penancememes | TEST DRIVE MEME #37

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TEST DRIVE MEME #37

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

While the hotel new sinners arrive in seems remarkably rebuilt for the destruction it underwent, there's still rooms where drywall has just barely gone up, others where there's even more extensive work still being done and exposed wiring. The kitchens are hardly functional and there seems to be demonic staff busily working away to repair much of Penance outside the walls. It should be no wonder then that sinners are ushered off to what is affectionately known as Lucifer's Island around the community via a ship that will have them arriving overnight. The ship will have all the necessary requirements from areas set up for sleep, food, etc.

It's early morning when the ship finally arrives with newcomers. The air is lighter here than it is in Penance proper, a more pleasant breeze offering respite from the unrelenting heat. Lucifer's mansion has all the necessary rooms available for sinners’ comfort, ranging from shared bathrooms with shared showers, large tubs for bathing, and private stalls for toilets. All around the island are beautiful humanoid servants that are more than eager to bend to one's every whim. Eager to please, the staff will bring whatever food or comforts asked of them if they’re able. Clothes will be provided for sinners and will include appropriately beachy wear, including shorts, shirts, sundresses, and bathing suits. There's a large indoor pool and hot tubs for all to enjoy. There are also tennis and basketball courts for those so inclined. There’s also a fully furnished gymnasium to keep everyone fit and active.

Single rooms will be provided for all guests, but they may pair up as they please. While the food shortage certainly reached Lucifer Island, there's more being brought in every day, so no need to worry over starvation!

Guests will note that all the servers on the island are of the utmost beauty and it isn't a glamor at all. All the most breathtaking demons serve Lucifer himself, including genuinely beautiful succubi and incubi. These sex demons are not at all desperate and seem to put off fairly minimal aphrodisiacs. They welcomed their (less fortunate) siblings with open arms previously and decided on makeovers for some of them. These offers still extend to the sinners themselves if they've been itching to try makeup for the first time or finally get properly groomed up by professionals (seemingly).

Other than that, this is quite an island vacation that seems safe from harm (for now). Lucifer will not be seen much as he expends his energy to maintain the magic around the island. Those who try to snoop in obviously off-limit rooms will be thoroughly punished. Naughty, naughty. This may mean time locked away in cells in the basement (though these are far more humane, such as those newly added in the Penance Hotel), or physical punishments. These demons seem even more keen on what will really hurt individual sinners the most.

While on the island, guests will find their abilities mostly neutralized. Don't worry! Just a precaution. Lucifer doesn't want any damages to his home, thank you very much. Hopefully the perks and peace will tide sinners over.

There will be massages and other such luxuries provided to encourage relaxation.

.

Reach Up High

Prompt I:

WARNINGS: dub con, sex, breeding kinks

Lucifer has already risked angering God, simply by bringing sinners to his island rather than letting them suffer in the burnt shell that was Penance proper. He can't risk more anger, more punishment, so redemptions must go on. Wanting to aid their beloved Hell Lord, the demonic staff and Lilith's twins have taken it upon themselves to try to appease God himself. This, unfortunately, means some... strange takes on what they dared to read of the old texts of the bible.

For instance, be fruitful and multiply has been taken quite seriously by the twins who assume God sees sex as a means of salvation and beauty, always. The succubi and incubi have taken it upon themselves to make certain the sinners breed and breed often. While new life cannot be created in Hell, it doesn't mean there may not be urges to procreate or the urge to beg for it even. It won't matter one's sex or the sex of their partner, the urge to create new life through copious amounts of pleasure will be insatiable.

Rest assured that hell cannot sustain new life! There is no risk of pregnancy between two healthily fornicating sinners. But there is always the risk of contracting the parasite that is still lingering around infected members of the community.

In addition to the urge to mate, the weeks since the sinners began spending time with Lilith’s children, they’ve been treated to a rather sensual sort of feasting. The presence of the ancient succubus and incubus continues to affect common areas, particularly the banquet hall, making sinners feel particularly handsy and likely to curl up and share physical space. People who think only one person fits in a chair probably aren’t being creative enough.

But there are some sinners who’ve been exposed to the pull of personified Lust for so long that it’s started feeling more natural for them. The ones who have started feeding from sexual energy might find it hard to stop, even if they’re away from the places where the twins’ pull is strongest. They might even be able to lure in partners of their own with the use of pheromones. Why go back to solid food when there are much more delicious ways to get sustenance?

