catching up [open]

[Marco Arturo Romano]

Marco parked the Land Rover in front of the library, unsure if he wanted to go to the library or if there was another place. There was always another place, and it just happened to be where Addy was. He couldn't stay away her, and he had accepted that he would only ever be the best friend. That didn't mean he would forgive his brother, like hell he would. The sort of betrayal he felt that Leo committed was something he couldn't easily forgive, and even seven years after, their reception to each other was chilly, not unpleasant but not moonshine and roses either. Okay, so it was actually just positively frigid. It was mainly the reason he spent so much time alone. So maybe the library was the right place for him.

Entering the building, the musty smell of books hit him full on and for a moment, Marco just breathed in the familiar smell. It smelled like home, but home was what he was missing the most. Browsing the shelves, Marco looked for a book or two that he hadn't actually read. It varied usually, and at that moment in time, he felt like a good history novel. Of course, he taught music history, so maybe he would find something that he could use in the classroom. He was tired of Beethoven, so it could be possible that he would find something to spice up the class room. Tu Pac or Vanilla Ice if he was feeling like a rapper, but then there were the 60's classics and famous opera singers. Marco decided that he might just start working on the lesson plans that week.

Browsing through the history tomes, he found nothing smaller than a thousand pages, but it would be a thousand pages or more of good reading if he found the right book. A keen eye searched the shelves, and eventually, Marco found a smallish book on Claude Debussy. Now that was music to him, and he took the book off the shelf. The binding was old and the pages yellowed. Finding an open arm chair, Marco settled himself and opened the first page, accosted by the old world smell of a book that hadn't been opened in years.

[Adaleen Jane Darcy]

Adaleen, for once, was alone. She was usually with Leo, her family, or at the school except for today. Today, Leo had to go to the doctors, Artemis and Apollo were with a distraught Rory, and her parents were visiting her grandparents' graves. Knowing that she should get her errands done while she had the chance, Addy got up early to finish them quickly and then go to the library to catch up on some reading and hopefully finish going over the teachers lesson plans without interruption, though of course if she saw someone she knew she'd take time to talk to them.

Making her way to the Library in her little red switzer porsche, which of course drove her parents completely up the wall with how fast it was and probably worried Leo that she still drove the thing. Addy had, at one point in time, been a bit of a daredevil and enjoyed drag racing in the old abandoned steets in Old Town. She could be reckless, especially when she had been younger, now that she was headmistress she had readily given that up to be an example for her students, and even more because she knew she one day wanted to be a mother.

Once making it to the library, Addy quickly walked in and made her way to her favorite section, the fiction section. She loved all the new books that were coming out and there was one in particular she wanted to read, though it wasn't very new she still hadn't got to read it yet. Quickly looking through the books, Addy went to pass an aisle when she caught sight of her ex-boyfriend who was still one of her best friends. "Marco? What are you doing here?" She asked him with a smile. Addy wrapped Marco in a quick hug and looked at the book in his hands. "Of course, should have known." She said with a laugh and looked around the other books that were available in that aisle. Addy loved music, especially when she got to sing and dance, that had been one thing that she and Marco had always shared. Sure, she and Leo danced, mainly ballroom and the old traditional dances, but she and Marco had always enjoyed making music together. Now that she had been with his brother for seven years, Addy didn't do it that often with Marco anymore and it was a shame. She knew that there had to be tension between Leo and Marco, and she felt bad for creating it. She had loved Marco at one point, but eventually she realized that she loved Leo so much more than she ever even imagined possible. She always felt bad for leaving Marco, and then dating his brother a year after, but she did love Leo and she hoped that Marco understood that.

TAG: Marco
WORDS:

478
MUSE:[/color] Don't Stop Believing by Journey
CLOTHING:[/color] click!
NOTES:[/color] car
CREDIT:[/color] TILLY of caution 2.0.[/font][/left][/size]
[/color]

[Marco Arturo Romano]

Marco looked up from the book when he heard that sweet and familiar voice. Looking up, a large grin already in place. Getting up, he hugged her back, catching a whiff of her shampoo. It had always been the same since he had dated her, and he loved it. Hey, he said, laughing slightly when she guessed what he was doing. She was also his new boss, and though women in power always enthralled him, he knew that he wouldn't last long if he started hitting on her again. For some unknown reason he didn't tell Leo that he approved of the marriage, that he believed his twin would be so much better for Addy than he ever was. He knew why he didn't, it was pride. That horrible thing called pride that prevented him from doing much that went against him.

