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Great Espers... he winked at her. Relm felt her insides melt simply with that. The teasing after did not help either. But she could not let it show. Instead she crinkled her nose playfully as Elijah mentioned challenging. Then felt her cheeks warm slightly at the thought of playing a game where she had a better advantage. The game she was so tempted to really play Relm did not know if she would have an 'advantage' or not.

And she was not about to admit she was afraid to find out. Not even to herself.

"Whoever said anything about me not being happy?" She asked with a hint of teasing and more than a hint of unusual softness before shyly & quickly turning her face away before the heat rose any more on her face. Perhaps the lighting of the place would save her from the slip in her act. Stupid blush, not being under her control around Elijah. It was going to give her away one of these days. Relm did not want to think about whether she wanted that or not.

She coughed discretely into her hand and pulled her legs up on the other side of her onto the bench. "Have you been to a bar concert before, Elijah? Trel was telling me that they're different."

Relm nodded as if absently but her thoughts were anything but far away. Mint green ears were opened wide to catch the quieter words as the bar was slowly growing louder. Her back stiffened the tiniest bit and curiosity overwhelming her the pictomancer could not help but chance a quick glance at her friend. He wanted to make her happy? Relm fastened down the fluttering inside her. You’re reading too much into it the artist chided herself. You’re losing your perspective when it comes to him because… Like a load of bricks falling Relm clamped off even thinking about what she was about to think from herself. Maybe if she pretended it was not happening it would not happen.

That did not stop the happy, warm feeling inside her at Elijah’s quiet words that faded off.

“Trel’s normally on the level even if her info’s kinda dated.” Relm knew the bard had not been to any concerts such as she & Elijah were seeing since before Timex (her husband not the ninau) died –and that was years ago. Green eyes that had only flicked to the dog anthro before while hoping he did not notice were now watching the current band set up with a casual curiosity & interest. There was a white leopard anthro drummer who by the way he brushed past his bandmates seemed even more full of himself and his skills than the cat keyboardist they had met. Different though. Meaner. Relm wondered if this musician was as good as his obvious opinion of himself. The front of his largest drum was decorated with a bold zebra print in tiger colors over imposed with his own leopard print. It was emblazoned with the band’s name “Stripes and Spots.” Nudged rudely by her band member even where she was sitting off to the side a dark skinned lemur faintly narrowed her eyes in annoyance before turning back to tuning her saxophone while outwardly ignoring the drummer. A shirtless anthro stepped on the stage, getting a knowing smirk from the drummer as the leopard’s eyes traversed the striped torso like the predator he was. The saxophonist glanced away with a roll of her eyes -which to Relm indicated the others’ actions were commonplace. It was interesting how the zebra had played up his animal side by shaving his head into a mohawk with the back hanging long like a mane between the stripes that patterned his skin. As he did a sound check on the microphones Relm wondered if he was the band’s singer or just a sound tech. A tigress could be seen to the side of the stage, stretching with a tambourine beside her. She was wearing a light and flimsy outfit -reminiscent of what Relm herself usually wore- that while it covered everything important more than decently it left little to the imagination. In fact it hinted that the only reason more was not seen was because of layering or luck and that if one watched long enough one might get a peek. That was not the case, but Relm could see the illusion of that. Relm wondered at the way the girl appeared skittish, even while only stretching. A black panther with his black-on-black spots barely showing strolled onto the stage with a nod to the drummer but not a glance as he stepped up to a mic that had just been set and turned it off to finish his bass guitar’s tuning. Like the Zebra anthro his markings appeared to cover his entire body but it was hard to tell. He apparently loved his own coloring for he wore a black fitted tank shirt with a black-on-black design that hid nothing of his musculature & black comfortable pants and boots. A shock of black hair just long enough to be shaggy or unruly flopped over his eyes as he looked down at his black instrument. A girl that looked to be his twin could be seen posing with her guitar just off-stage. Sex appeal rolled off the female, who unlike her brother was not dressed solely in black. Her straight, long black hair clung to her back like a living thing, and was like the rest of her accented with gold to match her flashing eyes. A white Bengal tiger slid by her to set up his keyboard, looking both nervous and sure somehow. He was dressed as if to blend in with his own stripes and the black and white ‘ivories’ of his keys.

Eyes accustomed to reading situations took everything in and stored them away, though the nosy and precocious teen saw trouble within the band. On top of that… she was suspecting that the band’s music might be on the sexually risqué side by things she was reading in the two more dominant males’ body language. Which could also explain the saxophone, but did not have to. She was also noticing the way some of the audience rolling in were dressed, especially the females. The reviews she had read had been good on the band’s sound though, many stating how each of the members was very good on their instrument. Even a few critics who had not liked the music had grudgingly admitted that.

