Dark Receiver

[DeliciousMaiden]

Claire and Abigail sat together and were joined by their new Paris and Lord Capulet. Elron sat with Glen opposite. When Glen took to his feet, they all looked at him expectantly.

"To be honest...you guys still have some work to do."

His words were disappointing, but it wasn't anything they didn't know.

"Good news of course is that all of you know your lines and your cues, even our new Paris. So great work out there today,..."

They all looked across at their new cast member who modestly accepted the compliment.

" ... if you have to order lifts then I'd suggest you do so, when dinner is finished we are done for today. Call it a bonus for a job well done."

They each assumed that they would receive individual feedback when they next rehearsed.

"Oh and some of you will receive invitations to an audition. I suggest you go."

Claire had no idea what he meant by that, neither did any of the others, but Glen chose not to elaborate further as he sat down and began to eat. The others on her table assumed that Claire would know more than them, an assumption Claire immediately denied.

"I don't know anymore than all of you."

She asserted.

"Glen's been kind enough to offer me a roof over my head as I've had some trouble with my parents ... Juliet had it easy with the Capulets by comparison ... "

She joked drawing their laughter.

"But I have no more idea what his plans are or what goes on in his head than you do ... "

 

[DeathsKnight]

Glen smiled at the hushed questioning,,

"Oh it's quite simple actually, I got a brainwave to do the rehearsal in the park, get out of the theater for a change. I usually ask Louise for the use of her van and when she heard what it was for, she asked if I would be interested to run a television advertisement. Of course I agreed to that and while you were busy killing off young love, she said that she liked some of the cast members and would like to give them either a role in a commercial or a small role in a project she is working on."

He took a sip of water,

"Having been in something like that and be able to add it to your resume is actually very good for your future. Elron should know, if he did not want to mould young minds instead."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Oh it's quite simple actually, I got a brainwave to do the rehearsal in the park, get out of the theater for a change. I usually ask Louise for the use of her van and when she heard what it was for, she asked if I would be interested to run a television advertisement. Of course I agreed to that and while you were busy killing off young love, she said that she liked some of the cast members and would like to give them either a role in a commercial or a small role in a project she is working on."

Glen announced in response to the hushed queries that were going on around him.

"Having been in something like that and be able to add it to your resume is actually very good for your future."

Claire didn't actually have ambitions to be in commercials and was less impressed than some of the others around her.

"Elron should know, if he did not want to mould young minds instead."

She looked across at Elron in surprise. She had no idea he had done commercial work. But either way, most of the members of the cast were more experienced than her and she had messed up her first scene, so ... Glen's 'news' actually wouldn't affect her anyway...

 

[DeathsKnight]

Elron gave Glen a glare,

"You said you'd not mention it."

Glen leaned back and spread his arms,

"Oh come now Elron, leading role in three advertisements, what was that: Pepsi, Pringles and Herbert's salon. These people should know you."

Elron gave Glen a wide grin to replace the glare,

"Then they should know your acting history as well Glen."

Glen scoffed and waved the words away,

"I played in two remakes, nothing big about it, I am a theater man and you know it."

Elron's eyes got that naughty twinkle and he pushed his glasses into position,

"And you did quite a bit of commercialing yourself as well."

Glen just shook his head,

"You will not let it drop will you? Go ahead then, I can promise you that nobody will be impressed."

Elron turned to face...Claire,

"Seiko, Axe, Twix, Heineken, Olmeca tequila, just to name few and then he went and co-starred in remakes of Scarecrow which actually improved the orginal B-grading to become a new silverscreen movie and some vampire movie, can't remember the name..."

"Innocent blood?"

All eyes turned to the new Paris, Elron grinned,

"Yes John that's the one. He said to me: "Elron I have seen the face of movies and it's fun, but the theater just have the soul." Aside from that, he is writing a script to create a movie with soul right Glen?"

Glen shrugged,

"It can be a play as well."

Elron laughed and tucked into his food, he winked at Claire,

"See? The man has a plan after all."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Claire and all the others watched the banter between Glen and Elron.
If she was surprised that Elron had worked in commercials she was even more so when she realised that Glen had a long list of commercial and televisual credits to his name.

