Topic: It's Bigger On The Inside

Lelah

Date: 2011-04-28 17:10 EST
They sold bottled water at the Inn, right? God, she hoped so...and so did Oscar. After leaving the Plaza, she went home and changed into shorts and a tank and running shoes, clipped the dog's leash to his collar and set out at a sedate pace. Two hours later, she was dripping sweat and Oscar refused to run any more. In fact, when she paused in front of the Inn thoughtfully, he flopped down on the cobbles and refused to get up.

She stared at the dog and sighed. "Quitter," she muttered and gave his leash a little tug. He flopped over on his back, paws held under his chin. "Oh, lord. Fine." She leaned down, picked the dramatic pooch up and tucked him under her arm. She kissed his head and then started up the porch steps. Her quads and hamstrings burned nicely with every step.

It had been a day of exploration and sightseeing for Ori; and there certainly was a lot to see in this place. Hours and hours had been spent just in the Marketplace, going from stall to stall. Eventually, though, he pulled himself away from the myriad fascinating wares. He had plans for the evening, after all. His course for Lelah's place took him right past the Inn, and that turned out to be quite fortunate. A familiar form going up the steps informed that her house would be extremely empty, should he have continued his journey. "Well, hello," he called out, turning towards said steps.

Oscar let out a little barroo and his tail thumped against Lelah's back. She turned and glanced over her shoulder. "Hi!" Then she looked down at her clothing and winced. Crap. "Close your eyes!" she exclaimed and tried to cover herself with Oscar.

"What? Why?" he asked, closing his eyes obediently at the same time.

"I'm all mucky and sweaty and gross. You can't see me like this." The next dog she bought would be much larger than the 20-pound lump in her arms. He did not help cover her at all...even a little bit.

"I'm going to hurt myself...or someone else...if I try to walk around with my eyes closed. Besides, I already saw you, and you look fine." More than fine, really, but he didn't want her to think he was being some kind of suck-up. He reached out one hand, groping for the railing so he could start up the steps.

She made an exasperated sound. "Fine. You can open your eyes. Wouldn't want you to set someone's hair on fire or turn their nose into a mushroom or something." She hefted Oscar, switched arms and nuzzled his face.

"I can't really do the first one," he said, opening his eyes. Then he brightened. "I could make them think their hair was on fire, though." Then he paused, blinking at her. "Weren't you supposed to be home around now?" He climbed the stairs as he spoke, finding it much easier now that he could see.

"Oh, sh*t! That was tonight, wasn't it? Ori, I'm sorry. It completely skipped my mind. I had a crappy day." Oscar's tail started thumping solidly at her back as the wizard came closer to them and when he was in range, the little dog wriggled to be petted.

"Oh," he said, looking serious. "I'm sorry to hear that. Can I do anything to help?" Oscar looked much happier to see him this time, enough that he was willing to risk reaching out to pet the dog.

Oscar accepted the petting with regal affection and then settled in his mistress's arms. Lelah shook her head sadly. "No, unfortunately, I've made my bed and now I must lie in it. I was just headed inside to grab some water before I headed home," she said, shifting subjects quickly so that he wouldn't be tempted to pursue the topic of her bad day.

"Oh," he said again. "Well, if you want to talk about it...I'm pretty good at listening. Not that I'm trying to pry," he added hastily. He glanced around the porch, then out into the street, before finally looking back at her. He wasn't quite sure what else to say.

She took pity on him and put Oscar down on the porch and then handed Ori his leash. "He shouldn't come inside. He'll freak out and go catatonic with that many strangers around. Would you mind staying out here with him? I'll just be a minute."

He took the leash automatically, then looked down at the dog. "Well, sure. Is he going to be okay with that, though?"

She nodded. "He'll be fine. You want something, too?" Oscar sat down between Ori and Lelah, looking back and forth between them, then stood up and walked around three times in a circle before laying down. "See?" Lelah said. "He's fine."

"Some water would be fine, thank you." He knelt down to pet Oscar, if the dog would let him.

He would and did. "Okay. Back in a sec. Oscar, be good." She slipped inside and headed quickly to the bar.

His lips twitched in a little smile when Oscar willingly accepted the petting. "So you've decided I'm not so bad, eh, Oscar?" he said to the dog. He sat down on the floor of the porch next to the dog, leaning his back up against the railing. The words were relatively quiescent tonight; thankfully. Casting all those spells in a row had calmed them down. He continued idly petting the dog as he contemplated the words, getting used to what they did.

Lelah

Date: 2011-04-28 17:10 EST
She schooled her features into very bland neutrality as she entered the Inn. She headed behind the bar to grab three bottles of water. Once she them, she headed back outside and plunked herself down next to Ori. She cracked open all three bottles, handing him one of them. Oscar sat up and she very slowly poured the water out for him, allowing his little cat-like tongue to lap it up mid-stream.

He started to stand when she came back out, then sat back as she dropped down next to him. "Thank you," he said, watching her give Oscar his drink, then taking a sip of his own. The water was nice and cold.

Once Oscar's needs had been seen to, she drained her own bottle in a few gulps and finished off the rest of her dog's. "So... Did you want to grab some take-out or would you like me to cook? I don't mind, either way."

"I was going to show you my place," he said. "The offer's still open...if you want. There's food there." He ventured a smile, more than a little relieved that she still wanted to have dinner with him.

She nodded and stood up, reaching for Oscar's leash. "Can I change first? Maybe take a shower, too?"

"Of course. Would you...um, like me to walk you home?" He rose when she did, handing her the leash.

She bit down on her bottom lip, thinking. "How about I meet you here in, say...an hour? That way you don't have to wait around for me to figure out what I'm going to wear, and sit through me doing my hair and make-up, too."

"It wouldn't bother me any," he replied. "I've had lots of practice learning patience. We can get there just as fast from your place as from here, too."

Persistent little thing, wasn't he? Well, giant thing, anyway. "Okay," she said hesitantly and then headed down the steps, Oscar trotting along behind her. "But no dramatic sighing and tapping your foot impatiently."

He watched her for a few seconds, hoping he hadn't upset her. You should have just agreed, Ori. "Sorry," he said, following her and adding, "I promise not to do either of those things."

She flashed him a smile that said she was teasing. "You'd better not. Oscar can sense impatience. It makes him go into a killing frenzy. He's like the vorpal bunny." She grinned at him and headed north to New Haven.

"Just don't call me Tim," he said as they disappeared around the corner.

Lelah

Date: 2011-04-29 13:35 EST
Their walk towards Lelah's house was very quiet for the first five minutes or so.? She seemed unusually subdued to Ori.? Granted, he'd barely known her for a couple of days, but the other two times he'd been around her, she'd been quite talkative, even chatty.? Eventually, he worked up the courage to ask, "Are you okay, Lelah?"

She glanced up from her contemplative silence, blinking as if shocked to find Ori beside her.? "What?? Yeah, I'm fine.? Just...thinking."? One corner of her lush mouth lifted in a self-effacing smirk.? "I do that sometimes, just so you know.? Think, I mean.? I find it a refreshing change of pace."

He laughed.? It was almost a giggle, actually, but his voice (his new voice!) was too deep for a real giggle.? So it was sort of a quick chuckle instead.? "Well, my offer to talk...or listen stands, if there's something on your mind."

She frowned, shook her head.? "It's guy problems, Ori.? You don't want to - and shouldn't have to - listen to that."? She paused while Oscar investigated the base of a tree and then left his calling card before moving on.

He shrugged.? "I might surprise you.? But I won't push.? It's none of my business."? There was definitely some curiosity there, but he was far more worried about driving her away than satisfying it.? Change the subject, Ori.? "So, uh...what are you in the mood to eat?"

"Chinese.? Sweet and sour chicken, egg rolls, maybe some veggie lo mein.? Oh, and almond cookies.? Can't have Chinese without almond cookies.? And jasmine tea, too."? Mr. Oxley's manse was close and Oscar knew it.? He started straining and pulling at his leash and Lelah had her hands full trying to restrain him so he wouldn't hang himself.

He grinned broadly.? "Ahh, Chinese.? One of the staple foods of Jews.? Sounds great to me."? He looked down at Oscar as the dog began straining, and laughed.? "Someone's impatient."

"It's like the old saw about the nag who only runs fast when the barn's in sight."? She picked up her pace a bit, jogging so that Oscar, who refused to stop pulling at his leash, could run and get to his own yard faster.

"Home is where the food dish is," he quipped, jogging along next to her.? Back on the Other Side (as he'd taken to calling Earth), he would no doubt have tripped over his robes and broken something, but here, he was considerably more agile.

They quickly rounded the end of Mr. Oxley's brick wall, passed under the arch of the gate house, and started up the drive.? Lelah finally managed to pull Oscar into heel long enough to unclip his leash and let him go free.? He scampered off, headed to a thick stand of birch trees.? "He likes to visit the squirrels who live in those trees.? If he weren't so tired tonight, you could see him climb a tree.? But I don't think he'll try it now."

He watched anyway, curious.? "I've never seen a dog climb a tree before.? I didn't know they were any good at climbing."

"Basenjis are more cat-like than they are dog-like."? She paused at the bottom of the steps that led to her loft above the large garage that housed a single car, but easily had room for four more.? "Um," she said hesitantly, chewing her bottom lip.? "Would you mind staying out here?? You know, while I shower and get dressed?"? She felt slightly ridiculous asking, but really, what did she know about this guy?? He could be a rapist or a murderer for all she knew.

"No, of course not," he replied, smiling at her.? "I'd feel weird letting someone hang around in my house while I was showering, too."?

She reached out, grabbed his hand and used it to pull him down closer.? She kissed his cheek soundly and gave him a grateful smile.? "Thanks.? I'll hurry.? I promise."? Then she turned and pounded up the steps, went inside and locked the door behind her.

He grinned, blushed, and reached up to touch his cheek as he turned to watch her go up the steps.? When the door closed behind her, he sat down on the edge of the steps to watch Oscar investigate the tree. When he got bored of watching Oscar sniff around the trees, Ori decided he'd give the dog something more exciting to do.? He created an illusion of a squirrel for the dog to chase and spent the short amount of time waiting for Lelah to get ready watching Oscar chase the squirrel all over the yard, running it up a tree and barking in indignation when it refused to come back down and play.

