((Continued from http://z4.invisionfree.com/Behind_The_Veil...wtopic=990&st=0 ))

Liliah was already home by the time Ashton arrived, plopped down in front of the T.V. Some pointless hospital drama blared on the small screen. The youth's cell phone rested beside her. She did not even bother looking at her master until he stood between her and the screen.

"Oh, hi Imsety."

"Hi." He said emotionlessly.

She slouched back in the chair, glittering eyes squinting. "You've got a banana peel on your head."

Ashton removed the offending banana peel and a few other bits of garbage that had scattered over his suit. "I had to hide in a dumpster. You know. From the goons you sent after me!"

"Hey, those weren't MY goons!" Liliah objected.

"Then whose goons were they?!"

Liliah scratched the back of her head sheepishly. "Well, I was playing some tricks on the kitchen staff, messing around with their knives and burners and stuff, when one of them cornered me. I couldn't let them see a Fae flying around, so I used an illusion of the first thing I could think of. Which was you of course, my beloved master!"

Ashton's scowl deepened, but he was not as mad as he should be. Odd. "Why were you messing with them in the first place?!" He snapped.

"I needed a distraction," Giggled Liliah, picking up Ashton's phone from beside her and flipping it open. "So that I could take THIS."

The Hermetic took the phone and stared at the screen. "...This is a picture of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez looking kinda confused."

"Together!" Squealed Liliah's lilting voice. "It's a picture of them together! And with a little photoshop, it'll look like they're MAKING OUT! The nightmarish beast of Bennifer shall stalk the tabloids once more! This picture is going to ruin LIVES!" Cackled the Fae with sadistic glee.

"Oh." The anger vanished from Ashton's face "That makes sense."

He pressed a few buttons.

**PHOTO DELETED***

"Whoops."

"What!?" Protested Liliah, flying up and snatching the phone away from her master. She pounded the keys with her tiny fists, trying to retrieve her file. "You dickweed! Do you have any idea how much work it took to get that picture?!"

Ashton stalked off to the bathroom. "I don't care! Spreading gossip and c-carving up kitchen staff is completely unacceptable! I put up with a lot of crap from you, Liliah, but when I get chased by knife-wielding madmen is where I draw the line."

Liliah flew after him, pouting. "That isn't fair! You get chased by knife wielding madmen and angry mobs all the time, but when I do it it isn't acceptable?"

"I don't TRY to get them to chase me Lil!" Snorted the mage as he washed up. Something was jabbing him painfully in the leg. Ashton reached into his pocket and dug out Haley's spoon. A dreamy smile crossed his face. "At least the night wasn't a total wash. I met the most wonderful girl tonight."

"Oh?" Lilah perked up. "Really? Tell me all about her."

"Her name is Haley. She's a teamster! She's beautiful and smart and wise and super classy and she's been everywhere!" Grinned Ashton, leaning back against the tiled bathroom wall, head tipped back in memory.

"Go on..." Encouraged Liliah.

Ashton sighed and tossed some old spaghetti from his shoulder into the trash. "We talked and we just... connected, you know? We're so different but I never met someone who just, gets me. She's amazing!"

Liliah giggled and ruffled Ashton's hair. "That sounds great, mage-pants! I'm so happy for you! I hope I get to meet her someday. Did you pick up the Jewlery for the next date yet?"

"What? Jewlery? I just met her. It's a little early for that."

Liliah clucked her tongue. "Poor, poor Ashton. You took her to a famous restaurant for your first date. That sets a precedence."

Ashton looked a little sick. "A precedence?"

"Of course! Don't you know anything about women? Once you fly first class you don't go back to coach. You'd better start making reservations at other famous famous restaurants. Oh, and she'll expect at least one expensive gift per date."

Imsety could already feel his wallet hurting. "But I can't afford any of that stuff!"

Liliah flew in front of his face, looking hurt. "But don't you want to treat her right?"

"Uh..."

" You said that you connected the moment you first met. Girls like that just don't appear every day, Imsety. You said she was classy, Haley deserves a classy treatment. You have to show her you really care!"

"W-well, s-sure..." Studdered the youth, sweating profusely.

"Good!" Brightened Liliah. "You'd better start planning for your one year anniversary! Haley is going to be expecting a trip. Maybe to Cuba or France! It's the romance capital of the world."

Imsety paled. He coughed and stumbled out of the bathroom. "Excuse me Lil. I've gotta go have a heart attack now." He squeaked.

"Oh, okay." Chirped Lilah, floating back to her chair in front of the T.V. A small smirk crossed her face. "I'll be here when you're finished."


~END~