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KS HOTLINE MEETING #8
KING OF HEARTS Part three
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<early Friday evening>
Chantal was walking back to her loft. She was reading Deeva’s memo about the ongoing rate for the kissing booth.
TO : Chantal, KS Hotline manager
FROM: Deeva, CEO Sweet Chamber Torture inc and Kissing Booth operator
Rate for the kissing booth as requested.
Simple smooth….. 1 ticket
Dip n kiss……….. 2 tickets
Nibble kiss………. 2
French kiss/quick… 3
French kiss/long…. 4
Kiss n grope……… 4
French kiss n grope 5
2 combo requests 7
3 combo requests 10
(Note of the author: This list’s copyright belongs to Deeva, who had to take a long cold shower after writing it, lol. I added my two cents could not help myself.)
Chantal felt herself blushing. "Okay, mental note, check with Princess for security measures concerning overheating. She finally reached her place. She had her arms full of papers and two bags of books and stuff. She looked for her keys. Finally found them but not before the papers and bags dropped to the floor in a big mess.
She opened the door, walked over her things and left the door ajar. Switched the lights on, turned around to go get her bags and papers when she spotted a box on the living room table. A box with a big dark purple almost black bow. "Now, how did that get in here, I swear I locked my door, all my doors this morning" whispered Chantal while reaching for the box.
The box was medium size. A little heavy. She took it, shook it a bit. Not much noise. No card, simply the dark purple bow. She had her suspicions about the gift. "Open it, not open it, that is the question" she laughed. She finally ripped the paper and the bow off the box. And inside, found this wonderful medieval chess game. Black an white marble board. Each piece a exquisite piece of art. No card necessary, she knew who sent it. A belated birthday gift, but also a reminder…
She needed a tall glass of iced grape juice. Pronto. Leaving the chess game on the table, she went to the kitchen. Came out a few seconds later, glass in hand. She took the black queen into her hand. "What I am going to do now?" she asked herself out loud.
"Well, maybe you could start my picking up those papers, I’ll get the bags. Why do you kept hauling such heavy things. You’re impossible…." Turning around, she started in utter surprise at Herk.
"What are you doing here? I thought our meeting was tomorrow morning over breakfast. I have the list ready for the deliveries. It’s somewhere in this mess." She walked towards the door, bending to get the papers. Getting up, she found herself way to close to Herk, she took a step away. (Dumb I know but no comments, please. Lol)
"Can I come in, those bags are heavy, you know."
"Sure, where are my manners." She let him passed. Herk dumped the bags near the living room table, noticed the chess game but said nothing. He turned around. Chantal was closing the door and looking for the delivery list at the same time.
"All right I’ve got it. Here’s the list of the amazon’s names with the little cards to go with the…" She looked up and saw Herk holding the most beautiful light purple rose.
"Thought I’d make an early delivery. You know, I looked up that color symbolism thing we talked about. And I understand why purple is such a favorite color around here. It’s the color of equilibrium between lucidity and action, between the earth and the sky, between feelings and thoughts, between passion and rationality and between love and wisdom."
Chantal was speechless, for once. She took the beautiful rose and smiled. Looking at the chess game, Herk asked "Bet I can beat you?" Getting her voice back, she answered "Not in a million years, big guy!"
<Later>
Chantal was sipping another iced grape juice glass. She needed it, badly. She was winning but not by much. It was her turn to play. Putting her glass down, she looked at Herk.
"Stop doing that?"
"What?!" "That smiling thin. You’re trying to break my concentration." "Is it working? " he said with a big grin. "No. Well, not much.."
She took her bishop and put Herk’s king in check. She looked up again. "Try to get out of this one" she said to herself. While Herk was deciding his next move, Chantal took a look at her desk. A little fear showed up in her eyes. There was a crystal glass with a dark purple almost black rose, sitting there. "That wasn’t there before… Okay what I am going to do now? " she sighed.
