Dark Receiver

[DeliciousMaiden]

The rehearsal went well, or at least it did if Glen's lack of comment was anything to go by. She felt comfortable with Elron, he was almost like the brother she had never had, but his acting was exquisite and she found herself as Juliet falling in love with him anew as he climbed to her balcony and they acted out that first secretive meeting. All too rapidly the action raced on from the brief joy of their marriage scene to the repercussions of the fight and the stolen wedding night. Her experience acting with Glen helped her if anything. Somehow she could identify with the scene on a deeper level. Juliet's desperation to hold onto Romeo was tangible so that the realisation of what her parents were demanding of her hit her belatedly, but with such force as to reduce her to helpless desperation. No parallel there, Claire ... She found herself reflecting ironically as Juliet made her way to Friar Lawrence and encountered Paris in doing so. By the time she had played out the scene at the church, taken the poison and acted out the final suicide scene Claire was exhausted. But Glen wanted that final act repeating and so with just the merest rolling of eyes she and Elron prepared for that final scene all over again ...

Finally it seemed Glen was satisfied and they were released from the intensity of those rehearsals. The contact was still in her bag, but there was no opportunity to discuss it with Glen who was still occupied and besides which she could hardly brush off 'Paris' as he came along clearly intending to walk her out of the theatre. With only the slightest hesitation Claire walked along beside him as they turned towards the bus stop. They were so absorbed in conversation that they did not see the car which seemed to come out of nowhere just as they were about to cross the road.

"Jeeeze .... "

She heard him exclaim as somehow Claire managed to stop him in his tracks, pushing him sideways so that he fell away from the car and back on the pavement. Unbalanced, she felt herself topple and land beside him.

"That ... was close ... "

He murmured belatedly. The car was already out of sight. In fact it was unlikely that the driver even realised how close the two pedestrians had been to stepping out in front of his vehicle.

"Are you ok?"

Claire turned to check her companion and assumed that he was as shaken as she.

"Yeah .. yeah, sure ... "

And to prove the point, he got to his feet and put his hand out to Claire to assist her to do so. For long seconds he held her as they both shook their heads incredulously.

"You nearly ended up minus one fiancé there ... "

He quipped shakily.

"Don't joke about it ... "

She shuddered unable to stop her mind going back to Glen's cryptic words about accidents happening around her. But it was her actions that had saved them both ... so what did that mean?

"Good thing we're not doing The Scottish Play, or I'd be starting to get paranoid..."

His light-hearted observation did nothing to reassure her.

 

[DeathsKnight]

Glen and Elron parted ways at the door, he got onto his bike and drove off, but not in the direction of his home. He stopped outside a real estate agency he had done business with in the past, they were still open as they opened up later than other places. Glen walked in and met with the manager, they talked about the Westall home and the asking price, after a cup of coffee and a biscuit, Glen signed the contract for the house, of course the name of the buyer will be kept secret and it was a place close to him, so he had no reason not to buy it. He smiled as he got on his bike again and drove off.

The next morning was more of the same, Glen pushed the company hard as it was Friday and the weekend was looming, this weekend everybody had off and he had a few errands to run, restocking his fridge after a ravenous Elron had gone through it was one of these errands. He had heard about the little incident the previous evening and was wondering what would happen, but so far fate or who or what ever ruled that decision seemed to think it was fine that Claire saved herself and somebody else in the process.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

The evening got no better when Claire got home. Her father was still livid with anger and her mother tearful. All through the evening she cast her eyes first to her husband then her daughter as her eyes brimmed again and again with tears.
It was a long and torturous meal and Claire escaped to her room at the earliest opportunity and left the house as early the next morning.

The schedule at the theatre was gruelling, but for Claire she found it a welcome diversion. The pace of rehearsal was such, however that she had very little time with Glen and none alone, so that even on Friday she had not discussed, much less signed the contract which was still burning a hole in her bag.

Her parents seemed changed on the Friday. Exchanged looks and whispers made Claire suspicious. It was as if they had the upper hand somehow and she had no idea how or what ... until finally her mother blurted out the 'fantastic news' that the house has been sold.

"Already?"

