♠ SECOND || ➥ VIDEO

[nestingdevil]

[There's a flicker and the video starts. Greed's behind the counter of the 'Nest and the camera is set on what appears to be a pool table. It's midday, so the joint is empty.]

[He's all smiles, hands placed atop of his bar.] It's that day, folks. Maybe some of you know, maybe some of you don't. But I promised to deliver and I don't count myself a

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[madeofsunlight]

[Video]

[Inara is speechless for several minutes. She knew he wasn't human. There were too many tells. She wasn't expecting... well, truth be told, she wasn't sure what she was expecting. Certainly not to see him blow his head off and then get back up. That image is going to be sticking with her for a while.

Taking a slow, shuddering breath, she finally finds her voice.] I trust you're going to clean up before happy hour?

[nestingdevil]

Video |
[Greed picks up a glass - it's full of scotch and he downs half the drink, if not to just quench the thirst.] I've got someone that'll make this place clean as a whistle before the doors open. [He pauses, places the drink down.]

I told you I would show you. Still sticking with me?

[madeofsunlight]

Good. [She seems at a loss again, until he pauses, and then Inara is smiling, the curve of her lips coy, amused.] So you did. I just wasn't expecting such a brazen display. I'm a woman of my word, though; you'll have to try harder than that to get rid of me.

[There's a pause of her own.] I do some questions.

[nestingdevil]

Well I told you - I won't lie to you. [Inara is a special one - Greed has a soft spot for her. First one to accept his proposal? Of course, she's going to get everything she wants to hear.] So, ask your questions.

[madeofsunlight]

[OOC: omg. *I do have some questions. Pretend it was like that the entire time.]

So you did. [Inara tucks a stray strand of hair behind her ear.] I suppose my first question is how did you do that?

[nestingdevil]

[Ah, there's the kicker. How. People have been asking what he is, what exactly he did to pull a stunt like that. The how though? That's a tricky one. Sends Greed sprawling, chest tilted back. Legs out and he's hooked his thumbs in the front of his leather pants.] How? Now, that's a big can of worm to be opening - simple answer is that I'm not human, but that doesn't exactly answer your question, does it? Homunculus - we're artificially created. I'm one of seven.

[That's obvious, though. Greed - one of the seven deadly sins.] Never born, not like you. Created from someone else, born from his soul using, well. [A Philosopher's Stone was going to be his answer, but even that left more questions.] It's complicated. But this can happen again and again. Built pretty tough, you see. Only got that and the Shield - but let's hope you never have to see it. Pretty lady like you? I wouldn't want to look ugly in front of you.

[He begins drumming his fingers on the front of his pants.] I'm not immortal though. I can die. But that kind of thing?

[madeofsunlight]

Homunculus... [She repeats the word, thoughtful. Homunculi were a legend in Earth-That-Was' history, but she can't quite remember any details beyond the creatures being soulless. She listens intently, and when he mentions the part about being created from someone else, from another person's soul, she looks struck.] I see. I figured you weren't human. I mean, there's a lot of tells. Your eyes, for example. I've never seen anyone with eyes the color yours are.

[It's not a bad color. In fact, his eyes are beautiful. His eyes aren't the only giveaway, though; there's his movements, and his teeth. She falls silent, still thinking, her gaze cast off-screen.]

[nestingdevil]

Homunculus. [He's watching her, letting his eyes soak her up.] It would have been a real shame if you had guessed it right off the bat, but I supposed I should have known you would have been more perceptive than the rest. [His eyes? Sure. Purple, slit - probably not the average walk of people around here. Though, Greed would be the first to say that the collection the good Doc had going was impressive.]

You still with me? [Greed peers into the feed, coy smile turned friendly in a second.] It doesn't bother you, does it? I have to ask - if you're having second guesses, I'm not going to force you to do anything. But, if you're not - [He fans out his teeth.] - then I have some news for you. Picked up a couple of strays, so you won't have to work the 'Nest alone. You'd like 'em. Well - [The alchemist, maybe not.]

- you've been busy. Haven't seen you around much, though I suppose that's as much my fault. Too many things to do.

[madeofsunlight]

[Her attention snaps back to the device.] No, it doesn't bother me. I'm still with you. Like I said, it won't be that easy to get rid of me.

