Where the Wicked go after Death

[stealth_andsecrets]

Purple leans against a wall, inside the back-room of the Caritas. For the last hour or so, she has watched Winston (War) tend carefully to the ailing Lorne. Many of her siblings were around the bar, as one of Lorne's requests was for them to get acquainted with the business (so they could run it once he was gone from this world.).

It was almost too much to bear at times, to watch Lorne get sicker and sicker... and feel so helpless to help him. There were so many times when she was so close to tears... sick to her stomach with the thought of losing him.

Winston came to sit beside her. He smiled softly, looking at his younger sister. "Where is your boyfriend today?"

"You need to speak to him?"

"Yes. I do."

Purple pulled out her PINpoint, sending Niverian a message, asking him to come to the Caritas as soon as he was available.

Comments

[nonvillainouscipher]

Cipher Nine squeezes Lindsay's shoulder gently, trying to be reassuring. "We're not here to hurt you," he says. "In fact, we want to try to get you out. Do you know why you're here?"

Lorvia and Nalresan have stepped closer to each other, holding hands rather tightly, both looking around furtively. "We shouldn't stay very long," Nalresan tells his son. "Or the same may happen to us as well."

((Awesome. What do you think of the name Netaurest/Keln'etaure'staluoru as Chel's new name? :P))

[stealth_andsecrets]

"Doomed... doomed... not enough. Not enough." Lindsay rambles.

Purple frowns, she doesn't want anything to happen to Niverian's parents. "I don't think he will be able to help us." She feels like crying.

((sounds good. I have to sleep now))

[nonvillainouscipher]

Cipher Nine's stomach clenches, and he puts an arm around Purple's waist and pulls her a little closer to him, so she has a shoulder to cry on. He's not quite ready to give up yet, though... Something in Lindsay's ramblings might be significant. "Just, one more moment," he murmurs to her, before looking up at Lindsay. "What's not enough?" he asks gently.

((Awesome :D You available for TOR this weekend, so we can get Ana to Endgame? :P))

[stealth_andsecrets]

Lindsay grabs him, when he gets close enough, and Niverian can feel a force pulling at his soul. "I need more..."

((I am available Saturday night and Sunday))

[nonvillainouscipher]

((Niverian didn't actually move from where he was standing, but maybe Lindsay could have taken a couple of steps towards him instead?))

It can be hard not to panic in a circumstance like this, and Cipher Nine nearly does, before managing to stamp down on it. Instead, he reaches up and tightly grips Lindsay's wrist, bending it backward at a very uncomfortable angle in an effort to get Lindsay to drop him. "Let go," he says through gritted teeth.

[stealth_andsecrets]

((oops read something wrong))

Lindsay lets go, not even having enough fight for this situation. "There is never enough..."

"I really don't like this place." Purple hisses.

[nonvillainouscipher]

Cipher Nine pulls her a little closer in reassurance, then takes a few steps backwards. "We'll find a way to get you out of here, Lindsay," he tells the other man quietly. Then he turns and starts to head away from him, jaw clenched. "We have to find Darla soon, or there will be nothing left of him," he tells Purple and his parents as they leave.

[stealth_andsecrets]

"Isn't there a way we can get him to a different punishment area, at least until we are able to prove his innocence?"

[nonvillainouscipher]

"Other than proving his innocence, I don't know," he answers. "Maybe, if we could convince Lord Hades to move him back to the first circle until his guilt is proven or disproven..."

[stealth_andsecrets]

"Or at least a less worse circle..."

[nonvillainouscipher]

He nods in agreement. "That still leaves the task of finding the truth. Where do you think we should go from here? We don't have enough proof to really confront Persephone, if she is the one behind this."

[stealth_andsecrets]

"We need to get Lindsay moved first... and perhaps find Darla. I think it is the only way to give him enough hope."

[nonvillainouscipher]

Another nod. "Then that's our next step. We can't finish our investigation unless we get Lindsay's testimony, and he's in no state to give it. Hopefully that will be enough to convince Hades to move him out of the ninth circle..."

[stealth_andsecrets]

"We can only go ask him." The sooner they leave the better. For them... for his parents.

[nonvillainouscipher]

Cipher Nine's been heading out of Tartarus for the whole conversation thus far, wanting to be out of there just as much as Purple and his parents do. He trusts Lorvia and Nalresan to lead the way back out, though, since they led them in.

[stealth_andsecrets]

Lorvia and Nalresan will lead them back to Hades throne, knowing that is where Niverian and Purple want to go.

This time, when they enter the throne room, both Hades and Persephone are sitting on the thrones.

"Oh look, dear... our newest guardian." Persephone doesn't sound pleased to see either of them.

[nonvillainouscipher]

Cipher Nine is just as unhappy to see Persephone. Her unhappy reaction, though, serves to add to his suspicions—speaking to either motive or consciousness of guilt, depending on interpretation. He maintains his distance from her, and for the most part, focuses his attention on her husband, whom he gives a respectful bow of his head. "My Lord. Unfortunately, I am currently unable to finish my investigation. I need to hear Lindsay's testimony, and at this juncture, he is unable to give it. He will likely never be able to give it if he remains in the ninth circle. Therefore, in the interests of uncovering the truth—and thus ensuring order is maintained here in the Underworld—I would like to request that he be moved into a less... spiritually taxing circle of Tartarus until I can take measures that will make him fit to be questioned again."

