[Gomorrah] Gonna Party Like It's 1999

Eliana poorly stifled her chuckle at Chloe's topic of choice.

"I did. Yes." She looked at Chloe and grinned. It wasn't like any grin she had given Chloe tonight. It contained nothing devious or lustful. It was the smile of a child, innocent and entertained.

"Which reminds me, you had questions about my family 'n' such?"

When the coffee finished, Eliana poured them both a cup, getting some creamer and the half and half from the fridge.

Eliana didn't seem to notice Chloe's ogling. She didn't notice, or she didn't care. She had leaned a hip against the counter as she held her coffee close to her face, reveling in its warmth.

Eliana liked her coffee strong with only just enough cream to give it a nice aftertaste. She nursed the cup, looking off to the terrace.

Eliana was in a rare, honest mood. She liked Chloe and this moment felt good enough not to ruin, so Eliana gave Chloe the real answer, instead of the half-truth jokes she might typically offer up.

"Pleasure is my business," she began. "I wasn't born in Hell, and I didn't visit it until twelve or thirteen. I grew up in Ireland, with my mom. After I went to Hell, dad wanted me out here, committing people to sin.

"I wouldn't be much use in Hell, I'm fun to have around, but I couldn't do my job down there. Every soul I get to sin Hell gets just a little stronger. If I avoid it for too long," she shrugged and looked at Chloe to give her a sharkish grin.

"I get grounded. More or less."

She took a sip of her coffee and rose the glass toward her as if to point. "When I asked you if I would have to meet your folks for dinner, you said it would only be your biological dad. Do you have a step dad, or something?"

Eliana compared Chloe's mother's situation and this one. There was certain similarities. She didn't know how to feel about that; she supposed she felt nothing. Not directly amused, but not sympathetic, either.

"The latter," she said. "It depends on the sin and who's committing it, but Hell gets a little stronger with any sin. For instance, if a serial killer murders someone, that's not going to give Hell too much power. The murderer is already tainted by so much sin. The more innocent someone is when they commit sinful acts, the more "points" Hell gets. Of course, the next time that person commits another immoral act, it won't give Hell as much power. Does that make sense?"

"So how did you end up with Gabriel? Did he come and get you, or did you receive a letter, or what?"

Eliana had been drinking her coffee throughout Chloe's small story. By the time it was over, she had finished her cup and set it on the counter.

Because Chloe hadn't asked another question, Eliana assumed it was all right for her to do so.

"Do you like it here, then? Or do you hope to go home to your mom one day?"

Eliana closed some of the distance between them, so she could stand in arms reach of Chloe. She was watching the girl, genuinely interested in anything that came from Chloe's mouth.

"Jumping between alternate dimensions is not something I've ever done. One of the few things. What does it feel like?"

Eliana really wanted to know why Chloe's old school sucked so much, but it seemed like a touchy topic. She'd leave it for a little later. The longer she talked to this girl the more interesting she became.

"I'm sorry to hear that," Eliana said as she took both of their cups and washed them in the sink.

When she turned around, she had transformed into the deviously grinning versions of herself, prompted by Chloe's excitement at staying awake all night.

"You're going to be very tired tomorrow. Come one," Eliana took Chloe's hand to pull her down the hallway and into the master bedroom.

The room was luxurious, of course, done in a color scheme of gray and purple. Floor to ceiling windows, a flat screen positioned to be visible from the bed, a fireplace, and a heavy purple curtain pulled around the bed, blocking it from view.

She led Chloe into the bathroom, separated only by a short walkway and the fireplace, which had been fitted into the wall with glass, allowing it to be enjoyed from either side of the room.

Her bathroom was just as exquisite at as the rest of the room, with a walk-in closet and all manners of beauty products and bathing materials. Bath salts, shampoos, conditioners, body lotions, bath bombs, bubble bars, and luxury bath melts all in a variety of scents.

Eliana let go of Chloe's hand once they were in the bathroom and bee-lined for the jacuzzi bathtub, turning the water on.

"If you want any product in the bath, pick the one of your choice," she said as she checked the warmth of the water.