RPG Advent Wishes [M-slight LS]

[Ezekiel]

[U][SIZE=1][CENTER][B]November 30[/B][/CENTER][/SIZE][/U]

[SIZE=1][COLOR=SlateGray]Snow gradually began to fall from the now dark sky as a young woman peered out of her window, her breath condensing on the cold glass before her. Jamie Nesbitt sighed and drew a heart in the misty circle, before quickly running a fingertip through it, breaking heart in two. Another deep sigh escaped her throat as she stood up and stretched, looking at the electrical fire before turning it up a notch.

Natalie was out buying one of those advent calendars. Jamie chuckled, remembering the conversation she and her roommate had had no more than 10 minutes ago. Sure, they were both adults, but why not have a little fun.

The door in the hall opened and shut quickly, a shivering Natalie hung up her coat and knocked some snow from her blond, messy hair before placing a relatively flat rectangular box on the kitchen table. Jamie walked out from the sitting room to help her friend with some shopping that she had decided to pick up, glancing up at the small clock on the yellow kitchen wall.

[B]"Hm, 11 o'clock, we should get to bed, Nat."[/B]

The blond in turn looked up at the clock face and nodded, smiling happily at her friend before throwing her right arm over the taller girl's shoulder, pulling her into a hug.
[B]"We wouldn't want Santa to think we were being naughty!" [/B] she laughed and walked into the bedroom that the two women shared, pulling off her scarf and jersey as she went. Jamie followed and shook her head, taking one last look out of the window before switching off the fire.

[B]"Yeah, Santa indeed..."[/B]
[B]----[/B][/COLOR]

[RIGHT]I'm getting in the Christmas Spirit already! Thanks again to everyone who signed up, Sonata has PMed me and she seems to have a good idea going with her sign up, so she may be joining us. Other than that, here are the people who are in-
-[B]Muse:[/B] Daniel Hynes
-[B]Methuselah:[/B] Jamie Nesbitt
-[B]Neuvoxraiha:[/B] Leilong Ryan
-[B]Kittychanann:[/B] Megan (Meg or Maggie) Johnson
-[B]Unborn Lord Xion:[/B] Donovan Black
-[B]vicky:[/B] Jonathan (Jon) Russel

I just need to point out that every post should have the date at the top *points to my post* Like that. Each day of the roleplay will follow the actual dates, so we only move on to December 1st when it is December 1st, when it is really December 2nd, the role play will be on December 2nd and so on and so forth.

Nothing else I?ve got to say (I don't think), so have fun everyone ^_^[/RIGHT][/SIZE]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=DarkOrchid][i]Leilong Ryan bustled into the office she worked at, holding two shopping bags and one black leather purse on her shoulders. She dumped everything behind her sizeable secretary's desk and thumped down in her chair. With confident fingers, she opened each bag and wrapped the gifts expertly, twisting the bows around her fingers and writing the name cards in beautiful calligraphy. A set of notecards for a cousin, a love letter to a friend off fighting in a terrible war, a box of chocolates for her family so far away.

And for her boss, a new box of monogramed stationary. That would be sure to placate him. He was always so indescribably angry, she could never figure it out.

His foil wrapped box was placed expertly on his table and she finally took the time to unwrap herself from a thick wool serape and a knitted scarf. She folded both after shaking out the snow, gathered from the cool city weather. After draping them across her straight backed chair, she put all the newly wrapped gifts into one bag and stowed her purse in the bottom drawer of her desk. Then she began addressing the customary letters of Holiday cheer to various buisnesses her company associated with.

Next she replied to the numerous phone calls, writing down in a very neat short hand everything that would have to go to her boss later. She would type that up in an official report to save him from complaining that he couldn't read her immaculate handwriting. The phone rang.[/i]

"You've reached the office of Mr. Eriks. Who's calling?"

"This is Mrs. Eriks. Is my husband in?"

"I'm sorry, he's running behind this morning, can I take a message?"

"Tell him to check his mail so there's no misunderstandings later. Just write that down word for word, he'll get it later."

"Yes Ma'am. Is that all?"

"Yes Leilong. Thank you."

"Merry Christmas!" [i]It wasn't difficult for Leilong to put on a cheerful voice. After all, she was ahead of schedule, her office space was clea, and she was doing her job perfectly.[/i]

"Yes..." [i]She sounded distracted, but Secretary extrordinaire Ms. Leilong Ryan was used to such things.

She hung up and began folding bills and papers away. As she stood topopen the door and dash to the mail box, she nearly careened right into her boss.[/i]

"Oh! Mr. Eriks! Good morning! I'm so sorry."

"Yes....good morning to you. Did my wife call?"

"Yes sir, I have her note on my desk."

"See that it reaches mine immediately."

"Of course sir." [i]Leilong dashed out, dropped the numerous official mail envelopes, and then made it back in, closing the door quickly behind her. She gathered up every note for him, typed them out, and placed them on his desk, where he was busy reading next week's itinerary.[/i][/COLOR]

[Anne]

[SIZE=1]Flipping through her cookie book she located the recipe for the ingredients for sugar cookies. Megan and her kitchen were covered in flour. She could bake pretty well but always made a huge mess. Blowing a strand of hair out of her face she scanned though what it said. She had promised her students that they could help bake sugar cookies on Thursday, so she needed to make the dough tonight.

Finishing up she cleaned up the kitchen and went and sat down in her living room. Propping her feet up on the coffee table she stared out the window watching the snowfall. It reminded Megan when she had lived out in the country. They always had so much snow there; her and the neighbor?s kids would have days off school and have snowball fights till their finger went dumb. Here in the city though it never snowed that much, expect that blizzard that one-year when some people couldn?t even get out of their houses.

Megan heard footsteps coming down the hall and two children voices could be heard. She jumped from her couch and grabbed two of the Advent calendar sitting on her table. The neighbors kids, Becky and Jacob, had never seen one before and had ask her the other day what they were. So Megan decided to pick them each one on her way this afternoon. Opening her door she saw the two with their mother.

?Hey you two.? Megan said. ?Have we been good today??

?Of course! We always are!? The two said at the same time. Megan raised an eyebrow ask looked at them.

?Well for the most part Maggie.? Jacob gave a big grin. Megan and there Mom laughed.

?Well than I guess you deserve what I have behind my back. Pick a hand??

?I want that one.? Becky point to her left hand, next year she would start Kindergarten at the school Megan worked at. She brought out the town Advent calendars and handed each one of them.

?What do you two say?? Her mother looked down at them.

?Thanks Maggie.? Jacob gave her a hug.

?Thank you.? Becky pushed her brother out of the way and hugged Megan as well. Megan had to laugh the two of them were so cute.

