RPG SPEC: Dagger of the Mind
Sequel to "Hollywood Vampires"
Part 10, Posts 271-300
_________________________________________________________________________
Post 271: Jesse

  She listened carefully at the bathroom door. Jesse didn't have to be a
vampire to hear the anxiety in Brad's voice. And Tom!  Tom seemed to be
pulling some sort of Lestat act with the poor baby. What the heck was it
with Tom, anyway... Had he flipped out or something? 
  Jesse decided what was needed here was a diversion. She quickly shimmied
out of her jeans and tossed her tee-shirt on the floor. Picking up the
orange-juice dampened, discarded shirt Brad had worn, and pulled it over
her head. She grabbed a comb and began to rake it through her hair. Jesse
opened the bathroom door and strolled into the main room. 
  "Brad, when are we... oh, I'm *sorry*! I didn't know you had company!"
She pulled the hem of the tee shirt down modestly. 
  Tom jumped away from Brad, almost landing on the floor. "You didn't
know! Brad! Where were you keeping this one?" He laughed, the Lestat-like
confidence oozing from every pore. 
  Brad was on his feet and crossed the room to Jesse. He slipped an arm
around her waist. 
  "Jesse just stopped by to fix me some supper." He grinned. 
  "Yeah... right!" Tom eyed Jesse from the top of her curling copper
tresses, to the tip of her petite toes. 
  "Take a picture, it lasts longer, TC." Cooed Jesse. 
   "If you two were busy..." Tom smiled, "Brad and I can finish our little
drink later." 
   "Oh, we were just getting ready for dessert." Jesse grinned, being
careful to hide her fangs. She wasn't sure Tom knew what she was. She
opened her eyes wide. "I'm sorry, but there's really just enough for two." 
    "Don't let me keep you, Brad!" Tom sauntered to the door.  "I'll be
taking to you later." 
    "Later, Tom." Brad smiled, and watched Tom leave. 
    He turned laughing to Jesse. "You little vixen!" 
    "I've got to get you out of here!" Jesse muttered, as she hopped into
her jeans. "Unless I'm mistaken, he's got more on his mind than old scotch
and older vampires! Ugh! This shirt's all wet!" Jesse suddenly yanked the
offending shirt over her head, took her own from around the corner, and
put it on. 
    Brad stood gaping at her, his mouth open. 
    "Oh, for God's sake Brad!" Jesse said, mimicking his expression.
"What's the phrase I'm looking for? Turn about's fair play?" She stuck her
feet into her sneakers. "No... that's not it. Come on Brad!" She grabbed
him by the hand and pulled him out the door. 
    Brad watched as she climbed on to the Harley. 
   "Don't just stand there!" She looked at him, as she started the engine.
"Get on!" 
   Brad obeyed. Climbing on the back, he encircled her waist with his
arms. 
   "Jesse?" He yelled in her ear, as they raced off in a spray of gravel.
"Where are we going?" 
   "Tit for tat," She yelled back. 
   "What?" Brad called in her ear, her hair whipping in his face. 
   "That's the expression I was trying to think of!" Jesse reached down
and patted his leg. "As for where we're going? Who knows? As long as it's
away from Tom!" 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 272: Tom

	Tom felt that strange, icy control resume its hold as he walked
into the New Orleans night.  Brad was with Jesse, the slut of the coven.
He would have credited Brad with more taste, quite frankly.  Even
Antonio's exotic looks were preferable to the "I've never seen a comb
in my life, and ain't gonna start now" look.  Still, after all he had been
through, Tom could credit Brad with a bit of confusion.  And it wasn't
as though Jesse was any kind of a threat.  He had made his point, and Brad
was well used to being the object of desire.  Tom's advantage was that he
was, in fact, still mortal.  And he and Brad had more in common now than
their chosen profession.  Those marks - dear God...  Tom shuddered, thinking
of Brad and Antonio together.  "Dangerous, foolish, and stupid, 'Tony'.
You're lucky you didn't kill him, idiot."
	No matter.  Tom had a million calls to make.  He headed back for
the hotel.

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 273: Antonio

	Antonio ran his hands through his hair, rolling his eyes and heaving
a deep sigh.  What else could possibly go wrong with this monster?  The
news that the production had been shut down was simply unbelieveable.  Things
like this didn't happen - not to movies of this caliber.  Little tiny
shoestring Spanish productions?  Perhaps.  But this?  No.  Something moer
was going on.  He brushed Martin's mind, finding it awhirl with confusion.
He honestly had no idea what to make of any of this, but was begging for
calm.  Tom was running around like a demi-god, assuring that all was well.
Antonio avoided him.
	He considered going to Brad's trailer for all of half a second bef
re rejecting the idea outright.  Brad would probably be unsettled too,
and after last night... no.  Antonio simply scribbled down the number of
the Omni, handed it to one of the production secretaries, then left.
	::Louis... you'll never believe what has happened.  Don't bother
coming to the set - there is no movie!  It has been shut down.  I'll meet
you at the hotel, if you wish.::

