you can see so far from here

up in the clouds you can see everything and nothing, all at once...

[shadowed-dawn-blog]

Dinner Plans || Branwen + Rowan

[twilightdarkandlovely]

shadowed-dawn:

She leaned forward, a smirk on her lips. “Oh it was related to a set of skills you have, but baking wasn’t one of them.” Her voice was light and happy, a small giggle attached to her words. His teasing did nothing but make her love him even more. It was a side of him that no one else really saw. He was always so proper and controlled in the public setting, but with her, he had life. She loved him so much. 

What she didn’t love was the possibility of this blonde in Bastian’s company. Never had she seen him in the company of anyone other than herself and on rare occasion, Rowan. To say the two men didn’t get along would likely be an incredible understatement. Even Owen wasn’t seen with Bastian outside of a work capacity. “I’m not worried about Owen, he’s a harmless vampire. They’re bred for sadistic purposes but they can be defeated.” Owen was easy to kill, even Bastian himself could do it, should he desire. It wouldn’t even require the use of any powers. Simple strength and a stake to the heart. 

“I think…,” she sighed. “I think it might be time to come up with a new plan to get Bran out.” Bastian wasn’t willing to help. She’d held him here for eight decades in the hopes that he would come around to her way of thinking, but force might just be the only way to do this. “If his wife is here, all our training… It’ll be gone in days. He’ll chew his leash off and lash out. It might be time to rethink things.” 

He smiled over at her, soft and sincere. It still took him by surprise sometimes, that he made her happy. It was the first thing he could remember truly wanting to do, and it was still his top priority. He was glad that he seemed to be good at it, because it would have been incredibly unfortunate if he hadn’t figured that out. But they were good together, and not just because he loved her so desperately, but because they truly worked well with each other. 

But what she said next wiped the smile off his face. He didn’t like the idea of her going into Hell alone. He couldn’t go with her. His powers were tied to the earth—he wasn’t sure he could even enter the realm, and if he could, he’d be extremely weakened. “Perhaps. If we can come up with a plan.” 

He sighed. “Do you trust Bastian at all yet? Do you think that...” He frowned. “If you can make him escort you...” He considered. “If his wife is up here, that could be your in, actually. He’ll be even more desperate to slip your leash, so you can hold this up as an opportunity. All he has to do is escort you down there and bring you and Bran back, and you’ll release all his powers back to him.” 

[the-tower-reversed-deactivated2]

Sink or Swim | Roman, Phaedra & Vitaliy

[twilightdarkandlovely]

the-tower-reversed:

The ring had a medic, yes, but Roman had never accepted his aid. It was a small wonder the poor man still tried at all, but perhaps he’d thought this time might be different. For a few seconds, the ever-defiant wolf had actually been knocked out cold. He was in no condition to keep fighting, but once he’d come to, that clearly hadn’t stopped him from trying. Vitaliy had anticipated that reaction, well enough to intervene before it was a serious problem. However, he wasn’t about to go chasing after an injured animal that already felt cornered. 

That was, apparently, someone else’s calling. From the staircase leading back up to the offices, the vampire noticed the small witch frantically pushing her way through the practically out of control crowd. She stood out, of course, like the only fish swimming against the current, and Vitaliy’s eyes narrowed in contemplation as he watched her at last break free, sprinting for the double-doors Roman had just passed through. As if on cue, his cell phone rang. He answered without even glancing at the screen, “I see her… I’ll take care of it.”

Meanwhile, Roman was trying to strike a balance between remaining upright and keeping his dinner down.  Standing up too straight made the world violently lurch and spin, but then again, so did bending too much at the waist. He’d made it this far, but now he was more or less paralyzed, leaning into his forearm against the wall he’d just finished taking his aggressions out on. In a way, the pain in his hand was grounding. It gave him something new to focus on, and who knows how long he’d have spent doing exactly that if Phae hadn’t shouted his name. 

