ahelluvahigh

[ahelluvahigh]

Psa:

Her best friend's birthday starts in two hours.

If you do anything to make it negative in any way, she will ruin your life.

[ahelluvahigh]

"His birthday's t'morra. Don't ruin it fa' him, okay?"

" I'm not in the mood for anyone's shit tonight. And that includes Angel Dust. "

[ahelluvahigh]

Seconds? Oh. Right. Portals. Do all nobles get a fancy book that gives them magical powers? Do they just... hand them over when they dub someone a noble? Where do they keep them until then? "I'll see you in twenty seconds then."

The imp hangs up, his shoulders slumping as he quickly texts Loona that he's meeting with a potential (rich as fuq) client, and for her to take the van and go home. He'll get a cab ride home later.

"That went... well?" Delphine asks-- in a voice that was not her own. Seems she's using a spell to mask her accent. If she sounds like Andrealphus, she'll put their friend on guard.

Good, he was willing to at least meet with them. That was a good first step. He watched the motion Delphine made and nodded, looking back to his phone, "Within seconds. What time works best for you?"

A meeting at least could hopefully open Blitz's eyes to how delicate things could be, and he knew Hell just as well as anyone. If there was a fight with royalty, he knew that it wasn't just a select few Hellborn would go after. It'd be everyone.

And then no Hellborn would have mercy from royalty in return.

[ahelluvahigh]

Delphine's grip on her axe tightened as the glass rose around her. All this time, she thought that her friend's lost memories had been taken away by an injury, but now... it seemed as if they had been taken; a magical force took them and held them hostage as a way to keep Duedephelon in line.

Without memories to link to a sense of self, his only anchor was the one assigned to him by their esteemed elders.

And this place-- this wretched, haunted place... it used that anchor as a chain to keep the young Goetia locked away.

His memories will never return... not so long as this place maintains its hold on him.

Delphine looks into the other's eyes as his consciousness seems to fade away... leaving behind little more than a puppet on a set of strings.

She had an answer to that question... but words would not reach him. Spoken words would not overpower the dirge that demanded she run away from this shattered wonderland.

The only way to combat such a melody... is with one of her own.

A soft piano plays over the discordant screams as particles of water mix with air, freezing them, and summoning a soft flurry of snow.

♪ Here comes a wave meant to wash me away, A tide that is taking me under, Swallowing sand, left with nothing to say, My voice drowned out in the thunder...

But I won't cry... ♪

She sings as she takes a step towards the chained puppet.

♪ And I won't start to crumble,,, Whenever they try... ♪

She extends her arm once more, her axe vanishing in a prism of light... replaced with the very sword Duedephelon gifted her.

♪ To shut me or cut me down... ♪

Her heels clack against the cold floor as she steps into the en garde position. She now looks past her dear friend... as if speaking to the castle itself.

♪ I won't be silenced, You can't keep me quiet, Won't tremble when you try it, All I know is I won't go speechless. ♪

She motions with her hand. She knows the castle will use Duedephelon as a weapon... and she will use that opportunity to slice through the chains that keep him captive.

♪'Cause I'll breathe, When they try to suffocate me, Don't you underestimate me, 'Cause I know that I won't go speechless! ♪

A horrific wail came from the now open sanctum and seemed to flood the cavernous main hall of the castle in an aura of mind-bending wrongness. The wail sounded like a million questions being asked at once, trying to force their way into the minds of all present

It was clear from the limp vacant stare of Duedephelon, now almost suspended by the shackles on his limbs and around his neck- almost like a soul that's been sold- what the effects of longterm exposure were. The source of his memory loss was clear.

The remnants of arcane glass, incomplete and writing in their large brass frames inside the room behind him, stirred. The questions bellowed and overlapped sounding like cracks and shatters.

"Why do you fight? Why do you try to take our keeper from us? Why don't you leave? Why do you make him question his only purpose for being? WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY?"

Shattered glass on the floor rose and whirled around the captive steward, cracking back together to form a sword and shield in his hands. The chains set him down, but did not let go. He hung there like a captive gladiator as his feet finally found the old stone floor again.

As if trying to drown out Delphine and remind the "lord" of the castle of his place, it began again, ready for force Duedephelon to fight for it if need be.

He managed one more question of his own as his eyes started to take on the same pale glow of the chains. "Why.... Didn't you run?"

The music resumed as he charged, all while desperately trying in vain to reign in his own movements. It was clear his charge had no intention of allowing him to hold back.

