Deanna: "What happened?"
Tristan: "It was nothing, just forgot what order to play the chords in, that's all."
Deanna: "Then why do you look like you've seen a ghost?"

Deanna watched as Tristan's gaze drifted across the room to where Emily sat laughing with James & Markus and felt a chill. She fought back a sudden feeling of possessiveness, silently chiding herself for being ridiculous as he quickly returned his attention to her.

Tristan: "Do you remember what I told you about why I left here back in October?"
Deanna: "The girl?"
Tristan: "I thought…"

Tristan paused, letting out an almost cracked half-laugh as Deanna waited patiently.

Tristan: "I thought I saw her tonight, in the crowd, that's all. I mean, I know I never did anything to her, but it was so real."
Deanna: "But wouldn't it be a good thing to see that she's alive? That you really didn't do anything to her?"
Tristan: "You might think that, but it was like this girl was a glaring neon reminder of what I'll never get away from. I thought I was doing all right, but I don't know that I could pull back from it if I was in the same situation again."

Deanna: "I know how scary that feeling is, believe me. But do you really want to cut yourself off your friends?"
Tristan: "If it would keep them safe, then I would do whatever it takes."

Deanna stared quietly into the depths of his hazel eyes and knew he was telling the truth. She'd lost more than one friend to the beast, seen them lose themselves in the thrill of the hunt and the ecstasy of the kill. She felt lucky that she'd been changed by someone not unlike Tristan, someone who was strong enough to resist the primal instinct and was able to help her through her own dark times. She reached out and took his hands in her own, offering whatever reassurance she could.

Deanna: "Then you'll be fine, and you shouldn't worry."

Tristan: "I appreciate your confidence in me, but I think tonight I just want to go home."
Deanna: "I understand. Before we go you should at least let Emily know you're ok. She seemed pretty concerned about you as well."
Tristan: "Yeah ok…"

Tristan: "I'm heading home for tonight. I'm really sorry, I just don't really feel up to being sociable tonight."
Emily: "Is everything ok?"
Tristan: "Yes, fine."

James: "Ring me later on if you want. I'm thinking of calling it an early night as well."
Tristan: "Ok. I'll phone you tomorrow if not before."
Markus: "Don't leave me out of any plans. Serge is out of town again this week."

Emily: "Tristan… take care, ok?"
Tristan: "I will."