sirenspull_logs | Be fruitful and multiply...

Entry tags:

Be fruitful and multiply...

Who: Grell Sutcliff and Madam Red
When: The afternoon of February 24th
Where: At the ersatz Eric Slingsby's photographic studio
Summary: Pursuant to this conversation, Grell has a modest proposal for his little angel...
Warnings: Butt wombs. Turkey basters. My deepest apologies.

[ It's been entirely too long since Grell has seen Angelina Durless. It's his own fault; he tends to lose track of people. Being exceedingly long-lived can skew one's perceptions. But a little discussion he's recently had with Norio has brought Madam Red - and her particular problem - to the top of his mind.

Thus he has arranged for them to meet. He's given Madam Red the address of his studio; and no other information. ]

Hmmmm, hmmmmm~.

[ He hums tunelessly to himself, idly leafing through his portfolio. ]

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... Well. This is familiar.

[ Angelina regarded him with a judging hum, brow raised high as she swings the door closed behind her. ] You must have been fond of this disguise. Cute.

[ Approaching the studio photographer, she removes the sunglasses that cover her eyes to catch a better glimpse around the shop. Slips them into her handbag. (Both of a modern design. She's enjoyed picking up on the little things here and there.) ]

So? What's this all about? Must be something important, for you to contact me so suddenly.

Oh! Madam.

[ He scrambles to his feet. His movements aren't those of a supernatural, gravity-ignoring Grim Reaper, loose-limbed and graceful. Rather, he's clumsy: as he moves towards her, he misses a step and stumbles, nearly falling flat. With difficulty, he recovers and presents her with a low bow. He is the embodiment of abject servility. ]

Thank you ever so much for c-coming.

[ Why yes - he does like this particular role. Sentimental reasons! ]

[ Ah, so he expects her to play along. Ann isn't quite in the mood, unfortunately, and her gaze meets the ceiling for a brief moment while crossing her arms over her waist. ]

I almost didn't bother. What, with you giving me so little explanation - which was none at all.

[ Briefly then, her eyes follow over his features - the subdued expression, the natural skin and unkempt hair. She had been entertained by this persona of his once, too...

But that was then, and thinking into it too much often resulted in greater irritation. She moves to walk past him, feigning interest in that book he had been looking at before - ah, a portfolio. ]

This is what you're doing to keep yourself amused these days, is it? Playing pretend and taking pictures.

[ He can feel her eyes upon him. He had enjoyed this haughtiness, once upon a time. It's difficult not to grin. ]

Yes, my lady.

[ He rises from the bow, diffidently straightening his jacket. ]

I, ah, thought I might have some talent at photography, because I used to paint.

[ With red, red blood. ]

You did, didn't you. Quite the artist.

[ Angelina recalls that he had always spoken of this particular hobby very fondly- it was one of the primary reasons he'd assisted her, after all.

Helping herself to his seat, she flips a page. ]

Surprisingly, your models seem to be in one piece. [ Said with the faintest hint of a smile. ]

I could do more with my art, I suppose, but...

[ He moves behind her, looking over her shoulder, at the pictures. ]

I don't have an assistant.

[ Now he grins. Horribly. ]

[ A glance. A smirk. [

Oh? Are you looking for one?

Hn~! I am, actually.

[ His voice has dropped out of 'character'; he sounds like himself. He reaches for her shoulders, pulling her gently back to lean against him. It's an intimate, familiar gesture. ]

In fact, I'm looking for your assistance.

[ Ann is a bit stiff, at first; she grasps onto his sleeve as though she intends to free herself from his touch - but she relaxes then, tilting her head to shoot him an inquisitive look. ]

... What do you have planned?

[ Frailty, thy name is woman! How easily persuaded to stray, to go wrong. He bends down, to kiss her forehead. ]

Not what you're thinking.

I heard something interesting - and your particular problem came to mind.

[ The kiss isn't something that she's quite ready for, and with a disapproving furrow of the brow, she pushes the other's arm away to turn and face him. ]

What are you talking about? And how would it assist you?

[ When Ann turns, she'll see that Grell has reverted to his usual appearance: red hair, false eyelashes, and razor-sharp teeth. At the moment, his features are arranged into a pout. ]

Ooooooh~!

Whyyyyyyyyy so suspicious? You wound me, Angelina~!

I, who was always your special friend, who understands you better than anyone else--

[ A pause. Grell's gaze softens. ]

Who knows your heart's fondest desire.

[ The Madam's lids softly narrow as the other speaks, the dramatics simply displeasing her all the more, and she finds that she doesn't feel like sitting anymore. On her feet, she stands to converse with him properly...

But those words... Once comforting, all they could remind her of is blatant betrayal now - and something in her snaps. Her fingers wind into the bow tied around Grell's neck, and she pulls him in close. ]

Who KILLED ME. And you expect me to trust you again so easily?! [ Lip curled into a snarl, she nearly hisses in all her anger. ] You... You've some nerve saying that! I still remember your words - the last I ever heard in that life!

[ Arguably Grell should have anticipated that a person might possibly take exception to being dispatched with a chainsaw; even so, Madam Red's actions come as a surprise. ]

Urk! URK!

