Lion and the Lamb

[Perplexia]

Closed

Cali threw her purse into her heat up Geo as she entered the vehicle in haste. She was running late to Culottes the local pub in her small town of Dune. Her shift would begin in ten minutes.
If it had been 7 months ago she would have strolled in at her leisure. Now however, things changed. There was Eric, the pubs talent. The brooding dark haired golden eyed chiseled jaw, incredibly mouth watering nipple hardening man.
Most of the women swooned after him, bringing him presents, food, gifts and promising sexual favors with no strings. Even some of the men found themselves doing the same thing.

From what she had observed, he never shook hands with anyone, never ate, never drank, an rarely said more then a couple words to any one person. However when his hands strummed the guitar, an his voice hit the microphone, the entire place was mesmerized. It was like watching a room hypnotized.

Many women claimed to have slept with him, but they lied. Cali was gifted with the ability to hear the truth. As false words would exit their mouths a little bubble like seen in a cartoon would appear with what they meant to say in it. As neat as it may sound, it was annoying and made dating next to impossible. Her petite 5`3 frame and ample breasts with curves in all the right places also seemed to make her a target for any man that hadn't met her.

In this time and age the average person believed that the movies of vampires an werewolves fairies etc were all make believe.

Cali had her own suspicions but wouldn't dare speak them out loud. At nineteen she found herself on her own as her parents had been killed in a car accident. Being a loner came naturally to her. Silence and no annoying bubbles was even better.

Eric was tuning his guitar when she walked in. He didn't even look up when she said hello. Of course he never did. He was more of an antisocial outcast then she was.

"You're replaceable you know" Herb the owner was screeching as he tapped his watch. The bubble that appeared for him actually made her mouth drop {You're the best bartender i have I couldn't replace you or Eric would leave to}

For the first time in a long time she was shocked at what she read. She couldn't ask him what he meant because the words didn't leave his mouth. She immediately looked across the stage glaring with a fiery intensity. Eric looked up an she swore she saw his eyes flash as if he was focusing in on her. In his seven months he'd said nothing to her. Why would he threaten to quit fi she did, if it was an interest in her, wouldn't he have spoken up?
She looked back to Herb. He seemed confused. The balding man fidgeted beneath her stare. "What did Eric say about me?" she questioned in a soft tone" "Nothing" Herb responded as his bubble appeared {He said he'd stay as long as you did an if i told you he'd make me regret it}.
She glanced back at Eric who was still staring with a blank expression.
"Huh" was her only reply. It was just utterly mystifying to her why he of all people would threaten to quit if she did. Shaking her head she stepped behind the bar.

Closing the bar was her normal job. All the chairs were up and she turned down the lights walking to her car. She froze for a moment hearing a bottle crash and moved a bit faster to her car. She fumbled with the keys to unlock it.

"Well Looky there" Ralph Torn was walking toward her. "if it aint i'm to good for you Cali Duboise." She closed her mouth from retorting that his dog could do better.
"hello Ralph" she said nicely with a smile.
"you're comin home with me an you're gonna be my woman" he declared with slurs as he started to step forward.
"oh I'm sorry i got plans, my boyfriend is expecting me"
"You aint got no man..see i been watchin youuuu"
"Perhaps you should get your eyes checked" Eric stood leaning against the back of her car w/ his hands in his jean pockets.
Ralph simply turned and walked away without a word. No fight, no testosterone battles, he simply turned an left. As she turned back to Eric after closing her mouth he was strolling away in the other directions into the woods.

"Wait!" she called, but then he simply disappeared.

[Iamdax]

Eric doesn’t really remember anything about himself about himself, perhaps all vampires had no memories of their past. He didn’t know he could sing till one day he picks a guitar, than started singing just like he was it on a stage. He never wanted to sing more till he came to the club, here he saw Cal for the very first time. And for some reason he sensed her the first minute she walked in.

Eric sings most for her and even though he never spoke to her, he things and looks at her more the time Strange as it may seem, Eric appears to be a shy man and no one cares, only the women that never stop looking at him, even though he never looks back at them.

That night Eric was a little annoyed at Herb the owner for picking at Cali, she was his best bartender and he knew if he fires Cali Eric would leave as well. Eric didn’t miss Cali expression at Herb remark and he focused his eyes at them. They made a deal he was not to tell her, and he would stay as long she worked there.