?I?ll talk to you guys later, ?kay?? They both nodded their head. ?Remember be good for your Mom or Santa will bring you a lump of coal.

Megan went back into her apartment and sat back down on the couch. She picked up her controller and flipped through the channels on the television. ?Nothing on, never is.? She turned the set off and grabbed the book she started read last night instead.[/SIZE]

[Vicky]

[SIZE=1][B]November 30th[/B]

"...Selfish bastard..." Jon mumbled angrily to himself hanging up his cellphone. "I haven't called in weeks he says, I've been ignoring his calls he says. I called last tuesday, and I was at work when he rang." He shivered slightly in the cold, shoving his phone into his pocket and looking up and down the street chattering his teeth. Jon was stood outside the toy shop, on his break really. His friend was supposed to meet him before he started work, but his friend never came. Why he was stood out her waiting for a three hour late friend was beyond Jonathan.

A kid pulling at her mothers black fluffy coat walked past Jon, partically screaming into the shop. Thank God he was on his break... he hated kids.

"Hey Jon, can you come back in for a moment? We need someone giving assistance, bit sort today." Roxanne, one of his friends at work popped her head out of the door and motioned for Jon come in.

He hesitated for a moment, noticing the women with the screaming kid looking around hopelessly. "...Umm, yeah, sure thing. No problem." He mumbled giving a low sigh. He jogged quickly into the store, being thankful that it was at least warm. It wasn't doing Jon any good standing outside with a t-shirt on.

"Excuse me?" A voice suddenly said as Jon walked by. He stopped suddenly, clenching his teeth so the costumer couldn't see. "Could show me where the games are? It's hard to find most things in this shop," Jon spun around quickly, noticing the same blonded-haired middle-aged women from before with the kid. He stopped for a moment, feeling she insulted the shop by her tone of voice.

"Yeah, right this way." He mumbled quietly leading off down the isles and biting his lip. Kids... he just didn't like them. Why did he pick a job at a TOY shop, again?

"Oh, there they are. Thank y-" The women began, but was cut off when the young girl ripped away from her and ran to the games, knocking over a few boxes on the opposite shelf and almost knocking Jon over. "Sarah! I'm terribly sorry."

"It's okay." Jon said looking at her for a moment but taking his eyes away to pick up the boxes. He looked up at the women, who occupied by her child and mumbled under his breath. "...I hate kids... and irresponsible parents."

"Pardon?" The women suddenly looked down at Jon in disgust, leaving Jon without words. "Well, looks like we'll have to find another shop! Sarah, we're going!" Spat the women, twisted her heel and walking, almost running out of the shop. Jon closed his eyes, and muttered curses and swear words under his breath.

---

Jon sat huddled up in his coat on the bench beside his friend, who was over three hours before. They didn't talk much... because Jon didn't have many other friends.

"Bad day, huh?" Asked Mike pulling down his hat over his ears and red hair. Jon gave a shrug of his shoulders. "Sorry I was late."

"Oh, it was only about five hours, no big deal." Jon snapped sarcastically. "Doesn't matter anyway. I got a screaming kid and a women out of the shop."

"What did they do?" Mike asked, nudging Jon slightly.

"They did nothing. The women heard me mumbling under my breath about bad kids and bad parents, so she waltzed out of the damn shop. Lucky my boss wasn't there or I'd be sacked right about now," Jon sighed heavilly looking up at the night sky and the clouds. "Hey, you think it might snow?"

"Could do, but I don't know." Mike replied. He suddenly took off one of his grey gloves, and reached into one of his bags, then stopped. "I know what'll cheer you up, I got you an Advent Calendar, I know you do these every year." Mike smirked, pulling out a small Advent Calendar and handing it to Jon, then got up.

"Thanks-- Hey, where you going?" Jon asked looking up at his friend.

"Hit the hay. It's late, don't stay up, and thank me properly tomorrow." Mike replied with a yawn. Jon opened his mouth to say something, but Mike had picked up his bags and began to walk off.

"...Rude git."

"Shut it, Jon. No wonder everyone you mumble about walks out of the shop, you mumble to loud!" Mike suddenly snapped back. Once again, Jon closed his eyes and sighed heavily. Yeah, he knew what this christmas was going to be like: crap as the last twenty-five...[/SIZE]

[Onix]

[COLOR=SlateGray][SIZE=1]Donovan leaned back in his chair, setting his feet up on the counter, a copy of GamePro magazine in his lap. He brushed back a lock of hair as he turned the page.

"And thus the pros agree," he muttered. "The PS2 is the reigning console..."

"What was that, Donny?"

"Nothing Howard," Donovan called.

"Slow tonight, ain't it?" Howard said, leaning on the counter. He was a skinny, sandy-haired teen, just out of highschool. Donovan was supposed to be training him. In Donovan-ish, that meant it was time for a payed vacation, as he could say that Howard wanted to handle customers.

"Oh, don't you worry," Donovan said with a harsh laugh. "Come next week, you'll be up to yer ass in customers. You finished stocking the new Mario games yet?"

"Yup."

"Chains of Promathia?"

"Done."

"Budokai 3? Knights of the Old Republic 2?"

"Done and done."

"Then pull up a chair. Looks like we're fully stocked so far."

"Sweet."

The sound of feet clicking across the cheap formica tiles rang out as a dark-haired young woman walked into the area.

"Excuse me?" she asked.

"Yeh?" Donovan replied, not looking up from his magazine.

"This is the video games department, right?"

"That's what the sign says, anyway."

"You carry Jak 3?"

"The ladie's got taste, then," Donovan said, looking up from the magazine to look her over. "Over in the Playstation isle. Should be near the top."

"Thanks."

[I]Not too bad for a gamer chick[/I], Donovan thought to himself. [I]Not to often you meet someone who looks like a DOA girl...and might actually play it, too.[/I]

The woman walked back, copy of Jak 3 in hand.

"So, you like gaming, eh?" Donovan said as he rang up the purchase.

"I wouldn't say I'm hardcore, but yeah, I like it."

"Ever been thrashed at Soul Calibur?"

"There isn't a man alive who can beat me," the girl shot back.

"Wanna bet?" Donovan said, grinning like a fox.

The gril signed the reciept, then fished a piece of paper out of her bag.

"The name's Jasmine. Call me."

"Yo, Donovan!"

"Just a minute Howard!" Donovan barked. He turned back to see Jasmine walking away. "Hey, wait! Jasmine!"

"Donovan!"

"Shut it Howard!"

*SLAM*

Stars winked in front of Donovan's eyes. He was lying on the floor, legs hanging over the chair he had been sitting in.

