tampered | Log, Completed

Log, Completed

When; Friday afternoon 12/5
Rating; G
Characters; Abby (

notapreacher) and some dogs
Summary; Showing off the new place.
Log; The beach is arguably the favorite spot in all the City for Horatio and Apolline. It doesn't matter how cold it is or whether or not it's raining or snowing; the dogs love it. Since Abby moved to the beach it's not just the dogs who like to go there. For three years in Blue Crow, Gren kept to himself, avoided getting too close to anybody. Proximity meant explaining things and he really didn't want to have to explain them. They were too fresh, too acute, and needed to stay buried for a while longer. In all his years there he only did the explaining to two people: Julia and Faye. Both happened to be in the City when he got here. Faye is gone now, but Julia's still here, still his closest friend.

Abby's the first real friend he made here, the first one in the City he explained things to. As always he was vague with the details, but she knows enough about him and his past.

She also knows a lot about his partner. More than he did for a long time and maybe still; he doesn't know. Out of all the people he knows here, she's probably the most likely to be curious about the new living environment and that's why he's invited her ostensibly to help him move a few things over. He doesn't need help moving anything; that will take its sweet time and he's not giving up his own apartment yet. As he told Lestat, he wants to keep it until he doesn't need to have it any more and that seems fair. But to make this an official moving trip as advertised, he does have one item in his hands. It's the guitar Lin left for him and he thinks -- vaguely -- that maybe Lin should have left him his comb instead, but he shrugs the thought away. This is a far more fitting memorial.

He'll think about that later. Right now he knocks at Abby's door, a dog seated patiently on either side of him. He's got the feeling that if the dogs could ring the doorbell, they would. They'd invite Jethro Junior out to play, and they'd do it every single day.

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She is ready to go long before Gren arrives. Mainly because there isn't a lot she can do here. No one is home. And she skipped work today.

(It takes something major to make her skip work.)

Therefore, she's been ready to go see this new place for some time. She doesn't even care if they don't move a single thing. All she wants to know is what the 'vampire lair' looks like. Considering Lestat's tastes it has to be one really, really, really nice place. Not to mention super expensive. Which is alright since his expensive tastes are still great.

And she's just making herself more impatient.

So, she has no idea who to thank when she hears the knock on the door.

Instantly, both her and Jethro are there to open it with joy written all over their faces. Throwing her arms around Gren, she keeps grinning. The impatience is still there but the hug is important!

"Finally! I was beginning to wonder what was taking so long!"

(And Gren isn't even the slightest bit late.)

"I guess I didn't need to bring more Caf-Pow." He doesn't mind the hug in the least; he's used to them from Abby by now and would probably be disappointed if she stopped. "A little eager?"

Amused, he shakes his head. Abby's almost too excited about this. "I hope you're not expecting black curtains and coffins everywhere." It's actually a beautiful and spacious home, and two-thirds of it is full of light and windows. And those are the parts Abby will get to see. "Are you ready?"

Reaching down, he gives Jethro an energetic pat.

"Both of you?"

"I'm ready. And he is too." She nods a couple times then steps out and locks the door behind her. "Anyways, I don't expect either of those things. That's my room. No, I just want to see how the infamous Lestat decorates. And, he makes you happy. So, if you're going to live there then I want to approve of the place. I doubt I wouldn't though. It's probably super nice. Like a mansion only apartment size. I don't know how you'd be able to do that but I'm sure he's managed."

Everything is said rather quickly as she starts walking down the beach. There is only a pause in the ramble for her to say...

"Hello, Horatio. Hello, Apolline. Great to see you both again."

And then her mouth is off once again. It's a bad habit she developed years ago. When she has someone who will stand or sit or anything and listen then she just starts talking. Especially when she is excited about something.

"I bet he throws modern tastes in with the classics. That would make sense with his character traits. Oh. I'm not seeing the bedroom, right? He's sleeping right now. Of course I'm not seeing the bedroom. Scratch that. How big is his place? Or are you going to tell me to wait and see? I'm kind of used to that answer too."

