[Final Day] Endgame

[arsgoetia]

There is a noise like broken glass as the giant shadowy snake wavers in place, then falls over, hitting the roof so hard that dust billows up on on various levels of existence, making the whole building shake. You begin to see more people all around you—flickering, as if the layers are merging into one, the separations between them vanishing.

Superimposed over the snake's fading body—yes, there is, in fact, a giant shadow snake, visible to everyone now, even those who had just been fighting Mithos—is a man in a labcoat bending over on his knees, shuddering and grasping at the ground.

"Sssssss . . . thissssss . . ."

He jerks abruptly, then sags a little more, as if losing energy, trying to force his eyes to stay open, but . . .

Comments

[arsgoetia]

Message from Elluka's number.

Are you okay? Kieran sent a message.

[delivoreance]

...mostly confused and upset. Some people died but it seems to be okay now?

[arsgoetia]

As long as it's okay... Upset isn't okay though!

[delivoreance]

kidnapped by a mystery snake and trapped in a basement to be sick & dying w/no explanation, then Lucia got in trouble and friend got possessed. am allowed

[arsgoetia]

I meant 'not okay' as in 'you can't say it's okay', not as in you're not allowed. Possession huh...

[delivoreance]

oh... I'll be all right. yes, it seems like it. Didn't you say it was difficult to possess the unwilling?

[arsgoetia]

It is. Degrees of control are progressively harder, too.

[delivoreance]

So subverting someone's intentions -- using them against themselves when they knew and were trying to fight it -- that would take power.

[arsgoetia]

Yeah. It's easier if you can convince them to work with you but hard to make them do things they don't want to. Like hypnosis! I read about that.

[delivoreance]

I'm just not sure why in the world an -unrelated- demon would want to capture us. I mean, it'd make more sense if it was someone with a grudge -- but if it was, then who?

[arsgoetia]

It doesn't make much sense. Like there's a missing piece. Some sort of goal that you're related to. I don't know.

[delivoreance]

No, how would you? I'm just frustrated, sorry...

Regardless, how are you two? I tried to text you earlier but it wasn't working outside the building.

[arsgoetia]

You'll figure it out eventually. We'll help. Oh, we're okay -- keeping busy, I guess...

[delivoreance]

With what? I miss you.

[arsgoetia]

We've been doing some investigations with a local paranormal team when they need to call in the big guns. We miss you too...

[delivoreance]

I hope they pay well.

[arsgoetia]

Not so much, but we're helping people. I want that. Luka doesn't, but I want that.

[delivoreance]

I know.

[arsgoetia]

As long as we can eke out a living it's okay.

[delivoreance]

[It is possible I could buy you pizza from Edinburgh and charge it to the Bellcourts' bank account. Pizza party...]

[arsgoetia]

Haha are you serious-??

[delivoreance]

I could ask David.

[arsgoetia]

I could go for a pizza but I don't want to like -- weird him out though. --I don't mind.

[delivoreance]

What's your address, I'll find out.