TEST DRIVE MEME #44

[penancemods]

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 an old fashioned kingdom.

The demon stationed outside the entrance 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 weary bodies, or recommend ways to spend their time while they're in these new lands. Sorry about the confusion, Hell is just undergoing some rather unhappy changes.


Stand Your Ground

With the captive sinners returned, even with disturbing news brought to light, life seems to be getting back to normal in Penance. Normal-ish, at least. The network has been rather staticy lately, with odd shots of Emmanuel himself appearing on the screen in flashes. He looks pleading almost, locked somewhere dark and foreboding.

Lucifer has his top workers on the case, but he'll ask anyone who knows a thing about technology to help see if his dear little brother truly is trying to contact them from wherever God has held him captive for these months.

And maybe he's feeling a bit… lonesome without his little brother, a little worried. It seems, oddly enough, that Lucifer wants to remember Emmanuel around the hotel. This means staff are encouraging sinners to help dye eggs or prepare food for feasts – even if they're not quite sure what eggs have to do with Jesus. What a weird human thing!

But who are they to question it? Or think twice about the vicious little hell bunnies they're bringing in to romp around… that seem to want to take a bite out of people. Ah, oops? It's okay! Just ply them with food and be on your way.

Helluvacup also has a new special Peeps drink. It's coffee with melted peeps in it… have fun with that! And fending off Bean the Hell rat who keeps trying to nip at those who so much as reach out and touch a free cup of the coffee. He's only a little diseased, it's fine!

There are also sacrificial lambs being brought in. Lucifer wanted things that reminded him of Jesus, right? Well, what else could do it more?

… Sinners are more than free to protest this, or to rescue the animals themselves.





Reach Up High

Prompt I: Cleansing

To Hell (ha-ha) with what God wants! Lucifer has decided to take it easier on the sinners this month… in a manner of speaking. While there's no physical torture, sinners' must learn to humble themselves towards others. Like Mary washing the feet of Jesus, sinners will be taken to a pristine pool in the hotel. There will be white robes to change into to avoid any unwanted nudity, but they will be encouraged to step into the water together and cleanse each other dutifully.

After the cleansing is complete, a sin will be removed from each sinner's list.

To deny it, sinners will be made to stand in the water regardless, for up to 24 hours under the watchful eye of guards. There will be no sitting, no resting, and they will not have a sin removed.

Prompt II: A Helping Hand

It's time to decorate a little bit! Those who help dye eggs, build baskets to hand out to other sinners (complete with blood-filled chocolates and disturbing chocolate Jesus bars!), and generally just help in the ever continuing effort to make Penance as great as it once was, will find one sin removed from their list!



Follow Me Down

Prompt I: Gluttony At Its Finest

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.


Prompt II: Hopping Down the Bunny Trail...

WARNINGS: Drug use, potential non-con/dub-con

Even Club Penance is trying to appease Lucifer! Maybe not in the way anyone, least of all Lucifer, intended. There have been cross-like contraptions erected throughout the club and demons are encouraging use (or just dragging people up to bind them to them). From there, others are free to worship them, or punish them.

The staff has also chosen to wear sexy bunny suits, the sort of Playboy fame, since mortals seem to think Jesus really loved rabbits. There may also be the odd one in a chick costume that sort of missed the point… don't embarrass them please. Especially those who seem utterly confused about what's attractive about a chick. All costumes are being passed out to patrons to put on.

It's all fun and games until overzealous demons start bringing out the nails or shouting out sins. Ah, maybe it's time for an impromptu rescue at that point!

There are also jelly bean inspired shots available both at Club Penance and the hotel bar, as well as any other alcohol serving establishments found around Hell. Depending on the color chosen. The demons don’t tell the sinners what the flavors are and insist they are better as a surprise!

