The X-men run missions and work together with the NYPD, striving to maintain a peaceful balance between humans and mutants. When it comes to a fight, they won't back down from protecting those who need their help.
Haven presents itself as a humanitarian organization for activists, leaders, and high society, yet mutants are the secret leaders working to protect and serve their kind. Behind the scenes they bring their goals into reality.
From the time when mutants became known to the world, SUPER was founded as a black-ops division of the CIA in an attempt to classify, observe, and learn more about this new and rising threat.
The Syndicate works to help bring mutantkind to the forefront of the world. They work from the shadows, a beacon of hope for mutants, but a bane to mankind. With their guiding hand, humanity will finally find extinction.
Since the existence of mutants was first revealed in the nineties, the world has become a changed place. Whether they're genetic misfits or the next stage in humanity's evolution, there's no denying their growing numbers, especially in hubs like New York City. The NYPD has a division devoted to mutant related crimes. Super-powered vigilantes help to maintain the peace. Those who style themselves as Homo Superior work to tear society apart for rebuilding in their own image.
MRO is an intermediate to advanced writing level original character, original plot X-Men RPG. We've been open and active since October of 2005. You can play as a mutant, human, or Adapted— one of the rare humans who nullify mutant powers by their very existence. Goodies, baddies, and neutrals are all welcome.
Short Term Plots:Are They Coming for You?
There have been whispers on the streets lately of a boogeyman... mutant and humans, young and old, all have been targets of trafficking.
The Fountain of Youth
A chemical serum has been released that's shaving a few years off of the population. In some cases, found to be temporary, and in others...?
MRO MOVES WITH CURRENT TIME: What month and year it is now in real life, it's the same for MRO, too.
Fuegogrande: "Fuegogrande" player of The Ranger, Ion, Rhia, and Null
Neopolitan: "Aly" player of Rebecca Grey, Stephanie Graves, Marisol Cervantes, Vanessa Bookman, Chrysanthemum Van Hart, Sabine Sang, Eupraxia
Ongoing Plots
Magic and Mystics
After the events of the 2020 Harvest Moon and the following Winter Solstice, magic has started manifesting in the MROvere! With the efforts of the Welldrinker Cult, people are being converted into Mystics, a species of people genetically disposed to be great conduits for magical energy.
The Pharoah Dynasty
An ancient sorceress is on a quest to bring her long-lost warrior-king to the modern era in a bid for global domination. Can the heroes of the modern world stop her before all is lost?
Are They Coming for You?
There have been whispers on the streets lately of a boogeyman... mutant and humans, young and old, all have been targets of trafficking.
Adapteds
What if the human race began to adapt to the mutant threat? What if the human race changed ever so subtly... without the x-gene.
Atlanteans
The lost city of Atlantis has been found! Refugees from this undersea mutant dystopia have started to filter in to New York as citizens and businessfolk. You may make one as a player character of run into one on the street.
Got a plot in mind?
MRO plots are player-created the Mods facilitate and organize the big ones, but we get the ideas from you. Do you have a plot in mind, and want to know whether it needs Mod approval? Check out our plot guidelines.
Booker smiled. The compliment still hung like a heavy haze on his head. He truly did appreciate her compliment, especially since not everyone he dated could appreciate the fine usage of bowties in regular attire. Most labeled Booker as little more than a wannabe hipster, someone who was trying too hard to be different. Truth was that Booker didn’t feel like he was trying hard at all. He was just being him and he knew what he liked and didn’t like. He liked bowties and that was all that mattered to him. Though, it definitely was a plus that Juliette happened to like he look on him too.
Shyly the man blushed, fidgeted with his bowtie a little again and just smirked at her. ”Thank you.”
As they were shown to their seats in the intimate location of the restaurant, Booker was quick to pull out her chair. Booker didn’t see this happen much anymore but he did pride himself in being a bit of a gentleman. He opened the door the people, he pulled out their chairs, he said “excuse me” and “thank you” and he was just a paragon of well-mannered behavior. Of course some people knew him would say that such things were unnecessary in this day and age, it was too ingrained in him to stop.
She offered her thanks, which wasn’t needed, and Booker just gave her a charming smile and a dip of his head in response. Claiming his own seat, he looked up to the hostess who quickly rattled off the specials before slipping away to return to her duties, thus leaving the two individuals to their own devices.
Silence could be a terrible thing, especially when two people are on a first date. It allows the thoughts to wander, to bring up insecurities as to why there was so much quiet in the first place. Booker himself began to fear that maybe this was a mistake. Were they just supposed to be friends after all? As their kiss just a fluke, something brought upon by the loneliness and the situation that they found themselves in? Given time, Booker could have come up with a million reasons as to why they felt something that wasn’t there. But, sitting across from the woman, he knew that all of them were false.
There was something there. He didn’t know what it was but they did have some stuff in common and that spark couldn’t have been more genuine to him. Booker had claimed he felt a spark before, that surge of chemistry, but they didn't feel like this did. This was chemistry, kismet, a spark, and Booker wanted to explore it further.
He grinned at Juliette, trying to figure something to say. He knew that conversation would eventually come to them. They did in the hospital, after all, but they just needed to get past this first awkward little hurdle. So, Booker tried a different tactic. He inquired as to whether anything on the menu looked good to her. That was a nice and simple place to start, wasn’t it?
>> "Hmm…Honestly, the lasagne sounds really good. What about you? Do you have a top pick yet?"
He watched her for a second, tilting his head as she stared contemplative upon the menu of delectable Italian meals. It seemed that she would be going for the lasagna, who wouldn’t? The restaurant was known for a lot of things but there was this allure about their pasta and meat-sauced filled casserole that had always been a big crowd pleaser. Additionally, it was lasagna, really, if you were to go to a mysterious Italian restaurant, that would probably be your safest beat. It really, really is hard to screw up lasagna.
”Great choice. They hand make all their pasta so it really is quite delicious.” He twisted his lips contemplatively, returning his eyes to the menu when Juliette had asked what he was possibly going to order. Really, he was in the mood for their pizza as it was the item that kept drawing his eye. ”I’m probably going to get their Mozzarella and Basil pizza,” he said with a confirming nod and grinned. ”I MIGHT be coerced into sharing a slice if you like?”
He sighed, happy with his choice and gently set his menu to the side. He was starting to relax and could already feel himself being…himself around her. Lifting his strong arms and stretching a little bit to work out the kinks of his workday, Booker folded his hands upon his lap, scooted his chair a smidge closer, and caught her eye. He looked at her face carefully, regarding her, as it became easier for questions to ask bubbled to the surface of his mind.
”So, Juliette,” he said gently. ”I know you a few things about you…” he started to count them off on his fingers as he recalled. ”I know you like jogging…you have a fairly new feline in your life…you read the classics…you are a nurse, and, by the way, a totally biased dance judge,” He teased. ”…and you like the color green. What else can you tell his humble librarian about yourself?” He then stopped, chuckled and looked a bit sympathic towards her. ”Not to put you on the spot or anything, heh.”
God he couldn’t have felt more like some gawky teenager. It was so bad that he wanted to pants himself for sounding like a dork. He was only glad that Nessa hadn’t had been here to hear all this or she would have absolutely never allowed him to live it down. He could already see the smug look on her face and the cruel twist of her lips as she prepared to unleash the first volley of jabs and sarcastic quips at him. It was so bad that Booker almost felt a little anxiety swell in his heart, or at least it would have gotten to that point if he didn’t know exactly how much his sister loved him. Still, it was best that she wasn’t here to see this side of him. He would only deal with so much loving cruelty at once.
Juliette, though, wasn’t making him feel bad about any of it. Given the odd little restaurant choice, their strange meeting, the fact that she had just ended a relationship, and now these two were trying things out on a first date, there should have been a lot of give her pause. But, she was rolling through it all like a champ, still with her wit and her beautiful smile intact. Booker was thankful for all of it.
