RPG SPEC: Dagger of the Mind
Sequel to "Hollywood Vampires"
Parts 60-62, Posts 591-620	
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Post 591: Armand

        It was as though a switch flipped in his brain.  One moment he was
sleepy, happy, a little playful.  At the mention of Daniel, though, the
walls slammed back into place, and once again he considered his words
carefully.  He could see the effect this had on Marius.  He felt him
tense, expecting bad news.  And as much as he wished to do so, he could
not deny it.
        "Daniel is fine." he said softly, moving to hold Marius as well as
be held by him.  "He has fallen in love with Maharet's Jesssica."
        Marius frowned, trying to puzzle out where the bad news lay within
that phrase.  "He wishes nothing to do with you now?"
        "On the contrary, I have invited the two of them to reside with
us, should they care to, in Italy.  In the villa.  I believe they have
accepted, though he must ask her first, of course"
        "Of course."  Marius nodded reasonably, still trying to fathom the
change.
        Armand sighed.  "He is currently residing with her.  and David.
And... Pandora.  They are all together, on First Street."

________________________________________________________________________
Post 592: Marius

        Marius' entire world STOPPED.
        For one moment the words just scrambled around senselessly in his
mind, desperately looking for something to connect with. Daniel, residing,
Jessica, together, First Street, Pandora, David, Maharet... PANDORA.
        Memory of a dark haired sylph that had captured his heart, teased
from him a passionate love he had never experienced before.  Memory of
absolutely mindless, heart stopping bliss, the heady feeling of having
placed trust and devotion in another for the first time and feeling as
though he might never touch the ground again merely from the ecstasy held
in her dark liquid eyes.
        Memory of shouted words, bitter burning anger, ceaseless fights,
oppressing himself in an effort to please and placate her fiery nature
until he could bend no more. Memory of the first time she had left,
turning on her heel and walking away, the words still hanging in the air
between them and all of those fragile, precious, newborn emotions ground
to dust beneath her feet and leaving him hollow and empty inside. And the
memories repeated over and over and over again, through countless
centuries, helpless at her beck and call and forever cast away when she
tired of him.
        Pandora. First child of his blood, when he himself was no more
then a fledgling. First love of his life, and first to destroy him.
        His entire universe quivered around him just at the mention of her
name.
        Pandora. Awake. Alive. Herself again. And here, in this city, not
a stone's throw away. And she had not contacted him, had not thought to
tell him, even though she gathered others to her and into her home.
        He, her creator, her caretaker, her lover and first worshiper...
and now, forcibly, like a slap in the face from one of her lovely pale
hands, reminded of his true place in her heart.
        Her slave and lap dog, to be neglected and forgotten as she pleased.
        Somehow, incredibly, he had found his voice. It was even steady,
showing none of the emotion that coursed through him like an electric
current. In amazement, he listened to his own voice speak words his
shocked mind could barely understand. "Pandora? She is here? She is...
well?"

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 593: Armand

	Armand could only guess what coursed through his creator's mind.  
His long silence, his eyes holding an uncharacteristic lack of emotion or 
animation... those were clues.  Just her name had struck close to his 
heart.  "Pandora?  She is here?  She is... well?  He sounded calm, but 
his eyes told a different tale, so closely guarded they may have held the 
world's greatest treasure inside.  And so they did, for those eyes 
guarded his heart.  The heart which Pandora repeatedly destroyed.
	And now to loose the final volley, to watch it explode and 
shatter, then to pick up the pieces as best he could.  At least they were 
not in public.  At least Armand would be the one to tell him, in private 
and away from prying eyes of others.  "She seems to be fine, padrone." he 
answered softly, preparing himself.  "In fact, she seems to have made a 
new friend."  Coward!  He could not just blurt it out.
	"Oh?"  So calm, that word.  So guarded his heart.
	Armand took a long, deep breath.  "It seems she has befriended... 
David Talbot."

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 594: Daniel

	"Danny! What in God's name happened to your eyes!!!"
	Daniel was caught off gaurd. He was so over joyed that Jesse still
loved him and wanted to be with him, that he forgot for a moment he was
blind. He didn't need his eyes to see her, her image was ingraved perfectly
in his mind; Her apple green eyes, her copper red hair with the tight
spiral curls that cascaded over her shoulders, her heart shaped perfect
face that spoke more volumes then any novel, the light that seemed to
eminate from her, the milky white porclien skin. He hadn't realized till
now *how* important this woman was to him. 
	"Daniel!  Answer me!  What happened to you?  Did someone try to
hurt you?  Oh God, you didn't try to--"
	"No!  No, God Jesse, I'd never do that!  Not now, not when I have
everything to live for. It was an accident. I thought I could take a peek
at the sun. It's been so long since I've seen the dawn, I thought I could
handle a few seconds with your blood. I guess I'm not strong enough yet.
IT will heal in time, don't worry about it, what's important is that you
have agreed to liv--"  Daniel paused for a moment and laughed.
	"What?" A tone of worry still in her voice.
	"I just realized that you and I will be the only couple in that
coven still living in sin." 
	"We'll worry about that later, we should something about your eyes."
She ran her cold silk hand over his face and he shivered at her touch. He
took her hand and kissed.
	"Forget it, it's nothing...I'll ask Brad if he has a bottle of
visine I can borrow. I want to know if that's okay with you. I don't want
to sound unromantic, but I don't want to marry you...not officially, I
mean. It seems so constraining, even though Armand tells me it isn't.
I don't want you to be bound to me over any agreement or ceremony, I want
you to always be free. I don't want anyone to ever say, 'That's Daniel's
wife' or make ball and chain jokes."  He held her tightly in his arms,
hoping she didn't think he sounded like a total idiot, or that he was
trying to get out of commitment.  "I only want to hear, 'That's Jessica
and the man she loves.' and maybe a thousand years from now we could 
break down and finally admit to everyone that we are married."
 