Claire was aghast. She had counted on there being some time during which she could negotiate a peace or an impasse, or some way forward with her parents, but now it seemed everything had been brought to a head, not unlike Juliet's dilemma of having to marry Paris, Claire found herself reflecting ironically! The next parental offensive was launched on Saturday morning. Claire found it easier to deal with her father's anger, but her mother's chatter about the new life they could all have alternating with tears of how she could not bear to be so far away from her only child and how Claire was passing up an opportunity for a brand new start ... and who knew? Perhaps there would be an acting course, or a theatre or an opportunity in Devon just waiting for her ....? Like water torture, Claire felt that her resistance was worn away drop by drop ... and so against her better judgement, she agreed to a day trip, just to look around ... yes with an open mind she promised ... a day's drive ... just for them to explore options ... was what she agreed to ...

"But it's so late and your father's been driving around all day..."

Was her mother's lament.

"You don't want him to have an accident driving back home do you?"

Was the final nail in the coffin rendering Claire helplessly mute.

Of course, it had been the plan all along, she concluded. The little B & B must have been already booked. The two rooms ready aired and prepared for guests. An evening meal was somehow procured, even though all the literature insisted that this must be ordered in advance. All in all, Claire had fallen foul of a conspiracy. And so, she found herself waking up in Devon B & B and having to sit through an endless breakfast amongst strangers whilst watching the clock and all the while thinking of where she should be and how with the almost non-existant signal and the dangerously low battery from having tried and tried to contact Glen or Elron she was trapped without way of notifying anyone that she was miles away in Devon.

She hoped they would not worry too much. She hoped they would understand, but as the morning crawled by and her parents made their leisurely goodbyes, Claire was almost at the point of screaming in frustration, a state not helped by what she knew must be the deliberate 'scenic route' back home taking in the coastal road with aching slowness, necessitating another 'tea-time' break for food at around 3 pm which meant that it was early evening before they finally pulled up in front of the house which now sported an insultingly jaunty SOLD sign.

Claire spoke not a word. She merely entered the house and went straight up to her room. She pulled out a rucksack and holdall and proceeded to pack slowly and deliberately. Below she could hear the happy exchange of voices. Her parents doubtless were pleased with themselves. Doubtless they thought her compliance matter of time as they had arranged the weekend so neatly.

Her phone was finally charged enough to send a short text to Glen.

Act IV, Scene III here. Can I come round + explain? Jules x

Without waiting for a reply, she picked up her bags and pulled on a jacket before sneaking down the stairs and letting herself out silently. She could go for the bus, or most likely find a taxi. Either way she wanted out. She could only hope that Glen and Elron would support her after her no-show that day. She waited until she was round the corner and out of sight before checking her phone for a reply.

 

[DeathsKnight]

The Saturday was spent shopping and when he got home Elron was already packing, so he took the time to ready the room for when Claire would arrive, it was much easier and faster to use the vacated room than to clear out the third room. The rest of the day was spent in helping Elron settle into his new spot, Glen had to admit that it was not a bad place at all, he was preparing dinner when his phone rang, it was the hospital and they wanted to know if he knew a Darius Jones, he felt that faint prickle of fore-warning run down his spine and he let out a soft sigh,

"Yes I do, he is part of my production group."

There was a short pause on the other end,

"He was in a Bar brawl, he is in the ER right now."

"Let me guess, it could either be the end of his life or the end of his career, he was saved from being killed outright by another person."

Again a slight pause,

"That is what the officer on duty said sir."

Glen nodded,

"Thank you, should I notify his parents?"

"Please sir, we only found your details on him, he had no other means of contact persons."

"I'll do so."

He checked on the meat and then phoned Paris' parents, it was not one of the easiest calls he had ever made, but not the worst either, there seemed to be some hope that he might survive. He phoned his three partners and informed them of the situation and gave them the names of two people he had in mind to take Paris' place. The meal was a quiet one as he sat and mulled over the events of the passed week.

The next morning was the usual routine, coffee, a walk through the park and a bran muffin for breakfast,the rest of the day went by quite uneventful, it was strange that he didn't hear from Claire, but it wasn't that bad. He did hear from Elron though and that was in the evening and he told him about their young Paris.

