Nosah Feovix.... (bleedsout) wrote in schisms, @ 2019-03-18 11:32:00 |
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Entry tags: | !character: elliot rogers, !character: nosah feovix, !complete, !log |
Who: Nosah and Elliot
What: Checking in
Where: Feovix’s market
When: BACKDATED: Mid-Feb
Rating: Pg? Implied things to do with sex
Status: complete
Elliot hadn’t meant to let so much time go by before stopping by Nosah’s market, but time had gotten away from him. He’d had to unexpectedly fill in for another professor for a week, and combined with his involvement in Eleos it kept him tied up well into the night grading papers and preparing the next lectures. A text wouldn’t do at this point, so he decided to go directly to her turf and test the reaction. If he got his head handed to him for daring to show his face, well, he’d know where he stood. It wasn’t the vibe he’d gotten from her, but his experience with her was admittedly limited. She hadn’t texted him either, so it wasn’t as if she were playing the upset girlfriend after one night of unexpected but very good sex. He stepped into the market after work, taking his knit cap off automatically as he passed through the door out of long habit, and looked around to see if he could spot her. Hands dusted against one another as she’d finished emptying out the last of the pasta they’d just received in the most recent shipment of goods. The shelf was now properly stocked once more and she’d set the next shipment for the following month. Now there was inventory to check off for the damaged goods and returns that would need to be done, and the produce shipment should be coming in later that night. Everything would need to be checked and rotated accordingly in the vegetable crispers for the new stock, but that shouldn’t be a terribly difficult process. Yet, as the door buzzed - a new customer coming in through the door - Nosah stood fully and carried the emptied box out of the aisle with her as hands worked to break the cardboard down. Eyes turned up with a smile to greet the customer and when she saw who it was a hint of mischief in her eyes couldn’t be helped. “Welcome to my Market. A pleasure to see you today.” He couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face at her reaction. It seemed he wasn’t in the doghouse, that could only be a good thing. “Thanks, and likewise.” She looked good, but it was no surprise really. Nosah was not in any sense an ugly woman. “It’s good to know you still aren’t afraid to get your hands dirty to get the job done. I figured I’d stop in and give you some business.” “Not at all.” The smile was warm and welcoming in response to his commentary regarding her work ethics. “Thank you for your consideration in markets. Hopefully, we will meet all your expectations and needs.” Nosah couldn’t help as the smile turned a bit sly with the words. “And of course if you find yourself in need of something perhaps not in stock, please do bring it to my attention immediately. I would loathe to disappoint.” Double entendre? Of course. They were fun and Elliot had proven himself receptive to them prior so why not have fun with them once again? The broken down box was tucked underneath one arm without much thought. “Is there anything you find yourself in need of assistance with today?” Elliot couldn’t help but laugh at the double entendre. If this kept up the woman might end up killing him, but he’d die with a smile on his face. “I can think of several things, but I wouldn’t need them until later. I don’t suppose I could arrange for the owner to deliver them?” He approached with a crooked grin. There was shopping he could do, but it wouldn’t take any time at all, he could afford to flirt a bit. “How have you been?” There was a definite smirk there at his amusement. Being able to banter was important to Nosah and the fact that Elliot always seemed to easily follow along certainly won the man points. There was a pensive hum as hands shifted, taking up the box and folding it in half once more before tucking it under her arm once more. While they weren’t particularly knowledgeable of each other’s lives they didn’t entirely need to be in order to enjoy one another’s company. Besides, if they kept things up as such they’d obviously learn bits and pieces of each other’s lives in time. Perhaps Elliot would bore and wonder off but that notion wasn’t particularly troubling either. Yet, really, only time would tell. “Delivery is not a common service we offer, but I am certain that in this instance an exception can be made.” The smirk had turned a bit wolfish. A hand would gesture to the market’s hand baskets used for groceries and Nosah would move in to fall in step beside Elliot. There was undoubtedly a desire there to offer the man a hug - a common greeting for her - but she was uncertain he was the type who’d be interested in accepting that sort of thing or not. “I am doing well, thank you, and yourself?” “Thank you, such personalized service could lead to becoming a regular customer.” He couldn't help the smirk as he picked up a basket from the stack. There was plenty he didn't know about her and he wanted to fix that. If things worked out maybe he'd have that chance. Nosah was a charming woman but still very much an unknown as to PDA. As such he left it all up to her. The last thing he needed was to misread signals