Venus entered the school and e couldn’t help but feel like a child who found a secret candy store that gave him all the candy he wanted, Free! A school for Fashion, it was bound to have some scrumptious little things running about, there would also be those with cutting edge fashion sense and the skills to tailor said fashion to his scale. One thing he had noticed was several mutant models. France was progressive where mutants were concerned and they also had style in their pockets, it was easy to see how the outlandish world of high fashion would cater to the hues and shapes of the gamma level mutant. Shapes, shapes, and shapes he could appreciate. He wondered the campus for a bit with out a word. He had found a special area; it was called the runway and today was a day that apparently students were trying their hands at sheer. He leaned in the door frame happily. His preference leaned toward a woman who looked like she survived off of more than birdseed, but he also liked variety and all the too skinny things were walking about in sheer clothe, who was he to judge so harshly?

Another wondrous thing about this place was the disregard for full coverage bras, He was sure that a lot of the women here still had some sort of support but they also managed to wear clothing that showed off. How had he not found this place sooner. He walked the halls a bit longer, stopping every so often in a hall way near an open door here or there to get juicy pieces of fashion education. He happily listened to the pros and cons of designing around a model and finding a model to fit your design. And that was when the classes changed and all the splendid fashion minded creatures poured from the classes and headed to their next. Cell phones and pocket sized mirrors were two of the most popular items in hand the third was outrageously priced imported water.

He was radiating pleasure, no not the typical kind of pleasure he radiated, the kind that was more than enchanted with an atmosphere such as this, aesthetic knowledge was the course curriculum here, dashed with a generous helping of bold and modern. but then fashion wasn't every thing you still need that natural style that could make even bad fashion bend to your whim. That was about the time he spotted a certain Irish treat that had both easily. Delicious!

Had she noticed his discreet form in the hallway just yet? had she noted his presence with his signature amorous appetite. Would this place be able to mask that or was it simply in the air?

Every minute had been worth it. That’s all that Kealey Quinn could think as she sat in her third class of the day, watching as the man in the front of the room flamboyantly described the different ways colors and fabrics flattered each other. Every single moment of worry, stress, panic, and frustration while she went through the application process had been worth it. Jacen had always said that she’d be good at this career path, and at the moment, Kealey had to agree.

The Irish blond was a step behind the other students; that was for sure. Many of them had gone to high schools that were geared specifically towards the arts, and some had even participated in the summer programs at FIT for years. They had laptops and expensive pens, Kealey had a notebook and a seemingly never-ending supply of BIC’s that she produced from her designer knock-off purse at will. It was hard to sit in the classroom sometimes, bathed in the emotions as she seemed to be, but Kealey was dealing. For once in her life, Kealey was even using her powers to her benefit, surely there was nothing wrong with that. What fashion student wouldn’t like emotional insight into her teacher’s opinions of their work? Besides, she earned it after sitting for hours in classes with people who sometimes had nothing on their mind other than boredom, chagrin, jealousy, or worse. She hadn’t felt the need to tell anyone about her powers so far, and didn’t see the need arising anytime soon. This was a cut-throat industry, and every advantage was that…an advantage.

Something of a loner in her classes, Kealey actually winced when the professor dismissed class, the halls were terribly crowded during the transition periods and the last thing she needed was to get lost again and end up late to class. If there was one thing the professors hated, it was tardiness. They each thought that their class was the most important one in the repertoire and were not fans of anything that took precedence. Kealey sighed as the last person exited the room, leaving her alone with the professor. The man didn’t say anything, they never did, but he looked her over and Kealey had to hide her pleasure in the fact that he was impressed. Her clothes might not have been expensive, but every piece was perfect.

Slouch boots with turned down tops covered the bottoms of her almost signature skinny jeans which hugged her legs all the way up to mid thigh where the denim disappeared underneath a belted cream colored cardigan. A brown cap sleeved peasant shirt was beneath the sweater, and various bangles, necklaces, and a delightfully dangly pair of earrings served as accessories and a brown messenger hat topped her loose blond curls. The man appreciated the fashion, and Kealey appreciated the appreciation. She looked up and caught her professor’s eye and he gave her a quick nod before making his way out into the packed hallways.

Kealey checked her watch, it was some time until her next class and she could already hear the hallways clearing out. Slowly, she packed away her materials and stood, making her way to the door of the classroom and finally out into the halls. People were still in a hurry and it made Kealey antsy, one hand instantly moving to tangle in her curls, worrying one between her fingers as she tried to push off the anxiety spilling over from the late people in the hall. Out into the dwindling throng the blond moved, down the hall and around a corner, only to stop completely in her tracks.

Utter and complete feeling washed over her like a tidal wave and Kealey was nearly oblivious as her fellow classmates bumped into her and either cursed or simply walked around. There was only one place she’d felt feelings like this before…well two, even if they were feelings of a different kind. Both times had been situations that had been incredibly dangerous in their own ways, and Kealey turned a slow circle, eyes scanning the crowd until they fell on the large figure in the doorway.

