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Gabriele Whistler ➶ Thea Queen ([info]redhoodie) wrote in [info]paxletalelogs,
@ 2010-06-26 19:10:00

Previous Entry  Add to memories!  Tell a Friend!  Next Entry
Entry tags:mami wati, poseidon

Who: Paul and Moana
What: Dinner
Where: 1005
When: Saturday, June 26th, 7:00pm
Warnings: Moana is a shameless flirt. And awkward dinner is awkward.

Moana had left her apartment at exactly five minutes before seven, a perfectly chilled bottle of wine in hand. Normally, for only two floors, she would have taken the stairs, but with spike heels on she had opted for the elevator instead. She wasn't sure exactly how to prepare for dinner with Paul, so she'd picked a dress that reminded her of the blue of the ocean and combed her hair straight back off her face. It wasn't precisely that she had expectations for the meal, or anything of the sort... but it never hurt to look nice, especially when one's dinner partner was male. If he was straight, he'd appreciate her appearance. If he was gay, he'd at least like her dress.

At exactly seven, she knocked on the door of apartment 1005. She waited for him to open it with a winning smile on her face.


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[info]i_sea_you
2010-06-27 01:05 am UTC (link)
Paul was just taking the fresh bread (it made the apartment smell rather homey) from the oven when he heard a knock on the door. The shrimp scampi pasta was just about done too, and all he had to do was shake up the balsamic vinaigrette dressing and that would be that. Well, besides letting his guest in, of course!

He wiped his hands on a towel and went to go open the door. And really, he had no idea what Moana looked like but when he saw her - holy fucking hell! - he managed to not trip all over himself, glad that he had dressed 'up,' sort of, in gray slacks and a dress shirt rolled up to the elbows.

"Hey, come on in," he said cheerfully, stepping back so she could enter. "It's so nice to meet you in person, Moana."

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[info]redhoodie
2010-06-27 01:41 am UTC (link)
"It's nice to meet you, too, Paul." Moana presented him with the bottle of fine white wine as she entered, looking around. "Your apartment is lovely." She'd not been in any of the other apartments, yet, and it was interesting to see the differences in design.

Curiosity satisfied, she looked Paul over, as well. Hm, the building seemed to have a surplus of attractive men. No one had told her she was paying for scenery, as well. She didn't bother hiding her approval.

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[info]i_sea_you
2010-06-27 01:52 am UTC (link)
Paul's apartment had just barely been deemed presentable by him, but he managed to get all of the boxes unpacked and everything straightened up before Moana came over. He was a fan of cool, calming tones, obviously, so there was lots of blue and green, and of course random knickknacks from all over the world - things that had been gifts brought back from his father's travels.

"Thanks," he said, grinning sheepishly - and tried to keep the blush to a dull roar upon the inspection of goods. "I didn't have much to unpack but it all seemed to come together somehow. Thanks for this too," he added, taking the bottle of wine. "It'll go excellent with the shrimp scampi. And please, have a seat anywhere." He gestured to the leather couch in the living room. "Can I get you anything before dinner?" Otherwise, he'd just crack open the wine. But some people liked to start off with a bottle of scotch or some other cocktail.

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[info]redhoodie
2010-06-27 02:06 am UTC (link)
As those were the colors Moana preferred herself, though she kept her own home as neutral as possible, Paul's apartment seemed extremely comfortable to her. Almost homey, even. She made her way toward the couch, settling herself quite comfortably there before responding.

"I'll have whatever you're having." Moana wasn't going to insist on anything fancy, not on a first visit anyway. Now, if their acquaintance continued, she might start expecting more, but she was never unfair. "Dinner smells wonderful"

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[info]i_sea_you
2010-06-27 02:18 am UTC (link)
"How about a Manhattan?" Paul asked as he went to the bar and rummaged for the bottle of whiskey, clanking around a bit to find the other necessary ingredients. It was a classic before-dinner drink, so hopefully she would like it!

He got to work mixing it up while dinner simmered. "You're my first dinner guest," he smiled. "I aim to impress." Not that he wouldn't anyway, of course. "So where are you from?" he asked. "It seems like there's a lot of diverse backgrounds here in the building."

