Logfile from Brass&Steel. The club is starting to fill up with people, and the activity on and around the stage hints to the real-soon-now presence of a band. The air is filled with chatter and canned music. Zach is sitting by the bar, nursing a pint of beer. Harriet enters the club, and looks around with interest at the people and the activity on the stage. She moves quietly through the push to the bar, where she claims an empty stool. Harriet is a woman in her early twenties. She's below average in height, and thin and pale, as if she doesn't get out much. She has short-cropped, unruly, dark brown hair, and green eyes. Her round, open face seems as if it's used to doing a lot of smiling. A pair of gold-rimmed glasses perch--slightly askew--on her nose. Harriet is wearing an ankle-length dress of emerald green silk. The high, demure neckline blends into a transparent panel of darker green lace that skims the very top of her cleavage. The back is mostly open, although two wide straps cross her bare skin, intersecting at the center of her spine. The top of the dress is form-fitting, but the skirt swirls out in a loose design that makes flowing, elegant patterns with her every step. She's also wearing embroidered, green dancing slippers. Zach sips his beer and lets his eyes stroll over the gathering of people now and then. As he spots the lady heading for the bar, his eyebrows rise in appreciation. He doesn't recognise her until she's climbed onto the stool. The even of recognition lights upa big smile on his face and in his eyes. "Harriet! How lovely to see you!" Harriet blinks and turns to look at Zach. She also smiles warmly. "Zach, it's good to see you, you know?" She glances around the club and chuckles. "I remember now. You said once that you liked this place, I believe. How are you tonight?" Zach grins and lifts his pint in a salute. "I'm good, m'lady. And how are you? I gotta say - you look stunning in that dress!" Harriet blushes and ducks her head at the compliment. "Thanks, Zach. I spent the day eyebrow deep in plaster dust, you know?" She grimaces. "So I decided I'd pull out something fancy and go out. Have fun." She grins. Zach leans an elbow on the bardesk and nods in agreement. "That sounds like a very good plan! Did you design that dress yourself?" Harriet widens her eyes and looks down. She laughs merrily. "Oh, my, no. My talent does not extend to sewing, you know?" She laughs some more. "Last time I took a needle to fabric was in Home Ec...which I failed miserably." Lars enters from the street. Zach chuckles warmly. "Well, you /could/ have designed it and let someone else do the assemby, for all I know." Harriet and Zach are sitting at the bar, chatting. There's activity on the stage as a band sets up, and an air of anticipation stirring through the club. Harriet pats Zach lightly on the shoulder. "You're sweet, but no. I bought this one, you know?" She grins. "And the designer would probably be horrified, whoever they are, if I tried to 'improve' it." Zach grins and shakes his head amusedly. "That I can belive. So what's been your project today?" Harriet sighs, and orders a Grasshopper before answering. She turns back to him and smiles. "It's called 'Self', until I can think of something less pretentious, you know?" She shrugs, "I'm just hollowing out the sarcophogous right now. I have to use the saws, and it makes loads of dust. Everywhere." She smiles at him. "What about you? I hope you've rested?" Lars pushes through the door and slides his hands into his pockets as he looks around the interior, dressed like he just got off work on 'casual Friday'. He watches the activity around the stage, smiling in satisfaction to see that he's come in time for a live band. He makes his way to the bar as he spots an open stool there. Zach nods while he downs more of his beer. "Yup. We're more or less back in control at the garage, and I got the afternoon and night off. So here I am, enjoying my otium as it were." Harriet beams at Zach. "Wonderful! I was worried about you, you know?" Her drink arrives, and she takes a long sip of it, and sighs happily. As she drinks she looks around and bounces slightly in her seat, in a movement of apparently random joy. Roger enters from the street. Lars sits down on a barstool and tries waving down the bartender as he hums some tunes to himself along with the recorded music playing in the club. Lars is slightly tanned, his face angular without being too rough or rigid, with a strong jawline. He has soft brown eyes, brown hair parted and swept gallantly to his right, and noticeable cheekbones. Overall, he has a soccer player's build; a bit scrawny for his height, but lean and well muscled. Today he is wearing a blue button-collar T-shirt neatly tucked into light khaki slacks, a tan leather belt, and green & white tennis shoes. Harriet and Zach are sitting at the bar, chatting. There's activity on the stage as a band sets up, and an air of anticipation stirring through the club. Lars is also perched on a stool at the bar. Roger pushes the door open and walks in, whistling softly to himself. Zach smiles to Harriet, while admiring the sight. "You look so happy.." Lars continues humming quietly to himself as he finally flags down the bartender. "I'll have a Bailey's on ice," he orders from the bartender, then patiently waits for his drink to be served. Harriet grins back at him and nods. "I am. It's a good night, you know? I'm having fun!" She makes a dramatic gesture with outflung arms, one of which grazes Lars' shoulder. Harriet immediately looks contrite. "Oh, I'm so sorry, sir, you know?" Roger scans the packed house before spoting an amazingly empty spot at the bar and promply makes for it. Lars nods once and waves a hand dismissively while flashing an understanding smile. "It's nothing," he assures her. Zach says, "We're keeping the Demon of Dramatic Necessity on a short leash. :)" Harriet says, "Well, I contemplated spilling my drink on him... :)" Harriet grins at Lars. "You're very kind, but I should watch where I'm tossing my arms, you know?" She thrusts her hand in his direction. "Harriet Davis, by the way, just in case you plan to sue." She winks. Lars hehs Roger finaly slides up to the bar, sevral seats down from Lars, Harriet and Zach. Not noticing them in the crush of people he attempts to flag down one of the bartenders. Lars chuckles to himself and shakes the hand that's trust upon him. "I have no such thing planned. You seemed to be having a good time. I'd hate to ruin it." Zach beams approvingly at Lars and scans the crowd again. Wasn't there a familiar form whisking by the corner of his eye? Hmm... Zach scan, scan, scan... Harriet grins, and quickly shakes Lars' hand before raising her glass in a salute. "For which I devoutly thank you, you know?" She takes a sip of her drink, and her head turns back to the stage for a moment. "I wonder when they'll start?" You say, "Shouldn't be long now. They roadies have been rigging and bustling for ever!" Lars asks out of curiousity as he looks to the stage, "Any idea who's playing tonight?" Harriet shakes her head at Lars. "I haven't a clue. Coming here was a bit of a whim, you know?" She looks at Zach, in inquiry. Roger finaly manages to catch the attention of a bartender and orders a beer. He slides onto his stool and turns around to watch the band set up. Lars nods once to himself, then blinks a few times and looks at Harriet funny. "What..?" he asks in response to the look she's giving him. He shifts uncomfortably as he tries to figure what she wants. The bartender sets his Bailey's in front of Lars, which Lars picks up and takes a sip from as he waits for an explanation. Zach shrugs a bit. "I'm not sure. I think they're up from New Orleans." Harriet looked at /Zach/ in inquiry. Lars is safe from her Davis Death Stare. :) Lars says, "D'oh! Read too fast" Zach stretches a bit to see more of the crowd. He could have /sworn/... Lars says, "Ignore that part of my pose, then" Harriet patpats Lars. Lars nods once to himself. The bartender sets his Bailey's in front of Lars, which Lars picks up and takes a sip from it. Zach thinks Lars should look at Harriet funny. Everyone else does! :) *ducks* Harriet oohs, and bounces again. "I'll bet they'll be good, you know?" Lars snickers Harriet gives Zach the Davis Death Glare, invented just for him. Zach retaliates with Smoldering Ellis Eyes! Harriet is immune! Mostly. Sort of. Oh, hell. Roger spins a bit on his stool as his attention is caught by something. Craning his neck he spots Zach and Harriet a little ways down the bar. He waves at them, hoping that they'll see him Zach grins and focuses back on Harriet. "Yeah, they'll be good allright! This place is well known for the quality of it's music. They get the good stuff." Lars smiles to himself at hearing about the quality of music this place has. He sips some more of his drink and turns his barstool to partially face the stage. Harriet sighs wistfully. "I hope it's dancible, you know? Dancing would be fun." She hops down from the barstool long enough to do a twirl, and catches Roger's wave from the corner of her eyes. She waves back, with a grin. "Roger!" Roger slides off his stool, still holding his beer and makes his way over to them "Hey Harriet, hey Zach, hows it going? Zach chuckles. "Well it did say swing era music on the lil' poster. I hope I'll be allowed a dance or two with you..." He gets distracted. "Roge! How nice to see ya, how's it going pal?" He smiles happily. Roger says, "Oh I'm good, yourself?"" Zach grins. "I'm fine!" Harriet hops back up on the stool to take another sip of her drink, and rotates the stool to face the stage. "I'm doing well, Roger, you know?" She smiles at Zach. "And I don't see how I could turn down such a gracious invitiation, Zach, although I've never swung, before." She blinks. "Er, possibly not the right word, you know?" Roger blinks and then chuckles at Harriet "Well, I think you have to be married to swing that way if you know what I mean." Zach snorts and tries to supress a definite giggle. Harriet mock glares at them both, and turns away to face Lars. She rolls her eyes, and smiles at him. "They knew what I meant, you know?" Lars glances sidelong at Harriet, playing dumb. "Huh..?" Roger looks curiously at Lar as Harriet adresses him "Oops sorry, I didn't introduce myself." He holds out a hand to Lar "Roger Freeman." Lars nods slightly in acknowledgement of Roger's introduction, shaking his head. "Don't worry...I don't think I introduced myself at all," he admits. "I'm Lars Grove. Nice to meet you." Roger smiles "Hey