Under a blood red sky

Rhubarb. Where the fuck was he supposed to find fresh rhubarb and ginger at this time of year? Granted he had his suspicions as to why Justine was sending him on the wild goose chase of the year on this particular day but he didn't really have anything else to do. That meant getting in his glorious gas hog of a vehicle (and hoping today didn't actually involve running things over with it) and heading for larger stores to get what Justine wanted.

It took him until about five at night and several texts about was she SURE that was what she needed to get home.

It wasn't like Justine cooked after all so this had to be a diversionary tactic.

She still hadn't found out much information for Thomas, and she felt like she was failing. She knew that these things took time. She just had to keep trying, but there were moments when Justine wondered if she was helping him at all. She didn't voice these doubts to him. She knew he didn't see her as a failure at all. He would say that she did a lot for him just by being here, and she had to admit that she kept him on an even keel when he potentially could lose his patience. She just had to keep trying.

Tonight she thought to try one of the local dance clubs. The scene in York wasn't anywhere near what it was in Chicago, but she could still blend. She had been paying close attention to exactly where the pulse of fashion lay in this quaint little town and dressed just slightly better than that. She wanted the attention after all, and at the very least she could find someone to entertain then be able to snuggle up next to Thomas without fear.

It was just after 11PM when she entered the club. It was substantially warmer inside than out even with the mild weather they'd been having lately. This suited her, and her little slip of a dress that left a lot of leg, and a lot of back showing once she had rid herself of her coat. Being back in an element she knew she could control and was familiar with, a sensual and confident smile curled the corners of her lips as she sauntered her way towards the bar. Drink first. Then dance. And prowl.

Even before someone had decided to interfere in the dreams his dream had been more of a familiar nightmare.

Which meant when he was thrown out of the dream he was leaping out of bed and away from the dreams like they were real. Somehow he didn't step on anything or crash into to the open closet door but he did end up with his back against a wall ready to take on whatever was coming.

While she and Thomas were scheming Christmas presents for Harry, Justine hadn't forgotten about Anita and the potential that was there. She reminded Thomas that she was going to invite Anita to come visit them and he wouldn't be able to go grave robbing tonight. Covered in corpse dirt was such a turn off.

The house was tastefully decorated for the holiday with the obligatory amount of mistletoe artfully spread throughout the house. Justine arranged for a spread of nibbles, candies and cookies of all kinds, and h'orderves to be delivered from one caterer. The festive beverages came from yet another. All of it was delivered and set out at Justine's direction. The next hour or more was spent on preparing her appearance and timed to finish perfectly.

She came down the grand staircase in the curve hugging deep burgandy velvet gown with the slit up the side that ended somewhere near her waist. Her heels, lipstick and nails matched the dress while her stark white hair was pinned up with strands falling over one shoulder. She wanted this to be perfect for her and Thomas which translated to looking her best and most appealing.

One hand on the banister she smiled for Thomas as her heels clicked on the marble floor of the foyer. "Everything is ready."

Thomas had come home the filthiest Justine had ever seen him, and smelling slightly unpleasant at that! As if that were surprising enough, he had brought home a "treat", pushed the dazed woman towards her with the instructions to have fun then give her cab fare after. Justine had gaped slightly before shrugging to herself then took the girl by the hand to one of the many rooms in the house. She could tell she wouldn't get anything out of Thomas until she did what he told her to, but he was obviously very smug about something.

Some time later the woman had been put into a taxi, the driver paid then Justine went in search of Thomas. When she found him she stepped up behind him and brushed the backs of her bare fingers across his cheek before pressing a kiss there. Such moments where she could touch him without fear of hurting him were to be treasured. She made the best of them every chance she got.

After he'd left Murphy at her own place Thomas had driven around a bit to get used to the town before heading home. It really was a small town. There were definitely going to be problems that came up from it being a small town. First of all it might be tricky to find third parties that could be trusted for Justine. Then it might be tricky to eat on a regular basis without addicting anyone or feeding too heavily too often from the same people.

Well that was shit to be figured out later. Right now Thomas just wanted to get home.

He parked his Hummer in the driveway of the house he and Justine were renting and took a minute to slip on his gloves and make sure as little bare skin as possible was showing. The house was furnished but Thomas ignored everything other than making sure it was secure as he made his way through it to the rooms he and Justine tended to settle in for comfort. Here there were signs of people finally instead of pristine rooms set up for show.

"Justine?"

Late Friday morning, Anita rolled out of bed, grabbed some coffee and a roll at the continental breakfastand went for her daily run in the crisp November air. She planned the circuit so that she would wind up at the coffee shop for a real caffeine fix. Though the run had kept her comfortably warm, she was ready for another steaming cup of goodness, especially since--without as many zombie raising to do after dark--she was actually trying to be awake during the day. Sort of.