It had been another great night at the NightWalk. Mydra hadn't had to break up any horrific fights or, kill anyone. So it had been a good night. Now the sun was beginning to rise, it being dawn. Hiro had escorted Mydra to his place of living and the other workers had all gone home to there families.



Mydra walked into Hiro's country house and slipped off her shoes. She was completely comfortable in this house considering she had been here so many times. Yawning she headed into the kitchen and grabbed herself a glass of water. Turning around she called out. "Are you hungry?" She hadn't talked to him since yesterday afternoon so she didn't even know if he had eaten dinner. Leaning her hip against the granite counter she waited for him to join her.

"Oh, no," Hiro replied kindly as he joined her in the kitchen. He had incredible poise, even in this relaxed moment with Mydra. "I ate earlier, but, of course," he said as his arms wrapped around her slim waist and he buried his face against her neck, making sure his lips didn't touch her skin. "I could never turn down your wonderful cooking."

Pushing Hiro away from her, Mydra grinned slightly and shook her head. "Yeah yeah yeah, suck up." Moving away from him she began fixing up the ingredients of spaghetti. "It's a good thing I shop for you, or you'd never have anything in this house." 

"Why put food in an empty home," Hiro countered lightly as he turned and leaned against the counter where she had been, his palms resting on the edge. He watched her work with a fond expression. She was a good woman, and any man would be lucky to have her. He would have never guess he, personally, would be so lucky. "A house, is only a home, when a family lives there. Which is why.. Mydra.." He looked a little worried about something as he posed the question he had been trying to for weeks. "I was wondering.. if you would like to move in with me. Completely. You already have some of your things here, it wouldn't be a problem to simply have the rest moved here." He was staying mostly calm, but it was obvious that she could say no, and that he hoped he wasn't rushing things.

Not sure if he was serious, Mydra turned around and looked into his eyes. Looking there she found the answer she was looking for. He was dead serious. Inhaling deeply she turned back to her cooking and thought about it for a few moments. "I hope you aren't taking offense to my pause. It's just been...decades since I lived with someone. But, honestly, I'd love to. It may take me a while to get used to it, but I'd be happy to." Her eyes sparkled with happiness, maybe even tears. Most people feared her, not welcomed her. It was a nice feeling.

"Oh thank you Myrdra!" Hiro breathed in relief and stepped forward to embrace her in a hug, careful not to touch her with his lips, or bother her cooking in anyway. "You've made me so happy. Take all the time you need! You can bring your things over in small amounts, or all at once, whatever you need. I can call some movies tomorrow, or, whenever you are ready." He stepped back a bit, his hands still resting on her hips and smiled at her with love and happiness. "I will make sure you won't regret this, love."

"You're listening to WDVL, home of the Lore. This is LC bringing you the best music from around the world. This next one goes out to all you ladies who'll be keeping me company tonight. Always keeping us lads on our toes." Lucian put on the copy of Pink's U + Ur Hand, letting it spin as he sat back in his seat, a smile on his face, his headphones on his ears, his mic up. He prepared the next three tracks and let the music take him. He had slept for an hour and woke up before he was due to start. His task this morning was to set up all the music to play for the day until the next DJ took over. Recording some voice overs quickly, he waited for the song to finish so he could continue his show.

Mydra smiled at the emotion that shown in his eyes. Blushing slightly she nodded as she spooned some of the finished spaghetti onto a plate for him. "Eat up." Filling a plate for herself she filled two glasses with milk and sat down at the table and took a sip of her drink before she began to eat. "I think we should call some movers. Have them box me up and ship it over by tomorrow afternoon. What do you say?"

"That sounds great," Hiro said honestly. "I have to work tomorrow, but I'll call them over to your house and drop you off on my way in, ok?" He gave her a smile before trying the spaghetti, which made him smile. "I'd starve without you," he said contentedly.

Celtul walked into the door of his apartment, a small two bedroom across town, and tossed his keys on the kitchen table. After taking of his jacket he bent over and took his shoes off, setting them inside the closet by the front door. His first stop was the shower. The smell from the drink he was wearing on his chest had been annoying him since he left the bar. After his shower he went to the kitchen made a snack, ate, then went to bed.