any friend of Harriets... nice to meet you too." Harriet nods approvingly at Lars. "See, /he/ knew that it was perfectly innocent." She swivels to point fingers at Roger and Zach. "You too have dirty minds, you know?" she says, with a grin. Lars grins slightly. "Um, well, I wouldn't really say we were friends. We only just bumped into each other..". He smiles slightly at Harriet. Zach smiles and offers a handshake to Lars. "I'm Zach Ellis. Noce to meet ya, pal. I take it you're here for the music? And don't mind Harriet. She just pretends to be innocent, y'know." Roger winks at Harriet "The best babe." He nods at Lars "Ah, well still nice to meet you." Zach winks to Harriet teasingly. Lars nods to Zach. "Yep, I was hoping to enjoy some live music, and it looks like I came at the right time. Nice meeting you, too." Harriet laughs and sips her drink, shaking her head at all of them. "You two are quite silly," she says with admirable dignity for someone who is obviously contemplating just how fast she can spin around on the stool. Roger grins "Hey I try." He takes a swig of his beer "So hows it been?" Zach chuckles at that. "Well yes. We're like these two schoolboys clambering for your attention, ma'am." Harriet says, "It's been good. How about with you?" She levels a stern look at Zach. "By teasing me? I was sure that went out in grade school, you know?"" Roger smiles "Oh not bad, not bad at all." Zach grins and empties his pint, then grimaces. Ick! Flat beer. "So whatcha been up to lately, Roge?" Harriet beams. "Good. I hope you didn't have to pick up the same kids, again?" Roger shrugs a bit "Oh not much, been doing some poking around the whole sweet delights thing. Zach motions to the bartender for a new, fresh beer before turning back to the conversation at hand. He rests his hands on his lap, managing to slouch somewhat on his stool. "Oh yes, the candy raid. Still haven't seen any good explanations in the papers for that one.." Harriet smiles at Roger, and leans forward in interest. "Have you found anything out, you know?" Roger nods "What's really wierd, is that the two owners seem to have vanished. I don't know if they're being held incommunicdo or have excaped or what. All the other employes are out on bail. Lars nonchalantly watches the crowd and the stage as he tries to listen in on the conversation about the sweet shop. Harriet hmms and sips her drink as she thinks. "They disappeared /after/ they were arrested? That is odd, you know? Is there any official line on where they are, or is just classified?" Zach frowns slightly. "Yeah, that's really odd.." Roger frowns "I could't find anything about what happened to them. They didn't have any previous records. You say, "Were they arrested at all?" Harriet strokes the rim of her glass with her fingers. "Well, if they'd escaped, why woouldn't it be all over the news? And there'd be a lot of finger pointing, you know?" She grimaces, "Unless they had inside help or influence, and someone's covering it up." She sighs. "Or another acronym took over...but why hide it? That's what gets me, you know? The secrecy." Roger nods "As far as I can tell. But no one is saying anything." Roger nods at Harriet "Yeah, I don't get it eather. I mean, what in the world did they do?" Harriet ticks points off on her fingers. "SWAT teams. Hazmat guys. More law enforcement agencies than anyone should have to see gathered in one place. And apparently a hell of a gag order on people connected to the case." She frowns. "Something big, obviously. Diseases and drugs pop to the forefront of my theories, you know?" She looks at Roger. "What were the official charges, anyway?" Zach listens interestedly. Roger throws up his hands "I'm not sure, I'm on the wrong side of the state line. I have to depend on friends in the other department to tell me things. And no one is saying much. Harriet makes a disappointed noise, but reaches over to pat Roger consolingly on the shoulder. Still, she looks pensive. "Shouldn't that information be available to the public, you know? Habeas Corpus and all that?" Roger shakes his head "Not if it's classified." "Which brings us back to why something like this would be classified in the first place, you know?" Harriet points out. She looks at Roger and smiles. "Out of respect to your profession, I'm not going to say some naughty words." Lars frowns slightly to himself at all this talk, still averting his gaze elsewhere as he drinks his Bailey's. AutoJudge: Zach rolls: 5 + 4 = 9 . Check die: 2 Zach is blind as a goddamn bat! :) Lars hms? Harriet says, "Too much beer. :)" Zach tried to notice Lars dropping eves. ;P Lars says, "Ohhh..heh" Lars says, "That'll teach you not to be a boozehound ;)" Zach hmphs! Is not a boozer! Cultured beer lover, otoh... :) Roger chuckles slightly at Harriet "I thank you Miss Davis." Lars says, "I never knew there was such a thing ;)" Zach says, "One smacked bottom coming riiiiiight up.. >:)" Lars aaacks! Harriet smiles at Roger, then throws her head back and heaves a disgusted sigh. "Secrets, secrets, everywhere, and nary an answer to be found, you know?" She drops her head back down, and sips. "Hey, what about the people on bail? Anyway to get copies of their statements or whatever? Or to talk to them, you know?" Roger looks thoughtful "It could be arranged I suppose. I certanly wouldn't mind interviewing them." Harriet grins at Roger. "I think that would be interesting, you know?" She hmms. "And who /were/ the owners, anyway?" Lucian enters from the street. Zach chuckles at Harriet and Roger. "Now that's something I've been wondering about too. HAven't seen anything in the papers." Lars arches a brow slightly at the talk, no longer bothering to hide the fact that he's eavesdropping. He rolls his neck in an idle stretch. Roger mentions the owners names "It really is wierd." Roger says, "Fidelity hasn't told me the names yet, but ICly I know them :)" Harriet, Zach, and Roger are in a small group near the bar, talking. Lars is sitting at a stool beside them, not hiding that he's easedropping. The club is hoppin' and packed with people. The band is about to get onstage, and the evening promises to be filled with high quality New Orleans Swing. "A lot of stuff around here is weird," Harriet says, rather darkly. Then she brightens. "But I'm sure it'll be figured out. In the meantime, it's fun to play detective, you know?" She wrinkles her nose at them. Zach smiles to Harriet. "You ask questions like a detective, you know. Ever wanted to become one?" Harriet chuckles. "Because I'd look so intimidating and forceful in uniform, you know?" She shakes her head. "I like puzzles, though." Roger nods "And this is certanly a puzzle." Harriet pages: And yes, that is a subtle hint that Harriet is becoming Deeply Curious. Lucian steps into the club, smiling as he does so. It's a Friday night, and even professors need time off. Adjusting his vest slightly, he begins making his way towards the bar. Somewhere along the way through the crowd, he notes the little knot of people known to him, and his movements become a bit more rapid. For a moment, concern flashes across his face. Zach finally gets his new pint of beery goodness from the busy-bee bartender. "Yeah, that whole setup is a mystery worthy of the X-files. I was tempted to try and break into the place to spy, but thought better of it." He grins to Harriet. Roger waggles a finger at Zach "Ah good thing that you didn't attempt it." Harriet nods solemnly. "Because Roger would have to arrest you, and that'd be no fun, you know?" She sips her drink, then grins. "Although, I have to admit the thought might have tripped lightly across my own mind. Not that I ever would, of course." She tries her best to radiate innocence and respect for the Law. Roger raises an eyebrow and shakes his head at Lars "Do you belive her?" he asks with a grin." Lars mutters a reply with a light smile, his eyes still focused on the stage, "Not one bit.." Roger chuckles and nudges Harriet "You're not fooling anyone, see" Zach grins. "But we love you anyway!" Harriet sniffs haughtily, and looks beyond the group. Her eyes catch a familar form approaching, and her entire face lights up. She sets her drink on the bartop and hops down to intercept Lucian, and embrace him. "Hi! They don't believe me, you know?" Zach groans under his breath as Lucian enters the show. He exchanges a concerned glance with Roger. Lucian returns the embrace. "They do not believe you? How could they suspect one such as you of lying?" He shakes his head. "Especially, how could they suspect one looking as delightful as you do in that dress?" He shakes his head, and fixes them with what could be charitably called a "mock glare," at least as long as one doesn't look TOO closely at it. Lucian pages: Awww, missed me? ;) Roger flicks a glance at Zach as he sees Harriet hug Lucian, but manages a smile and a wave at the professor." You paged Lucian with 'Definitely! :)'. Zach smiles calmly to Lucian and raises his pint in a salute. Roger idly turns to Lars "So, what brings you hear tonight?" Harriet spins, making the skirt flare out, and look up at Lucian, eyes shining. "Exactly, you know?" She takes him by the hand, and draws him over to the group, apparently oblivious to all the tension in the air. "We were discussing the Sweet Delights Mystery, and waiting for the band." Lars murmurs to himself, "Interesting times..". He downs the last of his drink and sets the empty glass on the bartop, along with a few bills to pay for his tab. He lifts his gaze towards Roger and says, "Originally it was the music, but I think the gossip is equally worthwhile." Roger grins at Lars "Amazing what you can pick up by listening to the right people. I'm a cop if you haven't already gathered that by now, which I'm sure you have." "Ah," Lucian says, shaking his head. "It is quite a mystery, what happened to the finest coffeehouse in the town. I have hoped to penetrate such a mystery myself, if only to learn if I was in any danger." Nodding towards Roger and Zach, he lifts one hand in salute. "You will forgive me, I hope, Mister Ellis, if I can not return your salute in similar style?" Lars smiles slightly. "That'd explain the confidential type information. So are you all on the Force?" Zach chuckles to Lucian. "By all means, professor. Can I get you anything?" Zach says, "It's pretty packed at the bar now, so having aquaintances flagging down the bartender is a Good Idea. :)" Roger shakes his head at Lar's question "Nope, just me. Zach here is a mechanic and Harriet's an artist. Lucian here is a professor." He returns