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penancememes2022-04-26 01:52 am
penancemods) wrote in penancememes2022-04-26 01:52 am
Entry tags:
TEST DRIVE MEME #34
Arrival
"Judgement has come upon you. God has deemed you worthy of Hell. But don't worry, it can still be undone," comes a soothing voice that echoes all around you. The voice promises comfort, hope even.
It may seem like a nightmare at first, despite all of that. Full of hellfire nipping at your skin and a sensation of being pulled down no matter how much you struggle or cry for help. Wretched, unseen hands pull at you, grip tight at your body, tighten on your throat, skeletal fingers grab at your face, slide in your mouth and jab at your eyes as they struggle for purchase. It feels like for a moment, they may snap your neck as they tug and pull. The more you resist, the more phantom hands are added to your struggling body.
It feels like they could tear you apart if you let them. The only thing to do is to let go and stop fighting.
And so you do.
Darkness and nothingness consumes you for a second, And it seems to linger for a long time. There is nothing at all. It must be lonely. But it won’t be forever.
Initially, everyone opens their eyes to a long, dark corridor made of stone. They find themselves in what appears to be a long queue with other sinners, palm bloody.
Characters find their bodies feel heavy and stiff, bruised with odd hand prints here and there that they received during their journey down below. A massive headache throbs behind their temples. They are urged forward to take a numbered ticket and wait their turn in the long line. As they're ushered forward through the corridor, their first stop will be to see Lilith, standing outside her office.
The woman in a smart suit and a friendly smile steps forward to greet sinners one by one. "I'm sorry for your rough landing. We've never gotten it quite as smooth as it was in the past. Please, let me see your hand--"
Once she has the sinner's hand, there's the warm, almost electric touch of magic that soothes away the aches and pains, heals the wound left behind on each sinner's palm. Lilith looks satisfied with her work and gives a nod. "There, all better. Please take your care package and continue on until you reach the stairs."
On their way out, sinners receive their 'package', a contract detailing all sins committed. If they look at the list closely enough they'll notice it's written with their blood. That explains the palm wound then. It's an old piece of parchment despite the freshly written letters upon it. They will also receive a slightly more modern smart phone. Think early generation Android and a pamphlet made by other sinners during their stay here with useful tips.
After that, sinners will be ushered on to a set of stairs where a guard waits. "Welcome to Penance," the demon says gruffly before motioning them on without an ounce of courtesy. "Don't hold up the line."
They seem to go on and wind forever, but eventually, they come upon what appears to be a lobby of a hotel. Once there, they will notice several shops and other areas around the front desk.
The demon at the front desk looks rather bored, but when sinners approach? He seems to snap to attention to offer whatever help they might need of him. He will at least direct to food or rooms to rest their wary bodies, or recommend sights to see around the hotel.
Stand Your Ground "Rise and shine, darling!" Lucifer's voice booms within everyone's minds one fine morning, and sinners will almost feel how infectious his good mood is. And what does he not have to feel good about? They've rescued sinners from Mammon's latest antics and now they can hopefully move on with their lives, without any further interference. "Those who have been here for a while will know that the annual Carnival is well on its way. This time, I would like to assure all of you that I have taken every utmost precaution to ensure it's a good event for everyone from beginning to end!"
"Regardless of what my father would like to see, I would like to reward all of you for standing at my side. All of you havedisplayed astounding bravery and care for your fellow sinners and demons alike. This deserves a reward in my book. So no torture, no pain, no zoos to be forced into... just a bit of fun and games. This time, the clowns have been told to mind their manners!"!
Some of the sinners who have been here since the beginning may feel their stomachs clench in fear at the mere thought of a carnival, but the atmosphere is... happy. Demons are being far kinder than they have been in the past, approaching with kinder requests to help. Some may get a little rough around the edges, may shove or criticize or look like they want to hit, but be patient! Hell is all they really know and those old habits die hard at times! They got the spirit at least...
To show their thanks, they're bringing out cans of Speed Energy again (can you guess the secret ingredient?) that will have sinners absolutely buzzing to help. Decorations need to be placed, rides need to be set, tables for vendors and games. It seems like the beginning of some sort of tunnel of love is being put together by Lilith and the sex demons...
Lucifer is even walking around personally supervising and checking in on sinners with enthusiam and warmth. There may be an air of nervousness about him -- he is technically disobeying God and they still haven't found Emmanuel, but he's putting on a brave face at least!
