RPG SPEC: Dagger of the Mind Sequel to "Hollywood Vampires" Parts 48-50, Posts 471-500 _________________________________________________________________________ Post 471: Daniel Daniel set Jesse down on the cloud and looked around for a moment. "Something wrong?" She asked. "Yes. He have the right atmosphere, but the wardrobe is all wrong! Wait a minute here while I get a few things." "Where are you going?" "I'll be right back I promise! This has to be done right Jesse." He blew her a kiss and descended back to the earth. It took him about fifteen munites to aquire all the necessary items, and another ten minutes to find his way back to Jesse. "You moved!" "Daniel, how long did you expect the cloud to sit in the same spot? Anyway, this one is nicer." She smiled at him and then noticed that he was wearing a tux! He was holding something behind his back and she strained to get a look at it. "This is for you m'lady." and he handed her a white silk gown, on top of it laid a single white long stem rose bud. "Would you put it on for me? There's a cloud over there that would make a nice 'little ladies room'" He turned around as she changed into the dress. "Daniel, I think you got a size to small, it seems a little tight." He turned around, his jaw nearly dropped. "Oh it's perfect, trust me, it fits fine!" "Where in the world did you find all of this stuff!" "There's nothing that a few felonies can't handle, Jess. Shall we dance?" He took her hand and spun her around in midair. "But wait, I think we need some music!" He reached in to his coat pocket and pulled out a tiny musicbox. "I hope you like the tune, it was always one of my favorites when I was a kid." he said as he wound up the box. Out of it flowed the sound of "Edelwiess". He clipped it to his coat and proceeded in his waltz. She held tightly to him as they soar through the stratasphere, dancing with the stars. "My Robin Goodfellow." She whisered in his ear. "...and my Titania." He returned. _________________________________________________________________________ Post 472: Marius Marius took this in for a moment, then sighed, giving Armand a thoughtful look. "I do not think this is quite the time for sightseeing," he said firmly. "Amadeo... no, listen to me." He smiled, taking the sting from his words, reaching out to gently brush back stray tendril of hair from Armand's face. "I am going to walk over to the St. Louis right now. If you would like to accompany me then I would be grateful. And if you truely wish to talk to Lestat alone..." He hesitated, then sighed. "If you wish, I shall sit in the lobby. As you did last night, alright? And," he continued firmly, "if you do not wish to accompany me, then I shall go speak to Lestat myself, for there are things which need to be said." _________________________________________________________________________ Post 473: Brad "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." Brad sighed, his momentary fear of David forgotten as he weighed his predicament. "I'm a goner, you know." Brad banged on the window with unnecessary force. He set the mallet down before he missed and broke the glass all over again. "Don't give up, young man..." David began, but Brad cut him short. "I'm not giving up, David. Just facing facts. Antonio is one of my best friends in the world. Not only are we real tight, but... there's a definite attraction there as well to royally mess things up." Brad shivered slightly, remembering the feel of Antonio's fangs drawing the life from his body - and his own feeling of incredible bliss while he was doing it. "I don't think he'd actually do it to me, but I know he wants to... I found that out the hard way. The guilt would kill him afterwards, might even drive him over the edge into madness. I know that." Brad gave David a lopsided grin. "You see, Tony started out with a passionate nature. If he got too fired up, he could kill me by accident - and I'm not taking any bets that he'd let me die in his arms. He'd do it at the last minute, just so I wouldn't die on him... "And now there's Tom. That whole thing would be enough of a trip on it's own, but when I left him with Lestat he pretty much said he would take the Gift when Lestat offered it. And Lestat did offer, David - right in front of me he offered to make Tom his child *if* Tom wanted it." Brad stared miserably out of the frame David was holding in place, his eyes falling on the peaked roof of the gazebo. "Tom sent me away, saying we'd talk later." Brad shook his head, his eyes shifting to stare at his own refection in the glass. "I don't know what for. He's already made up his mind. He's sure as hell not going to turn down immortality because *I* asked him too." "He might," David interrupted quietly. "Don't kid yourself, or me, David. Tom *wants* it, badly. If Lestat didn't give him the Gift he'd wind up like Daniel, chasing after you guys for years 'till one of you killed him or turned him. "And after he's turned, how long do you think I'd last?" Brad quirked a eyebrow at David. "He's very much like Lestat, you know. He can be just as callous and cruel, just as single-minded about getting what he wants. And I'm his Louis, you see... He *couldn't* stay away from me, especially not now, after what's happened between us," Brad murmured, his eyes going back to the gazebo, and then again to a scene they'd played in a sewer, filled with the corpses of rats. "It's not in his nature to do so." "Brad you're making the mistake of being resigned to your fate." David's voice was filled with concern, and Brad smile at him. What a good guy he was to worry so much about a stranger! "What else can I do?" Brad laughed harshly. "I sure as hell am not going to make myself crazy over this - fuck *that* kinda shit. I know you guys are real. I know what you have to do to live. And I know that I don't want to be one of you. "I also know that what I want won't count for much in the end. Tony's having a real hard time controlling himself and my own Brat is very used to getting what he wants. I should have listened to Louis last night. He said I was in over my head - and boy, was he right." Brad wandered away from the window into a darker corner of the attic, turning away from David's knowing gaze. "And now I'm in even deeper." "You should leave..." "I know. But I made promises - ones that I intend to keep." Brad knew his promises were essentially futile, but that didn't matter. What mattered was that he not stop trying to keep them. "Maybe I could make them not want me," he murmured, his mind taking a new tact as he turned and studied the incredibly beautiful face of David Talbot. "Armand said it - and Tom reminded me of it... they only take the beautiful ones..." "Good God, NO!" David was across the room in a flash, gripping Brad tightly by the arms. "Ease up there, Dave," I've already got a set of arm bruises!" Brad laughed in a shaky attempt at lightening the mood. "That's madness, Brad! You mustn't think like that." "I *told* you, I'm not going down that road. And it's a completely valid idea. You've got to see the logic in it." "Logic has nothing to do with this, Brad!" Daivd's eyes blazed with a fierce intensity and he shook Brad a little as if to shake some since into him. "I was a very old man when Lestat first knew me, well beyond my "attractive" years. *It didn't matter in the least!* He would have taken me anyway, to keep me from dying - because he loved me. *Me*. Who I was *inside*. Certainly you are a beautiful young man on the outside, but I'm positive that it's what you carry inside that draws them both to you. "You're an artist, young man," David said angrily. "Would you deliberately ruin a work of art?" Brad remembered his fury at finding the piece of tiffany glass he owned that had been brutally cut from the perfect whole, and while he didn't consider his face to be a work of art, he acknowledged the point. "I know it's not the best idea in the world, and I'm not particularly fond of it, either - but I'm running out of options here. Unless I come up with something, it may be the only thing I can do!" _________________________________________________________________________ Post 474: Armand Armand looked into Marius' heart and saw there the same protective spirit which would have come to his own defense. He knew Marius had been pushed as far as he could go. "Very well, padrone." He smiled again, lapsing back into the feeling on anticipation. "I hesitate to ask you to wait in the lobby, but if you feel you must..." "I do." "Then I will attempt to keep my meeting brief." He allowed the smile to touch his eyes for a moment. "Like Hong Kong. I did not kill him then, and I swore I would not try again. Trust me." He could see that Lestat's death