A Diary Entry

03-01

Today was.....well, it could have been a disaster. I don't know what I'd do if my parents treated me like that. I mean, I know they disapprove of my new home, but....God. I felt so bad for Erin. I don't know how she managed to keep it together.

Her mother seemed to like me a bit until she found out I left my place in society to move to Rhydin like Erin did. Then all hell broke loose. Honestly? She reminds me so much of Erin at times. I think that's why I was able to be so nice.

Then later on I went and spent some time with Erin's dad. He seemed receptive and liked me. We had some brandy and I almost got up the courage to ask him if I could marry Erin...but I just couldn't do it on the first day. I'll ask him tomorrow....maybe.

Well, I just heard Erin turn the shower on...so it's time for me to get my ass in the shower with my woman. I'm gonna try to make her forget about today.

At The Clocks


The clocks had been his idea, the boat hers. She bought the tickets and they boarded at Embankment, just below the Parliament. London was reassuring, relaxing. She was happy to be there. Erin had on sunglasses and a baseball cap, her hair was getting longer and was in a pony tail, pulled out the back. An oversized sweatshirt and beat up jeans, she looked like any other American tourist. Slumping on the bench that was meant for them, she gave Sebastian's knee a squeeze. He was an angel for putting up with her parents the way he did.

The day in living hell had certainly done a number on him, but he'd managed to ride it out quite smoothly. He felt so sorry for his dear wife - that she had to deal with her mother acting like that. Not to mention that this morning, she'd ?lost? her wedding ring. He felt bad as he cradled her and let her cry; all the while knowing that ring was in his back pocket. His silly, romantic plan needed it...hopefully she'd forgive him. The squeeze of his knee brought him out of his thoughts and into the now, sending her a smile and lifting an arm to wrap around her shoulders. This was so peaceful. This place - it was his element. He'd come to realize that he did love it here. He loved it because he had his beautiful wife with him.

Erin snuggled in, it being just a tad cold for her to be without a jacket. Her eyes were fixed on the Parliament. She loved how it looked at this time of day. As she returned her gaze to Bastian she caught a little girl eyeing her. Her eyes were wide as she pulled on a pigtail. Perhaps it was the sense of security she had being here with him, or the rebelliousness instilled in her by the visit with her parents... never mind, she pulled down her sunglasses and offered a little wink before pushing them back up. With that the boat jolted and began to move, starting its tour to the Thames, and its progression to Greenwich.

Bastian was smiling, peering out over the water from their place on the bench, arm still around Erin. Without missing a beat, Sebastian noticed the covert wink to the little girl. ?Honey...? he warned softly, that smile never leaving his face. ?Careful...?

A firm nod, and a serious face. ?Sorry.? She couldn't help but break into an even larger smile as they passed the aquarium and the London Eye. ?Oh, dear, we should go there before we leave... I've never gotten to ride it.?

As he turned to inspect the London Eye, his hand lifted to play with her ponytail. ?Anything for you, Erin. Besides, I've never been in it either, it'll be fun.? A smile directed down at her now, his expression showed all the love he felt for her in that moment. She was so beautiful and perfect in his eyes. Despite their rather icky experience so far, Sebastian wouldn't trade this trip for anything.

?Honey, careful.? A playful poke at his side at the use of her name. She was silly and giddy and childish. Everything she tried to be in Rhydin and often failed. She hooked one of her feet around his leg as the boat kept on.

Without the pressure of having your life threatened every day, Sebastian seemed to be a most happy person; able to be playful as well. He didn't exactly care for boats, as he often got sick on long rides, but this one was proving to be quite peaceful. He swung his leg back and forth, effectively lifting hers along with it. ?Are you having fun, so far? I mean, besides your parents??

?I am... I missed this place.? She shrugged, smiling up at him. Perhaps they should stay, she thought. All of their problems seemed to have melted away... it was just them here.

That had crossed his mind as well. They could pull it off, right? No...Sebastian didn't want to hide. In RhyDin, he could scream to everyone just who exactly was his wife. Here, no one but close family would be able to know. A life on the run/in hiding wasn't for them. Though, it was a welcome break. ?I come back more often than you, but I can certainly say that I've missed it too.?

