Thomas Raith (
emptynight) wrote2009-07-05 12:31 am
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I feel an angel sliding up to me
Even for night, it was late, and Thomas wandered off on his own to gather his thoughts, bypassing the carnival games, the giant mud wrestling pit that the water arena had become, and the dance floor. He wanted quiet and found it in the wide green space set up with sports equipment. As soon as Thomas approached though, a bouncy blonde came over. "Hello!" she chirped. "Care to play a game? How about soccer?"
Thomas blinked, stunned by the unnaturally sunny presence, and pointed automatically at the playground equipment across the field. "I'm looking for the slide."
The ponytailed blonde's face fell. "Oh, well, if you want to play soccer or baseball, come back, you hear?" How she managed to make that simple, friendly sentence vaguely menacing, Thomas didn't know. He simply kept walking until he got to the wood playground structure. He was too tall for it by half, but it was as good a place as any for quiet, and, with only a little bit of ridiculous contorting, Thomas managed to tuck himself into one of the treehouse-like areas.
((Tag Lacci))
Thomas blinked, stunned by the unnaturally sunny presence, and pointed automatically at the playground equipment across the field. "I'm looking for the slide."
The ponytailed blonde's face fell. "Oh, well, if you want to play soccer or baseball, come back, you hear?" How she managed to make that simple, friendly sentence vaguely menacing, Thomas didn't know. He simply kept walking until he got to the wood playground structure. He was too tall for it by half, but it was as good a place as any for quiet, and, with only a little bit of ridiculous contorting, Thomas managed to tuck himself into one of the treehouse-like areas.
((Tag Lacci))
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Armed with food, drink, and liquor, Lacci made her way to the carnival. It seemed like it was probably the middle of the party. She certainly couldn't just wander around until she found him, but- she'd never tried this before. She wasn't even sure it would work.
Standing dead still in the middle of the crowd, Lacci took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and let down her mental walls.
Thoughts, chattering shouting crying, all seeming to be trying to talk over each other, vying for her attention, rushed in. Lacci swayed, fighting back the tide, trying to hold on to herself and reach out for a certain familiar spark,at the same time. It was like sorting through a room full of matches for one painted blue. Why did people's minds talk so much?
At last she found it. She wasn't quite sure where, but somewhere out past the sports fields, the little white spark that was Thomas' mind lurked. She couldn't exactly reach him, or get a sense for what he was thinking - but she recognized the feeling of his mind. She'd been there - she might remember it forever.
Keeping the spark firmly in her head, Lacci shoved everything else away, and opened her eyes.
A few minutes later, having successfully navigated the crowds and avoided Sunny, Lacci approached the play equipment. It seemed silent, deserted - but he was there, up higher somehow. As she approached, she hastily dropped the feeling of him that she'd been following - the last thing they needed was her invading his mind again.
Boots quiet on the grass, hair slightly disheveled from the breeze, Lacci clambered up on of the little ladders and offered Thomas a grin. "Mind if I join you? I brought a picnic."
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Thomas scooted over in the cramped little treehouse space, bending himself about double. He eyed the small space left and laughed. "On second thought, why don't I come out. Otherwise we'll end up wedged stuck in here. It'll make for worse photos than the ponies." He pulled himself half out from beneath the roof and dangled his legs over the climbing wall and rope, instantly freeing up more space within.
"That's better," he said, grinning at Lacci. "What brings you to my treehouse?"
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Setting the two cans of soda between them, she pulled out a small Styrofoam container out of her bag. It contained a mound of still-cold cream puffs, and Lacci offered it to him. “Have you ever tried one of these? I’m told they’re amazing. I’ll say one thing for your world, it has fantastic food.”
She was buying time, sorting her thoughts, trying to get them in order. Where should she start? With Justine?
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He grinned and took a cream puff. "Cotton candy and cream puffs, princess? You're developing quite the taste for sweets," he teased. Still, Thomas popped it into his mouth and chewed thoughtfully. "Let me guess, you got a postcard too?"
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His question took her by surprise. She'd just decided she wasn't going to mention it. So he knew. He might even know what Justine had written.
Lacci was silent for a moment longer, thinking as the cream puff melted in her mouth. This was going to be difficult – possibly one of the most difficult things she’d ever said. Harder than the first time she’d told Edward she liked him. She looked out over the darkened, empty sports fields, unwilling to meet his eye, see his expression.
