heckinooc | TDM 003

TDM 003 - SUMMER

[ SEE GAME NAVIGATION TO READ UP ON HECK GAME BEFORE PLAYING IF YOU SO DESIRE ]

A: Garden Level - OOPS YOU DIED
[CONGRATS YOU DIED. Sucks for you!! But Abe and Lucy are DETERMINED to get paperwork done and to do that, they need to get to know YOU.

So as soon as you appear, no matter if you're going to heaven or hell, you get slapped with a "HELLO MY NAME IS ____" sticker by one of the sheep. Said sticker has two possible effects:
-The sticker may say your "True" name or a nickname you don't like, or an alias, etc. How did it get there?? Paperwork. There is a chance it's blank and you can write your own name too.
-Whenever they see a person, they will be compelled to shout "HELLO MY NAME IS [their name] AND I LIKE [something they like.]"

We speed therapying this shit. ]

B: SUMMER HELL
[Whether you're a demon or an angel, eventually you may want to visit the HellRaiser hotel below! Hell is where all the HIP HAPPENING THINGS are after all. Want a lava bath? Go to a club? Gamble?? Just get fucking drunk? Hell's your place.

However, despite being the afterlife, even hell is not immune from the heat of summer. And it's taking the whole flames of hell thing literally. So!

-You might be minding your own business, and suddenly part of your body or clothing just, fucking ignites on fire. Good luck with that!
-You may get badgered by demonic vendors, trying to push various summer t-shirts on you.
-You might get roped into some demons fucking EMBRACING THE HEAT. Ever been tied to a giant fire spit oven an open flame?? YOU HAVE NOW. Maybe someone will help you, or you can handle yourself just fine.

Or you might get lucky and none of that happens and you're just vibing. Good on you!!]

C: Heaven is Central Air Conditioning
[Heaven-side, the heavenly hotel is its normal, luxurious self except for one key different. . .A/C. That's right, only the hotels in Heaven have working air conditioning. Fucked up!! So chilling up here might be the right call. You can always go visit the beach too, or any of the delightful coffee shops. Heaven also is the only place to get caffeine. Wack.

Of course, even heaven is prone to wackiness. Newbies may be prone to:
-Like hell, there are plenty of vendors up here, but instead of cash, today they ask for payment in...jokes? Better give your best one.
-Cherubs may be especially pushy and try to get you dressed in extremely stuffy/heavenly clothing. Enjoy your corsets and such.
-At the beach, if you sun bathe too long without protection, oops! You may find your skin (fur, scales, whatever) turning not red, but another ridiculous color.

OR AGAIN, JUST DO WHATEVER. WHOMST CAN STOP YOU?? You have a phone just text strangers do what you want.]

OOC NOTES:
-"Ash this TDM seems kinda half assed" IT'S SUMMER AND I'M TIRED also with July having no themed event I wanted this TDM to be pretty generic so people can hop in without worrying about timelines!
-This TDM is open to all! For now, you do NOT need to join the comm to play in it!
-Post questions for the mods here
-Remember, playing in the TDM does NOT guarantee your entry or app being accepted into the game proper later down the line!
-Apps open!! Be sure to read the rules linked there and check the current taken list!
-For current players: TDMs count as game canon AND threads may be used for AC if you wish!
-Remember regardless of your alignment, you are free to travel to whatever level you wish!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[A slow nod.] I'm an angel. I've always been an angel. Heaven isn't like this. The errors are serious and should never have been allowed to happen.

[The only reason she isn't outraged about all the free movement between Heaven and Hell is because of those errors. The fear that some souls have the wrong designation, the knowledge that this is all a big mistake and none of them are truly where they belong. Only an approximation.]

I'm Lute. Which do you like best, Cupid or Lynette? [She doesn't have a negative reaction to the former. Complete indifference.]

I need to know whose mistake it was that started this, what they were doing immediately before it happened, how long it's been going on and whether it's getting worse. [Would knowing all that help? Maybe. Gathering information was important.]

