RPG SPEC: Dagger of the Mind
Sequel to "Hollywood Vampires"
Part 12, Posts 331-360
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Post 331: Jesse

  She sat bolt upright, waking, startled in the strange room.  Jesse
blinked and gazed at her surroundings. 
  ::Oh... Pandora's new house.:: She thought to herself, remembering the
previous morning. 
  Slowly, Jesse rose form the bed and walked over to the window. Pulling
aside the velvet drapes, she looked out on the street below. Everything
quiet, lights illuminating the houses across the street. She scanned for a
moment. The residents of the Victorian homes across the street were
unsuspecting their new neighboors were of the vampiric persuasion. Jesse
smiled. They never would. She scanned again. Just as she expected, she was
the last to rise. The sleepyhead of the bunch. 
  There was much to be done that night. First, she'd go pick off someone
from one of the dives on Bourbon Street, then she had to get some clothes.
For a moment she considered shopping with Brad, but then decided she'd
move faster on her own. 
  She scanned for Brad. He wasn't in the house. Perhaps he was off in a
restaurant for his dinner, or buying some groceries. What ever. As long as
he was far from her when the hunger gnawed away at her insides. 
  Jesse walked out the door and took a breath of the cool night air. It
was pleasant here. If things worked out with the coven, Jesse thought she
might stay a while. 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 332: Brad

     The alarm shrilled, and a long lanky arm reached out from a pile of
covers and slapped it off. Brad stretched luxuriously and sat up in bed.
He'd slept surprisingly well - considering his housemates would, upon
waking, probably regard him as nothing more than a appetizer!  He streched
once more and got up. For sure, now was not the time for lingering in bed. 
     He threw back the covers and made his way to bathroom to shower and
dress. He had no idea how long he had to get clear of the house, and he
didn't want to chance it. He pulled on a pair of the baggy, draw string
trousers he favored and one of his many T-shirts, and after running a comb
through his increasingly shaggy hair, made his way down to the kitchen. 
     There wasn't a bit of food in the place. 
     "You're the food, you dope," Brad muttered to himself. He thought for
a minute about calling a cab, but decided it was a better idea to walk for
a bit, just to get clear of the house, and *then* call. He scratched a
note on the refrigerator note pad that said he'd gone for some groceries,
and left the house. 
     He meandered while he was out, taking his time with his shopping, and
chatting with the local folks. His friendly, easy manner always relaxed
people, and those who recognized him quickly forgot he was a big "star"
and regarded him as a sweet natured, good looking young man. 
     The old ladies at the market he'd selected fussed over the contents
of his grocery cart and put in fruits and vegetables when he wasn't
looking. By the time he checked out, he had all kinds of healthy
foodstuffs in his cart that he knew would soon be growing new and
interesting forms of mold. 
     The old ladies were happy though, and that made him feel good. As he
made way outside he took a good squint at the sky. It was full dark now,
and he decided the coast would be clear to go back to the house. 
     He was standing outside the door with his hands full of groceries,
wondering how he would get it open without putting anything down, when the
door opened on it's own. 
     "Louis! What are you doing here?" Brad tried to peer around Louis to
see into the house, "is Tony with you?" 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 333: Louis

 "Louis! What are you doing here?" Brad tried to peer around Louis to see
into the house, is Tony with you?" 
  Louis shook his head. 
  "No, he's not. I wanted to talk to you..." Louis smiled slightly.  "I
hope you don't mind. Here, let me help you." He stepped forward and took
two of the bags from Brad's hands. "I haven't the faintest idea where
you'd like these. You lead the way. I'll follow." 
  Brad walked into the hall with Louis silently following behind. Brad's
mind started to race. Why would Louis want to see him? Or had he come to
FINISH him? 
  "I wouldn't do that." Louis replied to the unspoken question. 
  Brad gave a nervous smile over his shoulder as they reached the kitchen. 
  "That's a load off MY mind." Brad said with a chuckle. He placed the
bags he was carrying on the counter next to where Louis had placed the
others. 
  "So..." Brad began to place the food in the refrigerator and on the
shelves, "You wanted to talk to me?" He glanced at Louis, who was sitting
on the countertop across from him. His face wasn't as stark white as
Jesse's was when he'd left her at her bedroom door. He looked very much
alive, very human. 
   "Yes." Louis replied, softly. "I would like to talk with you about
Tonio." 
    Brad looked up from what he was doing and met Louis' gaze. "What do
you want to talk about?" 
    Louis smiled slightly. "Your relationship with him... and mine." 
    "Oh." Brad took a beer from the six-pack. It was warm, but better than
nothing. "Let's go sit down." 
     Again, Louis followed him silently down the hall. 
     "How do you guys do that?" Brad asked. 
     "Do What?" 
     "Walk so quietly. Jesse does it too." Brad settled into an armchair. 
     "Our feet seldom touch the ground." Louis remained standing. 
     "Sweet Jesus!" Brad exclaimed. 
     "Quite." Louis smiled. 
     That smile put Brad at his ease. There was nothing malevolent about
Louis. 
     "I find this hard to put into words. What shall I call you? What do
you prefer?" Louis inclined his head. 
     "Brad... can I call you Louis?" 
     "Please do." Louis walked across to the fireplace. "I thought I
should talk to you, Brad. I know you have a very deep friendship with
Tonio. I know it goes beyond that... please, I'm not judging you. I'm
merely here... as a friend. You know that Tonio is a vampire, an immortal
like myself. For a mortal to have a relationship with one of the undead...
it is a very difficult thing. There are dangers, risks to you, both
physical and mental." 
     "Mental?" Brad looked at him, startled. 
     "Yes, both to the human and the vampire. You risk insanity if you
decide to continue with Antonio. And it affects him, too. Confusion,
depression. I know from person experience. 
      Brad suddenly remembered reading about Louis and Babbette. "I see. 
I hadn't really thought of it." 
      "No. You're *both* inexperienced." Louis gave him a gentle
smile."The physical risk I needn't tell you. You know you risk death
everytime he drinks from you." 
      Brad swallowed hard. He remembered the ecstasy, of Tony's drinking
from him, not caring if he lived or died. 
      "That brings me to the next subject." Louis walked over and sat
down. "What would you say if he wanted to bring you over? Or what if you
decided you couldn't live without him? If he brought you over, there'd be
the veil of silence between you forever. You'd stay young, but you'd watch
your family grow old and die. Immortality is not all beauty. It's torment.
It's damnation in living endlessly." 
      Louis reached over and touched Brad's hand. "I don't want you to
answer me. You have to answer these questions for yourself. But Brad, you
can't risk your mind. You're a gifted actor. You're a gentle person." 
     "What are my choices?" Brad asked. 
     "You know them." Louis replied. 
     "Louis... where do you stand with Tony?" The words came out before he
could stop them. 
     Louis thought quietly for a moment. He looked into Brad's eyes and
smiled. "He's my friend. He had helped me through some very hard nights. I
admit, there is an attraction. After all, we are of the same kind. But the
only one I will ever love is Lestat. We are apart now. He left me, but has
now returned. I no longer know him." Louis sighed, shaking his head. "But
as for Tonio, at the moment we are companions of sorts. He has strong
feelings for you, my friend. But only the two of you can deal with that." 
    Louis rose to his feet. "Unless you have any questions for me, I'll be
on my way." 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 334: Brad

