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[Beelzebub scratches the obviously distressed Fizzgig while talking.]
The reason for the Fall was retaliation against Lucifer. It's always happening. Lucifer's at least kept them afraid to do anything too ruthless toward us for a long time now.
[Beelzebub scratches the obviously distressed Fizzgig while talking.]
The reason for the Fall was retaliation against Lucifer. It's always happening. Lucifer's at least kept them afraid to do anything too ruthless toward us for a long time now.
Edited 2020-01-05 21:29 (UTC)
That's good, at least.
[Galahad gives the larger fizzgig on his shoulder another few scratches as he listens, earning a contented and rumbling purr-like sound from the creature.]
Even so, the Nexus should be a safe place for you all in the interim, aye? With the anti-violence field?
[He would think that would serve as a helpful neutral zone within the ongoing war, if such a thing even can exist.]
[Galahad gives the larger fizzgig on his shoulder another few scratches as he listens, earning a contented and rumbling purr-like sound from the creature.]
Even so, the Nexus should be a safe place for you all in the interim, aye? With the anti-violence field?
[He would think that would serve as a helpful neutral zone within the ongoing war, if such a thing even can exist.]
[Kako has finally woke up and ambles over to slide into Beelzebub's lap like she's made of water.}
I don't think there are any doors to the Nexus that the host can get to. I think the only one is in Chaos. If it wasn't, I don't think they'd care about the anti-violence field.
I don't think there are any doors to the Nexus that the host can get to. I think the only one is in Chaos. If it wasn't, I don't think they'd care about the anti-violence field.
The Host or celestial angels are those still in the Grace of God. Most still serve God, though there are those who are not fallen but don't serve God.
Azazael, Balthazar, and I think Aziraphale all remain celestial but walked out or were thrown out by God.
Azazael, Balthazar, and I think Aziraphale all remain celestial but walked out or were thrown out by God.
They're like you, but haven't fallen for one reason or another. [Galahad nods his understanding.]
So if the only door into the Nexus that you know of is in Chaos, then you're safe? For now, anyway? [If true, that's something of a relief.]
So if the only door into the Nexus that you know of is in Chaos, then you're safe? For now, anyway? [If true, that's something of a relief.]
Azazael was thrown out with us, but without reason. Balthazar, and Aziraphale too maybe, walked out of Heaven on their own.
For now. God would have to battle through the fallen to get to this place. [There was a relief, and a small amount of worry, in those thoughts. As the angels grew close to others that meant more targets, weaker targets, here if God or Michael made it to the Nexus.]
For now. God would have to battle through the fallen to get to this place. [There was a relief, and a small amount of worry, in those thoughts. As the angels grew close to others that meant more targets, weaker targets, here if God or Michael made it to the Nexus.]
[Galahad's hand resumes the soft stroking of the fizzgig in his lap at that, the tension in his shoulders softening a hair.]
I'm glad to hear that. [A few additional, pensive strokes of the now-purring creature curled up against him, and then Galahad looks up again.] You don't worry much about your own safety-- or that harm might come to you, do you?
[Probably because he doesn't often have much reason to, but it's something the knight has noticed about the angel in the time that they've known one another.]
I'm glad to hear that. [A few additional, pensive strokes of the now-purring creature curled up against him, and then Galahad looks up again.] You don't worry much about your own safety-- or that harm might come to you, do you?
[Probably because he doesn't often have much reason to, but it's something the knight has noticed about the angel in the time that they've known one another.]
Ourselves? [Beelzebub shook his head.] No. After facing God everything else is a minor conflict. We heal quickly and some of us can't die.
[Beelzebub stops stroking the cat in his lap and takes a deep breath.] Our enemy is a honorless coward. He rarely confronts Lucifer, or any of the stronger archangels. It is always children, friends, lovers that become his targets.
[Beelzebub stops stroking the cat in his lap and takes a deep breath.] Our enemy is a honorless coward. He rarely confronts Lucifer, or any of the stronger archangels. It is always children, friends, lovers that become his targets.