[Cupid's face though.]

[....]

[ :| ]

[Lute could not be further from her Celestia's angels than possible. Hers are mute, and just chill out around the mountain to help things function. Closer to the sheep but even less competent as a matter of fact. They can be elevated to greater tasks though -- as happened with Cupid herself, though she was literally an infant equivalent so doesn't remember it.]

Is that so? [Faintly. It just sounds like the best response.]

I don't have a preference. Just not Eros. My Mom called me that. It's Greek. Cupid's Roman, and Lynette is American English. It all means the same really, the connotations are just what others have for it.

[As for the mistakes in paperwork....] Oh... yes... I... was pretty inconsolable when I first arrived. I was panicking. I'm [A minor goddess?] an angel from a different -- [... Sigh. This is a lot to explain.] Do you know about Chronus of time? Actually, can we get some coffee and have a seat? This is going to be a lot.

[Compared to someone like Michael, Lute is a relatively youthful angel, but she remembers what humans would call ancient Greece and Rome very well. Not so long ago, on a heavenly scale.]

You were named for love. [She can understand not wanting to be known as Eros, considering. Lute regards her with a detached curiosity. An angel from a different what? If more coffee is what it takes to find out, that's fine by her.]

Yes. We'll do that. No need for any panic. [Another reassurance. Lute herself is too numb for panic. None of this can hurt her any worse than what's already happened.

She gets the coffee, ordering her own extra strong and sugary, and takes a seat. Yes, Lute is drinking coffee through her scary mask, somehow. Heavenly magic, they can do that, don't worry about it.] Cupid. After the little cherubic boy with the arrows of love?

[She's practically going to bite her cup in half.]

Not so much after... [Giant sweatdrop.]

[And a hand goes over the necklace of Cupid's bow and arrows. Even the Dii Consentes fear her power, supposedly, so she will take courage from this as best as she can.]

[Very seriously:]

My parents are literally Mars and Venus. The other Cupids retired when they decided to get married themselves or fall in love. And i think a few might have been hurt by demons, but thats just the impression I got from Mars. It could be lies. [It's not. She is, in fact, the 88th Cupid! But doesnt know it. She does know about Eros/Psyche though!] I've been around since Lionardo da Vonci's days. He did the most accurate work of this version of me. And Wlliam Adolphe Bouguereau. My Mom's fault for that. [But moving on.]

Lady Aqua is in charge of water and Japanese reincarnation.

I haven't met too many space travelers from very far to the future of me, but there are definitely a few. And quite a lot from the past. Kitsune, other merfolk, and even my time in America seems slightly off to people.

This is why I say something happened to Chronus. There's still internet here, but I can't reach my Aunt Minerva either.

Asmodeus and the other dangerous demons-- overlords and the kind that eat souls have all been defeated by my father's wars before I was born, he said. Yet, Asmodeus is alive and well here and.... nothing like the stories Mars told me. How much was Mars being wrong again, I don't know. But I think it's that, your god, the creator of all things, is testing timelines. There's a human idea that every choice creates a different timeline. That's what free will is all about. In some timelines things have a lot in common, but others what seems like a small change winds up very big. That's just my theory though.

The sheep don't know much of anything. Angels from Mount Celestia are just mute energy. They carry out basic tasks unless elevated, and the sheep are more like them, but able to talk because it's necessary.

Sorry, I know this must be very unpleasant for you.

[There is a certain comfort in knowing that God has a plan. He knows this is happening, and there must be some reason for it. If Lute didn't know that Mars and Venus were real celestial beings in some other domain, maybe it's because Lute doesn't need to know all the workings of every realm. Her job is to protect Heaven - her Heaven - and destroy demons. Not ponder advanced metaphysics.]

It's not unpleasant.

