Who: Edward and Kerr What: Going Out for Dinner When: Tuesday 14th September - Evening Where: In town Hollywood Rating: Medium - Sadness, issues and all the feels Status: Complete
It was all a bit unconventional, but let’s face it Edward wasn’t exactly the most conventional guy around, He was a vampire after all and they were known for being a bit… strange, which was why most people seemed to keep their distance from them - except for when it was carnival time, he had learned just what it was that drew in the punters for the Coochie show and how to articulate it without appearing crude driving people away. It often had the opposite effect and his charm seemed to draw more men in willing to spend a bit of coin to watch the beautiful ladies perform.
But now, he was driving into the main part of Hollywood in the early evening with a different passenger in the seat beside him. His pet had shown loyalty towards him many times over the past few weeks and he thought it was about time that they were rewarded for it.
A nice meal out.
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Edward had sent her a message to just dress nicely and meet him in the motorpool, so Kerr did. She made sure to wash up and be presentable for him, not sure what he had planned, but for some reason she trusted him. He accepted her and had helped her learn so much about herself and skills that made her better at life. “Yea, the kid’s doing well.” She acknowledged at Edward’s question as they pulled up to the front of a place with a valet. It looked nice, she wasn’t sure why they’d stopped there, glancing down the street to see if she could see where he was planning on going. “Stable on all four legs an’ quite energetic. But momma still won’t take him back.” She sort of knew that feeling.
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It was nice to hear that the little kid was going well despite its stressful entrance to the world, though Edward wasn’t surprised that the mother wouldn’t take it back when she already had two to feed, again he was reminded of his human youth of the calves and lambs having to be fed from a bucket or some kind of bottle because either the mother had passed away or they did not want to feed their young.
It was a nice restaurant that he had made a reservation at, although he knew he wouldn’t be eating anything it was more for the sake of Kerr. When they got out of the car he handed the keys to the valet and smiled widely at him before looking at his companion. “Come, they say the food here is delicious.”
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Kerr paused as they got out of the car, looking from the restaurant to Edward to down the street and back. “You mean this place?” She asked, gesturing to the glass doors a maitre d was holding open the door for them. “Oh no, this is way to nice a place.” She shook her head. “I’m not even wearing tie, everyon’ else is wearin’ a tie.” Kerr touched her collar and looked to Edward, waiting for him to tell her it was a joke.
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“You’ll be fine, I’m sure they won’t mind .” Although it looked fancy and most people were wearing ties outside, he had found out from Domino that it was a bit more laid back once you got past the entrance and into the restaurant itself. Edward ushered Kerr through with a hand on the shoulder, afterall with Kerr’s dress she looked like a young man and he didn’t want to appear too friendly which might raise eyebrows, so he was acting more like a sibling or other relative, just one family member showing another to a nice restaurant in town.
After giving his name they were shown to a booth by the wall that was a bit towards the back and he sat facing the room and let Kerr sit opposite as they were handed menus. “It’s my treat tonight.”
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She followed, feeling quite self conscious about everything, not believing she fit in. “Okay.” She said when he said he’d pay. Kerr knew there was no way what she made at the carnival would be able to afford a dinner as nice as that place. After sitting the waiter came around to take their drink order. Kerr just said a beer and the man gave her a look as if she’d offended him and handed Edward the wine menu, informing both of them he’d be back once they had a chance to pursue the options.
Frowning, Kerr turned to the menu and wrinkled her nose a bit. There were a lot of words she didn’t know mixed with some she did. Her eyes glanced around at a few of the tables and the food they had looked real good, but she had no idea what they were when she looked at the menu. Maybe a beef, or chicken. She raised the menu a bit to hide her struggle from Edward as she tried to find something she might be able to say and just get that.
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Working at Zion didn’t really pay well, not that they needed a lot of money when most things were provided for, what Kerr and most of the carnival didn’t know was that Edward would take the money from those he killed when he and Eva went hunting and also that he had quite a bit of gold hidden away in the wagon that if he needed the money he’d find somewhere to sell it, it was a currency that didn’t seem to age and he could always cash in. That was how he afforded the nice clothes and gifts for Eva and now Kerr.
Edward had a small smile as Kerr asked for a beer but waited until the waiter had gone before he spoke. “Fancy places such as this usually only serve wine or occasionally cocktails, I’ll see if there’s something on here you might like.” He looked over the wine menu to see if there was anything that might appeal to Kerr and wasn’t at all feminine.
