RPG SPEC: Dagger of the Mind
Sequel to "Hollywood Vampires"
Parts 45-47, Posts 441-470		
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Post 441: Marius

	Marius woke to darkness, the black, partially artificial darkness
of a heavily draped room. He lay for a moment, gathering his bearings,
bringing the strange dimensions of the space around him into focus as a
hotel suite, a bed, the soft pressure of a still body against his own and
the weight of a head cradeled against his shoulder.
	He paused, closing his eyes again, drawing in a slow, deep
breathe. 
	It was done. He had done it. The first steps to solving this
problem, defusing the web of tension that had caught him and all of the
others up, until it wore at his very nerves and sanity. The gauntlet of
peace thrown down.
	No. Marius sighed softly, feeling the tension return to his body,
settling in like a vise across his back and neck, an ill-fitting jacket
that he had worn far too much of late. No, it was not as simple as that. 
More like throwing himself down, the bone between two snarling dogs, in
the vain hope that perhaps it would distract them. 
	His words of the night before echoed through his memory... things
he had not spoken in two hundred years, had never meant to speak at all. 
It had taken *this* to drive him to it. And now he would have to live up
to those fine words. 
	It was not the first time he had ever told Lestat of the love he
bore him, but it was the first time he had meant it in quite such a way. 
"Son of my heart"... that brash, impetuous, rash young one who might have
truely shared Marius' blood for all of the physical resembalance... 
certainly more then the slender figure that curled now against his side,
the auburn curls spread out over his shoulder in a cascade of riotous
color. But *this* was his son, the one he had chosen, student, heir,
lover... The son of his blood, the one he should have supported without
reservation. He had failed, badly, in that regard. And now, in a last fit
of cowardice, he had chosen to make *them* face each other, rather then
chosing one over the other.
	It truely was cowardice, he couldn't deny it, but it had been the
only solution he could think of.
	Alright, then, Marius thought to himself. Alright. It is done, and
you can not change what is past. Things must be done now, the last wheels
set in motion, and then you must sit back, and wait, and be ready to act.
	He sighed, shifting a little. Armand murmurred sleepily, slipping
easily down onto the pillow as Marius carefully moved away. He eased
silently off of the bed, bending to press a gentle kiss to Armand's
forehead, then retreated in silence to dress and gather up what few
belongings they had. 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 442: Armand

	The intense sensation of *anticipation* drew Armand from sleep
like a beckoning lover.  Smiling, he rose to meet her, drawing her in,
possessing her.  There would finally be an end to it.  Tonight, he would
have Lestat... on Armand's own terms.
	He lay there, savoring the delicious feeling as Marius moved about
their room.  He watched, but did not move, as Marius gathered the few
possessions they had picked up along the way and might care to retain for
a time.  It was obvious they were moving, but Armand was not quite ready
to share space with his prey.
	"We're leaving?" he said at last, softly.
	At once Marius stilled, then approached him, smiling.  "I grow
weary of cabs." he answered, joining Armand at once on the bed.  "I
thought we might change addresses."
	"And where would you have us reside now?" Armand asked softly,
masking the ice of his words with a smile.
	Marius looked at him in surprise.  "I thought the St. Anne.  It's
right in the center of everything.  Though there are others I saw, if you
don't like that one."  He continued to smile, reaching out to touch
Armand's face gently.  "You know the area far better than I.  Have you an
opinion?"
	"The St. Anne is a good choice." Armand answered softly.  "As you
say, it is right in the middle of it all.  It's smaller, true, but if we
get the penthouse..."
	"The penthouse?" Maruis teased.  "Your tastes are expanding."
	Armand smiled at him again, a flash of teeth in the darkness.  "I
feel like celebrating.  There will be peace between Lestat and I at long
last."
	Marius looked at him uncertainly, to which Armand responded with a
kiss.  Then he slid out of the bed and headed for the bathroom, showering
and dressing quickly.  By the time he emerged, Marius had finished packing
and had already called the desk to check out.  All was in readiness.
	"Ready?" Marius asked as soon as he spied Armand. 
	"I am, but go ahead.  I need to hunt.  I'll meet you there."
	Marius truly frowned this time.  "Caro, are you all right?" he
asked softly.
	Armand hastened to assure him.  "I am fine."  The smile did not
reach his eyes, but it was the best he could do.  "I'm just a touch... 
nervous.  It's not every night a 200 year old feud is put to rest."
	"It need not be done tonight, caro."  Marius tried to put his arms
around him, but Armand slipped from them with a smile.  "After so long, a
few more nights..."
	"No time like the present." Armand said softly, still smiling. 
Then he kissed his fingers in purely Italian gesture he had not used in
centuries.  "I'll meet you there, padrone."  At once he was out the door
and gone.
	At once the smile faded, his entire body tensing, searching.  To
hunt, yes.  But not in his usual style.  Tonight he sought prey. 
Abandoning any pretense of humanity, he moved as a creature of darkness,
slipping soundlessly from one shadow to the next, faster than eyes could
follow.  He headed down, to the lobby, then back... into the offices... 
toward the basement.  Once alone, he took the first mortal to cross his
path, a middle management lackey who died in fear, knowing that Death held
him in his arms.  The kill soothed some of the savagery from his heart,
allowed him to think more rationally.  But even so, the anticipation
pounded through the blood like a drum.  "Lestat," he whispered in the
darkness, "your time has come." 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 443: Louis

	Louis had awakened an hour after the sun dipped below the horizon. 
Dreams had haunted his deathsleep. Dreams of Claudia, her tiny form
incinerated by the sun. Dreams of desolate loneliness, his wanderings in
years of despair and isolation. Dreams granting him a glimpse of Lestat in
his golden beauty, only to have his lover abandon him to grieve the loss.
These dreams were not caused by Lestat. Louis knew they were brought on by
his own inner turmoil.
	He raked his hair from his eyes and sat up. Louis found himself on
the couch. He had fallen asleep watching Tonio. Tonio, curled under the
covers, battling his demons in his sleep. Tonio now in the same position,
sleep still upon him.
	Louis rose and soundlessly made his way to his own room, lest he
disturb Gabrielle's fledgling. Peeling off his clothing, he walked into
the bathroom and turned the shower on full blast. He stepped under the
spray, saturating his hair, and allowing the water to pour down his back.
He closed his eyes and tried to relax his muscles and think of nothing at
all. After a few minutes of this self-indulgence, he heard a knock at the
suite door.
	He scanned.
	A messenger stood, gazing at the gilded suite number on the door,
an envelope in her hand.
	Louis pulled the dressing gown over his wet body, and hurried to
the door. The first thing that had crossed his mind was perhaps Lestat had
written a reply. The after-thought was to prevent the tapping from waking
Tonio. Louis opened the door.
	"Mr. du Lac?" The messenger looked up at Louis' wet hair, a rivulet
of water made it's way down his high forehead and into the arched eyebrow.
She smiled. There were definite perks to this job after all... "I have an
envelope for you." She held out long envelope and placed it in Louis'
hand.
	Louis looked at the familiar scrawl, his heart skipped a beat.
Lestat.
	"Wait..." he spoke as the messenger turned her back to leave. "Let
me give you something for your trouble."
	She smiled over her shoulder. "Thanks, but the sender took care of
that." 
	Louis closed the door behind him as he stepped back into the room.
He noticed the light coming from Tonio's open door.
	"Tonio?" He called. "Are you feeling better?"
	No reply.
	"Tonio?" Louis dashed to the door and glanced in. The room was
empty.  Louis scanned for him.
	Tonio was gone. 
	'He must have slipped out while I was in the shower,' Louis
thought, looking around. Louis tried to touch his mind, but Tonio was was
shielding. Louis fell into an arm chair. Water dripped from his hair onto
the envelope in his hand.
	There was little he could do for Tonio now...He had to come to
terms with himself, with his vampirism, with his passion for Brad. This
was a decision Louis could not help him make. Tonio had to make this
journey on his own.
	Louis tore open the envelope and unfolded the pages. He read the
letter twice... three times. Was this Lestat?  Louis could count all the
times Lestat had spoken to him openly... Louis closed his eyes against
rising tears. 
	"Mon Dieu," he whispered into the empty room, "how long have I
dared hope..."
	And now Lestat was baring his soul to him, sharing something so
personal... and the very thought of Lestat calling Armand his brother!
Louis pulled in a breath. Lestat and Armand... an alliance- no, more than
that... a coven! Was Lestat daring to consider forming a coven?
	Louis' eyes were drawn to the bottom of the page. 
	"London. Oh, God, how could I ever forget London!" Louis murmured.
	He was suddenly lost in the past. Lestat taking him, flying with
him to London. After all the hell of Akasha, the gathering in Sonoma,
Night Island, he and Lestat together in London.
	Oh, he had been livid. Lestat should *not* have bothered that
gentle old man the way he did. The poor soul was grieving the loss of his
dear Jesse... And Lestat, brazen as brass had gone into David Talbot's own
chamber...
	And afterwards, Lestat laughing his fool head off; Louis himself
still steaming. Lestat had wanted to make it up to him. Lestat had taken
him into the city of London... there to prowl the Tower of London. Later,
Lestat had procured a room at the Savoy Hotel... a suite, actually, with
one bedroom, and one bed.  Louis' mouth curled into a smile. New
beginnings... and the ring! The ring Lestat had surprised him with! He
never knew for certain if Lestat had a copy made for him, or if it was
actually the canary diamond recessed into the heavy gold band that had
caught Louis' eye amongst the crown jewels... Yes, he still had it, locked
away in his safe in the Rue Royal flat. Far too opluent to wear, far to
much a precious gift from Lestat to ever dismiss...
	Louis held the letter in his hand. Lestat had changed... could he
believe it? 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 444: Antonio