and screw up both his personal and professional lives. He nodded as they started down the aisle. “Well enough. Grading a lot of papers mostly, the first one of the semester was due this week.” “We do aim to please.” The look crossed between a tease and a sort of wolfishness. Neither of which she was bothered by at all and had no intention of hiding in the least when it came to discussions of this sort. Though the sentence was completely intended as a double entendre it wasn't inherently untrue either. Considering they lived in a world of big business and markets it was hard to assure a small store remained open unless it had a lot of custom goods or particularly stellar service. As Nosah often sought to treat her employees much like family thankfully, the store’s service had remained close to top notch. “Ah, is it that time already?” That likely meant her own daughter would be losing her mind soon. The joys of college and things had long since been lost on her. Not that Nosah didn’t enjoy learning or reading but both items often ended up on the back burner in favor of other endeavours if it was the store, her daughter’s needs or other itches she sought to scratch as often as possible of both violent and pleasurable sorts. “How time flies shall never fail to amaze.” A puff of air through the nostrils and amused smirk was Elliot’s only response to the double entendre. She certainly had that right! Time would tell if they’d keep going or not but he certainly had no reason to complain so far. “It’s a little early by a week or so compared to most, but I have a lot of material to cover in a short time, I could make it easy on myself and give multiple choice tests but I don’t think they learn as much.” Elliot shrugged. He’d long since figured out how to speed read through paperwork, grading papers wasn’t that different and it helped that his commute times were nil. “They hate me now but they’ll thank me later. Time gets a little faster every year it seems.” An understanding nod of her head would be given at his explanation of the situation surrounding papers and material to cover. “It certainly sounds that - even if they may not think it - you have their best intentions at heart.” It was aimed to be a compliment and intended as something she personally appreciated as well. It wasn’t often that people were willing to take on more work for the betterment of the society around them as a whole. Which, if assuring their future generation was well educated didn’t fit into that bucket she never knew what would. “Ah, too true.” The soft smile remained as memories of Finley’s younger years came to mind. It wasn’t terribly long ago that her daughter was just a little thing. “Thank you.” He’d always taken educating the ones coming up behind him seriously from early on in his career. Even when he’d been a PFC he’d helped tutor younger troops fresh from boot, and had continued that as an officer as he climbed the ranks. Now he was helping educate the some of best and brightest the country (and the world, given the number of international students) had to offer. He smiled over in her direction, appreciating the compliment. “It’s a humbling job sometimes.” A can of coffee got plucked off the shelf and dumped in the basket. None of that frou frou coffee for him thank you, a good old fashioned percolator pot made it just the way he liked it. “Is that so?” A curious brow rose as she walked beside him, plucking a tag off a shelf as the sale on the item had ended as they mode down the aisle. “Would you care to enlighten me?” A soft smile was given to him before eyes moved past him to check through the inventory on the shelves in the area surrounding where they were. “Ah,” Nosah couldn’t help the delighted look that crossed her face at his selection. “An excellent choice.” While it wasn’t her favorite it must have been decent as it tended to sell particularly well. He smiled back at her. “Part of it is just the location and knowing the caliber of student that gets accepted to the programs, they’re really a great generation of kids. I saw the same thing in the young enlisted and officers coming into the pipeline the past few years. There’s something different about them compared to my generation, not as cynical perhaps.” “You think so?” He raised an eyebrow and glanced down at the can again. “I like it but my colleagues accuse me of trying to poison them when they drink my coffee.” Being a teleporter he could go almost anywhere for his groceries, really, and when it came to things like fruits and vegetables he preferred to go to farmer’s markets. But there was plenty to buy at little groceries like this and a few more items went into the basket as they walked. “So what made you get into the grocery business of all the possible career changes?” He wanted to get to know her in more than just the biblical sense, who was she now compared to the young officer he’d met years ago? It was fascinating listening to the passion and appreciation in his voice as he spoke. The intonation used felt sincere and the smile spoke volumes as well. It felt odd to analyze someone she’d slept with only once so deeply but generally they didn’t end up in her store more than once or twice more after the initial meeting so it wasn’t likely to inherently matter either. Elliot seemed…. Well… Nosah wasn’t entirely sure what he seemed