The "Magic" Shop [Jerome/Jangmi Twins]

[Jerome Fontaine]

January 19th, 2012
The D.C. Dungeon

Another day, another whipped and moaning customer, another hundred dollars. That seemed to be the rut Jerome Belmont Fontaine had found himself in at his place of business, The D.C. Dungeon. On the south side of town nestled between a tattoo parlor and a library is this building found, near the most CONCENTRATED area of libraries and cafes in D.C. It was a quaint little establishment, curtained windows with the word DUNGEON written on it in bold red letters. In the window sat a book on Demonology, where Jerome had placed it.

Speaking of him, he was working the front desk today. All the reservations were dealt with so all that was left to do was sell mechandise. Not a problem, but it was an unnaturally slow day for his liking. He stood bent over the counter, reading a copy of "S&M and You", flipping through the adds to find any worth-wile articles. He cranked on the AC because, in his "uniform", he was roasting almost. His closed in, slightly muscular torso was covered with an almost too small black leather vest while his hips jutted out over his low rider black leather pants. He tapped the heel of his black cowboy boots and fixed the black bandana off of his face to around his neck. His duster hat, also black of course, was lazily crooked to the side, his ponytail resting on his shoulder.

He looked from the magazine to his whip, then to the curtains, or rather beyond them to the book. It had been quite a few months since his last visit to Inferis. The last time he went, he met a whooooole nest of succubi. Oh, the screams as he brought down his whip, he missed not having to hold back his strength. But it was a good outlet for his addiction, especially since it paid. It might not have been socially acceptable, but when was the last time he ever talked to society, hmm? Soon, he felt the need to move. He stood and stretched, leather creaking under the strain, and started tapping around the floor, rearranging the items on the wall. They needed more whips...lengths 7 through 10. Hmm...who needed to buy all those? (besides him of course) And so, with eyes darting about, he went from empty shelf to empty shelf, filling them in with the more copius items. Organization was key in selling such lewd items.

[Jinhong Jangmi]

"But I thought you needed to be there for dress."
"Not until much later."
"So we have time to explore then?"
"Precisely."
"Excellent!"

Giggles followed the sound of the two voices as they spoke as one, the two girls glancing to each other with big grins. Some stared at them as they went past with their different hair lengths, and more importantly, the different eye colors they possessed. Jinhong was rather relieved that she got to spend some time with her sister for the day, ever since they had gone on "tour" (as they were calling it), sometimes it got a bit difficult to find her. It wasn't like they had to be at each others sides 24/7, but it was rather... relaxing when they were here of all cities. Ever since last year, Jinhong had held a great discomfort to DC, and it was doing very little to keep her mood up as they wandered down the south side of the city.

They were here because Jinhong wanted to spend some time reading up on her demonology, after all, DC's libraries would have a greater and better selection than those found at home. What with the tear being right there... She just hoped that there weren't any Templars or Ritualists or Demons looking for trouble. Not yet. Taking a deep breath, she exhaled slowly as they wandered past a sign with giant crimson letters, but that wasn't what caught her eye. Pulean slowed alongside her, stepping up beside her sister to see what she was peering at in the window. It was a tome on Demonology. But what was it.... She straightened up to look at what sort of shop it was, her brows raising while her lips tightened. A sex shop, particularly an alternative life-style sex shop. "Jin--" She began, reaching a hand to touch her sister on the shoulder except it passed through empty air. "Eh?" Sapphire eyes blinked twice at her absence, glancing about until she could see her twin striding through the store already. She sighed heavily, "Grant me strength..." She mumbled in Korean, following Jinhong within.

Unlike her twin, Jinhong paid little mind to what sort of shop it was because who cared. They had a book on demonology and that was... strange at best. Demon Hunters normally didn't leave their things out right? So who in the world was-- She slowed to a stop in the middle of the store, the whips on the wall ignored, and the toys alongside them forgotten. Her crimson eyes had locked on the man with the hat, bandana, and leather. "Why would you leave that book out?" She asked, suddenly realizing with painful awareness how rude and... forward she was being. It was also at that moment that she actually realized where she was, clearing her throat while her jaw tightened. It was some relief to feel Puleans hand come to rest on her shoulder, flashing the man a smile. "Please forgive her. She was just very interested in it." She added hastily, her hair spilling over her shoulder.

The twins were dressed in a complimentary sort of fashion today. Jinhong was sporting an off the shoulder creme shirt with a lace collar about her neck, the red gem rather prominent against her pale skin. The sleeves extended just below her elbow, a bit puffy to allow for breathing and such. It extended to the bottom of her waist, a pair of jean capri's covering her legs. On her feet were low high-heels formed like boots, the laces tied neatly. Pulean was wearing a summer dress with similar puffy sleeves except they flowed to her wrist and had slits in them so that they billowed delightfully. The dress itself was white with blue accents along the edges, especially prominent with the belt that she wore about her waist. She also had a lace collar about her neck, except there was a blue gem instead, her longer hair pulled back into braids that here pinned up on her head at the back. Now Jinhong was blushing, her shyness coming to the forefront as she pressed into her sisters hands some more, "I do apologize..."

