When In Italy

[Elizabeth]

His jest did not go over Elizabeth's head, and she too mirrored his smirk as Doc turned her question against her. As Doc positioned himself so that he was speaking directly to her and not over the sounds of anyone, or anything within the plane, Elizabeth mirrored his positioning so she could hear what it was Doc had to share with her.

While she had asked, Elizabeth had not expected to receive much of an answer, if she even received one at all. As he continued, she nodded, recalling what it was Doc had told her in the past. That he could be an asshole, and on occasion, Elizabeth reminded him of such a thing. In her mind, if someone claimed to be a friend, then they should try to not be an asshole, though, accidents do happen. She was aware that Doc lived in the moment and often forgot about things, and people, which was typically unlike her. While she might not venture out to make as much contact with some of her childre as she once did, she did think about them, even if they did not think about, or had seen her in some time. In truth, she even occasionally thought about Shamus, even if she did not speak of him. It was difficult not to, as on occasions she found one of his doppelgangers within one of their many shared properties.

Elizabeth briefly recalled a past conversation in which Doc spoke about his ball and chain. Hadn't it been a bet, or something of the like which ended him tied to the woman he apparently rarely saw, and she him? It was...interesting, and unique to see Doc speak so casually of it and seem unphased by the bond they shared. Her experience had not been so kind, and years went by before many saw sign of her, or even heard from her. Or perhaps, it was just a facade right here, right now with Elizabeth. Elizabeth had always found Charles to be a difficult person to read, which was as amusing as it was frustrating.

And just as Elizabeth felt as if she were starting to understand Charles' train of thought, he spoke about questions and answers for things she did not completely understand. Did he wish to know why the woman he was bond to avoided him? If that were the case, then why did he not just simply ask her? Or had she just disappeared one night as Shamus had, unable to ask the questions on his mind and receive the answers he was looking for? She almost laughed and wished Doc a good luck with finding those answers, for she had waited almost three years for them to come and they never did. But, perhaps with his unwillingness to continually lose, he would finally get those answers.

Her thoughts shifted off Doc and his relationship with the woman he referred to as nothing more than an instrument of weight that held him down, or back potentially, as in truth it was none of her business. Doc was not her childe, a 'sibling' or her sire and so what she thought on the subject mattered little, and even if he were one of those, her thoughts, compared to his, mattered marginally. Her hand was unexpectedly collected by Charles and the conversation shifted to her. He did that, often.

While Elizabeth did not move to reclaim her hand, she did shift her attention to the aisle as the stewardess approached the seats two rows ahead of them. There were a lot of things Elizabeth wanted 'out of,' but believed she gave no impression of what those things were. The woman took a deep breath in to fill her lungs as her eyes briefly closed in an attempt to concentrate. While the stewardess was waiting for the drink orders from the two sitting two rows in front of her and Doc, Elizabeth's sky blue eyes returned to Charles as her voice lowered to avoid anyone but him hearing her. “In truth, I do not know where to begin...” She said, before her free hand moved to the neckline of her dress, found the back of her neck and came to rest there. Her lips parted for Elizabeth to continue, even as irrational as she knew her thoughts to be given everything. Her hand fell back into Elizabeth's lap as she moved to reclaim the one Doc had a hold upon. “Perhaps out of this seat. I do not wish to take my chances with a DVT, was it?” A lie, perhaps, but one that was better left to be said than what was currently traveling within her deepest thoughts. “Excuse me.” Elizabeth positioned herself to the aisle, just as the airline stewardess arrived with a cart, blocking the telepath's escape route. 'Drinks?' She asked with a smile, eyes bouncing between a less than pleased Elizabeth and Doc.

[Doc]

Doc did not believe her. Something weighed on her mind. He did not have the first clue as to what this thing was. Lizzie then did what he did, when he did not wish to answer, she changed the subject. He would acquiesce to her desire and drop the subject. The pause was not allowed to become uncomfortable as the stewardess offered beverages. “Bourbon.. Triple of you please.” He pulled his wallet out and .. somewhat awkwardly gave an undisclosed amount of cash, without relinquishing Lizzie’s hand. He waved off the change, to ensure he would not have to let of Lizzie’s hand.

