Eli had decided that right now was a good time to take a break.

Brian was here and Shelly would be covering his lunch so why not go out and get a bite to eat? He had a half hour to kill and a burger sounded nice right about now. He moved to grab his jacket then headed out of the store towards the food court for that burger he wanted. Hopefully that cute guy was there that he for some odd reason had no problems flirting with. Eh, he wasn't going to question how his brain functioned. Cute guy was cute and oh so very tiny.

Turns out, luck was with him today and the poor thing was all by himself with no customers.

Time to flirt away.

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Zoe had been on her way to a very important shopping event. So very important. She needed new frilly girly things. Fancy frilly girly things. Skimpy fancy frilly girly things. She had roped a a student fro DCU, a photography major who was looking to cover an actual project for his final piece. This made her wonder what constituted an “actual” project. But whatever. She wanted good, but cheap. Almost graduated was good enough for her, and you couldn't get much cheaper then “whatever tits will make this totally score an A”

He had laid out his pitch and zoe and, after much thought, declined posing completely bare-a** for a CD cover… Not because of modesty on her part, that’s for sure, but some people might get the wrong idea about what that particular disk was going to contain. So he had suggested maybe some nearly bare photos, with some deep arts major bullshit about symbolism and bearing her soul and some other nonsense.

So…. if she thought about it, she could totally write these off as a business expense. Sweet. As she was walking through the food court, she spotted her favorite giant troll, and made a B-line to intercept, casually looping her arm through his, and urgently tugging him towards the direction of more shops. “ Need your help, gotta hurry, extremely important. ‘ She said, knowing that he was more than likely on his lunch break, and she needed a pair of eyes that wasn't going to try and sell her whatever was the most expensive.

The fact that the nearest eyes also happened to be Eli’s… well… that was just a bonus.

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Hector was bored. He needed a customer or something to pass the time till the end of his shift later on today when he spotted tall, dark, and handsome coming his way. He honestly thought the guy was cute, all those piercings making him wonder what it would be like to nibble on one of them. Green eyes lit up and he waved happily only to frown when a blue haired girl came seemingly out of nowhere to grab the guy, dragging him away.

Well s**t there went his entertainment.

Eli smiled a bit and was about to wave back when he felt someone grab his arm. The first thing he saw blue but it didn't register. When Zoe started speaking, Eli growled. He was so close to burger heaven and cute boy! Why couldn't Zoe come after he made him blush? With another growl, Eli looked down at Zoe. “What is it that is sk important you just have to barge in on my lunch?”

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“ My job, my career, my livelihood ‘ She said, gripping his arm with tiny hands, looking up at him beseechingly with big blue eyes. She pulled a full on puss’n’boots big eyed gaze at him.

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Eli sighed.

He really wanted that burger so he decided to make a compromise. “Let me grab my lunch and i'll do whatever you ******** need me to do…”

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Zoe looked up at him, and then a smile broke over her face, and she looked out to the food court, her eyes locking on her target. Tiny burger cutey. She redirected her tugging and scampered over to the counter.

“ Hello most precious of food serves~ I am about to unleash the grumpiest of trolls on you. “ She said, looking over to Eli expectantly, practically bouncing in place, waiting for him to join her. She feigned a dramatic whisper, but was actually no quieter than her normal voice “ He only ventures out of the cave once a season, behold, Elicus grumpicus. “ She said, turning so that her bum rested against the counter.

She was in a good mood, and Eli’s grumpy acceptance and willingness to spend his lunch break helping her put her in a playful mood.

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Hector beamed at the thought of finally receiving some company.

Sure the chick wasn't who he really wanted to see but at least tall dark and pierced was dragged back to him! Yay! “A grumpy troll huh? He’s usually pretty sweet to me….Maybe its just certain people?” He was still smiling even as he went to make the grumpy troll’s usual. Eli was silent, but chuckled just a bit at the both of them, unaware of the small bite to Hector’s words. Man he had such a cute little butt...Eli was busily staring and smiling slightly as Hector came up to him with his meal, blushing. “H-Here you go~ Your usual right?” “T-thanks~ Can I have a straw?” “O-Oh yes! Here! Got your receipt too~”

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Zoe was still smiling sweetly, and she gave a long suffering sigh “ Hmm, maybe you're onto something. He does seem to be the grumpiest first thing in the morning, and it’s only me there. ‘ She said, nodding as if deep in thought. She didn't mind the barb, but she was also one to take sass without throwing some back. Zoe actually thought that Hector was pretty cute, and she could appreciate a subtle barb with the best of them. It took skill. “ But then again maybe because it’s always cold in the morning, he’s usually a lot sweeter after he warms up a little bit “ She said, resting her chin on a hand, grinning between the both of them.

