003 [Video/Voice]: Boredom: the desire for desires.

[vaguelysauntered]

[The camera turns on to catch the bustling and lively interior of the Lion's Gate as one Anthony J. Crowley sits at the bar, swirling some very expensive-looking cocktail in one hand as he grins. Crowley already dressed with class and style to fuel a fashion company, so getting into the place was as easy as stealing candy from a baby.]

You know, the longer I stay in this place, the more I've realized that no matter where you go, people never change. I mean, even with powers and bloody monsters coming out of the Darkness to attack you, people are still just, you know, people.

[He turns the wrist with his NV watch to show the people behind him mingling in the club, starting to point out particular people standing around with a finger.] You see, that guy over there with the funny little beard wants to become the most powerful man in town- he's just hanging around here so he can get connections, but he's failing horribly at it. The woman next to him in the blue dress wants all the money in the world so she can buy all sorts of pointless luxuries for herself.  

[And then he points over to a couple flirting by the bar, smirking widely.] And that woman wants nothing more than to take that man on the bar and do all sorts of nasty and unspeakable sexual things to him, I mean really, just hearing about them would make your ears curl.

[He then turns the NV toward him as he shrugs.] But what I'm trying to say is that people always want the same things in life. Power, money, sex...you could drop these people in, I don't know, a place where the sky is green and flowers eat people and they'd still have the same wants and the same needs.

So, let's play a little game. Tell me your most innate desire and try to surprise me. If you have a desire like everyone else, congratulations! You're painfully ordinary. And if not, well, maybe I'll get some amusement out of it. I could always use a little entertainment in my life.

[Crowley smiles like a snake.] Just try me.

[He turns off the video, but there's a long pause as the voice function still keeps going. And then Crowley says, curtly:]

By the way...you people should keep a better eye on your children. Especially in a place like this. Honestly, buy a leash or something, you prats. But no, people will be people...

[A slight huff, and the voice function is switched off. Make of that what you will.]

[ooc: Just a note: Crowley can actually see the innate desires of people! It's one of his many demonic powers. But he can only do that when they're there in person with him. So he'll just be having fun guessing whether people are lying or not when it comes to the responses of this video. You're all good on that front. B)]

Comments

Video

[tea_lover64]

I'd like to drink tea, and play Pai Sho all day long, everyday! I'd also like to see some grandniece's and nephews before I die.

Video

[vaguelysauntered]

[Crowley lets out a chuckle.]

That's a nice wish and all, but I was talking about things which you want beyond anything else. What some people would kill for. Being lazy and being able to see your family isn't that important, is it?

[Action]

[thelittlestbub]

[Hi, Anthony, Jubilee works at the Gate and is picking up a shift today.]

Not a fan of kids?

[Asked as she's cleaning some glasses.]

[Action]

[vaguelysauntered]

[He looks over, recognizing her, and gives a shrug.]

In a way, yes. And I'm not a fan of all the hullabaloo that comes around whenever a kid decides to run off. Honestly, the things people do when a kid is lost...they practically turn into animals that will attack anything in sight.

audio

[circumsutus]

Personally, I'd like to dissect at least one specimen of every creature in the world.

[That may or may not be true.]

video

[vaguelysauntered]

[Have a raise of the eyebrows, good sir.]

That's...an interesting desire. If you're telling the truth, how did this come about? Are you some kind of Frankenstein wannabe?

video;

[motioned]

A-Are you sure their desires are really like that?

I guess mine would be to make sure my friends were happy.

video;

[vaguelysauntered]

Absssssssolutely sure.

[That almost sounded like a pleased hiss.]

Your friends? Really? If you had only one wish, you would wish for them to be happy?

Well, sorry to say, "happiness" is kind of a relative term. Some people don't actually want to be happy.

Action

[vinovidivici]

[ Claire's doing a once-over of the restaurant when he notices a familiar Newcomer - that guy who turned up a couple months back and seemed interesting, but full of it - making some kind of speech to his NV. He can't watch the feed on security shift, but being nosey and bored himself Claire loiters close enough to catch most of his spiel. When it's done he comes closer to the bar, standing semi-formally as if to maintain some level of professionalism. ]

You're still on that inner desires shtick, huh? What's it to you?

Action

[vaguelysauntered]

[Oh, well well well, if it isn't that obnoxious guy with the "I don't have any desires" thing several months ago. Crowley turns, grinning.]

What is it not to me?

Besides, I kind of have a big personal interest in it. Like people are interested in politics and economics, I'm interested in the nature of desires. What's so wrong about that?

[makeflowersgrow]

Do you, suppose, monsieur, that many will tell you such a thing?