[Jerome Fontaine]

A customer. Jerome snapped out of his organization and slapped his bandana back across his face, putting his hand on his hip as the woman walked into the room. He was about to offer her the specials for today when she spoke, "Why would you leave that book out?" The smile behind his face sapped away in an instant. People usually came in already stripping or heading straight for the back rooms...she was worried about his book. His eyes suddenly glared at her from behind his glasses; he didn't like her tone at all. My, if he had less than stellar upbringing, he'd probably whip her. If he had his whip that is, which he glanced at in all it's leather-y brilliance.

When he glanced back however, it seemed...this woman could multiply. Oh wait...no, different clothes. Twins...Twins.....FUCKIN' TWINS?! REALLY?! AND THEY WEREN'T HERE FOR SERVICES?! Damn it....Well, he couldn't help it, so what was the other one saying? "Please forgive her. She was just very interested in it." He laughed. Not in a rude way, he though, just a little chuckle as he walked over towards the counter. He strapped off his gloves and put aside his hat. While this happened..."I do apologize..." He shook his head at this, she was too innocent for words. That blush, that face, that pure embarrasment. It was something he strived to find and if this was a less serious matter, he might've tried to flirt slightly, with the both of them at any chance.

"Can't say I blame you, a book on demonology is a bit amiss in a S&M shop. But before I answer anymore questions," He sat on the counter, crossing one leg over the other, looking at the two. They looked like a delightful little pair...if only if he could peak their interest. Jerome was a man who didn't care MUCH for the world at large, but two twins weren't the world at large, they were just twins. Very curious, very....adorable twins. "please introduce yourselves. You can call me Indy." He tried to play it off as just some little joke, but the question she posed was serious. He couldn't let this slip. It's not the Fontaine way.

[Pulean Jangmi]

Oh how embarrassing.... And sort of sad. Her sister could be so brilliant when it was the battlefield or material science, enthusiastic (if that was truly the right word) when it came to demon slaying, and so painfully shy when it came to people. Pulean rubbed her hands along her twins arms reassuringly, already feeling her relax at her presence. Yes, as long as they were both their for the other, then the two halves remained whole. At least his laugh didn't seem too dangerous to either twin, both of them relaxing a little considering the environment that they found themselves in. While Pulean wasn't... terribly bothered (just awkward), Jinhong was instantly regretting her decision to walk in with so little hesitation. The mans appearance was doing nothing to try and reassure her what with the bandana over his face, glasses, hat, leather... all of it. It didn't matter if he had a body made of muscle that was pretty, it was... not the best thing for a first meeting. So she let her sister take control.

"Can't say I blame you, a book on demonology is a bit amiss in a S&M shop. But before I answer anymore questions," Pulean giggled and nodded, looking to Jinhong who raised her eyes with a nervous sort of chuckle. "That it is." They both spoke at once, emphasizing the fact that they were twins since they sounded the same. "please introduce yourselves. You can call me Indy." Oh, right. Jinhong and Pulean looked at each other, blinking at how they had sort of completely forgotten about introductions. At this, Jinhong straightened and bowed, "Jinhong,--" Pulean bowed now, "--Pulean--" They straightened together and flashed him a brilliant smile each, "At your service." "It's a pleasure-- --to meet you-- --Indy!" They looked at each other and giggled again, both folding a hand behind their back though it was the opposite one on the other. So Jinhong held her left hand, and Pulean held her right.

But now Pulean had to ponder something, tapping a finger to her chin before turning to her sister with an expression of thoughtfulness. "Now doesn't the name Indy make you think of a set of movies?" She asked her twin whom now also appeared thoughtful, except Jinhong placed her hands on her hips. Jinhong was the first to grin though, "Well duh--" "Indiana Jones!" They clapped their hands together, laughing as they turned back to him, the crimson eyed girl much more relaxed now. "Was that your intention?" Pulean asked, not noticing how her sister hand left to go pick up the book at the window, Jinhong examining the cover. Her expression fell a little as she walked back over to her sister to show her, ruby and sapphire eyes raising to look at him, both a little worried, "Why would you leave this out?"

[Jerome Fontaine]

What...the hell? Jerome...marveled at this little set up the twins had, only shifting his head further and further to its side with every syllable until it was completely horizontal, his ponytail hanging down in a straight line of chestnut color. His right eyebrow was as high as it could go. Usually this postion was reserved for only the most confusing or hair raising gaming moments, but this was...pretty high up there. Improvised? No...they were too in sync for this not to be improvised, after all, this wasn't some anime. This was real life. A life of demon-slaying and the outrageous moments of life on a daily basis, but it was still real life, damn it!

But God...he smiled and smiled under that bandanna of his. Laughed and clapped for the two little dolls, such gems in their own right. Jerome was never EASILY impressed and meeting HUMANS of this nature were some of the hardest to come by. He heard the connection between Harrison Ford and himself and responded with a simple "Yes, you're certainly quick~" Then the girls grabbed the book. All this trouble over a book. But...they seemed more worried about it than any normal person would. Usually, a dark book like that in a dark place like the Dungeon would go amiss by the casual observer. But these two...what exactly did they know?

As his clap slowed down, he hopped off of the and approached them, slowly as he laughed lightly. When was the last time he laughed?...Oh right, the Craynelly reservation last week. SHE was a squealer!~ But it was more of a feign. He was as worried as these two. Worried about what they knew. "Well, I'm a man of many....occupations. The book brings in a certain crowd that makes my job easier. If you don't catch my meaning and don't plan on buying anything, then you're more than welcome to leave. However, if you DO catch my meaning...do you mind...turning over that open sign to closed?"

