Owner	Pose
Daimon Hellstrom	One thing that Jennifer Kale might have to get used to, living at the mansion in Fire Lake, is the sheer number of visitors the place attracts. Daimon Hellstrom does a fair bit of consulting work, and sometimes it's just more prudent to bring people into HIS place of power rather than venture into somewhere less... controlled. Then there are the dinner parties, soirees, socials, and so on, the sort of thing that really comes more from being rich than from being particularly demonic in any way.     It's past midnight, and a dinner party of various occult figures in the New England and Tri-State area has just broken up. A holiday party of sorts, though much more pagan in its ceremonies than a Christmas party, with a bit of recognition of the just-passed winter solstice thrown in.     Daimon is in his drawing room, his bowtie undone, his tuxedo shirt unbuttoned. Whether or not Jennifer joined in the festivities, she'll find Daimon sitting with a glass of wine, brooding.
Jennifer Kale	Jennifer is happy to join in with some of the festivities, especially those geared towards yule/solstice over the more traditional Christmas or holiday get togethers. That said, as soon as the guests have departed, the heels come off and get teleported back to the room, her hair gets let down, and she goes to fix herself a drink. Wine is for fancy people (except for homemade wine, but that's a whole different matter), she goes for the bourbon, pouring a few fingers into a short glass and moving towards the drawing room. Leaning against the the door jamb, one ankle crossing over the other, the classic LBD on, hair down in waves and loose curls around her shoulders, Jennifer watches him for a long moment. "For a man that just hosted a successful dinner party, ya look pretty grim. What's up?"
Daimon Hellstrom	Fortunately for Jennifer, there were no skyclad chanting circles or any of that, just some readings and just-for-show rituals. Most of the attendees were, it's sad to say... pretty normal, as occultists go. Certainly not the likes of Stephen Strange or Doctor Druid.     Daimon has a pull of his wine and then sets the glass aside. His red eyes turn toward Jennifer, and he motions to the chair next to him, offering it to her if she wishes. "It's exhausting, isn't it?" He does sound a bit tired, but tired in the way that someone feels tired after spending too long in the supermarket.     "Dealing with... the dilettantes." Daimon's lip twitches as he holds back a sneer. "The ones who only know magick from what they've read about in books -- never /experienced/ it like either of us have."
Jennifer Kale	"I dunno.. I guess I see it as an opportunity. Find out who has true interest, who has any real talent.. maybe find someone worth apprenticin' to th' craft." Jennifer curves a smile before moving to settle into the chair offered, crossing her legs and shifting in the seat to better face him. She takes a sip of the bourbon before adding, "It's all tirin'.. just bein' sociable is tirin'.. but it's a good tired, I think. You're doin' somethin'." Another sip taken as she muses, "Not, mind, that I wouldn't appreciate havin' a get together with *real* mystics an' mages.. workin' some real magic as a group." Jennifer smiles towards him, one corner of mouth ticcing upward, "Besides, weren't you th' one talkin' about absorbin' th' energies people put off? I would think you'd host these things with an eye towards drawin' in more."
Daimon Hellstrom	Daimon lets out a cold little laugh. It's not meant to sound especially icy -- it's just how he laughs. "Oh, get enough /real/ practitioners in a room, and it's /far/ more exhausting. So many 'well, according to /my/ patron deity' type arguments..."     Daimon waves a hand. "Though really, if we need to gather that many powerful mystics in one place, chances are something's gone badly wrong." He bounces his eyebrows once. "But you're right, I did say that."     "Maybe it's because things were so... polite and formal tonight." Daimon wrinkles his nose, considering. "Though you were a bit. Lots of would-be warlocks stealing glances at you. Would-be witches, too."
Jennifer Kale	Laughing softly, Jennifer nods, "An' *that* is why I don't follow any particular deity. Ain't into all that 'well actually' bullshit they love to go 'round an' 'round on." She shakes her head, then chuckles, "Though, damned if I don't wanna play Eris sometimes, toss that golden apple in an' let 'em argue themselves blue in th' face.. just skim off all th' energies they build up." She lifts the glass, sipping from the bourbon and offering a slow smile, "Am who I am, I ain't gonna put on airs for folk. Bein' uppity ain't a sign of power, after all." Chuckling again, Jennifer leans back into the chair. "Comes from bein' comfortable in my own skin, knowin' what I can an' can't do.. an' not bein' afraid to push my own boundaries when it comes down to it."