	Antonio woke to the sound of running water.  At first he thought
he had fallen asleep under a waterfall, but then realized that it was only
Louis, showering.  In the next room, behind a closed door.  Groaning, he
sat up and held his head briefly.  When would he ever get used to these
rampaging, vampiric senses?  Everything augmented, everything heightened
until the smallest smile became a belly laugh, the softest noise a bellow. 
And then there was Louis himself.  Friend...  lover.  Forbidden.  Utterly
forbidden.  Just like everyone he knew or cared about, with the sole
exception of Gabrielle, his creator.  *Especially*...
	"Brad..."  The name came out as a whisper, hanging on the very air
in a sensual dance of desire.
	He groaned softly and lay back in bed, covering his face with a
pillow.  He had to get out of there.  He had to move, to hunt... to occupy
his mind and keep it far away from Louis mark I or II.  He heard the water
shut off and at once was in motion, out the door almost before he took
stock of his appearance.  Yes, he was dressed.  In such a state it would
actually be possible to walk the halls nude and not notice for a bit.
	Antonio shook his head as he lengthened his stride toward the
elevator.  "Latins should never be vampires." he muttered. 
	To distract himself, he first headed to the set.  It was
unnaturally quiet, teetering upon the decision of restarting or scrapping
the entire project.  He quickly showered and changed, then went to hunt,
hoping the blood would soothe him, calm his nerves.  Unfortunately, it did
nothing but quicken him further, enhancing the already dazzling New
Orleans night until the very breeze seemed spun of pure magic. 
	His depression of the night before was totally gone.  In it's
place the wonder of new discovery, an intense love of life which had
always burned within him.  Antonio knew it was foolish.  Knew the risk was
enormous.  But something like this *had* to be shared.  Without hesitation
he pointed his boots toward first street, and Brad. 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 445: Jesse

	Jesse flicked the strands of ashy blond hair from Daniel's eyes
and smiled. 
	"Jessica and the Twerp. Hmm. I like the sound of that," she said,
the smile growing bigger by the second. 
	"Jesse!" Daniel cried, rolling off the bed. "I'm used to being
laughed at, but I wouldn't want you to be!" He started to pace. 
	She sat up. "Danny... Do you know what they're REALLY gonna say?
They're gonna say "Oh, Jeeze... Danny and the Coven Slut!" Jesse said, her
voice taking an unusually high pitch. 
	Daniel gazed at her. Jesse's eyes were wide, her lower lip was
trembling. She was starting to cry. 
	"Jess!" He gasped, suddenly grabbing her by the shoulders. "You're
*not* a slut!" 
	She raised her eyes to meet his. They were a silvery violet... so
beautiful!  "Daniel..." She whispered, lifting her face to his, "You
aren't a 'Twerp'...  you're... wonderful!" 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 446: Daniel  (Now played by Stephanie Buday)

	Daniel wrapped his arms around Jesse, holding her as tightly as he
could. "You're *not* the coven slut Jesse! David's running very hard for
that title, I wouldn't try to take it from him."  There was a hint of
laughter in his voice, but he was serious, he didn't want to see Jesse
cry. Daniel had been restraining himself from crying for the past few
nights, if she started, then he would start and neither of them needed
that right now. 
	Jesse tore herself from Daniel and pushed him hard, nearly
knocking him off the bed. "I'm serious!"
	"Well so am I"  Daniel persisted. "Jesse, why does is bother you
what a mortal says?  We don't live by their rules!  Christ, if you're a
slut then Lestat is the "Madame" of the coven! Take a look around you
Jesse, you're the most celebate one of us."  He thought for a moment "With
the exception of Mekare, but there's that whole sanity thing you have to
think of." He let a slow grin spread across his face. Jesse was on the
verge of laughter and she leaned back against him. 
	"Who laughs at you Daniel? I'd like to have a talk with them about
manners. You are beautiful."
	"I'm nothing special." He hugged her again, he didn't want her to
see the pain on his face. Armand had said that to him while he was a
mortal, he had never heard it from him again. 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 447: Jesse

   She drew back, cupping his face in her hands. 
   "Oh, Daniel..." she breathed, "if you only knew how special you are..."
With those soft words, she pressed her mouth to his. 
   "Mmmph," Daniel began to speak, his lips tight against Jesse's. He
pulled back a fraction of an inch. "I just don't want to see you hurt..." 
   Jesse sighed, a little smile playing on her face. "We aren't going to
bother with idle gossip, are we?" 
   Daniel's hands were in her hair. "We could become a hot topic..." He
bent forward to nuzzle against her neck, wanting to feel the softness of
her tresses against his face. 
  Jesse nibbled at his earlobe. "Or we could keep it a secret." 
  "A secret? In a house full of mind readers?" Daniel threw his head back
and laughed. "Are you as touched as your 'Aunt Merkare'? 
  "Depends on what you want to touch..." she smirked. 
  "I'm serious! How can we keep this a secret?" 
  Jesse sat back on the bed. "It's easy. We just shield our thoughts. And
don't tell me you aren't strong enough, I let you drink from me so you'd
be strong enough to fly, remember?" 
  
_________________________________________________________________________
Post 448: Louis' Letter

[Text of Louis' letter of response]

Lestat,
	You have been so open with me, forming your inner most feelings
into words, and setting them out before me as you have never really done
so before.  These words have touched me most deeply. Until now, I have
only dared hope you would one night bare your soul to me, let me see the
man you truly are beneath the brash exterior. These words were not written
by a cold, unfeeling, detached individual. They were written by you, with
great warmth and honesty. These words you placed before me revealed to me
a nature that I had only rarely been permitted to glimpse.
	I agree this is a time for new beginnings. That you have found the
courage to wish to call Armand your brother tells me you are sincere. I
have always know Marius considered you his son. This is not a surprise to
me, only an affirmation of his devotion to you. Your expressed wish to
come together with them will bring peace of mind to all those involved. 
	And now I must speak to you on the matter of our new beginnings.
As you have been so honest with me, I must be totally honest with you.
These words cannot be written, they must be spoken face to face. Lestat,
to speak these words will be the most difficult thing I have ever done. I
must be honest with you, or the beginnings I dare hope for will not occur. 
       Therefore, Lestat, send me word when you can meet with me, in a
place where we will not be disturbed. A private place. Our home. Please
meet with me in our house on Rue Royale. 

