Thread: Safe & Sound [Merc & zPrimal]

Drums and bass caressed and rattled her bones all at the same time, and Koa felt more at ease than she had in several days. Something about being in the water, with music that didnt remind her of the fake, glossy veneer of pop-music, and an admittedly-handsome man did help her relax, but mostly it was the slow shed of that syrupy, candy-sweet persona the label had conditioned her to take as Swann. It used to be a nickname that made her warm, reminded her of her grandmother, but now she hated it and wanted nothing that reminded her of it when she had the choice. So when he spoke of work, of what to expect, Koa answered but in clipped tones. Straight forward, and to the point. She wasted no energy on elaboration or embellishment. It was, however, when he asked her about what type of music she actually enjoyed, that something in Koa seemed different. More alive, and approachable. When she smiled, it reached her eyes, and her whole body relaxed. Ive always had an eclectic taste in music, honestly, she responded with a laugh as though it was something to be embarrassed about. Queensryche, she said, accurately recognizing the band from the song that had begun its introduction on the station they were listening to, I started listening to maybe two years ago? I was getting frustrated with work stuff and an old security member had been listening to them and I fell in-love. Asked him the band name and that was that. I enjoy rap, country music, classic rock n roll, and some more lesser known names from where I grew up. Musicians I can listen to at any time are Etta James, Darius Rucker, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, The Eagles, Evans Blue, Incubus, Karnivool Her voice drifted off and she waved her hand dismissively above the water with another small laugh shrugging her shoulder as she turned her eyes back up to his sunglasses. The list goes on and on. It all depends on my mood. Then as she asked about him in the pool, and he teased he had only planned on it if she invited him, Koa shook her head, turning his question of formalities over in her head before answering. It was a line that had been crossed with men before him, and although she hadnt minded most of the time with those past relationships, she had learned first hand what it meant when you started to deny the man in charge of your safety.... You dont have to wait for my orders or invitations on anything, she explained while she watched him take off his shirt and move into the water. When it's just us, or you and your guys while were in between shows and whatnot, you dont have to act like youre walking on eggshells.. Ill follow your lead otherwise, but please - you dont need my permission for swimming in the pool. Her lips pursed, and for a moment she looked like she was going to add something else but thought better of it. Shed had casual relationships with security details in the past. Some more casual than others. But those had felt different than Elliot right off the bat. She didnt feel like explaining herself, going into the details of past relationships making her uncomfortable. So, she swallowed the words that threatened to give too casual of a pass in their working relationship, and she left it at that, As she watched him swim through the water from the corner of her eye, she heard her phone go off on the patio chair above. She pushed off the wall and used her arms to help propel her forward back toward the stairs reaching for the metal railing and using it to help pull herself out of the pool. She slid her fingers into the bottoms of her suit as she moved up an absent gesture to make sure she didnt have a wedgie now that she was in full view of him again. With her back still to him, she leaned over and picked up her phone drying her hands on her towel before opening it up and reading the screen. Water ran down her long legs in slender rivulets dropping from the ends of her white-blonde hair as she reached back and wrapped the thick mane around her wrist and pulled it over her shoulder. She sighed, but set the phone aside before lowering herself in the chair and then lifting the phone up for a selfie. She paused, not taking the photo yet before she smirked with an idea and slid back off the chair and crossed the distance to the side of the pool where Elliot was. Bridgit just sent me a reminder that I need to do some promotional stuff for the tour on social media, would you take a picture for me in the pool? Her eyes danced with his as she bent over to hand him the phone. She was close enough to see the hint of a scar, and curiosity piqued in response to the mystery that was her new security manager, but her thoughts were interrupted by the opening of the glass door behind them. Out stepped a woman who Koa hadnt met yet tall and elegant with her dark hair cropped closely to the sides of her head in a pixie cut reminiscent of a militant hair style. Her eyes were hidden behind dark mirrored aviator glasses, but the full pout of her lips gave the woman an immediate sex appeal that even Koa noticed. And when she spoke, her voice carried a faint air of command and accent. Pardon my tardiness, She started with a smile, her chin tilting down in a way that made it clear she was looking down at Elliot and not Koa. I had to speak with someone at the label to confirm some social media obligations Miss. Millers manager had included for the tour. Her chin tilted, this time clearly looking at Kekoa as she held her hand out for a handshake. My name is Talia Lavine. Ill be in charge of your social media presence while were on tour, as well as monitoring any social media threats our team comes across while were mobile. Dressed in a sharp suit of creased blue slacks, a white blouse underneath a matching blazer, Talia looked like she was ready to conquer a business meeting. Koa was stunned by how beautiful she was, and momentarily found herself quite intimidated by the all-business model standing in front of her. She righted herself, though, clearing her throat and smiling as she slid her hand into the other womans for the handshake. Its a pleasure, Miss. Miller. Koa, please. Talia nodded in response, taking her hand back and folding it at the small of her back with the other. Koa it is, she said with a smile, Miss. Loveless sent out a reminder of some social media posts we need to do prior to the tour. Im sure you received her message as well? She waited for Koas acknowledgement before proceeding. Excellent. Id be happy to assist you. The next few minutes were spent with Koa sliding back into the pool, her hair fixed back in a bun at the nape of her neck and a pair of round sunglasses shielding her eyes. Talia had provided a floatie used to shield Koas breasts, keeping up with the pure and virgin facade she kept as Swann. Talia stood just behind Elliot, her proximity making it clear that there was a casual comfort between the two, though there was no possessiveness in the air between them that would hint to the casual relationship they had developed behind the scenes. She clicked a few photos on Koas phone, and then quickly sent the image to herself over an email and then handed it back to the girl. Ill need your login information for your accounts as well, when you get a chance, so I can monitor all your DMs and personal messages. Koa nodded, thinking over a few messages shed have to delete before handing the reigns over like that, before Talia moved over to the patio chair that Elliot had his shirt draped over. She moved it back and sat back on the lounger and leaned forward, elbows on her knees as she looked over both of them from behind her sunglasses. So. Have you decided what were doing for dinner yet? I have to admit, she started with a smirk, I could probably eat a cow right now. Koa grinned, raising her eyebrows behind her sunglasses as she looked over her two new security guards. Do you guys like tacos? Theres a fantastic cantina around the corner.