A blunt approach, yes. Effective? Most certainly. Idiotic, perhaps. Fun, hell yes. This is the second thing he lived for; demon hunting. He'd never met others in his years of fighting, so finding others was always a treat. And if he could convince them to fight WITH him...oh, the fun and damage they could do. But...what could they do? Perhaps, he thought, he'd soon find out.

[Jinhong Jangmi]

It appeared that they had stunned the man. Excellent. Or rather, amusing. Either way, Jinhong was rather relieved that this was the case since it meant that she wasn't the most awkward turtle in the room right now. Though she had her sister here! She couldn't be too terribly awkward. "Yes, you're certainly quick~" Pulean grinned, happy that she had, in fact, gotten it right. Even Jinhong smiled at that, remembering her favorite out of those three movies (The Last Crusade of course!). Ah... they did miss watching those films... maybe they should try to find them on Netflix or something and take some time while they were here to watch them all again! Except for Crystal Skull. That was disappointing. Anyways, the book. Jinhong could feel the texture of the leather cover, half tempted to start flipping through it except she had a far more pressing question that he hadn't answered yet. Why did he have this book. Was he a templar? Demon Hunter? She knew that Pulean was especially on edge because of how careful she was to keep them both off of the radar of the Templars, and if they had just accidentally stumbled on one... that would not be good. At all.

"Well, I'm a man of many....occupations. The book brings in a certain crowd that makes my job easier. If you don't catch my meaning and don't plan on buying anything, then you're more than welcome to leave. However, if you DO catch my meaning...do you mind...turning over that open sign to closed?" Pulean and Jinhong looked at each other, the smiles gone from their faces as a rather serious air settled over them. Jinhong was the one to step forward with the book, her crimson eyes locked on him as she now stood in front of him. Pulean went to turn the sign to closed and even locked the door, stepping up beside her sister once that was done. Now blue and red bore into him, Jinhong holding the book out to him. "We understand completely." "Our parents--were very careful--about who we told." Jinhong's eyes were the ones that hardened a little, "So we ask you, are you a demon hunter?"

Now Pulean seemed to lose all expression, watching him very carefully for any sign or movement that he made. He did not seem to possess any religious sigils or signs about the shop though those could be hidden. His demeanor did not speak of a man of faith, in fact the whole shop was something against it rather. His seriousness about how they were treating the book pointed towards demon hunter, but it could also mean ritualist. "Because if you aren't, and we hope you aren't. Then this is going to be unpleasant."

[Jerome Fontaine]

His bare hands clasped around leather bound book, taking it firmly in his hands but delicately from the woman. He tucked it under his left shoulder and when he looked up, the girls had turned their smiles upside down. So...their parents had trained them, huh? Not a luxury he got to experience, but women like them, toughened by Hell itself, it wasn't too strange to see them so serious on the matter. Unlike him, who had beaten around the bush on the issue, the girls, IN UNISON, asked the very simple question. "Are you a demon hunter?" The girls continued to speak, changing between themselves, until they issued what he believed was a threat. Jerome chuckled at it. Then with a tug of the knot, the bandanna went drifting to the floor.

Jerome's face flashed with a smile as he held up his hands to the two, as if he was being arrested. He peered at them over his glasses, envy green eyes glinting with a sort of...fire. "Jerome Belmont Fontaine, ladies, nice to meet you." He walked around the two, observing them closely. He saw no weapons. They might have them hidden somewhere, but in a shop like this, Jerome would be at his finest. But, no problem here. He took up his seat on the counter again, running a hand over his whip. Ah...it was starting to look frayed. It needed some love.

Then his eyes flashed at the memory of their last comment. Threats...petty threats..."Oh...I will ask you one thing...never, under any circumstances, threaten me. Ever." He then jumped down from his counter. He was fidgety again today, the excitement reaching him like a virus, spreading all throughout his body. Why was he so ecstatic in this situation? Danger? Pain? Pleasure? Yes? No? Lobster? IT MADE NO SENSE TO HIM!

As he tapped around in his boots however, he stepped down and stopped as if he had stepped on a mine. There was a question in their little back and forth, wasn't there? He looked back over his shoulder, face plain with understanding. He curled his tail around his finger slowly as he started his response. " And in return of your question, I am a Demon Hunter. Pretty much a family tradition of mine. I've never seen you two around Inferis before...When did you get here?" This is how conversations went right? They ask, you answer then ask, they answer back. That's how his sim games worked. Hopefully, those sims were faithful representations.

[Pulean Jangmi]

Neither twin saw the point in beating around the bush, especially not Jinhong which is probably why she had such trouble with social situations in most cases. Pulean knew how to soften it, but in this case she was a bit more preoccupied with their safety rather than anything else. Her jaw tensed a bit at his chuckle, relaxing a little when she saw him smiling. That.. normally was a good sign. "Jerome Belmont Fontaine, ladies, nice to meet you." Both bowed their heads respectfully to him, Jinhong definitely the more tense of the two. She didn't like this, why was he walking around them? Her hands remained at her sides though one finger twitched, already planning out what she would do if he turned out to be something other than what they hoped him to be.