Louis

P.S. I could never forget the time we spent in London. I know we have been
together in more opulent surroundings, but those nights are most dear to
my heart. That was our true beginning, Lestat. I have kept the ring you
gave me on our last night at The Savoy. I can tell you exactly where it
is. It is in the safe in my bedroom at home, a most secure place. When we
meet, perhaps you will tell me if it is a replica of the ring I saw with
The Crown Jewels, or if indeed the replica is now on display in the Tower
of London. 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 449: Brad

     Brad smiled over his shoulder and with a laugh in answer to Tom's
concern about Lestat's mental state, and said,"The boy is *always* upset
about something." He opened the door and stopped dead in his tracks, Tom
nearly plowing into the back of him. As he stared at the man seated in
font of him and tried to gather his suddenly scattered thoughts, Tom moved
around him, stepping slightly in front of him as if he would protect Brad
with his own body if need be. 
     Brad sincerely hoped that would not be necessary, and he swallowed
hard as the "man" before them rose from the chair near the door where he
was obviously waiting for them, and stepped forward, extending his hand. 
     "Good evening, Mssr. Pitt." Brad swallowed hard as that infamous
smile grew wider, the fangs glinting sharply in the warm light of the
room. "I don't know that we've been formally introduced.  I am the Vampire
Lestat." 
     "Should I call you Mssr. de Lioncourt, Monsieur, The Vampire Lestat,
or just TVL for short," Brad abruptly closed his mouth at Tom's gasp,
realizing that he may have just insulted the mercurial vampire for the
*second* time in the space of a few seconds. It was a rude respone, for
sure, but he was nervous and it came out more flippant than he'd intended. 
     He needn't have worried. Lestat chuckled and grinned even wider,
causing Brad to shiver slightly. "Lestat will do, Brad... you don't mind
if I call you Brad?" 
     The last was not truly a question, and Brad simply shrugged. What
Lestat chose to call him was the least of his concerns. Even the toothy
grin didn't concern him...much. What did concern him was the man at his
side, and that deeply surprised him. Looking at Lestat he was struck by
the feeling that he *knew* the centuries old vampire. He couldn't know him
of course, but it was not until this moment, in the intimacy of a small
hotel sitting room, that he realized just how close Tom had come to
capturing the essence of Lestat de Lioncourt. 
     Unbidden, Tom's words from the fading hours of the night before
sprang to mind. They'd been standing at the balcony of the house on First
Street, looking over the neighborhood as the birds filled the air with
their morning songs, and sharing their thoughts as freely as they'd shared
their bodies. "...I've not missed a sunrise since meeting Lestat," he'd
said. "Deep in my heart, I'm preparing for The Gift. And I'm never sure if
this will be the last..." and then "...I chose to be Lestat... In a way, I
gave myself to him even then, and just like now, there is no going back." 
     Brad knew he had been too lost in the moment, almost giddy with spent
passion to truly take in the meaning of the words. But now, they were
driven home with a vengence as the means to the end that Tom sought stood
before them, and for the first time he realized that it was more that a
pipe dream of Tom's - it could very well become a reality. 
     He turned to look at the profile of his new lover, and... friend?
'Perhaps more than friend,' something said in the back of his mind, as the
softly whispered endearments that had almost been lost in the echoing
splash and noise of the shower replayed in his thoughts. Before he could
stop himself, his hand came up and he slipped his fingers into the waving
blond hair that brushed Tom's shoulders, not stopping until he felt the
warm flesh of his neck beneath his fingertips. 
     'That's the way he *should* feel,' Brad thought. 
     Just as Tom turned to look at him, Brad turned his own gaze back to
Lestat. 
     "Please don't," was all he could think to say. 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 450: Lestat

          Lestat's eyebrows rose slightly as he looked at Brad.
          "I'm tempted to make a joke about how a vampire can still have a sex
   life, even with a mortal, but I can see that you are serious so I will
   not,"  Lestat smiled in a way that was meant to be reassuring but he could
   see that Brad wasn't as fond of the expression as he'd hoped.  He
   immediately grew serious, then continued.  "The decision is only half mine,
   Brad.  And while there are few of my kind left on the earth, there are
   still enough out there that someone like Tom could find one to give him The
   Gift if he wanted.  If *he* wanted.  I am a comparatively small part of
   this process.  Does the idea of giving Tom The Gift tempt me?  Oui."
   Lestat could see the flicker of emotion in Tom's eyes.  He gave Tom a quick
   smile, then turned back to Brad.  "It would be nice, for once, to create a
   Child with the intent of doing it *right*.  But, again, the decision is
   first and foremost Tom's to make."
          Lestat smiled again, a grin more like his usual expression.
   "However, your concern for Tom touches me.  Quite nice to know you're not
   just using him for good sex."  The grin got a little wider.  "Though the
   bathroom does appreciate the view."

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 451: Daniel

	"Keep a secret huh?  It's not going to be easy Jesse, what if David
and Pandora know already?" 
	"Shhhhh!"  Jesse whispered in his ear. "David is a gentleman, he
wouldn't tell a soul. Besides, I think he was a little, ummm, preoccupied
last night."  She started to nibble around Daniel ear sending a shiver
down his spine. 
	"Ahhh, yes, it must have been one of those nights. The earth moved,
the planets aligned, the moon turned red, the--"
	"I get the picture. Do you want to talk or would you rather--"
	"Fly!  Let's fly Jesse!  David taught me another step, I'd like to
brush up on it a little."  Jesse frowned.
	"Not exactly what I had in mind."
	"Expect the unexpected."  He said with all the "B" horror movie
accent he could muster. "Just *think* of all the possibilities if we're
airborn!  You forget, I've worked with 'the master'!"  Daniel ran to the
window and flung it open. "See you outside!"
	"Daniel wait!"  Jesse ran to the window expecting to see a crumbled
mess on the ground below. To her surprise, Daniel was sitting in the tree
across the yard. 
	"Are you coming or not?" 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 452: Jesse

	Jesse peered out the open window and laughed. It felt so good to
be laughing! It had been so long... 
 	"Oh, Danny," She chuckled as she pushed the sleeves of her sweater up to
her elbows, "you'd better not ask me that question unless you want a good
answer!" 
	Daniel's throaty chortle was his reply. 
	Jesse slipped out the window and rode the evening breeze to the
tree where Daniel sat. She hovered in front of him smiling flirtatiously. 
	"Which 'master' are you talking about, Daniel? Armand the master
seducer? Lestat the master brat? David the master
I-used-to-be-an-old-guy-but-look-at-me-now former Talamascan?" She held
her hand out to him. 
	Daniel took the small, white hand offered, and followed as Jesse
drew him out of the tree. 
	"Why Armand, of course! He's the master of spontaneity!" He laughed
as they rose into the night sky. "My GOD! THIS IS GREAT!" Daniel looked up
into the stary dome. 
	"Shhh!" Jesse drew close to him. "We aren't supposed to advertise
flying!" Daniel was giddy as they rapidly gained heighth. Jesse slipped
her arms around him and kissed him. "I could get used to this." She
whispered. 
	"Beautiful Jesse, so could I!" He returned the kiss. "I wonder if
the others do this?" He whispered against her cheek. 
	She laughed. "I don't know... I've never really thought about it." 
	They had leveled off, the moon casting a silvery light on the
clouds below them. 
	"Could we try something fancy." Daniel kissed her nose. 
	Jesse looked into his face, her eyes wide in mock innocence. "Why,
Rhett! What ever do y'all mean? Like those lil ole vampires do it in
Paris?" She had a very hard time stopping the torrent of giggles that
threatened to bubble out. 
	"No!" Daniel held his arms out at the sides and flapped a little. 
"Transylvania!" 
	Laughing, they threw their arms around each other and spun around
in a cloud, creating a whispy spiral. 
	"Daniel, why haven't you ever let me see you like this before?"
Jesse looked into his luminous violet eyes. 
	Daniel shrugged. "Gosh, Jess... I always thought you were so
serious! The way you've been protecting that actor..." 
	"Brad!!! Ohmygawd!! I forgot about Brad!!!" Jesse gasped. 
	"Oh, Hell, Jesse, leave him be..." Daniel's brow furrowed. 
	"NO!  Oh... let me see... where *is* he?" She began to furiously
scan. "Daniel!  He's with TOM!! And Tom's with LESTAT!" 
	Grabbing her by the shoulders, Daniel held her firmly. "He'll be
ok..." 
	"But don't you see? He's walked right into the Lion's Den! I
promised to protect him..." She was growing frantic. "I've to do
something..." 
	"Jesse, just scan... he's fine... see? Lestat's too preoccupied to
want to take him as a fledgling." Daniel tried to reason with her. 
	"But what if Lestat's hungry?" She cried. 
	"Lestat might be a wildman, but he's not stupid." Daniel leveled
his gaze at her. 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 453: Marius