Daimon Hellstrom	"When you say things like that, Kale, I start worrying that we might be a lot alike." Daimon gives the blonde a wry little smile. He reaches up to his collar and tugs the untied bowtie free, setting it down next to his drink.     "You should be careful with the Eris bit, though. It's a delicate balance with our colleagues. The right amount of chaos will have them going around in circles and you skimming a queen's ransom." Daimon pauses for effect, before adding, "But take it just an inch too far and you'll have them going around and around so much, for so long, that it will travel from a fun prank to a brutal slog."     Daimon undoes another button on his shirt, revealing the top of the pentagram on his chest. He seems more comfortable for having done so. "I hope you've been settling in all right. The gargoyles haven't been giving you any trouble, have they? Sometimes they get excited at women staying and turn into big stone peeping toms..."
Jennifer Kale	"Which part? Th' not followin' a detiy.. or th' sittin' back while they argue an' skimmin' th' magical energies off 'em?" Jennifer lifts a shrug and flashes a brief grin, "I got a good moral compass, it just don't always point to th' north that most people folow." She pauses, sipping on the bourbon before murmuring, "Yeah, I already learned that lesson when me an' my brother went too far, opened th' wrong book.. an' he got possessed." And she had to kill him. That was not a fun day in a young sorceress' life! Clearing her throat, Jennifer looks back to him and chuckles, "Nah, th' gargoyles are fine. I strip for a livin', havin' a bunch of stoneboys oglin' ain't any worse than havin' a roomful of drunken 'dudebros' droolin'." She lifts a shrug and smiles, "Otherwise, I had to make a map to remember where th' kitchen is, but yeah, I'm doin' good. It's nice out here."
Daimon Hellstrom	"The not following a deity, the sitting back and letting chaos happen, the knowing one's limits and not being afraid to push at them... all of it, really. Except the stripping for a living. That, Kale, I will leave to you." Daimon half-smirks. "Not because I find the work objectionable, but because I'm a terrible dancer. The poor crowd wouldn't get their money's worth."     Daimon takes up his wine and has a sip. "Well. The gargoyles /should/ be watching for threats to the mansion, not you changing, but I'll have a chat with them about priorities." His smile takes a bit of a mischievous turn: "And I'll be nice, and not change where the kitchen is, since you've drawn up a map and all. Sometimes things... move around here."
Jennifer Kale	"What, tellin' me Th' Prince of Darkness got no rhythm? Damn, that's a shame," Jennifer quirks a faint grin at him over the rim of her glass, finishing off the last of the bourbon and setting it aside. "Y'know that says volumes for your 'prowess'... or at least, th' girls at work seem to think th' two are pretty closely related." "Aww, they're doin' their jobs. If they get a peek every now an' then... can't really blame 'em. You'd look. You know you'd look." Then she's laughing and shaking her head, "Nah, change it up, it'll be an adventure! Probably explains why I had trouble findin' it once or twice, changed locations on me."
Daimon Hellstrom	Daimon chuckles after another drink of wine. "I haven't had any complaints in that area. I'll be certain to forward you my references." He doesn't actually plan to do this, but jokingly threatening Jennifer with it is how he has his fun.     "I'd look -- because you'd show me," Daimon says. "I've never had a need to peep." He finishes his wine and gets up to refill it. As he walks, he glances behind his shoulder and says, "Anyway, the changing floor plan is mostly just due to some of the different... energies in the air. Some of the artifacts stored here, their powers graze against one another and cause some strange reactions. I doubt you've had a chance to notice, but compasses don't work here."
Jennifer Kale	"Are you offerin' to send me your lil black book? Why Daimon, I'm touched," Jennifer chuckles, taking it in the spirit it was given, and offering it right back to him in the same spirit. She enjoys the banter, and the fact that neither has hangups lets it be more organic. Clucking her tongue, she lifts a brow at him and smiles, "Sure bout that? I got a boyfriend, y'know. It's one thin for th' gargoyles to peek..." Shifting around a bit, Jennifer re-crosses her legs and grins, "But, good to know that I'm not bein' scried on in th' shower." Nodding, she offers, "Don't really use a compass, but I get what you're sayin'. Makes sense, can't have th' Eye of Zarathustra rubbin' against Orpheus' lyre... be all kindsa bad energy there, sparkin'. That's why I keep all th' Atlantean stuff I've come across in a pocket dimension. Easy access, no lock to pick, an' don't gotta worry bout it comin' up against anythin' that don't play nice with it."