After making his decision he glanced at the food menu, even though he wouldn’t be eating he knew that some of the words might be a bit strange to Kerr. “At the top are the starters, main courses are usually in the middle with desserts at the bottom.” He said softly, pointing out the layout of the menu. “It all depends on what you’re in the mood for. Beef, fish or chicken.” None of it appealed to him, even the smell of the cooked food was almost off putting but Edward didn’t let it show.
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The menu lowered slightly and Kerr peeked over it with a quiet ‘thank you’. “What about this one?” She asked, pointing to a place on the menu- not that Edward could read it at the angle she had it at. “Steat Tart, that sounds nice.”
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He looked at his own menu and figured out what it was Kerr was looking at. Steak Tartare. “If you were one of the big cats maybe, it’s just raw ground meat served with an egg yolk.” He said, the idea of eating raw meat didn’t sit right, that was what the animals, or the weres did, not civilized humans. “Any of the other steaks are alright, they will cook it to how you like it, rare or well done.”
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Kerr wrinkled her nose again, that did not sound good, and why an egg yolk? “No, no… What is fill-et mig-no-n? Or steak minute?” Pronounced the English way and not the French as intended of course. “Both beef righ’?” They were all grouped together so she assumed as much. “Maybe th’ steak minute, I can at least say tha’ one.”
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For someone who just a few short months ago could not read at all Edward thought that Kerr was doing a great job at sounding out the words that she was reading, the fact that some of the words were French made it that bit harder for her but he could tell what she was saying. “They are indeed. Filet is a larger and thicker cut, minute is thinner but apparently just as nice. If you want vegetables or a salad with it just say what you’d like.” He smiled again over at Kerr, proud of his little pet.
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When the waiter came over she ordered, thankfully since Edward had said the words she didn’t know, she didn’t butcher them as bad as she had the first time. But that didn’t stop the waiter from giving her a look. He referred to her as ‘Sir’ when he spoke to her which made her feel admittedly a bit strange. She was used to it around Zion, but from strangers it was odd for some reason- welcomed, but odd. Edward ordered the drink and the waiter took the menus from them.
Kerr folded her hands before her, feeling very out of place. “He prolly thinks I’m simple.” She muttered, fiddling with the cloth napkin. The place was fancy enough they could clean their napkins after each person used them. Hell, they had napkins. She knew Edward meant well, and it was nice that he thought her worthy of being in a place such as they were, but she didn’t see what he saw.
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Edward thought that Kerr did a good job telling the waiter her order, but it seemed like the waiter had already made his decision about them, not that Edward really cared what this pathetic human thought, maybe he’d say Kerr was from out of town and hadn’t eaten in a place like this before. He’d see the future actions held.
“He probably just thinks that he’s better than everyone else, I used to know men like him back in England, ignore anything he says or the looks he gives you. I think you’re doing great.”
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“Thank you.” She smiled softly. Kerr knew her accent wasn’t exactly high brow English either, and didn’t help her. “So, you didn’ really say why we’re here.” It was something she’d been wondering since they’d arrived. Hell, since he said he wanted to take her out somewhere. “What lesson is this?”
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Well he did just want to take her out somewhere, although her tent was well away from everyone else’s and any noises from their… lessons didn’t reach them since his altercation with Marty, Edward had become more cautious than before, wondering if that pathetic excuse of a man was planning something else or even spying on them. He also thought that she deserved a bit of a treat for all her hard work and no one else seemed to appreciate it.
“A real life lesson.” Edward smiled in return. “See how you go out here away from the comfort of the carnival. And I have heard this place has delicious food but I am unable to partake in it myself.”
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“Not used t’bein out. Back before, always had t’be careful about th’law.” Kerr reminded him. “Zion’s always been a safe place… Never really did well in the real world.” It wasn’t until she’d come to Zion that she’d actually felt she had a place. Even though she still felt like she didn’t fit into the various social groups, she had a job and contributed and that felt good. Finding out about her gift with animals had been eye opening as well. But outside Zion? People were cruel and mean and… well until recently she didn’t think that would affect her within the carnival.
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“Well you’re safe here.” Edward said, just then the waiter came with the bottle of wine and as the waiter went to pour some into his glass Edward put a hand over the top. “None for me thank you.” The waiter just shrugged and poured some into Kerr’s glass before saying the mains wouldn’t be too much longer and walking away. “I don’t think anyone would be looking for you, or me here in 1950.” Though he knew things would change when they got back to 1920, might as well enjoy it now while they could.
