In Secure Relations (Cordelia x AlluringEnigma)

[Cordelia]

The majority of people scramble through their life clawing to find something that fulfills their social requirements. Their need to meet the status quo. Have a family, buy a house, become a parent, get that promotion. These were the ever present standards formulated by who knows and circulated among the masses via academics and parental guardians. People are pushed and shoved into these little nicely packaged boxes and told that they must be sheep and follow those chosen to lead. How the leaders are chosen is simple, someone says they’re the leader and as long as one other person agrees, the sheep fall in line. Facts and common sense be damned.


Before we know it, we’re gunning to hit that retirement age and consider that to be the true prime of our lives. The golden years. The years where everything that had been given up is now wide open to them. Only, they’re too old and tired to take the chances given by society. In a way, it’s clever. Keeps most of the populace under control and docile. The routines of waking up, going to work, then coming home and spending the appropriate money during the appropriate holidays does exactly as it’s intended.


And then there are some people that live purely how they perceive to be the best route to navigate such a stagnant world. It just doesn’t always line up with the morals and standards that were set in place. These people find little cheats that sheep avoid or turn away. Exploiting every aspect of every weakness within the design. Commonly called Criminals. Bandits. Murderers. They’re always negatively labeled to keep people from seeing the genius that lies behind the acts of a select few.


The ambition, determination, and resourcefulness required to join a violent gang in a big city after having just watched them take money from one’s family’s business. To weasel into the group and learn the proper way to use a gun, the right amount of pressure needed to inflict mortal wounds with a knife. The intricacies of starting a proper fire to burn just the right evidence required. Only to use what was taught to them to build a group and commit the grandest coup d’etat that a young person could muster. It wasn’t the easiest route, but it was the quickest and after everything things changed.


For ten years, an organization was being built by one young girl. It took her these years to reach the heights she had, but it was worth everything to her. A quote unquote Security Company. The gang knew her ambitions could lead them into a much higher pay scale and followed her willingly, like the sheep they were taught to be. She brought stability, guarantees, and a certain business savvy they hadn’t had before. Working until they garnered the reputation she craved and commanded the highest regard possible.


However, she knew to keep herself from the real limelight. An alias was formulated and a gentleman was chosen to stand in for her. It was not ideal, but she didn’t wish to be captured while her empire was nearing its zenith. It did have his its perks. Today was one of those days, in fact. A visit to one of her business associates. A chat that didn’t go as planned. A thud of a body falling to the wooden floor of an empty building. Dust should have billowed around the body, but this wasn’t make believe. It wasn’t some story. This was the reality of one Josephine Addler.


“Sorry about that Bill… you were a good man. Just business, you know how it goes. Everyone has to do their job and we both know that I’m no different.” Came the voice of a young woman, adjusting the blue plastic gloves on her hands. If one were to take in the woman’s appearance, they would see a relatively sweet and innocent adult. Her long hair that normally cascaded in a waterfall of red waves was tied back. Just a few strands of hair that fell across her brow gave away the normally naturally wild locks. A few freckles on her nose and cheeks that didn’t detract from the stormy blue eyes. She was lean from years of hard work and her outfit was very much a jumpsuit that could be removed after committing a felony.


She slowly crouched down to the body of the old man, with jowls like like a droopy dog. Her hand reached into a pocket of the now deceased associate, pulling out a pack of cigarettes. “You know… smoking is still the number one killer in America, right? Well… who am I kidding, we know it’s cancer.” She slid a single from the pack and looked at the dead body. The deep stab wound in his neck still bleeding out slowly as she spoke once more. “After all the years, nothing can cure it and cigarettes are one of the quickest ways to send yourself straight into that deathly embrace.”

“I never personally saw what people liked about them. They’re expensive and aren’t exactly a clean habit.” Josie slowly peeled back the cotton butt of the cigarette, taking a great deal of care to not rip it. “Most people seem to feel that way about it these days… but it wasn’t always so. Used to be that a cigarette meant you were cool, smart, sexy, and it was fashionable. Glorified in film and television, a good campaign strategy to lure young people in. Even I admit watching a woman smoke was once glamorous to me. How the smoke furled from their lips after taking a small drag… it was alluring.” She said, sticking a small pack into the end and then noticing the time on her watch.


“Oh, look at that. Sorry, Bill… I’ll have to cut this short. Got myself a date tonight. I know it’s hard to believe, a career focus-minded woman like me! Going on a date… but she’s cute. There’s a spark in her that I usually don’t see and I find myself curious of just how far it’ll go. So rare that I find someone that likes the same sugar.” She delicately placed the cigarette into the man’s hand and straightened herself back up, letting out a soft chuckle. “And she has my umbrella.”


“It really is a shame. I’ll send a care package to your family, just so they know there was no bad blood. You were good to our organization. You just stopped being profitable.” She murmured, turning to leave the small building. The building was on a very quiet street, making it easy for her to escape unseen as she walked down the street to a waiting Jeep and hopped in. “Alright, we’re done here. Tell the company to disassociate themselves with Retro Print Company and take me home.”


The man in the passenger seat nodded and pulled a phone out to make a call. The man behind the steering wheel drove from the scene, heading up the empty street and it was as though nothing happened. Josie removed the jumpsuit while in the car and looked out the window. Another day in the office, that’s all this was for her. This city had become filled with crooks and criminals that were disorganized and clawing at each other’s throats when she started. In the last ten years, it felt like things were slowly shifting to fit the same orderly dynamic. A more evenly distributed chaos. Making some neighborhoods eerily quiet these days. Her eyes turned to see her watch again, noting the time. Still early. Good.


