Not much to say really
Jun. 26th, 2007 06:48 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
maderrWork has gone pyscho busy O_o Mostly because they were all fucking slacking while the Big Boss was gone, and now that he's back they're all OH FUCK WORK HARD ^^;;; It's kinda funny, really.
Umm...working on lots of stuff. Kinda weird, really. Can't seem to settle on anything, so instead of fretting I just type out what I do have. Almost done with a dwtd dragon story, I think. Dunno, it's been weird and slow and annoying in the writing and I'm not sure the story is worth anything. Then again, Kitty keeps threatening me every time I run out of snippets for her >_> Want peek?
"What is up with you?"
Conway shook his head and ignored Tricia, intent upon the man across the room.
So fine and sexy.
"You're soaking wet, Con! Christ, do you know what jackets and umbrellas are?"
"Yes," Conway said, growling low. "I don’t need them."
Tricia rolled her eyes. "You're crazy."
Conway finally looked at her, growl turning into a snarl. "Leave me alone."
"Okay," Tricia replied, paling and swiftly retreating.
Feeling sort of guilty, but not guilty enough to apologize, Conway wished he was back out walking the streets of the city and not here on yet more business.
It was a beautiful night, rainy and chilly. He could stay out in it all night.
The only thing he loved more was the man across the room.
He looked like spring. Soft blonde curls and bright green eyes, a dusting of freckles across his nose. It was the freckles he liked best. Rafael was so stern looking, despite his features…but the freckles completely ruined that when you were close enough to see them. He wanted to kiss every last one, then move on to the rest of that fine, slender body. Rafael would barely come up to his shoulder, which Conway thought was perfect. Then he could hold him close and protected and snarl at anyone who tried to upset him.
Ignoring the looks he got for walking around soaking wet, dripping water everywhere, he crossed the cozy bakery café and waited patiently for Rafael to look up.
Look up he did, and a faint smile formed on his face. It made Conway happy. "Raf, boss wants you."
Rafael's smile died, and he gave a terse nod. "Did he say why?"
Conway shrugged. "He never tells me."
"Right," Rafael said with a frown. Slowly he packed up his books and papers, then swallowed a last bite of muffin. Slinging his messenger bag over one shoulder, he finally stood up. "Would you like something to eat, Conway?"
Conway looked at him, surprised. No one ever gave him treats. He hesitated, waiting for the catch even though he knew Rafael wasn't like that because otherwise he wouldn't wish and long and want for this man to claim him as Owner.
Which he never would. Because the Boss had taken Conway, and kept him chained. Even now he could feel the restraining drugs in his system, keeping most of his draconic instincts dormant. That wouldn't change until he was pitted tomorrow.
Then Rafael gave another of his small smiles, but didn't quite look at him as he spoke. "They have fresh pumpkin squares."
Conway growled low. He'd smelled them coming in, but had tried to ignore it. Pumpkin. No one ever let him have pumpkin, except after he'd made a particularly bloody victory. "Yes, please."
Rafael reached up suddenly and pushed back a damp strand of Conway's black hair. His fingers burned where they touched his skin, and all the drugs in the world, Conway knew, could not keep the heat from his eyes.
This man should be his Owner. "Rafael…"
"I'll get your pumpkin squares," Rafael said, voice rough. "Wait at the entrance. You really should have brought an umbrella, dragon."
Conway wrinkled his nose. "I like wet."
Rafael burst into surprised laughter. "Yes, I noticed, you silly frost. Wait one moment and you'll have your treats."
Immediately Conway obeyed, moving to the entrance and waiting impatiently as Rafael went the counter. His nostrils flared as Rafael approached him, the scent of fresh pumpkin bread, hints of cinnamon and nutmeg and cloves washing over him. Only the underlying sweetness of his Rafael was better, and Conway could not resist accidentally brushing his fingers as he accepted the treats. "Thank you, Rafael."
"You're welcome, Conway. Shall we go?"
"No," Conway said, but obediently wolfed down one of the pumpkin squares, tucked the other two away to enjoy later, then grinned and led the way outside.
It was still pouring rain, a torrential downpour he hoped would not stop anytime soon. He always slept better when it was raining.
"Silly frost," Rafael said, but with a smile. The rain beat down on his black umbrella, hiding him from the glow of the streetlights, but there was still enough Conway could see him clearly.
