Strictly Business [Closed] - Printable Version
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RE: Strictly Business [Closed] - megs - 01-24-2020
Dark brows lifted behind Julianna's sweeping bangs. Red eyes tracked the magazine that dangled between them. Belial smiled. It was pretty like Julianna's but it wasn't Julianna's. Too much fang,m the corner of the mouth twisting with devilishness if you looked at it for too long. Clearly Belial appreciated Owen's pettiness. Or at least found it fun. "Ohh, paperwork," it cooed. "I'm not sure which one of us is the demon."Belial seemed to preen when Owen complimented it's meddling. A light lift of her shoulders and half turn as if to say 'oh you,' and play bashful in the face of a compliment.
"I would give the cat back to you if I could, but she's hiding."
The demon moved closer still to Owen and lifted it's arms. A false pout painted red with Julianna's lipstick jutted a bottom lip at him. "She's scared, but she'll reappear soon enough. If you wish to conceal me, pretend to comfort me, and should be easy enough to get out of here."
Something seemed to occur to Belial. "What shall we do about her fairy friend?"
RE: Strictly Business [Closed] - saronym - 02-05-2020
Owen spared a glance at the fang that appeared from behind her lips. Julianna's own smile rarely showed off those pointed teeth. He sucked in a breath and sighed. "Fine." He told the demon and touched her on the back between the shoulder blades as he so often did for Julianna. If she was hiding... would actually touching and being a comforting presence coax her out?
He opened the door and escorted them into the hall, frowning at the 'fairy friend' comment. He wasn't sure what to do with that. "The epithet is not necessary. He prefers to be called Renton."
They continued down the hall, "We'll go tell him we're leaving and get her purse."
At the 5th floor desk, Owen stopped to talk to the mousey assistant, Tati. "Agent Jehorem is feeling lightheaded. He needs medical."
Tati opened her mouth and then closed it and then opened it again. Her hand hovered nervously over the phone as if she was unsure what to do with the information.
"Tati, phone medical for the Inspector." Owen clarified, his voice stern.
"Yes Lieutenant Colonel. Right away."
Owen turned away from the desk when she picked up the phone, leading Belial to the elevator, they would take back to Central Command. "You're being very good." He complimented her.
At the door of his office, he paused to hiss at her. "Be nice."
Inside, Renton was poised handsomely, straight backed with perfect posture in Owen's chair. He appeared to be actually working, black rimmed glasses (worn for fashion only) balanced on his nose. Renton's perfectly sculpted nose wrinkled when the door opened and he glanced over the top of his glasses, looking past Owen and immediately focusing on Julianna. He then lifted his chin peering at her through the lenses as if that would make a difference in what he then saw.
The fey was filled with concern for Julianna whose cowering presence he could feel, just on the edge of his consciousness. The demon took up the most space amd be was aware of how dangerous it could be. Not that he worried for himself. Owen was of greater concern. He smiled slowly despite his thoughts and stood, "Well it took you long enough."
He rounded the desk and approached the pair, appearing to gush at the two of them. "Aren't you quite the sight. Such a cute couple."
On cute he booped Julianna's nose with his index, attempting to subtly cast a little banishment that would press the demon back down and allow Julianna to take control again.
Owen moved to collect files to take home for work, and locating Julianna's purse stuck on a hook under his desk. He kept glancing at Belial and Renton, wondering if his friend who could be entirely too smart for his own good, would figure out that Julianna wasn't herself. It would be best if they left quickly.
RE: Strictly Business [Closed] - megs - 02-21-2020
Belial seemed to giggle. Whether it was excited to he held by the handsome general or simply enjoyed teasing him was unclear. It trotted forward and crashed into his side, throwing arms around his waist and hiding its face against his chest. The fabric of his uniform was rough, and it made a noise of complaint as they walked out of the inspector's office. Belial felt Julianna react to the scent of his cologne, and the warmth of him, but she still wasn't quite ready to return to the surface. It did nothing else but walk with him until they were in the elevator and Owen complimented the demon for not causing much of a scene. It pulled away from him to peer up at his face. It wore an expression similar to Julianna when she was very pleased. Eyes wide and her mouth a kittenish curl. It was surprised by the pleasure it felt from the accolade and immediately blamed it on Julianna's feelings for him.