Now it's not all sex. The urge may also manifest in the urge to nurture others. Wash their feet, bring them food, and any other good deed that can fall under caregiving will count towards these urges to spread good will among sinners. Even telling someone a story to amuse them if they seem down will count. The twins are very easy to please when it comes to good deeds and will remove one sin from each participants' contract.

All in all, it isn't quite the worst way to seek redemption, is it?

Prompt II

It isn't all sensual delights. The twins have discovered the turn the other cheek paragraph and come up with a loose play on the words. Sinners will be placed in a locked room within the mansion, and for every sin they confess to, they will be slapped across the cheek by the other participant and scorned for whatever it is spoken. There will be no resistance as there will be a strong urge to comply with the task at hand.

No matter what, there will be no retaliation or resistance for the physical violence allowed. To do so will make both fail and retain the sin on their contract. If one does attempt to resist the urge towards slapping or verbal disapproval, they will likewise cause them both to fail. [Players will decide the number of sins or wrongdoings that must be admitted to during the course of the thread. Regardless of number of completed threads, it is worth one sin removal per player.] People will also be rewarded for other good deeds, such as helping the staff upkeep the hotel, aiding each other, etc. Overall, one sin may be removed for participation.

Follow Me Down

WARNINGS: Alcohol and drug abuse, potential non-con/dub-con

All the sinners, new and old, will find the bar room in Lucifer's mansion, as well as around the pool, lit up with servers handing out drinks and entertainment. Drinks will be readily available, there's food being passed around by servers on trays, live music will be available, 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.

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.

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.

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[The message he sends in reply is just as brief. His face, angled at a careful profile, should be enough of a verification, he thinks.]

Your face looks familiar. Maybe we should meet sometime.

[Noncommittal, hopefully not long enough to spark suspicion from those monitoring his transmissions. It's annoying how omnipresent Aiden tends to be.]

[ He barely shows his face but she'd recognize that voice anywhere. The way he replies is strange, however. Sounds as if he doesn't really care. Which makes no sense, now, does it? But maybe it's because of this place, whatever happened to him here. He shouldn't be here, she thinks, but then she recalls her own list of sins and for a second it's as if she can feel his hands on her, his voice cold and unfeeling as he pulls at the inhibitor to remove it, the memory of the pain enough for her to scrunch up her face. Just slightly but it's there, then gone again a second later. She matches her tone to his, casual and a far cry from what she's really feeling. ]

Sure. Just tell me when and where. I have lots of spare time.

Stay where you are. I'll come to you.

[The message breaks off abruptly after that.

The background in her video feed was enough for him to place her location, and he'll take a longer route to get to her. It can be part of an unremarkable loop of activities, and involve a regular stop to chat with staff. Nothing out of the ordinary, and certainly nothing that might require a visit from an overzealous hacker later in the day. It might take a minute for him to reach her, but eventually he approaches from behind, intending to wrap his arms around her and pull her close and take stock of her presence as her presence, not a ghost or an illusion, or a whatever else could be going on at any moment.

Probably not the safest idea to go sneaking around from behind, but if Daisy is Daisy then she's probably been doing some kind of weird Inhuman heartbeat-monitoring thing anyway. And perhaps vainly, it gives him another precious moments of not having to explain the small pattern of orange scales running down from his hairline over the eye he hadn't shown her over the network. It's the part of it he can't quite hide under layers of clothes.]

[She is tense and has been on guard when he arrives, so hugging her from behind really isn't the best idea. But he's lucky in that she has been expecting him and remembers very well what a hug from Fitz feels like even if she hasn't had the privilege in quite some time. Daisy is more than relieved that he's here, really here, even if it's a selfish thing to feel. He should be home, hopefully reunited with Simmons. She gives his arms a little squeeze with her own and takes a deep breath before she untangles herself and turns around.]

Fitz- [She barely gets his name out before she openly stares at him, her eyes immediately flying to the obvious changes in his face.] What happened to you? [The question is stupid when the answer is certainly this place. But she asks it anyway, blurting it out before she can help herself, her hand still resting on his forearm and making no movement to change that. It's just reassuring to be able to feel that he's really here. Her own hair is much longer and lighter than the last time they saw each other and her suit isn't the same one she used to have.]

[He doesn't bat an eye at Daisy's hair. It's good that she's gone lighter. Looks less like she's mourning, this way. The way she stares at him is a little unnerving, though. Makes him feel a little more alien than usual. The embarrassment makes his neck feel hot in a way that doesn't normally happen anymore.]