"Don, you okay?"

"I fell asleep, didn't I?"

"I guess..."

"Well, shit."[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[CENTER]***[/CENTER]

[COLOR=Red][SIZE=1]Poor Donovan. Heh, I almost tricked you into thinking he was going to hook up with some babe, eh? Well, hopefully I did. I thought it was funny.[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Anne]

[SIZE=1][CENTER]1 December 2004[/CENTER]

?Beep?Beep..?

The sound of her alarm made Megan jump and ran into the bedroom to turn off her alarm. She yawned and rubbed her eyes. She must have fallen asleep on the couch last night. She walked back into the living room and put on channel six. She preferred the Philadelphia news to New York new. She just liked the people better and the two cities where close enough that there wasn?t much of a weather change.

She headed back into her bedroom to get changed. She grabbed a black tweed skirt and a white shirt with a pink sweater over top. Megan went into her top dresser draw and grabbed a pair of pink knee-high socks. Megan headed off into the bathroom when she heard the weather come on. She poked her head out and listened.

?Well folks we had are first snowfall of the season last night, but sorry kids not enough for you to get out of school. Today?s high is 49 partly cloud, and windy.?

After the weather she poked her head back into the bathroom and brushed her teeth and hair. A basket laid on the side of the sink filled with hair accessories. She grabbed a pink glittery one. With that she gave one last look in the mirror and turned off the light. Coming around thee couch she turned off the television set . She looked out her window and seen that there was hardly even a dusting of snow on the ground, so she didn?t need her boots today.

Grabbing her purse off the kitchen chair, her tote bag, and the plastic bag that held the Advent Calendars she turned off the all the lights. She unlocked her doors and than with her mouth grabbed her keys that hung by the door. Megan deiced that after the hundredth time she had lost them she would get a hook to hang the on. ?Man I feel like a pack mule today.? She laughed at herself.

The first spot on her list this morning was the Bread Roll for her morning cup of tea and her Banana Nut muffin. She couldn?t start her day with out that. Nope she would her tired and cranky all day if she didn?t. A man opened the door for her. ?Thank you, sir.? He nodded his head and they went in. Standing online she fished her money out of her purse. When it was her turn she order what she wanted and waited patiently. It never took to long as long as she got here early, if you didn?t there would be a huge line. Megan got her muffin and tea and placed her muffin in her tote bag. She would get it when she got to school.
-----
She entered her classroom and turned on the lights. The room was full of Holiday decorations they had started to hang up. She placed her bags on the floor and began to take the chairs down off the student?s desk. After that was done she placed a calendar on each desk. She grabbed her stuff and placed them behind her neat and tidy disk. She pulled her advent calendar out and placed it on the chalk board rail.

Megan happy pulled her muffin out and began to eat. She had to hurry some the children would be here soon. She could her a couple buses pull up and the children?s voices coming into the hallway. ?Morning Miss Johnson.? Her fist student arrived already.

?Morning Bobby.?

Soon the only sound could be heard were hellos, gossip, or I will see you later. The pledge came on and the students stood and placed the hands over the heart. Megan recited the same pledge she did when she was a child. She could understand what the fuse some parents had about their children saying. The pledged ended and any important announcements followed. The students settled into there desk and the lesson began.[/SIZE]

[Muse]

[COLOR=indigo][SIZE=1][center][B]December 1[/B][/center]

(Sorry I didn't reply yesterday, I had to work as soon as I got home until late.)


*It is 6 o'clock in the morning, and this is your station...*

Danny groaned as the loud, annoying voice of the DJ blasted through his wonderful, wonderful sleep. With a sigh, he reached out blindly in the dark to find the cause of the noise, and ended up pushing it off the bed table.

Too tired to notice, Danny stumbled out of bed, into a wall, then into a shower. He brushed his teeth and ran a comb through his unruly hair. Usually he'd just comb out the "just got out of bed' look, add some gel, and then make it so it looked like the "just got out of bed look, but stylishly so."

Returning to his room, Danny slipped his long, baggy pale-purple button-up shirt and followed it up with a pair of white socks and regular jeans.

Feeling somewhat energized, he found his way into the living room, collapsed on the couch and flipped on the news.

[B]"Snow...cold, and cloudy. Sounds good."[/B] He repeated quietly, his vibrant brown eyes drifting to the only window in his apartment. Sure enough, snow had piled up slightly on the ledge and it was flying about lazily in swirls of white. Nothing too bad

He glanced over to the small kitchen and read the big, puke-green numbers on the microwave that showed it was already 7:00. It took about 30 minutes to get to the Bread Roll from his house, walking. He didn't mind, he called it "his workout." He got to his feet, turned off the box manually and made his way towards the door.

The large, expensive advent calendar Beth had ordered him to buy was sitting on the small round table near the kitchen, and he scowled at. He shrugged on his black jacket and matching scarf that he wrapped carefully around his neck before he walked out into the first snow of the season.

The snow wasn't so bad, as he had observed earlier, but the clouds made everything gray and nasty looking. By the time he had walked all the way to work, his was in his regular spirits but needing a cup of coffee bad. He held open the door for a woman he saw everyday come into the Bread Roll and made his way to the kitchens.

The smell greeted him happily, as did the rest of his co-workers who enjoyed Danny's sarcasm and jovialness.

[B]"Hey, Danny. How's it all goin' for ya?"[/B] Came the loud, friendly voice of the overweight chef, Johnny, who had a ridiculously strong New York accent. Danny smiled at him as he threw his coat on the hanger,

[B]"Same old, same old. Could you get me-"[/B]

[B]"Yeah, yeah. Cup o' joe and some kind of muffin...Go and be like a regular customer and sit down."[/B] Johnny waved him off, grinning. Danny winked and walked back into the main area, where the line was starting to get longer. He took a seat window and put his legs up on the opposite chair, watching people bustle about to work and for Christmas shopping, no doubt.

A few minutes later, Danny's fellow waiter, Stan, a man few years older and who always came to work extra early because he wanted a raise, came out with Danny's "order."

[B]"How's the wife and kids, Stan?"[/B] Danny asked as Stan set down the coffee and the chocolate muffin.

[B]"Can't complain."[/B] He muttered, then stalked back into the kitchens. Danny knew it was because he was more likely to get a raise than he that Stan had always been on "less-friendly" terms, no matter how nice Danny tried to be.

