Title: Sirius For a Change
Summary: Sirius finds himself the pawn in an unusual game. Will S/R love win out in the end?
Chapter 2: Azure, Penny and Pandora
The flat was butted up against the pub, sharing a common wall. The tapestry hanging on that wall served two purposes. The first was to muffle the noise from the pub, the second hiding the area where newer bricks covered the place where there had once been a doorway.
This small one room flat had once been the backroom of the pub. This room had as colourful a history as the pub itself. It had been used as a meeting place for anti-government movements, as a storehouse for black market goods and a brothel.
Rose's uncle Bert decided to run a few wires into the room, separate it from the pub, and rent it out.
Since he made no further improvements to the place, the room had some unique features. One was the 'priest hole'; a small area behind the back wall where a man could stand upright. This had been used to hide away priests during the 1600s, for a fee of course.
The second was even more interesting. The floorboard below the table could be removed revealing a passageway to the more affluent area of London. This had been used to carry goods in and out of the room and to flee in the event some policeman happened upon the place.
A single light bulb hung from the ceiling and the walls were in need of a coat of paint. To tell the truth, the walls were in need of their first coat of real paint. A kind of whitewash had been applied to the brick walls only twenty years ago. Yet the walls were scrubbed clean.
The iris appliqué quilt was tucked tightly under the single mattress that lay on the floor. Not a speck of dust could be found on any surface. In the corner, next to the stove was a small table with four mismatched seats. Two were more like poofs than kitchen chairs and the other two were old discarded bar stools. Yet, colourful throws made everything look bright and happy. Covering half the table was a garden full of cacti and succulents. Interesting rocks and seeds were placed throughout the garden and the rest of the room.
Plugged into the outlet at the foot of the table was a computer. Bluesy music played from that machine.
Emily and her love to be
Carved in a heart
On a berry tree
But it's only a little farewell lovespell
Time to design a woman -
Scented candles were placed around the room, giving one the impression of impending dusk. They shone upon two figures slow dancing in the center of the room….throwing shadows against the wall.
Penny wrapped her arms around Azure. One may have thought this was a sign of love….and they would have been correct. Penny loved her so much it hurt. Yet it was the sign of much more. Azure had been a bit somber and quieter then usual lately. No longer the shining light of the party, she had been withdrawing into herself. Vivid dreams woke her in the middle of the night.
Touch me
Oh wake me
Emily you ornament the earth
For me
During those nights when Azure was awakened by her dreams, Penny had found her wandering through the alley, searching for something, never quite sure what she hoped to find. Azure thought they were premonitions. Yet Penny pooh-poohed the very idea. She didn't believe in that stuff.
Azure trembled slightly.
Penny chalked this increase moodiness to the event they were celebrating; Azure's 30th birthday. That was enough to cause a bit of depression in anyone. Yet, no matter what the reason, Azure needed more care, more closeness. Penny would make sure she got it.
The teakettle begged to be removed from the stove.
Yet the two women didn't notice. They had stopped dancing and Azure laid her head on Penny's shoulder, nestling her face against her neck. Penny ran her fingers down Azure's spine and into her jeans, squeezing her cheeks. Would this awaken her lover from her gloom? Penny wanted so much to kiss her, yet she would continue to tease and wait.
Emily
You're the natural snow
The unstudied sea
You're a cameo
And I swear you were born
A weavers lover
Born for the loom's desire
Azure ran her lips along Penny's neck and towards her mouth. Lips parted and they kissed.
Move me
Oh sway me
Emily you ornament the earth
For me
You're my friend
And I loved you
Emily
A loud snore came from within a pile of blankets and something began moving from inside. "Mrrpshsrtse….what the.." The sheets had been wrapped so tightly that the 'mummy' inside couldn't escape them. The creature within continued to curse and struggle.
Azure broke from the kiss and ran over to help.
She began untangling, envisioning a chrysalis where soon a beautiful butterfly would emerge. Yet, as she removed the last knot and the sheet fell away, something entirely different was revealed.
Sirius was still in the outfit granted him by Dante, yet the clothes were a bit wrinkled and his hair disheveled. He reached down and removed his boots, throwing them across the floor.
"You're awake," Azure giggled. "I really thought you would sleep through the night. You looked so tired and scared. We were worried about you, weren't we Penny?"
Penny was at the stove, having rescued the kettle in the nick of time. The water had completely boiled away. She refilled it and placed it back on the fire.
"Are you hungry? There is a bit of cake left. Not much else, I'm afraid." She put a plate on the table and placed the remaining cake on it. "Come on dear, don't be shy."
Azure and Sirius sat at the table. Penny poured the water into the tea pot, brought it to the table and sat down. "Tea?" she asked.
"I am Penny and this is Azure, your rescuers. Remember? And what is your name?"
Sirius remembered his rescuers, but still couldn't remember his name. He knew he would have to come up with something. Yet, only a few names came to mind and they wouldn't suit him….He had to think of a female type name. Lily….that was a nice name. It would have to do……
Yet before he could name himself he was interrupted.
"Pandora," said Azure in a voice that reminded Sirius of an echo, "Her name is Pandora."
Sirius turned to see Azure staring at him as if in a trance.
"Why Pandora luv?" asked Penny.
"I can see it……her soul. She is full of wondering and has to know. Yet wherever she goes, mayhem follows her."
Azure seemed to awaken. "Pandora?" she asked as she took Pandora's hand, "Penny and I are going into town tomorrow….shopping. We would love to have you….well, do you wanta come? I could get you something…you know." She glanced at Pandora's clothes. "You can't wear only that." Azure was beaming. She wanted so much to give something to Pandora.
Azure bit her bottom lip and looked nervously at Penny.
Penny smiled. "It's your birthday money. You can spend it however you want."
This spirit of giving was one of the things Penny most loved in Azure, yet she wished that sometimes….just once, Azure would hold a little back. It was this same spirit of giving that kept them in this small flat.
Song woven through chapter - Emmie - Artist and composer - Laura Nyro