For those who'd rather opt out of manual labor, some of the succubi have set up lemonade stands. They're offering cups for kisses - and don't worry! They're inviting sinners to join in the fun and take over some of the stands!
There's also some late Spring Cleaning going on around the hotel and guests will find boxes of items left outside to rummage through that may include newer clothes, games, and other sources of entertainment. There may even be the odd weapon or two! Staff will not say no if anyone wants to give them a bit of a and with the cleaning and dusting either... it seems the large spiders have come back in to try to spin their webs and stay. Don't worry! Even though they may rival a chihuahua, these guys tend to be docile and friendly. Be careful you don't accidentally adopt a pet!
Reach Up High WARNINGS: blood, torture
"My dear guests!" Lucifer greets as sinners are led to a room with two seats and a table in between. They then will be made to sit by two burly demon escorts.
"What I am asking of you is rather simple... pick a sin from your contract, any sin, and explain how you got to that point. Simple enough, yes? Perhaps gaining a better understanding of what made you sin in the first place will clear a path into avoiding situations like this in the future, as well as form that all too important human connection that I'm told some of you are desperately needing. Please don't try to get out of it... I really would rather not punish you.".
And true to his word, so long as sinners comply and share what made them perform a sin on their list, they'll be let go. If, after five minutes, nothing has been shared, a headache will begin. The pain will gradually increase until it floods the body. Nosebleeds may begin to happen, so will bleeding out the ears or eyes. Eventually, a sinner may even lose a sense for a 24 hour period.
Is it really worth potentially going blind just to get out of a little bit of talking? Come now...
(Effects should begin 5 comments in and gradually worsen until sinners either give in or start to lose one of their senses. After this, they'll be released from the room regardless whether they complied or not)
Follow Me Down
Prompt I WARNINGS: Potentials for sex, aphrodisiacs, non/dub-con, etc.
Club Penance has decided to don a new theme for the night! The theme is lingerie. The staff now wear more modest lingerie reminiscent of the '50s. Elegant, pretty, tantalizing. Or maybe it's just the aphrodisiacs in the air and food that make one feel that way.
They are also insisting everyone else put on lingerie as well. Don't worry! It's not old fashioned and anything that suites your fancy will be available. Try to skip out? Guests will find it magically appear on them... and possibly not in the theme they'd choose for themselves. If magic fails, the staff or local demons may take it upon themselves to slip it on the poor sinner themselves.
Swinging is an event happening tonight. Put your key from Hotel Penance or Hellburbia into a hat, another sinner draws it out... whoever gets your key will be your lucky partner for the night for any kind of fun! Sinners may find their keys disappearing and appearing in the hat entirely without their knowledge... but staff will be very persistent about follow-through! There will be rooms available for fun in the Club, for those who'd rather not go back to their personal rooms.
Other than that, oddly enough tables have been set up for romantic dinners, private rooms are available for sexual activities (not all of these are vanilla. There are toys and machines and anything else one could want, including costumes or things to suit any fetish). There's also live entertainment in the form of dancing or sexual performances on stages around the club. Volunteers are more than welcome!
For those not partnered up, there's speed dating where demons will lead a prospective partner to your table for a little bit of a chat and a drink. They may not always get your tastes spot on, but hopefully it's entertaining for all involved! if sinners find their drinks seem to have a little extra aphrodisiac added to them, oh well. It was probably an honest mistake.
Those who are attached, either via Casino Styx or through other means may find themselves growing oddly loving or possessive of one another. Jealousy and the urge to claim their partner (even in public) will grow substantially throughout the night. While it may not always result in violence and instead be enthusiastically embraced by both parties, it may also result in the urge to leave marks or claim in darker ways. Collaring their partners, leaving their names, etc. They're yours and don't you want everyone to know that?
Alcohol does flow freely around the club and usual demonic drugs or party drugs are available on demand.
Prompt II WARNINGS: Alcohol and drug abuse, potential non-con/dub-con
With all the sinners, new and old, the hotel bar will be lit up with activity. Drinks will be readily available, there's food in the kitchens if anyone wants to bother serving it, music will be blaring whenever there's electricity, and overall, there will be an energy to the atmosphere that's absolutely contagious. Even if you aren't typically inclined to linger at these sorts of events there may be be a certain pull to stay and have a bit of fun.