was one of the last things Marius worried about. Wise man. Death was far too simply - and *far* too quick. Still, Armand had done what he could. Without another word he slipped away from the courtyard, across the street, through the tunnel, and emerged again before the St. Louis, entering quickly. He almost did not turn to look at Marius as he waited for the elevator to arrive, but at the last moment he forced himself to turn, to face the man to whom he had pledged so much of himself. He could not speak, but simply looked at him... not knowing suddenly if they would ever see each other again. It felt that way. No matter what came of the meeting above, whoever returned to Marius that night would be changed. He watched Marius read all of this within his eyes, and yet did not move. Could not. The elevator rang behind him, and like smoke he entered, meeting Marius' eyes again as the doors closed silently behind him. *Goodbye, padrone* With that thought Armand forced himself to forget the pain on Marius' face. Forget everything but what awaited. He felt his pulse accelerate again, slightly, his muscles coil again. It was as though they stood once more within Notre Dame, facing each other calmly when the true stake were no less than heart and soul - far more telling than life and death. Armand moved down the hall like a shadow, briefly considered knocking, then abandoned the idea at once. Without sound he entered the suite. Lestat stood with his back to him, facing the window which gave a view of the street below. Armand knew that he had seen the two of them cross the street. His entrance was no surprise at all, but it hardly mattered. He dropped his voice into a low purr, the smile on his lips as cold as the glitter within his eyes. "Well, Lestat. It seems our time has come." _________________________________________________________________________ Post 475: David David contained his fury only to keep from upsetting Brad further. The making of Antonoi was bad enough, now Lestat wanted to bring Tom across, who was certain to make attempts on Brad, *if* Antonio didn't get him first! All of this, because *no one* in the coven knew how to keep their emotions under control. For all of his ranting about the Talamasca, David gave thanks that his training hadn't gone for naught. "Listen to me Brad, this *isn't* the way! I am a man of my word, I said I would protect you, and I will! I know it seems odd that a vampire you hardly know would take such a vested interest in your safty and wishes, but I have my reasons. "You see, I was once in your shoes. I had denied Lestat for years, hoping to remain friends while still clinging to my mortality. I was at Death's doorstep, but I was resolute, I would never accept the gift. And for a while, Lestat respected my wishes. He hated it, but he respected them. After the ordeal with Raglan James, I guess he had enough of fearing death and he took me. I fought him, but what was I against the Vampire Lestat." David stopped a moment, as if wrapped in contemplation. It was quite obvious that the memory disturbed him, but he continued on for Brad's benefit. "I called on the names of every spirit I could think of, but I should have known from all my studying, that a spirit cannot physicallly defeat or even really threaten a vampire...let alone Lestat. I was alone in my struggle, there was no powerful being for me to turn to. I seriously never thought that Lestat would just take me! After all, I was young again...but he did. "Young man, you are not alone! Jesse, Pandora, Daniel and myself, we will do all that we can to protect you. Antonio has powerful blood in him, but the power contained in this house is equal to that of the First Brood plus mental stability." He smiled a bit, thinking of Khayman and Mekare. "And Tom, well, if Lestat does turn him, there is no telling how he will turn out. His power won't be strong, Lestat saw to it that I received all that he had to give. That was only a few years ago, you tell your friend that before he agrees to accept anything from Lestat. It's very possible that Tom will end up with a true vampire nightmare. "I'm not telling you these things to scare you, I'm telling you so that you know there are other options then scarring yourself for life. The decision is yours, but weigh the consequeces first. Cut you face, but if you are taken, they will heal. Then think of what I told you before, they will want you for what you are inside. This isn't old Europe and there are no absurd rules to follow. If I am right, and they want you for *who* you are, then they will still take you. Cut off a limb, gouge out your eyes, and then ask Maharet and Mekare how they cope with the deformities. You'll find it isn't pleasent. "Call on me, call Jesse, we *will* do everything in our power to see that you do not become one of us...even if what we have to do is unpleasent,we will honor your wishes. "For my part, I will go to Lestat and try to disuade him from making any others...though once Lestat has made up his mind--" David was cut off mid-sentence by the sound of the doorbell. He quickly scanned to see who it was. "Brad, you have visitors, shall I send them away for now?" "Send, who away?" Brad gave David a amused grin. "I don't do the mind-reading gig, you know." "It's Antonio... and Tom." David said grimly, not sharing in Brad's amusement. "They've come to have a word with you." "No, I'll answer it. I have to confront this sooner or later, might as well be sooner." David watched Brad walk down the attic stairs. He kept a close ear on the thoughts of the two visitors. _________________________________________________________________________ Post 476: Brad Brad was totally at a loss. What in the name of all that's holy were Tom and Tony doing showing up *together* on his door step? He hesitated for a long moment, his mind racing over all that David had told him, before giving in with a sigh. "No, David. I'll answer it. It's not like I can wish this whole thing away. I'm going to have to deal with it sooner or later, might as well be sooner." He turned to go, walking toward the attic stairs, his hands clasped behind his back in the gesture he unconsciously adopted whenever he was in "Louis-mode", which this whole situation seemed hell bent on forcing him into. He paused at the head of the stairs and turned back to David. "Thank you for the offer of help, David. I... I didn't mean to dredge up a bunch of painful stuff for you, and I know it was a really stupid idea I had - I only really considered it for a moment or two." Brag shrugged away the ridiculous notion of a moment before. "But I'll tell you something, David. I said I didn't want the Gift, and I don't. Brad had no idea of the shadowed, haunted look in his eyes as he continued, "But I never said I didn't want them, either of them. I truly don't know if I could refuse either of them if they needed me badly enough. I don't think I could mimic Louis intestinal fortitude on this one. Turning Lestat away like he did in The Body Thief..." Brad shook his head. "I don't think I could have done it." Brad grinned at David again, but the smile had very little humor in it. "You see, I'm a soft touch, a sucker if you will, for the people I love." With a small wave, he turned and went down the stairs. ************************* As he drifted down the stairs to the door, one thing among all the things that David had said to him played itself over and over in his mind... "It's very possible that Tom will end up with a true vampire nightmare." The thought of that happening chilled Brad to the bone. He knew Tom had absolute faith in Lestat's ability to accomplish anything he had a mind to, but this was not something that was up to Lestat. What if Lestat made him and it wasn't enough to make him properly! Would he go mad? Would he become like those mindless, malformed things Louis had described so vividly in his book? Brad felt himself trembling all over at the possibility, and when he opened the door, his eyes went first to Tom, checking to see if he was still human. He sighed with relief at the natural mortal flush that suffused the handsome face. He grabbed Tom by the arm and dragged him inside before he did something extremely foolish right out in the public eye. "Don't just stand there, Tony, come in!" As his friend stepped through the door and shut it behind him, Brad move in a gave him a quick hug. "You seem in a slightly better frame of mind, amigo," Brad said, giving Tony a affection thump. "I had been, yes," Tony said with cryptic gloom. Brad shook his head and grinned at Tony. "Stop being so sour, Tony. You'll get wrinkles." Before Tony could reply that he was no long subject to wrinkles, Brad turned to Tom and pulled him