[closed]

[keepgodwaiting]

WHO: Johanna Constantine (keepgodwaiting) & a variety of appointments
WHAT: Autumnal and spooky hijinks
WHERE: Around!
WHEN: End of September, into October
WARNINGS: Probably demon shit in the Peter thread; probably social awkwardness in the Steven thread; more if they come up

I swear to God I saw her howlin' at the sky
She ain't out to get you but she's better on your side
And she don't wanna be anybody else
She's a woman in total control of herself
It's such a wonder to be under her spell
What a woman in total control of herself

Comments

[keepgodwaiting]

Angels with guns, my god. Puts a new spin on the old "Be not afraid" greeting.

[ She scoffs, not unamused. ]

What, you going to carry me on your back like a kid? You may be three times my age, mate, but you're not my dad.

[unrequite]

[ Midnight gives Miss Constantine a bit of an odd, delighted look. Do... do angels not have guns in the religious iconography of Earth? It must be so, but the idea is somewhat wild to Midnight. ]

I was thinking something a bit more bridal... But I'll have you know that one's late thirties is still young for my kind. I'd have to be at least a century old to be anyone's dad... Well, if I cared about being respectable amongst the old guard, anyhow.

[keepgodwaiting]

Ah, respectability politics. I see we've got something else in common there.

What's that look for?

[unrequite]

Oh, nothing. Just imagining you as an angel from my world. One of the statues with the golden halos, praying, with a shotgun in hand.

[ Midnight tucks the plushie under his elbow and makes a square with his fingers, framing Miss Constantine inside. ]

Wouldn't be out of place, if I'm being honest.

[keepgodwaiting]

Ha! Flirt. I don't know which would make me look sillier, the gun or the halo.

[ Grinning in spite of herself, she strikes a Charlie's Angels-esque pose for his imaginary viewfinder. ]

I'll take the crystal wings, though.

[unrequite]

[ He makes a few clicking sounds, pulls an imaginary polaroid, and admires it before ending the charade. ]

Even if they don't do much, huh... Well, I have to admit they're quite lovely to look at. Not that you need help in that department, of course, but it is nice to dress up every now and then.

[ ... He is laying it on thick, but he's always like this! ]

[keepgodwaiting]

Mate, if you keep talking like that, you'll have me thinking you like me for some reason, and then I might have to do something drastic.

[unrequite]

[ A beat. Midnight taps at the plushie thoughtfully. ]

Suppose I do. What drastic measures would you take?

[keepgodwaiting]

God, the possibilities are endless. Kiss you, kick you in the shins, pull your hair like we're on the playground. Maybe something really outrageous like compliment you back.

[ She reaches up to tap him on the nose, smiling. ]

Just something so you know what you're getting into.

[unrequite]

A compliment? Be still, my beating heart.

[ The tap comes and goes. Midnight looks down at her through his eyelashes. How fearless. He can't help but catch his bottom lip with his teeth for a moment. ]

Well, as they say: one must hope for the kiss, but prepare for the kick.

[ Another pause. He laughs. ]

And perhaps solicit a promise for the hairpulling, hmm?

[keepgodwaiting]

[ Johanna chuckles in turn, shaking her head. ]

I can't tell if you're that thirsty or that unflappable, do you know that? 'S quite a talent.

[ She'd been a little surprised, in retrospect, that Midnight hadn't been one of the several vampires that responded to her anonymous personal ad, given his general tendency towards flirtation. But some people do just put out that energy without any desire to follow up on it -- and she still hasn't figured out which box Midnight fits into.

Hypocritical of her, no doubt, given how little she likes being put in a box herself. So it goes. ]

[unrequite]

Depending on who you ask, it's both. I've more talents where that one came from, you see.

[ The answer to that is actually pretty simple: he was busy, and by the time he noticed the personal ad, it had more than enough takers to keep a particularly horny stranger busy for weeks at least. Bon voyage to all involved, though! ]

[keepgodwaiting]

Well, and who am I going to ask besides you? I know you've got a knack for being unreadable, and a talent for conversation, and more patience for blathering on about the esoteric than some magicians I've met. What else?

[unrequite]

Unreadable... Huh. Well, I do play the guitar.

[ Followed by another laugh. It's the least of his talents, he feels. ]

I'm also a good judge of character, although that came with time. It's why I do enjoy your company. I feel as though you're always saying exactly what's on your mind. I like that.

[keepgodwaiting]

Ah, a good judge of character, but not good taste. Got it.

Of course you play the guitar, look at you. Lead or bass?

[unrequite]

[ A soft snort in response to the joke. ] Oh, come now.

[ To answer the question, though... ] Lead, though I hesitate to say that I led anything. I learned it in response to a client request for someone to fill for a missing lead guitarist for their band. I kept up with the practice after that, but I wouldn't say music is my main pursuit at all. I simply enjoy it.

[keepgodwaiting]

You're not a musician, but you had clientele that asked you to play in their band?

[ Johanna is still not entirely clear on what Midnight does, or did, given that their first in-depth conversation was mostly about vampires and Catholic history she kiiiind of remembered rather than personal details. ]

It's probably all for the best you didn't pursue it. It's a hell of a business.

[unrequite]

[ Midnight laughs, pulling at his little bat's wing again. He's getting used to the eyelessness. ]

Worse than escorting? Well... I can't say I'd be terribly surprised. Disappointed, yes, but most entertainment industries have their underbellies.

[ Surprise? Not that he's treating it like one. He's just tickled to think of music and his past as a callboy in the same terms. ]

[keepgodwaiting]

[ Oh, well. Johanna blinks at the casual reveal, and then laughs a little. You know what, that does explain the talent for unflappable flirting. ]

I wouldn't know from worse. Suppose some people would say they're both just renting yourself out for other people's pleasure, but that's having a job, isn't it.

[unrequite]

Quite apt. In that sense, what I used to do was free of pretense... Or had the potential to be, anyway.

[ He grins. ]

I like to think people left me happy. That was always the goal, you know. Still is, if I'm going to be honest.

[keepgodwaiting]

Is that what you're doing, back home? If it's all right to ask. Tell me to piss off if it's not.

[unrequite]

Manners? From Miss Johanna Constantine? Do mine ears betray me?

[keepgodwaiting]

[ Loftily: ] Excuse you, my gran raised me right. Be respectful of the oldest profession, say hello to ravens, and tell cops where they can shove it.

[unrequite]

The ravens, specifically?

[ Puzzling... But the rest is a good sentiment. Midnight laughs. ]

Your gran sounds like a marvel. I'd love to meet her someday. No, I'm no longer an escort. Ended up becoming a soldier, actually. Citizen reserve, paramilitary.

[keepgodwaiting]

Yeah, they remember people's faces. Everyone knows that.

[ She raises her eyebrows, a little incredulous. ] Go on, now. You're a soldier?

[ With that hair?? ]