♠ second || ➥ video

[nestingdevil]

[The recording starts with a catch of a ceiling made of low-grade wood. It's alight with a sickly red-yellow; fading with each wafting-pass of spindling smoke. The lights above are older and the bulbs have obviously seen their fair share of cigarette smoke and dust. They bleed bleary through, but it's a dim effort at best.]

[For the most part, the place seems rather quiet - the lull spinning of a fan blade above, some sort of tune playing out a jukebox nearby: "-wraps her lips around the Mexican coke, makes you wish you were the bottle, takes a sip of your soul and it sounds like - "]

[But a sudden clanking of glassware interrupts the surface and then:]

Oi, oi, oi - careful with that, won't ya?

[The voice is low; swayed by a baritone, humming out each note. However, despite the chiding, it seems pleasant enough. A bit snide and sing song as a palm and accompanying fingers snatch at the feed. For a moment, it's a bit of a washout. The bar cut-off by the smothering hand before Greed rights it again. The angle catches his jaw line, his rather signature smile. Laced to the brim with teeth to match as he snaps his fingers to someone off camera.] We just opened, you know. No need to make things messy, all right?

[The phone's propped up; shoved at a vertical angle a bit carelessly to catch a glimpse of the owner's back and shoulder. Before it clacks dully against the side of a bottle, showing off a growing collection. The place is hardly worth a second look at; dusty and dark. Grim like the next back alley hell hole and Greed sways his hand back and forth.] Eh- don't worry about it.

[But unlike the first time he used the device, he's very much aware now. And after the conversation's good and done, the Sin slips a glance back to the feed. An arch of the eyebrow's the only signal he's actually paying attention. Because those shades are just a tad too dark. As he recoils on the recording, tipping over the jut of his hip with a terrible sort of grin.] I'm sure you're all still a bit busy, but I figured it's as good a time as any.

[Greed tilts his head to the side playfully and two-fingers laced touch his collar bone. Stretching out as he makes the best mock of a bow.] In case we haven't met, the name's Greed. But I'm sure that's not really what you're interested in.

[A heel clunks against the floorboards below; he's circling both the bar and the feed. Straightening as he talks. As he curves and cuts with fishtail precision.] I usually don't do this sort of thing, so consider it a one time deal. [An index sways out, tilting in the direction of an unseen wall.] Bring something worth it and it may earn you a drink on the house. Otherwise, consider it all half off for the day.

[Thunk, thunk he goes until he's got both knees swaying in opposite directions. He shows off his other hand, the one tattooed-red against the backside of his palm.] It's called The Devil's Nest. You can't really miss it.

[With that, he extends a finger forward. And after a few minutes of fiddling, the feed goes black.]

Comments

[corviform]

I've never been fond of it.

[ Which is true... but it's mainly due to the fact Gil is a very, very sad and weepy drunk. He can't hold his liquor for the life of him. ]

Where is your establishment located?

[ Yako seems to know this man, piquing his curiosity. ]

[nestingdevil]

To each their own I guess.

[As for the location, where else but - ] Maurtia Falls. [Greed says with a snap of the fingers and an index pointed skyward.] Seemed a better choice.

[Heropa didn't exactly have the same reputation. Dingy beneath the thin exterior and the perfect place for him and his.]

[And an even better place to start his business.]

[corviform]

[ Talk about convenience. ]</small. Is that so? Seems to be a popular destination recently. Another imPort opened up a bar there as well.

[nestingdevil]

[Ah - that guy.] It's not like Heropa had much to offer.

[Greed brings his hand to the side of his head and taps against his temple.] That guy that's been here a while, right? Cu or something?

html has betrayed me

[corviform]

I suppose it makes no difference with a military base and the houses there as well.

That's right.

inevitable betrayal really

[nestingdevil]

No, I guess it doesn't. But up here things are a little different.

[And the law is gladly paid off.]

Not a bad place. Though I'm not really interested in the competition.

[corviform]

It is quieter, I find. Locals don't hassle imPorts much... if at all.

[ Which is definitely one of the pros. ]

[nestingdevil]

Not really - it tends to be less of a show here than down there.

But that doesn't mean there isn't anything to see.

[corviform]

[ Curiously: ]

Such as?

[nestingdevil]

[He waggles a finger slightly.] C'mon - do you really think I'd give it all away that easily?

I'll tell you this: there's always an underworld, friend. Maurtia's just a little bit better than most.