"... and then he went and co-starred in remakes of Scarecrow which actually improved the orginal B-grading to become a new silverscreen movie and some vampire movie, can't remember the name..."

She as well as everyone else turned in surprise as 'Paris' supplied the movie name.

"Yes John that's the one. He said to me: "Elron I have seen the face of movies and it's fun, but the theater just have the soul." Aside from that, he is writing a script to create a movie with soul right Glen?"

Claire was watching Glen's reaction and actually felt sorry for him after Elron had 'outted' him so completely.

"It can be a play as well."

Glen defended, though Elron was unperturbed.

"See? The man has a plan after all."

The words were addressed to her and drew curious looks from the actors seated around her.

" ... best laid plans of mice and men ... "

She quoted Steinbeck at him instead of rising to the bait ...

 

[DeathsKnight]

Glen laughed,

"Gang aft a-gley, an' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain."

He smiled at Claire and gave her a small salute with his glass,

"Well played Claire, Elron should know better than to tease a girl he met in a park reading Shakespear."

He looked at the other,

"OK so I did a bit of acting, I wouldn't make any type of producer otherwise you know."

He easily played down his own achievements,

"And of course it was all for experience, which is why I did it in the first place and why I am urging you to do it if you get the chance. Excperience is something nobody can take from you."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Glen was amused by her response and after another of his indefinable quotes he raised his glass, his smile seeming intimate despite the fact they were surrounded by fellow cast members.

"Well played Claire, Elron should know better than to tease a girl he met in a park reading Shakespear."

She laughed as Glen then turned his attention to Elron.

"OK so I did a bit of acting, I wouldn't make any type of producer otherwise you know. And of course it was all for experience, which is why I did it in the first place and why I am urging you to do it if you get the chance.
Experience is something nobody can take from you."

Claire trusted Glen's words and on his recommendation alone she decided she would not turn down any opportunity that he thought would be of benefit to her.
She watched as he sipped his water and as Glen laughed with Elron and spoke to others as one by one they began to drift away eager to take the free afternoon he had offered them.

"Oh no ... don't you start looking all love sick as well ... "

Elron had sat himself at table where she alone remained.

"Elron ... I am not .. I ... "

She began to respond but he held up his hand to halt her words.

" ... as your friend I have a duty ... "

He called over to Glen, a mischievous smile on his face.

"Hey Glen, you and Claire must have plans for this afternoon."

He told him.

".. must be the reason for this impromptu half day off ...?"

He concluded good naturedly ignoring Claire's soft gasp at his words ...

 

[DeathsKnight]

Glen blinked at Elron's words, then frowned slightly,

"No I am not aware of any plans, I have given you the day off to free myself to go to Louise's studio...but now that you mention it."

He looked at Claire,

"You have plans for dinner? I know this nice little restaurant."

"And he wish to take you there so that he can..."

Glen cut Elron's words off with a cuff to the ear,

"Go pester that new girl you're after, go shoo shoo shoo!"

Elron laughed, gave Claire a wink and a hug and then he made his way out of the diner, Glen slumped down in a chair,

"At times he drains me."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"No I am not aware of any plans, I have given you the day off to free myself to go to Louise's studio...but now that you mention it."

Claire kept her face neutral as she heard that name again ... Louise ... someone Glen had known for a while, perhaps even had a connection to ... ?

"You have plans for dinner? I know this nice little restaurant."

Before she could respond, Elron interrupted.

"And he wish to take you there so that he can..."

Glen prevented Elron from completing his sentence, his words good natured, but decisive. She watched as Elron got up and smiled as he hugged her and then headed out, but not before giving her a suggestive wink.

"At times he drains me."

Glen told her causing Claire to laugh.

"I know ... he's full of crazy ideas about you and me ... "

She shook her head dismissively.

"So don't worry about being lumbered with me for the rest of the day ... contrary to common belief, I can take care of myself ... "

She offered sure that Glen would find that whole matchmaking thing Elron had going on tiresome by now ...

