Note: Three words for y'all...

Heh heh heh.

Unexpected Results, Part XXXVI

Johanna: "God, I am tired..."

Leon: "Well, it has been a long day, what with the investigation, the cathedral being burned down, all the research you've been doing, that whole mess at Steen Castle, then that meeting with Memling..."

Johanna: "I feel like I got up a week ago and I haven't gone to sleep again since. I don't think I've had days like this since I was in college during exams week."

Leon: "Get used to it... life in the AX can be pretty exhausting."

Johanna: "I'll say. If either of you wakes me up before I've gotten at least eight hours of sleep, start reciting Acts of Contrition..."

Abel: "Uh, Johanna..."

Johanna: "Which reminds me... who's sleeping with whom?"

Leon: "Abel's next to you tonight, tomorrow night we'll switch."

Abel: "Um..."

Johanna: "What? Oh. Sorry about that, force of habit. Forgive the pun. Even if I'm not wearing a habit, I'm wearing robes. God, I think the more tired I am, the less sense I make."

Leon: "Huh?"

Johanna: "Nothing. Just forgot where I was for a moment. Don't stress, Father Abel, I promise to sleep in my robes, if it'll make you feel better."

Leon: "What are you talking about?"

Johanna: "Oh, it's nothing. Father Abel freaked out when he found out I normally sleep naked."

Leon: "Oh really? And just how did YOU find out about THAT?"

Abel: "Get that leer off your face, Leon, it was nothing like that-"

Leon: "Uh-huh."

Johanna: "You are just too cute sometimes, Father Abel. But hell, sleep naked for all I care, I've seen it all anyway."

Leon: "By the way, if he starts snoring too badly, Johanna, feel free to move over here."

Johanna: "Sorry, Father Leon, you'll just have to wait your turn..."

Abel: "I do NOT snore!"

Leon: "Keep telling yourself that, Four-Eyes. Johanna, do you snore?"

Johanna: "Well, only when I'm sick."

Leon: "That's good to know."

Johanna: "I do talk in my sleep, though."

Abel: "Should I be worried?"

Johanna: "Ummmmm..."

Leon: "Oh, stop complaining and get into bed with her already. Jeez, you'd think you could show a little more enthusiasm."

Abel: "We're SUPPOSED to be men of the cloth, Leon..."

Johanna: "More's the pity... if we were all single, I could really show you how to find God."

Abel: "JOHANNA!!! And damn it, Leon, STOP LAUGHING!"

Leon: "I'm turning off the lights now... try and behave, you two."

Abel: "I'm not going to get any sleep tonight, am I?"

Johanna: "I am so not going to answer that."

Voice #1: "Back already?"

Voice #2: "As you instructed, I attacked only to wound and distract them, then left."

Voice #1: "I presume you were followed?"

Voice #2: "Briefly, but managed to lose him."

Voice #1: "Who pursued you?"

Voice #2: "The one responsible for the deaths of the vampires in Amsterdam."

Voice #1: "And the others?"

Voice #2: "Two priests and a nun."

Voice #1: "Did any of them see you?"

Voice #2: "Not clearly, no."

Voice #1: "IDs?"

Voice #2: "The first priest was tall and muscular. Dark hair and rough-looking."

Voice #1: "Hmmm... not one that I know."

Voice #2: "The other priest was also tall, but thin. Long white hair and glasses."

Voice #1: "Father Abel Nightroad. So, the dear Father has come to Antwerp. And the nun? Was she a young woman with red hair?"

Voice #2: "No. Tall, with a womanly build and face. Dark hair and dressed as a priest."

Voice #1: "Interesting... I wonder who she is."

Voice #2: "Does it really matter?"

Voice #1: "Not really, no. So, they managed to escape that little conflagration you'd set at the church."

Voice #2: "So it would seem."

Voice #1: "I shouldn't be too surprised, if I were you. Fate does seem to protect fools, and Father Nightroad is more foolish than most."

Voice #2: "But the information they have..."

Voice #1: "... is now just as dangerous to them as it is to us. Let them fumble about with it for the next two days, for all the good it will do them. Remember, this is only the beginning."

Voice #2: "At any rate, you'll have your chance to see them two nights from now, at Memling's estate."

Voice #1: "You're sure they'll be there?"

Voice #2: "Yes. It seems they went directly to Memling regarding this matter, and he's invited them to join him at the festivities."

Voice #1: "And all the preparations are in place for the Count's grand event?"

Voice #2: "Exactly as you directed."

Voice #1: "Excellent. It should be quite a party..."

Johanna: "Um, Father Abel... Sister Johanna to Father Abel..."

Abel: "Mmmmmm..."

Johanna: "While I don't mind you having your arm around my waist, Father..."

Abel: "Five more minutes..."

Johanna: "... you might want to move your hand before Father Leon sees you..."

Leon: "What are you rambling on about, Joha- oh HO!"

Abel: "Wha- OH MY G-!!!"

Johanna: "Mind the edge of the-"

Abel: "OWWWWWWW!!!"

Johanna: "-bed."

Abel: "Ow ow ow ow ow ow..."

Johanna: "Now we're even, Father Abel."

Leon: "Where'd he go?"

Johanna: "He fell off the bed. I'm not sure if I should be offended... took me forever to get him into bed, and only five seconds to drive him out again. My ego may not survive the experience."

Abel: "I didn't- they were- I wouldn't- I was- I-I-I had no idea-"

Johanna: "And to think I was worried about ME behaving..."

Abel: "I-I thought- I wasn't- you were-"

Johanna: "Was it good for you, darling?"

Abel: "IT WAS AN ACCIDENT!"

Leon: "Right..."

Johanna: "Oh, for God's sake, Father, get a grip."

Leon: "I thought that was the problem."

Abel: "LEON!"

Johanna: "Calm down, Father Abel, before you pass out. Okay?"

Abel: "Dear Lord, forgive me..."

Johanna: "... and in future, lead me not into temptation, I can find it just fine on my own."

Abel: "JOHANNA!!!"

Johanna: "Sorry..."

To be continued...