RPG SPEC: Hollywood Vampires Part 14, Posts 391-420 ________________________________________________________________________ Post 391: Santino and co. Santino shoved Armand off of him roughly. "Because," Santino said, "unlike *you*, Lestat cannot stand the thought of bringing pain to others. He did whatever he could to leave us and to make sure that we would not follow, just so that there could be no chance that he could ever hurt us again." Santino stood, dusting himself off. "I may not agree with him, but I doubt any one of *us* would have had the same courage if we were in his place." _______________________________________________________________________ Post 392: Armand and co. The fight went out of Armand as quickly as it had come. One moment he was struggling in Marius' arms, the next the relaxed, staring evenly into the troubled sappire eyes over him. Moving slowly, Marius sat back enough for Armand to sit up, which he did at once, immediately seeking out Santino. The Italian vampire stared at him with undisguised hostility. "He left to spare us?" "I'm so pleased you were listening." Santino snapped. "Then he does care." Armand's voice was low. He looked again at Marius, his dark eyes now filled with regret. "I'm sorry." He reached out to gently touch Marius' cheek before turning back to Santino. "I'm sorry." he repeated, with more volume this time. "That was... rude." ________________________________________________________________________ Post 393: Marius and co. Marius leaned back on his heels. He still held Armand's hand in his, their fingers entwined, and he gave it a little squeeze now, in reassurance. "It still doesn't help us find him, or get us any closer to bringing him home," he pointed out to the other two. "Maybe Louis' right. Maybe it might be better just to go look, to DO something!" He knew his own impatience was coloring his tone, but he couldn't help it. ________________________________________________________________________ Post 394: Armand and co. "No." Armand knew he deserved the incredulous look Marius gave him. "I don't think that would be wise. Lestat is not the only one on edge right now. Louis has the best chance of finding him, and if found surely they will return here." He disengangled himself from Marius then stood, helping his creator to his feet. Armand crossed the room to where Santino stood. He fought making some sort of gesture, of forgiveness, of asking forgiveness... either way, he knew Santino would not accept it. Instead he followed Gabrielle's path to the balcony, stopping only long enough to look back at Marius. His expresion was clear. "Join me if you wish, but only if you wish." _______________________________________________________________________ Post 395: Marius and Armand Marius followed Aramnd to the balcony, pausing only for a moment. "Santino..." Santino brushed his hand away, his face unreadable. "Go," he told Marius. "We'll talk later." Marius nodded, then turned and slipped out to the balcony, leaping easily over the rail and down the the courtyard below, where Armand waited for him. "Where do you want to go?" he asked. ______________________________________________________________________ Post 396: Armand and Marius Armand watched Marius vault gracefully over the balcony railing. "Where do you want to go?" he asked. "Nowhere." Armand replied. "If Louis finds him, I'm certain they will return here. And if he can't find him, Louis will tell me. That much I know." He looked around the courtyard, at the trees dancing in the light breeze. No matter what sights the night offered, his eyes were drawn relentlessly back to Marius. He seemed, suddenly, an older version of Lestat - what Lestat might have become had he been permitted to age. Just as Antonio reminded Armand all too well of an older version of himself. Armand reached for Marius' hand. "Thank you." "For what?" He shook his head slightly. "For everything. Nothing. All of it. For your wisdom and your strength." He suddenly looked up, his eyes dark with emotions. "For being here with me now. For not leaving me." He shrugged, trying to make light of his words. "You take so much upon yourself, as always. I simply wanted to thank you." ______________________________________________________________________ Post 397: Marius and Armand Marius chuckled softly and pressed a gentle kiss to Armand's brow. "Then you're welcome," he said. "I hardly feel like I deserve it, though." His smile had a bit of the rogue in it. "If I've done anything extraordinary then it must be due to your influence!" He pulled Armand close, wrapping his arms around the slender form, and for a time they just stood quietly enclosed in each other's embrace. Finally, Marius pulled away, looking down at this form he held in his arms. Every time he looked at him, a little pang of the most perfect love went through his heart. He tilted Armand's chin up, pressing a soft kiss to his lips, and then hugged him again. "Thank