2020-11-09 - The Unexpected Guest

Some time after their meal while Lilith is cleaning up, Byron reaches out to Pickler, with a text message first, before he actually makes voice contact. The entrepreneur invites the other to join him and Lilith for some drinks before the festival is done, reminding the other to dress up during this week long event.

That's why Byron Thorne is wearing a regal attire in dark silks and velvet for the occasion. Rather than the gold lion's head he wore last year, this time his face is covered in a simple, yet detailed domino mask, the top of his head covered in something like an Italian merchant's cap. Seated at one of the private booths at Sitka, with a harlequined dressed pianist playing for all to hear, Thorne had already let the host know that he's expecting company, so whenever Pickler and his date do show up, they'll be escorted to the Byron's table.

"Do you think he'll come in costume?" The man asks, leaning over towards Lilith to give her a kiss at the edge of her lips.

"I certainly hope so. He kind of gives off the vibe of someone that used to do those Live Action events of roleplay, like... swordplay with Nerf or... fake biting someone as a vampire in a trench coat." Lilith replies, leaning gingerly in her dress to meet Byron's mouth for the kiss. Her own face is less concealed, at least while at the dinner table and not out walking around, but it's still covered by a lace-schemed delicate mask that goes around the eyes and nose and curls outward with flair. It's admittedly very Fifty Shades of her, but it matches her dress and red lips and dark ringlets of partially pinned hair like a charm.

Speaking of dresses, there's a reason she's leaning so carefully toward the man for that kiss, and it's not because she's injured. Her dress is red with black beadwork and black accent on the gathering at a hip, tight and strapless at the bodice. She has on long black silk gloves for matching elegance and costume edge, and though her heels are hidden, they're gorgeous black lace spike heels under that skirt when she gathers up the weight and flare of the red skirting to move. It's one hell of a ballgown turned into something for Carnival time and she looks absolutely storybook amazing. Of course, if she has to up and run away from anything, that might be a problem, but it's likely a non-issue.

Drawing in a breath and expecting visitors at any moment, she murmurs, "I really hope his date is tolerable this time, but in truth, I don't know how much worse it can honestly get." Picking up her champagne flute to drink from after the kiss, she takes a pre-emptive long sip and puts it back down to wonder of Byron, "I will let you do most of the talking and handle things your way, I think. Pickler likes me enough, I might be able to schmooze things out on the sly too."

"Really? I always thought of him to be a little too stiff for that." Byron says with amusement, letting his face hover close against Lilith's. "Like, he would feel embarrassed. Social anxiety. He might dream of doing that, but he doesn't look as if he would be able to do so. Then again, a lot of my technologically minded business associates sometimes tend to be shut-ins. They shun the suit and tie, for one, always going for business casual or whatever sweater they just pulled out of their closets."

Resettling back against his seat, a hand reaching for his own glass, he shrugs, "Of course, this doesn't mean that he won't spend whatever his money can buy to look good. Though, I can hardly see him pulling it off, but maybe he'll surprise me." With flute lifted to his lips, his dark eyes peeking out from within the holes of his mask stare out towards the entrance of the restaurant. "You know, you're looking like a sexy mistress today. All that you're missing is a riding crop of some sort." Half-turning to look the woman up and down to take in every detail of Masquerade look from her gown, to the mask that she wears, the way her hair is styled, even down to the color of her lips. "You're incredibly tantalizing right now."

It's difficult to tell who anyone is when they are in costume, but he catches the look the host gives him when their guests arrive. Eyes studying to two figures as they approach, Byron rises from his seat in greeting, making a gesture for the other to sit. "Welcome, please do have a seat." Though he's addressing Pickler, his eyes are settled on this mysterious masked figure, "This is an interesting upgrade for you," The man doesn't come out to say that he's talking about Pickler's date for the evening, though it may be implied. "Sit and I'll have some champagne brought over."

It doesn't take long for Byron to attempt to reach out mentally towards this stranger, picking up any vibes that he can from the Doctore.

