I was lost, and then you were found

[Magda Eisenhardt]

She bit her lip and watched him laying there, before forcing herself to get up and walk to the washing room. There she wet a towel, and cleaned her belly from his spilling on her skin. Then she took a clean cloth back to him, so he too could clean himself. Lifting her skirt, she kept smiling while talking to him in a very pleased with her self tone.

"Keep everything you had thought of in mind for after some food." Pulling her shirt over her head she walked back toward the washing room but paused near the hat rack. Lifting his hat from it she placed it on her head. Turning and approaching him, she danced slightly while doing it. "Did I wrinkle your gadjo clothes?" Magda asked, "I like the idea of wrinkling you."

[Erik Lehnsherr]

He just lay there, feeling the immediate deprivation of her touch, of the contact of their skin. She brought him a clean towel and he used it to wipe himself, cleaning what he could so that he could redress. He sat up, bringing his pants to him by using the metal of the belt and began to pull them on, before seating himself on the edge of the bed against, this time, half dressed. He watched her as she put on his hat and moved in a rhythmic manner toward him.

He feared the ending of this moment. Of going back out into the world, and rationality hitting him. He wanted to savor this, savor whatever relationship they had that had led to such intensely intimate actions. He gave a slight smile, watching her, finding her far more beautiful than he could have possibly imagined. "You did far more to me than you did to my clothes," he said in a teasingly accusatory voice. With that, he finally rose to his feet, reaching for his shirt and buttoning it up before properly fastening his belt over his shirt so that it was tucked in. Adjusting his collar, he sat back down on the bed to start putting on his shoes. "Where do you want to go?" He asked, unsure of what she wanted to eat or where so that he could start planning their route.

[Magda Eisenhardt]

He sat to pull on his shoes, she picked up her boot and hopped on one foot, to quickly slide it on. Before she put the other one on, Magda pulled something from it--something she carried there so it never got stolen. But today, she wanted to wear it! It was a necklace, made for a neck smaller then her own, but it still fit. It was special because it was made by a special little boy.

She pulled it on, and then pulled her other boot on in the same manner. "I don't know, whatever smells good when we get there." Wherever there might be. She didn't really plan too much, just went where she felt she should go. "I will eat anything--and everything!" She joked, knowing that ever since the camps she always ate, and ate. She hated to feel hungry. "Then cherries! Then bed." She winked, wondering if he would take notice of what she put on.

If he remembered giving it to her.

[Erik Lehnsherr]

He did not fail to notice what she put around her neck. She was answering his question, saying that she was happy to go anywhere for food, and he was too distracted by seeing a familiar metal made piece of jewelry around her neck. He rose to his feet stepping toward her. He used his ability to raise the metal necklace, not pulling it from her neck, but merely letting the bottom part rise in the air so that he could see it.

A slight smile formed on his lips. She had kept it all this time. Letting the sentiment sink in, he let the metal fall back to her neck, looking at her face. He took the hat from her head and placed it on his own, giving her a bit of a wink. "Come. Let's find you anything and everything then," he said, already opening the door from this distance, waiting for her to proceed toward it so that he could follow.

[Magda Eisenhardt]

He lifted her necklace and she found herself smiling, pleased that he noticed she still had it. "Prized possession." She said in a voice just above a whisper. He lowered it, and her hand lifted to touch it, as if surprised to find no strings attached to it. Then he stole her hat, and told her they would find her food; which made her smile brightly once again.

She paused from walking toward the door when it opened on it's on, thought after a second she laughed softly and walked through it. Seeing him be so comfortable with himself and his gifts was good. She had feared what sort of man would be left from the camp, but Erik seemed to be proud of what that evil man had tried to make him ashamed of. "Are you going to call the lift too?" She asked, but hoped he wouldn't too. If others learned of him, what then? She almost regretted her words, but this was so new and she wasn't sure how to handle it.

[Erik Lehnsherr]

She teased him as to whether he would be calling for the lift as well. "I will let it come on it's own," he told her with a slight smile. To be able to be so natural in front of her, was not common. In any previous brief intimate encounters, he did not often use his powers so, casually. With Magda, it was different. It was easier to be himself, for she knew who he was in the darkest period of his life. When the elevator came, he waited for her to step inside before he did the same, pressing the button that would take them to the main floor.

