Guilty Pleasures

[Deleted]

    

     We've been conditioned to not make mistakes

Callie didn't want to go home. It was turning into a place of dread for her. She regretted marrying him. She should have trusted her instincts that told her marriage could be stifling . . . though little did she realize just to what extent that went to. It had started with tense fights, aggressive words . . . but that had eventually turned into physical aggression. t left Callie feeling trapped, too embarrassed to press charges. She was in the Guard and on the Council. How would it look if one of their members had such marital problems? She had worked too hard to lose the respect she'd felt she earned by allowing others to turn her private life, into gossip. So she endured. But it was getting increasingly difficult to do so. Work was the only thing she currently had. So when others began to retire to their apartments, Callie looked for any excuse she could to avoid returning. It was enough to remain in the Council room as the others slowly filtered out, which left only her and the Vice Chancellor. She gave a polite smile, as she watched her friend Abigail Griffin leave, before turning her attention to the only other person in the room. "Would you like some help tonight?" She offered, withholding the eagerness in her voice. She just prayed he said yes, even if it was doing something as mundane as updating their systems -- the equivalent to paper work if they were not so technologically advanced. Tag Marcus Kane

              but I can't live that way

made by remi of isc & rilla go!

[Marcus Kane]

Marcus wasn't married, and had no family other then his mother--whom was devoted to her faith, and the followers of that faith. While he believed, he was a guardsman, and a councilor first. Which meant that while the others cut off at a decent hour to return home to their families--he stayed to work out the issues that he could. When he heard the voice ask if he wanted help, Marcus had to hold back a smile. If he was married to a woman as beautiful as her, he would not be here so late, and he was rather surprised her husband didn't mind her working late either. She was a special woman, and he admired her work, professionalism, and ideas that she brought.

Marcus turned to face her, "I'd like the help." He's told her. They were currently working on trying to find new ways reuse cloth and fabric. There was a limited supply, and while they could produce new clothes from some cotton they crew, it was mostly used for string to be able to mend things. The current debate was should they make more clothing this year, use it mostly for string.

Moving to sit back on the table, Marcus folded his arms over his chest and looked at her. "What's your opinion about the debate?" He asked, knowing that he had voted to make mostly string, do that everyone could mend what they have rather then trying to make new clothes that he felt only the more wealthy could afford anyway.

[Deleted]

    

     We've been conditioned to not make mistakes

Callie politely smiled, though inwardly, she was feeling immense gratitude and relief. He may not even realize just how appreciative she was . . . how much she needed this escape. He asked her what her opinion of the debate was. It made her feel valued that he would ask her for her opinion. Even if he was just doing it to be polite and make conversation. When he sat down, she followed his lead, seating herself on a chair a couple down so that she could look and converse with him at ease, without being too close or too far. "I am in agreement with you," he told him honestly, rather than just saying what he may want her to. "Mending the clothing rather than making new ones will alleviate the concern over limited resources. Perhaps we can offer a list of various skilled tailors so that the public will know who to go to should they wish to do so independently." It would also allow for those workers to get business, since seamstressing and such was not exactly a profession that the privileged engaged in; it was more middle to lower class citizens on the Ark. While she didn't over analyze her words, she did mentally reflect back on them, hoping she sufficiently answered his question . . . and certainly not wanting to look unintelligent in front of someone like him. Tag Marcus Kane

              but I can't live that way

made by remi of isc & rilla go!

[Marcus Kane]

Marcus watched her as she not only said she agreed with him, but explained why and offered her own ideas. This! This was why he liked working with her. She didn't just mindless agree with him in hopes of getting prompted, and she didn't just explain the issue and wait for orders on how to fix it. She came ready to work, ready to give her own ideas and was willing to make suggestions about how best to move forward. He nodded his head once and paused to think before speaking to her. "Why don't you build a list of recommended people we can use. Find ones who have the reputation for the best work, and who might agree to reduce prices in return for us using their name. If we can make it easier for the people to get the work done, we can push this in easier." She would have her tablet near by that she could work on.

"We can build the proposal and you can present the idea tomorrow during the meeting." Because this was the topic they had agreed to tackle tomorrow. Some though they needed more clothing made so that the lower class could have thicker clothing to protect them from the cold nights--however he thought they wouldn't need that so much as mending, and patch work. It was why they were debating it. "If you rather work on this from home, I understand, though if you do not mind a late night I can order us something from the mess hall to be brought here." He knew she was married but also knew that she was took her job seriously. Besides, he didn't want to work alone tonight. "My treat."

