Fanfic: Gentlemen's Agreement (1/1)
May. 20th, 2011 01:03 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
smokingmirrorTitle: Gentlemen's Agreement
Author: Avarice
Rating: PG
Pairing: Collin/L'Hssein, Collin/Supai implied
Spoilers: -
Summary: Just how far will Collin go to make a powerful and dangerous ally?
Word Count: 2547
Date First Posted: 22-07-2003
Date Revised - 19-05-2011
Beta: Mattie, Tink.
Awards: -
Notes: Supai always seemed as though once he got into the habit of being in a human body, he'd become quite the entrepreneur. Again, an obscure fic that I just love to bits. Even the revision was nothing more than a grammar-check, with no story details changed at all.
I should probably explain Supai, though. I wrote some original fic concerning Incan gods, that will hopefully be on here soon. Supai is the God of Death. He is a bit of a prick, yo.
Feedback: always welcome, as is constructive criticism.
Also Archived At: LJ
His companion is not so comfortable. In taupe pants and a white button up shirt that is custom-fit to accommodate his large hands, L'Hssein feels as out of place as he looks. He doesn't want to be here, and wouldn't be save for the fact Collin needs someone to watch his back.
Only another second of scanning the room with his sharp eyes is needed to find the man Collin is going to meet with tonight. Strange how he somehow blends into the surroundings, and yet sticks out like a sore thumb to Collin's eyes.
He sits in a booth shaped like a crescent moon, with a half-table to match. The seat is a cushioned deep red, looking almost too comfortable. He wears a charcoal grey suit and tie, offset by a shirt the colour of bone. Indeed his complexion is the same hue -- skin translucent under the soft lights. Combined with lustrous long black hair, he cuts an immaculate achromatic figure.
Collin gives him an appraising glance before meeting blue-grey eyes across the room, having the distinct feeling that they have been staring at him since he set foot into the restaurant. They follow him as he moves closer. The blond never sees the pair of eyes leave his face, and yet his whole body convulses as though they are sandpaper all over his skin. L'Hssein detects the reaction straight away.
"Are you alright, Boss?" he asks through his teeth in a low voice no-one else hears. Collin answers L'Hssein with a tightening of his jaw and narrowing his eyes, visibly pulling himself back together. The vesper drops his head in acknowledgment that Collin is focused once again.
They reach the table, but the man doesn't rise to greet them. Collin sits a space into the curved chair, directly opposite, leaving enough room for his companion to sit next to him.
There is silence for a few moments, broken only by a waiter bringing over a decanter of water and placing it between the two parties. L'Hssein looks at it fondly, his mouth having dried up the moment they entered the restaurant, but it is not appropriate to disturb the other two men at the table.
L'Hssein looks over the man opposite him. He possesses an aura of death, and the vesper doesn't like it. Mainly because sometimes, just sometimes, he looks at Collin and it feels the same.
"I was surprised that you picked Valena's to meet at," Collin says.
Supai makes a gesture with his long fingers. "I was under the impression only the best could even gain entry to this establishment."
Collin's eyes narrow. "So it was a test to see if I could get in."
"Amongst other things. The veal here is excellent."
Collin's lips turn up at the corner in a smile that is a rather poor imitation of one. There are no more pleasantries to be had. "Let's get down to business."
"Alright," Supai answers, his voice as soft as a corpse wrapped in silk.
"You want death. I want death. I believe we are in the position to be of service to one another."
"Really," Supai sounds vaguely bored, and studies the nails on one hand. He has heard this proposition and others like it many times before.
"Yes," Collin says confidently, and leaves it at that. Supai raises a thin black brow.
"That is your proposal?" His smooth and rarely emotional voice sounds a touch incredulous.
"It's a simple offer. There aren't any catches to it. You help me, and I will get you a whole hell of a lot of souls."
"I see," Supai ponders, studying Collin's face intently. L'Hssein's eyes dart back and forth from his best friend to the God of Death sitting so calmly just a table away. At length, Supai answers. "I have had a hundred propositions. I receive my bounty of millions of souls every day. What would commit me to helping you, little terrorist?"
Collin keeps a placid expression, matching Supai's almost-boredom.
"Your assistance would help achieve maximum fatalities, increasing your benefit from the deal."
Supai clucks his tongue softly. "Not sweet enough," he says simply.
