Cassi was curled up in her bed with Aggie nestled on her lap, she looked out the small window daydreaming and idly playing with the Osta's silky ears. Then suddenly a gaggle of young wicks walked past laughing and joking and even occasionally stumbling.
Cassiopeia swung her legs out of bed, forgetting that Aggie was there too. The Osta leaped down gracefully but gave Cassi a rather mean look, "Whoops sorry!" Cassi apologized.

Cassi stood for a moment, it had been such a long time since she had properly gone out or even made an effort to look good. She looked around it was clear that she hadn't even had company for a while, the dirty dishes in the sink were a tell tale sign. She then stuck her head out of her cart and saw that she was near the toy lantern. Cassi decided to treat her self to some fine drink and a comfy chair in the cosy dive.

She swiveled round and paced up to her mirror, she looked quizzically at the reflection. "I am really that... old?" she sighed. She brushed her fringe out of her eyes and started attacking her hair with a battered comb. Satisfied with her work she automatically reached for a tie, but on a whim she left it down and let it flow down over her shoulders. She then fumbled around for her eye make up, once acquired she smeared the blue substance around her eyes.

With one final glance at the looking glass she turned on her heel and made for the door, deliberately leaving her hat behind. Cassi didn't wnat to be a fortune teller tonight.

Cassiopeia stepped out into the night carefully locking the door behind her, she glanced at the night sky, not too much cloud. It would be a good night for star watching, she shook her head, Cassi didn't want to die and old lonely spinster.

She walked across the cobbles and opened the door to the toy lantern, she was enveloped in the warm and hazy fog. She crossed the carpets and flopped into a chair. Snuggled in the depths of the chair Cassi had a good view of the lounge, she settled herself down and relaxed slightly.

It was Cassie's lucky night - Zelda DeVonne was on the stage, singing her heart out about a man who had left her. It was a tragic song, and among the audience there were quite a few eyes that needed drying. Opium smoke crowded the air alone with the sweet scent of wick incense; chatters and whispers accompanied Zelda's deep, sensual voice.

The lounge was so warm, and the chair was so squishy. Cassi curled he legs around her and tried to fix her eyes on the singer. She felt her eyes drooping and her head sliding towards the armrest waking up with a jolt she took a swig of a nearby drink. Maybe she really was getting too old for this, it was probably the opium she thought to herself.

Then after the last whiff of sweet incense caught her unawares Cassi fell asleep, dreaming of the good old days.

Tito sat alone near the lounge, in considerably nicer cloths than earlier. He wore an off-white satin shirt that some would call "mother of pearl", with black breeches. Along his belt were various pouches for various things, and a small backpack gave him company in a seat next to him. His gloved hands traced circles in the table and supple leather boots padded against the floor to the rhythm of the music.

As he slouched back in the chair, he removed his fedora and placed it on top of his bag. The music was wonderful. He leaned back and looked at the ceiling, his eyes just hinting at the presence of moisture. He'd have to remember this song.

In her slumber Cassi stretched out and dangled her arm over the arm of the chair she was in. Her fingers dipped into the drink on the table, she mumbled and then woke with a start. She looked around wildly and then glanced at her fingers and the drink. She put two and together and hurriedly wiped her fingers on blazer.

She stretched out and brushed the hair out of her eyes. Cassi sighed and decided she should be getting back to her cart. Adjusting her boots (Cassi hated it when she could feel bare skin on boots) she got and and padded across the lounge.

But then out of the corner of her eye she noticed something or perhaps it was someone. Cassi stopped and stared her eyes landed on the simply divine purple streaks in Tito's hair. She gave a wry smile and and made her way over to where he was sitting. Cassi plonked herself on the arm of chair.

"Lovely song isn't it?" Cassi idly remarked.

With a satisfied sigh, Tito watched Zelda sing. It had been an eventful day, and he hoped the night would be even more fruitful. The music, despite its sad story, seemed to drain the worries from his mind. Yet, he knew that he had to make a decision. Looking down at the bag beside him, he thought about the change of cloths and thieving equipment it held.

He had to decide. Spend the night in some galdori fop's house or go check out the Aeterna Theatre. It wasn't too late yet, and he anticipated that there would still be quite a few people there.