_________________________________________________________________________
Post 595: Daniel

	Jesse lay her head on Daniel's chest and sighed. 	
	"I don't care about being married, either. The only thing I want in this 
entire world is to be with you. Not that I wouldn't _mind_ being your wife, but 
being sorta dead... I think it's rather pointless. I mean, it's not like we'd 
have a houseful of kids... or a mortgage... or have to join a country club, for 
Christsake..."
	Daniel couldn't help but laugh. "Jesse, tell me... you're serious right 
now, aren't you?"
	"Well... yes." She replied.
	Daniel was laughing so hard, tears were forming in his reddened eyes.
	"Would you mind _sharing_ that thought?" Jesse asked. She was only able 
to read wild hilarity in his mind.
	"Oh..." Daniel gasped, "I just had the silliest thought... a bridge 
foursome of the two couples... Armand and Marius... and Louis and Lestat... all 
at a country club!"
	Jesse kissed his chin and worked her way up to his mouth. "Lestat a 
member of a country club! Now that _is_ a frightening thought!" She giggled.
	In mid kiss, Jesse lifted her head. 
	"Are you sure I can't do anything about your eyes tonight? I'm picking 
up these vibes from Pan... she wants to party tonight with everybody and then 
some..."
	Jesse got to a nose to nose level, squinting at Daniel's burnt eyes. 
"Now, if it's just the cornea, a few drops of my blood might fix it... but you 
know it might be the retina... or the optic nerve. Hmmm." She inspected him 
closer.
	"Well, Dr. MS Eyedoctor Vampire?" Daniel smirked, knowing how close she 
was, feeling her cold breath on his face. "What's the prognosis?"
	Jesse sighed. "I think we may have to do something very drastic... 
something that I may have to really talk you into. Gosh, Danny. I don't know how 
to tell you this."
	Daniel sat up. "What?" He asked. He was honestly worried... Jesse's 
precious maker Maharet was blind, but saw through stolen mortal eyes. "You don't 
think...?" He gasped.
	Jesse pressed him back into the pillow. 
	"I'm afraid so, my darling. The only way to really help cure this 
blindness... is if we make love." She surpressed a giggle. "I think maybe a few 
pints of this..." she bit her finger and trailed a few drops of blood across his 
lower lip..."could make all the difference in the world. Need I say more?" She 
whispered, leaning in and kissing him.
	"Jess... I think you just talked me into the treatment..." Daniel 
replied, pulling her down on top of himself.

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 596: George

	George noted the slight frown on Sting's face as he spoke of 
Tom.  *I wonder if he got the 'Here there be dragons' speach too....*  
"Yeah," he answered carefully.  "Tom mentioned something about a get 
together.  He said there'd be some special consultants there as well.  
Though he got very weird on the specifics."
	"Perhaps it's a ghost writer for the script," Sting said.  "Or 
voice coaches."
	*Is he making a crack about how I talk?*  "Maybe.  But why would 
they bring voice coaches to a party?"
	"Why would they bring any consultants to a party?"  Sting smiled 
to take any harshness out of his words.  "I assume that they are coming 
for the same reason we are: to get to know everyone and to relax."
	George considered this.  "Maybe.  Though Tom was giving me the 
weirdest speach about being careful around these guys.  I got the 
impression meeting them was important somehow."  George shrugged it off.  
"To him, anyway.  I've gotta say he was acting strangely in general."

