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ofstormythoughts · 3 years ago

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Flustered (Part 2)

••I hadn’t a clue what I was doing. I looked at my bed, littered with a pile of clothes I had tried on and rejected. Maybe I would burn it later since nothing looked right. Maybe the flames would be so large the guy in the fire would walk right out of them and I’d be forced to cancel.

I hadn’t been on a date since college and it was a spectacular failure. I had only accepted at Birdie’s urging. I hadn’t really even found that guy cute, but Birdie had worried about my social life out of love and encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone. She was very vocal about “not raising a nun” and all the reasons why I couldn’t miss out on sex. How I wished she could see me now… I might have changed her mind.

For all her teasing, Birdie also understood the obstacles standing in the way of my sexual revolution. In my limited history, boys’ thoughts were obnoxious, their ideas propelled by urges that started behind their zipper. I was too shy to experiment with girls, but I found them pretty and soft, inviting in their own way. I was not absent of urges or desires, and explored them through thoughts and wandering fingertips, but in the deepest of places, I longed for companionship and the experiences it would open me up to.

But first…clothes. An exhibitionist I was not, and before I could make up some false excuse and cancel, I was going to find something to wear.

A half an hour, five pairs of jeans, a skirt and three different tops later, I was out the door. I’d ended up in a dress and a light sweater since we’d be outside. Will had asked to pick me up but did not seem put off when I asked to meet instead. I wasn’t anticipating anything awkward outside of my nerves, but needed to maintain some level of control to be comfortable.

The drive went quick and tingling anxiety surfaced as I found a parking spot then made my way to the front of the restaurant. Will was standing there and was maybe even cuter than I originally recognized the day before. His collared shirt was a few buttons shy from done, revealing some skin, and patterned with pale blue and pink flowers. Before I could even say hello, he broke into a grin so wide I forgot I had a tongue. I didn’t miss how he checked me out, his eyes dropping to my toes then making their way back up, leaving heat under my skin in their wake.

“Damn. The red hair might end me.” He leaned closer, close enough I could feel his breath on my ear. “You’re a knockout. Better stick close or the dogs will approach.” There was no missing his hand sliding to my lower back while I fumbled for words.••

You look better in floral than I do, Will, they might come sniff you first. ••He laughed and then my own came easy. Maybe I wouldn’t be a complete mess after all, but the sun had yet to set. He opened the door and I followed his lead all the way up to the lounge. It was obviously a hot spot, everyone looked their L.A. best, chic, stylish and probably a few years my junior. I didn’t mind and was quickly distracted by the view of the ocean and beach. I silently thanked the angels on my side for a location so close to the water, where the thoughts of others didn’t fill my mind with a static, despite the breeze. The host led us to a corner high-top that felt further away from the fray and Will made sure I sat before he popped into the seat next to me.

“This place will get crazy later, but hopefully we’ll be out there by then.” He pointed towards the stretch of beach that seemed endless in either direction. “I’m not feeling like fighting off the competition.”

I snorted a laugh and quickly covered my mouth.•• I’m sorry, but I think you’re overestimating my appeal.

••Will quickly shook his head. “Nope. You’re a hottie. And I'm pretty sure that it’s not just the packaging that’s beautiful.”

I knew I had turned into a tomato by the way my cheeks burned so hotly. There was no way he would miss it.•• Let’s just pretend that’s not the case before I suffer an incurable blush.

••He shifted in his chair next to me, grinning in success, but didn’t push it any further. I exhaled too loudly in relief.

“Are you up for a cocktail? Wine? Beer? Or are we going straight for the grub?”

I didn’t drink often. I wasn’t against it or anything, I just never really had an occasion. Drinking alone seemed depressing, but in good company I was free to embrace experience. Lifting the menu, I scanned the signature drinks.••

I think I’ll go out on a limb and try The Ultimate Froze. ••Will smiled at me and I hoped that I wasn’t making a mistake by indulging in the cocktail, a mix of rosé, gin and strawberry. Five minutes later it was too late to turn back when the drinks were delivered, he had landed on an IPA.

“To new friends and future confessions,” Will said. He raised his beer and I tapped my glass to his.••

What’s this about confessions? I’m not sure I have any of those to share…

••My eyes narrowed playfully just before I took a sip of my drink and BAZINGA… WHOA… it may have been the strongest beverage to ever pass my lips. I needed to take it slow or risk drowning… there was no lifeguard in sight!

“Here’s one for you. I’m shy of confirmation but pretty sure that Eileen set us up.”••

Your mom?

••”Yep, mhmm. She was raving about your business and just how pretty you are.” He leaned over, his lips just barely catching the edge of my ear, sending a shiver cascading down my neck.

“Truthfully, she may have undersold that part.” He swayed back into his own space while I attempted to recover from his expertly played words. I felt like I was in the deep end when I still had the floaties on because I was learning how to swim. Apparently I thought it was best to have more of my drink before speaking and I took another, longer pull from my straw. Pacing schmacing.•• You have to stop doing that!

••”Stop doing what exactly, Raine?” Okay, I was really unprepared for how he purred my name or the power of his grin… they were doing things to me. I was quite positive Birdie was somewhere up above, tickled by it all.••

Wooing me. I’m not used to this type of attention.

••That only widened the grin that didn’t quit. Another sip and I was definitely starting to host a buzz.

“Maybe that’s exactly what I’m trying to do. Probably not going to stop. Plus, at this point, I might take a lack of blush as an abject failure.”

The evening continued as it had started, peppered with laughter and compliments, and an easy conversation I hadn’t had with anyone in the past. We bonded over another round of drinks and some sweet and spicy Thai chili wings that were worth the sticky fingers and extra napkins. When he asked if I’d like to go sit on the beach for a while, it was a quick yes. I didn’t stop him when he took my hand, fingers twining as we headed towards the waves.

Will lit up as he shared his passion for surfing, and I found myself curious if there was anything that brightened me in a similar way outside of my business. I’d always been so driven, especially after Birdie’s passing, to open the apothecary. As he spoke, I realized I may have thrown myself into a profession to avoid the pitfalls of my oddities. It was safe. I suddenly found myself craving something more, and was even willing to slip past any caution tape I found ahead.

