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* Angel has set up "camp" in his unofficial office and is reading through the vast stack of reports that Dusk gleefully handed over the day before. * Dawn walks in without knocking. His face is slack, almost expressionless. "Report, boss." <Angel> ::puts the pages down and looks up:: Problem? <Dawn> ::shrugs:: Bienca went and got herself knocked up. Told her I was passing it to you. She wasn't too happy. <Angel> ::raises one eyebrow:: All by herself? Remarkable. ::waves one hand:: What's she unhappy about? <Dawn> Probably 'cause I wasn't all flowers and sunshine over the news. <Angel> ::the other eyebrow goes up:: Yours? ::sighs, then starts flipping through the books again:: She needs... a leave of absence? For a few weeks, or a year? <Dawn> ::makes a face:: I didn't ask. ::he runs a hand through his hair:: She wants to keep it. <Angel> All right. ::chews his lip a minute:: We can probably afford it. Talk to Jimsy. She has a promising apprentice who might be ready for full membership. We're running slim on people. <Dawn> ::nods shortly:: I'll do it tomorrow. Send someone else to talk to Bie, would you? I don't think we parted exactly on speaking terms. <Angel> ::nods:: I'll do it. Or Jewel. Probably Jewel, actually. She's better with those people issues. And have a talk with some of your street-kids? Some of them are getting to be adults. <Dawn> ::looks startled, then nods:: Yeah, you're right. I'll find out who's ready for promotion. <Dawn> Might be next week, for that one. Dusk and I're just about ready to do Vander. * Angel grins, hard. "Good. You'll have to give me all the details afterwards." <Dawn> ::grins briefly in return:: Aye. <Angel> ::sighs:: Do we have a friendly midwife? Bie's... not exactly twenty anymore. <Dawn> Midwife... Dunno, boss. Not my usual concern. Sylvie'd know, though. <Angel> ::nods:: All right... ::almost to himself:: That might be a good plan, actually. Sylvie always needs people to help... not tagging, but laundry and cooking and clean-up. It's not Bie's usual, but should keep her out of trouble for a while. ::gives Dawn a nod:: <Angel> ::sighs, looking at Dawn more closely:: Are you... all right? <Dawn> ::hesitates, then shrugs:: Not now, no. Not the first time, though. I'll take the day off and go get drunk. Need anything, before I go? * Angel looks as though he's considering saying something, then shakes his head. "No. Have one for me. Dusk's handwriting is miserably cramped and is giving me a headache." <Dawn> ::snorts:: Aye. ::He nods, hesitates again, then leaves, not bothering to pull the hood up over his blonde hair before heading out into the rain.:: * Angel watches him go, then shakes his head again. "Idiot." He rubs at his temples briefly, then, "Not my problem." * Dawn heads for the nearest bar and buys a bottle of some horrible rotgut. He wanders aimlessly through the city streets, not really paying attention to where he's going, taking occasionally swigs from the bottle. * Andrial has a hood pulled up over her head and is taking advantage of the nearly empty market to get a bit of shopping done. She makes a purchase of a half-wheel of cheese and is just leaving the shop when she spots Dawn. She waves at him. * Dawn is not yet drunk enough to be staggering, but it takes him a moment of confused blinking to recognize Andrial. He sighs, and crosses the street. "Long as I'm bein' an asshole anyway... Afternoon, beautiful." <Andrial> ::colors faintly:: Sir... it's good to see you. ::she sniffs slightly:: What *are* you drinking? My lord, you are soaked to the skin. That can't be comfortable. <Dawn> ::snorts:: Just Dawn. Please. I'm no one's lord. <Andrial> All right, Just Dawn... ::bites her lip, then looks up at him:: Do you... erm... want to come up? This rain isn't letting up any time soon and it's just getting colder. Spring colds are the worst. <Dawn> ::considers briefly:: Sure, why not? ::he looks around:: I'm not entirely certain where I am, if I have