You might not get much of a chance to have that in Hell, after all. One drink won't hurt, right? Nor will one more after that, and after that. Ah, sweet gluttony. Why not have a pastry next? There's some delectable sweets available just a few steps away. More of a meat person? Like things salty? Fear not, it looks like someone graciously brought all sorts of snacks and foodstuffs from the kitchens to the bar as the night progresses. Indulge! You deserve it.
Similar to Club Penance, the bar also has every sort of drug available that might tickle your fancy and some you've never heard of. There's no harm in experimenting, is there? You're already in Hell. The staff will offer to show anyone how to use the drugs or give advice for what to try if you tell them what you want to experience. Shockingly, they won't lie! Their advice is good word its just you might not have been exactly prepared for it.
There's a stage and a karaoke machine for those feeling brave or just wanting to torture people with some sweet, sweet renditions of The Devil Went Down to Georgia.
There are tables set up for all sorts of gambling and various bar games to entertain yourself with. Since currency as most are familiar with it doesn't quite exist down here, most of the demons seem to be accepting bits of your soul or offers to do chores around the hotel. You may also get pulled into a fun game of strip poker against one of your fellow guests for a few succubi that are having a night out.
Relax and enjoy your night. Coming here and facing your sins is the hard part, so surely you deserve to have a little fun.
Wildcard/Misc. Don't see something you love but still want to get a feel for the game? Check out our extensive list of LOCATIONS and write up your very own prompt however you'd like to! You can also add a "NETWORK" post option to your TL for quick, easy, and fun interactions or sample threads.
Thanks for clicking on our May TDM! As always, potential appers and characters already in game are welcomed to jump right in! This TDM counts as an additional game event as well as game canon for those coming into the game. If you app and are accepted, TDM tags become game canon and can be used for AC! Please have fun and don't hesitate to ask any questions you might have down below.
If you have questions, comments, suggestions, etc., go here.
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It may seem like a nightmare at first, despite all of that. Full of hellfire nipping at your skin and a sensation of being pulled down no matter how much you struggle or cry for help. Wretched, unseen hands pull at you, grip tight at your body, tighten on your throat, skeletal fingers grab at your face, slide in your mouth and jab at your eyes as they struggle for purchase. It feels like for a moment, they may snap your neck as they tug and pull. The more you resist, the more phantom hands are added to your struggling body.
It feels like they could tear you apart if you let them. The only thing to do is to let go and stop fighting.
And so you do.
Darkness and nothingness consumes you for a second, And it seems to linger for a long time. There is nothing at all. It must be lonely. But it won’t be forever.
Initially, everyone opens their eyes to a long, dark corridor made of stone. They find themselves in what appears to be a long queue with other sinners, palm bloody.
Characters find their bodies feel heavy and stiff, bruised with odd hand prints here and there that they received during their journey down below. A massive headache throbs behind their temples. They are urged forward to take a numbered ticket and wait their turn in the long line. As they're ushered forward through the corridor, their first stop will be to see Lilith, standing outside her office.
The woman in a smart suit and a friendly smile steps forward to greet sinners one by one. "I'm sorry for your rough landing. We've never gotten it quite as smooth as it was in the past. Please, let me see your hand--"
Once she has the sinner's hand, there's the warm, almost electric touch of magic that soothes away the aches and pains, heals the wound left behind on each sinner's palm. Lilith looks satisfied with her work and gives a nod. "There, all better. Please take your care package and continue on until you reach the stairs."
On their way out, sinners receive their 'package', a contract detailing all sins committed. If they look at the list closely enough they'll notice it's written with their blood. That explains the palm wound then. It's an old piece of parchment despite the freshly written letters upon it. They will also receive a slightly more modern smart phone. Think early generation Android and a pamphlet made by other sinners during their stay here with useful tips.
After that, sinners will be ushered on to a set of stairs where a guard waits. "Welcome to Penance," the demon says gruffly before motioning them on without an ounce of courtesy. "Don't hold up the line."
They seem to go on and wind forever, but eventually, they come upon what appears to be a lobby of a hotel. Once there, they will notice several shops and other areas around the front desk.
The demon at the front desk looks rather bored, but when sinners approach? He seems to snap to attention to offer whatever help they might need of him. He will at least direct to food or rooms to rest their wary bodies, or recommend sights to see around the hotel.
