Beside the Lake, after dark, open to all.

[ash_imperfect]

Asher walks the edge of the darkened lake, brooding and hurt. His room - or at least his furniture, and most particularly his bed - is no more than matchsticks, the victim of rage that had overwhelmed him when Nathaniel had walked out the door. Mania past, Asher was left feeling weak, broken, and unable to think about staying in his room. The

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[fortunes_phase]

A figure, all in while now, her eyes so bright, her hair rustled by the night wind, slowly steps up beside him. Her bare feet seem to almost not touch the ground.

She's had her moment of choice, her change, and her rejections. There's much for Moon to digest, but when she chose, the tarot's sight opened once more. They could hear the calls, sense the needs, and see the choices.

Moon knows this is where she needs to be now, and here is where she is.

"The blackbird mourns in the waning moon's light this night," she murmurs, her voice as musical as ever. "And the waning moon has heard the cries and come from her perch to your side."

[ash_imperfect]

Asher looks up at her, pain melting away, Asher hiding under an expressionless mask, one he has come to rely on many times over the years. His hair hides much of his face from view, even the bright gold seeming lessened under the silvered light of the moon.

"I mourn nothing." He insists bitterly. "For it was nothing."

[fortunes_phase]

"It's useless to lie to one of us," she says softly. "For it was something. Something important. Something you already miss."

[ash_imperfect]

Asher draws an uncharacteristic, ragged breath, bowing his head.

"Yes," he whispers. "It was important to me." He laughs, bitterly. "I am a fool."

[fortunes_phase]

Moon shakes her head.

"I know it doesn't make sense, Asher, but the paths... they aren't meant to merge yet," she murmurs. "Not yet, but they will. Do you have the patience? You must decide how badly you wish to have him, how much he is worth to you, and he will have to decide the same. It will be a long time to him, but you are immortal. Time moves a little differently for you."

She turns to look at him.

"You are already heartsore, and that clouds foresight. There will be much suffering, and many choices for you to make, many choices all will make. The earth is rumbling, and it will crack and split wide open. Don't let it swallow you. Don't let it swallow him."

[ash_imperfect]

"I care nothing for what was meant to be," Asher snarls, his hands clenched into fists.

"I am immortal, and he is not." Asher points out. "The only way it can end is in his death." He trembles, partly in anger, partly in an effort to keep from breaking further.

"He is worth everything," he whispers, bowing his head, "but he is not mine."

[fortunes_phase]

"You did not make him yours," she says simply. "And would you prevent his death if you held the power, Asher? Would you make him yours and keep him as he has longed his entire life to be kept, to be loved?"

She crouches down, wrapping her arms around her legs.

"As I said, the paths touch now, split, and then a choice will either bring them together then or split them forever. It is hope I give you, if you choose hope over sorrow."

But she herself knows sorrow now and how even hope cannot ease its pain.

[ash_imperfect]

"He is not to be taken like a casual conquest," Asher snaps, "he is worth far more. And yes, I would gladly call him mine, I would gladly keep death from claiming him." But such a thing is not possible in St Louis because of Anita, and it seems impossible here, now.

"He chose his path, and it is not with me," he murmurs, all anger leaving him, sagging as despair overwhelms him.

[fortunes_phase]

"No, Asher," she says firmly. "He merely chose a detour."

[ash_imperfect]

"I make him forget his friends, the people who need him," Asher murmurs quietly. "That is what he told me. That is why we cannot be together. Do you think that will change? Do you think Nathaniel will ever come to a point where he has no friends to care for, no friends who need him more than I?"

[fortunes_phase]

Moon smiles, finding the vampire terribly endearing. She reaches out, taking his hand in hers.

"You make him think of nothing but you because you make him feel something other than used." She sighs, face turning up to the moon. "He's young. Terribly young, and he has a strong bond with my--with Jason."

[ash_imperfect]

Asher holds her hand, squeezing gently, still utterly pathetic and woeful.

"Stronger than any he has with me." Asher does not resent Jason, really he doesn't. But he cannot help but be angry with him. If not for the drugs, he would not have overdosed. If not for the overdose, Nathaniel would not feel obligated to stay by his side so constantly.

[fortunes_phase]

"Do not mistake lack of opportunity with lack of desire."

She rest her head against his shoulder.

"You were not the only one to feel something as you came together, Asher, but Jason has complicated that which had not yet had time to take root."

After weeks of no sight, she's rather enjoying having it back. Insight she could not give before is hers once more.

[ash_imperfect]

Asher closes his eyes, resting his cheek against her hair. She is not Nathaniel, but she is comfort, still. Wildness clings to her as it does to his - not his, not his, not his - leopard, the scent of crisp nights and clear air surrounding him.

He can't help but curse quietly in French, both the drugs and Jason, overdosing only hours after promising Asher he would stay clean for a week, so desperate for someone to feed off him.

Asher promises himself that he will never touch a drop of Jason's blood. Not after this.

[fortunes_phase]

Moon closes her eyes, speaking softly.

"Jason has made his choice. It took this for him to do so, but his path is clearer now. His pain can be addressed." Even if he never looked at her again, she would be content that he would move forward instead of stagnate.

[ash_imperfect]

"How nice for him," Asher murmurs, bitter and angry again. "I am glad it took nearly dying for him to come to his senses, when all the good intentions of his friends could not persuade him."