Briseis watched him, looking around the place. A smile crept on her face, finding it amusing someone so powerful could seem so worried. "You cool?"

Micah turned to her and nodded. "Yeah, I'm just people watching." He tried not to dwell on a question he really wanted to ask her. But it was inappropriate. And he was ultimately afraid of the answer, whatever she would say. "It's just a habit of mine."

Briseis shrugged. "Haven't you've done enough of that in your line of work? Consider this as a day off, Micah."

"It's kinda engrained in me."

"At first, I thought you were concerned about fitting in and I would have told you that was ridiculous."

He tilted his head in curiosity. "How so?"

She sat the plastic covered menu on the table. "You don't get it, do you? You definitely look like you belong. In fact, you probably always seemed that way when you stopped being all cold like a reaper. It was easy, that correlation between you being a reaper and being seen as an asshole disappeared when I laid eyes on that human part of you."

"Did you just call me an asshole?"

Briseis laughed. "Just past tense."

"Oh. So just when you met me." His eyes locked into hers.

She scoffed. "Of course! You scared the crap out of me!" She looked around smiling. "Seriously? You stalked me and scared me with the whole Skeletor-Cryptkeeper face." She shook her head. "Not cool."

Micah sat back, a glimpse of amusement on his face. "What, not as cool as my sabbatical being interrupted to try and tame an evil necromancer whose driving the Angel of Death absolutely nuts? You're right, maybe not."

Briseis gasped. "I'm not evil! Did he say I was evil?"

Micah shrugged. "He believes whatever he wants to believe."

She leaned forward. "And what does Micah believe?"

He took a sip of cold water, feeling his thirst appeased by the icy liquid. His eyes looked down at the glass, then up to Briseis. "I don't think you're evil. I think you're...complicated."

Briseis smiled. "I'll take that. It's not a compliment, but it's true."

The waiter came over with their order and began the set the plates of fare down. "Hey folks, here's your order along with some tartar sauce and lotsa hot sauce per your request." He set a po-boy plate in front of Briseis, then another in front of Micah. Briseis wiggled in her seat and smiled.

"Thank you!"

"No problem. Anything else I can get cha?" he asked as he tucked the large tray under his arm.

Briseis shook her head. "Nope. I think we're all set. Thanks a lot!"

"Yes ma'am. Y'all folks enjoy," he replied as he walked off to tend to another table.

Briseis grabbed his plate and slid it over to her side. Then grabbed the hot sauce and proceeded to shake on the fiery red liquid all over the sandwich. She could smell the aroma from the spices as she sprinkled a bit on the fried shrimp. "You need a little cajun blessing on your po-boy, sugar," she chided with an over-the-top southern drawl.

"What are you---"

She slid it back. "Go on. Try it now." Her eyes flashed with wicked confidence.

Micah looked at the sandwich and inhaled the enticing aroma of fried seasoned seafood bathed in a vinegar spicy red sauce. It smelled delicious and his stomach slightly grumbled at the temptation. Finally taking a bite he feels the crunchy texture of the fried crawfish, the tang of the remoulade sauce and soft bread. His eyes closed and savored the spicy pinch of the hot sauce in symphony with the other flavors.

Briseis smiled and watched her neighborhood reaper enjoy food for seemed like the first time. He chewed quietly, but the look of satisfaction on his handsome face gave her joy. How strange for such a thing to please her. "What's your verdict, Grim?"

Micah swallowed and opened his eyes.

The corner of her lips turned up, resting her jaw on her fist. "That good, huh?"

He immediately cleared his throat. "It's --it's okay."

"Yeah?" she raised a brow in scrutiny.

He shrugged. "You humans and food. It isn't a big deal."

Briseis shrugged back. "Well, I mean. I don't want to crowd you. You gave it try and you don't like it. That's cool." Briseis reached over and grabbed his plate pulling it back. "I'll just have our waiter pick it up."

He shook his head. "There's no need."

"Yeah, we need to get it out the way. It's perfectly fine." She stopped as Micah's hand quickly covered hers. His warmer than normal touch sending a rush to her head. His soft blue eyes held hers. Realizing he must have frightened her, Micah lifted his hand.

"I, uh. Should give it a more reasonable try. After all, I just had one bite. Perhaps it'll grow on me."