 

[DeathsKnight]

Glen smiled

"I wouldn't say that his ideas is totaly crazy. Also you didn't answer me, do you have plans for dinner?"

He sat up,

"I am sure that you can look after yourself."

He gave her a small smile,

"Not that I don't mind looking after you, you are quite fun to entertain."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"I wouldn't say that his ideas is totaly crazy.

Claire hadn't expected that response, but fortunately had no time to comment before he continued;

"Also you didn't answer me, do you have plans for dinner?"

She hesitated.

"No ... not especially, but I can make some if you want to have the place to yourself or go out to see ... someone .. "

She didn't want to get in the way of his plans with Louise.

"I am sure that you can look after yourself."

Claire nodded as Glen smiled.

"Not that I don't mind looking after you, you are quite fun to entertain."

Claire was touched again by his kindness.

"You've definitely been more than a life saver, especially given my ... circumstances ... "

She chuckled.

"And you are many things... not least being 'entertaining', Glen..."

She found herself telling him.

 

[DeathsKnight]

He reached out and took her hand in his own,

"You deserve as much as you can get out of life. Never believe that you deserve anything less than the best."

He leaned forward, lifting her hand to kiss the knuckles,

"And many times Elron does see things that I do not."

He smiled at her,

"If you wish I would want you to join me for dinner tonight. I should be home around five, so let's say we make our dinner date around seven?"

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Claire was surprised when Glen took her hand.

"You deserve as much as you can get out of life.
Never believe that you deserve anything less than the best."

He was uncharacteristically serious and somewhat perceptive; since finding out about her 'situation', Claire had certainly felt less 'entitled' to follow her dreams and try to get what she wanted out of life. She blushed as Glen kissed her hand, an oldfashioned gallantry which held an intensity all its own ...

"And many times Elron does see things that I do not."

Claire returned his smile, but could not consider that Elron had been right and that Glen actually had feelings for her...?

"If you wish I would want you to join me for dinner tonight. I should be home around five, so let's say we make our dinner date around seven?"

Claire nodded, pleased that Elron was not around to witness their conversation and both excited and nervous by the 'date' Glen had suggested.

"Seven sounds good ... I'd like that Glen..."

She was surprised that she was able to answer him so calmly.

"You do what you need to this afternoon ... I can find my own way back ...
I know you have ... plans ... "

Again her voice was remarkably normal, even though she could not help a twinge of envy at the shared 'history' he obviously had with Louise.

 

[DeathsKnight]

He gave her hand a squeeze and got to his feet,

"It is only to procure material for tomorrow."

He grinned,

"I don't have plans with married women, especially when I have a Juliet."

He winked, started to turn, paused, turned back to her and leaned down, his face inches from her own,

"Take care of yourself."

He then placed a gentle kiss on her cheek, straightened and sauntered off.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"It is only to procure material for tomorrow."

His words reassured her, but then she wondered if she had somehow let him know that she somehow disliked the idea of him being close to Louise.

"I don't have plans with married women, "

Louise was married?! God, he definitely knew that she had been referring to her when Claire had spoken about Glen's 'plans'!

" ... especially when I have a Juliet."

His words, the way he winked teasingly and the way he moved back towards her until there was merely a breath between them brought that increasingly familiar heat to her cheeks.

"Take care of yourself."

The kiss on her cheek was light, casual almost, as was the way he turned and headed off leaving Claire speechless and all the more confused.

Elron couldn't be right.
Glen was all too relaxed, self-assured ...
He dropped complements, kisses and quotations all too casually ...
True there were times when she felt that there was ... something ... more ...
But ... that was just his way ...
He cared about her, she had no doubt, cared for her even ... but more...?

Turning she picked up her bag and taking out her phone, she headed off through the park as she dialled ... with any luck she could catch up with Abigail and 'Paris' as she called him rather than John and perhaps some of the others who had been talking of spending their free afternoon together ...

 

[DeathsKnight]

Glen was on his way to Louise's studio when it occurred to him that he had should actually have brought Claire with him. But by then it was too late already, thing would have to happen as they would have to, there was nothing he could do about it now.