Oh. This? It's -- nothing. Don't worry about it. How are you feeling? Always a little disorienting to freshly get here. I can't believe they didn't adjust the entry point when they moved everything else.

[It comes out in a bit of a rushed mumble, his eyes cast down and looking at anything other than her face.]

[ Daisy certainly doesn't believe him when he says that it's nothing, but she also thinks that it may not be a good idea to keep asking, considering how self-conscious he seems to feel. She can always ask again later, probably, so that's what she'll do, letting the topic drop for now. ]

I'm ... okay, I think. All things considered. [ Not every day that you die and wake up outside of a time loop. But here she is. And she doesn't even know if the others are safe after she blew apart the Chronicom ship, though she really hopes they are.
Fitz sounds like he has been here for a long time, which doesn't really add up in her mind. So there is really only one thing she can ask. ] Fitz, what is the last thing you remember from ... our world?

[It's the kind of self-consciousness he hasn't felt in a long time. He's established here, but this reminder from home is uncomfortable. He's different, and not in a way that should be accepted. Or forgiven, in some cases.]

If you're asking about our respective positions in time, you're probably farther along. [This, at least, is comfortable. It gives him room to settle and straighten out, as he falls into the familiar patter of a status update.] Despite what you've probably been told by the people who reside here, this is more likely to be an dimensional pocket running perpendicular to a possibly infinite number of parallel universes. People arrive here from different moments in spacetime, but it almost assuredly is not any particular afterlife. The set dressing is all a distraction.

[He takes a breath before continuing.]

But to your question, the last time I was home, I was about to take the long way into the future for you lot. I haven't gotten there yet. Jemma says it's likely I've died. [Or that he hasn't, but he's too busy being cynical to address the other end of that.]

[It's a lot to take in, but the fact that it makes sense to her really shows just how much crazy she's been exposed to over the last few years including the time-travel shenanigans that as it turns out still haven't happened for this Fitz. Daisy finds herself nodding along with his explanation of where they are. She still has no idea what ultimately happened to him, not after she went to fight Malick on the Chronicom Vessel. But from his perspective, she knows a lot, even if she is lacking some details, like the existence of Alya.] Set dressing ... so it's not really hell or just not a specific version of it?

You didn't die. [Not in the Cryo Chamber at least and she shouldn't tell him about the whole one-version-of-him-dying-in-Chicago-saving-Robin's-mum-thing either. Her poker face, thankfully gives none of that away, although she feels guilty for basically lying by omission but. They don't have to discuss every single detail, not now after she just got there. Probably.] You did reach the future and ... it's actually really a lot to catch you up on. [Not even including the whole Deke-business.] But the main thing is that we were all fine. We made it back home. I'm from 2019. [Also not telling him that the last thing she remembers is getting sucked into space and dying. But details, right? Right?] We were fine because you were there. [She squeezes his arm reassuringly.]

Not hell at all. That's my current theory, anyway. [It's a theory that has been called tunnelvision at its kindest, and insane at its worst. Jemma has mentioned that she's worried about him ignoring data that doesn't suit his narrative. He's pressed on anyway.] They jailers are all convinced of their roles, but I suspect that the entity we genuinely need to worry about is the one controlling them.

[He gives her a thin smile at her attempts to paint an optomistic picture of the future.]

Jemma's already told me of the worst of it. If I'm the man she marries, I don't survive. [And if he isn't that version, then is anything genuine in their relationship? It's one of the many things he stresses about at night.]

So, what is it then? An experiment? [She has no way of knowing whether he is right or wrong or whatever it is that this place has already done to him or how it may have changed him. Daisy just knows that whatever it may be, she doesn't like the sound of his words at all. She wants to trust him, of course, but there is always that tiny voice in her head telling her that maybe she shouldn't, which links back to him removing that damn inhibitor against her will, acting the same way he had in the Framework. And she can't even be angry at him for it, not now when it hasn't happened to him yet, not ever when the version of him who did that died so tragically without them ever discussing the incident again. But she pushes the thought aside as they are not helping.] An entity ... who controls the jailers. Like ... God or Satan? Or something else entirely ...

[So Jemma had already told him about it. Daisy's face falls, just slightly, her efforts to shield him from any of what was to happen to him. She doesn't comment on the fact that they have no way of knowing which version he may be. There is just nothing to say. Only then does it register with Daisy that this means that Jemma is there as well.] That means Jemma is here, too, at least. Who else?