Stand Your Ground "Rise and shine, darling!" Lucifer's voice booms within everyone's minds one fine morning, and sinners will almost feel how infectious his good mood is. And what does he not have to feel good about? They've rescued sinners from Mammon's latest antics and now they can hopefully move on with their lives, without any further interference. "Those who have been here for a while will know that the annual Carnival is well on its way. This time, I would like to assure all of you that I have taken every utmost precaution to ensure it's a good event for everyone from beginning to end!"
"Regardless of what my father would like to see, I would like to reward all of you for standing at my side. All of you havedisplayed astounding bravery and care for your fellow sinners and demons alike. This deserves a reward in my book. So no torture, no pain, no zoos to be forced into... just a bit of fun and games. This time, the clowns have been told to mind their manners!"!
Some of the sinners who have been here since the beginning may feel their stomachs clench in fear at the mere thought of a carnival, but the atmosphere is... happy. Demons are being far kinder than they have been in the past, approaching with kinder requests to help. Some may get a little rough around the edges, may shove or criticize or look like they want to hit, but be patient! Hell is all they really know and those old habits die hard at times! They got the spirit at least...
To show their thanks, they're bringing out cans of Speed Energy again (can you guess the secret ingredient?) that will have sinners absolutely buzzing to help. Decorations need to be placed, rides need to be set, tables for vendors and games. It seems like the beginning of some sort of tunnel of love is being put together by Lilith and the sex demons...
Lucifer is even walking around personally supervising and checking in on sinners with enthusiam and warmth. There may be an air of nervousness about him -- he is technically disobeying God and they still haven't found Emmanuel, but he's putting on a brave face at least!
For those who'd rather opt out of manual labor, some of the succubi have set up lemonade stands. They're offering cups for kisses - and don't worry! They're inviting sinners to join in the fun and take over some of the stands!
There's also some late Spring Cleaning going on around the hotel and guests will find boxes of items left outside to rummage through that may include newer clothes, games, and other sources of entertainment. There may even be the odd weapon or two! Staff will not say no if anyone wants to give them a bit of a and with the cleaning and dusting either... it seems the large spiders have come back in to try to spin their webs and stay. Don't worry! Even though they may rival a chihuahua, these guys tend to be docile and friendly. Be careful you don't accidentally adopt a pet!
Reach Up High WARNINGS: blood, torture
"My dear guests!" Lucifer greets as sinners are led to a room with two seats and a table in between. They then will be made to sit by two burly demon escorts.
"What I am asking of you is rather simple... pick a sin from your contract, any sin, and explain how you got to that point. Simple enough, yes? Perhaps gaining a better understanding of what made you sin in the first place will clear a path into avoiding situations like this in the future, as well as form that all too important human connection that I'm told some of you are desperately needing. Please don't try to get out of it... I really would rather not punish you.".
And true to his word, so long as sinners comply and share what made them perform a sin on their list, they'll be let go. If, after five minutes, nothing has been shared, a headache will begin. The pain will gradually increase until it floods the body. Nosebleeds may begin to happen, so will bleeding out the ears or eyes. Eventually, a sinner may even lose a sense for a 24 hour period.
Is it really worth potentially going blind just to get out of a little bit of talking? Come now...
(Effects should begin 5 comments in and gradually worsen until sinners either give in or start to lose one of their senses. After this, they'll be released from the room regardless whether they complied or not)
Follow Me Down
Prompt I WARNINGS: Potentials for sex, aphrodisiacs, non/dub-con, etc.
Club Penance has decided to don a new theme for the night! The theme is lingerie. The staff now wear more modest lingerie reminiscent of the '50s. Elegant, pretty, tantalizing. Or maybe it's just the aphrodisiacs in the air and food that make one feel that way.
They are also insisting everyone else put on lingerie as well. Don't worry! It's not old fashioned and anything that suites your fancy will be available. Try to skip out? Guests will find it magically appear on them... and possibly not in the theme they'd choose for themselves. If magic fails, the staff or local demons may take it upon themselves to slip it on the poor sinner themselves.
Swinging is an event happening tonight. Put your key from Hotel Penance or Hellburbia into a hat, another sinner draws it out... whoever gets your key will be your lucky partner for the night for any kind of fun! Sinners may find their keys disappearing and appearing in the hat entirely without their knowledge... but staff will be very persistent about follow-through! There will be rooms available for fun in the Club, for those who'd rather not go back to their personal rooms.
