RPG SPEC: Hollywood Vampires Part 11, Posts 301-330 ________________________________________________________________________ Post 301: Gabrielle and Louis Gabrielle had got up and walked into the trailer, desperate for company. Gabrielle couldn't help but laugh over Louis telling the director where Lestat was, "Can you imagine the look on his face, or Armand's for that matter, when Lestat is called to the set!" She had tried desperately to put a tinge of sarcasm into it, but she failed miserably. She kissed Louis' cheek softly, him not taking his eyes off the script, "Cher, he'll come around he always does. He has Armand to deal with, non? I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing, but if anyone can knock any sense....or terror into the Brat, it's Armand." No change came to the sad reflection in Louis' eyes, they were still glued to the script. She poked her head above the script and forced him to look at her, "Look, I don't care if you don't care about was *he* does. I don't particularly care, but believe me. This isn't over." "Oh, great." Louis responded half-heartedly. At that point, the director motioned for Louis to follow him out onto the set. Like a puppy dog, Gabrielle trailed behind. She needed something right now, she couldn't place her finger upon it, but something was missing. She shrugged as she watched Louis take his place upon the set. _________________________________________________________________________ Post 302: Louis Louis waited on the set for the next shot. The crew waited . The director appeared with a woman leading a small blonde child. ::This is all I need:: Louis thought, steeling himself. Introductions were made, Louis kneeling to meet his tiny costar. It was a simple scene, The director told them. The child would run across the decorated set to Louis. Louis would catch her in his arms and lift her into the air. Simple. Heartbreaking for Louis. It was accomplished in one take. "We'll have to do the rest of that scene with Sebastian." Martin said. "It's the part where Lestat refers to his coven as the "nonpareils of the species." "A silk and velvet clad trio of deadly hunters." Louis mumbled. "It's going to be a very long night," He sighed to himself. _________________________________________________________________________ Post 303: Louis Louis took off the velvet frock coat and folded it over his arm. He watched the blonde child walk away with her nanny. She was charminng little creature, readily accepting him. The child had thrown herself into Louis arms with a gale of giggles. It was easy to relive the role. He would have liked to see Lestat's face. But, he'd be there soon enough. And he'd have to take that tiny hand. Louis smiled. He vividly recalled Lestat taking Claudia to hunt. Two unholy terrors. "That's a far away stare if I ever saw one." Martin said."Where are you?" Louis shrugged. "New Orleans, before your grandparents were born." ________________________________________________________________________ Post 304: Gabrielle Louis squeezed her hand and promised he'd be back before she slumped against a tree, oblivious the the occurences around her. She was lost in time once more, no unfailable pillar of strength this time. No, not this time when so much was at stake. She banged the back of her head into the tree she sat against and tried to think back a day or two. She could almost feel the electric surrounding Lestat and Louis as they replayed the most important moment in their long immortal lives. She could feel the static from what she and Armand had shared....but that was only soft static sounds in the back of her mind. She would have rathered it never happened, that she hadn't of gotten hurt, that she hadn't run to Louis over it all. "You have the intelligence of a slug." she muttered to herself as she drew her knees to her chest. Then she felt guilty for being rude to Lestat in front of the coven, she should have not have done it. Wasn't there anything she could do? So much more she had to say, could have done but didn't. The feelings of magical curiosity eminating from Armand as she presented Antonio, it brought an enchanted smile to her face. It was so perfect...and the talk of the dreams had wasted it. Wasted the moment when the childlike wonderment returned to Armand's eyes, a look she wished she could cause more often. "Stupid, selfish thoughts, Gabrielle." she scolded herself. _______________________________________________________________________ Post 305: Antonio and Gabrielle "Gabrielle? May I join you?" Antonio stood silhouetted against the bright light, the gentle night breeze fluttering his shirt and hair. She looked up at him, wide eyed. "How long have you been there?" "Not long. You seem troubled. I'm sorry... perhaps I should go?" _______________________________________________________________________ Post 306: Gabrielle and Antonio "No, please. Sit down. I could really use the company right now. I detest being