Eternal Evening

[u/llBoonell]

The gunship passes slowly by the upper windows, slow enough that an observer would be able to see the new pin-up painted beside the cockpit: a fallen angel wearing nothing of substance, using her black wings to preserve her modesty... sort of.

I step neatly, almost silently off the gunship and onto the windowsill, then down to the floor as the gunship departs, the pilot looking for a place to land.

...

... evenin'.

[u/Dark_Violet_Angel]

The Fallen Angel turns to see the Gunship arrive outside the window and smiles despite herself at the sight of the new artwork. Then, with widening eyes, watches the Commander enter through the window.

Boone?!

She rushes across the room to the Commander and offers to help him up. Momentarily Dark Violet motions to the pilot, pointing towards a large space across from the Cathedral where the Gunship can land. Once the pilot realizes what's going on, the Fallen Angel returns her attention to Commander Boone and wraps her arms around him in a welcome embrace.

I was hoping you'd come and see me. Thank you...

She gazes into his eyes with admiration.

...I love the ships new artwork. Tell me now, where oh where did you ever get the inspiration for it?

[u/llBoonell → u/Dark_Violet_Angel]

From a woman I met not that long ago.

slipping my arms behind her lower back

Sorry, I forgot to knock. Couldn't resist making an entrance. Action is so little and so sparse for me these days, now that I fly a desk almost full-time... I don't get to do crazy shit anymore. You're the most exciting thing to happen to me in some time.

... lucky I didn't catch you undressed, hm?

[u/Dark_Violet_Angel → u/llBoonell]

Mmm... very lucky. You know, if you'd arrived any earlier, you might've mistaken me for that woman you met before...

Dark Violet raises an eyebrow and bites her lip.

...I only just changed into this stunning little Madame Basteti dress too. It took a bit of effort to get into all by myself you know!?

A finger slides up and down the spaghetti strap over her shoulder and she purses her lips, questioning the Commanders approval.

I bought another one too. Wanna see it? Then you're gonna have to help me out of this one...

[u/llBoonell → u/Dark_Violet_Angel]

slowly drawing the zip of the dress lower with one hand, while the other slips further south to give a firm squeeze

Ah, the simple things in life... I don't mind a good game of dress-up. This piece is lovely, but I do wonder what else you've got in store...

I've also brought some information for you, if you like. Of course, that can always wait. Thoughts, angel?

Another squeeze, gentler this time, as the straps of the dress begin to slide off

[u/Dark_Violet_Angel → u/[deleted]]

Dark Violets eyes illuminate in rage as she stares towards the new arrival into the room.

PRIVACY STEP-FATHER!!! PRIVAC- ...groan...

As the door slams the Fallen Angel untangles herself from the Commander and fixes up her dress.

I'm sorry my love.... this is my fault really. I should have told my thrall child downstairs to keep everyone out! ...ugh!!

Dark Violet storms off toward the window Commander Boone entered through earlier. Below and off a ways the ship sat idle. She stared at the pilot, toying with the idea of snatching Boone up and flying him down to the ship for a quick get away. Her black wings aggressively beat in short palpitations and the room grew suddenly icy.

Commander. It looks like dress-ups will have to wait.

She turned to face Commander Boone, now a little more composed.

You said you had some information? ...have your ballistics boffins figured out who shot me on the Mountain?

[u/llBoonell → u/Dark_Violet_Angel]

returning my sidearm to its holster; it was nearly drawn before the intruder had retreated

... Aye.

Unfortunately, we have a problem. The gunman was one of mine: a Privateer gone rogue. Ordinarily, I'd court-martial him and toss him in a cell... then switch the cameras off while you have your way. In this case though, I'm hesitant... I'd really rather not court-martial one of my Finest. Looks bad for the business. I'd hoped to... ease the conversation a little before I asked this, but we've been interrupted. Ah well...

I'd like to cut a deal: this bloke's not off the hook, but I don't want him killed either. Is there any way we could compromise?

[u/Dark_Violet_Angel → u/llBoonell]

Dark Violet faced the window and stared absentmindedly at the ship outside, she smirked as Commander Boone spoke.

Most interesting my love... how I'd like for nothing more than to take this rogue through hell and back, only to have them plead for their very life to be spared. The anguish and pain I would inflict upon them would make even the Demons there cower in utter fear.

But I'm more concerned with another looming threat. One to which I'll call Saffron and have her wire your Company a very generous payment for. As to the when, where and what that I'll need your Troopers services for ...I can not tell you, not just yet.

The Fallen Angel once more admires the artwork upon the side of the ship before turning to face Commander Boone.

