Nevermore

[Harlequin]

"I was trying to commune with Baphomet." He'd recognize the name as that of a 19th century pagan deity; goat-headed, representing the duality of all nature. Small-time as such beings went, and relatively easily summoned. It wasn't unlikely that they'd crossed paths before.

"It's just...well this is a little embarrassing," her smile turned baleful, and she reached back to fidget with her hood, "I've been feeling a little lonely lately, and he's always good fun to talk to. Always has a riddle and a dirty joke."

Why did she tell him this? Not even she knew. The Treacle was snickering at her, though.

[Trillian]

He laughed genuinely, with her instead of at her.  The idea of her summoning a deity for a chat and a joke was hilarious.  He shifted position, lowering his leg so that he could slap his knees a few times.  Once his laughter subsided, he was grinning at her.

"Don't those you have to protect keep good company?  If not, then why bother protecting them?" he pointed out, hoping to ruffle her a little.  He doubted such words could, and he was only teasing.

[Harlequin]

She guessed correctly that he was laughing at the ridiculousness of the summoning, and not the fact that she was lonely. Otherwise she' might've been hurt. But probably not. Her smile widened.

"Oh, no, I love my tenants. They're great company, most of them. I just never have anyone to talk shop with, you know?" She quirked a brow, "And even if someone isn't particularly entertaining doesn't mean they're worthless. Everybody is worth protecting, if they truly need it."

[Trillian]

"I disagree," Eiael said immediately.  "Almost everybody is worthless, and those that aren't are usually capable of protecting themselves.  It is rare indeed, to find a treasure of a being that both needs protection and is worthy of it."

He waited for her to oppose him with a smile.

[Harlequin]

"Well that's certainly arrogant," she commented. This was not the first time she'd had this conversation. She wanted to point out that maybe, just maybe, that  attitude was why he'd been knocked out of the Shining City – but THe FAll tended to be a sore subject for many of his kind. "I take it you've never needed protecting, not once in your long life? Or are you implying that you're one of the few?"

[Trillian]

He grinned at her.

"I've never needed protecting," he told her, and waggled a finger in her direction.  "And you should already know that, because you know who I am.  You're just trying to toy with me."

[Harlequin]

A wide grin split her face, "Is it working?"

That wasn't her goal, of course, but she was enjoying their banter – and the reply she'd given seemed like the most appropriate.

[Trillian]

"A little," he said, and smiled back in response.  He looked at her for a long moment, and found himself wondering why they hadn't crossed paths before.  Maybe her defensive magic was just that good.  He thought it was more likely that he'd been distracted with other things.

[Harlequin]

"But only because you're letting me, right?" She chuckled again, and changed the subject, "So what do you intend to do with Ms. Zoheret when you find her? Is this a love-hate scenario or just a hate-hate one?"

[Trillian]

"There's no love lost," he said with a laugh, but didn't clarify that it was hate-hate either.  Even hate was too strong a word for what they were to each other.  Polite acquaintances who disliked one another?  Yes, that was much closer.  Perhaps it was because she'd never swallowed his declarations of being a greater power than herself.  "It would be rude of me to enter this city and not say hello," he said, though the excuse was flimsy, it was all Sabrina would get.

[Harlequin]

"Cute," she commented drily. His answers were non-answers, but it wasn't like she had any vested interest in them, so she let it go. "What do you think of our little planet, otherwise, then? How long have you been noodling around here?"

[Trillian]

"I've always been noodling around here," he replied, pinching a crease into his pants.  "I just take breaks every now and then."  He lifted his gaze to hers.

[Harlequin]

"Universe-destroying breaks?" she teased, referencing his earlier statement, "I guess everybody needs those every once in awhile." He would find that the red in her iris had melted away, leaving it as blank and white as its twin.

[Trillian]

He nodded, and had watched the disappearance of the crimson with interest.

"Does it like you?" he asked, referring to the goo.

[Harlequin]

It took a moment for the giantess to understand what he was asking her, but her smile turned rueful when he did, "Oh, very much, usually. Moreso when I let it do what it wants. Less so when I dont't." Most of the time the things it wanted to do were pretty unspeakable, but they had an understanding, and it also enjoyed her magick a great deal. Through her body, it got to experience the world – which it never would have had they not been joined.

"Right now it doesn't like me very much." She spoke of it like a mother speaking fondly of a child throwing a tantrum.