IC Contact (Duplicity)

[detectivedwloki]

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[varnish]

Nearby.

[He smirks.]

I can introduce you... though I suppose by now you’ve been acquainted before~

[detectivedwloki]

I'd rather we weren't suddenly interrupted by any long venomous creatures.

[varnish]

Don't be silly. It's not venomous.

... Super lengthy though.

[No, he's definitely not talking about a snake.]

[detectivedwloki]

Oh, I bet it is.

[varnish]

Still wanna see it?

[detectivedwloki]

If you want to give me a tour.

[varnish]

What kind of host would I be if I didn’t allow it?

[He uncrosses his legs and for a moment it looks like he’s going to get up, but instead, Belial pauses... then abruptly closes in until he’s barely an inch away from bringing their lips together. His gaze shifts between David’s eyes and mouth then, with a laugh,]

Mind your step though, won’t you? My home is full of surprises~

[detectivedwloki]

Not sure I like surprises.

[He hasn't flinched nor moved.]

But go ahead. Lead the way.

[varnish]

In your line of work?

[He scoffs before finally standing up and sauntering away.]

You’re full of contradictions, detective~ I like that in a man.

[detectivedwloki]

I'm not used to surprises being nice. But as you already said, I have to watch my step, so that doesn't sound like anything nice will happen here either.

[varnish]

You really are uptight.

[He says nothing more about that and walks on with his hands in his pockets. Just like the foyer, the rest of the house is dark and decorated, and with how spotless it looks, one might even think no one lives in it at all. Still, Belial guides David through with ease and all the graciousness of a welcoming host. Perhaps the little tidbits of information he tosses in about one piece of furniture or another mean absolutely nothing. Maybe he’s stalling until a surprise finally pops up. Whatever his true intentions, Belial conceals them even once they’ve made their way up the stairs to the second floor.]

I would say this room is where the magic happens... but so is everywhere else in the house.

[said as he pushes open his bedroom door and holds it to allow David in first.]

After you~

[detectivedwloki]

[David takes in everything he can see, filing any information away mentally for later. He steps in with caution.]

I wonder how much you say is just boasting.

[varnish]

Wonder all you like~

[He’ll never tell. He slips in after him and as soon as he does, there’s a low hissing sound from the large glass enclosure near his bed.]

Oho, is someone coming to say hello?

[Belial walks over in time to see his large white snake poke her head up from her coiled up perch on a branch. He bends down and chuckles to meet her eye to eye.]

There’s my princess~ We have a guest, Lucy-chan.

[detectivedwloki]

[David's head does a quick turn that way. And there was the snake... A real snake. He wrinkles his nose. He doesn't have a fear of them but he's also not fond of them.]

Can your snake actually understand you?

[He wouldn't be surprised that talking animals were a thing here.]

[varnish]

[Lucy’s an ordinary snake by all accounts, but she does lift her head and flick her tongue out in David’s direction when he stares back at her. Who knows? Maybe she can sense the tension.

Belial, however, sees no problem entertaining the idea.]

Of course she can. She’ll even understand you if you’re nice.

[He watches the other man’s reflection in the glass.]

But something tells me you won’t be.

[detectivedwloki]

Look, if she keeps out of my way, I'll keep out of hers, okay?

[varnish]

So you are afraid.

[Whether or not he actually is, Belial straightens up then slides open the glass door to Lucy's enclosure.]

Well, you know what they say. The best way to face your fears... is to actually face them at all~

[detectivedwloki]

No, I just don't want any... accidents.

Didn't I say I wasn't here for your snake?

[Not the pet one anyway.]

[varnish]

Didn't I already tell you she's a well mannered lady? Aren't you, Lucy-chan?

[Lucy just continues to sit on her branch unresponsive. Clearly she could care less. With a sigh, Belial reaches out to stroke the top of her head... then towards that last comment he slides the enclosure shut once more.]

And here I thought you were.

[He turns to approach the other man and boldly slide his arms up to drape over his shoulders. Call it habit at this point, what with David having the same body as his Dominant. More or less.]

If she won't tempt you, then maybe my other one will~

[detectivedwloki]

[Despite his words, his shoulders do relax slightly once that enclosure is closed again.]

I'm hoping that was another innuendo.

[varnish]

[He bites his lip and leans in close... before once again tugging at David’s wrist to start guiding him out the room.]

I promised not to defile this sacred space with guests. You understand, don’t you~?

[Of course he could go for it anyway, but he’s just edging at this point.]

[detectivedwloki]

Sacred space?

[He questions curiously as he's led away, wondering if he meant that in an actually spiritual way.]

[varnish]

Sure. I get down on my knees and pay my respects in there all the time.

[That definitely doesn't sound like prayer. Anyway, he tugs the other man along down the hall where the guest room is and while it's still full of dark furniture and decor, somehow it's cozier. Might have something to do with the lack of snake.]

[detectivedwloki]

[He does appreciate the lack of potentially dangerous pets and subtly relaxes.]

You certainly have a certain sense of style.

[He says wryly about the decor.]

[varnish]

I could say the same of you.

[said as he leads David over to the foot of the bed and tries to push him down to sit.]

But unlike you, I'm not one to cover up~