     Brad stared at Louis in disbelief. "What a load of horse shit!"
Brad rose from the couch and paced around the room, much like Louis
had done. His body fell into the same loose easy glide, his hands
clasped each other behind his back. "He's my friend," Brad said, in a
remarkable imitation of Louis' dulcet tones. "He had helped me through
some very hard nights. I admit, there is an attraction. After all, we
are of the same kind." Brad stopped and faced Louis with a hard stare.
     "You used him, Louis. Plain and simple. You took up with him to
ease your own hurt!"
     "No!" Louis interrupted. "You misunderstand!"
     "I don't think so," Brad retorted, folding his arms across his
chest. Tony was a fantastic man, and I'm sure he's a equally fantastic
vampire. Rather hard to resist for someone running away..."
     "You speak of things you know nothing about," Louis said coldly.
     "Oh, I see. You weren't making love to Tony to try and erase
Lestat from your mind? You weren't wallowing in Tony's sweet,
affectionate nature? You didn't gladly accept his admiration and
attention because you were tired of being mistreated - because you
were _lonely_?" Louis' face had become a cold, hard mask. Brad knew he
was treading dangerous ground. 
     "Oh hell, Louis, I'm not trying to come down on you! It's just
that you've put Tony right smack in the middle of you and Lestat! Tony
told me Lestat actually caught the two of you going at it!" Louis
turned away from Brad's crudeness.
     "I'm not tippy-toeing around this, Louis." Brad reached out and
grabbed at Louis arm. Of course he couldn't budge him. "When Tony told
me that little bit of news, I almost had a heart attack! Do you know
what my first thought was? Do you? Take it out of my mind. It's been
rattling around up there since Tony told me Lestat found you
together."
     Louis delved into Brad's thoughts then shook his head in denial.
"You needn't worry, Brad. Lestat won't..."
     "Won't what? Won't turn Tony into a smoking cinder? Won't attack
him and drain him and wall him up somewhere where he'd starve or go
mad after a few years? I could go on, Louis, I've thought of quite a
few things Lestat could do to Tony with out killing him. You see, he
could do something God awful to Tony, then squirt a few and do his
best contrite act and all would be forgiven - after awhile for sure,
but still forgiven."
     "Look man, I'm sorry for getting all in your business like this,
but I've got to look out for Tony! I know I've got a lot to think
about as far as our future relationship goes, but I also know that I
won't ever stop being his friend! And as his friend, I have to tell
you that I don't think you'd be doing him any favors by getting
involved with him when things with you and Lestat are such a mess!
     "Louis, a lot of other people wind up getting hurt when you and
Lestat are on the outs. The way you hurt each other is bad enough, but
when you drag others into it - that is definitely uncool!"

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 335: Louis

     Louis regarded Brad calmly, appearing as still and as silent as a
statue. At length he drew a breath and slowly shook his head. "I should
have know you would misunderstand." He sighed. "I came here out of concern
for you, mon ami.  You are in far greater danger yourself than Antonio is
from Lestat." 
    "I cannot explain a vampiric relationship to you. You cannot begin to
fathom the emotional intensity involved, or the whys or wherefores of
vampiric companionship. You haven't been on this earth long enough to
garner the knowledge to even slightly comprehend the bonding involved in
friendship of our nature. I do not have to explain my relationship with
Antonio to you. We are vampires. You are mortal. There lies the
difference." 
    Louis walked to the mantelpiece and ran his hand across the smooth
marble. "I came here with concern for you, a mortal whom my companion
holds most dear. His love for you took him close to the edge where your
very welfare is concerned." Louis glanced over to Brad. "And you... you
are just as near hysteria with your passion for him. Heaven help you both
if you taste his blood." 
    "Whilst you are so concerned with my relationship with Antonio, may I
remind you of your own ties to a fledgling of the most powerful, the
Queen, Maharet? Are you concerned for hurting Jesse while you are playing
house with this new coven? It would be wise for you to remember you are
toying with the affections of one of the most remarkable of fledglings
ever made. Do you know she is Lestat's equal in many aspects of her
existance?" 
    "And as for Lestat, my destiny with him is uncertain. But I know my
destiny with Antonio. We shall always be friends. That friendship was
sealed by the exchange of blood. You shall never know these ties, the true
kinship that was formed in that act. You never shall, unless you, too,
accept the dark gift, mon ami." 
   Louis smiled, the tips of his fangs barely gleeming over his lip. "You
cannot understand the mysteries of our kind." He bowed slightly. "I shall
bid you a good evening." 
   Before Brad could draw a breath, Louis had vanished from the room. 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 336: Brad

     "Well," Brad said to the empty air where Louis had been only seconds
before, "I see I'll have to add "Pompous Ass" to my list of Louis
personality traits! And here I thought Lestat had cornered the market on
that!" Brad stomped angrily around the room looking for something to
break. 
     "_I_ don't understand the nature of a vampiric relationship! ME! I'm
not the one moping and mooning around after the same obnoxious jerk for
centuries! And sharing kinship my ASS! I know what it felt like for me,
and David and Daniel were breaking furniture, for Christ's sake!" Brad
realized he was shouting at a empty room. 
     "Way to hit and run, Louis," Brad sneered, flinging himself down on
the sofa. Flipping over on his stomach he pounded the pillow a few times!
"We are vampires. You are mortal. There lies the difference." Brad
mimicked. "What colossal condescension! Pulling that `I am a living
statue' routine, feeding me that load of crap and steady calling me his
friend! 
     "Well fuck THAT!" Brad threw the pillow he'd been beating up on
across the room, and dived for the phone. 
     "Yeah, hello, is Mr. Devalle in? No? I'd like to leave a
message...ready? Okay, this is the message: 'Are you a liar now, or what?
If you were going to cut me off you should have just said goodbye. If you
want to see me, I'm at 1616 First Street. P.S., Louis is not the God
Damned BIBLE! His word on everything isn't the Gospel! ESPECIALLY WHEN
HE"S SO SCREWED UP!!'
     "You got all that? What? No. No signature. He'll know who it's from!"
Brad slammed down the receiver and stared at it for a minute. "Damn, that
was rude of me." He thought about calling the hotel again and apologizing
to the desk clerk, but decided to leave well enough alone. He was still
shivering with suppressed anger, directed at whom he wasn't sure, and
suddenly wished Tom was here. Now that boy could rant and throw a fit!
Maybe Tom could give him a few pointers. 
     Brad chuckled at the thought of a good all out TC fit being conducted
right here amongst all these lovely breakables. Brad knew then that he had
well and truly lost it. When he started wishing for Tom's company, it was
time to chill out! 
     He headed out toward the kitchen to wrestle up some food. Banging the
pots around would do wonders for his temper. 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 337: Lestat

   [text of a letter for Louis left at the front desk of the Omni.]

   Louis,

   I've tried every way I can of speaking to you and none of them have worked.
   This method is a little old-fashioned, but hopefully it will get to you.

   I know that you barely tolerate my existance at this moment but just bear
   me out long enough for me to tell you this:  I did *not* shut the movie
   down!

   Yes, I know that my company was involved with it and I know that my name is
   currently all over it but I swear to you Louis, I did not order this
   myself.  It was an accident of one of my agents who misinterpreted my order
   to cut all ties between me and the coven.  I had no idea the movie was a
   part of that!  It didn't even occur to me!

   And I did this *three nights* before I came back to New Orleans.  *Three
   nights* before I found out about Antonio.  And quite frankly, Louis, if I
   wanted to hurt Antonio, getting him fired from his job is hardly the way in
   which I would accomplish it.  Give me a little credit, at least, for
   revenges which aren't quite so sloppy and splashed all over the evening
   news.

   But maybe that's my mistake.  Asking you for some credit on anything.
   Apparently I have none of it now with you.  And I miss that, Louis.  God, I
   think I'd take anything right now, even your hatred, so long as it was
   something coming from you.

   I suppose I've earned your anger.  Even if I did not intend to shut the
   movie down I still intended to cut all ties with you and everyone else and
   perhaps that was the truly foolish mistake.

   I try and try and try and yet after 200 years I still find I don't know
   what the Hell I'm doing.