------------

Jason had been serving the group whom came in and now only one of them remained, she was not just cute, but the outfit she wore showed off her body in a way which make many other men look. He was a man and that meant that he looked as well. When she rose to leave he made certain that he was at the door and with a smile he opened the door for her,

"It was a pleasure to have you here ma'am."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

She managed to catch up with the two who had actually chosen to loiter around the park longer than the others who seemed to have left as soon as they were 'set free' from their schedule. Both Claire and Abigail had been impressed that John had been word perfect for the run through, though he confessed that he had run through the script between the scenes, especially before the scene with Claire/Juliet at the Friar's cell. Claire naturally offered to help him, after all it wasn't the first time that she had rehearsed lines in a park and it was the least she could do for their new cast member. And so Abigail laughingly took on Glen's role of directing them and she and John worked through the scene and discussed further how to play the party scene before Juliet meets Romeo and then again helped him rehearse his brief speech on the wedding morning. The impromptu rehearsal finished with Claire becoming director and overseeing Abigail playing Romeo opposite Paris's final scene, an activity which brought much laughter, until Claire insisted they do a final run through as seriously as they could manage.

Only then did Abigail insist that they truly enjoyed their free time and the three agreed to head off to a coffee shop nearer to the theatre where they sat lingering over coffee and getting to know each other better. Claire thoroughly enjoyed herself and regretted when John/Paris finally announced that he had to head off.

"He likes you ... "

Abigail commented as they watched John leave.

"Likes me...?"

Abigail laughed.

"Strange how the one scene he has with you he suddenly can't remember his lines for ... "

Claire laughed.

"You've been in this play too long. Seems everyone is seeing romance whether it's there or not ... "

She admonished lightly.

"You on the other hand, just don't see it ... "

Abigail told her fondly, laughing as Claire shrugged.

"Don't start sounding like Elron, now."

Claire warned her friend.

" ... don't you think I'm busy enough taking on Juliet, not to mention moving out ...?"

Claire had told Abigail an edited version of her trouble with her parents.

"Oh yes ... and how is that going living with Glen?"

Claire rolled her eyes exaggeratedly.

"You make that sound so ... oh my God .. what time is it ??"

She was shocked that it was quarter to five already. The afternoon had just flown.

"I have to head back. I have a ... "

She halted and blushed at Abigail's amused face.

" ... a date with Glen?"

She queried.

"Yes, but ... not a date, date ... you know Glen ... "

Abigail nodded, but responded seriously.

"I do."

Abigail replied cryptically.

"So ... unwanted advice from your 'nurse'... Maybe you should treat it as a 'date,date' ... just in case it is to him ... ?"

Claire blushed and considered her words.

" ... maybe ... "

She responded non-committally before hugging the older woman and heading off.

It was ten past five when she let herself into the house once more and wondered if Glen was 'home' yet...

 

[DeathsKnight]

Jason

Jason had watched the young woman as she left and met up with two other people, she really was something. He closed the door and walked over to the last table that he had to serve, they were on their deserts and probably would be done soon. Almost in a recreation of the accident which got Claire cut, the light fixture suddenly went dark, as Jason looked up it was with shocked horror as the fixture was barely two feet from him. The impact sent glass shards flying everywhere, the glass cut into Jason's head and the heavy metal holder crushed the rest.

John/Paris

John felt good about his first day, it had gone well and he actually had some time left. His phone rang just as he started to cross the street, he dug it out of his pocket and answered it just before the squeal of tires made him jump. The black car had stopped mere inches from him, the driver's door opening and the last person John had thought would be there got out of the car.

"Glen? What on earth are you doing here?"

Glen only moved over and ran a quick visual check on him, then picked up the phone John had dropped and handed it to him.

"Get in."

John was too shocked at the close call to even argue, when Glen stopped the car, John realized that they were outside his home. Glen turned to him,

"John I want you to be a bit more careful, especially while you're in the play OK?"

John just nodded mutely, it was strange, but he knew about the superstitions surrounding theater. After they said their goodbyes, John realized that he actually should be dead, that no matter how hard Glen braked, he should not be standing there. With a deep breath he turned and went into the house.