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 597: Christian

     "*CHRIS*?!!!" Incredulity and a touch of fear showed in Brad's
voice as he spotted the young man Daniel had brought home with him and
left standing in the hall. Brad tore himself away from her and raced
down the stairs toward the young man.
	Christian turned to face the stair case as he heard his name being
called. He saw Brad running down the steps and another gorgeous woman still
standing at the top. He turned back to Gabrielle who seemed to have lost
interest in him and was herself, staring at the woman at the top of the
stair case. 
	"Chris!" Brad shouted again, only this time in front of him. Christian
shook his head a little and looked back at Brad. What was wrong with him that
he couldn't concentrate?  He was an actor, he'd been around slightly more than
perfect surgically altered women before. He stood up and shook Brad's hand.
	"Well as I live and breath! Brad you old sonofabitch, I lost a great
car because of you!  What the hell are you doing here?
	"I'm living here for now, what are you doing here?  How did you know
where to find me?"  Chris laughed. 
	"I didn't. I thought you dropped off the face of the earth with
Tom and Antonio."
	"What?  What did you hear about us?" Brad asked nervously.
	"Just that you were all the victims of the dreaded Vampire Lestat
curse. You should really get yourself to a grocery store, Brad. That's where
I always go when I need to find out how messed up my life really is. There's
a great picture in The Sun of the four of us with a little caption that 
reads 'Is Slater slated for doom too?' But uh...if this it what 'doom' entails
I think I wouldn't mind to be doomed." He looked over at Gabrielle and Pandora
who were now talking quietly to each other. "Jesus Brad, how did you hook up
with this bunch?  Are Tom and Tonio here with you, or is it just you, the
women and the blind guy.?"
	"Blind guy?"
	"Yeah, he's the one I gave a lift to after he mowed me down in the
stair well of the St. Louis. Danny is what the other woman called him before
she jumped his bones and they disappeared.  Anyway, he comes flying out
of nowhere and we went tumbling down about three flights of steps. I'm still
pretty sore from that, come to think of it..." He rubbed his shoulder a little
and continued the story  "The next thing I know I'm agreeing to take him home
'cause he's blind and I feel bad for him. He made me a bet that we know some
of the same people and I took him up on it. The prize is sitting in the
driveway outside."  Brad just nodded. He seemed as if he was a thousand miles
away. He looked tired and pale and Christain began to worry.
	"Are you okay Brad?  You don't look so good." A thought struck him
and he pulled Brad over to the side to ask him a question in private.
	"Brad, are these people normal?  I mean...they don't like, collect
famous people and keep them captive or something, do they?"

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 598: Brad

	Brad listened with growing concern as Chris laughingly filled him
in on the goings on in the real world. He felt a chill run over him as
Chris told him of their tabloid coverage and said in that sardonically
amused voice of his, "...if this is what 'doom' entails I think I
wouldn't mind to be doomed."
	Brad wanted to scoop him up and hustle him out the door. He
wanted to snatch those words from the air and somehow shove them back
into Chris' mouth. He remembered all too well Chris' enthusiasm about
the vampires in Lestat's world, and how he would jump at the chance of
being one of them, of living forever. 
	That had become a distinct possibility - he could very well get
the chance...
	Chris was going on to tell him of how he managed to show up here,
of meeting up, unbeknownst to him, with his alter ego at the St.
Louis. Danny had taken the opportunity to check out his mortal
representative up close and personal - and to fleece him out of his
car as well!
	Someone should explain to Chris what a "sucker bet" was. The way
Danny had played it, he probably didn't even have to cheat by peeking
into Chris brain. Danny already knew he was at First Street when he
made the bet with Chris - and Chris fell for it like a babe in the
woods.
	He'd have to be sharper than that if he was going to survive this
crowd. And surviving this crowd would definitely become a issue for
him now.
	"Are you okay Brad?  You don't look so good." Chris' slightly
worried voice broke into his thoughts. Chris pulled him over to the
side to ask him a question in private.
	"Brad, are these people normal? I mean...they don't like, collect
famous people and keep them captive or something, do they?"
	"No, they're no weirder that other people who are used to getting
whatever they want." Brad smilled at Chris, trying to ease his worry.
	"But that's exactly my point!" Chris interrupted. "I've been in
the business since I was a kid - hell, my folks are in the business -
I *know* what I'm asking you here!"
	Brad laughed. Chris always made him laugh, and he tried to
reassure him. 
	"I'll tell you, Chris. Pan, the woman I came downstairs with, is
super, if a bit on the blunt side." Brad grinned. Chris would get
along famously with Pandora. Her "style" would appeal to Chris' sense
of humor! Danny, the guy who brought you here is great too, if a bit
flaky sometimes. David's a real gentleman - but he's kinda bummed
right now about something he doesn't want to talk about. And Jesse,"
Brad grinned, "that's Danny's redhead, she's the best!"
	"They're all staying here?" Chris seemed a bit amazed that he was
sharing a house with so many. 
	"Yeah, well, it's Pan's house, and they're all her family. Me and
Tom and Tony met some of them on the set, and sort of got involved
with them...it's kinda hard not to. They sorta bowl a person over..."
	"No kidding," Chris said, rubbing his shoulder. "So where are
Tonio and Tom? Are they here too?"
	"Tony's here somewhere, talking to David," Brad went quiet for a
moment before continuing. "Tom was here last night - I mean during the
day, but he went off to take care of Marty and the rest so they
wouldn't bother me..." Brad trailed off, realizing that seeing his
young friend unexpectedly like this was causing him to run off at the
mouth.
	"Chris, I know I said these guys are okay, and they are - but I
just want you to be careful around them, okay? Just be careful!"