♪ Foul child, bastard and beast O lost lamb, first to the feast Come claim if you're able a spot at this table Mild and meek, down on your knees For hide and seek. It's time that we feed Your heart is racing, blood is running cold Your fractured will is whispering (fly away) Far Away, here be lions ♪

♪ Say goodnight With each bite does your sanity die Sucking the life out, letting the dark Inside, say a prayer as the light leaves your eyes Or scream all you like, your gods can't hear you ♪

♪ Scream Now scream Scream Pseudo suicide, don't choke on your pride Scream Now scream Now scream Yeah, I'm gonna watch you bleed ♪

♪ Flensed and flayed, how does it feel? Your pound is paid, those scars will not heal Lost in suffering, drowning in your tears ♪ ♪ Won't someone, somewhere tell me (Where do I) go from here ♪ ♪ Be the lion ♪

♪ Say goodnight With each bite does your sanity die Sucking the life out, letting the dark Inside, say a prayer as the light leaves your eyes Or scream all you like, the gods can't hear you ♪ ♪ Dressed in rage, inside my cage My pandemonium, still bound to the flame that I bear Buried alive in the coffin of who I used to be I'll scream all I like, 'cause we're all mad here ♪

♪ Slumbering, tumbling Wandering, wondering Suffering, hungering ♪ ♪ Forever falling into my mind Deeper, deeper down 'til I ♪

♪ Say goodnight to the shadow I left far behind I'm just a stranger, we are all strange ♪ ♪ Inside, you can run but there's nowhere to hide So scream all you like, no one can hear us ♪ ♪ Follow me (Follow me), come follow me (Follow me) To Pandemonium, still bound to the flame that I bear There's no release (Rescue me) from this empty, waking wonderland (Rescue me) ♪ ♪ So scream if you like, 'cause we're all mad here Scream all you like, 'cause we're all mad here ♪

[ahelluvahigh]

To everyone on the dash currently considering taking on another character:

Do it.

[ahelluvahigh]

Paaaaa--

Did he say Patch?

Shit. Yes he did.

Patch as in... Baron Patch. As in a noble. An imp noble, yeah, sure, but a noble.

Blitz takes a good, long, hard stare at the phone as his fellow imp explains that he wants to talk to him about Hellwide importance.

... Does he know who he's talking to?

Did he not hear Stolas sing a whole damn song about how incapable he was of doing something big?

Hold on--

away from certain ears?

Oh, shit! Does he need somebody dead?

Word of the bizz spread pretty fucking fast after the trial aired.

He usually only takes on sinners as clients, but a baron's going to have some damn deep pockets.

"... I guess I can stay after hours. Since you're Gritt's brother. How quick can you make it over here?"

Delphine offers a thumbs up before making a swirling motion with her hand, pantomiming the motion of opening a portal.

Delphine returns that soft smile before easing her way across the grass to sit beside Patch. She wanted to appear as a united front-- even if this was a phone call... and even if she knew it was best that she keep her mouth shut during this conversation. She was, after all... the child of the man who suggested Blitz's execution. Even if the plan was never for Blitz to die... that was hardly a defense anyone would want to hear.

No, my father didn't want you to die, he wanted Stolas to think you would die so he would make a brash decision in the heat of the moment and forfeit his throne.

... Yes, it was best she let Patch do the talking.

The phone rang several times before being answered-- with the sound of a thud.

The man in question was locking up for the day. He was halfway down the hall when the phone rang, sending him rushing back, fumbling with his keys, unlocking the door, and making a flying leap for the phone.

... Maybe they didn't hear the crash.

"... This is I.M.P. What can we do ya for?"

[ahelluvahigh]

Sebastian Michaelis (Black Butler)

Hubert von Vestra (Fire Emblem: Three Houses)

Actual lore surrounding Naberius.

Bykayua Togami (Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc)

Lord Yomi of Gandara (Yu Yu Hakusho)

Orochimaru (Naruto)

I have typed and erased this man's bio three times because I hate the way it's coming out... maybe posting this will help me structure my brain.

[ahelluvahigh]

Was she expecting him to sing to her in return? -- Somewhat. From what she gathered, Hell had a musical magic to it that came from the queen herself. Demons often broke into song--

The... castle... singing? That... was new. The chilling words and the glowing chains were enough to catch her off guard. She drew back-- only for the gentle clammer of her heel tapping against the cold floor to snap her back.

Run? No--

That's what's wrong with their world!

Those in charge-- those with the power to make a change run. Out of fear of Heaven-- Out of fear of losing their own power-- out of sheer disregard for everyone else...

"No--!" She calls as her arm thrusts forward, a shimmering prism appearing in the palm of her hand, expanding, and taking on the form of a pole axe.

"I refuse to leave you bound in chains!"

The music swelled seemingly out of nowhere. Duedephelon turned to see a familiar, if disguised face. He listened and his heart both fluttered and then suddenly sank at what she was asking of him.

To leave this castle. To choose a different life. To take her hand and spirit away.

To abandon it all. Abandon the only meaning in life he knows.

