The new machines for editing in the development environment have quickly become wondrous and flexible. We can
connect anywhere, anytime, and with no worry of conditions or security. This is a very positive step in maintaining
fluidity of content along with some serious peace of mind for all. The staff is now scattered to the ends of the
earth and we are all better for it. They do not need to be cooped up in an office in this age of everything.
"Early afternoon. I arrived and took a seat at the bar within view of the entrance. The bartender was pleasant
and the atmosphere was void of crowds. Not long before that day, another similar restaurant nearby had closed for
remodeling, and the resulting load on Val's had been overwhelming. On the day in question, however, the lounge area
held few patrons. The feeling was good since I had not met Her on any prior occasion. That was the first time
outside the office in which I was graced by Her presence.
The conversation began with my interest in Her. She listened, patiently, and Her eyes remained solidly fixed upon
my face. I learned that She was willing to be photographed, measured, and whatever else might draw my interest.
She also agreed to let me write about Her at length with no restrictions whatsoever. I was drawn to the idea of
fully documenting all of Her and creating a portfolio of sorts, and there was no end to what She was willing to
provide. After discussing these topics for a time I decided to let Her know that I had no intention of heading in
any inappropriate direction. She responded with a bit of disappointment that I had not expressed interest in Her
sexually. That was unbelievable and pushed me to become somewhat defensive and fearful. I felt as if I had somehow
offended Her with my apparent lack of desire to be with Her physically. After backpedaling quickly, I confessed
that my relationship as well as Hers were the only reasons I would not pursue anything of the sort. That
was a difficult point in the conversation, to be sure, but soon enough Her big, beautiful eyes conveyed the
understanding the type of which She would soon carry more than I could have hoped. I began to look upon Her
as much more than what I saw from a distance in the office. The Raven started to become a reference point
from which others would soon be considered in a very different light.
We did not eat anything during the entire visit to Val's, and that resulted in a tipsy state for me, and moreso
for Her. That did not really matter, though, as we stayed in the lounge (nice little booth, too) regardless of the
pressing evening nor the call of the clock. The conversation dictated the remainder of the day for both of us. We
could not simply cut things short and leave... Mostly due to the fact that we had no idea of when we would
connect again. And that thought had occurred to me more than once during the afternoon. I just wanted
the meet to go on forever. I was told in no uncertain terms that the time away from the rest of Her
day meant nothing to Her and the idea of staying longer had become paramount. We continued to stare and talk for a
while longer.
The longer we sat there, the more my mind was damaged, both by the alcohol and by the Raven's unending kindness
and the manner in which we seemed to align with each other with regard to many aspects of life. The entire affair
became mind-bending like nothing before. She informed me that the chance of us meeting, connecting outside the
workplace, and learning that so many empty spaces within each of us started to fill, was something she had not
expected in life, and the near future could become very complex for both. Our lives did not have room for such an
all-encompassing desire to be within constant earshot and eyesight. That type of affair has proven to
be very damaging time and time again. We could not head in such a direction, yet the thought of keeping
a decent distance from one day to the next would be equally arduous.
Naturally we had to leave at some point yet dragged the idea out for quite a length of time before actually
parting ways that day. A long embrace preceded the Raven's departure from the sidewalk next to my car. Her eyes
again told me in no uncertain terms that the afternoon would not be forgotten in any way. We embraced yet again
and She beautifully walked away. I dropped back into my disregarded auto and drove home.
And of course, it did not. We spent much time together in various locations and on trips to other places (a few of
which have been splayed out here for all to see), all the while gazing, longing, and holding hands as often as was
possible. We sat with each other in many bars and restaurants leading to even more longing than either of us could
handle in such a damaged, desperate, and reckless state of mind. Neither soul could disconnect from the other for
much time without feeling a deep sense of loss and isolation. We became intertwined like... Something. I did not
then nor do I now have knowledge of what we had become. The reality of being together was foremost in our lives
and the time apart was hideously trying and lonely. We could not comprehend the idea of such a tremendous change
from just months earlier when we did not know of each other. At the time such things mattered not, and we focused
on the slight time and magical world that was created by being near the other's soul. And the beginning of the
destruction was at hand soon after. The outings we shared into the City and other locations became very dangerous
and our desire to be within each other's company wrought havoc with everyday life and work. The downhill -- such
as it was -- seemed unavoidable, and will be covered in detail throughout the remainder of this year.
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