They walked along in a companionable silence, splashing through puddles as they wove their way through the city. "Good mood or bad?"
"He has a good mood?" Conway asked as they reached the exclusive apartment building, at the top of which was the Boss's penthouse.
Rafael sighed.
Inside the building was simply decorated in green and brown, trimmed in antiqued gold. Rafael nodded to the man behind the desk and walked to the elevators. Inside, he inserted his key and pressed the button for the penthouse.
Being alone with Rafael in such confined quarters was hell. It wasn't fair. He should be able to touch his Owner all he liked and he couldn't even stand too close.
Conway forced his mind to other matters, such as the fact he was going back into the Pits tomorrow. That was always sobering and distracting.
The elevator chimed, a hateful sound, then opened slowly, spilling into a blue and black foyer. Fingers brushed ever so slightly over the back of his hand, and then Rafael was walking down the hall.
Always he was walking away.
Conway growled low and followed three steps behind, passing Rafael only when he reached the double doors which led to the Boss's study to push them open, somewhat mollified when the guards there recoiled from him.
Humans. Nearly every one of them recoiled at some level. Even if they didn't always realize it, they feared dragons. Only a precious handful did not flinch. Boss flinched.
Rafael never had.
"It's about time you got here," the Boss said coldly, bright green eyes locked on Rafael. His hair was cut severely short to rid him of its tendency to curl. If he'd had freckles at any point in his life, he'd long ago managed to get rid of them.
"What did you want?" Rafael asked, voice just as chilly.
The Boss grunted and sat back in his plush leather seat. Where Rafael was short and slender and positively beautiful, Boss was built tall and wide and ugly. He might have been handsome, but he'd long since spoiled. "Just received word we've got a new shipment coming. We 'diverted' it from Sanguine."
Rafael grimaced. "You need to stop being so fucking reckless, Leo. We're top of the Concussion tournament right now. We shouldn't be risking everything by stealing dragons when we've already got more than we know what to do with."
"More dragons, more pits," Leo snapped. "I fully intend to take territories. I've already taken out—"
"I know what you've taken out," Rafael snapped. "It cost us fifteen high element dragons."
Leo stood up. "Then I don’t see why you're bitching about us getting more."
"You've completely fucking ruined everything mom and dad worked to build. They didn't want th—" He was abruptly cut off as Leo backhanded him.
Conway growled low.
Leo's gaze snapped to him. "Be silent, dragon."
Reluctantly Conway subsided.
"He's fine," Rafael said, wiping blood from his lip.
Leo glared at Conway distrustfully. "He needs to be drugged again. Damned dragons. Useful, but the maintenance is ridiculous."
"If you drug him now, he will still be doped when you pit him tomorrow," Rafael said flatly. "I know you have no patience with the dragons you kill on a regular basis, but try to show a little common sense." He took the next backhand with a grunt. "Drug Conway now and he'll fight for shit tomorrow and this far into the tournament you don't want to fuck up. In case you didn't notice that Conway is the one doing all the real work."
"You're awfully smartass this evening," Leo said. "I thought I'd beaten that out of you."
Rafael's face tightened. "No, that was Marianne."
"The bitch should have kept her mouth shut," Leo retorted. "If you know what's good for you, keep your shut. And do what you're told. Those dragons should be arriving shortly."
"It's fucking ten thirty at night!" Rafael snapped. "They'll keep 'til morning. It's not like they're going any fucking where. If they were being transported, they're too fucking drugged to do anything with anyway."
Leo backhanded him again, and Conway wanted badly to kill him. He wanted nothing so badly as to kill the Boss. Nice and slow. Then he would take Rafael away and no one would strike his Owner again.
Except he couldn't fight the drugs…unless he was ordered. Only one person could order him, and instead of doing that Rafael continued to let his brother hit him. It made Conway ache.
He didn't understand why Rafael let it happen. A dragon, however, had to trust his Owner.
"Fine," Rafael said. "I'll go look at them. Conway comes with me, though. If I've got to look at scared kits I want a good dragon with me. He'll help keep them quiet."
Leo shook his head. "No. He's fighting tomorrow, I don't want him up all night."
"I do not fight un—"
"You were not told to speak," Leo cut in.
