Tony Figures Aerin Out

Mercury [cheap hotel]: ~Due to the shabby factor of the area, he has taken a cab to get here instead of a limo. He gets out, looking for number five upstairs at the end of the hall.~

Mercury [cheap hotel]: ~knockknock~ Nice, heavy knocks.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He rolls over on the bed, and to his feet, moving to the door to peek out the hole to see Mercury. He opens the door then, stepping aside to let Mercury in. "Hey Merc."

Mercury [cheap hotel]: He leans down to give the slight man a warm hug. "How are you holding up? What the hell all did I miss?"

Aerin Thomas: The man spent the night watching over Dante, allowing Alex and Tony to get out and get some time to themselves. He's in the bathroom at the moment, staring at his reflection in the mirror...dressed the same as he was last night, solid-color T-Shirt and jeans, slightly rumpled. When the knock sounds on the door, he looks up, tensing, ready just in case it's someone who's...y'know, whatever the paranoid Child of Gaia might assume is coming after them. When he hears Mercury's voice, he relaxes, taking a deep breath.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He returns the hug, the glances to the door into the other room. "I'm okay, called Mr Aerin after Alex left, to come help with Dante. Damien... went home after Alex got here."

Mercury [cheap hotel]: ((Gonna start calling Aerin, Tweak. *G*))

Mercury [cheap hotel]: "Good, Aerin's a good one to call." Moving into the room, locking the door tight. "You here alone?"

Aerin Thomas: ((*Smacks* *G*))

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): "Alex brought me back here, since Mr Aerin is here, 'n took Crystal home. He ain't come back yet." There is a pile of clothing in the only chair in the room, new.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He shakes his head. "Mr Aerin's in the other room."

Aerin Thomas: He runs a hand through his hair and steps out of the bathroom, looking Mercury over before giving a brief nod. "Hey, Mercury." Faintest of smiles to him.

Mercury [cheap hotel]: "Okay, cool." Sitting down on the edge of the bed. "So what's the deal with Dante?" he asks quietly. "I never met the guy, but something sure seems to be up."

Mercury [cheap hotel]: A grin to Aerin. "Yo, Aerin."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He blinks his eyes at Mercury, "Surly said he screamed out... then curled up in a ball, in the park. He passed out after Damien helped me get him in a taxi."

Aerin Thomas: "My guess?" He moves to take a leans against the wall, near the window, and pull out a cigarette. "He's getting close to Harano. Dangerously so."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He goes quiet as Aerin speaks, moving over to the bed and sitting down. He had made it up himself earlier, asking for sheets instead of letting the tired looking maid bother with it, stopping her from entering either room.

Mercury [cheap hotel]: He shakes his head slowly. "We can't let him go over, if we can prevent it."

Mercury [cheap hotel]: But it's a tall order, trying to keep a Garou from Harano, and by the slight slump of his shoulders, Mercury is aware of this.

Aerin Thomas: "Obviously." He nods a little bit, lighting the smoke and taking a deep drag, watching the other Garou with a calm, business-like expression. "Luckily, I have some experience with pulling people back from the edge of Harano."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He murmurs softly to Mercury. "I think if he could at least talk to that dude, or get that little mouse back he would settle down a little. I know he can't talk to any of the... Lords right now, 'n he just seemed to have lost everythin' all at once."

Aerin Thomas: "Thus, the near-Harano," he says to Antonio. "However, dragging out the situation between him and Jim isn't going to help...there's nothing crueler then giving someone false hope, and then crushing it. Further, if his association with willworkers is discovered and he doesn't make the transition from Shadow Lord to Child of Gaia, he'll become Ronin, and you can damn well bet he'll be in Harano then."

Mercury [cheap hotel]: "You do?" he says with some hope to his voice. He look sto Tony then, but is careful not to comment on the Lords. "Lost everything at once? One of those, huh? That sucks."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He lowers his head at Aerin's words, hiding the expression on his face. It wasn't his place to argue, he already probably said too much.

Mercury [cheap hotel]: Willworkers? "He's changing tribes, huh?"

Aerin Thomas: "Yeah, I do." He nods a little, smirking slightly. "And yes, he is. The Lords have basically kicked him out, and Craven's sending him to Angie, to try and get him into the Children of Gaia. And at the same time, has told him not to contact any of his old packmates...they don't want the Gaians thinking that a Shadow Lord is spying in their midsts...which, of course, they will anyway." He shrugs a little bit, taking a drag from the smoke. "I'm trying to get him packed up with me."

Mercury [cheap hotel]: "Children of Gaia is a good choice though." He nods. "He'll have to be together for it. Anything you think I can do?"

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): They wouldn't think that if they seen him. But the boy keeps quiet.

Aerin Thomas: "I don't honestly know what I can do yet, Mercury." He sighs, looking to the door to the other room, jaw pulsing. "I need Dante to be cognizant of his surroundings so I can talk to him. Right now, I'm going on hypotheses."

Mercury [cheap hotel]: "Well, maybe think of each thing he's lost, and put something else in its place. One tribe for another, that might happen, so that's good anyway. Beyond that," he sighs, "I don't know either. I haven't even met him."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He looks up, and over to Mercury as if he was going to say something, but then stands up and moves to the small bolted down side table, getting a bottled water from the plastic bucket there he had filled with ice.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): There's also plastic cups by the bucket, and a bottle of Scotch, along with a couple other bottles of iced water.

Mercury [cheap hotel]: He looks to Tony. "Tell me what you're thinking," he says quietly.

Aerin Thomas: "He's wasting away," he mutters, looking out the window. "He's thinking of everything he's lost, not much caring what happens to him at this point. Wrapped up in his past, not caring about his future. The future's not even frightening...it just doesn't matter, because he doesn't have a place in it. Or, more importantly, he doesn't want a place in it. Not after what he's having to give up." Quite the hypothesis, for not having spoken to him.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He murmurs softly to Mercury, not looking up at him as he moves back to sit on the bed, opening the water. "He... he can't stand bein' alone... the little mouse helped, give 'im somethin' that he thought wouldn't walk out on 'im. I... I understand that part... the bein' afraid... thinkin' you're alone in the world. He needs to... needs to have somethin'... he fumbles for the word Alex had used...'un-conditioned'... to love 'n be loved by."

Mercury [cheap hotel]: He nods slowly. "For a hypothesis, it's well thought out."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): (Put the " " where they belonged in last post)

Mercury [cheap hotel]: Tony: "Well, there is something that can be done, maybe a small thing, but...I don't know how rageful he is, but a small helpless animal that needs to be taken care of, give him something to focus on besides his pain....I dunno, I'm just guessing."

Aerin Thomas: He shrugs a little to Mercury, and then looks at Antonio. "I don't disagree with that, Tony. But it's part of the straw that broke the camel's back, so to speak. Losing his pack, his tribe, his loved ones...losing Jez, and Nathaniel, and so on. That was just what pushed him over the edge. This has been coming for a long time, I think."

