Fire & Ice

Lila McConnell (20) Submissive Student, Peter Marshall (44) Dominant CEO, Odette Collingwood (35) Submissive Personal Assistant to Mayor

[sapphirexbabies]

She followed his lead and took her place at the bar, squirming as she tried to get comfortable sitting in her wet clothes. Having a thin-strapped tank top underneath, she peels the wet blouse from her torso and lays it over the back of the chair. “I’ll take a double shot of Patron, please,” Elsie responded with a smile and leaned forward to prop her elbows on the bar in front of her. “Thank you, by the way…It’s always nice to find such kindness in strangers, especially with the way the world is these days. Crazy times we’re living in, you know?” She shook her head and rolled her eyes with a sigh, forcing herself not to say much more - she knew better than to talk too much about politics, at least in public settings.

“Sure,” Peter replied and grabbed the shot glass, filling it up. He pushed it over to her and leaned against the counter. “Not a problem,” he said and took the towels from Josh. “Thank you,” he told him before handing them to her. “There you go. So you can dry yourself off.” He chuckled and nodded. “Yeah, crazy indeed. You handling the news okay?” he asked with a hint of concern. 

[henrixseznec]

Vasu was a little frustrated and more than a little impatient. So she took a breath and let it out slowly. “I am sorry you placed the incorrect information into the order, but I cannot take these sheets. They are twin size for one thing and I assure you that not a single room in the Bordello has that size of bed. Not one. Please. Return them and place the correct order. At the higher thread count too. People do not come to my establishment for scratchy sheets.” She stated firmly, her tone polite but brooking no argument. Then she turned to the person waiting behind her in the line. “I do apologize for how long this is taking. I honestly did not mean to clog up the line for this length of time. I am so sorry.” she murmured politely.

[sapphirexbabies]

Odette ducked her head and smiled a bit as Vasu argued with the employee, resisting the urge to chuckle. When she did turn toward her, she smiled. “It’s fine, really. And she is right, you know,” she informed the clerk. “Those sheets would be scratchy and uncomfortable. I know her, too, and she isn’t going to let up. Best to do as she says,” she added with a chuckle. The clerk definitely was pissed, but moved away to get the manager. “Always causing trouble, aren’t you?” she teased. 

[sapphirexbabies]

“I do agree. We need this to end and a proper election with a proper candidate so there is none of this nonsense any longer. It is time for this little experiment to draw to a close.” Gabe murmured softly before taking a long drink. “So the sooner we get answers, wrap this up and vote in a proper mayor, then the sooner this will be resolved.” 

Gabe sighed and then laughed at Peter’s reply. “Hmmm … fair enough. Stiff competition indeed from what I hear.”

“We do. I wonder who would run for election now,” Peter mused and then glanced over at him. “You know, would you ever consider running for mayor?” Everyone seemed to like Gabriel, Peter knew he was a guy he could get behind, so that just might be a fantastic idea. “Exactly. I wonder what the town bylaws say. I don’t know, but it had better happen soon.”  He burst out laughing at that competition. “Gabe, you have no idea,” he said, unable to resist the smirk. Ahhhh. Had to go for the obvious innuendo. Oh Peter, you are still a teenage boy at heart. 

[sapphirexbabies]

Gabriel smiled down at the pretty little girl as she chattered. “As long as you try your very best … that is what matters.” He assured with a gentle tap to the girl’s nose. “But what is important is to talk to your friend.” He encouraged. “Before you can’t make up and you don’t remember why you were friends in the first place. That wouldn’t be good, right?” 

Glancing up as the server approached, the table filled with two plates full of customary favourites for the pair of mother and daughter. “Please eat. You both look too skinny.”

“I do, Mom would get mad if I didn’t!” Noelle was insistent about this, which earned a chuckle from Odette. She smiled when he poked her nose and nodded. “Okay. I will.” But she didn’t want to, but she could try. “No- no it wouldn’t,” she agreed, but she was pouting about this. Oh, to be a twelve year old girl. 

“You make it sound like I don’t take care of her!” Odette chastised and shook her head at him. “And I do, you know I do, and after the day I had? Be nice or I’ll make you put this in to go containers and we’ll leave.” It was a threat, sure, but insincere. 