into his arms, hugging him tightly. "Glad to see you're still with me," he whispered in Tom's ear. "I've told Antonio about us," Tom began awkwardly. "Maybe I should have left that to you..." Brad cut him off with a kiss. "That's okay. Now I can give you a kiss or two," Brad punctuated the statement with the additional kisses, "and not worry about giving Tony a brain seizure or something." "So," Brad said, leaning against Tom, his arm draped negligently around Tom's shoulder, deliberately keeping things as light as possible, hoping to hold off the high drama for a bit longer. "You guys want to hang out or something?" _________________________________________________________________________ Post 477: Tom "So, you guys want to hang out or something?" Tom looked at Brad as though he had lost his mind. Then he could not help but smile. He turned under Brad's arm, reached out to turn his face, and captured the satin warmth of his lips again for a deeper kiss. When he broke off, they were both breathing rather heavily. Tom glanced at Antonio, who looked at them both rather disbelievingly. "Sorry." Antonio only snorted. "Now I *have* seen everything." Tom was about to reply when a loud rumble filled the hallway. Tom glanced at Brad. "You hungry?" Brad grinned sheepishly. "I was distracted. I forgot to eat." Tom frowned. "Who delivers around here?" "What, you're not going to cook me dinner again?" Grinning, Tom moved closer, wrapping an arm around Brad's waist, holding him close. "I'm in the mood for other things." Antonio groaned softly. "Listen, I'll take the two of you out to eat, if we can tone down the PDA's a bit. All right?" "This coming from the man who pawed every woman on the set in front of every camera he could find." Brad snorted, grinning. Tom shook his head at once. "I honestly don't feel like playing the superstar tonight." "Ditto that, man." Brad seconded at once. Antonio looked at them cryptically. "That will *not* be an issue. Come on." Brad looked at Tom quizzically, but he only shrugged and followed Antonio out the door. At the corner a cab waited patiently, though Tom knew they had not called for one, or made arrangements. The driver took off without being asked, and once again Tom watched the complete ease with which a vampire, even a fledgling, controled the world around him. The cab pulled up before the Omni Hotel. Antonio shoved a bill at the man, who did not so much as look at it before he went speeding away. And then the three of them stood in front of one of the largest hotels in New Orleans, in the heart of the tourist district. Not a soul noticed. Any one of them wandering about like this would attract attention. All three together? Tom had visions of the national guard being called. No one so much as blinked. He looked around, stunned, then glanced up at Brad who wore the same expresion of disbelief. Finally he glanced at Antonio, who merely shrugged, watching them. "Finished? Come on." Somewhat in a daze, Tom followed him up the stairs and into the "Rib Room", the Omni's restaurant. Rather than be seated in the main body of the room, they were led to a private dining room, where two meals already waited. After the hot dog of earlier, this seemed a banquet. But again Tom glanced up at Antonio. "Won't you... won't this make you ill?" Antonio shrugged. "I"ll wait over here." That would have to do. Brad tucked into his ribs with gusto, Tom following quickly thereafter. They were not disturbed. No one asked for autographs. In fact, except when bringing desert and coffee, they were left strictly alone by the staff. Finally the last of the dishes were cleared away, and Tom was feeling rather over full, but pleasantly so. He looked across the rim of his beer mug at Brad. Beer in hand, one booted foot propped casually on an empty chair, he looked as though he didn't have a trouble in the world. "This is great, man." Brad was saying around a healthy swallow. "I mean, this is *awesome*. We can do the town and no one will be the wiser! We can go club hopping! The music down here is out of this world. I've *gotta* hear it*." His eyes sparkled... he was relaxed and happy. Tom barely had the heart to bring it up, but he had to. "Brad?" He glanced over at Tom, then his smile flickered, and faded away. Searching his face, Brad nodded, finished the last of his beer, then set the heavy mug down with a solid thud, his entire posture one of someone who had been waiting for the other shoe to drop. "All right. Shoot." Tom nodded, seeing no reason to drag it out any longer. "I've decided. If he asks, I'll take it. I... know he said it was up to me. If I really wanted it, he'd give it to me. But it's never a good thing to try to predict what Lestat will do. That in mind... *if* he askes me to join him, I will." It was the most important decision of his entire life. The words should have sparked a celebration of epic proportions. Youth, wealth, power, beauty, immortality - all there at his feet. And yet the words hung heavy in the ear, as though he had just pronounced a sentance of death. "You did, Amigo." Antonio said softly, looking at him with sympathy. "You just pronounced your own death sentance." Brad looked at them both, and his soft voice carried even more weight, each word impacting like a blow. "Not just his own." _________________________________________________________________________ Post 478: Jesse "This is just to perfect." She sighed, as she laid her head on Daniel's shoulder. "Yeah." He drew back grinning. "I don't think it's too shabby, either." "I never pictures immortality as dancing on a cloud on a whim." Jesse giggled "We can do a lot of fun things that mortals can't do." Daniel spun her around "Mortals... oh, dear..." Jesse glanced earthwards. "Daniel, are you picking up bad vibes from Brad?" Daniel stopped. "Yeah. But David's with him, so he should be OK." He replied. "I guess we could just go and listen in, and if things settle down we could go out again." Jesse's brow furrowed silghtly. She knew Brad's fear of having the Dark Gift imposed on him. Antonio was headed his way, and she had promised to protect Brad... "I admire that, ya know. How you care about other coven members. Even Lestat." Daniel took her hand and kissed it. "I know. I don't know if it's an "Earth Mother" instinct, or just a hangover of humanity..." "I think I had the Mother of all Hangovers of Humanity." Daniel grinned. "I used to do hangovers that verged on the realm of art." Jesse cocked her head to one side. "I should ask Armand about that. If I'm to live with you, I should know about these things." "Live together?" Daniel smiled. "You want to live with me?" Jesse kissed the tip of his nose. "I thought you'd never ask!" _________________________________________________________________________ Post 479: Daniel Daniel studied her face for a minute. Could she be serious? She wanted to live with *him*! The boy-toy of Armand! The little ole reporter from San Fransico that some how, very possibly, started all the events that had led up to the present state of matters! To think that a chance encounter at a bar, had led to all of this...it boggled the mind! Which reminded him that he hadn't received his latest royalty check for the mass marketing of Interview With the Vampire. He made a mental note of it and turned to Jesse again. "Well?" "'Well' what?" "You gonna shack up with me or not?" "'Shack up'?" "Yeah, you know, live in sin with me." Daniel got down on one knee and took her tiny white hand into his. "Jessica Reeves, will you do me the honor of taking this wayward vampire into your heart and give him a home? I was dying before you whirled into my life and showed me there was living, adventure and mystery outside of Armand. I love you Jesse, and I want to be with you always!" _________________________________________________________________________ Post 480: Brad Brad sighed heavily into the deep silence of the room, bowing his head and scrubbing his fingers through his hair as he tried to gather his wits. It had been fun for awhile, sitting here stuffing his face in peace, thinking about how excellent it was to be with the both of them at once and wishing it could last. But it couldn't last. And now it was time to face the music. Brad had waited a bit, not looking at Tom, just to see if he would rush in and fill the silence with denials. He didn't. He raised his head and looked at the miserable face of his lover. "You think I don't know you'd find some way to bring me over?" Brad asked him quietly, ignoring the flinching motion Tom made at the accusation in his voice. "I *know* you're not going to let me go, Thomas - especially not now. "Just like I know my hot blooded amigo here," he nodeded his head in the