the apprentice

[protector-zachariel]

It's a whole hierarchy, but technically we are all related, yet not at the same time, as our Father created us. Ugh, tell me about it– I haven't seen him in millennia, and I feel as though he's only gotten worse with time. The irony is not lost on me. You could still be a Muse– it is a state of mind rather than genetics– anytime anyone influences another on any subject matter, they are a Muse. Childhood tends to be simpler than adulthood, and missing things or people who remind you of better times is always there. Very deep indeed.

[marinaxhartley]

I'm just now understanding the growing pains of having siblings, so I don't envy the fact tight ass is your brother. Marina the Muse, now that has a beautiful ring to it only the archangels can truly appreciate. My influence is spread far and wide to the masses, Halo, and my expansive music tastes knows no bounds. And even though some childhoods aren't as simple as others, we all yearn for a simpler time without responsibility. Music, for example, also evokes certain emotions whether that's happiness for someone you love or strong enough that it brings you to tears.

[gianna-foxwood]

I can wax poetic every now and then. My brothers are suckers when the right people ask them for things, but if you're inviting Lust, then I should probably triple down on the food and beverages– you know his twin won't be that far behind him.

[marinaxhartley]

It's like no one expects them to be giant teddy bears underneath the harder exteriors of those protective walls. Fuck, if Gluttony is there, I expect we'll run out of food in the first few hours and then what will my party guests do without refreshments? I don't want a dress code either, everyone dresses as comfortable or as slutty as they want. No ballgowns, though, it's not formal and a majority of Foxwood's don't do formal.

[azriel-delacroix]

He definitely would have. Well, Foxwood and Delacroix are synonymous with each other, so you pick whichever one. Most people wouldn't voluntarily pick up our name.

[marinaxhartley]

I've had too much time pondering about this one, actually. Being a Delacroix is a part of who you are, Azriel, as much as the people who adopted you and gave you siblings. When I think of Foxwood, though, I think of family. Gianna, Kai, you. Despite the heartless monster the other you was, a fraction of me couldn't deny how much the idea having you as my dad made me want it more. Everyone's giving a negative connotation to the name Foxwood lately, Az, even Gianna's struggling with it. I want to bring the positivity back. Who else goes the limit dying their hair dark like yours but me? So, whether I'm a Delacroix or a Foxwood, I am your daughter. No matter what.

[gianna-foxwood]

You can't have a rainbow without a little rain. It would be a shame if the patented 'perfect club room' remained unused, so I'll start putting together a list of food and drinks if you'd like. You know my brothers would show up if you asked. It might be too early, but Azriel might need the distraction.

[marinaxhartley]

Oh, First Mother spitting poetry over here. Envy did gift it to me with a purpose and I hear his gifts are few or far between, so we're putting it to great use. You take care of the food and I'll bring the vibes with a banger playlist. They are true suckers, aren't they? He's going to hate that his distraction's a party, but I'll extend the invitation to Lust and we'll see where the night goes.

[azriel-delacroix]

You mean you didn't like a psychopathic, charismatic version of me? Touching. You dyed your hair.

[marinaxhartley]

You meant the same version who probably would've toyed with me even though I was his daughter? No thanks. Yeah...figured I should look like an honorary Foxwood. Or Delacroix, not certain which one yet.

[valentin-kuznetsov]

You could rock blonde, but I prefer you with the brown, which makes you fit in with the rest. Just don't start being grumpy, then I'll personally dye your hair back.

[marinaxhartley]

I obviously could rock the blonde, Vally, but it's beautifully tragic being the odd one out of my family. I don't do grumpy despite who I've been spending time with lately. So, what's next for you and Robin? Heading back home or sticking around?

[gianna-foxwood]

I'm trying to be, don't let me rain on your parade. I'm glad you're back. I know Ulric will be ecstatic. He hasn't been himself without you, but what celebration did you have in mind? I know you're cooking up something.

[marinaxhartley]

You're not, it's just a slight drizzle with a rainbow peeking through. I haven't seen my bestie yet, but he and everyone in this house will be invited to the best dance party in a perfect club room I've yet to use. I'm definitely dragging your brothers to join. Would it be soon if I bugged Azriel into coming so soon after getting his head swiss cheesed? Maybe if I bat my eyelashes and ask nicely.

[protector-zachariel]

My wife and I are far older than they are, technically our Father's first children, but I wouldn't blame you of being sick of being surrounded by the gods– they're all so stuffy. You're like a little tiny Muse, Marina, and I will so very much enjoy learning all about music from you. So, your technology has come in full circle– I am not surprised. Humanity and time are cyclical.

[marinaxhartley]

Cronus and his brother have older siblings? Seriously, why is everyone just related to each other? That Cronus is especially stuffy. Lowkey think I was a Muse in another life, dude, anything music was always my rooted passion. You'll learn until the student becomes the master. Some people were born in an era where technology changed so quickly, that they became nostalgic for their childhood. Deep stuff.

[azriel-delacroix]

Castle Envy, great. I can't just be tortured to death by something else.

[marinaxhartley]

I missed you, grumps. The other version was really annoying.

[gianna-foxwood]

All we can do is savor the calm before the inevitable next storm.

[marinaxhartley]

That doesn't really sound optimistic. We're alive, psycho version of your brother's gone, and I'm back. Isn't that cause for celebration?

[protector-zachariel]

That is a very generous assumption, since I have not been here in centuries, perhaps longer. Time is irrelevant to me. I should have known that speaking of music would have brought you here, Marina, but if I may ask– if it is not physical, where does it go?

[marinaxhartley]

Wow, you're like god-level old and I have been around a fuck ton of gods to last me a lifetime. Music's my love language I take any opportunity spreading around, but if you should know...we had these devices called Ipods. They held more music than any record or cd, but then those became obsolete when you could have your music on your phone. Phones are little boxes us young folks use to communicate in conversation. They were bulky, then they were small, and now they're bigger again.

[marinaxhartley]

Witch bitch goddess is dead which means new looks. Goodbye blonde, hello brunette.

[protector-zachariel]

Music on little pieces of plastic, no kidding. I haven't been back on the mortal plane since minstrels were a thing.

[marinaxhartley]

You totally set yourself back by about four decades, dude, there was also little pieces of smaller plastic and now nothing's a physical copy anymore.

[azriel-delacroix]

But he is a murderer– that we have in common. I don't doubt your abilities, honey. In fact, I know exactly what you can do, but I can guarantee you will not act faster than I can. I will kill his consciousness quicker than you can act– and I don't think you want him to be nothing but a husk... Do you?

[marinaxhartley]

He's forced to be, but you enjoy it. That may hold some truth, but are you not technically the person who taught everything the other version of me knows? Sure, I could tap a little into her mindset, however, she's not the one trained like an assassin. Come on, Daddy Az, you really aren't that over-confident underestimating me as everyone else does, are you?

[ivyhollow-cameos]

Yes, little witch, I was weaker in that husk, but she no longer served my purpose. I can't very well serve this realm's reckoning if my host keels over mid-battle.

[marinaxhartley]

Oh, what a shame that would be if the Wicked bitch in all of Oz keeled over during her grand battle. Even my abilities couldn't help you then.

[azriel-delacroix]

Oh, but I am, Marina. Maybe not the one that you think you care for, but your father all the same.

[marinaxhartley]

You're not my Azriel. My Azriel isn't a self-centered murderer making orphans out of children and breaking their minds. I could take you in a fight easily, Pops.

[azriel-delacroix]

I debated parading around as grumpy Azriel, but frankly, he's beneath me. Time for everyone to witness true greatness.

[marinaxhartley]

You're not my dad.