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.

Cinderella, Snow White and Red

Bridgette: Ethan would never disarm i think.
Larissa: Morning.
Pontifex: Spurs will disarm, and that'll be half the Praetors
Pontifex: Evening Larissa
Bridgette: Good morning, lar
Bridgette: Will he?
Pontifex: Spurs is the one who first suggested complete disarming of the Institute
Larissa: Disarm?
Bridgette wonders if denny would and thinks he will.
Pontifex: Yes, puting away our swords and guns and living by diplomacy, reason, and wit
Bridgette: like me...
Pontifex: Yes
Pontifex: I think Aleks will, Mel may be a tough case
Larissa: Ah. I dont find weapons necessary neither. My guns are cool though...
Bridgette: I'd have been long dead.....if no one was armed many times....
Pontifex: It's going to be a very interesting time, for the Institute and Toxia
Larissa: Only the Omegans plan this?
Pontifex: Not really a plan yet
Larissa: Just a pla…
Pontifex: A rule and an idea, being put further to test
Pontifex: Omega's rule of no combat, Spurs Idea of completely disarming
Pontifex: I figure the Praetors should go first
Bridgette: I'd have been long dead.
Larissa: How would they kill you?
Bridgette quirks processing and thinks this over. "When I first came to Toxian City, I was beaten very badly...and a vamp bit me....and he said, "I left enough blood so your heart can struggle and you can suffer...but you won't live."
Larissa: Aw.
Bridgette: But someone got me to the hospital.
Bridgette blinks several times and continues, "And i was attacked even after ...even...after Omega and Denny found me. but....even then. People singled me out. and I was attacked until Mel, Poblano, and Denny....and Vlad...hunted down the one who bit me.
Larissa: I was in the hospital only once. I came too near the pit. I was teasing a demon.... Bad habit.
Bridgette digs in her pack and pulls out a very pretty chain with five fangs hanging from it.
Pontifex chuckles, "Bad habit aint the word for it.... speaking of demons... I feel one is missing"
Bridgette: they put the two fangs on this...and told me to say, "If you bite me, you will be hunted and bled until you have no blood to heal...then you will lose your ability to get blood."
Larissa: Now, that is a nice weapon.
Bridgette shrugs
Larissa Starostin turns to Ponti. "What would you call it then?"
Bridgette: it did not work for one more time.
krimhilt March is Online
Pontifex: I don't know, just something a lot worse than a bad habit
Larissa Starostin smiles sadly. "I see."
Jackjoe Flanagan is Online
Pontifex: Then again I don't go around tempting creatures
Larissa: AH, that must be boring.
Larissa: What do you do then?
Pontifex: Chase women
Pontifex: Also a bad habit
Larissa Starostin chuckles.
Larissa: Ok, not boring.
Pontifex shrugs, "Depends on the woman"
Larissa: Anyway, our bad habits end up in a similar scene. You get hurt or you get... what you wanted.
Bridgette listens
Pontifex: Nah, I generally don't get hurt
Pontifex: Well, except one time
Larissa Starostin smiles.
Pontifex: But then I got these lovely wings, so it made up for it
Larissa: There lies a story...
Pontifex: Its simple really
Larissa: Cinderella is simple too, if you tell it that way...
Pontifex: Boy meet girl, boy proposes to girl, girl turns into werewolf, werewold rips a chunk of boy throat out, boy gets wings and magic powers
chrisG Dawg: gteetings
Larissa: AH, yeah.... simle, I get it.
Pontifex: Evening
Bridgette lisps, "But cinderella was not real. not someone anyone should want to be snow white was
Bridgette processes slowly "cinderella....had to have mice and birds help her...and let some woman dress her up so much...the prince didn't recognize her without her make up.
Pontifex nods, "Yes, women often wear too much make up"
Bridgette: snow white...helped the huntsman not kill her. and...met the prince once. and. found a good place for herself and was good to everyone...and....when she died...they still watched over her...and the prince who met her once....kissed her even though she had been dead for a whole year! snow white was a better princess. *nods"
Larissa Starostin laughs as she processes Ponti's story. "I guess I should have said little red riding hood then"
Pontifex smiles, "So yeah, I stay away from any serious relationships"
Pontifex: Todays just been horrible for me.
Larissa Starostin tilts her head. In what way?
Riad Korobase is Offline
Pontifex: In every way, started out nice, picnic on the beach with Miss Hold, but that was rudely interruped, then Lorne and Arc just tired me out. I'm so glad Melly was distracted.
Bridgette processes little red riding hood slowly. red, she thinks, was no princess....ended up with no prince....and basically should be celebrated by pigs everywhere. Brit twists a piece of her hair and wonders if she would rather end up wiht a wolf or a passle of pigs. Red, she decides, chose poorly.
Bridgette: *not or, but than
chrisG Dawg: *the dark man smiles than grabs a cigeret from his arm than lights it with his matches than takes a deep puff * well i must be off good day
Pontifex: Interesting man, he comes, says hi, sits, and leaves
Larissa: Polite, at least. And he also meditated. I guess he liked the aura.
Bridgette: I think a wolf is better than a bunch of pigs, Larissa.
Larissa: Way better, Brit.
Pontifex: Wolves have more fun
Larissa: Wolves eat your heart. They have style.
Larissa Starostin's eyes gleam darkly. She shakes her head at the wierd thought.
Pontifex: I should probably take Julie on a boat ride
Larissa: JuliAnn?
Bridgette nods to Poncho
Pontifex: Yeah, the dancer
Larissa: Do you have a boat?
Pontifex: I know where theres one
Pontifex: A small one, but there is one
Pontifex: I know lots a small secrets about this city
Larissa Starostin stretches as she thinks about dances. "Do you?"
Pontifex: I have a lot of time on my hands
Larissa: Well, I sould be greatful for some knowledge myself. I sometimes feel lost here. And it is not healthy to wander around alone as I have learned.
Pontifex: Oh but then they wouldnt be secrets
Bridgette: brian shot nine holes in that boat. it just has cork in the bottom of it now.
Larissa: Oh.
Pontifex: Its bad enough I have to compete with Brit for the good spots
Bridgette blinks
Larissa Starostin smiles. "Alright. No sharing."
Bridgette: i just go with my beloved ethan.
Pontifex: And I go with various friends
Bridgette quirks even more curiously
Larissa: This must be a way interesting place. I will have to explore the city, but definitely not alone.
Bridgette: i can walk about with you.
Pontifex: I'm sure Lorne will show you some of the better spots
Larissa Starostin smiles. "How are you so sure?"
Pontifex grins, "He's a smart man"
Larissa: Ah.
Larissa Starostin genlty adds: "Thank you"
Pontifex: For?
Larissa: There was a hidden compliment there I am not surprised was not conscious.
Larissa: But I will have to go now, hopefully will be back later.
Pontifex: I should go to sleep
Larissa: Have a nice day, both of you.
Bridgette waves to Larissa.
Pontifex: Been a log day, who knows what bad habits I can get into when I awake

