The Vision Theatre had been bought out for the Demaitre Film Festival. Twelve movies by Demaitre’s budding film directors and actors were going to be premiered tonight in the six theatres. It was a big deal. People of all classes were dolled up for the premier, limousines and expensive cars pulled up with their special passengers, and amongst them was Lorrea Meir. Benson-Kramer and Becks always got invitations to the yearly event and as the new partner she was guaranteed a ticket.

The limousine pulled up with her and six five others, the youngest of the partnership, while another waited behind as they disembarked carrying the senior partners. She wore a flesh coloured dress with subtle flecks of gold in it and gold shoes. Her hair was parted down the middle and then pinned up in an elegant knot at the base of her neck. Large pearl earrings hung from her ears while nothing adorned her neck. She looked elegant in the simplicity of her ensemble, picture perfect as always.

Sebastian Temple was first out of the limo and extended a hand to her to aid her out. She stepped into the flashing lights of cameras and film crews who were all documenting the event. A long line of patrons rounded the corner, each waiting for the doors to be opened to the theatre while Lor and her party walked past on the red carpet to the cocktail reception being held inside for special guests.

She looked lovely on Sebastian’s arm, each gentleman having a lady to escort. There was nothing between them save the simple fact that neither had come up with a date for the evening and had decided to be each other’s company. It would look odd coming to such an event alone. Lights flashed and photographers called for those on the carpet to pose for a shot. She met a director friend of hers on there, giving him a kiss on the cheek as greeting. His film “Rhapsody in the Morning” was going to be one of the first to premier that evening. However, she couldn’t take long in her greeting and proceeded inside with the others.

Once in the door she removed her arm from Sebastian’s as she began to mingle. Some people she knew while others she would know by the end of the night. No, this was not about fun; this was about business, making new contacts while enjoying an evening out of the office. It was the ploy of every company personnel who attended; meet the would-be box office smashes before they became big so that you got in on the ground floor.

It wasn’t long before she wandered over to the refreshment table and got herself a glass of champagne. It always made you look more relaxed and natural to have a glass dangling from your fingertips, and Lor was a master of giving the right impression. “Lorrea Meir?” she heard a voice behind her and turned to find Maxim Stahl standing there. “Maxim,” she said smiling as she kissed either cheek. “What are you doing here?” she asked curiously, a smile lingering on her face. Maxim had been at school with her in Sidney years ago, but the man still looked as he did then. “Just taking in the show. My production company is associated with one of the films being premiered,” he divulged. “You got into filmmaking?” she said surprised. “Yes. I’ll tell you all about it, if you will do me the honour of keeping me company for the evening.” She grinned, “Of course.”

“In that case….let me introduce you to some interesting people I’ve met here,” he said offering her an arm. She hooked her arm in his and allowed him to lead her to a small group of men and women. “Everyone, this is a dear friend Lorrea Meir.” He introduced her and then each face in turn. “Hello,” she said smiling.

The throng of people sent out voices that flitted around his head like mosquitoes, burrowing deep into his brain. A faint crease appeared between his brows, before being eased into oblivion. The edges of emotion on his face had been eroded down by centuries of so-called polite company. One hand reached to smooth out his blonde hair, running his palm over it until it came to the queue at the back of his head.

Strictly speaking, there was absolutely no reason for Isidore Sauvageot to be here. He was not an actor, or a director, or a writer. In fact, he was in no way affiliated with the movie business save that he often shared many of the same clients (said clients being interested in pictures, both moving and still) and that he had had drinks with many of the people in the room. Demaitre, although lovely in its own way, was not big enough to have diverse social circles past a certain salary bracket.

He looked down at the champagne in his hand, and gulped it down in a gesture that clearly stated that he was not one to follow anyone’s rules. The back of his throat itched for a cigarette. He wasn’t addicted – he wasn’t sure vampires could get addicted to anything, though God knows he’d tried – but he graved that smooth itch rolling down the back of his throat. Unfortunately, even had he had a cigarette, he doubted that he’d be allowed to sully the air in the theatre. Too many fears of lung cancer, and the like.

It really was too bad he was the only one in the room that wouldn’t be infected by the infernal disease. Really. Listen to the sympathy simply emanating off of him.

Pushing off from the wall, Isidore straightened out his tuxedo except for the silk scarf that was still carelessly draped over his shoulders. He set down his champagne flute on a table – it didn’t really matter to him which one – and shoved his hands in his pockets. With no real purpose in mind, he strolled about the room – yes, that’s right, strolled. It was the only word for what he did – something that managed to be arrogant and casual at the same time.

Hopefully something interesting would turn up. Isidore wanted excitement, not the pointless drivel that poured from the mouths of babes.

And not babes in the slang way. Isidore was above that.

That’s probably why his green eyes looked so bored.

The room was filled with people with connections, money and apparent class. If you weren’t one of them, they knew it, if you were new in town, they knew it. The circles of the wealthy and elite in Demaitre were small but numbered enough that not everyone knew everyone else, but someone was sure to know someone you didn’t. Making connections wasn’t difficult if you had the right pedigree and credentials, and Lor had both. She was young, attractive, stunning in whatever she wore, worked for one of the largest accounting firms in town and was the daughter of a wealthy man.

She sipped her champagne before a clear feminine laugh left her lips, dainty in nature but filled with the passion and sincerity she always possessed. They were talking of people of course, what else was there to talk about? They had yet to see any of the movies to be premiered so that only left those attending for the topic of entertainment.

“He was positively hideous in it,” one woman said with a laugh, her hand resting against her stomach as she did so. “Truly,” she added in her British accent. “Did you ever meet anyone like that Lorrea?” she asked. Lor smiled politely, “I had a professor once, who thought that orange and pink were the best colours in the world and insisted in wearing both at all times. He was a very nice man though,” she said with a small smile. “A man? Are you sure?” someone else asked, questioning the man’s sexual inclinations. “Yes, a man. He was even married, though people often made speculations about him.” she sipped her drink as the topic travelled to something else.

It didn’t take long for her glass to empty, leaving her with a desire for more. “Excuse me?” she asked politely as she walked back towards the refreshments. She really wanted something stronger, and as if responding to her thoughts she felt the vibration of her cell phone from her bag…it was a text message. She read the message, her eyes lighting up with mischievousness. Midnight and an address, that was all that was there but it was enough to ensure she made it through the night which was going to be filled with the same talk for the most party, nothing truly exciting. Lor liked things that were exciting and thrilling.

She was contemplating her outfit for later as she walked back across the room, That short leather skirt and tube top would be good, she thought, then began to pick it apart for something else. She would have kept on till she returned to the group but came to a halt as she bumped into someone in her distraction.

“Oh I’m sorry,” she said looking at the man in his tuxedo. “My apologies,” she said in her sweetest voice.

He edged past people in expensive clothing. He wriggled through circles of friends. He sauntered between two people having a conversation. If he played the game right, everyone in his immediate vicinity might think him the rudest man they’d ever seen by the end of the night. Isidore could dream. More than likely, some gossip would make its way around, saying how he’d recently broken up with a woman (who didn’t exist) or how he’d lost a lot of money in the stock market (that he didn’t play). Hearing about his life from other people was probably one of the more interesting parts of this whole dance.

A few people had called out to Isidore, to be sure. He wasn’t a pariah in this whole scene, nor was he a recluse, though he came agonizingly close sometimes. There had been smiles, shared words, lies of anticipation, promises of meetings. Whether anything would come of them was yet to be seen. There wasn’t much fuss over art dealers at a movie premiere.