Aerin Thomas: He snorts. "Mercury, I had more rage in me when they woke me up from the cleansing from the algorithm. It's a good idea, don't get me wrong...but distraction isn't going to work. Not on something this deep. He needs to be broken down and rebuilt from the ground up." A frown. "Unfortunately, we may not have time for that."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): Gives a brief glimpe up to Mercury, his eyes showing some type of inner pain at the discussion, as if memories were running rampant in his head. "Anythin' that he could feel... loved by... needed. Give 'im somethin' to take care of... might help. I just know he kept tryin' to pull somethin' outta his pocket 'n when there weren't nuthin' there... he seemed to get worse, even iffen me 'n Damien were there. We couldn't really comfert him like he needed. He stayed with me 'n Alex the other day, just slept curled up with us, but we woke up 'n he had gone."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He hears Aerin ax the idea though, and drops his head again, muttering inaudibly to himself.

Mercury [cheap hotel]: Rubs Tony's back soothingly.

Aerin Thomas: He sighs. "Tony...I'm not disgareeing. I'm really not. But we need quick and fast at this point. I don't even know when Angie's supposed to be meeting with Dante...it could be tomorrow, or tonight. It could have been yesterday. Getting rejected would be absolutely disastrous. That's all I'm saying. Your idea would help, and it's something to consider. I'm in complete agreeance there. But unless talking to him shows I'm wrong, possible as that may be, I'm really convinced he needs something more drastic then a pet."

Mercury [cheap hotel]: "I was thinking, though, a small distraction would at least maybe get him to a point where he can listen, a light in his darkness, so to speak."

Mercury [cheap hotel]: Aerin: "He definitely needs something more drastic, I just don't know what."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): A soft murmur to Aerin. "Yes, Sir." He leans into Mercury's touch, a slight shake of the hand that raises the bottle to his lips.

Aerin Thomas: "I have ideas, but...I don't know. As variously either a Philodox or a Child of Gaia, it's all stuff I really, really shouldn't be considering." He takes a drag off his cigarette, looking over to the door to Dante's room with a frown.

Mercury [cheap hotel]: A flicker of his eyes towards Aerin. A slow nod. "It can be a fine line to walk sometimes."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He whispers softly to Mercury.

Aerin Thomas: "Yeah. He nods slowly, taking a drag off his cigarette. "Yeah, it is." He exhales the smoke, slowly, and makes a sudden walk toward the bathroom, body tense. The door shuts behind him. ((BRB, guys.))

Mercury [cheap hotel]: He hugs Tony closer to him and listens.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He blinks as Aerin walks off, then looks at Mercury, waiting for the answer.

Mercury [cheap hotel]: He nods to Tony. "Yes. Show me your money first, let me count it."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He pulls out his new wallet, handing it to Mercury without question. He's got a 20, a 10, and 5 ones that Alex left him.

Mercury [cheap hotel]: "This is a twenty dollar bill, this is a ten, and this a five. Together that makes $35. Whatever the order comes to, it'll likely be less than twenty, so hand him the twenty dollar bill and you'll get change. Cuz I'm just gonna have a burger and a Mountain Dew."

Mercury [cheap hotel]: And yes, he hands the money and the wallet back.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He nods, hiis voice soft as he glances over at the bathroom door. "Okay, won't take me long, it ain't far." He gets up and grabs his coat from the chair, from the top of the pile of clothes. "I'll be right back..." He pats the coat pocket, making sure the cell was there, then slips out the door.

Mercury [cheap hotel]: "Page my phone if there's any trouble at all."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): A quickly murmured, "Yes, Sir, Merc..." as he slips out, going downstairs and looking up and down the street like a nervous rabbit before he turns and heads down to the little cafe, moving rather quickly, hands in his coat pockets.

Mercury [cheap hotel]: He flicks aside a curtain to watch him for awhile.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He disappears into the corner cafe.

Aerin Thomas: Eventually, the door opens, and he steps back out. He's readjusted his clothing, looking a little better put-together, hair brushed back from his face. He looks around, frowning, then over to Mercury. "Tony?"

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): d10: chance dice: 4,

Mercury [cheap hotel]: He looks from the window. "The cafe across the corner. He's getting us all food. I take it you haven't eaten in awhile?"

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): Outside of a few odd looks, he moves to the counter and makes the order, watching those around him with downcast, anxious looking eyes.

Mercury [cheap hotel]: ((across=at))

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He positions himself at the end of the counter, back to the wall as he waits for the food.

Aerin Thomas: He shrugs, pulling his Marlboro pack out. "I think better hungry. Helps me focus...I'm fine."

Mercury [cheap hotel]: "He's worried about you, though. That's just Tony."

Mercury [cheap hotel]: He flicks the curtain aside, watching for him.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): The boy's order doesn't take that long, but it takes two hands to hold the bags, because he definitely ordered a lot of food. He has to play balancing acts with the drinks.

Aerin Thomas: He nods a little bit, sighing. "He's a good kid. Reminds me of..." He pauses a long moment, lighting his cigarette in the silence. "...a few people I knew."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): As he moves to leave the cafe, a customer coming in is actually nice enough to hold the door for him, and Mercury will see him as he exits the cafe, loaded down with stuff.

Mercury [cheap hotel]: A faint shiver. "Yeah," he says quietly, eyes looking downward. "Me, too."

Aerin Thomas: He's quiet for a long moment, before finally, out of nowhere... "I've left Ita." He's fairly sure the man's figured it out by now, but he felt the need to say it anyway.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He hurries back up the sidewalk, watching around him again nervously, avoiding contact with anyone. He glances up at the hotel, noticing Mercury at the window and his stance and walk seem to take on a more relaxed gait.

Mercury [cheap hotel]: "I kinda thought. Didn't want to pry." A glance out the window, making sure Tony's okay, looks back to Aerin. "You gonna be okay?"

Mercury [cheap hotel]: He gets up to unlock and open the door for Tony.

Aerin Thomas: He shrugs a little bit. "Long as she is. And Joshua doesn't kill me."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He makes it up the stairs without dropping anything, but the bag with the drinks is showing some leakage somewhere. He gives a smile to Mercury as he comes back into the room.

Mercury [cheap hotel]: "Joshua?" He helps Tony with the leaking bag, getting it to a table. "Why's it even his business?"

Mercury [cheap hotel]: Leans down and kisses Tony's forehead. "Well done. The guy give you change?"

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He nuzzles Mercury's shoulder at the kiss, letting him take one of the bags, the one filled with drinks. "Yes, Sir, Merc..." He puts the bags down and pulls the change out of his pocket, offering it to him. Several dollar bills and a handful of change. "I didn't have no problems."

Aerin Thomas: "Oh, he wants me dead for a lot of reasons," he says with a wry chuckle. "Not the least of has to do with my daughter, and her mother." He won't say her name around others...but he'll be damned if he'll pretend to forget that she existed. Follow the judgment by the letter, follow his heart by the book.

Mercury [cheap hotel]: "Cool. I think the wallet has a zip compartment for the change so it won't fall out. Keep the change, you can use it for other things." Checking on the drinks, correcting the leakage.

Aerin Thomas: He smiles to Tony as he comes in, the Garou looking a bit more composed, yet a little less 'in control' at the same time. "Hey." He says it as if it was actually necessary to greet him again.