Jinhong grimaced as he sat back down, not backing off despite her sisters hand on her shoulder. Pulean liked it as little as she did, but she at least realized that he wasn't about to attack them. ."Oh...I will ask you one thing...never, under any circumstances, threaten me. Ever." Both pairs of lips tightened as their eyes, for the briefest of seconds, glowed brilliantly in their respective colors. "We do not--make idle threats." Pulean stepped forward, "I was stating a fact. If you were not a demon hunter, then this conversation would no longer be pleasant for it would involve fighting and true threats." Jinhong remained silent as her sister spoke, noting how he had touched his whip. Great. They were in his territory and he could grab any number of weapons from the wall to attack them with. Both of them had left their weapons elsewhere for the sake of not causing a panic. Swords were frowned upon in this day and age when worn openly on the hip despite sheaths and whatnot.

"If she wanted to threaten you, then you would know." Pulean held up a hand to her sister as she stared down Jerome without fear or even a hint of concern. "Come now sister, I can see where he could misinterpret my words. But he has not yet answered our question." She could sense her sister back off and forcibly relax, lowering her hand back down to her side. So she waited patiently for him to answer them. " And in return of your question, I am a Demon Hunter. Pretty much a family tradition of mine. I've never seen you two around Inferis before...When did you get here?" Both exhaled in a breath of relief, Jinhong standing a bit straighter as the coiled spring loosened. Pulean finally smiled again, glancing over to her twin who also smirked and nodded. Her sapphire eyes found his again, "You weren't looking very hard." She giggled as Jinhong stepped forward now as well. "We've been there for the past two years. Although,- -we aren't from this side of the country." They both shrugged, heads tilting in opposite directions with Jinhong to the left and Pulean to the right, "We're from San Francisco."

But it was Jinhong who held up a hand and looked at her sister now, "Ah but we do travel a lot don't we?" To which Pulean blushed and chuckled, "Yes we do." Both now turned and giggled at him again, "But we've gone to Inferis for at least a year now." "But don't forget- Pulean pointed at Jinhong now with a hand on her hip, -Ah yes, I do remember." Jinhong nodded, "We did travel there before." Back again to Jerome they turned, not even thinking of how disorienting it might be for him. To them, this was as natural as breathing. "Our parents--took us there--to give us demonstrations. Wanted to be sure we wouldn't lose our nerve there." Pulean was the one to pause and tap her lower lip thoughtfully, thinking back to their previous adventures, "We never did team up with people." They sighed together and shook their head, practically mirrors of each other as they now stared at him, "How long have you been going?"

[Jerome Fontaine]

They don't make idle threats, huh? Oh, Jerome winced a smile at that fact. Mistaken words or not, girls with fire were always fun...to put into their place. He had alot of experience to call on, should he need it for today. Then they began to explain themselves as he turned back around. His eyes caught a full body mirror as the spoke, but moreso his ensemble. Even though most would find his body in it succulent and amazing, he...thought, just in this situation, he looked a little silly. He felt...hot in the outfit, the excitement burning him up inside the leather like an egg in a microwave. His heel tapped on the linoleum of the store, listening intently for the end of their part. "We're from San Francisco"

Ooooh, San Francisco. He didn't know much about it himself, other than its amount of S&M proprietors, many of which supplied the shop's merchandise. Did the girls know that? ...Didn't seem like it, ANYWAY, the shop seemed to get hotter and hotter with every second and soon, Jerome couldn't take it anymore. As the girls continued to talk, he quickly tapped his way to the thermostat and intensified the AC. With that, he shed off his vest, exposing tanned, faint muscle underneath a bit damp with sweat. He then took a hand to the band securing his hair and flung it off, shaking his head back and forth letting his hair settle. He didn't like his hair like this, but it felt more comfortable. He looked back at it, passed his small rings on his ears. It made him look too feminine, he always thought that.

The girls inflected their voice in unison again, catching his complete attention just by its pure oddity. "How long have you been going?" He pondered for a minute, a finger on his chin. How long HAD it been?...He couldn't recall. He looked at them from behind his glasses. They were staring. Huh. Oh, right, response time. "Three years, I believe. Pretty sure, anyway. I stumbled upon the fact one day when I went to my...ex-girlfriend's house. Everything crumbled. Demons...wasn't pretty for them, I'll tell ya." He held up a finger to excuse himself as he went to the changing room closest to the main room, the one that held his clothes.

He began to undress, dry, then dress in his more comfortable clothes. As he pulled over his shirt, he began to speak to the girls, peering over the curtain. "So, San Fran huh? Cool. I'm from Baton Rough, down south in Louisiana. Mom's a lawyer, so we came here. Couldn't believe how amazing it was here, especially once I found this place. A nice chunk a' change. What do you guys do?" He stepped back out into the showroom, a dark green muscle shirt and jeans with a dark brown trench coat. He smiled to the two, "Much better~...You guys look so stiff, sit down, please, sit!" Though he himself took position back on the counter, smiling.

[Jinhong Jangmi]

Pulean was more lax to watch him as he moved, Jinhong was not. She was always as a hawk, watching with wary distant gazes at those that were around her. She was a planner, a strategist, she couldn't help it. If she misjudged a situation because she hadn't been paying attention then it put all at risk. It... didn't really matter that this wasn't a combat situation, she just... Habit. Yes. That. It wasn't until he began to remove his vest that her eyebrows raised, Pulean noticing it out of the corner of her eye. It made her wonder if he was trying to show off for the two girls in front of him. Jinhong may not realize these things so quickly, but Pulean did. Perhaps the man was just hot. Considering how he had cranked up the AC, that was the more logical choice. Perhaps the showing off was merely a result of this factor.

