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Inviting a Guest (For chiron_survivor!)
((Directly following up to these two logs Here and Here! ))
As much as Abysa wills it not to, time continues to pass; minutes, to hours, and hours to days go by as the priest contemplates his next move. One day alone was lost to fervent prayer at the hanging banner of his Lord of Guilt, and later taken to his proper shrine elsewhere in the massive, maze-like dwelling he has made home. His Dark Lord's answer came with both relief and fear, knowing that if the priest wished it, he could visit his realm any time, to turn himself in for this breach of conduct. Yes, that about confirms the presence of a sin! That in losing his temper, Abysa had used a particular magic in a way it is not meant to; He stole complete control of another's body, and without permission!
The day after that is fraught with anxiety and procrastination as Abysa decides if this will be the right course of action. Absolution by Guilt's court will be permanent and final in the cosmic scheme, but it cannot force the victim to forgive the perpetrator, or restore any of that lost trust. He spends much of the day at the bedside of his sleeping charge, relieved that at least, he seems to be dreaming peacefully. This magic too, this spell of suspended sleep that can leave a mortal in dreaming near-indefinitely, should not be used in this way, and the demon knows it, he just needs time. Abysa also knows that his eventual sentence may be too brutal for a mortal to witness, or 'witness', since his poor patient's eyes are yet to recover fully. This leaves him at a loss for his next step. If only he had better perspective, a mortal one, perhaps...
During the night, he is pulled out of his thoughts as he hears a muffled 'clunk' on the floor of Micolash's soft blanketed room. Looking over, the demon spots Henry the cat, busy pushing at objects on the desk with his paws. A book or two, a roll of bandages, and a sealed potion bottle have journeyed quite close to the edge, ready to join whatever it was that had taken the first plunge.
"Ah, you have been neglected without your master to entertain you. My apologies, Henry, but these belongings are not toys-" He begins to say, floating over to see what had fallen, and notices that it is his new 'tablet'. Now, it is not made of stone as he might have expected, but is a delicately encased device with a display screen that projects images and symbols. In other words, it is a communications rectangle, or a 'phone', and a brand-new one at that, purchased almost immediately after his and Micolash's last outing.
"Henry, you clever beast! I had forgotten I now have a means of communication! Not to mention, a new contact." Indeed, Abysa made his purchase with the specific purpose of inviting a guest at his leisure. He pokes at the device until the screen activates, and is caught up in the moment of learning to navigate the interface of this shiny new piece of technology, until he finds the contact list. There is one name on it so far: Adia.
She seems like such a kind mortal woman, and her helpful nature might aid Abysa in finding the insight he needs, but the demon still finds himself hesitating for a time. Even kind mortals may change their natures, especially if he is to admit of the events that transpired... But surely she might see that Micolash had been wearing down his patience and his graciousness with ill intent? Even then, if she were to take the human's side, it would only assure Abysa that facing punishment is the correct course, and then he would need someone to watch Henry while taking a visit to Hell! Maybe she would be up for that! Henry is an innocent in all of this, after all, and quite a charmer.
With one long finger, he delicately taps the screen in deep concentration, writing a 'text' message to Adia, detailing an invitation and some instructions:
Awfully formal for a text message, really. It took up two bubbles! Abysa lets go of the device, allowing it to float beside him as he goes back to watching his charge sleep. Nothing to do but wait, now!
Henry knocks a book off the table.
As much as Abysa wills it not to, time continues to pass; minutes, to hours, and hours to days go by as the priest contemplates his next move. One day alone was lost to fervent prayer at the hanging banner of his Lord of Guilt, and later taken to his proper shrine elsewhere in the massive, maze-like dwelling he has made home. His Dark Lord's answer came with both relief and fear, knowing that if the priest wished it, he could visit his realm any time, to turn himself in for this breach of conduct. Yes, that about confirms the presence of a sin! That in losing his temper, Abysa had used a particular magic in a way it is not meant to; He stole complete control of another's body, and without permission!
The day after that is fraught with anxiety and procrastination as Abysa decides if this will be the right course of action. Absolution by Guilt's court will be permanent and final in the cosmic scheme, but it cannot force the victim to forgive the perpetrator, or restore any of that lost trust. He spends much of the day at the bedside of his sleeping charge, relieved that at least, he seems to be dreaming peacefully. This magic too, this spell of suspended sleep that can leave a mortal in dreaming near-indefinitely, should not be used in this way, and the demon knows it, he just needs time. Abysa also knows that his eventual sentence may be too brutal for a mortal to witness, or 'witness', since his poor patient's eyes are yet to recover fully. This leaves him at a loss for his next step. If only he had better perspective, a mortal one, perhaps...