"I think the idea is, he doesn't have to be himself when it comes to those kinds of pursuits! But who knows, I'm just making a shot in the dark based on what he seems like in the nerd variety circle." Lilith tells Byron while his face hovers close, then straightens to sit in rather outfit-forcing postured pose once more. Apparently, it's worthwhile, because he soon pays the compliment and she opens her mouth with flash of smile as if to thank him or make sexy/coy return. However, once her mouth is open and the breath is taken, she glances down at herself, then starts to breathe out laughter.

"I'm supposed to be a princess, damnit." Lilith pauses and admits, "It's a little bit less princessa than last year, I admit..." The woman pauses again and runs her gloved hand in drag along one side of her neck while staring at Byron from behind her mask, quietly salacious and suggestive despite the play. She then takes to dropping a fingertip for graze over the line and swell of her amplified cleavage before reaching for her drink again, "I can handle an upgrade to full command, though. You can be the King, but watch the Queen conquer, baby."

Eventually her eyes happen on the door and she has to do a double take when she sees that's Pickler's tall frame in costume. She laughs with a little bit of delight and starts to stand politely with a rustle of her gown skirts to make proper pose and presentation for their expected guest, "Oh, he did dress up, I bet he hired a period costume designer on principle, but where's... his..." Suddenly her voice hushes to something rather excited if it means she doesn't have to put up with any more airheads with fake boobs, "Is he switch-hitting to men now for dates? Prayer does work!"

When the pair is close enough, though, and Byron invites them to sit, Lilith extends her gloved hand to Pickler's costumed self so he can roleplay courtly with it, and he does a fairly good job considering it's... well, him, "The rose that goes with the Thorne. You look um. You look amazing." Before Lilith can take her seat so company can be introduced to the table, the stranger has a hold of it fast to clasp a gloved hand over, then draw under his elongated mask nose for a kiss of greeting in silence.

A little dubious, Lilith watches the masked Doctore with a little, "Good evening..." There's a partial curtsey to dressed part, then she's gathering her skirts back up with pull of hand away gradually to seat herself again.

He'll have to continue the banter with Lilith once this is over, but Byron definitely sees the woman as this regal Queen... with a riding crop in hand. Look, it's as amusing a thought as it is hot in his mind.

Pickler's costume is what he'd expect. The man has the money to make such a grand purchase. Not that the nerd types always go out of their way to be this authentic. Who knows, he could've been a sci-fi nerd rather than fantasy or historical! Nevertheless, once Lilith greets them with a shake, he offers up his gloved hand as well. First to Pickler, but as he withdraws his hand back, he watches as the mysterious Doctore takes up Lilith's to place a kiss upon it.

"A car wreck? How tragic. I hope she makes a full recovery and it's just unfortunate that she would miss out on this once a year event." Well, once a year for Gray Harbor. He makes small talk with Pickler, even as he watches the mystery guest from out of the corner of his eyes, mostly, but often times, he'll look the stranger on directly. "This is Lilith Winslow, the Queen of my abode." Taking in the Doctore's run of shifting emotions, he casually looks over at Lilith as if to exchange a look, but waits for everyone to settle down into their seats before he does. Only then does he lower himself into his chair, one hand reaches to squeeze lightly at Lilith's hand from beneath the table; the hand which the Doctore had kissed.

He'll wait for Pickler's response and introduction/explanation of who his friend is, even if Byron doesn't need to be told.

Lilith smiles aside at Byron with no real witting clue who's under that mask despite the seeking gaze he casts her way before taking up her hand under the table. While she may sense some version of caution or wariness, they tend to just be like that with strangers in general and she doesn't really think Turner is a possibility. She really was hoping that Pickler swapped to men in some vein, because gosh, bitchy guys were better than bitchy or stupid women, weren't they? Well, not really, but still. She mostly expects the guy's brother or old frat bro or someone under there with as long and firm as the man was with her gloved hand. It was a bit over-thorough, she has a sense for it, but a lot of guys are like that.