"Three years, I believe. Pretty sure, anyway. I stumbled upon the fact one day when I went to my...ex-girlfriend's house. Everything crumbled. Demons...wasn't pretty for them, I'll tell ya." They both looked at each other, blinking a few times at this new knowledge. Ex-Girlfriends house? Had there been a tear? Ritualist? The questions and responses were practically bouncing back and forth between their minds in the span of a few seconds as he vanished into the changing room. They didn't necessarily need words to voice their thoughts and concerns, now just staring at each other with the occasional glance back towards the dressing room where he was changing. Honestly Jinhong was rather relieved, the leather left her a bit... unsettled. How could Pulean be so calm about it? "So, San Fran huh? Cool. I'm from Baton Rough, down south in Louisiana. Both heads turned at the sound of his voice, more relaxed expressions falling over them, "Mom's a lawyer, so we came here. Couldn't believe how amazing it was here, especially once I found this place. A nice chunk a' change. What do you guys do?" Huh. Wait, he still lived with his mother? Possible. Alternatives were more likely.

"I'm a professional singer." "I teach kids how to LARP." They glanced at each other and shrugged lightly, "But we mostly travel around. Keeps it easier to do our quieter line of work." It certainly gave the perfect cover and excuse for why they needed to go places. It also set them up with a rather lovely checkbook with lots of cashy-monies. Jinhong had acknowledged she wasn't the bread and butter of the two of them, but she got jobs where she could when they weren't in San Francisco. Besides, the kids loved her stories of traveling and whatnot. He came back out of the dressing room in civilian clothes, both giving him a quick once over before nodding in unison. "Much better~...You guys look so stiff, sit down, please, sit!" They... Jinhong glanced around, not immediately finding chairs around though she wasn't quite as willing as her sister to go wandering. Pulean, on the other hand, walked around the counter to look for a stool, and was disappointed. So she went to the dressing rooms instead where, sure enough, there were chairs. Picking one up under each arm, she placed them down in front of the counter, smiling to her twin who blushed in some sort of embarrassment. So they both sat down and stared up at him.

"How old are you?" Pulean asked with little to no shame, now leaving Jinhong to wonder if something had come over her sister. "Sis, what are you-" "Shhh!" Jinhong bit her tongue and fell silent, having to admit she was curious herself just not willing to ask such a question.

[Jerome Fontaine]

Singing? LARP? What odd jobs...Jerome thought this, because to say it would be hypocritical. He listened to their unison chatter again at which he nodded and stared at the floor. Interesting...did strange jobs run in line with Demon Hunters? Did it just...happen to happen? Like how an innocent school girl turns out to be some sort of magic fighting princess that fights crime by moonlight and falling in love with a masked man in a tuxedo? With a talking cat?

...Yeah, it was kinda like that, but anyway, Jerome's eyes began to wander on the twins again. He observed them very closely now, now that some of the tension had been broken. There were...very slight differences, but if he'd commit them to memory, he may be able to tell them apart in a few months. They kinda reminded him of the twins from that one Final Fantasy game...only they were both girls. And had black hair. He wondered, did they use magic in Inferis?...They didn't look like the magic user types. He could just imagine them with swords, in fur bikinis like amazon warriors. If it hadn't been for their next question, he would've started to drool.

"How old are you?" ...Wow, that certainly poofed in out of nowhere. First jobs, now ages? Wasn't it rude to ask ages? ...No, it was rude for guys to. Heh, double standards. They made the world work in strange ways. What would he say? Would he lie? ...No, why would he? But what were her intentions? Why did she ask? Only one way to find out...."I happen to be nineteen. I've only been working here for...almost two years, for obvious reasons. Legal ages and all that jazz." He shrugged and crossed his arms, whipping his head to get a bothersome bang out of his face. Now, to see if she'd give up why she asked.

[Jinhong Jangmi]

"I happen to be nineteen. I've only been working here for...almost two years, for obvious reasons. Legal ages and all that jazz." Pulean and Jinhong both blinked at his answer, then staring at each other a little bit dumbfounded. Only... 19? Really? And he'd been working here for two years... Now that seemed rather odd. So abusive girlfriend at 16, then work here... He was an odd little boy wasn't he? They both looked back at him now, "We're 22." They answered since it only seemed polite that they also give up how old they were. "But you would have been 17 when you started working here. Is that really legal--Ow!" Pulean cuffed her sister upside the head, Jinhong rubbing the spot with a pouty sort of frown. "Don't mind her. We were just curious." She explained, shooting Jinhong another look, not that she particularly needed to. Jinhong was already staring down at the ground now, "Sorry." She muttered, sighing lightly as she glanced back up to him.

There was an awkward moment of quiet as Pulean and Jinhong were working through their brief little spat, the Blue Rose touching a hand to her sisters leg. "So Jerome," Jinhong began as they stared at him with rather impassive expressions, "Do you work with others when hunting demons?" There was a reason she was asking, and she knew that Pulean was aware of it too. It was also because of her that Jinhong was even asking. It was good to know who they could work with in case they needed to on any hunts.