alone." She motioned for him to sit beside her. "I didn't even notice you were there. Too lost in my own thoughts I suppose to recognize another's." she smiled weakly. He looked at her lithe form, curled into a ball, as if she could protect herself from a silent attack. His brow creased with worry, insane that he would worry about one that he did not even hardly know. "May I ask what is troubling you?" She looked up into his eyes, loosing herself in the fathomless depths, she tore herself away. Those eyes too familiar, but then no. She locked her gaze with his once more, looking deep. There was a spark here, a genuine fullness that his counterpart locked. She smiled, "My family, what else? One does not gather a coven together without general destructiveness. Lestat is my problem, along with Armand and both may be killing each other right now. At this point I could hardly care anymore. I've done enough damage for one night. I came to watch a friend." she indicated Louis with her finger. _______________________________________________________________________ Post 307: Antonio and Gabrielle Antonio followed her gesture. He smiled warmly, without guile. "Ah yes, that one. Louis is untrained, but talented. It's a shame his part is not larger in this film. He would have been wonderful in Interview." He looked at her uncertainly. "You said Armand and Lestat may be killing each other?" He sighed. "I wish I thought you were joking, but knowing what I do about these characters... these persons," he hastily corrected himself, "I somehow feel you are serious." "Dead serious." she affirmed quietly. "May I ask what is happening?" Gabrielle hesitated all of two seconds, the found herself pouring out the entire story. Antonio listened gravely, asking the occasional question but for the most part giving her his undivided attention. Just like Armand. "So Marius dragged me out, and I came here to look for Louis." she finally said. Antonio sat back thoughtfully, crossing his arms over his chest. "This is problematic on many levels." he commented. "I don't know if Lestat will harm Armand, but generally Armand is more clever than that. He will take care of himself. It is Lestat who troubles me. If he is having a breakdown of some sort, how will the movie be made? He is in nearly every scene." Gabrielle stared at him. "That's all you can think of to say? What will happen to your precious movie? To hell with the movie!" Her voice was beginning to carry, and people were beginning to look in their direction. "Please, calm yourself." Antonio urged. "I intended no offence. But Lestat himself rendered Tom unable to work, with the understanding that he would take over the role. I can't help but wonder what his intentions are now. Forgive me. I did not mean to upset you." He reached forward to trace the back of one finger down her cool cheek. "I know he is your son, and you are concerned. Gabrielle," he suddenly met her eyes once more, "I am concerned too, believe me." _______________________________________________________________________ Post 308: Gabrielle and Antonio Gabrielle caught Antonio's hand in her own, she squeezed it warmly, letting her hand linger a moment before letting it rest at his side. She looked vacantly up at the stars, no matter how horrible things got, no matter how out of control, they were there. Silent and unquestioning. Antonio looked up at the jeweled sky above along with her. For a moment, she let herself fade away before coming back to life. "The stars." she commented, a little embarassed. She had no other choice, she was losing her stableness, her resolve. This one was too much like Armand in his ways. "They never cease to calm me when there is trouble." "You asked," she continued calmly, averting his gaze if possible. More often than not, she was forced to meet the dark eyes, "or more commented upon Lestat and Armand. I do not think I am frightened for Armand. I am frightened for Lestat. I do believe that Armand is more inclined to take control of the situation than Lestat. Lestat is losing his mind and Armand is very clever...." She reached out, no hesitation and imited his gesture of running the back of one finger down his cheek, she smiled softly, "But you already know that, non?" ________________________________________________________________________ Post 309: Antonio and Gabrielle Antonio looked deep into her sapphire eyes. "Si. I know that. And I know you are upset, Gabrielle. As well you should be." he smiled suddenly. "Tell me. If I were to offer you a hug, would I be taking my life in my hands? Have you fed tonight?" ________________________________________________________________________ Post 310: Gabrielle and Antonio Gabrielle laughed, it felt so good to laugh. And it felt good to look into Antonio's eyes and see the fascination there, it made her want to laugh more. It was like the peal of a silver bell, it filled the air with such ease and confidence. She wasn't yet