The Oracle Has Spoken

3

I go to work feeling free for the first time in forever. I don't feel watched all the time, there's no constant fear, and I no longer feel as if I'm in danger. Confronting Lucian had been a great decision. At the same time though there is a feeling in the back of my mind that something's missing.

As I arrive at the studio door there is someone sitting in front of it. "Lucian? What are you doing here?" I ask as I stand in front of him.

"Well, without you I don't know what to do . . . you know . . . in my free time." He says with a shrug and a sheepish grin.

 I shake my head exasperatedly. "Don't you have friends?" 

He looks down and says, "People don't exactly like me." My heart softens at his words and my shoulders slump in defeat.

I breathe a sigh and say, "Do you want to come in for my shift? We can eat dinner together during my break." Lucian's head raises hopefully, his eyes dancing with glee, a genuine smile spreads across his face and he jumps up excitedly. "You have to be quiet though I don't want to get fired because you couldn't be still."

"For a dinner date with you? I'd do anything." He says with a slight bow of his head and follows behind me into the building.

                                                                                         ***

We sit down at a table inside 'Carbone' and I look around nervously. "Are you sure you want to eat here?" I ask. "This place is kind of pricey. Most college students can't afford it here." Worst case scenario I would pay. I still had the debit card my dad gave me before college to use for my expenses. I had never used it, preferring to make my own money rather than you the money made from a profession I didn't approve of. My father is a land developer and I'm what he'd call a 'tree-hugger' seeing as how I literally chained myself to a tree in protest of the last hotel he built. I've done so many protests and fundraisers to try and stop his projects that you would think that he would stop funding my life; but the money still increases each month, whether I use it or not.

"Don't worry about it. I am sure you will love this place, and that's all that matters to me." He picked up a menu and began browsing it, his expression not changing as he looked at the items and prices. I glanced down and almost had a heart attack, I shut it quickly.

"So, Lucian. Why were you stalking me in the first place?"

Lucian glanced at me from over his menu and said, "Your eyes. They drive me crazy . . . well . . . crazier." He looks back down as if that covered everything and I shifted in my seat.

"What do you mean?"

He raised an eyebrow and closed his menu, he looked me in the eyes before he continued, "The first time I saw you it was on move-in day at NYU. I have a friend going to NYU and I noticed you immediately; everyone was surrounded by crying parents and friends that were sad to see them go, everyone except you. There was a glimmer of sadness in those vibrant green eyes that I wanted to turn to joy. You didn't have a 'home' as all the other students did. No parents that insisted on the teary farewell. And there, at that moment. I knew the true answer. You needed a home, and I could be that for you. It only made sense since I had already found my home in your eyes. The only problem was I could never talk to you. It took me forever to gather the courage to talk to you at your studio for the first time. I believe we both remember how that went. Although I do admit that my methods weren't the best." He chuckled to himself. My heart softened at his words. I did need a home.

"What did you mean by crazier?"

"Well, 'crazy' might not be the right word for what I am. People tend to use it often though. I . . . " He debated for a moment before he finished, "I hear voices sometimes. Not anything sinister. They just . . . exist. Chattering. Constantly." 

I nod for a moment. "People tend to poke fun and ridicule those different from them," I respond understandingly.

"Ah, yes, different. But if you take away the voices  . . . I’m just like you." His eyes met mine and I felt cemented to the spot. Enchanted almost.

"I noticed you didn't have those teddy bears today." 

"Yeah, I was practicing augury. I figured since my last name was augur I could use it as a way to connect with you. Foolishly though, it's complete bullshit. I gave it up after our encounter. I figured the decapitation probably scared you off. I'm not really a fan of disemboweling living animals so teddy bears were my best option." He shrugged passively. 'Well, at least he isn't a sociopath.' I thought to myself.

Now, 'Carbone' was an amazing place. The entire restaurant is a perfectly designed set, and the person serving you isn’t a waiter, he’s a 'captain' in a red tuxedo, and he’s an actor. An actor who just flipped around a chair at your table and sat down backward on it to tell you about the specials and makes sure you know that he’s 'here for whatever you need.' He’s also gonna 'bring over some meatballs because you look hungry.' The whole thing is completely over the top, but in a good way. Well, in a mostly good way. The price of admission is a meal that will set you back $200 for two people. But Lucian insisted to order what I wanted. So I did. I ordered the spicy rigatoni and if I ever say that wasn't the best damn pasta I had ever eaten then I'd be lying. Best in New York, hands down.

And when the bill came? He immediately paid with a debit card and didn't even sweat it. He even left Darren, our 'captain', a thirty dollar tip. I was definitely late coming back from my break, but I didn't give a damn. I was going to have to do the late-night show tonight anyway. I might as well get a good meal in before then.

"So how was your meal?" Lucian asked as he held the door open for me.

I stepped through and moaned a very satisfied, "Soooooo gooooood."

Lucian stopped for a second, shook his head, and continued walking. "Would it be too much to consider that our first date then?" 

I stared at him a moment, looking him up and down, but then said, "I think I could get on board with that. But no more stalking! Do you understand me?" I said as his expression perked up.

He nodded enthusiastically and asked, "Does that mean I can visit you whenever now? I can invite you out again?" 

I nodded slowly and responded, "Within reason. Drop-bys are fine when I am not at work but either way, I would still like a text or call before-hand."

"Noted. I will keep you at a reasonable distance." I raise an eyebrow at the way that sounded. "Ah, wait. Not how I meant that to sound. I will keep that in mind and try not to be too much of a bothersome presence." He corrects.

"I can't believe I agreed to go out with my stalker." I laugh nervously.

"Eh, it's okay the voices agree with you. They think I'm nuts too." He winked at me to indicate his joke and I give a genuine laugh. At least he's funny. I could definitely live with handsome and funny.