Living Room

Blaine leads Star to one of the large suede couches and invites her to sit. His mind swims with questions, but he doens't feel right asking her. He wanted to give Star the chance to tell him what she'd been up to. This is when he notices the ring on her finger. his eyes widen. (She's engaged?!) He takes her hand and examines the ring. It was truly a beautiful thing. "I guess congratulations are in order?" He asks, not certain of the circumstances.

Star sits down on the suede couch and cross her legs, placing her hands on her knees. She takes in a breath waiting for him to break the silence. When he notices her ring a wave of relief flows over her and she smiles widely, definitely proud of the ring.

"Yes actually. We've been engaged since about.. late this afternoon. This is actually one reason I came."

But we'll get to that later.

Star eyes her ring for a quick moment. She looks up to Blaine and reaches out for him, pulling him don beside her. She was afraid she was being to forward with what she was about to ask.

"How have you been holding up? With Prue, with the restraunt, with me, with anything? Has everything been going ok?"

Blaine sits on the couch beside Star, happy for her recent engagement, but it's bittersweet. He was going to ask Prue to marry him in only a few days. He thought with all the snow, they'd go for a sleighride, share a thermos of hot chocolate, eat sinnamon twists that he was going to make, then pull into Cornucopia where he was going ot have all but one small table and two chairs in the dining area set up with candles everywhere. He'd have Brett come out with one of his masterpiece meals, a chilled-to-nearly-frozen bottle of champaigne, a long stemmed rose sitting on her plate when she sat down. Then they'd dance. And then he would ask her.

When Star begins to bombard him with questions, he comes out of his dream world and looks at her. He wasn't really sure where to begin. He decides to start wit hthe easiest one; the restaurant. "Well, the restaurant's been fine. I mean, Brett's pissed off that he's gotta take over Prue's job, essentially doing double the work everyday. We're still looking for a new assistant chef." He swallows hard at a lump in his throat. "Um ... " He looks back up at her. "I didn't know what to do .. I wanted to call you, but ..." He looks back into his lap, leaning back. He sighs.

"No one knew what happened to you." He pauses again. "I mean, I kinda knew ... But ... I mean, Chris was a legendary demon back in the day. No one even knew he was still around until ..." He trails off, not really wanting to admit what he'd done. He briefly wonders what Star could see in him, but she knew him better than he did. All he knew was his legend. And that he'd tricked the sisters. He scrunches up his face, not really wanting to ask the question, but he needs to know. "Um ... Star ... Why ... I mean, what ..." He pauses, exhaling quikly. "I don't really know how to ask this." He says embarrassed. "How ... Can you love something that ... killed your best friend?" He finally asks. He wanted to know everything about this man that was apparently going to be with Star for the rest of their lives.

Star listens to Blaine knowing the restraunt must be pretty tight when it came to workers. She smiles to herself thinking about Brett and knowing how sour he could be. Star hadn't really wondered why Blaine never called until now, but then again she could have called him herself too.

Star was almost shock listening to Blaine. Her eyes widen and the corners of her lips curve in. She wanted to scream loudly, but she had no idea what he meant other than the fact that he could be talking about Chris. Her hands tighten into fists and she crosses her arms. She didn't know what to say to Blaine's question, which by the way could have waited when they got to know each other again. At least then it wouldn't be as offensive.

"Blaine, what in the goddess are you talking about? Are you saying Chris killed Prue?"

Star's throat was dry and she was ready to jump up and let hell loose. Her arms unlock themselves from each other and they begin to move as she talks.

"Just because he's evil doesn't mean he killed her and as much as I loved Prue, Chris would have told me."

Star stands up and turns around. Her hands fly up and fall to her hips, but as her hands come down so does a picture on the wall. She has unknowingly activated her new power of telekinesis. Star is aware that the picture had fallen, but her mind was set on Chris and Prue. Did he send that demon after her, knowing Star would turn to him for support, the young and vulnerable woman who was head over heels mad for the charming man she had only known for an hour?

