Video

[valentineluke]

[In what looks like an art museum, Luke stands before a portrait of a lovely woman. He raises a wine glass, containing dark red liquid, in silent toast to her.]

*feed cuts off*

Comments

Private *skulking in his hidey-hole for naughty children*

[worldofourown]

Friend of yours?

Re: Private - *Oh, poor bay~bee*

[valentineluke]

Had wondered when you would speak to me.

And you are...?

Private *Poor You-TOTALLY-deserved it Baby* xD

[worldofourown]

[A half-smile.]

Karl Fei-Ong. I'm quite popular over the network, recently...

Re: Private

[valentineluke]

Soon to be known Citywide. Of course the Police Force will be the last to find out.

Why is that?

Private

[worldofourown]

[The smile is a full-on smirk now.]

Believe it or not, it started with annoying some spoilt child.

[He chuckles.]

The City is touchy about such matters, apparently.

Re: Private

[valentineluke]

Did you steal candy from said child?

Private

[worldofourown]

Oh, no...

[Said child was the candy :|]

Let's just say, he was quite a careless little boy. The City disapproved of my trying to knock sense into him.

[And of his trying to eat him, but whatevs...]

Re: Private

[valentineluke]

Said the pot about the kettle.

How exactly did this invaluable life lesson go awry? Sounds as if you had everything under control- not.

Private

[worldofourown]

I did.

[He scowls, at little petulantly.]

But some self-appointed Lancelot decided to swoop in and 'save the day.'

[Hmph. He's not bitter. Much.]

Re: Private

[valentineluke]

Well, children do incite feelings of protectiveness in some others.

Private

[worldofourown]

I don't see how it should've mattered. It wasn't his child.

[He tilts his head.]

You never answered my earlier question. Who is that young lady?

Re: Private

[valentineluke]

Just someone from the past.


(FYI - Diva's portrait is in the Hall.)

Private 1/3

[worldofourown]

[He's assuming the Lady in Question was an old flame.]

~Ah, those from the past.

Strange, how many of them remain with us, even in the present. I think--

Private 2/3

[worldofourown]

[Wait. Asd;fgh;jkl. Whose portrait is that?]

My God...

Is that...?

[Wait until he connects the dots. Not the brightest crayon in the the box, this one :|]

Private 3/3

[worldofourown]

[Slowly, painfully slowly, it falls into place.]

Is that my DIVA?!

Re: Private 3/3

[valentineluke]

[Looks around at the nearby portraits. Quickly spots the one in question - being an acquaintance of Solomon's, of course Luke knows who Diva is.]

Her? Been well over a year since she was last in the City.

Private

[worldofourown]

Over a year?

[How could that be possible? It made no sense. He draws a shaky breath.]

How did she... fare here? And how did she leave? Did she find a way to escape?

[It sounds like something his Queen would do.]

Re: Private

[valentineluke]

She wasn't here long.

No one truly escapes. On rare occasions, the City allows a few to leave. Most are usually sent back.

Private

[worldofourown]

I see...

[Well, that's just depressing. And here he hoped there'd be a loophole somewhere. Exhaling, he looks up.]

I don't believe I caught your name. You are...?

Re: Private

[valentineluke]

[Takes pity on him]

Sometimes, those that leave do return.

Luke Valentine.

Private

[worldofourown]

That's both a hopeful and daunting prospect, in my case.

[He wants and doesn't want Diva here. This place is too strange, even for her.]

A pleasure, Mr. Valentine. [A sideways smile.] I shall leave you to your... reminiscence.

[deathofdelilah]

Marishka?

[valentineluke]

Yes, that's her.

Because of the last name, I think of this holiday as my birthday. Thought it would be nice to observe the occasion with absent acquaintances - hence the wine.

[deathofdelilah]

Understandable. Are you visiting any other portraits as well?

[valentineluke]

I am.

(Private)

Been some time since we last spoke. Is everything alright on your end?

[deathofdelilah]

If I might ask, whose are they?

(private)

Everything is fine. [...as fine as they can be, anyway.]

[valentineluke]

Lets just say there's a list. I have been here for some time.

(Private)

I doubt that. Hmm.

[deathofdelilah]

True. That makes sense.

(private)

You have doubts?

(Private)

[valentineluke]

Should I?

(Private)

[deathofdelilah]

No. Things are quite fine.

[wayfarers]

Who's the chick?

[valentineluke]

Someone who was here previously. Believe it or not, we were just friends.

[wayfarers]

Tough break. [Whoops now Slick is assuming Luke got friend-zoned on this one.]

[valentineluke]

I knew beforehand she was betrothed to another. I respected her loyalty to him, hence why the platonic relationship.

[wayfarers]

Oh. Alright.

Thanks for the tip about the underground, by the way. I had a good night.

(Private)

[valentineluke]

I know.

(Private)

[wayfarers]

You saw?

Re: (Private)

[valentineluke]

Ashamed of your work or concerned the secret won't be kept?

Re: (Private)

[wayfarers]

I got nothing to be ashamed about.

Re: (Private)

[valentineluke]

Good.

You're secret is safe with me. But others? It's best not to share, especially with those who's attitude suddenly does an extreme one-eighty. More so when they were earlier seen in conversation with the Police Force head.

(Private)

[wayfarers]

Anyone snitches on me and they'll wish they were never born. The shit in those photos - that's me when I'm in a good mood.

Is someone snitching?

Re: (Private)

[valentineluke]

The evidence is currently circumstantial. It could very well be nothing more than coincidence.

Until a determination is made, be cautious around Carla - yes, I saw Accursed Candy Day's 'friendly exchange'. Quite different from what you were receiving before, correct?

(Private)

[wayfarers]

Well, I think she's acting a little bit different but - I think she might be hot for me, if you know what I mean. Can't say I blame her.

But I'll keep an eye out on her.

Re: (Private)

[valentineluke]

Continue, then. Gather information, but play it cool.

The Police Force head is Dean Winchester. Haven't had any luck establishing an informant on the 'cops' inside. Thanks to the girl, you may be in a position to bridge the gap.

*Notices*

[favoritetraitor]

[private:]

[jiyuna_togabito]

Some significant meaning behind the gesture?

Re: [private:]

[valentineluke]

Just observing my unofficial birthday with absent acquaintances. Was coincidence that the device flicked on Marishka, the one who called out Solomon's Saya as 'trouble'.

[private:]

[jiyuna_togabito]

Hmm. Didn't think you were the sentimental type.