Conway fell silent, keeping himself still only because disobedience meant he would not get to spend more time with Rafael.
"He doesn't fight until evening," Rafael said quietly. "You want my ass to work at this hour I'm taking Conway with me."
Leo grunted. "I think I'm getting sick of that dragon. You're entirely too chummy with him."
Rafael turned away. "He's better company than you. See you in the morning." He turned sharply on his heel and stalked out. Conway followed, growling low as they entered the hallway and walked back toward the elevator.
"It's all right, Conway," Rafael said softly as the elevator doors chimed shut behind them. He gently tested his bruised cheek with his finger tips, grimacing but otherwise giving no indication of the pain. "Stop growling."
Conway stopped.
Rafael smiled sadly, and watched the glowing numbers as the elevator went down.
Lessee. Started writing out the new Kidnapped. Would give snippet but haven't typed it out yet.
Did start new versio of the first Dance with the Devil story - The Devil's Consort. Want bit of that?
"Hey, boss."
Chris set his drink down on the bar with a muted clink and nodded a greeting to the short redhead who slid onto the barstool next to him.
Both were dressed in fine tuxedos, Chris in a deep blue vest, the redhead a bright green. All around them, mingling and chatting, a couple dozen men and women just as elegantly dressed milled about. Rain pattered against the wide glass picture window on the far side of the room, thrumming against the walls around it, a low throbbing counterpoint to the sharper noise of people talking.
Ignoring the noise around them, he focused all his attention on the man beside him. Behind old-fashioned looking glasses, the man's mismatched green and yellow eyes seemed to glow. "Tell me what you got, Doug, and it had better be good. When I said I intended to find ways out of this stupid party, a damned case was not what I meant."
Doug merely snickered and ordered a beer from the bartender, taking a long swallow before finally reaching into his tux and pulling out a small, battered top-spiral notebook. Flipping it open and pushing his glasses up his nose, he finally began to speak. "Case comes from one of the high-rollers."
"I know," Chris groused, taking a sip of his whiskey sour. "It's the only reason I'm cutting into my damned evening off to work it. Tell me something I don't know."
Muttering something that sounded suspiciously like 'you need to get something' Doug coughed and continued more clearly. "George McGovern is the high roller's name, and he's concerned about his daughter."
Chris nodded. "Tell me everything."
"Naturally," Doug said with a tolerant roll of his eyes.
"Quit with the smartass," Chris retorted, taking a longer sip of his drink.
"Yeah, yeah. You know the less you bitch the faster we can do this the sooner you can get back to getting molested."
Chris set his drink down sharply and glared, blue eyes sparking. "Watch it, imp, or I'll find piles of paperwork to keep you in the office. Now – tell me something I want to hear."
Doug grinned, but at another warning look rolled his eyes and subsided. "McGovern is a…discreet physician."
"I think I've heard his name before," Chris said into his drink, frowning thoughtfully. "Only in passing, though. I don't think he lives in the territory."
"Yeah, he just drops by to gamble like everyone else for hundreds of miles around. When I say high roller, I mean high roller." He rapped the bar with his knuckles, grinning. "Doesn't waste his time with the Seraphim or Seventh Circle; he comes straight here to the Tantalus."
Chris glowered. The Seraphim, Seventh Circle, and the Tantalus were the three grand hotels and casinos at the very center of the city. They towered over everything else, connecting to each other, forming a glittering glass and neon palace. Of the three, the Tantalus was the most impressive. Guests were allowed in the Tantalus only by invitation or permission of the man who owned all three – Sable Brennus.
He also owned most of the city, though precious few of the inhabitants realized that. If McGovern visited the Tantalus exclusively, then he was close to Sable Brennus, which meant this case couldn't wait until tomorrow.
Even if he suspected someone might disagree.
Damn it.
"Anyway," Doug continued. "A couple days ago he noticed his daughter was acting oddly, but all his attempts to figure out the problem failed."
"Tell me about the daughter."
"They call her the devil's consort," Doug said. "She's that gorgeous, that lethally effective on men, that rich and powerful enough to get away with it. Except lately she's been acting entirely unlike herself, going off in the middle of the night. McGovern has tried to have her followed, but no luck. He finally came to us after a recommendation from you know who."
Chris grunted. "Anything else?"
