EIGHTH SHOT

[dog_eat_dog]

[Dictated quite cheerfully:]

Wish me happy birthday, people, I'm 40 years old today and therefore officially old.

Comments

[dog_eat_dog]

[Tess chuckles, a little dryly.]

Fair enough.

[She glances to see what Meg is picking.]

What got you into underground work?

[putuporshutup]

[She glances over and gives Tess a once over regarding her previous question.]

Nah. Especially since you're wearing tights, I'd say it's just the right amount.

[Given that she hasn't really bothered to hide it much, Meg sees no point in beating around the bush and answers matter-of-factly as she holds two dresses up for comparison.]

Kind of comes with the territory for us demons.

[dog_eat_dog]

[Demons. Tess pauses. What the fuck.]

Should I ask...?

[putuporshutup]

[Meg shrugs.]

If you want. If I cared, I wouldn't have mentioned it. I'm sure you've heard weirder crap than that here by now.

[dog_eat_dog]

[What does she even say? I come from a world full of people who have been infected by a fungus that takes control of their minds and bodies? She'd be stupid to be upset about demons. But it is fucking strange, still.]

You don't have little pointy horns and a tail, so what does being a demon even mean?

[putuporshutup]

[Meg's always up for a philosophical chat, but she doesn't want to go overboard on the dark and twisted shit that is her existence. Not the most fun conversation material.]

Nope, no horns. Once upon a time I was just a regular girl, but I ran into some trouble and ended up selling my soul. Where I'm from, you get 10 years on your deal and then you get dragged down to the pit. I'll spare you the gory details, but it certainly changes a person.

[dog_eat_dog]

I'll take your word for it.

[Awkward.]

So you're, what, back from hell? Still working on your ten years?

[putuporshutup]

Oh, God no, that was up a long time ago. I stick to Earth when I can. Our entire universe is pretty fucked at this point, but it's still better than the alternative.

[Her voice softens a little. The entire last year she spent as Crowley's favorite chew toy wasn't one of her favorite topics. She fingers the hem of another dress absentmindedly.]

But yeah, that's, uh, where I was before I ended up here. I stuck my neck out to help some friends ended up getting caught off guard and captured. The guy in charge isn't exactly my biggest fan. [She rolls her eyes and chuckles, trying to lighten the mood again.] Politics, right?

[dog_eat_dog]

[She raises an eyebrow.]

Yeah, some politics. Sorry, I just don't get this cosmic shit. It's far beyond me.

[putuporshutup]

Fuck, I don't get it half the time and I'm part of it. It's all bullshit anyway. Egos and temper tantrums and power struggles. As far as I'm concerned, getting blasted to this castle and away from everything but the one thing in my world that I actually would want to keep around is the best thing to happen to me in a while.

[dog_eat_dog]

[Tess picks through the rest of the dresses, but decides the one in her hand is good enough. It doesn't seem too fitted, which will be good to hide how bony she is. It's a good distraction, too, from thinking about the implications of demons being real.]

Yeah? It's a blessing to us both, then. A good vacation.

[putuporshutup]

Damn right.

[Meg pulls a short, dark blue lace Dolce & Gabbana out and looks it over before holding it up.]

I think this might be the one. Having any luck over there?

[dog_eat_dog]

[Tess holds up the silky little dress with pockets, a sash waist and short sleeves.]

Maybe. Too much?

[putuporshutup]

Ooooh. No way. That's gorgeous.

[Meg walks over and bends down, producing a bold pair of black heels with wide, criss-cross straps.]

Think you're up for these? They'd be perfect.

[dog_eat_dog]

[Tess takes them to scrutinize them.]

I think they're doable.

Black tights, I'm guessing? I don't think I can do nude.