Toxic Past: 6

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---

"No, thank you," Peregrine replied to Lavinia a gentle smile that didn't meet his eyes. "Please excuse me," he told the ladies for the second time that morning and stood to go to the kitchen where he had left his phone. He hit a few buttons and turned his back to them as he held it up to his ear. It didn't help, they still saw his shoulders tense as the messages began. He was right. A dozen messages, all with angry customers demanding to know where the hell he was.

Cat watched Pere from where she sat. She'd need to get up and do something soon, she could feel it. Chewing on her full, bottom lip, she looked over at Lavinia and smiled. "It'll be alright." Running a hand through her long, white hair, she propped her knee up, and rested her elbow on the back of the couch. Everything had to be alright. Pere had been working very hard to free them all. They needed to be alright. 

Lavinia smiled and nodded in understanding to Cat before looking round at everyone in the room. "Well what has everyone planned for today?" She hissed aloud in a curious tone. She usually spent her days wondering through the city with nothing much else to do. It would be interesting if she could do something different and spend some time with her newly acquired friends.

"I'll apparently be doing damage control," Peregrine put in as he rejoined the little group, a long suffering frown on his face. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair before he pulled out his wallet. "Why don't you two go treat yourself today, take a day off from whatever you usually do, on me." He held out a shiny black credit card to Cat. "I'm going to be busy most of today but I'll be back tonight. Try to stay out of trouble, yeah?" He offered them both an encouraging little smile. Even a handful of his people made him feel like at least some weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He would have to spend today placating the ruffled humans, but at least this was a step toward reclaiming their home.

Cat took the card from Pere and leaned over, kissing his cheek. "No promises, handsome." Standing she hugged him gently and whispered into his ear. "Don't work too hard, if you need anything, just call me." Ruffling his hair affectionately, Cat glanced over at Lavinia and smiled. "Shall we? I don't get privileges like this very often so we should take advantage of it. Plus it'll give us a chance to bond."

"I'll leave you ladies to it then," Peregrine sighed and gave them a last smile before he waved and headed to the door. "Aurun, I'm leaving! I'll be back tonight!" There was a distant call of 'ok!' which made him smile a little more before he finally stepped out the door and closed it behind him, sure that Lavinia and Cat would lock it when they went out. It wasn't two steps from the door before his smile faded, at least from his eyes, and his face was all business. Polite, pleasant, with the slightest hint of 'betray me, and I'll kill you'. Perfect.

---

Arriving back at his apartment, Dolor was fully expecting the place to be a mess from Kali staying there. But then, he had given her his key. Hopefully she was even still home. Approaching the building, having officially quite his job, Dolor had a moment where he wanted to turn around and go back, apologize, beg the job back. But he really didn't need it. He had money to spare. Taking the stairs two at a time, he arrived at his door and knocked lightly, wondering if she was inside.

It was a few minute before Dolor let out a breath. Without his keys he couldn't get inside right away. Not until he got his spare from work. He didn't want to go do that, but he had to. Turning from the door, the man made the reluctant trek back out to the streets, making certain his jacket was firmly around himself and he was properly covered.

Bundled or not, Dolor's red hair stood out like a beacon, at least now that Peregrine knew he could look for him. He frowned, seeing his friend leave his apartment building. He wanted to follow him, but he couldn't- He had customers- He looked down the street in the direction he needed to go, then back at Dolor, took a deep breath, and jogged across the crosswalk just as the light turned green and allowed pedestrians across. Even in the bustling groups of humans surrounding them, Peregrine's eyes had no trouble staying on his dear pet. His fingers found Dolor's just as the other man tried to put them into his jacket and the young prince met his eyes so he knew he had his attention. "Come with me." It was more of an invitation than a demand, but without waiting for a response he turned and began walking down the street, his pace even, with purpose, as he headed to his first "meeting" but kept his hand cupped with Dolor's.

There was a moment when Dolor was in utter confusion until the voice registered once again. He glanced in the direction he had been heading, deciding quickly to keep his comment to himself as he walked along, his fingers unconsciously wrapping around Peregrine's without any sort of direct bidding from the phoera. Matching his prince's strides, Dolor couldn't stop himself from looking at the person next to him, curiosity (and not a little confusion) in his gaze as they walked along without any more explanation.