The boat came to a halt before the Greenwich dock. They sure had been sitting there a long time... she smiled at him as she stood, offering him her hand. ?Come on, dear, I want to see the big boat. It's so...British!? She said an almost too perfect American accent. It was loud enough for their entire section of the boat to hear. She was good at hiding. Her glasses lowered just enough so he could see her eyes, and the absolute excitement in them. Her voice lowered. ?I haven't been here in.... gosh, hurry up!?

?Alright, alright!? He chuckled, not having a clue how she managed to do that weird accent thing. He wouldn't even dare try. Taking her hand, Sebastian stood up and waddled along with the rest of the masses towards the unloading dock.

Once they disembarked they were in a small town. It was quaint. It had cobblestones and right there past the dock was a large tall mast ship; 17th or 18th century. It reminded Erin of the docks in Rhydin... looked a lot like Miles' even. Past that were narrow streets, slowly sloping uphill. A large manor house was on the left, white with pillars. On the right were the streets and shops. All of the streets led uphill and to the observatory; where they were headed. It was barely visible from the dock, a smallish brown shingled building. On top was a weather vane. A small crowd was gathered in its courtyard. There was a long winding path up the hill to it.

Sebastian was grinning like a little boy. Could he help it that he was nervous, knowing that his wonderful surprise was going to be sprung within the hour? And Erin had no idea.... ?Oh, it's beautiful here.?

She led him up the hill, shaking her head a little. ?You said you'd been.? She couldn't help but smirk. Had he lied to seem cooler to her? They were making their way for the path that led up the hill. ?You want to stop at look at the rest, first? I always just go straight up...?

?No, no.? Almost too quickly. ?Let's go straight up.? He smirked as they continued along. ?And I have been here before...just....I dunno. I'm excited??

A Diary Entry

04-01

They took her away from me...

I can?t even function right now...this has exhausted me.

I can?t even cry...

Meeting in the Park

8am. Erin stops by the duck pond, contemplating the grey sky for a moment before she's jostled by a runner. Falling into step with the other women: most pushing prams, she doesn't stop until she reaches a few secluded benches. Bastian is smart enough to find her, she figures... and she was tired of getting stared at.

He'd managed to get away from the paparazzi a few blocks away and was now slinking along the secluded walkway with his chin tucked to his chest and coat collar flipped up. Signature stance with his hands in his pockets, one having enclosed a crumpled postcard. It was 8am, so where was she? He wondered if they'd have dyed her hair back...

She saw him. It was hard to miss him, collar pulled up or not. She stepped out and into the open for a moment, grabbing his arm to pull him back where she was sitting. She was well dressed, perhaps more so than she had been in Rhydin lately. Made up and in all pastels, none of the hard colors she favored. Her hair was dyed back, and cut shorter, no longer able to be pulled into those pony tails or pig tails, or even up atop her head.

He gasped upon initial contact, not realizing it was her...but as he turned and found his precious wife tugging him along, Sebastian practically melted against her. It's amazing, when given the circumstances, how much a man can miss a woman in one day."Erin," he breathed softly against her hair, having swooped her into a hug; head dipping to brush a kiss atop her head.

"Shh..." She was a little skittish, getting him in behind some trees and in an enclave of bushes before letting him go to look at him. "You're still alive... that's good." It was said softly, and perhaps a bit cold. She looked him up and down again. "You doing alright with this?"

He had a choice. He could be brave and tell her he was dealing with this just fine. Or, there was the truth. Bah, the truth's overrated. "I'm...I'll be fine. It's you I'm worried about, love." He whispered softly, being mindful of their surroundings.

"I'm fine. I've had years..." She let herself melt, just a little, and ran a hand down the lapel of his coat. "You look cold..."

He inspected her new hair color and cut, running his fingers through it once. "Oh, I'm fine, baby." Did his voice just waiver? Hmm, hard to tell. It was from the cold, yeah...a shiver, you know. His hand moved down to cup the side of her face, stroking her cheek lovingly. "I missed you."

