Bourbon Street

[Elda Forever]

Yukito Maki


"I don't love easy, and I don't change easy. So you're pretty much stuck with me loving you." he muttered simply, his eyes telling her that his words were simple, but honest. "I love you more than anyone."

"Really?" her voice still rang with the alcohol, but there was something about her face that told Yukito that perhaps she wasn't so out of it as she seemed. Uh-oh. I'm sorry, Erin. I didn't say it to confuse you more. I mean... I'm not telling you that you have to take me back... He wanted to explain to her, to make sure she wasn't about to break down crying or anything. Seriously, he didn't want her to take him back because he'd gone to her house and threw a bunch of stuff in her face and expected her to forgive him or anything. Her reaction was doing more than helping him hope she was still as innocent, still as forgiving as ever. "Even though I'm stupid and do stupid things 'n' disappoint you? Even though I'm not... I'm not smart like you, or rich... 'r'very good at anythin' much'r... anythin' like that....?"

He had to let out a laugh. "What the heck are you talking about, Erin? I can't think of a single thing you've done that I didn't totally deserve. You aren't stupid - you learn differently, that's all. Aidousan has always had learning disorders, but that doesn't make him an idiot." he worked his lip, the huge lump there from Aidousan's well-aimed punch a constant reminder. Yukito shifted his hands on the wheel and solemnly added, "You're good at being yourself, Erin. You're really good at that."

She seemed about to pounce on him, when her seat belt helped restrain her - that was a good move. Erin might have sent them sprawling off the road into the sidewalk. Instead she sufficed to wrap her arm around his and lay her head on his shoulder again - a gesture he had missed. "I love you, too! I do, so much." Yukito felt his breath catch and his throat tighten up, like he was afraid. Afraid of what? Of the fact that she loves me?

Yeah. Because people don't say that to me much. He blinked hard. Because he must have gotten something in his eyes. They were stinging pretty badly.

"'Cause, really, I kept thinkin' after you left, and this's why I was so confused, but now it's okay, 'cause you really love me... I was thinkin' how, like... if you love someone really, that you'll take 'em as they are, with all the stupid screw-ups and all that, but then you also love 'em so much that you wanna see 'em get better and better, and then maybe they'll stop some of that old stuff and be better 'cause of you, and then they do the same for you, and it all... works... like that.... you know?"

"Yeah..." he mumbled, turning off Bourbon Street at last. "I know."

She sat up and started messing with her hair again - a gesture that he wanted to watch for the millionth time, but couldn't because he had to focus on the road. It was getting hard to see from the blurriness in his vision. "I want you to hold me again," she murmured. "I wanna hold your hand and kiss you in the rain and know I'm yours..."

He looked over at her and smiled through the tears that escaped, even if that meant he was more of a romantic wuss that he'd ever thought he could possibly be. Yukito groped over for her hand and took it in his, giving it a squeeze. With a shaky breath, he nodded. "Me too."

A few minutes later, he pulled in front of their apartment building, going over to her side and opening her door. He hesitated, then pulled her out of the car and hugged her tightly to him, not able to let her go or forget that, even if it wasn't all cut and dry, even if something changed and she decided she couldn't handle being with him after all, even if something screwed up along the way, he was holding her now. She wanted to be with him right now. He gasped for air, finding it hard to struggle for air when he just wanted to surrender everything up now, for this moment. "I'm sorry, Erin. I'll try harder..." he whispered weakly, like a child. "I'll try..."

[GGJ5]

Erin Spenser

"I want you to hold me again," she murmured, busying herself with curling a strand of hair around her forefinger and unwinding it again. "I wanna hold your hand and kiss you in the rain and know I'm yours..."

Soon the warmth of Yukito's hand wrapped around hers, and the familiar gesture, always so full of meaning to her, made Erin feel truly happier than anything she'd felt since November, and all she could do was smile as she watched their intertwined fingers in the light of the street signs. "Me too," he told her. And it was more than enough.

They stopped and Yukito had to let go of her hand too soon. But before she had time to protest his leaving, he was back, but outside, with the door opened for her. Still elated from his confession of his love for her, Erin held out her hands to him as he pulled her to her feet. Suddenly Erin found herself wrapped tightly in Yukito's arms, and she hugged him back likewise, her head nestled under his chin. "Don't lemme go," she nearly whispered, not wanting to ruin the perfection.

"I'm sorry, Erin," he said to her, though she wasn't sure what he was apologizing for. He'd already apologized the other night, and he hadn't done anything wrong now... "I'll try harder..." came Yukito's whispered promise. "I'll try..."

"It's okay," Erin said, wanting to reassure him, but no having any idea how. She felt the edges of his hair on her fingertips. "Really, it's all okay, 'cause we're together, just like it's supposed to be... And as long as you want me, I'm here..." She didn't let go, aching to console him somehow, unable to do anything besides hug him close and run a hand over his hair-- something, as unusual as she thought it, always consoled her, even just a little. "I didn't mean to do this, Yuyukun... but I do love you... I never could stop loving you. Please be okay now..."

[mystmoonstruck]

OOC: Easy is open to meeting anyone. BIC:

Easy "Cat" Tanner

Easy could not recall a time since he was old enough to find his way away from home that he had not sought out the streets, especially at night, often losing himself among the others drawn by similar temptations. While it was still too cold to allow his usual streetclothes, he had come up with something he hoped would allow him to fit in and perhaps draw the attention that should be unwanted but that he craved. Sneaking out had not been as difficult as he had feared though he was certain that eventually he would be tracked down. They knew the sort of places he sought out, and he was ready to duck into an alleyway at any moment, meaning he was doing a lot of looking over his shoulder as he walked, hands in jacket pockets, his body hunched slightly against the cold.

The bomber jacket, which should have been zipped all the way up, was warm enough despite its advanced age, but what he wore beneath was not intended for warmth but to show off his lithe form: a tattered, faded red T-shirt, torn practically to ribbons, that bared much of his midriff and low-slung jeans, skintight but belted because the narrowness of his hips made their position somewhat precarious. Since he hadn't been eating any better than he had while living in Paris, he hadn't gained enough weight to be on completely safe ground and didn't intend to be pushed into bulking up. He was far too conscious of his youth slipping away, a truly terrifying thought, something he had had difficulty getting others to understand. Even passing out a few times hadn't convinced him to give up on his war against nutrition.