to be honest... <Andrial> ::tilts her head:: You have to be honest once in a while? Isn't that against the rules? ::she gestures:: The Way Back is just down there. <Dawn> ::laughs, almost despite himself:: Yes, well, I'm a rule-breaker from way back... ::He heads in the direction she indicates, looking around suspiciously, and then seems to get his bearings with a snap:: Ah! Right. Or left, as it happens... ::he glances at Andrial:: Bit of bad news for you, beautiful. <Andrial> ::blinks:: All right... well, let's get indoors? Bad news always goes better with a bit of a sit-down. ::she nods to her basket:: And I've a bit of lunch, if you're hungry. <Dawn> Not especially, but don't let me stop you. ::he walks in silence until they've reached the inn, and opens the door for her with a mock-gallant bow:: * Andrial goes in, waves to her cousin who is reading a fat book by the fire, and heads upstairs. On her way to their room, she grabs a few rough cotton towels. * Dawn's gaze lingers on the cousin as they head up the stairs. "Likes books, does he?" He takes a towel from Andrial and rubs it violently over his head. <Andrial> ::nods:: I don't know how he does it... I think he's read that book at least three times already. But they're so expensive... ::she strips out of her damp overclothes, hanging them along the back of a chair:: Oh, you're making a mess of it. Sit down. <Dawn> ::sits readily enough, though he takes another swallow from his bottle before setting it down and turning the towel over to Andrial.:: I'll see if I can find him something else to read. * Andrial gets out a wide-toothed wooden comb and begins to gently comb out knots, patting the blonde strands dry. "I used to do this for my da' sometimes, before... well, before." <Dawn> ::closes his eyes:: Aye, I know about befores. Feels nice. <Andrial> ::nods, although he can't see her:: Da' was a trapper, so he used to get bits of twigs and leaves and all kinds of mess in his hair. <Dawn> Mm. Me, I've just got messy hair. ::he sighs briefly:: 'Bout that news... <Andrial> ::takes a deep breath:: All right... ::she mutters something that sounds like a mild curse and begins working delicately on a bad knot at the back of his neck:: <Dawn> Angel says you've got some kind of... link. He's not sure if you did it consciously, but it's there. We need you to take it down. <Andrial> ::slides a hand up the back of Dawn's neck to hold onto the hair there:: This might hurt a little... don't you ever brush it? ::she tugs the knot out:: A link? How would tha - oh! Damnit, that wasn't supposed to happen. <Dawn> Sometimes. More likely to just wait until it gets long enough to cut the knots out, though. Curly as it is, it's impossible to keep it combed. <Dawn> Want to tell me about the link? <Andrial> ::picks at the knot:: Well, if you comb it when it's *wet*, it'd be easier... ::she thinks for a moment:: It's not a... well, it wasn't supposed to be, at least. More like a closet. <Dawn> A closet? For what? <Andrial> ::calmly:: To hide in. For him to hide his... well, himself away. From what was happening. I thought it would... well, he didn't die, so I guess it didn't stop being there. * Dawn sits very still, for a very long moment, and then lets his breath out slowly. "I... see." <Andrial> Well, I don't think it should be too hard to remove it. I wasn't trying to hurt him. I was trying to help. Without getting myself or my cousin hurt. ::she sighs and walks around in front of him:: Bad decision? <Dawn> ::half-smiles:: No. Maybe even an excellent decision, at the time. But the time is past now, beautiful. Do you need to see him to take it down? <Andrial> ::considers:: Maybe. Maybe not. If I can find where it is on my end, I can probably just turn off my end. He might want the construct later? <Dawn> ::nods:: Could come in handy, aye. Try to turn it off on your end, then. <Dawn> ::reaching for his bottle:: That wasn't as bad as I expected. <Andrial> ::smiles:: Absolutely the very least I can do. Did you want me to