heckinooc | TDM 004: BACK TO SCHOOL

TDM 004: BACK TO SCHOOL

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

A: Garden Level - Fall IN!
[The garden is full of fruits and overflowing with milk and honey as usual, truly a paradise. But gasp, what's this? A PALLET CHANGE? Instead of the typical lush green, it's taken on more Autumn colors for Aesthetic^TM. It's still pleasantly warm as usual though, for current denizens and newbies alike, and it's gosh darn nice to hang out in.

But speaking of newbies and passerbys! If you pop in, you'll find yourself landing in a pile of colorful leaves. But these ain't no normal leaves!! Depending on the color, you may experience the following:

Yellow- Get energized nerd!! Despite just dying, you're suddenly filled to the brim with joy, and far more amicable to the first people you see.
Orange- Ever heard of love at first sight?? IT'S HAPPENING NOW. You may become absolutely smitten with the first few folks that help you out of your pile.
Red- Or the complete opposite! You're filled with the POWER OF AGGRO and ready to argue or fight with whoever you see first!

Or maybe you fall in a pile of mixed leaves that give you a combo of effects, or nullify the effect so nothing happens! Up to you. ]

B, Hell Level: Spooky Scary Skeletons
[Down at the HellRaiser hotel, it's already practically halloween 24/7, but now even more so! The standard hellish hotel amenities are available--massages, hot saunas, all the booze and drugs you could ever want, room service, etc!

But the perpetual night life is where it's at. In celebration of the most unholy season of the year (citation needed), the clubs are HOPPING and playing music loud enough it could raise the (un)dead. . .literally! You could be walking on your way back from getting a burger, and skeleton or zombie bursts from the ground! They might attack you or. . .try to get you to dance with them. Weird. Either way, don't linger too long, or they'll try to get you to go back further into the depths with them. . .

Alternatively maybe you're just accosted by some normal party demons/imps and dragged into a club. Have fun!]

C, Heaven Level: The Holy Spirit Halloween
[Heaven-side, the heavenly hotel is its normal, pampering self, complete with every luxurious amenity you could imagine. However, it seems some parts of the hotel are decorated with more. . .demonic accents??

It's not just the hotel either. Outside, spot angels in all sorts of costumes, ranging from black cats to silly godzilla rubber suits. That's right, TIS THE SEASON, and it's the only time angels get to indulge in more silly ~sinful~ desires! Is this cultural appropriation?? Don't worry about it.

As for you, if you're not chillin' at a cat cafe or the gorgeous beach or a coffee shop, you may find a cherub stuffing you into a silly costume. When in Rome!! You may also come across huge golden depots full of costumes, so feel free to shop around! The cherubs within will also see to your every need, as if they're extensions of the hotel as well]

OOC NOTES:
-"Ash this TDM seems kinda half assed" i don't have any excuse this time i'm just tired
-This TDM is open to all! 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

He is.

That's okay, you don't look like any of the ones I'm familiar with either. [Wry grin!] It's a Buddhist thing, part of the Geten. My Hell is outside of the rings, which isn't supposed to be possible, but then, [GIANT SHRUG] none of this is either.

Sadly, Blitzo gets around so I don't know how to get you in contact with him, but you can use the phones for it. [He'll just lend his own over, because whatever, demon royalty aren't going to be dumb enough to do anything too weird and stupid with it.]

What's uh... Ars Goetia? [It was Blitzo who first convinced Nobunaga that the demon royalty were terrible, but maybe Nobunaga just... misunderstood it.]

[Now Stolas has a million questions about his version of hell and sorely wants to compare it to his own. But, first things first..Blitzo is here and gets around. That somehow doesn't surprise him but, it does make him uneasy enough to shove that feeling aside and bury it deep.

DEEP.

Before turning his attention to answering the question of what he is.]

I have a feeling we are about to have a rather lengthy discussion. Perhaps more drinks are in order first? If you could lead the way to a descent bar I'll be more than willing to answer your question if you will answer mine.

[He pauses for a moment.]

The Ars Goetia Family happens to be demon Royalty. We rule just under the Deadly Sins who are in turn under Lucifer Morningstar. We, or at least I do, have specific duties we fulfill for the throne of Hell.

[#Relatable.]

[Nobuanga is somehow even worse at sharing than Stolas might be. And at least Klaus isn't an imp.]

Hell yeah. [Oh good they both have questions!] Are you okay to go out? What I mean is -- [Shrugs.] It's baby Hell, so it's not like even my would-be assassins are here, but my partner is trying to avoid drugs and alcohol and well, baby hell or not, that's all there is out there. So if there's something like stabbings or whatever you're no good with... I was going to do a tour guide thing in Hell, so I can take faster routes that avoid most of it. Though it's still all chaos, I don't know if your Hell was like that too. But I assume from Moxxie and Fizz and the others, it is.

Ozzie, Sin of Lust is here too. Greed isn't the same Mammon as Lucifer's brother, but his bar is the best for [A handwave.] General anythings. Maybe best bet for finding Blitzo, so if you're not ready for that yet either, we can go somewhere else too.

I am dying to know about your responsibilities. But it can definitely wait for more drinks.