Smiling inwardly to himself, Danny sipped at his coffee and casually said hello to the regulars and nodded to the business men who came for meetings.[/COLOR][/SIZE]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=DarkOrchid][i]Leilong was exhausted. Catering to the needs of her boss, the phone, the files, the endless notes and recourses, agendas, itenirary. All she wanted was to get home and sleep. She grasped her belongings and headed for the door, ducking out into the biting snap of the cold winter weather before her boss could find her and stop her. Then order her about some useless and ultimately frustrating meeting.

She made it to the car, turned it on, and cruised home in the traffic, ridin out the lights, nearly falling asleep at a stop sign.[/i]

"Home. Bed. Medicine. Sleep."

[i]She repeated this mantra, about to make it into the garage. As soon as she did, she locked up, staggared up the stairs, managed somehow to unlock her door and stumble in. Behind her, the bolts locked themselves automatically and she pulled off her overcoat, scarves, purse, and bags. Then she nearly fell over her books as she tried to make it to the sofa.

Several valiant attempts later, she realized that she should just give up.[/i]

"Bah...I'll set up the creche tomorrow."[/COLOR]

[Lilt]

[center][font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=red][b]December 3[/b][/color][/size][/font][/center]

[left][font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=red]After putting on a sweater from her bedroom, Nicole grabbed her cup of coffee and sat down to listen to the radio. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back onto the cold leather of the couch. A smooth jazz song came on, but she didn't want to get up again to change it. She was exhausted from getting her daughter, Lizzy, ready for school. She was always so picky about everything, especially what she had to wear. Nicole couldn't wait until Jack moved in, then he could help her outt in the mornings. She opened her eyes and sipped her coffee. Maybe she should call him? No, it was too early to call, and he would probably be at work soon. Nicole decided to get up and go back to the toy store after she finished her coffee. Now that Lizzy wasn't with her, maybe she'll be able to ask that blond man for some helping on finding some presents. He didn't seem to like kids, judging by how he acted to that other mom and her daughter. Also, Lizzie hadn't been exactly helpful in giving Nicole an idea of what she wanted for Christmas. But Lizzy seemed to like the idea of buying an advent calendar like the one that her mom used to get when she was a kid. After getting out of her pajamas and dressing for the cold weather, Nicole grabbed her keys and got into her jeep. Just for the atmosphere, she put on a christmas cd, and drove off. It must have snowed a little more last night, but they still wouldn't close any of the schools at this rate.[/color][/size][/font][/left]
[left][font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=red][b]"Lizzy will be disappointed. But we'll go make a snowman or something once she gets back. If she doesn't think she's too old for that kind of stuff, that is."[/b] Nicole laughed.[/color][/size][/font][/left]
[left][font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=red]Her daughter had so far turned out to be a lot like her. Which wasn't that surprising since she had no father, but it was still a little scary in a way.[/color][/size][/font][/left]
[left] [/left]

[left][b][font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=#ff0000]OOC: Sorry I'm late. I think I'll use red this time, just so my posts will be in the christmas spirit. Also, I'm sure you've already thought of this, but we need to have a christmas party later on. ^_^[/color][/size][/font][/b][/left]

[Ezekiel]

[SIZE=1][B][U]December 03[/U][/B]

[COLOR=SlateGray]Jamie groaned as she set down yet another tray of empty coffee mugs on the counter at the Bread Roll. Her boss chuckled at the expression on the young woman?s face as she turned to see another group of businessmen enter the cafe.

[B]"I can't take much more of this, Drew..."[/B] she sighed. It just so happened, that on one of the busiest days of the year, the rest of the team had come down with colds or a fever. Now Jamie was one of few waitresses who were on the floor today. They really needed more people.

Drew sighed and nodded to a couple of well known faces, [B]"Come on, you've only got ten minutes left, make the most of it, kid."[/B]

Drew had grown to be somewhat of a father figure to Jamie in the couple of years that she had worked at the successful cafe. He was always giving her tips on what to do when she 'grew up'. He would tell her what to look out for in men when looking for boyfriend material. He was an all-round great guy who wasn?t afraid to go all out when it came to Christmas. Yes, this year, the Bread Roll would be holding a Christmas party on its second floor; it was still being renovated and was the perfect location for a good party.

After Jamie's shift had finally finished, she hung up her apron and pulled her coat on, wrapping a scarf around her neck tightly. She headed out the door and went down the street; her destination was the local Games Store. She needed a new game, realising that lately she had fallen out of touch with the rest of the gamers she knew. Still debating whether or not she should buy an XBox before Christmas, Jamie entered the Game Store.

She hailed one of the clerks and smiled, reading his name tag,
[B]"Excuse me, Donovan,"[/B] she said politely, noticing that the young man was half asleep, rubbing his forehead.
[B]"Um, are you okay?"[/B]

[B]"Yeah,"[/B] the man chuckled slightly, almost sadly before lifting his gaze to Jamie, [B]"How may I help?"[/B][/COLOR]

[B]OOC Party at the Bread Roll! December 6![/B][/SIZE]

[Vicky]

[SIZE=1][B]December 3rd[/B]

Calm, smoothy Christmas music played over and over in the mall, giving Christmas that extra wintery feeling with all the "sparkling" sound effects. Jon yawned, stretching his arms out and putting them behind his head. Oh how he loved Friday's... He got off work early, his friends were all off somewhere and it was business night at the club, meaning he'd get a few tips off people for getting up on stage and singing.

"Hmm... not bad." Jon mumbled to himself taking a sip of his coffee. He was staring down and reading parts of the newspaper, not taking much interest in it really. Hardly anyone was in the cafe with him, everyone was out shopping for Christmas gifts.

"Hey there, what're you doing off work Jon?" A voice said from the door. Jon looked up from his newspaper only to meet Mike, again, who slid into the chair opposite Jon with a huge grin on his face.

"I get off at lunchtime on Friday," Jon replied looking back down.

"You need to find yourself something to do, I mean why aren't you buying anything for the family?"

"Well my father's off somewhere in another country, my mum's dead and I don't know the rest of my family enough to want to buy them anything." Jon replied with a frown.

"Crap Christmas, huh?" Mike teased. He suddenly jumped up, and smiled at Jon. "I have to go again, anyway. Try to do something, but I'll see you after I've bought the family something." Mike howled a laugh as he walked out of the door, but Jon just rolled his eyes and sighed.

"Offically... the worse Christmas ever..." He grumbled to himself heavily.[/SIZE]

[Anne]

[SIZE=1]3 December

The wind whipped her hair as she walked down the sidewalk. Megan had decided that she should start her Christmas shopping. Most years she always waited till a week or a couple days before. This year she was going to be different. [I] You this year will be different. I can start early and get done early.[/I] She chuckled to herself, that what she said every year. She started to make a list in her head of everyone she needed to shop for.