"Apart from cherries, what else is it you like?" He asked. He wanted to know specifics not only so he could plan where to take her, but also so that he could get to know her. He knew little about her likes and dislikes, for it had not seemed to matter for the emotional connection they shared was powerful enough to bond them. Still, he found his curiosity growing, asking out of wanting to know rather than the obligation to make small talk.

[Magda Eisenhardt]

He let it come on it's own, and she felt glad for it. Had he pulled it to them and someone took notice then word could spread and something could happen to him. She'd have to be careful of asking him to do things in public. Magda didn't wish him harm because she asked him to do something.

"Cherries are my favorite." She admitted, "Peaches. Apples." She liked fruit, and bread, and every sort of food. "Ever since. . . that place . . . I have been in love with food. I want to try everything before I die." That sounded a bit depressing, "So for the next fifty years I plan to do my best to eat everything in sight." She teased, and looked up at him, "But especially cherries."

"What about you? What is your favorite food?"

[Erik Lehnsherr]

She certainly liked a lot of fruit. And well, everything. It seemed she liked everything. And quite truthfully, it was refreshing, to see her so full of life where as he seemed to be the opposite. She had not the war destroy her, and yet, held a rather positive outlook on life, enjoying what she could from her. Food seeming to be a huge part of that. "It seems like a reasonable goal," he said teasingly. At least it was a more optimistic one. An innocent one. Perhaps that was partly why he was so drawn to her; because of the innocence she seemed to hold. He knew what she had been through during the war, yet looking at her now, one would not think she came from such a dark and devastating past.

She asked him what his favorite food was and he had not quite thought about it. He did not value the same things she did, so had not thought over what his favorite food was. When they arrived at their floor, he walked out with her, still thinking over what a suitable answer for her question would be. "Potato soup," he told her. His mother used to make it for him, and it had forever been a favorite dish of his. But without going into detail of it, he simply gave his answer. "Since most of the markets are closed at this hour, we will have to find a restaurant and hope they have fruit on the menu," he said teasingly toward, not wanting to talk of his own preferences.

[Magda Eisenhardt]

"That's a good food." She told him, after he told her of his favorite meal. She liked soups too, but the fruit that had been denied to her while there was her favorite. "We should find some!" She wanted to eat his soup, before finding cherries and taking him back and making him feed her them one at a time. And her to him.

Taking his hand, she walked with him, excitement in ever step because she was with him, and for tonight they were together. There was apart of her that was nervous as well, "I have not been in too many restaurants." Most could tell what she was, and sent her away thinking she'd have no money or steal from them. Besides, it wasn't something she could afford often.

[Erik Lehnsherr]

She spoke of how they should find potato soup from somewhere, and Erik remained silent. Truth was, he had not had it since his mother had last cooked it for him . . . which was a very long time ago. He forced himself not to look down at their now intertwined hands. He was not used to this. Not used to holding a woman's hand as he walked down the street with her to take her to a restaurant. But he found himself unable to break the contact. She said she had not been in many, and it made sense. They were expensive. And the only reason Erik could afford them was because he stole money.

He often took enough to pay for hotels, food, clothing, and the basic necessities. Besides, he did not require it for anything else. Until perhaps now. "Neither have I," he told her, but probably for entirely different reasons. He usually only went if it was related to tracking a lead to find Shaw. Other than that, he didn't exactly dine by himself in different restaurants. When not physically tracking Shaw or someone to lead him to the man, he was in his hotel room, thinking of ways to catch him; looking at his wall of obsession. "Why don't you have the honor tonight of selecting one," he said, as they were starting to come across some.

[Magda Eisenhardt]

Her pick? "I would not know which one!" She admitted, walking forward and turning to face him, so she walked backwards and could look at him. "You would know then better then I!" But she loved that he asked her! Stopping, so that he would come to rest standing before her, Magda looked around, picking her favorite based on which one had the most pleasing style to the building. "This one." She said with a point.

