d'Artois: Events in Time

[Klara]

--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--

* Klara: peaked her head in seeing a familiar face telling her she was in the righ place. "Hello everyone!

Skylar: I follow where the action goes and as Pi starts emptying the bucket I scoop up Ellie’s phone and start nosing through it to see what kind of functions it has and why Elliot has issues using it. Of course I have to clean the thing off first, which I do on my new pair of jeans. “Ellie. I think you may have been a woodsman in a former life. Your foraging skills are pretty good.” I nod to the pile of pine cones he’d managed to acquire. “We’ll need some string or thread for those. Thread might work better if it’s dark. Then when we bind them to the tree it shouldn’t show that much. Though I guess we could just nestle them in the branches first. See if they stay put.”

* Skylar looks to the unfamiliar female.
"Hey. I'm Skylar. And you are?"

* Klara: extended her hand "Hi, I'm Klara

* Skylar: shakes her hand.
"Nice to meet ya."

* Klara: smiled "It's really nice to meet you too. So is Pi or Elliot or sire or just friends?

‹Elliot d’Artois› Elliot shook his head, and eyed the bucket. He really did think it was going to work. He jumped down onto the abandoned tracks, where there was some rubble beneath his feet. "Somewhere down here might work," he said, kicking at stray pieces of rock. There'd be dirt down here somewhere, and if he could get through to it, maybe they could plant the tree there. He was distracted, down there and wandering around with the huge tree, and so didn't notice when Klara arrived.

* Klara: watched Elliot looking at Skylar "What is he doing?

‹Pi dArtois› Pi smiles her welcome at Klara, "Hello!" Walking to the edge of the tracks she looks down and watches, her head tilts to the side, an affectation she's unaware she does and watches Elliot curious. "I think..." she says slowly. "that he's going to ... plant the tree" She turns just enough to look at the women behind her... "I think we should get started on those pine cones. Maybe check the crafting table.. there has to be a heap of thin metal crafting twine we can use to hook those pinecones"

* Klara: nodded like that all made sense "Why is he planting the tree though and thanks for letting me come and hang out!

Skylar: “I’m Ellie’s pain in the arse.” I tell Klara with a smile as I start rummaging for the wire Pi mentioned might be there. “We’re livening this place up. That’s our very own Christmas tree.”

‹Pi dArtois› Pi turns and stares back at Elliot, her expression moving from curious to indulgent. "Because it won't fit in the bucket?"

* Klara: nodded as if that made perfect sense, never knowing anyone to put a tree in a bucket, watching curiously

* ‹Elliot d’Artois› glances up at the gathered women - he can see one extra. "Hey, Klara," he calls distractedly. The tree is now leaning against the edge of the tracks as Elliot clambers back out, all limbs and odd angles. He needs to find a shovel, and ... maybe a crowbar.

* Klara: watches with interest "Hey Elliot, need any help?

‹Elliot d’Artois› "Nah, I'm fine," he says as he finds himself behind the crafting bench, rifling around and making a lot of sound while doing so.

‹Pi dArtois› Rescuing the pine cones from Elliot's rummaging she hands them off to Klara, giving her an armful and rummaging herself before plucking out the wire she wants (along with wire cutters) and sets up another area for them to work on the pine cones there. "Here Klara, drop those here.. we're going to make ourselves a rustic tree... mainly because we didn't plan to have a tree so it's pine cone and flower decorations, or nothing." she finished with a smile, throwing another look at the intense concentration Elliot has on his tree planting mission. The man, when he has a goal. Talk about .. intensity.

"You crafty at all Klara?" Pi asks, taking one of the pine cones and turning it around and around.

Klara: I can use a glue gun and glitter

You want them plain or with a little sparkle? *she took the pine cones laying them out and began to cut lengths of wire to fasten to each one to hang on the tree

‹Pi dArtois› "Sparkle would be nice..." Pi looks around the old abandoned underground they'd made their Den before looking back at the woman, "But I'm not sure where we're going to get any sparkle from.. Ohhhh HOLD on!"

Pi reaches into her pockets and pulls out sapphires and emeralds and amethysts she'd picked up in the Caverns.. "How about these?"

She throws them on the rituals table she'd commandeered for pine cone transformation station

(hands over 34 Amethysts, 36 Sapphires & 14 Emeralds)

* Klara: raised an eyebrow "I think you will have the most expensive tree in town!" she laughed taking them from him her and began to stragetically place them on the pine cones, holding the first up for inspection. "How does this look?

Skylar: I laugh as Pi finds the wire first. It is her table so I guess that’s about right. I watch Ellie for a while while the girls talk about sparkles and Pi pulls out a handful of stones. The things were blinging. The kind of stuff I could use in my jewellery. “Where’d you get that haul from?” I ask her.

‹Pi dArtois› Pi smiled and shrugged, a little embarrassed that she'd just laid out what amounted to a pirate booty on the table like they were glass stones in stead of the expensive uncut gems that they were. "Um yes... in the caverns.. they're just.. laying around." turning she nods at Klara. "Yes, that looks great, the glue gun is int he second draw down in the crafting table."

* ‹Elliot d’Artois› had jumped back down to join his tree - now making plenty of noise smashing at the rubble, levering away the heavy bits of cement and tossing them to the side. There's a determined tilt to his lips, his hair getting in his face. Every now and again there's a grunt, but at least the job is getting done - the hole is getting wider, and beneath, there's plenty of dirt.

* Klara: concentrated biting her lip to not put too much glue on each jewel "The good thing is you can reuse these after Christmas" making quick work of each one laying them in a row

Skylar: “Damn.” Whistles again. “I should go down there and explore then.”

‹Pi dArtois› Pi didn't say that she usually just sold them and banked the money, instead she smiled at Klara, "They're yours to keep. From me to you... a Christmas Present... "

‹Elliot d’Artois› Next, there's the sound of the shovel hitting the dirt. Over and over, as Elliot digs a nice large pile.

‹Pi dArtois› Walking to the edge of the platform she looked down at Elliot's hard work "Well, that's pretty impressive." she said quietly. You're not going to need this bucket of dirt are you? Let us know when you're done. Hopefully we will have something to stick on it by then." Walking back to the table she picks up a pine cone Klara had stuck gems to and started threading wire through the tops so they could hang off branches. "So... we have pine cones with gems.. and flowers... I think the tree will look pretty good... all things considered."

* Klara: blinked looking up at her in shock "Oh my gosh Pi, thank you, but you really
don't need too

‹Pi dArtois› "It's the least I can do.. for the holidays. Since I didn't get anybody anything."

Skylar: "Don't worry about it mama bear. I still have shopping to do myself truth be told. So... How are we attaching the flowers? Wire too?"

