Alastor walked towards the door and when the bell sounded as he creaked open the wooden door, he heard your voice call from behind him.
" Oh you forgot something ! "
He heard the taps of your feet on the tile as you came up. He turned around to face you. " Hmm?"
You had the little messy drawings he had scribbled and left behind. You held them out for him to take, the papers held in such a way so you didn't crumple them. " Don't you want these?"
Such a small thing.
Alastor's teeth flashed in his smile, not motioning to take them. " Why don't you keep them? "
" Oh... " You sounded a bit puzzled, but your lips kept a lopsided smile to them. Then it softened as your gaze fell down at what you held in your hands. " Well... Okay. "
When you looked back up from the messy pen strokes, the door was closed and the sound of the bell remained.
Alastor rolled your name over in his mind as he wiped his hands clean. The red stained the white cloth and seeped across like inkblots. The conversation the two of you had shared was calming to say the least. It was such simple topics, but that had mattered little to him in the end. A few hours and possibly a bottle shared between the both of you had passed before, of course, Mimzy had come to ruin the moment shared before he could delve deeper into what made you tick. Though he did leave with a few things to chew on per say.
You seemed to enjoy jazz and blues more then other music that had been played. You preferred clears to ambers in your giggle waters, but partook in both. You would tap your left hand to the beat of the music when there was a pause in conversation.
You used to live near the border of Texas before you moved to New Orleans about six years ago. You've only worked at that diner since then. You used to come the speakeasy a few years ago, but stopped due to increased police presence at night.
Though it didn't seem like enough to him. Not nearly enough. It grated his nerves at the same time. Would you even still give him such a warm look if you knew more about him like he wanted to know about you? If his mask slipped? More then likely not.
Alastor looked down at his handiwork. The cuts were perfect, long and deep across the pale flesh of his chosen prey for the night. He had barely focused on this task, but it had become quite second nature to him at this point that he could allow his focus to wonder. He set the now ruined cloth to the side, he would have to burn it later but for now he had a bigger piece of trash to be rid of. A nice piece of ground had already been prepared on a different night and should be perfect.
The back of his Lincoln Town Car was spacious enough to tuck the body in the back, Alastor had wrapped the body -save for a few select cuts one might say - in the toss away linen and laid his coat over top. It was late, a few hours to dawn from his estimation. You wouldn't be working today, so he had no need to rush. He could take his time and come back to his home and sleep.
The woods felt muggy at this time of night, lighting bugs and the moonlight were the only way for Alastor to find his way to his secluded spot. The weight of the corpse has been the thing that had been the true hassle of the whole dance. Alastor used the heel of his leather boots to shove the corpse over the dirt ledge and into the shallow and moist grave under the mangrove he had chosen this time.
The animals and the next heavy rain would take care of the rest for him.
Alastor hummed jauntily to himself as he made his way back to his automobile, now unburdened. He enjoyed the walks back from his hunts, it was always peaceful and just before dawn made the woods almost still- save for him and a few deer. He could let his guard down for a few moments when he was alone with nothing but the chirps of crickets as music. Though, he noticed when he was near you it felt the nearly same.
Like the simply being in the same space as you was as calming as a early morning walk through the swamps and woodlands. It wasn't very often he felt that way. No. Often was an understatement. Alastor hadn't felt that in a long time, he almost had forgotten what it was like.
A sense of peace with a person.
He would need to be cautious. This might prove troublesome.
You slept in a little that morning. It was a few hours past dawn, perhaps nine o'clock from the sun that streamed in through the windows. You rose your head up from what you had been using as a pillow. It seems you had fallen asleep at the dining room table, you felt a piece of paper stuck to your face and there was a radio in front of you. It crackled in static. You peeled the piece of paper off of your face, you set it down and clicked the radio off. The dials set to ninety nine, almost to the faded hundred mark.
You don't even remember sitting here last night. You looked at the piece of paper. Slightly crumpled, and sketchy lines. Your face felt warm for a moment and you stood up from the table. You headed quickly into the kitchen to make you a glass of water. Maybe start a pot of coffee.
You fell asleep looking at those silly doodles and listening to the radio. You must have been trying to find the station Alastor had spoke of last night. You found out he was a host in the late afternoons over on WAAB, a station you must have listened to a thousand times before as you flipped thought the dial. Sober, you knew you wouldn't be hearing him any time soon.
Sober you were completely embarrassed. You must have been so awkward last night. You were glad he didn't seem to mind your fumbles or rambles. Or he was just really polite. God above you hoped he didn't mind.
You stared at the glass of water as it overfilled. The water spilled into the sink and over your hand, you hissed at yourself as you turned off the water and poured a little bit out of the top of the glass before you took a drink. Then you set the cup down.
" Come on, Jane." You spoke to yourself.
You patted your cheeks and put a smile on your lips. You had chores to get to, but first you needed a bit of breakfast. Just some sausage and eggs seemed like something your scattered brain could handle.
You filled the day with cleaning, keeping your mind occupied until the sun was starting to get lower in the sky. You had kept the radio tuned to WAAB for most of the day, songs of various kinds from contemporary to classical, a few radio shows, and the updated news story on the Mysterious Missing Persons Case. When the news story clicked to commercial jingles you knew it must have been time to change hosts. You turned the volume up a little, your gut felt like it was fluttering.
You felt silly.
The jingles clicked off and a hiss of static followed for a moment.
" Good Afternoon, dear Listeners. " Alastor's voice crackled through the radio and soon cleared up. " Today's show is a special one for you. A thrilling and certainly entertaining tale based on a story from the ingenious mind of Agatha Christie. Murder on the Links, preformed for your enjoyment. "
You listened, practically enthralled to the point you even forgot to start making dinner until it was almost dark outside. Alastor had been the narrator and his voice had you spellbound to the story. At the peak of the story, you had been in the kitchen stirring the rice in a cast iron skillet. Your hand stilled the wooden spatula and the hissing of the sausage fat popped as you leaned your head to hear the broadcast.
The key piece of evidence had been found and the main
The smell of burnt rice tore your attention back to your food and you cursed softly under your breath and turned off the burner. You wiped your hands off on the white apron before you dished yourself a small plate. You hastened your steps back to the dining room table where the story has thankfully taken an intermission while you finished up your meal.
It began as you started to nibble on the dirty rice you had made for your meal. Alastor's voice brought you back into the scene, and once again you felt like you had been carried off. He was talented, it was more than clear he was passionate about his job. You wondered if he chose the actors as well, perhaps you could ask him next time.
You could tell him you tuned in for the broadcast. Let him know that you enjoyed the show. Maybe you could see that smile reach those dark eyes of his. You think you had gotten close last night at the speakeasy when you had asked him what you thought had been a pleasantry. 'So, what do you do for a living?'. But the pride Alastor had when he told you of his career choice, that smile had grown inches wider and the way he held his cup had changed to akin to almost cocky. You remember the way his whole mood had seemed to take a turn.
Maybe he didn't have many who were truly interested. But how could you not be when someone speaks with such emotion and gusto? Most hated what they did and when you asked others it had been simple answers and quickly the topic had changed. With Alastor? It was different.
You let out a gentle sigh as the sound of chimes brought the story to an end.
" Thank you to all who tuned in for tonight's broadcast. Tune in again tomorrow for another riveting tale. " Alastor spoke in a soft tone. " Next is the night owl block, please enjoy the five uninterrupted hours of music. "
Soon his voice crackled out and was replaced with the a sound of a snare drum and the accompaniment of trumpet and trombone came in soon after. Jazz. You smiled and let it play as you got up with the dishes. You took them to the sink and began to run the water.
Will he be there again tonight? Does he go there after work to relax?
Alastor rolled your name over in his mind as he wiped his hands clean. The red stained the white cloth and seeped across like inkblots. The conversation the two of you had shared was calming to say the least. It was such simple topics, but that had mattered little to him in the end. A few hours and possibly a bottle shared between the both of you had passed before, of course, Mimzy had come to ruin the moment shared before he could delve deeper into what made you tick. Though he did leave with a few things to chew on per say.
You seemed to enjoy jazz and blues more then other music that had been played. You preferred clears to ambers in your giggle waters, but partook in both. You would tap your left hand to the beat of the music when there was a pause in conversation.
You used to live near the border of Texas before you moved to New Orleans about six years ago. You've only worked at that diner since then. You used to come the speakeasy a few years ago, but stopped due to increased police presence at night.
Though it didn't seem like enough to him. Not nearly enough. It grated his nerves at the same time. Would you even still give him such a warm look if you knew more about him like he wanted to know about you? If his mask slipped? More then likely not.
Alastor looked down at his handiwork. The cuts were perfect, long and deep across the pale flesh of his chosen prey for the night. He had barely focused on this task, but it had become quite second nature to him at this point that he could allow his focus to wonder. He set the now ruined cloth to the side, he would have to burn it later but for now he had a bigger piece of trash to be rid of. A nice piece of ground had already been prepared on a different night and should be perfect.
The back of his Lincoln Town Car was spacious enough to tuck the body in the back, Alastor had wrapped the body -save for a few select cuts one might say - in the toss away linen and laid his coat over top. It was late, a few hours to dawn from his estimation. You wouldn't be working today, so he had no need to rush. He could take his time and come back to his home and sleep.
