"...and here is where I will be hosting the gala, My lovely angel!" Lady Brys gave a grand gesture, showing off the majestic penthouse. Ammie smiled nervously. "Wow, uh... Very high up for a gala, isn't it?" Lady Brys laughed. "Ohoho, yes, but I figured nowhere would be more fitting for an angelic theming than a penthouse on the 77th floor~!" Ammie blinked. "Uh huh, yeah, uh... Oh, right, because it's closer to Heaven, yeah!" Lady Brys raised an eyebrow. "... Well, yes, but primarily because 77 is a very angelic number. " Ammie swallowed, then gave a nervous laugh. "Oh, yes, of course, angelic number! I, uh, didn't mention that because I just thought it was so self-explanatory!" She was worried she'd just blown her story, but luckily the Lady seemed far more interested in giving her a tour than really reading into what she said. And what a tour it was. 

Even for the rich people Ammie was used to 'helping', her taste was truly ostentatious. And quite consistently angel-themed, too. Massive murals of angelic light, beautiful sculptures of angelic women in somewhat less than chaste positions, and white and gold everywhere. It all made Ammie feel very, very nervous. She may have gotten in a little over her head here... The only thing keeping her a little calm was the fact that out of all the many expensive angelic art pieces, not a single one actually depicted the real type of angel Ammie was... experienced in dealing with. All pretty humanoid women with fluffy wings and shiny haloes, no massive amalgamation of eyes, hands, and wings searching for innocent harpies to lecture and force into community service. So Lady Brys probably didn't actually know much about angels, which meant the con was still on! ...But there was still a pretty big obstacle to her plan. A very tall one, some might say.

Only half-listening to Lady Brys, Ammie looked out a nearby window and felt her body shudder involuntarily. She grabbed onto a particularly fancy statue next to her to steady herself. Just because she had wings does NOT mean she liked heights, and she wasn't sure she'd ever been as high up as a 77th story. She grimaced. She assumed this was going to be a bit simpler. Just come in, say a few fancy words and make some flashy lights to 'redeem' Lady Brys, ease her nerves before the big gala, maybe swipe some loose jewelry (or at least a bit of nice silverware), and walk away rich! And if things went well, it might not matter too much, but if things went wrong... Well, it's pretty difficult to make a quick getaway in an elevator that takes two minutes to reach the lobby. 

She looked around, hoping to find some other quick method of egress. "...really is quite wonderful, is it not, my lovely angel?" Ammie looked back over at Lady Brys. "Huh? Oh, yeah, very nice. Uh, so, should we get to the redemption now so you have time to prepare for the gala, or-" Lady Brys laughed airily. "Ohh, no need to hurry things along for my sake, my lovely angel! Go on, look around! I brought you up here to admire it! It's what art is for, after all!" Ammie nervously grinned. "Ah, uh, thanks." Truthfully, she didn't particularly enjoy being shown all this fancy stuff. It was pretty, yeah... but it felt like she was a kid in a candy store who couldn't eat anything! But she couldn't let herself get too annoyed. She still had a con to run, and that meant making her mark like her. 

"It's certainly very pretty. You, uh, you like angels a lot, I see." Lady Brys laughed mirthfully, putting her perfectly manicured hand over her lips. "Ohoho, what could ever have given you that impression, my dear~? Quite an observant one you are, My lovely angel~ Yes, the angelic and the divine has always fascinated me, ever since I was a young girl. I remember sitting in my library and..." She started yammering on again, and Ammie quickly looked around for something to distract her so she could get this over with faster. "Oh, uh... I like your jewelry!" Lady Brys stopped her monologue and smiled pridefully. "Ahh, yes, I hoped it was noticeable~ For such an important gala, I required the finest jewelry, polished enough to shine as bright as my soul~!" Her soul! Yes! Ammie could get back on track! "Hey, S-" Lady Brys interrupted her with a deep chuckle. "Though, I must confess, this is not truly my finest set~ Even such a wonderful event as this is not worthy of its... Otherworldly beauty~ Would you like to see my finest jewelry, My lovely angel~?" Ammie nodded awkwardly, a bit miffed at being interrupted. She'd rather not go see more jewelry she couldn't have, but... She could tell it wasn't really a question. Lady Brys smiled and beckoned to follow, and Ammie groaned under her breath.

Lady Brys led her through a hallway to an inconspicuous locked door, and unlocked it to reveal a much different room from the foyer. It was far darker, the walls seemingly made of a very deep blue, almost black, velvet. Small gems were spread all over the walls and ceiling, each giving off a gentle light, giving the room the vibe of a clear night sky. The effect was only heightened by the large light in the center of the ceiling, painted to resemble a full moon. The dim light and dark, soft walls gave the entire room a strange, dreamlike atmosphere. Ammie was slightly taken aback as she entered. Lady Brys chuckled softly. "Yes, it's far different from the rest of my decor, isn't it, My lovely angel ~? I come in here when I need to relax and decompress~... When the stresses of my life feel like they're becoming too much~. But that's not all I use this room for~..." She walked over to a gem and gently pressed it. A panel suddenly flew open next to her, revealing a safe. She grinned at Ammie. "I must ask you to close your eyes for a moment, My lovely angel~ I cannot have even you knowing the combination." Ammie complied, closing her eyes... mostly all the way. Although in the dim light, she couldn't exactly see Lady Brys's movements anyway... Not that it mattered, because she could pretty easily tell the combination was '777' from sound alone. Because of course it was. Lady Brys removed a box from the safe and closed it again. "You may open your eyes now, My lovely angel~" Ammie opened her eyes, and her breath stopped for a second. It was the most beautiful jewelry she had ever seen.