"Bastian..." She sounded just a little sad, mostly still detached. "It's probably best if...." She drifted off, shaking her head. A stare past him to the path and an ambling duck.

His eyes drifted closed, wishing with all his heart that she wouldn't say what he thought she was going to say. "Best if....what?"

"This isn't going to end well." A pause; the finality of it. "And...it's probably best if you don't get your hopes up..." Okay, there her voice wavered. "The chances... of my coming ho-- going back with you..." She swallowed, a hard thing at the moment. "They're not good."

The knife that had impaled Sebastian's heart when she was taken away had just been twisted - it caused him literal physical pain to hear those words. Sebastian crushed her to his chest, his cheek touching down to her hair. "Don't say that. Erin, you can't give up." Still whispering, of course.

She stiffened. Just a little, but then let herself give in to it, her arms coming up to wrap around his back. "When we met... I was as good as dead... and you said you didn't care. " Another pause, clinging a little harder. ?Well... I just died. To you... to Lydia... to everyone back ho--there. It's no different." She would nuzzle him just a little, wiping off silent tears."It's not giving up... it's acceptance. I can't-- I can't do it to them again... a third time. We messed up, Sebastian. We gambled, and we lost."

He had told himself that he wouldn't cry. This was not something that would break him - he was stronger than this. But the fact that Erin would stay here with a husband whom, by her own confession, was someone that she didn't want to be with instead of coming back home with him really hurt. "We...we didn't lose, Erin. Ask him for a divorce."

"If I do that... would you stay? I have to stay... put in face time." She would pause, leaning back to meet his gaze. "Stay with me."

"Baby," he whispered softly, stroking her cheek as he looked down at her. "I'll stay as long as you want me to."

"It'll be like this, though... for a long time, at least... brief meetings in the grey morning." A whisper, barely audible as the park started to fill. "If he even says yes.. he's really mad at me..."

He didn't know how to respond to that. The situation sounded like hell and it was breaking his heart. Nothing came to mind, so he spoke the one thing he was sure of. "I love you, Erin. If you want me here, I'll stay."

She suddenly was angry, pulling back from him to turn her back. "I don't want you here... I don't want you to hurt a moment longer than you have to. I want you to go back to Rhydin and tell them all I'm dead. I fell, I was hit...something, anything... and never think of me again. Stay there... you're happy there..."

He frowned, gripping her shoulders tightly, and stepping forward to press his chest against her back. "I'm happy with you."

"That is not an option right now."

"I have you now." He slid an arm around the front of her, just under her breasts, holding her captive.

She let her guard down then, melting back into him, eyes falling closed. "You do..." her shoulders slumped forward a little as she relaxed. "Can you really live like this?"

"So long as you're mine." He bent forward, catching her lips in a not so brief and not so PG kiss."Please," he breathed hotly against her lips. "Don't ask me to go."

She nodded slowly and turned to trail a hand down his chest."I'm only yours here... in the park..." it was a pained whisper, her hand closing over the fabric of his coat, holding on.

?I may never be anything else..." Glassy eyes looked up at him, then, "But... if you can accept that... I'll never ask you to go."

"Of course I can." He continued his crushing hold on her, unwilling to let go lest they be parted again.

"You mean everything to me; you're my wife. I don't care what anyone says. I'll never forsake that bond."

"I'm not your wife. Not here." A sad sigh, pulling back again.. "I should go...."

He held her even tighter. "I don't care - You're my wife in my heart."

"I know." She let him hold her another moment.

"But...." reluctantly, "you should go." Sebastian held her still, gazing into her eyes; his expression one of unconditional love and want.

She gave in; just once and propped herself up, tugging down on his neck. Their lips met for a brief moment... then a little longer. She wasn't as cold as she'd tried to be; detached. "Tomorrow, then?"

He kissed her back, having slipped an arm around her waist to hold the kiss a little longer. "Yeah, tomorrow." He glanced up, shifting his gaze around. "Different spot, though. Someone might start to see a pattern...Opposite side, honey."

