And now every morning there's a cup of coffee and I wear your ring

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

[Early afternoon of Friday, January 15 (day 229)]
[Out in the courtyard at the Tavern of Hell]

Find it odd calming, how a fire can scarce be seen in daylight. Sitting out in the courtyard at the Tavern of Hell, guessing at the shape of the flames as they spit under the thin rain and taking in the gray light of the day and the space that's not all mine. The apartment's lovely, nothing I'd ever 'magined, and my own workroom aside that, but the weight of so much... It's enough t'get drunk on. More'n large enough for two, and fine enough for even three, and what I've guessed at from the little I asked of the matter of the third (Dorian) leaves me turning scarlet still. No misery in Iago when he spoke of it, nor flinching as if he took me for being angry, but...

Well. Truly, it shocks me some, and leaves me wondering what else I've come to in this lost time.

And carrying a child. My mother's bones.

Wearing clothes that I think're new as well as new t'me, trousers with far more fiddling seams than needed and a sweater green as pine in shadow, and a coat Kate made me. I remember the name and'm sure I'd recognize her, but the store was closed when we went 'round town yesterday. Sure I'll see her soon, though, and hope she's not lost overmuch.

Hear Iago aside me and look up and "Stormcrow," I say, and'm smiling at the shape of his name in my mouth. Remember that, and what he told me of a night by the river, and our stopping by there yesterday in the clear dusk, and my smile turns into something for the two of us alone. Lean into him and put my arm 'round his waist and kiss his throat, rest my head in the hollow of his shoulder. Smells of cigarette smoke and the cool leather of his jacket and most of all himself in the silk softness of the rainy air, and there's a steadiness t'being with him like nothing else of late.

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[iago-excolo.livejournal.com]

"Stormcrow," she says and of all the names she's given me, it's my absolute favorite. Her delicious lips press against my throat and I close my eyes as I turn to bask in her sweetly-scented hair. "Milady Glass," I softly say as I wind my arms around her waist and stroke her hip. "Although I've told you much of our recent past this last day, there's more to share. I'm not quite sure where to start but I'll do my best, love."

Running down the mental list of possible subjects, I offer, "Did you know that we have quite a few things in common? Both your father and mine are evil bastards, that's one." I grin as I continue, "We have a baby on the way, so the little one will be our second roommate besides Dorian. Our third, if you count the cat."

I chuckle as I say, "We've both suffered from amnesia, you more recently than I, of course and we both love secrets, ours and other people's, " I grin again, my heated gaze sliding over my wife's sweet form before I add, "And we like to play a game, you and I, called 'Tell me a Secret'."

I sit in a chair, drawing Milady Glass into my lap as I grin slyly. Whispering in her ear, I offer in a husky tone, "I'll tell you anything you want as long as you stay in my lap. If you rise, that might not be as true." I curve one hand to rest on her hip as I ask, "Where should I begin, love?"

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

Settle into his arms and "Milady Glass," and I smile against his throat as he promises to set out more of things, points in common and at "Both your father and mine are evil bastards, that's one," I'm straightening and looking up t'him. "Cariad..." and beyond that, no words. "I've no father, I've-- well, grant my mam was quickened by someone but--" Catch myself and start over. "I've living kin by blood?" And for him to know to speak of them... "Here in Excolo?" and can feel my gaze sharpening curious and catch his own grin at my watching him so.

"We have a baby on the way, so the little one will be our second roommate besides Dorian. Our third, if you count the cat," and find he's brought a laugh from me.

"'d never do to forget the cat," I say light. And he touches on our lost memories and secrets and his eyes on me and for a moment all I'm thinking on is laying abed with him, timeless joy and the touch of him, taste of him, and he sits and draws me into his lap and I settle easy into the lean grace of him.

"And we like to play a game, you and I, called 'Tell me a Secret'," and that I think I recognize, catch my breath and then he's murmuring hot in my ear and a shiver paints itself down the side of my throat. "I'll tell you anything you want as long as you stay in my lap. If you rise, that might not be as true." Can hear the grin in his voice and "Where should I begin, love?"

"W-with me in your lap, it seems," I say, trying for teasing and shifting t'settle myself. Where to begin...

