Disclaimers: All characters belong to rightful owners.
Story concieved by Lee.


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"Most of the so-called higher officials and even most of the police are his clients, if nothing else." Dante snorted as he gave his head a slight shake. Lifting a hand, he started to gnaw absently at the pad of his thumb as he thought it over. Not that he didn't like the idea of doing what he could to unseat Barano, but there was always the problem of where he could get money should this job fail. That was the fatal rub, right there, and, if he couldn't find a way over that hurdle, then he didn't know that he could help the girl.

Shifting his eyes, he met the challenging glare Sophia offered him and, though he didn't waver in the slightest in the face of this, he was sure that his eyes only reflected his doubts and misgivings. What could he say, though? It wasn't as if he really knew so much of the limits of Barano's powers, beyond what he managed to observe.

"I really don't know if I'm the one to help you, kid." He murmured after a long pause. Sighing softly, he let his eyes close as he ran a hand back through his hair. Of course, it had to be the one which his nails had cut and, naturally, this meant that there was now a faint crimson mixed with the natural plum. "I... don't know much about the limits to Barano's power; I only know who in the city will fall to their knees before him and who in the police departments'll just look the other way. Not much help, I'd think."

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"Oh, it... er... he... er... Erik is a good player?" Addie ventured as he glanced down curiously to the cactus cradled in his arms. Now, that really _was_ an interesting thought. It was quite beyond Addie as to how the plant could manage to play tic-tac-toe, but it would be something to see. Maybe he could try sometime, if he got the chance. Still, these thoughts left him as they got nearer to his house and, slowing his pace to a near stop, he nodded to Alexei's question as he gestured to a house a few lots down.

"Mm, this is my house." He murmured as he paused before the fence. His eyes showing worry, he glanced to the building itself, but nothing did seem out of place. Maybe his mother did just get caught in a traffic jam or something. It was probably nothing to worry over. Shaking these thoughts away, he turned a tentative smile to the other two. "Would... you like to come in for a drink or something?"

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In fact, Lem was just leaving the apartment of his last client and he had only gotten to the elevator when his pocket started to play the theme from a popular cartoon. Blinking at this, the boy dug the small phone from the pocket of his coat and, holding this to his hear, he spoke quietly.

"H-hello? Lemuel Sammis speaking."

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"Sticky and sweet, hm?" Sammy purred in his best suggestive tone as he moved in close against Lucia's side. Doubtlessly, it wasn't the time for it, but, then again, when did Sammy ever have a good sense of timing? Besides, there was always room for innuendo. "I'd be sticky and sweet for you, anytime, baby."

"Do they have cherry turnovers?" He asked brightly as he rather randomly changed the subject. For some reason, he was hungry for something with cherries in it. Maybe something a bit tart or sour. Just as long as his stomach took it all. "I think I could go for something like that."

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No, it didn't seem that Para _could_ disapprove of such a face, even if she tried to appear as if she did. Honestly, who could disapprove of a guy who not only tolerated these things, but also seemed really willing to play along? It was impossible.

Smiling softly, she reached to take one of Darran's hands and, far from being disgusted by the scarring, she traced soft kisses along a few. Naturally, she was curious about them, but something told her that asking after them would only put a tarnish on what had been, so far, a very nice date.

"Not sorry at all, huh?" She asked after a long pause as she tipped her head on side. Through a fall of hair, she studied Darran for a long moment before breaking into a soft, sweet smile. "Well, I guess that's alright... just as long as you don't mind me getting addicted to it."

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"They do indeed have cherry turnovers. They look fresh out of the oven. I love it when they're that fresh. Pastries are best when they're gooey and warm!" Lucia smirked, taking advantage of their close proximity and planting a soft kiss on Sam's lips. To Hell with play pretend and her nice girl image! After a stressful day, there was nothing she wanted more than to skip the pastries and find a nice secluded place to ravage the former angel of death.

But as a group of little old ladies walked into the bakery, giving the two youngers a disapproving eye, Lucia's modesty decided to make a reappearance. She reluctantly pulled away from Sam. "...I still recommend the honey buns."

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There was very little doubt that Sam would have been more than happy to have himself drug away and ravished by the little Satan and, quite unaware of the presence of the disapproving elderly women, he made a sound of disappointment as Lucia drew away from him. Still, the mention of honey buns was enough to distract him and, grinning widely, he nodded.

"Well, I'll take whatever my lovely companion suggests." He intoned solemnly as he made a wide, sweeping gesture. "Besides, honey buns do sound pretty damn good."

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Darran went dull pink as Para kissed his hand, and his smile traded mischief for something almost like embarassment. It wasn't that he was _so_ sensitive about the scars-- in fact, they'd been around long enough that they were pretty easy to forget-- but he really hadn't expected her to do anything so... personal. Yeah. It was sort of even sweeter and more intimate than the kiss, to him anyway...

"Nah, couldn't," he contradicted softly, with a bemused little shake of his head. Trying to shake off his daze, Dar grinned and motioned towards their empty cups. "'Bout done? I dunno when you got to go back, but if you've got time maybe we could go for a walk... or I could just walk you back home if you need to..."

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Para blinked as she noted that Darran had taken on a bit of embarassment-- not to mention pinkness-- at her actions, but, before she could really think on this too much, her attention was drawn by Darran's suggestion of going for a walk. Shoving aside her doubts, she renewed her smile as she nodded eagerly.

"A walk sounds great!" She enthused as she all but bounced to her feet. Once free of her chair, she moved to Darran's side and, retaking his hands, she tried to tug him to his feet. "I really don't have to be anywhere till this evening; I promised that I'd look after Cordy so that my brother could study a bit, but, until then, I'm all yours!"