[If he could see her desire, he'd see Marius, of course. But more than that. He'd see Eponine clean and tidy in a beautiful dress and next to a roaring fire, with lots of food nearby. There'd be a piano in the background, and a latin text on the side. Because Eponine, more than anything, wants to be a lady.]

[vaguelysauntered]

Maybe. Maybe not. That's why I asked in the first place.

[He smiles like a very smug snake, which is...technically what he is.]

So, you going to tell me yours, or do I have to tease it out of you?

voice;

[acclimatized]

How do you know all that?

video;

[vaguelysauntered]

[He rests his chin on the back of his hand, smiling widely.]

I have my ways.

video

[askedtobe]

Too bored to find something else to do, so you want us to tell you what we want in life. How's that supposed to be entertaining?

video

[vaguelysauntered]

[A chuckle.]

One man's boring topic is another man's food for thought, what can I say?

[video]

[electricitytrick]

You're making some of that up! Or at least guessing. I mean, those aren't exactly original guesses either. Anyone can say that two people flirting want to get up to all kinds of things, and power and coin aren't unusual either.

[Anders grins.] I bet you can't guess mine, can you?

[video]

[vaguelysauntered]

[He laughs, but then his face turns serious enough to show that he's not joking.]

Trust me. I'm not making it up. I know these things.

[And then back to a wicked smirk.]

If you're here, I could tell it in a second. Considering you're over there and I'm over here, though, I'll just have to rely on whatever you tell me.

video; IC-ly the next morning

[momchester]

How about this.

Why don't you tell me something about me that I don't know?

video;

[vaguelysauntered]

[A laugh.]

Why don't you tell me something about you that you do know?

video;

[paterelohim]

I don't have any wants strong enough to kill for.

video;

[vaguelysauntered]

Well, I might have been a tad too serious about that. But either way, what wants do you have that you would do anything for if you were given the chance to actually achieve them?

[hejhej]

To find a good fucking bar.

[vaguelysauntered]

[Oh, long time no hear, Lisbeth. Crowley's grin widens.]

Want me to help you with that one?

voice.

[stabilimentum]

[Deadpan:] Human souls.

video

[vaguelysauntered]

Really, now?

[A pause.]

Why?

video;

[athermercy]

They don't always want that, Crowley. Although if they do, there's nothing wrong with it as long they aren't harming themselves or someone else.

[Stifling self-righteous virtue is so stupid.

Also she avoids the question, because she doesn't count for obvious reasons.

What she wants no longer matters.]

video;

[vaguelysauntered]

[Whether it's because it's Elaine (who he is still wary of, being a Creator and all) or because this is a response which he really just wants to groan at, Crowley frowns, sounding faintly annoyed:]

What is with most people thinking that I think everyone wants those desires? I asked a question, you know, which means that hey, I want to see if people will prove me wrong by giving examples of desires that aren't that. Honestly, what I said before, that was just the lead-up.

[A slight sigh.] Never said anything was wrong with it either. Listening comprehension is really lacking around these parts.

video + text

[brushy]

Those desires do not apply to all of humanity, to every being.

[ her nose wrinkles a bit, and the period after being is dotted sharply. there were many of them here, demons. and many of them were different than the demons she was used to-- actually, they were all different. but, she keeps her eye on them, nevertheless. they brought out a certain fury in amaterasu that she couldn't quite contain, entirely-- and for good reason, back in nippon.

one can never be too sure, when it came to the d word :( ]

video

[vaguelysauntered]

I know they don't. Hence why I'm asking.

[He frowns at the camera before folding his arms.]

Do you think I'm that judgmental?

permavideo; for maximum flirtation

[predominates]

[ oh, and there's brains that go with those cheekbones. she is positively intrigued. ]

People are quite simple, aren't they? Though I came across a similar conclusion ages ago.

[ lifting her eyebrows. ] But I'm wondering if anyone has been able to read you and what you desire.

permavideo; yes good B)

[vaguelysauntered]

They are, in a way, though due to the fact that they can save orphans from burning buildings and then turn around and kill someone who angered them, they're quite the little conundrum.

[Crowley made it a hobby to investigate them, because really, why were they so odd like that. He laughs slightly at her question.]

I think only one person really could, and he's not here at the moment. Other than that, no one has even tried.

VOICE

[plushrumpus]

Don't seem like you think you're setting yourself up for disappointment, asking something like that and expecting a special snowflake of an answer out of everyone. Y'know, even with the wack-job population of this place, where you're probably bound to get some weird shit.

video;

[wingedcrown]

You going to share some of your wants and desires if we spill ours?

Anonymouse text;

[no_resignations]

A heart. My heart.