InsaneJournal

But if you're gonna dine with them cannibals...
Who: Regina and Hailey Hawthorne, Adam Fell & Bastion DeLacroix.
What: The kindred play the game, 'feed the human.'
Where: Dat Dog.
When: Evening
Warnings: None
Progress: Gdoc, complete

Hailey waited in the lobby of the hotel with her nose in a book. Things between the Hawthorne sisters had been a little rough since Hailey discovered Regina’s sleeping quarters, but they were slowly straightening themselves out as they came to compromises. Hailey continued to meander during daylight hours but the moment the sun began to sink toward the horizon she returned to her hotel until Regina arrived to escort her out for the night. Hailey, however, refused to just sit in her room like some Crescent City Rapunzel at night, but she didn’t dare ignite Regina’s anger further by going outside the hotel doors. So the lobby was her final choice.

Regina promised that they would go out for dinner once more--something that was quickly becoming common for the pair. Hailey would stuff her face and Regina would watch with a sense of longing but when Hailey would ask if her sister missed eating, she quickly changed the topic. Still, Hailey enjoyed the meals with Regina and felt they were beginning to return to the way things were when Hailey still permanently lived in the city. Their physical affection for one another, the looks they could exchange that spoke volumes, and quiet knowledge of what the other was feeling without needing to speak--whatever changes had come over Regina hadn’t stopped any of this. It was hard, however, because Hailey knew quite well that Regina was holding back a lot, but she couldn’t manage to get her older sister to spill.

With a sigh, Hailey crossed one of her bare legs. She wore jean shorts and a loose-fitting tank top in a pretty blue that seemed to make her eyes all the brighter. Hailey chewed on her bottom lip, head bent toward the pages of Pilgrim at Tinker Creek as she happily fell into the descriptions of nature and tuned out the hustle of the hotel lobby. Hailey had been waiting at least for fifteen minutes and had no idea when Regina would show, but reading was better than taking note of her growling stomach.

"Hey," her sister's voice broke through her concentration, causing Hailey to jump. Regina stood before her, hands in her hoodie pockets, looking apologetic. In contrast to her sister, Regina looked dour, her clothes threadbare and worn. If it weren't for the scars on her face, she would have faded into the background without issue. "Sorry I'm late. You ready to go?"

Hailey blinked at Regina, pulling her brain away from the pages of her book and back into the present. She glance down at the open paperback in her hands and briefly considered making Regina wait so she could finish a chapter--it wouldn’t be the first time she had made her sister wait for such a reason--but her stomach let out an angry growl. “Yes,” she replied, looking back up at her sister and smiling. “Let’s go.” Regina returned the smile, albeit with only half the warmth.

Hailey got to her feet quickly and slipped her book into the bucket bag she draped over her shoulder. She fell into step beside her sister and stuck close to her side so she could speak to Regina without having to raise her voice too much. “How did you sleep? Are you hungry, too? I’m starving.”

They threaded through the weak crowds that still lingered in the lobby of the hotel; the number of people grew as they moved out onto Canal, but Regina moved through them with ease, keeping to a slow enough pace to allow Hailey to keep up.

"I'm fine," she answered cryptically. Her hands remained in her pockets, and it was difficult to judge if she had fed or not; her skin was its usual pale color, the markings of hate scoured across her face plain as day. She glanced back at her sister, offering a shrug. "And I slept like crap, but what else is new. It's hard to get used to new surroundings. Where d'you want to eat?" They lingered on the periphery of the Quarter; Regina never once glanced in the opposing direction that would have led them into the Garden District. "Maybe Dat Dog? It should be quieter over on Frenchman."

“Oh, that’d be nice,” Hailey replied with a soft smile, her eyes studying her sister all the while. Since she had been confined to the French Quarter by her sister, their nighttime strolls had generally been centered around Jackson Square. But Frenchman was a little further off and quiet, like Regina said.

Hailey tugged onto the edge of Regina’s sleeve as they began to walk, clutching it between her fingers so as not to lose her. They often held hands in crowded areas, something that had been instilled in their minds since they were little. Hailey, take your sister’s hand. But it brought on a certain comfort after their parents were killed and Hailey often sought that comfort, particularly when that trigger of anxiety reared its head over stressors in their lives.