[That is disturbing, and strikes Galahad as being as devoid of honor and nobility of spirit as Beelzebub describes. Any good knight or warrior knows that going after a more vulnerable target for the sake of hurting a stronger one is the height of wickedness.
Galahad frowns softly, his gaze shifting away from the depths of the fireplace and to Beelzebub's face.]
Have you all protections in place for the people you care about in case they do find a way here?
Galahad frowns softly, his gaze shifting away from the depths of the fireplace and to Beelzebub's face.]
Have you all protections in place for the people you care about in case they do find a way here?
[He meets the knight's gaze and there's a hardness there that usually isn't. The more Beelzebub thought of protection and war, sometimes, he would get very dark inside. The angel without fear, that felt no pain, and showed no mercy bled through.]
Yes, Lucifer has given us leave to destroy any angels coming from our heaven to injure people here.
Yes, Lucifer has given us leave to destroy any angels coming from our heaven to injure people here.
[Galahad nods. Even if the angels sound near indestructible at times, it's clear from the torn out wings he's seen on Lucifer's back that this isn't always the case.]
As powerful as you all are, I hope you'll all take care. [He's sure they will, given how accustomed to fighting the tight-knit angel 'family' seems to be, but he thinks it still bears saying. In the time that he's known Beelzebub and learned some of the angel's story, he's come to care for his friend and for the ultimate fate that will befall him and the rest of the Fallen.]
I know I'd miss your company if something happened. [A beat.] I'm sure a good many people in the Nexus would miss all of you. [It's now that the fizzgig in the knight's lap makes a loud sound that's somewhere between a happy yowl and a yawn, as it rolls over to expose its belly for scratches. The ploy for attention makes Galahad smile, and he obliges the creature with a few pats.] The animals would be beside themselves, too.
As powerful as you all are, I hope you'll all take care. [He's sure they will, given how accustomed to fighting the tight-knit angel 'family' seems to be, but he thinks it still bears saying. In the time that he's known Beelzebub and learned some of the angel's story, he's come to care for his friend and for the ultimate fate that will befall him and the rest of the Fallen.]
I know I'd miss your company if something happened. [A beat.] I'm sure a good many people in the Nexus would miss all of you. [It's now that the fizzgig in the knight's lap makes a loud sound that's somewhere between a happy yowl and a yawn, as it rolls over to expose its belly for scratches. The ploy for attention makes Galahad smile, and he obliges the creature with a few pats.] The animals would be beside themselves, too.
[Beelzebub didn't have the same kind of worry as others. He never worried about being defeated, but more that something would get past his notice and others would fall.]
There are three million of us, not just the ones you've seen here. [He tries to reassure the knight. He didn't need it. They had survived so much already. His wing comes up and half curls around and half slaps Galahad.]
You worry a lot. [There were angels that worried this much too. It wasn't necessary. Though Beelzebub was among the overconfident angels.] We've survived billions of years of war. We're not going to die.
There are three million of us, not just the ones you've seen here. [He tries to reassure the knight. He didn't need it. They had survived so much already. His wing comes up and half curls around and half slaps Galahad.]
You worry a lot. [There were angels that worried this much too. It wasn't necessary. Though Beelzebub was among the overconfident angels.] We've survived billions of years of war. We're not going to die.
[The small slap earns a short laugh, and a gentle tug.]
Aye, I know. It's hard not to, [he explains.] There's a lot about your world-- even about the Nexus, honestly, that's so much bigger and... more than where I came from. [A pause.] I looked on a map in the Nexus library and Albion's just one country on a huge map of hundreds of others.
Add the whole of the cosmos and creation to that? 'Tis somewhat easy to feel humbled by the size and power of what's normal to all of you. I used to trust in God to handle things so enormous that people can't, but in your case he's-- horrible.
[In a more ordinary context he'd prefer to throw himself into the fray for the sake of his friends-- but in this case the idea's impossible. Almost absurd, really. He knows he couldn't do anything more than any other ordinary human might be able to and it's a difficult idea to accept.