direction of his most trusted friend, not daring at this stage to look directly at him lest he lose the head of steam he was building up, "could be persuaded to assist you." No protests or denials from that quarter either. Brad narrowed his eyes and leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms in front of him like a barricade, and studied the distressed form in front of him. "I'll tell you one thing, Msr. Le Cruise, if you think I'm just going to let you waltz right into immortality unhindered, dragging me along behind you, you're kidding yourself. I'll do everything I can think of to stop you. I won't let you do it to yourself *or* me. "I mean it Tom!" Brad sprang forward and banged his fist down on the table hard, causing the cutlery and reamaining cups and glasses to leap into the air. "I'll fight you. I'll fight Lestat, Tony, and anyone else! I'll do whatever it takes to stop this insanity!" He jumped up from his seat, unable to sit still a moment longer and paced back and forth, trying desperately not to shout and wave his arms around like a lunatic. He gulped a few deep breaths of air, trying get his feelings under control. But all he could think of was David's warning that it was too soon for Lestat to make another stable fledgling - knowing Tom would setttle for nothing less than the Brat Prince himself. Now he made himself look at Tony. He was perfect. Beautiful beyond words. Made by one who for all anyone knew had never before in the span of two hundred years made a child. So strong he was, and without flaw. Tom would expect the same - no, better! And there was no guarantee that he would get it. The thought of his proud and dynamic lover becomming anything less than the perfection he strove for in everything he did broke Brad's heart and made him desperate - and angry. He pointed his finger at Tom, shaking uncontrollably. "I can't believe you could willingly do this! You'd give up every blessed thing you've worked for since you were a *teenager* for it? You've tossed away almost everything you care for already. And... and... you made me think that you cared for me a little too. But if you do this, you'll loose me as well! And I'm warning you right now, even if you manage to get yourself turned, you're going to get your ass waxed but good if you try to lay a fang on me - either of you!" He swung a baleful glare at Antonio to make sure he knew he was included in the rant. "David said he would help me, and he could wipe the floor up with both of you! And there's Jessie, *Maharet's* child after who knows how many centuries. She doesn't like you anyway, Tom, and could blast you long distance if I called her. And PANDORA," Brad said a bit wildly, "she likes me. I could go and live with her. It'd be fun, she's a hoot! And she's old. She doesn't need to eat much. I know if I asked her just right she'd take me in, and roast you but good if you..." Brad stopped suddenly as what he was saying sank in. He was threatening two people who were so important to him that the thought of being without them made him sadder than he'd ever been in his life. "I'm sorry," he whispered, sinking back down into his chair. "I'm sorry, guys, for threatening you! It's just that I don't know how to fight this! How to keep my friend," he looked at Antonio, "and my lover," he reached out and brushed Tom's cheek with shakey fingers, "and *myself*", he balled his fist in the fabric of his shirt where it stretched across his chest, "from being lost forever to the dark." He wiped roughly at the tear that slipped free from the ones he blinked furiously away as he tried to regain his balance in the face of increasing dispair, and laughed shakily. "I can't believe I just threatened you... but then again, that's not the stupidest thing that's come into my head tonight, though I never actually said the other out loud..." "BRAD!!!" Before he could even react to the deafening roar, he was being hauled out of his chair and turned face to face with a *hugely* pissed off vampire. "*Jesus*, Tony! What the hell's wrong with you?" _________________________________________________________________________ Post 481: Marius Watching the elevator doors close was like watching the gates of hell clang down across his soul. Was this how the women felt, watching their loved ones go off to war against their own kin, during the Revolution? It was several long moments before Marius could tear himself away from the bright, burnished metal of the elevator to even bring the rest of the lobby into focus. It was done. It would be done. And what was said, what the outcome was, he could not know. Could not influence. It was beyond his power, now. Armand and Lestat... and his entire heart screeched in fear that one would not survive. All he could do was wait. He had either just said goodbye to his lover and newly recognized child forever, or there would be peace. There was no space between the two extremes. "Oh gods," he whispered, barely breathing the words. "Oh gods... oh gods, *please*..." it was a litany of desperate and perfectly sincere prayer. Finally, his movements slow and leaden, he forced himself away from the elevators and through the glass doors into the courtyard. The courtyard was larger then that of the St. Anne, with a double tiered central fountain down which water cascaded. There were tables and chairs scattered about, part of the small hotel cafe, and Marius chose a seat at the closest one near the wall, beside the potted garden of plants that ringed the courtyard, settling into the wrought iron chair heavily, nearly collapsing. Even without thought he found his eyes turning up towards the walls that stretched above, trying in vain to seek out Lestat's, and finally settling on the appropriate floor as his eyes became unfocused, his body relaxing into the chair a bit as his mind reached out, finding the presence he wanted and settling back to wait, and watch, and pray. _________________________________________________________________________ Post 482: Jesse Daniel got down on one knee and took her tiny white hand into his. "Jessica Reeves, will you do me the honor of taking this wayward vampire into your heart and give him a home? I was dying before you whirled into my life and showed me there was living, adventure and mystery outside of Armand. I love you Jesse, and I want to be with you always!" "You love me? Really?" Her eyes opened. "Yeah..." Daniel grinned. "Do you want to make something of it?" "I think we could make a *great deal* of it!" She sniffed, a single blood-tinged tear trickled down her cheek. "Well?" He looked expectantly into her face. "Can I live with you?" "YES!" She squeeked, launching herself at him. She landed on top of Daniel and pushed him over back wards. They rolled over and over in the silvery cloud, alternately laughing and pressing kisses to each other's faces. Daniel sat up and pulled Jesse across his lap and grinned down into her smiling face. Sparkling droplets of water from the cloud glistened in her hair and on her eyelashes. "Do you have any idea how really beautiful you are?" He said softly, bending to kiss her again. "You're always laughing, always smiling. I didn't know we could *be* that way!" Jesse slipped her fingers into his thick hair."You always seemed like you were trying to hard to be happy... I just let it happen." "Do you think we could 'let it happen' up here?" He whispered, nuzzling against her neck, tracing the vein in her neck with his tongue. "I can't see why not," she sighed, nestling closer. "We're alone except for the moon and the stars." "Do you love me, Titania?" "I love you, sweet Robin." _________________________________________________________________________ Post 483: Tom Tom never saw him move. At one moment Antonio was sitting, looking every bit as miserable as Tom felt. The next... across the room, holding a fistfull of Brad's shirt and shaking him like a ragdoll. Tom was in motion before he even thought about it, his full weight coming to bear as he launched at Antonio. He might as well have hit stone. Stunned, he looked up from where he fell as Antonio continued to shake Brad. "Don't you DARE!" Antonio roared, loud enough to cause his ears to ring. "I swear by the blessed sun, if you so much as touch a knife to your skin I *WILL* turn you Brad... and no force on earth will stop me!" His fangs were bared into a feral snarl as Brad tried without success to free himself from the iron grip. Tom gained his feet once again and tried to pry Antonio off, a little more cautiously and with the same effect. "What are you *talking* about?" he demanded, muscles bulging with the effort. In disgust Antonio shoved Brad back into his seat, turning to face Tom. "His master plan." he