Catie: *bundled warmly against the cold, she heads to the fountain quietly, settling down on a bench and closing her eyes*

Catie: *breathes quietly, in and out, looking for that calm place within herself. many things to untangle inside her head*

Catie: *although her posture remains perfect, she relaxes, following the paths of her own mind*

Catie: *her small nose is beginning to resemble Rudolph's, but this doesn't reach her. not now. she simply explores within herself, seeking calm and peace*

Marie Delacourt: Marie glides towards the fountain with small, almost mincing steps, her tall, willowly body wrapped in a snug pair of designer jeans and a fluffy black sweater. Brightly colored mittens and a scarf complete the ensemble.

Catie: *after a bit, she slowly opens her eyes,. smiling softly. and as has become her personal tradition, she begins to sing, quietly, dark eyes on the fountain before her. sweet, pure voice slowly growing in volume as she gives a slow, tender rendition of "Silent Night"*

Marie Delacourt: Hearing the music, marie quickens her small steps, head canting, just slightly, to oneside.

Catie: *moving gently from that simple song into "Everybody Else's Girl". she sings as if every wordis spun from her own heart, feeling them even as they emerge*

Marie Delacourt: Marie falls still a few feet from Catie, regarding the young girl quietly, curiously as she lifts dainty hands to brush back her hair.

Catie: *lets the song fade out with a soft, oddly content sigh. and turns her head to blink at Marie* hello. i hope i didn't disturb you? *tilts her head slightly* you're Miss Dalacourte, yes? Mr. Troy's affianced? i believe we've met once, with Miss Wendy.

Marie Delacourt: "Good evening, Catie," she says gently, moving to sit beside the girl. "You did not disturbe me at all, darling. You have a lovely voice." She smiles and gently strokes the girl's hair.

Catie: *blinks slightly at the petting* thank you, Miss Delacourte. *a shy smile* i hope to become a singer. professionally, i mean.

Marie Delacourt: "Then you must work very hard, yes?" She smiles.

Marie Delacourt: ((Quick word of warning, I have about 30 minutes before my grandpa gets here))

Catie: *nods* yes! *chuckles* i'm taking voice lessons now. my teacher thinks perhaps i could do things like go to nursing homes, perhaps some hospitals, and sing somechristmas music for the people there. it would give me some experience in performing before a crowd. right now i don't have any of that.

Troy Lawrence: Speak of the Devil, and his lawyer will appear. He makes his way along the main pathway, toward the fountain. A tan trench coat covers the suit, protecting him from the cold, pale hair immaculate as always. He is about halfway through a cigarette as he moves along, dark green eyes flicking about.

Catie: ((*nods and hugs tightly*))

Marie Delacourt: "That would be good. You should also perhaps get a secnd teacher, yes?"

Catie: *smiles warmly to Troy* hello, Mr. Troy! *a small wave* ((hrm, come to think of it--mom should be home in about thirty herself. with FOOD.))

Troy Lawrence: ((Oh, I see how you all are... ;) )) He smiles as he sees Marie and Catie, and moves in there direction. The man stops at Marie's side, arm slipping around her waist as he kisses her cheek. "Hello, my dear." A warm smile is given to her, then to Catie. "Catie."

Marie Delacourt: She lights up radiantly as Catie speaks and turns sto smile to her beloved.

Catie: a second voice teacher? *frowns slightly at Marie, puzzled* but, why? i've not learned everything my current one has to teach. and, he's my first teacher. before this i've had no formal training as a singer.

Catie: ((*giggles* eh, you know how fast i tend to eat....)) how are you tonight, Mr. Troy? *beams at the pair, delighted for them*

Marie Delacourt: She shrugs delicately, leaning happily into Troy. "I had at least three seperate dance instructors."

Troy Lawrence: "I am well enough, Catie...and you?" He looks to Marie. "And you, of course, my dear?"

Catie: all at once? *tilts her head at the woman* mmmm, i'm not sure i can afford to hire another one, though. *chuckels* not right now. he seems pleased with my progress so far, and says i haven't managed to get into any really bad habits.

Marie Delacourt: She nods delicately at Catie. "I am well, Troy and you?"

Catie: i'm very well. *nods cheerfully* i came out to meditate and sing a bit, since i finished every bit of my homework. including that most horrible of subjects for me--the evil known as algebra.

Troy Lawrence: "Mmm. Troubles at work, as well as with our resident staying at Catie's old apartment." He frowns a little, then shrugs. "All mere problems to be solved, though. I am well."

Marie Delacourt: "Oh, Algebra is very evil. Certainly of the wyrm," she murmurs very softly.

Catie: *tilts her head* is there anything i can do to help, sir? other than staying well away from my old place, even though i think i left Fiero's favorite toy there.

