Lofters

Welcome on Lofters!!!
This is the story about how the lives and loves of a group of people who start out as strangers and will find out that lives entwine and influence each other in more than one way.
This is a joint fic that springs from the united efforts of 5 writers:
Mena
The1ringrulesdaworld
Ambrosia
Elijafan14
Ninque elen

Together, but each one her own way, will take you along on this journey through the lives and loves of:
Mirander and Elijah (the1ringrulesdaworld),
Rome and Alice, Viggo and Orlando (Mena),
Stacy and Dominic (Elijahfan14),
Portia and Billy (Ambrosia)
Deanna and Stuart (ninque elen)

The idea of Lofters comes from a previous fanfic which was also called the same way.
It was written by 5 writers, and started by Mel_Mel.
It stopped some time ago but, this summer, Anneka and I thought worth revitalising again, and together, we called up 3 other writers, Ambrosia, Elijafan14 and Mena. Together, we have been working very hard on this project; we hope we’re making of it something big, that you all will enjoy.

Disclaimer: None of us owns any of the celebrities present in this fic. Everything that happens here is based on our own imaginations and has nothing to do with them what so ever. The characters and storylines are owned by us the writers of: writers united. Do not steal or use any of this without our permission. If you do we will hunt you down and be nasty.
Copyright @ Writers United

Rating: Rated R which will go up occasional up to nc-17. Warning will be posted at that particularly chapter.


Prologue

There are certain people who like to say that buildings have a soul, while others only laugh about it; well, they shouldn’t. Buildings do have a soul and as long as they are being used their soul grows and expands. They take over bits and pieces of the people who live or work in the building. Their walls echo the sounds of laughter and at night you can feel them fill up the corridors with sadness. That is why nothing is more heartbreaking than to see an abandoned building. It loses its soul…it mourns for what once was, while slowly the wood rots away in the heavy rain and the stormy winds. Every year the house falls further and further apart until it is nothing more that a looming shadow out of the past.

One of those buildings was a four story tall hotel with red bricks and a powerful structure. It was standing on the outskirts of New York, that big city with its always moving crowds and on going entertainment and business centers. However, the building remembered the days of old when many people had visited it and had stayed for whole summers. They were the rich and popular, seeking a way to escape the press without being too far away from everything. This hotel had seen its share of happiness, grief and betrayal. But, the rich had moved to other places and the times had changed, the hotel was outdated and old-fashioned. Nobody cared for out-of-date hotels anymore. And, so it came to pass that the hotel drew less and less crowds until it was closed one day. Falling into decay, it hoped for nothing anymore, all of its dreams vanished and the building accepted its fate.

Until on a fine spring day, a man stopped his car in front of the building. The man was not old but not very young, either; through his life he had worked long and hard hours that aged him dramatically. The man owned several buildings and he saw potential in this one. New York never had enough living space especially not for young people with little money, something his daughter knew everything about. Driven by a vision, the man bought the hotel and shortly there after, construction work began. The hotel was restored, making the outside look like it once had looked before. Everyone was going for retro these days and the red bricks and huge glass doors certainly gave that feeling. The inside was made to look the same, if in a more comfortable and modern way. But, it was not a hotel anymore; it was now an apartment complex. The foyer had stayed the same, with its little post-boxes and places to hang spare keys, but the bar/ restaurant had been turned into a common living room. There was now a roof terrace, and behind the building was a small garden where people could go to relax.

It had taken the man three years to get everything as he wanted it to be, but finally it was finished. His daughter was appointed as caretaker, and soon ads were put up to attract renters.

The hotel was ready for people to move in, once again.

It is interesting to see what will happen when you put several strangers into one building where they have to share their lives and living space. What secrets will they reveal, what lies will they tell, where will love bloom, and whose heart will be broken?

Be ready to see what happens…

Oo it's up this is soo exciting. I told you how much I love this prologue it really is great Dana. Ee it's up.

Omigosh! I'm so excited to be reading this. The one we did with Mel was so much fun (gosh, it was like a year or two ago, wasn't it?) and I'm definitely looking forward to this one. Especially since I adore all the writers. :D

Amazing prologue (and the banners are beautiful!), Dana. I can't wait for the next segment. :)

:heartbeat:
Samma

Weeeeeee!! It's up!
I was so excited to see it coming, and now it has. Yes, that prologue was beautiful, hon. And thanks Sammi, you're our first reader!

