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]

[ no one is stopping you! honestly this is an area where people try not to pay too much attention to each other. it's polite, you know. discreet business. someone might kneecap you if you stare at them.

there's loud dance music playing somewhere nearby, and a mix of smells that range from "delicious" to "horrible." ]

[worthathousand]

[ In that case, they'll continue to travel in as close the direction as can be remembered, making sure to be attentive to any warnings from the aibou. ]

[farfromgrace]

[ the aibou manages to warn you off some stuff that would certainly have waylaid you a few times—muggers, brawls-in-progress, that sort of thing.

eventually, though, you find yourselves in definitely-familiar-territory—especially apparently by how people react to Amaranth's disguise. these are definitely the alleyways you were in before, although there's little to distinguish them from each other. it's hard to find the right exact one, but even though there's a few chalk outlines around... none of them contain a familiar face.

you never did figure out where they got off to... but they certainly haven't returned. ]

[backstory]

. . .

Nothing.

[ His brow knits, before glancing to the others in their small group. He keeps his voice lowered. ]

I know we are trying to avoid others, but what if...we approached someone? If I asked someone about the empty chalk drawings or the incident from before, I could perhaps take on the guise of a clueless dolt and ask if anyone knows what happened at that time?

[asonoficeandfire]

That doesn't sound entirely safe, but if you think it'll help...

[dragonheartedgirl]

[ THIS IS THE BOY WHO COULDN'T HANDLE DUMPSTER DIVING


OR BUGS. WHAT IF THE DEMON HE MEETS IS A BEETLE-DEMON?

how does she veto this without hurting levi's feelings? ]

Well... approaching someone... isn't a bad plan in and of itself, but...

[ frantically looking at mom like please. help. ]

[worthathousand]

[ CHILDREN, ]

...Yes, but perhaps there's a safer method.
If you play the fool, Levi, you'll likely just invite trouble onto yourself.

Hiryuu, you're the only one of us with a unit ability that might actually make a conversation like that safer.
If I change your appearance, would you be comfortable using Heart Soldier's mental influence power to talk to someone? Maybe the story can be that we're hunting down a rogue angel on behalf of Clem.

[backstory]

But--

[ . . . . . . . NNGGGGGGGG Quiet mumbling and grumbling. ] Why wasn't I placed on Heart Soldier??

[asonoficeandfire]

[... awkward shoulder pat??]

Amaranth is right. This place doesn't look like it'd be good for that sort of disguise.

[worthathousand]

[ pats his shoulder gently...
Sometimes you're For Fite and you get placed on a soft aesthetic unit and the struggle is very real. ]

/2

[dragonheartedgirl]

[ to amaranth ]

I don't have a problem with that. Better to emotionally manipulate someone so we don't have a threat to contend with than having to cut someone down.

[ these are. pretty gray morals coming out of her mouth, she knows--but if these are their options, then this is the better route to take. and besides, it'll wear off in an hour and the target won't be any worse off in the long run. ]

[dragonheartedgirl]

[ to levi ]

Here, hold this for me.

[ She hands to him--not the spear that Duality made for her, but her Heart Weapon, which she summons up. ]

I know you'd rather put yourself in the most danger here, but I need you to be watching my back in case something goes wrong. Is that all right?

[ Hopefully from this perspective it's a reasonable compromise ]

[backstory]

[ . . . . . . . Well of course he takes it. This item is incredibly important. It's a part of her after all. And he will always handle her with the most respect and care.

But having her do something dangerous doesn't make anything easier.

There's a quiet pause for just a moment before he finally nods. ]

. . . I understand.

I know you can do it, and so... I will be sure to guard you should anything go wrong.

[everylast]

[ He nods, keeping a distance away. ]

Though I do not doubt you, Haku - know that you have my blade, as well, should things sour.

[dragonheartedgirl]

Thank you--both of you.

[ She hadn't expected for Horizon to offer his sword as well, but the surprise makes it that much more important that she acknowledge the offered help.

addressing amaranth again, ]

Hopefully if we use Clem's name--between that and being charmed, whoever it is won't ask too many questions.

[ She looks around. Is there anyone in the vicinity she can approach? Or is the restaurant open she could attempt to go inside to ask? ]

[farfromgrace]

[ there's a couple people loitering outside the restaurant—one who seems like a tough customer, a broad woman in a fedora and a bandage around her neck, and one smaller woman with bright red hair who's dressed like she's on her break.

the restaurant is open, though, based on the neon signs in the window. ]

[worthathousand]

That bandaged woman looks like she could keep up with Clem's people. But Hiryuu, I'll let you trust your gut on who you'll be comfortable talking to.

Now: if you're ready—

[ Amaranth concentrates a moment, then changes Hiryuu's appearance to a tall, butch sort of woman with a jagged death wound across her throat. ]

[backstory]

[ It is... quite strange to see his master like... this. O_O ]

Make sure to be careful...

[ Fret fret fret. That's when he receives a text after a short conversation he had earlier. He'll quietly look it over and...

Ah. Good idea.

Going to very STEALTHILY take a few pictures from their cover of the surrounding area, the restaurant, and the individuals across the street. Documenting what they see is a good idea. ]

[dragonheartedgirl]

[ Well, since she is now as disguised as she could possibly be--Hiryuu takes a breath before striding purposefully over. The woman on her break is probably much less of a threat to her than the tough one wearing the hat, but the other one--assuming she works here--would be here every day and would probably be the better bet for information. She can't afford to take any chances. In quick succession she casts Charm on both of them before making contact, fighting the natural impulse to be polite. ]

You two there. I'm looking for someone. See anything--or anyone--that shouldn't be up and about here lately?

[ She sounds remarkably calm and collected for someone who's practically vibrating internally. ]

[farfromgrace]

[ levi gets some decent photos. the light levels are kind of tricky to work with, but that's life.

both women look up as Hiryuu approaches. the smaller one shrugs, and snubs out her cigarette. for a moment, there's the faint impression of wings behind her, before they disappear again. ]



What sorta thing y'lookin' for, lady?

[dragonheartedgirl]

[ Don't get excited

Those wings could be anything or nothing. Heck, there are idols in imeeji that don't have wings....! ]

There used to be a certain someone out here in this alley--a... permanent "resident" of sorts. They're not here anymore. You know anything about it?

[ Internally vibrates morrreee ]

[farfromgrace]

What, you got a job for fallen angels or somethin'? You could tell me.

/3

[dragonheartedgirl]

My mistress has me on fairly strict orders to not spread too many details. Mum's the word, you see?

[dragonheartedgirl]

... However...

[dragonheartedgirl]

... There might just be something in it for you, if you help me out.