Lady Brys smiled at Ammie's awestruck reaction. "Yes, the set is quite marvelous, is it not, My lovely angel ~? I spent such a fortune on these, but it was all undoubtedly worth it~" She picked up a diamond necklace, letting the gem spin lazily in the dreamlike lighting. Ammie stared at it in awe. It was the finest gold chain she had ever seen, polished to perfection and studded with incredibly fine diamonds, with a single large one cut into a strange curlicue shape in the center. She'd never seen a gem shaped like that before. It almost seemed to move on its own as Lady Brys held it up... Whirling in and out and around itself almost impossibly, every strange movement causing a soft, dreamy shimmer. Lady Brys whispered in a soft, velvet tone. "Beautiful, do you not think, My lovely angel~?" Ammie nodded, a dazed smile already growing on her face. "...Pretty..." 

Lady Brys gave a deep chuckle. "Would you like to try it o-" "Yes!" Too dazed to restrain her greed, Ammie happily reached out for the pretty diamond necklace. Lady Brys pulled it back, raising her eyebrow... Before smiling warmly. "I know, it's a true reminder of Heaven for you, isn't it, My lovely angel~? But you need not be so excited you forget patience is a virtue~ Here, let me adorn you, My lovely angel~" Ammie stood still, though wobbling a bit out of excitement and dazedness, as Lady Brys gently placed the diamond necklace on her. "There you go~ How does it feel, My lovely angel~?" Ammie smiled happily. It felt so good being able to wear such valuable jewelry without tricki- without actively tricking someone into giving it to her! In fact, it felt so good that she was almost feeling a bit lightheaded from it! It just felt so nice, with the gentle firmness of the smaller diamonds pressing on her neck, the smoothness of the chain against her skin, and the soft weight of the curlicue diamond on her chest. It almost felt like the weight was pushing down on her... Like a massage... Pulsing smoothly against her chest, filling her with a gentle feeling of relaxation... Wait, was jewelry supposed to feel this good? Something seemed off about- "But of course, you must have the full set, My lovely angel~!" A pair of pretty pearl earrings were dangled before Ammie's eyes, and suddenly she was no longer worried about anything...

Lady Brys gently adorned Ammie with the beautiful jewelry, piece by piece. And they all felt so good... The earrings made her head feel light and hazy, and almost sounded like they were singing as they swayed under her ears... The bracelets were heavy, and felt like someone was gently grasping her arms and pulling her down, down, down into relaxation... And the set of golden rings placed onto her wings made her entire body feel light and floaty... Was this was what it was like to fly...? It felt so nice... Everything felt so nice... So nice she forgot to think at all... So nice that words could just slip into her hazy little mind...

Lady Brys's soft whisper filled Ammie's ears. "Can you hear me, My lovely angel?" Ammie gave a small nod, her eyes dreamy and unfocused. "Perfect~ Now, listen closely to me. Everything I tell you is pure, Heavenly truth~ Do you understand, My lovely angel~?" Ammie nodded again, the whispers filling up her mind. She felt so nice, so why wouldn't she agree with such a nice statement? "Yes... You truly are My lovely angel now~ Tell me what you are, let me hear it from your own divine lips~" Ammie murmured in a dreamy monotone. "I am Your lovely angel..." She was Lady Brys's lovely angel... Lady Brys said she was, so she was... Perhaps she always had been... She felt too nice to try and remember any differently, so she was always Lady Brys's lovely angel... Her lady softly stroked her wings, sending blissful tingles through her body. "Mmmm, yes you are~ Here to help me show all my guests how righteous I truly am~ Now, listen closely, I have more divine truths to give you before the gala tonight~" She obediently listened closer. She was Lady Brys's lovely angel after all. She must obey her lady.

---

The gala was off to a wonderful start. Everyone admired Lady Brys's beautiful artwork, enjoyed her wonderful catering, and many even complimented her on the success of her charity. But most eye-catching of all was Lady Brys's lovely angel, always by Her side, a living, shining example of Her piety and righteousness. The Lady enjoyed telling all her guests of how Heaven itself, so impressed by her pure and noble soul, sent one of its own down to assist her personally, a story which earned quite a lot of respect, and pledged donations, from her guests. Her lovely angel naturally confirmed the story, because why would Lady Brys lie? And in addition to being a lovely display of Her righteousness, the lovely angel was always happy to do whatever She wished, whether it was posing, singing a lovely song, or perhaps fetching some more drinks for Her. It just felt nice to obey Lady Brys.