When they were at his office, it blinked owlishly at him when he demanded her continued compliance. It shrugged at him. It supposed it could be nice if Renton would be.
Renton knew that Julianna wasn't Julianna. If the red eyes and motionless tail wasn't a giveaway, the fae could sense the demon. It watched Renton approach. His glamour blurring around the edges as he drew closer. It could see the outline of those feathered wings shifting when he walked.
Belial glanced at Owen gathering Julianna's belongings, and its nose wrinkled when Renton tapped it. It had been leaning towards dropping the mention of its earlier statement that Owen had taken as an insult, but changed its mind when it felt that banishment spell fizzle out. "I was not insulting his proclivities," Belial said, seemingly apropos to nothing. It expected Owen to catch on. "He is a fairy," it said matter-of-fact. Looking smug as it held Ren's baby blue gaze.
RE: Strictly Business [Closed] - saronym - 03-01-2020
Owen was poking at his keyboard with one finger, seemingly entering a password to access something on the computer, as Belial once again referred to Renton as a fairy. His brow arched and he looked up from the computer. Julianna’s purse hung off his other forearm. “What does that even mean?” A mild panic set in Renton, his heart fluttered faster.
Was it going to expose him?
But --- but what was the fear really?
He tossed his head haughtily and spun around to face Owen, dropping the illusion as he did. Now for the second time that day, his true form was revealed. Elongated ears, higher cheekbones, long locks of brown hair, and mutli-colored wings and eyes. His wings flared and he placed his hands on his hips. “I’m fae, actually.” He shrugged as if the truth were not that important.
Owen’s brows crept towards his hairline and his lips parted in surprise. “Wh---”
“It’s honestly not a big deal.”
The only other set of wings on a humanoid Owen had ever seen was Darcias. They weren’t any less stunning on Renton, and he realized he was staring. “Okay then. You’re a fairy.” He sounded annoyed and he plopped Julianna’s purse on to his desk. “When were you going to tell me, huh?” He combed his fingers through his hair irritated. This whole fucking day was a mess. “And how do you know?” He demanded of Belial, now wondering if Julianna also knew.
RE: Strictly Business [Closed] - megs - 03-02-2020
Belial could be heard clapping in delight behind Renton as he revealed himself to Owen. The demon was enchanted by the true form of the fae, and was pleased to see it without the blur of his glamour. "Isn't he so pretty!" Belial cooed as if Renton were an item to be collected and less like a person.
The demon stepped out from behind Ren's now slightly taller figure and cast red eyes towards Owen for a moment. "I've known since the cat met him. I can sense it." Belial explained to him. "I'm a very powerful demon, Owen," it used his name for the first time. "It's hard to keep things from me." Belial neglected to mention that Renton was also a very, very old acquaintance. It figured it had brought enough irate attention to him from the taller man in the room.
Julianna roused as if sensing the tension the demon has caused between her loved ones. Which was fair, because it had certainly caused a fuss. It supposed the cat wanted control again. Even though it was lax to give up her body, it didn't have a choice in the matter. The demon disappeared without saying goodbye. Julianna's ears twitched as she sort of blinked back into consciousness. Her eyes bright green once more.
Her sights traveled between an irritated Owen, and a Renton without his glamour. "What's...going on?" She asked ina small and quiet voice that no longer rang with the ethereal echo.
RE: Strictly Business [Closed] - saronym - 05-03-2020
Owen wasn't one who was unused to situations and information changing rapidly. He quickly recovered mentally from the shock of Renton's revelation and became more... annoyed with it. A frown knit his brows together and made his lips pull downwards disapprovingly."I see." He said understandingly to Belial. Of course and ancient demon wound know a fae when it saw one. Owen, however, having not been met his third decade was easily tricked by even basic illusion magic.
