Hidden Silk

Gabrielle Muley

She could tell that Kip’s mind was wandering around everywhere. He seemed to not know what to think about at once as his mind was going from subject to subject: performing, to his what-if-the-microphone-don’t-work-tonight rant or I-reminded-that-violinist-about-the-eighth-note-so-many-times-but-she-still-refuses-to-play-it banter…and now I-want-you-to-come-with-me-on-tour discussion. Gabrielle didn’t really know now flexible her contract was…she got to read the contract, she had a copy, she still needed to look at it again, probably she would have to look at it so she specifically looked out for a detail such as that. She didn’t know the likeliness of getting out of the country or even leaving the Opera…studying abroad…or taking a leave for a few months. She didn’t even know how long Joel planned on having him on tour. She wondered how he would hold up, she was sure that his voice was used to singing intense hours, but she just wondered how much sleep he would get. The time difference wouldn’t be terrible in Europe, but when they flew out to the States she wondered how much time they would give him to adjust before working on the next concert date. It probably took three days to set up, adjust to the stage…something like day. If she heard Richard correctly when he spoke about his touring days with orchestras he said that he got 30 hours of sleep every five days…that was six hours a day. It was scary to see her function off of six hours of sleep, and she had seen Kip on a day off functioning off of seven hours. It wasn’t exactly terrible, but it wasn’t a smooth road through the day either.

She tried to at least give an unbiased reason just to get the bad out of the way. She could either side with staying for the benefit of not distracting him while it was crunch time or side with the fact that she would miss him terribly. She would know that he didn’t want to be away from her either, but work was work…a job was a job. Sacrifices had to be made, but could this one be taken at the moment in life. She knew Kip…he would have asked people about the circumstances if she went. She was sure he asked Joel, but she just wanted to make sure he thought about it. She was just very cautious about what would happen if she came. The problems would be that she’s there to distraction him, she would be extra space…the good things would be the fact that she wouldn’t have to be away from him, she wouldn’t have to say goodbye to him…it was difficult to make a decision on what to tell him. She just spilled out her reasons to him and she could see that he was probably aggravated with her reasoning. She didn’t like saying things that would upset him. Especially when she was reasoning and they both knew that something she was saying was right. It seemed that she just went on about how this could be difficult for them to pull off, but then again what if she did go? It would be fun if she could spend time with him…help him through the long hours. It would be fun, spending time with him, being there to spend the rest of the night when he was done…helping him backstage through the anxiety hours before he was on…and then watching from backstage…for how long, an hour…two hours? How ever he planned on having the set up of the concert. Helping plan what he was going to do for this…she needed to stop. She wanted to go when she thought about it more. She didn’t want to get her hopes up, but she just wondered how things would go if and if she didn’t go. She needed to stop right now, this wasn’t about her; this was about Kip. He was releasing his second album, and it was his tour and what happened happened, he was still going whether she was going or not; but why complain? They had so much more time after how ever long he would be on tour. They had forever…all the time in the world to spend time together.

She rested her head against shoulder. Her lips still hovered against his jaw for a bit…she just sighed as his hand was wrapped his arm around her shoulder. They stayed there for a while sitting and just tried to forget about it. He was about to go on and it was wrong of her to flesh out the problem even more…this was about him, "I hate to interrupt but you might want to see this? Maybe sign it and sell it..." she peaked from Kip’s shoulder and looked up to see Joel hand him a copy of the CD. She just realized that he was on in half an hour. This was when she started to get nervous with him. It wasn’t the fact that she thought he would mess up, contrary she just naturally got nervous for him…probably hoping that if she got nervous for him, he wouldn’t be as nervous as he usually did before he got on stage. Kip took the CD from his manager and she peaked and smiled to see his second CD. She suddenly felt better…for now, "Not the best picture in the world but I do think its a pretty good cover all around... the back looks nice...." he said as he flipped it over. It was in calligraphy…Is that his handwriting? It had characteristics of his handwriting, but it was in neat calligraphy style. She loved learning something new everyday. They once spent an entire days writing all they were going to say to each other because he had a laryngitis day and she had allergy “pains”. His print was legible for a guy and it just had a personal characteristic in it that was close to his personality. She noticed that about people’s handwriting…they carried a part of that person. It was interesting. The cover had two pictures merged into a picture of a piano….the title was Breathe. A simple and creative title. She enjoyed titles such as those; she bet that he thought about that on his own.

"The English translation of the song I'm singing tonight are in here..." she just smiled and entertained his humor…sometimes it was hard to believe that she had learned so many languages in high school, but she had supposed free time spend learning languages. It probably benefited her. If not her English wouldn’t be as good. She spoke Hindi most of her life, Spanish one eighth of her life, and English and French while she worked in Paris. She was well exposed to the general languages, "as are the translations for these if want them..." he signed it and handed it back to Joel. She wanted to read the lyrics now, but she wanted to hear the song and hear the words for the first time when he performed it tonight. And probably tomorrow or some time when he wasn’t around she would listen to the entire CD since he didn’t like listening to himself…which she could understand. Lately she had been asked to log her piano rehearsals and out of curiosity she taped her violin practices and even though he and Easy praised her for her progress she still disliked listening to herself play…more or less did he like hearing his voice play back. It was just one of those things you had to experience yourself.

“I’ll wait…” she smiled excitedly, “Besides, you just want to drive me crazy by waiting for the performance…” he offered a nervous grin, “Hey, you only have twenty minutes now…if it helps I’m nervous for you.” She smiled. Sometimes she imagined while she was performing in her workshops she imagined Richard nervous for her and somehow it helped reassure her that she would do fine. Hopefully the same reassurance would help Kip. His fingered twitched and his foot taped…she always thought it entertaining how he handled with his nervous habits. He said he used to not be nervous to perform at all…probably since he sees this as the make it or break it point in his career…the chopping block as he calls it, he found a reason to be nervous. She just reassured him like before that he had fans that would come tonight and each and every one of them loved him to death…just not as much as she loved him. She was his number one fan.