[And by most, he just means Heropa.] It just really depends what you're looking for.

[corviform]

Information for information, right.

[ Like Duke Barma, only less refined. ]

If I learn anything interesting, I'll see about passing it on.

[nestingdevil]

You got it.

[Four bottles and four caps. Greed pries them open; letting the caps clink and clack as he flips 'em off one by one.]

You'll see, huh? Well, it's not like it would be hard to find. [He already pointed out where he'd be after all.]

[A brief second of pause as he swipes the collection of bent-back caps. Pushing them aside and down into a bin nearby.] What's your name, kid?

[corviform]

[ He can't help vague irritation at being called a kid. ]

It's Gilbert and I'm not a kid.

[nestingdevil]

[A small whistle.]

Fine - Gilbert then. Didn't mean to offend. [All four are plugged with his fingers and he turns to shove them onto the bar top. Letting them fizz just slightly before removing his hand from the collection. A casual wipe on the sides of his thighs cleans the residue right off.]

Nice to meet ya at. Though I guess a face to face visit will have to wait. Until you feel like sharing something, right? [A click of his tongue, a bit of a sarcastic hum.]

[corviform]

[ How is he doing that with such ease? His powers, Gil suspects, quite curious as to what it was he had seen earlier. It looked like some kind of thick coating. ]

I guess so.

I'll keep the place in mind. Thank you for the address.

[ Even if it's really not his ideal meeting place or one of interest, but he's had his suspicious about the government and military for months now and any information might help. ]

[nestingdevil]

Just remember - it's a one time deal.

[But that doesn't mean he won't make an exception. That, however, is kept to himself.]

Nothing's free in this world or the next, friend. If you do plan on stopping by, I don't tend to give anything away for nothing.

[A kick back of his heel and Greed nods to a muffled order on the other side of the line.] The name's not just something cute.

[corviform]

Of course, it makes sense.

[ He's learned from enough information hoarders to know that much. ]

And your name is [ there's a slight pause on his end, as if he doesn't quite believe it ] Greed?

[nestingdevil]

[A knowing sort of look passes by his face. As if he's heard the question a thousand times before.]

That's the only name I've got, friend. [He clips a chipped shot-glass from the counter, arching one shoulder up as he does.] I am Greed.

[The next bottle he grabs isn't marked. Not even a proper labeled. When the homunculus grabs the cap, the plastic around it snaps with a twist.]

[corviform]

[ He watches on carefully.

Something about his introduction doesn't sound right to Gil. ]

That's not a real name, is it?

[nestingdevil]

[It makes him scoff. With a slight hitch in his throat before it's a loud crack of laughter. Greed slaps his thigh.] Not for most.

[He takes a swig to test the goods and while he doesn't say anything, a quick quip of the eyebrow means it's all green. Greed tips it forward to slosh in the open mouth of the shot glass.] You're not very good at paying attention, are you? I said I am Greed.

Don't tell me I actually have to spell it out for you.

1/2

[corviform]

[ Unsurprisingly he's offended by the insinuation, glad he's kept to audio on his end so Greed can't see his cheeks reddening quickly. ]

What?

[ He pauses, trying to wrap his thoughts around it. ]

[corviform]

[ The emphasis on "am" has the cogs in his mind turning.

He doesn't actually mean... ]

How can that —

You're talking about a feeling. A desire.

[nestingdevil]

[Greed sets the bottle down a little more gently. His hands splay out, framing the edge of the prep counter until his nails hitch right in.]

See - I knew you'd catch on quick. [But his smile is wild and his fingers bite in hard. Just out of reach of the recording, but the noise is shrill.]

I'm the living embodiment of it.

[corviform]

[ He's not so sure himself ― how can something be the embodiment of a feeling? How does that work? Just what does that make Greed exactly? ]

What are you if not human?

[ Is that what he's alluding to? Those claws from earlier, too... ]

[nestingdevil]

[Like a cat retracting, Greed releases his grip on the prep counter and oh, he just had to ask. His lips tighten and a heel clicks against the floor.]

You're right, I'm not human. Never was.

[The Sin makes a show of it. Throwing out his elbow to make his wrist and hand fan across the recording. The tattoo is there again - showing up red like a calling card.]

Homunculus. [It's hard to see, what with those sunglasses holding fast. But his eyes are wide open and his eyebrows shoot up to make lines of his forehead.]