Spooks & Spirits [video]

[immortalrose]

[For the first time in a long while, Augustine appears on video looking positively nonplussed as this overgrown demon of a man frolics behind him. He's impeccably dressed as always in a dark purple brocade suit with a lovely white silk cravat sipping on a cup of tea. He seems honestly undisturbed by this ridiculous demon until it crashes into a nearby wall.

Augustine pauses in mid sip and gives the monster the most annoyed but almost fatherly look he can muster. The creature in question let's out an apologetic whine before skittering off into the shadows from whence it came.

The dhampir lingers there in complete silence before glancing at his phone with a deep sigh.]

...I'm contemplating hiring an exorcist. Please leave your salary requirements and other details below.

[He mutters in the most deadpan tone. Seems that Astaroth is indeed working his last damn nerves today. Fun.]

In any case, I take it that Lord Dracula didn't make good on his threat to make it rain blood.

[Guess who's poking the hornet's nest. This bastard here.]

Do I dare ask what's the latest gossip?

Comments

[om_nom_namur]

The shitty blood rain happened last year. Marco and Grell went an' danced in it.

But yeah, no, there ain't nobody been murdered by a Gater far as I know.

What's been goin' on with yerself? Been awful quiet lately.

[immortalrose]

So I've heard.

[He says with a slight chuckle.]

I'm hoping to dance with Rip in the bloody downpour if such an occasion occurs. Of course with your humble permission.

[Don't mind him, dear. Augustine is just joking. He rather not to see the sky cry blood any time soon.]

I've been busy unsuccessfully trying to tame this accursed demon. Astaroth been restless.

[om_nom_namur]

'Preciate the sentiment but y' ain't gotta ask permission or nothin'. Ain't like I own her jus' cuz she's my girlfriend.

[Guess he got weirded out by the wrong part, oops.]

What, yer leech go int' some kinda heat for the spring or some shit?

[scarlet_devil]

You should be thankful my sister and I were able to talk him down.

[ The departure... and fate of Lisa is a sore spot. ]

[immortalrose]

Oh, don't misunderstand. I'm quite thankful that you and your sister stopped him.

[He admits with a slight smirk.]

The last I want is for my alleged "grandfather" to cause too much trouble.

[scarlet_devil]

[ She sighs a little. ]

The last thing either of us want is him to give into his rage. Considering what he's been though, a part of me doesn't blame him.

[ If Flandre died like that...? She would react the same way as Dracula did to Lisa's death. ]

private video

[captain_by_the_book]

[ Well.

Welllllll.

If Cassian were inclined to such melodrama, this would be his cue to smirk - evilly - while he is petting his fluffy white cat - evilly.

Alas, he lives in healthy fear of the cat and sadly lacks the pop culture knowledge to even know the expectations he should be living up to.

So have him just in his usual boring uniform, sitting behind his usual boring desk. But he is not quite winning the battle against schadenfreude. ]

Looks like you're having some trouble.

Re: private video

[immortalrose]

Guardian Andor.

[The look Augustine gives this one is borderline rage. He sits there upon his prim and proper sofa sipping his tea slowly as he glares hotly at the screen. He's annoyed. Very annoyed. Too bad that Astaroth doesn't give a damn.

That accursed demon pops out from the shadows briefly so he can peek down at Augustine's phone.]

No, no. Everything is...fine.

Re: private video

[captain_by_the_book]

[ Cassian inclines his head graciously. ]

Of course it is. I can see that.

[ Oh he's going to save this video and treasure it forever. ]

Are you enjoying your company?

[singinghuntress]

[ As much as she adores Augustine, the sight of the demon frolicking behind him is what has her on edge slightly... by a lot.]

... I’m still not sure how I heel about zhat thing.

[immortalrose]

I'm quite aware.

[He mumbles bitterly once Astaroth peeks out from the shadows. The demon says something foul enough to get a face full steaming hot tea. Augustine tosses the tea right in Astaroth's face with a hiss.]

I'm tempted to kill it.

[singinghuntress]

I vont stop you.

[ she wasn’t sure if she wanted to know what it said. But she had a feeling it might have been about her.]

video

[anamnestik]

Augustine--- BWAH! [The sight of Astaroth earns a terrified squeak/choke from Eliot... and the emotional outburst results in the chair he's sitting in floating four feet up, then dumping Eliot on the floor.

