Eglantine-Fox
Posts: 872
8/27/2016
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It's perhaps inevitable that the Embassy would be dragged into this business. Everyone wants to know what the devils are going to do. Whether one likes them or hates them, one cannot ignore them.
And so, a discussion must be had.
Just inside the Brass Embassy waits Eglantine, dressed for the dance that has been scheduled for later tonight - no mortal squabble can derail a planned event here, after all, and even a life-or-death issue must find its own place in the itinerary. They are, unusually enough, in a dress of pure white, with feathered accoutrements that suggest the costume of a dove, but lengths of scarlet silk hang from each wrist. Innocence wounded, two steps from death or damnation. It is the most tempting costume they could have contrived in this place.
Dark eyes, red lips, and a slender pallid form make an impression, together - they have chosen well, tonight.
As to whether all Eglantine's choices tonight will be as good? That, they're not sure of.
--
Eglantine Fox, the charming and androgynous Correspondent, teetering between hobbies of seduction and self-destruction.
Siobhan O'Malley, Irish patriot (or 'bl__dy Fenian' if you're impolite).
Isidore Day, an up-and-coming London gentleman. All allegations of wrongdoing are categorically denied.
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Eglantine-Fox
Posts: 872
8/27/2016
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This is what Eglantine has been waiting for.
As soon as Gazter is inside the Embassy, they come strolling over to him, smiling. "Hello, Barnabas," they purr, quietly, sliding an arm around his waist. "Fancy seeing you here."
They had been... a little thrown, perhaps, at the news of who would be trying to persuade the devils, and had needed to revise their plans very quickly, but they know Gazter well enough to know how to handle some of this.
Even if it does mean some of their tricks are automatically off the table, and filed under 'things I really don't want to have to do to him.'
edited by Eglantine-Fox on 8/27/2016
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Eglantine Fox, the charming and androgynous Correspondent, teetering between hobbies of seduction and self-destruction.
Siobhan O'Malley, Irish patriot (or 'bl__dy Fenian' if you're impolite).
Isidore Day, an up-and-coming London gentleman. All allegations of wrongdoing are categorically denied.
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Eglantine-Fox
Posts: 872
8/27/2016
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"What is it you've got there?" With a playful little smile, they sneak a peek at the bottle under his arm. "It can't be more interesting to hold than I am."
There's a silvery little laugh, and they tug lightly on his arm. "But this is no place for talk like that. Maybe we'd better find somewhere in this maze of a building that is." They wink.
--
Eglantine Fox, the charming and androgynous Correspondent, teetering between hobbies of seduction and self-destruction.
Siobhan O'Malley, Irish patriot (or 'bl__dy Fenian' if you're impolite).
Isidore Day, an up-and-coming London gentleman. All allegations of wrongdoing are categorically denied.
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Eglantine-Fox
Posts: 872
8/27/2016
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"I wish you would," Eglantine murmurs. "It would be easier if we could walk out there together, on the same side."
They sigh, and rest a hand lightly upon his cheek. "But that's a matter of out there, at least. Not in here. It's just us, here, no-one to convince." Their arms twine about his neck, and they lean against him, though they look melancholy still.
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Eglantine Fox, the charming and androgynous Correspondent, teetering between hobbies of seduction and self-destruction.
Siobhan O'Malley, Irish patriot (or 'bl__dy Fenian' if you're impolite).
Isidore Day, an up-and-coming London gentleman. All allegations of wrongdoing are categorically denied.
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Eglantine-Fox
Posts: 872
8/27/2016
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"Turn away from Flowerdene? I can't, Barnabas. There are people there who still need me. I stay for them. Surely you can understand that?" they ask, plaintively.
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Eglantine Fox, the charming and androgynous Correspondent, teetering between hobbies of seduction and self-destruction.
Siobhan O'Malley, Irish patriot (or 'bl__dy Fenian' if you're impolite).
Isidore Day, an up-and-coming London gentleman. All allegations of wrongdoing are categorically denied.
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Eglantine-Fox
Posts: 872
8/27/2016
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Eglantine's words are gentle, but inexorable. "I'm talking about the ordinary people, the ones who can't just leave. They're the ones who need me." They sigh again.
"But for you... Still." They seem conflicted, uncertain about what to do or say. "You lived without me just fine before," Eglantine mutters.
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Eglantine Fox, the charming and androgynous Correspondent, teetering between hobbies of seduction and self-destruction.
Siobhan O'Malley, Irish patriot (or 'bl__dy Fenian' if you're impolite).
Isidore Day, an up-and-coming London gentleman. All allegations of wrongdoing are categorically denied.
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Eglantine-Fox
Posts: 872
8/27/2016
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"All things are madness, Barnabas, here or there." Eglantine smiles suddenly and sweetly. "It's just a matter of what madness one chooses. And this is my choice."
They draw him close and kiss him firmly.
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Eglantine Fox, the charming and androgynous Correspondent, teetering between hobbies of seduction and self-destruction.
Siobhan O'Malley, Irish patriot (or 'bl__dy Fenian' if you're impolite).
Isidore Day, an up-and-coming London gentleman. All allegations of wrongdoing are categorically denied.
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+1
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Eglantine-Fox
Posts: 872
8/27/2016
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"Barnabas." Eglantine's voice is quietly reasonable. "You're worrying me. And this isn't about Eli." They look suddenly surprised. "Do you think I'm in love with him, or some such?" There's a sudden relieved laugh. "Is that it? Is that the problem? Because it's not true."
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Eglantine Fox, the charming and androgynous Correspondent, teetering between hobbies of seduction and self-destruction.
Siobhan O'Malley, Irish patriot (or 'bl__dy Fenian' if you're impolite).
Isidore Day, an up-and-coming London gentleman. All allegations of wrongdoing are categorically denied.
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+1
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Eglantine-Fox
Posts: 872
8/27/2016
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"What will you do, then?" One hand reaches out, to rest lightly on Gazter's shoulder. "Because I assure you, I can find plenty of danger without his say-so. He wouldn't even like to know that I'm here with you, and yet here I am anyway."
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Eglantine Fox, the charming and androgynous Correspondent, teetering between hobbies of seduction and self-destruction.
Siobhan O'Malley, Irish patriot (or 'bl__dy Fenian' if you're impolite).
Isidore Day, an up-and-coming London gentleman. All allegations of wrongdoing are categorically denied.
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+1
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Eglantine-Fox
Posts: 872
8/27/2016
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"Do you love me, then? Really, truly love me?" Eglantine reaches up, their hand resting on the back of his head to draw it down just a little, so that their foreheads are touching. Their voice seems a little wistful. "Do you?"
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Eglantine Fox, the charming and androgynous Correspondent, teetering between hobbies of seduction and self-destruction.
Siobhan O'Malley, Irish patriot (or 'bl__dy Fenian' if you're impolite).
Isidore Day, an up-and-coming London gentleman. All allegations of wrongdoing are categorically denied.
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+1
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Eglantine-Fox
Posts: 872
8/27/2016
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"I've spent long enough feeling that no-one truly loves me. Even people I love. Show me you do, sweet?" They are so close, here, and it is so easy to lean in for a kiss.
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Eglantine Fox, the charming and androgynous Correspondent, teetering between hobbies of seduction and self-destruction.
Siobhan O'Malley, Irish patriot (or 'bl__dy Fenian' if you're impolite).
Isidore Day, an up-and-coming London gentleman. All allegations of wrongdoing are categorically denied.
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+1
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Eglantine-Fox
Posts: 872
8/27/2016
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As Gazter falls, Eglantine does their best to ease him safely to the floor, though they still have to smother the fire upon his sleeve hastily, before it can touch his skin. Only once he's down do they carefully wipe their lips clean, and drink something from a silver flask that makes them grimace and cough.
Charm enough wearers of scarlet stockings, and sometimes you can hear whispers of tricks like these: lip paints that can drug someone into insensibility, and the ways to avoid knocking oneself out with them into the bargain.
True, it generally requires one look particularly feminine to get away with wearing them, lest it look incongruous, but Eglantine can present a feminine face here in the Brass Embassy without fear of being treated less respectfully. In that regard, the devils seem a little more forward-thinking than the rest of London, where Eglantine is more inclined to wear suits.
They purse their lips thoughtfully, before searching Gazter for weapons and binding his wrists and ankles so that he can't move, but won't lose circulation - another interesting trick one can pick up when one makes suitably scandalous friends.
What to do with him, though? Sharp brass claws hover near Gazter's throat for a moment, then pull away.
Eglantine sighs heavily.
No-one will have to be cleaning up any blood in this room today. In the end, Eglantine merely leaves their erstwhile suitor there, with his jacket folded up like a pillow beneath his head, carefully bound, and with a hastily-written note tucked in his shirt.
'Barnabas,
I'm sorry. I had to. If I'd debated with you, I would have had to take your credibility in the eyes of the devils, and the danger you'd be in then... No. This is the only way. By the time you wake and get loose, the discussion will be over. Go home.
-Eglantine.'
edited by Eglantine-Fox on 8/27/2016
--
Eglantine Fox, the charming and androgynous Correspondent, teetering between hobbies of seduction and self-destruction.
Siobhan O'Malley, Irish patriot (or 'bl__dy Fenian' if you're impolite).
Isidore Day, an up-and-coming London gentleman. All allegations of wrongdoing are categorically denied.
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+1
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