"Here's a question for all my listeners. What's your favorite type of dancing music? As most of you know, I frequent a club most nights and have a blast, but I've noticed that some of the dancers don't dance to all the songs. So, for all of you out there, go ahead and phone in with your answers. You'll reach me, LC, at 1-800-555-9385. Until then, here's the next song. It's Rockstar by N.E.R.D."

Mydra rolled her eyes and stood to clean off the table. Yawning gently she loaded the dishwasher with there dirty dishes and turned it on. It was getting late and she needed to sleep before the bar opened up for mid-afternoon. Yawning once again she smiled. "I think I'll call Rafe and have her open up shop for me so I can supervise the packing. I'll put the place on the market as soon as possible." She had owned the loft for almost Thirty years, but it was time to move on.

Hiro nodded and stood for her, holding out his hand. "That's all well and good, but remember, there is no need to rush, love." He gave her a charming smile. "That can all wait until tomorrow though," he responded to her yawn. "For now, we should head to bed." He still held his hand out for her and motioned with the other that they should head out of the kitchen and upstairs to their room.

Mydra yawned again and gently placed her hand in his. "I guess. But don't let me forget." Mydra always took long hours at the club so she was constantly exhausted. Tonight she would sleep good, hopefully. She led the way up to the room she gently plopped down on the bed she sighed. Laying there only a few seconds, she was out.

---

Morning found a humming Hiro moving about as he readied himself for work. He was in a fairly good mood, but kept himself mostly quiet as he moved about his house. Once he was showered and dressed in one of his tailored suits, only one button left on the top of his shirt to do and a tie to put on, he gingerly sat on the edge of the bed by Mydra and smiled at her sleeping form. He hated to wake her. Nonetheless... He reached out and brushed some hair gently from her face. She really was quite pretty. "Mydra," he said gently. "Come on love, it is time to wake..."

Mydra swiped at his hand and groaned. "Go away." Rolling over she tried drifting back to sleep. Her night had been full of dreams with very few bit of sleep. She had dreamt of the war, once again. That seemed to be all she dreamed about lately, leaving her very exhausted and agitated. In her dreams she watched as her family and friends all died around her. Very few of the people she knew before the war had lived. Rafe was the only one left in the area. Hopefully the time when she would loose her as well, wasn't coming just yet.

Hiro chuckled. "No, no I am afraid I can not," he teased and began poking at her sides to tickle her. "Up, up my love! Get up, or return to your dreams, most restless. I can only hope you will choose a day with me over nightmares." He stopped poking and just continued smiling at her gently. He had felt her toss and turn all night. He, being what he was naturally, did not need much sleep, but it had worried him that she had been so restless. Better to wake her now to face reality, then to continue to let her suffer. "Please, Mydra. I have work in about an hour."

Groaning she sat up and gasp, falling back down. "I have a headache..." Taking a second to collect herself she stared up at the ceiling, fear and shock written across her face. "I haven't had a headache in years. Since...since before the war." She gave herself a little bit more time and then she began to sit up slowly, making sure not to strain herself. "I need...drugs." Mydra snorted slightly. "That came out wrong, I'm sorry."

Hiro just gave her an understanding smile. He opened the drawer to the night stand on her side of the bed and pulled out a small bottle of pain relieving medication. He handed it to her. "I'll get you some water," he said softly. He lingered only a moment, long enough to gently stroke the side of her face, pushing some of her mussed hair back, before he stood and headed silently to the kitchen for a glass of water.

Mydra sat up in bed and rubbed her temples. She had agreed to move in with him. She'd always lived on her own, never having someone that close around. But she'd agreed and the deal was done. She'd have her things shipped over today and that was it.

Hiro came back after a moment and hovered by the door, looking at his girlfriend who had good-night's-sleep written all over her. "I wish I could kiss you," he said softly, something he said all too often, and it was always true. He gave a sad smile then walked over and carefully held the glass out for her to take.

Mydra smiled softly and looked up at him. "Maybe one of these days." It was hard on them both that they couldn't share that simple piece of affection.

"I look forward to that day with all my heart," Hiro told her quietly and reached out to stroke some hair from her face again. It was as if he tried to use his finger tips to kiss her. Never would his lips touch that skin...

