[Marni] 123 not me!
[Ray Ostermann] Dang!
[Ray Ostermann] It was a cool night, a night that one might consider better for staying indoors, for staying home where you can curl up in bed or on the couch and enjoy the warmth of family and central heating. But by george the Ostermann’s have a nanny now, and for the first time in a long while, Ray and Marni are headed out.
They took Ray’s car of course, zooming down the streets to a quiet little eatery with good food, a wonderful mood, and private area’s for the well paying customer. Ray is of course one of their favorite clients and a room normally saved for four or five people…is given up without a thought to the man. He ushers Marni in, finding a nice place set in a just right lit room. He smiles at the woman and gestures to a seat.
“When was the last time we managed this huh?” He asks with a chuckle.
[Marni] By god, they have a Nanny. Anne is young, but not too young, cute, but not too cute, capable and a dream with young Indy. They have gotten sleep, they have gotten time together, and things are falling into place so that they make sure the youngest Gnawer is well loved – by all. It’s not hard, she still wants to spend every waking moment with him… she’s just better at it now that she gets some sleeping moments too.
She’s regained her figure, and on this – a rare night out – she’s dug out a nice(er) pair of jeans, new and hugging her curves, low on her hips, and a silken shirt that bares one shoulder, and ties at the waist. She hasn’t taken the time to get gussied up for a while – and well. It feels good.
So does seeing him take charge, clear a room, and hearing him chuckle like that at her, again. “I can’t even remember… It was before I got so hideously fat though..” she says it with a dimpled grin as she takes her seat. She looks good. She knows it.
[Ray Ostermann] Marni was dressed up, Ray for his part was dressed down not so far down that he might actually be considered a Gnawer by any passing Garou, but down for a man who was rarely seen outside of a tie and properly fitted suit. He wore a dinner jacket, a casual affair the color of blueberries. Beneath was a plain black T-shirt, a true rarity in his wardrobe and beneath that, *Gasp* a pair of well fitted and high priced black jeans. He looked positively pedestrian, but he was still that slight cut above the average foot slogger.
Marni took her seat, and like a gentleman, Ray does not seat himself until she is, he takes a moment to take her in, to see the woman who he was mated too, to see her form once again and the clothes she had chosen to wear, for her…and also for him. “I believe the correct term is wonderfully pregnant.” He says, chiding her with a smile as he took a seat. There were no menu’s…not this time.
“Anne certainly seems to be working out.” he says as he goes to pull the cork from a bottle of wine, intent on pouring his own wine for his woman.
[Marni] She scoffs – because she’s so ladylike and all. “I was fuckin’ HUGE.” But she grins back at him. He looks good, and he knows it. She knows it too… it brings back memories of the first time she stole his tie. They’ve come a long way, baby.
Speaking of… Anne. “She’s amazing. I’ma have to send Mama Joyce something to say thank you. Indy loves her, and you don’t have to cut back on work, I don’t have to worry while I’m prowlin, and… yeah. The sleep thing. A. May. Zing. Who knew?” She leans forward to rest an elbow on the table, propping her chin in hand as she watches him pour the wine.
“Did I tell you ya look damn good tonight? Good enough t’eat…”
[Ray Ostermann] “Let me know if theres anything I can provide, like you said, Anne is quite simply amazing, I’m sure we could manage anything shy of our first born.”
Ray’s grin slips from award winning to something a little more private, something a little more…debauched as he finished pouring the glass of wine for his mate and looked up, into her eyes as she propped herself up, watching him back. He held out the glass holding it steady and upright ready for Marni when she so choose to take it.
“Well if you want to eat me you’d best be quick about it, the food will be here in ten minutes.”
[Marni] She reaches out to take the glass, her fingers lingering against his for an extra moment, her smile turning positively devilish. “Why Ray Ostermann, you can’t mean for me to do something like that in PUBLIC… I’d never!” Well, thats not entirely true, is it? And he knows it.
