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by sean and i


Sitting and his usual table Gino puffed slowly oh his pipe and listen to the one thing that made his night somewhat bearable, the beautiful sultry voice of Selena Garbo. She sang every Thursday night and every time she sang he was there to soak up the seductively dark melodies that flowed so effortlessly from her tall slender form. Tonight she was dressed in some sparkley black number with plenty of leg to sooth the eye. He sat back with folded his arms, letting his thoughts roam back to a time when life seemed simple. A time long ago, maybe 75 or was it almost 100 years now, he wasn't sure but how he sometimes wish to be there again. He sighed bringing himself back to the little night club and the table at which he now sat as the song came to a close. His eyes then picked up an argument transpiring between Robert the club owner, and a young man that seemed to be having difficulty with the weight of dishes he was being told to carry. Something about this boy struck Gino's heart. His hair messy and unkept from the obvious hard work but when he turned Gino couldn't help but to notice those eyes as green as a flawless emeralds. A new song began but this time Gino's attention did not return to Selena as always .... for the first time in almost a century he felt alive when he watched this boy.

The boy glanced over at his table with his emerald green eyes. He sighed as he walked over to Gino's table. He was a young looking man...not even a man a child still in his youthful years, he wore the server uniform and kept his hair very messy. He glanced at Gino and smiled as bright as he could with his yellow stained teeth and his dirty face. "Hi my name is kitty and ill be your server for tonight, what can i get you" he kept his smile as well as he could and fidgeted in his place with his tight clothing riding up. He seemed very uncomfortable as he asked the Gino what he would like. As a server Kitty had to do what ever any of his clients said, he did not enjoy this, for many men older...much older then him made him do things he did not enjoy and was very unpleasant for him.

"Are you new here, Kitty?" Gino's voice was soft and comforting. Gino was dressed in a very expensive tailored Armonti suit his shoulder length white blond hair falling in well manicured waves about his face as he peered over his dark glasses with ice blue eyes.

"kinda.." he paused "well what can i get ya??" he spoke loud and clear as his boss walked past eying him. He smiled and waited for Gino to answer, trying to be patient but with little success. His eyes peered at Gino for a second then away as Kitty turned his head to glance at another customer who had just walked in.

The thought of having the boy sit and give him someone to talk to did cross Gino's mind, so he simply looked at Kitty and smiled.
"I'll have a bottle of your best wine my young man ..... and two classes." Gino waved at Robert to come over, which he did so quickly seeing as how Gino was a long time costumer and a rather wealthy one at that.
"Yes Mr. Santiago?" Robert's voice was a little nervous.
"Have one of you other boy's tend to the rest of the floor." Gino then stuffs a 100$ in Robert's apron. "This one will join me for a little light conversation." Gino said as he gestured to the chair across from him for the boy to sit. "and I would like my bottle of wine ... please." he said this to Robert this time. Robert eyed the boy seemingly annoyed with the situation but hurried off to fetch the wine.
"Please have a well deserved rest my boy."

Kitty swallowed and looked at Gino, his eyes wide open in surprised as Gino told Kitty's boss to let him rest. He sat down very slowly and kept his eye on Gino, he was a bit un comfortable as he watched the other waiters and Selena as they did their everyday jobs.... well in Selena's case once a week job. He sat at Gino's table for a little bit in complete silence as Robert came back with the whine in hand. Kitty just looked at Robert with a pitiful look, he was hoping Robert would say something to get him out of doing this.
"what is it you wish to talk about....?" Kitty gave his attention to Gino unwillingly as he played with the silver ware that was set next to him.

"what ever you feel like Kitty." Gino smiled and poured a glass of wine. "Truthfully I couldn't bare to see Robert treat you like that." He said as he poured a second glass. "your worth more then that, you know?" Gino was very aware of Kitty's nervousness and just smiled as he gently set the glass in front of the boy. "You don't have to drink it ... I just think it rude not to offer. You can relax with me ... I will never make you do anything you don't wish. I just thought you might like a break and I certainly know that Robert doesn't exactly give those out very much." Gino smiled wide and lifted his glass." So heres to a well deserved rest my boy."

