[ Semi-Closed Log | Betting on Hope | Complete ]

[dolcezzamacabra]

WHO: Envy, [ mercuryvictim ], Greed [ avariceshield ], Rhode Kamelot [ dolcezzamacabra ], and anyone who would reasonably be in the Devil's Nest
WHAT: Rhode is willing to bet her life on her family's return, and gives up her most important possession as security in her gamble with Envy.
WHERE: The Devil's Nest
WHEN: Midday, Day 55

Comments

[mercury_victim]

"Greed, beloved," a voice dripping with mockery floated from the stairs as a young man of dark hair and dark eyes descended down them, a hint of a flat smile lingering around his mouth. He was ordinary by all appearances, and by looks, could very well have been Greed's blood brother. "Is that any way to treat a guest?"

The sharpness that tinged the young man's smile as he turned his eyes on Rhode left no question who this was-- it didn't matter whose face he wore. This was Envy. This special brand of cruelty could only be his alone. There was a flicker of amusement on his face as he approached them, eyes lingering almost hungrily on the sight of blood.

"What have we here?" he murmured, eyes narrowing faintly, "I believe the two of you have something that belongs to me now."

[avariceshield]

That voice. Not just the sound of it, but how the bastad used it. It was like fucking nails on a chalkboard in Greed's head. He cringed and lifted his head to see the bastard descending down the stairs. He didn't care about the safety of Rhode anymore as he pulled the sword from her hands, letting more crimson spill.

"Fine, fine." He lifted up the sword, which was lightly stained with the young woman's blood. "Have your damn toothpick. And next time, tell me when you're inviting guests, Envy. I hate unexpected ones.. especially little brats." Greed spat, glaring back at Rhode as he walked up to Envy, presenting the sword to him. "I feel out of the loop when you go and do things like this."

[dolcezzamacabra]

Rhode gasped sharply as the metal was drawn from her grip, the pain of air on the injuries hitting her nerves like a wall. She didn't seem to know what to do about it, though- Just pulled her arms close to her body, hands gingerly at her chest.

"It's not yours. I'll have it back-"

It was running down her arms, a momentary distraction of sensation before she continued.

"It won't be long at all."

[mercury_victim]

Envy let out a soft, entertained laugh at Rhode's determined words, reaching out with slender fingers to accept the sword from his so-called brother. He grasped it by the handle, holding it up in the light to admire the slow trail of blood over metal. He absently licked his lips.

"Think what you want, girl," Envy answered in a low murmur, a hint of murder in his smile when he offered it to you. "You should run along now. Come back for this if that bastard Gin ever shows his face again."

[dolcezzamacabra]

"No." Defiance wasn't something she had to work into her tone; it was a simple statement, a denial. "The other half. You promised."

Rhode had to hear it. If he planned on keeping it... She couldn't leave it.

"It's mine. If he doesn't-" Her voice faltered, "I need it."

[avariceshield]

Greed rolled his eyes and slipped his glasses back onto his face, hiding his eyes again. He sauntered over behind his bar and reached into a mini fridge to snatch some scotch. He grabbed a small shot glass from the cuboard and walked back around the bar, taking a seat at the counter once again as he watched the events unfod before him. The younger 'brother' poured the liquid into his glass and quickly lifted it to his lips and jerked his head back, downing the substance.

Exhaling loudly, he used another barstool to prop his feet up on and crossed his arms to watch the show, pouring himself another glass.

[mercury_victim]

Dark eyes watched Rhode carefully before Envy offered another easy, cruel smile. He moved around the bar with the blade in one hand, reaching with the other to steal Greed's glass of scotch. He lifted it to his lips, sipping the drink before licking the rim absently, his gaze threatening and cold.

"Yes, yes, I agreed," Envy answered dismissively, "You have my word." Not that the word of a killer and monster meant very much. "Now go home."

