everslouching

[everslouching]

Lust slips through the door like they're evading the notice of a flaming sword-wielding guard, which is to say like it's the entry to Eden, all bright smiles and quick steps. It's quick enough, in fact, that they probably yank poor Adelaide in just from the sheer force of their slipstream. 

It's all right, though, because their dazzling grin fades into an expression of concern, and they shake their head, click their tongue. 

"No family stuff is silly, trust me." It's okay, though, because as soon as they've dropped that uncharacteristically serious line, the grin is back, and they continue like there hasn't even been a pause: "Besides, anyone with taste in coffee as great as mine has to know everything, it's practically divine right." They wink; they drag her up to the line, and then they furrow their brow. They've gotten here, now they need to pick a drink. Any drink. But not every drink, that is a disaster they would like to avoid repeating, please, thank you, let's never mention it again.

Kindness is still there, ready to come to arms if need be though they’d rather not unless it was absolutely needed. Thankfully now is not the time.

A laugh that is equal parts amusement and relief escapes her as she bumps Dan back, shaking her head again as she does so. She makes herself busy with looking down at her watch and the ring rather than up at his face instead. If he can’t see her face he can’t see her lie. “It’s nothing that a good cup of coffee can’t cure,” Adelaide informs him while she holds open the door. “Besides it’s just silly family stuff.”

…Well…It’s not that much of a lie when she really thinks about it…

[everslouching]

Lust recognizes that maybe they need to back it up a bit, and as a result Dan schools their face into seriousness for all of about two seconds.

It's a very impressive two seconds! But they can't keep the exuberance off their face, and so it's as shortlived as it is impressive, and they're back to grinning down at Kindn--Adelaide. (Won't it be funny, if Adelaide is bowled over by Kindness, here, and now?)

(By funny, I mean horrific.)

They look quite chastened at her tone of disappointment, grin wickedly at her followup, then bump her gently when she looks distressed, worry creasing their forehead. "How about a listening ear, then? I'm good at secrets!" 

Yeah, they really are good at secrets. Just ask them how many they're keeping from her, right this second.

"Oh that’s what I’d thought but I wasn’t sure." Her expression slips minutely, concern briefly taking over her features at the smile she sees. The ghost of a shiver skitters down Adelaide’s spine as Kindness seemingly surges forward just a little more.

With a roll of her shoulders she pushes it back yet again. A smile of amusement pulls up her lips. “Sounds like you’re a bit of an addict,” she tells him with a mock tone of disappointment. “To which I cannot actually say anything since I’m practically a fixture there now.” That brings her thoughts back to Patience, back to Dilly. Back to everything she had been doing so well in avoiding. Clearing her throat she pulls herself together and shakes her head. “I don’t think coffee warrants a child.”

[everslouching]

"Self defense!" Lust answers, beam just this side of unsettling. They shrug. "Plus, looking nice is practical in and of itself, and rings definitely add to anyone's look."  Dan presses a be-ringed hand to their forehead like the relief from hearing how close the coffee is has literally shaken their world, then shakes his head, giggling.

"God bless you," they say, and if Lust sniggers unkindly in their own head, well, their face sure doesn't betray it! "my coffee machine broke last week, and I haven't had a hit in what feels like centuries, seriously, I might owe you my firstborn."

"They are?" The default expression had returned as she considered that. Or was attempting to, at least. "How are rings practical?" There were a few instances where she thought they could be. But none that she had ever used for herself. Kindness rises somewhat, like the sea slipping up the coast, and needles more thanks to the blip of confrontation coming from Lust.

Adelaide snickers quietly, leaning in at the way Dan lowers his voice. “Well we can’t have that! It would be awful to say good-bye after just meeting.” 

(Oh Kindness was just sighing now, if a Virtue could really do so. Of course she was charmed. Of. Course.)

"It’s just one more block and then we can get you some lifesaving caffeine!"

[everslouching]

"Rings are practical!" There's almost an edge of defensiveness to the quickfire way Lust drops the counter, but the confrontational lines are sanded out of existence seconds after they appear--Lust is good at smoothing things they don't want to think about out of existence.

Dan looks delighted at Adelaide's continued receptivity, then glances around the street, lowers their voice. "Between you and me, the after coffee part does sound nice--if I don't get some caffeine soon, I may die."

They beam! So much!

They're also partially serious.

“Lovely people should have lovely things,” she repeated softly. For whatever reason the statement makes her laugh. “I have lovely things, I do. They’re just usually things I need. Things that are practical.” A ring like the one Dan had just given her wasn’t exactly something that she would have classified as practical. But even she had to admit…it was nice.

