Topic: Noir Story

Alain DeMuer

Date: 2007-11-16 02:54 EST
I think Cassie's asleep.

It's that subtle change - when she just starts to sleep, she almost hums every time she breathes out. It's never kept me up, though. Kind of lulls me, like the circular drone of a fan overhead. She drank tonight, alone, so she might do that all night. And it might be the first time she's had whiskey alone.

I was supposed to meet her at midnight. I was late and she was drunk. I can't hold it against her.

That sweet French painter's missing. Her accent was charming. I'd offer her again that job I promised, that sweet syrup voice belongs on the S.P.I. phone, but that part of me I don't like tells me she'll be a liability now. If she gets out of this alive. That slaver has her, the one who calls them "pet," but she's not in there at his feet, and that worries me. His rival wanted my advice. When he said she was just a pawn... well, that means he's the King. If it's him the slaver wants, he should offer himself up. I told him so.

He trash-talked Kitty and wanted my "solidarity." I half-lied and told him I work alone. All he's got is passion, resolve, and ideals, three things I value only in the most careful moderation.

I don't think there's anything I can do for AJ. She's been sucked into slaver politics, little men with big empires who throw all their wealth and power into keeping their hands around a few toys. Makes you wonder how they got their empires for starters. Maybe most men are even smaller.

My contracts are dead. People get killed plenty, but no windfalls, no new leads. The Division's good for me, it keeps me busy, but when it's ready and Cassie's ready, it'll really becomes hers. Once she gets better. I think she'll recover more than I did, and already I'm happy for her. Sick as I find that.

The space will do us good.

The unrecorded thoughts of Alain D'Mourir.

Alain DeMuer

Date: 2007-12-05 19:38 EST
It kills me that she'll never know.

The sound of the blast and the rattling of my windows turned my stomach in that moment, but since I've learned how a difference of inches could've... There were no leads then, and I've only got one to go on now. The man who set off the bomb wore a gag. Whatever the hell that means. He's dead and, for all I know, just a messed-up masochist.

I couldn't do anything for her then. I don't know that I can do anything for her now... but whatever I do, she can never know. She can never know I tried. With all I've had to hide, I'm not even sure she knows I care.

God just had to give all the protective instincts to the man whose women he can never save. Never mind their luck, He said - I'll give all the luck to the boy instead.

I could go for the bottle again. I won't... not because I shouldn't, right now, but because of Cassie sleeping in my bed right now. She was watching me, before I cut back. She knew. She was just waiting for the right moment.

Just as well she's stopping me right now. She has a smile on her face... beautiful smile, when a woman smiles in her sleep... I wonder if she knows right now...?

She's stirring. It's still snowing outside.

I still don't know how I looked Erin in the eye Sunday night.

Alain DeMuer

Date: 2008-02-05 17:11 EST
One thing RhyDin teaches you is, nothing here is ever over.

The bombers are dead - the cult, all of them, gone, and the only one who knows a thing is Daniel. He won't be talking, thank God... because it's not really over. The Benefactor, whatever noble was throwing money at them, is still at large. He'll make a move again, I'm sure, and I've got no idea where or how.

It's not over with Miss B., either.

She's still alive. I don't know how, but she's still alive, and she's back in RhyDin... taunting me. Hurting people because she loves me or hates me, and for no other reason this time.

Murdering on my account. I'm as good as killing these people.

When I took the dream journey with Sid, I knew what the three shadows around me were, but somehow I missed the meaning of the blood on my hands. Don't know how, but I know now. No number of confessions can wash them clean.

The Silver Mark will be good for me. Thank God for distractions.