Her voice sounded like it’d come from miles away. It echoed first off the concrete floor and unfinished walls, then through the corridors of his groggy mind. Rolling his head more than turning it, he squinted down at her through the swelling and the blood, stared for what felt like a small eternity, then simply grunted and attempted to pull away, “The hell are you doin’ here…” He didn’t mean at the ring in general. His head injury wasn’t so bad that he’d forgotten about bringing his sister along, though right around then he rather wished he hadn’t.

Roman didn’t invite Phaedra to matches unless he confident he would win. He didn’t even tell her about them otherwise, in fact, because he knew her. He knew how she worried, and how she could be every bit as stubborn as him when she set her mind to something. He hated when he was that something she set her mind to, almost as much as he hated himself for losing. He should’ve seen that punch coming from a mile away. It was wild, desperate, and worst of all, it’d connected. So now just he shook his head, feeling the world slosh from side to side as he mumbled, “It’s nothing, Phae… Let’s just get the fuck out of here…”

“What do you mean what am I doing here?” Her voice was a little incredulous. “I’m here to help you. Roman, we’re not getting out of here. You need to sit down.” Before he collapsed. He was far larger than her, and she wouldn’t be able to keep him upright. She had to get him sitting so he didn’t hurt himself even more when he inevitably collapsed. He seemed to be in even worse condition than she feared.  “Please, Romy, let me help you.” 

Normally, she would ask him before starting diagnostic spells, but this was her younger brother, and courtesy went right out the window because she knew if she sat around waiting for permission, she’d never get it. “Tell me what hurts the worst. Are you dizzy or nauseated at all?” She’d bet a small fortune that he was, from how hard he’d hit his head—and from how he was standing now. “Roman, you have to work with me here.” 

It wasn’t good. A simple spell confirmed the severity of the concussion, which had to be addressed, now. Coupled with the broken ribs, she was certainly concerned. They needed to be stabilized. And his hand was likely a wreck, which would heal incorrectly if he decided to ignore it and let his body heal on it’s own. The last thing she wanted was to have to re-break anything because it had healed incorrectly. 

“Come on Romy, sit down for me.” She tried to gently tug him over towards the bench, so he could get off his feet. Ideally she’d like to get him lying down, but for now she’d accept just getting him sitting so he wouldn’t collapse and she could get her hands at his head and start dealing with his injuries. 

[the-tower-reversed-deactivated2]

Vigil | Roman & Phaedra

[twilightdarkandlovely]

 the-tower-reversed:

He tried, yes. He didn’t always succeed, and sometimes his efforts were a little overbearing, but almost as though he was determined to make up for the way he behaved when they were children, he now treated her as though she were made of glass. Of course, there was invisible strength in glass - sharp edges, too. Roman knew that, but he’d sooner put himself in danger than wittingly leave Phae in a situation that could ever cause her to break.

Not that he had any doubts that his sister could take care of herself here at the medical center. No, if anything, next to her home, this was truly where she belonged. Roman had submitted (usually grudgingly) to her power enough times to know what a gift she really had - and Phae being Phae, she selflessly shared that gift with others. That was just the kind of person she was. She deserved only good things, yet she’d ended up face to mutilated face with a corpse.

As he watched her close her eyes for a moment, he wondered what she saw. Truthfully, she didn’t seem much different than usual at the moment - just run down from a stressful shift that’d already lasted several hours longer than it should’ve. Roman struggled with what to say, but actions with him had ever spoken louder than words. There was an relentless draft coming from the window, so he got to his feet and unzipped his hoodie, draping it around her shoulders.

He then dropped into the actual chair next to her, folding his arms across his chest. “That’s good…” he mumbled, “But it’s not what I was talking about.” A beat. “It can wait. I just wanted to let you know… I’m here for you if you need me.” 

She hadn’t even realized she was shivering a little until Roman’s sweatshirt was around her. A smile spread across her lips as she glanced over at him—a small gesture of appreciation. She knew her brother. If she made a big deal over something like this, he’d get all uncomfortable. They’d never grown good at talking, even if they had learned how to communicate in other ways. She’d grown mostly adept at reading into his nonverbal signals. 

