The Two O'clock At Half Past
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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Kilraven leaned back in his chair again, the changing light now striking his right side. Without preamble, he launched upon a strange story.
"I was made upon the fifth day, along with the creatures of the sea and air. Like all of my kind and as your kind would later have, I was given free will and thus the first choice before me was remaining in the demiurge's fold, or departing to walk the new world being crafted. Those who chose to remain, became the celestial host. Those, like myself, who chose to turn away and be a part of this world, became something else.
"I use the named cthonian. You would better know us as demons.
"Though I am her elder, Lilith, mother of the lilu, is of my brethren.
"So, perhaps you see now that I use the term lilu, not in judgment, but because it is among the oldest names for Lilith's children that is still remembered in your tongues, dating back to the time of Babylon. I do not judge her progeny. They are, what they are, just as you, daughter of Eve, are what you are."
The demon steepled his fingers.
"And I am what I am. One of those things, is to be counsel to the sons and daughters of Adam, especially those who are drawn into the twilight. That would include you."
Kilraven smiled over his fingertips. It's a milder expression that isn't so pointed and challenging as his previous manner.
"Are you more at ease knowing these things?"
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Nodding slowly, thoughtfully, she confirmed she was happy with his description. “I have one question, for the moment, which must be cleared before I can continue. Do I understand correctly that you are free to wander the earth, not summoned by Invocation or sacrifice?”
OCC: Sorry for delay, bit of a hectic few days.
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Ironic, considering how much strife was caused by human beings de-humanizing each other.
"Five days younger. Though mind you, a day not what you think.
"The demiurge itself gave all of my kind the choice to remain its fold, or go forth to walk this world. What invocation by mortal agency could grant more freedom than the decree of my maker?
"Although, one could argue you conjured me via telephony, yes?"
The demon smiled at this own joke.
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Her swinging moods bothered her, the way she could go from elation to fear at the thought of him. Never the most balanced individual these sudden mood shifts were still extreme. No doubt working throughout the night was having an effect on her yet she still struggled to maintain a smiling professional manner in all her engagements.
“Are you happy for me to continue?” she asked Kilraven, “No doubt your eternity of experience has shown you many mortals with plights not dissimilar to my own. There is little more for me to tell you of the facts of our initial meetings.”
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"By all means. Even if a story is old, every telling is new. The times, and the teller, add their own flavoring and in the end, that is the more important thing.
"Pray tell which of the dilemmas are yours."
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“As we chatted on the phone, he seemed to know my weaknesses. We discussed the lure of the camera and my wish to preserve my image so I am immortalised as that second of perfection, beauty turned art by one click and binding flash of light. More disturbingly he knew of my love of pink roses.” She smiled shyly, “I have not told many this, my mother used to often bring home large bouquets of them, it was her one luxury. She would always take the largest, prettiest rose and place it in a vase by my bedside so my dreams would be infused by its sweet perfume.”
Her smile fading with the memory Sophie continued; “I agreed to meet him to discuss his wishes for the advertisement in more detail. I took a taxi and I…. oh, it’s probably easier if you read the words that summarised my thoughts close to the time.”
She reached into her bag again drawing out a small leather bound book which she flicked open to the bookmarked page. “I wrote down what I could remember of that meeting as it was such a strange encounter in my jotting book. I was going to use it as a sample piece in one of the fetish magazines, sometimes the editors like a bit of dark script to accompany the obsessive images”.
OCC the writing’s content is the sample from my audition, as I’m too lazy today; (it’s in Sophie’s first post.)
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"It is, rather more common to favor the reds. Your pink roses are a sigil of your individual flavor. Your shadow has, taken at least that amount of effort to glean your secrets which, I'm afraid, is not so much effort for lilu who have cultivated the skill."
Walking his fingers in a parody of the yellow pages logo, Kilraven spun the journal around so it once more faced its owner.
"Your dilemma, granting the changes of modern times, is an old one. Do not believe however, the old melodramatic language on either side. You are not faced with a gift, nor a curse. These words are poetic, but misleading. There are gifts or curses in this matter, only choices. The difference is the stakes are much dearer and all sales, as your kind say, are final."
Kilraven leveled his gaze at Sophie.
"Before I speak further of those things though, I shall ask you: what is it you wish to come to pass?"
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“I remember walking in and noticing a strange smell, sweet yet slightly putrid. We sat in a room, lit only by a few candles while he outlined the plans for the contract. I drank some wine as we talked but it all fades into mistiness. “Sophie stopped a puzzled expression on her face as she searched her memory for anything else.
“I don’t want to become like him, my career would go up in smoke. That’s the mot important thing for me now, to get a few big deals before my time is over. Its not just about the cash, there are many ways I can earn a few bob. But I want my name and face to be remembered on the scene, to be immortalised on film.”
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"Dear lady, do you realize what you are saying?
"You know your shadow is lilu. He knows some secrets of yours you tell only a handful, but you know next to nothing of him. Your memory quickly fades into fog where encounters with him are concerned, but you convince yourself those grey areas must contain explanations that you simply do not recall. In any reasonable human terms, that's a most inequitable relationship, yet you appear ready to go forward believing that you can fathom the mystery of your shadow and then return in a manner of your choosing."
