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Re: Thoughts That Breathe [L]

Postby crow » 11/25/2017 6:15 AM

Leo cursed when he saw Vivi's car pull up to a fancy two-storey building. It was probably more glass than anything else, and there were people waiting outside the door--- ostensibly to escort the guests inside and take their coats and belongings if need be, but probably for other reasons too. He didn't see any obvious bouncers, but he didn't doubt there were some.

"Can you park a couple of blocks down?" he said to the driver.

"Couldn't park here if I tried, kid," she replied. She pulled up in some back street and Leo got off after paying her by card. Looking around, he considered his options.

Brian and the rest weren't here just yet, and maybe they'd have a plan, but he couldn't imagine the people at the door letting any of them inside. If he had thought ahead a little, maybe, and dressed up...

Hold that thought.




By the time the van arrived, Leo was ready and waiting for them. "Here," he said, walking up to the van with a middle-aged man limp in his arms. "Can you put him in the back?" The man was dressed in Leo's clothes--- sweatpants and a hoodie with a university logo on the front. Leo himself was wearing a suit. The tie was only half done, but as soon as he was relieved of his burden, he finished tying it with neat, efficient movements. It was a color he didn't particularly care for, but beggars couldn't be choosers.
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Re: Thoughts That Breathe [L]

Postby Night » 11/25/2017 7:13 AM

Oliver was prepared to shrug at the question, perhaps even suggest that they should just leave if Leo wasn't around. Leo appeared carting what appeared to be a comatose middle-aged mess and effectively stilled the motion. His back went taut, shoulders pulling up around his ears in an almost comical display of stress. A sharp twinge of pain shot through his arm, but he ignored it to subtly draw himself behind Lero.

Brian seemed at a loss for words, as did the majority of the group. Unsurprisingly, Frankie was the one that came to terms with the situation first. He turned to throw open the sliding door of the van, moving back to allow Leo access and leaving Oliver far more exposed than the priest was comfortable being.

"You didn't tell us this was a black tie affair." Lero indicated their group, primarily clad in worn t-shirts and blue jeans with the priest as an obvious exception. He was evidently more than willing to ignore the unconscious man that Leo was stowing in their vehicle. Oliver was not.

"What happened?" His voice was high and panicked, wide amber eyes following Leo as he disposed of the man and then began to lace his tie. His hand came up to yank at his scarf out of nervous habit. A series of increasingly horrifying situations ran through his head, primarily consisting of Leo using this as an opportunity to knock them out and...

And what? That was the question, wasn't it? Leo didn't have any reason to hurt them. He'd been relatively nice thus far, and hadn't seemed violent until now. Perhaps there was a good reason behind his strange behavior. Oliver tried to convince himself that he shouldn't judge things on their face, which was almost as successful as his effort not to look as though he were about to pass out.
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Re: Thoughts That Breathe [L]

Postby crow » 11/25/2017 7:27 AM

"I wasn't really aware myself," Leo said, adjusting the unconscious man in his seat so he was arranged in a more comfortable position. "Everything was short notice. I didn't know where she was going." Though it was a bit of an excuse; he probably could have anticipated this if he'd just thought about it a little harder. The stress must have been getting to him. He was so focused on not losing Vivi, not missing this opportunity...

He expected Oliver's question, but that didn't make him eager to answer it. He closed his eyes, so he wouldn't have to see the way Oliver was looking at him, and sighed. He probably wasn't doing his own reputation any favors with his current conduct. "He's just sleeping. I... wasn't dressed for the occasion myself, and figured this would be faster than... well." He was lucky to have found someone his size, more or less. The suit didn't fit him the way his own clothes did, but given the circumstances, he'd take what he could get. "He'll wake up just fine, and it's not as if he's missing much." One less patron for the cult was a good thing, wasn't it?

On that note, he eyed the rest of the group, frowning slightly. "I don't know if we can carry off enough people for all of you though. I can try and glamor your clothes, but I don't know if I can hold something like that for long. And if there are any real demons inside, they'll probably see through it."
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Re: Thoughts That Breathe [L]

Postby Night » 11/25/2017 7:56 AM

Oliver's initial reaction was to shun any form of violence as wrong. However, these were rather extenuating circumstances, and honestly he wasn't sure that this could actually be categorized as a form of brutality. The priest remained still, coiled back as though he were ready to take off at the slightest provocation, but eventually relented to Leo's reasoning and nodded. There really hadn't been another way. Though it did beg the question of what the rest of them were going to do.