YOU," he whispered. ______________________________________________________________________ Post 398: Armand and Marius Armand was slightly dazzled by the expresion on Marius' handsome features. It always startled him when Marius dropped his "Padrone" persona. He never knew, until just the last few nights, that Marius could flirt! Or that he would want to. "Thank you?" he whispered, pulling away slightly. "For what? I seem to be in constant trouble of late. Not my usual habit. Yet there you are, at every turn, my champion." He smiled, rather shyly. "What cause do you have to thank me?" ______________________________________________________________________ Post 399: Marius and Armand "What cause?" Marius smiled gently down at Armand, raising one hand to brush the backs of his fingers over the smooth cheek. "Every reason. You say I've been there for you, but who was there for me two nights ago? Not once, but twice. Amadeo, I had almost forgotten what true peace or happiness was like. And in the space of two nights, despite everything else, no matter what happens around us, you've shown me how to live again. Taught me to love, when I would have left by myself and wallowed in the pain. Fot _that_, I thank you." He bent to kiss the upturned face. "And love you, my beautiful one." He laughed softly, a glint of humor in his eyes, and a smile curving his lips. "Or should I say, my 'intended'?" And then he laughed harder at the little flash of sheer incredulity in Armand's eyes, a laugh that Armand ruefully joined in after a few moments. "I don't think I'll ever get used to that," Armand confided. "It takes time. For both of us." Marius hesitated for a moment, then kissed him again. Armand's response was immediate and for several long minutes they clung to each other, finally breaking breathlessly away. Marius sighed, stepping back just a little, then slipped his arm around Armand's waist. "All right," he said, smiling. "I know that love makes fools out of the best of men, but we really should try to be useful tonight. And I'm tired of standing in this courtyard. Where shall we go? The entire coven has scattered. Which of the little lost sheep shall we try to hunt down?" Though his lips still smiled his tone was slightly more serious and the look he turned to Armand spoke of how concerned he really was. _____________________________________________________________________ Post 400: Armand and Marius Armand shook his head and tried to gather his thoughts. It was impossible to ignore the effect Marius had on him. If this was what he had to look forward to for eternity... on top of the happiness he felt a new slice of pain. He had thought that once before. Best to live one moment at a time. So he considered his answer, casually leaning into Marius simply for the pleasure of doing so. "Lestat... he would be my first choice. Impossible, for several reasons. Daniel is my second choice. However, somehow I feel he needs space, and some time to adjust. Antonio is my third choice." Marius raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Antonio?" Armand nodded gravely. "He has many questions, as do I. And I suspect that we will find Gabrielle with him, if she is true to form. If they don't want company, so be it. If he wants to continue our conversation... perhaps we can offer comfort to Gabrielle at the same time." He looked up, into the eyes so close to his own. Then, again simply because he could, he placed a gentle, almost chaste kiss, on Marius' cheek. "Have you any objections?" he asked, mischief twinkling in his dark eyes. _______________________________________________________________________ Post 401: Lestat and Louis Lestat was on his feet in a second, slamming a lid on the painful emotions that had possessed him just moments before. "Get out!" he hissed, glaring at Louis. "I don't want you here! Get out NOW!" "No." Only Louis could speak a word so softly and so forcefully. "I wasn't giving you a choice," Lestat said, wishing that he could stand his ground without having to look into those green eyes. "It was an order. Get out." "I'm not leaving you, Lestat." "Then you're stupider than I thought." Visions of Armand's body crashing into the wall flashed through Lestat's mind. "Don't force me into *making* you leave. Just turn around and go home and don't ever, EVER come back." _______________________________________________________________________ Post 402: Louis and Lestat Louis' dark green eyes met Lestat's. There was something beyond the display of anger. There was fear. With slow deliberate action, Louis raised his hand. "Lestat... stop. Just stop." His voice was quiet, calm. "I don't have any idea as to why you're acting this way. This isn't you. You're in a blind panic over something." Louis sat in the chair nearest to him. "I'm not moving until you tell me what's going on... is it the nightmares? I didn't have one last night - and before you say it's because you weren't with