[Stolas is nowhere near wanting to see Blitzo yet. He's been avoiding him for MONTHS already while he waits for the right time to give a certain Imp a gift.

...Which he realizes he doesn't have on him. Well. Fuck. Now he definitely doesn't want to see Blitzo just yet.

Stolas waves off Nobuanga's concern over avoiding violence and vices.]

I'm fine with whatever we might encounter. I'm not addicted to anything so I'm sure I'll be fine. Baby Hell or not, I doubt there are any weapons here that can permanently hurt me.

[At least he doesn't think so???? Immortality and vulnerability to Angelic weapons and all that nonsense. Also, he's just going to leave out his slight dependency on self medicating with anti-depressants, alcohol and binge watching hella novellas while eating cereal at 1 am like a desperate person.]

Everything you're describing does sound a lot like my Hell so, I'm even more sure that I'll be fine. Now you mentioned Asmodeus is here and Fiz are here? You also mentioned Blitzy's little employee now I have to wonder how many others from my Hell are here.

[He motions for him to lead the way.]

And you must tell me how your hell is different from the Rings I'm used to seeing. So, definitely after drinks are in hand.

[Blitzy... holy shit. Must not react to that nickname. LMAO.]

Definitely after. [Because reincarnations and jumping levels and castes is the last thing he wants to do sober.]

[Also Lucifer was killed, so..............]

Death does not work normally here. Not just for my Hell, I mean for Lucifer and Ozzie and their dad showed up, so that was weird. And now Michael the archangel is here too.

[Yes.]

[Moving on....] Charlie Morningstar, Alastor, ahhhh shoot, I'm forgetting some. Sorry, I'm still new compared to the rest of them, and I gravitate to the ones who aren't taken. By which I mean... [No. Really. What the fuck DOES he mean with that?!] Talent, skills, people I can use for -- [A hand wave.] Whatever. [And because Ozzie, Greed, and Lucifer have really pounded it through his skull--] That sounds worse than I mean it. Again, your Hell is... phenomenally different from mine. No clowns for one. The closest mine had was me, and you can imagine what a trip that is as royalty as well. [WRYLY!]

[Letting THAT sink in. So.. not as invulnerable as he might think. Well, FUCK. Again, he's going to need that drink ASAP. It's bad enough there was some sort of clerical error saying he died ~~he still wants to see THAT paperwork~~

But...ell. Shit. It's time Stolas focused on something else before he starts to panic.]

I am really not sure how to take this news about you 'gravitating' towards people who aren't taken. As in... what exactly do you mean by that??

[He won't deny that he he has plenty of skills and talents. Deep breath in and then SLOWLY letting it out. This is a lot to process.]

I'm starting to realize that and the clown thing...Really is Mammon's. I'm not sure how clowns got associated with Greed but, they are.

Now. About that drink. I seriously think we need one before we go any further in this discussion.

[The giant wide red eyes just sends a thrill of JOY through Nobunaga. Yeah. This is what he expected for demons, okay okay.]

[Wanting to see the paperwork is what Michael said too!!!!]

Well... damn... [He laughs because here he is constantly worried about the Greed (not Mammon, homunculus) owning too much of whatever is left over of Nobunaga and HERE HE IS apparently extra exceptionally susceptible to just that!]

By all means.

[They are definitely NOT going to the Devil's Nest (owned by homunculus Greed) now. So the fastest not too loud tubthumping (Chumbawumba) bar right there it is!]

[Sake? Something fruity?] Jungle bird. [A rum pina colada variant.] No offense. [A nod to Stolas.]

[Don't break his little owl brain further by saying he has something in common with an ArchAngel please...~~even if paperwork is practically a kink for Stolas~~

Stolas is just.. going to follow along to whatever bar they end up at and take a seat with Nobunaga. When he apologizes about the drink Stolas waves it off with a smile.]

If I were another one of my relatives, they might get offended. I'm more amused by the drink's name than anything else.

[He orders his own simple sex on a beach or whatever the hell equivalent is.]

[Oh good, throw in BDSM and he and Nobunaga might as well be twins separated from birth. Except for the owl vs. human thing obviously.]

[Nobunaga grins!] Oh all my relatives would be offended that I would dare touch anything other than sake, and even then, being in Hell, liking it here? They'd never stop giving me shit for it.

They're all varying degrees of devout however. My father wasn't a demon king, he was a monk, but in my Hell, the wars were everywhere and inescapable. My mother has demon blood in her though. But in my Hell, you become a demon king by killing a lot of others, you can't just inherit it.

[Including his family, but you know. Whatever.] Then all the demon kings fight each other until they either cede authority to the strongest -- or most evil and ruthless, terms are malleable, meaning stays the same, and then he "gets" to deal with more assassination attempts for the rest of his life because idiots think if they defeat him they can accomplish anything, but all it will really do is make them the new target.

[A CASUAL SHRUG.] It's Hell, so you know. It has its moments.

