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Not so much new. Admittedly, I chose to take her and her friends under my wing — whether they like it or not, they are children and I worry for them. A world like this is no place for kids their age but, then again, I suppose everyone is a child compared to me. [ Thoughtfully, he purses his lips and levels a glance in his direction. ] Maybe I am meddling too much, but who can say?
[ The intentions behind the words are as clear as day and he rolls his eyes, turning away to mask his amusement. No, there are no unwanted eyes here, he nearly even allows himself to reach out to touch him but his tail slithers away as quickly as it came. To compensate, one of his wings gently nudge against Greed. ] Haven’t you ever heard that good things come to those who wait? Ask me again later.
[ While choosing not to elaborate, he does look at the bottles behind the bar to take in the reflection of the former homunculus. Whatever this is still doesn’t come easy to him, so he will have to be satisfied with what Michael has given him. A promise, undoubtedly, of another night where he will get virtually no work done. ]
Careful, Greed, your kindness is showing. What will the neighbors think? [ He turns his head just enough to where he can see his little smirk before it disappears. ] You’re doing fine and I have the added benefit of knowing you wouldn’t hurt me. Not intentionally. If you keep saying it like that, I am going to start assuming it’s a term of endearment.
[ Anything else he is going to say is cut off by a soft hiss not because of the pain but because of the ice. He nearly jolts off of the stool before begrudgingly sliding back into place, leaning into the relief. Sure, he saw him with the bucket of ice but did not put two and two together. ]
I thought that if she saw me, I might be able to pull more of her consciousness out. I was mistaken. I don’t know what she has been through in life but I believe she suffered. Perhaps the dragon is a defense mechanism, a way to protect herself from things that gave her grief in her own world. It isn’t unheard of.
[ He scoffs then sighs. ] A run for my money, hm? Maybe I really am becoming a sentimental fool here. In four months, I will have been here for a year.
[A tease of a laugh shies through the sharps of his teeth. Greed adjusts the cube of ice. He presses it between the pins of Michael's feathers and a trickle of cold-tap sweat dribbles down his wrist.] Looks like you did a little more than take them under your wing, Blues. But that's just how you are, huh? That nature of yours - you couldn't let them be even if you wanted to. It's not a bad thing, y'know.
No, but it's not like they had much of a choice. [He trails the sliver of ice up one of the feathers that isn't so worse for wear, flattening the edges of it to a damp, smeared point.] You already know the answer to that. Whether you like it or not, you've got a habit of finding trouble. Starting to wonder if you're doing it on purpose, or if you just have rotten luck. [With a slurred purr trapped at the roof of his mouth, the Sin calmly jerks his wrist. He catches two more feathers on the mercy of his claws; the slice of them clean and careful.]
[This isn't the first time he's had to patch up someone in his bar, after all.]
[The former homunculus drops both feathers on top of the stool. A pile to collect on later.] Ha - ! Just because I'm greedy, doesn't mean I can't wait. Think I've already shown you I can be patient when I have to be, hmn? [The nudge from him, though - it immediately changes his expression. His smile softens, the points of his teeth disappear. However, when the Archangel calls him out and reads him for every inch of his filth, the Sin's upper lip creases. It pulls at the corner of his mouth, exposing a glimpse of his gums; his belligerence nothing more than huff of air. He needles one of his nails at the end of a coiled-charred feather and as the tip of it digs, he plucks it. The motion more similar to a man, yanking out a stubborn, stuck-in hair.]
Oi, oi, oi. Kindness has nothing to do with it. C'mon, you know me better than that. Don't start taking me for something I'm not again. [He pinches three more feathers and with a ginger swipe of his pinkie, he cuts them loose.] A couple of imps have been making a point of causing problems for those upstairs lately. [He dives one of his hands back into the bucket, and the ice shakes back. Chh, chh, chh.] Had to remind them how things work.
[It would be easy to read between the lines: he had a chat. A little conversation to set the record straight. And if more than a couple of egos got bruised in the process? Well.]
[It's not like he didn't warn them, did he?]
[The tip of his tail curls curiously off the floor, and the Sin knuckles a couple of cubes from the chiller.] Oh ho - ! A dragon, huh? Now, that is something - [Against his heat, the ice doesn't stand a chance. Greed gathers a handful in his fingers. He guides his fist up Michael's unfurled wing, drawing a lick of cool water against a cluster of soot.] - and she can just turn into one whenever she wants?