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 274: Daniel

	"Blessed darkness," said Pandora, sitting up on the bed and 
stretching out her arms. She turned to see Daniel, whose tender figure lay 
still on the bed, sleeping still the young one. Pandora was an early riser, 
and it would probably be a while before Daniel could join her, so she got 
out of bed and walked into the shower.
	After taking a nice warm bath, and then a quick shower, she walked
back into the bedroom. Daniel was already awake, but still in bed, his
head resting on the pillow.
	"Evening, Daniel. What are you waiting for? We have to meet Martin
at ten o'clock and I would like to feed first."
	"We don't have to hurry. Why do you want to feed first? We can wait
till we get to the set," Daniel mumbled, covering his head with the covers.
	"What? I hope I didn't hear you right...You're not suggesting to hunt
at the set, now are you?"
	"Yup."
	"Really? Who, the camera men? One of the actors? Light and sound
technicians?"
	"Martin."
	Pandora's smile disappeared immediately. How could he even think
about that. She walked towards the bed and pulled the covers off Daniel.
"You better be joking about this!"
	"I'm not! You don't expect me to take over the role of Lestat for
real, now do you?"
	"But I thought..."
	"Well, I changed my mind!"
	"Too damn bad, Daniel! I played along with you; we did everything
*you* wanted to do, and you're not going to change the rules of the game 
now. I will play Akasha and you *will* play Lestat! I don't care if I have
to torture you! I'll make you do it!" She paused. "And one more thing...
don't touch Martin!"
	"What?"
	"I'm warning you, Daniel! Don't touch Martin. I have...an inclination
for him."
	"I see," Daniel smiled. "so you like the mortal, right?"
	"Not exactly...I don't know what it is, I just want to keep him 
safe for a while. We'll see what happens later."
	Daniel nodded. "Well, I guess I have no choice, now, do I?"
	"No. You don't!"
	"Great! Let me get dress so that we can go hunt and then we'll go
to the set," said Daniel.
	"Good boy!" Pandora smiled. "Now just get in the shower; I'm going
out to pick our outfits!"	
	"You what?"
	"Well, you don't expect us to go see Martin in the same clothes
we wore yesterday, now do you?"
	"I suppose not."
	"I didn't think so. You shower while I go shopping!"
	"Can I say something about *my* clothes? I don't want you to pick
what I'm going to wear!"
	"But it's better if I chose them! After all, why do you think Martin
gave you the part of Lestat? It was because of the clothes you were wearing,
of course! They make you look more attractive. Listen to me, child! I'll
show you how to be a man!"
	Daniel rolled his eyes and getting up from the bed, walked into the
shower with no complaints.

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 275: Martin

	Martin was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. EVERYTHING was
going so wrong. Why did it have to be this way? All he was trying to do
was film a movie and there was trouble all around. First Tom had gone
home sick, then Antonio had disappeared...And when all troubles seemed
to be solved at last...THERE WAS NO MOVIE TO BE FILMED!
	He had already notified Tom Cruise. Tom had been absolutely careless.
Ice. Tom had shown no sign of anger, no sign of frustration. Martin had
seen the emptiness in his eyes. Surprised? Maybe...It seemed that Tom
was ready for anything. 
	Martin walked back to his trailer and began drinking. Almost ten
o'clock. Emerald and Daniel would be over soon. Great! He would break the
news to them and they could drink with him! Celebrate his failure.
The movie was a fiasco. He laughed hysterically. "No movie!! There's no
movie!"

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 276: Daniel

	Pandora had been quick with her shopping. Very unsual for her,
since she, as most women do, loved to shop! She never had to worry about
time, for she all the time of the world. The store owners, however, always
had a question about her odd shopping hours. But Pandora was generous with
her tips and they didn't mind opening their boutiques at midnight, exclusively
for her to go shopping.         
	This time she had been quick. She had a strange feeling that something
was very wrong. She rushed to the hotel and forced Daniel to turn off the
T.V set and get dressed. He was reluctant about wearing the red leather outfit
she had picked for him that night. 
	"Dammit, Pandora! I'm gonna look like a prettier version of Steve
Tyler!" he'd whined. But Pandora had been firm, and at the end, Daniel
had obeyed. He slid into the red leather pants, white poet's shirt and
red leather jacket. Pandora wore a tight black dress that night. Her hair
hanging loose over her shoulders, and shiny diamond earrings gave more
light to her pretty face.
	They had flown to the set this time. Fear, confussion, anger, and
frustration is all Pandora could sense.
	"There's something really wrong, here," she said to Daniel.
	"Yes, I can feel it too...," replied Daniel.

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 277: Daniel

	Pandora and Daniel approached Martin's trailer and stood outside,
scanning to see if he was inside.
	"He is in there," Pandora affirmed. "but not in a very good shape..."
	"What's up?"
	"I thik he's drunk!"
	Daniel laughed. "So what? That's nothing new. He was drunk last 
night as well."
	"This time is different. He's distressed...sad...I can't read him
too well. It's dark and cold; his soul is empty."
	"Well, so if he's drunk and so damn depressed, let's just feed
on him. It'll be good for all of us! I like the taste of *alcoholized*
blood," Daniel teased.
	"I can't believe you!" Pandora yelled. "After the two whores you
drank and you're still hungry? Daniel, glutonny is a mortal sin!"
	"So am a sinner...should we go in?" 
	Pandora nodded. They walked inside the trailer to find Martin in
a pitiful state. He was leaning over the table with an empty bottle of
vodka by his side, and spilled orange juice all over.
	"He's *really* drunk!" Daniel said.
	"I can see that. I wonder what happened..."
	Martin took notice of their presence and lifting his face from the
table, he smiled. "Weelcome, my friends! Welcome to the celebrration!"
	"What are we celebrating, Martin?" Pandora asked.             
	"My failure, of course! There's no money...there's nooo movie!" He
laughed.
	"Lestat!" Daniel exclaimed.
	It only took Pandora a few minutes to understand what Daniel
meant. "I think I see your point, Daniel...Our darling Brat Prince!"
	"Who else?"
	Martin stared at them with confusion. "No, no Lestat! No more Lestat
and no Louis...no Armand....NO MOVIE!"
	Pandora took a deep breath and then smiled. "Martin, it will be
okay. Don't you worry!" She drew close to him and lifted him in her arms.
A soft immortal kiss and Martin was asleep. Pandora carried him to the
bed and laid his body there. She reached inside his mind to calm him down
 :You will be okay, dear Martin. I shall take care of you!:  
	Martin smiled. Pandora had sent pleasant images to his mind and he
would sleep until the next morning.
	"What do you have in mind?" Daniel asked.
	She smiled mischievously. "Daniel, just how much of the Night Island
belongs to you?"
	"What?"
	"What percentage of the actions of Armand's business do you own?"
	"The Island is on my name. The business and all properties are
fity-fity. Why?"
	"Perfect! I have a respectable fortune, as well...I need a telephone!
I need to contact my lawyer!"

