026

[bacchusprincess.livejournal.com]

[There is a child again. In a grade school uniform, being all dripping wet. He is holding something in his hands, maybe a little tightly even. It looks like a tiny, black puppy, being wet too. He stares at it with wide, blank eyes for a few minutes. It's not moving... and never will again. Then the boy looks up, and around, searching.]

Hey... Hey...! This is a magic place right?

Right? [His face is emotionless, and his voice is cold.]

Comments

[exserpens.livejournal.com]

[There is a demon in a suit and sunglasses nearby, trying desperately to talk himself out of what he's about to do.]

You could say that.

[bacchusprincess.livejournal.com]

[Eyes him.]

And it can do anything?

[exserpens.livejournal.com]

...I don't know if I'd go that far.

What's the problem?

[bacchusprincess.livejournal.com]

[Eyes him more, then holds the tiny body closer, tighter.] I want to wake him up.

[exserpens.livejournal.com]

[A quiet sigh. This is going to haunt him forever.]

What happened?

[bacchusprincess.livejournal.com]

[Quietly, still coldly.] They said I can't keep it, and threw it into the river.

[exserpens.livejournal.com]

[a pause, and then he holds a hand out]

Let me have a look?

[bacchusprincess.livejournal.com]

[... Not scared, nu uh.] You're going to throw him away too. [Sunglasses, and all? Yes, exactly as the one who did this with the pup.]

[exserpens.livejournal.com]

I'm not. I just want to see him.

[still holding his hand out]

[bacchusprincess.livejournal.com]

[Looks at his held out hands, then the pup in his. After a few minutes, he hesitantly hands it over.] Don't hurt him! [Trying to be threatening, really!]

[exserpens.livejournal.com]

I don't imagine I could do any more damage at this point, do you?

[The puppy fits neatly in Crowley's larger hand, which he pulls back so that the little animal is close enough to where he can get a good look at it. After a moment he lifts the other hand and runs one finger along the wet fur, simultaneously blowing softly across the little body.]

[The puppy stirs.]

[bacchusprincess.livejournal.com]

[Angry glare at the question.]

[Then Hiroya is just watching the stranger holding the puppy. Petting him and...]

Ha--! [A sharp breath, as he steps closer to look at what Crowley's doing.]

[exserpens.livejournal.com]

[Crowley is all too eager to hand the thing back to the kid.]

There you are. Must've just been asleep, eh?

[bacchusprincess.livejournal.com]

[Nods, nods nods nods as he takes it back, holding the little one close.] But he didn't want to wake up now matter what I did... [sniff...] What did you do?

[exserpens.livejournal.com]

Er—don't you think you'd better run along and dry it off? Both of you look rather cold.

[bacchusprincess.livejournal.com]

They hurt him again if I bring him back! [Pets the now really wriggly little pup.] I-I'll keep him here! [Looks around for a suitable place.]

... Um... what should I do if he doesn't want to wake up again?

[exserpens.livejournal.com]

Hold on, then. [Crowley drops from the Plane momentarily, returning with two rather expensive bath towels, which he proceeds to sort of toss toward the boy]

I would suggest you don't let that happen.

[bacchusprincess.livejournal.com]

[Stumbles to get them, and immediately wraps his new pet in one of them. His own hair can come later, if he still remembers...] A... um... Thank you.

Do you want something in return then?

[exserpens.livejournal.com]

[a pause]

Just...don't ever tell anyone about this, yeah?

[bacchusprincess.livejournal.com]

Un... [Nods slowly.] Why?

[exserpens.livejournal.com]

It's a bit difficult to explain. Just don't mention me if anyone asks you about the dog, and we'll call it even.

[awkward silence for a moment]

You new around here, then?

[bacchusprincess.livejournal.com]

Alriiight. [Blinks, petting Puppy. Yes, that is it's name.] Mmm I guess so, I found this place a few days ago... When I got lost. Why? Do you live here?

[exserpens.livejournal.com]

No, no one lives here that I know of. I simply didn't recall seeing you around here, before.

[more awkwardness]

Well then, I suppose I'll be off. Keep the towels.

[bacchusprincess.livejournal.com]

But there are a lot of people coming here. Without a reason then? [frowns]

[Blinks.] Alriiiight... Nee what's your name?

[exserpens.livejournal.com]

Er...mostly to socialize, from what I've seen. Take some time away from things.

[pause; he's clearly debating whether to answer or not]

Crowley.

[bacchusprincess.livejournal.com]

So this is a magical, peaceful place... Why don't they come here to live?

... We'll going to meet again, Crowley? Puppy might miss you. [Holds the little one up.]

[exserpens.livejournal.com]

It isn't always peaceful. It's simply what you make of it, I gather.

...ngh. I'm certain you'll see me around sooner or later.

[He stuffs his hands into the pockets of his trousers and turns to leave]