"worth more..?" Kitty didnt seem to know the meaning of the word so he just laughed out loud and looked at Gino pour the glass of whine. " boy do you have the wrong guy...im not worth a cent..." Kitty picked up the glass gently and sipped it slowly down. " i know how he is.. he works people like their his puppets...i should know Ive been working for him for years now," he paused " mostly in the back though... so people didnt see me.." Kitty looked at a waitress that was serving appetizers and taking peoples orders. " he just recently put me on waitress and entertainer, it wasnt my choice.." he paused as he looked at the glass of whine in front of him, then took another sip. "he wanted to wait till i was a little bit older to put me out here..." feeling he had given away to much information he stopped talking for a while.

Gino sat there for a time sipping his wine and looking at the boy imagining what he might look like in fine clothes and well fed. The picture was so vivid that he smiled, He's lived for so many years alone that the thought of having company again stirred in him a kind of romantic excitement, the feeling all but made his skin flush with anticipation.
"are you happy with your life here, my good lad? Or do you long for something more." Gino's eyes lit up. "Do you wish to travel? See exotic places and meet important people?" He leaned forward and pulled from his pocket a small stone which he set on the table in front of Kitty. It was very shinny and the brightest green. "That my sweet Kitty was given to me by the queen of France as a token of appreciation. She removed it from her own crown. I want you to keep it." Gino smiled again and sat back in his chair.

Kitty stared at the gem his eyes couldnt believe it. "why are you asking me all this?" he glanced at Gino, his green eyes flickered darker as the light above them went out and then came back on. "of course im not happy with my life... the only thing i want to do is far from my reach and i know ill never amount up to something.. that is why i stay in this place." He glanced at the gem some more as he waited for Gino to say something. Kitty seemed lifeless almost, like the life had been sucked out of him over the years.

"Let me ask you this .... if you were given the opportunity to do what it is you desire ... would you?" Gino's focus was suddenly intent on Kitty as though the wold didn't exist. His eyes were soft and comforting yet filled with worldly travels and wonder. "No one deserves to have their dreams beaten down by a man as worthless as Robert." Gino said in a hushed voice that was loud enough for only Kitty to hear.

Kitty glanced at Gino and then just took another sip of his whine. "yes..." he mumbled into the glass as his eyes were kept straight ahead. Selena's song ended and she walked off stage for the rest of the entertainer may do there part of songs and as here song ended Robert came up to Gino's table to fetch Kitty and put him back to work. "come on you time for work." he ordered.
Kitty took one last sip of his whine and got up leaving the gem Gino had given him there. "yes sir.." his tone was low and tired.

"One last thing Kitty." Gino stood and walked passed Robert like he was nothing. Gino handed Kitty a business card that had nothing more on it than his name.
Biagino Durante Santiago
Gino looked at Kitty as he handed it to him and said softly."please consider what I've said to you.... for I can make it happen for you. If you need me I will find you." And with that Gino turned to walk away when suddenly a young Asian woman came rushing through the doors and straight up to Gino. She wore a very nice business jacket and shirt with her black hair held in a bun with long decorative chop sticks. She was small and confident. She whispered something in his ear and then stood waiting at the door. Gino turned back but this time to Robert handed him some money and with out another word walked very quickly out the door. The sound of tires squealing down the road filtered in through the shut doors.

Kitty looked at the gem and then back at the doors were Gino just left from. As soon as he heard the tires go off he started to the door but Robert grabbed him by the arm and threw him across the room as he also grabbed the card out of his hand. "you will not be going any where" his voice was stern and demanding. Robert walked toward Kitty and grabbed him by the hair and dragged him in to the back where he kept him locked up in a a dog cage.
After a while he left the room and Kitty was left there to cry. 'i wish i had gone with the man... i dont think i would be treated like this' he thought as tears fell from his green blood shot eyes. He looked out the window to the sky and just sat there thinking silently to himself.

