The Old Man Down The Road

[SEVERUSMAX]

Nick Gehenna smirked as he drove into town, pleased to find a new source of souls for his vast infernal empire.....yes, Nick was no mere mortal. He was Satan, Lucifer, the Devil Himself. He had many guises, but for now, it was as Nick Gehenna, a man with many ages, faces, races, and identities....many jobs, too. Lawyer, realtor, broker, etc.

Now, however, he had the perfect deal. He was a barkeep, with his own new tavern, the Red Tail, where he was confident that he would now set up shop and win more souls than ever. If barkeeps were as effective as he had been as barber, he could do very well indeed. Still and all, he had his trusty lieutenant Lucinda Tartaro, a lusty Brazilian succubus, with him, and he was quite capable of any trick in the book now.

In his present incarnation, Nick looked about fifty or so, though still with a presence and dynamism that belied his apparent age. No need to worry about money, either. He would just pretend to have to....he was the King of Hell, after all. Now, what about that opportune victim.....yes, what a ripe soul for the picking....all that he had to do was just listen.....

OOC: Looking for a victim/soul willing and desperate enough to sell his or her soul to the Devil.....prepare for your character to do things that their old self would never dream of doing. The Prince of Darkness has a lot of influence, after all.

 

[Lady_Jade666]

Maggie Reed
20
Blonde Hair
Brown Eyes

Maggie had lived in this area all her life, she was born and raised here and most likely would die here. She would die an old maid. Anyone she knew got married and had children, so here she was. Graduated high school two years ago. And ever since her parents died it's something that totally sucks. It was hard for her to imagine what her life could be like, it damn near killed her. She was having so much trouble getting a real job that is not for good more like filling in till the original owner of the job eft. It was kind of hard to imagine what was going to happen, she was drawing and sadly she owned the home thanks to her parents, but there were other big bills. She was sitting on out front on a swing chair enjoying everything around her, sighing softly she was drowning in bills and misery it was kind of funny how life could kick your ass more then once and all the time.

 

[SEVERUSMAX]

Nick Gehenna

Nick looked out into the streets of the town, a former railroad crossroads village, fittingly named Devil's Crossing, grinning as he contemplated his plans for the locals and their souls. He didn't torment all souls, contrary to Jehovah's little propaganda pamphlet known as the Bible, but he did want to take as many souls away from the Old Bastard as he could. The goal was to get as many souls into Hell as possible before the game was up, by hook or by crook, so, yes, Nick had to be one sneaky motherfucker. What happened to them afterward was a problem for another day.

"Well, Lucinda, I think that our prospects are more than a little better than I even dared to hope. This place is practically inviting me here, between the name, the presence of a crossroads, and the fact that the people here seem so miserable, so left behind by their vanishing industrial base. I'm looking forward to damning my first souls here, practically giddy over the idea. Now, look at that one, for example. Ideal for our purposes, wouldn't you agree, with the way that she walks, all down on herself and everything. No confidence, none at all. This will be like taking candy from a baby, not that I'd ever do that. Unlike most thieves, I have morals of my own," Nick chuckled now, laughing at the idea of helping both Maggie and himself.

"Maggie Reed. Yes, I think that she's a very swell choice, Master. She has so much untapped potential. I must confess to wanting into her pants, too, though. You know how I am with the ladies. That's part of why one of my wishes that I wanted in exchange for my soul was to be irresistible to women, even straight ones. It's also part of why I love going with you on these missions, milord. That and the prospect of watching you bed them....and joining you in bed with them, Senor," Lucinda snickered, her bosomy body shaking as she evaluated their first prospect, the young loner, Maggie Reed.

"Well, first step, my dear, is to get her into the tavern. Think that you can pull that off, my sweet little fiend?" Nick asked Lucinda, who licked her lips at the notion.

"Oh, yes, Master, but first, let me change!" Lucinda smiled devilishly (what else), as she took on human shape, particularly a vibrant ginger with freckles, pale skin, and green eyes to match.

"Look right for this role? The fun-loving, lively, engaging new friend, sure to draw her out?" Lucinda inquired.

"But, of course. Just got to get here to the bar......once inside, she's mine. Do you understand, my love?" Nick used pet names out of habit, having married Lucinda briefly (a mere four years) prior to her death and damnation (one of her wishes had been a handsome, foreign husband, and that was what she got). Thankfully, she hadn't gotten upset when Nick proved unfaithful (um, hello, he's the Devil!) and simply wanted her fair share of the lady action (another reason that she didn't get mad, as she was no poster girl for fidelity).

"As you wish, Lord," Lucinda smiled again, as she exited the tavern and approached Maggie, ready to lure her into the bar if she agreed.