"Why were you leaving your apartment building?" Peregrine asked, his voice perhaps a bit more stern than he meant it. Part of his brain was still on his upcoming meetings after all. "I thought you were headed home." Small goosebumps rose on his skin and he did his best to push them away as they continued walking, ignoring the looks the two were getting to the point that he might have been oblivious. He wouldn't miss that sort of thing though, humans were so obvious. Calling anything but the Nightmare Lands "home" irked him deeply. He might be willing to call his apartment Dolor's home, if he would move over there but he wasn't about to call anything in that simple building good enough for Dolor, much less the permanent residence of "home".

"She has my keys," Dolor answered, as if that settled it. He didn't say much else for a moment, looking away from Peregrine. "My spares are at work." Or his old work anyway. There was no question of that much. Something inside kept him from straight saying that he was going to pack some things and go back to the penthouse apartment across the way. Hesitation sat heavily in Dolor's mind. There was no real reason for it other than not knowing yet what to expect.

"We'll get your key later." And that was the end of that. "I want you to come with me today. I have to meet with a lot of angry humans and I could use the restraint." Humans used to be so simple, so calm, so easily dealt with and now he couldn't hurt them because they would retaliate en-mass but he refused to simply kowtow to them because he was currently out numbered. It was one thing to toss left over ham to the neighbor's dog, and another entirely to smile while picking up their shit.

Dolor shot his gaze back at the prince. "Restraint?" he asked sharply, wondering exactly what Peregrine meant by that. It seemed like a poor reason to have someone else. Especially someone who wouldn't stop the prince from breaking someone. Dolor had no intentions of protecting any wayward human who happened to anger his companion. But if Peregrine wanted restraint on anyone, himself or the human as some were reluctant to do anything while witnesses were there, he would tag along.

"Yes, it's far too easy to convince myself I could get away with murder if I'm alone," Peregrine replied and gave Dolor a sidelong glance with a smile so brief it might not have been there at all. Satisfied that Dolor at least would stay with him for the walk, he let go of the Phoera's hand and put his hands in the pockets of his own jacket. "I've seen the minds of men, Dolor. They are simple and perhaps their only flaw I have ever known is their greed, their complete inability to be satisfied. It is my only disappointment with their kind." His shoulders moved as if he had sighed but he made no noise or exhalation of air. They had traveled nearly five blocks and Peregrine stopped outside a shabby little pizza parlor. "My my.. am I out of place," he whispered. His voice, with its trademark low growl, seemed to purr the words. He looked at Dolor one last time, as if to assure himself the other man was really there, before stepping forward and entering the run down establishment.

It was dim, with a couple of lights burned out, but Peregrine supposed that was for the best. It almost hid the dingy walls and the crumbs and filth littering the floor. Weak ceiling fans shook slightly from the ceiling and did nothing to dissipate the stale air. There were no customers, but that didn't surprise the prince in the least. He took his hands out of his pockets and placed on hand on a cocked hip, letting the other hang lazily at his side. He took a breath, and gave an impatient sigh, less out of emotion and more to draw attention to his presence. It seemed to work as a large, sweaty man came waddling out of what must have been the kitchen out to the counter.

He looked annoyed, which Peregrine found rather stupid since a shop owner should want customers, but when he caught sight of who had entered, an ugly smile broke out on his face. "So you decided to show up. Have a nice vacation?"

"Don't test my patience," Peregrine replied smoothly, looking down his nose at the man as if contemplating a bug. "I'm generously giving you some of my time, Vinicci. Don't squander it with petty bickering."

"Well excuse me, princess, but I wasn't aware that you were still trying to negotiate our weekly meetings-"

"It's not a negotiation when one party holds all the power," Peregrine replied and raised his eyebrow a fraction. He received a half annoyed snort noise from the man behind the counter who was very slowly making his way around to meet the dark haired man and, as he seemed to just notice, his red headed companion. The ugly grin was back.

"Are you scared? Think you needed protection?"

"What do you want, Vinicci?" Peregrine cut him off impatiently. He didn't even want people to notice Dolor. He just wanted him nearby to remind him to stay calm.

"Same as always," Vinicci replied, his grin still in place and still very much taking an interest in Dolor. Peregrine always came alone after all, so why was it different now. "Twice the dose though."