“Maybe,” Hailey said, her voice quiet and indicating the thought she had given to what she was preparing herself to say. “You could come and spend the night at my hotel room--or day, rather. If you’re not sleeping well, maybe it’ll help if I’m there. And when you woke up, if you needed anything...I could help.” She looked at Regina, watching her eye, indicating the full weight of what she was offering to her sister and waiting to see if Regina would react with anger. Unconsciously, Hailey tightened her grip on Regina’s sleeve, as if worried her sister would pull herself away and she’d lose her.

"No," Regina immediately shot back, almost spitting the word out as though Hailey had asked something obscene and causing her younger sister to jump. Her hand loosed from its grip around Hailey's; then she relaxed, putting her fingers back into their place. "No," she repeated, softer. "I can't do that. It's...it's complicated, Hail. Don't... Don't ask me that again." She pulled Hailey onto another street with fewer people, though the further they moved from Bourbon, the less life there was to be seen. Regina felt a buzz in her pocket, and pulled out her phone. It cast a gentle glow over her features, putting her scars in stark relief as she frowned at what she saw.

"Fuck," she muttered, loosing Hailey's hand completely this time. She rolled her lips over her teeth as she seemed to consider responding. Pulling up on a sidewalk, she glanced at Hailey. "I'm... I've got a job. Do you mind? I know...I know this sucks. I just can't ignore this." She typed something into the phone and hit send, then slid the device back into a jean pocket.

"Look, you can come with. I just have to hang out with this guy, keep him...safe," she quickly inserted before her sister could get the wrong idea. "We'll all go get food together." Regina's pleading gaze hoped her sister would say yes, or maybe even opt to return to the hotel; mostly, she was obviously wishing that Hailey wouldn't ask any further questions.

Hailey watched her with shining eyes, the burn from Regina’s denial still causing hurt. She hadn’t realized until Regina said no how badly Hailey had hoped they could share a room and be closer than they were. It was a desire created from their childhood loss but still prevalent, even despite Hailey’s age. She blinked rapidly, trying to dismiss the wetness in her eyes, and looked to the ground. “Okay,” she said softly. For a moment, it seemed she wouldn’t say anything else, but then she frowned. Looking back at Regina, the near-tears were gone from her eyes but in its place was concern and vague confusion. “Uh… but… who is this guy? Is...is he like you? Am I okay to meet him?” Is it safe? was the unasked question. While Hailey had quickly accepted Regina’s predicament and handled Edie, it seemed more personal to break bread with someone from Regina’s world. And he needed to be kept safe? More questions, but ones Hailey forced to the back of her mind.

"It'll be fine," was all Regina said in reply, reaching her hand out for her sister's. "He's a nice guy. Seriously, and you're with me." It was a confusing statement considering her earlier rejection of her sister's offer, but Regina still waited for Hailey to make her decision.

Hailey looked at her sister, considering her options and even appearing vaguely untrusting of the other blonde. But her fingers knit themselves between Regina’s own, and soon enough they were holding hands like normal. “I’d rather not lose out on a chance to be with you,” she admitted, although it seemed to hurt her to say as much. Since Hailey came home, Regina seemed more irritated with her than anything and the butting of heads had increased greatly. But she still wanted her sister by her side, even if Regina refused to just stay at the hotel with her. “So, uh, sure. Let’s go meet… uh…” She looked at Regina, not knowing the name of this “nice guy.”

"Adam. You'll like him." The words were said in passing, a required nicety as though that would smooth over any ruffled feathers. Regina tugged her sister in the direction of her assignment, which they luckily weren't too far from regardless; the Bourbon Orleans, a two-story, broad monstrosity that boasted archways and exterior crown molding that might populate any architect's wet dream. People spilled out from the entryway, both entering and exiting. Regina didn't pause for a moment, tugging her sister inside.

"He'll be around here somewhere," she muttered, taking up a post by the front door. Eventually, she seemed to spot someone and waved. Her expression, however, neither lightened nor darkened at the sudden interruption to her already planned evening.

Adam cut through the crowd, his pace slowing as he neared enough to see the woman beside Regina. A quick, confused look flickered over his face, easily put aside. He smiled brightly. The resemblance was slight -- lessened, he was sure, by the scars that marked Regina's face -- but there, and he could guess easily enough who this new visitor was.

