Eris De Luca

"…I feel old."

"Oh it's your birthday!  I love celebrations.  You must come to the house, it's on me.  I will make sure you won't feel old with a girl or two. You are still a strapping young man, I'm sure."

"God, thanks for reminding me, Eris." Ava said with a small smile. She opened up one of her folders and went through the pages with her fingers, until pulling out a page. "Here,"

"Well there is more.  You didn't tell me what the theme was going to be?  We have so many options.   You know we had romantic, gothic or what about a masquerade ball.  There is also fairy-tail and whimsical too.   Also I was wondering if you could talk to your friends over at city hall, it seems that my permeant for the live snakes and spiders has stalled."

— Need something? I’m a little busy. 

Actually, I do.  I need a guest list for the Halloween party you wanted me to throw at the house with my girls.

"Lost wallet, huh? That’s a shame. If I were you, I’d go straight to the police and make a full report. Theft is rampant around here. People these days.”

"I just feel sorry for the idiot that took it.   They're going to find a nice surprise of a severed ear in the billfold.  I should explain, one of my clients hasn't paid their bill so it was a warning from the last guy who didn't pay up.  You understand, right"

"Hmm." [Checking out St. Augustine] "Hello there.   I have no idea why but you remind me of someone.  I'm not sure but I have seen your face before.  The eyes, I have seen those eyes."

Believe it or not, but even I have my days off.

I guess. I hope you do know that you won't be off for Halloween.  It's our busiest night. Any ideas on a costume?

"Pretty sure we all are."

[Laughs] I'm glad I'm not out of place if we all are.  Shouldn't you be out on a date?  

Wondering where my invitation for the next one is. This last one must have gotten lost in the mail, right?

Don't look so sad.   I promise you that you can come to the next one.  In fact, it will be a Halloween party.   I will make sure the entire town knows about it.  You will have to dress up.   Will that be a problem?

“I know I know, the world’s my oyster, carpe diem, hugs not drugs” he rattled off in a bored, but light-hearted tone. “You’ve got a soft spot because someone needs to change the lights in those fancy ass chandeliers of yours and stilettos are not an  acceptable replacement for a ladder,” he said, giving her a pointed look. “Though I like to think it’s the smile that wins you over.”

"I have to admit that you're cheaper than a handy man, and you do have one of the best smiles in town.  I guess I don't understand why you hang out at this place.  You don't partake in the delights of the house and I'm way to old for you.   I begin to wonder why do you stay?"

“Don’t even think about it,” he warned, truly terrified by the prospect. “Those things are awful. Whoever decided a stiff white button down and sweaty coat made a man clearly never wore one.”

Eris laughs, "I wish for once you would just clean up for me.  It would make me so happy.  You are still young and you can be anything you want to be.  I just want you to know that.  That you can shoot for the stars.  God, I wish I understood why I have such a soft spot for you.  Seriously, there is going to be a Halloween party coming up.  What are you going to be?  This is important."

"One of your girls said you were in here. I hope I’m not interrupting?"

"Please! Please come in, Raphael!  It's been too long since we have spoken."  Gives him a hug and a friendly kiss on the cheek.  "Promise me that you can stay for a while and we can chat.  You have to catch me up on everything and tell me what is on your heart.   I don't care about what's on your mind but definitely I do want to know how your heart feels."