He shook and turned away. He couldn't. He just couldn't. This was the only real purpose he had.

It was faint and shaky at first, but Phel responded.

♪ I've been astray from the moment I Could feel the ground, I could not decide Just like the sea when it pulls the tide ♪

♪ Further I sink to the depths below Breathing, no matter how far I go I'm losing grip on the afterglow ♪

The ancient stone door seemed to shimmer and glow. From behind there was an almost faint rhythmic refrain. When the door swung open, gleaming chains wrapped around his limbs and neck while ethereal voices swelled.

♪ Can you see what's really haunting you? The answer to Why you feel so alone? Will you turn away or feed the pain? Consume your heart and bones? ♪

Phel tried to reach out before his arm was pulled back and he was yanked back into place. Where he belonged.

♪ I can't take the pressure, my demons taste the air I can't take the pressure, I'm gone beyond repair ♪

When the silence hung, he spoke again with a quivering voice. The horrific voices from within the now open sanctum started to gibber questions that would worm their way into the minds of the unprepared.

"It is too late for me, Delphine. It always has. Run."

[ahelluvahigh]

"My, my! It seems I've returned home in the midst of quite the disagreement.

What is the topic of debate this evening?"

[ahelluvahigh]

Delphine returns that soft smile before easing her way across the grass to sit beside Patch. She wanted to appear as a united front-- even if this was a phone call... and even if she knew it was best that she keep her mouth shut during this conversation. She was, after all... the child of the man who suggested Blitz's execution. Even if the plan was never for Blitz to die... that was hardly a defense anyone would want to hear.

No, my father didn't want you to die, he wanted Stolas to think you would die so he would make a brash decision in the heat of the moment and forfeit his throne.

... Yes, it was best she let Patch do the talking.

The phone rang several times before being answered-- with the sound of a thud.

The man in question was locking up for the day. He was halfway down the hall when the phone rang, sending him rushing back, fumbling with his keys, unlocking the door, and making a flying leap for the phone.

... Maybe they didn't hear the crash.

"... This is I.M.P. What can we do ya for?"

"He might if he's not busy. We can call his office, schedule a time. He does know my brother, so that might make him a little more willing to give us the time of day." Hopefully. He'd probably appreciate them treating his time as valuable, even if he didn't say it.

After all, everyone's time was valuable to Patch.

"When we're worried about the people, its best to talk to the people and see how they are." He grinned, tail wagging. He and Gritt had similar cheeky smiles, though slightly different. Patch's was softer, less bold. They were twins after all.

He was quick to Voogle the number, dialing before he leaned against the tree and waited for an answer.

[ahelluvahigh]

Bird fam has spoken.

Fuck it, we Baal.

The Most Valiant Marquis is here.

A few months back, I attached Naberius to my Black Butler blog (because Sebastian's clearly got a lot or crow/ raven undertones).

Since I have so many Goetia shenanigans going on here, maybe I should place him here / have him guest muse here for a bit.

[ahelluvahigh]

@hazbinsandweirdos asked: (to Sasha because God's forbid he go talk to Niss) "...So...how are things going with uh- with you?" He definitely wasn't going to ask her about how Niss is doing!

"Best ya got, huh?" She asks, her tail wagging happily as she holds up the take out bag of peking duck. She's always happy to see Pierre-- even if the circumstances... could be better. There's definitely a heaviness in the air... that elephant continues to stand in the middle of the room, staring them both dead in the face.

"You... wanna tell me what happened? I can't get anything out of him. Shocking, I know."

Actually, it kind of was. Arackniss wasn't a man of many words, but the last time he and Pierre had a fight, he... at least showed that it frustrated him. He said some words.

Now he just... shrugs. And chain smokes-- worse than usual.

[ahelluvahigh]

A few months back, I attached Naberius to my Black Butler blog (because Sebastian's clearly got a lot or crow/ raven undertones).

Since I have so many Goetia shenanigans going on here, maybe I should place him here / have him guest muse here for a bit.

[ahelluvahigh]

You know that feeling when you're at work and you say, when I get home, I'm going to be so productive!

... And then you get home and immediately exhaustion pops up, kicks you in the face, and leaves you to stare at your computer for two hours as you try and fail to do the things you wanted to do?

I'll give it another go tomorrow. As for now.

I attempt to sleeb.

[ahelluvahigh]

♪ Only we will know All that was lost, Scars that we can't erase Show us life's true cost... ♪

♪ The blue moonlight Cuts across our sight As pure and clear as a ringing bell, Reaching for us in the night... As the wind calms my thoughts, I held strong on this terrace side I feel at peace, Carried away by the wind's song... ♪ 

♪ Open the door... And walk away... Never give in To the call of yesterday... Memories that made Those days sublime... These ruined halls entomb Stolen time... ♪ 

♪  Reach for my hand... I'll soar away... Into the dawn, Oh, I wish I could stay, Here in cherished halls, In peaceful days, I fear the edge of dawn, Knowing time betrays... ♪ 

"I... I do not know what to think. What could this mean? Why is this happening? Why here? Why now? Why our own? Will this drive us apart? What should I do if it does? Will I be forced to choose? What if she is right? What if she is not? How do I know? How? How? How? How? How? How? How? How?"

