Viva Bedazzled Las Vegas

[7twistedwishes]

It is actually a two-step trip: using the door from Milliways lands the couple at Scarlet's place in San Fancisco, but in the same fraction of a second, she wills herself and Weyland to be somewhere else.

Comments

[mechanicalswans]

"You know," he muses, "I've never had any of those desserts they put edible gold on. I think maybe we should. And a jacuzzi... even better."

He chuckles, glancing out the window.

"I must be moving up in the world."

[7twistedwishes]

"Oh, we should have vodka with gold too, then. Martinis with diamonds on the bottom, exotic fruit brought fresh everyday in express flights..." She is rich beyond human imagination, anything they want, they can have.

She is also a daring, reckless driver, cutting people off and giving them scares, the low rumble of the engine not covering the streams of profanity directed at her.

The Devil is seeding Wrath.

[mechanicalswans]

"You only live once," he says, giving her a playful grin.

Once is more than enough, if it's forever.

He enjoys watching her work--she seems to be in her element here, much more than in the bar, and it intrigues him.

[7twistedwishes]

This is her element indeed... she cuts in front of three people to roll into the entranceway of a huge hotel, raising more exalted screaming and cussing at her. The car is brought to a sop and she slides out the window, not bothering with the door, and also giving a bit of a show with her flexibility. "Here we are, dearest. The fun is about to begin..."

[mechanicalswans]

Being somewhat less flexible, Weyland exits the car in the more conventional manner.

"I can't wait to see how it will unfold," he murmurs, moving to her side. "You're a beautifully imaginative woman..."

[7twistedwishes]

She tosses the keys to a valet, blowing the young man a kiss, then slips arm into Weyland's "Lovely, dear, dearest, you have no idea... now, you will have the chance to see The Devil in action in her natural environment."

As they move to the doors, an older man is coming out, roaring and cursing into his cell phone. Scarlet produces a marble out of nowhere ad rolls it on the floor towards Angry man.

Angry man does not see it, slips on it and faceplants/headbutts the crotch of a security guard, who crumples and falls and takes down an older lady holding a poodle. The dog flies and lands in the arms of an expensively-dressed bride, where it unceremoniously soils and wets itself in fright, ruining the dress.

The phone? Oh, the poor little mobile flies away, clatters on the pavement and drops down an open sewer grate. "Don't you just hate people who yell on their phones in public? They seem to think being on the phone crates a magical booth of privacy around them."

[mechanicalswans]

He watches the chain of events, with that same playful grin.

"I do, yes," he agrees. "But then, I find phones in public to be rude in general--keep it short or keep it private, is my view. The world isn't everyone's living room, so they shouldn't treat it as one."

[7twistedwishes]

"Indeed." Behind them the Bride is trying to rip Dog Lady a new one, while Dog Lady is trying to fend off Bride and beat Angry Guy. The Security wisely scurried off.

The Devil struts to the front desk with her escort, leaning over the counter. "Scarlet D'Auville, reservation for the penthouse." The clerk checks the computer and frowns slightly. "I am sorry, ma'am, but there is a guest already in there. I can offer one of the honeymoon suites."

The Devil shakes head. "Who is in the penthouse. Mr. [John Doe]?" And before the clerk can answer, she adds with a smirk. "The distinct gentleman who is standing naked on the Blackjack table nearer the fountain, and yodeling while masturbating?"

The Clerk eyes her, flabbergasted, and The Devil just smirk. "Go check my dear, and please have the penthouse ready by the time we finish having a drink." She drops a black Amex and driver's license of the counter and tugs Weyland away towards the hotel's bar.

[mechanicalswans]

Weyland does his best to be nonchalant during the exchange at the counter, suppressing a smirk at the description of the penthouse guest's actions.

Well, if you're going to be evil, why be subtle about it?

But he does chuckle as he walks with her to the bar.

"Tell me... was he the sort of man who would do that sort of thing if only he had the courage, or was that all your doing?"

[7twistedwishes]

"I did not bother checking, just made him tear off his clothing, climb on the table and start his act." She giggles, leaning to him. "I can check if you want to know..."

Ah, the bar. Scarlet orders the fabled vodka with gold flecks.

[mechanicalswans]

Weyland orders the same.

"No, that's quite all right," he says, leaning in to kiss her cheek. "I do hope you won't be doing anything like that to me--well, in that manner. You're free to charm me into doing whatever you like."

[7twistedwishes]

The kiss is accepted with a delighted smile, and returned to his chin. "Oh, dear... I would never do something like that to you. Unless.... nah."

The Devil shakes herself, the snug t-shirt becoming a more dressy blouse. Surprisingly enough, nobody around seems to notice. "Can you feel it? The Greed, The Lust, and all the other delicious sins in the air?"

[mechanicalswans]

"I feel..."

He glances around, slipping into more of a blending-in, observational frame of mind.

"Desperation. A bit of hope, but it's fading. Financial desperation, but also desperation for human contact--for feeling alive."

[7twistedwishes]

"Zombies yearning for life, tin men and straw women wanting hearts and brains. They think here, among the lights, they will find what they are missing. They think the next drink, the next tumble on the bed, the next deal of cards or roll of dice, the next stranger..."

"Something, anything..."

"Will change their lives around, and fill their hollow souls. Oh, of course, there is a trickle of people who are satisfied with themselves and come here for just the fun, but they are a stark minority."

[mechanicalswans]

"Exactly."

He leans against the bar, and lights a cigarette.

"But you know... it never works. I've tried it so many times, and at best, all it gives is a brief distraction. Never a real change."

[7twistedwishes]

"When I come here, I look for those ready to wake up from the daze." After he takes the first drag, she takes the cigarette from him, inhales deeply and offers it back. "Some go from dazed into nihilism. Kill themselves, kill others."

"Some renounce all this insane game. I have lost a few to real enlightened faith, won some others by fanaticism."

Then she grins, ordering refills for their drinks. "But most of the time, I just enjoy myself here."

[mechanicalswans]

He takes the cigarette back, and has a sip of his drink.

"Sometimes I use people," he admits, "just use them for my whims, and then abandon them. Sometimes I see a trace of something better, in them--and I may try to bring it out. I don't always succeed. I'd rather see nothing there at all than see something and fail to bring it out."

[7twistedwishes]

"I learned to enjoy the attempt, the shaping and change. If nothing seem to be coming out, I put something more in." The Devil leans to her lover, smiling. "I learned to enjoy myself. Always."

[mechanicalswans]

"I wish I could do that," he murmurs. "But I feel the need to build--to strengthen. And if I can't, I just destroy, so they can start over, maybe do better next time."

[7twistedwishes]

"Souls are my business, dear..." She kisses his cheek, smiling. "Maybe I can help you find what you look for, I have been watching minds and souls for eight thousand years. And messing with them too."

She glances towards the entrance and smiles. "But right now, it seems like our penthouse is ready." Indeed, the clerk is walking over to them.

[mechanicalswans]

"Mmm."

He is grateful for the distraction; it wasn't a comfortable line of thought, and he is trying to be different this time, trying to have a good time.

So he gives the clerk a polite smile.

[7twistedwishes]

The clerk smiles back, offering a little bow, inviting them to follow.

The couple will be taken all the way up to their penthouse.