The Penitent Magdalene

[wolfhart_lilahm]

Friday night, a company Town Car came to my apartment to pick me up.  Somewhat to my surprise, they drove me down the 405 to the Getty Center, as I had requested.  I had half expected a quick trip to an abandoned building for a fun execution-style bullet to the back of the head.

My failures were still secret, it seemed.  Or possibly the Senior

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[_wes_pryce_]

It had taken me some time and effort to be let out of the apartment. I still looked like hell no doubt. Being used as a play toy by a Slayer is not something that'll just disappear over night. Not physically and most certainly not mentally. But at least people wouldn't be able to see that as they could see the bruises still visible. Which is why I was reluctant to go out myself.

But the museum has some scrolls they wanted me to translate and they didn't want to take the chance of them to get lost in the mail. Not to mention that they'd liked to meet me in person. Dennis had hidden the keys to my motor cycle, the little bugger, so I was forced to take a taxi. But before that I had to dig out my only suit and with Dennis help make myself look at least a little be presentable.

As it were they bought my story of being mugged by some gang. They were very sorry and hoped that those fellows would be caught quickly, all four of them. Not much chance of that is there? Not with Faith, the Slayer roaming around. One little girl and everyone believed me right away when I said, 'four rather large chaps'.

Rather humiliation. Especially considering she's my slayer. Or should be, but never really was.

The talk went splendidly, to my great amazement. Even though I stuttered and stumbled all the way through. Thank god I declined the coffee, or it would've probably been all over those ancient books or scrolls. Scrolls who were now very secure in my briefcase. And while I was here in this extremely large museum, I might as well roam around. I immediately stayed clear from the wing where clearly a party was going on. I really dislike parties. Instead I admired the paintings and other works or art. And apparently I wasn't the only one.

Though the woman there looked as though she should be at the party. Rather stunning. Pushing my glasses up I try to sneak away. I really hate anyone seeing me like this unless it's unavoidable. But the moment I turn around I nearly knock over an old greek vase. Quickly grabbing it, I let out a sigh of relieve when I manage not to knock it over and turn to look sheepish at the woman.

"Err....H-hello," I nod at her. "Rather clumsy of me I'm-I'm afraid." Taking a deliberate step away from the vase I look at the painting she was looking at instead. "Interesting painting, isn't it?" Well done Pryce, change the subject and keep her from looking at you. Excellent job.

[wolfhart_lilahm]

The noise of the man knocking against the vase made my heart jump into my throat. An instant later I realized it was stupid and hated my own weakness, but for a second there I'd really been frightened.

But he wasn't the fearsome apparition my all-too-experienced mind had called up in that one instant. Just a tall man, thin, with a fine set of bruises on his face, and the sort of tweedy jacket I instantly associated with elderly professors in obscure fields. And, from the sound of his voice, british. "The Titian? To be honest, no. I'm not too fond of the period in general, and this subject's a bit overdone. There's another penitence of Mary Magdalene over there in the corner."

I sipped my scotch and looked at the stranger more closely. "You're not with the firm, are you? I don't think I recognize you... and as a group we're not too big on the art appreciation."

[_wes_pryce_]

I didn't know they were... Oh, she's from that party I noticed on the other side. The one I was trying to avoid. Apparently I'm unable to do even that. Walking over to the woman, I push my glasses up my nose and wince when they scrape over the broken organ. Damn, I keep forgetting about that. Bloody Slayer.

I tilt my head and look at the painting, pushing both hands into my pocket. From the corner of my eyes I glance at the woman. Elegant, dressed to the nines, quite beautiful and obviously knows her art. Not a combination one sees often. Rather impressive must say. She does seem a bit jittery though, I wonder why. I hope it's not something I did.

"Ah...err...N-no, I'm not with the...firm." What firm? "Unless you mean the museum, in which case I'm also not with the firm. I just do the odd translation job for them." Nodding a bit to much at that, I look over to the picture she just pointed out. "If you're group is not ..fond of art, then why are they here?" What an odd group. "If you don't mind me asking," I hasten to add. Oh dear, that was rather rude.

[wolfhart_lilahm]

Oddly enough, his last question (even when posed in a stuttery-dork voice) made sense. I thought about it for a minute before I answered.

"I don't mind you asking at all. It's just a style thing. We know we look our best against an elegant background. And we're an LA law firm..."

Wolfram and Hart has two images... one in the so-called "Underground", and one in the straight world. When we get mentioned in "People" or "US Weekly" it's in the context of a pack of expensive divorce-court shysters. This guy struck me as the straightest of the straight. so I simply switched into that mode.

"Let's just say our Senior Partners are appearance-focused. And it looks good to support the arts. So we do." I smiled into my drink, and fluttered my lashes at the stranger. "You must not have been in LA long if this is your first fake-connoisseur party."