But now it seemed like he actually wanted to talk about something. About... she lost a little color. She hadn’t really spoken about it. Her tactic had been to just pretend she was fine, though her father knew she’d been having nightmares. She had a suspicion that Liam had filled him in more than she had; she’d been too afraid that the Council would be upset with her after what Rayne Travers had said. He’d even suggested she speak to Roman, given that he was on the Council, too, but...

Well, she knew her brother. He didn’t like talking, much less about serious matters. There were a few times she’d thought she’d try, but then she’d lost her nerve. “Are you sure?” she asked, turning to look at him. “I don’t...” she bit her lip. “It’s been fine. I’m fine.” Except for the nightmares. And the few times she’d jumped when someone had come around the corner too quickly. And the fact that she hadn’t gone outside alone after nightfall in a few days. 

But that was her problem, not something she wanted to shove off on her younger brother. She knew this wasn’t his comfort zone. He’d be worried about her, but this wasn’t a situation where there was someone to threaten or to punch out. He wouldn't be able to help her, and that would just make him agitated. She was already agitated enough for the both of them. 

[twilightdarkandlovely]

what is your character afraid of? - Phaedra

“Oh, I um. A lot of things. It’s just... better to be cautious.” 

Phaedra’s biggest fear is humans. She doesn’t like them. Doesn’t trust them. That’s a large part of why she doesn’t leave the Tower community. 

[twilightdarkandlovely]

how does your character feel about sex? - Rowan

“Sex is a private act between two people who love each other. Not details to exchange to titillate others.” 

Rowan has only ever been with one person, and is very private about that part of his life. He doesn’t share details. 

[twilightdarkandlovely]

how does your character feel about sex? - jade

“Sex is a useful tool. Most people let their guard down in bed, and want to talk afterwards. It lets you get secrets you otherwise wouldn’t.” 

Jade’s never been in a true relationship, but she’s confident in the bedroom. She tends to use sex to get close to people or to sell a role, but sometimes she’ll end up ‘practicing’ just because it’s rather nice to feel close to people, even if it’s just an act. And she’s not so cold that she won’t admit that she finds pleasure in the act. 

[twilightdarkandlovely]

what seemingly insignificant memories stuck with your character? - Rowan

“There aren’t any memories that are insignificant. Anything that’s enough to stick with you is significant.” 

Rowan has a longer memory than many. He tends to remember most moments that have had any meaning to them, especially those that involve Branwen. He also still remembers what it was like when he was back in his home forest, existing at one with nature and with the earth. Sometimes he misses it, but he wouldn’t give up Branwen for the world. 

[twilightdarkandlovely]

what is your character reluctant to tell people? - Bastian

“Well I’m not about to confess something like that, now am I?” 

Bastian refuses to talk to anyone about his life before he became a demon. He was never a mortal, but he did have an existence on Earth before. Once, long ago, he was the son of a god, and he made a deal with the masters of hell to save the soul of his mortal mother. He had a family, once upon a time. But he refuses to even acknowledge that in his own mind. There was another name, long ago, but now no one even knows what it is—except Bastian himself, and he’ll never tell. 

[twilightdarkandlovely]

A Face from the Past || Julian & Orianna

[twilightdarkandlovely]

shadowed-dawn:

His hand tightened around her throat, even as she voluntarily pressed against his hold. He was not so far into the shift that he could not register her actions. It was so completely Orianna, that it forced his mind back a bit. “I am many things, soft isn’t one of them.” He’s become complacent in his life, accepting of the second chance he had been given and grateful for the pack that had saved his life a century ago. That was not soft, not exactly. 

He had lived many lives in his nearly three and half centuries, a domestic one was never one of them. She was right though, at least in part, the world he lived in now was domestic. He had a daughter and a family and none of it included her. None of it included her…

He pulled back slightly, the gold in his eyes fading back to blue. He was not disappointed that she was alive, how could he be? She was his mate. He had mourned her passing and vowed to never take another. A century had passed without her and he could remember the day he lost her as though no time had passed at all. He was not disappointed. Not even close. 

