Bardiel
Bourgeois
Outlands Wanderer
Posts: 147
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Post by Bardiel on Feb 4, 2009 8:52:37 GMT -6
“Oh little Inanna, the clutches of Heaven are the least of your troubles right now.”
The fallen’s intense gaze has been replaced by vacant, almost drunken stare, as if his drowning pupils were swimming for dry land. A crooked, unhinged smile slowly spread across his face.
With a snap Bardiel whipped his head around to face Zypheron, the shrill hysteria clear in his voice. “And you little Keeper, don’t you think it’s funny? You’re a walking joke, can’t you see the irony of it all?” One of Bardiel’s eyes begins to spasm in its socket, rolling over all but the devil which was held by its partner. “Why would you pawn your key off to me, can’t you get rid of it? Could it be you hold the key to all the locks in the world but that of your own prison?”
Laughing maniacally he struggles to continue. “And you little flower, name-giver Haliey, are you so loose with your possessions? Unless you can suddenly grow wings I would say your about to get your skin eaten.”
Putting his corpse like hands on the table, palms down, he cracks his head back to Angeni. “And back to you little Inanna, all the way back back back back. I remember knowing of you, I remember nine times nine old you being old with you. No you’re not a fighter, killer, soldier; even when your feet say you kill. You’re worse, you have no choice, you’re a sword slash bang die.” The last word was punctuated with the sound Bardiel’s face meeting the table.
Throwing his head back up, further to the ceiling “What should I do, I wonder?” a small trail of saliva follows the words. “For the sake of your damned blood, should I hand you over to the Light, get back into their good graces?” He squints into the light bulb on the roof. “Nah, the heavenly bureaucracy is blind from staring into the light-” The fallen’s words were drowned out by a sudden flow of deranged laughter.
With the sound of rustling feathers the tall fallen awkwardly pushes himself to his feet, pulling, clawing at his illusional shirt, eyes flickering from demon to mortal to Pe’Ri to demon again. In his a diseased fit of muffled laughter both Angeni and Zypheron can hear Bardiel muttering, like a manta; “Sometimes it hurts, you know, your mind.”
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Post by Narrator on Feb 11, 2009 17:13:01 GMT -6
Hailey sinks into Zepheron's touch as she takes the money. She looks unphased by Bardiel's words nor is she aware of anything else going on. It is like she is in a trace and simply leans into Zypheron like a long lost love.
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Post by Zypheron on Feb 17, 2009 12:34:59 GMT -6
Zypheron looks pleased with himself as his words have rattled the two as intended. His eyes follow Bardiel as he wildly wallows about in his mire of madness, he muses at his ramblings and he smiles an evil grin.
"Oh my dear Angeni. You know full well I can't see any other torment save my own and it drives me positively batty being Ereskigal's toll troll. Though I doubt I should be as broken up as your Humpty Dumpty here. Pushed out of the gate were we? One should have had the since not to land on one's head you know. And yes should you be so surprisingly inquisitive to know, I am full aware of the joke that is my life though it amuses me not. That my pungent cracked pot is simply why I seek to be rid of my chains and these blessed keys, so I may return to my princely domain and live out my days as my royal desires deem fit. So degrading to be such as a slave to a child who desires nothing more than to be free of her wretched chains herself. As for you my feathered friend I believe I am beginning to either like your mindless wit... or you are beginning to wear thin at my already thread bare bemusements. "
At that he draws Haliey's face close to his to he can smell her blood through her soft alabaster skin. Slowly he releases her from her trance to go about her business. "Fear not my towering conundrum, she is free to go unscathed for we are in the sanctuary. I do enjoy my temporary reprieve and here is the only place I may find a glimpse of solace in an insane world from which I cannot escape. Though I admit that I am sorely tempted to sup on her tinder flesh, devouring the help will surely get me banned from this establishment, and that simply will not do. It would be good for you to retain that bit of useful information fallen. Should you too find yourself out in the street on your ear after a mindless misstep of protocol."
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Post by Angeni on Feb 17, 2009 14:59:28 GMT -6
Angeni stares at the two of them, her anger draining away. She rests her head on one hand, frowning and looking at the table.
