♠ SECOND || ➥ VIDEO

[nestingdevil]

[There's a flicker and the video starts. Greed's behind the counter of the 'Nest and the camera is set on what appears to be a pool table. It's midday, so the joint is empty.]

[He's all smiles, hands placed atop of his bar.] It's that day, folks. Maybe some of you know, maybe some of you don't. But I promised to deliver and I don't count myself a

Comments

[madeofsunlight]

[Video]

[Inara is speechless for several minutes. She knew he wasn't human. There were too many tells. She wasn't expecting... well, truth be told, she wasn't sure what she was expecting. Certainly not to see him blow his head off and then get back up. That image is going to be sticking with her for a while.

Taking a slow, shuddering breath, she finally finds her voice.] I trust you're going to clean up before happy hour?

[madeofsunlight]

[Inara smiles. He's possessive, protective -- and that's fine with her. It's not much different than being under Mal's care on Serenity. Except, they don't snip at each other. No, her relationship with Greed is very different. She hasn't quite figured out how to classify it, but she does like him.

Stretching, she sits up.] In that case consider yourself lucky. I'm in the mood to dance.

[She hasn't missed the fact that he failed to mention just what it is they're working with Javert for, but that bit about him losing has her lifting curious eyebrows.] Lost to him how?

[nestingdevil]

[Greed lowers his head, fingers his chest.] Glad to hear it. If I could be your company, then? [Because, let's face it - he's wanted some private time with her for a while that wasn't about business.]

[He sighs, gives a bit ol'dramatic wave of his hands.] Played pool against him and the old man played me like last year's hot shot. Figured him easy pickings, but who was I? Always underestimate older guys - gets me into a whole mess of trouble.

[He plants his feet, twists his heel. Bends and stares.] Don't worry. He's not going to do anything to anyone in the 'Nest. He just wants eyes and ears where he can't have them normally. [Greed flicks a finger to his own temple, taps it.] The underground, the underbelly. Everything dark and terrible, according to him. I'll draw up a report, like the good little soldier he thinks he won, and send it his way. No harm to us and it keeps him coming back. Him and his wife.

[madeofsunlight]

But of course. [She smiles, all flirtatious and genuinely pleased at the same time.

As he recalls losing a game of pool, her eyebrows inch higher.] He's good, then. And he just wants information? [She's obviously curious.] Who is his wife? [She wasn't aware anyone was married here. It's not really surprising, though. As she talks she gets up and starts to move around, getting ready to leave.]

[nestingdevil]

[He gets the flirtation, hits it right back with one of his best smiles. Taps the video feed.] See, I told you you were betting looking with a smile. No frowns here in the 'Nest. I won't have it.

[Greed huffs, slides his palms through his hair - the phone's on a thigh now. Looks like he's back to reclining.] Just information. Keeping tabs on the dark and dirty of the city. No harm, I promise. [And at the mention of Naomi, the homunculus hoots.] Oh, she's a fine lady. Don't know how the fuck the old bastard got her. Her name is Naomi - you'd like her, I think.

So, when are you coming over for that dance? I'm going to hold you to it, you know.

[madeofsunlight]

[Another of those demure blushes heats her face.] Really, if you keep speaking like that I'll be absolutely spoiled.

[Inara nods in acknowledgement, even as she begins the process of pinning up her hair.] I see. They sound like a rather mismatched pair.

[There's a soft laugh at his question and the following declaration.] Very soon. I just have to finish my hair and get dressed.

[nestingdevil]

Remember what I told you? What's mine is mine. And since you're part of the gang, I'll allow a little spoiling here and there. You're expected to pay back in loyalty, but you've already shown me you're on board. Even with that little display. [Oh, Inara. Don't give him a blush to play with - he's absolutely drinking that up.]

Mismatched doesn't even begin to describe. But they aren't part of the 'Nest. [Which is a damn shame. Greed wants it all, wants the whole city under his thumb if he could manage. A sigh, roll of the eyes.] Apparently, I'm the right kind of devil - fine to get info from, but my offer was shot down. Can you believe that?

[She's putting on her best, it seems. Greed appreciates the up-do of her hair, likes the exposed parts of her neck.] I'll wait for you. No one else is here, so it'll just be the two of us.