Denenthorn glares "What are you hiding, Miss Larissa?"

Larissa looks up, spinning her gun with her fingers and smiles. "It is a weakness, Denny, just a weakness. I am fighting it, don't worry"

Denenthorn sighs "If you would let me know I could help you"

Larissa stops playing with the gun. "Ah, the angel comes out"

Denenthorn shakes his head "Not angel.. hero"

Denenthorn looks down at the gravestone next to Laris "And I know how it feels to be weak"

Larissa trembles in the breeze and puts her gun away.

Denenthorn smiles sadly "It's easy to feel very weak when you have lived more than one lifetime"

Larissa sighs, her voice softened. "I know it is a cliche, but I fear it is a bit late for me"

Denenthorn shakes his head "It is never too late, I know that too I have gone to hell and back"

Larissa: "I love Brit, Denny, but I hate her too."

Denenthorn nods "Why?"

Larissa: She is so totally perfect and... sweet. She told me Lorne and I are beloveds, and I believed her.

Denenthorn sighs "A pure innocent sees more than even the greatest mind can see sometimes"

Denenthorn: You should not hate her for that, I know she loves you
That girl has been put through more than any demon or angel or other human in this city.....
and yet, she still has that innocence and a love for all things

Larissa looks up the sky, and sits inside the grave, holding her head. "I cant control my feelings, Denny. I try hard.

Denenthorn: Let me help you

Larissa looks up. "Do you think you can?"

Denenthorn 's skin begins to turn to a bronze color, his eyes turn to his usual innocent peacock blue and he looks up at her sadly "I do not know, but I can try"

Larissa shakes her head. "I have not yet hurt anyone, Denny, but I feel it grow inside me"

Denenthorn nods "I have felt anger like this, I know what it is like"

Larissa shots a gaze at him "Do you? Tell me about it? Did you burn down the city?"

Larissa: Did you die a thousand deaths?

Denenthorn smirks "I used to be a demon. I still wake up ready to destroy the world ten times over. I have died many times"

Denenthorn looks down at her "Have you ever been cornered in an abandoned psych ward and captured by a battalion of demons all hellbent on your demise?"

Denenthorn keeps his eyes on her "Have you ever been tortured night and day in hell until you became one of them a follower of Abaddon"

Larissa: I just loved, Denny. Only that.

Denenthorn looks on with tears in his eyes "Have you ever shed the blood of entire cities of women and children"

Denenthorn sighs "Love is a terrible pain"

Larissa looks up. "I don't care about the lives of all on earth, if he loves me back"

Denenthorn shakes his head "You should not linger on him if he does not see the beauty he can have then he is truly a fool and undeserving of another chance"

Larissa: He has my soul, Denny.

Denenthorn shakes his head "Literally has it?"

Larissa nods slowly and smiles. "It was a present."

Denenthorn shakes his head "Then perhaps it is time to take that gift back"

Denenthorn : You have anger and you have an urge to hurt people.....
Use it to get your soul back.

Larissa stands up, looking at him darkly.

Denenthorn stares on, a terrible sadness in his eyes

Larissa: What do you mean? I thought you wanted to stop me

Denenthorn sighs "Against hurting others, yes"

Denenthorn: Fighting to regain your soul is more important
A soul is the most precious gift you can be given
It's why Vlad is such an abomination

Larissa nods. "I was looking for Vlad here."

Denenthorn laughs "You do not come to Vlad, he comes to you"

Larissa smiles at that and steps off the grave.

Larissa: I want to hurt so much, but I still feel weak.

Denenthorn holds out his hand "Let me take some of your pain and weakness and help you get stronger"

Larissa reaches his hand uncertainly "But the pain is giving me strength, Denny."

Denenthorn shakes his head "Pain is holding you back, you just do not realize it"

Denenthorn closes his eyes and reaches out to her aura, he sends waves of courage across the link as soon as he finds it

Larissa blows out a great amount of air. "Please help me not to hurt her. I feel it growing"

Larissa blushes and blinks as he looks into her eyes.

Denenthorn pushes the feeling of love, not the lust for Lorne, but pure unconditional love a strange sensation for someone filled with hate "Have you simply tried not hating her yet?"

Larissa gasps at the feeling, as it repels her.

Larissa shakes her head "I remember I loved her so much"

Denenthorn hold onto the link tightly "Release your anger or it shall destroy you"

Larissa falls to her knees. "I want to be destroyed, don't you understand?"

Denenthorn looks down at her not closing the link and taking her pain from her slowly "No you don't, that is just an illusion if you truly wanted to be destroyed, you would have been a coward and ended your life long ago"

Larissa: Pff

Larissa looks up, into his eyes, strangely relieved. "I cant promise anything. Actually I HATE promises."

Denenthorn smirks "So do I"

Denenthorn whispers "Promises will just lead to more pain"

Larissa nods and says nothing.

Denenthorn looks up at the dead sky above him "Such a lovely night to be in a graveyard"

Larissa clears her throat and sways on her feet.

Larissa: Yes. Lovely.

Denenthorn still has a grip on her to keep her from falling, a just in case precaution "Would you like to go sit down?"

Larissa nods and wipes her eye, before any tear collects.

Denenthorn smiles "It's okay to cry I won't tell anyone"

Denenthorn smirks "Come let's get back to the library, I have a paper I would like to read"

Larissa inhales as if she wanted to say something, but she nods.

Denenthorn looks at her "Is there somethign you would like to say?"

Larissa: "Thank you for... Whatever"

Denenthorn laughs "Don't mention it and don't worry about it, I never need thanks"

Denenthorn smiles "Just don't let anyone know I'm so nice"

Jealousy will be your downfall

Larissa steps through the window, carefully not breaking it, and enters the library. She looks at Merma, finding her alone her, and raises an eyebrow. "Hi, Angel."'

Merma tips her hear to the side watching larissa curisously"are we not on first name terms anymore Larissa?"

Larissa plays with her gun, rotating it around her finger, and nods. "I wonder what makes you an angel, sweety"

Merma watches the gun and stands straighter staring at larissa with half lidded eyes."why do you want to know?"

Larissa puts her gun back to the holster. "I am a curious being, Merma. That is why I am an Omegan."

Merma raises a brow slightly looking at Larissa "Back on first name basis?.... being curious is almost a requirement it seems...I'm curious over what has brought on this change in your demenor larissa." She fluffs her wings and walks over to ponchos char sitting down in front of it.

Larissa narrows her eyes. "Ah, I changed, did you notice?" she inspects her nails "Sweet."

Merma smiles a wire smile at her as she tilts her head back to rest it on the arm rest exposing her neck slightly."one would ahve to be blind not to notice..."

Larissa looks down, and back at Merma. "You know sweety, I am impressed. You actually notice things when Poncho is not around. But I asked the question first. What makes you an Angel? Is that mean to ask that?"

Denenthorn yawns "What's going on?"

Larissa looks up and touches her hat with the tip of her finger, and nods to Denny. "Another one. Great"

Denenthorn sounds really grumpy "ANOTHER WHAT?"

Merma opens her eyes still leaning her head on the arm rest tilting her head to better regard Larissa considering her question "I notice many things"
Merma looks over and smiles at Denny "An angel denny, Larissa is curious" quirks her lips slightly

Denenthorn grumbles and says very warningly as he purposely sits near Laris "Never ever consider me just "another angel""

Larissa smiles following his moves, as he sits down. She leans in close to his face. "You are all living up to your nature then. Congratulations"

Merma smiles brightly at denny flashing white teeth chuckling light silvery tones"Would never do that Denny... your never just an angel"

Denenthorn growls "Excuse me?!"

Merma blinks at him a few times still smiling "Humm?"

Larissa Starostin's eyes widen as she leans closer. "And you eyes glow red. Perfect image."

Denenthorn looks directly at Larissa, his eye covers begin glowing a bright blood red, a sickly smell of cinnamon begins to emanate around the room "Miss Larissa, I suggest you start backing up on what you're saying, unless you want to see the darker side of Praetor Masukami"

Larissa smiles into his face. "Then my Teacher would be proud wouldn't he?"

Larissa breathes in the cinnamon. "What are you cooking, Denny?"