Red / flavor cherry with the slight burn of cinnamon at the end: Aggression. Those who partake in the red shots will find themselves full of aggressiveness, eager to fight at the drop of a hat.
Orange / flavor orange sherbert: Total impulsive behavior: Keeping a secret? Spilled to the first person you see. Want to run around? Do it. Willing to take dumb risks and jump off the nearest building on a dare. Whatever it is the sinner might hold back on, suddenly they can’t hold back anymore.
Yellow / flavor pina colada: Arousal. Yellow shots encourage rampant, undeniable arousal. You need it, and you need it now.
Green / flavor kiwi: Jealousy. Suddenly, those who take the green shot will find themselves jealous and maybe even possessive of all those around them.
Blue / flavor berry: Stalking. It might feel like loyalty gone wrong to those who are targeted, but to the person watching your every move, following your every step, they just want to make sure you’re treated well and doing okay today. Anyone who drinks this shot might be a little too nosy about the people they care about.
Purple / flavor grape: Total infatuation. Suddenly, even if the first person you lay eyes on was your worst enemy ever? You just want to spend the rest of your life with them cuddled in a love nest.
Black / flavor licorice: Depression. Those who partake in the black shot will find themselves aggressive, obnoxiously depressed. They won't be able to hold their tongue, spilling their problems to all around, whether they're real or imagined. Won’t you please hold them/cuddle them forever?



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.


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[penancemods]

NPCs

[penancemods]

KATE BISHOP / 616 / OTA (CWs Marked and TBD)

[explosionsareeasy]

STAND YOUR GRAND

DYING EGGS
Out of the choices of cooking and coloring the eggs, Kate opted for the second choice. No one wanted her in the kitchen. They were already in Hell. She didn’t need to make their stay even worse.

Coloring eggs was nice, though. Another faint reminder of normalcy and life before this place; before a lot of things if she was being honest.

It was a decent distraction from the farm and the swans, too. Even if the very thought, albeit brief, has Kate nearly crushing the hardboiled egg in her hand. It’s already colored - purple, of course - and a few small cracks now mar the shell.

She lets out a huff, goes for a paintbrush, and starts to try and cover the cracks with a darker purple color. It’ll end up getting eaten or thrown out anyway, she assumes.

HELL BUNNIES
“Ow! F–What the hell are you?” Kate hisses, a bite now marking her lower leg near her ankle. She clamps her hand over it, trying to ignore the sting, as she eyes the angry ball of fluff.

“You know? I’d expect all this menagerie business from upstairs. Not down here.” She pulls her hand away and takes a cautious step back when the bunny takes two hops toward her. “Of course. You’ve gotten the taste for flesh and now that’s all you want, right? It’s like that vampire rabbit movie all over again. Hey! No! Kate is not on your personal menu, rabbit!”

Swatting at the air in the rabbit’s direction, she takes refuge on top of a nearby chair in the lobby.

REACH UP HIGH

CLEANSING
“So, we’re becoming a cult?”

Naturally, Kate’s sarcasm isn’t always appreciated by the demons and denizens of Hell. She’s poked a little too hard toward the offered white robes that are waiting for her and one other person it seems.

The pool itself looks very inviting. One that Kate would spend hours sitting around with a fun drink, sunglasses, a good book, and taking in the sun.

If sun existed proper.

“Ow. Take it easy with those claws.” They look just as pleased as Kate does but she grabs the robe and disappears into a changing room. Clearly, there’s going to be a friend to go through whatever initiation they have planned for them.

FOLLOW ME DOWN

HOPPING DOWN THE BUNNY TRAIL
[ CW: dub-con, adult toys, sexual situations, drugs & alcohol use, aphro use ]

• CRISS CROSS
  “Listen. Listen. I said I was sorry but that’s a chicken. Chickens have nothing to do with Easter.” Passover? Non-religious holidays? Regardless, chickens did not equal an Easter-themed holiday, right? Kate was pretty positive about that but, apparently, some of the demons didn’t quite get it.
  
  Then again, why did they dye eggs and then hunt for them anyway?
  
  She could have kept quiet and enjoyed the bitter chocolates and drinks, but Kate just can’t help herself sometimes. This means a very grumpy chicken-costumed demon is in the midst of securing her wrists on the hard wooden cross-shaped object. Something about a “fun game” of pin the tail on the purple bunny.
  
  The ears are already falling to one side and Kate twists a bit to see behind her. There are some white fluffy tails akin to the children’s game. There are also some more adult types of tails to be pinned. “Okay, the chicken costume wasn’t that terrible, okay?”