---

angelofthenight

Kypton West

It wasn't until the twenty minute mark that Kypton truly started to feel as if he might just want to leave and not perform at all. It was a thought that went through his head every time just before he performed. He bit his lips now and tired not to let the thought flit across his already troubled mind but he couldn't fight it and there it was. He didn't want to do this. He could do this. He was tempted to get up and step outside and tell Ella that he couldn't do it and admit to Joel that maybe he wasn't cut out for this. Maybe he shoudl teach kids how to sing. They didn't write articles about how he didn't hit a note just write or the treble in his voice seemed off or that he wasn't dressed appropriately. He looked over at Ella and she smiled and he smiled back though his smile was weak and nervous. Fifteen minutes. Kypton closed his eyes and started to tap his foot uneasily, anything to keep him from getting up because once he stood, and if it wasn't to go on stage then he knew he would head to his dressing to try and compose himself... he liked to walk out of his audience on to the stage when he performed... it made him feel like he could connect with audience more easily... rather then starting out on stage he shook hands as he went up... his fans seemed to like it too.

Now it wasn't just the performance that was bothering him but the thought of being away from Ella. There had been talk about the tour to go through the summer months, while kids were out of school, mostly teenage girls. Joel reported that he appealed to women in a way that could be dangerous if it wasn't kept under control. Kypton had mentioned this to Ella and she'd only laughed and teased him about possibly getting mauled by a mob of girls as he walked down the street. Kypton was pretty safe in Paris though he did the ocassional crazed fan come running up to him wanting to ask him a question or begging for his autograph things seemed to have died in the past month.. people were getting used to having a rising celebrity and fans that had almost attacked him a month ago now only waved and he waved back.. it made him feel like he was living a normal life. He had a beautiful he loved to come home to every night that he worked late. He had a budding career that was bringing in more money then he had ever possibly imagine six months ago when he'd first come to Paris. He was living the high life so to speak yet he was still able to live modestly despite all the money that was being put into two accounts, one for her so that she always had some source of income in case something happen to him... and an account for him.

Ella didn't know about the account which was how he preferred to keep it. He knew that if she knew about it she would try to have it closed. She didn't like coming to him for money, she thought it inpinged on her independence but Kypton simply put a little her eand there into her own account and then almost half of what he made into the other account that was set aside for her should, heaven forbid, something happen to him or she lose her job and wasn't able to find work for a while. Even if she decided that she didn't want to spend her life with him and left he would find a way to get that money to her so she could support herself while she found somewhere else to live or tried ot survive on a considerably lower income. The thought of her leaving hurt him but the thought of her leaving without a means of supporting herself hurt him even more. He didn't like the idea of her out in the world without a means to start over, evne if starting over meant doing it without him. He loved her tot he point that being away from her hurt... the very thought caused his chest to ache and his body to feel almost numb.... he'd never admitted this to her... not that he liked keeping secrets from her but it was something he had a hard time thinking about, let alone talking about.

Ten minutes to go and he rubbed his neck instictively, another nervous habitt hat he knew he was not going to breaking any time soon. She had rested her head back on his shoulder and he felt her kiss his jaw. He smiled, this time it was a little more genuine then the last one. “I’ll wait…” she smiled excitedly and he knew she was ready to hear him perform, he just wished he was as ready as her to actually get up there and sing. He looked arond to see that the club was practically full beyond the breaking point. Tables were filled and people were grabbing chairs from the back and setting them against the wall. Kypton felt a his stomach flutter uneasily. “Besides, you just want to drive me crazy by waiting for the performance…” he offered her the same nervous smile he'd given her earlier... and he knew she could see hwo nervous he was. At times it amused her, at least that was what she'd told him, at others she didn't think it was funny at all... in fact there were times when she was truly and genuinely concerned about him. “Hey, you only have twenty minutes now…if it helps I’m nervous for you.” she told him and for some reason knowing that she nervous did help a little... it made him feel as if he weren't alone. It was then that he saw Joel nod in his direction... he was never announced anymore.. he just got up there and perrformed.

He stood up and squezzed Ella's hand one last time. He let out a slow breath. It seemed like a long walk to the stage as he moved away from the table and then he felt the whoel club go silent around him. The anxiety was almost tangible and he didn't know if it came from him or the crowd. He looked around and a girl waved her hand trying to get his attnetion. He looked down to see that she had a white rose with a blue ribbon tied around it.. in an interview he'd said that blue was his favorite color. He knelt down in front of the girl who didn't look anymor ethen nine. He smiled at her and she said her name was Emma and he asked if she liked his music. She nodded her head and gave him a hug and said she was his number one. Kypton glanced at Ella who was watching the exchange with an expression that he couldn't identify. He mouthed the words 'I love you' in her directino then got up and headed for the stage. The moment he set foot on the stage the sounds of claps and cheers was almost deafening but he couldn't bring himself to look at the crowd instead he accepted the head set from the man that would be conducting the small orchestra and shook his hand then moved to sit down at the piano. He adjusted the mic and then Kypton began to play and despite his nerves he opened his mouth and began to sing.