"Hey. Is this a bad time?" His blue gaze flicked from Kindred to kine. "I don't wanna impose…"

"It's fine," Regina interjected, cutting him off even as his sentence dwindled in volume as Hailey stood silently beside her. "We were just getting food." She glanced between her sister and her charge, clearly uncertain of how to balance the two.

"Hailey, this is Adam. Adam, this is my sister."

Hailey’s blue eyes widened and a smile appeared on her face. “Hi!” She stepped forward and offered her hand to Adam’s. He happily took it in a firm, quick shake. “It’s nice to meet you.” She paused, her mouth still open and ready to say more, but realized there wasn’t much else to say. She didn’t know Adam existed until a few minutes ago and she knew next to nothing about him. Then she thought of it.

“So, my sister has to keep an eye out for you.” Her smile softened and she gave a nod. “She’ll do an okay job, I think. She’s kept me alive all of these years, after all. I just hope she isn’t being too grumpy with you.” A glance at Regina with a glint in her eye; she was joking, of course, but there was still a bit of truth to it. Regina rolled her eyes in response, but said nothing more.

Adam laughed. "Not too grumpy," he said. He cut a teasing glance to his reluctant bodyguard. "But it's kinda good to know I'm not the only one who gets the thorny bits. I was starting to think I'd done something to piss her off." He smiled, sheepish, and stuffed his hands in his pockets. "So where's dinner?"

"We were headed over to Dat Dog," Regina replied, turning to start ushering the both of them out the hotel door. "If that's still where you wanna go," she amended, glancing at Hailey.

“That's fine with me,” Hailey said with a smile, turning her attention to Regina, ready to follow her. Hailey’s smile sobered temporarily as she raised her eyebrows slightly, saying he’s cute! without a word spoken. Regina shook her head silently at her sister. Her grin returned with a flash and she looked back at Adam. “If that's alright with you. I'm assuming you're not from around here if you're staying here.” Her eyes trailed over the lobby, it was the fanciest hotel she had ever stepped foot in.

Adam nodded. "I'm not," he said. "It's been kinda nice having a local to talk to, even if she doesn't say much." He chuckled, playfully pressing an elbow into Regina's side; Regina's frown wobbled, but then remained firm. "Maybe you can show me around a little, since she doesn't seem particularly enthusiastic about playing tour guide."

Hailey’s smile softened. “Well, I don’t know how great of a tour guide either of us would be. We were born and raised here and never did much of the touristy stuff unless it was through school. I’d be happy to do that though. Otherwise, I think all I’m good for is pointing you to yummy restaurants and book stores, unless you like those type of places.” She eyed Adam, wondering if he’d admit his lack of desire for food.

Hailey admitted to herself that she was assuming Adam was Kindred simply because he had ties to Regina, ties that she didn’t seem willing to discuss and anything she wasn’t willing to discuss seemed to be tied to that world. But also, his hand had been a little cooler to the touch than the sweaty handshakes she was used to in the humid city, more like the temperature of Regina’s, so maybe her assumption was on the nose.

"I'm not here to play tour guide," Regina grumbled. "Besides, you've got that...you've got Bastion for that, don't you? I mean, he is a tour guide." They moved through soft crowds of people, edging around a band's performance in the middle of the street as they headed toward Frenchman St. Regina took a deep breath and released it. "Not all of us get our hand held through this shit," she muttered, slipping further into her dark mood.

Hailey’s cheerful exterior diminished and a frown prominently appeared. She slipped closer to Regina and slipped her hand into her sister’s, giving it a tight squeeze. “But I’m here,” Hailey whispered, trying to keep her voice soft enough for Adam not to hear.

"Yep. Got it." Adam sighed. His steps slowed and he fell in behind the sisters. He resigned himself to watching the crowd, taking in the sights and the music as they wended their way to a restaurant at which he could not eat. To say he was having second thoughts would have been an immense understatement. He chewed his lip and briefly considered calling the Malkavian, even if that meant interrupting him at work. Hailey glanced over her shoulder at Adam and her frown continued, but she didn’t speak.

Another voice did, breaking through the din. It was calling out a name, repeated once, and then twice.

"Adam! Hey...yo, Adam!" A gangly-looking man with dark hair was threading his way through the crowd, catching up to the trio as they paused on a sidewalk. Regina glowered in his direction, even as he tried on an awkward smile.

"Saw you guys out here," Bastion remarked, eyeing the new blonde that he didn't know. He turned his gaze toward Adam, waggling his eyebrows. "And thought I'd cut in. I'm on a break. So. What's going on?"


