Lost Without You [Michael]

[sophia]

12th May, 2009

Sophia had arranged for an open day at her stud farm, she had a few foals and fillies who were old enough to be sold on to members of the public. She was also arranging for rides for the children, so that if they couldn't afford to buy a horse, they could at least have a run about on one with stable hand helping to guide the reins.

One of the fields had been rigged with show jumping fences as well, for those who liked to enter gymkhanas, they could go and practice, which Sophia did often herself on Beauty her black horse. There was also balloons for sale, strings of flags everywhere, and burger vans, ice-cream vans and candy floss stalls all over the place.

Everything seemed to be going well, when Sophia caught the eye of a rather handsome dark haired man toward the other end of the paddock. From what she could see, he appeared to be on his own, she couldn't see any children near him. She decided to walk over to where he was and ask if he needed any help.

"Hello, I'm Sophia Sullivan, I'm the woman whose running this Open Day, can I help you at all?" Sophia asked politely as she smiled at the man waiting for him to respond to her question.

[ooc: going on the fact they're just meeting in this thread - be nice to build something up for a change lol]

[rhett]

Michael was still in Vegas and decided that today he would hid into the outer parts of town. He was obvious bored of the city life and was sick of working on the website for ABC News. He finally was allowed to like to do a story on something out of the ordinary in Las Vegas and this seemed like an out of ordinary story.

He headed to the outer part of town. Some kind of festive was being held and it just seemed liked an interesting story. He was near the paddock glancing around the area wondering where he should begin when someone approached him. She looked beautiful. He wondered what made her come near him. However, he was just going to be polite and not have his mind wonder off again.

It was nice that someone would come and introduce themselves to him – an outsider. However, this town was nice and sometimes odd at times. He smiled and decided to introduce himself. “Michael Faraday, ABC News” He said as he held out his hand. “I’m on assignment looking for individuals in big city who seem to do ordinary things” He said with a slight pause “This is definitely out of the ordinary”

[sophia]

Sophia just stood and smiled at the dark haired stranger as she waited on his reply to her question of asking if she could help him. She had no real idea as to why she singled him out to ask if she could help, but something just compelled her to do so. When he introduced himself, Sophia raised her eyebrows slightly, but with a warm welcoming smile on her face. Somebody from ABC News would come to her Open Day. She didn't think it was such a big deal to make the news.

However, she took his hand and shook it. "Very pleased to meet you then Michael Faraday." Sophia said kindly. As he explained about his assignment, Sophia's smile got brighter. He felt that her Open Day was out of the ordinary, well she had to admit that maybe it was indeed out of the ordinary.

"Well I like to do things for the community." Sophia said, as a couple of small children ran past them excitedly wearing riding hats. "Just seeing the look on the kids faces make it all worthwhile." Sophia added, and then she began to wonder if he wanted to do an interview with her at all.

"So, are you here to interview me being the organiser of the event? Or are you just writing down notes for a general report?" She asked, as she smiled at him again, "Because I can invite you into my home, as it's rather noisy out here, and I have enough helpers to leave them in charge." She add, thinking that if there was to be any real talking and concentration that it may be better inside than outside.

[rhett]

He watched the reaction of the handsome blond hair women that should in front of him as he informed her that he was doing an assignment for ABC News and that he was interesting in doing this Open Day a story. It was something indeed different that he wasn’t used to and this was something that could well indeed be all across America.

It had to be an interesting story. People around the country would be interested in learning of this. This was incredibly out of the ordinary. Only people would find this in small towns but not places like Vegas. This was indeed going to be an interesting story. If he could get this women’s permission on interviewing her and doing a story. It would be the best. “Pleasure is all my Miss Sullivan, it is Miss right?” He asked in a polite tone.

“That’s a good thing” He said with a smile as he watched a few small children run past the two of them wearing riding hats. The children seemed very excited about this event and this would be an interesting story. Family events out of the ordinary. “They seem to be enjoying themselves, reminds me of home” He said with a slight nod remembering his childhood for a brief moment.

“Well, ma’am it would be an honor to interview you” Michael replied with a smile as she said that she would invite him to her house as it was rather noisy around the area. “I would like that it would only be for a few moments and then if it is okay with you I would like to film some of the event” He said with a warm smile, hoping it was a good idea with her if he was allowed to do that.