"McGovern is obviously paranormal. He's been involved in the abnormal since his teenage years, and threw himself into abnormal medical practices when he got into med school. But his daughter – Philippa is her name – is completely normal. Or was until recently, anyway." Doug looked down at his notebook. "Like I said, hell on men. But smart – she's got two degrees in history and religion, and apparently is working on a masters in something to do with occult history."
"So she was never going to stay normal forever," Chris said. "McGovern should have realized that. Sounds like she was always going to be paranormal." 'Abnormals' were all supernatural creatures inhabiting the earth, from ghosts to demons to imps and everything in between. 'Normals' were those humans who had no clue abnormals existed. 'Paranormals' was the word for humans who did know, as well as anything or anyone involved in the abnormal world.
"Yeah," Doug agreed. "Maybe he was hoping it wouldn't happen this way. She does a lot of reading, so it could be something from a book bit her." He snickered.
Chris rolled his eyes. "You are not even remotely funny."
"I'm hilarious," Doug said and took a deep swallow of his beer. "Look on the bright side boss – there is no indication vamps are involved in this one."
"If vamps were involved in this one, I would not be doing it for all the money in the world" Chris retorted, glaring at his drink. "No. More. Vamps." Not after that last case. Heaven and Hell spare him ever having to deal with bloodsuckers again. They were off the client list, he didn't care what anyone said.
Well, almost anyone.
Shoving the thought aside, he focused on the case which had been thrust upon him. "So what do you think?"
Doug shrugged, mismatched eyes glowing brighter than ever. "Who knows, if she was messing with books. Could be a possessions, that would account for the shift in behavior, the fact no one is able to follow her, and if she's operating out of territory then…" He shrugged. "Depends on the books she was reading. We know better than anyone how fucked up those can get."
Grimacing, but not entirely able to hate the memories which sprang up, Chris finished his drink and set the glass down hard. The dimmed overhead lights sparkled on the ring he wore, a large square cut diamond that seemed oddly out of place with his otherwise simple appearance.
Also writing a full on story based off this drabble. Thought about doing it for Alice's birthday (belated -__- I suck), may try to at least start typing it tonight (have about eight pages written) if I accomplish anything else.
Hmm. What else? I sense there is something I'm forgetting. Ah, well.
If I do manage to get shit done tonight (ha, not with only three hours of my night left), may write pr0n for my ki-chan, whom I miss dearly.
Speaking of missing, my Kitty is shelving lightbulbs and not here to harass *sulk*
Made coffee ^__^ Raining (I think my roommate when out to drown herself, since she does pain like Meiki does celibacy) verra nicely. Probably should eat, but want salad and don't have so I sulk and stop stalling now and go to write ^^;
Umm...working on lots of stuff. Kinda weird, really. Can't seem to settle on anything, so instead of fretting I just type out what I do have. Almost done with a dwtd dragon story, I think. Dunno, it's been weird and slow and annoying in the writing and I'm not sure the story is worth anything. Then again, Kitty keeps threatening me every time I run out of snippets for her >_> Want peek?
"What is up with you?"
Conway shook his head and ignored Tricia, intent upon the man across the room.
So fine and sexy.
"You're soaking wet, Con! Christ, do you know what jackets and umbrellas are?"
"Yes," Conway said, growling low. "I don’t need them."
Tricia rolled her eyes. "You're crazy."
Conway finally looked at her, growl turning into a snarl. "Leave me alone."
"Okay," Tricia replied, paling and swiftly retreating.
Feeling sort of guilty, but not guilty enough to apologize, Conway wished he was back out walking the streets of the city and not here on yet more business.
It was a beautiful night, rainy and chilly. He could stay out in it all night.
The only thing he loved more was the man across the room.
He looked like spring. Soft blonde curls and bright green eyes, a dusting of freckles across his nose. It was the freckles he liked best. Rafael was so stern looking, despite his features…but the freckles completely ruined that when you were close enough to see them. He wanted to kiss every last one, then move on to the rest of that fine, slender body. Rafael would barely come up to his shoulder, which Conway thought was perfect. Then he could hold him close and protected and snarl at anyone who tried to upset him.
Ignoring the looks he got for walking around soaking wet, dripping water everywhere, he crossed the cozy bakery café and waited patiently for Rafael to look up.