Kealey had only met the man once, and simply thinking about the encounter made a dark blush rise in the blond’s cheeks. There was no possible way he’d missed seeing her, though, so Kealey made her way in his direction.

”Venus, I presume?” she said, softly, her voice clearly audible in the quickly clearing halls,”You’re feeling far too good natured to be Mars…and unless one of the other brothers gets this happy in a building full of scantily-clad women, I must be right. Do you take classes here?”

The hall ways emptied as if to take away all of the unnesscary distractions now that she had entered the hallway, how had he let this one get in his bed and leave it with out hoping oneday to get back in it?

He wore a white, short sleeve pearl snap button shirt, the color of it hinted at the red flesh under it the fit complained about the mass of muscle it housed. If he flexed properly the shirt would be ruined tatters on the ground, comfortably baggy black slacks that boasted a high quality pocket watch. The braclet at his wrist was simple but again in high quality, His white and black wing tip shoes had no trouble peeking out from under the cuff of his pants. Opposed to his typically bad boy look he played it safe and his ears were litted with shiny diamonds in studs. His eyes studied Kealey as she closed in on him, she was exquisite in her execution down to the bangles on her wrists And the rest of the outfit that could only look as good spread out in their wake on the floor.

~~”Venus, I presume?”

He smiled a genuine smile, not that it would have been hard won in her case, but a woman that recognized him on sight in a world of having six knock offs run around was hardly a common thing.

~~”You’re feeling far too good natured to be Mars…and unless one of the other brothers gets this happy in a building full of scantily-clad women, I must be right. Do you take classes here?”

“Odd that Mars would treat you poorly, must’ve caught him on a bad day. I don’t know that my brothers appreciate the world as much as I do, but I don’t even Saturn would be able to keep up his self loathing angst here. I haven’t enrolled no, I am afraid that my upbringing hardly prepared me for a school of this caliber, unfortunately, though I have learned quite a bit in today’s tour. You have to stop blushing or I will never be able to concentrate.” His intentions for every mini dress and high heeled shoe withered as it bloomed for the woman that wore more but wore it better than the rest. And she was the rare delicacy of something hard to get. Well, it would be easy if he wanted to overwhelm her with what he wanted…but he refused…or at the very least attempted to, he could hardly be blamed for the wants she inspired.

“ I can’t say I expected to see you here, but what a pleasant surprise, am I keeping you from class? If not could I interest you in a bite,… to eat? There is a fantastic greek place across the street.” He wanted to keep her from class, but not at the price of he grade and studies.

Venus wore clothes that hinted at fashion sense that had not been displayed the last time they had met. Then again, there hadn’t been many clothes to make the point. Kealey blushed again, this was not a situation she was used to being in. So much had happened in that short amount of time, jumbled hours that were still a haze of pain and panic when she thought about them. There had been kindness too, but mostly it had been shock after shock. Some of it seemed silly now, but Kealey couldn’t help but think the same thing she’d thought the first time she’d met Venus. He was dangerous. Kind, but dangerous in many ways. Those thoughts were confirmed by the rush of feeling from him as he took in her appearance from head to toe. Kealey swallowed hard and looked away, cheeks burning hotter.

He commented on her description of Mars and Kealey had to chuckle slightly. Glad for the change of subject, she spoke, ”Bad doesn’t exactly describe it. I think he actually meant to hurt me if I didn’t give him what he wanted.” she said, shaking her head slowly, ”Our interests ended up linking up, though, and we reconciled to a point.” To a sharp, very sharp point. Mars hadn’t been shy about his feelings towards Jacen and Kealey still didn’t appreciate those sentiments.

Venus continued, explaining that he didn’t think even the most morose of his brothers could keep up pretenses of melancholy in the halls of the fashion school and Kealey grinned, then shook her head again. ”That’s just because you can’t tell what they’re feeling. It’s all smiles and ‘help’ on the outside.” Kealey said, making quotation marks in the air with her fingers, ”But on the inside, they’re all absolutely burning with jealousy and ambition. It’s a wonder anyone gets work done in this place.”

Venus commented on his upbringing in response to her inquiry about taking classes, and a blond eyebrow rose nearly to Kealey’s hairline. ”Oh, and a nunnery was such better preparation than where you came from.” His comment about her blushes went unanswered, except for perhaps a slight darkening behind her freckles. A darkening that Kealey hoped wasn’t noticeable atop all the others. Then he asked her if she wanted to go for food.

How it was possible for a single person to be so convicted in specific feelings, Kealey didn’t know, but it was almost impossible to say no when Venus was so earnest in his invitation. Besides, there were questions that Kealey had that Mars hadn’t been willing to answer. They weren’t important things, trivial in all actuality, but significant to Kealey. This could be a good thing.

”I don’t have class for a good while. I think a bite to eat would be great.”

~~”Bad doesn’t exactly describe it. I think he actually meant to hurt me if I didn’t give him what he wanted.”, ”Our interests ended up linking up, though, and we reconciled to a point.”