His hand slid from her throat up into her hair and he pulled her in close, his lips pressed hard to hers. He was not disappointed to find that she was alive, she needed to know that. He would have never left had he known… He would have looked for her. 

She stared him down, not about to back away. She refused to be scared of the man in front of her, even as his hand tightened on her neck. He might have become some person that she barely recognized, but he was still her mate. She just needed to bring it out. And apparently her presence was all that was needed for that. 

She felt the instant that his intention shifted, rushing forward to meet his lips with her own. A more logical person might say that they should speak—he’d thought she was dead? Honestly? She wasn’t sure how he’d come to that conclusion, though it certainly explained a few things—but Orianna had never been one to talk when there were other, far more intimate ways to communicate. 

Especially not when he was kissing her like this. He clearly wasn’t displeased with her sudden presence. Her plan was falling into place perfectly. Her own hands wound their way into his soft curls, tugging as she pulled herself into him even more. 

There would never be enough of this. She’d been in withdrawal from him, for years, and now... she couldn’t do it again. Even if she thought it was what he wanted, she couldn’t give him space. She deepened the kiss, glad to see that they fit together just as perfectly as they always had. 

[twilightdarkandlovely]

A Face from the Past || Julian & Orianna

[twilightdarkandlovely]

shadowed-dawn:

The snow from the blizzard had cleared in many spots but it was still piled high in many of the allies and parking lots. Julian didn’t always drive, nor did he feel the need to so instead he’d taken to walking to and from work. It was easier than dealing with the traffic and fighting with the plows and deicers. He was happy for the exercise. It afforded him a moment to himself without the stress of being in the car. 

His day had gone according to plan. The few kids that he’d placed in homes had been checked up on and were doing great. One of them had even been adopted. That was possibly one of the only good things about this particular job. There was never a dull moment and often times, walking into an unknown situation had danger written all over. He didn’t find himself fearful in those situations, though. Contrary to what many thought about him and his sage act, he rather liked the adrenaline rush that went with his job. 

He wasn’t the type of social worker that checked on trivial complaints. He was the last line of defense, he was the one they called when things went wrong. He was the one they called for all-out extraction. Today, though, he got to oversee an adoption and that was actually a pretty good feeling. A little kid for a forever home as they called it. He wasn’t stuck in the system, worrying that he might suffer at the hands of an adult he had foolishly trusted. Julian had found he was proud of that part of his job. 

He was cutting through one of the allies on his way back to the tower, his jacket synched tight around him and his hands in his pocket. It was only a moment in the ally when he stopped. The scent, while completely new to the area was not new to him. His nostrils flared, his hackles raised in a moment, that was until he spotted her. 

All thoughts in his head vanished as he rushed forward, teeth bared. His dark blue eyes shifting to light gold, threatening a full shift into the grey wolf he hid under the surface. His hand wrapped around the woman’s throat and he pinned her to the wall, her head cracking against it. “You’re dead,” he growled. She was dead. They’d both been caught in the explosion. There was no way she made it out. He had barely survived and she… “You’re supposed to be dead.” 

She hadn’t expected him to attack her, necessarily, but she’d known it was on the list of possibilities. Her teeth bared in a wild grin as he threw her back against the wall. He was on the edge of a shift, she could tell from his eyes. At least her fear that he might not even respond to her was immensely unfounded. 

“And here I thought you’d gone soft,” she hissed, pushing back a little, leaning forward to feel the hand that he’d placed at her throat. For better or worse, he was her mate, and they’d had no contact for over a century. She was reveling in the edge that he was showing. This was a man she recognized, even if he rarely directed this side at her. “Glad to see that I was at least a little mistaken. Good to know that you’re still you, under that domesticated surface.” 

She wasn’t sure how to take the comment that he’d thought her dead. He was the one who’d almost died. She’d just been forced back, unable to get to him, and by the time she got back there he was gone. “Sorry to disappoint, darling, but no. I’m not dead at all.” 