sneered, anger dripping from every word. "He will take a knife to his face, to disfigure himself. That way we will no longer want him. He will no longer be *beautiful*." The look he shot Brad was so full of contempt that Tom feared it might actually do him harm. Tom felt primal horror clutch his guts and twist savagely. All he could do at that moment was shake his head in denial, eyes wide as the full impact of Antonio's words hit him. "Cool down, man." Brad snapped, not bothering to get up again. "I *thought* about it. I'm not gonna do it so get over it." Antonio was so clearly furious that Tom truly began to know fear. It was not the passionate explosion he had come to expect from the hot blooded actor. This was... it bordered insanity. "Antonio..." he said softly, hoping to draw his attention. "Antonio... it's all right. He wouldn't do anything like that. We've cornered him, he's desperate. But..." here he shot a look at his lover, making the statement clear, "he knows how much such a thing would hurt us. And it would be stupid besides. The blood would cure it. Any disfigurment would vanish the moment he was taken. He knows that." Antonio growled, setting the hair on the back of Tom's neck shooting straight up. He did not pace, but simply glowered at Brad, driving home his words. Then he headed for the door. "I need to walk." The door slammed so hard that the pictures skewed on the walls. Tom gazed at Brad a long moment, who returned his look warily. Finally he sighed, sitting next to his lover. "Well, that'll cover the fly by's." It was a bad quote. Worse yet, it was a "Top Gun" quote. Tom gave him a half smile, then snickered. The situation was perfectly absurd. What else could they do? After a moment Brad joined in, his laughter strained, but he was trying. Then Tom tilted his head back, studying the ceiling. "You wouldn't really do that, would you." Brad was silent a moment, causing Tom's heart to skip a beat. "No." he finally answered, his voice soft. "I wouldn't. But I will fight you Thomas. Know that right now." Tom turned to meet the blue eyes squarely. "I understand that. I hate it, but I understand." What more could be said? Tom slowly leaned forward, sliding his hand around Brad's neck to draw him forward for a soft kiss. Immediately it took off, the heat threatening to swamp him. Only a need to breathe caused him to break it off finally. Then he rested his forehead against Brad's for a moment, his eyes closed. "I hate fighting you." he whispered. "So don't." Brad responded, his voice just as low. "Give up this crazy idea and stay with me." Startled, Tom opened his eyes to once more gaze into his lover's, inches away. "I'm asking you to stay with me, Thomas. *Be* with me." Tom backed away slightly, swallowing. "Must the choice be between you and Lestat?" Before Brad could answer the door opened again, a waitress entering to clear away the last of the dishes. She did not look at the two of them until she already had an armful. Then she glanced at Brad, smiled pleasantly... froze.... did a double take... and dropped everything in her arms. She looked back and forth from one to the other, wide-eyed. "You're.... you're... Brad PITT!! And Tom CRUISE! You're Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise!!! Ohmyghodohmyghodohmyghod....." Tom mentally groaned. Just when he was sure his night could not get any worse.... _________________________________________________________________________ Post 484: Lestat Lestat sighed, softly, looking around just slightly so that he could see Armand out of the corner of his eye. "Oui, so it has," he replied. He turned around fully, leaning against the window sill as he looked at Armand. "Alright then, we are here. Tell me what must be done so that there can be peace between us." _________________________________________________________________________ Post 485: Brad "You're.... you're... Brad PITT!! And Tom CRUISE! You're Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise!!! Ohmyghodohmyghodohmyghod....." Brad froze. They'd forgotten that Tony's departure left them visible to the world. He thanked everything he could think of that they were in a private room, and that the waitress had not come in a minute earlier. He could just imagine the headlines... He had no idea what to do about the babbling, near hysterical waitress so he simply sat and stared miserably at the door, wishing there was some way he could get out. While his mind ran in circles, Tom sprang into action. Or rather, Lestat did. Right before his eyes, Tom turned himself into the Brat Prince. "Ah cherie! You have found us out. But please, you must calm yourself if you are to help us!" Tom picked up the woman's hand and bowed over it, planting a quick kiss on the back, causing a high- pitched squeal to issue from the ecstatic waitress. "You will help us, won't you?" Tom positively oozed charm from every pore. It was quite disgusting - and totally fascinating to watch. Brad had a inkling of where Tom was heading with this little scene and composed himself accordingly, falling into his best worried, angst-ridden Louis mode. "My Louis, heh," Tom laughed self-deprecatingly as actually blushed slightly, "I mean *Brad*. I get too much into my work sometimes, but it makes for a more convincing performance, don't you think?" The waitress nodded vigorously, her eyes darting to look over at where he sat, whereupon another high-pitched squeak was emitted, before her gaze returned to Tom. "As I was saying, *Brad*," Tom smiled at the waitress as if sharing a private joke with her, "and I were having a bit of a confab over what to do about our film." Tom bent and began to pick up the jumbled items around her feet, turning in such a way that the woman could get a good look at his rear without being observed by him - a opportunity which she did *not* pass up! "The production's been shut down," Braid piped in softly - mournfully, a worried frown creasing his brow. The woman's eyes flew to his face and she gasped and nodded, wringing her hands, her eyes filling with tears over his sorrow. Brad started to feel really bad about putting her on, but Tom shot him a wicked grin from the floor and straightened to block her view of him. She leaned a bit to peek at him around Tom's shoulder but her attention went quickly back to Tom as he spoke again. "It's just as Brad says, cherie, the production has for some mysterious reason, been shut down. We're putting our heads together to see if we can't get it going again. As a matter of fact, Mr. Banderas was here only moments ago, helping us decide what to - I'm afraid you just missed him..." The poor woman looked as if she would faint at any moment. "So you see my dear, our little cinematic "coven" was seeking a little privacy to see what we could come up with to save our film. We know Lestat and company are near and dear to the citizen of this marvelous city and want to do our best to make sure that their fascinating stories, and the wonders of New Orleans are shared with all the world!" "We need your help at keeping our presence here a secret, cher. If we were found out, it would be an awful scene, and we'd have to leave, our task unaccomplished." He fixed her with a sad look and slipped his arm around her waist, steering her toward the door, leaning in to whisper confidentially to her, "You will help us out here, won't you, ma cher?" He gave her his best Lestat grin, and Brad put his hand over his mouth and looked away as if worried. He was desperately trying to keep a straight face. "Oh, *yes* sir," the woman breathed. "Oh please, we're all friends here. Tom will do fine," The Cruise mega-watt smile was brought into play this time. "After all, you are doing us a enormous favor by standing guard for us while we brainstorm this problem!" "Yes, Tom!" the woman sighed at him "I won't tell a soul!" "Outstanding!" Tom beamed at her. "What a jewel of a woman you are," he handed her through the doorway, careful not to be seen from the outside. "Remember now, not a soul comes through this door. We don't want our plans overheard and broadcast to the world before we can act. I know we can trust you, cherie. Without your help, The Vampire Lestat film will certainly go down in flames..." "*Nobody* will get past me," the woman smiled shyly at him, "Tom." "Thank you ever so much, cherie." And with that he shut the door in her face. Brad stood from his seat and applauded. "Oh stop it," Tom said grinning, moving purposfully toward him from the door. "You jumped right in there too! "The production's been shut down,"" he mimicked, adding a extra bit of drama. "You were laying it on so thick, the poor woman was about to have a seizure," Brad chuckled, backing away from the wicked