This job has been awesome so far.
Tonight was the company Christmas party. Snow was falling wistfully from the sky, and a gentle wash of white fluff had caressed the city streets as I made my way to the office. It was wonderfully cold.
I walked into the foyer of the office, it was decorated in cliche Christmas stuff. The normal security guard was nowhere to be seen. I walked to the elevator and rode it up to my floor.
As soon as the door opened I was greeted by the sounds of people having a good time. The smell of home-cooked food and the sounds of Christmas music permeated through the floor. I could see Danica and Jewels talking around a bowl of pink liquid. Robbie was curled up taking a nap in the corner.
A few other team members were hanging about and enjoying the party. I made my rounds, saying hello to everyone and making small talk. Robbie made cookies, they were fantastic, thankfully they weren't her 'special' cookies. Jewels made kebabs of lamb and chicken that were to die for. Danica brought in supermarket donuts, they were okay.
"So Michael. It's been a few weeks since you started with us. How're you liking it?" Danica asked.
"Can't complain, not every day you get a job living a fantasy life."
"That's great, listen, I need a favor."
"Anything Danni."
"Well, there's someone who needs some company."
"You mean..."
She pointed over to a well-dressed orc lady. She was sitting alone, swirling a drink and looking downtrodden. She had a head of well-kept hair in a short pixie bob. She was all muscle, even under her dress clothes, you could tell she had a defined figure.
"She's been with us for a little longer than you. She's kind of a loner, and I want you to see if you can get her out of her shell a bit."
"Sounds good, boss."
I walked over to the orc lady. "Hey, nice to meet you, I'm Michael."
"Regina, can I help you?"
"Just checking up on you, introducing myself and all that."
"Well you did, now you can leave."
I pulled up a roller chair next to her. "What if I don't want to leave?"
"Free country I guess."
"So why are you by yourself, there's a whole party out there."
"Not interested."
"Any reason why?"
She huffed out a sigh. "Just, not my thing. I would rather be home."
"Then why'd you come?"
"My sister asked me to come."
"Sister?"
"Danica, she gave me a job here. She wanted me to come to this stupid party."
"Danica is your sister?" I looked her up and down.
"Yup, mom was an orc, and dad, an extremely brave goblin"
I laughed. "Thats hilarious."
"I'm not joking, dad had a thing for orc ladies, and he pestered my mom till she gave him a chance."
"Still funny. Want a drink or anything?"
"You have something strong?"
"Not here, but I've got something special at my apartment."
"Define special?"
"Porters fungal 1987."
"Damn, gnome wine? That's hard to come by."
"I know a guy." I stood up from the roller chair. "What do you say, wanna get out of here?"
She shrugged her shoulders. "Fuck it, why not."
She stood up, wow she was tall. Like, really tall, much taller than me. We started making our way toward the elevator. Before we got there I felt a grab on my pants. Danica was looking up at me with a knowing look.
"Take care of my sister Micheal, really take care of her."
I gave her a wink. "Don't worry Danni, I'll be gentle."
She snort laughed. "Yea okay."
Well that's concerning.
We got into the elevator and rode it to the foyer. "So what do you do for fun Regina?"
She thought for a moment. "Work, workout, cook, I'm kind of boring."