Audio | UN: presage - An Offer

[albatrossomen]

With our situation here having grown more dire with Mindseye making itself known and our rather unwilling trip to the Infernal realm Xanadu I thought perhaps we could all use some recreational options. With that in mind I have procured a video game system from the space station with intent to set up a communal space for such things.

I have also taken the liberty of sifting through Mammon's hoard for similar items of entertainment. By the way if any newcomers have found their cabins lacking in soaps and towels, those items have been placed in the kitchen for easy retrieval.

Back to the topic at hand: I require assistance in setting up such a place. One of the many lounges would work for space, but I am wholly unfamiliar with the specifics of this kind of technology. For the benefit of all aboard I am asking for any willing to lend a hand, or other luxuries, to the cause.

These trips between worlds do get so long and boring.

Comments

text; un: 42069

[smokingguns]

I've got the knowhow to knock your socks off with an entertainment room but uh... what's the catch?

text | UN: presage

[albatrossomen]

While I expect you will find this unlikely: No catch. Beyond maintaining the courtesy expected of public spaces.

We are enduring enough trouble given our current situation without attaching strings, do you not agree?

[smokingguns]

Yeah I'll find it unlikely. I'll still help but I'll wait for the other shoe to drop when it drops.

No, not really. We seem to all have a way of having something to combat another something. Haven't died yet so it's all pretty good.

[albatrossomen]

As you will.

I imagine the tides are soon to shift, now that we have Mindseye's attention.

[smokingguns]

Thanks, Dad. I'll make sure to keep my light on and my ass out of my blankets for when the big bad guy comes. You realize if we're all going to die we're going to die right? There's no changing when we die, but go off I guess.

[albatrossomen]

[Ah, humans. Never change.]

Oh I am most certainly no Father. However, if you are disinterested in practicing any effort toward self preservation far be it for me to stop you.

I do find that mortal tendency highly amusing.

Regardless, that is not the purpose of this discussion. You will lend a hand?

[smokingguns]

[If he tried to change, it'd probably be his socks. Also nope. Dad now. Deal with it.]

Right...... That really makes the possibility of being alone in a room with you when you say it all creepy like that, Dad.

I'll help you but so help me God if you eat my entrails I'm going to be pissed.

[albatrossomen]

[Oh he's going to hate that so much. Just because he's more than old enough doesn't make him your dad, Matt!]

Your entrails? Goodness no. Everyone knows the best part is the heart.

[smokingguns]

[Too bad. It must suck to be responsible father, Father.]

It's cold as ice and broken twice, you might want to stick with the gooier parts. See I'm saying this but I know I should feel like deep down I shouldn't joke. One of these days it'll get my entrails eaten.

When do you want my magic hands?

[albatrossomen]

[You can't put this responsibility on him he's not ready to be a dad!]

What a delightful little poem, thank you for that. In return I shall allow you to keep your delicious innards for a time longer.

Whenever you are willing to lend them, I am in no particular hurry.

[smokingguns]

[That must truly suck. Sorry for the shit son, but this is the one he gets.]

It's a song lyric but you can compliment me more along with allowing me to live.

Sure, just contact me. You know how to get me but if I don't answer give me like an hour before you call the cops.

[albatrossomen]

[He's dealt with difficult humans before, this will hardly be different. It's just really weird this one wants to call him dad. You're strange. Humans are strange.]

Of course. I do favor a good bit of music.

[Angel etc.]

If I'm concerned that you've disappeared I'll ask Julia to find you. She's far more effective than police.

I'll be in contact.

[smokingguns]

[This one is just as weird as any else, for sure.]

You'll have to tell me what kind when we're setting that system up.

[But as for someone finding him.]

I dunno who that is. I know we're joking but don't send someone to find me, that'll activate my fight or fight. I do mean fight or fight. Just hit my DMs tell me where you want me and I'll be there as close to the time as I can.

[imarealistnotacynic]

"Video Games"

Richard looks like he hasn't slept. He's dreamed - terrible dreams. The sort of nightmares that would come out of a horror movie but being in the angel's presence is sort of comforting so here he is, looking grumpy. Looking upset.

"They are ridiculous."

[albatrossomen]

Ah! He was wondering when the surly skeptic might brave another interaction. Murmur hasn't been particularly difficult to find, blinding as he likely is to the psychic. The man looks... exactly as one would expect.

"Perhaps," Murmur dismisses. "Yet there are those that find value in them still. Besides, boredom breeds destructive habits. There is no harm in finding distraction during these long trips." They might even learn how to cooperate, and share! It would be beneficial to them all. Heck maybe even Richard might learn to loosen up.

"You look terrible." He offers helpfully.

[imarealistnotacynic]

Richard presses a hand to his temple, "I have not been sleeping...well." Plagued by nightmares, it hurts, "If you're expecting people to turn to alcohol or drugs I suppose that would be a good reason. Or we could play board games or cards."

He doesn't particularly like video games, "How about some board games for us old fogeys."