The woods felt muggy at this time of night, lighting bugs and the moonlight were the only way for Alastor to find his way to his secluded spot. The weight of the corpse has been the thing that had been the true hassle of the whole dance. Alastor used the heel of his leather boots to shove the corpse over the dirt ledge and into the shallow and moist grave under the mangrove he had chosen this time.
The animals and the next heavy rain would take care of the rest for him.
Alastor hummed jauntily to himself as he made his way back to his automobile, now unburdened. He enjoyed the walks back from his hunts, it was always peaceful and just before dawn made the woods almost still- save for him and a few deer. He could let his guard down for a few moments when he was alone with nothing but the chirps of crickets as music. Though, he noticed when he was near you it felt the nearly same.
Like the simply being in the same space as you was as calming as a early morning walk through the swamps and woodlands. It wasn't very often he felt that way. No. Often was an understatement. Alastor hadn't felt that in a long time, he almost had forgotten what it was like.
A sense of peace with a person.
He would need to be cautious. This might prove troublesome.
You slept in a little that morning. It was a few hours past dawn, perhaps nine o'clock from the sun that streamed in through the windows. You rose your head up from what you had been using as a pillow. It seems you had fallen asleep at the dining room table, you felt a piece of paper stuck to your face and there was a radio in front of you. It crackled in static. You peeled the piece of paper off of your face, you set it down and clicked the radio off. The dials set to ninety nine, almost to the faded hundred mark.
You don't even remember sitting here last night. You looked at the piece of paper. Slightly crumpled, and sketchy lines. Your face felt warm for a moment and you stood up from the table. You headed quickly into the kitchen to make you a glass of water. Maybe start a pot of coffee.
You fell asleep looking at those silly doodles and listening to the radio. You must have been trying to find the station Alastor had spoke of last night. You found out he was a host in the late afternoons over on WAAB, a station you must have listened to a thousand times before as you flipped thought the dial. Sober, you knew you wouldn't be hearing him any time soon.
Sober you were completely embarrassed. You must have been so awkward last night. You were glad he didn't seem to mind your fumbles or rambles. Or he was just really polite. God above you hoped he didn't mind.
You stared at the glass of water as it overfilled. The water spilled into the sink and over your hand, you hissed at yourself as you turned off the water and poured a little bit out of the top of the glass before you took a drink. Then you set the cup down.
" Come on, Jane." You spoke to yourself.
You patted your cheeks and put a smile on your lips. You had chores to get to, but first you needed a bit of breakfast. Just some sausage and eggs seemed like something your scattered brain could handle.
You filled the day with cleaning, keeping your mind occupied until the sun was starting to get lower in the sky. You had kept the radio tuned to WAAB for most of the day, songs of various kinds from contemporary to classical, a few radio shows, and the updated news story on the Mysterious Missing Persons Case. When the news story clicked to commercial jingles you knew it must have been time to change hosts. You turned the volume up a little, your gut felt like it was fluttering.
You felt silly.
The jingles clicked off and a hiss of static followed for a moment.
" Good Afternoon, dear Listeners. " Alastor's voice crackled through the radio and soon cleared up. " Today's show is a special one for you. A thrilling and certainly entertaining tale based on a story from the ingenious mind of Agatha Christie. Murder on the Links, preformed for your enjoyment. "
You listened, practically enthralled to the point you even forgot to start making dinner until it was almost dark outside. Alastor had been the narrator and his voice had you spellbound to the story. At the peak of the story, you had been in the kitchen stirring the rice in a cast iron skillet. Your hand stilled the wooden spatula and the hissing of the sausage fat popped as you leaned your head to hear the broadcast.
The key piece of evidence had been found and the main
The smell of burnt rice tore your attention back to your food and you cursed softly under your breath and turned off the burner. You wiped your hands off on the white apron before you dished yourself a small plate. You hastened your steps back to the dining room table where the story has thankfully taken an intermission while you finished up your meal.
It began as you started to nibble on the dirty rice you had made for your meal. Alastor's voice brought you back into the scene, and once again you felt like you had been carried off. He was talented, it was more than clear he was passionate about his job. You wondered if he chose the actors as well, perhaps you could ask him next time.
You could tell him you tuned in for the broadcast. Let him know that you enjoyed the show. Maybe you could see that smile reach those dark eyes of his. You think you had gotten close last night at the speakeasy when you had asked him what you thought had been a pleasantry. 'So, what do you do for a living?'. But the pride Alastor had when he told you of his career choice, that smile had grown inches wider and the way he held his cup had changed to akin to almost cocky. You remember the way his whole mood had seemed to take a turn.
Maybe he didn't have many who were truly interested. But how could you not be when someone speaks with such emotion and gusto? Most hated what they did and when you asked others it had been simple answers and quickly the topic had changed. With Alastor? It was different.
You let out a gentle sigh as the sound of chimes brought the story to an end.
" Thank you to all who tuned in for tonight's broadcast. Tune in again tomorrow for another riveting tale. " Alastor spoke in a soft tone. " Next is the night owl block, please enjoy the five uninterrupted hours of music. "
Soon his voice crackled out and was replaced with the a sound of a snare drum and the accompaniment of trumpet and trombone came in soon after. Jazz. You smiled and let it play as you got up with the dishes. You took them to the sink and began to run the water.
Will he be there again tonight? Does he go there after work to relax?
You let a deep relieved sigh as you reached your home after your shift. You slipped the soft green overcoat you wore off your shoulders and onto the coat rack next to the entrance. The house was dark and empty, but you hadn't expected anything else. You clicked on the lights and the buzz of the bulbs filled the silent air. Your shoes slipped off of your feet as you made your way through the narrow hallway that acted as the entrance to your home. You kicked them to the side to make them slide out of the way and went to the open archway that lead to your living room.
You let yourself collapse in the dark green armchair that squeaked as your weight hit the worn cushion. You raised an eyebrow as you felt something crinkle in your apron pocket. You hadn't slipped your work uniform off yet, and at times you forgot when you put things in your apron. Often do you pull out written down orders and taken fountain pens from work, almost always on accident. You leaned back from the slightly scrunched position. You dug into the large pocket on the apron and pulled out the now slightly wrinkled scraps of paper. You had almost forgotten.
You smoothed the pages out and glanced over the messy doodles on them. They didn't seem to have much rhyme or reason to them. Smiling faces, a little bird it seemed in the corner with a music note near it, little words written in print and were a little hard to read. You set the drawings off to the side under the little lamp and radio that adorned the oak end table. You click the radio on, fiddle around with the dial and let the silence of your house fill with soft songs and deep voices. You sit and listen for a while, several songs pass before you let out a gentle sigh of a breath and slowly rise to your feet. You should get changed out of these greasy and maybe a bit sweaty clothes.
You turned the dial up to make the music loud enough for you to hear it in your bedroom before you made your way in that direction. Your home was small, cozy is what you liked to call it on your good days, but any more and it would feel even more empty then it usually did to you. Maybe you should get a dog? Perhaps a cat.
You shed the apron as you enter the bedroom and toss it in the hamper that lay right behind the heavy wooden door of your room. You unbutton the blue dress you had to wear and let it join the apron. You had a few days off, so you had time to do the laundry later. Right now you could really use a warm bath. It was only mid-afternoon, and you had been playing with the thought in your mind to go out and about.
You step to the bathroom through the door in your bedroom. The sound of running water soon mixed with the distant sound of brass instruments from the radio.
You hadn't really let yourself go to the blind tiger in a while since there had been a string of disappearances lately. The police had no idea who was behind it and no bodies have been found, but the increasing number of missing people have pointed to foul play. Though, perhaps you could risk it for one night? It wasn't that far from your home, and you could take the well lit streets back home.
The warm water enveloped you as you settled into the porcelain tub. You let out an audible sign as it relaxed your aching muscles.
Yeah, you think you will. The joint you used to frequent had nice music and the best rye you've tasted this side of the Mississippi. You need a good stiff drink and with a day off you can deal with the consequences of the giggle water in the morning.
The sounds of music slowly fades and a voice came on the radio. The host spoke, his words lost to the house but you felt like the tones of his voice seemed familiar but you couldn't quite place it through the static and the distance. You let the thought pass by as you began to clean yourself up and the music returned. It was begining to approach evening as you exited your bathroom with your hair tucked into a towel and a silk slip over your body.
You went over to wardrobe tucked in the corner of your room and opened it up. It was mostly filled with simple cotton dresses, button tops and pencil skirts, but you did have one nice evening gown that you wore when you felt the need arise. You pluck the gown out and run your fingers over the black satin fabric, little embellished crimson beads were sewn onto the bodice in scattered places and only looked red when you let the light hit it.
It was thankfully a gown you could put on yourself and zip without much trouble, though you had to remove your full body slip for just a simple skirt slip for it not to be seen beneath the slightly plunged neckline the gown had. You smoothed the few wrinkles the dress gained in your handle of it. You felt your hair to make sure it was dry enough to style simply, it was still a tad damp but it was good enough.
