She's Still on His Mind (Marguerite)

[ERIK DANIEL LENOIR]

Finally getting out of bed after three days, Danny realized he was still wearing his street clothes. He had slept most of the time since leaving Marguerite, but she never left his mind. He dreamt of her constantly. He would awaken after seeing her smiling face and coming back to reality, would moan a bit when he realized there was a huge chasm between them.

It was partly because of Danny's strange bipolar moods that this had happened. A disappointment or accusation could push him over the edge. And now he had not taken his medication for some time, his thoughts were ragged and strange.

Now it was two weeks after that episode. Danny should have started to think of other things and other amusements. He found there were 20 voice mail messages on his landline and another 20 on his cell phone. There were quite as many on his email. They were all from work. They had wished him to come in for a presentation, but apparently had finally given up. He called in and told the receptionist he'd been ill, which was the truth. He said he would call back when he was feeling better.

He felt like a robot, unable to feel anything. He went about his tasks woodenly, paying his bills and eating a few bites here and there of the lovely dishes his housekeeper had prepared. He wasn't really hungry.

Then he started browsing the internet one evening, and accidentally came upon a small article that told about the famous French actress living in New York and how she had thrown one of her famous parties. This of course had Danny thinking about her again. He printed out the photo and pasted it on his flat screen monitor, in the corner. He kept looking at her lovely, smiling face. How he wished that date had ended better. It was largely his fault, but he felt she thought he was a "gold-digger" and only wanted to be with her for what he could get out of the relationship. But he stopped thinking of that when he looked at her photo. He wished he could see her again...he wanted to see her....he knew he had to see her...

Danny had lost all track of time. He glanced at one of his clocks, but it had stopped. So had his watch. He looked behind the drapes. Surprised to see it was dark, he decided to take a walk. He hadn't had a walk in a while, and it felt good. It was one of his favourite past times. He found himself walking past the little restaurant that two weeks ago, he had taken Marguerite to dinner. The night that had gone so well, and then so wrong. He stood at the window, looking at the table they had occupied that night. He felt nostalgia for that night. If only he could do it over, he would swallow his pride and then the night might have come out better. He could have persuaded her that he was sincere ... He stood there so long staring that the manager came out and asked him to move along, as he was upsetting the patrons. He nodded and walked away woodenly.

Danny found himself taking the same route they had taken that night to Marguerite's building. He found the place easily. He just wanted to look at the building that the beautiful actress occupied. He knew he had no chance with her. He heard music coming out of an open window. Perhaps someone was having a party. The music was not loud and raucous...it seemed like the kind of music that Marguerite would like. Played by a band, it was soft and not irritating. He crossed the street and stood looking at the window. He wondered if it were one of Marguerite's parties. There was no way to know.

Then a few people came by and went in the building. And a few more. Danny didn't wish to be seen, so he ducked into the bushes and just watched. After the people had left, he saw something on the ground. Curious, he picked it up. He put on his glasses to read it and found that it was an invitation to a party...at Mademoiselle Marguerite Saint-Just's condo! He blinked and looked up at the windows where the soft music was emanating from. It must be the party....her party.

But Danny hated parties. They frightened him. Too many people, too much talking and noise, strange faces, questions, always questions...he stood there undecided. If he went in, he could catch a glimpse of Marguerite, which was what he very much wanted. He could be thrown out though, or worse, he might have to endure the party. He was tempted to just go back home when a couple of people walked up to Danny. The man said, "Are you going to Miss Saint-Just's little too-do? It's here...Haven't you been to her place before? She throws marvelous parties. Come on..." With that the man grabbed his arm and almost pushed him up the stairs. The woman smiled nicely and the man seemed pleasant, although a bit rough. Danny found himself at the door, the door man, took his invitation and he was in...in Marguerite's home!

[MARGUERITE SAINT-JUST]

The next day, Marguerite's thoughts were troubled all day. But despite the situation the previous evening, she was desperate to just keep going! Her life could not be put on hold for a man. Granted he was charming and fairly handsome, but it was the fact they ended on a sour note that troubled her most! She fancied the attention and to have a patron, someone like Danny, just... perhaps a potential enemy now... somewhat troubled her.