As the warmth of the day faded from the sand underneath us, and stars were obscured by a veil of mist from the ocean, we fell quiet, but remained connected. Anticipation swelled with the waves, and though I sensed it before it happened, Will managed to catch me off guard.

“You really are pretty.” He lifted his hand and tilted my chin before his lips pressed to mine. At first it was tentative, testing, but Will didn’t peel away, instead sucking and teasing at my lips before they parted in permission. Everything picked up. His tongue flicked and explored, and his hand found my hair. I was pliant and open, tasting his mouth in return, finding the flow that came naturally. My breath hitched as his hand moved down my side but then back up and…whoa…whoa…whoa…he was cupping and squeezing my breast, his thumb grazing over my nipple, before I could even realize how quickly things were progressing. My heart started to hammer faster, nerves breaking through the heady-haze the alcohol had provided.

He groaned as he easily tilted me back, taking me to the sand and nerves started to turn to panic… This was fast, way too fast…but I liked it and I liked him. At least I thought I did. I did, right? I was looking for the brakes in a vehicle I’d never driven. My thoughts started to take me out of the moment, but his hand snaking under my skirt and trailing up my thigh brought my attention back to the present. He broke the kiss to speak against my lips.

“Let’s get out of here…and out of these clothes.” My stomach dropped and, instinctively, I shook my head. I was struggling for words again…but this time in a different way. There was no way Will could have guessed that I had never slept with anyone, but even not knowing that, I was not a dummy, I knew there were many women who didn’t hook up on a first date. ••

I think it would be better if we said goodnight, yes? ••I pressed a soft kiss to the edge of his mouth, hoping to soothe any burn my words left behind. I was not rejecting him, but his expression fell.••

Goodnight, not goodbye. I’m sorry…I didn’t mean… I like you, Will. And I would really love to see you again.

••He nodded, but I could see the disappointment coloring his features. He stood and offered a hand, which I took.

“I’ll walk you to your car.” He was trying, I could see that, but it was plain that something had shifted as we headed in the direction I had parked. When we arrived at my VW, I felt it was up to me to break the silence that weighed down the air between us. I didn’t shy away from his eyes, meeting them head on.••

I had a really good time. I can easily say that was my best date ever. ••Will smiled a little at that, and I leaned back against my car, bumping his shoulder with mine, and he finally spoke.

“I feel like I should apologize, but I’m not going to. And I’m not going to defend myself either.”••

You stopped…you don’t have to defend anything.

••His eyebrow raised at that, and I could tell he found my response watery at best, but it was true…

“You have no idea how hot you are, Raine, and that only makes you even more attractive. I’m not going to deny I wanted to get you out of that dress, but I promise you, I would have wanted to see you again and it was not a one night stand, walk of shame situation.” The past tense didn’t escape me, but I forged ahead.••

I believe you… it’s just…I’m not ready for that, yet.

••”Then there’s hope.” He pulled me into his chest and gave the warmest hug. All varieties of tension fell away.••

Call me. You have my number. ••I winked, hoping he saw the subtle allusion to when I’d accepted the date.

“I’ll see you soon, Raine.” He waited until I’d driven away to turn his back and stuff his hands in his pockets, shoulders sagging. The image in my rearview mirror somehow confirmed his parting message to me just wasn’t true.••

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ofstormythoughts · 3 years ago

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Flustered (Part 1)

••My day had been entirely quiet. I’d fulfilled the orders placed online and the silence persisted. Thankfully I’d brought along a book that had served as my companion the past few days. I was in the thick of a literary moment when the chime alerted me to someone walking through the door. I set the book down in the middle of reading a sentence, slightly put off by the interruption, which was terrible of me, I should be grateful-

My internal admonishment was stunted as my eyes landed on who had walked through the door. He was not a regular and he was super cute. I fumbled for a mask just as he held up a hand and launched a protest.

“I hope it’s not too presumptuous for me to say what a shame it would be to cover that smile… And those rosy cheeks.”

Without a thought one hand flew up to cover a blush far too late, I was caught.

I blamed his hazel eyes and brown curls that looked styled by the salt of the ocean and swept by the breeze. He was dressed casually in a burgundy t-shirt and low slung, grey jeans, which I had no business looking at or thinking about!

He spoke up again, putting my sudden fluster on pause.

“I forgot mine in the car, I can go grab it if you want.” He thumbed over his shoulder and waited. I shook my head.••

Force of habit. You’re fine.

••He smiled, damn him! He SMILED. “Do you really think so?”

Was he flirting? Was this flirting? Was I flirting?! I could almost feel the presence of my Birdie nudging me along, giving my rump an encouraging smack to continue. He wasn’t cocky, he was…teasing? Who was I kidding, I didn’t know. I nodded and words flew out of my mouth before I could really analyze the direction I wanted to go.••

Masks should be banned for you. ••I hoped he missed the way my eyes flared in surprise at myself and didn’t know that I’d just thrust myself into an internal panic.

“You must be Raine.” Before I could launch into a nervous line of questioning about just how he knew my name, he filled in the blanks.

“My mom sent me to pick up an order. Just call me errand boy.”

That earned him a laugh.••

It’s nice to meet you, errand boy. ••He approached until he was close enough to extend his fist. I lifted my own, bumping knuckles like I was actually cool and knew what I was doing.

“I’m Will. But you can call me errand boy if you like it better.” He winked! That didn’t help, because when he did, I noticed just how long his lashes were, and how prettily they framed those hazel eyes. My cheeks were warm again and I felt doomed. I couldn’t even recall a time after high school I’d had a conversation like this. And it wasn’t even really a conversation. I was standing there flustered while he was all cool and collected and flirting…or something. I tried to gather myself as much as I could, focusing on how sweet it was for him to come on behalf of his mother.••

It’s nice to meet you all over again, Will. What name is the order under?

••”Right to business. Ouch.”

He brought his hand over his heart and clutched it as if in pain. He probably had a string of girls that were head over heels for him with how easily he had maneuvered me into the territory of interest. I couldn’t help another laugh.

“Last name is Ledger.” My recognition was immediate.••

Oh! Eileen! I was wondering why I hadn’t seen her. Is everything alright?