"That's terrible and lucky at the same time, Nate... jeez, you didn't have to come if she's hurt, we really..." Lilith slowly stops talking as she realizes who is mask off, familiar, and making the introduction after Pickler has insisted his lady was fine, just needed neck rest from whiplash. Exhaling, she forgets to inhale afterwards and just tilts her head a bit in staring silence. Slowly, she looks at Byron, then at the company once more as he feels her hand under the table bear down tightly with his.

Byron doesn't care what anyone does with their masks, his remains on for the time being. It barely does a thing to conceal his eyes or his expressions, but there's something ominous about a man in a mask. "Send her our regards." He relays to Pickler on hearing the details of his date's accident. "Hopefully, they caught the guy who did it." Yes, he'll assume that it's a man rather than a woman. "Lock him up. Fine him. She should probably sue."

An MVP, eh? With the young entrepreneur practically gushing over the Doctore's accepting his invite... to attend this celebration this evening, it's only natural for Byron's gaze to settle in full on the man in the doctor's mask, watching as he reveals himself, something which comes as no surprise to the Gray Harbor native. Yes, they've met. Byron also made sure that he received those mocking 'wish you were here' style pictures and videos that he and Lilith had made.

So of course, Byron's demeanor remains cordial, his lips sweeping into a friendly smile, "Ah, Mister Turner. Glad that you could make it even under these unfortunate circumstances." His smile broadens at the ribbing that he's given and he's quick to add, "I'm not sure anyone can handle this firebrand, but I'm think I'm doing fairly well so far." A mild look is given the interior of this restaurant with it's classical designs and lovely ocean view. When the drinks arrive and his and Lilith's glasses are refilled, he reaches for his own drink to lift in a cordial manner to Turner's toast. "It was quite the investment and I had some ideas on what to do with the place, so I figured I'd take the plunge."

If this were just Pickler, he would ask a few questions and gauge whether the other man were lying. But there was no need to learn why Grant Turner was here. It's only obvious. "How is business anyway?" This question could be posed to either Pickler or Turner, though he's spoken to Pickler about business in recent months. Figuring that the tech guru was a nerd with nerdy interests, he decides to bring up, "I was wondering if you heard of Rue Nord, a Montreal company made up of former Ubisoft developers. They were working on a game recently, still in the early phases. I figure you either had an interest in them or had your eyes out on new developments." This is all more geared to Pickler.

Even as he's talking, his mind reaches out to Turner's again. Anyone with the gift stands out to other Glimmerers, so he's broaching the other's mind with curiosity and to gauge whether Turner had any similar powers to his own, but that can be easily sensed.

Lilith still hasn't said anything to the introduction. It's taking a lot out of her to keep doing the breathing and sitting prettily postured with no real decipherable expression on her face. But despite what her face and body says while seated there, listening to the men talk around the table, she's feeling a lot of different things like an internalized maelstrom. She had no clue that Grant had the Shine inside him too, though to much lesser degrees, it may even be why he was drawn so strongly to her and her to him while in Miami near the Bermuda Triangle. But that doesn't make her feel better and it's nothing she can probably explain to the man in a way he'll accept and understand.

Besides, that's not the only reason he won't let go. It was just an initial catalyst that kickstarted his possessive madness and delusions.

When the glasses come up to toast with salute, Lilith follows suit and drinks delicately, though she really wants to empty the flute like she's slamming a shot. Pickler being here puts a wrench in things, but then, that was probably the point, to use the man as a buffer to limit reactions and certain things said. The last thing she wants Turner to do is start shooting off about her being a client-dominatrix to one of Byron's rich business associates. The question about engagement finally gives her something to do that feels a little vengeful and smug since she can't much be that way in any other degree.

