Mirror Image

[Guest]

Idiots. The world was filled with them and Gerard was forced to interact with them constantly. In his ear, the crackling sound of bad country music played while he waited for the imbecilic bitch to get her act together and get back on the bloody phone. Gerard sat in his very modern living room, on his sleek and clean couch, wearing nothing but a fancy, plush bathrobe, impatiently tapping his fingertip on the side of the cordless phone against his ear. In his lap rested the catalog he was ordering from, opened to the page displaying the very chic glass, marbleized vase he was trying to get. They were out of the oceanic blue design, which would go perfect in front of the window. The clerk, who was supposedly serving him, half-remembered a new shipment coming in and at his insistence, she went to go check. And she was taking her sweet time.

Why was there so much trouble with this? He'd ordered from them before - that flat screen TV hanging against the wall, the treadmill, the entertainment center, the china, and nearly every fricking thing in his bathroom. All ordered from this same dumb-ass catalog. He was practically at the top of their list of preferred customers! He didn't deserve this kind of treatment! Glancing at the clock on the wall, he let out a heavy breath and slapped the magazine down on the glass coffee table sitting in front of him. As he leaned forward, a shade of himself leaned with him, a ghost-like apparition seen in the depths of it's surface. When Gerard looked off to the right and ran a hand through his hair, his haunted double looked to it's left and copied the motion.

"Sir?" the female voice came back on the line, hesitant and sickeningly kind. For God sakes... He almost wished she hadn't come back at all. Almost.

Before she could go on with whatever she had to say, Gerard stepped in and blasted at her, "It's about time! I've been waiting for almost half an hour!" She stammered a moment but he ignored her. "Is this what you call service? Not all of us can waste time on the clock like you do, waddling about your little fucking cubicle! Some of us have appointments and dates to get to!"

"I... I apologize, sir. I checked to see about the Deep Blue Sea Corral Vase you wanted--"

"Yes. And?!"

"--and the shipment logs say there should be some in stock, but..."

"But what?" he grated out in exasperation, incomprehensibly annoyed beyond belief. "They're either in and you have them and I can order them or they're not and I can't. Which is it?" Honestly, this wasn't difficult. Unless you were five and mentally handicapped, which this woman apparently was!

"They're not."

"Then we're done. Thank you for the lovely chat," he shook his head and rose from his seat, his reflection in the glass table wandering by and out of sight as he walked down the hall to his bedroom.

"I'm really sorry. Maybe you'd like the Desert Pink Sunset vase?"

"You already offered me that before I told you to check the records for the color I wanted. And I told you then, if you offered me the pink again, I'd shove it up your disease-ridden arse." His ghost-like image drifted past the glass pictures in the hallway, ranting silently while Gerard's voice grew louder. "Not only do you suck at your job by not having all the necessary files that you might need if, gee, I don't know. If someone calls and actually needs something from you. That way you don't waste their precious time taking hours to search for what you should already know. But you also suck at life by being such an incompetent moron who doesn't even pay attention when customers specifically ask you not to try to sell them shitty puke-colored crockery!"

Entering his vast bedroom, he harshly pressed a button on the phone and tossed it on the bed, sauntering over to his walk-in closet. Instantly, the woman and her frivolous idiocy was cast out of mind as he regarded his wardrobe of expensive suits and polo shirts. Now that was over, it was time to deal with a new headache. His blind date. It was someone Charles knew and although he had great taste in classy, upper class women, it was the "blind" part of the equation that bit at Gerard. He just hoped she didn't turn out to be a slob or a obnoxious twit. He could handle just about anything, from bimbos to dull bitches, so long as they made nice enough arm candy and made him look good in public. Otherwise, he had absolutely no use for them.

In minutes, he was clad in a sleek, midnight blue suit, almost black it was so dark, and a deep, blood red dress shirt underneath. Standing in front of the mirror, he tied his tie and his reflection did as well. A slender man with blue eyes and short white blonde hair looked back at him, smiling haughtily when he adjusted his tie and combed his quickly drying hair. On the other side of the glass... beyond the silver, beyond the metal backing and the wall it was hanging from... deeper, inside it, stood Gerard's reflection, staring through the window between the worlds.

As Imago buttoned Gerard's suit jacket and smoothed his hand down the front of it, he felt immensely pleased as he kept pace with the other man, moving as he did, every facial expression, every muscle twitch exactly the same. Even though they looked exactly alike, he was not Gerard, but an entirely separate being with thoughts and feelings of his own. And although he did not always agree with the things his human companion did or said, he found more fulfillment in the dance they shared day in and day out than he did in his own autonomy. He didn't have to like Gerard as a person; being one with him through the mirrors was enough. And there wasn't anything more that Imago could want or ask for.