Lucian's nod with one of his own." Harriet catches Lars' remark and chuckles as she hops back on her stool. "I'm an artist. Strictly an hobby detective, you know?" She winks at him, then looks at the other three men with a decidedly schoolmarmish 'everyone play nice' expression. Lars looks over the introduced gathering, eyebrows raised in curiousity. "Well, that blows my Scooby Doo theory about you guys..." Roger grins at Lars "Oh? Do tell us your theory" Lucian shakes his head and waves a hand to demur. "Nu, Mister Ellis, I shall avoid indulging at this time. It is still early in the evening, nu?" He smiles and looks over Lars. "You have a theory? By all means, share." Lars shrugs and leans an elbow against the bar. "It was only half-cooked. I'm not even sure what the characters' occupations were, but I'm betting yours don't fit." Zach chuckles at Lars. "Aw come on. Now you've got us all curious!" Harriet nods and smiles. "Oh, please do, you know?" Lucian stands near Harriet, watching Lars with mild curiosity, eyes flicking to study Roger and Zach every few moments as well. The band has finally got on stage, and the audience is applauding loudly. Live music bursts out into the club and the set is on. It's swing, it's cheerful, it's catchy and it makes it very hard for people to sit or stand still. Roger turns his attention to the stage as the band starts up "Hey, they are pretty good." Harriet isn't even trying to sit still, but rather, she's nodding and bopping to the beat on her stool, a pleased grin on her face. Zach grins and starts bouncing a foot in time with the beat. "OH yeah! There guys are hot!" Lucian raises his eyebrows and nods. "They ARE quite good," he says, and sounds pleased and surprised at the same time. Roger eyes Lucian "You'd be offended if I asked Harriet to dance wouln't you" Harriet looks at Lucian in surprise. "You wouldn't, would you?" Lucian smiles, blandly. "How does the old song go? Darling, save the last dance for me?" He smiles at Harriet. Looking back towards Roger, he waves his arm grandly and imperiously, as if giving away the keys to the kingdom. "Dance away, Lieutenant." Roger flashes a grin at Harriet and holds out a hand "Shall we?" Harriet chuckles, shakes her head, and catches Lucian's hand long enough to place a kiss on his fingers. "Of course, dearheart." Then she grins excitedly at Roger, and takes his hand. "Oh, let's do, you know?" Zach smiles at the exchange, eyes shining. Roger takes Harriet's hand and leads her out to the dance floor "Ok I have to warn you I'm not very good a swing dancing." Harriet laughs. "I've never done it at all!" She winks. "So this should be fun, you know?" Roger chuckles and starts imiating the moves of the more experinced people around him. Lars says, "Back, but I gotta run. Have a visitor. Thanks for the RP, all :)" Lucian takes the barstool. Watching them head off to the dance floor, he flashes a lethally murderous look at Zach. Ah, if looks could kill. He says something, pitched loud enough to be audible only between the two of them. He mutters to Zach, "... your... is... not,..." Harriet does the same, enjoying herself hugely. Lars slides off his seat and waves to Zach and Lucian before heading towards the exit. He hums along with the music as he leaves, trying to remember the nice tune. Roger grins, getting into the swing of things so to speak, he even attempts to spin Harriet around. Zach smiles calmly in the face of Lucian's grim glare and answers him in an equally low voice. Lucian chuckles, and murmurs in response. Why, look, the two are smiling and getting along! Harriet is spun, her eyes going wide, her grin wider as the skirt flares out in a very pretty effect. She laughs gasps at the same time. "This is fun," she says to Roger in a breathless voice. Roger nods "Lucian was right, your dress is very pretty." With a grin he picks her up around the waist and manages to lift her off the ground. Zach snorts and takes a measured sip of his beer. He mutters to Lucian, "... afraid... Malakites... angels,... oaths prevent... falling.... a... I'd fry upstairs... Kinda..." Zach says, "Not that you can hear this, but it should be fun to read. :)" Harriet says dryly, "Delightful." :) Lucian snorts. He mutters to Zach, "... heard... similar... When... is said... what... Whether... the... push them..." He shakes his head, smirking. "And you call ME a Liar." Lucian says, "Darn, it doesn't allow me to break up the mutter. :p" Harriet makes a surprised and delighted noise as her feet leave the ground, and shakes her head at Roger when they return. "I was tall," she laughs. Roger grins "And wasn't it an amazing feeling." He steps back and keeps on moving to the music." Harriet snickers as she throws herself into the beat. "It was breezy, you know?" Lucian pages: Look, kids, it's a fun game of 'Bait the Malakite!' :p Roger nods "But hey, for a minute there you could see over the heads of people." Zach smiles sadly, shaking his head. He mutters to Lucian, "... distinction? Well... I... angels, I'm not. YOU are a... you liar.... /are/ Liar." Harriet doesn't stop dancing, but still manages to punch Roger lightly on the shoulder. "Hey, I can see over people!" She spins, and winks at him. "That's what chairs are for, you know?" Roger oofs lightly at the punch as he dances "Well, yeah I suppose. Still it was fun right." Harriet nods firmly. "That it was." Her eyes twinkle. "Shame I can't return the favor, you know?" Roger laughs "That I would like to see." Zach laughs! Harriet IS the Mighty Midget! Lucian says, "Damn, quick, anyone know the Ethereal Song of Motion? :p" Roger says, "nope, sorry :)" Harriet makes a face at him. "I'd be squashed!" Roger looks disapointed "Ah well, perhaps we can think of something sometime." He continues to dance cheerfuly to the music." Harriet quirks an eyebrow as she dances. "A stepladder and bionic arms, you know?" Lucian stiffens slightly, glaring at Zach for a moment before relaxing. He mutters to Zach, "... it is as... clay... works..." he says with a smile, looking across at her. Zach shakes his head. He glances toward the dancefloor and back again. He mutters to Lucian, "... it... It's... that... you can hear... the... inside your own... you know..." Lucian shrugs, and looks back out at the dance floor. He mutters to Zach, "... the path I... chosen. At... I can choose... You, you poor shackled..." He shakes his head. "Such is the humor of it all, nu?" Roger swings Harriet around, laughing softly and compleatly oblivious to Zach and Lucian. Harriet is thoroughly enjoying the dance, but does cast one glance at the two men as they whirl by her field of vision. No bloodshed? Good, everyone's being friends. Her smile to Roger is positively radiant. Zach chuckles softly and sadly. He mutters to Lucian, "... chains are... the... my... oaths... them." Lucian shakes his head. He mutters to Zach, "... is not what... were birthed without... you... thing.... that in... I could change... You... not.... fellows in... are... nu?" He smiles blandly, and looks back towards Harriet. "She IS quite the dancer, nu?" Roger is starting to sweat a bit as he dances with Harriet to the sound of New Orleans Swing. Lucian is perched at the bar, talking intently in quiet tones with Zach, and occasionally glancing out at the dancers. Duke steps past the bouncers slowly, an old man making his way to a quiet table. The present song starts to wind to it's end, and Harriet is breathing heavily. She waves at Roger, and gasps--still smiling broadly--"I'm about...to collapse, you know? Drink? Sit?" Duke sits down at Table 3. Roger nods, panting slightly "Want to head back to the bar?" Harriet nods, and draws him off the floor. Her cheeks are flushed with the heat and the excitement as she squeezes Roger's hand. "That was very fun, you know? Thanks!" Roger grins "Glad to hear it, I had a great time too." He leads her back to the bar and picks up his beer, taking a long drink and whiping his forehead. Lucian senses "Zach smiles at the last comment. "Oh yes. She's a sight. And as for my inability to choose Evil - I count that a blessing. I'm made to be part of the honour and backbone of God's Symphony. It's not my fault that Uriel went a bit over the top with the symbolism."" Duke doesn't seem to motion or even communicate with a server, but about 45 seconds after he sits, a club soda, with a twist of lemon, is delivered to his table. He smiles grateful thanks as the club continues to swarm with the usual weekend crowd. You paged Lucian with 'Laurence better not be evesdropping, 'cause then I'm toast! :)'. Lucian pages: Don't worry. _I'll_ never tell. Especially not to that nice Dominican. ;) "We," Harriet says breathlessly to Lucian as she hops back up on the stool, "have /got/ to try that, you know?" She grins widely at him, then holds up a finger. "In a moment. For now, I need to remember how to breathe." She leans against the bar. Long distance to Lucian: Zach eeks! 8) Fears! Lucian smiles blandly at Zach, and shakes his head before turning to Harriet, planting a kiss on her cheek. "Of course, my dear. Rest as you need to," he says. "You look like you greatly enjoyed that." Roger finishes the rest of his beer and sets the bottle down before grabing his stool and siting down "Very fun indeed." He grins at Zach "So, did I miss anything while I was out dancing?" Zach grins to Roger and Harriet. "That was some dancing! Geez I gotta go find a lady to dance with myself. I'm missin' out on all the fun here! You didn't miss anything Roge. Just making conversation, we were." Lucian nods, simply. "Quite. We were merely making conversation," he echoes. Roger nods and lets his eyes roam the room. He raises an eyebrow as he spots the single table that is occuped by only one man "Hey it's Duke." He grins at Zach "Did he ever have that little talk with you?" Harriet drains the last of her Grasshopper and smiles brightly at Zach and Lucian. "That's wonderful." Then she grins at Zach. "And I seem to recall promising you a dance, you know? Just let me show Lucian how to shake his tailfeathers first, you know?" She winks at Lucian. Duke sips at his club soda, eyes closed, humming something improvisational as the jazz music swells. Zach grins to Harriet and chuckles, shifring in his stool. "Sure thing, doll! He could use some feather-training!" Harriet pages: Ha, ha. Very funny. :) Roger blinks "Feather training?" Zach nods to Roger. "Yes, we spoke a few weeks ago." You say, "Ayup. Training in shaking his tailfeathers." Roger nods "You'll have to tell me about it soon." He grins "Ah I see." Long distance to