Denenthorn glares through his mask "Who's your teacher?"

Merma sighs softly watching Larissa pick on Denny "She is picking on you Denny, you really must stop allowing yourself to be a good target....'

Merma tilts her head the other way watchign denny "You cant tell from her eyes? Or lack of.....

Denenthorn Masukami looks closely at the dark holes "Bah! Harlequin... I should have known" he says

Larissa looks back at Merma, still smiling. "Yes?"

Merma shrugs as she looks into Larissas eye voids not afraid of Larissas not so subtle tactics.

Denenthorn Masukami shakes his head and growls "Foolish demon"

Larissa tilts her head. "Isn't he?"

Denenthorn Masukami throws off his hood and mask to reveal his cold, sad purple eyes "You're fool if you follow him"

Merma titls her head towards the floor a bit and half lids her eyes watchign Larissa "At this point I dont think she has much choice." She smiles softly

Larissa backs up from him a bit, looking into his eyes, and sniffs the air. "Do you think so, cinnamonguy?"
Denenthorn growls "Everyone has a choice, no matter the situation there is always a choice"

Merma smiles softly tilting her head slightly "It depends on what the other choices are... I suspect her choices are less appealing than following Lorne Denny."

Denenthorn laughs "What is worse than following someone that has rejected you tell me that, Merma"

Merma tilts her head again smiling softly at Larissa "Dont mistake me for a brain dead over the stars fool Larissa...otherwise i wouldn't be here."

Larissa Starostin's smile straightens into a serious expression. and says nothing, waiting, looking into his eyes.

Denenthorn stares directly into her eyevoids and begins searching for a gateway he begins extending his aura as he attempts to read Larissa's mind, the smell of cinnamon is almost sickening at this point

Merma waves her hand slightly creating a little pocket of fresh air infront of her nose as she watches denny stare down larissa, humming soft tune.

Denenthorn frowns slightly "Jealousy will be your downfall"

Denenthorn swims through more of the hatred and anger he feels "Ah, such a sad story we weave"

Larissa laughs. "You would know, wouldn't you"

Denenthorn looks directly at those eyevoids looking for any life left in the shell

Denenthorn glares "What are you hiding about her?!"

Denenthorn growls "Open up"

Larissa stands up, shaking her head. "Ew, cinnamon"

Denenthorn growls as the link is forcibly broken

Larissa: You are all very helpful. Thanks for your concerns. I am moved. - she storms out.

Apprentice

Eyes to night, and heart to ashes...

Larissa steps through an invisible door, to find herself right in front of Lorne. She looks up and down on him seriously, and dusts her jacket off. The angel in the room, Pontifex looks up to Larissa and smiles, "Welcome back"

Larissa smiles and nods, but does not avert her gaze from Lorne, interlocking hers with his "Nice to see you Ponti." Pontifex begins singing softly to himself, "The secret service...makes me nervous...those white house dicks get their kicks when they observe us..."

Larissa shifts. "Secret service?" She keeps eyeing Lorne, after a blink. Lorne stares into Larissa's eyes, seemingly not all there. Dust gathers upon her jacket once more. Pontifex chuckles, "Oh, its from a musical I saw in London once.."

Larissa seems rather upset than happy. "I am glad to find you in such a good mood Ponti. Would hate to find you in a sad mood."

Lorne Harlequin suddenly begins singing "I left my heart..."

Pontifex grins, "How could anyone be in a sad mood in this wonderful city? Such excitment and luxury, pleasure and entertainment for everyone."

The demon continues, an orchestra picking up by His lead "...In san fransisco"

Larissa shrugs briefly, eyes not moving - without smile. "I have no idea how could someone not find entertainment here, I quite agree" Pontifex leaps from his chair bursting into song, "When you're alone and life is making you lonely" He taps the floor a few times with his feet, "You can always go - downtown!"

Lorne raises a hand and the orchestra plays a loud hit of dissonance.

Larissa raises her hands in the height of her shoulders to her sides and claps a couple of times, in a quite slow rythm. He reches for her to draw fingers close to her jaw line. The orchestra becomes quieter and quieter, finally fading into a hushed choir of feminine voices, singing in a harmony not quite on key with one another "Why...do...birds" His fingers draw along her faw line slowly "suddenly appear..."

Pieter Seelowe smiles walking inside as he slowly gazes over the people, recognising Lorne right away "Hello again Lorne" he gives a slight nod. "I was wanting that book from yesterday, egyptian deties." he smiles glancing over the cover. "Was certainly an interesting read."

Pontifex opens his mouth about to continue in song, but composes himself as others appear.

Lorne Harlequin's fingers draw to her chin, passing to the other side of her face, and down her cheek, the song continuing with a slow strum of bass chords as the back surface of His fingers touch "Just like me...they long to be" Abruptly, He grasps her shoulders, pulling her against Him, her face within inches of His clenched toothy smile. It's His voice that speaks the phrase "Close to you..."

Larissa gasps, surprised, and trembles slightly, closing her eyes, and opening them again, forcing to look into his on her tiptoes.

Lorne holds out a raised finger to Pieter, asking pause and patience. In the mean time, the music holds, continuing again as He brings His hand back to Larissa's shoulder, His other hand to her hand. He raises her hand above her head, with His hip, tossing her away from Him in a twirl "Why do stars...fall down from the sky" the femenine off-harmony sings "Every time...you walk by..."

Larissa turns and steps just as Lorne leads, like a doll. Pontifex smiles as Merma appears continuing in song once more, gazing into Merma, "Stars shining above you..." she smiles back to Ponti.

Lorne turns her to grasp her other hand, pulling her in and out, while the off-harmony sings "Just like me...they long to be..." He pulls her against Him once more, again her face near to His, teeth exposed, and again His voice merely states in soft tones through clenched teeth "close to you..."

Merma smiles and tilts her head down slight"I'm sorry I had to leave...you caught me at a bad time..." Pontifex grabs Merma's hands in dance "Night breezes seem to whisper /I love you./" Merma's silvery laughs rise out of her mouth as she is grabbed in dance with Poncho. He grins as he twirls her around, "Birds singin’ in the sycamore trees - Dream a little dream of me" Merma laughs her silvery tones rising up around her, closing her eyes as she's spun about. Pontifex continues spinning Merma around, with a sideways glance to the one who spoke his name.

Larissa Starostin breathes rapidly as Lorne's moves cought her offguard, and looks at his lips and teeth, then up again to his eyes. She quotes, whispering, her eyes filling with tears for the last time "A dance is just a dance". Lorne sways back and forth, His voice singing among acompaniment of the the feminine off-harmony's "aaah"s, and singing barely above audible right in front of her face, something almost like aggression hidden away in His undertones "On the day that you were born the angels came together and decided to create a dream come true."

Lorne reaches up to Larissa's hair, clenching His teeth tighter as He continues staring most constantly into her eyes. He grasps her hair, lightly pulling on it as His fingers travel through the lockes "So they sprinkled moondust in your hair of gold and starlight in your eyes of bluuuue" He gives a very light yank on her hair as He completes that line, squeazing her tighter briefly

Pontifex brings her close against his body kissing her forehead softly, "Say nighty-night and kiss me - Just hold me tight and tell me you’ll miss me." Merma opens her eyes as shes' drawn close smiling softly lowering her head to his chest sighing"always..." Pontifex sighs happily as he stops singing, lightly resting his head upon hers, closing his eyes as they sway to the beats of hearts.
Merma Wijaya smiles lightly playing with his hair over her hands behind his neck smiling into his chest happy to let him rock her slowly.

Larissa never ceases to look into his eyes, except for the blinks and the brief moment of glancing at his lips. She trembles and and exhales deeply, blinking away her tears which evaporate into the air. She raises her chin, and her heart almost explodes as he squeezes her. She bites her lower lip until it bleeds, at the feel of his touch on her burning face."

Lorne Harlequin holds her there in the moments of silence. Raising a finger to the corner of her eye, He touches off a wave meant to disrupt her efforts at hiding her tears. He repeats on the other side of her face. As abruptly as the rest of His changes, He spins her to hold her back against His front, whispering the song's continuation into her ear as He leads her to the window "So that's why...all the boys in town" He presses her face into the window

Larissa Starostin follows as if hypnotized, stepping as if her legs were too heavy, and trodding through snow. She closes her eyes, when He makes her turn away from Him, and opens them up when they stop at the window. She looks up to find her own reflection staring back to her.

