♠ first || ➥ accidental video
[Snap, crackle, pop. It sounds like a spine's being readjusted, the grinding of bones falling back into place. Then a sigh - long winded and exaggerated. Two foot falls follow and they're crisp, cut -]
[ - sharp. ] Well, that wasn't very nice.
[Feed picks up a curved boot heel - one that seems to rocket right up and cut the dark. It rises and ( Read more... )
[ - sharp. ] Well, that wasn't very nice.
[Feed picks up a curved boot heel - one that seems to rocket right up and cut the dark. It rises and ( Read more... )
I'm clever, or so they say. [But she'll mind those words, mind them well because there was a lot there to be said and not all of it was so easily spoken of she was sure.]
Then we shouldn't have a problem. Come whenever you so desire. I work during the day, I've a school to run myself. [the mighty are brought low here, but she does not mind the work. She needs it lately. To give her something to do.] But I am free at the moment. So you are welcome to join me if you so wish it.
You learn quickly, when your father is a King. [which is a modest reply to the truer statement about just how you learn the lessons of eloquence.] It does, I know that better than any. But for the time being, it can be thrilling -- and here I am assured, no one minds one way or another.
So come, I should have some wine left. [She's got a cellar of course she does, but details.]
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[The bite of the lip, the coy run of teeth at that pompous exposure of flesh and Greed's eyes fall heavy behind his shades. Crude-cut smile follows suit and all his razors flash brightly: "C'mere lovely and show me your teeth."]
[But he says not a word for a moment. Drinks in what she says with a silent roll of the shoulders, a cant of his head to expose his own throat to her. It's like courtship of the most devilish nature; the proverbial tug of war and teasing before the last call.] Something you haven't seen before? Well, lovely. As much as I'd like to show you, it looks like this place has me at a disadvantage for the time being. [Meaning he plans - no he will - take everything back that's been stolen.]
[But first thing's first.]
[Greed extends a finger to the sky before snapping it in her direction.] Seem awful busy - sure you can afford the spare time? [Because he wouldn't want to bother the lady if she's too wrapped up in her own. Though it seems, even the Queen's able to spare a little time for a little .. sin.]
[Head snaps forward, sunglasses go stark-silver under the pull of a well-placed lamp-post.] Might take me a few. New, remember? [And in world such as this, even he's a stranger to the bells and whistles.]
[Still, he taps the communication device once. Twice.] Won't complain to the bottle. So, do you want to send me directions, or should I fend for myself? After all, you do seem a little occupied.
[Hands back to the pockets and a whirl of fingers out, scratching at leather with that caught-desire that seems to roll off of him in waves.]
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But then I am sure you can surprise me. I'll look forward to it, I promise it. [That she could. Anything that was a distraction as much as he was. To hell with them all. She could do what she liked. And she happened to like very much.]
Of course I can. Here let me... [she sent that address of her palace through the phone. That still seemed to odd to her. Addresses, for palaces. Everyone should just know where they are. But then Palaces were different now apparently.] It will be hard to miss, it's in the Venetian District.
Occupied? Only with pleasant company I now find myself in. Which I am more than happy to extend for as long as you wish.
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[Ping sounds off like a pin dropped and for a second, the homunculus pulls away from the feed. Makes a noise in the back of his throat akin to a purr before snapping back into view.]
Oh, I'm sure I could. But first thing's first - [He throws two fingers in the air, gives the curtest of waves in her direction.]
- see you soon, lovely.
[And there's a sounding click; the audible sound of the feed sputtering to black.]
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[So maybe he's a little later than expected; an hour had him wandering through his new abode, examining this and that before finally making his way to the Venetian District. And no, perhaps the directions weren't exactly necessary.]
[Because a palace is a sure fire way to get attention.]
[At the foot hills, just outside the gates and the doors, is the devil himself. Well, not in the biblical sense. The incarnation of Sin; the walking, talking spring of desire. The homunculus seems birthed from the shadows that encase him. Smooth over his features to sharpen them even more. He dips low, boot kicked out by a heel that hovers there. And he whistles to himself, jerks his head up as he takes it all in.]
[Because it's a lot.]
[And she's promised him everything - company, wine, the works. Definitely a woman worth knowing and the Sin has no qualms giving her everything she wants in return. After all, as he said: "Who am I to deny anyone what they want?"]