   But at least I can try to do the right thing.

   I'm sorry, Louis.

   --Lestat

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 338: Antonio

   The first thing Antonio noticed was the absence of the form next to him
in the bed. Louis rose earlier than he on most evenings, so this didn't
come as much of a surprise. He sat up in the bed and listened. There
wasn't the familiar sound of a shower; in fact Louis wasn't in the hotel.
He scanned further. He found Louis walking slowly through the a section of
the city filled with lovely Victorian houses. What had Louis called it?
Ah, yes. The Garden District. Louis seemed somewhat upset, but then this
seemed to be Louis demeanor. That beautiful melancholy soul who knew the
depth of great love, too often grieving because of that sungod false
lover, Lestat. 
    Antonio dressed quickly, deciding to hunt before Louis returned. His
thoughts turned to his lovely maker, Gabrielle. And to his mortal lover,
Brad. He stopped for a moment. Yes. Brad was his mortal lover. How could
feelings that intense change because Gabrielle had bestowed the Dark Gift
upon him. 
    As he walked the darkened alleyways of the seedier side of the city,
his thoughts returned to Brad and the rich intoxicating taste of his
blood. NO! He had to clear his mind of that! He could have killed him all
too easily. 
    Antonio noticed a derelict stumbling over himself. A choice morsel.
Old enough to impart the taste of a life, drunk enough to produce a slight
buzz. 
    He took the victim swiftly, mercilessly. The swoon passed all too
quickly. Antonio deposited the body in a dumpster, after healing the
puncture wound with two drops of his own blood. 
    Into the night he walked, hopeful that he should find his beautiful
Gabrielle. 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 339: Jesse

   Jesse was coming in the front door when she met David and Daniel in the
hall. 
   Daniel reached out and tweaked one of the wayward curls that framed her
face. 
   "Hi, Reds." He grinned. 
   "Hi, Twerp." She replied, paying more attention to David."Good evening,
David." 
   "Why is it you're always going after me like that," said Daniel. 
   "I don't know, you've picked on me since day one... Daniel, would you
mind awfully if I talked to David for a bit?" Jesse was picking up all
sorts of 'vibes' from David, not really words or thoughts, just feelings. 
   Daniel opened his mouth, but David spoke first. 
   "Daniel, why don't you feed and then we'll meet here later. I do need
to talk to Jesse." He smiled into Daniel's violet eyes. "You don't mind,
do you?" 
    Daniel shrugged. "I don't care. I don't want you to run off, though." 
    David pressed his hand against Daniel's shoulder. "I won't." 
    They watched Daniel leave the house. 
    "You know, we should go somewhere and talk. Brad will be back, and you
haven't fed." Jesse looked up into David's face. 
    "My, but you are protective." David smiled. 
    "He's my responsibility," Jesse sighed. "I can't risk having him near
a hungry vampire." 
    "Quite." David replied. 
    They stepped out onto the porch. Jesse glanced down the street and
frowned. 
    "I don't like being so close to THAT house. I've tried to avoid the
Mayfairs. I know it wasn't their fault, but still." She shook her head.
"David, do you want to go to Lafayette Cemetery? To Aaron's grave and pay
our respects?" 
    David took a breath. He hadn't expected that. 
    "We can talk there, too. No one to bother us. You remember what you
used to say about cemeteries...'quiet neighbourhoods?'" Jesse smiled. 
    She didn't see David return the smile. He simply nodded. "Do you want
to fly, or shall we take my Harley?"  She added. 
    David glanced dubiously at the motorcycle. "Fly" 
    "Chicken." Jesse nudged him. There it was again. A nod, not a sign of
that smile. 
     They landed a few moments later in the old cemetery. Jesse noticed a
frown on David's face. She touched his arm. "Perhaps this wasn't a good
idea." She said to him softly. "David - let's just sit down over here." 
     David sat next to her on a bench. Jesse looked up into his face. 
     "You aren't happy, are you?" She said, quietly. 
     David took her hand. "Is there such a thing as a happy vampire? You
tell me." 
     "I am." She smiled. "Oh, there are times when I'm not thrilled with
taking human life. But, it's *our* life, isn't it? Don't you enjoy the
hunt?" 
     David stared at the crypt across the path from them. "May I tell you
something, my dear?" 
     Jesse slid closer to him. "This is serious, isn't it, David?" 
     He nodded. "I believe I won't survive very long with this." 
     "David!" 
     "Please, let me finish, Jessica. You know, in the beginning, I
believed it really was a gift... eternal youth and all that, but now..."
His voice trailed away. 
     "It's the killing, isn't it?" She whispered. 
     "The killing, the isolation, the eventual madness..." he sighed,
"Jesse, I'm beginning to think it's all a great cosmic mistake." 
     Jesse threw her arms around him. 
     "David..." she whispered."I'm so very sorry..." 
     They sat together, Jesse holding him tightly. She feared if she
lessened her grip around him, she would lose him altogether. 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 340: David

	David held on to Jesse as if she were the anchor that would keep
him tied to this world. Some how, even with all the pain, her embrace was
a comfort to him. He felt in that moment, all would workout and life would
be...bearable.  He slowly loosened his grip and backed away, letting his
arms fall around her waiste. He placed a light kiss on her lips and
smiled. "Oh Jessica, I could almost--"
	"What?  David, please talk to me."
	"It's nothing, just the musings of an old man."  Jesse frowned at
him.
	"You're not old anymore David. You're young again, you have so much
left to enjoy!"
	"Jesse, experience didn't die with my old body, it's all still up
here" he said as he tapped his forehead. "I know what it's like to be old,
it's not a feeling one forgets that easily."  He stopped a moment and
looked out into the cemetary. "You see these graves?  I should be here, it
is the logical conclusion to all life. I feared death, Jessica. Even as
Lestat took me and I fought, I feared death. I fought him, and I knew that
if I won, I would die. But I lost that battle...and then I lost my fear of
death. And now, I fear that I cannot die. I was a fool to think that I had
escaped the resposibilty, that I was not morally culpably for what I have
become."
	"But David, you're not!  You protested, you begged Lestat not too!"
	"Yes, but what of every night after?"  Jesse just shook her head in
confusion.  "You see," he answered, "Every time I kill, I make a choice. I
decide that my life is worth more then someone elses. I sit like some
royal Titan as judge and executioner on some hapless victim. The
responsibility still rests with me in the end, because I choose to
continue my life as a killer. There will come a time when I will no longer
be able to make that choice, I know this now. I knew it when I was mortal,
but I allowed myself to forget it when I first became a vampire." 
	"No!  David, this feeling, we all get it from time to time, it will
pass!  Please tell me you don't mean to end it!  I couldn't bear to think
that you would die!  When Lestat brought you over, I secretely rejoiced
that you would go on forever. David, you are my teacher, my mentor and my
friend, how could I be so happy when you are so miserable."  David's
expression saddened.
	"Oh Jessica, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to upset you, it's just
that I had to tell someone, and I feel closer to you then anyone else.
Forgive me, I shouldn't be loading all of this on you." 
	"I'm glad that you told me, just promise that you won't do anything
without speaking to me first. I love you David, you're like a fath--" 
Jesse stopped and reconsidered her last remark.  David laughed at her
embarrassement.
	"More like you're grandfather, but that's quite alright. Any
relation to you, would be quite an honor."  He smiled again and Jesse took
some comfort in that. At least he could still be reached and reasoned
with, but she still sensed that his soul was troubled...no doubt it would
be for a long time to come.  "Shall we return to the house? I believe
Daniel wanted to do some shopping."
	"But you haven't fed."  Jesse protested.
	"Not tonight, I'm not in the mood. I promise you, Brad will be safe
from me, I'm strong enough to skip every few days. And please, don't tell
the others, I don't want to worry Daniel or Pandora."
	"I promise."  Jesse replied. They passed the walk back home in
silence. 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 341: Daniel

	Daniel left the house to hunt alone at David's request. He walked
out on the street and took a deep breath. The fresh night air, always
deliciously scented. He looked up and saw light in Pandora's room.
	:Pandora, are you there?:
	He kept staring at the window, and suddenly it opened, revealing
Pandora's siluet. "I'm here, Daniel. What are you doing?"
	"I'm out to hunt," Daniel yelled back. "Would you like to come
along?" 
	"No, thank you. I'm not very hungry tonight," she replied.
	Daniel shrugged. He put his hands inside his pockets and turned
around.
	"Bye, Daniel," said Pandora. "I'll see you when you get back...
maybe I'll finally teach you how to fly..."
	A big grin formed on Daniel's face. :I'll be back soon!: he
thought. 