(( I'm sorry, my brains derping out on this thread :/ ))

[Jerome Fontaine]

"22? I would never had guessed, I thought you'd be the same age as me." That WAS a compliment, right? Telling girls they looked younger? It worked in the sims, so it must've been true. Then Jinhong piped up about the legal age issue and she was promptly thwapped. Then Pulean said sorry, all that razmataz, and Jerome put a finger over his lips and winked at the two, "Shhhhh, not so loud you two. I could get fired if the Boss knew he hired a minor. Our secret, okay?" It was true. He slightly lied to get the job with his fake I.D and his resume, but HEY! The Boss loved him now, he was a very good worker. His praises were sung...in high pitch voices. Hehehehehehehehehehe.

He brought his finger away from his mouth and sort of leaned forward. There was a bit of silence as they argued for a moment, then Jinhong looked to him. He raised an eyebrow slowly as she looked at him, locks of chestnut hair, shifting to hang like curtains. "So Jerome," He inched closer to them, bending ever so slightly. What was it? What was it? What was IT? He was interested, head cocking to the left a bit as she went to finish the thought. "Do you work with others when hunting demons?"

He hopped off the counter at that moment, trench coat and hair flowing together as he did so. He went to the door and put his back to it, leaning on the blacked out glass. "I thought others existed, but never...encountered any. I wondered if I'd ever find any. Are there more of you? Do you know any?" His eyes widened as he stared at them, livid excitement in his mind.

[Pulean Jangmi]

"22? I would never had guessed, I thought you'd be the same age as me." Jinhong chuckled nervously, glancing at her sister whom giggled and scratched the back of her head. "Seems to be a thing happening lately." They both spoke, both thinking of the guy that Jinhong had met a week or so earlier named Lazarus. He had been younger than them too. Were... were they just old for Demon Hunters? "Shhhhh, not so loud you two. I could get fired if the Boss knew he hired a minor. Our secret, okay?" Pulean nodded with a wink while her sister just sort of nodded shyly, who would they tell anyways? It wasn't like they were going to frequent his store. Ever. The fact that they were even in here right now was just because of Jinhong's brazenous (<-Now toats a word) and lack of observation. The likelihood of them running into his boss was next to nothing.

And as suddenly as Jinhong had asked her question, he was suddenly off like a light to the door where he plastered himself against rather... dramatically. Pulean shook her head as she chuckled at his antics while her sister... well... she was a bit startled. Patting her on the leg, she turned in her chair to face him, her long hair swooping over her left should as she did so. "I thought others existed, but never...encountered any. I wondered if I'd ever find any. Are there more of you? Do you know any?" He truly looked like a madman right now, but she remained the calm one as she could sense Jinhongs unease. "He's harmless." "I know but... " "Don't worry. I got this." They murmured to each other, offering a reassuring smile to her sister as they resumed speaking english. "We've met a few. Most were in passing and scattered across the years we've been to Inferis, but we there was another around your age that was more recent." She answered him, glancing over to Jinhong since it was she whom had met him.

"Most we just acknowledged and moved on. We do like to know who is out there though, just in case. One never knows what jobs might crop up and how much help might be needed." She added before falling quiet again, the two staring at him. "But that begs the question the, would you work with others?"

[Jerome Fontaine]

"Seems to be a thing happening lately." They laughed again, making Jerome smile. Then after he had told her about his work situation, he got a wink (sweet) and a very, VERY shy nod, which made some red rise in his ears; shy girls always had a very strange effect on Jerome, probably scratching that dominating need. Shy was always fun, but it just hit him in just the right spot. Keeping the thoughts from his mind was a serious case of self control as he stood in the doorway. The two were talking to each other in a foreign language that he didn't recognize besides the fact it was from Asia. Jinhong looked terrified while Pulean gave another chuckle. The two were quite a pair, he thought as he rearranged himself at the door into a less...dramatic posture, just a simple lean and crossed arms.

"We've met a few. Most were in passing and scattered across the years we've been to Inferis, but we there was another around your age that was more recent." Another one? Must be in D.C., he thought, as he twirled a bang in his finger. Once Jinhong piped up, his eyes shot to her. "Most we just acknowledged and moved on. We do like to know who is out there though, just in case. One never knows what jobs might crop up and how much help might be needed." A fair point, more players in the game did constitute a higher success rate. As he contemplated this, he looked at the sets of eyes trained on him, unblinking. He wiped his face, for fear he had something on it.

"But that begs the question," He raised an eyebrow. "would you work with others?" Jerome smiled and simply nodded in response. No need for an elaborate answer, just yes, he would. But he did have to voice a question as he drifted next to the two, standing by Pulean, looking down on the two as he leaned on the wall. "Do you have a job in mind that you need help with or is this just for assurance reasons?" As he listened for an answer, he went to the fridge underneath the counter and got some Chips Ahoy cookies and held them out to two. Cookies were a sign of good faith in the Fontaine house.

[Jinhong Jangmi]

Mmm... She was no longer that comfortable here, not that she had been particularly comfortable to begin with, but it was even less so now. Still, you couldn't quite tell after the earlier moment passed as she stared cooly at Jerome when she spoke. The twins giggled when he rubbed his face for that was something people seemed to do rather often. Apparently it was unsettling having them stare at them so! Must be the two sets of eyes and similar features. Jinhong could feel herself much more calm than she had been after his leap across the room. "Do you have a job in mind that you need help with or is this just for assurance reasons?" The twins looked at each other now, but it wasn't Pulean that looked back first. Jinhong did. "Yes, actually." So she watched him as he went behind the counter to get something, blinking a couple of times when she saw it was cookies. "Thank you." Came the response as they both leaned forward to take a cookie, both taking the same sort of nibble with the same expression. It was like watching a mirror except one version had long hair, and the other had short. One red, and one blue.

