RPG SPEC: Hollywood Vampires Part 7, Posts 181-210 _______________________________________________________________________ Post 181: Jesse and Gabrielle "Gabrielle you won't believe what I've done! If you think it would be entertaining we could track down Brad! I mentioned to him that I had a friend... what do you think? Want to drink from the mortal world's most gorgeous man? Sound interesting?" "Oh Jesse you are too much! Let's see what is going on with our friends-- and see if perhaps not everyone is mad at me-- and then perhaps we should stop in to see Monsieur le Sex Symbol!" Jesse and Gabrielle both laugh at that. "well no matter what Gabrielle I will always love you! We have too much fun together! Maybe we can even go club hopping later-- wouldn't that be a blast? It's times like these when I most like being a vampire..." _____________________________________________________________________________ Post 182: Jesse, Louis, and Gabrielle Jessed linked her arm through Louis' other arm and the three began to walk about the grounds. "So, you left mon fils in a huff, did you?" Gabrielle asked politely. Louis sighed, "Yes, I don't think he'll be speaking to me anytime soon." "Wait a sec." Gabrielle said as she turned to Jesse, "Girl's conference now! We'll just be a minute, cher." Louis watched on in amusment as Jesse and Gabrielle put their arms around each other and started talking too low for his hearing. They broke it off in a low giggle and turned back to Louis, "We have a plan." Jesse said, a twinkle in her eye. "Oh no...I knew it was a bad idea to walk back over to you two." "No, Louis. It was a GREAT idea. We're going to help you make up with Lestat." Gabrielle laughed as she linked her arm through his again and started leading him away to the mess tent. "Where are we going?" he asked. "To visit your alter ego, dearie." Jesse exclaimed with a big smile. _____________________________________________________________________________ Post 183: Louis, Gabrielle, Jesse, and Brad Louis glanced from Gabby to Jesse and back to Gabby again. It was going to be one of those nights. He blinked at the lights as the femme vampires dragged him into the "mess tent" and in the general direction of Monsieur Le Sex Symbol. "Hi, Brad." Cooed Jesse accompanied by a little wave. "Ohh! Look at him!" Sighed Gabrielle Brad looked at Jesse and smiled, then he turned his eyes to Gabby. She had the tightest jeans and tee shirt he'd ever seen! If she had a tattoo on her leg, you would have been able to see the outline. "Hey, Man!" Brad said to Louis. "I kinda thought maybe you wouldn't know what to do with a girl!" "Sorry to disappoint you." Louis smiled. "But I know *exactly* what to do with girls...may I demonstrate, Gabriellle?" "Oh, I thought you'd never ask!" Gabby replied, wrapping herself around Louis and giving him a kiss he wasn't quite ready for. :What *are* you doing, Gabby?: Louis sent his thought to her :Shut up and kiss me back, he's got to trust you first...play along!!!: :Mais oui!: _____________________________________________________________________________ Post 184: David and Marius David had hit the tree with the the back of his head quite hard. He felt a sharp pain and began to wonder how powerful Marius was in relation to his own strength. "How dare *I*?" David was furious and he didn't even know why. Marius was right after all, but this anger was still building up. David tried all he could to calm himself before he spoiled things for good. It was to no avail, everything came flooding out. "What do you know of Santino and I? Were you spying on us? Yes, we did have an affair...A DAMN GOOD affair. I loved every minute of it! You know he tried to stop it? He didn't want to ruin your friendship. I was the one that insisted on it! You know he knew what books I'm in? Do you know he knows more things about me from just reading than you do with all the 'quality' time we spend together? I don't know what you want from me! Perhaps it's just sex with someone who knows what it's like to have hit middle age! But of course we can't tell anyone about it! Oh no! That would mean the coven would find out the hedious secret that Marius likes to take a roll in the hay once in a while! Like they didn't gather *that* after they read the part in the books that has you going out and buying little boys for your amusement!" That was it! He had now let too much out, there was no going back from this. Marius' anger was beyond reproach. _____________________________________________________________________________ Post 185: Armand and Daniel Armand knew his fledgling well enough to understand that he need do nothing at all. All he had to do was wait. With his customary economy of motion he dressed, then settled back against the tree, thinking. Daniel was by far the most possessive person he had ever known. While such devotion was at times flattering, it hinted agreater issues of insecurity. Physical monogomy was not a concept Armand even vaugly understood. What had the body to do with the heart? He had learned that lesson long, long ago, and has recently been reminded of that by the dream. "Armand?" He looked up, his dark eyes giving no hint of his thoughts. "Come sit down, Daniel." Instead of sitting, Daniel began to pace, making furious little gesures. "You did it again. You DID it AGAIN! How could you do this to me? Do I mean absolutely nothing to you?" "Do you truly believe that?" Daniel whirled on him. "Don't you dare play those games with me! Not now. I have been loyal to you from the very day I met you. But every time I turn around, I find you in the sack with someone else!" The pain was clear both in his expression and his words. "How cold you do this to me?" he asked again. "Daniel, what have I done?" Truly puzzled, he shook his head. "Please, sit down. Help me to understand why you are so upset!" "What have you done?" Daniel gasped. "You just spent the night rolling around with Marius!" "Yes. What has this to do with the two of us?" For a long moment Daniel simply stood, staring at him. Then, with a weary sigh, he sat in the spot recently vacated by Marius. Without preamble Armand proceeded to calmly reconut the events which lead up to Daniel's discovery. When he recalled the question "How could you leave me in hell?" he saw Daniel flinch, the anger slowly draining from him, to be replaced with resignation. "It was a very positive thing for us both." Armand stressed finally. "Marius and I needed to put our past behind us, to move on." "Are you going to leave me, then?" Daniel's question caught him completely off guard. "Leave you? I don't understand." "For