A small black beak pushed it's way in the windows opening, wiggling from side to side pushing it farther open until I rather large raven wriggle through. It stood there for a time on the windowsill looking right at kitty then it flew off out to into the lobby when a server came through the swinging doors. Some woman gasped and something dropped and broke and then the bird came back through doors right behind a rather scared server, who then ran out the back door. Then raven landed on the steal cage just above Kitty's head. There were some scuffles and a 'CLANG' as the door to the cage swung open. The raven hopped down and stood right in front of Kitty. It's tinny black eyes studying his every move. The raven tilted his head, opened his beak and out dropped the green jewel Gino had placed on the table. With that the raven flew out the back door and landed just out side. It turned to look at Kitty again and squawked as if to say "now Kitty, fallow".

Kitty watched the raven do all this and was afraid at first to say..or do anything. At first when the raven landed at the top of the cage Kitty just hide his face in his arms and jumped. Once the raven landed inside he watched it he then proceeded to climb out side of the cage and followed the raven outside the back doors. The green jewel he griped with his life and as of right now he was terrified of Robert.
"do you talk at all?" he asked the raven as he walked.

The raven took off and flew over head always doubling back to be with Kitty. As it called out Kitty could hear almost as if it were in his head the word "follow" it flew toward the back ally where there was a black Rolls Royce, the driver got out and stood with the door open. Inside was the Asian woman Kitty had seen before. The raven flew over and perched on the edge of the open door. Again it called and Kitty heard the word "quickly" then it flew into the car.

Kitty hesitated at first but slide into the car as he was directed by the raven. He sat there silently with his hands placed in his lap. He was scared and didn't know what was going to happen to him but being an orphan his whole life hes never known where he was often going. He watched the driver approach the driver seat and started the car, he then looked at the Asian woman. He would study there appearances as he sat there quietly and afraid. He finally opened his mouth but what came out was more of a mumble then actual words "who are you?"

The woman sat there in the seat across from him with her back to the driver. She seemed not to hear him when suddenly Kitty became aware of a presence to his left right as a voice said.
"she works for me Kitty ... and she speaks no English." Gino was sitting in the shadows but the voice and white blond hair gave him away. It was then that Kitty noticed the there was no raven even in the car and no open windows either.

Kitty jumped in surprise of Gino, his green eyes filled with fear and shock."oh?"
He glanced at the woman and smiled a cheesy smile and looked to Gino again. "where are you taking me?" he asked. For some reason Kitty couldnt shake a bad feeling from the back of his mind and his stomach began to turn.
The driver looked in the mirror and at Gino then the boy but proceeded to drive with out a word said.

"I'm taking you somewhere safe where you may bathe and dress, rest if you like. You may have anything you wish to eat and if you choose then to leave you may also do that." Gino leaned forward out of the shadows and smiled. His face wasn't as restful as it was in the club, he looked raged and tired his hair was slightly messy and there was a shinny black feather caught in his hair. The woman quickly snatched it from his hair but quicker still Gino had her wrist tightly griped in his palm. Gino gave her a look that was stern and she immediately released the feather and bowed her head. Gino took the feather as it fluttered to the floor and put it in his pocket. He smiled again and whispered to Kitty. "Shes always trying to sneak something of mine and I don't trust she wont make some sort of spell with it." Gino chuckled and leaned back still eying the woman out of the shadows. "Relax Kitty ... Your safe now, and you never have to see Robert again."

Kitty watched how fast the both of them were and was simply amazed by the speed of there movements. "are you ok? you look like you were just in a fight or something" his voice was very low and soft almost a whisper to the ear. He saw the look that Gino gave the woman and instantly he felt cold. Kitty leaned back and relaxed a little bit as he laid his head to the side. his eyes became heavy and his vision blurry as he began to drift. "when will we be there?" he asked silently looking out the window at the mucky sky of gray.

