Dad, You're An Asshole

[hyperions-angel-blog]

Be Still [Drabble, Angel & Anais]

Be still and go on to bed. Nobody knows what lies ahead, And life is short, to say the least — We're in the belly of the beast.

[Quiet Me: I’ll write a drabble about my character trying to calm yours down (from a bad dream).]

Anais was tense beside her, still asleep, but fitfully so, her muscles tightly coiled into a half-fetal position and her expression pained, caught somewhere between fear and fury. It wasn't at all her usual look, and the younger girl was alarmed by its severity. She propped herself up on one elbow, noticing the sheets were clammy with cold sweat.

Briefly, Angel wondered if she shouldn't let the dream pass naturally on its own - waking Anais could be as startling and unpleasant as whatever the contents were. But that aching, despairing expression... she frowned, reaching out slowly, her small hand lighting on the redheaded woman's shoulder. No, she couldn't bear it. Angel shook, gently, palm pressed warmly against her upper arm. "Anais...?"

It was as if she'd thrown a switch. Anais sat up with a sharp cry, a wild look in her eye, hair falling haphazardly around her shoulders, her breath fast and shallow. Angel flinched, paling slightly as the other woman's hand caught her just below the elbow, tight with warning. She stayed still, letting Anais come back to her waking senses on her own.

The panic didn't quite leave Anais's expression, but her hand softened on Angel's arm in slow, gradual degrees, shifting to hold her wrist in apology. "Angel," she breathed, lowering her head for a moment, her chest and shoulders heaving slightly. "I... am sorry..."

"You were dreaming," Angel said quietly, barely above a whisper. She lifted a hand hesitantly, brushing a few loose strands of hair away from Anais's face, then letting her fingers trace down the other woman's neck. "A bad one?" She ducked her head to meet Anais's gaze.

Anais avoided her eyes for a moment, then looked up. In the stillness and darkness of the night, she couldn't quite hide the ache that still ran deep through her, that would go wild if she ever let it get a foothold against her defenses. "I... yes," she admitted, shakily.

Angel nodded, then shifted in the bed, fingers curling into Anais's auburn hair, drawing her in with her other arm. Anais let her damp forehead slowly come to rest on the younger girl's shoulder, her breath easing as she hesitantly raised her arms to wrap carefully around Angel's waist.

"I'm here..."

"...and I am glad of it, mon Angel."

[hyperions-angel-blog]

Lullaby [Drabble, Angel & Anais]

Know though I must leave, my child, That I would stay here by your side, And if you wake before I'm gone, Remember this sweet lullaby.

And all love through darkness, Don't you ever stop believing — With love forlorn, With love you'll find your way, My love.

[Mourn Me: I'll write a drabble about my character mourning your character's death.]

Angel couldn't breathe, feeling lightheaded and numb — and it wasn't the weight of the portable Eridium support unit that had taken the place of the injector's harness, secured between her shoulder blades. She dropped to her knees on the hard stone beside Anais's lifeless form, the dark crimson pool around her cold and tacky. She was vaguely aware of a sharp pain in her legs, of the pinch of the wires around her ribs as she leaned forward to pull the older woman into her arms.

She was weak after so long in isolation, and she struggled with the effort, her chest wracked with shudders as she fought to breathe through her sobbing. The girl managed to get an arm beneath Anais's neck, cradling her head against her thin shoulder. The woman's blood stained her hands and arms, and Angel was careful, fingers trembling, as she lightly smoothed a long tendril of auburn hair back from the older woman's face.

Her breathing — still uneven, tasked and haggard — came in short bursts as she rocked in place, weakly hunched over the body in her arms. She became vaguely aware that she was whispering unconsciously, over and over, as if someone might still overhear, and care. "Please come back. Please... come back."

She hiccuped, quietly, and clenched her teeth. She'd known that none of this would end in anything but her father's death. Nobody could have convinced the Vault Hunters to spare him, and she'd tried to make her peace with it, once the inevitable outcome became clear. If there ever had been a way of redemption for either of them, it was lost now.