She watched the two of them interacting as Hector handed off the food, and her grinned turned into a different kind of smile.

“ I ship it. ‘ She said, waggling an eyebrow at Eli, making sure Hector was still within earshot. “ Now let's go! This is serious business! “ She said, turning at winking at Hector before slipping her arm back around Eli and dragging him off.

She was filled without boundless energy, and she could not be contained.

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Hector was shocked.

Usually people couldn't handle the sass he gave out, but this blue haired chick could. He could respect that yes. However, he frowned slightly when the “rival” said things like Eli usually needed to be warmed up in the morning. Did that mean what he was thinking it meant? Is that why the girl seemed so confident? HOW DARE HE?! Well….He would get his revenge as soon as he sees them next time. He was not going to be some sort of side booty…

Eli sighed at Zoe’s comments, figuring that….He would not be flirting with Hector anytime soon. Then he was being dragged once more. “The hell are you so excited about?”

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His sigh only made her grin widened, and she looked up at him with glee “ I found a photographer at the college who is doing my album cover for his school project. BUT. I have to get some clothes for it, so I want your help. “

All the while she was dragging him along, and she turned him and steared him into a shop, keeping the conversation going and his focus on her hopefully long enough so he didn't immediately notice where they were at. She figured her favorite troll would probably balk and run off, but she really did need his help on this. “ I need you to tell me which works best “

She dragged him through racks of clothing, behind which were shelves of personal toys and other various edible fun things and accessories. She was here for lingerie though, and she needed a man’s eye. And if she had to pick a man of choice, it would certainly be Eli.

She had grabbed a few things on her way back to the changing rooms, dainty little cubicles, in front of which were some padded chairs for whatever person had been dragged in could wait on as the fashion show began. And zoe promptly pushed him towards one, her arm now laden with lacey, frilly, and sheer wisps of cloth to try on. And those were only the ones that had just been lining the aisle way. She told her sizes to an attendant who came over “ Going to be trying on a lot, very specific photoshoot coming up, I don't know what I need, so have to try it all. “ One could almost see the greed flash in the attendant's eyes as they ran off, bobbing a head in acknowledgement to the captive Eli as they went to gather more garments in Zoe’s sizes.

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Okay so why would she need his opinion on a photoshoot? Something didn't seem right to Eli, but he couldn't pinpoint it. So he decided to roll with the annoying hobbit till he could figure out just what was actually going on. The moment he caught a glimpse of a rather phallic shaped toy, he immediately started heating up with embarrassment. Especially when there were women around him that commented on how cute and brave the “young” couple was for coming in here to try things on.

Next thing he was being pushed onto a plush chair, looking for an exit that he could take rather quickly and still remain unnoticed. There was no way in hell he would be able to survive Zoe parading around in skimpy clothing. The pleading look he sent the attendant went unnoticed as she made her way through the store to go and pick out more things for Zoe to try on. <******** me…”

Was the only thing the taller man could really say. There was no way he would get out of here without Zoe noticing, so he sat still on the cushion chair looking everywhere but where Zoe would soon come out from.

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Zoe had scampered into the changing room, and had promptly torn off all of her clothes, slipping into the first thing she had in the lineup, as it were.

“ You say something? “ She said, pulling the lace curtain aside, and poking a head out to look at Eli. The long line of her side could be seen, the curtain held in front of her breasts as she looked at him, showing that she certainly was not wearing a bra but still had her panties on.

The attendant came over with piles and hangers and dainty boxes with more things to try on, which zoe accepted with a smile and took with her free arm, flicking one fallen garment with a pedicured toe and flicking it into the changing room.

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Eli kept his gaze off to the side, closing his eyes just so he wouldn't be tempted of flashed in one way or the other. “Nothing.”