A moment after his childish compliment was uttered, Booker turned back to see that she was giving him the most genuine smile. The two watched each other for the briefest of moments, shyly looking away before she finally responded.
>> "Thanks, Booker. You look nice, too. The bowtie is a good touch. Do you have a lot of them?"
He felt elated at the comment that he “looked nice”. Just coming off of work, he knew that he wasn’t at his prime. He was certain his hair was a little disheveled and he hadn’t really had a chance to real attempt to groom the five-o’clock shadow that clung to his jawline. But he did manage to at least brush his teeth before heading out, thanks to the emergency toothpaste and brush that he kept in his desk (don’t ask). So there was at least that tiny victory in his favor.
”Thanks,” he responded to her compliment. But, of course, she had to bring up the bowtie. Booker chuckled, his hand lifted up subconsciously to touch it. He gave it a little poke so that it sat right straight around his neck. ”Haha, yeah. I have a drawer full.” he said. They moved up in line a tick as and then he started to explain. ”In college I was trying to find myself. Never cared for regular ties until on of my friends suggested trying a bowtie and…it just felt right.” He puffed up proudly. ”Got some guff for it, but…I dunno…I like it.”
He breathed a small sigh as they moved up again. Only one more person to be seated between themselves and the wondrous food this place possessed. He gave off a deep breath, awkwardly looking about the room, finding it hard to really look at Juliette without grinning or smiling or feeling like a down-right fool. At one of these instances, the man just broke down, shaking his head as he eyed her. Was she as nervous as he was? He inquired, of course, curious as to her answer.
>> "Far from it… I think it's been a very long time since I've felt this nervous."
Relief washed over his shoulders like the coursing waters from a fall. ”Thank god,” he chuckled. ”I don’t feel so bad, haha.”
The breath he released seemed to take with it most of his earlier concerns. It was good to know that he wasn’t the only one struggling a little through this. Deep down, he didn’t know why they were struggling with anything. Both were free and available to date now, they clearly had some spark of chemistry between them, and damn her smile was just as radiant as a summer day. So then what was the problem? It was a mystery to the librarian but thankfully he didn’t get to dwell on any thoughts for too long as it was their turn with the hostess.
>> ”For two?”
>> "Please,"
Booker nodded and followed the hostess as they gathered some menus and trekked the now only empty table that was situated near a window. It was small with black, iron legs and a slab of wood for the surface. The chairs on either side of it were of similar material but clearly different designs. Upon the top sat a small, red glass where a candle flickered on the inside. It was small, intimate, and seemingly precisely built for the two of them.
As the host set the menus down, Booker immediately moved around and pulled out a chair for Juliette to sit first (his manners were so deeply programmed by this point that it was like second nature). Once she was seated, he himself pulled his book bag from across his chest and set it next to him as he claimed his own seat across from the lovely nurse. A cheesy grin and he turned back to the host who rattled off the specials for the day: Chicken Tuscan and Angel Hair Pasta with Shrimp. With the news that a waitress will be by to claim drink orders, the host headed off.
”Thank you,” Booker said with a tiny wave. Pulling up his single page menu, the man briefly glanced at it. ’All looks good today.” But as he tried to focus on the menu, inevitably he found his eyes wandering back to the nurse across from him. When she would catch his look, he smile. ”Um…any ideas on what you’d like? Really it’s all good. You don’t have to listen to my suggestions.”
Booker really didn’t know anyone in the medical profession. He didn’t know how the hours affected them, how they got their rest, all he knew was that they dedicated themselves to their craft and worked crazy fluctuating hours. He had seen television shows, reality shows, read books, and articles, and so he knew a little something about the profession, but he was by no means an expert. All his concern could go on was the woman’s word on her wellbeing.
After hearing that she had worked such a difficult sounding set of hours, he inquired after her health, of course, also wanting to make sure that he wasn’t just appearing as some figment of her imagination. Maybe it was a little selfish of him but he really would rather that she were conscious for their last minute date and not hallucinating. Whatever the two of them had going on between them, he wanted to be able to actually explore it with someone who was awake. Would be a little one-sided otherwise.
Thankfully his fears would be addressed, though of course not without a healthy dose of some of the wit that Booker was steadily growing to appreciate in the younger woman…
>> "The eyes are more like tomatoes…No, of course not. I slept this morning. Besides, the eyes are definitely all red and kaleidoscope-y."
He tilted his head, his lips set in a faux-unamused smile at the woman’s overt description that he had tomato eyes, not googily. Psh! The very idea. However, his grin grew more genuine when she admitted that she actually had gotten some Z’s. Though she couldn’t very well let that her description about his eyes go without another dip in the impossible pool by stating that they were red and kaleidoscope-y. He just snorted.
”Oh, good,” he gave her a wide smile. ”Exactly like they should be.” She was such a smart ass…and boy did he like it.
The question of his own day would spur the librarian to consider his thoughts carefully. He could easily go on for hours and hours about all the nuances of his professional, casually using terminology that none but the most seasoned library worker would recognize. But that wasn’t because he was out to impress her, but merely the way he talked. However she didn’t know his world, just as he didn’t know hers. If she went into great detail about trauma patients and or procedures she had to assist in, Booker would have been clearly swept off his feet in confusion. Juliette didn’t deserve to get hit with a torrent of information so he chose his words carefully.
It was a pretty standard day for him. Explained about the new system the library was getting and the unfortunateness with having to fire one of his latest interns. It was a state of affairs that Booker was more than used to now that he had been working as a librarian for a few years now. In the end, he always had to do what was best for the library and for the tomes of information within, even if that meant disappointing someone.
>> "That's too bad…Sorry it had to happen like that. Did she take it alright?"
He nodded his head. ”Oh yeah,” he said with a small smile. ”College students are pretty resilient. And, honestly, I don’t think she totally cared.” he chuckled. ”I get a lot of college students who only take the job to appease an scholarship application or because they think they’ll get all the study time in the world. Used to it by now.”
Making their way around the corner, Booker breathed a hefty sigh of relief. Upon seeing the Trinity Eats signs, the librarian stopped, turned, and present the woman with his idea for dining today. It was a bit strange, yes, but it was probably the best thing he could think of on such short notice. Besides, Booker B. Bookman tended to like the quirky and if this woman wanted to get to know him, she was going to probably have to get used to the antics this man could get up to, just as he was certain the same would apply vice versa.
Still…it was a little strange. Scratching the back of his head, Booker turned and eyed the three establishments, hoping it didn’t look as strange and alien as he thought it did. He wanted to impress the woman, not make her question things. But, his fears would prove to be groundless when he spotted the tiny grin on her lips.
>> "They all sound good…How about Italian?"
Happy that a decision had been so easily made, Booker approved and turned to face the Italian restaurant. ”Sounds like a plan to me. I love their pizza.” He led the way, marching across the way with Juliette by hi side. When he had reached the glass doors with the cartoon monkey wearing a giant fake mustache and a chef’s hat, Booker grabbed the handle to the door and pulled it open, allowing her entry first. ”I suggest the Fiorentina pizza or their house Lasagne, personally.” He said cheerily. ”Both are amazing.”
Once inside the shop, both would be met with a rather quaint setting. The Italian restaurant was small by most standards but with a high rating post in the window and several beaming newspaper reviews blanketing the far wall like wallpaper, it was clear that this was no dive restaurant or anything suspicious like that. It just so happened to be one of those rare hidden gems that hadn’t made it out into the world yet.
Up ahead there was a small line to be seated in one of the four empty tables available but there made it just in time as they were precisely the fourth party in line. Kismet! While they waited, Booker turned and smiled down to the younger woman. Awkwardly he tilted his head, chewing on his lip in thought before he continued. ”You…look very pretty today.” He was apparently channeling his inner fifteen year old with that amazing compliment. He just chuckled. ”Sorry, I’m usually a little better at this. Please tell me I'm not the only one just a little nervous?”