••I turned to grab her order from the drawer. She had a bi-monthly subscription for a green tea night cream and Roman chamomile cuticle oil. She was such a fan she had referred to me at least five of her friends. I was humbled by her patronage. While turned, it was subtle but I caught a few inklings of heat up my spine, as if eyes were on me.

“Peachy. She took a trip to Santa Barbara with my aunt and said it would be rude for her to leave her order sitting here when, also according to her, I was perfectly available and could stop by after Dawn Patrol.”

Aha! At least I wasn’t so out of the loop that I knew he wasn’t a cop and that was a surfing reference. I turned back around in time to catch him as his eyes drifted back up, suddenly feeling on more solid footing than I’d been. My smile was warm with maybe the slightest hint of “gotcha.”••

And how did those waves treat you?

••”Almost as good as that smile you just gave me.” He casually leaned on the counter while shamelessly stealing the ground I'd just gained.

“You could say… stunning. Got smacked a few times, but nothing I can’t handle.” My heart was thumping loudly in my ears. My response was completely incoherent.••

Your mom’s order is here. ••I slid it across the counter to him.•• No more smacks today.

••He kept up that smile like it was his mission to keep me stupefied by all the forward attention. It wasn’t unpleasant or creepy in the slightest… I kind of…liked it?

“Even if I asked for it?”••

Don’t tempt me. ••I breathed a sigh of relief because it wasn’t the worst answer I could have come up with and was better than the silence that would usually follow attention like that.

“I gotta say, if this is what happens when I play errand boy, I’ll sign on more often.” Will grabbed the small bag and thankfully started to back towards the door before turning to face it. I felt the slightest inkling of disappointment as he opened the door to go.

“See you again, Raine.”

Annnnnnnnnnd he was gone. I let out a breath and relaxed. I’d survived flirtation. I maybe even enjoyed flirtation. I possibly, maybe, hadn’t totally sucked at said flirtation. Before I could settle into my circular thoughts and review of the conversation with Will, the door chimed again. Will stalked in and straight up to the counter.

“Couldn’t do it. Leave like a dumb ass without your number, or a date. How about it, Raine? Can I take you out, say…tomorrow night?” I slid my phone in front of me without a word and met his eyes with mine.••

What’s your number, Will?

••”310-222-9761” I added his number to my contacts then promptly sent him a text.••

Now you have mine, and your answer.

••He fetched his phone from his back pocket, his smile widening when he read my three letter reply. I had a date.••

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ofstormythoughts · 4 years ago

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Don’t Scream - @TheRedDoors_ Halloween Prompt

••I was too aware of details...like the click of the lock when I turned my key to close up Birdie’s, my apothecary, and the faint sound of the ocean like a whisper instead of a roar. The block was empty of life, a still picture rather than a world in motion. It was a little disquieting that even the Toy Box was dark.

I started to walk briskly to my car which seemed further away than I'd remembered parking it. The echo of my footsteps was unsettling. I subsequently wished I'd worn something soft-soled so I could better blend with the foreboding quiet.

Without reason, I began an internal review of where the day had gone wrong. The white dress I couldn't resist wearing. The juniper and eucalyptus essential oil blend that I had to mix because it was flying off the shelves, a popular item during the Halloween season. I should have saved that task for the morning. Maybe had my hands been fresh, I wouldn't have spilled an entire bottle down the front of my white dress. Had that not happened, I wouldn't have stayed so long past closing trying, fruitlessly, to remove the oil from said dress.

I had nearly made it to my car when an unnatural chill slithered up my spine, a prelude to what came moments later.

"Don't scream."

I recognized the voice but fell short of identifying it, too overcome with fear and a surge of adrenaline that left my heart beating in a sick thud. Before I could get out even a note of a scream, my mouth was covered and an arm locked around my waist. The taste of leather from his glove seeped between my lips, the flavor landing acrid and unpleasant on my tongue. I bit down hard to no avail and stretched my arms towards my car in vain as it quickly vanished from view. And then for a reason I couldn’t recall, it all went black.

****

I came to, immediately aware I was bound to some kind of table, inhaling sharply when I frantically jerked to see if I could struggle free. Sharp points bit into the skin at my ankles and wrists, the pain branching outward. I couldn't get a full breath thanks to what felt like burlap shoved into my mouth, leaving it dry, held in place by a leather strap. I tilted my head and saw there were thorny vines woven into the rope that was tied in intricate knots. I was not getting out of them.

He was not in view when his voice breached the quiet.

"Inventive, isn't it? I like to use things from the garden, too." He left the words hanging between us.

So casual. Smug. Nonchalant.

I fought against the threat of tears as he approached, adamant I wouldn’t reward him with even one, clinging to the last strands of my dignity and control. He had something in his hand… a cloth. He touched it to the inside of one ankle before dragging it up my calf then higher before duplicating the effort on the opposite leg. The sting of whatever he'd wet it with alerted me to flesh wounds where the dried thorns had punctured my skin during my initial struggle to get free.

I redirected my gaze to avoid a growing frustration, finding a window inset below arched ceilings. Hard edges of the broken stained glass had no light to refract, dull and unremarkable in the darkness. That was when the scent of lavender and something more astringent hit my nose… witch hazel. My stomach lurched when it dawned he was cleaning me, and for what sick purpose I refused to entertain a single guess.

I caught a flicker of light in my periphery. A candle. He had lit one. Light bounced aimlessly off the shards of stained glass in that window, the haunted eye of half a saint staring down at me.

He approached again, this time brandishing a knife meant for flaying. He started at my navel, the buttons of my dress popped free one by one with the tip of the blade, leaving me exposed anew, but not entirely stripped. A flick of his wrist snapped open the front of my bra, rendering me bare at the sternum. That was when I saw his face and my recognition was plain, I knew him...

I launched another fight against the thorned rope, not affecting even an inch of movement, the binds only clawing deeper into my flesh. While I was distracted he stepped away, then returned with that wet cloth, sponging where I was naked, pressing his nose to my neck after swabbing there, his predatory inhale making my skin crawl.

