[ Calling the shithole Marcus is currently paying to sleep in a 'hotel' is comical. That said, he's used to such places, and worse, being the only options he can afford. Especially since his excommunication. He's lucky to not be sleeping in a shelter this job, since it's usually too dangerous to stay under the same roof as a demon when he doesn't have a partner to engage it.
Marcus very much misses having a partner. But he's used to the loneliness, and not only had he intended to give this work up when he sent the other man away... he acknowledges their dynamic was dangerous. Hopefully Mouse is better for Tomas. Hopefully they found Bennett. Hopefully none of them will ever call on him again, for so many reasons. That he's back to doing exorcisms isn't good, it's just turned out to be necessary.
It's not far off from dawn when he finally trudges back to his room, the first hint of light starting to lighten the horizon. Good that he has a sleep mask, as the curtains in this place are tissue paper, but as soon as he turns the corner he knows he won't be sleeping just yet. There's someone waiting for him, and only ever two reasons for that.
Fuck. He won't take the Lord's name in vain, but he'll curse like a sailor when the mood strikes. And in this case he wanted some fucking rest. The frustration doesn't show in his expression, at least, though there's nothing he can do about the obvious tiredness. His weathered features are handsome but very much exhausted, bruises under his eyes and stress in the lines around them.
Marcus swaps the key to his other hand to shake the stranger's, looking him straight in the eyes until that flash of movement in his periphery. The claw earns Akihiro a quirked eyebrow, but yes, it's certainly proof of where he claims to be from. Interesting. Mutants are engaging with normal humans more these days, but given the history it's not surprising that they handle the sort of issues he typically deals with amongst themselves. Alright, then. He'll hear what merits seeking him out specifically. The room key goes back into his pocket. ]
Color me intrigued. [ With a nod and a curious smile, Marcus digs into a different pocket and pulls out a flask. ] Just one formality, if you don't mind?
[ Should Akihiro take it, it's just water inside. A test -- he's never exorcised anything from a mutant himself, but they're people as much as anyone else. And would be far more dangerous if possessed. Who knows if it's ever actually happened? It doesn't matter, not with how demons are escalating and scheming the past few years. It could happen now. And he's top of their shit list. ]
[ he's prepared to gently encourage the other man's agreement with pheromones if necessary, but it turns out there's no need. just having a mutant show up at random on your temporary doorstep is apparently tempting enough--hah--to make marcus put off his bedtime a little longer.
the request earns a flirtatious smile, fingers brushing the ex-priest's as he accepts the flask. ] Plying me with drinks already? Why Mr. Keane. [ he salutes him with the flask, then takes a drink from it, handing it back and thumbing up an escaped drop of water from the corner of his mouth. ] I did hear you were on downstairs' shit-list.
[ he "heard" it the same way he saw the exorcism footage, by being very good at what he does. people may have died. considering the sorts of people they were, though, nothing of value to the planet was lost.
he jerks his chin slightly toward the diner across the street. ] Think that place serves decent coffee, at least?
[ Marcus watches Akihiro closely as he seemingly takes a drink of the holy water... and in case the wetness on the other man's lip is a ruse, gives the flask a little shake when he takes it back. Just to confirm there's less in there now. Never taking his eyes off the stranger, watching his eyes... but after confirming the water was consumed and theres no reaction whatsoever? He's convinced. ]
You heard correctly. I'm eager to learn why that matters to you at all. And please, call me Marcus.
[ He tucks the flask away and steps forward agreeably -- the diner's as good a place as any by his standards. Which are terrible, for the record. Akihiro looks well dressed and groomed enough that he's going to be unimpressed by a roadside diner across from a hotel that can charge either nightly or hourly, but to Marcus a meal is a meal. ]
Not really. But it's always fresh, and that's about all you can ask for at a dollar a cup.
Re: makes up some crossover shit
Marcus very much misses having a partner. But he's used to the loneliness, and not only had he intended to give this work up when he sent the other man away... he acknowledges their dynamic was dangerous. Hopefully Mouse is better for Tomas. Hopefully they found Bennett. Hopefully none of them will ever call on him again, for so many reasons. That he's back to doing exorcisms isn't good, it's just turned out to be necessary.
It's not far off from dawn when he finally trudges back to his room, the first hint of light starting to lighten the horizon. Good that he has a sleep mask, as the curtains in this place are tissue paper, but as soon as he turns the corner he knows he won't be sleeping just yet. There's someone waiting for him, and only ever two reasons for that.
Fuck. He won't take the Lord's name in vain, but he'll curse like a sailor when the mood strikes. And in this case he wanted some fucking rest. The frustration doesn't show in his expression, at least, though there's nothing he can do about the obvious tiredness. His weathered features are handsome but very much exhausted, bruises under his eyes and stress in the lines around them.
Marcus swaps the key to his other hand to shake the stranger's, looking him straight in the eyes until that flash of movement in his periphery. The claw earns Akihiro a quirked eyebrow, but yes, it's certainly proof of where he claims to be from. Interesting. Mutants are engaging with normal humans more these days, but given the history it's not surprising that they handle the sort of issues he typically deals with amongst themselves. Alright, then. He'll hear what merits seeking him out specifically. The room key goes back into his pocket. ]
Color me intrigued. [ With a nod and a curious smile, Marcus digs into a different pocket and pulls out a flask. ] Just one formality, if you don't mind?
[ Should Akihiro take it, it's just water inside. A test -- he's never exorcised anything from a mutant himself, but they're people as much as anyone else. And would be far more dangerous if possessed. Who knows if it's ever actually happened? It doesn't matter, not with how demons are escalating and scheming the past few years. It could happen now. And he's top of their shit list. ]
Can never be too careful, hm?
no subject
the request earns a flirtatious smile, fingers brushing the ex-priest's as he accepts the flask. ] Plying me with drinks already? Why Mr. Keane. [ he salutes him with the flask, then takes a drink from it, handing it back and thumbing up an escaped drop of water from the corner of his mouth. ] I did hear you were on downstairs' shit-list.
[ he "heard" it the same way he saw the exorcism footage, by being very good at what he does. people may have died. considering the sorts of people they were, though, nothing of value to the planet was lost.
he jerks his chin slightly toward the diner across the street. ] Think that place serves decent coffee, at least?
no subject
You heard correctly. I'm eager to learn why that matters to you at all. And please, call me Marcus.
[ He tucks the flask away and steps forward agreeably -- the diner's as good a place as any by his standards. Which are terrible, for the record. Akihiro looks well dressed and groomed enough that he's going to be unimpressed by a roadside diner across from a hotel that can charge either nightly or hourly, but to Marcus a meal is a meal. ]
Not really. But it's always fresh, and that's about all you can ask for at a dollar a cup.