Rekindling The Flame (Arianna)

[samantha]

3rd June 2009

Samantha couldn't believe what she was going to do. She didn't know how or why she had thought about it, but she did. Sam had tracked down her old friend from school - Arianna Hardal. It had been sometime since Sam had seen her last. They were the best of friends, until one day Ari had gone and tried to kiss Sam. At the time Sam was not that way inclined towards Ari, and was scared off by it. So in the end she just left, and that was the end of their friendship.

Between then and now, Sam had been through a lot, and to her surprise was now into women. It just felt natural to her, being there with a woman, having feelings for them. So now, with meeting Ari, Sam wasn't sure what she would feel towards her after all this time.

Sam knew she could just be herself, and wear whatever she wanted. So she decided to put on an off the shoulder top, jeans, and put her hair up. It was weird weather lately, even if it was just turning into summer. Sam decided to bring a jacket just in case she got cold. Grabbing her bag, and keys, she made her way out the door, locking it behind her.

They had agreed to meet at a small cafe on the outskirts of Midtown Manhattan. Sam hadn't been there before, but had walked past it once or twice, mostly when she had just gotten her last magiks fix. But that was not on her mind right now, what was on her mid was meeting her long lost friends from so many years ago.

The walk was only a short one for Sam, but it was nice to be out in the fresh air, looking as normal as she could be. At least her hair was her natural colour for now - red - and her eyes were not black from magic she consumed only two nights ago. At last Sam was at the cafe, and sat at a table to wait for Arianna.

[ahardal]

Yesterday

Ari hung up the phone back on the hook. Her hand sat over it as she couldn't who called. Her highschool crush - Samantha. Yes a girl. Arianna was in fact a lesbian. She had been interest in woman since she was sixteen. Last time she spoke with her was the day she tried to make a move on her. Which she know definetly felt guilty for it. Only cause after that, she left.

They had just agreed to meet at a small cafe just down the street from her office, tomorrow.

Present Day

Today was the day that her and Sam were going to reunite and play catch up. At least thats what she was thinking, she was still in shock from Sam even calling. It took her off guard. She had just finished brushing her shoulder length black hair. That was the thing she cared most about her appearance, and so naturally it was the last thing she made sure was good. She smiled in the mirror and placed the brush back on her dresser. Grabbing her purse from her desk, she left her office. Saying good by to her fellow politicians. She left the building.

She walked down the sidewalk, dressed in her usual work attire. Black coat, white button up shirt, black dress pants, black high-heels. She could now see the small cafe at the end of the block. She approached it, and realized that Samantha was already there. Or so she thought, she hadn't seen her for a couple years. She didn't know what she looked right now. Though she was sure this woman was Sam. Ari walked up to Sam. "Hi there." she said. That's all that she could say. She didn't know what else could be said.

[samantha]

Samantha was scanning the small menu for the cafe, trying to ignore her nerves, and just settle on something to order. She had occassionally looked up when she noticed someone walk by. But the people who she saw eith kept walking, or stepped into the cafe. Looking at her watch, Sam soon noticed that it was getting close to the time they said they would meet. Just then she heard a female voice speaking. Looking up at the woman, she almost didn't know what to say.

Arianna looked stunning, but she was always beautiful. Samantha felt like she was nothing compared to her, even if she had no romantic tendancies towards her in high school. Sometimes Sam wondered why she was hanging out with her in the first place. "Hey Arianna. How have you been?" Samanth didn't know if she should get up and give her a hug, due to the way they ended their friendship, so decided to just keep sitting, and then gesture for her to sit down.

"You are looking good, but you always did." Just then the waiter came out. "Hey guys. Are you ready to order something?" Sam decided to speak first, as she had been perusing the menu for some time. "I think I will have the ceaser salad, no chicken, but extra cheese. Um, and a lemon lime and bitters please. Also could we get some water too please? Thanks." Sam didn't like to eat meat of any kind, but lucky for her she loved her salads. She waited for Arianna to put in her order, and then the waiter left.