	The tension he had felt upon waking had not improved with a 
change of locale.  In fact, it had gotten significantly worse, until 
Marius was silently begrudging every mortal on the planet their ability 
to swallow small pills of distilled pharmescuticals that would relieve 
the tight painful pulse across the back of his neck and temples. 
	The St. Anne was a graceful old hotel, not nearly as plush and 
modernly luxurious as the Regency, but with an old charm that made up for 
it. Marius had secured the largest of their suites by the simple expident 
of a credit number, a few phone calls, and signing whatever papers they 
pushed at him to sign. The jovial black man at the desk had been very 
relaxed and accomodating about all of it, which was a relief, and the 
staff had taken care of the bags, taking them up to the room and all but 
unpacking for him. He had finally waved them off with thanks and a 
generous tip, and then locked the room, pocketing the key, and gone down 
to wait for Armand in the courtyard. 
	In the evening light the small cobble paved courtyard with it's 
flickering gasoliers and the trickling fountain should have been both 
beautiful and relaxing. It was neither, because from where he sat Marius 
could see through the hotel door, out to the street, across the street to 
the garage... and directly through that was the St. Louis. All but within 
touching distance. Marius had already scanned the hotel, brushing his 
mind over it lightly, and the throbbing behind his eyes had increased 
geometrically when he had found not only the presense of Lestat and 
Gabrielle, still sunk in slumber, but of two mortals. Men which he had 
not met personally, but whos importance he knew. The mortal counterparts 
of Lestat and Louis in that film production. And they were in Lestat's 
rooms, talking to the vampire. Marius had not tried to hear the 
conversation. Bad enough just to know they were there.
	So he sat, listening to the sounds of the street outside and the 
subdued conversation from the dining room, and trying not to feel the 
tension that siezed him every time he recalled the look on Armand's face, 
and the smile that was not quite a smile, the small breath of shadow in 
the reassuring words that had begun to set Marius' teeth on edge. He had 
known this would not be easy, had been sure that neither Lestat nor 
Armand would greet peace with open arms... but he could deal with open 
hostility far better then this veiled cold, shrouded in hollow 
pleasantness. And from Armand... he did not know how to combat it, how to 
push towards a resolution without making the entire situation worse. So 
he waited, with all outward sign of patience, until a slender shadow made 
it's way through the lobby and into the courtyard, pausing by his side.
	Marius turned his eyes to Armand, studying his lover for a 
moment, and then, decision made, smiled pleasantly, the headache only 
slightly marring the expression, dimming it from his eyes. "Better?"
	Armand smiled back, the expression nothing more then the movement 
of the muscles beneath the skin. "Yes." He tilted his head back the way 
he had come. "The St. Louis is just across the street."
	"Yes, I know." Marius kept the smile in place with a small 
effort. "You did say there was no time like the present. It's early... 
Shall we pay Lestat a visit?"

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 454: Brad

     Brad forgot his nervousness and fear and scowled at Lestat as he
dangled the hope of immortality in front of Tom like a carrot.
     Tom's decision... yeah right. Like Lestat wouldn't do it on a
whim. His mind filled with vision of Daniel and Armand, spinning
through a deadly dance for years before Armand finally relented and
brought Daniel to him - and Lestat didn't even love Tom! At any moment
he might grow tired of the mortal actor and abandon him - or kill him.
     Brad stepped in closer to Tom, his hand slipping from the golden
hair to rest on his shoulder in a unconsciously possessive gesture.
     "...your concern for Tom touches me," Lestat was saying. Brad
brought his attention back to Lestat with a snap. "Quite nice to know
you're not just using him for good sex." He grinned at Brad even
wider, enjoying himself thoroughly, it would seem. "Though the
bathroom does appreciate the view."
     Brad went completely still for a moment, then flushed bright red.
     "Okay. That tears it. I'm outta here." He dropped his hand and
stepped away from Tom.
     "Mr. de Lioncourt it's been an experience, to say the least."
Brad turned on his heel to leave, but turned back an instant later,
ignoring the horrified, whispered pleas from Tom.
     "You know, you could have gone all night without saying that last
bit. We realized you were probably witness to some of our *private*
moments, but you didn't have to mention it, as it was PRIVATE." Brad
controlled his voice with an effort.
     "Look, I don't want to return rudeness with rudeness, as this is
your place and Tom is a guest here, but I have to say this. I don't
give a hoot about my concern 'touching' you. My feelings for Tom are
between him and me, so just butt out!"
     "BRAD!" Tom tugged at his arm, trying to get him to shut up. Brad
rounded on him.
     "I'm sorry, Tom. But he gets on my nerves! He's like you on your
worst day times ten!" Tom blinked in surprise at the anger in his
voice, and Brad was instantly contrite. He wrapped his arms around Tom
and kissed him to take the sting out of his words, ignoring Lestat -
who would just spy on them anyway, apparently
     "I don't care how much he wants a perfect Child," Brad whispered
in Tom's ear, "he can't have you." He swirled his tongue around the
delicate, curving flesh, "Your mine now, and I'm not going to let you
go without a fight. We promised, remember?"

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 455: Tom

      "I don't care how much he wants a perfect Child," Brad whispered
in Tom's ear, "he can't have you." He swirled his tongue around the
delicate, curving flesh, "Your mine now, and I'm not going to let you
go without a fight. We promised, remember?"

	Tom shivered as much from nerves as from the unexpected touch of 
Brad's lips.  Then he pulled back, looking seriously at Brad.  His voice 
low more in keeping with the moment than for any desire for privacy, he 
replied "I promised to help *you* fight.  I... made my decision long 
ago."  The sudden flash of pain in Brad's eyes cut Tom like a knife and 
again he shivered, pulling Brad close once more.  "Later, beautiful one.  
Beloved one... later.  Go now, and let me talk to him."  There was so 
much more he wanted to say.  He wanted to tell Brad how full his heart 
was, how amazed he was to feel this way... about *anyone*.  He wanted to 
whisper promises and hear them returned.  He wanted to bury himself 
within his lovers flesh and never, ever come out again.
	He said none of it, forcing himself to be content with a gentle 
touch, an intimate smile... the Brad slipped through his fingers like 
smoke and was gone.  Tom closed the door behind him then turned, leaning 
back against it heavily.  "I can not believe what I hear myself saying to 
him."  He groaned softly.  "I can not believe I mean it!  What's 
happening to me?"
	Lestat grinned.  "If I had to guess, I'd say you're in love with him."
	Tom ran his hand through his hair, still getting used to the 
heavy weight of the shoulder length locks.  "I'd say you're probably 
right." he agreed softly, walking back into the room.  "Thank you for 
not... "  He stopped, changing his mind last minute.  He knew better.  
"I'm sorry he was rude.  I think you frighten him."
	Lestat shrugged.  "He wouldn't be the first.  All in all, he 
handled it fairly well."
	He wasn't about to argue the point.  Besides, he had more on his 
mind, and now that Brad was safely out of the suite, he could turn his 
full attention to other things.  "Were you serious?" he asked softly.  
"You would consider making me your child?"
	"I have already considered it." Lestat replied.  "But, as I told 
Brad, the decision is ultimately yours."
	He shook his head.  "There is no decision."  Tom's voice was low, 
insistant.  "I want it.  All of it.  To be a part of your life..."
	"And what of your lover?" Lestat broke in, the power of his voice 
making volume unnecessary.  "What of Brad?  Would he welcome this change 
within you?"  Tom frowned, but listened.  "And what of your career?  If 
you do not age, how can you appear, year after year before a camera?  It 
is something Antonio will have to face very soon.  His career is 
essentially over.  Do you wish to join him?"
	"Why are you saying this?"  Tom's voice came out in a harsh 
whisper, his muscles locked, rigid.  "Why tell me these things?"
	Lestat hesitated, the reached out, touching the side of his 
face.  "Because I want to do this right.  If I make you my child, it 
*will* be done right.  Because you want it without reservation, and 
because I accept you as my own.  Do you understand?"
	Tom met his eyes, the preternatural eyes that had haunted his 
dreams, bluer, deeper even than Brads.  Slowly he nodded, but Lestat 
continued to *look* at him until he seemed satisfied that his message had 
been understood.  "I... need time.  To think."
	Lestat dropped his hand.  "Take all the time you want.  It is 
something I have plenty of." 
	Somewhat dazed, Tom turned, heading for the door.  Then he 
stopped, turning back once more.  They had been honest with one another 
during the entire conversation.  He couldn't let this pass.  "Lestat... 
are *you* all right?  Is there anything I can do..." he trailed off, 
knowing he did not have to mention recent past events.  He only hoped 
Lestat understood the offer was sincere.