Klara: they will come in good use!

‹Pi dArtois› Pi looks at the lopside tree, still propped on its side waiting to be plonked into its hole "I think we can just shove those into the spaces couldn't we? Do they need wire?"

* Klara: found a stick and hung them all on the stick, the wires all bent into a hook, the gems flashing in the light. "These are done!

Skylar: "I have no idea. I've never decorated a tree like this before. I'm curious to see how it turns out though."

[Pi dArtois]

--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--

‹Pi dArtois› "Unique. I think." Pi says wryly, but with good natured amusement because no matter how 'unique' it is, she knows she'll love it. Not because it is beautiful, but because, it was created in this impromptu, weirdly convivial atmosphere. And maybe, that's what Christmas was, despite Elliot's initial grumblings, it was a very pleasant way to spend the lead up into the holiday. "Umm Skylar..." She said tentatively, letting the holiday spirit sling her down the path with Elliot's newest childe... "So.. you use the forge a lot don't you?"

* ‹Elliot d’Artois› glances up from his hole digging; he can see them playing with gems, and they sparkle lightly in the dim light. "We don't need lights. We can just... put a floodlight beneath the tree. It'll reflect through the gems," he says, voice bouncing off the walls. Enough dirt had been removed, and he starts fiddling with the tree, lowering it into the hole.

* Klara: hummed Christmas carols softly, happy she had decided to come out, seeing she has missed most of the Christmas parties, it was the first time since her break up she had felt at peace "I really needed this!

Skylar: I look over at Pi as she says my name. “Only every day,” I tell her. “It’s kind of like my second home if I’m honest. I get teased about that actually. And when an antisocial arse hole is telling you, you need to get out more, you kinda start to worry. I don’t spend every waking minute at the thing though. I just pop in and out. I can only take so much. Why? Need me to make something?”

‹Pi dArtois› "No, the one you gave me works really nicely... just curious what forge you use... we don't have one here and... well, I can bring you one here if you'd like?" Pi offers, letting the Christmas Spirit carry her away..."My Christmas Present to you... so you can use the forge here, where it's... " she was going to say comfortable, but it was an old underground railway station, so comfort wasn't really the right word.. "convenient."

Lifting her voice she answers Elliot, her gaze sliding to him but only really seeing his head between the wobbling branches of the tree he's obviously now trying to plant in its new hole. "Sounds good! Klara has some decorations done.. and they look good."

* Klara: carried them all over holding the stick careful to not drop any, see the tree was almost placed "The tree looks nice there

* ‹Elliot d’Artois› holds the tree in place as he starts nudging the dirt back in with his booted foot. He's all itchy, now, what with pine needles having snuck down the back of his shirt.

Skylar: “Oh wow.” I grin at her. “That would be super cool actually. I feel like a bit of weirdo hanging out in that abandoned factory truth be told. But like… Only if it’s not too much trouble for ya. And hey. I had a question… about super powers. I really want the chance to get that transmogrification power. That one Charlotte and Doc have where you turn into an animal. How’d I go about that?” I hadn’t planned on trying to obtain powers but then Ric said I’d be stupid not to try and improve myself so I figure I should at least find out how to go about it.

* ‹Elliot d’Artois› snorts and is very tempted to do that 'transmogrification' thing. But he'd not be able to pack in the dirt properly, if that were the case. He'd spent some time once, as a human, in Tuscany. He'd volunteered for a group who were planting trees. Something to do with global warming. He knows what he's doing. Now the tree is standing up straight on his own, Elliot's packing in the rest of the dirt - down on his knees and using his hands. Getting dirtier than he already is.

‹‹Pi dArtois› "It's no trouble at all." She replies, almost magnanimously, but not really. She'd been thinking about an extension, just a little one. The last portal had nearly filled the place up and she'd been considering a bit of a renovation, just pushing back into the abandoned shops a little, making space for more... things. The forge could fit easily, right beside the crafting table and then she'd have more room for portals... she liked the idea actually, and liked the idea more of giving something to the two people who were here with her and Elliot ... bring some of that holiday season into this space. "As for your question... you'll need to grow a bit first, into what you are... but after a while a wraith guide, I'm not sure which one opens the bridge to that power... but you can find that out. A wraith can help you learn the path to that power. Maybe one day I'll show you my wolf... she's so beautiful.. white, with a thick pelt, darker along the spine."

* ‹Elliot d’Artois› smiles as the tree is finally planted. He stands back up, rolling his shoulders and slapping his hands together. "It's been a while since we've been for a run through the woods," he says, piping in on the conversation.

‹Pi dArtois› Turning she looks at Elliot and smiles a slow smouldering smile. "Oui, it has... too long."

Skylar: “So where do I find out which guide I need. How many of them are there and where do they hang out? Hold up. Wait a minute. You both have this power?” Looks from Pi to Ellie and back again. “And you’re a wolf and you’re a… what are you Ellie?”

* ‹Elliot d’Artois› hauls himself back up onto the platform to join the others. He'd done his part. He'd got the tree. They can do the decorating. "I'm a dingo. And no, I didn't eat anyone's damned babies," he rumbles.

* Klara: watches Elliott listening "I've never seen anyone change before

Skylar: "Don;t make me come over there and thump you old man/ I had other questions too. Selective hearing much?"

* ‹Elliot d’Artois› blinks. "What other questions?" he says. Pi was answering them, wasn't she? He then turns to Klara. "Is that a hint?"

* Klara: smiled "Well I wouldn't mind watching unless that's something one shouldn't do

Skylar: "I need to know which guide to talk to and where to find them. Or can I go to any guide and learn it?"

‹Elliot d’Artois› "Oh," Elliot says and wanders over to his phone. He comes back to stand beside Skylar and logs onto the Crownet. "It's really quite easy. This is how you know where they are... if people are kind enough to share," he says, showing her how to find the locations. And then he frowns and thinks about it, leaning back into his memory. "Klae, I think. Klae?" He glances up at Pi for confirmation.

* Klara: begins to hang the pinecones on the tree here and there until all are spread around it, Skylar are the flowers ready?

‹Pi dArtois› "So.." Pi moving towards the tree and standing over it, looking down at the top of the tree from her position on the platform. "It's ready for decorating then?" Without waiting for an answer (because it was pretty obvious that it was) she turned to Klara. "I think that's your cue. Pinecone time!" It wasn't that she ignored Skylar's questions, it's just that she didnt' know the answer to the wraith one. She'd obviously talked to him/her because she had the power, but she couldn't remember it. [Thinks to herself (but is actually speaking into Ellliot's head You should totally speak to her about this stuff)

* Klara: looked up at Pi "Already on it and almost done" *she moved around the tree finally placing the last one one and climbing back up

Skylar: I take the phone off him and start looking at all the odd names on the list. I begin to wonder if I can go to all of them in one day or not. "Well that’s a place to start,” I tell Ellie. I then look to Klara. “I haven't done anything with them," I tell her as I scoop some up and start nestling them in the branches. “Let’s see if this takes.”