Pulling off a long black silk glove, she displays her engagement ring finger and the sparkling oval beauty from Tiffany's. She still doesn't say anything, but a lack of wedding band is going to be apparent at some point, and he'll find out anyway, he always does. Better to see how he reacts in person and what he says about it. Immediately, Turner takes her outwardly displayed hand by the fingertips and pretends to be inspecting the ring itself. While he's distracted, Lilith takes a little inside peek at what powers the man is inclined to and almost wants to curse under her breath.

Under the table surface with her other hand, she traces the letters TK TK TK on the back of Byron's hand a few times while looking at Grant in that keen way that says she's seeing into him or through him.

Byron sits there considering whether Grant Turner knows anything about Glimmer, the Veil or Gray Harbor. He has an idea that the man probably knows very little about the latter in the list, aside from what strange history one can dig up through regular research, but was there a chance that he learned an inkling about it and due to his obsessive nature and funding, that he may have looked into this potential power? Or does it remain untapped?

"It was fairly impressive in these early stages." He continues with this conversation with Pickler, his eyes drifting from Turner to Pickler when he grins broadly, "But you would know best about that particular industry. Having the experience. /I/ only play games. I don't develop them." Whether that's to dissuade the man from investing is hard to say, but Byron has no horse in that race.

As to whether they were married or not. With how the Veil worked, even if Grant Turner did all the digging in the world, the answer would still be unclear. They never got an answer to that question either. Byron will help to clear things up though, with what he believes in his own head cannon and not the tale which the Revisionist wove, "Don't you remember? You were there." It was hard to lie here in front of Pickler, someone who he would have to deal with once this is over.

To acknowledge the Lilith's tracing upon his palm, his hand closes around hers in another gentle squeeze. So he was a Pusher. A Mover. Did he even know how to use any of that? There's this strong urge that he has to pop into the other man's mind, something that he doesn't do with his closest of friends, if only to harass the guy. For one, he'd probably freak out, which would be a somewhat ideal approach. But instead, he tries to broach Turner's mind trying to feed him this memory of Lilith and his wedding, which the man had attended. At least briefly. In fact, he was held at this very casino. And Elvis wedding.

Lilith still hasn't said a word of use or greeting since Grant Turner's mask came off. Her fingers cling around Byron's hand under the table, but it's not fear or anxiety as much as it might usually be, they're on their home turf and there's very little he can do to them physically. But the man uses words like weapons, always has, always will, and she's still not sure why he has chosen to come. Surely there's something else more to it than making a surprise appearance after so long just to irritate them. Given what they've heard from Chantal and discussed at home... she can't help but wonder if there's another shoe waiting to drop.

So while her hand is clinging to Byron's, it's largely uncertainty once she's gotten the TK message through to the man on the sly, confirmed with a sidelong look of her made-up eyes. However, when Byron announces that Turner was at their supposed Elvis wedding (that didn't happen) and sees the man start to believe it, she squirms some in the awkward, thick and brooding silence made by the man. But there they are, his words like lashes for both Byron and Lilith, despite Pickler sitting right there. And his ending words are very personally insulting because he's said it in the past, over and over again, but now he's saying it about Byron.

(Granted, someone maybe should be pissed on her behalf if she REALLY had a double Elvis wedding, but that's neither here nor there.)

After a very long, deep breath of air, it's not Turner that Lilith focuses on, she leaves him to Byron and pretends she's not going to acknowledge his question for answer. Instead, she looks at Pickler, vaguely apologetic, "Spur of the moment change to our planning, really. No invite wasn't personal. And naturally, if we do a Round Two, you're there, aren't you?"

"Lilith looked /amazing/." Byron is quick to defensively say in response to both Pickler and Turner when the latter insults the event. "And it's like Lilith said. Spur of the moment." The man slips an arm around the woman, leaning in close to nuzzle playfully against her cheek before kissing her at the edge of her lips. "We just can't get enough of each other and in our tight schedule, just had a celebration close to home. The place was packed with townies and tourists alike mainly." His masked hidden eyes look to Turner, "Love makes us do crazy things."