Merma caresses Pontifex's body with her wings. The angel girl smiles and sighs laughing lightly, soft silvery tones rising to his ears as she runs her wings over him. Pontifex Janus grins as his hands roam softly along her back, feeling her wings he unfolds his in responce

Pontifex Janus whispers softly in Merma's ear, "How are you?"

Lorne Harlequin holds her head by the top of the neck, pressing her cheek into the paine. With His other hand, He draws fingers down the center of her back, His cheek against her's, whispering the rest of the song into her ear "Follow you...all around..." slowly, He drifts behind her, to the other cheek, exchanging hands, one for fingers down her spine, the other for the top of her neck to push her cheek into the pane "Just like Me...they long to be...close to you..." His tempo slows as He ceases to sing. He again speaks the line 'close to to you' repeating it with a light press of her cheek into the glass "close...to ...you..." He looks at her eyes through out the entire exchange, watching the shade fade to darkness.

Merma tilts her head back eyes shining reflecting the firelight "happy..." she lowers her eyelids as she looks down from his face "you Sir?" She keeps her head tilted back regarding him with lowered eyes as she lightly moves her hand from neck to run a finger lightly over the base of his wings smiling a soft smile. She runs her fingers through Pontifex's wings.

Pontifex Janus squeezes her tightly with his reply, "Faithful, so speak the Seraph"

Larissa Starostin blinks, to find black voids staring back at her. She opens her mouth, but no voice comes through, as if there was no air to channel her scream, and she punches the glass with her fist so hard it shatters into hundreds of shards, the sound of breaking glass shrieking instead of her, just to have hundreds of pairs of black eyes staring back from the ground and the street outside. She turns, her fists still clenched, and hits Lorne on the chest with her fists repeatedly, her tears washing her face. Her frustration forces him to take a step back, but her
fists weaken with every beat she takes.

Merma looks up at the shatter of glass mouth forming a surpised "O"stops in mid stroke on ponchos wings crying out "Larissa....." moving her blue eyes to Lorne looks at him agast "what did you do!!....."

Pontifex breaks from Merma at the sounds of shattering glass, standing defensefully expecting....not expecting what he watches, but stands ready to intervene... He turns to Merma in whispers, "Come," leaving the two alone to setting business" Merma opens her mouth to protest turning slightly but closes it nodding her head lowering her head she follows. glancing back over her shoulder at the pair.

Lorne Harlequin is driven back, though He stands expressionless with each hit of her fist. He steeples His hand behind Him, knitting His ribs back together with each one snapped. He watches her rage against His chest...

Larissa's beating on his chest weakens as he shows no reaction, and she staggers, leaning at him as she loses her balance, slowly sliding down to the ground covering her eyes.

Lorne sighs, straightenning His clothing from the way she mussed it up. He then steps to beside her, placing a hand upon her head, rubbing lightly, and speak just as soft and tender of tone "Knowledge...the knowledge I have to offer will give you the eyes of the Abyss...it will turn your eyes to night, and your heart to ashes..."

Larissa sways back and forth, her sobs breaking the last barriers of the pride she ever had in her feelings, and slowly looks up at him, smiling weakly, her mouth still trembling.

Lorne crouches to her, wrapping an arm around her back, and rocking along. He reaches a hand up to her cheek, drawing the tears down to her jaw line. His eyevoids trail around her features, and He speaks even softer "Do not despair...though you lose sight of the surface, and drift deeper, to inter in the most perfect black...do not despair...for the way is eternal on the path you are the light upon..."

Larissa closes her eyes, and nods, inhaling with a suddennes of a last sob. She exhales slowly, collecting her strenght to look at him again, with more clarity, nodding. She accepts Lorne's hand when he offers it to raise her, and curtsies, looking into his eyes deeply: "Thank you for the dance, Lorne Harlequin."

Lorne helps her to her feet, watching her new eyes, bringing her into a tight hug that turns her side to side. "Do not thank Me before the dance is over..."

Larissa follows his moves more fluidly than before, as if anticipating his steps, not following them uncertainly. Her new eyes are locked into his stare, reflecting the void, not searching it.

Lorne dips Larissa, and draws her again to her feet, nodding approvingly to her fluidity. He smiles "There...the fastest study I've met in more than a thousand years...remarkable." He pulls her hand above her head, twirling her. Beinging her back to His front, He pats her shoulder, and speaks lightly to her ear, facing the broken pane fom the wiondow "You'll be a magus yet." Turning to look over His shoulder, He smiles "A fine evening Omega..."

Omega Althouse arrives with a smile to Lorne and Larissa. "More dancing lessons, Lorne?"

Larissa Starostin turns her gaze, and bows to Omega, a distant memory of a smile appearing on her tear streaked face. "Good Evening, Miss Omega"

Lorne Harlequin turns a smile back to Larissa, sighing, and reaching to each cheek to wipe her eyes "In so many words." He steps back, and to a seat "The most elementary knowledge is dispensed over the longest courses, and most painful causeways..."

Lady Omega looks at Larissa and lets a small gasp escape. "Your eyes... Has Lorne robbed you of your pupils as well as your affections?"

Larissa exhales with a blow upwards, frustrated by the impossibility to roll her new eyes.

Lorne Harlequin turns a mirror of those eyes to Omega, speaking in prominent tones "I take nothing not given...I give nothing not requested...as I have said to her this evening, the knowledge I have to dispense shall grant the eyes of the Abyss, and burn her heart to ashes"

Larissa finally finds her words as well. "Mister Harlequin was kind enough to share with me his view on the world."

Pontifex and Merma reenters, each holding a glass, both blushing and sitting down.

Larissa nods towards the angels. "Congratulations for you two for the wonderful evening you are having." Lorne grins jaggedly at her words as He watches Merma and Pontifex. He lets His lips drift to a softer smile as He looks towards Merma "Did you, Merma? Have an enjoyable evening?"

Merma Wijaya smiles weakly as she tries to control the blush on her skin."ummm... thank you Larissa...ummmm is everything good with you as well?"looks larissa in the face for a moment eyes showign concern before she colours again at Lorne's words.."umm... yes it has been most enjoyable so far....."

Larissa eyes her darkly for the "concern" she is showing for long seconds.

Merma looks down at the glass and lifts it to her lips drinking it down in all at once.. trying to avoid larissa's hard voided eyes. looking down at her hands feeling very confused, saddened, angry again and longing.

A wind raises bringing healthy Toxian acidsmelled air into the library through the broken window, quite chilling. Larissa looks up. "I am terribly sorry Miss Omega, for the mess." She could clear that with the snap of a finger, but she does not.

Omega smiles. "We have had worse messes here on more than one occassion."

"I bet you do." Lar snaps, without thinking.

Lorne smiles somewhat distant at the scent, eyes almost veiling. "I believe I spied, with My little eye, a few panes stashed away in the corner of the attic, presumably left over from construction, or otherwise, covered in brown paper, and very dusty..." He turns slowly to look at Larissa, something almost expectant in His expression.

Merma Wijaya keeps looking at her glass feeling quite small.

Larissa inspects her nails carefully, if they are sharp enough.

Millee Rubble mosies on in and looks at the people from behind the bookcase, resting her hands on her hips.

Larissa looks up suddenly, and passes a card to Miss Omega reaching over Lorne's legs, her elbow almost hitting his nose, as if he wasnt there.

Kytara Dagger: A swirling mass of black maggots appears on the library floor, squirming, and makes itself into a figure. The figure solidifies and it is Kytara Dagger. The maggots vaporize as she walks over to the seated group.

Kytara Dagger bows gracefully, "Good evening Lady Omega.. everyone.. "

Lorne Harlequin smiles, grasping her arm above the elbow, and yanking her on to His lap and looking into her eyevoids. He sighs "One thing that always comforted Me in the endless eons of nothingness was dreams..." He reaches up to brush a stray lock from her face, turning His gaze up to it, then back to her eyes again "...you do remember dreams, don't you Larissa?"

