|
Post by Armand on Oct 21, 2008 19:14:19 GMT -5
(( This takes place before the little Daniel/Dorian/Armand scene inside the den, if anyone's wondering. Because I am too impatient to wait 'til the end of that little plot. ))
Armand stood outside the Opium Den, dressed in his usual dark nondescript clothing and not bothering to hide himself from the mortals passing by or stumbling out. Narrowed brown eyes watched the door consideringly- did he really want to go in, just to look for Dorian? He'd pondered scanning the minds of the mortals inside, but considering the reason many of them came here...well, he doubted many were coherant enough to be of any help to him.
|
|
Claudia
- Ingenious Pilot -
Gentle Death, Sister Death%\1\%
Posts: 129
|
Post by Claudia on Oct 21, 2008 19:20:21 GMT -5
Claudia quietly waited outside, staying to the shadows anyway, and with her newest bonnet shading her face. For her part, she didn't want to be seen at all; questions tended to be asked when mortals saw a child lingering in such a place as this, and it irritated her. Still, she had to wait until just the right time to slip inside.
However, her attention was diverted when she turned and noticed the presence of...him. Him again. Well, wasn't that just perfect? She took a few steps forward, her eyes the first to become visible, like a reversed Cheshire Cat. "Well," she said quietly. "Look who has turned up. A murderer, a reprobate and now an opium fiend, too? Tsk, tsk, Armand."
|
|
|
Post by Armand on Oct 21, 2008 19:34:12 GMT -5
Armand was surprised by Claudia's sudden appearence, so enrapt had he been in scanning the den for a coherant and non-addled mortal. Dangerous, to lose sense of himself like that. He didn't show the surprise, but flicked a cool glance her way, one edged with disdain. Reprobate indeed.
"I'd venture that I'm here for the same reasons you are, little sister."
His voice was mild, any faint stirrings of irritation completely hidden. Oh yes, that he'd be an opium fiend. How melodramatic. How unlikely.
|
|
Claudia
- Ingenious Pilot -
Gentle Death, Sister Death%\1\%
Posts: 129
|
Post by Claudia on Oct 21, 2008 19:40:02 GMT -5
Claudia could see that he dropped his guard, and she smiled. Really, one had to be more careful if one was to visit places like this, when such as they were about. She returned his gaze levelly, face now lit faintly up.
"Oh?" she replied, her voice still quiet. "I most sincerely doubt that." She thought of something else to say, and spread her arms lightly out. "Do enlighten me. Paint me a picture, if you will, like a certain Roman I hear tell of."
Naturally, all she said was to taunt him; as if one such as he would touch an inch even of snuff, let alone laudanum!
|
|
|
Post by Armand on Oct 21, 2008 20:11:38 GMT -5
Armand's eyes narrowed. "Merely out for a bite," he said shortly. "You're making it too romantic. Now you tell me, then, indeed- paint me a picture, of this Roman. I'm afraid I've been left out of the loop, and since you seem to know so much..."
|
|
Claudia
- Ingenious Pilot -
Gentle Death, Sister Death%\1\%
Posts: 129
|
Post by Claudia on Oct 21, 2008 20:27:39 GMT -5
Claudia shook her head gently, her curls bobbing on her shoulders under the bonnet. "Too romantic? Such a thing isn't possible, now is it?" She stretched slightly, the light momentarily catching her side.
"Of course you've been left out of the loop. But don't expect me to tell you everything," she smirked. "You should know some of it for yourself. You do, after all, know Marius, do you not?" she dropped the name again, forgetting whether or not he'd said they'd yet met."
|
|
|
Post by Armand on Oct 21, 2008 20:42:28 GMT -5
It was in fact possible for Armand's eyes to narrow further. "I've heard of him, yes. Why are you dropping names such as his? What purpose is there?"
|
|
Claudia
- Ingenious Pilot -
Gentle Death, Sister Death%\1\%
Posts: 129
|
Post by Claudia on Oct 21, 2008 20:48:37 GMT -5
"Ah, merely heard of him," Claudia replied, tilting her head. "Well. In that case, I expect you shall be surprised."
|
|
|
Post by Armand on Oct 21, 2008 21:13:36 GMT -5
"And why is that?"