Oliver could likely pass for black tie so long as he didn't take his scarf off. His black button down, though plain, was well made and hardly wrinkled despite having been slept in. He'd forgone a sweater in favor of a blazer, if only because it tended to look odd to have the mark of his profession poking out over the top of a cheap looking sweatshirt, and the black slacks and dark shoes he passed for daywear were far more formal than the average person's. Somehow he didn't think that a group of cultists would be all-too-willing to accept a priest in their presence, but he couldn't bring himself to take off the sharp white collar buried beneath the soft wool of his muffler.

Brian seemed to be analyzing the situation, glancing between the other members of their party before they finally lit on Oliver's uneasy form. "Well..." Brian knew that Oliver wasn't going to like this, but they were hardly left with any option. "I suppose the rest of us can stay back at the van and keep watch. You can take Oliver in with you and scope it out?"

Oliver wanted to protest. There were few things he could think of that sounded less pleasant than strolling into a formal gala full of demon worshiping heretics. With a demon, no less. Half demon. Whatever. HIs stomach twisted uncomfortably, the mess of his emotions rolling against his insides. He looked faintly green, but he had no logical reason to say no without looking like the fearful piece of shit he was beginning to recognize himself as. He exhaled sharply through his nose because it was better than the hysterical laughter that threatened to spill out and nodded once more.
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Re: Thoughts That Breathe [L]

Postby crow » 11/25/2017 8:10 AM

"Sure, I can do that, but..." Leo glanced at Oliver, who was doing a pretty good impression of someone who was dealing with some serious constipation. "Are you sure that's alright?" He didn't point out the obvious, that Oliver was clearly uncomfortable with him, probably on religious grounds--- though Leo was sure that his showing up with an unconscious 'victim' was only serving to reinforce whatever Oliver already felt or suspected.

It was true that Oliver was the only one who looked like he might fit in with the crowd though. And a priest would likely be more useful than Leo against any demonic influences. As far as practicality went, it wasn't a bad idea.
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Re: Thoughts That Breathe [L]

Postby Night » 11/25/2017 8:35 AM

Oliver shoved his good hand into his pocket, finding the little wooden rosary and wrapping the beads around his fingers. He didn't trust himself to speak, partially because he didn't trust himself not to be sick. Primarily he just didn't want to face the load of shit he was likely to get if he let on just how much the very idea of walking in there terrified him. What were they doing in there? Logically, another ritual to raise a demon into some poor unwitting vessel was unlikely. Who wore formal wear to a seance? The possibility did still exist, though, along with the very possible reality that he may be recognized as a member of the group that foiled their previous attempt.

The priest did his best to shutter his expression, even if it wasn't a very passable attempt. "Yeah, it's fine." Oliver squared his shoulders and stood up a little straighter, jaw clenching in what was likely supposed to resemble determination. All it succeeded in doing was accentuating just how short and unintimidating a figure he cut, his cast-bound arm held in its sling against his chest and his face becoming rapidly paler.

Brian moved once more to the driver's side, waving them off. Jay did at least seem worried for his brother, though he didn't offer to go in his place. Oliver indicated that Leo should lead the way, swallowing down the lump in his throat as they left the relative safety of the vehicle. The rosary beads dug into the soft flesh of his palm, giving him something to focus on as they approached the building where the cultists appeared to be gathering.
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Re: Thoughts That Breathe [L]

Postby crow » 12/04/2017 6:41 AM

Clearly, it wasn't 'fine', but time was running out and Leo wasn't about to argue with Oliver if it meant they could finally start doing something. He waited a moment to see if anyone else had anything to say, but no one did. "Alright," he said, throwing an arm around Oliver's shoulder. Normally he wasn't the touchy-feely type, and he didn't know whether this would just spook Oliver more, but the priest looked like he might bolt anyway if there wasn't something to weigh him down. "Let me do the talking, and follow my lead."

He steered them to the entrance of the building, where the bouncers waited. The walk up gave him a little time to settle into the persona he thought would give them the best shot at getting in. He loosened his posture, putting a slight, languid swagger into his walk, and affected a look of vaguely amused boredom.