He was on his way to get another flute of champagne when a woman walked out in front of him. Had he really wanted to, Isidore could have prevented the collision, but he didn’t. Where was the fun in that? Besides he could already see how this was going to turn out.

Let the dance begin.

At her apology, he smiled disarmingly, and somehow, it transformed his face. No longer was he something cold and remote, something your eye passed over because it simply couldn’t acknowledge him. Now he was something living (almost), breathing (not quite) that could be beheld.

"If anyone should apologize, it should be me," Isidore said in his smooth French accent. "If I were any sort of decent person, I would have some psychic ability so as to be able to prevent such things." It was unclear as to whether he was mocking him, her, them both, or no one. Such was his way.

He bowed only slightly. "Isidore Sauvageot, ma’mselle."

The gentleman, someone she didn’t happen to know, smiled back at her with a charming beam. She hadn’t seen him when she arrived, or his march around the room, she was far too preoccupied with the reason for the night…smoozing.

“Oh no,” she began with her slight Australian accent. “It was all my doing,” she protested politely, “I should have been paying more attention. I hope I didn’t get you?” she said referring to her champagne. She took a quick glance over his attire, nothing seemed out of place or soiled, and neither was she, so they were both no worse for ware which was a good thing. Her dress was far from cheap and she presumed his tux was likewise.

He was French by his accent. “I am sure you are perfectly decent,” she said with a smile and a small laugh. “Don’t let your lack of special abilities worry you,” she joked politely. Everything was polite, everything sweet yet alluring in her nature, like the light that still shone in her eyes over her text.

She smiled, “Lorrea Meir,” she said introducing herself. “A pleasure to meet you Monsieur Sauvegeot,” she continued. Etiquette, there was an important word in the business world and Lor knew it well. You never called anyone buy their first name unless they told you to. Some people like to keep themselves apart by not allowing certain people to call them by their first names. It was a way of staying above the crowd. Lor wasn’t such a person, she always found friendly and inviting the best method to making sound connections and so far her method proved very fruitful for herself and her company.

She sipped her champagne. “Are you affiliated to any of the films? Or are you like me just in attendance?” she asked making polite conversation while at the same time gathering information. He was well dressed, more than likely connected, and she was sure none from her firm had any connection with him, so she might has well make one.

His smile dimmed to something just above a smirk. Green eyes looked her down, before returning politely to her face. There was, however, something in his eyes that wasn’t completely polite. It wasn’t personal – he’d probably have done it to any pretty woman that ‘accidentally’ bumped into him. Isidore was far from being Mr Nice Guy. Besides, it was probably a look she got often enough.

Looking down at himself, he said, “It doesn’t appear that I was hit.” At her words about him being decent, he laughed, clasping his hands behind his back. “Ah, ma’mselle, you really don’t know me. You’d be entirely wrong in your assumption. I am, in fact, a scoundrel and a rake. I’m really quite a horrible person.”

It was quite true. If the woman knew what was good for her, she’d have probably walked away from Isidore the moment after she had apologized. He was hardly what you’d call a good influence, and far from a super kind man. Formalized English aside, he seemed like the sort of man that would have spied for Napoleon Bonaparte.

He had, but that was entirely beside the point.

Taking her hand, he placed a small peck on it – some habits are never broken – before releasing it. “It is indeed, Mam’selle Meir.” Was he trying to seduce her? Maybe. Or maybe he was just toying with her, and would leave her hanging at the end of the evening, if she were that sort of woman. Either was entirely likely. Even Isidore could not predict what would happen.

“I merely came to watch the films.” Lie. “I do, however, know some of the people in attendance. While I am not in the film industry, I do frequent with wealthy people.” True. “I deal in antiquities and art, you see.”

Some of which were younger than he was.

When her eyes met his face again, after politely enduring his gaze, there resided in his eyes a look that was not at all what she’d expected from the likes of this crowd. It was the brazen look of someone she’d find at one of the gatherings she would be headed to after this soiree was over. It was odd to see it there, odd yet not unfamiliar to her, just under current circumstances it took her back a moment. It wasn’t a look she’d called polite or one she expected from the respectable polite men who frequented this type of gathering. She found it intriguing, though outwardly she showed no reaction it.

She laughed that same clear sincere laugh that had left her earlier. “Are you trying to tell me that you are not decent Monsier?” she asked still smirking. Well now, there was another unexpected revelation. “Please forgive my assumption. I feel terrible about doing that,” she said with a curious smile. A scoundrel? An interesting choice of words. Lor found supposed scoundrels interesting. None would admit to such a trait, but often portrayed it, and here he was admitting to it. Curious.

Admitting to being a scoundrel was probably a big flashing red light that should have sent any decent woman running for the hills, but Lor liked to walk on the wild side and her feet stayed firmly planted on the spot.

He took her hand placed a small kiss on it. She smiled politely, maintaining her air of decorum to his very diplomatic act. Did scoundrels kiss your hand? Quite possibly. “You may call me Lorrea,” she said polite as he addressed her formally.

“As am I,” she admitted, thought it was only a half truth. “I’m an accountant. Films aren’t usually something I have a chance to indulge in. I thought this was as good an event as any to dip my feet into,” she continued. She sipped from her glass once more as Isidore spoke of wealthy people. “Then we have something in common. I frequently find myself in the company of people with money,” she said in a somewhat honest but joking manner. “Antiquities and art? How interesting,” she said, her curiosity peaked. There was a market they had yet to dabble in. She was raised to appreciate the arts in all forms, such was the way of being a rich man’s daughter.

Well, what could he say? Were he privy to her thoughts – for her sake, it was a very good thing he was not – he probably would have said something about always being in a crowd, but apart from it. He wasn’t about to temper his personality merely because of his surroundings, and he liked to think that was what made him, well, so likeable despite the fact that he wasn’t a likeable sort of man. Not when you really got to know him, anyways. Or so he liked to tell himself.

Standing tall and looking very stately indeed, he clasped his hands behind his back. Isidore looked very much like the object of one of his paintings from Pre-Revolutionary France come to life. One brow quirked up at her. “I mean to say, mam’selle, that I am probably the most indecent man you have ever met. I just hide it better than others, which makes me very, very dangerous.”

Isidore found nothing wrong with laying some cards on the table. It left people just dying to see what else you had in your hand.

His other eyebrow joined the other near his hairline, as a faintly amused look draped itself over his face. “If you wish, Lorrea. I suppose it would be the polite thing to let you call me Isidore, but I’ve already hinted that I’m not all that polite either. I’ll leave it up to your discretion.”

He nodded, and it seemed to be almost pitying. “Yes, those people with money. How dreadful. Quite stuffy, aren’t they? Unfortunately, I happen to find myself among their number, so I suppose the stuffiness will come with time.” He looked around at the other people in the room, his nose slightly wrinkled. “Though I sure as hell hope not.” Turning his eyes back to her, he added, “My job isn’t particularly exciting. I became apathetic to history a long time ago.” Yeah, right about the time he was living it.

She glanced casually at Maxim and his group, meeting his gaze in the process. She flashed him a small smile that indicated she’d catch up to him later, before returning her focus to Isidore.

The man was tall, stately in nature and somewhat imposing. He had the kind of appearance that might have intimidated someone if he so desired to. Lorrea was never intimidated, she wasn’t the type to back away from a challenge, on the contrary it only made her press ahead harder.