Peregrine's eyes shifted immediately to murder and his shoulders tensed a fraction. "That's not going to happen. Half an ounce, that's what you'll get. You don't need any more than that anyway, not for your interests."

"Ah but maybe I'm thinking of expanding," Vinicci replied, stroking his chin with a half full of fat fingers. "I'll need to keep up with the demand and half an ounce only gets me the week. I'll need it for longer. You wouldn't want me to let the police find out you've got untagged sources, do ya?"

Peregrine clenched his jaw, his mask of patient indifference still in place, but in danger of falling. "As if you have customers to provide that demand," he said smoothly, surprised by his own control this time as he motioned around to the empty restaurant. "And besides, wouldn't want them to know you're a junkie, now would you, Mr. Vinicci?" The purr was back in full force by the end of his sentence and the human's smile was gone.

"You know what I want, and I know you've got it."

"Maybe I do, maybe I don't. You'll get half an ounce, either way."

Staying in the background, Dolor attempted at being invisible. Not that he really could be. But when the conversation turned towards something that he wasn't fully ready to listen to, Dolor stilled, his lack of movement not noticeable since he really hadn't moved much anyway. Talking about it was one thing. Seeing the actual interaction, or what he believed to be the interaction, made him itch in an uncomfortable way. Made his arms burn a little. He quickly attempted to disguise his momentary lapse even if his discomfort could potentially be noticed given time and familiarity.

"Listen here you little shit, I need it!"

"You can't afford more than half an ounce anyway."

"And if I can?"

Peregrine shrugged. "Money isn't everything."

"I went through a lot to get that money, now give me what I want!-" Vinicci took a threatening step forward but Peregrine didn't so much as flinch.

Instead, he reached into his jacket and pulled out a vial smaller than his pinkie finger. Vinicci froze in his tracks, staring at the red contents with an expression that screamed that his mouth was watering. Peregrine waved it lazily side to side and Vinicci's head turned so he could better follow the movement. "Now now, none of that.. wouldn't want my generous services to go to waste would you?" His fingers closed around the vial, hiding it and it's dimly glowing red contents from view. "I'll break it. Like I said, money isn't everything, certainly not to me, losing this one transaction won't make me lose one second of sleep-"

"Fine!" Vinicci snapped, his face turning ugly. "I'll take it... You're a cruel bastard. Taking advantage of the common man like this..." His voice trailed off into dark mutterings as he turned and waddled back to the counter. With a few button presses the cash register sprang open and, still mumbling, Vinicci pulled out a few bills, slammed it shut, and came back to the two men, holding out the paper. "Two-fifty, like always."

Peregrine made a face, as if it pained him to take money from such filthy hands (not far from the truth), before accepting the bills. Only once they were folded and slipped into his jacket did he toss the vial, which Vinicci greedily snatched out of the air and coveted, staring at it like some grand prize. "Don't spend it all in one place," Peregrin muttered but Vinicci was gone, already popping open the vial. The prince didn't even bother to wave as he turned on his heel and stepped out of the shop, beckoning Dolor to follow. He didn't want his dear friend to stay any longer, but he needed him to see the dark world they lived in. Yes, Dolor knew what their kind went through, but Peregrine wasn't totally sure he knew why, or why they couldn't just slaughter the humans to reclaim their homeland. It made him impatient. What he wouldn't give for the sanctity of the throne room, to lounge and relax. Humans had made themselves pests when they were living so well in harmony before. Bless his patience. He would find a way home, for Dolor, for Aurum and Pax, Cat and Lavinia, and all of his people.

Dolor physically itched as he saw the vial. He had to look away, look anywhere else, and once Peregrine was under way, he made certain to follow, rubbing at his arm self consciously. He couldn't remember the faces of the humans who had tapped him, or what happened before he was tossed out like trash. He couldn't remember any of it. But he remembered waking up, remembered the pain in his arms, the wounds that were still visible. Dolor didn't say anything as he followed a step behind the prince.