Mercury [cheap hotel]: He glances over at Aerin, a surge of anger in his eyes. "Your daughter is just fine where she is and who she's with." He focuses on the food, to distract himself from rage, though thankfully it's new-moon time. "Joshua needs a fucking hobby."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): Mercury finds his large Mountain Dew, a large Coke, a large Dr Pepper, and a large iced tea. Tony starts bringing out wrapped burgers, three of them, a covered plate of salad, three bags of fries, several wrapped danish from that morning, and a couple pieces of fruit. After he gets it out, he carefully puts the bills and change into his wallet.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He gives Aerin a smile then, "Hey, Sir... got us some food." He seems rather proud of himself, even if Mercury had been watching him.

Mercury [cheap hotel]: He blinks. "You got all this for less than twenty bucks? Cool, cheap place."

Aerin Thomas: He smirks a little bit at something and shrugs. "Yeah, well, it stays mostly out of it. I could give a rat's ass what he thinks of me. Long as he doesn't try to take it out on me, Ethan, or the rest of my family."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): "The burgers 'n fries they said was special today, got cheese on 'im too, no extra. The drinks come with 'em."

Mercury [cheap hotel]: He nods. "I like Joshua, but he definitely needs to keep himself busy. I'm in Troy's pack with him now. Maybe we can find him something to do." Smirks.

Mercury [cheap hotel]: Tony: "Well done, you found a great place." Trying a fry. "Yeah, not bad."

Aerin Thomas: "I see that, Tony." His smile softens, directed to Antonio. "Well done...thank you."

Aerin Thomas: "If you can, Mercury, I'll be grateful."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He gives a quick grin to Aerin, the praise seeming to lighten the boy's earlier mood. "You're welcome, Sir." He nibbles on one of the danish, going for the sweet first.

Mercury [cheap hotel]: He nods. "If nothing else, we can beat the shit out of each other. Just for fun, of course."

Aerin Thomas: "Mmm. Hope you do a better job then I did. He knocked me so silly, I lost a day's worth of memories." He frowns a bit and moves toward the food, stubbing his cigarette out on the way.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He nibbles on the danish, waiting to see what items Aerin might want before he choses anything, including the various drinks he got. There's little packets of sugar, and other condiments with the food.

Mercury [cheap hotel]: "I punch like a freight train. I've heard he does, too, so we'll probably be evenly matched." Digging into his food like it might vanish on him.

Aerin Thomas: He just takes a burger and the Coke, and steps back, finding a spot to lean against and eat.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He reaches over then and choses the salad, unless Mercury seems to want it.

Mercury [cheap hotel]: He doesn't seem to want the salad, but the fries are disappearing quickly. Somehow, his burger is already gone.

Aerin Thomas: "Yeah, well don't try to block the punch with your jaw. Doesn't work very well."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): Tony adds a little packet of Italian dressing to the salad, takes the Dr Pepper, a couple packets of crackets, and sits down on the floor.

Mercury [cheap hotel]: "Naw, my jaw can take a serious hit," he chuckles. "What'd he do, take you down in one?"

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): (crackers)

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): (brb, dogs nees out)

Aerin Thomas: "Sort of." He nods. "I rose to some bait he threw out for me...about Ethan." His lip curls a little bit, in a sneer. "We met at the warehouse..." He shudders. "...at a warehouse to settle it."

Mercury [cheap hotel]: "He has no room to talk, given his history." Not noticing the shudder, or not understanding, probably the latter. "But maybe I can give him something else to focus on for awhile."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): (bk) He looks to Aerin, picking at more than eating his sald.

Aerin Thomas: "Yeah, that history's another part of the problem." He shrugs and sighs. A shake of his head. Change of subject time. "So how have you been?"

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): d10: Perc+Empath (Aerin): 3,2,4,3,5,6,

Mercury [cheap hotel]: A shrewd look, detecting the obvious change of subject. And tactfully, he accepts it. "Pretty good. Especially now finally settling into a pack. Natasha and me both. A year in New York and I'm just now getting my shit together."

Aerin Thomas -> Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He's increasingly uncomfortable with the way the discussion was headed, and worried that he may have just caused problems for Joshua. Whoever Joshua is, whatever Aerin's saying about the man, he very much likes him and doesn't blame Joshua for wanting to kill him.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): Murmurs softly. "I thought you was in a pack already?"

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel) -> Aerin Thomas: Thanks, Tony has been sorta watching Aerin, trying to figure the man out.

Mercury [cheap hotel]: Tony: "Natasha and I were in a way, yeah. Danika was only with us temporarily. But Troy took us both into his. I'm no leader anyway. DIdn't want that responsibility."

Aerin Thomas -> Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): ((NP. *S* He's a tough nut to crack sometimes. ~I~ don't even understand his reactions to some things. Makes it fun.))

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): Quiet tone, eyes down on his salad. "Don't know none of 'im, but... don't know many family in town."

Aerin Thomas: He nods a little, not knowing Troy that well at all. "Laidan was a fan of Troy. I'm sure he'll do well...especially with you, Joshua, and Eddie backing him up. I don't know Natasha, I'm afraid."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel) -> Aerin Thomas: (Yep, gotta love our psych characters :)

Mercury [cheap hotel]: Rubs Tony's back reassuringly. "You'll come to the park with me some time. I know *everybody*. And not just family. All sorts. Which reminds me." He looks intently at Aerin. "There's something I learned, something big and I don't know who the fuck to tell. Or even if I should. I mean...Demons are of the Wyrm, right? Do you know of them?"

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He murmurs and gives his shoulders a slight roll at the rubbing. "It's okay... you ain't gotta."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He quiets then at Mercury's question.

Mercury [cheap hotel]: "I *want* to, Tony, so I will," he says quietly. "The more you know, and Alex knows, the more protection there will be."

Aerin Thomas: "Demons?" He blinks, and then nods. "Yeah, pretty damn sure they're Wyrm. I haven't met one myself, but I've heard stories."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He mouths, eyes blinking Real Demons?. He nods to Mercury, hearing the same things Alex says, but he seems reluctant nevertheless.

Mercury [cheap hotel]: Deep breath. "I met one many months ago. Elijah Phillips. Yeah, the model that got murdered. Anyway, he told me what he was, the whole shebang. Then...well, a few weeks ago..." He fidgets, eating a fry almost absently. "There's this woman named V. She knew who I was, my cell phone number, all these things. I confronted her and she told me that she was Eli. Apparently, when Ta---the person killed him, sh---they only killed the body. The demon spirit or whatever found another body. V's body. I didn't think much of it." He hangs his head shamefully. "Til later. That's...that's demonic possession, ain't it? Like in the occult books?"

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): Murmurs. "Sounds like 'hoo from 'Orleans, that there's stuff that kin take over ya if they know how."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): (stuff=them)

Aerin Thomas: "Eli..." He frowns. "Yeah, I ran into him. I was wondering what the fuck he was. He's possessed someone else?" He leans back, frowning. "Interesting."