But Anais... Anais, who had come to them so suddenly — her presence had given Angel hope. They'd become friends. Confidantes. And... something indescribable, a strange bond that had frightened Angel, and yet given her a glimpse of a light she had never thought she'd see. She'd so admired Anais's strength, her determination and will to see everything she undertook to the end. But now, this... this wasn't the ending Angel had wanted. Not even close.

The girl swallowed another sob, shaking once more, and pressed her forehead against the other woman's temple. There had been more unspoken between them than Angel would have ever guessed possible, whole lifetimes that might have belonged to them, under other circumstances. She didn't know if any would have brought either of them peace, or happiness, but Anais had always looked so tired, exhausted by the world, by what it had done to her.

Angel closed her eyes against the burning tears that traced her cheeks, and, with childlike desperation, held the other woman closer, plaintive.

If there is peace in this, somewhere, somehow — please, please... let her find it.

[hyperions-angel-blog]

[rpmissionboard]

Drabble pls

Scream: My character has caused yours to scream out for some reason Headache: How my character will take care of yours when they have a headache Expecting: Our characters find out they are expecting a child together Milkshake: Our characters will have to split a milkshake Coffee: My character will be hyped up on coffee and pester yours Graveyard: My character will visit your characters grave Spectre: My character will be visited by your character’s ghost or vice versa Bleed: My character will injure your character Dream: My character will have a dream about your character Busted: Your character will catch mine doing something they shouldn’t. O Romeo: I will write my character missing/looking for yours. O Juliet: I will write about my character’s feelings for yours. O Macbeth: I will write about how my character kills yours. O Hero: I will write about my character mourning yours. O Puck: I will write about my character pranking yours. O Titiana: I will write about our characters sharing a night in bed or sharing a kiss. Specify. O Oberon: I’ll write about my character getting angry at yours over something they did. Amuse Me: I will write a funny drabble about my character trying to cheer yours up. Break Me: I will write an angsty drabble about our characters. Call Me: I will write a drabble about my character asking for yours [be it at the brink of death/in a battlefield/knocking on the front door wounded, feel free to specify.] Drink Me: I will write a drabble about my character taking shots with yours. Enamor Me: I will write a fluffy drabble about my character trying to woo yours [be it out of the blue/Valentines Day,feel free to specify.] Fight Me: I will write a drabble out my character fighting with/or against yours. Get Me: I will write a drabble about my character saving yours. Haunt Me: I’ll write a drabble about my character watching over yours [as a ghost, watching from a distance, or otherwise, feel free to specify.] Invite Me: I’ll write a drabble about my character asking your character to Join Me: I’ll write a drabble about my character giving your character an offer [be it a proposal for an alliance, asking them to join them in an activity (you can get dirty if you want), feel free to specify.] Kill Me: I’ll write a drabble about my character killing yours. Love Me: I’ll write a fluffy drabble about our characters. Mourn Me: I’ll write a drabble about my character mourning your character’s death. Nurse Me: I’ll write a drabble about my character healing yours. Offer Me: I’ll write a drabble about my character giving yours a gift. Paint Me: I’ll write a drabble about my character drawing a picture of yours [like one of your french girls~ be it painting them or drawing them, maybe offering a picture of them as a gift, feel free to specify.] Quite Me: I’ll write a drabble about my character trying to calm yours down [be it from crying, from lashing out, feel free to specify.] Remember Me: I’ll write a drabble about my character trying to get yours to remember them [be it from an accident, meeting them after years apart, feel free to specify.] Shag Me: I’ll write a dirty drabble about our characters. Tell Me: I’ll write a drabble about my character confessing something to yours [be it a love confession, a secret, feel free to specify.] Unbind Me: I’ll write a drabble about your character freeing mine, or the other way around, or something among the lines [be it freeing them from jail, from handcuffs, from a trap, from a curse, feel free to specify.] Value Me: I’ll write a drabble about my character telling yours how they feel about them. Wed Me: I’ll write a drabble about our character under the subject of wedlock [be it my character proposing to yours, or marrying yours, feel free to specify.] X Me: I will write whatever it is that you wish, [specify.] Yahoo Me: I’ll write a drabble about our characters celebrating something [feel free to specify.] Zip Me: I’ll write a drabble about your character dressing mine, or the other way around [this can also be used for shutting them up as well, but feel free to specify.] Sleep: My character needs to stay at your character’s house for the night, or vise versa. Specify. (you can add any other special things that could happen!) Drink: My character will call, text, or show up at your character’s house drunk. Specify which of the three. Heal: My character will tend to your character’s wounds, or be at their side when they’re sick. Confess: My character will speak their true feelings about your character. (or about a topic. you may choose.) Death: My character’s reaction to your character dying. Time: My character is running late! They are supposed to meet your character at ___________ (fill in the blank) or vise versa. Specify. Protect: My character keeps yours safe from harm. Kiss: My character kisses yours, or vise versa. Specify. Dream: My character wakes up in the middle of the night because of a dream with your character in it. Run!: My character is chasing your character (or vise versa) OR both characters are being chased by ___________ (fill in the blank). Sky: Our characters are stargazing. Help: My character requests help from your character (be something silly or serious, you may decide.) Gift: My character gives your character something special. Or vise versa. Specify. I Do: I will write our characters as a married couple Broken: I’ll write our characters breaking up or in an angsty scene. « : memory from the past with your character » : a future event my character would like to happen with them + yours [a daydream] ¿ : something my character would like to forget [specify in general or about yours] ☼ : A memory my character has with yours that they’ll never forget End of All Hope: Our characters will face the End of the World together