Glen

When the front door opened he stepped out of the room, he only had a towel around his waist and his hair was still damp from the shower, he smiled when he saw Claire,

"Well hello there, glad to see you made good of the off time you had today."

He only realized then that he was half-naked,

"Oh yeah...uhm sorry..."

He ducked back into his room, closing the door behind him

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Claire didn't have time to call out or to explore in the living room or kitchen. Instead Glen stepped into the hall and smiled in greeting.

"Well hello there, glad to see you made good of the off time you had today."

He said cheerily. Claire struggled for an appropriate response, the distraction of his lack of clothing drawing her attention as she seemed oblivious that he was stood in only a closely draping towel.

"Oh yeah...uhm sorry..."

Realisation seemed to dawn belatedly. She laughed as he disappeared into his room. Dumping her bag in her own bedroom, Claire headed for the kitchen and made some coffee. She had enough time to get ready and really she should have been totally wired by now after all the caffeine she had consumed, but still, it was a habit that was difficult to break.

"Glen! I made coffee."

She knocked on the door of his room and stood with a mug of the aromatic brew prepared to his liking.

"I'm going to take a shower and get ready.
We are still going out this evening?"

She checked.

 

[DeathsKnight]

Glen opened the door, he was dried, his hair stood in various directions, but he had a pair of blue jeans and a black shirt on,

"Ah Claire, my light, my muse, nectar of the gods."

He took the cup and took a deep whiff,

"I knew there was another reason I like you so much."

He tilted his head at her,

"Of course we will be going out, I will not miss this opportune for much of anything..."

He paused and gave her a grin,

"Though if you go in those clothes just warn me, I would like to carry my sword to ward off all the amorous men you'll attract."

He winked at her, lifted his cup as he turned from the door and headed to his bed to finish dressing

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Ah Claire, my light, my muse, nectar of the gods."

Claire smiled as he took the cup appreciatively. She couldn't help but admire his jeans and shirt; smart, but casual, though definitely evidence that he had put an effort into his appearance.

"I knew there was another reason I like you so much."

She met his gaze, still trying to assess him; trying to work out if he were trying to tell her that he really liked her, or whether he were merely making sure that she knew this 'liking' was something altogether more casual.

"Of course we will be going out, I will not miss this opportune for much of anything ... Though if you go in those clothes just warn me, I would like to carry my sword to ward off all the amorous men you'll attract."

She laughed with him, no clearer as Glen went back into his room.

Coffee finished, Claire took a quick shower, then wrapped in a towel, she headed back to her room, managing the short distance between the bathroom and her bedroom without bumping into Glen. And now it was decision time....
How casual should she play it? He had liked the outfit she'd worn that day, she realised, so she couldn't attempt to match him and put on jeans; even a denim skirt would look wrong ... And she couldn't help thinking of Abigail's words.
Perhaps it was time to try to find out just how Glen felt about her?

When she emerged half an hour later, Claire made her way nervously into the living room. She hoped that she wouldn't live to regret it and of course that he wasn't expecting them to go wherever they were to eat on his motorbike. Even though this wasn't a 'date, date', or hadn't been offered as such, Claire had definitely made an effort. Dressed in a 'little black dress', a scooped neckline and tight fitting style emphasised her slender curves; the length being mid-thigh and finished off by stockings and black heels made her legs seem longer, more shapely, or at least she hoped so. She carried a small black evening back over her shoulder and a black wrap over one arm. For the first time probably since Glen and she had met she was wearing makeup, though lightly applied to give a smoky eye effect and just the hint of rose on lips and blusher. Her hair was brushed long and smoothed into a curtain of sleekless. She had chosen to wear it simple and loose.

She only hoped that she hadn't 'over done' it!