Look up he did, and a faint smile formed on his face. It made Conway happy. "Raf, boss wants you."
Rafael's smile died, and he gave a terse nod. "Did he say why?"
Conway shrugged. "He never tells me."
"Right," Rafael said with a frown. Slowly he packed up his books and papers, then swallowed a last bite of muffin. Slinging his messenger bag over one shoulder, he finally stood up. "Would you like something to eat, Conway?"
Conway looked at him, surprised. No one ever gave him treats. He hesitated, waiting for the catch even though he knew Rafael wasn't like that because otherwise he wouldn't wish and long and want for this man to claim him as Owner.
Which he never would. Because the Boss had taken Conway, and kept him chained. Even now he could feel the restraining drugs in his system, keeping most of his draconic instincts dormant. That wouldn't change until he was pitted tomorrow.
Then Rafael gave another of his small smiles, but didn't quite look at him as he spoke. "They have fresh pumpkin squares."
Conway growled low. He'd smelled them coming in, but had tried to ignore it. Pumpkin. No one ever let him have pumpkin, except after he'd made a particularly bloody victory. "Yes, please."
Rafael reached up suddenly and pushed back a damp strand of Conway's black hair. His fingers burned where they touched his skin, and all the drugs in the world, Conway knew, could not keep the heat from his eyes.
This man should be his Owner. "Rafael…"
"I'll get your pumpkin squares," Rafael said, voice rough. "Wait at the entrance. You really should have brought an umbrella, dragon."
Conway wrinkled his nose. "I like wet."
Rafael burst into surprised laughter. "Yes, I noticed, you silly frost. Wait one moment and you'll have your treats."
Immediately Conway obeyed, moving to the entrance and waiting impatiently as Rafael went the counter. His nostrils flared as Rafael approached him, the scent of fresh pumpkin bread, hints of cinnamon and nutmeg and cloves washing over him. Only the underlying sweetness of his Rafael was better, and Conway could not resist accidentally brushing his fingers as he accepted the treats. "Thank you, Rafael."
"You're welcome, Conway. Shall we go?"
"No," Conway said, but obediently wolfed down one of the pumpkin squares, tucked the other two away to enjoy later, then grinned and led the way outside.
It was still pouring rain, a torrential downpour he hoped would not stop anytime soon. He always slept better when it was raining.
"Silly frost," Rafael said, but with a smile. The rain beat down on his black umbrella, hiding him from the glow of the streetlights, but there was still enough Conway could see him clearly.
They walked along in a companionable silence, splashing through puddles as they wove their way through the city. "Good mood or bad?"
"He has a good mood?" Conway asked as they reached the exclusive apartment building, at the top of which was the Boss's penthouse.
Rafael sighed.
Inside the building was simply decorated in green and brown, trimmed in antiqued gold. Rafael nodded to the man behind the desk and walked to the elevators. Inside, he inserted his key and pressed the button for the penthouse.
Being alone with Rafael in such confined quarters was hell. It wasn't fair. He should be able to touch his Owner all he liked and he couldn't even stand too close.
Conway forced his mind to other matters, such as the fact he was going back into the Pits tomorrow. That was always sobering and distracting.
The elevator chimed, a hateful sound, then opened slowly, spilling into a blue and black foyer. Fingers brushed ever so slightly over the back of his hand, and then Rafael was walking down the hall.
Always he was walking away.
Conway growled low and followed three steps behind, passing Rafael only when he reached the double doors which led to the Boss's study to push them open, somewhat mollified when the guards there recoiled from him.
Humans. Nearly every one of them recoiled at some level. Even if they didn't always realize it, they feared dragons. Only a precious handful did not flinch. Boss flinched.
Rafael never had.
"It's about time you got here," the Boss said coldly, bright green eyes locked on Rafael. His hair was cut severely short to rid him of its tendency to curl. If he'd had freckles at any point in his life, he'd long ago managed to get rid of them.
"What did you want?" Rafael asked, voice just as chilly.
The Boss grunted and sat back in his plush leather seat. Where Rafael was short and slender and positively beautiful, Boss was built tall and wide and ugly. He might have been handsome, but he'd long since spoiled. "Just received word we've got a new shipment coming. We 'diverted' it from Sanguine."
