personavelvetroomdr | [OPEN] + [NETWORK] Be Not Afraid...

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[OPEN] + [NETWORK] Be Not Afraid...

"Most curious..."

Philemon's Servant elucidated the nature of the place she now stood in; a nexus between dreams and reality, mind and matter who's surroundings changed shape to accommodate those who passed through. She was sure she wouldn't even be allowed to enter such a place, seeing as she lost her Wild Card status when Yaldabaoth forced divinity on her, but the Velvet Room's Master seemed to think otherwise, explaining that even non-Wild Card users even found themselves here.

It was easier to accept this than most others would think. But she was now a Messenger without a message to convey, and no desire to do so again for no-one but herself. She was Zadkiel, patron of Mercy and Forgiveness, but she was also still Gogo Akechi, someone who valued free-will and found irony in her new station. And that had only gotten stronger, despite her changes.

So, she decided to exercise the right of all those under heaven, and explore this pocket of between-reality.

[OPTION 1]

You stumble across a most curious sight; a woman, clad in silks and gold armor, and a massive pair of white wings. Despite how much this person stands out, it seems like none of the cognitive patrons think it's strange. She is a stoic monolith, and she's...listening to the music of Jazz Jin, sipping a rainbow coloured mocktail. A mundane action, contrasted by her appearance, and the chipped, broken spear she has leaned against the chair next to her.

Do you approach?

[OPTION 2 - Network]

A message one day appears on the Network;

{I wish to introduce myself to the Sons of Adam, Daughters of Eve and Children of God that have come to know this place; I am Zadkiel, and I preside over Forgiveness and Mercy. But I was not always so. I was once the Daughter of Eve known as Gogo Akechi. We fell under the sway of Yaldabaoth, who forced divinity on us, and if were not for Joker and his rebellious thieves granting mercy on me themselves, I would have died for certain.}

{I understand that various other Akechis have appeared here. I go by either Gogo Akechi, or Zadkiel, as both are true of me. That said, I know there is already a Gogo Akechi here, so it makes more sense to refer to me as the latter. Be not afraid to ask any questions of me.}

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Ann draws up short in the club's doorway, staring for multiple reasons. One of which: she's beautiful.

There's also the fact that she didn't expect to see an angel here. This isn't her first angel, even if she's somewhat less intimidating than the mechanical one - but still, not exactly usual by the rest of the Velvet Room's standards.

Depending on how sensitive Zadkiel is to these things, she might note that the fire burning in Ann's veins (mostly metaphorical) is the result of direct contact with a version of Yaldabaoth, rather than the more-standard inner rebellion achieved by her own merit. It's a very new thing, comparatively speaking, and tempered by Ann's utter devotion to the person who put her in contact with the angel.

She could feel the divine heat of whoever approached her before she even turned around to acknowledge who they were. Her expression only grew more grim when she realized that it was Ann, not the person that she knew as both Gogo and Zadkiel, but Ann all the same. It was disconcerting in a way that spoke to the part of her that was still human, the parts of herself that struggled with at once being a messenger for a deity and her human desire for free-will in all things, even the most sinful.

She wondered if that same war was raging within this Ann Takamaki.

"You do not have to stare so passionately, Takamaki, without at least greeting me."

"Oh! I'm sorry, I just... I'm sorry." Ann's blushing, but that's entirely because she deserved to be called out for that.

"I didn't expect to see an angel here."

"I did not expect to be here, either. It seems, despite my new station, I'm still the same Daughter of Eve I always was."

Still, even Zadkiel would be hard-pressed to admit that she found Ann's attention and reactions endearing. But the other didn't quite need to know that...yet.

"But I called you by your family name, without giving my own. I am Gogo Akechi. I am also, Zadkiel, Angel of Forgiveness and Mercy, once servant of the...exalted Yaldabaoth."

Huh... She didn't know she was still capable of sarcasm. Strange...

"Well, it's nice to meet you. D'you have a... preference which name people use, or..." She is, or used to be, an Akechi, which might explain how she knew Ann's name already, if she's following the usual patterns of things around here right.