“I suppose you did come to the sanctuary pretty roughed up, I just can’t picture you as the out for a fight kind of gal, No offense. I don’t know you don’t seem the type to pick a fight, stand up for yourself, sure. Reguardless, I’m glad for his sake that you guys worked things out, he really isn’t normally all that violent.” And really he wasn’t at least on the level of violence that Venus had seen, Mars didn’t take joy in it. Jupiter could make the first ten guys on death row look peaceful at times. So Mars the type to do what was necessary came off more of a pacifist.

~~”That’s just because you can’t tell what they’re feeling. It’s all smiles and ‘help’ on the outside.””But on the inside, they’re all absolutely burning with jealousy and ambition. It’s a wonder anyone gets work done in this place.”


He could work with either of those emotions if he were really wanted to, some women did fantastic things based on those two emotions.

~~“Jealousy and ambition, huh? Watch your back Kealey Quinn You’ve got what these girls want in spades. Tell me, how do you put up with all the negativity?”

”Oh, and a nunnery was such better preparation than where you came from.”

~~“First, infinitely and second a nunnery? I don’t suppose you wore the cloth, did you? I was abandoned in a psychiatric ward after my twelfth birthday and then very shortly after a particularly sadistic breaking and retraining facility for mutants.”Venus was one of the only ones that didn’t believe any of them were actually Avello anymore but that they were all Avello at one point. How else could you explain the fractured and utterly focused personas of his brethren? For the love of the rosary! He had the product of a nunnery in his bed…if she told him that she was a nun he might have to go home…or not go home. He might have to he didn’t know what. Go to a nunnery? Hope someone wanted to be liberated… most people might be mortified at hearing about someone’s troubled past, but Venus announced it as just that, he might as well have been explaining how a vending machine kept his money.


”I don’t have class for a good while. I think a bite to eat would be great.”

“Delightful, here let me carry some of that.” It wasn’t so much a question as a notification that he was indeed going to help her carry her things. If she resisted of course he wouldn’t press the issue, he’d simply pick her up as well.

If nothing else Venus could play the part of the gentleman, doors would open and he would focus souly upon Kealey while in her presence. A walk to the corner a cross walk and another walk to the middle of the block would take them to the Greek place he had discovered. Low lights, steamy background music and food to suit any taste.

Kealey tilted her head as she listened to what Venus had to say about his brother, ”I’ll take your word for it. It was a terribly awkward situation.” Awkward…that was great word for the trip to Florida. There really wasn’t anything else to describe going across the country to help your boyfriend rescue his ex though, so Kealey just stuck with it. ”I must have just caught him on a bad day…and you’re right. I don’t pick fights, I just seem to be singularly suited to finding myself in them.”

Kealey was amazed as they chatted, she was maybe an eight as ignorant of the type of feelings Venus seemed to excel at as she’d been the last time they’d met, but he was still catching her off guard at almost every turn. He’d have to learn to deal with the blushes, because Kealey had a feeling they wouldn’t be going anywhere. At least not as long as the large, red, man had so much trouble controlling the feelings he had. The compliments did their fair share of work on the blushes as well, Kealey was getting used to flattery from Jacen, but from others it was still a foreign matter.

”I have what they what?” she chuckled as she shook her head and looked around, ”I’m like an awkward fish out of water here. Most of these people have been preparing for this all their lives. They’re jealous of each other, and all their impressive resumes…not me.”

Venus thought her nunnery was better than wherever it was he’d grown up, then went on to explain it. Kealey’s face reflected the shock and repulsion she felt at what he said. Places like that hadn’t existed in Ireland, at least not that she knew of. He wasn’t emotionally effected by it, but Kealey still shook her head, ”I forget how thing were here…it’s still shocking to me every time I hear about children so mistreated for simply being who they were.” The blond was still processing that information and working on a proper response when the large man at her side asked if she’d ever worn the cloth. The feelings that accompanied the question, well if Kealey’s blush had faded by virtue of the revelation about Venus’ childhood, it came back full force now. Kealey swallowed before even trying to speak, trying to get her heart to stop thudding steadily in her chest, what on earth was he regretting? She frowned and shook her head slightly, ”I stopped as a novice. They wouldn’t let me go further. The nuns thought my abilities were a gift from God to be shared with the world.” the blond smiled a bit bitterly and shook her head, ”If only they knew what I’d done with the job they charged me…”

She’d agreed to food, and food they would be getting. Kealey didn’t argue as Venus took some of her things. Kealey was used to doing things for herself, but she didn’t mind in the least when someone offered to help her. People were looking as they walked through the halls, and Kealey actually grinned at those bold enough to stare. Nobody had pegged her as a mutant yet, but she was going a long way in confirming any suspicions that her fellow students had. Kealey remembered what Venus had said about his past, it couldn’t have been easy to talk about, no matter how subconscious the feelings. Kealey owed him a little more, ”I didn’t choose the nunnery.” she said as they made their way to the restaurant, ”A terrorist set off an IRA bomb during my sister and I’s choir concert when we were in primary school. My parents were killed, and my abilities activated in the wake.” she frowned slightly at the memory, somehow after telling Jacen it was easier to think about, though. ”I was in the closest thing to a psychiatric ward we had in my hometown for years. I couldn’t cope with everything I felt. I guess we’ve all got our own special demons in the past.”