Mercury [cheap hotel] -> Aerin Thomas: ((And I don't think Brigitte counted on Mercury TELLING people what she said. *L* But when he thought back on what she said, he got a little freaked.))

Mercury [cheap hotel]: "Yeah. Until then, I didn't really think much of them." Looking worried and ashamed of his prior ignorance. "But if they can take bodies, just take them like that...well, who is safe? Our Kin?"

Aerin Thomas: He scowls deeply at the thought. "Mmm. Thank you, Mercury. I was wondering if I was going to keep my lunch down. That though's made the point moot."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): Oh good, something else for him to worry about. He stops eating and quietly curls up, listening.

Mercury [cheap hotel]: Flinches. "Sorry. I just don't know who to tell. It sounds...well, frankly unbelievable. But she left me in no doubt that she had Eli's memories." He reaches around Tony's waist and pulls him up cloe. "No one's getting you, Boo. Not with Alex and me around."

Aerin Thomas: "Or me," he says to Antonio, adding his name to that list. His eyes look to Mercury, sighing. "I don't know, Mercury...I really don't."

Aerin Thomas -> Mercury [cheap hotel]: ((Because the player knows that any answer he gives will either screw his PC or cause the Shifter husband-wife ST team to cause him further headaches as a PC.))

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He hears their assurances, but still seems to feel the need to nuzzle Mercury's shoulder, soaking in his closeness.

Aerin Thomas -> Mercury [cheap hotel]: ((As a player, rather. And as an ST.))

Mercury [cheap hotel] -> Aerin Thomas: ((Yeah *sigh* I know))

fox: (people want I should drop Kris back in?)

Mercury [cheap hotel]: He nods, letting it drop. "Where's Alex?"

Mercury [cheap hotel]: ((Kristjan is welcome in my book. *S*))

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): ( :D yeah!)

Aerin Thomas -> Mercury [cheap hotel]: ((Actually, you really don't. What most players know or suspect is only the SLIGHTEST tip of the iceberg. I just can't talk about it...or at least, I won't talk about it in a place where PM's can be read.))

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He lets his head come to rest against Mercury's shoulder. "He took Crystal home, 'n they probably ain't got outta the bed yet... wait 'till ya see what she give Alex..."

Aerin Thomas: ((Definitely...come in, Fox! And on that note, frustratingly, I'll BRB.)) He gets up, moving toward the bathroom. "Speaking of my lunch...excuse me."

Mercury [cheap hotel] -> Aerin Thomas: ((I can understand that.))

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): (kk :)

Mercury [cheap hotel]: Winces. "Sorry, Aerin..."

Kristjan Ivanov: He knocks softly on the door.

Mercury [cheap hotel]: He jumps at the knock.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He tenses too, not expecting anyone, and he looks to Mercury.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): Murmurs as he stands up, "Might be Alex back."

Mercury [cheap hotel]: He gets up and goes to the door peeping out. "Who is it?" ((Uh, does he know Kristjan? *L*))

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): The knock though is softer than what Alex would normally do, so he waits to see if Mercury wants him to get it, or if he choses to do it.

Kristjan Ivanov: He steps back a step, putting him outside Mercury's reach. "Uh, I may have the wrong room. Kristjan." His eyes flick past Mercury to the room, but he has a lousy angle to peer past Mercury and see much.

Mercury [cheap hotel]: He looks back at Tony. "You know a Kristjan?"

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He hears the voice and the name and steps out from the side of the room. "It's Mr Kristjan, Sir."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He nods to Mercury. "Yes, Sir, Merc, he was here last night, 'n knows Mr Aerin ;n Dante too."

Kristjan Ivanov: "Hey, Tony." He says, relaxing about the stranger in the doorway marginally.

Mercury [cheap hotel]: He opens the door and steps back. "Yo. I'm Mercury. Come on in."

Mercury [cheap hotel]: Leaving Kristjan to close the door behind him, he goes and sits back down. "There's an extra burger since Tony doesn't eat much meat."

Kristjan Ivanov: He nods to Mercury and slips inside before he clarifies that. "I know Aerin. Dante's not been awake in my presence. How is he?"

Aerin Thomas: He comes out of the bathroom, running a hand through his hair, and looks over to the door, smiling a bit to Kristjan. "Hey, Kristjan."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He waits until Kristjan speaks to him and steps inside, then he moves to nuzzle his shoulder in greeting. "Evenin', Sir."

Kristjan Ivanov: He runs a hand through Tony's hair at the nuzzle. "Hey-hey-hey...am I gonna have to outright order you to just call me Kristjan?" But he's not upset. Not at all.

Kristjan Ivanov: "Aerin." Less than twenty-four hours and that sense of connection is gone again.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He ducks his head down, but he showed a brief glimpse of a smile. "No, Sir... I mean... Mr Kristjan." He'll likely forget again, but it is such a natural thing for him the habit is hard to break or even think about.

Aerin Thomas: He raises an eyebrow, and then sighs, shrugging it off. "How are you?" He moves to take a lean next to the window, watching the other three men.

Mercury [cheap hotel]: He finally reaches his fill on food and leans back against a wall.

Kristjan Ivanov: "Don't make me bite...." He says to Tony playfully, tapping him lightly on the back of the head.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He moves quietly then to pick up his half eaten salad from the floor.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): DLP

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): Kristjan gets a very soft giggle, and he quickly nuzzles his shoulder again before moving to pick up his half eaten salad from the floor.

Kristjan Ivanov: "Well enough. You?" He glances at Aerin's position back at the window. "You should come out to the house sometime. Sometimes I think I might as well have all glass walls, with the windows."

Aerin Thomas: "Oh, yeah. That'll ease my paranoia." He smirks a little bit and shakes his head. "Back's always to a window that way."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He nibbles another bite or two of the salad, then puts the lid back on the plate and sets it down on the table.

Kristjan Ivanov: "It's why I've never lived there." He says this as though owning a house you won't live in is the most natural thing in the world.

Mercury [cheap hotel]: Nope, not done. He gobbles a pastry.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He digs through the clothing on the chair then, picking out a dark purple pants, a deep green silk shirt, and a golden colored vest.

Aerin Thomas: "Fair enough." He leans his head back against the wall and sighs, eyes drifting shut, arms folded over his chest. "So is the scotch empty yet?"

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): (pair of pants) He looks over at Aerin. "No, Sir." Without a word he moves to the table, clothing in his arms, and pours a plastic cup with scotch.

Kristjan Ivanov: "I didn't finish it, if that's what you mean. I didn't think to bring another bottle, though. I can get one."

Kristjan Ivanov: "No-no-no-Tony." He winces. "Plastic is so bad for scotch. Are you sure you don't want to go somewhere without the probability of hyper-intellegent critters who have evolved strange psychic powers?"

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He takes the cup over to Aerin, and offers it to him.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He looks down at the cup. "We ain't got any glasses."

Mercury [cheap hotel]: A soft snoring from him. ((Going to lie down. Not feeling real hot. Be back in a couple hours.))

Aerin Thomas: "The cup is fine...I'm not looking for it for the taste. That's just an added bonus." He smiles gratefully to Tony and takes the cup from him.