like yet, but really only time would tell. There was a faint curiosity that lingered in the back of her head about the man who walked next to her and that? Oh curiosity was a dangerous, dangerous thing in Nosah’s world. While she’d retained a generally pleasant external facade - greeting or smiling at this person or the next as they moved - there was something touching about how Elliot was approaching all of this, and the fondness he seemed to hold. “It is a popular brand.” Would be the response to his inquiry. “I have heard it is particularly easy to overbrew. Perhaps that is the foil of which your colleagues speak?” An eyebrows quirked up at Elliot curiously. If he cared for his coffee ‘burnt’ or strongly brewed it would obviously turn off a great many palettes. The next question however would earn a soft but tender bit of laughter. “I suspect the same reasons for why I have done most things in my life.” Mentioning what her career was before would be left to the wayside for now. “A desire to see people thrive, to help the community if they struggled with having enough pocket change or were simply in need of supplies.” Another old sale tag would be plucked from another shelf. “Then people are always in need of a market, no?” As much as she was happy to give to food shelters or cover the cost of groceries for a struggling parents assuring that the business remained a proper investment with a good return - people always needed food along with other odds and ends - had only been prudent. “It does not hurt that it keeps me involved with the community. Certainly, being a part of something bigger will never leave my bones.” A knowing sort of look would be shared with Elliot. “A pledge to serve sticks with one through their core as I am certain you know full well.” “I do.” Elliot returned the knowing look and nodded in appreciation at her words. He’d sworn an oath to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, more than twenty years ago. The wider unspoken oath was to serve the country in some capacity and that’s what led him into teaching. “Serving is what we do, it’s just the type of service that changed.” “And as for the coffee, I’ve gotten too used to having it strong or burnt over the years and never was one for ‘civilized’ drinks some of my...gentler colleagues, shall we say, prefer. Growing up where I did at the time you looked at anyone who drank anything other than ‘regular’ or ‘decaf’ with suspicion. Joining the army, especially the infantry, didn’t help that.” He shrugged with a rueful grin. “Guess I’m too stuck in my ways now, their coffee tastes like flavored water to me.” He supposed as vices went it was a mild one. A jar of peanut butter went into the basket, he was just about out and now was as good a time as any to restock. “That is largely how I have viewed my movements and career choices as well.” The statement had a passive sort of fondness associated with it as she agreed with Elliot’s assessment of the scenario they’d both found themselves in. His commentary regarding gentler colleagues and strength of drinks earned a soft and brief laugh. It was fascinating to be these small insights into another person’s world and culture. There were touches and moments that Elliot reminded her of her own father but it was also clear he was a much more communicative and gentle sort in comparison. The patriarch of the Feovix household had always been a stern, reserved and harsh man. Praise had barely ever come expect to her brother and even then it was often a brief ‘Good job’ without just emotion behind the words. No, father Feovix was more a man of yelling orders and displeased looks until his children had obeyed. Perhaps her younger sister hadn’t incurred as much of their father’s wrath but being the oldest and being the one to break the establish expectations hadn’t done Nosah any favors in earning her father’s favor while growing up. “I have always preferred tea but I view that as a remnant of my upbringing more than anything else.” Though the notion of being stuck in his ways earned a brief quirking of a single brow. “I suspect being stuck in your ways over coffee is certainly the least concern of places one could be stuck though, no?” There was a bit of warmth behind the smile offered. As long as Elliot wasn’t trying to tell people how to live their lives or force them to abide by his ideals when they weren’t going to cause harm to others or themselves this seemed a non-issue in Nosah’s personal world. “How many classes are you teaching during this period?” It was a random question, one she wasn’t sure why she asked but… It had been asked and there was no taking it back now. A smirk crossed his face at her confession about tea, it was no surprise given where she’d grown up. Brits wanted tea even in the middle of combat, in his experience. “You’d be right about that, and it’s more of a game than anything else anymore. They complain and I snark about their flavored water and we all have a laugh about it.” He had his own pot in his cubbyhole of an office, and even if he didn’t it wouldn’t be any problem to teleport home long enough to pour a fresh cup. Sometimes he just worked from home anyway when not actually teaching or holding office hours. It was a random question but given that it was at the heart of what he did so he didn’t mind at all. A smile crossed his