#keeperofanswers

[queen-of-prophecy]

@keeperofanswers

Heresy's wind blew cold, and Vine sat in her tower. Feeling out the new surge of energy she had made her own.

Her foresight had given her the power to understand this. The ability to make new worlds had laid in some truly dark places in history, and it had been almost soul-sucking just to watch those dark arts unfold. But she had watched. She had learned. And since all of history and it's knowledge laid within her third eye, it was just a matter of finding it.

All Sins drew power from their Rings. Beelzabub could draw power from Gluttony to make fantastic feasts, to create food out of thin air. Satan could empower himself with the fury of Wrath, to become the titan he was born to be. And Vine knew firsthand what kind of influence lust could bestow at Asmodeus's hands.

She was drawing power from Heresy to find her own.

Magic had a different feel to it, depending on its use. Her own raw talent had it's own flavor, albeit older, from a primordial age. The power of Heresy felt...corruptive somehow. She pulled it from the Ring and felt it in her hand, and she felt as if she would undo whatever it touched. Yet with tests, there was little success. The wine in her cup did not turn to vinegar, and her silken robes did not turn to cotton.

At last she attempted with a spare piece of parchment. She had written a page of dialogue for her fanfictions on it, but had been displeased with the outcome. She touched it with the power of Heresy-

"...!"

The words on the pages shifted and scrambled. Impassioned text turned to Koine, to French, and then mixed itself. Everything that had been on it's surface was transformed, until she was left with something akin to what a toddler pretending to write might leave.

"....huh. Ha. Ahahaha...." A low laugh began. "Ahhohohohohoho!"

The laugh turned into a peal, and into a cackle. Vine nearly screamed in delight with the realization.

"....ohhh-" She had to breathe for a moment after her thrill left her breathless, panting over a page of gibberish. "-ohhh that is something now isn't it?"

The seeing glass shimmered.

"If Heresy draws its power from the written word-" She mused, the cover of the glass flashing tomes, papers and grimoires. An assistant in a hospital in Sloth boredly wrote patient information down. A teen in Envy wrote down in their diary. And at last-

A Duke observed his grimoire in Pride.

"-then I can undo everything that was ever written in Hell."

But what was the good of causing chaos in hospitals and offices? What thrill was there in bewildering the privacy of teenagers and their diaries, or bothering bored housewives and their romance novels? No. Better. She could make the maximum impact.

Vine drew the power of Heresy. Made it swell. That black magic in her hands and all it's fraudulent power. One grimoire appeared on the front of a glass, then another, and another. More images formed on the glass until it resembled the eye of fly, many reflections all at once.

The Queen of Heresy cast her curse, and watched the words that had given them so much power deform.

Vine laughed. The laugh would carry down clear into New Witchholm, and it's budding population might cower in concern at what their Queen was up to.

"Well then-" Vine returned to her seat. Old Witchholm wasn't going anywhere. Neither was she. "-no point in spoiling the future for myself when this is far more entertaining. Let's just wait and see this time."

Just as Vine had turned the primary power of Goetias into gibberish...she had turned her scorn into mirth.

[a-hell-of-a-time-archive]

@keeperofanswers

When the appointed time came, Andrealphus arrived at the Duke's mansion. He tried to bring Caim along, but she and Yui were busy looking after their fledgling, so it fell to him to meet with the Duke alone. There would be plenty of time to introduce the mothers to the entity that would soon be making his arrival in this time period.

Once inside, Andrealphus greeted Gusion with a bow. "I am here, as per your instructions." And on time, to boot!

[botanikos]

"Why the FUCK would you tell a child, let alone my little girl, that Santa isn't real?"

[cruel-as-the-midday-sun]

An Expected Visit

(closed RP thread for @keeperofanswers )

–––

Rakesh arrived at the grand mansion of Great Duke Guison, standing tall in the heart of the Pride ring.

It wasn’t just a home: it was a vast library, filled with books that held the secrets of Hell’s past, present, and future. The mansion’s design reflected its purpose: knowledge and power combined into one.

A servant awaited him at the entrance, bowing deeply before gesturing for him to follow.

The tiger demon had decided to listen to Sarin's advice and wear something more modern: a bottle green three piece suit with a white shirt and a floral green and gold tie.