She would nod, pulling back from him and away. A look over her shoulder, and she walked briskly back onto the path and the crowd. He placed his palm to the tree he stood beside, using that for support as the love of his life walked away for the second time....and he knew there would be numerous times after this. He only hoped that she'd keep coming back.

Increasing Tension

?When are they going to leave us alone??

?Charles, pull that shade back over the window for heaven?s sake. They can see in.?

The sixteen year old sighed heavily and let the curtain fall back across the window, much to the dismay to the news reporters outside. Angry grey eyes were cast downwards as he turned around, muttering something under his breath.

?What was that dear??

?Nothing,? he sighed.

?Mum, can?t we go back to school? We?re missing our classes!? Sarah pouted along with her sister.

?Yeah...I?m tired of being here. We?ve been cooped up in the house for four days because Sebastian couldn?t keep his damn hands off of the princess. The princess!!? Charles shook his head in disbelief.

?Charles Anthony de Vernon!? Edward?s voice boomed across the parlor, nearly echoing against the walls. ?Watch your mouth. There are ladies present.?

The teen nodded apologetically to his father before stealing a glance to his eldest brother sitting in a chair that was hidden from the windows. That apologetic expression quickly morphed into one of contempt. ?I hope you?re happy. You?re tearing this family apart,? he spat angrily.

?Charles!?

Sebastian?s head snapped up from its bowed position to stare at his brother. ?What??

?Charles, that?s not true.?

?It is. He?s ruined us all. People ask me where my brother went...and I can?t tell them the truth. He left us because he couldn?t handle this life and all the luxuries we get. Instead of being a man, he ran away like the coward he is. On top of all that, now he brings this shame on us. He?s an embarrassment to this family and I?m sorry that I have to call him a brother.? By this point of his speech, his hands were balled into fists and he had advanced upon Sebastian so he was within 2 feet of his seated brother. ?You won?t tell us why you were with her. I mean, come on Sebastian. It?s not like you didn?t know who she was. Why didn?t you tell someone? Because you?re a coward and you only care about yourself. That?s why!?

Meanwhile, everyone else in the room, including Sebastian, stared at Charles in silence. Even Edward was so surprised at the outburst that he didn?t stop it.

But Charles wasn?t finished. ?Why are you still here? You should do the whole world a favor and just go back to where you came from. You?re only causing people pain when you?re here. You?re making us miserable and you?re hurting the Princess. She?ll never be able to remember who she is if you?re meeting her in secret.?

Now that surprised Sebastian. How had Charles known? He cleared his throat, glanced around the room and tried to gather the courage to speak with authority. Charles, while perhaps right about some things, was completely wrong in others. He stood up from his seat, towering over his youngest brother and ran a hand through his hair. What surprised him even more was that Charles didn?t back down ? looking almost ready to throw down. Sebastian looked around the room again at his parents and siblings. ?Is...? he swallowed and stepped around Charles to address the room. ?Do you all feel this way??

Before anyone could answer, Edward de Vernon took a deep breath. ?I think we deserve some answers, Sebastian.?

Bastian nodded and sank back down into his chair, ignoring the fact that Charles remained in front of him. ?I can?t tell you how sorry I am for leaving the house...but...I just can?t live like this anymore. I know it?s selfish, but I can?t help it. I wasn?t happy. I needed something else and I found it in Rhydin. We should just...lay that issue to rest because we will never be on common ground in that area.?

Edward sat back down as well, nodding in agreement with his son. ?So long as you know that we will always love you, son.?

Sebastian smiled weakly. He loved that about his father; how he always made sure his children knew that their parents loved them beyond a shadow of a doubt, no matter what they?d done. It gave him the courage to press on. ?As for Erin...? Sebastian bowed his head and leaned forward to set elbows to knees. ?I?m sorry that I haven?t said anything about it. I just...didn?t know how to bring it up. And then...when this happened, I didn?t know...? he sighed. ?I guess...I just needed some time to cope with my feelings.?

?Then you do love this girl?? Jennifer de Vernon, Sebastian?s mother, piped up from the couch on the opposite side of the room.

?I do, mom. More than I can say.?