If this was mostly a local affair, did he mean that no invitations were given and that Turner just showed up?

"I was surprised to have seen you in the crowd really, Turner. But I'm glad you made it all the same. I was wondering what you were doing in town. Your date was lovely as well." Does Turner even remember who he took to the event? "Business, I'll assume? At first, I thought you wanted to meet with us at some point during the reception, but then you disappeared. Anyway, it's nice to be able to offer up our thanks for showing us your support."

Lilith moves her head into a tiny, confused shake when Turner says he was there with Chantal, though, but after stealing a glance at Byron, she doesn't say anything about it and quickly clears the expression from her face. Instead, she focuses on nuzzling in against his body and costuming, partially masked and decorated face turning to catch the man's kisses while conversation goes around. In fact, she even stays that way when Turner starts to lose his temper and casually takes a drink while eyeing him with a fixated calm.

She knows Turner's trying to hurt her and honestly, maybe her and Byron look a little sketchy from the outside considering the guards and hospital visits, but they have reasons to go with this very place they live in and it's really no use explaining. It's no easier to explain their general obsessive need for each other, so really, there's not a whole lot to counter with to Turner's accusations other than with the stare the brunette is giving him from behind her eye-mask.

However, despite the fact she's nestled close to Byron with her hand in one of his under the table, wholly secure in her own mind, Lilith has left the other hand up on the table next to her glass for idle rest before lifting. She doesn't even notice Turner striking to grab her hand like a pissed off cobra after his slow lean forward of intensity to match his words. It takes away whatever was about to be said from the woman, she even took the breath for it. When she's snared, though, instead of getting mad or making a scene, she goes very still by force of sheer willpower and simply looks aside at Byron.

It's interesting to Byron to see how much Grant has to either lie or misremember his time at the Elvis wedding that did not exist. Listening to the man bring up Chantal, he nods slowly to what Turner has to say as if saying 'Sure, that happened'. However, the other man remembers things that Byron didn't plant into his mind, most likely his delusions making things up. Either that or he's lying. Which could very well be the case until Pickler has his moment to flee from the awkwardness that the conversation has turned towards. The lies would've stopped here since there was no one there to convince. This just meant that Turner was trying to convince himself of what had happened.

While Lilith might be concerned of others hearing the rantings of a lunatic, Byron isn't concerned about anything which Turner has to say. In fact, he could imagine Lilith telling the other man off about how wrong he was. Confident in his own power, even if that means socially in this town, he finally asks, "Are you done, Turner? Is that--" all? But he doesn't get to finish his sentence. Instead, the other man lashes out to grab Lilith's arm which whips Thorne into action. "What do you plan to do, Turner?" There's that intensity in his eyes when he asks this, but also what might look like a smile at his lips. He's unable to keep the man's paws off of Lilith and rather than try and tug Grant's arm once he grasps tightly on it, he uses it almost as if to channel the most pathetic, depressive thoughts into the other man's mind. He wants Turner to feel humiliation, utter despair and shame. This dark, pathetic cloud hovering over his head.

There's other things that Byron would love to do. Tapping into the other's mind to learn more of why he's here is one of them, but right now, he wants Turner to crumble before him.

Lilith knew Grant was going to grab for her before he did it, she could feel it coming even if she couldn't dodge it. That's why she didn't panic or temper flare about it, Byron was right there and she was going to let him handle it instead of making a terrible scene by handling it herself. They are in Byron's casino, in public and high-classed company, the last thing she wants to do is cause a to-do for him to clean up socially. The Turner visit was unpleasant enough, no need to add to it, right? She wants to stab her high heel into his leg under the table, but she behaves and waits it out, she lets things happen man vs man.