Marius." He let out an exasperated sigh. "Daniel, what has one got to do with the other? Have you listened to anything I've said?" "Yes!" Daniel cried. "It was a beautiful time for you. You and Marius are finally together again after 500 years! you've wanted this your whole life! How can I hope to compete?" Armand's expresion was one of disbelief. "You could never "compete" with Marius. Just as he could never "compete" with you. There is no contest here, Daniel. Why make it into one? I love him. He is my creator. Mi Padrone. You are my child, and while I may not understand you at times, I will always love you. Always. Time and time again I have told you this. Can you not believe me?" _____________________________________________________________________________ Post 186: Daniel and Armand Armand talked in a soft voice to the frantic Daniel, assuring him that he loved him. "You're my child, and while I may not understand you at time, I will always love you. Always. Time and time againg I have told you this. Can you not believe me?" Daniel's violet eyes focused on the figure of the red-haired eternal youth and much to Armand's surprise, he smiled. "I believe you, my Father, my lover, my Armand." He drew Armand in his arms and kissed him softly, his eyelids, his cheeks, his lips. "I love you," Armand whispered. "I know. I know it so well! I feel it!" Daniel cried out. Silence. There was no need for words anymore. They had said exactly what they needed to say, and they understood each other. Daniel tilted his head to one side, allowing Armand full access to his neck, the pulsating veing that carried the flow of magic blood through his body. Armand couldn't resist the invitation. He sank his fang teeth in his fledgling's tender skin. How long had it been since they had shared this immortal kiss? _____________________________________________________________________________ Post 187: Armand and Daniel Armand took only a small drink before settling back, holding Daniel to him. "I'm so pleased you understand." he said softly. "What could possibly come between us? There is a bond between parent and child too strong to ever be broken." "Just like the bond between you and Marius." Daniel commented softly. "True. But these bonds are not mutually exclusive. They enhance one another. They strengthen those within the bonds." He gently kissed the top of Daniel's head. "You may find that, should Marius actually become a part of our lives, you and I will only grow closer for it." "You sound as though you are unsure. I thought it was a sure thing." Armand hesitated. "Marius is his own person. I have no real claim on his future. He may choose to join us, or not. I believe he knows he would be welcome." He looked down at Daniel. "At least I would welcome him." Daniel hesitated. "I don't know him. I've never really spent time with him." He shrugged. "Maybe it's time I did. But that won't be for a while." "Why do you say that?" "He's fighting with David right now. It really looked ugly when I left." Frowing, Armand said "Just what is it between the two of them?" Daniel blinked. "They're lovers. Didn't you know that?" He raised his eyebrows. "It never occured to me, though it does make sense. No wonder David was so jealous." He shook his head. "Jealousy is something I've never really understood. Longing, yes. But jealousy? I don't understand the point." Daniel laughed softly. "Good. Keep it that way. That may come in handy in the future." Finally he sat up. "I'm tired of sitting in the dark. Want to see what the others are up to?" Armand looked around. The safe haven temporarily created between himself and Marius had vanished. Reality had once again come to call. "Yes. Let's go back to the set." Together they left the woods, heading for the bright lights. _____________________________________________________________________________ Post 188: Daniel and Armand Daniel and Armand walked through the woods in a companionable silence. It was a comforting feeling to know that no matter what happened they would always have each other. Problems and tribulations were not enought to destroy the love they felt, the bond that united them, father and child. Daniel walked by Armand's left side, staring at him with the corner of his eyes every once in a while. "What is it?" Armand broke the silence, noticing that there was something in Daniel's mind. "Last night," Daniel said hesitantly. "I, well, I had a dream..." This stroke a nerve in Armand. "A dream? What kind of dream?" "Well, it was about you, your mortal life, the monastery,..." Daniel paused, he felt a knot in his throat, the memory of the nightmare brought too much pain to even try to remember any more. "Shhh! It's okay Daniel. I wish I could have kept that from you. It's not pleasant." "I know." They kept walking through the darkness and just before they entered the set, Daniel's hand tightened aroung Armand's wrist. "Daniel?" "I just want you to know that I love you! I'm glad I was able to see your pain. I'm glad that I can now share that with you, share everything, joy and pain. Forever!" Armand smiled. "You don't know how much these words mean to me, my child." _____________________________________________________________________________ Post 189: Armand and Daniel Armand halted just outside the chaos of the set. He thought of his words. "I had a dream last night as well. One which upset me terribly." He halted Daniel's concerned question with a gesture. "The content is not important. But what _is_ important is that it reminded me of where I come from. My past life before being born to darkness. It reminded me of all I have to be grateful for. That was one of the reasons I chose to be with Marius." A brief look of pain flitted across his face. "When the darkness comes, he is my strength. Thank you for understanding." Then abandoned words, pulling Daniel int o a close embrace once more. "You are so special to me. Never forget that." Then he glanced at the set. They were close enough now that others were taking note of them. "Come on. Perhaps I can make amends with Gabrielle. It seems a good night for it." ______________________________________________________________________________ Post 190: Marius and David He didn't even remember doing it. One second David was yelling at him, such hurtful words, and the next David was laying sprawled out on the ground, his hands raised to protect himself, shaking his head from the force of the blow that had laid him out. And Marius had no memory of backhanding him, just the slight tingle in his knuckles that told him he had. "Shut up," he growled. "Just shut up, damn it! Oh, you're a fine one to talk, you English bastard! You're just as much to blame as I am! So discreet and very proper, and 'we can't let Lestat know, it might PISS HIM OFF'! And all the little thoughts in your head, you think I didn't know? 