 

[DeathsKnight]

Glen had finished dressing, he in turn was not sure what Claire would wear, he didn't want to look like he tried to show her up. In the end he ditched the tie that went with the shirt and opted for a light sports jacket. He pulled on shoes that he had shined to a highly reflective sheen, though he rarely did it, he spent a few minutes styling his hair, using some sort of hair product that Elron had pressed on to him a few years ago. He even had to break the seal, he had replaced his normal black-faced, black band watch for a nice stainless watch he had received from a friend. By the time Claire stepped into the living-room, he was done, he turned to look at her and basically froze in place, if he had thought that the outfit she had worn earlier was stunning, she really proved him wrong. He noticed a slight fidgit and realized that he had not said a word, just stared,

"Claire...wow."

He moved closer, taking her free hand and kissed the knuckles, looking into her eyes,

"Just...wow."

He smiled,

"You look breathtakingly beautiful, I don't know if I should use every word I know to describe you or just kiss you."

He grinned, his eyes glinting slightly,

"I'd choose the kiss, followed by a ballad to explain your beauty."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

When he turned around, Claire noted Glen's smart appearance. She hadn't seen the sports jacket before and rather than trainers, she could not help but notice the shoes. He in turn seemed to be staring, in approval she hoped, though it seemed an age before he spoke.

"Claire...wow."

She blushed at his approval, but was reassured. Gallantly he took her hand and dropped a light kiss before repeating;

"Just...wow."

Claire shook her head, dismissing his enthused admiration.

"You look breathtakingly beautiful, I don't know if I should use every word I know to describe you or just kiss you."

She giggled nervously; her expectation being that he would go descriptive.

"I'd choose the kiss, followed by a ballad to explain your beauty."

He informed her, his tone more serious than she was used to, despite his flowery complement. He wanted to kiss her. She didn't even concern herself about what that might 'mean'. The most important thing was that she really wanted him to.

" ... gentleman's choice ... "

She managed to respond somewhat shyly.

"Though you could restrict yourself to a couplet for now and deliver the ballad later on in the evening... "

She suggested in their usual way of bantering.

 

[DeathsKnight]

He chuckled,

"I'll be a desperado, but I will not be singing underneath your window, you will have to settle for your door."

He rested a hand on her cheek,

"I do not wish for you to feel pressured in any way alright?"

It was as serious as he could be with her, the dress contrasted her skin and her hair perfectly, he just loved how the light shimmered from her hair. That familiar twinkle of devils dancing in the back of his eyes returned,

"And as the lady have so graciously allowed me the choice..."

He leaned in and kissed her, it was somewhere between the chaste kiss of friends and the kind that just begged for more. He drew back slightly, ran his fingers through her hair and quite abruptly kissed her again, only drawing away at a proper time. He smiled at her,

"You smell lovely and it seems like your blusher is fighting a losing battle to the natural one."

He rested a hand on her shoulder and tilted her head up to his, his eyes locking with her own,

"Call me enchanted, I will travel seas and mountains, only to sit at your feet and drink in your beauty for the rest of time."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"I'll be a desperado, but I will not be singing underneath your window, you will have to settle for your door."

She wondered briefly if he could sing; but then Glen seemed to do everything well. She smiled shyly as his hand went to her cheek, the touch light, tender ...

"I do not wish for you to feel pressured in any way alright?"

She nodded wordlessly, her eyes locked with his and her heart racing in anticipation at the sudden intimacy between them. She saw him take in her appearance once more and then return her gaze.

"And as the lady have so graciously allowed me the choice..."

His kiss was soft and fleeting; that simple touch sparking her pulses even though he drew back all too soon. Her eyes searched his, the unexpected sensation of Glen's hand running through her loose hair made Claire gasp softly, the sound cut short by his mouth pressing against hers once more. Her one lips meeting his, Claire returned the kiss, sharing that slowly sensual embrace that left her flushed and breathless as they drew apart.

"You smell lovely and it seems like your blusher is fighting a losing battle to the natural one."

She knew she blushed rosier at his observation, but his hand gently guided her eyes upwards to meet his.

"Call me enchanted,"

His words made her heart somersault.

" ... I will travel seas and mountains, only to sit at your feet and drink in your beauty for the rest of time."

His complement was outrageous.

" ... and yet you don't have to ... I'm right under your roof, in your theatre ... "

She replied.

" ... perhaps your problem would be getting away from me, Glen."