|
Post by Admin on Oct 13, 2022 4:41:18 GMT
"The Abyss is angry this turning, my friends," an old demon said as Cody pulled himself out of the not-nothingness of the Abyss onto the pier.
"Damned bad weather every turning now," his friend said.
"Uh huh," the first replied.
They cast their lines out into the flashing darkness and dipped their toes into the cool source of the multiverses. The first and eldest leaned back, pushed his straw hat down over his eyes and pushed his Abyss-fishing rod between his large demon toes.
"Nothin' biting today," he says languidly. "Cody must be scarin' them all off."
The pier is a long brick projection from the underside of the Courts of Chaos. A popular spot for divers to start or end their day - and sometimes to start or end their lives. Anglers also find places along the span; not able or willing to launch themselves into the maelstrom, they cast their lines and nets and hope to catch something of value.
From the cave entrance into the great floating mountain, a demon woman plods her way toward them. Each of her three hands holds seven bottles of beer between her multitude of fingers. Cody is sure that she is the wife of one of these two fishermen, but even after all these years, he doesn't know which. She seemed to loathe and dote upon both of them equally. Occasionally, he wonders if he is her husband in some strange demon-like way.
"CODY!" she bellows from hundreds of yards away. Her words are mostly smothered in the un-echoing not-nothingness. "What'd ya find?"
Nothing was in there to grab other than fragments of a broken mirror.
|
|
|
Post by Cody D'Avalon on Oct 13, 2022 15:34:57 GMT
It hadn't taken too long to understand some of the Demon's speech. It took a while, though, to be able to pronounce some of their words. Especially their given names. It takes a little shape shifting of the vocal chords and such.
A lot sounds like animals choking on bone fragments and grinding broken glass with your teeth... To be polite he used their proper names as appropriate but if it can be avoided, he will. With his mental shorthand he has given them more human nicknames which he'll share through the dialogue here to save you trying to read what can only be described as retching sounds.
He laughs with the comradery but with a bit of sadness and concern due to the ongoing conditions.
"Gentlemen, please make up your minds. Yesterday you were telling me that I look like bait and today I'm repellant? The turnings are more sickly of late to be sure..."
"Speaking of ugly, though... It's getting more difficult by the day to get around down there. The turbulent pockets are getting larger and more hostile. The dead pockets as well. Everything's less homogenous and more volatile. On top of that, the predators are hungrier as the prey become more scarce."
Perking up at the sight of Joanne's approach and the burden she carries... MMmmmmmm - Beer!
Croaking out her name, "Joanna!" Cody isn't directly part of their polyamory. More of an adopted child. Maybe a pet. But part of the family all the same.
"I've almost nothing. I hope that doesn't disqualify me from receiving something of your bounty."
The other two look at me and shout, "Hey!"
"The beer! The bounty of her BEER."
Joanna gives a raucous laugh.
Cody opens up his sporran, reaches in and fumbles around. Fingers seeking the paltry treasures collected from the depths.
"Mirror, mirror, on the wall... This is what's left after a great fall."
Palm up, he displays the broken shards.
"These are the biggest pieces I could grab. There're tinier bits and some dust floating around down there as well. Pretty worthless unless you're simplex enough to be amused by small shiny things..."
"The situation is getting dire. Maybe I ought to pull myself together and petition the higher Ways for aid. We won't be getting by much longer on these meager scraps."
With that, Cody turns his palm in order to regard himself in a bit of mirror. Something he hadn't done in a long time. He's both amused and a little startled by what he sees.
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Oct 14, 2022 5:46:42 GMT
"The higher-up muck-a--mucks won't give a damn about us on the bottom," the one with his eyes covered says. He reaches out and grabs one of the bottles out of Joanna's hand without looking.
Joanne hands Cody a bottle.