"...Yaldabaoth. Is that the mechanical angel?"

"Seeing as there is already a Gogo Akechi here, Zadkiel would be most convinient."

The fact that she knew the form that Yaldaboath took when he was not disguising himself as the Master of the Velvet Room, but not the former's name, said a lot about how this Ann was approached, and how the deity wished to manipulate her.

"Yes, that is who I am referring to. It's is one of the forms he takes, and the awe it inspires is very potent. And, he is no mere Angel. He presided over the concept of Control, and was quite good at excercising it."

Zadkiel leaned her hand on her chin, resting the elbow on the table., another human habit that ever quite went away.

"I did not become his Servant willingly, after all.."

"Zadkiel it is, then."

Ann nods at the explanation; it tallies with what she experienced, with what Akira said happened to them. "I didn't get a name, and I don't think Akira did either. I got asked if I wanted to take control of my life back, and obviously I did. Neither of us trust that thing as far as we could throw it, but... it's not like there were good options left to either of us."

Or to Ryuji or Haru, if they end up getting in on it. She doesn't see why they wouldn't, though.

"I'm sorry you weren't given a choice."

"That's...good."

No matter the universe, the flame of rebellion raged in her. So be it, if she never trusted the being to begin with.

"Yaldabaoth is the divine manifestation of humanity's desire for safety and control, warden of a jail that they would willingly throw themselves into if it meant they would survive. But such a devotion to his ideals has created a blind spot..."

Zadkiel's expression hardened.

"He does not suffer those who would refuse his 'care', his 'gift'. In my world, when I was still wholly Gogo Akechi, I was his chosen pawn in a game of fate he played with the Master of the Velvet Room. And when I was swept away from the board, the God didn't want to lose such a piece quite yet..."

She let the implication hang in the air...

"So as long as it thinks we're still on board, we have wiggle room. Good to know." That'll be easy enough. The angel's work is nothing Ann minds doing, as such - not when it shuts down people like Kamoshida. Not when it gave her the power to reclaim her own control.

"Probably plans on throwing us away once it has what it wants from us. Well, two can play at that game."

"It's a good thing no incarnation of him has power over, nor access to, this realm of existence."

She caught herself smiling, and brought a hand to her lips. It was slight, but it was there.

Again, she was still the Daughter of Eve she always was, drawn to powerful, intense women, and it seemed this version of Ann was no exception. she placed her hand back down on the table, shifting subtly closer to the other.

"I have faith that you will triumph over him. Yaldaboath very much underestimates himself in comparison to the human spirit, and if you're anything like the Takamaki I know, you burn brightest of all~"

"No kidding." It's useful to learn a few more things about what she might be up against, but the angel taking that information and using it in turn? That... that would be Bad.

Ann can't help but smile at the compliment, even as she blushes a little. "Well, I do try."

She laughed, small but genuine, mirth creasing her eyes ever so slightly.

"I think I've spent enough time on my own here. I would like to explore this plane with someone who has been here longer."

She leaned forward an inch.

"Please...would you accompany me?"

"I mean, I haven't been here that long myself, but absolutely." Maybe they'll find something interesting together.

And even if they don't, Ann's weak to pretty girls wanting to spend time with her, and Zadkiel is very much that.

A hole appeared in space, a gash in the air that widened into a circle, ringed with a corona of violet magic- and through it stepped- what for lack of any other word, was a demon.

His Royal Highness, the Prince Goro, son of Stolas of the Ars Goetia surveyed his demesne with a contemplative air, and without apparently noticing the angelic audience, turned his attention to the libations on offer.

He bore a not insignificant amount of demonic magic within him, and what was worse, the angelic mark of what could, to the trained observer, only be The Adversary. The blood of angels, too, stained his metaphorical hands, if one were possessed of the clairvoyance necessary to detect it. Toward what foul purpose this beacon of Infernal power could be working was, as of yet, a mystery.

"Cinderella and a program for whatever's performing tonight, please and thank you."

