Seer & Finder

[mr-pulvis]

Knowing that he had collected a decent arrangement of bits and bobs, there's a sense of relief for Miles. It still didn't feel like it was enough, but, as long as Vassago was happy with it, that was all that mattered. "Ah, good-- m'glad."

Still curiously watching the little demon creature, he would lean down slightly, trying to figure out what had caught its attention under the couch, assuming it was some lint or a penny. Let out a little noise as the button came into view, half mumbling to himself, "Oh shit, I didn't even know that was there. Thanks lil guy."

"Yeah but ya didn't haffta get involved in the first place, yanno? I jus'... I really appreciate whatcha did."

[notblindsighted]

"Perhaps not." Vassago agreed about their involvement with anything. At any time. Past or present.

He did wholesale walk away from Heaven once-upon-a-time.

"But a pleasure all the same. You sound well?" This did seem to have a sidenote of social call. Once the demon had made off, he pushed to stand back up. Dusting off slacks on habit and smoothing out fabric of their clothing. "Any interesting news to share?"

[mr-pulvis]

Miles had considered the 'treasure trove' to be mainly junk, hence the abundance of it, to make up for the fact it was, well, junk. But then again, one man's trash...

When Vassago appeared, he blink-flinch at the suddenness of it before relaxing and offering a smile of his own, glad of the other's appearance. "Hey! I jus' wanted to, yanno, give ya a belated thank you."

His attention was drawn to the little creature, brows furrowing curiously. "...Uh, if ya don't like any o'the stuff here, lemme know, an' I can gettcha somethin' else."

[notblindsighted]

"No, this is all wonderful. An assortment of Lost things Found." Vassago was plenty enthused with his gifts. Found and Lost things were often 'trash'. Though not trash to him.

The creature was one of many in a class of demons that had become attracted and attached to Vassago some time ago. He gave the creature's bone head a light pat before the creature twitched into a full body shake and bounded off. To a nearby bit of furniture with an underneath it could stick it's paws into. Reaching for a bit until it dug out a button! Lost and now Found! Then bounced into a nearby shadow to disappear with its loot.

"You are more thank welcome. I cannot always get involved in matter and so it is a nice thing to do so when I can."

[mr-pulvis]

It had occurred to Miles, that he had thanked Toad for what he had done for him, but he had yet to reach out to Vassago, to thank him for his part during The Incident.

Thankfully, the Prince would be easy to get gifts for compared to other; a few knick-knacks from his own home (a handful of spare buttons-- one of which he had no idea which piece of clothing it had come from-- an eight-sided blue and gold dice he had found on one of his jogs, a crushed penny with what he assumed was a dinosaur on it.

He had also gathered some odds and ends that had been sitting in the lost and found from both the church and the Rookery for several months. There were some pairs of gloves, a very worn and loved rabbit plushie, and a plain bright neon pink hoodie.

He would sketch out Vassago's sigil with chalk on the floor before giving the surface a tentative knock-knock.

Now that he had it all laid out in front of him, it didn't feel like it was a lot, let alone good enough. At least if it wasn't enough, he could ask outright what they might like.

"Hey.. If yer free, it'd be cool if you could swing by fer a minute or two."

@notblindsighted

[notblindsighted]

Well, Miles had amassed quite the treasure trove. One or two things would have sufficed, but when he appeared for the summons he was pleasantly surprised. He could 'see' these things and was soon after having a seat by them to pick them up and examine them with his fingers too.

"Hello, Mister Pulvis. To what do I owe the pleasure this time?" Smile was bright enough. A good mood. When he was done examining an item he passed it to a small racoon-meets-a-fox-skeleton-wrapped-in-shadow creature-demon that tucked it into ribcage for storage. It would make off with a full load soon enough for one of Vassago's various trinket hoards.

[notblindsighted]

hewhostaystheknife​:

He could admit that he was curious about what Miles had been told, but whatever it was, he would take getting Miles back in exchange for never finding out. “Good. Kindness does not deserve punishment, and Miles surely has enough terror to deal with. Thank you again.”

In a fit of affection, he kissed Vassago’s cheek before letting him go.

“If I can ever return the favour or help you, Vassago, you need only Call for me.”

Colored up a bit to the smooch, but settled for nodding. Then dipping a small curtesy for fun. “I thank you for the boon and the kindness, brother. Now, I am behind on an awful lot of sock and button collecting...”