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 599: Marius 

	Pandora and.... David.
	Marius' mind took another moment just to envision this, to put
names to the faces and all of the myrid emotions and memories to the
names, and then to see them together.  Pandora, whom he forever thought he
had recovered from only to find out he had not, and David, who had gone so
recently that some of the hurts inside were still tender enough to make
him flinch a little at the name.
	David and Pandora.
	And then, very quietly, no more then a breath at first but
building into a silent quiver through his shoulders that made him drop his
head into his hands, he laughed.
	Armand's arms were around him instantly, he could hear the concern
and love in his voice, trying to comfort what he percieved as pain. 
Marius tried to wave it away and finally raised his head, wiping beads of
blood tears from the corners of his eyes and still laughing quietly.
	Armand just stared.  His face and his eyes told the story, the
shock and fear for Marius' probable sanity, and it just made Marius laugh
more with a touch of real humor in the sound.  After a few moments he
forced himself to stop, though faint bitter chuckles still worked their
way through his chest and shoulders.  Drawing a deep breath, he shook his
head a little, pushing back his hair and wiping his eyes again.
	His lover was still regarding him cautiously.  "Marius?"
	Marius bit back another small laugh and nodded, trying to draw in
another breath to quiet himself.  "It is... fitting," he finally said,
unable to keep the sharp tone from his voice.  "The two I could never
please... and now they both have left me to go to each other."  He sighed.
"David and Pandora... Oh, Amadeo, the irony of this world still astounds
me!"  The words were sour in his mouth and he could feel all of the little
ragged half healed edges inside vibrate with phantom pain when he said
them.  "It is fitting." 

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 600: Armand

	He could only sit and watch as the emotions poured forth from 
him, thankful once more that he was the one to tell Marius and that 
they were far from the public's eye.  "Padrone" Armand whispered, 
"are you all right?"
	Marius took a deep breath, calming further, wiping at his eyes 
once more.  "No, caro, I am not." he said simply.  "But neither am I in 
unberable distress.  If this is the worst news I receive I'll count the 
evening as a success."
	A wave of tenderness swept through Armand.  It was rare that 
the thought of Marius as anything but strong, solid, invincable.  The 
image of godlike unconquerablity seen through the eyes of an 
awestruck child.  But suddenly he saw the man before him, as fragile 
as any of them, and having borne more than his share of misfortune 
during the course of his long life.  "Ah, Marius." he whispered sadly.  
"No more worries.  Not tonight. Tonight let there be nothing but the 
two of us.  Lestat loves me, my son has returned to me, you and I are 
to be married.  Let there be no more worries tonight."  He sealed the 
prayer with a kiss.
	
_________________________________________________________________________
Post 601: Marius 

	The gentle kiss very nearly broke him. There was nothing Marius 
wanted in that moment so much as to melt into Armand's arms. The tears of 
laughter were far too close to real tears, and the trembling pains inside 
would not die or be soothed so easily. They cried out for the release of 
true tears, all of the little personal pains of the distant past and the 
not so distant last month poured out in a flood of sobs that scratched 
even now at his breath and the back of his throat. Had he done that yet? 
Had he broken down and truely cried out that hurt? Yes... but not enough. 
Not enough by far.
	But he couldn't do it. Not now, maybe not ever. At the moment of 
the pain, yes, but it was senseless to do it now, when the actual injury 
was behind him. So he took a few deep breaths, swallowed back the tears 
until he was sure they would not burst forth even though the hurt inside 
was worse for having done so, and forced a smile onto his lips that 
Armand might see only the strength and calm instead of the pain.
	"No more worries," he repeated, keeping his tone light. "Si... it 
doesn't matter, truely. All that does matter is that you are here with 
me..." the smile lifted a little, and his voice was genuinely warm, the 
words a little hesitant with his own daring for speaking them aloud, "Mi 
marito."

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 602: Daniel

	Daniel pulled Jesse on top of him and slipped his hands under her 
blouse. He moved his hands slowly up her back pulling her ever closer to
himself. "Here," she said "let me get that for you." She ripped the blouse
off, flinging buttons across the room and removed the remained of their
clothing with the same gentle and gaceful fashion. "There, now that all
those constraints are gone..." She pulled his torso up and sat in his lap,
wrapping her legs around him. 
	"You're not being fair Jesse, I'm perfectly blind and helpless and
you remove all my constraints!  I can't help feeling a little cheated." he
laughed. 
	"Oh yeah!" Jesse untwined her legs and pushed Daniel roughly off the
bed and on to the floor. She pinned his arms to the ground and sat on his legs.
"Now try to move!" Daniel couldn't budge. She tore at his mouth and bit into
his tongue. Pure ecstasy, both the taste of the ambrosia and the drawing of it 
from his veins.  She drew back. "Hows that?!" 
	"Bully! Do it again!"
	"Uh-huh. I'm having a bit of sympathy for the blind boy, you may have
your way with me." She rolled over and reversed their positions. He laid his
head in between her breasts and kissed each one passionately. 
	"If you insist." He said, his voice feverish and lost in the sweetness
of her skin. He sunk his fangs into the flesh and drank from the fountain of
the ancient lineage. As the blood flowed, his mind swam with images of only
her and their time together. They were once again up in the sky, waltzing
among the clouds, alone, free, in love, eternal. He was lost in her, wishing
that nothing else existed but this moment. Her arms held him tightly and rocked
his body, inviting him to take all that she had if necessary.