He raised an eyebrow and Lor casually took in the action but it was not the eyebrow but the words that caught her. “Are you really that bad Monsieur? I somehow doubt that,” she said before allowing her glass to grace her lips once more. The glass paused as he said he was dangerous, her eyes looking up at him curiously. “Now I don’t know how dangerous you could possibly be, if you are so willing to admit it,” she said with a slight mischief in her tone. “Wouldn’t a dangerous man want to hide the fact that you had something to worry about when you were near him?” It seemed logical to her, that you would hide your dark side; it was after all what she did.

His other eyebrow joined the others arched position on his face as he called her Lorrea. “I suppose I could call you Isidore, if it wouldn’t offend your nature,” she said somewhat teasing. “I’m always polite,” she stated casually, “most of the time,” she admitted.

He was very contrary to what she was used to dealing with in this setting and she was finding it incredibly interesting.

She laughed as he called the wealthy people of their acquaintance stuffy. She leaned in as though about to divulge some deep secret, “Aren’t they?” she said still smiling. “Stuffy?” she looked him over with a wry look, “No I wouldn’t say you were stuffy,” she said. “You have nothing to fear. I don’t think stuffy knows who you are,” she said in jest.

“My father liked history and art. He made sure I had a great appreciation for things antique,” she confessed. What she failed to mention is that it wasn’t what interested her. She liked things were new, exciting and gave her a rush. She was a female thrill junkie staring right at him with a polite smile and polite antics. She was just showing the side of her that the world wanted to see, the one that was acceptable. However Lor liked things that were unorthodox.

“I hope you wouldn’t class me with your stuff associates,” she said with a flirty grin. “I do think I would be offended.”

Oh, Isidore did use his height and his appearance to do a fair bit of intimidating, but not in the way she might be thinking. While he could hold his own in a physical fight, that wasn’t his preferred method of… business. To him, a few slipped words, one pointed glance… these were the tools of his trade. Blackmail won him more than blood probably ever would. The hint of a threat is often more frightening than an outright threat. It signals that the person doing the threatening has no fear of reciprocation.

He shrugged. It was a casual thing that said ‘what can I do?’ He looked like he believed it, too. “I believe I am, ma’mselle, truly and utterly.” He wagged a finger at her. “Do not discount my wickedness before you see it for yourself. Perhaps I am simply confident enough in my abilities that I do not fear telling others? Or, maybe, it is the very fact that it would worry some people that makes me do it.” Isidore smiled at her. “But you are not so easily frightened as that, it would seem.”

Bowing again, he smiled rakishly at her. “It would not offend me. There is little that does.” Or, at least, there was little that a pretty woman could do to offend him. There was a pause, before he said, “Always, Lorrea?”

And let it go at that.

“Stuffy used to know who I was,” Isidore said seriously. “We were quite good friends – and this was before I even had money. Unfortunately – or maybe fortunately – we had a falling out, and he hasn’t spoken to me since. I don’t think I’d take him back if he wanted me. I do fear being in dark alleys and having him jump me, though.”

See? He can be silly too.

“History is all relative. Why, you and I could be making history right now and not even know it. When you’ve been in my business as long as I have, you see that they are just things people left behind after they died. Nothing more.” Business meaning being a vampire.

Isidore had done that once. Shown the world what it wanted to see. Then he’d stopped. That had been right about the time when he’d died.

“I wouldn’t want to offend you.” There was emphasis on the ‘you’. “You are the first person I have been able to stand talking to for more than five minutes.”

She looked at Isidore with growing intrigue. The man seemed obsessed with having her believe him dangerous. Lor knew a thing about danger men; she had one that might be considered dangerous in her life, of sorts. Danger was a part of life was it not? She just happened to be the type who sought it out rather than shy away from it. Was he trying to chance her away? If that was his ploy then Lor could successfully say that he was failing, instead he was making her more curious. Curiosity was a terrible trait that got most into trouble, but seemed to have allowed Lor to dabble in her likes unscathed.

“Well, I cannot argue if you believe it,” she said casually. She laughed at the way he wagged his finger in front of her face, much like her mother would have done when she was a child and had done something wrong. The finger of scolding. She raised a curious brow at his action, “I will keep that in mind Isidore,” she said coolly. Would she see this wickedness he spoke of? More likely not. She doubted his true capability of being wicked, more than likely he was just trying to mess with her. Then again…she could be wrong.

She sipped her drink and a laughed, a small one. “No, I’m not easily frightened,” she admitted, looking him in the eyes. What had she to fear? Death? Death was just the next great adventure wasn’t it, and Lor was all about adventure.

She smirked, “Most of the time,” she replied and left the statement to stand on its own. She did not think he would have a problem grasping the meaning.

“Find that hard to believe, that a dangerous man such as yourself could be stuffy.” She emphasised the dangerous with a smile. “Then I am glad you too fell out and you don’t have a desire for him. I don’t think this event could possibly need another stuffy person in it,” she added playfully. “Then may I suggest you stay away from dark places,” she said with a grin.

“History is written by the winners, those who ended up on top. That’s what my father used to say and it always has more than one side to it. You have to want to know the truth and push past the bullshit, to find it,” she said. “Pardon my language,” she added with the same polite manner she’d spoken in before.

She smirked, “Thank you. I’ll take that as a compliment,” she responded. “I would have to say you are problem the most interesting person here.” She was being very honest, she doubted very much she would meet another during the night with such candour and opinions, all of which she was enjoying at the moment.

Lorrea had him all wrong. He didn’t want to warn her away. It was quite the opposite. His strategy worked perfectly. You get to talking, and you mention things about yourself that people can’t possibly believe, but the sliver of doubt is always there. Human beings are naturally curious creatures. Leave a trail of breadcrumbs, and they’ll follow it to the house made of candy. They might even come inside if you have something interesting enough to show them.

Would she see his wickedness? Depends. More or less on her, but more than a little on him.

He smirked right back at her. “I don’t doubt that.”

The smirk turned into a laugh. “Stay away from dark places? Unfortunately, that’s the place we wicked men like to frequent the most. So I could live in the light for the rest of my life – which wouldn’t be long, as I’m sure I’d burn away from boredom – or I could live always looking over my shoulder to make sure I don’t become one of those boring people who share their opinions when nobody wants to hear them.” He sighed heavily. “That would be hell itself.”

He ran a hand over his hair. “Ah, but I don’t look for the past – I merely sell it. I’m the merchant of history.” True enough.

Ducking his head at her, Isidore said, “Ah, Lorrea, I believe that must be the kindest thing you’ve ever said to me – our acquaintance being so terribly short – and for that, I do thank you.” There was a smile in his eyes, as well as on his lips.

She laughed slightly as he told her he didn’t doubt that she would keep his words in mind. Honestly Lorrea had no belief in his claims. He was probably a passive man, with liking for dark jokes and making himself seem for frightful than he truly was. There were quite a few men just like that in this room, but none had said to her the things that Isidore had, and that was probably why she was still standing there making conversation.

“Well then that does pose a problem, doesn’t it,” she teased as he told her that men such as himself liked dark places. She listened to him, and her face changed but only for a moment as he spoke of living in the light and burning away from boredom. It was just a metaphor she knew…well she was pretty sure, but his words did sound very familiar.