"Hey, darling, what's got a total cutie like you down?" Lucinda didn't hide her Sapphic flirtations, of course, just twisted them into a plausibly deniable Southern lady veneer.

 

[Lady_Jade666]

She had a bunch of stuff on her mind, things that were not small things. They were massive problems, she hardly had enough money to feed herself each and every month. Got to the point it was ten times rougher, she was thinking of her memories and she missed her parents. She had thought about getting a dog but then was afraid she would not have the money to do right by the animal. She juggled so many balls at once, she did not know where it would end up all of it. But it was then she heard a voice that she had not heard before. She slowly looked up seeing a strange woman. She seemed rather young and the accent she could not place where he came from. At first she just shrugged her shoulders and did not know what to say, tried to figure out what to say if anything. Closing her eyes she kept running around with the idea that she would be able to just settle down and do what ever she wanted to do.

"Life" Is all she could muster, she wished her family had not died. She missed her parents, they made her laugh and feel safe. They did anything and everything they could, they were not ever rich but they were comfortable, much more then most. She never would see them again, since she was the type of person that questioned what happens once we die. It would be a very nice if the story about living a good life and going to heaven. To be forever young and never be in any kind of pain, no matter if it was physical and or mental pain. She began to wonder why this woman was even here. She could tell that she was not from here, just by what she was wearing told her that.

"You Lost?" she asked looking into the woman's eyes.

 

[SEVERUSMAX]

Nick Gehenna

Lucinda mentally channelled Nick, who used her to read Maggie's mind a bit more. Both of them could see that she was truly desperate for relief from her trouble. She needed some help....badly. Nick smiled at the opportunity, as did Lucinda. This led to Lucinda smiling directly at her prey.....her prospect.

Desperate souls were the yummiest....Maggie would make a splendid addition to the Devil's kingdom....the damned souls of Hell. It was time to make her his. Theirs. The fact that he didn't intend to torment her was beside the point....he wanted to own her, after all. She would be his, just like Lucinda. She would be a succubus, too.

It was high time to strike......Lucinda got her marching orders and smiled as she received them......

"I am Lucinda. I work as a barkeep at the Red Tail, that's the tavern that just opened up right there," Lucinda pointed to the bar...

"Would you like to sit down and talk for a bit? It sounds like you could use a drink or two and some chatter. It's on the house, honey. What do you say?" Lucinda invited Maggie, knowing that Nick watched from afar.

It would soon be time......yes, time to claim her...

 

[Lady_Jade666]

Maggie had no idea what was going to happen, everything surrounded her very being. She looked down and did not understand why this woman came to her in the first place. She figured she looked pathetic and perhaps she felt charitable and that was very odd. She tried to smile but it was hard to think. She stood up and just nodded to her. The Red Tail was only a block or two, not a big deal. Life could be dangerous and exciting. Or life could be safe and boring. She wanted a good life, one that would mean anything. Life was confusing and some what cold and unfriendly.

As they walked up, the building was getting there. The place had been abandoned twenty years ago. And ever since it had boards on the windows and doors. Now it was a business booming. Sighing softly and it made her think of the good times. When she opened up the door the inside was beautiful. The lights hanging low and the seats were all leather a very dark red. The tables set up as booths. The cover on the dark red of the seats. In the middle was the bar. She walked up to the bar and sat down on the stool. She looked at the woman who walked with her and lightly smiled.

 

[SEVERUSMAX]

Nick Gehenna/Lucinda Tartaro

Nick and Lucinda now greeted Maggie, one of their new patrons, and Nick nodded, so Lucinda put a menu in front of Maggie, full of fat, delicious bar food. After all, it seemed clear that Maggie had made do with cheap, unappealing food for a while just to make ends meet. When was the last time that she had indulged herself? This was gratis, but that was part of the bait, the hook waiting for her to bite.

Kill her with kindness, or rather damn her in this case, Nick thought, winking at Lucinda as she also offered a cold, stiff drink or two to the girl.

"Are you a wine, whiskey, beer, or cocktail girl? Everything's on the house today, just for you. Don't buy others drinks, though. This offer just covers you and just today," Lucinda inquired, not using her clairvoyance in order to engage Maggie a bit.

"Maybe you'd like to consider working here, though. Just a thought. You could use the income, I think. A steady, full-time job. Sensible pay, plus tips, if you want to wait tables. I don't stiff my staff. I used to serve others, so I understand what fair compensation is," Nick chimed in, "name's Nicholas Gehenna, but people just call me Nick. I could use a good waitress, especially a pretty one like you who could tease the patrons a bit while getting them to stay and buy more food. Most are going to be drunk or buzzed if or when they hit on you, plus not alone, so unlikely to get mean about it in a place like this, and trust me, if they got nasty, they wouldn't like the results. I don't let folks abuse my staff."