While her dog was chasing imaginary squirrels around, Lelah had finally showered, done her hair and make-up, and selected an outfit.? A pink, strapless dress, five-inch neutral-colored platforms, a leather jacket, gold jewelery.? She dressed quickly, checked her appearance in the full-length mirror on the back of her bedroom door, decided it was perfect, and went back into her bathroom briefly.? A light spritz of fragrance that was redolent with pear, orange blossom, vanilla, and marshmallow and she declared herself ready. She grabbed her bag and keys and opened the loft's front door.? She looked out into the yard, saw Oscar chasing a squirrel and smiled.? "Did he climb a tree for you yet?" she asked Ori.

Lelah

Date: 2011-04-29 13:38 EST
"Oh!" He was a bit startled when she suddenly opened the door, enough that his concentration on the spell failed.? The squirrel vanished as though it had never been.? "Yes," he said without turning to look at her. "He went up the tree after my squirrel.? It was cool."? He turned to face her, then, and his eyes widened a bit before he could stop them.

Oscar noticed his mistress standing in front of an open door.? Running flat out and bounding up the steps, he passed her by and went immediately to his water dish.? After a healthy drink, he went to Lelah's bedroom, hopped up onto the bed and settled down.? Lelah closed and locked the door behind her and then started down the steps to Ori.? She noted his wide-eyed look.? "What?" she asked.

He realized he was staring, and quickly looked down, feeling the blush start creeping up his neck.? "Sorry," he muttered.? You're such an idiot sometimes, Ori.?

"Sorry for what?? For staring?"? She stepped off the last stair and stood next to him.? "Let me let you in on a little secret.? Girls, women, dress like this because we want men to stare at us.? If you don't stare, we wonder if we've done something wrong."? She nodded sagely.

He stood up a bit hastily, feeling it was rude to be sitting when she wasn't.? "Really?? I...thought? it was impolite to stare...even at beautiful people like you."? He didn't know why'd added the last bit.? Not that it wasn't true, because it sure was, but...? His cheeks felt hot.

"Stare.? It's okay.? And any woman who says differently is full of sh*t or lying to you."? She patted his arm comfortingly, trying very hard not to laugh at the blushing.? It was sweet and endearing and made her wonder just how old the real Ori was.? "So.? Where are you taking me?"

She was so nice, it was still a bit of a shock that she actually seemed to like him.? "Someplace magical," he replied.? He shot her a little grin.? "I mean that literally."? His embarrassment faded as they moved to a subject that was a lot safer.

She arched a brow at him.? "Magical, huh?? I'm not gonna have to eat or drink anything, am I?? Or talk to a hashish-smoking caterpillar?"

"Definitely not the latter," he replied, laughing.? "As for eating and drinking...well, I would suggest you do both with dinner.? Otherwise it's not really a dinner, you know?"

She laughed.? "Okay.? Lead on."

That was the best part of it; they didn't have to go anywhere.? He spoke another series of magical words, and a faint shimmering appeared in the air in front of them.? It looked to be about eight feet high and four feet wide.? "That's the entrance," he said to her, pointing at the shimmering.? "Ready?"

She gaped at the sudden hole in the air in front of her.? Then she turned that wide-eyed, shocked stare on Ori.? "You want me to go in there?" she squeaked.

Oh, crap.? He was forgetting that not everyone was as thrilled and fascinated by the magic as he was.? "I'm sorry I didn't warn you.? I kind of wanted it to be a surprise...but I guess it was the wrong kind."? A slight pause.? "It's perfectly safe," he added, "but...I'll understand if you don't want to go."

Watching his face fall was like watching the face of a kid who's just been told his dog has died.? She felt like an assh*le.? "No, no.? It's okay.? It's just...? Well, it's a bit of a shock, that's all.? So, I just...you know...step through it?? Like it's a door?"

"I'm sorry," he said again.? "I didn't think about how it would seem to someone else.? Yes, you just step through.? I'll go first, if you want."

She nodded, and tried to slow her heart.? It was just like coming here, going through the portal in the basement of that hotel in New York, when she came through with Jon and Correy Granger.? All she had to do was step through it and be...be where?? "Um, Ori?? Where are we going, exactly?? Is it like another world or something?"

"It's...well...I guess the best way to describe it is a pocket dimension.? It's not a whole world, but it's not exactly limited to a certain size, either."? He frowned slightly; this was more likely to confuse her than help, he figured.?

She frowned, trying to wrap her head around that.? "Okay, that's not helpful.? I guess...well, I guess the only way to understand is to see it for myself, right?"? She looked up at him, realizing that she was about to put her trust - and her very life - into this guy's hands and she knew next to nothing about him.? "Okay.? I'm ready."? Sort of.

Again, with that odd insight of his, he realized some of what she was thinking.? "I promise I wouldn't do anything that would hurt you, Lelah.? You're...well, you're my friend."? That much, at least, he was pretty sure of.? What else she might or not be, well, that was a different story, one that was still barely into the prologue stage.? "How about we go through together?"? He offered her his hand, then.

She took a deep breath, placed her tiny hand in his large one and nodded.? "Okay.? Let's go."? She gave him a sweet smile, touched at his earnestness, his thoughtfulness and the innocence in his assurance that he wouldn't harm her.? Friends.? Yes, definitely. Friends with potential.