His cornerstone

Lorne turns a smile to Larissa, placing a hand over her's, and watching her curiously, small subtle changes rattling around in his expression. Larissa smiles back at him, with a little bit of movement as she feels his hand on hers. She looks deep in his eyes, leaning a bit closer with an open expression. She looks deep in Lorne's world, the warm darkness in his eyes, squeezing his hand a bit as he is still not saying anything to her. She leans closer. Lorne looks suddenly aware again, and leans into her, pressing her lips apart, as he pivots into her kiss, clasping her lower lip around her's, and sucking as he draws back, allowing it to pop silently from his mouth. Squeazing her hand, he tilts his head, examining her, and his voice comes echoing ghostly "Well now, my dear. You've taken to this talent quite well...where shall I take you from here...?" he muses, as he draws some pink hair away from her between two fingers. Larissa tilts her head a bit, touching her lips with the tip of her fingers, smiling.
"What else can you teach me, Lorne Harlequin?"
He watches her expression, listens to her words, and his eyes narrow somewhat. Gripping her hand a little tighter, he pulls her nearer to him, breathing hot breathes across her skin. Drawing her within inches of his face, he looks her over, and a light growl can be heard as his voice echos "You've had the lessons of heaven, let us now turn to the lessons...of the abyss"

Her expression slowly turns serious as she feels His presence inside her echo His words. She keeps smiling, with a slight tremble on her lips. "Do you expect me to be scared and hide in the corner?" she continues to smile, finding comfort in her own words. She holds on to Lorne's hand though. He grins perversly as he feels the demon seed respond deep within her, then broader as she speaks "Of course not. Given enough time, one learns never to expect. There is prediction, but many must be made, none relied upon, and all accounted for. you!" and he pulls her closer with a steely strength, speaking in a sharp whisper that echoes all around her "will find no corner
suitable for hiding...nor shall you wish to..." and he pulls her into his lips again, grasping her other wrist and pulling as he rolls his grasping lips into hers.

