23 Griffin Way, Wednesday morning [7/1]

[justlike_a_girl]

Dani made the mistake of watching the news this morning. The latest news on that governor with the mistress from Argentina was getting her all riled up, and Dani found herself yelling at the small TV in the kitchen. "So, your mistress is your soul mate but you're trying to 'fall back in love' with your wife? For goodness sakes, just grow a pair already and get a divorce!"

She really wouldn't have paid attention if the whole situation hadn't been so similar. It's what happened to her dad, back when he left his pregnant mistress to reconcile with his pregnant wife. The discarded mistress later abandoned baby Dani with her father, forcing Ken to raise two children on his own when his wife left him, too. Dani didn't know anything about her birth mother except that the woman's first name was Marisol, she was Hispanic, and that she had worked in the stables at the Davis Ranch.

Dani wondered briefly if it was even worth taking another look to see if she could locate Marisol, but the thought of hopelessly searching for her mother again depressed her. She tried to shrug it off by brainstorming other ways to raise the extra cash she needed to purchase the new horse she wanted.

[Expecting one in particular, but Dani won't turn away other visitors. Up early for SP.]

Comments

[likeabeachball.livejournal.com]

Vince Noir hadn't quite intended to end up at Dani's home that day.

But he'd followed a kindly looking shrew through the streets, and what did you know, he was at her door!

He knocked, having no idea who lived there.

[justlike_a_girl]

Dani got up and left the kitchen, walking through a completely empty living room (furniture could wait until she had her new horse) and opened the front door. She looked Vince, tilted her head, and asked, "Are you here to sing for me?"

[likeabeachball.livejournal.com]

"...I could, if you want," Vince said. "I was just wondering who had this really posh house."

[justlike_a_girl]

"It's my house. Not bad, isn't it?" said Dani, with her usual smug expression.

The house did look pretty fancy on the outside. It was just a shame that there was no furniture on the inside.

[likeabeachball.livejournal.com]

"It's pretty brilliant," Vince had to admit. "How can you afford it?"

[justlike_a_girl]

"I come from a very well-to-do family out in California," said Dani. "Plus I do own my own business. I'd invite you to sit down, but unfortunately the only place to sit is in my bedroom."

[likeabeachball.livejournal.com]

"I can stand," Vince said. "Or sit. I mean, I'm pretty flexible that way."

[justlike_a_girl]

"I have most of my money tied up in a major business deal at the moment, and once that is taken care of, I'd be able to properly furnish this place," said Dani. "There's a thoroughbred stable that is liquidating some of their assets, including some of their prize horses. I'm trying to buy one or two, but some slaughterhouse in Mexico keeps outbidding me! Can you believe that? They'd rather sell the horses as meat for more money." She was pretty worked up over the matter, and it showed in her expression.

[likeabeachball.livejournal.com]

"Meat?" Vince said. "That's horrible! You can't let them do that."

[justlike_a_girl]

"Well, I'm going to do everything in my power to stop it," said Dani. "Even if it takes my last penny and I have to keep sleeping on that dinky little bed I picked up at the Isle of Ikea. If only I had an extra line of credit, just in case the bidding goes a little too far out of my reach..."

[likeabeachball.livejournal.com]

"How much do you need?" Vince said. "I've got a bit of a nest egg saved up, thanks to Rock Con and my new investments in the Celebradar."

[justlike_a_girl]

"Oh, I couldn't ask you for money, but if you really want to help save the horses, I think handwavey should be enough to make sure that The Gig gets them instead of the slaughterhouse," suggested Dani.

[likeabeachball.livejournal.com]

"Well, then how about... we call it a business partnership?" Vince said. "I am looking for some new employment, actually."

[justlike_a_girl]

"Well, I believe The Gig is fully staffed. Then again, it couldn't hurt to have a business partner," said Dani. "We could probably share some of the financial responsibility."

[likeabeachball.livejournal.com]

"Well, I should point out I used to work in a zoo," Vince said. "And I grew up in the jungle, where I learned how to talk with all the animals in their own languages."

[justlike_a_girl]

"You talk to the animals in their language?" repeated Dani, thinking over the possibilities. While she had an NPC veterinarian, it might be easier (and cheaper) to have someone who could just ask animals what was wrong.

"I think this could be the start of a beautiful partnership," said Dani, extending her hand. "Wanna shake on it?"

[likeabeachball.livejournal.com]

"Only a handshake?" Vince said, taking hold of her hand for the shake. "I suppose."

[justlike_a_girl]

"What, you were expecting me to invite you back to my bedroom to seal the deal?" asked Dani, smirking.

[likeabeachball.livejournal.com]

"Hey, I have heard the term 'sealed with a kiss' before," Vince said.

[justlike_a_girl]

"Oh, I think we've done enough kissing already," said Dani.

[likeabeachball.livejournal.com]

"Oh," Vince said, a little saddened by the finality implied. "Are you sure?"

[justlike_a_girl]

"Don't tempt me. I'm not sure exactly how much self-control I have," Dani warned him.

[likeabeachball.livejournal.com]

"That may be difficult," Vince said. "I mean, I am pretty tempting, just by being so handsome."

[justlike_a_girl]

"We should get back to business," said Dani, trying to focus on the matter of hand. "Perhaps you should stop by at The Gig on Friday when I'm working and I can introduce you to the horses. And by then I should know what the final bid will be."

[likeabeachball.livejournal.com]

"Friday," Vince said. "I'll make sure to bring all my money."

[justlike_a_girl]

"Good," said Dani. "And then, maybe the next time you come over, I'll actually have furniture and be able to throw a housewarming party."

[likeabeachball.livejournal.com]

"A party, brilliant," Vince said. "I'd love to party here. It'd be great."

[justlike_a_girl]

"It is a really nice house," said Dani. "There's a pool out back, too. And of course, I have a private jacuzzi in the master bathroom."

Dani hadn't meant to suggest anything, but...

[likeabeachball.livejournal.com]

"...I do happen to like a good jacuzzi," Vince said. "I'll have to see it, some time."

[justlike_a_girl]

"You have any other plans for today?" asked Dani, sounding hopeful.

[likeabeachball.livejournal.com]

"I didn't have anything that couldn't be rescheduled," Vince said. "What did you have in mind?"

[justlike_a_girl]

"How'd you like to check out that jacuzzi with me right now?" asked Dani.

[likeabeachball.livejournal.com]

"Well, I can definitely do that," Vince said. "I've got plenty of time for jacuzzi checking."

[justlike_a_girl]

"Then why don't you join me?" suggested Dani with a smile.

[likeabeachball.livejournal.com]

"I will!" Vince said. "After all, it sounds pretty ace."

He'd have to find that friendly shrew later, and give it a cupcake.