	Now, David and him were suppossed to go shopping, but obviously,
that was off. He walked the streets for several minutes, only stopping
once in a while to examine a girl or a guy walking by him, someone
attractive, appealing, a good candidate for a victim. Finally, he found
what he was looking for. A tall guy, wearing leather, combat boots, and a
nose earring. His hair was dyed green. Daniel liked that! He definitely
liked that, very much. If he fed on him, he would probably get some
interesting insights... memories, past experiences, all would be his when
the blood was extracted from the body. And the clothes, he liked the
clothes as well. Well, that would save him the trip and the money. Not
that money mattered to him at all. He had enough of it. Armand had fixed
that. But it was a good way to save, he thought. 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 342: Louis

  Brad's words had stung him. Oh, he had acted as if he were above that
sort of thing. But he wasn't. Little did that mortal know how it pained
him to know that, yes. He *had* set Antonio up to be hurt. He hadn't
planned it. Heaven only knew Louis never expected to see Lestat's face
again. 
  And it was a saddened Louis who walked into the hotel lobby on his way
to his suite. 
  "Excuse me, Monsieur?" The Concierge called to him. The man crossed the
spacious lobby, an envelope in his hand. "This was delivered for you a few
hours ago." 
  "Merci," Louis mumbled as he took the paper from the Concierge's hand. 
   That familiar writing on the front of the envelope! 
   Louis sighed and pocketed the letter. "Now, what game is his tonight?" 
   "Antonio?" 
   Louis called into the darkened rooms as he opened the door. 
   No answer. Louis sat down in one of the chairs and turned on a light. 
He could feel the letter in his pocket. 
   "Better not put it off." Louis said to himself, as he removed the
letter from the envelope. 
   It was hard to read the letter. He started twice, halting each time and
lowering the piece of papar. At last, he took it up, steeling himself to
read it through. 
    Near the end, one sentence, a few words, clutched at his heart. 

        "I try and try and try and yet after 200 years I still find I 
don't know what the Hell I'm doing."
  
   "Oh, Lestat." He whispered. "How is it you can suddenly find words that
move me?" 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 343: Gabrielle

        Armand blinked his eyes at Gabrielle who know stood at full height
above him, hands on hips. A formidable figure. She watched as he groaned
and buried his head back into the pillow.
        "Excuse me, Armand." she drawled, then her eyes narrowing, "Call
him, now" she growled.
        Armand nudged Marius and Marius turned to on his side to face Gabrielle,
        "Gabrielle, what is it?"
        "I need to find Antonio." her tone was very matter of fact.
        Marius closed his eyes for a moment and scanned the city, a flicker
of Antonio flashed insie his head. He smiled,
        "It seems that he is looking for you as well my dearest , Marquise."
        Gabrielle walked to the nearest window and peered out of it at the
black city below,
        "Well, then. One of you point him in the right direction."
        Armand sighed and put his hand up, "I'll call him, a moment please."
        Armand closed his eyes and reached out for Antonio's mind, he felt
the young fledgling start at the presence of his mind, he laughed a bit at
that,
        ::Antonio, Gabrielle requests your presence, you no doubt know
where our rooms are.::
        Gabrielle stared down into Armand's eyes and smiled, she walked to
his side and pressed a kiss to his cheek,
        "Thank you, mon cher. Now get dressed!"
        With a wave of her hand, she left the room.

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 344: Jesse

   Jesse stepped into the house, a loud crash greeted her ears. She ran
down the hall towards the source of the noise.  As she opened the door to 
the kitchen, a large cast iron frying pan came flying towards her. Jesse
snatched it from it's flight.
   Brad stood by the stove, his eyes wide in amazement. "How'd ya do that?" 
He gasped.
   "It's a 'vampire thing'," Jesse replied, casually walking into the room.
   "Don't even *mention* vampires!" Brad growled.
   Pots and pans lay dented and scattered over the floor.
   "What's this?" Jesse placed the frying pan on the stove. "A show of
artistic temperment?"
   "Never mind." Brad grumped.
    Jesse watched as he turned the burner on 'high' under the pan and then 
unwrapped a steak. 
   "Uh... Brad, if you intend to eat that steak, I wouldn't cremate it."
   "I'm gonna sear it." Brad threw the steak in the cold pan. It lay 
soundlessly. "Go on..." Brad yelled at it "Cook, damn you!" He poked it 
a few times with a fork.
    Jesse sat down at the table and watched as Brad tormented the steak.
    "That's not just a piece of meat, is it Brad. It's Louis... You're
screaming at him at the top of your lungs. 
    Brad suddenly opened the back door and flung the frying pan and it's 
contents outside. He stood for a moment glaring after it and then curled
his hand into a fist.
   "I just burned myself," He mumbled.
   Jesse was on her feet and dragged him to the sink. She turned the cold water
on and thrust his injured hand under it.
   "Now, then. Before you either tear the house apart or burn it down, would 
you tell me what's going on? I could read you, but that would be rude. Do you 
want to talk? Or should I just leave you alone?"   

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 345: Louis

  Louis stood at the window looking out into the street. The letter from
Lestat lay on the floor, at the foot of the chair, where it had slipped
from Louis' fingers. His arms were wrapped around himself, as if trying to
keep in the last bit of warmth. He'd lost track of time, staring into the
night. He was prone to that when he was troubled. He could hear Lestat's
voice in his mind... 
  "Louis! You're spacing out again! Earth to Louis!" 
  But Lestat wasn't there in front of him, snapping his fingers under
Louis' nose. There was just the emptiness of the hotel room, not the
warmth of the flat, nor the love they once shared. 
  Louis raked his hair back out of his eyes. 
  "Can we ever get that back, Lestat? Do I know you?" He whispered. 
  Then seized by thought, he sat down at the desk and took pen and paper
from the drawer, and wrote a reply to the letter. 
  
"Lestat-
         After two hundred years, do we really know each other? Can we say
that we know ourselves? We're far from the same men that we were when we came 
into this dark life. We're far from being the same vampires who reunited only 
ten years ago. And so much has happened during those ten short years.
         I cannot say that we will come together as we did before. I cannot
promise that will happen, or that we can be companions or lovers. What I can 
say is that I want to understand you, I want to know you again.
         I believe what you've told me about the production. I will trust
you on that.
         May we start there?

L."

    Louis sealed the letter in an envelope and wrote "Lestat de Lioncourt" on
the front.
    He picked up the telephone and called the front desk.
    "I have an important message that must be delivered at once. Yes. From 
Monsieur de Pointe du Lac. To the Hotel St. Louis, to Mr. de Lioncourt. I 
want the letter placed in his hand. It's most urgent."

