if i cannot move heaven, I will raise hell

[isabel-bishop]

Contrary to popular belief, Pride has been a gem and literally the only thing keeping me upright. Besides, it wasn't just him I was around– your other brothers and my daughter visit regularly to break up the monotony, but I won't turn down a break and a drink or two.

[wickedlyxenvy]

"Maybe I can spare a little credit even though he's an annoying prick sometimes. Yes, but their company isn't as fun as mine." Envy shot the witch a wink and procured a bourbon bottle from behind his back, grabbing two glasses and pouring the liquid into both. Handing one over to Bel, he took a sip of his and huffed a sigh. "Nothing I can do really but drink and wait while I worry about my, well, let's call her my psuedo-daughter. And my wife who is currently on a 'kill the Weaver' campaign. Concerning, but very hot."

[tenacious-finnian]

I'm pretty good at following directions.

It's only because the failures are easier to remember than the victories. If what I've learned about this timeline and its inhabitants, you've had some pretty incredible wins. Your daughter pointed out my resemblance to my father as well, but I can also say that my looks are where my resemblance to this timeline's Rhys ends.

[wickedlyxenvy]

My brothers and I were sadly conditioned to focus on nothing but our failures as we grew. I know, I'm reminding myself I helped bring back the First Daughter so my brother would have the love of his life returned despite opening a rift because of that. My daughter's very astute. Ah, so, you aren't a raging demon-hating maniac pissed at the world and pushing away your own twin sister who was just resurrected? I'm thrilled you aren't a mini Rhys.

[isabel-bishop]

No one ever sees the less glamorous side of being a healer, which is making an exhaustive list of ingredients I need for whatever bullshit war is around the corner.

[wickedlyxenvy]

How about a small detour, you take a break, and you have a drink with me? I'm sure Pride's company has been but nothing short of excruciating.

[gianna-foxwood]

"I would worry, and you need to. He has already killed you in his timeline, and he will again if you act bullheaded about it," Gianna said sharply. She knew she was dealing with demon Princes, but if there was one more of them that she told to be careful, to stay away, and they acted cavalier about it, she might blow a fuse. She could only think of how Isabel felt juggling all of them at once. She let out an indignant noise. It always boiled down to the name she carried when something happened to her family. The Foxwoods– irrationally protective of one another to a fault. It wasn't something she could entirely refute, but this... it needed to be done. "If anything and so much as a scrape on Azriel happens, Kai is ending Emilia's life." The sentence fell from her lips with not so much as a flinch. She wasn't proud of where the road was taking her, but things had to change. "This is the second time she's messed with my family after being let off easy last time. Emilia almost dragged our son down with her last time, Envy, and now she turns around and lets a psycho who can very much kill my brother from the inside out, as well as everyone else around him, parade in his body."

[wickedlyxenvy]

"It's not like I would actively look for trouble. The house is warded up the ass, we're in the safest place in the whole city, and I wasn't planning to leave." Envy stated firmly and coolly, noting the sharpness of his wife's tone not typically present when they conversed. Gianna was different, more outspoken and confident than when the couple first met, and he often wondered if part of the change was his doing. Did his influence her actions or did it flip on a switch that was already existing? Gi's scheme taking care of Emilia sent the demon Prince's eyebrows raising, a notion falling more in line with something Kai or Azriel would cook up. Not his merciful Gianna. "You're planning on killing her outright, no trial, no negotiating. Just straight death." The First Mother's first grand act as a power holder. "I must admit, I could stand here and argue that I've seen how my own manipulations can destroy a person's life. I can say I'm not used to this side of the woman I fell in love with. Another part," Envy fell silent a long beat as he moved to stand in the back of Gianna, wrapping his arms around her from behind and sighing, "Another part knows it's what I would do protecting our family. We broke the universe for my brother, I've killed for less. You are the First Mother, my Queen, and the mother of our many children. I don't tolerate anyone coming near us who poses any amount of danger. You have my support, Gianna." The prince pressed a kiss to his wife's temple and rested his chin atop her head, "Admittedly...this side of you is kind of a turn-on."

[valentin-kuznetsov]

To be honest, just the fact that you're willing to keep us here even with the threat on our heads was enough, but I appreciate it. The thing is, you aren't keeping us under lock and key– it would be a different feeling completely if you did, and we're all adults. Marina knew what she was doing when she left, but she's in the best hands. I've known Kai and Azriel since the moment they started frequenting my bar as barely legal patrons– they're fierce protectors, and they'll cover her.

