Dark Receiver

[DeathsKnight]

He smiled, allowing the little slip to go unchecked,

"I'm sure you can get back to dancing and singing if you only wish to focus on theater. I even know of a great studio, if you wish I can show it to you some time, when there is a break in your schedule."

He gave her a smile and finished up the pizza and sat back in his chair,

"The greatest thing you have to worry about right now is if the bike will get away with our combined weight."

He grinned at her

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"I'm sure you can get back to dancing and singing if you only wish to focus on theater. I even know of a great studio, if you wish I can show it to you some time, when there is a break in your schedule."

She nodded.

"Sounds interesting..."

She agreed, but was sure that her schedule would continue to be pretty heavy, especially as she really wanted to do her best in this first role.

"The greatest thing you have to worry about right now is if the bike will get away with our combined weight."

She laughed as he grinned.

"You sure do have a silver tongue Glen Kane ... "

She quipped back.

"Next you'll be telling me that you're going to need to reinforce the balcony... "

She pushed her own cleared plate away with a happy sigh.

" ... poor Elron ... death by crushing isn't exactly what our Romeo would be expecting... "

 

[DeathsKnight]

He grinned at her come-back,

"But I do think it will be much more prefable to poisoning himself. Faster and much less painful for one."

He idly played with his wine glass,

"I think I can organize that actually, the crash of course will be so spectacular that it will look unplanned, Elron will not come out to take a bow."

He smiled,

"I can see the headlines now: 'The show goes on', 'Balcony crushes actor' and 'Hard love for Romeo'"

He chuckled,

"What a publicity stunt that would be, of course Romeo will have to rise out of his grave for the next show."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"But I do think it will be much more prefable to poisoning himself.
Faster and much less painful for one... I think I can organize that actually, the crash of course will be so spectacular that it will look unplanned, Elron will not come out to take a bow.."

Claire winced at the idea of Elron being crushed, especially considering the fire he had had a narrow escape from.

"I can see the headlines now: 'The show goes on', 'Balcony crushes actor' and 'Hard love for Romeo'"

She shook her head at Glen's sick sense of humour.

"What a publicity stunt that would be, of course Romeo will have to rise out of his grave for the next show."

She nodded relieved.

"Definitely a different type of publicity stunt ... "

She conceded.

".. but I don't like joking about accidents ... especially around the theatre ... "

She didn't want to kill the mood, but she was curious.

"That person or whatever that you said you kept seeing ... have you had any sightings lately?"

 

[DeathsKnight]

He smiled,

"The only theater curse is that of old Will."

He nodded,

"Yes, he seems to wander around when everybody is in costume, then he doesn't stand out as much. A friend of mine at the estate agency is checking into the history of the teater for me."

He gave her a grim grin,

"Seems like he just can't leave the teater, whomever he may be. The fact that he wears a Hamlet costume has not lost it's irony on me."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"The only theater curse is that of old Will. Yes, he seems to wander around when everybody is in costume, then he doesn't stand out as much. A friend of mine at the estate agency is checking into the history of the teater for me."

She shuddered at his words, realising that despite his grin he was in earnest.

"Seems like he just can't leave the teater, whomever he may be.
The fact that he wears a Hamlet costume has not lost it's irony on me."

Claire looked aghast.

"And ... that doesn't bother you?"

She questioned.

"If you really believe that's true, then ... how can you be so calm about it?
Are you sure it's even ... safe... for us to be rehearsing there?"

 

[DeathsKnight]

He nodded at her last question,

"It's safe and as to why I'm so calm about it?"

He shrugged,

"So far it could be my imagination playing nasty tricks on me, also nothing serious..."

He motioned to her arm,

"Apart from that, has happened in the two years I've been using the theater. Also the big problem is that the contract is for the theater and I do not wish to let you guys practise it all at a different location and then have to count your steps during the show."

He laid a hand on her own,

"You are the only one I have told, the moment things seem to head South I will re-arrange the contract to move us to a different location."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"It's safe and as to why I'm so calm about it? So far it could be my imagination playing nasty tricks on me, also nothing serious..."

