LESTAT AND LOUIS GET MARRIED Part 16 - Posts 451-480 ---------------------------------------------------------------- POST 451: Erik to Louis: "Of course I will always be your friend... but I think, after the party, it would be better if I simply went back to the Opera... after all, I do need to think about things, and they need their Ghost... even a modern Opera needs a Ghost..." He smiled at Louis, backed away. "I need to think about my own feelings in all this..." "Of course, Erik, of course. I understand. We'll be heading off too. But contact me, please, so I know everything's alright for you. I must head back to the party. If Im gone much longer my absence will be remarked and they'll all come to the obvious conclusion. Will you return with me? Lestat very much wants to see you." ---------------------------------------------------------------- POST 452: While Lestat danced with Jesse, holding her close to him, letting only the music filled him he remembered an earlier conversation with Louis... : "Sweetheart, if all this nonsense that's been going on has upset you so much (and I admit I'd like to ring their silly necks for upsetting you so) let's elope. Very soon. First thing tomorrow evening and marry in our own way and everyone else can go to hell!" : "Yes! We'll do it then. We can go to Vegas if you want, or maybe we'll just fly straight to the Barrier Reef and marry in the surf! We have to attend the party, I'm afraid, but as soon as we rise tomorrow -- we're off!" . 'Ah, yes,' Lestat thought. 'I can't wait...' He smiled a little at the thought and continued the dance. It wouldn't matter to him at all, now, what would happen at the party. He knew by tomorrow night he and Louis would completely belong to each other. He let a hand drop from Jesse's waist and felt for the small box with the rings in his pocket. He was also thinking of his wedding gift to Louis, waiting for them at the Rue Royale. He had made all his phone calls earlier in the evening while Louis still slept and made sure things would be taken care of while they were at the party. He was livid with expectation and anticipation -- just to see the expression on Louis' face! Oh, what a night THIS would be! And perhaps their elopement didn't have to wait for tomorrow night... perhaps tonight... He held on to Jesse, dancing slowly, listening to the music, and thinking of upcoming events. He was lost in his reverie when all of a sudden he was forcefully pulled off of Jesse. "Wha...??" He stood dazed looking at the culprit that invaded his solitude. "Armand! That was a bit tactless of you. Couldn't you have waited for the dance to end?" Lestat asked, with hands on hips, eyeing Armand with a narrowed glance. ---------------------------------------------------------------- POST 453: Gabrielle and Marius Gabrielle saw Jesse pull Lestat onto the dance floor and thought she'd follow. She walked over to Marius, batted her eyelashes up at his smiling face and crooned, "Wanna dance?" Marius made a completely exaggered bow and began to laugh as Gabrielle took his hand and led him towards the dance floor. She stopped a bit of a distance away from Lestat and Jesse and pressed herself to Marius and threw her arms around his neck. Marius held her tightly and laughed when she said, "No funny stuff, or I'll send my son after you!" Gabrielle looked around Marius to a lonely David and whispered to Marius, "Quite a catch, mon ami, quite a catch indeed! I hope you two shall be happy together...." Marius said softly, "I hope so as well, but it doesn't look as you'll come out very lucky in love after this wedding..." Gabrielle shrugged and rested her head on his chest, "I know, Daniel shall probably go back to Armand and my Lestat will be married, and you shall be with David!" she grinned evily up at him. "I just hope Louis and Lestat know what they're doing...." Marius said. "Marius, they're both over 200 years old, isn't there a time when we parents must let them go? I'm quite sick of hearing people worry over what they're doing. I admit that I'm worried too, but if they're happy... they're happy." Suddenly Gabrielle was cut off as her and Marius turned to a commotion happening inches away. Lestat with his hands on his hips and glaring at Armand. Jesse was in the drunken Armand's grasp and Lestat looked as if was ready to burst out in anger or laughter. "My Lord, Marius, it doesn't look as if our "sons" can be in the same room with one another before all hell breaks loose. I suppose we should intervene before it gets ugly...." ---------------------------------------------------------------- POST 454: Jesse caught Armand just as his preternatural knees went out from under him. She caught Lestat's eye and telepathed... :::He's blasted, Sweetie... He knocked off three drunks before we got here, and I have a feeling he's been into the punch.::: She turned to Armand,"Do you think we can walk over to that nice sofa and sit down? That's it, left... right... left... ooops!... right..." :::Thank's Lestat, I can get him there myself::: She settled Armand on the velvet love seat in the corner. "Stay put, Darling, I'll be right back... I must tell Lestat something... you just stay RIGHT there!" Jesse bent over and lightly deposited a kiss on Armand's lips. From the amount of alcohol in him, she was glad there wasn't an open flame near by. She dashed (or as close to dashing as a girl can do in 5" spike heels) across the dance floor to Lestat and pulled him behind a potted palm. "Sorry, Jesse. It's a little late for this kind of thing..." He opened his eyes wide as if surprised by her. "Oh, shut up, Lestat!" She snapped. "I've got to say this fast and get back to Armand." She gave him a very tender look. "I read your mind, about eloping... I thought you shielded better than that!! Oh, I think it's wonderful! It's perfect! I won't tell a soul, living or undead! Listen to me... off Australia are a group of islanads called the Louisiade Archepeligo. I own one of the islands. There's a house with a rotating yellow light on the roof.... stop laughing... it's