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 278: Marius

	Dusk.
	He knew it was, even though the room was so dark, the windows 
draped, as to provide no hint of the condition outside. But it was dusk, 
and the horizon would still be stained with the deep reds and purples of 
the sunset. 
	It would have been nice to go back to sleep for a few hours. He 
didn't have to think about it all if he was asleep. But his mind flung 
itself into the waking world with a vengeance and he was given no chance 
to seek refuge in his disturbed dreams again. 
	Marius sighed and opened his eyes to the blackness.
	Silence. Armand still slept, curled against his side. Marius
shifted slowly, trying not to disturb him, and then settled back down, his
head resting against Armand's chest and hearing the slow, steady throb of
his heart. It was a soothing sound, capable of drowning out, at least for
awhile, all of the concerns that plagued Marius. It was growing harder, in
these short and hastily snatched moments of peace, to center himself. The
calm that he had worn for so many years was shattering, his emotions
rising, volatile, to the surface. He had to take every quiet moment he
could to draw himself back together, sort himself out and reform that
facade of calm over himself. So far, he had managed it. It had come
painfull close to cracking the night before, but it had subsided somewhat
this night and he managed it somewhat easier. And when Armand woke, the
change of state signaled only by a short catch of his breath, it was to be
greeted by a Marius who showed nothing in his expression of the concerns
or irritants that he felt. His smile, if not completely relaxed and
heartfelt, was also not totally false. 
	When Armand started to speak Marius silenced him, pressing a 
finger to his lips. He kissed him gently. "Thank you," he whispered, "for 
last night."

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 279: Armand

	Armand smiled, allowing his expression to turn sleepy.  "You're welcome,
Padrone."  He snuggled closer.  "It had the virtue of never having been tried."
	Marius laughed gently, pulling him close.  "There is something to
be said for that."
	Armand allowed himself to relax and drift for a bit, knowing all
too well the tensions that waited just beyond... on the verge of the waking
world.  He expected Marius to follow his lead, but instead he shifted 
restlessly, causing Armand's eyes to flutter open.  "What is it?"
	"I've been thinking." Marius rumbled, his deep voice grave.  "I'd
like to find Gabrielle.  There are things she needs to know."
	Armand raised his eyebrow, not so much at the concept, but the tone
of voice.  Then he nodded and wordlessly slipped from the bed, helping
Marius to his feet, taking the opportunity to gently kiss his lover.  Marius
responded, but was distracted.  After a moment Armand nodded and moved to
dress.  Clearly, marius was on a mission.

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 280: Louis

  With the golden images of Lestat still haunting his mind, Louis walked
through the streets of New Orleans. The dreams from the day were so
vivid... SO REAL! If he hadn't known Lestat wasn't by his side, he would
have sworn they had made love. 
  He avoided Royal Street. He was just about to sit down in Jackson
Square, when Antonio's voice came to him. 
  ::Louis... you'll never believe what has happened.  Don't bother coming
to the set - there is no movie!  It has been shut down.  I'll meet you at
the hotel, if you wish.:: 
  ::Shut down?:: Louis replied to Antonio, ::How can this be? Come back to
the hotel. We shall talk about this:: 
  Louis wondered what could have happened to cause this production to stop
production. Now what would happen? Would Antonio leave? There was much to
discuss. It didn't take him long to return to The Omni. Louis,
preoccupied, opened the door to the suite with his mind and walked in. He
immediately tripped over something. Mentally, he switched the lights on.
The room was filled with flowers! Roses! Red roses everywhere he looked!
Baskets of roses sat on the floor. Great bouquets of roses in tall vases
decorated the tables.  Louis slowly turned in a circle, laughing. On the
coffee table, in front of the couch, flanked by two enormous bouquets, was
a large box, tied with a black satin ribbon. Louis walked over to it,
laughing and shaking his head. 
  "Lestat. Only you could do this!" He chuckled as he bent over and untied
the huge bow. He lifted the lid from the box and peered in. From out of
the box, he lifted a book, bound in blood-red leather with gold lettering
"Journal" on the front cover. The journal had to be the size of a Yellow
Pages from a major city. 
  Louis opened the cover, and read the inscription aloud. 
  "Louis - you may here in record every complaint, every flaw in my
character. If you fill it, let me know. I'll send you another post haste!"
It was signed with a great flourishing signature "Lestat". Below the
signature was a small envelope taped to the page. Louis looked inside of
it. Two tickets to the opera "Madame Butterfly" and a slip of paper. Louis
unfolded it. Lestat's handwriting again. 
  "Louis-
      "Do you remember the first opera we attended? It
    was Don Giovanni. You insisted I slept though most of
    it. I feigned sleep, just to watch you - so beautiful,
    lost in the music. 
                        L."
  
  Louis closed his eyes. "Lestat, how is it you can always find a way to
my heart, to soothe the hurt." 
 
_________________________________________________________________________
Post 281: Louis

  The images of the past filled his mind. Gala opera balls, women in
swirling satins, he and Lestat resplendent in the garb of the 1800's.The
Music and the great voices of the past. An over powering longing crashed
over him with all the force of a tidal wave. Lestat! How he missed him,
how he *wanted* him! 
  Louis grabbed the telephone and called down to the concierge. 
  "This is Monsieur de Pointe du Lac in suite 512... would you happen to
know where the parcel in my room was delivered from? ...The Hotel St.
Louis? Thank you." 
   Louis' mouth curled into a smile. "I've found you, Lestat!" 
   He contacted the hotel switchboard. "If you please, could you connect
me with The Hotel St. Louis? Merci beaucoup." Louis sat down at the desk
and pulled a rose from the vase. "Good Evening." He spoke to the clerk at
Lestat's hotel. "Do you have one Lestat de Lioncourt registered... could
you connect me, please?" 
   Louis could hear the phone ringing at the other end of the line. 
   "de Lioncourt," snapped the familiar voice on the other end of the
connection. 
   "I would say so..." replied Louis, smiling. 
   "Louis..." breathed the familiar voice. 
   "Thank you for the floricultural display. Don't you think you went a
trifle overboard?" Louis said. 
    "No," replied Lestat, chuckling. "I thought something tasteful would
be in keeping with your modest style." 
    Lestat listened to Louis' rich laughter. He closed his eyes and
sighed. ::Mon Louis...:: 
    "The journal is quite nice, Lestat. Thank you." 
    "My pleasure." Lestat answered. 
    "About the opera tickets..." 
    "You're no longer fond of Puccini's works?" Lestat sniffed in mock
dismay. 
    "I'm quite fond of his music." Louis said. "I was wondering if you
would care to join me? It's rather short notice..." 
    "If we hurry, we can make curtain time..." 
    Louis smiled. "I'll see you in front of the theatre in half an hour." 
    "I'll be there, Louis." Lestat replied. 
     Louis quickly changed into a dark green collarless silk shirt and
black Armani suit. This was the 1990's, not the 1890's. No one dressed up
for the opera anymore. Before leaving the suite, he hastily scribbled a
note to Antonio. 
   "Went to the opera. See you later." and simply signed it "L" . 
   Lestat was waiting for him on the steps of the theatre.  When he saw
Louis, a smile flashed across his face. He stepped forward to greet him. 
   "I was beginning to think you were having second thoughts." Lestat
grinned. 
   Louis glanced at the pavement. "I shouldn't have walked out on you like
that... at the bar." 
   "We were both a little... stressed." Lestat controlled the urge to
reach for him. He was so very close. "Why don't we go in? It's started. We
can slip into our box." 
   Louis nodded. He followed Lestat into the theatre. All the feelings of
hurt were melting away at the very sight and scent of his lover. He was
with Lestat once more. Soon, all would be forgiven. 
   An usher held open the door to the box. Lestat stepped aside and
allowed Louis to pass through first. Louis stopped midway through the
door, glanced up into Lestat's stormy grey eyes and slightly smiled.
Lestat placed his hand on Louis' shoulder, and they entered the box
together. 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 282: David