• JELLY BELLY
  RED
  It only takes one shot for Kate to feel the swelling need to just punch something or someone. The cherry flavor with the biting finish had burned her throat and if she had placed the glass down any harder, it likely would have shattered. Cracked at best. Still dressed in the ridiculous purple bunny costume, Kate swings herself around and off the bar stool and adjusts the ears with pure contempt for them. She doesn’t even take a moment to see who she’s speaking to when she does: “Take a picture, asshole. It’ll last longer.”

WILDCARD

[ All prompts are OTA! I'll match writing style, as well. Open to other jelly bean colors if you have a preference. Feel free to PM me if you have a suggested prompt...etc you'd like!]

JELLY BELLY - RED

[failed_antichrist]

Originally, he had gone to the club looking for Billy. Billy was the only reason he would step foot in there, anymore. Of course, one thing led to another, and at least he no longer was in a bunny costume - that had been cruel and uncomfortable.

Now, however, he blinks at Kate, confused. He had seen her and approached to check in, just to get that kind of rough greeting, he blinks in surprise.

Of course, he didn't need one of the shots to be impulsive and utterly sappy. In return, Setsuna tells Kate, "I wanna do way more than look at some picture," as he reaches out for one of her hands.

If he gets punched, it would only be fair after their first meeting.

[explosionsareeasy]

It's clear that she's doing her best to force down the aggression given who it is standing before her. The drink is stronger, though. Enough so that she slaps his hand away. The guilt is immediately apparent on her face and it doesn't mix well with the forced frustration.

"Walk away, Sets. I really, really don't want to hurt you and I'm two seconds from doing just that." She lifts her chin to gesture back to the empty shot glass still sitting on the bar behind her. There's just the smallest hint of red liquid coating the inside of it.

Jelly Belly

[whichisit]

"I was merely trying to get to the bar," Henry says with a soft shrug, "Getting a drink for my friend," He he's not drinking any of what they have for him, not for a while, not until he can get the images of the farm out of his mind, which he doesn't think will ever happen, it might be time to start hunting again.

He catches the young woman's fist carefully before letting it go. She's probably been drugged. "It's a nice color on you, though."

[explosionsareeasy]

Even without the dosed shot, Kate would have frowned at Henry catching her fist. It's happened plenty of times before arriving in Hell in battles and it never feels any better. It's a reminder that she's probably getting slow and needs to work on her skills again. She really has been far too complacent with things.

Kate rolls her eyes at the compliment, though would have normally responded with a thank you followed by a string of self-deprecating comments.

Pulling her hand back, she takes a step toward Henry and gives him a once-over.

"Then say excuse me."

CLEANSING

[amazonfresh]

Kate is indeed not alone being pulled into this ritual, but whatever it is, it does seem... harmless, at least.

Diana pulls on her robe, not at all shy about her body as she changes her clothes.

"They did not hurt you, did they?"

[explosionsareeasy]

She steps out of the changing room just as Diana pulls on her robe and Kate freezes in her tracks. Pulling the robe further around her, Kate slowly shakes her head as she finds her footing and moves toward Diana.

"Uh, nope. No. I don't think so. Sharp claws are, like, level 3 on the ouch scale. Maybe 4 depending on who they belong to." They were more along the lines of 6 or 7 but leave it to Kate to try and play it cool.

"So, uh, did you bring your rubber ducky for bath time?" she asks, rubbing at the back of her neck with a small laugh.

REACH UP HIGH CLEANSING - lmk if this works?

[starlingroad]

There is a laugh from America, who hears Kate's comment to the demons. She takes her own robe and follows to get changed.

"This place should be considered a cult. Brain washing starts when they tell you totally normal things are a sin," America tells her, while changing in the next stall. She comes out in the white robe, annoyed about it, but still smiling at Kate.

"At least this isn't cutting into people. I don't like doing that. This doesn't seem so bad, right?"

[explosionsareeasy]

Things are far more comfortable with America, who is already making Kate laugh as usual. "Cult Leadership 101." The robes are surprisingly soft and comfortable, something Kate hadn't picked up on previously.

There's a look of relief on her face at America's comment and she nods. "Oh, as weird as it might be, I prefer bathtime over 'Let's Play a Game' time." Kate pauses and offers a half grin. "Horror movie reference. I don't advise watching it, actually."

She places an arm around America's shoulders, the thought of giving her friend a little push crossing her mind briefly. "Last one in is a rotten egg?"

Billy Kaplan | Marvel 616 | ota

[noassgardian]

Follow Me Down - Hopping Down the Bunny Trail

"You're kidding me. Right?" Of course they're not. He's in a ridiculous bunny costume that one of the demons insisted on and he feels... well. Like an idiot. A total idiot. But here he is, arms crossed over his chest, tapping the toe of his boot in agitation.

"I'm gonna need a drink." And for the demons to stop checking out his ass when he walks by. That'd be good too.

Although if someone catches his eye-- "Hey, you wanna do shots?"

Because boy, does he ever.

Stand Your Ground

How did he get here, you ask?

Well, it all started with a lamb sacrifice.

Now he's running around holding a little noisy, fussy thing in his arms, trying to keep it away from a demon who decided to not only sacrifice him, but that he'd make good meat afterwards.

"Look, I get it! I'm just-- gonna take you outside, okay?" He's gotta stand better chances outside of the hotel than inside of it, right?

Wildcard
Drop a prompt or hit me up if there's something else you'd like to do!

[whichisit]

Henry Could very much use a drink, but since the farm, he hasn't been partaking in the blood the bar offers. But he studies the young man, from the form-fitting suit to the garter belts. Not the typical look he's into on gentlemen, but it will do. He wonders if this place allowed him to see the farm to push him into hunting again, he wouldn't be surprised. But he could take advantage without killing.

"I would very much like a drink," He smirks, "But allow me to get the first round." He says, holding out his arm toward the bar.

[noassgardian]

It's not the typical look he's into either, but... when in Rome, right? You just have to roll with what the demons want sometimes. And sometimes, it's lingerie and a little bunny tail apparently.

He offers up a smile as he takes the arm offered. A gentleman, huh?

"Yeah? Sounds like a plan."

Follow Me Down - Hopping Down the Bunny Trail

[failed_antichrist]

Billy was the reason Setsuna had gone to Club Penance at all, as he couldn't find him; he figured he would be there. Sure, he could have just sent a text message? But sometimes he was bad about that. This is one of those times.

He doesn't notice Billy right away, but he sure does perk up at hearing his voice. About to say, yes, he totally wants to do shots, Setsuna turns to Billy and stops short.

"What the fuck are you in?" Setsuna asks with a laugh. "Turn around, turn around. I gotta see if it's got a cute little tail!" No, he isn't remotely gentle about this situation.

Jack Russell | MCU | ota

[justkeepalive]

Hopping Down the Bunny Trail

They do say curiosity killed the cat for a reason, Jack supposes.

Or, in his case, put the wolf in bunny clothing. He'd just wanted to see what this club was all about, maybe distract himself from the horrors of the farm. He didn't intend on being dressed up in a silly costume.

"Yeah, yeah, man. I know. I don't really have the figure for it, huh?" He tries to joke when he catches someone gawking. At least he's hoping they're gawking for that reason...

Cleansing

Ah, perfect. At least he won't have that wet dog smell like this... But he's not overly thrilled with putting on the robe and getting in the pool because someone demanded it of him.

He huffs out a sigh as he changes out of his clothes into the ones provided. "I wonder if the water is cold or not?"

Cleansing

[festianbargain]

Cassian is still trying to make sense of this new environment. It is possible that he's had some kind of mental breakdown and is in the grip of a powerful hallucination. His mind just fully revolting against the stultifying sterility and sameness of the Imperial labor camp. It's possible, and he's not sure how he could be sure one way or the other until, caught in the grip of this break with reality, he wandered out of his bunk and onto the hot floor and fried.

So he's a little wary of everything, even as he dutifully changes out of his clothes and eyes the pool. He doesn't bother with the robe. It's been several weeks since he had a real bath and not a sonic shower with forty-nine other men, standing in perfect rows. If this is what his brain has decided his last thoughts are going to be, so be it.