my house. It's a completely private island. No one will bother you there. And it's close enough to other islands for you to ...um... eat out, shall we say? It's yours for as long as you want it... take it and be happy!" She stood on tip toe, kissed his cheek, and went back to Armand. "If you are planning on misbehaving, my Darling... be sure you can stand up first!" She sat on his lap smiled teasingly into Armand's face. ---------------------------------------------------------------- POST 455: Antoine stopped in the middle of the hallway, sweating and out-of-breath. Mael turned around, and hollered, "Come on; we're gonna lose her!" "Aren't we supposed to be at the party about now?" Antione asked. As much fun as the chase had been, he falt the party would be a little more relaxing... -ccj ---------------------------------------------------------------- POST 456: Maharet Does A Slow Burn Maharet stopped running. There was no one following her. Where the hell was Mael? She sent out a few mental feelers and when she located him, she let out a gasp. He was dressed and on his way to the party! And he had her luscious little Antoine with him. Maharet had been having a good time. Now she wasn't. Now she was furious. 'He left me running naked down the hallway.' She turned that thought over a few times, and as she stood in the hallway an angry flush spread over her from head to toe. The Ponchartrain shivered on its foundations. Maharet spun on her heel and stormed down the hall to her room. She calmed down just enough to stop the Pon from shaking loose from its foundation. She reached her rooms and the doors blew open and slammed back into the walls, causing a dusting of plaster to powder the air. 'Leave me, running from no one, will he? Take my favorite decoration to the party, eh?' Muttering angrily, Maharet heaved the furniture about looking for her gold lame dainties. Having retrieved them she dressed, at the last pulling the flimsy silver ankle length tunic over her head. She brushed her hair in short vicious strokes and snatched the silver clasp up from the dresser and clipped her hair back, a few strands escaping the clasp. She grabbed the gold arm ban and shoved it up her arm as far as it would go. She looked in the mirror and glared at her reflection. Time to go. The furious redhead stomped down the hall to the party room. ---------------------------------------------------------------- POST 457: Lestat to Jesse "Jesse, that sounds wonderful! Your island sounds exactly what I'm looking for. I will definitely take you up on your offer!" He kissed Jesse's cheek and then peered over at Armand who was sitting rather slumped and sloppily on the antique velvet couch along the wall. "I suppose I can deal with Armand later. Even if I wanted to fight him, it wouldn't be much of a challenge. Tell you what..." he walked over to the table where all the delectable goodies were displayed and poured the spiked blood into a glass. "Take this to Armand. The blood may help him see a bit clearer. Tell him, 'with compliments from Lestat' for me." He handed the wine glass to Jesse to bring to Armand. She thanked him and trotted over to her lover. Lestat snickered and waited for Armand to drink the blood. He wouldn't taste the vodka, especially in his present state, and he may like it so much he'll drink more and more... Lestat's snicker almost became an outright boisterous laugh but he controlled himself. 'You're so cruel, baby!' he said to himself. 'I love it!' 'Now, where's that beautiful Daniel hiding? He must be here to witness Armand's eventual drunken debauchery.' ::Daniel! Daniel, can you hear me? This is Lestat. Get your ass to the party at once, young fledgling! I want to dance with you and your violet eyes!:: He snickered a bit more and sat in one of the lovely chairs taking in the scenery. A few of the 'decorations' had come back from Armand's room realizing there was nothing going on up there. They were standing behind the food and drink tables. Lestat had a notion to taste one of their lovely necks and perhaps do some exploring with his hands, but he kept still, waiting for his Louis to return. ---------------------------------------------------------------- POST 458: Maharet At the Party Maharet burst into the party room and went directly to where Lestat and Armand were squaring off. "Excuse me," she said frostily to the drunken Armand. To Jessica she sent, ::All my lovely decorations are missing. I'm insulted.:: "Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials, Lestat. I hope you'll make Louis very happy." She grabbed him by the back of the neck and kissed him hard. "Where is Louis, by the way?" She fixed Lestat with an accusing stare. "He went to get Erik." Lestat was rubbing the back of his neck where Maharet had grabbed. "Erik? Isn't this Erik person the one who was making Louis so very miserable just a little while ago? Shall I fry him for you, Lestat? I should like to fry someone just now. I'm in that kind of mood." "No, Maharet! That would make Louis even more unhappy." Lestat exclaimed, wondering who had pissed Maharet off this badly. "Well, all right. If.." "Hey Red!" Armand slapped Maharet on her rear. Everyone froze. Everyone except Armand. He laughed uproariously. "I'm going to pretend that didn't happen," Maharet said, and she made her way to the fountain of vodka spiked blood, rapidly tossing back three full glasses before turning to scan the room through narrowed eyes. "Oh Lord," Jessie whispered to Lestat. "I hope Daddy and the rest get here quick. If she goes off, only he and Aunt Mekare have any luck calming her down. I'm afraid we all have the infamous redhead's temper." Maharet saw Jessica glancing anxiously in her direction. "Don't worry Jessica, I won't spoil your party," she said loudly. "Let's get this show on the road." She picked up two glasses, filled them and tossed them back one after the other before slamming them down on the table, shattering them into little pieces. She stomped over to a table an flung herself down into a chair, tapping her foot impatiently... ---------- POST 459: Lestat to Maharet... While Lestat sat watching Jesse and Armand, Maharet stormed in -- all flaming red hair and... wwhew... what an outfit. Lestat's eyebrows raised over his forehead, his eyes went wide, and his tongue flopped out of his mouth. Well, not really but close enough... Maharet was raging mad but managed to drink enough of the spiked blood to calm down a bit. Armand spanked her -- now THAT was funny. Lestat broke out laughing and abruptly stopped thinking Maharet might not take lightly to his amusement. She didn't seem to pay him any mind since she was drinking so much. Armand was still snickering and Jesse just gave him the glass of spiked blood. 