He hummed his content before adding, “Mother. You smell just like Mother.” I nearly retched.

He finished then, placing an extra focus on my wrists, the burn of the witch hazel drawing a muffled and reflexive scream over the gag.

“Shhhhhhhhh. This is what you deserve. This is what you earned. This is what happens when you think you’re too good. This is what happens when you don’t embrace God’s plan.”

My eyes pinched closed, resisting his taunting, his voice a sing-songy terror, but it kept going on and on. I realized after a few moments his thoughts were carrying on the stale, musty air of the dilapidated chapel. He’d stopped his chatter, but his mind was busy and he was far from done.

I closed my eyes, defying the submission he was attempting to elicit.

“Open your eyes or I will open them for you, Raine.” A threat.

“You know your best chance is to obey, don’t you? You have no one. You’re alone, with the exception of befriending that sex shop owner across the street -"

I growled over the gag, angry he mentioned her, straining passionately against my binds, failing again. He kept talking. His conversational tone pissed me off.

“- but definitely no family. You live alone. You moved by yourself. You like to stare into the fire at night. You’ve been getting headaches.”

The isolating reality of what he was saying cloaked me in the heavy weight of its truth. The intimate details confirmed he had stalked me.

The humidity of his breath landed on my face moments before he lost his composure. “Open your damn eyes, whore!”

Odd how I felt offended by name calling when I was facing certain torture and probable death. I claimed his anger as a small victory. The more he demanded, the more I refused. My resistance would likely be my downfall, but I wouldn’t acquiesce to his orders. I didn’t waver when he climbed up on the table, nor when his weight was above me, straddling my hips.

“This was your choice, Raine. YOURS!” He was more petulant than sinister, but still some sordid twist of the two.

The cool edge of the knife at the outer corner of one eye left my body tense, and I braced as best I could. He drew the tip of the blade outward like an eyeliner wing. It wasn’t to the bone, but the cut left beads of bloody teardrops in its wake. Sheer panic washed over me, and fear crept up the back of my raw throat in the form of bile, stinging as he consequently got the tears I’d held at bay.

He moved to the opposite eye, splitting it open from the corner, blood and salt mingling, burning above my cheeks. My eyes opened lazily to see him holding the candle over me. The upward fade of light on his face illuminated a malevolent expression but otherwise ordinary features. The dark cast of his eyes translated his intention to see this through. I fought harder, arching below him, straining to break free, angry I’d been trapped, bitter for the way in which he had deprived me of any true chance.

He began to move at a more frantic pace. He snuffed out the candle, the flame morphing into a plume of smoke, my precognition extinguished along with the wick. I mourned that part of myself as hot wax spilled haphazardly on my skin.

The next sensation I knew was the knife slicing up the inside of my thigh like it was softened butter, still not deep enough to fatally wound me. The trickle of blood behind my knee was tickling in an offense that left me on the verge of misplaced laughter, but shock absolved me of the reaction.

“Symmetry is key. Symmetry is key.” He sang as he repeated the laceration on the other leg, the pain vivid as my body had depleted its store of adrenaline. There was no escaping the agony as I choked against the gag, my body in the throes of fight or flight.

My thirst for water was beyond quenching, the comfort of it, its soothing nature a distant memory, or had it even been real? I didn’t know anymore. The edges were fuzzy… Out of energy, I started to resign. The point of the knife scoring my arm temporarily revived me. He was careful not to hit an artery, that wasn’t the death he’d planned for me.

The world started to shake. Delirious, it took a moment to realize it was my own violent shivering creating the illusion. I was wet with blood, the thorny vines around the rope absorbing the impressions my torture would leave. As more of my blood spilled, my unseen connections to the elements were severed.

One by one, I was stripped of my gifts. I’d concluded there was more than a single way to lose your virtue, a sobering revelation in the moments that preceded my death. My captor wasn’t a sage man, but in a stroke of dumb luck, he had found a way to leach out of me the very abilities that had made me unique.

What remained of them was the air, and though I was clinging to the threadbare connection, it was fleeting. My breaths came in tattered inhales and ragged exhales. He dragged his finger through the semi-coagulated blood that came from my eyes, painting my lips with the remnants and removing the gag from my mouth.

He put the bloody finger to his lips, but the signal was wasted. I couldn’t muster a scream, if even a whimper. His eyes were unkind as he stood behind me at the head of the table and wrapped bare hands around my neck. It was almost strange to recognize the gloves were gone as he started to squeeze, my eyes flaring then falling into a languid blinking.

And then, abruptly, he stopped. My breathing was more like a reflex, shallow, rhythmic gasps for air. Maybe it wasn't my end after all.

My eyelids were heavy...so heavy as I flirted with blacking out. And then he was on the table with me again, seeking my eyes as his hands found easy purchase around my throat.

“You should have said yes."

They were the last words I heard. His grip had a finality to it I could not argue, a sickening crack resonating when my windpipe was crushed under the pressure. My consciousness drained and the air distilled into quiet. I gasped a final time, body falling lax then limp, fading from the light of life into the ink and permanence of death.••

****

Epilogue

Maren Banks was great at her job. She loved her work, except on the days she didn’t. Some deaths were too gruesome to imagine, and while she enjoyed the deeper look that certain cases required, this one had made her shudder. The pieces came together, though. They usually did.

They’d found the young woman’s body left on the stairs leading up to the abandoned chapel. Head below the feet, arms splayed wide, in the shape of an inverted cross. Her blood had smeared a pathway from the altar, a train of gore that trailed between the pews, out the door and down the steps where her body was discovered.

She had been anointed in oils, first on her dress, and then directly on her body. Ritual. At least it seemed. She had thorns and rope around her wrists, the knots strange and not the standard fare. Maren had done some Googling and it had paid dividends, they closely resembled something called a witch’s ladder. The lack of hair threw her, but it was close enough. Maybe the killer was a novice.

Maren could still see her beauty despite the way her body had been defiled, sepia-stained by her own blood. Her red hair stood out in startling contrast against her death-pale skin. There was evidence she’d put up a fight; Maren wished there’d been a different outcome.