[Lancaster]

--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--


* ‹Elliot d’Artois› had his head still bowed over the phone when Pi speaks - well, or doesn't speak, as is the case. "I have talked to her about this stuff," he mumbles. "She just doesn't remember it all," he says, ruffling Skylar's hair, messing it up, with a smirk.

Skylar: "Hey. Don't mess with doo man." I giggle, obviously messing around. "And yeah. He gave me a crash course.I just had mush for brains that night."

* Klara: looked at them "Can I asked a stupid question?

Skylar: "There are no stupid questions. Only stupid answers." I tell her.

‹Pi dArtois› Lowering herself down onto the railway tracks she joins Klara at the tree, plucking pine cones off the branch she'd put them on and placing them, then plucking the flowers Skylar had and placing some of those too. "I know it's hard to remember it all, but it'll come Skylar." she said good naturedly, [(thinks again, sotte voce into Elliot's head) You've got a big job ahead of you boyo]

Klara: Ok...well don't you guys ever get a little afraid you'll get stuck in your other form?

‹Pi dArtois› She looks up from what she's doing, stopping to look at Klara "What's the question?"

"Ohh" Pi answered, realising. "I actually hadn't thought about it. The wolf is me really, so we're the same and she's always there inside of me.. " Pi answers, tapping her chest with a flower in her hand, bending the petals against her shirt. "So .. no, I don't think I'll get stuck. Or I don't think so."

[(thinks to herself (but it's really directed at Elliot) I better not get stuck! That would be awkard right?]

* Klara: nodded "That's the only thing that has kind of made me leary of seeking the power

‹Pi dArtois› "If it's a power you gain eventually, I think you will see... it will be fine... really." Pi says comfortingly, placing flowers onto the tree before reaching for one of Klara's pine cones and putting that one too. [(thinks to herself - directed at Elliot telepathically) - Well, I hope so! I sound like I know all the answers... but I really... don't. I hope I'm not wrong, that would be.. very bad."]

* ‹Elliot d’Artois› is now watching the girls as they start decorating. He wanders over to the edge of the platform and sits down, legs dangling over the edge. He feels like there's a lot going on - too much, but then he realises why. He narrows his eyes at Pi - whose lips aren't moving. "Oi," he says. "What are you... " he stops. Shakes his head. ~Are you speaking into my head, woman? When did you learn that?!~

‹Pi dArtois› Pi stops, turning where she stands, in one hand she holds a emerald encrusted pine cone, in the other milfoil she’d been placing on the tree and stares meaningfully in Elliot’s direction. “I… I haven’t… I only opened the bridge yesterday I didn’t think it would be so..” her smile widened and she grinned from ear to ear, eyes dancing with playful mischief ~I can talk into your MIND~ she said, projecting her thoughts, well, hoping she was projecting her thoughts and waiting to see if he answered her.

Skylar: “I think I’m gonna go track this Klae down. See what they have to say. We’re almost done here right?” I put the few flowers I have left onto the tree and take a moment to look it over. It’s not looking too bad, even without the uplighting. “Nice meeting you Klara.” I say to the woman I’d just met. “If you need a sword let me know. There’s pics online so you can choose something suitable.” I then go over and hug Pi and Ellie, in that order. “See ya soon mama bear, papa bear.” I place a quick kiss on Ellie’s cheek and then make my way through the station portal.

Klara: It's it fun Pi? I used to drive Simon crazy when he was trying to read

Nice to meet you too Skylar

‹Pi dArtois› Standing back from the tree she sets her hands on her hips and nods satisfied. "Yes, yes I think we're done here.. it's... beautiful, surprisingly so. " leaning into the kiss on her cheek Pi smiles warmly at Skylar, glad now that they'd done this, doubly glad that they'd done it together. "Yes, yes it is good... see you soon Skylar."

* ‹Elliot d’Artois› clears his throat and shakes his head. They can at least go romping through the wilderness together, now, and be able to communicate properly. "Not finished. We have to find the floodlight for underneath," he says. He's not sure they have one here - but he knows there's one up in the top floor of Lancaster's from when they were renovating. "And we need a star for the top," he says. For someone who was so adamantly against Christmas, he seems to know what he is doing.

Klara: I can make a star from some twigs if that would be ok?

‹Pi dArtois› "Well, if Elliot can find us a floodlight, we can spend the last little bit making the star ... oui?" She asks them both, happy to see the job done so they can all stand back and enjoy the final product.

* Klara: found some twigs that had fallen off and a coil of barbed wire by the wall and climbed back up and went to the table and began cutting lengths, using the wire to secre it all, intertwing the metal and the twigs together finally fashioning a very primitive star

‹Pi dArtois› Pi looks at what Klara created and smiles "That, I think, is the perfect star for our rustic tree. Will you do the honours? " Pi offers, pointing to the top.

* ‹Elliot d’Artois› had exited the room via the portal to Lancaster's - had climbed the stairs and rifled through some of the boxes until he found the flood light, and used his tome to get back. He also had a couple of extension cords in hand. While Pi and Klara are set to put the star on top of the tree, Elliot goes about finding a power point.

‹Pi dArtois› Pi watches Elliot leave and come back, his level of industry amusing. Testing out her new power she waits for him to bend, looking behind the crafting table for something and whispers inside his head ~Hrmm you look good from behind~ before turning with a very innocent look on her face towards Klara, waiting for her to put the star up.

* ‹Elliot d’Artois› rolls his eyes at Pi's statement - the light is plugged in, and he turns it on - the light is strong, and bounces all over the place as Elliot carries it back to the tree. He's very conscious of sticking his backside out , right in front of Pi, as he crouches down to slide the light underneath the tree.

* Klara: took the star, finding something to stand on and place the star at the top of the tree, taking time to adjust it so it looked straight to her "Is it straight?"

‹Pi dArtois› Pulling her gaze away from Elliot's rear end she looks at the star and smiles. The flood lighting has done what Elliot said it would do, through the spindly branches the yellow light reflects off the glittering pinecones, refracted greens and reds and blues act like prisms, small constelations atop their pine cones and all of that light funneled to the top where the star sits. "Oh now.. I think that's just perfect Klara." Pi said softly. "Just perfect."