Le ciel bleu sur nous peut s'effondrer
Et la terre peut bien s'écrouler
Peu m'importe si tu m'aimes
Je me fous du monde entier
Tant qu'l'amour inond'ra mes matins
Tant que mon corps frémira sous tes mains
Peu m'importe les problèmes
Mon amour puisque tu m'aimes

J'irais jusqu'au bout du monde
Je me ferais teindre en blonde
Si tu me le demandais
J'irais décrocher la lune
J'irais voler la fortune
Si tu me le demandais
Je renierais ma patrie
Je renierais mes amis
Si tu me le demandais
On peut bien rire de moi
Je ferais n'importe quoi
Si tu me le demandais

Si un jour la vie t'arrache à moi
Si tu meurs que tu sois loin de moi
Peu m'importe si tu m'aimes
Car moi je mourrais aussi
Nous aurons pour nous l'éternité
Dans le bleu de toute l'immensité
Dans le ciel plus de problèmes
Mon amour crois-tu qu'on s'aime
Dieu réunit ceux qui s'aiment

The song came to an end and for the longest time Kypton just stared at his hand that still rested in the ready to play position, slightly bent with his tips just hovering above the ivory. He could hear the applause but for the longest moment he coudln't react. He just sat there and then he heard Joel say his name again and a cheer rang through the club, bringing him out of the world he'd created around himself when he sang. He took the mic that Joel offered him, thanked the audience for coming, said that he would be around to sign copies of the album and answer any questions, thanked them again and thenw alked off. He knew that less was more when it came to dealing with an audience, at least at this point in his career, besides they were only book here for two hours of performance and they only had an hour left. Joel wanted to give them plenty of time to talk with him before they had to go somewhere else. Kypton walked off the stage and imediately back to his dressing room as always. He opened the door and waited in the doorway and Ella soon appeared in the tulmult of the crowd and he let her pass before h closed the door. He turned to her and smiled slightly. "That went better then I thought it would..." he admitted, he usually said something along those lines when he ended a performance... and he considered that one of his best.

---

Hidden Silk

OOC: I got translations because those are beautiful!!! BIC:

Gabrielle Muley

Kip usually didn’t tell her what he would be performing so to just have the title in mind was exciting. Hymne A L’Amore…Hymn of Love. And he got this by sitting out on the balcony. She had to admit she couldn’t really think of a logical way he got to such a bold title. They were just sitting there discussing trivial things like the always did. Their little banters of “sweet nothings” as he enjoyed saying. It was silent for a while and then he had that look on his face. Well he had many looks, but this one always said, I have an idea or Oops I left something somewhere mind thought. He was rather expressive with facial expression and at times they matched what he was thinking and other times they were just things you had to learn and memorize. Some looks didn’t even have to do anything with what he was thinking and she had to almost double check if he was just trying to throw her off. She told him those expression always amused her and he just laughed at himself. Right now was the fifteen minute mark and she sometimes thought he would say that he needed fresh air and ever come back until well after his performance time, she didn’t blame him for it, but she sometimes didn’t understand how he use to never get the nerves. Perhaps a changing in performance ideals…goals. He was very strict on himself about his goals. What he wanted to do was what he had to do or else he would be hard on himself about it. She knew his aims were high and that’s probably one of the many reasons why he always had to do something interesting that kept her wondering if she really knew everything about him. She knew most of the functioning things, most of the personal facts, problems, she knew quite a bit about him. They always talked about everything and it seemed almost amazing how they could learn so much about each other in six months.

It was minutes and she could tell that Kip was trying to get over his nervous pre-performance jitters. There were so many things she could call those moments before his performance and probably it didn’t matter, but it was something that could trademark him in her mind. Either way, she loved just waiting for him after the performance and sometimes she would tease him and say Hey it wasn’t that bad…He was just so hard on himself and he always worried about the small petty things when he was even jumpier. Once he thought he would trip on stage…how often did he trip compared to her? She doesn’t recall seeing him trip…unless she counted that one time he tripped over the chair in the kitchen while he was running after the phone, but that was right after he just got up. It wasn’t that she tripped everyday, but she did have moments when she would walk around and her shoe just happened to trip over a rug and she would catch her herself eventually before she fell on her face. She just noticed that the more she was tired the better chance there was that she tripped or did something klutzy. She was looked at her shoes…they were high heels and they were pretty painful but they were the only ones that weren’t took tall. She found it odd to be two inches shorter than him. She sometimes felt odd being close to his height, but he slouched a bit and so he was probably one or two inches taller…she didn’t know why that mattered, but she found that it came into her mind…odd, but it just came to her. Her toes were a tad bit red and she was glad she was sitting down. She was pacing a bit while he was in his sound check.

She felt him gently squeeze as she looked at him and she knew it was time for him to go on. He sighed and got up as she just folded her arms across her chest and knew what he was thinking Here we go…He would be fine. He always did fine…and sometimes the more nervous he was the better his performance. He just forgot all of his problems and everything when he started to sing. She knew that part of him. He started towards the stage and everything grew silent. It was always this part of the night where his fingers and hands were so clammy. He always thought of something that could go wrong…usually he was an optimist but when he was performing he was in slight panic mode…in his mind at least.

A little girl stopped him and held up a white rose with a blue ribbon around the stem. Gabrielle couldn’t help but smile. She was a darling girl, nine at the most, golden curls…she was adorable. There were a few words exchanged as he knelt in front of her. She just sat back and watched him talk to his little fan. It was the cutest thing she had ever seen and she just giggled a bit when she saw him smile and left her with a hug. He got on stage and she saw him sigh and there was an eruption of applause. She joined in and just smiled excited knowing that he was doing what he loved. He adjusted the mic and sighed…the normal list of things he did before he started singing. Ella said that she would translate the entire song on the spot. Her French was rather decent and she could translate fast than she could speak.