Rafael grimaced. "You need to stop being so fucking reckless, Leo. We're top of the Concussion tournament right now. We shouldn't be risking everything by stealing dragons when we've already got more than we know what to do with."
"More dragons, more pits," Leo snapped. "I fully intend to take territories. I've already taken out—"
"I know what you've taken out," Rafael snapped. "It cost us fifteen high element dragons."
Leo stood up. "Then I don’t see why you're bitching about us getting more."
"You've completely fucking ruined everything mom and dad worked to build. They didn't want th—" He was abruptly cut off as Leo backhanded him.
Conway growled low.
Leo's gaze snapped to him. "Be silent, dragon."
Reluctantly Conway subsided.
"He's fine," Rafael said, wiping blood from his lip.
Leo glared at Conway distrustfully. "He needs to be drugged again. Damned dragons. Useful, but the maintenance is ridiculous."
"If you drug him now, he will still be doped when you pit him tomorrow," Rafael said flatly. "I know you have no patience with the dragons you kill on a regular basis, but try to show a little common sense." He took the next backhand with a grunt. "Drug Conway now and he'll fight for shit tomorrow and this far into the tournament you don't want to fuck up. In case you didn't notice that Conway is the one doing all the real work."
"You're awfully smartass this evening," Leo said. "I thought I'd beaten that out of you."
Rafael's face tightened. "No, that was Marianne."
"The bitch should have kept her mouth shut," Leo retorted. "If you know what's good for you, keep your shut. And do what you're told. Those dragons should be arriving shortly."
"It's fucking ten thirty at night!" Rafael snapped. "They'll keep 'til morning. It's not like they're going any fucking where. If they were being transported, they're too fucking drugged to do anything with anyway."
Leo backhanded him again, and Conway wanted badly to kill him. He wanted nothing so badly as to kill the Boss. Nice and slow. Then he would take Rafael away and no one would strike his Owner again.
Except he couldn't fight the drugs…unless he was ordered. Only one person could order him, and instead of doing that Rafael continued to let his brother hit him. It made Conway ache.
He didn't understand why Rafael let it happen. A dragon, however, had to trust his Owner.
"Fine," Rafael said. "I'll go look at them. Conway comes with me, though. If I've got to look at scared kits I want a good dragon with me. He'll help keep them quiet."
Leo shook his head. "No. He's fighting tomorrow, I don't want him up all night."
"I do not fight un—"
"You were not told to speak," Leo cut in.
Conway fell silent, keeping himself still only because disobedience meant he would not get to spend more time with Rafael.
"He doesn't fight until evening," Rafael said quietly. "You want my ass to work at this hour I'm taking Conway with me."
Leo grunted. "I think I'm getting sick of that dragon. You're entirely too chummy with him."
Rafael turned away. "He's better company than you. See you in the morning." He turned sharply on his heel and stalked out. Conway followed, growling low as they entered the hallway and walked back toward the elevator.
"It's all right, Conway," Rafael said softly as the elevator doors chimed shut behind them. He gently tested his bruised cheek with his finger tips, grimacing but otherwise giving no indication of the pain. "Stop growling."
Conway stopped.
Rafael smiled sadly, and watched the glowing numbers as the elevator went down.
Lessee. Started writing out the new Kidnapped. Would give snippet but haven't typed it out yet.
Did start new versio of the first Dance with the Devil story - The Devil's Consort. Want bit of that?
"Hey, boss."
Chris set his drink down on the bar with a muted clink and nodded a greeting to the short redhead who slid onto the barstool next to him.
Both were dressed in fine tuxedos, Chris in a deep blue vest, the redhead a bright green. All around them, mingling and chatting, a couple dozen men and women just as elegantly dressed milled about. Rain pattered against the wide glass picture window on the far side of the room, thrumming against the walls around it, a low throbbing counterpoint to the sharper noise of people talking.
Ignoring the noise around them, he focused all his attention on the man beside him. Behind old-fashioned looking glasses, the man's mismatched green and yellow eyes seemed to glow. "Tell me what you got, Doug, and it had better be good. When I said I intended to find ways out of this stupid party, a damned case was not what I meant."
Doug merely snickered and ordered a beer from the bartender, taking a long swallow before finally reaching into his tux and pulling out a small, battered top-spiral notebook. Flipping it open and pushing his glasses up his nose, he finally began to speak. "Case comes from one of the high-rollers."