* Klara: climbed down and went to stand by Pi "I love it, this is the perfect tree." overcome with emotion she wiped at the tears that had spilled over as she looked at it. she turned and hugged Pi "thank you for letting me share this with you, you have no idea how much I needed this"

* ‹Elliot d’Artois› stands and admires their handy work, still covered in dirt and grime, and itching from stray pine needles. How he wishes Skylar were there, so he could ask her whether she was happy. Happy now?

[Skylar]

--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--


‹Pi dArtois› Letting her arms wrap around the woman Pi leans her cheek against the womans, pressing soft lips there. Her gaze lifts, searching for Elliot's over the top of Klara's head, tears hadn't fallen but there was something there, something ephemeral and giving. "I think we all needed this Klara and I'm happy you were here to help us make it happen." ]

* Klara: sniffed smiling "I'm really glad you invited me in. when doc first said we were welcome I almost didn't come but I'm so glad to have met someone so special

* ‹Elliot d’Artois› smiles at Pi as he catches her eye, his hands now shoved into his pockets. There's dirt in his pockets, too. It's very hard for him not to say he was very glad Doc didn't come, but he doesn't. He bites his tongue. He stands silently to let Klara and Pi have their moment.

* Klara: turned to Elliot "I know you and doc hate one another but I hope you will give me a chance. Doc was there for me when I needed someone and has always been good to me. I don't always agree with things he does but I hope you don't judge me for his sins. I do appreciate you allowing me into your home.

‹Pi dArtois› Letting Klara go Pi moves to the side, neither moving away to towards either of them, but her voice is soft. "We have our differences with Doc, but they have nothign to do with y ou Klara... it is good you came tonight. It was ... has turned out to be really special."

"Now, come back on Christmas Day if you have time. We're not doing anything special.. but if you'd like, we'll be here and if nothing else we can sit and read a book while Elliot plays to us" Pi jokes, sliding Elliot a teasing glance. "On the Piano... up in the library of Casa d'Artois maybe"

Klara: I would love that! This was to be Simon and I's first Christmas and I wasn't looking forward to being a lone. I do hope to try and come visit tomorrow.

* ‹Elliot d’Artois› laughs. "I don't believe in judging people until I have met them and know them myself. I wouldn't dare," he says. And then he nods at Pi's suggestion. "We don't use that place as much as we should....is the pool heated?" he asks. "Maybe we can blast the heater and I can feel like... home."

* Klara: hugged them both "Thank you both again. I should be getting home and let you two enjoy the tree. Merry Christmas!"

‹Pi dArtois› "Good that's sorted then, come tomorrow Klara and we will turn the heat up to a ridiculous heat wave temperatures and swim in the heated pool and swan around in our togs and pretend we're having an Australian summer." she offers, sliding a grin towards Elliot.

"See you tomorrow Klara." She says with a wave.

* Klara: grinned "Sounds perfect! Night!

* ‹Elliot d’Artois› grins ridiculously. It sounds like a fabulous plan to Elliot. He'll wear his swimming trunks - Australian themed. And that is all.

"Have a good night, Klara. See you soon."

‹Pi dArtois› Pi watches Klara leave and turns slowly in place to face the man in front of her. "You look like a man who could do with a long... hot... shower." she said with a teasing grin.

* ‹Elliot d’Artois› reaches out and tugs Pi into his arms, wrapping her in a very tight and very dirty embrace. "I have no idea what you're talking about. I'm sparkling clean. I don't need a shower!" he says, leaning down to rub his dirt-smeared cheek all over Pi's, his stubble scratching at her smooth skin.

‹Pi dArtois› Laughing Pi turns her face to the side, trying and failing to avoid Elliot smearing mud all over her cheek until she knew at least once side of her face was as dirt crusted as his. "Maybe a hosing down then? With cold water?" She offered, taking a smear of dirt from his shoulder and painting a dark brown line down the middle of his forehead. "No.. not dirty at all you Grinch." She replies, teasing him about his earlier taciturn attitude..

‹Elliot d’Artois› "Not even. Being a Grinch would still imply that I have some kind of Christmas Spirit. Bad or not," he says with a grin. He does enjoy Christmas. Especially if it's like this, with spare parts and company, rather than with overly expensive gifts, and everyone trying to outdo everyone else. "No hoses," he says, ducking away from Pi to clamber up onto the platform again - to head toward the portal that would take him to the crypt. "But in all seriousness, a shower would be fantastic. I'm so ******* itchy," he says, clawing at his jacket to get it off.

‹Pi dArtois› Using her killer ability she leaps onto the platform in a feat that's obviously outside the laws of physics and squarely inside that of vampires and proceeds to calmly walk over to where he was rolling his shoulder out of his coat. Taking it she helps him, pulling it off his shoulders. "Here, let me help you with that." She offers with a smile before dropping the garment haphazardly on the floor. Stepping over it she pushes him backwards into the elevator and presses the button to the top floor where their little used apartment sat. Double rain shower, with heated tile floors awaited them. "I can help you with that itch" she says archly, enjoying her rather heavy play on words.

‹Elliot d’Artois› Elliot is very happily pushed. There's a low rumble of a growl in his throat - they always end up in the shower, somehow. "Mmm, yes, scratch me all over," he says. "And I can return the favour," he adds, his back hitting the back wall of the elevator, and he reaches down to tilt Pi's chin up. To capture her lips in a dirt-flavoured kiss.

‹Pi dArtois› Sinking into his kiss she returns the kiss, her tongue lightly touching his lips and her mouth opens to nibble at his lower lip. Both hands reach into his hair, gritty with dirt and pulls him closer. "Is that hitting the right spot." She says against his lips, hers curled into a sirens smile of a woman who is quite happily being seduced and seducing.

Sliding her left hand into his, twining their fingers together so their rings sat side by side she whispered against his lips. "Merry Christmas love."

[Lancaster]

--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--



<Pi d’Artois> Pi slammed into the Crypt and stalked into the bedroom, ripping her arms out of the jacket and throwing it onto the bed, toeing off her boots at the same time, sock covered feet padding against the deep carpet.


<Lancaster d’Artois> It didn't take Elliot long to get there, either. Of course he wasn't going to say no; he wasn't a child, and this issue needed discussing. Somewhere private. Somewhere where the family weren't privy to their problems. He knew he should have done this to begin with, but hindsight is a *****. As soon as he got through the door he knew Pi was there. He didn't bother making himself comfortable, just followed her through to where he could hear her. "What is your ******* problem?" he asked. Greetings were not necessary.


<Pi d’Artois> "**** you." Pi threw back at him her head spinning with a whip of her hair to glare at him over her shoulder. "You ignorant ****." She hissed back, tempted to pick up her shoe and toss it at his stupid head.


<Lancaster d’Artois> "Ignorant? How the **** am I ignorant?" Elliot asked, his tall frame taking up the doorway - as if to disallow Pi escape, should she wish to leave. "Can't be ignorant if you choose not to tell me anything."


