A few hours later and Lestat had finished his phone calls, even Marius had agreed to take part. Armand stated that he was coming for a long over due visit to assist in the preparations, which is just what I need! Now don't get me wrong I don't have a problem with Armand, sometimes his company can be a little .. 'Interesting', but the problems always come when Lestat and Armand get together.

"Louis! Stop brooding in the corner and come and help me!" I sighed; he would be so wrapped up in this adventure that he would soon forget all about me again.

I perched on the edge of his desk, he had papers scattered everywhere and he was scribbling something in his note book. When I sighed again he reached out and patted my thigh.

"Its okay Louis I can understand how you feel." He said returning to his little book. "You're probably nervous as you've never performed in front of an audience before. I felt like that when I first took the stage all those years ago, I did tell you about my acting days didn't I?"

"Yes Lestat, you wrote all about it in your first book and well so I'm sure a large majority of the worlds population also know." He seemed oblivious to me again.

"Theres no need to be facetious my love."

"Well what do you want me to do Lestat, dance a little jig, and act out Shakespeare or read poetry?" I had to know what he had planned for me. "Or are you going to tell me on the night?"

He covered his mouth as he started giggling to himself. "Oh God no Louis, telling you on the night would be a disaster, after all it takes you two nights in advance to get ready to the theatre."

"Thats not fair! You take that long picking out clothes for me to wear; you even nit-pick over what socks I have to put on. If you'd just let me get myself ready."

"No offence darling but your dress sense hasn't exactly been of the standard expected in a majority of our venues."

"I am perfectly capable of dressing myself, your problem is I don't enjoy or see the need to wear the most expensive shirt available for sitting around the house."

He gave me a dismissive shrug. "I don't have time for a domestic argument with you right now dearest."

The nerve of it all! Now dont get me wrong, I love Lestat with my whole heart but at times like these he can be infuriating!

"Fine then! Be like that!" I wish at times I could have Marius patience and just be able to smile at the Brat Princes antics. I got up to leave, when I felt him catch hold of the back of my shirt.

"Wait a minute Louis." I brushed his hand away, which he allowed, and watched him slouch back into his chair and slowly cross his arms across his chest. Arrogant little imp! "If you're so certain you can present yourself sufficiently for this concert I will never pressure you about what to wear ever again."

I was shocked.

"Ever again is a long time my love are you sure you can manage that?"

He nodded. "And you will sing for me beautiful one."

"Sing what?" I was filled with the fear of what he had chosen for me.

"Oh you can choose whatever takes your fancy."

I think my jaw hit the floor at that. Anything. Whatever I wanted to do. I thought Id misheard him. "Anything?"

He chuckled. "Yes anything."

"How long do I have?" I heard the strange eagerness in my voice, it seemed alien to me, and perhaps I would enjoy this in some unusual way. I must have been grinning like a lack-wit because Lestat got up, embraced me hard, spun me around and shoved me towards the door.

"Go find some inspiration. You have a week before we start practice."

I staggered forward and paused at the front door, looking down the hall I could see Lestat framed by the doorway. A regal figure in an immaculate lace shirt and fitted trousers, his hair was a golden mane freed to fall delicately around his shoulders. He was watching me and mouthed the word "Shoo" gesturing for me to go. I departed into the heavily scented New Orleans air, and the humidity was close but oddly comforting. I broke into a brisk walk hypnotized by the darkened houses under the overcast sky.