[But the excitement is short lived. Because he knows a thing or two about that doesn't he? About people, about people who aren't, and the defensiveness that comes with being in a cage, physical or otherwise. And maybe it's not the same. Maybe it's different. Still - ]
[Greed sucks at the back of his teeth and his eyes narrow, distant. He numbly flattens his palm over the edge of Michael's wing and as the hooks of his claws hover over each and every feather, he mindlessly rolls his shoulder.] Couldn't say, but it wouldn't be the first time. The ones I knew - ehh, doesn't matter. [He folds over another feather to examine it.]
Kisara. [He repeats as he maps out the tufts with the side of his thumb. They flutter past his nail as slowly as fanning cash; their flit, light and fluttering. The former homunculus pats two of his finger together, teasing at the feather's stiff vein.] You've always been sentimental, Blues. Don't think being here has changed that.
[When he finally gets to the tip, he brushes the underside of his claw against it to comb the down straight. Greed flicks his eyes upward. The tenseness may be gone, but that smolder: it says something else, doesn't it? And sure, he never has to worry about Michael, not really. But that avarice of his, well.]
[It makes the choice for him, doesn't it?]
[The Sin wipes his hand on his thigh, brushing away what little is left of the ice.] Endearment, huh? Dunno, handsome. Guess you've grown on me a bit. [With that, he raises his arm and flicks his fingers to try to sprinkle the Archangel broadside in the face.]
Maybe. Wayward souls have flocked to me since Lucifer left, he must have left a flyer with my phone number on it somewhere. Little imp. [ A fond smile paints his lips rather than the alternative, his face softening considerably. His greatest joy here was reconciling with his brother, it still gives him hope that things can change back home. As does the mark left on his skin from their deal.
At them not having a choice? Yeah, he does not argue. Debating the contrary would be a lie. ] Perhaps a bit of both, I suppose old habits die hard. I feel that if I come across the danger first, maybe I can spare them from it. How very naive for an Archangel, I was never this sentimental back home. I treasure people and things like anyone else would, I just have the ability to protect them.
As for rotten luck.. [ He cuts himself off with a laugh, tilting his head back to look at the ceiling. ] I thought that was a given considering my name. Morningstars are notoriously difficult to deal with, as I’m sure you’re well aware. [ A joke. Maybe. His shoulder flexes and with it a wing, though not enough to jar any of the progress going on. ] You know I don’t do well with the cold.
Your kindness is an asset, don’t throw it aside so casually. I’ve told you before that anything spoken between these walls remains here, your secret is safe with me. [ He looks over a shoulder and locks in on him but says nothing more on the matter. Yet again, he knows him better than he knows himself and that’s enough for him. Only one of the people in the room carries the name of Greed. ]
I would ask for the names of the troublesome imps but I have a feeling you’ve already dealt with them sufficiently. [ Likely with a bit more persuasion than he would have used but out of sight, out of mind. Much like his shady dealings if he can’t see it, he doesn’t have to dwell on it. ] Yes, but she lacks her sense of self when she does. I chose Hell as our sparring ground because the collateral damage would be less. I think I’ve seen more battles here than I saw in Heaven, no one would bat an eye at the noise.
[ Unconsciously or otherwise, he leans into the touch like a demanding cat, the wing in question almost seeming to shiver. Plucking feathers is one thing, stroking them in this manner is another. ] Would you be willing to meet her? There is a reason I’m telling you about her. Suffice to say, there isn’t a soul in either realm that I trust more than you. If something ever happens to me.. [ If he returns home. ] Don’t feel obligated, there’s a reason I’m training her.
[ He’s so lost in thought that he doesn’t notice the water until it splatters against his face. Michael jerks back like he was just slapped, covers his cheek and twists his torso around slowly to gape at him. Did he really just do that? ]
Sometimes I forget you’re hundreds of years old.
[ Ignore the fact that his eyes are currently flicking to the bucket, to Greed, and then back to the bucket again. It would be immature to retaliate but everything in him wants to reach out, take it, and return fire. It would be the snowball fight all over again, version 2.0. It would also be a poor way to repay his kindness but all’s fair in love and war. ]
[But if he's worried about retaliation? It doesn't show. Instead, the Sin crouches down again. He settles on the back of his heels and as he plants one of his elbows into his knee, he continues his thorough inspection. With two of his knuckles curled into his palm, he follows Michael's wingtips; the graze of him, a hair, an inch, away.]