Herk smiled and said " How about ignoring it and concentrating on me."
<Much later>
After Herk had left and Chantal had gotten a report on the poker game. " A whip cream disaster, Sov, you do have way too much energy " she thought. She finally got to her desk and that darn rose. "Why do you do this to yourself? He’s a selfish, egomaniac, manipulative no good god." She took the rose and walked over to the window as Sarah McLachan’s Possession started to fill the room. She put the rose to her lips and she knew why….
<In the game room Friday night >
One by one, amazons knocked on the door armed with their ticket and a secret password (shades of a certain contest) this week’s game password is : Gauntlet.
SaraQuinn, Nuance and Princess were already inside and seated. A little bit nervous, the game’s host had not arrived yet. Skeezix , Tedras were sitting near hoping for a miracle.
Cokie, Zuell, Sabrina and Gazelle were discussing the fine points of poker in the right corner of the game room. "Okay, now, how about a little wager?" asked Cokie. "A wager on what?" replied Gazelle. "How much time it will take Sov to get to his boxer, maybe?" mused Sabrina. "Boxer, no he doesn’t wear… hum.. I think I see Freya coming in. Talk to you later" and Gazelle sprinted to the door. Zuell, Sabrina and Cokie burst out laughing and then they all rolled their eyes and sighed.
<A little later>
Princess was in over her head. She took a sip of her lemonade punch again. She had 3 aces and a King. Not bad. She could bluff. But Sov looked pretty confident. "Okay, I see your sock and raise you with… a bracelet." " A bracelet! Really, Prinny, that’s a low bid" shouted Nannyboo from the crowd. SaraQuinn, down to her long white shirt folded. "I give up. First alternate, you’re up!" Skeezix, came zooming down like a thunderbolt. "I’m here" she said, out of breath. Nuance, very poised, took off her sock, her bracelet and her long white overall cotton shirt. "I’m in" was all she said. Sov raised an eyebrow.
<Much later>
Tedras and Nannyboo were now at the table (You were right, Freya, we needed one more, lol). Nuance still hold her own. Sov was winning shamelessly. Everybody had become very quiet, like they were in another dimension, they had glazed eyes. Something was going on.
<Much much later>
It finally became a confrontation between Nannyboo and Sov (who btw still had his pants on). The tension was high, Nannyboo had only her long shelves less red satin shirt but she had a winning hand. 4 kings. She looked around. Everyone seemed out of it, totally. She thought something wrong here but went back to the game. "I see your shirt. Let’s see your cards." Sov with a wide smile put down a royal flush of hearts. Nannyboo just smiled, put down hers and said " I have whip cream in my office, shall we go…"
On there way, they passed a locked closet where they could swear they hear Melite’s voice saying " I just loove being in the closet with *you*".
<Saturday early morning>
Herk got an early start. He had a very busy day ahead. First stop, the KS administrative area, where Kendaa, Nyxx and Star were finishing the night shift. Star was asleep in her chair. Her head slightly bend on the right. Kendaa was answering a call from a very confused Princess who was babbling about a very strange dream with men with swords. Nyxx was finishing up the paperwork, when a very light lavender rose appeared on her desk. She looked up in surprise and started to speak. But before any words could come out, Herk took her hand and brought it to his lips. Nyxx became very silent. Herk kissed every finger of her hand very slowly, bend down near her ear and said " Happy Valentine’s day." Nyxx went into a trance.
Kendaa was still trying to make sense of Princess distress after hanging up. "I don’t get it. What a strange dream." When two arms came around her shoulders and a beautiful emerald rose (very very rare, like not possible rare) appeared before her eyes. "Hello, Kendaa." Herk kissed her on top of her head and tuned the chair around. "Happy Valentine’s day." Kendaa giggled and put her arms around his neck and kissed him back. Hard. The phone rang breaking the kiss. Kendaa just smiled and said " Gotta work." Herk was a bit disappointed but he smiled back at her " Gotta go too. See you , later!"