It was an intense conversation for a walk to food, and Kealey shook it off as they entered the place. It was definitely themed in the Greek fashion and the music almost made the blond want to giggle. Ambiance was definitely the goal of this place, and they had it in spades. The host didn’t look twice at her friend as they were seated, and Kealey liked the place a little better, there were still places that had a problem with serving someone with so obvious a mutation. Kealey honestly had trouble thinking of anyone telling someone Venus’ size not to do something though.

They sat, and Kealey took a sip of her water before asking, ”So if you’re not taking classes, what were you doing at FIT?”

~~”I’ll take your word for it. It was a terribly awkward situation.””I must have just caught him on a bad day…and you’re right. I don’t pick fights, I just seem to be singularly suited to finding myself in them.”


“Should I even ask what he was demanding or angry about? I don’t want to pry but I can’t help but be curious.”

~~”I have what they what?””I’m like an awkward fish out of water here. Most of these people have been preparing for this all their lives. They’re jealous of each other, and all their impressive resumes…not me.”

“You have style, fashion is the fruit on the vine of style. You can learn fashion, they can learn fashion, but they can’t learn style. Tell me, can you sense if the professors appreciate your work? I’ll bet they do. Take your outfit, it is orchestrated. I ‘d think you only had to go to your closet to find this outfit, most of those women back there looked through page after page of Elle or Vogue to find just the right look, ran and purchased it and hope that no one realizes that it wasn’t effortless. If you are indeed the awkward fish, you are an awkward angelfish, at its worst its breathtaking , while they are particularly graceful minnows, at their best, they’re only worth catching better fish. You can have the best resume all day long and not have the portfolio to back it.”


~~”I forget how thing were here…it’s still shocking to me every time I hear about children so mistreated for simply being who they were.”


Venus smiled slightly…in a way they had all been a bit proud of how hard they had it and survived with ease. It was a terrible traumatic experience, but it was over and would never be again. SO they might as well get what kicks they could out of their past anyhow.

“Well , before our xgene started to show we were a single normal kid. Then I suppose our mind started to fracture, Abyss, the one to retain control of our body lived with the rest of our voices for a couple weeks, but we would keep him up at night and eventually he complained about hearing voices to his parents., when he told them they were in his head, of course they were worried about their boy. But when the psychiatrist said we could be a danger to our little sisters, my parents decided to put us in a psych ward for awhile. That was when I grew a tail, my sharp teeth , my skin and eyes changed and I was bigger than my father, my mother couldn’t handle it she stopped visiting. She thought we were the devil. Dad still came by until I started to get angry that he wouldn’t ever help me get out, eventually they relieved costudy to the ward and then the ward sold us to the the labs, the labs tried to break us for a long time and failed. We were stubborn for the simple reason of resisting, they couldn’t handle us. Eventually we wised up and played possum. They thought they won and when they attempted an experiment on us, well we finally discovered the void and what we all already knew in some way or form. We were more than voices…from there, well lets not talk about it.”



, ”I stopped as a novice. They wouldn’t let me go further. The nuns thought my abilities were a gift from God to be shared with the world”If only they knew what I’d done with the job they charged me…”



A heavy sigh escaped Venus’s lips, he knew exactly what a novice would wear, and picturing it on her, might make Kealey’s cheeks match his own. “ nonsense, doesn’t it say something about working in mysterious ways in that big ole book.”

~~”I didn’t choose the nunnery.” ”A terrorist set off an IRA bomb during my sister and I’s choir concert when we were in primary school. My parents were killed, and my abilities activated in the wake.””I was in the closest thing to a psychiatric ward we had in my hometown for years. I couldn’t cope with everything I felt. I guess we’ve all got our own special demons in the past.”

“I’m sorry.” Beyond that he was for once silent; he didn’t know what to say to comfort her. He shifted her things to his other hand and let his hand pet her back soothingly a temporary ebb would be felt in the flow of his usual tide of lude and oscene thoughts. Something much more refreshing would hold back the current with simple compassion.

~~”So if you’re not taking classes, what were you doing at FIT?”

“Succeeding. I was there to find a gorgeous lunch date, preferably with a great sense of style, I didn’t know that I was in exactly the right place at the exact right time, however.”

”You can ask if you want.” Kealey said, shrugging her shoulders and wondering if the brothers weren’t all that close. Surely they’d have talked about the impromptu trip to Florida if they were. The blond took a deep breath, then sighed, “I came home from work one day and found a note from my…boyfriend saying that he’d gone to Florida. Apparently a mutual…friend of his and Mars’ had gone down there to investigate some personal matters for Jacen, unbeknownst to him. She’d been gone for a long time, completely incommunicado and Mars was worried, willing to do anything to get to her.” The hesitations meant exactly what they sounded like they meant. It had been a complicated situation at the time, very complicated. Thankfully things were more clear now, though. Much more clear.