me... don't bother- it won't work. You're still within the city limits. You're only a stone's throw from the house." Louis lifted his head. "I'm not angry. I don't hate you. There isn't anything that could make me stop loving you. You know that. I know there's nothing between you and Santino. I over reacted. I was wrong. Now... I've said my peace, And I want you to talk to me. Please, Lestat. I'm not afraid of you." ______________________________________________________________________ Post 403: David and Daniel David entered Daniel's room and greeted him with an embrace. ::What is it Daniel? Why do you want to leave? Is it because of Armand?:: "Yes, but how did you know I was leaving?" "I suspect it was a combination of my power and your lack of shielding. Daniel, you were practically screaming it." "Nice to know that someone noticed it then." Daniel said with heavy sarcasm. "They've been searching for Lestat for a day now, they're very worried and so am I. They would have heard you otherwise. There is nothing I could do to help Lestat now, so I opened my mind to the only other being that wasn't with the coven. "Such pain Daniel, why? I heard it the moment I opened my eyes this night. I couldn't let you leave without seeing you first...offer some type of comfort that could ease your soul." "It's nothing really." Daniel said without much conviction. "I'm just not needed right now and I don't want to get in the way." "Is that how you feel with Armand and Marius, in the way?" David asked. "Yes." "But they would never hurt you, you must know that! They are rediscovering each other right now, but in a few days they will want to know where you are. They both love you and would hate themselves if you became lost to them." "Why are you defending them? Last time we met, you hated Marius." "No, I didn't hate him, I was just hurt and acting like a fool. I still love him...enough to let him go. But you can't leave like this Daniel, not without talking to them first. Tell them how you feel, tell them you want to be a part of their lives." "I'm not sure I do and I couldn't handle it if..." "They would reject you?" "Yes." "They wouldn't, but you must tell them how you feel or it will only get worse." "Why are you doing this?" Daniel asked genuinely confused. "Because I care about you. You were there for me when I was half mad and raving, I will never forget that. You mean a lot to me Daniel and I want you to know that I will always love you." David looked into Daniel's eyes and for a moment, he had the warm compasionate look of the elderly gentleman. Daniel reach to kiss his face and they embraced once again. After a few moments, David slowly pulled away. "Come Daniel, I want to walk the set. I don't want to think of Lestat or Armand and Marius right now. Lets just walk and enjoy the night." ______________________________________________________________________ Post 404: Daniel to David David slowly pulled away from Daniel. "Come, Daniel, I want to walk the set. I don't want to think of Lestat or Armand and Marius right now. Let's just walk and enjoy the night." Daniel nodded. He felt so relieved, protected, loved...He was happy to have David with him and although he was not exactly in the walking mood, he let the taller vampire lead him out of the room. "The night is lovely, is it not, Daniel?" David asked, smiling and showing his perfect set of white teeth through the lush lips. "It is a beautiful night, David," Daniel said, his voice lacking the usual enthusiasm, so characteristic of him. "Daniel! You have to drop that!" "Drop what!?" "That 'I'm the victim' attitude! No one tried to hurt you; stop acting as if---" "Don't talk to me that way, David! You know nothing!" Daniel sighed. "That's right...yes, you're right! I know nothing! Why don't you tell me? Tell me, Daniel, why were you trying to leave without letting anyone know?" "That's not true! I meant to send Armand a letter..." "A letter? A simple letter? Is that how you say good-bye to your creator? Doesn't he deserve an explanation?" "David, I was not saying 'good-bye' I was only going to take some time off, you know, a break from the coven. That's all. "As for Armand, well, I knew that if I saw him face to face, I would not leave! I love him, David!" "And he loves you! But right now, we're all worried about Lestat!" "Lestat!" Daniel rolled his eyes. "Always Lestat..." _____________________________________________________________________ Post 405: Antonio Antonio watched the shoot with disgust. How had this happened so quickly? Less than a week ago they were a professional team, making a film. Now... he had seen less idiocy at a circus. Martin was pulling his hair out, Brad wandering around like a love sick fool, unable to remember his lines, Tom... no one had seen Tom in quite some time. And the vampires were missing. There was not a single immortal on the set. Less than a week ago, he would have thought himself mad. Now, he knew with cold