Collin's fists clench and his claws cut into his palms. The potent smell of his blood suddenly fills the air. L'Hssein glances down in alarm. He can see a red line trickle down Collin's wrist.
"What about innocents?" the blond hybrid says, visibly retaining his poker face. Even as L'Hssein makes a disturbed click, Supai looks interested.
"What about them?" he presses.
"Nothing says 'war' like a dead child."
Supai reaches long fingers towards Collin, who does not shirk away, no matter how much he wants to. They open Collin's clenched fist and languidly collect some of the droplets spilling over his wrist. He rubs his fingers together in fascination.
"Your blood... kills." Collin and L'Hssein instantly stiffen. Supai continues, unperturbed, "at least, it used to. My, but you were racking up the body count, even when so young."
Supai's fingers burn into the flesh of Collin's palm. He winces as the skin is seared, and L'Hssein is a second away from breaking them apart when Supai removes his fingers.
Apart from the residue of blood, the original claw wounds are gone.
L'Hssein is not happy with the turn of events, or conversation. His tail flicks rapidly, and clicks of displeasure escape his throat. Collin glances at the vesper in irritation. His companion's aggravation is noted and summarily dealt with. He reaches his healed hand into his top pocket and pulls out a credit chip.
"Get something to drink," he orders calmly, unwilling to let his best friend ruin the meeting.
L'Hssein does not wish to leave Collin alone at all, but he takes the credit chip between his bent forefinger and thumb and slouches off to the bar. He orders a beer and turns to watch, augmented auditory senses still able to pick up what is being said.
Collin stares at Supai. "I didn't know you could heal."
"Normally I don't want to. What use is healing to a Death God? Puts me out of business. Besides, it would not be wise to have one of my best avatars injured."
Collin is still, except for his left eyebrow arching delicately.
"I don't work for you."
"Don't you?" the god countered, "You kill without distinction, to further no goals but your own." Supai moves closer, seemingly gliding across the rounded booth seat towards Collin. "You serve your own purpose, and in so doing, serve me."
L'Hssein's teeth grind as he sees Collin's spine go rigid. He can't do anything about it. Should he go over prematurely, Collin's displeasure would be great.
Supai is close to him. Too close to be considered polite, especially in a deal-making situation. Too close to be anything but intimidating... or sexual. Sex is power, and Collin wants power back.
He relaxes and licks his dry lips slowly, partly to wet them, mostly to see if the act catches Supai's attention.
It is caught.
Supai's light-coloured eyes widen slightly. His human body instantly takes note of the pink tongue swiping full lips. A nervous reaction, perhaps. He looks to Collin's eyes to find them glowing, and observing him through the veil of light brown lashes. The tips catch the overhead lights and almost sparkle. Not a nervous reaction.
The air gets warmer around Collin, heating the god's cold skin. There is a tangible quality to it, like the molecules around the hybrid human are shimmering with excitement.
Supai's body likes it. It reacts to the changes. His blood pumps a little faster, limbs sag languidly, pupils dilate and his breathing becomes audible.
"However you want to phrase it, I'm offering you a good deal," Collin's voice is brought down a notch. It strokes each word lovingly, descending into a private growl, just for Supai.
"As you said, I already help you. With just a touch of your influence, I could be even better." Collin tilts his head ever so slightly to the left. "How could I possibly make this deal any sweeter?"
Supai feels Collin's hot breath on his face and neck. He nods once, slowly. "You do play the game well," he compliments, and sits forward in interest, "if I lend you my deadly influence, I get more souls..."
"Yes."
"...And you."
Collin's mouth turns sardonically up at the corner. "You want me to sell you my soul?"
Supai comes close to smiling. "Oh no, not at all." He reaches forward and a long tapered finger touches Collin in the centre of his chest, just above his heart. The digit is cold. "That is already promised to me. Look around you," the Death God urges. "Everyone in this room shall belong to me eventually." He inclines his head towards random people. "Saints, mobsters, drug dealers, him," he nods towards L'Hssein, "and you."
Supai continues. "Wouldn't it be smart to have a good friend when all is said and done?" L'Hssein's eyes are bleak azure whirlpools. The dark haired man is most definitely not talking about the vesper.
L'Hssein sniffs, hearing every word that is said, and downs the rest of his beer with one gulp. He has never had an easy life with Collin. Still, dreams have always been the one thing no one could take away from him. And even in his more nihilistic moods, L'Hssein comforts himself with the idea that at least when they're both dead, they'll be together as well, along with his family.