[shadowed-dawn-blog]

Escape || Avery + Bastian

[twilightdarkandlovely]

shadowed-dawn:

Her eyes narrowed, contemplation shinning. Yes, it sounded like this had been the plan all along. Remove him from hell, lock him out. What was it they were planning that meant he needed to leave? Bastian wasn’t one to play politics, but he was formidable and he certainly had her and her minions on his side should he have needed them. 

Her eyes widened in shock, though why she was shocked, she didn’t really know. “They put you between a god’s soul and a goddess trying to get him out?” That was… That was so very over the top. They had to have known this would be the result. They had to expect that the goddess would retaliate. Her beloved had been betrayed by the powers that be. Her jaw set, anger blazing in her eyes, though this time directed not at him but at the commanders of hell. 

“So, you have a few options. Stay here, forever,” she was not a fan of this one because it meant she was stuck there too. “Tell her you’ll get her soul and trick her into letting you free, which… is unlikely to work, or and this is the option I’m inclined to go with. Get her soul for her and royally fuck over hell.” He’d already been shown just how valuable they felt he was… which was to say not. Why not take back his power and prove to them that they messed with the wrong prince of hell? 

He sighed. “Apparently, yes. That’s exactly where they put me.” Perhaps that thought his lineage would be an asset, but it hadn’t exactly helped. She was a full-fledged goddess. And he was a demigod turned demon, which meant he was stronger than the majority of other demons, but he was still not at the level of a full-blooded god. 

“I do rather like the idea of royally fucking them over, as you put it. They didn’t seem to hesitate to put me in such a situation.” He steepled his fingers, thinking. “I suppose I could appeal to the goddess. See if she’ll listen. Though I’ve made that offer before, she just didn’t fully trust me.” She’d thought he’d turn tail and run as soon as his feet hit the realm. To be fair, that had been his plan entirely, brought up in anger right after she’d stranded him here. He’d later considered it more and thought it through. 

“But Avery...” he sighed. “You’re my wife. This could lock you out, as well.” She had a life there. He knew she valued her position. “I didn’t want to make this decision unilaterally without considering the impact it would have on you, Especially considering that I didn’t even have a way to consult you about it.” 

[shadowed-dawn-blog]

Winter Wonderland || Liam & Miranda

[twilightdarkandlovely]

shadowed-dawn:

It did seem like an extreme measure, but he understood the council’s choice, “They’re running on auxiliary power right now, they can’t sustain the residence in there right now so those of us outside have to make do. Though, truthfully, I think  it has more to do with the fact that its buried under snow and while they have witches that could likely remove the snow, it might look a bit suspect if they allow them to clear the way.” He didn’t really mind. He knew where his son was and he knew Phae was safe as well. The rest of his pack could take care of themselves better than anyone. Most of them were from Canada right along with him. 

“My lockout is your gain, though.” His grin was cheeky and dangerous. “We don’t have to worry about interrupting others in the packhouse with our fun.” A hotel room really was the best option for what he had in mind for her. 

She laughed a little. “I’m sure the humans would take notice of that. Though they do seem to miss quite a large swath of things.” She was a fae, and tended to deal in truths and wordsmithing, but there was nothing more fun than telling a mortal exactly what she could do and watching them laugh as though she’d made a particularly funny joke. “The majority of them seem desperate to think the world is exactly as large as they think it is and no larger. Nothing scares them more than the fact that things are out of their control.” 

“My gain, is it?” she asked, grinning. “What are you planning that’s going to be so gainful, then? Are you saying that our fun would interrupt others, should there be others around?” She was teasing him, her hand working down to slip under his shirt and run cool fingers over the hot skin under the fabric. 

[shadowed-dawn-blog]

Bruised and bloodied || Marc + Phaedra

[twilightdarkandlovely]

shadowed-dawn:

With the ribs set, Marc allowed himself that deep breath before he sat back a bit farther on the cot. He was letting all the tension go from his body. The pain had made him stiff and with it easing, he found it easier to let himself just kind of puddle. He was a big man, losing his strength, letting it go was not always easy, but he let himself become more pliable and he shut his eyes. “I owe you one,” he told her, his voice soft and low. 

