Dracosa Prescott, Modern Day

The illness came on suddenly and was the worst downtime she'd ever experienced. While Dracosa wondered what led to the sweating, hallucinating sickness; Ami seemed to be pleased with being the nursemaid.

Of course she did...

The sickness put their petty arguments and Ami's jealousy on pause for a moment because Dracosa couldn't recognize the reality around her. At times, Dracosa couldn't recognize herself. Everything seemed wrong: her skin, her eyes, her hair, this room, the place, and even the time.

And who is Robert?

The name she would chant over and over as she shivered from the cold but her body burned with heat that made her perspirite leaving pillow covers and sheets damp. Sometimes Dracosa could only chant the name over and over again in her mind; which surprisingly didn't trigger Ami's usual jealousy.

As she became more well, the fever induced psychosis dissipated and Dracosa even has new hope with her relationship with Ami. While feeling at the edge of death, there hadn't been time to think about all the reasons Ami wasn't 'right' for her: when the same person cleaned her vomit and wiped her forehead with damp cloths. Her thoughts to leave her seem frivolous. Ami loves her and it is unquestionable and she loves Ami, at least for now she is sure of that.

Dracosa's first itch was to take a walk in the park. She showered and dried her hair, putting it into a messy bun before throwing on her casual outfit of light blue jeans, plain tee, a yellow sweater over top and some brown boots. She threw a dark brown leather jacket on top and headed out with a taste for her favorite coffee and sweets.

The shop, now not too far away, is her safe spot; where she hides from her local fame and from Ami's jealousy. She itches to get there and to write about the adventures she remembers as scattered snap shots in her brain.

A part of me didn't want the sickness to end...to leave the vibrant story I caught glimpses of.

The chill in the changing season air makes Dracosa turn up the collar of her jacket, regretting that she hadn't listened to Ami's warning to bring a scarf and possibly gloves.

She's right, always so sickeningly right.

And just like that...her doubts are returning as she has coffee in hand and a sweet treat; sliding into her favorite chair with the view out to the moderately busy town. The feeling of peace rapturing her as she feels safe watching life around her; noticing everything she doesn't believe she is good enough to ever have and yet admiring:

The young couple who are freshly in love, meeting in front of the restaurant for their first date. She's blushing and he's nervously rubbing the back of his head with a gentle smile that says, 'I can't believe she said yes.'

The parents who are watching their young toddler hold onto the handle of the stroller and take some of its steps outside, reveling in the new ability to carry itself places on chubby wobbly legs.

She smiles as she notices the older lady, regal and polished watching that couple and their child; sitting on a bench alone. And Dracosa imagines the woman is maybe imagining her children around that age and the man she loved as he embraced and transformed into a father.

And as Dracosa smiles at the elder lady and the beauty she notices in life, from her comefty hidden seat within the cafe, the hairs on the back of her neck stand up.

She holds the mug in her hands tightly, hoping the warmth will keep her from freaking out. However, being a person used to stages, Dracosa knows that eyes are on her and when she meets those eyes, she can't help but feel...entranced.

His eyes are covered by dark, small circle lenses. The lenses very dark against his almost translucent luminous pale skin. His bowed lips a slash of red on his well formed face. It's odd but her first thought is that there were no missing nutrients when he was forming. He appears tall but not insanely tall compared to her own height. He's dressed well but not in a manner that draws attention.

And he smiles...

Dracosa swallows hard looking around. It isn't insecurity because she more than knows she is beautiful but something about this guy doesn't seem right, not in a bad way but simply not right for her. It doesn't seem real that he would see her and that this smile, perfect teeth that are natural...veneers can't copy this kind of perfect natural, is meant for her.

So, she smiles back.

And when he stands, the room around them feels like it fades. The noise around them becomes more gentle the more he approaches. The colors are more dull and like her eyes have taken on a portrait effect that blurs everything around him. She sits gently smiling as it seems that there is more time than he would approach and yet here he is before she is ready.

His clean expensive sent hits her and something else...something that makes sex have a taste as her mouth waters and he smiles, covertly hiding a smirk because of course he knows he has this effect.

"Hi" His voice is odd. It's like she's always known it and it's not too deep but it isn't feminine either. It's smooth and makes her feel like she's getting a massage to the brain.

"Hey," She says gently.

"My name's Leo." He's confident and even though he hasn't removed the glasses, she knows he stares intensely into her eyes.

"Dracosa, I'm a local jazz artist." She gently sinks her teeth into her lip and senses his eyes trace her subtle movement and so she hurriedly sips the cup because in this moment, something seems enticing about the energy between them; which she doesn't intend.

