Gathering Post

[lcrpg_npc]

The Queen's official birthday celebrations might wait for the better, brighter weather of June, instead of the actual date just passed, but there was no lack of things to do in London this week, even if it was cooler and damper than the week before. St. George's day festivities were scattered throughout the city, competing with celebrations of the four hundredth anniversary of Shakespeare's death. Getting around the city could be even more difficult than usual on Sunday, with multiple streets closed off for the London marathon.

There were exhibits - everything from graphic design to a survey of Sicilian history to the influence of underwear. And the same level of diversity could be found whether you were in the mood for music, theatre, good food, or late night fun. There was something for everyone, and no matter your plans - or lack of plans - you never quite knew what you were going to find, or who might find you.



[Week long gp! Tag in, tag others, and check in daily to see who's joined in.]

Comments

[sauntereddownward]

"An evil picnic," Crowley replied dryly. "You must have not had your soul courted. We don't come at you with teeth and claws, pet."

He picked up the grape and pitched it back at Fin, square on the forehead.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin rolled his eyes and rubbed his forehead, watching Crowley eat, and wondering if this meant he was winning whatever weird pissing contest they'd been having. Perhaps Crowley hadn't expect things to get this far.

That suited Fin just fine, and he looked ever so slightly smug as he settled in and pulled out his phone, tapping away at his current favourite puzzle game.

"Court away then," he said blandly.

[sauntereddownward]

Crowley sipped his wine and then took a bit of cheese.

"Humans and their phones. You're so dreadfully tied to them. The new sin is inattention," he said, waxing philosophical.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin glanced over his phone at the demon, quirking a brow.

"Is this how you intend to ruin me? By boring me with your opinions on modern day man's vices?" he asked. "Or do you just have no idea what to do now that you've gotten me here?"

He chuckled then, shaking his head.

"I knew it. I said it back in the cafe. People like you, Crowley, you talk big, but you're cowards in the end. ...You're either very bored or very lonely to have dragged it out this long though. Truly. But if we're done playing chicken, I think you can drive me home. If I'm going to have wine in bed, I think I'll do so in my own."

[sauntereddownward]

"Have you no sense of decency? Of course you dont. You snort your way into bed then care only about getting off. Is that why you came? Very well," he said irritably. Crowley put his wine aside and snapped his fingers, banishing their clothes.

Naked, Crowley wore huge wings, black as pitch and glossy. He did not, as Fin had put it, have bits.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin drew away, very much not wanting to be naked- Or to see Crowley naked for that matter. The lack of clothing was shocking and sudden, and he drew his legs up slightly to cover himself.

"I was trying to provoke a little honesty from you," he said finally, staring at the large black wings, then looking away.

"May I please have my clothes back now? I don't recall consenting to this sudden nudity."

[sauntereddownward]

"No, I don't think so. Clothes will just get in the way. Afraid? Need something to dull the edges?" he asked, offering his hand where a red and blue pill rested in his palm.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin glared at the pills.

"I'm serious," he warned. "I want my clothes back."

Magic, it was always magic. The way it could just- Get you. No warning, no way of stopping it unless you had some yourself. ...It could strip you bare, it could wind around you, steal your words.

He shivered, wrapping his arms around himself tightly.

[sauntereddownward]

"Swallow the pill and I'll give you your clothes back," he said, hand still outstretched.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin frowned, then rolled his eyes again. Knowing Crowley they were bloody sugar pills.

"Fine. Does one pill make me large, the other small? Am I going to break the matrix?" he asked flatly, taking the blue since it was nearest, and knocking it back.

[sauntereddownward]

"You're so very clever. I watch movies, too, you know," the demon chuckled. When the pill was down he clicked his fingers again and Fin's clothes sat neatly folded at the foot of the bed.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"You're a wanker, you know that?" Fin muttered, reaching for his clothes and feeling a bit unsteady.

Was that stress, or was it the pill Crowley had given him?

[sauntereddownward]

"You don't intend to put them all back on, do you?" the demon purred.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Unsteady, Fin picked up his worn black jeans, trying to yank them back on, but finding himself a touch uncoordinated.

It was just because he was upset- Surely.

"So what was the pill? Sugar? Food colouring?" he asked.

[sauntereddownward]

"Arsenic," he answered. "I'm testing a theory."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin wasn't sure he believed that, but he did feel off- enough that tumbled off the bed to the floor as he tried to dress.

"I don't- I don't feel well," he said quietly.

The little pit of anger in him flared up, but it wasn't the usual slow build. It was sudden and sharp, and his heart reacted quicker than usual, beating so hard and fast that he doubled over.

"Will," he sobbed. "Will... Willy S-Sil-Silver."

[sauntereddownward]

"Let's don't take all the fun out of this so soon," Crowley said. As he spoke his skin changed to glossy black scales in preparation for an attack.

[prince_of_nymphs]

The spark inside, it hated whatever was happening to him, he'd never felt it so angry, never felt the heart beat so hard or fast.

He screamed in pain, it felt like he was being ripped apart from the inside, and blood dripped from his nose as he tried to sit up.

"Please," he whimpered. "Make it stop."

[sauntereddownward]

"You're so dramatic," he replied, then scoffed- "Actors."

Crowley climbed onto the bed and pushed Fin onto his back and pinned him in place. Then he kissed him, though perhaps kiss wasn't the right word. The viper drew his poison back into himself, though, and that was all that mattered.

[prince_of_nymphs]

The pain started to fade, but Fin was shaken.

"Why would you do that?" he asked quietly, his nose still bleeding in small, slow drips. "If Will senses I'm in danger, he'll come you know. We're bonded. He'll kill you."

[sauntereddownward]

"Do you really think I'm afraid of a fairy?" Crowley scoffed. "Bring him. Call him three times and watch me drag him to Hell, foul thing that he is. Unloved by Him, pure chaos. It's no wonder you don't like magic if that's what you've known."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin trembled, curling up on himself until he was practically wedged between the night stand and the bed. Tucked away like a rabbit cowering in its burrow.

What if Willy wasn't stronger than Crowley? ...If that was true he couldn't risk calling for him. He could only hope Crowley was bored now and would leave him be.

[sauntereddownward]

"Nothing more to say? Hmm?" Crowley asked. He turned his back to Fin and poured himself more wine. Wings spread broad behind him as the vintage filled the glass.

"You're really quite innocent of how the world works, aren't you? You don't see the poison in men's hearts, do you? Even experiencing it, you don't seem to be aware that it's all around you."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin didn't budge, but he did eventually speak.

"Perhaps I'm just hopeful that some of the good I try and put out into the world will eventually return to me," he replied, his voice softer than it had been before. Low, broken and tight.

[sauntereddownward]

"What a tragically naive way of thinking," the demon chuckled. He returned to the bed and sat on the edge with his wine.

"But maybe you're not wrong. I met a boy, not long ago, in Lower Tadfield of all places. He seems to have a good head on his shoulders- despite his lineage. He thinks something very similar. Perhaps there's something to be said about hope."