“Looks like they’ll be starting soon.” Espers… why was she having to fight this intense desire to curl into Elijah’s side while she looked over the band. ….dammit! It wasn’t the band she wanted to be watching right now. Reasoning that she had the entire show to watch them but that talk with her friend would be next to impossible once they started Relm turned with a smile to light her eyes upon her dog-anthro companion. Actress though she was, Relm could not know how her smile warmed as her eyes lit & softened happily at the moment they caressed his visage without a touch. She liked how he looked.

If Relm realized what she was thinking she probably would have smacked herself.

It was too tempting to reach out and touch the face that turned to her like the artist sometimes did when smoothing the paint while she was working. The way the bar’s lighting fell upon his hair and face… With a roguish grin Relm impishly gave in just a moment and with the index finger of her left hand touched the tip of his nose with the tiniest push –like a child making someone’s nose ‘honk.’ Green eyes crinkled as she pulled the extended arm back and set in on the table between them which at some point she had leaned over so that the edge was pressed against her torso just over the bottom of her shirt -right about her lowest rib. Dim lights hit the inch or two of bare skin exposed below, which stood out between the black of her pants and the deep green of her top strikingly. She was half laying on the table, resting her cheek on her right hand as it was held up from her elbow while she looked at him. The silly face-scrunching grin reverted into a simply happy if still impish smile complete with a twinkle in her intelligent green eyes. “Should be a fun show. Hope I don’t have to keep you from any temptation.” A wink to indicate she referred to females both on and off the stage. She had to joke about it… had to tease about Elijah being interested in those other females –Hell, she could hardly blame him! She’d love to have some for models- because maybe if she could think that…. He would not distract her with his smile so. “Can’t forget our agenda, right Musician?”

Distancing him with her words while inside subconscious thoughts Relm dared not acknowledge thought about moving closer to him. Traitorous images… the artist thought softly as an image of her friend leaning forward -closer to her- as he set his right hand on her waist just above her left hip slipped from background to foreground. What was worse however… was how hard it was to let go.

“You want anything to drink?” The waitress’ words jarred Relm from the daydream she did not want to admit to herself she had been in. Of course being 'caught' in it even though no one knew now she could not turn of the image and pretend it had not been thought -which caused her face to turn nearly as red as her forehead ruby. Turning towards the female the pictomancer could see that the other had seen the bold marks on the back of Relm’s hands and was upset by them. Underage meant no alcohol purchased so less sales -and tip- for her usually. Well she was going to like this even less. “Just water please.”

When the nod was only resigned as the waitress waited for the dog-anthro’s order Relm decided to give her a big tip when she returned. She was in a good mood… and at least the girl had not been snooty or huffy with her. Relm appreciated that.

As perceptive as the pictomancer could be, Relm did not notice the hawk-like gaze from a back table ‘appreciating’ what they saw in a manner she would not approve. No one did. The owner of the eyes much too covert for that. At least… this early in the night. He took another pull from his beer.

Catching the attempted to conceal her disappointment, Relm pulled Setzer’s ‘magic’ trick and quickly slipped a five onto the waitress’ tray with a ‘shy’ but understanding smile. It was almost an apology too, as close as Relm came to one under normal circumstances. Yes, the precocious pictomancer often liked to stir things up, but she was not usually mean –at least without intending to be. Matching the surprised girl’s smile Relm lowered her hand.

Feeling warmth beneath her fingers she casually smoothed the rounded skin without a second thought as she watched the waitress leave. That was… until the side of her fingers touched …leather? It was all Relm could do to not permit her eyes to widen with everything she was feeling with the realization of what she had done. To many things to name. With that… fighting not to snap her hand away. While fighting the urge to keep it there as well. Relm did not want to have Elijah think she could not stand to touch him, but she did not want him to suspect… well any of those things she was not wanting to know herself. Turning her eyes to Elijah’s with a look of ‘oops, my bad’ and a sheepish quiver of a grin she carefully withdrew her hand from where it had landed on his arm above the single bracelet. Somehow, Relm managed to keep the beating of her heart and breathing from giving her away. She hoped.

