Re: The Great Outdoors (with good visibility)
Lance walks to the city, alone, lost in thought. His stride is not jaunty, nor does it have purpose except that Ballad wishes him to show up at this Bloody Mary's. Bloody Hell, more like it. He would go and try to put on the air of being happy and joyful, and he knew he'd be lying by doing so. He wasn't good at lying, not even a little bit.
His cousins would all be there.
Jade, daughter of Fiona, sorceress. She was pretty, and bubbly and nice. She knew more about Amber and it's surroundings and it's ways than Lance ever would. She rather intimidated Lance, partly due to her ability to use magic, partly because of whom her mother was. Flora had said that the three redheads had been an issue during the family wars in the past, and were not entirely trustworthy. Fiona, Bleys, and Brand. Was it possible that their mischief was not yet managed? Especially so with Brand's son, who was king of a Golden Circle kingdom with a known assassination of his own uncle and friends with a disenfranchised uncle Dalt running about unchecked, unrepentant, and having a bone to pick with Amber. Yes, Jade's connections frightened him, as did her abilities.
Ariadne, whom Lance had much in common with, yet not. Both from earth, both seemingly out of their element, both having worked their way into the background of Hollywood. She seemed a bit more world-weary than Lance. Tough chick. Lance wasn't particularly tough, and didn't like to fight, yet he could see that his cousin was almost always itching for a fight.
Ballad. Enough said on this already. <i>Ballad, as you wish.</i>
Jon, son of a king, all boo-yah and pep-talk and teamwork. clearly better built than Lance, chiseled chin. Experienced and knowledgeable beyond where Lance would ever be. Always had the right thing to say, Mr. Fucking Perfect. Ballad clearly favored him, and he her, but who could blame either? The heart does what it wants. Ow, there he goes poking at that wound again.
The next eternity was going to be a living hell.