Star's reaction was completely unexpected. When she jumps up and begins pacing, Blaine's eyes are just wide with shock. (She does know who killed her, doens't she?) When she suggests that it may have been Chris, he understands. But before he can protest, Star gives a display of her new power. Blaine jumps to his feet and half way across the room, not wanting to be the next victim of her wrath. He looks from the picture to Star and back again several times.

"S-star, hold on, now, I never said Chris did it ..." He pauses, his brow wrinkling. His hands god up, ready to deflect anything that may come his way. He's still shocked at her little display of power. (That's new, isn't it? It has to be ...) Blaine's mind's eye scowers Star's employee file, which listed all the pwoers of the employee. Telekinesis was definitely not one of them. (Gods and goddesses, please tell me she didn't kill an innocent ...) Blaine closes his eyes agains that image.

"Star, I thought you knew what happened ..." He begins, trying to remain calm. Which was a little dificult seeing as he didn't know what other powers she may be packing. "She was killed by Victus ... At the Samhain celebrations ..." He swallows, feeling a lump forming in his throat as he relives the memory. IT was a memory he had wanted to forget, but there it was, vivid as if it had happened only moments ago. "She died in my arms, Star." He chokes out, tears now falling down his cheeks silently. He is unable to continue his explanation for his words, that he couldn't understand how she could love something who was also evil. At least, from what Blaine knew of the legendary demon.

A wave of embarrassment came over the enchantress. She felt horrible now for snapping like that. Her heart sinks in deep when she sees the tears forming in Blaine's eyes. She calms down and closes her eyes, holding back her won tears. The rage has subsided and now was only a worry.

What was I thinking? I didn't let him explain...

Star sits down beside Blaine and wraps her arms around him tightly.

"I'm sorry... I know how she died, but I thought you were implying that Chris sent the demon after Prue." Star takes a trembling breath. "I didn't mean to snap like that, but my defenses have been up this past month and a half. No one has seen me or spoken to me since Samhain and there's no telling what people must think of me."

But honestly, should that matter if I'm happy?

Star sits back up and folds her hands, leaving them on her legs.

Blaine breaths a little more easy when Star finally calms down and takes a seat on the couch again. He looks up when she takes a seat next to him, his head and eyes following her movements. When she wraps her arms around him again, he returns the embrace, tightly.

"I'm sorry... I know how she died, but I thought you were implying that Chris sent the demon after Prue."

"No, no." He croons, patting her back. He didn't know what else to say. He could relate to her in that they'd both lost their best friend. It was something that he had still not come to terms with. Her shuttering breath tears at his heart and he leans his head onto hers, hoping to show some support. (I haven't felt this low since ... ) His mind drifts, lightly touching on the memory of his mother's death, then quickly retracts, not wanting, nor able to, go back to that just yet.

He sighs as she pulls away at her comment. He takes her hands in his. "Oh, Star. You really haven't heard anything that's happened, have you?" He asks rhetorically. His tears now dried, though the lump still stuck in his throat, Blaine begins to tell her what Diera had been telling him the last few months. "I may have not really left the house much aside from work, but Diera has kept me informed." He grins. "Whether I want to hear it or not." His smile melts again as he continues. "While Chris was making his own plans for power, there has been dissention in the evil ranks." He pauses to let this sink in. "After the Samhain rebellion, many demons and warlocks have been in hiding from Lavena, afraid that she'll lose her mind compeltely -As if it can get any worse- so everyone's been on edge, waiting for someone to get rid of her." He pauses. "Although, I'm not so sure how that can happen. I know there's something to do with the Elementals, but ... " He pauses again, this time in remembreance of the lost Elementals. "If they aren't reconstituted soon ..." He lets the threat hang in the air, the outcome rather obvious.

He looks back up at her. "The reason no one has tried to contact you is because everyone is so busy with trying to ... Figure out a way to fix things." He almost said 'get Dark Haven back and fix the damage Chris had done.' Which was part of it, as well. But he didn't want to insult Star. He was insanely curious, though. He didn't know much about that situation and he wanted so desperately to ask. But he didn't dare, not wanting to flare up Star's anger again.