He touches Beelzebub's arm warmly.] I trust you all and know you're powerful, I just-- care.
Aye, I know. It's hard not to, [he explains.] There's a lot about your world-- even about the Nexus, honestly, that's so much bigger and... more than where I came from. [A pause.] I looked on a map in the Nexus library and Albion's just one country on a huge map of hundreds of others.
Add the whole of the cosmos and creation to that? 'Tis somewhat easy to feel humbled by the size and power of what's normal to all of you. I used to trust in God to handle things so enormous that people can't, but in your case he's-- horrible.
[In a more ordinary context he'd prefer to throw himself into the fray for the sake of his friends-- but in this case the idea's impossible. Almost absurd, really. He knows he couldn't do anything more than any other ordinary human might be able to and it's a difficult idea to accept.
He touches Beelzebub's arm warmly.] I trust you all and know you're powerful, I just-- care.
Edited 2020-01-16 04:00 (UTC)
[Beelzebub stopped and stared at the knight and was quiet just staring before looking away.]
Lucifer is our universe. He keeps it from collapsing or whatever would happen without him. It's humbling to be called brother by the universe, the energy that made the universe exist.
[He grew thoughtful.] Lucifer is as far from the understanding of any archangel as we are from you, maybe even more. He's seen things we can't even dream about, existed in the nothing when there wasn't even a universe.
[Then he's suddenly laughing again.] Horrible is a generous and kind word for God.
[The thoughtfulness seems to be enbing and flowing with his humor, because he's fallen quiet again.] lt's still unusual for a lot of the angels that there are people that don't want them hurt or dead.
Lucifer is our universe. He keeps it from collapsing or whatever would happen without him. It's humbling to be called brother by the universe, the energy that made the universe exist.
[He grew thoughtful.] Lucifer is as far from the understanding of any archangel as we are from you, maybe even more. He's seen things we can't even dream about, existed in the nothing when there wasn't even a universe.
[Then he's suddenly laughing again.] Horrible is a generous and kind word for God.
[The thoughtfulness seems to be enbing and flowing with his humor, because he's fallen quiet again.] lt's still unusual for a lot of the angels that there are people that don't want them hurt or dead.
[As he listens to Beelzebub, Galahad will shift both himself (with the snoozing fizzgig in his lap along for the ride) over a bit to cuddle against the angel's side within the bend of his wing. Not because he thinks the angel might need soothing of some sort, but simply for the pleasure and comfort of being close.]
I didn't think anything could humble you all, [he muses, absently giving Kako's head a small pat when she head bumps his arm from her place in Beelzebub's lap.] 'Tis hard to imagine that Lucifer's so different when he talks to me just like any of the rest of you. He speaks and carries himself like a king, aye, but you all share a common story and many similar pains. Does the Nexus alter the way he looks and the ways his powers work a great deal?
[That comment earns a small tip of his head.] It seems like the Nexus is one of the better things that could have happened for you all, in that case.
I didn't think anything could humble you all, [he muses, absently giving Kako's head a small pat when she head bumps his arm from her place in Beelzebub's lap.] 'Tis hard to imagine that Lucifer's so different when he talks to me just like any of the rest of you. He speaks and carries himself like a king, aye, but you all share a common story and many similar pains. Does the Nexus alter the way he looks and the ways his powers work a great deal?
[That comment earns a small tip of his head.] It seems like the Nexus is one of the better things that could have happened for you all, in that case.
Edited 2020-01-16 06:04 (UTC)
[The angel assumes the knight is looking for comfort. After all, it had to be a shock to suddenly feel so small or feel like you had not known anything. Beelzebub shifts to wrap an arm around Galahad then rests his wing around/over him. ]
Lucifer is never what he seems, not entirely. We survive because God and heaven can't understand his intentions. [He does take his time with the question. It was an important one.] He's billions of years older than us. Belial is the next oldest of the fallen and he is almost 5 billion years younger than Lucifer.