'Oh, this is really going to be some night! Perhaps if everyone is drunk enough they'll feel so awful when they wake tomorrow night Louis and I may be able to actually have a wedding with all of them around without causing a fuss. They'll feel too badly to do anything!' Lestat laughed out loud again. Maharet plopped into one of the velvet antique chairs and was looking quite impatient. She didn't even seem to be interested in the lovely decorations that had re-entered the room. 'Ah, my poor red queen...' thought Lestat. He stood up and went over to her sitting down across from her. He took her hand in his and kissed it quite passionately. "My lovely red queen... do not be sad, this is supposed to be a happy and joyous occasion. Are you happy for me, ma chere?" He kissed her hand again and placed his other hand on her thigh, kneading it just a little. "You look quite stunning this evening..." he whispered as he bent closer and kissed her neck. ---------------------------------------------------------------- POST 460: Unknowlingly, Jesse took the glass of spike blood punch and put it Armand's hand. "Here, Lestat sent this over for you. He thought it may clear your head a little." Armand took the glass and swallowed the punch in one gulp. It hit him like a Mack truck that lost it's brakes. The wine glass fell from his hand, falling to the floor and shattering. He clutched at his spinning head. "Oooooo," he groaned. "What is it, Armand...?" Jesse knelt down in front of him. Armand looked down at her. "Sweeeet Jessseeeee, why are there THREE of you? Oooh, look at all your eyes....!" Jesse snapped around and glared at Lestat, who was doubled over laughing. "Don't MOVE, Armand. " She jumped to her feet "LESTAT! What the HELL are you trying to pull?" Jesse was across the room in a split second and had him pulled down to her level eye to eye. Lestat was surprised... he'd forgotten how strong she was. "Just a little joke, Jess!" He choked out, trying to stop laughing. "I oughtta melt your SHORTS for this, Lestat! --OR--, shall I just tell everybody what a romantic evening we had about a year and a half ago, when YOU seduced me up to some posh hotel room in Zurich... AND THEN PROMPTLY FELL ASLEEP... Lestat, the great lover not able to keep his baby blues open because of the time change, HMMM?" Amand appeared behind her. "Is he trying to seeeduuuse you, Jesse? I will deal with him... If I could juuust figger out which one he is..." ---------------------------------------------------------------- POST 461: Lestat had been sitting with Maharet, trying to calm her down with his alluring and delightfully charming ways. Basically, he was trying to seduce the bitch... but just to keep her somewhat sedated. He had no plans to actually see it through. He had his Louis for things like that. Then Jesse pulled him up and scolded him for giving Armand a bit too much to drink. He was laughing like crazy and Jesse wasn't happy with him. She reminded him of their night in Zurich... "Ahhh... my dear, you know how to cut to the quick, hmmm??? Well... what about that night in Paris when I found you roaming the streets with that filthy, disgusting mortal playboy. I knew what you had in mind..." he winked at her. "I saved you from a terrible disgrace and then YOU fell asleep on me! So," he whispered, "I'd say we're even. Unless, of course, you want the whole coven to also know about your little stint in Thailand with all those sailors... naughty girl..." he winked again. He held her close to him and kissed her on the cheek. "My only regret," he whispered, "is that we never finished what we set out to do that night in Zurich. Believe me, cherie, if I had NOT fallen asleep, you would've belonged to me that day on. You wouldn't want me out of your sight. You would've begged me to give you more..." he kissed her on the lips this time, rich, deep, full of tongue action and sucking lips. He released her and she nearly dropped to her knees. "See what I mean, ma chere?" he blew her a kiss. "Now, go take care of our dear very drunk young man... I think he needs whatever you have left to give him..." he winked and walked back to sit in front of Maharet who had been watching the spectacle with a gleam in her eyes and a big smile on her lips. "Oooooh..." Maharet purred, "you are GOOD!" she hugged him, kissed him, and they both laughed holding each other close. Jesse went harumphing back to Armand who was giggling incessantly over a kumquat plant. ---------------------------------------------------------------- POST 462: This was getting to be beyond enough. Marius watched in disapproval as Lestat gave the glass to Jesse and Jesse in turn gave it to Armand. Sighing, Marius leaned over to David. "Excuse me for a moment, love... I think things are getting out of hand over there." David nodded in understanding. Marius took a deep breath and marched over to where Lestat was smirking at a completely plastered Armand. Marius grabbed the back of Armand's neck, easily steering the none-too-steady vampire back to a couch. Marius pushed him down to the couch, bending closer in an effort to try and make Armand's dialated eyes focus on him. "Armand? Can you hear me?" "O'coursh I c'n hear you," Armand slurred, squinting up at Marius. "Mariush, why're there three o'you?" Marius sighed. "Armand, caro, why don't you just sit here for a