The flower in her hair was just absolute perfection. To be fairly honest, he wouldn’t have minded if she had set it in her bag or just held onto it the rest of the day. But actually turning it into an accessory kind of was an awesome move of hers. Booker found himself smiling from ear-to-ear, nodding his head in an approving manner at the look that she now adorned. He didn’t know why but given his profession, and their setting, it was just too perfect. It really was something out of a cheesy television show, but to him, there was absolutely nothing wrong with that.
Of course Booker could never resist a good and overly done line. He delivered it with utmost perfection, the admittance that her gift to him was spending time with her. Always a fan of making fun of himself, Booker tilted his head, smirking, and inquired if that line was really as cheesy as he thought it was. Self-deprecating humor could be a lifesaver from time-to-time.
>> "A little cheesy, but that's okay. Just so long as it's mozzarella…What're you binging right now? Honestly, I've been really into Grey."
He snorted. ”Mozzarella…is there any other kind?” All this smiling was going to hurt his cheeks by the end of the day but it was a pain that he was more than willing to endure. Of course Juliette was quick to ask what it was he was binging on TV wise and that seemed to be a good place for the two of them to continue conversing. ”Oh a lot of things. All My Circuits is finally picking up again. But, like you, I’m surprised with how drawn in I’m getting with Grey! Like, it’s just SO good and normally I don’t go for that much drama.” He said excitedly.
Shaking his head, Booker slipped over to the door to open it for her, smiling as he stepped aside for her to pass. He was really, really having a good feeling about this.
>> "Why thank you,"
Stepping out into the sun, Booker smiled sweetly as he stared up towards the sun. it was late in the afternoon now but the sun was still nice and warm on his skin. It shook off the chill of the library and filled him with a sense of warmth and adventure. Of course, that could also be very much due to the presence of the pretty brunette whom he had followed out of the library.
If there were any discomfort she may have been having, Booker didn’t sense it. Too distracted by the nice day and the promise of the lunch to come, the librarian rejoined the woman at her side and shared the shy, casual glances as they made their way down the steps and onto the sidewalk. There was silence but it wasn’t a bad silence, it was just the two of them trying to handle all this the right way. Of course most would say that there was not “right” way, but for these two, they wanted to keep things calm. They needed to learn about one another, both understood that, least they mess up whatever chemistry they both clearly had.
So they walked, in silence, catching each other’s eye, a small goofy grin, and looking away. Finally, though, Booker tried to initiate some kind of conversation. She had told him earlier that she was free so he wondered if she had taken the day off of work or if it was just a regular day off? From what he understood, nurses had rather flexible and sporadic schedules.
>> "no, I worked an early shift this morning, one to seven, and I only have classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. So, I don't have to work again until tomorrow, but I did work this morning."
Walking side-by-side, he hands in his pockets, Booker raised his eyebrows in surprise. To know that she had been working from one in the morning until seven seemed so rough. Part of him wondered how she was even here, standing next to him, speaking coherently. But, if she were a nurse, clearly this was a state that she knew well and was comfortable with. If not, well, then she probably wouldn’t have taken it on as her job, would she.
”Wow talk about your packed work days,” he said with a whistle. He scoffed, smiling at her. ”Please tell me you got some sleep and aren’t running on fumes? Would kinda suck if you were sleep deprived and all I looked like was some kind giant floating potato with googily eyes.”
The image made him giggle a little bit.
>> "Was your shift alright?"
Eventually the question would be turned back to him as she asked about his own day. Booker looked away, his lips pursed to the side in thought as he went over everything that happened today. It wasn’t ALL that exciting; well, to him it was but to someone who didn’t work with books all day, they may find it a little boring. Still, she did ask…
”Oh it was pretty good,” he exclaimed. He stopped himself from wanting to get detailed into his day, there was no need to scare her off with talk of shifting over to a new and exciting LMS (Library Management System). ”Library is installing a new check out system and the beta testing is going well. Found a book that had been misshelved, like, eons ago,” he chuckled. He then skewed his face downward a little. ”Oh, eh, I had to fire one of my interns. She just kept slouching in her shelf maintenance assignments. Third time. Just not good for the books, you know?”
It was amazing just how natural all this felt. To be able to talk a little shop with this person and know that she was actually interested in what he had to say. Steadily he could feel himself coming out of the nervousness that had settled onto him earlier and now he was beginning to just feel like Booker again. Wasn’t that what they said about first dates? To act like yourself? Hopefully himself was still the same man that Juliette had trekked all the way to the library for today.
They continued on down the street, slipping past vendors, people on the way to or from work, and onward. It wasn’t until they got to the corner that Booker looked down the way and spotted their destination – or three. Situated down the way, in this little alcove on the street, were three restaurants, each one of them small, with only enough room for three or four tables inside (as seen through their large, glass windows). This was Trinity Eats. The story was that a family with three brothers were so competitive that when one decided he wanted to open a restaurant, the other two wanted to do the same. They each opened a restaurant, dedicated to a different food or style, and opened them all literally within twenty feet of one another. While it seemed like unhealthy rivalry for the family, it was great business because each made sure their food was up to par.
Booker smirked, turning to fact his date, may as well start calling her that, and gestured to the three restaurants that were all catty-corner to one another. ”Okay. This…is Trinity eats.” He pointed to the far left, then the middle, then the right, and named them each in succession. ”Itallian. American, mostly fancy hot dogs, and Indian…” he paused at that last one. ”Don’t ask me.” He then gave her a wide smile. ”I figure, since I’m not 100% sure what you’d like to eat, I’d bring you someplace you could pick whatever you wanted.”
He was all smiles has he handed over the origami flower to Juliette. One would wonder how the man could have spared the time to fold an intricate piece of paper and not actually leave the building to purchase the woman a flower. Truth was that Booker had some skill with origami, and had the supplies in his office, so it was a fairly simple construct to make. To purchase flowers would require time and patience as the man would look at each and every bloom in hopes of finding the perfect one; it was time he didn’t have. But, if today went well, then, he could easily make that top priority for the next time.
God, he hoped there was a next time. Otherwise all this pining and chemistry would be an absolute waste. But he was getting far, far, far too ahead of himself. They were just going to eat and talk and the rest of the chips shall fall where they may.
>> "Thank you…Sorry, I don't have anything to give back."
A beaming smile on his face, he watched her take the flower from his hand and inspect it closely. He nodded his head, appreciating the fact that she liked it so much. However when she apologized for not having nothing for him, the man just gave her a small and earnest smile, shaking his head.
”You don’t need to apologize,” he said softly. ”Just spending some time together is enough for me.” Insert goofy grin, a slight turn of his head and a narrowing his eyes. ”Too cheesy? Sorry, binge watching too many sitcoms on Binge.”
>> "This will last longer than a real flower,"
He nodded his head. ”There you go!”
That had totally been his plan the whole time…heh….heh. Ahem. Honestly Booker was a little better at this kind of thing but he was really still trying to feel around about how to interact with the woman. It was like meeting someone you have an unexplainable attraction to and having a first date all rolled into one. He liked her, he really did, but considering that he had only met her twice before, he needed to process how the dynamics would work between them. Of course those things will only be discovered with time and patience together.
This was only the first step on what would hopefully be a good journey, and the librarian needed to keep reminding himself of that. They would take this sow, they would try to get to know one another and see where all this will lead. It had been awhile, but Booker was willing to try.
>> "Are you ready to go?"
After a moment of silence, Juliette was the first to ask if he was ready to go. Realizing that he had been standing around like a gawky, awkward teenager going on his first real date, the man was shocked out of his silence as his attention fully focused on her. Another broad smirk and he gestured towards the door.
”Of course.” He said happily. Stepping past her, he approached the door, pulled it open and held it for her to pass through (he was a gentleman, after all). ”Ladies first.”