“Thomas, you know that you were my first– you knew, somehow, before we even- well. I’m not sure how, maybe virgin-sensing comes part and parcel with the head-demon package. But- it wasn’t just sex, you know.” She set the cream puffs between them and looking down at her hands, clenching each other with nervousness. “You were- the first person I ever really enjoyed being around. Who I didn’t have to be any one person or another for. When we were alone, I could just be. I didn’t even really know it, know who I was, until you gave me space to start finding out.”
Now she really couldn’t look at him. “And- I tried to do the same, for you. I’ve always been curious, about the things you wouldn’t say. When someone would get to close to something and you’d pull back. But I always tried to give you that same space that you’d given me. I told Ed off for pestering you, a couple of times. But lately - I’ve been thinking, maybe I was wrong about that. Maybe I should have been doing something different the whole time.
“That’s what she told me. That I shouldn’t be afraid to ask you. Because you kind of needed it. That you… what was it? That you ‘shouldn’t carry your burdens alone.'”
If possible, turning enough to look at him, his hair outlined against the moonlight, was even harder then confessing all of that had been. “So I’m asking. How are you?”
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Thomas shook his head and sighed, a quiet rush of air. "I'm f--" He clamped his lips closed at the immediate, trite answer, and took another long moment to think, to reach for a deeper answer. Lacci had shared truth with him; the least he could do was reciprocate.
"For the first time, I'm starting to think I'm in over my head here," he said.
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She rested her head against his shoulder. Nearby, a couple of frogs croaked back and forth. "About what? With Dru, you mean?"
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"With Dru," he agreed. "I mean, I expected things like my sister trying to get me to sleep with Jean-Claude for her own personal benefit. Those I know and understand." He shook his head and laughed. "When someone tries to turn themselves into a god back home, we usually shoot first and ask questions later." More like 'necromance dinosaurs' rather than shoot, but really, the idea of Lacci badgering Harry for a zombie T-Rex was best left unrealized.
"But shooting first isn't really an option this time."
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His words made her thoughtful, and Lacci sipped her coke for a moment, thinking. "Why?" she said at last. "I mean, okay, obviously the kind of person who want to turn themselves into a god probably isn't the best candidate. But it's not like it's her fault. I mean, I can see wanting to keep her out of Wolfram and Hart's hands. But... do you really want to get rid of her somehow? Or make her go back to being the way she was?"
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There was probably no Uberwald equivalent to Animal Farm, so Thomas didn't bother to mention the danger of power corrupting. He took a long drink from his soda and held out a hand, flexing it in the moonlight. "She told me she's not happy now, the way she is," he said, the words thoughtful as if he'd rehearsed them. "If making her go back would make her happy, I would try."
He took another drink, using the motion to gather his thoughts as much as for the caffeine. "Why? Because it's dangerous. Dangerous for her, dangerous for us. Dangerous for people caught in the crossfire if Wolfram and Hart try to come for her with reinforcements." Thomas sighed. "Dru's growing. She's stronger than any of us, but she's still new to it all. Demigods with more years of experience may be able to take her down before she even realizes there's a threat."
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The idea of other gods, ganging up on their Dru, sent a rush of protectiveness through Lacci. But that was pointless. She certainly couldn't fight a God, any size, shape, or form. But if Dru didn't want to go back... "There's really no clear answer, is there? We can't even tell if we should be trying to reverse it or pushing it forward to at least complete the thing."
She was almost ashamed that she hadn't thought of it all. How could she not have? Her free hand found Thomas', and squeezed. "I'm sorry."
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"I wouldn't have thought of it either, except I spend way too much time back home--" What, playing backup to wizards? Helping take down faeries and fallen angels? It all sounded ridiculous out loud. He squeezed her hand back. "Don't be sorry," he said instead. "We're in over our heads. We'll get used to not having any clear answers, or any idea of what to do."
"Almost makes me wish I was actually back doing hair."
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"Do you really want to leave, Thomas? Because- well, I'd certainly be sorry to see you go-" That was something of an understatement, "But... if that's what you want, well. I'll help you pack. Or take the other two out for the evening." So he could make a clean getaway. She tried to smile. "I do hope you'd let me come visit you in Chicago once in awhile, though."