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“No, not here. But that doesn’ change how it feels.” Kerr replied, taking up her glass after the waiter left. “It’s almost worse, bein’ honest. With everything bein’ so different.” She took a sip of the wine. It wasn’t bad, but she’d never order it on her own. “I feel safe with you though.” She told him, not in a romantic way. She honestly felt like he would protect her, like a mentor or family.
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What Kerr was saying was true, one didn’t just stop looking over their shoulder just because they were currently 30 years into their own future, who knew what was around the next corner and Edward would never let his guard down, even in 2020 he was cautious about where he went and when. “I am glad that you feel safe around me, I promise that I will never hurt you and I am a man of my word.” He smiled across the table, he just hoped that he could keep her safe from some of the threats inside of Zion.
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“I heard some of the roustabouts talking the other day… apparently the Reverend punched Marty?” Kerr asked, wondering if somehow Edward had made that happen.
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Edward had heard about that, and had a good laugh at it long before their own altercation which Kerr had probably not heard of either. “That wouldn’t surprise me, he called me a variety of foul things and spat at me not long ago.” But he wouldn’t go into what Marty had said to him, the less Kerr knew about that the better.
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“Oh.” Kerr frowned, it troubled her that he’d done that. Marty had been so sweet to her, accepting of her. Sure, he’d gotten bored of her- which was to be expected- but he was one of the first people who knew she was a girl but accepted- and liked- that she looked like a boy. Edward too of course, but Marty brought new insight into it. “I’m sorry. You shouldn’ have t’have that happen because of me.”
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Before Edward could say anything more the waiter arrived back with Kerr’s steak and asked again if Edward was sure that he didn’t want anything, again a simple ‘no thank you’ and the waiter nodded and went on his way. When he was out of earshot Edward returned to the conversation. “It’s not your fault at all. He just doesn’t like me.”
He glanced down at the steak and some vegetables that were on Kerr’s plate. “Eat up while it’s still nice and warm.” Hopefully it was enjoyable.
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“He was real nice in the beginning.” She said as she started to cut into her steak. “Not quite sure what happened.” What she did wrong. “But, I suppose everyone is real nice in the beginning- before you get boring.” Kerr took a bite of her steak. It was really good, she couldn’t remember ever eating something so good. Yes, Zion had wonderful meals, but they were designed to feed a ton of people, so they didn’t really have rich cuts of steak. “Mmm.” She found herself humming at the taste and put a hand over her mouth, embarrassed.
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Edward had a pretty good idea of why Marty had gotten ‘bored’ with Kerr, but again he kept it to himself. No one else had to know the reason why Kerr only seemed to find that sexual satisfaction with him and no one else, that was what Marty had yelled at him about, not that he cared about the accusations either.
As for the food, it wasn’t something that Edward had ever partaken in since living in Zion, although he doubted that they’d ever have something this luxurious. He chuckled when Kerr covered her mouth. “Hum away, enjoy every bite of it.”
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“It’s really good.” She admitted after swallowing. “Delia’s a brilliant cook, but this is…” Kerr just didn’t have words to describe it. “So… do you not like to eat…food?” She asked in a whisper. “Or is it something you can’t do?” Kerr was curious. She didn’t really know how vampires worked, just what she’d perceived. And she did feel a little rude eating while he was just sitting there.
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A steak in a fancy restaurant would be something that Edward doubted that Kerr had ever experienced before, especially with so many rough years just fighting to survive. Kerr deserved good things, even if she didn’t think that she did. Taking Eva out for a ‘meal’ was a completely different experience to this and far bloodier, this was civil and somewhat nice. The questions raised an eyebrow though, she was interested in what it was like for him. “No, I cannot eat this..” he indicated the plate of food in front of Kerr. “my body wouldn’t be able to process it and I am pretty sure it would just make me sick.” He didn’t want to go into the rather gruesome side of being a vampire, not over dinner.
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Kerr frowned a little. “Sorry.” She hoped she’d not offended him. “Kinda sad though, not bein’ able t’enjoy… Not having it sometimes, foods always been somethin’ that is happy for me.” She explained. “Eating can make me feel… whole.” Her eyes narrowed in thought slightly, not sure she was explaining herself right. Of course, she never over ate, just her serving and that was all… but that’s all she needed to feel some contentment. “But I bet there are a lotta other things that make it worth it… also prolly can’t get fat or anythin’ if ya don’t eat like this.” It was an attempt at a joke.