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Lucia took note of Sam's cute noise of disappointment. Well, it was always nice to know that they were both on the same page. With the elderly women still in the shop, gabbing about bran muffins, the petite girl had to settle for grabbing onto Sam's hand.

"Hey, you promised me that I'd get to hear you play sometime soon. How about after this, we swing by your place? I mean, if you don't have any other plans already or anything."

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"Ah, Lemmy," Sui murmured into the phone, "It's Barano. Care to join me? I'm in the park, right near McParadise. I'm feeling rather bored, and I would so adore your company right about now."

He framed that as a request, but he knew Lemuel would agree to anything he suggested. Such a sweet, compliant boy.

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Darran grinned as Para helped him out of the chair-- not that the help was exactly needed-- and scooped up their junk, chucking it into the nearby trashcan without exactly pausing it make sure it all got in. But it did. Probably.

"Dante, huh?" He asked as he linked arms companionably with her. Yeah, holding hands probably would've been more romantic, but he was more comfortable with a sort of vague blend of friendship and flirting, at least for now. "Or d'you mean you've got even _more_ brothers I've got to watch out for?"

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"Hey, that sounds really good!" Sammy agreed quite readily as he gave Lucia's hand a light squeeze. Music. That would do him a world of good, even if it was just playing around. Though, really, he probably should get all of Wingless together or it'd just be him playing around on the keyboard or whatever was left up in the studio. Of course, this brought problems of its own since he didn't really think that neither sempai nor Lukie'd be too eager to put on a bit of a show for Lucia. He had the feeling that neither boy was too fond of the girl, but he'd try if that was what Lucia wanted.

"D'you think I should invite sempai and Lukie over, too?" He asked in a light tone of voice as he cocked his head at the girl. Maybe she'd just say no and that'd be that. Though, on the other hand, he was getting a bit worried about his two friends; neither seemed to be in best form lately and he hadn't been able to spend much time with them since... well... the tree lighting.

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"Of course!" Lem agreed to the request immediately as a grateful smile spread his lips. After spending time with a client, there was little that he enjoyed more than being able to spend time with his Master Barano and it was an honor that the man would think to invite him. After exchanging goodbyes, he hung up the phone and, winding a scarf around his neck, he ran all the way to the indicated place.

Of course, thanks to this, he was flushed with exertion and panting slightly when he arrived, but his face was glowing with a soft smile as he turned his eyes to the elder.

"I... I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long, Master Barano?"

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"No, actually, Iago has him for the afternoon since I think Dannie has to go to work." Para tipped her head a bit on side as she thought this over. No, that was right. Dante had things to do this afternoon, so Ia would be watching Cordy for a while which was probably good, considering Dannie's mood earlier. Snickering to this thought, she was only encouraged to further snerking as a woman who had just entered suddenly glomped on a very flustered looking man. Hm. Busy coffeeshop... the girl behind the counter looked upset, though.

"Yup! All told I have three brothers you have to mind!" She commented once she'd torn her attention away from the scene. Grinning, she gave his hand a squeeze as she dropped a wink. Yes, she knew that this could be overly intimidating for anyone, but she had faith in Darran. Beyond that, really, Dannie was the only one to ever get really worked up over her relations with other people. "There's Dannie, who you already know, then Iago who's two years behind us, my two sisters in between, then, of course, Cordy."

"So..." Releasing his hand briefly, she stepped a pace in front of Darran and, clasping her hands behind her back, she tossed him a very teasing wink. "Scared yet?"

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"Umm... you can if you want." Lucia commented in the most neutral voice she could muster. If Sam really wanted to see his friends, she wasn't going to stop him. However, she really didn't want to spend the night fighting suspicious glances when she could idle away the hours alone with Sam.

'Snap out of it,' she chided herself for that train of thought. After all, a mortal soul was a mortal soul, and since the tree lighting, she had been a bit distracted from collecting. She couldn't let gushy feelings about Samael-- or Him-- get in the way of what was really important: getting back into Heaven. "I mean, it'd be loads of fun hearing the whole band play together! My own private Wingless concert."

She giggled, before giving Sam's hand a squeeze. "We're next in line."

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"You're sure that you wouldn't be offended or anything if I called them over?" Sammy asked as he cocked an eyebrow at the girl. Though Luc had kept her tone very neutral, he still thought he noted a touch of... reluctance. Not that it wasn't understandable, but she wouldn't get the true Wingless experience if it were just the two of them. Nodding his decision, he ordered a honey bun from the person behind the counter before digging his cellphone from his pocket. Dailing Kisoku's number from memory, he listened as it rang on the other end of the line.

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"I don't mind at all. Your friends are really cool." Lucia grinned, ordering herself a piece of devil's food cake and watched with muted interest as Sam dialed one of his friends. Now she was kicking herself for her earlier reluctance. From that moment on, the mission would take precendence over all else. She made the pledge to herself in silence as she waited to see if Sam could wrangle his friends into an impromtu jam session.

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Kisoku was still a sobbing wreck when his phone began to ring. Nazoko kept rubbing his back in soothing motions as she snatched the phone out of her cousin's pocket. There was no need for him to answer the phone in this state and risk compromising himself again. You could never be too safe with the press. They were vicious.

'At least he's smart enough to muffle himself,' she thought as he buried his face against her thigh. She connected the call and brought the phone to her ear. "Capulet desu. Who may I ask is calling?"

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"Na-chan, my only love!" Sam cried into the phone as he wrapped an arm around himself. Though all his usual enthusiasm was there, he couldn't help but worry given that Kisoku wasn't answering his private cell. That tended not to be good. Not at all. If something happened to Kisopku and he wasn't there to help...

"Um, is everything alright?" He asked almost immediately, unable to keep concern from his tone. The thoughts of food and of the Wingless get together vanished from him as he dropped his tone a bit. "Is sempai alright?"

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