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[info]redhoodie
2010-06-27 04:57 pm UTC (link)
"A Manhattan sounds wonderful." Really, Moana wasn't picky, though she did tend to sip her drinks slowly to lessen her intoxication. She needed her wits about her, after all.

So far, she was very impressed. It seemed Paul knew how to entertain company properly, and that was a very important skill for a man to have, in her opinion. She watched him work, smiling as she answered his question. "I was born here, actually. I've lived in this city my whole life." Not a very interesting background, when stated like that, but Moana felt she was more than interesting enough to make up for it. "I would never move away from the ocean."

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[info]i_sea_you
2010-06-27 05:31 pm UTC (link)
"Oh really?" Paul handed over the drink, then got to work making one for himself. It was plenty interesting to him - he loved California, after all. "I wouldn't either, but that's pretty obvious," he said, sipping on the Manhattan. "My father was stationed in San Diego, at the naval base, at one point so that was my first experience with California. The Philippines came right after, but I really liked California. Moving back was a good decision." It was so nice to talk with someone who understood his love of the ocean, he thought. "Are you into water sports too?"

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[info]redhoodie
2010-06-27 06:07 pm UTC (link)
Moana took a small sip of her drink, making a small, appreciative noise to let Paul know she approved. "I do enjoy swimming, but only for fun. I can't say that I've tried any of the more active water sports." No clients had ever asked her to go do anything like that, and Moana honestly didn't get out much, except for business. "Are you into them?" She assumed the answer was yes, since he'd asked... but she also assumed he'd like the chance to talk about himself. Most men did, and most women didn't let them, in her experience.

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[info]i_sea_you
2010-06-27 06:43 pm UTC (link)
"I am," he nodded, taking another sip of alcohol and leaning against the counter while the bread cooled a bit; he'd get the shrimp in just a second. The table was already set because he liked being prepared. "Water skiing and surfing, mostly. And I like sailing too, just taking my boat out and enjoying the water." Paul didn't mind talking about himself, but he was genuinely interested in what other people had to say too. Otherwise, how would anyone learn anything new? "But yeah, if you ever want to try any, just tell me. We're at a good place for it. I'm surprised you haven't, being from here. But I guess it's not the sort of thing people put on their to-do lists."

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[info]redhoodie
2010-06-27 07:00 pm UTC (link)
"I do enjoy sailing. Or, well, being on a boat." Moana smiled at him, a hint of double meaning in her next words. "I have no objection to someone else taking the helm when they have more experience, as long as they let me do the same." The offer pleased her, quite a bit. "I'd like to take you up on that sometime, I do enjoy trying new things."

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[info]i_sea_you
2010-06-27 07:36 pm UTC (link)
Of course, it took Paul a second to pick up on the double meaning - when there was talk of the ocean he sort of got all 'in the zone,' but he smiled too. "Sure! That'd be great. I like trying new things too, otherwise what's the point? We're here to learn, right?" He went to go turn off the stove and put the main course on the plates. "I'll trade you. Sailing or surfing for...something else you can teach me. Suggestions?"

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[info]redhoodie
2010-06-28 06:57 pm UTC (link)
Moana placed a finger to her lips, considering. Well, it would be better to tell him now, rather than wait long enough that he would feel like he'd been deceived. "Will I still be invited to dinner if I give up some of my mystery?"

Not all, of course. Moana wouldn't let anyone see through all the layers, but hopefully he would still find her interesting when she was no longer just the intriguing neighbor and he knew what she did for a living. She would at least like to get a meal out of it.

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[info]i_sea_you
2010-06-28 07:14 pm UTC (link)
What? Paul had no idea where Moana was going with this. But he still thought it was a silly question! "Of course," he replied, looking surprised. "Why wouldn't you be? And mysteries are always fascinating to unravel. Otherwise life would be boring and uncreative."

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[info]redhoodie
2010-06-28 07:29 pm UTC (link)
"You asked about my business, before." Moana stood, walking over to him and putting her drink on the counter. "I'm an escort. Independent, not with an agency."

If he didn't know what that meant, she wasn't quite sure how she was going to explain it delicately.

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[info]i_sea_you
2010-06-28 07:34 pm UTC (link)
Oh.

That's what she meant.