Not sure. I've got ideas, but there are still too many options. [ and the one he thinks is genuine, that the residents here are just being stored to act as living batteries for to power conflict they have no knowledge of, is too intense for an opening conversation. Better to wait for her to get settled before they start to drop the harder problems at her. ]

The entity calls itself God. We almost never hear from them, but at minimum I believe them to be a powerful telepath. We have closer contact with Lucifer.

[ she asks about friends from home, and that's a harder question. There are many answers he could give, but his memory is more unreliable now than ever. Which ones were part of the Framework? Who lived in Hellburbia? That time he thought he shot at a Ward, did that really happen...? ]

... Jemma is here now. Among our people, at least. A handful of Avengers, as well. Not sure how many, they keep to themselves. I... you might want to talk to Jemma about anything else. [ she's more whole. She can give trustworthy intel. ]

Still? [A small pause, as she breathes in deeply. It almost sounds as if he ...] Fitz, how long have you been here for?

Makes sense considering where we are. [Even if it is just made to look like hell or make them think that's what it is.]

It's just the three of us, then? And some Avengers who have no reason to trust SHIELD agents when they don't know Coulson was alive and SHIELD supposedly doesn't exist anymore. [It makes sense, even if they were from the same world and could be assumed to share similar values.] Oh, okay. Do you have somewhere else to be? [It had taken him a while to get to her in the first place so maybe - considering that he lived here - he had other things to attend to.]

By the local calendar, it's been a bit over three years. But the way things are here, it's easy for them to manipulate our sense of time. I reckon it's probably been longer than that.

I've told a few of them that we worked on Coulson's team. Just not the timeframe. Thor was amenable to the idea, but... He might not be here anymore. People leave sometimes. We don't know if the process is the same as what draws us here.

[She seems to read him as shutting down the conversation, and perhaps he was. But it was more a symptom of his general awkwardness than of any desire to cease conversation.]

Somewhere else? Y-you mean somewhere I'd want to be more than helping you?

Three years ... [She repeats, her voice a mere murmur. That's hard to take in. Him having been here for that long.] What about Simmons? Has she been here that long, too?

Yeah, that sounds like it was a good call. I mean they saw him die, so ... it's not like giving them the whole story is going to make it likely for them to trust us. [Technically, Fury had lied to them. But it just doesn't sound like a good idea to throw him under the bus. Not when they don't know any of them and they could as well have a hidden agenda.]

Where do people go? Have any come back again? [The pamphlet had made it sound as if the only way to leave was through redemption ... but really, it's a lot to wrap her head around and if Fitz has any intel that will help, she'll gladly take it.]

No. Fitz, I didn't mean it like that. It's just ... I don't know how this place works or what you might have going on. I'm glad you're here to help me. You're my friend. [Even if a part of her still vividly recalled him removing that implant. But that hasn't even happened from his perspective or never would at all, depending on which Fitz he is.]

Simmons came after. Not long after... maybe a few months? [ the squint he makes is uncertain, the kind she might remember from the face he made when recalling specifics about Hydra Academy. There's a sorting process to his recall. Those memories, not that other set. The ones where he was violated, not the ones where he was performing the atrocities with his own hands. ] Functionally the same, but not precisely so.

[ she asks where people go, and that's more of a complicated issue. ] They tell us it's tied to redemption, but there's no reason to believe that if we're going to discard the rest of the line they give us. Sometimes, people return. But the process is full of magical bollocks. Hacks and shortcuts that don't follow the normal Rules.

[ and that's when she reasserts their friendship. Even now, even with the way everything is... that's meaningful. ]

It isn't usually this... pleasant. We've just come out of some really hard times. We've had to lean on one another to get by. People are enjoying the peace while we have it.

So, she's been here almost as long. Jemma ... [She can't help but worry about her best friend, her sister because that's how she sees Jemma. Daisy notices that Fitz looks confused like he has to think really hard ... and she thinks no more of it since it does make sense that he would. This place has had to have taken its toll on him.] Functionally ... what does that mean?

So, anything can happen. That's basically what you are saying, aren't you? [How very reassuring.

Of course, she does. She can't hold what hasn't happened against him, even if it leaves a bad taste in her stomach. But that's her issue and not his.]

That's weird. That this place would basically reward you for making it through. Has that happened before?

[ he lifts one shoulder in a noncommittal shrug when she asks for clarification. It's basically as if he and Jemma have been here the same amount of time, but he's also experienced a number of things that she hasn't. But Fitz being who he is, the thoughts don't quite make it all the way out into spoken language. ]

Anything, everything... we've worked to make our situation more humane and livable. The entity that controls the space didn't approve of it. We have no idea how much is left to go back to. Did you see much before they brought you out here?