This sounds really intriguing...
Can't wait to see what happens :)

Ohh, yay Sam and Bunny for reading!

I am so excited to see it up, girls! The banners are so beautiful and the prologue makes me happy. :yes: This is going to be a fun experience, indeed.

Ooooooooooh! Me! Me! I'm here! I'm reading!

Ladies, so much writing talent combined in one story. This should prove to be a very promising story. I loved the prolouge, the idea that a building has a soul and it is pronounced by the inhabitance of the building.

By the way, just have to make mention of the amazing banners! Most definitely caught my eye. If I wasn't already interested in reading this story, the banners would have brought me here to check the story out.

Well, to say the least, I am very excited to see what this story entails for us and I can't wait to meet the characters!

:yay:

Ooh, great prologue, and God knows I love an ensemble fic! Can't wait to see how this unfolds! :)

I'm excited about this! I remember the old story, but no offense, but this one will be my favorite because some of my faves writers are here :D

I'll be here reading, pets, I won't go anywhere hehe :D

Hello and welcome to Sami, Bunny, Blondie, jamiegirl and Whiteandie. Thanks for reading and the 1st chappie will be up soon.

Chapter 1 Mirander


The harsh ringing of the alarm clock wakes me from my slumber. I struggle into consciousness, opening my eyes to the bright sunlit room. I groan and snuggle closer, to Elijah. He leans back and switches off the alarm clock. Turning back he encompasses me in his arms.

“Good morning,” he whispers softly, kissing the top of my head softly.

“Morning” I whisper back leaning in and kissing his lips tenderly, I break the kiss.

“What’s the time?” I ask. Elijah turns and looks at the luminous numbers on the clock.

“ Quarter past eight” he answers hoarsely.

I sigh. “I better get up.” I state as I lean in a kiss Elijah gently again. I break the kiss smiling, and get out of bed and put on my dressing gown. I head towards the door and grabbed my jeans and yellow shirt from the floor where they had been thrown yesterday. I get fresh underwear out of the drawer. I turn, to look at Elijah who is back under the covers, trying to sleep.

I smile as I exit the bedroom reliving the moments from last night, which is the reason we are both zombies this morning. I head across the lounge towards the kitchen. I deposit my clothes on the table, which is next door to the kitchen.

I step into the kitchen and switch on the coffee machine, adding the essentials of water and ground coffee, to the enchanting machine that’ll make the wonderful, stimulating brew. I leave the machine to work its magic, and head towards the bathroom.

When in the bathroom I drop my clothes to the floor and turn the shower on. While I’m waiting for the water to get hot I take off the dressing gown. I feel the water and as it is the right temperature I walk into the water. I turn on the radio that is on the side of the shower and listen, to a song that I don’t recognise, and start washing myself.

My thoughts turn to today, and I wonder how I should behave. Should I be calm and collective or welcoming and friendly? But I couldn’t be too friendly or they’d walk all over me. I sigh in frustration, as nervous butterflies erupt in my stomach, I don’t like to deal with new people. Ok so I’m a teacher but that’s different, the people want to learn how to sing or play the piano and they normally listen to what you have to say, and it’s a different relationship. I’m going to have to live with these people. I bit my lip, and start lathering shampoo into my hair.

This was the down side of being able to live with Elijah that I had to be supervisor of this new business venture of my father’s, as he makes his way into property. He had reduced the rent on the flat on the condition that I’d be the manger of the flats deal with people’s problems. I took the offer as I had no choice. I didn’t earn enough money from the piano, and singing lessons I give to afford rent, insurance, bills and food, and Elijah’s job didn’t give a stable income.

I finish washing the soap studs out of my hair, and turn off the shower. I step out of the shower and grab a white towel, and wrap it around me. I then brush and blow dry my strawberry blonde hair.

When it is dry I pin it back with a clip. I brush my teeth. Then do my make up. When I’m satisfied with the look, I get changed into the clothes I had chosen earlier. I survey myself in the mirror taking in my small 5ft frame. I am happy with the look, but notice that my hair needs dyeing again. I roll my eyes, annoyed at how quick my hair grows. I pick up the dressing gown and walk back into the bedroom, the time was now nine o clock, and I drape my dressing gown on the chair to my dressing table. I open the curtains and Elijah groans pulling the covers over his head. I grab the bed clothes and pull them of him. “Time to get up.” I tell him cheerfully. He mumbles, as he sits up, and gets out of bed. He makes his way to the wardrobe and pulls out some jeans and a black t-shirt. I smile and follow Elijah into the lounge. I over take Elijah and enter the kitchen, pouring out two cups of coffee, I milk and sugar one and give it to Elijah, who smiles revealing the gap between his front teeth,

“Thanks” he says gratefully taking the coffee. He takes a sip and then turns and goes into the bathroom.

