[As the Forge is turned on, it slips a bit through wet slicked fingers and slides onto the teen's lap, showing a fumble of images: wavy golden hair, a long white scar down a neck that's inked with strange black patterns that look like curling flames poking out from beneath a black collar. Darkened patches on the black fabric that look suspiciously like blood. Lots of blood. He wipes his hand on his thigh and picks the Forge up again, peering into it with eyes dramatically tinged with gold. No, it's not Edward Cullen. One eyebrow steeples as he examines the device.
His voice is wary, but doesn't sound afraid in the least. If anything there's a haughty humor to his tone.]
...The last time I checked Portals didn't take wrong turns.
[He presses a few buttons on the device, turning it side to side before facing the screen towards himself again, looking more intrigued] And kidnappers generally don't offer generous texting packages.
[Something hardens behind his eyes, the amusement taking a dangerous edge, as he demands:] Where's the vampire?
[ It all starts with a tumble to the ground. Well, the video feed does, at least. Not much else is tumblin' aside from the golden curls which cascade down Benten's shoulders, and maybe Liam's dignity. The camera provides a bottoms-up view of an (intimate) couple seated upon a plush chair: a brunette with a lap full of blond, all slender limbs, glossed lips, and wayward hands (what isn't Benten touching?). Mostly though, a pair of polished, carmine red heels hog the screen of the Forge.
Then, a laugh, sounding from low in Benten's throat, coarse and husky and sultry — ]
You'd think you'd never had a fling before with the way you're blushin', four-eyes. Right red in the face, you are.
[ A bit of sputtering follows those words. It takes a moment before Liam actually manages to say anything along the lines of coherent, glasses slipping down the bridge of his nose. ]
T-That t-type of thing h-hadn't been necessary b-before now. I... A-Anyone would react this way to this s-situation.
[ Stuttering? What a disgrace. Benten shifts atop Liam's lap, moving to straddle the poor man with mile-long legs and angled hips. This is almost too easy. ]
Anyone? Nah. I ain't buyin' that, sweetheart. I'm gonna ask you a question, and you're gonna answer it honestly, all right?
[ Benten pauses then, using a single, fine-boned finger to push those sloping glasses back up the bridge of Liam's nose, deliberately slow. ]
You're a bonafide v-i-r-g-i-n, aren't you?
[ Already this is too close and Liam doesn't know how to handle it. It could almost be heard through the Forge; that sound of his poor brain breaking with such a question ]
..W-What?!
[ It wouldn't hurt to say it. Liam doesn't know - or think - anyone would ever see this. So a moment lingers before his head shifts and it could be construed as a nod. ]
I h-hardly believe s-something such as that would even matter.
[ Another laugh, this time far more predatory — ]
'Course it does, and we're gonna fix it. Wouldn't want to make me regret schedulin' you as my first date, now would you?
[ No, no. Not at all. Benten shifts again, his stiletto heel knocking the Forge and sending it skidding across the floor. This is the part best left for the adults. ♥ ]
[The Forge blinks on. What's seen is the noodle shop, a little bit touched up here and there. The sign has been changed to read "Nagi's. and there is a smaller sign in the window reading "Help Wanted". Utena appears on screen, in an old and now paint splattered shirt and shorts. She wipes hair out of her eyes and begins.]
Hey! Anyone interested in a job? I'm reopening the noodle shop and I'm going to need some help!
I can't promise a lot off the bat but this place has always done really well as I remember. I think with some hard work it can be like that again. I've changed the name to "Nagi's", in honor of the one who started it.[Her smile becomes a touch sad.] He's not here anymore but he would have wanted this place to go on.
So! I'm going to need some waitstaff and a bartender at least. It's not too difficult, I picked it all up in no time at all. Let me know if you're interested! [She leaves out the Major General Armstrong will be conducting some of the interviews. It just seems to be a good idea at this point.]
[Chrome's back again, looking a little awkward as she stares at the basket on her table. It seems to be filled mostly with chocolates and snacks, but spread out along the table is some real food too-- mostly fruit and instant noodle type things, but still.
Chrome is bewildered] A real bed, a real bath, and now food...? Real food...?
[She pokes at it, frowning (the last time food was left to her it was from a stalker; she's not too keen on repeating the experience). There's a mumble that sounds suspiciously like 'it didn't even come from a trash can' before her attention returns to the forge]
Ah... Thank you, whoever gave me this? I'm not used to this. [Chrome blushes, embarrassed]
Um, Utena-san? Would you mind if I shared some of this with you...? To pay you back? It's the least I can do.
Other people are welcome to have some too, I suppose... So I can repay everyone's kindness. [But she is hoarding most of that delicious chocolate to herself kthx]
[Hotaru's a little unsure how to even go about this. There's dead air in the message, before Hotaru works up the nerve just to ask one simple thing:]
Is it safe to come out...?
[Although, frankly, that's the least of Hotaru's concerns. She quickly adds-]
Is... is anyone hurt?
[ Morgana is sitting on the covers of her bed, knees drawn to her chest. There are black circles under her eyes and she looks, well, scared.
Someone did not see the floating shadow in person, rather, it came to her in her dreams. That, and nothing more. ]
In the sky - from above.
[ It is but a faint whisper. ]
-
- Tags
- !morgana pendragon, arthur pendragon, bellatrix lestrange, bran stark, gwen, isley, kujo saburo, lancelot, minatsuki "hummingbird" takami, priscilla, robb stark, sam winchester, sansa stark