take care of this other thing now? <Dawn> The link? Sure. You want to eat first, or after? <Andrial> After. But I'll get things set up now... ::she digs through her bag, pulling out some wrapped sliced meats, the cheese wedge and a loaf of dark brown bread. She puts together a couple of neat sandwiches, then sits on the bed:: * Dawn takes a pull from his bottle, then puts his foot up on the edge of the bed and watches her. <Andrial> ::looks at him, then says cautiously:: Um... You probably don't want to touch me, when I do this. <Dawn> Right. * Andrial pulls her legs up onto the bed, sitting in what probably looks a familiar position, if he's watched Jewel do any amount of 'work.' * Dawn watches her, his face too slack to reveal his thoughts. <Andrial> ::after a long while passes in silence:: Oh. Well, that explains a few things... ::she takes a deep breath, then is silent again. About fifteen or twenty minutes later, she opens her eyes:: * Dawn has not moved. He waits for her to make eye contact before he speaks. "All done?" <Andrial> ::nods:: I think so. I won't know for sure until I take a look on his end, but I don't think I'm allowed. <Dawn> Close enough. ::he half-smiles again:: Thank you. <Andrial> ::reaches for one of the sandwiches and almost inhales it:: Um ::around a mouthful of sandwich:: Whaffama'er? <Dawn> Mm? <Andrial> ::swallows:: With you, I mean. I'm not prying or anything, so if it's nothing you want to talk about, just tell me. But... ::she looks up at him over the remains of her crumbs:: You're upset. * Dawn takes a healthy slug from his bottle. "I'm an asshole. Probably should keep it in mind, beautiful." <Andrial> ::shakes her head:: I don't think so. I really don't. You've been very kind to me... and I appreciate it. <Dawn> Aye, that's the way of it. Right up until I step on- ::he shakes his head:: Don't mind me. The whiskey talks. Be all right in a few days. ::he gives her a quick grin:: You've been good to me, too. <Andrial> ::offers him one of the remaining sandwiches:: Besides, I know assholes. Believe me, you don't even come close. Even if it's purely selfish of you, it doesn't change that my cousin and I are still warm and dry and not hungry and safe. * Dawn waves off the sandwich. "All right, I'll accept that I'm less of an asshole than most of the other assholes out there..." His eyes dip to the front of her shift, which is still damp and clingy, and he smirks. "Not entirely certain you're *safe*, though..." <Andrial> ::blushes slightly:: Well... relatively. And you haven't... er... well... ::she lowers her eyes:: <Dawn> ::considers her briefly:: Haven't... what? This? ::He leans forward and kisses her:: <Andrial> ::shivers slightly, returning his kiss tentatively:: I didn't... well... ::she puts her fingers to her mouth:: Me? <Dawn> Why not you? <Andrial> ::shy:: Well, I'm not... I don't... just ::she seems very flustered, then swallows hard:: If you... show me? <Dawn> ::he blinks:: You're jo- You're not joking. <Andrial> ::with a great effort, she meets his gaze:: No. Not that I *wanted*, but he didn't. ::unaccountably, she blushes bright crimson:: I handled it. <Dawn> ::blinks a few times, trying to make sense of this:: You want to back that up a little? <Andrial> ::she bites her lip:: He... well, *they* actually. Wanted to. And I didn't. <Dawn> ::frowns:: And you... did what? <Andrial> ::peeks up at him from under her hair:: Mistress Tyl described it as 'over-stimulation'... then they were too tired to do anything to me. <Dawn> ::sits still for a moment, then laughs:: Well, that's creative. <Andrial> ::shyly:: I don't like hurting people... ::she reaches up and touches the side of Dawn's face, rasping her fingertips lightly over the not-quite stubble of his cheek:: <Dawn> ::closes his eyes briefly:: I know. ::he catches her hand and looks at her:: Andrial. I'm an ass, sometimes, but I've never- ::sighs:: Maybe I should go before you get hurt again. <Andrial> ::she tilts her head to one side, then kisses him tentatively:: You