Byron's hand flashes over to sink grip into Grant's arm and Lilith thinks it's over for the time being, warning sent and received, public niceties resumed for the sake of show and Pickler's eventual return. But that's not what happens. Turner's face changes significantly, his grasp goes so tight on her gloved wrist, she gasps with the sudden pain of it and immediately draws the arm back to nurse at her dress-flattered bosom when he quick releases. From there, though, all she can do is stare. Is he crying? She's heard him say lots of things before, upset things, promises and questions, but CRYING? In front of Byron, the restaurant, and the good Lord himself?

It doesn't even begin to occur to her that Byron handled the situation a little differently than she expected. At least not for the moment. The brunette glances around at the turning heads while Turner delivers his emotional torrent verbally and quite visibly with continued tears streaking his face. Then she realizes some of the things he's saying and her features go pale and bloodless in a heartbeat, she feels her blood run cold, and she still can't do anything but stare. She wants to scoot into and cuddle up to be held by Byron while he's ranting like this, she feels guilty that he's come here to make this kind of scene in Byron's establishment. But what if Byron needs to get up to physically make the man sit or something?

Eventually, she gets her wits back and tries to placate with a hiss just above a whisper so he'll sit down before Pickler gets back, she has no CLUE why Turner suddenly is having a breakdown in public.

"... Grant. Grant, stop talking. Sit down and stop talking."

Once he taps into Turner's mind, something which he can sense both physically in the man's body language and feel mentally as well, Byron finally hisses out through clenched teeth of his own, his hand still gripping tightly at the other man's wrist, leaning closer, "Get your hands off of her, Turner." If the man didn't retreat, he would've been forced to pry it open just to let him to let go, but he relents. Byron, himself, doesn't release the man immediately, but will eventually loosen his grip, feeling Turner yanking back and away.

Not taking his eyes off of Turner for even a second, Byron reaches over to take up Lilith's hand with far more care than the way the billionaire manhandled her. His own features are near emotionless, though there's this hint of something in his dark eyes. Listening to Turner babble on, confessing to various things, his own jaw subtly sets when he learns that kidnapping was in the plans. Byron was never comfortable when Collin reached out to them to tell them that he was breaking away from Turner. Was that even a safe route to take? Turner could hire any number of goons to punish the detective for it. Or ruin him financially, socially... in every way possible.

Who else had heard of the things this man, this Grant Turner was planning on doing? With the other man's despair rising, Byron's eyes briefly scans the room, catching a few of the looks given them, but he, himself, remains calm. In truth, this is exactly how he wants the psychopath to feel, this pain and anguish. He could amp it all up and project the man's worst feelings of fear into his mind, which is one of Thorne's go-to tactics when handling mortal enemies. But this seemed like a good start.

"I want Laurent and Camilla dealt with as much as you do, Turner." He finally says in a low tone, gesturing to the fallen seat in a 'sit down and let's talk' way. But not here and not now. If anything, Byron tries to induce a sense of trust into Turner now, wanting the man to hear him out. "We'll discuss this later. For now, let's not spoil a good round of drinks." Lilith will feel a reassuring squeeze to her hand, whether he's able to crack into the other man's mind a second time or not.

Lilith thinks she notices a little something about Byron that sets off the suspicion he might be pulling some mental puppet strings, but she's not entirely sure, Turner can be unstable. Plus, she's still absolutely shaken by Grant's display and stunned into still silence while watching the man adjust his mood on a dime and sit. Her hand moves over into Byron's care and cradling while she sits wide eyed, and with a turn of wrist, she wraps her fingers partially in grip around his.

In fact, for a moment there, despite whatever dread just visibly seeped into her, she almost looks like she feels bad for Turner. She's never, ever seen him like that and it's alarming and... damnit, the man is charismatic even while in pain. But it's not something that sticks or lasts long, her senses swap back to the other things making her gut twist.

She knows what he means when he says he told the Russian.

Once Turner is seated, though, and talking to Pickler and his return, Lilith gradually leans in to urge Byron's arm around her. They're on the booth-seat side of the table, across from the set of chairs. She barely even hears what's being discussed around her, but then Pickler blurts out 'pregnant' at her and she stops staring at Turner to drop her jaw and get some of her wit and vigor back, "Seriously, Nate?"