Leo notices and his fingers lightly tap the table as he chuckles quietly to himself and the way he does this movement makes him seem like he has been influenced by older people; it wasn't the body language of a young man.

"I know." He states simply. "I own some of your records and I've watched you live."

"I think I would remember you. I've somehow never seen you before."

"I didn't want to be seen," Careless shrug. "I was there to watch and I have always enjoyed your performance. "

Dracosa's heart subtly pounds. "Well, why now? Why be seen?"

Bless his heart, he just can't stop flashing that killer smile...

The smile starts small and spreads as through he can't contain it, the smile escapes. "I don't know. Should I make something up?"

Dracosa chuckles as she closes her eyes, breathing in the moment as she sips the coffee. "No. The truth is good enough."

"I'm glad you feel that way because I think that I'm meant to know you." His voice clear, sincere.

"And why the hell is that?" Her sassy reply is laced with humor.

"Because, it's maybe time someone sees you deeper than the parts they want and the parts they wish to change. I think everyone gets that at some point, even if it's only a moment."

Her face goes blank and her mood changes as the suddenly truth of his words describes perfectly what her issue with Ami is: the heart of the issue and Dracosa stares at him wondering if he knows.

Of course he can't know. He doesn't know me. Not really ...

"Who's to say that I haven't already found it, or had it a time or two?" She replies, a mock of the early flirtation she wielded as she attempts to pick back up the mood.

"Well, you did. When you looked into my eyes...I saw a woman who's never been in love." Leo stands. He looks at his watch. "I must go."

He turns to leave and it's that simple. "Wait,"

He looks back. "Yeah?"

"So what, you just disappear?" She gives him a look from her curiosity.

"And then I appear again." His smile is pure joy, pure enjoyment and sure. "Enjoy your drink Miss Prescott. until....again."

"Who is he?" Ami hasn't let it go, since she walked into the cafe as Leo left the table with Dracosa quite deep in thought.

How the scene looked to Ami: Dracosa sits in a seductive stance, enraptured with Leo as he walks away. The air is tight with some sort of magnetic pull between the two and Dracosa stares after Leo as though she wishes to run after him.

Not a good thing, she's so insecure.

Dracosa breathes deeply. They haven't fought in some days and it's been refreshing. Dracosa wants to hold onto that energy of peace between them.

"He is an admirer. His name is Leo and he said that he's been to a few of my show. I don't know him. I didn't recognize him from any of the shows..." As Dracosa shares the information; she's actually dying to speak about the odd stranger, because she wants to know this experience was real.

Ami cuts her off. "Oh yes, you surely would have remembered such a handsome man huh?"

The accusatory tone makes Dracosa pause and stare at Ami. She keeps her face blank as she learned to do from a child where her abusers looked for any sign of her contempt in order to persecute her further. Dracosa looks into Ami's eyes and feels badly because while Ami is jealous it is her actions that made things as bad as they are now.

"Ami, he's no one. I promise. He was in the cafe and he noticed me. He said hello and then he left. We hadn't spoken but moments before you came over. I don't have his number or media. I do not know this man. I promise." Dracosa stresses, knowing that she had broken the trust.

"How- how can I believe you?" Ami's voice is soft and her accent thick as she obviously attempts not to cry. Her lip quivers and eyes shine and Dracosa feels sick.

It is this look, this brokenness that she feels disgust at witnessing within Ami. Although she did break Ami, Dracosa lacks the maturity to stand in the face of what she created. She wishes to run away every time they meet this place and now more than ever, she is desperate to get out of this cycle with Ami.

"Is there any belief in you left?" Dracosa almost whispers as they look into the eyes of one another. "What keeps you here? If I have become something so untrustworthy..."

Ami shakes her head, rejecting the idea of separation immediately and paces. Her arms are crossed as she seems to hug herself, trying to sooth herself from creating the air of an idea they should split as that always appears to be the main thing that Ami does not wish to be a reality.

"I- I can let it go." Her voice trembles.

Dracosa, once again, sighs as it sounds that Ami doesn't even believe the words that she says.

"If I may, be honest..." Dracosa speaks. "Maybe that may...repair some of what I've done."

Ami stops her pacing and looks at her with a desperate look. "Okay."

"He...is handsome." Dracosa watches Ami flinch. "He's very handsome and I have attraction for him. He was interesting and fresh. However, I have no intention of cheating on you again. I didn't have a desire to be with that man. I am telling you the truth."