She chuckles and takes a drink, her eyes never leaving him. She sighs, contentedly. “Mmm s’good.” He has turned her on to some of the finer things in life, that’s for sure. “Besides – I don’t want to be rushed. that’s why we got the nanny…”
[Ray Ostermann] “Well in that case, I’ll take the jacket off myself.” He said as he finished pouring his own wine. He sat it down next to his plate and unbuttoned the two buttons which held it in place and then placed it over the back of his chair. Without the dinner jacket it was entirely possible that Ray could be an everyman, if Marni could forget the confidence that he wore, the scent of him that was by this point, partly her and partly him and ignore that finely trimmed hair, she might peg him as some guy on the street.
“Seriously though, anything you can think of, anything I can do for this Mama Joyce….lets see it done alright?” He said as he retook his seat and leaned on the table, his body language showing that he was clearly intent on the woman on the other side of the table, his woman.
[Marni] His Woman.
Her Mate.
She had asked him, not long ago, if he was happy. He said he was trying. Tonight, tonight he tries in a different way, and this? This is the Ray she remembers, the Ray she thinks of often. Confident, cool, collected, assured of his own importance, and the ability to woo any woman he puts his mind too – and tonight, she is on his mind.
She watches him shed the jacket, and makes no attempt to hide her sound of appreciation as her gaze slides over his form. She knows every inch of him intimately, and will explore it again – soon – and still can’t get enough.
She remembers he’s said something, finally, and grins up at him. “I will.” She reaches for his hand, and pulls it close, pressing a kiss against his palm, before she is content to just hold it, her fingers sliding along his skin. “So. How was your day, dear?” Her dark eyes sparkle with teasing delight.”
[Ray Ostermann] It was the old Ray, a Ray that had been rarer and more unseen since the birth of Indy, since he had been required to split his time between his work, and his offspring. It had not been an even division, no…it had been one entirely in favor of his child, but it had caused him to suffer, and to be dropped into an environment he had not been ready for.
But now, as Marni reached out, took his hand and kissed the flesh of his palm, he was in his form again, he was where he knew himself, where the world made sense to him, and yet he was in his way, still managing to care for his child.
“As you said my dear, it was simply amazing. I’ve managed to acquire five new assignments and close three other’s all said and done and paid for. The money from them will fund our move upstairs to our new unit.” He said raising a glass. “To a bigger place, with all the more space for us and ours.”
[Marni] She laughs. “I’m gonna pretend i know what the hell you just said, and nod and smile.” She nods, and smiles, then tips a wink at him and lifts her glass, with a grin. “The new place is fuckin’ awesome. Though I felt like the one we got is big. Ya talkin to the chica comfortable livin’ in a box, after all. Ya gonna spoil me but proper if ya keep this up…”
Seeing him happy and confident goes a long way toward alleviating her worry. She has no doubt at all that he loves Indy. That she’ll never have to wonder. But, on occasion, she does wonder how long she’ll be part of that happy picture. Then she goes and kills stuff. It usually makes it better.
[Ray Ostermann] “I think spoiling you was part of my overall plan to see you naked, I see no reason why I should stop using the same strategy.” He said with a quick wink. “It is big, but we’re going to need the space, we don’t want all four of us to feel cramped especially now that Anne is effectively part of the family. She relies on us, and we rely on her. I’d rather we are not tripping over each other and getting in each others way.”
Marni was worried that she might not be part of the picture forever, it was a common concern for garou who had families, but her reasons, her worries were slightly different. Ray had no assurances there, he had not tried to give her any. But so far..she had not smelt another woman on his body, and had not come home later then usual…if anything, perhaps his activity spoke to assuage her fears more then his words.
[Marni] She sticks her tongue out at him, and laughs. It is a strategy that works well, that’s for sure, and she’s not gonna stop him spoiling her, or Indy. Ok, maybe Indy – as no one wants a spoiled little gutter-brat running around.
He has given her no assurances, and she hasn’t asked for any. She only asks for his honesty, and that he’s given her, as far as she knows. He doesn’t bring home other women, there’s been no lipstick on his collars (not that she’s checked, of course) and he is devoted to their baby. She couldn’t ask for more. She wouldn’t ask for more.