"Just gettin' some dinner," Adam said. He smiled softly, relief written plainly on his face. "This is Hailey, Regina's sister. Hailey, this is my friend Bastion. So, uh, you got time to join us for a little?" He shuffled his feet, visibly uncomfortable. "The more the merrier, you know."

Bastion's shoulders rose and fell in a gentle shrug, his eyes moving in Regina's direction. "If I'm not cutting in." Regina unhappy look met his, but she looked at her sister for the final verdict. It was clear that anything she said wasn't going to have enough sway to keep everyone happy, and if she were honest, the group needed something to keep it from imploding.

Hailey watched the exchange with widened eyes. Adam’s relief, Regina’s mood deepening, and Bastion’s tentative cheerfulness. She hated when her sister was in a mood and it was even worse when everyone was on edge. Not entirely sure what the smart thing to do would be, Hailey opted to smile.

“We’re heading to Dat Dog, if you'd like to go.” Hailey said with her most brilliant smile. “Regina mentioned you're a tour guide so I'm assuming it won't be anything new for you, but I think it'll be an experience for Adam.” She gave Adam a smile as well, hoping he would understand that she had no issue with him, even if her sister was showing her more irritated side.

Bastion's brows climbed his forehead, rolling his lips over his teeth as he nodded. "Sure. Sounds like a good time." He moved closer to Adam, still eyeing Hailey as though she were wearing the strangest outfit. He leaned toward the Daeva without looking away from the kine.

"Does she...?" His gaze flicked toward his friend, his unspoken question carefully quiet but exceedingly obvious.

Adam gave a small shake of his head. The gesture tapered off at the end, as Adam realized he was not, in fact, certain his assumption was true. But they would reach the restaurant soon enough, and then there would likely be no avoiding it.

He fell into step alongside his friend, searching for and deciding against a number of topics of conversation. Few subjects felt safe, and fewer still seemed welcome. He fumbled for any lifeline at all. "So, uh, Hailey… you'd mentioned bookstores, right? Any you'd recommend?"

Hailey turned her attention back to Adam, her smile appearing fast and at full level. She let go of Regina’s hand and fell in step beside Adam. “Oh, yes, definitely! The Garden District Book Shop is great. It’s very quirky and the shelves are utterly crammed with books. They just pile them on top of one another. They also have wonderful posters of book covers and little odds and ends. Then there’s the Faulkner Book Shop--that’s right by the cathedral. It’s much smaller but sort of special in that way? A lot of literature and local works. There’s a couple of others as well, all in the French Quarter and one on Canal.” She looked at Adam with an eagerness that hadn’t quite come across before. Books were a subject she knew about, a subject she was comfortable with, a subject she could speak of for eons. “I can show you the shops if you’re interested. Do you like books?”

Regina opened her mouth to hush Hailey, but Bastion beat her to the punch.

"Oh he loves 'em. Can't get enough. I think he sleeps with 'em under his pillow, and I've tried to tell him that's not good for his neck, let alone his sex life, but I might as well be talking to a wall." He stopped, rolling his eyes heavenward as though considering his next words. "A wall made of books."

Regina's mouth snapped shut, her expression pained. Adam cut his friend a look which fell markedly short of its attempted harshness. Bastion grinned, obviously amused at his own joke even if no one else was. They turned a corner, coming onto Frenchman St., with the restaurant in sight at the end of the avenue.

Adam led the way, picking up the thread of conversation Bastion had attempted to sever. "Don't listen to him," he said. "I think the only thing he reads is the notifications on Pokemon Go." He threw a mischievous grin back at his friend, who rolled his eyes in response. "I've been reading a lot of history lately. I try to kinda alternate fiction and nonfiction, but sometimes I get stuck on something. But I like a big to-be-read pile. So yeah, you could definitely show me your favorite shops. Whenever you've got a spare minute to haul a tourist around."

“I have a lot of spare minutes right now,” Hailey admitted, her smile dampening just slightly. The bright lights outlining Dat Dog brought color to her pale companions’ skin and the scent of food drifted from the doors.“I’m kind of out of a job right now. So it’s a lot of sitting around being bored and pestering Regina while she tries to get rid of me.” She reached out and hit Regina’s arm playfully.

