Morningstar Manor

A lonely woman in white wandered the grounds of the Manor, the image of her flickering and sadness pouring off of her.
Dead. She was dead and Niles... Niles was miserable. Because of her.
The man had taken her away after the last time she'd talked to Niles, but he'd let her watch. He'd told her of the things that Niles did. He let her see him go home, let her watch, paralyzed, as Niles cried at her grave. He let her watch as one woman, then another and another came to Niles and how Niles tried to keep them all at a distance. Niles was so different. 
She watched him struggle to be good. She watched him force himself to be bad.

For some reason, the man had put her back here today. She hated it here. People either couldn't see her, or if they could they were afraid of her. She'd went immediately to Niles' apartment and watched him sleep, but he seemed to sense her even then, if the grimace of pain and the muttering of her name was any indication.
So she wandered, up and down the halls, in and out of rooms, and all over the grounds.

Feeling rather accomplished with what he had done during his day off, Lucas sat down to have dinner alone at home while his uncle was at work, and scribbled text message to a certain prettyface he had been itching to get in touch with for a while now.

Guess what i just did? I hoovered my car coz i thought i might have a pretty girl in it sometime soon.

Emma knew she'd missed his birthday, but the extra shifts she was working hadn't impacted that much on the drawing, more it was her mood, and the way it swing so erratically while she was trying to finish it that had held her up the most. But it was done now, seven faces of Niles looked out of the picture in various directions and in various moods, and with two of them involving Lola.

She set it down, against the door and the frame, and then dithered some more, should she knock and run? Knock and wait, or just, leave it and hope he saw it before it got kicked and damaged?

Unable to decide, she backed away from the door a little, chewing on her lower lip, then reached back to knock on the door, only to freeze, her hand not having made contact, and then pull it back again. What was she going to do?

They weren't all there, of course - yet again Sadie hadn't turned up - but there were enough to make some adjustments to the working schedules.

Lenna nodded and said, "That's fine with me now we just need front of house staff. Emma? Can you do any extra shifts?"

"Do you want to do any extra shifts?" Andy asked. "It's not compulsory but it would be a help."

Sent to Andy:
Hey dollface. Change of plans, and I was wondering if you could find it in your heart to take me to the airport tomorrow morning instead? I just need to get this shit over with, you know? Anyway, if it's cool or not cool, let me know.

Sent to Kara:
Hey darlin'. Never heard back from you, but I'm going to be gone tomorrow. Don't know when I'll be back, might be tomorrow night or Tuesday, but I likely won't answer if you call or text. It's not going to be a good day. Don't worry if I don't, I'll be home eventually.

Sent to Erin: 
Hey sweetheart. I'm going to be gone tomorrow all day and I have a friend coming over to take care of Lola. So, if you see a random woman wandering in and out of my apartment, don't hold it against me. ;) 

Sent to Elspeth:
I'm going to be gone tomorrow. Not that you care, but when I get back I might be in the mood for a late-night phone call. No obligation, as always, but I just wanted to give you a head's up as to who it was if your phone blows up in the middle of the night. :)

Sent to Emma: 
Hey. Dunno if Ang talked to you, but I'm going to be gone for a day or so and Lola is being taken care of. :) Sorry I haven't gotten ahold of you sooner, things haven't been the greatest. We need to talk when I get back. I'll be in touch.

Sent to Tristan:
Hey  man. So I know we talked about me leaving on Tuesday, but I'll be leaving tomorrow instead. I know you probably don't care, but I thought I'd give you a heads up anyway. I'll let you know when I'm back, and I'll work overtime to catch up the books.

Ang was in the garden with Gavin, a sensible sleeping baby, while she weeded her garden patch and tended her herbs and vegetables. Just occasionally she'd sip from a water bottle, and look round the garden to check her progress, or to see if there was anyone to talk to, even she didn't know which.

---

Icene was in the gym, working out some of her frustrations with a concerted effort to exhaust herself so she could sleep. She'd done her laundry yesterday, and cleaned her apartment from top to bottom, but that hadn't helped much. So now she was pounding the punchbag into some semblance of submission. She wasn't entirely unaware of her surroundings though, and often paused to wipe her face or sip from her water bottle, especially when anyone walked by the doorway.

---

Emma was positively not skulking. She was up in the pool house swimming laps instead, and then when she needed to take a break she was enjoying the sunshine and whatever tunes her iPod shuffled up. Which didn't mean she was averse to company, but, while there were a few people she really didn't want to see, pretty much anyone else was guaranteed at least a smile as they came by.

---

Spencer was in the Mocha, waiting patiently for his Mom to call him back, something about a wedding present? But while he was waiting, he was enjoying a large coffee, and a cinnamon danish or two. Well, he'd call it lunch if anyone asked.