“Do not subject yourself to hell on earth. It would truly be waste,” she told him casually. “Life is very short and you have to make the most of it. So let me make suggestion for you.” Her voice became hushed, “Walk in the dark, but keep a flashlight handy,” she said with a grin. That’s what she did. She walked in the dark by night and then by day she had the flashlight of her respectable nature to hide behind. She kept her ‘day life’ friends very separate from her ‘night life’ friends, and never the two should meet if she had her way.

Honestly, Lor thought she would go mad if it were not for the nightly adventures. Truly, one could only smile at the same mundane conversation for so long before wanting to shoot yourself in the head.

“And selling is better than living it, I assure you,” she said making a slight toast to his statement.

Again she laughed. “Isidore…it was my pleasure, and I meant every word,” she said with a slightly confident yet playful tone. “I work with people and their money. I know how to gauge what is interest and need-to-know, and you… you are interesting. Don’t change. I really believe you are much better off leaving stuffy far behind you,” she sipped her drink, “as for me. I am afraid stuffy and I must continue to be acquaintances as long as I intend to have a job,” she said with a small laugh. “It comes with the business.”

Yes. That’s right. Isidore was such a passive, timid little man on the inside.

Laugh.

The whole, being-a-vampire thing? Just a clever ruse. The whole, being-an-Ishak thing? Ditto.

Isidore looked at the ceiling and sighed, trying not to laugh. “My life is far longer than I would wish it – and I don’t mean that in the suicidal way, so don’t go phoning the hospital on me. I don’t have to worry about wasting time – that’s my purpose in life. To waste it. To do what I want to do, when I want to do it, and consequences be damned.” He grinned. “Flashlight? Part of the fun is bumping into things. You demonstrated that wonderfully tonight.”

Oh, the irony. It was almost enough to choke on. If Isidore had been just a little less careless than he could be, he would have made all sorts of references here. He could have said so much, could have invoked so much wrath down upon himself. Not that he was afraid of that wrath – to be afraid of it, you’d have to be afraid to die, to hurt, and he wasn’t – but it would draw too much attention to himself. His wanderings, his activities, would be kept to a minimum, and that’s not something he wanted right now.

“You are one of the first people to tell me so,” he said. “Usually, once they get to know me, they’re chasing me out of their quaint little villages with pitchforks.” It had happened. If he could scar, he’d have a hell of a time explaining some of them.

If Lor had any idea whom she was really speaking to, it should have made her run, but knowing Lor she wouldn’t. The vampire thing didn’t scare her, at least not the one she happened to know. However not everyone would be like him, like mortals she was sure they differed as much or more between each other.

“Oh I wasn’t planning to,” Lor replied with a smile as he suggested that she might phone the hospital for him. Her brow furrowed, “Your life is about wasting time?” she asked curiously. She considered the statement and then decided to further question that statement. “Forgive me, but I’ve never heard anyone say they live to waste time,” she said with a chuckle. She had no qualms with his statement about damning the consequences; it was very much like her own thinking. However, Lor wasn’t so absent on the consequences note. She did have a reputation and an image to uphold and protect.

She laughed, “I did demonstrate that didn’t I? Imagine…and there were lights on all over the place,” she added joking.

“Perhaps the reason I’m so nice is because I left my pitchfork in my other dress,” she said with a smile. “If you’d like me to chance you with one, I could go home to get it, or we can arrange another time if you’d like?”

Lor liked to joke, to keep things light and fun. She was a pleasant woman by nature, though spirited with an unorthodox desire for things less approved of by proper society. It didn’t make her bad or careless, it did the opposite. Her dabbling with things most would be afraid of gave her license to be as happy as she wanted to be in all other instances. None could ever claim that she wasted a single second of her life…not one. She was always doing things, whether or not anyone else would like them, now that was an entirely different matter.

The night was full of activity. There were so many high class people at the cocktail reception that it would make a person want to scream. The police girl, Kat Lemont, was on security detail in the room. Why couldn't she just have worn her police uniform? Well her superior, who assigned her to this position in the first place, told her she needed to be undercover. Definitely easier said than done.

Kat was wearing a dress her department bought for her, of course the guys wanted her to try it on beforehand, but she didn't. It was a simple white strapless dress. White lace etched subtle designs on it, and she wore a pair of matching high heels. The bane of her existence, high heels. Kat had never worn high heels in her life, and was quite clumsy so she settled for standing in a corner of the room where she could see most everything, but not be really noticed herself. The girl's hair was done up in a pony tail, and even then it was still messy.

A thigh holster held a Beretta 21 handgun, not big by any means, but easy to conceal. Then Kat remembered why she never wore thigh holsters as her thigh was irritated by it. Ignoring the slight irritation, and the fact that most people probably thought she was a retard by the way she walked in nearly tripping several times.

Before coming to the reception Kat was given a list of the people with their pictures. The people that were supposed to be there. It was a hard job being a cop, but Kat also had a very good way to spot things, being a sniper.

A man and woman talking caught the police girl's eyes, but then a growling escaped her stomach and she sighed. She hadn't eaten much, and she probably wouldn't in a while. Kat couldn't hear what they were saying. Whatever it was they seemed to have a lively conversation. The man...she didn't know why but she was getting a bad feeling.

Kat moved to get a better place to listen from. Again she was clumsy, but a slight loss of balance was the end of her walking. "Whoa!!!" She yelled falling flat on her face. She got up on her hands and knees and rubbed her nose. Then blood rushed to her face making her blush a pretty deep red. Along with the feeling of starvation and humiliation Kat was having a really wonderful time at the festival...not.

She was thoroughly engrossed in her conversation with Isidore, the others having completely left her mind for the instant but would return as she would have to, to mingle and smooze for the pleasure of her boss. These events provided some fun, not the kind of fun she was interested in but something along the lines of pleasant distractions. Sometimes she was fortunate you met someone who kept your mind from rusting where you stood, such as Isidore, but mostly it was the type who made you age early.

She gave the man a smile and was just about to make an enquiry of him when she heard the sound of a raucous behind her.

She made a painful face as she watched the woman fall for all eyes to see, feeling the woman’s embarrassment as if it were her own. She couldn’t imagine falling like that and being the object of instant conversation and spectacle.

She looked at Isidore and then to the other faces around her, most had plastered smiles of amusement at the woman’s plight. They may have been a sophisticated sort but that didn’t mean they had an ounce of concern for anyone else, in fact it almost assured it.

She looked at Isidore, “Would just excuse me for one second?” she said politely before walking over the woman and offering her the hand that was free. “Are you alright?” she asked kindly flashing her killer smile as always. She spoke in a low tone, “I’d get up quickly if I was you, or else you’ll be all over tomorrow papers,” she said genuinely concerned. Though some found it amusing, embarrassing moments were not in the least bit funny to Lor, especially not one so public.

Isidore’s smile was more charming than it had been all evening. This time, he might even mean it. “Well, what can I say? I dare to be different.” Very, very different. She didn’t know the half of it. If she did, she might not make fun of him. And no, that was not supposed to be some cryptic threat, intended to mean that she would suffer some inexplicable demise. No. Merely that if she were to see him – really see him, that is – she might not like what she saw.

“Why, Lorrea, are you asking to see me again?” His tone was joking, and so were his eyes, but some part of him pulled back. It wasn’t a part that was visible, not really. Not unless you could read the insides of people’s eyes. It pulled back because he wouldn’t get attached. He deluded himself into thinking he never would, and for right now, it was true enough.