Booker waited until Juliette was the first to walk out and followed behind her. Closing the door behind him, Booker sighed as he stepped out into the sunlight, feeling it warm his features. He stretched out. He loved his work but right now he was happy to be off of it; especially considering the company he now had with him. A few quick steps and he was next to her, the two of them descending down the steps of the library and towards the street. The sounds of the day swirled about them, a direct contrast to the silence and stillness within the building. Still, it didn’t bother the librarian as he merely adjusted his bag and kept his hand inside of his pocket. As much as he wanted to take her hand, it wasn’t right just yet, so he occupied his fingers with toying with the keys in his pocket.
Once they had reached street level, Booker sighed and turned to Juliette, guiding her in the direction of where the restaurant he had in mind. It was time for the most pivotal part of all this – the talking. Now it was time to prove that they were more than just combustible-fueled individuals who just wanted to lock lips all the time.
”So, um...you had the day off today?” he asked lightly. They needed to start talking somewhere, right?
It felt so good, so freeing. The air felt lighter, the sounds of the library sounded clearer, even the colors all around them on books, on their clothing, they appeared so much more vibrant. It was the best that Booker had felt in the longest time. As he pulled back from the second time he had ever kissed this woman, the taste of her lips still linger on his own even though it had been so quick and soft, he found himself smiling broadly at her. He wanted so bad for that kiss to extend just a tad bit longer, but it wasn’t appropriate, not yet. There was still so much they needed to know about one another, so much that they had to discover and talk about; they needed to ensure that this was indeed the right move.
He couldn’t help but let his eyes linger upon her features just a little bit longer. He was at a loss for what else to say, what else to ask. His mind started to ramble again, trying to come up with a solid thought. She just smelled too good, like sunshine on a summer day. But, through the haze that the woman cast over his mind, he managed to actually come up with a fair easy game plan: just go simple.
He was off soon. He would be hunger. Would she like to go out to eat? That seemed like a fairly good starting point, didn’t it? Lot of people meet over dinner when they want to get to know someone better. Good for business dealings, for catching up, for first dates…wait…would this be their official date? Booker began to sweat internally because of how real all this was becoming but reminded himself to keep his cool. Everything would be just fine…
>> "I'm free,"
He didn’t notice any eagerness, all he heard was that she was free. His glee at her admission of that made him smile just a tad wider. He cheeks were starting to hurt with how much this woman made him grin but it was a pain he was willing to suffer through.
>>"Do you know anywhere good?"
Thinking for a second, he nodded his head. ”I got a couple places in mind. Meet me in the lobby in an hour. Isn’t far from here, walking distance, if you’re okay with that, that is.”
Never able to resist his sass, Booker had to casually through in that unless the woman had other plans of shipping off to war, that they could spend time together. He painted her the picture that had been painted of many failed romances from the eras of war. Where individuals would seduce or fall in love, only to ship out overseas with the possibility of never being heard from again. It was just a joke, of course, but Juliette seemed to take it in stride.
>> "Really? I'd invest in one, then. Saves quite a bit of MyFace stalking.. you in an hour?"
He grinned watching her turn on her heel and walk away from him. His eyes never left her as he watched her walk away, drinking in the vision of loveliness that she was from the back, as well as the front. He really had no idea how any of this came about but he couldn’t have been more pleased with the outcome. He was excited to see where this would go and, despite the rocky beginnings, he had high hopes that everything would work out in the end.
The rest of his day worked off in a bit of a blur. Booker was distracted while he worked, bumping into people he didn’t mean to, not listening when he was spoken to, and even mis-shelving a book or two, something that Booker B. Bookman never did. However, the man was actually willing to forgive his mistakes as inevitably quitting time would be coming and he had a date. It was still a concept that filled him with some slight nerves but remembering the chemistry he felt with Juliette, knowing that they could actually romantically pursue one another, seemed quell his anxieties. Not all the way, but enough for him to function.
When an hour had officially passed, Booker was standing in his office, staring at his clock. He had finished most of his work at least fifteen minutes ago so he had spent the whole time just either leaning on his desk, watching the clock tick away, or standing up and watching it. He didn’t want to appear overly eager either but he was still fairly excited for the possibilities that would present themselves today. He just needed the hour to pass already.
At last Booker could leave his office, closing and locking the door behind him. His bag with the Velcro strap slipped across his firm chest. Nervously he chewed on the inside of his cheek, actually monitoring how fast or slow he was walking. Over all he found himself slightly irritated at his behavior. It was just a date after all! Hell! He had a one nightstand with a Russian bombshell without even trying, surely he would do dinner…right?
Rounding a corner, it didn’t take him long to spot the woman in the sundress and boots. He grinned a little as he strolled up to her, catching her eye and giving her a brilliant smile. After a second, before she could talk, he held up his finger and reached into his shirt pocket. From there, he pulled out what looked like a folded yellow paper. As he felt it out to her, he gave her a cheesy grin – it was an origami flower.
He shrugged. ”I…wanted to go out and get you a real flower but…stacks were kinda of packed today.” Insert innocent smile. ”So I made you this.”
Admittedly he was a bit shocked by the revelation that Juliette had actually had feelings for him. It was a state of being that must have reflected quite clearly upon his face because no sooner had the man given her that surprised look then Juliette immediately seemed mortified by it. It would have been an amusing tableau to witness had the librarian not been an active participant. Immediately he began to feel a little guilty because he could already sense the apologetic air that settled down around the both of them. Juliette wasted no time voicing her apology.
>>"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. That was stupid and forward of me to say,"
Booker shook his head, trying get her to stop but really he couldn’t find the words to tell her. He wasn’t shocked because of her forward or bluntness, but rather just because it was hard to wrap around the affirmation that she had feelings for him. While that was both elating and a little scary, the man was a little suspicious and inquired whether or not he was the one that caused the break-up. If she dumped her boyfriend just because the two of them shared one kiss, that seemed maybe a little drastic so it better to ask now, rather than wait.
Juliette looked at him with a mask of confusion on her face. It was a moment that made even Booker a little, preparing himself for whatever onslaught she could possibly toss his way. He would be thankful, though, that he wasn’t the direct cause.
>> "There was an... incident a week or so ago. It made me realize that I want something else,"
Relief! Admittedly it was a little selfish of him to think something like that, after all, Juliette still was out of a relationship, but there was a small part of him that at least it wasn’t totally him that ended it. Then again, given the fact that there were issues that she stuck with, he couldn’t help but wonder what would have happened if they haven’t crossed paths in that hospital? What if he had never kissed her that day? Maybe he wasn’t the direct cause, but was he a catalyst? How did he feel about that? He really, really wished that he could get just one coherent thought.
Unfortunately, at this point, his mind was such a honeycomb of buzzing bees that he couldn’t quite get a solid thought in his head. Juliette admitted she had feelings for him and while he had an extremely strong affection for her, the fact was that they still didn’t know anything about one another. He started to ramble at this point, asking questions and stating the things that he liked. He wasn’t asking them to demand answers from her, but really just running through the random lists of things that most people say they liked just so that she had some familiarity with him other than him being a clumsy breakdancer and woman-stealing scoundrel.
However, she felt that it was necessary for her to answer in kind…
>> "I've never been salsa dancing," admitted Juliette, her shoulders slightly slumped. "I can't say I dislike it, though. And my favourite colour is forrest green."
Her head tilted down. It was if she were on some gameshow and she just realized that she gave all the wrong answers. It was a little heart rending to witness but Booker wasn’t going to let it end there. He had found himself close to her again, reaching out, his fingers grazing against that electrifying skin. A soft sigh left his lips as he touched her arm, feeling that connection that he had missed since she ran out of the library those weeks ago. It was amazing how it felt, like finding two puzzle pieces that just snapped together. Was that really all that was needed to be compatible? Was it all just chemistry? Surely they should know just a little more about one another.
There were still a lot of things that needed to be figured out, he knew that, but as of this moment, he was more than willing to try.