Days turned in weeks, and she continued about her daily life of lessons, shows, promotions, meetings, appearances, exercise classes and what ever else. Though she seemed normal on the outside, she simply could not forget the night a Gentleman treated her to a nice dinner and conversation. When she was alone, her mind was on him part of the time and she seemed depressed.
After so long, she decided to forget about him. It was no use to continue thinking of the man. She couldn't seem to muster the courage to call him. Yes, he gave her a business card... and she kept it! But in these past two weeks, each time she looked at it... she couldn't bring herself to even try. Scolding herself for even thinking about anything related to the man. She met him briefly, knew hardly nothing of him- well, not true.
She sighed as she was at home. Threw down the card and looked out the grand windows at the afternoon skyline. Her party would be in a few hours. It's best that she prepare for it.


That night, those celebrities and some of New York's High Society were their to indulge in one of Marguerite's famous parties! it was difficult to accommodate here in NYC, unlike back in Paris where she had a small Chateau to offer plenty of freedom to the masses.
Champagnes and wines of all sorts plus plenty of hors d'oeuvres scattered about. The music was a weaving mix of Jazz to Classical to Rock - of Sinatra, Adele, Josh Groban, BB King, Willie Nelson, Sarah Brightman, Pavarotti, and more... even some of the best of Bollywood!

Dressed in a light blue dress that reflected a look that Actresses of the 30s and 40s in Hollywood would have worn, but her hair as always in big curls that cascaded over her shoulders and down her back. With champagne in hand, she did not have to mill about to strike up a conversation. Most often people would seek her out, but she did her best - if possible - to move around and greet everyone. She was not afraid to talk about any subject, whether it was politics or fashion.


She had taken notice of some guy, who seemed so polished and was a little 'perfect', that had taken a shine to her and leached on to her side so to speak. Apparently doing his best to impress her. But... she was not completely impressed. His opinions were brash and he seemed to view finances as the only means to success. Rather narrow minded in her opinion.
She was completely oblivious at this time that... Danny.. had arrived at her party.

[ERIK DANIEL LENOIR]

Danny stood in the doorway for a few moments, rather frozen in his tracks. People coming in pushed by him rudely and he stepped out of the way. He was shaking a little and tried to catch hold of himself. But it was difficult without his meds. He was a bit unstable mentally without the meds. At the moment, he was very indecisive. He looked for Marguerite, but couldn't pick her out of the crowd.

Danny found an overstuffed chair in a darker corner and he was almost out of sight, but he could still observe. He wanted to see Marguerite, but he didn't care for the atmosphere. If Marguerite liked parties, it would be quite hard for Danny to endure them. Perhaps he could see her without going to her parties. But what was he thinking? Their one date hadn't turned out well. He had expected the two of them would become fast friends and a couple, probably marry in the near future. All that had been shattered by a misunderstanding that had turned Danny against her. And then he spent the rest of the time, until now, regretting it....and pining over her.

Where was she? Danny couldn't see her and he was loathe to stand up and look for her in the crowd. Someone might talk to him. He wished he could become invisible, so no one would see him. But he was largely ignored, except by a couple of waiters who came around with drinks and hors d'oeuvres. Danny shook his head to both, although his mouth was dry from stress. and anxiety. He began to wish desperately that he had not let that man pull him into the house. He would have rather observed from outside. Or simply gone home. Yes, that would have been the best thing he could have done.

He was happy to be ignored. Now if he could just find a way to get out of here unnoticed. Danny stood up and at that moment caught a glimpse of Marguerite talking on the other side of the room with some fellow who was handsome, but in a way that made him look plastic, like a game show host or some such thing. Danny inhaled sharply and looked around for a place to hide until he could get out of the place. He looked around and to his relief saw a door. Perhaps it was the way out. He went in to a completely dark room, which apparently was some sort of clothes closet. He pulled the door closed and sat on the floor under the clothes, plotting how to get himself extricated from this mess.

[MARGUERITE SAINT-JUST]

Some people were wonderful conversationalists. But this man, who she forgot the name of for a darn good reason, simply did latch onto her. This was becoming a situation she was wanting so much to avoid! Despite her attempts to converse in a most intellectual fashion, this arrogant ego-manic seemed not to get the hint about what her parties were about. Apparently he skipped reading the memo. But... she had to be a charming Hostess. Taking a mental note that next time, he wouldn't be welcome at her future events. Unless by some miracle or chance he would pick up on some intelligence from some of her other guests, which she was doing her best to give them all equal exposure.