During the night, he is pulled out of his thoughts as he hears a muffled 'clunk' on the floor of Micolash's soft blanketed room. Looking over, the demon spots Henry the cat, busy pushing at objects on the desk with his paws. A book or two, a roll of bandages, and a sealed potion bottle have journeyed quite close to the edge, ready to join whatever it was that had taken the first plunge.
"Ah, you have been neglected without your master to entertain you. My apologies, Henry, but these belongings are not toys-" He begins to say, floating over to see what had fallen, and notices that it is his new 'tablet'. Now, it is not made of stone as he might have expected, but is a delicately encased device with a display screen that projects images and symbols. In other words, it is a communications rectangle, or a 'phone', and a brand-new one at that, purchased almost immediately after his and Micolash's last outing.
"Henry, you clever beast! I had forgotten I now have a means of communication! Not to mention, a new contact." Indeed, Abysa made his purchase with the specific purpose of inviting a guest at his leisure. He pokes at the device until the screen activates, and is caught up in the moment of learning to navigate the interface of this shiny new piece of technology, until he finds the contact list. There is one name on it so far: Adia.
She seems like such a kind mortal woman, and her helpful nature might aid Abysa in finding the insight he needs, but the demon still finds himself hesitating for a time. Even kind mortals may change their natures, especially if he is to admit of the events that transpired... But surely she might see that Micolash had been wearing down his patience and his graciousness with ill intent? Even then, if she were to take the human's side, it would only assure Abysa that facing punishment is the correct course, and then he would need someone to watch Henry while taking a visit to Hell! Maybe she would be up for that! Henry is an innocent in all of this, after all, and quite a charmer.
With one long finger, he delicately taps the screen in deep concentration, writing a 'text' message to Adia, detailing an invitation and some instructions:
Dear Miss Adia: I, Abysa, humbly request a visit as soon as you are able. The matter is urgent but not life-threatening, and for which I would appreciate the opinion and perspective of a mortal in advising a course of action. If you are able to, respond to confirm your attendance, and instructions are to follow:
Arrive to the Nexus, and wait at any spot you wish, but send your location to me. I will arrive shortly to teleport with you to my abode. Any additional accommodations such as food, hydration, medical care, and so on can all be provided on request. If you decline this invitation, there is no need to give your location, nor will you be beholden to any grudge or ill will. Yours Truly: Abysa, High Priest of Hell.
Awfully formal for a text message, really. It took up two bubbles! Abysa lets go of the device, allowing it to float beside him as he goes back to watching his charge sleep. Nothing to do but wait, now!
Henry knocks a book off the table.
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"I wish we could talk to that Hunter. Or someone reasonable from his world. When he talks about Yharnam, it's always through such a biased lens. The village sounds awful, honestly, but there must have been some people who communed with Great Ones and didn't go mad, or get turned into... something else."
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Finally, Abysa sits up and looks around.
"Well, I believe we have finished our tea. Shall we make our way elsewhere? Even if dear Micolash slumbers still, would it not be nice to meet little Henry at last?"
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The offer of a little tour brightens her expression. "Sure. I'd love to meet Henry."
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"With this, he is sure to take to you quickly. Well, and with Micolash asleep... He has not been spoiled for a few days. It will be a reward for his patience." Abysa lets go of the bag, and it floats along behind him as he makes his way to the kitchen doors.
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The bag of cat treats is immediately recognizable for what it is, and puts a smile on her face. She slides off her seat and follows her host. "Micolash takes care of him?" She thinks back to the glowing slug creature that lives in the caged scholar's head, how delicately the man handled it, treating it with genuine affection. A glimmer of humanity in that troubled mind. "I'm glad they get along."
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This walk is not as long as the one from the portaling room to the kitchen, though they do make a couple of turns through the halls that make gauging their location in comparison to each other difficult. As they continue, the overall feel of the place seems to grow warmer and more lived-in. There are long rugs stretching down the floor, sometimes a faded painting or two is encountered on the walls, and the doors all appear to be in better shape too. Even the air feels decidedly less cold and uninviting!
