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]

"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..."