Something bothered her. Something only she knew. But he could tell it was heavy. Heavy enough to cause her to want to close herself off. He held her hand. But it wasn’t a tight or domineering hold. It was relaxed, so that she knew she could pull free at any time she wanted. “Lizzie would you care for anything?” He presumed she would say no, because it wasn't a pastime she enjoyed. The truth was, Doc didn’t enjoy it either. It was tiresome, unnecessary, and useless to him. But it was the impression that he wanted. He wanted to be seen as a normal person by others. A normal person that may drink too much, and then be overlooked as insignificant.

But Doc did not focus on his drink order. He was more concerned what Lizzie was hiding. No. She wasn’t hiding anything. She was running from something. His thumb absently caressed the top her hand. For him, it was an action that was meant to be soothing. Had he misinterpreted her question? It was possible. His track record with females was abysmal. He had taken her question to be about how he dealt with the endlessness of time. Had he not answered it sufficiently?

Casting his mind back, to her question, and then his irreverent answer. Yes he had answered it. But his answer caused her to shut down. Why? What was he missing? ****. Just when he thought he had females figured out, he was wrong again. He had tried be purposely blunt and direct, in answer to her query. But **** him, if he did not make her shut down. It took all the restraint he had, to appear unphased by her withdrawal. Focusing on the waiting stewardess, Doc waited for Lizzie to accept or decline a drink; while giving the Stewardess a pleasant closed lipped smile.

[Elizabeth]

While she tried to reclaim her hand, Doc did not let it go so quickly. His hand remained on hers, loosely, which gave Elizabeth enough pause to stop herself from retracting it further. Her eyes moved around the cart, still trying to map out an escape to...anywhere. Elizabeth heard his order, not at all surprised by the choice, and did not interject as her eyes landed on the bathrooms closest to them. “Care for something?” She echoed after Doc, before continuing with her thoughts. “Yes.” Elizabeth said with a nod of her head, before shaking her head and looking towards the stewardess. “No. I mean, no to the drink. No, thank you.” A smile was offered with the company of her words, offering the stewardess her reassurance. A drink was not what Elizabeth wanted, not even close.

Her attention moved to Charles, or more specifically the hand over hers and the thumb that offered some sort of reassurance from him. Another breath in and Elizabeth said precisely was on her mind now that they were alone. “Do you know what it is I want out of? Expectations, Charles. I want out of, off of, this pedestal of perfection people believe me to be, when it is the furthest thing from the truth. It is tiring and exhausting, yet because of my age...people have expectations. I have answers to things in which I know absolutely nothing about. Almost half of my life was spent in some form of confinement, kept away from the world...” Elizabeth took a deep breath in, not explaining herself further than that, other than adding on, “I want to live, Charles, as silly as that sounds. I worked day in and day out when I was younger, helping with the lands, experiencing little of life, then when I was married, I still missed out on life due to expectations and being tucked away in a ridiculous little cottage with no one around for miles upon miles. And then when I became this...” She laughed and shook her head. “I am not being frivolous or juvenile in my thoughts and what I am sharing with thee, I just wish to be out of, free of, the image in which people expect me to portray. You speak of a side I have not seen, but you are not the only one with a side that has yet to be seen.”

She looked away from both their hands and then pulled hers away slowly. “And I was not lying when I said I wanted out of this...this seat.” Both her hands went to her seat buckle and released it free from around her. Her eyes landed on Charles' face as Elizabeth attempted to make some point, this one stronger than the last one. The urge to flee had left Elizabeth as she gave Charles some insight to her earlier years and inner thoughts. Now, she wanted to stay and dig her heels in to what it was she wanted 'out of.' “I also want out of this plane.” Elizabeth stated as she moved to stand, only she wasn't heading towards the aisle. Instead, she found her way into Doc's lap with both arms wrapped around his neck before leaning forward. “And lastly, I want out of this...******* dress, Charles. Quite frankly it's suffocating.” She whispered into his ear, before her lips found the skin just below the ear she whispered into. “Now you know.” Elizabeth said as she leaned back, all to well aware of the attention they may be getting given her sudden jolt into his lap. Her blue hues disappeared behind closed eyes as Elizabeth took a deep breath in, before she slid off his lap and back into the seat beside him, before there was anything said to either of them by the stewardess.

[Doc]

“I can help you out of the dress.. That is not a problem.” The words were out of Doc’s mouth, before a second thought was given. “And you certainly .. did not have to move, on my account.” He had seen her look toward the restrooms before, and so he nodded toward them. But he didn’t voice the suggestion, but he did raise an eyebrow in silent query. It was her move.