It was hardly an hour later that Hiro had dropped Mydra off at home. Well, her old home, now it was just a house where he things resided. He bid her a good day and teasingly told her not to be too hard on the movers, who had already arrived a few minutes before them and were awaiting instructions (as Hiro had warned them that Mydra would be managing the whole operation, and to follow her orders). He smiled at her one last time before driving off. One more obstacle covered, off to handle another.

Mydra scanned the well trained movers and smiled slightly. "Okay boys, things today are going to be simple. I want you to pack up each room, label the boxes and ship them. The rooms are going to be easy to pack because I'm so organized that with the way their placed in the room, they should just fit perfectly into boxes." The men grinned and headed off into the house. Mydra sat outside on her porch swing and closed her eyes. She would call the papers and inform them that she would be putting the place on the market, and things would roll from there.

On the sidewalk, small scuff noises halted. Aure stood there, watching the movers for a moment before he looked up Mydra on the porch. Without invitation, he altered course and walked up to stand before her, his shadow falling over her and he knew that would be enough to make her open her eyes, at least. For a cloudy day, there was still a good bit of sun. Once he had her attention, he raised an eyebrow, looked at the movers, then back at her as if to ask 'moving?'.

Mydra's eyes snapped open suddenly, the same instant she reached towards her calf to grab for her gun. Looking up at the figure she sighed gently. There were too many people strolling along the streets for her to be in danger by this man. She could also take care of herself in any given situation. Then she looked up into the eyes of the one standing in front of her and gasped. "Aure, I am so sorry...I didn't realize it was you." Glancing around at the moves she smiled at them as they moved pasted. "Um our meeting... Would you like to have it here? If not I can simply give these guys a break and we can head down to the club.."

Aure stared at her for a moment later before he finally leaned back against the banister of her porch and motioned a hand to her as if saying she should continue. Apparently, he had chosen the first option. No need to interrupt her work since he was already here, and he had killed her bartender. It would be morally wrong to abandon the agreement to replace him.

"Well since you killed my faithful friend and bartender. I feel it's my right to know a little bit about you since I'll be hiring you on. First of all, what kind of creature are you? I also need to know what weapons you may carry and whether you intend to kill any more of my employees." Mydra massaged her temples as the questions ticked in her head.

"Ankou. My weapon will never be in your bar. No." All of Aure's answers were simple, volunteering no more information than necessary, and his voice was like warm silk, comforting and gentle, and yet something about it was like thunder, deep and foreboding. He looked at her calmly, his eyes sparkling like miniature supernovas in their irises. He was so intensely focused on her, and yet so placid about it. It was like he had all the time in the world, and not even God himself could rush him.

They stood there staring at each other for several minutes. Finally Mydra snapped out of it and cursed softly. Forcing her eyes to leave his. "Um...I can see you already know how to mix drinks. Also I have a strict rule, don't brings girlfriends, boyfriends, whatever, into my bar unless customers are gone. Women and men, will hit on you, I don't want a jealous lover smashing up my bar." Clearing her throat she ran a hand through her hair. A mover came up to her just then. "Mydra, we're reading to head over to the new house." Mydra jumped slightly, bumping into Aure. She hadn't realized how close they had actually been standing. "You guys go ahead and head over. Hiro gave you the address, there will be a cleaning lady there to let you in." With that she turned back to Aure and frowned. "I need to know I can trust you. If my guys get into a fight with some rowdy customers, will I be able to count on you for protection, if I need it?"

Aure looked back at her, as calm as ever, his hand hovering near the small of her back where it had stopped in case bumping into him had caused her to lose her balance. He just hadn't put it down yet. "Yes," he said simply, his voice still soft and calm, quieter now, although that was more because they were closer now and he didn't have to use the volume he had been using. He never saw the need to speak louder than absolutely necessary. Humans were noisy enough, he had no need to contribute. It is also why he didn't say anything more than necessary, like pointing out he didn't have a.. what was it? Lover? Of any sort. It was good enough that he simply accepted that, if he did or didn't didn't matter, it was that they weren't allowed in the bar. Well, that was fine with him.

Mydra inhaled deeply and then sighed. She had yet to move away from him. "Do you ever say more then one word?" His lack of talking made her uneasy. She'd worked in a bar most of her life and now she ran one. She was always around people who wanted or needed to talk. It was an odd occasion when she found someone who didn't talk. 