[timeisbullets]

So Cold [ Roland ll Angel ]

[timeisbullets]

Roland had no desire to let this happen this way. However, it seemed beyond his control. The trust they shared had shattered. He recalled the time where she guided him through Pandora in anticipation of locating the Vault. God, how long ago had that been?

“Shouldn’t be.” He shook his head in disagreement, fingers curling into loose fists. Muscles shuddered, back straining. The soldier clenched his jaw, nostrils flaring. He couldn’t be angry at her. His rage was solely reserved for Handsome Jack.

“Everyone deserves a chance,” he replied. His voice dropped to a hoarse whisper, reserved for Angel’s ears only.

“Wish there was another way to do this…” Roland trailed off, interrupted by the shrill sounds of gunfire in the nearby proximity. Subtle lines of age flexed and curled onto his forehead. He worried about many things these days. Her advice felt counterproductive.

“It’s my job to. If I could get you outta here, I would.” A pause. “—Without hesitation,” Roland added.

[hyperions-angel-blog]

When the Vault Hunters had come to Pandora, Angel had never imagined that she'd ever see them through anything but a camera lens or recorded footage. To have them here in the same room with her, real and alive, was beyond anything she'd ever expected. To have Roland in front of her, his anger and frustration actually visible...

"This is my chance," she said, drawing closer to the side of the dome. The helices of violet energy surrounding her swirled back responsively as she lowered her feet to the ground. Though she knew the glass wouldn't break so easily as to make her vulnerable just yet, she still felt a surge of nervous adrenaline as she found herself looking up at the soldier.

"You mustn't let him finish charging the Key. It's the only way." Her voice was slightly hoarse, her eyes insistent, but tired. Her lips pressed together and she glanced over her shoulder at the sharp sounds of gunfire around them.

She lowered her head at his admission of willingness to save her. After everything I've done, everything I've helped conduct... She hadn't expected forgiveness, even if she'd often hoped for it in her quiet, solitary moments.

A protective spark went through her and she lifted both hands to the glass dome, her left glowing brightly with the marks on her fingers and palm.

"If you want to do something more, then listen to me - get Lilith out of here." Angel shook her head, minute and tense, her eyes focused intently on Roland's. "You can't let her stay."

[hyperions-angel-blog]

[Audio Playback Initiated; File Creator: 4N631.]