Swallowing, Jinhong took a deep breath as she tried to recount all the details that Lazarus had told her. "My friend," oo that was nice to say, "and his teammate are planning a raid in Inferis on this den of demons. They asked us if we would be interested in helping and we agreed. I'm sure they would appreciate one more." She took another bite of her cookie as Pulean spoke, "It's in two days." Jinhong swallowed, "Would you be interested?" So the two stared at him again, tilting their heads in the same direction as they nibbled again on their cookies. The amount of details they had weren't great, and it was a bit frustrating to Jinhong what with her analytical mind, but with the details she did have? She didn't like what she knew, and she knew Pulean didn't either. They would have to try to rely on strength in numbers, even if those numbers would only equate to 5.

[Jerome Fontaine]

Jerome finally found comfort behind the counter, shoulders on it and peering at the two. Their way of eating cookies was humorous, the way they nibbled on them so reserved. Jerome wasn't much for reservation, as he had already fit a whole cookie into his mouth, crunching it in his teeth. There were substantially less cookies than last he took them out....Queeny had been in them. Damn that woman. Queeny was his co-worker of Amazon proportions, and when he says that, he MEANS it. 6' 4" with a KILLER figure, but of course, not Jerome's type. Because 1) she was a dom, too. 2) She was lesbian. Jerome was glad she was out, because he had seen how she gets around female customers, or even visitors. The twins were lucky as well; Queeny had quite the death grip.

The short haired, red-eyed twin, Jinhong if he remembered correctly, now spoke to him. Her voice had a slight difference than her sisters...though he couldn't place it exactly. "My friend, and his teammate are planning a raid in Inferis on this den of demons. They asked us if we would be interested in helping and we agreed. I'm sure they would appreciate one more." Den?! Demons?! One more?! Oh, Jerome's eyes and smile turned into a look of absolute joy. He was incredibly interested because not only would he be killing demons, he's get to see other hunters on the job. That interested him somewhat; he had to find out if anyone was a better fighter than himself, as inconceivable as that sounded.

"When is i-" "It's in two days." Jerome laughed a bit, flicking his hair out of the way. "You read my mind." Jerome readjusted his glasses as the all important question was asked.

"Would you be interested?"

"In all honesty, I'm VERY interested...as long as it's NOT succubi. I had bad experience with those damn she-devils. All I need is a meeting place and time and I'll meet you there? My bladed whip is all yours, girls, I'll make sure you're covered." Jerome didn't normally get all in people's business, but in a way, he wasn't. They asked him, they were interested in him. They would like his help, not the other way around. And really...it was against Jerome's inner nature to say 'no' to a woman. It really wasn't.

[Pulean Jangmi]

Pulean noted his reaction to the description her sister gave, already sure that he was going to join in. Did..... Hm. She had to wonder how much he got out into the world considering his apparently eccentric nature. The amount of friends he must have must be rather small if it was existent at all. "You read my mind." Both twins smiled at him, giggling at each other before Jinhong essentially invited him to join them. If he was like this here on earth, what was he like in Inferis? It was a question that Pulean had to ponder since she knew that Jinhong wouldn't. It wouldn't occur to her to do so, but the blue eyed sister knew. [i]"In all honesty, I'm VERY interested...as long as it's NOT succubi. I had bad experience with those damn she-devils. All I need is a meeting place and time and I'll meet you there? My bladed whip is all yours, girls, I'll make sure you're covered." Pulean had to laugh as Jinhong blinked a few times, trying to remember the description of the demons that Lazarus had given her. The fact that he used a bladed whip in Hell was not a surprise to either twin, both nodding as they were thinking their own thoughts. Jinhong, on the other hand, was wondering what his fighting style must be when in Inferis. For if he used a whip, that meant he was long distance and so they would have two of them. That would be good. That would be very good. Especially given the description that Lazarus had given her (though it was sad no one had a sniper). That would be excellent.

"Good. Don't worry, there aren't any Succubi." The two spoke, Jinhong glancing to her sister as if she just remembered that he had mentioned that. "They tend to be pains in the ass." Pulean had to chuckle, falling quiet as Jinhong looked up again, "Thank you Jerome." Pulling out a small notebook that fit in the back pocket of her jeans, she quickly wrote down the address where they were meeting and when, handing it to him as she finished off her cookie. Pulean spoke for her, "Thats the info you'll need for local and time--" Now she chomped down on her cookie as Jinhong perked up, "--which isn't too far away. We're meeting in a hotel and then jumping into Inferis." Both of them brushed the crumbs from their faces and hands, probably really amusing because it was, again, in the same fashion as the other. If someone couldn't tell they were twins, they certainly could now.

Jinhong glanced to the watch on her wrist, frowning a little bit as she turned to her sister. "You should probably head to the theater soon. Yes I should..." She sighed lightly as they both rose from their chairs, scooting them towards the counter as a point of courtesy, both smiling at him. "Thank you again Jerome. Any last questions before we must unfortunately leave?"

