real-and-imaginary

[real-and-imaginary]

why do you hurt animals

who said I did?

[real-and-imaginary]

the guy the trees screamed when he showed up

...if the trees screamed and I wasn't one of them, something was up.

I'll find this guy you speak of.

[real-and-imaginary]

did you hurt the cat?

there's a lot of cats in the world.

[real-and-imaginary]

when demons make deals, it's their job. whatever energy they use, no matter how much it is, gets refilled eventually, because it's their job.

like I said, no matter how much power the necklace gives, it also needs a conduit - that being you, and your energy.

so when you make a Deal... how do you plan to replace whatever you lose?

*a leaf sways with the wind. the kitten snarls in its direction.*

Hey. You busy right now?

not... particularly.

*they avoid looking directly at Abby's neck, or they might let out a cackle.*

busy feeling a little unhinged! would that serve you well?

[real-and-imaginary]

I'll make damn sure you'll be fine. thank me again, and whacks will ensue.

don't try learning from other demons, not yet. the specifics, maybe, but - not deals in general. it works differently, for them. you, on the other hand? still an angel.

give me a minute, let me -

*the ground a few feet away glitches. rolling on the grass, then, is a kitten. it's limping - injured.*

looks a bit like lilith, doesn't she?

*their voice is neutral, gauging Abby's reaction.*

Hey. You busy right now?

not... particularly.

*they avoid looking directly at Abby's neck, or they might let out a cackle.*

busy feeling a little unhinged! would that serve you well?

[real-and-imaginary]

yeah, I wouldn't.

there's - can't believe I'm saying this, but there's cause to be worried. as long as you're aware of that... let's start.

*the mirage dissolves too. in the distance, ravens croon.*

deals, you say? wanna start with some small ones?

Hey. You busy right now?

not... particularly.

*they avoid looking directly at Abby's neck, or they might let out a cackle.*

busy feeling a little unhinged! would that serve you well?

[real-and-imaginary]

*their heart is breaking.

the mirage looks away.*

maybe you should worry about the semantics, Abby. there's a reason dad might not be proud of those choices.

it wouldn't be helping you, to support you while you hurt yourself.

I'm not saying I won't. I'm just saying - work out the semantics with me first. make me understand that you know what you're doing. how you think it's going to go.

Hey. You busy right now?

not... particularly.

*they avoid looking directly at Abby's neck, or they might let out a cackle.*

busy feeling a little unhinged! would that serve you well?

[real-and-imaginary]

*they look at her sister piercingly, before abruptly dropping the body.

it dissolves into someplace Else. there is a mirage, then - laying comfortably amidst the branches of a tree.*

it's important to note that you don't have dad's power. you have a necklace. the necklace has his power. and as you use his power, it's still feeding off of your energy.

*they don't sound particularly concerned about that part. they're stalling, and it's clear.

they... are trying to provoke. and it's clear.*

do you want me to try and dissuade you?

Hey. You busy right now?

not... particularly.

*they avoid looking directly at Abby's neck, or they might let out a cackle.*

busy feeling a little unhinged! would that serve you well?

[real-and-imaginary]

*the wind goes still, before starting again with a roar.*

I don't do that anymore, you know.

*their voice is sharp, defensive, and a clear lie. they shake their head, and the background quiets down.

their smile says a thousand words - they want that moment forgotten, and it will be.*

sorry bout that. winds. very flaky. they've been rebellious lately.

you have my help. you always do. any plans? or am I the one making lesson charts?

Hey. You busy right now?

not... particularly.

*they avoid looking directly at Abby's neck, or they might let out a cackle.*

busy feeling a little unhinged! would that serve you well?

[real-and-imaginary]

was it your fault that guy showed up?

....which guy? there's a lot of guys, you know. hard to keep track. you guys aren't even the only planet with guys, let alone the galaxies and universes and -

what was I saying? are we talking about guys? is this a sleepover?

[real-and-imaginary]

ooh, how offensive, me likey!

what's up, sister mine?

Hey. You busy right now?

not... particularly.

*they avoid looking directly at Abby's neck, or they might let out a cackle.*

busy feeling a little unhinged! would that serve you well?

[real-and-imaginary]

who is in the trees?

me, of course! it's all me. hard to be lonely. oh, that rhymed. very nice.

[real-and-imaginary]

Hey. You busy right now?

not... particularly.

*they avoid looking directly at Abby's neck, or they might let out a cackle.*

busy feeling a little unhinged! would that serve you well?

[real-and-imaginary]

very smart. the argument doesn't work with shameless hypocrites, I fear. you have given me an idea about who to dump it on, though!

do you like to dance?

It’s more baltering when I do it.

Somewhat less than elegant, but extremely joyful and enthusiastic, provided I’m in the mood, of course.

[real-and-imaginary]

I deny responsibility.

do you like to dance?

It’s more baltering when I do it.

Somewhat less than elegant, but extremely joyful and enthusiastic, provided I’m in the mood, of course.

[real-and-imaginary]

when in doubt, blame God

do you like to dance?

It’s more baltering when I do it.

Somewhat less than elegant, but extremely joyful and enthusiastic, provided I’m in the mood, of course.

[real-and-imaginary]

how you feeling?

me? pretty good. another me? also better. the me in the device? mildly bored. the me in the tree? cackly.