?But didn?t you know who she was? I mean, after spending so much time with her??

?I?ll explain...hold all the questions until the end, alright?? The family nodded (except for Charles). ?I met Erin in Rhydin.? He paused as everyone gasped. Charles even took a step back. ?She?d been there for some time, I guess...after Prince Richard had the death faked. And she doesn?t have amnesia.? A look was shot over to Charles. ?She?s...lying. She doesn?t want to be here. She ran away just like me. And I did know who she was...because she told me. We met at her sister?s birthday a few days after I got there and we?ve been together ever since.

?I love her; more than anything in the entire world. I?ve been through a lot with her, both good and bad. I learned who I am through her...she brought me out of my shell. Everything I am today....it?s because of her.

?I have a question, though.? He turned to Charles. ?How did you know I met Erin the other day? Was it on the news??

?Yeah. Online, too.? The boy looked....somewhat remorseful for his pervious statements, but his anger was still present.

Sebastian covered his face with his hands, choking back a sob. That was perhaps the most wonderful thing he?d heard all week. It meant that Erin hadn?t tried to force him to forget her. If their meeting had gotten out, Richard must?ve told Erin that she had to stay home. There was still some hope. Sebastian gave a start as a hand was laid on his shoulder.

Charles gave his brother?s shoulder a squeeze and then exited the room. That was an apology in his mind...and Sebastian knew, too.

?What are you going to do, son??

Sebastian took a few deep breaths and shrugged. ?I don?t know, Dad. She doesn?t want me here...she wants me to go home and forget about her. She?s lost all hope for ever getting away. She doesn?t want me to hurt like this, but I don?t care...I want her to be safe and happy. She?s not happy here...so I?m going to stay and meet with her when I can. She?s...she?s my world. I can?t just forget about her.?

Cara left her mothers side and walked over to her brother, slipped into his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. ?She?ll come back, Bastian.?

Sebastian put his arms about his sister and returned the hug, pressing a kiss to her cheek. He was so thankful for his family. He couldn?t ask for a better one.

The Truth Comes Out
~A night at the Inn~


Sebastian was quite unceremoniously deposited back at the inn, much to his displeasure and dismay. He hit the floor with a thud! groan...quickly pushing himself back onto his feet. Glancing around quickly to regain his bearing, Sebastian cursed softly under his breath and turned to get a drink. "Might as well.." he muttered.

Truly was pushing the front door open and slipping inside, humming under her breath and she flounced towards the bar, dressed in her casual clothes. Every blonde lock was neatly in place and make up was understated and expertly applied. No painted mask for this girl. Ah, Sebastian, just the guy she wanted to see. She sidled up beside him once he reached the bar. Smiling, but not too big, and careful not to invade his personal space. "Hey Sebastian. You're looking a little tired, is everything okay?"

Sebastian ducked through the break, immediately heading for the spot where he knew the whiskey would be. He really shouldn't be aiming to get drunk at a time like this, but he had nothing else to do. Erin was stolen from him and Illiana, his only real friend, had disappeared. Then a pause as he reached for the bottle, lifting his gaze to find the one person he did not want to talk with right now. "Hey Tru. Yeah, I guess you could say I'm tired."

She frowned a little bit, concern evident on her face. A"re you getting sick? Is all the trouble back home running you down?" This would be where she would have pressed a hand against his forehead to feel for fever, but decided it better not to touch him.

Sebastian allowed her to touch him for a split second and then pulled away, shaking his head. "You could say that." He sighed inaudibly and lifted a darkened blue gaze to his old flame. "You know, then?"

"I get the newspaper.." She kept her voice low, sympathetic, and sat down on a stool, giving him a little bit of space. "You don't seem to be taking it well.. Your girlfriend already being married and all.. It's made a splash among the papers, whos he is and all."

"Fiance'", he corrected softly. A broad hand was lifted to scratch at his cheek a moment while he pondered thoughtfully. "And...of course I'm not taking it very well. I love her. I just...don't know how anyone could have figured it out." He dropped his hand away with a frown. He'd forgotten to shave. Again. There's 3 days worth of stubble on his face now.