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 346: Antonio

   The voice came into his mind like an icy finger.
   ::Antonio, Gabrielle requests your presence, you no doubt know
where our rooms are.::
   Armand had summonsed him to his Gabrielle.
   Antonio walked quickly through the night, his mind set on the source, his
destination. 
   So... She was with Armand once more. What would lie before him in the
presence of his dark brother? Was Armand's mind still touched with the burning
anxiety that had taken him to the brink of madness and beyond? 
  Antonio found the building and, not waiting for the elevator, rushed up
the steps to the rooms.

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 347: Gabrielle

        A soft knock came upon the door. Gabrielle's head twirled in that
direction and moved swiftly towards the door, calling out to the rest of
the room's occupants,
        "I'll get it!"
        "How would we have guessed?" she heard Armand mumble nearby.
        ::I heard that, imp.:: she told him, a bit amused and grateful that
their easy way of joking with one another was showing some life.
        ::Not half of it, my dear Marquise.:: the warm reply chimed in her
mind. She snickered and placed her hand on the doorknob and took a slow
breath. Slowly, she turned it and heard the lock click. She swung it open
and her eyes met those of her most beloved fledgling.
        "Tonio." she breathed, a sly smile spreading across her lips.
        He smiled and she opened her arms to him and enfolded him in a
locing embrace. She kissed him deeply and drew back, holding him at arm's
length, her eyes twinkling with mischeif.
        "So, mon cher. How has your life been going? Rocky start?"
        He produced a half smile and shook his head,
        "I don't know where to start?"
        She pulled him over to the nearest device meant for sitting and sat
him there, she curled into his arms and started up at him, her expression
instensely serious,
        "The beginning is usually a good place."

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 348: Daniel

	He had been right, the guy with the green hair had had some truly
interesting experiences in his life, and to make things even better, the
clothes fit like a dream too.  As an after thought, he stopped and grabbed
the nose ring the guy had been wearing.  It might be fun to see the rest
of the coven's reaction to *this* one.  He smiled a little but then
sobered as his thoughts attempted to return to their melancholy mood. 
After all, melancholy was his normal state these days.  :No way, f*ck
this.  I refuse to be all depressed right now.  I just can't take it.:  He
made a supreme effort of will and began thinking pleasant thoughts. 
Thoughts like: how cute Armand would look as a toasted hamburger, Marius
with a REALLY deep... even ashen tan, Armand pleading for mercy and not
getting any... :ENOUGH!  I have got to stop this!: 
	Resolutely he turned and headed back for the Garden District and
Pandora.  After all, she *had* promised him flying lessons.... 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 349: Pandora

	After Daniel left to go hunting Pandora decided to curl back up. 
She was getting to like this lazing around in bed thing, she had rarely
had the chance to do that lately, what with all the craziness that had
been happening.  She snuggled herself under the covers and let her mind go
blank. 
	She didn't realize it, but she fell asleep.  So to her it was only
seconds later that she heard a loud crashing and banging sound coming from
the kitchen.  In fact, she was hearing a lot of them.  She sat up in bed
with a start and scanned quickly for the reason.  Ahh, it was that lovely
mortal, the one that Jesse was in love with (even if she wasn't admitting
it to herself), and was he ever upset.  She scanned him quickly and
discovered the reason.  She wondered if she should go down stairs and talk
to him, but at that moment she felt Jesse enter the kitchen and realised
that she would just be in the way if she joined them. 
	She settled back into the bed and resolutely promised herself that
she would NOT eavesdrop.  Well... not much anyway. 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 350: Brad

     "Do you want to talk? Or should I just leave you alone?" Jessie
carefully patted his hand dry, checking for blisters. It hurt like
hell, and he had a nice rosy stripe across his palm, but no blisters
were making themselves known. Brad studied the riot of curls that
blocked his view of his injured hand.
     "No, don't leave, Jess. I want to ask you something." Brad
hesitated, unsure of how to proceed. Best just to come out with it, he
decided. "You've probably figured out by now that I had a bit of a set
to with Louis. It didn't start out that way, but it ended up with me
throwing a major fit in a empty room. He came over here to warn me off
Tony! He implied in that way of his that I would only end up hurting
Tony terribly, and wind up insane in the bargain! He made me so mad!
He reminds me of this English Lit. teacher I had in college. Without
raising his voice or showing any trace of anger, that guy could insult
your entire family and call you a pig-humping idiot and it would take
you a week and the Oxford frigging English Dictionary to decipher what
he said!
     Jesse chortled, "That's our Louis, all right!"
     "Yeah, well, he said some stuff, and I said some stuff, and we
both ended up P.O.'d, and he pulled a fade out on me." Brad was quiet
for a moment, remembering that little scene. "He was being an ass, but
so was I. We both said things the other didn't want to hear. It was
very uncool." Ranting aside, Brad was more upset about the argument
than he'd realized. A number of things Louis said were only now just
sinking in. 
     "One of the things he said that caught me completely off guard
was that I was hurting you." He turned a miserable gaze upon Jesse,
"Am I, Jess? Am I toying with your affections, like Louis said? If I
am, I don't mean to be! I swear, Jesse, if I'm causing you any grief
at all, tell me and I'll split.....

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 351: Jesse

   Jesse looked into Brad's eyes and smiled. Without warning, she dipped
him backwards over her arm and murmured to him in a husky voice. 
  "Toy with me, Brad. Toy with me." 
  "Jesse, I'm serious!" Brad spluttered. 
  "So am I..." She continued in the sultry voice that seemed two octaves
lower than her own. 
  "Jesse!" 
  "Brad!" She mimicked, wrinkling her nose and giving him a peck on the
cheek before standing him upright again. 
   Sitting down at the table, Brad looked up at her. "Jesse... I've got to
know. I don't want you getting hurt." 
  Jesse plunked herself opposite him and took his uninjured hand. 
  "Don't worry about me. Vampiric emotions are worse than PMS. I can't
fall in love with you. I won't let myself." She unconsciously began to
pull at a lock of her hair. "I like you, I mean, I REALLY like you, but I
know there could never be anything between us." She looked into his eyes.
Brad could see the loneliness there. "You need someone rather mortal and
very loving. I mean, I don't care if you're in love with another guy, or
if it's just a crush on Tony and what you really want is a wife and a
dozen kids. Brad, I'm looking for Mr. or Ms. Perfect Vampire." 
  "Louis just can't understand that I don't mind hanging out with a mortal
once in a while. I don't mind if my feelings get a little bruised now and
then, when I meet my soulmate it will all be worth it." 
  "And if Louis cut out on you, well, it was probably because you hit the
nail on the head and he had to get out with his damn dignity in tact."
Jesse suddenly laughed. "You know, you should be glad it was Louis. When
he gets his feeling hurt or if he can't face something, he just goes off
and digs a hole somewhere. If it was somebody else, you could have been
lunch." 
   Brad covered his face. "Oh. God." He moaned. "I've got to be more
careful." 
   Jesse was suddenly behind him massaging his shoulders. It gave him a
start that she could be one place one second and another in the blink of
an eye. 
   "Look... You've had a rough day. I'll make myself scarce. When you want
me, just call." She bent to kiss his cheek and left him. 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 352: Marius