Aure nodded once, the gesture unrushed and easy. His eyes never left hers, and still, he was quiet. He smelled of something indescribable, it was different for everyone. It was something alluring and yet frightening. Usually it was something like spring rain and fresh gun smoke, or warm cocoa and coppery blood. The alluring smell, however, was always more powerful, as if the universe, the Death Gods, wanted to do all they could to make their guides of the souls as unfrightening as possible. The dead had been through enough, there was no need to scare them with the natural frightening scents people found on the reapers. He stood, not moving either but mostly because, right not, he was not worried about killing someone, and proximity had never bothered him. Usually, it was the soul that ran away, fearing eternal rest. He never knew why. He didn't know what lay beyond the gate either, but his Gods assured him it was nothing to be frightened of, and his Gods were merciful and kind.

Mydra shook her head and stepped away from Aure. Turning towards the empty house she locked the door and smiled. "Come on. We better get to work." Putting her keys in the pocket of her jeans she made her way down the stairs and onto the sidewalk. "Coming, barkeep?" Grinning over her shoulder at him, she winked.

Aure nodded again, his expression as calm and unreadable as ever as he walked down the steps and followed her down the sidewalk. Well, his new.. boss, was it? Seemed nice enough. It would be interesting to work for her. And yes, oh yes, he would work for her. He owed her a great debt now. It was the other workers he now worried about. They didn't matter much, to him, but he had a feeling if he caused trouble with them, or they with him, his new boss would not appreciate it at all.

Mydra nudged Aure with her elbow and smiled. "Lighten up a little. Believe me, coming from my mouth, that is amazing. You seem a little tense around me. There's no need to be. I want all of my employees to be completely comfortable around me." With that being said she smiled and tugged gently at his hair. Her employees were the only one's who ever saw her kindness, and even they rarely saw it.

Aure's eyes met hers again and there were those deep swirling pools of galaxies again, somehow dark and bright all the time time. He didn't say anything, but he raised his hand and rested it on hers that was touching his hair. Not to still it, but it was like he was returning the boldness that she had showed by touching him. "I am," he said softly and his thumb brushed her skin gently before he lowered his hand again. His demeanor was always this calm, this placid, and he was sure that was clear after one saw him angry, but he hoped this woman would not need to see that in order to know. She seemed bright enough, and hid her inner turmoil fairly well, but her soul writhed in her body and he could see it, or perhaps feel it, it had been so long since he was raw to the awareness that he didn't know which sense he used to notice it anymore. He was sure, though, as he stared into her blood colored eyes, that she would somehow figure it out, some other way she would come to know, he was not tense, not nervous, and he highly doubted that there would ever be a way she could cause him to be.

Mydra came to the door of the club and inhaled the sent of the grill working in the back. "Mmm...I forgot that I haven't eaten much today. We should grab a bite while Rafe is here, so that once your done eating you can take over for her." Entering the club she looked around and smiled. Rafe whistled at her. "Oooo hot momma!!!" Mydra smiled slightly and shook her head. "Evenin' boys" She called towards a table of regulars.

Behind her, Aure followed her in, looking as calm as ever, but the fact that he was looking around the room belied his curiosity. Sure, he had been here before, but he hadn't been looking around. Furthermore he had no desire to tell Mydra he didn't need to eat. Perhaps he could politely decline when it was offered? Ah, well, he would figure that out in a moment. He followed her to the bar and stood, waiting for instructions, declining to sit. He wasn't a very lazy person.

---

"Well, that's all for me today, folks. Don't forget to tune into LC in the morning again right here at WDVL, delivering all the greatest hits to you. Have a great day and I'll see all you kids tomorrow."

---

LC walked into the club at a more leisurely pace, his headphones around his neck. He walked across the club, approaching Mydra slowly. "Did you find a new band for tonight? Or should I be making some calls?" He needed to run a sound check before they got started tonight, and he was hoping that she had booked someone already.

Mydra sat down and Rafe grinned. "The usual?" Smiling, Mydra nodded her head. "Only the best. Aure, what about you?" Looking over at her companion she smiled. Before he was able to answer she turned towards LC and frowned. "Shit...I forgot...Hiro asked me to move in with him last night...so things have been a bit hectic." Mydra knew that LC wasn't a big fan of Hiro, but she loved LC none the less, he was always there for her. "Um...Grab the phone and we'll make some calls."