gleam that lit Tom's eyes as he advanced on him. "I thought she needed a bit of a switch up before she od'd on your vaunted charm." Brad leaped to the side as Tom made a grab for him and missed. "You're the one that damn near killed her! You shouldn't be allowed to do that Louis-thing without medical personnel available to attend to the victims!" Brad laughed again and missed his chance to doge. "Let me go," he laughed into his Brat's eyes. "Never," Tom responded in all seriousness. Brad sighed heavily, looking down, away from the intense gaze of his lover. "Never is a long time, Thomas." "We could have all the time we ever need, Brad..." Brad silenced him with a kiss, not wanting to talk about that again just yet. The door opened again, this time slamming back on it's hinges with terrific force. "You look," Brad whispered at Tom. "Tell me how bad it is." Brad braced himself for the worse, grateful that there were no camera flashes so far - of course that could always mean video recorders. "It's *Pandora*.... I think!" Tom gasped in amazement. _________________________________________________________________________ Post 486: Pandora Pandora watched David walk out of the room with a hint of sadness. He was so sweet this young one, so charmingly worrying about everyone else to his own detriment. She hoped that what she had said to him would help, but he could be inflexible and she feared that this would be one of those times. Sometimes being as old as she was could be a curse. She often felt as though she was replaying different scenes from her life as she watched the dramas unfold around her. She supposed that having been the watcher for so long she was going to watch forever. A daunting prospect at best. She stretched with a yawn that became a sigh, time to get on with another day. She untangled herself from the curtains with a tinge of sadness. It was too bad that David was otherwise entangled, he would have made a wonderful companion for a century or two. Perhaps it was time for her to make one ... she squelched the thought. There were enough problems to deal with without adding to the mess. She threw the drapes on the couch while making a mental note to have someone rehang them and headed for the door. Time to get dressed. She did a quick scan and noticed that David and Brad were upstairs and that Daniel and Jesse were off dancing on a cloud. She smiled a little at the mental image that formed "way to go Jess" she said quietly on her way up the stairs. Sometimes being telepathic was nice, you could run naked through the house and *know* that no one was going to catch you. She took her time getting dressed after taking a long, relaxing soak in the whirlpool tub that was in her room. There were perks to the master bedroom after all. While she dressed she scanned idly for those she had promised to protect. Jesse and Daniel were oblivious to the world, although they were trying to shield. Lestat was alone in his room although Armand was heading to join him. Armand?? Oh dear, she hoped that went well. There was Marius, faithful Marius, waiting for his child in the lobby like a servant. Gabby was in her room, and did not appear to want company. (OOC - want me to take Gab if no one else has time?) And now to check on the mortals. She scanned for Brad and was surprised to find that he wasn't in the house. Aaah, there. He was at the Omni. She began to eavesdrop shamelessly. Oh dear god, he was there with Tom *and* Antonio! Happy he was not... ::Jesse, stay on your cloud love, i'll take care of Brad okay?:: With that she dashed out the window and headed for the Omni. She arrived at the door of the private dining room that Tom and Brad were ensconced in. Antonio had left while she was on her way here. That should make this a little easier. She paused for a second and awicked little smile appeared on her face. She appeared to draw herself up and then she moved like lightning, slamming the door back on it's hinges and stepping into the room. "And what" she asked ominously "is going on here?" She smiled a little inside when she saw the looks on their faces. It was almost hard not to giggle. _________________________________________________________________________ Post 487: Tom Tom flashed the newcomer a look of pure frustration. "What business is it of yours?" he demanded. "Or do I need written permission to spend time alone with you?" This directed at Brad. "Pandora. One of your multitude of guardians. Just to make triple *sure* I don't force the gift on you." "It's not like that..." Brad started. "You may not think so... " he flashed another look at Pandora, who stood in the doorway, grinning. Tom had never struck a woman before in his life, but he had been tempted a few times. This definitely being one of them. "... but obviously *they* do." he finished, his glare focusing on Pandora. "You want him? You got him." Tom pushed away from the table and stood. "Let me know when you have a moment. I'd like to continue the conversation at some point." He stalked out of the room, too angry and unsettled suddenly to care that Pandora could easily vaporize him, just as Brad had threatened. Not even Lestat could stop her. Once outside he got his bearings. Without Antonio this would be tricky, but not impossible. He'd been in worse spots before. He quickly found his loyal groupie, looking a bit dazed. Obviously Pandora had sent her away from her post of guarding the door. Plastering a smile on his face, dropping into his best "Lestat", he oozed charm at her once again. "Cherie, you must help me now." "Oh... oh *yes* Mr. Cruise..." His smile would have blinded most passers-by. "Thank you. I need the manager of the hotel, and a quiet place to stay, where I will not be disturbed until he arrives." Nodding and stammering, she rushed to do as he asked. Moments later he was meeting with the manager, who hastened to assure that the hotel limo was available for transportation anywhere within the city. Tom gratiously thanked both, signed autographs for any who asked, then was quickly whisked into the back of a whisper-quiet black six door. For a moment he just sat back, contemplating the events of the night. From Lestat, to Antonio, to Brad... finally to Pandora. It was out of control. He knew it. And yet... "What a way to go." he sighed. Then he leaned forward to the driver. "I'd like to go somewhere by the water, where I won't be disturbed. Do you know of such a place?" "There's a park, sir, not far from here. Would you like to go there?" "Perfect." They quickly arrived at the park. As promised, it was deserted, and on the water. Tom tipped him heavily and headed for the shore, not looking back. The ever present breeze caressed his face, reminding him of... no. Best not to think about that now. Perhaps not again. Depending on what Pandora... not to mention David and Jesse... fed to Brad... He sighed once more and remained lost in his thoughts, gazing out across the fog shrouded Mississippi. _________________________________________________________________________ Post 488: Armand Armand thanked any who listened that he was so heavily shielded. He knew his expresion did not betray him... the shock he felt at the simple words. And immediately his mind switched gears. What new game did the Brat play with him? He quickly began to analyze the strategy, his defenses stronger than ever before against Lestat. His smile was colder than ice. "You wish me to dictate the terms of your surrender?" "Are we at war, then?" Again Armand mentally backtracked. Lestat's words remained simple, tinged with sadness. He would have to guard himself carefully, until he understood this new game. "Not any more. The war has ended." Calmly Armand entered the room, halting some distance from Lestat. "I won, by default." "We both lost. And I'm sorry." Direct hit. It was all Armand could do not to wince at the words. 'The war has ended' indeed. His own words mocked him. The war still raged. The ammunition had changed - that was all. And as Armand came to understand the thrust of this new offensive, he began to worry. His defenses were not constructed to withstand *this*. "What are you sorry for?" he purred, as though the answer mattered little to him. "For all of it. For the pain I've caused. I'm sorry." Damn him! He could feel the anger rising as the the confusion within him grew. Damn him! What did Lestat stand to gain by this? 'Everything' his inner voice assured him. 