As Doc watched her, he wondered at what she had said, how she was tired of others expectations of her. He never expected anything than what she cared to share with him. Yes he had invited himself along on this trip, but had she said no, he would not have pushed the issue. Did she think he expected her to be a particular way? To him, she was far from predictable, which merely added to her appeal in his mind.

Even as he waited for her to make the next move, Doc decided he wanted to clear up any mistaken assumption she may think of him. “Lizzie.. I do not hold you to any expectation. I find you engaging. You cause me to think along lines I would not easily go to as a matter of course. I especially like that look you get, when you are skeptical or unimpressed with me. Even when I try my best to be devastatingly charming.”

Holding out his hand toward her again, he added, “If you do not want to live up to others expectations. Don’t. What are they going to do.. Cry? Complain.. ? You know how to deal with that.. You did that rather well last month,” He grinned at her, “Six against one.. And you prevailed. My money is on you every time. **** them if they don't like what you do, or want to do. You owe nobody anything or explanation, other than what you deign to give them.” He winked at her, "And that includes me.."

[Elizabeth]

If anyone ever asked Elizabeth about her time as a 'leader' among her family and she ever spoke the truth, she would state that she had never desired to be a leader. Even in her earlier years with the guild she traveled within, working as their tracker, she had been offered multiple times a position to train other trackers within their fold. She had never accepted, not wishing to tie herself to a position in case she failed, or felt the urge to move on. Nor did she desire the responsibility, which was a good thing given the mishap in Paris...

When the few elders that escaped the realms returned, Elizabeth felt as if she had no choice, but to be a leader. Her sire was stuck within the time frame of attaining a suitor; perhaps out of fear, or because it was the only thing in which the woman knew. A woman had no power without her husband, even a woman of Noble blood. And so, Elizabeth more or less had taken the reigns and years later...she was truthfully fed up with it. Her stint with the guild had offered something to Elizabeth that she had never had before; opportunity to see the world, acquire more knowledge from other vampires around the world, and finally, adventure.

The telepath's thoughts returned to Charles and the things he said and offered. There was a twist of her lips, which hinted at mild amusement. “There will always be expectations, Charles. Especially given my position. One cannot simply just throw their hands up in the air and decide they no longer wish to do something they have been doing for years. Especially when others are counting upon them.” Her amused smile turned into a wry one, before her blue hues landed on his held out hand. Elizabeth had not missed the his glance to the bathroom, which only brought a puzzled look to her features, given she was not a frequent flier and had not the first hand experience of Doc's suggestion.

“And there you go again with your devastatingly charming ways.” Elizabeth professed with a small laugh as her hand came to rest in Doc's hand as Elizabeth inched her face closer to his as to ensure their conversation remained between them. “Do tell Charles, what do you think we could accomplish in there?” She had been in the bathroom of a plane once, attempting to remove a spill on a dress from the person that had been sitting next to her around a year or so ago. The dress had never been salvaged and it took a lot of willpower for Elizabeth to not bring any more stains upon her dress when she realized it. Regardless of the ten or so apologies. Needless to say, Elizabeth remembered the turbulence of the flight and how tedious it had been to attempt to clean the Pepsi off the material. “Or is that something that can only be seen, rather than told?”

[Doc]

It was hard for Doc to imagine what expectations she spoke of. He didn’t know that much about her connections or her history, other than what she shared with him. That knowledge did little to help him understand the stress that she felt. She called it expectations, but Doc saw it as stress. He had nothing to base his supposition on, other than how he felt when met with his father’s overwhelming expectations for him. He recalled the grinding, almost debilitating feeling of suffocation. And due to that suffocating feeling, it ultimately it came down to a show down between himself and his father.

Doc had been ready to lose everything with regard to his family. He expected to be disinherited, disowned, verbally castigated and reviled. When the showdown happened, and he finally walked away, all that he expected, had happened. But instead of feeling devastated, he felt relief. His father wanted him to feel the weight of his decisions in a negative way. But Doc belatedly realized, that it was his father that cut Doc out of his life. It was his father that made that decision. And why? Because his father meant to use that a weapon.

But the weapon failed. Doc learned that ultimatums had no power, if one was strong enough to not care. And he didn’t care. So who really lost? Not Doc. But his father. Doc had a new lease on life. He wasn’t in or under anyone else's control. Lizzie could do with such freedom. His father on the other hand, lost what little control he had over him. And that was worth everything.