Luce always did have a soft spot for those that didn't have much to begin with. Wouldn't surprise me if he had a plan in place in case the ones in charge decided to send him back. [Another tuft catches his eye, and the former homunculus runs his thumb down the stem of it. One, snappish turn of his wrist, and he pulls it free.] Though, think you're selling yourself short there, Blue Eyes. The people here - [Languidly, he turns his attention on the feather. He twirls it slowly between his fingers; its spin, punctuated by the soft fltt, fltt, fltt of down.] - well, you've already shown them that not all you righteous types are so high and mighty, hmn?
[No, in his time here, Michael has made it a point to extend his hand. To offer his shoulder, his ear, and all else to everyone and anyone willing to meet him halfway.]
[Greed reaches behind the small of his back to tuck the feather into the lip of his pants.] Yeah I know. You Morningstars are sometimes a whole lot more trouble than you're worth. Can't make anything easy, can you? [The Sin lulls his head back, shutting one of his eyes.] Though maybe next time, try not to get burned, would ya? [Casually, the former homunculus rubs two of his hands together, causing the surface of his 'Shield to clash as lightly skipping rocks. He places one of them where the ice had been moments prior; his warmth less broiling and more similar to the broadside of a simmered-down furnace.]
[The Sin clicks his teeth.] You could say that. Some people still don't know that it's better to take my deal. [And oh, he doesn't miss that. That shiver. That subtle quake of Michael's wing as part of him slowly, slowly, arches into the touch. No matter how many times he sees it, it's something he'll never quite get enough of. Of the Archangel letting go, of giving in, and if he's lingering a bit longer than he should?]
[Well, he's already said it before, hasn't he? How he's never, truly satisfied.]
[Greed slumps his weight to the side, and his tail licks across the floorboards. The tip of it, however - he could say nothing, and it would still give him all away. How the spines breathe open and clatter together with a hint, an idea, of a rattle.]
["If something ever happens to me .."]
[The former homunculus limply lifts his wrist.] Yeah sure, bring her by. And who said anything about feeling obligated? I wouldn't do it if I didn't want to, Blues. [With all four of his hands flat on his thighs, he gradually pushes himself upright, and the buzz of his tail quiets again, shrill. Resigned. Arguing about it would be moot.]
[So instead, he drops his shoulders, forcing his vest to slip down the curve of his back.] That was your first mistake. [Greed pulls one of his arms out and as the weight of the collar drops, he sinks his claws between the fur.] I might not be as old as you, but that doesn't mean I'm young either. Though, that's interesting. Saying I look good for my age, Feathers? [The forks of his tongue tease behind his teeth, and the Sin tosses the vest onto the counter. He makes his way around the other side of the barstool and as he starts on another wing, he raises one of his fingers towards the ceiling.]
I saw that, y'know. Remember, the cold doesn't bother me as much as it does you. [He catches Michael with his eyes and oh. Oh, does his smile spell nothing but bad, bad, bad.] Sure you wanna try it? I won't go easy on you this time.
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no subject
[ The intentions behind the words are as clear as day and he rolls his eyes, turning away to mask his amusement. No, there are no unwanted eyes here, he nearly even allows himself to reach out to touch him but his tail slithers away as quickly as it came. To compensate, one of his wings gently nudge against Greed. ] Haven’t you ever heard that good things come to those who wait? Ask me again later.
[ While choosing not to elaborate, he does look at the bottles behind the bar to take in the reflection of the former homunculus. Whatever this is still doesn’t come easy to him, so he will have to be satisfied with what Michael has given him. A promise, undoubtedly, of another night where he will get virtually no work done. ]
Careful, Greed, your kindness is showing. What will the neighbors think? [ He turns his head just enough to where he can see his little smirk before it disappears. ] You’re doing fine and I have the added benefit of knowing you wouldn’t hurt me. Not intentionally. If you keep saying it like that, I am going to start assuming it’s a term of endearment.
[ Anything else he is going to say is cut off by a soft hiss not because of the pain but because of the ice. He nearly jolts off of the stool before begrudgingly sliding back into place, leaning into the relief. Sure, he saw him with the bucket of ice but did not put two and two together. ]
I thought that if she saw me, I might be able to pull more of her consciousness out. I was mistaken. I don’t know what she has been through in life but I believe she suffered. Perhaps the dragon is a defense mechanism, a way to protect herself from things that gave her grief in her own world. It isn’t unheard of.
[ He scoffs then sighs. ] A run for my money, hm? Maybe I really am becoming a sentimental fool here. In four months, I will have been here for a year.
Her name is Kisara.