Star was still sleeping. Herk came up to her desk and took a long look at her. He gave her a light kiss at first, attempting to wake her up. She stirred by did not wake. He pulled at her lips. Still she did not wake. Finally, he gave her a pull all the stop kiss. Star’s eye shut open. "That was not a dream" she thought. "Not a dream." Herk broke the kiss and said " Wake up, sleepy head." Star smiled. " Happy Valentine’s day." And left a beautiful Silver Star rose on her desk. (And that a real blue rose, Star. LOL)
Next stop was the Herkspital where Josée was still recovering from her overexposure to Sovereign. Going down the corridor Herk passed Sov who was on its way to Freya’s office. Entering the room, Herk found Josée reading. He smiled, hold out a perfect Shocking blue rose (that’s a real one too). " Don’t talk" he whispered (Shattered eardrums, remember) " Happy Valentine, sweet Josée" and he gave her a light kiss that turned a little deeper with each passing seconds.
Sov pushed the door of Freya’s office open. "FREYA!" he yelled. No response. "Not here? Disappointed ! Freya, where are *you*?" Then he shouted at the top of his lungs "FREYA!!!" Herk coming out of Josée’s room, saw Freya coming right at him. She was running. Smiling, he caught Freya’s eye and said " Go. Faster. Or you’ll have to redecorate your office. Again!"
Freya finally reached her office. The door was open (actually it was hanging by a thread but who would notice anyway. Lol) "Sov! Why, what a surprise? What can I do for you?" Freya cooed. " My sweet. Here that’s for you." He gave her a stunning King’s Ransom rose. " Yellow, my favorite. Well Sov, thank you." She bowed. "Well, you’re welcome…" Then he pick her up and locked the door or what was left of it.
Herk was back at KS HQ. He was checking his list. Next name. A smile came up on his lips. "Where would she be? Ah, of course, she’s doing inventory. The basement."
After a very enjoyable moment with Freya, Sov was on it’s way to Andulasia’s room looking at a very pretty deep red almost burgundy rose. He went in. Andulasia looked a little pale in her sleep. The rose brushed the tip of her lips. Andulasia woke up. " Well, hello, my dear, I’m your Valentine present!"
In the basement, Calico was still doing inventory. She was in the paper depot. Her purple pen was working overtime. "Another list. Great. Do we really need 5 shades of purple paper?"
" Still talking to yourself, I see." Calico turned around. " Herk, well, I did not expect to see you here. I mean, it’s great to see you but… I’m a mess you know…"
Herk closed up the space between them, put his finger on her lips. "Stop babbling, Calico. Happy Valentine" Then kissed her truly, deeply, madly. When Calico regained her senses, all she saw was an exquisite light purple rose at her feet. (Note of the author: Hope you’re feeling better, my friend)
Going up the stair to the executive offices, Herk bumped into Kull. "Rose delivery too, I see" Herk said .
"Looks like it, yes." Kull jumped the last part of the stair and disappeared towards Melite’s office. He knocked. Nothing. Knocked again. Nada. He lightly pushed the door opened. Melite was there writing and wearing headphones. He dropped a purple rose on her desk. Her head shut up. He bent down, grabbed her by the shoulders, lifted her up and gave her a long kiss then left. "Wow" was all Melite could say.
Herk made a stop by Deeva’s desk. She was busy on the phone with a eager amazon for an appointment. He waved at her and mouthed " I’ll be back". She smiled and said "I’ll wait." Herk went into Nannyboo’s office. It was a mess. Nannyboo was cleaning up. " I see. Sov was here." Nanny span around and blushed .
Herk came towards her holding a lovely Berlin rose (that’s a very beautiful red one), he smiled. " You have whip cream on your cheek." Nannyboo’s hand went to whip it off. Herk caught the hand before she got to it. " Let me" and proceeded to take it off with his lips.