He admitted it. He liked her. Booker wasn’t one to throw the L-word around easily (he wasn’t in Lesbians with her yet) but she had to know how he felt in return. And that, it would seem, was enough to pull back from the brink. The embarrassment was gone from her eyes, she didn’t look like she wanted to flee anymore, and instead appeared both relieved and intrigued; much the same as he was feeling.
She stepped closer, deeper into his touch. A smile dashed across his lips, one that he couldn’t help. Softly his hand brushed up and down her arm, his thumb casually grazing the skin as the two of them continued to look upon the other before she replied.
>> "Then... maybe we could try getting to know each other?"
His smile widened. He looked a little shyly off the to the side, smirking some more before returning his gaze to her and nodding his head. ”I’d like that…” he softly. ”…I’d like that a lot.”
He took a deep breath, he wanted to kiss her again but…would that be too weird? In the end, he figured there was no way they could continue without one so he leaned in. When he would sense her leaning up, he would give her only a soft and tender kiss on her lips, then leaned back, feeling somewhat relieved. His grin returned, far more innocent and pure as it was when they had first met.
”I…um…get off in an hour. Want to get something to eat?” He said. ”Unless you have work or, you know, other plans, of course.” Of course he couldn’t help a jab as he gave her a faux-suspicious eye. ”Unless you and your unit are shipping off to join war effort or something?” Insert sly grin. ”I’ll admit it now, I do not have a widow’s peak to watch for you day-in and day-out.”
Standing there, staring down at the young woman that had managed to ensnare him so completely was actually quite difficult for the man. He hadn’t expected to see her again so he had no defenses in place for being able to keep her at an arm’s length. Instinctively, for whatever reason, he wanted to step forward and close the gap between them, but he knew that he could. He forced himself to remain back, using the excuse that he was working in order to keep him from making another dumb move. The last thing he needed was to feel like crap all over again for being unable to control himself around an already taken woman.
So, awkwardly standing back, balancing a book that he had been preparing to put away between his hands, Booker gulped as he watched the woman. She had said that she needed to talk to him so he prepared himself for the onslaught. Maybe she was going to come clean with how guilty she felt? Maybe she was going to put him on blast for making a move on her that he simply shouldn’t have made? Or maybe she was just going to try and discuss a timeshare with him? He didn’t know! All he knew was that there was a cornucopia of things that she could discuss with him but he wouldn’t know until she started talking.
He tried to keep things professional. He asked her how he could have been of services. He knew when all the good tours would be taking place, how to reserve rooms, make an appointment to view books in the rare collection, and how to order books from their depository across town. Really he could help her with any of her library needs but one look of her eyes and it was becoming painfully apparent that another topic had occurred to the woman…
>> "I broke up with my boyfriend,"
The air was completely sucked out of his lungs. The man stood there, a little dumbfounded as he tilted his head, looking at her. In that moment the librarian tried to complete whatever thought she was having. Was she here to blame him for breaking up with her boyfriend? Could she just not handle the weight of what he had done to her? Was he a homewrecker now? Booker’s mind raced as he looked at her, carefully, trying to gage her emotions. The only good thing was that at least she hadn’t reached out and slapped him…good thing?
”…oh…” he said, just a little cautiously. Thankfully he didn’t have to wait long for her to continue.
>>"I've been doing some thinking, and... that's why I'm here..."
It was coming. She was lowering the boom, yet, she looked very strange, nervous almost, as if she were trying to find the right words to say. Booker lowered his gaze, just listening for the moment, trying to stop the shouting in his head. He had ruined this woman’s relationship over what? Just a kiss? Sure it was absolutely amazing and, to be fair, it had been a long time since Booker had felt a kiss like that. The woman was just too intoxicating and being near her, well, it just felt right. But the man had to face up to his actions. He needed to apologize. So, screwing up his courage, the man opened his mouth.
”Juliette, I’m so sor—“
>> "Booker, I think I'm falling for you,"
Though her voice was low, it still managed to cut through his own words like a knife through butter. He was stunned. Absolutely stunned. The man stood there, watching her, his mouth slightly ajar as the words he was going to say quickly evaporated in his mouth. He found that for a few moments, he had no voice and instead just stared at the pretty brunette DJ nurse that had immediately drawn his attention since the first moment he saw her. Honestly, it was hard to form words so, Booker looked away, struggling with his own thoughts briefly before he did finally raised his eyes to meet hers.
”Juliette, I mean…wow….” he started to say. ”…but…just for me?” He asked a bit cautiously.
Considering that they had just met, that would have sounded a bit odd to him. For as much as the man believed in the overwhelming powers of love, he wasn’t one to just throw a relationship away on a whim. As terrible as it sounded, part of him hoped that maybe, just maybe there were other problems there that led to this decision. He leaned against his shelf, still holding the copy of Pride and Prejudice in his hand; ironic wasn’t it?
He gulped. ”I mean…w-we just met…” he started to say. He wasn’t accusing or angered, nor was he really even talking to her. Sporadically it seemed like he was talking to himself, almost trying to convince himself of something. ”We don’t…know one another except for a few things. Do you like salsa dancing? I love salsa dancing. What’s your favorite color? Mine his teal.” Booker continued to rambling, both talking to Juliette and not, but all centered around just how possible was this?
He took a few turns, which was actually a little comical to look at despite the situation, before he stopped and suddenly found himself standing very, very close to her. As close as he was the last right, right before he kissed her. The scent of her shampoo slipped in through his nostrils, filling his head with a familiar lightness that the man had been befuddled by before. His eyes roamed across her shoulders, up her neck, over her cheeks, and finally settling in on those deep, brown eyes of hers and he found himself lost once again. A calming breath and the man shared with her the smallest flash of a smile, one that slowly stretched his lips and puffed up his cheeks a little. It did feel right, didn’t it?
Finally he sighed, his hand reaching out, cautiously grazing against her arm. A quick moistening of the lips and he spoke in a low voice, one only she could hear given their proximity. ”I like you, Juliette…” he said softly. Realize how that could have sounded, he tried to clarify; hopefully his expression would help convey just how much. ”I…really, really, really, really…like you.”
God. He sounded like he was five. Smooth, Booker…as always.
Life had been…surreal as of late. It was almost as if Booker had been living a life that wasn’t his. He went about his day with the usual sunshiny demeanor, but when alone the man’s mind tended to fall back to one particular moment of weakness, one that he found himself having a hard time forgiving himself for. Booker had always considered himself someone of good moral standing, but still his mind would drift back to that kiss, the one shared in the Rotunda, the one that felt so amazingly good but yet caused a deep pang in his heart.
Booker B. Bookman was a cheater; or, rather, he was the temptress. That’s right! A temptress. Wait…incubus? Yeah, that sounded better. Poor Juliette, he could still see the look on her face after she had broken the kiss the two of them had shared. Forget the fact that she didn’t pull away at first. As a matter of fact, she pushed just as hungrily against his lips as he did, but it didn’t matter because when she did eventually step away, the look on her face was absolutely heartbreaking. It was at that moment that Booker couldn’t have felt lower.
He had half-heartedly reached out to stop her but didn’t pursue. She had a boyfriend! What was wrong with him? Booker lamented this question to himself the rest of the day, even coming home and admitting it to his sister. She…didn’t take the news well at first. It was understandable, considering the fact that she had just finished getting over her own cheating-break-up story, but she was a loyal sibling in the end and did her best to comfort him. Not that it helped all that much. Booker still felt like crap microwaved twice over.
God he was a mess.
But, today Booker was actually in good spirits. Yes, even while working in the numerous bookstacks of the New York Public Library, he still felt the tings of distraction, but he was willing to accept that this was going to be a process. He would never see Juliette (as much as that pained him deep down) and it wasn’t as if they really carried things too far. It was just one kiss. That didn’t make it absolutely right, but it did make it somewhat better. He only hoped that the raven-haired woman would be okay. Maybe one day she would forgive him.