Star sits up when Blaine begins to speak, making sure she here everything. She imagines everything that is going on and just sees a big mess. She hadn't, until now, realized that she had never met the elementals nor did she think they were important, just a group of lucky witches and a big castle willed to them.

"The reason no one has tried to contact you is because everyone is so busy with trying to ... Figure out a way to fix things."

Star caught on that Blaine was going to say something else because of the time span between to and figure.She let it slide not wanting to get into an argument.

"So... Lavena is in for hell and when you say fix thing you mean Dark Haven... which no one has to worry about it. Chris has told me that since I came into his life the need for power was replaced."

Star gives a half smile, knowing that sounded sooo Mr. Rogers.

{Blaine's phone rings, the caller ID would indicates it's Trip LaRogue.}

Blaine gives his friend a 'well, yeah, but I didn't want to say it' look when she guesses his thoughts. He nods confirmation about Lavena, but he looks up at her blankly when she mentions Chris' sudden disinterest in Dark Haven. He doesn't believe it. How could someone so ... power hungry suddenly not want the biggest, most desired place of power that he's worked, obviously, so hard for? It doens't make sense. (This is exactly why I wanted nothing to do with those lines written centuries ago.

His mind swims, unable to connect the legend he knew of and this man Star speaks so highly of. But he is saved the pain and risk of questioning the truth behind Star's words by the phone ringing. (Thank the goddess.) He didn't want to have to deal with that just yet. He stands and walks over to the phone, Seeing it was Trip, he smiles. "Hello?" He says, the traditional greeting when answering a phone. His voice, however, is thick with many negative emotions.

{"Bli my man! How you're doing? Still stuck up in that godforsaken house. How about I come over and go out and do some much needed manly shopping."}

Blaine gives an almost inaudible groan when Trip's rather loud, chipper voice rings over the phone. He glances at Star. (I am so sick and tiredof people trying to make me feel better! Fortunately, the gypsy has an excuse. "Actually, Trip, I have company right now." He explains, hoping that he sounds polite and not annoyed. "Another time?" He gives Star an apologetic look and rolls his eyes. (WHy can't people just leave me alone?) He didn't mean Star. He was glad Star was there. She was probably the only one that he really had wanted to see. But he just coldn't bring himself to contact her. What if she'd turned all evil bitch on them? Obvously, it wasn't true, but he was never sure.

{There is a pause over the other end of the pause and a sigh. His voice finally came through sounding a little disappointed though picks up a little. "You with someone, you're not happening to mean a bottle of scotch now do you? Well anyway. If you're busy I'll talk to you later? I know you don't want anyone to like bother you though it's what friend's for and you know me. I'm a stubborn bastard. So talk to you later." He says to him sounding concern a little for him.}

Blaine's eyes narrow and his nostrils flare at the mention of Blaine turning to alcohol to drown his sorrows. He was far beyond that. He'd seen enough of that to not want to do it himself. He just needed time. That was all. What was so fucking hard to understand about that? But since Trip doesn't give him the opportunity to object, nor does he actually ask who was there, Blaine just lets him bitch. Not what he needed right now, but he wasn't in the mood for an arguement. He didn't have the enery. And he wanted to get back to his guest. He flesh and blood, not liquid, guest. (If I was actually drinking, I would have said something more clever. Not to mention, I'd sound drunk, wouldn't I?) A heavy sigh exudes from Blaine's nostrils and he rubs his forehead.

He'd begun to pace by now. "Alright, fine." He says, a little more sharply than was really necessary. But he was tired of people trying to comfort him, or making assumptions about his health habits. "Bye." He says, hanging up the phone, effectively ending the phone call. He emits a heavy sigh through his nose, once more, his fist tightening around the cordless phone. He stops himself before his strength causes him to destroy it. He wasn't upset with the phone. He sets the phone on the coffee table and looks up at Star. He smiles, trying to shake off the breif, yet tense conversation. "So where were we?" He asks, taking a seat next to his friend again. He sets an arm along the back of the couch, sitting on an angle to see Star better.

