The Known/Unknown Quantity

Chapter 157: More Important Matters than Judgin' People

Chapter 157: More Important Matters than Judgin' People

"Uncle Anthony," Adam said, "It's not my job, to go around judgin' people." He sniffed, and wiped his nose. "S'no fun, anyway. And you need special training, don't you? To go around judgin' properly. Seems like a lot of work."

Crowley leaned on his cane and smiled, twisting the snakehead handle around and around. "Oh, I dunno. Some folks rather enjoy it."

"Oh. Were you joking?"

Crowley raised his eyebrows. "Not this time."

The demon didn't show the boy how edgy he was. Smells of familiarity slammed him in the face, smells digging up old and complicated emotions, telling him of two other visitors that Crowley had met once before. But that was back when they couldn't remember him, at least not for the first few years. He'd been waiting for them to appear one day, and proclaim sentence.

"You brought the new crew along, I see." Crowley smelled, in turns, pricy hair gel and armpit sweat with a hint of fishiness. Not only did it make his nostrils wrinkle, it made his heart skip a few beats. "How do Pepper and the other's feel about' em?"

"I have all sorts of friends that never meet each other," Adam said. "They don't seem to care, and they don't ask to meet up."

"Ah."

"Although, Pepper's been going off with Johnson a lot, lately..." there was a hum of accusation there.

And then a gruff voice barked," Cor, I wasn't –ing expecting that either, ol'right? Not like I planned it that way, Young!'

"Don't see you stoppin' it."

"She scars the –ing shit outta me! You gonna cross 'er? Be my guest!"

"Sorry, Uncle. They're beenin' rude."

"Are not!"

"That's right!" a snide piping voice chimed in. "If I wanted to do that I'd ask if I have to call you uncle?" Or aunt?"

"Warlock!" Crowley sneered, meeting his tone. "Been a long time!"

"Haven't seen my fairy godfathers in ages," Warlock smirked, drawing his hair from his eyes. "Practically forgot all about them, til Adam decided to show."

"M'neh," Crowley offered, leaning back. At this point a heavy cough entered the conversation.

"Ah, that would be the surplus kid," the demon drawled. "So, come to collect damages as well."

"Um, as if."

"Are you drunk?" Warlock laughed, as if affirming something to himself. Crowley felt both of the new boys edge closer to inspect. "You reek."

"Sober as this moment. All went right back in the bottles. Really, in front of kids! What do you take me for?"

"Can smell it," the boy sounded disappointed, but convinced.

"There was a spill on the carpet by the owner of this domicile. We dragged him off the floor to bed." Newt could overdo the celebrating. He was learning.

Crowley still felt the boys in his face.

"Cor, look at his teeth!" Johnson hooted. "You really got fangs like an –ing vampire. Do you scream at the sight of a cross?"