Other than that, oddly enough tables have been set up for romantic dinners, private rooms are available for sexual activities (not all of these are vanilla. There are toys and machines and anything else one could want, including costumes or things to suit any fetish). There's also live entertainment in the form of dancing or sexual performances on stages around the club. Volunteers are more than welcome!
For those not partnered up, there's speed dating where demons will lead a prospective partner to your table for a little bit of a chat and a drink. They may not always get your tastes spot on, but hopefully it's entertaining for all involved! if sinners find their drinks seem to have a little extra aphrodisiac added to them, oh well. It was probably an honest mistake.
Those who are attached, either via Casino Styx or through other means may find themselves growing oddly loving or possessive of one another. Jealousy and the urge to claim their partner (even in public) will grow substantially throughout the night. While it may not always result in violence and instead be enthusiastically embraced by both parties, it may also result in the urge to leave marks or claim in darker ways. Collaring their partners, leaving their names, etc. They're yours and don't you want everyone to know that?
Alcohol does flow freely around the club and usual demonic drugs or party drugs are available on demand.
Prompt II WARNINGS: Alcohol and drug abuse, potential non-con/dub-con
With all the sinners, new and old, the hotel bar will be lit up with activity. Drinks will be readily available, there's food in the kitchens if anyone wants to bother serving it, music will be blaring whenever there's electricity, and overall, there will be an energy to the atmosphere that's absolutely contagious. Even if you aren't typically inclined to linger at these sorts of events there may be be a certain pull to stay and have a bit of fun.
You might not get much of a chance to have that in Hell, after all. One drink won't hurt, right? Nor will one more after that, and after that. Ah, sweet gluttony. Why not have a pastry next? There's some delectable sweets available just a few steps away. More of a meat person? Like things salty? Fear not, it looks like someone graciously brought all sorts of snacks and foodstuffs from the kitchens to the bar as the night progresses. Indulge! You deserve it.
Similar to Club Penance, the bar also has every sort of drug available that might tickle your fancy and some you've never heard of. There's no harm in experimenting, is there? You're already in Hell. The staff will offer to show anyone how to use the drugs or give advice for what to try if you tell them what you want to experience. Shockingly, they won't lie! Their advice is good word its just you might not have been exactly prepared for it.
There's a stage and a karaoke machine for those feeling brave or just wanting to torture people with some sweet, sweet renditions of The Devil Went Down to Georgia.
There are tables set up for all sorts of gambling and various bar games to entertain yourself with. Since currency as most are familiar with it doesn't quite exist down here, most of the demons seem to be accepting bits of your soul or offers to do chores around the hotel. You may also get pulled into a fun game of strip poker against one of your fellow guests for a few succubi that are having a night out.
Relax and enjoy your night. Coming here and facing your sins is the hard part, so surely you deserve to have a little fun.
Wildcard/Misc. Don't see something you love but still want to get a feel for the game? Check out our extensive list of LOCATIONS and write up your very own prompt however you'd like to! You can also add a "NETWORK" post option to your TL for quick, easy, and fun interactions or sample threads.
Thanks for clicking on our May TDM! As always, potential appers and characters already in game are welcomed to jump right in! This TDM counts as an additional game event as well as game canon for those coming into the game. If you app and are accepted, TDM tags become game canon and can be used for AC! Please have fun and don't hesitate to ask any questions you might have down below.
If you have questions, comments, suggestions, etc., go here.
Rules | Taken | Reserves | Applications
Network | Logs | OOC | Memes
no subject
- He's right to not care. What is she to him? Nothing. Worse than nothing. He doesn't refute her in anything she says, and she deserves it. Roland's voice clear as a bell. We told you to never talk to us again. That way when she desperately reached out to the Vault Hunters after betraying them yet again.
We're not friends anymore, are we?
"Yeah. Exactly. I am... I hope you're not. Dead, that is. You're Mordecai, after all, I can't imagine what it would take you down."
( You weren't ever their friend, Angel, get a grip. This is pathetic. Didn't I say it? You'll only ever have me. )
no subject
"It takes a bullet, same as anyone else, Angel."
They were at the top of the world, they were stories told around the campfire to warn little psychos, they had such high prices on their heads people would risk everything to come after them even knowing that with 99% certainty they weren't going to walk out of it alive. Never mind Handsome Jack. On Pandora, they were practically gods. Lilith had bandits worshipping her.