Monday was spent sorting out for a new actor to fill the role, when it was finished he found that Claire had not come in and that was very uncharacteristic of her, so he decided to run a few roles for Paris and then he dismissed them all, he was in his chair reading when a text came through on his phone, he read it, surprised to be hearing from Claire. So he texted her back.

"I'm home, the front door is unlocked.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

I'm home, the front door is unlocked.

The words flashed up much to her relief! It had crossed her mind that Glen and Elron might be 'otherwise occupied', but if that had been the case, she guessed that she could have gone to see Abigail ... nothing would prompt her to return home tonight!

For what seemed like ages, Claire decided to wait for the bus. In reality the wait was a mere 10 minutes, but at any time she expected her father to come tearing along the road to drag her home. In fact it was a full 25 minutes before she found herself making her way to Glen's place and almost 40 minutes from the sending of her text when she finally found herself at his door. She raised her hand to knock, but remembered what he had said about the door being open. Pushing she entered and set down her ruck sack and holdall as she called out hesitantly.

"Hey ... you there?"

She hoped he wouldn't be angry about her no-show that day.

"I'm so sorry about today ... there was nothing I could do .. I would never ... "

The words didn't even begin to cover how she felt: In fact if Glen had understood the reference in her text he might just realise how desperate she felt about everything right now.

 

[DeathsKnight]

"Ah there you are, was starting to think you got dragged back home by your father."

She started to explain, but the clear lack of words and of course the content of her text was enough to make him understand, he waved her to silence and smiled,

"Come, sit down, I'll pour us some tea and then when you're calmer you can tell me more."

He got up and walked to the kitchen,

"Elron moved out Saturday so feel free to take me up on the offer for the bed."

He came out a few minutes shortly with a tray with cups, a teapot, sugar cubes, sweetener and milk.

"Go ahead, help yourself."

He looked at her as he fixed his tea and when he sat down, he first took a sip and setting the cup aside, he looked at her again,

"You didn't miss much today, we had to re-cast for Paris, Mr Jones ended up in a bad barroom brawl. He'll survive, he just won't be reciting lines any time soon."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Ah there you are, was starting to think you got dragged back home by your father."

She shuddered at his words as they were what she had imagined also.

"Come, sit down, I'll pour us some tea and then when you're calmer you can tell me more."

She sank into the chair he indicated and listened to his words from the kitchen.

"Elron moved out Saturday so feel free to take me up on the offer for the bed."

Her mind raced. Elron wasn't there. She had expected him to be around and that he might offer an alternative perspective to Glen's. She hadn't expected to be stopping over with just Glen, not that she wasn't grateful for the offer of a bed!

"Go ahead, help yourself."

She poured out a strong tea with only the slightest dash of milk and no sugar.
She sipped in silence watching Glen as he sorted out his own drink.

"You didn't miss much today, we had to re-cast for Paris, Mr Jones ended up in a bad barroom brawl."

She gasped and started firing questions at him only to be assured that;

"He'll survive, he just won't be reciting lines any time soon."

She put her cup down.

"Oh no ... but we ... "

She halted as she considered the circumstances.

"He nearly got run over the other evening and now ... "

She looked across at Glen.

"Is this to do with me?"

She asked him.

"... because ... crazy as the idea is ... perhaps I should just move out to Devon and ... "

She wasn't sure what she'd actually do if she had to move out to Devon.

"Everything's such a mess ... "

She murmured tears brimming as she set her cup down not knowing what to do next.

 

[DeathsKnight]

"No Claire, you can not blame yourself for everything that happens. You are not going to Devon, if you had wished to do so you wouldn't be here with all those bags."

He gave her an encouraging smile,

"Come now Claire, why go through all this personal change and then throw it all away? Isn't life about change and development? Character development isn't just in stories, it is based on real life."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"No Claire, you can not blame yourself for everything that happens. You are not going to Devon, if you had wished to do so you wouldn't be here with all those bags."

She was too upset to blush at the fact he realised she wasn't intending to go back home for more than just the night.

"Come now Claire, why go through all this personal change and then throw it all away? Isn't life about change and development? Character development isn't just in stories, it is based on real life."

She nodded slowly.

