( second opinions )
( more odd pep talks )
Unfortunately, when the proceedings get underway, it becomes clear actually accepting the invitation was a bad idea for my blood pressure. They don’t even have the decency to be rude about the whole ‘discussing a war that would tear up the streets of my city’ thing.
“I was surprised to be approached to negotiate the first time, let alone the second. I was under the impression you hated vampires.” Chase takes a sip of what might, possibly, be red wine. I feel absolutely no compulsion to investigate.
“Oh, if this was personal, I wouldn’t have stopped at the mansion.” It takes a moment for me to realize that’s a threat. Delivered in a polite, charming voice, just like the rest of their terrifying conversation. “Fortunately, this is business, and I’m a professional.”
“Oh, good. I was worried you’d be upset if I admitted I want to tear your throat out.” Cordelia smiles.
“Excellent. I do enjoy it when negotiation partners can be trusted to be absolutely honest with me.” Augh.
Dresden happens to be right here; Marcone is demisexual but not aromantic. It’s a coincidence, really, because Harry really doesn’t get anything outside heteronormativity, but he is trying.
What is this chapter
(though the word count is part of why I didn't get the thing I needed to get done yesterday done yesterday or today wow)
( still postponing that panic attack )
( help now; freak out later )
“So he’s trying to figure out a new last name.” Buffy’s thoughtful.
The voice startles—startles, mind—her. “Might I suggest Steel?”
He’s lucky he didn’t just accidentally set off her Slayer reflexes and get pasted or something. “Okay, for one, how the heck did you get in here? For two, you really aren’t used to not getting what you want, huh?”
“I’m not used to romance,” Steel corrects quietly, but there’s an earnest quality to the voice that Summers isn’t used to. She squints.
“Yeah, with you going around killing people, I can see why you’d have an empty dance card.” He’s a criminal. No sympathy here.
“The woman I loved died. I hope even you can see why I wouldn’t be so eager to sign up for more heartbreak.” Which means the crush happened accidentally. If he didn’t happen to be the most dangerous mortal in the city, it’d be kind of funny.
“Will you listen if I beg? Because I’m not too proud to do it for kids.”
Marcone does look vaguely amused, but just waits, like he’s having too much fun watching me break down, and I turn away, a snarl on my lips. I should have realized appealing to his good nature wouldn’t work, because he doesn’t have one, and even my humiliation and protecting kids when they’re outside his jurisdiction don’t seem to be enough motivation.
“If you have finished with your tantrum…” He starts strapping on even more knives and guns than his usual, which is a little disturbing.
“What…?” I’m having trouble processing. I’d already started trying to work out a solo strategy that didn’t involve me getting killed in unpleasant ways.
The mob boss, on the other hand, is the very picture of calm, cool, and collected. “You came to me as a last resort, which means if I turned you down, you’d go alone. I have come to the conclusion that you’re better alive than dead. If I help you, I’d only ask you consider that perhaps the reverse might also be true. And, of course, I have no intention of dying for you, which means Miss Gard, at the very least, will be accompanying us.” His smile, while revealing no bloodstained fangs dripping with pain, is a tiger’s, amused and dangerous. “I’m not entirely certain whether it’s within her contract, but the promise of bloodshed might be just enough of a bribe to win her favor.”
Hell’s bells, what had I gotten myself into…?
“So, uh…” I hesitate, but I’ve gotten this far and she hasn’t torn my throat out. Might as well keep going. “Why the pretty lady look?” It can’t just be vanity. For all I know, vampire standards of attractiveness—for Reds, anyway—differ pretty significantly from humans.
Chase’s smile is amused. “Why wear ugly clothes, when you could wear pretty clothes?” That—
I can get my head around that. So it’s not like her self-worth is tied up in looking pretty for humans. It’s just an aesthetic choice. “There’s also the truth that you humans are blind enough that some accident of birth dictates a good portion of your social structure, and I’m practical, but really. I could rule this city looking like Quasimodo if I wanted.”
I could definitely believe that. She’s got a strong enough will that she just acts, assuming everyone’s going to fall in line, and for the most part they do, because who’s really gonna argue with a hurricane? That being said…probably me, actually, because I’m that reckless. “Not by yourself. Steel would give you a run for your money.”
I expect her to frown, the minute I open my unthinking mouth. To hiss, or yell at me, or something. Instead, she smiles, big and wide and kind of disconcerting, like the cat that got the cream. “I’m sure he’d be positively thrilled you return at least some of his regard.”
I…really don’t want to know what goes on in these political games of cat and mouse. I really, really am better off not knowing.
“What about challenges?” He’s still glaring at me, as if merely doing so can change my mind.
I am tempted to point out that Hendricks, at the moment, is challenging my authority by questioning me on this matter. Perhaps Dresden is already a bad influence. I do not give in to the temptation. He has allowances, as my oldest friend. He will have to accept that Mr. Dresden will be another exception.
“Nathan.” My voice is sharp, cutting off any further questioning. “I have no intention of abandoning Chicago after all of my effort to take and keep her, nor do I have any desire to act on my feelings and court Mr. Dresden.” He shifts, eyes still mutinous. “I am not going to show the world a deadly weakness. I haven’t lived this long to suddenly lose all common sense. Though I would have expected you to rejoice in the knowledge I am still human despite any efforts on my part.”
He takes a moment, then snorts. “Knew that already.” Doubtless he’s referring to my collections, everything from classics such as The Godfather to more contemporary works such as the fifth part of a certain manga series and even videogames. I find it oddly relaxing, an easy source of entertainment despite not being far removed from my daily life, as well as a useful source of, shall we say, insight into possible problems that might arise. One such practical lesson involves the reason why my accountants are cultivated to an extreme degree and paid more than the rest of my organization, excepting Hendricks and Gard. Still, he relaxes slightly.
( a little help )
( deep thoughts )
“I’ve been reading…”
“Always a dangerous proposition, in your case,” Steel interjects smoothly.
I level a glare at him, ignoring the others. He adopts the Innocent Child expression easily. It is entirely unfair that he can actually pull that off.
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