emptynight: (High Priest of Bowflex)
Thomas Raith ([personal profile] emptynight) wrote2009-07-05 12:31 am

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))

[identity profile] lacrimosamagpyr.livejournal.com 2009-07-05 07:58 pm (UTC)(link)
If Lacci had been considering trying to talk to Thomas privately before, the incident in the mud, and the ensuing conversation, and convinced her. She took a few minutes to change into her spare outfit; the mud had completely ruined her dress and anyway, jeans and more sedate boots were more comfortable anyway. She planned ahead - into her now-empty bag went a bottle of tequila, two cans of coke, and several tidbits of this and that she'd picked up in the refreshment tent.

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."

[identity profile] lacrimosamagpyr.livejournal.com 2009-07-05 11:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Climbing up the ladder, Lacci turned to sit with her feet resting on the steps. “I was afraid you were turning into Edward,” she teased lightly, leaning close to kiss his cheek, “We have enough solitary brooders in our house, we don’t need one more.”

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?

[identity profile] lacrimosamagpyr.livejournal.com 2009-07-06 12:00 am (UTC)(link)
"What? They're good. And we don't spend a lot of time making delicious confectioneries, back home."

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?”

[identity profile] lacrimosamagpyr.livejournal.com 2009-07-06 12:29 am (UTC)(link)
Lacci laughed - but it was soft, and kind. Scooting closer, she moved until their shoulders were touching. Picking up a can of soda, she popped open the top and offered it to him. "Aren't we all?"

She rested her head against his shoulder. Nearby, a couple of frogs croaked back and forth. "About what? With Dru, you mean?"

[identity profile] lacrimosamagpyr.livejournal.com 2009-07-06 12:51 am (UTC)(link)
Opening the second can, she grinned and nodded. "I have alcohol in the bag, but it was my final resort. I'm pleased that mere sugar did the trick."

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?"

[identity profile] lacrimosamagpyr.livejournal.com 2009-07-06 07:07 am (UTC)(link)
A shadow crossed her face. "I hadn't thought of it like that." And really, she should have. It just... didn't seem like such a big deal. Gods were everywhere. There was one in their DDR machine.

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."

[identity profile] lacrimosamagpyr.livejournal.com 2009-07-06 03:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Lacci was actually glad he'd brought it up. It meant that she didn't have to. Turning, and avoiding cream puffs, Lacci managed to wiggle her way next to Thomas, her feet propped on the climbing wall. Her hand never left his, and when she looked up at him, her eyes were sad.

"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."

[identity profile] lacrimosamagpyr.livejournal.com 2009-07-07 12:14 am (UTC)(link)
"I swear to remain upright, no matter how much I laugh," Lacci said gravely. "You salon will be more difficult, I think."

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.'"

[identity profile] lacrimosamagpyr.livejournal.com 2009-07-07 01:19 am (UTC)(link)
The thought of Vlad sent a little pang through her. In making the unconscious decision not to go home, never to go home, he was the one sticking point, the one thing that might have made her turn back. But, as much as she cared about him, she truly couldn't leave the people here. Not even for him.

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.

[identity profile] lacrimosamagpyr.livejournal.com 2009-07-07 03:01 am (UTC)(link)
"Deal." She leaned against him for a moment, enjoying the feel and scent of Thomas as her mind spun back over his words. There was something he'd said, that wasn't quite ri- Lacci sat up again quickly, turning to look at him with wide, mildly horrified eyes. "H-Honeymoon? N-no- No, Thomas, no, that's not- it isn't like that." If she could blush she'd be beet red.

[identity profile] lacrimosamagpyr.livejournal.com 2009-07-07 03:36 am (UTC)(link)
Lacci let out something of a half-strangled squeak at his words, and she looked as if she rather wanted to kill him, kill Edward, or possibly just sink through the floor and die.

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.