The voice of Goetic Royalty, lacking utterly in imperious venom, managed instead to convey the sort of quiet exhaustion that suggested its owner had no plans more nefarious than a quiet drink and some music for the evening, a feat of acting prowess which surely had to have deceived many an innocent. The truth lay in action. Watch closely how insidiously the enemy slouched onto a stool at the bar. Examine with care the way he contrived to rest the icy vessel of the complementary water against one temple, giving the affectation of one nursing a headache.

"Mind if I order takeout, of course you don't, you never do, Muhen would, but you're not him."

... Or perhaps His Highness really was merely tired and desirous of a quiet evening.

She felt the diabolical presence enter the club before she even physically saw who it was that entered. She looked out of the corner of her eye, noting the avian-looking creature that, like her, also did not register as strange to the cognitive patrons.

Oh, he definitely looked unassuming; everything they did, from how they ordered their drink, to how they put on the affectation of an exhausted bar-goer gave this impression. But she'd been an Angel long enough to know that most Fallen Angels or Demons did not entertain coincidences or lucky guesses. He appeared in an area that her human self would frequent, but only when she was an Angel. And the forever war between Diabolical and Divine seemed to stretch into eternity. Zadkiel no longer wanted any part of that, but she had no faith that this Demon also felt similarly.

So, without hesitation, she picked up her Broken Spear and lobbed it directly at them. It was not her Holy Spear; it would not do permanent damage, but it would make a clear statement...

There was no real preternatural awareness or sixth sense- just an awareness of rapid movement that drew his attention back and a blur of motion that screamed weapon, WEAPON, SPEAR FLYING AT TORSO-

He dove. It caught his shoulder rather than his chest, and a spray of black blood accompanied its impact in the unsuspecting cognition behind him.

It didn't burn like angelic steel, and that was a blessing, for lack of a better word- but he caught a glimpse of golden hair and white wings-

And that was enough.

He took the moment to roll behind the counter, dipped his fingers in the wound and called out. Invite conversation. Goad them. Get the self-righteous pricks talking and they'd give you room enough to prepare. "You know, it's the damnedest thing, I've been wondering for the better part of a year now why there wasn't backlash! Some kind of retaliation! But I never expected to run into it here! What's the story, I'm dying to know- dimensional analogue that got suckered into Yaldabaoth's game? Disgraced Exterminator out for blood? I'd be really interested to know if that was the case, incidentally, since that'd mean you followed me here- or did you not see the sign on the board and this is just another case of 'shoot the big scary demon bird because clearly-"

"ORDERING A FUCKING MOCKTAIL IS A KILLING OFFENSE, YOU INSANE BITCH-"

"I care little about what libations you consume, Demon, just that you are putting on such a show, in my presence, when I was here doing the same thing."

The Demon was oddly verbose and sarcastic for such a powerful figure. With a flick of her wrist, she summoned the Broken Spear back to her hand, which would have reminded her past self of Space Wars, and grasped it firmly, pointing it in the other's direction: a threat, and a defence, all at once.

"Please, do not mock me by insinuating that I'd willingly do that odious deity's bidding any longer. I know he was not above even using the Demons he hated to rat out traitors. All good causes need malefactors, after all..."

Still, there was...something familiar about this Demon. Or, more like, there felt like there was a commonality between the two of them. But that would not stop her from protecting herself.

"Everyone on either side is quite lustful for the forever war going on, and I just want to live peacefully. I do not know your intentions, so I made the most logical course of action. Until I know otherwise, that is what I will always do. Surely, you understand, right?"

He'd done it so many times, it was the work of a moment to scrawl the familiar symbol in blood, draw upon it.

Magic enough to give him a boost. He wasn't about to sit here like a damn duck, no matter what she said. Portal behind a pillar, prepare to move if necessary-

"Oh, no, it'd be terrible if I inadvertently insulted you, maybe I should throw a fucking spear at you instead!" He rolled through the portal and came out with pistol in hand, aimed squarely for center of mass. Standing his ground. "So, angel, you tell me. I, for one, don't particularly enjoy war. Tried it, won it, good people still died. But if some self-righteous bitch is going to come here and start shit up again, you had better believe that you're going to find out every possible meaning of the phrase 'Mad as Hell'. In short: up to you."