bit? I don't think you should be walking around right now." "Why not?" Armand wobbled, then collapsed limply back against the couch. "B... But I gotta... Jesshe..." "I'll go get Jesse and tell her to come over here, all right?" Marius asured him, then went back to Jesse and Lestat. "Jesse, I think you should go talk to him. Try and convince him to go back to his room." He eyed Lestat, who was still smirking. "Enjoying yourself?" And then he had to smile. "Well, I suppose, if nothing else, this might teach him not to 'indulge' so much again..." ---------------------------------------------------------------- POST 463: Just outside of the party room, Mael turned to Antoine. He smiled forlorn once again and said, "You know, lad, you're not all that bad. I could get used to having you at the house." Antoine smiled wickedly and Mael gave him a joking growl. "Not having you that way, laddie, you bloody well know what I meant." Antoine nodded. "Then listen. What I said about Maharet, I don't want you to repeat. That's something I keep to myself. But if you're going to be with us after this is over, you should know what I am doing." Antoine shook his head. "But if she knows the truth, wouldn't she be better to you?" "You'll see why I can't tell her how I feel, lad. Maybe very well. This night may be my last." He looked as though he would cry for a second, and then smiled wolfishly. "But that's not going to stop me from having fun. I haven't heard from Jessie lately, so maybe I can dally with her to begin." Mael kissed Antoine impulsively on the neck and with grins on their faces they walked through the doors. Mael saw Louis and Gabrielle talking, Lestat kissing Maharet on the neck, and Jessie ministering to... Armand?!? No one else seemed to be there yet, except for a few of the decorations. And no one, at least yet, noticed that they had come in. ---------------------------------------------------------------- POST 465: Louis to Lestat: Louis entered the Ballroom quietly, looking for Lestat. He found him in conversation with Marharet. Louis grinned. Really, he thought the man's incorrigable! He stalked quietly up behind Lestat and winked at Marharet. Then he pressed himself against Lestat's back, passing one arm diagonally across his chest and the other around his waist, holding his lover tight against him. He grinned mischeivously at Marharet over Lestat's shoulder. He paused for a moment, enjoying the fell of Lestat's muscular flesh under his extended fingers, then slipped his hand under Lestat's shirt. "Have you any idea," he whispered sensuously, deliciously, in Lestat's ear, "how much I want to drag you off to bed, now, right this minute, Lestat!" His voice throbbed with passion and desire. Then he bent and nipped the side of Lestat's neck. Tasting his blood. ---------------------------------------------------------------- POST 466: Maharet looked at Lestat sourly for a moment. Impudent Brat! He took her hand and kissed it, all courtly grace and manners. Then he started massaging her thigh. She contemplated kicking him across the room for a moment, but decided against it. Wouldn't do to damage one half of the happy couple. He continued to mouth compliments at her, pressing some imagined advantage, -and- his lips to her neck! "Outrageous! That's what you are!" She couldn't help but smile at the blond wickedness before her. "Damn you, if you were marrying anyone but Louis, I'd show you a thing or two before the night was done! Come on you rogue, and dance with me before I set something on fire." ---------------------------------------------------------------- POST 467: Marius went back over to David, after collecting two glasses from the fountain. "Here you go," he said, smiling as he handed the glass of blood to David. David sniffed at it. "Marius... There's Vodka in this." "I know. But everyone else seems to be intent on getting at least slightly dizzy, so it seemed like it might be polite to do the same." Marius knocked back his own glass in two gulps. "Besides, if I'm feeling mellow enough on top of being rather exhausted," he leered at David, who laughed, "Then I won't really care who's doing what to whom, and I'll have a good excuse not to play mediator for everyone." "Well... Maybe just one..." David said, and drank down the blood. He licked his lips afterwards, eyeing the glass. "Yes, that was definately vodka." Marius smiled, captured the glass from David's hand and set it unobtrusively next to a chair. "Look, I think Maharet and Lestat have the right idea. Care to dance?" He bowed gallantly, extending a hand to David. David sighed. "I don't follow very well." "Then you can lead!" Marius declared grandly, switching their hand positions and dragging David out to the dance floor. ---------------------------------------------------------------- POST 468: Armand thought the three kumquat plants dancing before his vision were uproariously funny. In fact, everything was funny. maharet, trying to appear regal in ohmygohodwouldyoulookatthatdress, Lestat, trying to appear seductive while prancing around like a hyperactive adolescent, even Jesse in sparkling purple (who wears that color outside the eighteenth century anyway?) was a delightful joke. Jesse was delightful period. In fact, now would be a good time to tell her that. Armand stood and began seeking out the purple sequined dress that, even in his state, he couldn't miss. But before he found her, he saw a pair of ice blue eyes glaring at him. He couldn't help it. He grinned and staggered over toward them. "Gabrielle, you ol' broad. How the hell are ya? Daniel is trying to teach me to speak 20th century. How am I doing?" He reached out and goosed her. "One thing I'll say about the de Lioncourt clannnnnnnnn... they're beautiful. Pssssssychopaths, but beautiful." ---------------------------------------------------------------- POST 469: Louis to Lestat: (overhearing both Jesse's words and her thoughts and coming over) (Deeply hurt) "Lestat, you told me nothing about this! My lover and my best friend, wonderful! I thought I could