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]

He sighs quietly again. "I know, dearest. I just... don't like being around her. Not after what happened the first time."

[stealth_andsecrets]

"She can't win you. So I am not afraid of her."

[nonvillainouscipher]

Niverian grins at Purple. "No, she can't," he agrees, squeezing her hand gently and leaning over to steal a kiss.

[stealth_andsecrets]

"So screw her... we won't let her control our life. Or endanger our friends."

[nonvillainouscipher]

"Well said, dearheart," he replies, chuckling quietly.

[stealth_andsecrets]

"I am ready. Are you both?" Winston returned to the couple.

[nonvillainouscipher]

Niverian nods, still holding Purple's hand. "I'm ready," he answers.

[stealth_andsecrets]

Winston guides the two of them to a dark corner, where he is able to summon forth his Demon abilities. The shadows in the corner seem to get darker and darker... until they are swallowed by darkness.

They have a sensation of being in a boat, but it is still far too dark to actually see anything.

When there is finally light, they are standing in the throne room of Hades himself. The Death Lord sits on his throne, going over the Book of the Dead, checking on his appointments for the day. There is no sign of Persephone.

[nonvillainouscipher]

The trip itself is a bit unnerving; boats are something Niverian doesn't really encounter very much. And when they get to Hades' throne room, he can't help but feel relieved that Persephone isn't present.

He also hates to interrupt the king of the underworld while he's working, but he doesn't want to leave Lindsay to suffer any longer than is strictly necessary, and Hades might know more about why Lindsay was moved. So, he lets out a quiet, polite cough to let Hades know that he's got company.

[stealth_andsecrets]

"You are on my books, Guardian. Come forth." Hades replies to the polite cough. He closed the book to give Cipher Nine and Purple his full attention.

[nonvillainouscipher]

Niverian smiles a little, gives Hades a small bow at the waist, and takes several steps forward. "We're here about Lindsay MacDonald, my Lord," he says, in an entirely (and sincerely) amiable tone of voice. He doubts Hades had anything to do with Lindsay being moved; he's continued to brush up on Greek mythology, especially now that he's accepted the Guardian position he was offered, and Hades always came across in the stories as being one of the most responsible members of the Greek pantheon, continuing to see to his duties while his brothers neglected theirs. "I was wondering if you knew why he's been moved deeper into Tartarus."

((Sorry for the slow reply. Been feeling off-kilter for a few days. -_-))

[stealth_andsecrets]

"I received word that Lindsay MacDonald tried to escape his level. And worse of all, encourage the behaviour in others."

((no worries. I am on holidays at moms farm this week. So sporadic replies from me))

[nonvillainouscipher]

He frowns a little. "That's what I heard too. But the thing is, my Lord... Lindsay believes he belongs in Tartarus. So it seems a bit out of character for him to attempt an escape." He looks up at Hades with a very serious expression on his face. "I think you may have been misled."

((So noted!))

[stealth_andsecrets]

"In normal times, I would depend on my Guardian for the facts, and the truth of the situation. But as you are unavailable... I have to listen to what others have told me."

[nonvillainouscipher]

Niverian gives Hades an apologetic smile. "Unfortunately, you only have me part-time while I'm still breathing. But I can discover the truth of the situation now, since I'm here." He frowns in thought for a moment. "Who told you Lindsay had attempted to escape?"

[stealth_andsecrets]

"Of course, you are still the Guardian, and if you wish to discover the truth... such is your destiny."

"It was another who was serving time in the First Level."

[nonvillainouscipher]

"I came here to get to the bottom of this, and I intend to do so."

He nods a little at the information, then replies, "Then that person is a good place to start looking. May I speak to them?"

[stealth_andsecrets]

"Of course, it will be your future home, so please... go ahead." Hades has no troubles allowing Cipher Nine access to any of the levels.

"His name was Graeme MacDougall."

[nonvillainouscipher]

Cipher Nine gives Hades a bow of his head in thanks. "Duly noted." By now he knows how things here in the Underworld work, and that they'll find Graeme MacDougall soon after speaking his name. "I will keep you apprised, my Lord." He turns back to Purple (and Winston, if he's still with them), and says, "Let's go find Graeme MacDougall, shall we?"

[stealth_andsecrets]

"I must keep my post here, for your return trip," Winston politely declined the offer.

But Anastasia was more than willing to help solve the mystery.

[nonvillainouscipher]

Niverian nods. "Alright. See you when we get back, then." He takes Ana's hand and starts heading for the nearest exit, so they can begin looking for their quarry.

[stealth_andsecrets]

They make their way towards the First Level, first having to go through the Elysian Fields and Limbo itself. Strange as it is, everything seems so familiar to Anastasia, now they have been there three times.

"Do you think we will find a real person?"

[nonvillainouscipher]

It's starting to feel very familiar to Niverian as well, but he supposes it's only appropriate. As Hades said, this will be his home one day. "I'm not sure," he answers with a small shrug. "I don't have enough information yet. If we do find a real person, I'm fairly sure he'll turn out to be someone else's stooge. But even if we don't, it'll still be a pretty strong indicator of what's really going on. Trying to conceal your identity like that could be considered consciousness of guilt." He pauses and smiles a little. "Well. Unless you're someone who works in espionage."

[stealth_andsecrets]

"I hope we can help Lindsay."

[nonvillainouscipher]

"So do I," he answers quietly, taking her hand again and squeezing gently.