When you were ready to leave, evening had began to fall the street lamps began to flicker on and leaked the incandescent light through your windows. You held your black clutch purse and then slipped the thin silver chain across your body as you stepped out of your home .The night air was brisk as the sun finished it's trek across the sky and left behind streaks of orange and red that were quickly fading on the horizon. As you made your way, the streets were packed at the moment with people bustling to get home from work or what errands they had to run that day. You made a soft hum under your breath as you walked across the street before a few automobiles passed. The sound of chatter, the clicks and rumbles of the street made their own song as you passed into the winding paths of the Vieux Carré.
The speakeasy was in the lower levels of a cafe. The small storefront barely compared to the underneath, which must extend underneath the bookstore and butcher shop it was sandwiched between. The cafe still did regular business up top but at this hour most visitors weren't there for a pastry or a coffee. You pushed the mostly glass door open with a soft ring of a bell sounding through the cafe. A few patrons were sitting at the round tables that scattered across the floor, they only glance your way for a moment as you entered then returned to their conversations. You walked over to the bar counter towards the back of the cafe, a young man stood behind the counter. A bit on the brute-ish side in your opinion despite his clean cut look, but you suspected he had been in the Great War in his youth from his demeanor whenever you stopped by. He wiped a mug clean as he watched your approach.
You smiled and out of your clutch you pulled a penny out and set it on the counter with a small bronze feather pendant slid next to it. The man nodded his head towards the door off to the side of the bar that held the sign that said 'Employees Only'. You slipped behind the double hinged door and down the set of stairs off the hallway it lead down.
The thick brick walls had drowned out the sound of singing and loud trumpet that began to leak through the stairway as you reached down to the basement floor. A large open space that could easily rival any lobby at a large hotel. A stage was built in the back with large red curtains, most of the brick walls had been laden with these bright red curtains. The lounge chairs and table clothed tables were all mostly near the stage itself, it left most of the front of house to be used for dancing. The bar itself was just to the left of the stage and left a galley walkway for the singular bartender. It was always a sight to take in each time you've come here.
You passed your way around the swinging couples enthralled in their dances, your destination was the bar. Once you slipped past the range of the dancefloor it was an easy movement to the bar. It was dimly lit, most of the focus of lights were on the preformer. You took a seat in the barstool on the corner of the bar.
The small lanky man behind the bar looked over and made a grunt. " What can I get ya'? "
" Just a finger of rye for now. See where the night goes from there. "
It wasn't long before the drink was placed in front of you on a hard cork coaster. You sipped on it as you watched the preformer on stage, who was the short blonde haired woman - Mimzy you believe her name was - who often seemed like she had to pour herself into the tight dresses she often performed in. She had a decent voice, and she usually more then made up for it with enthusiasm to her performances. When you were more of a regular, you and her would often drink and talk about little frivolous things. She probably will ask you where you have been the past year after the performance.
Alastor never anticipated when he chose to go to the speakeasy tonight that he would see you at the bar there. It was a frequent haunt of his and he never recalled you being here any of the times he had come. Though perhaps he just didn't take notice of you then. He slowly walked across the hardwood floor of the lounge area before reaching the bar. Your concentration seemed to be on the performance the owner Mimzy was doing, your own drink only a few sips in.
Alastor gave his simple answer of a triple knuckle of rye to the bartender before even asked. You were a music lover that was obvious, even if the vocals were a bit... Grating at times. Great entertainment Mimzy was just not the best singer in Alastor's opinion, but once he had a few drinks it mattered little. For now it didn't matter either, his eyes were on trained on one thing and the song and dance the short woman performed was just background noise.
He wondered briefly if you truly enjoyed the performance or did you just give preformers the respect of watching? Do you have a preferred kind of tune? You had put the dial to jazz and blues more often then naught when at the diner. You looked different out of the simple blue uniform you wore for the job of a waitress, your hair was styled differently too.
He found he liked it. The hairstyle you chose framed your face and made your cheeks look soft and round.
You clapped as Mimzy finished her song, picking up your glass for a drink as the room went to a simple tune as the next preformers prepared for the stage. A band it seemed. Your eyes tore from the stage and back to your own surroundings, someone else had come up to the bar while you were distracted it seemed. A smile came to your lips, Black Coffee and Grits sat at the down the bar.
It was almost nice to see a familiar face, you had been gone from this scene for a while and you had been a tad nervous you would just be sitting and drinking alone tonight. Maybe you could finally get his name, it would finally be nice to put a name to the face instead of referring to him as his order in your head. Should you go over there? Would that be weird?
" I must tell you that I liked those little drawings you made." You spoke up as you moved a few of seats over, leaving a couple of empty seats between the two of you.
He looked at you with a surprised gaze in his eyes, a raised eyebrow. Then a soft laugh passed his lips. " Most people start with a hello. " He sounded bemused.
" Oh,heh. Right, hello. " You made a laugh, a flush of embarrassment hit your cheeks. " Sorry, that must have been the oddest way I could have started a conversation... "
His gaze seemed to soften behind the glasses he wore, he finished the amber liquid in his own glass." That's quite alright. "
" You know, I've seen you at the diner almost every morning and yet I still don't know your name."
"Alastor, You may call me Alastor," his smile grew a few inches wider as he introduced himself.
" Jane Doe, a pleasure finally fully meet you." You make a gentle laugh under your breath.
Alastor rotated his now empty glass absently with one hand as he spoke, " The pleasure is mine, Ms. Doe. "
The brass band began to play a chipper and upbeat tune, the sound of the saxophone and trumpet began to fill the room. You smiled and ran your fingers across the rim of your glass, " Just Jane is fine. "
His dark brown nearly black eyes seemed to gleam for a moment, " Jane then. "
You let a deep relieved sigh as you reached your home after your shift. You slipped the soft green overcoat you wore off your shoulders and onto the coat rack next to the entrance. The house was dark and empty, but you hadn't expected anything else. You clicked on the lights and the buzz of the bulbs filled the silent air. Your shoes slipped off of your feet as you made your way through the narrow hallway that acted as the entrance to your home. You kicked them to the side to make them slide out of the way and went to the open archway that lead to your living room.
You let yourself collapse in the dark green armchair that squeaked as your weight hit the worn cushion. You raised an eyebrow as you felt something crinkle in your apron pocket. You hadn't slipped your work uniform off yet, and at times you forgot when you put things in your apron. Often do you pull out written down orders and taken fountain pens from work, almost always on accident. You leaned back from the slightly scrunched position. You dug into the large pocket on the apron and pulled out the now slightly wrinkled scraps of paper. You had almost forgotten.
You smoothed the pages out and glanced over the messy doodles on them. They didn't seem to have much rhyme or reason to them. Smiling faces, a little bird it seemed in the corner with a music note near it, little words written in print and were a little hard to read. You set the drawings off to the side under the little lamp and radio that adorned the oak end table. You click the radio on, fiddle around with the dial and let the silence of your house fill with soft songs and deep voices. You sit and listen for a while, several songs pass before you let out a gentle sigh of a breath and slowly rise to your feet. You should get changed out of these greasy and maybe a bit sweaty clothes.
You turned the dial up to make the music loud enough for you to hear it in your bedroom before you made your way in that direction. Your home was small, cozy is what you liked to call it on your good days, but any more and it would feel even more empty then it usually did to you. Maybe you should get a dog? Perhaps a cat.
You shed the apron as you enter the bedroom and toss it in the hamper that lay right behind the heavy wooden door of your room. You unbutton the blue dress you had to wear and let it join the apron. You had a few days off, so you had time to do the laundry later. Right now you could really use a warm bath. It was only mid-afternoon, and you had been playing with the thought in your mind to go out and about.
You step to the bathroom through the door in your bedroom. The sound of running water soon mixed with the distant sound of brass instruments from the radio.
You hadn't really let yourself go to the blind tiger in a while since there had been a string of disappearances lately. The police had no idea who was behind it and no bodies have been found, but the increasing number of missing people have pointed to foul play. Though, perhaps you could risk it for one night? It wasn't that far from your home, and you could take the well lit streets back home.
The warm water enveloped you as you settled into the porcelain tub. You let out an audible sign as it relaxed your aching muscles.
Yeah, you think you will. The joint you used to frequent had nice music and the best rye you've tasted this side of the Mississippi. You need a good stiff drink and with a day off you can deal with the consequences of the giggle water in the morning.
The sounds of music slowly fades and a voice came on the radio. The host spoke, his words lost to the house but you felt like the tones of his voice seemed familiar but you couldn't quite place it through the static and the distance. You let the thought pass by as you began to clean yourself up and the music returned. It was begining to approach evening as you exited your bathroom with your hair tucked into a towel and a silk slip over your body.
You went over to wardrobe tucked in the corner of your room and opened it up. It was mostly filled with simple cotton dresses, button tops and pencil skirts, but you did have one nice evening gown that you wore when you felt the need arise. You pluck the gown out and run your fingers over the black satin fabric, little embellished crimson beads were sewn onto the bodice in scattered places and only looked red when you let the light hit it.
It was thankfully a gown you could put on yourself and zip without much trouble, though you had to remove your full body slip for just a simple skirt slip for it not to be seen beneath the slightly plunged neckline the gown had. You smoothed the few wrinkles the dress gained in your handle of it. You felt your hair to make sure it was dry enough to style simply, it was still a tad damp but it was good enough.
