some by virtue fall; any

[Kushiel]

Kushiel’s ability to indulge himself was stuff of legends. Really something to be proud of. In life and love, in body and spirit, Kush had decided that where a little was good, more was better. When in motion he would stay in motion until he burned himself up in his very literal flame. When at rest, he would sulk like a bear with a thorn in its paw, like a queen when the king was up her maid’s skirt, and like a general when his army were in their cups. 

Today Kushiel was sulking. He had awoken with a burned up mane and a pounding headache. As much as he would like to, he had learned the hard way never to chase a hangover with more fire. He would just have to wait it out, rest a little, at least until the scorched stink left his mane. He had resigned himself to writing the day off as mundane. He’d already pulled out his mental list of wasted days and put this one at the very top. 

Until he saw gold glinting in the trees. 

Kushiel smiled lazily. So there was still some mercy left in the world. Karma had not yet written him off as an unrepentant debtor. Where had she come from? Surely, he was not so far gone that he no longer noticed another’s approach? He didn’t much care, and as he usually did, decided not to worry about it. He was already chuckling, a low rumble that started in his chest and gurgled forth, low, long and lazy.

“Already rumors? I can’t seem to escape them.”
Kushiel paused over his next words, a little bit taken by his own wit. 

“I guess where there’s smoke there’s fire.”
Oh yes, he was funny. Damn, did he make himself laugh. Not that he would laugh allowed, he wasn’t that bad, not yet. Kushiel, always first to admire himself, turned to admire her. All gold and glinting, sultry and smooth. His smile tugged a little at the corners, for all his efforts he was not entirely indifferent. He liked women, and he wasn’t afraid to show it. He would be going to hell, and he wanted to make sure his punishment would be well, well deserved by the time he got there. 

“Engelsfors.” He tried the name on his tongue, and liked the way it tasted. It rolled and roiled, then slipped down his throat like oil. He smiled again, yes, her name was rather much like her.

“I’m Kushiel, though I’m surprised the rumors haven’t told you.”
If truth were to be told, and it wasn’t, he knew who she was, though he much preferred their meeting now. He had seen her at the meeting, had seen everyone, but oh how tedious it all seemed, how everyone seemed, when in an officially capacity. No, this was much better. She twisted around him, and Kushiel’s sly smile split into a grin, the devil peering out between his teeth. He didn’t even care if she saw it. The woman deserved something for her efforts, and by the angel they were appreciated. Her creamy mane sliped across her neck and Kushiel bit back a groan. He wanted to bite that neck. 

Instead he bit his tongue. He would make a fool of himself. What had she said? Something about his fire?

He pulled some from the tree towards him. He had said he wouldn’t, but perhaps the flame could burn for him so he wouldn’t burn for her. Any even trade. He felt in control again, and his smile turned lazy, though the devil still danced somewhere in his eye. 

“No, it doesn’t hurt.”
He watched her for another second, then said what was waiting on his lips, light and glib.

“Except when I wish it too.” He flashed her his smile, and made no mention of the times he didn’t wish it too and it did anyways. It hadn’t hurt when he burned his mane, not exactly, he had just been too tired to stop it, to hold the flame any longer on no rest. It had been an error. He had been drunk with the availability. He couldn’t create the fire, but in the Chamber he would never need to, not when there was a tree that burned eternal.

His mind turned back to Engelsfors, and let her pleasing image be the balm to his self-deprecation. She needn’t know what a service she was performing. 

“Tell me” he asked smoothly "how long would it have been before I saw you? Had you not so kindly stepped in front of me?” No he hadn’t forgotten. Something fishy was going on here. What had Straia said about her at the meeting?

Damn it. He should try to listen when people spoke to him. 

Kushiel

some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall