With your cute little smile and charm, who could resist taking a flower or several from you?
[ And there's a brief pause. Had she met a man named Dr. Crane? Of course she's met him. She's become entangled with him. And she witnessed him singlehandedly destroy Chilton's ego for the course of a few days. ]
I have, yes. A sexually repressed man who seems to have a fear fetish. What about him?
Utilize caution when engaging him. He may not look like much, but he has tricks up his sleeve.
[ And it certainly would be a shame for her helper to get gassed by Crane before any of the real fun can happen. ]
But, no. I'm not one to discriminate. You and I are offering this world a gift, Abduxel. A chance to set themselves free. And I, for one, can't wait to see the effects.
[ Oh. How interesting! Raina doesn't know whether she would rather get all the juicy details or dissect Matthew Lin to find out Crane's secret formula. But hey, that might just be the famine talking. ]
He's moving more frequently now, isn't he? Testing it out on others. He's planning something. Something on a much larger scale.
[ All the more reason to carry through with their plan. ]
Perhaps he will feel more willing to open himself up after our little gift to him.
As for the other bearers, no. Lucifer gave me his ring, but he gave no indication that there were others. But then again, the devil will always be careful and sneaky. You must know this from experience when it comes to him.
[He has no idea of her secret inclinations, as he just thinks of her as Chilton's fake girlfriend.
When she mentions Crane planning something... Well, yes, he is. He's planning something big, and Abduxel knows it; further, it's why Lucifer chose him. He won't be explicit about it, but then flattery always wins... ]
You're a bright woman, Raina. I think you might be right. He is planning something.
[He laughs a little, just a huff of air, when she refers to the Devil himself as sneaky.]
Even more than you know. I'm not at liberty to say. He has a twisted sense of humour. I'm sure it will become clear eventually.
[ Raina's voice is sultry and sweet, the pout very clearly audible. Abduxel aka Matthew Lin is a flatterer and manipulator -- a pawn of Lucifer's and through Lucifer clearly working with Crane. But it's also clear that Matthew dislikes Crane. She doesn't know what he wants out of Chilton, but perhaps he can be persuaded to their side. And Raina may pursue this thought path even more so after learning that it was her and Chilton who were chosen to be horsemen. Not Crane. Which played up their value in Lucifer's eyes, didn't it? ]
If Lucifer chose you, you're probably untrustworthy. [He says it like he's joking.] No, I think he'd prefer it if I didn't share confidential details with humans. I'd have some Hell to pay.
[Get it, Raina? Get it??? And yet... he makes a hesitant noise, someone who wants to share a funny joke, to spoil the punchline, but is resisting with failing willpower.]
It's someone you know. Mm, probably two someones you know, if I had to guess, but one more than the other.
But that's really all I can say, or else you'll get me in trouble.
[He's so startled by this turn of events that he nearly drops his phone, and she'll hear the muffled shuffling that betrays it.
He awkwardly clears his throat. His cocky confidence is knocked down a notch to mild bewilderment:]
I guess you do share everything.
[There's a pause. He almost wants to say that he doesn't need her blessing, but that strikes him as likely not going to go well.
After a moment, he laughs a little, and he's shaking his head. He can't believe the situations he's getting himself into, here. And he tries to stall a moment, to get his thoughts back in order.]
What do you want to know about Crane so badly that you'd pimp him out?
Such lewd terms, Matthew. I would much rather say 'allow you to borrow him for an evening.'
[ Nevermind the fact that she just said 'fuck you raw' in a prior sentence. But please. She's such a lady. ]
I want to know what he's up to. The details. I've seen pieces of the larger whole, but he's quite guarded and closes himself off every time I nearly have an opening.
[He laughs just once, a friendly scoff at her admonishment about lewdness, but doesn't comment on it beyond that.]
While I appreciate your blessing, I'm not looking for some bought-and-sold encounter, I hope you understand that.
[He drums his fingers in thought, and leaves that sentence hanging alone without elaboration.] Would you be surprised to know that he's guarded with me as well? He thinks he's above the Devil and can use him for his own purposes. He'll be fine so long as their interests directly align, but that can't last forever. The Devil hates humanity, no matter how twisted the human might be, and Crane is just a pawn like the rest of them.