“Good. ‘Cause otherwise I’ll have to get my brush out and smack it across your fingers.” As casually as she could, pretending the touch had not happened at all. In her periphery she could see the rest of the band step into place, and could assume that the bassist had turned his mic back on. Tuning sounds were fading and the atmosphere of the audience was ripe with anticipation. While Relm was using all her acting skills to continue as if there was nothing out of the ordinary in the touch –that it was perfectly natural between friends.

‘And why is that, Artist?’ shuttup.

He called for another beer, catching it without looking as it was slid down the bar to his waiting hand. Dark eyes saw what he wanted in those fitted clothes. Soft. Fit. Low constitution. Probably pampered. It did not matter if he was right or not. It became right in his shadowy mind as he drew strength and more from the new beer. Her friend would be no source of problem… best if he got her alone though.

Dark eyes watched the waitress return to them with their drinks -too tall for vodka on ice, maybe double shots?- Good. Drinks made others slower. He felt his mind clear and focus. Dark wings pulled around his huddled form like a cloak.

“Hah!” Relm retorted with a laugh & a huff. “Like I’d let you leave me out of something if I wanted in.” Green eyes twinkled, barely hiding the ‘dear Espers I can’t believe I said that’ flicker that shot through them. It did hide the relief he had not reacted to her thumb stroking his wrist, as well as something else. Something almost opposite of relief that was more hurt, more ache. Her fingers still tingled from the touch but she masked everything with her snappy comeback. It was a totally unintentional innuendo for once, and that she had said something of that nature without meaning too appalled her. Worse…. That she had said it to Elijah. She did not want to give unwanted impressions.

'And why is that, Artist?’ Relm did not answer the infernal, internal comment, her inner eyes blinking back tears that the little actress showed not a one on the surface. She was too good for that. Besides… she had been hurt before.

But it had not felt like this.

She tamped back down on her feelings, deciding that was the best course of action. Relm knew how false her words were, on some level. It was true enough for the things she accepted that she wanted but not for things she might want that frightened her. Feeling this was out of her reach and something she would not push… Relm shelled herself. Tight. Only a flash of the aching sadness inside slipped through her act as she pulled her gaze away to look at the band. A show that was not fully staged of excitement rippled through her. “Look! They’re starting!”

Green eyes locked on the stage Relm took a long drink from her water. She felt dry inside. It was not a pleasant sensation. The music started, a low sensual swell. The Zebra stepped up to the center mic a few measures in with a full and sensual voice that sent shivers down the listeners’ spines. The timid tiger with the tambourine stopped looking like a beaten thing the moment the music began. She rose with graceful elegance and began to dance in graceful, flowing steps between the band members. Soon she was paying attention for the music’s sake, artist’s eyes taking in the continual motion of the dancer and how no matter where the others might move while playing the dancing tigress bumped not a one.

Yet through it all, Relm could not fully muffle feeling that Elijah was right beside her. Not that she wanted to.

A slow grin curved the man’s lips as the music began. The alcohol was starting to take effect. Good. Narrowed eyes watched the female as she moved to the music. Calling him, the winged man ‘knew.’ Very barely, the man nodded his dark head in time to the music. At least… he thought it was in time to the music.

Another time, another person, Relm would have been thrilled to torture him so. Like when she got to tease the playboy king for wanting to hit on her when she was 10. Classic. Mint ears had to turn to catch the quiet words however, and hearing them the already short pictomancer felt about an inch high. Her first reaction was an urge to wrap her arms around Elijah and hug him tightly –but with her conclusion that he couldn’t possibly like her Relm did not want to give away or hint that which she would not admit in herself. Her second was typical Relm-self-preservation, to turn the sweet comment around with a cutting jab. It would be easy enough –he had said ‘right now anyway.’ Easy. But Relm bit her tongue. She could not bring herself to say it. Her tail swayed gently. As much as it hurt… she was not mad at him. It was not his fault…

And he was her only non-‘family’ friend. He was special. So very special to her.

Tilting her head up Relm boldly allowed her green eyes to meet his. Words being her weapon beside her paintbrush, Relm did not want to accidentally revert and attack. So she said nothing, not trusting herself. Relm only smiled, thanks in her eyes. So worried about things going through her however, the little actress did not know that she revealed more happiness than she intended as their green eyes met –nor the faint hint of sadness touching the edges like a faint silver gilding.

Then she crinkled her nose playfully and indicated the stage. It was a good band, and they played well together too. Relm thought she saw dissatisfaction in the saxophonist but it did not appear to effect her playing together with the band. Truthfully, the artist would not mind painting this band. They were as beautiful as their sound. But… dammit! Did their music have to make her think such things?