Gino couldn't help but pet the boys head as he drifted off. "Soon Kitty ... Soon." He then said something to the woman that Kitty couldn't understand and she gave a quick "HI" never lifting her eyes to look at Gino. They drove into what appeared to be a parking garage but down at the very bottom a wall slid open and the car disappeared as it closed behind them. Everything was pitch black. Kitty felt someone lift him out of the seat and then the rush of wind against his face as he had the distinct feeling of going up. The sensation stopped and doors opened but just before Gino carried Kitty into the room Kitty noticed that behind them there was no floor just a straight dark shaft going down.

Kitty opened his eyes to only look at Gino carrying him to his room. He then paired around with his eyes only. "Gino..." he waited for an answer.
A young maid was dusting off the painting on the wall when she saw Gino and Kitty come down she put her hand over her heart and looked at them with shocked eyes.
She had black long hair that was pinned back and blue eyes that shined even in the dim hall way. "who is that?" she asked Gino as he came closer. The other servants made them selves look busy by carrying things that really didnt need any cleaning or sorting at all.

"He needs a warm bath and something to eat." Gino said as he passed bye her, he stopped just before entering his own chambers. Gino flashed a quick glance down the hall and with a stern voice said. "NOW!" All the servants jumped and hurried to do as he said. Gino closed the door behind them and walked Kitty over to his grand four posted bed draped in red velvet and white linens where he gently laid him down. Gino stumbled slightly and slumped to the floor. Kitty now noticed the tips of Gino's hair were crimson red and his tailored black suit was wet with blood across the back.

As soon as Gino yelled Kitty tensed up and became afraid. He watched the servants scatter and thought to himself 'is this what i'll be???' He glanced around the room and was filled with joy. He touched Gino's hair and smiled but as soon as he put him down and stumbled and he was able to see the belt he became afraid. "what happened?" he asked in a shaking voice, one of the servants knocked on the door.
A young boy walked in "the bath is ready sir..." the young boy waited for Gino to say something or to do something.

Gino, now kneeling on the floor simply gestured a gloved hand toward Kitty and said softly. "He gets anything he wishes." Gino coughed blood and said in an almost whisper. "Get him out of here and call for Nedji.....please." The boy walked quickly around Gino and took Kitty's hand smiling. "Come on, we'll take good care of you." the boy took Kitty passed Gino as Kitty heard again in his head but knew it came from Gino. "Fear not precious" and with that Kitty was escorted to a room down the hall just as he saw the Asian woman rush passed and into Gino's room. "Pay no attention to that ok? I have just what you need right here." The boy opened the door to the most amazing bath room ever. There were cream colored silk draped everywhere and a huge claw foot tub in the center of the room filled with steaming water. There was a tray next to the tub with all kinds of fruit and meats and breads , glasses of water and wine, juices and one with milk. The boy walked over and dipped a finger in. "I can stay and keep you company if you like. I don't get to talk to many close to my age."

"umm.. yeah sure.." he looked at the boy and almost tripped over his own feet. "is Gino going to be ok?" he asked slowly but surely. He looked at the bath and just started to strip his muddy stained cloths. His skin was filthy and had dead skin on it. He slowly slid into the steaming bath and sighed in relaxation. "its so nice" a light blush appeared across his face. He sank deeper into the water and blew bubbles with his mouth. " Whats your name??? How does he treat you?" he asked the boy out of curiosity. He played with the silky shining bubbles and giggled.

"I could check on him if you like?" the boy said "but I think He'll be fine." He said with a smile as he knelt at the edge of the tub with a soft cloth and started washing Kitty's shoulders. His eye's were the color of chocolate and his skin a golden brown. He smiled again as he wiped the black hair out of his face with the back of his hand. "My name is Mohinder and Gino is very kind to me. I never want for anything. Even my mother works and lives here. He even said that when he goes we are more that welcome to come with him." Mohinder got a come and started working the knots out of Kitty's hair ever so gently.