Silence bore down on them for a long few moments, only the sounds of their footsteps on the sidewalk breaking it. "I'm gentle," Peregrine finally spoke. He felt like he had to explain himself, he needed Dolor to stop being so timid around him. In his mind's eye he saw the way Dolor used to land on his shoulder and nuzzle his cheek, or sit on his head. Fly into his room of such a massive, sleeping monster, and still pull away the covers to wake him. He used to be so unabashed. His skin crawled thinking what these humans, these monsters in their own way, had done to him. He fell back a step so he could walk with Dolor. "I ask, and I'm gentle, they get a cut of the money, and I don't give anything stronger than 20%. The most dangerous thing I've ever sold is the strength to lift a car to a mechanic. Dolor-" He put a hand on the Phoera's arm to stop him and looked up into his eyes. "I don't hurt them, I don't hurt anyone. I let them say no. I am not like them."

He couldn't say anything in response right away but stilled his spasmatic rubbing. Dolor did look over at him and tried not to appear as upset as he was about all this. These types of people were the reason he couldn't remember the person walking next to him. "What...do you take exactly?" he asked quietly. It wasn't what he wanted to say, but that wasn't a question for this environment.

"It's.. difficult to explain. Essence, I guess is the best word. I take a couple ounces of blood, and then process it- that's not really important- and in the end I have this-" Peregrine reached into his jacket again and held out his hand, cupped around a small vial, the nearly clear substance inside dimly glowing blue. He kept his hand around it so that passersby didn't feel the need to be nosy, though luckily there were few of those. Once sure Dolor had seen it, he tucked it away again. "It's a toxin, to humans at least. The effects are short lived unless the dose is too large or too concentrated, or 'impure' as they call it, in which case it leads to death." He watched Dolor carefully, but sensing something was still on his mind, he looked around and, making sure no one was nearby, he took the other man's hand gently and stepped into a darker alley. He took a second look around then returned his attention to Dolor, a sad frown set on his somehow unique features. He lowered his voice to just above a whisper. "I don't take pride in what I do, Dolor, but the humans will take it from us whether we want to give it up or not. I save a lot of them from misery and persecution. I'm kind, and because I provide a lot of addicts don't feel the need to create a higher demand of companies that would.. do what they did." He motioned vaguely to Dolor's arms, then tucked his hands into his jacket pockets to keep from curling them into fists. He did what he could for his people but he knew this was all his fault, he had failed them, and now they were, there was no other word for it, being harvested. It filled him with rage and he closed his eyes, taking a few calming breaths. He wanted to save them, he wanted to go home again, but the only solution he saw right now was genocide of the human race, and he didn't want another war. He needed to find out how to lock the humans out before anything could return to how it was.

Closing his eyes, Dolor gave Peregrine a small nod. He knew somewhere deep down that the prince was telling him the truth. "I do not remember it all," he said quietly. "I am certain it was painful. And that I felt every moment. But if...if we are as close as I want to believe, then at least I did it for a good reason, right?" He opened his eyes and leveled his gaze on Peregrine. "These people that use, I...pity them." It was said with the utmost sort of confusion. He had no idea why he felt bad for them, but there it was. "I do not judge you for what you do. I judge them."

"That.. was always our right, my friend," Peregrine replied as he opened his eyes and gave Dolor a sad smile. "There are two responses we could have for them: pity, and anger. And I do not want us to ever fall so far that we let our anger control us. Someday, they will repent." And he took a moment after that, just looking at Dolor's face, so unfamiliar but the color of his hair and his eyes, those he remembered, and his very spirit. It was like a lullaby he couldn't forget, even if he couldn't hum the tune. It brought him peace, if only a little, to know he had it again. He stepped forward and raised his arms, wrapping them around Dolor's shoulders to hug him close, careful not to move his jacket in a way that would irritate his feathers. It felt right but strange to him to embrace the other man. He couldn't resist and at the same time he was much more used to nuzzles and pets. These human bodies were still foreign when it came to contact with another one. At least, for him anyway. After a sufficient embrace, he pulled away, giving Dolor a sad smile. "Come on, I have many other meetings. I'll understand if- if you want to leave me... But I would be glad for your company."

Dolor leaned close to Peregrine when he was pulled into the embrace. He didn't move away until Peregrine did, and then he gave a small nod at the statement. "I will join you," he said. Dolor shoved his hands in the pockets of his jacket, his fingers entangling with a feather that had gotten trapped there somehow. He pulled it out slowly and regarded the bright red in his hands for a moment before holding it out to Peregrine. "I still have a lot to learn about you, after all. And I do enjoy your company for the most part." There was no lie in that statement. Other than the situation that had just happened, Dolor had not felt this safe with anyone in some time.