[dolcezzamacabra]

It was strange to be able to feel her own pulse in her hands, she vacantly observed. It was getting on her shirt, staining, and Sebastian wasn't going to be pleased. She couldn't allow herself to slip into that state now, though.

It was dangerous being here without getting caught in one of her spells.

"Promise." Stubborn girl, but she wasn't giving up so easily. "You're lying. Insurance, like you said."

[avariceshield]

Greed opened his mouth to prtest, but the bastard already had his scotch in hand. He frowned tightly with a displeased grunt before he took the bottle itself and took a swig of it, watching them idly. He listened intently though, taking in as much information he could while the two of them conversed.

[mercury_victim]

Envy sneered at the girl's stubbornness, watching her bleed with some mild interest. He lifted a hand to brush dark hair-- hair that wasn't his-- from his stolen face, flicking the metal of the blade with his fingers to hear it resonate.

"Very well. I'll entrust you with something to please you, shall I?" The shapeshifter remarked lightly, obviously a little entertained.

He set the sword and Greed's glass on the bar, prowling the bar until he found a napkin and a pen. On it, he wrote in surprisingly neat handwriting-- the handwriting of someone who had been schooled, in a household of intellectuals--a name. Folding the napkin, he offered it to Rhode. "This is my secret, in exchange for your sword. Insurance enough for you, girl?"

[dolcezzamacabra]

Rhode accepted the napkin with some distraction in her gaze; she seemed a bit distracted, though it by something others wouldn't be able to hear. All in her head, after all. It took effort to hold onto the loose paper without voicing her pain, but she managed. The words on the napkin didn't hold anything for her.

"What's a name going to do," she asked, suddenly looking up at him with a strange interest, "or mean?" Seeming to forget her bloody hand, she reached up to touch his face with some cautious interest.

As if it wouldn't be real.

"You were going to wear green. Somnifery."

[mercury_victim]

The monster stilled to let the girl touch his face, eyelashes fluttering ever so slightly under her touch, his eyes curious. He watched her face with unusual passivity, tilting his head slightly before drawing away from her touch. Such naiveté, with this one. Was she not even afraid he would bite?

"Listen well, child," Envy leaned down close to Rhode's ear, murmuring so only she could hear. He spoke with deceptive nonchalance at length, "A shapechanger has only one weakness: an identity. You best keep this name close to your chest, if you ever wish to see your precious sword again."

[dolcezzamacabra]

Rhode was struggling against her own sanity for a few moments before answering, a change in her breaths barely audible as she inhaled with a soft hiss for a grasp on reality.

"How do I know it's not fake?" She kept her voice soft, ignoring the numb sensation in her arms and her lightheaded sense of gravity. It would pass, in a moment. Just like standing up too fast, of course that's how it was. "Or do I just find out when there's no hope and you won't give it back."

[avariceshield]

The bar owner rested his elbow on the counter and watched them with even more interest now. So many more questions popped into Greed's head, swarming around like angry wasps. But most likely, the shapeshifter wouldn't answer most of them. He had yet to have his quextions of his own past answered. But he shifted on his seat to get comfortable and rested the side of his face in his hand. Somnifery? What kind of identity was that? Ah well. He'd have to be a good little boy for now and wait until they were done, and the brat was gone from his bar.

[mercury_victim]

Envy gave another quiet, amused laugh, eyes glittering with malice. He lifted a hand and patted Rhode's cheek mockingly. "I am already in possession of your sword, girl," he spoke in a voice that was tauntingly soothing, "You can choose to accept this insurance from me, or not-- that will not change."

"Either way," he added wryly, sliding his index finger over some of the blood that had trickled over her arm, "You should have that taken care of."

[dolcezzamacabra]

Rhode closed her eyes for a minute, weighing some decision silently before stepping back. It seemed she would simply walk away, but she casually lifted her hand. She didn't seem very perturbed by her injury as she put all of her weight into a backhanded slap meant for the man's face.

Just because she'd lost didn't mean she'd stop being a brat, after all.