Eric could sense that Cali was more than the other women, she didn’t loot it but he was sure she was, but not what she was. Her scent was definitely human and her heart was beating like all humans. Some time he could sense she knew what peoples were thinking, and perhaps she could read minds.

Eric just came out when he saw one of the customer approached her, he moved without them know it behind her and could hear everything they said.

She appeared to handle herself well, but he was one of the ones he wanted to rip their throats. He heard him saying “You aint got no man I been watching youuu. It was then that Eric spoke. “Perhaps you should have your eyes checked” they both turned to look at him, that’s when Ralph thought it was a good idea if he gets the hell away from here.

Eric heard Cali saying “Wait” but he was gone before she could see him.

Eric walked away but his mind was always on Cali. He couldn’t understand why she got to him they way she did. The only reason he kept playing at the club was because she was there. Every night she works and he played, he could sense she was coming before she even came through the door. He wanted to know her better but didn’t know if he could trust himself with her.

“Perhaps one day he could”, he thought to himself

[Perplexia]

Cali stood exasperated looking into the blackness. "great" she exclaimed out loud as she started getting in her car. "I finally get him with in five feet of me and he disappears."

He simply frustrated her. Not a word to her in the seven months he'd been there. Then on top of it he makes a deal with Herb about her. Her, why her? Why would he make a deal like that regarding her. He didn't even know she existed. She's been so caught up in being sure she was there on time to see him. He had given her no encouragement. But listening to him sing was worth all the bubbles she had to endure. She hadn't taken any time to herself other then her normal day off.

Deciding she had enough of swooning over the impossible catch she picked up her cell phone and called Herb as she drove home. "hey its Cali" she sighed as Herb gave her a million questions "No everything is fine with your damn bar, I'm calling to tell you i won't be in for a week. I've got some personal issues that have to be dealt with." she rolled her eyes. "no I'm not pregnant i just won't be in" she sped up along the dark road " After five minutes of trying to give her a guilt trip he finally agreed. "thanks bye". She closed her phone and turned into her long drive way.

Her home was a cottage her father had built for her mother. The story told was her mother saw one like it in a magazine. It was located in England. One of the many places she'd never gotten to visit.

Cali hit the button on her garage door opener and pulled in closing it behind her. Throwing her keys on the counter she headed to her office. She looked at the computer and signed. Turning around and headed upstairs for a warm bath. It succeeded in calming her, but didn't help with the frustration of why Eric had made the deal, why did he save her? and why did he walk away.

After a night of restless sleep (in which she blamed him for), she went out to her front porch and stared into the wilderness. Her home was on the outskirts of the small town, and set back deep into the woods. She had considered getting a dog, but always had it in her mind she wanted to travel.

As the time drew near in which she would have normally been seeing eric, she became anxious. Growling at her idiocy she went in the house and placed Queened of the Damned in her DVD Player. Finally she thought as it got time for her normal time off she became more mellow. A week of no bubbles this could work.

She placed a new movie in an enjoyed the solitude of the evening.

[Iamdax]

Eric wasn’t very far from Cali and watched her get in her car and drive away. He went to his place to feed then rushed to Cali’s place. He levitated up to her roof and sat there as he usually did. He had decided not to leave her alone. He reached with his mind and could feel her heart beat, but it was not beating as usual. He wondered what was wrong with her.

He heard a noise then saw her emerging out into the porch. He could tell by her breathing something was on her mind. Eric wanted very much to be with her, suddenly he was a short distance away where she would see him if she looked his way. He wanted to have an excuse to get near if she called him.

He moves very little as if he was there casually and looked as he was in thoughts. He had sense that she was upset and wondered if it was at him or at Herb, or maybe was upset with them both. He was certain she was aware of the deal he made.

He didn’t have to look up now as he couldn’t sense her there, then he looked up but she was not there. He can only blame himself by not staying with her at the club.

[Perplexia]

Cali threw her remote at the tv. This wasn't working either. Grabbing her flashlight she decided to go hiking. Yes it was three a.m in the morning, and probably not the brightest idea she ever had, but she was anxious. It was as if she had stopped smoking suddenly.

How was it possible she was addicted to him. For a moment on the porch she felt fine. That was silly he'd be at the club singing to his adoring fans, an speaking to none of them. Putting on her tennis shoes she headed out the front door. She began walking west in a straight line. She knew that it would lead her further into the woods to a river.