Larissa shivers with joy at his passionate advance and welcomes his kiss a newly found strength, enjoying the moments she can feel are only hers, tasting and drinking the knowledge of him, being with her. She forgets if she wanted to guard against anything or control herself, even if there are others around. Lorne pulls at her, grasping her wrists slightly harder, as he presses his pivoting mouth againsther's, gobbling at her lips, when something cold seems to hiss from his cheeks and in through hers, like cold wind, biting with ice. She feels a strange convulsion in her body at the feeling, as she tries to cling to Lorne not to loose her balance, and bury herself into him, drinking the icey feeling within herself to understand it. She is not backing away, but her body is full of tension, showing its strenght - of a human. Lorne slides his hands further, interweaving his fingers with her's as he stands, lifting her arms above her head. As he stands
there, hanging her slightly from his arms, he continues turning his mouth against her's , as the cold deepens into a numbness...slowly the light begins to fade from around them, the floor cannot be felt beneath their feet, and they are adrift in utter dark. She restrains her impulse to reach out and looks deep in his eyes, reflecting the darkness around them. She got to know the darkness in his eyes, she feels now that they are inside him.

Lorne stands before her against a starless field of night, and there are whispers everywhere. Around them. Between them. Within them. So cold here...one wonders whether that was a a whisper or a thought. Time seems to dilate and constrict and jitter, stuttering out of joint, and stammering cause and effect out of order. Like a dream, all meaning is fluid... She feels her mind swayed, trying to focus, phrasing words of some thoughts she believes are hers. "Will you hold me?" She tries to concentrate on his presence, none other slippery thoughts.

Lorne hovers before and within her, his face all there is to see, framing his eyes, the eyes of the abyss, surrounded and surrounding, both before and behind her, his arms reach around and join. Nested in dream flesh, fuzzy of border, he nuzzles her neck, cheek and shoulder. Out of the shadow, a shuddering voice speaks significantly, layer by layer, laying quiet to louder, and echoing off into night. "This is your home now. Never forget: when the hour comes, you come to me here...and evermore..." and his eyes are there before hers...standing infront of her...in the library, with arms around her waist. She looks around and back into Lorne's eyes. She is not feeling too much difference. She is with him here, and he is with her there. There is pain though, when he is not around. Then she feels void within. He has voice and skin, he has presence here.
She takes comfort in that, trying not to think about experiencing the emptyness alone, but it comes to her mind and her eyes seem hazy with some tear.

Lorne Harlequin standing before her, there in the library, he notes her sad eyes and narrows his slightly. Stepping back a little, he holds her hand out between them, and looks down into it's palm. There, under his gaze, a circle of lacy writing in deep red lights up, and he looks to her eyes with a smile "Signed and sealed..." and he grasps her other hand, putting them both together
between his.

Larissa smiles at him weakly, waiting if he has more to say. Her hand stays in his palms as far as she is concerned. "what have you done?"

Lorne squeazes her hands some, rubbing them lightly with his thumbs, as he smiles dark and proud at her question "I have written your Name in My Book, Larissa. Evermore shall you be a cornerstone of My demesne...You are one of usss..."

Girl talk

In which beloveds and lovers are discussed a'la Brit

Larissa takes a comfortable sit in the derelict diner, smiling at her younger companion: "So how do you like them?"

Bridgette peels a warm chestnut out of the shell and munches it happily enjoying the flavor. "Are they real chestnuts?" She looks out of the window and back to Larissa.

"Yeah, I had some with me before I came here... The warmness is the magic."

"You got it from a tree though. yah?"

"I bought them at a grocery."

Bridgette mouths the word grocery and nods. "Out of the city." She nods again. "Have you seen my beloved Ethan?"

"I am sorry, but no. When did you last see him?"

"The night before last....he came to me in the library.....and last night...he found me not at all. so much last night....was so busy.

"Did you two... sort out the /massage situation/?"

The younger girl blinks a moment and puffs her cheeks. She never thought about it. But Ethan's hair turned a different color after the massage was mentioned. "Ethan ripped down a brick wall" after she followed him. And his mood stayed dark even though he found her and brought her back to their space. Then what....Brit struggled to remember...the flute music. Sleeping soundly. The following night, Ethan's hair was the same. "Oh...oh...." She whispered.

Larissa raises an eyebrow. "You didnt?"

Bridgette quirks and says, "I....I don't know." It never occurred to her that the two events were connected.

Larissa puts her hand on Brit's "Oh, dear. These are men, you are dealing with."

Bridgette Plunkett's brow furrows as she runs through the events in her mind. Ethan's change....after the mention. She puffs her cheeks. His hair different. His eyes different. Him telling her later he was not displeased with her. "Not mortal though." She nods and wonders if Ethan did indeed grow unhappy over the massage. "No one touched me."

Nerissa Dae looks through the window and hits it suddenly with the flat of her hand molded against it, leaving a frosted imprint around it.

Bridgette hears the glass and smoochies it at Neri's height.
She leaves a pretty lipprint on the glass.

