When in Rome

[ghargreaves]

The sound of the slot machines was becoming a white noise as Gerald sat in the lounge at the the Golden Nugget. After checking in, and placing a call to Julianna at the university, leaving a message with her secretary when informed she was in class, he had spent a good while studying the large chunk of gold that was on display. His research into the nugget had revealed no known indicators to cause him to be interested in it other than as a purely aesthetic pleasure.

He sipped at his gin and tonic, flicked a glance at his watch, and returned to reading the book that sat on his crossed knee. Just as he settled into the next paragraph he heard a small cough and looked up to see a young man, smartly dressed, approaching. From the description he had been given it could only be the driver who'd been arranged to take him to the location, the Ragnarok bar, where he was to meet the person, Livia, regarding something she had come across. There were various points on the globe he still wanted to study, and the deserts of Nevada was one, but the lack of archeological discover made it difficult to justify the time and attention to the area.

As the car eased out onto the Strip, Gerald adjusted his sunglasses and hat, his brief case resting on his lap. It was a relatively short journey, in the air-conditioned comfort, and soon the older Watcher was following the young driver into a 'haunted house'. He found it somewhat amusing the mock features, and wondered what the clientele of the establishment thought of the accoutrement. Descending the stairs he removed his sunglasses, slipping them into the inside pocket of his jacket as they crossed the sparsely populated floor. Clearly the demon world was not into 'afternoons' in this part of the world.

Comments

[stand_and_delivia]

"Here comes trouble..."

While not the most obvious spectre in Las Vegas, the man still cut a rare figure in a place like this. The brunette looking up and over, the moment he entered. A new face - and possibly the one she was scheduled to meet.

Nudging co-worker with elbow, the four-armed entertainment manager wandered his way in a loose-fitting black number. Adjusted not only for limbs, but the thin, prehensile tail which slinked comfortably behind her. In a place like this, there was no need to hide either. That was really the point of it.

Compared to some who frequented the place, her appearance was relatively mundane.

"You 'im, then?" Something else unusual about her. The accent. English and lower-class, not American, much less anything specific to Nevada.

In one hand was a small animal clasped between fingers. Something which seemed not unlike a seahorse, which she was periodically breathing fumes in from, like a living, organic cigarette. Blowing the multi-coloured smoke off to one side when next she spoke. One of her hands offering itself in greeting.

When in Rome

[ghargreaves]

The accent caught his ear immediately. Albeit one of the lower classes, and not commonly heard in the circles Gerald frequented, it was from 'home', and therefore more familiar than the wash of American accents he'd been inundated with that day, in particular in the foyer of the hotel.

"If you mean the one who has come to study your artifact and advise you of its worth, or portent, then yes, I am 'he'," Gerald replied smoothly, taking her hand and bowing his head slightly. He glanced at the item she was 'smoking' and arched an eyebrow. "I see they've found methods to transport with no loss of potency," he said, indicating the dissipating cloud of smoke.

[stand_and_delivia]

"What, this?" Came the reply, glancing at the living 'cigarette'. "Oh, no... Makes its own, this does."

After a smile, she verified herself with a, "Livia... Since I found meself in yoru world, anyhow. Shall we?" Then gestured with a motion of head to a spare table. It wasn't always that you met a demoness with handbag, but then... Who said she had to be one of those? There were plenty of entities out there and Earth existed in only one dimensional realm of many - perhaps infinite. Whatever the four-armed resident of Las Vegas happened to be, at least she seemed friendly.

"So..."

A suspicious glance each way and Livia dipped a hand inside, fishing out a palm-sized bronze tablet, unfolding the tissue paper which she had kept it in. Not that anyone would mistake the colouring for gold after all this time... It was old, chipped away, but the engraved writing and pictures upon it were intriguing enough.

When in Rome

[ghargreaves]

A little bemused, Gerald followed the demoness to the table, eyeing her handbag with a critical eye. It appeared to resemble one his late wife had favoured, he noticed absently, clearing his throat quickly before sitting and readying himself, pulling out a pair of spectacles that he put in place as she was pulling the item from her bag.

When she presented the tablet he angled his head, hoping to get a slightly better light cast on it. "Interesting." His hands remained in front of him, on the table, fingers interwoven, as he studied it in her palm. "And do you know where it was found?" he asked, glancing up at her over the tops of his glasses.