trust you both! You regret not having gone through with it do you? You wanted her to be yours! And where does that leave me? We were lovers then you two-timing bastard! And as for you, my so called sister..." (he turns away unable to look at either of them.) "Well you should have gone through with it and dumped me then rather than publicly humiliating me this way!" (he is positively weeping with rage and humiliation.) "Oh God, what else can I expect!" (hestiates a minute and stalks from the room.) ---------------------------------------------------------------- POST 470: ::Alright, Khayman, you take Daniel, and I will take Santino, we are flying directly into Maharet's room. Khayman, I know you have a tendency of wandering off (don't be insulted dear, it's why we love you) so follow me:: With this Mekare picked up Santino and flew off toward Maharet's suite of rooms at the Pon. ::Oh Santino, do quit this 'I hate flying' drivel, it is the only way we are going to get anywhere in the condition we are in:: ::Sister... we will be there in one minute, I just have to pick these two up and we'll fly right there, don't worry about Lestat, he won't dare be petulant to ME:: ::Got it, a sheet for Khayman, and Santino and I will dress in leather. Won't Mael be upset when he sees Santino in his clothes? The two of them don't seem to get along that well:: ::you know, the idea of Santino in a studded leather collar is decidedly YUMMY:: ::see you in a minute sister dear:: ---------------------------------------------------------------- POST 471: Lestat freaks out One minute Lestat is soothing Maharet, then she drags him on the dance floor, then they sit, then Louis comes in and wraps his arms around him. "Oh... so good..." Lestat says to his lover closing his eyes and enjoying Louis' strong hold on him, the smell of his cologne filling Lestat's senses, the sensuous words from Louis... "Yes, how I'd love to take you back to bed..." Lestat said holding on to Louis' arms. Then, all of a sudden, Louis went stomping out of the room, crying and hysterical because of the thought Jesse sent to him. Lestat glared at Jesse. ::Revenge is two-fold, I see:: he sent the thought to her and watched her wince knowing full well that SHE may have destroyed everything Lestat had worked on over the last two years -- gaining Louis' complete devotion and love. How hard that had been... She looked visibly shaken but a little proud, as well, of her triumph over the 'brat prince.' He ran out of the party room after Louis hoping he could stop him in time from going away from him forever. He found Louis by the elevator. He thought, 'it's a good thing Louis can't fly or I would've lost him by now.' He slowly stepped up to his sobbing lover. Louis wouldn't look at him and he flinched when Lestat tried to touch him. "Please, Louis, please. Nothing happened between Jesse and I -- nothing EVER happened. I only said what I said to her because she was teasing me. Please believe that!" Louis said nothing and kept his back to Lestat. The elevator opened and Louis stepped in. He tried to push Lestat back so he wouldn't follow but Lestat, much stronger than his lover, pushed his way in. With a mental flick he turned the elevator off so the two remained stuck. Louis tried the switch but it wouldn't work. He attempted to open the door with his hands but Lestat made sure the mechanism ceased to function. They would be stuck there for quite a while... "Louis, listen to me, please," Lestat begged. Louis turned away from him again, refusing to acknowledge Lestat's presence. 'All right then,' Lestat thought. He would simply spill his guts and let Louis make the final decision. If it came to an end, then so be it. He couldn't force Louis to love him. 'I'll die if you leave me,' he thought. "Oh Louis..." tears began to fill Lestat's eyes and he felt he would break out sobbing at any minute. He could hear Louis' soft sobs and it broke his heart. "You see, my love? What happened earlier before we came to the party? Do you see how I knew I would lose you? I knew your love for me would go away..." Lestat choked back his sobs and tried to hold his emotions in check just long enough to get the words out he wanted to say. He placed his palms against the wall of the elevator as if he were trying to push away the anguish he felt. Louis moved into the corner and kept his head against the wall sobbing. Lestat wanted to throw his arms around him, weep on his shoulder, but he knew if he tried Louis would push him away. He would wait all night and if the sun came up they would remain safe in the elevator and they would have to sleep there until they woke. He would wait there until Louis surrendered to him or until Louis was so adamant about leaving him he would have to let him go. "Please listen to me, my love... I will try to explain what happened between Jesse and I..." he took a deep breath and attempted to compose himself. "After I returned to my form from the body thief I was angry with you. So very angry... you know all this now. I made David to spite you, as my new companion, but my love for you was greater and eventually I drifted back to you. And you and David became good friends in spite of me. Then he met Marius and went off with him leaving you and I to ourselves again. I had long ago forgiven you by then and was content with our little life. You had become my lover, yes, but I could still sense a detachment from you, as if you were never sure of what you felt for me. And I wasn't sure of your love for me, either. I was confused, scared, maybe... I would take trips to get away and think. I would be gone from you for a while. But I could never stop thinking of you or imagining you in my head, of holding you..." he paused and thought of all the things that had taken place in their past. He took another deep breath and let it out slowly. Tears had flowed down his face but he kept hold of the outburst so he could continue is talk. Louis still refused to look at him and simply leaned against the wall breathing slowly. Every so often a choked sob