[Hands slide back, smooth over the leather slacks that seem to cling to his thighs. Fingers hook into the back pockets and Greed takes up a heel-toe walk. A practiced walk. Smooth, calculated. Slights the side of his boot in the stride and clips it forward with a rounding of an ankle.]
[His movements are slippery, balanced. Inhuman.]
[Only when he gets to the door - with a polite nod to any sort of guard-work the lady might have in place - do his fingers unfurl. Like the fanning of blades and there's a whole lot of promises held in his grip.]
[But he'll save those for later.]
[Instead of knocking, he reaches for the communicator given - an odd device, one that he's not entirely on the up-and-up about function and form, and presses a button to snap it to audio.]
Hope I didn't keep you waiting too long, lovely. [Is all he cares to say.]
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Half into her work, drink in hand she answers sort of distractedly for a moment.] Hmm? Oh no. Not at all -- [she puts the cup down, straightens out her papers. Ignoring the ink that splattered over her fingers. She still preferred them for all official work, as it were. Touch nib to ink herself, rather than normal pens as they had them.] I'll be down in a minute. [she clicks her fingers to something off screen, before it turns off.
Then she's down the internal stairs to got a find him. Four wings to her a palace, and this one was a simple one. Hardly Hampton or Greenwich. But she knew how the others complained when they came here and she didn't greet them immediately. They ended up getting lost so quickly.
But he was still at the interest, and she was thankful for that. Smiling when she saw him, the tiger cub, and one of the adults that preferred to stay near her when she was at home following behind her. No matter that Gabriel had made them, she could never not love them. Liked keeping them close, they were a comfort of protection that she no longer had without her full set of guards.] Master Greed. [She greeted him, hand extended for him to take. The one ring that did not seem to fit quiet properly was set on her ring finger, a stone set in it so red it seemed black until the light shone on it. A wedding ring, for all purposes it seemed.] I bid you welcome.
[She smiled at him, still slight, still subtle. All of her was subtle, even with the power and confidence she held herself it. She hadn't taken on many modern traditions after all. Beyond perhaps keeping herself down to one set of jewels. But still a lady, still in bright silks and gold woven brocade. Winter had not meant she was inclined to dress any more drably as everyone else seemed prone too.] I trust you managed to find your way to my home without much complication?
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[And, as promised, it is grand.]
[Another whistle escapes him.] That's something - ! [He says, before turning eyes and attention forward. He isn't here for the mansion, no. And while it's nice and a gem to look at, his avarice is interested in something a little more.]
[But he does give pause; because all that glitters is gold and that ring catches his eyes. Shimmers and swirls in too-black sunglasses. He's very aware of what that means - of what the human lot call marriage. And he's not the type; could never understand that kind of commitment.] Just Greed, remember? [A beat of a wait before he casts one foot in.]
[And now the devil is in the house of saints and nothing could be more wrong.]
[But Greed intends no harm - not to her or anyone else. He pads forward and his heels sound off like gun shots; loud, knocking, resounding off the expansive walls.] Didn't take me long - after all, it's kind of hard to miss.
[A straightening sends his spine snapping and the Sin slowly raises a hand to rub at the dip where the skull meets the neck.] Though - [Slide of thin-slit eyes to that ring again when he clasps her hand. A finger touches the rim of it before he releases and slips his hands away from her.] For someone so keen on my company, it seems someone else should be tending to that, hmn?
[Not that it matters, no. Because if she wants his company, he'll do her the favor. Not about to turn her down after all. So he rolls his shoulders, puffs out that fur-collared vest like a prized stallion just out of the gates. And all of his shark-teeth settle in wide. A mouth brimming with that burning fever.]
Not that it's any of my business. [Said as he digs his heel into the floor and rolls it slowly - with some attention. There's beasts afoot here and he isn't the only one.]
[He raises his hand to his face, touches the outer rim of his shades to pluck them and clip them shut with a raised index. And there are all the exposed purple-slits available for both her and her friends to enjoy. Like a mirror, those viper-eyes pulse back at the group of big cats gathered to her.] Now isn't that new! Ha-! You're just full of surprises.
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A palace is a palace is a palace. I have thirty of them, in England. I have my childhood one here. Nor is it alone. There is the Villa de Auditore, for one, it is very splendid. But there -- so comes the arrogance of nobles, and royals above that. What we call normal, is not truly normal to anyone else I've found.