[identity profile] lacrimosamagpyr.livejournal.com 2009-07-07 03:52 am (UTC)(link)
"But it is. I mean, I felt it. And I hear him speaking to you - and very rude he was, too, I thought." She managed a small smile.

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."

[identity profile] lacrimosamagpyr.livejournal.com 2009-07-07 05:06 am (UTC)(link)
His words brought a hesitant, pleased smile to her lips. "I'm glad. I'm glad you didn't- that it wasn't too terrible. Aside from the abrupt meet-and-greet with the demon in your head." Lacci hesitated, but, in for a penny. "It took me a minute to feel you, too. He's- a little overwhelming, at first. But once I got used to it, I found you too." Her smile turned a bit shy. "Like- like velvet and steel, sliding against skin.

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."

[identity profile] lacrimosamagpyr.livejournal.com 2009-07-07 05:45 am (UTC)(link)
Lacci smiled, finally, completely, genuinely. She'd gotten out everything she'd wanted to say. Thomas hadn't laughed in her face and left. They were both still here.

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."

[identity profile] lacrimosamagpyr.livejournal.com 2009-07-08 03:03 am (UTC)(link)
Lacci nodded, resting her head against him, her fingers idly circling the buttons on his shirt. "I have to wear that ridiculous getup, or something similar, but yes. Going uncovered into direct sunlight isn't necessarily fatal, but it's an unnecessary nuisance." She smiled a little. "Maybe we could go for a walk, next time. Er- and Edward can stay inside." Gods, he'd been there too - she'd forgotten.

[identity profile] lacrimosamagpyr.livejournal.com 2009-07-08 03:49 am (UTC)(link)
His hands caused a shiver to run up her spine, and Lacci turned to press a kiss against his bare shoulder. Before she could get any further, he spoke again, and the offer surprised and pleased her. Lacci looked up, smiling in a huge and rather goofy way. "That would be lovely. Where? When? During the day? I could try to stay up, but I think I made myself immune to coffee when- over the last few days."

[identity profile] lacrimosamagpyr.livejournal.com 2009-07-08 04:28 am (UTC)(link)
"You- decaf-" Lacci just stared up at him, eyes incredulous, for a moment. Then she tackled him, half-knocking him over in the confined space of the treehouse, and managing to scramble on top of him. Her hands found his sides, and she tickled furiously. "Decaf?" she demanded, laughter bubbling up behind her mock-angry face. "Decaffinated coffee?? They make that? And you GAVE it to me??" Her tickling vigor increased.

[identity profile] lacrimosamagpyr.livejournal.com 2009-07-08 04:56 am (UTC)(link)
Lacci twitched violently, and half-fell off of him, landing in a heap of limbs and tickling fingers and giggles on the floor of the treehouse. "All right, all right!" she managed to say through her slightly-hysterical laughter. "I give, I'll stop, I'll stop!"

[identity profile] lacrimosamagpyr.livejournal.com 2009-07-08 05:06 am (UTC)(link)
"I don't think so," Lacci said thoughtfully, settling on top of him more comfortably. She propped up on her on her hands, looking down his chest at him. "But there may be a myriad of things out there that I haven't done that I would enjoy. I just don't know."

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?"

[identity profile] lacrimosamagpyr.livejournal.com 2009-07-08 05:39 am (UTC)(link)
((Desquish! (http://godofcologne.livejournal.com/14074.html?thread=49914#t49914)))

[identity profile] lacrimosamagpyr.livejournal.com 2009-07-08 05:36 am (UTC)(link)
She arched up into his touch, just a little, and returned his grin, every bit as wicked. "I always enjoy splitting a meal with you, Thomas. I have a feeling the meal enjoys it too."

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."

[identity profile] lacrimosamagpyr.livejournal.com 2009-07-08 06:14 am (UTC)(link)
He arched, and Lacci responded by curling in her nails, scraping them lightly down his chest. "It's a date," she agreed. "I'm sure we can find something to amuse ourselves."