"It is real life ... I can't undo accidents or injuries or ... "

She shuddered.

" ... worse ... "

She fixed her eyes on the man opposite her.

"Given everything that's happened, why would you risk having me around ... here ... or the theatre.... ?"

Whatever was happening she was beginning to feel like some kind of jinx and how could she put Glen and the people in the theatre company at risk?

 

[DeathsKnight]

He gave her a smile,

"Because you saved his life. Remember, you did him the favor, he would be dead if it wasn't for you."

He sipped his tea, found it drinkable and took a swallow,

"So yes I am very certain I want you around and not jus in the theatre."

He wondered since when he had the guts to say that outright to a woman, even more intrigueing since when did he have the guts to be so frank with a woman as beautiful as Claire?

"Any case, would you really wish to leave me stranded without..."

He wanted to say "you" but knew that might scare her away from him, or at least that was his fear.

"a Juliet?"

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Because you saved his life. Remember, you did him the favor, he would be dead if it wasn't for you."

She nodded allowing herself to be reassured and for long moments they shared a companionable silence.

"So yes I am very certain I want you around and not jus in the theatre."

She halted, the cup mid-way to her lips at those words; their meaning very clear. A smile spread gradually and lit up her face. Not for the first time, she felt her pulses race and set down the cup as she made an effort to focus on his next words.

"Any case, would you really wish to leave me stranded without... a Juliet?"

She shook her head.

"No, but better one actor down than everyone dropping like flies around the place ... "

The words though voicing her fear were so extreme as to cause her to chuckle at the image.

"So ... do we have a Paris yet? If not, couldn't you do that part? It's important, but not too big a role ... ?"

She suggested speculating at the dynamic of playing opposite him as the fiancé she actually wanted to avoid.

" ... might be an interesting experiment ... "

She commented with a grin.

 

[DeathsKnight]

He chuckled,

"I sincerely doubt we will have flies on my stage, well the human kind that is."

He watched her reaction and grinned at her query,

"Oh it wasn't enough to be my lover? Now you want to be betrothed to me? Can't say that I will not enjoy the experience."

He smiled,

"We do have a Paris for you, he will be available full-time from Wednesday, so tomorrow we will have a stand-in for Paris."

He winked at her,

"I saw you went over the contract with Elron. Any troubles?"

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"I sincerely doubt we will have flies on my stage, well the human kind that is."

She laughed along with him relaxing more in his company now.

"Oh it wasn't enough to be my lover? Now you want to be betrothed to me? Can't say that I will not enjoy the experience."

She blushed, but corrected him.

"Husband and lover wasn't it? Unwanted fiancé and bigamist-to-be in my case would be an interesting dynamic don't you think?"

She gave him a sassy grin and was surprised to hear that he had already cast a replacement Paris.

"We do have a Paris for you, he will be available full-time from Wednesday, so tomorrow we will have a stand-in for Paris."

She had to admit, Glen had certainly moved quickly.

"It's such a shame ... as an unwanted fiancé we really seemed to get that dynamic easily..."

She commented finishing her tea and relaxing further back in the chair.

"I saw you went over the contract with Elron. Any troubles?"

His question took her by surprise.

"Oh yes, he was really helpful and no .. no troubles just ... "

She hesitated, slightly embarrassed.

"He said that it's usual to be more specific about .. salary ... "

She shrugged.

"I'm happy to sign as it is of course, Glen, "

She hastened to add.

"But Elron said I should mention it to you ... "

She told him with a shrug.

 

[DeathsKnight]

"Ah yes, the 2580 per month, that is the basic salary, I left it as that so if you wish for more we can discuss it."

He smiled,

"Like I told you, you will not get rich out of this occupation. Part of the reason Elron turned me down, he of course has this need to teach children as well."

He finished his tea,

"So my dear, what did your parents do with you this weekend?"

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Ah yes, the 2580 per month, that is the basic salary, I left it as that so if you wish for more we can discuss it. Like I told you, you will not get rich out of this occupation. Part of the reason Elron turned me down, he of course has this need to teach children as well."

She laughed.

"Sounds reasonable to me. Like I said, I just need enough to live on. I'm not more ambitious than that at the moment to be honest... I'll sign it later and give it to you ... "

She just wanted a less complicated life.