'Pandora's going to beat the living SHIT out of me if she finds out'! It was for YOUR safety, not mine! I would have been happy to tell everyone a long time ago, if you hadn't been so worried about how many family members we might upset if we did!" He was shaking in rage, and in fear. He hadn't meant to hit David like that, he hadn't thought he *could*. He forced himself to stop screaming, to step back. Out of arm's range. "I LOVED you," Marius spat. "And all you could do was find fault with every little thing. You held every slip against me, every problem was my fault, all of it. I got down and _begged_ to you David, more then once! Every time you were angry with me over something, every time you found some fault imagined or real, I came to you and accepted the blame! Just to make you happy! I debased myself in ways I never have for ANYONE else! And it was never enough, you could always find something else wrong. What do you want from me, David? My soul? My free will? And then you leave me, you just LEAVE! What am I to you, something to be used and tossed away? "Don't lecture me about Armand, don't even try! Does it surprise you, that I would go to him? It shouldn't! You and Pandora both, you're the same type! So free with your lovers, will it be Daniel after Santino? And then who, Lestat? Armand is the only one who has never LEFT me, and maybe he's the only one who ever loved me, too! It certainly doesn't look like you did! I hope you're happy with Santino, David, because you don't have me any more. It this is the measure of your love for me, then it's over!" Marius whirled away, fleeing the place and David's accusing stare, the echo of their words. Tears were stinging his eyes, a painful mixture of rage and hurt swirling in his heart. If he stayed, he would hurt David. He had to get away. _____________________________________________________________________ Post 190.5: Marius ::Marius, please, come back!:: It hurt horribly to turn his back on that cry, to keep walking. To block David's cries out of his mind, turn a deaf ear to the pain in his voice. To put one foot in front of the other had never been so difficult. He couldn't go back. If he went back, if he listened to David- it wouldn't matter what David said, he would want to believe. His heart wanted to believe. And he would forgive anything, take any blame, it didn't matter- *just stay with me, don't leave me!* And this would all happen again, and David would hurt him again. Marius liked to think he could learn from his mistakes. His first instinct was to turn to Armand, his lost love, the only one who DID love him. But Armand would be with Daniel, and Daniel wouldn't understand. So he steered away from that temptation, striking out towards the entrance to the sets. He would leave, just leave the city like he had planned to at the start of this horrible night, go to Rome, maybe, or Australia, or someplace really far away. Half blinded by tears, Marius stumbled through the trees and it wasn't until he was nearly upon them that his pain numbed senses registered the presense of the two people. And it was another full second after that before their identities really hit home. Rage swept through him in a dizzying wave. There, right there, not five feet away, was the Fiend. The child stealer, the liar, the seducer. The one person Marius could and WOULD willingly hurt. Santino. Lestat was with him, both of them staring at him with a bit of shock. Santino took a step back, his hands up, as Marius lurched forward, hands clenched into fists, his entire body trembling with fury. No. He couldn't do this. As much as he wanted to, he couldn't. If David chose Santino, then that was his right. And if Santino made David happy... Marius flinched, remembering David's voice as he had proudly announced the affair. Marius loved David, even still. And if David wanted Santino... then it really wasn't Marius' place to torch the fiend where he stood. If he did, it would hurt David. And he had walked away to avoid hurting David. He swallowed back the anger with a monumental effort. Santino was watching him with wary eyes, looking ready to duck and run at a moment's notice. Marius thrust his arm back the way he had come, pointing. "He's back there," he growled. "What?" Santino asked faintly. "David," Marius grated, every syllable leaving his lips like leaden weights. "He's back there. Go to him, don't let me stop you. YOU'RE the one he wants." And, when Santino didn't move, "what are you waiting for? It's what you wanted, isn't it? David? Well, you have him! GO!" _____________________________________________________________________ Post 190.75: Santino and Lestat Lestat let himself be pulled along by Santino. As much as he didn't want to be near any of the other vampires on the set, Lestat couldn't deny that he longed for any opportunity to find something which would distract him from everything else that had happened that night. "Where are we going?" he asked Santino. "I thought we might go look to see what happened to our darling Mr. Cruise," Santino replied. He looked over his shoulder and flashed Lestat a quick grin. "He's got quite a crush on you, you know." "He does?" "It certainly looks like it. He couldn't stop dreaming about you when I drank from him last night." "So *you're* the one who took a sip from him!" Lestat said. "Santy, how could you? That was *my* victim!" Santino shrugged. "What can I say? Armand told me not to." "Oh. Well no wonder then," Lestat said. "Why didn't you say so before?" "I was only slightly distracted by the whole 'Marius is going to turn me into a pile of ashes' thing. I'm sure you understand." Lestat laughed. He was about to give Santino a witty retort, when something in a nearby tent caught his eye and made him stand still. Santino stopped, tugged back by Lestat's now still arm. "Lestat? What is it?" "There. Can't you see?" Lestat pointed towards the tent. "It's the mess tent, Lestat," Santino said. "We don't want to go there. Too many people. We'll--" "No," Lestat said. "*There*." He pointed again, this time showing the spot where Jesse, Gabrielle, Louis and Brad had come together. Louis and Gabrielle were kissing, but that wasn't what had drawn Lestat's attention. It was the whole senario. They were *enjoying* themselves. Santino quickly picked up on this. "I'm sure it's nothing, Lestat." Lestat barely heard him. "It's like the fight never