She walked lightly and listened carefully, the last thing she'd want to do was run into a bear.

[Iamdax]

Eric was a little upset with himself, and felt like he had been a coward and Vampire are nothing like that. They didn’t even know what it meant to be afraid. He walked deeper into the woods now, knowing that Cali was probably asleep. He got to the river and sat down throwing pebbles into the water.

After he got bored he got up and walked towards the club he had gone close to it, then changed his mind and walked back towards Cali’s place. He laughed softly thinking that he was going nuts.

He stopped when he heard a noise and he sensed a familiar scent. “Cali!” what is Cali doing here this time of night, is she going creasy too? He asked himself.

He waited till she was within hearing distance then called her name. Cali is that you? Eric here, if you walk straight ahead you’ll see me.

[Perplexia]

At first she thought she was hearing things. She shook her head, how is it possible that he could get under my skin like that. Her light hit his figure and she froze. "Eric?" "What are you doing in my woods?" She frowned "you know what, don't answer that, because I'm hallucinating, you don't speak to me, and you wouldn't be in my woods. This is crazy, i cant believe I'm seeing Eric in trees now. Maybe i need a shrink. That's the only thing that makes sense. What am i suppose to tell them i see bubbles?" she stopped babbling to rub her eyes.

He was still there. Oddly she felt calm like she felt anytime she worked. Because he was always there. She walked toward him, wow this was a great hallucination he seemed so Eric.

She caught his scent on a light breeze, oh this was him alright. "what are you doing out here? Why are you in my woods? and why are you speaking to me after seven months of ignoring me?"

[Iamdax]

“Eric what are you doing in my woods "you know what, don't answer that, because I'm hallucinating, you don't speak to me, and you wouldn't be in my woods. This is crazy; I can’t believe I'm seeing Eric in trees now. Maybe I need a shrink. That's the only thing that makes sense. What am I suppose to tell them I see bubbles?"

Eric just looked at Cali outburst and didn’t move or say anything till she stopped, but he waited longer just in case she started babbling again.

“If you haven’t guessed yet, Vampires are not very rational if they were, they wouldn’t be killing humans by drinking all their blood. I am surprise that you are not afraid of us. Are you different than the other humans, I am here because I came by your place to see that you were ok. I didn’t see anyone around your place so I left.

Eric just realized it was allot easier to talk to Cali than he had thought. Cali slowed down and looked more relaxed and she walked towards him. Eric didn’t move as he didn’t want her to start all over again.

“What are you doing here? Why are you in woods? And why are you speaking to me after seven months of ignoring me?"

Eric looked at her and wondered why she asked the same questions.

“I am sorry Cali I didn’t mean to scare you. I already told you why I came and I found it hard talking to you, there is something about you that pulls me towards you. I want to find out what that was, and beside that I kind like you.

[Perplexia]

"Oh i have to be loosing my mind" she muttered gripping the side of her head. "Let me be sure i understand this, Vampires, the mythical creatures that suppress their identity to keep from being hunted are real, because you are one.

Then you want to know why i'm different from other humans. And you couldn't talk to me cause you found being around me hard, but you threatened to quit work, if i did or got fired." She held up her hand indicating she wasn't done.

"which he didn't tell me, and depending on your next answers will determine if i reveal how i came to this information. But you are telling me.. That you 'um kinda like me' Seven months Eric, and to show me you stalk me an are in my woods declaring thee most important secret of your kind. You don't even know me, you've never talked to me before." She took a deep breath. "this is a bit to digest."

With that she sat down on the cold ground and just stared at him. It made sense, she knew that vampires were probably real. That didn't really shock her, him openly admitting it in the first paragraph of the first words he ever spoke to her did. Perhaps to him it was like presenting a bouquet of flowers to a date. How old was he? how many times has he done this. She shook her head and waited for him to reply.

[Iamdax]

Eric was thinking he was losing his mind listening Cali saying the same thing. Telling who he was to her was not a thing he would say it to anyone else. She had to know what he was, he was sure she knew he was not human.

Cali went on nonstop with almost all the same questions, and he let her talk till she got them out of her head. He looked at her when she said stalking. He never really stalked her. He was protecting her and he wanted her to know that.