Merma Wijaya looks up and gives a small nod to Kytara going back to looking at her hands

Larissa Starostin smiles at him, closening up to his face, looking down into his eyes. "I most certainly do."

Nerissa Dae stands in the doorway and enters, a brow lifted as she looks to Lorne then Larissa. The smile she holds in cold suddenly and without a word, she turns around and moves back down with a tenseness in her jaws with a snort.

Lorne Harlequin nods to her, speaking softly "Go...and get...a pane of glass from the attic."

Bridgette Plunkett waves to all and blinks seeing her usual spot isn't available. She ponders the merits of all of the other chairs. The one between Omega and Poncho...well..what if they broke out in random canoodling? She would be in the way. Nibbling her lower lip, she wonders
about the one right next to her, but remembers Ethan saying, "Doors are a terrible thing to be seated with your back to....you can too easily catch your death......drafty, you know." She guesses the same is for the one after it. With a soft sigh, she plops down in front of the fire.

Larissa Starostin looks back at Lorne then at the broken window and the hundreds of shards scattered. "Why, don't you enjoy the chill, Lorne?"

Kytara Dagger sighs. "Eh well.. Perhaps I should help Osoth in his studies with the crystal and with... Sabriel." She paused for a moment, "Farewell." The black swirling mass of black maggots reappeared, engulfing Kytara. She sinks into the floor along with all of her maggots.

Bridgette Plunkett kablinks at the maggot-disappearing act. She doesn't budge...not even breath for a moment. Her mind stalls as her circuits fry. She almost sputters and finally says, "W...why maggots? Couldn't she have chosen something else? Lady bugs? Bluebirds? SOMETHING?" She pulls her legs under her and stares at the carpet expecting to see some remaining.

Larissa Starostin is uncertain, still facing Lorne, hearing Brit move behind her, and she stays in front of Lorne, waiting until Brit sits down.

Lorne Harlequin smiles broadly "I do. This is not about a draft...this is about a dance not yet done, dreams yet to come...or nightmares. If so far today you've seen only lessons of the mundane, what might consequences for straying from the path be...shall I show you? Or shall you go...and get...a pane of glass from the attic?"

Millee Rubble walks in silently. "I'm not intruding am i?"

Pontifex Janus watches the group with a painted smile, resting his hand on Merma's arm rest

Larissa Starostin frowns and looks up. She snaps her fingers, and the shards of window rise, all the little parts, all back to their place, one by one. Lar watches Lorne, and nods. The glass seems to mend together, though cobwebbed with thin lines of traces where they broke. "I think this
glass can still be used"

Merma Wijaya moves her head up lookign at Poncho's arm now on her arm rest sighing softly moves her hand to take his..stars on her skin their normal sparkling white.. if a bit duller

Bridgette looks at the window and pieces of glittering glass on the floor.

Millee Rubble stares around the room, her eyes looking of bloodlust, but shakes her head as her eyes go back to normal and focuses on the people in the room. "I said, I'm not intruding, am i?"
Regardless of their answer she still takes a seat.

Bridgette peeks up at Milliee and lisps, "You can sit. Do you want a library card application?"

Lorne doesn't feign to look at the half-assed repair done different than how He asked. "What glass? I see no glass there...all of the useable glass is in the attic..."

Millee Rubble breathes deep. "Yes dear, I would."

Larissa lowers her eyelashes, and the shards of glasses fall down again, in a loud shriek.

Bridgette slips to her feet and walks over to the stack of old aged paper.

She takes a copy and brings it to Millee along with a red crayon. "I'm Brit...just give it to me when you have it filled out." She stops for a moment and watches the glass...seem to repair itself wordless. Giving her lady another smile, she returns ot her seat.

Omega smiles to herself.

Pontifex glowers a little, "Forget the window, _I_ will fix it tonight. Besides, now the abnormal cold spell is gone, the cool tropical breeze is nice for now."

Larissa nods at Lorne, turns, stands up, an tumbles into Brit.
"Ah, Brit, I didn't see you."

Bridgette Plunkett looks up at Larissa curiously, "I just got......" Her voice trails off and she whispers, "here." Larissa grabs her, so that she does not fall, and holds onto her for a while. "I hope you are well".

Millee her eyes travel around the library. "What's upstairs?"

Pontifex looks down as Merma's hand touches his. Interweaving his fingers with hers, he smiles as he admires the contrast of their skin before jerking his eyes over to see if Lars is alright.

Bridgette Plunkett gasps slightly with her own eyes widening, "W..." She blinks a few more times and whispers, "What happened to your eyes?" Her hand almost touches Larissa's face but pulls away to herself.

Merma Wijaya looks up at poncho giving a small smile before looking over at Brit and Larissa but not looking directly at Lar.

"The windows to her soul have been.. reglazed." Omega explains simply.

Merma says softly to the stranger without looking away form Lar and Brit "more books and chairs."

Bruno Rehula slowly walks towards the shelf containing a copy of the Necrominon and finds a spot by the fire to read it, after bowing at the Omegans gathered on the chairs.

Larissa glances at Omega "How poetic" she turns to Brit, her expression a bit odd, but strangely at peace. "I... danced with Lorne, sweet Brit. Now we match. Don't worry anymore."

Bridgette boldly stares without blinking at Lar's eyes. Her mouth slightly opened not knowing what to say. No blinking and her breath slight as she simply tries to comprehend. She hears Omega's words but they have no meaning for her due to no basis for comparison. All she says is a soft, "Oh...." She isn't sure if this is good, bad or simply what it is.

Merma turns and looks at poncho still holding her hand sighing softly.."I think i should go...."

Pontifex Janus looks up to Merma puzzled but nods. Standing he gives her hand, intwined with his, a kiss. "Be safe"

Merma Wijaya shivers at the kiss and nods rising gracefully to her feet nodding to the group "have a good eve."looking at larissa gives a sigh and walks to wards the door.

Larissa looks after Merma. "Hope you had a /pleasant eve/" she quotes the angel's usual greeting line.

Merma Wijaya turns back at lars tone but only nods turnign quickly away and through the door.

Pontifex turns about face and smiles to Lady Omega, "I should prepare for the wedding, enjoy your evening," leaning over he kisses her on the forehead.

Omega Althouse murmers.. "wedding?"

Bridgette looks aorund and is unsure whathappened and where people left.

Back to Larissa, she says softly, "A..re....w...what happened?"

Brit's eyes slowly tear as she realizes that Larissa's beautiful eyes are now like Lorne's. She reaches a shaking hand to Larissa. "Are you a beloved? A one and only?" Brit struggles to think of any reason that makes this good.

Larissa shakes her head slowly, with a distant expression. "But we match."

Bridgette doesn't understand the entirity...but she understands the matching. "M...maybe...the beloved part comes later, Larissa." She is slightly afraid. Her friend seems so different. Finally, she whispers, "do you hurt?"

Larissa frowns "I don't remember." she smiles weakly "It does not hurt now."

Bridgette nods slowly. She has not idea what to say. What to do? It's so confusing to her. She nibbles her lower lip and says, "Can you see?"

Larissa nods. "All too clearly"

Brit nods unsure what to say. "D...a...um...Are you happy like....this, Larissa?" Brit's voice is geniunely concerned. Larissa looks at Brit and tilts her head, thinking. "Happy?" she tastes the word. "My eyesight did not change my state in the scale of happiness, Brit. It is strange, I admit, but I am not afraid of changes. I... I think it is complicated to explain. Even to myself, Brit."

Bridgette twists her hands together and looks...well, helpless. She sinks to sit near Larissa and holds her hand. "I want you to be happy, Larissa......but....I ..." She falters. Processing she admits what few will and she whispers, "I don't know what to say or do." Larissa smiles. "I am happy when I see you, Brit. I truly am. You just sit by me, and we colour your book. Together, okay? Her voice is a bit lower and stronger, but it still leaves her sometimes. "We could also drin lots of appletini" she winks darkly, and quickly adds "That was a joke Brit." she smiles.

Bridgette peeks up at Larissa and whispers, "Ethan said he would show me proper ways to drink appletinis." With a smile she peeks at her friend as she sinks into her chair.