face. “I’ve got two sections of the US history overview class, and I have one each for Colonial History, US Military History, and Post Civil War to the First World War. Those last three will have a mix of undergrads and grad students, but I’ll have grad students to help with grading everything for the overview classes.” But so far he was having fun with it. “Ah, a shared ribbing amongst friends is perhaps a bit of the best medicine then.” There was a warm smile with the words. It was nice to know that there could be that sort of camaraderie amongst civvies as well as amongst the military sorts. There were instances where it warmed her heart to know there was so much similar between them all even if there were also a number of differences that kept them apart as well. “That seems a rather full load.” The double meaning on the sentence was actually completely unintended as she considered the number of classes he had taken on to teach for this bit of schooling. “Is that the normal amount to teach?” Though it was good to know he’d have assistance from the advanced university students if the courses got to be a bit too much. “It is but I'm the new kid and I don't have to publish anything before spring semester next year so they're loading me up this term.” Elliot shrugged. “Honestly it isn't any more crazy than trying to run an infantry battalion in the field as far as workload, it's just different. Less responsibility for one.” He didn't have to worry about sending kids on patrol and kill or be killed in this job, and whether someone got a 'B’ or 'C’ on a test was of far less concern. “I'm sure you've found a similar experience running the market.” “The stakes are a bit lower, yes.” Which she meant sincerely but at the same time she’d become responsible for people’s lives in a different way as money was a precious commodity in a city like New York and many often didn’t have enough which unfortunately some of her employees were included in that. Of course she offered the best she could, included meals and tried to write off some products into inventory shrinkage for those with kids who needed additional goods, and got the best health insurance a company of her size could afford for her employees along with trying to assure some flexibility as was possible… But she was still a small business owner and could only offer so much. “There is a different type of management to it all even if many of the skills do carry over.” An eye was passively cast upon his basket attempting to determine what he found valuable and what he sought to buy. You could tell a fair amount by what people bought or specifically sought to purchase and so far from what she could tell everything Elliot had notably grabbed screamed practical. That wasn’t a bad thing in the least but it was a sort of fascinating revelation. Aside from the fact that he clearly didn’t have a peanut allergy. A package of generic oreos went in the basket, they tasted just as good as the name brand ones and at half the price. He liked his sweets, it was just a question of moderation. Elliot nodded at her explanation. “They’ve come in handy here I’m sure. Being able to make snap decisions and adapt when things don’t go according to plan for example” Besides the teaching he still had responsibilities with Eleos, something that was never completely absent from his mind Helping guide the organization and analyze intelligence ate up more time than he first thought it would when he’d originally agreed to join, but he didn’t begrudge it. Someone had to do the job after all, and he had the talent and training for it. In many ways all he’d remained a soldier, all he’d done is taken off the uniform. He eyed her thoughtfully as she walked alongside him and decided it was time to fish or cut bait. “What would you say to getting together for drinks Friday night, if you’re free?” If she said no that would be that (he’d still patronize the store) but if she said yes or offered an alternative night, well, who knew what the future held? They’d had a good time and she seemed to be into him still, so he liked his chances. “Of course.” Nosah confirmed the assessment of skills learned and transferred over. “We are still both working with people and the many varying changes of the world. Planning, reassessment and reconfiguring is required in the modern day and age for any profession.” The statement was intended to incorporate both of them, but really could be applied to almost anyone with similar experiences. The sudden proposal of going out for drinks caused a quick of an eyebrow before a slight smirk would emerge. “Ah.” There was a considering pause as she reviewed the stores hours and shipment schedules in her head. “My Friday is unfortunately unavailable, but perhaps Saturday might work? Assuming you have time that evening.” Nosah assured that a pleasant look reamined across her face the entire time as she’d loathe to turn the man away unintentionally considering how well things had gone between the two of them thus far. Elliot let his smile broaden at her response, and felt something like relief. It may have seemed sudden to her but he’d been thinking about it since before he walked in her store. No guy ever enjoyed being shot down when they asked a woman out so the ready alternate suggestion was more than welcome. “My weekend evenings are free as long