Larissa Starostin waves for the little horned girl to come in.

Nerissa Dae 's emotionless eyes looks through to her and then down again, pulling away from it..

Bridgette mouthes "Come inside, Neri!!"

Larissa smiles at the scene "Do you know her?"

"Neri...yes....she is a good long time friend."

"Good."

Bridgette frowns seeing Neri gone and sighs
softly, "I wish her to be happy.....one day...she will be."

"So, I am not saying you always should explain yourself, but if you feel so strongly about Ethan... Well, of course, if he was smart, you didnt have to." she leans back. "We have time. Tell me how you met him. Please."

"Explain....Explain what?" Bridgette Plunkett returns her attention to Larissa after trying to track Neri. "Neri is not near." She blinks as she senses around her.

"She will be back I guess. This is an instable place all around us."

The younger of the red haired pair shrugs and finds her thoughts drifting. "Explain?" She asks softly, "Met...who?"

"Explain your words. You told him Lorne's massage was magic. I undersand he turned all white."

Bridgette ohs softly and blinks never having such a thought that the massage is what made Ethan so angry. "He ripped up a brick wall," she lisps. She remembers the gravel and brick dropping from the talons. "Yah....yah." Nibbling her lower lip, she blinks slowly thinking she was foolish not to see it.

"Oh, dear... You have to be more careful." she pauses "With a lots of things." she adds. "I am not saying I am always right. I know nothing about you and Ethan."

Bridgette Plunkett frowns slightly. Her bow-shaped mouth forms a slight pout as she listens. She nibbles her lower lip a bit more and ohs. A tinge of pink colors her cheeks and she sighs softly. "Ethan is wonderful." She smiles through her concern.

"You looked sweet together." Larissa smiles remembering she has not seen such a cute pair for quie some time. "I was asking. How did you meet him? If I may..."

Bridgette says simply, "Ethan is my beloved....my one and only." she pauses. "I like to watch the city from rooftops. And Ethan was on the rooftop across from mine. Then he walked over and introduced himself....then...one night my friend Khory was a queen..and I was a princess. And Ethan said I was more of a princess than a real one. And then he took me dancing....and taught me to dance." she continues: "Then he went to sleep for a long time. And then woke up....*her voice trails* and then we were on his rooftop...and he kissed me softly here." she touches her lips.

Larissa smiles.

Bridgette seems lost in the memories "A long time ago, zelda told me she had a lover. and said it was better than apples. so I wanted one too."

Larissa looks at her with amused respect: "And I guess it is better?"

"Duard could not be my lover. He already had one. Ethan said that a lover is more intimate than we, so I am his beloved. And he is mine."

"I see."

Bridgette lisps, "I don't know about lovers...but beloveds are better than apples.....and we are each others one and onlys.

Larissa Starostin winces a bit. "I never had a beloved."

Bridgette quirks, "Why?" She says, "Or a one and only...or a lover?"

Larissa Starostin inspects her nails. "Oh, I had lovers. I might as well have one too right now." her gaze turns distant. "He is a One with capital letters. But an only?"

Bridgette Plunkett smiles thinking lovers are as wonderous as beloveds Brit only has what she has heard. "How did you meet him? Does he have a name?"

"Oh dear. Lovers are beautiful. But sometimes it lasts only for a moment. Sometimes it lasts for... more moments."

"How did you meet your lover? What is his name?"

"The problem is, I am not sure he is my lover. But you know him. And of course, that is always the problem with lovers - except for the moments, when you know... Eh, I am not really good at explaining things I dont really comprehend neither."

"Ask him if he is your lover....or your beloved...or your one and only."

Larissa Starostin looks at the girl curiously. "Ask him?"

Bridgette shrugs and says, "Yah...why not just ask?"

"Well. First, I am afraid of the answer. Second, it is all about trust. I feel he cares for me. THird...
I dont know if I want him to be my lover. So. Things are not easy... this side of the world." she smiles sadly.

Bridgette watches the street and listens. She brushes back her hair, "Oh.....do you not love him?" She tilts her head, "And the answer is the same whether it is spoken or not."

"I desire him." Larissa pauses. "I dont know if I love him. I want him so badly it hurts."

Bridgette tries to understand. "You want him like ice cream."

"Oh." Larissa laughs: "Icecream would melt, my dear. But if you are on a very very hot day. And you want icecream badly. It is close. Probably."

Bridgette blinks as she processes what she is told. She considers the word "desire" and her finger absent-mindedly traces her own lips. "I desire Ethan's kisses." She nods blinking slowly believing she understands.

"Ah, yes."

"How can he not be your one and only if you desire him?"

"That is an important question I search to find the answer to myself. Let me explain."

