After the snow has fallen

[valmont-vicomte.livejournal.com]

Wednesday, early evening; after the snow has stopped but the power is still out.

It seems that I missed some excitement last night. When I came through from the apartment to the inn proper in the late morning, I found a note from Adam.

Boss -
There was a bit of a ruckus here last night. Some girl took her clothes off and got offended when Billy Hogan got fresh. A fight broke out - just the usual broken glasses. Will tell you more about it when I'm in next. Don't believe everything any of the regulars tell you - I was the only one who wasn't drunk.
A.

I would, perhaps, have got to hear some of those stories, and I must say I'm terribly curious, but then it started snowing. It has been a long time since I saw snow fall like it did this afternoon; since I lived in New London, I think, for Versailles was warmer. The Whitechapel is quiet enough during the early afternoons anyway, so we locked the front door, Cora and Peter soon settled into a high stakes game of gin rummy, and I went to make sure that Hermia and Alice were alright. Luckily we have plenty of food and firewood, and the apartment is well furnished with candles.

The snow has settled down now, but it is very dark outside and the power is still out. So I come back into the bar and Cora - cheerful for once, having managed to take most of Peter's wages for this week - and I get the fire banked as high as possible and line the windows with candles so that passerby can see that we are open, and I unlock the front door. I imagine that many people's homes will be very cold and very dark this evening, and what better cure for that than company and alcohol?

[OPEN]

Comments

[docconstantine.livejournal.com]

I think I got through to her... she's still looking to Iago, worried, but she nods. "I'll do my best, Promise."

"Thank you, I appreciate it." I smile at her, taking a drink. Apparently, I relax enough, for something occurs to me. Part of the conversation.

"So... ummmm, Lannie? Is there... something I should know about you?" I ask her quietly, but keep a grin on my face. "You were making the neatest growling sounds the other day..." Canine?

[melania-lowell.livejournal.com]

He's smiling now and I smile back. I don't like seeing sadness or worry in his eyes. "So... ummmm, Lannie? Is there... something I should know about you?"

I wince slightly. I was hoping he missed that part. Thanks a lot, Gaueko, you fuckhead. "You were making the neatest growling sounds the other day..."

...Was I? Shit.

I'm afraid to look at him. I don't want to see fear or disgust in his eyes. Not when he's looking at me and knows what I am. But I do look up, and he's grinning and not scared at all.

Its strange, but in a good way. I shake my head, and shrug. "Ummm...not sure, Doc. You think you missed something during the exam?" I ask in a quiet tone, smiling still. He almost looks like its not such a weird a thing to him, and its nice, but I'd rather have this conversation in a more private place.

[docconstantine.livejournal.com]

Obviously, whatever makes her special is a secret, and one Lannie did not want out. I feel a little bad that I brought it up, for she looks... scared? Wary? Oh honey... if you only knew....

"Ummm...not sure, Doc. You think you missed something during the exam?" I shake my head and smile, just for her now. "Nope, told you, you're healthy." Finish my drink in a swallow. "But we can save further questions for another time, when a mauling is not imminent." i comment with a raise of the eyebrow and a look over to Iago. Time go so soon, I think.

"And hey, Lannie? Please believe me when I say, there is precious little you can tell me that will freak me out. Okay?" I say softly, touching her arm.

[melania-lowell.livejournal.com]

"Nope, told you, you're healthy."

Well some would disagree with that, I think, but its sweet to hear. He's smiling but he's still nervous. He obviously knows what Gaueko is, but its no good to show fear. Even when you're scared shitless. I'm more than a little relieved when he lets go of the questions about me and I follow his gaze to Iago. He's got that calm polite smile and tone now but I can tell he's still annoyed.

"And hey, Lannie? Please believe me when I say, there is precious little you can tell me that will freak me out. Okay?"

I look back at Lucien and smile when he touches my arm. "I believe you," I say just as softly and give him a real smile. I do believe him, I do. But I don't think he really knows what he's asking and I don't want him to be afraid of me. Even if maybe he should be.

I down my drink when I hear Iago say "Lannie, time to go. We're expected elsewhere. Bring Lucien if you'd like."

Grabbing Lucien's hand I smile and gently tug him out of his seat, "Time to go (http://community.livejournal.com/estdeus_innobis/326621.html?thread=8531933#t8531933)."