[sapphirexbabies]

“I know, it’s hard when these tings happen, because we all want answers, and there might come this expectation on you to know more than you know.” He told her softly, sitting down in front of her. He did suspect that she could need some tissues, just like many others did in her position, and took the box out from the drawer and put on the desk. “So, let’s not talk about your boss right now. How are you, miss? Do you have someone to stay with for the next few days?”

“I wish I knew something, but I can’t- I can’t think of anything,” Odette admitted, rather defeated about the whole thing. “Okay,” she said, a wave of relief crashing over her. “Umm, I’m- as well as can be expected? I- it’s all so-” She paused because she was getting all choked up again. “I have a daughter, so, I’ll be with her.” Beyond that, she didn’t know where to go. She could probably find somewhere to stay, but she’d feel better staying at home. “Should- it should be fine.” She was nervous, sure, but. “You will find out who did this, won’t you?” 

[sapphirexbabies]

“My sister is a wonderful girl. A good friend to have, I promise.” Gabe assured with a nod, “It is a pleasure to meet you Lila. Have you and your father lived in Estermoor for long?” The girl’s uncertainty made him sad. He wondered at the comment about her father. Was he merely strict? Or something worse?

“That’s good to know,” Lila said and shot him another tentative sort of look. “Yeah, basically forever. You probably know him. Everyone seems to know him,” she said with a roll of her eyes. “Then again you might not go to... anyway, I’d rather not talk about him.” She was all twitchy again and shot another look toward the door. 

[sapphirexbabies]

A low thank you came from the blonde as she was given the food, before her attention returned to the older gentleman sitting in front of her, and she picked up a fork, starting to taste on what she didn’t need to have a knife for yet. “You’ll treat me as a princess, is that so sir? How is it princesses gets treated then?” She asked, unable to help but laugh when he actually listened to her comments about sized. She did put her own hand in his though. “See, I’m tiny. So I’m pretty sure all of you is huge compared to me, mr. ‘little ol me’.” She teased him, unable to keep from it. She just had to. Poking the fork into a fry, she held it out towards him. “And what if I wanted you to do exactly that?” 

“Princesses get whatever they want, within reason. Food and drinks, everyone fawning over you, presents, flowers, the works,” Peter explained and kept smiling at her. “Obviously, little old me was tongue in cheek,” he said with a chuckle. His other hand enclosed hers and gave it a squeeze before he brought her hand up to his mouth and kissed the back of it. “Again, princesses get whatever they want.” He had to shift in his seat because just picturing her little ass was making his pants uncomfortably tight. 

[sapphirexbabies]

By the time six o'clock had rolled around, she was practically sprinting out the front office doors, eager to unwind from the stressful events of the week. Conveniently located only a few short blocks away from work, Elsie made her way to The Saloon. Unfortunately, the fast-paced strides she took to get there weren’t enough to avoid getting caught in a downpour of evening rain. Once inside, the young brunette was completely soaked from head to toe. After looking around the room, thankful that there didn’t appear to be any other patrons to gawk at her, Elsie then fixed her tawny hued eyes on the man. “Bar, please…I don’t expect you’d have any dry clothes that’d fit me lying around somewhere, would ya?” She asked, with a brow quirked and a playful smile curving her lips.

@sapphirexbabies

Peter watched the hurricane burst into his bar and he had to chuckle. “Bar it is,” he agreed, amused. “Uh, can’t say that I do, but I can get you a couple towels, come on,” he remarked and led her over to the bar. “Hey, Josh,” he called out to the bus boy. “Go get a couple towels from the kitchen for me.” He led her to a stool at the end of the bar and then walked around the bar itself. “What you drinking tonight?” he asked, happy to play the bartender. 

[sapphirexbabies]

Subtle? Who was that? Ari did not know. Subtle did not get her what she wanted, and if she wanted something, she would get it. “I like the sound of that. Maybe I’ll come here whenever.” She told him, smiling at him, before she took another sip from the glass, keeping her eyes on him as she wrapped her lips around the straw. “Little old you? Well, you’re not little, that’s for sure. I mean, if we compared sizes, I’m fairly certain your hand alone is bigger than both of mine combined.” she teased him, leaning forward as she did. “And if you had to? Punish me that is. What would you have done?” 