[sophia]

Sophia smiled brightly when Michael had said the pleasure was all his and then questioned the fact that she was indeed a Miss. The fact that this handsome stranger seemed to be making sure she was indeed a Miss, made her stare at him all the more, and then quickly snapped out of it, and smiled again. "Yes, indeed I am a Miss." She replied.

When he said it was a good thing, she smiled again, "Thank you." Then he commented on the excited children and how they seemed to be enjoying themselves. "Yes, they always have fun at my Open Days, I have them usually two or three times a year." Sophia explained as she laughed at one of the children as they leap frogged over one of the others. Sophia loved children, she had just been unfortunate to have been single most of her life and never found the right person to settle down with, let alone have any children.

"Fantastic!" Sophia exclaimed as he said he would indeed like to interview her and then said it would be good to get inside, and it would only be for a few moments. He also mentioned about being allowed to film some of the event, which of course Sophia had no objections to.

"You're very welcome, come this way." She said as she made her way to the sun lounge of the house, it meant they weren't inside the full house and could still see what was going on outside, but it did mean they were away from the noise. "Of course I don't mind you filming some of the event, go ahead." Sophia said with a bright smile. Why would she mind? If her little event got on the television she might actually get more business with people wanting to buy some of her horses.

[rhett]

Michael raised an eyebrow when she informed him that she was indeed a Miss. So she wasn’t married. However, she was probably seeing someone. He didn’t want to judge on that. He smiled back and nodded. “I see” He said as he glanced around the area and then back at her.

“No problem, ma’am” He said with a smile as he grabbed out an notepad from his pocket and jotted down her response that her Open Days were two or three times of year. That was just amazing especially in this kind of hot humid environment. He watched the children and laughed again as it reminded him of him and his siblings. “Reminds me of my childhood back in North Carolina with my two brothers” He said referring about the children playing leap frog over one another.

He just gave a bright warm smile at the women as she was thrilled that he would like to interview her. It was quiet interesting really. He was just in charge of the website and had seldom assignments. He was just glad to be doing something besides running a website. It was something else to do and that all that mattered to him.

He followed her as she told him to follow her. He did just that. They made their way to a sun lounge of her. It was a nice place. “Well, thank you” He said as he glanced around the place. “Very nice place you got here” He complemented on her house. It was very a beautiful house. “Alright I will film after our interview” He said with a slight nod. “May we sit down?” He asked in a calm voice wanting to the interview done.

[sophia]

Sophia just smiled at the handsome stranger again when he remarked on her being a Miss. "Yes, can be a very lonely life, if not for my beloved horses and Open Days." She admitted, and then immediately mentally slapped herself for saying such a thing. Talk about making it blatantly obvious you were single. Oh well, she thought, too late now. She just smiled at him again, a little more sheepish this time.

"Yes, it's such a good life for young children, to have no real cares in the world and be able to play around like that without batting an eyelid." Sophia said referring to all the happy children running around with no care in the world. Unlike some of the adults, who had trouble at virtually every door step at times it seemed.

Once they were inside the sun lounge room and Sophia had closed over the doors to drown out the noise, Michael thanked her for allowing him to come inside. "Not a problem at all." She replied with another smile, and then he said she had a nice place. This in itself made Sophia smile brightly, she took pride in her home and stables. "Well, thank you, I do enjoy this life, and I take care of everything myself." She said, wanting to make it known to the guy, that just because she may have a little money, which was obvious given the house, grounds and the fact she ran Open Days, that she wasn't one of these stuck up types who hired people to help. Well that said, she did have stable hands, but that was different, she meant, she didn't have cleaners or chefs or butlers, she took care of all of that herself.

"Very well." Sophia said with a smile when Michael mentioned he would film after their interview. Then he asked if they could sit down. "Of course, ready when you are." She said with reference to starting the interview, and with that Sophia sat down and gestured to the seat opposite her for Michael to sit down, and as she sat, she gave him another bright smile, finding it difficult to keep her eyes from locking with his own soulful ones.