He pulls himself off of the ground, being more cautious about keeping his emotions in check. Psychic outbursts are getting annoying.]

... Why an exorcist?

Re: video

[immortalrose]

Ah, Eliot---

[He pauses immediately once the child suddenly vanish from view. The unpleasant thud that follows confirms that Eliot fell. That's mildly humorous but Augustine is more concerned than anything else.]

Are you well?

[He questions before answering the boy.]

To kill Astaroth, of course.

[anamnestik]

[Eliot is getting back to his chair as he listens. Being well is the problem, he would say, but instead he just sighs and nods. He isn’t hurt, at least. When Augustine reveals just who the exorcist is for, Eliot frowns.

Looking behind him in the video, Eliot can see where he’s coming from... but that would be such a terrible thing to say!]

... Is that a threat to get him to behave, or are we really plotting murder in public?

video

[despairunending]

Awww, I hope you don't mean for that cutie there. Looks like he just needs a little playtime.

[Don't mind Junko quietly imagining the carnage something like that could cause.]

Re: video

[immortalrose]

Playtime is over.

[He grumbles in the most aristocratic tone he can muster. Augustine is such a damn snob sometimes but Astaroth, the goofy demon behind him, enthusiastically nods in approval of more playtime.

The demon is bored and very much like blood and carnage.]

video

[despairunending]

There's no need to be mean! He needs his exercise and his fun just like the rest of us.

[Junko can be a snob when she feels like it. Maybe she'll get bored enough to switch to it eventually.]

[Video]

[fairysoul]

[Looks behind him at the happy demon.]

How come this demon looks so much like you?

Re: [Video]

[immortalrose]

[He nearly chokes on his tea when he hears that comment.]

Astaroth looks NOTHING like me, you cheeky little girl! [The dhampir hisses in a fit of absolute rage.] How dare you even insinuate such an ugly lie!

Are you blind?

[Video] - Rofl Poor Augustine

[fairysoul]

[Mavis blinks as he chokes on his tea.] Are you alright?

[When she understands that her comment was the reason for his reaction, she simply shrugs.] Well there are similarities in the shape of the face, the ears, the hair too...

[Mavis, stop right there]

I didn't mean for it to sound insulting. I mean, you're obviously more stylish than him, and you have a moustache, but it would have made sense for you to create or summon a demon that looks somewhat like you.

[A pause.] Astaroth? ...I think I've read that name in a book once.

video

[lockedgirl]

Quite the interesting specimen you have there.

[Says a pile of books? Patchouli barely looks up from her reading. Though, that isn't to say she is not interested in this conversation: She wouldn't respond just to waste hers and someone else's time.]

I have a number of questions for you already, and we've only just met. My name is Patchouli Knowledge, a magician youkai. You mentioned Exorcisms and Lord Dracula. I would like to know more.

Re: video

[immortalrose]

Why thank you?

[This odd child wins a curious glance from Augustine. It took him a moment to find her within that seemingly endless pile of books but when he does, the dhampir answers. It seems that Genessia has graced the inhabitants with a new swarm of visitors. Interesting.]

Augustine Gheorghe Vlad Tepes, at your service.

[He says with a slight nod. The demon looming behind him settles down and stares into the screen. It seems Astaroth is interested in this conversation.]

Ah, yes. Well, the exorcism bit was just sarcasm at best. I mean to keep Astaroth but he plucks my nerves sometimes.

[The demon hisses some but Augustine ignores it.]

Lord Dracula is indeed real, youkai. Real ornery and unfriendly too.

[lockedgirl]

Augustine, then. Should that be an acceptable form of address.

Interesting. So 'Astaroth' is a demon, perhaps of your summoning? Is there any relation to the Great Duke of Hell? It has been quite some time since I encountered Western demons.

[She nods slowly.] I have been told I may be able to stay with this 'Lord Dracula.' But raining blood sounds horrible for my books.

[phoenixstrut]

[Well, she's bored, but clearly in a playful mood. There's a somewhat sly grin on her face when she pops up.]

I'm not really one for exorcisms, but maybe I can help?