Paul was in the process of shaking up the bottle of salad dressing when Moana dropped her atomic bomb and he sort of...accidentally let the bottle fly out of his hands, where it opened and sloshed all over his shirt.

"Uh, shit...!" he stammered, setting the bottle upright and then grabbing for a towel. "Well, I mean, that's...that's a good business." What else was there to say about it? "It's working out for you?"

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[info]redhoodie
2010-06-28 07:43 pm UTC (link)
Moana bit her lip, trying very hard not to laugh. She didn't think he needed another blow to his pride after dropping the dressing in the first place. "Very well, actually. I'm good at what I do."

And then, since it really was her fault, she took the towel from him and started helping him wipe his shirt off. "You should go change, and put some cornstarch or dish detergent on this before it sets." Oil-based liquids were a real bitch to get out, if you weren't quick about it. Moana thought it best not to mention her experience in getting liquids out of fabric.

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[info]i_sea_you
2010-06-28 07:54 pm UTC (link)
'She's good at what she does aksujtiuejfdjgusig' was the thought process going on in Paul's mind, all jumbled and incoherent. He didn't hold back on blushing this time because he was embarrassed about spilling a gallon of balsamic vinaigrette all over himself, and also that...did she think he needed her, um, services?!

"Yeah, that's...good idea," he said, nodding while she wiped his shirt. "I'll be right back."

He wasn't gone long, returning in a green shirt rolled up to the elbows this time. "Oh, did you...look, I don't want you to think that I'm just trying to wine and dine you to get a freebie or, you know, if you have legitimate customers that you should be attending to? I would understand," he stated. Awkwardly. He really did find her to be an interesting person, but he just didn't want her to think that he was stringing her along without purchasing any goods or services. Erm.

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[info]redhoodie
2010-06-28 08:22 pm UTC (link)
"Paul." Moana did laugh, this time. He was just so... amusing, when he was flustered. "I'm allowed to have a life outside my job. If you, under any circumstances, sometime in the future decide you're interested in becoming a client, that's fine. If you want to be friends and try to forget that I ever mentioned what my job is, that's also fine."

The next part was a little discouraging, but she still felt she needed to present the option. "If you decide that you'd rather not have anything to do with someone in my line of work, that's fine, too. I just ask that you keep it to yourself, as I have some clients who would not like the significance of their visits to me recognized."

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[info]i_sea_you
2010-06-28 08:32 pm UTC (link)
"No, no, no! I still want to do you - I mean, have things to do with you! Things." ahurioshnfguyuj!! "Things that are fun. Like dinner. Shall we eat?" Flustered as he was Paul was still a gentleman, so he pulled Moana's chair out for her at the dining room table. "So you're not...seeing anyone?" he wondered, meaning besides on a strictly drive-through basis.

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[info]redhoodie
2010-06-28 08:40 pm UTC (link)
Moana sat in the chair he pulled out, biting the insides of her cheeks to help hold back her laughter. "Sometimes..." Well, it was more like all the time. "My business gets in the way of personal life. I gave myself a few weeks off so that I can get settled before worrying about it." That should answer the question whichever way he meant it, she hoped. She turned her head to smile up at him from her seat. "Thank you."

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[info]i_sea_you
2010-06-28 08:54 pm UTC (link)
Paul smiled in return. "You're welcome," he replied, then went to go get all of the delicious-smelling concoctions he had cooked up. After bringing everything to the table, which was arranged nice and neatly and a bit anal retentively, he sat down and unfolded his napkin. "I mean, you're not...you don't have a boyfriend or anything?"

And what the fuck kind of a question was that, he wondered? She was one of those things! From that Julia Roberts movie that all of his ex-girlfriends loved and cried over! But really, he was just curious about balancing work and...not work, especially when one's work was sexy things. Like was it possible? Or was it all the same?

"Sorry, I'm probably being nosy," he apologized sheepishly.

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[info]redhoodie
2010-06-28 10:44 pm UTC (link)
Moana took a small bite before answering, just because she couldn't resist. "Mmm, it tastes as good as it smells."

Really, it gave her a moment to think of how to answer. "No, there is no boyfriend in the picture. I doubt there are many men in the world who could date a woman in my line of work without getting jealous." She'd never really been that interested, come to think of it. Why would she want to give up all of the attention and pretty things she got from her clients in return for what one man gave her?