He returned her smile, unable to do otherwise, even if he had, for some reason, not wanted to.? "Okay."? Her hand was very warm in his, and he thought it felt quite...right being there.? With that pleasant thought in mind, he walked with her through the shimmering door.

Lelah

Date: 2011-04-30 00:38 EST
There was no sense of disorientation, nothing at all like the portal in which he'd come to RhyDin.? It was exactly like stepping through a doorway.? The two of them were suddenly in a magnificent foyer that looked like it belonged in some medieval castle, complete with suits of armor in the corners, and huge tapestries on the walls.? Several doors led off of the foyer on three walls.? There was a fireplace on the remaining wall, with several chairs in front of it.? The air smelled clean and fresh, and it was pleasantly warm inside, a nice contrast with the cold night air outside.

"Holy sh*t," she breathed and let go of his hand.? She moved slowly around the room, staring at the walls, the tapestries, the suits of armor, the chairs - everything.? "And this is where you've been staying since you got here?"? She went back to Ori's side.? "No wonder you turned down a room at the Red Dragon!? This is...this is just...Wow."? For once in her life, Lelah was speechless.

He grinned, almost clapping his hands with glee.? He was thrilled by her reaction, and it showed.? "I know, isn't it awesome?? It's totally real, too.? Go ahead, touch anything.? And this isn't even the half of it."?

She grinned - she couldn't help it.? His mood was infectious.? She went over to one of the suits of armor, reached out and touched it.? It was cold metal beneath her questioning fingers.? She moved to a tapestry now, running the warm woolen fibers between her hands.? "This is incredible, Ori.? Just amazing."

"I'm really glad you like it."? Was he ever.? "We can sit in here if you want, or go into the dining hall."? A thought struck him. "Is Oscar going to be okay in the house alone?? He can come in here if he wants."

"He'll be fine.? I think coming here would be a little too much for his little doggie brain to process."? She looked around the room for a moment and then turned back to him to answer his first question.? "Dining hall?? Don't you have somewhere a little more...um...intimate?? A dining hall sounds cavernous.? I have this picture of us sitting at opposite sides of this long table and shouting at each other."

"Oh...yeah, that wouldn't be any good, would it?"? Her use of the word 'intimate' made him slightly breathless, but he hastened to continue without letting it show.? "How about the kitchen?? It's much smaller, but there's still room to sit and eat."

"That sounds perfect.? Which way?"

"Right this way, m'lady," he said, offering her his arm.? Maybe it was a little silly, but the atmosphere of the place seemed to require it.?

She grinned and hooked her arm through his, feeling for all the world like a lady of medieval times allowing a gallant take her into dinner with the king.? "If only your friends could see this place, huh?"

"They'd definitely plotz.? And then never want to leave," he replied, chuckling.? He led her through the first door on the right, and down a short hallway.? They passed large set of double doors, but continued on.? He pointed at the doors.? "That's the dining hall in there."? A little further down, they came to a normal-sized door, which he opened and ushered her inside.? The kitchen looked exactly like what you would expect a kitchen in a medieval castle to look like.? Spacious, with a huge hearth dominating one wall, counters like islands in the middle of the room.? Off to one side there sat an old-fashioned trestle table, with a bench and several plain but comfy looking chairs were arranged around it.?

"Oh, this is wonderful.? I feel like I'm at a renaissance fair or something."? She went and ran a finger over the counters, stuck her head into cupboards, and then sat down at the table.

He grinned.? "That's where I got my inspiration from.? I always loved going to the Ren Faire."? He sat down next to her and gestured toward another door adjacent to the hearth.? "The larder is in there.? We can serve ourselves, or I can summon the servitors, whichever you'd like."

Lelah

Date: 2011-04-30 00:39 EST
"Oh, wow.? Um," she said, her brow furrowing a bit as she chewed her lower lip in thought.? "What would be easier for you?? It's been a long time since I've been waited on," she added with a little grin.? She had often been accused of being a spoiled princess, but sitting in this castle was the first time she'd actually felt like one.

"I think you deserve to be waited on."? Maybe the air of the castle really is having an effect on you, Ori.? That almost sounded smooth.?

She smiled a little, and shrugged the jacket off, finding she did not need it in the warmth of the kitchen.? "So.? Chinese, right?? You still up for that?"

"Absolutely.? I love Chinese food."? He concentrated for a second, and a pair of near-transparent, liveried servants came through the same door they'd come in.? Both stopped near the table and stood silently, waiting.? "What do you want to start with?? Just tell them, and they'll go get it."

Her eyes went wide and her mouth dropped open.? "Wow," she whispered.? "Um...egg rolls and maybe some chicken in foil?"? She glanced back at Ori.? "Is that okay?"

"Oh, sure, it's fine.? I tried to think of pretty much every kind of Chinese food I could remember."? He looked at the servants and repeated the order.? "For two."? The servants whisked off to the larder and were back in moments with steaming plates, which they placed silently in front of Lelah first, then Ori.

She glanced at Ori, down at her plate, then back up at him.? "It's real?? Like the Zippo and the Gitane?"

He nodded rapidly.? "It's real, normal food.? It won't disappear in your stomach or anything weird like that."

She chuckled and reached for one of the little triangular foil packets.? Carefully tearing it open, she picked out a small morsel and tasted it.? "Oh, man," she said.? "This is really, really good."? She tore it open the rest of the way and dug in.