Dropped off at her apartment, the woman now wore a simple black pant suit, much like she usually did when she wasn’t handling the dirtier aspect to her job. Her loft wasn’t exactly something to write home about, but at least her shower was. Perfect for a good steam wash before another try at being romantic. Just as she left her place, she could hear sirens in the distance. The incendiary must have gone off finally. With her purse and the little gift bag she had, she waited only a moment before a cab picked her up. Her fingers started tapping on the bag as she held it, feeling that first butterfly pit in the stomach. This could go either way for her. Either the lady she had met would hit it off with her or she would still be joining a single’s cruise later that year.


The place she chose wasn’t an overly fancy, eat with twelve forks and spoons place. It was just a nice little brewery she discovered a while back. It allowed her to get away with wearing more casual attire from the first meeting they had. A simple, soft and billowy teal sweater with a wide neck. Along with a nice pair of black jeans that hugged the curvature of her rear down to her thighs and calves. Not to mention, they were comfortable and looked cute with a pair of burgundy velvet flats. She arrived early at the brewery, Benson’s Brewing Co., just to be sure she could set her ridiculous gift down. Then proceeded to try and find the best spot for the gift.


Which she did, right in front of the other seat, and then found herself contemplating the idea. “Who just gives someone a mug with packets of sugar?” Josie uttered under her breath, eyeing the bag for an answer. This was just a date. That was all.

 

[AlluringEnigma]

“You might as well come out, Rivera. It’s over.”

“Hah! I ain’t caught till I’m caught, pendejo” came the confident reply from behind the door. From the looks of things, Rivera was dug in there like a tick. He was most certainly armed. Getting him wasn’t going to be the issue; Olivia Henson was flanked by 4 officers on either side of her. The issues was his impending death from a full-frontal assault, and the officers he would drag down with him. She let out a frustrated sigh. She had plans for the night, and this was shaping up to be a standoff that could last for hours. Olivia had wanted to go home and beautify herself. After all, the messy and tangled situation that she called her hair at the moment was hardly a panty-peeler.

Olivia thought back to Rivera’s case file. He was a mid-level tough man, though he had only recently crossed the line from racketeering and into murder. He knew he was likely looking at life, especially after his history, and she knew that. Olivia suddenly remembered one of the smaller details from his file and seized on it. “What about your family, Rivera? You think they’re going to get to keep your money?”

An eerie silence followed the question, cutting through the tension in the air, a curveball that Rivera was clearly not ready for. “I don’t know!” he shouted in response, as if verbalizing his own uncertainty would lead to some sort of resolution.

Olivia seized on his moment of indecision, pushing forward with her line of thinking as she saw the cracks beginning to show in Rivera’s resolve. “We can work something out for them Rivera. We don’t have to seize all the money if you cooperate with us. Just come out the building with your hands up and we’ll talk.” Olivia brushed a stray strand of blonde-tinged brunette hair out of her eyes, hands on her hips as she negotiated.

Another long pause followed the terse exchange, followed by another hesitant question. “What sort of cooperation?”

“I need names, Rivera. You don’t go after someone like that on your own initiative. We know you’re working with someone. Names, addresses, associates, anything you can offer” she called back with, confident she had him where she wanted him.

“No can do, pendejo” came the reply this time. Unlike the last couple exchanges, it was confident and quick, as if he knew there was no real decision for him.

The suddenness of the answer took Olivia back. Cooperation was usually the easiest thing to get from criminals. They were inherently selfish creatures, after all, and she had more than enough bargaining power to entice him. “Why not?!” came the sudden and knee-jerk reply, as if she was a child who had been told ‘no’.

“Because there’s nothing you can offer that’s going to stop them, pendejo” came the reply. This time she noted a hint of fear in his tone, though it was clearly not from her and her officers.

“I don’t know what you mean?” she asked, puzzled by the whole exchange now.

“There are a lot more powerful people out there than you, detective whateveryournameis” he called out, with a morbid laugh at the end.

Then, without warning, the door burst open, River coming through with it, guns blazing. Olivia rolled to the side, behind one of the police cars. River himself, a tall and bulky Latino, didn’t seem to be aiming at anything in particular; it seemed instead that he was intent on not being captured alive.

His wish was swiftly granted, it only took one round of firing from her armed escort for the man to fall to the ground, blood pooling on the sidewalk. “Dammit” she cursed under her breath. They had caught their man, but it felt more like they had severed a head from a hydra.

Olivia sighed, leaving the scene in the hands of forensics. She pulled out her cell phone and called up the Chief. “Hey, we got Rivera.”

“Alive?” crackled out the stern voice, hoarse from years in the Force.

“No. Fucker came out guns blazing. Wasn’t going to be taken alive” came her reply, a slight quaver in her voice. She had been a Detective for a few years now, and the Chief still intimidated her.

“Damn. Hopefully he left something behind to link him up with his boss.”

They both knew that this was a fantasy, but it was one they’d rather maintain until it was shattered. “Yes sir.”

“Before you go, I’ve got another case I want to tell you about. It’ll be your new assignment going forward” came the abrupt command, his voice deepening a little, clear perturbation detectable in his voice.

“Yes sir?” she replied, leaning against the brick wall, closing her eyes to focus on the details of the case.