She doubted Glen was the type of guy to jump to conclusions or imagine things.

"Apart from that, has happened in the two years I've been using the theater. Also the big problem is that the contract is for the theater and I do not wish to let you guys practise it all at a different location and then have to count your steps during the show."

Claire nodded. It made sense. Besides the accident could have been just that. Accidents happened as she was all too well aware!

"You are the only one I have told, the moment things seem to head South I will re-arrange the contract to move us to a different location."

She smiled touched by the fact he had trusted her enough to confide in her.

"Well, I won't say anything. I know you'll take care of us all ... you seem good at that kind of thing ... "

She told him thinking of how supportive he had been of her.

"Maybe I should give Ophelia a go and try to draw him out?"

She suggested lightening the mood.

"... or maybe he's stalking a Polonius type...?"

She chuckled.

"If I decided to haunt a theatre, I wonder which character I'd come back dressed as? At the moment I only have Juliet in my repertoire, unless you count Phoebe of course... "

 

[DeathsKnight]

He smiled at her remarks,

"Well if there ever was an Ophelia to bring the restless spirits out in the open I'm sure you will be her."

He paused as their desert arrived, he didn't have to order it, it came with the meal, a slice of chocolate cake, smothered in melted chocolate with little bits of almond on the side with a cup of filter coffee.

"I think you will come back to haunt in the clothing you wore regularly, that means he should be or was an actor who played Hamlet quite regularly..."

He grinned,

"I can think of a dress that I don't think you would want to do your haunting in."

He winked and added sweetener to his coffee

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Well if there ever was an Ophelia to bring the restless spirits out in the open I'm sure you will be her."

Claire smiled at what she took as a compliment and then looked aghast at the dessert that was put before them welcoming the arrival of the accompanying coffee.

"I think you will come back to haunt in the clothing you wore regularly, that means he should be or was an actor who played Hamlet quite regularly..."

She laughed. Glen seemed quite the expert.

"I can think of a dress that I don't think you would want to do your haunting in."

She sipped her coffee before replying.

"Oh ... one of my costumes ... or ... did you have something else up your sleeve Mr Producer...?"

She teased, curious nonetheless.

 

[DeathsKnight]

"Why yes...to both questions that is"

He gave her a grin,

"The rather revealing evening dress, I doubt you would like to haunt people with that dress. Unless our Claire has a very adventurous side which I do not know about yet."

His mind flitted to the possibilities that thought opened and not one of those thoughts had anything to do with theater, he realized that he had paused and grinned again,

"As for my plan...you will just have to wait and see my dear."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Why yes...to both questions that is"

She chuckled as Glen continued.

"The rather revealing evening dress, I doubt you would like to haunt people with that dress. Unless our Claire has a very adventurous side which I do not know about yet."

Claire gave him a sassy grin.

"Just maybe I'll surprise you one of these days ..."

She commented cryptically.

"As for my plan...you will just have to wait and see my dear."

She laughed then.

"You love it don't you? Plotting, secrets ... no wonder you're an excellent writer ... I doubt anything phases you ... "

She mused. He was obviously a very talented guy, but he was funny and warm and ... although their easy banter not to mention their 'professional' relationship had resulted in an easy friendship Claire was definitely attracted to him. Judging by the way they had clicked when acting out the balcony scene somehow she knew that if they stepped beyond their easy friendship then she could seriously 'fall for' Glen Kane.

 

[DeathsKnight]

He smiled and raised his cup,

"Of course, it makes it so much fun to keep people guessing and on their toes."

He drained his coffee and leaned back,

"Yes I overdid it, but some sins can be forgiven with a good workout and hard day's work."

He grinned and patted his stomach, when Claire finished, Glen got up and paid the bill, escorting Claire outside he drew in the night air,

"Seems like we're in for rainy weather...'

To acentuate his words, thunder rumbled in the distance, the drive back was quick and uneventful, he parked the bike next to his car in the garage and then walked with Claire to the front door.