That is, until tonight.
L'Hssein imagines this man as the keeper of his family's spirits, and suddenly feels nauseated, and like getting very high.
Supai gently touches Collin's chin and lifts his heat so their eyes meet. "I have a counter-proposal."
Collin's eyes glisten and he stretches his neck towards Supai. "I'm listening."
"What if all I require to guarantee you my support is a simple act to prove your dedication? Nothing you haven't done before."
"Like what?"
Supai's eyes drift past the bar to the entrance of Valena's where the Maitre'd is greeting a group of seventeen Fae dressed in designer suits.
"I want them dead," Supai tells him as the group fills a large table near the corner of the main dining hall. "I believe an explosion is in order."
"Other casualties?"
The god shrugs. "You have discretionary powers. I want the operation executed within two hours."
Collin doesn't blink as Supai lists his terms. "You're on," he says without hesitation, undeniably confident. "Is that all?"
Supai's eyes glow luminously as he leans forward again conspiratorially as he imparts his final requirement. "And I want the vesper here when it happens."
Collin hesitates, confidence draining from his aura as he turns towards the bar to face L'Hssein, brain working frantically. He looks into his partner's eyes.
Supai leans forward, positioning his head over Collin's left shoulder, lips close to the hybrid's pointed ear. "No vesper; no deal," he hisses.
L'Hssein's face is blank, having heard almost the entire conversation since he left the table anyway. He sees a cold calculation descend onto his friend's face.
"You'll be back here in two hours?" Collin asks in a deadpan voice.
"Yes," Supai murmurs.
"Enjoy the show."
Without another word, Collin slides out of the seat. He collects L'Hssein at the bar, who, after a split second of his own hesitation, falls into step at Collin's shoulder. As they exit the restaurant, L'Hssein spares a furtive glance towards the God of Death, who has forgotten them in favour of stopping a passing waitress and ordering the veal.
~~~
The sirens of the emergency response teams wail, getting closer. Soon, they will drown out the sounds of the grievously injured and the dying.
Two hours later, Supai walks into the blackened shell that used to be Valena's restaurant. Scorch marks decorate the walls that are still standing. Broken furniture sticks out of the rubble at odd angles, the plush red upholstery is now black and white from fire and dust.
There is an overpowering aroma of burnt flesh that chokes the air. The bodies of Valena's patrons litter the floor, buried under debris and dessert carts.
All in all, it is a pleasing sight for Supai. The souls of the dead have already traveled to his otherworldly kingdom, with the grievously injured soon to follow. He is impressed with Collin's speed and fatality rate for the time constraint.
On the other side of the room in the shadows is a lanky body. A long, dark arm with distinctive elongated fingers falls in the edge of the light. Walking over the broken concrete in shiny wingtips, Supai approaches the figure.
It is almost broken in half, slumping forward like a marionette with its strings cut. The hand in the light is bruised and cut, webbing torn in places. It lies face down on a broken part of the ceiling, which seems to have fallen on the figure's lap. Wood ranging from tiny splinters to large chunks pierce the skin, remains of the bar that were shattered and propelled across the room.
Supai puts a pale hand on the dark shoulder and lifts the body up. Though the face has also taken some damage, he clearly sees the masculine features, ridged nose, large lifeless eyes and sharp teeth.
But it is not L'Hssein.
Supai lets the body go and it hits the concrete again with a dull thump. Vespers are hard to come by. Collin's resourcefulness and craftiness -- which is what Supai really wanted to see -- has been revealed easily by his ability to chase up a vesper and twist the conditions of the deal to both appease the Deathgod and also suit himself.
There is a sound in the hollow, burnt out building. It reverberates, bouncing off the walls, filling the ruin. He is laughing.
Owning Collin will be all that much sweeter when he's actually dead.
Supai calms himself and brushes a non-existent speck of dust from his cuff. Stepping over the dying body of the waitress who served him veal, he strolls out before the police and ambulances arrive.
Author: Avarice
Rating: PG
Pairing: Collin/L'Hssein, Collin/Supai implied
Spoilers: -
Summary: Just how far will Collin go to make a powerful and dangerous ally?
Word Count: 2547
Date First Posted: 22-07-2003
Date Revised - 19-05-2011
Beta: Mattie, Tink.