	David had slept late that night. For the first time, in a long
time, he had no dreams...or at least none that he could remember. He felt
thankful for that. He got up, took a shower and got dressed, then he
searched the hotel room for any sign of Lestat or Santino. He found
Santino in the adjoining suite reading a newspaper. He leand over the top
of the leather chair and planted a kiss on Santino's forehead. 
	"When did you get up?" Santino said coldly. 
	"Just about twenty minute ago...Listen Santino, about last nigh,
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound like I didn't care about Lestat. I do
care about him and his happiness, I just don't think it's my place to tell
him what to do, that's all. Can you understand that?" Santino smiled at
him.
	"Yes, I can see you're point. But our worries may be over."
	"What do you mean?"
	"Lestat sent Louis a little gift, Louis called and invited him out
to the opera. Of course Lestat accepted...things will run their course and
they will be back together before dawn."  David let out a little chuckle.
"What is it?"  asked Santino.
	"I don't think they'll be able to fix all their problems with one
night at the opera!"
	"No, but it's a start!"
	"A start for what?!  That is the question that should be asked."
	"Then you don't think it will work?"
	"No, I don't. I can't see much future in that relationship to tell
you the truth."
	"What!  You don't want them to be together? you don't think they
*belong* together?  David--"
	"Santino, it doesn't matter what I think. Maybe they will find
happinesstogether, I hope they do, but it's not likely to work on the
present heading thier on."
	"And what heading is that?"  He snapped at David.
	"Mutual assured destruction. Look at them Santino! Two-hundred
years, how much has changed for them?  Oh I have no doubt that they will
get back together, but how long will that last till the next blow up?  I
think we should just be thankful that this time no one got thrown in a
swamp or set on fire."
	"That's past!"
	"Is it?  We're talking about a couple whose signiture song is
"Burning Down the House"!
	"So Antonio should just be able to move right in and take over
Lestat's place--"
	"Antonio has nothing to do with Lestat and Louis' problems. He's
the one I feel sorry for in all of this. And what's with this double
standard of your's?  Why is Louis forbidden to do what Lestat freely
does?"
	"What are you talking about?" Santino asked impatiently.
	"Think about it Santino, exhibit 'A' is sitting right in front of
you. Lestat took what he wanted, and never considered how I or Louis would
feel about it!  Tell me, how am I different then Antonio?  Lestat took me
when he was feeling rejected by Louis, just as Louis turned to Antonio
when Lestat rejected him. And where are we left when the two of them
decide to patch things up?  Their reckless, the both of them are
shamefully reckless with others!"
	"And you claim to *love* Lestat!" Santino spouted in anger.
	"Yes, I do!  That doesn't mean that i have to agree with every
little stunt he pulls! I flew half way around the world at dawn because I
thought that he was in danger! Don't even *think* that you could lecture
me on things you know nothing about!  Go ahead, play matchmaker for Prince
Charles and Lady Di, call me when you're done. If I wanted a relationship
with a babysitter, I would have stayed with Marius!"  David quickly walked
out of the room and into the hall of the hotel. He needed to get out...to
get away from the troubles of the coven. He needed to find the place where
he could leave himself and the coven, behind. 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 283: Brad

