CHAPTER 50

Mid September, 1993

Washington, D.C.

It was a “grrl thing.” That’s what Kim said, at least, when she gathered up all the members of her band (excluding Heather, who had disappeared off somewhere with no warning), and left the members of Wasted Assumption, along with Raine and Dave, behind in the hotel to fend for themselves for the next few hours. Xavier had pleaded Chatha not to leave him alone with his band, whom he hadn’t been getting along with well at all since Elvyn realized only one of them seemed to be getting any positive attention from Kim and her grrls. In Elvyn’s mind, there was no reason for Xavier to be this one.

            Xavier was standing in the hall. They were at one of the more exclusive hotels, though damned if he actually knew the name. Since the tour started that summer, he’d been losing track of even what city they were in. He knew as they went, more and more money came in, and from back home James Carroway was directing things and making sure they got better and better places to stay. So the Sextet, the boy-goth band, and the two other following men had the top floor of this place to themselves.

            At the far end, near the elevator (which had one of those operators wearing the stupid little costume waiting inside, even though Kim had already threatened him quite often to keep the bloody hell away from her), there was a large open space with a few fancy couches. The entire wall behind them was a mirror.

            He smiled at himself and waved at his image as he approached. He was well aware of how badly he clashed with the hotel itself. He was wearing a black t-shirt with a white picture spelling out his devotion to Christian Death, had on a leather choker with spikes that probably weren’t even legal, and had his black hair in a massive disarray that was maybe a bit too ‘80s for comfort. He had never actually thought he’d find himself in a place like this, especially not in any way through the help of Elvyn.

            A door opened back down the hall, and he glanced at it in the mirror. Dave was leaving his room, swinging his arms around. He looked restless. Xavier met his eyes in the mirror, and he came down to join him.

            “Hey.” Dave’s voice was low. He hadn’t really talked to many of the people in Kim’s entourage since deciding to tag along with her. Xavier wondered if it was because they were British or because they didn’t all have breasts.

            Xavier inclined his head as a greeting, though he wasn’t sure we wanted to talk to this American boy right now.

            “So... ‘Grrl things,’ huh?” Dave grinned. “Think that means shopping or some sort of lesbian orgy?”

            “Why? Wish you’d been invited?”

            “Apparently none of us were.” Dave glanced back over his shoulder. “I can hear that elf-boy guy whining through the walls.”

            “I think they’re checking out the scene.”

            “Huh?”

            “Kim an’ company.” Xavier hooked his thumbs into his pockets, careful not to graze his hands on his spiked belt on the way. “D.C’s infamous for their underground. Didn’t you know?”

            Dave shrugged. “One of the few cities I’ve never been to.”

            “Supposed to have this really strong goth movement, and where there’s goths there should also be pseudo-punks and people who’ll listen to Kim’s music.”

            “And buy Ebony’s clothes,” a new voice offered.

            Both Xavier and Dave jumped. They hadn’t noticed Raine coming, even with the mirrors there. Xavier checked to make sure Raine showed up in the mirrors now, just in case. He did. “Spooky’s not just a hobby for you, is it?” Xavier finally turned away from the mirrors. He smiled at Raine, who he admired, even if he was a bit disturbed by him. “It’s a full-out lifestyle.”

            “If you want to call my behavior spooky, I suppose you can.”

            Xavier tossed himself down onto one of the fancy couches. He looked at Raine then at Dave. If he were still looking at the mirror, he would have observed himself again too. It seemed that Raine was the only one who really fit in with this hotel. Very cold and reserved and proper. Only difference was that the hotel actually had colour, and the only colour Raine ever had were his green eyes and his purple-tinted cheeks (care of Ebony, Xavier hypothesized).

            “I’m thinking the chicks are out shopping or going wild. What’s your bit?” Dave set himself down in one of the lounge chairs. He sounded more sure of himself now that he wasn’t alone with Xavier.

            “I think one or more of them would kill you for calling them ‘chicks.’” Raine raised his eyebrows, then he also took a seat. He sighed, glancing at the elevator, which was made to look as if it were bronze.

            “Fuck, leave it to me to hang out with a bunch of dour freaks, huh?” Dave looked up at the ceiling. Xavier wondered if he was aware that he might have insulted them.

            “We haven’t heard much about you since you started tagging along, Dave.” Xavier smiled politely, though he didn’t really feel like smiling. “A runaway turned semi-stalker is about all I’ve gotten.”

            Dave laughed. “Sure.” He smiled much more honestly than Xavier had, but when neither of the men with him returned it, it wavered. “Ended up finding an aunt a year after I ran away. She made sure I did school and all that shit, but I left as soon as I was out of grade 12. Been out doing manual labor all over the place since then. Even back in your guys’ territory.”

            “I suppose you were popular in school.”

            “Oh fucking rights, man. Was I ever.”

            Raine glanced over at Xavier, shaking his head almost imperceptibly. He focused his attention on Dave. “I forget exactly what line you used to enchant Kim so thoroughly as to still be with her now.”