How have you been doing? Marco asked, taking his seat again. The book was left discarded on the arm of the chair, his focus drawn by the female in front of him. He felt like he could be himself around her, before his guard went back up around his brother. For Marco, being on such bad terms with his twin brother was slowly killing him on the inside, and it wasn't that he could just say sorry and all would be forgiven. Seven years of fighting and only common civility was what he had subjected his brother to, and it was impossible to find common ground anymore. I promise I'll have my lesson plans on your desk within the week. I'm trying to find something more interesting than Beethoven, he said, looking a tad guilty.

Music was his life, and always will be. When he and Addy were still going out, making music was what they did best. Be it classical pieces that they were spicing up or writing their own, there was always something fun to create in front of the piano. What he missed the most was the freedom of being able to play anything without feeling melancholic over it because the last time he had played it properly was with Addy. Eight years was a long time. Even longer when it had been filled with wild parties and one night stands.

[Adaleen Jane Darcy]

It was nice for Addy to see Marco's large grin and hear his laugh. She had always worried after their break up that they wouldn't be friends anymore, so when that never happened it still creeped in the back of her mind. She didn't want to lose Marco as a friend, she loved having him around, and she knew that she had hurt him, especially whenever she started dating Leonardo, but she couldn't help the fact that she had fallen for the other Romano twin, rather than the one she had been with at the time. So, seeing as her mind was so paranoid, Addy always liked to hear Marco laugh at her and smile when he saw her. Of course, her friend was mysterious and some times looked serious when with other people, but he hardly acted that way around Addy. They had been friends far too long to be that way with each other.

Shrugging her shoulder, still smiling, Addy laughed slightly and played with a book that was in front of her. "Oh you know, same old, same old. Well... I guess you could say I'm worried too. You know Aurora Soren? Remy's best friend? She's dating Axel, the European History teacher... well she's pregnant. I meant to send out a notice to all teachers to keep an eye on her to make sure she's okay... but I've just been so busy. It doesn't help matters any that apperantly they broke up and now she's hiding behind her lawyers and according to her doctor she's already been thrown into transformation due to emotional stress several times already so until she controls her emotions she may not be able to start school right away and then she'll miss for the birth so she's going to flip about that too. And I need to warn the nursing staff at the school about that in case she has the baby at the school.... it's just been a complete mess." It was obvious that the entire situation was affecting Addy. It didn't help matters that Aurora was close to Addy, and Addy hated when she couldn't do much for those she cared about. Nodding her head when she spoke, Addy gave a small sigh and moved towards the seat across from Marco.

"Sometimes I wish my mother hadn't given me this job until much later. I know I always wanted this, but I wanted to teach a bit more and... do other things first before taking on such a big responsibility." Of course, Addy had wanted to say start a family and get married but she wasn't going to throw that in Marco's face. She still hadn't told him that she and Leo were talking about dates finally. Of course she wanted Marco at the wedding, but she still felt horrible for what she had done to him and Leo. The three had been so close, and now when Marco and Leo were in a room together you could cut the tension with a knife.

TAG: Marco
WORDS:

504
MUSE:[/color] Don't Stop Believing by Journey
CLOTHING:[/color] click!
NOTES:[/color] car
CREDIT:[/color] TILLY of caution 2.0.[/font][/left][/size]
[/color]

[Marco Arturo Romano]

Marco listened with endless patience. It was always something to hear Addy talk, and it seemed that she really needed to get rid of all that extra stress that had built up over the summer. It had come as news to the faculty that her mother had handed the reins over to her twenty-five year old daughter, but they also knew that she would be the best suited to the job. Of course, it had made things awkward working with his brother, but teaching was in his blood and Marco didn't want to go anywhere else. There might be another academy like Darcy, but none had the feeling of family like Darcy did. Well, that was if you stuck to your species, and didn't seek the fights that broke out every now and then. Christmas was also a special time, a few weather controllers always making it snow more on the island, much to the delight of the students.