Her sister's face reflected none of the playfulness she offered, but the anger seemed to subside. Frenchman was far less crowded than Bourbon, and they found their progress toward the restaurant unimpeded.

"Yeah, boredom is a real killer," Bastion agreed, slipping his hands into his jean pockets. He glanced from the girls to Adam and back, unsure of what to make of the scenario. Thankfully, before he was forced to add more to the conversation, they reached the doors of the establishment. Regina popped forward, pulling open the door.

"Where do you wanna sit?" Her question was directed toward Hailey, but her gaze moved over all of the party members.

“Upstairs,” Hailey replied, her voice soft and a spark in her eye. “Outside. I’ve been cooped up indoors all day and it’s so hot out when the sun is up, let’s enjoy the nighttime air.” She stepped into the restaurant and shuffled to the side of the door, making room for the rest of her group and steering clear of the busy bar area. She looked back at Bastion and Adam, knowing that Regina would be okay with sitting upstairs but eager for their agreement. “If that’s okay with the rest of you?”

"Fine by me," Adam said. "Better view for people-watching, anyway." He smiled, some of his earlier ease slowly returning. The darkness of the restaurant and the clamor of the crowd seemed to make him more comfortable still. He made his way through them and headed straight for the stairs, occasionally glancing behind him to ensure his group was close behind. Bastion followed at his heels, with Regina not too far off; she seemed to linger in the back to wait for Hailey, even as her gaze refused to remove itself from where the other two were headed. Hailey quickly flashed a smile at the bartender and made her order for her meal. “I’ll be sitting upstairs,” her voice was heard over the hum of voices and she handed over a few crisp bills. Pocketing her change, she turned and followed Regina up the stairs.

Once upstairs, Adam found a table and chairs only a little wobbly, that provided a relatively unobstructed view of the street. He slid into a seat near to the railing.

Regina's mouth made a fine line, but she took the seat next to Bastion as the Malkovian quickly claimed the one next to Adam. A fourth seat was left empty by the railing for Hailey.

"I did not come here often enough when I was..." Bastion flubbed, which was especially highlighted by Regina glaring in his direction. "...I mean, haven't come here. Often. Ever." He immediately went to staring off the balcony, people watching from his awkward vantage point.

"What're you getting?" Regina asked her sister, pointedly moving the conversation beyond the strange remark.

“A bacon werewolf,” Hailey said with a smile. “And a coke, but they had to refill the soda machine so they’ll just bring it to me.” She pulled her gaze away from her sister and focused on the two men, her smile pleasant and friendly. “So, you guys won’t have a hot dog?” She kept her eyes on the boys, obviously making an effort not to look at Regina as she tried to get the scoop about their dinner guests. Regina knew if the boys were vampires or not and it irritated the hell out of Hailey that her sister wouldn’t tell her. Didn’t she have the right to know if she was spending the evening with them all?

"They're not hungry," Regina answered for them anyway.

"Speak for yourse-" Bastion started before he was rudely interrupted by Regina's elbow to his gut. "Ow! I don't know why we're playing at this shit, she's gonna figure it out eventually!" He rubbed at his side and scooted further away from Regina. Hailey’s eyes brightened and a smile, smile curled on her face.

Adam lacked the blood to truly blush, but he came close anyway. His glance at Bastion was equal parts concern and annoyance. But Adam knew Bastion was right; the ruse was bound to slip sooner rather than later.

"Nah. Not my kinda thing," he said, and Hailey’s blue eyes swiveled to look at him. "A bacon werewolf sounds interesting, though. Like something on Adventure Time."

Hailey’s smile softened and her hand moved but paused, as if she were about reach out and touch Adam’s hand. His awkwardness was endearing but not distracting, and Hailey’s mind was still on the previous topic. “It’s okay,” Hailey replied, her gaze moving from Adam to look at each member of the table. Bastion was glaring in Regina's direction, while she had turned her worried eyes to her sister. “I know anyway. Or at least, I know that vampires… ah, Kindred, I guess. I know that they exist, I’ve known since I was a teenager. Regina…” And something caught in her voice as she said her sister’s name, causing color to appear in her cheeks. “Regina knew long before that even... I just wasn’t sure what you guys were. I mean, if you’re hanging out with Regina then I assumed but… it was sort of hard to ask.”