     Jesse roared around the trailers, scattering crew members as she
went. Brad grinned with exhilaration, laughing as he fought to keep the
wild red hair out of his eyes and mouth. Maybe this was just what he
needed - to be racing through the night on the back of a Harley driven buy
a knockout redheaded woman. So what if she wasn't exactly alive. She was
fun to be with, smart as a whip, and great looking on top of it - better
still she cared about him. 
     She'd fixed him eggs, for crying out loud, even though the sight of
'em made her sick. Eggs take a lot of people that way. He could tell they
were catching her wrong though she pretended they weren't. She'd made
herself queasy just because she thought he needed some food in him. Brad
smiled into her hair and gave her a squeeze, glad that she'd showed up so
unexpectedly. 
     He heard a loud shout an looked up just in time to see some of the
crew guys drag a big lighting stand out of Jesse's way. The blue and red
gels flipped and tumbled on their hinges at the violent treatment. Brad
slapped his head in annoyance. 
     "Jess! JESSE!" he yelled trying to be heard over the Harley's engine.
No good. She couldn't hear him. He tried another track. ::JESSE!:: 
     ::OW! What?:: Jesse turned her head around and looked at him over her
shoulder.:: 
     ::We - look OUT!:: Brad held his breath as Jesse deftly maneuvered
around two crewmen who'd suddenly appeared before them carrying a piece of
scenery. ::We need to go back to the trailer for a minute:: 
     ::Whatever for? You *want* to get jumped or something?:: 
     ::No, I left some things I need to get. I've got to go back for them.
The other stuff can stay there.:: 
     ::Oh all right. But if TC comes back around, I swear I won't be so
nice to him.:: 
     ::He's not a bad guy, Jesse. He was actually being nice for a change,
trying to help me..." 
     ::Yeah, help you out of your clothes maybe,:: Jesse scowled as she
headed the bike back in the direction they'd just come. ::Way to ruin a
good getaway, Pitt!:: 
     Brad laughed out loud as the pulled up in front of his trailer. "I'm
sorry Red...OUCH!" Brad yelped as a sharp, bony knuckle poked him in the
ribs. "Okay, I'm sorry Ms. Jessica, Ma'am.:: Brad jumped back and winked
at her as she swung at him again. "I see you've got that infamous redhead
temper." Brad bounded up the stairs as she made to get off the Harley. 
     "Okay, I'll quit. I'll be back in a sec." Brad paused in the open
doorway. "Wait for me?" 
     "Duh. I only saved you from a fate worse than death so I could leave
you alone and unprotected at the first opportunity!" 
     Brad laughed and ducked into the trailer. He dragged his battered
duffle bag from the storage compartment and began stuffing clothes in it.
He grabbed the picture of his family, wrapped it in a soft sweat shirt and
tucked it carefully in the bag. The last thing to go in was his window and
sketch pad. He hadn't touched the glass since Tony... 
     Shit. Tony. He'd forgotten all about that. 
     Brad dived for the phone and dialed the number of Martin's office on
the set. "Hi this is Brad. Yes I've heard the news, Tom came over to my
trailer to tell me himself. No, I'm not worried, things will get
straightened out. Listen, has Antonio heard? He has? He did? Are you sure
he's not still on the set? He can be reached where?" Brad ripped a sheet
out of his sketch pad and wrote down the name of the hotel Tony said he
could be reached at. "Hey, thanks for the info. No, I don't know where
I'll be yet. I'll call Marty's main office and leave word as soon as I
know myself." Brad thought hard for a moment, his eyes on the bottle of
vintage scotch that still sat on the small table. 
     Before he could think better of it he went on, "Tom will be checking
in periodically, right? When I talked to him he said he was working on
getting things straightened out...he will? In that case I'd like to leave
a message for him. Tell him I said to be on his guard with that individual
we discussed. And tell him that I'm fine and not to be concerned. I'll
leave word where he can reach me." 
     That task accomplished, Brad hung up and took a swift inventory of
the room. He had what he'd come for - his window and the picture of his
family, the rest he wouldn't miss at all. Without really thinking about
it, he snagged the bottle of scotch and shoved it down in the bag.
Slinging the duffle on his back he made for the door. 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 284: Daniel

	Daniel watched Pandora, but he couldn't quite comprehend what was
on her mind. 
	"I need a damn telephone!" She kept repeating, as she lifted the
dirty clothes from the floor. "There's gotta be a fun here somewhere...
DAMN!"  She began throwing the old magazines and scripts all over the
place.
	"Pandora, calm down! What the hell are you trying to do? What do
you need a lawyer for?"
	Pandora paused her search for a moment and stared at Daniel. "I
think it's very obvious, Daniel...*WE* are getting the movie back on---"
	"NO!"
	"What do you mean, no? I don't understand!"
	"Listen, Pandora, I might be crazy, but I'm not an IDIOT! If Lestat
closed the production then, it *stays* closed!"
	"You're out of your mind!"
	"No, *you* are out of your mind! Do you really think I'm going to
risk my butt by defying Lestat? He'll burn me to ashes before I'm able to
say a word!"
	"It was your idea to get cast as Lestat!"
	"That's different! He wouldn't kill me for that! Forget it! If you
want to become ashes, then that's your problem! I'm out of here!" Daniel
turned around and began walking towards the door.
	"Daniel, wait!" Pandora yelled. "Don't leave me...," she said
again, this time, lowering her voice.
	"Pandora, please understand... I'M SCARED!" Daniel collapsed into
sobs. 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 285: Pandora

	Pandora felt her heart breaking after seeing Daniel in such a
pitiful state. The natural tenderness was awoken in her soul and she
approached Daniel to comfort him.
	"Shhhhhh!" She wrapped her arm around him and rocked him softly.
"It's okay...there's nothing to fear. I'm here with you...I promise
nothing will happen to you!"
	"It's not that...I just don't think we're doing the right thing. Do
you know what Lestat will do if he finds out about this?"
	Pandora stroked Daniel's hair with her hands and smiled. "Daniel,
I *never* stopped to think about that! I don't fear Lestat...I don't fear
anyone! I'm not afraid of anything. I believe that my existence will come
to an end, someday, at the right time; in the right place, but I don't
know when that'll be. If I were to see the sunrise tomorrow, I wouldn't be
worry about it. I live my life the way I want; taking risks every second.
I'm not afraid! Lestat...He can't harm me!"
	"But he *can* harm me! He'll kill me!"
	"Armand wouldn't allow it!" Pandora replied quickly.
	Daniel pushed Pandora away. "Don't mention his name again! Don't
talk about him again!"
	"There's so much pain inside you...I felt it this morning, before
we went to bed. You were crying, why?"
	"I was NOT!"
	"Daniel, don't lie to me. Open up! Let me get inside you; I want to
help you."
	Silence.
	Daniel took a deep breath and began pacing around the room. "We're
really getting of the subject line," he finally said. "so, are you going
to forget about this movie, or should I take my leave?"
	Pandora wanted to insist, but it was obvious that the fledgling
didn't want to talk about his problem with her. "If it makes you feel any
better, I'll desist. We can forget about the movie...at least for a
while."
	"Thanks."
	"And Daniel, when you're ready to talk...I'll be here!"
	"What are you going to do about Martin?" Daniel asked, changing the
subject once again.
	Pandora had to laugh. "Stop trying to play stupid, Daniel! Don't
change the subject!"
	"Ummm...you know what, Pandora? I'm getting hungry again!" Daniel
smiled, a wide smile that showed his sharp fangs.
	"It's good to see you smile!" Pandora remarked. 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 286: Marius