It'll be fine Addy. I'll keep an eye on her, and if anything, you'll be a great headmistress. Just don't worry about it too much, he said, reassuring her as best he could. Marco wondered if he would go to their wedding. It had been a question he had been struggling with ever since she had told him of the engagement. Some days it was an affirmative, he would be there for her, his courage would not fail him in that aspect. Then other days he would curse the day that he would ever go to his brother's wedding. He would not face that humiliation and pain of seeing the one he still loves on the arm of his brother. Marco knew in the end that he would go, Addy would plead with him, he would go, but would leave as soon as the 'I do's ' were said.

How are the wedding plans going? Marco asked. He didn't want to, it took a lot of guts for him to do so, and he knew it would only increase the pain that he already felt inside because of the engagement. Nothing had ever been the same since they had broke up, and he didn't even know why that had happened. In his adolescent mind, they had been happy, appeared so, but it seemed that it wasn't to be. He knew that things ran their course, but why did it have to be when he had actually been happy.

[Adaleen Jane Darcy]

Addy loved her mother, and she loved Darcy Academy, but she really hadn't wanted to take over the job of headmistress for another long while. She had actually been on vacation in America when her mother called her and told her she was stepping down as headmistress and was giving the job to Addy. She of course, had been honored, but she also wished that she had been given more years to be just a regular teacher and having a family before taking on the responsibility of taking over an entire school, especially when a war was threatening to break out again between two of the three species.

Sighing and running a hand over her face, Addy smiled slightly glad that he was at least trying to reassure her. "Thanks Marco, I just really worry about her you know? Artemis told me that she's on the verge of a breakdown and I can't exactly blame Axel for dumping her because he had the right reasons in his head, and Rory acted out of line, but then again I want to yell at him because he hurt her bad and didn't really understand her. I knew that relationship was bad from the begining." Addy had in now way shape or form been happy to hear that Axel and Aurora were dating the year before. She didn't think any good would come of it, both kept themselves strictly tied up and to themselves and Axel didn't like to share so Rory wouldn't share either.

Staring at him, wondering why he had asked that. Addy didn't want to hurt him, she knew it still stung him that she was marrying his brother and not him. "They're good, we actually started working on them. The date is still a little iffy, but we're thinking either winter or spring." Addy had loved Marco at one point, and she had been happy with him, but after dating him for awhile she started seeing him more as a brother and less of a boyfriend, where Leo started looking more like the boyfriend than the brother. Then she got drunk, had the one night stand with Austen, and she just knew she couldn't take it anymore. She loved Marco, just in a different way than he had wanted them too. Addy couldn't help the fact that she had fallen for Leonardo, and she definitely hadn't ever planned on it, especially because she knew how much it would hurt Marco, but she did fall for him and she loved him more than she ever could have imagined. It just had to happen.

TAG: Marco
WORDS:

433
MUSE:[/color] Don't Stop Believing by Journey
CLOTHING:[/color] click!
NOTES:[/color] car
CREDIT:[/color] TILLY of caution 2.0.[/font][/left][/size]
[/color]

[Marco Arturo Romano]

Marco nodded, his features echoing concern for the teenager. It wasn't unusual to hear about a teenage pregnancy in schools, but this was too close for comfort. It wasn't like there was the sort of abstinence thing going any more, but when it came to people you had learned to treat like family it was just plain infuriating. Like I said Addy, I'll keep an eye on her. I was just as displeased with the relationship, but what happened, happened and we need to accept that. They were both responsible for their actions and we couldn't do anything to stop them, he said, knowing that this was either going to get a lot worse or just remain at the level that it was now. He hoped for what it was like now, because if it got any worse then he didn't know how Artemis, Rory or Addy were going to handle the stress.

The conversation about the wedding caused him some sadness, because he wondered if he would ever find the same happiness that his brother had found with Addy. For now it seemed that it would never happen, and another lonely night at the bar was his calling. I'm happy for you Addy. Not happy that my brother won, but happy for you, he said softly, giving her a gentle hug. The words he spoke were the truth, and although the held some sadness, he doubted that he would ever find someone like Addy again. First love they said lasted the longest and forever. Being a vampire, forever was the truth unless a war broke out, and that was looming on the horizon.

Marco didn't know what else to say. Usually they couldn't stop babbling, but right now it was too hard to think straight. He couldn't say anything more about the wedding, it was too painful. School seemed like an even worse point, mainly because of all the stress that came with it, but there was always some way of relaxing. Wanna go for coffee? he asked, knowing that he would go in anyway, except not the usual hang out. The bar was always there, and even in the early afternoon, company was always at the ready.