Awards: -
Notes: Supai always seemed as though once he got into the habit of being in a human body, he'd become quite the entrepreneur. Again, an obscure fic that I just love to bits. Even the revision was nothing more than a grammar-check, with no story details changed at all.
I should probably explain Supai, though. I wrote some original fic concerning Incan gods, that will hopefully be on here soon. Supai is the God of Death. He is a bit of a prick, yo.
Feedback: always welcome, as is constructive criticism.
Also Archived At: LJ
Valena's restaurant on Utopia colony is bustling with activity in the evenings. It is a very exclusive establishment, catering to those who know how to dress and spend money. Celebrities, politicians, private entrepreneurs, organised crime; however they get their money, if they have a lot of it, they dine at Valena's. For this reason, there is always plenty to see, if one is looking.
On this night, there is a vemite standing by the bar, attracting females in his own flamboyant way with his impressive posture and colourful plumage. Members of one underground criminal ring are meeting with those of a rival syndicate to discuss the handling of territory disputes in a civilised fashion, their weapons barely concealed beneath tailored suits. And in the back, two Fae are arguing the price of a particular hybrid human slave while eating chicken kiev.
His companion is not so comfortable. In taupe pants and a white button up shirt that is custom-fit to accommodate his large hands, L'Hssein feels as out of place as he looks. He doesn't want to be here, and wouldn't be save for the fact Collin needs someone to watch his back.
Only another second of scanning the room with his sharp eyes is needed to find the man Collin is going to meet with tonight. Strange how he somehow blends into the surroundings, and yet sticks out like a sore thumb to Collin's eyes.
He sits in a booth shaped like a crescent moon, with a half-table to match. The seat is a cushioned deep red, looking almost too comfortable. He wears a charcoal grey suit and tie, offset by a shirt the colour of bone. Indeed his complexion is the same hue -- skin translucent under the soft lights. Combined with lustrous long black hair, he cuts an immaculate achromatic figure.
Collin gives him an appraising glance before meeting blue-grey eyes across the room, having the distinct feeling that they have been staring at him since he set foot into the restaurant. They follow him as he moves closer. The blond never sees the pair of eyes leave his face, and yet his whole body convulses as though they are sandpaper all over his skin. L'Hssein detects the reaction straight away.
"Are you alright, Boss?" he asks through his teeth in a low voice no-one else hears. Collin answers L'Hssein with a tightening of his jaw and narrowing his eyes, visibly pulling himself back together. The vesper drops his head in acknowledgment that Collin is focused once again.
They reach the table, but the man doesn't rise to greet them. Collin sits a space into the curved chair, directly opposite, leaving enough room for his companion to sit next to him.
There is silence for a few moments, broken only by a waiter bringing over a decanter of water and placing it between the two parties. L'Hssein looks at it fondly, his mouth having dried up the moment they entered the restaurant, but it is not appropriate to disturb the other two men at the table.
L'Hssein looks over the man opposite him. He possesses an aura of death, and the vesper doesn't like it. Mainly because sometimes, just sometimes, he looks at Collin and it feels the same.
"I was surprised that you picked Valena's to meet at," Collin says.
Supai makes a gesture with his long fingers. "I was under the impression only the best could even gain entry to this establishment."
Collin's eyes narrow. "So it was a test to see if I could get in."
"Amongst other things. The veal here is excellent."
Collin's lips turn up at the corner in a smile that is a rather poor imitation of one. There are no more pleasantries to be had. "Let's get down to business."
"Alright," Supai answers, his voice as soft as a corpse wrapped in silk.
"You want death. I want death. I believe we are in the position to be of service to one another."
"Really," Supai sounds vaguely bored, and studies the nails on one hand. He has heard this proposition and others like it many times before.
"Yes," Collin says confidently, and leaves it at that. Supai raises a thin black brow.
"That is your proposal?" His smooth and rarely emotional voice sounds a touch incredulous.
"It's a simple offer. There aren't any catches to it. You help me, and I will get you a whole hell of a lot of souls."
"I see," Supai ponders, studying Collin's face intently. L'Hssein's eyes dart back and forth from his best friend to the God of Death sitting so calmly just a table away. At length, Supai answers. "I have had a hundred propositions. I receive my bounty of millions of souls every day. What would commit me to helping you, little terrorist?"