I take a gulp of my coffee and put on some toast for me and Elijah. I get the spreads out while waiting for the toast to cook.

“Ah you gonna take me home tonight
Ah down beside that red fire light
Ah you gonna let it all hang out
Fat bottomed girls
You make the rocking world go round”

Elijah’s voice comes from the bathroom, singing along to the radio. I smiled and listened to him singing along to Queen’s “Fat Bottomed girls” His singing keep me entertained as I wait for the toast.

“Hey I was just a skinny lad
“Never knew no good from bad
But I knew life before I left my nursery huh
Let alone with big fat funny
She was such a naughty nanny
Heap big woman you made a bad boy out of me

The toast pops up and I butter both slices, putting chocolate on one and jam on another. I put away the jars, and put the toast on to plates, before I carry them to the table, Elijah’s voice is still audible.

Hey hey

I've been singing with my band
Across the wire across the land
I've seen every blue-eyed floozy on the way hey
But their beauty and their style
Wears kind of smooth after a while
Take me to them dirty ladies every time
Come on
Oh won't you take me home tonight
Oh down beside your red fire light
Oh and you give it all you got


I start eating my breakfast, trying not to choke as I can now hear Elijah properly. He’s obviously putting everything he has into the song. I imagine him in the shower dancing, and the picture brings a smile to my face, as I listen to Elijah finishing the song.

Fat bottomed girls
you make the rocking world go round
Fat bottomed girls
you make the rocking world go round”


I struggle to keep a straight face, as I clap and cat call. It all goes silent and I laugh. I finish eating my breakfast, and without Elijah singing to distract me, I worry about whether these people will like me. I leave my plate on the table and walk over to the “Music Room” Where my pride and joy sat, a black upright, piano. I go through the music on top of the piano, which is still in boxes from the move, looking for a piece of suitable music, to get rid of my nerves. My hand falls on Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody no. 2. I pick it up and open the piano lid, and play a chromatic scale. The piano is slightly out of tune but not as bad as I expect as it had been jolted and moved a lot yesterday. I make a mental note to get it tuned, before turning to the Liszt, and start to play the dramatic chords that start the piece. I put my nervous energy into the arm weight needed for the start of the piece, but as I get into the flow of the military eastern European tune, my whole concentration is needed to play the leaps in the left hand, the ornamentation in the right, the cadenza passages, with split octaves. There is no room in my mind for worries as I give my full attention to how to play the notes. Keeping my right hand light and staccato here, bringing out the tune in this passage, I become absorbed into the music, as I portray the dramatic nature of the tune. I finish the piece with octave F’s, and I hear clapping. I turn and see Elijah standing at the door.

“That piece is just amazing to listen to; it never fails to impress me.” He states, and I smile as I nod in agreement. I feel a lot calmer, as I ask.

“Are you ready?” Elijah nods, and I put the music on top of the piano and close the lid. I join Lij at the door, and we walk together to the front door. We pick up our keys and go into the corridor beyond. I follow Elijah who turns to the right till we come to a wide sweeping staircase, we walk down the four flights of stairs. When we get to reception we say our goodbyes. Lij heads out of the glass doors, heading towards a car parked outside. I see Dom, the guitarist in Lij’s band. I wave and both Dom and Lij wave back. The car sets of down the road leaving me alone.

First of all: A BIG WELCOME TO ALL OF YOU!!!
We are all very pleased to see you here!!
*beams*
Curtesy to Anna who made the incredible banners!!

Yay for the first chappie being up!!!
Great work darling!
I have read it several times all ready but I still think you did an amazing job with it.
I really feel like I have gotten a good introduction to this character.
*smiles*
And I am looking forward to reading the rest.

I'm here! WEEEEEEE!!
I've just gotten back from my fly fishing trip to Tennessee in the Smoky Mountains! So beautiful!

Anyway, I'm sooooooo excited to be able to post up our chapters for everyone now. It's been a work in progress for quite some time now and I'm psyched!!!!