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 456: Brad

     Brad stumbled down the hall, scarcely aware of the path he took
as his mind reeled with conflicting emotions. 
     Beloved one...
     Could he have meant that? How could he mean it? 
     Brad stopped and slumped against the wall, his hair swinging down
to hide his face as he bent his head under the crushing weight of the
despair that threatened to overtake him. "I promised to help *you*
fight. I... made my decision long ago... Go now, and let me talk to
him." Brad turned his head and looked back the way he'd come.
     He should go back. He shouldn't have left Tom there with *him*.
He'd seen that look come back into Tom's eye, that fierce gleam he got
when he was after something he wanted. For awhile that look had been
replaced by something softer, gentler. And it had been a vast
improvement, as little by little Tom had let his guard down and
allowed himself to relax.
     But all Lestat had to do was mention the so called "Gift" and
that fierce determination was there again. And Brad knew he didn't
stand a chance against the offer of immortality. And why did he even
care about a chance? A chance for what? Images of their night together
flowed through his mind and gave him the answer he sought to hide
from.
     "Thomas..." Brad whispered, suddenly acutely aware of every ache
in his battered body. The purple bruise on his throat where, with a
wicked grin, Tom has sought to mark him, the bruises on his arms from
the strong grip of Tom's hands as he'd tried to drag him from the
house on First Street when he thought Brad was in danger, the scrapes
and scratches garnered from their passionate encounter in the gazebo,
and the general fatigue of time passed with too little sleep and too
much activity.
     "Has it only been a night and a day?" Brad said to the air.
     "Beg your pardon, Sir?" One of the maids had stopped and fixed
Brad with a quizzical look. "Is there something I can do for you?"
     "No Ma'am," Brad answered, straightening, still ducking his head
so that the longish hair obscured his face. "I don't think there's
anything anyone can do for me now." He turned away from the woman's
puzzled look and slipped away down the hall, out of the hotel, and
into the deepening New Orleans night.

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 457: Brad

     Brad wiped the sweat from his eyes with the back of his forearm,
looking with satisfaction at the work he'd accomplished. He'd been too
late getting started to get contractors into the house to fix the
broken window so, ignoring the possible dangers of hungry vampires
deciding to stay in for dinner, he'd made a few calls and had some
paned glass, glazing, wood frames and the appropriate tools sent to
the house.
     The deliveries to be left on the porch, of course.
     Bit by bit he'd dragged it all up the stairs to the attic so he
could fix the broken window David had asked him to take care of. He'd
pried the broken frame loose and set about preparing the new window to
take it's place. He needred a bit of help setting it in place, but
once Daniel or David appeared that wouldn't be a problem.
     Working with the glass had brought him back to himself a bit,
settling the turmoil his departure from the hotel had stirred in him.
It had given him time to think about what he wanted to do, what he
*could* do about the situation he'd found himself in. Tony was already
lost, and it seemed Tom was right behind him. Reluctantly, Brad
admitted that both situations were beyond him. All he could do was
face the facts that stared him in the face, and try to be there for
them if they needed him.
     He found it funny that Tony's situation was easier to think about
than his new relationship with Tom. That whole thing scared the shit
out of him, and once away from the dynamic presence of his newest
lover he became more and more confused about what he felt. The
*really* funny thing was that he wished he could talk to Tony about it
and hear what he thought...
     He could just imagine what Tony would have to say about this!
     Brad chuckled to himself at the thought of Tony's expression when
he told him - but the laughter died away in a instant as he remembered
just exactly how his affair with the mortal "Brat" had begun. For the
first time since it had happened, Brad remembered the state Tony had
been in when he fled into the night.
     Now he had something new to worry about...

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 458: David

	David awoke to the sounds of a hammer banging and hardware being
dragged up the attic steps. He immediately sat up, startle by the noise,
only to find he was tangled up in the heavy blue velvet curtains that used
to hang over the windows.  Sometime before dawn, he and Pandora must have
pulled them down for protection from the sun. He was able to free his head
and arms, but found it difficult to liberate his right foot. He couldn't
even imagine how a thing could get so tangled...in a curtain. His strategy
of slowly working his foot out of the bind wasn't successful. Violent
kicking came to mind, but he didn't want to rip the drapes or disturb
Pandora. Finially,he gave up and slumped back down.
	"Something the matter?"  Pandora was up now and making her from under
the curtain.
	"That noise, what's going on in the house?"
	"It's Brad fixing the attic window, you remember Daniel's little
flying mishap."
	"Ah, yes, I forgot about that."
	"So soon?"  She teased.
	"Well I had a rather pleasent diversion."  He laughed. Pandora let
out a small giggle and positioned herself on top of David, tangling them
in the drapery even further.
	"It seems as though everyone experienced a similar phenomenon last
night."
	"Ah yes, the two actors."
	"And Daniel and Jesse."
	"What?!" 
	"Some times it's a curse being this old, it's so hard to block it
all out."  She smiled wickedly at David. "I don't think they want anyone to
know though, so it's best not to say anything."
	"Tell me Pandora"
	"Hmmmm?"
	"Was I in your thoughts at all last night."
	"Ah, poor David!  Of course you were, *you* were the main attraction!
The rest were just the annoying side shows you know are there, but don't
pay much attention to."
	"That's good to know.  You think we should get untangled now?"
Pandora's eyes lit up.
	"That has the potential to be *very* fun!"
	"Okay then, I think if you look at this like a Chinese finger trap,
we should be able to get out of this without ripping the curtains. Don't
tense up, just relax and slowly move your body."
	"What ever you say Professor."  She said in a deep seductive tone
as she methodically and slowly moved the length of her body against him.
"Like this?"
	"Oh yes!  We'll certainly be out of this...some day."  He's mind felt
out of joint with reality as the friction between their skin sent shockwaves
throughout his entire body. What had she been as a mortal?  A courtisean, yes
that was it!  Time certainly hadn't dulled her skills.  What of Marius, what
would he think if he saw the two of them together now?  And Santino?
Well that certainly had killed his mood.
	"You're thinking of them again." She said flatly  "It's okay, thinking
of Marius usually kills the mood for me too." 
	"It's not Marius--"
	"Yes, I know. It's Santino. You should go to him, he's a good man
and only trying to look out for a friend, the way he always has."  David
was in shock for a moment, he had forgotten that Pandora knew Santino before
the meeting at the Sonoma compound.
	"You and Santino, you rescued Marius from the ice!  I hadn't thought
of that!"
	"Understand that Santino has never been looked upon favorably by
anyone.  Armand looks at him with contempt for throwing him into a world
of darkness and misery. Marius felt betrayed when Santino lead his coven
in to steal "those who must be kept" and destroy Marius and his union with
Armand in the process. And of course, after he left the Roman coven he was
outcasted. Don't blame him now for trying to make amends, for trying to keep
together the one true friendship he has with Lestat...and now you. Wisdom
is not the only thing that comes with age, there are many regrets that are
gathered in eternity.  Don't judge him so harshly until you have walked his
space of time."
	Her words made sense to him. Perhaps he needed to rethink his 
ultimatum...perhaps he needed to learn that he was not as divorced from
his humanity as he thought he was.
	"I need time to think." He finally said as he slipped out of the
curtain and stood up. "Thank you Pandora, for putting things in a new 
perspective."  
	He walked out of the room and took to meadering about the house
for a bit, until he found himself in the attic staring at the agitated
form of Brad "attempting" to either fix the window or replace the whole
side wall pannel with his bare hands. "Do you need help with that, Mr. Pitt?"

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 459: Lestat

          Lestat looked up at the young mortal in front of him, his gaze
   measuring what he saw.  Outwardly he looked calm but inside everything was
   raging.  There was no single emotion that he did not feel right at that
   very second and it occured to him that he might either weep or laugh at any
   moment just to focus on a single one.
          And he would have liked to share this with Tom, the one person who
   seemed to have a knack for understanding him without needing to be told.
   But the guilt from having all but shoved Brad out of the door--something he
   had NEVER meant to do to either one of the mortals--was still with him.  He
   could not burden this young one further.
          All of this flashed through his mind in less than a second.  His
   reply came naturally.
          "No thank you, Tom.  I am fine."