And all it takes, at the end of the day, is one goddamn bullet. Just one.
He takes a ragged breath, straightens up, and drops his pile of glass shards on the table.
no subject
So fragile, locked in her ivory tower, and sickly without the eridium, that there are little knicks spreading red as she holds too tight in the effort to not drop the glass shards and make more of a mess. Absently she looks down at them, and thinks, probably, she is supposed to do something about that. Later.
Perhaps they can both pretend that's why she flinches from his words. It hurts in a way no wound could give. Her breath pulls in, and the reflex to his presence, his judgement and absence of forgiveness or hatred leaves her in that sick floating place. A few minutes ago, she was distracted, and it was nice. Going quiet she fumbles a minute in a way that feels so wrong in talking to him. She was always far away and collected, and if Jack was hurting her, he would never see it. Here it was obvious, the little scrunch of her nose as she climbs back up to the barstool, too big for someone her size. Licking dry lips as she finds one of the many drinks she's tried and busies herself in drinking it.
"So... so is there... work for a vault hunter in hell?"
no subject
What a bizarre turn of events this is. The two of them sitting half naked with a sea of alcoholic drinks, tearing at the raw wounds they carry, skirting around things they should probably talk about. He needs to tell her, wants to tell her, how well he knows that all it takes is one bullet. The price Jack demanded for her death. Some small voice in the back of his head tells him that isn't her fault, some part of him knows very well that Jack would have killed any of them first chance he got regardless of whether or not they killed her. Another much louder voice wants to make her feel even an ounce of their pain, wants to feed her guilt like Jack fed her Eridium.
The blood that stains Jack's hands stains hers too. Without her, he would never have been able to do what he did. Isn't that how it was?
"Sometimes. Pay's shit, though." Another mouthful of drink, another breath. "He got Roland."
In the end, that's all he has the spirit to say. Nothing about how it was right after she went, that it was revenge, that it was to replace Angel with Lilith. He doesn't say that, in a way, all of it was for nothing, that in the end Jack still charged the key, still opened the vault and released the Warrior.
He doesn't say that if they'd done things their own way instead of listening to her, just maybe, Roland would still be alive. That her selfishness killed the best man he's ever known. It just sits in his chest like venom.
no subject
There is music playing. There are people talking, laughing. But she could be back in the control core, for anything it processes. Staring, wide eyed. Horror struck. No, no, no. No.
"That's not - I planned it -"
Her eyes screw shut. Because if Roland was dead, and Lilith had been there and... she warned them. She warned them but they were vault hunters and they never listened. Lilith never listened, and Roland never really could tell her no, even when he knew he should because they were in love and she never got to love anyone, and Jack hated them both so much.
"He trapped Lilith, too, didn't he?"
no subject
Good.
"Yes, he did. Then he charged the key, and freed the Warrior." A grin spreads on his face, entirely devoid of joy. "Your sacrifice was worthless."
no subject
Who knows how long it has been for her - because it's not that her sacrifice was worthless. It was the only moment she had. The last second she had poured everything she could into to make her life mean anything - is gone. A single second, and it's gone.
Then it's a losing battle, the calm she's forcing into staying here. Staying put, on this single plane of existence. Her breathing started to slow down, then thin, like she couldn't take it in deep enough. That plunge, acrid taste, tears, she thinks, and the rest, the crackle of what it was to reach out with powers that were dearer than her own limbs.
Her discarded phone on the bar begins to flash and vibrate all at once, his, and anyone else close by. That build like a storm front, where her markings aren't glowing in her simple happiness.
no subject
She's a siren. It's not that he forgot, but kind of forgot what that means. Which is really damn embarrassing when two of his friends are sirens. She's a siren, whose power has been dampened by a collar and carefully controlled for years and years, and he just slammed the big red button.
The bar stool scrapes across the floor as he pushes it back to stand, and he reaches for his satchel and-- Son of a bitch, it's not on him, because he's in fucking lingerie. Can he just bring her out of here? What will happen if he touches her? Shit, he's not usually the one dealing with this, that's Roland.
"A-Angel, there's people here. Angel-- Listen. Jack's dead, okay? We freed Lilith, and he's dead. It worked out."
threadJACK
Ferroc never really frequented this place, but the hotel bar had coincidentally run out of that particular liquor that tasted much like the ale Iron Legion cleaned their engines with, so reluctantly, he'd made his way for the other place serving alcoholic beverages. Little did he know, they'd strip him down to almost nothing as soon as he's through the door. Not that he particularly minded, his people weren't quite as weird about nudity as humans tended to be. At least he's still in a nice tribal loincloth rather than one of those awful sparkly human designed things.