The blue sky can tumble down upon us
And the earth can also collapse
It doesn't matter, if you love me
I don't care about the entire world
As long as love floods my mornings
As long as my body trembles beneath your hand
These problems don't matter
My love, since you love me

I would go to the end of the earth
I would dye my hair blonde
I would go take down the moon
I would go steal a fortune
If you asked it of me
I would disown my country
I would disown my friends
If you asked it of me
People can have a good laugh at me
I would do anything
If you asked it of me

If one day life tears you from me
If you die that you be far from me
It doesn't matter, if you love me
Because, me, I will die also
We will have eternity for ourselves
In the great blue immensity
In the sky, no more problems
My love, do you believe we love each other
God reunites those who love each other…

She sat the entire time processing the words, listening to the music and…she was engulfed into the song so much she seemingly forgot how to breathe. Those lyrics were beautiful, but she didn’t know how he could get those words out of just sitting with him that evening and just bantering about nothing…it just made her question what she did and didn’t know about him. And if she didn’t know it about him, she would learn it about him soon. When the song was done she sat there and while the entire room clapped, she half mindedly clapped and went around the back towards the back. She went into the room as he opened the door and she just walked in and felt that she was pacing around trying to shake of her…dazed mind functioning. She was shocked…it was beautiful…it was…close to indescribable. She was very shocked and she didn’t know how to tell him what she thought…she just knew that she loved it, "That went better then I thought it would..." he smiled and she smiled lightly as she walked a bit more into the room and turned around to him.

“That…” she sighed perplexed, “That was, beautiful.” She looked at him straight in the eyes. She was moved and she knew that everyone in there was probably moved to some degree. It was one of his best performances ever, the orchestra was flawless and that violinist actually got in that eighth note. She wrapped her arms around him. She sighed as she rested her head against his shoulder, “See, I was nervous for you too…” she felt her fingers twitch a bit as well.

---

angelofthenight

Kypton West

One of Kypton's favorite things was walking off stage into his dressing room and finding Ella there. It was like seeking shelter from a storm as he shut the door and looked at her. She was the only other person that he even allowed in any of the rooms that Joel claimed as Kypton's when they decided to perform somewhere. No one else, not even Joel, crossed the threshold. It was Kypton's space. There were scores of music... finished and unfinished, scattered everywhere along with a water bottle on the couch and one on the vanity table that Kypton rarely used, only to give himself one last look over before he headed out into the club to perform. Ella often sat and waited for him while he pushed his way through the throngs and wrestled with the crowd to get back tot he door. He often was relieved to see her and only her ready to give her opinion of the prformance. In that moment it didn't matter how he'd done.... he didn't care there was going to be some article in a magazine tomorrow critiqueing the performance, at least not that the moment... it didn't matter that someone had said something about the way he was dressed because when he went to his dressing room after the performance he found Ella there... smiling at him as always... she always smiling.

He had opened the door and was grateful that Joel kept the crowds back as Ella hurried forward into the dressing room. Kypton coudl hear his manager assuring fans that had gathered around the door that he would be out in a minute and he was going to 'mingle'. The word tha meant Kypton needed to prepare himself to get mauled by the fans that wanted to touch his clothes and his hair or wanted a picture, an autograph, some even claimed to want to marry him and those comments made him laugh though sometimes it did get out of hand and people had to be escorted out of the club or whatever place they were in. Right now it was jsut the two of them and Kypton could worry about the crowds later. Normally he would take off his tie if he wore on e and throw hsi suit jacket across the arm of the couch that he and Ella liked to sit on when they weren't ready to face the fans. Kypton looked over at her. She ahd walked over to the mirror where he had a picture of them... one that they'd taken in one of those little booths that cost a dollar. He was holding her and she was smiling and and they both looked extremely happy... it was a picture he took with him every where.. it had been taken when their relationship was still new... it reminde dhim of just how far they'd come.

He watched her look at the picture for a long moment. He hadn't shut the door completely because he hadn't wanted to alert her that hew as in here too. She looked beautiful in the blue dress that shew ore, simple but nice... nice enough for the place they were gonig to... Kypton on the other hand had to change... and he had something for her. He'd gone earlier that morning and gotten a corsage and botuneire for them to wear... theyw ere blue like her dress.. it kind of reminded him of the igh shcool dances he'd never gotten to go to and that she'd chosen not to go to because she was to focused on her work and her parents woudln't elt her anyway. She turned ot him and he couldn't keep the smile off his face. He fiddled with the button of his shirt and then decided that he would go into the adjoining closeet to change... not that he minded having Ella around.. they lived together it simply felt strange knowing that a bunch of people were waiting and they were in here together... he was certain that their imaginations were probalyl running wild, wondering what they were doing... if someone walked in Kypton didn't want to help confirm their suspicions, afte rall some people did get passed Joel and hsi band of security guards that traveled with them and that woudl be going wtih him on the tour.

He admitted to her that he thougth things had gone well as she turned to look at him. He sighed, glad that it was over and that it had gone better then he'd initially expected it to go. He looked at her questioningly, wanting to know her opinion... she hadn't said anything since they'd entered the room. “That…” she sighed as if trying to pick her words carefully. Kypton walked forward and rested hands on her arms, gazing at her with a pateint expression.. he wasn't in any hurry to leave. “That was, beautiful.” She told him and she looked him in the eye. He loved it when she met his gaze... he was a major believer in eye contact and when she looked at him like this he felt like he was getting a glimspe into her soul... a glimpse of the real woman behind the barriers and the walls and the problems, the woman that he was trying to make her see... sometimes he felt like hew as tanding in front of a mirror trying to convince her that her relfection belonged to her and nto someone else... she seemed to think herself as weak with so many flaws but that was not what Kypton saw as he gazed into her eyes... that was not what he saw at all. “See, I was nervous for you too…” she told hiim in a teasing tone as she wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his shoulder. He in turn wrapped his arms around her and held her close.. burying hsi face in her hair that she'd meticulously curled just for their dinner together.