“Cali I was never stalking you, I was looking after you because of this pull I feel coming from you. I don’t know what it is and when I said “I kind of like you” was because I don’t know what other words to use. I told you what I am because I wanted you to know it. Somehow I knew you wouldn’t be afraid. You are still here and didn’t run away from me.”

Eric always gets confused when he was around her, he doesn’t understand what he is feeling and yet, he can’t stay away from her for long. He knows she is safe in the day time, and at night he stays as close to her as he can.

“Cali I wanted to talk to you many time before I just didn’t know what to say, I don’t talk to the others either, just Herb because I have to sing there so I can be near you. I know I would never hurt you, but I don’t know why. I never felt this with any others woman before”

He walked to where she sat down and when she didn’t move away, he sat down on the ground next to her.

“Why do I feel this pull from you Cali.”

[Perplexia]

Cali looked up at him as he sat down beside her. His scent pulled at her from within causing her to suppress a moan. yes this was really happening, Eric was sitting here next to her advising that he can't stay away from her. He was here, and he was a Vampire.

"I'm sorry Eric" she said lightly. "I didn't mean to go off you like that. But I've been fighting this compulsion i have to see you, be around you. I'm drawn to you as well. I don't know if its your smell, or your voice, or your appearance. But when you're not around I'm completely anxious. When I'm around you I'm happy, content, calm collected and on top of things." she signed an leaned back looking up at the stars. "I suppose i knew what you were, but figured people would think i was insane if spoke it. You don't ever drink or eat at the bar, an you never shake hands with anyone. There are at least five girls i know that have said they've slept with you, but they were all lying. They all really wished they had. So do you really kill people when you feed? or are you able to just kinda charm them into it. There are so many myths and stories, i don't know what to believe."

[Iamdax]

Eric started to feel a little more relaxed with her. She did understand what he meant, but what she said bother him so much more. He never thought she was feeling as she described, He really didn’t understand all those feeling but was close to how he felt inside.

Eric was now aware that she heard story about him and other women, he had never been with other women. Vamps and Vampires do go after each other but now like humans.

“I am glad you didn’t believe all that you’ve heard, everything you heard are lies, I have never been with a human. I have no idea how a human feel I have no recollection of my past”

He looked at her for a few minutes before telling her.

I do need to feed on human blood Cali that’s how I can be as I am, without the blood I will die wider slowly. I have not killed a human in a very long time. I’ve learned to control how much to feed and not to kill. Most vampire don’t stop till their pray are drained.

[Perplexia]

Taking the answers he gave her she spoke "You asked me what i am. I am a human lie detector." He looked confused as she stated this. "Herb didn't tell me that you told him you would only work there as long as i was. He told me that i could be replaced, an a bubble comes up.. Kinda like one of those things you see in cartoons. An it fills with the truth. Sometimes adds to it. That's how i found out you made him keep it a secret."

She shrugged. "Before you came in i would skip out on work, too many lies all the time. Thats why i knew the girls lied. I didn't know anything about you, but i knew that you weren't what they were saying."

"i'm not afraid of you, but i should be. Any woman alone in the woods at three in the morning with a vampire should." she shrugged again. "I haven't had much human contact myself, OK i haven't had any human contact at all other then the occasional kiss an having some moron try to feel me up. I've always stayed on my own because i knew with myself i wouldn't see the bubbles."

"Im getting a bit cold, would you walk me home? An would you like to stay? Wait, what about daylight?"

[Iamdax]

Eric couldn’t believe what she said about her talent or a curse, whatever it was doing to Cali. Eric began to feel a bit more at easy knowing she was not something else. But was glad also because she would know when Herb thought bed of her, and she could handle him better.

“I know you should be afraid of me I guess, I am a vampire after all, but you should remember that I would never hurt you. I mean like the other vampires would.”

Cali was not a beautiful woman like some of the ones that came in the bar, but he like her much better she was not like the others. She never went after him like some of them, and she was honest with him. And like him she was all alone and she couldn’t be happy about it.

"I’m getting a bit cold, would you walk me home? And would you like to stay? Wait, what about daylight?"

I would like to stay very much but if I do and day light comes before I leave, I’ll have to stay there and as long I stay away from the windows. I’ll be fine.

