stealth_andsecrets | Where the Wicked go after Death

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Where the Wicked go after Death

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.

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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."

"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.

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."

Edited 2014-10-26 04:59 (UTC)

"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."

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?"

"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.

"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."

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."

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."

"I will have to consider the terms my wife suggested. It is unwise to have a Guardian who does not respect one of the rulers... now is it... Niverian?" Hades asked quietly.

"True," Cipher Nine admits, evenly and with a small smile, "but it can be equally unwise to have a subordinate who cannot be candid with their superior, who takes everything at face value, or who is too afraid to ask the right questions regardless of who they might anger in the process. There's a fine line between obedience and effectiveness—keep the subordinate on too tight a leash, and you defeat the purpose of having them in the first place, at least for this kind of position. In the end, it depends on whether you're looking for someone who gets results, even if they start a few fights on the way, or a sycophant." He shrugs. "I have my issues with Persephone. But I can be professional with her, as I hope I demonstrated a few moments ago."

"You are free to be candid with me..." Hades shrugged. "I do want you as a Guardian... since you would be effective. And you would get results."

"But I can not be put between my desire to have you in my employ... and my desire to make my wife happy."

"What are your issues with my wife?"

He pauses to consider his wording for a moment. Even when given permission to be candid, he still does his best to be polite. "She's overly capricious. Irrational at times. And there's the fact that, the first time we met, she tried to coerce me into cheating on the woman I love. As a result of that, even being around her makes me a little uncomfortable. However, it's nothing that can't be remedied by keeping my distance from her." He leaves his suspicions about her involvement in Lindsay's move out for the time being, as he doesn't have proof, and it's not the kind of allegation he should make lightly. Especially given that all said allegation amounts to at the moment is a strong hunch.

"Ah... well you have only interacted with her for the last few weeks. When she has been preparing for spring, and her departure from the Underworld."

"You must understand guardian... My Queen had periods of joy and unburdened happiness... while others she is sensitive and irrational. You will have to balance those moods, if you choose to represent us."

"She will be better when she returns from her Mother's Land."

Hades then closed his eyes to the second statement. "She only tested you... as is her way. If you had failed in proving your love, you would have not been allowed to pass from her garden. She has no intentions on you... no more than you had intentions on the women you had coerced during your duties with Imperial Intelligence. You need to let it go. As a Guardian, you will need to report to me as well as her... and distance is not an option you will have."

"I didn't mean I don't want to talk to her at all," Niverian clarifies evenly, "just that I'd prefer not to be too close to her when I do. But I see your point, my Lord, and it won't be a problem. Like I said, I can be professional."

"Good. I would hate to lose you as a Guardian."

"Lindsay will be moved shortly. If you head to the Fourth Circle, you should find him there. He will be able to speak to you."

Cipher Nine bows his head again in appreciation. "Thank you, my Lord." He turns to Purple and his parents. "Back to Tartarus, I suppose."

"The Fourth Circle won't be hard to endure, will it?" Purple asks, still a little upset about the Ninth Circle.

"No, my dear... it won't." Hades answers, before turning back to his work.

Niverian smiles a little, also relieved to hear that the fourth circle won't be as difficult to endure. His parents, meanwhile, turn and start out of the throne room, back towards Tartarus. "This way," Lorvia says with a small smile, gesturing for them to follower her and Nalresan.

Purple walks quietly for a moment, and gently takes Niverian's hand in hers. "You okay?"

Niverian looks over at her, smiles, and squeezes her fingers, before lifting her hand and gently kissing the back of it. "I'm fine... Nerves are still a little jangled from Persephone's temper tantrum back there, but other than that, I'm okay." He laces their fingers and adds, "How are you holding up, dearest?"

"She did ask some valid questions... do you think it would help, interviewing other people who might have a reason to put Lindsay in a difficult situation?"

"I just wish... this was easier."

"That's certainly something we should ask Lindsay about," he agrees with a quiet sigh. "Whether there's anyone else who might want to set him up for something like this..."

"I know it's hard, too. Maybe, once we've figured this whole thing out, we can just... take some 'us' time. De-stress a little, together." He smiles over at her and squeezes her hand again. "How does that sound?"

"You sure you want to wait until we figure it out? It might not be case closed right after we speak to Lindsay..."

Niverian laughs a little. "Good point. When we're done here, then?"

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