Peregrine felt his heart slam against his rib cage and he stared at the feather for a moment before his hand slowly came up to take it. It seemed almost unreal. Despite having seen Dolor in the dream, as himself, to have this real proof. He lifted it to his face and brushed it across his cheek, letting his eyelids flutter almost closed, lost in the contact. He couldn't stop the smile that followed the action, but he did however pull out an empty vial and safely tuck it inside before putting it in the pocket of his pants. It was safer than letting it get crushed. "Thank you," he practically breathed. "That is the kindest gift. We will spend more time together, time without such troubles. I promise you. But for now, come, we will endure, for now." And with another fond smile, he stepped out of the alley and continued down sidewalk, glad to have Dolor at his side.

Dolor hurried to keep in step next to him. He wasn't absolutely certain what prompted him to hand the feather over, but he trusted it with Peregrine. He trusted Peregrine. That's all there was to it. Glancing sideways at the man as they walked, Dolor tried not to smile too much as he thought back to the dream realm. "I much prefer your actual self," he said quietly, not being able to help himself. It might have been the comfortable feeling he had when he was in what he knew now to be his natural state. "Can we...do that again tonight?" he asked suddenly, hoping that he didn't actually have to say out loud what he wanted, not here at least.

"I'm happy to share my bed with you any night you wish," Peregrine replied, his own smile holding steady as he completely ignored the old lady who gasped, hearing what he said, as they passed by. It seemed what he hoped for was working, that familiarity would bring Dolor back to him. Perhaps he would give up his apartment and come to live with him once more sooner than the prince had dared to hope for. His smile widened slightly. Finally having Dolor back, yes. He would let nothing stop him.

The color drained from Dolor's face and his nose and forehead wrinkled as something just behind his eyes suddenly ached. I am happy to share my things with you. Almost the same phrasing. In Peregrine's voice, the one he remembered from the dream. He pinched the bridge of his nose, as if trying to force the memory or whatever it was back into place, but it slipped away just as quickly. The phoera kept walking through this momentary lapse, trying to wipe the expression from his face as he walked. "I may have to go soon anyway," he said with a frown, moving his shoulders under his jacket and trying to force the tension away. "But I will stay as long as I can."

"To get your apartment key?" Peregrine asked and looked up at him. Dolor's expression made him lose his smile however. "Dolor, what's wrong? You seem pale. Are you feeling ill? Maybe you should go home and rest, or to our apartment since you wouldn't be able to get in to yours. Do you want me to help you?" No meeting, and no amount of meetings, would ever be more important than his friends' well being. "Maybe you need to lie down for a bit..."

"I need to not be so...confined," Dolor responded, not meaning to sound sharp with his friend. The ache in his head had dulled a little, but still throbbed as his mind attempted to remember correctly. "You said that before. Not that exact...wording. I...remembered I think." It still hurt, just behind his eyes and a little deeper, and Dolor shook his head quickly. "My apologies. I probably sound crazy."

"I remember," Peregrine told him softly, as if reminding him. He reached up and gently brushed some bright red hair from his face. "I have said it many times before, and I'm sure I will say it many more. I'm happy, I have always been happy sharing my life with you. Don't worry for now, alright? Nothing you could ever do will make me lose patience with you. Take your time remembering everything. For now, just trust me. Trust that I'm here for you, Dolor. I'm not going anywhere, ever again. I'll answer any and all questions you may have, and give you all the time you could ever want or need. We're going to get there." His hand moved away and took Dolor's. "I promise," he finished and brought the other creature's hand to his lips, pressing an affectionate kiss to the back. It was slow, and tender, and when it ended, he smiled awkwardly and let go of Dolor's hand. "Forgive me, I usually reserved such affections for your head, but bestowing them now, in these forms, would be difficult."

Dolor's eyes went from the ground in front of him to Peregrine, a little smile tilting the corner of his lips despite the pain in his head. He had no idea how long it would take to regain his memories, but that something was there made him relieved. This wasn't all just something crazy that happened. It had to be for a reason. "I would never have thought that one of your standing would treat someone of my standing with such familiarity," he said, half teasing. While he still wasn't altogether certain what he was to Peregrine, he accepted that they were friends at least.