	He heard the knock on the door and Gabrielle's soft voice as she 
opened it to admit Antonio. It made him pause for a moment, and then 
continue, drawing the comb sharply through his hair and gathering it up 
at the nape of his neck, then pausing to fumble with the elastic band 
that he had slipped around his wrist.
	Slender fingers covered his own, easily taking both hair and band 
from him. "Here. Let me get it." Marius stood still, eyes cast down to 
the procelein counter as Armand drew his hair back and secured it. He 
managed a quick smile of thanks, turning to leave the bathroom, but 
Armand was there before him, his shoulder set against the door frame, 
blocking the way. His voice was low and matter of fact. "What's wrong?"
	"Noth..."
	"Don't," Armand said firmly. Marius stopped. "I know you better 
than that, Padrone. And you know me. What's wrong?" He studied Marius' 
silent form for a moment, then jerked his head towards the outer suite. 
"Antonio's here."
	"I know." Marius sighed. After a moment he made his decision and 
stepped forward, taking Armand's shoulders and pressing a soft kiss to 
his forehead. "There is something *I* need to do," he said, putting 
emphasis on his words and knowing that Armand would understand.
	"By yourself?" Armand queried. He nodded. "Now?" Again, he nodded.
	"And you don't want to discuss it." It was a statement, not a 
question, but he nodded anyways.
	For a long moment they stood, unmoving, and then Armand drew 
away, letting Marius slide past him. "I won't be long," Marius assured him.
	Armand reached out, catching his wrist for a moment. "I'll hold 
you to that," he promised. His expression softened slightly. "Take care 
of yourself."
	Marius smiled slightly. "Always," he replied. He tilted his head 
towards where Garbielle and Antonio's voiced could be heard. "Take care 
of _them_."
	And then he was past Armand, out into the suite and sweeping past 
the two younger vampires with a smile and a word of welcome for Antonio, 
and out of the door before they could do more then blink. His heart was 
beating a ragged drum within his chest- he hadn't thought it would be so 
easy, had been steeling himself for a confrontation with Armand and 
Armand's understanding and acceptance had thrown him off balance. He 
smiled wryly to himself- no, they didn't know each other, not that well, 
for he was still continually surprised by what Armand did. 
	On the street outside he hailed a cab. Anticipation was a tight 
coil around him, constricting his breath. He hadn't wanted to say where 
he was going, or why. If he had, the arguement he had been expecting 
would surely have come. He wasn't even really sure that he wanted to do 
this, but something in him drove him on. Forcing himself to try to relax 
against the seat of the cab, he told the driver to take him to the Hotel 
St. Louis.

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 353: Tom

	Tempting though it was, Tom knew he could not hide in his
room all night.  The last thing he wanted to do was fight with Lestat.
But he had to know.  He *knew* he was right, but still needed to hear
it.  Besides, what if he didn't even know...
	The suite was dark and silent when Tom emerged from his room.
But he knew he was not alone.  Taking a deep breath, he knocked on 
Lestat's door.  He was a little startled when he heard the low "Come
in."
	Lestat looked like a man who had been on a three day binge.  Tom
nearly gasped aloud, seeing him like that.  And he knew he was too late.
"You heard about the movie?" he asked, mentally groaning when Lestat shot
him a look.  Then he nodded once and dismissed Tom completely.  
	Tom knew the behavior.  Had used it several times in the 
first film, in fact.  "I've been yelled at enough for this one, go away."
was the loose translation.  Tom slowly walked across the darkened room,
finally standing next to the vampire.  "You didn't do this, did you?"
It was not a question.  "You did not shut down the film."
	Lestat slowly turned, his gaze intense.  "No.  I didn't."
	Tom smiled breifly.  "I knew it."  He beat a hasty retreat, not
wishing to disturb Lestat any further.  But on his way out he couldn't
help but grin again and say "I *knew* it."
	Lestat's laughter followed him out of the room.
	Vindicated, Tom decided to indulge himself.  He knew Lestat had
nothing to do with the production.  Not his style at all.  Still, it felt
good to be right about something like that.
	Time for the next step.  He picked up the phone and started making
calls.  In no time he was scribbling an address, out the door and in a cab.
Minutes after that, he stood before a large home.
	"Going native, Brad?" he muttered under his breath.  Then he rang
the bell and waited impatiently until the door opened.  When Brad saw him,
Tom noted his pleased reaction with a flutter he prayed was not visable
to the highly observant actor.  "Hi.  Are you the mortal of the house?" 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 354: Brad

     Brad was moping in the kitchen. He hadn't swallowed all of
Jesse's line whole. She might be a vampire, but she was still a
*female* vampire, and one thing he knows well is females! He knew now
without a doubt that Louis wasn't so far off base after all. 
     "Shit. Shit, shit, SHIT!" Brad muttered. Jesse was the best. He
couldn't stand the thought of hurting her, but he was stuck. He knew
that he couldn't press the matter. She'd taken her stand already,
trying to protect them both, and he had to back off the subject. And
what could he say? What could he offer her, really? How could he offer
her anything, when he didn't know what he wanted himself. 
     All he did know was that he didn't want to be a vampire. Not to
give her the vampire of her dreams, and to spend eternity with Tony.
He stood looking at the mess his little tantrum had created, knowing
it was a sign that he was swimming in waters way to deep for him.
     As he bent to pick up a pan from the floor, the front doorbell
chimed. He made his way out to the hall, and as there were no signs of
anyone else going to answer it, he went to open the door.
     "Hi. Are you the mortal of the house?"
     Brad's face split with a wide grin. "Tom! What are you doing
here?"
     "Just checking up on you. Imagine my surprise at finding you
*here*! Aren't you going to invite me in?" Tom smiled at him as he
grew flustered at forgetting his manners.
     "Sorry! Please, come in," Brad stepped aside and waved Tom
through the portal.
     "You know, in the old vampire movies the vampire had to be
invited across the threshold of a home." Tom fixed Brad with a
devilish gaze, "Right about now I'd have my teeth in you," Tom licked
his lips, studying Brad intently.
     Brad frowned, and grabbed Tom by the arm, dragging him down the
hall and into a small, intimate room off the front parlor. He dragged
Tom over to a table lamp and studied him carefully. He ran his hands
across Tom's neck and down under the collar of his shirt. Satisfied,
he snatched up Tom's hands, turning them over to check both wrists.
     "Has he been at you again? Did he bite you somewhere I can't
see!" Brad demanded, gripping Tom by the shoulders..."