They just use shorthand for each other's names at this point, even though Pickler is an investor or business associate. Sometimes it's more charming to let Lilith be herself than stiff and formal and plastic polite, that tends to make her nervous, "You're lucky I can't reach to kick you under the table. Byron, baby, kick him."

While Byron is confidant in his own abilities, he'll still watch Grant Turner like a hawk to ensure that he behaves rather than his throwing a fit, whether it's groveling to something far more volatile. Only once he senses that his endeavor worked does he turn to look on Lilith. He can see the shock on her face from what she'd witnessed. When her eyes meet with his, she'll see a slow smile creeping on his lips.

"It's fine, Turner, but I'm serious about what I said earlier." In regards to Laurent and Camilla, but he does not bring them up by name again. Just like the mad billionaire, Byron is good at playing the 'nothing happened' card as well and he upnods to Pickler's return. Feeling Lilith's form pressing against him, he does what she wants, all without her needing to ask, by sleeping his arm around her to pull her in that much closer. During this time, he's also sorting the information given them. The fact that Turner sent someone to 'collect' Lilith, obviously, doesn't sit well with him. Though even with the mental manipulation, he's uncertain as to what Turner may try to do in the long run, especially once outside of Gray Harbor's influence.

Just the way that Grant talks about the car accident makes Byron wary enough of the man, lighting his gaze across the table at the other for a thoughtful moment, before leaning in to playfully nuzzle at Lilith's cheek, before planting a quick kiss there. Pickler's announcement to the group, brings out this bright smile on Byron's face. Man, did he really just say that out loud? A smile that turns into light laughter when he's told to kick the guy from under the table, something which Byron will follow through with it and he's not a light kicker. "Sorry, Pickler. M'lady has spoken." There's no response as to whether Lilith was pregnant or not!

He might have Turner calm at this moment and the effects may last for a while, depending if he decides to amp up the effect, and who knows what might trigger the man again. But that's not Byron's concern, which means that he's not holding back any public displays of affection. With their close proximity, his lips whisper against her cheek, "Want to blow this joint? You're so unbelievably hot, you know that?" This is followed up by some playful nuzzling, followed by a trail of kisses which ends when he buries his face against her neck for that final kiss, "Don't worry about Turner. That was me." In case she didn't know, "Now let's excuse ourselves, I have a room reserved for the evening."

And with that said, he finally withdraws to make his own announcement, "I have a meeting in the morning, so unfortunately, we should retire. It's wonderful to see you both again and I hope that, uh... your date gets better soon." He'll probably text Turner some time during the night to a bit of a chit-chat.

Given Turner's surprising outburst, Lilith... is a little slow for the first time probably ever in returning Byron's affections beyond quiet shifts against with weight and turn of face to nuzzling back while hearing his words. She is not sure this is the time to tempt the real estate mogul's signature madness given what she's just seen, and that is also a first. Something about just simply seeing the man completely break down got to her far more than all the other methods of exchange he usually doles out. It scared her, especially given certain connotations that go with the things he said he has done.

Slowly, though, while being brushed and touched and kissed by physical lips and whispered words, as well as dragging fingertips in the hold, Lilith gets the wits to remember that slow smile from Byron just moments before the jarring subject of 'pregnant' snapped her back to piss and vigor in good nature. Then she hears more of his whispering and relaxes abruptly like the man's touch and affection is magic, that assurance put into place. He has reins on Grant, for better or worse, both of which were just displayed. They're going to have to talk about a good bit to figure out how to deal with what's just cropped up. But...

The other pair are leaving. And all she's really feeling by the time Byron's mouth gets to her throat is all the attention he's doling on her and the way it makes her body immediately start to stir, "... mm. Show me how the outfit makes you feel?" She meets his lips with hers while Grant Turner is taking a backwards glance in the distant foyer.