(Untitled)

[nestingdevil]

Who: The Troublesome Four; Inspector Javert | chose_death, Gabriel | trickster_mk2, Naomi Hunter | scientize, and Greed | nestingdevil
What: The gathering of four very different individuals on a dinner "date." It's to discuss business and deal deeds, really.
Where: Starting Point ➥ Devil's Nest
When: Monday Evening.
Rating: Considering the very nature of these people, pushing R.

Comments

[trickster_mk2]

Gabriel will admit, he's all for a bit of mystery, a bit of intrigue. It never goes amiss, always makes life a little more interesting than it would otherwise be and Gabriel’s middle name is excitement. It isn’t, of course, but it could be. The thing is though, the thing that’s bothering him, is that normally the mystery and intrigue is being supplied by him. He’s not normally on the receiving end of strange instructions.

Well, not for the last few thousand years. Dad used to send him on errands of course, destroy all the towns in this valley, deliever my Word, smite all of your Brothers’ half-breed children. Those orders didn’t always sit right (not that you disobeyed Dad. They’d all seen what happened when you did that) but they were clear, concise instructions and Heaven was usually all abuzz with gossip as to why and who and whens anyway. Gabriel had always known why he was doing what he was doing

[nestingdevil]

Greed had his fingers locked tight over that skull - glittery silver, fake-studded jewels. Two sockets full of false rubies. Cheap, but effective. He canted his head, tilted it right back. That sudden appearance of the angel was nothing new - he'd come to expect it by now. Fooled him once. Fooled him twice. Third time and it was common place.

Of course, there were questions. Always trying to get the full picture, wasn't he? Gabriel was just as needy for all the details as Greed was. But the homunculus had hooked him in; baited his favorite kept gem. He shrugged his shoulders, a gesture that had become just as common as the Snap, and tapped his new boots, testing them out. "You came - good. I'm glad you didn't skip out on me. Would have been a real let-down to come up empty-handed." From the room at the end of the hall, swing and jazz kin to the '40s crawled up the walls. "We're having a meeting - a little business. Though the good word is that it's a date." Date his ass, but whatever. Naomi could call it whatever she wanted to, but

[trickster_mk2]

Gabriel made a face, lips twisting in semi-disapproval at the suggestion he wouldn’t have turned up. Greed was his boss, but there was more to it than that, they both knew it. Greed could tug his strings and Gabriel would answer. Not because he was beholden, not because he had to or face retribution, but because he felt he should. Deals with Angels had to be kept, they were like deals with demons and despite the... situation they had been in when the promise had been made, Gabriel had sworn himself to Greed. He'd keep to that agreement. "Thought I'd leave you high and dry? Never, handsome

[nestingdevil]

"They're in the know," Greed pocketed the cash, shoving it deep into his trousers. He was away from the counter a second later, slinking through the main part of his bar. He tilted his head, eyed the swinging fan above. Its blades cut the thick humidity that seemed to linger in the 'Nest far after the patrons left. It felt good, that slight caress of air. "I'm expecting something, but who knows? Could turn ugly." A dangerous smile was cast over a shoulder. But it was laughed off, as everything was with Greed

[scientize]

[MEANWHILE AT THE JAVERT HOME... aka We can begin the dinner now and keep two threads going at once so we aren't slowly working our way through this for another few weeks.]By the time that the menfolk finally appeared through the front entrance way of Naomi and Javert's cramped apartment, they would find the former inspector's beautiful wife by the doorway to greet them, waiting patiently to take her guest's coats. Tonight the lovely doctor was dressed in yet another slinky black dress (just how many of them did she own exactly?), her dark hair pulled up and out of her face for the special business dinner that was so hurriedly planned. Though always kept particularly neat, the tiny living room looked as immaculate as the two hosts themselves did while they led Greed and Gabriel further inside of their home

[nestingdevil]

"Can't deny that you weren't on our minds, Naomi," Greed perked up as he followed the woman through her home. Sure, it wasn't the best - much like his neck of the woods - but it worked. Seemed fitting for the two of them to be shacked up like this; not exactly the Ritz, but it was flashier than his place. More homely less home wrecked. The homunculus curved his thumbs in his belt buckle. "But you would already know that, wouldn't you?" A sneer graced his face, accompanied by a sharp upward rise of a thin, black eyebrow. He laughed, low and slow. "I almost thought it was going to be just us guys - would have been a total wash out

[trickster_mk2]

Gabriel grins from ear to ear when he sees Naomi, of course he does, and he can't help but lean right in and press a kiss to her cheek, and then again to the other, his hands resting lightly on her elbows. She looks unbelivably good, as per usual, and he can't resist telling her so in a low murmur even as the others talk around them. Gabriel's been here before of course, knows his way around so he doesn't worry about going on the tour, just leaves himself in the dining room. He's not waiting long, not even long enough to steal anything off the table, but that's probably for the best. Got to be on his best behaviour, hasn't he? This is all work and little play

[chose_death]

Javert was the last to enter. Like a statuesque doorman, he was the one to hold open the main door and to shut it behind Gabriel's last languid step. The three men smelled faintly of fading cigarette smoke. It was up to Naomi to guess whether Javert had snuck in a light prior to their return or whether it was the stale stench of seedy bar aroma that permeated their hair and clothes. If Javert's rather plucky spirits were any indication, Naomi would know that he left in a good mood and returned in a satisfied one. She probably had her way of knowing what her husband was up to as women do.