She smiled. "Okay, you go have at it." She slid the plate back over to him where he proceeded to dig into the sandwich taking a more hardy bite. Briseis couldn't help but giggle. Her smile grew seeing him enjoy food like he's never experienced food before. How odd for someone to have lived and existed for so long and never experience the joys of something as simplistic as delicious food? Immediately, she started thinking that her existence was just perhaps taking it for granted. It also started to raise a lot of questions as it just didn't seem right that reapers were numb to so much joy. As much as Micah wanted to explain the reason behind it, it still felt cruel. What else has he yet to experience that would make sense to learn?

"And you say that I'm complicated." she retorted as she bit into a sandwich. "You're quite the complicated one yourself Micah. I don't really know what to make of all of this sometimes."

Micah chewed and swallowed enjoying each bite but realizing it was his turn to talk looked up at her. "I'm not quite sure what you mean or is it about the food?" he asked.

"Well not necessarily. It's a bit more than that don't you think?" Briseis replied as she bit into her own sandwich.

Briseis suddenly found herself distracted as she heard the zydeco music playing overloud speaking of restaurant patrons not only that but seeing the older people dance on the Dance Floor begin to make her giddy inside they were doing all the cool things that she remember doing with her mom when she was younger she loves vodka music it reminded her of a time and things were a lot simpler and she had her mother with her. She hadn't danced in forever but watching the feet and boots of the patrons on the dance floor and made her anxious to join them.

Micah watched her watch them. "Is everything okay?" he asked.

Briseis nodded. "Yes, I'm fine. She turned around to him. "Do you want to dance?" she asked.

Suddenly Micah choked on his water at the sound of her question.

"So I'll take that as a no, right ?" she said lightheartedly as Micah wiped his mouth. His face turned slightly red as he was dreading that she was going to ask for such a thing. He didn't know a thing about dancing. He's seen it millions of times, he's heard about it and he's seen thousands upon thousands of styles of dancing but he never himself took part in such a thing. It wasn't what Reapers did and he could barely remember a time where he was not a Reaper or dancing was even a thing for him. The whole idea of dancing was frankly lost on him.

"I'm sorry for saying this, but like I said I'm not one for dancing."

"It's fine." Briseis replied. "I was only half kidding. I kind of expected that you didn't know how but it's never too late to learn. I'm actually not too bad but I am a bit rusty myself. "

Briseis took the last remaining bites over po' boy and set back with a sigh oh wow that was delicious. Dusty really puts her foot in these po boys I tell ya."

Puzzled, Micah look at the po' boy and then looked at her horrified. Briseis quickly raised her hand." It's okay. She did not actually put her foot in the food it's just an expression."

He quickly breathed a sigh of relief.

Briseis got up and made a beeline for the older couple who stole the show on the dance floor. A huge smile grew on her face as she approached them. "You guys were amazing! My mama taught me how to dance and she had the same moves as you two."

The woman laughed and patted her hand. She wiped the little beads of sweat from her forehead and grinned. "That's sweet of you, chile. My name's Celeste. Where's your mama now?"

Briseis sighed. "She's no longer with us."

The woman smiled and shook her head. "No, chile." She gently pressed her finger on Briseis' chest, over her heart. "She's right there is what you mean, yeah?"

With a beaming smile, she nodded. "Yes ma'am. You're right."

"Good. You should go out there and turn that there dance floor out, chere. Let's see what your Mama taught cha!"

Briseis exploded with laughter. "I wish." She pointed across the dance floor to where Micah sat quietly, staring back at them. "You see that tall drink of water over there? He won't dance with me."

The woman's husband frowned. "What?"

"He's shy and never danced before."

The older man sucked his teeth. "Aww hell, he ain't gonna learn sitting there, is he?"

"Well, Alcide will dance with you," his companion offered. "He don't mind, do you honey?"

"Naw!" He grabbed Briseis' hand. "You wanna dance, honey and make your old man jealous?"

Not bothering to correct him on his assumption that Micah belonged to her, she winked and squeezed his hand. "I'd love to dance with you." She turned to his little brunette wife. "Thank you!" she yelled as Alcide guided her out to the dance floor. A few seconds of a fast-paced zydeco song kicked off before he zipped her through the group of dancers.

Micah watched Alcide guide and twirl her around across the wooden dance floor. Their moves so elaborate and free moving, he found himself more intrigued to simply watch. Especially Briseis, who was all smiles and laughter. It shouldn't have surprised him. She was a magnet for vitality and joy, which for any witch but her could get away with. Nothing about Briseis screamed death. She was all life. When she had the freedom to, she was bold, beautiful life. She appeared to be a divine magnet for it. Her tender friendliness and warmth was so hard to ignore. Even him, a weathered and cynical reaper was losing the struggle. The old man winked at him as he held Briseis. "You can cut in at any time, buddy. She's an angel on her feet!" He moved her around and she also winked at him.