As the lovely angel was fetching another bottle of champagne for Her, a few people were talking nearby. Obviously no words were as important as Lady Brys's, but the lovely angel's head felt so nice and floaty that merely noticing someone gesturing at them was enough to pull their attention, at least until they returned to Lady Brys. "...even gone the mile of hiring someone to dress as an angel for the party!" "She claims it's real, you know." "Well of course she does, but let's not kid ourselves. Obviously a real angel wouldn't come down from heaven for a party, at least not for HER party, hah!" Perhaps the lovely angel should correct their inaccurate beliefs about itself and Lady Brys, but She wanted the champagne soon so there was no time to interrupt. She had evidently moved while the lovely angel had been getting the champagne. The lovely angel lost track of the conversation as they glanced around for Lady Brys. Ah, there she was! "...let me tell you, she was nothing like these sculptures Lady Brys has, let alone that 'angel'! Why, it was nothing like a winged human, but a veritable amalgamation of eyes, hands, and wings! She..." Ammie felt a massive jolt of panic fill her body as she overheard. Was Angie here?! She had to get out of here! Wait, no, she... she needed to... Needed to give Lady Brys Her champagne... Yes, that was what Her lovely angel needed to do. Wait...

Ammie suddenly realized she was standing in the middle of a crowded room holding a tray of champagne. Had the gala started already? And wait, what was she wearing?! This wasn't her usual track suit! It was a very fancy white and gold dress and some very, very nice jewelry... The second she noticed the jewelry she was wearing again, that nice, floaty feeling returned, and her dazed smile returned... She felt so nice... She needed to bring Lady Brys Her- Wait, no! No, no, no, this wasn't good! She shook her head rapidly, trying to shake off the floaty feeling, but the soft humming of the earrings made it so difficult... The more she shook, the more she heard the sound, and the nicer she felt... She needed to just let herself sink back into- No, she needed to shake harder! She shook harder, and faster, and stronger, until- A glass shattered next to her, the sound finally snapping her out of it. She let out a sigh of relief... Before suddenly becoming very, very aware that everyone was staring at her now.

Ammie smiled awkwardly as everyone stared at her, muttering amongst themselves about her sudden strange behavior. She nervously tried to step away, careful not to step on the shattered glass and champagne on the floor next to her, but it wasn't easy to get away from everyone when she was in the center of the room. A door opened and Lady Brys emerged, a confused expression on her face, and Everything felt nice again... Her lovely angel relaxed and- Wait, no! Ammie tried to resist the waves of nice feelings flowing over her as Lady Brys walked closer. The lady gently stroked Ammie's wing, sending blissful tingles throughout Her lovely angel's body, as she awkwardly grinned at her surrounding guests. "Ah, Uh, it appears that My lovely angel is, uh, overstimulated from so many mortals around! Isn't that right, My lovely angel?" She stroked the wings even more, making Her lovely angel feel so wonderful... "Yes... Overstimulatuhhhhhhh... Umm... Yeah... Overstimulated... Should leave now..." Attempting to keep control of herself in the face of such pleasant bliss, Her lovely Ammie stumbled away from Lady Brys. She needed to Obey get away Obey escape Obey run Obey aaaAAAH!

Another jolt of panic flowed through Ammie's body as she stumbled right into a sculpture, almost knocking it over into the nearby floor-to-ceiling window. She breathed rapidly as she tried to steady herself, Lady Brys approaching with a panicked grin on her face. "Yes, My lovely angel, you need rest! Come with me! Follow me and relax for a bit, My lovely angel!" Relax... That sounded so nice... She should Ob-NO SHE SHOULDN'T! She needed to get away now! But there were people everywhere, and there was no way she'd get to the elevator in time, and... And... Well... There WAS a way she could escape immediately... As bad an idea as it seemed... Bracing herself, Ammie shoved against the sculpture as hard as she could. It swayed precariously back and forth for a second, before toppling over, directly into- and subsequently out of- the window next to it. Grinning awkwardly, the adrenaline mixing so strangely with the nice feelings in her body, Ammie looked back at the party. "Thanks good party gotta go now thanks bye!" And before Lady Brys could grab her, she leapt out the window of the 77th story penthouse.

Trying not to panic, Ammie spread her wings out as far as she could. To her relief, she felt her body begin to stabilize into a glide! She felt the air surrounding her, flowing past her wings... Everything felt so floaty... So nice... So relaxing... Just as it should b- A loud crash from far below pulled her attention back. The sculpture had finally landed on the street below, and... Well, it didn't land on anyone at least... That made Ammie feel better. Feel so nice... Wait, no, this was just the jewelry again! She had to resist! Right? Although, she was nowhere near Lady Brys anymore... And flying did feel so, so nice... Maybe she should let herself enjoy this, at least until she landed... Let herself fade away into a hazy little trance... It was such a wonderful feeling... Almost as wonderful as the all money she'd get when she pawned off this nice fancy jewelry...