"Why do I once again find myself in the company of the utterly crazed and overly verbose. Aren't I supposed to be telling a story..." She says, mostly to herself, fairly certain her companions aren't going to notice anyway.
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Bardiel
Bourgeois
Outlands Wanderer
Posts: 147
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Post by Bardiel on Feb 20, 2009 6:56:10 GMT -6
Bardiel groggily shakes his head back and forth, chasing away the haze of delirium that plagued him.
“Aye demon, the proper educate must be upheld. I shall adhere to protocol.” The fallen snaps off a sloppy, mock salute and returns to his seat with a small glean in his eye. Assured now that, here at least, Zypheron could pose no immediate threat; Bardiel locks his hands and puts them behind his head, marveling at the fearsome properties of the bookstore.
Putting on a disarmingly friendly smile, he goes on. “Seeing as I can’t make you leave, master slave, I permit you to stay but-.” Looking sideways at Angeni, his tone grows cold enough that he speaks with visible breath. “But even though you may hear it, Inanna’s story is mine. Especially now. You’re not to take it.”
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Post by Zypheron on Feb 21, 2009 12:16:01 GMT -6
With a nod Zypheron appears next to Bardiel. The Devil sitting properly on a cafe chair pulled up to the table. He sits relaxed as he drapes comfortably onto the hard seat. His legs are crossed and he sits quietly with a skewed smile on his lips. His hands rest on his key deathly still in complete attention to Angeni.
"Oh yes, if you please my dear, grace us with your riveting yarn of yore. We are all ears." He says with a coy tilt to his head so that his hair falls over his face. The long locks are parted by his horns to show his eyes peering out from beneath his soft white tresses lending to his look very much like a japanamation character from a manga book.
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Post by Angeni on Feb 25, 2009 6:33:24 GMT -6
Angeni takes her time, looking from one male to the other and then taking a drink of her water.
"I could start this traditionally, with once upon a time. But... In a time before anyone bothered keeping track, in place that no mortal being has laid eyes on... a weary angel alighted.
"He had traveled the world seeking other beings of light, other creatures who were uncorrupted by the darkness. He had treated with the Fae, with the Dragons and with many others.
"For he was the first son of Heaven, the first star to flare in the before the coming of the sun and who else but he could be trusted to do this task?
"Well it happened that the place he had landed was in the lands of powerful but reclusive race. They hid themselves from the world, but without the world they had begun to grow as cold and rigid as stone.
"They followed a wise and beautiful woman, and she received the angel herself. The two spent hours talking, days, weeks- until they knew and loved each other utterly. But neither the angels nor the kitsune approved of the union..." Angeni pauses taking a drink of her water. She looks meditatively at the glass for a little while, her eyes suspiciously bright.
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Post by Zypheron on Mar 3, 2009 10:12:59 GMT -6
The rebellious look on the devil's face shows his obvious mild disappointment in the story choice. He has heard it all a thousand times before. Though it is a story as old and timeless as the sands of time itself, he can't help himself as he becomes restless in his seat. His claws restlessly drum on the key crown as he impatiently listens to the words. His attentions are drawn to Bardiel to see his reaction to the story of the Prince of Darkness and his Kitsune bride. A bored yawn escapes his lips and he makes no attempt to stifle it, not even out of stately courtesy of his tea party companions. His rude gesture not befitting a demon of his rank and stature though he shows no sign of letting it bother his long since degraded education of proper etiquette.
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Bardiel
Bourgeois
Outlands Wanderer
Posts: 147
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Post by Bardiel on Mar 4, 2009 5:51:57 GMT -6
Angeni’s words roll over the gangly fallen like waves over a harshly weathered stone, the stories voice resounding through his being like wind through the hollow trunk of a skeletal tree. Bardiel’s steady eyes surgically cut through the woman across the table as they slowly fill up with sand from a time before time.
Transfixed in another world he barley notices Zypheron’s restless shenanigans, but a primal reflex snapped his arm a short distance away from the demons face. It didn’t seem Bardiel could possibly reach out that far or that fast. The fallen’s hand hung unnaturally before Zypheron for a moment, small ambers stirring in the blackened appendage, before it deftly flicked him in the nose and retreated harmlessly to its original position.