            There was Dave’s grin again. “I didn’t actually know it was her... Thought it was just some fan chick, y’know? With the hair and everything, like all the other girls who were standing out in the audience. I just told her how much I wanted to fuck Kim Kissably. Never in a million thought I’d be here now, two months later, in her hotel, ready and set to follow her all around the States.”

            “And I suppose you were always chasing the bad girls in school as well?” Raine’s eyes hadn’t left Dave.

            “Well, yeah, mostly. They were always easy, but in this vicious way.” His eyes widended. “But it’s not like that with Kim. Hell, you think I’d still be here if it was?” He paused, looking at both of them. “You do, don’t you?”

            Xavier shrugged. “I just find it hard to believe that Kim would suddenly pick up some guy and drag him along with us on tour. Sure, I haven’t known her that long, but I can’t help but feel a little protective. She’s got so many shields up, I’m afraid she might have blinded herself to possible danger.”

            “I’m not here to hurt her. And who the hell thought that people would be worried about a guy hurting her, instead of the other way around?” Dave scowled. “I’d at least expect it to be Jessie getting all uppity about me, but she hasn’t said a word to me. What reasons have you got to care about Kim, anyway? You’re just some guy in her opening band.”

            Really not impressed with Dave, Xavier shifted. “Kim gets hurt, Chatha will be devastated. Isn’t that reason enough for me to care? There’s also just... Something behind all her vicious pretenses.” Xavier glanced at Raine for support.

            “Yes.” Raine nodded. “I’ve known her for years now. Difficult as it is to believe, I don’t think there’s anyone who really knows her that doesn’t love her.”

            “God, don’t tell me you count yourself among those people.” Dave was leaning forward in his chair.

            Raine smirked. “I would never attempt to get that close. But I do see her effect on others.”

            “Jessie and Chatha being prime examples,” Xavier pointed out.

            Dave took a breath. “You mean Chatha’s--”

            “No!” Xavier put his hand over his eyes, exasperated. “Try to separate love and sex, awright? Chatha loves Kim like a sister--”

            “Kinky.”

            He clenched his fist, telling himself that nothing would get any better if he hit Dave. Well, maybe he’d feel a little better. For a while. “Like a sister in a normal, non-incestful family. She looks up to her, she worships her, and she wants her attention at all times. Though all she really needs from Kim is to be smiled at and complimented every once in a while, and that will hold her for weeks. No one’s getting as much attention from Kim anymore.” Xavier looked pointedly at Dave.

            “Oh, so it’s my fault?”

            “Even Ebony has felt her withdrawal,” Raine said softly.

            “So Kim’s learning to invest some time in herself, so what?”

            Raine and Xavier exchanged glances again. Xavier leaned forward. “Did you read anything about the Sextet before jumping in and sleeping with their lead?”

            “Of course.”

            “And you don’t think that maybe Kim was a little self-centered to begin with?”

            Dave sank into his chair. “Would I be right in assuming that you’re accusing me of stealing any and all of Kim’s good qualities?”

            “Perhaps damaging them,” Raine said.

            “Besides, you’re the kind of bloke Kim was always adamant about hating,” Xavier added.

            Dave stood up. He wasn’t used to taking ridicule, especially from guys who wore makeup. Not knowing what else to do, he just shook his head at them and walked away.

            Xavier sighed. He got off the couch. “Do you think Kim sees him for what he is?”

            “Do you think she sees him at all?”

            Xavier glanced at Raine. “What?”

            “She said she was looking for the last man in her life. She never specified that he had to be right for her.”

***

Dave found himself standing in front of Elvyn’s door without really knowing why he was doing this. But after taking a breath, he knocked, and was greeted shortly by hostile black-lined eyes peering out through tousled black hair.

            “Might I inquire as to why you’re here?”

            Dave smiled, a little meekly. “Well, I guess... I was going out for the opinion of someone else who’s been in Kim’s bed. Another guy, I mean, since Jess won’t talk to me. Though I guess she would be the butch when it comes to that relationship, but--”

            “I see no need for such crude talk.” Elvyn was preparing to close the door, but Dave put his hand in the way.

            “No, wait. I’m an ass. I know that. I’m just not used to ... any of this, I guess.”

            “After two months, you should be used to anything when traveling with the likes of our esteemed Ms. Kissably.”

            Dave bit his tongue so he wouldn’t comment on how Elvyn was speaking or laugh about the velvety tone that he was doing his best to slip into. “Uh huh,” he managed.

            “In any case, I see no reason why the victor should come to me for aid.”

            “I’m not out for aid, I’m just out for a few hints. Wanna know if I’m doing good or bad. It’s not something I can just go up and ask her.”

            “And you would ask me?”

            “Well, I just thought that--”

Index
Next
Back

Talk to LL, the author.
And keep in mind that everything on this page is © LL Hager 2000 - 2003 unless otherwise noted.