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<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." <Angel> ::after a short bit of time, he puts down the paperwork again:: Damnit. ::he finds his coat and hat and heads over to Jewel's shop, leaving the paperwork undone for yet another day:: * Jewel is seated on her stool behind the metal grille as usual, dickering with a regular over how much she'll pay for a box of things "he found in his grandmother's attic." Isa stands impassively to one side, looking professionally bored. * Angel walks in, rather wet despite the coat and hat, with a surly look on his face. He hovers ominously until Jewel's regular decides he has a meeting he can't miss, takes the coins she offers and splits. * Jewel puts the box away quickly, looking at Angel with worried eyes. "What's wrong?" <Angel> ::taps his foot pointedly:: You can go now. I've got it from here. * Isa nods and makes herself scarce hurriedly. When she reaches the door, she starts to glance back, but thinks better of it and exits. * Angel flips the "Closed" sign on the door, then sits down and sighs. * Jewel puts away the rest of her things quickly, a worried frown on her face as she keeps her eyes on Angel. "What is it? Have they taken someone else?" <Angel> ::rubs his temples:: Bienca's pregnant. Dawn's taking the day off to get drunk because he's pissed about it. <Jewel> ::putting a hand to her mouth, eyes wide:: How-- she... she told him? <Angel> ::looks at her:: You knew? Why does that *not* surprise me? <Jewel> ::nods:: She asked me not to speak of it. She wanted to... be sure. <Angel> Sure. ::runs one hand over his still rain-damp face:: This is going to be expensive. Have you got any likely prospects? I know it's a bad time, with the lizards jumping around all over the place, but we'll need to cover her income. <Jewel> ::cocks her head:: Prospects? <Angel> ::shrugs:: New members... I didn't think it was likely, but, you never know. ::stands up and paces around:: Well, we'll have to go see her. Officially, you understand. And you're better with this people thing than I am. <Jewel> ::frowns, considering:: I... don't think so, at the moment. No one regular, certainly no one who's *her.* But I'll keep an eye out. Sweet gods... was Dawn... very upset? <Angel> ::shrugs:: I've seen him worse, but I suspect that's not what you're asking. They... 'aren't on speaking terms' is what he said. <Jewel> Oh, Bie... of course we have to go see her... but... "officially?" ::bites her lip:: Is she in trouble? <Angel> ::shrugs:: Probably not. It depends what she wants to do, really. She can't tithe over for a year or more - I'd be stupid if I wanted her to get killed trying to run her normal work. <Jewel> ::nods:: Anyway, I'd like to see her... oh, Bie... * Jewel gets her cloak and puts it on. <Angel> We were thick with people when she had Nip, so El Roche didn't mind. And I'm not Sable, who used to beat the living hell out of women who worked for him who got in a family way. <Jewel> ::winces:: Well... it does happen. And I don't think most people would gripe about her being selfish... ::sighs:: She gives more in a month than I could *make* in a year. Which is part of the problem, isn't it? <Angel> ::nods:: Indeed it is, my lady. Indeed it is. Of course, when she had Nip, she was mostly whoring and some thievery on the side. She's probably our second-best as far as bringing in income goes. It'll make things tight, and we've had a lot of additional expenses, with the lizards cracking down. <Jewel> ::softly:: But... the Guild does owe her. The Guild takes care of its own. <Angel> Well, *yes*. But it would be easier if she was a forger. Or a whore. Or anything but a cat-burglar. She cannot work while she's pregnant... <Jewel> ::nods meekly:: I know. ::massages the bridge of her nose:: Please, let's just go. If Dawn was... well, *Dawn*... she'll need a friend just now. ::lifts a corner of her mouth:: Unofficially. <Angel> ::nods:: Oh, he's Dawn all right. Down to his bones and blood. * Jewel closes her eyes and heaves a sigh before tucking her arm in Angel's and practically dragging him to the door. <Angel> ::as they head to Bienca's place, Angel sighs:: She's been with those two longer than anyone else. I was sort of beginning to think the three of them would settle down and *stop* having all this drama every few months. <Jewel> I don't think there *is* any settling down with "those three." Dawn and Dusk are... ::bites her lip:: Well, no one's ever come between them. <Angel> Yeah, well... it's definitely the longest any of them have maintained any sort of relationship... Before that, I can't remember the last time Bie was with one man - or in this case, two - for longer than a half-year or so. <Jewel> ::glances sidelong at him:: {She wants to keep it. You know that, don't you?} <Angel> ::nods:: Dawn said. Did she tell you... who the father is? <Jewel> ::bites her lip:: One or the other's. <Angel> ::shrugs:: Not that it matters, I guess. I was just... wondering if she knew. It's particularly bad, because they've been so close, for so long. And... well, frankly, I need all of them. If they're not on terms, it's going to make our job a hell of a lot harder. <Jewel> ::strokes his arm:: We'll get through it somehow. Just... ::glances up at him, her eyes worried:: I know you didn't need this now, especially in the middle of everything else, but... this is more than a "problem" to be dealt with. She's having another child. I think... she needs people to be happy for her, or she's going to forget to be, herself. ::squeezes his arm:: <Angel> Give me another week or so, my lady, and I'll be as delighted as possible. Right now... You get to be the people person. <Jewel> ::sighs and nods unhappily, lapsing into thoughtfulness:: You know, a couple weeks ago I had a boy in... ::looks thoughtful and glances up at him again:: Except... I'm not quite sure how to go about... approaching someone for the Guild. Especially now. <Angel> ::laughs harshly:: Very, very carefully. ::he pulls up along the steps to Bienca's flat:: Up you get. This weather is horrid. Seems appropriate, somehow, though. * Jewel nods and precedes him up the steps, knocking softly in her own pattern. After a moment, she glances over her shoulder and adds Angel's, as well. <Bienca> ::the door swings open on the last tap, the locks and traps show signs of having been broken:: * Jewel restrains a shudder and pushes on the door lightly. "Bienca? Bie, honey?" <Bienca> ::looks up from the couch where she's been laying:: Oh. Come in. ::she sits up, wiping her face:: * Jewel steps into the flat, pulling out her handkerchief and offering it to her. "We're here on business." She glances at Angel. "Well... except I'm here unofficially, too. Best we get the official part out of the way first, though, if you're up to it?" <Bienca> ::sighs:: Well, he works fast when someone's upset his table, doesn't he? ::she looks up at Angel:: Sir? <Angel> ::sighs:: Don't do that, Bie. I'm not here to tell you anything you don't particularly want to hear. We'll take care of you, while you're... indisposed. Jewel will provide you with a weekly allotment. ::holds up one hand:: Weekly because I know you, Bie. Your spending habits are terrible. You should be the richest person in the guild. * Jewel looks faintly guilty when Angel talks about "spending habits." <Bienca> ::rubs at her eyes again, then sticks her tongue out at Angel:: <Angel> ::sighs:: How far along are you? <Bienca> ::counts backwards:: About two, two and a half months. This might still be unnecessary, Angel. <Angel> Well, we'll proceed as if it is. You're off-duty until you're recovered. And I'll take it very, very badly if you go climbing around on rooftops without sanction. <Bienca> ::slowly:: All right. ::she scoots over on the sofa:: Sit down. You look tired. * Angel takes a chair across from her. "A bit, yes. It's been a busy month." * Jewel hovers a moment, and takes the open seat next to Bie on the sofa. "And you? How... Dawn didn't take it... well, did he?" <Bienca> ::shakes her head, her eyes filling up again:: No, you could say that. ::she sniffles:: Sorry, I'm sure it's just my condition, but I seem to be so... easily upset. <Jewel> ::rubs Bie's back soothingly, her tone wry:: I saw the door. I'm sure that would be enough to upset anyone. * Angel closes his eyes, tipping his head back slightly and does his famous fade-out... removing himself from the conversation and barely appearing to listen. <Bienca> ::shrugs:: I didn't... really expect anything different. * Jewel glances at Angel and smiles sympathetically. <Jewel> No. ::sighs:: Dawn is... Dawn. ::glances back at the door, and hesitates:: You know... there is a good side to it, though. <Bienca> ::raises one eyebrow:: What's that? <Jewel> Well... he wouldn't have gotten *that* upset unless he *did* care. <Bienca> ::sniffs:: Fat load of good it does me. ::she sighs:: Jerk. <Jewel> Aye. ::sighs and hugs Bie's shoulders:: Give him time, Bie. If nothing else, you probably surprised the life out of him. ::looks wry:: For a man with so many children, you'd think he'd have given some thought to the idea of being a father, but somehow I doubt it. And Dawn *hates* surprises. <Bienca> ::shakes her head:: Doesn't make him not a jerk. And it doesn't matter. I'm done with him. <Jewel> ::bites her lip:: But... <Bienca> ::stands up, her anger and distress too great to sit still any longer:: But nothing... he doesn't get the right to slam in my house and insult me. He made his feelings and decision crystal clear. <Jewel> ::glances at the still-apparently-oblivious Angel:: Maybe... maybe he felt he had to. Even if... they weren't. <Bienca> ::hotly:: It doesn't matter what he *thinks*. I'm no mindbender. It matters what he *does*. It's done. It's over. <Jewel> ::looks miserable:: But... what if he apologized? ::pulling her head in a little:: I mean... it could happen. Eventually. <Bienca> ::sighs:: When the moon turns pink, I'll let you know. * Jewel nods and hugs herself, looking unhappy. "Perhaps... it's better this way, for now." She sighs. "Dawn was telling me a few days ago about some of the fights he and Dusk got into over women, and how they solved them." <Bienca> ::her mood suddenly reverses and she pats Jewel comfortingly on the shoulder:: Don't worry. You can't solve the world's problems. Sometimes, we don't even want them to be solved. <Jewel> ::sighs:: No, I know I can't... but it would be nice if I could at least help my friends. ::smiles a little:: You'll be all right? Truly? ::glances at Angel again, and puts her hands in front of her:: {You're not just putting on a brave face for him?} She smiles a little wider. {Or me?} <Bienca> ::nods:: I'll be fine. Wounds always heal... I've been dealt worse. <Jewel> ::stands and goes on tiptoe to hug Bienca:: I'll ask Gar if you've been moping. You see if I don't. <Bienca> ::laughs:: I wouldn't believe a word *he* said... a very good liar is my Gar. <Jewel> ::smiles:: When we have a bit more leisure to do it in, I'll take you shopping for baby clothes. ::sticks her tongue out at the "napping" Angel:: *My* treat. After all, nothing wrong with *my* income. <Bienca> ::snorts:: When you have some free time. I'm... unsanctioned. I won't have anything else to do. <Jewel> Well, he forbade you the rooftops... but while we're at it, we might see what other sort of trouble we can get you into. I wouldn't mind an extra trained eye at the shop. There are some things I get that... I *really* don't like handling. <Angel> ::from under his hat:: And Sylvie might need some help - not whoring, mind, unless you want to, but laundry and cooking and that sort. It's not much, but it might be something to do. <Jewel> ::amused:: I thought you were taking a nap. ::winks at Bie:: <Angel> ::dryly:: I am. * Jewel grins. "He's such a good bodyguard. Isn't he a good bodyguard?" <Bienca> ::laughs:: Or something. <Jewel> ::smiles:: There, now, I've gotten you to laugh twice already. You'll be all right. ::touches Bie's arm with concern:: But you'll tell me if you're not, won't you? Please?. <Bienca> ::nods:: Yeah, I will. With the hormone thing - I remember my first pregnancy... I'll be a wreck, on and off, for the next few months. You might want to invest in some towels. <Jewel> ::smiles:: Towels, I can afford. ::glances at the big cat lounging behind the sofa:: Gar *can* swim, can't he? <Angel> ::slyly:: I remember... you cried on *me* an awful lot, back then. <Bienca> ::makes shooing gestures at them:: Go on and go. Now that I'm up, I need to see to getting my door fixed. <Jewel> ::nods, and puts her damp cloak back on, pausing as she ties it:: ...Oh. ::looks at Angel:: Do you think it might be wise if I lend her Isa for a little while? Just until this other business blows over? I mean... if the lizards are looking for targets, and it's on the street who the father most likely is... <Angel> I'll see what I can find. I'm not about to let you wander around unprotected either. <Jewel> ::blinks:: Well, I have *you.* <Angel> Yes. And I still sleep from time to time. If you hadn't noticed. ::he gives Bienca a half-smile:: I'll get back to you. And... if it's not inappropriate, congratulations. * Jewel puts a hand to her mouth to hide a smile. <Bienca> ::nods:: Thank you. |
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