<Pi d’Artois> "You're one to talk about not telling me anything. Who is that woman living in Corvidae? Another of your charity cases?! I should have been told about her... at some point ... MONTHS ago." she growled in return, turning on her heel to face him, her hands slamming onto her hips.


<Lancaster d’Artois> "What the ****, Pi? I didn't keep her from you on purpose and if you'd come to me when you first had a goddamned problem with it, we wouldn't be here right now, would we? But no, no! Instead, you decide to go do some of the same to get back at me. You call yourself ******* mature? They're the kind of games children play!"


<Pi d’Artois> "**** you, Exactly what happened here? Memory failure? Or just the complete lack of caring about how I'd feel about it?"


<Lancaster d’Artois> "Oh, I'm sorry if I'm not used to telling another person about every single ******* thing I do. I helped a person out who was in need. That's who I am. If you don't ******* like it, then why are you even with me? Do you even give two shits about this guy you've shacked up somewhere, or it purely just to get back at me?"


<Pi d’Artois> "I don't care how you wipe your *** Elliot." She yelled back. "I do care, however, that you have a strange woman, I HAVE NEVER MET, living in one of your apartments! I don't know what dysfunctional relationships you've had in the past, but in this one... that's ********."


<Lancaster d’Artois> "If you must know, Pi, I never owned the apartment before I realised one might be helpful, useful," he said, a calmness to his tone that defied his own emotion. He knew she would like it worse if he said he had bought the apartment specifically for Dhara. Maybe he wanted to make her angrier, at this point. "An apartment that was not mine, ever, because I immediately gave it away again. Get it? Rental property. Not mine. Not a place I visit," he said. "You never answered my question. Do you even give to fucks about the guy you've shacked up or is it just revenge?"


<Pi d’Artois> Pi shrugged. Did she give two shits? Not really. Courtney was just a dude, a little more than a random, nice enough for an anti-social hermit with strange preferences in potential housing. "It was Courtney... he needed a place, so I offered him the Trai....house I own." She shrugged again. "I don't care about him... not really. He'd been staying at bunk... for what? Three months? He wanted out. Ohh now, that's not all you did though was it Elliot? I mean, not only did you shack up some human, but the QZ? Really? What the hell was going through your thick skull?"


<Lancaster d’Artois> "Pi! THIS is why I didn't ask who the **** it was! What exactly was your goddamned plan? Make me jealous? Assume I'd react the same bloody way you do whenever I get close to any other woman. Then what? I lose my ****. I go find him and rip his heart out of his chest. This game your playing doesn't concern just US, Pi. You just inadvertently involved someone else who doesn't deserve any of it. None of it!" he shouted. It seriously got on his nerves that she should be so ******* careless about the wellbeing of others. "Who the **** gives a **** about the QZ? Are you really so naive as to think humans don't know about what's going on in there? You think I just planted Dhara there? You think I just put her in the middle of some clusterfuck to fend for herself? You think I'm that stupid?"


<Pi d’Artois> "Yes, I do, cause you obviously fail to understand a pretty important part of what makes your wife tick!"


<Lancaster d’Artois> "Go on, then. Explain it to me in proper detail. What the **** is your plan? Why not be a rational adult and confront me about what pisses you off rather than sneak around and do **** behind my back?"


<Pi d’Artois> "No, we'll get that to that after. How about you explain why I found out when I did about your human charity case."


<Lancaster d’Artois> "What are you expecting me to say, Pi? That I did it on purpose? That I'm ******* her behind your back? Come on, don't hold back. What exactly are you accusing me of?"


<Pi d’Artois> Pi stopped, her expression falling into something akin shocked misery. "You ********." Then lifted her tome and ported out to the Den.


<Lancaster d’Artois> "...the ****..." Elliot saw the tome, and knew exactly where she was going. He hadn't admitted to anything. Pi knew that he couldn't lie. He'd asked questions. And she was as entirely unreasonable as he thought she was if he took that as some kind of confession. He pulled his own tome from his pocket and followed Pi - landed not far behind her. Loped after her, even, to grab her arm. Hard. To keep her in place. "You don't get to just run away. What are you accusing me of? I have fucked no one but you ever since you hauled my miserable *** out of the hole I had created for myself. Do you really ******* think I would do something like that?!"


<Pi d’Artois> Yanking her arm she felt his grip vice hold onto her skin and bones holding her in place. "No, you idiot. You stupid blind idiot. I never THOUGHT THAT." She was so angry, angry and disappointed and jealous yes, but more angry because he didn't even see why she was upset. "I just hate that telling me was a damn AFTER THOUGHT."


<Lancaster d’Artois> "You know why, Pi? Because I didn't think it was such a big ******* deal, maybe? Yes, you have to believe that it just slipped my mind because I'm telling you, it slipped my mind. It's got nothing to do with you being a ******* after thought, and if you were so torn up about it, you TELL me rather than letting it fester into some kind of ... acrid search for revenge. I admit I should have acted differently, but are you going to do the same? Huh?"


<Pi d’Artois> Shrugged and looked away her expression mutinous. "Yes... mostly." She admitted begrudgingly. "Or throw it in your face... later." she admitted with a narrowing of her blue eyes.


<Lancaster d’Artois> "Throw it in my face all you like. Scald me with hot coffee or slap me or stab me in the ******* foot, but no more of this stupid quid pro quo **** as payback for things I don't even know I've done wrong. Right? Does that sound like an okay plan to you?"


<Pi d’Artois> "No." she replied shortly, yanking her arm ou of his grip, rubbing the bruised skin and turning away. She wasn't really hurt, she was a damn vampire for gods sake, but... yeah, she just felt like rubbing the damn arm.

[Pi dArtois]

--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--

<Lancaster d’Artois> Elliot's arms hung limp and useless at his side. Now she just looked like a stubborn child, and Elliot sighed his frustration. "What's your plan, then? Continue to assume I've got some evil scheme and am hurting you on purpose? Continue to try to pay me back for it? That's not fixing anything. That just makes **** worse."


<Pi d’Artois> "You don't hurt me on purpose Elliot." She said, her temper fizzling and sputtering a short lived death (anger was like that, fast, heated and ultimately, abbreviated), "You do it through... ignorance of how it would make me feel. I'm not like you.. you know I'm not... so why you always think I would react the same way..." she dribbled off the sentence and turned to stare at the pine tree growing down on the abandoned tracks, glaring at it.


