Monday 29 August 2011

Pandora on purpose


“Skulduggery, you trust her far too much.”
“Erskine, what do you suggest then? She hears more than anyone else in Ireland, and after what Marr did... well, we need her library, at the very least. I know you worry, but she has proved herself” Skulduggery and Ravel were walking up the gloomy staircase to Chinas apartment. Valkyrie was out with Fletcher, and Ghastly claimed he had to work. So it was up to them to find what they were looking for.
They reached the third floor, and there she was, standing tall, in a ridiculously elegant light stone dress. Her shoes matched the emeralds sparkling from behind her hair and gracing a porcelain wrist.
“Skulduggery” she said, a smile in her voice and starting to form on her blood coloured lips... any trace of it disappeared however, when she saw his companion.
“Ravel” she remarked, an edge of wariness entering her voice.
“Sorrows” replied Erskine, equally cautious. China breathed out, and allowed her trademark smile to grace her face again.
“So what providential circumstance this time leads you to seek my presence?” she said breezily as she led them into her apartment.
“As if you don’t already know” replied Erskine, using a voice he reserved only for her. Scarcely hidden suspicion.
“Politeness is a virtue.”
“So is honesty”
“China, I’m going to assume you’ve read the works of Lovecraft?” Skulduggery interjected before they could continue.
“I have. He’s a rather talented writer, if a bit inaccurate.” Ravels eyebrows shot up at that. She glared icily back, before turning to Skulduggery. “I’m assuming this has something to do with the Faceless Ones then?” she motioned for them to sit down. Skulduggery nodded, and Ravel looked grave. She sighed, looking away.
“Alright. What do you want to know?”

After only a few minutes of calm conversation, China and Erskine had managed to get in an argument. They were standing opposite each other, Skulduggery sitting low and grumpily in a chair between them.
“You can hardly blame me for the actions of others.” China, her voice indignant, arms crossed, and eyes shooting icy daggers
“No, but are you saying that you didn’t do anything? We both know you’re far from anywhere near innocent.” Ravel, his pose almost identical, but with flames spitting from his eyes.
“Oh and you are, is that what you’re saying? That everything’s just black and white, and it’s impossible to be anything else!?” Skulduggery, realising that they were going to be at it for hours, got up.
“Of course not woman! Why must you always twist my bloody words?!”
“China, Erskine, I’ll be in the library.” The only recognition he got was a wave of the hand from China.
“I didn’t twist, I just ASKED. You know, like an interrogation. You’re good at them, aren’t you?”
“Oh don’t you dare even…” was all he heard before leaving the room, and closing the door behind him.
“I owe Ghastly 50 quid now” muttered Skulduggery as he headed across to the library, leaving them to bicker in peace.

1 comment:

  1. Lawl
    That was brill!!
    I love the end!!
    Skulduggery could just NOT tell Ghastly that he won the bet!! Then again Ravel will probably tell him what happened... NEVER MIND :P

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