Still enchanted by the tale, Bardiel listened on with an innocent childish earnestness, the unconscious reflex going by unnoticed. But every word he drank, like a man dieing of thirst.
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Post by Angeni on Mar 10, 2009 5:34:04 GMT -6
"Their people forbade the union and tried to separate them. But how could anyone possibly control two such powerful beings. But neither desired conflict with their respective peoples and so met secretly. They carried on their affair like this for half an age...
"Until the Kitsune discovered she was with child. His child. And then it all came undone. Their affair revealed enraged everyone. When the child was born, she was a being of great holy power, but also a mysterious mix of talents. She was precious and wise for her few years- so not long after the angel desired to bring his lover and their child to heaven.
"But he was denied and in a rage he swore that they would be able to enter the golden gates if he had to wrench them open. He threw down the ruler of Hell and used the might of its army and his own followers to storm those very gates. And the rest.. as they say is history." Angeni drains her water glass and looks up at the ceiling.
"I miss them every day..."
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Bardiel
Bourgeois
Outlands Wanderer
Posts: 147
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Post by Bardiel on Mar 17, 2009 5:13:14 GMT -6
“…And they lived happily ever after”. Bardiel lets loose a contented sigh as if he’d been holding his breath, waiting for some important news, to find it good news.
With a scraping of chairs and the rustle of feathers, the fallen brings himself to his full height and bows at the waist, first to Angeni and then toward Zypheron. “Thank you, Inanna,” Bardiel nods to Angeni “And to you also demon,” he smiles, perhaps at his own awkwardness.
“A deal’s a deal then, I’ll give Inanna a name for me,” he goes on, matter of fact, talking with his hands. “We should make a deal also, master,” he turns to Zypheron and flashes him a crooked smile “I think we get along pretty well, but more importantly I think we might have some similar interests, maybe we could find a compromise in the future. But…” his jaded eyes swing back to Angeni. “… I’ve been wrong before.”
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Post by Zypheron on Mar 17, 2009 11:43:13 GMT -6
The front door opens and in the shop rush thousands of steely little balls. To the others it is as if a wind has swept open the door and whistles harshly into the shop. The iron monsters make their way to Zypheron before they spring open into the evil, hyper Hydencek. They bound allover the shop as they chatter and giggle their hauntingly metallic snickers and laughs. Soon they drive all about Zypheron and begin to chant in their thousands of voices.
"The crucible of souls is full and the thousand await... screaming in woe of their dire fate. On we must go with our master to make for the gate. Make for the gate to seal their fate." The room fills with the sinister laughter of the Hydencek as they tug on Zypheron to make for the door.
Zypheron looks annoyed at Bardiel and even more annoyed at the Hydencek dragging him out the door to fulfill his duty.
"Alas...duty calls. Remember fallen, the Host shall never take you back. Though instead of a curse, think of it as being set free. Now you need not bow down to any should it suit you not to do so. Just beware of those who would rather die than let you be to do as you will. You are free, make the best of it cracked pot... you have earned my royal envy."
He says as he is literally being lead out by the Hydencek and unwillingly ushered out the door.
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Bardiel
Bourgeois
Outlands Wanderer
Posts: 147
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Post by Bardiel on Mar 18, 2009 6:34:03 GMT -6
A haunted grimace ghosts across Bardiel’s face at the departing parade. It almost seems as though there is a cunning smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. The effect quickly disappears beneath the gauzed grin of a madman.
“Well that’s sound advice, wouldn’t you say so?” He turns his lopsided smile to Angeni, scratching the top of his head, dandruff and ash falling on his shoulders. “It’s good also, now I know you’re you… not something else in your skin.” Bardiel’s voice is strained and awkward, clearly in an attempt to make idle conversation. “You can never be too careful about these things…” he trails off looking for something to do with his hands. Clearly he had something very important to say, but it died in his throat.