<Lancaster d’Artois> "And I'm not like you, either. This is the longest time in 20 years that I've spent in one place, with one person. I'm not used to being accountable. I do **** on a whim and I forget about it an hour later. I like to live with a bit of spontaneity," he said, and cringed. He had to stop there. He closed the distance between himself and his would-be-wife; when he laid his hands on her shoulders this time, it was with a gentle caress. "I'm not saying I wouldn't be angry if you did something without telling me. I am. Not just because you did it as some kind of retribution, but because you didn't tell me," he said. Although he said he was angry, it didn't show in his tone. "Tell me? Please? What have you been up to. Have we drifted apart so much in such a short time that I no longer know anything that's going on in your life?"


<Pi d’Artois> "He just needed a place to stay, I don't think he will stay long. He seems a bit of a loner, or maybe he will stay forever, because he is a loner. He's nobody really... my tenant I guess. I'm changing the Training Room... building apartments." She revealed her gaze still aimed somewhere around his chest. Forgiveness was a hard thing to find when you were dead set on being pissy and she wasn't quite ready to be squishy yet, maybe soon, but not right this secondTalking ... helped. Maybe they needed to talk more.


<Lancaster d’Artois> "Did you think about it? Did you bank on me reacting the same way you do? How would you have felt had I found out, if I'd gone over there to..." he shook his head. He liked to think he never would have. Even now, he was vowing to keep a wide berth, because he didn't trust himself. Maybe on some subconscious level he didn't want Pi to know - maybe, he feared what she might do. He swallowed it down and pushed it away. Of course Elliot remembered Courtney. He tried to tell himself it was what he would have done, sooner or later. The guy couldn't live at a backpacker's forever. Instead of accusing Pi of keeping the plans for the apartments to herself, Elliot instead decided to show an interest. "And how it coming along?" he asked.


<Pi d’Artois> "No, yes... not really. It just... yes, maybe I did. But it's not the same because you aren't like me. So.. yeah, stupid. Pi gave him an odd look at his abbreviated sentence, staring at him and wondering for a second whether she was going to let him change the subject. Except she was the one who had changed it herself, edging them away from their original and introducing the other in an awkward U Turn thrown in there to distract them both. "Good. It will be for vampries only. I think that's best...."


<Lancaster d’Artois> Elliot arched a brow. He'd dropped his hands at this point, now focusing only on the new topic. It didn't matter, did it? Why she had done it, or whether she had known what the consequences might be. It was done, and couldn't be undone. "How do you screen that kind of thing? Any old Joe might be interested in the place. What excuse do you have to tell him he can't buy it?" Elliot asked. He wondered whether such a set-up would even work.


<Pi d’Artois> "Building Association. I'll be ... reviving the UnderSecretary Charter to base the Association on.. take up a silent role in vetting applications for... younger vampires. I ... hope anyway, that it can remain... restricted."


<Lancaster d’Artois> This was a thing that Elliot and Pi would never really agree on. Where Elliot was all for helping young vampires, and applauded the project for that reason, he didn't particularly like Pi's work as the UnderSecretary. "But this would be different to that role, right? You wouldn't be... aiding in finding Masquerade Offenders for others to slaughter. You'd instead be... helping the new ones who may not have help elsewhere, to perhaps help keep the offences from happening to begin with?" he asked, hopeful.


<Pi d’Artois> Pi slid him a narrow look, her expression neutral. "Yes, that's that plan.. to help them. I just haven't decided if the upper levels in the addition will be open to humans too. It might be good to have... cover. A sort of... I don't know."


<Lancaster d’Artois> Elliot nodded. "Thralls," he suggested. If this was something that Pi wanted to do, he wasn't going to stand in her way. He couldn't see the harm in any of it. "If you want a cover - surely there'll be vampires living there with thralls who can occupy the top half. Or... vampire owned apartment up top solely for thrall's use," he suggested. "There are... there are humans who are sympathetic to vampires, you know. Humans who know things but won't ever do any harm..."


<Pi d’Artois> Pi nodded.."I know." she replied, her gaze looking out towards where the tunnel in the den narrowed, creeping out into darkness even her vampire sight couldn't pierce. "You need to talk to me about things like Dhara Elliot.. I don't react well, if you don't tell me."


<Lancaster d’Artois> "I know that now, Pi, Jesus," he said, pushing his fingers through his black hair. "I will, I promise. I'll tell you everything. But you need to come to me first if I inadvertently do something wrong. Okay?"


<Pi d’Artois> Finally Pi turns, her hands together, the fingers on her right worrying the ring on her finger, turning it around and around. "Okay. I'll come to you first." she replied, her expression, while not exactly 'open' wasn't still closed down like Fort Knox either. "I shouldn't have.. well, I shouldn't."


<Lancaster d’Artois> It felt like something had fallen away from Pi, in that moment. And Elliot took the opportunity to wrap his arms around her in a gentle embrace, lips pressing a kiss against the top of her hair. "I shouldn't have, either," he said. "Now, is there anything else you haven't told me?" he laughed, then--well, he really hoped it was a jest, and that there were no more secrets.


<Pi d’Artois> Pi wrapped her arms around Elliot's waist and breathed in. "Probably.. but I can't remember what it is right now."


<Lancaster d’Artois> "I bought that boat ages ago," Elliot said. They were in a sharing mood, weren't they? Maybe if he came clean, Pi would remember. Maybe. "The one I'm using for the boat cruise business? I didn't buy it for the business. I bought it as a ... secret place," he mumbled. He hadn't used it in ages, however. It made better sense to rent it out and make money out of it.


<Pi d’Artois> Pi blinks at him and tilts her head to the side. "You own a boat?" she asked, her voice squeaking a bit on the end. "I thought you were just... hiring... it."


<Lancaster d’Artois> Elliot frowned. "I own the boat. I rent it out to people who want to use it for parties. Or whatever," he said. The boat had actually been a great success - better in Summer than in Winter, of course. When the water was actually moving.


<Pi d’Artois> "I own... a little thing out near the trailer park... or a tralier there. It's where.. Courtney is." she finished with a shrug. It certainly wasn't a boat but ... it was something... she hadn't told him about.

[Lancaster]

--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--

<Lancaster d’Artois> Elliot didn't intend to get roaringly drunk. But this was a party, and people were supposed to drink at parties, right? Elliot was just getting a head start. He'd just come out of the shower, his pants on but the belt unbuckled, feet and chest bare with his hair wet and floppy. He stood at the piano, filling his tumbler with the amber liquid. The bottle was once full. Now it's a quarter empty.


<Pi d’Artois> "You're already showered. God, I better get ready." Pi said, spotting Elliot half dressed, her gaze roaming his bare back as she slung her light cotton jacket over the back of the couch. Pulling her shirt over her head she drops that with the jacket too, walking past him with a tickle of fingers along his back as she passed. "How long have we got?" Pi toed off her shoes, flicking the buttons on her pants when she made it to the bedroom and hauled those off too.


