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Vinny:
Vincent was pacing, which was either good, bad or a strange combination of the two. Overlooking the city from the window he considered all options that appeared before him and really considered the path of least resistance in this matter, he just needed to ask Maria if she thinks it would work. . .also needs to talk to both of them on some changes that where coming, thankfully they where good changes at least. So he just stood their, hands behind his back waiting for one of them to arrive home.
Avery:
Avery opened the door for Maria, pecking a kiss when she was able. Her hair was a bit of a mess, and there was a lipstick smear on her cheek. She had a plaid overcoat and a fedora, something that definetly caught Avery's eyes and Maria treated them, and they looked happy.
Of course, her energy shifted as soon as she saw Vinny, a slight head tilt as she looked directly at him. Curious and quietly asking what was up.
Maria:
Maria sidles in behind Avery, giving her skirt a bit of a tug as she slips on in. She checks herself in a hand compact, daubing at the corner of her mouth with a pinky, then clicks it closed, clicking her heels on over to lean against Avery's shoulder. She looks strung out, quite frankly. Dark circles under her eyes, a little more pale than usual. Which for her is pretty dang pale. But she's showered and dressed and her perfume smells nice. Plus it's her penthouse, so she can smoke if she wants.
She does in fact. And so she gets out a cigarette, kisses Avery's cheek softly, and slips away to spare them having to deal with the stink of smoke. She finds one of the room's air intakes and just stands under it, lighting up with her butane lighter. "You okay, there, Vinnie?" Draaaaaaaag. Exhale out nose like an Italian dragoness.
Vinny:
"I'm sorry," he says to both of them, first words out of his mouth before turning to them, "I'm sorry to both of you, for being a fucking piss poor excuse of both a partner and a vampire." he sighs, "Maria, I'm sorry you've had to put up with me being a child, switching from one idea to the next, not considering every factor or how people would view my actions, but most of all for only half listening to you." he turns to Avery, "I'm sorry Avery, I'm sorry for causing you mental anguish, for my deal to learn Protean, for not telling you about Maria, even if that one worked out it was shitty of me and I'm sorry." he breathes
"That Vinny has had a week long to look at his actions and realize he's small fry still, the high of the embrace and 'look at me i'm a vampire' is done, it's time to play the game smart and that means listening to the advice you both have to give me, fully and completely." he looks up to see how they respond, "I do have one last stupid plan though, to get Maria's soul, it's risky, it's a leap, but it's the only way I can think of without bloodshed or retaliation, I just need to know if it could work." he admits
Avery:
Avery closes the door, and blinks several times. "I...what is wrong? Did someone hurt you?"
A slight look of anger as Avery's hand goes to their hip, where both her partners know her Talons are kept hidden. "I...am glad you are apologizing, but what brought this up. And what is this plan?"
Maria:
Maria stares at Vincent and smokes. Stares at Vincent and smokes. That irritable flick of thumb against cigarette butt sends a gentle snow of ash to the floor. A problem she pays other people to sort out.
When she probably should have said something to him, she instead puts her cigarette back into her lips and takes another incandescent drag that crackles up the tobacco about a quarter of an inch more.
"I'm listening," she confirms around her cigarette.
Vinny:
"The only person who has hurt me is myself Avery." he breathes, and looks at them, determination in his red eyes
"An exchange," he says, "I want to know if your Uncle would consider an exchange, or if he has enough clout with that thing to convince it of this. . .your soul for me," he says, "In exchange for the release of the soul of Maria Angelica, I, Vincent Drake will be the Merlino Vampire, my buisness that I will build in Vice will tithe tribute, I will act for Merlino interests in Kindred politics, I will work for him and his descendents or other successors in my unnatural years, prehaps I will one day might even push out the Irish, Blacks, or Warlocks and take their place but under Merlino banner," he shrugs and looks at Maria, "I will be their dog for the soul of Maria Angelica, one soul for an immortal. . .would he consider this?"
Avery:
Avery almost speaks, then grimaces, shaking her head and walking off out of the room towards the bedroom. She could nevertheless listen with her superior hearing, but she needed to not answer this question.
Maria:
Maria isn't quite sure how to respond to that, so she pinches the bridge of her nose and lets the ash of her cigarette smolder a little longer. Deep breath in, and siiiiiigh. "Whose idea was this?" She's starting there.