“You ever heard of Retro Print Company?” came his reply.

“No sir?” she asked questioningly, unsure where this was going.

“Me neither. Well, the owner of it was killed in a huge blaze just now. Our boys are examining the scene for arson, but I can already tell you this one doesn’t look right.” He intoned gruffly, his matter-of-fact way of speaking seemingly adding reliability to his statements.

“Why’s that, sir?” she asked, humoring him. She valued his hunches of course, they were more often than not right, but she knew he enjoyed when his subordinates played particularly dumb and asked for an answer, rather than trying to suss it out for themselves.

“Retro Print Company, from what I’ve seen, has the same profit every quarter, like clockwork. No one I’ve ever met has ever done business there. Not to mention the fact that this man somehow dies in the fire without even attempting to call 911. It doesn’t add up. Hell, if we’re lucky it’s connected to Rivera.”

Olivia nodded to herself, responding “Alright, sir. I’ll send my usual hooks out, see what I can get over the weekend.”

“Sounds good, Henson. Take care.” He replied gruffly. It didn’t sound like much, but coming from him, he may as well have gotten on one knee and proposed.

Olivia hung up the phone and hopped into her unmarked, police cruiser. She drove home to her nearby apartment, rushing up the stairs. She only had an hour or so to get ready for the night, and as a result she stripped off her uniform wholly the second she entered her apartment. Olivia rushed over to the shower, starting it up and getting the hot water running.

She admired herself in the mirror for a second, her curves tight and her body toned from her daily workouts. Her hair hung at shoulder length, and her grey-ish pupils carried a sort of wisdom for someone only 28 years old. Her breasts weren’t overly large, but they filled out her body well, and her rear was as toned as the rest of her. Without another second to waste, she jumped into the shower, scrubbing away the dirt and grime from a day of work.

By the time she had hopped out of the shower, she only had about half an hour left before she would have to leave in order to be on time, and as a result, Olivia hurried to her small walk-in closet. She had decided to go for something exciting for her first date – she figured there was nothing to lose after all. She donned a pair of 2 inch heels, black and not overly-fancy in their make. She then donned a long, black dress that had frills that hung freely off it, as well as matching set of lacy lingerie. Despite the loose-looking fit, it was still designed to cling to her body, almost like a cocktail dress, and thus it still showed off her body off. None of that was to mention the plunging neckline, which showed more than enough to tantalize any onlooker. She left her hair alone, she had dyed it to avoid ever having to fuck around with braids and the like, before applying a light coat of makeup, and a heavy smear of cherry-red lipstick, and continuing on to the door.

She grabbed her keys and her purse, as well as a small stack of sugar packets at the door. She had planned on putting them into some sort of gift wrapping, but time had gotten away from her and she was instead forced to just haphazardly shove them into her purse. Luckily for Olivia, she knew the address and didn’t have to fuck around with the idea of getting lost en route.

She arrived with a literal minute to spare, rushing into the restaurant with a huff, slightly out of breath from her somewhat-far parking spot. She spied her date at a private little table towards the corner of the restaurant and headed over, an apologetic smile on her face. “I’m sorry I kept you waiting, Joesphine. Work went late and all that!”

Her eyes lingered on the stunning redhead for a moment as she went to sit down. She’s even more gorgeous than at the coffee shop she thought to herself, before her eyes noticed the gift bag on the table.

“Oh, you got me a gift?” then the realization dawned on her “Oh god, did we both have the same idea?”

Olivia reached into her purse, which now sat on the floor next to her, and pulled out a handful of sugar packets. “You outdid me” she laughed with an incorrigible smile. “We’re adorable” she added, her eyes alight in the eatery.

Could things really be this perfect?

 

[Cordelia]

In all her years, Josephine had gone on a very small handful of dates. The nature of her profession typically forced her into a deep hole of solitude. One that took far too much energy to claw her way out of for anything less than a Unicorn. Even when she could muster the time, her attention towards people typically waned quickly. It was depressing at times, but with the organization to run... it always seemed to work out in the end. There were always more people to deal with or kill. Certainly, that couldn’t be why it was hard to find interest in normal people.

However, the moment she had seen the bright and shining Olivia at that Starbucks, on a dreary day no less, a small flickering light turned on. The hair a bit messy like she had rushed or perhaps it was due to getting caught in the rain. The gentle way their hands bumped into each other. Her laugh. Something had sparked in the redhead that had seemed to have vanished within her when she was much younger. Nerves. A weird sensation of fluttering in her chest and a pit in her stomach where everything felt like it was disappearing into. Including her confidence.

Yet, somehow, she had gotten the other woman to agree to a date. So, here she was, feeling those nerves start to return. Her last date was for work, ulterior motives and scandals, all the things she was familiar with. This was personal. Exciting. Absolutely terrifying. With a deep breath, in hopes of beating out the desire to fidget, she tried to find something to focus on. Her eyes gazed around the restaurant, idly listening to the people chattering around her. Most of it was drivel that you would expect from the crowd here. Oh, my son got honor roll again. My husband just got that promotion. Sonya is cheating on her fiance.

Did you hear about the crazy fire at that old printing company? Which did garner a small quirk from her lips before it disappeared. Her handiwork had likely been noticed again, but there were times that the authorities had missed things. At least she could depend on the public to create a gentle hum of static conversation for her. Something to reduce the tension that had begun forming in her shoulders.

