Driving up (Mal and Cass) - Malachi's Penthouse

Well, at least her arms were free. She lit the cigarette and looked at the door. Waiting.

"I wouldn't even make it to the door and you know it."

He smiled.

"And maybe it is just an excuse to put my arms around a clan mate and hold her for a little while. Though i wouldn't mention it to Alex..."

Oh look they were back on that.

Will not flip my shit... Will not flip my shit...

"Can't you guys just beat me into torpor or something?"

Because that seemed so much better at the moment...

Malachi was busy. Speaking in French into his phone, though he looked up just long enough to answer Estaban.

"Oriella."

Blink blink...then he laughed.

"Oh you poor thing. Alright, I shall be nice for a little bit, But let me ask you... What do you think Frederico would say?"

He kissed the side of her neck holding on loosely.

"Oh and before i forget... I do wish you the greatest happiness whatever you do. I hope you do find love."

"Frederico... Would say grow up, I'm sure."

Cass gave a sigh, exhaling a line of smoke between thinly parted lips. She even seemed to relax a little, leaning jack against Estaban.

"I do appreciate the well wishes, though. But I'm sure I fucked it up. At least any immediate chance I had. But, alas, here we are with, again, more pressing matters. So who am I to worry about personal drama? I'm not that selfish. Most I can do is alert the sheriff if I encounter this guy again. But it's something."

That was better, as she relaxed against him. He still held her, but it was to comfort her now. Maybe it had been all along.

"So tell us about exactly happened with this demon?"

"I was at home, doing a few things before I planned to try to get some work done. I stopped to pray. The moment I did so, he was there, in my living room, offering his assistance, guidance. I smart mouthed him-- told him that I thought he brought empty promises. He snapped and yelled," she began to tremble.

"He was angry-- angry that I doubted God's Grace. His voice boomed, his eyes bore into me-- they were so raw, filled with stars. I apologized, scared out of my wits. I knew I had to keep him happy in order to get him to leave. He told me to find my faith-- that was the key. Have better faith in the Father or basically be destroyed. And then he told me to think about what I wanted, needed and he would be back. When he left, I waited nearly an hour out of fear before I managed to unfreeze myself and flee."

He didn't bother to knock. They knew he was coming. He just strolled right in.

Once the truck came to a stop outside the building, Charlie jumped out and landed almost soundlessly on the ground before following James inside.

Yay!! They used the door and weird things didn't manifest out of thin air!!

Cass tensed a little at the sight of Charlie while Estaban continued to hold her, but relaxed again quickly. But she couldn't seem to look Charlie in the face.

He looked around. He didn't care who answered him. "Somebody fill ya in on what's goin' on yet?"

"The Sheriff called, yes," Cass nodded and then fell quiet again.

Charlie'd initially offered Cassiel a gentle smile when he'd entered, though it faded slightly to be replaced with a hint of worry when she seemed to avoid looking at him. For the time being though he kept quiet while people talked, not wanting to interrupt.

Charlie's smile seemed to help, even just a little. Enough so that she relaxed just a bit more and brought herself to look at him as if to say she was alright.

He nodded. He pointed to Cassiel. "You. Call me if ya need anythin. The rest of ya, same thing. Imma go save a pretty little redhead from sparkles." He turned on his heel to walk back out of the penthouse. He wasn't rude. Just in a hurry.

"Be careful Jim" the youth said over his shoulder at the larger Brujah when James moved to leave.

He actually stopped long enough to offer Charlie a smile. "I always am. Let me know if ya need anythin.'" He winked and closed the door behind him.

A nod to Jim was all he got, wincing at the sparkles comment briefly. She watched him leave... Suddenly unsure of what to do or say.

Estaban raised an eyebrow. Such an interesting moment. So much to watch. He grinned still holding Cass. After all she was family.

"Be safe Jim."

He looked at Charlie and smirked.

"Well hello there."

Charlie simply gave him a light nod of his head as an answer before the Brujah was gone and the youth turned back to the others. He offered another polite inclination of his head to Mal and to Estaban before taking one step closer and, without actually lifting his arms much, opened his hands and held them out slightly to the sides while tilting his head to the side.
"Cass..?" his voice not hesitant although questioning as if offering her an embrace.

Cass merely held out a hand to Charlie, not trusting herself to not bolt if Estaban let her go. But her expression was a pained one.

Estaban looked at Charlie, his eyes calling the man closer. He could feel the tenseness in Cass. If he let go she would run, or fall apart. One of the two. He had no doubt of it.

"She is a little freaked out. I cannot blame her. It has been a distressing night."

Estaban wasn't wrong, not in the least. Even as she stood quietly, it was evident that the wheels in her brain were turning as fast as they possibly could. She was, oddly, perfectly still-- tense in her clanmate's arms, but as unmoving as a statue, except for her eyes that seemed to just finally glaze over. As if she wasn't even listening any longer.

The youth closed the distance between himself and the two Roses, taking Cass' hand when he came close to her, his free hand moving to touch her cheek as he furrowed his eyebrows slightly.
[b]"Has she been like this since she got here?" He looked at Estaban though didn't take his hands from Cass.