"We're to have a child," same low wonder now in my voice as was at the thought when I heard it in the night in our room and turned to him for a surety. Shiver a moment and'm smiling, one hand light on my stomach. "I-- when'm I due?" I say. Fair to sure no earlier'n April, and no later'n September, but I'd care t'know rather more'n that. "And--" Swallow at this, but I think I need t'know the shape of it, something t'make sense of that pale impression at the sound of his name, and Iago's grin at it. "Dorian. He-- stays with us, he shares-- shares our b-bed--" and I fall silent as my tongue tangles in the words. Draw breath and try again.

"My love and my stormcrow, I'm yours and I'm true," look to him and see he's the right of that, "and confess I find myself a touch thrown by all this. What exact are we, and who is he?"

[iago-excolo.livejournal.com]

Milady Glass seems shocked as she says, "Cariad...I've no father, I've-- well, grant my mam was quickened by someone but--" I chuckle, willing to show her how it's done but alas, she continues, "I've living kin by blood? Here in Excolo?" I chuckle again, "Oh yes, love. Your father lives in town but we'll not be visiting him anytime soon. Not if I can help it."

I lay out a few topics from our life together, drawing her into my lap as I make my offer. My teasing wife squirms and I laugh, thoroughly enjoying this game before she finally settles herself.

"We're to have a child," and I murmur agreement in her ear. She shivers, sending a electric thrill through me. I lay my hand over her belly, lacing my fingers with hers as she continues, "I-- when'm I due? I gaze adoringly at her as I reply, "You're no more than two to three months along so perhaps July? And I can't wait, my love. Our child will be the most gorgeous creature in existence, besides yourself, of course. It may even have your gleaming eyes."

"And--Dorian. He-- stays with us, he shares-- shares our b-bed--" Ah, I knew she'd be curious most over this and I wait for her continue. "My love and my stormcrow, I'm yours and I'm true, and confess I find myself a touch thrown by all this. What exact are we, and who is he?"

"You and I are married lovers expecting a baby," I flash a sexy grin at her as I say, "and Dorian is our live-in lover. Perhaps even more if you count the ring we gave him for Christmas." I'm reassuring as I continue, "And I know you're mine, just as I'm yours, your eternally-devoted stormcrow. Deep in my heart I know that's true so you needn't worry over your standing with me, love."

I stroke her cheek and continue, "We've chosen to open our hearts and bed to include another, and while Dorian's not as faithful as you'd prefer, he loves you and I dearly enough to make up for it." I chuckle, adding, "He's also an excellent cook, an extremely sharp dresser and an insatiable lover. We've not done poorly in choosing him, sweet girl."

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

"Oh yes, love," he answers. "Your father lives in town but we'll not be visiting him anytime soon. Not if I can help it," and thinking I'm wanting the way of things behind that matter.

"And yours?" I say, brushing his hair back from his face. "'ve you kin in town aside Lannie? And what's my father--" and a slight laugh at the word, the pair of them-- "do? How'd we come t'find him?"

Guesses July for a child and I press closer against him and thought comes to me of a still grey stone and the words At height of the summer. Look in his eyes like sweet fire but there's a weight to this yet, and find my tongue's like a stone in my mouth.

"'m glad of you," I say quiet, when I find words. "'d not have this otherwise." True enough as if I'd wished it so it'd've been done, but there's... I've no mind for what else t'say on this, only waiting t'come t'term(s). "'s been free of trouble, so far?"

And, well... having a child, can see that, always could. Had years of it being only an abstract matter, but knew well I could. Matter of Dorian, on the other hand...

"You and I are married lovers expecting a baby," and swear there's nothing that grin and your tongue together could not have me do, Iago, and the naming it married lovers leaves me a touch giddy, "and Dorian is our live-in lover. Perhaps even more if you count the ring we gave him for Christmas," and blinking at that as he assures me of being his and he mine, and that's well and fine, that's something to hold to in this time.

"Ours," I say, and then I'm turning scarlet 'gain, can feel it, and the thin mist of rain laying itself down like a cool compress 'gainst the heat of my face. Turn my face t'the sky a moment and think. "Ours," and the-- the how of that, never thought on that afore, and--

Well. Take it for explaining why the bed's so big. "Oh my stormcrow," I say hushed, and my voice shaking only a touch. Lays out the way things stand and fine, can see it working for those as come to it, just never thought it'd be-- it's--

"I'm wed," I say, and that's fine, "and our home's three times the size of anything I imagined, and I've my own workroom, and a closet full of clothes I c'n tell're clearly new'n fine, and I need not work, and we've another keeping company with us, fine choice by all accounts, and-- Iago, swear t'me I'm not dreaming? And then tell me how we came t'all this?"