"What shop?" Javert asked obliquely with a tilt of his brow. He folded his arms across his chest as he strode, taking his sweet meandering time, to the spot at the dining table beside Naomi. "The shop is closed. This is the home for however long we stand it here. Business talk is done."

Really? His motivations must have been even harder to discern now than it was before the bet, Greed! The entire walk here sounded like no more than a casual

[chose_death]

[LATER, after the guests have left--]

[Blessed silence at last!

It is the end of the night, and finally, Naomi and M. Javert find themselves quiet and alone in their small flat. Greed has swaggered his way out with a jaunty and smirking Gabe at his arm. To Javert, it is a confounding display. He has spent the better part of the evening feeling distinctly like a puppet getting yanked every which way by the fickle whims and fancies of the archangel of judgment, and he is now left sullen and drained.

Yet despite the release of the tension in his back when their front door swings shut, and the last goodbye fades in a gentle echo down the hall, Javert does not move an inch from the table. He presses his temple into an extended hand, long and thick fingers rubbing feverishly into his skull. It is as if he is attempting to massage away the blurriness. He squints, frowning grimly, at his empty glass, stare shifting sluggishly to the assembled empty bottles in the vicinity.]

Were you counting? [Javert murmurs.] --I have shamed myself,

[scientize]

Would I really allow that to happen? Where's your faith in me? [The man's pretty wife finally appears from the entranceway to their kitchen, tugging her hair down from the stylized bun she'd had it gathered in for the rest of the evening. Quickly running her slim fingers through it and giving her head a small shake of relief, Naomi's attention turns towards her husband, sharp eyes taking in every inch of his haggard appearance. Though she'd picked up on his discomfort and deep exhaustion during the dinner and drinks, seeing it all laid out bare in front of her brought the slightest crease of worry to appear between her eyebrows.

Something was heavily weighing on his thoughts. And from her twenty-some years of experience with the man, that was never a good sign.]

Well, [She pauses thoughtfully, a strange look crossing over her tired, soft expression. It takes only a few smooth steps before Naomi is behind her weary husband, those tiny hands of hers moving to his slumped shoulders, rubbing out any of the lingering tension in his

[chose_death]

[The knots in his back writhe and stiffen again at the mention of Gabriel’s name. It passes like a nervous tic, a spasm through his body. He grunts a queer sound, a sort of Of course! jumbled beneath his breath, and resumes with that liquid-smooth voice of a liquor-pickled fellow,]

I don’t even trust myself to stand at this moment. You will have hard luck of accomplishing that, I think.

[Javert’s shoulders ripple beneath Naomi’s touch. His head feels quite heavy under the influence of however-much-he-consumed, which is entirely more than he can ever recall allowing himself to drink in one sitting. Add atop that his diminished appetite and his forceful, admirable efforts to show his best calm and collected face to his ‘business partner,’ and he has run out of fuel completely for the day.

His lips thin to a disquieted, flat line.]

When we move, and it will be shortly, [he declares thickly with absolutely no wiggle room for argument,] they will not be over again.

[scientize]

I’ll just have to try again tomorrow morning, then, won’t I? [And straightening up behind her husband again with a coy smile now gracing that lovely face of hers, Naomi allows her concentration to focus completely on her husband and her hands upon his back. What a selfless and sweet wife you have, Javert.

The rather violent reaction the man gives to Gabriel’s name is just too obvious for Naomi to ignore. She had her speculations, of course, but this is just about all of the absolute proof she really needs to pin the blame on the angel.]

I don’t know why I’d ever want to have your business associate over again like this, I think once was certainly enough for me, [but her tone softens] but I do like to think of Gabe as a friend to us. Is that a problem? Are the two of you not getting along?

[Because really, it is very difficult for the woman to think that Gabriel had done something harsh enough to have such an effect on her usually calm husband.]

Is there something I should know?

[scientize]

[The Next Day; Private Voice to Gabriel]

[It is just after noon the following day when the angel shall get a little call from his favorite lady.]

Gabriel, are you free?

[trickster_mk2]

[Gabriel answers soon enough, a little groggy and it's evident that he's still in bed, curled in blankets and very much enjoying some time off. Not hung-over, of course, Angels don't get hung-over.]

Hmm? Naomi? What did I break last night?

[scientize]

[God, you sleep forever. Don't you have a job?

Oh, I didn't mean to wake you. [Even in a groggy, half-asleep state like that, it should be rather obvious to the angel that his friend sounds nothing like the cheerful woman he has become so fond of. Naomi's tone is all neutral and detached.]

I just wanted to see you today, but you can give me a call later in the afternoon. I'll be free.

[trickster_mk2]

[Not like most people, no. Arch-angel, remember? Doesn't have to be anywhere until the evening. He loves the 'Nest.

Even in his current state, he's a little concerned. What the hell happened in the last few hours?]

What's wrong? Naomi? I'll be right over, if you need me. Five minutes, okay?

[He's already 'snapping' himself up, dressed, trying not to sound panicked.]