To explain about the tiers of heavens... In mine, the Buddhists believe in castes. Ehhhh until me, everyone did. [He'll skip over the upending them thing until later though.] You reincarnate based on your previous life. If you were really into the austerity - but in a non-fun no-masochism allowed way, -- then you can ascend higher tiers. [He holds up his fingers.] 4 main castes. Untouchables at the bottom, then it's merchants, because they "only" sell things. [Uses actual finger quotes for that. And drinks his rum drink with a straw!] Then it's farmers, artisans, craftsmen. Then at the top is the royalty, the samurai, the rulers. They're the only ones allowed swords until I started fucking around with things. [Understatement.] And they were allowed to kill anyone from the lower castes and no one could do much about it.

I was born into the royalty, but I also decided I didn't much like anything about it. It's a lot of killing, and not much gained for it. There's... a lot more into it. [Another understatement.] But that's the main gist of how the tiers work.

The other heavens, planes of reincarnation in hell, are animals, below even untouchables, and then finally 6th. The tier of wanting.

Supposedly Buddha, their god, traveled through all planes while on his spiritual journey, and each demon king would try to slow him down and put obstacles in his way. But the Dairokuten-mao, that's the Demon King of 6th Heaven, tried to help Buddha and speed up his travel, because he couldn't stand having someone he couldn't corrupt on his plane where it might disrupt his influence of others.

To become the 6th Heaven demon king, you have to have reincarnated the other times, up through the levels to be born royalty, but then instead of trying to reach nirvana -- [Waves a hand.] You can see that as a journey's end, or heaven, or the stars -- give it all up instead to try to not leave Hell at all - at least not by trying to reincarnate and live piously. To just say, "Fuck it. Heaven's for chumps. And the Jade Emperor sucks. I'm going to make my own peaches and give them monkeys instead!"

[...... This is why no one ever understands him. JFC.]

[Blame it half on trying to tell this story a LOT, and half on Michael specifically, whom Nobunaga decided to troll with links, so he just... does not give a fuck anymore about NOT referencing shit like Journey to the West or mixing in the Taoism with Buddhism and Hinduism and -- well he clarified it all in Michael's post.]

[MORE DRINKING:]

It's being the most insolent, conceited, and stubborn -- Like Pride, but more like the religious idea of pride rather than the actual person in practice, as near as I can tell. It's also trying to inspire others, especially the most pious, to enjoy life instead of trying to reincarnate, and hating life because they live it so piously in austerity. So you know, trying to convince everyone to enjoy luxuries, and candy, and [HAND WAVE cheerfully!] all things opposite wholesome. I don't know if you've ever met Charlie, but we almost have the same dream, and yet we're so opposite about how we want it to be, it's nearly painful.

You have to be born desperately wanting to leave the journey, to ascend beyond Hell, but then willing to give it up because austerity sucks. Needless to say, there aren't too many like me.

I didn't pick the title for myself. The cults I tried to get rid of and force a surrender did. They believed they were more in danger for their chances of reincarnating into a better life, than caring about their current lives. [THAT... douses his amused cheer throughout the rest. He does hate it, but he can't stop it or at the time change it. Maybe being hated is his punishment? Whatever.] It was their rallying cry for why they couldn't surrender to me. So I accepted it, because it's all fairly true.

As for clowns.... [A GIANT FUCKING SHRUG.] Part of the pious austerity is hating enthusiasm for..... anything? [FIRM NOD!] Anything. You're supposed to not like life. Colors. Music. [Holds up his drink!] Alcohol, food, luxuries, sweets. Art. [SNORT.] Because if you like life, you're doing it wrong and won't want to ascend. So even in my youth, I was infamous for being... fond of anything. Guns. Hanging out with the lower castes, all that.

"Not taken" in this context means... they don't know what they want to do. No specific drives or ambitions. So they're free to help me [TAKE OVER THE WORLD!] make hell more fun for everyone, starting with them. It's a lot about army and stuff, but your turn first.

[Stolas won't lie, that is a lot to take in and pretty interesting to hear about. But, again. It's a lot to take in so he's going to sip his drink and perhaps finish it before ordering another, this time some sort of fruity martini before even opening his beak to say anything.

It's a lot to unpack and it only leaves him with QUESTIONS. A lot of them. He's also trying to mentally compare it to the hierarchy of his own hell.]

I will be circling back to the role of reincarnation and it's importance in a bit, but, before I begin my own explanation I have to wonder about something.

Why is it that the pious apparently God fearing or, deity fearing people associate denying themselves simple pleasure or even an ounce of happiness think that's a way to get into Heaven or improve their afterlife?

[He's already finishing off his drink and ordering another.]

Even Angel's sing and have fun you know.

[Now back on task.]

Well, simply put my Hell isn't too difficult to understand. There are seven Rings, each ruled by one of the Seven Deadly Sins who also run their own niche industries from their rings. As far as the hierarchy goes, King Morningstar is at the top with his family and as the Sin of Pride, he rules over the Pride Ring. Then it's the rest of the Sins and after them are the Ars Goetia.

Which, of course, I am a Prince of. My father is King Paimon and as his son, I was tasked with duties in service to Hell which entail intimate knowledge of magic and the cosmos. My duty has to do with watching the heavenly bodies and deciphering prophecies in order to help any issues that might arise.