?I guess I will start with my Nephew. Now what would he like? Carrie said he like video games.? Megan had a bad habit of talking to herself. Carrie was Megan?s twin sister; she was the younger of the two. Megan knew of the local video game store, but never went in there.

She entered the store and undid one of the buttons on her coat. It was much warmer in the store and she was happy about that. She could see that the sale person was talking to another woman. Megan headed to towards the game areas. [I]Now what did Carrie say he had an Xfox or Famedcube. Oh I am not good at this.[/I] She looked at the signs overhead, [I]Oh Xbox and Gamecube. Silly me.[/I] Looking about the various titles it hit her. ?Carrie said he wanted a Capcom controller. Now where would I find that.? Scratching her head she looked around for a bit. [I]Blah I should just send him money. Kids like money. [/I]


After a few more minutes of walking around she found a controller in a shiny box. It said ?Street Fighters?. ?Yes it says Capcom, too. This must be it.? She felt proud of herself. Now she just had four to chose from. ?Well I think the blue one is the coolest. So I will et him this one.? She brought it up to the sales clerk.

?Find everything you need??

?I think so?? Megan said unsure of it. She paid for the controller and left the store. ?Well it is getting late I should go home. Tomorrow I will finish all my shopping. That?s right tomorrow.? She told herself.

[/SIZE]

[Onix]

[COLOR=SlateGray][SIZE=1]"So," Donovan said, returning to the first woman. "What did you need, again?"

"I was hoping to get an Xbox," she said, smiling sweetly.

"Xbox, eh? Playstation 2's the way to go, if you ask me. But the 'Box has its charms. Halo, Knights of the Old Republic, DOA..."

Donovan grabbed a good-sized Xbox package from beneath the counter. He set it on the table, and began to ring up the purchase.

"So, do you want some games with that, or do you just want to look at the nice shiny console?" Donovan asked, flashing a shark-tooth grin.

"Har har, clerk-boy," the woman shot back. "Well, since you know so much, what would you suggest?"

"Personally, I prefer a good fighter, like DOA or Soul Calibur, or a personal favroite, Guilty Gear X2. Or maybe you'd prefer a nice action game, like Fable, Knights or Ninja Gaiden. If you like Shooters, you got Halo and Men of Valor. Or, you could save me the trouble and go look in the Xbox aisle."

"Thank you, oh wise one," the girl grumbled.

[I]I swear to God[/I], Donovan thought. [I]If this is another dream, I'm going to have to put the hurt on something. It'll be the fifth time this week, too. Aw hell. I need a girlfriend.[/I]

After a few minutes of browsing, the girl returned. She had two games in her hand.

"So, what did the sharp-tongued gamer-girl decide to buy?"

Donovan took the games from her hand. He saw that they were Voodoo Vince and Halo.

"Halo, I get. But Vince? He's an odd choice, a bit obscure, eh?"

"It looked like fun," she said, shrugging.

"It is. I'm just surprised there was someone else on the planet who plays it."

[I]It's playing out just like one of my dreams...again.[/I]

"So," Donovan began, passing her the recipt. "Need someone to help you break that puppy in?"

"Are you trying to hit on me, Mr. Donovan?" replied the girl, leaning on the counter.

Donovan propped himself up with one elbow, meeting her eye to eye.

"Maybe, maybe not. Would you be flattered if I was?"

The girl laughed.

"I admire your forwardness, Mr. Donovan. Go to the Bread Roll on the sixth. Ask for Jaime."

"I'll be there, Jay."

"Then I'll see you, Don."

With a small wave, she left the store.

[I]Well seems like it's time to wake up.[/I][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=DarkOrchid][i]Leilong sat at her desk, legs folded neatly, one heeled foot dangling from her knee, visible from behind. She leaned forward, peering at the rolodeck, searching for the precise address to mail the next flyer.

She heard Mr. Eriks before she saw him. His foosteps came to her from behind, and she didn't move. Instead she continued her work until he addressed her directly. That didn't come. Instead he looked down at the papers in his hands, sighing and rubbing his eyes intermittently. Leilong continued to hold her charming silence and waited patiently for him to speak. She didn't have to wait long.[/i]

"Miss Ryan. What are you doing this Christmas? Have any family to visit on your vacation?"

"No sir. I usually stay at home, light a fire in the fireplace, listen to music, and read a book or two. Why do you ask sir?"

"My wife has filed for a divorce."

"I'm sorry sir."

"She says I'm not satisfying her needs. So I'll be spending my Christmas alone as well."

[i]Leilong blinked. This was a new and unexpected twist. If she didn't know any better, she could've sworn he was hitting on her. He sighed and walked into his office, leaving her with no further orders. His confused secretary shrugged to herself and filled out the right address, writing in a clear firm hand, using one of several fountain pens from her desk mug. As she wrote, she noticed a drop of ink splash down and catch her on the wrist. She peered closely, then grabbed a Kleenex and rubbed.[/i][/COLOR]

[Ezekiel]

[SIZE=1][B][U]December 6[/U][/B]

[COLOR=Green]Jamie smiled happily as she ran down the last stretch of road to the Bread Roll. She passed the Game Store where Donovan worked and spotted him putting some games on a shelf, that usual serious expression on his face. The girl walked to the window and tapped on it, attracting a glance from him. He smiled slightly and waved to Jamie, causing her grin to grow wider. She poked her head into the door quickly and winked at him,
"See you at the Bread Roll later, hon." she blew him a kiss and then went on her way again, not able to get that smile off her face. Yes, today was a good day for a party; hopefully she could see Donovan smiling properly later that day.

After finally arriving at the Bread Roll, Jamie was greeted by a loud chorus of 'All I Want for Christmas is You' by the employees who were all busy putting up decorations and setting up the trees. Drew smiled at his friend as she hung up her coat and jabbed a thumb out the window,
[B]"Looks like we'll be getting snow today."[/B] he said jovially.
Jamie nodded and smiled, [B]"Fantastic!"[/B]

She rubbed her hands together and walked into the kitchen, nodding to Danny and Johnny who were merrily chatting about Christmas plans. Jamie couldn?t help but hug both of them, thanking them for being wonderful friends and wishing them an early Christmas. Both men looked at each other and then to Jamie, wondering what had put her in such a good mood. But before they got a chance to ask, Jamie had grabbed the mistletoe and walked out of the kitchen, singing along to 'Joy to the World' as it blasted out of the stereo.