He sighed, pausing outside a bar, wondering if he should venture inside at least long enough to warm up a bit and decide if he wanted to continue wandering or if it was possible to find somewhere to create a hiding place. Suddenly, looking around at the flow of people, all of whom seemed to have somewhere to go and apparently were enjoying themselves, he felt very miserable and unbearably lonely.

[Elda Forever]

OOC: Omigosh..Cat/Lily...it has been SO LONG. D: Hope this post works for you, m'love. Lilith had me change her outfit about a dozen times. lol! BIC:

Lilith Eytinge

She had thought New Orleans would have been warmer than other places. Lilith brushed her loose-hanging hair out of her face as she crossed onto Bourbon Street. It was probably not the best place to cut across town, but she was frustrated and cranky. It had been a long day at work and she'd had to get groceries, then found out she didn't have enough money to get all that she would need for the week. Then, she'd run into Trent again, and he'd gotten her riled up in less then ten minutes, leaving her steaming for the rest of the day and – of course – wondering what was going on in that head of his.

Her gaze was on her phone, texting Cassie that she was on her way home and cutting across Bourbon to get there. Once she'd sent it, she realized what time it was, and gazed up curiously around the street, having expected more of a crowd at this hour than there was. Only a few meandered around, a few chatting with friends on the corner or ordering a drink that would come in a plastic cup. Lilith sighed, reminding herself that money was the issue here, and blowing what little she had left on alcohol was not a suitable answer to her troubles. Besides, the crowds that came here tended to get shady as the night wore on. As if New Orleans wasn't dangerous enough already. She moved to go forward, then suddenly stumbled, her heard in her throat as a ghost appeared before her. Lilith blinked, sure she was seeing things. But no amount of blinking made the waif of a young man standing on the sidewalk disappear. He stood bathed in light from one of the nearby bars, his expression reminding her of a stray cat waiting in an alleyway for the cook to come out and give him some scraps. Her feet felt glued to the cement, and her mouth hung agape as she stared at him as though he was some lost lover had appeared from the grave.

“Cat?” she murmured aloud, barely whispering, then louder, “Cat! Is that you?” She stepped toward him, her shock turning into a wide beam of delight as she met up with him, stopping only a moment to ensure that it was really, really him before throwing her arms around him in a hug. As his signature scent reached her, she gave a sharp inhale of surprise, suddenly feeling like she was about to cry. “Oh my God! I can't believe you're here! In the States! In New Orleans!” She stepped back to take him in, her eyes glistening. He looked more muscular than he had been, but he was still swimming in his clothes. She wondered at that for half a second before her smile faded, and she looked him up and down again, taking in his tattered looking jeans and shredded t-shirt that peered beneath the nice-looking bomber jacket he wore. Something clicked and she took a step back from him, her lips parted in surprise as all she could say was, “Oh...”

[mystmoonstruck]

Easy "Cat" Tanner

In the midst of his misery, Easy heard “Cat! Is that you?”, and he froze for a moment, his heart rocketing as his fuzzy mind managed to sort out that it was a female voice, not a man's, not of Rafe Chancery or of Jamil Mehmet or any of his employees. But, a female... That could mean Phaedra, and his heart sped up to a painful degree as he feared seeing that his parents had tracked him down.

Then, she was there before him and he saw the beautiful, pale face with the riveting blue eyes, a vision out of his past, out of a time of heartbreak and desolation. Her arms were around him as he remained frozen in place, his mind reeling, and he heard the voice he had missed for so long, the sound matching his memories so perfectly though he had feared he had forgotten. It came in a rush: “Oh my God! I can't believe you're here! In the States! In New Orleans!” She moved away just a little, looking him over as if needing to verify his existence, making certain that she hadn't made a mistake, and he suddenly saw himself through her eyes, witnessing her radiant smile fading as she recognized what he was at this moment, the person he had warned her he was no matter how much he tried to change. He had shown her Alleycat one night in the mausoleum, but he supposed she thought he had done away with that aspect of himself. As in nightmares he had had, she seemed to move farther and farther away, and he swore that he heard so much pain and disappointment in that one syllable: “Oh...”

"Lilith?" Her name was said so softly that he himself barely heard it. Taking a deep breath, he steeled himself, his hands tightening into fists at his side, nails digging into the palms, the pain jolting him out of that dazed state. Then, he broke through the iciness that had held him, darting forward to slip his arms around her, hugging her to him with a fierceness that frightened him. "Lily!" The sound of the name was a mixture of emotions that he was uncertain how to unravel, if they even could be, catching at his throat, making it ache. He wasn't certain that he could let her go, as he had been forced to back in Paris, when, dressed as Romeo and Juliet, they were forced to part ways with neither one knowing if there ever would be a reunion. His body was trembling now, and he thought that she might be, too, but suddenly feared that she did not want to be part of him, having seen him this way.

Somehow, he found the strength to release her from his grasp, yet could not fully let go, his hands grasping hers, pressing them together, bringing them to his lips to kiss their softness, breathing in her scent. It was difficult, but he managed to meet her eyes, hoping that he would not see disgust or even hatred there, needing to see the girl who had been so important in his life.

"Y-you weren't coming back?" The question had a mournful sound, without accusation. "I kept thinkin', maybe too much, that you'd come back, you and maybe Iah, that you'd come back to Sanctuary. I kept tellin' myself maybe you still were in the city somewhere that maybe someday I'd see you on the streets. I..." He sighed heavily, bowing his head. "We could go someplace and sit and talk?" he asked hopefully, "unless you have to go someplace, be somewhere. Maybe somebody's waiting for you?" The tawny eyes peered at her through fluttering lashes, revealing his nervousness in view of what seemed a miraculous occurrence. He wanted to reverse time so that he could refashion what he said and did, be so charming and even amusing that they both would be at ease. Isn't that how such reunions were played in movies and on TV? That's how it should be, not him standing there feeling awkward and ashamed, fearful of what she thought of him.