happened. All the things they said to me, completely forgotten." "They're probably just blowing off steam," Santino said. "Like we were. A few lighthearted moments to break the tension." "No," Lestat shook his head. "Not Louis. He's not like that. If he's angry, he can't calm down until he has it out with whoever got him that way. If he's depressed, he goes off by himself to think. He doesn't do *this*." Lestat felt a fine trembling within his body. "It didn't matter. Everything that happened before didn't matter to him. He thinks it was just a normal fight. All of them do. They all think that I was just acting childish. None of them care about how much I was hurt." "Lestat, that's not true," Santino said. "They said those things to me and now they are out having fun!" Lestat had to force his mouth to make the words that were threatening to drown his mind. "What do they think of me? Am I some sort of unfeeling monster that can take these things without pain? Look at them! They tell me how much they despise me, then the minute that they are finally away from me they cannot be happier." "Lestat..." Santino tried to turn Lestat away from the tent but failed. "They don't even need me at all," Lestat whispered. He stared, unblinkingly into the tent. "As far as they care, I might as well be dead." "*Lestat*," Santino was more insistant now. "We've got another problem on our hands." Lestat turned, finally distracted from his Children, to see Marius coming towards them. Never in Lestat's life had he seen Marius so angry, not even when Lestat had woken Akasha with Nicki's violin. Marius came forward, murder in his eyes. Santino's hands instinctively went up to protect himself. For a moment, it looked like the former coven leader didn't stand a chance but then Marius finally managed to speak. "He's back there," Marius said, only barely sounding human. "What?" Santino asked, hardly able to make the sound. "David. He's back there. Go to him, don't let me stop you. YOU'RE the one he wants." And, when Santino didn't move, "what are you waiting for? It's what you wanted, isn't it? David? Well, you have him! GO!" _____________________________________________________________________ Post 191: Santino, Lestat, and Marius Santino jumped back at Marius's exclamation, backing into Lestat as he did so. He felt Lestat put a supportive hand against his back, the younger vampire made strong by having something he could actually do. Marius saw this. "Stay out of this, Lestat. It's none of your concern!" Lestat was about to speak, but Santino stopped him. "Then leave him out of it, Marius," Santino said. "And while you're at it, leave me out of this as well. I don't know what you think is going on--" "I know *exactly* what is going on!" Marius said. "David told me everything. I know all about your little affair. I know all about how you tricked me into believing you when you said you would help! What I *don't* know is how I ever let you convince me you were a friend!" "Marius--" Santino started to explain, when Lestat's voice in his head stopped him. :Santy, no. Don't confrim what really happened. I don't know what's going on here, but this is *not* the time to appeal to Marius's rational side. He's truly ready to kill you! Look at him closely, he's already been violent with someone else tonight, maybe more. We need to get him calm first or you're next! Just follow my lead. We can deal with the truth later.: "He *is* your friend!" Lestat said, stepping forward to place himself between Marius and Santino. "Why else would he be trying this hard to keep you and David together?" "Are you out of your mind?" Marius demanded. Santino was tempted to demand the same thing. "How does sleeping with David keep him with me?" "If you'd stop raving and actually *think*," Lestat said. "You might see that *maybe* after you and David had a fight yesterday, Santino brought David back to the hotel so that David could talk in private without everyone at Rue Royale finding out about your affair and *maybe* David told Santino about how he felt you never payed any attention to him and *maybe* the two of them thought you needed a reminder of how much you didn't want to lose David so *maybe* they set the whole thing up, knowing that you would spy on them and become upset! Come on now! If they were going to have a secret affair, don't you think they'd have the brains God gave gravel and know to shield themselves? Didn't it ever occur to you that *maybe* you found out about this for a reason? If David told you the full truth, then you know that Santino was the one who pushed him to come back here and see you so soon. How can you know that and doubt Santino's motives in this?" _____________________________________________________________________ Post 192: Marius "Fine," Marius snarled. "So Santino is a saint. Good for him! And does any of that explain why David flat out told me he prefers Santino? NO!" He sucked in a deep breath, whirling on Santino. "Stop cowering! Go see to David, and then you'd better make damn sure I don't see either one of you for the next few decades!" He didn't wait to see if Santino went or not. Marius brushed past him. Lestat started to hold out an arm, to restrain Marius, but Marius turned furiously cold eyes on him "Don't," he said. "Don't try it. Thank you for trying to help, but don't. It's over." He turned to Santino, raising his voice. "Do you hear? It's OVER!" Whirling, he ran. Out, into the night, away from the lights and the people and the noise and everything. It didn't matter where, just away, as fast as he could. He slowed when Santino and Lestat were out of sight. Stopping, he slumped, collapsing heavily underneath a tree and, with no one watching and no one to care, dropped his head into his hands and wept. ________________________________________________________________________ Post 192.25: David David still laid on the ground, his head bleeding from the blow Marius had given to him. But that was nothing to the mental blow he just took. For the first time, Marius had blown up at him. David deserved all of it, he was acting like an idiot. Why was he doing this? In all of his mortal years, David had never acted like that! He wasn't himself in body or mind. He called out to Marius mentally ::Please Marius come back! I'm so sorry! You must listen to me!:: There was no reply, Marius just kept walking till he was out of sight. Marius never explained it to him like that before, that it was David he was trying to protect, not himself. He never had a clue that Marius had picked up on his vives, that he feared what Lestat would do if he found out. He recaped