Meanwhile Kindness was still needling, as if they were trying to understand the gesture as well. 

Adelaide’s eyebrows meet up again. (It’s going to become a default expression for her if she’s not careful.) “It doesn’t need to be fixed though.” She stumbles ever so slightly but lets out a laugh, his demeanor catching. “The after coffee part sounds nice.”

If Dan was ‘B)’ than Adelaide was ‘:>’.

[everslouching]

"Oh, yeah!" Lust enthuses, either by choice or ineptitude completely missing the distress the concept of the vast majority of their family being up and awake evokes in their conversational partner. "Pride 'n Greed 'n not quite Wrath, but his human's real nice, didn't even hit me like last life." They bounce again to emphasize how great this is, jostle elbows with Kiana despite the difficulty involved in such a gesture. 

They follow Kiana's lead like a particularly obedient and excited puppy, dig a hand into the purse dangling from their arm and root about for a bit. "That reminds me! Would you give this to 'em?" They beam hopefully, then--then, they wiggle a ring directly off their finger too, like it's obvious that she'll agree. "And--if it's not to taste, this?"

They are heartbreakingly earnest, incredibly hopeful, and leveling Kiana with their most puppydog expression. 

"Just tell 'er that L sent 'em, if she's napping right now, which she shouldn't be! But she's one of the older ones so I guess it's understandable, you know? Naps and that." They're jangling even more than before and don't even seem to be aware of it.

There's a lot they don't really seem o be aware of, one must really wonder if it's a cultivated skill.

Kiana nodded her understanding, trying to hide her unease. She was tripping off-kilter through this mess as it was, but the angels had an unhealthy knack for spinning her off from any sure footing every time their paths collided. “I sympathize,” and whether it was for the stress of being tossed randomly at similarly-plighted total strangers or for being pushed under the dark recesses of their own mind “willingly”, she did not say.

They crossed the street, fellow pedestrians peeling off in different directions around them. Home lay right, but she began to guide them left without missing a beat. Such precaution was probably a moot point by now; no doubt Greed at least was already aware of where she lived. Still, it gave her the smallest illusion of being in control of the situation.

Not that this one was giving off any particularly menacing vibes. They were practically –No, literally bouncing along as they walked. Whether they were sin or virtue, she had no clue. By now, she was prepared to paint them all with the same brush.

A small shrug, the tiniest lift of her shoulders. “She’s not so conversational, but I’ll give it a shot.” she said, and Kiana couldn’t quite keep the wry twist from her lips.

Even that is smoothed from her face by their flippant remark, a cold dread gripping her insides. Most of them are up. Did they just happen to meet others during those moments of control, or had so many already taken full control of their vessels? What did that say about her chances?

"Really?" It’s meant as a question, but any upward inflection falls flat. "Everyone present and accounted for?"

[everslouching]

Dan watches Adelaide examine the ring with undisguised pleasure crinkling the corners of his eyes. He'd intended for Kindness to like the ring--even if he needled 'his' sibling relentlessly every chance he got, Kindness was still a sibling, and for family nothing but the best would do. That the vessel liked it too was a bonus!

"Sure I'm sure!" He replies, giddiness fading into something more approaching solemnity after her pause, her words. "Well that's just a shame. You're a lovely person, from our brief interactions. Lovely people should have lovely things, dontcha know." Then the seriousness is gone, and he's tipping her a grin that just invites her to be in on the joke with him.

Not that anyone is sure just what the joke is, but. That's not the point!

The point is, he uses the point where their arms loop as leverage to jostle her slightly, the resulting jangle from his bangles and necklaces more muted than usual due to the contact. "Suppose we'll just ahve to start fixing it, huh? --After coffee, thought." 

They are the human(?) version of the 'B)' emoticon. They really are.

And needled Kindness was. But, at the same time, Lust wasn’t a threat. Not yet, at least. The Virtue subsides their presence slightly while warily keeping watch.

With the arm that wasn’t looped through Dan’s, Adelaide automatically reaches out for the offered ring. It hadn’t been a concious choice of hers even as she held it up and stared. “Are you sure? I mean it’s good coffee but I don’t know if it’s…fancy ring good."

It was beautiful and not like any ring she’d seen before. The fact that it was purple almost made her giddy. “People don’t usually give me things,” she admits finally. “Not like this.”