herself, but she thought it nice that she could still laugh. She decided to stop laughing before she offended Antonio. He looked at her quizzically, head tiled to one side, "Are you laughing at my offer?" One could tell the comment was in jest, a small smile was hiding there. She was beginning to notice the differences between him and Armand, they now came to life before her. Antonio smiled more, there was no secret or pain reflected in this eyes, only childlike wonderment. "Of course not, it just feels good to laugh. And no, you would not be taking your life in your hands if you hugged me. Amazing but true, I have very good self-restraint!" Gabrielle smiled. ________________________________________________________________________ Post 311: Antonio and Gabrielle Antonio laughed in return, charmed by the woman sitting next to him. "Very well, then." He opened his arms and she immediately slipped into his embrace. He felt his heart accelerate and willed himself calm once more. But even so, he could not help but think "'Tonio, you are holding a vampire! No, more than that, even. You are holding Gabrielle de Lioncourt. She is very very real." He tightened his arms just a bit, as though to confirm the fact physically. Aloud he said, "As you say, Armand is very clever. I have admired him for many years. When I first read the books I knew I wanted to be him, should the movie ever be made." He laughed softly. "And here I am." "Here you are." Gabrielle agreed. "But I never dreamed..." he trailed off, unsure how to proceed. "The others, they are nothing like their counterparts. When Armand appeared that night, I thought I saw a vision." "You should have seen his reaction when he first saw _you_, cher." Gabrielle commented. "Was he as facinated as I was?" "More so, I think. Either that, or you hide it better. He couldn't take his eyes from you." "Nice to know I'm not alone in that. But it points out yet another silarity." He had so many questions! But it would be inappropriate to ask Gabrielle. He must wait until he saw Armand again. Assuming he survived his encounter with Lestat. So he switched topics. "May I ask... what is it like? To be immortal? It would be a valuable thing for me to know." She looked up at him. "For the movie." _______________________________________________________________________ Post 312: Gabrielle and Antonio "To be immortal?" Gabrielle echoed as she looking into his awaiting eyes. "It is nothing like one would ever believe. I have lived for almost 200 years now behind this veil of immortality. It does not get easier. It takes stamina unknown to a mortal. And sometimes, the need or want to end it all is unbearable." She noticed that he looked taken aback by her response, she smiled. "I'm sorry. Sometimes I am morbid by nature, but immortality is no great adventure. But there is the delight of seeing the world grow and mature. And there's the knowledge you gain by living and learning. Also, there are always those to love within your coven. As with our coven, we love each other but are constantly in turmoil." "So I have noticed." Antonio answered softly, squeezing Gabrielle for reassurence. Gabrielle was slowly becoming content with her newfound friend, so full of questions, questions that she could possibly answer. SHe let her mind relax and that's when she felt Armand. The pain eminating from him was there for a moment, vibrating in her mind and then shut off just as quickly. She gasped for air, drawing a curious glance from Antonio. "Armand." he asked. "Armand." she agreed. She took a deep breath, "Lestat has caused him pain, I felt it. But skilled with the ways of the mind as Armand is, he shut himself off as usual." Antonio shuddered to think of his counterpart in trouble, there was so many things he wanted to ask.... Gabrielle touched the fringes of his mind and answered, :: And you shall ask them of him, he is 500 years old. Well equiped to handle my meddling son. :: His eyes widened in response to the voice in his mind and Gabrielle smiled, "I didn't not mean to startle you. I shall not do it again." "No..." he smiled, "It was just a bit surprising. Will you go to him?" "Armand?" Antonio nodded. "No." she settled back into the comfort his embrace held for her, "No, Marius is with him. I serve only to anger him. He can take care of himself, he needs time alone to sort this out. Marius may do good to learn that." ______________________________________________________________________ Post 313: Antonio and Gabrielle Antonio tried to hide his concern, then thought better of it. After all, what could a mortal truly hope to hide from a vampire. "Let me ask you about your son, then." he finally said, trying to distance his thoughts from Armand. "Lestat?" "I assume the rest have passed into the great beyond." Gabrielle smiled slightly. "That they have. What do you wish to know?" "Well, it seems he and I will be working together, if he takes on the role... and assuming