[ Throttled with his own tie, held off-balance, and sounding like a startled seafowl, Grell stares helplessly at Madam Red during her tirade. ]

[

Several seconds later, his supernatural reflexes - and his temper - finally kick in. His hands close around Madam Red's own. ]

I had a right to kill you, Madam! You chose that BRAT over ME!

[ Her brow knits with a look of disbelief. ]

Chose him over you-? How stupid are you, really!

[ Ann's teeth grit, fingers tightening beneath the other's. ] If you've ever wanted a child as much as you claimed, you'd understand - that boy was the closest to one I'd ever had!

[ A bit of leverage and a flip - and he's pushing Madam Red to the floor. ]

I don't like children, as a matter of course. Don't like other people's children, don't like children who're close to being mine - but aren't!

I can't believe you'd settle for SECOND BEST!

[ Ann falls back with a gasp of surprise, making contact with the floor far less graceful than she could have, if not in full corset and dress. Teeth grit, she shifts to move back.

The situation has become dangerous, she realizes - his inhuman strength paled in comparison to his careless rage. Even so, anger still burns in her chest, and she can't find enough care nor sense within her to be fearful. ]

How dare you! [ In hopes of standing, she glances for something to grasp onto - reaches to grasp at an elevated surface. ] What other choice do I have? There are some things that cannot change, I'd no choice in the matter!

[ Grell bears down upon Madam Red. As she attempts to sit up, he pushes her back again, his hand on her chest. It's a menacing gesture; but it's more than that, too. Her fury is a little intoxicating - it is, after all, what drew him to her in the first place. Involuntarily, his tongue flicks at the corner of his mouth. ]

Hn~!

[ He giggles, suddenly, his demeanour flipping from murderous to amused. ]

That's where you're wrong, little angel.

[ His fingertips trail down from her breast to her abdomen. ]

[ A noise of frustration slips past her lips, and she strikes out to swat that wandering hand away. His words do catch her attention, though - Ann's eyes widen just so. ]

What do you mean?

[ Grell lets her swat at him; but he doesn't draw his hand away. He splays his fingers out across her stomach. ]

Some things can change.

For both of us!

Have you completely lost your mind? There's no possible way that I can-...

[ She pauses, lips pressed. There are a great many 'impossible' things that she'd encountered in the Port, there's no doubt countless more. ]

Tell me what you know, Grell. And how you mean... 'us'.

I mean us us.

[ His fingers leave her body, reaching instead for her hair, which is in slight disarray after being pushed down. He smooths a crimson lock behind her ear. ]

What other "us" is there?

You and me.

And science.

[ The lady does not flinch or pull away, but her eyes still burn bright with resentment. ]

How should I begin to consider something like this with a man I cannot trust? [ With a shake of the head, her jaw tenses briefly. ] I might not have thought twice once... but no, I'm not that much of a fool, Grell.

Trust?

How banal, how cliché.

[ He draws away from her, sitting back on his haunches. There's a dark glitter in his eyes, indicating that his mood has taken a turn for the worse. ]

Truly, Madam. You disappoint me.

I'm offering you the one thing you want most in life, and you're hesitating!

[ As he moves away, she takes the opportunity to prop her weight up on her elbows, slightly more wary at the look she receives for her answer - and as she listens, her brow arches high with skepticism. ]

I hardly consider practicing good judgement to be 'cliché', however uninteresting you think it to be. I just rather avoid potential misery, if I can help it, you know. [ A roll of the eyes. ]

Think about it, would you? You'd contacted me out of the blue to ask me to have a child with you, while you fancy the idea of marrying another man. It isn't a selfless offer, either - so I'm left to wonder what it is that you expect out of this. It's only entirely suspicious.

"Practising good judgement."

[ He imitates her voice. ]

Avoiding potential misery.

[ He raises his arms, dismissing her with a derisive flick of his wrists. ]

DEATH ought to have made you bold; but you're meek. What does any of that matter?

I'm talking about a baby. A child - your child - suckling at your breast; smiling back at you; reaching out to you with open arms.

You'll feel its quickening life within you, moving in your womb--

[ A beat ]

Er, well. Not womb, not exactly...

[ Ann furrows her brows at him, frowning lips briefly puckering off to the side. ]

Don't mock me, Grell. If I were meek, I wouldn't be here.

[ However, her gaze lowers as the impact of those words sink in. A child of her very own... ]

That's precisely why it matters, too - it'd only be natural that I'd want the best for my child - to keep it safe.

[ Her gaze flickers back to him, then. ]

If not a womb, what would it be, exactly?

Ah...

[ Grell's arms drop. In his discussions with Norio, this had been the sticking point. ]

It's just a... tiny little detail.

[ He attempts a smile; it comes out as a half-grimace. ]

And what do tiny details matter, if there's a ~baby~ involved?

[ She watches the process with a suspicious gleam in her eye. If she were standing, she might cross her arms while giving him that stern sort of look she shoots his way. ]

Spill it.

Er. Well you see...