Once he was sure that she was enjoying the food, he started in on his own, finding that was, indeed, very tasty.? The last time he'd used this spell, his food choices had been rather boring, just sandwiches and juice.? He was glad to be testing the limits of it, here. The servitors retreated to the hearth area while they ate, waiting in silence for more orders.

Ori Simon

Date: 2011-04-30 11:05 EST
After the appetizers, the servitors brought out chicken fried rice, sweet and sour chicken, vegetable lo-mein, steaming pots of jasmine tea. Lelah tasted everything and was continually amazed at how good everything was.

"This is some good stuff, isn't it?" He was running out of room by this point. Time to stop, Ori. "Do you want more?"

"Ugh, no. I'll explode if I eat one more bite. But you know, in an hour or so..." She broke off and grinned at him. "This was really nice, Ori. Thank you. It's a great way to end my otherwise crappy day."

"I'm sorry for your crappy day," he said. "But I'm glad I did manage to help, in some small way." He hesitated, then pushed on. "It doesn't have to be over yet. You could stay a while, if you want. Not..I mean, I'm not suggesting anything...inappropriate." And he's blushing again. "Just to, you know, hang out. Talk. I don't know anyone else, and I get the feeling you don't have a lot of friends here, either."

"I don't. It's true. I have you, and Rhys...and I suppose Gideon, but I wouldn't exactly call him a friend. More like a...conundrum that I can't help but try and puzzle out." She sighed deeply and looked at him for a long moment. "Do you have a girlfriend back home? Have I asked you this already? If I have, you'll have to forgive me. I have a memory like a sieve."

His mouth turned just a bit at the mention of Gideon, but he didn't say any of the impolite things he thought. Instead, he shook his head. "No...I don't. Girls don't notice me, remember? Unless they're failing a class, or can't figure out how to turn on a computer."

She chuckled. "I don't have anyone either. Haven't for...seven years now."

"That seems...hard to believe." Yes, that's right, accuse her of lying, Ori. "I mean...not that you're not telling me the truth."

She gave him a sad smile and looked away for a moment, debating whether or not to tell him what she'd been doing for the past seven years of her life. "I left Los Angeles seven years ago. Moved back home to get away from the...party scene in LA. I threw myself into my work - writing, directing, acting. I didn't have time for relationships and I was too...broken...to be good for anyone."

"Broken?" He was a little hesitant to ask, unsure of the line between curiosity and prying. But he really wanted to know more about this intriguing and attractive woman. "What do you mean? If you don't mind answering, of course."

She sighed deeply, reached to pour herself another cup of tea and then sipped it while she ordered her thoughts. "When I was 15, I starting filming on a movie called 'Pain Relief'. It was about these rich high school kids who were into drugs and booze and casual sex. My character, Lara, did heroin and since I'm a method actor, I tried it." She was quiet for a moment, then said in a soft voice, "My life went down the sh*tter. I got hooked pretty bad. Almost died. I went into rehab when I was 17, got clean and sober. When I got out of rehab is when I moved back home and when I was 20, I won the Oscar and Golden Globe for Best Actress. I always sort of wondered if they gave them to me because they felt sorry for me or if I really earned them based on my talent."

There were tears in his eyes as she told her story. "Oh," he said very softly. "I...I've known people who got hooked. One of them died from it." He sighed,his hand lifting towards her like he wanted to take hers in it, then offered her a small smile. "I don't think they give Pity Oscars. And you should be proud of getting yourself clean. Most people can't do that."

She gave him a tiny smile, not speaking the rest of the story - how she broke down and bought some last week, how on two different occasions she had sat on the floor in her bathroom and stared at the drugs in her hand and wished she had the strength to take them...or flush them. "It's a constant struggle," she said softly, putting her hand in his. "The need is always there, pressing against the back of my skull."

He squeezed her hand, looking down at it as he spoke. "I know what you mean, actually. It's how the magic feels. Always pressing."

She was still for a moment as his statement hit her. "But you can use it and not be affected by it?"

"When I use it, I want to use more, just keep using it." His voice was still very quiet, hardly above a whisper. "It feels like nothing else I've ever felt. It's hard to stop."

"I know," she said softly and gave him hand a squeeze. "I know exactly what you mean."

He looked up into her eyes, almost pleading. "How do you handle it?"

Lelah

Date: 2011-04-30 14:48 EST
She shook her head.? There was no easy answer.? "I think about everything I could lose if I gave in.? I list them all, one by one.? Sometimes it's enough.? When it's not, I dig up the photos that were in the papers when I entered rehab.? I look awful.? Sticks and bones and great, big, haunted, hollow eyes.? I never, ever want to look like that again."

He nodded.? "I don't know what might happen if I give in.? Some of these spells could hurt people, cause damage.? When they try to get out, I can either hold them back and face the pressure in my head, or make sure I pick a spell that won't be trouble. It's easier after I use a spell or two.? Relieves the pressure, you know?? But then there's the temptation to just...keep casting."

"I know.? That's why I drink, why I smoke.? It takes the edge off a little.? Hell, if I thought it would help, I'd bang every guy who ever smiled at me."? She shut her mouth with an audible click and glanced sidelong at him.? She put her hand over her mouth and gave him big, embarrassed eyes.? A blush crept slowly up from her chest, coloring her neck and cheeks bright red.