would escape his lips and it nearly brought Lestat to his knees begging for forgiveness. "I knew something would happen that would tear you away from me..." Lestat let out a little muffled cry and then choked back the rest to continue. "I knew this was only a dream..." he felt the ring box in his pocket. "I wanted to give you this tonight... I..." another little muffled cry came out. He shook his head. "I had met up with Jesse quite by accident in Zurich. I was terribly upset thinking about you and I, wondering what it was I should do. I never thought I made a good companion for you..." he choked on a sob again. "I decided to try and just enjoy myself while in Zurich, not think about anything. Jesse, well, she likes to have a good time, that's for sure -- she took me out and then attempted to seduce me later on. I was so tired... I fell asleep... I... don't know, Louis, if I hadn't fallen asleep... I don't know... but what I said to her tonight I only said in jest. I love only you... I don't know what else to say? Once you finally pledged your love for me, after I proposed to you, I knew you were mine. I would never hurt you now, I would never give myself up to another. I know I'm a big flirt... I try not to be, but... it's just me. I would never go with anyone but you. I love you so very much. I'm so terribly in love with you if I can't be with you... I... how could I live without you? Please, Louis, don't leave me now..." Lestat slid down from the wall and sat on the floor of the elevator. He couldn't stop the tears now and rather than try to hide his feelings, remain the valiant one, the invulnerable one, he let his cries out in a gush. He put his hands up to his face and released his fears, his doubts, his loss, and his pain all at once as if he had held back everything he felt for Louis for 200 years -- it all came rushing out of him now. There was nothing more to say, nothing more to do, but wait for Louis' response... ---------------------------------------------------------------- POST 472: Mekare swooped throught the open window in Maharet's room and landed on the floor with a flourish. :: There you go Santino... safe and sound:: and she popped a quick kiss on the end of his nose. ::fortunately your lovely blazer never got dirty, so all you really need to change are your pants, and your shoes need cleaning. Maharet told me we could raid the bag in the corner, so find yourself something to wear:: With these words Mekare sailed into the shower to clean off. Santino stared after her, still a little stunned that the silent Queen could turn out to be such a fascinating woman. After a moment he turned and began rummaging through the bag of little leather clothes in the corner. Unfortunately, it looked as though he had a choice between a miniskirt or a pair of very short shorts. With a sigh he stripped off his jeans and shoes and stepped into the shorts. While he waited for Mekare to step out of the shower, he cleaned off his mudspattered doc martens. ---------------------------------------------------------------- POST 473: Louis to Lestat: "Mon Dieu, Lestat, there are times I'd like to shake you!" Louis slid down beside him and put an arm around his shoulder. "Why didn't you tell me, warn me? You knew she'd come out with this. Don't worry, I still love you. Very much, in fact, more than ever. I know what it must have cost you to allow yourself to be so vulnerable. You are entirely forgiven." "I was afraid that maybe I wasn't enough for you, that you'd slept with Jesse because I didn't satisfy you. If that had been true I don't think I could have married you. I couldn't bear you to be unfaithful to me. I don't think I'm up to that sort of emotional damage, Sweetheart. You see, you'd have kept on doing it and that would have driven me into the sun. If you give me your word that that isn't the case, then of course I believe you." "I was confused at the time, myself, so perhaps I should accept some of the responsibility." Louis kissed him, deeply and passionatly. Then he smiled, his fangs showing. "You know the best way to get back at her don't you?... Lestat, have you ever made love in a lift?... I'm going to broadcast to our Darling Jesse..." His hand slid under Lestat's shirt for the second time that evening. ---------------------------------------------------------------- POST 474: Khayman and Daniel "Let's go Daniel, we don't want to be much later and besides, it's quite drafty without my clothes. I can almost hear Maharet laughing at me now." "Khayman, it's so late already, do you think the party has already started?" "Oh, I'm sure it has and Lestat probably having a fit that were not there." "Armand's probably there already, most likely, but enough for now Daniel we really must go." ---------------------------------------------------------------- POST 475: Antoine and Mael arrived back at Maharet's room. Mael couldn't resist a giggle of satisfaction. Antoine's fellow decorations were still cleaning up the place. They stopped to look at the two gorgeous-and naked- men. A look from their boss put them in their place, and they went back to work. "She probably thinks we're still after her... Oh, man!!" "I don't think she'll be too happy..." "Oh... Like I care!" Mael had started looking for his kilt. "Well, " said Antione as he turned to leave, "I'm going back to Khay... Khayman! That's it... I'm going back to his room to-" "Oh no you aren't!" Mael rushed over so fast to grab his arm that Antione didn't even know what hit him. As he stood there with his mouth agape, Mael reluctantly explained. "I'm supposed to keep you with me, Andr- -Antoine-. If I don't I'm a dead... well, it won't be pleasant. Make yourself useful and help me find my kilt. And close your mouth - you look like a fish!" "Jawohl!" Said Antoine, turning to begin the search. "Should we look, too?" Asked a beautiful bronze decoration. "Well, DUH!" Antione responded, throwing a pillow at him (which he put on the bed- right were it was supposed to be, too! YES! They can be TAUGHT! thought Antoine). Antoine turned to