~Stacy~

This is really great so far :) The prologue actually made me feel sorry for the cuilding... when it had given up hope and everything. Empathy for a building... never thought I'd have it ^_^
Elijah and Mirander are so cute together. I laughed when he was singing in the shower... bahahahaa... I can picture that so well :D

Fantastic first chappie, Anneka! In such a simple way you've managed to paint these beautiful pictures of these two characters...especially Mirander. I can just see her sitting there at her piano, and she's gorgeous! Can't wait for more! :)

I agree with Jess, and although I read this chapter before, i had no chance to explain properly how much I liked it.
I noticed that, since it's 5 of us writing together, we must hold each other back from writing too long chapters, something that personally I find very hard.

But, here you managed to give us a great insight of both Mirander's personality, and her relationship with her boyfriend.
First chapters are very hard to crack, cause you may have a lot in your head, but you must proceed with order.

And, I already love this spiritual girl and her goofy boyfriend! :wub:

*pats Mirander* Don't worry, hon, your tenants will be nice! *snickers*

Ahhhhhh! The image of Elijah rocking out to Fat Bottomed Girls in the shower is simply too much to take. :lol:

Anneka, I have to admit something. We've only just met Elijah, but I must say. I've already got a crush on him. He is so cute and goofy.

The part where Mirander plays the piana, the way you described it, no lie gave me goosepimples! It was so beautiful. Just from reading that, I can tell you are a music lover and one that plays different instruments.

Great introduction to the first set of characters. I already love them. Can't wait to meet the rest of the tenants.

:blush: Ahh Thanks girls. I've said this a lot but I don't have a lot of confidence in my writting and it's great that you appriciate enough to comment. I can tell you it's very intimdating to do a fic with so many great authors but it's very rewarding at the same time. On a more selfish note I'm learning loads. :hug: To you all, you make me feel very happy.

Yeah you got me. I play Piano viola and sing as in had 6 years worth of lessons so can sing in tune. I've played the piano since I was seven and I'm actually atempting to play that piece, it's so hard *cries* I really hate when you read stuff or it's in movies and it's obvious people haven't got a clue how to play the instruments because it's different from you think. I finally created a fan fic character with my love of music in it. Am so proud.

Anyways Thank you.


Ps Anna did I ever thank you for my banner because I have a horrible feeling I just said it was fantastic which it is but never said thank you. So Thank you it's great and I'll go now.

HI
I'm so excited for this story, it has so much potential. Keep up with the good work.

Awesome start ladies!!!! I'm very excited to read the rest!

Yay for the first chapter being posted!

I love Lij plus fat bottomed girls so much. ehehe! And, the part you added with Mirander playing the piano was great! Very good job, my dear!

It was beautiful, Anneka.

Although, I was only skimming, I have admit. :blush: I'm sorry, I wouldn't be able to read it at all without skimming, as busy as I am now, so if you guys see no replies from me, rest assured that I am most definitely reading. Are you kidding? I could never get enough of this... although my bed is calling my name a bit louder now.

I just wanted to say that I like your background on Mirander. She really seems like a person I genuinely would like to know. =)

Just dropping a quick line to Anneka to say: don't underestimate ourself, hon. Trust your talent and don't be afraid! I know, I am Miss self-consciousness when it comes to write, but this doesn't stop me from supporting my fellows!

And yes, you thanked me before for the banner, no fear! Any time, you know I'm a banners whore, it's tad hard to bear up with me!

:hug:

Don't worry Sami I know how it gets when your busy. So no hard feelings :hug:

:blush: Anyways was thinking we should set up a support group my stupid imagination was like you know have cheerleaders or like on jerry springer where they go Jerry Jerry. lol Ok going back to the mental institute now.

Chapter 2 Deanna

I shiver when I enter the the fresh morning air. It is the dawn of a new day. The sky is grey and it is pretty cold outside. I am carrying the last box to my all ready full car, a grey old Volvo. After I put it in, I give the building in which I have been living for 6 weeks a last look before I get in the car myself. I don’t feel to bad about leaving this place…and how could I? I have moved so many times that I don’t get really attached to houses anymore. It is a sad fact about my life with a very long story behind it. But it all comes down to this. I am running away from something and that something is chasing me and following me where ever I go. It is one of the reasons I am leaving here all ready again. Not that anybody here knows I am leaving, I didn’t quit my apartment or anything but I am very sure the people here wont mind at all. Most people rather see me go than coming.

