💣 003 | audio

[devoutish]

Yeah. This Christmas thing. It's just fucking over the top, innit? You do know we're barely into December? You need to calm down, all of you.

[Alfie's tone is chiding, but in a light and teasing way that isn't really meant to be taken as a serious condemnation - he's actually been in an okay mood these past couple of weeks. This is just one more car on the culture shock train. The Christmas celebrations and decorations that he's is used to seeing at home are much more subdued, and definitely don't start this early in the season.]

Is this an American custom, or a twenty-first century custom? If I were to pay a visit across the ocean, would the Europeans be kicking up this much of a fuss? Fucking hell.

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[devoutish]

[He nods; he did make it, and it's still fresh.]

I don't fear pain enough for it to hold me back.

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[snoobs]

[ She lifts her glass this time, pausing as the rim reaches her lips. ]

Most humans are afraid. They'll do anything to avoid pain, even when they deserve it.

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[devoutish]

[He faces her (and the living room), one hand on the counter and the other holding his wine glass.]

Do I deserve it?

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[snoobs]

[ Her free hand slides toward his, long nails raking across the top of his hand not quite harshly, but it's not exactly gentle either. ]

Probably, but for what? I'm not sure. You're still a very mysterious man, Alfie Solomons.

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[devoutish]

I do. Yeah.

[He raises his glass, in something like a toast.]

But not from you.

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[snoobs]

Your God, then?

[ She raises her glass as well. ]

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[devoutish]

Oh, perhaps. Or from the people that I have wronged.

[Which he seems pretty blasé about.]

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[snoobs]

What did you do to them?

[ She withdraws her hand, stepping away from the counter now so she can meander over to Alfie's side. ]

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[devoutish]

Many awful things. It's part of the business, yeah?

[He nods at the wine.]

But am I here to talk about business?

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[snoobs]

[ Normally, Hemali wouldn't care about such things. It's not as if she doesn't have a body count either and it doesn't bother her, no, but she wonders what Alfie's gotten up to back home and how dangerous he might actually be.

But for now she shrugs, setting her glass down on the counter. ]

Then let's talk about something else.

[ Without missing a beat, with her voice lowered: ]

Or stop talking altogether.

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[devoutish]

[He brushes her forearm with his hand, walking his fingers down towards her wrist. It's just for a moment, and then it's over.]

We've already done a lot of talking, haven't we?

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[snoobs]

[ Her skin tingles pleasantly when he does that, but when he stops Hemali reaches to snatch his wrist in her own hand. Her grip is inhumanly tight, though she doesn't do more than hold onto Alfie.

She leans closer to him, catching his lips between her teeth and tugging back lightly. ]

No more then.

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[devoutish]

[Oh, hello. Instead of answering, he chases her mouth again, slipping an arm around her waist and tugging her against him as he kisses her fully.]

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[snoobs]

[ His beard tickles her face, but she forces her mouth harder onto his, her free hand dipping toward his chest and giving his shirt a tug. She slowly steps back, though never breaking their kiss, to guide him out of the kitchen. ]

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[devoutish]

[He follows, willing to let her lead - she knows where they're going better than he does, after all. This also allows him to keep one eye open, and on that damned snake in the corner.]

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[snoobs]

[ He won't have to worry about the blood python, which has now perched herself back into her habitat and is resting for the time being. They won't be disturbed, not unless Dhia gets hungry at some point.

Hemali continues to pull him toward one of the bedrooms — hers, specifically. It smells of incense and her sheets are a beautiful red silk, with red and gold-lined pillows to match. She could be making use of the empty rooms, but this is her bed, after all. Maybe not a room befitting a woman as greedy as her, but she's been making it work for now.

She gives him a strong push toward the bed, only breaking their kiss and freeing her hands so she can undo her necklace clasp. ]

She won't bother us, you know.

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[devoutish]

[He fiddles with her collar, slipping a finger down past it to lightly trace her neckline.]

Close the door.

[If she doesn't move to do it, he will, unbuttoning his shirt as he goes.]

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[snoobs]

[ She shudders lightly against his touch, but she's not quite ready to give into him just yet. Instead, she lets him shut the door, plopping down onto her bed. She watches Alfie go about undoing the buttons on his shirt, her own shirt and pants remaining on, daring him to do something about it. ]