When the woman fell over – for that’s exactly what had happened – Isidore turned and his face went blissfully blank. It was like a chalkboard, wiped completely clean, devoid of anything that would give it meaning. Had he not done so, his reaction would have been one of two. Either he would have had to contain his laughter – he really wasn’t a nice man – or he would have had a look of such pure disdain that it had sent several girls crying out of the room on nights just like this one over the centuries.

He watched as Lorrea went to the girl to help. She really was polite.

A pity.

Kat sat there for a second collecting her thoughts. She made a fool of herself, and the guys back at the police station would make fun of her for it. Closing her eyes Kat was starting to feel frustrated, and embarrassed at the same time. All she could hear was the people talking about her and laughing. It was a trip down memory lane for her. The kids back at school made fun of her every day. They called her a lot of names, pulled pranks on her, and all that fun stuff.

Then she heard footsteps, and a concerned voice. The voice of a woman. Looking up Kat saw a woman reaching down with a free hand. "Thank you." She said taking the hand and using it to lift herself up. "I don't wear high heels." She said blushing even more. The woman was a few years older than her, and quite attractive. "That was kind of embarrassing." She said laughing and looking around for one of those champaigne glasses. The police girl hadn't had anything to drink, but she really needed one now.

"Sorry to interrupt you like that." Kat looked over to the man the woman was talking to earlier and chuckled nervously at the purely blank stare. "I'm Kat." She said offering her hand to shake. The words slipped out and Kat was regretting saying them. Another stupid mistake, not only did she make a scene, but she also told someone her real name. Some undercover cop she was.

If only she could find some alcohol. That'd do one of two things, calm her down, or make the situation even worse. She didn't care that much. "Thank you very much, but I'm used to being laughed at." Hell the police she worked with pulled pranks on her. It wasn't anything new at all.

Lorrea had taken his words of being different with little worry. She was different after all, very different indeed to the other women waltzing around them from group to group. She doubted, despite his words, that Isidore would have considered her a worthwhile partner for conversation if she saw her bedecked in black leather and a skirt that barely covered her behind. No, most definitely not the look of respectability.

Was she suggesting that they see each other again, something more arranged? Not really, though she would admit that it wouldn’t have bothered to have is company in some other instance such as this. However, it was assured that she would never see him again except for another one of these confounded events. Sad that her two worlds had to remain so separate, she would have liked to have seen his reaction to finding himself in much less polished company.

Oh well.

Right the woman.

She took her hand, a smile still playing at Lor’s face though not one of mocking. “You’re welcomed. I couldn’t just let you stay down there,” she said kindly. “They can be a bit tricky,” she commented on the wearing of heels. “Don’t worry about it. We all have our moments. You just keep your head up and ignore them. You’ll be just fine,” she assured. They were words of comfort though not honesty. She was going to be the topic of conversation for the rest of the night, the only thing she could hope for was if the movies were terribly good or terribly bad, but either way she was sure to be mentioned as filler in conversation.

“It’s quite alright.” She said politely to the woman’s apology. Yes she had been enjoying herself and was eager to return to the conversation, but that didn’t mean Lor was going ot be rude about it. This woman was obviously a fish out of water and Lor had determined to help her manoeuvre her way through the rapids. “I’m Lorrea. Nice to meet you,” she said taking her hand and giving it a gently squeeze as they shook.

“Are you?” she asked curiously as the Kat confessed to being accustomed to being laughed at. “Well I assure you, I won’t be laughing at you this evening. Would you like to join me?” she asked, partially trying to return to her conversation.

The poor girl being helped up blushed even more as the woman smiled at her. It was as if that smile was the only one for her, and it made her want Jax again. Kat was a poor, confused girl. She didn't know what she wanted, but she knew that there were no better partners than Jax, no matter how long or short the relationship was.

"I hate high heels." She said steadying herself and learning how to distribute her weight on them so she wouldn't fall again. It was going to be a fun day back at the station. Then it was like deja vu. The comforting words, the smile, just like her friends back in high school. Whenever she was pranked or laughed at her friends were there to support her. Kat couldn't ask for a better memory. "I'm sure I'll be the laughing stock of the evening, but at least I think I'm getting the hang of these."

Lorrea didn't seem like she really belonged there. At least to Kat. The woman was polite, she wasn't even smiling because of Kat's misfortunes. It was weird to see a nice person like her around assholes. Then Lorrea was inquiring about how she was accustomed to being laughed at. "Yeah...I was raised mostly by my dad and brothers, so I was kind of brought up to be competitive. It didn't go really well in high school, and the guys used to pull pranks on me all the time." Damn why was she honest right now? Maybe it was that polite smile.

Would she like to join them? That was the icing on the cake, and Kat didn't really know what to say. True she was curious about the two, but she didn't want to intrude. "Ummmm...I'd love to, but first I think I need a drink." Kat clumsily walked towards the refreshment bar. She finally made it to the bar without falling again. One point for Kat. "Can I get a Sam Adam's?" She asked the bartender. A few seconds later the bartender came back with the Sam Adam's and she paid for it. It was quite expensive and Kat slumped her head seeing that she barely had enough. Looked like she wasn't going to get to eat until the end of the night.

Lorrea waited for Kat’s reply. Would she join her or not? She would understand perfectly if she didn’t, but she hoped she wouldn’t there was no reason to be a pariah in this setting, and Lor could help her get over that slight hiccup in what she was sure was a seamless evening.

“Don’t we all sometimes,” Lor said honestly. High heels did give your leg that certain appeal, they just seemed to finish a look but honest, they were a bitch on your feet sometimes. Lor wanted to assure Kat that she was not going to be the laughingstock, but the truth of the matter was…she was going to be. “At least you can be thankful for that,” she said instead with a pleasant and gentle smile. “Let me give you a pointer with this crowd…act like you own the place and you do,” she said with a smile. “It always works for me.”

“I am the completely opposite to you…five sisters and I was the baby. However it did make me competitive, I had to fight for any attention I wanted,” she said with a smile. Her retelling of her past was honest, she had been the baby but she never really had to fight for attention, she had always commanded it even as a child. She looked at Kat thoughtfully as she admitted that she was the school prank puppet. Lor had nothing to relate to there, she had been popular, everyone loved her. “I’m sorry. Sometimes people can be real jerks.”

Lor smiled, “Wonderful. You get your drink and meet me over there,” she said pointing in Isidore’s direction. She watched Kat head for the bar while her legs returned her to the man in his tux.

Lorrea waltzed up to Isidore, for her walk was more like a dance than a stride the way her dressed swayed gently with each movement of her hips.

“I’m sorry about that. Where were we?” she said with a smile and a glint of something mischievous in her eyes. “Oh, I must warn you that we will be having company soon. I hope you don’t mind,” she interjected before he had a chance to respond. “I know I am taking a risk bringing such an obviously weaker socialite into this gather with such a dangerous man, but I do hope you won’t frighten her too much,” she said joking. She rather liked Isidore’s personality, it was so…dark.

Isidore watched Lorrea return with an appraising eye. The look itself was interesting - the darkness in his eyes, the soft curve of his raised eyebrow, and the twitch at the corner of his mouth. No one would ever point it out, but it was the same look he got when he was looking at an expensive art piece that he was fond of. And why not? He was seven hundred and seventy-two years old. He wasn't about to temper his actions because of what society demanded.

Never had, actually.