Somehow, Venus explaining what she had that the other students would want was worse than just knowing he thought they’d be jealous of her. People were continually telling her these things, telling her that she belonged in the school, belonged with these people. It was still hard to believe, but if so many people thought it, maybe there was at least some truth to the words, Venus was earnest if nothing else, ”Thank you.” she said softly and sincerely.

More details about Venus’ childhood followed his explanation of his compliment to her and Kealey listened intently. That childhood really had been traumatic, and this time a little emotion did show through the story. Kealey frowned as she thought about it, would it have been better to have parents growing up if they were like the ones Venus had dealt with? It was a question that Kealey definitely didn’t have an answer for, at least not one that she could really give at this point in time.

The whole story of how Venus’ powers had manifested was interesting as well, Kealey hadn’t heard voices when hers had come into their own, but she’d been privy to the emotions of everyone in her world. It was interesting how similar their situations were and as Kealey explained, she could feel the swing in his emotions from the usual lascivious ones to sympathy and empathy. She appreciated the comfort and nothing else needed to be said. He chose the time that the conversation was to end, and Kealey let it go at that. If a person didn’t want to talk about something, they weren’t going to do it.

The sigh that escaped Venus’ lips brought with it a rush of emotion that again returned the blush to the blonde’s cheeks and she sighed in slightly frustration. At least she wasn’t reciprocating as bad as she had the last time, it was one of the things she was getting better and better at controlling. If nothing else, it made this lunch far less awkward than it would have otherwise been. His words brought a chuckle, “Well, considering the fact that I made the priest drop the bible in confession last week…I highly doubt this is exactly what the Mother Superior had in mind when they took the robe and cowl from me.”

Kealey had to laugh at Venus’ words as he explained his reasons for being at the school of fashion, ”You were actually searching the halls for someone to go to lunch with? You don’t have other resources that work every bit as well, or a little black book? This is difficult for me to believe. How are things at the sanctuary? Are Garrett and Elle still there?”

~~You can ask if you want.” “I came home from work one day and found a note from my…boyfriend saying that he’d gone to Florida. Apparently a mutual…friend of his and Mars’ had gone down there to investigate some personal matters for Jacen, unbeknownst to him. She’d been gone for a long time, completely incommunicado and Mars was worried, willing to do anything to get to her.”

Boyfriend hmmm, a minor speed bump, not that he didn’t already have his work cut out for him. “oh, it was about Lori, yeah that girl is both bad and great for him. She’s trouble, I can’t fault a women who tried to leave you in my bed either. And that would make your boyfriend Jace who is, what is the word, they coined. Aggravated…amputated…Adapted. “ he snapped his fingers. “That’s the one.”

~~“Well, considering the fact that I made the priest drop the bible in confession last week…I highly doubt this is exactly what the Mother Superior had in mind when they took the robe and cowl from me.”

“I think I might be interested in whatever you could have confessed that made a preist drop a bible I am sure they hear all sorts of great stuff.”

~~”You were actually searching the halls for someone to go to lunch with? You don’t have other resources that work every bit as well, or a little black book? This is difficult for me to believe. How are things at the sanctuary? Are Garrett and Elle still there?”

“I don’t use a little black book;” it would have been the great noir tome of one night stands, flings and lovers if he carried a book around.. “Luckily for me cell phones have taken away such a need. I’m sure I could have found a lunch date that way if I wanted.” With the touch of a button and his choice of most anything he could have wanted…. “but nothing beats a random encounter, for instance running into a woman that is amazing and willing to grab lunch before her next class, I couldn’t have planned it better.”

He took a sip of water as he thought about how to answer the next pair of questions… he wasn’t sure what they were saying about the sanctuary just yet. “ The sanctuary is fine, Elle, is most definitely around but Garret has seen fit to take leave of the sanctuary, a difference in opinions.” It would be obvious to Kealey that she struck a sensitive topic with the last two questions.

A waitress came and went dropping off water, menus, and a plate of flat bread that smelt too good to not taste fantastic.

When she’d been in the nunnery, having her individualized lessons Kealey had learned that 2 + 2 = 4. It was one of those things that always stood. She couldn’t explain why, but two and two had never equaled anything other than four. And the two and two that were adding up as Kealey sat at a table in a Greek restaurant with Venus were trying to equal anything but four.

At first, the blond had nodded her head at Venus’ explanation. Knowing details about the woman who’d come before her was something that Kealey had pretty much summarily avoided. She had a jealous streak that was starting to show itself with blistering clarity where that woman and Jacen were concerned. It was a fact that she’d so far been able to hide fairly well, and she was working on half-ignoring what Venus was saying when she realized exactly what it was he had said.