The walk through the mansion was a familiar one. Rakesh’s sharp eyes moved over the first-floor library, bustling with Sinners and lesser demons browsing the public collection. He paid them no mind. This was not where his purpose lay.

The servant led him to the staircase, and they began their ascent. The second floor, reserved for Goetia, was quieter, its halls lined with shelves holding secrets and power most could only dream of accessing. Rakesh gave it a brief glance before continuing upward.

At last, they reached the third floor, where only the guests or the members of the family were permitted.

The servant stepped aside, opening the grand door for him.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything important, old friend."

The Maharaja smirked, crossing his arms.

He loved to tease Guison at any given opportunity.

"I was in the neighborhood and thought to come visit you...I brought some freshly made gulab jamun."

He placed the small, pink and gold paper box on a table.

[a-hell-of-a-time]

"Duke Gusion is a good man and all, but never get behind the wheel with him."

[copaceticjillybean]

Gusion, Vox, Andrealphus for the meme B)

“Oooh, now this is an interestin’ group to choose from!”

“Well let’s rip the bandaid off firs’-I’d have to kill the Duke. Look, I hate to lose a fella librarian…but I’m still not really happy with ‘im over that Santa debacle. So I’d be doin’ a service for the sake of all the lil’ hellborn’s Christmas whimsy out there.”

“An’ Mista Vox’s place on the list stays the same-again, I will not elaborate on the why or how-keep ya imagination runnin’~”

“As for marriage…I really think Amdrealphus an’ I could be real happy togetha, if we were to tie the knot. Sure, we’d have to be willin’ to compromise on some things, but I think we got the mutual respect to make it work long term. So yeah-I’d marry Andrealphus, no question about it!”

[autarchi0s-a]

If there had ever been a time where Stolas wished a yearly Cleanse came and tore his heart out at spearpoint, this would be just such an occasion.

Somehow, and without conducting any previous audits, the heft of a heavy accusation now weighed upon the prince's shoulders. And with it came the inevitable scrutiny of his very own family - namely, his father. The last person Stolas wanted sticking their beak into his business. There was no shortage of reasons as to why he would prefer to keep it all under wraps. It showed in the smallest cracks behind the owl's otherwise near-perfect poker face.

A grand number of Goetia, father and son included, took the evening off to gather at a round table meeting. On one end sat Stolas, spine straightened in a fine angle, shoulders stiff, and elbows off the table. As instructed. Always. On the other, the disapproving gaze of Paimon, who lounged more comfortably upon his own throne with a glass of wine in hand. And at a point of convergence in between them both, surrounded by other imposing members of the royal court, is where their trusty mediator would be sat.

Their debate had yet to begin, and the tension in the air felt so permeable, a blade could slice through it. Behind Stolas' prim, proper and mild-mannered visage, the man inside was crumbling, feeling as though he could vomit... and he probably had, minutes before arriving at this reunion.

"...well, this is awkward. Are you going to lead off this bloody meeting or what? I've no time for badinage." the king deadpans, leaning and glancing towards their stand-in as he awaits the officiation of the usual formalities. Knowing the discourse could become heated, all parts had convened on allowing Gusion to serve as an arbitrator, a middle party of sorts. It remains to be seen if he will, indeed, serve to qualm any potential discourse of an unruly persuasion.

|| -- @keeperofanswers

[starsaught]

(From @keeperofanswers)

It was placed wrapped in the place where the palace servants sorted the incoming mail. A crystal ball that seemed to have a stellar pattern to it. Activating the orb would showcase an array of stellar arrangements overlaid with alchemical symbols and astrological charts- a way to use the stars to compose one's own spells, but in a safe and formulaic way.

Attached was a letter.

Princess Octavia ars Goetia,

Given recent events it was finally the appropriate time to give you this and your birthday served as a reasonable excuse to do so. It will be useful in the coming months as you will be relying largely on yourself for quite some time. I can allow you the use of the goetia-only floor of my library for further information but your path at this point is up to you.

Duke Gusion ars Goetia Knower of All Things Past, Present, and Future Answerer of All Questions Commander of Forty Legions

Upon receiving the rather heavy-set box, Octavia carefully removed the crystal from the confines. Talons carefully ran along the smooth surface, feeling the warmth of familiarity, the stars never withheld their presence from her - even in the basic alchemy, the traces of their names still rang true.