the words in his mind and they stung more then ever. ::It's over!:: He had played this one so wrong and for seemingly no reason. If Marius would have only told him how he felt before. Everytime they argued (or rather David ranted) Marius would only say how sorry he was and then get him in the sack. Sure Marius took the blame...he *never* fought back! And as always, they would end up in bed together. That is what he needed, the arguing! Of course! That is was the attraction between David and Lestat. The only other being that he genuinely loved, had always fought back with him. "LESTAT! You had no right to do this to me!" He screamed into the vacant air. "I'm not cut out for this life or this body. You couldn't just let nature take it's course with me could you!" He still lay on the ground and his eyes were swelled with tears. The one he loved had just walked out on him, and what was he left with? His books? Lestat? Nothing. But what was he doing? Blaming Lestat for this? No, whatever Lestat had did to him, he was clearly blameless in this matter. Whatever new life Lestat had given him, it was David who would ultimately have to run it. Did he want Lestat's plan to fail so miserably that he was willing to destroy his own life? He couldn't have possible kept *that* much of a grudge against him. _______________________________________________________________________ Post 192.5: Daniel Daniel and Armand stood in the darkness, holding each other with such tenderness and devotion, enjoying those precious moments of intimacy. All of a sudden, Daniel heard a voice inside his head and he flinched: :LESTAT! You had no right to do this to me! I'm cut not cut out for this life, this body: "Did you hear that, Armand?" He asked, quickly pulling apart from his beloved. "Yes, I heard it. I think it's David!" "Armand, he needs my help! You understand, right?" "Yes, I understand, Daniel. Go to him." _______________________________________________________________________ Post 192.75: Gabrielle Gabrielle walked away from the mess tent, trying to get a lock on Antonio's position. She tuned her senses to him only, therefore she hardly noticed the one walking in her direction. She made a turn around a huge tree when she heard that quiet voice inside her head that made her want to turn around and run back to Jesse and Louis. :: Gabrielle. :: Armand's voice whispered quietly inside her head. Gabrielle did not want to meet his eyes, no, not now. She was afraid for what he would say to her, that he would be angry at her for leaving so abruptly without mending fences. But this was nothing knew, the two went months and years without speaking at times. She drew in a deep breath of the fragrant air and lifted her eyes to meet his. :: Armand, what? Run out of other coven members to seduce? :: She regretted the thought the second she sent it. _______________________________________________________________________ Post 193: Armand Armand left Gabrielle and her spiteful tongue far behind. What a night! After all that had happened, the emotional highs and lows, he felt in the mood for a little self indulgence. However, he wasn't quite sure how far he'd get. For all he knew, he'd walk into a scene between David and Marius. Still, he had to find out. He couldn't get over the feeling that Marius needed him. Perhaps it was just that he needed Marius. Either way... he continued his search. The woods at the edge of the set were alive with the sounds of the southern night. Crickets and frogs chirped and sang... except in two spots. He frowned thoughtfully, then sent feelers into each. In the first clearing he found... Ah. David. And he was still rather agitated. In the other clearing... nothing. He knew that Daniel had gone to comfort David. Still, the other clearing, the blind spot, could be either him or Marius. Only one way to find out. He headed for the second spot. Moonlight lit the way to a huge magnolia. The sound of weeping echoed through the night, nearly breaking his heart. He approached the figure quietly, finally placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Marius?" he whispered. "Mi Padrone? What happened?" _______________________________________________________________________ Post 194: Marius and Armand Marius almost flinched away from Armand's hand. The gentle tone of his voice tore at Marius' heart. "He hates me," Marius whispered, his voice choked. "He hates me, he just wanted to be free from me!" Armand slowly sank down next to him. "David," he said softly. A statement. Marius nodded, unable to speak. Armand said nothing, just leant down until his head rested on Marius' shoulder in silent comfort. After a minute Marius swallowed the sobs enough to be able to form words again. "I... I hurt him. I hit him, I didn't mean to, but it just happened... he was so angry, and he has reason. I forget things. Things that are important to him, and it hurts him, and I didn't mean to..." Words trailed off into hiccuping sobs. "'M sorry, don't mean for you to see this..." "Why not?" Armand turned gently, non-judging eyes on his master. "Marius, you've been hurt tonight. We've all cried, at one time or another. Why should it shame you, that I see you like this? Let me help." He twined his fingers through Marius', raising their hands to his lips and pressing a light kiss to Marius' knuckles. "Let me help," he repeated, his whispered breath warm against Marius' skin. Marius closed his eyes, reveling in that touch even as his heart cried in hopelessly confused pain. With a choked sob, Marius let Armand enfold him in a comforting embrace. ________________________________________________________________________ Post 195: Gabrielle and Antonio Gabrielle wanted to pound her head into the nearby tree for being so harsh to Armand, but she thought of the last time she did such a thing and decided against it. All she could think of was how she had messed things up so royally. "I can't BELIEVE I did that!" she said rather loudly to herself. "Did what?" A voice said from the shadows. Without thinking she answered, "For treating Armand like that, you know I'm SO stupid. I...." Gabrielle stopped, wondering who exactly she was talking to. She squinted a bit into the shadows and gasped, "Antonio?" The breathtaking actor stepped out of the shadows and presented himself, "Yes, and I assume that you are Gabrielle." Gabrielle, while trying to lift her jaw from her chest answered, "Yes, that I am. Pleased to meet you..." she stopped, she was speechless. "You were speaking about my alter ego?" he inquired politely. Oh, Gabrielle could melt for that voice, but she gathered herself from that