[albatrossomen]

Yes, he can tell, he just also knows it's invasive to volunteer already being aware. "That has been going around, unfortunately. I could assist, should you so desire." And it isn't even particularly invasive to do! Alex can confirm 10/10 service in nightmare elimination. "They have already begun to turn to that. While I have no particular opinion on such matters, contrary to what some may believe, those habits do pose a threat both to physical well being and situational awareness. I would foster something more communal instead."

Communist angel at your service. Although he does brighten. "A delightful suggestion! Would you be willing to contribute to the cause? I have located a lounge that appears to have been recently emptied that I believe would be suitable to our needs." It's the one Simon trashed fighting the goose. All cleaned up now, but pretty empty. "I also believe there was at least one deck of playing cards in Mammon's hoard to contribute."

[imarealistnotacynic]

"I hosted a poker night when I was in college." He presses his lips together and crosses his arms. Then his lips tilt up into a smirk, "Assist with my nightmares using what? Some sort of angelic ability?"

Being around him is removing his headache and he's not about to piss the other angel off. Leaning against the wall he lowers his gaze.

"What would that entail?"

[albatrossomen]

"I expect there are a fair few here who would appreciate a fair game," One not horribly rigged by the demon of Greed. No offense, Mammon. "Yes," A simple enough answer, he's just glad Richard isn't screaming at him that he's obviously lying and messing with him anymore. That was tiresome.

"You have to ask." There are rules. And with that tidbit, it might just hint at some of the why they aren't more apparent.

[imarealistnotacynic]

"What you want me to beg?" The words are snapped, "No. wait I'm sorry I didn't understand. Being around you is helping with my headache so I'll beg."

He doesn't look good. Sweat is pouring down his collar and he looks haggard, like he's lost weight. He's haunted by bad dreams, including a recent one of locks and metal parts driven into flesh. Then sorrow. It's a rotation of pain and he keeps hearing Alex scream throughout all of it which bothers him the most.

"...Just make it stop."

[albatrossomen]

He doesn't look offended, indeed he almost looks sympathetic, if baffled, by the reaction. "No, begging is hardly necessary. I simply require a direct request, I cannot interfere without it."

Alex had used that information to guess what he was, she's a sharp one.

That plea seems to count enough for a request. Murmur simply nods, then quietly clasps his hands together in silent prayer. It isn't flashy, there are no horns or songs or brilliant lights, simply a lessening of that oppressive pressure. A feeling of lightness, and peace. Gentle, but distinctive enough to understand that something had happened.

When he finished he dropped his hands to regard Richard curiously. It'll be more effort to maintain for this one. "Better?"

[imarealistnotacynic]

It's unintentional that a few tears spill, Richard's nerves and anxiety are temporarily gone. He inhales once, then twice, then nods.

It's not gone. It's not wholly gone, it's just muted. Like there's TV fuzz and of course he can't make it go away. Perhaps I deserve that. The pain isn't there and that's what matters.

"That felt very good. Thank you." He inhales, "I...I don't know what you did specifically but my concerns are gone. You didn't see anything from them did you?"

[albatrossomen]

Murmur will refrain from comment, humans were touchy on the subject of crying. Another thing Murmur never quite understood. Still, at least he was able to offer some reprieve.

He folds his arms, leaning back on one heel to utter a thoughtful sound as he considered how to answer that question. Or rather, what question was truly being asked of him. "I try not to make a habit of peering too deeply without permission. So, if you would like me to, again you must make the request. If it is of your burdens you would speak I am a willing listener. As to their alleviation..."

A faint, apologetic shrug. "Great is the burden of a mind and heart that sees beyond the surface. Greater the burden you carry." Even without looking too deep he can see that a darkness dwells within Strand. That he struggles with a hunger and anger he doesn't yet understand. It's not Murmur's place to interfere.

[imarealistnotacynic]

"I appreciate you not looking never the less. I have always tried to abide by Doctor patient confidentiality even if I'm not a practicing psychologist."

His features harden as he rubs at his temple, "...It was perhaps...a mistake to share things if it spread those secret things to others but I thought that it would help and Alex has been so interested."

He nods mutely, "And she...while she may not treat it with as much respect as it deserves she does make people feel better. I'm glad I did. She's very good at helping people."

[albatrossomen]

"While I am held to no mortal standards or agreements I do work by my own code, and the code most unbreakable is one's own." At least, that's how he sees it. There are likely some who would disagree, but who holds an angel to account but himself?

A faint shrug, as he has no strong opinion on the matter. "Would hiding it have changed the course of events? And if it did, would that change necessarily be in a more favorable direction? What if has always been the question that plagues us all. In the end, what's done is done. The most ideal path is to learn from what went wrong, and to endeavor to improve going forward."

He appears pleased. "She is a remarkable woman. Sharp and perceptive, though she doubts herself overmuch. Her ability to link together disparate pieces of information with remarkable accuracy is astonishingly impressive." Some, many, would accuse her of jumping to conclusions. Yet the point still stands: How often is Alex Regan wrong?