[ahardal]

Samantha had responded back, as Ari smiled back. "I have been good. Just been busy working. Politics is a hard job, but I love it." she said still smiling. She sat down as Sam had guestered so. Picking up the menu, she looked through the small selection. Then Sam had said that she was looking good, but that she alwas did.

Thats when the waiter came and asked what they wanted to order. Ari wasnt quite ready, thankfully Samantha began to order first. This would hopefully give her enough time to find something. And so it did, she just decided on having a salad. "Just a salad with ranch dressing. And a glass of decaf." she said to the waiter. She wasn't really that hungry. Maybe it was because of the butterflies in her stomach. She still had a thing for Samantha, but wasn't sure if she should try again. So she just left the feeling be, only cause last time she made her run off.

Giving the waiter the menu. "Thank you." she said with a smile. He smiled back and left. She looked down back at Samantha. "How have you been? I was kinda surprised that you called me yesterday. Everything okay?" she asked.

[samantha]

Sam watched as Arianna sat down, after saying that she was good, and had been busy. She then began to look at the menu, while the waiter took Sam's order. The sun was hitting Ari's hair in just the right spot, making it shine. Sam liked that.

After the waiter left, Ari asked Sam how she had been. "That's great that you have been good. I have been good myself. Though have had a few rough patches on and off during the last few years. But at the moment, all good." Remembering that Arianna had mentioned that she was surprised by Sam's phone call. Holding her hand up, and smiling, Sam replied. "Oh, everything is okay. I just thought it would be nice to catch up with an old friend." Really, Sam had no one to really talk to anymore. Maybe it was her choice of lifestyle, or that she liked taking things from people to help with feeling good, who know.

So deciding to change the subject, Sam decided to ask the question. "So what is it like to be senator of New York? I can imagine it being busy, like you said." Just then the waiter came back with a bottle of water and two glasses. Sam smiled at him, and then turned her attention back to Ari.

[ahardal]

As she was looking at the menu, she suddenly had to squint for the sun had come out from behind a cloud and shined on her face. Making her hair shine. Arianna was glad that Samantha was doing good just now, though she had some bad times as well. "It happens to the best of us." she said with a smile. She felt at ease now, just like old times when they were the best of friend in high school.

"Indeed." she responded. It was honestly always good to keep friends from the high school years. Though she didn't really have any herself. Samantha was the first to really contact her after high school and for that she was greatful.

Arianna could tell that there was a sudden subject, and felt that she must have asked something that could have led to terrible memories or something. But soon she ignored this. "Politics is a hard job, yes. But as I said, I love it. It has good pay, and I can actually make a difference. Just last week I met the president." she said as she smiled.

She then began to wonder what career path Sam had chosen, out of interest of course. But know she was slowly feeling tingly again. Like the day she kissed Sam. She had to resist the urge, only because the fear of Sam running off again. She smiled as she fought it.

[samantha]

Samantha listened as Arianna went on about her job. The way Ari spoke, it did sound like she did love her job. "I'm glad that you are in a job that you can do good things. And wow - you met The President? That is pretty cool." Sam hadn't really met anyone of any real significance herself, unless you count the powerful warlocks out there roaming the town.

Sam then wondered if she will be asked about her job. What job? Causing havoc, and stealing powerful magiks was not a career choice, it was something to make Sam feel good. She did try to hold down a few jobs here and there, but nothing long enough to have her wanting to choose that career path. She felt that might be the reason why she never made friends during these jobs.

Sam poured out some water for both of them, and then took a long drink out of her glass. Putting the glass down on the table, she felt that she should contribute a bit to the conversation. "Maybe there might be a job in your department? I am kind of in between jobs right now, not really leaning towards any career path. But love to help if I can." She hoped she didn't sound like she was asking for a favour or anything. Sam was sure that she could find her own job, but she hated working.