"So my dear, what did your parents do with you this weekend?"

She rolled her eyes and sighed.

"Like I said in my text. I'd have gladly taken poison after the weekend I've just spent."

She ran a hand through her hair and knew she had to explain that comment.

"My mother gave me the tearful treatment. I had it all Saturday. So, just to be kind to her, I agreed that we'd have a 'day trip' down to Devon to look round ... "

She shook her head still not able to quite believe what trick they had pulled on her.

"Only the day trip wasn't a day trip. Seems they planned it all. So we ended up not only staying overnight at a B & B, but didn't actually start heading back until almost midday and then took the scenic route."[//I]

She had become annoyed again as she recounted the deceit.

"I couldn't get a signal Sunday night and then I'd tried so much I ran the battery down completely! I was going crazy thinking what everyone would think if I simply didn't show up for rehearsal and without even getting in touch."

She watched his reaction and continued.

"We only got home oh, just about an hour and a half ago. I headed up to my room, packed and got the hell out of there."

A wicked smile crossed her face.

"Who knows when they'll realise I've gone. I didn't leave a note or anything."

That would give her mother something real to cry about, she could not help that thought crossing her mind.

"So as plot development goes ... I guess it's pretty major..."

She concluded.

 

[DeathsKnight]

He had expected something like that, but he didn't expect for them to return, he was glad for that part. He smiled as she told him how she had slipped away,

"Oh your father might just set the police on me tomorrow, but that is about the worst he can do right now. Of course with you being here under your own free will and the text messages to prove so, I think they will have to make their peace with your decisions."

He glanced at his watch,

"Ah you arrived at a good time..."

He paused,

"That is if you wanted to stay? It is bed time for me, I get up very early."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Oh your father might just set the police on me tomorrow, but that is about the worst he can do right now. Of course with you being here under your own free will and the text messages to prove so, I think they will have to make their peace with your decisions."

She hadn't thought about that, but she was an adult, so what could they do?


"Ah you arrived at a good time... That is if you wanted to stay? It is bed time for me, I get up very early."

She nodded.

"I was kinda hoping to. Even if it's just for tonight it would give me breathing space ... and I'm exhausted after the past 24 hours. An early night sounds a perfect idea ... "

She told him with no hint of double meaning ...

 

[DeathsKnight]

He smiled,

"Well then in that case make yourself right at home, mi casa es su casa and all that jazz."

He got up,

"I believe you will find loads of breathing and thinking space here, I tend to read, write or cook when I'm not outside directing people to do the will of old Will."

He gave her a wink, gathered their cups and took the tray into the kitchen, he came out,

"That door is your room, bathroom is adjoined and I'm just across the floor..."

He patted the door to his left,

"So if Elron left a moving skeleton in there, you will know where to find me."

He moved over to open the door for her and switch on the light. He moved to his door and looked back at her,

"Adieu adieu fair maiden, for thou beauty rivals that of a rising sun, may the night be swift and let me gaze unto thee again, until then adieu adieu."

He grinned and stepped into his bedroom.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Claire let Glen show her where her room and bathroom was and headed for his own room. She watched his door close and turned to get her bags and take them into what was to be her bedroom for the night, or perhaps a little bit longer. She took time to unpack the belongings she had brought with her and made the room look 'homely' or at least a bit more 'girly', if that were possible with the few sparse possessions she had brought with her.

After the briefest visit to the bathroom, she got changed and slid between the covers with a sigh. It was a novelty not to lay there straining her ears to try to second guess what her parents were up to. But then again, what were they up to? Had they discovered that she was gone? Had they guessed where she had gotten to? She hoped they wouldn't contact the police, after all she was an adult now!

She thought that her worries would keep her awake, but in truth she was exhausted and fell quickly into a deep and dreamless sleep. Without her usual alarm and having lost track of time and day, Claire remained deeply asleep the next morning, despite Glen's early rising ...