She ahd a sheer white shawl and the fabric kept his arms from brushing against her bare shoulders. He was okay with that... he kissed her neck briefly and then pulled back to rested hsi forehead against hers. "Well there's no reason to be nervous now..." he assured her with a smile as he kissed her lightly on the mouth. They gazed at each for a long time.. he could feel it... their reluctance to leave such a close proximety, over the past few weeks it seemd that they couldn't stand to be more then a few feet apart... and even then they had to be holding hands or touching in some way.. he took it as a good sign.. that maybe Ella's problem was finally reaching its exposition. He pulled back with a sigh. "I have to change..." he admitted as if it were som ekind of punishment. He grabbed the black garmet bag that Joel had laid over the back of the couch before he and Ella had gotten here. He steped into the closet and only took a moment to change. He pulled on his shoes and thought that he looked rather nice considering that he'd thrown it together late last night. He came out and looked over at Ella, straightening his tie he looked at her. "Want to fix it?" he asked and he smiled as she came over and his tie and fixed his collar. "I think we need to head out there... they probably wonder what we're doing in here?" he said with a smile as she continued to fix his collar. He didn't know what he woudl do wtihout her.

---

Hidden Silk

Gabrielle Muley

He told her that after the performance and signings he was taking her someone special. She asked what was something special so she would know how to dress, but he just smiled and she figured he was laughing at her. She had looked through her dresses and then Annie offered to go shopping with her and well she hadn’t seen the girl in so long she couldn’t turn down the offer. Kip just teased her wanting to look good for him…she just rolled her eyes and grabbed her bag and told him she would be back by eight. She came home he was asleep on the couch and she wondered how long she could sit on the armrest until he would wake up. She grabbed some dinner looked to see if she could find a moving on TV, gave up and then eventually played quiet waltz until he started tossing a bit and every so often it scared her and she stopped and jumped. And eventually she wracked out a loud classical and he jumped up while she just laughed at him. She didn’t do that often, but she was temped to do it a lot.

She walked into the dressing room and walked around. He had probably been in there once or twice in the past week. His sheet music was around the couch, water bottles were on the table and on the vanity. His jacket was on the couch, his suit was in a garment bag and the table had a photo strip of them…from early on in their relationship. It was probably two or three weeks after that day on the piano rooms, but she couldn’t count back that far. Well she could, but she felt that it didn’t matter that terribly. Well, she wasn’t obsessed with counting how many days were separated from what day. Either way, she looked at the picture and remembered how wonderful the day was. They took several walks through the park and it was always something about the park that made her feel so connected to the world and then when she was able to just look at him…it took her breath away. She loved moments like that. Just looking at him and her heart seemed to pause and skip several beats.

Heart skip a beat…she never knew what that was like until she met Kip. It was probably why she felt so odd at first when their attraction began and probably why she still questioned herself early in their relationship. She never expected herself to find this kind of joy in her life. It was wonderful and it just made her feel so excited to know that she had something to look forward to everyday. Spending time with him was probably…or was the best part of her life. Right now as she hugged him she felt his brush against her hair. She had spent half an hour curling her hair while she was waiting for him get dressed, get his clothes and warm up a bit before they got to the club. She never really did that, but since it was Valentine’s Day she felt that it was appropriate to look nice for him.

She loved to see him after the performances. He was always happy, relieved, and his final reaction was always good since all of his performances were wonderful. This was probably the best yet. It was a wonderful song and she could tell that it moved the entire room. And yet he walked of stage like nothing happen…there was a humility to that that the tabloid always praised him for. She always smiled and just loved to see him so at ease. Sure it was adorable to see him worry, but that was just because she knew that he was going to do wonderful.

She looked up at him and wondered what his surprise was all about, "Well there's no reason to be nervous now..." that was for sure. He quickly kissed her and she just smiled. They looked at each other for a long time. For some reason it was only the lyrics of the song that she could dwell on. It always interested her how his daily words were just soothing and everyday and once in a while he would be bold. But when writing music he took every moment to make it so touching…moving…amazing, "I have to change..." he said as he stepped away as he sighed heavily and grabbed the clothes bag and went into the closet. I didn’t take him too long. She sat on the couch, as he walked out the closet straightening his tie. He looked wonderful…handsome. She felt and wondered and had to second guess herself…did she sigh out a wow when he came out of the closet. He looked good, "Want to fix it?" he teased. She looked at him and took the tie as she walked towards him and yanked him towards her with a laugh. She adjusted his tie so it was evenly taught and then his collar so it was even. He wanted to look good for his fans and she wondered what they were thinking about right now…he walks out of the dressing room in different clothes. Surely they were thinking what was going on. That made her slightly nervous…hopefully the fans weren’t planning on asking her anything, "I think we need to head out there... they probably wonder what we're doing in here?" Gabrielle just laughed at his expression.

“Humm, just what I was thinking.” She mused. She had to sigh a bit and wondered how difficult the crowds would be. Hopefully not bad. They walked out the door and there were a few security guards and Joel on the side of the door when they stepped out. He took her hand and this would be a slow walk through the crowd. She hoped the fans had pens because he never carried one. Joel handed him one on the way out of the room. There was a group of young teenagers jumping up and down and they were rather ecstatic and happy to see him. They were screaming and jumping around. Asking for his signature, talking questions…open CD cases, the cover flying around, CDs being signed. She loved seeing him smile and know that he had fans. She was sure he was excited, but there were a few fans that didn’t want to let go when he came close. She was slightly worried but laughed when he laughed it off and made his way further down the line of fans and closer to the door which she was sure that he was eager to get to. He wouldn’t stop talking about his surprise and surely he figured that it would drive her crazy when she wanted to know what the huge deal was.

---

MystMoonstruck

Easy “Cat” Tanner

Purely on impulse, Easy moved forward to once more take her in his arms, pulling her against him, his mouth finding hers but not taking or demanding but instead exploring, seeking those faint movements that told him what it was she wanted most, following those leads as his fingers gently stroked her skin, seeming to trace patterns as they wandered, sensitizing with skill. As he emitted a blissful sound very near a purr, he listened for like sounds for her, needing to hear her pleasure, hoping for it. In truth, all he needed to do was to apply those caresses that he himself desired most, understanding what each movement and gesture felt like, as if he could lure similar treatment from his partner. While some might have considered this analytical, it had become second nature for him, his skill in bringing pleasures to others, sometimes neglecting his own.