Harriet: Zach grins. We snipe where and when we can! :) Lucian's shoulder blades twitch for just a moment as he slides off his barstool. "I believe that is a challenge, then. Come, Harriet. I shall demonstrate that I need no 'feather-training.'" He harrumphs with the faintest hint of a smile as he extends his hand to Harriet. Harriet takes a deep breath, and practically leaps into Lucian's arms. She raises a hand to tap him gently on the tip of his nose. "You're so cute," she says with a grin. "Let's dance, dearheart!" Roger grins at Harriet "I hope you're recovered." Harriet laughs back at Roger. "Oh, I think I'll manage, you know?" Roger smiles fondly at her "Have fun." Lucian twitches his nose as it's tapped, but then leads Harriet out to the floor to dance, smiling all the while. Roger orders another beer and says something softly to Zach Roger mutters to Zach, "You... want to go say..." Zach's gaze lingers on the two lovebirds as they head for the dancefloor. He inclines his head sideways and mumbles something to Roger. Harriet strikes a pose on the floor before enthusiastically starting to dance. Duke takes small sips of the club soda, every so often, but otherwise settles for focussing on the music, and the musicians. Roger nods and slides off his stool, still holding his new beer "Sounds good." He starts picking his way though the crowd towards Duke. Lucian launches into the dance with equal enthusiasm, a broad smile on his face. Somewhere in the middle, he scoops Harriet up himself, lifting her into the air and spinning her. Ne'er let it be said Lucian allowed a man to one-up him with HIS date. You paged Lucian with 'What's your agility again...? ;o)'. Lucian pages: If I have to roll, I'm burning Essence. ;) Zach slides off his stool and trails after Roger. Roger finaly pushes his way though the crowd, although he does pause long enough to watch Harriet and Lucian dance. He finaly stands near Duke's table and clears his throat "Good evening." Harriet gives a little shriek of delight, and clutches at Lucian's arms as she comes down. "Wow!" she pants, and gives Lucian an impressed look. Duke looks up, idly, from his club soda. "Yesss?" Lucian's smile is rather smug as he resumes dancing. "Did you enjoy that, my dear?" Zach nods to Duke and smiles. "Evenin' Duke. We just wanted to say hi and how are you?" He seems pleased to see Duke. Harriet can only nod and grin at him as she spins. Roger nods at Zach's words "Just wanted see how you're doing. It's been a while since I've seen you here." Lucian nods his head in reply, and returns to a slightly calmer mode of dance. Duke says, "The Duke's just fine, boys." He takes a sip of the soda. "The Jazz is flowing like nectar and the night is just old enough to know better." Harriet chuckles and slides as close to Lucian as the dance allows. "I feel like I need to file a flight plan, you know?" Zach smiles to Duke. "I'm glad to hear that, man. Been off travelling?" Roger grins "Glad to hear it. And yeah the music is hot tonight!" Lucian chuckles in response, holding Harriet close, and the requirements of the dance be hanged. "I suppose that could be arranged," he says with a smile. "Who knows where the night will end?" He winks down at her. Duke says, "I've been tomcattin' around. I still can, you know. Snow on the roof, but the fire ain't out yet." The old man chuckles as he runs a hand through his hair. "But other than that, no travellin'." Roger waggles his eyesbrows and grins "Who's the lucky lady?" Zach lights up in a grin that spreads all over his face. "Well good for you, man! And for the she-cats as well I bet." Harriet laughs up at him, her eyes aglow. "So we'll be up in the air?" she chuckles, "What a coincidence, since I feel like I'm floating already, you know?" She winks back. Duke says, "A man's gotta have some secrets, boys." Lucian chuckles. "Stranger things have happened, my dear Harriet. Trust me," he says. Roger glances over at Harriet and Lucian and some of the pleasure on his face vanishes as mutters softly to Zach and Duke "She's sure having a good time out there." Duke says, "'Course she is. That's what the Jazz is all about, boy." He drains the last of his club soda. "'s what it's all about." Roger glances at Duke "Do you mind if Zach and I join you at the table for a few minutes?" Roger senses "Zach follows Roger's glance and sighs softly. He touches Roger's arm lightly and shakes his head just a bit. "Not now."" Harriet laughs, and blows a kiss up at him. "Sounds like fun, you know?" she says happily, and throws herself into the dance with renewed vigor. You paged Roger with 'That was in response to the dancefloor thing. :)'. Duke considers the request for a long moment. Roger glances at Zach and nods quietly. Zach takes a swig of his beer and taps a foot to the beat from the band. His roaming eyes are searching for a dance partner... Lucian continues the dance, as the song starts drawing near its close. "This HAS been entertaining," he says with a smile, panting ever so slightly. Harriet looks up at him, tired but extremely happy, and gives him a hug as they step off the floor. "I'm certainly glad you enjoyed it, dearheart." She looks at him and shakes her head. "And you barely look tired, you know?" Roger sighs as the song ends "Anyone know the name of this band?" Duke finally motions his acceptance of the idea, for politness' sake. Lucian smiles, and leads Harriet back to the bar. "Do recall, my dear, that you have had two dances to my one," he points out without directly answering the question. Zach smiles. "Poster said it's the Dave Bernard Band. Never heard of 'em before, but they play a mean swing." Duke says, "They're a good bunch of joes." Harriet perches on her stool and nods at Lucian. "True, but still impressive, you know?" She smiles at him, then reaches back for her drink, and drains the last swallow. She raises the cool glass to her forehead, and closes her eyes. Roger smiles at Duke "Have they played here before?" Zach smiles to Roger and Duke. "I'll leve you two alone here, I gotta go make sure I get the next dance with Harriet." He nods and heads back to the bar. Roger chuckles and waves at Zach "have fun. She's a good dancer." Duke exchanges a few more words with Roger. Lucian smiles, and nods at Harriet. Watching Zach approach, he fixes the man with glittering blue eyes filled with malice. Roger takes a swig of his beer and says something to Duke Zach swings himself onto the stool he recently abandoned, grinning to Lucian. "You got some real good feather-training there, pro. Nice moves." Harriet opens her eyes, and puts her empty glass back on the bartop. Her breathing is still a little rapid, but she looks at Zach and Lucian with bright, happy eyes. "He's very good, you know?" she agrees. Roger looks slightly confused at something that Duke says. Lucian smiles, blandly, at Zach. "As you can see, my tail works quite well as is, Mister Ellis," he says dryly. Zach nods to Harriet. "Yeah, I could see you were both having fun out there." Harriet chuckles and nods. "Much fun was had by all." She points at him. "And you're next, you know? Just let me stop the heart attack." Zach pats her arm smilingly. "No need to rush, Harriet. Take your time and rest up. Get something to drink and all." Lucian nods his head in agreement. "Absolutely. Take your time, Harriet," he insists. Harriet sighs, and does order another Grasshopper, which she sips while her pulse stops racing, her eyes closed again. Lucian sits quietly, moving an arm around Harriet possessively, while he casts an Evil Glare (tm) at Zach. The band seems to be having a lot of fun playing their gig. So far they've been putting an emphasis on the uptempo tunes, but now more of the smooth ballroom melodies crop up. Ballroom with a very definite New Orleans Dixie twist that is. The brass-guys have no intention of laying low, it seems. Harriet leans briefly against Lucian, and plants a kiss on his shoulder before opening her eyes and grinning at Zach. "Okay, I'm alive now, you know?" She slides off the stool and gives a reassuring smile to Lucian before turning to Zach. "Care to dance?" Zach curls one cormer of his mouth in a small smile. His green eyes sparkle and glitter as they meet Lucian's Evil Blare(tm) dead on. Zach says, "Evil Glare!!" Harriet says, "I kinda liked Blare... :P" Zach says, "For goodness sakes!!! 8-(" Zach curses and chuckles. Zach suspects that the Evil Blare (tm) will come later... :) Lucian lets the Evil Glare drop the moment Harriet starts moving. He exhales, softly, frowning slightly as he watches Harriet turn towards Zach. He gestures towards the bartender, and says, flatly, "Gin and tonic." Zach slides off his stool again and offers his arm to Harriet to lead her toward the dancefloor. Harriet grins and takes the offered arm, as the music flows around her. She throws him a wary look as they reach the floor. "Shall I expect airtime from you as well?" She murmurs softly to Zach, and smiles. Duke makes some kind of 'go ahead' motion to Roger. Roger leaves Duke's table and wanders over to the bar, clutching his empty beer battle. Zach stands straight and places an arm around Harriet's waist, the other hand taking hers to lead. He chuckles softly. "No, don't be afraid of that my dear. It's the wron kinda tune for that." And indeed the band have slowed down into a smooth, sweet and haunting melody. Perfect for dancing without airtime. Duke uses the opportunity to rise quietly from his seat, and slip into the crowd. Lucian sits at the bar and sulks, glowering and drinking the gin and tonic the bartender finally brings him. Harriet grins, and looks both disappointed and relieved. "It's fun, you know?" She says, and chuckles. "Definately a new experience." Roger leans against the bar and eyes Lucian "Zach's a good dancer" Zach moves like he's done nothing but dance hos entire life. He leads Harriet with confidence, trying his best to make her shine. Just like a good partner should. Duke steps outside. Lucian replies, voice flat, "I would expect nothing less." Harriet pages: Let's have a moment of sympathy for Lucian. His pet project's dancing with an angel, and the other White Hat is taking potshots at him. :) You say, "I don't doubt it, honey. And if you insist I'll throw in a lift at the end, I think it might fit there." Roger smiles plesently "Well it's in his blood, dancing is very creative. Long distance to Harriet: Zach giggles. "Poor Lucian..." Harriet seems to be enjoying herself. She thinks about it, and her eyes sparkle. "Maybe just a little one, you know?" Harriet pages: Ooh, and