If he can get a word in edgewise, he might actually answer some of her questions. But she's rambling happily and he almost wonders if she's nervous. That can't be it, can it?

"You wouldn't see the bedroom anyway. But I can tell you that those pictures you took at Lux are hanging on the wall in there." He can't help it if his smile is a little smug: he loves those pictures and so does Lestat. "It's plenty big without seeing that. I'm sure you'll approve of it, and of the decorating scheme." Such at is it, anyway; it's a bit of an eclectic mix but it suits the place fine.

He certainly feels perfectly at home there.

"But you're right about him sleeping. We'll have to be a little quiet. Or else just stay in the kitchen."

"I'll be quiet. Promise!" There is no way she wants to just stay in the kitchen. Not when she could see everything else. The fact that Lestat has a kitchen is interesting though. After all, why have one when it's not going to be used. He used to live alone too. Still, would them being noisy actually wake Lestat up?

She should email him that question sometime. The answer could be really interesting.

"I can't wait to see it. Seriously. This is pretty exciting."

Her excitement makes him laugh. "Just a little quiet. I mean, the dogs make noise sometimes during the day when I come in and he's really a pretty sound sleeper, as you can imagine. You know how sometimes sounds around you filter into dreams? I'm guessing that might be what it's like. I try to be quiet during the day because I'm just that polite."

That assessment makes him laugh again. "No, because I'm usually just that asleep. It's a good thing I was already a night owl, isn't it?" The walk over won't take a terribly long time, but it should be really pleasant. And Abby will probably be bursting with anticipation before they get there.

He's expecting a lot of questions. If anyone can be said to have a nearly insatiable curiosity, it's his friend Abby.

"Oh, and I almost forgot. Here." He hands her a carefully-balanced paper bag and when she opens it, she'll find the promised Caf-Pow.

Gren polite. That's so like him. When isn't he polite? She definitely hasn't seen a moment like that yet. Maybe sometime in the futu...

She forgets all of that in favor of taking the bag and opening it. She already knows what it is before she opens it but that doesn't matter. Grinning, she takes the Caf-Pow out for her first happy sip. The sweet caffeine is just delicious. With one arm, she gives Gren another hug. Anyone who gives her Caf-Pow deserves one.

"Thank you!"

That done, she can focus again. "So, does he have a lot of artwork? And what are the different rooms like? Does he really have a kitchen?"

She'll keep it to three. For now. Just to keep from overwhelming Gren.

"You don't want to wait and see it?" It's a fair enough question, not that he minds answering any of them. "I mean, we'll be there in twenty minutes."

Horatio and Apolline look like they're almost as glad to be out in the daytime as they are to see Jethro and, by proxy, Abby. It's sweet: they're great dogs, all of them, but when they're together like this, they're at their most dog-like. Running around and happy, they're just enjoying themselves.

"But if you don't want to wait I'll be glad to tell you. I'm sure it will still be different from anything you see in your mind's eye. It's all newly remodeled."

"I don't have anything! That's the problem. Tell me. Please."

Yes, she's reduced herself down to begging. But, it's completely worth it. Especially if she gets any answers out of it. Those answers will probably lead to more questions but that's okay. She doesn't mind that at all. Not the slightest bit. Answers are key and...

"You're driving me insane! Twenty minutes? You know I can't wait that long. I'm not good at waiting when I'm excited. And eager. And curious. And started telling me."

She's adorable.

"What was the question again?" He's just kidding, elbows her gently in the ribs. "Artwork? Yeah. And let's see. It's three apartments made into one. The first has the kitchen and a guest bedroom and a sitting room and dining table. You know, for all those blood feasts we have on the full moon."

(He had to say it.)

"The middle one's the music room and a library, and the third's the..." He might as well go for it, right? "Master suite. All three are adjoined, but the only inside doors are between the music room and bedroom. We won't be going in there so I'll describe it for you instead. First, it's a big room all done up in dark reds and black, but there are no windows. I think you know why. There is a really nice bathroom in there with a tub separate from the shower. The main room has a stupidly big ornate comfortable bed, a bureau, a huge closet, and a pair of coffins side-by-side. One for each of us."