[iago-excolo.livejournal.com]

"And yours? 've you kin in town aside Lannie? And what's my father--do? How'd we come t'find him?" I smile when I mention Alessandra, "My grandmother lives in town." The smile lessens as I continue, "My father came for a visit not too long ago, causing much misery with his presence before dying in a duel. Your father also lives in town, at the Inn."

I sneer, thinking of my last encounter with him before saying, "He's a bullying monster and were he not a god, then surely someone would have already sent him to his grave. He's tried to kill you, threatened the both of us repeatedly with violent death and what he did to Dorian was horrendous." Shaking my head, I continue, "We don't speak his name, lest he hear us and come visiting but believe me when I say this, if we could've killed him already, we would've."

We talk about our little one's expected arrival and her soft words stir unruly thoughts. "'m glad of you. 'd not have this otherwise." Grinning, I agree, "Neither would I, love," and she asks, "'s been free of trouble, so far?" My grin widens as I say, "Our baby's strong, sweet girl, like you and while there was an incident here and there, nothing has caused our little one to falter. We've been luckier than many."

I explain briefly about Dorian, and Milady Glass blushes a fetching shade while she considers it. "Oh my stormcrow," and in an awed tone, my love continues, naming all the comforts and joy in our shared life. I laugh, pleased to have made her so happy as she adds, "Iago, swear t'me I'm not dreaming? And then tell me how we came t'all this?"

"You're not dreaming, sweet girl. The apartment's part of my salary for working here. Verdi had the tavern renovated not too long ago and we were able to add your workroom into our living space. Dorian's a tailor and that accounts for your new clothes although I have enough of my own money to buy you whatever you'd like. You need only ask, love, and anything can be yours."

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

"My grandmother lives in town," and taking that for making him happier than his father. Still... touch Iago's face light at the mention of his death.

"'m sorry," I say awkward. Suppose I was there f'r him, much as he needed me, but I don't recall it and wish I could. See a flicker of a smile half-bitter on his mouth and think I'm missing details there, and he's going on and matter of my kin pleases him less than his own. "Your father also lives in town, at the Inn. He's a bullying monster and were he not a god--"

...wait.

What? Find myself going still as it comes clear that it's not a turn of phrase, and then cold as Iago lays out his manner. "He's tried to kill you, threatened the both of us repeatedly with violent death and what he did to Dorian was horrendous."

Draw back over all of this, and'm staring at him, eyes widening, and the sound of everything's gone sharp and clear, the feather-stroke of the flames on stone and the soft speckling of rain on his jacket and our breathing together.

"There's a god after killing me?" I hear flat and distant. "There's--" take his face in my hands and swear there's no colour in the world but his eyes, the witchfire blue of them. "Never mind his murder," I say, and a god, my mother's bones... feel my lip curl back from my teeth at the thought. "You'n'I're well alive, and I think safe enough. How sure is that? How'd we guard against him?"

[melania-lowell.livejournal.com]

Found my way back here after work at the Miskatonic. The nice guy, Thomas I believe he said his name was, showed me up to my place and what do ya know, I had a key for it in my pocket.

He said I was supposed to work too, damn I'm a busy girl. It ended up with him, laughing and shaking his head saying, "You owe me," and taking the bottle of Fire...something from my hand. He also told me I couldn't mix a drink to save my soul last night. It was okay, I still sat around, tasting the merchandise and waiting for my husband to show up.

If he did show, he might have forgotten me too cos, I don't think he came in and I know he didn't come home last night. Might be busy fixing people up after the confusion yesterday. Or maybe he just forgot, I can't get mad at that, I forgot too. I pull on some jeans and a long sleeve shirt I found crumpled on my floor. For some reason the cologne on the shirt reminded me of Christmas and gifts and something I should remember. But then, at this point, there's a lot I should remember but don't. And I wonder why a lot of my clothes are so ripped and torn up. What kind of people are we? I seriously need to do some laundry soon. My stomach rumbles so I go downstairs to see what I can dig up for breakfast since there wasn't anything in my place. I'm guessing me and Lucien must eat out a lot.

I find the food easy enough, though I don't know what a lot of it is.Picking what smells the best, I dump it into a pot and look around as it heats up. Hmm.. hope I know when its done.

[docconstantine.livejournal.com]

It has been a long two days.

By the time I left Parras on Wednesday, Miao had made it back to the 'Boy. And as I feared, her memories were lost. Of just about everything, including me, her life, even the English language. I think I scared her when I ran in and hugged her like I had not seen her in months. It was the better part of the day before I remembered the words Yi Sheng Piaoliang, that seemed to help assure her I was not a crazy person. That and my clothes in her closet. Did not spend the night though, it's like we are starting all over again.

Sighing, for my work load has tripled, I decide a drink at the bar is in order. I wander in and wave to Glass and Iago in the courtyard as I sit down and order a vodka, looking about to see if Lannie is here. The drink is set in front of me and I sip it gratefully.

[melania-lowell.livejournal.com]

The soup, I hope its soup, is bubbling and hot. Ladling myself a bowl, I hear someone come in and Thomas calls him "Doc." Is it him or someone he works with? Iago did say he was the town's doctor, but I heard there's another doctor in town, one who works on other stuff.

Tearing off a hunk of bread, I take a seat next to him at the bar. "A little early for a drink, isn't it?" I smile, soaking the bread in my soup and popping it into my mouth. Its good, whatever it is.

"Bet you've been busy with all the crazy going on," I grin. If he's the other doc, I'm guessing that's a true statement at least.

[docconstantine.livejournal.com]

Lannie comes out and sits next to me, stuffing some food into her mouth.

"It's never to early for a drink my dear." I say tipping my glass to her, relieved she seems to remember me. "How've you been?" I ask, looping an arm about her waist and giving her a quick hug.

"Bet you've been busy with all the crazy going on," I groan and roll my eyes. "You have no idea." I sigh, looking about and noticing 'Ri. I smile and wave her over, she looks a little ragged. "Come on and join us!" I call over, then turn back to Lannie. "You been busier since the place went crazy?" I ask, knocking back the whole glass and waving for another.

[verite-belrose.livejournal.com]

I'm relieved when Doc seems to recognize me. I grin and head over to them at his smile and invitation to join them.

"Hey Doc, hey Lannie!" I say as I come up beside them. "It's been insane hasn't it?"

[melania-lowell.livejournal.com]

"It's never to early for a drink my dear. How've you been?"

His arm goes around me and I'm a little surprised. Okay.. so I'm guessing this must be my husband. I definitely lucked out on the marriage thing and he seems to remember me. I smile and put my arm around him like nothing's wrong.

"You been busier since the place went crazy?"

I wince. "Uhhh about that," I say, shifting just a little away. I'm not sure how to ask about us. I mean I didn't see any guy stuff in my place and the bed didn't look like two people slept in it though there's room enough.

"Hey Doc, hey Lannie! It's been insane hasn't it?"

"Yeah, just a little," I smile, "So how are you both?" More like who are you? I guess its not too early for a drink. I'd like one now. I look at Lucien, "Did you work all night?"

[verite-belrose.livejournal.com]

Today is a bit quieter than it has been so I judged it alright to come back to town and made the Tavern my first stop. I went to check on Mama and everyone else in the Carnival when I saw how confused people in town were. And found the Carnival not much better.

And it was scary what some people forgot. Mama forgot US. She forgot all of us. And so did Simmy, But I didn't mind that so much. Abby seems to have forgotten much of the last few months but I can't tell if I've forgotten anything. Or anyone.

I come in and spot the Doc and Lannie at the bar and give them a smile and wave. I wonder if he or Lannie remember me? I hope so. It would be depressing to find out that my best friend doesn't remember me. Or another person I consider family like Doc.

[angelus-luxuria.livejournal.com]

I'm tired, and cold, and hungry, and dammit... Lost. Still. It seems like I've been walking for days, and I only know that because I've counted the suns and moon. Yes, I have been walking for days. First around and around in a forest, then to a place that felt familiar, and smelled familiar to my brain, but it was slippery, those feelings and thoughts. I'm tired, so damn tired. Where can I sleep that's indoors? Where do I belong? Is it even anywhere near here? Did I lose my memory while I was flying, or because of it?

I've left the place that looks like a Carnival, but shut down for the season, and found a town. Something... doesn't feel right about this place. It's a tensing in my gut, my very hungry gut. I keep to the edges, and hide in the boughs of the trees that do have vegetation, and just watch them. People. I don't see any that look like me and that worries me. Will they kill me if they see me? Have they already killed all of my kind. Something tells me, they might have.

Finally, I've had enough of this tree, and I jump down. The rain is light and I look up into it as it continues to slowly soak me more. I give my wings a shake, and send water spraying everywhere, then fold them back down, and start walking again. I'm lost in a thought of something that slips my mind almost as soon as I think it, and something catches my nose. Food. Meat. Cooking Meat. My stomach roars and my mouth salivates. I remember food, very well. I am onto it's scent now, and I turn in that direction with a purposeful pace. It's not long before I come to the back of a building, a tavern I soon surmise. More smells. Beer, mud, FOOD, people, FOOD! I enter what appears to be a patio, and stop when I see a pair sitting at a table. Man, woman, embraced, and entwined in each other warmly.

I give them a look, trying to see from their reaction to me when it comes, if they mean to attack or not. I hold my position, and wait. The food is all I want, not him, or her, as fair as she appears to be.

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

Sign of how drawn in t'the matter I am that takes a second glance to catch full note of the man entering the courtyard, and then find I'm turning t'keep sight of him and reaching t'put an arm 'cross Iago as well as I take the stranger in. Call him of an age with--someone, something, feel a tease at memory--maybe thirty winters older'n myself. Looks pure bedraggled, coat in shreds and hair tangled down in his face and all quite throughly rained on. And well more'n a head taller'n me, watching Iago'n I both, with the rain soaking into feather and pinion of his wings.

Well, then. Seen statues of winged folk often enough in graveyard, guardians in their lichens and ivy waiting patient, but well enough sure this one's nothing to him of death. No minder of the dead made flesh and come walking, then.

"Cariad," I say low. "'s he at all tied t'me by blood?" Feel my teeth setting slow an' sharp on edge, shift my weight in readiness t'stand, and hand to the pocket of my coat. Not sure that the stones of the courtyard count as here, for the wards and workings he spoke of.

[iago-excolo.livejournal.com]

"Did you grow up 'round others? I grew up with my mam, and time or two she'd have another family take me town over t'Market, if they'd nothing t'trade for payment and she'd need t'be elsewhere. But most ways it was only her, you ken?" I nod, saying "I understand, love. I have a large extended family, but my grandmother had the most influence over me as a child. There were many other children around, close in age, cousins and my older brother, Diego."

I chuckle, thinking of Lannie, "No sisters though. I was only teasing Lannie." I lean close and playfully say, "But let's not tell her. Why spoil the fun just yet?"

I pledge my lifelong devotion to my beautiful wife and child and now she's teasing me, "How I will suffer, condemned t'such a fate." Ah, I can think of a few ways but we're in the courtyard and besides, there'll time to pursue that later, in private.

I begin explaining about Dorian, and Milady Glass nestles into my embrace. I swear I can almost hear the thoughts spinning in her head, tangling over themselves before she asks, "...did you worry over it?" Of course I did but she doesn't remember any of it, and there's another question, as weighty as the first, "Tell me--truly, Iago, stormcrow, are you aright with this?"

Pausing, I grin and before I can explain myself further, a strange, wet creature staggers into the courtyard. It's big, has two legs and after double-checking its form, I'm certain it's not any of my normal nightmares-come-walking. No, this one is something new... with wings, no less.

My sweet girl leans over me in a protective stance and even without all her memories intact, it's comforting to know some of her behaviors are ingrained. Her voice is low as she asks, "Cariad, 's he at all tied t'me by blood?"

I pull her closer, trusting the wards to protect us while keeping the doorway in clear view. "No, love. That one's not related to you. Your father has sharper teeth and has never been shy about showing them. This is a different creature altogether."

I call out, addressing whomever he is, as I say, "You look lost, friend. Have you forgotten your way home?"

[angelus-luxuria.livejournal.com]

The woman, I see her clutch tighter to her man, and I wonder. Is she protecting him, or seeking protection? It could be a bit of both actually. I remain standing where I am, and try to decide where to go next. My stomach is growling at me to follow the scent of the food, and that seems like a damned good idea. I am just about to move onto that when the man calls out to me, and breaks me out of my steak eating fantasy.

"You look lost, friend. Have you forgotten your way home?" he calls out to me. Well, that sounded friendly enough. He even called me friend. Does he know me? He might, he seems to have correctly guessed that I don't know where the Hell I am, or where I belong. I give a short couple of nods, then clear my throat before I speak. "I have. Thank you for asking." I say and take one more step into the courtyard and find a place under some of the structure to shield off the rain.

"I'm not sure what has happened to me, but I seem to have forgotten a lot of things, recently I believe because I don't feel as if I have been this addled all of my life. I was in the forest, and finally came out, here. I can't recall if this is my home, or even if it's anywhere near here." I say, addressing them both. I stop there. I don't want to get too chatty in case it was an empty inquiry, and someone just being polite for whatever reason. Though, I get the idea, maybe he is curious too.

I glance closer at the girl and there is something about her, a flicker, a light, just over the top of her head. It strikes something deep inside of me that flashes warm, and familiar. He doesn't have the same radiance about him, only her. It's a comforting sort of vision, and I'll take that little bit of warmth for now, but I don't think I'll mention it, just in case it's a hallucination all of my own.

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

Raised an eyebrow t'the matter of him teasing Lannie, but... "As you've told me true matters of my life, suppose I can leave that t'come out when it does," I murmur. And then'm near t'standing with hand in coat, and Iago's reassuring me as to parentage. "No, love. That one's not related to you."

Draws me back a little as he continues, and well enough, and I settle back on the edge of my seat, though I keep hand in coat pocket. Mine, even if wards make it unnecessary t'make that clear. "Your father has sharper teeth and has never been shy about showing them. This is a different creature altogether." Raises his voice, then, and "You look lost, friend. Have you forgotten your way home?" he says, and I leave him t'carrying the talk.

"I have. Thank you for asking," the hulk says, moving over t'wards the Tavern proper so one of the balconies keeps a little of the rain off him. Lays out the way of it and'm sound unsurprised to find it's yet another as has lost his mind for himself. "I can't recall if this is my home, or even if it's anywhere near here."

Well, then. F'r all I know may well bloody be a winged man walking the town streets, as there's apparent at least one god. Looks at me and I smile, as far as turning mouth up at corners and showing teeth counts for a smile. "Guessing the Tavern particular's not your home," I say, glancing to Iago for confirmation. 'course, if he's after teasing Lannie, suppose he might be playing games with another as lives here, but...

[iago-excolo.livejournal.com]

I nod as he thanks me and moves under the balcony to stave off the rain. He explains, "I'm not sure what has happened to me, but I seem to have forgotten a lot of things, recently...I was in the forest, and finally came out, here. I can't recall if this is my home, or even if it's anywhere near here."

Milady Glass is unsure as well, "Guessing the Tavern particular's not your home," but that's to be expected. Damn amnesia. I give the winged man a genuine smile as I say, "It's not a problem, mate. Although you don't live here, I've seen you before, Christmas Eve actually, but if you'd like to warm up, I'd suggest you go inside. They'll understand about the amnesia and perhaps someone will be able to remember you."

With those wings, I'd be surprised if they didn't. I certainly don't recall those the last time I saw him.

My smile widens into a grin and I introduce myself, "My name's Iago and this is my wife, Glass. And like I said, don't worry over the amnesia. Everyone inside is already used to it."

[glass-beddau.livejournal.com]

"Wherever he's from, he's no gift for travelling alone," I say thoughtful, hands in my coat pockets. "May be he's forgotten what he learnt in practice, it's true." Run my hand 'round the back of my neck and offer Iago a slight bemused smile.

"'Lady Glass'?" I say, raising an eyebrow. Take a half-step towards the warmth of the fire spitting thin in the rain, and stretch my hands t'wards it, breathe slow and try'n calm myself.

"I will have answer on whether you're aright with this, cariad," I say careful. "The whole matter of Dorian'n'us." Glance t'wards the window, and catch Lannie and a blond man shooting Iago sharp looks, and find myself bristling protective. "Mind, given how calm you took a winged man strolling up, 'd care you to lay out a little more on the matter of the oddities of this town." Take his hand and draw him out of the courtyard, on towards Silk and from there on a slow walk through the rain. "Lay out the way of it f'r me, and I'll listen."