"Someone's been asking around for you," she tells him. "Tall guy, covered up in a long trenchcoat and cloth covering his face. He has been in all the bars and watering holes trying to find you. He is careful not to reveal anything about himself other than his radiating a feeling of menace towards every last one of us."
|
|
|
Post by Cody D'Avalon on Oct 15, 2022 2:47:17 GMT
Bob's a cranky old man with a huge heart.
Cody receives the proffered beer and touched the bottle to his forhead in salute, then bows deeply with a flourish to Joanna.
Thinking to himself that the pieces of mirror on their own may be worthless but with a bit of work he could use the larger piece to make a compact he could sell at market...
Turning to Bob, "Remember, the high up muckity mucks stand on our shoulders. If we fall; they fall further.
His head snaps back to Joanna when she tells of the mysterious stranger.
"The Unicorn,you say!?"
"What would anyone want from a human misfit of a pit diver?"
"Well, they obviously don't know who they're looking for if they're searching bars and watering holes."
"Which reminds me. It's just about mealtime. The Brothers always appreciateam extra set of hands in the kitchen."
He tips the bottle and lets the contents rinse his dry throat.
"Ah!"
"After the meal, I'll discuss our situation with the Brothers and see if we can rally up a few petitioners to bring our concerns to the powers that be."
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Oct 17, 2022 2:55:55 GMT
"And they'll be damn sure to land on us," Bob says.
"No doubt he was just getting the word out and knew that someone would tell you," Joanne says.
[OOC: describe these Brothers if Cody heads there next.]
|
|
|
Post by Cody D'Avalon on Oct 17, 2022 4:25:01 GMT
"Sure, Bob. They can land in our warm embrace or the tips of our spears. Depending on how they feather their nests. They may look down on us in order to maintain their delicate egos but when you hear them say, 'You couldn't pay me enough to do that dirty job.' You know that in reality they should be paying US more to do this dirty work."
"Well, that's all the political rally that I have in me for the time being..."
Turning to Joanna, "Ah, yes my dear Joanna. Exactly as you say. The word is out."
"'Radiating menace towards all of us', huh? Sounds like government work."
"I think I'm up to date on my taxes and tithing."
"I don't suppose that the fellow has left a calling card? Maybe I can him to help us if I can help him."
'In the meantime I'll be at the Temple if anyone needs me."
Cody puts the bits of broken mirror into his sporran and begins walking up the pier and towards the Temple.
<OOC> Brothers = Generic Pit Demons serving as monks at the Temple. </OOC>
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Oct 17, 2022 5:00:58 GMT
Two of the demons wave bye-bye to Cody, and the third is already snoring.
The kitchen is hot, and steam and pleasant smells come from the pots of cooking food.
More people mention the stranger looking for him.
|
|
|
Post by Cody D'Avalon on Oct 17, 2022 18:32:40 GMT
It's not required to sanctify oneself to enter the Mission House but as it is habit, Cody enters via the Sheltering Coils Temple, so he does so anyway. He thinks that it may be time to get a newer habit to don. Soon, maybe. He makes his way to the kitchens. His stomach growls for the tempting aromas but he suppresses his hunger. He'll eat after the others have been fed.
Hearing the mention of the mysterious stranger he suggests, "Perhaps his menacing nature is because he is hangry. If he comes in here, I will gladly feed him and hear his petition..."
"Speaking of PETITIONS... I've been in the Abyss. And around. Things are grim for us all right now."
"I would, at this moment, suggest that we take our concerns to the higher Ways. Those that have the means to give aid to us in our time of deprivation. A group of us, together, could plead our situation."
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Oct 19, 2022 2:24:20 GMT
"The church is now beholden to Merlin until the throne is secured. If it suits his purposes to assist us, then maybe your petition will have some success. However, I suspect his concerns are directed towards the other Great Houses," a monk tells him.
Later in the day, another monk tells him.
