(Untitled)

[notsoyoung]

David enters the bar, ashen-faced, and carrying Angelo in his arms.

Neither of them look great, but Angelo's been knocked out.

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[ahsatan_natasha]

Natasha looks over from where David had left him immersed in memories, and is... somewhat startled.

"David, m'petit... what happened?"

[ahsatan_natasha]

His eyes, still filled with fire, grow cold.

There's an insidious whisper of doubt and despair, dry as dust, inside David's mind, or perhaps in his ear. Do you?

"You are a foolish mortal, David Talbot. Are you so proud that you want to find yourself in my realm for all eternity? It can be arranged."

Do you?

"You were strong, once, David Talbot, mortel bête. You were a grown man. And now? You are a child, and a foolish one at that. Relinquish your control if you wish, but realize that if you do there are many who will gladly take it. And none will have your best interests in mind... they will have their own, and will use you to their own ends."

Do you really?

He leans closer, and whispers into David's ear. "Be they angel or demon, m'sieur, they always stay true to their natures. Do not think that he will change for you."

[notsoyoung]

All eternity, spent in Hell. What did Lestat say Hell was? The place they send you to live through your worst mistakes until you learn how to get past them, to see where you went wrong, to repent.

David shudders, suddenly cold, and moves away from Natasha, curling up on himself against the side of the couch, only hearing the doubt in his mind.

do not think he will change for you

do you really?

many who will gladly take it... use you...

And he closes his eyes, holding his arms over his ears, trying to block out the voices IN his head. And he doesn't cry. Just shakes.

[ahsatan_natasha]

With one last glance, cold and red, at David, huddled on the couch; at Moiraine, high and mighty, standing behind it; the injured dead man, nearly unconscious on the couch next to David; at the musician, glaring daggers at him... Satan smirks, and bows to all assembled, and turns on his heel, and walks out the shattered remnants of the back door.

There is an angel to find.

[bloody_rockgod]

Charlie ignores Natasha's exit and works an arm under Angelo's back. "David," he says firmly, "We should get Angelo to his room. Help me."

[notsoyoung]

David, still tortured by the voices in his head, neither hears nor responds to Charlie.

[blue_ajah]

*She watches as Natasha leaves, then turns to Charlie and Angelo.*

It is a good idea. Rest will help, and he should eat, to regain strength. Much of the energy for the Healing came from within him.

*Moiraine looks down at David as he fails to acknowledge Charlie's words. She is still glowing, and her gaze narrows; she moves a hand slightly, and a flash of light cracks in front of his eyes like a whip, accompanied by a sharp sound.*

[notsoyoung]

The crack shocks him enough that he takes the arms from his ears and he looks up at her, still shuddering, still shaking.

"Do you want to have a go at me, too?"

[bloody_rockgod]

Charlie, working at getting Angelo upright, starts at the whiplike sound.

"Bloddy hell," he murmurs.

[blue_ajah]

*Her voice is cool and serene.*

I am not particularly interested in doing so, except insofar as your choices and your apparent pursuit of self-destruction affect others. I have been given to understand a number of things about your decisions of late, you see.

*She pauses.*

Charlie has spoken to you. Perhaps you should acknowledge him, now. He cares for you, as does Angelo, it seems.

[notsoyoung]

"My decisions are precisely that, my Lady; my own choices," he answers, somewhat tartly, hint of a pout at his lips.

He turns to Charlie, still posed with Angelo in his arms, not looking at either of them.

"Would you like some help?"

[blue_ajah]

So they are, David. That is precisely the point.

*Her tone is still cool. Moiraine nods cordially to Charlie and Angelo, and releases saidar.*

Good evening, gentlemen. Perhaps we shall speak again later.

*She moves away, across the bar, toward her usual table.*

[bloody_rockgod]

Charlie takes a deep breath and fixes a steady gaze on David.

"She is my friend. Please be polite.

"Are you going to help?"

[notsoyoung]

He nods. "Of course," he says as he gets up, still shuddering mentally, and ducks under Angelo's other arm.

"And I thought I said I wasn't here to start a fight today."

[bloody_rockgod]

"Nobody's fighting." His teeth are clenched.

[notsoyoung]

"Your grinding teeth say you'd like to," he says simply, helping Angelo to the stairway.