This annoyed him.
It was easy enough to tell when Julianna regained control of herself. It was not only the sound of her voice, but her eyes, and entire demeanor that changed.
Renton turned to regard her with some concern, curious how the effect of more active possession played itself out on Julianna.
Owen clicked print on a report and rounded his desk to check on Julianna. "You okay?" He surmised the last face she'd seen was Shrader. That last memory and a loss of time was likely to be disturbing.
RE: Strictly Business [Closed] - megs - 05-05-2020
Her eyes had drifted back to Renton and she stared for a few seconds longer. It would take her awhile to get used to the idea that her good friend wasn't a fae. Like Owen, most of her interaction with the fairy folk was with Darcias, and though a beautiful creature, there was something different about Renton. What a day today was turning out to be.
Julianna looked at Owen again. "I'm okay," she said to the both of them. Concern marred their features. Her ears twitched rapidly, as if shaking off water. Though it was really the lingering feeling of the demon's influence that she was trying to shed. Silver tail picked up a gently sway of a rhythm behind her knees. These features were the only aspects of her that the demon couldn't get right. Even though it could mimic most of her character if it ever wanted to.
"I don't really remember what happened," she admitted. Looking around Owen's office. She remembered Inspector Jehorem and being in his office on the fifth floor. Her ears pinned backwards. "Is Shrader...?" she let the question linger. She feared the worst, if Belial had taken over. Of course the dangerous man terrified her, but it wasn't in her nature to wish him dead.
RE: Strictly Business [Closed] - saronym - 07-03-2020
Owen rested his hand on Julianna's shoulder and gave her the best reassuring squeeze he could. She looked somewhat dazed. He let his fingers trail down her arm. "Don't worry. Agains my better judgment... I left him alive." Owen's words were colder and harsher than his touch. That was nothing new.
He separated from Julianna to retrieve the report he needed. He gathered his files together with a sweep of his hand.
Renton faltered sensing that Owen was readying himself to leave. His own betrayal hung heavy in the air. All the earlier playfulness was gone.
Renton caught Owen's gaze. The stormy grey eyes conveyed a sense of lost trust. Renton knew Owen kept few friends, was slow to trust, and the friends he did keep he was fiercely loyal to. Renton had violated the unspoken contract that came with being in Owen's inner circle.
Renton looked away first down at his feet as Owen collected Julianna.
"Let's go home." Owen said to Julianna. "We'll talk later." He said to Renton who merely nodded.
"Call me later," Renton asked Julianna almost pleasingly.
With a hand to the middle of her back, Owen escorted Julianna from the office. He waited for Renton to exit and locked the door.
When they were alone, exiting the building, Owen interrupted the clicking of Julianna's heels on the marble entryway flooring, "What a fucking day."
RE: Strictly Business [Closed] - megs - 07-08-2020
That small touch comforted Julianna more than he knew. That gesture that reassured that she was okay, and that he taken care of her when she couldn't do so herself. She breathed a sigh if relief. Julianna caught his hand as it trailed down her arm and gave it a squeeze before she released him. Julianna watched Renton as he watched Owen. The taller, blonder man moved around the room. Gathering the things they needed to leave. Renton's glamour shimmered into place right before her eyes. Colorful wings disappeared, his hair was shorter and those rings of color faded from his eyes. Slightly more mundane, but nonetheless beautiful. She could see the worry that marred those baby blues.
She took a few steps to hug him. A brief embrace, before Owen swept her away with that leading hand on her back. "I will,' she promised to him. Taking her purse as Owen handed it off to her.
Renton separated from them and they walked in silence until they were nearly out of the building. "I'm sorry," she said, automatically. Her ears swept back to the crown of her head. It didn't take much for her to assume that she was the reason for her complaint. That the tone of the day was entirely her fault. His hand remained on the small of her back, and she kept hers in front of her body. Her eyes remained on the floor slightly ahead of them.