She frowned a bit at the correction. "Not to be rude or anything Bastian.. But.. It's kind of illegal to marry more than one person.. I mean, she's already married.. Besides. She's a familiar face, y'know. Everyone knew who she was.. She was bound to be found out.. She makes you so sad Bastian.." Stifling the urge to reach out for his hand. "When we had breakfast.. You looked so sad.."

The frown remained. "They had her 'death' put on paper, Tru'. Besides...this is a different place. I...." he trailed off as she spoke up again, unable to meet her gaze. It was true...Erin had been making him unhappy...thing things had changed since the breakfast. His marriage was beginning to come together.

"But she wasn't dead, Bastian. Legally she still belongs to another man.." Her voice was soft, gentle. She dropped her gaze to her hands, fretting a bit. "I couldn't watch her hurt you like that.."

Sebastian inhaled deeply as if to respond...but didn't. Confusion was clearly marked across his facial features now at the turn of phrase. What had she meant by that? Sebastian decided to risk it, inching towards Truly; lay a hand on her arm. "What do you mean, love?"

She blinked a little bit at the touch and the endearment, slightly confused by the sudden change. She did realize what her words sounded like though, so she paused before speaking. "I just hate seeing you so sad, so torn up.. She makes you miserable, Bastian.."

He pulled his hand away, then. It obviously had just been a play on words. Sebastian sighed and rolled his shoulders. His neck and back were killing him from being so tense. "It isn't like that all the time, though. Every m-....couple has their problems, love."

"Problems, sure.. But it seemed like much more than just a few simple probles.." If she noticed the slip, she ignored it. She did see him rolling his shoulders, and she scooted a bit closer. "I can work some of the knots out, if you like.."

"We had issues. Nothing that couldn't be worked out." He smiled at her offer, nearly accepting it. But he shook his head, declining politely. Instead, he lifted his hand to rub at his neck. "Thank-you, though, Truly," he replied softly.

"Except that she's still married.." Mostly under her breath, and she didn't look at him when she said it. She nodded as he thanked you. "You're welcome.." she replied softly. "If you change your mind while I'm downstairs, let me know." After all, she wasn't offering to take him to her room.

Sebastian simply couldn't take it anymore. He didn't like how Truly constantly found something to say to slight Erin. "Tru, I'm married to her. So please, stop being cruel." Blue gaze leveled with hers as his hands grasped her upper arms gently, holding her in place to make her look at him.

"What?" Hissed out from between her teeth as he grabbed her. She turned her chin to the side, to avoid his gaze. "I'm not trying to be cruel Bastian. It's the truth and you can't change that. And you can't be married to her."

Sebastian never released his grip, perhaps even tightened it a smidgen. "Stop it. I am and I have the papers."

She winced at the tightening on her arms, but she didn't comment on it, yet. "And she can't be married to two men, Bastian, you know that. That's not me trying to cause trouble, that's the bloody law and I had nothing to do with the making of it."

"It's not the law here." Now, his grip was nowhere near marking a bruise to her precious flesh; merely an attention getter. "And here is where we were wed."

"Then you shouldn't have ever taken her home, because it's the law there." Trying to shake his hands off of her arms now. She would only tolerate so much manhandling, and then it was time to put a stop to it. "And since I'm not your wife, you have no rights to grab me, so let me go."

"'sorry." Sebastian released her, gently running his hands down the length of her arms as he pulled away. "I just...don't understand. This shouldn't have happened. No one noticed her. We didn't do anything until going to the Parliament and even there...no one said a thing. It was like they were waiting for her." Sebastian sat himself down on a stool, looking dejected.

She nodded at the apology. He looked so sad, and she was struggling to keep the guilt off her face, but she'd done the right thing. It had to be. Because he'd looked this sad at breakfast. She moved and gave him a quick hug, brief because she wasn't sure how he'd take it. "Sometimes.. Sometimes things happen.."

He gave a half smile, returning the hug somewhat awkwardly with a sigh. "You know, I finally understand why people say that life isn't worth living when they're parted from the one they love."