Armand himself does not with to take over my role. Have you any suggestions on how I might best deal with him?" ______________________________________________________________________ Post 314: Marius and Armand Marius shook his head slowly, thrusting his hands rather savagely into the pockets of his jeans to keep from reaching out to Armand again. Armand was radiating anger still, like a vibration Marius could feel against his skin even from several feet away. ::Touch me, and I burn you,:: that subtle vibration said. ::Keep back!:: "Or he intends to drive all of us mad," Marius said softly. He kept his voice low, comforting, trying to sound reasonable. "Armand... talk to me. What happened? What did he do to you? Tell me... Please..." ____________________________________________________________________ Post 315: Armand and Marius Armand heard his words from a great distance. The roaring in his ears faded somewhat, to be replaced by a familiar demon indeed. His companion of centuries. Nothing. He felt the anger slowly drain away, his body calm, his thoughts slow, until the detachment was complete. Finally he looked up at Marius, utterly devoid of emotion. "He said nothing of importance. Lestat doesn't matter. You should go back, now. There are others there who need you." "And you? What will you do?" The question faintly surprised him. "I shall do nothing at all." _____________________________________________________________________ Post 316: Marius and Armand Silence. Stillness. The vibrating anger was gone, the icy fire had vanished from Armand's eyes. Marius had watched it go, had watched it drain away and had hoped that Armand might be calm enough to talk now. Instead, he faced this cool, lifeless mannequin that spoke in Armand's voice and looked out of dark eyes from an empty shell. Nothing. He had withdrawn into himself completely, all but one step away from laying down and curling up in catatonia. Marius felt something deep within him snap, pushed too far past the breaking point. "Like hell," he growled, and Armand looked at him with the faintest glimmer of surprise at his tone. "So you're just going to sit there? Let the moss grow on you? Might as well go underground, ragazzo. It'd be the same thing. And you're justified in it, after all." He grabbed Armand's shoulders, forced him to turn and face him and shook him, hard. "Oh yes," he spat, "of course you're justified! Armand, the hurt one. Armand, the guilty one. So you just ball up and feel sorry for yourself, let the guilt thrust everyone else away, EXACTLY the same way LESTAT did! "Well I'll tell you something!" He was almost yelling, and Armand's eyes, staring up at him from mere inches away, had gotten perceptibaly wider. "I have had it up to HERE with self-indulgent, guilty, whining fledglings that are convinced the world would be better off without them! First Lestat, then you, that's too many in one night! And you're no better then he is! And I have had it. This is enough. It stops here!" Marius thrust Armand away from him, sending the younger vampire sprawling on the damp ground. "Now, you listen to me," he hissed. "Lestat hurt you? Drove you away and twisted the knife, because he's feeling sorry for himself? And now you think you can turn around and pull the exact same stunt on me? Not bloody DAMN likely! I'm staying, Armand. I'm staying here, with you. And nothing, NOTHING you say will drive me away." ____________________________________________________________________ Post 317: Armand and Marius Armand lay on the ground, looking up at Marius. He tried furiously to recall the anger, the hurt. Anything at all of the emotions he had felt within the hotel room. But suddenly, to his horror... he giggled. The sight of Marius fuming above him, furiously declaring that he would stay no matter what, simply struck him as too funny for words. To his profound relief he did not lapse into an all out laughing attack, but rather lay on his back giggling at Marius, first at his anger, then at his concern. By the look on his face Marius clearly thought Armand had lost his mind. Armand thought he might be right. Finally he composed himself enough to speak, but did not move. The moss beneath him was comfortable, and he simply did not feel the urge to stand. "I'm becoming Lestat." he sighed at last. "Proof once again that there is a God, and he has a sense of humor." _____________________________________________________________________ Post 318: Marius and Armand ::What do you do with insane vampires?:: The thought flitted briefly across Marius' mind, followed swiftly by ::I'm going to dump him in the swamp if he doesn't stop giggling like that.:: Still, hysterical or no, giggling was a step up from that devestating numbness. The anger drained away from Marius as quickly as it had come. He sat down next to Armand on the moss, crossing his legs. "Well, at least it's proof that *you* still have a sense of humor about it. Should I take this