	He hadn't meant to rebuff Armand, or to pull either of them back
into the chaos that was the coven quite so quickly. But he couldn't help
it. Something had touched him, had pulled him from his own dreams and now
pushed at him to hurry them along. It was like a mental itch which he
could neither pinpoint, or scratch. And though he returned his lover's
kiss and responded to his questions, Marius was distracted.
	In a way, the distraction was a blessing. It was something outside
of the immediate worries of Armand and Lestat, around which his world had
centered for too many nights in a row. He had almost surprised himself
when he answered Armand's query with Gabrielle's name, but even as he said
it he knew it was right. There was the feeling of something _wrong_ from
her, and to deal with Gabrielle was a welcome relief from having to deal
with her son. 
	They dressed and left the hotel, heading towards the movie set,
where Marius could feel the faint touch of Gabrielle. They arrived to find
the place in chaos. Easy to find the cause- it fairly screamed from every
mortal's mind as the humans scurried about. The movie had been stopped. It
was finished.
	_Surely this site is cursed,_ Marius thought grimly, looking
around. _And the cursing demons are we, who have meddeled too much and
with too many._ Too many memories of what had happened in this place, and
memories that were far too recent. Some good, admitedly, but several that
his mind shied away from as well. He pushed it all away, cut out the
clamoring mental babble of the mortals, and, taking Armand's arm, strode,
unhindered and unnoticed, across the set to where the trees were clustered
and he could feel the presence of another of the coven.
	Armand slowed as they approached and Marius squeezed his hand
gently, leaning down to press a kiss to his brow. "It will be alright,
caro," he whispered. And then, raising his voice to call out, "Gabrielle?"
	She was there, seated against the base of one of the trees, her
head pillowed on her knees and her golden hair streaming over her shoulder
and down to trail amidst the grass. She raised her face at his voice,
meeting his gaze with tired eyes and a wane smile. 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 287: Gabrielle

        "Hi sweeties." Gabrielle made an attempt to smile a little more
confidently, but failed miserably as the effort sent her head back to her
knees. She groaned audibly, in evident frustration with her lack of
strength. 
        "Are you alright, Gabrielle?" Marius asked, his voice tinged with
undisguisable concern. 
        She waved him off and brought her eyes to meet his,
        "Yes, I'll be fine. Would you mind being a dear and helping me to
my feet?" 
        "But of course." Marius replied as he extended his hand, she took
it and suddenly she was at her feet. She was swaying dangerously and used
Marius to steady herself. 
        "Sorry." she winced slightly as she tightened her grip on his arm.
"Boys, you're going to have to assist me a bit here. Looks like old age
finally caught up with me, but I don't feel 200 if a day!" 
        She heard Armand snicker a bit from behind Marius, she swung her
head in his direction and shook her finger. 
        "I heard that." 
        Still holding onto Marius, she shook her golden mane away from her
face. She looked up into Marius' crystal blue orbs. Worry was reflected
there,
        "Are you sure you're ok, Gabrielle?" 
        "Take a night off from your parental duties, cher. I'm fine. The
fire has taken me back a few notches but nothing that can't be fixed. I
took some of Jesse's blood, it helped a little. I'm still a little woozy
however." 
        She slipped her arm around Marius and leaned against his familar
weight comfortably,
        "I'm just so tired, that's all." 
        "Fire?" 
        Gabrielle raised an eyebrow at Marius' inquiry. 
        "Oh, you haven't been told?" She nodded towards Armand, "The one
that Monsieur le Imp caused at the Pon? The one that after my darling
Antonio and you two took off, trapped me there and nearly burnt me to a
crisp before Louis saved me? You didn't know about that little accident?" 
        Gabrielle smiled sweetly at the two of them as their mouths
dropped open. 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 288: David

	David walked the streets of New Orleans as if he were drifting
through a fog.  He tried to block out the sights and sounds around him,
but it was to no avail, his vampire senses would not allow it. It was as
if he were a sponge soaking in every sound, every breath, every mind,
until all was one.  Desperate to return to himself, to save what was left
of his sanity, his vampire instinct took over. He went after the first
prostitute he could find. He took her to a secluded back street and
greedily took her. As his fangs pierced her neck and the blood began to
flow into his mouth and down his throat, he felt a peace, a peace he had
been lacking for months now. He could hear the rhythm of her heart beating
with his own and he held her tighter, believing that if he kept listening,
it would continue to beat and she would live. He kept drinking long after
she was dead, unable to put her body down in his swoon. Then a wave of
nausea hit from the dead blood that coursed through his veins. He dropped
her and stumbled backwards. 
	It only lasted a moment, and then it passed. It may have killed a
weaker fledgling, but his blood was strong. His thoughts were cleared and
he could once again make coherent sense of his surroundings. How long had
it been since he took a mortal victim?  He silently grieved for her and
then disposed of her body. He hated taking life and he often wondered how
long he could continue being what he was. But how could he stop it?  He
already proved that not even the sun could kill him, nor the blood of the
dead. Was this what Lestat thought after his time in the Gobi Dessert? 
Best not to think of these things now. 
	David headed to the set. Perhaps putting his mind on frivolous
things would relieve him of the funk he was settling in. That thought was
short lived, for as soon as he arrived there he found the set in total
chaos. Everyone was shouting at each other, putting the blame for the shut
down on anyone they could think of. Confused by what was going on, David
scanned the area to see if a vampire was behind the mayhem. The first one
he locked onto was Jesse, but she was hardly responsible for any of this. 
He sensed distress from her thoughts and quickly abandoned the notion of
meddling with the movie. He moved in her direction and found her standing
outside of a trailer.
	"Jesse!  I'm so glad I found you. What are you doing here, is
everything okay?" 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 289: Marius

	"Gabrielle!" Marius managed to gasp, at last. "I had no _idea_! I
didn't think... How badly were you hurt?" He looked down at her, as though
expecting to see the ravages of the fire on her face and figure.  "Are you
alright?"
	"I'm fine," Gabrielle repeated emphatically. "I said I was just
tired, didn't I? Marius, leave it be."
	"But..."
	"But," Gabrielle echoed, mocking. A smile curved her lips. 
"Really, I'm just a bit woozy. I'll be fine."
	"Yes, of course," Armand said quietly, slipping in against her
other side to offer his support as well. "And that is, obviously, why you
need help in order to stand upright, or, indeed, to stand at all. Is this
another example of the famed Lioncourt stiff-necked pride, Madame?" 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 290: Gabrielle

