(Untitled)

[theunsmiling]

Michael makes her way from the front door to a corner booth, tossing her bike helmet onto the seat. She passes the booth, however, and swings by Bar herself

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[justasaleswoman]

Strangely enough, there's a demon in a booth of her own not far away.

She is not slouching. Nor working a crossword puzzle. Nor drinking coffee.

Nor about to approach an archangel who all but threatened to kill her the last time they met.

[theunsmiling]

So demons can learn wisdom -- despite significant evidence to the contrary, Michael may never be sure.

And yet --

"Thou art quite a persistent creature, demon."

[justasaleswoman]

"You know, it's impressive the way you walk the line between insult and compliment, Michael."

[theunsmiling]

"Thy continued existence might be said to depend upon that line."

Her tone suggests this dependence is more than just possible.

[justasaleswoman]

"Well, hurrah for the line, then."

And Michael's ability to straddle it.

"How are you this evening, darling?"

[theunsmiling]

"Thy pleasantries may be hardly said to amuse."

Someone is still prickly from last time.

[justasaleswoman]

So it would seem.

Still, Michael was the one who started the conversation, wasn't she?

"And I see we're crossed firmly into insults now."

[theunsmiling]

"And as thou dost complain of it, perhaps I shall move beyond mere words."

If Verity asks, she'll get!

(Or if Michael's patience, thin at the best of times, abruptly runs out.)

[justasaleswoman]

"Wouldn't dream of it."

(No, really. You learn who not to bitch to, in Hell.)

"Anything I can do for you, Michael?" she asks, sweetly.

[theunsmiling]

Some questions it may be best not to ask, as they will be considered.

Thoroughly.

"For thyself as well, dost thou seek to keep evading my sword."

[justasaleswoman]

"And here you'd led me to believe I wasn't worth the effort."

You shouldn't toy with a girl like that, Michael.

It's just mean.

[theunsmiling]

"Thou wouldst be well-served, on occasion, demon, to hold thy tongue."

[justasaleswoman]

Verity shuts up.

[theunsmiling]

Michael does not sigh.

"Thy efforts might be better spent in holding thy tongue regarding the business that kept thee smug, last time."

This is not a request, even if, to any passerby, it might sound like one.

[justasaleswoman]

"Loose lips sink ships and all that," she says.

And this is a ship that needs to stay afloat.

"Or do you imagine I'm that anxious to gloat to every nobody in this bar?"

No one but Michael could have gotten half so complete an answer out of Verity, last time.

Just as no one will next time.

Or the time after that.

[theunsmiling]

"Should it profit thee, or provide thee amusement without divulging thy purposes -- thou canst not think me such a fool as to imagine otherwise."

Which is to say if there was profit in it, and a furtherance of her work --

Michael would not quite put it past her.