R
Ringmaster
Guest
New Beijing.
As if there was anything truly new about this hive-city world. Like the Beijing of Earth-that-Was, it was overcrowded and polluted. Poor and rich existed side by side, like every other world she had seen and overall, all it did was prove the old adage true.
'The more things change, the more things stay the same.'
Speaking of changes, she opened her eyes. The setting was not exactly what she imagined for her first time. The room was grimy, if private and the first thing she saw was her umbrella leaning against a katana in a sheath. Not exactly conducive for romance. But then again, there was nothing really romantic here...Was there? The thought was enough to sadden her as she tried to move, only to be gripped tighter in the embrace of her partner as she stopped.
Partner....
She turned, careful not to dislodge herself to look at him.
Lucifer.
Her old friend from the Wasteland World, her partner in Avalon when they were solving crimes before gaining the attention of the Coalition and now, part of the same organization here they were....He needed comfort sorely and she wanted to give him it. Every time, he seemed more and more distant to the point of sorrow. Where Elizabeth had begun to master magic and blossom, Lucifer seemed to withdraw more and more, until he was a shadow of his old self. His fire was gone, the drive that inspired him removed and she knew even last night was only a substitute for the women he lost...The wizard and the warrior.
The dead and the traitor.
She pushed down the bitterness within her rising with practice and kissed his forehead.
It didn't matter. They were still friends, he would always be hers and she would be his. It was all that could come of it and all that she would need.
Ignoring the hurt within her, she moved out of bed and headed for the shower.
Leaving a note after dressing up, she checked her reflection....Adjusted her choker to hide the marks and grabbed her umbrella before she left.
They had a mission.
And if nothing else, she could at least help him accomplish that.
--------
It was cruel and he knew it.
Last night he crossed a line with his friend, turning what had meant to simply be a replenishing bite into something else. It was carnal lust, pure and simple. There was no love in the act, nor anything resembling emotion. Just two animals going at it, till he thought the bed would snap under their efforts. It filled him with shame and when Elizabeth kissed his forehead, thinking him asleep it filled him with guilt.
And yet, he didn't want her to leave.
It had been years since he allowed himself to let his guard down with anyone. To wake up in the same bed, to have any sort of connection outside violence- He didn't know what to think of it. Or how to deal with it. It was far easier to look the other way, to sweep under the rug. He would not have done that when he was younger.
Where did he go wrong?
He got up, moved to read the note and in Elizabeth's flowing, small cursive he read the following.
'Gone check out the Black Spider. Be back soon.'
He sighed out and shook his head.
One shower and quick dress-up later, and he was gone as well.
Meanwhile....
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The Black Spider was a den for smugglers, thieves and whores. And that was just the official count.
Under the rule of the Tongs, it flourished mostly as neutral ground. Here, the rule of fist was in effect. If a man drew a knife in a fight, all others were restricted to knives as the deadliest weapon. Anyone who broke that rule, made himself a target for anything goes from every single person in the room.
Needless to say it worked exceptionally well.
And wonderfully for him as he smiled and took a seat as his table, smiling at others before speaking out of the corner of his mouth.
"Well Mr. Miles, you've been a mighty fine passenger on board my ship, but this is where we part ways. This place sees more then its share of folk who pass through universes, bound to be one who can take you to yours. River, say goodbye to the nice gentleman."
@Thuro 116 Pendragon