[ Glancing to one side, he taps the tips of his index fingers together. ]

There's a thingy involved. A, a, a thingy, that allows you to have a baby, even if you don't have a womb, which you don't, so. Erm.

[ Aaaaaand she's still looking sternly at him, so he babbles on: ]

A thingy, a parasite I suppose I ought to say, yes a parasite, that's what Norio called it, and it goes up your...

arse.

Edited 2012-03-27 02:39 (UTC)

... a ... parasite?

A parasite up the what?!

Ooooooooh~! I don't know what you're so squeamish about, it's the same general area! Just oriented a bit more--

[ Grell gesticulates vaguely. ]

--you know, posteriorly.

[ Her head lulls off to the side with a look of total skepticism. ]

Well then, why haven't you taken a go at it?

[ For an instant, he looks completely horrified. ]

Er...

[ He clears his throat - and speaks without being quite able to look her in the eye. ]

Well you see, I've considered the process from all sides, and I think that for me, being a ~lady~ only goes so far, and in the end - so to speak - I'm far more suited to the fathering side of things.

Mm-hm. So you're just as repulsed by the idea as I.

[ Said quite surely, of course. ]

Get off of me now, won't you? And help me up, this isn't exactly comfortable for me.

[ Grell opens his mouth - and shuts it again.

Busted!

He rocks back on his heels and stands. And then, sheepishly, extends one hand to Madam Red. ]

I...

I thought you of all people would be able to get past... you know... that.

[ Taking his hand, Angelina thankfully manages to stand without too much trouble. She's still a tad miffed, though, and so she simply acknowledges his comment with a huff, at first, while dusting herself off. ]

That was only the half of it, Grell. As revolting as the concept might seem, I was actually more concerned with your-- well, lack of comprehension concerning the intricacies of fathering a child.

[ She'll glance up at him then, searching his supernatural green eyes as she steps nearer. ]

I'm also curious to know if this is all you regard me for, after all we once were. If you called upon me for your benefit, like some tool to ease your boredom.

>[ Grasping the lapels of his coat, she draws their bodies nearer, lids narrowing. ] Or is it that you missed me, in some way? Though I'm sure that would be but hopeful thinking.

Intricacies? Oh! Oh yes, I've already--

[ Aaaaaaaaaaand Madam Red is pulling him close, gazing up into his eyes, veritably smouldering at him! He licks his lips. ]

Of... of course I've missed you.

But you were always a bad influence on me. Led me astray, you know?

[ His hands travel down her back, to her corseted waist; his long fingers are almost able to span its circumference. ]

And I really am trying to be good.

You welcomed that, though, didn't you? You came to me that evening, willfully involving yourself in my affairs.

[ Her gloved hands move along the collar to touch the back of his neck, leaning against him. ]

I can't find it in me to believe that you'd ever forgo that which impassioned you. Being good doesn't suit you.

[ As she leans against him, he can feel the outline of her body - the pressure of her bosom against him. And the sensation of her fingers on his skin...

He blushes, involuntarily. ]

It didn't suit. Not then.

[ Her lips, her body... It would be easy, so easy... ]

But...

A lady must keep up with fashion, and try on new looks.

[ With obvious reluctance, he steps back, away from her. ]

I'm a good little Grell now.

[ For his own bizarre definition of "good," anyway! ]

[ Madam Red draws back her hands, chin tilted just so as she watches him with hints of doubt lacing her features. But she carefully crosses her arms over her waist then, lids falling with a chuckle. ]

A disguise, you mean? Yes, you had a very convincing one then, too - perhaps you have a different look, but you'll always have the same soul.

[ Stepping aside, she leans to pluck her handbag from the floor beside Grell's seat. ]

Well, in any case, I suppose that's a definite answer to your offer, then. You really ought to think those things through before you go ask and make a big deal of them, really.

[ Grell still looks a little dazed. He even sways, a bit. ]

Hunh~?

Oh, no! I did think things through, actually. Look here!

[ From the breast pocket of his jacket he pulls an enormous turkey baster. (It's entirely too enormous to fit in his jacket, but producing ridiculously large things out of thin air is rather Grell's specialty!) ]

[ What. She pauses to look at that baster, and slowly to Grell, lips drawn thin and brows knit. ]

You... [ Ann had been in the process of retrieving her sunglasses. This is temporarily dismissed to give him a good smack against the head.

Only then does she don the shades. ]

I think we're done here.

GAH!

[ Grell recoils, holding the side of his head. The turkey baster flies out of his hand. A viscous substance leaks out of the tip. ]

So that's a no, then?

Edited 2012-04-03 04:26 (UTC)

[ Urk - he didn't!! A very unsure and disgusted frown pulls at her lips, as she steps away from the thing. ]

What do you think?!

[ She huffs, shoulders tense, and twists 'round to head for the exit. ]

Good-bye, Grell!

Oh.

[ Grell crosses his arms, staring after her glumly. All his hopes, all his plans - bad plans, admittedly - are simultaneously going out the door.... ]

Bye, then.

[ ...and leaking out onto the floor. ]

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Be fruitful and multiply...

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