“He will certainly need the space if you don’t stop spoiling him – how many footballs does an infant REALLY need, anyway?” She’s teasing, and he knows it. After all, she’s the one that [stole] brought home a teddybear almost as big as herself. Under all the teasing though, is a sense that she’s just… happy. Content. Things are going ok for the Gnawer. Now, if she could just find a pack…
“Seems our little activities around the building site worked – they pulled out earlier. Nothin’ left but their trash at the moment.” Which means no more dashing off at 3am for her late night watches, soon.
[Ray Ostermann] There was one black spot on Ray’s nearly flawless record since becoming Marni’s mate, a little redheaded spot with freckles from top to bottom, he had not seen Rory in a while, but it could not be said that he had not thought of her, just as he thought about Marni and Indy, they were all in his mind for different reasons.
“I’m glad to hear that, if they’ve pulled out that mean’s we can begin working to take the land from them permanently.” He said with a nod as he picked up his glass. “Maybe I should try throwing my hat back in the ring for that unless you know of someone else who is already working towards that.” He says casually mulling the idea over in his mind. Marni knew that her mate had not been active in the nation for some time, hed kept to his high rises and to the condo, with only the occasional meeting with random garou.
“As to those footballs.” He said with a warm, happy chuckle. “Its that or I start making him sleep with spread sheets….its your call dear.”
[Marni] She nods, slightly. “I guess this dude, Ivan? Some fuckin’ uppity Fang is trying to put a long term plan into motion that involves that. I can getcha the contact info if ya want to talk with him.” She, of course, doesn’t want to talk to him. Fangs are not her favorite people – they rank right up there with ShadowLords… the Trueborn ones, at least.
She laughs and shakes her head, slightly. “Ok, ok, no spread sheets. Though I’ll letcha get him some Bears sheets for the crib, if ya HAVE too…” She of course means teddy bears, knowing full well Ray will get Chicago Bears Football Sheets within the week. But sometimes, ya gotta give a little.
Especially when they both know little Indy won’t be playing football. He’s destined to be more, do more – but they can still dream. (And there’s always Pop Warner, when he’s old enough).
[Ray Ostermann] “That information would be excellent, I honestly haven’t heard of anyone else in the city who has my skill set besides Dr. Slaughter, and even she isn’t quite as effective at this as I am.” Marni might have a problem with dealing with the fangs, but Ray…Ray found it entertaining to deal with them, he had since he had found out he was a Kin, for some reason…they were fun to goad. The shadowlords however….well he would avoid them for now.
“And I do have too…it is my fatherly duty to see my son as a man.” He says with a joking tone. “Big and strapping with all the manliness he can get.” This from the buisnessman who most likely spends more on self care then some women.
[Marni] She nods, and tips her head. “I got his contact info at home. He’s a pompous dickwad, so be prepared. Things we all are lower than him, an’ he’s all that matters.” She shrugs. “Like a Fang.” Now, princess Kate aint’ all bad, even offered them some things for the baby if they needed them. They didn’t, and she didn’t take her up on it, but at least she offered. A touch of humanity in the uptight, maybe. Or a means to an end – who knows.
She snorts and rolls her eyes. “Ya take longer to get ready to go out than I do, Ray Ostermann, an’ don’t think I ain’t notice it…” Then she lets her eyes drag over him, slowly, with a grin… “and appreciate it.”
[Ray Ostermann] Ray laughs, a full hearty laugh as Marni calls him out on his prep time to go out, hell to get ready in the morning. He was not the sort to go out grubby, he never would be. He prided himself on his appearance for himself, and in this case, for Marni. He ran a hand through his well prepared hair and flashed his mate a smile.
“Thats what I like to hear. Anything less and I might just not have tried from here on out.” He said before he picked up and finished off his glass of wine. It was at this point that their food arrived, it was hearty spaghetti with a meat sauce and a bevy of sides to pick from. The waiter’s deposited their offerings and then left as quickly as they came.
“NOW were alone till we call for someone.”
[Marni] She grins at him, and just shakes her head, until her belly rumbles it’s welcome for the appearance of food, and a lot of it. She sighs happily, and pats her belly. “ahhhh lookit that, you do remember the way to my heart…” Through her belly, of course, though she knows he hasn’t forgotten. He never forgets.