Fingers began tapping a soft song on the table top, enjoying the mindlessness of it all until she heard a specific voice ring out to her. Her eyes turned before her head could, sitting up a little straighter as the sight before her started to register. Olivia was… beyond words. The coffee shop meeting had nothing on this woman before her. She had to correct her eyes from following the neckline of the dress a couple times. Now wondering just what else she wore for tonight. This felt silly to think about and why shouldn’t she look? Everything that Olivia presented her with was the embodiment of wonder and appeal. Though, the smile that formed on Josephine’s lips couldn’t be helped when she noticed the frills accentuating the woman’s latent sexuality. It left a viewer’s imagination up to the task of seeing what lay beneath the draping fabric.

“That’s alright!” Of course it was alright, all good things come to those who wait. “I only came early so I could place my unbelievably ridiculous gift on the table before you could even think to arrive.” She quipped, a smile spreading across her lips at the presentation of the sugar packets that were pulled from Olivia’s purse. “Well, what do you know…. You’re just as ridiculous as me!”

Josephine gave a soft laugh at the comment. “Well, I can say that one of us is definitely adorable. The other has proven she’s got a sultry side, but I’ll let you decide which is which. Though, I’m positive you know the answer.” She was rusty at this. The nerves had settled when she saw Olivia sit across from her, but she wasn’t sure why. Was it just because the woman had shown for their date? Or was it because she had a small desire to reel this woman in?

Without missing a beat, their waiter appeared at their table like a ghost bamfing into existence next to them. He handed them both menus and set a small book with the beer lists in it on the table. “Hi, I’m Paul. I’ll be your waiter for tonight, ladies.” His smile was as fake as the off-colored canine tooth he had on the right side of his mouth. “What can I start you with?”

Josephine motioned to the table off to the left that had people sharing six small samples of various drinks. “I noticed you have flights here. I’d love to get one of those.”

“Well, sure thing, ma’am! On the flight, the samples consist of; our Raspberry Sournova, Vanilla Bean Blonde Ale, Helles Creek Lager, Agave Wheat, EOS Hefeweizen, and a Breakfast Stout.” He said with that same, dead inside smile.

“Perfect, no IPAs… hopefully, you don’t mind trying those out with me, Olivia. You can always tell a lot from a person when they try different beers. Especially, two major things. One; they’re not a beer person. Two; they make really funny faces when they don’t like one.” Josephine said and looked over at the woman across from her again and giving her a cheeky little grin.

Paul looked over at Olivia expectantly. “Did you want to just start with that flight, ma’am? Or would you like something else?”

 

[AlluringEnigma]

Olivia brushed off the compliment. She had always been bad at receiving flattery and that weakness was only amplified by the presence of a beautiful woman like Josephine. Her cheeks flushed red a little and she leaned back from the table, containing a little smile to herself and responding “Thanks, but I’m not sure I’m sultry. Besides, I couldn’t hold a candle to you, you’re stunning” she replied, doing her best to retain the confidence she so carefully clung to.

Sometimes Olivia felt like a magician, as if she was gesturing one way and performing amazing feats on the other – after all her confidence was strictly limited to her words and her professional life; Josephine terrified her. Not because the stunning redhead was inherently terrifying – in reality she was downright ravishing, with a touch of cute in her. Rather, because Olivia just couldn’t imagine fucking this up.

She had a tendency to attach these wild dreams to people she had never met, though. She had thought plenty of times before that there was something special about a date only to later on realize that they had, in fact, been a dickhead. Something felt different about Josephine, though. There was a quiet grace to the girl that belied her frantic and sweet nature, as if Josephine was a cunning predator amongst sheep. Olivia couldn’t quite put her finger on why she felt that way, but she knew she did indeed get that sense.

Olivia shook the speculation from her mind. It was their first real date, she was better off focusing on the now and enjoying herself, rather than overthinking everything and leaving miserable.

So, as she contemplated the reality of her date, she vaguely listened to the waiter listing off the beer flight. Olivia was no teetotaler, but she was likely not going to be the expert that Joesphine seemed to exist as. Perhaps part of her lack of experience showed in the fact that she looked at Joesphine as some sort of expert in the field.

Normally, Olivia would have turned down the offer had it come from a friend or colleague. Yet, there was some spark in the wise, greyish-blue eyes that stared back at her, a daring, sporting implication that seemed to beg Olivia to join her in some fanciful adventure, even if it was as mundane as partaking in flight of beers.

She nodded at the waiter and replied “Sure, why not, I’ll stick with the flight!” before smiling at Jo. She could have gone with a glass of red wine, her preference, or simply water, but she figured she might as well partake in Jo’s adventure.

“So, what do you do for a living? Besides the modeling, and all that?” she asked with a shit-eating grin.

As Josephine responded, she allowed herself a moment to just enjoy staring into Jo’s eyes. She was reminded a lot of the mythical figure of Athena – a certain wisdom and calm seemed to pervade from Jo, as if she was completely in control at all times. And, of course, there was a deadly ,of sorts, sexiness to that implied control.

Paul interrupted their conversation with the arrival of the flight of beers. They were laid out perfectly in the order he had mentioned; it seemed that the dead-eyed smile was indicative only of his enthusiasm and not his skill. “Which do you recommend starting with?” she asked curiously, unsure entirely of the world she was entering.