Armand was cautious. Of course he knew Marius. Intimately. But there was no reason for him to share with this smug little apparition.
|
|
Claudia
- Ingenious Pilot -
Gentle Death, Sister Death%\1\%
Posts: 129
|
Post by Claudia on Oct 21, 2008 21:23:46 GMT -5
"Well, I wouldn't want to ruin the surprise, but I've watched, and...well, I must say you--and the others--will be in considerable jeopardy. But I've said too much of that for now." She flashed a sweet, disturbing grin.
"The real issue here is you and me, though, Armand. I don't like what you did. I think it's quite fair that I follow you now."
|
|
|
Post by Armand on Oct 21, 2008 21:36:19 GMT -5
"The others? What others?" Armand demanded, turning to face Claudia fully. "From Marius? Why would he care what vampires do in Paris?" A pause, as Armand remembered himself. "Besides. Marius is dead. No one has heard of his location or his actions for years."
He'd half turned to watch the door of the den again, although by no means was his attention compromised. Still, surprised, he gave a low laugh at Claudia's words. "Are you some vengeful little spirit, then?" he asked. "You will get bored. I'm dull company for spirits."
|
|
Claudia
- Ingenious Pilot -
Gentle Death, Sister Death%\1\%
Posts: 129
|
Post by Claudia on Oct 21, 2008 22:02:46 GMT -5
"Oh, you know," she replied with a disarming casual gesture, and just a slight chuckle at his outburst. "Pandora. Bianca. Sybelle. Benji. As to Marius himself...you'll see."
Hearing his other comment, though, she appeared surprised for a moment, as well. "Spirit? Ah, no...I am a spirit no more, thank you. I have once again been restored to flesh, though by what hand I do not know." It seemed unlikely.
|
|
|
Post by Armand on Oct 21, 2008 22:15:02 GMT -5
(( As of yet, Armand has not made nor has he even heard of Benji and Sybelle. This is pre-...fifth book. Except for the Daniel thing, this Armand is more or less the same as the Armand that Lestat first met. This is that time period. ))
This was unsettling. The younger vampire was flinging off names both foreign and beloved to Armand, with an abandon and an ease that Armand did not like. Even worse was that the name he did know didn't make sense in the context of her words, and Armand doubted she'd explain if he asked. She was giving him just enough information to have him jumping at her words and whims but not enough to satisfy.
He stared at her. "You are completely without sense. Come to a point."
Another pause, as Armand took in her own surprise. "You look surprisingly well for one who's been dead."
|
|
Claudia
- Ingenious Pilot -
Gentle Death, Sister Death%\1\%
Posts: 129
|
Post by Claudia on Oct 21, 2008 22:38:11 GMT -5
((She figured as much; but she knows about them, because she watched.))
The girl's lips, bright with the makeup newly applied, turned up in a satisfied smirk. From what she could tell, Claudia had him nervous, and could play him like a puppet. Finally, she felt in control of her situation! She had missed that for so very long.
"Ah, no point, exactly. But think of me as a warning." She paused to adjust her ribbons, then looked up at his other comment. "Yes, I do feel rather invigorated. To die is not a pleasant experience."
|
|
|
Post by Armand on Oct 21, 2008 22:51:58 GMT -5
(( Creeeepy. ^_^ ))
"I'd expect not." Armand said, with a hint of a sigh in his voice. She knew it too, that she had him curious. He hadn't been able to avoid it lke he had the first time. But Armand knew this game and had played it before himself. If she truly thought he'd remain poised at her heels, yapping for the scraps of information she allowed him, than she was very wrong. Armand wouldn't allow himself to be played like this. Not by her.
"What are you warning me of? That I've been a very very bad boy?" Armand smiled, sharply. "You almost sound like you're trying to threaten me. Again."
|
|