So he took the opportunity to step Away.

[notblindsighted]

hewhostaystheknife​:

Just the simple comfort of being embraced like this did a lot to soothe the worries and fears that had clouded Zadkiel’s mind of late. Miles would be okay. He got to connect with Vassago. He got to be hugged back as well.

Zadkiel was largely ignorant of the how and why of Vassago’s… not quite full Fall, to his awareness. But the Watcher and Finder was a fairly inscrutable force; Neutral. Interesting, though unfortunately their paths didn’t cross with any particular frequency. He wondered if he could change that.

“You won’t get in trouble for stepping in like this, will you?”

“I do not believe so. What I told Miles was for his ears only. He may not even remember when he returns from that plane.” He muttered in a rare gush of anxiousness and vulnerability. He would blame it on the hug. “All I have done here today is pass along a message that could have been given by other means. Only less swiftly and with more willful terror on Miles’ part.”

[notblindsighted]

hewhostaystheknife​:

“Agreed. There’s that whole saying about assumptions and everything.” He was glad to hear the sentiment echoed, at least.

Zadkiel certainly wasn’t the type to draw his blade without warning or other avenues being exhausted. He let himself laugh, the tinge of Song edging its way around the sound, as he drew Vassago in, all six arms and all four wings enveloping him.

“The chance to hug any of you comes up rarely enough. I have to take advantage when opportunity presents itself.” Letting out little churrs and chirps and nuzzling and all the little pseudo-avian quirks those of angelic stock tended to share.

Vassago is small and currently two armed. He was easy to draw in and encapsulate. Little bit surprised despite knowing full and well this is what he agreed to.

The experience was...rare. To Vassago, too. So he fit arms between limbs and hugged Zadkiel back for a tight moment. His ‘independence’ was much to do with isolation. The kind where all sides were kept a distance most all of the time. And all sides were his family.

[notblindsighted]

hewhostaystheknife​:

“Well. That’s… that’s something at least. And un-demoning someone is… a difficult process. If it can be done.” He did wonder what would happen if Miles was to remain inside Devang for a length of time. Would he absorb something from her? Become more like the type of being she was? Zadkiel just wanted Miles to be okay, regardless of more superficial details changing. “I suppose the first thing to do then is to ask.” He just… hoped that she was in a socially receptive mood.

Zadkiel ran a hand through the golden mess of curls that adorned his head. And then regarded his most independent of siblings. “May I hug you, Vassago? I am very grateful for your help, for coming to find me and let me know what has happened.” The aura of undiluted gentle gay™ love that exuded from the archangel slowly brightened.

“Asking is a good place to start in any situation, I think.”

About a hug, well, he’s not apposed to them. So long as no one planned to stick anything pointy into him in the process. Which either side of the family was often want to do. Squabbles and such. However, he did believe Zadkiel was the least likely to do that sort of thing without forewarning.

So he opened arms. “Get it out of your system, now. Might be a while before the chance comes again.” Lightheartedly.

[notblindsighted]

hewhostaystheknife​:

Even if it made Zadkiel grimace, he still thanked Vassago for his candour. Best to… understand the scope of he problem.

“Hm. So an exorcism is unlikely to work then.” His toes tapped on the ground, wings less protective now, more following Zadkiel’s crossed arm contemplation of the situation.

“And she is… digesting him slowly. I will not ask you to go back unless it is very important. Do you know if Devang is aware that he is still inside her? If she is, and she is… refusing to give him up, that presents more problems than if she isn’t.”

“It is not an exorcism problem, no.” Readily affirmed. Lightly clasping his hands together where the thumbs could rub into each other. A little anxious by now.

“Insomuch as a soul is digestible. Thankfully, I do not think he will turn into a demon if the process is completed. However, I also do not know what will happen if his soul does undergo the full...transmutation. As is, I do not believe she is actively trying to further digest him. The energy draw is minimal.” As to her awareness or cooperation he lifted hands in a shrugging gesture. He didn’t know more on that matter. “I have not communicated with her directly. Neither has Miles.”

[notblindsighted]

hewhostaystheknife​:

“In… inside? Devang?” He was aware of her, they had spoken a few times. Still knew more about her reputation, however. And only a little of what had happened to her since the fiasco with Stan. How Miles had ended up inside her… he wasn’t sure how to think about that for now.