[Adaleen Jane Darcy]

Nodding her head, Addy finally calmed down slightly, glad that Marco was going to help her. She knew she had Leo looking out for Rory, but she felt more comfortable knowing that there were more than just two teachers keeping an eye out for the young girl. "Thank you. I think I can calm down a bit now." She said with a small laugh and ran her hand through her hair. Addy really didn't know how she would handle the situation if it got any worse. Honestly, from what she heard, world war three sounded more peaceful than if Rory and Axel's situation was to get any worse.

Addy felt bad, and his words made her feel even worse, but she couldn't help that she had fallen for Leo at least she had waited to date him and hadn't just jumped right into a relationship with him after she and Marco had broken up. "You know I never wanted to hurt you, that was the last thing I wanted. I tried to fight it, I just... couldn't." Tears always came to Addy's soft brown eyes when she thought of how much she had hurt Marco when she started dating Leo, and even more so when the two got engaged. Wiping her tears away while she returned the hug, Addy knew that she would always have a bond with Marco, especially because he had been her first love, but she also knew that she and him just weren't meant to be.

When he suggested coffee, Addy nodded. The little tears were done and she was trying not to think about it. "Sure, my car or yours?" She asked him with a small smile. Addy loved her car, but she didn't mind Marco's jeep either. Addy knew about Marco going to the bar frequently, though she tried to stay out of it. It was first off, no longer her place to tell him to stop, and second she didn't want him to hate her and lash out at her telling her it was no longer her place. He was still one of her best friends, but she just didn't know how to handle him anymore. She didn't want a fight broken out between him and his brother, and she didn't want him hating her like he seemed to hate Leo.

TAG: Marco
WORDS:

388
MUSE:[/color] Don't Stop Believing by Journey
CLOTHING:[/color] click!
NOTES:[/color] Sorry it's so short! ):
CREDIT:[/color] TILLY of caution 2.0.[/font][/left][/size]
[/color]

[Marco Arturo Romano]

There was always that twist in his gut when he noticed a hint of tears in Addy's eyes. Marco hated seeing her even on the verge of tears, but he hated it even more when he was the cause of it. It was one of those things that made it even harder to think of his brother being the one that comforted it, but the more he thought of it the more he ended up seeking for something more. Something that he would be able to commit to, at least something semi-permanent.

He grinned at her agreement to coffee. Let's make it mine. After all, I invited you, he said, proffering his arm for her take. If anything he was a gentleman. It was what had been drilled into him from a young age, and even his brother had manners. Unlike popular thought, he didn't hate his brother. The main feeling he had for Leo was hurt. If it wasn't for Leo, he might have had a chance, at least, that is what he told himself. Walking with Addy to the Land Rover, he opened the passenger door, helping her inside.

Once Marco was in the driver's side, he thought about a place for coffee.Where to you want to go? I'm kinda out of places for coffee, he said, grinning slightly. He turned the car on, waiting for orders, and the light musical strains of Bach filled the interior. It relaxed Marco, and he felt instantly at ease.

OOC: Sorry =[ Will get better.

[Adaleen Jane Darcy]

Adaleen knew that her tears still made Marco feel bad, and they made Leo even worse, she could still get her father with her tears also. Her tears for Marco were genuine though, she felt horrible for what she had done to him, and then started dating his brother just a year later and then eventually got engaged to him. Dragging it out to seven years, and then the wedding plans still in the works made it hard to not talk about everything that was going on.

Smiling, Addy nodded and took his offered arm. "Ah, such a gentleman. Mabye you can give Apollo some lessons." She said with a laugh. Her parents had drilled manners into their children's brain's, though somehow all three children still ended up with a very rebellious side. She, admitidley, was probably the worst. Apollo and Artemis had no idea about half of the stuff their older sister had done behind their parents backs, and that was exactly how Addy was going to keep it. She didn't want to give them any ideas that would get them in trouble. Once inside the jeep, Addy gave Marco an appreciative smile and waited for him to join her.