As if fate was trying to change the subject, a woman appeared next to him and engaged him in some small talk. With raised eyebrows Tito responded, "Yes, the song's more touching than lovely, but the singer does it a great justice. Just who might you be?" Normally, he would introduce himself, but he had more than a little experience when it came to being approached by strange women. Con artists, thieves, murderers--they sometimes would employ the direct approach. However, Tito did not let his slight suspicion show and gave her a small, interested smile.

Cassi returned the smile, and looked down, blushing slightly. She wasn't really good at social situations and did avoid them. But then the thought of her aged 60 spending a cold night alone with Aggie dragged her back to reality.
It wasn't too late to scuttle back to her cart, no, she mentally shook herself.

She picked up the young mans hat and started twirling it round and round absentmindedly.


"So what brings you here? I would expect a fine young thing like you to be someplace much more exciting than here!" Cassi said amicably and with a wide grin.

Tito chuckled. What was he doing here? Relaxing? Escaping?

"Ah, this is a wonderful place to forget, don't you agree? A long day should be ended in a peace." Something in him wanted to snatch the hat away from her, but he realized that she probably wouldn't run off with something so worthless.

Reaching up to her face, he moved a stray cluster of strands out of her eyes. "That blue... your hair complements your eyes so well. It enhances your natural beauty." The wick was so glad Jack wasn't here. "Maybe you could model for me sometime, I'm something of an artist."

Cassi replied "I probably wouldn't sit still for long enough and that would make modeling difficult."

She tried the hat on at a jaunty angle, then popped it on the young mans head. Her hand traced a lie round the side of his face then she found his hair she started plaiting it and said with a grin "Purple and blue are a lovely combination you know."

Cassi liked this guy, he seemed friendly enough and was really quite good looking. But perhaps a little young for her but beggars can't be choosers. Maybe her cart wouldn't be so cold tonight.

A smile graced his hips at her comment. For a moment, complete indecisiveness stuck. Tito had the sudden urge to kiss her, but then he thought about his plans. He supposed he could check out the Theatre tomorrow, and there was always the opportunity to go house hopping during the Clock's Eve Ball when all the gollies were at their high-toned fancy gala. 'Eh, what the clock? You only live once... maybe.' The thought didn't really help his indecision, but it did goad him to do something else.

Each of them already had a hand on each other's head, so he just gently pulled while leaning toward her and locked lips.

The kiss took Cassi by surprise. but then she leaned in for more and slide inelegantly down the side of the chair. She then was nestled beside the man, she felt warm and safe, it was nice.

She put her arm around his waist, he was rather lean. Cassi then rested her head on his shoulder, she breathed a contented sigh. She wanted the night to go on forever, it was lovely being next to someone after all these years.

Her life was so un-fruitful at the moment, all she did was tell shining happy futures to people and sit around outside her cart. This was a breath of fresh air it was nice to do something different for a change, maybe her tomorrow will be more exciting now she had met this delightful young man.

And it seemed things would move along despite how he may feel. The woman slid into the seat next to him, and she put her arm around him, Tito ease his arm around her. Leaning his head on hers, he asked in a whisper, "Would you like something to drink?"

His free arm would rise up slightly in the air to call a waiter over.

(((sorry for the reaaaallly slow reply! Away from the computer for a few days )))

The man she was currently snuggled up next to, raised his hand and called over a waiter. Oh Clock! What on earth does one order with such a gentleman wrapped around your waist? His head was gorgeous, and his hair was such a nice touch! Cassi loved the purple entwined in the strands. She nearly forgot about the drink, the waiter was looking expectantly at Cassi.

She garbled nervously "Oh I'll just have what ever he's having."

(( It's no problem! ))

Tito couldn't help but smile at her nervousness. It was reassuring knowing that he wasn't the only one that was a tad edgy. This was all sudden, but that's what made it exciting. The atmosphere was perfect.

"Alright, let's have two Blushing Hingles."

(((Yet again I apologized for the snails paced reply.... school gah!)))

The wave of emotion rushing over Cassi was immense, she hadn't felt so, so alive in ages. She smiled at the choice of drinks, she certainly was blushing in the presence of this man...

She snuggled in even closer, and sighed. After brushing at stray lock of hair she plucked up the courage to ask, "So, erm, So what exactly do you do?"

Cassi thought it was a safe question, after all most wicks are proud of their trades, she would really quite like to talk about her beloved stars right now, they made her feel so relaxed.