At the crime scene, investigators found a dark purple candle; Maren noted the droplets of wax to match on her skin. There was leftover rope and some of the vines still tied around the altar. The knife hadn't been found. The internal examination had revealed the victim was a virgin. For Maren that was the missing piece.

She completed the requisite information on the death certificate ahead of time, so all that was left to fill in was the cause of death. It was upsetting to Maren that the next of kin entry was blank. She was usually better at compartmentalizing her emotions, but this was tragic in a way she couldn’t shake.

Pulling the field up on her MacBook she committed to her findings, listing the cause of death: Dark Magic.

“I’m sorry, Raine. You deserved a better fate.” Maren Banks wasn’t wrong about that.

But she was wrong about something, the cause of death. The case would go cold, remaining unsolved. It was a rare occasion in which Maren Banks had gotten it wrong.

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ofstormythoughts · 5 years ago

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What Happens at the Toy Box Part 1 with @OneCheekyGal

Raine

••I wasn't quite sure what to make of my non-grand-opening Grand Opening, but Birdie's had done surprisingly well in the first few months, even considering the challenges that came with 2020. I had sorely lacked in marketing myself but it seemed I had garnered enough local fanfare by word of mouth, I’d even sold out of some of what I had on offer. I felt greedy in my happiness despite all the effort it took to realize this dream that spanned more than my own lifetime. The only way in which I had announced my arrival into the scene was via introduction to the surrounding business owners and shop managers. There was a sole location that had evaded me. The Toy Box had managed to both pique my interest and stoke a sadness when I tried to stop by. Clearly it was not a store for children as the name would imply by a glance from afar. Thankfully it was in my nature to cast a deeper line into the sea of curiosities. I wondered the story behind its extended closure and during some lulls in my own foot traffic, I was prone to imagining its caretaker had been swept up into a torrid love affair and was sailing around the world with an incomparable lover. The wind held the secrets of The Toy Box at bay, sadly, so I was left to my own musings. It had become a habit to glance across the way before I opened and I held a silent yearning to see the sign switched from “Closed” to whatever elusive welcome alerted the passer by the store was open for business.

This was why when I stepped out to tend the garden and saw the door open that hadn't been since my arrival, excitement quickened my pulse. It was silly, really, but I wouldn't feel my induction into the local scene had been completed until I met this last neighborhood retailer.

My next appointment wasn’t scheduled for an afternoon and I could use a technology break. Setting up the online store was not on my list of favorite things to do. Locking up Birdie's temporarily, I sprung into action, lest I miss my chance and face that closed sign. I nearly skipped across the street before happily crossing the threshold that had been to date a gatekeeper to my curiosity. A bright but genuine smile curved my lips as I approached the petite and pretty girl behind the register, sure to keep a proper distance since I wasn’t wearing a mask. Maybe it had been my daydreaming of her whereabouts, but on sight of her alone, I found my interest in her story piqued even more than all the wares for sale. I tried to keep my gaze from wandering and my eyes from widening at all the things, some which I wasn’t completely naive to, others that had me clueless about their potential use.••

Camille:

*The decision to temporarily close my shop so I could take a vacation had given me heaps of anxiety and a weight of worry on my shoulders that felt heavier than the Costco sized bag of cat food I liked to buy for Betty. I had considered hiring someone temporarily while I was away, but the efforts of training them for such a short period of time seemed like more of a hassle than losing the week’s worth of sales.

What had started out as being closed for a short holiday had unexpectedly turned into something much longer. I had been out of the country enjoying the sand and sun when the travel restrictions and the COVID pandemic had been declared, and upon my return home, a mandatory quarantine had been instituted which meant the shop doors would unfortunately be staying closed.

Fortunately, my online shop was already well established and after an emailed Newsletter to my customer list indicating orders could still be placed during the brick and mortar closure, the lull that my vacation created gradually picked back up. My rainy day savings had helped during the months where in store purchases were entirely obsolete. In my time away and then the subsequent closure, the small cluster of businesses in the area surrounding mine seemed to stay fairly stagnant, with the exception of a new shop that I had completely missed opening, I could only assume it happened while I was away. I hadn't planned to make the time to introduce myself. New businesses tended to avoid mine. God forbid someone admitted to knowing the owner of a sex shop...not that it phased me anyways. The day I had been phased to re-open the shop, I used a wedge of wood to prop the door open to help get rid of the stale air while I dusted for the first few hours. I didn't expect a rush of customers even though I had made a re-opening announcement on the shop’s website with the new hours, and had sent out a discount code to my email list in the hopes of drumming up some more sales and maybe even some foot traffic. It felt good to get back to my old routine of keeping busy and taking pride in what I had built up over the years. It was while I was in the middle of organizing a new countertop display of novelty single condoms that someone walked through the open door. My smile, the one that was reserved just for customers came back to my lips easily, just like old times and as I angled the stand next to the cash register just so, I greeted the lovely looking redhead and tried to guess in my mind what she might be here for...a game I sometimes liked to play with myself just for fun.* Hello, how can I help you today?

Raine

•• I was immediately disarmed by the friendly body language of the girl that I was meeting at long last. My eyes betrayed me by stealing glances at the various displays which were successful in drawing the attention of a complete sexual novice, hoping the color of my cheeks was not as evident as the warmth I felt there. I could only imagine that someone with more experience would be quick to spend their savings based on the appealing presentations alone. I felt oddly at ease and out of place all at once, perhaps the impressive and colorful water wall behind the shop’s mistress was at work. I couldn’t help but appreciate that her store had its own water feature befitting its personality just like my own at Birdie’s.•• First, apologies for my barging in without paying mind to whether or not you were actually open. I saw from across the street that you were no longer shuttered and I was too excited for any patience. I’m Raine and I just opened up across the way. •• As I smiled, I caught a glance of a beautiful and fluffy white cat circling her legs, wrapping its tail around her, perhaps to state “She is mine.”•• I have been eagerly awaiting your return, there was a void because you’ve been nowhere to be found. Maybe the universe wanted me to save the best for last.

