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.]

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[sauntereddownward]

Crowley grabbed a basket and selected a truly shitty brand of wine that was likely bottled with formaldehyde to preserve whatever it thought flavor was. He grabbed some dark chocolates- Cadbury's at least- and then found an apple in a basket in the cooler.

"Are you just going to stand there?" he asked loudly. "Go ask the man there for the rubbers!"

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin shot him a glare, but wasn't about to let Crowley see him get flustered- Though he did hesitate as he approached the counter, and his voice was slightly softer than usual as he asked for a pack of cigarettes- and then a box of condoms.

This game was nearing the climax, and if Fin's heart could have beat on it's own, it might have fluttered then.

As he paid for both, he assured himself that Crowley was probably just expecting him to blink now, to bow out and run away. Well bugger that, he was done squirming for the smug twat.

"Hurry up then. At your age it's going to take long enough to get you up for it, we don't have all night to shop," Fin called out, whistling and gesturing for Crowley to hurry up.

"Oh, and don't worry, I made sure to get the smaller brand. No need to worry about it slipping off," he added, holding the box up in show.

[sauntereddownward]

Crowley sauntered up to the counter with his wine and fruit and chocolate. He laid a twenty down and waited for it to all go into a scak, then he leveled his gaze on Fin.

"Famous people can be so rude," he smirked. That caught the shop keeper's attention and Crowley knew as they exited the shop he'd snapped a picture of the back of them. Oh, he always knew the greedy ones. He'd selected this shop for the keeper, not the wine.

"Come along, my dear. I may yet show you some small favour."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Wanker," Fin muttered, following with a frown.

"What are we even doing?" he asked finally. "It was funny at first, but we're not... I mean, we wouldn't. So what are we doing?"

[sauntereddownward]

"I knew you were the coward between the two of us," Crowley replied evenly.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"This isn't cowardice, it's confusion," he assured Crowley. "What are we going to do, shag one another out of stubbornness? ...Can you even shag anyone? Do you even have bits?"

[sauntereddownward]

"Details, details," the demon scoffed and waved his hand. "I don't need bits to ruin you. Are you confused about that? That I, a demon, may I remind you, would want to ruin your beautiful little non-life?"

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin frowned, then rolled his eyes. This was so stupid, really, he wasn't sure why he was letting Crowley mess with him like this.

"Fine then. Let's see what you think is so devastating."

[sauntereddownward]

Crowley tutted. "Don't be in such a rush. Let's get behind closed doors, hmm?"

Back into the car and Beethoven's Fat Bottomed Girls played on as he found what he felt was likely the worst hotel in all of Nottingham.

"This will do. I'll get the key."

[prince_of_nymphs]

It was only when Fin was left on his own that he began to worry about what he was doing. He was at a hotel, miles from home, with a demon. Surely this was the actual definition of 'Poor Life Choices'.

Pulling his phone out, he started to write Will a text.

I think I may have done something stupid.

He paused then, reading it back- then erased it.

I'm at a hotel with a demon. Is this a bad idea?

Shaking his head, he erased that as well.

I love you.

This time he hit send.

[sauntereddownward]

Crowley returned with a key on a large plastic tag and he picked up his bag of goodies.

"Coming, pet?" he asked, then sauntered to their room. It was shabby but clean. Clean enough. No obvious blood stains and the spackle was dry. The bed looked fine enough, though the bedspread was atrocious.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Stepping inside, Fin put his bag down and looked around the room, wrinkling his nose a little, then glancing at Crowley.

"Not the worst hotel I've stayed in," he admitted.

[sauntereddownward]

"Nor I," he agreed, closing the door behind them. It clicked with solemn finality.

But rather than do anything sinister, Crowley began to reach into his bag to pull out a fine bottle of wine, excellent chocolate, cheese, grapes, hard sausage, crackers, a cutting board and a knife.

None of which had come from the shop.

"Come sit. I've got a feast," he said.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin hesitated, then made his way over, toeing off his shoes so he could tuck his feet under himself while he sat on the bed.

"Where did this come from?" he asked with a frown.

[sauntereddownward]

"From the bag. Have your eyes gone off again?" he answered a bit snappishly.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Most of what Crowley said to him he brushed off instantly, but that clearly hit a nerve, and Fin looked quite small for a moment, before he frowned and pinched a handful of grapes.

Shuffling back on the bed, he propped himself against the headboard and ate in silence.

[sauntereddownward]

Crowley reached in the bag again and pulled out a pair of glasses and a corkscrew. Opening the wine was a reverent undertaking and when he poured he breathed it in.

"Ahh, yes. That's a good vintage. One of the better things about mankind. Wine," he said, passing the man a glass.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I'm sorry, did we come here for a picnic?" Fin asked blandly, staring at the back of Crowley's head, and then pelting a grape at it.

The man really did bring out the worst in him.

[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.