"He's not the kind of man that one wants to piss off for sure. Last name's Tartaro, by the way. I'm from Sao Paulo, Brazil," Lucinda smiled now, as she awaited the food and drink choice.

That's putting it mildly, Nick thought. Never fuck with the Devil or anyone working for him. It would be a Hell of a bad idea....

"Word of warning.....I smoke. A lot," Nick added, lighting up a joint and offering Lucinda a hit, who then offered it to Maggie, "funny how they called this 'the devil's lettuce' back in the day. Doesn't look like lettuce to me."

 

[Lady_Jade666]

Maggie was the kind of girl that could since things, she followed her instincts. She has done that for years, a long time ago a priest that she told that to. He said it was god whispering in her ear. Telling her to be safe that he was watching over her. And as for the déjà vu she was getting important visions by god. She never knew if it was true but she would never know till she died and ask him. But in this moment it did not matter. There was something with the two of them. Her eyes scanned the area then the two she was talking to.

She did not know what the angle was she knew they had one. She wouldn't ask since they would lie. She was very good with fishing out what was going on. But a job that is full time and more pay she would have to say yes and hope to god this was no mistake.

"I will have a burger and fries, a beer and the job" she said with a smile.

 

[SEVERUSMAX]

Nick Gehenna/Lucinda Tartaro

Nick and Lucinda looked at each other, smiled, and then looked back at Maggie. He handed Maggie some information, such as about the job and the insurance benefits. He also gave the woman an apron and headed back to the kitchen to prepare the food.

"When can you start? Obviously not tonight. It's best to have a good night's rest first and the waiters need to be sober. Maybe tomorrow night? I don't think that you've slept much of late. Best to catch up a little first. Nick is leaving this part to me, because he's cooking the food himself. Have two beers for now, whatever brand you like. I think that we'll get along pretty damn well. I think that we both like you and that you'll feel like family before you know it. Enjoy, eat up, drink up. Time enough for work tomorrow," Lucinda winked at Maggie, perhaps flirting just a bit with the young woman.

While Lucinda chatted, Nick cooked, moving faster with his demonic powers, of course. He got it seared just right and then carried it with him to Maggie, burger and everything, knowing that the speed would aise questions. That enigma would be solved in time, but not before. Time enough for that, too.

"A magician has his secrets," Nick anticipated the possible question with a wink and smile.

 

[Lady_Jade666]

Maggie tried so hard to be the best person she could be. Sadly life gets complicated and not always in black and white. There were areas in life that was grey as well as other colors. She use to love life but with so much pain and even death there. She just nodded about being able to work tommorow. She tilted her head to the side a little. How did she know she had not been sleeping. Unless she looked exhausted? She had no idea all she knew was she had a better paying job then she could have ever wanted. She was just grateful.

"How did you know I was tired?"

 

[SEVERUSMAX]

Nick Gehenna/Lucinda Tartaro

Nick smiled, as did Lucinda, as they heard the query from Maggie, even as they watched her eat and Lucinda poured her the beer of her choice. Thankfully, they had a wide selection from the draught, from India pale ales to fine Irish stout to British Bitter, and classical American Pilsner lager. They had regular and light beer, of course, depending upon Maggie's preference. Nick always preferred stout, such as Guinness, whereas Lucinda went for shandy herself, but this was Maggie's order and it was still gratis tonight.

"Oh, one doesn't work this profession for years without being able to read people, sweetie. You could probably tell that I'm foreign without asking, for instance, and the trick is observing people and getting them to tell you what you already think, with just an insight or two of your own added along the way. Make them tell you their story, and trust me, they will feel a lot freer with their wallets. That's even true for the wait staff. Engage them, make them feel at home, make them feel that you're their new friend, and the tips come a lot freer. It's amazing what a little commiserating will do with the human psyche and its motivations," Lucinda explained.

"It's like with barbers and stylists. Same concept. People want to grouse, to gripe, to vent, and you let them. Bend your ear for them, get them talking, the conversation while the beer also flows, and it does wonders for this. Everyone wants to tell their own story, to unload their fears, doubts, regrets, all of that stuff, to a person with a willing ear, who knows just how much to reply and what to say or not say in the process. It's probably why the Catholic Church does so well with parishioners, too. Having a priest ready to bend his ear in the sanctity of the confessional permits one a release, a place to safely rant and reveal all," Nick added for his part, having brought out an appetizer to hold Maggie while the main course was prepared.

They could tell that she was still guarded, but they hoped that a little beer combined with some honest, heartfelt empathy and listening would get her to tell all that they needed to know.....and get her one step closer to surrendering her soul to Satan. It was worth some effort, considering the long-term stakes, though she wasn't the only soul in their sights. Nick and Lucinda played the long game and that required some patience. They had both learned that much over time.