[Another sip.]

That honor unfortunately came with an arranged marriage to produce a precautionary heir to my duties in case something were to happen to me. As much as I do love my daughter, her mother is a spiteful harpy that I am relieved to finally be divorcing.

[#Relatable!]

[They are clearly destined to be bffs.]

Because they're stupid. [Lol. No, he orders another of the same drink and just rubs his face.] Longer answer... because ... [DRINKS!]

["Because they want it to be. They're afraid and it gives them control where they have none, perhaps?"]

[He rubs his temples. There's the castes, the ancestor worship, the absolute mayhem with Buddhism vs. Shinto vs. Hinduism and Taoism, and Nobunaga's big idea? Add in Christianity too!]

[Slowly:] I don't agree with Michael. It's never been about hope in my Hell. I think it's that they want to contextualize [Side glance! So far the owl is the first one keeping up with him, but he's had to dumb down his language for even Charlie. Well not Lucifer, but that's complicated in another whole big vein!] history and progress by attributing everything good to the past, and rather than making sure the future is better, they want to believe that suffering will ensure balance? It's... a little difficult for me to say, as I obviously do not agree with them, but even if I were to ask, they would just say, "because that's the truth." Cultists are... difficult.

My brother, one of them, I have about a dozen siblings, feared change so strongly, felt we should do things the way that never worked in the past, because at least it was known. In general, I'd say they all feared the unknown, and thinking their superstitions could control it gave them the feeling, though not reality, that they were in power instead of vice versa. I had to disprove magic, so it got... complicated. But that's for the "true believers," among them. Others were just liars taking advantage of anything they could. Hell, no matter who the gods are.

No wonder being here is driving you nuts. If it's any consolation, if Lucifer's father could wind up here, then it clearly couldn't be predicted or warned against. There's another goddess here too: Aqua, she's from a different world, in charge of reincarnation to it. Water goddess.

Ah. My condolences. Kanpai. Cheers. [When round 2 arrives.] Arranged marriages are standard for royalty where I'm from, but --

[Where does he BEGIN?] Mine was a bit weirder than most. [Good start.] It's pretty standard that the royalty have concubines, harems, mistresses, or in the case of the Emperor-- [Sighs and waves a hand again. He hates mentioning them because then everyone gets the wrong idea, and even here, even now it's so taboo even Nobunaga wouldn't speak it in Japan. The only political thing that could destroy him! Though it's moot here.] Not my boss, more like my charge. He prefers men, so he adopted someone with enough blood claim and also the political and military might to rule. So the marriages are more about politics, not heirs. But it gets... very messy.

My ex-partner was given to me alongside his twin sister and their cousin. She died very young, and their demon king of a father was basically like, "well, good thing you've got the other!" Both were meant to assassinate me, but underestimating me for having a human father is never wise. And Kichou -- oh I should add, they were both named Kichou. Demon kings aren't creative with names -- was underestimated too. Though now he's gone full terrorist. No idea why. We never got along day to day, it takes a masochist to tolerate me, but he wanted to progress the country as much as anyone, I thought.

You have my sympathies. How old is your daughter now?

Edited 2024-08-27 06:40 (UTC)

[Obviously. The best of friends.

At the rate Stolas is finishing his drinks because of this conversation, he might be drunk before they stop. He also clearly agrees with the stupid statement. Humans make no sense and by extension other beings who think suffering mean better things! Stolas suffered through a lousy marriage with a bitch of a wife and the only good thing he got was his precious daughter.

...And falling in love with a certain Imp. He's still on the fence on whether THAT is a good or bad thing right now. It's complicated.

VERY COMPLICATED. ~~it involves deals okay and probably not his brightest move~~.

And so far this owl is still keeping up with the conversation.]

Sadly, you don't have to explain how difficult cultists are to me. They still like to perform human sacrifices in my name for my favor. Honestly, they would have a better chance of that if they gave me cake and wine.

Besides, if you were to ask my opinion on my Hell, the very thing that created it would be free will and a human's right to choose their path in life. Whatever they choose results in their afterlife, whether they become Sinners or Winners.

The only real thing I know is that the more depraved one is, the more likely they end up in Hell. Then it's their choice just how much they end up suffering once they get there. Which leads into Princess Charlie's idea of redemption since Sinners can still choose. Theoretically. I'm not exactly sure how accurate that theory is.

[He shrugs and works on his drink.]

But, it also does not mean that you have to suffer to attain Heaven. At least, I don't think it does. Then again, what would I know? I'm a Demon Prince that studies prophecies.

[Another Sip as he listens to how he describes his family and sort of, pauses. That sounds eerily familiar. Maybe they really were meant to be bbfs.]

That does make me feel a little better. And yes, I'm sure this entire situation is designed to drive me a little crazy considering we're in some kind of pseudo-proto hell. If it didn't then it wouldn't be just like home to begin with.

[His entire life seems to be designed to drive him mad one way or another sooo....]

I think, as far as partners and arranged marriages go, we both have horror stories. While it's not unheard of to have affairs or multiple partners, I think I would go insane if I had to deal with more than one Stella.