None of us really look like what you see, but our illusions are the same here and in Chaos. Some of our features are the same under the illusions, but most aren't. A mortal gifted Lucifer his appearance. That's why his eyes are mismatched. [Beelzebub shrugs.] I don't know if it alters his abilities, or even mine. I haven't found any differences yet.
[That was certainly something that was true.] Some of the angels have never seen the sun, or grass, or felt rain. If you can't out fly or fight a seraphim leaving Chaos has been too dangerous for them.
Lucifer is never what he seems, not entirely. We survive because God and heaven can't understand his intentions. [He does take his time with the question. It was an important one.] He's billions of years older than us. Belial is the next oldest of the fallen and he is almost 5 billion years younger than Lucifer.
None of us really look like what you see, but our illusions are the same here and in Chaos. Some of our features are the same under the illusions, but most aren't. A mortal gifted Lucifer his appearance. That's why his eyes are mismatched. [Beelzebub shrugs.] I don't know if it alters his abilities, or even mine. I haven't found any differences yet.
[That was certainly something that was true.] Some of the angels have never seen the sun, or grass, or felt rain. If you can't out fly or fight a seraphim leaving Chaos has been too dangerous for them.
[He's never had a source of steady care like this, and to have it now is irresistibly soothing. It's hard to tell if the warmth spreading through him is coming from the angel's form, the crackling hearth, or is something gentle drifting off the wing around him, but it's a very comfortable and safe feeling to be curled up with.
After a moment of this he'll ask if Beelzebub is okay with him gently stroking the wing around him, and if the angel says yes, he'll slowly run his fingers over the downier feathers around him in light, thoughtful touches.
The news that the angels don't look like the way they appear here comes as something of a surprise.]
Could you say what either of you look like beneath your illusions? [It is remarkable, after all, to hear that the forms he's seen the angels in are what sounds like, essentially, costuming.] Or is it...unimaginable?
[It's a little bittersweet, that.] That sounds like it must have been difficult for them-- to be trapped like that, I mean. [he admits, his gaze tracking away.] Were you like that before coming here?
After a moment of this he'll ask if Beelzebub is okay with him gently stroking the wing around him, and if the angel says yes, he'll slowly run his fingers over the downier feathers around him in light, thoughtful touches.
The news that the angels don't look like the way they appear here comes as something of a surprise.]
Could you say what either of you look like beneath your illusions? [It is remarkable, after all, to hear that the forms he's seen the angels in are what sounds like, essentially, costuming.] Or is it...unimaginable?
[It's a little bittersweet, that.] That sounds like it must have been difficult for them-- to be trapped like that, I mean. [he admits, his gaze tracking away.] Were you like that before coming here?
[Beelzebub settles in with Galahad, shifting slightly when he realizes he's going to be here for awhile, just to get comfortable. The one leg folded and the other knee up so he can lean on it while they talk. He gives his assent to touching his wings.
He shakes his head.] No, it causes madness and death. Most of us can't even look at Lucifer, and humans can't look at us. Maybe Azazael, but the rest of us, not completely. [The angel was rambling as he spoke because he was speaking about what he was thinking at the same time.] I don't think anyone but God has ever seen what Lucifer really looks like. It also means no one can actually come in true physical contact with him either. I think that drives him crazy sometimes because he's isolated.
We can control the illusions enough to show part of what is beneath. [Assuming that the knight wanted to see he lowered some of the illusions slowly, not too much at a time. The first thing to appear is the glow off the angel, warm and a little bright like sunlight filtered through the forest canopy in summer. There's a little more heat too. The white of the wings is impossibly white and the red scarlet to crimson. It really does look like blood now. There's the hint of fire at the tips of the wings. Most startling is the change in his eyes, no longer brown but deep red and dog like with large pupils and almost no white. His skin has a slightly more ruddy tone but over all he's still recognizable.]
I've been to Olympus and the Earth several times, but there's a lot I haven't seen except through the eyes of humans. That's not the same either. How we see the world is not like a human at all. Even angels don't all see the same way.