"I know," Chris groused, taking a sip of his whiskey sour. "It's the only reason I'm cutting into my damned evening off to work it. Tell me something I don't know."
Muttering something that sounded suspiciously like 'you need to get something' Doug coughed and continued more clearly. "George McGovern is the high roller's name, and he's concerned about his daughter."
Chris nodded. "Tell me everything."
"Naturally," Doug said with a tolerant roll of his eyes.
"Quit with the smartass," Chris retorted, taking a longer sip of his drink.
"Yeah, yeah. You know the less you bitch the faster we can do this the sooner you can get back to getting molested."
Chris set his drink down sharply and glared, blue eyes sparking. "Watch it, imp, or I'll find piles of paperwork to keep you in the office. Now – tell me something I want to hear."
Doug grinned, but at another warning look rolled his eyes and subsided. "McGovern is a…discreet physician."
"I think I've heard his name before," Chris said into his drink, frowning thoughtfully. "Only in passing, though. I don't think he lives in the territory."
"Yeah, he just drops by to gamble like everyone else for hundreds of miles around. When I say high roller, I mean high roller." He rapped the bar with his knuckles, grinning. "Doesn't waste his time with the Seraphim or Seventh Circle; he comes straight here to the Tantalus."
Chris glowered. The Seraphim, Seventh Circle, and the Tantalus were the three grand hotels and casinos at the very center of the city. They towered over everything else, connecting to each other, forming a glittering glass and neon palace. Of the three, the Tantalus was the most impressive. Guests were allowed in the Tantalus only by invitation or permission of the man who owned all three – Sable Brennus.
He also owned most of the city, though precious few of the inhabitants realized that. If McGovern visited the Tantalus exclusively, then he was close to Sable Brennus, which meant this case couldn't wait until tomorrow.
Even if he suspected someone might disagree.
Damn it.
"Anyway," Doug continued. "A couple days ago he noticed his daughter was acting oddly, but all his attempts to figure out the problem failed."
"Tell me about the daughter."
"They call her the devil's consort," Doug said. "She's that gorgeous, that lethally effective on men, that rich and powerful enough to get away with it. Except lately she's been acting entirely unlike herself, going off in the middle of the night. McGovern has tried to have her followed, but no luck. He finally came to us after a recommendation from you know who."
Chris grunted. "Anything else?"
"McGovern is obviously paranormal. He's been involved in the abnormal since his teenage years, and threw himself into abnormal medical practices when he got into med school. But his daughter – Philippa is her name – is completely normal. Or was until recently, anyway." Doug looked down at his notebook. "Like I said, hell on men. But smart – she's got two degrees in history and religion, and apparently is working on a masters in something to do with occult history."
"So she was never going to stay normal forever," Chris said. "McGovern should have realized that. Sounds like she was always going to be paranormal." 'Abnormals' were all supernatural creatures inhabiting the earth, from ghosts to demons to imps and everything in between. 'Normals' were those humans who had no clue abnormals existed. 'Paranormals' was the word for humans who did know, as well as anything or anyone involved in the abnormal world.
"Yeah," Doug agreed. "Maybe he was hoping it wouldn't happen this way. She does a lot of reading, so it could be something from a book bit her." He snickered.
Chris rolled his eyes. "You are not even remotely funny."
"I'm hilarious," Doug said and took a deep swallow of his beer. "Look on the bright side boss – there is no indication vamps are involved in this one."
"If vamps were involved in this one, I would not be doing it for all the money in the world" Chris retorted, glaring at his drink. "No. More. Vamps." Not after that last case. Heaven and Hell spare him ever having to deal with bloodsuckers again. They were off the client list, he didn't care what anyone said.
Well, almost anyone.
Shoving the thought aside, he focused on the case which had been thrust upon him. "So what do you think?"
Doug shrugged, mismatched eyes glowing brighter than ever. "Who knows, if she was messing with books. Could be a possessions, that would account for the shift in behavior, the fact no one is able to follow her, and if she's operating out of territory then…" He shrugged. "Depends on the books she was reading. We know better than anyone how fucked up those can get."