When you were ready to leave, evening had began to fall the street lamps began to flicker on and leaked the incandescent light through your windows. You held your black clutch purse and then slipped the thin silver chain across your body as you stepped out of your home .The night air was brisk as the sun finished it's trek across the sky and left behind streaks of orange and red that were quickly fading on the horizon. As you made your way, the streets were packed at the moment with people bustling to get home from work or what errands they had to run that day. You made a soft hum under your breath as you walked across the street before a few automobiles passed. The sound of chatter, the clicks and rumbles of the street made their own song as you passed into the winding paths of the Vieux Carré.
The speakeasy was in the lower levels of a cafe. The small storefront barely compared to the underneath, which must extend underneath the bookstore and butcher shop it was sandwiched between. The cafe still did regular business up top but at this hour most visitors weren't there for a pastry or a coffee. You pushed the mostly glass door open with a soft ring of a bell sounding through the cafe. A few patrons were sitting at the round tables that scattered across the floor, they only glance your way for a moment as you entered then returned to their conversations. You walked over to the bar counter towards the back of the cafe, a young man stood behind the counter. A bit on the brute-ish side in your opinion despite his clean cut look, but you suspected he had been in the Great War in his youth from his demeanor whenever you stopped by. He wiped a mug clean as he watched your approach.
You smiled and out of your clutch you pulled a penny out and set it on the counter with a small bronze feather pendant slid next to it. The man nodded his head towards the door off to the side of the bar that held the sign that said 'Employees Only'. You slipped behind the double hinged door and down the set of stairs off the hallway it lead down.
The thick brick walls had drowned out the sound of singing and loud trumpet that began to leak through the stairway as you reached down to the basement floor. A large open space that could easily rival any lobby at a large hotel. A stage was built in the back with large red curtains, most of the brick walls had been laden with these bright red curtains. The lounge chairs and table clothed tables were all mostly near the stage itself, it left most of the front of house to be used for dancing. The bar itself was just to the left of the stage and left a galley walkway for the singular bartender. It was always a sight to take in each time you've come here.
You passed your way around the swinging couples enthralled in their dances, your destination was the bar. Once you slipped past the range of the dancefloor it was an easy movement to the bar. It was dimly lit, most of the focus of lights were on the preformer. You took a seat in the barstool on the corner of the bar.
The small lanky man behind the bar looked over and made a grunt. " What can I get ya'? "
" Just a finger of rye for now. See where the night goes from there. "
It wasn't long before the drink was placed in front of you on a hard cork coaster. You sipped on it as you watched the preformer on stage, who was the short blonde haired woman - Mimzy you believe her name was - who often seemed like she had to pour herself into the tight dresses she often performed in. She had a decent voice, and she usually more then made up for it with enthusiasm to her performances. When you were more of a regular, you and her would often drink and talk about little frivolous things. She probably will ask you where you have been the past year after the performance.
Alastor never anticipated when he chose to go to the speakeasy tonight that he would see you at the bar there. It was a frequent haunt of his and he never recalled you being here any of the times he had come. Though perhaps he just didn't take notice of you then. He slowly walked across the hardwood floor of the lounge area before reaching the bar. Your concentration seemed to be on the performance the owner Mimzy was doing, your own drink only a few sips in.
Alastor gave his simple answer of a triple knuckle of rye to the bartender before even asked. You were a music lover that was obvious, even if the vocals were a bit... Grating at times. Great entertainment Mimzy was just not the best singer in Alastor's opinion, but once he had a few drinks it mattered little. For now it didn't matter either, his eyes were on trained on one thing and the song and dance the short woman performed was just background noise.
He wondered briefly if you truly enjoyed the performance or did you just give preformers the respect of watching? Do you have a preferred kind of tune? You had put the dial to jazz and blues more often then naught when at the diner. You looked different out of the simple blue uniform you wore for the job of a waitress, your hair was styled differently too.
He found he liked it. The hairstyle you chose framed your face and made your cheeks look soft and round.
You clapped as Mimzy finished her song, picking up your glass for a drink as the room went to a simple tune as the next preformers prepared for the stage. A band it seemed. Your eyes tore from the stage and back to your own surroundings, someone else had come up to the bar while you were distracted it seemed. A smile came to your lips, Black Coffee and Grits sat at the down the bar.
It was almost nice to see a familiar face, you had been gone from this scene for a while and you had been a tad nervous you would just be sitting and drinking alone tonight. Maybe you could finally get his name, it would finally be nice to put a name to the face instead of referring to him as his order in your head. Should you go over there? Would that be weird?
" I must tell you that I liked those little drawings you made." You spoke up as you moved a few of seats over, leaving a couple of empty seats between the two of you.
He looked at you with a surprised gaze in his eyes, a raised eyebrow. Then a soft laugh passed his lips. " Most people start with a hello. " He sounded bemused.
" Oh,heh. Right, hello. " You made a laugh, a flush of embarrassment hit your cheeks. " Sorry, that must have been the oddest way I could have started a conversation... "
His gaze seemed to soften behind the glasses he wore, he finished the amber liquid in his own glass." That's quite alright. "
" You know, I've seen you at the diner almost every morning and yet I still don't know your name."
"Alastor, You may call me Alastor," his smile grew a few inches wider as he introduced himself.
" Jane Doe, a pleasure finally fully meet you." You make a gentle laugh under your breath.
Alastor rotated his now empty glass absently with one hand as he spoke, " The pleasure is mine, Ms. Doe. "
The brass band began to play a chipper and upbeat tune, the sound of the saxophone and trumpet began to fill the room. You smiled and ran your fingers across the rim of your glass, " Just Jane is fine. "
His dark brown nearly black eyes seemed to gleam for a moment, " Jane then. "
Alastor walked towards the door and when the bell sounded as he creaked open the wooden door, he heard your voice call from behind him.
" Oh you forgot something ! "
He heard the taps of your feet on the tile as you came up. He turned around to face you. " Hmm?"
You had the little messy drawings he had scribbled and left behind. You held them out for him to take, the papers held in such a way so you didn't crumple them. " Don't you want these?"
Such a small thing.
Alastor's teeth flashed in his smile, not motioning to take them. " Why don't you keep them? "
" Oh... " You sounded a bit puzzled, but your lips kept a lopsided smile to them. Then it softened as your gaze fell down at what you held in your hands. " Well... Okay. "
When you looked back up from the messy pen strokes, the door was closed and the sound of the bell remained.
Alastor walked towards the door and when the bell sounded as he creaked open the wooden door, he heard your voice call from behind him.
" Oh you forgot something ! "
He heard the taps of your feet on the tile as you came up. He turned around to face you. " Hmm?"
You had the little messy drawings he had scribbled and left behind. You held them out for him to take, the papers held in such a way so you didn't crumple them. " Don't you want these?"
Such a small thing.
Alastor's teeth flashed in his smile, not motioning to take them. " Why don't you keep them? "
" Oh... " You sounded a bit puzzled, but your lips kept a lopsided smile to them. Then it softened as your gaze fell down at what you held in your hands. " Well... Okay. "
When you looked back up from the messy pen strokes, the door was closed and the sound of the bell remained.
Time used to pass by so quickly for you up in Heaven, perhaps it was because you were always busy or maybe your time on earth had messed with your sense of time.
Humans seemed to move so fast when you were a fledgeling Guardian Angel.
A bar area had been added in the corner part of the living room. Alastor's had taken to calling Husk at random for simple things like to fill his glass. Then send him back through shadows to where he came from. You think it was for the annoyed look that the old cat would give Alastor, it seemed to perk Alastor up to just see Husk have to bartend.
You glanced over to the corner from above your book you had been pretending to read. It was one of those days, a familiar small blonde woman was here and Husk was summoned to play bartender for the two of them. You had at first rejected the offer of a drink and claimed you were fine with your glass of tea and your book.
They laughed loudly as another round was served.
" I shouldn't have expected any less from you, Mimzy." Alastor swirled his drink and took a sip.
" Ahah well ya know, when I get ta pourin' drinks for a cute fellow, I let my hand slip~" Mimzy wiggled her shoulders. " Heheh." Mimzy slammed her little shot glass empty on the table. " Hey, could ya get me another. "
Husk grumbled and poured more amber liquid in the glass. Alastor hummed and he glanced in your direction. " Oh, my Lwa, are you thinking of changing your mind?"
You tapped your foot on the floor. " I.... Maybe, what was that drink... Flicker?" You set your book down.
"Blinker. " Alastor made a soft laugh. He gave a sharp grin towards Husk. " Be a good kitty and get the lady her drink ready?"
" Yeah yeah. I fuckin' know. " Husk grumbled as he turned around.
You slowly walked over to the bar area. Mimzy gave you a large smile and leaned her head against her propped up hand. She had a cigarette at the end of a long holder that was held by her other hand she blew out a bit of smoke and it smelled musty almost. Alastor made a smile and when the glass was placed on the counter, he picked it up and handed it over to you. You took it gingerly from his grip.
You take a small drink and the fruity flavor hit your tongue.
" So Alastor, what's with the broad?" Mimzy asked bluntly as she pointed a thumb at you. She gave you a sharp tooth grin.