Finally satisfied with his appearance, Gerard stalked back down the hallway, picking up his keys before finally leaving his apartment. Although immensely satisfied about how incredible he looked right now, he again experienced a moment of dread when thinking about his date, hoping once again that she was at least tolerable to look at. Getting into his silver Audi, he started driving to the five-star restaurant where he was supposed to meet her, his blue eyes meeting Imago's when he glanced at the rear-view. He also really hoped she wasn't tardy. Gerard had enough of women wasting his time today.

[Holyhead Jones]

Ever since high school, Noelle had a problem with men. She was a beautiful young woman, barely twenty-two. The ones who wanted to date her didn't think she had a brain, or was able to speak her mind. A lot of the dates ended up badly, which put her off of men for some time. It wasn't until she was twenty-one that her friend forced her into dating again. Noelle spent her days working, and her nights cleaning up her home and spending time with her dog. Her day went as normal, up until she got the phone call at lunch about the blind date. She was at work when it happened, and it made the rest of the day horrible. She spent the next few hours at work dreading her evening plans.

Once she got home, she took her Great Dane out for a quick walk, then came back inside to get ready. Before she could get into the shower, her friend came over. The other woman waited while Noelle took her shower. She was soon finished with her shower and began curling her hair, letting it hang over her shoulders. She put on a light layer of makeup, and pulled on the dress she thought would look best on her small frame. Being a female that didn't like wearing heels, she pulled on a pair of black flats to compliment her outfit. "I really don't know about this," she said to her friend. "Mainly because I don't know what this guy is like, you know? He could be a jerk for all I know, and that would not go well for me. A nice girl dating a jerk."

"I wouldn't worry about it, Noelle, really. I haven't met him myself, but I trust his friend Charles. He's the one who set up the date."

Noelle stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her hair fell over her shoulders in dirty blonde curls, her eyes a sparkling green. She really hated dressing up for a dates, and hated going on them even more. But her friend set her up on a blind date, and she had no option to refuse. "I don't know why you're making me go on this date. The last," she counted on her fingers, finally ending at five. "Five dates you've sent me on, ended up with rich and snobby men who thought they were better than me. Yes, I admit that I am not perfect, but still. Ugh.." She turned to face her friend, Christine.

"Oh come on, Noelle. Maybe this one will be the right one for you. You're young, beautiful.. who wouldn't want you?" The girl being spoken to rolled her eyes, zipping up the remainder of her knee-length red dress. It scooped down in the front just enough to still be sexy, with an even amount if it being decent. She didn't have much cleavage to show off to begin with. "I just hope he likes me," she sighed. "I mean, should it really be necessary for this one to be as rude as the others?" The two women finally left Noelle's apartment, and she was on her way to the restaurant she was meeting this guy at. She pulled in front of the Valet Parking sign, and got out, letting the man take her car to be parked.

With a deep breath, she headed inside, noting the clock on the wall. She was a few minutes early, so she just waited in the lobby. "Oh goodness, I'm so not ready for this date.."

[Guest]

Gerard loved his car - the feel of being behind the wheel, the sound of it, and most importantly, the way he looked in it. He was the envy of all of his work mates, a few of them going so far as to copy him after he bought it. Pulling up to the front of the restaurant, he took a moment to badger the valet about being careful with his "baby", and when he noticed the guy roll his eyes, Gerard threatened to have the guy fired. He stayed standing on the curb as the red vested moron got behind the wheel and watched with a satisfied grin as the car pulled slowly away.

Putting on a dignified expression, he sauntered up to the doors of the restaurant, his reflection appearing and disappearing in the shiny gold frames as he passed through the revolving doors. Once he was clear of them, he surveyed the room and stopped, awestruck. The red was what caught his eye, but the body wearing it was what kept his attention, and a prideful smirk dominated his lips as he looked her up and down. There was a large mirror on the entire length of wall beside her, and on the other side of the silver world-window, Imago faced the woman's reflection, his eyes being forced to trace their way over her body before coming to focus on her face.

He hesitated. Gerard started to walk towards her and there were 2 complete seconds when Imago remained standing still, a startled expression skittering across his features before he corrected himself and once again unified himself with his human companion. Unbelievable! That had never happened before! Sure, as a youngster, as he slowly got used to his human, there had been small slips and mistakes - nothing noticeable, and kept in check by his mirror mother and father who copied Gerard's parents. But he was a full 26 years old and should have perfected his craft by now! Internally berating himself for getting distracted, he smiled in appraisal at the mirror woman, as Gerard looked at the woman on his side of the barrier, his gaze licking up and over her elegant and gentle curves once more.