The men at the door noticed him immediately, but that was the plan. He wasn't trying to hide. They moved in, with a superficial air of greeting, but really to bar his path. "Good evening, sirs. Do you have an invitation?"

"Oh, you mean this?" he said, producing a neatly folded card from his pocket. He'd lucked into that one, going through the pockets of the clothes after he stripped them from their owner. The guards looked visibly surprised at that, possibly because of his age. He didn't blame them; most of the crowd here looked to be at least in their forties, and unlike Vivi, he didn't have an old man to back him up.

Still, it was an invitation. "Your names, sirs?" said one, consulting what was presumably the guest list. This was where things were about to get dicey.

"Leo Shen," said Leo. It was honestly probably better to lie, but it would be easier to lie about everything else if he was working with his own identity. "And my date." He'd contemplated introducing Oliver as the son of one of his mother's associates, but he didn't know if Oliver could put on a similar act. It was less complicated this way. If Oliver wanted to upbraid him for it later, they'd cross that bridge when they came to it. For now, he needed to get them through the door.

There was a pause before the man spoke again. "I'm sorry, sir, I don't see---"

"You're kidding," said Leo, raising his brows. He moved away from Oliver and snatched the ledger from the man, who began to look visibly flustered. "What do you mean I'm not on here? You're telling me you haven't heard of Fenghuang Group?"

"I'm sorry, sir, but---"

"I'm here on behalf of my mother," said Leo, hiding neither the irritation nor the threat in his voice. "I suggest you look again, or she will be hearing about this."

"I..." The men looked at one another. Clearly they'd heard of Fenghuang; some of their subsidiaries were household names. In the meantime, Leo did his best to look impatient and affronted, every inch the spoiled Chinese billionaire brat, and not someone wearing a slightly ill-fitting suit that he'd stolen off a much older man.

Eventually, the men relented. "... This way, sirs," said the one with the ledger, motioning for them to go inside.

Leo grinned. "Good choice," he said, and sauntered on in.
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Re: Thoughts That Breathe [L]

Postby Night » 12/04/2017 10:07 PM

Oliver let out a soft noise of surprise, stiffening initially at the contact. He nodded at Leo's statement, more than willing to take the taller man's lead if it meant he didn't have to open his mouth. Perhaps it would have been prudent of someone to warn Leo that Oliver was less than ideal an actor. The priest held his breath as they approached the building, working to hold himself in check. His thoughts raced in a thousand directions, pulling his attention in so many separate ways that he hardly noticed the two men at the door until Leo was already gearing up to greet them.

His go-to expression, which was likely somewhere between constipation and panic, flickered towards something akin to disbelief when Leo pulled out an invitation and introduced him as his... date? Oliver pressed closer against the other man's side, hoping that it would be enough to cover up any of his obvious confusion. He couldn't deny that it was nice, the warmth of Leo's arm around his shoulder radiating through the thin fabric of his blazer. If Leo really wanted him to be his date, he didn't suppose he would mind that much...

But of course, this was all for show, and he truly ought not think such things. Oliver tamped down his over active imagination, remind himself that even if it were a legitimate offer that he would be unable to act on it as Leo shifted away to throw some kind of millionaire bitch fit. It was convincing; perhaps they really would get away with this.

So long as no one looked at Oliver, of course.

Stepping through the doors and into the lavish entryway sent any wayward musings flying from his brain as he was suddenly reminded that, right, this was going to be the worst thing he'd ever done to himself. The front room was just off from the ballroom, and he could faintly hear the chatter of party goers as they went about their evening. All in all it seemed rather normal, at least so far as the affluent were concerned. The fact that it wasn't outwardly demonic, that they were just normal looking people in expensive clothing and not a bunch of grey robed freaks trying to commit a sacrifice with one of the filigree candlesticks, actually set him more on edge. No one could be trusted. Having fallen somewhat behind the others as they entered, he took several too-quick steps to catch up and lace his arm through Leo's.

He would take a relatively known evil over an unknown one any day. His fingers were tight against the taller man's arm, and while he did feel at least a little bit bad (for several reasons), he couldn't bring himself to loosen his grip. The green tint that seemed to constantly plague his complexion had returned in full force. He hardly noticed any detail concerning the ballroom-turned-banquet-hall when they were finally set free to do what they will among the guests.