The question breaks through this existential implosion and he blinks at the other man for a moment as if he had never seen another living person before. After a pause that was just a little too long. "Only one way to find out."

Without waiting to argue, Cassian steps off the edge and into the pool, looking like somebody who's kicking the stool out from under them and expecting the noose to break their fall. Because he's fully expecting to be jolted with enough electricity to cook his internal organs as he breaks the hallucination.

But instead, he just steps into a large, pleasantly-warm bath. He looks down, amazed that he's still alive, and looks up with a disbelieving laugh. "It's warm."

Hopping Down the Bunny Trail

[deaddrop]

Natasha holds up her hands, not quite biting back a smile at Jack's defensive response.

"Oh, I don't know that I'd say that. You look good."

Is she joking? Maybe. He certainly doesn't cut the figure he did the past times she's seen him. Still, she doesn't seem to be laughing at him, exactly. She's not unsympathetic per se.

But she is glad not to be the one in the bunny outfit.

Setsuna Mudou | Angel Sanctuary | OTA

[failed_antichrist]

Stand Your Ground
Of course, Setsuna isn't going to sacrifice a lamb. And he knows he can't really keep one, but that doesn't stop him from grabbing a few of them and running off. He can be found running, wings lifting behind him, a curly wool lamb in his arms, or he can be found outside trying to shoo a lamb away from him.

"Go on. You'll be better off free. Out there. I don't wanna make Teddy have to put up with another of my animals. It's kinda note fair." He just speaks to the lamb, so if he catches anyone looking at him, he looks abashed.

Reach Up High Cleansing

Sure, there's the principle of it, the fact that Setsuna doesn't like being forced to do anything, and the fact his wings don't care for the water, at all - is this going to mess up their oils? ungh!! - but he doesn't put up the usual fight. Once he's in the pool, wrapped in a white robe, he looks at his partner and smiles.

"This isn't so bad, right? It's almost kinda nice. I mean, it helps if you know the person, but I hope you'll help me with this, because my wings are getting all wet. They suck when they're wet," he babbles on, not realizing he's not helping his situation. All of this talk is holding them up.

Wildcard: If you want to do any Club stuff or shots, those go here. Let me know the shot types you're into! I'm pretty open.

[OOC: Will do [, (, past, present, prose, whichever is most comfortable - I will follow. Feel free to contact me on plurk metaljean, on this journal, or discord #midknightcat8900. Even if we don't have plans, feel free to hit me up.]

Bucky Barnes | MCU | OTA

[endofcompliance]

Stand Your Ground
He already has the goats, he knows that, but that doesn't stop Bucky from quietly grabbing a few of the lambs and ushering them toward Hellburbia.

If anyone wants to pair their lambs up with his, or help him out shepherd them out there? They are more than welcome to assist him. Or if they want to help him steal a few more?

Follow Me Down - Shots - Orange
Bucky hadn't meant to go to the Club, it was just a reaction to him feeling bored. Sometimes he went there to observe, to watch, and sometimes, even he needed to just shoot back drinks from a demon who knew what got him drunk, and just not cope or deal or think.

This is definitely one of those times.

And sure, shots aren't normally his thing, but he shoots back one of the oranges ones when a demon asks him if he's interested, because why not?

It doesn't take long before he turns to the person next to him and says, "I need to tell you something," even if they're a stranger.

This effect doesn't seem to go away even after he leaves the Club, which is infuriating. There's a part of him that doesn't want to open his mouth, but sure enough, he does anyway, just as he did in the bar - "There's something I have to tell you."

Wildcard: If you want do a different shot, or Reach Up High cleansing? That goes here.

[OOC: Will do [, (, past, present, prose, whichever is most comfortable - I will follow. Feel free to contact me on plurk metaljean, on this journal, or discord #midknightcat8900. Even if we don't have plans, feel free to hit me up.]

Shots!

[whichisit]

Henry's watching things from the shadows; he spots James and smiles a bit, watching the man down the shot. It felt like one of those nights, but he hadn't been drinking from the bar or the club since what he saw on the farm, where his meals had been coming from.