[Elda Forever]

Lilith Eytinge

"Lilith?" he whispered her name, sending her back in time to all the things she had thought about only when she was most alone. A part of her life she had tried to shut out forever, because it hurt too much to think that she'd never see him again, that 'never' would always mean 'never'. Yet here he was, through some twist of fate their paths crossed again, despite the fact that she had left the continent because of him. And it felt so perfectly right to hear him whisper her name again, as he had so many times before, the strange, unnameable sparkle and need in his eyes when he spoke to her like that. For a lingering moment they both stood watching each other, reeling from the memories. She saw in his face what she knew was written on hers – words couldn't adequately explain what had happened between them in Paris, but there was a connection and a love there that would always be waiting beneath the surface. And the boy in front of her, though he looked the same, had been as affected as she by the separation.

Then, as before he had whispered her name with all the solemn resonance of a man she had opened her heart to, now called out the child of a boy that was always ready for adventure, for attention, for smiles and laughter. "Lily!" He moved forward and wrapped his arms around her, and she found that they still fit against each other as they always had. She held onto him tight, feeling a tremble and unable to determine whether or not it was him or herself that was the cause of it.

“I missed you,” she breathed, a little laugh from a hundred different emotions bubbling out of her as he released her from the embrace, though his hands quickly found hers and held them. She shouldn't have been surprised when he lifted them to his lips, kissing her fingertips gently with all the seductive and flattering mannerisms befitting such an explosive boy who had been instructed in the ways of a gentleman. Lilith felt a little shiver. She knew there were many more shades of Cat than ever met the eyes. He looked up at her, like an apologetic puppy who wasn't sure if his wanderings were something bad or not.

"Y-you weren't coming back?" He asked, and she felt the air knocked out of her from guilt alone. She had left Paris, left him thinking she had something important waiting for her in America. Let him think it was work, not him, that drew her away. She intended on letting him continue to believe such. "I kept thinkin', maybe too much, that you'd come back, you and maybe Iah, that you'd come back to Sanctuary. I kept tellin' myself maybe you still were in the city somewhere that maybe someday I'd see you on the streets. I..." He sighed heavily, bowing his head. She wanted to hold him again, to comfort him like she had once tried to. Cat always had such a profound effect on her senses, drawing her to him like a moth to a flame, dangerous and beautiful at the same time. And just like always, she didn't care, the draw was too powerful. "We could go someplace and sit and talk?" he asked hopefully, "unless you have to go someplace, be somewhere. Maybe somebody's waiting for you?"

She opened her mouth, but when he glanced up at her, his eyes demure - and, she realized, almost fearful of rejection. Lilith's lips pressed together, her expression torn even as she pulled out her cell phone to text Cassie that she would be a bit later than expected. “Hold on one second...”

'Found an old friend. I will be back home when I can. Don't wait up for me.'

She looked up at him through her hair that had fallen into her face. “Are you waiting for anybody? Or busy with...” she glanced around, knowing he had come here for companionship and inwardly fearful that there was someone else already come, more appealing to Cat's taste than hers. The old fears rose up again as familiar monsters in her heart, and she couldn't hide the sadness in her voice. “I mean...Is there anyone right now? For you?”

[mystmoonstruck]

Easy "Cat" Tanner

“I missed you,” she murmured, the words followed by laughter that seemed somehow out of place but, he guessed, was from nervousness, as she must be as nervous as he was. Though she had left his arms, he could not let go of her. He wanted her back, their bodies together, their lips merging again. But, he could not go there anymore, but surely she would allow this, he hoped, as he raised her soft hands to his, pressing his lips to them in the gentlest of kisses. Then, the contact was broken, and he was left desolate, his heartbreak revealed in his words though he did not intend that to happen. He should have been able to act nonchalant, as if their encounter mattered very little to him. No. That was a lie. It wasn't in his nature to be that way with Lily.

He had feared to ask about her having someone because he knew it was inevitable for her to be found by someone who could be far better for her than he ever had been. He was merely an old acquaintance, a guy who used to mean something to her. He mustn't expect anything else. He would not beg, and he could not reveal his need. He was unaware of how plainly he was giving himself away with every look and each word.

Easy watched as she brought out her cell phone, telling him to “Hold on one second...” But, she didn't speak into it, and he suspected it might be that other thing he saw people doing as they stared intently at the little object, fussing with it. What did they call it? He couldn't recall though he knew he must have heard the word at various times. Maybe he would ask Jamil Mehmet to explain it to him. As it was, he had carried a cell phone all over Paris and rarely used it.

Then, Lilith looked up at him, her dark tresses curtaining her beautiful face, and that twisty, unnerving feeling was back. He tried to take a deep breath, but his body wasn't cooperating. It seemed that so much depended on what she said next. She was meeting someone, he feared, and was trying to think of a way to excuse herself. She would promise they would get together, but promises did not count for anything. He had made so many and had heard so many. Promises were merely words and held no real power. He would smile and nod, apparently accepting whatever she had to say. He would not make a scene and hurt her yet again.

To his surprise, she asked, “Are you waiting for anybody? Or busy with...” When he saw her looking around, he at first thought she was seeking out a familiar face, perhaps the person she had sent a message to. “I mean...Is there anyone right now? For you?”

Suddenly, he was revisited with that vision of himself through Lilith's eyes as Alleycat, and, convulsively, his hands clutched at the front of his jacket, pulling it shut over his offending clothing. Did she know then? To Lilith and Iah, he had made no secrets of his past~the proverbial sordid type. So, she must be remembering and thinking that he had been looking for someone. He felt such shame that he wanted to drop to his knees and beg her forgiveness, only he knew that this girl~now a young woman~would never expect that of him. She had comforted and cared for him, never accusing or using cruel words. She could have accused him of~How had Jamil put it?~toying with her affections. Iah, too, could have said that. I didn't mean to! he protested silently. But, you did it! came the self-accusation. With fumbling fingers, his head bowed to focus on the operation, Easy managed to zip up the jacket, hiding his boychick appearance rather effectively~or so he hoped.

Easy was astonished by how difficult it was to meet her gaze again, and he tried to smile though it was merely a quiver of his lips. His tawny eyes were wide and too full of longing, begging her to want to be with him. The tip of his tongue wet his lips as he searched for the right words. "I~um~was just walkin'~um~walking around, checking out the territory," he began, inwardly wincing at his word choice, fearing that it sounded as if he was doing what he really had been doing. "I heard about this place~Bourbon Street~and~and Chance~he drinks bourbon, so..." His attempt at laughter was a broken sound. "Nobody, Lilith. There's nobody. We could~maybe~talk a little while? Is there someplace you like? We could go wherever you want." Lame, Cat! You're gonna make a mess of this, just like you always do! "You don't have to..." Looking away, he gave his head a shake. "Never mind," he said quietly before forcing a smile into place as he thrust fears away if even for a brief time.

[Elda Forever]

Lilith Eytinge

Timidly, she began, “Are you waiting for anybody? Or busy with...I mean...Is there anyone right now? For you?” A brief moment of anger and jealousy surged up in her chest at the thought of the imaged person coming to see Cat, hungry eyes and warm hands. Her lung constricted, but she let out her breath slowly in an attempt to calm herself. Cat, realizing what it was that she meant, began to look flushed and bothered, zipping up his jacket as though ashamed. Lilith looked away, saddened that the huge rift between them, the things that would always keep Cat emotionally so distant from her, were still there. That they had to come up so immediately, instead of sneaking in the back door like they used to. Things quickly became awkward again, with him not meeting her eyes and clinging to a faltering smile that looked more like a twitch. Lilith's lips frowned, and she put her hands in her pocket and pulled them back out again, not sure what to say.

"I~um~was just walkin'~um~walking around, checking out the territory," he said quietly,"I heard about this place~Bourbon Street~and~and Chance~he drinks bourbon, so..." His attempt at laughter was a broken sound. "Nobody, Lilith. There's nobody. We could~maybe~talk a little while? Is there someplace you like? We could go wherever you want."

As soon as he'd said 'nobody', she felt her breath catch. From relief, or fear, she wasn't quite sure. It seemed as though she and Easy Tanner were destined to torment each other, always wanting but never truly getting. At least, that's how it felt to her. He was the embodiment of the things she had wanted. The honest, emotional eyes and the always tousled hair, a walking contradiction with vulnerability and isolation. He could hold her, he could whisper to her, but he would never be truly hers. He would never really stay. This, here, wandering about the streets 'checking out the territory', would always be Cat.

"You don't have to..." he said in response to her silence. Looking away, he gave his head a shake. "Never mind," he said quietly, smiling at her in an attempt to hide the fear in his eyes.

“No, that's not it. I-I want to. I'm just...” I'm just afraid that staying with you will just turn out bad for both of us again. I'm afraid of being hurt. But I want to be with you... so badly. I want to kiss you now, and feel my heart stop again like it used to. I miss you. I forgot how beautiful you were. “I'm...I'm glad to see you, Cat.” She gave him a little smile, weak but sincere, and stepped forward, reaching for his hand and tucking her hair behind one ear. “What about a nearby cafe?”

[mystmoonstruck]

Easy "Cat" Tanner

If Easy had known of the emotions Lilith was experiencing, it might have brought something like joy, even exultation to him, knowing that she still could care so much for him. Instead, he sensed disapproval or simply disappointment in his obvious intent to be here. Even his explanation sounded like a confession, knowing what Lilith knew about him.

"You don't have to..." he said when she hesitated to respond. He tried to pretend that it wasn't important, but he suspected that she knew her answer meant everything to him.

“No, that's not it. I-I want to. I'm just...” His heart was racing now, the anticipation so strong that it was physically painful. He suspected her struggle was agonizing, and he felt guilt as sharp as a blade because he knew how deeply he had wounded her. She had had to leave because of him, because it hurt too much to be around him. Had he been arrogrant, expecting them to stay with him at Sanctuary, knowing how they felt about each other? No. He was fairly certain that arrogant had never applied to him. It was selfishness then because he remembered Lilith and Caden Jordan. The two could have been together, as they had promised to be a good match. Somehow, he had destroyed their bond, and he wondered if that had been part of what had driven Lilith away. He even had been jealous when she had spoken of studying voice with his Lazare Moreau. “I'm...I'm glad to see you, Cat,” she said, smiling rather wanly, just a bit stronger than his own attempt had been. She gave him a little smile and stepped forward, reaching for his hand as, with her other, she fussed at her hair, tucking it away. The warm softness of her hand was heartbreaking, and he couldn't stop his hand from tightening convulsively before he could force himself to ease back. He wanted to pull her into his arms, kiss her until she and he melted, clinging to each other, unable to let go, fierce embraces like those they had shared for too brief a time in Paris. He wanted to weave his fingers into her dark tresses. He wanted... “What about a nearby cafe?” she suggested, shattering the image of them together.

"Yeah. A cafe. That'd be fine. Better'n one of these bars, huh? They look like they could be pretty rough." Yes. They were exactly what he looked for when prowling, so it was comforting to know they could go elsewhere, somewhere that fit into his notion of "normal". So, his hand in hers, he followed as she led him to a place where he might have to face questions and answers he'd rather not. He should see this as a one-time meeting, shouldn't he? This was a chance encounter, not any sort of reunion in the sense that they would be picking up where they left off. He had to keep that foolishness out of his thoughts. He had to let go yet again.

After they were seated, during which he finally had to release her hand, he found that it was difficult to meet her eyes though he ached to lose himself in that blue he remembered so vividly. It was as if he would shatter, breaking into tears when that would be shameful for him and hurtful for Lilith. He didn't want to spend their time together like that. He had to be strong~if he could find any strength within. He was grateful for the waitress' arrival because it gave him an excuse to glance over at the girl across the table.

"You want something, Lilith? Me? I guess just a Coke'll do~unless~maybe you...?" He left the invitation hanging in the air. Something to drink meant a quick conversation, but if she ordered more... He had never thought that an order could take on so much importance. To keep them together, he thought that he might be able to eat his way through the menu, if only to have "his" Lily stay with him awhile longer.

[Elda Forever]

Lilith Eytinge

Somehow, the little act of taking his hand in hers made her want to break down and cry. It was so foreign and so familiar, all at once. “What about a nearby cafe?” she suggested, trying to cling to whatever self-control she had left.

"Yeah. A cafe. That'd be fine. Better'n one of these bars, huh? They look like they could be pretty rough." She made no answer to his description, neither agreeing nor disagreeing for fear of what acknowledgment would mean for him, and for them. Leading the way, she found a little hole-in-the-wall cafe she'd been enjoying on her way home from work, and found them a seat. She wasn't sure what to think of it when he continued holding her hand. Though, she didn't try to release his, either.

"You want something, Lilith? Me? I guess just a Coke'll do~unless~maybe you...?" He let the sentence to dangle between them, and she found herself caught. It would be easy, and quite natural, to say she would just take whatever he ordered. Simple, nothing too complicated. But she wanted to stay with him longer. Unless he didn't want to... But what if this was her only chance to see him? What if he was moving on tomorrow? At least she try to get him to eat something before he left, even if he hated eating and found it bothersome. Lilith had noted how scrawny he'd become, and her instinct was to convince and bribe him in any way possible to eat, if nothing else than for her peace of mind.

“I'll have a coke, too. And would you like to share some fries with me?” she queried, liking the brilliance of the plan. He could pick at the plate a little and make her feel better, and they would have something to do with their hands. A little prolonging, and a little something to share, like they used to. “I'm a little hungry but I don't know if I'd finish it all myself.” This was a lie, but an easy to believe one. It could make sense, if she'd just eaten awhile ago. And it left their ground neutral, but with a little more ground to meet each other on. And they needed that, as much as they could. It was hard even to sit across the table from him...

“What brings you to the States?” she asked, “Is Iah still back in Sanctuary?” The word caught her off guard, and she almost choked on it. It had once been their home. Her home, too. And nothing she could add to her apartment now had the same beauty and elegance of Sanctuary, as hard as she tried. It didn't have the same love in it, the same aura of three rogues finding a place to call their own at last. It was our Sanctuary. And I gave it up.

[mystmoonstruck]

Easy "Cat" Tanner

"I'll have a Coke, too," Lilith decided then made him smile when she invited, "And would you like to share some fries with me?” He nodded, perhaps too vigorously, because that meant she might want to linger longer yet understood his difficulties with food. Fries he could handle, wondering if New Orleans-style would remind him of San Francisco and "El Lay". Not that the Parisians didn't do a fair job with the dish... “I'm a little hungry but I don't know if I'd finish it all myself.”

"Yeah. That'd be good. Lots and lots of ketchup," he prompted. "They never got that right in..." He stopped there because he wasn't certain they should bring up their time in France. He would let Lilith do that.

“What brings you to the States?” she asked, “Is Iah still back in Sanctuary?” The catch in her voice wasn't lost on Easy, for he often had difficulties speaking of the home the three of them had shared, a place he hoped would bring them happiness. But, there hadn't been enough magic there to weave them together. Or, perhaps it was his own traits and habits that had destroyed what should have been the proverbial happy home.

"I~um..." He cleared his throat nervously, moving restlessly on the seat. "Mr. Chancery~he revoked the emancipation 'cause..." His throat clenched painfully, and he winced. "I don't know why. I thought I was doin' good. I... Ummm... Iah." He would come back to the rest later. "Iah left a little bit after you did, Lily~um~Lilith." For some reason, he could not meet her eyes, and his restless fingers finally found a napkin to target, beginning to tear at it, his gaze fixed on the project. "H-he left, too." No! He could not break down! He had to hold on! But, he was at the end of a long, crazy day, unfed, confused, frustrated in so many ways. "He left," he repeated breathily. "Lazare, too, Monsieur Moreau. Didn't even say he was leavin'. And, Jules... Don't know if you ever met him. So much happened. Guess I shouldn't be mad that Chance and Jamil hauled me outta there." Taking a deep, shuddering breath, he thought he trusted his emotions enough to finally turn his tawny gaze fully on her. "I was in the orchestra, Lilith. This guy set me up with an audition. I was gonna sing for her, maybe dance a little, but she heard me playing and~and said I was good, really good, and she put me in the orchestra." His smile was a feeble one that most definitely did not reach the gemstone eyes that were so full of sadness and loss. "I was gonna try out for the stage," he was certain, "I really was. I just kept thinkin' that you should be there with me, like we planned~remember?" He was blinking too much. He could feel it. But, it was keeping the urge for tears under control. He looked at his trembling hands, seeing how they had shredded the napkin into a small pile. Then, just when they needed something else, their order arrived: glasses of Coke with tinkling ice and a platterful of golden-brown fries obviously straight from the fryer. The aroma actually stirred a hint of an appetite, and he reached for the salt, being always heavy-handed with the stuff, at least on his half of the plate, just as he would like to drown the mound of fries in ketchup. He decided to pour a small pool for dipping, which was far less messy.

"Just like old times, huh, Lily? I can be a real downer," he admitted. "I~I thought about you~every day. I talked about you too much." With a sly smile, he continued: "Seems like the girls didn't appreciate hearing me do that, tell them how smart you are, how much talent you've got, how~how b-beautiful you are." The litany was delivered to the tabletop since he felt awkward and uncertain yet again. She was so calm and together, obviously fazed very little by their meeting, and he felt that he must be stuck in place. She had moved on, while he had clung to the past quite fiercely. He must seem terribly immature to her. She probably just wanted to wrap up and leave, resisting giving him a pat on his shaggy head before dismissing him.

What did he want? He pictured himself getting up to go sit next to her, slipping his arm around her, feeding her fries and sneaking kisses. He wanted it to be the way they were in Paris, with picnics and endless amounts of kisses, their arms around each other as if they couldn't bear to be parted. How had he destroyed that? Oh, yes. She had caught him tonight doing what he could not stop doing, no matter how strong his feelings for her were. He could not promise to be hers alone, and he had hurt her. He also had hurt Iah. Then, there was Allegra Zahn. How much heartbreak had he left in his wake?

"What've you been doing, Lilith? Still sketching, right, and maybe playing violin? What's goin' on with you? Bet you got a lot of these guys crazy about you, huh?" The roguish smile was back as he pretended that they were just two people getting reacquainted after an accidental reunion.