Yes, today would be an excellent day.[/COLOR]

[B]OOC This party is going to last until the early hours of December 7th, so go wild and have fun and let the romance begin ^__^[/B][/SIZE]

[Lilt]

[center][b][font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=red]December 6[/color][/size][/font][/b][/center]
[center][font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=red][/color][/size][/font] [/center]
[left][font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=red]Nicole was getting dressed, as Lizzie was out stomping around in the hallway.[/color][/size][/font][/left]
[left][font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=red][b]"But I don't want a babysitter!"[/b] Nicole could her Lizzie yelling.[/color][/size][/font][/left]
[left][font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=red][b]"Lizzie, I've told you a hundred times, you have to have a babysitter. You're not old enough to stay at home yet."[/b] Nicole yelled back as she was putting on one of her earrings.[/color][/size][/font][/left]
[left][font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=red]Lizzie walked into the room and pouted.[/color][/size][/font][/left]
[left][font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=red][b]"But can't I just go with you?"[/b] She begged, looking down at the ground.[/color][/size][/font][/left]
[left][font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=red]Nicole walked over to Lizzie and leaning down, she put her hand under her daughter's chin, and lifted her head up.[/color][/size][/font][/left]
[left][font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=red][b]"I'm sorry, Lizzie, but you know I would take you if I could. Anyways, you wouldn't like it. There's only adults there and no kids for you to play with. But pretty soon, you, Jack and I will have our own christmas party. I promise. And as soon as I get back home, I'll make us some hot chocolate. How's that?"[/b][/color][/size][/font][/left]
[left][font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=red]Before Lizzie answered, someone rang the doorbell. Nicole stood up and grabbed her purse.[/color][/size][/font][/left]
[left][font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=red][b]"That's probably the babysitter. Now you respect her and try to have some fun. She's not one of those 'stinky old granny' babysitter's that you hate."[/b][/color][/size][/font][/left]
[left][font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=red]Nicole let Sarah, the babysitter, inside and introduced her to Lizzie. Then, when she had made sure that Sarah had everything under control, Nicole drove off to the christmas party at the Bread Roll. Technically, Nicole wasn't an employee, but the manager had told her to be there, since he seemed pretty positive that she would get the job. She only wished that Jack could join her, though. But he was out of town.[/color][/size][/font][/left]

[Muse]

[COLOR=indigo][SIZE=1]

(Once again, sorry for not posting, but my life has been sucky busy lately...)

[B]December 6[/B]

[b]"Hey, don't walk into something!"[/b] Danny called after Jamie in a very skillful mock-worried voice. Johnny laughed and shook his head,

[B]"Anyways, as I was saying. You should really be lookin' for a new girl. What kind of Christmas is one without a girl?""[/B] He stated loudly, his normal voice that usually got people to snicker behind him. This time the laughs were directed at Danny, as all could remember the scene at the 'Roll with Beth and the look on Danny's face as she stormed out of the cafe.

[B]"Uh..."[/B] Danny muttered warily, glaring at Drew who was smirking at him from the main room. [B]"I don't think so...Not after what happened with Beth. Not for a while at least, man."[/B]

Johnny waved a hand at Danny and turned around, [B]"Whatever, whatever. Go and be a good pretty boy and go hang up decorations."[/B]

Danny chuckled to himself as he strode out of the kitchen. Johnny had taken the part as "Big Brother" in New York, always looking out for Danny and taking up where [i]real[/i] big brother Harry had left off. Pretty boy was Johnny's favorite nickname for Danny, but only said later on in the day, as Danny was usually not himself in the mornings and wouldn't know Johnny was calling him over with "Pretty Boy!"

Danny was very suprised to see Jamie basically dancing around with her decorations, still singing along with the Christmas music. Most of the other employees seemed to be used to it now, and were all hanging up decorations and chatting. Being abnormally curious as he was, Danny held out a hand and set on her shoulder. She stopped, and hugged him again, than literally skipped away.

[B]"O...k...I think she might be happy about something."[/B] Danny laughed, then went to hang some ornaments on the larger-than-life Christmas tree in the corner, whistling along with "Wonderful Christmastime."
[/COLOR][/SIZE]

[Onix]

[COLOR=SlateGray][SIZE=1]Donovan sighed and ran a hand through his hair as he looked down at his meager wardrobe. He was just invited to a party by a beautiful woman, and had nothing to wear.

[I]Irony is a sadistic bitch.[/I]

Finally, he decided on a pair of crisp new blue jeans, a black t-shirt, and his old leather jacket that had served him well for many years. It even still had that warm leather smell.

With an unsure glance, he looked over at the small boquet of flowers he had bought, feeling a little stupid.

[I]I'm a clerk at a Game Store. She's...gorgeous. Something's wrong with this picture.[/I]

And just at that moment, as he was standing there in his comparitively best duds, holding a boquet...his roommate walked in.

"Hey, Donny, where's the...hello?" he said, eyes beginning to sparkle.

"Now's not the time, Patrick," Donovan groaned.

"'As little Donny-boy got 'imself a girl, 'en? Eh?" Patrick said, doing a poor British accent for some inexplicable reason.

"...You're an ass. You know that, right?"

"Yes. Yes I do."

"I'll be back...later. Don't wait up. In fact, don't keep breathing for my sakes."

Patrick feigned choking as Donovan walked out of the apartment, grabbing his helmet as he did so.

[I]Remind me to kill him when I get back.[/I][/SIZE][/COLOR]

***

[COLOR=SlateGray][SIZE=1]Donovan's motorcycle skidded to a stop in the thin snow. He hopped off and walked it a few feet to a suitable rack, and chained it down. He took off his helmet and swapped it for the boquet he managed to tie onto the back seat. It was mainly uncrumpled.

[I]All right, Donovan. You can do this. She plays video games, she works with food, she's gorgeous...and incredibly out of my league. NO! Must not be pessimistic...damn, can't do that. Must not be cynical...okay, I really can't do that. DAMN! Okay, I'm just going to walk in there, give her the flowers, and...[/I]

He heard a sudden rapping on the window. With a quick, startled turn, he saw her looking at him. She gestured for him to come inside.

[I]Aw hell.[/I][/SIZE][/COLOR]


***

OOC: Take it away, Jay. God that was horrible.

[Revelation]

[size=1][color=#696969][B]"No, no. The red poinsettias go in the solid and the white go in the transparent. Lift the lights and curve it more. Anderson, more silver on the tree please. And we need to get a new ornament for the top of the tree, as well."[/B]

With a smile beaming on her face, Michelle could feel the christmas spirit all around her. It was invigorating and tremendously blissful. She walked around complimenting and advising, but most of all looking at her task at hand. The decorations and preparations for the christmas season was a task that her father appointed her because he knew how she felt about the holidays.