they're *good* potshots, too. Go Roger! Lucian snorts. "Blood? You give Mister Ellis far, far too much credit to claim such a thing flows through his veins," he responds coldly, throwing back another swallow of the drink. Roger smiles pleasently "Oh, I don't think so. Not at all." Zach smiles warmly, keeping eye-contact all the time. Harriet gets lead all over the dancefloor, with little twirls added in for fun and pananche. "A little one it will be, then. Your wish is my command, ma'am." He grins and dips her gently. Lucian turns and looks at Roger, smiling, lazily. "Nu, I would imagine not." He shakes his head. "You have, after all, only heard one side of the story, and a biased one at that." He chuckles. Roger raises an eyebrow "Biased in what way?" Zach makes a roll to see if he gets to be fancy on the floor or just ordinary. Fail=ordinary and unable to make Harriet really shine as much as he wants to. :) AutoJudge: Zach rolls: 6 + 2 = 8 . Check die: 4 Zach says, "WOO-HOO!!" Harriet laughs as she comes out of the dip. "What," she asks with a twinkle in her eyes, "you don't think I'm close enough to the ground, already, you know?" Harriet says, "Oh, goodness. I fear Zach in Dance Mode. :)" Lucian says, "Ye gods." Roger laughs "My dear Lieutenant," Lucian says, pausing to empty his glass, "You are staring out at the cold-blooded creation of a vengeful and jealous divinity, one that can bear neither dissent nor criticism, and in response to an attempt to foster an honest debate, instead chose a brutal, senseless war... one in which you have unpleasantly found yourself caught up in. Truly, it is a pity for you." He shakes his head morosely, and gestures towards the bartender for a refill. The person sitting on the other side of Lucian from Roger gives the hapless and suddenly hard-drinking Professor an odd look, and shifts his barstool a few more inches away. Zach has now managed to figure out how Harriet moves and how to optimize these movements with the music. He confidently twirls her out and draws her back into his arms, then launches them into a trip around the floor that is a lot more flashy than it's been so far. "Harriet, I'm just trying to make sure you have fun," he smilingly insists, treating her like a knight would his lady. ...if said knight and lady knew anything about slow swing... Roger blinks at Lucian and then throws back his head and laughs "Oh you poor deluded man." The current time in Kansas City is 00:38 AM, Sat Oct 12, 2002. Lucian shakes his head and looks at Roger. "That is quite amusing - I was just about to say the same of you." He smiles, wanly. Harriet laughs breathlessly as she is galavanted around the floor. "I can honestly say," she gasps, "that tonight has been great, great fun." She flickers a glance in Lucian and Roger's direction and her grin warms just a bit. "Everyone's even getting along, you know?" Roger sighs and looks around "God created the World and set his only begotten son out love and compassion for us poor mortals." Zach chuckles as he yet again draws her in from an elegant twirl and into a gallant dip. "Oh yes. Everyone's getting along..." Zach . o O ( In all sorts of interesting ways... ) Harriet pages: ...like rabid cats in a wet sack. :) Lucian chuckles in response. "Actually, popular theory holds that He created it because he was bored... and as for his Only Begotten Son..." He shakes his head. "I suppose no one has really explained how that one worked to you, have they?" His eyes glitter with amusement. Roger raises an eyebrow "You mean besides Zach and my priest." he says dryly "Why no, it's never been explained to me." Lucian takes a long swallow of his alcohol. "Oh, do tell the story, Lieutenant Freeman. I would love to hear how Mister Ellis tells the tale." He leans towards Roger intently, eyes wide with interest. Harriet is giggling helplessly at Zach's gallant treatment. "You, sir, /are/ completely incorragible, you know?" Zach laughs and p roger=More like WHEN??? 8) Zach groans.... Lucian chuckles. ;) Harriet patpats. "Just remember not to breed." Zach chortles. :) Lucian says, "Tee hee..." Roger shrugs "What's there to explain about God's love?" Zach joins Harriet's happy laugh. "And would you have me be any different, my lady?" Lucian smiles, ferally. "Ah, therein lies the grand amusement of it all, Lieutenant. It is my understanding that, you see..." He chuckles, amused by the thought even before he speaks it. "It is my understanding that there is a certain level of... ah, shall we say... disagreement... over whether that WAS God's Only Begotten Son roaming Palestine some two thousand years ago." He shakes his head. Roger sighs and shakes his head and leans forward to mutter something to Lucian Roger mutters to Lucian, "Oh?... I'm supposed to..." AutoJudge: Lucian rolls: 3 + 5 = 8 . Check die: 6 Lucian whews. :) AutoJudge: Roger rolls: 4 + 2 = 6 . Check die: 5 Zach eyes the dice.. :) Lucian's eyes sparkle, as he leans forward. Voice low, He mutters to Roger, "I... Lieutenant. I... stating... unpleasant,... a... Heaven or... who... be... with... just... went... years... and any who... that your... is... is committing... far... accused..." He leans back, face grim. Harriet rolls her eyes, and smiles. "I suppose not." Then something flickers across her face, and she stares directly in his eyes, seems to be thinking of saying something. Then the moment passes, and she's caught up in the rhthym of the dance again. Harriet pages: Oh, dear. I think Lucian's being a naughty boy. Lucian bats six big baby blue eyes innocently. ;) Roger looks uncertanly at Lucian and then over at Zach as he stammers to Lucian "But but..." Zach groans! :) Harriet patpats Roger. Roger mutters to Lucian, "... Angels.... they... Christ in Heaven... at the..." Zach swings Harriet around. "Is there something on your mind?" he asks softly when he sees the look in her eyes. Harriet sighs, and smiles. "Nothing I want to talk about right now, you know?" She grins at him. "We're dancing and having fun, you know?" The music Harriet and Zach are dancing to seems to be winding towards the end. Zach starts leading Harriet into shorter steps, gearing up for a lift. "Ok, no problem, doll. You ready to fly?" Harriet nods, excited. "As long as you catch me, you know?" she says with a wink. Lucian spreads his hands widely. He mutters to Roger, "You... think, nu? What explanation... they... Undoubtedly,... have not... you,... than... explain... Lieutenant.... not... any... allegory,... fables... individuals... morals than I... their..." He smiles, conspiratorially, and leans over to pat Roger on the back. Zach says, "Oh dear... :)" Lucian;;;|-< Roger eye's narrow slightly and he steps away from Lucian's hand. Still he looks uncertain He mutters to Lucian, "Well...maybe... up... one..." Lucian spreads his hands. "I do not intend to pressure you, Lieutenant. I would greatly prefer that you make your own choice in the matter... once ALL the facts are laid out before you." Zach grins and leads her the last few steps vefore the grande finale. "I promise, upon my honour - I will catch you. Here comes the flight.." He lifts her effortlessly up from the floor, as if she weighs nothing at all and gives her a spin so that she turns around in the air when he lets go of her waist. Then he catches her again and lets her down gently, holding her close and laughing. Roger looks down at the empty beer bottle in his hand, clearly unsure "Well, I suppose that makes sence." Harriet laughs merrily as she touches the ground again. She fans herself and grins at Zach. "Fitting for a finale, good sir," she says, and curtsies. "Thank you for the dance, you know?" Zach bows smilingly. "Thank /you/, Harriet. It was great fun. You're a good dancer." He offers hos arm to lead her back to the bar. Harriet takes his arm, and shakes her head. "I have had very kind partners, you know?" She lets Zach lead her back to the bar, smiling. AutoJudge: Lucian rolls: 6 + 4 = 10 . Check die: 2 Lucian whews. JUST made that. AutoJudge: Roger rolls: 3 + 1 = 4 . Check die: 4 Lucian Winces. Roger is standing at the bar looking uncertain and unsure about something." Zach gallantly leads the lady back to the two gentlemen by the bar. "Wazzup guys? Did we miss out on anything?" Harriet goes over to Lucian, and hugs him, but turns to look at Roger. "Roger," she asks, concerned, "are you okay, you know?" Lucian leans forward, and nods. "I would, were I you, keep a shaker of salt handy, and take grains from it for anything you are told for now by Mister Ellis, at least until you have managed to hear all the facts of the situation. After all, Lieutenant, is it not incumbent upon you to conduct a full investigation?" Blue eyes sparkle hypnotically, but he jerks suddenly as he hears Zach's voice as they return, turning. "The Lieutenant and I were merely having a quiet discussion..." Roger frowns at Lucian and shakes his head as mutters something back as Harriet and Zach approch Roger mutters to Lucian, "He's told... the... reason to... him"" Roger manages a smile at Harriet "I'm fine thanks, how was the dance?" Zach bores a set of eyes into Lucian's. The temperature in that one stare lies somewhere close to 0 Kelvin. Harriet looks at Roger, then at Lucian, then back at Roger. "The dance was fun, thanks," but her response is rather abstracted as she climbs back on the stool, and reclaims her drink. She looks between the two men again. Zach places a hand on Roger's shoulder. "Sure you're okay, bud?" Roger quickly orders another beer and takes a swollow "Yeah yeah, I'm fine." Still he sounds slightly upset about something." Lucian's return look is a challenging smile of smug superiority. He takes another sip of alcohol, and shifts to lean towards Harriet. "Has it been an enjoyable night, then, my dear Harriet?" Harriet Harriet says, "Blast." Lucian patpats. Roger says, "whats wrong?" Zach hugs. :) Lucian says, "Someone's breeding again. ;p" Roger says, "hmm?" Harriet's look of concern has edged to just the happy side of a glare as she takes in Roger's not-happiness. Since she's not sure where to aim it, yet, everybody's getting a share. "May I assume you're discussing 'philosophical differences' again?" Her voice is slightly cool, and after a moment, her look settles on Lucian, as the person /not/ in distress. "Perhaps you should refrain from conversational topics that cause distress, you know?" Roger hops up on his stool and takes another drink of his beer "No no, I'm fine. Don't let me ruin your evening Harriet dear." Lucian blinks as Harriet's not-a-glare settles on him, and quietly - one