At last, he knew he must yield, given that this was far from private~though he knew that the Parisians could be quite open with their lovemaking.

Nearly breathless, his face flushed, Easy echoed her question: “Why did I kiss you? Because I wanted to, needed to. I think you needed me to, Evea. Since the library… Remember? I~I’m not linin’ up to use you. I been used plenty myself, only I like it, even when I know I’m gonna be dumped right after. Most of the time, I want it that way." Smiling faintly, he stroked her face with the back of his fingers, tawny eyes studying her intently. “I ain’t~um~won’t push for anything more ‘cause I don’t think that would be right. That maybe would be using you to~to get by for a while. I know you got others you prob’ly want more, and maybe you know what I really want~who I really want. So, I don’t want you to think you’re some kind of substitute. I won’t do that to you. But, this…” He gently kissed her. “Just kissing isn’t a big deal, is it? I like kissing.” He smiled faintly, the heat in him dying down enough to be tolerable. “I figure I’m not the kind of guy you dream about.” His expression tilted into a rueful grin. “You’re beautiful, and you know it. But, I don’t think you’re like me. I don’t think you feel like you’re gonna go crazy if you don’t… Well… You know. But me… Phaedra~my m-mother~was a druggie for a long time, and I remember what she was like when she needed somethin'. That’s what sex is for me. I needed to touch and kiss somebody, and, like I said, we almost did at the library, didn’t we? We would have. Maybe that was in the air between us, and I finally had to do it. I know you have guys in your life. I know I don’t amount to nothin’, but that’s OK. Thank you. I mean, really, thank you. You could have slugged me. I’d’ve deserved it. Y’know, I wish I had your guy trouble. Fat chance of that, huh?” He hesitated then had to ask, suddenly bashful, head bowed, peering up at her through his lashes, “You really wanted me to kiss you again?”

---

~DORIAN GRAYSON~ANIME EASY X 3~CAT CLASS & CAT STYLE~GEMSTONES~PRISONER~

angelofthenight

Kypton West

He watched as she adjusted his collar. He tried to focus on everything except the feeling of her hands as they brushed against his neck while she adjusted his collar. He closed his eyes, it was a good thing she wasn't paying attention to his facial expressions. He was certain that he would have that look on his face that he got when he held her for to long. She said it was almost wistful like he wanted something but at the same time was content not having it. To tell her that the thing he wanted was her, to show her what loving someone really meant but he knew that if he tried to go in that direction problems would arise. Though her problem hadn't really been a problem for the past couple of weeks he was still wary about pushing his luck and he was glad that she finally pulled her hands away and declared him fit to see his people. he told her that they should probably head out since the fans would probably be speculating over what they were doing in the dressing room. They'd been in there for at least twenty minutes and considering the fact that Kypton was coming out in completely different attire then he'd entered the room in... he just hoped there would be no people from the media that had seen Ella come in with him or else they could have problems in tomorrows magazines.

Ella laughed, she seemed almost amused at the thought of the fans speculating about what they were doing but he also noted the nervous smile taht crossed her features. “Humm, just what I was thinking.” she said lighlty and Kypton nodded. He was rather reluctant to leave the privacy of the dressing room but he knew at this point he really didn't have a choice. He heard her sigh and he felt himself sigh along with her. He enjoyed his fans sure but only to a certain extent. Tonight he really just wanted to be out the door and on the way to the restaurant that he'd gotten reservations for over three weeks ago. It was Valentine's Day and Kypton knew where he was taking her would be packed tonight wtih couples enjoying the holiday. Ella had once told him that in India as a way to celebrate Valentine's Day certain groups bombed cities populated by American tourists to protest the Wersternization of the Middle East. Kypton had laughed and asked if she wanted him to get her firecrackers for Valentines' then but she'd only shoved him and said he shouldn't get her anything if he truly wanted to demonstrate his love for her... he'd only laughed again and gone out shopping for a gift for her shortly after.

He went out first if only to save Ella from the inital screams and shouts from the crowd. He was pelted with people imploring him to sign this and that, shake their hand.. they wanted a hug, a picture, a mariage proposal. He took Ella's hand and squezzed it as they were sucked up in the crowd. Joel handed him a pen and imediately started signing CD covers, answering questions and shaking hands. He had a genuine smile plastered on his face and he made sure to graciously thank anyone who gave him a compliment.. he was certain that his mother would have been proud of him. He saw the flashes of camera and he knew that his hope of the media being kept in the dark about this had been pointless... they would be all over it like ants drawn to a picnic. Kypton turned his gaze towards Ella and stopped walking amid the crowd seem to converge around them just like when you throw a pebble into the water. For a moment the water separates to let the pebble pass but the moment the pebble breaches the deeper water there is only left a ripple. It seemed the crowd had moved in around them and Kypton could see the door. He could feel the blinding flashes rather then see them at this point and he smiled over at her, placing a kiss lightly on her cheek to let her know that he was thinking more about getting out of here then anything else.

A couple of teenagers screamed as he passed as if his touch would burn them but Kypton simply smiled polietelya nd nodded at them. When you made the mistake fo shaking hands with people like that usually it ended disasterously. Kypton tried not to think of the last time he'd shaken a screamin girl's hand and then she'd followed him home and he'd felt like he needed to throw something to get her to leave.. kind of like a dog following you home, the only way to get rid of it was by throwing rocks or chasing it off. Eventually he went upstairs and she just kind of got tired sitting there waiting for im to come out. Kypton had told Ella bout and she wished that she had been there though he was certain she would have gone down and shooed off the girl long ago if she had been. Kypton pushed his way psssed another group of screaming girls and wondered why these kids didn't have curfews or were allowed to go and swoon over older men... it would happen with him but one of these days they were going to get excited over the wrong guy and they would get themselves into some kind of trouble... that was what Kypton told himself as he finally seemed ot near the door where the crowd was thickest... almost as if they didn't want him to get out.

