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Heckin' Game IC Inbox!

[The sounds of something being chewed can be heard before Catrina hisses at the phone]

Dammit! Why won't you record the inbox message!? Is it even on!? HELLLO!?

[It cuts off with a beep at the end... the phone was working the whole time :<]

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[It's still a few hours before everything opens. Thankfully, the prep work is already done: the glasses have been swiped, the till's been counted. As such, he has some time and while the front door of the bar staggers open, the Sin lowers his head. He snaps the tip of a match between his thumb and finger. Instantly, the body of it ignites; its soft flame, running silk over his skin.]

[Greed cranes his face towards it, dipping the end of his cigarette low into the heat. A couple of puffs later, and a cherry catches. The red of it, like a soft glow of neon, trapped between his claws. He shakes the match a few times before tossing it to the curb, and the back of his heel takes care of the rest. With a shimmying grind, he smears what's left of the match to dust, leaving pop of charcoal staining on the step.]

[The former homunculus pads down the stairs, pinching the cigarette between his fingers. Behind him, a cat (a very particular, very unsympathetic-looking cat) trails in his wake. Her face stern, cold with more than a little contempt. Cats, after all - they're judgmental, aren't they? And oh, oh, oh, if she isn't Hell's most harshest critic.]

[Greed exhales, forcing ribbons of smoke from his nose. While Hell's never exactly quiet, given the hour of the day, the streets are a little less hectic. A couple of cars chug on by - their rattling engines choking out clouds of a thick, ashy smog. One of them backfires and as the exhaust pipe burps, the sound echoes through the alleyways. The pitch of it, as clattering as a shot from a single-barrel shotgun.]

[It had been a bit of a time getting settled into Hell as Catrina walked along the sidewalk, holding the newspaper clipping in her four digit hand, a job ad she found for this place called 'The Devil's Nest'. Cat needed some sort of income while living here and the bar itself looked exactly like something Catrina would love working at big time, especially the neon skulls, those won points with the blue booger.]

[Catrina had heard about cars before, even seen some pictures of them, but seeing them in person was an entirely different experience. In Catrina's mind, they were like some sort of weird beetle looking machines that made a weird sound with an odor to match. Upon hearing one of the cars having a having a backfire, Catrina nearly jumped a foot out of being startled by it.]

SON OF A BITCH!!

[After collecting herself, Catrina got her mischievous going on with her glance at the car responsible. An Opera diva is still a diva of sorts, point her little gloved finger in an attempt at sound defect with the aim of making it sound like a dog's squeaker toy.]

[Satisfied whether or not she succeeded (Cat don't be contrary towards the drivers please..damn it she's gonna be a contrary little gremlin), Catrina goes to check the address between the ad and the building. Once learning yes this was the place, Catrina starts heading down the stairs, eager to get in for that interview and securing a job for herself.]

[Once at the door and pretty much letting herself inside (Cat no you're being rude), in comes this ocean blue, possum looking amphibian with midnight blue hair, glowing mini teal horns, a hand tail, and looking like she rolled out of Hot Topic. She stand no more than four foot ten as she glances about for the owner for that interview.]

Eh! I heard you had some job openings here!?

[But while the noise might bother some, the Sin's reaction is subtle. He arches his eyebrow low and slow; its light tick, sending soft ripples up his forehead. Amused, intrigued: they play on his face as fine as a knife and just as sharp. His look, his everything, more similar to a shark, piqued by something struggling on the surface.]

[Greed edges the cigarette out of his mouth, ash(ing) it twice on the ground.] Y'know, most people ask about the job first, lovely. And that depends. [Threads of weaving smoke unwind between his teeth. They knit together, only to spread apart again - their loose strands like silver, pulling off his tongue.] What are you looking for, exactly?

[While her outburst might be loud, while it may be boisterous, none of it seems to faze him. And as the former homunculus pulls himself from the doorway, he pitches his cigarette over the side of the steps. Its lonely bounce, drumming in spit of hot, burnt-flicker sparks.]

[Greed heads inside, Kamora at his heels.] Though, I haven't seen you around before. Suppose you're new - that right? [The tone of his voice rumbles thick in his throat; the sound of it as smooth and harsh smoked-hard whiskey. The Sin shoves two of his hands into his pockets, leaving the other pair to grip at the thin of his waist.] Haven't seen a lot of you around lately. [His tail flicks behind him, and the barbs at the end gently flex open. They scrape together, faint and tinkling. It's an uneasy sound. A deadly sound. Like a collection of meat hooks, wafting in the breeze.]

[The former homunculus curves around the end of the bar, and the cat at his feet jumps gracefully up onto the counter.] But I'm being rude, aren't I? [He walks the line of the bar top, causing his reflection to drift jarringly through the bottles stacked on the shelves.]

The name's Greed - [He sways his head, opening up more of his throat.] - now, why don't you have a seat, hmn? And then, you can tell me what you're looking for.

[Catrina was an amphibian of very little class, though still had more than her brother, but that one is another kettle of worms for another time. Catrina was riding that little emotional high from using sound defect on some sod's car, taking a seat, Cat's little sharp teeth glinting as she smiles, getting straight to business..for once.] Nice, name's Catrina Calavera and I'm very new, my professor's edible demon summoning homework backfired spectacularly and my little ass ended up here.

[Catrina was liking her potential employer so far, he had an edge she liked, kinda like the knives one of her friends would hoard like a dragon. It took Catrina a bit to think over her next choice of words, especially since it'll likely land her a job and hopefully not living off ramen to ramen packets as she has been currently.]

[Catrina shifts a bit in her seat, getting a bit more comfortable for the interview, her aqua eyes looking right at Kamora, softening a bit as..it kitty cat, who doesn't like cats?] Right, I'm looking at the second bartender job as well as the DJ opening. I used to work at my adopted parent's tavern and cocktail lounge beforehand, so I have the previous know how's about cocktail mixing.

[Catrina goes to rest her head on her right, gloved hand, her hand tail swishing a bit as she thinks. She didn't mind the meat hook like sounds Greed's tail was making, then again, ~~this booger has no survival instincts.~~] I was also a traveling bard for a good decade along with my handy dandy talent of Sound Defect. That shit comes in handy in a pinch, especially for approving sound quality or making something sound entirely different.

[It was Catrina's turn to watch Greed, hoping like hell (hahah Cat you're already in Hell) she succeeded in getting the former homunculus interest in the presented skill sets.]

[Silently, the Sin glides his hand under the lip of the bar. He catches something on the snare of his claws - the rustle of it, as soft and delicate as shifting paper. Greed yanks a pack of mangled cigarettes from beneath the counter and as he sets the curve of his tailbone against the prep station behind him, he levels the box at the lip of the sink.]

Catrina. [He lets her name rattle on his tongue, and the forks of it tremble at the tips of his teeth. The way she got here, however - that earns a look. The Sin's expression gradually changes and as that confidence of his slips into something a bit more confused, more bewildered, he puckers out the lower part of his lip.]

Huh? [Greed vaguely digs the curve of his claw under the top of the pack, plucking it partially open.] Sorry, I'm not exactly sure what you're talking about. What do you mean, an edible demon? [He clamps the filter of one of the cigarettes between the sides of two of his claws, dragging it up and out of the box.] Eh, forget it. Might not have ended exactly how you think, sweetheart. Not everyone here is supposed to be dead.

[Not everyone, however some - the former homunculus twirls the cigarette over to pat it three times against the flat of the prep counter. Dk, dk, dk.] Is that so? Tavern's a good place to start, but don't get the wrong idea. The people here - [Greed sucks at the corner of his mouth.] - well, they can be a pretty lively bunch. Think you can handle something like that?

[The question comes with a flick of his eyes and as they slide over the rims of his sunglasses, the slits of them shrill at the frames. Their points, viper-thin and still. The former homunculus tucks the cigarette behind his ear. Churning out liquor is easy, but that other thing she mentioned: the ability to improve sound.]

[Oh, does it get his interest.]

[Greed raps his teeth together thoughtfully.] Now, that's something. So you can change the sound around you? [He pushes himself forward, causing some of the bottles on the shelves to quiver. But while he's all slow movements and practiced steps, Kamora simply watches; her perch on the bar interrupted only by the slight brush and flit of her tail.]

[The former homunculus grabs a coin off the bar.] Would be interested to see how that works. Think you could try it on this? [With little more than a snap of his thumb, he sends it spinning across the surface; its light noise, tinkling metal against the wood.]

The one and only. [Catrina couldn't help but say that as she listens along, glad that Greed wasn't going to implore more on that fickle subject of 'edible demons'. Sure, those little shits were delicious for ramen toppings, but voracious like piranha if not captured correctly.] I just really lucked out on that one.

[Those aqua colored eyes watched as Greed twirled the cigarette in his fingers, the motion being something amusing to the horrid blue booger] Definitely, we had a lot of violent brawls beforehand, so I'm no stranger to it. Not even joking about that one time a patron brought a fucking hammer to a bar fight.

[She is insanely casual about that incident, like it was something of an 'oh that was a weird thing haha' sort of statement.]

[Oh there we go, Catrina grins as she's offered the chance to use her sound defect on something now that she's gained interest. Catrina watches the coin carefully, debating, her eyes glinting at what choices she had. Catrina points at the coin like a finger gun, the sound defect making the fading coin play out segments of 'Piano Man' by Billy Joel.] I can also make foot steps silent for stealth jobs if needed.

[Yep that coin is indeed singing that specific Billy Joel song as it lands, Catrina has her sharp tooth smirk of being proud of that one.] Anything else you'd like me to use sound defect on?

[A bleed of color scratches behind his sunglasses. It dips low behind the lenses; a lick of red humming, pulsing, like the end of a poker, hushed cold. Greed slides the pad of his finger across the bar top to follow the coin while it spins. He doesn't know the song, but that doesn't stop him from watching. From listening with a smile as cut and swinging as a moon, hanging at midnight.]

[The former homunculus touches his ear, gliding his thumb and middle finger along the sides of the cigarette.] The one and only, huh? Someone famous where you come from, then? [His voice is so far away. So distracted. Every turn of the coin reflects back in his shades twice over - its draining momentum, passing over the lenses like something set adrift.]

[Finally though, he extends one of his claws and with a snappish coil of his finger, he pins the coin to the bar. Its spin, silenced with the sharp twang of his nail meeting the copper of it. The Sin drags it away, and his tongue lashes over his lips.] You'd be surprised how useful a hammer can be, given the right circumstances. [He leaves it at that, slipping the coin soundlessly back into his pocket.]

But that's a pretty interesting ability you have there, sweetheart. [The end of his sentence chips off his teeth.] And that obvious, huh? We might be in Hell, but there's still some things that haven't changed. Could come in handy if we get another job like last time. [Slurring, he nudges the cigarette out from the shell of his ear. He strikes his claws quickly against the edge of the counter, urging up a flurry of sparks. Their pops and flicks, white hot and searing.]

[Greed leans into them to chuff at the end of his cigarette.] Come back tomorrow and talk to someone named Nanami Kento. [He says, and a pillow of smoke spreads over the roof of his mouth.] Tell him I sent you. We'll have you start on the bar back first. But - [The former homunculus waves his wrist, sending a ripple of ash tumbling down the bar.] - working for me is a bit different than most.

[He pulls away then, leaving a cloud of tobacco to thin in his wake like a powdered-dust print.] You'd be one of mine. Though, that doesn't mean what most people think it does. Whatever you've done before, whatever you do here - I don't really care. See, I may be selfish, Cat. But I've always been a big fan of choice. [The cigarette finds a home between his fingers and with a brush of his knuckle, he taps it twice over the mouth of the sink behind him, causing a clump of ash to tumble into bottom of it.]

So, I guess the real question is - [With a deep-barrel hum lodged in his chest, the Sin sways his head back towards her and a wisp of smoke unwinds from his teeth; its movement similar to a thread, pulling itself apart.] - are you still interested?

Yeah, used to be an opera singer, the prima-donna back home before going into being a traveling bard for a time. Fun shit that was, both of them. [She doesn't blame the Sin on being distracted by the coin, it's Billy Joel, you can't go wrong with a classic bard like that one. Catrina was feeling confident about how the interview was going along.]