”Wait…you just said that this Lori put me in your bed…that was Elle, not Lori.” Kealey said, but a sinking feeling was already working its way through her chest and down into the pit of her belly. Kealey nodded slowly when Venus pointed out that Jacen was an adapted, something Kealey had expected him to know considering his brother’s involvement in the Florida situation.

”Yeah…that’s the word…but, you meant that Elle left me in your room. Right…not Lori.”

Venus was curious about the dropped bible, of course that’s what Venus was curious about out of everything that she’d said. Her own frustration was suddenly much, much more intense than his lustful feelings. She waved a dismissive hand, ”It wasn’t so much what I said, but that it was coming from me. I’ve known the man I was speaking to since I came to New York and he’s…amazed by the changes I’ve undergone.” How was she talking about these things with a practical stranger? Kealey didn’t know, but it actually felt kind of nice to unburden some of these thoughts on someone other than Jacen.

Venus didn’t have a little black book and Kealey had to chuckle and shake her head at the notion of having enough people to even fill something like that, ”I’d never had a single phone number from a member of the opposite sex until Jacen handed me his card. It’s hard to accept such things when you can tell if someone has ulterior motives”

The man across from her went through quite the range of emotions when she asked about the other people who had helped her the night of her encounter in the subway. Speaking of Garrett made him angry in a tight and tense sort of way that made Kealey tilt her head, and she tried again to puzzle out exactly who Elle was and how she fit into the equation. The blond still didn’t like the answer that was forming itself in her head, but too many things were just adding up. Venus’ reaction to Garrett’s name was even more interesting at the moment, though and she tilted her head, ”You should know by now that short clipped answers aren’t enough to fool me, Venus. I’m quite sure that Garrett saved my life…and he seemed so sure of himself, what could have possibly happened?”

The flatbread that the waitress set on the table was steaming still and the scent that wafted up hit Kealey’s nose like a ton of bricks. With all the emotions she dealt with in classes, she forgot to eat sometimes, and Kealey realized she was practically starving. A piece was in her hand almost before she knew it and Kealey tore a piece off and put it in her mouth while she waited to see what Venus had to say.

~~”Wait…you just said that this Lori put me in your bed…that was Elle, not Lori.”

“hmm.”

~~”Yeah…that’s the word…but, you meant that Elle left me in your room. Right…not Lori.”

“hmmmm, can you describe L. for me?” He knew he found that girl intriguing she had sooo much baggage that she needed multiple names to carry it all. Lori, Ellle, what was the name she went by in the club the day they met her? Kristy?

~~”It wasn’t so much what I said, but that it was coming from me. I’ve known the man I was speaking to since I came to New York and he’s…amazed by the changes I’ve undergone.”

“ I suppose I’ll have to invest in a confession booth and down a cute little white collar before I hear any more?” If she stayed with him that night, he could have made the priest pray for her tainted soul…


~~”I’d never had a single phone number from a member of the opposite sex until Jacen handed me his card. It’s hard to accept such things when you can tell if someone has ulterior motives”

“ I take it you didn’t keep my number then,” a bit disappointed, that one she hadn’t been opposed to finding something that would satisfy carnal bible dropping needs, and simply rejected him. if anyone would know that he was simply passionate it would be Kealey, right? Or did she interpret his wants differently.


~~”You should know by now that short clipped answers aren’t enough to fool me, Venus. I’m quite sure that Garrett saved my life…and he seemed so sure of himself, what could have possibly happened?”


“I didn’t intend on fooling you, I was simply being discreet. He shot my little sister…He has since claimed that she isn’t dead, but he certainly didn’t stay around long enough to find out. I don’t know exactly what happened between them but I know he betrayed a trust he had and would do well to stay out of my brother’s reach, until something is clarified. I know Garret was Kind to you, but as you said you can tell I’m speaking the truth. I think the possibility that happened was that he revealed himself as the snake in the grass that he was. He shed his skin and bared his fangs against my blood. I can’t forgive him for it , nor will I judge him until I know more of what happened.”

He glanced at the menu and briefly touching on the mundane once more. “ they have a great Greek salad here. A spicy vinaigrette over fresh veggies with crumbled cheese and strips of lamb.” He picked up a circle of the flat bread and in his hand it didn’t look like it need to be torn into more manageable pieces. He still took polite bites and chewed with his mouth closed.

Could Kealey describe the woman for Venus. Well, yes she could explain the woman, but the situation was starting to seem more and more unbelievable. Was it really possible that a woman that she’d met randomly in a boutique could be the same woman who Jacen had once chosen over her? It was almost too much and the thought brought up more questions and answers than Kealey really wanted to think about at that precise moment. There was only one way to be sure, though, and she nodded her head before speaking.

”She’s blond haired and blue eyed. More petite than I, but a bit stockier.” Kealey dug around looking for more information about what it was Elle had said about her powers, ”She works with magnetic or electricity or something like that…” Kealey frowned, that was slim pickings as far as identifying someone was concerned. It would have to do for now, though.