He shakes his head.] No, it causes madness and death. Most of us can't even look at Lucifer, and humans can't look at us. Maybe Azazael, but the rest of us, not completely. [The angel was rambling as he spoke because he was speaking about what he was thinking at the same time.] I don't think anyone but God has ever seen what Lucifer really looks like. It also means no one can actually come in true physical contact with him either. I think that drives him crazy sometimes because he's isolated.
We can control the illusions enough to show part of what is beneath. [Assuming that the knight wanted to see he lowered some of the illusions slowly, not too much at a time. The first thing to appear is the glow off the angel, warm and a little bright like sunlight filtered through the forest canopy in summer. There's a little more heat too. The white of the wings is impossibly white and the red scarlet to crimson. It really does look like blood now. There's the hint of fire at the tips of the wings. Most startling is the change in his eyes, no longer brown but deep red and dog like with large pupils and almost no white. His skin has a slightly more ruddy tone but over all he's still recognizable.]
I've been to Olympus and the Earth several times, but there's a lot I haven't seen except through the eyes of humans. That's not the same either. How we see the world is not like a human at all. Even angels don't all see the same way.
[From here!]
Why did Lucifer let him out, if he's dangerous in this way? [The question isn't meant to be judgmental, but more curious. Had something changed in the way they felt about Moloch in the time between when he was being held to this point where he was being allowed to move somewhat freely in the Nexus now?
Once they're back in the inn room, Galahad glances around and tries to decide the best way to start getting blood out of Beelzebub's hair. The bathroom sink isn't nearly deep enough, but perhaps the kitchen...?]
We could sit you down in the kitchen and use the sink to wash all of that out. [the knight suggests.] Would that be comfortable enough for you?
Why did Lucifer let him out, if he's dangerous in this way? [The question isn't meant to be judgmental, but more curious. Had something changed in the way they felt about Moloch in the time between when he was being held to this point where he was being allowed to move somewhat freely in the Nexus now?
Once they're back in the inn room, Galahad glances around and tries to decide the best way to start getting blood out of Beelzebub's hair. The bathroom sink isn't nearly deep enough, but perhaps the kitchen...?]
We could sit you down in the kitchen and use the sink to wash all of that out. [the knight suggests.] Would that be comfortable enough for you?
Politics, and necessity. [Such was the problems with a powerful annoyance. Some concessions had to be made to keep things from getting too extreme.
Beelzebub had quickly learned to navigate the small space with another person in it. Human spaces were not, typically, conducive to the size and shape of angels, but they could all learn to make due when necessary.]
Standing? Otherwise, my wings will get in the way. [It really didn't matter. Any choice was going to be awkward, at best. He heads for the kitchen and wonders if there is a way to make the bathroom larger. Maybe he could convince Mulciber to do something about it? That was for the future.
For now, his main concern was to figure out how to get his head under the faucet, wings out of the way, and give Galahad space. This was going to take some wierd maneuvering for sure.]
Beelzebub had quickly learned to navigate the small space with another person in it. Human spaces were not, typically, conducive to the size and shape of angels, but they could all learn to make due when necessary.]
Standing? Otherwise, my wings will get in the way. [It really didn't matter. Any choice was going to be awkward, at best. He heads for the kitchen and wonders if there is a way to make the bathroom larger. Maybe he could convince Mulciber to do something about it? That was for the future.
For now, his main concern was to figure out how to get his head under the faucet, wings out of the way, and give Galahad space. This was going to take some wierd maneuvering for sure.]
[Galahad nods. He can relate to that. Many times in the past he's seen Arthur have to grant reluctant concessions to a powerful foe in order to keep an all out assault from happening. With kingcraft, sometimes these things simply have to happen.]
Lucifer must be angry with him, after this time, [Galahad muses, as he starts clearing a few of the dishes around the kitchen sink to make as much room for them both to squeeze into the little kitchen as possible. Once the area's clear, he leaves the room briefly to find a bit of lavender soap from the bathroom, and then gestures for Bee to come closer.