Aure had waved to Rafe in a 'whatever you recommend' kind of way, giving her those same unfathomable eyes that were purposely submissive to the woman to show her he was trusting her, not insulting her, before he looked back at Mydra, his eyes once again smoldering universes. He was curious who Hiro was, but decided it didn't sound like someone he needed to know. She would tell him if it was, he was sure. He looked around the room again, taking it in. He bet it had great acoustics.

LC grabbed the wireless and pulled his pocketbook from his backpack. "I know a few people who owe me, but if you had someone in mind..." He flipped through some pages and paused at a couple before shaking his head and moving on. "If all else fails, I can give Cici a call. She's wanted to sing for awhile. Won't say that much in front of anyone, but it's worth a shot."

Mydra shook her head slightly. "We can talk to her about it, but a girl isn't good enough. Then we're stuck only playing certain songs. We need a male also." Glancing over at Rafe she smiled. "Know any men who are good with a mic?" Rafe rolled her eyes and leaned a hip against the lower counter that held the drinks. "Honey, the only men I know that are good at anything are men that are good in bed." Glancing over at Aure, Rafe winked, letting him know she was interested. "By the way, both your places at coming in a minute." Mydra looked over at Aure and frowned. "Do you know any male vocalists?"

In the meantime, LC called his home, where Cici was sleeping. "Cici, get your bass and get to the club." He paused while she talked, then smiled. "Yeah, we need a band."

Aure looked away from Rafe who had almost made him show surprise at the wink, but he managed to stifle it, and frowned almost imperceptibly and after a short moment shook his head no to Mydra. He looked at LC. "I will help with sound check," he said, his voice smooth and calm. It had a tone that could make you sit up and take notice, but at the same time it was like it didn't want to be heard, as if he wanted anyone who heard him to keep it a secret. He looked at Mydra, his eyes locking with hers again and they seemed to glow with that starry haze. "Until you can find someone suitable." He looked back at LC and nodded before heading to the stage, figuring LC would head to the sound booth.

With a nod and a smile, LC headed towards the sound booth, pulling his headphones on and switching his channels. "I'll give you a nod to do something, then adjust from there." He took the stairs three at a time, getting upstairs to the soundboard quickly. Plugging his headphones into the soundboard, he motioned at Aure to start with the mic.

"Check, check one two..." Aure did as he was told. He wanted to make a face. Such a terrible sound. How did one test the acoustics, without music? He sighed quietly, deciding he really hadn't been doing his job to the best of his abilities, and he always did his job to the best of his abilities, parted his lips, and let out the most beautiful, clear, soothing notes he could. The words were definitely not English, but they could stir emotions easily, and he wandered lazily from one side of the stage to the other, just moseying around as he continued singing a song he seemed to know by heart like a lullaby but a bit more serious. So, perhaps a dark lullaby.

Lucian almost ignore what was being sung in order to tune the mic. The sound sounded crisper, clearer than before. He gave Aure a thumbs up, then gestured for the guitar, wanting to do this quickly. The band sound couldn't be measured without more people, but he could tune the individual instruments now.

"Wait!" Mydra stood and walked over to the stage. Taking out a sheet of music she smiled. "It's a duet...but I want to hear you so it'll work. Lucian...turn on the sound to Broken, by Seether." She waited for the music to start then held the sheet of music in front of Aure she waited.

Cici made it through the door, tripping over her the bass guitar she was carrying. Walking over to the stage, she put it on the stand, looking at Mydra. "Luce said to come, so I came." Cici smiled. "And I brought Fur," she said, 'Fur' being what she affectionately called her guitar.

Lucian started the music to the song, the guitar part picking up slowly and he adjusted the sound until it sounded better to him. It wasn't hard for the DJ to tune for this song's beat.