Ah -- [when he takes her hand, there is the slightest of curtsies, before she rises again and he released her. His comment though, makes her hand flinch up, her long fingers curl in. She thinks, for a moment, he knows of Gabriel. Of that whole situation. But then she takes a deeper breath and forces herself to reason. No. He's looking at her ring and that is a misunderstanding she has gotten used to. She uncurled it again, drawing it up to herself, fiddling with the ring gently.] You do not have Kings where you come from, I do not think. Else you do not regard them as we do. This was my sister's, given to me the day she died and I became ruler. [she kissed the stone. The traditional action of fealty, the way once she had kissed her sister's hands. Her hands settled in front of her, locking her fingers. Backing to being simply a woman.] But as for attending to another, you are both right... and wrong. [the mischief is back, teasing him gently.] When a King takes their throne -- it has another name. It is called the Great Marriage. Of King and People. It is doubly so, as a woman, I have two expectations in life. To marry, and the most happy joy of my sex, to give said husband a healthy brood of sons, and perhaps a daughter or two from my body. [But there is a curl to her lips that shows the notion distasteful. There were other reasons to that as well. She couldn't stop thinking about the child she was supposed to give Gabriel. She'd wanted it so badly. As much as she had loathed the idea previously from any other man. Not that it shows. It never shows.]
But my people are jealous. I married them first, you see? They do not wish to share me with another man. So I never will marry a earthly husband. I am a woman with no master. But that is at home. In my England, you are right. I am to be attended. Night and day by court and country, have my ladies dress me, my advisors speak to me... But as for my attendance otherwise here? [she shrugs.] I stand before you now a woman called common, a woman with no longer such attendance. I am a queen diminished. [But she held up the hand with the ring on it.] But my marriage to my kingdom still stands, for what is done in God's eyes, can never be undone. I am told I will be called the Virgin Queen, for my choice to never have a man.
[But there is nothing virginal in her tone, in the way she likes to look, or the way she holds herself. No matter how pale as a Madonna she might be, no matter how softly she can speak. She'll never be as even tempered as the Holy Virgin.]
Oh? [She turned back, to the tigers hanging back. She crooked a finger, whistling softly to them. Which they came. To sit beside where she stood. The adult looked back into his slit eyes, and apparently not liking what it saw there, opened its jaws wide. Not a roar, not a growl. Just far, far too many teeth.] These are my court now. Though they're not very good at stand on ceremony. But they should never hurt anyone who did not wish me ill. [They had never been made with that intent.] You do not wish me ill, do you?
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[A hand shoots out from the elbow, twists in the air over and over again when he finally speaks:] No, I'm not unfamiliar - been doing this a long time, lovely. [Greed is a creature of flare; of exaggeration. Of indulgence in all varieties and his movements reflect that with all the turning and jerking of his body. He taps two fingers to the side of his skull; a light knocking.] There's still those kinds around, but two-hundred years ago?
There were plenty.
[But things change, the world moves forward, and the Kings and Queens of old? Saved for lands far away from where he comes from; replaced by government law and order, though even that is a bit of a farce.]
[But Greed does not elaborate. Instead, hands go to his hips and he turns back to face his company.] Never did like rules myself - I suppose you could say my avarice rules me, but that isn't quite right either.
[Because he is avarice; the living, breathing incarnation of the Sin in question. Not chained and bound to it like some would expect.]
[The snarling from the big cat brings him pause again. And for the briefest of moments, he tears away his attentions from the lady. Extends a hand brimming red with that serpent tattoo blazed on the back.] Not interested in harming your friend, hmn? [Speaking to the cat itself; as if he had done this before with a few strays .. ]
I have two rules, lovely - [Eyes still focused on the cats and he speaks with a purr; a sultry tone akin to a jazz player finishing out a long night. A long night of liquor and booze and everything the good lord says is bad, bad, bad.]
[But in reality is oh so good, it's a sin to waste.] - Lying and harming a woman? Just isn't my style. [Said as he slowly pads back to her and he's like a buzzard circling. Just waiting for the cue.]
[A hand reaches out - seems personal space is a foreign concept - and a thumb touches the shelf of her chin. Just briefly. If they're going to play this game of teasing and taunting, well - ] I'm not like the others back in Central, though I guess you wouldn't know much about that either. [Thumb pulls away and everything slips back into pockets.]
So - [A tilt of his body before it snaps back of his hips.] - been a long time since I had your flavor of wine. Not that I mind - can't well deny what's offered, right?
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