see that Mael was bent over, looking under the bed for his missing kilt. Antoine took a deep breath, counted to ten... and went to the other side of the room to search. "That's right, lad," said Mael, "I know what you've got on YOUR mind... And you can FORGET IT! "Now where's that kilt. Woman has an arm like a quarter-back... Thank God she doesn't have a body like one," he added with a smile. "-I- wouldn't mind, mused Antoine. "Did I -ask- you?" Was Mael's annoyed response. Antoine sighed and kept looking for the kilt. Then, a few minutes later, Mael heard, "Ohhh MMMMaa-eelll." He turned to see that Antoine had his kilt, and was holding it out in front of him with a big grin. "Ah, good - throw it here lad," said Mael, who was on the other side of the bed. "Come and get it," responded Antione, with a wiggle of his eyebrows. "Give it back -now-" "Or..?" Asked Antoine teasingly. "Well, I can't hurt you.. But I can make your life a living hell - and Maharet won't be around you all the time..." Antione gave a little sigh, and held the kilt within arm's reach of Mael, who swiped it from him, and put it on.. he realized there was no clasp. "Lovely..." "Here it is boss!" Said a young Native American decoration, handing it to Antoine, who tossed it into Mael's waiting hand. With Mael properly dressed, the two headed back down to Khayman's room. They got there, and Antoine got out a spare silver g-string. Before he put it on, he turned to Mael and said, "So this vampire stuff - it's for real, huh?" "Were you hired to ask questions?" "I was just wondering -" Antoine protested. "Well, stop it! Now let's get going; the groom are waiting." "Why would vampires want to get married, anyway?" "-Get dressed-" Mael's quite tone was more effective then shouting could have ever been. "On one condition... Are you gonna kill all of us?" "Do you -really- care?" "Well," Antoine, deciding to be flippant, "It will make a lot of paper work for me..." "SHUT UP AND GET DRESSED!!!!!" Mael's voice was so loud it hurt Antoine's mortal ears, and he covered them with his hands. "Ok, ok..." muttered Antoine quietly, as he started to get dressed. They started out, but as they were going down the hall, Antoine turned and said, "So you guys... kill people - and stuff?" Mael turned to him - and Antoine knew he'd crossed the line. The next thing he knew, he was up against the wall, and Mael was staring at him angrily, with his teeth bared. "Do you really want to know?!" "Well... ummm..." was all he could manage. Then it happened - Mael sank his teeth into Antoine's jugular, and he felt... ecstacy... It was... more than he could imagine - almost more than he could take. He grabbed on tightly to Mael, not wanting this to end, not wanting... But end it did... And Antoine stood against the wall, trying to retain his grasp on reality - but wondering if he really wanted to... "Now, Antoine... are you listening to me?" Antoine snapped himself back into reality with a quick shake of the head. "Yeah.. I hear you." "Good... We're going down to the party now - and if I hear ONE PEEP out of you, I'll turn you into a wee cinder , and Maharet can just deal with it! Understood?" Antoine nodded his head vigorously - not wanting to speak for fear of becoming a 'wee cinder' - and followed MAel to the party. -ccj ---------------------------------------------------------------- POST 476: Jesse caught 'vibes' from Louis as Lestat poured out his heart to him. :::LOUIS!!:::, she telepathed, as she watched Armand and Gabby square off, ::: Do yourself a favor, ignore all the horseshit that's been going on around here! Remember what a big, happy DISFUNCTIONAL family we are... will you PLEASE just grab Lestat and drag him home... I think he's stoned out of his mind... and first thing tomorrow, will you two PLEASE elope to my island?:: ::Louis, nothing happened between Lestat and me... we were just sparring, we'll clear it all up when you get home from your honeymoon... Just get out of here!::: And to Lestat, she sent a telepathic kiss to his cheek. :::Why must you always find me when I'm hunting? You know damned well that's what Paris and Thailand were about... but I'll let it slip by this time, Sweetie, because I really do love you and Louis. I honestly wonder how he puts up with you... will you two just get out of here!::: Jesse took a glass of the spiked blood punch sniffed it. No, she'd better not... she had a feeling she was going to end up a 'designated flyer'... Damn Lestat for putting that lip lock on her... but that was the way he did things, blank out a girl's mind with all that power and make it look like she couldn't resist him. She'd have to do something when he got back... something that Louis would find funny... like a coffin filled with water balloons, or red jello in the bathtubs, or perhaps she'd iron sugar into their sheets so when things heated up between the two of them, they'd get even stickier! Hmmm. A confetti & rice mixture in the pockets of all their clothes? What was a wedding without some practical jokes on the happy couple? She turned to see Armand squaring off with Gabby just as she was wondering how Mojo would look with purple fur... ---------------------------------------------------------------- POST 477: Lestat looked up as Louis spoke to him in the elevator. 'He forgives me,' he thought. He wiped away his tears and took Louis into his arms. Louis slipped his hand inside Lestat's shirt and in a matter of seconds Lestat was on top of Louis removing clothing and showering him with kisses. Their lust was unparelled and soon the elevator was vibrating and thumping with the sounds of their love-making. There was a whoosh-whoosh sound from the box they were enclosed in and it caused everyone at the party to stop what they were doing and look around them. "What the hell is that sound?" they all asked. They walked into the hallway looking for the sound and then came upon the elevator. The doors were tightly shut but they could hear the audible moans and groans, grunts, and other assorted lovemaking noises coming from inside it. 