Papa's Got a Brand New...Bling (Late July 2008)

[nomorekaraoke]

It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life--

Wrong theme song, even though the theme certainly applies. It's a new day in Lorne's life. He quite enjoys dawn, thank you very much. He's found a new place to live - another penthouse in the middle of Youdon'tneedtoknow-ville. And recently, he's been indulging more and more in taking breathers at Milliways.

In short: good times all around.

Comments

[stilljustandrew]

"Yeah?" Andrew starts to smile back. "In that case, uh -- from what I've read about it, having a talent there that has to do with music is kind of like being a fish born with pyrokinesis."

[nomorekaraoke]

There he goes: It's like watching a guitar string snap mid gig. He chuckles, and the skin around his eyes crinkles with mirth that he just can't disguise.

"I love your way with words! That is so true!"

[stilljustandrew]

He grins, unconsciously ducking his head a little at the compliment.

It is so bizarre, seeing Lorne's familiar smile on that human face. Bizarre and delightful. Even the crinkles around the corners of his eyes are the same.

(Only later will it occur to him to wonder just when he became that familiar with the crinkles around the corners of Lorne's eyes.)

[nomorekaraoke]

Lorne shakes his head, tucking the album back in its designated place. "Fish born with pyrokinesis," he murmurs under his breath, absolutely smitten with the turn of phrase.

"So...this will probably sound strange, and out of the blue, and--" He looks at Andrew again, searching his face. "Wanna grab a coffee or something? Out there, in the real world?"

[stilljustandrew]

Out of the blue it certainly is, but ... well, why not?

"Sure," he says, and the grin is fading into a smaller, but definitely pleased, smile.

[nomorekaraoke]

"In the sunshine." That last word comes with a touch, a hint, a smidge of awe, as if he's only just realized the possibilities of the ring on his thumb.

"Not stand out, not draw attention, just...walk around wherever we want, however we want." He's already moving to the front door, grabbing his keys. "Come on!" He beams. Hurry.

[stilljustandrew]

Andrew follows him. That beam is starting to become contagious.

"What, is this the first time you've been out with the new face on?"

[nomorekaraoke]

"Yes! Hello? Night owl, moi? Of course, my good man, of course." He ushers Andrew out the door and into the nearby elevator which dings pleasantly as they approach.

"I...can't remember the last time I spent some time in the sun. In the actual sunlight, not just the beginnings of it as the sun rises."


His palms are starting to sweat with nervous excitement.

[stilljustandrew]

"Well then," he grins, "I'd say you're due."

The excitement, and the human face, makes Lorne look about ten years younger.

[nomorekaraoke]

He finds himself grinning back; on the verge of wanting to pat himself down for fear of something even remotely demonic sticking out someplace. Like his horns, goodness, gracious, please let the glamor be as good as the price tag indicated.

"Oh, I'm overdue. Way, way over. I'm over the rainbow and going into the stratosphere." A beat. "Also? I have not a single clue how far up a rainbow goes, so if I'm wrong about the stratosphere thing, can we just agree to pretend I never said anything?"

Like that comment he made a while back, asking how important Sesame Street is in comparison to The Muppet Show... Might as well attach a neon sign on his forehead saying ILLEGAL ALIEN. It's a lot of stuff to take in and remember when you migrate to a brand new world.

[stilljustandrew]

Andrew's giggling. "Not a problem," he assures Lorne. "I don't know either."

[nomorekaraoke]

"Oh, okay. Fabulous." He reaches for the panel, entering some sort of code, pressing the pads of his fingers between the circular buttons denoting floors. Within seconds, a display lights up, counting down from 50 - 49, 48, 47, 46. There's no background music playing inside the elevator, and the only indication that they're now moving is that tight little knot you get somewhere at the center of your torso.

Or maybe that's just the way he's giddy with excitement.

[stilljustandrew]

Giddy with excitement or no, Andrew's feeling the descent in his inner ears as the air pressure steadily ramps up.

"So what's with the --" He gestures toward the panel, careful not to touch anything.

[nomorekaraoke]

"Notice how the buttons don't actually go that far up?" He makes an impish little face. "Different panels for different, um, clients, shall we say? I enter my code and the floor number I want, and presto! Rapid descent is go."

[stilljustandrew]

"Oh that's clever." Andrew looks back at the panel in delighted appreciation. "So it's not gonna stop on any of the floors with, uh ... nosy neighbors?"

[nomorekaraoke]

"Nope." His smile takes on a definitely boyish air - ahh, the wonders of technomagick. "And we get a lobby of our own, too." He jabs a thumb behind them as the countdown reaches 15 (13, 12, 11). "Hidden doors. It's very state of the art. Even more so than my last Wherever-I-lay-my-hat."

[stilljustandrew]

"Looks like." Beat. "Who owns this place?"

He's still studying the panel, and his voice is light and casual.

[nomorekaraoke]

Indeed it is. Unseen by the human, Lorne's mouth pulls into a slight, amused smirk. I see what you're doing, there.

"A neutral party of considerable means."

[stilljustandrew]

He glances up. After a beat, his expression goes rueful, and maybe a bit apologetic.

"Sorry. I don't ever really go off duty all the way."

[nomorekaraoke]

"Don't apologize, sugar pie. Neither do I, most of the time."

Ding goes the elevator as they reach ground floor. As Lorne promised, the mirrored wall behind them slides to the side, revealing a very snazzy lobby. Large marble staircase to the left, reception desk to the right, complete with polished surfaces and perfectly primped desk clerks who chirp 'Good afternoon, gentlemen' in a friendly yet professional chorus. All of them seem human at first glance, but like they say, the devil is in the details.

[stilljustandrew]

Or in this case, the demons.

Andrew's eyebrows go up. Considerably.

He doesn't have any trouble identifying the desk clerk on the right; the crest of feathers has been dyed black, but it's still recognizeably not hair. The one on the left, with her faintly metallic skin tones and her carefully sharpened and polished vestigial earclaws, is a race he doesn't recognize, though -- possibly a hybrid.

[nomorekaraoke]

Again Lorne allows a small smile of amusement ghost over his lips as he folds himself into a smooth bow. "Good afternoon, darlings."

Holding the door open for Andrew, the bow eases itself into an open, friendly gesture for him to go ahead.

[stilljustandrew]

It's one of the first really hot days of the summer, and the heat hits even harder when one's just emerging from the pleasant chill of an air-conditioned subway car.

At least aboveground there's a slight breeze.

"You wanted sun," Andrew says ruefully.

[nomorekaraoke]

One of the biggest advantages of having a just slightly warmer body temp than the average human is that the heat of summer doesn't get to you quite as fast.

All that aside, Lorne is having the time of his life. "There'll be no raining on my parade today, babycakes, that's for sure. You know any good place around here for ice cream?"

Glee!face is his face.

[stilljustandrew]

It really is, and Andrew can't help but return that grin in kind.

"There's a Baskin & Robbins a few blocks down from here, I think?"