Vinny:
"Mine, it's bad isn't it." he shrugs, "My idea after realizing I've been trying to brute force this. . .." he sits and looks up to her, "Would they even consider or just kill me and laugh, you know these people."
Maria:
Maria gestures after where Avery disappeared. "It's not a bad idea for someone without people that love him. You decided to have people that love you. You said you wanted that. Then you present ideas to them that you absolutely know are going to upset them. All for what? The grand romantic gesture of not even asking me if I even would want you to first?" Maria ticks her head to the side, her dark eyes all the darker for her lack of seratonin and sleep.
"Are you finally getting around to asking me how I'd do it, Vinnie? You know? If it were my life and I were trying to get free, hypothetically?"
Vinny:
"Yeah," he nods, "That was the last me shooting out a idea without talking to anyone." he says, "Maria. . .how would you do it?" he asks, eyes filled with a mix of guilt, regret, and some self hatred, "I'm done doing that now, I'm here, I'm listening and from now on we plan together all three of us, so go ahead and tell me how."
Avery:
Avery storms out, fedora put away, one of Vincent's hoodies on now. Avery is not one to yell, it hurts their ears anyway, but the Summer's mantle is certainly flaring as they are angry. For the others...well maybe their perfume smelled vaguely of woodsmoke.
"You are giving servitude to a being from a different realm, and didn't think to ask us? That...you said you would talk to us."
Maria:
"Uncle Joey has a crucifix that he uses to summon Black Hand. I dunno if it's tied to him directly, or like some tether or anchor or what. But it's how Joey calls him. It only works when he's in this plane, though. Which means we can try to corner Black Hand all we want, but unless we have that necklace, Joey can just pull him right from under our noses. So we need that necklace.
"Furthermore, we need it around the time of the next Merlino 18th birthday. That's when he's sure to visit this plane again, expecting a call from Joey for the big theatric finish. Only it won't be him that calls Black Hand. It'll be us. And we'll have his little doohinkey. And we'll have the binding circle. And then we'll be very solicious and generous with our terms. Thats how I would do it.
"Lot of details to work out, obviously. Like where Black hand is in the hierarchy, how many demons he controls, How to steal the crucific and replace it with an exact but functionless replica without him ever knowing it, how to bind the demon-- its ban, its bane, so on. What it might want in exchange for my release. But those are blanks we can fill in. Grab him when he thinks himself strongest but is actually surprisingly vulnerable to a Merlino to inclined."
Vinny:
he stares at her, sniffs back some tears her was holding and smiles, like he just realized the punchline of a joke he wasn't getting, "So. . .so it's not a suicide run," he breathes, "I'm sorry I've been an ass. . .everything will be done by us discussing. . .I'm done playing games with your lives." he then gains a look of determination, "Ok, whose birthday is coming up, do you think they know about us, someone told me I need to do this more secure cause they may have found out or they could of and they stoped it, they weren't really clear and that's kinda annoying but hey, it helped. ..also, how loyal to you are the Tony's, do they need to be bound?"
Avery:
Avery's head tilts in that very Corvid like way. "I can get it...easily. I just need a few things."
She thinks, eyes closed and mumbling to herself for a moment as she paces. "Do you know where your uncle's living chambers are? Does he have a mirror in there at all?"
Maria:
"Yeah. I'm sure they're thinking something is up. Whenever people start talking about demon shit, they get nervous, you know? I can probably put them off our scent by doing a good turn as Tulips. There's got to be some dirtbags around that need to be run down by a cargo van. Black Hand gets his tithe right on time, same as always, who's to know any different. What you should do is get some people to tear off some of those 'call me' tabs and then put up a notice a little while later saying that the problem has been handled. They'll think it was some lust demon on the Broad Street Line again." Wait, again?
"Did you ever get around to talking to Henevi like I said? She's probably the best bet you're gonna have as the Mother of the Crone around here. At least in our circles. I'll have to look and see who's next, but they're never terrible far apart, you know? A few months, a year maybe. But, Vinnie, you gotta start thinking long term." There's a pause, "I mean, no. It's not necessarily suicide if we do it right but doing it right isn't barging in and mowing down a room full of my family, either. We need to get him away from them. Because without them he's weaker, and without him, they're weaker. We get 'em all in a room, and I don't know how I would do it. I'm sure it could be done. This way, though? We show him what we can do, what we're capable of, what we're not interested in-- him --and what we can provide him. Which is stuff he's interested in. If we do this right he might even leave the ritual circle feeling a little flattered."