Doc grinned at her. “Lizzie.. Why... cannot one simply just throw their hands up in the air and decide they no longer wish to do something they have been doing for years? Because they cannot be replaced? No one, my dear, is irreplaceable. If I.. decide to stop being who I have been. Will there be hurt feelings? Or anger?” He shrugged, “Probably. Will my lack of being what they want.. Or demand, kill them? No. So Yes. I can, and you can.. Stop doing whatever we want, when we want.

“The only thing you or I need to be prepared for, is the fallout, from our actions. Relationships would change. There may be trust issues in the future. However, the people that know us, that care .. about us, would support us. They may not understand. They may not be happy. But they would know we did what we did for a reason, and though they may not like it. They would still support us. And I would support you.”

When she commented on his devastating charm and restroom, he smiled, “Nothing seen.. Nothing told.. It is something that has to be experienced first hand. Let me show you..”

[Elizabeth]

Charles had valid points in his words, but Elizabeth knew the truth. If she stopped 'leading' then no one would step up to replace her. It was not to say that she was not replaceable, but the truth was that without her at the helm, there would be no Deux Corbeaux; what remained of it. But, did she care at the end of it? Trying to keep it together had brought more negative than positive, if she reflected deeply on it. Perhaps not so much negativity, but complete and utter disappointment. “Yes, but as much as we want to do what we want to do, there are some obligations, or at the very least...responsibilities.” Though all her childre were adults, Elizabeth still felt responsible for them to some degree. If they made a grievous error, then she had failed to connect to them in some manner and press upon the importance of the topic in her mind.

“But, perhaps you are right to some degree. One just needs to find a balance, perhaps.” There would be fallout, but what would have been a monumental one a year or even two years ago, would be less than that now. A small tremor, really. She vocally conceded, thinking that this was something Elizabeth would have spend some time thinking upon; something that needed more than the remainder of this flight. Besides, there were other things to keep her mind active outside of what was or was not bound to happen once she was back in Harper Rock.

“You forgot to mention your mounds of never ending chivalry, Charles.” Elizabeth mentioned with a smile and shake of her head. “You do know it is not your job, or responsibility to support me--or, rather, support the choices that I make.” She pointed out, a slow smirk finding the corners of her lips as he vocalized his previous, unstated offer. “But, since you are being both charming and chivalrous this evening, who am I to decline a presented opportunity of...support?” Elizabeth lifted her shoulders into a quick shrug, before she gracefully slid out of her seat and made her way to one of the bathrooms. She didn't close the door behind her, as the accepted offer was genuine. Instead, Elizabeth ducked in as much as she could with a light, yet somewhat devious laugh, as she came to realize that novels or movies were not the only thing to keep one entertained on a flight.

[Doc]

Doc was about to answer her, his eyes twinkling with mischief. The double entendre was not lost on him, and he was about to tell her to put up.. Or shut up... when she got to her feet and sauntered in her own special way to the restroom at the front of the plane. Leaning over to watch, he enjoyed the view, and then got to his own feet. He didn’t even bother to try and give the appearance of politeness or look innocent of what most adults that were around them, were thinking. He didn't give a **** what people thought. If he had shut them up later, he would. He followed her.

It was a tight fit, two bodies occupying the small space, but it was doable. He made sure to mark the room as ‘occupied’, should someone oblivious try to enter. Saying nothing, he captured Lizzie’s mouth with his own, as he helped her out of her ******* suffocating dress. Bracing himself with one hand, he supported her repeatedly against the locked door. There was no talking. There was no need for it. Actions were all that was needed at that time.

It was later, energies spent, that he saw to her comfort. He kissed her forehead and brushed her hair from her face. He didn’t speak, he only wanted to see her face as it was at the moment. He traced the side of her face with the back of his fore finger. Only then did he whisper into her ear, “It is not chivalry. It’s not a job. It is a desire Lizzie. Plain and simple. I support you.. Because I want to. Why? Because of who you are. No other reason.”

The attempt was made to help her back with her dress, but it resulted in elbows being gouged into tender areas. After several such attempts. It was wordless agreed, much to his appreciation, that he should allow her to attend that job without his aid and attendance.