Since it was usually him doing the blushing, it was really kind of endearing to see it on her.? It also helped break the tension that had built up as they talked about their respective problems.? Of course, as soon as he thought about how often he'd been smiling at her, he started blushing, too.? Bet you wish you that lucky, huh Ori?? "I..." he just trailed off, nothing to say.

"Oh, God," she groaned, raising both hands to cover her face.? "I'm such a moron sometimes," she said, her voice slightly muffled.

"You're not a moron," he said, reaching out to take both of her hands in his, tugging them gently down from her face.? "It's just..."? Oh hell, might as well spit it out, since we're both in confession mode.? He took a deep breath, then said it.? "I've never..." Stop dithering, Ori.? "I'm a virgin," he muttered.? "26 years old, and a virgin."? How's that for a conversation stopper?

She went utterly still, her eyes huge, shocked, disbelieving.? "You're a..."? She swallowed, her throat dry suddenly.? "But...I mean...That's not..."? Oh, shut up, Lelah!? You're just going to make the poor boy feel even worse than he already does.

Why, why, why did you have to tell her that?? God, what must she be thinking now?? How sad and pathetic you are, that's what.? Face flaming, he just stared mutely at his hands, which still held onto hers, simply because he couldn't move a single muscle right now.

She swallowed, let go of one of his hands to pick up her tea and take a sip.? Then she took his hand again and said, "You know what?? I think that's...? Well, I think that's pretty amazing.? To be a virgin at our age.? It means something.? You don't need to be embarrassed or ashamed of it, Ori.? Be proud of it."

His gaze snapped up to hers, disbelief in his eyes.? Was she joking?? Teasing him?? No...she actually wasn't.? A tiny hint of a smile curved his lips, and a few seconds later, he found enough voice to whisper.? "Thank you."? Thank you for not being cruel was what he meant, even if he couldn't get it all out.

She raised his hands to her lips, kissed the knuckles and then let them drop.? "Since I haven't slept with anyone since I was 17, I'm practically a virgin.? Does that help?"

"It makes me feel a little less pathetic, so yes."? He grinned a little more, slowly recovering from the burning embarrassment.

"Good."? She looked away, sipped her tea, finishing it before setting the empty cup down.? "Can I tell you something?"? She laughed and shook her head.? "Stupid question, right?"

"After what I just told you?"? He laughed, too.? "I think you can tell me anything."

Lelah

Date: 2011-04-30 14:49 EST
"I've been telling myself that I won't date seriously while the studio is unsettled.? I've sworn off relationships and men until after the first film is in the can, and yet here I am, dating you and Rhys and flirting with Gideon."? She shook her head again, leaned her elbow on the table and rested her chin in the palm of her hand.? "I have no idea what I'm doing.? I shouldn't be here.? I shouldn't be going out with Rhys Friday night.? I should be concentrating on the studios and casting.? But...? I don't know.? I can't not be here, with you.? I can't not be with Rhys, either."

The first thing he thought was; Why would she flirt with a prick like Gideon?? The second thing he thought was;? She's dating me?? We're dating?? The third thing was; I've never met this Rhys, but I feel like I probably won't like him.? And the fourth thing was;? Way to focus, Ori.? How about you gape at her some more.? Let your mouth hang open, too.? Women love that.? "I...don't really know what to say to that," he said slowly, "Except that...I'd be sad if you weren't here."

"I would be, too."? She gave him a soft smile, bit her lower lip, feeling suddenly extremely shy.? She wanted to kiss him again, and then realized suddenly that the kiss they shared the other night was more than likely his first.? That was like throwing sand on a fire, neatly killing her urge to further molest him, and she stood up abruptly.? "Are there other rooms?? Is this like a real castle?? Can we go exploring?"

He was taken aback by the sudden subject change, and stuttered for a moment.? "It's...well, of course.? It's really quite large."? He stood, feeling both weak and oddly energetic at the same time.? "We can definitely go exploring."

She grinned, slipped her shoes off and left them sitting on the bench with her bag and her jacket.? "We should totally play hide and go seek.? I'll bet this place is perfect for that."? She held out a fist resting atop her outstretched hand.? "Rock, Paper, Scissors to see who's it first?"

He stared at her.? "Are you serious?"

"As a heart attack.? C'mon.? And no using magic, either.? That would totally be cheating."? She held her hands out to him again.? "Ready?? One, two, three."? She left her hand curled into a tight fist.

He laughed, then.? "Well, why not?? I'm game.? No magic."? He put his fist in his hand in the classic start position.

She pounded her fist on her open palm three times and then made the classic sign of scissors.

He matched her movements, coming up with the clenched fist of a rock.? "Yes!"? He grinned.

She scrunched her nose up at him.? "Fine.? What should I count to?? 100?? Is that enough time?"

"Sure, that's plenty.? From in here?"

"No, out in that first room.? With the big hearth.? We can make that home base, okay?"

"Okay, works for me.? Come on."? He led the way out to the foyer.? "Okay, you can use the corner by the fireplace to count."

She padded silently after him on bare feet.? The stones of the floor were cool against her skin.? She went obediently to the corner, stood facing it and even covered her face with her hands.? "One, two, three," she began.