might, just might, call it meekly - sips his drink. Roger glances uncertanly at Zach and then back at Lucian. Zach regards Roger with some concern and frowns slightly. "Yeah, let's lay off the philosophy now. This ain't a beret-and-turtleneck place after all." Roger chuckles slightly "Hey, this is a jazz club. Is't that that they're for?" Harriet looks at Lucian a bit longer, then reaches over and pats Roger on the shoulder. "You sure you're alright, you know?" Lucian chuckles, slightly. "I must confess, Mister Ellis, I would have a hard time imagining you in a beret, banging on a bongo drum." Roger smiles at Harriet "Yeah yeah, I'm fine. Thanks." Zach rewards Lucian with a wan smile. "Is that so, professor? I was give to belive that you had a well trained imagination. Goes with the territory, don't it?" Zach inwardly shudders. Beret and bongo drum is not up his alley. Oh no. :) Roger takes another swollow of his beer and mutters something to Zach Roger mutters to Zach, "... we... sometime... Have... to..." Curiously, it's up Lucian's alley. Lucian waves his drink widely, the liquid sloshing just a bit against the sides of the glass. "Education requires imagination, in order to find how best to reach students," he says with a bland smile of his own. Harriet smiles back at Roger, then watches Lucian and Zach, before turning her attention fully to Lucian. She smiles, but it's not as wide as she's been smiling. "I think I'm tired out from all this fun, you know? I'm going to make my way home." She reaches a hand up to cup his cheek. "Would you care to escort me?" Zach nods to Roger. "Sure." He turns back to Lucian. "My point excactly. So then you shouldn't have much trouble imagining me with a beret and a bongo drum, I fear." Roger looks at Zach and imagines him with beret and bongo drum and shudders "I can, but I'd perfer not to." Harriet unbends enough to chuckle. "Oh, I don't know. Well...okay, the bongo drum is definately too much, you know?" Lucian nods, and his smile has a flash of relievedness in it as well. "I would be honored, my dear," he says, sliding off the barstool. Harriet smiles at Zach and Roger, and jumps off her stool herself. "Good night, guys. And be safe, you know?" Roger smiles and leans over to hug Harriet "Hey I'll see you around, thanks for the dance. I had a great time." Zach pats Harriets arm in a friendly farewell. "You too, Harriet. Be safe now. And thanks for the dance!" Zach says, "Are we signing off now? If not, Roger and Zach will try to follow Lucian and Harriet... :)" Roger says, "we will?" Lucian laughs. Harriet says, "Harriet wants to have a few Words with Lucian, so I guess following can be arranged. :)" Zach says, "Yes. We will. >:)" Roger says, "ah ok.." Harriet patpats Roger. Roger even has move silently :) Zach admires. Roger grins Lucian smiles at Roger. "You know how to reach me, Lieutenant," he says. "Good evening, Mister Ellis," he adds as an afterthought, and extends his arm to Harriet. Roger nods at Lucian "Yeah, I do. I'll see you around Professor, Harriet." Harriet takes the arm with a smile, but there's a glint in her normally carefree eyes that suggests that she's not the happiest camper in the forest. She waves goodbye to Zach and Roger, and allows Lucian to escort her out. You say, "Good night professor..." Lucian leads Harriet out the door and onto the street. Downtown -- 18th and Vine How many metaphors can be crammed into a single downtown intersection? If there's a record for it, it was set here, at the spiritual heart of Kansas City, the cradle in which jazz was rocked in its infancy, the womb in which the specific 'swing' style of jazz was born, this neighborhood which is both a lady and a whore. From just after World War I until just after the Korean War, this was the metropolitan area's main African American neighborhood. It's grown more diversified since then, but recent renovations in the name of historical preservation have brought the old images and sensations -- the harsh crack of a baseball bat swung by a Negro-leaguer, the smooth wailing of a tenor sax in expert hands, the scent of sweet smoky barbeque -- back into vogue. Now jazz clubs stand side by side with more modern venues, and art galleries are scattered among the African American cultural centers and Jazz and Negro League museums. Obviously, this area's extreme notoriety and throbbing pulsebeat of life means it's *always* inhabited, by crowds of people. Even in the wee hours, though folks move slowly and perhaps even in a fog of alcohol, they move. Contents: Harriet Lucian Obvious exits: Side Streets Vacant Building Club Bluebird South on Paseo West on 18th Roger emerges from the Club Bluebird. Harriet isn't looking at Lucian. "Did you bring your car? I walked, you know?" Roger waits a few minutes after Harriet and Lucian leave before sliping out aftert them. Roger says, "let me know when you want me to make move silently rolls :)" Zach does the same. Lucian shakes his head. "I as well," he says with a faint sigh. "Still, it is only a few blocks, nu?" He smiles, vaguely. "If all the dancing has tired you out," he offers, "We could call a cab." Harriet nods slightly. "That would be nice." She lets them walk a little ways out from the door before stopping, and dropping Lucian's arm. She looks up at him. "What did you say to Roger, you know?" she asks, solemnly. Lucian walks a few more steps, and pauses at the curb, looking around for a cab. "We began with a discussion of Mister Ellis's considerable dancing ability," he says, blandly, and peers up and down the block, hoping to see a yellow cab. Roger is by the way assumimg that because it's a friday night and this is a busy area there are people around so Zach and I aren't really standing out :) Harriet says, "Harriet certainly isn't looking around." Lucian says, "Lucian's not yet. Give a few moments for the paranoia to kick in." Roger grins Roger leans over and says something softly to Zach Harriet glares at Lucian's back. "Yes? Sounds harmless enough. Now, how did the conversation /end/, Lucian? In other words, what did you say that upset him like that?" She raises a hand to adjust her glasses. "And while we're at it, why is it that almost every time I leave you alone with someone, they look less happy than when I left?" Zach cheers Harriet the Valkyrie on!! :) Roger grins at Zach and conintues to quietly follow them, hoping to get lost in the late night crowds. Lucian stops cold, and frowns down the block. No cab just yet, but surely there must be one soon enough. Looking towards Harriet, he sighs. "I rather thought he and I were having a civil conversation," he says, simply enough. Harriet makes an expression that might have been a smile, if the sound of her teeth grinding wasn't audible. "That," she says heavily, "is not an answer. It's an evasion, you know?" She crosses her arms across her chest. "I realise that you seem to have a problem with straight answers, Lucian. But Roger's a friend of mine, and I don't like that someone who I care deeply about seems to have hurt him. I don't like it at all." Lucian says, "Uh oh." Zach keeps an eye on the two lovebirds and moves to loiter casually against a shadowy piece of wall nearby. Harriet grins. "Uh, oh?" Lucian nods. "Uh oh." Roger stops to idly windowshop, as he watches the reflection of the two in the glass." Harriet sighs. "I feel a Will roll failure coming up." Roger patpats and knows the feeling *evil glare at Lucian :) Lucian spreads his hands widely, the picture of aggrieved innocence. "What is it, then, that you would want from me, Harriet?" He raises his eyebrows. "Have I truly sparked such distrust in you, that I must be subjected to this Inquisition?" He glares at her, himself. "Very well, then. Can we, perhaps, at least move this to more private surroundings, rather than conducting such business before all and sundry?" Roger frowns slightly as he hears "Moving to more private surroundings" but keeps watching them in the glass. Zach continues to prop up the wall. Harriet shuffles a little, but visibly steels herself. She smiles. "If this were an inquisition, Lucian, you would be tied up. You're not. And all I want from you..." she trails off, then shakes her head. "I care about you. I really, really do. But I want to know what's going on, here." She turns away from him and runs a hand through her damp hair. "I want to know why no one can give me anything approaching a simple, meaningful statement!" She pivots like a drill sargeant to face him again. "Sometimes, I feel like I don't know you at all, you know?" Her voice is pained. "And I don't like that feeling." Roger turns and wanders a little closer to Zach Roger chuckles softly at somthing that Zach whispers to him" Lucian sighs, and runs a hand through his hair. "That... that is not my intent, Harriet," he says. "If it will take 'straight answers' in order to allay your fears, then pardon the work of a man who is too used to the joys of the English language to necessarily remember to place things in a 'straight' fashion." He shakes his head and takes a step towards her. Roger joins Zach in leaning against the wall in the shadows, watching the two of them with interest." Harriet sighs herself, and looks up at him, her eyes reflecting her torn emotional state. "Okay, dearheart," she says softly. "I'm listening." Roger sighs in disapointment. Zach twitches ever so slightly. Lucian rubs at his temples, gathering his thoughts. "Where would you like me to begin?" He looks up at her, and smiles, but it's a tired smile. Roger leans over and whispers something to Zach Harriet is almost moved to smile back, but you can almost /see/ the mental finger-shaking as she draws herself back into line. "Let's start with what you said that hurt Roger, you know?" She looks at him steadily. Zach quietly mouths something back to Roger. Roger nods at Zach's words and looks back at the two lovers. Lucian rubs at his temples, gathering his thoughts. "The Lieutenant has asked for my assistance in some rather... personal matters of his. I fear he did not like the answers I offered." He spreads his hands. "I apologize, but I would rather not explain further. It was not my intent to leave him so... disquieted." Roger shifts slightly, looking somewhat upset and uncomfortable. He glances over at Zach. "Lucian," Harriet says, her eyes a-glitter, "I'm a reasonable person, who would love to see all my friends get together and be happy, you know? But, it must be said, that I'm having a very hard time imagining Roger asking you for advice on delicate personal matters. As much as I wish it