[Elda Forever]

Lilith Eytinge

He seemed to cheer up a bit at the mention of sharing fries. She couldn't resist enjoying the idea, as well, reminded of their many plates shared. Both of them ate similarly, picking at their food instead of eating it 'properly', and the discussion in between had been lively and varied. When she asked about Sanctuary, however, her voice caught, and the two of them grew somber like the announcement of a dead friend had rang out. Cat spoke of Mr Chancery, a being she didn't know personally but had heard about in snippets of conversation. She wasn't sure how he could 'revoke emancipation', but it didn't sound like an entirely legal affair to begin with, and knowing Cat's habits, she knew better than to ask the specifics.

When he corrected himself into using her full name instead of his nickname for her, her heart began to splinter. He wouldn't meet her eyes, tearing the napkin on the table into little pieces. She watched his hands work, her eyes distant. So many little things about him that she'd allowed herself – made herself – forget. So many memories, so many names, he brought up. So many had left after she had, and she could see the pain of abandonment in Cat's eyes, though he would never admit it out loud that he felt that way.

“Monsieur Moreau never liked me,” she murmured, more to herself than anything. She felt distanced from her body, and her voice sounded such. As an afterthought, she wondered if the statement was more to hear the slight accent on the French name again, the delicate way of speaking for a beautiful language she had abandoned, just like the boy in front of her.

Taking a nervous breath, Cat looked up at her, their eyes meeting, "I was in the orchestra, Lilith. This guy set me up with an audition. I was gonna sing for her, maybe dance a little, but she heard me playing and~and said I was good, really good, and she put me in the orchestra."

Her eyes widened, and her mouth fell slightly open, “Oh, Cat, that's wonderful!” She imagined Easy, a roguish smile on his face as he lifted his violin. He would look so elegant, even in the orchestra pit. But the smile her Cat wore now was anything but roguish. It was more mournful than anything.

I was gonna try out for the stage, I really was. I just kept thinkin' that you should be there with me, like we planned~remember?" She noted his saddened expression, and she couldn't thinking to say to reassure him. All she could do was look down at the table between them, and the torn napkin. She gave a nod and murmured, “Yeah, I remember...”

Their snack arrived then, the fries a welcome distraction for the bleak atmosphere. Cat reached for the salt, added it to one half of the plate. Quietly, she rotated the plate and told him, “My side too, please...” How could something so silly as salting fries be seen as so symbolic in her mind? I'm crazy. I'm a masochist loon. But seeing him section their fries was like sectioning their lives. And it seemed like a heartless thing to do. Cat never failed to crumble her well-fortified resolve with a few trembling words and a single glance. And like a dark siren calling ships to their graves at the bottom of the sea, he was pulling her under again.

"Just like old times, huh, Lily? I can be a real downer," he admitted. "I~I thought about you~every day. I talked about you too much." With a sly smile, reminding her of the old Cat. She felt another stab of guilt. I couldn't talk about you at all...not to anyone. I was very selfish with you, Cat. I keep your memories all to myself. "Seems like the girls didn't appreciate hearing me do that, tell them how smart you are, how much talent you've got, how~how b-beautiful you are."

She couldn't resist a smile in return, a blush coming to her cheeks. Well of course, silly. They wanted you to tell them how beautiful they were. She picked up a fry, twisting it around in the ketchup and making patterns in it.

"What've you been doing, Lilith? Still sketching, right, and maybe playing violin? What's goin' on with you? Bet you got a lot of these guys crazy about you, huh?"

She wasn't sure how to answer that, and bought herself a moment by taking a drink. “Not really...I kind of keep to myself most of the time. I got spoiled in Paris, so things have been a bit tight here.. I have a job at a local daycare center. Taking care of little kids while their parents are at work.” She smiled down at the plate, thinking of them. “They're crazy and it's a handful, but they're so cute. It makes me wish I'd...” she paused, then found an alternative that was fairly close to the truth, “That my parents had given me siblings to play with. A younger brother or sister, you know?”She took her straw and gave her Coke a stir. “I've been more into photography lately. It's not as time-consuming but I love it.” She sent him a little smile, tilting her head to the side at him, “I should take some pictures of you sometime..” If you're still here in the morning. So I'll have your face to hold on to.

“How long are you here for, do you know?” If you're gone too soon, if you're staying for a long time, I have to be prepared. I have to harden my heart, Cat. Because you turn me into a different person when I'm around you. The longer you stay, the more I would do at your command. I'm just child's puddy in your hands.

[mystmoonstruck]

Easy "Cat" Tanner

“Monsieur Moreau never liked me,” Lilith murmured, and the way she said it kept him from pursuing the subject. Deep down, he had been so jealous that it was agonizing, fearful that the handsome chorus master would take a fancy to Lilith and that she would find him irresistible. He could never have Lazare, so it would have been torture seeing the two drawn to each other. What was the story he had read as a boy, hiding in the library: The Dog in the Manger? He had come across it in a small volume of stories that were called fables. He didn't understand it then, but it was what he had become. He wanted but couldn't commit, yet he did not want others to have. No wonder his presence was poisonous in so many lives!

Then, he revealed to her that he had reached some success at Opera Populaire, that he had become a member of the orchestra. At the news, her blue eyes widened and her lips parted in surprise, a mesmerizing vision, so overwhelming that he barely registered her words.

“Oh, Cat, that's wonderful!” Smiling as crookedly as usual, he gave a rippling shrug, feeling bashful but pleased that he had pleased her. What hurt was being torn from that success. He had gone on to tell her how he had planned to continue to work toward the stage, even though she was not there to fulfill their promise. He truly had meant to. He wouldn't mention how the loss of his housemates had affected him so dreadfully, along with Moreau's departure and Jules' death. So much had happened to send him back to the streets, revisiting his old way of life.

The arrival of their order had given them something else to focus on, and he had been surprised and warmed when she turned the plate, inviting him: “My side too, please...” The request made him giggle as he obliged. How had salting fries become so important? It was Lilith reaching out to him, welcoming him. Or, was he reading too much into the request? Who didn't like salty French fries?! Apologetically, he had commented on his tendency to bring down the mood, and he truly did not want to do that. But, he needed her so much, not just want or desire. He wanted to hold her and be held by her, their heads together, not necessarily in a kiss, just nuzzling, perhaps talking softly. His heart ached at the image. He had to stop thinking of the two of them together.