[Second thought.] You being angelic isn't unpleasant. The idea of mute servant angels existing only for basic tasks sounds like something a twisted demon would come up with, but that aside? This being God's test makes sense.

[A test, a punishment for her failure, whatever it is Lute is going to endure it.]

It's possible that the demons your father defeated in one realm were reborn in another. In mine, Asmodeus is in Hell, ruling over the Lust Ring. [Lute's face creases in disgust at the thought.]

Demons will hurt you. That wasn't a lie. Even the ones that pretend to be friendly and approachable are truly corrupt and evil. It's complicated here, there are some fake demons created by these clerical errors, humans who shouldn't be dead and should still have a chance at salvation. [Very seriously.] Keep it in mind, but don't let down your guard. Some of these demons are very real and very dangerous.

[She's a little relieved, and the very tense shoulders start to relax. Until the idea of the demons Mars defeated being reborn into this one, or Lute's or --]

[Sure.]

[It makes sense...]

In mine... Asmodeus' ring is a corrupted wedding ring, cursed artifact. The reverse of my bow. Not a place. Tartarus is where the remaining demons might be, punishing the sinners, but there's no rings, just depths. In the legends Mars made me learn, the ring turns Asmodeus invisible so he can stealth into people's wedding beds and -- It leads people astray confusing lust for love, and... and... [She trembles. She was SO terrified of Asmodeus before. She met him, face to face, listened to everything, and couldn't be afraid of him anymore. He's so gentle, and caring, and just wants his people to be how they want. Liberated.] The one here didn't know anything about it. And everyone was trapped in a truth field. So he wasn't hiding it or lying. I thought it just might be like how I'm not the first Cupid, or Eros. But he said he's always been doing it...

I... I understand. I'm trying. The kitsune told me that too. It's... hard. They're... nicer than most humans I've known.

[She just gives up the front, and collapses onto folded arms on the table.] Except one. One demon is -- purposely difficult. Frustrating. But I want to know why he's like that. I want to do it the human way, not Mars' and just shoot him. It wasn't working his way, marriage rates declining, divorce rates increasing, population declining... so if I can prove it to him... [She wonders though. Maybe it's doomed to fail anyway. It's not like she can even touch marriage that much it's still Juno's territory, not hers.]

[It's true, Lute didn't need to know all this to do her job in her Heaven, but if there are new demonic threats here then the more she can learn about them, the better.]

You said there was trouble with Chronos. Time. Maybe the Asmodeus here hasn't done the things you know him for yet. Or maybe- [She sets the coffee down on the table and holds up a finger.] There are a lot of humans on Earth. There could be many Hells and many Heavens. Tartarus is a Hell. If you think about it, it's really, really hard to name things. [It's not. Adam's just really lazy.] There could be some inherent qualities to a name. Something demonic and lustful about Asmodeus so it recurs.

[Lute picks up her coffee again, takes a slow sip.] Your one isn't any better. Destroying the pure love of newlyweds. Seduction or worse. Demons don't care about morals. Lust demons want sex and that's it. If they're being nice to you, it's so they can use and corrupt you later. You don't want to be alone with them. Why is that demon you met so frustrating? Because he's a demon. I don't advise shooting him unless you know whatever you're shooting with will kill him. Permanently. That's for your safety. Best thing to do is avoid them. Avoid Hell. It's the humans who need your help with love. Nobody wants an increased demon population.

Yes. [That is what Cupid thinks too. That there's many Hells, Tartarus is just one. And she does think it's hard to name things? NAMING HERSELF she just went with what a fictional character's name is from a tv show so aslkdjalskdj.] I mean he is definitely um... lust...'s ruler. Yes. But he's very insistent on enthusiastic consent. Not just for me, he hasn't hit on me at all. [Not that Cupid would know if he had, but that's part of why ->] I've seen him flirt with others, and if they don't know he's doing it, he stops and makes sure they want it. And if it's even a little wishy-washy, that's not good enough for him. That's... better than almost all of my Cupid Corporation members, because they think everyone else is signed up to get married, so they can get away with more.