What precisely were they going to accomplish in doing this again?

He pushed up onto his tip toes, trying to keep his voice low near Leo's ear. "Do you see your friend?" Please, almighty God in heaven, just let them find her and fucking leave...
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Re: Thoughts That Breathe [L]

Postby crow » 12/05/2017 1:51 AM

Now that he had a moment to collect himself, Leo snuck a glance at Oliver. A funny sort of look had passed over Oliver's face when Leo had introduced him as his date, different from the other funny look that he'd been wearing--- though perhaps he hadn't looked so much 'funny' as 'queasy' earlier. Now he just looked tense, a crease between his brows as if he was concentrating on something unpleasant. Leo frowned a little, but there wasn't much he could do or say at the moment, with a bouncer still flanking them in the entryway.

Leo didn't doubt that this was tied to the cult somehow, but on the surface, the gala was just like every other glitzy fundraising dinner he'd ever been to. He resisted the urge to sigh, but at least this part would be easy. He knew the script, and he knew more or less how the night would go, making bland conversation and eating overpriced, surprisingly unpalatable food.

It was so familiar to him that it hadn't occurred to him that any of it might make someone else uneasy. Thus, he was surprised when Oliver hooked their arms together, clinging to Leo's as if it were a lifeline.

Funny. He'd been pretty sure Oliver hated him. Was this his idea of acting like a couple?

Well, whatever it was, Leo didn't make any move to dislodge him. Almost unconsciously, he found himself bending down as Oliver went up on his toes, though he was already aware of how conspicuous it would look. He tried to smile as if Oliver had said something coy, though he wasn't entirely sure what that kind of smile was supposed to look like. "No, and if you see her, don't react," he said. He would have liked to explain more, but they'd come to their table, and he repositioned himself slightly so their bodies slotted more comfortably together, then focused on smiling at the other people at their table, as they were seated.

"Oh? What's this?" said a man who looked to be in his sixties. "I don't believe I've seen the two of you before."

"Leo Shen, from Fenghuang," said Leo smoothly. "I'd give you my card, but I'm afraid I don't have any on hand at the moment."

"Gerald Anderson," said the man. "And my friend, Bertha Matthews."

"Charmed," said Bertha, "though I'd rather have your number than your card, I think."

Leo laughed lightly at that, before putting a proprietary hand on Oliver's arm. "Sadly, I'm off the market at the moment, but I'll let you know if that changes."

"Please do," said Bertha, with a flirtatious wink. Privately, Leo resisted the urge to roll his eyes. This... was going to be a long night.
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Re: Thoughts That Breathe [L]

Postby Night » 12/05/2017 3:33 PM

Oliver let himself be led through the fray, his breathing purposefully slow in an effort to calm his nerves. The fear he was bottling was not doing him well. He managed some semblance of a polite if disinterested smile at the passerby, keeping his gaze averted in a manor he hoped may be perceived as shyness. That the lawyer didn't shake him off immediately was a small blessing. He frowned at the implication that they were laying low and avoiding the very person that they'd come here to save, but was unable to respond before they were shown to their table. He settled into his chair, his knee bouncing rapidly under the table beside Leo's.

He felt vaguely sick, which was quickly becoming his least favorite symptom of anxiety. He leaned into the attention when it was shown towards him, hardly aware of what the conversation had been about but understanding he was supposed to be acting the part. He caught the tail end - something about being together, which was still throwing him for a loop. He responded by placing his hand over Leo's on his arm, finding himself oddly taken in by the performance. The cast made it a bit difficult to complete the movement, sending a sharp twinge of pain through his shoulder that pulled him out of his head.

If he were being honest, the charade didn't particularly bother him. Not as much as it probably should have. Leo had yet to give him a reason not to trust him despite his heritage, and while he'd led him into the figurative lions den he did at least seem alright with the fact that Oliver had taken his arm in a stranglehold. Despite that was an act, being close to another person that wasn't his idiotic best friend or his brother was a feeling that he couldn't help but miss. But then, it was a bit silly to miss something you'd never had isn't it?

Oliver wasn't really sure what to do here. He'd been told to follow Leo's lead - to let him do the talking. It seemed awkward to just sit here and ignore the conversation, and it seemed impossible to try and insert himself into it. The priest cleared his throat and searched around for a change of subject. When nothing immediately presented itself, at least so far as the big city socialites were concerned, he turned to Leo once again.

