#sepulchrre

[solarisligatus]

There was a feeling of shame that welled up inside of her, really. Getting so close to the school, even just seeing the man she saw as a younger brother. Their paths had diverged so long ago, after all. Never seeing eye to eye. And now that she had settled into some form of peace...she felt her throat tighten and she stopped in her tracks.

His voice. When was the last time she'd heard his voice? When she'd hurt him, no doubt. Gods, how could he ever forgive her for that? She still couldn't forgive herself. Flexing her claws slightly as she held onto her arm with the other. No, she couldn't even meet his gaze.

"...I was picking something up for my wife..."

@sepulchrre || c.

[solarisligatus]

"I'm a professionaaaaal~. Let's get going though, hm~? Before 'e sees me."

Deva would let out a little hum, shuffling absently through the deck of cards her transformation gave her. Tilting her head as she looked them all over. Learning how to use those abilities was always a bit difficult. Annoying, even. But all the same, she'd find the right card and off she'd go.

"It'll be fun~!"

❝You never knooowwww.❞

Truly, one could never know what was going on in the cage. Not even him, at least not all of it, he was pretty well informed of most goings on. It helped being able to transverse the entirely of the cage at his will, not omnipresent but as close as one could get.

❝Still, I'm excited to see.❞

[solarisligatus]

"Aw, new customer~? Is it your first time in the sector? Or just in the store? Either is fine, of coooourse! My name is Deva, I'm in charge around here~. How can I help you?"

@sepulchrre

[solarisligatus]

" guess who always carries around a sewing kit ? " gimme ms deva for marishka

"Is it you? I thought I was the only person with any sense on that matter!"

[solarisligatus]

“ I like flaws. I think they make things interesting. ” Frankincense to Divinity hrgrrh

"They make things...interestin'?"

What a thing to say while he was a crumpled heap. Holding a hand over the gash in his side. A consequence for using his mastery over the wind without his cards. A side effect. A flaw. A curse that came with the magic of a djinn being bound to a human body.

And yet by some providence it had been Frankincense who found him. Listened to his 'whining', as Divinity would call it.

And this was what he had to say?

"...you are a strange...strange man, Frankie..."

[solarisligatus]

"S'what 'm callin' 'em."

He looked at the card in his hand for a long moment. Tapping his foot as his working eye looked over at nothing in particular. Seeming to mull it over.

"What better place to cause a commotion than where I know I'll get his attention real easy."

@sepulchrre

❝Sins of the heart, yeah? Don't think that's an expression, but do what ya please if your gon' admit it.❞

Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't, didn't matter he was more focused on the whole "commotion" aspect. Exactly what commotion was in mind? And was he invited to watch? Naturally the answer was an assumed yes to that second one.

❝Now where are we going to cause this commotion? Not that I'll have your back if someone comes out to bitch 'bout it, but I'm gonna watch. And, maybe the bells will give pause for a moment, destroy as you feel for that time.❞

[solarisligatus]

"Mm...but what if he doesn't want to talk to me, even if I say I'm sorry?"

Really she was just worried in general at this point. Usually her hunches were more correct. But given the things she'd gotten into before they came here- maybe she shouldn't always trust her gut.

"Should I like...get him a gift or something, too...?"

❝He's truly kind, you know. Beneath all that.❞

It was a gift he could see into minds, but it didn't take him invading the other man's mind to see what lied beneath the surface. Only speaking to him.

❝I think you'd enjoy it if you did speak to him. I know I do. It's enlightening at times, and very interesting at others. And when it's neither? It's still nice. He's a good man, Orchid.❞

[solarisligatus]

"It's wrong...it shouldn't be..."

To think someone else could wear his face. Take that piece of him. He was trembling, even if it had passed. It had happened. She had seen him. There was nothing about his history that he was ashamed of- but he was divine! For anyone to see past that- to see where he had stood so long ago. A demon child. He felt utterly broken at the thought.

"It just ain't right-. I am- I'm holy...divine...and she saw...a damned devil...inside o' me..."

❝To be seen, truly seen is terrifying.❞

There'd be no laughing, no joking, he was being honest. To him such a thing was terrifying. To see where he came from, the boy he was, how much of a scapegoat he once was, was scary. Even though he built up this confidence, this attitude, and reputation, that could easily be undermined by someone who knew his past before this life. Maybe not effectively, but still might do some damage.

❝But, as you said, you're not that person anymore. I don't know who that man was, but I know this one, and as much as you try to get under my skin I still like 'im.❞

[the27percent]

"Right.. right, you do what you need to for your bottom line." And honestly, they figured that applied to the entrance fee as well. Could have it been lower? Possibly.. did they care enough to try and wrastle a better deal out of it - no. Such things come with money isn't of all that much value to an individual.

"Alright. Mind the steps, mind the self, mind the rules. I think I can remember that okay. If nothing else, it should be interesting to see what kind of wares they've been having today.." A couple little rarities or updates might be nice to find here.

❝I try to keep it all fair. Some things you can only get back there in the market, gotta keep it accessible enough while still profitable enough to keep it going.❞

Taking the money with a small smile. Now wasn't this the easiest first timer yet, if only they all acted like this instead of trying to haggle her down. Tucking the money in her dress' pocket just to fish out an antique looking key from the same pocket, turning it in the door followed by a loud click.

❝Mind your step as you go down. Ah, and of course mind yourself too. I'm not responsible for the market sellers, nor those that break their rules. You're all on your own once you cross that threshold.❞

[solarisligatus]

"It's a lovely one."

And then Coyote shifted. Spoke on her need to leave. And a soft sigh would escape the corviformen as she rested her head on her wife's shoulder.

"Mm...I do not want you to go, but I suppose you do have to."