Collin keeps a placid expression, matching Supai's almost-boredom.
"Your assistance would help achieve maximum fatalities, increasing your benefit from the deal."
Supai clucks his tongue softly. "Not sweet enough," he says simply.
Collin's fists clench and his claws cut into his palms. The potent smell of his blood suddenly fills the air. L'Hssein glances down in alarm. He can see a red line trickle down Collin's wrist.
"What about innocents?" the blond hybrid says, visibly retaining his poker face. Even as L'Hssein makes a disturbed click, Supai looks interested.
"What about them?" he presses.
"Nothing says 'war' like a dead child."
Supai reaches long fingers towards Collin, who does not shirk away, no matter how much he wants to. They open Collin's clenched fist and languidly collect some of the droplets spilling over his wrist. He rubs his fingers together in fascination.
"Your blood... kills." Collin and L'Hssein instantly stiffen. Supai continues, unperturbed, "at least, it used to. My, but you were racking up the body count, even when so young."
Supai's fingers burn into the flesh of Collin's palm. He winces as the skin is seared, and L'Hssein is a second away from breaking them apart when Supai removes his fingers.
Apart from the residue of blood, the original claw wounds are gone.
L'Hssein is not happy with the turn of events, or conversation. His tail flicks rapidly, and clicks of displeasure escape his throat. Collin glances at the vesper in irritation. His companion's aggravation is noted and summarily dealt with. He reaches his healed hand into his top pocket and pulls out a credit chip.
"Get something to drink," he orders calmly, unwilling to let his best friend ruin the meeting.
L'Hssein does not wish to leave Collin alone at all, but he takes the credit chip between his bent forefinger and thumb and slouches off to the bar. He orders a beer and turns to watch, augmented auditory senses still able to pick up what is being said.
Collin stares at Supai. "I didn't know you could heal."
"Normally I don't want to. What use is healing to a Death God? Puts me out of business. Besides, it would not be wise to have one of my best avatars injured."
Collin is still, except for his left eyebrow arching delicately.
"I don't work for you."
"Don't you?" the god countered, "You kill without distinction, to further no goals but your own." Supai moves closer, seemingly gliding across the rounded booth seat towards Collin. "You serve your own purpose, and in so doing, serve me."
L'Hssein's teeth grind as he sees Collin's spine go rigid. He can't do anything about it. Should he go over prematurely, Collin's displeasure would be great.
Supai is close to him. Too close to be considered polite, especially in a deal-making situation. Too close to be anything but intimidating... or sexual. Sex is power, and Collin wants power back.
He relaxes and licks his dry lips slowly, partly to wet them, mostly to see if the act catches Supai's attention.
It is caught.
Supai's light-coloured eyes widen slightly. His human body instantly takes note of the pink tongue swiping full lips. A nervous reaction, perhaps. He looks to Collin's eyes to find them glowing, and observing him through the veil of light brown lashes. The tips catch the overhead lights and almost sparkle. Not a nervous reaction.
The air gets warmer around Collin, heating the god's cold skin. There is a tangible quality to it, like the molecules around the hybrid human are shimmering with excitement.
Supai's body likes it. It reacts to the changes. His blood pumps a little faster, limbs sag languidly, pupils dilate and his breathing becomes audible.
"However you want to phrase it, I'm offering you a good deal," Collin's voice is brought down a notch. It strokes each word lovingly, descending into a private growl, just for Supai.
"As you said, I already help you. With just a touch of your influence, I could be even better." Collin tilts his head ever so slightly to the left. "How could I possibly make this deal any sweeter?"
Supai feels Collin's hot breath on his face and neck. He nods once, slowly. "You do play the game well," he compliments, and sits forward in interest, "if I lend you my deadly influence, I get more souls..."
"Yes."
"...And you."
Collin's mouth turns sardonically up at the corner. "You want me to sell you my soul?"
Supai comes close to smiling. "Oh no, not at all." He reaches forward and a long tapered finger touches Collin in the centre of his chest, just above his heart. The digit is cold. "That is already promised to me. Look around you," the Death God urges. "Everyone in this room shall belong to me eventually." He inclines his head towards random people. "Saints, mobsters, drug dealers, him," he nods towards L'Hssein, "and you."
Supai continues. "Wouldn't it be smart to have a good friend when all is said and done?" L'Hssein's eyes are bleak azure whirlpools. The dark haired man is most definitely not talking about the vesper.