certainty that something was dreadfully amiss and Armand was somehow involved. And he couldn't reach him. Antonio finally found a large tree and leaned against it, thinking dark thoughts. Then, suddenly, he felt a quicksilver presence form in the darkness. He whirled, seeking it out... "Gabrielle!" He rushed to her side, taking her in his arms. "Where is Armand? What is going on? Something is happening, I must know - please!" _______________________________________________________________________ Post 406: Gabrielle and Antonio "Antonio..." Gabrielle began in a low voice, "Lestat is missing." She watched as his eyes widened at her words, "But how?" he asked quietly. She had no desire to tell the story again, but she felt he had a right to know. She sighed and leaned into his embrace for support as she told him the whole story of the previous night up until she ran to the set. "They did not need me there. Santino is correct, I only help to make matters worse. Armand or Louis may be the only ones to reach him and Armand was the last person to see him before he left. When I left the flat, Armand was arguing with Santino and Marius was trying his best to restrain him. I was in the way." A flash of curiousity swept through Antonio's eyes. "Do you think Armand made him leave?" Gabrielle took a moment to think over the question, trying to piece together the shattered pieces of last night's conversation. She met Antonio's gaze, cautiously. "No, I do not believe Armand drove him away. It was all of us. The last words Lestat said to Armand was, 'I love you, therefore I have to hurt you.' Lestat is hurting, no more no less and it he feels it keenly. And I do not know what to do." _______________________________________________________________________ Post 407: Antonio and Gabrielle Antonio held Gabrielle, his mind racing. The connection between him and Armand had always been there, like a sleeping beast. But now, suddenly, it roared to life. "I did not have a nightmare last night," he commented softly, "but I knew Armand was troubled. I felt his pain." He sighed deeply. "I feel as though I am losing myself within him at times. The thought is unsettling at best." He looked down at Gabrielle, still so troubled. "I wish to help. More than anything. Is there a way? Can you think of something I can do?" He brushed her hair from her face. "How can I help you?" _______________________________________________________________________ Post 408: Lestat and Louis "You *should* be afraid of me," Lestat said. Not trusting himself to say any more, he turned to leave. Louis was in front of him in a flash, blocking the way. "If you think I'm ever letting you out of my sight again, you're sadly mistaken." "Get out of my way." "No. I love you too much." "Stop living in the past." "I love you *now*. And I'd like to keep loving you in the future. Why won't you let me?" Louis reached out to brush Lestat's cheek with his fingers. Lestat flinched away. "Stay with me and you won't *have* a future." _______________________________________________________________________ Post 409: Louis and Lestat Lestat grabbed Louis wrist and glared into the soft green eyes. "Lestat." Louis took a deep breath. "You're wrong." Lestat gave him a baleful look and tried to wrench him out of the way. Louis didn't budge. "I've forgotten how strong you are." Lestat growled, as he snapped away from Louis and turned his back. "Yes." Louis said quietly. "I'm strong enough to help you, if you let me. Don't let that damnable pride of yours get in the way." Lestat was rumbling Old French under his breath and half-way down his throat. "You're hurting so badly, you won't even look at me." Louis whispered. And then a little louder, "Turn around and face me." Lestat's arms slipped from the folded position across his chest, to his sides. Louis watched as he clenched and unclenched his fists. The blond head turned and he peered at Louis over his shoulder. Taking a sharp in-breath, Louis took a step forward and held open his arms. He waited. He hoped the worst that would happen would be Lestat flinging against the wall, laughing at him. Their eyes met. Silence. ______________________________________________________________________ Post 410: Lestat and Louis "Why are you doing this?" Lestat whispered, enough of the fight gone out of him to keep him from speaking any more cruel words. But not enough that he would not flee, if given the chance. "Why are you making this so difficult?" Louis' voice was incredulous. "How can you even ask me that? You're trying to disappear from my life, of *course* I'm going to put up a fight." "Stop it!" Lestat turned away. He leaned against the wall and looked out through the small space between the curtain and the windowsill. He folded his arms again, digging his fingers into his forearms. "Stop fighting. Stop fighting for *me*. It's not worth the energy." Lestat closed his eyes. "Go home. Be with the others. Forget that you