"Leo, darling, how long did you say this little get together was meant to last?" He tried to affect a tone of boredom. If he knew how long they were meant to be here he could at least focus on that instead of the crippling fear that something was about to creep inside his body and take over.

He knew he was probably being rude, but honestly he didn't feel as though they were here to make friends. Weren't they just here to find this quote unquote friend of Leo's? Of course, there was the overall mission of shutting down this demonic daycare they were trying to run, but he could always come back some other time.

The table nearest them appeared to be having a heated and somewhat drunken discussion involving making donations for membership dues. That did at least explain why they were having a gala in the middle of the week, and why they appeared to have only attracted the rich white garbage of the city. Oliver knew he should be taking notes to turn in when he finally finished this case for the church, but that did seem a little suspicious didn't it?

Oliver pulled at the edges of his scarf, suddenly nervous that the stark white of his collar may be showing over the top. He felt like he was starting to sweat as well. Finding Leo's girlfriend, they just had to find Leo's girlfriend or whatever...

And what if she saw them over here acting like this? Would she be upset? It would make sense, given that Leo didn't want to be seen. Oliver wasn't sure if he could take a jealous date on in his current condition. Still, he was less than willing to give up the comfort of Leo's false affections, and a confrontation with an angry woman was worlds better than staying here and rubbing elbows with the future cloaks. Oliver slid his chair a little closer to Leo's in an effort to help maintain their little charade.
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Re: Thoughts That Breathe [L]

Postby crow » 12/07/2017 6:14 AM

Leo arched a brow in reaction to Oliver's question, inclining his head as if interested in the answer himself. Which he was. "You know, I don't believe I know," he said. "Gerald?"

Instead of answering him, however, Gerald only laughed. "Come now, you can't be so eager to leave! You just got here. We haven't even eaten yet."

Leo smiled. "Well, what can I say. I guess my sweetheart here is eager to have me to himself." Teasingly, he tickled his fingers under Oliver's chin, like a master indulging a spoiled pet. Inwardly, he wondered whether Oliver would hit him for this later. If Oliver did, Leo wouldn't blame him. For now, however, he tried to draw on all he knew of the legitimate playboys in his circle, even as it made his insides crawl to replicate the behavior himself.

Fortunately for him, the waiter came by to take their orders. At first Leo demanded something not on the menu, so he could sniff and roll his eyes when the waiter told him they didn't have it. "I'll settle for the baked brie, then, and the poached sea bass." As the others ordered, he took another surreptitious look around the room. He couldn't see Vivi, though that was probably a good thing. If he could see her, it meant she could see him, and it was too early for them to be discovered.

Loath as he was to say it, there wasn't much they could really do tonight but schmooze and try to gather names. He had the support of Oliver and his friends, but that still wasn't enough manpower to take on an organization that could throw these sorts of parties. They would have to play a more subtle approach, gain access as potential patrons and recruits, and how long that might take, Leo didn't know.

More than one dinner, certainly.

After the waiter excused himself, Leo rose from his seat. "Mmm, I need to refresh myself," he said, looking around for the bathroom. Surreptitiously, he squeezed Oliver's shoulder, the one that wasn't injured, and jerked his head ever so slightly, indicating Oliver should follow--- preferably after a few minutes had passed, though there was only so much he could communicate with a touch.

Pity telepathy wasn't covered by whatever demon blood he had going for him.
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Re: Thoughts That Breathe [L]

Postby Night » 12/08/2017 4:24 AM

Oliver could feel his face heating up at the implication. He dropped his eyes from the table to the floor, teeth catching at his lower lip. He wasn't sure how to respond other than to play up his general discomfort as shyness. He cast a sideways glance at Leo when the lawyer dropped his hand away, trying to read his expression and finding few answers there. An ill-timed flashback reminded him of his confession in the van, leaving a sour taste in his mouth.

Maybe Leo was just pulling all this dating bit as an elaborate prank; some joke on the little gay priest. Look how pathetic he is, lusting after someone far beyond his level even if he were capable of following through. The thought was bitter, and he didn't want to think that Leo was just using this as an excuse to rub his nose in his own filthy secrets. Some things just seemed a little too unbelievable, though - the least of which being that someone that looked like Leo was willing to be seen on a date with someone as plain as Oliver.