"Thank you for joining me Claire, I had a great evening."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Of course, it makes it so much fun to keep people guessing and on their toes."

She laughed loving their relaxed and joking interaction.

"Yes I overdid it, but some sins can be forgiven with a good workout and hard day's work."

Claire too gave a groan of contentment.

"Well I'll do the hard day's work, but the workout..?"

She shook her head, still laughing and joking as Glen rose to pay the bill and make his goodbyes before heading outside.

"Seems like we're in for rainy weather...'

His observation proved right. Claire tried not to flinch at the sound of thunder. She did not like storms, but didn't want to confess the fact. Thankfully the back made short work of the drive so that they got back in advance of the inclement weather.

"Thank you for joining me Claire, I had a great evening."

Claire nodded, touched by his words.

"It was perfect, I loved it."

She told him as they stood at the front door, he with the keys in hand.

"And I should be thanking you Glen. It was good to meet your friends and the food was fantastic..."

She smiled shyly now that their banter had dropped momentarily.

"... as was the company ... "

She told him softly ...

 

[DeathsKnight]

He unlocked the door and smiled at her,

"It is the company which made it so perfect."

He nudged her playfully,

"Think I should make your contract permanent and keep you here with me."

He grinned and surprised himself by giving her a tight hug,

"To thy chambers fair lass! It is the late hour and the master will be rising before the sun."

He smiled at her and closed the door behind them,

"And if you feel the need to flee from lightning."

He pointed to his door,

"You will find sanctuary there."

He gave her a smile and then headed to his room.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"It is the company which made it so perfect."

She blushed, but noted that he was being his usual playful self.

"Think I should make your contract permanent and keep you here with me."

Her eyes caught his and she couldn't help thinking that there would be nothing better. His arms were around her and holding her all to briefly and then he was dismissing her once more.

"To thy chambers fair lass! It is the late hour and the master will be rising before the sun."

She laughed and commented.

"Ahhh, the hard day's work away the calories from the indulgence before .. "

She quipped as they made their way into the place that she too now called home.

"And if you feel the need to flee from lightning. You will find sanctuary there."

She met his smile with a look of surprise. She had said nothing and she thought masked her fear of storms well.

"I may hold you to that ... "

She told him before bidding him good night and heading in the direction of her own room. Making short work of her ablutions and slipping into a knee length nightshirt, she eased between the covers, the bedside light still on as she heard the thunder overhead and began to count. She flinched as lightning lit her room. The storm was still some way off, she had gotten to 6. But only minutes later it had gotten to 5 and then 4. She toyed with the idea of going to get herself a milky drink to help her sleep, but she didn't much fancy the idea of wandering around. Tempted though she was by the idea of heading to Glen's room, she really didn't think that was a good idea. He was her landlord and her friend and her producer and nothing else, as yet. She couldn't risk complicating things by heading to his room. And so the storm got to 3, which was close enough for her and so she decided to deal with it in her age-old way and quickly slid out of bed and got the mp3 player from the other side of her room before fixing the buds in her ears and slipping back into bed and ducking deep under the covers where she attempted to neither see or hear anything ...

 

[DeathsKnight]

The next morning dawned dreary and cold, Glen decided against his morning jog and instead opted for a few personal exercises, then he started breakfast, he made quite a hearty meal, he was sure the extra energy would come handy during the cold which was clearly present during this rain. As far as he could remember it never rained so much, a bright flash and loud crash made him wonder if he shouldn't post pone today's activities, they were way ahead of schedule...it took a few phone calls and a bit of toning down on the meal. He sat down in his usual chair, cup of coffee in one hand as he watched the rain pouring down through the window. He was on his second cup when he heard movement from his quest room,

"Ah the lady stirs, yet Romeo knowest of the news..."

He chuckled and sipped on his coffee.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

The storm continued all night. The thunder and lightening eventually stilled and with it Claire slept, yet in the early hours it struck again wakening Claire and keeping her awake until the early hours when she fell into an uneasy slumber.