Paul replied “My favorite is the Vanilla Bean Blonde Ale. That said, I’d go in the order our chef has designated, I think he’s got a fairly good palette.” He paused for a moment to see if there were any more follow-up questions, before adding “Alright, I’ll give you two sometime with the flight and come back for the rest of your order!” before scurrying off.

Olivia turned back to Jo and smiled “Mkay. Which one are we starting with?”

 

[Cordelia]

It was interesting. The woman before Josephine seemed to be almost as awkward as she herself felt. Not accepting a simple, flirtatious compliment and instead growing almost bashful. Despite the social norms that told Josephine she should continue to flatter her date, make her blush and feel like some fairy princess. Like the ginger could never deserve such a woman as her. She chose to let it drop. Mostly to keep the comfort of Olivia in mind and she didn't want to be one of those dates that ruined everything because she was forceful.

No, it had been too long and she didn't want to risk this wondrous opportunity to go without her best efforts being put forth. Which was the precise reasoning behind a flight of beers. It was an odd choice, but she often found that she could learn something about someone based off of their palate. Sweets versus Savory. Not to mention, this was not a time for drab and commonplace decisions. She wanted to be a ghost that Olivia couldn't put out of her mind. Haunting her subtlety, with something different... something that brought her back time and time again. If even to just be in each other's company.

She liked starting out like this, it was easy and innocent. It let them chit chat, know who the other was, while also making immediate decisions about the other. Judgments on what would or wouldn't work. The simple question, what she did for a living. Her surface job was boring and making it sound exciting would be too like the man at the table behind her. Trying to impress his girlfriend with his business prowess. He sounded like a child showing off a new toy that he'd yet to figure out himself. That was not acceptable to Josephine while wooing someone that was far more intelligent than the girl cooing sweetly at everything he said. She preferred this to be her moment to perhaps ease the nerves in Olivia's grayish eyes. Bring her down from that high up pedestal that she didn't want to be on.

"Oho... I haven't modeled in a moon's age." Came the bemused, dramatic response. Adding to the flair of it all, she flipped some hair over her shoulder. "In all seriousness, I work in sales at a security company. It's not glamorous, but it pays the bills and I find that I'm rather good at it." Her eyes never broke their stare into Olivia's, watching for any sign of discomfort. There was nothing to hide in her statement, but there was a small sneaking suspicion that she was still making her just as nervous as before. Sales was the last thing most people anticipated to hear someone like Josephine did for a living and it was a perfect cover.

"The most exciting thing that can happen in my day is that I either make gain a big client. Or, I lose a client to another company. Honestly, I rarely lose one, but I think that's because all my clients are men. We all know how easy they are to lead around." Josephine chuckled, her hands idly playing with her menu on the table. It was better than her tapping on the table. This looked more like the nervous tick it was than impatience, too. Her fingers rubbed against the side of the menu a couple more times and finally, the flight arrived at their table. Set out in order; EOS Hefeweizen, Helles Creek Lager, Agave Wheat, Vanilla Bean Blonde Ale, Raspberry Sournova, and a Breakfast Stout.

If Olivia likened the redhead to Athena, then she was most certainly Josephine's Odysseus at this moment. Managing to capture the notice of the typically dispassionate goddess. Instead of helping answer the question first, Paul had stepped in with the generally correct response, beating her to the punch. By generally correct, it basically came down to if the person cared to follow it. There was a small tug of a frown at the corner of her lips, but she refused to let it fully manifest and it was gone before it could be registered by anyone. Her hand reached out for the list and showed Olivia the layout. "Well, there's technically a right and a wrong way. Start with the lights and work towards the darks like it's laid out here and Paul suggested.... but personally, I'm a bit of a hedonist... and pick up whichever catches my fancy first. Like you." She winked, reaching for the Vanilla Bean sample and took a small sip. It was definitely a sweeter beer. "It's like Christmas in a cup! Just a little hint of cinnamon and spices! Here."

Josephine held the drink out for Olivia to take, being quite careful to ensure their fingers gently grazed against each other's while passing off the small glass. Her smile expressed just how practiced of a move that was for her. The feel of soft skin to soft skin in such a brief second. This was one of her favorite ways to help garner more attention from her date. The small gestures that built upon one another.

"You weren’t kidding! Just like Christmas!" Came Olivia’s response after taking a sip. It was good to see that she liked the drink, something to file away. She liked sweeter drinks.

“You go ahead and enjoy that one… I’m going to try…. This one. Always been a fan of darker beers” She plucked the glass with the breakfast stout up. It tasted like a smooth coffee, luscious and rich. It actually was rather pleasant, despite her typical desire to have chocolate stouts. She offered it to Olivia and watched the way her nose wrinkled and she made a face of disgust.

“Nope. All yours.” The drink was handed back immediately, making Josephine laugh a little.

“Alright, fair enough. They’re not for everyone. I admit.” She murmured, sipping from the small glass with a playful gleam in her eyes. Her finger tapped on the glass of the Raspberry beer. “That one’s fruity…. You try it first. I bet you’ll like it.” Well, yes, fruity, but also sour. Would this be misconstrued as a prank? Possibly, but it was too good of an opportunity to pass up. She set the stout down and picked up the Hefeweizen to try.

As Olivia picked up the Raspberry Sournova, there was a second that Josephine held her breath, waiting for it. There it was, a bigger sip than she was probably wanting to take. And the way her face contorted and she cringed while her body tried to shake off the feeling, setting the glass down quickly. Only to shove it away. It brought a hearty laugh from the redhead.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry! It was too easy!” She said, trying to halt her giggle fit. “That was adorable!” Though, the look on Olivia’s face was still far too amusing to stop her.