Alastor hummed. " A friend of mine, she's staying with me for the time being. " He took a drink from his own glass. He snapped his fingers and a new record was placed on the player in the back of the room near where you had been reading. A more upbeat jazz song began to play.
Mimzy made this face that made you wonder what she was thinking. Her smile stretched more, her eyebrows wiggled. " Oh? Stayin' with ya, huh? "
Alastor set his glass down. " Mimzy. "
" Oh, I know. It's nothing like that huh? " She made a snicker and you felt her small gloved hand gently shove your forearm, playfully. " Come on now, girl, ya can tell me. "
" Huh? " You blinked.
Mimzy wiggled her shoulders. " You two knocking boots?" She finished off her drink.
"I... Still don't think I understand. "
Mimzy blinked, as of she was realizing something. " Doing the tango? Heels ta Jesus? " She hummed and looked at Alastor. " Then what?"
"Mimzy, thats enough. "
" Come on Alastor, the little chikadee really special or som-" Mimzy stopped when she glanced at Alastor for a moment , you didn't quite catch what expression Alastor had given. " Fine.. fine I'll drop it. " She swirled her glass and looked up at the clock. " Aw fuck is it already that late? Shit I gotta get back to tha club. "
Mimzy hopped down front he stool, grabbed the top of her bodice and adjusted herself. Alastor stood up and he bent almost in half to get to her level to give her a hug. A rare occurrence you discovered. He only gave Rosie, this woman and Niffty once a hug. You watched Alastor take Mimzy to the door and see her off, you swirled your own cup and took a deep drink. Your glass emptied and you slowly set it down on the counter. Husk glanced over at you as he cleaned Mimzy 's used glass.
" Ya want another one?"
" Hmm? Oh? Huh? I guess?" You glanced back as Alastor came back he made a small hum and that shadows that danced across the floor beneath him formed into that shadow being again. It went and messed with the record player, moving the needle to a select song. When you look back to your glass you saw it was filled again, you took it and held it between your fingers gently as you turned your attention back to Alastor.
" Husker, you can go. " He waved his hand in an almost dismissal, and the sound of static filled the air for a moment.
The cat barely had time to form a retort before he was swallowed by shadows and green light and was gone. You chuckle and you drink your glass down before you set it down. " You could be a tad kinder."
" Hmm, where would be the fun in that?" Alastor said simply.
You sigh and take a drink from your glass, it tasted sweet as always but the back burn was a tad stronger. " Well then perhaps he would be happier to serve you and your tiny friend drinks. " You gave a small smirk, then another drink.
Alastor chuckled. " I don't need him to be happy to pour a cup of rye. " He slowly moved closer to you, his fingers drummed across the surface of the bar counter. " Tell me , little Lwa, where you happy serving the winners of heaven?"
His face had grown closer towards yours, a few inches from it. You felt your cheeks flush. " Well uh.... "
" You weren't were you?" He made a soft tut under his breath and his put on a voice that was filled with fake pity.
" No.... But that-"
" Didn't matter?" Alastor finished. " Then one should understand. "
" I wasn't happy with my job, that's different. " You ran your fingers across the rim of your mostly finished cocktail.
Fingers gingerly took the glass from you and set it onto the bar counter, your gaze went back to the pinkish red eyes of Alastor. Your heart felt like it was squeezing. " Poor thing ... You really don't know how to have fun. "
" Yes I do!"
" Hmmm, you didn't prove much when I took you to the casino. Though it is nice to see you actually drink something other than the 'blood of Christ'. "
" I didn't know they made them so fruity and delicious. " You retorted.
Alastor smirked and he placed his fingers beneath your chin as you looked up at him. He smelled of that rye he was so fond of and the bayou, his eyes were half lidded as he looked down at you. It made your skin tingle.
" And you don't know how to dance? Sad for how often you watched me in my youth. "
" Y-yeah! I watched. Observed. Y-you never even asked either so not like I had an opportunity. " You puffed out your cheeks a bit, your feathers ruffled. " I know how to dance..."
He likes to rile you up. He must.
Alastor laughed under is breath. " Dance with me now then. " His eyes gleamed with mischief running behind them.
You blinked and made a surprise laugh bark out. " Now? You must really be drunk."
Alastor snapped his fingers and the record player changed songs. The abrupt sound of the needle scratch against the record made your teeth itch. Then a soft melody replaced it, Alastor's fingers moved from your chin and down your forearms. They settled into your hands and you felt his fingers lace with yours.
"Alastor...."
Alastor gently lead you the open space in the room, just enough room for you two not to bump into any furniture. " Come on, just be lucky I am not making you do the Charleston or the Lindy hop right off the bat. Now, follow my lead. "
You knew you had a blush on your cheeks, your blood was pumping hard through your veins and you felt like your stomach was on fire. It was odd. A good kind of odd. Alastor released one hand after placing it on his shoulder, then rested that hand on your hip. Gentle and soft. Like this it was easy to tell how tall he was compared to you. He reminded you of the seraphim in heaven, tall and graceful. Those beneath the seraphim, they had to listen wiether they wanted to or not, was Hell really that different?
Alastor's movements were fluid and you felt like a fish out of water, he didn't seem to mind. You felt a laugh escape your throat as he dipped you down and brought you back up so fast it, lifting you a few inches off the ground before he glided your feet safely back to the old wood floor boards. He took your hand , the other slipped from his grasp as he spun you around then brought you back in close against his chest.
Laughter filled the room. Yours mixed with his breathy chuckles.
It became easier to keep up with his movements when you began to think of the way two birds danced in the air together. Your wings tucked and then spread open wide as he spun you out from him, your toes touched the edge of his hooves as he held you out by the tips of your fingers.
The night flew away like breath on a cold morning.
Time used to pass by so quickly for you up in Heaven, perhaps it was because you were always busy or maybe your time on earth had messed with your sense of time.
Humans seemed to move so fast when you were a fledgeling Guardian Angel.
A bar area had been added in the corner part of the living room. Alastor's had taken to calling Husk at random for simple things like to fill his glass. Then send him back through shadows to where he came from. You think it was for the annoyed look that the old cat would give Alastor, it seemed to perk Alastor up to just see Husk have to bartend.
You glanced over to the corner from above your book you had been pretending to read. It was one of those days, a familiar small blonde woman was here and Husk was summoned to play bartender for the two of them. You had at first rejected the offer of a drink and claimed you were fine with your glass of tea and your book.
They laughed loudly as another round was served.
" I shouldn't have expected any less from you, Mimzy." Alastor swirled his drink and took a sip.
" Ahah well ya know, when I get ta pourin' drinks for a cute fellow, I let my hand slip~" Mimzy wiggled her shoulders. " Heheh." Mimzy slammed her little shot glass empty on the table. " Hey, could ya get me another. "
Husk grumbled and poured more amber liquid in the glass. Alastor hummed and he glanced in your direction. " Oh, my Lwa, are you thinking of changing your mind?"
You tapped your foot on the floor. " I.... Maybe, what was that drink... Flicker?" You set your book down.
"Blinker. " Alastor made a soft laugh. He gave a sharp grin towards Husk. " Be a good kitty and get the lady her drink ready?"
" Yeah yeah. I fuckin' know. " Husk grumbled as he turned around.
You slowly walked over to the bar area. Mimzy gave you a large smile and leaned her head against her propped up hand. She had a cigarette at the end of a long holder that was held by her other hand she blew out a bit of smoke and it smelled musty almost. Alastor made a smile and when the glass was placed on the counter, he picked it up and handed it over to you. You took it gingerly from his grip.
You take a small drink and the fruity flavor hit your tongue.
" So Alastor, what's with the broad?" Mimzy asked bluntly as she pointed a thumb at you. She gave you a sharp tooth grin.
Alastor hummed. " A friend of mine, she's staying with me for the time being. " He took a drink from his own glass. He snapped his fingers and a new record was placed on the player in the back of the room near where you had been reading. A more upbeat jazz song began to play.
Mimzy made this face that made you wonder what she was thinking. Her smile stretched more, her eyebrows wiggled. " Oh? Stayin' with ya, huh? "
Alastor set his glass down. " Mimzy. "
" Oh, I know. It's nothing like that huh? " She made a snicker and you felt her small gloved hand gently shove your forearm, playfully. " Come on now, girl, ya can tell me. "
" Huh? " You blinked.
Mimzy wiggled her shoulders. " You two knocking boots?" She finished off her drink.
"I... Still don't think I understand. "
Mimzy blinked, as of she was realizing something. " Doing the tango? Heels ta Jesus? " She hummed and looked at Alastor. " Then what?"
"Mimzy, thats enough. "
" Come on Alastor, the little chikadee really special or som-" Mimzy stopped when she glanced at Alastor for a moment , you didn't quite catch what expression Alastor had given. " Fine.. fine I'll drop it. " She swirled her glass and looked up at the clock. " Aw fuck is it already that late? Shit I gotta get back to tha club. "
Mimzy hopped down front he stool, grabbed the top of her bodice and adjusted herself. Alastor stood up and he bent almost in half to get to her level to give her a hug. A rare occurrence you discovered. He only gave Rosie, this woman and Niffty once a hug. You watched Alastor take Mimzy to the door and see her off, you swirled your own cup and took a deep drink. Your glass emptied and you slowly set it down on the counter. Husk glanced over at you as he cleaned Mimzy 's used glass.