Once he was inside and asked her where a good place for coffee was, Addy immediately thought of the little coffee shop Aurora worked at. "I know the perfect one. You know that little coffee shop where Rory works, um... I believe it's called Coffee Break. Should be on Rouge Street." She told him and listened to the music, letting the music ease her somewhat stressed self. "Rory told me the old lady who owns the shop won't let her son fire Rory, even though she's pregnant. Apperantly, he was having a fit that people would see a pregnant teen behind the counter and then went off saying how they would probably think it was his and make business look bad. Of course, Rory lets it be known who she loves and I can't see anyone thinking the twins would be that mans, but hey I'm only getting invovled if he tries to get her to quit." She told Marco while raising her hand to play with her necklace.

TAG: Marco
WORDS:

370
MUSE:[/color] Don't Stop Believing by Journey
CLOTHING:[/color] click!
NOTES:[/color] Sorry it's so short! ):
CREDIT:[/color] TILLY of caution 2.0.[/font][/left][/size]
[/color]

[Marco Arturo Romano]

Marco nodded at the mention of the place. He had been there once or twice, but that was it. Putting on the indicator, he pulled out of the parking space and made his way to Rouge street as mentioned. He listened as Addy spoke, grinning at Rory's stubborn nature. Sounds like Rory, he said, but wondered what further inflections would be made because of her pregnancy. And I have feeling that if the owner does cause trouble, then he'll have a few annoyed vampires on his trail, he said, grinning and allowing his fangs to protrude just slightly just to emphasise his words a bit more.

Marco saw the coffee shop, and found a parking spot a few meters away from the shop. Shutting off the engine, he got out and went around the front of the truck to open Addy's door once more. He couldn't help his typical manners, they were so ingrained in him that it made not being courteous very difficult. Once again he held out his arm for her, adding a grin her way. Making their way into the coffee shop, Marco looked for an empty spot, but he was so used to being in a bar that being in a normal setting unnerved him slightly. Once more. Your pick the table, he said, really wondering what the hell he was trying to achieve.

Once Addy had chosen a table, and they had gone through all the motions of him holding out her chair, being the perfect gentleman and all that jazz, he glanced at the menu. A waitress came to their table and he showed that Addy should be the first one to order.

[Adaleen Jane Darcy]

"Doesn't it though? She's probably one of the most stubborn people in Garvonia... though I think quite a few people around here are stubborn. Axel is, or so I'm told from Rory, a few students really are." Laughing, Addy knew what Marco said was correct. Of course, the owner was human and couldn't know about vampires, but that wouldn't explain why he was suddenly having horrible night mares and every time he stepped outside the weather was acting up. Addy was a nice person, but she could be a very mean person if you messed with someone she cared about.

As Marco opened the door for Addy, she smiled brightly. "Thank you." she said before taking his arm and walking into the little coffee shop. Laughing at him, Addy nodded before picking out one of the middle tables. "This one seems like a good one." Pointing to the one she meant and let him pull out her chair. Once the waitress showed up, Addy motioned for her to order first so she quickly looked over the menu before ordering. "I'll take a coffee with cream and sugar, a slice of apple pie, and a bowl of vaniella ice cream." Apple pie was one of Addy's favorite desserts, especially with a side of ice cream, though she never ate them together like some people did.

Looking around the little shop, Addy noticed that there were humans around. Of course, she could hear all of them clearly and just laughed at a few of their words. The men looked at her and the women looked at Marco. "It seems we have admirer's." she told him quietly while looking at two tables back to back with humans occupying them. Addy knew she had looks women wished they had, and she knew Marco was very handsome, so it was no surprise that they had people who liked what they saw. Of course, it was always interesting to hear what people had to say about her and who ever she was with, especially when they thought that she couldn't hear them.

TAG: Marco
WORDS:

346
MUSE:[/color] Don't Stop Believing by Journey
CLOTHING:[/color] click!
NOTES:[/color] Sorry it's so short! ):
CREDIT:[/color] TILLY of caution 2.0.[/font][/left][/size]
[/color]

[Marco Arturo Romano]

Marco grinned at her order. Some things never changed. He never seemed to be able to forget, and while she ordered, he glanced at the menu. There wasn't very much appealing to him, and he hadn't been in a proper coffee shop for a while. I'll have a decaf latte with skim milk and a blueberry muffin with extra cheese, he ordered, flashing a smile at the waitress. As she went off, Addy mentioned that people were looking at them. Glancing about, he realised how small the town really was. He received a harsh glare from one woman in particular, and he quickly returned his attention to Addy.