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 603: Jesse

	"ooooOOOOOOoooooh! Daniel!"
	Jesse's ecstatic moan rattled the windows.
	She clung to him, breathing so heavily, the thought crossed her mind 
that she might pass out from sheer bliss. She had indulged in a few tumbles with 
others in the coven... but there was something about being madly in love with 
Daniel that made it all so marvellous to the point of being surreal.
	"Mmmmmm..." She nuzzled along shoulder until she found the pulse over 
his collarbone. It throbbed deliciously under her lips. Snarling playfully, she 
sank her fangs into him.
	His blood was thick and wonderful and touched with bittersweet knowledge 
from his maker. She drew it into herself with great shudders of joyful release 
shaking her thin frame. Jesse pulled away from the font... this time was for 
him, for her dearest love.
	Daniel lifted his lips from her neck and found her mouth for a soul-deep 
kiss. 
	"Ooooh, Jesse... you are so amazing...." He collapsed against her, one 
arm holding her close.
	"The earth moved..." she purred, as she propped herself up on her elbow. 
"And what makes it soooooo much better is that you love me."
	"And you love _me_." Daniel grinned reaching up and twirling a lock of 
her hair around his finger.
	"Always..." she bent over and kissed him. "I don't need a wedding ring 
on my finger or through my nose to prove that."
	"Matching nose rings..." Daniel laughed. "Only you would think of that, 
Jess..."
	"Let's not get carried away, Loverboy..." She giggled. "Open those 
gorgeous eyes of yours and lets see if this helped... otherwise you may have to 
take a few drags on Pandora..."

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 604: Armand

	The delicious shiver which went down Armand's spine at the sound 
of those words caught him completely off guard.  Wide eyed, he looked at 
Marius then smiled, the expression wholly unguarded.  He could see the 
effect it had on Marius, for he smiled wider.  "Mi marito.  Very 
beautiful words.  Italian... appropriate."  He leaned forward to gently 
kiss Marius again.  "Mi marito... my chosen one... my husband..."  The 
sensations were overwhelming, overpowering.  Unreal.  As though in a 
dream he melted into Marius' arms, deepening the kiss, suddenly 
remembering how wonderful it may be to be held by a lover.  "I love you." 
he whispered against Marius' lips, as though rediscovering the phrase.  
In wonder he said it again, just to feel once more the tingle of 
delight.  "Mi marito... I love you."

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 605: Marius 

	It brought a wonderful tremor of pleasure to him to hear the 
words spoken again, and by Armand.  Enough, almost, to erase the nagging 
and softly throbbing pain still battering around inside with the 
syllables of Pandora's name attatched to it.  By reflex he echoed the 
soft whisper, knowing even as he said it that he meant it with all of his 
heart but could not MEAN it the way he wished to at that moment.  "Love 
you," he whispered, punctuating the words with a soft kiss.  Easy to turn 
the mind off and just continue, the whispered words pouring out 
effortlessly between light kisses brushed over Armand's upturned face. 
"Caro, mi tesoro, mi marito..."
	But even as he did it there was a hollow ache inside that pushed 
him near the ragged edge of tears again and added a rough, husky edge to 
his voice.  It was an itch along all of his nerves, somewhere deep inside 
where it could not be touched, a wound freshly opened that cried 
soundlessly for bandaging, something to fill the empty hole inside. 
Somewhere within his mind the memories still poured forth, each one as 
fresh and hot and painful as the night it had been created, and all 
framed by a dark pair of exotic eyes and a wickedly curved smile on 
senuous lips, until he was trembling even as he returned to cover 
Armand's lips with a breathless intensity that was only partly born of 
passion and mostly fueld by the burning need inside.

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 606: Armand

	Armand returned the kiss hungrily, gently stroking Marius' back, 
offering comfort as he could.  Pandora... David... he's never let such 
issues go easily.  They struck too close to his perfectionist's heart.  
If they rejected him, it had to be his fault somehow.  Armand sighed a 
little, hoping his fiance would take it for passion.  It suddenly became 
terribly important to offer comfort, to somehow make amends for the pain, 
if only momentarily.  Smiling, eyes sparkling, he pulled away a little, 
brushing Marius' face with his hair.  "Ask for the moon, padrone.  Ask 
for the stars.  I'll be sure you have them.  Ask of me anything you 
wish."  His voice dropped to a huskey purr.  "I'll see it done."

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 607: Marius

	"Ask of me anything you wish... I'll see it done."
	The kiss, earlier, had nearly ruined him.  The words of love and 
future promise he could use as a balm, pushing it all a little farther 
away, making it less noticeable.  But THIS... Such simple words, and so 
heartfelt, and the ache inside latched onto them as though they contained 
life itself.
	He couldn't...
	He wanted...
	He WOULD not...
	He *NEEDED*...
	The first sob rose up in his throat and caught him unawares, 
bursting forth from his lips in a gasp.  Aghast, horrified, he could do 
nothing to halt the flow of the second that wrenched it's way through his 
chest.  By the third a huge, traitorous portion of his soul just wanted 
to give in and *cry*, but he bit it back, swallowing it down with an iron 
will and scorching every emotional nerve ending in the process, but 
halting the flow of grief that threatened to spill out unchecked.  
Armand's arms were around him, tight, comforting, and he was trembling 
too much to pull away.  He could only drop his head, letting his hair 
fall forward to hide the betraying tears, and draw in small breaths that 
each threatened to explode from his control.