said we were friends. <Dawn> ::breathlessly:: Aye. ::he puts his hands on the sides of her face and kisses her again, more deeply:: * Andrial returns his kiss, her arms twining around his neck. Dawn feels a faint flutter of nerves, combined with curiosity, interest, and an almost elated sense of being desired as she pulls herself closer to him. * Dawn falters, as if anticipating a backlash of pain, and then shakes it off. He kisses her neck. His own emotions are a muddle of pain, poorly painted with lust and blurred by alcohol. <Andrial> ::softly, moving her hands down his back:: Show me. Be my friend... * Dawn picks her up and lays her on the bed, stretching out beside her. "A friend, aye." He brushes his fingers over her cheek, and looks into her eyes as he lightly traces the curves of her face and neck. * Andrial kisses his palm as his hand slides by her mouth. Her eyes stutter up to meet his, wide and dark. * Dawn gently turns her face to expose the brand-scar on her neck, and before she can try to shrink away, he brushes his lips over it. "Let it go, beautiful." <Andrial> ::Dawn catches a memory of pain, fear, and shame, then something almost like a door being shut gently on the room of that memory:: Do you... really think that? <Dawn> ::looks at her:: Think... what? <Andrial> ::faintly:: That I'm... beautiful? <Dawn> ::tips his head, considering her as if looking at her for the first time:: You're pretty. Beautiful... ::he touches her chin:: I'm waiting to see you smile. <Andrial> ::a slight shift, then she smiles:: Well, you might be a *very* good liar... <Dawn> Oh, I am. ::he kisses her chin, then the base of her throat:: <Andrial> ::shivers, then stretches her arms over her head, her breath quickening:: I don't doubt it. I simply can't understand why you'd bother... Dawn... ::she rolls the name around in her mouth like a sweet:: Dawn... is that really your name? <Dawn> Ha. Depends on your definition of "real," I suppose. It's not on any records. And it's not the only name I use. But I've had it for most of my life. [time passes...] <Andrial> ::the jolt that goes through her is echoed, then amplified as she arches her back into his touch:: <Dawn> ::jumps, surprised, and eyes her:: Are you doing that... on purpose? <Andrial> ::opens her eyes to look at him:: I... not really. I wasn't thinking about it - it just happened. But, I can *not*, if you... don't like it. <Dawn> You're not planning on- what was it? Overloading? - are you? <Andrial> ::laughs lightly:: No... I want this... ::she runs her fingers lightly over his shoulders:: To be desired and needed. <Dawn> ::laughs briefly, and more than a little bitterly:: Just don't fall in love. [time passes...] <Andrial> ::gasping for breath:: That... I don't... thank you. <Dawn> ::laughs:: You're welcome. I'm almost afraid to ask - were you magnifying that, or just sharing? <Andrial> ::shrugs, looking slightly abashed:: I don't know, I wasn't exactly paying attention. <Dawn> Mm. ::he takes a deep, slow breath, holds it, and then lets it out:: You need to tell your teacher that your control needs work. ::he grins and reaches for her:: ...later. <Andrial> ::surrenders to his arms, but blushes again:: Great. I can just see explaining *this*. <Dawn> I'd bet you're not the first one to have problems with this. <Andrial> Still, not... exactly comfortable discussing it... * Dawn half-smiles and tucks his hands behind his head, watching her. "Sorry, beautiful. I grew up surrounded by whores. I... forget, sometimes, how other people think." <Andrial> ::muttering:: Not entirely *uncommon*, I guess... Master Quilisian has a relationship with a few of the forme- ::her eyes widen:: Oh! I guess that... Never mind. Not my business, of course. <Dawn> Mm. ::His mind is more than half on what her hands are doing.:: There's not many of us, down here, who didn't grow up in the slums and the docks, beautiful. To most of us, whores are just people doing a job. <Andrial> ::meets his eyes frankly:: Must be a tiring