❝It's the best deal I could think up.❞

Truly a masterplan, even if she was caught on it immediately. Groaning as she threw her arm over the back of the couch, it was almost time to get up and back out there. Just a few more minutes, as if she wasn't the boss.

❝I'm gonna have to get up and get back out there soon. I gotta help Ria with some of her studying.❞

[solarisligatus]

"I don't either, you would think at this point they'd just 'give up the ghost.' They'd make things way more interesting for sure. I can't imagine all the carnage that would ensue. Maybe our little arsonist would find something more fun."

Really she just thought it would be fun. What kind of mess could they make? Who'd even clean it up? She didn't really care, it wouldn't be hers, that's for sure. But it would be so fun, peace got sooo boring after all!

"Honestly, like why are we gonna have to pitch in? I can definitely stir or little pot at least."

@sepulchrre

❝I don't know why either party entertains it anymore, even I'm getting tired of watchin' and I'd like to see the little fuckers kiss and make up. I think together they'd cause a lot of problems, and that's just what I wanna see every day.❞

With Frankincense's mind control and Divinity's magic it could be an excellent storm if not near perfect, and that's what the cage needed to freshen things up right now. More fighting, more damage, less of the peace that a few of the sectors were so keen on.

❝At this point I feel like I'm gonna have to make some orders to speed up the pace of this, cause this is just dronin' on and on and on.❞

[solarisligatus]

Perhaps if he'd been on the other side, he would've found it funny too. But he wasn't thinking on that or, well, anything really. Nothing but one man he wanted to see.

How funny to think about it, really. That he wanted to see Frankincense. That he'd give anything in that moment to get his attention. And when he arrived, he'd find that anything. Shuffling through his deck until he found what he wanted. Holding the card out with a grin as lightning rumbled above and struck down into a nearby building.

"Don't y'worry your handsome li'le head, Harbinger. 'm a real good shot."

The sight of Divinity all just short of shooting off like a fallin' star in the night sky had been worth the whole struggle so far. Laughing at the demonstration, he just looked so stupid doin' it, but it was faster he had to give him that.

Following suit on his one, one step away from the wall and he was gone. As if he was never there to begin with, just to show up in the third sector with the tolling of church bells to announce his arrival. True to his word he was a cheerleader on the side lines, finding a spot on a roof of a nearby building to watch it unfold.

❝Just don't hit this one or I'll be extremely pissed.❞

Calling out with a thumbs up before sitting down on the ledge.

[solarisligatus]

"...that we are."

She was quiet for a moment, but she would lean her head on his shoulder. Quiet as she toyed with the fabric of her clothing. When was the last time they'd been this close? It had been...right before she'd hurt him, hadn't it?

"...I'd like you to meet her...my wife, I mean."

❝Maybe to you.❞

Laughing softly at being called strange. Yes, he was. Maybe one of the strangest out there, always looking towards the bright side no matter what. No matter what someone did or said he was always willing to forgive, maybe not forget, but forgive.

❝We're merely two sides of the same coin, and idealist and a realist, sister.❞

[solarisligatus]

Kind? It feels like a joke. A cruel prank if nothing else. Hadn't she been called cold and ruthless? Detached and uncaring, even. She had no regrets for what she had done. For the people she'd hurt. None save him-. Everything else...she had done for her people. For their people. And now she was here. Not that she'd change anything- it did end with her finding Coyote, after all.

"I don't understand how you can say such things so easily...how you can forgive me despite it all even...you're...such a strange creature, brother..."

❝I don't, you're right. I never will, not unless I were to meet her and speak to her myself, but I don't see such a meeting happening anytime soon. You might not know what she sees in you, but if I were to hazard a guess it's the same kind woman I saw so many years ago.❞

Though she might not have the same access to those memories, those glimpses into the past, they weren't needed. Anyone, if given the chance, could so quickly see how kind and well-meaning Alois was. Misguided perhaps, but all the same.

[solarisligatus]

"C'mon, Coltie. Y'know 'm real good at what I do."

It certainly helped that while taking this form she had access to so much of the other person. If it weren't for that, things would be different. Extremely so. But she was confident, what reason did she have not to be? Even still, she knew the risks. Knew that this was just that, a gamble. As fun as it would be, she knew she had to be careful. Smart. Smarter even than Frankincense.

"'m not gonna let it get that far, don't worry. He'll be real convinced 'm our li'le godlin'."

❝Looks are one thing. Ya certainly do look like him, like a fool. But can ya act the fool? This is the only shot at playing this game, we screw it up and he'll never fall for it again.❞

A gamble, and his first fun thing of the night. He wasn't sure if he wanted it to work out or not. Either way would be entertaining, but what would be the more entertaining way? If Jack was here he'd be able to make sense of which was more entertaining, gambling was his entire thing. Or really cards were, but he played a lot of card games. Cheated on nearly all of them too... Maybe he wasn't the best example.

❝He'll be in your mind if you misstep, I'm sure of it. Are you ready to have your mind taken from you?❞

[solarisligatus]

Instinctively she flinched. How long had it been since she'd felt him there? A part of her had missed knowing he was there. That no matter what he loved her as she did him. Even if the years had torn them apart and there had been a time she'd thought him a fool.

She loved her brother.

What kind of traitorous woman was she, really? Not only hurting her own brother but nearly paralyzing him?

"...I- you do not know where I was when she found me...you don't know-- I don't know what she saw in me...what she sees."

❝It is. Just as I've showed you before.❞

Raising a hand to his temple for a moment as he spoke, before letting it fall back to his side. Though he wouldn't enter her mind anymore, it was there the last time they had this same chat. There was good in everyone, and especially in the woman who wanted the best for their people.

❝Even if you don't believe it, there will always be a part of you that is good. Your wife must have seen it, ask her.❞