Marguerite's parties were quite fashionable, nothing too obnoxious. In fact, they were mellow and quite sophisticated. Nor did they take up such a long time. Well, not here at least. She's had a couple parties where they were an all day event at her Parisian Chateau. This evening's gathering would only be a couple hours, nothing too lengthy.
As the night wore on, almost chiming to 10 pm, some guests had come and gone, quite a bit of them still were hovering around including the ego leech which she had some how dubbed him. However, she would be gracious and kind and by no means put forth an unkindly attitude. She would brush him off in as genteel a way as possible.

The door to the closet was opened only a few times for people to obtain their coats, for those whom had brought a coat that is. Usually it was someone who attended to that. Each time someone grabbed their coat, there seemed to be some soft commotion about the closet. Granted, Marguerite would never both with such trivial situations, but ... even as the Bouncer moved to the closet, it was also a grand opportunity to excuse herself from the ego leech.
And so... she did just that, approaching the closet as it was opened and the Bouncer stood there, gawking down at some huddled man.

Marguerite stood there a bit bewildered when her eyes landed upon-
"Danny?"

[ERIK DANIEL LENOIR]

Danny crouched down in the back of the closet in as much shadow as possible. He decided he could leave when everyone was almost gone and then try to leave unnoticed. He knew the party was ending, for though the speaking, talking and laughing went on, the music had stopped. People were coming to the closet to take their coats and one of them must have seen Danny, for she inhaled sharply and the next thing he knew, the door was being opened and a torch being shone on him by a tall stocky man who looked like he could be the bouncer. Danny looked up and saw Marguerite there. He felt embarrassed and anxious. He started to hyperventilate a little and closed his eyes and tried to get out of sight but there was nowhere to go.

The tall man said something to Marguerite which Danny didn't catch, for he was finding it hard to listen. He suddenly found himself being pulled bodily out from the back of the closet and pulled to a standing position. His mind was in such disarray that he wasn't sure what happened next, but he found himself outside the house, on the front walk, the intimidating looking man speaking to Danny very softly, but menacingly. He definitely meant what he said. He wasn't really sure what the man said, confusion had taken over and it was hard to get his thoughts straight, let alone listen to anyone else. It had all happened so fast. The man left Danny outside, standing, looking at the outside of the house again.

Danny needed to pull his thoughts together. Perhaps he should hide somewhere until everyone went home. He didn't want to be reported to the police because surely he would be taken to some hospital and that's all he needed. He was only a little confused and anxious, not insane, as those people in the hospital were wont to say. Why he could think very logically....sometimes. And tonight wasn't one of those times. He went back to hiding in the bushes where there was a small space near the house. He watched as the rest of the people left. He knew he couldn't be seen here and his anxiety levelled off.

[MARGUERITE SAINT-JUST]

Stunned to see Danny, not only at her party, but huddled in a closet! Why on earth was he hiding in her closet? Was he stalking her now? Planning on doing something later when everyone else left? If so, he planned a poor place to hide.
"Yes, I know him but I did not send him an invitation," still a bit sidetracked, as she replied to the Bouncer.
But as she watched the Bouncer drag Danny from the closet and out of her condo, she was more than stunned and dumbfounded as to his behavior.

Though she attended to her exiting guests with as much charm as she could muster, her thoughts were upon Danny. Unsure whether or not to go have a talk with him or not. It simply wasn't acceptable to hide in the closet of a Celebrity. Lord knows, this could be showing up in the tabloids in the morning! Oh, that's exactly what she needed was some stalker story! She'd had enough of scandals and troubles as a result of the St. Cyr issue.

Once the last guest was gone, she spoke with the Bouncer before he left. As she started to clean up her party mess with her caterer, she decided to go find Danny. Or perhaps will at least try. Maybe she could talk to him and figure out what was going on. Was he on his way back home? If so, well... most likely. No doubt she'll never catch up with him by now. But... perhaps he went to the park to take a walk! He did mention that the night they had dinner.
So with a resolve, she changed into denims, a fashionable top, and a light jacket, pulled her hair back with a clip and fashionable but walking footwear... and set off to look for Danny.