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No, but it's not like they had much of a choice. [He trails the sliver of ice up one of the feathers that isn't so worse for wear, flattening the edges of it to a damp, smeared point.] You already know the answer to that. Whether you like it or not, you've got a habit of finding trouble. Starting to wonder if you're doing it on purpose, or if you just have rotten luck. [With a slurred purr trapped at the roof of his mouth, the Sin calmly jerks his wrist. He catches two more feathers on the mercy of his claws; the slice of them clean and careful.]
[This isn't the first time he's had to patch up someone in his bar, after all.]
[The former homunculus drops both feathers on top of the stool. A pile to collect on later.] Ha - ! Just because I'm greedy, doesn't mean I can't wait. Think I've already shown you I can be patient when I have to be, hmn? [The nudge from him, though - it immediately changes his expression. His smile softens, the points of his teeth disappear. However, when the Archangel calls him out and reads him for every inch of his filth, the Sin's upper lip creases. It pulls at the corner of his mouth, exposing a glimpse of his gums; his belligerence nothing more than huff of air. He needles one of his nails at the end of a coiled-charred feather and as the tip of it digs, he plucks it. The motion more similar to a man, yanking out a stubborn, stuck-in hair.]
Oi, oi, oi. Kindness has nothing to do with it. C'mon, you know me better than that. Don't start taking me for something I'm not again. [He pinches three more feathers and with a ginger swipe of his pinkie, he cuts them loose.] A couple of imps have been making a point of causing problems for those upstairs lately. [He dives one of his hands back into the bucket, and the ice shakes back. Chh, chh, chh.] Had to remind them how things work.
[It would be easy to read between the lines: he had a chat. A little conversation to set the record straight. And if more than a couple of egos got bruised in the process? Well.]
[It's not like he didn't warn them, did he?]
[The tip of his tail curls curiously off the floor, and the Sin knuckles a couple of cubes from the chiller.] Oh ho - ! A dragon, huh? Now, that is something - [Against his heat, the ice doesn't stand a chance. Greed gathers a handful in his fingers. He guides his fist up Michael's unfurled wing, drawing a lick of cool water against a cluster of soot.] - and she can just turn into one whenever she wants?
[But the excitement is short lived. Because he knows a thing or two about that doesn't he? About people, about people who aren't, and the defensiveness that comes with being in a cage, physical or otherwise. And maybe it's not the same. Maybe it's different. Still - ]
[Greed sucks at the back of his teeth and his eyes narrow, distant. He numbly flattens his palm over the edge of Michael's wing and as the hooks of his claws hover over each and every feather, he mindlessly rolls his shoulder.] Couldn't say, but it wouldn't be the first time. The ones I knew - ehh, doesn't matter. [He folds over another feather to examine it.]
Kisara. [He repeats as he maps out the tufts with the side of his thumb. They flutter past his nail as slowly as fanning cash; their flit, light and fluttering. The former homunculus pats two of his finger together, teasing at the feather's stiff vein.] You've always been sentimental, Blues. Don't think being here has changed that.
[When he finally gets to the tip, he brushes the underside of his claw against it to comb the down straight. Greed flicks his eyes upward. The tenseness may be gone, but that smolder: it says something else, doesn't it? And sure, he never has to worry about Michael, not really. But that avarice of his, well.]
[It makes the choice for him, doesn't it?]
[The Sin wipes his hand on his thigh, brushing away what little is left of the ice.] Endearment, huh? Dunno, handsome. Guess you've grown on me a bit. [With that, he raises his arm and flicks his fingers to try to sprinkle the Archangel broadside in the face.]
no subject
At them not having a choice? Yeah, he does not argue. Debating the contrary would be a lie. ] Perhaps a bit of both, I suppose old habits die hard. I feel that if I come across the danger first, maybe I can spare them from it. How very naive for an Archangel, I was never this sentimental back home. I treasure people and things like anyone else would, I just have the ability to protect them.
As for rotten luck.. [ He cuts himself off with a laugh, tilting his head back to look at the ceiling. ] I thought that was a given considering my name. Morningstars are notoriously difficult to deal with, as I’m sure you’re well aware. [ A joke. Maybe. His shoulder flexes and with it a wing, though not enough to jar any of the progress going on. ] You know I don’t do well with the cold.