Daimon Hellstrom	"Oh, I've got the worst stuff locked up tight, away from... well, everything," Daimon says as he pours more wine. He turns back toward Jennifer and adds, "That's why the kitchen changes places, instead of the lawn collapsing into a hellmouth."     Daimon returns to his chair and rolls his shoulders, like he's putting effort into relaxing. "As for your boyfriend, he can rest easy knowing that no, I'm not scrying on you in the shower. If he needs a signed and notarized affidavit to that effect, I can whip something up." He flashes a crooked smile, now just outright teasing Jennifer.
Jennifer Kale	"Mmmmmm, good thinkin'. Much rather spend a few extra minutes huntin' a ham sandwich than havin' to fight pissy demons to get to th' fridge," Jennifer chuckles lightly and swirls her hand over the empty glass, reflling it without going to all the effort of getting up and walking somewhere. Reaching out, she nudges his knee with her foot and smiles, "Somethin' tells me I should be gettin' ya a month's worth of massages for Christmas. Gotta learn how to just.. chill. It ain't all life an' death, hon. Sometimes.. sometimes it's just.. quiet." She lifts her glass to sip from the bourbon before adding, "Don't make me break out th' weird alternative Christmas songs." She watches him for a few moments before quirking a half-smile, "Nah, my boyfriend ain't got a thing to worry about far as I'm concerned, an' he knows it. But I'll remember ya offered, an' that you're still holdin' onto a lap dance promise."
Daimon Hellstrom	"See? I'll look -- when you show me." Daimon makes a vague gesture with one hand, as if to demonstrate that he was right all along, and that's that. "Anyway. As long as he doesn't go disrupting anything -- cracking open any eldritch eggs or whatever -- I don't mind him coming to visit. Though I'll take it as a compliment if he's too unnerved by the idea." Daimon wags his eyebrows once.     "As for relaxing... Kale, I'm afraid it's just not in my blood." Daimon stretches his legs out and crosses them at the ankle. He's still wearing his dress shoes. "Not that I would /object/ to a massage, if you're offering."
Jennifer Kale	Laughing, Jennifer concedes the point with a nod and a toast towards him. She shakes her head and smiles, "He knows enough to not go pokin' 'round th' place. Especially without someone magically inclined with him. An' thanks, I might just do that. Though I'm not sure if he'll know enough to be unnerved. He's not part of th' magic world." Clucking her tongue, she shakes her head, "Shame... nothin' like just... lettin' it all go for a bit, sinkin' down into a chair, listenin' to some good tunes..." Jennifer lets out a small laugh, "I'd end up windin' ya tighter, pretty sure. You need an actual masseuse. Maybe I'll get ya one for CHristmas."
Daimon Hellstrom	Daimon lets out a low chuckle at the mention of Jennifer's boyfriend not being part of the magic world. "Well. I'm not sure which of you to feel sorry for, in that case. I've tried the whole dating someone outside 'the community' before. Be ready for some very tiresome arguments. Maybe not anytime soon, but... eventually."     Daimon sounds /almost/ sympathetic when he says it!     "Honestly, you don't need to be a masseuse," he jokes. "Just put on your stripper heels and walk up and down on my back for a bit. You'll either stomp out the knots or you'll puncture them enough to let the humors out." Daimon has a long sip of wine. "Though when I let it all go for a bit -- it's satisfying, but it's not exactly a relaxing time for anyone else."
Jennifer Kale	Jennifer chuckles and gives a nod, "Oh, I know... at least, I'm expectin' 'em to happen. Maybe not now, or even soon, but if we last long enough, it's eventual. There's stuff that non-magic people just won't *get*... or won't be able to do anythin' about.. an' that don't sit too well with lots of people. But... he's got his own 'super' community stuff that happens. Stuff I can't be part of. Stuff I can't do anythin' about. So.. we got some more leeway, I think." She lifts a shrug and smiles, "We'll see." Laughing, Jennifer flashes a grin at him, "Oh Hell, if that's all ya wanted, I coulda done that at dinner." She lifts her glass for a sip and lifts a brow at him, "Didn't say for others to relax, said for you to relax. If they can't handle it, I mean... sucks to be them, I guess?"