---

Jane was between apartments, and having trouble with her trolley as she moved about the Manor's hallways. One of the wheels was wonky, had been ever since that incident with Jazz knocking it over the other week, and today it was being extremely awkward and not steering at all well. It slowed her down too much, and she was considering asking someone to fix it for her, because she had no idea where to begin.

Charlie had worked in the morning and now it was daddy time, so he was indulging in the time-honoured occupation of lounging on the lawn and letting his offspring pile stuff on him.

They had drinks, Nia was slavered in sun-block and was wearing a very fetching hat and all was right with the world.

With Brian in the middle of his chest he chatted to Chester on his almost new iPhone, it still had the plastic film on the screen, and watched Nia chatting to her penguin as she tried to balance it on his stomach.

"So no ... no .. no announcements ... no we certainly don't want a banner and streamers!" He gave a shout of laughter. "If Maurice jumps out of a cake D would make him eat it - all! Hah, no nice try. It's all under control - I think. Oh hang on Chester, someone's coming. Talk to you again ... yeah byee."

Last night Niles had met her at the Lamb and they'd gone to the midnight showing of Harry Potter. It had been - fun. Even if at the start it was a bit awkward. She was still upset, had gone home after he'd visited her in the Lamb the day before and cried. But she'd also come to a decision.

She wasn't going to let it run her off.

Even still she couldn't help feel a bit off about getting physical with him just now. Yes she knew he was seeing other women and she was able to ignore that for the most part. She just didn't think about it. Her mind, however, wanted to bring up images of Niles with young Emma and that was messing with her head, and her libido. Maybe it was because since she knew the person in question every time she spotted Emma in the halls she was reminded. It was easier when you didn't know the other party's name. Like that other one, the one she'd seen him with in the Mocha. Knowing the faces of the 'other women' - well she didn't have to like it did she.

They'd gone home after the movie and she'd given him a kiss but hadn't invited him in. She wasn't there yet. But she was working on it. She was trying. And she was trying to remind herself that she had no claim on him or his affections.

Maybe that was what was really bothering her.

Emma was having a so so day, some nice gifts, some not so nice gifts. She'd had a while to think about it, but still didn't regret the weekend, other than for the pain it seemed to be causing for Niles. She was going to have to do something about that, it wasn't fair. But for now, she knocked on the door for Apt 8160 and waited for the door to open.

Ang heard the knocking, and so did Faith apparently as she trotted down the hallway barking happily, Ang was already moving though, so she opened the door, "Emma!" Ang grinned, "Come in, Happy Birthday!"

Lily came in and sniffed at Faith, Faith sniffing right back, before they headed off together to play something not too like rough and tumble Ang hoped. "Alec, Emma's here!"

( For a not so comfy family birthday dinner )

Happy Birthday Emma,

with love from Deacon, Nia and Charlie x x

Plus a package containing this and a rather blobby picture that might be a penguin.

Emma had taken Lily out for a long walk, and they were due up at Ang and Alec's for dinner later, but right now she was thirsty, and Lily was too. So she stopped in at the Mocha to pick up some drinks and snacks. Yes she ached a little today, in places that hadn't ached before, but she felt good, and had that little extra swing of confidence to her hips as she walked up to the counter and joined the short line of people queuing for service.

Lily sat by the conservatory doors, her tongue lolling out the side of her mouth, a distinctly doggy grin on her face, and her tail swishing across an arc of already clean floor. Emma picked out a couple of cookies, nothing too heavy, and three bottles of water, put it on account, and then picked everything up. She was happy, smiling at most everyone in the room, and then heading out to the conservatory where at least grumpy Joy couldn't glare at them quite so nastily. Emma was settling down to daydreaming, Lily having already drunk most of a bottle of water and eaten half a cookie, when she heard someone else coming into the conservatory and sat up a little. Sprawling all over the bench just, wasn't her thing normally, but she hadn't bought a sketchpad or anything and it was nice to just, relax and let the thoughts flow through her mind. She hoped Niles was alright, he hadn't seemed to be too cheerful this morning.

A conversation with Ang had left Emma feeling much more settled and balanced, not bad really considering how up and down she'd been lately, and with everything else going on..... well, of course she'd been stressing! Ang had very smoothly dealt with that, leaving Emma feeling calm and even hopeful. She studied her menu, and wondered if a little teasing would go amiss?

"See anything on the menu that you fancy then? Sorry no, I'm not on there, but, personally I think I'll have the sirloin, medium rare, with the mushroom sauce, baked potato and salad?" She grinned at him, wondering if he was going to stop her, or let her carry on and just, get her back later? A few times now she'd tried teasing him and every single time she'd wound up laughing, even though he got her back right good and proper!

Niles looked up and arched a sardonic brow as Emma teased him. He bit his lip, unable to stifle a smile. "I think I'll have the t-bone, well done, with fries and a salad." He chuckled again at the thought of her teasing. "Someone's feeling brave tonight..."