Venus was curious about what exactly she’d said in the confessional, and Kealey didn’t need her powers to know it. She chuckled at his comment, mind still half-way on the woman who had caused so much drama, intentionally or unintentionally, in her life. It was rude to be so distracted, though, and Kealey smiled at her lunch companion, ”If you became a man of the cloth, I think I’d tell you anything.”

Something she’d said had hurt Venus’ feelings and Kealey tilted her head and watched as he spoke, then shook her head, ”Don’t be silly. Of course I kept your number. I simply met Jacen first.” she explained, eating some more of the bread that the waitress had set on the table. She frowned at the man across the table from her trying to figure out a way to explain, ”I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.” she said, setting her bread down and looking down at her hands while she played with her fingers. This had gotten uncomfortable suddenly.

The comfort level deteriorated even further when Venus explained exactly why there was bad blood between himself and Garrett. Kealey’s eyes widened and a deep flush crept up her cheeks. She’d just scolded someone for disliking the person who’d shot their younger sister. The whole situation was just too strange, too complicated. Kealey simply couldn’t picture the man who’d saved her in the subway doing something so violent to another human being. Venus pointed out that he simply couldn’t forgive the other man, ”I can’t blame you for your anger.” Kealey said, her heart going out to her friend, ”It’s not for us to judge though, Venus, vengeance is just as big a sin as the one that’s already been committed against you. I’ll pray for your sister’s health.”

Venus brought up food, and Kealey realized that she’d almost forgotten that they were in a restaurant. ”I’ve never had Greek before…I’ll have to take your word for it and try the salad.” she said, then frowned slightly, ”I’m sorry…” she said, ”I simply can’t seem to do the right thing where you’re concerned, can I?”

~~”She’s blond haired and blue eyed. More petite than I, but a bit stockier.” ”She works with magnetic or electricity or something like that…”

Venus tilted his head, petite and stockier? Wasn’t that contradictory? “If those are two different women, well then I suppose they could be twins or something… Maybe she shortens Lori down to the first letter sometimes, L?” He wasn’t sure at the importance of this and he certainly didn’t want to out Lori to someone she didn’t want him to…but she could handle her self, electricity vs empathy in a fight…well he didn’t want to think about it.

~~”If you became a man of the cloth, I think I’d tell you anything.”

Venus winced a bit even at the thought. “I wouldn’t quite hold your breathe on that one, Love. I’d dress up for ya ,but past that, I don’t know how well priesthood and I would last. I mean I guess I could be a priest for long enough to hear something that might make me drop my bible….but I think it’d probably be best for the church and I to simply agree to disagree.”

~~”Don’t be silly. Of course I kept your number. I simply met Jacen first.” ”I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”

“Oh, I misunderstood.” What a wonderful band-aid the words of course maid when they were said after don’t be silly. And more so perhaps she didn’t want to pursue things further because she ahd met this other guy…that and she was still recovering form some scumbag attacking her.

~”I can’t blame you for your anger.””It’s not for us to judge though, Venus, vengeance is just as big a sin as the one that’s already been committed against you. I’ll pray for your sister’s health.”

ah, a Syn, that’s been committed against me. Was it absolutely terrible that he liked it when she talked to him about not being judgmental and that she would pray? He thought not one thought that wouldn’t have bought him that ticket that vengeance couldn’t have gotten him anyway. He even blanked out the word sister in the interest of not distracting his thoughts. “I’ll do what I can, but I can’t promise much more than keeping an open mind until I find out what happened for sure. Even if I do forgive him, most of my brothers are not as kind.”

”~~I’ve never had Greek before…I’ll have to take your word for it and try the salad.””I’m sorry…””I simply can’t seem to do the right thing where you’re concerned, can I?”


Perhaps she was getting uncomfortable because she manage to pull him away from emotions that didn’t involve her being bare at this very table…or on the table. He tried to pull his mind away from that line of thought and really concentrate on what she was saying.


“The salad is definitely one of their best dishes. Wait, what are you apologizing for? I’m not sure where you have wronged me. If anything you’ve merely turned down some advances and more so you are doing it while dealing with my emotions, I am still curious about how that works and feels to you. I am however glad that you agreed to come have lunch with me. I am sure I am probably a bit taxing on you. Really though, what have you done wrong to me?”

He sighed and look to the side with a joking smirk on his face. “ I suppose if you really feel that you wronged me, we could arrange to go out on a few dates.” He grinned and winked at her, letting her know he was playing, probably.

Kealey winced slightly at the confirmation. They’d have to be twins if they weren’t the same person. The name was something of an enigma though, why wouldn’t the other woman simply give her real name? It really wasn’t a wonder that her questions of other friends at the sanctuary had turned up nothing every time Kealey had brought up the woman she’d met in the store. ”Yeah. They definitely sound like the same person. It’s incredible what a small world it is sometimes.” This gave the blond something to really think about. She realized she was being rude, though, and she took a deep breath, pushing the thoughts aside.