Kristjan Ivanov: "Yes. Well, a better class of hotel will fix that. Or my place. Which is really only frighteningly open in the living room."

Aerin Thomas: ((And on that note, folks, I'm off work. Should be home in 30 or so.))

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): (kk) He looks from Aerin to Kristjan, then murmurs softly. "This was close... 'n Damien paid for the second room.

Kristjan Ivanov: "Yes, but I have credit cards. Credit cards with names that likely aren't tied to any of you by anyone who might be looking for you. And a limit that certainly isn't close to being met."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He blinks at Kristjan. "Iffen Mr Aerin wants, we could move. This ain't to great a place, but least it had a bed." He glances toward the bathroom (where I will assume Aerin went again).

Kristjan Ivanov: "You don't have to. I just hated staying in places like this. But then, I do try not to be reminded of growing up."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He drops his head again, still holding the clothes. "I been in... worse, least this one got a real bed, not just a mattress on the floor, 'n I changed the sheets 'n stuff myself."

Kristjan Ivanov: "The point isn't that I haven't been to worse places. It's that I determined I would have a very different life than I used have. And I don't stay in hotels like this unless there is some manner of...neccesity."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): His lowered heads nods some, keeping his expressions hidden. His voice is very soft. "It was sorta where we could get. 'N sometimes it's hard to... just up 'n change what ya know." Was he even still talking about the room?

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): (head)

Kristjan Ivanov: "Yeah. Yeah, I know. I'm just saying you don't have to stay if you don't want to. I don't like people stuck in places they don't belong. I mean, it, okay? You don't have to stay anywhere you don't want to be."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He glances up briefly to Kristjan, clutching the clothes against his chest, his finger absently twirling some strands of his hair. "Thankee, Sir... eh... Mr Kristjan." He glances again to the bathroom, feeling pretty dingy at the moment.

Kristjan Ivanov: "You changing?"

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): "I eh... was gonna take a shower." He pushes his hair back over his shoulder. "'N change clothes. If Alex gets back, we was gonna go out someplace where they might be celebratin'."

Kristjan Ivanov: "Okay. Sounds like fun."

Aerin Thomas: And just in time. The door opens, and Aerin walks back out. "I'm fine now, honest. No more bathroom breaks for me...maybe I'm coming down with something."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): "Maybe... ain't sure. Iffen we were back home... maybe we'de go to Mardi Gras. I ain't sure we'll be able to do anythin', but I wanna be ready iffen we do."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): Which would explain the odd colors he had chosen.

Kristjan Ivanov: He blinks a bit, but nods. "Okay." Something about that struck him as off. But he's letting it go. He turns to Tony. "Go get ready, huh? Celebrating sounds like fun."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He blinks, not thinking Garou ever got sick with stuff, but he makes no comment and just nods to Kristjan. "Iffen it's okay, Mr Aerin?"

Aerin Thomas: "Absolutely." He nods. "I think some celebration could be used." He moves toward the bed, dropping down onto it with a grunt.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): With permission he picks up a plastic shopping bag, the type you get when you buy groceries, and slips off into the bathroom, closing the door. The sound of running water then from the shower.

Aerin Thomas: He watches Tony head into the bathroom, his eyes lingering on the closed door, before a deep sigh emits. He shakes his head and lets it fall back on the bed.

Kristjan Ivanov: He walks over to sit on the bed, not far from Aerin, streching his legs out, crossed at the ankle. "Aerin...if you're going to insist you're coming down with something, I may have to insist I was Cleopatra in a past life, because it's about as likely. What's going on?" He is concerned, but...there is still that imposed sense of distance. As though actually being open to real friendship might hurt.

Aerin Thomas: "What, you've never heard of genetically-engineered diseases made by the Wyrm? It could happen..." He shivers a little at the thought, then falls silent, lips pursing. "I...I'm not sure."

Kristjan Ivanov: "Last I heard, no one had access to those, but I'm a few years out of the loop. Come on, Aerin. Talk to me...."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): A little steam slips out from under the door.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): (oops, sorry, I'm trying to dig around and get some food)

Aerin Thomas: ((NP! :) )) "Do the words 'I don't know' not register?" There's maybe a bit of sullenness there, but not as much as one might think. He's more...subdued then bitter right now. "I'm serious. I have...no idea what's going on. None whatsoever."

Kristjan Ivanov: "Okay. Whoa. Maybe try what's wrong? I'm good. I'm not telepathic. It's a damned shame. How much have you been drinking?"

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): The water shuts off finally, and muttering can be heard from the bathroom. "shit...shit...shit."

Aerin Thomas: "Not as much as you might think," he says with a half-hearted smirk. "I...things just keep hitting me. Impulses...frustration. Anger. I'm feeling like it's the opposite moon then it is right now, and that...doesn't make sense to me. And what's setting me off...doesn't make sense."

Aerin Thomas: He looks up to the bathroom, a brow raising and a frown forming on his lips...concerned. "Tony? You okay?"

Kristjan Ivanov: "Okay. Couple questions. First qestion, and I realise you're going to want to hit me because it should be obvious - how much stress are you under?"

Kristjan Ivanov: He glances toward the door with a slight frown.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): Calls out from the bathroom. "Yes, Sir... just... this place don't leave no towels in the bathroom." Bumbling sounds in the other room. "I gotta have suthin'... could ya toss me the blanket or suthhin' off the bed? I kin go downstairs 'n get another."

Aerin Thomas: His jaw sets a moment, and he sits up, sliding off the bed. "Umm...Kristjan...could you...?" He gestures toward the blanket, and starts to make his way to the door. "I'll get another blanket."

Kristjan Ivanov: "We are still so talking later," he mutters to Aerin, and then swipes the blanket off the bed and walks over to the bathroon door.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He opens the door, poking his very wet head out. Even wrung with his hands, all that thick, long hair is running water down his body and onto the floor. He seems rather unselfconscious as he smiles to Kristjan, taking the blanket, giving the other man a rather complete view of him briefly before he wraps it around himself.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): Murmurs "I'm gonna be covered in little fuzzies..."

Kristjan Ivanov: Kristjan is absolutely unmoved by nudity. He does, more reflexively than anything turn away and walk back to the bed to sit back down. But no blushing or too quickly averted eyes.

Kristjan Ivanov: "Yeah, that might be dangerous. If you insist on staying here I'll bring you real towels."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): Wrapped in the blanket now, he doesn't bother to close the door, but leans over the tub and continues to try to wring water from his hair.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): "It ain't my decision, Sir. If Mr Aerin wants us to go somewhere else, I sure wouldn't complain though."

Aerin Thomas: He's out the door, moving down the hallway until he finds a maid or someone who he can get a blanket and (for future use) towels. He smiles a little to her, being polite, and follows her to the linen room.

Kristjan Ivanov: "Mmmmmph. That was more of a relative statement."

Aerin Thomas: He gets a blanket and a couple iffy but serviceable towels, nodding to the woman and making his way back to the room.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He pauses, turning his head to the door. "I... I ain't sure then what ya meant." His voice comes out smaller, obviously feeling a little stupid.