Lorne's Appletini

Lorne Harlequin looks up and through the selection of liquors, still for some while, up one row and down the other. Seeming to decide, with a nod of His head, He raises a hand to the martini glasses, sliding an index finger down the stem of one, and slipping it between His ring and middle finger. Reaching up, He grasps a bottle of gin in the same hand as the glass, and the other hand He wrapps firmly around a bottle of vermuth's neck. turning to the counter. Setting the items down, He opens and reaches slowly within the cold. He brings out ice, and lifts a finger to look for the appropriately sized mixing shaker

Ethan Seelowe is still focused too much on Brit to notice anything else in the surrounding are and never loses Brit from his sight, his eyes still searching for hers whenever the movement demands them to lose track of each other, as he notices little shiny beads of sweat appearing on her body an impish grin appears on his face and he keeps increasing the rythm gradually whenever he notices Brit is not looking down at his feet for guidance during the dance anymore

Larissa Starostin walks to the bar, eyebrow raised and sits by the bar, she leans at the bar with the elbows, and supports her chin with her hand, watching him prepare drinks.

Bridgette Plunkett stumbles once not remembering to move in front of him once. Her hands grab his arms to keep from falling. Once steady, she seems to fall into the pattern of the dance. Slowly following Ethan's lead as she becomes more fluid in her movement and confident in her steps. Her eyes peek up at him as she giggles slightly once she has the motion memorized. Then, she starts following a bit faster. Her heart pumps faster to allow her body to keep up with the dance that goes on and on. Brit follows not realizing how much energy dancing can absorb. Her hair swings over his arm and across her back. She continues to turn and follow. Her body brushing past his time and time again.

Lorne Harlequin smiles, turning His eyes up to Larissa and Ethan and Brit, then back to the preparations. Having placed ice into the mixing vessel, tranfering vermuth in, and then out again, lightly flavoring the ice, He moves on to include the gin in the mixer, and closes it tight, lifting it to shake vigorously for a time. Smiling to Larissa, He continues along the line of His labor, eventually slowing to cesation. He shakes it once again, shortly, then once shorter, as though precision where necessary near this delicate end time, then lowers the vessel to open it with a pop. Producing the strainer from the set, He drains the nearly done martini into it's accompanying glass. Pausing a moment on Larissa's eyes, He looks for a moment at the dancers, and reaches beneath the counter, coming up with a tapped bottle of flavoring. He looks down as He adds the syrup, and a strong scent of apples wafts delicately, across the dance floor.

Larissa draws circles and spirals and all sorts of symbols on the bar with her finger without attention to them, and watches Lorne's movements with a smile in the corner of her mouth, inspecting the bottles and their contents, as well as his hands, holding the bottles and preparing the drink. She swallows.

Ethan slows down the rythm a little bit after noticing everything he wants to notice and presses Brit much tighter to him their bodies pressed against each other as the moves are fluid by now and the intruiging flirty way of dancing is affecting his way of holding her, dancing around her slower and slower, their thighs rubbing against each other as one passes the other's side, foreheads almost touching, fingers entwined not letting go at any moment and most importantly, his eyes constantly seeking out hers, looking deep into hers as if tryint to probe her very 'soul' in the process as he whispers in her ear

Ethan moves a bit back after whispering and grins before continuing

Bridgette peeks up at Ethan and giggles slightly giving him a nod. She hugs him tightly as she slowly circles. Her hair hangs down her back as she slows the dance. Watching him, she notices her heartbeat starting to slow.

Larissa swallows, but she is not looking at the drinks, but Lorne's lips. Her lips part slightly, and her eyes brighten as the aroma of apple reaches her and she blushes, turning away, as if cought on a thought. As she turns away, she watches the dancers, and smiles, She straightens her back, composing herself on the chair in a proper, ladylike posture.

Lorne Harlequin slides His fingers along the counter, pressing the appletini to the extreme corner, needing almost to lean over it to reach. Coming back to His heels, He smiles with a strange sort of cool curl to His lips, seeing to the dishes He's dirtied. His tongue, it seems, peaks out from beneath His incisors, the slit's of His pupils widenning at her for a lingering moment echoing most softly with the sound of breath of the back of His throat, and then He turns, bearing the mixing apparatus to the sink. "Is there something /you/ would enjoy Larissa?" He looks over His shoulder at her, turning the water on, eyes flicking attentive, almost predatory about her person "Hm?" His eyes flick to follow her gaze, pupils narrowing, and He returns to mundane chores.

Larissa turns back to Lorne. "Hmmm?" She opens her lips to answer and looks him in the eye for the first time this evening, and spends there some time, taken by the swirls of colours. She tilts her head, blowing up the hair from her face "I do enjoy watching you attending /Mundane chores/ like mixing drinks and such... It gives me a grand illusion."

Bridgette sings softly, "As the world falls down...falling...falling.." She nuzzles Ethan and swings around again slowly.

Lorne Harlequin's slowly parting smiles is hidden behind His shoulder. His hands find their way over the rag and detergent, sliding the sopping rag up the curve of the mixing vessel, slowly up and down, then the other side. His head inclines slightly, leaving a hint of His smile to show through the gap under His arm, the lightest glisten of teeth seen there. His hands slow near to stillness, even while His eyes flick faster from feature to feature about her face. His voice, low as a growl, but smooth as the undisturbed mirror pool of a caldera, reflecting the summer moon and clouds "It isn't Mine, or My activities' to grant you illusions, Larissa, grand or otherwise...It's simply what life is--what afterward will be...but do spread a clutch of details and lay exposed to Me a description of all that's on your mind by mentioning it so..." His hand quests and inserts the sopping rag inside the mixer, lifts the slutch from the counter, and turns it over and over under his eyes, one brow raised

Bridgette seems to realize that she and Ethan have just been standing in the dancefloor...barely dancing...swaying slightly and caught up in a quiet exchange of glances. Looking over her shoulder, she sadly sees the sky lighten. Turning back to him, she rocks up on her toes and brushes her lips over his lingering longer than allowed for the kiss to be called simply sweet.

Bridgette Plunkett: "i smell apples...."

Larissa softly breathes, following his movements, and smiles, answering barely audibly, the blush slowly returning to her face. "You torture me to admit to my fondness of your corporeal appearance"

Bridgette Plunkett watches Ethan leave and knows he will return. She sways to the music slightly as she wonders ABOUT something smells of apples.

Lorne's pupil's narow to slits, eyes showing still a moment, the flick to Brit. He slowly turns, with a breath as steadily drawn out. His head is inclined, and eyes carefully appraise her as she dances. His pupils widen slightly as she asks, and He breathes "The glass at the end of the counter is where the smell is coming from" He lifts a hand, presenting the martini glass

Larissa averts her gaze, to look rather behind Lorne than to him, watch Brit dance in the reflection of the bottles.

Bridgette walks down to the bar and picks up the glass sniffing it. The familiar scent of apples permeates her nose and she smiles. Dipping a finger into the liquid, she tastes it. "It's like liquid apples...only different from juice.

Bridgette takes a bullet, silver-colored, out of her stocking and gazes at it for a very long time. She turns it in the low light blinking slightly before tucking it away more properly.

Lorne Harlequin turns to Larissa again, His voice continues along the low sultry pitch it has been "Is it agony to admit? Is it a bitter taste in the back of your throat...?" He inhales deep as He leans across the counter toward her "Is the taste as sour in the back of your throat as it is sweet on your lips?" His lips hesitate within an inch from her's, and part, releasing a breath "Delicious..." He whispers, and straightens up again "Have a drink, Brit. I made it for you..."

Bridgette starts to drink. "Thanks!" The rim is placed on her lips and she stops, "Not magic, right?"

Lorne grins with a grand display of cruel amusement, carefully tucked away into the corners of His mouth and eyes. Still watching Larissa, He shakes His head slowly, and says with ominous overtones carefully given voice, and aimed at Larissa with His eyes, even while He answer's Brit "No, Brit. Not one drop or even intent to use magic..."

Larissa closes her eyes, feeling his breath on her face. She leans closer to him in the moment he straightens, as if magnetized, and opens her eyes, glancing sideways to check Brit and her glass of "applejuice", than back to Lorne, smile curling up. "It is a sweet agony indeed, with all the proper dosage of pain and pleasure"

Bridgette Plunkett peeks down at the appletini and looks from Lorne to Larissa. She sips it and almost immediately feels the alcohol warm her cheeks.