first shock and answered, "Yes. I hurt him, I must make it up to him." An idea burst into her brain and she grinned micheviously and in her usual forward manner she asked the actor, "Would you like to help me cheer up Armand?" ________________________________________________________________________ Post 196: Gabrielle and Antonio Antonio frowned. "Help you cheer up Armand? I'm not sure I'm qualified for such a venture. From what I know of him, he has been depressed, more or less, for centuries." Gabrielle stared at him for a few moments. "How do you do that?" "I'm sorry, I don't understand. Do what?" "Have... you and Armand... met?" she managed. "Only last night. You were there. It went rather badly. Why do you ask?" She shook her head. "Never mind. Listen, I really think you'll be a big help. Armand needs us right now. Are you interested?" He bowed gravely, flashing just a hint of a smile. "I am interested in anything having to do with Armand. How can I help?" ________________________________________________________________________ Post 197: Gabrielle and Antonio "The resemblence is uncanny." Gabrielle mumbled to herself. "Pardon me?" Antonio asked. Gabrielle looked him straight in the eye, she could swear she could see Armand there, "Your movements....they are very much like Armand's." "Then I am honored and shall take that as a compliment." Antonio responded, smiling a quiet smile that she had only seen Armand do. She shook off the resemblence and moved on. "How can you help? Well, for one, we must make sure he won't bolt when you two talk, he must trust you completely. Therefore, please, try not to make any reference to yourself as Armand. It scares him half to death. " "I shall try my best. The last thing I would want to do is frighten him. I am very intrigued by him." "Aren't we all." Gabrielle said under her breath. Antonio watched her intently, she could tell. She touched the very fringed of his mind as Armand had once taught her to do and found only fascination and curiousity. "Very well then. My idea was that you two could work in concert on the movie. He could help you, talk with you. He is very intrigued by you too, Antonio. I think it would please him very much to meet with you and 'coach' you." ________________________________________________________________________ Post 198: Antonio and Gabrielle Antonio considered the vivacious woman before him. "I have no objections to meeting with Armand, if that is his desire. But I'm curious. Why do you come to me? Why not him? And why do we need to cheer him up? Or will coaching me be so delightful to him?" His smile turned mocking, in an unconscious parody or Armand's own Mona Lisa smile. "Gabrielle, there are many things going on which I don't know about. Brad has been erratic for the last two nights. Tom has apparently lost his mind. Both of these men I have worked with before, and both were consummate professionals." He folded his arms and tilted his head to one side. "What do you know of all this?" ________________________________________________________________________ Post 199: Gabrielle and Antionio "Oh you would have to ask so many questions. You're so like Armand, I half expect you to read my mind for the answers. Please, sit down, it looks as if I have some explaining to do." Gabrielle sat against the tree trunk as Antonio sat down beside her. His expression became very sober and thoughtful, "I have many questions." "Then, please. Ask them, I shall do my best to answer them." Gabrielle responded, wishing that this was easier, that she wouldn't have to talk about it. It might do some good, "You asked why I come to you and not him." Gabrielle stared off into the distance, "He does not come because he is frightened, he is not as forward as me. I come because simply I care for Armand, and I have hurt him and I know he would like to meet you desperately." Antonio met her eyes, something that Armand did frequently especially when she did not want to meet his, "I do not understand, Gabrielle. How have you hurt him?" Gabrielle sighed, "Armand and I are close, too close sometimes. We end up always hurting each other in the end. I said some harsh things I didn't mean...." Antonio nodded for Gabrielle to continue, "As for why we need to cheer him up? You said yourself that he has been depressed for much of his immortal life, he is becoming better but life is hard for him. He needs to know that we are there for him when he needs it. You have been told his story no doubt, it isn't one of fairytale riches." "That it has not." Antonio said softly, his expression very serious, he looked too much like Armand for Gabrielle's comfort, she shivered, "Will you stop doing that!" she pleaded. "Doing what?" Antonio asked, obviously surprised. "Looking like Armand!" He laughed softly, "I do not understand these similarities. Surely there is a reason for them." "Don't look at me." Gabrielle said as she leaned back into the tree for support, Antonio was so easy to talk to, very understanding and thoughtful, "What else was it that you wanted to know?" "Why the actors on this set have appartently lost their minds?" "Oh, that's a simple one." Gabrielle smiled, "It's basically a case of vampire fever. Our whole coven is here, which means no one is safe. My son has been playing with Tom a wee bit much for Tom's own good. My friend Jesse has been 'entertaining' Brad. Too much of us and sometimes mortals can lose it, who knew?" _______________________________________________________________________ Post 200: Armand and Marius Armand gathered Marius in his arms. "Let me help." he whispered quietly. Marius shuddered, then relaxed against him. "I've never been able to do this for you." His comment was thoughtful, almost distant. "I'd like to, now." He ran his fingers through the tangled blond hair, smoothing it away from his face. If anything, Marius sobbed harder, his barriers suddenly non-existant. And somehow, it was more moving to Armand than their previous meeting. He thought that he and Marius could never be closer than that. But now, holding his beloved master in his arms once more, he realized that they had only begun to discover levels of intimacy. He switched back to Italian, whispering ancient words of comfort, gently rocking Marius. How beautiful he was! Strong, even in grief, strong enough to let go completely. Armand felt a sudden protective urge well within him, a perfect compliment to the grief he felt at Marius' pain. Finally the elder vampire calmed in his arms, then glanced up. Once more Armand brushed the hair from his face, the tears from his cheeks. He smiled, somewhat sadly. "Have you