#TinkertheGecko

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A goodbye

That's all Tinker wanted to do. He knew where Vinn was, and he hoped Clem was there too. His wings were still too small to carry him, but he ran as quick as his little legs would allow.

His invisibility worked a charm, as when he got into the hospital he found both Clem and Vinn in the room. For once? Tinker didn't care if other people saw him.

When the invisibility dropped, other people in the room were stunned, both Clem and Vinn were looking at him with wide eyes. "... damn." Vinn breathed, the gecko anxiously approaching the bed, "Tink, you did it."

"I-... I did. I just... I don't know whats going to happen next." He confessed quietly, giving a squeak as he was pulled into a tight hug by the hellhound. He could feel Clem's little claws also embracing him. "Fuckin' knew you could do it Tink!" Clem praised, though there were tears in her eyes. All three of them knew what this meant.

Tinker was going to be leaving them. Going to a better place. And they might not see each other again.

"I-... I could do something bad, I could stay-" "Don't you fuckin' dare." Vinn snapped, "you worked hard for this, you've got a chance to get outta here, to see your Grandma, to not have to worry about deals or gunfire or any of the bullshit down here ever again. You can be you, visions and all." "Vinn's right Tink, you need to think about you right now. And you want to go. You want to be with your Grandma, and get away from your dad." Clem agreed, both hellborn giving the gecko a smile.

"But... you're my family." "We always will be, just because you're livin' it up in the clouds, doesn't mean we won't be thinking of you." Vinn said, hugging them both tightly, "I am so proud of you. Both of you. My pups."

"... I'll find a way to see you both, I promise." Tinker mumbled into the hellhounds fur. It was bittersweet... but Tinker would find a way.

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Alastor's ear gave another twitch, out of time. His ever present grin remained on his face, tilting his head some. "... you think I was here to kill you old pal? No no no... I was simply a distraction. Your obsession really is unhealthy." His own shadow raised behind him, slinking over his skin, "Until next time Vox~" He cackled as the shadows dragged him into the ground.

Tinker wasn't making much progress, his hands hurt bad but he couldn't give up! He could hear the buzz of reinforcements, tears in his eyes as he resorted to banging the drone against the elevator's base. A well timed zap made him loose grip however, and he yelped as he fell. Instead of landing in a hoard of angry blades and electronics he felt a cool chill engulf him as well as endless darkness... before he landed face first into the hotel's couch. A roughed up looking Alastor stood as well, with an unconscious Vinn still laid in a whole ass bed the shadows proudly presented.

But no Clementine.

"We have to go back!" Tinker cried, hauling himself up despite how his body hurt from the numerous zaps, a swift smack to the noggin from Alastor's cane quietened him. "Not another word from you, t'was foolish to even scurry off like that. Be thankful my shadows got the dog out." He scolded, though his tone was bright, "... don't pull a stunt like that again."

"Where did all that shit talk go, Alastor? Not as strong as you once were?" Vox said as the claws had gotten to him a few times. Oh how he regrets not having used angelic steel on them like he were about to upgrade several things. "Afraid of what's going to happen if you stick around?"

Tinker was getting zapped for sure, thankfully they had seen him and put their power outage to stun rather than destroy. Hands messed up a bit from the blades and constant attacks, worse enough as it is, more are showing up from below. Now with all the shadows gone save for the ones with Tinker.

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Three gentle taps upon Tinkers door. A house visit by one of the Legionnaires of the Heavenly Host is perhaps unexpected, though one by one of the Legates of the most storied Legions moreso.

Of course, depending on how much reading Tinker had been doing, he could likely guess at why, given the Third Legions charge. Intelligence gathering.

Tinker blinked a couple of times when he answered, he didn't know them... but they were dressed pretty official. "Um... can I... help you?"

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//Sleepy boi

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@ladiesofhell

His wings were still so very small, but they were there, as was his halo. Looks like Charlie's theory was possible after all.

He hugged her back tight, he was... scared. But it was about to be a big change. "I-... they're gonna send somebody. You'll visit me... right?"

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His back itches a little sometimes. Probably nothing. Leave it alone and it'll probably be fine... probably.

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Heaven was so strange. Tinker had been here a few weeks now, and given his afterlife in Hell... this almost didn't feel real.

Everything was free, if you had a problem you could go to the community center and it would be addressed promptly. You didn't have to work unless you wanted to, most jobs were voluntary.

There were always cheerful good mornings and good afternoons, people smiled and normally meant it. No deals, no explosions unless it was fireworks... it was peaceful.

They'd offered him a very large home as a welcome, but he choose a smaller apartment. He felt safer in something small. But it was nice, with a balcony. Not many people used their front door, they liked to fly from their balconies instead.

Tinker was still struggling with the flying part.