Lorne Harlequin's eyes narrow slightly, and flit to Brit. His voice carries inquisitively out to her "Is it good, Brit?"

Bridgette remembers hearing something like this from him once before. With the pie. She seems to quiet a bit. "Yah." She brushes back her hair and sips more remembering a dream where the same question was asked. Her dreams have been quieter with her new necklace though.

Larissa Starostin watches Brit drink, and nods, thinking one glass could not her her. Hopefully. She follows Lorne's moves, her smile turning to serious.

Bridgette has never had alcohol. She sips it a bit more rather continuously. Thirsty from dancing all night, she drains her glass. "It tastes like apples." Giggling, she says, "It's pretty yummy...but doesn't taste like the apples in the garden...because those apples...crunch." It makes sense to her.

Lorne Harlequin furrows His brow as the cap of the martini mixer pops off the counter and clatters to the floor. He walks to the front of the counter to retrieve it, looking idly at Larissa as He straightens. He smiles to Brit, and returns behind the counter "There's many forms of apple..." He looks around, seeing the martini mixer still 2/3rds full, He lifts it, suggesting a refill

Larissa drinks hers quickly and shakes her head a bit. She offers softly: "Brit, if you are too thirsty, you might rather wish to drink water as well."

Bridgette: "Yah...i'm way thirsty." she looks longingly at her glass.

Lorne Harlequin's eyes flick to Larissa as He sets the lid before her on the counter. The lid twitches slightly. Lorne's eye flick to it and back to Larissa's, a curiously mysterious smile parting His lips. Turning back to Brit "Bring Me your glass, Brit."

Bridgette places her glass on the counter and, at Larissa's suggestion, she says, "Water?"

Larissa watches.

Lorne Harlequin smiles, pouring another glass full, turning the appleflavoring bottle into the glass. Finished, He pushes the glass again to Brit "After this one, perhaps." His eyes flick to the lid before Larissa as it twitches once more

Bridgette starts to ask for water again, but is so very thirsty. She hears him and lisps, "Okay." Pulling back the glass, she drinks again more than a sip. Somewhere between how a linebacker sucks down gatorade and a healthy gulp.

Larissa frowns, seeing Lorne talk to her like that, and watches him intently. She shifts in her chair uneasily, but smiles to see Brit drink wholeheartedly, and shrugs. Well, Brit gets a little drunk, big deal. She looks back at Lorne though, and senses He has some sort of plan as always, so she follows His moves.

Bridgette feels heat in her tummy as she slides her glass on the bar. Her nose tickles and she hiccups slightly once. Covering her mouth, she giggles with a shrug and slides back against the barstool feeling a little bit different. She holds the seat with both hands leaning against it and feels her senses slowly impair.

Larissa gets up, and moves closer to Brit in case it is too much for her, watching.

Bridgette breathes in and out slowly. The alcohol within quickly moving into her blood stream. She blinks processing and finds that her head feels quite dizzy. She seems to feel her muscles become languid. The music in the room seems to be distant. Seeing Larissa grow near, she looks and giggles playfully.

Lorne Harlequin takes a breath as He watches her drink. He turns to walk out from behind the bar, pushing the mixer lid, the one that's been twitching closer to Larissa as He comes out from behind. He stops to fill a glass with water using the soda spray gun, and approaches. His eyes drift over Larissa, then linger over Brit as He passes, and turns to set the glass of water on the corner of the counter. Crossing His arms over His chest, He smiles warmly "It /is/ good then. I'm glad. Would you like to dance?"

Larissa flashes a glance at Lorne, and leans back.

Bridgette blinks slowly and turns not 100% confidently. "Um. Larissa has not danced tonight." She looks between the two of them...

Larissa nods to her to go on happily, indicating she is not in the mood to dance right now, anyway. She turns, not waiting to see what happens next. She reaches for a glass.

Lorne turns to Larissa's glance, and back to Brit, speaking softer "I asked you..." He offers His hand after a moment.

Larissa definitely pours the rest of the drink for herself.

Bridgette blushes but hushes not knowing what to say to that. Wordlessly, she takes the offered hand.

Larissa glances to the dancefloor, and drinks it up, almost breaking the glass, when she puts it down.

Bridgette dances clumsely at first unable to follow the steps without struggling. Her mind feels almost unable to focus at all. It's a new dance to her and she stumbles.

Lorne Harlequin leads her out to the dance floor, keeping His eyes on her's. Music begins drifting down around them in an upbeat tempo, and He steps with her, to her, and coaxes her against Him. She stumbles, it seems, into His waiting hands, and He pulls her a'rights. Behind Larissa, the lid twiches again, emiting a curious sound something like it had been struck by a BB.

Bridgette practically falls when dipped back. Her head spins and the room seems to spin slightly. She feels thirsty and watches over toward Larissa.

Bridgette watches the bright shiny colors. Wonders why he did not ask to dance with Lar and tries to follow along.

Lorne pulls Brit up to Him again, lifting His hand to slide up her back and bring her eyes and front to His. He holds her there for a time.

Bridgette stares at his eyes. Blinking slowly, she has an odd memory to something she recently dreamt. She slows...pulling away. "I..." She frowns slightly and lisps, "Y..you should dance with your beloved, Lorne...Larissa....likes to dance." Thinking of Ethan, she says, "I...I should go." She turns to go in the wrong direction and has to close her eyes three times to focus.

Larissa Starostin turns, her hands on her hips, face burning a bit, and watches Lorne, dance with Brit, like a puppeteer. As she knows he can hear her say anything, she does not raise her voice too loud, but stands in a perfectly gathered position, and demanding voice. "Will you leave that child alone, and finish that foolish game of yours, Lorne Harlequin?"

Lorne reaches a hand to grasp her's, holding her fast a moment. His voice opines softly "I poured a glass of water for you. Don't want to leave you thirsty."

Bridgette Plunkett blinks processing. The room moves slightly in a circle and she has trouble orienting herself. "Oh..." She feels his hand on her hand. Looking from Larissa to Lorne, she whispers, "Thanks..." She is so thirsty. She can't hear exactly what Larissa said, but she understood the tone in the whisper. If Lar would be mad, then Ethan would be livid. And Brit pulls back harder looking confused.

Larissa grabs the glass of water, Lorne placed on the bar, and closes up on them, restraining the urge, to throw it in Lorne's face. She gives it to Brit, and eyes Lorne while she drinks.

Bridgette takes the water pulling her hand away to take it. She turns to Larissa and clasps the water. Remembering their talk long ago in the diner, she blinks. "Sorry...so sorry," she whispers.

Lorne Harlequin sighs, looking over to Larissa. His voice drifts softly her way, whispering only for her "Perhaps you would like her to wonder out into the streets? Reassure her..."

Larissa smiles at her. "There is no need to apologize for anything. At least, not for you."

Bridgette takes the water and walks over to the column a few steps away. Leaning against it, she sips the water and closes her eyes for a moment.

Lorne Harlequin holds His hand out to Larissa's shoulder, His voice sneaking hushed again to her ear "No caveats. Smiles...My apprentice" As He turns a smile to Brit, He find Larissa soul in His Abyss and closes His fingers around it's heart. Not hard, but enough that the fingers are known

Larissa Starostin looks at him and winces. Her lips curl to a smile, but her eyes flash at him with lightnings like never before.

Larissa walks to Brit, and offers her hand. "Come, we walk."

Lorne Harlequin smiles, stepping closer still, His voice continuing in her mind "Stop". As they nearly leave, He tightens His grip around Larissa's heart

Bridgette Plunkett looks entirely confused. She holds the untouched water. Peeking at Lorne and back to Larissa, and holds Larissa's hand. She stops when Lorne says to stop and turns curiously. Her mind jumbles. Dances are dances. It makes no sense to her. All of it. Tis all so confusing.

Bridgette drinks the water quickly and hiccups again.

Larissa Starostin stops, and looks back at Lorne, fighting to be strong enough to evaporate her tears before they touch her face.