O-oh... okay... I won't be alone with [Thinks. THINKS HARD in a micro-second!] any lust demons. [Besides, Greed is a homunculus. She could have said all demons and that'd still be TECHNICALLY true, but he's definitely not a lust demon, so even better? And she has been alone with ... No wait no demons yet. JUST GREED. And Mitsuhide, the kitsune, but maybe that counts to Lute? And Bulma is a sinner, but does that count??? She'll try to be careful though.] Well, the demon I was thinking of is more frustrating than the others... for everyone. Even Verosika, she's a succubus, but reminds me of my human roommate [Because her roommate was in fact, a succubus too.] had to give up on him. I could eliminate demons... but I don't want to, and they might just reincarnate, especially here where I don't know how anything works.

[It's not as if Lute has done much naming herself. Adam never let her, insisted it was his job. She leans forward now, radiating intensity.] What did I tell you about demons being liars? They deceive. They'll convince you they care about consent, and then when they do what lust demons inevitably do you won't want to believe it. You'll be the clueless [she refrains from saying bitch, barely. Be nice, Lute.] woman left there insisting not my Belial! When your demon is just like the rest.

[Cupid gets a nod of approval when she agrees not to be alone with any lust demons. Lute knows other demons are dangerous too, but one problem at a time.]

I know how to eliminate them too, but you're right, if they just come back then it's worse than useless, and either or even both of us charging into Hell to attack them isn't going to end well for us. We'd need knowledge. Then numbers. Then a plan.

[Don't worry, Lute isn't going to get any of these things, and she's still in no condition to fight.

Another sip of coffee.] This asshole demon who frustrates everyone. What's his name?

Wh...what? Who's Belial? [Shaking again. Gah!]

But he did it when he didn't know I was watching???? [She's not sure what to believe. It does seem.... really fucking dumb of her to stay naively stubborn that Asmodeus is a GOOD GUY, but....?]

Um... his name doesn't matter. You can just avoid him. He doesn't go to heaven. And... and.... they assigned him to me to be mentored? So I can't just undermine him like that! Just because he doesn't want to be redeemed doesn't mean he should be sealed away? He's not intentionally hurting anyone? And he loves horses... and anyone who loves anything, has their good points to offer others...

[Is she trying to convince Lute? Herself? Cupid Corp?] He did call me a sicko for not saying we should exterminate the cannibals. That was probably the nicest thing he said. [... yeah.]

[Wearily] Belial is another demon. Likes lying to people and making them commit vile sins of lust. He's not here. [A pause.] I don't think he's here. As for the one who is, you don't think you were his only target? I know it's more complicated here. Clerical errors. People who are in the wrong place, or shouldn't be dead at all. But you know Asmodeus is demonic. Evil. Don't you?

[Lute is torn. Cupid isn't her responsibility, and her own failures are still raw enough that she isn't going to stand up and claim she knows best. She does know, however, that sending unprepared angels to try to mentor demons seems breathtakingly incompetent.]

Who gave you that assignment? [Soft, but no less intense.]

You're protecting a demon. What do you think will happen if you tell me his name? If you hadn't noticed, I'm not going to be leading the advance of the heavenly host anytime soon. [She keeps the bitterness out of her voice, barely.] I can't tell you which category he's in if I don't know him, but don't let demons twist your thinking. A victim is no less hurt if the perpetrator didn't intend to hurt them. Maybe you can take care of yourself in the company of demons. What about the innocents who can't?

I see... I don't know anything anymore. Dad was wrong about so many things... so...

[Wilts some.]

Heaven did. Part of their redemption program. It's not so different from when I was working with humans. They gave me the toughest cases because I could handle it when no one else could.

You said yourself you know how to defeat them? I think he's from Wrath's ring. [But he travels. As imps do.] I don't feel comfortable being alone with him anyway.