Exiting the Condo, pondering if she was even making the right decision in going after the elusive man. Again, had she missed him? Was he too far gone? Would she catch up with him at the Park? Was she making the right decision in going to find him? All these and more were racing in her mind.

Standing in front of her condo building, glancing both ways for a moment before she started in the direction of the Park. Maybe.. just maybe...
She had to get this cleared up before he became someone she loathed.

[ERIK DANIEL LENOIR]

Waiting for everyone to leave the party and the lights to be turned off, Danny stayed near the building behind the bushes. He could see fairly clearly, but it would be impossible to see him unless one parted the bushes. Danny took a few deep breaths trying to calm down. He didn't think he should have been thrown out of the party; he hadn't done anything wrong. And he really just wanted to see Marguerite. She seemed upset with him too. But he couldn't be sure. Everything had happened so fast.

He watched a few more people leave and then, he saw her....Marguerite! She stood outside of the condo and looked both ways. He wondered what she was doing out so late at night and what she was looking for. He watched her walk away. She shouldn't be out this late at night! She could be mugged...in New York it happened all the time. Perhaps he should follow to make sure nothing happened to her. And he would get to see her too, albeit from a distance.

Danny stood up carefully, the bushes scratching his hands and face a bit. He wiped off a bit of blood. Now where had she gone? He walked to the sidewalk and saw her quite a distance ahead. He began to follow her. He wasn't sure he even wanted to talk to her, she was probably quite angry with him. He wondered how he could ever possibly apologise to her for what he had said on that fateful first date. He was thinking a bit more clearly than before.

He followed from a distance and then she turned off somewhere and disappeared. He couldn't see where she had gone! He started to panic and walked faster. His mouth grew dry with anxiety. If she were mugged or hurt, and he were not there to help her, he would never forgive himself. He began to sprint. He came closer to Central Park and decided she must have dashed in there for some reason. He entered the park. At least it was rather brightly lit in most places, although not the best place to go at night.

Still he didn't see her. He felt frantic with anxiety. He walked down one of the paths and then another, and another. Still no Marguerite. She could be hurt and it was all his fault that he hadn't followed her faster....he started to hyperventilate, this time for real. He felt about to pass out and he sat down on a bench and put his hands over his face to breathe the carbon dioxide back in and avert a blackout. He put his head down to make the blood rush back to his brain. He rubbed his face, careful not to dislodge the edges of his prosthetic skin. He was feeling miserable now and his mental confusion was returning. He simply sat there on the bench and stared at the greenery all about him...

[MARGUERITE SAINT-JUST]

Completely oblivious to Danny trailing far behind her as she trucked off to the Park in hopes that perhaps she might catch him there. Most likely he would be there from the sounds of it that one night he treated her to dinner following her performance. All the while thinking about Danny in her condo... in the closet... dragged out of the closet... the looks upon the people as they gawked in various mixes of emotions while she stared at him absolutely stunned. Then to see him ejected from her place by the Bouncer... she simply had to talk to him and figure out why he came to the party... uninvited... and hid in her closet!

Finally she entered the Park and took a hefty breath. Finding him in this park would be like finding a needle in a haystack! But... she simply had to try! So into the Park she ventured and walked around for what felt like forever in search of Danny. A bit fearful at times that someone would jump out and batter her to no end. But she made sure she was in well lit areas, or around some people. No, that was of no help to calm her nerves.

On the verge of giving up as she held herself and feeling a bit tired, along with enough fear to force her to call it quits! It was stupid to be out this late at night in Central Park! What the hell was she thinking?!?
As she rounded a corner and strode up a path, the fear took hold of her when no one else was around but some man seated upon a bench. Holding herself a little closer and started to walk on the other side of the sidewalk path in hopes to be able to keep the potential thug at bay. Her fears trailed though when she noticed something familiar about the man as she drew closer and watched him. Blinking a few times as she slowed her pace for a moment then strode softly closer to him-
"Danny?" her gentle French voice inquired as she slightly bent closer to look in the dim light. She stood perhaps a few yards away from him. Just in case it wasn't Danny, and the man made an effort to attack her, she could at least attempt to flee or maybe... she could...
Her thoughts trailed as she focused upon the man upon the bench. Waiting for an answer, waiting to see the face if she was right or mistaken.