Kristjan Ivanov: "That happens to people. Don't worry, I'm only dangerous to people who never wonder about what I really mean."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): "You're awful confusin' sometimes, Sir... eh... Mr Kristjan."

Kristjan Ivanov: "Yeah. I give thought to stopping from time to time, but my train of thought seems to run on entirely separate tracks from other people."

Aerin Thomas: The door opens back up, and the fabric-laden Aerin comes in. "I have dry stuff," he announces, moving toward the bed to dump it there.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): "I just... just don't like to make mistakes 'bout what somebody wants... it kin get folks pissed." He seems to be almost chattering compared to his normal quiet self.

Kristjan Ivanov: He moves out of the way of the dropped fabrics, curling against the wall at the head of the bed.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He sticks his head out of the bathroom when he hears Aerin, and scampers over to the bed after the dry towels, the blanket wrapped around him. "Thankee, Sir." He slips back into the bathroom, closing the door again.

Aerin Thomas: "Shit...sorry, Kristjan." he gives the man an apologetic look, and pulls the blanket and towels away so he has room to relax.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): And leaving a nice little trail of water from the bed to the bathroom.

Kristjan Ivanov: "Yeah. I've been there. You learn to read people. Or to hit harder. But you learn to survive. Or you don't."

Aerin Thomas: Eyes look over to Antonio, blinking at him, and he nods a bit, murmuring slightly. "Yeah...no problem." He watches Tony head back into the bathroom, then shakes his head and moves to a spot against the far wall, sitting on the floor where he can face the bed.

Kristjan Ivanov: "Leave it be, Aerin. It's okay. I don't think towels, even here, will mortally wound me."

Aerin Thomas: "Haven't you ever heard of assassin towels?" He chuckles a little bit, shrugging slightly as he pulls a cigarette.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel) -> Aerin Thomas: He's covered, so Aerin doesn't get a peepshow, but he would notice some scars from shoulder down his right arm and side, one mark down the side of his chest. They are white, stretched, as if they happened when he was young, and they look like they were either very deep scratches that could have required stitches, or claw marks.

Kristjan Ivanov: "Oh, yes. But they only get two of six stars. One and a half of those are based on the laughing that occurs after they fail and you just shoot someone in the face."

Aerin Thomas: "True that." He grins faintly. "They're good with the strangling, though."

Kristjan Ivanov: "Mmmmm...I ordered the extra fluffy ones - you know, so it'd double as a good beach towel...."

Aerin Thomas: "Ahh well, that's good. The fluffy ones are to cute to kill anything. We're safe then."

Kristjan Ivanov: "Ugh. How long are you staying here?" Somethiong about this place really does get under his skin. Which is weird, as very little seems to.

Aerin Thomas: "I don't know." He shrugs. "I was planning on moving them last night, but it didn't happen, so..." A little sigh escapes. "Probably tonight."

Kristjan Ivanov: "You need a new place to go? I can set something up."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): The door finally opens, and he comes out, still wiping at his hair. He pauses though, using the extra towel to wipe the water off the floor.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): "Ick" He looks at the now dirty towel, as the water seemed to actually clean a section of the floor.

Aerin Thomas: "I had a couple ideas...but they weren't well thought-out. If you've got your own ideas, I won't complain."

Kristjan Ivanov: "Yes. Ick. It is a good choice of words."

Kristjan Ivanov: "What kind of parameters? Other than less appalling?"

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): "Eh... maybe I should try to find somethin' 'n clean it up in here some." He goes back into the bathroom, dropping the towel in the corner.

Kristjan Ivanov: "No. Don't poke the dust bunnies. It might anger them."

Aerin Thomas: "Don't worry about it, Tony. Housecleaning can deal with it." He looks to Kristjan. "Close to Central would be nice."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He moves back into the room, and continues working on his hair with the towel. "Yes, Sir... ain't got a mop or cleanin' stuff noway."

Kristjan Ivanov: "Close te Central. Okay. How many should it sleep. How private would you like it? How long do you need it?"

Aerin Thomas: "Private is good." He nods. "Sleep...umm. Alex, Tony, Dante...maybe room for one other. Four? Anyone else can sleep on the floor."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He listens to the two men, ready to gather what little things they had in the rooms together if they were going somewhere else.

Kristjan Ivanov: "I love you too. I'm not going to be able to get too private in Manhattan. Unless I can get my hands on something that's not traditional housing. I miss having connections in insane places. Fuck. Huh.... I wonder what's on the river."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): "I kin always sleep in the car, Sir. Alex put our sleepin' bags in the bag of it last night."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): (bag=back)

Aerin Thomas: He winces a little bit. "Okay, so five. Sorry."

Kristjan Ivanov: "Aerin...do I look hurt? Take it easy. How many to a room? Or to a bed? Tony, you may not sleep in the car."

Aerin Thomas: "I..." He shakes his head. "I don't know. Ummm...Dante needs...no." A little shrug. "I dunno."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He blinks at Kristjan. "Alex said we might hafta... but it ain't bad... it's huge 'n brand new. Crystal give it to him... he said it's a Hummer."

Kristjan Ivanov: He blinks. "Right. Of course not. One step at a time. Tony, do you share a bed with Alex?"

Kristjan Ivanov: "Tony, you may not sleep in the car, at least not for purposes of this discussion."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He nods to Kristjan, pulling a comb out of the plastic bag, which seems to be doubling for a suitcase of sorts. "Yes, I live with 'im."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): "Yes, Sir."

Aerin Thomas: He sighs, shutting his eyes and leaning back against the wall.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): And again his eyes move across Aerin.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): d10: Perc+Empath(Aerin): 8,3,9,3,7,7,

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel) -> Aerin Thomas: (WOOT! Finally, unless you do a subterfuge roll!)

Kristjan Ivanov: "Okay. Then two questions - would you mind, or do you think Alex would mind if there was a second bed and another person in your room?"

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He shakes his head at Kristjan, sliding the comb through his hair slowly. "No, Sir, wouldn't be no problem, specially not with who ya'll talkin' bout bein' there."

Kristjan Ivanov: "Okay. Thank you." He looks back over to Aerin, with only a slight pause. "Aerin...you okay there?"

Aerin Thomas -> Aerin Thomas: ((Naah, he's too confused to be subterfuge-y. *S* One sec.))

Aerin Thomas -> Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): ((Naah, he's too confused to be subterfuge-y. *S* One sec.))

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel) -> Aerin Thomas: (kk, take your time, I'll brb)

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He sits quietly then, concentrating on the task that is untangling all that long, wet hair. (brb)

Aerin Thomas: ((Sorry, guys. Am good now. Posting to Antonio, then in response to Kris.))

Kristjan Ivanov -> Aerin Thomas: [And I of course, almost ask - 'wait, was everything okay?' before I thought through to the point where everything is good now. *nods* Stupid sleep deprivation.]

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): (bk, sorry) Still sitting combing his hair, eyes going over Aerin.