'He defeats you, he gains Marius, and the world'. But how could he fight against *this*? This simple honesty? The pain Lestat made no attempt to conceal. He needed more information, so much was obvious. So he retreated, just a little, keeping his outer apperance still strong, slightly cynical. "What do you hope to gain by this... this new mask you wear? It is not like you. Where are your grand speeches? Your dramatic postures?" He leaned in a little, eyes narrowing. "Where are *you* Lestat?" _________________________________________________________________________ Post 489: Louis Louis unlocked the back door and walked into the hall. So much had happened since he was last here... all the pain that accompanied the events. Perhaps now all the pain would end, and he and Lestat would be together once again. There was so much to tell him. Louis had everything set out in his mind to exactly what he would do. Lestat would come into the room, and lean against the doorframe. There would be a partial smile on his face. He'd nod slightly. Louis would then go to him and take his hand. He'd tell Lestat he wanted to show him the ring. They'd walk into Louis' bedroom and Louis would take the ring from the safe. "See?" Louis would tell him, "still have it. Now be honest, Lestat. Is this ther real one?" And Louis would grin. And so would Lestat. Then the ice would be broken. Louis knew he would then be able to ask Lestat to forgive him. He sighed. Would it work? Would they be able to really be honest with each other, believe each other? The house was quiet. The old clock, long neglected, had run down. The hour, and then the quarter hour, did not strike. Louis moved silently through the rooms. They spoke to him of times gone by, of laughter, tears, hatred and love. Had the others who had inhabited these rooms felt their past? Did the impressions Jesse saw as a Talamascan Researcher manifest themselves to others? How often he had wondered if shadows of the past were left behind once you vacated a house or flat. Louis took out his pocket watch and glanced at it. Twenty past midnight. Was Lestat late to add drama to his entrance, forever the actor seeking effect? Or had he changed his mind? Had he slipped back into the old "Brat Price" mode, finding humility, honesty not becoming? Louis stepped to the window and pulled aside the drape. He looked down into the courtyard. No one was there. No wispy shadow thrown by a preternatural form. _________________________________________________________________________ Post 490: Lestat "Where are *you* Lestat?" Lestat leaned against the wall, his head falling back a little to rest on the cool surface as well as he felt, not for the first time that night, that he had not a drop of energy left in the world. There was the sound of a soft, bitter laugh. Lestat soon realized it was his own. "Where am I?" he sighed, his shoulders falling a little, but he raised his head so that he could look at Armand. "Good question. 200 years of... of *this*" he made a vague gesture around himself, encompassing his entire world "and where am I indeed?" Another bitter laugh. "Hated. And hunted by those I love and sought to protect by keeping them as far away from me as possible." He heard a hiss of breath. Another moment before he realized it was *not* his own. Once more he met Armand's eyes, feeling a sudden pressure against his back as the wall moved forward, blocking his sudden, unconscious retreat. "So you admit it," Armand said, his words barely spoken yet painful to Lestat's ears. "Your love is pain." Lestat needed no time for the truth to meet his lips. "Yes." _________________________________________________________________________ Post 491: Armand *..... hunted by those I love and sought to protect.... * Another direct hit, and Armand felt another of his walls crumble before the barrage. Still, go for the throat now, or turn tail and run. Armand steeled himself. "And who do you love, Lestat?" he hissed, his throat suddenly tight. "Who was it you sought to drive away from your pain?" He forced himself to look up, to meet the now-gray eyes, *daring* Lestat to lie to him. _________________________________________________________________________ Post 492: Lestat (The record for the shortest post!) Once again, no time was needed to respond. "You, my brother." _________________________________________________________________________ Post 493: Armand The air left his lungs in a silent "whoosh". He couldn't breathe. He couldn't take his eyes from Lestat. He could no longer fathom the game they played. He had thought it unlikely he would loose tonight's battle. How hopelessly foolish he had been. Armand would forever be guilty of the crime of underestimating Lestat. All he could do was shake his head slightly, the blood leaving his face as the air left his lungs. He could feel his eyes go wide, and yet he could not bother with such details now. Still reeling, all he could do was respond to it with the pain... and with the truth. "Why?" he whispered. "Why do you hate me so? For the love of God, Lestat... can you tell me that much at least? Why do you wish to destroy me? I swear to you, I have never understood it." A thousand possibilities lept through his mind, chief of them the faces of Nicholas and Marius, reasons enough to wish him dead, or at least permanently out of the way. Which of them had Lestat chosen? He had to know. _________________________________________________________________________ Post 494: Lestat Lestat felt a sudden burst of anger, he shoved himself away from the wall, arms folded as he began to pace. "Dammit don't you understand?? I *don't* hate you! That is the entire *point* of it all!" Lestat stopped to rake a hand through his hair, feeling sick to his stomach and too cowardly to look at Armand. His eyes suddenly felt hot with tears. "Do you think I *want* to hurt you? That... that I am some sort of monster?.... Oh gods...." Feeling a sudden rush of weakness and lightheadedness, Lestat half clutched at, half fell against the back of a nearby chair. His hair fell forward, obscuring most of his face as it slipped out of its ponytail, some strands sticking to his cheeks as the blood tears finally fell. "I love you, that's why I don't *want* to hurt you... didn't you listen? didn't you... oh gods what does it matter? I will never get it right..." _________________________________________________________________________ Post 495: Daniel *I love you* The three words that he needed to release him from Armand's bonds. There was somebody else that needed him, that *wanted* him. "You know what?" He pulled Jesse from his chest so that he could look into her eyes. "What?" she said with a wide grin on her face. "I feel like the Genie in Alladin!" "What!?" she laughed. "I do! You know the part at the end when Alladin uses his third wish to free the Genie from the lamp. That's what I feel like right now! It's like a thick iron chain has just desolved into thin air! And it's because of you Jesse! There are no words for me to discribe my love for you...but you *can* take something back." "Take something back? What are you talking about?" "Drink from me Jesse, like I drank from you. Then open your mind to mine and be one with me here in the sky, where all the earth can bear witness that I, Daniel Molloy, love Jessica Reeves. _________________________________________________________________________ Post 496: David It was time to relax, Antonio had left Brad and Tom, that meant David could take a breather for a moment. After all, Tom was hardly a threat in his present state. On the day he is made, the whole coven will know, that much was sure! Unless he could some how convince Lestat not to make Tom a vampire. But David knew that Tom wouldn't last a second if Lestat turned him down, any fool could tell that his heart was set. It was a rather moral bind for David, Tom was lost either way. The trick was to figure out which was the worse of the two evils. One thing was for sure, if Tom were granted the gift, he would go after Brad. How long could David and the others protect Brad? Would he have to be a prisoner in this house till his natural death? *But at least he'll still have the sun* David thought to himself. He turned his thoughts to Brad once more...something was different. Tom was gone and Brad was on the restaurant talking to Pandora! He hand't even heard her leave the house! Damn she was good! David wondered how many times she must have used that trick on Marius when she was in one of her "comas". David picked up his sports jacket and made his way to the door. Brad had nothing to fear from her, but she was a little overbearing for one man to handle at times...especially if she was in a good mood, which she was. He quickly flew to the restaurant and entered through the unhinged doors. He noted Pandora sitting next to Brad with her arm wrapped around his shoulder. "Uh...excuse me, I'm so sorry to interrupt, but um...Pandora, did you forget about our date?" "What date?" She said blankly "You