It's awkward and in the end Galahad finds himself a bit jammed between Beelzebub, part of one of the angel's folded wings, and the countertop, but it works well enough for their purposes.]
All right. [He offers Bee a small smile, and then starts running the faucet to let the water warm up before he starts in on Beelzebub's hair.] Tell me if the water gets too hot at any time and I'll change it.
Lucifer must be angry with him, after this time, [Galahad muses, as he starts clearing a few of the dishes around the kitchen sink to make as much room for them both to squeeze into the little kitchen as possible. Once the area's clear, he leaves the room briefly to find a bit of lavender soap from the bathroom, and then gestures for Bee to come closer.
It's awkward and in the end Galahad finds himself a bit jammed between Beelzebub, part of one of the angel's folded wings, and the countertop, but it works well enough for their purposes.]
All right. [He offers Bee a small smile, and then starts running the faucet to let the water warm up before he starts in on Beelzebub's hair.] Tell me if the water gets too hot at any time and I'll change it.
They're always fighting. [Beelzebub admits. They did too, on and off. Things would calm then suddenly explode, wind down and right back to each other's throats. The angels expected it often enough even if the actual event took them by surprise.
He does his best to not crush the human or pin him uncomfortably, but the kitchen is small, and the sink even smaller. Still they manage to work it out. He ends up bracing himself opposite Galahand with his wing to the wall, allowing him to lean away and relent a little more space.
The comment about the water gets a full laugh as he maneuvers his head down under the faucet.] Everything in Chaos is on fire! There isn't too hot unless I'm in a volcano. That might not be as hot as Chaos?
He does his best to not crush the human or pin him uncomfortably, but the kitchen is small, and the sink even smaller. Still they manage to work it out. He ends up bracing himself opposite Galahand with his wing to the wall, allowing him to lean away and relent a little more space.
The comment about the water gets a full laugh as he maneuvers his head down under the faucet.] Everything in Chaos is on fire! There isn't too hot unless I'm in a volcano. That might not be as hot as Chaos?
It seems like that's part of what kings do, sometimes. [A pause, as he carefully lathers a bit of the soap in his hands.] Arthur spends much of his time on such entanglements, too. He's always having to deal with peoples who give the kingdom trouble for the sake of keeping what peace he can-- and so others don't need to, as much as possible.
[That laugh earns a chuckle from Galahad as he starts to carefully work his fingers through the less matted parts of Beelzebub's hair beneath the warm running water.]
I was being polite, Beelzebub.
[That laugh earns a chuckle from Galahad as he starts to carefully work his fingers through the less matted parts of Beelzebub's hair beneath the warm running water.]
I was being polite, Beelzebub.
[He listens, trying to remain still in the awkward position.]
Internally, Lucifer does the same. God and Heaven, he constantly harasses to kept their eyes away from the rest of his plans. There's a lot of diversion tactics and no one angel knows everything. Even if they catch one of us they won't know what he's doing.
[Beelzebub was always impressed by the live action chess game Lucifer constantly played with Heaven. It was genius at a level even he couldn't understand sometimes, and he had been created for war tactics. It wasn't just tactics, but a sly underhanded manipulation of others, thier emotions, motivations, and personality. It made Beelzebubglad that Lucifer was on his side so he was never the target of that stratey.]
Most of us can't be burned by things in the mortal world. We're so used to the hellfire in Chaos that it doesn't really damage us anymore.
Internally, Lucifer does the same. God and Heaven, he constantly harasses to kept their eyes away from the rest of his plans. There's a lot of diversion tactics and no one angel knows everything. Even if they catch one of us they won't know what he's doing.
[Beelzebub was always impressed by the live action chess game Lucifer constantly played with Heaven. It was genius at a level even he couldn't understand sometimes, and he had been created for war tactics. It wasn't just tactics, but a sly underhanded manipulation of others, thier emotions, motivations, and personality. It made Beelzebubglad that Lucifer was on his side so he was never the target of that stratey.]
Most of us can't be burned by things in the mortal world. We're so used to the hellfire in Chaos that it doesn't really damage us anymore.
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