Camille

*The way the girl looked around with wide eyed curiosity as she approached had me titling my head and feeling momentarily stunted when it came to a guess of what she might possibly wish to purchase. She had the look of uncertainty until she spoke and then surprise took hold of my features before I could school them back into place.* Oh! You don't have to apologize. *As I peered through the window in the direction of where she indicated, I mumbled to myself how I hoped the welcoming committee had been nicer to her than they had been to me before I turned back to her and extended my hand to shake hers out of habit before I could stop myself, I laughed awkwardly and pulled my hand away, remembering to keep my distance.* It's very nice to meet you, Raine. I'm Camille and this here is Betty. *I bent down to pick up my cat and lifted her up into proper view.* Usually she hides away in the back but since today is the first day back after closing, she hasn't left my side. *As Betty nuzzled against me, I smiled for the comfort she brought then sat her back down and made my way around to the other side of the counter.* It's very sweet of you to want to introduce yourself...so did you open pretty recently, then? I was closed briefly for a holiday before the pandemic started and had to stay closed.

Raine

•• Nodding in immediate reaction as not to interrupt Camille before she was done speaking.••

Yes, three months ago, but we must have just missed each other for your sabbatical because I have been here for about five renovating. If you need any help settling back in, I’d be happy to volunteer. I haven’t made too many acquaintances and I am just getting my bearings, really so there are no social distractions to be had.•• I hoped I hadn’t been too forward. I had never much been desperate for human contact, but there was a smidge of isolation seeping in on the year anniversary of losing my Birdie. I tried to concentrate on the sweet of the bittersweet at my opening, but of course had been confronted with pangs of my loss. Daring another peek around, smiling as another blush warmed my cheeks. •• Not that I think you and Betty don’t have it handled. Do you mind if I take a look around? •• I was a mermaid out of water but that didn’t mean my curiosity was not at a healthy level. The range of items in my immediate view offered plenty of options for my perusal without my naivety making me completely foolish in front of my new kitty-corner shop neighbor.••

Camille:

*I couldn't help the smile that took hold of my lips when Raine offered to help me settle back in...and it clicked in my mind that I should have been the one to make that offer given how long the shop had been opened. I was starting to feel like I didn't deserve her kindness for how oblivious I had been to the renovations across the way. Thankfully her question brought me out of my mind and the pondering of what else I might have missed while my toes and head were in the sand.* Please, take your time and browse as much as you’d like. *Not wanting to make her feel like I was hovering or being one of those nosy shop owners, I moved back around to the other side of the counter to continue with the display I had been working on, speaking loud enough for her to hear without being intrusive.* I don't have much to do in the way of settling back into things, but I’d love to take a look around your place when you're not too busy. *As I waited for Raine to reply, the sound of a vehicle pulling up outside the shop demanded my attention, and an old familiar feeling of what it was like to be busy returned along with a pang of guilt for being away so long. That feeling slowly faded and was quickly replaced with interest as I watched the gentleman exit his truck and begin to walk across the parking lot, headed straight for the shop Raine had pointed out as hers. Turning back to see if she noticed, I called out to warn her.* Hey, um...Raine...I think you might have a customer…

Raine:

••My reaction of a sigh to the call to duty was uncharacteristic, but spoke to the fact I instinctually would like to get to know Camille and the setting of her shop was too perfect to urge me out of my hermit comfort zone. With the slightest reluctance I turned towards the door. I also knew whoever it was hadn’t made an appointment. While I was still allowing walk-ins, I had to limit the number of people in Birdie’s to three.••

You’re welcome to come across the way with me, if you’d like? I am not done exploring your shop, so either way, I will be back.

••With a little more quickening in my steps, I exited, hoping Camille might follow. I passed the man as casually as possible, but was greeted with thoughts that made my nose crinkle, as it was plain he was looking at my ass with graphic intentions of what he’d like to do to it. I flushed again, this time in embarrassment and anger, and not at all out of flattery. My eyes pinched closed just before I unlocked my door, the sanctuary and water feature running through the floor calmed my wild emotions and allowed me to form a smile that though unauthentic, would fool the man when he caught sight. He didn’t hesitate to return the smile, though his was dripping with sleaze. “Just back from lunch? Maybe next time I’ll get here earlier so you won’t have to eat alone.” I gagged at the back of my throat and wished to shove politeness aside, but with a little more cleverness than the man deserved.•• Too bad my lunch table is reserved for one and booked months in advance.

••I focused on the blessed sound of the water while he honed in on my chest with beady eyes, I turned out of view when he pestered me with more intrusive questions. “Boyfriend? Husband?” His pause was not long enough before he added, “Girlfriend? I’m more than willing to share.” I ignored his utterly insulting insinuations, refusing to satisfy any of his base curiosity, instead I fetched a bottle of Camphor essential oil, known to be used by monks to suppress sexual urges, smiling as I took his hand, dotting the top between middle and ring fingers with the oil.•• This is on special today. ••winking, though I felt like I must immediately return home to scrub myself clean for providing him any kind of returns to his advances•• Just for you.

••I made a show of using my own, house made blend of hand sanitizer as his smile somehow got creepier. It seemed like at least an hour had passed since I left the Toy Box, though I knew for certain it has been a short few minutes. “Oh, I didn’t come here to make a purchase. I’ve been watching you come and go and… decided today was the day I’d let my fiery little redhead crush in on the secret.” My eyes flared wide and the creepy crawlies multiplied from head to toe. Stupefied and appalled, I shook my head vehemently.•• I suggest you leave, go home and clean those binoculars you’ve been using, that way the next time you look you’ll see I’m not interested.

••”I wasn’t using binoculars --” Pointing out the door, my lips in a set in a stern line, frustrated with myself for entertaining any of this stupidity.••

Camille:

*I nodded at Raine when she excused herself with haste for her customer. I understood completely. New businesses were hard to turn a profit the first handful of years and each sale was important toward ensuring one’s livelihood. Not wanting to encroach on her sale, I took my time gathering my keys to lock the door but before I could, Betty snuck her fluffy white self out, circling my feet and curling her tail around my leg. With a smile, I scooped her into my arms and locked up my own shop, not at all concerned about missing out on a customer. There hadn't been any all day while I had been cleaning anyways.