[There's an edge to the lattermost words. Abduxel feels at the moment like a vicious dog on a tight chain, waiting to be released. He doesn't feel that sharing this is over-stepping anything, even if he's just taking Raina at her word that she isn't human herself; it's only true, and Raina is a knowing Ringbearer, and could discover these things herself over time. Nothing Lucifer could punish him for sharing. He lies a little before he tells the truth:]
I don't know what he's planning, exactly, Raina, but I can tell you that he has desire tucked away in there, buried somewhere very deep. I saw it. [He hesitates a moment, unsure how to explain, and then just brushes past explanation.] I saw that he was led on and rejected when he was a boy, maybe a teenager, and that it affected him. I don't think he's partial to my kind of charm, but someone with the right assets might be able to coax him and his secrets out of hiding. Particularly if he had a nice bouquet of flowers.
[ Such arrogance. Such foolishness. Raina offers a coy little smile and an innocent shrug in response to his first comment about what he seeks out of Chilton. To think that anything could even happen without her express permission is laughable. But best to let him keep thinking he has that power over Frederick. Best to let him underestimate Frederick and their relationship.
She listens as Abduxel goes on, and a part of her will be thrilled when Crane finally gets what's coming to him from Lucifer. But the story of Crane's childhood does cause her head to cant with interest. ]
Pathetic that he would allow one lousy encounter to change his whole perspective on life. But I will not be the one to seduce him, I'm afraid. I have no interest in sleeping with Crane. Goodness, can you imagine? Two minutes, tops. One if you start talking about fear.
[ Yes, let's make fun of Crane right now because it's funny. ]
But more curious than Crane and his secrets -- why align yourself with him when you obviously have a great dislike for the man? He even used you for his research. Are you expected to simply bide your time and wait for Lucifer to decide Crane's usefulness has ceased? You're better than that, Matthew. I feel as though you could accomplish so many great things were you to act according to your own wishes.
[Her jest about Crane makes him laugh aloud at the man's expense, eyes alight with unkind amusement.
But the expression falls a bit as she tells him he's better than that that he could defy Lucifer. There's a pause after she finished speaking, before he begins]
I'm not aligned with Crane. [He says it sharply, with more harshness than he meant to. He frowns a bit.
The tone has changed rather abruptly, his voice moody and dark.]
You're one to talk, doing the Morningstar's bidding yourself. If you're anything like all the others he chooses, I guess you'd probably say it's in your own interests as well. Well what I say is that He has an uncanny way of making sure his interests are aligned with mine. I'm sure he'll get the hang of that with you, too. It isn't hard, since he can read your heart. [He'll leave out the Heaven-forged weapons Lucifer can torture him with. Best not to bring that up with someone he's only just met, effectively.] You're playing with fire, Raina, if you're going to go around trying to sway people against Him.
You're taking this the wrong way. I don't mean to sway you or anyone else against him. I recognize and admire his power just like most who follow him into his darkness. But what I meant when it came to you is the invisible leash that ties you to him. Can't you be free and still serve him?
[A hallmark pause of someone who didn't mean to say as much as they had. And then he backpedals:]
...I mean, I am free and still serving him, as much as I can be. It's not as if he monitors my every movement, or would ever care to. It depends what you mean by freedom.
[He sounds like he's getting defensive.]
You wouldn't understand. Whatever kind of monster you are. I'm a part of something larger.
Matthew, need I remind you that we're from far different worlds and saying you're part of something larger is like comparing apples and oranges?
[ She leans in as though sharing a secret. ]
My world? Is so expansive, there is a complete parallel of it running alongside my universe. Same people. Same powers. Some slight alterations in events that have either happened or have not happened yet. My world can't even be contained to one specific world, it needs two and possibly even more for all I know. All this to say, we are in no way comparable. Your powers, whatever you're a part of -- it no longer matters. Not here.
[ Just like his loyalties. They no longer matter, and yet he chooses to keep them. A slippery little manipulator like Abduxel needs someone to pull his strings and direct him. Without direction, it seems as though he's only capable of playing games and making out with taken men. ]
But I digress. I look forward to working closely with you.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[ And there's a brief pause. Had she met a man named Dr. Crane? Of course she's met him. She's become entangled with him. And she witnessed him singlehandedly destroy Chilton's ego for the course of a few days. ]
I have, yes. A sexually repressed man who seems to have a fear fetish. What about him?