Bridgette blinks slowly watching the glass and then the fans turning slowly. "I....I...Ethan is waiting." It was true and she takes a deep breath still turning the glass.

Lorne Harlequin steps closer to Larissa, reaching a hand to her back. His voice speaks just for her ears "I offer you eternity, Larissa...Forever. And how long have I existed? Will you throw it all away, or will you trust your teacher?...Tell her the dance was alright...no reservations...smile for her..." He produces a small bottle of restorative from a pocket, holding it out to Larissa

Bridgette Plunkett 's lower lip trembles slightly. She feels near tears. Feels she has done something wrong. Her eyes blink slowly trying to sort it all. Her fingers tighten on Larissa's and she says again in barely a whisper, "E..Ethan waits for me." There are no guns. No dangers. And Brit suddenly feels afraid.

Larissa takes it with a firm gesture, and nods just very briefly, turning to Brit. "As I said, nothing wrong, Brit, calm down. The drink you just drank has a strange effect of confusing the mind." She leans closer to her, so that their foreheads meet, and strokes her face. She looks Brit in the eye openly. "Don't worry."

Bridgette watches Larissa furrowing her brow slightly. She doesn't say anything but tries to sort out the meanings and feelings she has. Her eyelashes star slightly and she blinks slowly just afraid...and not understanding at all. Her breathing is a bit labored as if she is very close to tears.

Lorne Harlequin steps to Larissa, drifting His lips near to her ear, and whispering within her "We have forever...if only you remember...I have vowed to protect her, and she has only this one life...I will not take her...Show me how you convince innocense that the sky is not falling."

Bridgette starts to visibly tremble. Her mind swims in thoughts. A dream. Ethan waiting. The time he tore up a wall with his talons for what? A massage with magic that only touched her shoulders. She ambles closer to the bar.

Larissa glances at Lorne, staring into the swirls for a minute, the dislike for playing with drunk Brit reflected in her expression, but she tries to control that before turning to her. She offers the restorative to Brit, and speaks to her softly. "You are way too confused. Drink this. And remember that drinking can confuse you, anytime someone offers you to drink" She acts as if it was an intentional lesson, all set up.

Larissa Starostin adds. "But this is a medicine for that."

Bridgette turns to Larissa and looks at the bottle. She looks at Lar to Lorne and back again. "I...my beloved....he is waiting." Wetness clings to her lashes and causes them to star but drops do not drip onto her cheeks.

Larissa stares and if her eyes could kill, Lorne was ashes already. Very soft, dustlike ashes

She offers her arm. "Come with me Brit, as I said, we should walk. You need fresh air." Lar glances back at Lorne, checking to see if he is satisfied what he has done, and shakes her head slightly. She decides not to offer false smile to Brit at this time, whatever the price.

Bridgette reaches a shaking hand to Larissa and says simply, "Ethan is gonna be way so mad at me." She still thinks she is the cause of the last time. This time, tears splatter on her cheeks.

Lorne Harlequin sighs to Larissa's glare, and approaches, "You've never drunken alcohol before, have you Brit?"

Bridgette doesn't answer but simply feels one tear drop after another slowly collect in great big drips before splattering her cheeks.

Larissa tries to console her, but cannot hide her discomfort. "Ethan will not be mad at you Brit. And you should not worry about Lorne." Interestingly she seems quite honest about that.

Bridgette staggers to a stool and holds it for stability. She sits and feels the weight of the sky fall on her shoulders and just quietly feels each silent tear splatter on her face.

Lorne Harlequin looks up to the new arrival, nodding, then turns back to Brit "It's alright, Brit. We know you meant no harm. If Ethan will be mad, he would be mad for nothing...why not just...not tell him. It was just a dance. Dances are just dances, right?"

Daigan Juran moves slowly towards the small group, "May i ask, what it is you are doing here..."

Bridgette Plunkett nods and sits on the stool none too steadily. "Yah," she whispers. She looks back to the person surprised he is here.

Bridgette Plunkett says to Daigan, whom she does not know, "Vlad says I can come here when I want. And my beloved Ethan brings me here all of the time." Wiping her eyes on her sleeves, she obviously seems at home here.

Daigan Juran nods softly, "If lord Vladimere has offered you sanctuary here, Then I welcome you to our home."

Bridgette Plunkett wipes her eyes and says, "Yah....Vlad is w...way nice....." She sways obviously loaded. "H...he says I am his one good deed....and...Vlad colors with me." Brit is obviously fully grown, but may or may not be all there. "I'm Brit," she lisps.

Larissa Starostin glances to Lorne again, as he offers the lie, and looks back at Brit, feeling the clouds of a big black storm collecting as he suggests that to Brit, and Brit considers it. She looks up at the ceiling, then at the stranger, almost relieved for his presence.

The Girl Who Loved Everyone

Larissa is leaning to the library pilar holding a book. Brit enters and Lar smiles to her warmly. "Hi, sweetie"

Bridgette blinks a bit. "Hello...um...."
Larissa smiles and indicates the chairs, with a book in her hand. "I have a story for you, Brit."

Bridgette seems lost in her own colouring book and asks Larissa enthusiastically "What do you think of this picture?" Larissa looks up from her own book, and leans closer to have a look. Bridgette looks at the coloring book and smiles up at Larissa.

Larissa smiles back, nodding in appreciation. She opens her book, and clears her throat. "I will just read. No puppets" She looks at Brit intently. "You have to see it for yourself" She returns her gaze at the book, and reads with the serious expression of concentrating on the words. "The little girl, who loved everyone." She pauses. "Once, everyone gets lost. This happened to little Brunella. She got lost too. In the morning, she left her house and garden. She cought her image in the water of a spring and combed her hair."

Bridgette wriggles with widening eyes. Some never get over the excitment of stories. Brit quickly falls into quiet as she sits and listens.

Larissa reads on "/I have a beautiful black hair./ she told to the spring and smiled in her joy, at having such a beautiful hair. /Rather beautiful/ agreed the spring.

Bridgette Plunkett giggles as she imagines water talking. Her mind briefly wonders and she blinks a few times considering that maybe there is something alive about a stream. it babbles...and sounds rather pretty.

Larissa smiles. /And I have beautiful eyes./ the little girl continued. Well, her eyes were rather beautiful too, so the spring nodded. With less enthusiasm, but agreed. Brunella had such a kind smile, the spring could not feel angry about her, though the spring wished she also said something like /How crystal clear the spring's water is./ or /How beautiful music it has/"

Larissa looks up from her book, briefly, to check if Brit listens. She smiles at her widened eyes, and continues. "The girl said to the spring: /If I close my eyes, I cant see you/

Bridgette sees someone enter but is too focused on the story to really pay much attention.

"The girl finished combing herself, and tells the spring. /I show my beautiful hair to the forest/ The spring warned her: /But do not get close to the Tiger, the Bear and the Pakuk Bird, you could get hurt./

Bridgette asks, "could they not see it for themselves when they meet her?"

Larissa Starostin tilts her head, smiling. She continues to read. "The little girl stomps with her foot. /But they love me./ When the spring said nothing, she added: /And I love them too/"

Bridgette pulls her knees up and rests her chin on them listening. Her eyes blink rather rhythmically as she listens.

"The little girl never ever saw tiger, bear, or Pakuk bird. Well, she got lost in the forest, and on the hill where the seven lime trees stand, she met the Tiger. The Tiger roared /Hrrrrrrr.... How dare you?/
The little girl looked up: /How beautiful your voice is! Could you roar once more?/
The Tiger was so surprised, he roared again, but it was a tamed roar."

Bridgette brushes back her hair listening.

"Then he realized he should be menacing, and made a menacing face. But the girl was still so nice to him, that he couldnt hurt her."

Bridgette Plunkett smiles up at Larissa. Her mossy green eyes fascinated at the story.

"The little girl did actually made the Tiger smile, which he did not do in seven years.
/You are a nice girl, you may stroke my mane/
The girl said: /I am happy to have met you. I love you, Tiger./"

Bridgette Plunkett giggles

"The Tiger was jumping all around in happiness. After he jumped enough, he asked the girl.
/What do you do here, little girl?/
/I got lost. I live in the house with the red roof, by the side of the spring./
The Tiger offered to help her find her way, and guided her for a while.
/Go this way, and you will get straight back home./

Bridgette Plunkett says quite seriously, "I've met some way nice nekos...they are like kitties." After a moment, "Pars had a kitty tail and ears."