Aerin Thomas -> Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He's tired and lost, very, very confused. He seems, right now, to be incredibly disoriented, much as he's trying to hide it. There's a great sense of self-loathing in him. He absolutely despises himself, for many reasons. For one, there's a sense of something surrounding his daughter...he took her away from someone, and that's one of the greatest things tearing at him. He believes himself subhuman for doing it. He loves Ethan, but whoever he took Tori from...they were THE one, and he's walked away for reasons he believes in. Still, it's tearing him apart, and it's been heavily reinforced.

At the same time, he's very lost and confused, as stated. he doesn't understand things that are happening to him...things that he's experiencing, emotions that he's feeling. He has a strange attraction to Tony, which he finds very inappropriate, because he reminds Aerin of someone. He's trying to stay in control of situations, but he finds himself losing his sense of identity when he does, slipping into the patterns of someone he both loves and hates. He's got a stong sense of bitterness around him, angry at the world for how his life has turned out. He believes himself lost...but he's not in Harano, or even in a palce where Harano's a concern. Because he has a purpose, and that purpose is that even if he is lost, he'll make sure others won't be. He'll sacrifice anything for those around him...mainly because he doesn't believe he has anything to sacrifice. It's coupled with an odd belief that he can't be killed, which he is fascinated by and bitter about.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel) -> Aerin Thomas: (WHOA! Now that's what I called a response! Thank you muchly.)

Aerin Thomas: "Hmmm?" He opens his eyes, looking tiredly at Kristjan. "Oh...yeah. Yeah, I'm fine...thanks. Just tired, is all."

Aerin Thomas -> Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): ((*G* Empathy can find great things out about people's state of mind. I try to be very giving.))

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel) -> Aerin Thomas: Well, this is my most perceptive character, he's so quiet that he often isn't noticable, but he is always looking, listening, and has learned a whole hell of a lot that way. People tend to forget the quiet boy is there.

Kristjan Ivanov: "It's okay. Just a few more questions, and then you can rest, and I'll take care of everthing. Everything's going to be fine. You think a room for Dante on his own, it sounds like?"

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): His eyes shadow over as he watches Aerin, the comb hanging still in his hair for a moment, hand not moving. He quickly drops his eyes then, hiding his expression again. He stays utterly still then.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): A quick flick of his tongue over his lips and he starts combing his hair again, but he keeps his head down, eyes averted from the two men as they talk.

Aerin Thomas: "Yeah...yeah. A room for Dante on his own is good." He looks over at Antonio, brow furrowing a little bit. "Are you all right, Tony?"

Kristjan Ivanov: "Okay. And one for you. Do you mind a second person in your room?"

Mercury: Wakes up slowly with a snort and a bleary, "Don't wanna go to school..."

Aerin Thomas: "Well, I..." He pauses, blinking. "Ummm...no. I'm uh...I'm living with Bliss and Ethan, now. And Catie...and her cats. Though I guess I could split my attention..." He considers it a moment.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He slowly raises his head at being addressed, looking briefly at Aerin, a very quick glimpse of pain in his eyes. "I'm... okay, Sir."

Kristjan Ivanov: "Mmmmmmm...okay. You live with Bliss and Ethan. And Catie. And cats. Are you planning to go home tonight?"

Mercury: Grunts, a soft growl reverberating in his throat, then he blinks fully awake where he's sitting against a wall.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He looks over then at Mercury, that brief expression slipping away as he hears Mercury, though his eyes still seem to be darker, misty perhaps. He murmurs softly to him. "You ain't gotta go to school, Merc."

Mercury: TOny: "I know, haven't gone to school since I was 13." Mystified.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): Whispers. "You was talkin' in your sleep."

Aerin Thomas: He looks up at that growl, tensing slightly, before he realizes it's Mercury. "Ummm..." He looks back to Kristjan. "I'd better...if I spend too many nights away, they'll, um. Start to worry."

Mercury: RUns a hand through his hair. "Oh. Well, as long as I don't reveal my deepest, darkest desires. Come to think of it, I don't really have any."

Kristjan Ivanov: "Okay. So three rooms, minimum. Ideally a futon or a pull out couch. How long do you need?"

Mercury: Listens in at the conversation he knows nothing about.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): His eyes slide to Aerin again, watching him intently for a moment before dropping his eyes again. (For Mercury - he just got out of the shower, combing out that long hair, dressed in deep purple satin pants, dark green silk shirt, and a golden color satin vest - he just screams Mardi Gras)

Aerin Thomas: "I..." He rubs at his face. "To completely fix Dante? Shit. At least a few months. At LEAST."

Aerin Thomas: ((And Aerin is sitting on the floor against the far wall from the bed, facing it))

Mercury: He rummages for a leftover pastry as he listens.

Kristjan Ivanov: "Right. How long do you need me to buy you time for. Because I seriously have enough room at the house for you to stay that long, but I cannot, though I love you and Tony to death, keep that many people in Manhattan for a couple months at a time. A couple weeks, I can do. Past that, I'd need to pull you out of town to do this like you want. How critical is location?"

Kristjan Ivanov: Kris is up on the bed, curled against the headboard.

Mercury: Ooh, burger! Ignores the fruit and chomps on the cold burger.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He looks at Mercury, moving to the little bucket by the bed, and getting a bottle of cold water which he then hands to him.

Mercury: "Thank you, Tony." Kissing his cheek if he can quick enough.

Aerin Thomas: "Ummm...location is...I can help out financially. I've got the money to do so..." He looks down at the floor. "Micah left me a lot in his will."

Mercury: A glance over at Aerin, then his own eyes lower.

Kristjan Ivanov: "Okay then. That in mind, I'll pick something out. You need anything else tonight?"

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He nuzzles at Mercury at the kiss, then his eyes shift to Aerin again, that shadow there again before he drops his eyes, moving over to put his comb back in the plastic bag.

Aerin Thomas: "I...no. I don't think so." A brief pause. "Thanks."

Kristjan Ivanov: "It's okay. I don't mind. Hell, I kinda miss this." He smiles and slides off the bed. "I'll go find you a less scary hotel for a few days while I find something longer term, okay? I'll call you within about an hour?"

Mercury: "I'll need to get going to check on Rei."

Aerin Thomas: "Perfect." He looks up to Kristjan, finally, and smiles a little. Genuinely. "Talk to you then."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He looks up then at Kristjan. "Sir? If ya need it... he goes to his coat and digs out a card, for the cabins just out of the city, that Alexander is currently caretaker of. "Until the 'season', the place is pretty empty. Iffen Alex was here, he'de probably give ya this. He was thinkin' of puttin' Dante up in one of the other cabins - they got little kitchens 'n stuff in 'em."

Mercury: "I can help with Dante some if I'm needed."

Aerin Thomas: "Thanks, Mercury. I may just need it."

Kristjan Ivanov: He smiles back at Aerin, and for a few seconds there isn't a trace of any barriers between him and the world at all. It doesn't last though, that imposed distance is back as he takes the cars from Tony, and runs a hand over his hair. "I think it's the wrong place, if the right idea. Thanks though. I'll look into it."

Aerin Thomas: He looks over to Tony, head tilting a bit to the side, considering the cabins a little.