[rhett]

He nodded at her when she said it could be a lonely life. Indeed it was true. Hell, last time he had girlfriend it was quiet hell. He smiled brightly at her and sighed. “Well, your horses are like family” He remarked about her horses. It would seem from his voice point. He hoped that he wasn’t annoying her by speaking of this.

Michael shook his head in agreement when she said that childhood was a good time for children. Children were innocent in the world. However, sometimes children were victims of abuse. But that was just part of society now and it was sad to think of that. It was sick, but some children didn’t have tragedric childhood. “I agree” He said with a smile.

He just smiled brightly at Sophia. She was just an amazing woman. Well, at this point and time. He didn’t know what else to be think of. He had to focus on the task at hand. He was going to interview her and then get on with his day. He watched her as she closed the door to the longue. He just nodded at her and took a look around the place. He complemented her on her adoring house. “You’re welcome” He said with a smile. He couldn’t help, but smile at her presence. “So you run this operation on your own or do you mean you don’t have housekeepers?” He asked trying to figure out what she had meant.

He was glad that she agreed for him to film around later. He had to go back to his car and get the camera. He didn’t want to bring the camera at the moment and time. He wasn’t like Barbara Walters. He didn’t interview the stars. He was just a common person. He was the behind the scenes person. Hell he was the webmaster of the website. He smiled at her when she said that he could sit down. He sat down opposite of her. “Alright Miss Sullivan” He said with a slight pause thinking of a first question. “How did you get involved in Open Days?” He asked as he wrote down the question on his notepad and looked at her waiting for a response.

[sophia]

Sophia could only smile when Michael mentioned that her horses were like family. Of course, this was very true, but Sophia longed for some male company. She wasn't particularly needy or desperate by any means, she just missed the love of a good man and she hoped one day she would be lucky enough to find it. "Yes, they are indeed like family to me. Especially my Beauty." She said referring to her own black horse.

Just then Max her dalmatian dog came running into the lounge and jumped onto her knees. Sophia ruffled with the dogs ears, and then stood up, "If you excuse me just a second please." She said, as she went toward the inside of the house, and was back a few seconds later. "Sorry about that, I had to give Max a drink, it's very hot for him." Sophia said hoping Michael would understand her little disappearance.

Sophia smiled when Michael agreed about the children having an easy life, of course Sophia knew that not all children had easy lives, but the ones who attended her Open Days certainly had easy lives.

"Oh, no, what I meant was, the house, I have no butlers, chefs or housekeepers, I do all of that myself, I do have hired stable hands, they help on days like this." Sophia explained, feeling herself blush slightly for having not explained herself properly in the first place.

Soon after Michael got down to business, and was getting ready to start asking her some questions. However, he called her Miss Sullivan, and she put her hand up with a raised eyebrow and smile, "Please, call me Sophia." She wanted him to feel comfortable around her, and besides, being called Miss Sullivan just sounded so formal. She then smiled as he asked his first question. "Well, I got involved in Open Days because I had a lot of foals and fillies, and it just felt easier to have Open Days for people to hopefully buy if they wish. Then a stable hand of mine, said I should do it with some fun things involved as well for the children, and that's how the Open Days were born, so to speak." Sophia answered, giving him a bright smile and hoping she had answered his question with satisfaction.

[rhett]

He smiled at her as she spoke about her horses and he began to wonder who this Beauty was. He then soon figured it out that it was probably her house. It had to be or he was proving himself wrong which wouldn’t be a first. However, that was just how he was. “That is wonderful” He said with a bright smile.

Soon after he said his last statement a Dalmatian dog came running into the lounge and jumped onto her knees. He laughed for a moment and nodded as she said that she had to go leave for a moment. He completely understood. He had a dog also. A few minutes later, she returned. “I understand, I have a dog also” He said just putting that non so important information out there.

That was what he thought she meant when she answered his question. “I see that is what I thought you meant” He said with a smile. It was true must people relied on people. People who were indebted into people’s services. He had them growing up. But that is what happened when your father was a senator and mayor.

Finally he was getting down to business and looked at her when he simply called her Miss Sullivan. “Terribly, sorry” He apologized as he turned bright red. He should have asked what he should call her and not just call her by her surname. However, he was just trying to be polite that is how all journalists were. Sometimes they could be rude, but sometimes they were polite people. She then went on to explain why she got involved in Open Days.