He jumped when he felt the cloth hit his shoulders. "you dont have to wash me you know." He looked back at Mohinder. "thats a nice name" he smiled. He looked at the food and took a red cherry. "are these good?" he asked curiously. He giggled."im sorry about how dirty i am... robert would never let me bath unless i was going to do something that probably isnt for your ears..." he paused for a moment." how old are you any ways?"

"I'm 14 and I know I don't have to wash you my friend but I thought you might find it relaxing. In my country it is an honer to wash someone who is tired and wherry." Mohinder continued to try to help Kitty with his bath. "Yes my friend, those are good but you know what I find is best of all?" Mohinder reached for a small silver box then brought it to Kitty. He opened it for Kitty and there was many different kinds of chocolates in it. Mohinders eyes sparkled when he smiled. "Take the one with the swill on it." He whispered. "Thats my favorite."

Kitty picked up the chocolate with the swill on it and nibbled on it. He moaned in pleasure and giggled, "mmm its so delicious!" he looked at Mohinder with a smile and leaned back into the tub. "...Mohinder?" Kitty's thoughts began to go wild and he became tired at the moment. "why did Gino bring me here?" he asked. He wanted to know more about Gino and who he was whether he could trust him or not that was for him to decide later. He proceeded in washing himself, he washed his hair with fine shampoo and conditioner, as soon as he was done his hair was lighter and his skin smooth. He got out of the tub and wrapped a towel around him as he shivered. "now what?" he glanced at Mohinder. "I want to see Gino... may I?"

Mohinder stood and brought Kitty some soft white cotton pajamas and slippers. Then took a very cozy looking robe from the rack next to the door and helped Kitty put it on.
"I think ..." Mohinder said softly. "He brought you here for the same reasons he did me and my mother." Mohinder turned away. "He is a very caring man and can not stand to see anyone in a bad situation. My mother and I were beaten very badly by the man who killed my father, so Gino brought us to safety and then me moved with him to this place." Mohinder turned around again and smiled. "Maybe you will come with us when he moves again to France?" He grabbed a strawberry from the tray and walked over to the door. "Would you like to see your room?" Mohinder said as he chewed and opened the door. "We could peek in on Geno before we do."

Kitty gently grabbed the cloths from Mohinder and smiled sweetly. The cozy looking robe slipped on easier then any one would have expected. Kitty looked at Mohinder and smiled “thank you.” He listened to Mohinder as he told him of his past. “sounds like you and your mother had some rough times…” He looked at the boy and walked around the room. “is that why he kept you? Because you had no were else to go?” he asked as he picked up a small silver brush and glanced at it for a little while. He suddenly dropped the brush and gasped as he looked at Mohinder shocked. “France!?” he was surprised. “oh I don’t know…” he paused with doubt. “when is he doing that?” He watched Mohinder pick up the straw berry and opened the door. “ oh yes, please” He smiled.

As the two walked out in to the hall and headed for Gino's room Nedji came out and looked sternly at Mohinder.
"No no no." She said as she was closing the door.
"But Kitty just wants to see how Gino is doing Nedji." Mohinder tried to explain and before either one of them could argue further Gino called from the room.
"Would both of you simply shut up and let the boy come in." His voice was soft. Mohinder stuck his tongue out at Nedji who rolled her eyes and walked down the hall. Mohinder then opened the door and gestured for Kitty to go to Gino.
"I'll wait out here so you may speak to him alone." Mohinder smiled and leaned against the wall.


“umm…you sure?” Kitty looked at Mohinder he was slightly nervous and was shaking horribly. He stepped in after Mohinder shook his head yes. He stood in the shadow of the door way for a tad bit and then walked over to Gino’s side. “are you going to be alright?” he asked as he leaned in a bit. “what happened to you?” he paused. His hair fell slightly into his face and was still damped from his warm bath. The warm air came on through the vents and the clock ticked an annoying rhythm as the clock struck nine. “is there anything I can do?” Kitty looked into Gino’s face and smiled ever so slightly.

