otherways - Rome - December 2003

[i_vanquish_evil]

"This seems to be going well," comments deClerque to Angie. "He's coming around nicely."

Angie scoffs and mutters something about not getting as much sex as she would prefer, before agreeing to a degree. "Yes. He seems to be."

"The appearance change has done wonders. We may be able to fully use him yet." deClerque smiles and steeples his fingers beneath his chin.

"Sure. Anything you want me to do?"

"Make sure he actually attends the Christmas gathering this year. I want to see how he does."

She has no idea what the Cardinal is talking about, but she's starting to not like this plan so much. The Order has manipulated Michael to the point where he's almost a different person. She's not sure what they've done to him, but ethics seem to have taken a suicidal leap off the ledge.

******

"Oh, damn, honey. You look good." She traces her hands over his shoulders, smoothing out the black jacket that falls beautifully over his body. He doesn't seem to be nearly as thrilled about the idea.

"I hate this thing. Why am I going again?" He tugs at the sleeves and wiggles around, shifting the tuxedo on his body.

Angie sniffs and turns him around again to straighten his jacket. "Stop moving." She tugs on the shoulders and the sleeves. "You're going so the cardinal can show you off. It's what he does. He thinks you're his poster child for monster hunters."

Michael snorts and resigns himself to being dragged to the holiday gathering.


******

DeClerque clucks his tongue and paces, his hands laced at the small of his back. "Not as well as I would have hoped, but much better. I think he's doing better than expected."

Angie, still not liking the way the Order is handling Michael, but too afraid to speak against the Cardinal, says nothing.

"Keep working with him. Keep him happy." deClerque waves her on and goes to his room.

Angie mumbles something, again, about not getting any sex and leaves.