He's not sure what exactly just happened, but there's someone bursting into tears right next to his buddy, and while he'd like to give him the benefit of doubt, the sudden electrical storm gives him
the heebie jeebiesa bad feeling. It's not a stretch to think the person glowing right in the middle of it has something to do with it, though he's thinking more in lines of an upset elementalist losing their grip on their arc lightning.He taps Mordecai on the shoulder with one of his claws, rumbling a sigh. "You're not bothering the human cub, are you?"
Angel's so tiny, he just assumes she must be very young. He gently nudges her knee to get her attention as he just sort of squishes himself inbetween the humans, suprisingly smoothly considering his size. Maybe talking would help her calm down and get a hold on -- whatever is going on. Maybe just the shock of perceiving him. Most humans in Hell seemed to have never seen a charr before.
"Can you tell me what happened?"
no subject
Until he touches her. Soft, gentle, like the teddy she had as a little girl. How long since she had gentle things? Too long. One touch and she flinches like a startled mouse. Her arms locked into her as quickly.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I just wanted my life to mean something. Just once, it was all I had left-"
For Mordecai, no doubt for Lilith and Brick and all the other vault hunters, she was a flicker of a person. A death amoungst all the others.
But to find out that it was entirely, once again, pointless?
Her small breathes get deeper, the nausea, and her powers with it, getting stronger. "I need to go. I need to go somewhere else." It's all she can manage for the little Mordecai's words trickle in, and no doubt, not the way he intended. Or maybe it was? Didn't she deserve it. All of it?
(Calm down, Angel, this is why you need the collar, you're a danger to everybody.)
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Mordecai doesn't even take offense to what is basically an accusation because, well, he's absolutely at fault here. He won't deny that. When Ferroc squeezes himself between them, he'll even take a step back and make room.
"Help her, Ferroc? We need a big, open space. Preferably outside the gates, if we can make it."
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He's still going to try, of course. And maybe he'd be more suspicious of the whole thing, but in his mind, Mordecai is a decent guy. Surely he's not just talking for her out of some nefarious reason like maybe causing this situation to begin with.
"You don't need to apologize for that," he reassures the girl, trying to connect her words with the situation at hand as his whiskers shift contemplatively. She must have discovered she's dead and wasn't happy about it... no surprise. It was only natural for every sentient being to desire meaning. And it could be such a rare privilege. Most of his friends never got that. Not even their name in the status report, just little slivers of statistics. Iron Legion marksman. Three Pact soldiers. The bodies were burned.
He shakes his head, stepping a little back to give Angel some space, but also holding his arm out slightly, as if encouraging her to take it. It's small, but it's a gesture she has control over, and this may be something she needs.
"Some fresh air is always a good idea. Would it be okay if I keep you company?"
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It doesn't work, that panic clawing up her throat.
"I can't walk. I'm still so weak."
oh boy.
Speed. Right. He's gonna want his hands free for this.
He
loafscrouches down next to her chair and carefully reaches around Angel to pretty much roll her onto his shoulders, muttering apologies all the while. "Sorry, excuse me, just hang on, alright?"And a quick glance to Mordecai, because he's not getting out of what is probably a problem of his creation; "Can you make sure she doesn't fall."
In other words: hop on behind her and better hold on for dear life because he's about to leave the bar in one goddamn leap as soon as he feels a sufficient grip.
He'll even forgive using his horns as handles right now, because all of his instincts are screaming emergency so loud that all his hair is standing on end
probably puffing him up another foot or soeven if there's no comprehensible reason to think it's really that bad. But there's just something off about this magic in a way he can't explain.no subject
Even with Ferroc crouching down, clambering on isn't all that easy, especially when he's trying not to accidentally touch Angel. Only if there's a risk she'll fall.
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Still, she tried. This room was too overwhelming, now. Too exhausting. The crushing reality of the world that was a joy, now, a nightmare she had forgotten.