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 608: Armand

	Armand held him, knowing regret but no surprise.  Again he cursed 
the silence between them.  So often he had comforted Daniel, weeping in 
his arms... until he too felt the Silence fall between them.  He sighed a 
little harder and pushed that thought away.  Time for Marius now.  
"Marius," he whispered gently, rocking him, kissing his hair, "it's all 
right.  Let it go.  There are none to see, now."  He hesitated, then 
kissed his hair again.  "You're safe.  Let it go."

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 609: Lestat 

	"There... That's the hug... although I've yet to have a kiss from you,
I'll be willing to wait until you tell me what happened last night..." The
green eyes gazed expecantly into Lestat's face. 
	"Oh I don't know about that," Lestat said, grinning a little.  He 
leaned in and gently, very tenderly, pressed a kiss to his lover's face.  
"Je t'aime," he whispered softly, the words escaping his lips as 
naturally as a breath.  He felt Louis shiver a little and moved away a 
little, not wanting to push it too soon.  "I'm sorry, Louis."
	Louis' smile was enough to make Lestat's heart stop.  "Don't be.  
You are a good kisser, mon Lestat.  But I believe you were going to tell 
me of your news?"
	"My--oh!"  Lestat matched Louis' smile with one of his own, 
though now his heart pounded in a different kind of nervous fear.  
"Marius and Armand.  Louis, it is like a family.  A father and a brother 
I would be proud to have instead of...."  Lestat's voice trailed off as 
he felt an almost sickly shiver go up his spine.  He frowned for a 
moment, then shrugged it off.  "Instead of what I once had."  Lestat's 
smile grew almost shy.  "And if I had my husband at my side, it would be 
a true family at last."

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 610: Marius

	He was holding on by gritted teeth and dug in nail and this was 
NOT helping.  It was not helping at all.  It was tearing down every 
defense Marius could throw up, faster then he could find it in himself to 
block.  Gentle touches, comforting kisses, and those creeping, insiduous 
words that he could not block out.... and all of it his soul cried out 
for, until the rational part of his mind and all the little instinctive 
fears were drowned in the tumult inside.
	And finally, with a last gasp, he let himself fall into those 
waiting arms, the sobs cresting on a flood of released tears.  He clung 
to Armand like a drowning man, only dimmly aware of being held and rocked 
and soothed.  It all boiled out in one huge wave of grief and pain and 
bitter, sour, anger.  "Ah GODS," he gasped, the words choked between 
sobs. "Ah gods, I HATE her... I HATE her... and I love her..."

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 611: Louis

	"You want me back?" Louis breathed. "Do you? Honestly and truly?"
	Lestat placed his hand along Louis' cheek and nodded. "Oui."
	Louis' eyes began to swim in crimson tinted tears. "After everything..."
	Lestat slipped his fingers over Louis' mouth. "Louis..."	
	The luminous green eyes met Lestat's. 
	"Did you hear what I said, mon cher Louis? I want you to be with me... 
my own loving husband, by my side... I want us to be a family more than anything 
I've ever wanted in this immortal life." Lestat was cradling Louis face in his 
hands, his eyes searching Louis'face.
	"Oui..." Louis smiled, emphatically nodding, "Mais oui, Lestat."
	At once, they were in each other's arms, holding fast to each other, 
reconfirming their love and need for each other.
	"Mon Dieu..." sighed Louis, against Lestat's cheek. "Not only do I have 
my best friend and husband at my side once more... I have acquired a 
father-in-law in Marius and a brother-in-law in Armand!" He leaned back and 
shook his head in astonishment. "When did all this come about, my love? and 
how?"

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 612: Lestat

	Lestat grinned at Louis.  "The other night.  Marius came to me 
and...."  Lestat trailed off in sudden frustration.
	"And...?" Louis looked at him in polite curiosity.
	Lestat sighed.  "And I can't explain it for the life of me, the 
memories and words are all a blur.  All I know is how it *feels*."
	Louis smiled.  "It must feel wonderful."
	Lestat's answering smile must have been blinding.  "Oui.  Oui it 
does, mon mari."  He suddenly grinned, inspiration striking him.  "Here, 
I can't *tell* you what it's like but I can *show* you.  Come with me?  
Back to my suite?  Marius and Armand are not far off from there.  We can 
join with them and you can see how it's changed."

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 613: Louis 

	"Here, I can't *tell* you what it's like but I can *show* you.  Come 
with me?  Back to my suite?  Marius and Armand are not far off from there.  We 
can join with them and you can see how it's changed."
	Lestat was on his feet and half way to the door. He stopped, turned and 
offered Louis his hand. Louis rose slowly and walked over to Lestat. He looked 
up into the blue-gray eyes and slipped his hand into that of the blond vampire. 
He smiled.
	"What is it, my love?" Lestat squeezed the smaller hand and brought it 
to his lips.
	"I had forgotten the feelings of love, contentment and peace you give 
me." Louis said softly.
	"Hells Bells, Louis!" Lestat laughed, as he pulled Louis into his arms 
and held him tightly. "If you continue with these words and these..." he glanced 
down into Louis' eyes, "... _looks_, we shall never leave this room!"
	Louis chuckled. "Take me to see Marius and Armand. We can return to this 
house later tonight and lock ourselves in your sarcophagus in the attic... I 
have an overwhelming desire to be claustrophobic!"
	Laughing, with arms around each other, they left the house on Royal 
Street and  headed to Lestat's hotel.