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He leaned over, setting the Coke down by his side, and ran his free hand up Lacci's arm and shoulder until it was at her neck, could pull her close to kiss her. Her lips were soft as he parted them, and he could taste her, uniquely Lacci, along with cream and sugar on her tongue. The Hunger rose from its dwelling place beneath his skin at the familiar touch, wanting as always, and Thomas pulled away.
"Not right now," he said carefully. "I'm not leaving now, but one of these days I may have to." He shook his head. "If things go south and Dru loses control or something comes up that we can't fight..." Thomas didn't want to think about the possibilities. "I promised Alice I would get out if it gets too hot, and I think Dru knows I'll come back to pick up the pieces afterwards."
Thomas didn't bother mentioning the implication that he may have to get them all out if something started coming down too big for any of them to handle. "And we'll all have to leave someday. Then you can come visit me any time you like in Chicago." He grinned at her. "I'll even show you Toe-moss' very expensive and uncomfortable apartment if you promise not to laugh too hard."
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Her lips twitched into a genuine smile briefly, but then she sighed and leaned her head against his shoulder again. "I understand, really I do. I mean you have things to go back home to, right? A home, and a business and friends... and a girl who cares enough to send us postcards about you. I suppose none of the rest of us really have anything important waiting at home." She and Edward had plans, though. Something to look forward too. But it wasn't the same.
"Well, if you do leave, I hope you'll let me help. Or at least come and say goodbye before you go." Her smile this time was a little more genuine, her tone calmer. "I could write some postcards, if you like. Although the only friend of yours I know is Bob, and whatever would I say to him? 'Hello Bob. Dru misses you leering at her breasts. Say hello to Mister for me.'"
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He laughed at the idea of Lacci sending Bob postcards. Bob would probably complain about them not being naked enough. "If--" When. "If I leave, you could come with me," he offered.
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Thomas' offer hurt almost as much, but for different reasons. Her smile was sweet, and sad again. "I'm not going home, Thomas. I don't think I ever will. And- and I would like to come home with you, really I would. So much, and it's terribly wonderful of you to ofer. But... well, Ed and I. We sort of, already made plans. We're going to travel awhile. I haven't seen a lot of your world, after all, and apparently neither has he."
She desperately didn't want him to feel rejected, and so she made the offer she'd been half-thinking of for awhile. A small part of her mind jangled in warning, that Edward would Not Be Happy she said it without asking him. But that was silly, wasn't it? He cared about Thomas as much as she did. "Why don't you come with us? I'm sure there's all sorts of places you've never been and always wanted to see. And our first stop could be Chicago. You could show us around." Of course he didn't have to say yes. "Not that you have to." Nevertheless, her grin turned a little hopeful.
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The knowledge didn't leave Thomas cold, just a little irrationally disappointed, but he shoved it away as he leaned over and kissed Lacci's forehead. She was scrambling, trying to make him feel better, when there was no need. He kissed the top of Lacci's head and shook his. "Don't worry, you and Edward's world tour is safe from me," he repeated. "But when you two come to Chicago, I'll show you around. Deal?"
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Thomas raised his hands in surrender before he could get much further, just in case Lacci misunderstood him. "I'm just kidding, princess. I don't need more punching today."
"But since you've got me trapped in my own little treehouse," he said, "anything else you're curious about besides how I'm doing right now?"
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She was more than grateful to his change of subject. Lacci looked away for a long moment, taking several gulps of her coke. It gave her time to get herself under control, as well as consider the question.
"Yes, actually," Lacci said finally. She hadn't been sure if she'd have a chance to bring it up, but he'd asked, after all. "I wanted to make sure- you weren't still upset. About last night." She hesitated, debating, then added, "Either of you." She might not exactly like the Hunger living in his head, but it was a part of him. It was just a part of him she was having to struggle to accept.
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He drank the last of his Coke and crushed the can into a flat disk against the wood of the play structure. "I'm not upset. I actually didn't know what you were doing," he admitted. "I just felt you like I normally do, and then it was... louder. Stronger, sharper, like it feels when I touch you. I didn't think you'd done anything until it told me you were inside my head."
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At his words, she scooted just a bit closer, and took his hand again. She couldn't quite look at him, but she wanted so much to explain. "It's- I shouldn't have done it. Not without asking. But it's- it's really nice." Her words were quiet, a wistful smile on her face. "I didn't really get a chance to do it right, but it's- it's sort of hard to describe. Like, like I'm under your skin, and you're under mine. Ed and I started doing it, sort of by accident. And I just- I just wanted us all to be close like that. That's all.