It wasn't until they stood near his car that she looked up at him. Sad eyes gazed up at him as she waited for him to open the car door for her. "I didn't mean for-" she stopped. Not wanting to sound like she was making excuses and feeling like she had no defense for herself.
RE: Strictly Business [Closed] - saronym - 07-18-2020
Owen didn't say anything else for the walk to his car. He didn't respond to her attempts to apologize. He merely led her to his car and when she stopped to wait for him to open the door, he did so. Opening it and ushering her inside. He waited for her to get situated before he closed her inside. As he rounded the car to the driver's side, he glanced at her sitting inside. She looked to him like a girl in a bubble. Safe from the world.
He joined her in the car and cranked the engine. They left the CAF parking lot listening to a commercial playing quietly on the radio. He didn't speak until they were well into the drive to his house.
He didn't address her apology. He didn't address the issue that he assumed was pressing on her mind. Shrader. Belial.
He had a different topic on his mind.
"Sophia and I broke up today." He said in an even voice while maintaining eyes on the road.
RE: Strictly Business [Closed] - megs - 08-25-2020
The silence didn't bode well with Julianna. She felt small in the passenger seat next to him. Her ears pinned backwards as she stared ahead, at the road passing in front of them. It felt like ages to her before he said anything. Her ears perked to the sound of the small intake of breath that prefaced the start of a conversation. She turned to look at him, slowing blinking in surprise. Julianna wasn't sure she heard him right. But why wouldn't that be true? He had admitted to her that he was done with Sophia. They'd had sex. "I'm sorry," she heard herself say, automatically. Because that's what you said when you heard something that was supposed to be sad. She caught him glance at her in his periphery.
"No, I'm not..." she admitted shortly thereafter. "If I'm honest I've been hoping that you would break up with her for a while now. Thinking that...maybe we would have a chance to be together if you did."
RE: Strictly Business [Closed] - saronym - 09-20-2020
"Don't be." He said immediately on the heels of her apology.And then she took it back.
He was glad to have the task of driving as a buffer for the conversation. It meant he had an excuse to look elsewhere. He was never good with sharing his feelings.
"That's why I did it." He admitted. Breaking up with Sophia to be with Julianna. That was precisely why he did it. Otherwise, he wouldn't have bothered. He could have stayed miserable with Sophia. He slowed to a stop at a red light and turned towards her for the moment he didn't have to pay attention to the road. "I'm not worried about the rest of it. Belial. Shrader. Renton. I don't care." He brushed it all away with arguably careless words and a shrug. He put his index finger under her chin and coaxed her towards him as he leaned over the center console to kiss her.
He forgot he was in the car for a moment as they kissed. They were rudely reminded by a honking behind them that made Owen jump. He glared ice daggers into the rear view mirror. "Fuck you." He complained as he jammed the car into gear and sped off putting distance between them and the car that honked at him.
RE: Strictly Business [Closed] - megs - 09-25-2020
His words echoed in her ears that twitched on top of her head. He had broken up with Sophia...for her. She almost wouldn't believe what she was hearing if the previous night had not happened. She turned to face him. Blinking slowly she absorbed everything he was saying. Sophia was out of the picture. He wanted to be with her. He didn't care about the rest. "O-okay," was all she could think to say. Just to acknowledge that she had heard him. That she was keeping up with the conversation. Even though she felt a step behind as he touched her chin and pulled her in for the kiss.It was just as wonderful as they first time they had kissed. And the second, and the third...
Julianna smiled for the kisses that would come and they way he cussed out the driver behind them. She felt better, despite the events of the day. She reached up to push his hair back into place as he moved back to this side of the car. She let her hand fall away and settle on his thigh.
"Let's go home," she said. Repeating what he had said to her earlier, just to see him smile.