saw me here. Forget that you ever knew me at all." ______________________________________________________________________ Post 411: Louis and Lestat Louis stood an arm's length from Lestat. "You're sending me away. Just like that. After all we've been through together. Is that what you're telling me?" Lestat nodded. Laying a hand on Lestat's shoulder, Louis spoke again. "Listen... just listen. You made me to be your companion after this ... life... was forced upon you. And now, you're dismissing me the same way you made me. With love. You gave me a choice that night you brought me over. And now I'm faced with a choice again." "What *are* you going on about, Louis?" Lestat sighed. "Is there any way I can convince you to come home with me?" Louis asked. Lestat continued to gaze sightlessly out the window. "None." "Perhaps I don't have a choice, then." Louis replied softly. "Let me look at you, then. For the last time. Please?" Lestat slowly turned and faced him, his face a stony mask. "I want to remember you, what ever happens to me..." Louis drew a long shuttering breath, placed his hands on Lestat's shoulders, and pressed a kiss to the cold cheek. He stepped back, and glancing at the lone illuminated lamp in the room, turned it off with a mental snap. "Life without you is impossible, Lestat. You gave me this life. Now I want you to take it. Kill me. I'm ready." _____________________________________________________________________ Post 412: David and Daniel "Always Lestat..." Daniel spoke the name with contemped. He hadn't forgiven him for what he did to Armand. "Yes, it does seem that way doesn't." David replied with a slight smile on his face. "And he said _Louis_ wore sorrow like a jewel!" They both laughed a little and continued walking toward the set. The night air was a bit breezy and felt good against the skin. Of all his vampiric powers, David enjoyed his hieghtened sensations the most. He marveled at the pleasure he would recieve from a mere gust of wind. It was Lestat's greatest gift to him, this renewed sense of passion. "Do you really want to go to the movie set? There is nothing else you would rather do?" Daniel asked him with a longing look in his eyes. "We could do something else if you wish. What is it?" David looked back into the violet eyes. Daniel said nothing, he didn't need to, David knew what he meant. "Oh Daniel, I don't think that would be wise of us. I not in any rush to start another relationship, it wouldn't be fair to you if--" "Who said anything about relationships? I'm not asking you to marry me, just share your companionship with me tonight. Is that wrong that I want only that? Be with me tonight David and let tomorrow take care of it's self." Daniel drew him close and softly kissed his lips. David lingered in the embrace for a moment and then roughly pushed away. "No Daniel! I can't do this! Not because of you, please believe that. It's me, this is wrong for me! I'm not like this, at least I wasn't until recently." "Like what?" "THIS! Throwing myself at whoever offers! First Santino and now you!" "You are reading way too much into this David. Why shouldn't you accept happiness where you find it? You're a vampire, the rules are different now. I don't care if we only have one night, an hour or the next two centuries. Here we are now and I will settle for the moment and you should do the same. If you don't want me because I repel you, then I could accept that, but you don't want me because the idea of going against you human nature repels you. Let it go, it's dead and you can never get it back." The words stung David, but he new in his heart that Daniel was right. He was clinging to his former life and no matter how hard he wished to be that person again, he knew he could not. He was frightened of this new unfamiliar territory, more so then any adventure he had taken in mortal life. "You are right." He said flatly. "When I was old I wanted to recapture my youth, now that I am immortal, I want to recapture my human life. How did you break away? How where you able to accept what you were?" "You forget, I wanted it and was denied for over twelve years. When Armand finally took me, I wanted nothing of my mortal life. Our situations are very different." "I'm not sure they are." He whisperd to himself. He slid his arm around Daniel and they continued walking for a bit. They were almost to the set when David stopped. "What is it?" Daniel asked. David took his hand and ran in the direction where he had spent the day. It was wooded and very secluded from the public eye. "I don't want to deny it anymore Daniel, this is what I am now regardless to whether I understand it or not. In this moment I want us to be together and that is all." "It's all I ask for." Daniel said as he drew David close. They both fell to their knee, lost in a passionate kiss. David leaned back against the earth and pulled Daniel on top of himself. He moan with pleasure as Daniel sank his sharp