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[ The smirk can totally be heard in Raina's voice. Oh, she and Abduxel are going to get along splendidly! ]
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I could impersonate someone, if there's anyone to frame for it. But he'll be just as burned-up if he knows it was me.
Is there anyone else in particular you're planning to target?
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[ And it certainly would be a shame for her helper to get gassed by Crane before any of the real fun can happen. ]
But, no. I'm not one to discriminate. You and I are offering this world a gift, Abduxel. A chance to set themselves free. And I, for one, can't wait to see the effects.
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[He smiles at the second part fondly. After a pause,]
Do you know who the other ringbearers are?
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[ Oh. How interesting! Raina doesn't know whether she would rather get all the juicy details or dissect Matthew Lin to find out Crane's secret formula. But hey, that might just be the famine talking. ]
He's moving more frequently now, isn't he? Testing it out on others. He's planning something. Something on a much larger scale.
[ All the more reason to carry through with their plan. ]
Perhaps he will feel more willing to open himself up after our little gift to him.
As for the other bearers, no. Lucifer gave me his ring, but he gave no indication that there were others. But then again, the devil will always be careful and sneaky. You must know this from experience when it comes to him.
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When she mentions Crane planning something... Well, yes, he is. He's planning something big, and Abduxel knows it; further, it's why Lucifer chose him. He won't be explicit about it, but then flattery always wins... ]
You're a bright woman, Raina. I think you might be right. He is planning something.
[He laughs a little, just a huff of air, when she refers to the Devil himself as sneaky.]
Even more than you know. I'm not at liberty to say. He has a twisted sense of humour. I'm sure it will become clear eventually.
It will be a pleasure working with you.
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[ Raina's voice is sultry and sweet, the pout very clearly audible. Abduxel aka Matthew Lin is a flatterer and manipulator -- a pawn of Lucifer's and through Lucifer clearly working with Crane. But it's also clear that Matthew dislikes Crane. She doesn't know what he wants out of Chilton, but perhaps he can be persuaded to their side. And Raina may pursue this thought path even more so after learning that it was her and Chilton who were chosen to be horsemen. Not Crane. Which played up their value in Lucifer's eyes, didn't it? ]
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If Lucifer chose you, you're probably untrustworthy. [He says it like he's joking.] No, I think he'd prefer it if I didn't share confidential details with humans. I'd have some Hell to pay.
[Get it, Raina? Get it??? And yet... he makes a hesitant noise, someone who wants to share a funny joke, to spoil the punchline, but is resisting with failing willpower.]
It's someone you know. Mm, probably two someones you know, if I had to guess, but one more than the other.
But that's really all I can say, or else you'll get me in trouble.
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[ Raina offers a mischievous little smile, pressing her index finger to her lips. ]
You surely can't think you're the only sneaky one here, can you, Abduxel? I'm more like you than you probably realize.
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You caught me. What is it people say about assumptions? But you aren't a demon.
[He thinks briefly of Nysrog; another kind of demon altogether.]
Or are you?
And I have to ask. Does your boyfriend know?
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[ She looks to the side for a moment before her eyes drift back toward him. ]
Why do you ask about Frederick, Matthew? Do you think there are things we keep from one another?
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[As for Frederick...]
Everyone has secrets, Raina. Do you tell each other everything?
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[ And she leaves that as answer to both his comment and question. ]
typos in old tags ugh my sworn enemy
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Maybe I'll even be inclined to give you my blessing when it comes to letting him fuck you raw.
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He awkwardly clears his throat. His cocky confidence is knocked down a notch to mild bewilderment:]
I guess you do share everything.
[There's a pause. He almost wants to say that he doesn't need her blessing, but that strikes him as likely not going to go well.
After a moment, he laughs a little, and he's shaking his head. He can't believe the situations he's getting himself into, here. And he tries to stall a moment, to get his thoughts back in order.]
What do you want to know about Crane so badly that you'd pimp him out?