[wickedlyxenvy]

I knew the cons going in, Val, but I'm a simple man who enjoys pleasing his Queen when she asks to take two kids who need it under our protection. You and the others aren't prisoners here, especially knowing how suffocating it would have grown for some. Marina made a choice I can't be angry at her for, but I'd be more worried if Az or Kai weren't there keeping her safe. I just wish Ainsley would've consulted with us about the plan before she threw her in. While I can't control that, I know I can help at least Robin. Did he tell you he was hearing Henrik's voice? His...thoughts?

[kaniel-thebutcher]

That's the first stroke of genius I've heard you say regarding my brother. I was a little worried that you had lost your edge, but I'm glad to see that you're still your envious self, even if you aren't actively hunting the Princess of Gluttony's head. Now there is the second stroke of genius– I suppose there really is nothing stopping me from killing my mother, and it would keep her from making some backhanded plot to surrender my sister over to the walking vampire STI. Killing her would be fun too... A thought.

[wickedlyxenvy]

Fair, I am not so showman-like and ostentatious with my more possessive side murdering a whole bar for the giggles, he just doesn't come out as frequent. Your mother does realize Henrik's a repeated abuser and oftentimes leaves the women he fucks dead after they served their child-baring use, right? And she'd sell out her own daughter knowing that? Ew, don't like her, kill her immediately. Don't let that notion merely be a thought, Kaniel, make it reality. You either kill or get killed and something tells me between your mother and sister, you choose your sister.

[gianna-foxwood]

Misery does love its company, but I'm glad we're miserable together. There's always something about when there's a lock placed on a door that wasn't there before. No matter how gilded the cage is, it's still a cage. I just take faith that it's not a permanent fixture. It's... Bellora bad in comparison. Emilia has been manipulated by a version of my brother into letting him cross over into this timeline to kill Bellora. It's Azriel, and he not only could kill Bellora, but also everyone who stands against him. He wouldn't hesitate to kill you, Envy.

[wickedlyxenvy]

Envy hummed softly in response, curtly nodding when he listened to his Queen's words before turning around and leaning against the edge of his desk. The next words falling from Gianna's lips sent his eyebrows lifting in surprise. "Well, you can't say she doesn't stick to patterns. Shit." First, Ulric and now, Azriel. While the role reversal on the latter's end reminded him of his time with a psychotic version of his own that Az would've preferred not to save him from, the fact he's Gianna's brother meant it was only the right thing saving him. "I wouldn't worry about that fucker killing me, sweetheart. I'd like to see him try." Envy released a huff and moved toward the woman, "My concern not only rests with what could come from an evil alter-ego, but with you and the Foxwood sibling protective rationale. Gi, how far are you planning to go to save Azriel? Be honest."

[kaniel-thebutcher]

The sibling problems he thinks he has are mostly all in his head, Prince. You shouldn't believe every 'woe is me' story my brother tells about my sister and me. Demons are demons for a reason, but believe me or don't. I really don't care what you think otherwise, though I don't think you're that soft that you wouldn't have killed me on the spot if you truly believed me a threat. I don't have much interest in many things, but following my mother in anything is at the bottom of my list. Especially now that she only wants to use my sister and me since my brother is no longer her teat-sucking golden boy. I have already aligned myself with your brother as his assassin again, and urged my sister to go to hers. In doing that, I hope to at least remove whatever leverage my mother thinks she has over us. If not, I might get tired of her in general.

[wickedlyxenvy]

We dramatize and play up the transgressions against our own siblings, so one should rightfully take Ram's opinions with a miniscule grain of salt. You are correct, though, I haven't gone so soft as showing mercy towards anyone I deem dangerous to barely take a step through the front door before I cut them in half. I am still a demon, still a Prince possessing a known lengthy list of abhorrent kills without blinking an eye, so the fact you aren't dead or halfway maimed right now means you aren't the enemy. Mothers are annoyingly exhausting and test patience as if it's their life mission. If you tire of yours, well...stop her breathing. Take her heart out, whatever floats an assassin's boat. Not that I should be saying any of this, by the way, but you can't take the unhinged psycho out of the man no matter how many children he has.

[judiciously-ezekiel]

I can be the first to tell you that it won't be the last time you stumble. I, myself, have stumbled greatly and am still recovering, so this is a topic that I know well. Does this have something to do with young Marina?

[wickedlyxenvy]

I just didn't expect to stumble this soon, not when I just gained a house full of kids. It does have to do with Marina, yes. She slipped out of my grip so quickly and now Bellora's done nothing but laugh in our faces. I lost my kid, Zeke.

[tenacious-finnian]

Not to intrude, I was looking for the First Mother, but it appears she's living up to her title and remaining busy.

If I may give probably unwanted advice, everyone fails. If you dwell on your failings, then it will only compound until you forget that there are still victories you've had.

[wickedlyxenvy]

If you can brave your way around this place, you should follow three right hand turns and reach her office.