teeth into his chest. "Oh...Santino!" Reality instantly crashed back to him as heard himself cry out the name of another man. Daniel giggled. "Well, at least I knew who *you've* been thinking of. Wanna hear 'bout my fantasy." _____________________________________________________________________ Post 413: Daniel and David David moaned with pleasure as Daniel sank his sharp fangs in his neck. "Oh...Santino!" Reality instantly crashed back to him as heard himself cry out the name of another man. Daniel giggled. "Well, at least I knew who *you've* been thinking of. Wanna hear 'bout my fantasy." David was shocked at Daniel's reaction. He wasn't mad. He was smiling down at him. "Well, do you want to hear about *my* fantasy, David?" Daniel insisted. David recovered from the shock and sighed relieved. "You're not mad, then?" "Why should I be? We are together because we want to be. No commitments, no promises. I can trust you and you can trust me!" "Yeah," David nodded, still uneasy about this peculiar situation. "Well, old sport, let me tell you about *my* fantasies now....Louis.." "What?" David cried out. "Yes. Louis! Since that first night I met him in Divisadero street. It was infatuation, love at first sight, whatever you want to call it! I knew I loved him then, I know it now!" _____________________________________________________________________ Post 414: David and Daniel "It's always been Louis." Daniel said with such casualness. At first David thought he heard him wrong, but there was no mistaking it now. "Does he know this?" "Of course not, don't be silly!" He let out an impish laugh and moved his leg up against David's thigh. "We're going to have to do something about those pants, there in the way. Don't you think?" "Uh...yeah sure...Daniel are you serious?" "Yes! I could do wonders if we got those off of you." Daniel said as an evil smile spread across his face. "I mean about Louis? Why did you tell me this?" "You told me your secret." Daniel whispered in his ear and then began to nibble at it. "Mine was a slip, you deliberatly told me this. Stop for a minute please!" Daniel pulled away and looked at David crossly. "I told you, I trust you. Do you *have* to make more of it? You were making such progress tonight." That irritated David! He wasn't about to be patronized by some fledgling that he was older then in mortal years. He knocked Daniel across the clearing and into a tree. Daniel laid there stunned for a moment. He began to get up when David appeared out of no where and knocked him to the ground again. This time Daniel was injured and blood seaped from a wound right above his eye. He was dazed a bit and didn't notice David's figuare above him. He reached down and pulled Daniel close to him. David licked the blood that trickled down his face, the wound just about gone now. He pushed Daniel down so his head hit the soil and roughly removed his shirt and pants. He throw them in a heap near by and took Daniel at first by the neck. Then, he slowly moved his way down taking no caution to be gentle. He was shocked by his own violence but even more shocked by Daniel's reaction. He was enjoying it! ::Do you still trust me?:: ::YES!:: Came the reply ::David, I'm weak now, I need some of your blood or I'll never pass for human when we leave here.:: ::I could have injured you badly Daniel.:: ::But you didn't, you wouldn't!:: ::I almost did! Do you still trust me?:: ::Yes David, what's wrong, why do you keep asking me this?:: ::If you want the blood, you have to take it.:: Daniel tried to get up, but was nearly drain. His head felt dizzy and he fell backward. David couldn't believe what he was doing to Daniel. He, himself, hadn't the faintest clue as what was happening, it just was. Was this living in the moment? Taking what one wanted regardless of the consequeces? He couldn't go on with it any longer. He bit into his wrist and put it to Daniel's mouth, letting him drink only enough to restore his proper strength. "I'm sorry Daniel." He said as he rocked him back and forth in his arms. "I don't know what came over me. It just--" "It just happened. David, it's okay, I'm okay. Are you okay?" "NO! I could have really hurt you! Oh God I wanted to hurt you!" "What! Why? I don't understand." "You were willing to put all that trust in me, like I put in Lestat. It angered me, I don't know why, but it did." "Your not Lestat, David. You think that you are just like him in your heart and that terrifies you. Let me assure you, you are not like him." "Then your not mad at me," he said nervously, "for what I did?" "Hell no! You forget that Armand and I have been lovers for almost two decades." He smiled at David as he stood up to get his clothes. "You're going to have to try harder if you want to win the S&M trophy." "I see," David said "that I might have to have another demonstration so you don't go away diappointed...Santino." "Oh my Louis, I thought you would never