know, the one that wasn't" he stopped a moment to view the decor around him "...here." _________________________________________________________________________ Post 497: Jesse Daniel was gazing deeply into her eyes. For a moment, she felt as if he had touched her very soul. "Drink from me Jesse, like I drank from you." He whispered to her. "Then open your mind to mine and be one with me here in the sky, where all the earth can bear witness that I, Daniel Molloy, love Jessica Reeves." Her reply was a deep, lingering kiss. "Daniel," Jesse murmured, "I love you so much..." She trailed little kisses across his cheek and rested her lips on his ear. Her cool breath in his ear and on his neck made Daniel shiver. Wrapping his arms around her, he turned his head slightly to one side. "Go on..." He whispered. Jesse kissed the curve of his ear. "Excuse me if I take my time..." She gigggled softly. Daniel kissed her shoulder. "You're making me crazy..." "That's the entire point!" She ran her tongue down his neck. "Hmm. This looks like a good spot!" She scraped a fang along his neck. "Jesse!!!" She drew back slightly. "You don't like to play? Maybe I'm supposed to wear a leather corset or something?" Laughing, he whirrled her around in the cloud. "You are one insane vampire, aren't you?" She laughed and nestled her head against his neck and shoulder. "This," Daniel began, "has to be one of the best nights in my liiiifffffffe..." The sentence ended in a gasp, as she slowly sank her fangs into the tender juncture of neck and shoulder. His rich blood flowed freely into her. With it came the visions of his past, swirling through her, enveloping her. Visions of sunlight glinting off the water and filtering through the greenest of leaves. Visions of sunlight shimmering on the ocean, the surf pounding a brilliantly white sandy beach. There were visions of city streets and country roads. Visions of a pale skinned man, with the most shockingly emerald colored eyes, a small tape recorder whirring on a table. She saw Daniel, chin cupped in hand, cigarette dangling from his lip, amazed at the story Louis told. And then there was Armand. The eternal, beautiful enigma in the body of a teenager. Face of an angel, eyes of a sage. She felt the sensation of Daniel's lips on her throat, as his fangs sliced through her milky skin. There was more to her swoon than blood. She felt swept out to sea on a tsunami of passion. _________________________________________________________________________ Post 498: Brad Brad stared at the floor, trying to hide the hurt in his eyes at Tom's parting words. Didn't he want him anymore? Was the real truth that now that he'd won Brad, touched every part of him and made him like it, the game was over? Was he suddenly not worth the effort? "Nonsense!" Brad looked up to find Pandora bearing down on him. "Cheer up, you beautiful young thing. Of course he still wants you. You make him crazy! It's all he can do to keep from pitching a tent in his trousers every time you move!" Pandora shoved him down in a chair and pulled up another, settling down gracefully - and practically on his lap! He looked at her out of the corner of his eye and she grinned at him, "Oops! My aim was a little off." Brad raised an eyebrow at her, and she chuckled. "Honestly! I meant to land *on* your lap, not almost off it!" In spite of himself Brad laughed, then yelped as Pandora started exploring his person with her very experienced hands. "Uh, Pandora, ummm, I, AH, uh, really don't mean to be, ungh, insulting or anything but..." ""Uh...excuse me, I'm so sorry to interrupt, but um...Pandora, did you forget about our date?" David! Brad had never been so grateful to see anyone in his life. He hurriedly did up his pants as Pandora turned her attention to David. "What date?" She said blankly "You know, the one that wasn't" he stopped a moment to view the decor around him "...here." "Date?" Brad interrupted, momentarily confused. "But I thought you and Daniel.." "Daniel's moved on to having sex with Jessie now, Brad," she shook her head at him with mock exasperation. "You really must keep up you know." She tapped his bottom lip with the tip of a carmine nail. "But then you were busy at that time, in the Gazebo I believe, having se..." "Pandora!" David interrupted. "...sex with that rude young man who just left. Anyway, David's have sex with me now, but that's just until he can patch things up with Santino..." "PANDORA!" David roared. "WHAT!" Pandora exclaimed. Looking from one flushed and embarrassed face to another. "Oh for pity's sake!" Pandora said with disgust. "What then? Everyone can have sex with whoever they like and in an infinite variety of configurations - as long as they don't talk about it?" "Exactly," David said with a sigh of relief. "What utter nonsense!" Pandora exclaimed with a disgusted snort. David groaned, and Brad couldn't help but laugh again. What was it Anne had said? Her vampires didn't have sex? Seems she needed to have a chat with Pandora. "That's very true, you beautiful creature. Why I could tell her some stories about Marius that would..." "Pandora, *please*," David whispered. "Oh all *right*!" Pandora agreed with a flounce. "You're so sensitive - as I can well attest to." She winked at David, and Brad burst into a fit of laughter. She was too much! "Thank you, young man," Pandora beamed at him. "But enough of this chit-chat! I want to *do* something!" She leapt to her feet, dragging Brad up behind her. "Ugh. I hate what you're wearing. You too," she wrinkled her nose at David's brown tweed jacket. "Seem's a bit of shopping is first on the list!" "Pandora, I want to thank you for thinking of me, but I want to go and find Tom..." Brad interrupted - or tried to. "You don't have to find him, my dear. He moping around in a park, thinking about you - he could get himself mugged that way!" Pandora rambled on. "We'll pick him up after we've finished. "But first, *shopping*!" Brad knew any protest was futile, but he did try to interject on his own behalf, "I don't really care for red, Pandora. I don't think I look good in it..." "Don't be ridiculous, Brad. *Everyone* looks good in red!" Brad sighed as Pandora flung an arm around his waist and steered him toward the destroyed door. She reached out and grabbed David's arm in a vice-like grip as they passed him by. "After we get you boys some decent clothes, we'll pick up your young man and find a nice club where we can dance. This will be such fun." Pandora beamed happily at them. "I haven't been on a double date in *ages!" _________________________________________________________________________ Post 499: David *Double date?* ::Pandora! We really should leave Brad and Tom alone tonight, I think they wanted some time to themselves:: ::Looks like Tom wanted time to *himself* the way he shot out of there. Anyway, Brad needs to be cheered up...don't worry David, I won't neglect you tonight!:: It was hopeless, Pandora's mind was set. All he and Brad could do now, was sit back and enjoy the ride. David, as apologetically as he could, spoke directly to Brad ::I'm so sorry about this...I didn't even know she left the house, I came as soon as I realized:: Before he had time to hear a response, Pandora had suddenly stopped. "Ha! I almost forgot! We'll need Jesse and Daniel with us." She was off into the sky in an instant. "OH MY GOD! Brad, grab on to me. We got to catch her before she barges in on them." "You mean they're still--" "Yes! But that won't stop her." David scoped Brad into his arms and chased after her into the stars. _________________________________________________________________________ Post 500: Daniel Daniel sunk his teeth into Jesse's small delecate neck. It looked so fragile, like it would snap if he put to much pressure. His mind was invaded by images of the concert. Oh how well he remembered his first night as a vampire, and the madness that threatened to destroy all of them. He saw Jesse as a mortal for the first time. He thought she was one of the twins from his dream. He remembered Armand's snare as he spat the word Talamasca to identify her. And then he saw the accident, or rather the atempt to throw Jesse out of the way of Lestat. The *fiends* had broken her beautiful neck! If the culpits weren't already dead, he'd have to thank them before killing them himself. O happy night when this goddess was born! He lifted his mouth from her and stared into the moon as he let her blood course through his body. It was an enchanted night, nothing could go wrong. "Jesse, Daniel! Oh you two fledglings look adorable together! And well dressed too! Get yourselves together, we're going out!" Except maybe Pandora, followed by David and the mortal Jesse had sworn to protect.