Everyone greeted her with a smile on their face and a joyous feeling. She then decided to make her way to the kitchen. As Michelle nodded to the passersby, she heard a beep as she walked to the kitchen. She ignored for it for a moment but it had gotten consistent and annoying. Michelle stopped and listened to the voice.

[B]"Yes, Helen?"

"Ms. Lee, your father is on line 3 and there is an invitation for you at your office. It says you're invited to a party at the "Bread Roll" and they would like you to be a guest. There is a phone number written down as well. Would you like me to decline?"

"Alright, tell my father that I will call him back later and call "Bread Roll" and ask for the manager. I'll be up in a moment."

"Yes, ma'am."[/B]

Michelle sighed and walked to the kitchen. Upon opening the doors, commotion erupted all around and everyone was bustling about, readying the dinner feast that her father and his clients were arrive to. Michelle found the head chef and asked for the new menu.

[B]"Ms. Lee! Here's the new menu. I may make some edits on this, but it's nearly everything that I think you might like. Also, your father's dinner feast is almost ready."

"Thanks for letting me know, Daniel. Keep up with the good work."[/B]

Exiting the kitchen, Michelle walked towards the elevator and rode up to her office. She complimented the elevator operator and walked towards her office, in which she found Helen doing her secretary work. She smiled to her as well and walked into her office, with Helen following behind.

[B]"Ms. Lee, the manager from the "Bread Roll" is on line 2 and your father congratulates you on your work so far."

"Thank you, Helen. I'll take that phone call. Put her through."[/B]

Helen nodded and went back to her desk. She pressed a few buttons and put the manager through to Michelle, who answered the phone. She was busy organizing and listing of things to do till the Christmas festival.

[B]"Hello?"

"Yes, hello. This is Michelle Lee, the co-president of the Muse Hotel. I received your invitation to your party. What time does the party start?"

"Oh. It begins soon. I'm glad you could R.S.V.P. We'll be expecting you here."

"Alright then. Thank you. Have a nice day."[/B]

Looking at things, Michelle was already finished with many of the things she was needed to do. She had nothing else and got out of her office, grabbing her coat, bag, and keys. She looked to Helen who waved good bye.

Going back down, Michelle said her good-byes to the workers and walked to the employee's parking lot. She unlocked her car doors on the way to her car and hopped in. She turned on the music and was listening to an R&B version of christmas songs. She was in a good mood and was on her way home.

Unlocking her apartment door, the jingles of her dog's collar was heard and when the door opened, he wagged his tail and greeted her. She petted him and quickly chose her clothes and layed them out on her bed. She walked to the bathroom, closing it behind her, Michelle removed her work clothes from her body and stood naked in front of the bath tub, checking the temperature of the water. She stepped in and lathered and rinsed her body to rid herself of the body odor and soil from the day.

Standing in the shower for a bit, she began to think of the christmas days at the hotel and the people that would arrive, then one person entered her mind, but she knew that he was no more. She shook her head and turned off the water. Grabbing a towel, Michelle dried herself off and walked out. Quickly changing, she was ready for the party.

With a quick look in the mirror, she saw herself. She wore a silky, long sleeved burgundy shirt, black pants with a white and lavender sash belt, and her black boots. She nodded and grabbed her waist-long black jacket and walked out of the door.

[B]"Let's see. Bread Roll is...ah. Here we go."[/B]

Fixing her hair and make-up, Michelle got out of her car and walked up to the doors of the Bread Roll. She opened the door and looked around, the place was filled with people. It was a sight that she hadn't seen in a while.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[B]OOC:[/B] My creativeness just stopped a couple paragraphs later. How horrible. Oh well, I talked to Meth and she said it was alright for me to join. ^_^[/size][/color]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=DarkOrchid][i]She fired up the PC, jiggling her foot while it booted. She was still home, and she had another 20 minutes before she had to zoom to work. Her mail box blithely informed her of e-mail from an ex boyfriend, e-mail from her FedExed services, and e-mail from old friends away in graduate school on the other side of the coast. She sighed and looked out the window. Rain. Pouring rain. She shifted her gaze to the opposite wall where her old family creché was sitting. Mary and Joseph and a donkey, while the stable housed a flock of sheep, horses, and a milk cow.

Soon the set would be complete. But in the meantime, she listened to holiday Ska and typed up a new entry for her online journal. People read it, of course, if only in the vain hope that she would buy new lingere for herself this Christmas holiday and post pictures of herself wearing it. Ah yes, that would be the greatest gift imagineable for them.

Leilong laughed and put everything to sleep, then shoved both feet into her galoshes, buttoned up her slicker, grabbed the umbrella and stowed her purse and files underneath the fold of her lapel. then, she made the 40 yard dash from her doorstep to the car in 10 seconds flat. Once there she threw everything haphazardly into the passenger seat, flicked on the lights, threw off the brakes, and zoomed out of the garage, headlights blazing.

In a record time, she made it to work, found a semi-decent parking spot, and got out, holding her umbrella close to her body to fend off the lashing winds threatening to rip it from her hands.[/i]

"Rain. I hate rain."

[i]She skirted dangerous taxis, leapt over a dog and slid on wet pavement right to the door and opened it just in time to see Mr. Eriks walk up.[/i]

"Good morning sir!"

"You're too cheerful in thsi dismal weather. .....get inside and dry off."

"Yes sir."

[i]He held open the door while she ducked under his arm and stepped inside, folding up her umbrella and taking off her slicker.[/i][/COLOR]

[Ezekiel]

[SIZE=1][U][B]December 7[/B][/U][/SIZE]

[SIZE=1][COLOR=Green]Jamie smiled happily as Donovan walked inside, she saw that he was holding a boquet of flowers and a slight blush crossed her already rosy cheeks. She walked over to him and hugged him tightly, feeling his free arm hook around her back, returning the gesture.

After Jamie let go, she could see a slight pink hue to Donovan's cheeks, she smiled sweetly and tilted her head to the side.

[B]"I'm glad you came, Don."[/B] she said, her eyes never leaving his face. The young man nodded and held out the boquet of flowers nervously, smiling slightly.

[B]"I got these for you, I hope you like them..."[/B]

Jamie looked at the flowers and took them with one hand, grinning broadly, [B]"They're beautiful, Don, thank you."[/B] she leaned in and kissed him on the cheek, not realising that all eyes were now on the couple at the door. Within seconds the whole place was an uproar, with all the employees crowding around Donovan, asking him questions.