ask!" ______________________________________________________________________ Post 415: Daniel and David "I see," David said "that I might have to have another demonstration so you don't go away diappointed...Santino." "Oh my Louis, I thought you would never ask!" They couldn't help laughing at their own sillines. Daniel fell backwards on the ground, pulling David on top of him. "You know, David, I've not have such a good time in so long...I can't even remember when was the last time." David swallowed. He could feel the desire burning his insides, a parody of mortal lust. He had almost forgotten what it felt like. "I want you too!" Daniel cried out after reading David's thoughts. "Thanks for not shielding." He smiled. "There's no need to shield, Daniel! I can share my thoughts with you, my fantasies..." "Your desires, your passion!" "Yes," David whispered. "Then take me! I'm yours! Absolutely yours...at least for tonight." ____________________________________________________________________ Post 416: Antonio and Gabrielle "My call?" he asked quietly, his smile full of gentle good humor. "My call would be to help you, dear lady, in any way I could. To know you better, if you would permit. And finally, to become a part of your family, and your life, should God intend. It is what I have wanted with the better part of me for over a decade." His smile broadened, emphasizing the laugh lines around his eyes. "It would also be my fondest wish to recast one of the only remaining mortals on this set. Tell me, have you fed this evening? I happen to know where Goldie Hawn is." ______________________________________________________________________ Post 417: Gabrielle and Antonio Gabrielle's eyes widened and she pressed the palm of her hand gently to his cheek, pondering for a moment what this wonderful mortal would be like as a vampire. He'd be perfect, she thought. Suddenly, the scent of him was almost to over-powering. The salty scent of mortal blood coarsing through his veins. How she wanted it....how she wanted him. She shook her head to clear it. She smiled tenderly at him, "You'd be *too* perfect for the Gift." Then a sudden thought, like a cold wave rushing over her made her say as she let her hand brush his cheek, "Armand would kill me if I did it." He looked down upon her curiously, "Pardon me? May I ask why?" She sighed and tore her eyes away from his, "He'd kill me and then most likely he'd kill you. I could never.....without his consent." She thought for a moment, not sure how he'd react to her words. The silence was paralizing and she grin slightly, "You know where Miss. Hawn is?" ______________________________________________________________________ Post 418: Antonio and Gabrielle Antonio wasn't willing to switch gears quite that quickly. "Why would Armand kill you? I assume that is a figure of speech. However, I know of his habit - to kill fledglings wherever he travels. Do you honestly believe he would kill me, were I to become vampire?" His dark eyes were troubled. "Why would he do such a thing?" He was outwardly calm. His emotions, however, were in turmoil. He had never really considered it - asking for the Dark Gift. He desperately wanted it, of course. But now that he had blurted it out... he had to know. ______________________________________________________________________ Post 419: Gabrielle and Antonio Gabrielle broke from his grasp effortessly, turning away from Antonio and raking her hair nervously away from her face. She didn't want to admit that she was frightened of that fact that she knew what she said could possibly be true. She turned back to Antonio, wild eyed. "He's losing his mind, Antonio. He would kill me were I to give you the Gift. Your presence disturbs him in some unknown way. If he were permitted just a few more years......." her voice trailed away and she repeated softly, "He would kill both of us, I believe." What frightened her most was the fact that she did not know even the truth behind her statement. In her heart of hearts, she knew, no matter how happy or calm Armand was, he was slowly losing it. She did not know if Marius could see past it, or it was just a figment of her imagination. Antonio stood waiting, patiently. "If you only knew how much I want to do it. You may not be asking the right vampire." ______________________________________________________________________ Post 420: Marius and Armand "Objections? Of course not." Marius smiled a little. "I think finding Gabrielle would be a good idea, whether Antonio is with her or not." He sighed softly. "I sometimes forget that all of this must be hurting her just as much as Louis." "Then we'll go to her," Armand replied. He tilted his head to one side slightly, his eyes growing distant for a moment as though he were listening to something very far away. "She's on the set." Marius raised a startled eyebrow. "You didn't..." Armand shook his head. "I didn't intrude, just located her." Marius nodded. "Allright, then. We'll go to the set."