[everslouching]

[Lust blinks, startled at Ava's abrupt descent into silence--a quick glance down turns up the reason, though, and their face twists into a momentary scowl, one long hand reaches up to flick (ping) against the bone. They shrug, focus momentarily, and then wrench the suddenly completed bracelet free of their arm. It looks slightly painful--it isn't.] P dropped the Dad bomb on me, been nervous ever since.

[They try to chuckle, like it's amusing. Mostly they just look slightly like they're gonna be sick.] My armor's trying to grow, see. [They bounce on their heels once, then drop down so they can be face to face with G once more, brandishing the bracelet like some kind of deranged gift giver swept up by the spirit of Christmas.] Want it? I got plenty!

Yeah, I mean if they don’t want it enough to take it clearl-

[Lust may not have noticed the bracelet coming out of their fucking skin, but Ava sure did and he’s stopped dead in his tracks, crouching down because there is no way in hell or earth or anywhere else that he’s not going to inspect it.] …Can we discuss this?

[Even by angel standards it’s a little weird. Which is nothing new, this is Lust after all, they’ve always been full of surprises, surprises is kind of what they do and it’s a fairly good chunk of what makes them so absolutely fantastic, but. He’s concerned! About Lust’s wellbeing, of course (and his own, but you know); he’s not sure what he’d do without his favorite partner in crime, or what the world would do for that matter. Lust is just too important to be sick, or injured, or whatever the hell is up with that materializing bracelet.]

[everslouching]

--If she got her own brewer, they'd probably just start appearing outside her window, honestly; Angels aren't the sorts of things you can manage to avoid. Ever. Especially not Lust! Their hair is a mess, their jewelry is atrocious, and the second they have their hand back they're digging through a pocket, brows furrowed in nearly ferocious concentration.

"It's me! --Er, backseat me, front seat me's taking a nap, they think all this meet the family stuff is downright stressful!" They follow Kiana's lead like it's natural, beam still firmly in place: a human with a penchant (compared to the others Lust's met) for contact! Hooray! "I figured I'd do 'em a solid, let them skip this one out; you can still call me Dannie if you want though, it definitely doesn't matter to them!" 

Yeah, it doesn't matter to them. Because they haven't been awake in well over a half decade, Lust, come on now. If this narration didn't know that you were just attempting to leave favourable impressions it would accuse you of lying just for the fun of it. "And you're definitely the front seat, say hi to big sis for me?" They bounce while they walk, up and down and up and down, nothing more than a matter of inches, but consistent. "Been meeting people for dayyyyys now, and most of them up! It's refreshing to meet one of you for once!"

Lust, that's not gonna help. At all. Stop at once.

It’s always when she’s getting coffee. She’d save herself a world of trouble if she’d just get her own brewer. One moment she’s standing and waiting for the crosswalk to change with a warm beverage in hand, and the next she’s standing and waiting for the crosswalk to change with a warm beverage in hand and an eager jingling stranger at her side.

She eyes her visitor warily at first, expression guarded, brows drawn down like she’s gearing up to frown (which she definitely is). She’s certainly not one to enjoy unknowns approaching her on the street, especially overly-excitable unknowns. 

A flicker of realization flits across her face at that ‘related’ bit, though. She settles into her neutral expression (vaguely dissatisfied) and exhales a small sigh through her nose. “Kiana,” she says, briefly squeezing their fingertips (the only ring-free parts of the extended hand [frankly that is way too much jewelry for her to touch at once]) before moving that same hand to gently tap their elbow as though to lead; the crosswalk indicator was flashing green.

"Is Danni you or am I walking with the…backseat driver?" Honestly, that was the best way she could think to phrase it in a public setting.

[everslouching]

Part and parcel of coming late to the show is slipping in during intermission and finding all your siblings, touching their sleeves to let them know that you've arrived and smiling bright at them if they ask why you're late. Which is exactly how, the first peaceful public second Kiana has to herself, she ends up with a six foot plus jangling monstrosity jittering at her side.

They beam!

They also shove a hand laden with a good nine or ten rings (doubling up is all the style, and really Lust's restrained themself by not tripling up) her way, announce "Hey, I'm Dannie." with a theatrical wink. 

"I think we're related!"

The beaming intensifies. They adjust the strap of a bag they got off a (really pretty) businessman a couple blocks back where it hangs from their shoulder, and take stock of where they think Temp's ring is.