I sigh sadly before I start my car and drive of to a new live…once again.

It takes me 25 minutes to reach the highway. From here it is straight on to New York, 325 miles away. New York sounds like a good place to live, it is big and unanimous. Full of strange people and for once I hope I won’t be noticed to much. I switch on my radio and hum along with the song.

Call you up in the middle of the night
Like a firefly without a light
You were there like a slow torch burning
I was a key that could use a little turning

So tired that I couldn't even sleep
So many secrets I couldn't keep
Promised myself I wouldn't weep
One more promise I couldn't keep

It seems no one can help me now
I'm in too deep
There's no way out
This time I have really led myself astray

It strikes me how the song really suits my situation. Here I am once again driving over the highway to another town. Nothing around me than barren land and cars moving past me and in each car there is a happy family. Why am I always the one who is alone.

Runaway train never going back
Wrong way on a one way track
Seems like I should be getting somewhere
Somehow I'm neither here no there

Can you help me remember how to smile
Make it somehow all seem worthwhile
How on earth did I get so jaded
Life's mystery seems so faded

I can go where no one else can go
I know what no one else knows
Here I am just drownin' in the rain
With a ticket for a runaway train

Everything is cut and dry
Day and night, earth and sky
Somehow I just don't believe it

I stop for a short tea break around 10 in the morning. I have been driving for almost 3 hours now. Nervously I look at my clothes, a long flowing black skirt and a black top with a silver pentagram on it. Probably not the most common clothes for this café or for the people I am going to meet later today but not matter what I wear people always notice I am different. Better wear something then in which I feel comfortable.

Bought a ticket for a runaway train
Like a madman laughin' at the rain
Little out of touch, little insane
Just easier than dealing with the pain

Runaway train never comin' back
Runaway train tearin' up the track
Runaway train burnin' in my veins
Runaway but it always seems the same

When I walk in the café I can feel people looking at me and I can hear them whispering behind there hands. Hurriedly I choose a table in a corner not to much in sight. The waitress has all ready noticed me and takes my order. It doesn’t take her to long to get back again. Carefully I sip from the hot tea. It relaxes me a bit and that is just what I need cause I feel nervous, very nervous about the new people I will meet today. All I want is to be left alone at this point. The less I have to see people, the less I have to see them stare and the less my gift is troubling me. Something I feel very strongly about. Sighing I rub my neck, I can feel my gift getting stronger no matter how much I try to suppress it. Time to leave I decide before it really kicks in. I pay for my tea and hit the road again. When I look at my watch it is 10.20, still plenty of time. I agreed to meet Viggo a friend of mine around 2 in the afternoon in a little café just outside New York. We have been there before when I had to go to New York for workmeetings. It is easy for me to find and from there on I will have someone to guide me through New York cause I am a bit geographically challenged. He wanted to help me move and so I said he could help when I was in New York. I didn’t want him to drive all the way over to my place and make him go that whole road back again the next day. Besides he wouldn’t have liked the way I left.

I stare absentmindedly at the road in front of me when I think of Viggo.

When I think of him I feel a smile creep over my face for the first time this day. He is a great collegue, artist and friend. I still wonder why he wanted to be my friend. I never make friends and nobody ever wanted to be my friend but he did. I met him at work, this incredibly talented nice man. A very handsome man, I add as an afterthought. I don’t want to know it even for myself but maybe I am feeling a bit more for him thatn just ordinary friendship. There certainly is a certain attraction and tension between us but I always have been very clear at drawing the line at a certain point. There is a boundary that nobody, not even he can cross.

I sigh again and look at a sign, only 100 miles more to New York. I am almost there.

I probably will be seeing Viggo a lot more now since he lives in New York. I also will work more with him since the office is in New York. Not that I need to be really close to it since I am an illustrator and can work wherever I want…but still it has its nice sides. Pondering like this I drive the rest of the 100 miles which goes faster as I imagined. So it happens that I arrive at the little café one hour early.

A bit stiff and very hot I get out of my car. I will have to dump it since license plaits can be tracked but I feel sad in doing so. I do some light stretch excercises and try to smooth out some of the wrinkles in my clothes. I give my long black hair a brush and tie it up with a black ribbon. A private joke of mine since it reminds me of my favourite movie. I decide to get a bit to eat while I wait for Viggo. I enter the grubby old café, a typical place for artists and plop down on a comfy chair near the window. I order the only vegetarian dish on the menu and hope that it will have some taste.