        "Not a case of pride, petit cher, simply the truth. So, Armand.
Still want to kill my son?" Gabrielle smiled down upon him wickedly, her
eyes blazing with an inner flame. 
        Armand was most obviously taken aback by her comment, his eyes
grew wide. 
        "I..." 
        Gabrielle placed a finger to his smooth lips and sent her thoughts
to him,
        :: Remember I can read you like the back of my hand, cher. Jesse's
blood only helps my cause. I can understand perfectly why you're out to
kill my son. Rest assured the boy is going to get a good spanking when I
get my hands on him. :: 
        For good measure, she sent out a few thought of the fire to him.
He gasped. 
        :: Yes, that's what I went through. We're even. :: 
        Armand nodded, but Gabrielle noticed that he had shut his mind up
tight, barring any entry. She pulled him near to her side, leaning on his
small frame for comfort as she let another wave of diziness pass before
her eyes. She shook her head slightly. 
        "Well," she announced happliy, "I am being carried around by two
stunning men, I do get myself into the worst situations, don't I?" 
        Marius chuckled and cleared his throat,
        "Gabrielle?" 
        "Yes?" 
        "Lestat...." 
        Gabrielle looked up at him, her eyes resting comofortably on his
handsome features. 
        "Is in very big trouble. Not mention probably wants to kill my
fledgling and wouldn't mind me going down with Tonio as well. My fault
Lestat is so screwed up, dysfunctional family, I think that's what they
call it now. His father never gave him what he needed....boy do I have
some news for my boy...." 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 291: Marius

	Marius smiled wryly. "Such as the fact that, at 200 years old, he 
should be mature enough to handle this situation without breaking up the 
entire coven, dysfunctional background or no?" Though his tone was light, 
his expression was not. He met Armand's eyes briefly, noting the 
tightening of his lover's face and the way Armand looked away. He sighed, 
looking out over the flurry of activity that was the movie set.
	"I don't know how to help him," he whispered softly to himself. 
"I don't know how to fix _any_ of this."

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 292: Jesse

  Jesse blinked as she saw David standing in front of the cycle.  She
rubbed the tears from her eyes and stared at him with a startled
expression. 
  "David? What on earth are you doing here?" She looked closer at him.
"David! Your skin!" She was instantly beside him, her fingers lightly
touching his cheekbone. 
  "I had a little run in with the dawn, that's all, my dear..." He began.
David suddenly found himself being tightly hugged by a weeping Jesse. 
  "Why did you go into the sun?" She lifted her face to his. "What's
happened? The entire coven's gone to Hell! Lestat and Louis have split,
Lestat's enamoured with that mortal Tom in one way or another, Gabby seems
to be on her last legs... and now I've become known as the coven's slut!" 
   Brad was behind her turning her around. 
   "No one thinks of you that way, Jess. You're sweet and kind..." He
tried to soothe her. He looked at David, suddenly realizing he was in the
company of another vampire. "Shit!" 
    "It's alright, Brad. He won't hurt you... Brad this is David, my
friend and my teacher from the Talamasca. He's also..." 
    "I know..." Brad swallowed. "Lestat's latest addition to the family" 
     David offered Brad his hand. "Delighted to meet you. A friend of
Jesse's is a friend of mine." 
    He turned to Jesse. "Where were you off to?" 
    Jesse shrugged. "Away from here. Brad needs to get away, and I was
helping him escape. I don't want to go to a hotel with him. He doesn't
need the tabloids up his ass... Oh! I'm sorry, David. You know what I'm
like when I'm upset!  Do you have any ideas? A safehouse of sorts?
Somewhere we can sort ourselves out. There are some motel cabins not too
far from here, but they aren't very nice." 
   She looked expectantly into David's eyes. 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 293: David

	David thought for a moment, there weren't too many places that a
star of Brad Pitt's calibar could escape notice. He immediately thought
of the Rue Royale, but quickly dismissed the idea. All they needed was
for Lestat or Louis to happen in on them. His next thought was of his
apartment he had just rented shortly before the fiasco with the coven
started.
	"I have a place you could stay Jesse, but I'm afraid it's not well
furnished yet. I've been kind of...busy and haven't gotten around to fixing
it up. It should do for one night though, then we could find your friend
a better place to stay."  Jesse flung her arms around him and squeezed
tightly.
	"Thank you David, I owe you one!"
	"Nonsense!  After all that investigating and Talamasca training I
put you threw, *I* will be owing you for the rest of this century and half
of the next!"  He hugged her again and then turned to Brad.
	"Shall we, Mr. Pitt?" 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 294: Armand

	"Lestat." Armand snapped.  "It is ever Lestat.  If we are going
to discuss *him* I insist upon it being in a place of more comfort."  With
a quick motion he bent then swept Gabrielle into his arms.  It seemed
she might object, but then thought better of it.  She did rouse herself
enough to guide the way to Antonio's trailer, but then rested quietly.
The door opened before them, the light activated and the door closed again 
before they really registered where they were.
	Antonio had created a plush, exotic dwelling within the steel
walls of the trailer.  Everything was in blush reds and deep burgandys.
Armand raised an eyebrow at Marius before he carefully deposted Gabrielle
into the gentle embrace of the velvet sofa.  Gabrielle sighed, but made
no move to leave his arms. Rather than object, Armand simply shifted so
that her head rested against his shoulder.  Then, without preamble, he
began to speak, telling her of the chase through the desert, and the
meetings with Lestat in China.
	"But now he's back, and he has already attacked Antonio." he
concluded grimly.  Then he looked to Marius, knowing he had insight
to add to the conversation.

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 295: Marius

	Marius had stood, leaning against the arm of a chair through 
Armand's entire recital. When Armand finished and looked to him he did 
not respond for a long moment, lost in his own thoughts.
	Finally, he spoke, his head bent and his eyes fixed on his hands, 
where they rested against his folded arms. "Lestat.... I do not belive he 
does these things out of maliciousness. His way has always been to lash 
out when he was hurt, and the more he hurts the more the lashes out. He 
acts without thinking, hurting others by mistake, and then can not admit 
that he has made the mistake. Louis- with Antonio- has, perhaps, hurt 
Lestat worse then he will ever admit. Worse then he has ever been hurt." 
He raised his head, meeting Armand's dark eyes and Gabrielle's saphirre 
ones. "Ragazzo, I can not help but empathise with him! When you left, 
that night... The pain I felt was everything, and if Antonio had refused 
to help me I would have hurt him, and not thought twice about it. 
Everything fell into one side or another- something that helped me to 
find you, or something that hindered me. And if it hindered me, I thought 
nothing of sweeping it aside. Lestat must feel very similarly, right now, 
and I don't doubt that he won't think twice about doing anything to win 
Louis back. I can't even find fault with that!" He sighed, closing his 
eyes and shaking his head. "It is Louis' decision to leave, yes. But 
Lestat truely does love him. I'm just afraid that he will hurt- or even 
kill- in the name of that love."