And he says they’re alone, and she arches a brow, slightly… “Oh you tease….” She runs the tip of her tongue over her lips, clearly debating skipping the spaghetti for a heaping helping of Ray…
…though she does take a bite while she contemplates. She IS a Gnawer, after all…
[Ray Ostermann] For now Marni skips on a heaping helping of Ray, which was fine with him. He knew all to soon that Marni would be eating him up, and he would enjoy every single moment of it. He had time, so he too started to eat, tucking in and savoring the experience of the rich flavours the spaghetti had to offer.
“It would be a sad, sad day when I don’t know how to please you my dear.” He said as he watched her. “Given all we’ve been through, I doubt I will ever forget.”
[Marni] She chuckles softly, her look filled with fondness. She adores Ray, that much will never be in doubt. Love? Well. She’s not sure, and she’s content not to define anything. They’ve done ok thus far, this way. It’s enough. For now. “I would certainly be sad, indeed. I’d have to resort to stealin yer iphone again, an’ ya ties.”
She winks, and digs into her dinner with a content sigh. She eats faster than he does -she always has, and always will – though she does manage to slow down a bit more than she used too, to savor the tastes, and textures, and delights that each dish presents. A far cry from cooking beans in a can, for sure.
“Good. Would hate t’be forgotten. Though, with my ass….ets… I figure I’m pretty safe.”
[Ray Ostermann] “You really do have a killer portfolio my dear. Though…one of these days I am going to get you into one of those very fine dresses I’ve shown you from time to time, just to see what you would be like if I finally pampered you into the lifestyle.”
He continued to munch away on his food, it pleased him to see Marni slowing down, to see that she was stopping to smell the roses a bit more, roses he paid for most likely but still. Of course…she was having an affect on him as well, t-shirt and jeans? Not before he met Marni thats for damn sure.
[Marni] She laughs softly, and wrinkles her nose. “Me? in a dress?” She shakes her head, curls bouncing about her shoulders, before she relents. a little. “Only if ya ain’t expect me to wear heels too. That’d be way too fancy. But maybe… maybe I can slip on one of them lil silk numbers ya keep trying to convince me of. One problem though.”
She nods, as if she’s given this thought. Not that she has, but she does know him, awfully well. “I’ve a feelin if I put one on… it ain’t gonna stay on for long. An then no one’ll see me in it – but you….”
Ah, confident, she is, in her… portfolio.
[Ray Ostermann] Ray grins then, a knowing, telling grin as he raised a brow and set down his fork. He leaned forward over his meal and spoke softly, as if to be conspiritorial.
“Who’s to say it was mean’t for anyone but me…and you?” He said as that grin widened considerably. “If you want to wear it out of course you can. But…that was never REALLY my intention.”
[Marni] Aaaaaaaaaaah, indeed. She arches a brow, in echo of his, and laughs, softly. She takes another bite, and then lifts her napkin to brush the remnants of sauce from her lips. Then, she slips from her seat to move around to his side of the table, and lean over to brush her lips across his ear, murmuring softly…
“In that case, Mr. Ostermann, I would be happy to wear anything ya like, as briefly as ya like, whenever ya like…”
[Ray Ostermann] She slid over to him, all her curves and wiles brought to bear on the man. She had never needed to use her inherent attraction on him, it just wasnt necessary, and one could imagine what would happen if she did. The man might seriously become a frothing sack of need and lust.
She breathed and spoke softly as she leaned in and Ray’s smile grew ever larger before he looked over at her and raised both brows. “I do hope you realize that this is going to be considered a binding contract, and that if you fail to uphold it I will be taking reparations.” He says with a light chuckle.
“Though you might enjoy those too.”
[Marni] She smiles, slowly, and slides a leg over his, allowing herself to settle into his lap, her arms sliding over his shoulder, fingers tangling playfully in the hair at the nape of his neck.
“Ooooh I do…” realize, that is… and she laughs, softly. “…and I would. Especially if it involves that toybox you hid away from Anne’s nosy little searches….”