Catie: *nods to Marie, a faint twinkle in her eyes, although her little face reamins solemn.* indeed--i'm quite certain the subject was invented by a tainted mind. *voice kept quite low*

Marie Delacourt: She laughs softly, delightedly at that.

Troy Lawrence: "I am not sure, as of yet." He shakes his head. "Merely that you keep yourself safe. You as well, my dear," he murmurs to his love. Discussion of relatively advanced math and it's association with their immortal enemy brings a faint grin to his lips.

Catie: *giggles, grinning, at Marie's laugh*

Marie Delacourt: "Of course, love," she says, smiling gently up at Troy.

Marie Delacourt: She stands and kisses Troy's lips softly. "I need to go speak with Gavin briefly love."

Catie: *gives Troy an innoenct look. something she's rather good at*

Troy Lawrence: "I will, if you like, retrieve your cat's toy, if you describe it, Catie."

Catie: ((anyone who has abc family, right about now's when the lovely claymation cartoons should be on!!))

Marie Delacourt: And off she slps.

Catie: i'd be happy if you could, sir. *nods cheerfully* it looks sort of like a miniature fishing rod, with an elastic cord for the line, and a bright-colored....thingy....attached to the free end of the cord. i think it's supposed to be soem sort of animal, but what exactly is beyond me.

Troy Lawrence: He looks to Marie and nods slightly. "Of course, my love. Say hello for me."

Troy Lawrence: He considers a moment. "I believe I've seen it...I will drop it by."

Catie: thank you, sir. *grins widely* would you care to join me for a cup of hot cider? there's a vendor near the gates still i think. we could get one for Miss Delacourte, too, for when she comes back.

Troy Lawrence: "Of course." He offers her an arm, to head toward the vendor.

Catie: *rises, unfolding from her lotus position easily, and takes his arm politely* i think i shall write a book someday.

Troy Lawrence: "Oh?" He heads in the direction of the gates, at a pace the girl can easily keep. "About what?"

Catie: mm-hmm. i think i'll watch every single horror movie about werewolves i can find, and write a book about how to avoid them and what to do if you meet one and so forth. *keeps her face perfectly earnest. and lowers her voice to a murmur for the next bit* of course, every bit of it will be erroneous information. i would hope that the Family would find it amusing.

Troy Lawrence: He looks to her, brow raising, some faint amusement on his face. "Yes, well...let's wait until your singing career has launched first, hmm?"

Catie: *nods, giggling softly* oh, but of course! besides, i haven't seen enough movies yet. *grins impishly* and there's the vendor. *sniffs the air appreciatively* i love the smell of hot spiced cider. the taste is even better.

Troy Lawrence: "Mmm. More of a coffee drinker myself, though cider does have a certain...nostalgic sort of holiday value." He goes up, ordering ciders for the two of them, plus one for his intended.

Catie: *and she offers the vendor some money* i made the invitation, so it should be my treat. *chuckles softly, giving both males a charming smile. and nodding an eager 'yes!' to the offer of whipped cream on hers*

Troy Lawrence: He slips his own money into the vendor's hand and removes Catie's, handing it back to her. "And I can better afford it." He takes a step back and lights another cigarette, waiting for the drinks to be ready. No whipped cream for him.

Catie: *laughs softly and pockets her money again* all right. but someday, i will pay for a meal. or learn to cook better and make you and Miss Delacourte a nice dinner.

Troy Lawrence: "Some day," he says with a nod. He takes his cider and Marie's, and sips at his own as he moves away with Catie.

Catie: *sips hers carefully, taking a simple pleasure in the flavors*

Catie: mmm, i've made roast chicken once successfully. and margarita chicken, twice now. just don't ask me to bake cookies yet, unless you'd care to take up hockey as a hobby...*wry grin*

Troy Lawrence: "I'll be sure to remember that." He actually manages to grin a little, walking along with her.

Catie: *chuckles softly* Mr. Micah was the one who suggested Cooking for Dummies. honestly, it's been a real help. *blushes* when i tried to cook the first tiem from a recipe, i didn't actually realize that when they mean a cup or a teaspoon of something--they aren't talking about a normal cup or teaspoon.

Troy Lawrence: "Yes...as it turns out." He nods a little bit. "Something I learned surprisingly early on in life."

Catie: *laughs softly* i'd never cooked before, really. just made tea, and sandwiches for tea parties. things like that. *shrugs* may i ask you a rather forward question, sir?

Troy Lawrence: His brow quirks a little bit, and he nods. "By all means, go ahead."

Catie: what...did you think of Lucas, honestly? *peeking at Troy from under her lashes, sidelong*

Troy Lawrence: ((Pause))