Bridgette struggles with her understanding of relationships, but this oddly makes some sense to her. She watches Larissa and listens carefully. Her focus maintains on what she has to say and she notices not the fighting outside.

"You want to spend your life with your one and only... is it true?"

Bridgette smiles nodding.

"You want to spend the night with the one you desire. And the next. And the next. You dont think about the future. Just the present. The moments." Larissa sighs "The problem is experience. Once you get hurt it is hard to fully trust your desires. You stop thinking about the future."

"Your lover hurt you?"

"Well, sometimes they hurt accidentally. Without intention. And here we re, back at your /massage situation/. You didn't intend to hurt..."

Bridgette blinks at the transition but listens.

Larissa searches for words, but seems distracted as her own emotions overwhelm her. Herr lips tremble a bit. "I so want him."

Bridgette whispers, "Who?"

Her friend looks at her, as if explaining the obvious. "Lorne"

The younger one is clueless at times. She blinks a few times and says, "Then....tell him." She blinks slowly and wonders if Larissa was angry as Ethan had been. She never asked for a massage....but she felt her shoulders rubbed even though Lorne was across the room.

"He knows that I want him. And I believe he has only massaged you. And I beleive that it meant nothing to you. But it might have meant more to him. And Ethan. And me."

Larissa smiles. "I dont think you desire Lorne if your one and only is Ethan."

Bridgette frowns hearing this and says, "Oh." Brit nods and her expression is one that clearly indicates she has never considered Lorne as anything more than someone who works at the library.

"And I dont think Ethan should question your feelings. So probably he was just angry at Lorne. And he was probably right. Probably not. I also try to find my way in this labirynth."

Bridgette slowly starts to understand what Larissa is saying. Her cheeks pinken and she blinks. "I never asked for anything....or..." She lacks the vocabulary to explain.

Bridgette puffs her cheeks slightly and finally says, "Ethan is my one and only. I seek no other."

Larissa looks at her curiously. She understands what Lorne admires in her, because he surely admires her in a way. She just doesnt know in what way.

"I trust you." She stresses the /you/. "And I want to understand Lorne. Probably because I love him. What I fear is that I wont love him if I understand him. And that is why I dont ask."

Bridgette seems bewildered. She ohs again softly and muses why anyone would not. Her lips part as she processes again. Brit may or may not be all there, and she seems to have a real struggle to understand all that has been said. She whispers, "The answer is the same whether it is spoken or not."

Larissa Starostin looks at her, warmed by her reactions. "You are quite a gem."

Bridgette watches Larissa. Her mind still processes slowly. Her eyes blink and then blink again as she slowly pieces together this puzzle called "relationships." Finally she lisps, "There is only room in my heart for my beloved Ethan."

"Why did he turn all white, then?"

Bridgette sincerely thought the massage was a demonstration of magic. She furrows her brow and starts to wonder about other things others do...like making ice cream....or giving her small presents. To her question, she whispered, "I don't know."

"I have fallen for Lorne you know, but I can still see. I met the two of you together more times, than I met him alone. And again, I dont blame you for that. I just want to understand him. This is my circle. He thought me to think in patterns. And when I searched for patterns between him and you..." Larissa blushes. "He distracted me"

Bridgette Plunkett's brow furrows further. She doesn't understand at all, and her mind, if Larissa could see it, is tremendously disorganized. As if every thought were printed on paper and tossed on the floor without any regard to importance or relevance.

"Oh," she lisps softly. Her eyes watch without any hint of embarassment or reaction other than a realization that she may have done something but she isn't sure when or how...she never noticed.

Larissa reaches out. "Dont worry, there is nothing you did wrong. But still, sometimes fate just decides to play tricks. I am sure Ethan has already forgiven you, or all the better, has understood that there is nothing to forgive."

"Ethan found me...that night....and took me back to our place."

"See. There is nothing wrong then." Larissa smiles, hoping she is right.

"I spent hours pulling brick out of his talons...and concret....while he slept."

Larissa laughs at the image of Ethans talons and bricks. "Men. Aint they cute?"

Bridgette Plunkett says sincerely, "I did not understand why he was angry."

Larissa looks at her with a serious smile "I am sure you learn quickly."

Snowflakes and angels

In which books are picked randomly and an angel wing is cut, and mended.

Larissa enters the library, seeing Lorne and the girl she has seen with him and another, Ethan many times sit and smile at her in the semicirle of chairs and greets both:

"Morning."

The girl she barely knows, but seems sweet nods as she looks out. "Yah...morning." Her heart seems to sink a bit at the sight of the rising sun.