" Ya want another one?"
" Hmm? Oh? Huh? I guess?" You glanced back as Alastor came back he made a small hum and that shadows that danced across the floor beneath him formed into that shadow being again. It went and messed with the record player, moving the needle to a select song. When you look back to your glass you saw it was filled again, you took it and held it between your fingers gently as you turned your attention back to Alastor.
" Husker, you can go. " He waved his hand in an almost dismissal, and the sound of static filled the air for a moment.
The cat barely had time to form a retort before he was swallowed by shadows and green light and was gone. You chuckle and you drink your glass down before you set it down. " You could be a tad kinder."
" Hmm, where would be the fun in that?" Alastor said simply.
You sigh and take a drink from your glass, it tasted sweet as always but the back burn was a tad stronger. " Well then perhaps he would be happier to serve you and your tiny friend drinks. " You gave a small smirk, then another drink.
Alastor chuckled. " I don't need him to be happy to pour a cup of rye. " He slowly moved closer to you, his fingers drummed across the surface of the bar counter. " Tell me , little Lwa, where you happy serving the winners of heaven?"
His face had grown closer towards yours, a few inches from it. You felt your cheeks flush. " Well uh.... "
" You weren't were you?" He made a soft tut under his breath and his put on a voice that was filled with fake pity.
" No.... But that-"
" Didn't matter?" Alastor finished. " Then one should understand. "
" I wasn't happy with my job, that's different. " You ran your fingers across the rim of your mostly finished cocktail.
Fingers gingerly took the glass from you and set it onto the bar counter, your gaze went back to the pinkish red eyes of Alastor. Your heart felt like it was squeezing. " Poor thing ... You really don't know how to have fun. "
" Yes I do!"
" Hmmm, you didn't prove much when I took you to the casino. Though it is nice to see you actually drink something other than the 'blood of Christ'. "
" I didn't know they made them so fruity and delicious. " You retorted.
Alastor smirked and he placed his fingers beneath your chin as you looked up at him. He smelled of that rye he was so fond of and the bayou, his eyes were half lidded as he looked down at you. It made your skin tingle.
" And you don't know how to dance? Sad for how often you watched me in my youth. "
" Y-yeah! I watched. Observed. Y-you never even asked either so not like I had an opportunity. " You puffed out your cheeks a bit, your feathers ruffled. " I know how to dance..."
He likes to rile you up. He must.
Alastor laughed under is breath. " Dance with me now then. " His eyes gleamed with mischief running behind them.
You blinked and made a surprise laugh bark out. " Now? You must really be drunk."
Alastor snapped his fingers and the record player changed songs. The abrupt sound of the needle scratch against the record made your teeth itch. Then a soft melody replaced it, Alastor's fingers moved from your chin and down your forearms. They settled into your hands and you felt his fingers lace with yours.
"Alastor...."
Alastor gently lead you the open space in the room, just enough room for you two not to bump into any furniture. " Come on, just be lucky I am not making you do the Charleston or the Lindy hop right off the bat. Now, follow my lead. "
You knew you had a blush on your cheeks, your blood was pumping hard through your veins and you felt like your stomach was on fire. It was odd. A good kind of odd. Alastor released one hand after placing it on his shoulder, then rested that hand on your hip. Gentle and soft. Like this it was easy to tell how tall he was compared to you. He reminded you of the seraphim in heaven, tall and graceful. Those beneath the seraphim, they had to listen wiether they wanted to or not, was Hell really that different?
Alastor's movements were fluid and you felt like a fish out of water, he didn't seem to mind. You felt a laugh escape your throat as he dipped you down and brought you back up so fast it, lifting you a few inches off the ground before he glided your feet safely back to the old wood floor boards. He took your hand , the other slipped from his grasp as he spun you around then brought you back in close against his chest.
Laughter filled the room. Yours mixed with his breathy chuckles.
It became easier to keep up with his movements when you began to think of the way two birds danced in the air together. Your wings tucked and then spread open wide as he spun you out from him, your toes touched the edge of his hooves as he held you out by the tips of your fingers.
The night flew away like breath on a cold morning.
Warnings: rated M, gambling, drinking, mature themes, soul selling, no beta read
-----
" I feel odd. "
" You look lovely. " Alastor fixed the buttons of his overcoat. He looked at himself in the mirror above the mantel. " Be excited, my Lwa. This casino might be a new territory of mine by the end of the night. "
" Why should that make me excited?" You felt the silk fabric on you, the short dress reminded you of the humans that used to frequent those quaint bars back in New Orleans and Saint Louis. The little beadwork made intricate patterns that resembled little birds in flight.
He looked over his shoulder at you. " Because," he sang out, " if I have more territory and souls, the more safe you are!" He laughed. "And then you wouldn't be so ruffled to go out more often with me. "
" I go with you to Rosie's now. " You reminded. " She makes a lovely lemon bar. Though, I don't want to know where she gets the lemons from. "
" Oh, that isn't much my dear. I would love for you to come to the Ragtime with me, they still at least play good music. " He turned on his hooves, his large smile stretched wider. " You used to accompany me everywhere. It didn't seem to bother you then." He put on this playful yet irritating tone. It made your eyebrow twitch.
" That was completely different. " You went over and noticed his bowtie was slightly askew. You reached up and adjusted it and his lapel, flattening the fabric. " And you know it, Al. This is you going to a den of greed and drugs, and father knows what else. " Your fingers trailed across the oddly soft fabric of his overcoat.
Alastor looked down at you. You missed the soft brown. " Little Lwa, you will need to adjust to those things down here. "
" You say that like your expecting me to stay."
His fingers went over yours for a moment. Then, he pulled away. It made your stomach do twists. " Why would I expect that? Although, the end of the year is still several months away. So much could happen. " He began to move to the door, his arm extended out and that large sharp grin on his lips.
" Well, I am still planning to go home. " Then you made a gentle sigh as you moved to his side and linked your arm with his. " You are insufferable by the way. I don't see how I missed you. "
His grin stretched more. " Missed me?"
" You missed the insufferable part. " You felt heat in your cheeks. You both stepped out of his home and back into the loud streets of Pride. " Taking an angel to a casino, really. " You huffed out and tried to get your heart to stop it's unbearable beating. " Let's just go. "
Alastor made a sing-songy hum. "It could be fun, my Lwa. " He looked at you out of the corner of his eyes. " Perhaps, you will find this will be just the thing to get you loosened up. "
" Oh I know how to have fun. " You gave him a sharp look. " I was on the division that took care of entertainment and happiness! " You put your chin a little higher in the air, then dignified, stuck your tongue out at him.
Alastor snorted a laugh," Very well. " He turned and his neck seemed to stretch as he leaned close to your face. " Then show me by accompaning me, my Lwa," he cooed
You blushed, put your hand on his face and moved it back where it should be. " I am aren't I! And I told you to stop calling me that..."
" It's a fitting term of endearment. I don't see why you are so adverse to it. You don't seem to mind Rosie calling you Dove and Pigeon Pie of all things. " Alastor lead you across the street, heading towards a part of the Pentagram you were unfamiliar with. " And I so enjoy the little expressions you give when I do. "
You roll your eyes, but you give a small sigh, you decided to change the subject. Sometimes it was like he was more of a stubborn mule than a deer. " So, who runs this casino? Some cat?"
Alastor laughed. " Yes, a man by the name of Husker or something or another. Apparently, he has been collecting souls like poker chips. " He drummed his red tipped fingers on your forearm.
The buildings grew taller around the two of you, reaching such lights that it made you dizzy to look up at them. You looked back to Alastor. " I've never played any games like these before, what good will I even do you in here?"
Alastor tutted. " I already told you. What kind of talisman outclasses an angel in luck? "
You cracked a smile. " You are making excuses. If you just wanted a friend to come with you, you should just come out and say it. "
You swore you heard a record scratch. " I have no idea what you mean. " Alastor opened the double glass doors as the two of you reached the end of a red velvet runner with ropes keeping some others out. You hadn't even noticed as people had moved or scrambled out of the way as Alastor had lead you both forward. You had become used to people reacting in such a way to an Overlord of his caliber. " Now stay close to me, as always , my lwa. "
" Oh, definitely. "
Your eyes adjusted to the goldfish lighting on red velvet and dark wood. Green tables littered the room with various sinners; imps and even a few hellhounds seemed to be the staff for the most part. Cards dealt, chips slid across tables, dice tossed from hands and cups alike. A table that spun had several sinners around it, but it was nothing like the crowd near one table in the back, the area itself held its own bar and two hell hounds guarded a red rope to a place labeled 'VIP'.
Alastor strolled right for that area. You glanced at the sinners as you passed, so many looked up and then froze like a deer in headlights as Alastor passes. You saw a few whispering and some eyes were on you and then were torn away as Alastor's gaze moved to them. The arm linked with your slipped from your grasp and a hand was placed simply on your waist.