With a sigh the man pushed his bookcart through the stacks, stopping in a section dedicated to literature. A row of books before him, he carefully reached up, adjusting them so that they were in line with the edge of the shelf. It was just a little thing to make the books seem more presentable, not really a requirement, but for Booker it became habit. Once he had adjusted that shelf, he reached down, plucking up several books in one hand that had already been pre-organized on the cart. Holding them up, he hummed to himself as he started to pull books out and return them to the gaping wounds on the shelf.
It was nice, mindless work and that was exactly what he needed.
Today Booker’s attire was much like his usual style. Dark slacks upon his legs, a deep gray, checkered vest adorned his chest, and a short-sleeved, buttoned up shirt of color reminiscent of lemon meringue pie. Around his neck he wore his usual bowtie, this one depicting the creatures from the old, arcade cabinet Alien Instigators. His style truly was and would always be only his own.
Recoiling after a particularly dusty book clouded near him, Booker frowned and waved his hand to blow the dust away. He’d have to see who was assigned to this area so that he could go over with them how to dust these shelves properly. Ugh! Hearing footsteps nearby, Booker didn’t look up but instead focused on his cart of books. However, assuming that they wanted to get by, he pulled his cart aside and moved in order to give them access to move through the shelf.
”I’ll be outta your way in a second...” he said with distracted cheeriness.
>>"Booker..."
He heard his name but it wasn’t so much the name that drew his attention but the voice that carried it. It had been a bit since he had last seen Juliette, but he could never forget her voice. He turned, jade eyes locking onto her briefly before he curled his lips in, looking just a bit embarrassed. He really had not been expecting this and suddenly all the shame and disappointment he had in himself started to flood back in.
>> "I need-…t-to talk to you."
”M’lady…” he said softly. Immediately, though, he regretted it, closing his eyes and shaking his head at his own mistake. ”Sorry…” he took a calming breath. He could do this. He needed to man up and apologize. ”Um, sure…” he said, finally acknowledging her comment that they needed to talk. He looked around a bit shyly, shifting from foot to foot as he eyed her. God she looked good. The sundress, the boots, they just fit her all to such perfection that Booker could already feel himself not thinking straight. But he had. ”So…h-how can I help you?”
It was actually quite comical to watch the X-Man as she tried to balance the precarious tower of books in her arms. Each time he placed on upon the other, he could see that small quiver in her arms. It steadily grew into a tremor as she tried to hold up her volumes upon volumes of materials, determined to make sure that each and every single one of those books that she was checking out made it home. Booker was still curious as to how she was going to achieve this wonder, but knowing what he did of her abilities, he was sure it was within her power.
Besides, he was going to get a demonstration and that was something that the zealous librarian simply couldn’t pass up.
Maya had tried cheer him up, dissuading the allure of greener grass in favor of bright, shiny sunshine. That was something that Booker could most certainly try to relate to. Besides, when you look at the sun, you’re looking up, aren’t you?
With the reminder that she hadn’t forgotten his demonstration, Booker bounced on his feet happily. Nodding his head, agreeing that outdoors would be best, he followed Maya as she struggled to maintain her balance under the weight of the all those books. With every step by her side, he watched her, gently tipping the tower of books back into place as she tried to keep them balanced with her teeth. Again, it was probably most humorous thing he had ever seen, but it was also quite endearing. He loved it when people wanted to read and went to anything lengths to achieve it – even the personal suffering that the X-Man was putting herself through now.
As they reached the front doors of the library, Booker pulled it open for her, smiling as he allowed her pass through first.
>> "Thank you again, Mr. Bookman. If there's anything I can ever do to return the favor, please let me know. You just sit back and enjoy the show, mmkay?"
”I’ll remember that,” he said with a grin. He crossed the threshold of the door but he didn’t follow. Instead he hung back, his arms crossing over the chest as he moved aside from the door to allow others to come and go, and pushed his back against the wall. ”And you’re more than welcome!”
She was getting smaller now as she stepped away, arriving at the edge of the steps. It still looked like she was having trouble balancing said books but she managed to keep herself grounded, her arms quivering as she prepared for the demonstration. Booker didn’t mean, fearing any step could cause her to step into his aura and instead watched with rapt attention.
>>"Alright! Get your binoculars ready and watch closely. I'll try to go slow for you to see properly."
He gave her a thumbs up and held his breath.
Yeah, he had forgotten how to breathe period. Standing back, Booker watched in utter amazement as the woman before him became something out of a tale of fantasy. Flesh melted away, becoming thinner, translucent, vanishing into wisps of air. Most surprising was that it wasn’t just her flesh but her clothing, accessories, even the books!
OH MY GOD, THE BOOKS!
>>"Don't worry. They're still books."
The voice called out ethereal and dream like. Booker paused, relief washing over him as he gave the woman (or remnants of) a bright smile. He still couldn’t believe what he was watching. Reading about it, watching ViewTube videos, were one thing, but to witness it was something entirely different. This was certainly not the same feeling as watching it on a screen. Booker held his breath, unable to look away, unable to fully process everything he was seeing. And, before he knew it, woman and books were gone, simply the vaguest outline of what they used to be.
What else could he do?
”SQUUUUUUUUUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!” he giggled and hopped. ”OH MY GOD! THAT WAS BETTER THAN I COULD HAVE HOPED!! WOW!!”
He still didn’t want to move forward. He was certain it was dangerous for her if he did so Booker remained planted in spot, fighting the urge to run about in excitement. He would wait, of course, until his new friend was gone so that he couldn’t cause her harm.
>>"Thank you again, Mr. Bookman. You're my hero!"
He grinned, wide, the glee of a child in his eyes as he watched the air dissipate around him. He waved enthusiastically in any and all directions, unsure of where the X-Man had found herself now, but assumed it was away from him. Cheerily he bid her farewell. ”Good bye, Ms. Swift! Come back any time!” He waited, smiling still, and just breathing the air of excitement as he watched the air around him. He knew that she was gone already but found himself unwilling to move just yet. Eventually Booker would return to work, but for now, he just wanted to bask and be happy.
Booker was not going to stick around for this sh**storm. While he firmly believed that his sister was a grown up and that there was nothing he could do to really dissuade her, a minor part of him had sincerely hoped that she would keep her word. However, Booker knew too much about Spencer and too much about his sister to really think that this was going to go over well. As a precaution Booker made arrangements to sleep over at a friend’s house; Nessa was only a little offended by the lack of faith he seemed to display in her. However his actions weren’t out of lack of faith for her but total faith in the type of manipulative psychopath that Spencer was.
His night had gone rather well. Up gaming most of the night with his buddy, plotting some great ideas for a new video on Pixel Rainbow. Over all, it was a pretty good night; except for those few, quiet moments when Booker was sitting in the dark, or laying on couch, peering up at the darkened ceiling. He was worried for his sister. Every now and again he would check his phone, fearful that she would send him a picture of her mugshot or get her one phonecall from a jail cell. Thankfully, none of those events came.
And yet, his sleep was rather fitful. Whenever he began to drift, to fall into the tender lands of sleep, he would become started by the sound of a sweet, stinging laughter in the distant shadows. It wasn’t a good feeling but he had hoped it was little more than his imagination. This thought followed him until, finally, he had fallen asleep.
Now, standing in front of his apartment door, Booker had checked his phone again to see that there were still not messages of detainment or pleads for bail money. Maybe Nessa had finally proven him wrong. Maybe she actually was a mature, grounded individual who could make decisions for herself. As he unlocked the door, a small smile of relief pulled on his lips as she stepped back into the apartment. Yes, his sister was finally a grown up and responsible individual. Maybe he would make her her favorite waffles as an apology for disbelieving her.
"Yeah..." he nodded hopefully, speaking low and full of relief to himself. Seeing that everything was still in the apartment and not a pawn shop was indeed refreshing. "...waffles sound good."