Apollena was still having some residual pain from the chocolate thing. She was rubbing her forehead when Kull put his hands on hers and kissed her neck. " Your head is still hurting, I see… Well let’s make it better, shall we… " The golden rose, he had intended to give her, dropped to the floor…
Herk closed Nanny’s office door and had a little bemused look on his face. " Okay, Deeva. Happy Valentine’s day to you" he said going towards her. Meeting him half way, she took the perfect turquoise rose (very very rare, almost impossible to find expect in Illusia, maybe) from him. " Well thank you, sir. Happy Valentine’s day to you too." Then proceeded to dip n kiss him. (Go, girl, that’s the spirit, lol)
While Herk was delivering roses, Birdly was giving a great conference in the art room. Cyrene, Sabrina and Cokie were giggling and howling. "White chocolate is a must" was saying Birdly. " Very effective."
" I did not know about those effect of white chocolate" mused Cokie. Herk tiptoed in and sneaked behind the three amazons. " Well, you never know until you try" he said. Three faces turned around. Herk holding a dark blue rose (that’s even rarer believe me) gave Cokie a light kiss on the nose. Then a perfect Esmeralda rose (that’s a pink one) to Sabrina, who took it. Holding her hand back, Herk kissed the inside of it. Sabrina blushed. Cyrene with a wide smile waited patiently. " And a sweet lavender rose for you, Cyrene" Herk whispered to her ear and lightly kissed her neck. And he went out quietly. " Okay, ladies can I have your attention, back, please…" Birdly said laughing.
Herk passed the administrative area when he caught a glimpse of Tedras going toward the game room. "Tedras, wait up. So how’s the preparation for the grape meeting going? Herk asked casually. "Well, it’s coming along, Princess had to make a last minute adjustment, something about overheating security system… " Tedras’ voice quiet down when she saw a beautiful Westerland rose in Herk’s hand (That’s a real orange rose btw) " Oh, is this for me?" she asked. " Who else?" was all she remembered hearing before she kinda lost herself in the kiss Herk gave her.
<In the game room>
Princess was managing. The booth were ready. SHerk had helped. Herk walked in. Several amazons, who were purchasing their tickets swooned. He went directly for MMMuffin who was waiting in the Sov line. Grabbed her, dip her and kissed her senseless for about 5 minutes. When MMMuffin came to she was holding a very cute green rose in her hand.
Going towards Becky’s office Herk was mumbling " only two more to go…" When he bumped into Gazelle, who was carrying the infamous Grape Standee. It was Herk’s turn to blush. " You still have that" he said. " Of course, it’s my most prized possession, it’s going into my office. I’m the new manager administrative clerk." "Well congratulations, and happy Valentine to you" he said and kissed her hand. Gazelle just when THUD. Herk then proceeded to his last delivery. It was a special one. " Chantal said to make this one extra special. Something about Angelika needing some TLC" Herk said to himself. He knew, he would find her in Becky’s office. Angelika had been locked in there all week. Not even coming out for food. The cafeteria had brought her office service. Angelika heard the door open. " Put the tray on the shelf and leave. I’m not in the mood for chit chat. Shouuu!" The next thing she knew, she was pulled out of her chair, being held by two strong arms and kissed… It took the better part of the afternoon, finally Herk gave her a sterling lavender rose. And then they heard bells going off. (Note of the author: Hope you’re feeling better Angelika)
The bells were the sirens of the fire truck that was on its way. As predicted, an overheated situation went out of control at the grape meeting. Amazons fainting all over the place. Sov was very very naughty and SHerk found his new role model. Princess was directing the fireman and said " Hose them down. All of them."
<Somewhere else a little later>
Castalia was enjoying her time away from KS HQ, immensely. Sand, beach, sun … Iolaus. Heaven. Ah, an a silver star rose (that’s the blue one) for Valentine’s day.
The end
February 1998