[He pauses and downs the rest of his current drink before ordering a few shots because...YEAH. ]

Besides, can you imagine being married to a bitch of a woman and not realizing you like men until you meet an imp that makes you feel..

[NOPE. He's slamming those shots the moment they hit the counter. He's not going into this. NOT AT ALL. And he's not going to state just how much of a masocist he must be to tolerate half the shit he has.]

Anyway.

Octavia is seventeen and like I said. She is the only good thing that came out of that marriage.

I know right? It's like cults are generally allergic to a good time. Not always though. My spouse was a cultist. But that's a whole time travel, not arranged marriage thing. They made their cult to be anti-war and all about having fun and sex.

Apparently Sir Pentious, one of her sinners made it. Redeemed, went up. Not just here, everyone can go back and forth, but for real, real Heaven. Permanently. But the way he did it sounds like suffering to me. [DRINK!] I can handle Klaus, my partner, telling me to try harder on the empathy and listening and communication and PTSD, but too much of the apologies and trust and I start to feel like I'm the one allergic. Just... flay me and get it over with more quickly.

Gotcha. Cheers. That's why I only want Klaus. [Happy chirp note!] They're already a handful. And everyone here is just like "it's hell baby," [He might be copying Ozzie a little, but affectionately?] "You can have all the love you want." Okay, but I didn't even want Klaus necessarily, I just fell into it, and got addicted. They're my addiction. In a -- [Wavers hand!] Good and bad way. Bad only when we're separated and I go through withdrawal. Good all the rest of the time. But I'm sure as Hell not adding another on purpose.

[Leans his chin on a fist.] So why Blitz0? I mean, he's kind of cool. I do like all the imps. He and Moxxie are a blast with guns, but Blitz0's almost illiterate. Is it the opposites thing?

[Hand up.] Not going to pry if you want to keep it quiet. But I can go on for hours about Klaus so it's just an excuse, and I'm curious.

Ahhh good age. I don't think she's here, whether that's good or not, but I'll keep an eye out just in case. There are a lot more older teens than you'd expect.

At least your spouse has the good mind to make a cult that actually does something fun with themselves and stand for something and not just hoarding occult power like most do.

[Stolas chokes on the next shot and starts coughing when a Sinner being redeemed gets mentioned. That coughing doesn't stop when he learns that he can visit Heaven here. Now that...What.

Give him a moment to get himself back together.]

Exactly, how DID he get into heaven?

It sounds like your partner makes you very happy, even it sounds like he might be a handful. Even if everyone encourages otherwose. It's really your choice.

[And while he can't..okay, maybe he can relate to relating another person to an addiction, though if he were honest with himself, it's probably not a healthy thing.

Of course, Stolas would rather get stabbed with a holy weapon again before admitting that. He's had a LOT of time to think since his stint in the Hospital.

And just when Stolas thought it was safe to take another shot, he asks that question. Again, he's left stuttering and coughing before finally finding his voice again.]

No, it's not the "oppostites" thing like most people think. It's..

[Stolas hesitates before shaking his head and this time reaching for another shot before something happens to make him choke on his alcohol again.]

He's the first person that made me feel..

[He's struggling for the words. Seen? Wanted? There are a million ways to describe it and as eloquent as Stolas can be with his words, THIS makes him falter.]

It's complicated. Lets just leave the matter at that, shall we? I'm also relieved to hear that Octavia isn't here. Though, I suppose if she does show up, that won't be so bad.

Edited 2024-08-27 23:17 (UTC)

Exactly! Klaus is the best. [Sparkles!]

Ahhhh sorry about that. I forgot how shocking that would be to you lot. Honestly, I don't know? I wasn't there for it. Something about the Pr-- Charlie's pushback against the exterminations, she succeeded. But when she was telling me about it, it was all redemption, saying you're sorry, things that make me feel like my spine is going to rip out of my skin, so I just... couldn't keep going with that line of inquiry. There might be one or two others who know even more than her, but she's more than happy to talk to anyone about the possibility for success. Which I get... I had a similar thing in my Hell that only my army really believed in and even then? [Hand waver.] 50/50 some days. [Pretty much ALL of them had severe doubts, just knew it was worth the attempt even if (when?) they failed. That he pulled it off? Yeah, that... that he definitely shares with Charlie.]

Klaus is definitely a handful. [Laughs.] That's why I love them. I've always gotten bored before. Since my -- ahhhhh Kichou wasn't masochistic enough to stick around me, I had to run around and keep things unpredictable. Klaus is... both hands full. Can't handle more. And I never know what to expect with them. Their powers keep changing. So they might be levitating or throwing cake through wormholes, or doing yoga and -- [Give him a moment, he's fine, just made himself dazed remembering/thinking about it!]

Yeah, pure chaos.

[A quieter grin!] I get it, Stolas. Sees you as you are, and doesn't care about the status or the rest, yeah? [Klaus and the Demon King thing. Where Klaus ALSO *did* get the Demon King persona, just knew Nobunaga better than let Oda lose himself in it.]

Octavia could make a lot of friends if she wanted, at least.

So what do you do when you're not researching prophesies?