”Fancy meeting you here, sugar.”
That accent. That sweet, Texan accent. As his eyes drifted over to the hall, he noted that Spencer was actually there, in his home, draped in a towel – only a towel. She gave him her most flirtatious of smiles before she turned and sauntered into the bathroom. Soon after the sounds of a shower could be heard cascading from within.
This was a place of evil now.
Still shaking the haze from seeing the demonic princess of bad decisions in his home, Booker barely noticed the sound of rushing feet, a door being pulled open, and the sudden appearance of his sister’s head in her doorway. The two caught one another’s gaze. She had started to say something, maybe something apologetic, he didn’t know; Booker couldn’t hear her. Instead the man merely turned back around, opened the door, and quietly closed it behind him, making sure to lock it.
He loved his sister. He was going to miss her. But she belonged to Spencer now. So, one sibling short, Booker turned down the hall and headed back out. He could grab breakfast somewhere out on the town now. And if he should so happen to walk into traffic on the way there, well, it was still better than being in the same room as Spencer Robertson.
This was bad. This was so, SOOO bad. He couldn’t stand the idea of Nessa seeing his ex-girlfriend. Spencer was such an unsuspecting monster that people so rarely saw her as one. She was all bubblegum sweet wrapped around a volcanic sexpot, the kind of woman that college students absolutely adored and prayed for. But once she sunk her talons into you, it was already too late. The second she was interested in you for more than a single night, you better pray your affairs were in order because she could very well convince you to throw yourself out of a window in her name. The woman was a demon and she was stalking his world again.
Though he was thankful that her eyes were not set upon him, he was understandably upset that she was now locked onto his sister. Ugh! He still remembered so clearly finding the two of them in his dorm room and it damn near scarred him for life. Just…the positions…UGH! He felt a shiver run up his spine. Sometimes having an eidetic memory was absolutely the worst.
However, apparently he was in for a bigger bombshell than just the fact that Spencer Robertson was rearing her ugly head again…
>> ”So. We’ve never really talked about the Spencer stuff because… well, you know…In the interest of full disclosure… that night in your dorm room was… kinda not the last time I was with Spencer…We may have been… you know… together for like two months.”
”WHAT?!” he suddenly asked in a voice that was a few pitches hire than his own actually voice. The surprise was clear on his face.
Booker, had not idea. He had accepted the fact that Spencer and Nessa had a few flings but once the woman moved on, if figured that was it. He hadn’t seen his sister much in that time but both of them were crazy busy and they weren’t exactly living together like they were now. However, he had never expected that Spencer and Nessa had been together for as long as Nessa was saying. He tried to think back, looking for clues, hints to this betrayal, but the woman’s mocking, laughing voice rolled around in his head with so resonance that he couldn’t think straight.
The siren returned.
>>”I planned on calling it off, but… it was hard. When I was around her, it was hard to remember the totally logical reasons to end things.”
Nessa was in a rush to explain, stating that she had been planning to call things off with Spencer but being around her just seemed to have a hypnotic appeal. The second she said this, Booker crossed his arms over his chest, leaned back in his chair, and gave her his full attention. While Booker was extremely intelligent, he knew his sister was too. Even as she explained, the man quietly counted down in the back of his mind, waiting for her to put the pieces together. He would guess in three…two…one….
>> ”Oh my God, this is a terrible idea.”
”…ya think…” he said with a tinge of faux-disbelief in his voice. He shook his head. ”Nessa…” he started to say, but was cut off by his sister’s need to compromise.
>> ”What about a compromise? I meet her for coffee out in public. Plenty of witnesses, no alcoholic influence, and no proximity to a bed.”
It was a bad idea. Booker was already shaking his head “No” but she kept on talking, kept on trying to explain how the situation would work. He loved her very much but he didn’t want to see her get hurt by this succubus. However, there was one thing he knew about his sister was that she had to make her own mistakes. He could put his foot down, he could tie her up and leave her in some dark little basement, but in the end she would just resent him and it would only add more fuel to the fire that she would do whatever it was she wanted to do.
He sighed.
>> ”I can handle this, Booker.”
He still shook his head, but not in disagreement towards her, but more because of the situation. He would honestly put a steak through Spencer’s heart if he had any inkling that she even had one. So, with a grumble, he picked up his utensils and cut off a piece of the steak. The only comment he would make about Nessa’s compromise was…”This is such a bad, bad idea…”
Spencer Robertson. Ugh! How that name just crept up his spine like a spider. Each spindly leg piercing his skin like a needle, crawling up and up in an attempting to crawl into his cranium and seep into his brain. The woman’s name was the epitome of horror, to him, and woman it belonged to was even worse. You know those wraith-like things in the Barry Cotter series? She was like that – only she sucked the reason, happiness, and joy out of your $#*%! instead of your face.
There was something about the woman. Something that made almost irresistible. With a bat of an eyelash and a purr from her lips, she could disarm the most stubborn of individuals. What made matters worse was that she played both fields, seduced both men and women, and therefore literally the entire span of genders was her Smörgåsbord – and boy did she love to pig out.
Booker remembered Spencer only in snippets of nightmares. Oh the things that she could make him feel, the lengths that he would go to in order to please her, but there was always a hefty price to pay. He recalled that she was always frustrated with him for some unknown reason. While he would oblige her, it seemed like with him it would take far more coaxing than she was used to. It seemed that she was accustomed to having people wrapped around her taloned fingers, even called him her “Most-Stubborn-Boy”. It wasn’t his favorite nickname.
Almost arrested a couple of times for public indecency and a few other acts (the person he stole the chinchilla she wanted dropped the charges once Booker agreed to return to animal and pay $200 for mental distress), it all came to a head one brisk morning. Unknown to him how, Booker had woken up in a field in upstate New York, nude except for a Arachnid Man mask sitting on his groin and his left wrist handcuffed to a nude mannequin. If ever there was a walk of shame, this was it. Plus, it didn’t help him getting a ride home with the word “LITERA**” written in sharpie upon his forehead.
It was a long day.
Spencer, thankfully, was done with him by that point. When he was ready to see her again, he walked in a firm voice that he was going to end the relationship. It was then she broke the news that she was bored, found him boring, and moved on. Took a bit of the fire from his sails but at least he was done with that psycho…that is until much later one that he caught Nessa in his bed with her. Ugh! From then on the woman’s name was banned from the house.
Until now…
>> ”Booker, I’m not an idiot. I haven’t just forgotten who Spencer was. I very much remember being handcuffed to a bench at the police station.”
He rolled his eyes at that. Nessa was clearly not thinking straight. He knew the long con that Spencer played all too well. It seemed innocent enough, just a minor infraction or two in the name of impulsive youth, but that was how Spencer operated. In exchange for some of the best intimate times that would follow you to your grave, she managed to creep until your skin and start tainting your very soul. The fact that she was going to be in the city again, and even in this apartment, just made him want to retch. There was no way he was going to allow his sister to go through that.
>> ”It’s been ages, and we’re adults. I get who she is, and I know better now. I’m a big girl, Booker…Maybe I just think it’s time to stop being petty. Exes can be civil, even when one of them is Spencer Robertson.”
Silence for a moment as he watched. Then, as if startled away he blinked at her. ”…Hmm? What was that? I couldn’t hear over the sound of your good sense leaving your body.” He shook his head. Elbows on the table, hands clasped in a very adult-like manner, Booker gave Nessa the protective big brother look. ”Nessa, right now, every square inch of my body is trying to keep from running off, packing everything we own, and hightailing it to Canada. I’m not just saying this to you because Spencer is a perverted-psychotic-hell-succubus, but I’m saying it because I love you. Please, pleeeeease don’t do this.” He implored. ”You had a couple nights with her. I dated her. I know how she operates and the last thing I want to do is to have to bail you out of the jail because she convinced you it was a good idea to spray paint your ***s on top of the nearest water tower.”