[everslouching]

Lust is plastering themself against the back of their chair, careful press of vertebrae after vertebrae timed to the slow exhale of the power they'd grabbed for along with the sword; the end result is a bone plating over their left hand, conspicuous juts of the stuff forming over their cheekbones, the shells of their ears. It's passive, nonthreatening. If it was meant to be threatening, the breastplate would have been the first to form. 

"Shit," they swear again, softer. Slowness doesn't suit them, but they're moving slowly now, extend their right hand out towards Patience like she might spook at any second. If she'll allow it, Lust's hand will come to rest on top of hers, way warmer than a human's should be and trembling just the faintest bit less than hers. "I've gotta stop turning up late, I didn't know; is- is he okay, are you okay, did anyone die?"

They're completely ignoring P's question, every bit of their not inconsiderable attention on Patience and on fixing their fuckup. If they have to they can make an ignominious exit, they're prepared. They'd just prefer not to. "And it's my bad, I just. He-" and no matter how nice a Sin you're trying to be, there's no way for a Sin to name God and not sound just as chock full of bitterness and hatred as possible "-startled me, I thought."

They break that sentence off. They don't try to continue it.

Patience blinks like a startled cat, fingers flexing around the hilt of her own sword. Slowly, haltingly, as if not actually yet aware of the fact that she’s moved, she slides down from the top of her chair and onto her blade.

As the hilt meets her heart, she picks her drink back up and nods into it.

”- sorry! Little jumpy nowdays, ever since Ira tore up the bridge, you know? Didn’t realize you were going to turn yourself into a stress pretzel over it - my bad, my bad, definitely my bad. Didn’t even think about it, super sorry, can I. Can I get you something?”

She puts her mug down with a clinking noise, and runs a hand through her hair. 

"I’m really… I’m sorry, L. Dad’s not really.. operating at the moment, so I figured you wouldn’t be so upset."

Her hands are shaking. Her hands are shaking? Lust drew on her.

[everslouching]

Shit.

Shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit-- the surprise (and terror) that Lust feels is so instinctive and honest that they literally freeze for a half second. The moment after they do so they're reaching towards their side for the twisted mockery of an angel blade that's pushing its way out of their hip at an amazing speed, like they expect this to be an ambush, nothing but flared panic and determination to not go down without a fight. They've always been shitty at fighting, but they'll try, just see if they don't, shit how did they fail to see this coming.

And then the fact that this has been a relatively peaceful incarnation chooses to come to mind, and Lust is already halfway out of their seat when they abruptly let go of their sword's hilt. 

It, being mostly disposable, clatters to the ground and shatters, vanishes as it does so, and Lust's big hands are up in (supplication) what they hope is a conciliatory manner, and they're easing their way back into the seat.

"Shit, P, give an angel a bit of warning before you drop something like that on them!"

Please, please don't react as badly to the averted violence as Lust has to the word Dad, that's all they can think. The last thing they need is to have fucked this one up, Pride would have their stubs for starting off conflict before she was ready.

She doesn’t remember exactly when Lust started gifting her things in only her colours, or why. (Especially why. She knows, knows, that there’s some ocean-deep subtext to everything her fallen siblings do, some mix of introspection and expectation, and she worries that this is something to do with that.) The ring is gorgeous, though!

She leaves it sitting on the table, and leans towards her sibling.

"I don’t have to do anything, you buttface! But maybe - maybe I will, just a tiny bit, let you know."

As if she wouldn’t, when she sent out a mass text the first time, when Lust could walk right next door and - oh, it’s unthinkable! Patience giggles with honest Christian mirth at the horrified face her sib would probably pull. (Patience, as always, fails to grasp the situation.)

"— Dad’s here!"

[everslouching]

There is a large basket outside your door. It contains a lavish bouquet of orchids, several boxes of exotic chocolates and other assorted sweets, and a curious curling bracelet laden with rubies and black diamonds. The bracelet is long enough to curl up an average forearm, and strongly resembles a rainbow boa constrictor. There is no note.

--Honestly, it's probably either a miracle or some sort of supernatural ability that even gets the basket to the proper door, but-- here is Lust, and there is a basket with sweet things to eat and a bracelet, and if Lust still did things like praise the Lord over anything at all they'd probably do so now.

Instead, they stoop to pick up the basket in one hand, keep the door open with a foot, and pluck out the darling piece of jewellery out and slip it on, though this requires the removal of several (somewhere in the vicinity of ten) bangles. They're positively beaming as they turn to go back inside, reason they'd wanted to leave utterly abandoned in favour of sweets!

[everslouching]

Right! [Okay but Lust is basically vibrating in place at this point and it's not quiet. They jingle. They jingle a lot because there is no way that anything can wear that much jewellery without jangling more or less any time they move. It's not quite as noticeable when they're full out moving because they've adapted quite well to a style of motion that doesn't disturb their necklaces, bracelets or anklets. But this isn't moving, this is just! Jittering! And beaming, but --

--if that's not just a given by this point, Lust is going to have to try harder. They beam more! It's quite an effort, but y'know, it's nice to have OVERWHELMING FEELINGS OF LOVE for things that aren't those awful little humans.] The lady who gave it to me gave me her address too, if you want it I have it in a purse somewhere? [If he wants to be the only being walking the earth who's owned it! Lust woulda just gone ahead and gotten rid of the woman themself, but. It's hard to kill things that are cute!

They watch G gesticulate fondly, bouncing on the balls of their feet.] Yeah? What sort of talents? And Dan, sometimes Dannie! But 'tween you and me? [Leaning forward conspiratorial] They ain't had their turn for yeeeeears, there's too much to do!

[Lust is craning their neck to follow G's movements because!! It's been so long since they've seen their sibling, they don't want to let him out of their sight.] P said I was hogging, but if the poor slob [Note the fondness there, even here Lust is half in love with their poor vessel--] can't take control then they don't deserve it, yeah? [Beaming!!!!!!!!!! So much!!!!!!!!!!! Beaming!!!!!!!!! There's a bracelet forming around their left wrist, pushing out from the skin. It looks almost like it's formed of bone. They don't seem to notice.

The energy coming off Lust is intoxicating for Greed and Greed's response is intoxicating to Lust and honestly? If G suggested going off on some sort of crazy adventure, Lust would be so there - as it is they're just watching Greed react, grinning like a buffoon and trying not to giggle. It's exciting!!]

Oh Lust, you shouldn’t have! [He slips it on, admires it, beams like the enormous ray of sunshine that he is, and plants a kiss on their cheek.]

I’m the landlord, honey; this poor hessian- [gestures wildly toward himself] -is renting. You’d be surprised how amusing he can be, no way I’m letting such a groovy source of entertainment escape- unless he misbehaves, of course. Yanno, you might actually like him- he’s got some talents that might be of interest to you. [He’s wiggling his eyebrows, and there’s a twinkle in his eye, but he is in fact talking about jewelry.] 

How ‘bout you? Got any roommates? [He starts circling them because he can’t stay still, looks them up and down (and does not touch, no matter how much he wants to). Ava’d forgotten how Lust’s energy amplifies everything that makes him what he is, how it pulses like electricity and leaves his fingers tingling. He wants to move, has to, needs to get up and go go go, pull a heist, there were those two art museums he hadn’t hit yet, and with Lust by his side he could do anything, everything.]

[everslouching]

Well, if Patience is offering! Then Lust is taking, no way around that. Though-- they do dig around their pockets, eventually unearthing a ring that they slide across the table like it's currency before they take the--

--what is it she's drinking, again? Bother, it can't be too bad anyway, they resolve not to care what it is and take a sip!

They're still watching P over her (their) cup, beam not fading in the slightest, mostly because Patience's gotta be met with just as much fondness as she puts out if Lust wants to get anywhere on the path to talking her into Falling. And Lust really really does. 

Well, that and the fact that Lust is just a teensy bit in love with every single good thing out there, in an 'I'll eat you up, I love you so' type way. But that's not important here! What's important here is they lean so far forward that they're practically laying on the table, eyes wide. 

"Nah, c'mon Patience, you gotta share! Fashion never sleeps, y'wouldn't begrudge me my calling would you?"

Well. Uh. Yes she would, that's exactly why she's down here in the first place. Y'know. Really, Lust? The fact remains, though, those are some pretty impressive puppydog eyes being levelled at Patience. Pret-ty impressive indeed.

P giggles, pushes her drink a little bit closer to her sibling. Her movements are tiny compared to lust, a fingertwitch curlbounce blinksmile blush, a thousand barely-restrained fondnesses waiting for someone to punch down on the killswitch and let her hug Lust already, jeez.

"Dan sometimes Dannie likes long walks on the beach sounds very sweet, and I’m sure we’d get along! There’s no need to hog all the driving time."

(She says, convinced that the relationship she has with her humans is the same for the rest, that she’s not the first draft of the cordyceps fungus.)

”-  still entirely unswerving, definitely! But babydoll, you can’t keep turning up late! Fashion doesn’t excuse you from missing the biggest game-changer we’ve ever faced, you dingus! I’m almost tempted not to tell you now, teach you a lesson.”

Yeah, right.

[everslouching]

[There we go, this is the type of greeting Lust's been waiting for, never you mind the fact that they've only actually said hello to two virtues and Wrath so far. While Ava's staring, Lust is still bouncing on their toes, and remarking silently that they didn't come in the tallest this time. 

And then there's the hugging! Lust is here for hugging, uncomfortable angles and vague sense that they're going to need a shower afterwards notwithstanding. Family is family is family, and it's not like Lust is much better themself.]

It's good to see you, brother! [Lust is perhaps squeezing a bit tight, but they swear they're just excited! They let the hug last a couple good moments, but then they're doing their damnedest to wriggle out, make quick use of a sharp elbow or two on their way.] I been good, picked you up a little something on the way over. [They're beaming as they struggle to get the ring off their finger, and it does finally come off. They hand it over easily, dig around their pocket looking for a ring to replace it with on their hand and coming up with a couple necklaces instead.

Shrugging, they just sling those on, tugging their hair out from underneath them. This momentarily backfires, mostly because there are so many rings on their fingers that they can't help but get snagged, but they just rip the hair out, beam wider.]

You're late too? What would Luce say to the both of us! You up full time, or-- [Their nose is wrinkled] --you just renting for now? [Vessels. They`re talking about control of the vessels. In case that wasn't clear.]

[He takes one look (and by look I mean he stares, open mouthed, for a good 10 seconds before he remembers that he does in fact still have some dignity left, and promptly snaps out of it) at those rings and that smile and yeah, there’s no mistaking it.]

Lust ol’ buddy ol’ pal!

[Ava opens his arms up for a hug, flashes the most charming grin he can manage, and descends on his sibling like one hell of a tidal wave  because you know what, a person can only get so attractive before it becomes just a bit intimidating. And it’s not like he’s capable of backing down, come on now that’s just ridiculous.] I sure missed you, but I dunno who else is missin’, only just got here m’self! How’ve you been? You sure fuckin lucked out with that vessel, hot damn. 

[everslouching]

This narration shall have to confess that the gesture on Lust's part had not at all been anything near innocent. It had been a deliberate and calculated attempt at needling her Virtue. Lust is delighted! Normally they would get no time with Kindness; the two simply didn't get on, but with the human still in control...

Dan's still grinning at her, but he prises a ring off a finger, slipping back on the two he'd had to remove in order to get it off easily and offering it to her with the hand not attached to the arm linked through hers. "Then let me give you a token of thanks, license saver. Is this Starbucks far?" 

Somewhere in the back of his head where Lust is pretending not to be the one in control, there is much laughter - they'd picked up a ring for their sibling on the off chance that they'd get the chance to slip it to them, and here they are! No need to tuck it into a bag or anything, they'd just offered it to the human. Genius.

She was amazed at the effort it was taking to do so, wondering why it hadn’t seemed this hard around Aaron. A small frown appears as she thinks about that before forcibly pushing the Virtue back. As innocent as the gesture had been it really hadn’t helped at all.

With a satisfied and slightly relieved expression, Adelaide nodded. “I wouldn’t want that to happen to you any time soon. Consider me a license saver!” She snorted in amusement at the bit about salvation. “You’re funny.”

[everslouching]

Dan laughs, bold and bright in direct response to Adelaide's laughter. Lust amps up their effect, reaching deep into their stores of energy to afford it just the same. It's a commentary to Kindness, just a little hello nudge, but honestly it's probably not doing that much to help along Adelaide's efforts in keeping her Virtue down.

"It's nice to meet you too, Adelaide Harrison. Starbucks will work perfectly, I haven't met my quota this month, and they might revoke my pretentious starving poet license if I don't make it in at least once more. You'll be my salvation, how's that?"

He's irrepressibly cheerful and completely un-serious. Hopefully she'll pick up on that, elsewise that last sentence may have seemed a tad bit.. ominous.

"I’m always in the mood to share. Tis the season and all…Even though I treat every day like that." Adelaide merely laughs while doing her best to tamp down Humanitas. They’d never been so active, almost as if they were worried about whatever vice was inside Dan. "Adelaide Harrison. It’s nice to meet you, Dan."

She fell into step beside him easily. “I was lazy and just went to Starbucks today. Would that bother you or were you hoping for a more personal experience?”