"You stand with me," Peregrine told him pointedly and gently urged him to continue walking so they could continue down the sidewalk. At least for now he was fairly certain he wanted to come along. "And nobody is as familiar with me as you are. You're the only one who has ever laid in my bed or sat on my throne besides myself. You had a perch of course, but you liked being wherever I was." A chuckle escaped him. "And sometimes you were very vocal about it. I remember early on my mother tried to assure me that you would be fine in a cage while I attended lessons. You melted the cage and you have not had one since."

"Melted?" Dolor asked, turning to look suddenly at Peregrine. "I melted it?" He wasn't about to ask the 'how', only wanted confirmation that he actually had. It didn't seem surprising at all. Once he was loyal, even in this human-ish form, he didn't like being away from people. He could only imagine how much worse that would have been when he was younger. His headache forgotten momentarily, Dolor only stared openly at the prince, his surprise evident.

"Yes and you were magnificent," Peregrine breathed, more than a little awe in his voice. "Brightest thing I had ever seen in the-" He seemed to suddenly realize where they were and although no one was around, he calmed himself anyway. "You were my fire, more than once. You will be that magnificent again some day, Dolor. We'll play 'Catch the Ember'- Well, if I have the time. I guess when we go back I'll be pretty busy..." His voice was falling. It was true. Once they returned, he would be king and their lives would be filled with responsibilities.

It was a little surprising to Dolor that he actually played anything. His was more duty bound now. But that might have more to do with the way he had died. Giving his life for his best and closest friend. "And I will be right there by your side?" he asked quietly. "I am not actually family, so I guess my role is not as important." Being a friend and companion to a prince was fully different than being a prince.

"I would have you no where else," Peregrine answered firmly. "Your role is much more important than you know. You tended everything for me, even when I tried to keep you from it. Which, on that subject-" He placed a hand on Dolor's arm and gave him a serious look. "I can dress myself. Seriously, do not go back to trying to do that." He dropped his hand and continued walking. "I won't expect you to tend to me right now- No, for once, I get to tend to you. I'm actually rather excited."

I can dress myself, Dolor! The phoera put a hand to his temple as the voice practically screamed in his mind. It was disconcerting to say the least. He had to narrow his eyes against the lights, his head returning to throbbing. "Excited?" he tried to ask, trying to keep the conversation going. He wouldn't let on that this was bothering him. Remembering like this. The ache in his head would subside once more.

He didn't hide it well. Peregrine was frowning at him again. "Yes... excited..." he replied slowly. "I haven't been able to care for you since you were eight years old and you started getting food and water for yourself. Since then, you made it your mission to take care of me like I would die without it- Dolor, are you ok? Maybe we should stop with the memories for today and work on the present. There's no rush. We have time. We can work more tonight."

"No. I want to remember." Dolor forced his eyes open and looked over at Peregrine. There was still pain as his synapses were still attempting to fire. "There are important things...things I have forgotten. I want them back." He gave a half hearted smile to the prince. "If you need me to live, I should definitely remember as soon as possible." His actual personality was beginning to finally be able to shine through with Peregrine and Dolor watched for a reaction to his teasing remark.

Peregrine blinked at him, as if in surprise, then a small grin appeared on his face. "Maybe we should take a nap then," he practically purred, though the growl of his natural voice was creeping into his comforting human one. "I am feeling rather tired.. and could use a good..." he raised his arms over his head. "Stretch," he finished while performing the motion. Then shook his head. "But work first. Let's hurry so we can go home, ok?"

Dolor gave a nod, not remembering his original errand. He would follow Peregrine until they were back to the penthouse apartment, not even worried about his own at the moment. "How many more...customers do you have?" He hesitated over that word. There were so many other words that would be more suited to what these people actually were.

"Three today. The rest are in meetings or work so I'll be dealing with them later this week. They will be quick, I promise. I'm just tired of them blowing up my phone with all their pleading and yelling. They aren't looking for more, they're just mad I'm late. One wanted something new though, but we'll see when we get there."