Aure had watched Mydra approach silently and when he was presented the music sheet, he looked it over as if discerning what it was. After only a moment, he looked at Mydra, an eyebrow raised, but he raised the mic nonetheless, keeping eye contact with her as the notes began. For the first two lines, he held that eye contact, unflinchingly, not even searching her eyes, just so calmly focused. "I wanted you to know I love the way you laugh... I wanna hold you high and steal your pain away..." As he moved into the third line, however, he let his eyes stray back to the music sheet and he took it with his free hand so she didn't have to keep holding it up. Every note was as if he had written the song, perfect and exactly where it needed to be, when it needed to be there.

Watching him carefully she smiled. Mydra looked up into the sound room and smiled at Lucian. "Alright that's enough." He had sung almost half the song before she had snapped out of the trance enough to speak. "Aure, how would you like to sing for a few nights? Or permanently?" 

Aure felt the urge to sigh, but resisted as he figured it would give the wrong impression. Instead, after a moment of looking at her, having gone silent when she cued it, he replied very calmly, "My debt is to you. You decide how I repay it." He had killed someone close to her, she certainly wasn't handling his acknowledgment of his debt the way he had expected her to. Well, she was a dark elf after all. He knew little of their society, or anyone's really, outside his own. He made a mental note then and there to study more species' and their ways. The whole time he was thinking and deciding this, his eyes had not left hers, and, realizing this, he blinked to break the intense contact, at least slightly. He didn't want her to think he was irritated, or going to eat her.

Mydra ran a hand through her long white hair. "I'm not your keeper so don't treat me like one. You want to work as a singer, or a bar tender? Either way I can have someone fill in." She heard a bunch of people arguing at the front door and frowned. Meeting Aure's gaze she smiled. "You have 10 minutes to decide." With that she walked to the entrance of the club and whistled loudly, getting immediately silence in return. It turned out that a few girls had come in for a bachelorette. "Boy's...we have plenty of space. And they can use the VIP room tonight. No one has it booked." The bride-to-be threw her arms around Mydra and the other girl cheered. "Tristan! Take these ladies to their room and give them whatever they want. First 3 rounds are on the house."

Cici hooked up her bass, tuning it quickly while Lucian fiddled with the knobs up top. She smiled at Aure. "Bar tending is easier, I think. But music is more fun." Cici sat down on one of the stools, playing a simple round on her bass.

Silence met their actions and comments as Aure thought. He remained holding the mic, wondering what he was to do. It was a long moment before he decided on a conclusion. "I will sing tonight," he said decisively, although the words were quiet and not really directed at anyone. He turned to the mic stand and put the mic in it before he went about setting up the stage as if he was a stage hand. Best have it ready for other musicians. It would be rude, and presumptuous, to act like some spoiled rock-star human. He was used to labor, it was what he did. It was what he was made for. His life was not meant for leisure. It could be said that he didn't have the leisure of leisure.

Mydra came back over to the bar to take a big bite of her Chinese. Rafe elbowed her and smiled. "Looks like your hottie has decided to sing." Mydra automatically got defensive. "He's not my hott...Wait...he's agreed to sing?" Rafe burst out laughing and shook her head. "You sure you want to move in with Hiro? You can't have one on one time with Aure if you do." She said all of this loud enough for everyone to hear. Mydra shook her head and ignored the comment but looked up onto the stage at "her hottie." Rafe was right. The man was something to look at. Clearing her throat she smiled. "Rafe, looks like you'll be tending tonight." Rafe rolled her eyes and shrugged. "What else is new?"

Aure continued about his business on the stage, but at Rafe's last comment, he looked at the woman behind the bar with his calm eyes. There was just the barest twinge of apology in them. He held it for only a moment before he turned and picked up the lead guitar and moved to the edge of the stage beside Cici. He picked out a few notes, trying to pick up some accenting tune to what she was playing, assuming they would be singing, or playing, or whatever soon anyway. In truth, he was bored. Just let them in, let the night begin. If this was his debt, he would sing.

One of the bouncers walked over and whispered into her ear. Apparently Rafe had called a few of her friends who knew how to play keyboards, drums, bass, and electric guitar. "Thank god." Mydra Ducked around the bouncer and clapped her hands. "Alright everyone to the stage. Sheet music is all ready and in order. Soon as Lucians gives the okay on instruments, we're good to go. With that she turned away from everyone and inhaled deeply. She hadn't talked to Hiro all day, maybe that's why Aure was affecting her so much. Glancing over her shoulder at the stage she watched Aure carefully.