“Please do,” Peter said as his cook brought out her plate. He thanked him before he went back off to the kitchen and he smiled. “See, just for you, I promise, I will treat you like the princess you are whenever you visit.” Down in the restaurant at least. He did a booming laugh at her comment and laid a hand palm up on the table. “Let’s compare, then, see if you’re right.” Ahh, the smirk was back. Behave yourself, old man. “Easy. Taken you over my lap and spanked you.” 

[sapphirexbabies]

Gabe sipped his drink while Peter spoke, nodding as he did so. “It feels …. like when I was a child. Our home city, there was always this feeling in the air … like something could happen. My parents tried hard to be quiet, not to be noticed, to just go about their business but it was always like they were waiting for the bad thing to happen, the something. When we came here, it was some time before they relaxed, you know? Even as a child I felt it. This tension reminds me of that, like we are all waiting for the next thing to happen.” He shook his head and sighed. 

“I hope so.” Then he laughed, “Oh you will? Now I am flattered I think. Just maybe. Unless you are there to lure them away to your fine establishment.”

Peter sipped his beer and glanced over at him when he talked about his past. “We have to get back to that peaceful place... This has to be a one time thing, some sort of fluke, you know? I don’t think anything like this has happened here before. Part of Estermoor’s charm, not going to lie.” Petty thefts and things of that nature didn’t bother him so much... but this? It was too much. “I’m sorry it’s reminding you of that. They’d better get to the bottom of it, I know I’ll keep hounding them until they give us answers.” 

Peter laughed. “Oh, shoot, you caught me! I do have ulterior motives. But who can resist me and this smile?” he asked, grinning. Come on, really? Who could?

[sapphirexbabies]

Gabe tried to know all of his customers, especially the regulars, but there were a few special ones. Ones whose faces brightened his day when they appeared. Noelle and her mama, Odette, were two such people. He asked the kitchen to prepare a plate for the little one of her favourites and then made her special drink (fruit juice, sparkling water, some fruit slices and cherries). Pouring Odette’s usual too, he then made his way over. “Good afternoon.” He greeted warmly and accepted Noelle’s brief, flying hug. “How is my best customer today? Hmm?” he murmured as he set down the drinks. “How did you do on your science test?” he asked as Noelle began to talk. There were days he rather missed this stage with Lettie. They talked about everything and told you their whole world if you just listened. “And have you made up with your friend?” he asked, to let the little one continue. 

Noelle beamed. “Hi Gabe!” she greeted brightly,  yes, of course giving him a hug. “I’m good, though the news today is scary, but good otherwise. Ugh, the science test... I missed a few, could’ve been better.” She always wanted to get a perfect score, so was disappointed when she didn’t. She looked guilty at the question. “No... not yet...”  Odette breathed a sigh of relief when Gabriel walked over and had to chuckle at how her daughter lit up. It helped, since her father wasn’t really around anymore, so it meant a lot to her that he’d taken such an interest in her. She sipped her drink, content to just watch and listen. At least before worrying crept back in. It would, but maybe she could keep it at bay for a bit. 

[sapphirexbabies]

“You’re welcome, Lila. I don’t like seeing people go without cake. It’s not in my nature.” She teased lightly, but she wasn’t lying. She did like to feed people, and put them in blankets, and ensure everything was good and fine in their lives. “I mean, yes. But my acting out when I was younger was to stay out way past my curfew. Directly disobey him, slamming doors, refusing to talk to him, telling him he was the worst, saying I should have been in the car with our parents… All that good stuff, you know? Not just the normal talking back.” She did sometimes feel guilty about it, but she’d been young. Young, and without her parents, and with someone who was supposed to be her ally in life against parents, having to be her parent… It’d been rough. “I am, but honestly, anyone who knows him is lucky.” She certainly believed so. “Uh… Not at the top of my mind, but how about you come by La Roca next time there’s a concert and I’ll make a playlist for you?”