otherwise, he doesn't seem to like you very much, you know?" She raises an eyebrow. "What was the nature of the problem? Philosophical?" The last word is practically spit out. Zach raises an eyebrow to Roger, gently quizzical. Lucian blinks, impassively. "It was a religious dilemma, if you must know," he says, frowning. Roger leans over and mutters something to zach Zach nods calmly to Roger. Harriet nods. She doesn't seem particularly surprised. "That makes sense. A lot of conversations I've been around lately seem to be taking that bent." She smiles at him. "Are you a devout man, Lucian?" "Perhaps it has something to do with the odd happenings... the mysterious appearance of that dragon, and such," Lucian offers. "Certainly, it can spark a renewed interest in matters beyond the merely physical." He sighs. "However, to answer your particular question, Harriet," he says with a shrug, "I believe that, indeed, there is more in Heav'n an' Earth than is dreamt of in Horatio's philosophy. The specifics of it are, however, another matter entirely." Roger rolls his eyes slightly and sighs. Lucian throws peanuts at the Gallery. Roger says, "ouch!" Zach doesn't look too impressed either, but it's kinda hard to tell through the shadows. Roger needs to head to bed folks. Harriet smiles. "You're the second person to quote that line to me, you know?" She ponders. "The thing that I don't understand, however, is why Roger...who I know is a fairly devout fellow, sings in his church choir and stuff, would take his religious questions to you, rather than to his priest, or a fellow believer. And why he'd look so upset, too." She adds. "We've had religious discussion without either of us getting upset." Lucian spreads his hands. "I can not speak for Lieutenant Freeman, or why he chose me. Perhaps it was that I am a man of literature and learning. Certainly I provide a somewhat... different... viewpoint." Zach *snigger* Roger glares at Lucian! Roger snugs "Night all! Lucian blinks big wide innocent eyes. Night, Rog. :) Roger says, "thanks for the great rp :)" Zach says, "Night" Lucian says, "This has been muchly fun." Zach says, "Agreed!" Zach says, "We'll just assume that Roger's still here, eh?" Lucian says, "Or we could assume that, indeed, Roger needed to sleep too and slipped away... :p" Harriet nods consideringly. "Ah, yes. God is a curuel tyrant and the Devil is a much put upon freedom fighter? I can see how that might upset him, a bit, you know? Of course, it's always possible to politely decline to answer questions, you know?" Her eyes turn hard for a moment. "Or dodge them, which you don't seem to have much problem doing to me." Lucian blinks. "Where did you come to the conclusion that such was my opinion of the matter?" He seems genuinely curious. Harriet smiles benignly. "I hardly think that is the issue, Lucian. Is that what you believe?" Harriet pages: See...she was listening to you! You paged Harriet with 'cheers!! :) :)'. Harriet pages: And she gets the chance to dodge Lucian's question. Life is good...right up until he resonates her. Zach smiles darkly to himself. "It is a... viable interpretation of the matter," Lucian offers. "Certainly, a number of authors have put similar theories forth. Twain's 'Letters From The Earth', for instance. There are certainly other viewpoints which could be argued, including that God and the Devil are mere constructs created by man, or that there are a vast number of other options. One could argue that the only things that exist are those believed in - the theory that if God did not exist, we would have to Invent him." He shrugs. "What is it YOU believe?" The only objects that generally see /this/ look in Harriet's eyes are helpless blocks of plaster as she approaches them with a whirling electric saw. Now, that look of intense focus is turned entirely to Lucian, even as her cheeks flush. "Again, that's not an answer, Lucian. And what I believe is not the issue at this particular time, you know? Do /you/ believe it? It's a yes or no question, although at this point I would take a 'maybe' as well," she says with a touch of dry humor. You paged Lucian with 'Run! Save yourself! She is clearly dangerous and unstable!'. From afar, Lucian giggles. Zach lurks admiringly. Harriet says, "You're enjoying the hell out of this, aren't you?" Lucian says, "I'd expect no less from 'im." Cornered, Lucian is almost as helpless as the plaster blocks. "This matters so much to you, does it?" He shrugs. "May I ask why, or is that to be brushed aside in your drive on this point, whatever value it is?" Zach says, "It's a good scene! Fun to watch. :)" Harriet grits her teeth. "My point, Lucian is that..." she abruptly stops, then smiles. "That wasn't an answer, either. When you answer that one, simple question with a simple answer, then we can start sharing, again." She looks at him, her eyes wounded and angry. "It's not a conversation if only one person is trying to communicated, you know? So answer the question, Lucian, or this," she waves a hand, "talking is over for tonight." Harriet says, "Especially if you have a, uh, vested interest in the outcome, right, Zach? :)" Zach griiiiins! "Harriet," Lucian begins, voice soft, "You are asking me to sum up my religious beliefs in a yes-or-no equation. Can you do as much?" He lifts his hand. "Nu, do not fear that I am changing the subject. If you so eagerly desire an answer to such a question, then I shall tell you that my answer is that I do not rule out the possibility that it is correct. A 'Maybe,' in your terms," he says, eyes cold. "If that is insufficient, then so be it. This discussion is over with." He turns, and takes a few steps away from her. Slowly. AutoJudge: Harriet rolls: 2 + 6 = 8 . Check die: 5 Harriet says, "Oh, hell." Lucian says, "Erm?" Harriet says, "That's still not an answer, but I had to roll to see if she would really watch him walk away." "Lucian," Harriet says, hesitantly. She takes a couple of steps towards him, her hand stretched out to touch the fabric of his shirt. "Don't go. Please." Zach unlurks and leaves the wall to its own destiny. Or fate. He strolls casually along the pavement as if he just came from the Club. He smiles when he 'spots' them. "Lucian, Harriet... Are you still here?" Lucian pauses, and stiffens as he hears Zach's voice. "We were awaiting a cab, Mister Ellis," he says, flatly. "At least, I believe Harriet was." Harriet visibly flinches as that last sentence. Her hand drops from Lucian's shirt, and for the first time since this whole thing started, tears begin to well up in her eyes. She clears her throat. "Y-yes. I guess I was." Lucian says, "Y'know, before the night's out, I suspect I'm going to end up actively disliking my character. *sigh*" Zach stiffens as he notes Harriet's distress, his smile transform into a concerned frown. "Harriet? Are you ok?" He throws a very dirty glance at Lucian. This is clearly HIS fault! Harriet says, "Poor Lucian. If it helps, I'm not too fond of him either, at the moment. :)" Zach patpats Lucian's player. Well played sir! Harriet says, "Indeed! It is *very* good playing. :) Now if only Harriet had a baseball bat and a good rage on." Zach mutters muffled curses as he tries to don his shining armor. Uriel has a LOT to answer for!! It probably is Lucian's fault. Far be it from HIM to admit it, however. "Ah, I do believe I see a taxi coming up the street." He extends his arm, mechanically, not turning around. "Have a care, Mister Ellis," he says, voice dry. "Linger too long and you may be next under the Securitate's light bulb." You say, "That's not a very nice thing to say, Szabo." "You can have it, Lucian," Harriet murmurs, looking stricken. "I'll w-walk. I need to walk, you know?" She nods jerkily to Zach, and starts to walk away. Zach says, "Tries to push interpretation towards Harriet being the Securitate Lightbulb. >:)" Lucian says, "That WAS Lucian's actual intent." Zach says, "Oh! Okay. :) :)" Harriet says, "Is listening to the voices in her own head, right now, unfortunately, and they're *much* more direct with their condemnation." Zach glares at Lucian. "What the hell did you do to her?" Harriet patpats Lucian. "He actually did quite well, since he *could* have had her nodding to his every word like a bobblehead doll. Shame she doesn't know that. :)" "As you have no doubt commented ad nauseum to anyone who will listen, Mister Ellis," Lucian responds, anger creeping into his voice, "I am not a very nice man, in your estimation. If..." He begins, then shakes his head sharply as the cab pulls up. He spins, fixing Zach with a matching glare. "For once," he hisses, "Consider the possibility that someone can hurt themselves without at all needing my prompting." One fist clenches white as he reaches for the cab door. "I would hate to find myself shortly being credited with burning your breakfast toast." Harriet is walking rapidly away, the sound of a couple choked-off sobs drifting across the parking lot. Zach's glare soften and he looks at Lucian with genuine pity. "Poor Lucian..." Lucian opens the cab, and looks at Zach one last time. Snarling something in a language not spoken by anyone native to this Earth, he enters into the taxi, muttering an address. Harriet does stop in her steady flight from the area to look at the cab as it pulls away, tears flowing silently down her cheeks, and her fists clenched. Zach turns to walk in Harriet's direction, concern all over his features. The taxi rolls off down the street, turning left at the light, carrying Lucian out of this scene. And somewhere, down around 14th Street, Lucian Szabo slumps against the side of the cab, shaking his head, and finally releases the pent-up anger in a long, ragged exhalation. Harriet gives a full body shudder as the taxi really does pull away, and she hugs herself tightly, and walks pretty much in a random direction Away. Zach walks a bit faster, following Harriet and calling her name softly. Harriet pauses, shivers again, and keeps walking. She does slow down, though. Zach breaks into a short jog to catch up with the shivering woman. "Harriet..? Harriet, are you allright?" Harriet shakes her head. "No, Zach," she says after a moment, "I'm really not. I, you know? I think I'm really wrong." Zach reflexivly reaches out as if to hug her, but stops as if afraid of overstepping boundries. He touches her arm gently instead. "Lay it on me, why dontcha? I'm a good listener..." he says kindly. Harriet flinches reflexively at the touch, and turns to look at him with haunted eyes. "I screwed up, you know? I should have stopped. I should have...I hurt