[ERIK DANIEL LENOIR]

Danny was exhausted from worrying about Marguerite. It was worry that she would be hurt being alone in Central Park at night and secondly, that if he found her, she would be immensely irate with him. Sitting on the bench, slowly his breathing became normal and he didn't feel so lightheaded any more. He sat on the bench staring for a bit, his thoughts too many and too complicated to go anywhere logical. He simply stared, not seeing anything, not thinking anything.

Then, suddenly, he heard a voice. A familiar voice with a soft French accent, which called his name....he blinked and his mind cleared a bit. His vision slowly came back to seeing what was around him. It was Marguerite! At first he felt elation that she was all right. He stood and said, "Are you all right Marguerite? I was worried..." Then he backed off a bit, and stood behind the bench as if it would protect him from her wrath.

He fought to keep his thoughts straight. "Marguerite....I mean, Miss Saint-Just, I imagine you must be terribly angry with me for what I said to you the other night. Believe me, I regret every word I said to you. I have missed you so much. "

Then he decided that he must explain why he was at her home tonight. "I came to your building tonight. Yes, of course, you know that. I had an invitation to your party. Really, I did. But I don't like parties. I didn't want to go to the party. I just wanted to see you from a distance. Just to see you again." Danny felt something wet on his cheek and touched it. It was a bit of blood where he'd been scratched. He brushed it away, but it left a red mark on his left cheek which he didn't realize. He touched the prosthetic self consciously to make sure it hadn't started to come off. As he touched it, he transferred a bit of blood with his finger to that cheek too.

Danny went on. "I didn't want to use the invitation, but I was persuaded by some fellow with a woman to come in. The party, it was .... frightening. There were so many people. I tried to leave but wound up in a closet. I think I took the wrong door." He laughed self-consciously. He was actually feeling better, his speaking was coming out in a logical sequence. It would be a happy circumstance if she did not become angry over this, for he was at the edge of sanity at the moment and could easily tumble over that brink into confusion...

[MARGUERITE SAINT-JUST]

Her mismatched eyes watching him as he stood from the bench a bit bewildered but relieved when he asked if she were fine. She should have asked that actually. "Oui, I'm fine," in that gentle French lilt. And then was speechless that he was worried about her. Actually it was she who was worried about him!
Blinking a couple times with barely a tilt of her head as she gazed back at him almost astonished over his concern. Baffled even moreso when he back behind the bench... and it showed!

Blinked again as he corrected himself from using her first name to a more formal name. When her lips parted to speak, she was stunned and speechless with what he said next! Her? Angry with him?!? He regretted it? Every word?!? He missed her!?! She felt the breath literally snatched from her lungs at that very moment. Did she recoil as though cut by a knife, too? Sure felt like it! These were words she had never heard... EVER! To hear it from a man... all that... left her stunned, blinking several times, still speechless and breathless. No camera in the world could have capture the drama of the moment... and no one ever would know really how raw and profound this very moment was!

Even though her lips attempted to move, wanting to talk to him, but she couldn't. His words were like a God was speaking to her. Somehow... they ripped into every fiber of her being! Making her weak in his presence.
She didn't recall sending him an invitation. How was it that he obtained one then? She thought he didn't want anything to do with him. How ironic it was. She thought about it actually. Well... yes, she started an invitation for him.. but thought it was disposed of. How interesting!
Part of her was starting to feel a little awkward that he wanted to see her but that was dashed away after a while. Ignoring a red flag in the back of her mind. That was more of a conditioning from her celebrity status that stalkers would do anything to be with someone they were obsessed with! There was nothing creepy about Danny though and she found ever warning stupid!

Took her a while but finally she spoke with a smile and her eyes sparkled as though tears were flooding them. "That's what parties are... a social gathering of people, Danny." She didn't use his formal name at all wanting to keep it real between them. She realized that something special started that night they first met and if at least, being good friends with the man would be a plus.