She recalls her name is Brit, and she is asked if she would like to join them. She feels uncomfortable, glancing at the two, then looks at shelves. "I just came to fetch a couple of books"

Brit says to Casey, "I'm Brit. Just fill out the application and i can get you a card." She gives Casey an old library card application.
Casey Chemistry: Thanks...

Larissa returns with some books under her arm. Lorne looks to the books and back "Will you help us?"

Larissa is trying not to look at Lorne, but she is blushing a bit. She turns to Brit "How are you today."

Bridgette pulls her legs up and lets her chin rest on her knees. "I am way good. I cannot sleep so well during day time though." She shrugs slightly and glances to the books that Larissa carries. "Lots to read?"

Larissa Starostin looks at the books, surprised. "Oh, these. Yes." The titles are quite randomly picked.

Bridgette Plunkett 's mossy green eyes read over the titles that she can see. Her mouth moves slightly as she reads. "They have too few pictures for me....I can never read books like that."

"Well, I am glad you are well."

Lorne watches Larissa's expression, swimming in something unexpected, but supressing it as he observes Bridgette watches Larissa sensing something unusual or different. She looks to Lorne and shrugs before opening her book and coloring on a page.

Larissa has hard time not to look at him. She is standing from one leg to another, unable to leave, but not really in the mood for conversation. Finally she turns to the fireplace.

Bridgette traces the crayon where she has draw. Her finger runs over it carefully as she remembers small details and adds them in.

Lorne watches the fire on her face, a small hint of dark amusement on his even expression.

Bridgette loses interest in the book and gazes out of a window. She stares at the warehouse and then up to the sky. With a hint of a sigh, she seems to daydream.

Lorne Harlequin leans a little to catch a better look of her eye, smiling broader at the glow in the back of them, white and ominous, and he turns to Brit, smile dropping.

Larissa Starostin finally looks at Lorne for a short second, and sits on the ground as her legs weaken.

Bridgette Plunkett smiles slightly at her daydream. Her mind envisioning what she knows will never be. She thinks of Ethan in sunshine when he was mortal. She wonders how differently he may have looked. Again, she gazes back toward where he rests and back up to the sky with a slight sigh.

Lorne does not turn as he feels her legs give way, simply watching Brit daydream, strangely strengthenned by Larissa's presence and present condition. His mouth moves, though only a hint of sound comes forth. He turns away from Brit, looking to Larissa "You feel it growing, don't you?"

Larissa looks at him, startled. Then looks down with a sigh. "It hurts."

Bridgette shifts in her chair and becomes obviously disoriented for a moment. With a soft lisp, she whispers, "Many are near."

Lorne Harlequin leans over, reaching out to lift her chin, that he can look in her eyes, tilting her head one way, then another, admiring the fire deep in her eyes. "yes..."

Hearing Brit's words, he releases Larissa, turning, and pausing a moment...slowly, he begins to sing a solumn tune Larissa trembles as he touches her skin. A bit relieved when he releases her, but much calmer. She is rocking back at forth at the sound of the tune.

Bridgette watches the windows cautiously as she feels more and more appear close to the library. Surrounding it. Her attention seems more and more fragmented as more people near. She blinks struggling to focus and seems to not hear or see either Lorne or Larissa at the moment. With the solemn song, she seems to calm.

The demon sings in a language no human tongue can carry, closing his eyes as each unusual syllable quavers across the air. Slowly, the windows seem to frost over, the sound and even the feeling of the outside world all but slipping into silence Bridgette curls up on the chair and watches the wall. She feels herself lulled into the song.

Larissa stares into the fire, searching the random patterns.

Lorne places a hand over Brit's, squeazing it slightly, eyes veiled, then he turns those shadows to Larissa again, looking past her skin, and watching her search the fire.

"...sit closer, my dear. You can help us cut out snowflakes and angels." Turning to Brit, he smiles at her calmed demeanor, and patting her hand. "What kind of paper do you think?"

Bridgette blinks out of her daydream at the touch of her hand. She blinks a few more times to focus and lisps, "Oh....um...I have some paper." She scampers across the library and returns with some old yellowed paper. It has a few spots on it from age and toxians in the air. She lisps, "It will be good for this, I think."

Larissa looks up, confused. Then smiles. She close to them looking at the papers, gently touching them. "Angels and snowflakes then."

Lorne Harlequin picks up a few pieces of paper, holding it out infront of him, his other hand over his mouth. Looking up to Larissa, eyebrows raising, he holds them out to her "Do you think you can make this paper white again?"

Larissa looks at him, surprised. "Do you think I can?"

Bridgette distributes the paper and gets out scissors, string, glue sticks, crayons..

Lorne Harlequin smiles darkly "Not the way it once was, but I know you can manage an approximation...show me" and he holds the paper out again.