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probably flashing his kitty junk to the remaining guests in the process. The demons are clambering to get out of his way like fish fry scurrying away from someone clambering into the river.He does try to keep his back somewhat level as he breaks into a gallop of sorts, quickly navigating the club's front and lobby until he finally makes it outside. He doesn't stop there, though, instead just picking up the pace as he runs in the direction of the wastes, powerful limbs quickly adding to the distance between them and the club, clouds of hellish dust rolling behind them.
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While he grips Ferroc's fur with one hand, he puts the other between Angel's shoulder blades, and squeezes his thighs as he tries to follow along with the motions.
Now hopefully she doesn't do something like ... explode. Because, if so, he's jumping off and he'll take the scrapes.
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It's only when she feels them stop that she lifts herself up. She can't hold it in anymore. It's graceless, sliding from the side of the creature, man, she doesn't know, to the ground with a thud. Can't walk. Legs won't listen, not properly anyway, and she has to crawl away from them. Pulling herself on weak arms. "Stay here. Stay away from me."
Because this pain, this misery, always had to go somewhere. This life that was so pointless, as Mordecai had said. All of it had come to nothing. Had to become something, because she was a person. Not a voice, not a machine, just a girl, with tremendous, terrifying power that as she gets as far as she can manage on her hands and knees, crumples in. Not with rage, nothing so majestic.
Just the pitiful sound of a screamed cry. Rocking her body in small, as one broken sob becomes another. Becomes another, building on themselves until the light in her finally spills over. The burning white marks that ebb and flow, rip out of her back to huge white wings of purple-tinged light. The arcs of lightning that ball and rip apart the air around her, the distortion that comes with it. The empty space that briefly becomes the walls of the control core, white and metal, unforgivingly cold, becomes the plains of Pandora, empty desert for miles and miles -
Becomes a little girl's bedroom. Pastel colors, stuffed toys, a bed with flowers on the quilt and drawings on the walls made in thick crayons with clumsy lines. Nothing so strange to a hundred other rooms like it. But one drawing, out of all the others, depicts the crudely formed figures - four of them. That with little arrows pick out each one: Brick, Lilith, Mordecai, Roland and labels them simply: new friends.
Because it wasn't about Roland - what was Roland to her? What was she to any of them? Nothing. Less than nothing. Worse than nothing. Nothing didn't hurt them. Nothing didn't kill them. But she had gotten them hurt. She had betrayed them. Lied to them. When they were all she had ever had. That the pain, the misery, the utter agony of dying not quickly, but over years and years at Jack's hand, she had tried to find some meaning to at least, her death, that she could finally be something in their life that wasn't all those things.
But in the end? She couldn't even manage that.
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If his centurion could see him now, he'd be executed on the spot, he thinks.
"Are you sure?" he mutters, watching the small human struggle to move, but he figures he should respect that request. So he just sort of sits down right there in the sand, because if her current ability to walk was of any indication, she would need help getting back to everyone, and he wasn't going to just leave her there.
He manages to glance at Mordecai with a bit of a questioning look, but before he can voice any sort of do you have any idea what's going on, there's that heart-wrenching cry and the reality itself seems to shift and flash around them.
Well. Good thing he was already sitting down. He bristles a little, tail swishing sideways quickly as he tenses, as if ready to leap back from the perceived danger, but there's not exactly anywhere to go to. And then it slows to a pause, but honestly it's just more confusing than anything. What was it with female humans and the color of freshly rended flesh? What a terrifying species.
But the small one in front of them is still crying, and he's got to do something, but trying to approach her right now might be suicide as much as stepping into an active Faraday's cage. Ferroc shifts his weight from foot to foot, uncomfortable, and turns to Mordecai in his strange ensemble made of straps, because at least they seemed to know each other so maybe he's got more insight on the situation. Maybe quite a lot, if he indeed had something to do with it.
"What... are we supposed to do? Can we help her? Does she like guns?"
Because upset cubs could usually be cheered up easily enough by distracting them with a shiny new weapon, but he's running on pure guesses here.
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He may know what a siren is and the kind of power they possess, but this is the first time he gets to see Angel's with his own eyes, up and close, like this. It's disorientating, to say the least, even more so when they find themselves in what is obviously a childhood bedroom. Of course, he knew Angel was a child once, logically. But to him, she's only ever been that voice in his head, that pretty face that would appear to his mind's eye that, for a while, he thought only appeared to him.
"Sure, she probably does. Most people on Pandora do."
But he gives Ferroc something of a grimace, and shrugs. He doesn't actually know her at all.