monsters still in our time

[beanshield]

In Grant Park, somewhere far from the crucifixion site, far enough that you can't even see the yellow police tape, Bean is sitting at a table. On and beneath the table are boxes and boxes of T-shirts, in all different sizes and colors. All of them have the phrase "Wanderer? Fine by me" printed in bold letters on the fronts. Bean herself is wearing

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[silkandstone]

Den is wandering the park, as he is wont to do on occasion.

He sees the finger and stops, eyebrows raised. "Well. I do believe I recognize that appendage. Though not its bearer. Might I ask where you acquired it?"

[duology]

Dev looks up from his book when he hears someone speak. When he sees who it is, he positively beams. Tagged! Dev was hoping this game would continue.

He studies Den for half a moment before answering. He knows very little about him aside from rumors in the Org, and from what he's seen through Ace, but rumors can be telling. The man is clearly intelligent and possibly insane, though likely on a different level from Dev or Ace. And he likes games. Tests. That makes him interesting, a curiosity, and perhaps someone to play with.

"It's less a game of Keep-Away than it is a game of tag. Hm, Capture the Flag, maybe? The point is not to know who's got the flag until it's too late. But, you've gone and caught me! 'It' now, I suppose. It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Mr. Den Varlis."

[silkandstone]

"Mr. Dev Caulfield, I presume. Where's your lovely sister this afternoon? Or did she 'tag' you?"

Den settles beside the toaster, raising an eyebrow at it as he catches the purring sound. "Chicago. It really is a place of endless curiosities."

He pockets the finger with a little flourish.

[duology]

"She did indeed." Sort of, anyway. "She wanted me to meet you, and I wanted to meet the man who so impressed her." A pause, and he tilts his head. "No, sorry, 'impressed' isn't the right word--no offense. 'Intrigued' is more like it."

He smiles and pats the toaster. "It most certainly is. But that just means there's no end to the fun, yes? And you should try the toast this thing can make sometime."

Something about Den reminds Dev of Absinthe. Something in his manner and demeanor. Absinthe always walked through the world as if she had a plan for everything; she always smiled in a way that made you think she already knew how everything was going to happen, how everything was going to end. Was that what you called charisma?

[silkandstone]

"To be frank, I'd rather she not be so easily impressed--it was, after all, just a fake finger."

He taps his fingers against his knees. "So, Mr. Caulfield. Do I intrigue you?"

[duology]

"Well let's be honest, sir, it wasn't just the fake finger. A fake finger is never just a fake finger! Not when left in the open. Well, hm, not to most people anyway."

Dev tilts his head a little, studying Den for a moment. "Perhaps. Hm. It's a little like those novelty stones you can buy, the ones that they advertise as being like--'crack it open and there might be pretty crystals inside!' It's like that. Maybe you're interesting and can put on a good game, maybe you're just an empty, boring rock. But you also remind me of someone, so I've got a good feeling."

[silkandstone]

"Oh? That's... a first." Reminding him of someone. How intriguing. "I'm glad it's a good feeling. Your sister gives me good feelings of my own."

[duology]

"Really? A first? Hm. I guess the general populace just isn't used to charismatic, manipulative, potentially crazy-types." It's all said quite cheerfully, not at all meant to be insulting.

He smirks a little at that, wondering if Den meant for it to sound like an innuendo, and deciding that he probably did. "Well, she'll be glad to hear that, I suppose. Always glad to be of use, we are!"