It’s not their music. You’ve heard and seen more sensual things. You’ve known about and teased others about the birds and the bees since you were five. You’ve watched through windows and bushes, been to galleries, painted more erotic scenes by the Espers! Relm…get a hold of yourself!

The light colored fur against the dark of her clothes stood out in the dimmed lights of the bar. Young. Untouched. She could not fool him. Lifting his head he ordered another beer. After it came, he leered behind the glass. He watched ‘his girl’ as the band continued their set. Hmm… maybe another beer and he would not wait to approach her until after the concert.

Usually so perceptive, Relm did not notice Elijah’s hand nearing her. This concert was not like others where they had held hands so they would not get lost. There was not enough crowd or movement. Dancing and jumping to the music was kept to just around the tables. It was almost classy… for a bar concert. Even if she would have thought of it, even if the action would make her feel much better… Relm was pushing such thoughts so far away she would not dare dream of even daydreaming about it.

It would hurt too much.

Too bad for Relm… with the music her daydreams were not listening to her. The artist’s eyes closed, holding in them Elijah’s smile. Listening to the music Relm visibly relaxed, tail swaying lightly to the music. How she daydreamed without letting her mind realize she did so Relm would question later. It was like the night she had curled into Elijah’s side on the bench –she simply did not permit herself the luxury of thought. Besides… she was bored watching the pretty people, interesting or not.

Which should have been a clue: Relm was never bored of watching people.

The artist might have been bored watching others, but the man with the hawk eyes was far from it. As the concert played on and the young female relaxed, he took it as a sign not to wait. The beers probably helped his decision. A lot.

No one noticed as one man moved from the bars to the tables. Not even Relm. Enough people were moving that one more was not noticed. It was a bar after all: bathroom breaks, people meeting, coming and going, the waitress. Dark wings were like a cape as he drew up beside the table. Still no reason to be alarmed –standing by a pillar to watch the show could be totally normal. Especially to get a better view.

It was only a second of thought that pulled Relm out of her reverie. A second filled with one thought after another in quick succession at the touch of a hand on her posterior. First a flash like a hope that maybe Elijah had… but that was quickly overruled by a sense that she would surely like that, whereas this was vile and made her feel disgusted. Relm also suspected on some level that if her friend were to be so bold even in jest he would be more tentative about it. This touch was bold and sure and assertive. Possessive. The other reason… it came from the wrong side to be Elijah.

All this Relm thought in the instant she felt the lecherous touch. She growled as she snapped her brush out of her pocket, ready to wheel on the pervert that had dared grab her like that.

“He GRABBED me!” Relm answered with another growl as she spun to face her assailant. After so many concerts with Elijah she was growing accustomed to accidental or even pretended accidental touches, but no one had yet the audacity to grab and hold as if he owned her. No one had that right, or that privilege. At the moment there was only one to whom Relm would consider permitting such a touch… and she had convinced herself he was not interested.

Though right now… there was more than one part of her really wishing that he would claim her…

Even before she turned paint and magic were forming out of the end of her brush as years of instinctive battle readiness kicked in. One who could not see the magic itself would still see the painting as she moved her brush in sure strokes. She ‘painted’ her assailant, for the moment an almost ghostly copy until the paint filled in and fleshed out so to speak. If one touched the copy now it would be liquid like paint. Otherwise... it was as if an exact replica of the man were forming out of thin air as Relm's magic solidified into magical paint through her special type of magic. Only a few things distinguished it from the original besides its not fully solid form: it smelled of paint and magic instead of sweat and beer & it did not yet react, hanging limp like a waiting marionette.

Small and spunky. The hawk eyed man grinned, leer curling the corner of his mouth. She was going to face him. Grin. So that’s how it was. Right to the chase. He did not seem to hear or even notice the male talking to the girl as she spun on him with -aw wasn’t that cute- a paintbrush. Artist? Even better. That kind made creative first timers. ‘Grab me?’ those hawk eyes flashed in an interpreted repetition of what he wanted to hear of the girl’s words. ‘Sure thing.’ Wordless he wrapped his arms around the small girl, grinning down the extra foot he had on her and repositioning his hands (both now) on her posterior. Ignoring how she was leaning away from him the male took her repulsion and flash of fear as she knew he was more than stronger than she was as interest & desire. So focused was he that he saw nothing beyond his objective, so did not see the painted three-dimensional portrayal of himself. The stench of way too much beer filled the air around him even before he breathed out with speaking. It was low, with the intent of being alluring. “C’mon, baby. Let’s ditch this joint.”