Exiting the confined space while preserving the privacy of the one that remained inside, was also a trick. They both nearly laughed aloud, at the first and second attempt, but eventually Doc was able to exit, as though he had been the only occupant. Retaking his seat, he relaxed back into the seat, sipping the forgotten drink from before.

[Elizabeth]

Suffocation and expectations were the last things on Elizabeth's mind when she vacated the bathroom after a quick run of her hands through her hair. Not many people could be attributed to providing Elizabeth with a first, as the woman had learned to be independent for some time now. There was a quick scan of the people on the plane with her blue eyes, landing on a person she had never seen before, staring at her. Elizabeth just smirked at the woman,then moved to reclaim her seat besides Doc.

Her eyes fell on the drink he was working on, before she took it from him at the first chance he brought it away from his mouth. “Thank you kindly, Charles.” Elizabeth took a very quick and small sip of the bourbon before offering the cup back to Charles. “So, what is it you have planned for me to wear?” Her blue eyes shifted off the offered cup and to his face, her sky blue hues twinkling with amusement. “Or is it another one of your many surprises?” Elizabeth presumed, since she was wearing her second dress, and Charles appeared to be wearing one and only change of clothing so far, that she had lost the travel lightly bet made between them.

An announcement was made, informing the passengers that they were expected to land on time and that they would eventually begin to descend in around fifteen minutes. “Might I make a minor request? If we are going into tunnels, a pair of boots would be most appreciated.” Her eyes landed on the stewardess who came around collecting garbage, her eyes saying much as they flicked between Elizabeth and Doc, without her actually saying much as she walked on by. It phased her little, so little that it didn't deter Elizabeth from her conversation with Doc. “If time seems to be a crunch, we could always split up near the end to cover more possibilities.” Elizabeth offered, still personally keen on finding a monastery or two, for personal reasons, even if it did not interest Doc in the slightest. 'Trash?' The stewardess returned, holding a plastic bag open in their direction as she came back one last time, before going on her way. “I think that neither one of us have made a good impression.” Elizabeth said with a laugh, her eyes moving to the back of the stewardess as the seat belt sign lit up and an announcement came over their heads letting them know that landing was sooner than later.

[Doc]

As Lizzie retook her seat, Doc was about to comment, when she took his drink from his hand and drank from it, before handing it back to him. The simple action was a sensual experience to watch. Her eyes never left his as she sampled, tasted and swallowed from ‘his’ drink. He was ready to drag her back to the restroom and have his way with her again. He could watch her swallow his any day.

Her guileless face reflected only innocent curiosity when she asked him what he wanted her to wear…

Giving her a look, Doc wasn’t sure that, what he took from what she said, was what she actually meant. It took some forced concentration on his part to remember the bet they had. It had been an innocent thing on his part. Something off the cuff to keep him engaged in the trip. He tended to get frustrated when traveling with females. They were needy. Annoying. Demanding. Petulant. But not Lizzie.

Doc took a deep breath, and held it. He hadn’t needed to worry about having a side event to keep him from killing her. He had not been bored, frustrated, or exasperated once with Lizzie. Quite the opposite. He had been charmed, enamoured, engaged and interested in her views, opinions, and even in her disregard.

Then Lizzie asked about boots, and what he expected her to wear, “To Be honest Lizzie.. I fully expected to lose our bet. Italy is renowned for having forward fashion houses. The Italians love the female form. They embrace it with grace and reverence. And you, Lizzie, have a form that was made for Italian couture. I packed very little in the way of clothes. They love the female form; but they can do wonders for someone such as myself.

“I cannot pretend to be anyone with the eye for what one should wear. But I do appreciate a well appointed figure in a custom made garment. You are an attractive woman.. But in the right hands, you would be a goddess.” He winked at her, “And since we are traveling together.. You would be.. ‘My’ goddess, in the eyes of mortal men.” He didn’t even have the grace to look ashamed. “I wanted to show you off.” He gave her a completely self-serving grin.

At that point the stewardess came back and offered to take their trash. The trash was dumped easily into the plastic receptacle, and the stewardess moved on; while Doc gave Lizzie a look. “So? What are the chances we ever see any of these catt.. People, again? Slim and none.” he shrugged, “And on the off chance we do, and they are derogatory toward us… or worse..aggressive with us,” He made the gesture of gun with his hand, the pulling of a trigger and then the exploding of a head. “Easy.”