[stand_and_delivia]

"Sardinia. Paulina... Paula Abd... No, that's not right..." Rubbing fingers and thumb together, Livia rapidly blinked, trying to remember what she had been told. Then clicked them, beaming as she proudly recalled. "Pauli Arbarei region! That's the one! So I got told, anyway."

Another drag of multi-coloured gas on the docile living creature still held in one hand and Livia tilted head in curiosity.

"You off after this or liable to stay local? Only I might 'ave more like this, before too long."

When in Rome

[ghargreaves]

Gerald's eyebrow rose slightly when she named the piece's origins. He had been about to ask a little more when she continued.

"If there is the chance of coming across more articles of this nature I may remain a little longer in the vicinity," he told her, looking back down at the bronze piece. The writings were something he would have to look up, perhaps consult with Julianna about. But the image engraved into the surface did draw his interest more, but he kept his face and body such that no indication of his interest could be gleaned by the demon opposite him. "The market fluctuates wildly, but it is good to have a selection on hand when buyers are ready to acquire random pieces, instead of specific items. How often do you have them brought to you?"

[stand_and_delivia]

"Oh, every now and again," she stated with ambiguity. Deliberately so, as hands repackaged the item, once she felt sure he had seen what needed to be seen. A hinting variety of ambiguity, though, like a winking nudge. "I'm sure I could find some more, if the need's there..."

Once it was secreted away, she leaned chin over the back of one hand and pondered his interest.

"Can't promise anything, mind you, but I've heard there's some mystic kerfuffle down in Searchlight. Little place... Sod all there. Come in 'ere often enough and I should 'ave somethin', though."

Wasn't like it would cut into her prospective profits. Just a bit of advice. Somewhere he might want to check out if he felt the need - and the fact that it would keep him in the general area was... Well, yes, that helped things, too, she wouldn't deny that.

When in Rome

[ghargreaves]

He managed to stop himself from watching her return the item to her bag, the suggestion there were more where that came from not escaping him.

"Searchlight?" he said, the name somewhat familiar, but the reason for it escaping him for the moment. "And a mystic kerfuffle," he also repeated, a small smile twitching the corner of his mouth as he considered her suggestion of him frequenting the establishment in which they sat. While it was nothing strange to him, having dealt with demons of the less 'demonic' nature for decades, it wasn't particularly the type of venue he would normally consider for a relaxing drink, or passing of his time. Unless he was on the hunt for a particular item, or subject.

"What qualifies as a mystic kerfuffle in your world, my dear?" he asked her, the quirk of the corner of his mouth and the tone of curiosity lending some amusement to his question.

[stand_and_delivia]

Livia relaxed a little further back in her seat. Another inhalation of the animal, before releasing it from between fingers and letting it fly away, hummingbird-style. One set of hands primping hair and the other clasping in front of their owner.

"As I say, nothin' for certain... Just rumours. Number of 'em, though... Word is, there's some kind of pull that way, lately. Heard it's not the first time, neither, but who can say?"

An eyebrow quirked as she said that last. Livia now leaning forward a little, once again.

"Not sure how much familiarity, as it were, you've got for places like this," she gestured with a whirl of upturned finger, eyes dancing left and right for a moment, indicating the bar's surroundings. "It's not just the demonic types who walk in here... I wouldn't be 'ere, if it was," she added, clarifying her own, lighter heritage. "So, when I catch wind of something on the grapevine, it's not just from one direction, so to speak."

When in Rome

[ghargreaves]

Gerald had spent years working with people who lived secret lives, the Council and all in its employ the main body of those, but he was again bemused at her circumvention of discussing outright her own situation. After all, the four arms made it rather difficult for her to deny her status as a member of the 'otherworld'. But as he had on many occasions in the past, when talking with those 'otherworld' individuals, he took on board what she said, and nodded politely.

After all, you never could tell where your next piece of information, or more importantly, evidence, might come from. "And what other types are you referring to?" he asked, copying her movement and leaning forward, almost conspiratorially.

[stand_and_delivia]

Oh dear... And that response earned him a look of disappointment so withering, one could be forgiven for thinking she had a German upbringing.

Now she wished she had some of that smoke to breathe in, again.