him, and I never meant to do that. I just..." she trails off, shaking her head. "I didn't even care about the answer." Zach meets her haunted eyes with kindness in his. "Hey.. Take it easy now, girl... HAve a hug and tell me about it..?" He shifts his stance so that she can easily just float into a hug if she wants. Zach is radiating comfort and concern. Harriet looks at him, her spine stiff, then she collapses into his arms, crying. Zach gathers the crying damsel in distress and hugs her tight and close. For now he's content with making soothing noises while letting her vent her tears. Lucian says, "At last, exhaustion is catching up with me. I'm gonna have to turn it in, guys. Not that this hasn't been wildly fun, but..." Harriet seems willing to just cry for several minutes, before it finally trickles off to sniffles, and muttter apologies about getting Zach's clothes wet. She wipes her eyes under her glasses, and sighs. Harriet hugs Lucian tightly. "It was very fun!" Lucian says, "Very very." Zach hugs Lucian! This was good!! Sleep tight, pal! Lucian says, "You guys too, when you get there. :) *hugs much*" Lucian goes home. Zach strokes her hair and keeps on holding her. He produces a hankerchief form an obscure pocket when she starts to wipe her eyes. "There now, hon... Just take your time. I ain't going anywhere and my clothes can take it." Harriet takes the hankerchief with a half-smile. "Thank you, Zach." She looks up, and her gaze goes to the last place she saw the cab. She shivers again. Zach rubs her arms and back to get some warmth into her. It's in the dead of night and presumably chilly. "Wanna talk about that argument or whatever it was..?" he probes gently. Harriet sighs, the sympathy probably warming her just as much as his hands. "It was...I don't know what I was thinking." She shakes her head. "I just...I only wanted to know what he said to make Roger look like that, at first, you know?" She clutches the hankie in one hand. "But he wouldn't /answer/ me, and no one ever answers me, and I got angry, but all I wanted to know was what he thought. What he really thought...about anything!" She ducks her head. "I never wanted to hurt him. I never wanted him to go away." Zach steers her over to a convenient flight of stairs they can sit on. He keeps an arm around her for comfort and support. He sighs a bit in sympathy for her emotion. "I know you didn't, Harriet. I know... But, and you probably don't wanna hear this right now, Lucian's a grown man. He has to take responsibility for his own actions and non-actions. It was his choice to not answer you, not yours." Harriet huddles on the steps, absently brushing her skirt out of the way. "I know," she says dully. "And I guess that's what hurts the most...he wouldn't answer even a stupid question, you know?" Something occurs to her, and she chuckles bitterly. "My God. All of this, all of this and I still don't know a single damned thing more than I did before." She drops her head to her knees. "Except," she mumbles, "that Lucian is probably never going to talk to me again, and it was all for nothing." Zach takes off his jacket and drapes it over Harriet's shoulders to keep her warm. "Not so. He'll talk to you again, I'm sure about that." There's a small edge to the words although he tries to hide with a sigh. "But I get the feeling that your real question is somewhat beyond Roger..?" Harriet glances at Zach. "Maybe it is, you know?" She sighs. "But maybe I just don't want to know anymore. Right now, packing my things, and finding a red-eye as far away from Kaycee as possible on whatever's in my wallet is looking like a good idea." She doesn't sound like she thinks it is, though. She sounds lost. You say, "Probably not. Running away won't get you anywhere.." Harriet laughs. "It got me here. Which," she smiles a flat, little smile, "might just prove your point, you know? But why is it, whenever I stand up for what I think is right, people get hurt, and nothing changes? Do I just believe in the wrong things, or what?" Zach shakes his head. "I don't think you do, Harriet. If people get hurt when you stand up for your believes, then the hurting is probably of their own making." Yes, he is actually echoing Lucian's words here. "You have to fight for what you belive in, and if other people don't understand that, then more's the pity." Harriet's voice falls to a ragged whisper. "It hurts to fight. It feels better to drift, to accept, you know? When you don't fight people don't go away, and they don't kill themselves because you couldn't give any more." Her eyes slide closed. "I just wanted to know what he was thinking." Zach ohs and gently but firmly draws her into a hug again. She is very obviously in need of it. "Did you ask for any thoughts in particular?" Harriet leans against him, eyes closed, and shakes her head. Her voice, when it comes, is muzzy with exhaustion and emotion. "Not really. Something stupid about religion, you know? Although," her lips twitch, "at this point, I'm more than willing to believe that God is cruel. Why make this much pain, otherwise, you know?" Zach smiles gently, his voice is confident, warm and kind. "No, God isn't cruel. God is at the very core love. But he gave man free will, and for this gift to have any worth... Well, you can't meddle can you. So he has to let people figure out life for themselves. Each and every one of us have to figure stuff out. And that can be painful. Especially when we rub up to other people figuring /their/ stuff out..." Harriet sighs. "In other words, we're alone, and no one's going to help when we run headfirst into a brick wall." She curls up a little tighter. "I don't think I believe that anything exists except us. That's why it's so important to stick together, you know? And why it hurts so much when it all falls apart." Zach nods sliently. "Have you ever prayed?" Harriet says, "Yes. It didn't noticibly help, you know?" She sighs. "And maybe I'm praying right now, and all I feel is tired and sad. And alone." She smiles up at Zach. "Except for you, and I thank you for that." Zach smiles a bit. "No need to thank me. I could never walk away from you in your hour of need, I just don't work that way." He considers. "A prayer at it's best is a way of...unloading and sharing. It doesn't bring you loud and sparkling miracles, but it does give you a way to open up your heart to the one being that wil /never/ hurt you. I pray when I'm sad, angry, bored, happy... And I feel less alone for it." Harriet smiles tiredly and hugs Zach. "I'm glad it works for you, you know? Maybe, despite my exterior, I just can't let go and believe in someone who never seems to be there. I'd like to believe in all that, I guess. But I don't see miracles, I see televanglists and holy wars, and broken people." She sighs and pulls away. "If God and the Devil are really out there, and battling it out, I don't think the Big Guy is winning." She shrugs, and looks away, then carefully takes the coat off her shoulders and hands it to Zach. "You're a true friend, you know? And I think I should stop being all depressing, and totter off home, now." She stands, unsteadily. Harriet says, "Like a lot of people who repress things, when Harriet finally lets herself feel bad, it tends to be a deluge. :)" Zach stands with her, supporting her. "I have my truck over there. I'll give you a lift home. 'S not safe to walk all that way at night. C'mon.." He smiles gently to her, stroaking a lock of hair away from her cheek. "And Harriet - you're not alone and you gotta take care of yourself before you can take on the weight of the world. I'm here for as long as you need to unload. That's what friends are for..." Zach nods. Yup, know the type. Harriet looks briefly like she'd like to argue, but is just too tired, and gratefully leans against Zach, and lets him guide her to wherever the truck is. She yawns, and peers up at him, a glimmer of the old Harriet surfacing for a moment. "I have this nagging feeling, Zach, that you know more than you're saying, about a lot of things, you know?" Then she sighs, and just sort of folds in on herself. "But I don't think I could handle the answers at the moment, even if I could find the right questions to ask..." You paged Harriet with 'OOCly - is Harriet recruitable? As in Soldier material? Or are you planning to keep her mundane?'. Zach smiles and gives her an assuring squeeze as he leads her over to where his bright yellow tow truck is parked. It's quite big, has a solid crane and inside the hut it's quite roomy and comfy. "You can ask 'em later, hon. When you're awake and not exhausted with emotion. I'll be around." Harriet pages: If I get to decide if she's recruitable, then she is. I don't think that I could keep her mundane if I wanted to, and still remain true to the character. Plus, Lucian keep making suggestive remarks about co Harriet says, "Contracts finishes that sentence. Boy, I'm tired." You paged Harriet with 'Yeah, you get to decide.:) It's in news section about mortals. :)'. Harriet yawns again, hugely, and piles into the truck. "And you'll answer them?" she asks sleepily. Zach hugs Harriet and admires the Stamina(TM)! Harriet pages: Well, then. :) Harriet says, "Angst is a good battery, but even it runs low, eventually." Zach stops just as he's about to turn the ignition on and eyes her carefully. There's a glint of something....odd.. in his eyes. "I will answer them as well as I'm able to." He turns the key and the engine roars to life. Zach grins. :) Harriet groans, as she falls asleep. "'s not a real answer..." and she's out. Harriet grins as well. "The way this is going, Harriet's going to start imitating a really bitch Seraph. :)" Vroooooom!! Zach drives her home, fishes her key out from her pocket or purse and carries her up to her apartment and tucks her in. Awake or not! Zach laughs. Yeah! Seraphs rock! (Mine yells at me a lot..) More not than awake, no doubt. Zach says, "Does her lock have a snap lock mechanism?" Harriet says, "Hehehe, of course, she's *still* in love with Lucian, and that's going to suck. But I'll worry about it another day. I have to sleeep...it was lots of fun! Deadbolt, you mean? Yes, probably." Zach tucks her in and prepares her breakfast that get's put into the fridge. He leaves a note saying so, and leave. Fiddles with lock to make sure it does lock. :) Zach snugs and wishes Harriet and her player Sweet Dreams! :) If Harriet were not playing in the darker Marches at the moment, she would tell Zach that he was a sweetheart, and a real angel. ;) The End.... Harriet waves goodnight, and goes home sweet home.