As Star waits patiently she tried to keep her mind off Dark Haven altogether. While it was important at the moment she didn't want to get to deep into it with hundreds of questions. Her brown eyes dance from object to object admiring the decoration and looking over the mess. It wasn't all that messy like he thinks. Maybe an object or two out of place or a bag of chips, but honestly that was it.

"Actually, Trip, I have company right now. Another time?"

Oh I hope he didn't have any plans with anyone.

When Blaine sets the phone down and he returns she sits up and looks down at the phone and back up to Blaine.

"We were discussing Dark Haven and 'how to fix it', then Chris not wanting it anymore."

Blaine regards Star with a pensive stare for a few moments. "Yes, right." His mind still swims, finding its previous state of confusion. "So you're telling me that this legendary demon, one known for his power as much as his desire for it, is suddenly brought to his knees by love?" His voice belies disbelief, but he doesn't want to be rude. He exhales heavily, his eyes finding the floor in thought. "This goes against everything I've ever known, you realize." He explains. "But, if it's true, I'm more than willing to help." He says, leaning forward and placing a hand on hers, squeezing tightly.

He sits back, his mind probing any information he's have acquired that may help. "The only thing I can think of is the Spirit Element." He tells her with some sadness in his voice. "The Spirit Elemental has a unique power. A gypsy power. One that allows them to witch souls. But .." His voice trails off, his mind reliving what had happened a few months back at the Spirit Walk. "But she was killed a few months ago." He finishes sadly. "I don't know if she has been replaced, or even if there is a replacement alive. There aren't many elementals born at one time. Usually only one group." He then remembers Evan. "But then, too, there was Matthew, who replaced Evan after he was killed." His mind continues to wander.

Suddenly, he remembers something that he hadn't thought of in several years. A prophecy that one of the Ocean sisters had told him years ago when they were conversing about the seeming lack of Elementals. Just before the Stonecress family arrived to take their rightful seats in the castle. Something about a great evil being destroyed. Was that right? He looks at Star. "But there may be a chance." He tells her. "There's a prophecy surrounding the elements. As you know, they are in place for one reason: to pose a threat to those leaders who are in power. In this case, Elara, Nola, Corin and Lavena. It talks about evil will fall when the right elements come together. The Chosen Five. It outlines everything that has happened. The lines between Good and Evil, the recent rebellion, and then when the Chosen Five are brought together, they will be able to rid the world of a great threat. I believe that threat is Lavnea!" He says intently, coming ot this conclusion as he speaks. So not everything he knew had come from Eve. But Star didn't need toknow that. Hell, she was engaged to a demon, after all. "Only," His shoulders drop with yet another realization. "We have no way of knowing if The Five have been united."

"So you're telling me that this legendary demon, one known for his power as much as his desire for it, is suddenly brought to his knees by love?"

"That's exactly what I'm telling you."

Star wasn't sure of it herself with what she has heard from Chris and what Chris has told her the past two months, but he seemed like he meant and to Star that should be enough. There's to much about Chris that she doesn't know, but maybe it's for the best. When Blaine begins talking about the Elementals Star couldn't help but to listen. They were the one group of people that held such power that she didn't know about.

"Wasn't Lavena the threat like... the moment she took power over evil?"

With all the prophecy over her and Corin, it's almost obvious.

"We have no way of knowing if The Five have been united."

Star thinks to herself for a brief moment only to find herself thoughtless and out of ideas.

"I guess we'd just have to wait and hope things play out for the best."

"Wasn't Lavena the threat like... the moment she took power over evil?"

Blaine shakes his head no. "No, not really. She was actually a very good leader," He explains to the neophyte. He keeps forgetting that this girl before her is actually as old as she looks. But he also knew that she wouldn't age for several hundred years now. Most people he knew had abouta hundred years under their belt. Unlike Star, here, who didn't. "You see, Lavena was voted in by her followers from the War because she was a great leader. And, she was." He says, fully believing this. "But she fully believed in her cause and so did those who followed her. At the time, it was mostly demons and warlocks with a few witches in the mix." Blaine pauses momentarily to get the facts straight in his head. He had never really bothered with them before since it didn't really matter to him. He hated both sides and didn't care who won. As if there'd ever be a inner.

