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

Re: 2/2

[farfromgrace]

you vastly overestimate the resources i have at my disposal. it is an imperfect metaphor.

i am no mortal, blessed with free will and the favor of the Most High, nor am i one such as Gabriel, first among the angels, or even Ramiel, the Thunder of God, and who knows even where either of them are.

Re: 2/2

[backstory]

I have faith in your abilities, Miss Suri. But I believe your spirit is still heavy. Please know that we at the very least know you are capable of great things if you put your mind to it. There are still many things I believe you can accomplish that we cannot.

[ Firm about that. ]

. . . Is there a way to try and summon those individuals? What would we need to do in order to draw their attention?

Re: 2/2

[farfromgrace]

were they still extant, they would have made themselves known by now, surely...

Ramiel fell long ago, though, for love. i know not where he went. as for Gabriel... if she is a prisoner, it would be in the City of Lies, where most of the prisoners were taken.

they could be dead, though.
that's always a possibility.

[worthathousand]

......I think I know where Ramiel is now.

[ a pause ] But if prisoners such as Gabriel are in the City of Lies, then we will free them. To refrain from acting is not a luxury we have.

[ there's maybe some implicit judgment there, but she's not making the kind of deliberate eye contact she reserves for when that judgment is, you know, deliberate. ]

[dragonheartedgirl]

[ moooom be kind!! they're depressed and alone. also suri-- ]

Let's not be so defeatist too fast. The person in charge of the City of Lies has prerogative to keep her prisoners alive insofar as she wants something from them at least. You were able to make it this long on your own out here, surrounded by demons. Let's have some hope.

[ pausing to consider this "Ramiel." ... Didn't Hurricane mention that... he got shocked....? And there was something about his wife. If Amaranth also thinks she knows then maybe they're thinking of the same entity... then maybe that's it. ]

... Who was it that Ramiel fell in love with, do you know? Or rather--what was it?

[farfromgrace]

[ "let's not get defeatist" listen they spent like, upwards of centuries lying facedown on the ground in an alley ]

a mortal?

[ in the tone of "they had a human body? hair? eyeballs? what do you want from me?" ]

she died, i think. he and i weren't close, and she was not allowed into heaven.

[worthathousand]

That fits with the information we've been given about the one who acts as the head of security for Lies.
[ softer ] He may have acted for love, but he is complicit, now, in all our captors have done.

...Suri. Is there a way for you to be restored?
If you wish it, we will bring you back with us. We can offer you no better than a life in hiding, but there are many among us who would aid you.

[farfromgrace]

[ they look... grim, for a moment, hearing that about Ramiel. ]

i would not place my hope in such a thing. it is likely impossible. some choices cannot be undone.

...though if any did know, it would be Gabriel.

[backstory]

Are angels or fallen angels capable of possessing a body?

[ Someone mentioned something in the past about possessions in their world, but it had to do with demons. So he's unsure here... ]

[farfromgrace]

an angel would not. for we have been made for our intended purpose by the Most High, and have no need of such.

[backstory]

Is it that you would prefer not to rather than can't...?

I am simply trying to think of how to help you leave this place or take you with us if possible.

Or if you stay is there a way in which we can continue to speak with you?

[farfromgrace]

those who were made for that specific purpose, perhaps... but that is not this one.

they gave me one of those communication boxes. i do not know that it would reach outside this realm, though.

[dragonheartedgirl]

[ SHE KNOWS!! but still. --but Levi might be onto something there with the possession. there are a lot of different threads to try to follow here though... between Ramiel, Gabriel, and azzy's captive ]

I agree that if you can use possession, even if it feels unseemly--we'd at least be willing vessels for you to hide in as far as getting you somewhere safer. It's bad enough knowing that our "cute friend" has managed to seize one of you and is no doubt doing terrible things to them. ... I know you probably don't know much but--do you know where that one is being held?

[farfromgrace]

it is not what i was made for. that power is not mine.

no one tells very much to a fallen angel who hasn't pledged service, either. useless at best, a liability at most.

though i have heard that the lord of this place is away on business at present. perhaps the prison is elsewhere.

[backstory]

[ Looking back toward the others. ]

. . . Should we look for that place? Or find his residence and at least scout it?

[ He hands Hiryuu's weapon back to her which he's apparently still been holding onto. ]

If we run into trouble, I believe we're still...somewhat well equipped. My blade still has dirt from the crater mark at the very least. We need to find people closer in rank or in better favor with him.

Loki still might be a good source for important information too. He is no fan of that person.

[asonoficeandfire]

I don't have the spear with me that had mud from the crater, but arming us isn't a problem with metal around.

[farfromgrace]

you're all stupid, aren't you.

[worthathousand]

[ DEEP SIGH ]

They're eager for the chance to make a change. And Levi, if you tell Loki of this news, we have no assurances he will not follow his duty and pass it to the lord of this place.

But Suri, whatever you can tell us about where others of your kind may be held—even if it we must work off of rumors—
—That information is precious to us.

[farfromgrace]

if you mean fallen angels—they're all around, here.

but if you intend to find those who fought and were captured... it would be under the seat of the Prince of Lies and her traitors.

[idharlotry]

[ All at once, the ambient sounds of life—the sound of cars and bullets and life, even the sound of your own breath—stills. Something is coming—those who are perceptive enough might be able to put up their guard before they hear the clack-clack-clack-clack of heels puncturing through the silence, the sound of chikichikichikichiki beginning to spread all around, drowning everything else out. ]

[backstory]

[ A shiver IMMEDIATELY runs right up his spine ]

W-W-What is that...

[ WHAT IS THAT TERRIBLE SOUND THAT SOUNDS AN AWFUL LOT LIKE...]

[worthathousand]

[ Maybe it's a coincidence. Maybe Vengeance Hell just has Evil Cicada Season, like other places have Non-Evil Cicada Season.

But there's not much time to wait and find out. Amaranth throws up another illusion: a false wall to hide their location forms out of coalescing petals and leaves. ]

Shit.
Suri, you don't happen to know what that sound is, do you?

[farfromgrace]

[ quietly, flatly. ]

you should leave.

but it's probably too late.

[asonoficeandfire]

[immediately on guard, even as he's been quiet all this time]

That sounds like an... insect?

[worthathousand]

Everyone, behind me.

[ She readies the naginata—still faintly dusted with deadzone dirt, though probably not enough to coat it for more than a strike or two—and puts up Juniper Tree.

Keeping her own voice lowered, now— ]

Can what's coming see through the illusion?