"Hi stranger!" She teased before Alcide whisked her onward to the upbeat music.

The waiter grabbed his attention as he picked up their plates. "How was everything?," he asked.

Micah nodded. "Very good. Thanks." He picked up everything except the hot sauce.

The waiter looked to the dance floor and nodded. "Wow, your lady is a really good dancer."

Micah grimaced. "She's not my--"

"What's that, sir?" the waiter asked, yelling over the music.

"Nothing." He looked at the empty glass mugs, then at the waiter. "Two more of those Hand Grenades, please."

He grinned. "You got it."

Briseis and Alcide smiled as the song segued into a waltz. They switched styles and even sang a long a bit. He looked up to see Celeste walking over to the table. She offered a gentle smile and leaned in. "I know I'm not gonna stand here and watch you just watch her tear up that dance floor without you."

"Excuse me?" he asked innocently.

"Oh, bless your heart. The good-looking ones are usually the simplest." she inclined her head towards the dance floor. "She told me you're shy, but I'm not buying it. I can tell when someone is wearing a mask, shielding something from wandering eyes."

Micah swallowed. His hands fumbled as the clasped them on table. He refrained from looking away, but her words made him want to dodge the direct hit of truth. "I don't know what you mean."

She shook her head. "Look hun, I can't tell you that I understand all women. Hell, we're all kinda crazy, the lot of us. But I do understand a basic woman's heart."

Micah raised his eyebrow, curious to see if there was anything she somehow knew that he in all his existence didn't. "And what's that?"

Celeste turned to look at Briseis and Alcide. "Our heart is a star. When we shine, we do it because someone made it easy for us to do so. Someone didn't let us down or Someone made us believe we even could shine. And when we shine, we just someone to see us. Because we're amazing. We just want someone else to see it."

Micah listened to her words as they served as a soundtrack to watching Briseis dance from a distance. She was a star, alright. A light that drew him in. It frightened him and yet, wild horses were starting to prove no match to keep him away. He stood up from the table just as the waiter came back with the drinks. He set them down each on top some napkins. "We'll be back."

Briseis turned towards their table to find it empty. With a grimace, she scanned the area until she saw her towering grim reaper walking up to the dance floor. Before she could help herself, her face lit up with a beaming smile. Alcide slowed to a stop as Micah approached.

His baby blue gaze harbored a bit of admiration as he nodded to Alcide. "I think your wife is missing you."

Alcide looked on and burst with laughter. "She got after yah, didn't she?"

He nodded, smiling. "Yep."

He patted Micah on the shoulder. "No problem. I think yours is missing you as well." He took Briseis hand and kissed it. "I had a good time, chere. You enjoy your mama's birthday today. Burn him out on that floor, chere!"

He finally passed her to Micah as if he was a proud father giving away his daughter on her wedding day.

Micah held her in his arms and for a moment everything to him fell silent. An air of tranquility stayed in their proximity, finally giving clarity to his otherwise, confusing haze of emotion.

The music slowed and changed into another waltz. This one was much slower. Adjusting to the new song, Briseis positioned his hands for him. Placing one around her waist and the other into her hand, she began to gently lead him.

She paused to the side and give him the simple steps to the waltz. Once he watched their feet for a minute, he began to anticipate her moves and started to waltz with much more confidence.

"Holy crap, you're a fast learner!" she yelled. Her jaw slightly relaxed in awe. "Or have you been secretly taking classes in between your reaping?"

"Ha. You're funny, Briseis Devareaux." He managed an amused smirk. "Our minds can pick up quite a bit in such a short time. If we're willing to, of course."

"Well, I must say, I'm rather impressed in your precision for a beginner. Not to mention your willingness to dance with me."

Her bright smile did very little to calm his apprehension while at least for a moment, but somehow it started to bleed into him warming his heart and unfortunately his cheeks as well. Softly, he cleared his throat as he began dancing with her. "Well, I had a little bit of liquid courage I think you guys call it. Hopefully, I don't fall flat on my face."

Briseis laughed, "Don't you worry, reaper," she said sobering. "I won't let you fall." As the music played the accordion sounds of a slow zydeco walls filled the room along with laughter including Micah and Briseis. So simple and yet so terribly complicated on how his charge managed to light up everything she touched. She being a necromancer had something to do with it yes, but he couldn't help but wonder if there was something more. Something much more to her that made it so.