She turns to Avery, "I've never been in his room, but you gotta figure there's a mirror somewhere in an Italian's man's bedroom. Right?" She looks to Vinnie, "Right? C'mon."
Vinny:
"Yeah, pretty sure they all have mirrors," he says, regaining some of the old Vinny confidence, "I have not spoken to her yet but I plan to, in both this matter and formally allying with the Crone, backing them up in my own covenants circles and such, I have recruited people for this and would like you two to come to a 'brain storming meeting' as it where, Guy will only join with a smart plan, like the one you just put forward, Atalo is in, I hired a magical merc who assures me he's done this before, also a Lost named Artie." he thinks, "Maria. . .I have to know what you think should be done with your family, Joey's gonna have to go if we are to pull this off so I want to ask you, should the tree burn or should a queen take the old man's place." he says, clearly impying fully taking it over for her, "and like I asked, the Tony's, how much can we trust them to not be Joey's eyes?"
Avery:
Avery frowns. "The problem is...for my Contract I need to be reflected in his mirror once...and then I can enter through the mirror at any point. I figure he has less security in his own room. If I...can hold something that he owns, and something from him like some hair...I can do even more."
"That is an option for when we get there. I do think it is smart to throw them off the trail first. The more on guard they are, the more we will struggle."
Maria:
Maria starts chuckling quietly, her head looking away as though she's mad at herself for having overlooked something. "Yyyyeah. We don't need it to be his bedroom, though do we. Cos that adulterous prick fucks around like a rabbit with the clap. He doesn't shit where he eats, though. Nawh. He's gonna have his own private fuckpalace, isn't he. And maybe a mistress that says, Joooooey. Stay the niiiiight, Joooey. And so he thinks, fuck it. Why not. I'm King Shit right?" She points over to Vincent as though he should understand the logic at work here. "Why can't I have one night with me woman. Just one fucking night, right? All this power. All this money. Only the one shot at it. Live a little. Fuck, I bet that's his fuckin' curse. It'd be fuckin' ironic if it was." She then snaps her fingers and adds, "Oh, right. Figure out his fucking curse. Need to do that, too. Figure that out, we own his dick."
Vinny:
"Ok, so the Crucifix will be at his fuck hole then, not his primary residence," he nods, "Maria. . .so you run a branch of the cult right, maybe we can work that angle, poison the branch slowly while we work this. . ." he thinks the his eyes lit up, he chuckles, "Mafia loves their catholic symbolism right," he takes out his pocket knife and cuts his hand a tad, letting it bleed a little, "Maybe if you have your own acoyltes. . .Communion may be a nice touch." he laughs, "So, his curse, how do you think we can learn that."
Maria:
"Nah, I'm just saying. We don't have to steal it from around his neck or off his dresser in his heavily guarded mob mansion. We can wait for him to fuck up and get it from the dresser of Bimbo of the Week from Central Casting. Much easier for Avery to manage, much safer for all of us in terms of blowback. And if our forgery is good enough, he won't know until he tries to summon Black Hand. Which isn't a thing he does lightly, I figure. Right?"
The blood is distracting, though. So. Whatever else he's saying isn't really getting through that well. "Ask him nicely? Fuck do I know, Vinnie. Did you ever talk to Henevi? Like I said to? Or Lamara?"
Avery:
Avery nods. "I am just putting my skills on the table. If you set me up to take it, I'll get it." Words of intent are no small thing for a Changeling.
"You are both...better at planning and at people than I am...just let me know where I am needed." There's a strange determination in Avery's face, one they don't usually have.
Vinny:
Vincent closes the fist, blocking sight of blood and sighs, "Babe, do you listen to me, I said already that I haven't spoken to Henevi yet but it's on my priority list," he walks over looking to Avery and Maria and putting a hand on each ones shoulder, "I'm going to talk to Henevi, like you told me to, I'm going to ask her about demons and allying with the Circle, some personal faith questions too but that's me shit." he laughs, "Now, like I asked two times already, do you trust the Tony's, I don't want Uncle Asshat spying and those goons know me and Avy, and I'll say again because the blood was distracting, I get it, your meeting as 'Tulip', do you want me to spike the punch, pass it as a 'dark Communion' thing?"
Maria:
It takes her a minute to get her wits back. "Ah. Yeah. I mean. I trust the Tony's to do what I tell them more than I trust you to, Vinnie, if you want the truth of the matter." Maria shrugs her shoulders, and it's almost an apology, but truth is truth. "I'm not saying they can't be turned, I'm saying it would take a lot more than money. Something big like a gun to the head of their kid, and even then I think they might tell me cos they know whoever hold's that gun is dead the second they do. And maybe the kid isn't. In order to know what people are gonna do, Vinnie, you gotta know what they're really afraid of. Like you. You're terrified more'n anything of irrelevance, at least that's my read. It's not even powerlessness that bugs you. It's irrelevance. I could be happy with soft power. You never could be. You need to be seen with your hand on the big dick, face in the money shot. So they know it's all you. What are you gonna do about that when the time comes to just sit on your fuck hands and do what your told?"
"Maybe, Vinnie, I just want out. Of the family blood cult. You know? I can ask around and see who Joey's been sleeping around with. Get some addresses, maybe some names, maybe a pattern emerges. Our security is through the same firm as Joey's is. You might be thinking that's not great, but it gives me every fucking reason to be in there lookin' at shit. And if I take Avy in with me, maybe we can get some info outta there. But in the meantime, Vinnie? Put up a notice saying the demon shit is handled. And I will go talk to Henevi and Lamara at this point, I think. If you wanna come along, more power to ya."
Avery:
Avery goes quiet at the arguing, looking between her partners. She's no good at social situations, she knows that...but what she does know is she loves them both.
Her touch is gentle and careful, delicate, and she cups both of their cheeks. "Let's...talk together. We have too many partial plans. Argueing doesn't help tonight. What are our next steps...and we can go from there."
Vinny:
Vincent listens and nods, "You want out, your going to get out of that cult shit," he says nodding, "You have to brains in this trinity Maria, I think we all realize that now." he says plopping on the couch, "Yeah, I don't want to be nobody anymore so you got me their. . ." he sighs, she really sees though him it seems, "When you talk to them, I'd like to come, want to ask them stuff about faith and such." he admits, "So, seems the steps are 1-demon info,2-Uncle Info, 3-crucifix forgery and robbery, am I getting this right." he asks, "I'm sorry for being a knuckle head babe."
Maria:
"You're cute and have a great dick, Vincent. It covers for a lot. The eyes and the blood handle the rest. Remember that the only reason I talk to you like this, is because you badly need someone to talk to you like this. I will fawn all over you in public all I gotta. And I will cheerfully bend over for you in whatever room you wanna have me in. But when it's just us? I said truth. So. You get truth. Truth is, you hurt me. You made me think I was gonna die soon. It's my own fault. I made a lot of mistakes. And I wound up doing too much MDMA for a bit. So I'm... fucking. Burned out. And angry. And sad. And hurt. I'm hurt, Vinnie. And angry. And scared. Fucking so scared. Stop looking at me like I have to have all the answers tonight. But yeah. Demon details. Curse details on Joey. Figuring out how lift the crucific, and figuring out how to have a forgery good enough to replace it with before we have the fucking original in our hands."
She smiles about these minor impossibilities. "Piece of cake, right? So can we-- can we get past the part where I'm mad at you, and you're trying to make it up to me, and get to the part where everything's okay? And we can maybe hit the hot tub?"
She rubs one arm with her hand and adds towards Avery, "We can talk later about specifics."
Vinny:
he looks down at the floor at that, "I'm sorry Maria, I was a jerk who didn't think or know what he was saying, I never want to do that to you again, you deserve better than that." he says, not daring to meet the eyes of either partner, not even making a cocky comment at the dick complement
Maria:
"I forgive you, Vinnie." There. Maria seems ... at least relieved. Like she got what she needed, if not precisely what she wanted. Which might be a good thing, in the end. "Anything you need to add, lovebird?" Maria asks it aside of Avery, whom she is now watching with more interest. These sorts of conversations can land hard on the birb. "You good, need a hug? A kiss?"
Avery:
Avery was a bit more quiet as the conversation got more heated, not sure how to help. Not sure what to do, so just stood there for a minute until Maria checked in on them.