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 614: Daniel 

	"Open those gorgeous eyes of yours and lets see if this helped... 
otherwise you may have to take a few drags on Pandora..." 
	That was not an option. He kept his eye's closed and snuggled closer
to her, wishing they could lay in that spot for the rest of eternity. "Jess,
in the words of a fellow Irishman, 'Love is blindness, I don't wanna see,
won't you wrap your soft silken body around me.'" He kissed her neck and laced
his tongue up to her ear and nibbled at it. 
	"Ummmmm, oh Daaaaaniel!" she purred as he teased her. "Didn't you
embellish just a bit?"
	"About you?  No, impossible." He continued tracing the curves of her
ear with his tongue.
	"No!" She laughed "The song, that's not how it..." She lost her train
of thought as he tormented her and met his mouth for another deep kiss. After
several minutes, she finally pulled away from him. "Open your eyes, you have
to find out sooner or later. Do it for me?"  She cupped his face in her hands
and waited for him to respond. 
	He opened his eyes slowly and blinked them a few times, allowing them
to adjust to the light in the room. Everything seemed fuzzy, but he could make
out what objects close to him were. He could see her face staring at him with
concern, though there was no color in it. Everything was in black, white and
greys.  "Perfect." He said. "Everything is still dim, but I can see things. 
A few more treatments like this, and I'll be good as new." He kissed her and
got up to look at them in the mirror. Without color or clarity, he couldn't
tell what they looked like. "Jess, how do they look...I'm not going to attract
moths to me, am I?"  She looked at them intently before answering.
	"Well, the whites aren't bright red anymore. More like a light pink,
barely noticable unless you look hard."
	"Great, they look like two easter eggs glued to my face."
	"No they don't, but if it concerns you...you could talk to Pandora."
	"No, I can see well enough to get around. I'd rather you'd be my
exclusive doctor." He leaned against her and kissed her again. "Get dressed,
I have to show you the car I got for you."

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 615: Jesse

	Jesse planted a kiss on his nose and slipped out of bed. Tossing a 
seductive glance over her shoulder to Daniel, she giggled.
	"Maybe I should do a reverse striptease?" She winked.
	Daniel pretended to pass out, rolling his eyes, letting his tongue hang 
out of his mouth.
	"Is that a yes or no?" she asked, walking over to the closet.
	"Yes!!!!!!!"
	"Oh, so you wish me to be covered up? The old preternatural flesh isn't 
good enough for ya?" She disappeared behind the closet door.
	"NO!... I mean, YES!" Daniel crawled to the foot of the bed and peered 
around the door at her. "Jesse! You're making me crazy!"
	She kissed him lightly. "That's going to be my job for the next 
millennium." Jesse took a silvery-lavender dress from it's hanger. "Everyone 
will say 'Here comes those wild and crazy vampires, Jesse and Danny. And Maharet 
will roll her eyes-du-jour and tell me to have a little decorum." She giggled at 
the thought.
	Daniel grasped the footrail of the bed. "OHMYGOD! Maharet! Should I have 
asked Maharet?"
	Wriggling out of her jeans, Jesse made a wry expression. "Nah... she 
knows she can't stop me from doing what I want... but one of these days we 
should stop in and say hi or something... I think she lights prayer candles that 
I'll end up with a nice vampire surgeon or a vampire orthodontist... anyone BUT 
Lestat... she'll be pleasantly pleased."
	Kicking her jeans into a corner, Jesse stood before Daniel clad only in 
a wispy silk and lace lavender pantied.
	"Now... observe...shoes!" She lay on her back and slipped into a pair of 
 silvery high heeled sandels.
	"Put it on! Put it on!" Daniel whistled through his front teeth and 
thumped on the foot rail of the bed.
	Jesse took the dress by the narrow straps and shook it in front of him. 
Then standing on one toe, slipped it over her head.
	"Show's over. I'm ready! Now what's this about a car for me?" She 
grinned.

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 616: Armand 

	Marius cradled in his arms, Armand continued to rock gently, 
whispering soothing words.  It rather stunned him to see Marius like 
this, but it deeply touched him as well.  Somehow, suddenly, they were a 
thousand times closer than they had ever been before.  The trust almost 
frightened him, but he bore it patiently.  It had not been an idle 
boast.  He would have given anything to Marius.  And if what he wanted, 
needed, was to be held as he wept, then so be it.  
	"From the deepest love comes the deepest pain." he said softly, 
stroking his hair.  "Though she proved unworthy, your emotions were 
pure.  They were not unworthy, nor were you.  Nor are you now.  Her petty 
games lead to her loss.  For what has she?  A lonely life, more dead 
than alive.  But you, mi marito... you have a family which adores you.  
You have a son... and a husband."  He kissed him again, gently, trying to 
emphasize the point.  Then his voice dropped, a whisper once more. "You 
are within the circle... light and love are yours.  She is still seeking."