"What the bloody hell is that supposed to mean??" Poking him in the ribs, though there wasn't any playfulness to the gesture. "Don't ever say things like that Bastian.."

He shyed away from the poke - she always knew where he was ticklish, even if she didn't mean it. "I can't help it, Gwen. I haven't heard from her in a week."

Alain walks back down the stairs, finally, still in jeans, boots, and a black hoodie. He looks around... frowns slightly... shrugs, and goes to the bar for a drink. As he pours himself out another measure of vodka, he looks over his shoulder at Sebastian. Erin hasn't gotten back yet... and he hasn't heard a thing about it. Afraid to ask, no doubt... the only ones he could ask are Lydia and Sebastian. Both strike him as bad ideas. Not that Sebastian would tell him anything anyways. Still... he nurses his drink, and drifts eventually that way. Taking up a lean on a support beam a little ways away, watching the rest of the room and drinking.

"Well it's probably for the best then. It's not as if your marriage is considered valid, you know.. It's not." Hands on her hips now. She was getting a little exasperated with him and his being so stubbron about the whole thing. Okay, so he loved her. But he wasn't married to her. She was already married and that invalidated any piece of paper he had.

Something gets Alain's attention, though. He frowns darkly, taking another sip of his drink. Seems to be frowning at a distant window, though... which he's not.

Sebastian's head snapped up, fixing Truly with a glare. "Hush!" A swift look around was given before boring a blue gaze towards her again. "I thought you said you weren't being cruel." While he appeared angry outwardly, Truly's words cut him to the quick.

Alain actually cringes slightly, thinking about... his own opinions on this matter. Maybe former opinions... or opinions in a period of transition now, anyway. His drink rattles quietly as he raises it for another sip.

She frowned. She hadn't wanted to hurt him, really, but he needed to admit the truth! "I'm not trying to Bastian!" Stopping to lower her voice. "It's not cruelty Bastian, but you need to stop being so bloody blind. She's making an ass of you and you're letting her."

"Truly Castlereigh!" His voice no longer a soft whisper, he more than likely attracted attention. "I understand that you are bitter and think you're looking out for me, but really now. I will not tolerate you speaking of Erin like that."

"Sebastian de Vernon! I've hardly said an untoward word against her except to point out that she's made you unhappy!" Glaring at him, hands on her hips again. "You're being a bloody ass and acting like an ill-mannered brute!"

Boiling point. Ass? Erin's making an ass of Sebastian? Their marriage isn't valid? He tries to rationalize staying out, but any logic turns to a simple, Who does this woman think she is? "...Excuse me." He turns from the support beam, to face Sebastian and Gwendolyn with... an odd, humorless smile. Behind that smile is a great deal of tension, anger, and indignation. "Hi. Good evening to you both." The eyes move to Gwendolyn. "You don't know me... but from the way you're talking about my friend and this caring husband's wife, Erin, I figure you must not know her very well, either... either that, or you're even stupider than you look. So I reckon fair is fair." Arms folding. "Their marriage isn't valid? She's making an ass out of him? He's being an ass for defending her?" He laughs a short, humorless laugh; he can hardly believe he's doing this. "Sebastian and I may not get along, but if he's anything for defending his wife, it's not an ass. It's a good husband. And I know Erin a lot better than you do, I'm sure, and if she's doing anything to her husband, it's loving and caring about him, which is why he gives the same to her."

Sebastian was caught somewhere between slapping Alain on the back in thanks and strangling him. Great. Now the entire place knew that he and Erin were married. Bastian blinked in shock, passing his gaze from Alain to Truly and then back.

Gasp. Was this neanderthal, as attractive as he was, actually speaking to her look like?! "And just who the bloody hell do you think you are to talk to me like that? No one asked you to start spouting off your bloody mouth! Prick!"

And then a coughsputter. Did Truly just say that?!

"Who the hell do I think I am?" Stepping up towards her. "Who the hell do you think you are butting into HIS business that way? You know how he feels about it, he's told you, and you keep pushing him around because you're too damned stubborn to see that he and Erin are really invested in each other." Nodding towards the door. "So why don't you do us both a favor, shut up about his wife, and leave him alone?"