The demon's smile was wry.
"The fact you are here with me telling me what you have is a matter of luck, as few in your circumstances would have contact with me, and even fewer would actually come to me. Without a demon's ear, whom would you tell this story to?
"You are being consumed, young Sophie. Piece by piece, you are being seduced into willingly, eagerly even, surrendering unconditionally. You may, of course, decide this is the path you wish to follow, but do not delude yourself into believing you can follow his lead and retain control over the outcome. Whether you are toyed with and discarded, turned, or sent to the river of souls, will ultimately be in his hands.
"Is this what you wish? If not, then you must weigh what is more important to you and begin to make choices while you still can. To try to grow close to your shadow while preserving your right to walk in the light is a.. troublesome combination of goals at best."
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“If he was going to turn me, wouldn’t he have done it by now.” She stopped abruptly, realising too late what she had revealed. “I mean, if he is so all powerful, surely he could do with me what he wishes, so what’s the point in resisting?”
Pouring another glass of juice her hands showed a slight tremor, the orange liquid sloshing haphazardly against the sides of the glass. Bringing it to her mouth, she hid a slight grimace as she noticed the warmness of the tangerine. Standing in the glare of the bouncing beams of sunlight it had noticeably warmed by a few degrees. Who would listen to her. No doubt her friends back home would think her mad or at the least deluded even by the basic fact that he was not human.
“I need to know more about him, what he means to me. His face haunts every dream, every shadow. I struggle to remember, aware of the danger, of the possibility of protective repression “
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"Also, while the nosferatu ego does not like to face the fact directly, they are in many ways fragile. Joining the brood of Sister Lilith has granted them power, but also cost them much. The light we are bathed in here is swift and fiery death to them, so for all feelings of superiority, it does not pay for them to reveal too much, too freely. I think, before this your memory was not prone to such extended lapses, no?
"Now, do not misunderstand me. I do not tell you that following your shadow's lead is certain doom. It is possible of course, that not only are your shadow's intentions benign, but that he might even be able be able to stand by them. That is however, as they say, not something to bank on. I am simply pointing out your assumptions are on shaky ground and proceeding as things stand risks a great deal, which is why you've come to see me. Ultimately, the choice of risks shall be yours.
"But, I see your ice has sucumbed to the light."
Smoothly diverting topics, Kilraven summoned his receptionist again, who brought a fresh glass with more ice a different bottle of juice.
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“So you think he s toying with me to add amusement to an otherwise boring life? I’m sure he could find someone much more willing to entertain him. But why would he say that he cares, that he wants me to succeed. There are many that would have jumped at the chance to advertise The Flesh Theatre, it’s notorious for its bondage dungeon amongst the UK scene, and that’s just one of its specialties. Yet he offered the opportunity to me. He has never been anything but a gentleman around me.”
“The weakness of sunlight is noted, although I’ve heard it before I was not sure of the authenticity. My memory was always pretty good, apart from the odd drunken binge. “ she smirked, “Everything else is still clear.”
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"Understand that for a child of Lilith, charm is even more double-edged than it is for you. Your shadow is gentlemanly as much to convince himself he is civilized as he is to beguile you. Likely more so, really.
"However, I should add in counterpoint that the popular image of Lilith's children as simple monsters is also false. While they are driven by stronger base impulses than Eve's children, they are by no means always clear in their own purposes. It's quite possible that your shadow himself is not entirely certain far as his own motives and ultimate aims are regarding you. Yours might be a case where predator's instinct is not completely ascendant. It is possible, within that window of uncertainty, you might influence him.
"Mind though, you would be playing a high stakes game against an experienced opponent with very few cards in your hand to speak of. It's a very poor gambit, but not a totally hopeless one.
"You must decide how much you are willing to risk. Remember though, that you have more than two choices."
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“He was not even present at the first shoot and it was a complete success. The initial advertisement led to a few jobs in Europe, rates I would never have dreamed of before. He has offered me more, the opportunity to become the face of the club, to lure in a larger crowd. Finally I can see my goal before me. The last model was a huge success, she got front covers of Bizarre, Skin 2 etc. and there were rumours she had a movie deal lined up before she died.”
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"You could simply be a tool for the more obvious reasons. While the motives of Lilith's brood are usually layered, they have more mundane concerns as well. Your shadow may actually want you to be what he professes for the reason he puts forth. There are, after all, many advantages for his kind of have a successful venture of that sort under their control. If that is the case, you both will have uses for each other which, at least for a time, may not conflict. It is most useful, vital really, for any lilu of ambition to have agents who can walk in the day.
"Of course though, there is no guarantee the arrangment will be stable. He does not die natural death, you are keenly aware a model's halflife is limited, and you mention another in your place was sent down the river before her time."
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“ Danger is always on the cards, everyone’s out to screw you over in this business. Unexpected deaths are not uncommon” Sophie shivered at the thought “She was apparently poisoned by silver. I don’t recall the details, it made the press a few years ago.”
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