I look at the pentagram on my shirt. Contrary to popular believe it is not a sign of the devil. That is only Hollywood crap. It is a representation of the 4 elements and above that the spirit. It stands for female power and so for mother earth. Things that mean very much to me. Finally my food arrives, it is a big green salad and a bouillon. It doesn’t taste to bad and gratefully I eat it. After that I pay and go outside to have a smoke. Thanks to modern policy I have to go outside now everytime I want to smoke. Yes it is bad for me, I know, but I need something to calm my nerves. Usually I am not this jumpy but the prospect of meeting new people does this to me…and being chased isn’t helping much either. Before I get lost in less then happy memories I see Viggo show up.
He kisses me lightly on the cheek and says, "It's great to see you".
"Same back," I wisper.
"I am looking forward to seeing you more now that you live closeby," He says friendly while he gets into the car.
"Me too," I say feeling a warm feeling rise up inside me. It has been a long time since anyone said anything like that to me.

He starts the car and we set of to the appartmentcomplex. Little is said on our way there though I can feel that he is dying to ask me several questions but apparently he has decided to refrain himself of asking me. For which I am very gratefull especially since I need all my attention to the traffic. Viggo guides me to a part of New York that is on the outskirts and when he tells me to stop I am standing in front of a four story tall building with red bricks.

I get out of the car, remove my bag from the backseat and pick a cardboard box out of the boot. Viggo is coming right behind me. I enter the reception through the huge glass doors were a young woman with strawberry blond hair is waiting for me.

“Hi,” I say nervously and give her a smile. Viggo is coming in behind me carrying a suitcase and a box.

“Hi Mirander,” he says to my utter surprise “What are you doing here?”

“Well I live here.” she says to him. “The building is owned by my Dad and he wanted someone to look after the place and the tenants hence why I’m here."

“That’s great,” he says smiling to her, “ So is Elijah living with you?” he asks.

Mirander nods her head smiling brightly at him and says, “yeah we finally found a place we could afford.”

Meanwhile my heart has plunged into my shoes. Had I known that Viggo knew the caretaker of this building I would not have come here. Running away from this place won’t be that easy anymore. Not if I want to keep being friends with Viggo. I feel a huge urge to run out of here but it is way to late for that.

Finally Mirander remembers me again and asks me my name.

“Deanna….Deanna Sirkova” I say. It is a fake surname but my real name would attract really big attention.

She looks on a sheet and picks up a key, asking Viggo to hold the fort for awhile while she shows me my room.
"Sure," he says smiling at us both.
I sigh and follow Mirander.

It turns out to be that I have to be on the third floor, apartment number 5.

Mirander opens the door for me and I smile when I see my apartment. I have a balcony with a view on a little garden. It seems perfect…


Song: Runaway Train by Soul Asylum

Dana! That was great! I really loved your little cafe intro and meeting Viggo.

I have to admit that I hadn't read this before in our group. :( I am so bad at keeping up with everything. :meh:

Anyway, awesome start!

~Stacy~

Yay for Deanna's appearance! I love her character...so mysterious! And, you gotta love the girl's style! Hey, I might be a hot pink lady, but I still adore my girls who dress all in black. :yes:

And another awesome chapter!

Fantastic intro to this character, she's very unique, isn't she? And of course I can't help but wonder about her little secret...although I'm sure that will be revealed in due time! Beautiful chap, Dana! :)

yay, it's up! :D
I agree with everything the girls said, Deanna's character is so mysterious that you can just love her!
And, you managed to do a lot in one chapter... poor girl, being forced to be always on the run; I don't like this fact that she longed to escape again as soon as she found out a friend of hers already knew the caretaker...

and, what a friend she has!

Mmmmm... handsome man?
Tension?
Boundary to cross?

Le. Sigh!!!!!!

And, Amber...

:hug:

Awwww thank you girls!!!
I really feel flattered to hear all those compliments of some of the greatest writers this board has.
I feel kind of intimidated *blushes*

*beams*
Thanks.....it was really hard in getting it right.