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[info]i_sea_you
2010-06-28 11:46 pm UTC (link)
"I'm glad you like it," Paul beamed, and really, he was. At least he had cooking skills to fall back on, even though the only woman who had hit on him lately was...nyuughh. Not that he disrespected Moana's profession, no, not at all! The business went back a long time and if she was successful with it then, hey. More power to her.

"Well, as long as you're happy, right?" he said before taking a bite of salad. He wondered if she really was - or maybe she just liked that aspect of being in total control. "I mean, I'm sure a lot of people think oceanography is boring as hell. Different strokes for different folks."

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[info]redhoodie
2010-06-29 02:21 am UTC (link)
Well. This was a whole lot more awkward than Moana had expected it to be. She didn't respond to his comment about her happiness, simply ignored it and moved on with polite conversation. "I don't know, I think oceanography would be a fascinating career. Why don't you tell me about it?" Anything, anything to turn the conversation away from her own career.

Really, she'd thought Paul would be more understanding, for some reason. Now, she doubted he'd even respond well to flirting... which was a pity, because Moana loved to flirt, business or not. But no, as soon as they learned about her job, it was all about whether there had been an exchange of money. Men.

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[info]i_sea_you
2010-06-29 02:35 am UTC (link)
Awkwardness probably came along with conversations about how one spread their legs as a lofty businesswoman, but no matter! Paul pressed on, like a valiant soldier. "It's fascinating to me," he said. "It mostly involves measuring currents, temperature, salinity, light availability, nutrient concentrations, water chemistry, things like that. Well, that's mainly what I focus on. Some study marine and plant life, others study strictly the ocean floor."

He didn't really think she was interested in all of this, but she had asked! "I'm really good at predicting the weather too," he added, offering a smile. Really, he was trying. He just wasn't good on dates anymore or...whatever this was supposed to be. Conversing? With the opposite sex? His skills had probably all flown the coop after his life went down the shitter. "I seem to have a weird knack for it."

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[info]redhoodie
2010-06-29 02:50 am UTC (link)
"Predicting the weather?" Moana smiled again, at that. "Hm, I might have to start asking you instead of relying on the morning news, if you have a better track record than they do." She didn't understand most of the scientific parts, but that was okay. She had a feeling she would likely find it interesting if she did understand, at least, since she enjoyed everything about the ocean. Maybe one day she'd look into it, when she had some free time. If she ever did.

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[info]i_sea_you
2010-06-29 03:09 am UTC (link)
"I really do seem to have a better track record," Paul laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. He wasn't sure why, but it was fun to prove the weatherman wrong. Yeah, 'fun.' If that was his idea of fun, he already knew what a sad individual he was. "I can give you up to the minute weather alerts if you want," he offered jokingly. "But it's helpful like if I want to go sailing. No one wants to sail right into a storm."

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[info]redhoodie
2010-06-29 03:24 am UTC (link)
"No, that doesn't sound like fun at all." Though, Moana had never been sailing in a storm. She didn't know from experience. That well-restrained thrill-seeking part of her told her that it would be exhilarating, but there were just too many risks involved in that. "I'll make sure to give you a call to find out if I need to take my umbrella with me, when I go out."

...well, not that Moana went out much. She had her groceries, such as they were, delivered. Simon's exhibit had been the furthest from the building that she'd gotten since moving in. Hm, maybe her life was a little more boring than she preferred to think about. "I really would enjoy going sailing with you, at some point. Or waterskiing, or whatever else you think I should try." And then, since she knew he was thinking it, "As friends, of course." No euphemisms, just a genuine desire to try it, to be close to the water.

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[info]i_sea_you
2010-06-29 03:31 am UTC (link)
"Really?" Paul, for some reason, thought that since Moana discovered that he was about as exciting as watching paint dry and also a big stupid awkward man, she wouldn't want anything else to do with him. He was glad that wasn't the case. "Yeah, definitely," he said enthusiastically. "I've been wanting to go water skiing for awhile now, but you kind of need someone to drive the boat, so...it doesn't work too well for just one person."