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 617: Marius

	Marius could do nothing but shake his head, robbed of speech by 
the sobs and utterly unable to convey in any manner the mixture of pain 
and shame and anger that slowly worked it's way through him and finally 
expended itself, granting him a measure of peace.  The relief as the sobs 
dwindled and a blessed sort of numbness washed over him was almost 
dizzying.  It was not healed - nothing could ever heal that pain - but it 
was pushed back and locked up again, as it should be.
	It took nearly every reserve he had to force himself to look up, 
into Armand's eyes.  To know that Armand had witnessed that weakness and 
to manage to meet his gaze.  But there was nothing but a fine mingling of 
sadness and concern and love there, not the condemnation he expected, and 
Marius nearly collapsed in a giddy sort of relief and utter devotion. 
	He reached up to brush back the auburn curls with a hand that 
still shook, gently brushing the pale cheek. Dark eyes meeting his own, 
and for the first time Marius did not see the eyes of a child.  He could 
not.  He could never have let himself go in such a manner before a child.  
His own voice was still rough, no more then a whisper.  The single word 
was all he dared to breathe.  "Grazie."

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 618: Armand

	Armand smiled tenderly.  "You're welcome." was all he said.  What 
need had he for words when the look passed between them spoke so 
eloquently?  With expressions he communicated his acceptance and 
love, while Marius in return conveyed gratitude and devotion.  No further 
words were necessary at all.
	Finally Armand stirred, just a little, his smile becoming a touch 
wider.  "Do you know what we need?"
	Marius raised his eyebrow, seeming to be fully prepared for him 
to say anything from 'a rocketship' to 'a pink walrus'.  Armand laughed 
softly, kissing his forehead.  "We need a long, hot shower."

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 619: Marius 

	Marius sighed just a little, some of the tension draining out of 
him. "That sound's lovely," he agreed.  "And a bath sounds even better."  
Even as he said it a mental nudge in the direction of the bath set the 
water to running.
	Armand smiled, lifting one brow slightly in question.  "Is the 
bath big enough for that?" 
	"If we're willing to get... cozy," Marius replied, smiling a 
little. He leaned foreward to kiss Armand's cheek lightly, then sat up, 
sliding off of the bed and extending a hand out. Armand took it, 
standing, and the moment he had Marius drew him into his arms, holding 
him close. "I love you," he whispered, the words brushing warm trails 
across Armand's upturned face. "Mi marito..." A gentle kiss, the words 
breathed against his lips. "I am going to become addicted to those words, 
caro." 
	With a soft sigh Marius drew back just a little. Meeting his 
lover's eyes, he captured Armand's left hand in his own and drew it up, 
pressing a slow kiss to the ring finger. "Mi marito," he repeated, the 
whisper so soft that his voice throbbed on the low notes. "My *husband*..."

_________________________________________________________________________
Post 620: Armand

	Fear.  That wasn't supposed to happen.  Unworthiness.  That 
wasn't supposed to happen either.  Love... that was what was *supposed* 
to happen when the man you adore kisses your hand and looks into your 
eyes and whispers words that meaningful.  Armand felt the love, so 
overpowering it sent a shiver straight through him.  But close on it's 
heels was an iced finger of fear, and a cloying blanket of unworthiness.  
He fought them as best he could, concentrating on the love.
	It only made the fear worse.  Finally he simply smiled and 
stepped into Marius' arms.  "The water will be cold unless we hurry."  If 
he questioned the words Marius gave no sign.  Armand doubted he was 
fooled in the slightest.  He also doubted Marius felt anything but 
sympathy for his dilemma.  In this case both of them were true equals, 
fighting back to love from long centuries of lonliness and pain.  
	The water steamed as they entered the bathroom, curling in 
inviting fingers.  Without hesitation Marius stepped in, sighing in 
pleasure as he sank into the warmth.  Then he simply opened his arms, 
inviting without pressure.  The look Armand bestowed upon him was more of 
fondness than romance, but somehow it seemed more intimate for it's lack 
of passion.  Carefully he stepped in as well, curling into Marius' arms, 
content to let the water lap around them, resting his head on Marius' 
shoulder.
	It was only when the water cooled that the two of them stirred, 
quickly showering and stepping out.  Words were unnecessary when a glance 
could convey so much more.  Somewhat bemused, Armand wondered if they 
would ever speak again.  It suddenly seemed an inferior method of 
communication.  Dressing seemed pointless, somehow.  He was too relaxed.  
Pulling on a robe he moved to the bedroom window, looking out into the 
courtyard below.  Tiny inset pools glowed from lights in the underwater 
walls, connected by narrow footbridges.  When he felt Marius slip his 
arms around him, Armand leaned back a little, resting against Marius' 
chest.  He sighed, smiling up at his fiance's reflection in the window.  
"Yes" he thought, "I am truly free to die now.  Now that I have seen him 
again... loved him again... life will never be better than this."