As I approached Raine’s store front, I could see her speaking with the man then pointing toward the door with a look on her face that was unmistakable. It was an expression I had used more than a few times, I had perfected it, really. Generally it was used on under-agers, and despite my petite size, worked very well. I was no pushover. But this guy was old enough to know better and to know he wasn’t welcomed.* Oh man, Betty. I wonder if our new friend needs some reinforcements. *Squaring my shoulders, I pushed the door open and painted on my brightest smile.* Hey, Raine. *I took my time looking around while holding Betty, her purrs from being in my arms and having her head scratched slowly began to fade with each step I took closer to the man who still couldn’t take the hint.*

I just adore the water feature you have here, it’s so lovely. *Satisfied with being close enough to my new friend, I picked up a jar on a nearby table, pretending to look at the label as he spoke again. My nose scrunched at his blatant disrespect and I waited to hear how she would handle herself. Betty, ever the excellent judge in character, hissed in warning from my arms, and I caught Raine’s gaze briefly, winking as I quietly let my guard cat jump down from my hold. It seemed she had very quickly taken offence on Raine’s behalf and moved to circle around her legs as she always did with me. From my spot out of the guy’s view, I mouthed at Raine to pick Betty up, if he got any closer, I knew the claws would come out.*

Raine

••I knew we’d only just met, but Camille and Betty were both quickly becoming essential to my survival. Their audience reinforced my backbone, especially when I witnessed Betty hissing. Animals were the best judge of character and I caught Camille’s wink and easily read her lips.•• I’m afraid you will have to go now. I have a private consultation. ••I wasn’t prone to lie, but I also wasn’t an idiot. I needed to ensure this man got the message the first time lest he think there was any question in my denial. The encounter was new to me, I hadn’t ever really been in this position, but I was in a new locale and I was certain it wouldn’t be the last time.•• I’m so sorry, Camille, he was just leaving…

•• “Before I go, can I set up a private… consultation?” My stomach absolutely turned over, most especially for the way he rolled over the words private and consultation.•• Consultations are for customers intending to make a minimum purchase of five hundred dollars. You can call to set it up when you decide you are interested in my inventory. Now please leave.

••I watched as Betty sauntered closer to me, stopping right by my feet. I was flattered by my newfound feline friend’s quick warming up to me. When she nudged my calf with her nose, I dipped down, gingerly picking her up and surprised when I was greeted with a purr of her approval before she turned her head to the man and let loose a low growl. I watched as the sleaze put his hands up in relent and started backing towards the door. “I’ll see you soon, beautiful.” Disgusted, once he left I let out a sigh of exasperation.•• Please tell me they aren’t all like that here? And thank you, complete lifesaver. You too, Betty.

Camille

*As I waited for the jerk to get the hint Raine was trying to send his way, I found myself biting my tongue. She was being too kind, in my opinion. And if this guy was in my shop acting like this, I wouldn’t hesitate to tell him off and kick him out. Then again, I could recall when my shop was new, years ago and I had to have a few similar experiences in order to find my grit. Raine would find hers, too, I was certain of it.

Setting the jar I had picked up back down, I slowly made my way closer to Raine, just in case dickwad decided to do something dickwad-ish. Fortunately, Betty had done exactly what I had hoped, and helped reinforce Raine’s request that he leave. As he moved past me on his way to the door, I smirked when he made eye contact, which probably wasn’t the greatest idea as we were left with his promise to return.

Ew. Gross.

I really hoped not. Moving toward the door, I smiled over my shoulder at Raine as I twisted the deadbolt...just in case and watched as he climbed into an older truck and slowly left the parking lot. I’d make sure to keep an eye out for him over the next week or so. Something about him felt...off.

Raine’s voice brought me back from my thoughts and I laughed lightly at her question, giving a small shake of my head.* Not all of them. Usually I get the creeps at my store given what I sell... and even then, it’s not very often. *Moving closer to Raine, I reached out to scratch behind Betty’s ears* A casual mention of knowing how to use a whip is enough to get them to leave pretty quick. Want me to show you how in case he returns? *My offer was mostly a joke...mostly.*

Raine

••I laughed at the offer while simultaneously blushing. I liked Camille, a lot, but to say I wasn’t intimidated by all her wares would be complete fabrication. Still, my world was fairly lonely and my desire to branch out and make friends well outweighed any embarrassment over my naivety. For truth, Camille was the first person I’d felt comfortable with and conversation was coming too easy. It had always been Birdie and me and I’d never had true friends, only passing acquaintances. I couldn’t live a cloistered life anymore, and though it made me nervous to open up, I had already made the first steps with Camille, I could only hope she wasn’t just being polite.•• Do you offer beginner courses or something that comes before beginner?

••Laughing again, I sat Betty down on the counter top and turned to reach for a bottle of a special elixir that I didn’t typically share with someone I’d just met, it was more reserved for requests of a special nature. I couldn’t help but recall that I’d blushed, too, when Birdie had first brought up the idea of concocting this particular blend of extracts, mostly for the reason behind it. She had gently encouraged me, in a way only she could get away with, to come out of the nunnery and embrace my sexuality. She’d imparted her blunt wisdom, insisting I didn’t need a partner to learn what I liked myself. I probably didn’t quite crack the mold of my prudishness in a way she had hoped I would, but I dared to believe that my entry into a sex shop and making an acquaintance of its proprietor would have both made her laugh and proud.

I snapped out of my happy reverie back to the present before turning to face Camille with the bottle in hand.•• Since you so kindly served as my protector and have additionally offered me whip training, perhaps you will indulge me in sharing something of mine with you?

Camille:

Pre-beginner course? Hmm. Let me think...maybe a paddle or a soft flogger to start with before we get you yielding a whip then. *My laughter joined hers and it left me feeling good despite the lingering creepiness that she wasn’t afraid or too intimidated to joke around with me. Sure I had a handful of friends, but it had been a long while since I could claim anyone as a close friend or a best friend for that matter. And after the encounter with the disgusting guy, I felt a bond of sorts with her, and had already decided she was someone I wanted to be around. Her humour, while it skirted the edges of an obvious innocence gave me the impression she already appreciated my brand of unapologetic crass. It wouldn’t take long before I would help break her free of that shell, and I was confident it would be without much effort, too.

