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| Details |
| Author: | Aly |
| Summary: | Penny's view on the meeting between herself and Peril Farrens, a business discussion that went further. |
| Rating: | M for Mature 17+ |
Penny Hartrim stood in the doorway of the Azerothian Interest office, dressed in a pale brown business suit over a white shirt, a worgen Back Pack strapped over her shoulders. Peril wore his iconic vest and hat, such a dashing, mysterious figure, just as Penny had always imagined.
“I can’t believe I’m meeting the Peril Farrens,” Penny said, stepping further into the room and noticing, in a spark of excitement, that they were alone. “Can I call you Mr. Peril? I adore your name, it sounds dangerous.”
Peril fingered the rim of his hat, smiling slyly at her. “That’s because danger is my first name,” he said.
Penny squealed, clapping her hands together in delight. “You said it! Oh, I am such a fan of your work.”
“As I am of yours,” Peril said, stepping further into the room and leaning smoothly against a desk. “Natalyah came by with the prototype, and Penny, I am impressed. You’ve come to sell to me?”
“I’m selling the rights to you. And the pattern. I can train whoever you get to make it,” Penny said, moving with him, close enough to touch. “This way, we’re not in business together.”
Peril’s mouth drew downward. “Why don’t you want to be in business with me?”
“Oh, um… because I…” She’d upset him. All she wanted was him, her idol, the man of countless dreams and wishes, whose words filled every corner of her heart. She had to show him, somehow. And then she remembered a certain conversation with Natalyah.
“Have women, or… or men, been licking him often?”
"I wouldn't think so, based on his mood. My general understanding is that would improve it, not make him go off the rails," Natalyah answered.
And so, after a minute of deliberation, Penny leaned forward and licked his cheek.
Peril stared at her, and she stared back, waiting for his moment of understanding. The moment where he took her in his arms, and they shared in each others' passion.
“You… licked me,” Peril said.
Penny felt the blood rush to her cheeks. Maybe she hadn’t been clear enough somehow. “I-I’m sorry,” she said. “I just, I heard that licking can put a man in a good mood, and I thought…”
“What, uh, kind of good mood?” he asked.
Penny pressed her hands over her chest. “Oh, Mr. Peril,” she murmured. Hope stirred in her. He might have understood after all.
“Then, I’m…” Peril cleared his throat. “…very happy.”
Penny felt her anxieties soaring away. He was just embarrassed! “Really? Good! That’s good.” She waited, staring at him. Surely he would make his move now.
But he didn’t. A clock ticked away the seconds, and Penny waited, her excitement growing and growing as she watched her hero planning his next move. As he reached for a mug, set on the desk behind him, Penny’s heart was set to burst. She couldn’t hold back a moment longer.
“Do you think you could sign my underwear?”
Peril spit his coffee.
It surprised her, how violently the coffee exploded from him, and for a minute she just stared at him in surprise. The coffee was everywhere. Her face, her clothes, and then…
He made his move.
Peril stepped closer to her, his fingers sliding along her cheek as he cradled her head, his thumb gently caressing her lips as his eyes, often hidden in the shadow of his hat, stared longingly. Penny had planned every detail of this moment in her head, but somehow it all flew out the window when she faced it in real life.
“Oh…” the sound slipped out involuntarily, all feeling, zero thought. She was his in that moment, and she wanted nothing more than for him to know it. All she had to do was pull him closer…
“Uh, right, cloth!” Peril said, releasing her and quickly backing away. “I am so sorry, that was careless of me. Let me find something to get you cleaned up.”
He all but flew around the office searching, and Penny, the spell broken, placed cool hands against burning cheeks to calm down. She never expected him to use coffee as an excuse to get that close to her. It was a masterful play, as expected of the Peril Farrens. And then, without warning —
“Here, catch,” Peril said, tossing the towel in her direction.
“Oh!” His latest test surprised her into movement, but Penny Hartrim would not be defeated. Though she had to stumble to do it, which was awkward in heels, she snatched the towel out of the air just before it reached the ground. “I caught it!”
Test passed! Now Peril would see how agile she was, and how well she could respond to his brilliant plans. With a soft, happy hum, Penny began to wipe her shirt dry, noticing, as she did, where the reporter’s eyes were drawn. Her blouse was reaching a transparent state. That was it! Phase Two of his coffee plan! Though she hadn’t thought it possible, Penny was reaching a new level of respect for the man. Clearly there was something, some reason he couldn’t be with her directly, and Penny was on the case.
As expected, Peril made a startlingly quick rush on the coat rack beneath the stairs, returning to her and sweeping the coat around her shoulders in a flourish, tucking her safely inside.
“Penny, it’s really rather chilly outside, and I won’t have you continue this meeting in such a state,” he said. What a gentleman.
“Are you sending me home?” she asked, surrendering the towel to him. Their fingers almost touched.
“I… yes. I am,” Peril replied, stealing one last, lonely glance at her chest as he buttoned up the coat.
“What about my underwear?” It was code, of course. Penny knew now that he couldn’t address it directly, but she wanted to see, one last time, how he felt.
Peril’s fingers fumbled with the buttons. “Next time,” he said, his voice quiet, secretive.
Penny’s heart swelled. There would be a next time.
“Goodbye, Panti — Penny,” said Peril as she stepped out the door.
“Goodbye, Mr. Peril,” Penny said with a smile, her chest warm and full.
The moment he closed the door, she started rifling through the pockets. He had given her this jacket for a reason after all, it was bound to contain a clue. Most of the pockets were disappointingly empty, but one, the left breast pocket, held a small slip of paper that looked suspiciously like a mapped out schedule. Peril’s schedule.
Most of the tasks were mundane things like grocery shopping or laundry, but one of the items stood out. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH, FISHING. (3AM.) Peril had gifted her with a code of his own!
“Azerothian Interest article five!” Penny whispered excitedly. “The one where he gives dating advice and mentions fishing! And the left breast pocket is close to the heart, which means —!”
With the biggest grin, Penny Hartrim returned home, eager to prepare for her date.