That slight bow was given again. "I don't mind. It was quite nice what you did there." Did he really think that? More or less. If she hadn't wandered over, he probably would have - if only to maintain his more or less gentlemanly appearance.

His laugh was dark and rich. "It's good that you know what you've done. She might come over here, and I might have to be very wicked indeed." That same mischievous look from her eyes was in his, making his green eyes sparkle. "Bringing a sheep to mingle with the wolves. Perhaps not your smartest idea, Lorrea."

Kat sipped at her beer and sighed. Damn it was hard being undercover. Why couldn't they get someone more experienced? Oh of course she was the best eyes they had. Then she remembered what Lorrea said. She walked with a little more authority through the crowd looking for the two of them. At least it was getting easier to walk in heels.

The police girl finally found them and held herself a little higher. She took a deep breath before approaching them and smiled as she joined them. "I'm sorry for interrupting your conversation." She hadn't heard any of the words they said before. "I'm Kat." She said offering her hand to the man. He was disturbingly good looking and alarms were going off in her head. There was something about this guy that she didn't like, but she didn't know what. He seemed like a gentleman, dark, good looking, probably a good looking ass if she looked. A guy that any girl would fall for.

Maybe the night would go faster if she actually talked to people instead of sulking in a corner. Some ideas ran through her mind, some nice and some very very naughty. Kat pushed those ideas to the back of her mind and concentrated on what was going on. She needed to stay alert.

She had never seen the look he was giving her before, so she could not have made any deductions to its meaning even if she wanted to. In Lorrea’s eyes it was just a look given to one person by another with no meaning or intent whatsoever.

She smiled at him, taking the opportunity to sip her champagne before it got too warm. She hated warm champagne. He bowed to her and made Lorrea smile, “Such manners from a man of danger…dear me I think he might be a gentleman and a scoundrel,” she said teasing him about his prior references to himself. “Do you really think so?” she questioned his statement, “It really wasn’t a big deal.” She smiled again. “I am glad it didn’t pose a problem to you because then we would all be rather uncomfortable when she gets over here,” she said with smile and took another sip of champagne.

He laughed, in a manner that reminded her rich fertile soil, ready for anything to be planted and sprout to life. “Oh I considered it after I made the offer,” she confessed laughing slightly. She saw the look in his eyes, a look that intrigued her and made his green eyes very pleasing to look at. “Perhaps not, but I can protect her,” she said coyly.

Lorrea turned to Kat as she appeared beside them. “Not at all, we were just waiting for you,” she replied her eyes going from Kat to Isidore and back as if assuring her what she said was true.

Lorrea raised a curious eyebrow as Kat introduced herself, but from her spot just behind the woman, her action wouldn’t likely be seen by anyone other than Isidore. It was an action which bid the question…would he behave genteel or as he had been with her? Lor didn’t know this woman, didn’t know how she would react to Isidore’s type of humour, it suited Lor fine because she was more than she appeared to be, but this woman, who knew what she was like.

Lor step back, though not physically, to see their interaction.

Chuckling, Isidore shook his head. "Manners? If you truly knew me, I doubt you would think that of me. I'm known to be insufferable." But, of course, that was only when he wasn't play-acting, which wasn't something he could claim right now. One shoulder shrugged. "No problem. Why should I feel uncomfortable about getting another woman's acquaintance? The more the merrier!" It was quite obvious that he was teasing her, but there was some line in his face that suggested it wasn't a complete joke.

"Are you so sure?"

The suggestion hung on the air even as the other woman approached. To the world, Isidore Sauvageot looked pleasant, smiling at this new arrival. Inside his head, he was looking at her drink, and wondering who on earth drank beer at what could only be called a gala.

Green eyes looked down at the hand extended to him, and he took it, bowing as he had done before and placing an elegant kiss on the knuckles. He sneaked a look at Lorrea and gave her a conspiratory wink. "It is very good to meet you - Kat. I am Isidore."

Yup. Scoundrel.

Kat smiled at Lorrea and nodded. She acted as if she didn't notice the look to the man. "Thank you very much Lorrea." She said nodding. It seemed as if the two of them had interest in the same man. Then she turned her attention to the man.

She looked the man up and down as he took her hand and kissed it. She blushed and looked away for a second. He was good looking, and she could see him in a few fantasies. "It's very nice to meet you too Isidore." She said grinning. "I'm usually much less clumsy." She said taking a sip of her beer.

"How're you doing?" Kat couldn't help but be attracted to the man. She even was imagining Lorrea, Isidore and her maybe doing some erotic things. "Do you come here often?"

She would have loved to have been able to answer his remarks, but Kat’s presence didn’t allow it. She would hold her opinions until a time when they could be fully revealed and appreciated. He had the slight air of a philanderer as he spoke about gaining the acquaintance of more than one woman, but it certainly didn’t bother Lor, she worked with a pack of men, like wolves they were even the married ones.

Was she sure? Scoff. Of course she was sure; she could handle Isidore on any given Sunday. However she couldn’t tell him that at the moment, at the moment she was watching with Kat her adopted friend for the evening, sort of.

She caught his wink and held back her smile, pressing her lips against her teeth in a faint toothless grin. He really was a sly one wasn’t he? Cheeky devil. If only she knew how close to accurate her thoughts were.

Lorrea never considered the fact that Kat might have some interest in her new acquaintance, or that in fact she might be considered in having said same interest. The blush on Kat’s cheeks made only one word come to Lorrea’s mind…innocent. She was probably wrong of course, but she hadn’t blushed at anything Isidore had done for the evening and he had said a lot more than just a simple kiss on the hand. She looked over the rim of her glass a look that to someone who knew her would have told her suspicions that her Kat might think Isidore attractive, maybe even appealing. However this was not the case and Lor kept her thought to herself.

“Isidore do you come here often?” Lor repeated after Kat a playful grin on her face. The question had not been directed at her so she would not presume to answer till it was, but she was curious to see how Isidore would respond.

Once again, it was a cruel joke that Fate had not granted Isidore the power of telepathy. Had she done so, he probably wouldn't have had to resort to silly, perverse games in order to amuse himself. Of course, had she done so, the two women in his company - and, by extension, every other person he might meet - would most certainly be in very, very big trouble.

That didn't mean he couldn't read body language, though. Body language was one of the things he made sure he knew. When this Kat blushed and looked away, he could almost see the lewd pictures behind her eyes, playing like movies.

"I'm certain you are," he said smoothly, managing not to sound condescending (if only just). He was still the very picture of charm. "I was actually suffering my way through this evening, though it had only just begun, if you must know. Luckily, I now have two companions with whom to amuse myself." Double entendre, anyone? Luckily, this too seemed perfectly innocent. Well, if you weren't really paying attention. Probably.

He really couldn't make a habit out of it.

When Lorrea repeated the question, he pointed a finger at her again. "Now, now," he replied. "Don't tease." Drawing himself up very tall, he said, "I must say that this is the first time I've set foot in this building. I'm not usually the movie theatre type of person."

He wasn't usually the movie type of person, period, but it wouldn't do to say that in a crowd full of actors, directors, and screenwriters. Mention the Matrix, and there was every chance he might be completely lost.

Kat looked at Isidore and smiled bowing her head slightly. He didn't sound that condescending to her. Then he spoke again and her mind immediately went to the risque pmeaning. "Hmmm, I'm sure you do." She looked him up and down again. Why was she so attracted to him? Maybe it was that something she couldn't see.

