The Two O'clock At Half Past

[kilraven]

The one hundred years of the life of Greenwich Village wasn't long in the life of the earth, but for a nation not yet three centuries old, such a legacy was significant. While it had been years since any starving artist could afford to live in the trendy district, the rebellious bohemian spirit, buoyed along by the aura of the university, had lived

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[sophie_durga]

“If the simple things mean sunlight I don’t see much of that anyway, it ruins the skin tone. But I doubt I could live without a mirror or the glory of the lens.” Sophie laughed self-mockingly.

“You seem pretty civilised to me. I guess that’s what I mean by human. . Humanity is nothing more glorified than a few genes and the ability of abstract thought, encompassed by art and religion. He seems to have retained that ability despite any bargain that may have been struck.”

She paused to allow a book-laden student to pass by them as she gathered her thoughts, seeking the essence she wanted to portray. “You say we are formed from the same material. And humanity itself does not prevent us from torturing and killing each other every day so why on earth should any other ethics apply to them, really should I expect any other justice? But they have choices in how they fulfil their needs and desires as we all do. I’ve seen compassion demonstrated by them and is there any thought more human than the ability to consider morals?” She turned looking straight into Kilraven’s eyes.

“And why should I treat you any different? Do you expect me to courtesy or cower down in fear?” She teased a confident smile playing across her face. “If you were intending to harm me surely you’d have displayed that hand by now, not spent the time to hear my troubles? No, you must have some other agenda.”

[kilraven]

The edges of Kilraven's eyes crinkle a little when he smiles at Sophie. His expressions are, by and large, so subtle the details shine out.

"You speak semantically, which has its place, but try to consider the matter more pragmatically. Despite what you knew, know, didn't know or still do not, you are able to have discourse with myself and your shadow largely as if we were of your kind. This speaks more to inner kinship than you might think.

"However, the danger to you is where the kinship with the lilu may abruptly meet its end. You already know the reasonings behind that."

The demon paused and made a 'come hither' gesture at a tree. A little swallow, blue-black with a pale belly and reddish cheeks fluttered down and alighted on Kilraven's fingers.

"Have you considered, that you do treat me differently, but not in the sense of fear or suspicion? Rather, in a fashion more like this bird?"

Kilraven brought his arm closer so Sophie could see the tame little avian up close. The bird, even considering its urban dwelling, is peculiarly docile. It preens a little, and cocks it head to eye Sophie. Notably, it seems to take its host for granted and pays him little mind.

[sophie_durga]

“Well you both have your strange tendencies but why should that affect me being civil? If I treated everyone with suspicion and fear who had the potential to cause harm I’d never leave the flat. I work in a dangerous business, its best to just be alert and courteous, anything less would get me killed.”

Sophie watched the bird flying tamely from the tree her eyes lighting with amazement and delighted surprise. “No doubt there are reasons why I should treat you with suspicion, but I can’t see what maliciously you could have to gain from speaking to me. As a spiritual adviser you seem qualified to discuss my issues, and all you have portrayed depicts that you have the knowledge and experience to counsel. Therefore I grant you the same respects that I would to a doctor or psychologist. But further than that I know to trust my instincts.”

She reached out her hand and gently stroked the birds head, marvelling at it’s timidity as she grinned at Killraven. “Is that an effect you have on all animals, it seems a little doped?”

[kilraven]

"The creatures of the air were made on the fifth day, like me. This bird respects me, insofar as a bird can, as a contemporary of his ancestors. He knows me - by instinct."

Kilraven let that topic rest and allows Sophie to pet the bird a little longer before releasing it back into the air. Once on the wing again, the swallow quickly darted into a tree to become indistinguishable from the rest of the wild avians again. The demon watched the bird go, then finally addressed a previously unanswered question.

"It may or may not bother his practical mind, but my involvement naturally offends his predator's heart in two ways: first, I have alerted his prey; second, I am a creature beyond his reach. At best, I am a living reproach to the common lilu self-image."

Finding that thought amusing, the demon smiled.

[sophie_durga]

“So were many creatures created on the fifth day?” she asked her interest apparent in his voice. She looked round her watching a family walking a golden Labrador in one of the dog runs. The idyllic scene reminding her that she was far from home, a great gulf separated her from the comfort and security that her friends and family provided. Reflecting on this she felt the loneliness of the city, surrounded by strangers who had no care for her. She pulled herself straighter forcing a smile onto her face.

“Do not worry I didn’t plan on announcing I’d been to see an adviser to anyone, they’d think I’d lost my mind. They believe I’m visiting a fortune teller to discover my true love.” She smirked her face portraying the obvious disregard she had for those things. “But surely you would have more in common with each other than with me?”

[kilraven]

"Let the water teem with an abundance of living creatures, and on the earth let birds fly beneath the dome of the sky," recited Kilraven.

"The creatures of the air and water, as well, of course, as the fifth order of my kind were made on that day."

The demon's gaze followed his companion's and he mulled over the family and their dog. His eyes saw things, but said naught of them, save but to nod slowly.

"Using yourself as a norm, you could argue that point. But it is, if you reflect, not such a clear matter. Her brood's curse does not cling to you or I. We are both free to walk any hour we choose."