Ehehehehe.....I admit it. I adore people who are a bit mysterious. Very happy to know I pulled it of in portraying her like that. *hugs the hot pink lady*

:blush: :blush: :blush:

I very much hope so that she in unique indeed *smiles* So glad you say that!!
And eh...*grins*...about that secret....I am sure that Deanna wont like it but it will have to be revealed some day :lalala:

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
I knew you would like that part *grins*
Thanks for the ungoing support hon!


Wub you all lots!
:love:
Dana

Another beautiful introduction to another character.

Ooooh...mystery and intrigue. Deanna has it all.

As much as I'm intrigued about Deanna's little secret and why she must continue to run, I am a bit saddened by it. The idea of settling down in one location, only to turn around and uproot everything that was there is a bit depressing. How does one living a life such as that deal with the loneliness? I can't imagine Deanna wanting to make too many friends....especially since she seems reluctant to reveal parts of herself.

Okay...maybe I'm reading a bit into this..anyway, I feel bad for Deanna, always having to run and distance herself to a degree from people.

Oh and as a Viggo fan, I must say, excellent job with the description. I find that he is a very complex character and one to portray on paper.

I can't wait to see where this all goes! -_-

Very cool chapter ^_^ I really felt for Deanna and am very curious about her background. Who's she running away from? What'd she do? Hopefully I'll find out as the story unfolds :D

Really excellent Dana ^_^ Can't wait to see who's going to be introduced next!

Awesome chapter!! I really wanna know more about Deanna, she's so mysterious... I wonder what she's running away from... And I really wonder what's gonna happen next :)
Good Job!
Post more soon! :)

Hey Dana,

Sorry I'm the last to post. Great chapter I love the air of mystery you set the scene but still leave us wanting more it's fantastic.

Love ya
Anneka

Okay, seems my moment has come then...
*blushes*
Here we go!

Chapter three. Rome.

I screech to a hath before the silent compound before my eyes. It is a blasphemous hour to move all of my stuff out the car, come to think of it. At half past one of a summer day like this, heat makes the asphalt boil under me, and the leather seats of my car are simply too hot to touch.
Madonna’s “spotlight” blares loudly from my stereo, and out of the car window I can hear a dog starting to bark a tired protest. Whatever, I don’t care.
Lazily, slowly, I get out the car and drag my heavy bag out of it. Holy Batman, I already feel tired and the few steps that tear me apart from the main door suddenly look longer than the Dubai Desert.
Anyhow, it’s not just the hot weather outside to intimidate me. I feel a bit odd after all, to have to drag my luggage inside a brand new accommodation without being followed by a steward in a suit and white gloves, when the only effort I’m required would be to tip him once on the threshold.

But, I have been tipping people to live my life for twenty-six years and counting, and although this helped me to preserve a beautiful skin, and a forehead free from any kind of worried wrinkle, I was starting to feel sick of my pretty cotton wool world.

No one knows you better than you know yourself
Do the thing you want don't wait for someone else
Life is just a party that's all you need to know
It's your turn to shine baby let yourself go

I check my appearance in the rearview mirror, a pensive pout surfacing on my lips. I wonder, why people always rant and rail about how hard life is? It’s just a bunch of crap, if you ask me.
Life is handful if you’re only willing to smile and use some diplomacy to untangle from possible annoying deals, it doesn’t take much else.

Don't stand in the corner waiting for the chance
Make your own music start your own dance
When you feel the rhythm, I'll be by your side
Now you have the power baby love is on your side

I don’t think this is going to be hard. What do common people need to live their life, that I cannot find out? I am sure this will be ten times better than spending my lazy days in Boston, where my best moment of the day was when I went down the staircase, my steps skillfully slow and my moves smooth, to greet the umpteenth surgeon, lawyer, or Colonel who happened to dash my way during his Wife-Hunt.

I’m sure I would handle it, a fine marriage to a good man. It has always been like this, and it will always be, I’m born to it. Just, not yet. Anyway, I am not planning to blend with the lower layers of society for good, for God’s Sake.

“Whatever,” I mumble, letting the bag fall to the ground with a heavy thud. I walk to the intercom and press the doorbell that, I suppose, should be the caretaker’s.
I chew my bottom lip, leaning against the fresh wall. Maybe it was not a brilliant idea to wear black under this beating sun.
Oh, shut up Rome, of course it was! Black is classy, the perfect match to strike a good impression at new acquaintances. Remember that first impression is the secret, and there is no way someone might like you if you’re wearing the wrong shoes.
I wonder why I feel slightly nervous. I should not care about what this people think; all right, it’s not that I feel superior to them or anything, actually, I’m here to have a good time and this usually implies to make friends, even out of your college sisterhood or your yoga class group.
Still though, I wonder if any one of my soon-to-be-friends knows which fork to use to eat roasted pheasant with caviar, or if they would shriek in horror if I’d dare to wear diamonds before five in the afternoon, like my college ladies did once.