“I am glad he isn’t in pain, at least. Wait, but, you’ve seen him then, spoken to him?” That was promising! It made Zadkiel’s heart ache, but with more hope than it had seen of late. While Vassago had far greater ability and freedom to travel the realms than Zadkiel himself, it did at least mean that Miles wasn’t entirely inaccessible…

“Ah, she consumed his soul, yes.” Willing to be slightly more direct. Zadkiel’s psyche didn’t need to be shielded.

“I have. I do not think I can go between too often.” He hadn’t told Miles that for good reason. “The edges of the plane take from those inside. It is not much and even less from me, but...the implication is concerning.”

[notblindsighted]

hewhostaystheknife​:

Zadkiel cleared his throat and also stood. Arms and wings still crossed over his blood-smeared heart. Using just a little Miracle to remove his blood from the floor. “I–” He did stop to consider that. What asking that meant. After a moment, he nodded, solemn. Looking quite exhausted. “I just want him home. Whatever the cause was.” Forgiveness and Mercy was his domain, he reminded himself.

He nodded after a moment in confirmation of Zadkiel’s agreement. 

“His soul is currently in a planer pocket that resides within Skara Devang. He is not in pain, though he is quiet disturbed with his circumstances.” Vassago brought the archangel the message he was sent to give.

[notblindsighted]

hewhostaystheknife​:

When Vassago, of all his many siblings, suddenly shows up, the archangel of mercy is… embarrassed, to be caught doing such low, crass magic. His face flushes plum, wings pulling in to cover him almost like two thirds of a seraph.

“V-Vassago? I, um, it’s–” He can’t finish that sentence, because it is what it looks like. “The drama is… warranted. I mean. It didn’t even work, anyway.”

Zadkiel would bite his lip, regarding his sibling once more. “You… you haven’t dropped in just for a social visit, have you? Much as I would love that, I think you… you might See that I have Lost something rather important.” And why hadn’t he thought to consult Vassago first? He mentally slapped his own forehead. What more reliable Finder of disappeared things was there?

Vassago stood up and gently patted his hands. What blood had gotten on them was a simple thing to dry out and dust off with a touch of his own internal, infernal, magics.

“Your assumptions are mightily correct. Before I tell you where he is, I need you to promise you won’t enter into any crusader theatrics. Can you keep your possible fury in reign, dear brother?”

[notblindsighted]

@hewhostaystheknife

He opted for leaving the Host behind, still. For ease of movement. And quickness. It’s a tricky step to get from one Plane to another without getting Lost or Worse. He gets to the archangel, however.

“Zadkiel? Goodness, put all that way.” Immediately crouching down to smear the sigils in blood on the ground. “So dramatic.” Tutting out of love. He was well aware that Zad was a well of emotions and he could expect nothing less.

[mr-pulvis]

notblindsighted​:

“Zadkiel looks the hardest and the loudest. I do not wish him to hurry down any troublesome roads on his search. He is also able to move quickly if he feels a need to share his knowledge.” Vassago answered easily. Pressing a kiss Miles’ incorporeal cheeks. “Be kind to your vessel with your feelings, hm?”

Then stepped away to Travel.

“Oh fuck, Zad–” There was no time to finish what he had wanted to say before he was smooched and left alone. Though, that did not stop him from calling out, as though Vassago had only merely stepped outside, “Let ‘im know I love him! And that m’sorry!”

The void would be quiet and dark without Vassago’s presence, but the oppressive atmosphere lessened. 

For now though, all Miles could do was wait.

And that’s exactly what he would do.

[mr-pulvis]

notblindsighted​:

“Yes, yes, alright. Do not thank me yet.” He huffed. Getting smothered in human soul was an experience to say the least. Though not unwelcome.

“Now, if you think you are in better spirits–pun intended–I will go tell someone where you are. Someone that sorely needs to know.”

Oh, Vassago was being thanked right here, right now, whether he liked it or not. Would get thanked further– several times, most likely– once Miles was out of here.

He would groan at the pun and remove himself from the Prince’s space, simultaneously amused and disgusted by what had been incredibly low hanging fruit. “I guess, fer now at least. Who are ya goin’ to tell..?”