Daimon Hellstrom	"Well. I hope it works out for you two. Maybe it'll even be for the better." Daimon shrugs his shoulders. "If he has his own super thing, and you have your magic thing... then you both pretty much have your own spaces, when you need them. It's just a matter of remembering not to spend too /much/ time in your own space." Daimon seems like someone who's probably very guilty of that, probably in every relationship he's ever had.     "And anyway, it wasn't /that/ kind of party, Kale." Daimon smirks over at the dancer. "Besides. I'm selfish. Why would I let them have a free show? Anyway -- there's a lot that most people can't handle about me. It comes from, well, being the Son of Satan. I know I sound glib saying it, but... my family tree is fucked up. Just a bit."
Jennifer Kale	"I hope so, too.. but I'm also practical. It's likely that somethin' or another will end up pullin' us apart. That's th' downside to datin' outside your 'thing'. It can pull ya apart, put ya into more contact with other people that're in your 'thing'... an' suddenly there's feelin's an' you're havin' a talk with your SO..." She lifts a shrug and smiles at him, oddly calm for all that she's just said. "It'll work or it won't. That's kinda th' nice thing bout relationships... never know how they're gonna go." Clucking her tongue, she grins at him, "*Every* party is that kinda party, just gotta let it evolve th' way parties naturally evolve." Jennifer takes a sip of the bourbon and gives a nod, "Kinda like sayin' ya were raised in a cult. Get a LOT of side eye an' suddenly people're avoidin' ya... but. Still gotta let it all hang out sometimes. Let off steam."
Daimon Hellstrom	Daimon lifts his glass toward Jennifer in a mock toast. "Never know how they're going to go -- and making sure it's a fun ride while it lasts, in every sense of the word."     He has a drink, then reclines in the seat. Despite his protests, he actually does seem fairly relaxed now. It's a process for him -- like he has to individually unclench each muscle. "Oh, it's even worse with me. I say I'm the Son of Satan, and they think they know what I'm talking about, but then it gets into all the stuff about how there are numerous archdemons that all have more or less equal claim to the name 'Satan,' so the Satan they're referencing is actually one demon, while the Satan from another parable is a different one, and it was /humans/ who got the names mixed up..."
Jennifer Kale	"Now *that* part I can guarantee," Jennifer lifts her glass in toast, laughing over the last bit. She gives a nod and offers a faint smile, "Tell me 'bout it. Somehow there's like.. twelve demons all claimin' to be Satan, all of 'em pullin' th' same shit... an' they're all happy to keep lettin' it be confusin' as fuck cause if ya don't know which one is which, it makes 'em harder to exorcise or banish." No true name makes everything harder. "An' then ya got idiot religious zealots all runnin' round an' screamin' bout how 'Satan' is back, an' really it's just some two-bit ballsack demon but they don't know any fuckin' better an'... UGH." She shakes her head and looskat him, "Still got ya beat, though. Sayin' you're th' Son of Satan will get ya cred an' women... weird chicks, but still chicks. Sayin' you're born an' raised in a cult.. well. All people think of is those damned Heaven's Gate assholes, or th' Hayley's Comet dipshits. Suddenly you're just some loon spoutin' about 'magic this' an' 'magic that' an' nothin' ya say can be trusted." She rolls her eyes and shakes her head, "Anymore, I just tell people I was raised up by a large extended family when my parents died, an' I was homeschooled through high school. Easier than goin' through th' whole mess."
Daimon Hellstrom	"Weird chicks, weird guys, weird points in between... it's true, the name 'Satan' can be as attractive to some as it is repulsive to others. Though if you haven't experienced people being drawn in by talk of cults and magic... well. You clearly have been hanging around entirely too normal people, Kale." Daimon grins at her.