Clearing his throat, he cocked a dashing eyebrow as he held her hand to his lips and said, "Please, madame, would you make my dreams come true and tell me your name is Noelle?" Gerard was pleased and hoping, but Imago internally rolled his eyes at the corny line, even as his lips moved to form the words. He found himself completely enchanted by the glorious female creature in front of him and for the first time in his entire life of mimicry, felt annoyed that his eyes kept falling to her breasts and hips as the introductions were made. "You look absolutely stunning," Gerard said, in his heart celebrating that he'd hit the jackpot with this stunning beauty. "Charles' description did not prepare me to be knocked off my feet tonight." But he'd definitely have to thank the guy for setting him up with her.

Giving her another charming grin, he offered her his arm and proceeded to escort her to their table. The room was luxurious and filled with multifaceted crystals and reflective gold and silver trim and the room was large and opened wide with a high ceiling. Gerard was so used to the splendor that surrounded them, he kept his eyes on the woman at his side, thus allowing his mirror copycat to keep his eyes on her as well as he bounced from reflection to reflection. Like the perfect gentleman, he pulled her seat out for her and of course, took the moment to discreetly eye her bottom before she seated herself and he pushed her in. Taking his own seat across from her at the table, Gerard flicked the menu up for a quick peek and then set it back down, already knowing what he wanted and seemingly summoning a waiter to his side by pure will.

"Good evening, madame and monsieur," the tall, slender man in a black tux said, giving them each a polite nod of his head. "Welcome to Au Vieux Duluth. Are you ready to order or would you like to start off with some drinks?"

"Yes, I'd like to order now," Gerard said, not even looking at the man as he addressed him. "I will have the soup of the day to start with and the pork chops. And my lady friend," he graced Noelle with a glance but did not stop to consult her as he continued the order. "She will have the salmon tapa and a salad. Also bring us the finest bottle of red that you have."

Imago wanted to cringe when he heard that order. Gerard had taken women here before and he usually ordered for the women, delicate things like fish, fruits and vegetables. Also small meals, because he believed in either watching a woman's weight for her or usually because he thought his female companions could lose a few pounds. Not unlike his dates in the past, it was hard to tell whether Gerard was making a commentary on the woman's shape or not. He seemed approving enough, but heaven knew, they could always be better than they were.

"So, Noelle," Gerard said conversationally, finally looking the woman in the eyes. "Tell me a bit about yourself." Within the silver utensils and crystal glasses, Imago looked at her as well, awaiting to hear the answer.

[Holyhead Jones]

Noelle was certainly surprised by this man's devilishly good looks. It made her feel really out of place, even if she was a beautiful woman. Her heart nearly leaped out of her chest when he asked her name. A nod was all she could muster up at the moment, and it seemed to satisfy the man who stood in front of her. Her mirror image rolled her eyes at how cheesy the man was being. Then she looked at to where Noelle was looking, only to the man's mirror image. She gave him a look that told him "she gets that stupid line every single time." Noelle couldn't help but smile at the man's game. "It is very nice to meet you, Gerard. I'm glad that our friends have good taste." As he offered her his arm, she took it, hoping that this date wouldn't bomb completely. It was as if she had horrible luck in the dating department. As true as that seemed, perhaps Gerard wouldn't be too horrible to her, like the ones before him.

He was well mannered, or so it seemed. She had no idea he was undressing her with his eyes the whole time. That was a downside to letting her friend put her on blind dates such as these. The men took her to fancy restaurants, flirted with her the entire time, then ended up being an asshole to her. If this date failed, then she would have to resort to finding her own dates, instead of depending on her friend. Noelle took her menu and began scanning it. She had no idea what she wanted, but she would enjoy just about anything. Her favorite food happened to be steak, or any meat product other than fish. She couldn't stand the smell, or taste, of fish. When the waiter came to them, she smiled up at him for a moment. "I will ha-..." Her eyes shot over to her date as she was interrupted. He ordered for her, which was just as flattering as it was annoying. Her reflection on the silverware in front of her rolled her eyes for the millionth time. "Oh, please. She's not going to eat that. He's absolutely mad!"

Noelle worked out, she took care of herself by eating healthy, and it was the dates she went on that allowed her to eat whatever she pleased. She enjoyed splurging every now and then to eat a big, juicy hamburger. With her jaw clenched, she cleared her mind. It took everything in her to not yell at him for being a jerk already. She was fully capable of ordering for herself, and it offended her with what he picked. "Well, I work at a law office, I own a Great Dane," she paused, holding back the thought she was going to tell him. (A Great Dane that will rip you to shreds if you touch me..) "I'm an only child, which is no surprise I guess." She couldn't really figure out what to tell him. The young woman was never good at that, and she didn't feel like telling a stranger her life story. "Why don't you tell me about yourself. I'm dying to know." Her reflection inwardly hit her forehead. 'Bad idea, Noelle. You'll be here for hours...'

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