[notblindsighted]

"Zadkiel looks the hardest and the loudest. I do not wish him to hurry down any troublesome roads on his search. He is also able to move quickly if he feels a need to share his knowledge.” Vassago answered easily. Pressing a kiss Miles’ incorporeal cheeks. “Be kind to your vessel with your feelings, hm?”

Then stepped away to Travel.

[notblindsighted]

mr-pulvis​:

He wasn’t looking at Vassago, or, was actively trying to be unaware of him– or, however it worked here. He was listening though, intently, while trying to force down another whirlwind spiral that was threatening. 

As the other spoke, Miles would slowly shift his attention back to them; the smouldering hope he had, almost completely suffocated by the maw of the void he had found himself in, caught alit again. It was overwhelming, so much so that he would pull Vassago close, into a tight approximation of a bear hug, unable to find the words to thank them. Would have been crying if he had the physical tear ducts to do so.

“Yes, yes, alright. Do not thank me yet.” He huffed. Getting smothered in human soul was an experience to say the least. Though not unwelcome.

“Now, if you think you are in better spirits--pun intended--I will go tell someone where you are. Someone that sorely needs to know.”

[notblindsighted]

mr-pulvis​:

“You said m’body was dead though.” His hands would squeeze Vassago’s again, in an attempt to keep them from trembling. The silence that followed would be long, almost uncomfortably so as Miles thought; surely those weren’t the only two options. 

Maybe he could ask for Vassago to Find him a body to inhabit, once (if) he ever got out of this place but no.. no, that would be no good. It would need to be a body without a soul, which would properly be dead– and thus no different from his own body–, lest he take some poor bastard’s body for his own. No, he couldn’t ask for that. Perhaps he could ask to be taken to Luke, who could build him a body but… Again, no. Miles was selfish. He wanted his body, not an imitation, that wouldn’t be able to eat, or touch or Be the same as a flesh and blood body.

“It doesn’t really sound like I got any other options, yanno?”

“Y’can’t guarantee anything.” Miles voice would be soft, tone void of any malice or accusation. Voice turning softer still, it would crack as he spoke again, “I’m not ready to die..”

Vassago was an old being and not prone to impatience. Can’t rush time. Came out the celestial egg knowing that much about existence.

There’s an exhale from him. “Miles--” He caught himself and shook his head. He could not guarantee anything. That was not his realm.

“Miles, I am going to take my boon and tell you something I should not. So listen closely.” He looked around, too. Like he expected to be stopped. But--this plane was removed...perhaps he could be sneaky and get away with it. Sneaky and a little more direct than he should. “You have two additional options you have not considered. Firstly, can be patient--many minds are converging and anything willed about hard enough becomes reality. Secondly, you are not passed on into any afterlife. I think Death might find your situation not only uncomfortable to them, but also sympathetic--they might be inclined to help you by setting things back into the proper order of your life.”

[mr-pulvis]

notblindsighted​:

“For that, I would not even collect my boon.” He agreed easily enough. This predicament was not one of Finality as far as he could See. And Miles wasn’t asking Vassago to fix the issue, merely to play envoy of hope to those that might. He Saw no harm.

But he didn’t leave just yet. Miles was still squeezing his hands and he did not mind that.

In Miles’ defence, he was incredibly out of sorts and he had never seen the Prince out of Host before, so hopefully it would be understood why it had taken him so long to piece things together and he would be forgiven for his exclamation of “Vassago??” as well as the manic little laugh that followed.

“Oh wow, uh.. Shit, what would yer boon get me, then?” He wanted to ask for help, for things to be undone– of course he did! But he knew all too well that things were never that simple; if they were, Vassago may well very much have offered it immediately. 

[notblindsighted]

Vassago couldn’t help his own laugh. Nodding at the exclamation of his name. He would forgive. He had not been very forthright of who he was on appearance.

“Well, as you may have guessed, my boon is only useful when I am asked to Find or See. The problem is that if I Find you and take you--as would be applicable to your request--you would be a soul with no shelter outside of his plane.” Vassago attempted to patiently explain. “A soul with no shelter has very few options. Become a wandering spirit, a ghost. Ghosts are vulnerable to many dangers and other entities. Or become truly dead, passing on. I do not personally like either option very much.”

He chewed on his own lip in a moment of a faded smile. “There is the matter of Seeing a solution...however, what I See and what I tell you cannot always be a straightforward matter. I could not guarantee a satisfactory plan of action.”