An infinitesimal part of him wanted to get up and walk away. They would find another way to break up this demonic dinner party, and Leo could go back to his cheating girlfriend and be happy in the knowledge that he'd been successful in getting underneath Oliver's skin.

A larger part of him recognized that he should take whatever chance he was offered to put this ordeal behind them. The investigation had gone on well past its time, and he couldn't exactly rest easy knowing these psychos were out and about in town. If he were looking to be introspective, he may have admitted to himself that he was enjoying the pretense of affection. It was hollow, and likely it was at a great cost to his dignity, but he couldn't help that he wanted it. An uncomfortable fluttering twisted around his heart as he thought of leaning in, playing into it and giving over to the sway of physical avidity. It was shameful how he yearned for something with someone he barely knew, an idealization of a person that wouldn't even give him the time of day if they weren't stuck in one hell of a mess together.

Not emotionally of course. In truth the guy frightened him, if only for his heritage - and if Oliver's hunch proved to be true, if it did turn out Leo was just using this as a laugh, then there was certainly nothing there. But it had been so long since he had just felt... good, in a corporeal sense, the thought of being alone in the sense that was being insinuated...

Oliver snuck his hand into his pocket, finding the familiar carved beads of the rosary and letting the instinctual flood of prayer drown his impure thoughts and worries.

When it came time to place his order, he had no clue what to go for. Half the menu appeared to be in a language he wasn't entirely sure he could pronounce. He seconded Leo's order for lack of a better response, unwilling to hold up their waiter and too anxious by far to eat anyway.

One thing that one may note about Oliver was that he was notoriously terrible at reading into subtext. Leo's parting amped his anxiety to an almost astronomical degree, but he prevented himself from running after the other man like a lost puppy by hooking his heel around the leg of his chair to ground himself. The conversation amongst their tablemates carried on without him - he was a fixture, if anything; the floozy date of one of their own and hardly worth their attention. The priest dug the wooden cross into the heel of his hand in his pocket until it hurt. He waited a good five minutes, reciting the rosary over and over in his mind to prevent himself from jittering out of his own skin, before he couldn't take it. He excused himself to the restroom, undoubtedly sparking rumors about what they may be doing but uncaring as long as it got him away from here.

He may have been pleased to know he was meant to follow, but that he'd followed the unsaid instruction was more happenstance than it was having understood Leo's wishes. He shoved through the heavy wooden door of the bathroom, taking a moment to register that they were alone before he was thunking back against the wall beside the paper towels and sliding down to the tiles. Oliver wasn't sure whether he should cry or laugh or throw up - all of them seemed an equal plausibility.

"What exactly are you playing at?" It was rude, and he felt like shit the moment it slipped out of his mouth. But he wasn't sure he could sit around and be a joke for the rest of the evening, even if some barely restrained piece of him was eager to take what it could get.
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Re: Thoughts That Breathe [L]

Postby crow » 12/08/2017 4:41 AM

Leo was running a methodical hand through his hair, damp with water from the sink, slicking it roughly back. It made him looked less boyish, the lines of his face sharper. He clocked Oliver's arrival from the mirror, not bothering to turn. He'd expected this, though Oliver had taken longer than he'd expected.

"Sorry," he began, having already half planned how he was going to explain, but he was cut off by Oliver's curt words. A slight smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. He supposed he deserved that.

He did turn around then, his hands braced against the counter, trying to keep his posture relaxed. "I wanted a chance to explain, and I couldn't do that with people listening in. I know I went too far, but it was the best I could come up with, and as far as I know..." He shrugged. "My mother has some associates with children my age. I'm using them as a frame of reference." Under any other circumstances, he would sooner have died than take his cues from them, but unfortunately, those cues were apt to his current purpose. "I know you're probably... celibate?" he tried. He wasn't terribly clear on exactly what being a priest entailed. Oliver looked uncomfortable, at any rate. "I don't mean anything by it, but if you need me to tone it down..."

He trailed off for a moment, not sure of what to say. Honestly, Oliver wasn't really the one he wanted to deal with. It was nothing personal, but his being the priest of the bunch already put him at odds with Leo, and Leo felt that Oliver had some reservations about him from a personal standpoint too. The latter part he understood less, but he wasn't about to find fault with someone just for disliking him. Maybe it was that he was a lawyer.