[Watching the coin being stopped, Catrina smirked a bit as she answers] Fair, upside, the hammer magnet can still compete in beauty contests still, only had both of his knees knocked out. [Catrina leaves that one be, returning to topic of the potential employment.]

It is, fun as hell to use too. [Catrina smirks as she hears that one] Well, it is Hell, plus had someone back home that was like that too that required my talent for projects like it. [Well that and Catrina was leaving out her little monster Danza who is stewing in their tamagotchi prison, listening, waiting, wanting to commit grand theft once more.]

[This was a good sign to Catrina as she commits the name to memory] I'll be back then to chat with Nanami Kento, I'm looking forward to working the bar.

[Catrina goes to put her listening antenna on as she listens to the deal of working for Greed. What a weird way of saying of joining the family deal, but oh well, whatever floats Greed's boat, she'll gladly take him in as found family on her end. Once the explanation concludes, Catrina is smiling from antenna to antenna] I'm fully on board with that.

[She continues, and the Sin's eyes squint behind his shades. The grin on his face is telling; the coil of it, how it lifts away his lips, exposing the tips of his teeth like wet, clean razors. He takes another pull off the cigarette before setting it aside on the edge of the sink. It's slow, dropping ash, counting away the seconds.]

Don't know about a beauty contest, but let's just say someone I used to know had a way of using one. [As if to illustrate, Greed clamps two of his fingers together to tap against the side of his temple.] Though, it tended to get a little messy.

[An explanation, however - it never comes. And as he drops his hand back against the rim of the sink, the former homunculus guides his claws around the cigarette again, causing the smoke of it to kiss over his knuckles like a ghost in flight.] Ha - ! I'm sure it is. It's a pretty useful talent. [Greed stretches out his legs, looping his ankles loosely in front of him.]

Nanami Kento. [He repeats, his voice purring silk at the back of his throat.] He's the accountant, but don't let him fool you. The man might look like another suit, but there's more to him than that. Just try not to be too offended if he isn't exactly friendly, hmn? He can be a bit of a stiff on a good day.

[Pressing two of his palms behind him, the Sin unwinds his ankles to shove his weight forward on the cuts of his heels.] It's settled, then. Though, keep in mind that it's always going to be your choice, Cat. No regrets. [Greed thumbs at the outline of his pocket. He catches the side of a matchbox with his nail before tossing it out onto the bar. It skids across the counter, smooth and crooked. A final transaction without the need for a signature.]

Tomorrow. [Greed tightens his tongue at the roof of his mouth.] And remember - no regrets.

Oh, yeah, forgot it’d knock out a bit of thinking goop right there [Catrina was morbidly amused by the demonstration, letting loose her ‘nicknames’ for brains..this is mellowed out compared to the others she has under those grody sleeves.] I heard it cleans up easily with diluted hydrogen peroxide or so I’m told anyways.

[A part of Catrina was relieved to not be asked for any explanations, it brings up some pretty…’interesting’ stories from back home. Her hand tail swishes a bit, a sign of being relaxed and at ease] It sure is, works in a pinch whenever I need it to. [Catrina feels very at home right now with this entire interview, cigarettes and all.]

Got it, I’ll be meeting up with Nanami Kento tomorrow then. [The mental picture Catrina was getting from the description is a resting bitch faced accountant that may have done shady things in the past which is absolutely fine by her.] Eh that shit is fine with me, so long he isn’t too quiet, I think I’ll sail on just fine. [Catrina wishes she could purr like that, alas, if she tried, it’d probably sound like she was horking something up instead.]

[Catrina perks up that possum looking head of hers right up, thrilled that she pretty much got the job. Catrina’s tiny sharp teeth glistens when she hears this] I don’t regret things I want, I want this job and I’m getting it, no regrets here. [Catrina accepts the matchbox readily as this is the coolest thing ever, forget signatures!]

Right Boss, I’ll be here tomorrow, I don’t regret anything. [Yep, Catrina is fully sold and on board with this.]

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Heckin' Game IC Inbox!

➥ The Devil's Nest

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