"She was never the great threat which was spoken of because she did not pose a threat to everyone." He finally explains. "But now, in her maddened state, she poses a threat to everyone. Even herself."

"I guess we'd just have to wait and hope things play out for the best."

Blaine's lips twitch a litte. He thought that if Star believed Chris didn't want Dark Haven as badly, she would be willing to help restore it to Good. If was a place a great power and with evil controlling it, things could become dangerous. If Lavena was able to sieze hold on the place, they would all be doomed. They needed to somehow transfer the proper ownership back to the sister. "You know, before I met Prue, I thought the same way," He says gently. "But I stood back, watched things play out for so long that I lost her." A lump forms in his throat and he swallows against it.

"If Lavena tries to take control of Dark Haven, she will go after first Nola. Or, rather, the body. THen Chris. And then you. Do you want to risk losing either of them? Or risk them losing you?" He asks. "If Chris loves you as much as you say, I know how devastated he will be if he loses you. And vice versa." He deep blue eyes watch Star for any reaction. He hadn't expected her to be so passive about this.

Aww... I almost feel bad for her...

The enchantress secretly gives pity for the dark queen in her head alone and tries to think of Lavena as a great master. She was ready to respond to Blaine until he continued about Dark Haven and mentioned Chris. She understood everything he was saying, but why would Lavena touch her? Why is she going to be her target now?

"What do you mean, Blaine? Why would she be after me or even Chris? I've never come in contact with her, nor have I said the wrong thing about her to any demon."

Star was getting worried now and her nerves really struck up. She knew that she was getting paranoid and that Blaine probably said that to get her to change her views. If Chris were to die she doesn't know what she would do...

Chris can't be killed by Lavena... Can he? He's powerful enough to defend himself against her... or I think so... If he died?

The pain in Star's heart began to grow heavy. She felt the same amount of grief for Chris as she did for Prue and Chris hasn't even died. She turns her head towards her hands, which reminded her of what just happened a little over an hour ago.

I can bring Chris back to life now... I just need to practice it and get a hold on these new powers. God only knows what I have to learn now.

"I understand what you're getting at Blaine, but honestly I have to stay optimistic and know that we will get this sorted out. Nola has fought off Lavena before I'm sure and Chris, well I-I can bring him back to life now. I have that power."

Blaine sighs a little, seeing that she really doesn't understand the situation. "Star," He says, turning towards her full on. He locks onto her eyes, trying to convey the seriousness of the situation. "Listen to me. Lavena has lost her love. She has gone mad. She's not herself anymore. Normally, no. She wouldn't go after anyone wihtout due cause. But Dark Haven is the pinnacle of power. It is built on a powerful nexus of sorts. Anyone who holds Dark Haven, holds ultimate power. Which is why Chris wanted it so badly." He pauses, hoping not to evoke any ill-will from the Enchantress.

"Lavena will see this place as a target. And don't forget, Nola is not Nola. Her body is possessed by a demoness who doens't fully understand the woman's powers." (And if Elara doesn't figure out how to fix this, we're all screwed.) "You see? Lavena will go after Nola .. er .. Katina because she holds Dark Haven right now. Then she will go after you because you are the only one who can heal Chris. If memory serves, Katina held the power to ressurect Chris. And then, once they are out of the way, she will come after to and claim Dark Haven for herself." (Please understand that we can't sit back and do nothing.)

"Not ot mention, how do you know Chris and Katina in Nola's body can fight her off so easily? She's a powerful being. And with her emotional state right now, gods know what she's capable of." He breathes. (Please, Star. I can't lose more people in my life. Not now.) Blaine comes to the conclusion that if Star really didn't want any part of this, then eh would do it himself. Diera would certainly help him.