[_wes_pryce_]

Well that was just odd. Why would they want to hold a party to fake their interest in art, just so they could impress people? Honestly, I don't think I'll ever understand these Americans. They're so very strange when it comes to a lot of things. Such as...holding parties and then pretending to like art...when they don't.

"You seem to enjoy it though," I point out, walking over to the painting. Tilting my head I look at it. It does look far better then the other one, though it's not really my taste. I suppose I'm just to...something, boring is perhaps the word I'm looking for. Blinking, I look up again, flashing her a small smile.

"I've only arrived here about a week ago," I tell her. Because that's true, the rest however? I'm going to have to lie about. Because telling people you'd been tied to a chair and then tortured by your Slayer? That wouldn't go over well. "I got mugged right away," I shrug, glancing at the bandages around my wrist. Suddenly I remember Cordelia's little excuse at the hospital. Oops. Tugging my sleeves over them, I look back at her again.

[wolfhart_lilahm]

"I did wonder about the..." and I gestured to his bruised face. "You didn't strike me as someone who gets in a lot of fights... I guessed you forgot your safety word. Have to be careful with us LA girls." I smiled to let him know it was a joke.

"As for the art... I guess I'm just a sucker for pretty things. The painting, mediocre though it is, is certainly a lot prettier than a bunch of middle-aged lawyers scoffing canapes. What's your excuse to be wandering around museums in the dark?"

[_wes_pryce_]

I looked at her confused for a moment. Safety word? LA girls? Oh. Oh! What was it with Los Angeles and these things, or perhaps it was an american thing. Clearing my throat, I duck my head a little. For once I'm glad my face it too bruised to show my blush. At least I hope so, I really despise that trade of mine.

Strolling back to her, still keeping my hands in my pockets, one never knows, I shrug. And then quickly hide a wince. Damn, perhaps Dennis had been right and I should've taken those painkillers. They tend to fog up my mind though and I hate that even more. Not to mention that I'd probably be knocking more things over, best keep my hands where they are.

"Oh...Uh. I had to drop off some translation work I had done for them recently." Pulling one hand out of my pocket I point toward the office I had left only moments ago. "And...uh...I don't like going out during the days much. People...people tend to...uh stare." That one excursion go the store during the day had been more then enough. Especially when some elderly lady wanted to give me some tips and then continued to tell me I should take better care of myself, I was to thin and all that rot.

"So," I start, rocking back and forth a bit on my heels. "You're a lawyer then? Must be an interesting trade." She doesn't look like a lawyer, but then again I'm used to those stiff British ones. Not one that looks elegant, graceful and rather stunning. Actually, sound rather useful for a lawyer now that I think of it. I wonder why she seemed so...nervous, at first.

[wolfhart_lilahm]

I had to cover my mouth to hide a small smile at such obvious embarassment over a minor BDSM joke. Sternly, I reminded myself, "Lilah, it is not nice to toy with innocent foreign men." But it was really too cute, and I couldn't resist purring, "Oh, but I bet the girls all stare anyway. Although the bruises do make you look... a little more dangerous." It was hard to tell in the dimly lit room, but I would swear he was blushing. God, I couldn't believe it.

"The job... is interesting. I work in our Special Projects group so I get to handle a little bit of everything." Which was all true, as far as it went. "So you're a linguist? Is that what brought you over to the States?"

[_wes_pryce_]

"M-more dangerous?" Blinking, I straighten up visibly, feeling rather proud of myself. Which is odd, but she thinks it makes me look...dangerous. And here I thought the leather would do that. Who was I trying to fool with that outfit. I can hardly go over to Faith everytime and ask her to beat me up, just so I'd look more dangerous. No, that would be rather silly.

Not to mention painful.

But she thought I looked dangerous. And I do believe she was...purring. Good lord, it's getting a bit warm in here. And I really should wipe that stupid smile of my face. Clearing my throat, I will that stupid blush away and pretend to be interested in the painting. What is this supposed to be anyway?

"Hmmm? Oh yes," I nod at her, reaching out to lean against the wall. I wince as I see those sodding bandages peek out again and quickly put them inside my pockets again. They'll be safe there, now focus Pryce, you sod. "There wasn't much work in my field over in England. And I was able to get a few jobs here, so I decided to try my luck in the States." Which...isn't a complete lie.

[wolfhart_lilahm]

It really is flattering when men make it so easy for you. The guy... and what was his name, anyway... was really not my type: I'm more interested in dangerous bad-tempered bastards who you can fuck and leave without any qualms.

What do you mean, what qualms? I do too have scruples and guilt and all that crap... I just don't let them keep me from doing what I want.

Anyway, the guy. A nice toy, although probably one it would be too easy to break. I leaned back in the chair and looked up at him with hooded eyes, saying softly, "Well, I hope your experience out here gets better than what you've had so far. LA has a lot to offer a man. It can be a little intimidating, but once you... settle in, it's a wonderful ride."