to mean you're feeling better? And are you ready to talk sense, yet?" _____________________________________________________________________ Post 319: Armand and Marius Armand rolled onto his side. He rested his head on his hand and drew up one knee in an unintentionally seductive pose. "I don't know what I'm feeling. I may be losing my mind. I honestly don't know. But, one thing at a time." His expression suddenly turned serious, but lacked the grim, silent quality of before. "You asked what he did to me. He called me a whore. He told me that he sent the dreams of the brothel to me specifically to torment me - to remind me where I came from." His eyes glittered in the moonlight. "That was painful, but valuable." "How so?" Marius asked quietly. "It wasn't what I was expecting, and so I lashed out. But now, thinking about it... why would he say such a thing?" The question was obviously rhetorical, so Marius remained silent. "He was absolutely desperate to get me out of that room. The question is - why?" _____________________________________________________________________ Post 320: David, Santino, and Maharet David flew high and fast so Marius would not see them following the two. Maharet had joined them, intent on grabbing dibs on Lestat for giving her a headache. Marius and Armand had stopped and were sitting on the ground. From what David could see, Armand was laughing. He found a tree that would be ideal for landing and gestured to Maharet to to stop there. "Dear God, I hope Lestat didn't finally drive him mad." David spoke softly. "It would break Marius' heart." Santino looked at him oddly wondering why he would want Armand around at all. "Niether of them know where he is." Maharet finally said. "I can't even track him. He's shields must be strong." "What about Mekare?" Santino asked. "She's of little use to any of us right now." She sadly said. "She's back in her trance state and not even I could bring her out of that." David leaned against a branch and thought for a moment. He tried thinking of all the places Lestat might go, but none came to mind. Surely Lestat wouldn't go somewhere David, or any of the rest, would know of. "Santino, he didn't try to get in touch with you did he?" "No! Don't you think I would tell you if I did?" "Not if you thought it were better for him not to be found right now." David said in a tone that even shocked himself. "Well I don't know where he is, and I haven't decided if I will tell or not. Everyone is making this much worse then it need be. I had everything under control until the entire coven showed up at my little room...and they better pay for all that damage to it because I sure the hell aint!" "I'm sorry Santino, I didn't mean to accuse you. I know you've been trying to help him, it just gets so frustrating having him go off like this all the time. I don't know of a time when it has ever been calm with him, it's always something." "It's okay, we're all a little stressed right now. Sorry I snapped too." "I don't mean to cut into the conversation," Maharet said to them, "But I doubt we are going to find him tonight. Perhaps we should go back to the set and wait for for him. If he does anything rash, we will know about it." David looked at her for a moment as if he were enchanted with her mere speach. She had a mannerism about her that could calm anything. Even while angry, she appeared soothing and collected. "She's right." Santino said. "He's not going to be found until he wants to be. We should return to the set and wait for everyone to regroup." David took a deep breath and nodded. "Alright, if he wants to hid out and drive us all nuts, then so be it." _______________________________________________________________________ Post 321: Maharet Maharet nodded, and the three of them rose into the air. Almost as soon as they were over the sprawling set, she altered her direction with a thought. Sending a farewell to them, Maharet began a search of her own. Spotting Gabrielle and Antonio watching Louis, Maharet played with the thought of asking them. Why not? She would like to meet the mortal who was impersonating Armand. Landing silently in the trees, Maharet heard someone shout to Louis, who seemed to sigh before walking away. She was still in the shadows when she saw them. Maharet stopped, smiled, and slipped away without revealing her presence. "Looks like I will have to find Khayman and Mael on my own." she whispered softly, closing her mind to the couple. Maharet began to wander through the set wearing a soft smile that bigger as she passed the trailers. "Perhaps the Mess Tent? I might have better luck." __________________________________________________________________ Post 322: Marius and Armand "He was desperate to get all of us out of there," Marius pointed out. "Starting with Louis and Gabrielle, the two closest to him, and then you and everyone else. But I don't think it was for any of the reasons he said. It was all to calculated, he