He can't tell a lie to save his life if he had one; shaking his head, he laughs. "No, only one of those. It's rarely used. I think someone prefers the bed these days."

And that makes him extremely happy.

"Aw! You got him to sleep in the bed with your charming self." That's seriously so sweet. And the fact that Lestat seems to want to be near Gren is excellent in her opinion. If it makes her friend happy then she's all for it. The vampire isn't hurting Gren from what she can tell.

(She's been keeping an eye out for that.)

"That's great. I'm glad that you two are sharing space like that. So, how many copies of his books does he have? He has the whole vanity thing going on so my guess is that he has at least two." She pauses. "You know, it's weird but his vanity is a turn on for some reason."

That is thought about for a second then she nods. "Definitely a turn on. Add his good looks and personality and he's great. You picked well. Or he picked well. I really agree with the second one. Because you're great."

All compliments aside, he knows Abby's already a fan of Lestat's books or at least she's read them all. She knew more about him than he did and she still might, but only in some ways. What he knows is a side of the man that doesn't show up in the books. Sure, he paints himself as an adventurer, a free spirit, a smart opportunist, a talent and he is all those things. But he's so much more than all of that: he's an absolute sweetheart. He's got one of the best hearts: he's kind and generous to a fault and loving and soft-hearted and romantic and humorous and dashing and handsome.

And vain.

"How many copies? I don't know. I have one copy at my place, and I think there's one more set but he might have loaned it out. I haven't seen it, but I'm not keeping track either."

The dogs race on ahead, but every now and then Apolline herds them back: she's a fantastic big sister to them. "You know what's really something, though? You can like his vanity all you want and it really is sweet and suits him well, but I have to tell you, he's one of the most genuine people I've ever met. He's got such a good heart and he's so, so wonderful to me."

Genuine. She bets that a lot of people wouldn't describe Lestat that way. It just doesn't seem to suit the Brat Prince. Maybe she should find her own copies of the books. It's been years since she last read them. She was still in school then. But she's seen both of the movies too. Apparently Gren and Lestat have seen the first one now.

"How so? The genuine part, I mean." She's calmed down enough from thinking about that one. The energy will come back soon.

It always does.

"What do you think I mean?" Genuine is exactly the right word. "He's honest. He is who he is and doesn't try to hide any of it."

Anita told him all vampires are liars, but that's her experience, not his. If Lestat's lied to him then he's lied exceedingly well and he doesn't want to know about it.

"Honest to a fault sometimes. Ask him a question and he'll answer it honestly, even if the answer isn't particularly politically correct."

"You don't see a lot of that anymore. Must be an old world thing. Something he's carried with him all of these years without realizing it. You're right though. I think some people just miss that."

Now that she thinks about it, she's noticed it too. Sure, it's his view of things but he doesn't lie about what he thinks he sees. He's got his own opinion.

"You know, I sent him a message not that long ago and he wrote back to me saying that he would be glad to make his angel happy."

If anything's going to bring a smile to his face, that nickname will.

"See? I told you he was good to me. I don't even know if I want to ask what your message was about, but then again I don't think I'm much of an angel. A fallen one, maybe."

Now his smile is quiet, shy; he looks down as they walk. It's a little humbling to be referred to as an angel by an immortal.

Now it's her turn to nudge him with an elbow.

"You are not a fallen angel. Don't even go there. You're Lestat's angel. That's what kind you are. Angels come in all shapes just like people. Didn't you learn that when you came here. I sure did. That was really surprising."

Hooking her arm around his, she leans against him.

"He really cares about you though. It's obvious. And watches you all the time. Like he can't take his eyes off you. I still haven't really gotten a picture of that but I'll keep trying."

He's not an angel. He's a musician, an escaped prisoner, a bounty head, a drug dealer, and a murderer. He hasn't met an angel yet who can claim all of that, but he'll keep it to himself. Now, though, he turns to Abby. "I'd like to see a picture like that."

If she manages to get one, it can join the others on the wall and won't that be sweet? "I'm not sure how you manage to take pictures of him without him knowing, but keep it up. It's great."

Ahead of them, Horatio doubles back to be petted: he knows they're close to home. He gets a treat for his effort -- all three dogs do -- and then the big Newfoundland is off again, leading the way.

"Look at them. They're like school kids at recess."

She should start calling them the three amigos. Those three dogs are the best of friends and the name would suit them well. Plus, they all demand affection. Another thing that connects them to each other. It's a Kodak moment.

"They are. I need a picture of the three of them at some point. It'll be perfect. Put it in a nice frame. And then give them to the two of you as Christmas presents!"

That's a really good idea. It can go along with the taking Gren out somewhere to eat and paying for an expensive meal.

"You know what? That would be a perfect Christmas present." He doesn't need things that cost a lot of money; heaven knows he doesn't have a lot to spend on his friends. But something like that is easy and better still, it's from the heart. To him, that makes all the difference.

As they move into the Square, he takes the turn toward Building 8. Clearly, Horatio and Apolline know they're near home and will probably get fed once they arrive. "How's Jethro with cats?"

He's so used to Lestat's dogs who would no sooner mess with Luce and Watt than they would leap out a window, but he's not sure about Jethro. They'll work it out, though: the bookshelves are nice and high and out of reach.

"Don't know. He's never been around one before. But if one kicks his ass that's okay. Then he'll learn."

She shrugs. Jethro is still a puppy no matter his size. So there is some weird psychological thing where puppy look up to older animals. Maybe that's what will happen. She really doesn't have a clue.

"I guess we'll find out?"

Not that they have a choice really.

"Katan won't come out. He doesn't even do that for me. But Luce and Watt might be curious." Either of them is entirely capable of teaching Jethro a lesson, although he hopes it doesn't come to that. If anything, Watt will ride on his shoulders, out of reach, and Luce will be the queen she is from a nice safe spot.

Or not. They'll find out, as Abby says.

"Horatio. Apolline. Lestat's asleep, and you know what that means. Quietly." As the door to the building opens, Apolline gives him a look that says as if we didn't know that, silly human and leads the way down the hall in an entirely dignified manner. They're patient, though, and Jethro seems to take on their expectant mood.

"All right, Abby. Ever been to a vampire's home before? Don't forget to duck to avoid the bats." Key in the lock, he turns the door to the middle apartment.

"Nope. I'm a vampire home virgin."

As soon as the door is open, she's leaning forward so that way she can get her first look inside. And it's...extremely nice. That's beyond impressive. It's like walking through a rich person's home. Highly quality stereo, fantastic art...

"Wow."

What else is someone supposed to say to that? She doesn't have anything else. Even someone as talkative as she is.

"Just wow."

"Come on in. Make yourself comfortable. Just don't open that set of doors, and you won't be responsible for burning up my boyfriend." He nods to the bedroom doors, then sets Lin's guitar down against the wall near his sax case. He doesn't know how to play it, but he'll either figure it out or get someone to teach him.

He feels he owes Lin at least that much.

"Music room and library. And the kitchen, guest bedroom, bathroom, and sitting room are through there. Want to see?" He nods to his left; the sitting room area's visible through the opening.

The dogs, of course, are already heading that way: that's where treats lie and the secondary sucker of a human with them always feeds them treats after a walk. But first...

"That gorgeous creature on the top of the bookshelf is Watt, and the princess on the chair there is Luce. Excuse me, not princess. Queen."

This like the mini-hub. It's big. Really spacious. She wants to know who Lestat hired to do all of this. She just can't picture the vampire doing hard labor. Like removing bathrooms and building walls and tearing walls down.

Well, whoever did it is amazing.

Looking at the cats, she smiles at them. Those are gorgeous animals. Not only does Lestat have great taste in a place to live but in animals too.

"They definitely rule this place. Especially the queen, I bet."

And they know this place well.

"Okay. Show me the rest of the place. I totally want a tour."

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