[There's a small shake of her head.] Is that your way of saying you miss me already? [That flirtatious smile of hers is back.] I'm sorry I haven't been around. I discovered some interesting books and got caught up reading. [Plus, some of the recent dissapearances had her feeling down again. She doesn't want to say that, though. It's not important.]

So, these strays of yours -- tell me about them. [Inara leans forward to rest her chin on her palms.]

[nestingdevil]

1/2
You're a special kind of lady, then. Fine - you're in. [A cant of his shoulders, a smile on his face.] Besides, I would have been pretty hurt if you decided to up and leave.

[He lowers a brow, slinks as casual as he can.] I always make sure to keep tabs on what's mine - it's all right. Big fella back home used to read all the time. You can do as you like, just know that to get paid, you have to work. Speaking of which - [Greed jolts, shoves his hands down, and collects of a wad of cash from his pocket.] Business has been good. I got your payment for the week.

[nestingdevil]

2/2
[And then she mentions his strays.]

[And he's practically shaking with delight.] Oh, you know. Got ourselves a cook for outback and another guy is helping me take care of 'tending. You should see what he can do. I'm sure if you'd ask nicely, he'd show off. Has this little snap of this of his -

[Greed turns back to the feed, waves the cash around while his hands flail with all the excitement he can muster.] Then there's the bus boy - he's back from home. An old friend of mine.

[madeofsunlight]

[Inara blushes at those compliments.] Well, I certainly wouldn't want to hurt you. [She's not lying, not about that or being bothered by what he is. She still has questions, but they seem... personal, and they can wait.

When he mentions her pay, she smiles.] I'll pick it up tonight.

[It's obvious he likes the people he's picked up.] I don't get names? [She gives him a brief, teasing pout.] They sound interesting.

[nestingdevil]

You can't, really. Sarcasm Inara - or is that forbidden in your practice? [Tugged lips go tight. He turns the phone over, cradles his own chin in his other hand. Like he's some long lost love-sick pup. But he's not. It's all a damn show and he cracks a grin, proving that very fact.] Unless you have a liking to taking off guy's heads, then. Yeah, that'd hurt.

[He drums the tips of his fingers, huffs.] Pick it up tonight? Are you actually going to come down and grace us with your presence? [Quick bark of a laugh.]

Names? Edward Elric - he's the bus boy from home. Gabriel - the other bartender. Angel of the Lord or something. [He shrugs his shoulders.] Other than that, there is a guy that we are working with. He's not at all fun though.

[madeofsunlight]

No, believe me, sarcasm is not forbidden. [If anything, she's gotten rather adept at sarcasm herself thanks to a certain Captain. She's not going to bother to explain she meant emotionally; it seems pointless. There's a pointed grimace at his next words.] Taking off heads isn't generally part of my services.

[She manages a grin after his laugh.] I had planned on doing a little more than just gracing you with my presence. If you're lucky you might get to see me dance -- unless you'd rather I stay right here? [She's teasing again, and as if to make a point she settles further into the cushions she's sprawled on.]

[The name Gabriel has her lifting her head, eyes lighting with recognition.] Gabriel... I've spoken with him once, but it was very brief. He's an angel? [An angel who still owed her a date. She makes a note to contact him later.] Working with how? And what's his name?

[nestingdevil]

1/2
[It earns her a coy smile right back, eyes half lidded. Of course, she wouldn't be the type of gal to take off his head, figuratively or otherwise. Not about the blood, that one - least, Inara didn't seem like the type.] No and it's not part of your job description. But if there ever comes a time, you know that I'll be there. Besides, what's mine is mine. I tend to take care of my own.

[Greed tilts his eyebrows, sags down. His grin splits his face and his lip turns up. He's got excitement written all over him.] Dancing, huh? I'll take you up on the offer, if you'd care to join me. Though, I'm sure you're a bit more impressive. [Wandering eyes would wander and Greed makes no show of hiding it.] You know I would never refuse your company.

[nestingdevil]

2/2
An angel in every sense of the word. Well, not exactly. Guess the lore got it wrong. [Cupping his chin, he purses out his lower lip.] And the guy we're working with? His name is Javert - real stick in the mud, but it's worth it. Lost to him fair and square.