Venus spoke and Kealey blushed again, did everything he said have to be so…so…dirty? He’d dress up for her? Why? Kealey couldn’t help but wonder what exactly it was about her that held such allure for this particular man. He obviously wasn’t a stranger to this sort of thing, and despite recent developments Kealey was an absolute novice. The fact that she was thinking about this, in a restaurant, with someone who wasn’t Jacen sitting across from her made Kealey’s cheeks color even more and she took a deep drink of water to try and hide the fact.

Venus seemed mollified by her explanation about his phone number, at least if his feelings were any indication and the conversation flowed on past that topic and back to his sister and Garrett. Kealey was still reeling a little from the revelation that her savior had shot someone. Kealey simply didn’t know how to feel. Venus offered to reserve judgment though, even if he couldn’t promise the same for his brothers. The thought of six people Venus’ size not reserving judgment made Kealey shudder. Then Venus was asking her exactly what she was apologizing for.

The waitress arrived, and Kealey ordered her salad, waited for Venus to order and thought about her answer to his question as the waitress walked away. When she was out of hearing, she shrugged her shoulders. “Well first I made it sound like I hadn’t kept your number…then I defended someone who shot your sibling. You have to admit that I’m failing a little as far as proper conversation is concerned.”

The rest of the question was more difficult to field. How did it feel to deal with his emotions while rejecting his advances. Kealey thought about it as she popped a little piece of bread in her mouth and chewed, then sighed.

”I don’t know how to say this without hurting your feelings.” she said, frowning, but trying her best to be honest, ”Imagine feeling something towards a person when you’d probably have never felt that way on your own. Around most people, I can’t trust what I’m feeling at all. The longer I live in a city this large, the easier it gets…but wouldn’t it be awful to act on an emotion, then later realize it wasn’t yours at all? There’s only person I’ve ever been able to be sure of myself around...” Kealey let the words trail off and shrugged her shoulders. ”That’s kind of what it’s like…”

Venus’ next words made her laugh out loud and blush again, even as she shook her head, ”I don’t think Jacen would be too pleased about that Venus, so I think I’ll have to pass on the dates. Platonic lunches every once and a while…I could handle, and who knows…maybe I could introduce you to some of my classmates.”

~~”Yeah. They definitely sound like the same person. It’s incredible what a small world it is sometimes.”

“Agreed.”

Venus didn’t mind quiet contemplation, Kealey wore it well, and it required him to speak a little less, less explaining was fine with him. Her cheeks coloring was a direct cause and effect, her cheeks turned red, and his blood warmed and his cheeks lifted in a slight pleased way.


He offered a quiet make that two and though the waitress was attractive and looked stunning in the way she wore the uniform, he paid her little mind his thoughts on Kealey alone.

~~“Well first I made it sound like I hadn’t kept your number…then I defended someone who shot your sibling. You have to admit that I’m failing a little as far as proper conversation is concerned.”

He laughed jovially. “ no, no, I have to admit no such thing, you were defending someone who showed you kindness and you made a true statement that I misunderstood and made assumptions, I see no fault there, Love.”

~~”I don’t know how to say this without hurting your feelings.””Imagine feeling something towards a person when you’d probably have never felt that way on your own. Around most people, I can’t trust what I’m feeling at all. The longer I live in a city this large, the easier it gets…but wouldn’t it be awful to act on an emotion, then later realize it wasn’t yours at all? There’s only person I’ve ever been able to be sure of myself around...”. ”That’s kind of what it’s like…”

“ saying that you don’t mean to hurt my feelings is a good start, and I can hardly blame you, now can I. You might as well ask me to be a little less red, in turn. I see where that would be more than a rare benefit in a relationship. I hope you’re happy and successful in your endeavor with Jacen. Though I would like to visit you while you are near Jacen just incase you are truly wildly attracted to me while I am not influencing your feelings.” He winked.


~~”I don’t think Jacen would be too pleased about that Venus, so I think I’ll have to pass on the dates. Platonic lunches every once and a while…I could handle, and who knows…maybe I could introduce you to some of my classmates.”


“Platonic you say?” a devilish smile came to his lips. “I doubt he would care for that either depending on which definition we went by. While Platonic means a non sexual, yet affectionate relationship to our modern culture, the platonic Ideal derives from a chaste yet passionate love. It is not based on the absence of the erotic but more on the spiritual force of sex its self, giving access to a vast store of the more subtle pleasures in life. Plato considered love a divine madness.” He smirked. “This is an oddly appropriate talk for our restaurant of choice.” He held up a hand surrendering, “ I relent Kealey Quinn, I shall count you among those that are off limits to me and voracious appetite, even if I must swear off the finest woman in New York. Now what’s all this about the plural form of classmate?”

And just like that she stepped out from an inferno and stood merely near a fireplace in Venus’s realm of lusty flame. He did and would always tend to appreciate her more than her boyfriend would ever like, but he would draw in his advances and he might even warn her if her cleavage was showing while she leaned over. Glare at another man that stared at her bottom while she bent, instead of enjoying the view himself.