[ahardal]

Arianna smiled as it was a cool thing to do, meeting the president that is. She liked him, he was very presentable and nice man at that. She could have guessed that Sam didn't have a job and she was proved right when her responce was wondering if her department could hire someone of her stature. Though in her field, most people would have had to gone to school. Though there was once spot open, that you didn't have to go to law school. It was the position of assisstant, to her even. Her last assistants had quite after finding another job.

"Well there is a spot open if you want to take it." she began, "You would have to be my assistant." she said. "It doesn't pay much, but hey, you gotta start somewhere right?" she finished. She picked up her mug of decaf and took a sip. Refreshing. She loved to drink coffee from this place. It was soothing, it helped calm her mind. And as the coffee went down her throat so did the butterflies that were in stomach. She then felt that she was going to soon loose control of her emotions. She held back the urge as best as she could.

[samantha]

That smile was making Samantha feel happy, making her mind stop thinking about all the bad stuff she had done recently. She was glad that she had met up with Arianna now. Just thinking about it made the day feel worthwhile. If she wasn't here, Sam might have been at home, trying to find the next victim in her games. She was power hungry now, and loved each taste of it.

But as Arianna commented that there was a job available, Sam smiled. And then she was told that it would be as her assistant. Sam's heart skipped a beat. Of all the jobs to come up, it had to be working alongside Ari. "Well that sounds fine Arianna. Um, I don't care about the money, just the opportunity to learn new skills." Sam fingered her cup, but didn't pick it up. "When would I need to start? I am free any day to start actually. I could start tomorrow if you needed me to." Sam felt like she was getting ahead of herself, but didn't care. This was the sign that she was meant to organise this meeting with Ari.

Then their food arrived. Sam liked the look of the salad, and could see the extra cheese amongst the rest of the salad. She dug her fork into the bowl, lifting out some of the salad, and placed it in her mouth. The taste of the salad really was good, and Sam waited for her mouthful to finish. "Wow. I will have to come here more often. This salad is out of this world."

[ahardal]

Arianna was glad that Samantha was eager for this position as her assistant. She loved it. Samantha and Arianna working side by side. Just like highschool when they did school projects together. Arianna smiled as Samantha talked with eagerness. "Well you can start whenever. Days start at 9am everyday. Just come in whenever your ready." Ari said with a smile. "Here's my card." she said as she pulled out a card from her jacket pocket.

"When your ready, just call me. And I can explain how to get to my office." she said just as her food was placed in front of her. She was glad it came now, she was hungry. She grabbed her fork and immediately stabbed the salad. Raising it up to her mouth she took a bite. She loved ranch dressing. Getting ready to take another bite, Samantha spoke. "Yah, I know. This is one of the best resturaunts near my work. She smiled at Sam and took another bite. Some of the ranch had got off on to her lips. She licked it sexily, but not on purpose.

[samantha]

Samantha listened to what Arianna had said, in relation to the job. Then she handed over her card to Sam, who took it off her. Looking down at it, Sam contemplated the job in question. Finally she said, "Okay. I will definately see what I can do tomorrow about it. Might give you a call then, if that is okay."

As she ate more food, Sam's phone rang. Looking at the caller ID, it was her mum, Dawn, who she hadn't spoken to in a few months.

Sam: Hey mum, what's up?
Dawn: Hi sweetie. I just thought I would let you know that we got a call from someone from child services. It is about Harmony, who you gave up all those years ago.
Sam (with a frown): Oh? What about her?
Dawn: They say that she has been going from home to home recently, and wondered if you were willing to take care of her at all. They thought seeing is that she is your daughter and all.
Sam: Do you have their number?

Sam scribbled a phone number down, and then hung up the phone. Turning to Arianna, Sam knew that she really should go and deal with this issue. An issue which she didn't think she would ever deal with, what with giving up her daughter all those years ago. "I am so sorry Arianna, I must go. Something urgent has come up." Fumbling for her bag, she rummaged around, and took out some money. Placing it on the table, and with out explanation, Sam got up, and quickly walked away.