"So, is this your first time?," she teased.

Micah's flash of dimples told her he picked up on her double entendre. "Well, it's been a while, but it certainly doesn't take long for me to remember the steps." He gently twirled her around careful not to step on her toes he walked timidly trying to lead, despite Briseis pension for doing it perfectly. He noticed her smile softly faded as she briefly looked down. "What's the matter?"

"I don't know, she said. "It kind of bothers me that you've been around so long that there's a good part of you that you don't even remember anymore."

Confusion crinkled his face. Why was she so concerned about that? Micah shrugged. "I guess I never really thought about it. It doesn't really matter because it's in the past."

"Yeah, but not really for you. It would be your past if you could remember it. But you don't even really know how old you are, do you? She asked.

Micah took a moment to reflect those a lot that he actually did remember how far back he lost track. He didn't know how much information to give her and how much would be wholly dangerous. I mean would it scare her to know that he remembered a time when the world of man was no bigger than Rhode Island? That there was a time when they looked up at the sky and were both amazed and terrified at what they were seeing? Like an old painting in a cave, small bits and pieces of his life just simply disappeared over the years. He never really did question it. And when he became a reaper they made it very clear that their time is a human was gone. Received a new role in the arms of the divine in that role comes with forgiveness of all their human transgressions whatever that may be. Putting the number two how long he's actually lived or been in existence would look more like a mathematical equation less of a number. He brought his attention back to the pale turquoise eyes of his date. She was waiting for an answer and he knew by that look that she wasn't going to just let it go.

"I don't really remember how old I am, but to be fair it doesn't really matter to me. I'm here. How old I am really has nothing to do with it."

"I know, but how you feel about who you are and you lost in pieces of yourself. Maybe there was a time where you danced. Or a time you had a delicious po' boy sandwich. I don't know-- wouldn't you want to remember it the way it felt?"

"No. As I said before, feelings getting the way of our jobs. I do appreciate being very good at what I do so if that means that I have to suppress bits of myself and parts of my old life I am okay with that it's part of the job.

Briseis swayed in his arms, but felt so far away from him. What was the point of them living if they only were supposed to be shells of their former selves? She knew that Azareal probably had his reasons, but it seemed cruel. She swallowed. "So," she said, "Is this still business to you? Is this part still the job?"

Everything he did while grounded was to get her to follow the agreement so he could get to complete his mission and get back to his life. Dancing, laughing with her--all of that could be excusable if it meant he was fulfilling the mission. But, this night had nothing to do with any of that. All he knew was that being with her like this felt good. Too good. Heavens help him, the little witch had her grips in him and it was dangerous. He swallowed with a look void of warmth. "Yes, it is."

The sting of his response pierced and deflated the bubble of warmth between them. Briseis nodded, unable to look into his eyes for a moment. "I see." Her voice was barely audible. Thankfully, the song ended and Briseis pulled away. "It's late, I should get the check so we can leave."

Micah watched her wiggle from his grasp and made a beeline to their table. "Briseis..." But she wasn't looking back. He stood on the dance floor as she pulled out money and placed on the table. When she turned to leave, Micah chased after her.

Briseis pushed through the thick, drunken crowd of the French Quarter, eager to find another place to get lost and get drunk. She should have had her head examined inviting him. What was she expecting? She didn't get far when she felt a tug on her clothing. She whipped her head back to see Micah behind her. "What do you want?"

"I wanted to make sure you're alright. You ran off."

She shook herself from his grip. "I'm fine. You can go on home. I think I rather finish the night alone. I wouldn't want this to count as overtime for you, you know." She proceeded to move with the crowd.

Micah totally caught the sting of her retaliation, but it didn't come close to the wound he saw in her eyes earlier. He didn't know how to make it right, but the guilt was so fresh and parasitic. He continued to follow her, trying to catch up. Finally, at a corner, he tracked her down. "Briseis, listen."

She scowled. "No, I'm not interested. You told me the truth and that's what I asked for. I'm not going to break any rules, but I still want to have fun tonight with someone who understands what that is and is genuinely interested in fun. Not some asshole playing fun to check a box for his boss!" Her eyes watered, but she didn't care. "So I've absolved you from being my date, Micah. You're free to go!"

"Briseis?" a male voice from the crowd called out.

Both Micah and Briseis turned towards the man approaching and Briseis swore under her breath, before plastering a plastic welcoming smile. Man, her luck was utter shit. "Hey, there, um Mark."

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