Lelah

Date: 2011-04-30 18:08 EST
He stood there for the first five counts or so, just grinning at her, standing there in bare feet, counting with her hands over her face.? He thought she was quite likely the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen.? When she hit six, he realized he'd better move, though, and ran out of the room, taking the door on the left.? Down the hall and skidding around a corner, he passed several rooms before picking one at near-random and darting in.? It was one of the bedrooms, with a giant, king-sized poster bed.? He glanced at the closet.? Nah, too obvious.? Behind the door?? Wouldn't work, you're too big now.? Under the bed?? Yeah...there was enough room.? He got down and crawled under the bed, flattening himself against the floor, and waited quietly.

She listened intently as he scurried away, a huge grin on her face.? She kept counting, finally shouting out, "Ninety-nine, one hundred!? Ready or not, here I come!"? She turned away from her corner and stared at the doors.? "Hmm," she said thoughtfully and went to the closest door, the one on the left.? She peered down the hallway, saw more doors opening off it, and went that way.? Each door, she checked behind.? Each door was a bedroom with a huge, canopied bed.? "Oh, man.? I always wanted one of these," she said and went into the first room.

He heard the door open in one of the rooms he'd passed going down the hall, and grinned in the darkness of his chosen room.? She was off by a bit.? Maybe she'd think they were all empty after the first few were.? This was a lot more fun than he would have guessed if someone had suggested it to him.

She checked the closet, behind the door, under the bed, even in the bed - no Ori.? She went through the other room, the one directly across the hall from the first one she entered.? Another bedroom.? She checked the bed, by-passed the closet and went out into the hall again.? "So many damned doors!" she said and picked one at random - the fourth one on the left side.

He held his breath when the door to his room opened.? How had she known to pick this one?? Had he left a mark or something?? His mind raced, trying to think if he'd bumped into something.? There was nothing he could think of.

She stepped inside the room.? It felt different, like something inside was holding its breath.? She grinned slowly and tip-toed over to the closet.? Wrapping her hand around the knob, she yanked it open and shouted, "Found you!"? Only the closet was bare.? No Ori.? "Damn it," she muttered.

He twitched when she shouted, but the bed was high enough that he didn't bump into it.? He had to breath soon, though, or he'd pass out, and what a way to ruin the game that would be.

She turned around, eyed the bed critically.? Was that a corner of Ori's robe sticking out from underneath it?? It was!? She nearly crowed in triumph.? She bit down hard on her bottom lip, stifling a flood of giggles as she hatched a scheme.? She went back to the doorway that led to the hallway and opened it, sighing deeply as if she was stumped about his location.? She closed it without leaving the room and moved very quietly to the opposite side of the bed, putting its great bulk between her and the door.? Surely he'd slide out of that side to sneak out of the room and return to home base?

He waited in silence for what seemed like forever after she'd closed the door.? There was no noise at all.? He wondered where she might have gone.? Very slowly and carefully, he eased himself towards the side of the bed facing the door, and peered out.? Nothing.? Grinning, he crawled out and stood to go towards the door.

"Got you!"? She leapt upon the bed and onto his back, curling her legs around his waist and her arms around his shoulders.? "I found you!"

"Ack!"? He actually yelled when she landed on his back, staggering forward several paces.? "You sneak!"? He exclaimed.? "I thought you'd left."

She giggled and then slid down his back to land lightly on her feet.? She sat down on the edge of the bed and grinned up at him.? "So does this make you it now?"

"I suppose it does," he said, plopping down on the bed next to her so his pounding heart could slow down.? He was grinning like a fool, though.

She smiled at him, slightly breathless herself.? "That was fun.? Do you want to go back out to the hall to count?"

Lelah

Date: 2011-04-30 18:09 EST
What he really wanted to do was kiss her.? Well, why don't you, then?? You'll never get anywhere if you don't try, right?? The worse that could happen was her shoving him away.? Which would be pretty bad, honestly.? But...? oh, hell, just do it.? If she knocks your butt off the bed, laugh it off.? He leaned in towards her, reached out one hand to brush some of her hair back, then, before he could talk himself out of it, pressed his lips against hers.? They were just as warm and soft as he remembered, and he really hoped she wouldn't pull away.

She was startled at first, then melted against him.? The bristle of his beard tickled her cheeks and her chin, and she reached up to plunge her fingers through his hair, the heavy silken mass of it laying in her hands as if alive.? She scooted closer to him, pressing against him tightly, aware of the firm expanse of his chest, the solidity of him, the heat.

His arms slid around her of their own accord, and he closed his eyes, reveling in the sensations of her mouth and her warm, warm body.? Greatly daring, he nibbled tentatively at her lower lip.?

She moaned softly against his mouth, grew bolder, pushed him down on the bed and crawled atop him.? Covering his face with kisses, she ran her hands through his hair, across his shoulders, down his arms to entwine their fingers together.

She was so tiny, but her presence seemed to fill up the whole room.? Or maybe it was just that the room simply vanished, leaving only the two of them there together.? Once again, her hands felt so right in his, it was almost eerie.? His body strained up against hers, and he kissed her mouth, her neck, her ear, anywhere he could reach.? It didn't matter; as long as he was kissing her, it was all good.?