as I keep up with my grading during the week.” Saturday worked just as well as Friday for him, he’d just work on his grading for a few hours Friday before teleporting out to a blues club someplace and jamming for a while. He’d tell her about his being a mutant when they went out, he decided. Odds were she was one too or didn’t have any issue with them if she owned a small business in this neighborhood, but there was only one way to find out. The smirk remained when he offered the information about having weekends largely free. That would likely change with midterms, research projects and finals and her expectations were immediately mentally adjusted to allow for such circumstances if Elliot became a regular in the rotation of partners she seemed to ease through. No one ever stuck around for terribly long but that was fine with Nosah, she wasn’t really looking for anyone to. Between the store, her own questionable history, Finley and her other night time activities she had enough in her life to keep anyone busy enough to not get lonely often. “I shall keep that in mind.” Would be the response easily offered to Elliot regarding his schedule. “The market makes my schedule often unpredictable but with the part time manager I hired it is less troublesome than it once was.” Which people got sick, things happened, and living above the market? Well, that made her the best line of defense for anyone who might not be able to make it in for a shift. “Was there a time you preferred this weekend?” If they were making plans they ought to make them properly at least. “Of course.” Elliot understood, just as she seemed to about the tendency of his own job to have periods where it demanded more of his time than average. He nodded. “That makes sense. The manager would certainly come in handy.” He pondered the timing for a moment, what was too early and what was too late? It was always a crapshoot but he wasn’t a twentysomething anymore when the night didn’t begin until ten. “How about seven? And bring your dancing shoes if you feel like it.” “The manager has been a savior when it comes to me having any personal time. A true saint.” There was clear appreciation in her tone when speaking of the worker and perhaps a bit of amusement as well. It was good that Elliot could see the purpose and point of having someone like that around but at the same time he seemed a logical sort so of course it would make sense to him as well. “Seven sounds superb.” The invitation to bring her dancing shoes caused a curious quirking of an eyebrow with a slight smirk. “Dancing? You certainly know how to woo a woman, no?” Though the last time she was dancing? Well, that was a different story and she’d have to see what sort of dancing he was looking to do as that would assist in dictating precisely what sort of shoes she’d need. Elliot just smirked in return at her comment. “I have had a little practice at it over the decades.” Even his ex would admit he knew how to show a woman a good time, it was the operational tempo of the war years and marrying young that had done them in. “I know a couple clubs that play blues and jazz a body can dance to if that's something you think you'd enjoy.” “Only a little?” Nosah couldn’t help but tease the man next to her. Admittedly, she’d never been married and had only attempted serious relations while she was younger but her natural inclination to be flirty and have fun seemed to be more than enough to get her by for the types of interactions she normally sought. She wasn’t looking to marry anyone and hadn’t for most of her life anyway. It was a notion she’d abandoned long ago. “Blues or Jazz.” She repeated thoughtfully. “I am certain I can adjust accordingly. No three inch heels though for certain.” There was a playful smile sort of offered. “Should I meet you there or will you be picking me up?” “What I may lack in experience I assure you I make up in raw talent.” His smile was crooked and he spread his hands as if to say ‘what more could you ask?’ She certainly hadn’t complained at their last encounter. Elliot had no desire whatsoever for there to be another ‘Mrs. Reynolds’ in his life. One ex-wife was more than enough, thank you. So Nosah’s style was perfectly fine with him. “I’ll pick you up.” The smirk widened a little at that. Instant transport from her place to the club. He couldn’t ask for a better power set than what he had, really. “I will have to judge that for myself on Saturday then.” A grin couldn’t be helped. “I may have a bit of experience with dance myself. We will have to see just how well you keep up.” With the idle chatting and banter they had slowly finished working their way around the shop and back towards the front. Instead of letting Elliot wonder off by himself though Nosah would see him up to the cashier. “I will assure that I am quite ready by the agreed upon time. I would loathe to make you wait.” Really, who liked waiting for anyone when there was dancing to be done? Nosah turned to the cashier with a smile. “Good day, could you please assure our guest here obtains the proper discount for a service member?” With a confirmation gained from the worker a smile would be given with a ‘My thanks’. Her attention turned back to Elliot for the time being and she’d shift, offering him a hug. “It was a pleasure seeing you today. Do feel free to drop by as you need.” |