Sebastian's mouth is actually open slightly as he gawks at Alain. What the bloody hell was going on here? Sure, he agreed whole-heartedly...but...what brought on the change? Very strange, he thinks. An expectant gaze was cast upon Truly then; arms folding across his chest. What would she say to him?

"Obviously you don't have a clue about what you're talking about!" She was getting red-faced, though it was a combination of both anger and embarassment. He had no right to speak to her like that! The entire time he was speaking to her, she as sort of puffing up, straightening her shoulders. And when he stepped towards her? She held her ground even though she was a good foot shorter. She was intimidated, but she wasn't going to let it show. "I have an even better idea!" And for maybe the second time in her life, Gwendolyn "Truly" Castlereigh lost her temper and gave in to violent feelings. She followed the advice of her older brother, and stepped even closer, and drove her knee upwards, towards his groin.

Thank God for dance lessons, because that's what Alain does - dances back. Her knee strikes his wrist as he puts his hand reflexively in front of his groin and he jerks it back, because it kind of hurt, and looks at her incredulously, struggling to find the words. Also struggling not to give into his more uncouth instincts.

She blanched, all of the color draining from her face. She hadn't actually thought the whole thing through, just gave into the urge to strike out. And now she was considering the repercussions as she waited for a return hit. Truly had never been hit in her life, and she wasn't looking forward to a first time. She watched him, frozen to the spot.

"Gwendolyn!" Sebastian stepped foward, reaching out to the young teen. He stepped between Alain and Truly, nearly forcing himself between the two. His anger was so apparent, he had to force himself to keep his hands at his sides. The man towered over the young girl, casting a scrutinous gaze upon her. "Just what in the hell is your problem? You come in here, insult me and my wife and then expect our friends to not get involved? He had every right to speak to you as he did. What are you thinking?! If anything, Truly, you're the one who's been made an ass tonight." He jerked his head towards the door as Alain had done. "I suggest you make yourself scarce before other family members choose to get involved. I'm not entirely sure Erin's sister would restrain from slapping the look off your face."

Alain lets Sebastian get between them, giving him a good opportunity to calm himself down as he listens to the whole thing pan out.

It was just absolutely too much! First Bastian, then that total stranger, and now Bastian wsa defending him?! Again, she gave into her base instincts, acting rather than thinking, and drove her knee upwards for a second time that night.

Well, when you don't take dance lessons....these things are a little harder to prevent. He saw it coming but didn't exactly have the time to react. Sebastian's eyes squeezed shut, only to fly open as his world errupted in a flash of spinning stars and comical birds around his head. No, really. As per a normal next step, he groaned and clutched his groin, trying his damndest to not fall to his knees.

She squeaked, eyes going wide as saucers. "Oh I'm sorry!" She really did mean it. But she also wasn't going to hang around to see what was going to happen after he recovered. She darted around him and Alain, scurrying for the stairs to escape to her room.

"Get her!" He forced out between coughs and gasps.

Eyes wide now. She fights dirty. It almost - almost - justifies smacking her in the mouth. But it certainly justifies his immediate move after the blow connects. When she scampers, Alain's large form is standing in her way. No groin-kick this time. He secures her shoulders from the front and then steps to the side, one leg out in front of her to hold her in place as he pins her arms awkwardly behind her back. Things you don't learn from dance lessons. "...I think you owe someone an apology."

A Diary Entry

11-01

I couldn't stay after finding out that she....

I can't believe Truly would do such a thing. Of all the mean, spiteful, jealousy motivated things.... cruel....

I had to go home again. I wanted to drown myself in the bathtub tonight. I thought about it. I couldn't do it, though. I wanted to be able to see Erin again.

I got my wish, too. Later...Jon came bursting into my room waving a theatre ticket. Apparently Lane had managed to talk to some girl named Anna who knew Erin...or soemthing like that. I can't think right now. my mind is filled with bittersweet thoughts. I get to see her....in just a few short days.

I can't wait. I don't even know what to write.... I hate writing in this thing anyways.