"Oh, God, Ori," she said and captured his mouth again, her hands leaving his to move back up his arms and his shoulders.? She pulled away from him with an angry sound and slid off the bed to the floor.? Her lips felt bruised and she was shaking with need.? "Sh*t.? God, I'm so sorry."? She climbed awkwardly to her feet, pulled her dress up under her arms and left the room.? She leaned against the wall next to the door, her head pressed against the cold stones of the hall, letting them cool her down enough so that she could think.

For a long, long moment, he just lay there on the bed, breathing hard and trying not to lose control.? The words were raging in his head, and at the same time, his body was crying out for some kind of release.? He reached up and clutched his head, forcing the magic to back off.? Sadly, there was nothing he could do about the rest of him.? Slowly, he sat up, realizing he was alone in the room.? "Lelah?" he said softly, proud that his voice was only slightly ragged.

"I'm out here, Ori."? She turned around, pressed her back against the wall, and slid down it to sit on the floor, her legs straight out in front of her, crossed at the ankles.

A wave of relief roared through him when she answered, strong enough to wash away the needs of body and mind both.? "Oh, thank God.? I'm...I'm really sorry, Lelah.? After what you'd just told me...I had no right to do that."

"Are you kidding me?? I shouldn't have...I shouldn't have let it go that far.? I'm so sorry.? God, I'm so sorry."

He sighed, walking out of the room to sit down on the floor near her, but not too close, afraid she might run away again.? "I...wanted it," he said softly.? "Even though you said you didn't want to be...with anyone."

"You wanted it?"? She snorted softly.? "I was ready to tear my dress off."? She took a deep breath and leaned her head back against the wall, closing her eyes.? "Sh*t.? This isn't going to work," she said softly, almost to herself.

Lelah

Date: 2011-04-30 18:11 EST
"I'm sorry," he said again.? He should've known better than to think anything might come of this.? It was the story of his life, after all.? "I'll just...leave you be."

"No, no.? That's not at all what I meant!"? She gave him a horrified look.? "I meant...? I meant that I can't keep putting myself into situations where I'm tempted to...you know.? I have never been good with denying myself something I want, and dear God, I want you."? She sighed and shook her head.? "I think I should probably go before I end up hurting you anymore than I already have."? She climbed to her feet, dusted off the back of her dress and smiled shyly down at him.? "Thanks for tonight.? I had a really great time."

"I don't want you to go," he whispered, not even sure if he'd said it loud enough for her to hear.? It was probably better if she hadn't, honestly.? Maybe she'd just ignore it, if she had.? "I had a great time, too.? Best in years, really."? Until now.

"I don't want to go, either.? But...? I need to.? I have to.? Bad things will happen otherwise."? She reached down to him.? "Walk me out?? Otherwise I'll get lost."

"Okay."? He hesitated, then took the offered hand and stood.? He couldn't think of anything else to say, though, so he just started walking to the kitchen so she could retrieve her things, then he led her to the foyer.?

She followed silently in his wake, chewing her bottom lip, berating herself for screwing up.? Again.? Maybe she should just shut herself away in the loft until the first film was in the can.? Of course, by then, all three of them will have moved on and she'd be alone.? Again.

He stopped at the door, which, from this side, looked simply like a regular wooden door.? He looked back at her, wanted to ask if she had any interest in seeing him again.? But he was too scared that she might say no, and couldn't get the words to come out.

She paused on his side of the door, bag, shoes, and jacket in hand.? Looking up at him, she met his eyes for a moment and then let her gaze travel over his face.? He was so handsome, and now after spending more time with him, she knew it was so much more than just the surface.? He was a genuinely nice guy - a rare breed.? She would be stupid to give him up, stupid to keep stringing him along.? "Ori," she said softly.? "Given everything I've said to you tonight, everything I've done...? I totally understand if you don't want to see me again.? But...if you do, I'd be glad to...I don't know.? Go to a movie or something like that.? Let me know, all right?"

In spite of everything, that startled a smile out of him.? "I...actually was thinking the same thing about you.? And I'd like to.? See you again, I mean.? I promise I won't do anything like...this...again, either."? Stilted and faintly idiotic, but he thought he got the point across.

She smiled ironically.? "You did nothing wrong.? I let it go too far.? If...when...we go out again, I'll behave.? I'll keep my hands to myself.? Hell, I'll wear jeans and keep my hands stuffed into my pockets.? Okay?"

"Okay," he said simply.? He didn't even pretend to understand how women's minds worked.? All he knew was he didn't want to stop being around her.? "My calendar isn't exactly full.? Any time you want, I'm ready."

She nodded.? "Oh, I know.? Maybe this weekend?? Sunday night, they're supposed to light this big Beltane bonfire somewhere south of the city.? Would you like to go with me?"

"I'd love to," he said honestly.? He had a vague memory of seeing posters for Beltane around.

"Perfect.? Thank you again.? I really did have a great time."? She took his hand and gave it a brief squeeze before letting it go and turning to tug open the door in front of her.? On the other side was her carriage house.? "That is so weird," she said and stepped through the door.

"Me too," he said softly, watching her go.? He didn't move for several minutes, even when the doorway disappeared, turning into just another expanse of stone wall.? Finally, he went over to the nearest chair and sat down, staring blankly at the fire.? He didn't think he was going to get much sleep tonight.

((Thanks to Ori Simon for this scene.))