( He had no idea how right he was.... )

Emma was sitting in the gazebo, sketchpad open on her knees, uncertain of whether to draw, or just sit and watch the flowers glow in the sunshine. Lily laid at her feet, tired after playing, an almost empty water bowl by her nose. Emma had a water bottle too, but hers was still half full. The weekend hadn't gone quite as she would have liked, the club had been fun, but after that? Well, things were different but still fun? The movies had been great, the company funny, and with the addition of a few beers, she'd been able to relax, and enjoy herself.

But it wasn't what she'd been expecting, and it hadn't really been what she wanted, and, with her birthday coming up, was it any surprise that little doodles of birthday cakes were sneaking into the small sketches of flowers and leaves? Except, she didn't have any plans for that either. Well, other than dinner with Ang and Alec and Gavin. Which would be nice, but again, hardly a fitting celebration for a nineteen year old. But, what else could she do? It was going to be impossible to think soon for all the thoughts crashing in and out of her head... and what on earth did Niles think now? Oh that was embarrassing and even alone in the gazebo she blushed. It was that which had her groaning and sinking her head to her knees.

Was being a grown up always this hard?

The taxi pulled up at the Manor, and Emma was still miffed. "I say we go find some more fun somewhere else, what do you think Amarie? I mean, it's still way early, we could probably find another club that would let us in?"

Amarie closed the door of the cab with a polite click. It hadn't been the cab driver's fault but Del Avilar would be drawing a sharp breath soon if she had her way. "I dunno," she said. "Somehow all the fun has gone out of it."

"Or we could just go up to my place and watch DVD's and if we stop off in the Mocha first we can clean them out of muffins and cookies and take some big hot chocolates upstairs too?" Emma grinned, that had the makings of a plan about it, that idea did.

Amarie grinned too. "Hell yes," she said. "I've got some DVDs that aren't strictly out yet. D'you mind being a pirate for the night? I could fetch them while you get the goodies. Here," she thrust some money into Emma's hand, "that's for the food."

Emma opened her mouth to refuse the money, but Amarie was already moving, so Emma shrugged and stuffed the cash into her pocket, she'd give it back later, and headed into the Mocha to get the supplies required for a sleepover.

( Read more... )

Emma had been down in the lobby on time, dressed to impress in a micro mini skirt, decorated all over with black sequins and about two inches of fringing that meant it looked decent if she stood still. With that was a nice spaghetti strapped vest top in silver and black, and an overshirt of sheer black fabric shot through with silver, that was knotted at her waist, the tails dangling to just below the low riding waist (or should that be hip?) band of the skirt. Heels and her hair up made her look older, as well as taller, and her make up was bold but not over done. Now all she needed was Amarie, and a taxi!

"Whoa don't you look nice!" Amarie said. She did her best to ignore Frank's speculative gaze, knowing that her jeans and hoodie looked perfectly decent. "So you're going on somewhere after the movie? Cool! Come on, let's hurry. I don't want to miss the previews."

She grabbed Emma by the arm and hustled her towards the door hissing, "Gonna change in the cab. Frank would've told Vinnie."

( Read more... )

Emma had been busy painting, but now, the telly couldn't hold her interest, so she started thinking about the weekend.... and that meant planning. So she grabbed her phone and sent a text to Amarie.

Amarie? You wanna go clubbing this weekend? I'm up for some fun! Emma

Emma was bored. Which did not bode well for her evening, so she came down to the Mocha, intending to get a snack, something to drink, and maybe to pick up a paper, or sketch someone or something. Or even, if she was lucky to get to talk to someone!

So she settled at a table, with a large hot chocolate, her sketchpad and some pencils, and one of the papers from the rack by the door, and a large plate piled high with muffins and cookies. Well, it helped if you had food to share right? Bait the trap and all that nonsense.... She even looked up and smiled at people coming into the Mocha, hoping for someone to talk to.

Emma was due up at Ang and Alec's for lunch, well it was Father's Day and it was Alec's very first one, but in the meantime she had laundry to get done. So here she was, in the laundry room, having already loaded and run three machines, puzzling over the stuff coming out of them to go in the dryer. She didn't wear boxer shorts to start with, and couldn't have worn these, they were too big for her, although they were very nice designer ones. It wasn't just those, there were socks and t-shirts that didn't belong to her either, and there was one pair of jeans she was absolutely certain belonged to someone at least a foot taller than she was.

Where had this stuff come from? But even more puzzling, how on earth was she to find out who's it was and return it?

Wenz ur br.day? i no its soon. lets party.

Tristan dressed as usual for lunch with his mother, just as if he were going to work. Going to meet with his mother made him jumpy, and he was pacing in the lobby. Even though he was early down there, he could see the hired car waiting outside for them. Maybe if he took a really long walk in the other direction, the guy would go away...