“But... you should be allowed to do that... especially as a teenager, I’m not saying you don’t have to deal with the consequences, but to have that freedom... it’s... important.” Lila probably felt that way because she’d never really been able to do that. Her punishments never fit the crime, they were always way too severe. “You really love him, don’t you,” she remarked, also wondering what that was like... oof. “When are the concerts?” she asked, since she knew she had to sneak out for those. “Are they listed on your website?” They had to have one of those... 

[sapphirexbabies]

The young woman’s attempt at attitude amused Sarah immensely.  “Oh I do, I am extremely generous when it comes to handing out tips,” she smirked.

“Good for you,” Lila quipped. “Anyway, this has been fun,” she lied, since she’d hated this whole conversation. “Good luck with... that...” she waved her hand around, referring to what had started this whole conversation to begin with. 

[sapphirexbabies]

“I do say so.” Gabe replied softly, “Perhaps it would help if I introduced myself. I am Gabriel Ruiz. I own La Roca, which is a little more downtown than this cafe. I have a little sister named Letitia, whom I have been taking care of since she was very small.” He explained before he paused, taking another sip of his coffee, “What is your name?” 

Lila chewed on her lower lip and glanced at him, still just, skeptical. Could he really be this nice? It had to be a trick, right? He had to have some sort of ulterior motive? But she did know his sister... and she was... hmm. Maybe it wasn’t an act. “I’ve met your sister, she’s sweet,” she began slowly, still eyeing him hesitantly. “Lila.” There was a pause before sighing. “McConnell, but I’d appreciate it if you did not mention this to my father.” 

[ghoulsden-deactivated20191113]

Having been recently suspended from the police force, Mason quickly took to finding work elsewhere- he didn’t have the luxury of waiting to be reinstated and he knew it wouldn’t happen, there were powerful people at play. Instead, he took to the work that got him through his college days. Coming into the Saloon that evening, he could see the mix of people already filling the dimly lit building- the news of the Mayor bringing in more than just the typical regulars.

Rounding the bar, Mason gave a nod to his boss after punching in his timesheet and pulling on the waist-high apron assigned to him. “Do we need anything stocked back up?” he asked as he checked around the shelves for the more popular bottles- avoiding the obvious topic on everyone’s mind.

@sapphirexbabies

[sapphirexbabies]

Peter had been surprised, but pleased, that after the dinner rush the place had finally started to come to life. Thank the gods. He finished serving his current customer as Mason came in and nodded. “Yeah, could you bring a case of that amber stout up from the back? For some reason, that’s a popular choice tonight, otherwise, I think we’re good. Thanks, man,” he said to him, though then he had to ask. “You doing all right with the latest news?” He cared about his employees, but once he had an okay, then he’d leave it at that. 

[sapphirexbabies]

“Neither do I but usually there are rumours abounding. It is almost frightening that everyone is so quiet. The newspaper says nothing and the gossip is almost silent. It is … troubling.” He replied before taking a sip of his drink. “Yes … we have a band from Mexico City on Friday. Leticia is opening for them. On Saturday we have a vocalist from Spain. Should be delightful. I was looking forward to a good turnout but now …” He shrugged expressively.

“I agree. It might be time to get a hold of my buddy and see if he let’s me know what’s going on. There usually is a lot more speculation... It all has to be happening inside closed doors. Was this some way to try to bring the town to its knees? Something is up.” Peter took a long drink of his and sighed. Anyway, moving on to other things that he can control. “Yeah? Hopefully things will have settled by then, because that seems too good to pass up. Hell, maybe I’ll even grace with my presence,” he said, messing with Gabriel.

[sapphirexbabies]

Odette had had a long day... reeling from the news, answering questions, her phone ringing off the hook... but after Noelle came home from school, she turned off her phone. She had to tune it all out, so she could put on a brave face for her daughter. So that meant she hadn’t made dinner and wanting somewhere... comforting, so she headed over to La Roca. Noelle could tell that her mother was upset, so she kept blabbing about school and other various things in order to help. Which it did. They sat over at a table and while Noelle talked, Odette leaned forward, barely listening, but she did need to just zone out a bit.

@gabrielxruiz​