No one is forced to deal with him, and certainly not innocents, only other people below. And even then, they opt in to it or can avoid him.

[Redemption program. Lute takes that in. This is sounding more and more like some twisted mirror and she needs those clerical errors to get fixed quickly.]

Yeah, I do know how to defeat them. I've killed- [she doesn't actually know the grand total, she realises] -a lot of demons. But like I said, it's different here.

[Lute leans in.] Cupid. Cupid. Tell me you noticed the giant fucking elevator. Demons can come up here any time they want, there's no opting out of having to deal with them. Maybe your little redemption project doesn't want to show his face up here, but there's all the rest to think of.

I get it. You're used to being the best. You get an assignment, no matter how tough, and you handle it. You find out your dad was wrong about some things, and now you're afraid everything he taught you was a lie. If you were one of my girls I'd tell you to stay the fuck away from demons unless you're stabbing them. But you're not. [Which Cupid is probably grateful for.]

The truth doesn't stop being true because people are confused about it. If you feel like you have to stick with that assignment, you'll find it out. He's redeemable or he's not - and if he's not, that's not your failing. It's his nature. In the meantime, take precautions. Don't be alone with him. Meet in the Garden, neutral ground. Keep yourself safe.

[Ahhhhhh scary...]

[Why is it scarier than Mars?]

[Oh, because she's an angel, and Mars wasn't actively trying to kill the people he told Cupid to match. Yes, that definitely makes a big difference!]

Um... I'm not the best in Celestia?? Because I'm a very minor angel there...

I mean... [SIDE EYE >>] I already knew he was wrong about a lot, because that's why I ran away in the first place to the human realm, because he was wrong about people. He said they needed to be controlled... [But she just gives it up. Back to listening.]

Um... Yes Lady Lute! [NOD NOD! SMALL SEATED BOW!] I won't blame myself, and I'll be careful. Never alone, and neutral ground.

[... Should... should she even tell Lute about the phones?????]

[.............]

[Okay. She's going to do it...]

[Better her than someone else.... right?] This place has social media too, like the mortal realm. So usually I just deal with him there. That way there's no risk?

[Lute's satisfied that Cupid's going to take her advice, or at least that if it all goes wrong it won't be Lute's fault for not warning her. She gets an approving nod.]

You said you got the toughest cases. A minor angel can be the best at what she was created for.

[Thoughtful.] Humans don't need to be controlled. They have free will. They're judged by how they chose to live their lives. That's how it works in my realm. Demons try to interfere with that and angels have to stop them. [Reducing demonic influence on Earth is one of the things Lute's Exorcists get up to in-between exterminations.]

[But now Cupid has distracted her.]

Social media? Can I see?

Yes! That's true. [She brightens up, because that is certainly the case. And she tries very hard to be the best Cupid. Of course it's a little weird that she's competing with HUMANS on this, but she's doing it legitimately! Using all human tactics, and bound by human laws, and having to eat, work for money, she even went to university.]

That's what I told him. [Huff. STILL MAD AT MARS! It's been like 7 years, but you know...] Oh, except about the demons. He thought he and Mom destroyed all the dangerous ones.

Mm-hm! [Cheerfully gives Lute her phone. Woe to the afterlife.]

[Lute takes it, and very soon realises that holding it and using it at the same time is really awkward for her, so she puts it down on the table and that makes it easier.

Cupid is momentarily forgotten.

When she figures out messaging the first thing she does is send out that single word, in case Adam's here and she just hasn't found him. Then she quickly looks at something else.

Finally, Cupid gets her attention again.]

I'm surprised demons have the patience for this.

Actually, they seem more used to it than anyone else. Maybe it's because of the humans they get? It is a human technology, after all. And the humans in heaven are probably more interested in other things? I expect.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

TDM 003 - SUMMER

no subject

no subject

no subject

1/2

2/2

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

cw: discussing sexual consent issues (lust demon context)

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject