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* Jewel sits at the desk, going over her accounts, tapping her fingers against the side of her thigh as she does finger-math. * Angel is doing his 'lazy bodyguard' routine again. He appears to be spending more time watching the insides of his eyelids than his mark. * Jewel smiles a little, writing down a figure and tapping the end of the quill against her lips as she runs her finger down another column. "You're not fooling anyone here, you know." <Angel> ::mock-impatiently:: Can't you see that I'm thinking here, woman? <Jewel> ::glancing over her shoulder:: Nope. Nary a wisp of steam, milord. <Angel> ::snorts and tilts his hat up to look at her:: Thinking isn't necessarily hard work for *everyone* you know. <Jewel> ::grins:: Touche, my lord. ::cocking her head and closing the book with a sigh:: What so occupies your thoughts, then? <Angel> A battle, my lady, between sense and sensibilities. ::he sighs:: I've had a brilliant idea. And if I could either talk myself *into* or *out* of it, I'd be content. * Jewel turns around in her chair completely, resting her arms over the back, her chin on her arms as she looks at him fondly. "It's not like you to be indecisive." <Angel> ::growls:: It's not like me to consider using you as bait, either. <Jewel> ::frowns a little:: Perhaps... you should start at the beginning? * Angel scratches at his chin. "We just don't know enough. We know who, sort of. But not who he is now. The boy - and I barely remember him at all - would have been all of ten, maybe, when... well, honestly, when Snowman killed his father. I don't *know* who he is now." <Jewel> ::blinks:: Who? I mean-- who was he, when you knew him? * Angel gets up to pace around. "You remember Il Roche, I'm sure." <Jewel> ::grimaces:: Aye. <Angel> Before Il Roche, there was Sable. Sable was... vicious. And stupid. He'd kill people - profitable, loyal people - for no reason, other than he happened to be in a killing sort of mood. He had no business sense. He ruled the Guild by fear. And by those few idiots who think his sort of power will give them some. <Jewel> ::smiles a little wryly:: The sort of person I thought *all* criminals were. Before a handsome rogue corrupted me.... <Angel> ::shrugs one shoulder:: I wasn't even really in the Guild then. Not officially. Snowman and Tarish were taking care of me, teaching me the tricks. I remember Tarish crying about it, one afternoon. Sable had... well, he'd iced a friend of hers' daughter, because the friend - she did scout work, mostly, took jobs as maidservants for the upper class, to give our thieves information on the goods? * Jewel nods. <Angel> Anyway, this friend of Tarish's - I don't even remember her name - had refused to take Sable to her bed. So the next day, while she was working, Sable killed the woman's three year old baby girl. * Jewel gasps, putting a hand to her lips. <Angel> ::shrugs one shoulder:: That was pretty much it, you know. Il Roche had been seeing this woman for a few months, Eyes. And with her help, he and Snowman took out Sable, and most of his enforcers and supporters. Things have been different, since. <Jewel> ::frowns:: And this is... Sable's son, then? <Angel> ::sighs:: In any case, what Dawn and I overheard from that fat idiot, Peaches, gives me the thought that Sable's son has decided to come looking for his own. <Jewel> ::frowns thoughtfully, and nods:: <Jewel> And... because they went for me first, you think... you could use me to draw them out. ::frowning in thought:: But... I thought that's why you've let me keep the shop open? <Jewel> ::looking wry:: I know my take isn't *that* spectacular. <Angel> ::snorts:: Your take is fine. ::chews on his lip:: You see, this is what I think... I think this Tower knows something. I think it was entirely too convenient for him to show up when he did. And I think he asked too many of the wrong questions. And I *know* that he's interested in you. <Jewel> But... ::puzzled:: He was just... a customer. He was nearly too late, they'd already gotten Isa. ::shivers: And... ::ducking her head:: I *tried* to discourage him. <Angel> ::shakes his head:: I don't think he was 'just a customer.' I don't believe in coincidences. But I can't be certain. ::slams one fist into his opposite palm:: I just don't *know* enough. And gods know, he isn't going to talk to *me*. I made it pretty clear from the outset that I don't trust him. <Jewel> ::a smile playing around her lips:: Well... he was flirting with me. Of *course* you don't trust him. <Jewel> But... you really think he's involved somehow? <Angel> I do. And I think having you seduce him is the only way we're going to get any information. ::he glowers indiscriminately at an inoffensive piece of jewelry in the cases:: And thus, my dilemma. <Jewel> ::bites her lip:: Oh. <Jewel> ::takes a deep breath and lets it out:: I won't sleep with him. <Jewel> But perhaps... ::frowns:: No... last time, I had Dusk to help me.... * Angel nods, looking very faintly relieved. "No. But I might need you to let him think you *might*. I can't protect you from things I know nothing about." <Jewel> Well... ::looks wry:: I've certainly developed the reputation of someone who "might." ::mutters:: Never mind that I haven't *touched* another man since I met you.... <Jewel> ::speculatively:: Although... he did seem very interested in my protection... <Jewel> Perhaps if I said I wanted to hire him, but Dawn was resisting the idea...? <Jewel> ::smiles at him:: I've had some success in the past at getting men to tell me all their secrets, but damned if I know how I did it... * Angel shrugs. "I don't know. I hate not knowing. My lady, I would die before seeing anything happen to you." <Jewel> ::bites her lip:: I know, love, I know... ::glancing quickly at the door between getting up and going over to kiss him:: * Angel returns her kiss, gently at first, then with increased passion. His hands are in her hair in an instant, and when he finally releases her, he is shaking. "I love you, Catreenia." He says these words very, very low indeed, close to her ear. Then, gently, he pushes her away. "But you are making it very difficult for me to think." <Jewel> ::gasping as he releases her, hanging on his arm for a moment as she gathers strength back into her knees:: I... whew. I won't say I'm sorry, love, not when you kiss me like *that*... <Angel> ::pushes a lock of hair out of her face, his mouth twitching up into his half-smile:: <Jewel> ::turning her head to kiss his palm:: Well... it's certain that *you* couldn't go with me. He'd have a knife in his eye inside of ten minutes. <Angel> ::shakes his head:: I know. But Snowman can. Gods alone know, he'd probably be egging you on. ::sighs:: <Jewel> ::smiles a little:: Snowman just likes to torture you, dear. That's how he shows he cares. <Angel> ::shrugs:: It amuses him. And for that much, I'm willing to put up with it. And Sylvie's been good for him, really. I think he was almost thinking about being polite, recently. <Jewel> ::meeting Angel's eyes levelly:: Would you trust him with me? Trust me to his safekeeping, I mean? <Angel> ::carefully:: I trust him. <Jewel> ::nods slowly:: Then I'll do it. I'll flirt with Tower, and if he's interested, perhaps I'll take him to dinner, and see if I can learn anything... ::smiles a little:: Beyond his taste in wine. ::losing her smile:: And if I feel the slightest breath of danger... I'll get out of there, and call you right away. I promise. * Angel shudders once, then takes a deep breath. "I wish I had another way." <Jewel> ::takes his hands, and kisses them:: I know you're not happy about this love. It doesn't make me very happy, either, but... we're all in danger, until we figure out how to pull his fangs. ::wrapping her arms around him:: I'm so incredibly proud of you, right now. <Angel> ::grimly:: When I find him, he's going to take a long time to die, I promise you that. I am very, very short on patience with this. <Jewel> ::nods against his shoulder:: I know, love. ::smiles a little wryly, running a hand down an iron-hard thigh:: You *do* keep your tension in your legs. <Angel> ::his voice throaty:: Don't do that. Rolling you around on the floor, while immensely satisfying, will probably give you bruises. <Jewel> ::smirks a little:: I don't know. You make a very comfortable floor-pillow. <Jewel> But... he rescued me from danger once... even if you think he had a hand in putting me there. And he certainly seems enamored of me. I don't think he means to *hurt* me. <Angel> ::touches her face gently:: Just... find out what you can. And... don't tell me anything more than I need to know. <Jewel> ::covering his hand with hers, shaking her head a little:: You don't deserve this, love. I promise, I'll do nothing I'd be ashamed to tell you about. <Angel> ::jerks his chin at her books:: Are you done? I'd... like to go home now. <Jewel> ::with a small, wicked smile:: They can wait. You can't. * Jewel offers him her arm. * Angel takes it with a bow. |
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