“You mean you tricked me? I’m betrayed! That’s it, date over.” Olivia finally managed to find the humor in her unpleasant experience, laughing as well. This was good, the flight was helping to bring some of their nerves down.

“Oh noooo! Is it that bad?” Josephine asked, picking it up and taking a sip. She coughed and set it down at the edge of the table as though it had deeply offended her for existing. “I think that was rather pleasant… aha…. Not sure why you didn’t like it.”

Once the laughter calmed down a little and they were drinking the ones they had previously been enjoying. "Also, don't think I'm going to forget... what is it you do for a living, Olivia? I told you about my dull job... I am curious what such a lovely woman like you does for a living."

 

[AlluringEnigma]

Olivia was surprised that such a magnetic and attractive beauty like Josephine was working in such a mundane job. She wasn’t sure if she could have chosen a more boring profession – perhaps accounting? She was used to her own job being rather droll in conversation – the TV version of detective work built up some great hype for a profession that simply lacked the day-to-day excitement of CSI.

She reached for the Agave Wheat beer next, as she answered Jo’s question. “I’m a detective actually. Mostly just put away mid-level thugs. Like today, for example; we caught up with this mid-level muscle guy named Rivera today. Guy killed two people, but it was clearly a hit job. In CSI, we’d get to catach the mastermind. Here, we just keep searching and hoping for a break.”

She shrugged, taking a long sip of the Agave Wheat, realizing she had gotten a little too caught up in work. She returned to the light mood of earlier, smiling as she put the rest of the beverage back on the table. “I like this one. It’s really, uh, what’s the right word? Smooth? Easy to drink.” She stated, offering it to Jo, who smirked and took a sip, nodding her head in approval.

Of course, whether Josephine was smirking at the bright smile of Olivia, or rather the irony of the detective’s curse- the answer being quite literally right under Olivia’s nose – was only known to her. She raised the glass to her lips, giving the same alluringly mysterious look to Olivia as she drank, before setting it down and remarking. “Yea, I still prefer the Stout though” she remarked, cutting through the intrigue with a bright bit of laughter and returning to a sip of the dark stout.

Olivia rolled her eyes and decided to go on with a bit of sarcasm. She had felt pretty comfortable around Jo so far, the redhead’s constant barrage of small gestures and welcoming laugh breaking down the anxiety of a first date for the brunette pretty quickly. She brushed a strand of her blonde-tinged hair out of her eyes, playfully grinning as she remarked “You with your breakfast stout. I bet you drink your coffee black. Oooh! I bet you were one of those kids whose favorite Halloween candy was black licorice” she added with her best faux-interrogation face, scrunching up her eyebrows and pointing an accusing finger at Jo.

Jo smiled and leaned back, a coy smile on her face as if she were slipping into the part of a seasoned criminal. “I plead the fifth” she added with a slight curl of the corner of her lips. It was a little eerie, and rather sexy, how the redhead could switch between a coy and in-control persona and an absolute goofball. Olivia, in all her years of (attempted) dating had never quite stumbled across someone as wonderfully unique as Josephine.

Olivia suddenly refocused herself and reached for the Lager. She took a sip of it and frowned slightly, before shrugging her shoulders. “Meh! That one’s just fine” she remarked rather standardly, somewhat glad that there hadn’t been any more raspberry surprises. She handed it to Jo and allowed the girl a moment to drink before asking her next question.

“So why work where you do? Don’t get me wrong, I understand paying the bills and all that. I get being really good at something. But you’re just so…. amazing?” Olivia intoned awkwardly, as she leaned forward with curiosity. “It seems like you could do anything you want and succeed at it” she added, her eyes twinkling in the mood lighting of the small eatery.

Jo laughed, blushing a little at the compliment, though deftly brushing off the question “You’re flattering me. It won’t work. I wore a chastity belt here” she added with a wink, before gesturing to the last beer of the flight. “Time to finish it off! I’ll expect you to rate them all at the end too or I’ll feel cheated by our first date” she added with a smirk.

Olivia reached for the Hefeweizen and took a long sip. She put the beer down for a moment, before taking another long sip, quizzically staring at it. “It tastes like….banana?” she intoend hesitantly, as if she was afraid her very senses were betraying her.

Jo nodded and reached over for the Hefeweizen “It’s a lighter beer, fruity almost!” before she took her own sip. She, of course, preferred the darker stouts she had resided with at the beginning, but the Hefeweizen was still much more palatable to her than the sweetness of the Vanilla Bean or the incredible sour of the Raspberry. She looked at Olivia curiously, waiting for her verdict on the flight.

Olivia scrambled in her mind to come up with something intelligible. “Mkay, I’ll go worst to first! The worst was your little ‘surprise’” she added with a pointed, playful glare. “Then the Breakfast Stout, and then the Lager, the Agave Wheat, the Hefeweizen because that banana note was just so out there, and obviously my favorite was the Vanilla Bean, because I’m weak and prefer sugary, yummy treats” she added with a playful giggle.

At that moment, Paul returned to the table, seeing that they had finished the festivities. “Will we be getting something to eat tonight? Or would you like the check?” he asked, looking at Olivia first. Olivia looked over at Jospehine, signaling that the decision was hers “We could eat, or we could do something else! Whatever you’d like, love” she added, watching Jo expectantly along with Paul.