Mercury: He nods. "I won't let someone go over if I can do anything to help prevent it."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): "Yes, Sir... just wanted ya to know about 'em." He moves to settle himself then close to Mercury, his hair combed but still wet. It might take a while for it to dry completely.

Kristjan Ivanov: He nods to Mercury. "Night. Nice meeting you." He hugs Tony lightly and then glances at Aerin. He never seems to quite know what to do about Aerin.

Aerin Thomas: When Kristjan nixes the idea of the cabins, he nods a little, going along with it. He looks over to Mercury and smiles, if a bit thin-lipped. "Good to hear."

Mercury: "Good night, Kristjan. Good to meet'cha."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He nuzzles Kristjan's shoulder at the hug. "Night, Sir... em... Mr Kristjan."

Aerin Thomas: He looks at Kristjan, staring at the man for a long moment. For the slightest instant, there's something that flickers inside his eyes. He then nods, slowly. "See you later, Kristjan. Thank you."

Aerin Thomas -> Kristjan Ivanov: That look was flicker of a fire, an almost commanding flare-up, before it settled quickly back down, hiding itself away.

Kristjan Ivanov: "Stop thanking me. It's creepy." He flashes Aerin a quick smile, and heads out.

Kristjan Ivanov -> Aerin Thomas: [In response to anything specific?]

Aerin Thomas -> Kristjan Ivanov: ((No, not really. It just kind of flared up out of nowhere.))

Mercury: "Someday, I'm going to have to introduce Rei to everyone. He's too damn isolated." Standing up. "You staying awhile longer with Tony, Aerin, or you want me to?"

Kristjan Ivanov -> Aerin Thomas: [Oh joy! *G* It's a good thing the kid likes dealing with psychotics.]

Aerin Thomas: "I..." He looks at Tony, head tilting to the side. "Tony? Would you rather I stayed here, or Mercury?" Knowing the man's not likely to make a choice...perhaps curious to see what he'll say.

Mercury: "You need to get home," he says softly. "Rei isn't home yet. I can stay here til Alex does."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He looks between Aerin and Mercury, licking his lips, pitifully indecisive. Questions, decisions, he so didn't do well with them. Finally... "Whichever works best for ya'll, Sir."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He hears Mercury, and glances up, actually meeting Aerin's eyes for just a moment. "If Merc kin stay, ya outta get some rest, Sir. It's gettin' late, 'n I ain't that worried about Fat Tuesday. Me 'n Alex kin celebrate though goin' out."

Aerin Thomas: He looks up at Mercury and nods a little bit. "All right." He slowly rises to his feet, smiling to Tony. "It'll be okay, Tony. We'll get this all worked out." He's not even sure why he says it...but he seems to mean it. He looks to Mercury, opening his mouth...then shutting it and turning to go.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel) -> Aerin Thomas: For just the briefest moment Aerin might pick up that there is an understanding or symapthetic look in Tony's eyes - not pity, but perhaps a sharing of something in his eyes. He's worried about Aerin more now than before.

Mercury: He steps over to Aerin, giving him a bracing, one-armed hug unless he shies away from it. "Take care."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): (though=thought)

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He nuzzles Aerin's shoulder. "Night, Sir... we'll watch over him."

Aerin Thomas: He tenses visibly when Mercury steps forward to huge him, but doesn't shy away...he lets him. "You too. Talk, um...talk to you soon." He smiles a little, eyes wavering, and then gives Tony one last look before heading out.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He gives Aerin a little smile before dropping his eyes, moving to nervously nuzzle Mercury shoulder, like he needs the contact.

Mercury: He watches Aerin leave, then sighs softly, sitting back by Tony. "I wish I was good at fixing emotional pain."

Aerin Thomas: ((Thanks for the scene, guys! *Hugs on ya both*))

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He suddenly turns to Mercury, more open with him than most. "Tell me... who was Micah?"

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): (*hugs* See ya later, thank for the whole scene!)

Mercury: ((*hugs* Thanks!))

Mercury: He looks very sad at the mention of the name. "A wonderful, sweet, sensitive, and very troubled, confused, and frightened young man. He was murdered, I guess, at least that's what I heard. Don't think they ever found who did it, but it was probably a hate crime."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): "Ethan said... he said that I looked like him... 'n more'n that I acted kinda like 'im, 'n he was worried 'bout Mr Aerin. I... I kinda think now he was right."

Mercury: "He had long black hair and a beautiful face. Much like you, yes, though he didn't have your ethereal quality. He was built very much like you. And though sometimes he could be bold, even aggressive, most of the time he was submissive to the point of being anyone's potential victim. I didn't realize what he had meant to Aerin."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): "I... I don't really know either, just what worried Ethan that he toldt me about, 'n... what I sense from Mr Aerin. I ain't sure me bein' around him right now is a good thin', but then, if I avoid him, I think that would hurt too." He looks up at Mercury, confused and looking miserable. "I ain't sure what to do... 'n I ain't sure if I should say none of this to Alex."

Mercury: "It's Aerin's problem to deal with, and I think confrontation with reality...you being around him and *not* being Micah...ultimately will be good for him. He has Ethan and Tori to help keep him stable, too. But if you notice any unusual behavior, let me know, okay?"

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): What? Actually keep anything from Alex? Now, that is strange from the boy, but something happened tonight that seems to have shaken him.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): "He ain't never got outta line with me... I know him 'n Ethan have their own little game 'n it's supposed to be just them..." He pauses, thinking of things from the club the other night, but makes no comment on them. "I just... just don't wanna make him hurt by lookin' at me."

Mercury: "It might be that way for awhile. Micah was killed not too long ago."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He drops his head, sighing softly. "I... I wish I could help him, but I don't know how."

Mercury: He puts an arm around Tony, holding him close. "I don't know how either. Sometimes, with grief, you have to just let it run its course. Everyone grieves differently and there's no set time for it to end."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He nuzzles against Mercury. "I think it bothers Ethan too... but I can't help it the way I look or the way I am. I ain't got many... friends I don't want them to feel funny 'round me."

Mercury: He kisses his brow gently. "It's not your fault, sweetie, just remember that, Boo. It's not your fault. You just be yourself, and the people that stick by you...those are your friends. Anybody who can't accept you as you are isn't worth your time because they won't be a true friend. I learned that painful lesson a long time ago."

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He doesn't respond except to nod his head against Mercury's chest, seeming to just enjoy the contact as they wait for Alex. He does murmur softly. "I... I should change... it's after 12..."

Mercury: "Okay." He gets up to stretch out on the bed.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He moves off into the bathroom, grabbing a pair of jeans and a shirt on his way, taking off his 'special' clothes, and just tugging on something comfortable before he returned to climb up on the bed with Merc, dropping his head down on the other's chest.

Mercury: He curls an arm around Tony, holding him close and nearly on top of him.

Mercury: ((On top of Mercury.))

Mercury: ((and fade))

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): He relaxes and after a few minutes he grows drowsy, and cuddles closer to Mercury, closing his eyes and relaxing until Alexander comes.

Antonio Pavlatos (Cheap Hotel): (And fade)