"The one who searches for you is across the street. He waits in the shadows.
|
|
|
Post by Cody D'Avalon on Oct 19, 2022 14:35:51 GMT
Once in a lucid dream, Cody had learned that Merlin is his cousin. He'd never thought to pursue the matter as it was of little consequence at the time. Now, however, if it would help his lot and that of his friends....
Just to see the Monk's reaction, in a serious tone Cody says, "DaggerWays ~is~ a Great House: At some point we're going to have to march right up to Merlin and demand some action."
Learning that the mysterious stranger is lurking nearby, "Thank you, Brother LeRoy."
Cody wipes his hands on his apron, removes it and hangs it on a peg beside the kitchen door. Passing through the Temple, he removes the old worn-out habit and hangs it by the entrance there.
Attired in his usual loincloth and mostly human form he casually walks along the path that meanders along as though minding his own business. Passing the other businesses that are crowded around the Sheltering Coils Temple and Mission House. He moves along without searching for the stranger. Instead, waiting for the stranger to accost him. Hoping to draw the stranger out of the shadows rather than being drawn in.
There may be a sense of menace but Cody rationalizes that if there were any real danger, it would have already befallen him. An assassin would have already finished the job. Even a kidnapping could have been accomplished. Although less likely because he knew of no one that would be able to pay a ransom.
Cody started to tense in anticipation of the moment when the stranger steps out of the shadows. Preferably in front, rather than grabbing Cody from behind which was more likely the case. Either way gave Cody a sense of excitement. He likes surprises to keep his adrenaline flowing. After all, that's a big part of the thrill of Pit-Diving. Adding a sense of drama, Cody begins to whistle a sour tune just like he's seen actors do in suspense dramas played out at the local theatre.
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Oct 20, 2022 18:14:38 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/dpySw0F/Baz~png "You whistle like a cut-rate actor in a local melodrama," an oily voice from the shadows says. "Far better for you to enjoy performances in more reputable theatres."He is tall. He does sound menacing. He is wearing an oversized trench coat, fedora low over his eyes, and head wrapped in a scarf. His hands are in his pockets, and he doesn't appear to threaten Cody. At least not yet.
|
|
|
Post by Cody D'Avalon on Oct 21, 2022 1:05:15 GMT
Cody laughs a little nervously but he also sees a good deal of humour in the situation, "Which actually makes me a pretty good actor considering that that was my intention."
"Your 'menacing stranger' act is pretty spot on too..."
"As for 'cut-rate melodramas' in ill reputable local theaters; I like to support my community."
"So, I'm obviously playing the part of Cody D'Avalon. And, who might you be?"
Cody smiles and offers a handshake. Squinting to get a look at the man's eyes. "Don't be shy."
"Which sorcerer sent you down to DaggerWays, and what bit of brick-a-brack do they need me to fetch from the Pit?"
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Oct 23, 2022 5:56:16 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/dpySw0F/Baz~png The man doesn't take Cosy's offered shake. His eyes are in the deep shadows and brim of his hat. "You'd support your community better on the Heights—lots of theatres there that could use your support.
"Baz. The name is Baz.
"I wouldn't call my master a sorcerer as such, and what he needs to be fetched in you."
|
|
|
Post by Cody D'Avalon on Oct 23, 2022 14:28:43 GMT
"Well, hello Baz." Cody withdraws the offered handshake and inspects his manicure. "Things down here by the Pit have gotten a little tight recently. We're all charging a premium in order to make ends meet. A guy's got to eat, you know. So who's your boss and what's he willing to pay for my services? Especially anything outside my usual repertoire."
"I know, I know. You're just the messenger. That's how these things work, right? Okay, slip me the the chit with the place and time. Or lead on... However you want to do this.
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Oct 23, 2022 20:59:01 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/dpySw0F/Baz~png " Follow. And try not to make too obvious a fool of yourself," Baz says. The man(?) slinks along the road, vanishing into shadows as they pass. Even in this non-Euclidian realm, he moves differently than others do, seeming to slip in and out of realities as they drift across his path.
|
|