If I thought she would listen to me, I'd warn her in an instant.

That the Eridium feels like a high now, a rush like no other, but before too long it'll feel like the only thing worth living for - and then it'll be the only thing keeping her alive.

But she'd push against anything I said. Once a liar, always a liar, and I've earned that. Even if I were to reveal myself as what I really am... which is impossible... why should she trust Handsome Jack's pet Siren?

She wants Pandora to think she's dead.

If she doesn't stop, she will be.

[Audio Playback Stopped.]

[hyperions-angel-blog]

[very generous art by the very wonderful cybbie]

[timeisbullets]

So Cold [ Roland ll Angel ]

Show me how it ends; it’s alright Show me how defenseless you really are Satisfied and empty inside Well, that’s alright, let’s give this another try

Within the core of the facility, Roland didn’t feel like a hero or a soldier, but a man. War solved nothing and yet, it was all the former Vault Hunter had ever known.

One by one, he lowered Angel’s shields. Soon enough, those eridium injectors were defenseless. In the nearby proximity, Roland could make out the sounds of rapid gunfire and explosions. Both Lilith and the new Vault Hunter were preoccupied by Jack’s endless barrage.

By then, the soldier was exhausted. Worn down, he knew that he couldn’t rest. Many sleepless nights lay ahead of him. Still, he clung to that one, last sliver of hope.

“Alright. We’re burnin’ daylight!” He shouted, gloved hands momentarily clasping together. His eyes roved over to the frail girl within her pseudo-prison. He felt a twang of regret, which crashed over him. Roland shook his head, worried brows knitting together.

“I’m sorry about this…” He could never trust Angel entirely, not after all that occurred. This young woman, however, had guided him through harsh times. For that, he was grateful.

[hyperions-angel-blog]

Angel had foolishly hoped that her last chance of sabotaging Handsome Jack's plan to release the Warrior would go smoothly. She'd been unlucky so far, in most of her solo orchestrations, but they'd come so far until now.

She had been deploying ammo and supplies for the Vault Hunters she still stubbornly thought of as her friends, hating to think that they might fall short when she could have helped them in this, the last favor she'd ask of them - though she didn't want to think of it that way.

There was nothing noble about her actions; overall, she'd been mostly full of cowardice.

Angel tilted her head back, peering up through the constraints of her dome at the exposed injectors, the three enormous contraptions that kept her alive and breathing, charging her powers even as they used her as a catalyst.

Roland's apology startled her out of her concentration, and she looked back down, her forehead creasing slightly as she shook her head. "What for? I brought you here... it has to be like this."

She smiled, just a little, a pale shadow of the more confident expression that she had so often projected. "Don't worry."

[bitterthief]

Through The Ghost || Angel & Anais

[bitterthief]

“A-ah. I am… apologizing,” she replied, the faint blush of embarrassment rising in her pale cheeks once more. Upon hearing Angel’s offer, however, she froze. Was that… an invitation? Until now, she’d been terrified that Angel wouldn’t like her, or turn her away… and if Angel disliked her, where would that leave her relationship with Jack? 

A faint, but warm smile tugged at the corners of her mouth, straining the lines that marred her face. “… I would enjoy zhat.”

[hyperions-angel-blog]

The young woman shook her head. "Don't apologize. I understood." She considered the older woman, the invitation seemed to startle her, or arrive otherwise unexpectedly. But to Angel, it was her first real chance at... something akin to normalcy in her usually sterile world. Someone new to talk to. Someone real. Someone else who might even... care about her.

"Only if you have the time." She returned Anais's smile after a few moments, her hand lifting to the side of her glass dome once more. "But I would too."

[hyperions-angel-blog]

[Audio Playback Initiated; File Creator: 4N631.]

Nietzsche said, if you gaze into the abyss long enough, the abyss will gaze back into you. And I understood the theory before... but not the practice.

No one else should ever be as I am. No one. I'd gladly pass a full two hundred years - and more - if that much were granted me.

