Thank the Muse...

[bloodsong1]

Nick snuck up behind Doc, happily filming the couple in the first row. Clamping a hand firmly on the younger man's shoulder, Nick bent down.

"Come with me."

"Like hell." Nick pulled his black gun and nudged Doc in between the shoulder blades.

"You need to come with me now, Doc Holliday." Doc craned his neck around, sighed and closed up the camcorder.

"All right, fine. But I'd better not miss anything."

"Oh, I doubt you will. Miss Integral wouldn't let anything happen without ME around, after all." Nick cheerfully prodded Doc outside to a refreshment table. Once there, he holstered the gun. Doc whipped around.

"What the hell did you do that for, Sildar?" He demanded. Nick smiled evilly, pulled a flask out of his coat pocket and took a long swallow. Something red and slightly viscous slid down the side of his chin. "And if that's real blood, you'd better share."

"You can get your own, Holliday." Nick capped the flask and wiped his mouth with a lace-edged handkerchief. "Now, talk."

"Lovely weather we're having." Nick punched him in the arm.

"Why the camcorder?"

"I'm under orders! You don't deny the Mistress of Love, Lust and Cute Fluffy Animals when she orders you!"

"Fine. Paparazzi."

"Hey! That's uncalled for!"

"You realize you're filming MY best friend while an ex MVP puts the moves on her, right? That counts. I hereby dub thee Razzi."

"Punk."

"Look who's talking."

"Bloodyhell, bloodyhell, bloodyhell." Nick and Doc turned around.

-----

"Are you dating Nick?" I blinked at Kev, still eyeing me intently.

"Dating? No."

"Good. Anyone else?"

"No." Now my hackles went up.

"Good. Want to have dinner with me tonight?" Kev smiled. What a nice smile. It makes his eyes crinkle...wait. Did he say...?

"Dinner?" I squeaked, then cursed myself. Squeaking? How fangirlish! Argh.

"That is a customary place to take a lady out. Please?"

"I...need a drink. Excuse me." I jumped up and fled the room. "Bloodyhell, bloodyhell, bloodyhell." I muttered as I headed towards a nearby refreshment table, oblivious to Doc and Nick standing not five feet away. "Way to go, Sari. A guy like that asks you out and you run away. How pathetic. And to top it off you SQUEAKED!" I grabbed a bottle of water, wrenched off the cap and took several long drinks.

"Did I say something wrong?" Kev's voice beside me made me jump. Thankfully I had already stopped drinking. I stared at him a few seconds, then pulled myself together.

"No. You're fine." The double entendre had me looking away. Kev gently tugged my chin, making me look at him.

"I take it this doesn't happen to you often."

"Famous men showing up at a con to see me and then ask me out? This has NEVER happened to me. I hardly get asked out."

"Now that I find very hard to believe."

"Well, it's true. Not many guys are interested in geeky women."

"Good thing I'm not like most guys." Kev said softly, coming closer. "Because I happen to love geeky women." I blushed deeply. Kev's eyes got wide.

"Congratulations. You've made me blush." I muttered, looking down.

"And you're more beautiful." He said in that same soft voice. My head flew up and I gaped at him, my cheeks bright pink. I was so stunned I failed to sense the anthromorphic badger sneaking up behind me.

"SOOOOOOONNNNNGGGG!!" I was tackled from behind and slammed into a very large, very firm chest. Kev's chest. He smelled like Old Spice. My vision whirled and I found myself firmly clutched against his side. A young badger-man dangled a good four inches off the ground, held up by Kev's left hand. He had a prosthetic muzzle, badger ears and paws, mismatched armor over a tunic and pants, a wide sword strapped to his waist and what looked like three Glo-Sticks with wings wired to his shoulder. He was also glaring. "Do you mind?"

"Hello Flesh." I said, rubbing my forehead. I refused to think about more embarrassment.

"You know him?"

"I was only saying hi to my Queen!" Ken, aka Fleshpeeler or Flesh, folded his arms. Kev looked at me.

"He's part of an online, text-based RPG I helped found five years ago. I play the Queen and the Prime Minister. Nick's also a player. It's how we all met." I explained, wondering why his right arm was still firmly banded around my waist. Not that I was complaining. Kev frowned and tossed Ken a few feet away. Ken scrambled to his feet.

"That's how you greet your Queen? You have no manners, pup." Kev let me go suddenly, only to drop to one knee in front of me and snag my right hand. He stared up at me. "Hail to thee, Your Majesty." He kissed my hand. My mouth fell open yet again. Kev looked over his shoulder smugly. "That is how you properly address a Queen." Akane poked her head out the door.

"Hey! Integral!"

"Huh?" I blinked, yanked my hand free and drew myself up. "Yes?" I asked, back in character.

"The judges are done. Thought you'd want to know."

"Thank you. Alucard! Time to go!" I nodded to Kev, still on one knee, and Flesh. "Gentlemen." I walked around them, head high. I caught Nick slinking after me, grinning.