Your kindness is an asset, don’t throw it aside so casually. I’ve told you before that anything spoken between these walls remains here, your secret is safe with me. [ He looks over a shoulder and locks in on him but says nothing more on the matter. Yet again, he knows him better than he knows himself and that’s enough for him. Only one of the people in the room carries the name of Greed. ]
I would ask for the names of the troublesome imps but I have a feeling you’ve already dealt with them sufficiently. [ Likely with a bit more persuasion than he would have used but out of sight, out of mind. Much like his shady dealings if he can’t see it, he doesn’t have to dwell on it. ] Yes, but she lacks her sense of self when she does. I chose Hell as our sparring ground because the collateral damage would be less. I think I’ve seen more battles here than I saw in Heaven, no one would bat an eye at the noise.
[ Unconsciously or otherwise, he leans into the touch like a demanding cat, the wing in question almost seeming to shiver. Plucking feathers is one thing, stroking them in this manner is another. ] Would you be willing to meet her? There is a reason I’m telling you about her. Suffice to say, there isn’t a soul in either realm that I trust more than you. If something ever happens to me.. [ If he returns home. ] Don’t feel obligated, there’s a reason I’m training her.
[ He’s so lost in thought that he doesn’t notice the water until it splatters against his face. Michael jerks back like he was just slapped, covers his cheek and twists his torso around slowly to gape at him. Did he really just do that? ]
Sometimes I forget you’re hundreds of years old.
[ Ignore the fact that his eyes are currently flicking to the bucket, to Greed, and then back to the bucket again. It would be immature to retaliate but everything in him wants to reach out, take it, and return fire. It would be the snowball fight all over again, version 2.0. It would also be a poor way to repay his kindness but all’s fair in love and war. ]
no subject
Luce always did have a soft spot for those that didn't have much to begin with. Wouldn't surprise me if he had a plan in place in case the ones in charge decided to send him back. [Another tuft catches his eye, and the former homunculus runs his thumb down the stem of it. One, snappish turn of his wrist, and he pulls it free.] Though, think you're selling yourself short there, Blue Eyes. The people here - [Languidly, he turns his attention on the feather. He twirls it slowly between his fingers; its spin, punctuated by the soft fltt, fltt, fltt of down.] - well, you've already shown them that not all you righteous types are so high and mighty, hmn?
[No, in his time here, Michael has made it a point to extend his hand. To offer his shoulder, his ear, and all else to everyone and anyone willing to meet him halfway.]
[Greed reaches behind the small of his back to tuck the feather into the lip of his pants.] Yeah I know. You Morningstars are sometimes a whole lot more trouble than you're worth. Can't make anything easy, can you? [The Sin lulls his head back, shutting one of his eyes.] Though maybe next time, try not to get burned, would ya? [Casually, the former homunculus rubs two of his hands together, causing the surface of his 'Shield to clash as lightly skipping rocks. He places one of them where the ice had been moments prior; his warmth less broiling and more similar to the broadside of a simmered-down furnace.]
[The Sin clicks his teeth.] You could say that. Some people still don't know that it's better to take my deal. [And oh, he doesn't miss that. That shiver. That subtle quake of Michael's wing as part of him slowly, slowly, arches into the touch. No matter how many times he sees it, it's something he'll never quite get enough of. Of the Archangel letting go, of giving in, and if he's lingering a bit longer than he should?]
[Well, he's already said it before, hasn't he? How he's never, truly satisfied.]
[Greed slumps his weight to the side, and his tail licks across the floorboards. The tip of it, however - he could say nothing, and it would still give him all away. How the spines breathe open and clatter together with a hint, an idea, of a rattle.]
["If something ever happens to me .."]
[The former homunculus limply lifts his wrist.] Yeah sure, bring her by. And who said anything about feeling obligated? I wouldn't do it if I didn't want to, Blues. [With all four of his hands flat on his thighs, he gradually pushes himself upright, and the buzz of his tail quiets again, shrill. Resigned. Arguing about it would be moot.]
[So instead, he drops his shoulders, forcing his vest to slip down the curve of his back.] That was your first mistake. [Greed pulls one of his arms out and as the weight of the collar drops, he sinks his claws between the fur.] I might not be as old as you, but that doesn't mean I'm young either. Though, that's interesting. Saying I look good for my age, Feathers? [The forks of his tongue tease behind his teeth, and the Sin tosses the vest onto the counter. He makes his way around the other side of the barstool and as he starts on another wing, he raises one of his fingers towards the ceiling.]
I saw that, y'know. Remember, the cold doesn't bother me as much as it does you. [He catches Michael with his eyes and oh. Oh, does his smile spell nothing but bad, bad, bad.] Sure you wanna try it? I won't go easy on you this time.