His neighbours had been a bit wary of him when he'd first moved in, given he's a former sinner. But one had invited him over to a party, they'd asked questions about Hell and he was honest. It wasn't the flame filled pit they imagined, but it was dangerous if you weren't careful. And sinners fought and killed each other. And powerful sinners owned souls of others. But there were good people mixed up in there, who'd made mistakes... and that's what Charlie hoped to save.

They seemed to be stunned at the idea, but Tinker was proof of it. A bad soul that had good inside, damned due to poor decisions. But redeemable. And the idea soon became something exciting to them. After that, they visited him often, realising he didn't have a lot of life skills and heaven was very confusing. They even volunteered to help him find his Grandmother, which they were still looking for. He still had some banana bread from one who stopped by the other day.

Staring out the window from his bed, he mulled over his thoughts. He hadn't had an episode in the weeks he'd been here. He could still turn invisible, but had his clairvoyance vanished when he'd ascended? Had it been a curse from Hell, or was it just dormant now his stress levels were so low. His fingers brushed against his forehead.

Tinker wondered how Vinn and Clem were doing. He missed them. But Charlie and Emily both promised they'd find a way for him to see them.

Right now though? He figured he should get up and see what was going on in Heaven's streets today.

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... Oh....

.

.

It's very pretty.

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Tinker blinked at Alastor, brows furrowed as he fiddled with his tail anxiously. "Butch is... bad... bad bad... violent and scary. Was the bouncer back in the day, taught Clem how to fight. Sometimes broke bones teaching her, said it was a valuable lesson... said she wouldn't make the same mistake. Vinn would fight with him, I... was too frightened."

"Then Clem left, Butch became Toby's right hand. Ratted me out. Said I helped her, which was truth. I... paid with my soul, but I knew the risk. Eternal torture, pain and screaming endlessly in burning dark... but then Clem killed Toby, many years had passed. Was free again, but Butch angry. Angry Toby is gone, swore vengeance on her. He is a scorpion, tail releases a paralyzing venom, very big with hard chitin all over, proud and not the brightest. Knows all of Clem's friends. Money motivated. Big bully." Tinker's voice shook as he spoke, "He... would hurt me... said 'Tinker's a waste of space, smokes all the profits, better off double dead, dumb dumb dumb, no wonder he died young, stupid softie, soft in the brain'... was too scared to tell Vinn, lied about the bruises. Still scared."

His hands gripped his arms, falling quiet as he hung his head in shame, "... I just... want safe... struggle to speak sometimes. Sorry."

In a way, that’s reassuring-- though, at the same time, it raises a concern. If Vox does not believe he can control Gritt in any way other than to take control of his very being, then he could very well kill their young friend. At that point, he will have no use for him, after all. And if he is no use to Vox, what good is he to keep alive?

Alastor’s eyes trail after Clementine before he turns to leave-- only to stop mid-stride upon his name being called. His smile grows as he spins on the tips of his hooves. “Of course, my friend.”

It was evident the moment Tinker asked him to stay what the man was going to ask, and that was something Alastor was more than willing to give. As the lizard speaks, he gives his head a subtle nod, pausing only to tilt his head curiously when the man mentions his file. Interesting... this file of his makes him out to be a trustworthy person? What information does this gentleman have? Very few outside of those he has made deals with realize that there’s a bit more to him than serial cannibalism and a love for radio.

And then he said something that caused the deer’s eyes to glow, a small ding! sound effect coming from his person, as if something had just been answered correctly. 

“Butch?” He asks. Someone who wants Clementine dead just so happens to be near when her friend’s life is nearly taken. No, no, no, that’s hardly a coincidence. 

“And what can you tell me about this Butch?”

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The only two Vinn will hug unprompted. Though he may grumpy old man sigh before he does... but he actually doesn't mind, they are his pups.

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Has never been to a hot spring... but would like to... but their chest....

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@alteregozowie continued

Tinker has promptly turned invisible once he skittered away. The overlord seemed much more awake now... though he did... notice the bacon and toast. He hadn't had a chance to eat given how worried he'd been for Vinn....

Hesitating, the toast and bacon would seemingly float and vanish with a very quiet munching, and an even softer 'thank you'.

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Tinker sleepy stretch with a glowing wing wiggle.

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... if he's killed by a nuke then he's not going to make it to heaven is he.

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Can't

Fucking

Cook

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"Hi... Dad."

"...... Tammy?"

"I-... no, you know its... its Tinker."

"Thats not a name."

"Its my name."

".... god you haven't even grown."

"I-... no."

"Your speech is better though, not all fucked anymore."

"I took lessons...."

"Makes sense you're down here, though hoped maybe God forgave my little girl."

"... mnn...."

"Whats with the face?"

"I'm not a....."

"You going to start that shit again?"

"... nevermind."

"So you going to show me around this fancy ass place or what Tam?"

".... okay."