any idea how much I love you?" he whispered. ____________________________________________________________________ Post 201: Antonio and Gabrielle Antonio looked at her intently. "The entire coven is here? Lestat is here?" "Yes, along with Marius and Louis and... just everyone." He sat back, his expresson slightly dazed. "I read the books, in Spain. I was completely captivated. I felt as though I knew them... that I knew you. And now, to discover you're real!" He smiled somewhat shyly at her. "I thought I had lost my mind. I always thought you were real. You were never fictional to me." Gabrielle found herself watching his lips as he spoke and had to mentally shake herself when he stopped speaking. She looked up into his liquid brown eyes and he smiled once again, this time sexy rather than shy. She discovered she had missed his last question, so intent was she in watching him. "I'm sorry, what did you say?" His smile widened. "I asked why Armand was frightened. Can you tell me what it is about me that frightens him so? Or is he just frightened overall?" _________________________________________________________________________ Post 202: Marius and Armand Marius shuddered. "Do you know how much I need to hear that right now?" he whispered. "Even if I don't deserve it, it just feels so good to hear it. Amadeo. My angel. I love you, don't ever doubt that, not ever. I love you, and I need you. Please, don't leave me." "I won't," Armand murmmured. "Trust me. I won't." "Hold me," Marius whispered, begging. "Please, I just need to know you're here, that you're real and not a dream. If this *is* a dream, don't let me wake up." _________________________________________________________________________ Post 203: Armand and Marius Armand's smile was gentle and warm. "A dream, mi Padrone? This is no dream. If it was, you'd wake before I did this, hum?" It was not what he had intended. All he had wanted to do was comfort Marius. But the sight of him so vulnerable... begging him not to leave... turning the tables so completely... The protective feeling suddenly shifted into blazing desire. He leaned down to capture Marius' lips, demanding a response. Marius moaned, reaching to pull him even closer. Breathless, he broke the kiss moments later. He looked deep in Marius' eyes, his hands resting lightly on either side of his face. "Yes." Marius breathed. "Do it. Please..." Armand needed no further encouragement. At once he slid his fangs into Marius' throat, holding tight as he bucked underneath him, gasping his name. _________________________________________________________________________ Post 204: Gabrielle and Antonio Gabrielle watched his mouth shape the words, the gorgeous accent that would flow out so effortessly. The way the smile would turn from shy and innocent to knee buckling was so familiar to her.... She shook herself awake and smiled back at this man beside her, "Armand...." she sighed, "He's afraid of you and he's frightened overall as well." His gaze softened as he realized Gabrielle was having difficulty talking about it, he put a comforting hand upon her arm. Gabrielle, a little stunned, simply looked from his hand to his warm eyes as he asked, "Why is he frightened of me?" Gabrielle, still focusing on Antonio attempted to stammer out a coherent answer, "Because you remind him of an older brother, a father he never had and so forth. You're what he would be if he were permitted to grow up!" When the words tumbled out of her mouth, she knew she had finally gotten to the core of it all. Slowly, she continued. "He is frightened by everything. Possibly not frightened, just extremely weary. He needs something or someone to help him, show him he's not alone. I am not sure who can be that person for him, I hope he finds them." Antonio squeezed her arm lightly and tilted his head to one side as he regarded her, "Then we shall have to help him." _________________________________________________________________________ Post 205: Marius and Armand ::Yes, please yes, love me, don't ever let me go...:: The thought could have been from either of them, burning through the blood, an endless echo of love and need and reassurance. ::Love you, won't ever let you go, love you forever...:: Marius had moaned as Armand's teeth sank into his flesh, piercing flesh and soul. Blinding pleasure, to sink into that embrace and let the blood flow from him in wave after wave of shuddering sensation. And then Armand had pulled Marius' head down, had pushed aside his own hair and bared his slender throat. No hesitation. Bite deep but gently, feel the blood jet into his mouth and throat with stunning force, great gulps of pure emotion as the blood loop encircled them within each other, bared their very souls. Love, pulsing in every heart beat, every drop of blood, until Marius could have cried again. ::Yes, love you, always, Amadeo...:: _________________________________________________________________________ Post 206: Maharet THREADER'S NOTE- This is what is known as a cross post. Maharet and Louis were posted at the same time, by two different players, and they conflict with each other. *I'm* not going to try and fix it. Just assume that the Louis in this post is a figment of Maharet's overactive imagination. "Hello, just what the hell is going on?" Maharet was amazed that her voice was as calm as her emotions were not. She was tired from the trip, and irritable from all the stray thoughts she had picked up the night before and had disturbed her. "Maharet!" Jessie cried as she grabbed Maharet in a fierce hug. Pulling away, Jessie smiled brightly. "It's great that you're here!" "Yes, I am. Hello, Louis." Maharet gently pulled away enough to greet Louis with a kiss. "How are you and where is Lestat?" "Maharet." Louis smiled sweetly at her, returning the kiss. "I'm... not sure where Lestat is right now. We had a small... disagreement." "Ah. Then perhaps we should go find him?" She slipped one arm through each of theirsand turned them to the doorway. "Let's go outside where it's a little quieter." Moments later, the three of them were standing in the warm night away from the laughter, music and shouting mortals in the huge tent. "C'mon," she said after scanning quickly. "He's over there." Leading Jessie and Louis, Maharet soon found Lestat, staring after a retreating Marius. _________________________________________________________________________ Post 207: Louis Louis walked away from the tent and into the humid night air. He'd done some rather stupid things in his life and right now walking out on Lestat earlier that evening topped the list. He found a quiet spot near some