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Food no longer had that satisfaction for him, the delicious smells that had at one time made him salivate now seemed to be nothing more than an odd scent in the wind. “It does smell appetizing.” He lied. There was probably still an ounce of humanity buried deep inside of him but it was something he couldn’t recall anymore, or even when his last human meal had been, so much of his life he had lived this way and would until the day that he died by the hand of someone else. “Well I don’t have to eat three or so times a day anymore, three times a week seems to be enough. But if the opportunity arises we must take it, it must be like when you were on the street, never know where the next meal will be coming from.”
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She nodded. “Times had I’d go days on a couple slices a bread.” Kerr frowned cutting herself another piece of steak. “Never woulda dreamed a meal like this. Actually most regular I ate was when I was locked up. ‘Fore I found Zion I often wondered why I gave it up and left.” But despite the food, it wasn’t a good place. She took another bite, her eyes closed as she savored the taste, committing every moment to memory..
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There were times where Edward had gone days on just the blood from one person, so in a way he could relate, how the body weakened without the sustenance needed. But he couldn’t imagine what it was like for his young pet when she was locked up in a jail for the theft crimes she had committed in order to survive. “Well I do hope that you are enjoying it. I thought that with all your hard work that you might enjoy a night away from Zion.” The real world lesson was a bonus.
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“I am.” Though the place was still too fancy for her, and she didn’t think she deserved it, she was having a nice time. It was almost a peek into what her life might have been like had her Aunt taken her with her when she married the-
Kerr’s smile faded as she turned her focus back to her food in a more determined and protective way of eating that she’d been doing. When she first moved to Zion she always ate really fast and kept her plate close to her, but she’d eventually learned that no one was going to be taking it from her and she could relax. In that moment, with those thoughts, she reverted a bit to how she’d been before.
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Edward would disagree, there were only two humans that he was kind of friendly with and he knew that his Bally performer Domino had eaten at places like this before, heck Edward had made the reservation at the young man’s recommendation. Kerr was the only one he thought would appreciate it. Eva would just be pushing food around the plate and looking for someone to drain the life out of.
He did notice when Kerr moved the plate closer to herself and started eating quicker. Reaching over the table he placed a hand on top of the hand with the fork in it. “Slow down, you’re going to give yourself a belly ache.” Edward said in a soothing voice, well he hoped it was soothing.
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“Sorry.” She muttered, a bit ashamed. It was probably unseemly in a place like that. Kerr slowed, eating a few more bites before stopping completely. She placed her fork and knife down and just looked down at the plate. “I’m sorry… I need to use the washroom.” She rose and quickly moved from the table. Thankfully there was a kind waiter (not theirs) who pointed her in the right direction.
Kerr arrived at a small alcove with two signs, one for men and one for ladies. Her hand ran down her chest, flattened by the binder and she looked at the two doors a long moment. She wasn’t a man, but she looked like one. If she went into the women's restroom would someone say something? If she went into the men’s she… she’d never been in a men’s before what if someone figured out she wasn’t really a guy? She found herself backing up and sitting on a bench outside the two rooms. In truth she didn’t really have to go, she just couldn’t let Edward see her upset. She didn’t belong in a place so fancy. It was meant for people who weren’t expendable, who weren’t boring. Her Aunt had given her everything, every chance to be a perfect little girl, but she wasn’t good enough. She was replaceable. Replaceable people didn’t belong in nice places with cloth napkins and fancy dishes.
How did Edward not see what the rest of the world saw?
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After a few minutes he realised that Kerr mustn't have really gone to the bathroom, she would've returned by now. He got up and informed the waiter that they'd be back and slipped him some money to keep an eye on the table.
Edward found Kerr sitting on the bench between the bathrooms, he could see that she was upset and wasn't exactly sure why, women he could never understand. "Are you alright?"
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She sat up, clearing her throat. There were no tears, those were rare for her, but she did feel a weight on her. “I’m fine.” Kerr nodded. “Wasn’ sure which t’use.” She lied. She wasn’t a good liar. A pit formed in her stomach when she did it. “But I dun really have t’go anyway.” She got up and started to head back to the table.