[Perplexia]

She stopped "by stay i meant stay for a chat , not spend the night. But considering the sun will be rising early i can put you in the spare room. The windows are actually boarded up and painted black. I went through my night walker stage." she smiled lightly

As they walked back to the house she tripped and caught his arm. They both froze for a moment and she smiled. "i'm a bit of a clutz" she shrugged and let go of his cool skin. There was a raw energy that pulsated when she touched him.

They walked in silence for a few moments an then she spoke again. "I'm not going back to work this week. I told herb i had some personal business to deal with. When i actually needed to try to get you out of my system. I thought that i was turning into one of those girls that moon over you excessively. I didn't understand, well i still don't how i can be so drawn to you, but never speaking to you."

I have a proposition for you. ..As long as you don't eat me you can play hooky from work with me. An that will give us a week to try to figure this out"

[Iamdax]

"By stay I meant stay for a chat, not spend the night. But considering the sun will be rising early I can put you in the spare room. The windows are actually boarded up and painted black. I went through my night walker stage."

I understood Cali. The spare room will do fine if I have to stay, I slept many time in much worst place you can think of.

Eric had to grab Cali’s hand as she tripped on a branch. “I’m a bit of a klutz” she said and let go of his hand.

Eric felt the tingling going up his arm and then through his body before she let go of his hand. Once she had recovered from the tripping she told him something he didn’t expect.

"I'm not going back to work this week. I told herb I had some personal business to deal with. When I actually needed to try and get you out of my system. I thought that I was turning into one of those girls that moon over you excessively. I didn't understand, well I still don't know how I can be so drawn to you, but never speaking to you."

Eric couldn’t help wondering if Cali was actually wanted more of him then she let on. He was ready to do everything she wanted, as he needed to know if that was what he really wanted from her, and then came the proposition.
I have a proposition for you. ..As long as you don't eat me you can play hooky from work with me. And that will give us a week to try to figure this out"

Cali I don’t have to promise. I will never hurt you, even if I need to feed on you. The feeding feels like a middle when you prick your finger.

[Perplexia]

"no eating" she said shaking her finger at him. "You need to eat you go do what you need to do and i will keep busy. But no eating me" she was adamant, she didn't want to become a convenience for him.

"I'm not sure if i have to invite you in or not, but you're welcome to come in." She opened the door to her little quaint cottage and placed her flashlight on the table.

"so you said you don't remember being human, do you remember how long ago your first days were as a vampire?

She motioned for him to take a seat as she built a fire in the fire place.

[Iamdax]

He smiled at her when she pointed a finger at him, telling him to go and get it somewhere but not her. He wouldn’t have to eat as he had already eaten before he came here. He never went to see her without eating first.

"I'm not sure if I have to invite you in or not, but you're welcome to come in."

He was going to tell her yes she had to invite him, but she already invited him in. He liked her when she asked all sort of questions even if he didn’t know the answer, that meant that she wanted to know all she could about him.

"So you said you don't remember being human, do you remember how long ago your first days were as a vampire?

Yes that I remember but not the exact date, but it was 16th century in England. I don’t remember anything before that year. I don’t think vampires remember anything before they were turned. That’s the beginning of their life so to speak.

He sat down and watched her light the fire place. He couldn’t blame her for that, they had been outside and she got very cold. He like most vampires didn’t like the fires.

[Perplexia]

"I bet you were a prince, or of some royal bloodline" she said with a smile. she could tell he was uneasy about the fire so she placed the screen in front of it.

"this cottage was built from a picture of one my mother saw in a magazine in England. She always wanted to travel but never did. I hope to see it in person one day. You're probably ready to turn in, its almost day light" oddly the thought saddened her of their conversation ending. "Am i to assume you're going to accept my proposition?" she said turning to him on the stair case and almost running into him. His scent was sensational, If she hadn't had a hold on the rail she may have even swooned.

She turned not waiting for answer to hide her blush and continue to the second floor. She opened the door to the small room and went in to lay out some fresh linens. The room was very small and forced her to squeeze by him accidentally brushing against him as she did. The same thing occurred with the electricity traveling through her body. stepping away quickly she made it to the door. "I will see you tomorrow." she said with a genuine smile. Making it to the solitary of her own room she collapsed on her bed. Her heart was racing still from that brief touch. If it was true about their hearing, he would have heard it too. How embarrassing she thought as she crawled under her covers.