You mean, all the things that a Sinner might be able to accomplish but not a Hellborn like myself.

[He can undestand the adversion to redemption talk since it doesn't really do him any good in the long run.

Stolas orders another drink this time and after several and the shots, he's finally starting to feel that warm fuzzy feeling of being tispy. It's a nice feeling and it makes him slow down his drinking just to enjoy it for as long as he can.]

Chaotic partners do keep things exciting so I cannot blame you for the joy he brings to your life. Even if it is very unpredictable.

[He does smile a little at that before slowly sipping his drink and then tensing before slowly relaxing as Nobunaga gets it.]

At least, that's my hope in how he sees me. It's what it feels like when we're together in the bedroom at least. But, outside of it..I've been thinking about it a lot lately.

[He sighs and takes another sip. Perhaps it's the sheer amount of alcohol in his system right now that's making him talk...]

A few months ago, I ended up in a bit of a dire situation and I had hoped he would save me.

[SIP.]

He didn't and sent someone else to do it. I spent a little time in the hospital with some quite severe injuries and I really..haven't spoken to him since then.

[Another sip and then a pause before finishing off the drink and then asking for another. This time, he requests the entire bottle get left.]

That would be nice, Octavia needs more friends to maybe it would do her good to be here.

[He's pouring himself another drink from the bottle and feeling a little more than buzzed now. He.. might need to get cut off soon.]

I garden and read mostly. Sometimes I watch TV or I draw. I rarely go out anymore so...

Edited (I blame the dog ) 2024-08-28 02:19 (UTC)

Not necessarily. Lucifer's father was here. I punched him. [Proudly...] Make sure you talk to Lucifer or Ozzie about it, okay? And... go up in the elevator first. There's nothing to stop you. I'm just not into it personally.

I like it because it's chaos. [Laughs, but he's so happy!] I've had almost anything I could ever want, except leaving hell. Conquered mine, owned the world, and everything was so... predictable. People change so slowly. I had to time travel a good 450 years to stop being bored. Not knowing what Klaus will do one moment to the next? Keeps me going. I don't get burned out, because he just reignites it when I'm getting low. Is it any wonder I never want to go back?

Yeah?

[Frowns over the story though. Nobunaga can definitely see himself doing what Blitzo did, but why is a big deal.] Think he was too scared to see you in trouble?

[A quiet hum!] Klaus is fond of TV and movies. Disney musicals, and trashy movies like Velocipastor and Lavalantula. I have been trying to read everything. There's internet here, and but not on the ship where Klaus and I met, and no electricity in Hell. So I'm trying to catch up on 500+ years of history and art and music. [Evil laugh!] I linked tons of them to Michael the archangel.

You should come with me. I'm not allowed to make a typical demon king army because you know the angel extermination connotations, [And yet he keeps collecting people anyway!!! An army by another name is still... a mother fucking army!] but I am doing the tour guide thing I mentioned. And fight club. But really it's just mercenary kind of things. Taking all the assassination attempts on me and weaponizing it to protect others. Ultimate fuck you to them, yeah?

You're a free bird and the world is yours to explore now. And if you want to be up topside, Klaus is up there, so he can vouch you, if you're worried about getting hassled, but honestly they're milder than the least annoying noble, so you probably won't notice. Just passive aggressive and snide. It's just really bright, so make sure you bring a couple pairs of sunglasses. [Points to his own eyes.] Classic demon red eyes handle the dark well. Not so much overwhelming sunlight. Even night is bright up there but you can see the stars forever.

[What is it with nearly choking on his drink when something startling is mentioned? Being told Nobunaga punched Lucifer's father just so happens to be the latest thing that makes him choke and causing him to cough as he continues talking. Eventually he recovers enough to talk again...]

You punched...? Please tell me there's a recording of that somewhere.

[That is something Stolas might pay to see just for the sheer insanity of the statement itself. Though, his curiosity gets tempered when he addresses why Blitz didn't Visit him.]

I don't know. I sent him texts asking him to come and see me and he never responded. The one who kidnapped me was trying to kill me and it seems like it doesn't even matter to him.

[He takes another drink and then after a moment finishes it off and reaches for the bottled again. At the mentioning of trashy movies and tv, Stolas perks up a little because that shit is his jam. He might have been watching too many trashy romance movies lately but, he loves them all the same.]

Are there trashy romance movies here?

[He's asking. For world comparisons of course. However, when the conversation turns towards joining Nobunaga and his...supposed freedom, Stolas becomes quiet and sips his drink.]

Am I really that free of my duties here?

[it's not his hell so, he should be right? Does he finally have the right to choose what he does instead of feeling trapped? He draws in a deep breath and then grabs the bottle to start drinking straight from it. He finishes it off and seems a little wobbly in his seat. Yes, definitely time to cut a certain Owl off.]

Not sure if I want to follow anyone right now. Dunno how useful I might be since I'm just.. some dumb Prince that studies stars and a hopeless romantic.

[Pause.]

But, I would like to see the stars here. Soon I think. I wonder if they will be as comforting here as they are at home.

[Nobunaga laughs again, and subtly does his best to take the bottle away, and signal for a bartender to get juice to swap it with. Listen, death is a thing here now after all!]