"But- you couldn't hear me. I don't know, maybe you think differently. Maybe it wouldn't work for you anyway."
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Lacci still had his hand and Thomas squeezed it, at the same time kissing her temple. "Sounds nice," he said sincerely, swallowing back just a twinge of envy. "But you probably wouldn't like being under my skin. Bob tried and thought it was too crowded."
His next words were spoken slowly, as if he was working out exactly what he wanted to say. Looking past the fear of someone else having glimpsed the Hunger, now that he knew what he was looking for, Thomas could identify what had happened when Lacci did whatever she did. "What little I could feel... It was like... I could feel everything you were feeling, but more than normal. It was all sharp and strong and crystal clear."
His lips quirked into a smile. "It might not work the same way, but it was nice, for what it's worth."
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The smile faded a bit, but only so she could be a little more serious. "But you know, it doesn't bother me. To know he's there. I mean, we all have something like that - yours is just a little, more intelligent, is all. Granted, I still dislike being considered a doe." She smiled again. "But I don't think marching in there and attempting a logical argument would sway him much."
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Her description of the demon inside his head though, made the smile fade a little. "I'm glad you don't mind," he said honestly. "Because I don't like knowing it's there. That it sees people I care about as nothing but food." Thomas made a face. "The fact that it talks back is annoying too."
Thomas didn't bother telling Lacci that up until a few weeks ago, the Hunger had been locked up in a very tiny cage inside his head. "I'd never thought of it like that, you know," he confessed. "That we all have something like it inside. Just... not as talkative. It helps some, to know."
He marveled a little at how true that was. Justine did always know him better than he knew himself. There was hope. Thomas pulled Lacci a little closer, just to feel her against him, and laughed, lightening the mood a little. "So does this mean you'll tell me some deep dark secret now that you've gotten a couple of mine?" he teased.
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She moved closer easily, and her fingers drifted up his chest. "It depends," she said teasingly, "What do you want to know?" There must be something she could tell him; Lacci's brain rifled through the last month or so, trying to find something embarassing but silly-
oh Gods.
Her grin turned more shy than anything, and summoning the courage to say it banished the slow trickle of desire that had begun running under her skin. "All right. I'll confess. The day Pandora arrived, when I was all upset? That cake you were eating?" She couldn't help but glance around, and then lower her voice. "I baked it. Myself. Ed only helped a little. And I frosted it, too."
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Remember his own foray into cooking that had require rescuing by Edward and Merrick, Thomas did grin. "Maybe I should ask you for cooking lessons next time, if that's what you do when you can't sleep." He steadily ignored the the fact that her sleep deprivation had led them down a less-than-pleasant road. "I saw you go outside during the day. Can you do that, without being hurt?"
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A comfortable silence fell as Thomas' fingers traced idle patterns on Lacci's arms, back, and neck. "We should take a little trip," he said suddenly. "Maybe to the beach again, maybe somewhere else. Just the two of us." He grinned. "It's been a while since we've done anything together that was fun." And didn't involve heartfelt talks, he added silently.
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Her comments about coffee made Thomas sheepish. "You're not immune to coffee," he admitted. "At least, I don't think so. When you were staying up, I switched you to decaf, hoping it would get you to fall asleep."
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"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" he gasped out, mock pleading as he threw his hands out as a completely useless shield. When that didn't work, Thomas reached over and started tickling Lacci instead.
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It took her a moment to catch the sparkle in his eye, and when she did, she grinned. "Typical male. Always thinking about eating. Dinner first, then the movie? Or both at once?"
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He grinned, wicked and irrepressible, and kissed Lacci again. "Or we can take a ride and find something to do. Or maybe a flight." His hand twined through her hair, fingers combing through the dark weight of it. "Or maybe we'll find something else interesting to do. There's no need to decide now."
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She laughed and shifted, sitting up, to traced her fingers over his chest. "Let's just go out and see what the night brings us, shall we? Although I'll confess flying is fun, but there isn't much to do up there aside from fly. Or float. Or-" her grin widened. "Well. I've never attempted anything more complicated than that."
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It took a half second for Thomas to catch the implication behind Lacci's words, that widening grin, and he laughed again, warm and rich. "How scandalous, princess," he teased. "But it's a date. One of these nights when you want a break, we'll go out and find something interesting. Deal?"
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