Jamie chuckled and walked into the kitchen, placing the flowers in a crystal vase before walking back out to see another guest enter. She recognised her and looked at Drew, one of the few people who weren't interrogating Donovan, though he was quite obviously making sure that he looked...suitable. Drew smiled at the newly entered woman and walked towards her, his hand out-stretched,

[B]"Name's Drew, I own the Bread Roll, I'm very pleased that you could make it, Ms. Lee." [/B] Drew smiled his best smile and was pleased to see that Michelle did the same. Jamie walked over to the two and bowed her head slightly, reaching out her hand,
[B]"Ah yes, Ms. Lee, this is my good friend and one of my best waitress', Jamie."[/B]

Jamie shook hands with Michelle and smiled, [B]"It's a pleasure."[/B]
Michelle nodded and released Jamie's hand, inclining her head, [B]"The same for me, and please, call me Michelle."[/B][/COLOR]
----

[B]OOC Wonderful, everyone is here now ^_^ I'll extend the party for a bit longer, say, until the 8th. Hell, it's something to do.[/B][/SIZE]

[Onix]

[COLOR=SlateGray][SIZE=1]"What do you do for a living?"
"Have you ever done drugs?"
"What are your intentions with Jamie?"
"Are ya riding the White Pony, son?"
"Motorcycles aren't very safe, you know."
"A biker eh?"
"How long have you known Jamie?"
"Have you ever killed a man with your bare hands?"
"Do you hit 'the bong?'"

[I]Oh God, kill me now[/I]

"Video Game Clerk. No. Not sure. No. They're safe if you can ride them well. Yep. About three days. I've wanted to. No, goddamnit!"

The mob of people stared as Donovan rattled off the answers to their questions. One of them turned and called out, "He's all clear, Drew!" Donovan looked over to see Jamie blushing and hiding her face with one hand, and a man near her smiling a little. He waved, grinning, causing Jamie to blush harder.

"If you'll excuse me, folks," Donovan said, moving past the mass of people.

He flicked a lock of black hair out of his eyes as he walked up near Jamie. One of her hands snaked around his waist, and he put one around her shoulders.

"Well," she said, looking up at him. "You've passed the first test."

"There's more?" Donovan groaned.[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Lilt]

[font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=red]Nicole locked her car with its remote. She was late, but not late enough to not still be "fashionably late". Jamie walked in after an elegantly dressed woman. Most of the people at the party were questioning a blond man like he was some kind of criminal. Nicole laughed, and walked away from the crowd and to the refreshments table. After getting some cider, she looked for a friendly face to start mingling with.[/color][/size][/font]
[font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=red][b][i]"[/i][/b][b][i]Oh to hell with friendly faces. I'll go talk to the ice queen."[/i][/b] Nicole thought as she watched the woman who had an air of elegance about her.[/color][/size][/font]
[font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=red]Nicole slowly walked across the room, squeezing by a couple of people, until she had reached her destination.[/color][/size][/font]
[font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=red][b]"Have you seen the manager around?"[/b] Nicole asked.[/color][/size][/font]
[font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=red]The woman turned around. after sipping some of her wine, she shook her head. Nicole held out her hand.[/color][/size][/font]
[font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=red][b]"I'm sorry, I haven't even introduced myself. I'm Nicole Bloomington. Your face seems familiar. Have I seen you somewhere before?"[/b] Nicole asked.[/color][/size][/font]
[font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=#ff0000][/color][/size][/font]
[font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=#ff0000][b]OOC: Sorry about the short post. I don't know enough about Michelle's character, yet.[/b][/color][/size][/font]

[Revelation]

[size=1][color=#696969][B]"Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Bloomington. My name is Michelle Lee."[/B]

Confusion set into Nicole's face as she tried to remember who Michelle was. Michelle smiled sweetly and understood. It wasn't as if she was a celebrity, like her father, Eugene Lee. She then took another sip of her wine before helping Nicole out.

[B]"I am the daughter of Eugene Lee, the owner of the Muse Hotel."[/B]

When this was heard, Nicole's eyes widened as she heard the name Lee and Muse Hotel. In some way, everyone knew the owner one way or another, it did not matter how. Michelle laughed a little and just smiled as always. She knew how people acted when they had heard that she was daughter. It mattered none and she merely loved to see the expression that people gave her.

[B]"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Lee."

"Please, call me Michelle. Ms. Lee is only for work. It's too formal, you see."

"I understand."[/B]

Still smiling, Michelle looked around at the christmas party. It was small, but festive. It brought her to a good mood, once more. The music, the people, the refreshments were all wonderful. She had not been to a party like this in quite some time. It was always her father's parties that she had to attend, never anything like this. Nicole noticed Michelle's eyes wandering, which brought Nicole to Michelle's attention.

[B]"It's an upbeat restraunt, wouldn't you say? It reminds me a bit of my mother."

"Yes, it is. But if you don't mind me asking, what does your mother do?"[/B]

A slight chuckle escaped Michelle's breath. She accepted her mother's death, but wasn't keen on talking about. She rarely wore her heart on her sleeve and was used to it. Her father was like that and she inherited that gene. It wasn't hard.

[B]"My mother passed away when I was young."

"I'm sorry. I didn't know."

"No, no. It's quite alright. What's passed is past, right?"[/B]

The cheeriness of Michelle still lingered, but something bothered her, even though nobody could see it. She merely ignored it and went on with her night. She didn't care to think about her feelings at the moment, except for the festive and happy emotions that she wanted to exude. Sorrow and pain would not return to her, no matter what.[/size][/color]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=DarkOrchid][i]Mr. Eriks was in a mood the entire day, so Leilong steered clear. Whenever he passed through, she either had her head burried in the filing cabinet or suddenly developed a reason to go to the bathroom. Although...that wasn't so hard. Her mood matched the weather and her body responded to the new moon. With a full blown period, she was not feeling any need to be kind and warm and friendly like usual.

Instead she felt like clawing anything that came close enough for her to snatch into her comfort zone. Speaking of comfort, that was hard to come by. Her body was tense, her muscles sore, and her poor back refused to let her rest at night.

"Alone."

She labelled files, used the bathroom, answered the phone, strained to be polite to people, and signed for several UPS packages. As she used the box cutter to open them, she found herself wondering why she had no boyfriend, no life, and no sudden wave of happiness. It was Christmas for goodness sake. Why wasn't she feeling good? Maybe it was just hormones. Leilong couldn't tell. She sighed and opened the boxes.

Nothing for her anyway. She placed the supplies where they belonged and opened the cabinets. Dusty. She wiped them down with a wet rag and put the new papers and folders away.[/i]

"Alone..."

[i]Leilong finished up, and closed everything down, locking it with one of the several keys on her ring. Mr. Eriks walked back in and looked at her. Then plodded on through to his office. She breathed a sigh as soon as his door closed, then grabed her purse and belongings and headed out.[/i][/COLOR]