All too soon, her alarm went and she dragged herself from her bed and grabbed on a robe to make her way to the kitchen to be met by a cheery Glen.

"Ah the lady stirs, yet Romeo knowest of the news..."

She slumped into the chair opposite him and groaned.

"What a night. You know that storm hardly let up ...?"

She flinched as she heard a rumble.

"It's not still going out there is it?

She asked.

"You didn't go out for a run in that did you?"

 

[DeathsKnight]

He shrugged,

"I slept soundly so I would not really know."

He motioned to the window,

"It's still going strong, that is why I didn't go for a jog, but rather called in to cancel today's rehearsal. I do not want to be stuck in the theater during a storm. Old superstition I have."

He pointed at the oven,

"Perhaps you can try and grab some sleep after a warm meal? If that fails I know of this age old remedy involving a wooden mallet..."

He gave her a grin

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"I slept soundly so I would not really know. It's still going strong, that is why I didn't go for a jog, but rather called in to cancel today's rehearsal. I do not want to be stuck in the theater during a storm. Old superstition I have."

She didn't know if she was pleased that rehearsals were to be cancelled, or relieved. At least in the theatre you were rarely aware of the weather outside.

"Perhaps you can try and grab some sleep after a warm meal?
If that fails I know of this age old remedy involving a wooden mallet..."

She gave a half laugh.

"No thanks, I'm not hungry. Mind if I take a coffee onto the sofa.
Think I'll plug into my headphones again, so's I don't have to listen to it ..."

She told him.

 

[DeathsKnight]

He inclined his head slightly,

"As you wish."

He finished his coffee, got up and went over to what appeared to be a piano, but once he unlocked and pushed upwards on the top, it slid back into the back revealing a desk. He sat down and pulled out a sheaf of papers from a cubby hole, picking up a pen he started to write. Softly humming to himself as he went along. He paused after a few moments,

"How long have you had this fear of weather and can you place the exact feelings that makes you fear it in the first place?"

He turned in the chair which turned out to be a swivel chair as well.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

She went to get her MP3, then returning to the table she grabbed her coffee carrying it to the sofa where she sat untangling the headphones as she sipped now and then at the mug.

"How long have you had this fear of weather and can you place the exact feelings that makes you fear it in the first place?"

She looked up and found herself facing him.

"I don't know ... ever since I remember I think ... from very young certainly ... "

She replied.

"Lots of people are afraid of storms ... though usually they say it's something they learned ... can't say I remember mum and certainly not dad every reacting to storms anything like I do ... "

She considered.

"Why..?"

 

[DeathsKnight]

"No particular reason, was just curious if the phobia had an origin, because then it could be addressed, but if you have had it since an early age..."

He paused and grinned at her,

"Then you will have to bear with it when it does rain."

A deep rumble seemed to emphasize his words,

"Well then, seems like the gods of thunder and lightning has their knife in for you today, you should really hide behind your music and try to rest."

He turned to his papers and scribbled a new line, paused and spoke up again,

"I forgot to ask, do you have any formal clothing?"

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"No particular reason, was just curious if the phobia had an origin, because then it could be addressed, but if you have had it since an early age... Then you will have to bear with it when it does rain."

She rolled her eyes then flinched at the thunder.

"You did that on purpose..."

She accused him playfully of bringing on the storm.

"Well then, seems like the gods of thunder and lightning has their knife in for you today, you should really hide behind your music and try to rest."

She gave a big sigh and curled her hands around the coffee mug, starting her habitual counting until on 5, the lightning flashed.

"I forgot to ask, do you have any formal clothing?"

The question was so random that it took her by surprise.

Yes, I guess so, but it's back home.. well back at my parents',"

She corrected.

"Actually, I still have quite a bit of my stuff back there .. maybe I should head home for a visit and get the rest of it before they throw it out...?"

 

[DeathsKnight]

He nodded and continued his writing,

"Then we will have to face them today, you will need something sheik or sleek and black for tonight."

He chuckled softly,

"This will be very interesting and uncomfortable, I think that I may have upset your father quite a deal with my remarks about his parenthood."