<Lancaster d’Artois> "Figured I'd get out of the way early," he said with the arch of a brow. He was teasing, of course. He never knew Pi to be the type of woman to take two hours to get ready. The arch of his brow turned suggestive. "An hour maybe. Why do you ask?"


<Pi d’Artois> "Plenty of time then." She answered, walking out of the bedroom in her undies and bra and socks. "Was that bottle full?" she asked, passing him on her way to the shower eying the bottle sitting on top of the red and black piano.


<Lancaster d’Artois> Elliot had lifted the tumbler to his lips. The glass he'd filled was nearly empty. "It was," he said after he'd swallowed, enjoying the burn of the alcohol. He swirled the alcohol still left in the bottom of his glass. "But a quarter isn't much," he said, watching Pi's retreat.


<Pi d’Artois> Opening the shower door she leaned in to flick it on (as hot as she could stand it) before stripping off. You better not get drunk and leave me to deal with those people on my own, she huffed into his mind her hands reaching for the shampoo as she ducked her crown under the blast of hot water.


<Lancaster d’Artois> A smile spread over Elliot's lips as he drained the last of the liquid in his glass and filled it up again. There was no need to follow Pi through to the bathroom to talk to her while she was showering. I won't leave your side, he replied. He took the glass and bottle with him through to the bedroom, where he threw open the cupboard to figure out what to wear. He didn't have a lot.

<Pi d’Artois> That sounds good. She answered, her hands moving briskly over her body, finger tips inspecting legs that hadn't needed shaving as she smoothed water over skin to wash off ylang ylang scented soap. I'd like it more if it wasn't because I was holding your drunk butt up, she joked. Hitting the shower knob with her palm to kill the water she nudged the shower door open.

<Lancaster d’Artois> Elliot laughed, a low chuckle as he stared at the closet. He reached in and nudged through a few of the lesser-worn shirts. I promise I will not get THAT drunk, he said. Anyway. I'm a happy drunk. This will be good for us, he said, picking out the crisp dark blue with the small white dots.

<Pi d’Artois> Pi was wrapped in two towels when she entered the bedroom, one around her chest, the other swirled on top of her head, her cheeks pink from the shower. "So not drunk.. but happy?" She replied out loud, since they were now in the same room and mind speaking seemed a bit unnecessary, except she couldn't resist the little aside straight into his mind. I wish I could go a bit ... happy. "Sounds like the perfect thing to go.. happy to." Uncurling the towel from her hair she held it against her head and scrubbed, drying her hair.

<Lancaster d’Artois> "That's the plan," Elliot said. "This is important to Skylar, and I owe her to at least... try not to lose my temper. Too much," he said. He tugged the shirt from its hanger, dropped the hanger into a nearby basket, and pulled the shirt on. He took another couple of swallows of his drink before he started to button up, moving out of the way to let Pi near the closet.

[Pi dArtois]

--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--


<Pi d’Artois> Dropping the second towel on the floor Pi walked over to the closet to pluck undies and a bra from the drawer and pulling those on. Turning she narrowed her eyes at him as she yanked her underwear up her body. "So, that's us tonight... Happy Elliot and Happy Pi?" She asked as she twisted her bra on. "What if he's as much of an asshole as you think he is? Still playing happy Elliot and Happy Pi?" She asked, in all seriousness, her hands on her hips as she spoke.

<Lancaster d’Artois> Elliot flicked the hair from his face as he buttoned the buttons nearly all the way from the top. When he was done, he picked up that glass again and happily leaned against the door frame as he watched Pi. He shrugged. "Let's just hope I'm wrong," he said, that optimistic cadence to his baritone.

<Pi d’Artois> "Yeaaaaah." She drawled, turning to stick her head into the same bare closet hoping something would jump out at her. With a shrug she pulled out a suit she'd worn before, the whole outfit on a hanger exactly as she was meant to wear it, including the necklace. "Well, you'll be... drunk so you won't care too much either way." She finished, pulling the things off the hanger so she could shrug into the black silk shirt with the deep open V.

<Lancaster d’Artois> It was contradictory, really, the way Elliot shook his head in denial even as he emptied the glass and poured a little more. At this point, the bottle was nearing half empty. "Tipsy. Tipsy is not the same as drunk," he said. He put the glass down as he pushed the bottom of his shirt into his black slacks - zipped, buttoned, and buckled.

<Pi d’Artois> Narrowing her eyes at him Pi left the shirt open intending to do makeup and hair before putting the rest of the outfit on. "Tipsy... okay, you Tipsy, me happy. We'll be fiiiiiiiiiiiiiine."

<Lancaster d’Artois> Elliot didn't miss the hint of sarcasm. Truth was, he'd really prefer not to go. d'Artois wasn't huge, so he assumed the majority of the guests would belong to Roderic. It would be interesting, to say the least. All Elliot had to do before he was read was pull on socks, shoes, and a jacket. Maybe run a brush through his hair. He'd likely follow Pi around, while she faffed. "Peachy," he said. Just a word. Not a truth or a lie. He couldn't tell the future.

<Pi d’Artois> Pi tsk'd as she leaned forward. The last of the makeup going on with carefully applied swipes against eyes and lips. "Yes, it will be peachy." Elliot had told her what and potentially who to expect and she wasn't sure what she expected. Not much really. She rarely went out, even rarely involved herself in the machinations of politics so expected more... just to watch and smile when needed. Standing, her hair down, her lips now lined with colour, her eyes rimmed in grey and mascara. "Yes… peachy and fine and if it's not ... we just leave. Easy." Except it probably wasn't going to be. But she had hope.

<Lancaster d’Artois> Elliot grinned as he leaned down, pressing a kiss to Pi's lips, fingers tucked beneath her chin. A lingering kiss but not a pressing one. As it was, he came away with that rouge on his lips, but he didn't seem to care. "Exactly. Doesn't have to be a big deal," he said. While Pi had applied make-up, he'd been back and forth to collect jacket and shoes and keys and was now ready to go. The bottle of whiskey was back on the piano. Two thirds empty. But at least he had stopped drinking. His head was nice and fluffy. And knowing Skylar, there'd be more booze at this shindig.

<Pi d’Artois> Smiling up at him she pressed her cheek against his. "No, not a big deal at all." she whispered, finally moving to put on the rest of her clothes, the sleek slacks. She was shrugging into the jacket, one arm in, the other reaching behind to yank it over her on. Flicking the collar she smoothed down her sleeves. "Okay... I'm ready."