[Iamdax]

"I bet you were a prince, or of some royal bloodline"

“No likely” he said smiling. I remember the clothes I was wearing long after I was turned thought they were very dirty and had blood stains all over. I think they looked like what the Jesters wore, maybe that why I sing and play the guitar.

Cali told him more about her and family, before she told him it’s time to turn as it was dawn already.

"Am I to assume you're going to accept my proposition?" she asked as she turned to him and she ran into him a little too quickly, then she ran as quickly as if someone was chasing her. Eric couldn’t help but laughing softly.

Yes I will accept your proposition as she ran and he didn’t even know if she heard him.

She was opening the door as he got there but with the room being small she had to squeeze by him making body contact. Eric shook slightly at contact with her and again very quickly she ran. Eric began to wonder what was wrong with Cali.

After a long while Eric could stand it any longer and knocked on her door.

“Cali. Can I come in I really want to see you. I actually want to be with you.”

[Perplexia]

Cali tossed in her bed and rose to shut the dark curtains so she may finally get some sleep. Her heart was racing still knowing he was in the next room. Why did he have this reaction on her? she questioned in her mind "how could they know so little about each other and yet she was drawn to him like a lion to a lamb.

A knock came abruptly on her door and she jumped.

Her first thought was the room wasn't as sealed as she thought it should be. "Are you ok? she questioned with concern "is the light coming through?" It then hit her what he said and took her a moment to process it.

"What do you mean Eric?, she said softly "you are with me, you're just in another room.

[Iamdax]

Eric waited a little longer when he heard Cali.

Yes Cali I am ok. No light is coming through I just wanted to be with you.

Yes I am here with you but not with you! I promise not to come in if you don’t want me to.

Eric was not too sure staying here was good idea. He wanted it more than he thought but if he couldn’t be with her, that meant she was not interested in him, and maybe she just wanted the company.

[Perplexia]

"come in Eric i think we need to talk"

She sat up in her bed and he came in. "come sit" she said patting the bed.
Her heart began to race again when he was with in inches of her.
"I am deeply attracted to you" she started off saying slowly "Honestly it scares the crap out of me. I don't date because of the whole bubble thing. So I've never really had much experience with this. " she used her hand in the back and forth motion between them.

"I know that I'm happier then average when you're around me. I know that when i touch you its like a surge runs through me. But .." she paused for a moment "I need to be sure theres more before i give in to my instincts..Does that make sense? I don't want my first time to be a mistake. I don't want you to regret it later. I'm not normal"

[Iamdax]

“Come in Eric I think we need to talk”

Eric pushed the door slowly and looked at Cali sitting in her bed. Eric wasn’t really sure about this, but he did know he wanted to be near her.

“Come sit” she told him as she patted the bed. He walked to her bed and sat after she told him to sit. Eric could tell she was anxious or not sure about this, but she didn’t look scared and she told him how she felt.

"I am deeply attracted to you" she started off saying slowly "Honestly it scares the crap out of me. I don't date because of the whole bubble thing. So I've never really had much experience with this." she used her hand in the back and forth motion between them.

Eric understood what the she meant and just nodded his head and she continued talking.

"I know that I'm happier than average when you're around me. I know that when I touch you it’s like a surge runs through me. But ..." she paused for a moment "I need to be sure there’s more before I give in to my instincts..Does that make sense? I don't want my first time to be a mistake. I don't want you to regret it later. I'm not normal"

Eric understood what she was saying to him but didn’t know what she meant. He knew it was not money that he could give to her. He never been with a human and he didn’t know what it would be like. She is the only thing he wanted from the beginning. He wished he could be different but he wasn’t.

“Cali I don’t really understand me, you are the only woman that gets me very confused, and makes me wanting to be with you all the time.” He reached and put his hand on top of hers.

“Cali I don’t want it to be a mistake either, but I know I will never regret being with you. I am less normal than you are and I have never been with a human.”

[Perplexia]

The coolness of his touch made her heart beat faster then it already was. "ok" she said softly, "one day at a time an we'll figure it out together. But if you have to sleep in the same bed as me, we should probably move to your room. At least there i'm certain no light will come through."

The surge races through her like an electric current. But instead of pulling away she kept hold of his hand. Slowly she rose from the bed grabbing her pillow and led him to his room. Getting in She laid down on one side leaving him room on the other.