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

[everylast]

[ He really has no sense of self-preservation.

There wasn't an immediate answer as to why he followed into the portal. Was it some heroic sense that the battle that had torn apart their city wasn't over yet? Was it because he, himself, had been torn apart in the battle and he wanted to act in vengeance? He doesn't know.

With a quick glance around, he doesn't immediately recognize many of the people who also followed, not yet reaching out from WILD CITY and WC accessories much. ...Now is, really, the only time to do that, though, isn't it? ]

Do any of you recognize this place?

[ to ... Whomever.

There are a lot of scars on a war-torn, forsaken body, but most noticeably blood leaks down his face as the one that's marred his eye unusable reopens. ]

[dragonheartedgirl]

[ Hmm. This person is newer, isn't he? ]

We're in the alley ways of Vengeance's hell. Some time ago, when Imeeji had--an accident--we ended up split between this place and the Liar faction's side. Haku, Amaranth, and myself have all been here before.

[everylast]

[ Listening closely, he nods along as she explains. ]

I have some awareness of those, from the ... guide.

[dragonheartedgirl]

Oh, good. I'm glad it's getting use. I'm Hiryuu. I think I might have seen you during the fights with the imps?

[everylast]

That very well may be so! Unfortunately, I was rather ... single-minded at the time, and cannot say the same for you.

[dragonheartedgirl]

That's quite alright. Everything was pretty chaotic. At any rate... I think, right now--the course of action to take is to see if we can't find our friend who... exists here.

[ It's hard to say that Suri lives here but hopefully she is in better condition than before. ]

You should come with us. This side of Hell isn't a very safe place to be on your own.

[worthathousand]

Hiryuu put it well.

[ a quick but polite bow ] I am Amaranth, of LiliS.

If we are fortunate, we may be able to find allies in these streets, but it is at the risk of angering whatever gangs make them their territory.
What is your name, and are you armed?

[everylast]

Allies? On this side? I wasn't aware of allegiances outside of our own cage.

[ He responds to the bow with a nod of greeting. ]

I am Horizon, of WILD CITY. I'm equipped with a lance.

[worthathousand]

Good.
Keep it close. And if you can assist in making your clothing look nondescript, it will make my work disguising us that much easier.

[ a breath ]

As for allies.
The last time we were here, we established a connection—with one of the fallen Heaven spirits. They call themselves "angels."
We broke them out of the darkness of their self-pity, and helped them escape the gang that guarded them. But then we were separated.

[ Read: had to fight for their lives to escape said gang. ]

[everylast]

One can only hope that we meet with those angels before the members of that gang, then.

[worthathousand]

We will likely see many as we travel: each figure outlined with chalk is one of them.

But the one who has been freed, and who I believe would never swear themself to the lords of this place, is the one I hope we can find. They are called Suri.

[everylast]

[ He nods, listening intently. ]

Do you have an idea of where to find them?

[worthathousand]

The first step would be to find the chalk outline we broke, which once outlined them.

From there it gets harder. We may need to try calling them like one might any spirit.
[ a pause ] Does WILD CITY have tracking abilities, among your animal talents?

[asonoficeandfire]

Ah... I haven't been to this side of hell, but the others have.

I'm Duality, of future is now.

[everylast]

I am Horizon, of WILD CITY. If only our meeting were under better circumstance.

[asonoficeandfire]

Mm, I've met a lot of people under similar circumstances. It seems to be a theme in this place.

Are you all right?

[everylast]

[ He reaches up, gently touching his eye. ]

Yes. It doesn't hurt.

[asonoficeandfire]

All right, that's good, then.

[his facial scar is bleeding so he can relate a little bit. but his eye is not actually unusuable]

[backstory]

[ The others have already done a good job of explaining things. He merely rests a hand upon his shoulders to help seal those wounds back up. ]

Here. I know none of us have had a chance to rest yet, but we start out better than partially wounded.

[everylast]

[ The wounds didn't hurt, and the most of them were pre-imeeji that he has no memory of. But ... it's appreciated. ]

You have my thanks.

[backstory]

We are very likely to encounter hostility here. During my last visit, we found ourselves surrounded by one of the local gangs.

[ There were a lot... ! ]

So it's just good practice. What is your name again...?

[everylast]

Yes - Amaranth had said as much.

I am Horizon, well met.

[backstory]

I am Le---

[ Wait. The princess called him by his old name here. And here he just asked for his name... ]

That is... I am Haku.

[everylast]

I'm in your debt, Haku. If there's anything that you need, please don't hesitate to ask.

[backstory]

Simply help have my master's back while we are both here. That is all I can ask for.