He shook hands and greeted some people. Thanked them for coming and was glad that they enjoyed his music. He took more pictures and gave mor ehugs simply because he knew he was almost out. Ella seemed as much of a celebrity as him. People were asking all kinds of questions about them. How did they meet? How long had they known each other? Generic questions like that. Then there were the strange ones like what did he wear to bed? Are there things he does that you can't stand? Those kinds of things that made Kypton both uneasy and want to laugh at the same time. Finally Kyptonr eached the door and pushing through it cold air met his face. He took a breath and looked over at her. She was simling and he wasn't sure if it was because they were out of the crowds or if it was because that had probably been the most crazy the audience had been at any of his performances. Kypton took her into his arms. "Well we survive..." he said with a smile as he brushed her hair off her shoulder. "I think that's grounds for a celebration..." he said, pickinga piece of lint off the front of her dress and caressing her cheek with the same hand once he'd tossed it away. "Should we get a taxi or do you want to walk?" He asked.. it was a nice night.. but he knew she had problems walking in heels.. it was all up to her.

---

Hidden Silk

Gabrielle Muley

She knew this would be a crazy…or probably the craziest crowd in his career. His second album, sure it wasn’t that much time between his first and now and so not all the people that would knew him today would be the same people who knew him three weeks from now…which was when Joel told them that it would hit the US. It was so exciting to know that Kip was excited about this album. He worked hard…those hours…his much needed days off, even when she had to call and convince Joel that he would lose his voice if he didn’t get at least a day or two off. So much hard work and this huge crowd was just the beginning of his rewards. She looked at him while she adjusted his tie. He looked really good…and he pulled his all together last night. She had slept early last night due to the fact she had most of her work pulled out before she needed to.

She figured that this would be one interesting walk through. It seemed like they would paddling around them. She just smiled and was excited to see so many smiling faces. Walking through the crowd was crazy. There were so many fans and hopefully it would just be his reassurance that his career was going place…it was shocking to realize how far he has gone. He was easily brought down by a single negative comment, but hopefully this crowd would turn that comment around. The flashes were crazy. Both professional and digital cameras. She felt that she was squinting for the first few seconds of it but Kip was smiling and that caused her to smile as well. He went first and she followed as he held her hand. He was signing and taking pictures and soon enough she was following from behind. Hugs and everything soon enough people were asking her for a hug some little girl asked for a signature. She asked her why and she just said that it was because she inspired his songs…that made her wonder. Did he really use her as his muse most of the time? She just smiled and was thankful she had a pen she could use. She gave her a hug and thanked her for being a sweet fan. The others were teenaged girls. One even said she played the violin and French horn…how did she know that she was learning the violin? She just took it into stride and signed her music book. The other girls just asked questions…how did she get started at the Opera, what did she think about the magazine articles, what was truth and myth…everything. Some of the teenagers had the oddest questions and she was somewhat wondering exactly what gossip did she miss in high school.

She wondered exactly what her classmates thought of the Bollywood stars of their time…the media seemed a bit too explicit for her. She didn’t really like it and they always seemed to relate everything to something of an awkward manner and the acting was odd…the Soap Opera were overly dramatic…she didn’t really like much of the arts in India. The good thing was that music was always the same. Classical was classical, pop was pop, Opera was Opera, everything was the same in the idea. She was glad too.

They started getting closer to the door. He gently kissed her on the cheek and she heard a few awws and she just started to laugh. They continued down and she knew that he as thinking about getting out. They both didn’t like crowded places all that much. She just smiled and tried to hear a few soft spoke fans…those were usually the ones that admired him but weren’t very confident and Gabrielle knew exactly how they felt. She liked those fans, because they seemed the most mature about their admiration and didn’t think crazy thoughts…a few others were a good conversation and a fun conversation, but at times their conversations seemed like déjà vu. It was rather odd. Walking down further she wondered how far she was from the door. She was tall, but not all that tall.

She smiled as she just followed Kip when he took her hand again. She just thanked everyone who said that she was lucky, she had a wonderful man…she started blushing a bit…it was odd to be recognized by the girl who dates Kip West…but that’s pretty much how her fans saw her as. Some avoided her and others were nice to her…like that little girl. Final questions were asked a few reporters stole and eavesdropped on the questions the fans asked so she had to watch what she answered and what she turned down. Eventually he reached the door and cool breeze came through past the heat of the room. They waved to the fans and walked out. It was close to pointless since it was a glass window. She was glad she just had a shawl because the cool air was a nice breeze to feel. He looked at her and smiled, "Well we survive..." she just laughed. She was surprised they did. He brushed her hair and she just smiled.

"I think that's grounds for a celebration..." he started in a cheesy tone as he picked a bit of lint off her dress and she subconsciously check after him and he gently touched her cheek. She just rolled her eyes and smiled. He pulled her close to him and she closed her eyes. She even forgot that they all were in club. The doors were closed until they cleaned or else Kip and Ella would spend the evening running to the restaurant, "Should we get a taxi or do you want to walk?"

She just shrugged and she really didn’t care, “Walking would be splendid.” She didn’t mind her heels…she figured that it would be okay to walk. She smiled as she wondered what would he planned.

OOC: END SCENE BIC:

---

witch

Evea Perry

Time and time again her world seemed to have spun away from her, almost as if in a story where she finally got used to one world, the rules that it held and the people only to then be uplifted and dumped in a different plan that was as different as day was to night. One would think she'd be used to it by now with the life she led but in truth it just seemed to get harder and harder to leave.