Carefully she approached Danny, all the while pulling out a handkerchief. "I am not angry with you, Daniel," doing her best to keep a calm voice but to at least put some emphasis upon her words. To let him know she was sincere.
And as she came closer, the light indeed confirmed what she thought she was seeing - blood on his face!
Dabbing the handkerchief upon her tongue she continued to walk up to Danny slowly until she was within reach that she could start dabbing his face with her slight damp handkerchief with her finger, ever so carefully. "You're bleeding," pausing as she looked at the scratches, "Are you alright?"
Shifting her mismatched eyes to look into his brown eyes, hesitating as the words were hard to come by. Odd, since she was so witty and sharp, "You didn't have to use the invitation just to attempt to see me, Daniel. If you wanted to see me... you could have just... came alone." Well, that was truly a smart thing to say, wasn't it?!? Most people would go ballistic for stating something like that.
She glanced about in hopes that no one would really notice her being so attentive to some guy. Someone she barely knew... and yet...
Still looking into his eyes, she smiled up at him. A little breathless around him. "I still want to hear your music... and see your artwork."

[ERIK DANIEL LENOIR]

Still holding on to the back of the park bench, from his stance behind it, he felt like it was a barrier between them, for he had expected her to lash out at him in anger. It would have been the last thing he wanted, for his hold on sanity was tenuous at the moment.

But she didn't...she didn't lash out at him at all. In fact, she seemed wordless for a bit. He wondered why. Had he hurt her so badly, she could not think of anything to say? The silence was pervasive and Danny thought Marguerite could probably hear him breathing from the distance that she stood from him.

In any case, he knew the relationship was over. She was just looking at him, not angrily, but she didn't say anything. Danny was afraid to say anything lest it would break the spell and she would say goodbye and take her leave. But...perhaps she would let him walk her home. The thought made him feel a bit better. He could have a few more minutes of her company before saying goodbye forever.

But would it be forever? Danny had a bad habit of becoming obsessed with a person sometimes and he would go to amazing means to try to see her. He had been obsessed with Kris for a very long time but she had disappeared before they ever met face to face. Which was sad. But Marguerite was his new obsession. Even if he went home, he would still be thinking of her all the time and undoubtedly get himself in some ridiculous predicament as usual. However, none of those things occurred to him at the moment.

Then Marguerite smiled. It was the smile of an angel, as her eyes sparkled and she spoke. She talked about the party. He felt ridiculous for being afraid to go to a place with a lot of people. It was almost impossible to explain that feeling of panic and anxiety that overcame him when in the presence of a lot of people. Certainly there were exceptions. Walking down the street in New York, there were hoards of people. But they weren't looking at him. And the small groups he had to give presentations at the firm... it bothered him, but he had time to prepare. Usually it wasn't a large group and he always remembered to take his meds. Oh...that could be the problem. He had forgotten to take his meds and couldn't remember the last time he had taken them. Still, a party was incredibly stressful. He only nodded when she described what a party was. As if he didn't know. As if it weren't something he could barely think about without his chest tightening up and his breathing becoming fast and shallow.

Then she approached him slowly. What was she doing? A handkerchief in hand, she touched his face. He had thought he had been bleeding from the scratches he had received from the bushes. She must have noticed. She touched his cheek with the cloth, gently wiping away the blood. He didn't know he'd been scratched so badly. "Yeah. I have a bit of a scratch there." He was still behind the bench but leaned forward so she could touch his face. It was so lovely, her touch upon his skin. "And yeah, I'm fine."

She told him he could have just come without an invitation. "No, that's not correct. They took them at the door and only then would they let anyone in." He paused. "And I did have an invitation, Miss Saint-Just. Really I did. I wouldn't crash a party. Considering I don't like them. I found it on the ground. Someone must have dropped it. I was..." He had planned to say hiding in the bushes, but he decided not to say that. It made him look ridiculous. "I was .... ummm ... just standing outside your building, hoping to catch a glimpse of you." Then he smiled. "And here, I stand, the luckiest man in the world. I am talking to you again." He got a bit of courage. "May I walk you home, Miss Saint-Just, so I can be sure you have arrived home safely? New York is not a safe place at night..."