was pushing at all of us, trying to make us angry enough to leave. He was shielded too strongly, I couldn't read him, but the feeling... I don't think a single word he said in there was true." Marius sighed, laying down beside Armand and stretching out on his stomach, his chin propped up on his arms. "I don't know. But my gut reaction tells me that was Lestat trying to get us all out of there before *he* broke down, not the vision of controled strength he wanted us to think." __________________________________________________________________ Post 323: Armand and Marius "Agreed. So then, what next? Do we go after him, as he almost certainly wishes, or do we simply wait for him to return, tail between his legs, and pretend none of it ever happened?" Marius and Armand sat in silence, considering. Then Armand suddenly said, "I wouldn't have cared, before. Do you understand that? If Lestat wished to self destruct, I would have let him." "What has changed?" "I'm not sure, but it seems to have everything to do with you." "With me?" Marius looked at him in surprise. Armand nodded. "It's still too new. Too much has happened too quickly. But I'm certain you're the cause." He suddenly smiled, noting the surprised look on Marius' face with some satisfaction. "Weather this is good, or bad, remains to be seen. And to answer my own question, perhaps we should seek out Santino." ___________________________________________________________________ Post 324: Marius and Armand Marius frowned. "Santino? You might be right. Lestat sometimes talks to Santino, even when he won't talk to anyone else. Santino might know where the Brat's gotten to." He stood up, brushing off his jeans. Smiling, he extended a hand down to help Armand up. "Shall we?" __________________________________________________________________ Post 325: Armand and Marius Armand smiled in return. "Yes, I think we shall." He offered his hand to Marius, but rather than stand, he tugged - hard. Marius landed with a soft "oof" next to him. "But not right now. I'm not sure what is happening, but right now, Marius, I'd just like to be. For only a moment - do you think we can do that?" __________________________________________________________________ Post 326: Santino and David They quickly made thier way back to the set to wait for Marius and Armand to return. It was better not to interupt them, things started to look a little too intimate for David's comfort. He had let Marius go, but it still hurt to see him with someone else. As soon as they got back, Maharet took off in another direction, not telling them where she was going. Santino and David were alone again. "I'm not ready to meet with the questions of everybody just yet are you?" Santino asked David. "No, I wouldn't know what to tell them anyways." "You want to go somewhere and talk? I know a place where we would be left alone." "Where?" "Tom Cruise's trailer. They had to carry him away yesterday. I doubt he'll be using it again." David rolled his eyes. "No doubt Lestat's handy work." "He had a little help." Santino said as a smile spread across his face. He looked absolutely evil right then. David let out a laugh. "I guess it takes one to..." "Yeah yeah yeah..." They laughed again and made their way to the trailer. _________________________________________________________________ Post 327: David and Santino They broke into the locked trailer and sat on Tom's bed. The rest of the furniture had been removed by those in the cast that had dibs on certain items. After hearing the rumors, nobody wanted the bed. "You didn't seem to mind that Marius was with Armand, that couldn't have been easy for you." Santino said to him genuinely concerned at the miserable look David face had turn. One moment he had him laughing, the next minute, the same look returned with a vengence. "No, it doesn't bother me. I told him to go with Armand, they seem to belong together." Santino grimaced at the thought of anyone in love with Armand. "I let him go, I've done too much to hurt him, so I just let him go. I still love him, I'll aways love him, but it just wasn't meant to be." He looked down at the floor, unable to look Santino in the eye for fear he would cry. "I didn't know, I thought maybe the two of you would patch things up. This is my fault I should--" "No! Santino please, there enough false blame going around tonight. Our problems ran deeper then a one night stand, otherwise, we would still be together. We just couldn't be what the other wanted and that is all there is to it. I don't know if I'll ever get the hang of this." Santino seemed confused by the statement. "Hang of what?" "This life." He said flatly "Sure you will, it's really not that hard...most of the time...well, no you're right it's hard, but you...you seem to have a better grip then the rest of us." "You forget I'm English, we're trained to appear as if we have a better grip then the rest of the world. We learn in nusery school so when we