[ahelluvahigh]

If he so much as breathes in Gritt's general direction...

There are snow clouds forming.

[ahelluvahigh]

For someone who was previously just a waiter, Patch had a way with words. He was able to see that they both had something to offer in this situation-- and he was able to explain it without making her feel like she was a senseless noble who didn't know anything about how Hell really worked.

Star-filled eyes keep an unblinking eye on Patch as he explains. That's right-- she might have seen the fireworks going and the banners, but she never spoke to anyone about them. The imps celebrating Blitz's survival would, of course, talk to another imp about his triumph.

If they're not sounding the drums of war-- if they're simply celebrating a win... maybe the fires aren't quite as stoked as she believed. Although... having an imp becoming nobility only a month or so before an imp escaped execution by a sin... everyone in Hell must see that the wheels are turning.

The talk of placating causes her to frown once more. She never even considered it to be anything other than a step in the right direction... because it was Paimon's idea. In her parents' eyes, Paimon could do no wrong, thus... she never thought he could do wrong. He was extending an olive branch in order to make a step towards equality. That was all there was to it.

Of course, once again, Patch is right. It doesn't matter why Paimon offered the position to Gritt and then to Patch. What matters is that Patch has influence now... and he's determined to make good use of that influence.

Her head tilts slightly to the side when the imp mentions bringing the assassin-imp in on this. That... wasn't a bad idea. If he was becoming the face of a revolution, he had the best chance of being heard if he were to tell the others not to start a war they can't win.

... Would he though?

He knows The Goetia can be defeated. He knows how to kill the Goetia-- he admitted as much on the stand (albeit accidentally).

No-- no, it's evident he cares about Stolas (more than his own daughter apparently). He wouldn't feed the flames of a war where a de-powered Goetia would likely be the first casualty.

As for whether or not Stolas was a good person... well, that didn't really have anything to do with the situation at hand, so she wouldn't disagree with Patch. After all, she had never actually so much as been in the same room as Stolas. All she knew was that he had betrayed the Goetia by giving away his book, betrayed her aunt by cheating on her (even if the marriage was arranged, it was still a low blow to fuck someone else in the bed he shared with her), and hurt Octavia. Often. Offering himself to be executed on a broadcast that everyone in Hell was watching, his child daughter included, was just the latest in a long line of ways he had done wrong by Delphine's cousin.

However... if she had learned anything over the last several months, it's that everything she's ever been told has been told with a twist. She doesn't know Stolas' whole story. Perhaps he truly isn't wicked... just too stupid to be trusted with something as important as the stars.

Patch stands, and, following his example, Delphine does as well. Her look of lost confusion has petered out a bit, having been replaced with a small-- albeit, not totally convincing, smile.

"That's a wonderful idea! Do you think he'll see us right now?"

"No its-... its important we talk about things like this. You have a good indicator when it comes to royals. Before this I was just a waiter. I was as working class as everyone else, so I have an indicator of that." Patch leaned back a little against one of the trees hiding them.

"While its terrifying to think about, its good you brought it up. Don't apologise." He took a deep breath, looking up at the crimson sky peeking through the branches, "Their celebration was more to do with Blitz surviving, when no other imp has before. It marked a milestone in justice for them... even if it was fucked up to start with. Having an imp Baron has caused mixed opinions. Some think its another step in the right direction, others think its to placate them. And maybe it is."

He knew Alastor thought it was.

"But even if that IS the reason, I've still been given a position of authority. That hasn't changed. You're right about Blitz being the face of a revolution, maybe talking to him, letting him know what'll happen if people did revolt would get him to help. I mean, he knows there are good royals. Asmodeus, Queen Bee, you, and even though Stolas is an idiot for giving him the book and breaking the law, he's not a terrible person. Just stupid."

He looked up at Delphine, taking another deep breath and sitting himself up, "we can let him know what we want to do, that it'll take time but it'll save more lives in the long run. That Blitz is the perfect example as to why the court system needs a review, that a Goetia was responsible in the end for the crime. And not taking all the facts into consideration, could result in Goetia committing crimes against Hell and not being punished."

While it didn't feel good to throw Stolas under the bus like that, he HAD committed a crime. It wouldn't out Andrealphus for what he did, but right now they needed to be tactful. And technically... other than making claims against Blitz in court which the acting prince could play off as misinformation... Andrealphus didn't commit any crime.