L'Hssein sniffs, hearing every word that is said, and downs the rest of his beer with one gulp. He has never had an easy life with Collin. Still, dreams have always been the one thing no one could take away from him. And even in his more nihilistic moods, L'Hssein comforts himself with the idea that at least when they're both dead, they'll be together as well, along with his family.
That is, until tonight.
L'Hssein imagines this man as the keeper of his family's spirits, and suddenly feels nauseated, and like getting very high.
Supai gently touches Collin's chin and lifts his heat so their eyes meet. "I have a counter-proposal."
Collin's eyes glisten and he stretches his neck towards Supai. "I'm listening."
"What if all I require to guarantee you my support is a simple act to prove your dedication? Nothing you haven't done before."
"Like what?"
Supai's eyes drift past the bar to the entrance of Valena's where the Maitre'd is greeting a group of seventeen Fae dressed in designer suits.
"I want them dead," Supai tells him as the group fills a large table near the corner of the main dining hall. "I believe an explosion is in order."
"Other casualties?"
The god shrugs. "You have discretionary powers. I want the operation executed within two hours."
Collin doesn't blink as Supai lists his terms. "You're on," he says without hesitation, undeniably confident. "Is that all?"
Supai's eyes glow luminously as he leans forward again conspiratorially as he imparts his final requirement. "And I want the vesper here when it happens."
Collin hesitates, confidence draining from his aura as he turns towards the bar to face L'Hssein, brain working frantically. He looks into his partner's eyes.
Supai leans forward, positioning his head over Collin's left shoulder, lips close to the hybrid's pointed ear. "No vesper; no deal," he hisses.
L'Hssein's face is blank, having heard almost the entire conversation since he left the table anyway. He sees a cold calculation descend onto his friend's face.
"You'll be back here in two hours?" Collin asks in a deadpan voice.
"Yes," Supai murmurs.
"Enjoy the show."
Without another word, Collin slides out of the seat. He collects L'Hssein at the bar, who, after a split second of his own hesitation, falls into step at Collin's shoulder. As they exit the restaurant, L'Hssein spares a furtive glance towards the God of Death, who has forgotten them in favour of stopping a passing waitress and ordering the veal.
~~~
The sirens of the emergency response teams wail, getting closer. Soon, they will drown out the sounds of the grievously injured and the dying.
Two hours later, Supai walks into the blackened shell that used to be Valena's restaurant. Scorch marks decorate the walls that are still standing. Broken furniture sticks out of the rubble at odd angles, the plush red upholstery is now black and white from fire and dust.
There is an overpowering aroma of burnt flesh that chokes the air. The bodies of Valena's patrons litter the floor, buried under debris and dessert carts.
All in all, it is a pleasing sight for Supai. The souls of the dead have already traveled to his otherworldly kingdom, with the grievously injured soon to follow. He is impressed with Collin's speed and fatality rate for the time constraint.
On the other side of the room in the shadows is a lanky body. A long, dark arm with distinctive elongated fingers falls in the edge of the light. Walking over the broken concrete in shiny wingtips, Supai approaches the figure.
It is almost broken in half, slumping forward like a marionette with its strings cut. The hand in the light is bruised and cut, webbing torn in places. It lies face down on a broken part of the ceiling, which seems to have fallen on the figure's lap. Wood ranging from tiny splinters to large chunks pierce the skin, remains of the bar that were shattered and propelled across the room.
Supai puts a pale hand on the dark shoulder and lifts the body up. Though the face has also taken some damage, he clearly sees the masculine features, ridged nose, large lifeless eyes and sharp teeth.
But it is not L'Hssein.
Supai lets the body go and it hits the concrete again with a dull thump. Vespers are hard to come by. Collin's resourcefulness and craftiness -- which is what Supai really wanted to see -- has been revealed easily by his ability to chase up a vesper and twist the conditions of the deal to both appease the Deathgod and also suit himself.
There is a sound in the hollow, burnt out building. It reverberates, bouncing off the walls, filling the ruin. He is laughing.
Owning Collin will be all that much sweeter when he's actually dead.
Supai calms himself and brushes a non-existent speck of dust from his cuff. Stepping over the dying body of the waitress who served him veal, he strolls out before the police and ambulances arrive.
~finis