Henry notices something going slightly off with Bucky as the man becomes more chatty than normal; he moves through the crowd and takes Bucky's elbow, "Bucky, are you alright?"

Shots - Orange

[deaddrop]

Natasha is in the club. It's not as though it's uncommon for her. At this point, she's probably here more often than Bucky is. Blame the succubus in her, even if she hasn't yet tried the spell to use succubus glamour. The draw is there, and there's something she needs about this atmosphere.

Meeting Bucky here might not be their habit, but it's not exactly unheard of either, is it?

"Okay," she drawls out the word when Bucky says he has something to say, not entirely sure where this is going. "Fire away."

Lina Inverse | Slayers | OTA (cw: will refuse to do as asked, but can be debated with)

[dragonslaving]

Reach Up High - Cleansing
Lina complains about the whole thing from the beginning. She yells at the demons as they drag her to the pool. She threatens to fireball them, but her spell does nothing when she tries it.

"What the hell? What did you do to my magic?" she screeches out, just as she's forced into the water. Cold, water, and annoyed, Lina stands in the middle looking at the other person.

"Don't tell me you want to do this stupid thing? No one should touch me like this! Keep your hands to yourself." Part of her, yes, is aware things might go faster if she just gives in, but she's not ready to do that yet, in a soaked robe weighing her down, arms tucked tightly around herself.

Wildcard: If you want to try anything else, maybe talk her into egg decorating, or going into the Club and trying some shots, etc.

[OOC: Will do [, (, past, present, prose, whichever is most comfortable - I will follow. Feel free to contact me on plurk metaljean, on this journal, or discord #midknightcat8900. Even if we don't have plans, feel free to hit me up.]

Caleb Widogast | Critical Role | OTA

[dirtywizardman]

Reach Up High: I
A.
Caleb wouldn't say that he had a problem with being humbled, per se. Someone might describe it as something else, but he often deferred to others in such ways, and was willing to help and support where he could. The issue, of course, was that he was not a faithful man. While he was curious and interested, invested in understanding the ways of the world, it was hard to find any particular comfort or understanding in an absent deity when he had seen the work of other, more tangible ones up close.

He wasn't sure what bathing had to do with anything, either. Washing away sins that others had implanted on him? So many of his were things that could hardly be called sins--and the ones that could be called sins were ones he needed to live with.

Still, he was comfortable being present for others. Especially if they had no one else. The demons certainly couldn't be trusted. And Caleb was as calm and quiet and unassuming as possible, prepared to help someone else do this ritual bath.

B. cw: mention of past torture
They took his robe and made him stand.

Caleb had practice in humiliation and discomfort, and while this was far from pleasant, it was hardly the worst he had experienced. He could not quite trance like an elf, but he could pull himself away, be distant from his body, detached, in all the ways that he had learned.

Standing in the cold water was different than anything Trent had ever done to him, but he would not have put it past the man. To bear all of his scars--the old ones on his arms and body, and going, progressively newer, until it was healed pink burns on his chest and sloppy handwriting etched into his forearm and a growing collection of tattoos to remind himself that he was more than just the viciousness carved into his flesh.

He didn't look at the demons. They had told him how to end this--admit to a sin, and repent. But what was repentance to a simple fact. Yes, he had done those things. Yes, that was who he was. Sins were a memory of deed, like scars.

With hands, inscribed with Slow and Haste, tucked behind his back, Caleb stood in the water.

Every hour, on the hour, he softly reported the time.


Wildcard
[Caleb can regularly be found in the library, or out in Hellburbia tending to Saint's Clinic. Feel free to tag him wherever, or you can drop me a line in a PM, on discord (krempuffs#5806) or on plurk (besosde).]

Reach Up High: I A.

[failed_antichrist]

"This us, this is kinda weird, huh?" Setsuna asks with a nervous laugh as he settles into the pool with Caleb, the demons pretty clear they're not going anywhere unless they bathe each other.

"At least we're not naked. Whatever good these robes do. I'd rather be naked. They feel so heavy, huh?" And he's babbling. It's just what he does at times likes this, trying to ignore his feathered wings feel just as heavy as the robe.

Water is so bad for them. "So, uh, you do this before? This one is new on me."