trailers and sat down. He rested his forearms on his knees and stared pensively into spcae. "Ah, Jean- Louis, the very man I've been looking for!" Louis glanced up into Martin's face. "I beg your pardon?" Louis replied, not really hearing the question. "I've got a script for you. See's as if Pretty-boy Brad has split on us as well. We're going to need a Louis... and the role's yours if you want it." Louis lifted his head. Perhaps re-enacting some old memories would help patch things up.... "Your friend Mr. Melmoth is going to be a smashing Lestat," Martin winked at Louis. "What do I have to do?" Louis said quietly. "Just be yourself." Martin smiled. _________________________________________________________________________ Post 208: Armand and Marius He had not felt this way for five centuries. Safe, content, happy... the elixir of love flowed through Armand's veins like the sweetest wine. Looking up, his movements languid and sensual, he saw the same emotions mirrored within the expression of his most beloved Marius. He smiled softly. "Still upset with David?" he whispered. Marius smiled in return. "I could not be upset with anyone. I've forgotten how." Armand made a happy sound, low in his throat, and burrowed closer. They remained that way for some time, words once again unnecessary between them. Finally Armand sat up and stretched. "The others probably think we've thrown ourselves from a cliff." "Let them wonder. Let's go away. Just the two of us." Marius sat up as well. "I've a villa on the Italian Rivera. Let's go back to Italy." "To pick up where we left off?" "To begin again." he corrected softly. "We can't go back." "And what of Daniel?" Marius reached out, brushing wayward strands from his dark eyes. "He is welcome there, of course." Armand needed only seconds. "Yes. I'd like that." He smiled, the expression open and warm, and wholly unlike his habitual sorrowful look. It charmed Marius completely. The two of them dressed. "Daniel was going to David when I last saw him. Perhaps we should allow them some time alone." Marius winced slightly. "I need to talk to David in any case. I can't leave things as they are." "Very well. Let's go back to the set and wait for them." The two of them once more headed for the bright lights, walking in contented silence. Armand felt at peace with all the world. He too needed to speak with someone before leaving. He sought her out... then froze, the feeling of warmth and security vanishing, to be replaced with anger. :Gabrielle?! What are you doing with Antonio? Get Away From Him!: __________________________________________________________________________ Post 209: Santino and Lestat Santino was about to go after the disappearing figure of Marius, but Lestat pulled him back. "No," Lestat said. "It's not safe. He's not thinking clearly about anything right now." "I don't care!" Santino shook off Lestat's hand. "Lestat, he thinks I betrayed him! He thinks David doesn't love him! I have to go after him, tell him the truth. Even if he never fogives me again, I have to do this. For David's sake." "*David's* sake?" Lestat repeated softly, but Santino didn't notice. *Quite a bit of emotion being tossed around for what everyone is trying to tell me was a one night stand....* "Alright, Santy. It's your life. You've got the right to throw it away by letting Marius kill you if you want." "Thanks," Santino said flatly. His eyes unfocused as he tried to find where Marius had gone to. "Damn, he's shielding. I'll have to look around the old fashioned way. Are you coming with me?" Lestat looked back into the mess tent. "No. I don't want to be around anyone right now." Santino looked worried. "What are you going to do?" Lestat shrugged. "Go off by myself for a while." Santino shifted in place uncertainly, looking from Lestat, to where Marius had disappeared and back again. "I have to tell you, Lestat, I think you being alone right now is too dangerous. But since I know I can't change your mind and since I *have* to speak to Marius now or risk blowing this forever--here." Santino handed Lestat the keys to his hotel suite. "At least go off to where I'll be able to find you when the sun comes up." Lestat took them gratefully. "Thanks, Santy." "Yeah, well, I just don't want to be the one to have to sweep up your ashes," Santino said with false gruffness. He embraced Lestat, kissing him on the cheek. "Go on. Take care of yourself, Brat. I'll catch up with you before the morning comes." "I won't wait up, just in case," Lestat said. "Who knows how long it's going to take you to explain all of this to Marius? I'll see you whenever you get back." Lestat started off, then paused. "Santy, you won't--" "I won't tell a soul where you are," Santino promised. "Thanks," Lestat said again, then vanished, heading back to the hotel as fast as his vampiric speed would let him. _________________________________________________________________________ Post 210: Santino Santino searched throughout the movie set as quickly as he could, hoping to find Marius and explain things to him before Lestat had spent too much time by himself. He'd seen Lestat in this sort of mood before and the outcome was never good. Lestat was presenting a lot of danger, and all of it to himself. *But he can last a little longer,* Santino thought. *Marius and David can't. I have to find Marius and tell him the truth. David loves him. David doesn't want to be with me. It was just a purely physical fling.* "It didn't mean anything," Santino whispered. "It didn't mean anything. I have to make him understand that it didn't mean anything. I have to make him believe that." *Make him believe it? Why did I say it that way? Why would I have to _make_ him believe something which is the truth? You only have to _make_ someone believe a lie so why would I have to _make_ Marius believe that David means nothing to me?* "I'm losing my mind," Santino said. "I need to talk to Marius, go back and help Lestat and never, ever see David again. That's all there is to it." He was beyond the movie sets now and into the dark clearings which surrounded them. He scanned, trying to see if he could find anyone at all. A mortal life form blazed to life in his mind with the form of a vampire female beside him. *Antonio Banderas,* Santino thought. *And Gabrielle too. Well, I certainly know one direction I _won't_ be going in. But if the two of them are here, then Armand can't be far away. And if he's not far away, I wonder if Marius can be close as well?* Santino broadened his scan and found his answer. Marius and Armand were in a clearing nearby and the distance between the two pairs was closing.