[Jerome Fontaine]

There were those smile again, he thought. These girls smiled than most people he knew, 'cept probably Queeny. He returned it again with a more reserved smile than before, a bit calmed now that time had past sufficiently enough. Once he'd told him how much he'd love to come, Pulean smiled again, though her sister looked as if she were in thought. It was hard keeping up sometimes, with twins, always trying to switch names or personalities just to confuse him.

"Good,""Don't worry, there aren't any Succubi. They tend to be pains in the ass." The words "pain in the ass" and "succubi" in Jerome's presence were very taboo, making him shake in absolute disgust as he recalled an incident that occurred against his attack on the nest of demonic vixens. He made sure to kill that one especially nastily. With a thank you from Jinhong, Jerome nodded to her as Pulean began to scribble something down on a pad she had produced, from where Jerome didn't see.

"Thats the info you'll need for local and time----which isn't too far away. We're meeting in a hotel and then jumping into Inferis." Jerome took the slit of paper and stuffed it into his coat pocket, watching the girls with their choreographed crumb-brushing before Jinhong brought forth an issue of time. [i]"You should probably head to the theater soon.Yes I should..." Oh right...Pulean's job, a singer if he remembered right. He had an idea of something but didn't voice it till Jinhong had asked another question. "Thank you again Jerome. Any last questions before we must unfortunately leave?"

Jerome smiled and walked around the counter and opened the door for them, sweeping an arm out the door. "Only where this theatre is and when the performance is. I do love a good performance, and since you've seen me at my job, perhaps I can see you at yours?" Jerome didn't know how they'd react, but it was a way to get more in tune with other people, right? See them in their environment.

[Jinhong Jangmi]

The two couldn't help but blink when they saw his reaction to their words about the Succubi, making them glance to each other in confusion.  Had they said something wrong?  Clearly it must be the case considering it looked like he had swallowed a turd or something.  For a brief moment they wished that they were in Inferis so they could just talk telepathically to each other, but at the same time... They had no wishes to go to that place without the reason of work.  It wasn't somewhere you casually visited just because you got some cool powers.  That was a place to visit only based upon the greatest of necessities.  As he walked around the counter, the two twins followed after towards the door, Pulean leading with Jinhong following.  They giggled at how he held the door with such a flourish.  "Only where this theatre is and when the performance is. I do love a good performance, and since you've seen me at my job, perhaps I can see you at yours?"

Now it was Pulean's time to pause at this, Jinhong now standing a bit out the door and onto the pavement as the suns beams shone a bit lower in the sky from when they had first walked in. How long had they been talking?  She had to wonder.  Still, the crimson eyed twin watched her sister whom smiled gently and faced Jerome again, taking back the pad of paper and pen that her sister had lent her before.  She began to write, "It's the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and here's an address should you need it.  The doors open at seven with the concert beginning at 7:30."  She ripped the paper and held out the second bit of information to him, a note written along the bottom as a reminder of what she was about to tell him.  "I hope you have dress clothes.  In any case, when you go inside, go to the box office and tell them that you are with me.  They will give you a ticket so you don't have to pay for it.  Should be a box seat as well."  Pulean then took a step near Jinhong, placing them both outside of his shop.  "I'll be there too.  The two numbers at the bottom are our cell phones should there be an issue."  Then, again in chorus with each other, they curtsied to him, bowing their heads before straightening to him.  "We look forward to seeing you there!"  

And so the two of them began to walk away, offering him another wave since they would get a chance to see him later that night.  Though not for any sexy reasons of course!

[EXIT THREAD]

[Jerome Fontaine]

That statement sure did grab Pulean's attention. That smile, oh, it would make a lesser man's heart melt. Alas, Jerome's ability to be touched by that generous of a gesture seemed to dry up along with the rest of the tears he shed for Danielle. Though, it did make him somewhat happy as he gave a riled, toothy smile back, a flash of one anyway, as she began to right down the information. "It's the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and here's an address should you need it. The doors open at seven with the concert beginning at 7:30." Jerome took the outstretched paper note and examined it, noticing the phone numbers on the bottom. These were going into the ol' Fontaine cell phone contacts. He pocketed it in his trench coat and looked back up at Pulean. "I hope you have dress clothes"

Dress clothes...dress clothes? Well....t-shirts and trenchcoats didn't count...neither did leather, chains, chaps, WAIT! He remembered going to a wedding...he couldn't remember whose. But he STILL had his suit, so perhaps he could use that. If it still fit him that is. "In any case, when you go inside, go to the box office and tell them that you are with me. They will give you a ticket so you don't have to pay for it. Should be a box seat as well." Box seats? Hushhush VIP status? Free tickets?! "Fanceh~" He watched her take a step to the doorway, getting ready to leave.

"I'll be there too. The two numbers at the bottom are our cell phones should there be an issue." Jerome couldn't help but wonder if they'd share the same box. They could cheer for Pulean together after what he could only believe was going to be an amazing performance. He smiled and nodded, patting the pocket where the note sat. Then they curtsied, another odd quality about them that prevailed over a growing admiration for their antics. Some would find it creepy, like the girls from The Shining, but of course, Jerome wasn't like some. So he deemed it cute. "We look forward to seeing you there!"

"Me too!" He waved back as they left into the streets, and waited patiently in the doorway, leaning in it with his arms crossed till they were out of sight. Then, he produced a key, closed, and locked the door. Closing early, yes, but the night shift guys would be coming in soon. He was going to stay, but he couldn't tonight, he though as he grinned.

He had plans tonight.

[EXIT THREAD]

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