She gave a slight shrug and tried to keep her gaze from meeting Regina’s, who looked deflated. Instead, she leaned closer to Adam. “By the way, the bacon werewolf is great. If you could eat, I’d offer you a bite of it when it gets here, but just believe me when I say it’s my favorite hot dog that they serve.” Offering Adam a smile, she sat back up and turned her gaze to the table, waiting for Regina to surely overreact or for Bastion to laugh at her honestly, something.

Perhaps to the surprise of those seated at the table, Regina did not scream or stalk off; instead, the fight seemed to go out of her. She glanced between the other bloodsuckers and her sister, eventually giving them something to the equivalent of a "fuck off look." She shrugged.

"Well it's not like we have to talk about it," she shot back. She reined in the heated tone, using one hand to slide a strand of hair back behind one ear as she looked to Hailey. "So yeah. Cat's outta the bag on that one. But you," and she pointed at Hailey who frowned, "are not allowed to ask anything else about that, and you two," here she turned to the boys, "Are not allowed to tell her anything. You especially," she continued, gaze flicking to Adam's, "are not going to get me in shit with you know who."

He raised his hands, palms out in a sign of surrender. She stopped and took an unneeded breath, closing her eyes. When she opened them again, she surveyed the table.

"So new topic of discussion."

"Turnips?"

Regina looked quizzically in Bastion's direction, nearly to the point of being stunned. He lifted his hands in a peace offering gesture, shrinking back into his seat. "You put me on the spot, my brain just..." His hands wound in the air, grasping for nothing. "Someone else say something, Jesus Christ!"

“Bacon werewolf and a soda,” a new voice announced. An employee stepped forward and placed the hot dog, topped with sauerkraut, relish, onions, tomatoes, garlic and mustard in front of Hailey. The toppings nearly covered the entire hot dog, making it invisible between the toasted buns. Hailey thanked the employee who gave a nod and disappeared into the building, leaving the foursome alone again. Regina settled onto her elbows on the table, as though to provide a decisive wall between her sister and the rest of those seated at the table.

An uncomfortable silence settled on the table. Adam chewed his tongue and folded his hands atop the table before him. "So... " His fingers flexed, tightly laced together. "We just pretend like this is all totally normal, then." He looked to Hailey, bright eyes wide beneath an arched brow. "I'm not even supposed to ask how you know? Or if it's cool that family knows? Cos I've got family, too, and I dunno how long I can keep it from all of them…"

"I would think you, of all people, would want to act totally normal," Regina replied, ignoring his questions about his family for the moment. "A nice break from the insanity..."

"Speak for yo... wait, don't," Bastion interjected, hopping in his chair again to move whatever small distance he could from the blond's waiting elbows. The woman in question merely shook her head in response.

Hailey was frowning still, her hands close to reaching for her hotdog but stilled by Adam’s question. She looked at him, her eyes a little sad.

“I knew long before Regina became one of you,” Hailey replied, her voice soft but sincere. “Our home was attacked when I was little. Regina knew what happened, but she didn’t tell me about it until I was a teenager. So I’ve known about this world a little since I was a teen, but even then I don’t think I fully believed it all until I came home in July and saw Regina. Saw it all with my own eyes. I don’t think your family will believe you if you tell them, unless this whole world is something you’ve been involved with for years.” She looked at Adam expectantly, wondering if he’d confirm where his entrance into this world came. But she pulled her gaze away, uneasily looking at Regina for a moment before she finally picked up her hot dog and took a tentative bite.

Adam shook his head, but her attention was already elsewhere. He looked out off the balcony to the milling crowd below, his mind wandering to his sisters and the reaction they might have in Hailey's place. Regina was on to something, he decided. Boring normalcy, or at least the appearance of it, was far preferable to whatever fallout would come should his sisters be dragged into this life. He lapsed into atypical silence, picking at the edge of the table in front of him.

"So, anyway," Regina cut in, trying to ease some of the awkwardness that had settled on the table. "How's the hot dog?"

The simple question provoked a small line of conversation that lasted for as long as it took Hailey to finish the hot dog. For the vampires at least, it seemed a relief when they were finally set loose from the open-air confines of the restaurant's balcony. Bastion, at least, was the first down the stairs to get back out into the nighttime and crowds of Frenchman St, though he did wait for his friend, and, less happily, the two girls. The small gaggle disappeared back into the street to find some other type of entertainment more suited for the whole party.