Jennifer Kale	"I mean... I work in a strip club an' have been tryin' to finish college for like... six years. I'm around all kinds of normal people. All th' time. Be surprised how hard it is to actually get magical folk to gather up an' hang out," Jennifer lifts a shrug and flashes a smile. Sipping from her bourbon, she adds, "Though I *did* meet th' current boyfriend when he crashed his Jeep into a demon that was after th' Atlantean rod I got. So... he's got some game."
Daimon Hellstrom	"Ah, yes, a classic meet-cute," Daimon teases. "Straight out of 'When Harry Met Sally.'"     Daimon has a long drink from his wine, then pauses for a long moment to consider something. He looks over at Jennifer, then asks: "What do you want for Christmas, Kale?"
Jennifer Kale	Laughing, she gives a nod, "Oh yeah, includin' hittin' up a diner after. Though I didn't do th' faked orgasm in th' middle of th' meal. Which, Meg Ryan was terrible at anyhow." Jennifer likewise sips from her bourbon, looking up at the ceiling as if to study something there. The question has her blinking and looking back to him, "Now that's a loaded question, D. I mean, there's all th' usual selfish things... money, clothes, makeup, a house... but really, I could have those things if I really wanted." She considers him for a long moment, then nods, "A favor. One free favor I can call in. No questions asked, no nothin' owed in return."
Daimon Hellstrom	"So he made you get off for real," Daimon says, with dry humor in his voice. "That poor restaurant seat."     Daimon sets down his glass, and turns himself to look at Jennifer for a long, long moment. It's as if he's giving her time to consider her request, like perhaps there's some hidden catch to her seemingly perfect terms. Then again, maybe he's just pondering whether or not he wants to do it.     "I think it can be arranged for Santa to leave that in your stocking," he finally says.
Jennifer Kale	"Mmmmmmm, not kissin' an' tellin'," Jennifer chuckles softly and sips from her bourbon. She watches him as he watches her, smiling lightly as he looks. Seemingly unconcerned with the 'deal' she's just struck with him. Though after, she adds, "If ya can find your way into droppin' a new smartphone in there, too, I wouldn't say no. Mine's bein' held t'gether by bindin' spells an' willpower at this point. But that's wholly separate an' outta th'... richness of yer pockets." Chuckling, Jennifer sips once more, then asks, "What bout you? Whatcha want for Christmas?"
Daimon Hellstrom	"As long as you don't try to get on my family plan," Daimon says to Jennifer, though it's doubtful he really cares all that much about cell phone plans.     "What do I want? Hm." Daimon considers this for several long heartbeats. His expression is thoughtful. He seems to have given the question no consideration prior to Jennifer asking. After all, he's definitely the type of guy who'll just buy himself whatever he needs, when he needs it.     "...surprise me," Daimon says, looking back to Jennifer. "Something fun. For both of us."
Jennifer Kale	"Mmmmmm, not sure I'd qualify... besides, that would get weird fast," Jenn gives a small laugh and shakes her head. Neither of them actually cares about the cell plans, but it's another chance to tease and banter! Jennifer lifts a brow at his request, a smile curving her lips as she gives a nod, "A surprise, hm? Alright. I think I can do that... now. D'ya want it ON Christmas, or should I surprise ya there, too?" Sipping from her glass, watching him over the rim with that level of mirth visible.
Daimon Hellstrom	"You should be spending Christmas with your boyfriend," Daimon says, all but wagging his finger at Jennifer. "Surprise means surprise. Use your judgment -- and I'll use this as an opportunity to find out just how much your judgment can be /trusted/." Daimon enjoys the banter as much as Jennifer does, even if he does tend to deliver it in a detached, bone-dry tone of voice.
Jennifer Kale	"He's got family, I expect he'll be spendin' at least part of it with them... but yeah, I expect we'll spend part of it together, too." Jennifer rises up from the chair, tipping back the glass to get the last of the bourbon and setting it on the side table. She smiles at him, "I gotcha covered, Daimon. Not to worry." Leaning in, she'll brush a kiss to his cheek. "Don't brood all night, makes th' gremlins restless. I'm gonna go check in on th' boyfriend an' get some sleep."
Daimon Hellstrom	Daimon accepts the kiss to the cheek, and reaches up to give Jennifer a little squeeze on the elbow -- a friendly one, no liberties taken. "Enjoy your night, Kale. I'll be around. Shopping for smartphones, I suppose." He lifts his glass toward her as she departs.