 

[Cordelia]

Josephine had been curious of what the adorable blonde did for a living. So, imagine her immense surprise and pleasure when she heard that Olivia was a detective. She had her concerns, certainly. This officer was going to either find her out or be a good source if information for her. It could go either way and- Josephine had to stop herself. She couldn't believe she was already looking at this in terms of work. This precious date, something she had wanted for so long. To connect with someone outside of work and have a relationship for the first time. However, she tucked the knowledge about "Rivera" away, she had some people to visit after tonight.

"Wow.... this is.... impressive. The woman I dropped a few corny lines on at a coffee shop is a sexy detective." She teased playfully, eyes glancing over the other woman before reminding herself that she was not supposed to be treating her like the others. She brushed her hair back and tried to think back on how she was acting before learning who her lovely date was. Go back to that, don't treat this one like a means to an end. That's not what she wanted Olivia to be.

No, this adorable and intriguing woman that knew how to balance sarcasm and wit without coming off as rude. Josephine leaned forward while trying the lager. "Mm, that one's not bad. Then again, Lagers always seem like a normal beer, so it's nothing special really." She chuckled.

"And why do I work in sales at a security company? Because I like a challenge..... I also like to make people wonder what the hell I'm doing with my life!" She leaned back in her chair and sighed a little. "Well, truth be told... I do actually enjoy it. As mundane as it is, there's nothing like getting a deal to work out with a man who's trying to play hard to get. Yet, just cannot say no to a nice lady." She shrugged absentmindedly. Truth be told, her sales position was a bit more hefty than that, so her life was plenty more interesting than any on-lookers might expect. "Plus, I can make a real killing on a good day."

Her arms folded on the table as Olivia talked about the flight and she nodded. "I'll agree, the sour was.... terrible." She laughed, tapping her fingers on the now empty glass of the stout. "This was my favorite. The banana one was actually pretty good, the Lager was enjoyable and... you can enjoy your special little vanilla drink, but I'll be sure to remember the sugary and sweet treats." She said with a playful smile. "Should be easy, since it sounds just like you."

When Paul came back to their table, she tilted her head at him, realizing she was being given the choice. "What? You're making me choose? Oh, for shame!" She laughed and opened her purse, pulling out some cash. "I think I have an idea for us, to make up for the terrible sour catastrophe." She said, handing it to Paul and smiling. "Have a good night, Paul."

He smiled appreciatively, the cash he was handed gave him quite the tip, he couldn't help but be happy with that. "Thank you, ladies. Have a wonderful evening." He said, in a far more chipper voice than before.

Josephine looked at Olivia and smiled, picking up her purse and holding her hand out to the other woman. "Come with me.... let's go on a little adventure." She said softly, helping Olivia to her feet and leading the detective out of the restaurant. The new destination was near enough to a few things and she had a rather distinct idea of how to take advantage of it. "Since you like yummy sweet things, I have an idea and I'm hoping you trust me."

With that, the two headed up the street to a small little family owned bakery. There was a truly delectable selection of tasty looking cakes, cookies, chocolates and creamy treats like puddings. They bought a small selection of goodies and with a stop at a convenience store, finding a semi-sweet red wine and plastic cups. "Okay, we have our supplies... now, you see that building?" She pointed at the nearby building that rose about fifteen stories up. "I have a few pals there that will let us up on the roof. You know... to give you a fun and cliche ending to the night." She chuckled, walking over towards the building with her.

"This is also one of the perks to selling security systems, you meet people and can call in favors while on dates with sexy ladies." She teased lightly.

"Oooooh, it's all starting to make sense now! You work in sales so you can lure women to rooftops!" Olivia quipped back, making Josephine laugh again.

When they arrived, Josephine talked with the security guard for a moment before he stood up and took the ladies up to the rooftop. Sure, it wasn't a skyscraper, with a picturesque view, but it was certainly a nice and quiet location. There were even some small glass tables with plus patio chairs and some blankets with them. Strings of lights giving a nearly romantic glow. This rooftop was decorated with parties and quiet times in mind. Perfect for something cheesy like this date. Josephine smiled at Olivia and went over to a table, setting the glasses out while pouring some wine into them. "Here we go..."

 

[AlluringEnigma]

The ruby red rays of sunset stained the horizon as red as the wine that filled their glasses, the last vestiges of sunlight mixing well with the mood lighting of the rooftop. For a moment, Olivia simply smiled and drank it all in. Sure, it was a first date. She had no doubt that she would find out how terrible Josephine really was soon enough – with her luck in relationships she might as well have asked out a mafia crime boss. However, for this one brief moment, everything in the world felt OK, and she savored the feeling. The mundanity of her job, the underwhelming returns on her love life, and the disappointment inherent in her work melted away. Suddenly, it was just her and Josephine, in a locale that would rival Paris, Venice and St Petersburg combined for romance.

She took a sip of her wine, the semi-sweet mix and her company making the drink palatable, enjoyable even, for once in her life. She smiled as it washed over her taste buds and gave an absolute dreamy look towards Jo. She couldn’t even hide her enjoyment at this point. “I have a secret to tell you” she cooed at the lovely redhead, leaning over the table to close the space between them.

Josephine raised a concerned eyebrow, entirely unsure in what direction the conversation was heading. “Oh?” she mused, trying her absolute best to come off as nonchalant and only slightly intrigued.