Not to cool when you run into your one night stands, he whispered, flushing slightly. The last thing that he wanted to discuss was his love life, especially with the girl that he still loved, in better aspects, his boss and even worse, his soon to be sister-in-law. Marco tended to avoid people's gaze after that small incident, but he could still hear the vehement mutterings of the woman behind him and the awed ones of the others. If only they knew what he and Addy were, then he doubted that they would be so awed. It was pretty funny to hear the stuff they were talking about, when the secret races had more pressing matters to worry about.

The waitress arrived with their order and Marco put one sugar into his coffee, stirring, his mind not fully on his actions. It seemed that there was a slight cloud break, and he sobered up completely. He wasn't going to do the funky weather thing today and as quickly as the rain had come, it was gone. I should really learn to control that better, he said, grinning, but didn't how much of that grin seemed fake.

[Adaleen Jane Darcy]

Addy couldn't help but laugh at his grin. She knew what he was thinking. She loved her apple pie and ice cream, side that with a cup of coffee and she was one happy vampire. "I'll give you a bite of my pie if I get a bite of your muffin." She said with a grin. Noticing the glare from the woman her eye brows went up and she looked back at Marco.

Noticing his flushed look, Addy shook her head at him. "Yeah, I bet." Addy had only ever had one one-night stand, and she had known him for years and had been friends with him for years. She hadn't meant to sleep with him, she had been drunk and with no Marco, Leo, or Taylor in sight she tended to do stupid things. It was even worse that she knew her only one-night stand because she saw him everywhere, even at family partiers as their families were close. Staring at one man inparticular, Addy wondered how one woman came up with some stuff. "Wow, I wonder how she came up with me having a gender change." It was actually funny, but then again she was slightly insulted. Addy knew she was pretty, she'd been told so enough times and had worked hard to keep a good shape and knew how to have her hair and how to do her makeup without looking like a whore.

Looking at Marco, Addy couldn't help but let some of her worries come out through them. "Marco, yes, you do need to work on that. And no more fake grins, if you're going to grin it has to be real, if it's fake don't push it." Addy hated when anyone tried acting happy around her when they really weren't. She wanted the real emotion, not the fake stuff.

TAG: Marco
WORDS:

305
MUSE:[/color] Don't Stop Believing by Journey
CLOTHING:[/color] click!
NOTES:[/color] Sorry it's so short! ):
CREDIT:[/color] TILLY of caution 2.0.[/font][/left][/size]
[/color]

[Marco Arturo Romano]

Marco frowned slightly as he was admonished by Addy for the 'fakeness' in his emotions. There wasn't anything that he could do about it, because it felt like his whole life now was based on a lie. He had a hard time trusting people, and even with his closest friends, he couldn't ever really know if they were lying to him or not. It was a sad day for him to admit it, but it was a long time coming. With Leo doing what he did, Marco lost his faith in trust. After all, it had been his twin, not just his brother.

Marco waited to say anything, mainly because the waitress was busy serving their drinks. Pouring in the coffee into the heated milk, he stirred the mixture in semi-deep thought. I'm sorry. Sometimes I forget that you know me better than most people, he said, giving up on the idea of lying. After all, what he did say was true. Addy did know him better than most people, after all, they grey up together and had even gone out for almost two years. Teenage couples never really lasted long.

A few minutes later, their food orders arrived, and it seemed that even their conversation had taken the quiet dip. Marco still tuned in to those around him, but it didn't seem like there was anything interesting going on in the human world. After all, the eavesdropping was probably the closest the supernatural world would come to the problem of those that didn't know of their existence. Marco cut a piece of his muffin, depositing it on Addy's plate. A deal is a deal, after all, he said with a smile, tearing another piece of the hot muffin with his long fingers and popping it into his mouth. He chewed appreciatively, knowing that times like these were rare and that he should appreciate them. He didn't know when he would have a chance of seeing Addy alone again.

So what are your plans for our glorious school? Marco with curiosity. As a music history teacher he could have gotten a job anywhere really, because almost every country had an available blood bank, but there was always something that kept him tied to New Castle. Maybe it was Addy, but maybe it was the sense of home that he had in the town where there were others like him. That was no lie, he preferred living among his own, instead of strangers.