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 460: Daniel

	 "Lestat might be a wildman, but he's not stupid." Daniel leveled his  
gaze at her. "Besides, Lestat seems to have some interest in Tom, he's not
going to hurt Brad...at least not yet."
	"Thanks Daniel, that makes me feel *much* better!"
	"Jesse, he a mortal, a MORTAL!  It would be great if he could be left
to the world, but it's too late, he knows us.  He may not want the gift, he
may never ask for it. Hell, if he's lucky, Antonio and Tom might let him go,
But he *knows* us...theres no going back from that. I'm living proof of what
happens to mortals that hang around vampires too long. He'll either go mad,
or he'll have to be turned."
	"NO!  That isn't true! He doesn't--"
	"He doesn't want the the gift, yes, that is what he says. I'm not
going to pretend I don't have a hard time believing that. But even if he
means it, what will he do when we all go away? You can't go through all that
and not be radically changed!
	"Jesse, for now he's safe, let him have his time to himself. 
And let us have ours.  It's such a beautiful night, Jess...dance with me!"
	"What?"
	"There, on that cloud right under the moon. Dance with the devil
under the pale moonlight...come on, it's our chance to be a Batman cliche."
He laughed pulling her in the direction of the destined cloud. 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 461: Brad

     "Do you need help with that, Mr. Pitt?"
     Brad practically jumped out of his skin.
     God *damn* these guys!
     "Try to make a bit of noise next time, okay David?" Brad patted
his chest where his rapidly beating heart was trying to slow itself
down. "And it's Brad. We *have* been formally introduced, you know."
Brad grinned at David, glad to have some company at last. Maybe now he
could stop brooding about things...
     "And as a matter of fact, yes, I do need help with this. I can't
hold the frame in place and secure it at the same time, and... oh,
hey! Thanks David!"
     "If you'd show me how you'd like it positioned I can hold it
there while you secure it."
     Brad's grinned widened into a delighted smile at the nonchalant
way David held the heavy glass and wood window in his hands as if it
were a piece of paper. 
     "Come on, I'll show you where I want it."
     They worked for awhile in companionable silence - something that
Brad appreciated. Not many people knew how, or when, to be quiet. It
seemed David had a knack for that kind of thing.
     "Thank you, Brad. It's nice to know I have a knack for
something..."
     Brad ignored the fact that David had picked up the thought and,
alerted by something in the tone of his voice, looked closer at the
strangest of all the vampires he'd met. Old and young, this one - in
more ways than one. 
     And he didn't seem to happy about it.
     "You okay, David. You seem kinda bummed. Anything I can do?" Brad
hesitated just a bit, not really knowing what he could do, but wanting
to help just the same.
     "I know it's not much, but I'm a good listener, if you need to
talk..."

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 462: Tom

	That phrase... it was as though some instinct drew on a hidden 
string within Tom.  At once his bearing straightened, a new fire dancing 
within his gaze.  His thoughts calmed, focused, it was as though he saw 
the world in a *slightly* sharper light.  In other words, he 
unconsciously dropped into character.
	"Fine?" he snorted softly.  "Use that word with *anyone* but me."
	The startled look on Lestat's face, the laughter which bubbled up 
moments later, was enough to draw him back out of it again.  He was 
momentarily horrified that he had actually done "Lestat" in front of the 
genuine article, but as Lestat continued to laugh Tom could not help but 
join in.  "Sorry." he said somewhat sheepishly.  "It comes and goes..."
	"No... don't apologise." Lestat assured him through his mirth.  
"It's rather facinating to watch."  He gathered himself together, still 
smiling, and rested his hands on Tom's shoulders.  "Thank you for that.  
I needed that tonight.  There are... well, if it all comes together, 
there will be enough material for another book, just within tonight's 
events."  He saw the look on Tom's face and shook his head.  "No, it is 
nothing you can be a part of.  But later, we'll discuss it."  He cut off 
another protest with gentle pressure from his fingers, a small reassuring 
squeeze.  "I promise."
	Tom nodded and headed for the door, though somewhat still 
reluctant.  So many things to consider.  Brad... his desperate desire to 
HAVE him now tempered by the wonderous reality of being had by him... and 
the staggering possibility of the Dark Gift... if he *truly* wanted it.  
Suddenly his mind was spinning from it all.  "Very well." he answered at 
last.  "I'll leave you to it.  But if you should need someone to talk 
to..."  He left the offer open and then headed for the door.
	Once outside he chose his path at random, needing the motion.  For
dinner he grabbed a hot dog from a cart and kept going, paying no 
attention to his direction.  He found himself heading "riverside".  The 
directions in New Orleans, like everything else about the city, were 
unique.  The compass had been suspended, replaced by Uptown, Downtown, 
Riverside and Lakeside.  He only knew that Riverside was east because of 
how conscious he had become of late to the rising sun.  
	And so it was that he finally came to the river herself, walking 
past the sloping roof of the Aquarium to gaze into the murky waters 
of the Mississippi.  He sighed, taking in the sheer beauty of the night.  
When he moved here, he needed to get a boat.  It would go well with the 
plane.  Why not?  These waters needed to be taken advantage of.  They 
could cruise under the Dixie Gates... if Brad liked boats.
	Then his mind stumbled to a halt.  His image had been of the two 
of them, cruising the Mississippi as though it were the most natural 
thing in the world - in the heart of darkness.  His memories were 
converting to those of the night.  He was coming to think like that.
	For a brief moment Tom knew fear, the man he had once been rising 
frantically to the surface.  "Run!" this inner voice cried.  "Run before 
it is too late!  Back to your family!  Your career!  You still have 
time!"  And even then his heart gently boxed the voice, put it far away.  
	It was then he truly knew.  The choice had been made.  Not even 
for Brad... not even for *himself*, would he turn his course now.  He 
gripped the railing to still the sudden shiver that ran through him.  
This... was his reality now - child of darkness... heir to the Prince.
	It was as though the world suddenly lay before him, opened like a 
blooming flower, ready to be appreciated, plucked, crushed.  The choice 
was his.  He had only thought he knew power before.  Now he moved into a 
whole new realm... and he couldn't wait.
	Decision made, he knew what he had to do.  Calmly, but with 
purpose, he headed "Uptown".  Toward First street.

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 463: Armand

	Armand's mind skidded for a moment at this unexpected turn of 
events.  Marius accompany him?  Impossible!  Unthinkable.  In fact... 
Armand smiled back at Marius, keeping it light, pleasant.  "Padrone, I'm 
sure you understand.  I'm nervous enough as it is.  To have you there as 
well... I wouldn't know how to respond."  He looked into Marius' eyes, 
his smile widening slightly.  "After all, the emotions I feel for you and 
the emotions I have for Lestat... so different.  And I will need all my 
concentration tonight."

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 464: Marius

	Marius never so much as blinked. In fact, he remained very still, 
smiling just a little, not so much as a twitch showing his emotion. He 
was rather proud of it, actually.
	"Of course, ragazzo," he replied calmly. "I understand. But," he 
held up his hand to forestall any words from Armand, letting his voice 
drop, becoming slightly sharper, "I think it would be best if I was 
there. I shall promise not to be in the way, and I will wait out in the 
hall if you insist. But you are not going to walk over there by yourself 
to speak to him." He fixed Armand with a cool look, the smile slipping 
entirely away. "Do we understand one another, caro?"