The police girl glared at Lorrea as she repeated her question for a second, but returned her attention to Isidore again. Kat nodded listening to Isidore. So this was his first time? It was her first time at a film festival. "Well this is my first time too." She said smiling. "I'm not much of a movie goer, but I watch a lot of Japanese films."

Yeah she liked foreign films, and she loved anime, but she didn't say that just in case someone overheard. Better to keep it to a minimum. "Why are you here?" She asked curiously.

She watched him playfully as he portrayed the good gentleman, that he was obviously not. Gentlemen don’t confess to being scoundrels and dangerous men now did they?

She sipped her champagne casually, watching the two in her company. Isidore claimed he was suffering through the evening, and Lorrea pouted playfully as if this statement also made reference to her. She knew it didn’t but she was enjoying the moment’s fun. “You are very lucky indeed,” Lorrea emphasised as she sipped her drink once more. She noted Kat’s choice of beverage. This girl really did need help in this setting; she was making all the wrong choices.

The implied and possible double meaning to Isidore’s words were not lost on Lorrea, but she simple chose not to react. Such an idea, the three of them together, she sipped her drink. It wouldn’t have been the first time she’d found herself in such a spot…but that was a different story and didn’t involve people she actually knew. It was a complicated story, but lets just say it involved a night in Bali and lots of alcohol.

She smiled as he pointed a finger at her, “I’m sorry,” she said and raised a hand in mock surrender. The glare was not lost on Lorrea that came her way from Kat. Couldn’t she take a joke? She was going to be completely hopeless if she didn’t learn to laugh at herself here. Lor really couldn’t be bothered. It was her first time there…that was obvious. Lor sipped her drink.

It seemed that Kat had found someone to interest her and Lor couldn’t help but smile at that. It was by no means anything against Kat, but she really didn’t know the world she had just stumbled into but she would find out. “If you two will excuse me a moment, I see someone I need to speak to,” Lor lied. She just wanted to see how they did on their own, it was obvious that Kat was more interested in finding out about Isidore than anything else and Lor would give her space to do that…a little space. Isidore was the most interesting person in there and she was not about to suffer through an evening of boredom.

She walked away elegantly, her dress flowing like a stream behind her as she met with her group and rested her hand gently on her friend’s shoulder and whispered something to him that made him chuckle. “You really are a lovely woman Lor,” he said with a grin and patted her hand gently. “I try,” she replied and glanced back towards Isidore and Kat.

It was a very good thing that Isidore had more experience than most in these sorts of situations. It was also a very good thing that women hadn't changed all that much over that period of time. Save for the dress, the electric lights, and the fact that this was a movie theatre, well, they could have been in Prerevolutionary France. Had he not some self-discipline (it would be a stretch to say that he had a lot), his eyebrows would have touched his hair and he would have been laughing.

Truly, he had been talking for fifteen minutes, and there were already two women squabbling (albeit silently). That glare! Priceless.

To his credit, his face was very friendly when he said to Lorrea, "Please, send my regards." He had no doubt that she would be able to read under the words, to know exactly what he meant. Isidore didn't know to whom she was referring, but he could pretend like he did. It would be interesting, if nothing else.

Turning back to Kat, he said, "Now where were we? Japanese films?" He chuckled. "Ah, the Japanese." He left it at that. So many stories he couldn't share, both because they were before many of the people here were born, and because a lot of them involved gruesome and despicable things.

"I am here," he continued grandly, "because many of these people are my clients." To emphasize the point, he gestured to the glittering people drapped in jewellery. "As I have mentioned several times tonight, I sell many things, artwork among them, as well as some books. Those that frequent movies are frequent lovers of both things, and so I received an invitation." He paused, looking her up and down. He highly doubted she'd come here by choice. "And you?"

His eye flitted to the crowd for a moment, before back to Kat. He almost laughed again. You would have thought she would have been more grateful to the woman who'd saved her from embarrassment, but apparently not.

He loved mortals.

Kat smiled politely as Lorrea said she was going to talk to someone. She turned her attention to Isidore as he spoke. "Please take your time Lorrea." She said at Lorrea's back. She didn't care if she was drinking the wrong type of drink. She didn't really care about the message she was sending. Kat was a police officer and also more manly than probably 90% of the men at the festival. Her eyes followed the other woman for a second. She smiled and thought about what Lorrea had said to the man, but sighed returning her attention to Isidore as he asked where they were.

"Oh? It sounds like you're a little familiar." She said wondering what it was that was so familiar. It must've been dirty if he was leaving it like that. Then he was speaking about why he was at the film festival. She chuckled and smiled as he gestured to the people around them. Then Isidore asked her why she was there. "Me? Let's just say it's part of work." Yeah it was work, police business and she was the butt end of yet another prank. Everyone knew she was no good in heels, but she was the only real one who seemed to fit in, plus her good eyes. "I told my boss I'm not good for this sort of work, but he decided to give it to me anyway." She sipped her beer, and let out a sigh she wanted to hang her head, but she didn't. Her feet were killing her, but it was only for a little while. The holster chaffing her thigh...that was a totally different story. It was painful and she just wanted to rip it off. Kat did her best to keep her face blank, but a little slipped through. Of course she was greatful to Lorrea, but she wasn't exactly in the mood to joke around. "What kind of books do you sell? I might be interested in buying some from you depending on what you're selling."

Manlier than 90% of the men here? Isidore, had he known this statistic, would have hoped that he was among the other 10%. If not, he would have proven just how manly he was by walking away.

"Just a tad. I was over there years ago." Years ago being around sixty. He was there just before the Second World War, if he remembered correctly. He wasn't sure he did. He'd been drunk the majority of that year. People talk about going to Japan to learn how to fight - Isidore went to learn how to schmooze asian style.

There was something she wasn't saying, but he wasnt' about to pry. That's not what he did. Every other annoying thing, but not that. "You seem to be doing all right," he lied, smiling kindly. It was always good to be polite, unless you really didn't feel like it. This obviously wasn't her sort of a party from the look of pain on her face. He wondered where she normally passed her time. He wondered what she was like in her own clothing. Probably a different animal entirely.

"I doubt you'd be interested," he said, "Unless you're interested in 16th century poems by Henry VIII, or Martin Luther's own diary."

It might just be Isidore, but she didn't really look like the type.

Kat listened to Isidore about Japan and shrugged. "I've always wanted to go there...see the sights, buy some movies..." A painful memory for her, but she pushed it to the back of her mind. She'd keep with her promise to her former partner. She'd go to Japan for him.

She smiled at Isidore's lie, and shrugged. "The hurt ego says otherwise." She said shrugging. "I'll probably be the laughing stock among my fellow employees and the people here." Definitely a hurt ego, but definitely willing to heal. "Come on you don't have to lie to me. I'm a person so I can take some more ego crippling comments." Yeah it wasn't the end of the world. Then she looked into his eyes. She imagined what he was like in some casual clothes, maybe he wore expensive silk shirts, khakis that showed off his ass. Mmmm, she had a sick imagination as she imagined him in all leather, naughty BDSM type.

Isidore was right, she wasn't interested in the books he was selling, though Martin Luther's diary seemed interesting. They were both artifacts pretty much. "Yeah...I'm more for modern fiction than classical nonfiction and poems." She said with a grin. "Are you a classical kind of person?"

She had promised to give her regards to the none existent friends that they shared as she rejoined the group.

