No Rest For the Weary

-----------Jack Pelham | 32 | Alive |-----------I've spent my life lying and deceiving people to the point where I don't even know who I am anymore

[jack-pelham]

This is too strange.

I've had a really hard time settling in here. I just don't know what to think anymore.

[spiceforsugar]

Of course. Pucker up, baby.

To be honest, who wouldn’t want to sell their soul to a hot demon girl in exchange for something really awesome? I give out freebies sometimes though but when people are truly desperate, they come to me and I provide.

[jack-pelham]

You know, I'm starting to get the feeling you're in this for the kiss.

I guess I get what you're saying - thanks for the freebie, by the way. What does a soul even provide to a person? *Puckers up as per her request* 

[spiceforsugar]

You want your nightmares gone? Sure. I’ll make sure you never once wake up in a cold sweat after all your teeth fall out while you’re standing naked in front of your high school friends ever again.

But yeah… Since I got here, there have been like three or four people who have made deals with me. You wouldn’t believe how eager some people are to hand over their souls.

[jack-pelham]

Yeah, not those kind of nightmares but I guess they're all the same. Thanks, I'm guessing this is still going to need a kiss, right? 

Why would they sell their souls, though? I get that you can grant them whatever they want - well mostly - but I don't think I'd ever sell my soul for something. Then again, I'm not even sure I have a soul left. 

[sergeantddonowitz-deactivated20]

Don’t sweat it, kid. Most people would say the same about what I’ve done with my life, but we both did what we had to do. Guess both of us showin’ up here just shows that whatever you do, whichever way you spin your story, whatever excuses you spew, you can’t please nobody, and we all go to Hell.

[jack-pelham]

That's definitely one way of putting it. Where did you serve? I guess I should also be asking when you served as well, shouldn't I? I'm thinking you served with the U.S. forces, from the sound of your Boston accent. 

[bridgestoheaven]

@Everyone

[bridgestoheaven]

Nice to meet you, Jack. I’m Virginia. 

What brought you here?

[jack-pelham]

It's nice to meet you, Virginia. 

It's really a long story, but the gist is that I needed to get away from my past. I figured this would be a nice place to rest my head for the night but I'm being told I should just forget about leaving. 

[fatelocked-blog]

You sold your soul to play the piano? Yeah, that’s a rip off if I’ve ever heard one. Why didn’t you ask to be king of the world or some shit?

[jack-pelham]

No, not exactly. I changed my mind at the last moment, lucky me. We all make mistakes, though. How long have you been here? 

[shudderuncover]

This place is absolutely filthy.

[shudderuncover]

I’d love your help. Grab a sponge or duster and help me get this lobby straightened up. If people are going to come in and get completely fucked for life, they may as well be greeted by a clean atmosphere.

[jack-pelham]

Alright, yeah sounds like a plan. Where do you want me to start? *Asking as looks around for sponge or duster* What do you mean by being completely fucked for life? No one has given me a clear answer. 

[spiceforsugar]

Sure, name it. Just make sure it’s something I can do that doesn’t involve getting you out of here. That’s beyond my control and my contract. 

You mean in all the time I’ve been a demon or just in the time I’ve spent here?

[jack-pelham]

Can... Sorry. Can you get rid of my nightmares. I know it's stupid to ask, but if there's a chance I can get rid of them, I'll take it. 

Well, I guess since you've been here? 

[bridgestoheaven]

@Everyone

[bridgestoheaven]

Yes, and it’ll be relaxing too. Nothing to worry about for just a moment in time.

[jack-pelham]

God, that'd be refreshing. I'm Jack. 

[spiceforsugar]

Eh, no. It’s just that usually people don’t ask for it like that. Someone else would probably ask to be the best in the world at playing the piano, but you’d just settle for the ability itself. 

Alright, let’s kiss and seal the deal. Remember, no soul is required for this transaction, but if you ever want something else, it’s not gonna be free.

[jack-pelham]

Alright, wait. What if I were to ask for something else. Something just a little bigger than learning just how to play the piano. If it's gonna be free than I don't really want to waste it, right? 

How many people have actually sold their soul to you? The curiosity is really killing me. 

[shudderuncover]

This place is absolutely filthy.

[shudderuncover]

I’m sorry to hear you had to live in squalor. I’ve been working hard to keep this place looking decent but it’s difficult. Too many people, none of them helping tidy.

[jack-pelham]

Well hey, what kind of guest would I be if I didn't offer my help. Sorry for what I said if it offended you in any way. 

[fatelocked-blog]

No, I’m an ex-ghost. Used to be a ghost, made a deal with a demon, now I’m happily alive again but going to Hell when I die. Doesn’t really matter though, pretty sure I was going to Hell anyway.

[jack-pelham]

An ex-ghost? Well lucky you. I didn't ask for something like that from her, I kinda just asked to learn how to play the piano but now I'm thinking I might have been ripped off. 

[sergeantddonowitz-deactivated20]

I’ve heard about you, kid. You’ve done plenty of livin’, and I ain’t just sayin’ that cause of my, er, condition. Hey, you got any smokes?

[jack-pelham]

Smokes? No. My chances of dying are already high enough without them - although I never did really believe that stuff. Your condition? So I'm guessing you're dead to? I wouldn't quite consider what I've done as living, though. 

[bridgestoheaven]

@Everyone

I think we need to do something to cheer up around here. Perhaps we could put together a little victory party after all the nastiness with this monster is over and done?

[jack-pelham]

I'm still having troubles grasping just what's going on here but I think a party could help me get to know everyone, let alone everything. 

[deusangelus]

Taking Control

[deusangelus]

This is going to be hard to explain to you if you’re new here. We’re having a problem - with a monster. I know it sounds crazy, but it’s true. There’s an unknown creature out to get us and it could attack at any moment.

[jack-pelham]

Alright, if you were telling me this a few hours ago, I'm sorry but I would have laughed in your face. Pretty hard, actually. Although you're the fourth or fifth person - I've really lost count - to tell me something weird and messed up so I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt. So there's a monster? Why? Do we have any idea when he could come or where he could strike? 

[jack-pelham]

Hello?

[itsallisongreer]

*Laughs* Alright, alright. Come find me when that doesn’t work out for you.

[jack-pelham]

Really now? Can you at least give me a reason as to why it won't work? 

[itsallisongreer]

I guess it's about time I came out of hiding.. again.

[itsallisongreer]

They were, yes.

[jack-pelham]

I'm so sorry to hear that. I'm Jack, Jack Pelham.