<Lancaster d’Artois> The lipstick remained upon Elliot's lips. Maybe as a marker. A claiming of territory. Although he might not need it, Elliot tucked his battered wallet into his back pocket. "Right. Let's do this thing," he said, gesturing for Pi to lead the way as he locked the door behind them. He hoped that she knew the way, because he had failed to check.

[Pi dArtois]

--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--
* Klara: smiled at the woman "Seems we have a situation brewing. How well do you know Cristiana

‹Pi dArtois› I know her in passing, but not much at all. Is she the one that owns Metropolis?

What's happening?

‹Klara: › Well she's a crazy, insane *****. She holds Simon her childe by the balls and always gets in the middle of everything, most of our problems in our marriage was due to her interference

‹Pi dArtois› Pi leaned back on the crafting bench and gave Klara a long look, her eyebrow arching. "I think there is a lot of emotion in that statement, so lets set that aside for the moment and talk about the specifics of what is going on here right this moment... what is happening with her, you and Vada?"

‹Klara: › Well Simon apparently made it on the hit list. He's not well liked and there was a bounty on his head, and his tramp Renee was on there but later was taken off. I don't know why he's there but he is. So vada went and hit him. I had no idea he was going to do it .

* Klara sighed "Simon hit him back and vada showed up on the hit list. I got a text from Simon telling me to pull vada off and I explained to him and told him to take the hit off, he claims he didn't put it on. vada'a hit went from 10 to 37k and I have no clue what it is now

‹Pi dArtois› Pi nodded, waiting for the woman to continue, watching as the Klara told her story, patiently letting the details come out before commenting further.

‹Klara: › so today Crissy sends me a message demanding that I make vada meet her and Simon so they could each hit him and I told her I wasn't invovled to talk to vada or if that wasn't good enough to come talk to you.

‹Pi dArtois› Picking up her cellphone Pi checks Crow as Klara talks.

"Vadablade's contract is 10,000. Simon Ward's is ... 38,000."

‹Klara: › then she and I got into it and we both got insulting, she challenged me to a duall, I said no to **** off so now she wants to kill me so I'll make sure I stay away from the Den until after I come back. Renee has been appraising me and Simon was supposed to find out what was going on but I have a feeling crissy and I's fight...and to be honest has been long in coming might have made it worse for vada

Vada doesn't want you to know anything because he wants to handle it but he did it because he knew how much Simon had hurt me

My guess it was either Crissy or Renee. It's both of their styles to hide behind rather then doing it themselves

‹Pi dArtois› Standing Pi came closer to Klara and wrapped one arm around her and gave her a one sided hug before pulling away. "Well, that's a lot isn't it?"

* Klara: chuckled "Yeah, it's a mess. I don't care about going to the SR, I've been there but I hate to see vada go. Doc won't step in because he told me Simon was worthless and Crissy was crazy but I married him anyways and had I not married him, he couldn't have cheated on him and hurt me and all the death threats wouldn't be happening

‹Pi dArtois› "I've had a message, two actually, from Crissy about this, and I've asked her to meet me in Lancaster's to talk. So talking to you before we speak is good, so I can have a bit more information before I go talk to her. I don't expect there is anything I can do. But I don't mind talking. By the sounds of things she wants to be able to hit vada and then it will be over. She didn't mention a duel with you.. so I will ask her about that. I don't know either of them but I like to takl to both sides before making any decisions. But really Klara, what do you want to do about this? Because it looks to me, it centers around, and is largely for you this happened."

"Yes, well, Charles rarely likes to get in the middle of situations that don't revolve around himself. And it does seem to me to be something you should be a part of the solution for. "

[Klara]

--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--
* Klara: shrugs "Doc believes in tough love, I was dumb enough to believe a compulsive liar

‹Pi dArtois› Pi looks at Klara, her expression calm and resolved. "You haven't answered my question about your suggestion for what could be the solution to this? Is it really you dying for him? Is it him dying for you? What best serves the greater good here Klara?"

* Klara: sighed "I'm dying either way. Doc gave me a choice to apologize to Crissy for calling her names and being rude and I haven't decided if I'm willing to do that since she started the whole thing and called me a ****, but if it would help vada it would be worth it

‹Pi dArtois› "Okay, so you apologise to Crissy. And then die. That is your solution?" Pi asked, condensing what Klara has said into one concise sentence.

‹Klara: › I don't know. Vada wants to handle this himself and to be quite frank I'm sick of Crissy treating me like her little ***** and I'm supposed to bend over and take and say yes maam but Vada's on the line. He won't want me to apologize
Simon took vada's leg off and Crissy wants to meet him with Simon and both hit him and I kinda accidentally took his leg off last night

‹Pi dArtois› "Well, he is an adult, and should at least take responsibility for his actions. He is the one who shot at Simon. I'd say he would be right in assuming it's his responsibility to sort it out. From the message I received from Crissy, him getting what he gave will fix it. So what we are talking about really... can be fixed by Vada himself. Maybe... just letting him do as he wishes, is what will fix it, whether he is the one who pays the price.. or not."

"You accidentally took whose leg off?"

* Klara: bit her lip and blushed deeply whispering "Vada's

He already got what he gave, Crissy wants more

Simon it was barely a flesh wound, Vada lost a leg

‹Pi dArtois› "Well, that was unhelpful considering what he might be facing soon." Pi moved again, back to the crafting table, leaning back against it, her hands coming to rest on the table next to her hips. "It doesn't really matter does it? Vada knew what he was getting into when he went after Simon, for you... and there's no sense in discussing the level of wounds because so far, it sounds like they're even. So will Vada stop now? Or is this just going to continue until he decides it's over."

‹Klara: › Yeah, he did and it should be between he and Simon. He only went after him because he was on the bounty list and took advantage

I think Vada is willing to stop and Simon said as long as he left him alone it waas over. Crissy is pushing this

‹Pi dArtois› "Alright, I have it. I have plans to meet with her. Tell Vada to wait until he hears from me. And how about you both stay close to the Den until I have a chance to talk to Crissy. Sound good?"

* Klara: pulls her phone out to show Pi Simon's test "Simon Ward: *Text message* I didn't put up the hit. I'll see who put it up. I respect him because he's a sarcastic asshole. I respect his intentions. If he shoots me again...it won't be pretty.

Klara nodded "Ok

‹Pi dArtois› "Tell Simon I said hello, and that I'm going to meet with Crissy. Also ask if he can stay down until after I meet with Crissy. No you need to go talk to Vada and tell him to come into the Den until I've talked to Crissy... yeah?"

‹Klara: › He told me as long as vada didn't touch him he would

‹Pi dArtois› Pi nods and looks at her watch. "Okay, I'll try to get Crissy to meet me soon. Go on. Go talk to Vada.. hopefully we can sort this out before it escalates. I'll contact you both as soon as I can."