post-impocalypse: a field trip

[farfromgrace]

Vengeance is a Hell that cannot forget the past. Places of violence sometimes waver and reveal their old scars, bullet holes reappearing in fixed tables. It hasn't even forgotten the fall-- white chalk outlines in some of the alleys show bodies bent and crumpled at fatal angles, bodies that if stared at long enough show the pale shadow of wings at their backs. Some of the damned have claimed these angel bodies, hoping for a patron in hell or a weapon against it should they ever stir-- or a favor from Asmodeus, if they bring a waking one to him.

Beyond that, the cramped jumble of a city has the look of a place that belongs in a film noir, the light that's cast from the sky here washes out colors, and at night the fog comes in across the dark water and envelopes the city. So, in opposition to that, the occupied buildings are garish and loud on the inside and with their neon advertisements on the outside, demanding attention and refusing to bow to an environment that seems to want them silenced.

Space suddenly shifts, in a jarring, nauseating way, and you're falling into a landscape that's definitely a city, but not your Tokyo-F.

And land, unceremoniously, in an alley, the portal closing behind you. Nothing special about it, covered in peeling advertisements, full of shadows, littered with broken bottles and crushed cans and other kinds of garbage.

No one seems to have noticed you yet...

Comments

[farfromgrace]

Do not.

[ hey what

since when can they talk that loud, but

it seems directed at all of you fighty idols. ]

[worthathousand]

[ Amaranth turns to look at them, brows very slightly raised. She looks, if anything, impressed. ]

What do you [ a subtle emphasis ] want in this, Suri?

/2

[dragonheartedgirl]

[ hey you're getting better at expressing yourself MAYBE BEING AROUND LOUD AND FIGHTY PEOPLE IS GOOD FOR YOU!! ]

Suri... you expressed yourself.

[ SHE'S PROUD. and surprised.

probably not at all the reaction suri was hoping for ]

fin

[dragonheartedgirl]

[ ah BUT WAIT ]

But you didn't do anything wrong! It's not right for you to be punished because of us!

[ also almost definitely not the reaction suri wanted... ]

Re: fin

[asonoficeandfire]

I agree with Hiryuu. You didn't do anything. We were the impulsive ones.

Re: fin

[farfromgrace]

You're all stupid. Don't you understand the power you have?

This isn't a matter of deserving.

The Mother of Monsters isn't here to kill me. That's right, isn't it?

Re: fin

[idharlotry]

Don't be silly.

[ with a smile, all teeth ]

How will you pour me a drink if you're dead?

Re: fin

[farfromgrace]

I must admit I'm an awful bartender, First Lady.

But if that's what's called for by one of your stature, I couldn't possibly refuse.

Re: fin

[backstory]

[ HE'S BEING DANGLED LIKE A KITTEN BY LOKI, BUT- ]

SHE'S NOT GOING WITH YOU, BUG LADY....!

Miss Suri, don't allow yourself to get involved with her!!!

Re: fin

[worthathousand]

Levi... it's alright. They've come this far.

[ she lets herself smile faintly, finally ] It seems like you'll be alright, then. Suri.

As for us, I am sorry to say that we will likely continue to be noble fools. To accomplish much, we have to risk much too.

What power is it that we have, in your eyes?

[farfromgrace]

Free will. The power to choose your own destinies. Countless eyes watching you upon the stage, waiting to see what you will do.

[ and then they flick a bug at Levi. ]

Tell me to do what I want and then when I do that, tell me not to? Please be less confusing, callow serpent.

Also, not a "Miss."

[backstory]

[ FRANTIC SQUIRMING

This is Levi abuse...! Get it off of him, get it off of him...!]

T-That isn't really what you want, though, is it!?

[dragonheartedgirl]

[ CHILL LEVI.

also wait

is she reading this room right ]

Suri... are you and this woman dating?

[farfromgrace]

What.

[worthathousand]

[ ...Why did she adopt so many children. ]

[bevoted]

[ what.

....... wait. ]

So... you've all come to an understanding then?

[ furi: are we not fighting after all? sad ]

[farfromgrace]

[ WHY AM I THE ONE HOLDING THE BRAINCELL ]

[idharlotry]

[ waves her hand. ]

Off you pop, then. Tell your husband I said hello.

[bevoted]

[ .... christ he's flirted with you too hasn't he ]

We'll see. Come on, kids. Let's go. [ does he have to go scruff Hiryuu too ]

[backstory]

[ Dismissing them just like that.

It's beyond frustrating. Especially the power difference between them. He's vexed. ]

Are we really to leave them...

[farfromgrace]

That's exactly what I'm telling you to do, Leviathan.

[backstory]

[ . . . ]

But...

[ Is everyone else okay with this!? Leaving her is wrong. Especially in the hands of this woman. What are they able to do about it though...?

Shooting a frustrated glance back at the insect woman. SOME DAY. ]

[asonoficeandfire]

[it's probably for the best right now. we can't do anything. even if he doesn't like this either]

[dragonheartedgirl]

[ She does not need to be scruffed but if Loki wants to do a scruff he is welcome to do a scruff. Just ]

Be careful, Suri. We'll be thinking of you!

[ Even if you think we're very dumb

and we are ]

[idharlotry]

[ what ]