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 355: Tom

	Fighting the urge to do more, Tom gently placed his hands over
Brad's, smiling.  "Relax.  He hasn't touched me."  In a casual gesture
he reached out to trace his fingers over the fading bruises on Brad's
neck, feeling his heart accelerate when Brad held still under his touch.  
"In fact, Lestat's at the hotel right now, plotting revenge, I think."
	"Revenge?"  Brad paled, and Tom felt him shiver under his hands.
	"Someone used his name to shut down the production.  He had
nothing to do with it, but I assume the coven read him the riot act
anyway."
	Brad snorted, but did not pull away as Tom expected.  "You
believe that innocent routine?  I wouldn't put anything past that guy."
	"I believe it.  Don't forget, I've been in his head for a couple of
years.  I knew he hadn't done it even before he told me."
	"Yeah, well, I've been thinking like Louis for a while, but that 
doesn't mean I trust the SOB."
	*That* got Tom's attention.  "Is there anything to drink around
here?" he asked quietly.
	Finally Brad moved away, running his hands through his hair
in a way that made Tom's fingers tingle.  "I'm sorry.  I'm pissed off...
what'll you have?  Name it - the bar is stocked."
	"Anything that'll get you to calm down." Tom smiled.  "I'm not 
used to seeing you like this.  Normally I'm the one flying off the handle,
and you're the great peacemaker."
	"Yeah, well, it's been a long night already."  Brad crossed to the 
bar, angrily slamming two glasses onto the surface and splashing a 
generous amount of amber liquid in each.
	"Want to talk about it?"
	Brad stopped.  "You want to hear about it?"
	Tom's reply was more serious than he intended.  "Yeah, I do."
He tried to lighten up a little.  "We're the only mortals left on the
set.  We've got to stick together."
	"You nailed it.  That's it right there."  Tom sat quietly, sipping
Scotch even older than that he had presented to Brad, listening as his
fellow actor recounted the events of the last several nights.  Brad paused
only long enough to finish his own drink and half of a second, the story
pouring from him him in a great wave.  Finally he threw himself into a
chair, looking both sheepish and determined.  "I don't knw what to do." he
admitted, seeming to surprise even himself.
	"About Antonio?"
	"About any of it.  I've got no scale for these people.  I can't tell
how much of it is bullshit, how much to take seriously."
	Secretly, Tom was delighted.  Though he was concerned about Brad's
confrontation with Louis, he was thrilled it had occurred for
one simple reason  Never before had Brad confided in him like this. "Well,"
he finally replied,  his voice carefully neutral, "whenever I feel that
way, I follow my instincts."
	"Yeah, well, my instincts are a little jumbled at the moment."  He
unconsciously rubbed his neck, over the fading bruises.
	Tom smiled, nodding understanding even as he touched the spot on
his own neck where Lestat had driven in his fangs.  "Things never look
quite the same, after that."  He and Brad locked eyes again.  Then, very
slowly, Tom stood, crossing the room to stand before Brad's sprawling
form.  He reached out... and took the dangerously tipping, nearly empty
glass of Scotch from Brad's hand.  He spoke as he moved to the bar,
refilling both.  "I think Louis meant well about Antonio.  But he can't
claim to know him half as well as you do."  He added ice and handed Brad
the fresh drink, once more retreating to sit opposite.  "For what it's
worth, I'd track Antonio down.  I couldn't just let it go like that."
	"Louis is full of shit."
	"He's got his own agenda, in any case."
	Brad snorted again, the powerful liquor beginning to have a
mellowing effect.  "So do you.  And I have no idea what to make of any of
you."  He shook his head and slumped back into the chair, contemplating
the ceiling with a tired look that seemed to seek out the next threat to
fall from above.
	Tom did not move.  "You think I have an agenda?"
	The world-weary laugh again.  "You always have an agenda.
The man with the plan."
	"I'm no different than anyone else." Tom protested softly.  "I
know what I want, and I try to get it."
	"You really know what you want?"
	"Yes."
	"What?"
	"I want to survive this."
	The answer clearly startled Brad, for he raised his head,
pinning Tom with a piercing stare.  "You've gotta be kidding me.
*That's* what you want?"
	"Why does that surprise you?  Antonio has been taken, though some
would argue it was voluntary, and you and I have both been bitten.  I
don't know about your experience, but mine was an out and out attack."  He
grinned, a little self-consciously.  "That I enjoyed it thoroughly is
beside the point."  He sobered and continued.  "Since that time I,
personally, have lost my family, my marriage, and one of the larger films
of my career.  And finally, I am currently living with three vampires." 
He laughed, again self-consciously.  "All this is just a little beyond my
experience."
	Brad continued to focus on his words, so he continued.  "There is
something going on within the coven as well.  You know about Lestat and 
Louis, right?"
	"Yeah, and Antonio stuck right in the middle of it."
	"Which is dangerous to say the least."  Brad nodded.  "Even more.
David and Santino are an item, or were, but they just self destructed.
Anrmand and Lestat have declared war, from what I can gather, and... well,
there is a lot of activity now."  He sat back with a sigh.  "I wonder if
the curse of Lestat is a real thing, after all?"  He languidly turned his
head, meeting Brad's eyes again.  They were rivited on him.  "One of the
larger questions has to be - where do you and I fit into all of this?  And
how do we survive it?" 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 356: Brad

     "One of the larger questions has to be - where do you and I fit
into all of this?  And how do we survive it?"
     Brad looked at Tom for a moment then rose to pace the floor,
unconsciously fallen into the rhythm of Louis' stride. Tom's eyes
tracked his back and forth movement through the room as the silence
stretched. Lost in thought, his eyes holding a deep inward seeking
gaze, he was more like Louis than ever before.
     "Do we...do *I* want to survive it?" Brad whispered finally, his
back to Tom. He was spun around violently and his arms captured in a
vise like grip. "What the hell does *that* mean!" Tom blazed at him.
     Brad tried to free himself, but couldn't break the bone deep grip
Tom had on him. "I know I said I never would, but that's was
before..." Brad trailed off, unable to finish. His miserable gaze
traveled over Tom's face taking in the high flush and snapping color
that anger brought to his face and eyes.
     "That's it! I'm getting you out of this house! You can't stay
here harboring thoughts like that!" Tom tried to drag him toward the
door, but Brad resisted. "No! I want to stay here. It's not them,
Tom," Brad found himself pleading at the stubborn profile. Tom still
looked toward the door as if ready to take him from the house by
force. "It's not any of them. They wouldn't hurt me, I know that!"
     "It's Antonio..." Tom said in a tight voice.
     "Yes," Brad answered quietly. "I figure if I see him here, things
will go better. That way if...if he...if he bites me and can't stop,
one of the others will come."
     "That's a hell of a assumption, Brad. What makes you think
they'll interfere?" Tom gave his arm a little shake.
     "Jesse won't let anything like that happen."
     "She's a fledgling, too, Brad," Tom said gently. "I know she
seems like she's got it all together, but she's not been one of them
for all that long - and she's one of the most powerful."
     "That didn't stop you from calling her a slut." A touch of anger
fired Brad's eyes.
     "She picked that up, did she?" Brad nodded. "And I have you to
thank for not being turned into a overly roasted marsh mallow?" Brad
shrugged. "I thank you for that, Mr. Pitt!" Tom chuckled.
     "Don't thank me, Tom. Just apologize to her the next time you see
her."
     "I'll make a point of it, I assure you. I... What the hell was
that?" Tom stopped as his ears picked up a weird rumbling noise. Brad
flushed pink. "That was my stomach. I was trying to cook something,
but I was mad, and I burnt my hand..."
     "What! Let me see." Tom snatched up first one, then the other of
Brad's hands, hissing with anger as he saw the broad pink stripe
across Brad's palm. "Did you put something on this!" 
     "No, it's okay. Didn't blister or anything. I'm okay, just a bit
hungry. My dinner ended up on the back lawn," Brad said sheepishly.
     "We could go out to eat," Tom offered helpfully. "No, I don't
want to go out. I'll just fixed something else," Brad smiled at Tom,
grateful for the offer of a meal and company.
     "Oh no you don't. No more cooking for you this evening! Where's
the kitchen?"
     "Down the hall there and to the right. Hey! Where you going?"
Brad shouted after the retreating form. He ran to catch up with Tom
who had pushed his way through the swinging door into the kitchen. 
     "I'm going to fix you something to eat - if there are any pots
left intact. Did you do this?" Tom raised an eyebrow at Brad, who
nodded, embarrassed again. Tom laughed.
     "Well don't just stand there, see if you can find a workable
skillet!"