Gino smiled sweetly at Kitty and gestured toward the other chair sitting by the fire place.
"Do you feel better? You look refreshed and ready for a long good nights sleep." Gino leaned forward to take the boys hand and stopped short wincing at the pain. He tried to smile through it though and leaned back in his chair.
"You need not to fuss over me my boy. I was just going to ask if theres anything else you wish to have or need .... anything at all."


Kitty stared at the clock for a moment then redirected his attention to Gino. “Yes, yes I do feel better thank you very much, but I don’t think I’m not ready to go to bed just yet if that’s alright?” He bowed politely. “are you alright?” he noticed that Gino was having a hard time and got worried. “no there’s nothing I wish, are you sure?”
He glanced at a painting on the wall, however it was to dark so he couldn’t make any picture out of it. “that painting… what’s it of?” he asked as he lifted his hand and pointed to the painting.

Gino smiled and settled back into his chair. "yes I'm fine and if your not tiered them sit with me for a time." Again Gino gestured to the chair next to him. He called to Mohinder to bring some tea and to turn on the stereo which he did before he left the room. Gino relaxed as the sweet sounds of Vivaldi's four seasons played softly in the background. Gino closed his eyes as he spoke softly. That panting my dear is of me ... it was panted by a good friend. Unfortunately he is no longer around. I knew him some many years ago in France. His name was Vincent. The panting is called Gabriel's plight ... thats the name I use to go by." Gino's face seemed to show sorrow for just a moment. "but that was a lifetime ago."

Kitty walked over to his side and sat in the golden brown chair. He watched Mohinder and smiled as the boy gracefully glided to the stereo and then out the door to get some tea. Kitty glanced at Gino and leaned in slightly so that he could tell if Gino had fallen asleep or not, he couldn’t tell mainly because Gino had closed his eyes softly. The clock ticked once more ten times this time and it was now ten o’clock at night. He jumped a bit when Gino had spoken; he was surprised that he remained awake. Kitty interrupted him “you were in France?” he asked softly. “Your name? Why did you change it?” he asked silly little questions mostly, he wanted to get to know Gino more, he was curious. “I’m sorry about your friend,” he said softly. Kitty noticed the sorrow and then had stopped talking for a moment, “I’m sorry you don’t have to ever answer me…”

"It's quite alright Kitty." Gino leaned his weight on the armrest always seeming to favor his back a little. "I changed my name to hide from the people who always seem to find me." His eyes then lit up a little and he was obviously caught in a good memory. "Yes I've been to France my dear and soon to go again. I would love to steel you away to show you a world of wonder if you would be brave enough to join me." Gino's eyes focused on Kitty's for a moment and then looked away toward the fire ... "Take your time to decide ... I wont leave until you have come to want that for yourself. I'm here to help you rise above this life that has you so earthbound."

“How did you get hurt?” Kitty glanced at Gino with his eyes wide open. “May I lay next to you?” he asked softly and shy as a small child. He rubbed his eyes he was somewhat tired already…it was amusing how fast young children fall asleep. Kitty looked at his own fingers and started fidgeting in his chair. It was as bad as a little 7 year old in church on a Sunday after noon. “What happens if I do go to France?” “What’s in France that’s so special?” Kitty was surely acting like a curious child and at the same time slurred his words together because of how tired he was becoming.

Gino smiled and stood up walking over to his grand four posted canopy bed, pulling back the covers and patting the the spot in the middle with his hand."Come you look tired. Why don't you lie down. I'll tell you a little story." Gino said as he sat at the edge of the bed waiting for Kitty. His face was so warm and kind yet tired and sad as he stared off in to the fire again.

Kitty rose from his sitting place and proceeded to the bed. When he got there he laid down gently on his left side so that his body faced Gino. “a..a story?” he paused with his lips still parted, “what kind of story?” Kitty closed his eyes softly but was still listening to Gino and every little sound in the room and out side of the room. He could hear the maids out side the door talking and caring out there chores and inside the room he heard the clock tick and the wind blow from an open window near by, out side the window was a an owl hooting and the branches move with the wind. It almost scared him, it was like being in a haunted house or something from a scary movie that some one would only watch at night.