[Deleted]

    




     We've been conditioned to not make mistakes

Callie continued to smile, feeling her heart swell with pride and honor in his response to her suggestion. It was men like him that truly reinstilled her faith in the gender. It made her regret not finding someone like Marcus and instead, ignoring her instincts and settling for the man she did. But she didn't want to think about that right now. Especially not when he was suggesting that they work on the proposal tonight. Callie had to keep the full blown eagerness from exploding and being overly obvious in her voice and expression. She forced it back, even though she wanted to just leap at the opportunity. She may pay for it tonight . . . but tonight, it would be well worth it. "I can most certainly do that," she confirmed, feeling confident and capable enough. She reached for her tablet, already wanting to get started though the mention of food was tempting as well. She looked back at him, a continued smile on her lips. "That sounds quite lovely," she agreed. "I would rather work on it from here, with you." Oh dear. Did that sound wrong? "So that we may collaborate and create a stronger proposal reflective of both our efforts." A casual addition to her statement that could be easily misinterpreted. "Besides, how could I refuse the incentive of a treat from the Vice Chancellor?" She asked rhetorically, almost teasingly though not too bold with the playfulness. Any woman would be truly lucky to be in this position of working with him, seeing his brilliant mind at work. And Callie was not oblivious to this privilege that was bestowed upon her. Tag Marcus Kane

              but I can't live that way

made by remi of isc & rilla go!

[Marcus Kane]

She was pleased with his offer, and he was glad he made it. He wanted to see Callie move up. He could see her as part of his own council should he ever become chancellor. "I would rather work on it from here, with you." He paused at her words, but hoped like hell it didn't show. He would have thought she would want to spend it with her husband, but he was pleased he was not alone tonight. He was alone working late all too often. "So that we may collaborate and create a stronger proposal reflective of both our efforts." Yes! Clearly that was what she meant. It wasn't his company, it was because this was a big project for them to handle and he had basically given it to her the night before. Way to be an ass, Kane.

"Besides, how could I refuse the incentive of a treat from the Vice Chancellor?" She teased, and he found himself smiling an amused smile rather then his polite one he most often gave people. "Callie, by all means call me Marcus." He told her, "If I am going to take over your personal time, the least we can do is let me make the offer as one friend to another." He hoped she saw him as a friend. They weren't overly friendly, as in he didn't go and hang out with her after work, but they got along and he respected her more then most the people he knew. "What would you like?" He stood up and moved toward the door to get one of the guards to have something sent up. After he opened the door he told the guard to use his name and bring him a plate of whatever the house special was that night. Then he looked at Callie for her order.

[Deleted]

    

     We've been conditioned to not make mistakes

Call him Marcus? That sounded so . . . informal. And yet she loved it. She wantd to embrace that offer. It would be disrespectful not to, wouldn't it? She watched him smile for a moment and found herself quite enjoying the sight. He looked so much more at ease, so much more comfortable. His job was not an easy one, and she wished for him to have more time to just . . . enjoy himself. Not that she could have anything to do with that. Surely not. "Are we friends?" She asked teasingly, slightly tilting her head to the side with feigned curiosity. She of course saw him as that, but at times . . . felt that she was unworthy of such a title. However, she was selfish enough to not let that stand in the way of using it. "Well then friend Marcus, please do not feel as if you are taking over my personal time." She needed him. No, wait, she needed this. Was it one in the same? She just . . . needed a way out of her domestic life. She paused in thought when he asked what she would like, her eyes following him to the door, a polite smile on her lips at his kind offer. "I'll have the same." The same as him. It was far less complicated and she wasn't fussy. "You must be used to working overtime," she stated, unsure where she was even going with that statement, observation or assumption. Tag Marcus Kane

              but I can't live that way

made by remi of isc & rilla go!

[Marcus Kane]

"Are we friends?" She teased, and found himself smiling at that as well. "Well then friend Marcus, please do not feel as if you are taking over my personal time." Noted. He liked that she was a work-a-holic like him. It was a pity she was married. She was beautiful, smart, passionate, and honest. He liked her a lot. Maybe too much. His smile faded at that thought but thankfully he could hide it by looking at the guard and telling him to put both meals on his name and bring them up when ready. He also told him that after that he couldn't stand down, as most everyone was gone and there was no need for someone at the door.

You needed a pass code to get this far, so a guard was almost pointless anyway. They were mostly there to keep the politicians from barging in. "You must be used to working overtime," She said as he walked back to the table. He nodded his head, well aware he was one of the only ones who didn't have anyone to go home too, so working was an easy way to avoid going to his place alone every night. "I am. It keeps me busy." He admitted, "Though if I had a charming wife at home I assure you I would not be." He tried to lighten the moment. "I commend your husband for his understanding, I would be coming to find my wife if she preferred working to my bed." He teased and then realized he might have crossed the line with his comment, "Not that is why you are working, I was just . . . . making an ass out of myself. Forgive me." One did not comment on a coworker's sex life--even indirectly. He had meant it more as a comment toward him, however he had not thought that she might apply it to her until afterward. "It was not a commentary on you."

And besides. Now he was thinking of her naked. WHich was even more unprofessional.