When she had kissed Easy she had felt confused and dazed one moment thinking it was the right thing to do the next... still he was like her, something she only now realized and maybe that was all she could ask for, a fleeting moment in time and nothing more. Still, there was that question of why he had kissed her, was he falling for her in some small form or was he to using her... or... or need he just need to be close to someone like everyone in the world did at one time or another?

He seemed to answer her last question easily he once more reaching out to her which in turn answered her question a fact made clear when he kissed her again exploring the world opening to him as his fingers danced across her skin seeming to itch to do so and more.

As his name sack suggested he seemed to start to purr telling her more then anyone else so far that he was enjoying it she merely letting out a small pleasured moan, knowing that it could be nothing more.

Still, that didn't seem to stop either of them, they only pulling apart when breath was completely lost for otherwise one might think them ready to jump into bed together to then never leave it.

It was only with a redness in his cheeks and Evea making sure they stayed apart for at lest a little while that he finally spoke.

“Why did I kiss you? Because I wanted to, needed to. I think you needed me to, Evea. Since the library… Remember? I~I’m not linin’ up to use you. I been used plenty myself, only I like it, even when I know I’m gonna be dumped right after. Most of the time, I want it that way."

A mere nod of understanding and slight agreement as his fingers once more trailed upon her cheek his eyes burning into hers as he did so.

“I ain’t~um~won’t push for anything more ‘cause I don’t think that would be right. That maybe would be using you to~to get by for a while. I know you got others you prob’ly want more, and maybe you know what I really want~who I really want. So, I don’t want you to think you’re some kind of substitute. I won’t do that to you. But, this…”

She waited, her eyes more open to him before his lips once more brushed against hers further in bedding the thought that he was having a hard time hold back she caving a little as she let him.

“Just kissing isn’t a big deal, is it? I like kissing.”

At this her face fell a memory coming back to her of a night started on the dance floor and a kiss sheared between friends. After that, god, after had been almost a nightmare Evrard losing his cool over a simple kiss where he himself had kissed many a seeming betrayal on her part. She was lost in these thoughts for a moment still trying to form an answer that she was lost to there here and now for awhile only to arrive back to hear Easy saying.

“You’re beautiful, and you know it. But, I don’t think you’re like me. I don’t think you feel like you’re gonna go crazy if you don’t… Well… You know. But me… Phaedra~my m-mother~was a druggie for a long time, and I remember what she was like when she needed somethin'. That’s what sex is for me. I needed to touch and kiss somebody, and, like I said, we almost did at the library, didn’t we? We would have. Maybe that was in the air between us, and I finally had to do it. I know you have guys in your life. I know I don’t amount to nothin’, but that’s OK. Thank you. I mean, really, thank you. You could have slugged me. I’d’ve deserved it. Y’know, I wish I had your guy trouble. Fat chance of that, huh?”

A half smile was painted on her lips then not really knowing what to say or do, those memories from before weighing lightly on her mind but heavily on her heart.

“You really wanted me to kiss you again?”

Suddenly she looked up seeing Easy looking at her through a bowed head and long lashes a sigh falling from her lips as she tired to think of what to say.

"Yes," she said simply "I think I felt like you just needing someone. I know I'm craved and lusted over but no one seems to want to stay maybe I wanted you to kiss me again because at lest with you we know where we stand."

She stopped then bringing her fingertips to her lips before her hand once more dropped away.

"You say I'm beautiful, that's all anyone seems to see, they don't see the inner heart, the inner soul they don't look deeper maybe I needed to forget that for awhile."

Evea looked up at Easy then to simply just look at him for a moment or two before biting her bottom lip and asking.

"If I let you, how close would you WANT to get to me?"

A heavy question but one she really needed an answer to, for reasons more then just the most forward.

---

Mrs Nadir Khan

OOC: Sorry for the wait! BIC:

Madeleine de Chandon

Madeleine paid for her drink and took to scanning the room. If her eyes weren’t deceiving her, the nightclub catered to a predominantly couple-oriented demographic. Maybe, if she felt so inclined to start a catfight, she’d flirt with someone’s drunken husband or boyfriend. That might make the evening a little more entertaining. After all, people-watching wasn’t nearly as much fun as partaking in some action.

But, it seemed, as a man-shaped shadow fell over Madeleine, that she wouldn’t have to go out of her way to get some action after all.

"What is this?"

Madeleine looked up from her drink and smiled. She knew that tone all too well. She used it on any particularly attractive being she made conversation with. And now, a man was using it on her. An older man. On the one hand, Madeleine was reminded of her Rouge days. Back then, she’d been in her twenties and fawned over by drunken, middle-aged men who were gentlemen in all the other districts of Paris and depraved bastards in the reddish glow of the infamous club’s lights. Madeleine had always enjoyed the attention, however tainted. That made her sound like a complete harlot. Better phrased, Madeleine was flattered for all the right reasons. The man was attractive, if a bit older than what Madeleine usually went for. She read people to the best of her ability and she supposed that if she had to pin this man in a social class, he’d be of some classy middle-to-upper echelon. And they were in a relatively respectable venue. That she was eye-catching here was almost like a compliment. She watched as the man slid into the seat beside her. Older than she, he might have been. But that man moved with rapid fluidity. Old geezer, he was not.

"An empty chair beside the most beautiful woman in this room," he said, the left corner of his mouth turning upward in a charmed smile. "These boys are either blind or are cowards."

Madeleine chuckled and she leaned comfortably towards him. Not too brashly, but Madeleine was no blushing flower.

“But you, sir,” she said grinning and letting her eyes rove over his mature features. “Are neither.”

A challenge, an over-confident bastard, or a fool. That’s what he was. Madeleine wasn’t about to pretend she had him all figured out in an instant. Or, well, maybe she would.

“Madeleine,” she said by way of introduction. “And you are?”

Other than attractive, I mean.

---

.

Banners by Jon, Rose, Kearyn, and me. All rights reserved.