job... <Dawn> Aye, well... depends on a few things. <Andrial> ::smiles to herself:: Ah, like this, then? ::he feels a slight rumple in his head, as if she's checking something:: <Dawn> ::catches her hand:: Andrial. Don't do that. ::his tone is mild, but serious:: <Andrial> ::blinks:: I... all right... I'm sorry. ::her chin trembles slightly and she ducks her head, her hair curtaining her face:: <Dawn> ::he mutters a quiet "fuck" and puts his arms around her:: What were you looking for that you couldn't just ask? <Andrial> ::chews on her knuckle:: I was... ::sighs:: I don't know what I'm doing. <Dawn> ::softly:: I know that. You already told me that. Stop worrying about it. I told you, this isn't a test. I'm not going to like you any less, or think you're any less attractive, because of it. ::he tips her chin up to make her look at him:: You don't have to be perfect. <Andrial> ::he feels a shimmer of steely resolution, then she flips her hair out of her face and withdraws almost entirely from his mind:: All right... [time passes...] <Dawn> Oh... gods of light and dark, that was... ::He shivers and falls silent, panting:: <Andrial> ::holds him against her, her own breathing nothing like calm:: It was... ::she opens her eyes a slit:: What... what are you afraid of? * Dawn laughs hoarsely. He rolls onto his back and throws an arm over his eyes. "Lots of things, beautiful... Demons. Mindbenders. Even sleep, sometimes." * Andrial leans up on her elbow to look at him. "I wouldn't have thought that. You seem... very strong. Resilient. And kind." <Dawn> ::shifts his arm to look at her, almost suspiciously, then snorts:: Don't let word get around. It would ruin my reputation. <Andrial> ::laughs lightly, snuggling against him:: I don't think you need to worry. Your 'people' aren't likely to listen to me. You're one of the few who ever has. <Dawn> ::curling his arm around her:: Mm. Wouldn't make sense to put you on retainer as an informant and then not listen to you, would it? <Andrial> ::pokes him in the side with one finger:: You know what I mean. And I know you think I'm going to go do something stupid - or that you did something stupid. By being here with me. But I won't, and you didn't. My cousin reminded me, yesterday, that what we have now is so much better than it was - last week or even last year. I'd be a fool to throw it away because it wasn't everything I'd hoped for. And I'd be ungrateful, not to take what's freely offered. * Dawn brushes his knuckles down her cheek and kisses her forehead. "Quite a speech, beautiful... Take what's offered, but don't think that means you have to settle for it, hmm?" He grins. "I must admit, stupid or not, this was more fun than starting a brawl." <Andrial> ::earnestly:: Probably hurts less, too. And you don't have to pay for damages. <Dawn> ::chuckles, then sits up with a sigh and starts pulling his clothes back on:: I was *looking* for pain, beautiful. As for paying... I leave that to the ones who lose the fight. * Andrial laughs. "See? Confidence." She rolls over to look at him, her chin propped on her hands. "Will I see you again? I mean, like this?" <Dawn> ::stops buttoning his shirt and looks at her:: Do you want to? <Andrial> I... liked it. ::she flushes slightly:: But I know you're probably very busy... but feel free to stop by, if you want. <Dawn> You don't have to make up my excuses for me, beautiful. ::he smirks, and resumes dressing:: I'll be back. If nothing else, I promised to find your cousin something else to read, hmm? ::he looks at her with a faint smile:: Anything else... well, we'll see. * Andrial rolls over onto her back and stretches. "All right. I hope you feel better." <Dawn> ::snorts:: Give it a few weeks to scab over. ::he stamps into his boots, and eyes his half-empty liquor bottle:: <Andrial> ::nods:: Good night, Dawn. <Dawn> Good night, Andrial. ::he leans over to kiss her:: And thank you. ::he grabs the bottle by its neck, and leaves:: |
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