[MARGUERITE SAINT-JUST]

Danny was indeed a little odd but he was more normal than most men she knew! Even her past boyfriends were far more arrogant and odd than he was! After having to deal with stalkers and paparazzi all the time, Danny seemed like a breath of fresh air even with his little oddities and slight child-like behavior. But she had seen the absolute Gentleman that he could be. Despite he seemed rather eager to jump to conclusions, she was kind nevertheless. Time would tell if they would remain friends. Depends upon their chemistry and thus far, she felt the sparks between them!

Of course his behavior stunned her, albeit silently, but she expected some obnoxious man screaming and yelling like an arrogant version of Donald Trump! Instead... he was meek and mild, so humbled and that took her by surprise. Never had she met a man like Danny. All were so over confident that they were controlling. This was a reason why she started to take a shine to Danny, despite a couple red flags in the back of her mind. She had to dismiss those warnings are simply pre-emptive because she's had stalkers before and they behaved somewhat like this - hiding, showing up uninvited at parties, hiding in her house, etc - but none were shy, none were Danny. They were more obsessive that they were too much, too controlling and over bearing, too wild, too forceful. Thus far, Danny had done none of that. It was all, no doubt, in an effort to apologize for something so minor.
She smiled at him, dropped her head a moment before looking back up at him with those sparkling gentle mismatched eyes. "I mean, Danny, you didn't have to use the party as an excuse just to come see me." Smiling still as she gazed up at him, dabbed a bit more of the blood away. Even a little from the prosthetic side. It was odd how on that side the blood was wiped away. She thought nothing more of it.
The smile seemed to fade away as she straightened up, with the bench between them. He had procured something that was not his? Granted that didn't exactly set well with her and so raised her brows with a slight hint of disappointment but there was still that little smirk in the corner of her mouth. She had to admit, he had luck on his side. Maybe a little ingenuity.
Not crash a party. Well, that was good to know. But she took the word of people worth a grain of dirt. Actions ALWAYS spoke louder than words to her. And since he stated he didn't like them, it made sense why he coward in the closet. Poor man. At least he made an effort for that she could give him some sense of credit and comfort. She knew others who were SO afraid that they would lock themselves away from others and other oddities that one would wonder how in the world they got into the Entertainment business!

Another smirk curled the left side of mouth and she barely shook her head as he called himself 'the luckiest man in the world' to talk to her. Oh, flattery! That she could recognize a hundred miles away. But it worked. She liked to hear that from him. How is it that an odd man such as Danny, seemed so sweet and gentle and humble never seemed to have such a following of groupies? She had more than enough of them, most of them terrified her! if Danny became one of them, she doubted that she could ever be terrified of him.

She had to think a moment, then nodded her head, "Of course, Monsieur Lenoir. I would be delighted to have you escort me home," she replied with her gentle French voice. Then moved around the bench to take up his arm.
Once again she looked up at him with raised brows, "But you still owe me dinner and to listen to your music plus see your artwork. Perhaps..." and started to think of when she would have another day off from the show. A lot of people came to see her and she never wanted to disappoint anyone who attended the show. She deeply inhaled then released it slowly with some throaty thoughtful moan, "I will simply have to make the time for you."

[ERIK DANIEL LENOIR]

Danny was still standing behind the park bench. Marguerite had approached him carefully and surprised him that she was not angry. She touched his face with her handkerchief to wipe away the blood from the scratches. It was really nothing. He hardly knew it was there. When she touched his right face though, he jerked just slightly. She was touching the false skin over the part of his face that was deformed. She didn't seem to notice anything though. The prosthetic skin felt exactly like real skin, but he was sensitive about anyone finding out about his face.

He was happy that she wasn't angry. His thoughts and emotions were confused enough and he was desperately trying to hold on to a modicum of sanity. A harsh word or accusation would make him go over the edge and most likely, disappear into himself. He wasn't thinking about that at the moment, and he had never of course experienced what an episode like that looked like from the outside. Most of the time he didn't remember at all until he came out of it. But he was feeling better at the moment, for Marguerite was speaking soothingly and she accepted his invitation to see her home.

He smiled when she accepted the invitation, and came around to take her arm. His hand was shaking just a bit, which happened often when Danny became anxious. But he smiled and became more confident. They started walking back to her apartment.