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Post by Angeni on Mar 22, 2009 19:26:12 GMT -6
Angeni looks pained at the high-pitched laughter of the Hydencek, her eye narrowing to slits of green against the grating noise. She slumps in her seat after they drag Zypheron out and rubs her temples with her fingers. She looks pale and tired but watches Bardiel with a little bit of amusement.
"Say what it is that you're thinking, nameless one." She says, reaching out and catching one of his hands with hers, fingers gently curling around his.
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Bardiel
Bourgeois
Outlands Wanderer
Posts: 147
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Post by Bardiel on Mar 25, 2009 6:41:11 GMT -6
Bardiel’s face visibly twitches as his hand is held captive by Angeni’s soft touch, and his opposite shoulder follows a sort path before it realizes its arm has refused carry through. “A name’s a cagey thing, you never know what one has locked inside it,” he begins in an unusually solemn voice “But like, I said, I’ll give you and good one...” After a pause and thoughtful “hum”, he stooped down to whisper in her ear.
“You can call me Bardiel.” His face somehow managed to express a childish sense of both immaturity and earnestness.
“It’s a good name,” Bardiel broke into another crooked smile “Because when you say it, friends hold hands.” He gently squeezed her hand “Now…” He gave the hand another soft squeeze, his face remaining immaculately cheerful “Why don’t you tell me a little more about your sister?”
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Post by Angeni on Mar 31, 2009 1:25:52 GMT -6
At the mention of her sister Angeni's eyes shut, hiding her pain. Slowly the small woman droops in her seat, releasing Bardiel's hand.
"I don't know where she is..." she whispers, choking on the words. Her arms go around her middle and the half kitsune takes slow deliberate breaths, trying to control herself.
"I think she might be dead."
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Bardiel
Bourgeois
Outlands Wanderer
Posts: 147
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Post by Bardiel on Mar 31, 2009 7:44:54 GMT -6
“That…” Bardiel’s voice turned rather strange. “That would be quite unfortunate for all parties considered.” But he does not release her hand, nor does his smile lessen, in fact it widens. “People like her do not just die; they just don’t have the damn blessed sense to do so. But…” The deranged fallen begins to gnaw on the fingers of his free hand. “I suppose it could happen, don’t you reckon god-killer Inanna?” He narrows his jaded eyes. “No, she’s fine-flicking-dandy, I’ll help you find her if that’s what you want. This I swear.”
A shadow flickered across Bardiel’s face. “But in the mean time. What should I do about you; daughter of De-…” The grip on Angeni’s hand tightened, becoming unpleasant. “-Luci-…” The crooked smile reached Bardiel’s ears. “-fer?”
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Post by Narrator on Mar 31, 2009 9:55:37 GMT -6
Haliey returns with a huge grin. "So... where'd your friend go off to in such a hurry?" she says absently, "Awell, did'jah need anything else...? I axe cause it is my shift end an' I just wanna be sure you are taken care of. M'K?" She says with that sweet and all too innocent look in her big eyes as she stands absently twirling her hair in her fingers.
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Post by Angeni on Apr 3, 2009 12:36:50 GMT -6
Angeni looks up at Haley and smiles, flexing her fingers gently in Bardiel's grip.
"We are just fine, dear, thank you for your attentiveness." the woman says calmly, before turning back to the fallen across from her.
"Why would you do that? Help me I mean."
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Bardiel
Bourgeois
Outlands Wanderer
Posts: 147
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Post by Bardiel on Apr 4, 2009 6:24:41 GMT -6
The grey haired fallen seems taken aback by the question, as if he’d suddenly been taken out of his stride, the pressure on Angeni’s hand relents. “What a…” Bardiel’s brow frowns in thought “…strange thing to say.” He tilts his head to one side, then the other, like some absurd pendulum. “You have my friendship, I have your story and…I want more stories.” His head rolls over to the other shoulder. “Beside, I can’t bare to see siblings separated. No, that’s not it… Is it so hard to believe that I would help you out of the kindness of my heart?” He gives Angeni a rebuking shake of his head.
“Will you take a piece of your own? A good game’s coming; I can feel it, that’s what I am.” Bardiel gives a brief nod, looking entirely sane.
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