Olivia smiled and nodded her head. She was a little tipsy from the alcohol at this point, though only enough to give her a warm buzz inside. “Yes, I do” she added redundantly, before leaning forward a little more. The tension in the air was palpable, if not unpleasant. She gave a broad grin before exclaiming “This is the absolute best first date I’ve ever been on. By far. Just marry me already” she added with a giggle at the end, taking another sip of the wine.

Jo smiled, her shoulders relaxing at the confession, before teasing her young companion. “I’d say the same, but you did show up a few minutes late, so I’m gonna have to dock you down the rankings a few places” she added with a sardonic curl of her lips, barely able to suppress her own laughter.

Olivia feigned outrage and grabbed at her chest, exclaiming “And suddenly, the mood is ruined.”

Jo let out a loud laugh and quipped back “I’m kidding, of course. I could see about putting this in the top 5 first dates.”

Olivia pouted her lips and opened her eyes wide “Why do you torment me so” she added dramatically, the back of her hand pressed against her forehead as she fell backwards slightly in a silly pose.

Josephine relented finally, leaning forward, her infectious grin changing to a pleased smile “Olivia, this has been the most perfect first date I could have ever imagined, let alone been on. Happy?” she remarked, her breath catching a little from the vulnerability of honesty. One of the perks of being the head of criminal organization was the ability, and in fact encouragement, of hiding feelings away from those close to her.

The sun was slowly fading past the horizon, and all that remained were the last few dying embers of the day. Olivia noticed this and pointed her hand to it “Sunset’s almost over” she remarked, leaning in to Joesphine, their faces but a few inches away now.

Josephine nodded, eyeing the detective curiously, before remarking “So it is. All good things must come to an end, I suppose” she remarked nonchalantly.

A glint formed in Olivia’s eyes, and a spurt of courage spurred the enthralled girl onwards. “Not all endings are unpleasant” she remarked quietly, before leaning in and pressing her lips against Josephine’s.

The kiss was hesitant and unfamiliar, not at all like the passionate embraces of the movie, but there was an excitement and promise to it that no roll of film could ever capture. It continued for but a few seconds, and Olivia pulled back nervously, a glint of lust and a heap of romance in her eyes. “Your breath still smells like breakfast stout” she giggled, breaking the tension with a lame joke.

 

[Cordelia]

Josephine was beyond enamored with this woman with her sunkissed hair and her personality that could rival even the most practiced charm of those she met. And in her line of work, she met many that attempted to sway her with charm and deceit, but this woman was wholly open. It almost scared the redhead. So, when she felt the woman's lips against hers and had to remind herself that this wasn't something she wanted only once. At the gentle jest from Olivia, she smiled possibly her most sincere smile of the night.

"Oh, my apologies... I just wanted to make sure you had the richest and most fullbodied kiss possible." She said with a light chuckle.

"Is that a beer joke? Or a wine joke?" Olivia asked with a playful tone, leaning in as though she were hoping for another kiss.

Josephine's smile morphed into something a little less genuine and into a more playful one. "Both.... hope you're hoppy with that answer." She added like a doofus would add a joke and possibly risk ending the date. However, she refused to allow this and distracted Olivia by planting another kiss to her lips. This time, it was a little more as though she were a lovesick fool. It was clumsy and meant to make her companion laugh.

Was it wrong for her to wish for this to be beneficial on both sides of the spectrum? To let it be a romance and a source of information? Her mind tried to rationalize it all and make sense of what she wanted. It wasn't easy for her to fight off the desire to use her a little, but every time that she looked at Olivia, she told herself not to do it. To just love her new relationship with this wonderful creature.

Her hand reached up to brush a gentle finger over Olivia's cheek and smiled. "You're Adorable. I hope that will never change." Josephine said softly.

"Well, that's easy. It's impossible to change someone, y'know." She said, the smile on her face revealing that the detective was certainly a little tipsy. It was still charming.

"I suppose that's true." Josephine sighed, acting relieved to hear such a thing.

The two sat on the rooftop, enjoying their sweets and wine as they watched the sun continue to go down and the stars slowly begin to shine. It was relaxing and the weather couldn't have been more perfect. Unlike all of the previous days and nights, filled with rain or intense winds. This night seemed as though it was made for them, to sit together as they basked in the romantic lighting. They spoke for hours, nothing of note, it was primarily all idle chatter and laughter. When it got a little too late, Josephine gathered their trash and tossed it into a bin. She led Olivia down from the rooftop so they could head back to their cars. With a gentle touch of their hands separating, Josephine had to admit she felt an immense sorrow.

"My dear, lovely, Olivia... I pray you arrive home safe and sound. Without a worry of anymore terrible puns this night." Josephine called out, carrying a simple bravado as she walked backwards towards her own car. With a blown kiss and a swooping bow, she knew that if Olivia could get past the absolute absurdity of her farewell. She was a true keeper.

Luck was with the redhead as Olivia mirrored the action, her own bow sweeping. "Fare thee well, my sunshine, Josephine! I will await the song of your call come daylight tomorrow!" She called out, watching the redhead disappear into a car.

As Josephine sat down in the vehicle, she let out a small laugh. It was a strange and charming success. This date, this event she anticipated to go so horribly wrong, went so insanely well. Her head rested against the steering wheel and she smiled brightly. It was such a thrill, to finally feel like something was going right outside of work. She started the car and went home, smiling happily to herself the whole way. Positively smitten.