grow up, some of us actually start believing it." Santino laughed at the joke. "I'm serious." He sternly retorted. "That's how we're trained. How do you think we aquired such a vast empire." Santino was laughing harder now. "And then lost it." "Stop it! You're killing me!" Their laughter died and they were sitting there in silence again. They looked into each others eyes. "Maybe we should rejoin the others now." Santino said a little nervously. "Yes, they'll wonder were we are." "Not that it's their business." "And it never is." "Nope, never." "But still, it's getting late." "Yep." And with that declaration, David threw himself at Santino and they kissed passionately in each others embrace. ::So Tom's not going to be back here?:: David thought to Santino so they wouldn't have to break their lip lock. ::Not any time soon:: ::Good:: _________________________________________________________________ Post 328: Santino and David If he thought too hard about it, it became dizzying. The night, the others, everything, it was too much. And part of him kept flashing back to the sight of Lestat slowly trying to destroy all that truly mattered to him. Santino felt a desparate need to change it all, or fix it, or make it so that it had never happened. There had been so much pain in the past few nights, too many of it between those who loved one another. It had been for a moment's rest that Santino had gone to Tom Cruise's trailer with David. A moment to catch his breath, take stock of it all. But deep down Santino needed more if he was to go on. He needed to know that there could be a time without pain, without deception, when two could come together and feel only joy. So when David had begun to kiss him, Santino responded with every feeling that he had, clinging to David with all of his strength, laying down beside him on the bed and opening his mind for David to read as they lost themselves in a passionate embrace. This felt right. Holding David like this, Santino could see that there was order in the universe, things did happen for a reason other than pain. "I need you, David," Santino growled against the younger vampire's mouth, crushing it to his before there was an answer. He kissed David to the point of breathlessness, making both of them lightheaded, then broke away to lay a trail of kisses along David's neck. Panting, David writhed beneath him, his hands and body encouraging Santino on. Santino needed no further impetus. He carried enough dim awareness of the responsibilities that awaited them to remember to take care not to ruin David's clothes as he removed them, but after that he knew nothing else but the feel of the other man in his arms. ___________________________________________________________________ Post 329: David and Santino "I need you too!" Was the response that tumbled out of his mouth without any thought at all. "God do I need you! You are the only thing that seems real to me...everything...just..." he lost his breath as Santino sank his teeth into his neck. "...dark images...Oh God!" Never had he felt such ecstasy in the arms of another before now. All other thoughts melted from his mind, there was only Santino. Not even David's own consciousness remained. For the first time he knew the feeling of total surrender, of total submission, and it felt divine! ____________________________________________________________________ Post 330: Santino and David Santino had lost track of the time when he finally opened his eyes again. The sound of a crash outside of the trailer reminded him of where he was and why he was there. "Lestat," David said, sitting up in bed as he did so, refusing to meet Santino's eyes. "We should do something." "Yes," Santino said, feeling confused. What had happened? David was acting as though what they had done was no more than a diversion, a necessary one, but a diversion nonetheless. But Santino could not shake the feeling that there was so much more. *Best not to dwell on it now,* he told himself as he watched David get dressed. *Lestat is still God alone knows where and Louis needs to be told what's really going on.* Santino got up and began to dress as well. *I can deal with my own personal problems later.* He snuck a guilty look at David. *I wish I didn't have to, but there's really no choice. My problems can wait. Lestat's can't.* "I need to talk to Louis," Santino said aloud. David frowned, scanning. "He's still on the set," he said. "Lead the way," Santino said, secretly glad that David still wanted to be with him but the serious look on David's face told him that now was not the time to tell him. They found Louis among a crowd of people, all of whom were responsible for putting together the few bits of film that the scene before them would end up being. His problems with David momentarily forgotten, Santino stepped forward to speak to Louis, determined to overcome the greater problem of making sure that the green-eyed vampire would listen to him.