[stealth_andsecrets]

"This is no surprise..." Persephone speaks first, directing her attention to Hades. "The Cipher believes himself to be better than your judgment and rule, my love."

"We have never had an investigation before... into any placements to the souls in our care."

"It is an unusual situation," Hades agreed.

"He will betray your trust..." Persephone looked away.

[nonvillainouscipher]

Cipher Nine clenches his jaw and bites down on an angry response directed at Persephone. "I am merely interested in due process," he says, as calmly as he can manage. "I do not believe a person should be punished for something he has not done. Such a thing is inefficient, illogical, and serves no-one. And as to my trustworthiness, yes, I suppose you have every reason to believe that's a possibility. I am, after all, a professional liar. But I imagine you must know of a way to ensure that it doesn't happen—a mystical oath or rite that will keep me from breaking my word, perhaps? If so, I am perfectly willing to undergo it."

[stealth_andsecrets]

"Due process?" Her eyes glare at him. "Did you interview the hundreds of souls that are in our care... because they were harmed by Lindsay McDonald in one way or another... before deciding that he was worthy to leave Tartarus?"

"No. You decided he needed to leave for your own selfish reasons."

"My love..." Hades whispered.

"He is selecting to cast me as the guilty party... without due process..." Persephone follows up.

"My love... it was you that recommended that he would be our new Guardian."

"Because I thought he was better than pettiness..."

"My love... what would you suggest?"

"Oh give him the transfer. Give him one month to prove what he intends to prove. If he does... fine, then Lindsay McDonald is granted access to Elysium. If he doesn't... then he is no longer our Guardian... and his family, kin and friends no longer get any special placement in our land."

[nonvillainouscipher]

It's getting harder and harder for Cipher Nine to retain the calm façade on his face, but he manages, refusing to let Persephone get a rise out of him, no matter how much he wants to throw her words back in her face and tell her to grow the kriff up. (In those precise words. As a rule, he doesn't swear.) After this outburst, he doubts he will be able to ever truly see her as queen of the underworld. She doesn't act it, after all. All he can see right now is a petulant child throwing a temper tantrum because she isn't getting her way. She could give Darth Zhorrid a run for her money...

However, Persephone's proposal appears to have been made on a presumption of his goal that is inaccurate. So before deciding on it, he decides to clear the air about what he's asking for. "I don't intend to prove anything, other than the truth," he answers. "If Lindsay is truly guilty of the crime he is accused of, then, by all means, he should be returned to the ninth circle, as was originally decreed. If, however, he is innocent of the crime, then he should reside only where his deeds and/or misdeeds in life have determined he belongs. If that means returning to the first circle, or a transfer to Limbo instead of Elysium, then so be it. That's all I'm after." He pauses and arches a brow. "However, I was under the impression his initial presence in the first circle was the result of his desire to punish himself over his own guilt, rather than because of the sum total of his life's deeds. Was I mistaken?"

[stealth_andsecrets]

"You act as you know better than either of us... why don't you tell us, Cipher?" Persephone asked simply.

Hades has his eyes closed, a deep frown, but is not detached. He is paying very close attention. To everything.

[nonvillainouscipher]

"I don't know better than you, that's why I'm asking," Cipher Nine answers, tone of voice a little short—just a tad, though. "My impression was that Lindsay was sincere when he said he was in Tartarus to punish himself, but he still could've been a good enough liar to get past my ability to recognize falsehoods when I hear them. I'm good at doing so, but not perfect."

[stealth_andsecrets]

Persephone is about to ask something, when Hades put up a hand. And then he opened his eyes. And glanced at Purple.

"Anastasia..." She jumps, hearing her real name from the Lord of the Dead. "What month is it?"

She blinks, not sure what the question intends. "Um... it is almost spring."

"And yes... the time when my wife's mother takes her back to her world. And we are separated." He glances at Niverian, briefly. Quickly.

"My love, should you not be packed?" Hades glances at Persephone. She looks away, then stands, and leaves the throne room without a word.

Hades then turns his attention to Niverian. "I too have the ability to recognize falsehoods. For many are told to me when souls meet their natural end. When I spoke with Lindsay... I saw past where he needed to be. Not deep enough to be where others who killed or harmed were placed. But in the first level. He needed to find his own redemption, but could not."

"When it was heard that he tried to fight my judgement... that is when he was pushed further. Perhaps too far. I will move him to level three."

[nonvillainouscipher]

Cipher Nine exhales quietly in relief, smiles a little, and gives a deep bow of his head to Hades. "Thank you, my Lord. It's good to know I haven't lost my instincts in that regard." He straightens again. "Is the move contingent upon the terms your wife suggested? If so, then I'll accept them."