He began to write down the statement and once he was finished writing down her statement. He began to wonder what his next question would be. He had already asked about how Open Days got started and now he was looking for something interesting. “So do you charge admission for people to come into your Open Days or is this free and how long does a normal Open Days last, a week, a weekend?” He asked hoping that his questions weren’t annoying or tough on the pretty lady.

[sophia]

"Yes it is wonderful, she truly is an amazing horse, that's why she gets called Beauty." Sophia continued her explanation assuming Michael would have known she was referring to a horse when she spoke of Beauty, but in case he didn't she thought she would put him straight anyway.

"You do? What kind of dog do you have?" Sophia asked with a huge smile, since Sophia liked animals, horses and dogs in particular she always found them such good topics of conversation. Dalmatian was Sophia's favourite breed of dog, but really she would take in any strays she saw if she could.

"I just felt why have a house you can't look after yourself?" Sophia said as she waved her hand around in a circular motion in the general direction of her house. She just felt that if you were going to have a house, you should damn well look after it yourself. And she would never expect anybody to wait on her hand and foot. Of course if she were to have a man in her life who had insisted on making her a meal, well that would be different.

When Michael apologised and turned bright red, Sophia felt bad, she hadn't meant to embarrass him. "Dear God I'm sorry, I wasn't meaning to make you feel bad, I thought if I told you to call me Sophia it would make you feel more at ease." She explained as she then turned a shade of red herself. However she had answered his first question and she watched as he wrote down her reply.

She then waited patiently as he began to ask her more questions. She smiled again before replying. "No, I don't charge admission for the Open Days, they're free of charge, I usually make enough money out of riding lessons and people who buy some of my foals and fillies to need to charge admission." She answered truthfully. "Some of the people who come to entertain the children, like face painting or balloon modelling may take a charge but as far as I know that money goes to charity." She explained some more before taking a breath to answer his next question.

"The Open Days last a six day week from Monday until the Saturday." She replied and smiled and then wondered what his next question would be. Funny, when he had arrived she thought he might have been there to buy a horse, well she was fooled, when he turned out to be a reporter, but she was liking this.

[rhett]

“Horses are always amazing creatures – they are beautiful” He stated not sure why he would even bring that up. Of course, Sophia knew that. He just simply smiled. “So what breed is Beauty?” He asked in a very curious tone. He was curious to know which breed. Breed was very important in horses.

"A German Shepherd” He said with a smile. “He is a very loyal dog right now he is with my brother” He said speaking on where his dog was. He loved his dog. His dog was very intelligent and they were absolutely loyal.

He listened to her as she spoke about why not having a house you can’t look after yourself. It was very true. Indeed it was true. He watched her as she moved her hand in a circular motion. “That is very true” He said with a nod. It wasn’t everyday that people needed maids and stuff. People were able to do it themselves.

He turned bright red and felt a bit embarrassed. He never felt embarrassed like this in say a very long time. He watched her as she apologized to him. “No, no it’s fine Sophia” He said using her name. “I just have a habit of calling people by their surnames it was just in journalism school” He said apologizing. “I’ll be comfortable with it” He said with a bright smile.

He wrote down his question and then wrote down her response and smiled at her when he was finished writing his response. He was very much enjoying this conversation with her and he just couldn’t help but smile. “I see, that is good” He mentioned. Free admission was good especially in this economy it would seem in his book.

She then went on to explain how long the Open Days last. He placed his head down and wrote down what she had said and then looked up once he was finished. He smiled again thinking of what else to ask in a question. Finally it came to mind. “And final question, have you had say any famous people – like celebrities from Hollywood or from Professional Bull Riding come and buy?” He asked in a curious tone.

[sophia]

Sophia just smiled at Michael when he spoke about horses being amazing creatures and beautiful, of course Sophia knew that anyway, but it was still nice to hear other people speak of her beloved horses in such a way. He then went on to ask what kind of breed Beauty was, she smiled again. "She's a Thoroughbred Black and she stands around fourteen hands in height." She replied, giving the height of her horse as well, even though he hadn't asked the question.