He could barely even feel the ribs anymore. His body was easily picking up where her magic had left off. It was nice to be able to take deep breaths and let himself relax. It certainly wasn’t the worst injury he’d had, but it was probably the worst he’d had from the ring itself. He’d only been fighting for a few months so he was still one of the newcomers. The temperamental Blonde and pint-sized vampire were still sizing him up, but he was putting on a good show for them and bringing in the money, which was ultimately what they cared about. 

“Naw,” Marc said opening his eyes. “Nothing that my natural healing abilities won’t take care of.” His lip was still split but he didn’t really care about that. It would heal by the next day. “You’ve probably got other patients to see, I shouldn’t hold you up any longer.” 

She shook her head as she finished soothing away the rest of the bruises on his ribs. “You don’t owe me anything.” She didn’t heal people so that they’d owe her anything. Yes, it was her job, both her and at the Medical Center, but it was also a gift that she had. It let her make a living, but beyond that she liked helping people. When she could ease their pain, she would. It just felt... right. “I’m glad to help. Also it’s what I’m here for.” 

She glanced around the room, shaking her head. “And I don’t think anyone’s waiting for me.” It had been a quiet night. There were a few people still resting in the cots, but they were all people she’d previously seen. That was a blessing. Some nights she could barely keep up with it, rushing from one person to another, though she rarely overextended herself. She’d gotten better at rationing out her powers as shed’ gotten older, instead of pouring them out to the point of exhaustion. 

His chest was all healed, and she sat back, looking up at him. Even sitting the man towered over her, which she was pretty used to, but even for someone surrounded by tall people he was giant. “Oh, you’ve got...” she reached up, her thumb moving gently over the split on his lip, knitting the skin back together in an instant. “There. Fixed.” 

[shadowed-dawn-blog]

Dinner Plans || Branwen + Rowan

[twilightdarkandlovely]

shadowed-dawn:

Her lips quirked and a tiny blush crept across her cheeks. “That is plenty distracting I’ll have you know.” His existence was distracting. It was a testament to her self-control that they were sitting there at the dinner table talking and having dinner. It was such a domestic display but she rather liked the more physical aspects of their relationship as well. Even now, after centuries together. “Why do you think I don’t let you into the kitchen anymore?” 

She sighed when her mind was forced back to Bastian. She rather liked talking about her relationship with Rowan and their exploits far better than she liked talking about the seething little demon she had on a leash. “Have you ever know him to be seen in the company of anyone, let alone a woman?” Something was poking her mind, making her think long and hard about the possibilities this help. 

“He’s married from what he’s said.” It was such a strange idea, to her. A demon married. Even she and Rowan weren’t married. It was such a strange institution, though perhaps her years of captivity had left a bitter taste in her mouth and stopped her from desiring such commitment from her beloved. “And suddenly there is a woman with him? Could it be her? Could that be his wife?”

“I thought it was because you were beginning to be threatened by my baking skills,” he responded with an easy grin. Their gentle teasing had never changed over the years. “The desserts were just getting too good, and you can’t have me outpacing you.” She was the one who’d taught him, just as she was the one who’d taught him many things about the world when he’d first traveled from his home forest. She’d always be better at this than he was, but he could needle her a little about it, get a smile out of his goddess. 

“And, well.” He frowned. “I know he’s on surprisingly good terms with Owen McMann.” The fact that those two got along so well probably raised troubling concerns about Owen himself. He’d been perfectly content to hire on a demon as his VP, from what Rowan could tell. If anything the vampire was amused with the prince’s more sadistic tendencies, and apparently he was good enough at his job to satisfy the CEO.

The idea that this mysterious new blonde could be Bastian’s wife was concerning. “You think it might be his wife?” He sighed. “That can’t possibly be good for us.” He couldn’t imagine that Bastian had married some sweet, kind creature who would bring out his better nature. This was likely going to only complicate things for them, and with Branwen’s brother’s soul hanging in the balance, he knew she couldn’t afford much more complication. 