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[info]redhoodie
2010-06-29 03:34 am UTC (link)
Moana didn't know how to drive a boat. She'd only ever been on ships with an actual captain. Still... it did sound fun, and she did like being in control. "If it isn't too complicated, you could teach me to drive it." She laughed, this time at herself. "It might be a challenge, though, I never even bothered getting my driver's license." She did hope that Paul liked challenges, since being friends with her would likely be one, in and of itself.

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[info]i_sea_you
2010-06-29 03:47 am UTC (link)
"It's not too hard," he promised. "I'll bring the inner tubes too, if you find you like those better than the skis. All that's required for tubing is holding on tightly." She seemed like a person who could accomplish most anything, so driving a boat would probably be easy for her. "It's all just really fun, to be out on the water like that."

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[info]redhoodie
2010-06-29 03:52 am UTC (link)
"Being on the water always is." Moana smiled at him, finally relaxing again. Well, maybe the prospects of friendship weren't entirely lost. It was rare to find another person who loved the ocean like she did, and she didn't want to lose the possibility of having someone who understood. Even if he didn't share her love of sex.

She took another bite to keep a flirtatious comment from slipping out, and once she was done chewing slowly, added, "Any time you'd like to, let me know. I have a flexible schedule."

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[info]i_sea_you
2010-06-29 03:58 am UTC (link)
Oh gosh, MoMo, of COURSE he shares your love of se -- Paul smiled charmingly. "Mine's pretty flexible too," he admitted. "I'm free most weekends." Or every weekend! Hey hey! "So next time you have a free Saturday, we can take the boat out and go if you want?" It was really interesting, how they both had such a love for the ocean. He couldn't recall ever knowing anyone who liked it to the same degree he did. Coincidence? Perhaps not.


No, Kim isn't half asleep, why do you ask?

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[info]redhoodie
2010-06-29 04:08 am UTC (link)
"Why not next Saturday?" Moana was never one for taking it slow, and since she hadn't opened up for scheduling appointments yet, she was perfectly capable of keeping that day free for whatever sort of activity she pleased. She did enjoy the sex, but after a while... well, some quality time with the ocean she loved seemed more valuable. "Unless, of course, you already have something planned." She was used to taking precedence over previous plans, however, and with time Paul would realize that... she hoped.

well Allie can't say anything as she's been inventing cocktails with no one else around to test her bartending expertise

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[info]i_sea_you
2010-06-29 04:14 am UTC (link)
"Next Saturday sounds great," he nodded. Like Paul had any other plans, or even if he did, would mind ditching them for doing watery things. "I'll just come get you in the morning and we can head out. Don't forget the sunblock," he added helpfully, eyes crinkling at the corners when he smiled.



Kim is coming over now. Because she wants cocktails.

Paul is sorry he doesn't want to have sex with you ATM, Mo. But he's never been quasi-propositioned by a professional escort before.

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[info]redhoodie
2010-06-29 04:18 am UTC (link)
Moana had never really concerned herself with sunblock... it wasn't as if she burned easily. But she nodded amiably, anyway. "I'll make sure to bring it." And she thought she might own a non-revealing swimsuit. Maybe. In the back of her closet? It had been entirely too long since she'd worn one just to go out and enjoy herself at the beach. "If you're as good a teacher as you are a cook, I'm sure I'll be driving a boat in no time."

If Kim was on AIM Allie would tell her how to made said cocktail and oh man it is too late to be referring to myself in the third person

Also Moana says it is okay, most people react that way when quasi-propositioned by a professional escort for the first time, he will get used to it.

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[info]i_sea_you
2010-06-29 04:23 am UTC (link)
The UV rays, Moana!! Paul does not want you to get skin cancer!!! "Oh, I'm sure you will," he agreed. "It's like...riding a bike?" Paul offered. "Besides, what's the worst that could happen? Besides...um...the boat crashing?" His lips twitched, fighting a smile.



!!!! Maybe Kim should get on AIM even though she never does.

He'll try to get used to it. He was really expecting her to say she owned a hardware store or something. Oh Paul. At least he has a sexy trident.

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[info]redhoodie
2010-06-29 04:34 am UTC (link)
"Exactly." Moana took another bite of her shrimp, and sighed happily. Well, no matter what else came out of the night, at least the food was good. "I'm looking forward to it."

Dooooo eeeeeeeeet. Because then the awkward strikethroughs would be eliminated!

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