"Something new?" Dolor asked. He didn't know how extensive Peregrine's supply was. He wasn't sure he wanted to know. It was one of those things that could stay in the dark and Dolor would be perfectly content. Really he just wanted this to be done so they could return to the apartment. "Even here you are a busy man," he commented.

---

"I know he told us to treat ourselves but I feel I may have bought too much." Lavinia hissed with a grin as she glanced down at the many bags in her hands. "But it was fun, don't you think?" She turned her head to look at Cat for a moment as they moved along the bustling street of Totocin before returning her attention to where they were going. "So what do you feel like doing now? Something to eat? A drink maybe? Or do you wish to go home?"

Cat giggled softly and shook her head. "I think it'll be okay." Cat only had a couple of bags of her own. She wasn't much for shopping but she did see a hand full of items she loved. Considering Lavinia's question she nodded her head. "How about eating with a drink? I know a great place just up the street that has great food."

"Sounds good to me." Lavinia replied with a nod and a smile before motioning with one of her bag filled hands. "Please lead the way." She asked politely.

Cat smiled and shook her head at all the girls bags. "Are you okay carrying all of those?" Though the place was really only a few doors down they could make a detour to Pere's before eating. Cat continued to walk until they stood outside the restaurant. "That wouldn't mind us bringing our stuff in. We could grab a booth that way we have enough room." She decided that was a good idea and held the door open so Lavinia could go inside.

Lavinia slipped inside the restaurant then waited for Cat to join her. "They aren't that heavy really so I can manage them." She replied in response to the other woman's concerns about her bags. She turned her head in the direction of the tables and sniffed lightly at the scent of cooked food. "Smells delicious.." She hissed hungrily.

"I told you. Amazing food here." Glancing around, Cat noticed a booth on the upper deck, tucked into the corner. Nudging Lavinia in that direction she claimed the booth for them and set her bags to the side. "I haven't been here in a while but I remember they had a wonderful steak and shrimp platter." Picking up one of the menus that were leaning against the wall she began flipping through it. "Ooo all you can eat sea food."

"I wish I could try everything.." Lavinia commented with a grin as she glanced over the restaurant's menu before finally closing it over and setting it down. "But I think I will just settle for a steak."

"Sounds great. You can try a bite of mine if you'd like. Cat waved a waitress over and promptly gave her order. "I would like the all you can eat sea food please, with a tall glass of pepsi." The waitress jotted it all down and nodded her head and turned to Lavinia poised and ready for her order..

Lavinia looked up at the waitress then pointed down at the menu. "Steak.." She hissed firmly. "And please advise the cook that I want it rare.." She continued before closing the menu over. "And to drink I think I'll just take a glass of water, no ice." She finished with a nod. She waited for the waitress to leave then sighed and settled back. "I wonder if we should take the others back some food?" She asked as she glanced at Cat.

Cat nodded her head as the waitress returned with their drinks and hurried off again. "We can get something to go for them before we leave." Taking a sip of her drink she sighed softly, a smile of contentment on her face. "So did you enjoy yourself today? I know I did. I don't really get to go out and do fun things very often. Always working."

"I did enjoy myself, yes." Lavinia replied after taking a long sip from her own drink. "I haven't stayed out this long in a long time. Despite the fact that I am disguised as a human I still tend to make people nervous and I do not want to risk anyone finding out what I really am. None of my kind have ever been caught before and I do not wish to be the first." She continued then looked at Cat curiously. "You said that you work? Where do you work?"

"At a club down the street. We'll actually pass by it on our way home. You can peak in a see it if you want. I'm one of their... exotic dancers." Shrugging her shoulders, Cat watched as the waitress came back over. She ordered a few different things for the others and told the waitress to make sure it was wrapped up good so it was kept warm.

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Peregrine's other three meetings (two were professional looking men in suits, the third was an upper middle class housewife in a track suit and too much make up) went as smooth as he had promised and soon her and his companion were headed back to his apt. He would have five more meetings tomorrow but Dolor would not be coming along for those. They used to do everything together, and he was the king of nightmares, he had to provide and regulate terrors as great, and sometimes worse, than what he was doing now, but it made his friend uncomfortable so for now he would just endure. "Are you hungry?" he asked gently as they walked along, looking around for possible diners or places to eat. "I'm buying," he offered.

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