"As for what I'm doing..." This one was easier, hopefully. "I don't think we have the means to just storm this place. You wanted to take the whole thing down, right? Maybe we get lucky, manage to snag everyone here that's actually working for the cult directly, but their ringleader almost definitely isn't here. And then they'll just be careful, which won't be good for me or for you." This was the part he'd rehearsed. It sounded convincing to him, though of course he couldn't be sure that Oliver would go along with it, even then. "I thought we could build up some credibility first, get them to let us in. When we have access to something like their inner circle, maybe we could put an end to it."
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Re: Thoughts That Breathe [L]

Postby Night » 12/08/2017 5:55 AM

Oliver leaned his head back against the garishly painted wall tiles and sighed. His white hair stood up where he ran his fingers through it out of frustration. He allowed Leo to give his little spiel without interruption, coming to a few conclusions that sent his emotions ricochetting around in his chest - the primary of which was that either he'd been wrong to jump to conclusions, or Leo was a damn good liar. Given that he had little evidence to back up the latter, he could only assume that the first must be true. The familiar guilt that seemed to plague ninety percent of his interactions over the last few weeks crept its way back into his personal home-brew of bad feelings and made itself at home.

He ought to at least acknowledge Leo's questioning, but opening up seemed a foreign concept. He was normally on the other end of the confessional. "Celibate... yeah, I am." And he really ought to remember that little fact when his brain decided to go on a mini vacation during dinner with little provocation. Of course Leo had been putting on a show; he should have been able to guess that much. He'd already established that a handsome guy like Leo had no place being interested in him. If he looked disappointed he could at least attribute it to any number of happenings over the last few days. His breath whooshed out of him all at once, his anger and hurt dissipating into something akin to resignation.

"I'm sorry, you're right. We need to play it up if we're going to look convincing." Now that the lie had been established, there was no going back from here. "They're less likely to recognize me this way I suppose. No way the priest they were tearing apart buildings to find is a fucking fairy, right?" Self loathing was yet another thing he was becoming ever more acquainted with.  He pulled his knees up against his chest, his bad arm cradled against his stomach and his good one crossed over it defensively. In a way this is what he'd wanted wasn't it? To be close to someone?

He really ought to learn to be careful what he asked for.

While Leo made some very good points, Oliver felt his heart seize temporarily at the mention of worming their way in to their good graces. "You mean we have to come back?" His throat constricted, his words high pitched and broken. How long would they have to spend with them? Weeks? Months? Running around with them while they tried to raise that... that... creature again? The priest took a few staggering breaths before continuing. "I guess that could work. What about your... friend?" Evidently Leo was trying to avoid her, which made no sense but he didn't suppose he was in a position to judge anyone on their romantic decisions. "Didn't you want to find her?"
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Re: Thoughts That Breathe [L]

Postby crow » 12/08/2017 6:07 AM

All the fight seemed to go out of Oliver at once, leaving him tired, but Leo wondered if that was an improvement from having constantly been on edge. If it meant there was some measure of trust between them, he'd take it. "Sorry about all this then," he said. "You can slap me later if you like, and I can go with someone else next time. For the record, these dinners usually go on at least three hours, though I suppose we can leave early." It wasn't polite, but then, the spoiled heir he was playing wouldn't have cared about that.

He tensed as Oliver's language became harsher, though he didn't say anything. He didn't know if anything he said would help, and comforting words weren't his strong suit. Comfort, in general, was not his strong suit. It just didn't come up often enough.

Regarding Vivi... Leo sighed, suddenly tired beyond words. At least this was something he had an answer for, and in some sense it was safer ground, since he knew it was coming. But just thinking about Vivi was getting to be exhausting lately. "The thing is," he said, "she knows I'd never do anything like this. So... if she saw me right now, it's her word against ours, and they know her. They don't know me." His mouth pressed into a grim line. That had been the other reason he wanted to extend their involvement; in fact, if he was being honest, it was the main one.

"I don't know if I have the personal leverage to get her out with just a confrontation, and she's going to be livid with me. It'd be easier to just end the cult." He said this with what might have been a laugh, though if there was any humor in this, it was the ironic kind. Easier to disband a whole organization than twist his sister's arm a bit.
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