So, asking about what she had been doing since he last saw her seemed the safest course. There should be a lot to talk about that wouldn't hurt them to discuss. Then, he wasn't so certain because she was hesitating, sipping the Coke in what he was fairly certain was a delaying tactic. He knew because he had done it so often. He gave the moment, picking up a fry and stabbing it into the ketchup he had poured.

“Not really," she began, causing him to raise his brows questioningly. "I kind of keep to myself most of the time. I got spoiled in Paris, so things have been a bit tight here. I have a job at a local daycare center. Taking care of little kids while their parents are at work.” Her smile made him smile, and he couldn't help but think of Cassie Wright with her plans of teaching children. Then, he couldn't help but picture Easy Tanner around a bunch of children~a horrifying thought. He hadn't even been able to get comfortable around Calvin Booth's little boy. “They're crazy and it's a handful, but they're so cute. It makes me wish I'd...”

Had children herself? Easy wondered when she grew quiet for a moment. Found somebody worthwhile and had children?

But, when she continued, he thought that he must be greatly mistaken. “That my parents had given me siblings to play with. A younger brother or sister, you know?” He nodded automatically, accepting this, remembering the tragedy of her parents. Her next comment brought a quick surprised smile to his lips. “I've been more into photography lately. It's not as time-consuming but I love it.” She smiled then, tilting her head to the side at him, and he wondered if his smile had sparked that till she said something that astonished him even more. “I should take some pictures of you sometime.”

He gasped, tawny eyes huge now, lips gaping. Sometime! She had said she wanted to take his picture sometime! That was a promise of more togetherness. He broke the spell by inserting a fry, smiling winsomely as he chewed. Sometime she had said!

"Sure!" he chirped, his mood brightening so that he little resembled the moody youth he had been till that moment. That called for a double fry dunk in ketchup as he yielded to his appetite. "I take pictures, too, Lily." He was comfortable with the name. After all, she had called him Cat, hadn't she? "A lady I met at the library got me started on it. She's a photojournalist, and she helped me pick out a camera and some books. Mainly, I been using those disposables. I know. That's kinda lazy. But, I took some pretty good ones I guess. I got some of Phantom. He got pretty big. I had to leave him at Sanctuary, but Mr. Mehmet says his people'll take care of him and~and maybe someday I'll go back~maybe. We'll be here for a long time I think 'cause they want to start up businesses and buy into stuff." Now it was his turn to draw patterns with a red-tipped fry. "I have to go back to school, but I don't want to. I'll be around kids who'll..." He stopped, sighing heavily, good spirits dissipating. Giving his head a shake, he looked up at her once more, needing to see the blue eyes in the lovely face with the frame of dark tresses. "I want pictures of you, too, Lily. I want to~to..." Blushing, he bowed his head and very softly said, "I want to see your face when I wake up in the morning. I want pictures of you to make me get up and be somebody and believe that I'll see you again." Biting at his lower lip, he wasn't certain that he should ask though he wanted to. Do you have someone? Are you in love? Is there someone~the person you sent that message to? No. He wouldn't ask. It wasn't his place. It never had been, had it? "You were my inspiration before. Why not here, too? Maybe someday I can play for you. I know lots of songs by heart. That's what I heard it called: by heart. Weird, huh? Your brain knows the songs, but I guess by brain sounds freaky. I guess I could say that I memorized them, but..." His smile was guilty, wryly tilted. "I talk too much, huh?"

[Elda Forever]

Lilith Eytinge

“Not really," she said in response to his query about local suitors, and her singing as well. Cat raised a questioning eyebrow at that, and she elaborated, "I kind of keep to myself most of the time. I got spoiled in Paris, so things have been a bit tight here. I have a job at a local daycare center. Taking care of little kids while their parents are at work.” They both gave a smile, and she was glad she'd taken the job. It didn't pay very much, but she was content with watch the little ones, seeing their faces light up and to recognize their simple innocence. “They're crazy and it's a handful, but they're so cute. It makes me wish I'd...” She paused, then changed direction smoothly in adding, “That my parents had given me siblings to play with. A younger brother or sister, you know?” Cat nodded, as though he understood, urging her to continue, “I've been more into photography lately. It's not as time-consuming but I love it.” She smiled then, tilting her head to the side at him and thoughtlessly adding, “I should take some pictures of you sometime.”

His reaction was ecstatic, his eyes growing the size of saucers and his mouth open in surprise. But why should he be surprised? She'd been useless at keeping her feelings hidden from him. Perhaps attempting to smooth over his reaction, he took a french fry, something about the almost smug gleam in his eyes making it impossible for her to keep a straight face, and she flushed.

"Sure!" he chirped, much more like the Cat she had enjoyed her picnics with, that she had found a joy to tease and hide strawberries from as they casually lunched near the gravestones of Paris. "I take pictures, too, Lily." he said, his voice reverting to the one that most resembled the mythical Peter Pan, boyish and full of fun and meaningless plans, a child-rogue of the sky. "A lady I met at the library got me started on it. She's a photojournalist, and she helped me pick out a camera and some books. Mainly, I been using those disposables. I know. That's kinda lazy. But, I took some pretty good ones I guess. I got some of Phantom.” It was her turn to stare wide-eyed.

“Oh, Phantom!” she breathed, the moody cat having slipped her mind during her meeting with the human Cat himself. “I miss him!”

“He got pretty big. I had to leave him at Sanctuary, but Mr. Mehmet says his people'll take care of him and~and maybe someday I'll go back~maybe. We'll be here for a long time I think 'cause they want to start up businesses and buy into stuff. I have to go back to school, but I don't want to. I'll be around kids who'll..." Her face fell to know the creature was back in Paris, and she wasn't sure how to react to Cat's news of a long-term stay, of Cat going to school here...Should she be worried? Elated?

She glanced up to see he was watching her, "I want pictures of you, too, Lily. I want to~to..." In an instant he had fallen into a blush, timidly bowing his head and adding with less strength but just as much honesty, "I want to see your face when I wake up in the morning. I want pictures of you to make me get up and be somebody and believe that I'll see you again."