"I thought you was meant to be an educated chap," she mused with a sigh. Humans...! "You got your fairyfolk, djinn, redcaps..."

With that, she rattled off a varied littany of very much non-demonic supernatural entities, each time counting them out with a bend of one finger against the other. Even pointing out a couple of employees as examples and giving a small friendly wave to them as she did so.

"And that's not even starting with all the diff-..." She stopped herself and politely cleared throat. "Point is, not all of us were dredged up from the down-and-dirty, thank you very much. Some of us weren't even meant to be 'ere, at all, but that's another story."

When in Rome

[ghargreaves]

Gerald had been in the city of Las Vegas for almost three hours, after the various flights that had brought him from the site he had been visiting in Azerbaijan, in the foothills of the Caucus Mountains. Even now he could still smell the smoke of the fires that were heating the camp, and hear the calling of the faithful to evening prayers. Being berated by the one opposite was not doing much toward encouraging him to continue the conversation at that point.

"And the point I would like to make, in return, is not all of us have visited this culturally questionable corner of this country," he told her, returning the stare with eyes that did not flinch, nor waver. "Nor would I assume what others might know, especially on first meeting," he told her. "So unless you have something I don't know, or of interest to tell me I will bid you good day and take my leave."

[stand_and_delivia]

"Geography's got nothing to do with it, love... You'd be surprised how much walks in front most of your kind and don't get noticed. We just made a business out of it, that's all. Though..." She corrected. "Being as one who studies this sort of thing, I'd guess you know of that, hmm? Least half of Hollywood's full to the gills with the netherworld - if not more. Nobody bats an eyelid, do they?"

The human capacity for self-deception, she was getting at, even if her turn of phrase was causing her to allude to it in somewhat less than formal tones. A psychological defence mechanism: The brain not quite able to emotionally handle what it was witnessing and substituting something else in reality's place, even if only in memory. For those like Livia, it was a commonplace - if amusing - exploitation to go about one's daily business, unmolested.

"Apologies if that came across a bit tetchy, it's just... Blimey... The times I've had a cross waved in front of me face, as if I'm meant to take notice - or water from some church hurled in me face... You grow up in the next dimension and everyone thinks you've got cloven hoofs and a-" Livia paused, because she did actually possess a tail. Giving a small cough and swishing it out the way. "And a pitchfork," she corrected. "Nine times out of ten, I tell ya'..." She waved a hand in dismissive, flapping motion. "Not human? Ooh, must be demonic! Truth is, that sort're just a slice of what's out there."

[ghargreaves]

Gerald snorted softly at her reference to Hollywood and its 'netherworld', his colleagues and he having spent many a night laughing with derision at the depictions portrayed by the ignorance of those responsible for creating entertainment for the masses.

"But in some ways it also protects them," he replied, hunching his shoulders a little, a small scowl crossing his face for a brief moment, before he straightened again. "It protects the ignorant from their own ignorance, whilst allowing things to go on about them that they choose not to see." His voice tightened a little as he added, "or choose to do nothing about."

He looked at her and continued with a gravity born of years of experience. "There is no point, really, in me apologizing for the crass behaviour of some of the human race, just as there is none in you doing the same for the actions of others." He paused before adding, "but I do apologise, to you, for the insults you've experienced. Their ignorance does not excuse their behaviour."

[stand_and_delivia]

"Ain't your fault," she answered with a light corresponding shrug. "Just wish more'd open their eyes a little. Still... Much appreciated."

With a casual sniff, Livia absently cast her mind back to a partial fixation she was lately having. That of a one-piece shark-themed dress; one's head emerging from what was styled like an open, sharp-toothed mouth. It was a train of thought triggered by a random glance at a glass on adjoining table and-

What were they talking about, again? Oh! Yes, that's right...

Blinking her momentarily-distracted attention back to the matter at hand, Livia gave an impulsive renewed smile, asking, "Must be important to you, antiques like this... To travel out this way."

[ghargreaves]

"You could say they're my life's work," he replied, "and as you are most likely aware, there is a market for the genuine article. Collectors and museums alike all clamoring for items with which they can adorn shelves, showcases and displays." He left out the parties who were interested in specific types, and their powers. He certainly didn't know her, or her abilities, and wasn't about to tip her off as to his own specific interests.