Yes, but to fail pretty spectacularly constantly when you've done nothing but lose is getting ridiculous. My victories are few and far between, First Heir. My son gets this all the time, but you look like Rhys.

[steadfast-hope]

Jesus, who are you. At least you haven't thrown a kid into the deepest pit of Hell yet. You just... lost them. Which is still pretty bad given the circumstances.

[wickedlyxenvy]

Oh, is someone feeling envious she isn't getting what she wants? You're butthurt Mom isn't giving you attention anymore, so you've come to bother and point out my mistakes as if that makes you feel better.

[gianna-foxwood]

I know. I know I couldn't have predicted that she would run off just to speak to him, but you know, there are always doubts about doing better. The only thing we can do is keep the others safe, and thankfully, they're mostly moving in pairs, so a buddy system won't be so bad. Marina and Ulric didn't have to tell me to see that they were each other's first friends who weren't related to them in some way. I wish I could say that Ric wouldn't be reckless enough to try something to get Marina back, but I'm going to see if Nyrinn or Estella can keep an eye on him. It's the only thing we can rely on. She's strong, and my brothers are nothing if not protective, but... that's not the only problem we have either. Emilia visited earlier, and it wasn't good.

[wickedlyxenvy]

I know those doubts well, Sugarplum, I hear them screaming in the back of my head every day. You think with a home stocked to the walls with any necessity imaginable that no one would want to leave, but I feel an air of restlessness taking hold sooner than later. No one steps a foot outside unless they're chaperoned. Ulric is his mother's son carrying the Foxwood blood, Gi, he will unsurprisingly configure a way and bring her home to safety. Either or both keeping an eye on him is the best idea for now. This other problem of ours, how bad does it land on the spectrum? What did she want?

[tempestuously-lysander]

"It's not just what I think," Lys offered in a small voice, swallowing the rest of the words before he simply nodded, lifting a brow curiously. "Sure," he replied, rising from his seat and smoothing the imaginary wrinkles from his shirt before gesturing forward.

[wickedlyxenvy]

"I know, son, I know." Envy held open Lysander's bedroom door for him, leading them straight into the hallway and making a few turns before coming across the door that led to his office which he purposefully stationed close to where the boy resided in case it was ever needed. Shutting the door behind them, the Prince gestured to one of the seats and made his way over to his desk. "I need you to understand that I am still working on breaking your curse. Our time together has been few and far between lately, Lys, that was my choice to help you cope after what the other me put you through. Just know, you do not need powers to be part of this family, to be useful." Envy popped open a drawer, pulling out the medium leather box and placing it on the desk surface. "You are my son, proof I am capable of being a father, and I hope this is visual proof for you that who you are to me and my kingdom means more than what was stolen from you." The demon opened the box and gently pulled out a crown, its green gemstones glittering in the light. He held it out in both hands toward the boy, "You are my Prince, my heir, and nothing will change that."

[tempestuously-lysander]

Forgive me for staying out of the current issues, but there's not much I can do other than lend an ear.

[wickedlyxenvy]

You needed your space and alone time, it's not an insult to the lack of use you think you have. Let's take a walk, Lys, there's something I need to show you.

[judiciously-ezekiel]

I have more tea if you would like to sit.

[wickedlyxenvy]

I'll have some if you give me any advice father-to-father. I hit a slight stumble.

[gianna-foxwood]

We should have kept a better eye on her... I should have. Marina's attachment to my brother was something I pushed to the side when I shouldn't have. Maybe implementing a buddy system will help, but it just limits the little freedom people already have here. All I know is that Ulric will be devastated when he hears the news, if he doesn't already know. This is... frustrating.

[wickedlyxenvy]

We can't be everywhere all at once, my love, try as we might as parents. She did seem overly fond of your brother, yes, but you couldn't know that fondness would propel her to seek him out. If the kids express a desire for some fresh air when necessary, I don't see anything wrong with a buddy system. Lack of freedom is only temporary, Gi, they understand that. She and Ric were close, weren't they? Listen, your brothers are with her and Marina wouldn't be an apprentice if she wasn't resourceful. Our girl will make it through this.

[valentin-kuznetsov]

There's always something that's going to get in the way of your reading time with this city. That would make my entire stay that much better, both because I'll have something I don't have to use much brain power to read and because I'll get to watch other people try to make sense of it. You're pretty good at this whole hosting thing, you know.

[wickedlyxenvy]

You stop to take a shit and everything still gets in the way from doing that. Anything I can do making your stay more comfortable and homely, that's my responsibility while my wife is responsible worrying about every occupant here. I kind of grew up watching how the twins in my family went out of their way for each other, so I got a few pointers. I'm happy you still think I'm a good host after accidentally losing a kid.