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]

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?

[farfromgrace]

[ SHRUG?????

their guess is as good as yours. ]

[dragonheartedgirl]

[ She tenses up. Kija has GIVEN HER BACK HER WEAPON and she could summon her aibou. WHO SAYS SHE CAN'T DO A FITE EVEN WITH MAJOR BLOOD LOSS AND ASH-LUNG-WEAKENING!?!? fight her

For the moment though she is following Amaranth's instructions and also moving Suri along with her. PROTECC THE ANGEL. ]

If you need to, Suri, please run away.

[worthathousand]

It's worth a try, then:
If you press your back against the true alley wall, I'll hide you as long as I'm able.

[backstory]

[ Whip blade at the ready, he grits his teeth, moving into a defensive stance beside his master.

Like Amaranth, there's not much dirt left on his weapon but he's willing to make do with what he's got. ]

They didn't have a way to track us, did they...?

[asonoficeandfire]

[he's separated his spear into two smaller crude blades instead, standing at the ready. sadly his weapons are without dirt]

Unless they saw through the disguises somehow?

[farfromgrace]

[ oh

well they're just going to lean back against the wall. scoot scoot.

they're good at staying still in one place forever. this is their main skill in fact. ]

[dragonheartedgirl]

[ suri we need to get you a new hobby

build some life skills ]

Even this city is only so large. I absence must have been noted back home. It was just a matter of time.

[worthathousand]

[ You're doing amazing, sweetie.
Amaranth gives Suri a nod, and then there's another shimmer of leaves, this one leaving them looking like a mound of creeping ivy.

And then she steps out from behind the false wall. If whatever is coming can see through illusions, better that there be a distraction from looking too closely. ]

[idharlotry]

[ chikichikichikichiki echoes around them, shadows coating the walls and ground as a woman steps into view, red and gold dress bold in the nightlight. She looks to Amaranth—and then directly to the false wall, directly upon the rest of the gang as though she could see right through them. ]

—I thought I heard something.

[ The sound of her voice is pleasant to the ear, smooth, but there's something to be said about her tone—it isn't quite cross, but there's a touch of impatience to it. ]

Where did that girl go. . .

[worthathousand]

[ Haha fffuck.
She moves to step more directly in front of the woman. ]

Perhaps I can be of assistance, if I am not the one you are searching for, my lady.

1/2

[idharlotry]

Hardly.

[ considering her for a moment or two ]

[idharlotry]

[ then—her lips purse together, the corners curving up ]

But no matter. I've found you all the same.

The rest of you can come out, too.

[backstory]

[ She did look at them as though she had seen right through the barrier. What 'girl' does she mean, though...?

It's with some reluctance that he takes a step forward, a little ahead of his master, weapon in hand. ]

How did you find us?