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 465: Lestat

          Lestat watched Tom go with a small pang of sadness.  He'd woken up
   with the desire to talk to this mortal, yet he knew that it was better to
   let him go now, before he did more damage to this brash young actor who
   could very well be his child.  Talking could always be done later.  As for
   pain... well, that was hardly a new or different state in Lestat's life
   anyway.  What was more or less of it, now?
          A knock at the door broke through this train of thought.  A
   messanger.  With a letter from Louis.  Lestat all but shoved the mortal
   through the opposite wall of the hallway in his haste to shut the suite
   door in order to devor Louis' words in privacy.
          Lestat read the letter.  Paused.  Then read it twice more.
          A meeting.  Louis wanted a face to face meeting.
          Lestat became so lost in thought at the very idea that it took him
   several minutes to realize that his eyes would stop feeling so dry if he
   just started blinking again.
          "Alright, Lestat, be sensible.  It's not as though you haven't
   spoken with Louis before."
          Oh, sure, like *that* helped.
          In a flash Lestat was on his feet again, racing after the messanger
   in order to send a reply back to Louis before he changed his mind.  He
   caught up with the young man just as he was about to get into the elevator
   (it didn't occur to Lestat until later to wonder if the elevators were that
   slow or if he just read that quickly).  The mortal jumped back about five
   feet at the sight of Lestat again, but Lestat ignored this.
          "I need you to bring a response back to the man who sent you to me."
          "But sir, I've got another message already--"  Lestat fixed him
   with a LOOK "--I suppose I could fit it in."
          "I suppose you could," Lestat said.  Then, when the mortal looked at
   him expectantly.  "What?"
          The mortal hemmed and hawed a bit, not daring to make eye contact
   again.  "I... ah... need the... ah... message to give *to* him."  He jumped
   back another foot when Lestat's gaze snapped at him again.  "Never mind!
   I'll make up something!"
          That did it, Lestat gave in to the laughing fit.  "Come with me, my
   friend."  Without waiting for a reply, he dragged the mortal back to his
   suite, quickly wrote a message to Louis telling him that yes, he would like
   to meet with him face to face as well, then gave it to the messenger along
   with a hundred dollar bill.
          Lestat wasn't sure if the mortal was more frightened of him or the
   money.
          "Go on," he told him.  "I need that message to be delivered quickly.
    As in *now*."
          The mortal, thrilled to be able to get back to doing his job, was
   out the door before Lestat could finish his sentence.  Lestat laughed
   again, savoring it for as long as he could before the results of what he
   had just written occured to him.
          "Mon Dieu, Lestat, what *are* you doing to yourself?"  He sighed,
   then, deciding that he had to do *something* or go insane waiting until he
   could meet up with Louis, returned to his bedroom to change.  *Have to wear
   something appropriate, after all.  Something Louis would like.*  Lestat
   spied a pair of tight black jeans and a loose white shirt hanging in his
   closet and smiled as he began to change.  *Oui, this will do nicely, I
   think.*

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 466: Armand

	Armand looked at Marius, suddenly and completely loving the man 
who stood before him.  Even in the middle of centuries old revenge, the 
emotions were powerful enough to leave Armand speechless.  Marius, no 
fool, knew.  And rather than let the two of them tear each other apart, 
would stand between.  Of course Armand could never allow that.  But it 
did not stop the emotions from flooding him, nor did it stop him from 
moving into Marius' arms.  He felt his creator tense in surprise before 
wrapping strong arms around him, holding him close.  In the middle of the 
courtyard, water trickeling from a half a dozen inset fountains, Armand 
found a moment of peace.
	"Yes, padrone," his voice was soft, warm, surprising himself all 
over again.  "We do understand one another."  He moved even closer, until 
his ear rested just over Marius' heart, listening to the beat - more 
rapid than normal.  Armand knew he could take some credit for that, but 
no pride.  That heartbeat was from tension and fear, not passion.  Then 
he looked up and smiled.  "Padrone... have you ever seen Pointe du Lac?"
	The question caught him so off guard that Marius actually jumped, 
just a little.  "Louis?"
	"No, the plantation.  Have you ever seen it?"
	Marius looked at Armand as though one of them had lost their 
mind.  "He burned it, I thought."
	"He did.  The original is lost.  But there is another, very 
similar to the original plantation.  It's a museum now.  I used to visit 
it when I lived here.  It was a private residence then...  would you like 
to see it?  It is a timeless place.  I found it peaceful."

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 467: David

      "You okay, David? You seem kinda bummed. Anything I can do?" Brad
 hesitated just a bit, not really knowing what he could do, but wanting
 to help just the same.
      "I know it's not much, but I'm a good listener, if you need to
 talk..."  
	David stared at Brad for a moment, he had an amazing talent for
picking up on moods and David wondered if the actor was a bit empathic.
"Bummed?  Yes, I guess you can say that is the word to articulate my present
mood."  David smiled, he liked Brad. He hadn't expected an actor of his status
and age to be quite this sincere and genuine. "Thank you for the offer, but
I'm afraid it's a bit difficult to explain. If I ever figure out my 
labyrinthian life, I think I will follow Lestat and Louis in the tradition
of book writing."  They both laughed at that thought.
	"I don't know David, how old do you think I will be when they get
around to making it a movie?" 
	"Oh, I wouldn't worry about that Brad." he said with a pause "You
could play the old me, but you'll have to brush up on your British accent."
He gave Brad a wide cheshire grin that could rival the Brat Prince himself.
Brad had slightly backed away and David realized that he had made the man
*very* uncomfortable. He sometimes forgot that "the gift" had a way of making
one look simmultaneously beautiful and frightening to mortals. He looked back
to the window frame. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..."
	"Oh, hey it's alright, I know."  They finish securing the window in
the silence that they had started in, only a little more uneasy now. Finally,
David spoke again.
	"Brad, can I offer you a bit of advice from a man that's seen just
about everything?"  Brad nodded, who was he to refuse?  "Treasure the life
you have. I know that you do, I can see that you belong to the sun, but
sometimes...well, sometimes when someone dangles the golden ring before you,
it's hard to refuse. The disappointment is almost unbearable when it tarnishes.
Hold fast to your desires and ambitions, don't let *anyone* intrude on them,
for any reasons. 
	"You're on the right path Brad and I'd like to help you stay there.
If you need help for *any* reason, call on me, or anyone else in this house
for that matter. There is a powerful force gathered here, and you are under
our protection. Remember that." 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 468: Tom and Antonio

	Tom briefly entertained the thought of catching a trolly to 1st 
Street, but then decided the commotion caused by a "Star Sighting" on the 
St. Charles Line to be too much for him to cope with, at present.  He had 
other things to worry about.  Besides, the walk, while long, was not 
taxing.  He could use the time to think.  That was, until the cab passed 
him on St. Charles.  He saw it slow, then *stop*, backing up until the 
cab was next to him.  The driver, a woman in her mid-40's by appearance, 
opened the door, stood, and simply *looked* at him.
	Tom sighed and looked back, waiting.
	She blinked, then shook her head.  "You're... Tom Cruise aren't you?"
	This caught him by surprise.  "Yes...?"
	The driver blushed a bit, then shrugged.  "Sorry.  Thought you 
were someone else.  I've seen him, once or twice... never mind.  Need a 
lift?"
	Intrigued, Tom climbed in.  "I'm headed to St. Charles and First."
	She simply nodded and put the car into motion.  "You would be."
	Now totally bemused, he sat back and watched for a time as the 
city swept by them.  Then, he couldn't help but ask.  "Who did you think 
I was?"
	The driver shrugged.  "It's not important.  Never mind."
	"You thought I was Lestat."  His soft pronouncement was not a question.
	She gave him a sharp look in the rearview.  "Listen.  We're not 
crazy in this town, and we don't need your big city Hollywood attitude, 
all right?"
	Tom shook his head.  "I'm not trying to imply anything of the 
sort."  He smiled as they neared First Street.  "In fact, I saw him not 
long ago myself."
	She looked at him dubiously, still not sure if he was making fun 
of her or not.  So he simply smiled as they approached the corner and 
then paid her, including a generous tip.  The encounter was forgotten 
almost at once as he began walking down the street toward Brad's 
part-time address.  Not by the virtue of walking... but by virtue of the 
fact that he spied yet another visitor come to call on the porch.
	At once Tom was running, across the street, into the yard and up 
the steps before Antonio had time to ring the bell.
	Antonio sighed when he saw Tom running.  "He does not need you as 
his personal watchdog, you know."
	"I know.  I know that."  Tom drew a deep breath, as much to 
steady his suddenly pounding heart as to recover from his short sprint.  
Antonio, in the past few nights, had become the model vampire.  His 
exotic good looks had transformed into unearthly beauty, as fully 
compelling as Louis himself.  The thought of the two of them together 
briefly swamped Tom.  It was Antonio's laughter which brought him back.
	"Flattery..." he drawled, his accent making the words into a 
dangerous purr, "... will get you *nowhere* with me."
	"I understand that too.  Please.  I just want to talk to you."  
Tom could see that the fledgling was unimpressed and was held by a 
near-desperation.  "Please... I just want to talk."
	Antonio frowned.  He had never seen Tom drop his guard like this 
before.  It was wholly unlike him.  Mentally checking on Brad, still busy 
with his repairs in the attic, he decided to give in, for the moment.  
"Very well.  Talk."
	At once Tom was backing down the steps, beckoning Antonio to 
follow.  A mist was rising in the night, rolling off of the river.  What 
more perfect setting could there be for a walk with a vampire?  Tom 
deliberately headed riverside, deeper into the Garden District.
	They crossed St. Charles and then at once found themselves 
enveloped in the violet/silver mist.  If the effect was not lost on 
Tom... he glanced at his companion and smiled.  Antonio seemed to have 
forgotten Tom was there.  He gazed into the sky, through the branches, 
watching as the mist swirled around them, himself every bit as much a 
creature of the night as the mist itself.  "This is what I shall become." 
Tom thought.  Along those lines he was prompted to ask, "How goes it for 
you?  How are you managing?"
	Antonio snapped back to the present, and pinned Tom with a 
glare.  "Why on earth would you care?"
	Tom shrugged.  "You're a new-born vampire.  I'm curious."
	Antonio caught himself staring at a particular house, painted the 
same shade as the mist.  It seemed to loom somewhere between reality and 
fantasy... covered with vines, the plants in front thick and overgrown.  
In his minds eye he caught the image of a woman in a rocker, spending her 
life on that porch as all she knew, herself included, slowly decayed and 
rotted away.  He blinked and the image was gone, but not the impression.  
"It is overwhelming." he said softly.  "Nothing is as it appears.  The 
world is completely different from one moment to the next.  It is 
intoxicating."
	"In other words, it's out of control."
	*That* brought Antonio back to earth, finally.  "Tell me 
something I do not know." he snapped as they walked past the house and on 
down the street.
	"Very well."  Tom took a deep breath.  "Brad and I are lovers.  
And Lestat just offered me the Dark Gift."
	Antonio halted in mid-stride, in a position utterly impossible 
for a human to duplicate.  Tom stumbled to a stop next to him.  "You're 
joking."
	"No.  I'm not.  But I still can't determine if that would make me 
your nephew or your brother or your cousin, or what."
	Looking pained, Antonio assumed a more natural position then held 
up his hand.  "I've stopped trying to figure it out, myself.  When the 
mother literally becomes the child... it just stops there."  Then he 
looked around.  "We do need to talk, you're right.  Come on."  He headed 
away from the river, to a quiet place only blocks away that he had spied 
earlier.
	When they reached it, Tom could not help but smile.  "The 
Lafayette Cemetary."
	"A very quiet place."  With ease Antonio grabbed Tom then hurdled 
the wall surrounding the cemetary.  Rather than settle, as Tom expected, 
Antonio shoved his hands in his pockets and continued walking, making his 
way through the miniature city of white marble.  "If you take the Gift," 
he began after a few moments, "what will become of Brad?"
	"That is what I want to talk to you about.  I know that you and 
he are... close."  Antonio simply nodded.  "When I become a vampire as 
well, I have no idea what I will do."
	"You know exactly what you will do.  You've come to me to try to 
talk you out of it."
	Tom smiled, studying the damp grass under his feet rather than 
look up.  "Yes.  Exactly.  I need your help."
	Antonio groaned softly, almost a laugh, almost a sob.  "You have 
come to the *wrong* person, my friend.  I want him as badly as you do."
	Tom hesitated.  "I swore I would help him fight it.  To keep his
mortality."
	"And yet in your heart you have already betrayed him."
	"Yes."
	Antonio's reply was so soft Tom had to strain to hear it.  "And 
so, Lestat, would you make him your Louis?"
	"And keep you as our Armand?  Create the coven all over again?"  
Tom's reply was quiet and intense.
	Antonio only shook his head.  "I believe our roles are reversed.  
I am more like Lestat.  *You* would end up being Armand.  But Brad... "he 
sighed, raking the cemetary as though it contained answers that were but 
hidden in the mist.  "Brad would most definitely be Louis."
	"Yes."  Tom stopped as well, searching the night, knowing his 
heart already.  "I will not be able to resist him."
	"No, you will not.  And even if you do... "  Finally Antonio met 
Tom's eyes again, allowing the mortal to see the hunger there, the 
desire.  Tom only nodded, understanding it at once.
	"We should stay as far away from him as possible." Tom finally said.
	"Yes."
	"We should never return to him."
	"Yes."
	Tom started back across the cemetary, in the direction of First 
Street.  He did not turn back, but only said softly, "Are you coming?"
	Antonio sighed, then followed.  "Yes."

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 469: Louis

	"Mr. du Lac?"
	Louis turned to see the concierge walking after him with quick mincing 
steps. An amused grin threatened to spread over Louis' features,but he cleared 
his throat instead, quelling the expression and merely looked pleasant.
	"Oui?"
	"I have a message for you." The concierge held out an envelope. "It was 
delivered not a quarter of an hour ago. Do you wish to send a reply?" 
	Louis opened the envelope and glanced at the familiar scrawl.

	"Louis-
                   Midnight. Back parlour.
        
         Lestat"
	
	Louis shook his head. "No... no reply. Thank you." Louis walked toward 
the elevator.
	Lestat did want to see him! He did want to talk to him, face to face! 
	As he waited for the elevator, thoughts ran through his mind. What would 
he say? Hello, Lestat. Nice to see you. The reason why I fell into bed with 
Antonio was because I had to obliterate the pain of your leaving me... 
       The door to the elevator opened, Louis stepped in and pushed the button 
for his floor.
	'What do I say to him? Lestat, being separated from you is one
nightmare -no, can't use the word nightmare- one living, breathing
hell...'
        Louis sighed and closed his eyes. He should simply come out and
say it.
	'Lestat. I love you.' Louis sighed again. He'd say that, but when?
When he first set eyes on the blond demon?
	The doors opened and Louis stepped out. Flexing his fingers
unconciously, he walked down the hall to his suite. He pictured the last
scene with Lestat. Played out right here, at his door. His mouth tight to
Lestat's, Lestat's body pressing him against the door, Lestat's hands on
his body... Louis shivered. The very thought of intimacy...
	He opened the door with his agile mind and walked into the
darkened suite and over to the window.
	"Antonio..." he whispered. It had been so very wrong. And only
sadness came out of it. Louis closed his eyes and scanned for his friend.
Ah. With Tom.  What would happen with Brad? Would Tonio leave the mortal,
or would he try and keep his human passion alive and beating inside his
chest? "Tonio... I'm so very sorry. I only hope I was of some help to
you..." Louis murmured, looking out into the street below.
	Louis opened the long window and stepped out onto the lacy
balcony. "Why did I come here? To this hotel?" He looked into the night
sky. "Claudia..." he whispered. "Did you remember the night Lestat brought
you to this very place, wrapped in blankets..."
	In a few hours he'd be at their home. The home they shared for
nearly sixtyfive years. He wanted to return to his home. To Lestat. To
live there with him until New Orleans turned to dust...
	If only he could put into words the emotions that were coursing
through him. The undeniable love for Lestat, his remorse for the affair
with Antonio, the need to be back with his lover, his companion, his
maker.
	
_________________________________________________________________________
Post 470: Jesse

        "It's such a beautiful night, Jess...dance with me!"
	"What?"
	"There, on that cloud right under the moon. Dance with the devil
under the pale moonlight...come on, it's our chance to be a Batman cliche."
He laughed pulling her in the direction of the destined cloud. 
	"Daniel..." Jesse laughed, as he slipped his arm around her waist and 
began to dance her through the silvery mist.
	He drew back slightly and grinned. "Haven't you ever wanted to do this? 
I mean, really dance on a cloud?"
	"Not until I met you." She replied touching her cold cheek to his. "You 
make me feel... like Ginger Rogers!" 
	"Then I'm Fred Astaire!" He twirled her around and then dipped her back 
over one arm. He brought her upright and then back against him, dancing closely.
"Sing with me Jess! Heaven... I'm in heaven and my heart beats so that I can 
hardly speak... and I seem to find the happiness I seek... when we're out 
together dancing cheek to cheek!" Daniel sang the old song to her as he moved 
her around the clouds.
     	"Where ever did you learn that song!"
	"Armand loves movies... la,da,da,da,da,dum cheek to cheek.... we
saw every movie that was ever made, I swear to God, Jess." He laughed
"Specially Fred Astaire... de,dum,de,dum,deeeeee...He went through a real
thrities kick for a while."
	"You're quite the romantic, aren't you?" She said softly.
	"Uh huh. So are you. Admit it. Oh, look, Jess... a plane! Wave to
the nice mortals, we could end up on one of those mysterious sightings TV
shows!"
	Daniel twirrled her around again.