At his words, her breath caught in her throat, and she had the sudden overwhelming urge to cry. No, not here, not now! Pull yourself together! But he kept going, and each word was a good and bad sensation to her trembling heart. "You were my inspiration before. Why not here, too? Maybe someday I can play for you. I know lots of songs by heart. That's what I heard it called: by heart. Weird, huh? Your brain knows the songs, but I guess by brain sounds freaky. I guess I could say that I memorized them, but..." His smile was guilty, wryly tilted. "I talk too much, huh?"

She let out a little laugh, shaking her head and trying to wipe away the tears trying to accumulate in her blue eyes. She wasn't sure what to say, torn between wanting to believe what he was saying and knowing better, after all this time. He could promise her the moon, but her broken heart knew he would inevitably fall to temptation again. He didn't want kids. He didn't want to get married. He didn't even want to just be dating officially, to be honest. She needed all those things. And he could promise them all he wanted, but he could give them to her. Lilith shook her head again, biting down on her lip as she stood up. “I'm sorry, I should go, Cat. I think we should, you know...set up a time to...to take pictures together. I would like that. I'm sorry. I have to go, I really should...” She needed to get out of there and breathe, to be someplace she could let the tears fall, or at least a place she could adequately fight against them. She grabbed one of the napkins he had not torn apart, scrawling down on it her number before pressing it back down on the table, her fingers shaking noticeably as she told him shakily, “And I think they say by heart because your heart does know the music. You don't even think about playing a C when you play a C, you know? You just play it. And you feel it. In your heart. Your brain writes it on your heart. To say what notes you're playing, you have to stop and think about it. But your heart knows. Because your brain writes it on your heart.” She stood a moment, her lips trembling as she fought against her overwhelming emotions, then she told him, “I'll catch you later, Cat...It w-was good to see you.”

Lilith turned and tried to calmly walk out of the cafe, though her heart was racing. As soon as she was sure that he couldn't see her from the window, she started to run. The next few minutes flew by as the world spun, and all she could see was his face as she'd left. She found a nearby park bench and practically fell onto it, wrapping her arms around her chest and crying. After a few long, agonizing minutes, she tried to wipe away the majority of her tears. This was no good. He was staying. Beautiful, romantic Cat, who could tease her all he wanted and not even think of it as anything other than saying hello. She needed something stable again, like the world she'd been building up for herself. She picked up her cell phone and rushed through her contacts, the names blurring until she placed the phone at her ear, waiting impatiently as it rang and not sure if she wanted anyone to pick up or not, but knowing she needed a voice of someone who was always the same in her life.

“Hello? Trent?” She sniffed, letting out a laugh that did nothing to hide her previous tears, but she tried her best. Lilith wiped at her tears, as though he could see, and sat up a bit straighter. “Hey, what's up? Are you busy right now?”

[mystmoonstruck]

Easy "Cat" Tanner

When he mentioned the black cat Lilith had pressured him into "adopting", he saw the look of surprise. “Oh, Phantom!” she said, her voice seeming to be near a whisper in the often noisy, late-night atmosphere of the cafe. “I miss him!”

"Me, too," Easy confessed. He would not tell her how the creature had patrolled the house, obviously looking for Lilith. With Iah, there had been no such problem since the young chef had banished Phantom from his kitchen. Easy and Lilith had been the ones most attached to the stubborn, loving, playful, spoiled creature. So, he explained the animal's whereabouts though he had a difficult time imagining Mehmet employees having daily playtime. Then, he had brought up the painful subject of school, something he dreaded and actually feared, still not believing he could fit in and hold up under the criticism he might receive from teachers and students alike.

He had been so happy when she had spoken of taking pictures of him, looking at him as if she was pleased to be in his company. So, he had said too much, gone on too long about her pictures, wanting her face to be the first thing he saw, needing her to be his inspiration. He heard a slight sound from her, but he had missed the effect his foolishness had had on the girl who meant so much to him. As if sensing that something had gone amiss, he prattled on before reaching his oft-repeated words, rhetorically asking if he talked too much. That was always a given.

Although she laughed at that, he noticed the tears in her eyes, and caught all of the movements that revealed to him that he had upset her. His heart splintered as she stood up, saying, “I'm sorry, I should go, Cat. I think we should, you know...set up a time to...to take pictures together. I would like that. I'm sorry. I have to go, I really should...” Stunned, he watched as she grabbed a napkin and wrote something on it. He sat there, his body quivering, almost convulsing, his hands clasped on his lap, nails digging into flesh as he saw that she, too, was trembling. He expected her to rush away, but in a voice that revealed the emotions that must be tearing at her, she said, “And I think they say by heart because your heart does know the music. You don't even think about playing a C when you play a C, you know? You just play it. And you feel it. In your heart. Your brain writes it on your heart. To say what notes you're playing, you have to stop and think about it. But your heart knows. Because your brain writes it on your heart.” By that point, tears had begun burning their way down his cheeks that now were deathly white. “I'll catch you later, Cat...It w-was good to see you.” Then, she walked away, leaving him more desolate than when he had been standing outside that bar. Now he knew for certain that Lilith was somewhere in the city. That added to the other changes in his life brought dark thoughts to his mind.

Clumsily, he tugged money from his pocket, tossing a ten on the table and snatching up the napkin as he ran from the cafe, hearing someone call out but hoping that that someone would have the sense to check their table. All he needed was to be nabbed for running out on a tab! Still, if he did get in trouble, he was certain that Chance's high-power attorney would get him out of it. Right now, he was desperate to follow Lilith, perhaps to beg her for just a little more time. He didn't want them to part in so much pain. But, where had she gone? Frantically, he began his search, scanning the passersby, actually stopping people to describe Lilith to them. At one point, he paused to look at the napkin, seeing numbers on it and thinking that, of all times not to have a phone, this was the worst. Why would he carry one when he had had so little use for it in Paris? Pressing on, he continued his search till, seemingly miraculously, he saw her seated on a bench. He wanted to rush to her, to take her in his arms, to promise... What? What could he promise? Could he be with Lilith only? He wanted her, needed her in so many ways, longed to be near her. Yet, look what had happened: He had torn her apart as thoughtlessly as he had destroyed that napkin. He had leapt from her wanting to take a picture of him to this vision of togetherness.

Moving into the shadows, he watched her, unaware of the tears that continued to fall. "Lily," he murmured, his throat tightening. What could he say that would make things better? Nothing, he knew, nothing he said could make any difference.