Sadly, no! I did it before I could even think about who it was! I just knew they had deity vibes and I was mad? [More dying of lulz!] After the fact I was like, "oh shit, what if I get Yato in trouble?" But he seemed pretty chill about it once he got his hat back on.

There are trashy romance movies here. And you can see the stars topside! And I've been dying to figure out where we even are but... I don't know a damn thing about them beyond Japan 1582, and even then? Not that well. Not as much constant pollution as the future, but given I was in a separate part of hell? Everything was covered in smoke and fog of war. Escaping to the mountains for clean skies was a rare luxury even I couldn't often afford. [And Tayrey hasn't once agreed to it with him. Whether because it'll hurt her to look at what she can't have, or she genuinely doesn't hold the interest now.] You do paperwork too, right? My friend -- with like added connotations because he's a sin of Greed, but NOT Mammon -- but you said yourself, clowns and Greed go together for whatever reason-- could use some help with that. He's hiring for.... everything. But you might be able to handle it better than me. I can do paperwork in my lack of sleep, but I get all ruled up around him, so I'd rather fight or bouncer where I can channel it better.

[Snaps his fingers.] Michael. The archangel. You've seen how I talk this much, yeah? He challenged me to explain my hell theologically and literally under 300 words. So I did it in haikus, and cheating as only a demon king can. That I can show you. [Another laugh and he shakes his head, stealthily swapping the bottle for juice!] Reverse of how I deal with Greed. This time you can have the paperwork, but the violence I didn't get on camera. Unless someone else did! That'd be really funny. Just bootleg VHS of Christian god getting punched out of nowhere? I should look into it!

[Re: Blitzo --]

Fuck that reminds me of my ex.

Kichou. I mentioned him. So the last time I saw him, I sent him to deal with the Ikkou Ikki. He's brilliant. So damn smart at whatever he sets his mind to. Languages, economics, engineering. His cousin too. Klaus is smarter, but used to pretend not to be, because he doesn't want to be. [Waves a hand.] I sent Kichou to deal with the cult. He's not quite as popular with anyone he meets as Klaus, but close enough. Better when he tries hard. It was the first time he failed me. He disappeared. We couldn't get a hold of him or anything. What the future calls "ghosting." [Only funny because of Klaus' superpower.] Next time we saw him he was making explosives and --

Fuck me, that's why I'm thinking about it. That's the other thing I'm doing now: explosives. I forgot Kichou did that too, because when we younger I did it all and he couldn't get his hands dirty stuck playing princess for his father's schemes and-- [Shakes and rattles his head. It even explains his reaction to Klaus and gunpowder. Klaus handling it himself, not needing Nobunaga to do it all -- Whewwww when you put something out of mind...] It sneaks up on you. Just when you think you're over something, huh?

[Maybe he'll ask Blitz0 the imp's side, but for now--]

Maybe you're not free, but if you want to be, I'll fight for you. [Sly grin!] And you'd be doing me a big favor. In my hell, I completely overthrew the castes from the bottom up. Gave weapons to anyone who wanted it, made a bunch of commoners or lowe castes samurai royalty, anything I could do to push it in that direction without backfiring and getting everyone more killed. [Like Charlie's worry about Nobunaga's tactics to undermine overlords.]

I don't know enough about the politics here, just enough to get into trouble, and too much to stay out, but not enough to navigate it. You don't have to field anything for me, just be an advisor and the world is yours. And Klaus only got here a week ago or so! So they could definitely use more demon friends that won't be a problem. [Drugs.]

It'll be fun~ [His best tempting voice!]

[At this point, Stolas doesn't even realize that he's ordering juice to replace the bottle he currently has a death grip on. It might take a little distraction to get it away from him.

It's also starting to take a little more concentration than it should to follow the flow of the conversation as the alcohol makes itself more apparently in his system.]

Well when I look at the stars, I can tell you easily. I've been studying them all my life and there isn't a cosmic body I don't know.

[At least, in his hell. Here? He's probably going to get thrown for a loop..]

And we can marathon trashy romance movies then! We can have popcorn and cookies.. and icecream I think. And pizza. Oh! It can be a pizza party sleepover. I've never had one of those before.

[He finally lets go of the bottle to run his claws through his feathers as he tries to get himself to focus again.]

You know... okay. I'm good with paperwork and I'm a fast ready. Why, I read through a thick contract stack of papers when Fiz got kidnapped and found all the nasty loopholes and bad deals for Ozzy not that long ago. I think I can handled whatever this friend of yours has...

[He does not notice when the bottle gets replaced and reaches for it moments later. He takes a sip, frowns and peers at the bottle before shrugging and then starting to chug it. When he finishes, he sets it down.]

Never met an Angel before..Fallen, of course. Not a..reall one? One from heaven. That. They don't deal with the Goetia, we don't deal with them.

[Right???]

Bring on the politicking and the paperwork! I don't want to treat imps poorly and it's unfair that we do. But, I'm rich, I'm hot and I might as well use my good looks and smarts for something. Even if that's something advising someone and doing paperwork.