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He had learned after several years with Eva that the presence of tears didn’t mean anything, it was that look in her eyes that gave it away. He also knew that she was lying about having to use the bathroom but again, didn’t say anything about it, he’d keep her a happy pet by believing what she said. When she stood up and started to walk away Edward held out a hand to stop her. “You just needed a few minutes alone, that’s alright. A place like this can be overwhelming.”
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“I don’ belong here.” She told him, her face screwing into an unhappy expression as she looked at the ground. But she stopped at his hand. “A place like this is for perfect little girls who grow int’fancy ladies with handsome husbands.” Her voice was soft, but it was clear she believed every word. “I never was a perfect lil’ girl. I asked too many questions, got dirty, was always in the way. I always tore my dresses an’ ‘proper girls don’t play with rodents’.” Her voice changed slight, clearly imitating someone. Even back then, she had an affinity for animals. While she couldn’t talk to them, the squirrels in the yard always seemed to like her.
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He took a few steps closer, pulling Kerr into his arms and not really caring who saw them. “Do you think that all the movie stars on the walls here had perfect lives before they became famous? I doubt it. They had normal jobs and some were probably even like you were. But they had the stubbornness to push past it all and make something of themselves. And that’s exactly what you’ve done.” A hand brushed through Kerr’s hair in a soothing manner. “You have thrown off those shackles and you’re free of her, of whatever it was she expected of you. Fancy dresses or not, this is a place that the only thing that matters is your money. Now what say we go back to the table, you finish off your meal and we go for a walk?”
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Kerr nodded, “Okay.” She rested her head on his shoulder a moment before they returned to the table. She spent the rest of the meal in silence, trying to enjoy the food which had sort of lost a bit of it’s novelty flavor. It was still the best meal she’d ever had, but it felt undeserved and not as magical as it had been the first few bites.
Once the check was paid, they left and went for a walk down the street. Kerr walked with her hands in her pockets and didn’t say anything for a long moment. It was cool outside, which was nice, but there was something scratching at her. Eventually she spoke. “I didn’t throw anything off.”
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Edward was glad that Kerr finished her meal, though he could see that she didn’t enjoy it as much as she had at the beginning, but the mood had changed and it was more sombre than before. Still he didn’t say anything while she ate and after paying the bill without Kerr seeing how much it was he guided her down the street a bit. The fresh air might do them some good.
He looked at her when she spoke. “But you have. You got away from your old life and started a new one in Zion where you are proving to be an essential part of the crew. You help with the big cats and all the other animals.” A hand rested on her shoulder. “I’ve met those proper girls and I tell you, they are shallow, self centered and so very boring. You are none of those.”
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“Zion is good, I can’t argue that. An’ maybe all the things that happened, happened to get me there. I don’ know. But I know I’ve never been good enough.” Kerr blinked a few times, her eyes starting to water. “Bein’ in that fancy place… I could feel I didn’ fit. Jus’ like before.” She didnt’ shrug away from his touch, but didn’t lean into it either. “I would see her and her friends in all their pretty outfits, the men charming. I’d watch from the stairs sometimes… least until Auntie saw and-” Her head shook. “I tried so hard t’be good. Do all tha’she said… I owed her. She’d taken me in after my folks passed an’ didn’ need to. She fed me and gave me a home. An’ then she-”
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He knew exactly what ‘Auntie’ had done, she had left Kerr alone because the young girl didn’t fit into the new lifestyle that she wanted with her new husband. Edward had heard the tale before and each time he heard it there was a loathing that bubbled up inside of him. Human or not, one does not just throw kinship away so easily, that woman didn’t deserve Kerr and to make her believe that it was ‘saving’ her just added to his loathing. He still hoped that one day he might get to meet her, just to have the pleasure of sucking the life out of her and leaving her where she belonged, in the gutter with the vermin. “She used you. Someone just doesn’t slip away in the middle of the night leaving those they care about behind, you deserve better than that. You owe her nothing, now or ever again.”
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“They do, all th’ time.” Kerr said. “Sometimes they tell you they’re leaving, sometimes they don’t.” Her pace may have picked up a bit. Kerr rattled off a list of names, people she likely met on the street along with the approximate time in her life they’d left. “And then Marty. He said he was leaving, which was nice.” She took in a breath. “It’s what happens when you’re replaceable.” The world felt so heavy again.
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Edward kept pace beside Kerr as she rattled off names and times, he didn't want to interrupt her, better to get these burdens off her chest and hopefully she might feel better afterwards, although part of Edward's thought that there was a lot that Kerr was keeping hidden and this was what fuelled her fear about getting left alone, again.
When she said she was replaceable there was something inside Edward that almost snapped. He got hold of Kerr's shoulders and spun her around. "You are not replaceable! Do you think I'd be spending time with you if you were just like everyone else?" He was probably a bit more forceful than he would've liked to have been.
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She was a little startled, shocked at his tone and grip on her arms. It didn’t hurt, it was just unexpected. “I don’t know.” A couple tears slipped out of her eyes. Kerr swallowed. “I don’t know why you picked me.” Her words spilled out from somewhere deep and painful. “I’ve tried to figure it out. Like, if I knew what it is, maybe I could focus on being better at it so you’d stick around longer. You’ve said you’d never leave, and I want to believe that, but everyone says they’ll stay. Everyone says their my friend, or family or that they like me or something and they all leave eventually. Sometimes, it’s not as long if I’m not boring. That’s why I wanted to be good for Marty… but it didn’t work. I do my best job at Zion because I don’t want to lose my place.” While a part of her knew that Kristoph would never kick her out- she wasn’t sure why, but the man promise he’d made to her, and the one she’d made to him seemed to hold power. “I’ve never been special.” She remembered what Jean had told her, but at that moment it didn’t want to factor in. “I’ve never been wanted. I’ve always been used until something better comes along. I know my place.” Her eyes welled up, how did he not see it? How could he not accept her reality? Why was he trying to give her false hope? “I’m a placeholder.”
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He had known that Kerr was ‘tarnished goods’ so to speak, that her past was not an easy one and that had left her with a wide variety of issues that she had kept hidden for so long, now it seemed like they were bubbling to the surface and he was seeing that it went a lot deeper than her ‘aunt’ who had abandoned her when she was younger. Edward’s grip on her wasn’t overly tight, just enough that she couldn’t squirm free as he moved them both to the entrance of a small alley, out of the path and sight of others. “I am not your aunt, and I am definitely not anything like Marty,” he wanted to spit the name of that vile creature but he kept a straight face, Reaching up he brushed Kerr’s hair where it had fallen down across part of her face. “You are special Audrey, someday you’ll understand.”
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Her knees almost buckled at the name, thankfully he was holding her or she may have dropped to the floor. No one had actually called her by her real name in a long time. “Y-you make me feel special.” She was full on crying at that moment. The world felt as if it were falling away from her and she tried so hard to hold onto the feeling of him holding her up. “I don’t know how- why, but you do. When I’m around you… I forget sometimes that people leave. When you’re away I remember and wonder if tonight is the night our lessons end. And-” Her voice almost squeaked through the tears. “And then you show up. And I feel good again, happy, special. And I know if you were to give up on me-” She shook her head. “I can’t be boring to you. I can’t. You have to need me.”
“That’s why I didn’t want to mess up tonight at dinner… But I did. It was too much to hide how I didn’t fit in. I thought you’d finally see I wasn’t really special.” She was shaking slightly. “Please don’t see that.”
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He was pretty sure that Eva didn’t have these kinds of conversations with her pets, but then again her pets were males and maybe they weren’t as emotional or suffered from the same self doubt that Kerr did. But he was enjoying having her as his pet and in a weird way that would probably get him ridiculed by other Nightwalkers - he found himself starting to care for her. She needed someone to be there in her corner, to support her. To hear her words, how he made her feel special and that she needed his attention, maybe that was the kind of thrill that Eva got.
Edward pulled Kerr into a hug, still holding her up although her weight was next to nothing for his strength. “We will continue the lessons until such a time where you are sure you don’t need them anymore, I promise.” His hand was on the back of her head. “Maybe next time we will go to one of those diners, nothing fancy.”
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Her fingers gripped the lapel of his jacket. “No… I’ll never not need them.” Because that meant he’d go away- right? Kerr buried her face in his chest and felt so small in his arms. “And I’ll do whatever you want to keep them. Maths next, or history or anything.” She pleaded with him. “Just don’t go away.”
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There were a lot more things that he could teach her, at least his upper class upbringing was now actually coming in useful, teaching someone else the basics. A hand rubbed her back gently, much like he did when he was with Eva and they were curled up together watching the daylight hours go by, just a reassuring touch. “I won’t go anywhere. I promise.”