“I will,” Lor had replied as Kat told her to take her time. She was leaving the sheep alone…it was her own funeral if she couldn’t handle it. Lor had wanted to help, but the girl seemed to want to handle thing on her own for a bit and Lor would graciously let her.

She was now laughing again, another joke that everyone was expected to laugh at and so she obliged. It wasn’t what she would call funny but it did make you smile a little and with a little effort you could make that into a laugh as she had.

“So who are your friends?” the question came from Maxim. She looked at Isidore and Kat, “Isidore Sauvegeot and Kat,” she said with a smile. “Kat?” Maxim repeated the name with some disdain. “The little thing that fell over is called….Kat?” Lor looked at him with a stern gaze, “Yes, that’s her name. Now you behave you weren’t always so well coordinated were you?” she teased him. “He’s dashing,” Maxim said, “What does he do? Looks like a money man to me,” he added for good measure. “He works in art and antiques,” she divulged. “How boring,” Maxim said disinterested, his idea of art was comics. “I thought he was…interesting,” she confessed and then allowed her eyes to return to the group.

A few minutes passed and once again Lor was bored, she let her eyes wander to Isidore and Kat and a small smile came to her face just as the doors to the theatre opened signalling it was time for the premiers to begin. She excused herself once more and crossed the room to the pair; her walk was brisk but still remained elegant and cultured.

“I believe they’re ready to start,” she said with a smile. “I hope you both will enjoy yourselves,” she continued. “Kat where are you sitting? You’re welcomed to join me,” she said with a sincere face. She was genuinely offering to guide her through this ordeal by fire.

Isidore shrugged one shoulder. "It is a nice place to visit, but my year there was far too long. Too many people." It was very hard to be a vampire in Japan. On one hand, there was a very large buffet to choose from. On the other, it was extremely hard to find someone on their own, where they weren't surrounded by other people. He'd had to change his entire style of hunting.

Cocking his head to the side, a smirk of the dangerous type crossed his face. "Oh, I don't know if you'd like me without my pretty lies, cherie. As I was telling Miss Meir before your arrival, I'm hardly the friendly type of man underneath my polish." He raised one shoulder in an elegant shrug. He was putting on a show and he knew it. "I've been known to be very cruel indeed."

In both word and deed, but he didn't say that either.

And Isidore would never be caught in BDSM things. He wasn't opposed to bondage, but he would never wear the contraptions they seemed to think up.

Head still cocked, his smirk grew. "I am most definitely a classical sort of man. I can deal with the contemporary, but I'd rather not. My favourite story is still Dante Alighieri's Commedia in its original dialect. You probably know it better as The Divine Comedy."

Isidore watched Lorrea return, before looking over towards the theatre. He heard her continue to be polite to Kat, and mentally applauded her resiliency. "Somewhere near the back," he said of himself, his voice bored. "To make a hasty escape, should I find myself unable to take any more moving pictures."

He was a book sort of person. It showed.

Kat nodded listening to Isidore. "I've taken plenty of cruelty in my life. I'm sure I can handle your words...Though I'd like to see if your words are true physically." She said trying to be a little more seductive. Yeah she had two sides, one naive and innocent, the other ready to get it on anywhere any time. So he wouldn't wear BDSM stuff? What a shame, too bad Kat didn't have any.

Kat nodded as Isidore said he was definitely a classical man. Hell his favorite book was The Divine Comedy in its original dialect. She didn't even pay that much attention to it in the english dialect. "Hmmmm...sounds interesting, but I haven't read The Divine Comedy in a long time." She said not realizing the difference between her 'a long time' and his 'a long time'. "Maybe we should get to know each other better after the festival."

Then Lorrea came by and Kat smiled warmly at the woman listening to her words. "Seat?" Damn the guys didn't get her a seat...that was trouble until Lorrea bailed her out again. "I don't have one...I don't want to take advantage of your hospitality." She said feeling bad for how she treated the woman before. It had been a long night. "I can probably find a seat." Kat doubted it. Then Isidore was speaking...he said he was sitting towards the back. Too bad. "So I might not see you after the show?" She asked play pouting. It was a little bit of a dissappointment.

Lorrea waited patiently for either to respond. Maxim was waiting by the door watching her intently. Maxim was never a patient man and the fact that he had a hand in one of the films being previewed only made him worse.

She nodded her head in acknowledgement as Isidore divulged that he had taken a seat near the back in order to facilitate a speedy exit should the need arise. She half wanted to tell him, ‘good for you’ but she held her tongue. Benson-Kramer and Becks had reserved mid-row seats for the lot, far enough way so you didn’t need to crane your neck to see the entire film, and close enough not miss any little detail. She would much rather have Isidore’s seat if truth be told, and then she would have someone to talk to that wouldn’t care about the film.

She smiled at him but said nothing.

Lorrea was oblivious to the flirtatious conversation that had progressed without her, or else she might have left the two to their own amusement. Lor wasn’t a woman to get in the way of others having a good time, hell she’d be doing it herself if this were another place and time. This crowd wasn’t her crowd, they were to stuff and uptight to be interested in what she would be.

Lor smiled at Kat and gave a thoughtful sigh as he attempted to refuse her offer. “It’s no trouble I assure you. No advantage to be taken,” she said with a smile. It wasn’t like Lor had paid for the seats, they belonged to the firm and there were three available still if memory served her.

Whatever she had missed before, Lor picked up as Kat seemed disappointed at the prospect of missing Isidore after the proceedings. She smiled and looked at the man, “If you don’t object, there are three empty seats reserved for our firm that haven’t been filled. You are both welcomed,” she said giving Isidore a teasing grin. If Kat wanted to see Isidore, then she would give her a chance, after all it wasn’t like she had claims to the man’s attention or conversation they had only just met.

“That way no one will have to miss anyone else,” Lor added.

And up go the eyebrows again! Seriously, you'd think they were doing the wave at a soccer match or something.

"I'm not sure you'd want to," he said, his voice a bit colder. Not cold, per se, but chilly enough to show that he wasn't joking. Not really. "I can be quite destructive when I want to be." Did she know that he would probably use her, abuse her and leave her? Probably not. She probably didn't even have a clue. Or maybe she did, and that was part of the reason she was making innuendos. He wasn't certain.

Was he interested in her? Looking at her, he had to admit that she was attractive. Even he wasn't blind. Though it was probably because she wasn't at her most comfortable, he wasn't as attracted to her as he might have been. Isidore thrived on word games, on hidden innuendos, on Machiavellian stratagems. Kat seemed the go-get-'em type.

"Perhaps," he said, smiling. It was his I don't think so smile, but women didn't get to know that little tidbit until a few meetings later. "And probably not. I doubt I will stay that long." Particularly since 'that long' might mean partying until sunrise - something he couldn't do for obvious reasons.

Oh boy. Being invited to sit with Lorrea and Kat. That didn't bode well. He'd planned to watch ten minutes, and if he wasn't entanced, make his exit. It was far harder to do when surrounded by other people - people who (he eyed Kat here) might wonder where he'd left to if he didn't come back in a set amount of time. Meaning, ever.

Hm.

"I'm afraid I'm going to have to decline," Isidore said smoothly. "I believe I haven't been entirely honest. I'm one of those annoying people that leaves their cellphones on during movies - on vibrate, of course. I'm expecting a phone call, and would rather disrupt less people. The back is the perfect place for me."

In the shadows. It really was apt.