Larissa closes her eyes as she sees his reassurance. She remembers the snow of long distant mountains, as she touches the paper, feeling the patterns of it and the memories of the patterns. She traces the paper with the tip of her fingers and if someone really concentrates can see the difference in the hue. She opens her eyes, expecting it to be snow white and sighs in the melancoly of disappointment. But as she sighs, the paper gets definitely whiter, which puts a frown on her face.

Lorne Harlequin smiles a proud smile, something sinister glinting in the back of it, only for a moment, though that fades quickly as he takes the pages from her, looking them over. He speaks with a strange and subdued excitement "Oh, how it grows." Looking up, his tone becomes congratulatory "My dear, you are learning more rapidly than nearly any of the many people I've taught ever have."

Larissa Starostin smiles with a tear her eye. "I pay a high price for it, I feel, Lorne."
She starts to cut the wings of an angel.

Bridgette Plunkett snipsnips away on a snowflake. She watches the paper drop as she continues to make little cuts to ensure her snowflake is very lacy.

Lorne Harlequin smiles back, watching her eyes turn to the paper - watching her hands. "Paid, My dear. Do not fret. I will ensure you reap greater than you sew, and feast." he says with a hungry tone, reaching out to squeaze her hand.

Bridgette Plunkett litters the ground with bits of paper. She cuts little hearts along one side that will bring lines of them down the snowflake when opened. She hears them talking, but is focused on the paper and barely hears what is said. "Ethan never colors," she says. She thinks of Ethan who watches her for hours as she colors though.

Larissa Starostin continues to smile, even if the corner of her mouth quivers a bit. The tear has evaporated.

Larissa Starostin I was looking at the completed snowflake and said "That is beautiful."

Lorne Harlequin pats her hand, little sparks of something like static popping against her skin, as he draws away. Hearing Brit muse, he frowns at the name, equal parts anger and sadness, though the expression fades quickly. He turns to her, the frown fading into a curious smile as he watches her cut. Eyes on her, he picks up a piece of paper, a pair of scissors, and begins folding a piece of paper, clipping out shapes remeniscent of intricate hebrew script

Courtnee Tobias enters the scene: "you there, Lorne?"

Lorne Harlequin looks up from his clipping, smiling momentarily, "Ah, Courtnee. Not seen you in some time." Looks up as he completes a row, turning the paper "How has your stay been this while?"

"It's been quite relaxing" she answers lightly

Bridgette Plunkett gets up to move her glittery snowflake to a make-shift box and returns to see her seat taken. She puffs her cheeks slightly and slides into a different chair.

Courtnee looks around: "This is where you hang out, Lorne?"

Lorne Harlequin furrows his brow at the paper, looking momentarily at the box, then back to his work "Relaxing? Toxia? How curious."

"Haha. I don't fight much so it is relaxing"'

Larissa Starostin looks at the newcomer curiously. Her heart is not raised by the appearance of the pale woman, but she politely smiles at her and nods. "I think we have not yet met. I am Larissa."

Lorne Harlequin looks over at Brit, eyes lingerring, and at Larissa "Yes...Oh, pardon my manners. Courtnee, this is Larissa. Larissa, Courtnee. Brit this is Courtnee. Courtnee, Brit. Courtnee walked up to me in the street one day and said "hello"

Courtnee Tobias: "True story. Nice to meet you two"

Larissa replies without emotions "The pleasure is ours."

Bridgette Plunkett blinks at the vamp and watches her carefully. Brit's look is not menacing or threatening. More...observing. Finally she lisps, "Hello." Then she adds, "Don't bite me."

Larissa continues to cut more angels out of the paper.

Courtnee replies to Brit "I don't bite unless im fighting"

Larissa Starostin smiles at Lorne. " I bite sometimes."

Lorne Harlequin smiles over at Brit, and back to his snowflake, finishing and unfolding it into string of snowflakes, outlined in intricate, lacey, runic writing.

Bridgette says softly, "I don't bite." She goes back to cutting on a snowflake. To Courtnee, she says, "Want to make some paper angels or snowflakes?"

Lorne Harlequin grins at Larissa, then smiles to Brit "Don't worry, dear. At least I won't bite you."

Bridgette Plunkett says to Lorne seriously, "Good." She nods. Her hand brushes back some hair that has escaped from her braid and she continues to cut her snowflake after ooohering over Lorne's.

Larissa Starostin accidentally cuts the wing of her angel at the finish. "Ooops"

Bridgette Plunkett: ooh.....

Lorne Harlequin lets the string drop, and it swishes over to the box, replaced by a fresh page. Pausing while he folds, he looks up to Larissa "...you can fix that." and his eyes flit to Brit a moment

Bridgette Plunkett: i might have some tape...