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 357: Daniel

	After the kill, Daniel headed back for the Garden District and 
Pandora.  After all, she *had* promised him flying lessons.... He walked
fast, rushing to make it back home. He passed the neighbor's mansion, the
big and sinister house that was supposedly inhabited by witches. A chill
invaded his body, cold blood sweat. He had always been fascinated by black
magic and preternatural phenomena, as a mortal always loved the dark secrets
of the night. But why was he scared of witches now? He couldn't answer that
question. He just didn't know. They couldn't harm him now. He knew that
for sure...or could they? No. What could a witch do to a vampire, and more
than anything, why would one of those witches bother with him? He knew
very little about this Mayfair family, but he was certain that they had
far more important things to do than go after a fledgling. It they ever
decided to kill a vampire, if would not be him! It would probably be Lestat...
maybe Marius...Armand? At the thought of the last two, Daniel smiled widely.
That wouldn't be such a bad idea. Marius and Armand would look lovely in
pot. He dismissed the thought and approached the new coven house.
There were two mortals inside. Brad Pitt, surely, he was an official guest, 
but who was the other? Daniel listened for a minute...Tom! What the hell
was he doing here now? Daniel shook his head. "That one will never learn!"
	Daniel didn't want to make himself known to them. He didn't want
them to be aware of his presence, so he walked around the garden and climbed
up to the third floor. Hanging from an ancient gargoyle, 3 stories above the
floor, he knocked softly on Pandora's window.
	"What are you doing there?" Pandora opened the window and extended
her hand to help him in.
	"He's there!"
	"Who?"
	"Brad Pitt...with his friend!"
	"Which friend, Daniel?"
	"Tom! Remember him? I told you all about him! I met him before, brought
him back to the set! He wants the gift. He's jealous of Antonio; will do
anything to become immortal!"
	"Calm down, Daniel! You always make a fuss out of things," Pandora
sat on the bed and gestured for Daniel to sit next to her. "Here, sit by
my side."
	Daniel obeyed.
	"Now, why do you think he's talking to Brad? How the hell did he
track him down here?"
	"I have no idea!"
	"Well, perhaps Jesse will know...she's in her room now. Go and ask
her!"
	Daniel jumped out of the bed and stormed out of Pandora's room.
He walked towards Jesse's bedroom and opened the door without even knocking.
	"YOU ARE SO RUDE!" Jesse yelled. "Don't you know how to knock?"
	"I'm sorry, Jesse!" Daniel said, backing out of the room and closing
the door behind him. He knocked twice. "May I come in?" He called.
	Jesse opened the door and dragged him back in. "What is it now,
Daniel!" She sighed.
	"Did you see Tom downstairs? He's with Brad! What's he doing here?"

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 358: Jesse

  Jesse gasped and yanked Daniel to her level.
  "*Tom* is *here*?" She opened her eyes wide.
  "Yeah... he's talking with Brad." Daniel replied.
  Jesse released Daniel and made a noise of disgust in her throat.
  "You don't like him very much, do you?" Daniel watched as Jesse crossed
the room and sat down on the bed. 
  "The man who would be Lestat... No. I don't like him at all." She
grumbled. 
  "Why? He seems an OK guy." Daniel sat next to her. It was rare to see
Jesse openly dislike anyone. 
  "Never mind." Jesse glanced at Daniel and decided to change the subject. 
"Danny... I never did teach you to fly, did I?" 
  Daniel's face brightened. "No... will you, Jesse? Will you really teach
me?" 
  "Sure. Why not. If Brad wants me, he'll call. Come on. Let's go out
side." 
  "Why not right through the window?" Daniel began to pull the window
open. 
  "No. Not in front. Let's go out out the hall window into the back yard."
Jesse took Daniel's hand and dragged him from the window and down the
hall. She opened he window and with the grace of a cat, jumped out. "Don't
try to fly Danny, just jump down." She called. 
  Daniel landed on his feet next to her. He gave her an enormous grin.
"I'm ready!" 
  "Ok." She began. "There are two ways of flying..." 
  "TWO? What do you mean, TWO!" He said, amazed at the mysteries of
vampiric life unfolding in front of him. "What's the first way?" 
  Jesse suddenly grabbed Daniel and kissed him passionately. His knees got
a little wobbly but he held on to her, returning the liplock. When Jesse
released him a few l-o-n-g moments later, Daniel staggered backwards
panting for breath. Jesse smiled and pointed to the ground. 
  Daniel looked at his feet. He was standing on nothing, a good foot off
the ground. As he looked at Jesse, with an astonished expression on his
face, his feet his the ground. Jesse, however continued to hover, a smugly
flirtatious smile on her face. 
  "How'd did you...? How did I...?  Where did you learn *THAT*!" Daniel
babbled. 
  "Oh, that's just what a little kiss will do for you." She breathed on
her fingernails, then buffed them on her tee shirt. "And never mind where
I picked it up. All I say is that he's very old and very, *VERY* good."
She gave him a fast grin. "No then. Flying method, #2! Listen to me, and
get that goofy grin off your face." 
  Daniel saluted her and stood at attention. "Yes, Maam!" 
  "I want you to take a nice deep breath and relax." She instructed. 
  Daniel obeyed. 
  "Now, I want you to look at that branch sticking out of the tree over
our head. Daniel, just think 'up'!" 
  "Up? That's *all*?" He gave her a quizzical glance. 
   Jesse nodded. "Try it." 
  Daniel shrugged. "UP!" And with that, he rose into the air and grasped
the limb. 
  "I did it! I did it!" He yelled. 
  "I knew you could!" Jesse called to him. 
  "Just one thing..." He looked at her standing thirty feet below. "JESSE!
HOW DO I GET DOWN!" 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 359: David

	After David had parted company with Jesse, he began to wander
about the garden district with no clear path in mind. He justed wanted to
walk for the sake of walking. He thought of every Tao and Zen technique he
knew, but still, he couldn't clear his mind. ::Too much:: he thought to
himself, ::there's just too much to block out:: 
	He started back to the house but found, with a quick scan, that
Tom was there talking with Brad. It was best not to interrupt them, God
knows they had to have much to talk about. The others were in the
backyard. He walked around the side of the house and peered around the
corner. Jesse and Daniel were floating in mid air and Daniel was shouting
obscenities because he couldn't get down.  David laughed, Daniel brought
out the fun and adventure that David had thought was dead and buried in
his heart. Pandora was was with them, laughing at the sight of the
flusterd fledgling. They were trying to coax Daniel down, but he was like
a cat up a tree. "Shall we call the fire department!"  He heard Jesse
shout to Daniel, who replied "Go to hell!"
	David decided not to offer his assistence, his technique for
flying would only cause more confusion for the poor boy. He walked back
toward the the street and hailed a cab. "Take me to the St. Louis."  He
said before he even realized where he was going. ::Better tell Santino and
Lestat where I'm staying and why.::  He thought. Chances are, neither of
them would understand why he left, but he didn't care, he needed a break.
Being at Pandora's house had been good for him so far, he couldn't imagine
throwing himself back in to that lion's den. But, he felt he at least owed
them an explaination. He generously tipped the cab driver and walked into
the lobby of the St. Louis. Standing at the oposite end of the hall was
Marius. David froze and hoped that his former lover hadn't noticed him
enter the hotel. 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 360: Marius

	:This is stupid,: he told himself. :This is utterly foolish...:
	Marius stepped aside for a woman carrying a heavy looking bag, 
politely holding the door of the small elevator for her but declining to 
join her with a smile. The door closed and the elevator hummed into use. 
Marius breathed a small sigh of relief. A reprieve. He couldn't go up 
until the elevator came back down. And by then he might have thought of 
another reason to delay going up to Lestat's suite.
	He had been doing repetitions of this act for the last half hour, 
which is what was making it so patently rediculous.
	:Just do it,: he told himself firmly. :Just go up and talk to 
him!: But he didn't know what to say to Lestat, and as soon as that 
thought was admitted he would find yet another reason to delay the 
inevitable.
	:If I stay here long enough,: it occured to him, :then he may 
come down. I wouldn't have to go knock on his door like a begger.:
	But it wasn't really about wounded pride. That wasn't it at all. 
It was just that he was terribly afraid of saying the wrong thing to 
Lestat. Of having a repeat of their 'talk' in Hong Kong.
	He had gathered his courage and edged perhaps an inch closer to the 
elevator, which was now on it's way back down, when something distracted 
him completely. 
	Marius physically flinched. No mistaking the feel of that 
presence. 
	Forcing a nonchalance he didn't feel, Marius turned to look out 
over the lobby. Made eye contact. Raised his hand and waved a little, 
just like a mortal catching sight of a friend, just as though his guts 
were not suddenly knotted into cold lumps. Made himself smile slightly as 
they approached each other and kept the tremor from his voice, just as 
though nothing were wrong. "Hello, David. I didn't expect to see you here."