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[ Nevermind the fact that she just said 'fuck you raw' in a prior sentence. But please. She's such a lady. ]
I want to know what he's up to. The details. I've seen pieces of the larger whole, but he's quite guarded and closes himself off every time I nearly have an opening.
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While I appreciate your blessing, I'm not looking for some bought-and-sold encounter, I hope you understand that.
[He drums his fingers in thought, and leaves that sentence hanging alone without elaboration.] Would you be surprised to know that he's guarded with me as well? He thinks he's above the Devil and can use him for his own purposes. He'll be fine so long as their interests directly align, but that can't last forever. The Devil hates humanity, no matter how twisted the human might be, and Crane is just a pawn like the rest of them.
[There's an edge to the lattermost words. Abduxel feels at the moment like a vicious dog on a tight chain, waiting to be released. He doesn't feel that sharing this is over-stepping anything, even if he's just taking Raina at her word that she isn't human herself; it's only true, and Raina is a knowing Ringbearer, and could discover these things herself over time. Nothing Lucifer could punish him for sharing. He lies a little before he tells the truth:]
I don't know what he's planning, exactly, Raina, but I can tell you that he has desire tucked away in there, buried somewhere very deep. I saw it. [He hesitates a moment, unsure how to explain, and then just brushes past explanation.] I saw that he was led on and rejected when he was a boy, maybe a teenager, and that it affected him. I don't think he's partial to my kind of charm, but someone with the right assets might be able to coax him and his secrets out of hiding. Particularly if he had a nice bouquet of flowers.
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She listens as Abduxel goes on, and a part of her will be thrilled when Crane finally gets what's coming to him from Lucifer. But the story of Crane's childhood does cause her head to cant with interest. ]
Pathetic that he would allow one lousy encounter to change his whole perspective on life. But I will not be the one to seduce him, I'm afraid. I have no interest in sleeping with Crane. Goodness, can you imagine? Two minutes, tops. One if you start talking about fear.
[ Yes, let's make fun of Crane right now because it's funny. ]
But more curious than Crane and his secrets -- why align yourself with him when you obviously have a great dislike for the man? He even used you for his research. Are you expected to simply bide your time and wait for Lucifer to decide Crane's usefulness has ceased? You're better than that, Matthew. I feel as though you could accomplish so many great things were you to act according to your own wishes.
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But the expression falls a bit as she tells him he's better than that that he could defy Lucifer. There's a pause after she finished speaking, before he begins]
I'm not aligned with Crane. [He says it sharply, with more harshness than he meant to. He frowns a bit.
The tone has changed rather abruptly, his voice moody and dark.]
You're one to talk, doing the Morningstar's bidding yourself. If you're anything like all the others he chooses, I guess you'd probably say it's in your own interests as well. Well what I say is that He has an uncanny way of making sure his interests are aligned with mine. I'm sure he'll get the hang of that with you, too. It isn't hard, since he can read your heart. [He'll leave out the Heaven-forged weapons Lucifer can torture him with. Best not to bring that up with someone he's only just met, effectively.] You're playing with fire, Raina, if you're going to go around trying to sway people against Him.
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You're taking this the wrong way. I don't mean to sway you or anyone else against him. I recognize and admire his power just like most who follow him into his darkness. But what I meant when it came to you is the invisible leash that ties you to him. Can't you be free and still serve him?
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[A hallmark pause of someone who didn't mean to say as much as they had. And then he backpedals:]
...I mean, I am free and still serving him, as much as I can be. It's not as if he monitors my every movement, or would ever care to. It depends what you mean by freedom.
[He sounds like he's getting defensive.]
You wouldn't understand. Whatever kind of monster you are. I'm a part of something larger.
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[ She leans in as though sharing a secret. ]
My world? Is so expansive, there is a complete parallel of it running alongside my universe. Same people. Same powers. Some slight alterations in events that have either happened or have not happened yet. My world can't even be contained to one specific world, it needs two and possibly even more for all I know. All this to say, we are in no way comparable. Your powers, whatever you're a part of -- it no longer matters. Not here.
[ Just like his loyalties. They no longer matter, and yet he chooses to keep them. A slippery little manipulator like Abduxel needs someone to pull his strings and direct him. Without direction, it seems as though he's only capable of playing games and making out with taken men. ]
But I digress. I look forward to working closely with you.
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