You tucked your wings a bit and made sure they didn't bother him as he stopped his steps in front of the two hellhounds. One resembled a wolf perhaps, grey fur with a white splash across his muzzle and yellow eyes that made you feel small. The other looked like one of those yellow retrievers, his eyes were that deep red that almost resembled brown, you decided it was better to look at that one than the other.
"Hello my good fellows." Alastor began, his hand slipped from your waist and he summoned his microphone cane. " I would like to put my chips down in the tables in here. " He stamped his cane lightly as if to make a point.
The two hellhounds looked at each other than back down at Alastor. For a moment, you worried that they might tell him to hit bricks. But than a gruff voice spoke from behind them. A little farther back, it must be from the table. You couldn't quite make it out between the murmur of onlookers and the subtle noise of the casino picking back up in its own games. The friendly looking Hellhounds moved to the side while the other unclipped the rope and held it open.
Alastor tapped the large wolfish one on the chest with the tip of his cane. " Good boy. "
You moved just a little faster as you saw a few sharp teeth behind stoic lips of the hellhound. A silent growl. Alastor's hand moved back around to your waist and his other held his cane. A group of sinners slowly separated, like an ocean parting. You look to Alastor for a moment, his smile hadn't faultered. He walked over as if he was already the owner of this sin riddled building. As if he had already won.
Husker.
A black and white furred cat demon with wings that reminded you of the spinning table you had passed on the way in. His smile was sharp and his table was being cleared from a game previous. His wings stretched a little and then folded back in as he reached for a glass of amber liquor in front of him. Whiskey? You can't remember the name of all of those silly mortal soporifics. Wine on the other hand, was abundant up in heaven. Though, not nearly as strong as some wines you've tasted down here.
" You must be the Radio Demon. " The Gambling Overlord put a cigar to his lips and a pretty female sinner off to the side leaned over and lit it for him before returning to her place behind his chair. He blew out the smoke as his yellow eyes looked between you and Alastor, than settled completely on Alastor. " You look like a fucking Red Vine. " He laughed out.
You felt Alastor's fingers drum themselves slightly against your side. His other hand let the microphone cane disappear and gripped the back of the only other chair at the table, he pulled it back and made a sharp laugh as his hand slipped from around you. " Oh, I was hoping the man I heard such little about was more than just a kitten. " Alastor's smile stretches. " So cute really, I think I once saw an artist rendention of a kitten in a bowtie once as a child. "
You stood close to the back of Alastor's chair and felt a bit of a tightness in your chest. You felt nervous, like you were watching two predators circle the same piece of meat.
" What's your poison? And tha lady's?" Husk ashed his cigar in the small ashtray that resembled a whisky glass sliced in half. " The drinks are on the house. "
Alastor chuckled. " How generous. Rye for me. A single knuckle for now, no ice. " He glanced at you for only a moment. You were about to tell him you didn't want anything made here, when he made a smirk - you swore you saw those pinkish-red eyes sparkle with a playful look. " And a Blinker cocktail for the lady. "
You shot him a sharp look, " Alastor. " You hissed his name beneath your breath.
Husk looked to an imp man in a tux off to the side, who immediately went off to fulfill the request. He looked back to the lady sinner that was waiting behind him, he took her hand and kissed the back of it and gestures to the dealers spot. " Deal us, darlin'. " He looked back to Alastor with a large grin. " Pokers the game, I assume you know how to play?"
" Yes, I have fiddled with the game before. " Alastor chuckled, a glass place in front of him.
You almost made a squeak as you felt fingers on your forearm, but when you looked over, it was just a small imp with a martini glass filled with a red liquid inside. It was a rich color. You brought it to your nose after you gently take it from the offered hellborn. Grapefruit and cherries were what came to mind. It smelled sweet. You took a sip. Tastes pretty good too. A slight tang on the back flavor made your throat tickle, but otherwise it wasn't unpleasant. Was this alcohol? A Blinker cocktail he called it. You took a bigger drink, and look back to Alastor who was now looking at his hand with his ever present smile.
Husk watched Alastor and you hard before he glanced at his own cards and laid them on the table. Chips had been brought out. You don't think they represented money. You caught a small glimpse at Alastor's hand, though, the cards were a two of hearts, a king of spades, and a queen of diamonds, a two of clubs and a two of spades. You had no clue if that was a good deal or not. Alastor of course gave nothing away. You make a gentle sighed and take another drink.
Hands turned over after a few raises were made. Chips slid towards Alastor's pile. Cards dealt, whisperes happened around the table. Was it unusual? You look at you empty glass. Your skin felt a little tingly and you looked back to the table. Husk chuckled, taking a deep inhale of his cigar. The red glowed on his heart shaped nose and glinted in those yellow eyes.
" I see I actually have a bit of a challenge on my hand. " Husk ashed and took a drink of a refilled glass. " What was your name? I know it ain't Raido Demon."
" Alastor. " He stated simply.
"Husk. What about your birdie?" He gave you a sharp tooth grin.
" Oh, don't mind her. She's my good luck charm, not one for this kind of crowd. " Alastor said the words a bit sharply at first. As if there was a vieled threat behind his words.
" Alright, alright. " He pushed a few chips forward. " I raise. "
" Call."
You watch them go back and forth again. You can't remember when you were handed a second drink but you weren't about to complain as everyone around the table began to watch more slide towards Alastor. Large lopsided stacks that nearly wobbled when you looked at them wrong. As time passes, and more hands were lost, Husk began to grow more desperate.
" Now ..... Look at that. Seems as if you are running low on funds. " Alastor almost sung the words. It was almost cruel. " Do you like your casino...?"
"I.... You .." Husk snarled. " Yes." His claws dug into the wood and green felt table.
Your stomach did twists. You leaned forward and whispered. " Alastor... Isn't it a bit cruel... To do this?"
Alastor's smile grew a few inches, " Do what? I hadn't cheated. Luck was on my side was all ...." He looked to Husk with glowing eyes and his fingers drummed against the table. " You could keep it all. "
The ones that had remained by the table began to whisper again as Husk clawed the table a bit. " You took every damn thing I use to run this place. A broke house ain't one that runs.... You took everything but-"
" Your own soul? Why yes! You do have a few thoughts in that fluffy little head. "Alastor laughed. " My Lwa would be upset if I wasn't at least a little generous. " He rolled a chip across his knuckles than took a hold of it as he looked at It for a moment. " Perhaps you would be willing to exchange. " Alastor slowly stood up, his limbs cracked and popped as he stretched a bit taller, just enough to make the lights flicker and more sinners to quickly escape. " Your soul, for enough funds to keep this little club running. "
You felt your voice caught in your throat.
Husk glanced towards a few of his workers that lingered , the lady sinner was just as frozen in place as you. He growled and he looked hard into Alastor's eyes.
" So... Is it a deal then?"
Husk lifted his lips up in a snarl as he reached for the extended hand.
Warnings: rated M, gambling, drinking, mature themes, soul selling, no beta read
-----
" I feel odd. "
" You look lovely. " Alastor fixed the buttons of his overcoat. He looked at himself in the mirror above the mantel. " Be excited, my Lwa. This casino might be a new territory of mine by the end of the night. "
" Why should that make me excited?" You felt the silk fabric on you, the short dress reminded you of the humans that used to frequent those quaint bars back in New Orleans and Saint Louis. The little beadwork made intricate patterns that resembled little birds in flight.
He looked over his shoulder at you. " Because," he sang out, " if I have more territory and souls, the more safe you are!" He laughed. "And then you wouldn't be so ruffled to go out more often with me. "
" I go with you to Rosie's now. " You reminded. " She makes a lovely lemon bar. Though, I don't want to know where she gets the lemons from. "
" Oh, that isn't much my dear. I would love for you to come to the Ragtime with me, they still at least play good music. " He turned on his hooves, his large smile stretched wider. " You used to accompany me everywhere. It didn't seem to bother you then." He put on this playful yet irritating tone. It made your eyebrow twitch.
" That was completely different. " You went over and noticed his bowtie was slightly askew. You reached up and adjusted it and his lapel, flattening the fabric. " And you know it, Al. This is you going to a den of greed and drugs, and father knows what else. " Your fingers trailed across the oddly soft fabric of his overcoat.
Alastor looked down at you. You missed the soft brown. " Little Lwa, you will need to adjust to those things down here. "
" You say that like your expecting me to stay."
His fingers went over yours for a moment. Then, he pulled away. It made your stomach do twists. " Why would I expect that? Although, the end of the year is still several months away. So much could happen. " He began to move to the door, his arm extended out and that large sharp grin on his lips.
" Well, I am still planning to go home. " Then you made a gentle sigh as you moved to his side and linked your arm with his. " You are insufferable by the way. I don't see how I missed you. "
His grin stretched more. " Missed me?"
" You missed the insufferable part. " You felt heat in your cheeks. You both stepped out of his home and back into the loud streets of Pride. " Taking an angel to a casino, really. " You huffed out and tried to get your heart to stop it's unbearable beating. " Let's just go. "
Alastor made a sing-songy hum. "It could be fun, my Lwa. " He looked at you out of the corner of his eyes. " Perhaps, you will find this will be just the thing to get you loosened up. "
" Oh I know how to have fun. " You gave him a sharp look. " I was on the division that took care of entertainment and happiness! " You put your chin a little higher in the air, then dignified, stuck your tongue out at him.