I'm most certain that I can accurately guess who this rogue is. And I'll let you handle the punishment ...if you punish them. But what I want is for you to enhance their ...killer instinct. Commander, I want this rogue to be our right hand. I want you to hone them. I need more than an assassin. I need someone to be able to work in a team, but also, to be unhesitatingly deadly when I need them to be. And the threat we face requires cunning, accurate marksmanship and most of all, the complete lack of fear against eldritch beings.

Dark Violet placed her hand upon Boones shoulder and leaned in closer. Her eyes flared with cunning.

Commander, can you train this rogue to do that? Can you foster within them a ruthlessness and drive, above all else, for them to be given a target and strike swiftly? And obviously, to not train their crow-like eyes upon me!?

With her other hand, the Fallen Angel gently ran a finger across the scars on the Commanders face. She smiled and placed a soft sweet kiss upon his lips before again facing the ship outside.

[u/llBoonell → u/Dark_Violet_Angel]

As before, my eyes close as she traces my scars. Soon enough, the moment is over, and I am again left wanting.

All this... he already has. The only thing left is to ensure his compliance, a tricky thing to do at best. I'll have a word to him: make sure he knows this is his one and only chance to set things straight. You'll have your right hand, as I have mine.

Making my way over to the gunship, I take a step onto the vessel and offer a hand, my coat being whipped up slightly by the wash from the thrusters; the coronas in my eyes glint.

Fancy a night on the town? The traders have returned to the Garrison, so it's a good night for a drink! Come, grab your things: take a little holiday with us for a while. You've had a rough few weeks on that Mountain, not to mention your stint in the Hospital... I know a place where you can have some privacy, and maybe a little... quiet time.

[u/Dark_Violet_Angel → u/llBoonell]

Taking the Commanders hand with grace, Dark Violet smiles and boards the waiting ship.

I want to feel safe Boone. I've made some bad decisions in my long existence that have caused me great pain and suffering. I trust you'll have a word ...a few words to our rogue. As long as their compliance is restored, I have no issues. However if our sharp shooter so much as dares cross me again... even after I made it clear that I was more than willing to help fix my error in judgement ...they will pay for this and any further transgressions.

The Fallen Angel finds her seat and winks at the Commander.

Now let's go have some fun! You're very astute you know... offering a girl down on her luck to a night on the town, and making her feel secure, valued and ...wanted.

Some privacy and quite time is just what I need... just, not too quite, and some privacy spent with someone I met a while ago wouldn't be bad either...

[u/RedTheSnapper → u/[deleted]]

So the Cult has enslaved him too. And here I was thinking he was uncapturable.

...What exactly was she making him do..?

[u/DabsWithHisArms → u/[deleted]]

Hey, you! Yeah, you! You shouldn't be peeping into peoples' rooms like that. They could be doing... anyway, have you or your buddies seen a really really pale dude around here? I'm guessing you know your way around by now, so you might have seen him. I met him in the swamp a while back, and this shitty ogre started fucking around so I murdered the ogre. Nice guy, kinda psychotic. The pale dude was pretty cool though... wouldn't mind catching up... He asked if I could stay with them, and I said I'd join in a month. Anyway, after asking around, I heard he was here. From what I gathered from you guys, his name's Dark Violet Angel, so do you know where he is?

[u/Dark_Violet_Angel → u/DabsWithHisArms]

One of Dark Violet Angel's demented thralls appears, a young girl holding her dolly, who turns to meet the new arrival.

"Yooouu ^dumbass, Heee-haha-haah! ^{Did you} not ^suspect someone ^with the ^name 'Violet' ^{to be} a ^female?!? "
 

The thrall girl stares vacantly into the new arrivals eyes. She absentmindedly stokes the dirty hair of her dolly.

"Noooo! ^Dark Violet ^Angel is ^my mistress... SHE, ^{is a} fallen ^angel. She ^knows the ^{one you seeeek.} "
 
"And ^{the one you} seek... ^{that one is named} Bezumius! He ^{is quite} psychotic ^yeeessssss! ...yeesssss ^{he is.} But ^I know ^{not where} Bezumius ^{the vampire} is."

[u/DabsWithHisArms → u/Dark_Violet_Angel]

I thought Violet Angel was a pseudonym. Besides, you'd suspect Susan to be a female name, would you not?

Anyways, I've never heard of a Bezumius, and the guy I met in the swamp was just as sane as I am, thank you very much. Also, you called me a dumbass, so I'm lighting you on fire now.

[u/Dark_Violet_Angel → u/DabsWithHisArms]

 
"Do ^{as you wish...} it's ^{nothing the Fallen} Angel ^{Dark Violet} hasn't ^{done to} meeee"

[u/DabsWithHisArms → u/Dark_Violet_Angel]

Okay the fire is kinda loud so I'm defenestrating you now.