"They were near the Moonlit Cave, where the Bear lived. The Bear was already watching the little girl from a distance, interested in her braveness of wondering alone in the forest. When she got near, the Bear spoke: /Don't run away/"

Larissa Starostin looks up from her book, nodding to Vlad. "I am reading to Brit about a little girl, who loved everyone."

Vladimere Hextall: "by all means... do not let my prescense interupt"

Bridgette Plunkett blinks seeing Vlad! She smiles warmly to him and whispers, "Larissa is telling a story about a little girl who loved everyone!" She scoots her chair over next to Vlad enjoying his nearness.

Vladimere Hextall smiles.... the paint on his glass face mask forming a rather menacing smirk.... as the paint move the sound of nails against glass fill the air

Larissa sums up the story so far for Vlad: "She got lost in the forest, and already tamed the Tiger with her pretty attitude. Now she met the Bear.
She told the Bear: /You are so funny, why are you threatening me?/
The Bear wondered: /How can you talk to me like that?/
/Aw, because I love you!/ and offered her hand to the Bear. The Bear accepted it very carefully. The girl asked to see the beautiful hide of the Bear, and he showed it to her.
She was hungry, and the Bear offered her Honey. She accepted it, and they were all very happy.

Bridgette says simply, 'I like honey!...Wait...was the bear's fur soft?"

"The little girl wondered about the beautiful cave the Bear lived in, with all the rooms, and everything. The Bear did not show his Cave to anyone ever before." Lar nods, looking up.
"It was pretty soft." She returns to the page.

"When the Bear carried her for a while in the direction of her home, she said
/I should not have eaten that much, now I am heavy/
The Bear thought - what a thoughtful girl, she worries about him.

Bridgette looks around the library and can imagine it being a cave. She focuses on the story.

"The girl was light, like a butterfly, and the Bear smiled. He put her down, and they parted with kind words." Lar smiles as her favourite part follows "In this very moment, a deep, meancing voice was heard from under the eucaliptus tree. /Who dares to disturb my rest?/"

Bridgette Plunkett stops blinking as she listens to the story. Unable to help it, she gazes above and nibbles her lip wondering about such a kind of bird.

"The little girl looked up, shading her eyes with her palm. /And who would you be?/ The voice answered: /I am the Terrible Three Wheeled Pakuk Bird! If you do not leave in a minute, I will hush you away with my wings/

Bridgette Plunkett reminds herself to breath knowing the little girl is going to be gobbled up.

"/Aw, don't be stupid, if you would come down, and talk to me kindly, we could love each other. You would feel great, knowing someone loves you./
The Bird answered: /I have not loved anyone in three hundred years/
The girl looks around. /Maybe no one came near./
The Pakuk Bird answered. /That is not true two hundred and eighty eight years ago, ther was a lumberer/
The Bird adds: /It is true he did not see me, though/
The girl nods. /You see? Now, come down, and be nice, and we can love each other. I have never seen a Pakuk Bird before./
The Pakuk Bird mused a bit, but finally decided to meet the girl. The Pakuk Bird had three huge wheels instead of feet, and the girl laughed kindly. The Bird felt a sort of tingling in his three wheels, and wished the girl came three hundred years ago. If she did so, the bird would even learnt to sing like a nightingale. The Bird asked the girl to stay, but it was getting dark, and she had to go home. The Pakuk Bird flew with her for a while, and put her down, from where she could already see her house."

Bridgette quirks curiously and tells Vlad, "It didn't eat her?" Brit seems suitably surprised.

Larissa looks up, smiling to see if Brit still listens to the story and she also shots a glance at Vlad, wondering what he makes of it too. She adds. "No, she found a way to the Bird's heart."

Lar continues to read: "The girl almost reached the spring, near her house, when she met a
tall man. Scruffy looking and strong."

Bridgette Plunkett rubs her nose and looks outside seeing many that fit that description.

"The man shouts at the girl: /Stop! How dare you trespass?/
The girl was surprised. /And who are you?/
The man had a gun, and aimed it at her. /I am the Hunter, If you don't stop, I shall kill
you/

Bridgette: "A hunter...." she whispers "good thing the tiger, bear, and bird did not go to her house!"

/No, you wont./ Says the little girl, laughing. /Who heard something like shooting a little girl? You do not mean that. I can see you are a good man, and I like the good men, and they like me too./
The Hunter lowers her gun, asking /Really? You can see that in my eye?/
The girl smiled, and the hunter smiled back. /I am sorry to have scared you, I did not knew you liked me./
The girl answered: /Oh, I love everyone. The trees, the flowers, the grass. And they love me too. Even the Tiger, the Bear and the Three Wheeled Pakuk Bird./

/Ah, that cannot be true/ the Hunter said. /You couldn't have met the Tiger, the Bear and
the Pakuk Bird./
The girl answers. /But I did. The Tiger lives on the hill with the seven lime trees, the Bear lives in the Moonlit Cave, and the Three Wheeled Pakuk Bird lives on the eucaliptus tree./
/Ah/ Said the Hunter, and rolled his eyes.
The girl asked. /Could you please stroke my hair?/ and the Hunter did so."

Larissa looks up, watching Brit, and shooting a glance at Vlad. She continues the story.

"The Hunter strokes the girl's hair, and tells her: /Hurry up, you should get back home, before it gets dark/ They parted, and the girl arrived back to the spring, running by their house. /Hi, Spring. You see I did not get hurt. I love everyone, and everyone loves me./"

Bridgette Plunkett blinks slowly listening. "The spring was her friend too though." Her thoughts slowly move but she refocuses on the story.

Larissa Starostin reads on with a serious exression. "At that moment a sound of gun fired echoed in a roar. The Spring said. /The Tiger/"

Bridgette Plunkett BLINKS.
Bridgette : "The hunter shot the tiger?"

"The little girl stood, frozen, speechless. Another shot was heard. /The Bear/ said the spring."

Bridgette sputters looking really distraught, "But...but...her friend shot her friend!" She squeaks as she hears the bear! "But...but...but..." Her eyes grow really wide and she looks confused.

"/Oh, nooo!/ cried the little girl, but the wind brought the sound of the third shot. /The Terrible Three Wheeled Pakuk Bird/ said the spring."

Bridgette Plunkett pales and stops blinking. Her mossy green eyes slowly fill with tears and cause her lashes to star. The drops do not fall, but her lips part wordlessly in her astonished horror.

"The little girl fell to her knee, and cried, her tears mixing the water, so it gets hazy. /Now you will never be able to look at yourself in my water/ says the spring.

Larissa looks up, finishing the story with a sigh.

Bridgette has a hundred questions and doesn't even know where to begin. She lisps, "um...." A frown and then she asks, "The story is just pretend...right?"

Larissa tilts her head. "It is a story"

Bridgette looks from one to the other. "B..but....is it a REAL story.....or pretend?"

Larissa smiles and avoids answering her directly. "It was written, but in the realm of written words all stories are quite real"

Bridgette processes slightly and looks from Larissa to Vlad visably distraught but also trying to sort understanding into the story.

Vladimere explains with a rasped voice "Miss Bridgette, the girl in the story was naive... and she did not recognize the hunter for what it was... a hunter, a murderer... do you think she was so close to the hunter after it had killed her friends?"

Bridgette thinks slowly about the question and shakes her head. "He pretended to be her friend?"

"yes, and so how do we solve the problem with the hunter?"

Brit answers him "She comes to tell you!"

"We learn to identify who is a hunter and who is not..."

Larissa nods and gives her the book. "You could make pictures of it. Brunella is the girl's name."

Vladimere: "It is good to have hunters as friends... and it is also good to have animals as friends." He pauses "However keeping them seperate is your choice"

Larissa Starostin looks at Vlad. "Sometimes it is better not to explain the tale, but rather let it sink."

Bridgette takes the book and turns to Vlad listening.

Vladimere finishes "Therefore this story is only real if you let it become real...."

Larissa Starostin smiles.