“Hello?” a man suddenly answers from the intercom, making me jump. I clasp my hand together, trying to quickly regain my cool, scanning my own brain for my best introducing tone.

“Rome Goldsmith-Bourke.” I purr inside the intercom, “I’m the new tenant.”

“I see, okay, I’m letting you in.” comes the brisk answer, and I cannot help but roll my eyes at the bag abandoned on the boiling ground behind me. For an instant, I picture myself dragging it up the stairs, maybe panting or puffing, and I urge to call at the mysterious male voice before he cuts the communication.

“Actually, you might use some help with my luggage, if you don’t mind.” I flash one of my fine-mannered-lady smiles as if my interlocutor could get it, “I’ll tip, never mind.”

The man seems to hesitate.
“You don’t need to, ‘please’ will do.” He answers matter-of-factly, before I hear the line go off.

I take a few moments to gather up my long red hair in a knot, and smooth down the wrinkles of my shirt. I’m checking my lipstick is still applied properly, when I spot a movement in the lobby and I drop my small mirror inside the purse with so much strength that the opened zipper scratches my hand.
“You go, Prada crap!” I hiss at the bold purse, right then when the main door buzzes open and the man appears before me.

Now, this might be interesting, indeed.
“Hi,” he says, “I’m Viggo.”

Never heard such a name before, if you ask me, but if all Viggo’s are this tall and hot, well, I wish I had met some other before!
I stare at him with no shame. He is a good deal taller than me, but it is just because I am not one of those ungraceful climbing poles you see on TV.

“Rome.” I stretch over my jeweled hand.

“Is that your stuff?” he asks, nodding at a spot behind my back, “nice car!”

I smile slightly, following him as he steps closer to grab my bag. He’s right, I am so proud of my car! It’s a 1992 black Chevrolet Corvette, my precious baby, a furious poshy bitch that looks good, but goes fast. Just like me.

“Are you the caretaker?” I question, while I study him better without being noticed. Definitely, this is one fine man, like the girls of the Vassar would say: he has a positive aura of calmness all around him, a sort of pale peculiarity I used to detect in some of my teachers, when I still bothered and attend my Art classes on the first years of college, and also, with a rugged air that, you know, high-class dolls enjoy as a matter of completing work fields. He’s a bit too old for me, through. I wonder if he has a son, or a younger brother.

“Uhm, no, actually the caretaker is Mirander. Just, I have been sticking around for a while, and I was asked to keep an eye around just in case some new tenant showed up while she was not here.” He flashes me a smile, lifting the heavy bag with one hand, with no apparent effort.
“Come, I’m showing you in.”

I stride in tow, glad to escape the burning parking lot that, I am afraid to say, it’s not the only one to be on fire at the moment. I think I am going to erase the qualm about age difference. Heck yes!

Everybody is a star, you know who you are
This is your chance to shine
It's got to come from the heart, do it right from the start
And step into the light

Hey Anna. Great chapter I love the way you portray Rome it's fantastic. It's just perfect, great chapter.

Of course I read this once before a while back, but it still makes me smile big and giggle just as much! I love Rome's character more than you can know. She's such a dear, spoilt little girl! ^_^

Now, this part, I went, whatttttt? She beat me to Madonna mention??? How is it possible??? People are going to rub their eyes and say, wait, shouldn't it be Amber writing about Madonna again, oh no, wait, it's true...she's corrupted Anna! :laugh:

Holy Batman made me burst into many giggles...I think I might use that tomorrow.

hahaha! Reminds me of when my Steve Maddens leave blisters on my feet, and I scream, "Why must you skunk me, Maddennn???"

eeeeeeeeee! Hot Viggos! Sister, why don't I ever meet 'em either?

Oh, she is a smart lady!

I love Rome! Excellent character intro!

Oh man! Interesting character.....I can't wait to see how she will interact with everybody else!

I really like your story. All of you are doing a great job. But I must say: it needs to come faster! I want to keep reading. Keep up the good work girls!

-E.E.