Not that that happened to anyone he know. His face uncharacteristically serious, he sighed and locked gazes with Nessa again.
”So please. If my advice means anything to you, listen to me now…and not your libido.” Spencer was a tough pass for Nessa, Booker was well aware of that. Mocha colored skin, a body with curves in all the right places, and an overt wiliness to be sexual explorative; it was everything any one could really want. But it was just all candy coating, candy coating for evil. ”Cancel with her. I’m begging you.”
Breakfast was nearly completed. All he needed now was a lackey to help him carry the stuff out. Booker busied himself with organizing everything, trying to both hurry but make things presentable so that it could all be taken out. The last thing he really wanted was to continue to leave his sister alone with the pretty blonde because it was assured that she was going to say or do something to make the whole meeting as awkward as possible. What was supposed to be just a fun one-night stand was during into a big ole flustercuck because his sister had to change her plans. Sure there was probably some blame to share as he didn’t check with her first, or really even check his phone, but still, there was some equal parts blaming to be had here.
Really, he just hoped that Nessa wasn’t making everything too weird. He loved his sister but she clearly had a history of flirting and seducing his ex-lovers. He didn’t understand how she could moan and complain so much about not being able to find love of her own when she so easily could manage to swoop in and collect those whom he had passing clings with. It was a little creepy the more he thought about it, so Booker pushed those thoughts away. The last thing he needed was to imagine Nessa being the vulture to carcasses of his love life. Ugh! Bad thoughts! U-Turn! U-TURN!!
In all honesty he knew that Nessa wasn’t a bad person. She was just like him, she was looking for love in all the wrong places. And, as she would state constantly, it wasn’t really hurt fault that the women he became interested in also made her list. He was lucky that at least she was lesbian and she didn’t go after any of his ex-boyfriends. That was the one intersection on the Venn diagram of their romantic interests that he knew was solely his.
But, dammit, women were just so pretty. He sighed at this and just grumbled under his breath about the impossibility of things. He couldn’t dwell, not right now. Instead he had a breakfast to swear and a one-night stand to save from the awkward Jabberwocky that was his sibling.
So he called out. He heard nothing of the conversation that they were having and shouted that he needed help. He wouldn’t be kept waiting for long as, soon enough, the doorway to the kitchen was framed by his sister whom walked in…looking a little worse for the wear. Head tilted, he eyed her curiously. Shit…what had she done?
”…what did you d—“
>> ”Okay, new house rule: no more drop-dead gorgeous blonde bombshells! They apparently turn me into a spazzy idiot!”
He shook his head. He could only imagine what she was talking about. He had been around her when she was around an extremely attractive woman and he knew just how deeply she would swallow her foot. If this was a continuation of what he had already witnessed this morning, he could only imagine the lengths that she had gone through when he was out of the room. So, resolute to end this as peaceful as possible, he hefted up the platter that was filled with half-and-half waffles he had made, and handed her the platter with scrambled eggs.
”Nessa…just…” his head lolled before moving into a shake. ”Just take these out there. I’ll bring the bacon and plates.” He turned and started to collect the empty plates and silverware. However, before he released her, he turned back around and just gave her an exhausted look. ”Nessa. It’s just one breakfast. Just…sack up already. Jesus.” Before she was fully gone, he thought about what he said and turned back to her. When they locked eyes he sighed and shrugged his shoulders as he mouthed “sorry” and waved her away with one of the big serving spoons.
Collecting the last of the items, Booker hefted up the platter of bacon (regular and soy), a small stack of empty plates, and silverware balanced atop. With a smile and sigh (and a prayer) he returned to the dining area and gave a smile to the Svetlana before turning to his sister as well.
”Alllllrighty…” he said. ”I made plenty so please, mangia, mangia,” He started to set food down on the table. He gave Svetlana’s eye again and grinned. ”I hope my sister has been pleasant company and hasn’t talked your ear off?”
He set the last of the items down, before returning to the kitchen to grab those last few odds and ends, such as syrup, butter, whipped cream, what have you, but stopped. Where was the whipped cream? He walked out of the kitchen in thought before he winced, lowered his head, and walked back into his bedroom. After some rummaging, he slowly returned, not meeting anyone’s gaze as he held the whipped cream in hand. Heh…forgot that was used last night. Standing in front of the table, Booker looked between them (including an awkward look at Svetlana), the whipped cream can, and carefully decided to set it aside on one of the nearby end tables.
”Um…empty. Heh. I…I’ll just set that over here.” Lips curled under his teeth in thought, he claimed his seat at the table. He glanced to Nessa, not meeting her eyes though. ”I’ll…buy you a new one…” Another second of thought and Booker grabbed plate and smiled. ”Um...dig in?”
He knew it. Booker KNEW that something was up. The moments where Nessa was actually nice to him, without an ulterior motive were rare to the point that when she was, it was clearly a ploy of some kind! Okay, so maybe that wasn’t fair of him. He really didn’t have any right to judge his sister so harshly. She was nice to him, all the time, but not like this. This was overly done. This wasn’t genuine. This was Nessa trying to be overtly nice as a means to signal that she wanted something from him but was willing to play the part of an overly generous sibling to make it so.
She wanted him to make the connections because she knew that he would figure it out…to some extent. At the end of the day, it was just how the Bookmans operated. They danced this little dance of theirs until, in the end, they laughed it off, one owing the other a minor favor, at most. Favors were the currency of the household. But this…this was different.
Nessa was being waaaaay too nice. Which was waaaaaay too suspicious of her. She wanted him out of the house but that was rarely a problem. Some teasing would go on, outrageous favors would be demanded, but all-in-all, they were two grown adult sharing the same space. It wasn’t an unreasonable request and they both understood that.
But something was wrong. Her timidness and overt niceness startled the man and that could only lead him to the conclusion that she was seeing something she shouldn’t be seeing. Someone that maybe he wouldn’t approve of? But, really, Booker wasn’t one to judge so why should she be afraid that he wouldn’t approve of th…His eyes widened.
No, no, no, no, no, no…!
>> ”So…”She messaged me a while ago, and I just kind of left it’s just been the odd message here and there, checking in, and then she casually mentioned she was coming back to town for the weekend and that we should have a drink and catch up, and all the stuff was a really long time ago, if you remember, and we’re legitimate adults now, so I don’t see the harm in catching up with Spencer.”
Booker listened attentively, his face betraying the look of shock and abhorrent surprise as he knew what was coming. Every word she said just continued to hammer the nail harder and harder into the running theory that he was already formulating. When she reached the end of her litany of word vomit, he cringed, hard, as he heard the one name he didn’t want to ever hear again – Spencer Robertson.
Spencer was probably the worst mistake that Booker had ever made in his life. She had was hot steaming sexpot of a woman that had immediately managed to ensnare his sense. Everything she did was with purpose, and that purpose was solely to find a mate and devour them until there was nothing left but a husk. Oh she was all peaches and ice cream when you first started to talk to her. Compliments, flirtations that you weren’t sure were flirtations. It was only when you were pulled in too close that she finally made her more.
Oh the earthy pleasures that woman indulged in. The levels of nirvana that she could make you feel. But Heaven swiftly turns into Hell the longer you spend with her. It starts as small things, a suggestion here, an action against your better judgement there. Then you find yourself doing things you didn’t think were possible, that you would ever allow yourself to do with another human being. It’s by that time that you are waaay too late to escape from her machinations and you start desperately looking for any way out.
Madness. Spencer Robertson was madness incarnate. And the fact that her name had passed from Nessa Bookman’s lips only made it all the more terrifying.
Firmly, and without giving an inch, Booker shook his head. ”No.” He said. ”You…have no idea what you’re getting into.” This was his “Big-Brother-Listen-To-Me-Now” Booker voice. It didn’t occur to him that his sister might be offended by his tone. Right now he was only protecting his little sister. ”You cancel. Right now.”