She has never needed to use inherent attraction on anyone, and she wouldn’t even if she did. She knows her body well, and how to use it to get what she wants. She’s curvy, flirtatious, and quite simply – a hell of a lot of fun, in and out of bed. And she knows it. Revels in it. Delights in the reactions she can bring out with her teasing… knowing it will be worth it for both of them in the end…
[Ray Ostermann] She seated herself upon Ray’s lap, he liked to think that this was her favorite seat in the whole world, nowhere comfier for her to come and plop her curvy ass down and take a load off. His utensils fall at the wayside as she took a seat, and his hands instead come to rest upon her hips, a place they had been quite regularly, until the baby was born.
He chuckles and thinks for a moment. “Maybe I should leave that box out…just to see if it traumatizes the girl…or if she takes an interest.” He says with a shake of his head. “Silly girl will probably think its jewelery or something.”
[Marni] His lap certainly is one of her favorite places in the world to sit. There for a while, she was too big, to swollen with his child to fit comfortably, and finding now that she slides easily between table and torso once again is a thing of beauty. She is more fully herself, here, now, than she has been in some time.
She chuckles, softly, and tips her head to brush a kiss up under his jaw, to tease her teeth along his skin, as hips curl under his hands, teasingly.
“Probably… besides, we don’t want to scar the young soul that’s helping raise our son. We’re beyond help, of course. He’ll need a wholesome influence…” Beyond help indeed, if her wandering fingers have anything to do with it, sliding over the material of his t-shirt, exploring the skin she knows so well underneathe…
[Ray Ostermann] “Wholesome, wholesome…yes I suppose that could be necessary.” He says with a sigh as he felt those fingers trail along his form, still long, still lean like a swimmer. Unlike Marni Ray had not had to change much…but then, he had not had to carry the child within himself, for all he knew if their rolls had been reversed….he might already be pregnant again.
His own hands began to roam then, moving slowly up her hips towards the generous rise of her breasts his eyes looking up into hers.
“Very well I’ll keep the box hidden…and locked.”
[Marni] Gaia hope she isn’t, again, yet. In fact, she’d be content to wait some time before doing that particular duty again as she’s not yet forgotten the pain of childbirth, or the long months of forced inactivity that preceded it. It’s time to do her duty, now, and perhaps a sibling for Indy later.
But that doesn’t mean they can’t practice – lots – in the meantime. She arches her back, pressing into his wandering hands with a softly delighted sigh, chuckling softly. “as long as ya never throw away the key… as that would be tragic indeed…”
[Ray Ostermann] Her body forces her breasts into his hands, and Ray gives them that firm squeeze that culminated in his fingers wrapping gently around her nipples, protected as they were by the fabric of her bra. He lets out a contented sigh as he felt them even then beneath the fabric and he grinned devilishly up at his mate.
“Throw it away? Never.” He said with a raised brow. “I might make you work for it though, to earn the privilege of opening that box for some fun.” He winks at her, but its the sort of wink where you can’t tell if hes being honest or pulling her leg.
[Marni] She catches her breath as he finds and tweaks nipples through the cloth that covers them, pulling her lower lip between her teeth with a soft moan.
“I ain’t afraid of a little hard work, sir, as you well know…”
She shifts her position in his lap again, slightly, hips curling against him as she meets his gaze with her own dark eyes… “Whatever did you have in mind….”
[Ray Ostermann] “Far to many things to do here in this room.” He said with a wry grin as he rose up, and pushed the food back across the table so there was room to set the woman down. His lips finding her’s and kissing them, sucking on them gently as he let his hands roam north and south, seeking out those spots he knew oh so well.
He broke the kiss for a moment and sighed. “But you can still get to work on a few…”
[Marni] He lifts her and sets her on the edge of the table, and she laughs softly, wrapping her legs around him and holding him close. she is the stronger of the two, though she rarely shows it. She prefers to let him take control – for now. She delights in it, as much as she delights in those roaming hands…
She leans up into his kiss with a breathy sigh of delight. It falls into a soft laugh as he speaks, and she murmurs across his lips… “Your wish is my command….”
[Marni] [aaaaaaaaaah fade. heh. damn job.]