Larissa Starostin looks at Brit. "Thanks" She puts the tape over the paper, and it blends in, mending the flow.

Courtnee Tobias: snowflakes are pretty

Bridgette Plunkett carefully clips paper. She makes it as lacy as possible and opens it carefully. Her fingers touch the pattern as she observes with the wonder of a child opening a present on Christmas morning.

Lorne Harlequin smiles back to his cutting, eyes catching Courtnee, then looking up to Brit a while. Turning back to Courtnee, he says "That's the idea. Would you like to help?"

Larissa Starostin smiles. And they dance.

Courtnee Tobias: why of course dear Lorne, I'd be delighted

Larissa Starostin raises an eyebrow. "Such a lovely pleasure for all of us"

Lorne Harlequin smiles darkly at the comment, and continues to cut, handing a piece of paper over to Courtnee, and a pair of scissors

Courtnee Tobias thanks Lorne for the scissors and paper and starts thinking of a snowflake design

Bridgette lisps "They dance?" she looks to see

Larissa Starostin looks at Lorne wondering if he can make the snowflakes dance. "They usually do."

Bridgette Plunkett looks to Lorne hopefully. She also notices her chair is empty.

Lorne Harlequin looks up suddenly, smiling, as the snowflakes seems to twirl, though they stand still

Bridgette Plunkett: where did she go?

Bridgette Plunkett immediately loses interest in where Courtnee went as she watches the snowflakes dance. "OOOOH!" She clasps her hands together gleefully!

Larissa Starostin smiles. She like the idea of dancing snowflakes as well as disappearing ladies.

Bridgette Plunkett watches mesmerized as the snowflakes move.

Lorne looks over to the empty chair, blowing out of a circular mouth, then turns back, squinting, and the snowflakes begin dropping flurries of something that sparkles, drifts slowly, and evaporates on Larissa's lap, leaving sounds of sleigh bells

"Such a /delightful/ day. - she stresses the word Courtnee phrased before..."

Bridgette blinkblinks as she watches. Her face shows complete astonishment causing her to completely forget about her task at hand. "Magic," she whispers.

Larissa looks down and laughs as the tickling sensation reaches her.

Lorne grins at the laugh, and nods at the whisper, looking down at an angle in reflection of the feeling, then back up. Looking over to Brit, a bright star appears over her head, and drifts between the two of them. Slowly, softly, there can be heard a quiet chorus, as three camel borne men start riding over Brit's lap, and shepards step across the new snow on Larissa's lap

Bridgette Plunkett 's mouth opens slightly in wonderment. She brings her arms back with her hands near her shoulders and watches the little riders. Almost as if she breaths or touches one, it would disappear. She doesn't blink and eventually reminds herself to breath barely audibly.

Larissa leans back, lifts her hands to the sides, palms upwards as the snowflakes fall.

Bridgette watches. She stays statue still and observes. Her eyes blink slowly as she struggles to understand and process. The little riders move across her lap.

Larissa looks warmly to Lorne, forgetting her bad mood completely.

Lorne grins broadly, watching them, and listenning to the hallowed voices. His smile seems to fade some, his eyes growing distant, as he looks bellow the star between them, a stable laid out in intricate minuature.

Bridgette Plunkett can't resist and holds her hand bridging the raveen for the tiny riders who were struggling to move from one leg to the next. She feels the little hooves of the camels as they ride across her hand. Her breath gasps gleefully as she watches.

Larissa Starostin forgets about her hands in the air as she follows the images take form, as if taken in a moment, not wantind to disturb it even with her breath.

Lorne Harlequin grins, a little misty, as the star's lower tail extends into the stable, the nearest wall seeming to fade, as the sheperds and magi meet up with angels over a humble manger, Mary tired, and Joseph reverently looking on, as the chorus crescendoes, punctuated with the light of the star rising too bright to look at, and the scene is gone.

Bridgette Plunkett squeaks as the star shines and becomes too bright. She holds her hands to her mouth in absolute astonishment.

"Hah. Always a perfectionist, Lorne is." Larissa smiles, amused.

Bridgette Plunkett blinks watching the space where the scene played out. In her mind, her thoughts race. However there is no indication of the religious significance. To her, there is only a scene...as if a doll house has come to life.

Larissa Starostin brushes the memory of snowflakes from her lap.

Bridgette Plunkett blinks slowly and looks around. "Magic?" she asks.

Lorne grins at Brit, nodding "mhm. Did you like it?"

Bridgette gushes, "That was so way awesome!!!!" She nods happily clapping! "How do you do that???"

Larissa Starostin grins "In that I am interested too."