[twilightdarkandlovely]

A Face from the Past || Julian & Orianna

She’d been watching him now for weeks. Ever since her resolve had finally worn down and she’d stopped keeping her distance. He had carved out a neat little life for himself here. A place in Liam Ainsley’s pack, a job as some bleeding-heart social worker, even a little daughter—though she was starting to suspect that the daughter wasn’t as young as she’d thought at first, just small. And a witch. So clearly there was a story there. A story that she was starting to get more and more curious to hear from Julian himself. 

Because this was nothing like the man she’d once known. For the longest time she’d stayed away, thinking that he’d been done with the life they’d lead. He’d joined a pacifist pack, after all. And he hadn’t ever looked for her. She’d taken that as a message, clear as day. 

But a few centuries tended to dull her discipline and made her miss the man who’d been by her side for years. The man who’d been her partner, her mate, the one person in the world who knew her as more than some phantom legend that heralded death. 

She’d situated herself in one of the small side streets that he tended to use as a shortcut, and waited for him to appear. He was predictable now. She’d find it amusing if it was also so deeply troubling. 

She was leaning up against the wall, one boot-clad foot resting against the exposed bricks. It was a nice wall. Good cover from the street. No one would be able to see her until they got up close. 

Footsteps approached and she saw her wayward mate come into view. “Well hello there darling,” she said, her voice carrying enough that he could hear her. “Fancy finding you here after all these long years.” 

@shadowed-dawn

[theivorytower-rp-blog]

[shadowed-dawn-blog]

Escape || Avery + Bastian

[twilightdarkandlovely]

shadowed-dawn:

She rose slowly from her seat and walked over to him. The low dangerous tone of his voice pulling her from her thoughts and making her move. “As if what, my love?” She asked gently. She was no longer angry with him. The story he told, the bits of info he gave her previously with the knowledge she had now, made her wonder if this hadn’t been the plan all along. To what end, though? Bastian was a loyal prince of hell, he had served them without fail. 

“Why does she want the soul?” Love was possibly the only reason Avery could see going out of her way to break into hell and pull a soul out. She was willing to fight a goddess to get her husband back… technically still is, but she was going to listen to Bastian, perhaps they could figure this out without her needing to fight her. “If not for love, I mean. Why would she risk a trip to hell?” 

She stepped closer to him, her hand reaching out for his tie, this time to smooth down the fabric. It was still wrinkled were she had grabbed it the first time. “Have you considered changing your mind?” Thoughts swam through Avery’s mind. There were ways around this. They had to go into hell to get this could. It would be so easy to go back on his word once they were down there. She wouldn’t be able to, her word was her bound. It was a contract, but Bastian didn’t have that issue. He could easily renege on a promise without thought.

“As if they wanted this. I can’t see that this was a mistake they’d make, and the fact that they never came to investigate. I don’t like this. I don’t trust it.” He sighed. He hadn’t thought he still had to play these sorts of games. This was the sort of thing he connected with the mortal world and it’s useless politics, not with Hell. Though perhaps it wasn’t that big of a shock. He knew that sort of thing went on, he just tried to stay out of it personally. He hadn’t expected it to involve him being marooned topside. 

“And it is love, it’s just not the type of love they described. Not some silly infatuation. It’s something else. She’s in love with some tree spirit, so she’d not chasing down an old boyfriend. It’s her brother, she’s said.” That was perhaps even more abiding. Familial love could be... complicated. It made people do extreme things. It had even made him do something extreme, once upon a time, as much as he never spoke of it. Beyond that... it was unlikely that those who sent him were really so ignorant of her relationship to the intended target. 

“I don’t know how to change my mind,” he said with a sigh. “She won’t let me go back to hell until she gets her soul, and I can’t get her the soul without going back to hell. And even if we reach some compromise and she does let me back to get it, I’m entertaining no notions that the higher-ups will be at all pleased with my actions. It would likely be dangerous to go back. Either way we look at this...” he shrugged. He wasn’t in an enviable position.