide it well as she just sat there and continued to eat her sandwich. Until Rich had answered her -
”No thank you”
Miso stopped mid chew, glancing over at Richard with a questionable glance.
“I don’t want to go. That is… unless Miso wants to.”
Miso swallowed her sandwich, Saliva was obviously as surprised as she was. Saliva gritted her teeth and Miso purposely avoided eye contact with the woman because she really didn't want to know what the woman was thinking about her.
”Sure, there is enough room in the limo for one more body. What do you say Mouse? Will you join us as well?”
Mouse. Miso didn't know what was worse, Saliva using that nickname – or Saliva using that nickname in front of Richard. Miso looked up from her sandwich as she tried to stifle a smirk that was forming on her lips. ”Actually, I have other plans. But thank you. Please go away”
She had said it so politely that it was hard for Saliva to do anything except walk away.
”Well if you change your mind Richard, the girls and I will be at Club Cleko tonight”
She left, and Miso glanced toward Richard. ”I don't really have plans. Except, maybe going up to the rooftop of my apartment building where George, the janitor plays a few cords on the piano every Wednesday night. I'm sorry I didn't say yes to going, I just don't do dance clubs.”
The truth was, she wanted to open up to him, even though her gut was telling her otherwise. It was about time Miso got to know other people, right?
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Post by Rich Calburn on Jul 8, 2011 20:51:06 GMT -7
The look on Rich’s face was triumphant as the woman stared from him to Miso. He was a good enough judge of character to know that he had picked correctly in allowing Miso to decide- she would say no, which meant that he didn’t have to go to a club that would be loud and crowded and absolutely stupid- and the girl wouldn’t hear a deliberate no from him either, which meant that if Miso backfired, he still wouldn’t come back emptyhanded to the next meeting.
”Sure, there is enough room in the limo for one more body. What do you say Mouse? Will you join us as well?”
His gaze slid to Miso, his expression still aloof. The ball was in her court, though he was sure this would be a game changing hit.
”Actually, I have other plans. But thank you. Please go away”
Rich didn’t even bother to stifle his laugh.
”Well if you change your mind Richard, the girls and I will be at Club Cleko tonight”
“Thank you, but no thank you. If you knew anything about me at all, you’d know that I would never be caught dead in Cleko.” Rich’s smile was brilliant, but almost hungry, like a shark. True, the comment was for Miso’s benefit- he could tell how much she hated the other girl, it was painfully obvious- but it was definitely for him as well. He wanted to appear even more solidly on her side.
”I don't really have plans. Except, maybe going up to the rooftop of my apartment building where George, the janitor plays a few cords on the piano every Wednesday night. I'm sorry I didn't say yes to going, I just don't do dance clubs.”
“It’s fine, really. I didn’t want to go either.” He wasn’t lying, that much was clear. “I like places a bit more sophisticated than Cleko.”
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Post by Miso Shuu on Jul 8, 2011 21:53:39 GMT -7
“Thank you, but no thank you. If you knew anything about me at all, you’d know that I would never be caught dead in Cleko.”
Miso saw the color drain from Saliva's face, the woman was embaressed and stunned, and Miso didn't feel sorry for her in the slightest. In fact, the girl fully deserved it and she remained quiet as she watched the girl walk awkwardly back to her friends. There was little said from Saliva, her friends had suddenly picked up what remained of their meals and went out of the cafeteria which left Miso and Richard alone.
“It’s fine, really. I didn’t want to go either. I like places a bit more sophisticated than Cleko.”
Miso had finished her sandwich, lightly munching on a tiny sandwich bag of cherry tomatoes she had packed in her lunch as well. She was still looking at the now empty table where the girls had been sitting, a thought crossing her mind.
”They still like you, girl's are like that. You may have embaressed Saliva today but tomorrow it will be like nothing ever happened.”
She was looking back at Richard, a smile forming on her face.
”I can't promise that a rooftop is more sophiscated than Club Cleko, but it is definately more quiet and I enjoy it. You are welcome to join me, should you find yourself exploring any other roof tops tonight.”
She almost couldn't believe the words had come out of her mouth, she had actually invited him out – and to some place that was far more personal than a dance club. It also meant, if he did agree, that he would know exactly where she lived – she just wondered if he realized just how much of a big deal this was. Nobody, other than her boss, knew where she lived – and only because he signed her checks. Maybe she was just tired of being a mouse, or maybe it was something else entirely, but whatever it was... Richard had an opening he probably would never get again.
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