Octavia had almost missed the note, picking it up to read it. Leave it to Guison to know the proper time to leave her a gift, although he never seemed the type to her at least.

It was a privilege to finally step in the vast library the Duke owned. It would be foolish of her not to take the invitation & seek it out for when she needed it.

[queen-of-prophecy]

@keeperofanswers

The peaceful respite of the Duke's home was positively primed to be interrupted.

Amidst the antique books and tomes of the treasured library, with its valuables and collected pieces from as far back as the Mesopotamia Dynasty, a bright, vivid portal opened up right in the center. As if showing off, it cast a gale through the library that rattled the shelves and windows, sent papers flying from the tables into a vortex, spinning, circling. Then as if struck by an irrefutable command, they stopped stark before the portal, lining up slowly in a dramatic arc.

The figure who stepped forth was graceful and bold, equal parts womanly beauty as she was unceasing arrogance.

"My darling Duke!"

A voice, flexed with dramatic tones, like a Shakespearean actress about to do her lines. The figures eyes gleamed brightly, and from the portal flew out a sextet of hands, spinning around her like a top, and completing the outrageous entrance. The vortex closed, and all the papers fluttered to the ground.

"Your radiant Queen has returned!"

[a-hell-of-a-time-archive]

@keeperofanswers

Focalors was not one to mingle with most goetia, only showing up to functions and meetings when summoned. While there were a few she got along well with, Gusion wasn't one of them. She found her fellow Duke to be far too stuffy and uptight, not unlike Paimon whom she also cared little for but listened to out of respect for their stations.

When she found herself on his doorstep, a heavy sigh left her beak as she was shown in and to his study.

"Dare I ask why you summoned me out of the blue?" she asked, her tone one of boredom as she placed a hand on her hip.

[cruel-as-the-midday-sun]

Ready, FIGHT! (for Gusion / @keeperofanswers )

Battle Arena: Dhalsimer Temple

Narrator’s Intro to Scene:

"Enter the heat of battle, go for it!" (Street Fighter III: 3d strike)

Arena Music:

My Muse’s intro:

"In the wild, only the strongest survive. Let me show you where you stand."

My Muse Wins:

"So much for seeing the future, Guison. Did your visions fail you, or was your arrogance your blindfold?"

Draw:

"It seems even fate cannot decide between us. Next time, I’ll make it clear."

My Muse Loses:

"You may have struck me down, but every predator learns from its wounds."

Flawless Victory:

"Your foresight failed you, Guison. That’s the problem with living in the future: you forget to survive the present."

In-fight Taunts:

"Your blade is dull, your spirit weaker."

"My claws are sharper than your steel."

"You claim to know the future, but here you are, struggling in the present."

@keeperofanswers

[a-hell-of-a-time]

keeperofanswers: "I have an unwed daughter, Andrealphus. Add her to the listing."

"Very well, but I will need her name so I can present the list properly to His Majesty."

[copaceticjillybean]

"No skin off my nose- can' see myself bein' happy with someone who thinks takin' care of the babies ya make is enough to make someone 'domestic.'" a sip of some coffee, before she feels a sneer work it's way to her face. "Sounds like a deadbeat, to be quite frank."

[queen-of-prophecy]

@keeperofanswers cont. from this.

Though Vine was writing up orders instead of fiction, her computer still delivered messages the way she liked. A little ding rang from the computer, and out from its screen popped a written letter. A copy of an email.

Vine read it over. And her heart seethed.

"Knower of all Things?" She hissed between her beak. "I beg to differ dearest Duke."

The letter went up in flames at once.

As someone who actually knew all things, her own visions projected across the wall, the Duke still shaking his head. "You almost made me miss you, you infuriating woman. I will see you soon, Vine."

Almost.

Almost????

"Keep that grimoire close my dear-" She warned into the ether. Gusion could only predict what was set in stone. But her future was a wellspring, bound to no sea, no ocean, no river. It would flow where it liked, and in whatever direction she pleased. "-and when it fails you, then you will be missing me."

[autarchi0s-a]

Every bit as aware of the urgency of this situation as the Duke was, Stolas bit down on his own lip as his convictions threatened to escape him right there and then. Gusion's impartiality is welcomed, albeit entirely insufficient. This lot is good at pressuring. Too good. Come his turn to speak, he listens closely, deliberating upon each and every word so as to not befoul this already volatile meeting by uttering something out of line.

"My terms are simple. As is the reasoning." The mere thought of playing along with the dissolution of such a powerful alliance naturally causes most every other party present to find this introduction appalling. There is nothing 'simple' about such an uncouth decision. Still, they wished to entertain the presence of a mediator - thus, begrudgingly, they shall listen.

"One of - if not the most important - purposes for my union to Princess Stella was to foster an heir. This had been made clear since day one." And how he dreads reminiscing of it. To know his fate had been sealed, inflexibly so, always left a looming sense of hopelessness every time he got out of bed. Then, and now. "Said... goal... has been achieved. In due time, she will be of age. Fit to rule. Fit to take over my position, at the discretion of you fine gentlemen. We've little more to gain from this alliance than riches we already own."

"I am nothing if not revolted by this insolence, young man." Paimon immediately interjects, mediator be damned, expressing his displeasure in no uncertain terms as a fist comes down onto the table. "The riches - they are secondary. Dare I say, an afterthought. The Houses of Hell are thinning; the few that remain have interests aplenty in remaining somewhat unified. The less worth Lucifer sees in them, the less of a reason they have to partake in the feast."

Given his loud and brazen interruption, he now reclines upon his throne again, tightly clutching his wine. "We've many favours to pay. Now of all times is when this family should keep our friends close, and our enemies closer - and choose both carefully. Not you, nor I, and certainly not anyone else sitting here and lending an ear to your folly are safe from the scrutiny of His Royal Majesty. What, pray tell, makes you think you've any right to fracture these meticulously constructed connections?!"

Duke Gusion sat silently skimming his grimoire. He mentally went through all the possibilities this conversation could likely take once again. One of the advantages of a domain largely dealing with knowledge and clairvoyance was unparalleled preparation. Nothing about this debacle was going to fully catch him off guard- at least in terms of the words spoken. His foresight didn't allow him to understand the how or why of an event, only the what. The moods and thoughts of everyone involved would remain a mystery and a particularly volatile person could render any possibilities too fluid to read. To be safe, he kept the grimoire open while he had stacks and stacks of notes and a few spare pens. He glowered for a moment at the ones he knew were going to break later.

This whole situation was a mess and one he could only barely speak of in any degree of detail. He already knew how bad things could get if he did. The advanced reading was proving fruitful already. Regardless, there were too many pitfalls. He would need to be extremely delicate with this situation.

At Paimon's cue, he nodded. "Of course, Sire. Let us not waste any more time." He first turned to Prince Stolas. Both of the major participants at the table outranked him. Deference would be required, but tip-toeing around the issue was simply not going to cut it here.

He could do this as he preferred- directly to the point.

"Prince Stolas, I would like you to reiterate to me why you wish to nullify your marriage and subsequently your part in its alliance building." The Duke gave a measured relaxed gaze, perhaps even the solitary face entirely bereft of judgement. Gusion had built his entire diplomatic career on being easy to talk to even in a tense situation- he hoped things hadn't deteriorated in ways he couldn't see already and that Stolas would still be willing to speak plainly of the situation.

[a-hell-of-a-time-archive]

A small squadron of imps and a hellhound in thick glasses came to Via's room carrying a small stack of books and knocked on the door.

"Princess Octavia? Some books were requested to be delivered to you courtesy of Duke Gusion's library. There is no check out limit but we do humbly request their return at some point in the future."

It looked like some more advanced magical manuals. It appeared others were catching wind of her increase in studies somehow.

@keeperofanswers

Upon opening the door, Octavia was greeted by a small squadron of imps and a hellhound, each carrying stacks of books.

As one of the imps spoke, Octavia didn't recall ever meeting Duke Gusion, and she was puzzled as to why he would lend her tomes from his personal libraries.

Did her father have something to do with it?

"Please give Duke Gusion my thanks, and assure him that these tomes will be returned promptly and are in the best of care." She inwardly winced as such formal speech, but if she was going to become part of the goetian hierarchy, Octavia would have to get used to such formalities.