"I only wanted to come to your apartment earlier to see you. I heard there was a party, but I wasn't planning to attend. I found the invitation...on the ground. Even then, I didn't want to go in. Parties are ... very difficult. But suddenly, I found myself inside. I only stayed a bit. I tried to leave but found the wrong door, so I decided to stay there till everyone left and then leave myself. Then the big fellow threw me out." He squeezed her arm just a bit. "I did get a glimpse of you." Danny was calming down, so he sounded much more normal.

[MARGUERITE SAINT-JUST]

Though she dismissed the right side of his face being odd, his sensitivity and slight recoil made her wonder. Was he very sensitive on that side of his face? Is so, why? This would be a curiosity that she would ponder from time to time until next she would see him.

Danny was an odd man, but despite those typical red flags, he seemed harmless and so brushed everything off and again, classified him as 'harmless'.
After taking his arm and now started on their way, he was determined to escort her home. Quite charming of him. Odd that she let some man do this, most Celebs wouldn't even allow such personal time but Marguerite was a whole different sort of Celebrity.
A slight little smile as she glanced down while walking down the streetlight lit walkway. Yes, by all means she should avoid this man however she continued to call him 'harmless'. "Next time, Daniel," as she looked at him, almost like a scowl but she was smiling up at him, "You are always welcome. But how about you come see me when I do not have a party? Hmm?"
"Oui," she snickered and play slapped his arm gently, "you did." Granted she did not like the idea that someone had lost their invitation or tossed it away. It could have been worse! It could have been someone unlikable that found the invitation and used it to a major disadvantage... such as paparazzi or a violent stalker! This round, she was lucky!

"Shall I call you ... when next I have an evening free so I can take up your offer of dinner and to listen to your music?" She really was adamant about that.

[ERIK DANIEL LENOIR]

For some reason, Danny never saw Marguerite as a "celebrity." Of course he knew she was famous and that she was world renowned, but that knowledge didn't make him treat her any differently than anyone else. He just saw her as an average person, which she was not. It was of course fed by her seeming liking for him. She showed interest in him, an average fellow. Although Danny was, in reality, far from average. Despite his strange mental quirks, he was considerably above normal intelligence and a genius when it came to music, especially. The complicated aspects of the programming languages were easy for him and the discipline of architectural design was easy. His creative side was well developed as was his logical, mathematical side. His social skills though were difficult and although, not completely eluding him, were something so hard for him to manage that his brain often simply shut down from the stress.

Tonight however, which had begun on a disastrous note, had become a glorious reunion with the woman of his obsessions. He could not get her off of his mind. And now, there was no reason to do so. He grew in confidence as they walked and he listened to her soft French accent. It was soothing to his sensibilities. He smiled as they walked arm in arm. Soon he became bold enough to put his arm about her shoulders. It was so lovely to have someone like this with him, he thought. She was the woman of his dreams and he would never let her go.

She invited him to come to see her when she was not having a party. He nodded and gave her his prize-winning smile. "Yes, Miss Saint-Just, I would be extremely delighted to do so."

The first time she had mentioned that she would love to take him up on his offer of dinner and listening to his music, Danny hadn't heard, for he was still wrapped in his web of confusion. But now she mentioned it again and, considering that a bit of confidence had overtaken him, his mood suddenly changed. He smiled broadly again and said, "That would be most agreeable! Let me give you my mobile number..." He stopped for a moment, pulled out one of his business cards and on the back, wrote his personal number, and handed her the card. Then they continued to walk, arriving soon at her apartment.

An hour or so made so much difference in his mental attitude. He was now quite elated and as he saw her off, he took her hands in his and said, "It indeed has been a most enjoyable walk and I look forward to seeing you again." He took out his date book, which was largely empty, save for the dates he was expected at the architectural firm and he said, "What evenings are you free? Let me find the dates that are available...." He made a little fuss of looking through the mostly blank pages, then looked at her, questioningly, waiting for her to tell him what evenings she was available.

Then he remembered. He had seen her with a man at the party. It put his enthusiasm on hold for a moment. "The man at the party, is he your..., " Danny couldn't even finish the sentence, his mouth became dry. He didn't want to hear any bad news tonight. If the man were her boyfriend, he would do his best to change that fact...