[She only understands about half of what Fitz is trying to say if she is honest. There are too many blank spaces that need filling in. But she doesn't have to. She can just ask more questions. Try to get more intel. That's something to hold onto.]

How would you try to achieve that? To make this place better. I mean ... my powers seem to work here. But you can't exactly overthrow who's in charge when they, well, are in charge and can just change the rules to the game? Right? [Planning a coup d'etat or a big assault is more like her approach to things, so it has already crossed her mind but ... somehow she's sure there's no way this could work.]

How much of ... hell? Wait, do you mean that you actually tried to destroy this place? Or did something else happen?

[Several of those blank spaces are deliberate, but he won't reject her if she wants more information.]

No -- no. Whatever you do, don't try to destroy it. I've been working with Lucifer to get him to understand us better. When all this started, he was treating us like animals. But every time someone does something dramatic and violent, it sets back all the progress we've made. He's listening, and we're working together against his father. We managed to shut out his telepathic access for months, but -- something happened to dismantle the safeguards we had in place. We were exposed, and our shelter was destroyed. We're here while Lucifer rebuilds.

[She blinks, pausing.]

Fitz, chill, I won't. I know I have a history of rash decisions but. I won't do anything dumb.

[Or at least try not to. Not while she could put Fitz and Simmons who she cares about into the line of fire. But as she listens, she can't help but feel that Fitz may or may not already have that covered. It sounds crazy, but then again what about arriving here doesn't?]

So, you have been working with Lucifer [- which already sounds like not a good idea -] and then you basically were discovered and now he is rebuilding hell and ... then what?

I don't quite know what we'll be returning back to. But he let me redesign elements in the past. We got rid of that awful dungeon, replaced it with containment pods. Prisoners get regular meals. There isn't as much bloodletting anymore... [ and none of those things involve escaping. He doesn't seem to notice that part. ]

Lucifer was badly injured with everything thats gone on. It'll be some time before we can plot our next move. He...

[ he presses his lips together. ]

His powers operate similarly to your mother's. It would put the population in danger to do too much too quickly.

[ and at that, he's finally making eye contact. This is fully classified information, given to her because of who she is. Most people here aren't aware of his conclusions about Lucifer, even the ones who know what he's done in Lucifer's service. ]

Edited 2022-07-29 16:26 (UTC)

[Daisy starts to really struggle with all of the information he's giving her. She's glad that he doesn't shy away from providing her with answers, that he still seems to trust her. But it's just a lot. Dungeons, bloodletting ... She actually notices that none of these things sound like a way out, but she keeps her silence on that. Maybe she just doesn't know enough yet. Or maybe Fitz has already tried to work in that direction but had to settle for improving things here first.

She just listens, nodding along to his explanation. Until he mentions her mother's powers and she immediately looks up at him again, only to find him staring back at her. Her voice is quiet, barely more than a whisper.] Wait, he drains people to heal himself?

They call it "souls" here. He needs souls to strengthen himself. Other demons feed off souls, or try to steal souls to power themselves. But that's rubbish. The process can be simulated almost identically with what we know of Jiaying's abilities. [With what he knows of her abilities, after having studied her at the atomic level in the Framework, to give Ophelia the longevity he thought she deserved. The Doctor was never a stranger to seeking a new life in another world.] It's -- something I've had to look into, once. Part of blocking his father out. It would've killed him to ask him to sustain that kind of block on his own.

[He sighs.]

For all the good it did us in the end.

[Had to look into. Somehow the wording strikes a chord with her, not sitting right at all. Daisy closes her eyes for a moment, thinking of Malick experimenting on her, doing almost exactly the same thing Whitehall had done to Jiaying ... and her mother, dying by his hand to save her. She breathes deeply, pushing through, pushing the thoughts aside. They aren't doing her any good, after all.

Having collected herself, she looks at Fitz again, her eyes worried.] Are you the only one who works with Lucifer on this, Fitz?

I'm the last of us. Loki was here for a time -- yes, that Loki. He understood the local magic. He studied their ruddy "soul" nonsense with Lilith and then I worked with him to design and implement a sustainable method to keep Lucifer powered properly without hurting anyone. Most mechanisms here seem to need some kind of magical intervention.[It's annoying.]

But we'll probably have to rebuild it all from scratch when we get back. I certainly didn't design any element that would have survived a lava flood.

TEST DRIVE MEME #37

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