This boy never stood a chance. A whole life, freedom, experience... family... taken from him. And I am complicit in that.

If there's any way to undo what's been done, I'll find it.

Or else I'm as much a monster as my father has become.

[Audio Playback Stopped.]

[hyperions-angel-blog]

[Audio Playback Initiated; File Creator: 4N631.]

... what does a person look like, when you rob them of their purpose?

I don't... I never wanted to find out.

Jack had other ideas, and now - I can't take it back. Everything according to plan: the key, the opened Vault, the cheated heroes. The next... phase of my work ready to begin.

If I were to contact him again - not now, but in a year, or several - I wonder if he could forgive me. If he would see past what I've done. This betrayal.

[A quiet sigh.]

Something in me doubts it.

[Audio Playback Stopped.]

[hyperions-angel-blog]

[Audio Playback Initiated; File Creator: 4N631.]

I'm not a selfish person. At least, I don't think I am.

But to say my motives in suggesting this potential Vault Hunter are entirely altruistic would be... inaccurate.

I've never seen anything like him. There's nothing in any of the surveillance, going back longer than I can physically remember, nothing in Hyperion records that even comes close to reminding me of him.

So - I'm curious. I want an excuse to follow him, to see if I can understand. Or at least make a guess at what he is.

When this... planet-sized brain isn't enough... just how far outside of it do I need to look for the answers?

[Audio Playback Stopped.]

[hyperions-angel-blog]

[Audio Playback Initiated; File Creator: 4N631.]

I finally figured out why I keep coming back to this one. Not the wordplay, not the history, not even Jack agreeing with me that he belongs on the list.

It's the recklessness. The disregard, the - the cavalier attitude. The way he laughs when something is... "badass." The drive for that intangible glory.

He was never meant to be just a soldier. It served him well enough, no one can deny that, but I was right. As a Vault Hunter, he finally seems more at home than anywhere else I've seen in his history.

He's a natural. And, in some ways... I think he's the one who most reminds me of the first four.

So I keep coming back.

[Audio Playback Stopped.]

[hyperions-angel-blog]

[Audio Playback Initiated; File Creator: 4N631.]

There's something different about the way they talk to each other now, something in their words that wasn't there when this began. And I know what I hear. By now, I think we can safely say I've mastered the nuance of voice patterns...

Only - I'm afraid. Nobody's gotten this close. Not since... my mother.

Will he tell her about me? And... what will he tell her about me, if he does?

It won't be the truth. Not the whole truth, anyway. I know better, and I'm okay with it. But - if I were honest with her, just this once... why do I feel like she'd understand me? If just once, someone else knew me for what I am, and not simply for what I pretend to be...

Hope is a stubborn and foolish thing. But then, I guess every angel is due at least one miracle - aren't they?

[Audio Playback Stopped.]

[friendshipstates]

Your character has just discovered my character's journal/diary.

Leave a  ☱ in my askbox for an entry that’s about you.

[bitterthief]

Through The Ghost || Angel & Anais

[bitterthief]

“Ah… oui,” she replied, giving a small nod as affirmation. “It is ‘ard to find, eh… ‘ow you say… freeing time.” 

In fact, the woman couldn’t recall the last time she’d actually been able to get a regular amount of sleep. She slept for an hour or two at the most, and even then, her dreams were plagued with nightmares, memories she’d rather not revisit. 

[hyperions-angel-blog]

"Free time." Angel nodded with a smile, gently, hoping the minute adjustment of the term wouldn't offend the redhead too greatly. "I'm afraid I maybe have a bit too much of it myself, sometimes..."

She glanced around the room, noting again the lack of comfortable seating for any visitors. "If - if you wanted to," she offered hesitantly, "I wouldn't mind having you visit, whenever you did find the time." It was strange, being able to extend the offer. Angel was used to nearly exclusive one-way communication; a full back-and-forth conversation was something she'd have to get used to.

[hyperions-angel-blog]

You did well, and your actions haven't gone unrewarded.