Before he could move to go there her eyes caught something, "Oh wait! That one!" They had candles outsides! It added a charm! Pulling him slightly she walked toward it only to stop and see another one slightly down from them, this one had a sign that read 'Tonight's special: Cherry Pie' With an excited gasp she spun to look at him! "That one!"

She was never so excited and light--it was only because of him she was so tonight. Because she was still in the excited high of finding him again!

[Erik Lehnsherr]

He couldn't help but smile, seeing her excitement over all the possibilities. It made him want to ask her to stay until they tried them all, but knew better. In the end, she seemed to be won over by the cherry pie. It seemed to have been fate, that she be such a lover of cherries and here there was a sign that offered to satisfy her craving for them. "Then there it shall be," he told her, moving toward the selected restaurant. He told the host a table for two and he led them to one where they could sit outside, enjoying the warm air which held a nice cooling breeze.

Their menus were brought to them and when their serve left, Erik just looked at Magda. "Let me guess, you want the cherry pie?" He said, teasingly, knowing that whether she wanted it for a meal or dessert, they would most certainly be ordering it. He wasn't used to eating like this, or putting a great deal of thought into what he ate. But with her, he found himself enjoying it. It was after all food that had brought them together, for at the camp, that had been her duty: to bring him food every day. And now here they were, in the open, free from such cruel captivity, about to enjoy a meal together.

[Magda Eisenhardt]

Erik got them seats, and Magda smiled--glad for once that noting happened to cause this night to be ruined. Though it could be because he was here. Picking up the menu she already knew what she wanted. "Yes! And then the soup!" Something caught her eye, "And the bread." She loved bread, but only when it was fresh. Old bread reminded her of that place.

Tossing the paper list aside she watched him, wondering what he found joy in, like she did food. "Today had been one of the best days I have ever had." It wasn't easy being honest, but with him it felt right. "I did not expect this when I awoke this morning." She had gone to the wall to see if he was dead, only now she had him alive and was sharing a meal with him. "To finally enjoy a meal with you. To see you alive. To feel you . . . . alive." In bed.

[Erik Lehnsherr]

His smile remained. For her to be so excited over such a simple thing. Though he also knew that it was not so simple. After all they were deprived of in the past during their time in the camps, these such things -- including freedom -- were not simple, nor would they be taken for granted. She went on to tell him that today had been one of the best days she ever had and, he had to admit that he felt the same way. With his mission, with what he had dedicated the past few years of his life to . . . she had been the one good thing he'd experienced in a long time. And that was putting it minimally. "Nor I," he admitted, not having expected any of this. He had not expected to see her there, and managed to catch sight of her the exact moment she had just happened to walk by. If he fully believed in faith, he would have believed that this was the epitome of it.

She spoke of him being alive, and for the first time in a while, he felt alive. He felt like he had a soul that was not just blackened with hate and vengeance. That he had a heart that beat with a purpose other than to kill. Vocalizing such things were not exactly easy, but nor did he want to minimize the significance of her words, and how he felt the same way about her. "Thanks be to you Magda, for the first time in years, I truly feel alive." He would not undermine that, nor underplay her role in making him feel this way. And he wanted her to know that; despite whatever may happen tomorrow, he needed her to know at least this much.

[Magda Eisenhardt]

His words caused her to stare at him, with a smile on her face. Then after a few seconds she stood, and hurried around to frame his face and kiss him. "Never should have left that bed," She teased as she moved back to her chair. Erik's words proved that she wasn't alone in this feeling. It was enough to make her wish for more.

Back in her seat, she could only stare at him. The waitress brought them drinks and bread, but Magda said nothing until she departed again. "I don't want tonight to end." She admitted, picking up a roll and handing it to him, all too aware of how she had done this years ago with stale bread. "I fear sleeping, for I will awaken to find tonight a dream. That I was never here, and it will be time to go look for your name on the wall." And that today was only a dream. She wanted to go get her bag, and stay with him, but she would not ask, or beg.

At least not yet.

[Erik Lehnsherr]

He watched her as she moved toward him and kissed him, teasing him by saying that they should have never left the bed. He agreed, of course he did. But if she wanted food, then he wished to give her at least that. She spoke of how she did not want tonight to end. And he knew, that he felt the same way. Perhaps he would not if he was no longer in her presence, yet right now, feeling as he did when he was with her . . . made him not want tonight to be over. "Then perhaps we should not sleep tonight," he said, his words both as a basic statement of logic, but also a hint of suggestion in it. If they did not sleep, then they would not have to wake up, for fear waking up and seeing that this was all a dream.