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“ Oh, okay ‘ She disappeared back behind the little curtain, which, if he had his eyes open would prove to be a silhouette curtain, Zoe’s outline a soft shadow against the curtain cast by the lights that lined the mirror inside.

“ What do you think? “ She asked, happily, as she flung back the curtain. “ I like the straps, but I don't know. “ She said, doing a little twirl for Eli, a small frown on her face. She adjusted one of the little straps on her hip so it would lay just right. “ Is it to sheer? Do you think the censors will ding it? “ Like, technically you could see her nipples… maybe she would have to wear some pasties just to make sure everything was evenly skin tone. She would bet her favorite strings that they sold those here.

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Because his neck was hurting [yeah that was why] Eli turned to look, and immediately looked right back in the other direction. “F-Fine…...Do you have to use me for this? Isn't there some girlfriend you could have taken?” He cleared his throat and tried to cover the blush on his face with his hand, pinching the bridge of his nose.

He really didn't need such imagery….God he was going to be suffering later.

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Zoe paused for a heart-beat. “ No, not really “ She said it lightly, but the knowledge that she really didn't have a girlfriend to bring along for this hurt. She just wouldn't admit that. Flings? Yes, she had tons. Friends? Not so much.

“ I do need you! This is important Eli, this is my job we are talking about. The wrong cover, and people won't even buy the album. It’s important. “ She said, trying to put some seriousness into her words. “ Do I go sultry, or Innocent? “ She said, pointing to a hanger with an ensemble hanging on the hook outside of the changing room. “ Pure and sweet, or a devil with a violin bow “ She said, striking an innocent pose, for sweet, but dropping gracefully to her knees just in front of him and running her hands up into her hair for devil.

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He couldn't take it really.

Eli looked to Zoe and slapped a hand over his eyes while crossing his legs awkwardly. “J-Just go with innocent, ******** if I-I know…..” He really wanted to get up and leave, but he crossed his legs for a reason that would be seen as something rather awkward and funny to the other clientele. If this went any further, he wouldn't be able to control himself.

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Zoe smiled, looking genuinely happy and seeming either oblivious or happy to overlook his discomfort as she grabbed the white lingerie off of the hook, and swapped out the outfit, before presenting herself to her captive once again. She had donned a sweet little pair of buckled heels to match the outfit “ Better? “ She struck a cute little pose, resting a fingertip on her lips and assuming an innocent facial expression, holding the pose for a moment before looking expectantly at him.

If she were a puppy, she would be wagging her tail.

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Okay that was it.

Eli risked looking at Zoe since he would need to be honest with her. But the moment he saw that pose, he nearly had a heart attack. She just looked too cute and tempting in that outfit he had to admit. “Z-zoe please get dressed. Y-you look okay alright? I-I need to get back to work.” His voice was strained and slightly squeaky as he got up from the cushion, glad that the problem he was developing was under control enough for him not to be embarrassed.

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“ Okay, okay ‘ She said, clearly pleased as she went back into the changing room and quickly threw back on her normal clothes, returning with everything from the outfit she had just been wearing.

She returned, practically beaming with excitement. This cover was going to be amazing. She looped an arm through Eli’s, currently enthralled with thoughts of the shoot and her first official album that she practically skipped to the counter with its impulse buys of little lube and flavored condoms and vibrating bullets.

“ We have a winner! ‘ She said, plunking the small mountain of lace and frills onto the counter in front of a cashier who clearly thought the two of them were the most adorable thing on the planet. “ Oh no problem! “ She rang it all up “ your total is $162. But because you spent over $150 you get some free gifts. A DVD sampler of some of our best sellers “ She said, sliding a DVD in a slick white case with red lips printed on the front “ aaaand, a new bonus pair of toys, for him and her “ She said with a wink, sliding a non-descript black box into the bag.

“ Neat ‘ Zoe said with a grin, watching the cashier ring everything up and handing over her debit-card.

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He just had to get out of the mall, away from Zoe and her stupid revealing lingerie and nudity. So he passed Hector, who was trying to get his attention about something or the other, generally looking confused when Eli said nothing to him. He just couldn’t be bothered at the moment, he needed to go home before Zoe made it back, take an ice cold shower, and forget the world existed for a moment. Why did he have to be attracted to both sexes? Whyyyyy couldn't he just be attracted to one or the other?

Or hell, neither....