Alastor snorted a laugh," Very well. " He turned and his neck seemed to stretch as he leaned close to your face. " Then show me by accompaning me, my Lwa," he cooed
You blushed, put your hand on his face and moved it back where it should be. " I am aren't I! And I told you to stop calling me that..."
" It's a fitting term of endearment. I don't see why you are so adverse to it. You don't seem to mind Rosie calling you Dove and Pigeon Pie of all things. " Alastor lead you across the street, heading towards a part of the Pentagram you were unfamiliar with. " And I so enjoy the little expressions you give when I do. "
You roll your eyes, but you give a small sigh, you decided to change the subject. Sometimes it was like he was more of a stubborn mule than a deer. " So, who runs this casino? Some cat?"
Alastor laughed. " Yes, a man by the name of Husker or something or another. Apparently, he has been collecting souls like poker chips. " He drummed his red tipped fingers on your forearm.
The buildings grew taller around the two of you, reaching such lights that it made you dizzy to look up at them. You looked back to Alastor. " I've never played any games like these before, what good will I even do you in here?"
Alastor tutted. " I already told you. What kind of talisman outclasses an angel in luck? "
You cracked a smile. " You are making excuses. If you just wanted a friend to come with you, you should just come out and say it. "
You swore you heard a record scratch. " I have no idea what you mean. " Alastor opened the double glass doors as the two of you reached the end of a red velvet runner with ropes keeping some others out. You hadn't even noticed as people had moved or scrambled out of the way as Alastor had lead you both forward. You had become used to people reacting in such a way to an Overlord of his caliber. " Now stay close to me, as always , my lwa. "
" Oh, definitely. "
Your eyes adjusted to the goldfish lighting on red velvet and dark wood. Green tables littered the room with various sinners; imps and even a few hellhounds seemed to be the staff for the most part. Cards dealt, chips slid across tables, dice tossed from hands and cups alike. A table that spun had several sinners around it, but it was nothing like the crowd near one table in the back, the area itself held its own bar and two hell hounds guarded a red rope to a place labeled 'VIP'.
Alastor strolled right for that area. You glanced at the sinners as you passed, so many looked up and then froze like a deer in headlights as Alastor passes. You saw a few whispering and some eyes were on you and then were torn away as Alastor's gaze moved to them. The arm linked with your slipped from your grasp and a hand was placed simply on your waist.
You tucked your wings a bit and made sure they didn't bother him as he stopped his steps in front of the two hellhounds. One resembled a wolf perhaps, grey fur with a white splash across his muzzle and yellow eyes that made you feel small. The other looked like one of those yellow retrievers, his eyes were that deep red that almost resembled brown, you decided it was better to look at that one than the other.
"Hello my good fellows." Alastor began, his hand slipped from your waist and he summoned his microphone cane. " I would like to put my chips down in the tables in here. " He stamped his cane lightly as if to make a point.
The two hellhounds looked at each other than back down at Alastor. For a moment, you worried that they might tell him to hit bricks. But than a gruff voice spoke from behind them. A little farther back, it must be from the table. You couldn't quite make it out between the murmur of onlookers and the subtle noise of the casino picking back up in its own games. The friendly looking Hellhounds moved to the side while the other unclipped the rope and held it open.
Alastor tapped the large wolfish one on the chest with the tip of his cane. " Good boy. "
You moved just a little faster as you saw a few sharp teeth behind stoic lips of the hellhound. A silent growl. Alastor's hand moved back around to your waist and his other held his cane. A group of sinners slowly separated, like an ocean parting. You look to Alastor for a moment, his smile hadn't faultered. He walked over as if he was already the owner of this sin riddled building. As if he had already won.
Husker.
A black and white furred cat demon with wings that reminded you of the spinning table you had passed on the way in. His smile was sharp and his table was being cleared from a game previous. His wings stretched a little and then folded back in as he reached for a glass of amber liquor in front of him. Whiskey? You can't remember the name of all of those silly mortal soporifics. Wine on the other hand, was abundant up in heaven. Though, not nearly as strong as some wines you've tasted down here.
" You must be the Radio Demon. " The Gambling Overlord put a cigar to his lips and a pretty female sinner off to the side leaned over and lit it for him before returning to her place behind his chair. He blew out the smoke as his yellow eyes looked between you and Alastor, than settled completely on Alastor. " You look like a fucking Red Vine. " He laughed out.
You felt Alastor's fingers drum themselves slightly against your side. His other hand let the microphone cane disappear and gripped the back of the only other chair at the table, he pulled it back and made a sharp laugh as his hand slipped from around you. " Oh, I was hoping the man I heard such little about was more than just a kitten. " Alastor's smile stretches. " So cute really, I think I once saw an artist rendention of a kitten in a bowtie once as a child. "
You stood close to the back of Alastor's chair and felt a bit of a tightness in your chest. You felt nervous, like you were watching two predators circle the same piece of meat.
" What's your poison? And tha lady's?" Husk ashed his cigar in the small ashtray that resembled a whisky glass sliced in half. " The drinks are on the house. "
Alastor chuckled. " How generous. Rye for me. A single knuckle for now, no ice. " He glanced at you for only a moment. You were about to tell him you didn't want anything made here, when he made a smirk - you swore you saw those pinkish-red eyes sparkle with a playful look. " And a Blinker cocktail for the lady. "
You shot him a sharp look, " Alastor. " You hissed his name beneath your breath.
Husk looked to an imp man in a tux off to the side, who immediately went off to fulfill the request. He looked back to the lady sinner that was waiting behind him, he took her hand and kissed the back of it and gestures to the dealers spot. " Deal us, darlin'. " He looked back to Alastor with a large grin. " Pokers the game, I assume you know how to play?"
" Yes, I have fiddled with the game before. " Alastor chuckled, a glass place in front of him.
You almost made a squeak as you felt fingers on your forearm, but when you looked over, it was just a small imp with a martini glass filled with a red liquid inside. It was a rich color. You brought it to your nose after you gently take it from the offered hellborn. Grapefruit and cherries were what came to mind. It smelled sweet. You took a sip. Tastes pretty good too. A slight tang on the back flavor made your throat tickle, but otherwise it wasn't unpleasant. Was this alcohol? A Blinker cocktail he called it. You took a bigger drink, and look back to Alastor who was now looking at his hand with his ever present smile.
Husk watched Alastor and you hard before he glanced at his own cards and laid them on the table. Chips had been brought out. You don't think they represented money. You caught a small glimpse at Alastor's hand, though, the cards were a two of hearts, a king of spades, and a queen of diamonds, a two of clubs and a two of spades. You had no clue if that was a good deal or not. Alastor of course gave nothing away. You make a gentle sighed and take another drink.
Hands turned over after a few raises were made. Chips slid towards Alastor's pile. Cards dealt, whisperes happened around the table. Was it unusual? You look at you empty glass. Your skin felt a little tingly and you looked back to the table. Husk chuckled, taking a deep inhale of his cigar. The red glowed on his heart shaped nose and glinted in those yellow eyes.
" I see I actually have a bit of a challenge on my hand. " Husk ashed and took a drink of a refilled glass. " What was your name? I know it ain't Raido Demon."
" Alastor. " He stated simply.
"Husk. What about your birdie?" He gave you a sharp tooth grin.
" Oh, don't mind her. She's my good luck charm, not one for this kind of crowd. " Alastor said the words a bit sharply at first. As if there was a vieled threat behind his words.
" Alright, alright. " He pushed a few chips forward. " I raise. "
" Call."
You watch them go back and forth again. You can't remember when you were handed a second drink but you weren't about to complain as everyone around the table began to watch more slide towards Alastor. Large lopsided stacks that nearly wobbled when you looked at them wrong. As time passes, and more hands were lost, Husk began to grow more desperate.
" Now ..... Look at that. Seems as if you are running low on funds. " Alastor almost sung the words. It was almost cruel. " Do you like your casino...?"
"I.... You .." Husk snarled. " Yes." His claws dug into the wood and green felt table.
Your stomach did twists. You leaned forward and whispered. " Alastor... Isn't it a bit cruel... To do this?"
Alastor's smile grew a few inches, " Do what? I hadn't cheated. Luck was on my side was all ...." He looked to Husk with glowing eyes and his fingers drummed against the table. " You could keep it all. "
The ones that had remained by the table began to whisper again as Husk clawed the table a bit. " You took every damn thing I use to run this place. A broke house ain't one that runs.... You took everything but-"
" Your own soul? Why yes! You do have a few thoughts in that fluffy little head. "Alastor laughed. " My Lwa would be upset if I wasn't at least a little generous. " He rolled a chip across his knuckles than took a hold of it as he looked at It for a moment. " Perhaps you would be willing to exchange. " Alastor slowly stood up, his limbs cracked and popped as he stretched a bit taller, just enough to make the lights flicker and more sinners to quickly escape. " Your soul, for enough funds to keep this little club running. "
You felt your voice caught in your throat.
Husk glanced towards a few of his workers that lingered , the lady sinner was just as frozen in place as you. He growled and he looked hard into Alastor's eyes.
" So... Is it a deal then?"
Husk lifted his lips up in a snarl as he reached for the extended hand.
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