 

[DeathsKnight]

He got up his usual time, went through his morning rituals, including his exercises, shower and all the things he usually did, of course the second thing he did was to switch on the coffee machine. The aroma of fresh coffee filled the kitchen and soon wafted out, followed by the smell of toast and bacon. He thought of waking her up, but thought better of it, she needed what little rest she could get, so he placed the food in the oven, dished himself up a good portion and poured himself some of the coffee, he sat down at the kitchen table, starting to eat before taking on the new day.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

What exactly woke her she wasn't sure, but her eyes opened slowly, blinking at unfamiliar surroundings. Slowly she sat up, memory returning as she searched to find out what time it was and failing to find her watch from the night before. Swinging her legs out of bed, she slid from beneath the covers and padded to the door pulling it open the aroma of coffee hit her. Glen was still around then, or had been recently she concluded with relief. Still, she thought she'd better to and check on the time. Belatedly she remembered that she hadn't brought a robe with her and so padded out in just a mid thigh length nightshirt.

"Glen?"

She called out tentatively.

"Are you still around? I have no idea what the time is ... "

She called out ...

 

[DeathsKnight]

He had just started eating when he heard Claire call his name, he got up and walked to the living room, stoopping in the door at her statement and of course the sight of her. Hair still sleep mushed up and the mid-thigh nightshirt gave her the look of a recently risen primal godess, he smiled at her.

"Well goodmorning sunshine, you're just in time for breakfast, decided to spoil us a bit and skip the funfare food over at the theater for today."

He motioned for her to come, then he went into the kitchen and fixed her a plate, setting it opposite his own.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Well goodmorning sunshine, you're just in time for breakfast, decided to spoil us a bit and skip the funfare food over at the theater for today."

She smiled as he spoke then noticed that he was dressed and had obviously been up and about for some time. But she couldn't duck back into her room to get dressed as he waved her to the table and disappeared into the kitchen. Soon breakfast and coffee was put in front of her.

"Wow ... do you charge extra for breakfast..?"

She asked realising that they hadn't talked rent yet, not that she was expecting to stay there long term of course. There were a lot of specifics they had yet to discuss.

"So Elron moved out? He doesn't know what he's missing ... "

She commented then paused.

"Will you miss having him around, or do you prefer to have your own space ... that is when you don't have stray actresses turning up at your door unannounced with bag in hand?"

She queried.

 

[DeathsKnight]

He chuckled,

"Actually Mr Kramer usually got the food without the company and no I don't charge and as long as you stay here I refuse that you even think of paying me anything."

He raised a finger to an obvious protest,

"My house, my rules. You are my guest for as long as you wish to stay and I will hear nothing about this paying thing...well unless you wish to wash the dishes and clean the house with me when we get the time, I'll consider that payment."

He smiled,

"And as long as said actress doesn't mind to get dragged to some fancy function as my date I'm quite happy to share my space with her. Of course when she needs her own alone-time, thrown objects and explicits might just chase me to my room until the cloudy air clears."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Actually Mr Kramer usually got the food without the company and no I don't charge and as long as you stay here I refuse that you even think of paying me anything."

She started to protest, but he cut her off before she could vocalise her objections.

"My house, my rules. You are my guest for as long as you wish to stay and I will hear nothing about this paying thing...well unless you wish to wash the dishes and clean the house with me when we get the time, I'll consider that payment."

She thought that was more than reasonable, but again he gave her no time to offer her assurances.

"And as long as said actress doesn't mind to get dragged to some fancy function as my date I'm quite happy to share my space with her.!

Her eyes widened and she smiled at the idea of going somewhere fancy with Glen as his 'date;. Of course he had made sure that it was to help him out and not out of 'romantic intentions', but she could not help but feel thrilled at the prospect.

"Of course when she needs her own alone-time, thrown objects and explicits might just chase me to my room until the cloudy air clears."

She laughed at that.

"I don't think I've become a Diva on stage, so it's unlikely I'd do that here..."

She told him.

"But your terms are more than reasonable Mr Kane. I'm more than willing to do my share of the housework and would love to accompany you anywhere, fancy or not ... "

She told him sincerely.

"And, I appreciate the offer to stay here, though don't assume that would be indefinitely ... but ... I guess I should go home sometime soon and collect more of my things and let my parent's know that I've moved out so they can do whatever they want ... "

She looked to Glen for advice.

"What do you think? Or should I let the dust settle a bit more first?"