Grimacing, but not entirely able to hate the memories which sprang up, Chris finished his drink and set the glass down hard. The dimmed overhead lights sparkled on the ring he wore, a large square cut diamond that seemed oddly out of place with his otherwise simple appearance.
Also writing a full on story based off this drabble. Thought about doing it for Alice's birthday (belated -__- I suck), may try to at least start typing it tonight (have about eight pages written) if I accomplish anything else.
Hmm. What else? I sense there is something I'm forgetting. Ah, well.
If I do manage to get shit done tonight (ha, not with only three hours of my night left), may write pr0n for my ki-chan, whom I miss dearly.
Speaking of missing, my Kitty is shelving lightbulbs and not here to harass *sulk*
Made coffee ^__^ Raining (I think my roommate when out to drown herself, since she does pain like Meiki does celibacy) verra nicely. Probably should eat, but want salad and don't have so I sulk and stop stalling now and go to write ^^;
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Date: 2007-06-26 11:26 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-06-27 12:28 am (UTC)Have I mentioned how much I utterly love the dragon verse of DWtD? *_____________________*
*tackle glomps you and twirls you about*
Phil!! You're writing Phil's story!! *tackle glomps* Yes? *_________*
*sits patiently and waits for more*
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Date: 2007-06-27 12:29 am (UTC)I'm so glad you're working with the DwtD universe!
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Date: 2007-06-27 12:34 am (UTC)Heh. I think I might almost be done with it? ^^;;
So I guess the Evil Photo Machine did not defeat you today? Or you at least survived to tell of your bitter loss...
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Date: 2007-06-27 03:01 am (UTC)I look forward to seeing how you bring them together for reals.
DwtD rewrite!!! I would have said it doesn't need it, but I do like this version, lots. ^_^
I don't remember that drabble. Very cute! Can't wait to see the longer version!
I think you are amazingly productive, but I do hope all your stories behave so you can get what you want done on them. *hugs*
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Date: 2007-06-27 04:13 am (UTC)*hands over chocolate*
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Date: 2007-06-27 04:26 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-06-27 07:25 am (UTC)Chris scares me. I was scared of him before the rewrite, and he sounds even more snarky so he scares me waaaay more. I don't know why.
But! DWTD rewrite is so cool! <333 -spins around-
Poor Conway! I really do want him to maul Leo to death because he sounds like an asshole. But I try to find some good in people. Maybe he wasn't always like that? I mean. Uhm. Nevermind ^_^;
And Rafael is squishy. So squishy. <3
Morrrrreeeee! *-*
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Date: 2007-06-27 09:24 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-06-27 09:26 am (UTC)I would feel sorry for you, but after all the mischief you get into with your little partners in crime, I only snicker
and wait for pretties.no subject
Date: 2007-06-27 09:30 am (UTC)nikk, smudges, loki and I LAUGH.no subject
Date: 2007-06-27 10:04 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-06-27 10:05 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-06-27 11:54 am (UTC)-cue scary lightning-
MWAHAHAHAHAAAAAHAHAHAHAAAA - hak -hackcough- >___>;;;
You still loveeeee our pretties. And us.no subject
Date: 2007-06-27 11:55 am (UTC)But I still love our pretties. Yus.
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Date: 2007-06-27 12:01 pm (UTC)... Okay. All the time.
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Date: 2007-06-27 12:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-06-27 12:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-06-27 12:07 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-06-27 12:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-06-27 12:12 pm (UTC)And I should tone my use of imagery down. >< It's totally cool when I use it while I write. But with you guys? D: It inspires and I get blamed for it.
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Date: 2007-06-27 09:57 pm (UTC)*snerk* Mother fucker stop making me laugh so hard.. my face is falling off and it hurts to laugh XD
<3 <3 <3
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Date: 2007-06-27 10:09 pm (UTC)Heh. One would think you'd learn.
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Date: 2007-06-28 12:44 am (UTC)And the worst thing about this? e____e The others don't want me to stop.
Devil's Consort rewrite
Date: 2007-06-28 07:18 am (UTC)The rewrite is probably more publishable but in some ways the snarking is too forced.
Re: Devil's Consort rewrite
Date: 2007-06-28 10:02 am (UTC)I'll work on it then. I wasn't really in the mood to type it up when I did, so that's probably showing ^__^ Thankee.
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Date: 2007-06-28 11:34 pm (UTC)