This is the sequel to the first Round Robin, and is currently being posted to the FK Vals list.
Standard disclaimers apply.

Natalie cried herself completely dry. She raised her head off of her folded arms and rubbed her eyes. She felt like she had been crying for years. She tried to take stock of her surroundings and of her self. First things first, she checked her watch and the phone, "good ... just enough time to arrange for some supplies from the Raven," she thought to herself. She laughed at herself because she was so apprehensive about being such a novice vampire. Also, just hearing Janette's voice helped her calm down. With a heavy sigh, Natalie decided to settle herself into her new home ... her forced exile home.

Natalie had to follow the advice of one her favorite literary characters, Scarlet O'Hare ... tomorrow, she would figure out how to attract her one true love, Lacroix, back into her arms. She dragged herself up to the bedroom. Once upstairs, she smiled sadly to herself, thinking how many years she had longed to be in Nick's bed. Of course, Nick was not in it with her, but more importantly, neither was Lacroix. Needles of pain and regret were sticking under her skin, she longed for Lacroix.

Natalie lit a few tapers in the bedroom and turned off the lights. She knelt down beside the black silk covered bed and clasped her hands together to pray. "I wish you were here with me, my love, Lucien, with all of my heart and soul." Despite herself silent tears were creeping down her velvety cheeks.

Lacroix was hovering close to the sky light and heard her prayer. He sensed Natalie's tears of longing, in fact burning tears were clouding his eyes. He thought to himself, "Well, I had to make sure that she got settled in Nick's loft without any problems ... didn't I?" He sat back on his heels and wondered if he had been too rash turning his back on his lover, his heart, his Natalie. He had never expected Natalie or himself to suffer so much, when he said good bye. Was he going to let pride keep him from being with one of the few people that he had ever permitted himself to love? He flew quietly into the solitary and lonely night. His pain was without equal.

The sun had long since left the sky but Natalie felt too drained to move. Earlier, she vaguely remembered soft sounds coming from the kitchen but assumed that it was the supplies from the Raven. Natalie was grateful that she had taken some time off from everything to get organized in her new life ... the mere thought of facing anyone was too overwhelming. Finally, hunger forced her into action. The last thing that she did before sleeping was put on a beautiful black filmy nightgown. Without bothering to find her robe, she descended the stairs in hopes of finding some food.

Natalie was so surprised when she realized that the only one spot in the loft was shimmering in soft candle light. As she walked under the skylight, she looked up at the stars. She closed her eyes for a second prayer that Lacroix would sweep her into his arms and carry her upstairs. With her eyes still closed, she extended her arms to the sky ... she felt the light breeze billowing her gown ... she felt a whispering touch ... and another. Soon she was awash in the wonderful perfume of roses. Natalie slowly turned in a circle and opened her eyes to tender shower of rose petals ... hundreds of rose petals drifting from the stars.

She was aware that she was not alone any longer. Lacroix suddenly swept her up into his arms and flew to the bedroom. Their prayers had been answered that night.

End part 7