Sophia's smile broadened when he spoke of having a German Shepherd dog. "They're magnificent breeds as well." In a slightly more sad voice she then went on to ask, "Why does your dog not live with yourself?" She was just interested to know why his own dog would be living with his brother, especially when he spoke of his dog being so loyal.

"Well, of course, you would be taught that way, but really I didn't mean to make it sound quite so abrupt, so if I did I apologise." Sophia explained, still feeling herself flush with red at having felt like she had embarrassed him. "So long as you are comfortable with it." She added with another smile, emphasising the word 'are'.

Sophia found she couldn't stop smiling at Michael the whole time she was being asked these questions which weren't bothering her in the slightest. However she was slightly disappointed when he said final question and it wasn't asking her on a date. She had so secretly hoped he might.

With another smile and looking into his eyes, she answered his final question, "Oh no, unfortunately I haven't had the opportunity of doing business with anybody famous, only people like you and me." She stopped to take a small breath before continuing, "However, that's not to say I wouldn't like for it to happen."

[rhett]

“Amazing” He said once Sophia informed him on what kind of horse her Beauty was. So she was a thoroughbred. That was a nice horse – good for racing. He smiled and just nodded his head trying to figure out what else he could say he was certainly lost a words at this particular moment and time, but wasn’t that him? He was always that way.

“My brother and I live in the same apartment when he isn’t in Vancouver” He said shaking his head. He really should have said about that he lived with his brother in his recent sentence. However he was kind of nervous and didn’t think. Didn’t think that someone would point the obvious out. Indeed he failed like that sometimes.

He smiled and shook his head. “You’re absolutely right” remarked Michael he was agreeing with her about that he was only trying to be polite. It was part of journalism 101. He sighed and listened to her speak about what they were having the conversation about. “I’m comfortable with it” he said with a smile.


Michael raised his eyebrow and shook his head in disbelief when he heard that Sophia hadn’t done any business with people famous. “That is shame” He said as he thought about it for a few minutes. “I could get some of my friends to maybe do a celebrity thing, maybe this weekend? I know my cousin is in town and could do an appearance he is famous…well sort off” He said “My brother is famous too” He also added as he finally decided to cave in. “Would you like to have dinner sometime?”

{we should prolly wrap it up lmao, we are in a new time line}

[sophia]

{I agree with wrapping it up - least next thread we can establish they're together - and it could be maybe their 3rd date by then haha }

Sophia just smiled brightly when Michael agreed that her horse Beauty being a thoroughbred was amazing. Sophia certainly seemed to think so, but then Sophia wouldn't have a stud farm for breeding horses, if she didn't think they were amazing.

"Oh, I see." Sophia replied, and when she saw him shaking his head, she smiled at him, her voice softened, "Sorry, I probably should have realised you and your brother share a house or flat." She hoped she hadn't embarrassed him, it would seem that so far, she had embarrassed him a couple of times, or at least saw a red face appear on him, and she had blushed herself a couple of times.

"Of course." Sophia said with a nod of the head and a warm smile, when Michael agreed with her about him only being polite. When Michael said he was comfortable with calling her Sophia, she smiled brightly, her eyes giving a twinkle, "Good." She replied simply. She had enjoyed this conversation, and she couldn't wait to see the article on the television or newspaper, which ever way it was going to go. It might give her some publicity and make her feel like she was actually doing something good.

When Michael said it was a shame she hadn't done any dealings with famous people, he mentioned about getting some friends of his to do a celebrity thing over the weekend. He could get his cousin to make an appearance. Sophia's eyes opened wide, and her smile grew bigger. "Well, that would of course be absolutely wonderful Michael, if you could do that for me, and yes, this weekend would be perfect for it." Sophia replied, feeling really special that Michael would do such a thing for her.

He then mentioned his brother was famous too. "Oh, whose your brother?" She asked, wondering if she knew these famous people he was talking of. It would be rather cool if she did know them she thought. Then he said those words, and she was sure her heart skipped a beat. She gave him a very bright smile. "I think I would like that, yes, why not, thanks you." She replied, and then felt her face blush again ever so slightly, she did wonder if he had read her earlier thoughts, now if he had the ability to do that, then it would be scary.