'Ah,' they thought. 'It's just Louis and Lestat at it again...' After their little passionate burst the two lay wrapped in each other's arms, Louis' head on Lestat's chest and Lestat nuzzling his face in Louis' hair. He held him closely and tightly as if to never let him go again. "I will never, ever be with anyone other than you, my love, my baby." He meant every word. To show his devotion to Louis even more he reached over where his pants lay in a bundle and pulled the little box out. "I want to give you this, Louis." He opened the box, Louis looked up and slowly rose to a sitting position when he saw what was in the box. Two beautifully shiny gold rings, each embedded with an emerald and sapphire sitting next to each other, the color playing off each gem and blending into one. The gems were surrounded by specks of diamonds. Louis' eyes were wide and little pools of tears formed in the corner of those deep green eyes. He wasn't weeping for the rings themselves, but what they meant -- the symbolism they carried. They could've been tincan rings and it wouldn't have mattered. ---------------------------------------------------------------- POST 478: Marius and David dancing - hell this is a party, you know! David couldn't help feeling a little nervous as they took their positions, unlike the others he still wasn't used to such overt displays in public. Nevertheless he was a very good dancer (when leading) and so he discovered, to his delight, was Marius. Starting sedately with a waltz the two lean figures, whirled gracefully around the ballroom, effortlessly avoiding the glowering Gabrielle and swaying Armand, who turned to watch them with a delighted expression on his face, which quickly turned to a childlike confusion, "Mariush, why'yr g'ning round 'n circles?" The effort of trying to keep up with the dancing duo caused him to overbalance and land on his butt, legs splayed out, in the middle of the ballroom, his eyes crossed as he craned his neck, still trying to follow the dancers. For once Marius ignored him, and as the orchestra (there is an orchestra right?) upped the tempo, David swung Marius into a cha-cha, learnt during his time in Brazil. He chuckled himself, ::I'm not sure Marius could take the lambada......yet!:: Skilfully, he thrust and twirled the older vampire through the steps of the dance, pressing a quick kiss to Marius' ear as the other sped past him into the "Sweetheart" hold. "How delightfully appropriate", Marius commented, as he filched the name from David's mind. Sending a quick mental command to the musicians, they followed up with a jive, and Marius found himself propelled out at arms length, into the centre of the room, only to be crushed in tight against David's chest the next second; to whirl round his lover's head before shooting between his legs..... Feeling rather more sympathy with Armand and unsure of how his paternal status within the coven would withstand this manhandling, Marius croaked, "Enough! Unless you want me to give a public demonstration of just where you like being bitten best!" as his eyes gleamed into David's for a split second in the spin turn. Unfortunately, that was the end of the dance, and the two looked up to assorted whistles, applause and catcalls from the various decorations and the vamps. Gabrielle and Maharet had a distinctinly speculative gleam in their eyes, whilst Jesse's jaw had hit the floor. ::What's wrong, Jesse dear, didn't you think I had it in me?:: David teased. Just then Mael walked in, dressed in an extremely short kilt which didn't seem to be fastened that well - as least it was slipping precariously.... his petite companion even more scantily clad in a just silver G-string and a big grin. After the way he'd just been twirled around the floor, and at his age! Marius just couldn't resist it. "Mael's very fond of dancing too, you know", he whispered in David's ear. "You must know some of those Scottish dances, they're very popular in polite circles now, aren't they? Why don't you and he give us a demonstration later? The Highland Fling, perhaps ?" ---------------------------------------------------------------- POST 479: "Ah, Lestat, what a wonderful idea. You could not have done anything so perfectly, divinely right by accident. You are proof positive for the existance of God!" Louis laughed and kissed him again. He held out his hand and allowed Lestat to slide the ring onto his finger. Then he took its partner from Lestat and put it on his lover's hand. "Done, my love, we are wed. Now none of them can part us and maybe they'll stop trying!" "God how I love you, you demon!" Louis voice shook with passion. It was quite some time before they spoke again. "...but I just don't understand, Lestat. Why would she do such a thing, and why now? If she was concerned why not talk to me about it privately, so as to control the damage to me, if not to you? Does she want you herself? Is that why she did it? If so, why not say so?If I'd thought you returned her feelings I'd have backed off gracefully and left you both to it. Why now, when she does the maximum possible damage to us both? Why should she hate me so much? I loved her, I'd happily have given her anything she wanted. Even you, If I thought that was what you wanted too. Besides, she seemed to be so heavily infatuated with Armand that I would have thought the question to be academic." (draws breath) "Well, I hope she picked up my little broadcast, that should certainly explain the situation to her! I certainly didn't baudlerise it!" (VERY sexy smile) Raises himself on one elbow and trails other hand across Lestat's chest. Smiles deliciously as Lestat shivers. "Lestat, do you know more about this than you're letting on?" ---------------------------------------------------------------- POST 480: Armand came too close to Gabrielle for comfort. His breath reeked of vodka, thanks to Lestat, and his speech was very slurred. She gathered up the fabric at his collar and choked him with it, dragging him up off the floor to meet her eyes, "You're going to DIE, boy!"