[Deleted]

    

     We've been conditioned to not make mistakes

A charmig wife. She was certainly not that. The mention of her husband caused her to fall silent. It wasn't so much his comment and the implications, as it was the reference to her husband. He was not understanding at all, and shouldn't be commended for anything. Had she married a better man -- a man like him -- she would be appreciative of the praise toward him. But it was so misplaced, and yet, she could say nothing against it. She forced a smile on her lips, meeting his gaze once more as he apologized. "It's quite alright," she said, feigning ease. How she wished the nature of their interactions could be so different. "Then perhaps it is a good thing he may not know where to find me," she teased, trying to maintain a level of playfulness . . . though she meant every word. She didn't want him to find her, and she felt incredibly safe with Marcus. A kind of safety and security she never thought possible to feel around any man. It was not only his authority and rank, but his mere presence that granted her that. "Well, allow me to return the favor," she continued -- referring to him making an ass out of himself. She would now to the same with herself. "Your lack of a wife surely isn't due to disinterest on the woman's side," she stated. Meaning, he surely had his pick of women. Everything was attractive about him. Beyond the obvious being the physical . . . his intellect, his demanor, just . . . everything. "What is it that makes a woman worthy to hold the position of Marcus Kane's wife?" She asked trying to maintain that aura of teasing but she was genuinely curious. She shouldn't be asking this . . . for it only made her wish that she could be that woman. For to have a husband or partner such as him, would truly be a privilege. A blessing. Tag Marcus Kane

              but I can't live that way

made by remi of isc & rilla go!

[Marcus Kane]

She joked about it being alright, and even about it being a good thing her husband didn't know where to find her. Marcus wondered about the man whom he had never met. Especially when she 'returned the favor' but telling him, "Your lack of a wife surely isn't due to disinterest on the woman's side," He laughed hesitantly, and looked down at his table to make sure he didn't do something childish and blush or something. He had slept with a small group of women over the years but most of it was very non-commential. They lacked the attachment, and because of that he had never gone back to any of them.

"What is it that makes a woman worthy to hold the position of Marcus Kane's wife?" Be her. He thought for a moment, but didn't say it a loud. Maybe not even her exactly, but someone close to her. Kind, compassionate. "Perhaps that is why there is no wife." He told her, "Because I have yet to figure that out myself." Still he felt he owed her some sort of answer. "Perhaps someone like you," He managed to get it out as a tease, "A woman who is confidant, kind, and intelligent."

[Deleted]

    

     We've been conditioned to not make mistakes

She gave a slight smile when he suggested that was why he had no wife, because he had yet to determine what sort of woman he wanted to be with. Marriage was a funny thing. She had been so against it, and let her mind be swayed by someone who appeared charming. She regretted it. She regretted what she had allowed herself to become. His words caused a small, shy smile to form on her lips. Someone like her? No. Marcus Kane deserved to be with someone who was strong and if she truly was . . . she would not be in the situation she was currently in with her spouse. "You flatter me. And are far too kind." The words he described . . . she wished she could be those things. But confidence and intelligence . . . she had put those qualities on hold long enough to get roped into the domestic circumstance she was now trapped in. And those two thinsg were still put on hold because otherwise she would have used them to get out of it. "Have you ever been close? To getting married I mean." The question slipped out without a second thought and she realize that it may be horribly invavise of her to inquire about such a thing. "I apologize. That may be a bit too personal." She tried to busy herself, her finger gliding through some of the files on her tablet without really looking at the information there. Tag Marcus Kane

              but I can't live that way

made by remi of isc & rilla go!

[Marcus Kane]

Marcus looked down at the table for a moent she she asked him if he had ever come close. In truth, he supposed not, but there had been someone whom he supposed could have gotten close if she had not betrayed him. He knew that he was too blame, but he had felt betrayed by her non the less. Because of that he had become driven and not opened up to anyone like he would need to be in order to find someone who could love him. He had not let anyone that close. Since he had asked many personal questions of her, he felt he owed her something. An answer of some sort, rather then just a dismissed no.

"We can start by no apologizing, Callie. If we are to be friends, then we should be able to speak openly to each other." Clearly they both wanted to learn more about each other, and in turn both had apologized for asking questions. "And to give you an answer, I would say no. I've never come close. There was a girl once, a long time ago who might have gotten close enough for it to begin getting close, but she was a cadet, and i was her training officer. I didn't want anything to taint her rising in the ranks, nor to reflect badly on myself as I was aiming for a promotion--so I broke thing off with her, intending to seek her out once she was an officer and no longer under my command. However, I would learn she had applied for a permit to have a child with another man before I had broken up with her."

" . . . I have never really gotten close to anyone since." He knew she would do the math, she was a smart girl. She could tell how long ago that was because he had not been a training officer in years. Many years--and he had spent them alone. "How about you? How did you know this husband was the one?"