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 296: Pandora

	"Daniel, it's good to see you smile" she said and watched as his
smile grew wider.  "Now to keep you smiling.... I'll tell you what, since
it seems as though we are going to be in New Orleans for quite some time,
why don't I get in touch with one of my lawyers to arrange for
accomodations, and while I'm talking to him you can go grab a midnight
snack." 
	"Accomodations?  But what's wrong with where we're staying now?" 
asked Daniel. 
	"Don't be silly, I have no interest in staying in a hotel room for
weeks on end.  Besides, I have felt for quite some time that a little
'pied-a-terre' in New Orleans would be just the thing." 
	"Okay, but I would rather not split up with you, why don't I wait
while you contact your lawyer and then we can both go get a snack
together?" 
	She smiled at him, "Daniel, you're a sweetheart, all right, let's
go."  With those words she linked her arm through his and said "shall we
go to our rooms?  It would be easier to have a quiet space in which to
talk to my lawyer and make the necessary arrangements." 
	"Yes perfect," he said, as they sauntered out.

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 297: Daniel

	Daniel and Pandora walked out of Martin's trailer, leaving no trace
of their presence behind. 
	"What's gonna happen with Martin now?" Daniel asked.
	"I think he'll be fine. However, I'll be watching out for him." She 
wrapped her arm around Daniel's shoulder and placed a soft kiss on his cheek.
	Suddenly, Daniel became stiff, his eyes darting from side to side.
	"What's the matter, Daniel?" Pandora became alarmed.
	"Someone else is here! Very close to us!"
	Pandora closed her eyes and began scanning. "Daniel, it's only
David!"
	"God, I feel relieved!"
	"Who did you expect, Count Dracula?"
	"No, I was thinking about Lestat!"
	"Ooooh!" Pandora shivered. "That's really scary!" she teased. 
	Daniel gestured for her to be quiet. They stood in position, and
watched as David's erect figure emerged from the shadows. 
	"He knows we are here," Pandora whispered. "Let's show ourselves."
	:Who are you! Let me see your face: David thought.
	"It's okay, David. It's only us!" Pandora said, walking out of her
dark hiding place. Daniel followed.
	
_________________________________________________________________________
Post 298: Jesse

  Jesse reached up and smoothed her thumb over David's cheekbone.
  "We'll talk once we get there...ok? You look troubled. You can tell
'Auntie Jessica' all about it, hmm?" She reached up and kissed his again.
"I can't stand it when you look that way, David." She smiled. 
   She returned to the Harley. "Come on, Brad. Let's roll." 
   Brad climbed on behind her and held on as she reved the engine. 
   ::So, where are we going?:: He asked her. Brad was getting the hang of
this mind communications. He had to watch it, in case his thoughts
wandered. 
   ::I heard that:: Jesse giggled in his mind. ::We're off to Burgundy
St.:: 
   ::Where'd your friend go?:: 
   :: To his apartment. I guess he'll be there in a few minutes.:: 
   ::Is it close to here?:: 
   Jesse glanced back over her shoulder and grinned at him. 
   ::It will take us about a half hour if I tear up the road:: She
replied. 
   Brad couldn't help but laugh. 
   ::Jess - that's a 'vampire thing', right?:: 
   ::You've got it, Sweetie.:: 
   
   The apartment was spacious, but sparsely furnished. Jesse walked across
the living room, her feet moving soundlessly across the bare wood floor.
Brad walked behind her, his boot heels clicked on the floorboards as he
followed. Jesse opened the tall windows and walked out onto the balcony. 
  "You'll have to be as careful about your visability as I am in avoiding
the the morning sun." She turned around, leaned against the railling and
looked up into this face. "Brad, these are the rules. Don't come near any
of us while we sleep. We may look harmless, but we're lethal. If I look
like hell as soon as I wake up, it's because I have to feed. I suggest you
hang out somewhere out of here around sunset. The scent of blood can be
overpowering to us at times." She smiled. "Don't look so worried. David's
strong, and I'm stronger. But just to be safe, stay away." 
  "You are blunt, aren't you?" Brad smiled. 
   "Ya gotta be, Brad. Life's a bitch. Death can be a bigger bitch if you
let it get to ya." She smiled brightly. "Now, let's check out David's
bachelor pad and sort out the sleeping arrangments." 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 299: Gabrielle

	Gabrielle tightened her grip on Armand, squeezing a bit tighter
than she meant, her eyes grew wide. 
	"You think that he would *kill* Antonio? *My* Antonio?" Gabrielle
made a wave of her hand as if she was dismissing the situation as utterly
ridiculous. 
	"Yes, he would." Armand responded quietly.
	Gabrielle locked eyes with him, at once lost in their fathomless
depths. She shook her head, "No, he's despicable, but not that horrid. Not
Antonio, he would not harm him. He knows how much I love....." Gabrielle
looked away to Marius for support. 
	"He would kill, Gabrielle. You know that as well as I. You and
Lestat are not on the best of standings right now. I hardly doubt that in
a rage he would take the fact that Antonio is your fledgling in account." 
	Gabrielle's hand fluttered to her head and she sank further into
Armand's arms. Her sapphire eyes blinked wide open, locking onto Armand's
and then to Marius. 
	"Then, simply, we must make sure that doesn't happen."

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 300: Marius

	Marius seated himself beside Gabrielle, slipping an arm about her 
shoulders. "Gabrielle," he said softly, "I think, perhaps, the wisest 
thing to do would be to find Antonio, rather then confront Lestat." His 
smile held a glint of humor in it. "Besides, my dear, you are hardly up 
to outshouting your son at the moment, and your fledgling, despite the 
brave face he puts on it, has been woefully neglected by all of us in 
these first few weeks. He's managed quite well, but I think he might 
appreciate some company, especially if it was yours. And if we can find 
Louis as well... I'd like to know what he intends to do. Beyond the 
immediate action of leaving Lestat. I have a feeling Lestat's actions 
will hinge mainly on what Louis does."