The hall of their destination is the nicest of all, all of the decor is new, from colourful rugs to hanging pictures of varying landscapes, some resembling earth's scenery, some more fantastic in nature. The sconces glow with a warmer light as they activate from Abysa's proximity. And finally, they arrive at a particular door. Unlike the others, the door appears to be made of metal, with a variety of locks on the outside (none are locked at the moment), and well-sealed. It's a bit of a comical sight in comparison to the little cat-door that is directly next to it. One with a flap and everything.
"I hope you do not mind... I did want him to watch over dear Micolash, and so we will be in his room. I did make sure it was spacious, and his bed is curtained."
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After the pleasant modernity of the kitchen, a return to the dungeon halls is not the most welcoming transition. The rugs and paintings help, and after a time it feels more like she's walking through a confusing old manor than some bizarre bunker created for a purpose that not even her host seems to know.
She stops short at the metal door; she had not expected that she would be meeting Henry in Micolash's room. It feels a little intrusive, and it is with great uncertainty that she replies to the demon, her fingers winding into the ends of her scarf and tugging nervously. "Um... well, if you think it's okay..." It's not like Micolash can be accidentally awakened, right?
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Micolash's room seems comfortable enough; it is roomy, decorated mostly in clean pale grey from floor to ceiling, and the bed in the corner has indeed been obscured by thick curtains. The curtains seem to clash a little, as though they had come from a different room, deep blue in colour and decorated with white and silver stars. The closer one looks, the easier it is to note that there are no sharp corners present on any of the furniture, from desk, to chairs, to shelves, to bed. The corners of the room have been rounded off as well, and the floor feels plush and pillowy when walked on.
"Oh, Henry? We have a guest, if you would kindly show yourself- Ah, you are right there! Perfect." Abysa floats on in with the bag of treats behind him.
On the desk, straight ahead from the door, sits a cat in typical pear-like form. Its green eyes are open and watching Abysa as he floats on over, before turning to look at Adia. Its pink nose twitches a bit as it seems to sniff in her general direction. Henry appears to be round of face, slightly stocky in build, and mostly white save for a few orange spots and an orange tabby tail. The orange splotch on Henry's forehead has an eyelike pattern on it, and the spots on his back look vaguely like the eyes, nose and mouth of a skull-like face. Coincidence, of course! Henry is just a cat that happened to be raised in Hell.
"Good boy..." Abysa rubs at the cat's head with his long fingers, and Henry seems pleased with the attention, leaning into the touch. Once scritches are given, Henry goes back to eyeing Adia.
"This visitor is a friend, a human named Adia. And Adia, this is Henry! Is he not a lovely feline?" Abysa seems proud for Henry's sake, giving a beaming smile.
that icon is really cute!
Despite the reassurance, it takes her a moment for her to follow Abysa into Micolash's bedroom. She peers at the comfortable decor, noticing the lack of sharp corners anywhere. It reminds her a little of a small child's room, which is better to think about than the likely true reason why everything around her is so soft and harmless.
Henry is much more pleasant to look at. What a handsome kitty! "Hello," she says to him with a warm smile. She walks over and offers her hand for him to sniff and hopefully find acceptable for scratches. Henry will find that she smells like a lot of interesting things -- beach sand, winter snow, pine needles, warm flannel -- as well as the lingering smell of a nice cologne. That must be from someone else, Adia isn't wearing any artificial fragrances.
-3!
Henry takes his time sniffing and taking in all the smells, his pink nose tapping her hand a few times. The feline cannot voice his opinion, but he is quite fond of the warm smells, and less so of the cooler, pine-like ones. Eventually, he finds her hand suitable for his needs, which are scritches on his soft cheeks, turning his head and pushing himself against her fingers.
"Ah, he is taking to you. I knew he would. He is a polite little gentleman." Abysa looks over and smiles softly.
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Her smile grows when Henry makes the universal cat request for scratches. She rubs her fingers along those broad cheeks, admiring his sweet nature. "He is," she says in agreement, taking pleasure in giving the cat attention as much as he is receiving it. "I'm glad that Micolash enjoys his company. I hope someday Caspar and I can get a pet, too, once we're settled a little more."
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"Ah, but your Caspar's wishes must also be taken into account. Do let him know of my offer as well."
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Price does not cross her mind, but the potential needs of a hell-born familiar do. And although she has no pre-conceived ideas of demons being synonymous with bad things, Caspar might have some concerns on that subject.
"We were thinking about a cat, yes. Caspar really likes cats." She smiles down at Henry and adds, "I do, too, but I love all animals."