[sophie_durga]

The biblical quote brought back strong memories. Her mother reading passages from the leather bound book with explanations of their meaning, the relation to other darker texts hidden within the myths. The tables of relevance, gestures and passages she was encouraged to memorise surrounded with the sweet scents of incense and the flicker of candlelight. A past she had turned her back on when starting her adult life. A word came to her lips but she felt wary to utter it. Shaking her head to clear away the cobwebs of memory she turned her attention back to her current dilemma.

“So the daylight hours can be my sanctuary .If things do not go to plan”. She pondered. “But at the moment the night is still my line of business, as it has always been before. I have only a few more hours before I must start work.” And become the temptress and host. She shivered involuntary at the thought but maintained her composure, stubbornly pushing the anxiety away.

She flashed a flirtatious smile at the demon, her natural defence against the hardships of the world as she enquired curiously, “You don’t appear to care much for them, have you had many run-ins or is it based on observation from afar?”

[kilraven]

I am real and that book is full of myths, yet invoking its thrice translated passages has more power than any reasoned arguments. It never fails.

"Not a perfect refuge, as creatures of the night may employ cat's-paws who can walk the day, but yes, it's difficult for them to exert direct influence by day.

The demon paused and regarded Sophie pensively, as if her coquettish expression was revealing in layers, like an onion.

"You have heard, no doubt, the adage that the beaten child learns to beat? They are like that. An abused child is not evil, but deeply troubled and as such, liable to inflict its inner violence upon the world around them when ego barriers break down. They are among my most frequent clients, for reasons you will understand if you take a moment to ponder your own reasonings."

[sophie_durga]

“Cats paws?” she frowned.

Sophie thought back again to her own childhood her smile vanishing at the implication in his question. She chose her words carefully, wary of revealing too much to the demon. “Although I never had a traditional upbringing it was pretty happy. My mother taught me well and I always knew I was loved and wanted by her despite her strange tendencies.”

[kilraven]

Kilraven smiled. The expression held longer than usual before he spoke. It was a subtle, but unmistakable sign of amusement.

"You are self-absorbed, Miss Durga.

"You chose to speak freely.. as you have.. because you believed me a being able to accept the unusual bent of your troubles. If your affairs, still so mildly tainted by the bizarre, are in need of special counsel, how do you suppose it is for one of Sister Lilith's brood, who cannot even endure the light?"

[sophie_durga]

Her eyes narrowed at the truth of his words but her head remained high in defiance. She bit back her immediate sharp response, studying the scene before her carefully for a few seconds until she felt herself calm. “I’ve no idea what it would be like for them. No doubt their troubles are as many and varied as the leaves upon that tree.”

[kilraven]

"Precisely," riposted the demon, allowing Sophie's ruffled feathers to settle.

"Their troubles are many, and the bulk of those woes cannot be trusted to mortal agencies whom they do not have firmly in their grasp. The human response to the secrets of that brood is fear, and fear brings with it either a desire to control, to destroy or to grovel, none of which is helpful in alleviating existential angst. Meanwhile, a tightly controlled being is no use as a frank counselor, so they are left with no options - save one such as myself, for whom they hold no fascination or terrors.

"Even so, few become aware of me and even fewer ultimately choose to come for consultation. One though, contacted me just the week before you called. They are infrequent, but steady clients over the ages."

[sophie_durga]

Her face still guarded she queried. “So they do not automatically have a hatred of demons? Some choose to speak to you as I have done to bring understanding of their afflictions.”

She thought of her friends back home and smiled, “I doubt until confronted by the sheer reality of their existence many humans would consider them anything but mentally unbalanced.

But I’ve seen many who know of them drawn to them, addicts craving their next fix. Willing to trade everything they have for the experience.

[kilraven]

"My dear, they do not even automatically believe in demons. Even those that do are subject to every myth and misconception that your kind are. All of that brood after all, were once raised as part of yours.

"No, for all their enhanced senses, most come to me not out of clarity, but out of desperation."

[sophie_durga]

Sophie’s initial feelings towards the demon began to cloud with uncertainty. He speaks of myths and misconceptions, but quotes the bible as an explanation of his creation. A small shiver ran down her spine as her confidence started to waver. She fidgeted with the buttons of her coat keeping her eyes firmly averted from him as she stared at the grass before her, watching the blades slowly swaying under the gentle breeze.

Hesitantly she queried “So your counsel is open to all?”

[kilraven]

So it begins. The gnawing doubt and intrusion of notions. Still, one can't complain. She's lasted longer than most in her position.

"In theory, but I am selective for many of the same reasons any other would be. Even for me, there are after all, only twenty-four hours in a day and seven days in a week, so I prefer to primarily confine deeper discussion to those who are at least as immersed in twilight as yourself, as the bulk of more mundane problems can be worked out without me. It is, a matter of trying to choose the cases where I am best suited and most needed.

"Depending upon circumstances, I may even be preventive and contact some in a more circumspect fashion."

After a pause of a beat, the demon took just such a proactive tact.

"I think we have covered what can be covered of the original matter on your mind. Now though, a doubt tickles la espinazo de la senorita. Shall you clasp it close or speak it aloud?"

OOC: (Probably grammatically bad) Spanish: "la espinazo de la senorita" = "the young lady's backbone."