And watching movies.

[YEP. Someone is definitely DRUNK.]

[AND SWAPS!]

[Listen he was with Klaus almost a year before they went sober. Not to mention the withdrawal and drying out period for his brother too.]

He'd love that. I've never had one either. Pizza party and movies.

Oh good. Good with contracts. That'll help.

Ayyyy first time for everything, right? Or as Greed - again not Mammon - is fond of saying, "never say never."

[Pfffft he can't help laughing a little, but he's happy.] That's the spirit! Watch movies get laid by new imps or something?

Then pizza parties every night! And lots of trashy romance movies.. if this place has hella novella's I'll introduce you and your Klaus to them because the storylines are the best and filled with lots of twists and so much romance!

[He is going to be so hungover later that it won't be funny. Or maybe it will..]

So good with contracts... I love reading them because you never know what you can find. Or what you can sneak in without anyone knowing. It's an artform I tell you!

[He's reaching for another bottle to chug, still unaware that it's just juice now.]

And maybe I will! I haven't been laid in months and I'm not sure if Blitzy wants to anymore cause he hasn't said anything and he's still using my book. I need that book to do my job and he still has it. I should ask for it back soon.

But then he might not like me anymore..

[He groans and rubs his main eyes with the heel of his hands.]

What if he doesn't anymore? What if he never did?? I mean.. my Grimoire is the only thing that keeps him coming back because of our deal..

[Deep breath... let it out and focus Stolas.]

Doesn't matter. It'll work itself out eventually. We just need to talk.. and end the deal. Then I'll know.

[He'll definitely enjoy that.] Might have to get you something else to drink with him though, he's working on it. How are you with sugar? Hot chocolate, or that sort of thing?

[And fuck he knows.... that feeling. And has BEEN that feeling... So. Very. Often.] I could talk to him if you're worried. I get along better with Moxxie, but in general, I like all the imps I've run into so far. [Leans on a fist.]

What would happen if something happened to your Grimoire?

[And drawing the Oda symbol with a finger on the bartop.] Maybe he doesn't want to end the deal. That could be why too.

Are you the jealous type at all?

[Because Blitzo... is so fucking bad at hiding shit, and if Oda does show Stolas the post with the million links and resources; he might have to talk to someone about how to cover certain tracks here. Seeing as Blitzo hit on Michael of all things. Didn't get anywhere but...]

Thing was, I never was jealous with Kichou. Well, Kichou wasn't interested in that anyway, and he's at least as scary as I am, if not more. But Klaus...? Kept making it all about me. Wanting my freedom, for me to fuck others, and go on dates, like they couldn't believe they were what I wanted. [A quiet hum.] That was I decided I had to marry them. And waited three months without them just in case, because if they showed up, and I did sleep with someone else, I was so damn sure he'd take it to mean I wanted something more than him, and flat out, I can't handle more than him, he's a handful.

It's something about this place that goes with my Hell. Everyone else here is about as far from monogamy as my Hell. But I only want the best. It's a problem. [Red eyes glowing in thought.]

Make Blitzo come back to you. Be having so much fun, he realizes what he wants. -- Not easy, he's kind of a mess, at least as much as my Klaus. But have confidence. You want him to be happy, right? Not easy for people like them, but all you have to do is leave that window open, and they'll come flying in like a lost hawk in a storm, right when you're about ready to give up on waiting for them.

Hm..? I do like sugary drinks and tea. Hot chocolate is nice, though I'm not sure about it going with pizza.

[Stolas starts picking at the hem of his cape when Nobunaga asks if he could talk to Blitzo for him.]

My book has all my spells and rituals in it. IF something were to happen to it, I might not be able to do my duties.

[He runs his hands through his feathers again and groans as he sits back in his chair.]

The stupid thing is how I learned my magic in the first place! But, I only need it like.. once a month on the full moon. Now anyway. It allows me to study the stars and open portals to distant parts of the cosmos. Not that I can't do portals on my own. Just.. it makes it easier.

[He huffs. The book is important okay. ]

Am I the jealous type..? I don't know! I could care less about what Stella did and Blitzy..Blitzy I only see when we fuck. And that's.. that's it! He never takes me anywhere and the one time he did it was a disaster! I'm aware of at least... one of his exes.

[He groans and buries his head in his hands.]

A Popstar! He dated a Popstar and I don't even know where we stand! I've only ever been with two people and one of them is the bitch I'm divorcing and and.. HIM. I don't know what to do with his flirting..I enjoy it. But, I don't think I'm the only one he was sleeping with. I don't know if I would be jealous if we were dating...

And I don't know if I'm monogamous or whatever. I hate being married to Stella. Why couldn't I marry for love instead of it being arranged with a self-centered narcissist? I blame my father for this.

[Deep BREATH. Stolas... is still very much in the process of figuring out what HE wants now a days.]

I know he's a mess and so am I...I just want him to want me. Yes..I want him to be happy but, why can't he be happy with me? He's brilliant and funny. He never fails to make me laugh and I just..like spending time with him. Why is this so difficult.

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cw: discussing the violence of Sengoku feudal era of Japan = hell + casual sacrilege

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