"This town, Searchlight, did you say? Is it far from here?"

[stand_and_delivia]

"It's the museums who'd want some of this stuff locked up," Livia cynically rejoined with a raise of eyebrow. Albeit, accompanied with a slightly rueful smile. "I remember how it was with them statues of Egyptian birds with no knickers, back in the Victorian days..."

Censorship, indeed - and would pale in comparison to what certain parties would do to some of the relics she could put his way. On the other other hand, the private collectors of whom he spoke, would be more than fascinated in placing them in pride of place in their archives.

"Not too far. Take a good few hours, but you'd get there. Heard there's a mine somewhere... Not sure if it's still in use."

[ghargreaves]

"A mine, possibly abandoned, would be of interest," he replied, his curiosity piqued. He wondered if Julianna had heard anything of the town, Searchlight, given the Watcher had been in the city a little while now.

"This is a vast country, with much to explore." His eyes darted to her handbag as he continued, "and if you come across items such as the one you have there, I would be interested in seeing them." His eyes met hers as he added, "and any information on their meanings would also be most interesting."

[stand_and_delivia]

"Tell you what, I'll go find you some directions..."

Patting his hand in a 'wait there' gesture, Livia stood up - handbagged relic in tow - and made for staff room. A few moments spent within and she was out, again with a slip of paper in hand, briskly pacing her way back to Watcher's table.

"Directions and the number of a coach service. Think they run down there, but you'd 'ave to check... They might just pass through, not sure."

[ghargreaves]

When he saw her returning with the piece of paper he stood, fastening the top button of his coat as she approached. He smiled, a little amused at the suggestion he use a coach service, but letting it slide past.

"Thank you, I appreciate the information," he said, taking the proffered slip of paper and tucking it into his pocket after a quick glance. The location seemed to ring some vaguely distant bell, but he could not for the life of him recall where he'd heard or read of anything to do with the area, let along the town. "I will be staying at the Golden Nugget if you happen to come across any more of the 'antiques'. And if you wish more information on the one you have, let me know. I have an associate who could possibly translate the markings for you."

[stand_and_delivia]

Livia was privately thinking she would rather see some Latin written in green. Her interest was more involved in the potential financial value she could get for any objects, rather than historical. Still, waste not, want not... And she gave a polite smile and a nod.

"I'll keep it in mind," she promised. Although, more likely, the manageress would half-forget the establishment's name, wander into somewhere completely different and get deeply involved in a one-sided conversation with someone's dog.

"Anything more I can do you for? I suspect ain't much one for the, um..."

A pint of finger was given to the ceiling, indicating the haunted house attraction above their heads.

[ghargreaves]

Gerald gauged the woman's response to his suggestion she might like to learn more about the item she had in her bag, and it confirmed she was only interested in the monetary value, and didn't seem at all interested in the other worth it might have. He shook his head and gave her a benign smile when she pointed at the ceiling.

"I will contact a few people I know who could be interested in your item, and let you know if there is a potential buyer." He held out his hand to her. "It's been a pleasure, Ms Livia, and I will be in touch soon, hopefully with some good news with regard to your item."

[stand_and_delivia]

"Lovely!" She readily agreed, giving him a warm shake. "You know the number to ring. Or just pop in... Can't always promise I'm not involved on stage, mind you. And if you ever come across a grimslaw-wrangler, let me know, won't you? I'm dying for one of those..."

Whether he planned to walk out the door or engage the decidedly non-human bar-tender in further conversation, Livia had work of her own to get back to and gave a wriggling wave of fingers in farewell, calling over an assistant. There were important matters to get ready for tonight, like some replacement lighting, choreography and whether that next batch of chocolate digestives had yet been delivered.

[ghargreaves]

Gerald hesitated and looked at Livia, about to ask about the grimslaw, but seeing her wave and walk away before he'd had a chance to respond he just sighed and made a mental note to look up a warding spell against the particularly unpleasant demon. "Hopefully Julianna might have some books I can use," he murmured to himself as he made his way back up to the house and out to the street.

The driver was waiting there and opened the door for Gerald as the Watcher approached. Settling into the back seat he pulled out the instruction Livia had given him and handed them over to the driver once he was in his seat. "I want you to take me there tomorrow..."