"Um...yes, yep. I am okay. A hug and bath would be nice, yes." Avery looks to Vinny. "Arthur is a smith...they may be able to help. I can...find out some information, but not much." A look to them both. "You are both...the brains and talkers...I can be the knife. Let me know where I am needed...please."
Vinny:
Vincent looks up, "Your always needed Avery, we may be brains and talkers but your the heart, a heart knife." he pats the spot next to him, "Need a cuddle?"
Maria:
Maria walks right over with the hug, one of her full body jobbies, with squished together cheeks, and arms around the shoulders, and maybe some gentle rocking if Avery is game for it. There's even a trio of soft kisses. One to each cheek, then one on the nose, followed by the resting of her forehead there with the quiet assurance, "I love you." Then she steps back again, watching Avery intently. "It will be better once it's over. You'll see, Avery. I'm sorry-- I raelize I'm a fucking headache. And if you're changing your mind about me, I honestly genuinely understand. I just hope you'll still be around, maybe, once I get my shit sorted out. So. If this is too much, just say so. I won't be mad. I won't even stop loving you. I won't ask you move out. I'll just give you the space you need, and get my shit together. You don't have to do anything for me about this to deserve me. And you don't have to want to take all of this on. And you have every every right to make us being together long term contingent on me getting this ... taken care of. So."
"I'm sorry I am the kind of person that I am. And I'm sorry the kind of person that I am is in love with you. I am. You deserve so much better, Avery."
Avery:
Avery holds both of their hands, and takes a deep breath. All the upset in the air, and the anger, and then....any emotion at all gets pushed out and is replaced. Avery has demanded this place be calm...and their Glamour enforces it.
She pets both of their faces. "I love you both...so much. I don't want to move out...but I think we need to sit down for a bit and relax. I don't want any fights please."
Vinny:
Vincent felt like a wave of 'positive vibes' passed through him, easing into the chair, "Yeah. . .I love you guys too," he says, giving a sigh of relief, "Can we cuddle, I think we should cuddle."
Avery:
"Yes please...could we cuddle?" Avery sits down in front of the couch, open arms towards her partners.
Maria:
"That's what I just suggested, and then everyone got real weird," Maria points out. The effect doesn't really do much to her external disposition, but she stops talking as much. "Yes. I want to cuddle. I wanna take my clothes off, cuddle, have something to eat, sleep. If either of you want something to happen in between, speak up. Cos my agenda's set, here. I dunno about y'all." She gestures at her face, which looks like an ad for not trying heroin. "Unless, Avery, you got some cool fairy magic or whatever?"
Vinny:
"No I'm good babe," he says easing into one side of Avery, nuzzling into her, "Maybe Avy would like some time but I'm in a 'snuggle and hug' mood than 'hot and heavy' mood. . .maybe tomorrow night," he sighs a bit, "If she's getting naky should I go boxers" he asks Avery, pecking her cheek
Avery:
Avery flinches at the cool fairy magic bit. "I would just like to cuddle, thats it...no clothes sounds nice...we could watch a Disney movie? I...still haven't seen all of them." Avery is starting to hide their emotions as well, hiding behind that mask.
Maria:
"I don't understand what I said. It's cool magic. It's from--" If Maria had it in herself to be annoyed again, she probably would be, instead she just shrugs her shoulders and starts unbuttoning her blouse, aiming herself for the bedroom. She tosses her cigarette in a smokeless standing ashtray along the way. The trail of clothes should guide those slow to follow, though they'll run out of trail at the stockings.
"You're gonna love Mulan, it's gay as fuck." And before he can complain, "Shut up, Vinnie, we're watching Mulan." She asides to Avery, "I'm guessing by the fact that you don't obsessively sing 'who I am inside' to a mirror when you're alone you've never seen Mulan yet, right? Bless your trans little heart."
Vinny:
"I like Mulan!" he jokingly shouts back, "Best is Hunchback in my opinion." he tells Avy, "Beata Maria," he blinks and laughs, muttering "perfect", and continues, "You know I am a righteous man, of my virtue I am justly proud."
Avery:
"Its not you...sorry." She hugs Maria before following along.
"I...don't think we have seen Mulan, no. I am...not much of a singer."
Avery looks at Vinny, a confused look. "You...I love you, but you are not."
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