Re: A Devil of a Job
Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2014 4:21 am
Three stepped forward, briefly flashing Aislinn a look of annoyance. "I didn't know Michael was suspected of trawling Asia," he noted at Mary's sight.
"He isn't," replied Krampus, "but my boss does go through the occasional Asian trek. We keep tabs on a few people, just in case. Marianna Jameson's one of 'em."
Three exchanged a look between the self-styled razorgirl and the creature. "So is she on your shit list - or Oberon's?
- Neither's," replied Krampus with a grin. "Like most of you," he said, briefly stepping back and parting his arms. "Most of everyone here, in fact. Thing is, Obie goes Kringle for his kids, first and foremost. I fill in, on occasion. We don't drop presents - we never did. Doing some B&E to keep the myth going, though, you see things. Things like, uh, still-wrapped Christmas presents waiting for some greedy little mitts. In some cases, the shape's pretty self-explanatory.
- And you really just fuck shit up for anyone who's designated as a target by the King.
- Right again!" called the Christmas Demon. "Worst thing I've ever done to a kid is give him a look. The runts think they're off to Hell if they mess up their year, and seeing me crystallizes all the guilt, in those parts of the world that still toss my name around. Promotes good behavior."
He looked back to Mary. "Jameson, though? I keep tabs because she's a scab, is what she is. Short temper, body fulla exosuit plugs, the skllls to back 'em up? She's denied me hits, and the Capital N Need to Cave Faces In doesn't leave me until Oberon says so!" he explained, his tone rising, after which he whipped towards Jameson.
"Heeeey Supercop Laaaaadyyyy - even you, with your rehab, your flashes of hot lust, your self-satisfaction at pulling stuff off that most folks would need freaking mechanical assistance for - YOU. DON'T. KNOW. HOW IT FEELS. TO NEED. WHAT OBERON NEEDS!" he suddenly shouted, fingers turning into grasping claws that expressed as much pent-up energy as pure helplessness. All the same, he went from a sudden display of extreme tension to a slow, almost sensuous smile.
"It's hot and slow and it courses through your brain like boiling ice water. Need the Mark, need the Mark, crave the Mark, bring the Mark home - but I have to play with it first. I'm a cat, and my ball of yarn's whatever will make the Mark scream. When I'm all set and it's happening, Mary girl? Do you know how that feels?!"
Gripping her shoulders, he shuddered in a way that could almost be construed as being erotic. "It's paradise."
Again, just as quickly, he switched to a dry and clipped tone. "You've kept me from paradise, Mary. Seven times. Seven heads, wanted by Oberon, all bagged by Hong Kong's good Transhumanist little Girl Scout. Before your - little issues, of course."
And now, to a glacial tone. "Don't try and stop me. Help me - but don't you dare lift a hand in front of me."
Again, his eyes darted sideways and he sniffed. "Does that count as a Moment, friendos? I think that was a Moment. We're, um, establishing the terms of our professional relationship."
Three scoffed. "If that was a Moment, it was pretty one-sided. Do we warrant a personalized warning too, or are we good to start sharing info?
- Nah, all o' y'all are cool," dismissively replied Krampus with a grin. "'Course, you two Army bozos kinda smell Naughty to me, but military orders and basic inclinations are sorta like Fae Oaths. Can't fight 'em. Wouldn't expect you to. Good kids with tough scrapes don't deserve me. As for the rest of you vigilantes - well, you did break the law, way back when - but fuck the law, right?"
"He isn't," replied Krampus, "but my boss does go through the occasional Asian trek. We keep tabs on a few people, just in case. Marianna Jameson's one of 'em."
Three exchanged a look between the self-styled razorgirl and the creature. "So is she on your shit list - or Oberon's?
- Neither's," replied Krampus with a grin. "Like most of you," he said, briefly stepping back and parting his arms. "Most of everyone here, in fact. Thing is, Obie goes Kringle for his kids, first and foremost. I fill in, on occasion. We don't drop presents - we never did. Doing some B&E to keep the myth going, though, you see things. Things like, uh, still-wrapped Christmas presents waiting for some greedy little mitts. In some cases, the shape's pretty self-explanatory.
- And you really just fuck shit up for anyone who's designated as a target by the King.
- Right again!" called the Christmas Demon. "Worst thing I've ever done to a kid is give him a look. The runts think they're off to Hell if they mess up their year, and seeing me crystallizes all the guilt, in those parts of the world that still toss my name around. Promotes good behavior."
He looked back to Mary. "Jameson, though? I keep tabs because she's a scab, is what she is. Short temper, body fulla exosuit plugs, the skllls to back 'em up? She's denied me hits, and the Capital N Need to Cave Faces In doesn't leave me until Oberon says so!" he explained, his tone rising, after which he whipped towards Jameson.
"Heeeey Supercop Laaaaadyyyy - even you, with your rehab, your flashes of hot lust, your self-satisfaction at pulling stuff off that most folks would need freaking mechanical assistance for - YOU. DON'T. KNOW. HOW IT FEELS. TO NEED. WHAT OBERON NEEDS!" he suddenly shouted, fingers turning into grasping claws that expressed as much pent-up energy as pure helplessness. All the same, he went from a sudden display of extreme tension to a slow, almost sensuous smile.
"It's hot and slow and it courses through your brain like boiling ice water. Need the Mark, need the Mark, crave the Mark, bring the Mark home - but I have to play with it first. I'm a cat, and my ball of yarn's whatever will make the Mark scream. When I'm all set and it's happening, Mary girl? Do you know how that feels?!"
Gripping her shoulders, he shuddered in a way that could almost be construed as being erotic. "It's paradise."
Again, just as quickly, he switched to a dry and clipped tone. "You've kept me from paradise, Mary. Seven times. Seven heads, wanted by Oberon, all bagged by Hong Kong's good Transhumanist little Girl Scout. Before your - little issues, of course."
And now, to a glacial tone. "Don't try and stop me. Help me - but don't you dare lift a hand in front of me."
Again, his eyes darted sideways and he sniffed. "Does that count as a Moment, friendos? I think that was a Moment. We're, um, establishing the terms of our professional relationship."
Three scoffed. "If that was a Moment, it was pretty one-sided. Do we warrant a personalized warning too, or are we good to start sharing info?
- Nah, all o' y'all are cool," dismissively replied Krampus with a grin. "'Course, you two Army bozos kinda smell Naughty to me, but military orders and basic inclinations are sorta like Fae Oaths. Can't fight 'em. Wouldn't expect you to. Good kids with tough scrapes don't deserve me. As for the rest of you vigilantes - well, you did break the law, way back when - but fuck the law, right?"