[docconstantine.livejournal.com]

'Ri assures me that I will figure it out, and maybe... if I could just figure out the 'whys' of it...

When I mention to 'Ri about matching the color, she smiles and it's the first time I've seen her look animated in a while.

"That's too easy. I already got somethin' that's pretty close. Bet I could do more interestin' things with this." I grin at her. "Well, when you figure it out, I want to see the finished product." I say, polishing off my glass.

Gar finally gets Thomas to come over and orders a steak and a drink, and offers to set us up. "I said I'd buy, so no worries, but ummm, they don't have steak here. Maybe you just want to leave it up to whatever's on special today?" I ask him, then instruct Thomas to add whatever it turns out to be to my tab. "I am good, I've had two already and I try not to get stumbling drunk anymore." Cause I end up in dangerous places playing stupid games. "Town image and all that jazz." I say with a wry smile.

[angelus-luxuria.livejournal.com]

I smile as I see that Ri enjoys the feather I've given her and will be putting it to some creative use in the near future. I hope I get a chance to see what she does with it. I continue to hold the feather I plucked for Doc, and with a grin wave it in front of his face slightly as he again offers to buy me something at the bar.

"I said I'd buy, so no worries, but ummm, they don't have steak here. Maybe you just want to leave it up to whatever's on special today?"

"No Steak?" I say, then give a shrug. "Well then since I am being treated so kindly by Doc here, the special, whatever it may be will be fine and I still want that ale if you have ale here." I say to the server, then turn back to Doc.

"I'll eat quick then we can head back to the Carnival. I don't want to take up too much of your time, and I'm really eager to get home and just bunk down for a while." I say then smile to Ri. "Do you have family that's with the Carnival Ri?" I ask and try to keep the wonderful conversation going until the food and drink arrive.

[verite-belrose.livejournal.com]

Well, when you figure it out, I want to see the finished product Doc says. I shrug but I'm pleased he's interested enough in my art to ask to see whatever I come up with. "Sure Doc, I'll let know see what I come up with. might be a tat or even a necklace. or hair clip."

I giggle as Gar waves his second feather in Lucien's face. Gar seems a bit disappointed by the lack of steak but takes the special and and ale. Might be that he's in a bit of a hurry to get back to the Carnival so he can see his place. The he turns to me an asks,"Do you have family that's with the Carnival Ri?

Oh hell. I should have expected him to ask something like that. I can't help my little flinch at his question. I sigh and look up at him."Yeah, I do. A mother and two younger sisters. Plus a baby brother." I look away and take a large gulp of my drink. I hope Gar can tell from my tone of voice that I really don't want to talk about my family right now.

[docconstantine.livejournal.com]

Gar waves the feather by my face and I take it, just so he will stop that. Perhaps Miao will like it. He orders whatever they happen to have that's good, and then turns back to me.

"I'll eat quick then we can head back to the Carnival. I don't want to take up too much of your time, and I'm really eager to get home and just bunk down for a while." I nod as Thomas gets his drink. "Sounds like a plan. As much as I would like to hide in here all day, I should keep working." I sigh, realizing I have another long day and night ahead of me.

Gar turns and asks 'Ri if she has family, and I almost winch in sympathy. She quickly outlines her mom and siblings, and downs her drink. Poor kid, I couldn't imagine forgetting your own kids. I am so lucky this damn amnesia thing skipped over me.

[angelus-luxuria.livejournal.com]

When I ask Ri about her having family back at the Carnival, she answers that she does, but then looks away and drinks. I know that body language. There was no smile, or joy in the description, and as much as I want to know, and maybe help, I can't. I'm a stranger to her now, and maybe I wasn't one of her favorite people when she did know who I was. I try to think of something to say on the subject, and in the end, I just decide to let it go. Any attempts at being cordial, or helpful here would just be a failure.

I look back to Doc instead as he says that he thinks my plan to get home is a good one, and he'll go along as much as he'd like to continue to hang out in the bar. I think if I was sitting around with two pretty ladies, I would want to do the same. "I'll eat quick, then we can move on with what each of us needs to do today I suppose." I say, then lean onto the bar, and await the food and libation.