Night on the Town (open)

[aidan paige]

The nightmare was always the same. It started with her sitting in her father's lap at the family dinning room table. Her mother sat across from them, a map stretched between them. They were planning their next job, though the details were lost on Aidan's 4 year old ears. She'd stand on her father's legs, reach across the table, and grab a ship model. Her parents would laugh as she'd make "ocean" noises, swinging the ship around. The feelings of safety and love filled Aidan's tiny body.


Then the dream quickly shifted into the nightmare. She was hidden under her bed, trying to scream her little heart out, but no noise would come. It was only when she awoke that she remembered the spell her father casted to keep her safe. Her hearing, however, remained intact. Her mother stood at the ready, her wand in one hand, a cutlass in the other. Below, she could hear her father fighting with the intruder with both spells and fists. The dream fast forwarded again, to the intruder battling her mother. Just as the intruder rose his wand for the killing blow, Aidan would always wake at that moment.


Tonight was no exception. She woke with a yelp, soaked in sweat. It took her a moment to remember where she was. She looked around at her small living space, letting the familiar sight calm her. She sat in her bed, her arms wrapped around her raised knees. Her eyes landed on her many bookcases, her shelves of parament rolls, her cluttered desk. These sights usually calmed her, but not tonight. She needed fresh air. Quickly, she got dressed and walked out her door.


The common area of the Moon Bay hideout was made of stone with dozens of rugs laid about. In the distance, she could hear water dripping and several dozing crewmates snoring. She walked across to a large wooden door, opened it, and slide through. Walking up the stairs, she pushed open another door that led to an empty alleyway and some blessed outside air. Closing the door, she stood there, breathing in the city. She smiled as the noises hit her ears. New Orleans was truly the city that never slept.


With a small smile, she walked out of the alleyway and onto the main street.

[samuel ichabod]

Sometimes, a New Orleans boy just needed to go home to the Big Easy and eat, drink and make merry. Tonight was one of those nights. Sam was home, wandering the streets of the French Quarter and feeling kindly disposed even towards the tourists, a breed of human that normally infuriated him with their incessant questions, seeming lack of an ability to read a street map, and worst of all, their ridiculous need for photos of everything they passed, even if it was him, rascally drunk and upside down on the streetcar.

He had a bottle of whiskey tucked in his pocket, and a plastic cup to drink out of. He knew the laws of his home better than anyone, and drinking in public was legal so long as it was out of a plastic container. It made no sense to him, but he supposed it was to prevent broken glass all over the beautiful streets. He wandered down Bourbon Street, smiling idly at the people he passed, until he caught sight of a flash of red hair.

His breath hitched. It wasn't possible. That hair was so familiar, but it couldn't be her. She was lost to him, gone back to the Fae realm forever. She wouldn't have come back... would she? He hurried over to the girl with the red hair, and put his hand on her shoulder. "Gabrielle?" he asked, his voice half hopeful and half nervous.

[aidan paige]

Aidan froze as she felt a hand land on her shoulder, with a shaky voice asking "Gabrielle?". As she turned to face the man, who was probably just some drunken Muggle suffering from mistaken identity, she slipped her hand up her back, where her wand sat hidden by her jacket. She plastered on a false smile, about to tell the man off, when her eyes finally fell on his face. She blinked in surprise as she looked into clear brown eyes. She leaned back, taking in the whole picture in one quick sweep of her eyes. He dressed like some modern Victorian, with a little punk tied in. He was quite handsome, though hairier then she normally liked in a man. The whole package wasn't too bad.


"Hate to disappoint," she said, her fake smile turning into a genuine one. "But my name's Aidan."

[samuel ichabod]

She turned, and despite his trepidation he felt a sudden disappointment, coupled with relief. Of course it wasn't her... don't be so stupid, Ichabod. Not every redhead you see is her. You're a basketcase! He took his hand from her shoulder and bowed before remembering that she might be a Muggle. His cheeks warmed with a slight blush and he said with a crooked smile, "I'm terribly sorry, Miss. I thought you were someone else."

He glanced her up and down, admiring her delicate features and cheeky smile. She didn't seem like a tourist, and he instantly found himself warming to her as a result. "Samuel Ichabod. Pleased to meet you, Aidan," he said, holding out his hand for her to shake. "Take it you know your way around the Big Easy, no?" he added.

His brow furrowed as he looked at her. She seemed very familiar, even if she wasn't who he had thought. Maybe they had gone to school together? He didn't remember everyone's name, due to him keeping his nose in a book at all times, but faces stayed with him. "Do I know you?" he asked, adding in a somewhat quieter voice, "Did you go to Salem?" If she was a witch, she'd instantly know what he was talking about. If she was a Muggle, he hadn't given away enough to risk the Statute of Secrecy.

[aidan paige]

The moment Samuel introduced himself, Aidan relaxed, releasing her tight grip on her wand. "Stormalong," she confirmed as she shook his hand. In the back of her head, she noticed how firmly he gripped her hand, and how smooth it was. "Nawlins girl, born and raised." She didn't mention how much of that time was spent on the rivers and bayous, watching her parents do their pirating or doing it herself. She was just debating if she should reveal her surname, which has been linked with many outlaw and outcasts, when Samuel wondered if they had ever met before. She tilted her head as she really took his face in, her hand still in his.


Suddenly, it hit her. She gasped, her free hand covering her mouth. "Oh, sweet Merlin," she giggled. "We met once, at Salem. You busted me making out with Becky Smithenson." She chuckled some more as the memories came to her.


Becky had been teasing Aidan for days, kissing her neck and such, while claiming to be seeing some boy. Finally, Aidan's patience had run out and she had pinned the other girl against the Green House wall. Becky had put up little fight as Aidan kissed her. They were at it for several minute, until a voice exclaimed, "Hey!" They jumped apart and turned towards a slightly older boy in Ichabod House colors.


"Sammy..." Becky had stammered, but he smiply stepped forward, grabbed the back of Aidan's head and kissed hersenseless. Just as quickly, he stepped back, said to Becky, "There, now we've both kissed someone else", grabbed her wrist, and pulled her away. Aidan found herself alone and thoroghly confused...yet very satisfied, kissing wise.

[samuel ichabod]

Now, how the hell had he missed that accent? She was a local, like himself! "Ichabod house, like the name," he said warmly. "An' I'm a New Awlins boy, chere! Garden District, but you sound more like you spent some time around the bayou, no?"

Her name came back to him as soon as she mentioned that incident. Sure, he had heard her surname bandied about with mention of outlaws, but Sam Ichabod was a fine one to judge somebody based on who they associated with. He only hoped she hadn't heard rumors of him being involved with the Tarot.

"Eh merde!" Sam exclaimed, a grin spreading across his face. "How the hell could I have forgotten somethin' like that! Aidan Paige... you were two years below me in Salem." He went a bit red, remembering that kiss. Seventeen years old, and he had finally become confident when it came to the opposite sex... and sometimes the same. Gabbie had been furious when she found out about that incident. She had refused to speak to him for nearly a month!

He finally let go of her hand, looking a bit flushed. "How you been, chere? I ain't seen you since that year at Salem. Fancy headin' to the nearest bar an' catchin' up?"

[aidan paige]

Aidan couldn't help but laugh at Sam's expression as he finally put two and two together. It felt good to release some positive energy from her being, especially with her nightmare still fresh in her mind. The offer of a drink and good company sounded extra appealing to her. "I would love to," she said as she started walking down the street. "I know of a nice little spot that caters for both Muggles and wizards. Festive place," she added with a wiggle of her eyebrows. "I've been doing pretty good, keeping myself busy with odd jobs and sorts." Odd jobs was certainly the understatement of the century, as she was a pirate and made her living off them.


As they walked side by side, she heard a sloshing noise coming from Sam's back pocket. "Ah, Sammy boy!" she exclaimed with fake offense. "You've been holding out on me!" She snatched the whiskey bottle of his pocket. She wiggled it in front of him with a cheeky grin. "Naughty boy," she said, screwing off the top. She halted just as the bottle was going to touch her lips. "May I?" she asked.

[samuel ichabod]

Well, this was just a lovely surprise. It was rare Sam ran into a former schoolmate, outside of fellow professors and Tarot members. It was especially rare to run into someone he had once kissed, and not have them either proposition him or slap him. "Lil' Aidan Paige... Mon Dieu, this is takin' me right back! Lead the way. I'll drink anywhere that serves Bourbon," he said, and held out his arm for her to take as they walked.

"Odd jobs, huh? I've been teachin' up in Salem. Took over the History of Magic position, an' I've been there for about seven years now. Didn't reckon I'd end up back there!" Sam laughed. He did wonder at her "odd jobs" remark, but he wasn't one to pry. Usually, if he wanted information he would charm it out of the person, but this wasn't Tarot business. He was just catching up with an old friend this evening. It certainly wasn't an interrogation!

She snatched the bottle of whiskey from the back pocket of his pants, and his first instinct was to snatch it back... but the grin on her face just made him laugh. "But of course!" he said, shaking his head a little. "You're a girl after my own heart, chère!" He smirked, wondering if she would be able to keep up with his drinking. The only time he had ever been out-drank was by an Irish man, and that guy drinked like he didn't want to live. This evening was definitely starting to look up!

[aidan paige]

She gave him another impish smile as she took a long pull of whiskey from the bottle. It burned in a pleasant, familiar way as she swallowed. She hissed as she handed the bottle back to Sam. "Woah, Darlin'! " she exclaimed. "That is defiantly the good stuff." She hooked her arm through Sam's offered one, tugging him down the street. "Now follow me!"


A few doors down, she stopped outside a low-lit place called "The Alibi Room". A large man sat outside the door, checking for IDs. When he saw Aidian, he simply waved her in. Inside, it appeared to be a typical Muggle bar; tables spread out, some with patrons and some empty. A bar with stools in front ran then length of the far wall, several glass shelves filled to the brim with various bottles.


"The owner is an old family friend," she explained over the drone of low music and conversations. "He's a wizard, as is the bartender. The owner figured he could make more money catering to both sides."


She led them to the bar, where she waved to the young man behind it. He smiled as he walked over. "What can i do ya for?" he asked.

[samuel ichabod]

Sam watched her drinking, and his smile widened. There was nothing in the world he would ever find as attractive as another person who could drink the way he did. He took the bottle and helped himself to a heady swig, just as she had. "Sam Ichabod only ever drinks the good stuff, chère!" he said, letting her pull him through the streets to The Alibi Room. Sam had passed by it a few times for his favorite haunts, but if girls like Aidan frequented this joint, he'd have to stop by more often.

"Ah, I see," Sam said, hoping nobody from the Tarot would ever find out he had been in such an establishment. Bad enough that he lived in a mostly Muggle city, but if he was caught in a bar that had one foot in each world, he'd probably be in for a tongue lashing from Siddal. She did so hate anything to do with Muggles.

Sam leaned on the bar, gently pulling his arm free from her grip. "I'll have a large Bourbon. No ice, please," he asked the barman. "An' whatever the young lady is havin', I'll pay for that too," he added, grinning at Aidan. His mother raised him to be a gentleman, so he'd be damned if he'd let a girl pay for her own drink without at least offering.

[aidan paige]

Harper simply nodded at the bartender, signaling her usual. Quickly, he brought over Sam's bourbon, and handed her a glass with aged whiskey in it. She took a small sip, savoring the taste and burn of the drink. She enjoyed the hard liquors that required sipping as opposed to downing. She wanted the buzz to drown out the nightmare.


With an appreciative sigh, she put the glass on the bar and turned to Sam. She desperately wanted to ask about this Gabrielle woman, but she doubted she'd get any anwers at the moment. Few more drinks, then maybe she's test the waters. Instead, she chose a fairly neutral topic.


"So, what is like to teach the next generation of aspiring witches and wizards?" she asked with a smirk. "I can't imagine willingly going back there. I don't know about you, but i took what i needed and ran like hell out of there."

[samuel ichabod]

Sam gratefully took his Bourbon from the barman with a mumbled "Merci," and raised it to his lips. It was good stuff, instantly warming his tongue and throat with the familiar burn he associated with damn good whiskey. He glanced sideways at Aidan, and smiled when he saw her enjoying her drink. "Ain't many women who appreciate a good whiskey," he said with a grin.

He laughed at her question. "Oh, you know! Spiritually an' emotionally rewardin' on every level," he said, mischief in his eyes and sarcasm in his voice. "Seriously though, most of them are good kids. Few bad apples, but c'est la vie as my Dad likes to say."

He had another mouthful of Bourbon and made a face. "To be honest wit' you, chère, I didn't picture myself as a teacher, but Siddal recruited me about seven years ago, an' I been there ever since," he explained, then laughed a little. "But yeah... at first, I couldn't have gotten outta there faster if you had paid me to leave! Even if I was a bit sorry to leave some people behind, you know what I mean?" People like his best friend Chloe, whom he missed after graduation, or Gabrielle... but he didn't want to think too much about her.

[aidan paige]

Aidan chuckled at Sam's words as she sipped her drink. During her school years, she had gone through a "bad apple" phase. It was just as puberty set in, and she found herself full of anger and spite. Anger over her parents being stupid enough to get killed, anger toward their killer. She got into fights often, not knowing how or where to channel her emotions. It wasn't until the next school year that she figured it out. She turned her focus to books about offensive and defensive magic, truth telling potions....and hidden corners with other students. Now that she thought of it, she was still a Bad Apple.


Blinking back the memories, she smiled at Sam. "Didn't have too many friends, myself," she confessed. But i seem to have an abundance now, she thought to herself. Again, the urge to bring up Gabrielle sprung up, but she stomped it down. She figured she'd try subtlety first. If that didn't work, there was plenty of alcohol to be had.


"I remember you being quite the stud in school. That still true now?"

[samuel ichabod]

Sam smiled softly, knowing how that felt. He hadn't had dozens of friends at Salem, despite his charm. He was too much of an Ichabod nerd to make many friends, but he had enough to keep him going. "Same here, but I found I made better friends once I wasn't a student any more, you know what I mean? Friends mean more when they stay in contact even after you graduate," he said, sipping his Bourbon slowly.

Funny thing was, he hadn't stayed in contact with Gabbie after they graduated. He started to forget her as soon as he wasn't within range of her presence. He knew now that she had been leannán sídhe, the fae lover who gave inspiration to her victim while feeding on his life force, but at the time it was surprising how quickly he forgot her and moved on with his life. She had become a distant memory within three months of him graduating Salem, and he was hoping that with another month or so of boozing and whoring, he'd forget her for once and for all.

He snorted with laughter. "A stud in Salem? Eh merde, no! I mean, yeah, I'd make out wit' anyone, but I never really went out wit' anybody, much as I wanted Gabrielle," he protested, then a smug smirk spread across his face. "But I'm somethin' of a slut now, if you can believe that. Figured life's more fun if you experience it, so why not bury myself in booze, men an' women to make myself feel better, no?"

[aidan paige]

Aidan nodded at the friends comment. She didn't have many in school, but now she quite literally had a boat load of them. Some were from her parents time, like Ivar. Others joined up under her reign. It wasn't until Ivar had handed over control of the Claw did she understand the true value of friendship. Now, she couldn't imagine her life without it.


She was sipping her drink as Sam brought up Gabrielle, and she was just about to press when his other comment sank into her brain. "Figured life's more fun if you experience it, so why not bury myself in booze, men an' women to make myself feel better, no?"


She nearly choked on her whiskey, which burned in her throat in an unpleasant way. Surely she had heard wrong. Not that she found the idea of two men together unappealing. Quite the opposite, in fact. A good partion of her Muggle smut library included two guys, or threesomes. Just thinking about the handsome man next to her kissing another guy caused her body to flush, and she quickly coughed the remainder of the whiskey out of her throat to cover it up.


"Did i just hear you right?" she croaked out.