When she put Betty down on the counter, I reached out to run my hand over her arching back, scratching through her white fur all the way down along her tail, letting it twist around my fingers the way I always did as I watched Raine grab a small bottle. My head tilted in curiosity at what the contents might be. A smile grew easily at her offer and I nodded without hesitation, not caring in the least what it was.*

You know you don’t have to pay me back for doing what any friend would do. That guy was gross on so many levels! *laughing with a shudder, I shook my head continuing on so she didn’t think I was being rude.* But that doesn’t mean I’m going to say no. What is it?

Raine

••Laughing openly at the softened suggestions, I continued to be at ease in Camille’s company. It had been too long since I’d laughed in such an organic way, the feeling rising with a genuine rush. Even if I had no use for anything at all in her shop, I was interested in what more I could discover from her expertise. Though I was verging on a comfort level that had me wanting to leave the mask down, I pulled it up out of respect for her and in order to share a more intimate distance. Leaning across the counter, circling my fingers around her wrists and turning her palms upward, I smiled behind the silk of my mask.•• This is called… Awakening. Think of it as a bridge from my world to yours. ••My brow lifted to communicate the intrigue I hoped was translating. I twisted the top of the bottle off, the scent of lavender and ylang ylang blooming in the air. Retrieving a dropper from my sanitized tray and filling it with the oil. I dabbed each of Camille’s wrists and then circled my thumbs over each drop, gently massaging it into her skin before another application to my own fingers. Leaning slightly closer, I brought my fingertips up and behind her ears to dab just behind them before the last application to either of her temples. There were other pressure points for full effect but asking even her permission to do that would not be appropriate and would involve removing clothing.••

The effect will be subtle but this blend should allow you to clear out stale energies while refreshing you and opening you up to new and arousing potential. ••I could feel my cheeks warm again as I struggled to find the words to basically say what it was without blurting that it was basically like opening up a dam for energy that could block a libido. I wasn’t being presumptuous about her circumstance, my intention was to have fun.•• It will leave you attracting complimentary energies to your own. ••Betty meowed and butted her head against Camille’s arm, drawing another laugh.•• Looks as though Betty approves, unless I am reading her wrong. ••Lowers my voice though we are alone in the store.•• You can use it in other erogenous zones… the dimples on your back, the sternum, the inner part of your knee…

Camille:

*I found myself slightly surprised when Raine pulled her mask back on and leaned closer. Seemed I was getting an up close and personal demonstration of whatever this “Awakening” stuff was. My grin grew as she spoke and began to massage the small drops of oil into my skin. It smelled lovely and light, which was nice.

As soon as she moved her hands to my ears I couldn’t help the soft laugh which was immediately followed up with an apology and explanation of being ticklish there. My laugher was short lived however because the gentle circling of her fingers at my temples earned her a sigh for how nice it felt. I was so focused on the beginning of what felt like a slight warming tingle on my skin that I nearly missed when she explained what the oil was meant to do.

Now. I wasn’t normally someone who lived any kind of holistic lifestyle but damn if Raine didn’t have me rethinking that with the way she spoke and the way the oil felt as she applied it to my skin. I wanted it to do exactly what she said it would. I needed a complete and thorough cleansing of all stale energies. The whole world needed it really, but I didn’t think she had that many bottles of her oil.*

Complementary energies? Hmm.

*I was considering just how that could ever be possible given the whole social distance pandemic thing, but Raine’s laughter at Betty’s usual demand for affections drew me from my thoughts and I laughed with her as I gave my cat a scratch beneath her chin and returned my full attention back to Raine. Her lowered voice despite the fact that we were the only people in her shop had it dawning on me. Suddenly the warm tingling sensations on my skin and her mention of erogenous zones had me laughing. Loudly.*

Oh, Raine. You are quite the surprise. I just clued into what you’re trying to say this stuff is. *laughing some more and giving my head a shake, I lift my wrist to my nose to give the oil a proper smell.* You just put arousal oil on me. How forward for you. *winking with a teasing grin so she knows I’m not bothered at all, I point at the bottle* I hope it works with the whole complementary energies. And if not, I do enjoy the way it feels.

Raine

••I beam for the compliment of being a surprise, while I twist the dropper into the bottle, sliding it Camille's way•• I insist you indulge in the rest of the bottle. Maybe not all at once. ••laughs again, finding the atmosphere having lightened considerably from just earlier.••

Dare I suggest you try it somewhere I didn't? ••bats my lashes in acknowledgement of my less than innocent rhetorical••

If you're open to it, I think you may find it delivers on its promise with time and in its own way. Match.com it is not. ••a laugh bubbles up for how silly I feel talking this way and about things I've never conversed about.••

I only ask your honest feedback. ••biting my lip behind my mask before I pull it back down for a reprieve•• And maybe we could get together socially some time? I would be grateful for your company in the expanse of my wide open calendar.

Camille:

*Giving Raine a bright smile, I take the bottle and laugh with an understanding nod.* I promise not to dump the whole thing on my nipples in one go. *My snort is loud as I laugh again, entirely unable to keep a straight face at the idea.*

I also promise to give you any and all honest feedback and I would be happy to be your guinea pig for anything else in the future. Unless it’s meant to dry me up like a prune in which case, no thank you! *While still holding the bottle in one hand, I reach for Betty, holding her in my arms as I consider Raine’s question to hang out.* I can do you one better than just getting together some time. Which, let's be honest here...people only say that to be polite and never actually plan to follow through. So, there’s a food truck that usually parks about a half block away, it’s amazing! Let me buy you lunch for this?

*Giving the bottle a little wiggle, I let Betty down next to my feet and nodded firmly, not leaving her an opportunity to decline.* There are even a few scattered tables we can eat at. I will just take Betty back to my shop, lock up, and meet you out in the parking lot in a few. And then you can tell me all about the other kinds of concoctions you have made.

*Moving to the door, I twisted open the deadbolt I had locked earlier and opened it for Betty to walk through first.* See you in a few! *Giving a quick wave as I let the door close behind me, I grinned when I saw Raine nodding back at me, not that I had given her any choice to object.* Look at us making a new friend, Betty. And on the first day back at the shop.

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