And perhaps, they could pretend that the next few days were long drawn out nights, where they would not have to face the world. He knew it was not likely, for he had things he needed to do, leads he needed to follow, people he needed to kill. "You will never need to look for my name on such a wall again." He would not die as a prisoner from those camps. He would not give them that. He would kill Shaw and whatever came after that, he would embrace. But he could promise her, that she never had to look for his name among the deceased from the concentration camps.

[Magda Eisenhardt]

Magda smiled and pulled a bit of her bread off to savor it in her mouth while watching him, "It does not mean that I wont look for you sometimes." Admitting it was easy right now, and she hoped it didn't change his mind about her spending the night with him, or these next few weeks. "Just make sure you're alright."

Because she would not stop worrying about him, and wanting to make sure he wasn't dead. Wanting to make sure he wasn't living this solitary life of doing nothing but hunting. She wanted him to laugh and smile--after the horrors that they'd seen it was only fair that they got a good life. That something happy at least touch their lives to make it worth while. "So I can drag you to find potato soup and cherries."

[Erik Lehnsherr]

Hearing that she would look for him sometimes filled him with mixed emotions. It was not that he didn't want her to. It was that he could not make the same promise right now. For his efforts lay in finding Shaw above anyone and everyone else, regardless of many years it may take. "I will be fine," he assured her, unafraid of whatever path lay ahead him. Nothing could be worse than the camps. He could not simply live until he lay to rest his need to avenge his mother, and all those who died. "You should ensure that you take care of yourself as well."

The thought of her traveling around the world by herself . . . made him wish he could ask her to stay with him. And the reason and rationality for why he couldn't way starting to fade further and further from his mind. "Is this how you see yourself living for the rest of your life? Traveling from place to place?" His voice was not filled with judgement, but rather, genuine curiosity. She had told him that it was not in her people's nature and culture to settle one place for long. But it made him wonder . . . did she ever want to settle, have a family, a stable home? While he could not see it in his future, did not mean he did not want it for her. Only if it made her happy of course.

[Magda Eisenhardt]

He said he would be fine, but she wanted better then fine for him. She wanted wondrous things, and happiness for him. "It's in my blood. I like to move around. Find new places, see new people. Who knows, maybe I will find some of my people again and join with them. No can wants to be alone forever, it might be nice to travel with others. Having something constant in a world of mystery."

"I read cards for gadjos sometimes, for money, and all of them want to know their future, but I don't. I like not knowing. I want to just be free while I can. Maybe one day find someone who loves me, and can either join me or I them." However until that day she was here, and there. Everywhere. "What of you, Erik? What do you want. I mean after you find him. What then?"

[Erik Lehnsherr]

She spoke of how traveling as in her blood, and how she enjoyed seeing new things. How she continued to search for her people, with the hopes of being in their company. Traveling with others. She sounded so, free. Enjoying the liberty that they had once been deprived of. It was, as he had previously described in his mind, refreshing, to see someone so full and appreciative of life. Though, it was a contrasting difference to his own views and perspectives. She spoke of possibly finding someone to love and who loved her, and he couldn't help but let his mind linger on this thought, before she asked him a question to distract him. "I have nothing planned after that." And unlike her, he planned. He calculated things. Truth be told, his entire current existence was dedicated to finding Shaw, that he did not know what would come after he had achieved his goal.

"You really do love life and all it offers, don't you?" He asked with a slight smile. She wanted to take advantage of whatever the world brought her. Where as Erik saw it as a place of darkness and suffering. She wanted to try new things, enjoy all the offerings. He only wanted to fulfill his desire to kill a man. How different they were, though he wondered if that was what made her so attractive to him, so drawn to her. It was not only about the past they shared, but it was her personality. Such optimism, was not something he saw often and knew that it was partly because he consciously chose not to associate himself with people like that, or people in general. Yet as always, it seemed that Magda was once again the exception to this.