Edited 2025-04-11 02:28 (UTC)

"Hm..."

She was thrown for a loop; neither Yaldaboath's peons nor hell's minions would have kept the charade up for this long and it stayed her spear, even if only slightly. She drew it back to her side, making it clear that, at any point, it would be pointed at the demon again.

"I would say otherwise. I've had Yaldabaoth's servants eager to have Zadkiel, once the Daughter of Eve named Gogo Akechi, under his sway again. Not to mention, the demons that the God of Control has manipulated to harass me. Either that, or they can't resist doing in an Angel..."

"I will remind you," he replied icily, "That I came in here for a drink and some music." He lowered his pistol, though. See? Nice and reasonable, you put down your spear and I'll put down my gun and we'll pretend to be nice and civilized until you do something stupid because I've worked too goddamn hard to overcome my worst instincts and I'm not about to disappoint any number of about a hundred people who all seem to think, against all evidence to the contrary, that I- am a good person.

Those had been his thoughts. Along the way, they passed the filter of his brain, and instead what was given voice was:

"Zadkiel. Alright. Goro of the Ars Goetia. Nice to meet you, which is of course a bare-faced lie, but be careful with names around here, because they have power, and there's fae who live here. For convenience, I'll answer to Phoenix, and oh yes- I am not interested in doing any god's bidding, let alone Yaldabaoth's. You could have asked."

"Ah...A Goro..."

Well, that most certainly explained her odd sense of association; this was another version of Akechi, like her: male, this time, and a demon to boot. Not to mention, if the rules of the Fae were real here, despite being fiction in her world, then she just gave him both of her names. She let out an unangelic-sounding expletive, dismissing her Broken Spear. She crossed her arms, glaring at the other.

"...and I all but guaranteed my undoing by giving you both of my names. It would be idiotic of me try and attack you further."

She was a fool, in more ways than one. History was wont to repeat itself, even here in the Velvet Room...

"I shan't apologise, as I believe I explained myself and my situation. But you have my word that I will not try to kill you again. I will also acknowledge my foolishness..."

Shan't, he noted. Oh, that was a word with noblesse and no small amount of accompanying oblige. Oh, and the complete lack of apology, that was noteworthy too, oh, a bit of foolishness, well, you couldn't blame a woman for a bit of foolishness, just a minor indiscretion, really, what a fucking load of-

He drew in a breath. Held it, for a moment. And let it out. "How gracious of you. Truly, your generosity puts we lowly denizens of the lower planes in such a poor light. Now excuse me while I patch up my fucking shoulder and maybe find somewhere else to relax."

A twitch of an eye, and she let out a huff, decidedly at odds with the front she put up. But there was no need to keep it up any longer, especially when she knew this was another Akechi. A version of the Ars Goetia variety, but an Akechi nonetheless. And she was not about to suffer his posturing without saying anything about it.

"Oh, come the fuck on, you bird brain! I don't expect forgiveness, but I at least expect a distinct lack of hypocrisy!"

And there she was, a hand held on her hip, like she wasn't clad in angelic silks, like divine wings didn't sprout from her back.

Like she was a Daughter of Eve...

"Whatever... Leave. Like you wouldn't do the same in my situation. Ponder that while you fuck off and whine about it..."

She too, was an Akechi...

Edited 2025-04-22 21:20 (UTC)

"The same in your situation..."

It crept in like ice in his veins, the urge to don the hated and familiar mask, the smile that had so often been both sword and shield. He let it take him, let that poisonous honey coat his voice, knowing full well that she- being what she was- would recognize it. Because...

Because if he didn't. Then he was going to throttle her, with her wings and her stupid silks and her golden fucking hair- No. If he did that, then it'd be war. War in the Velvet Room, and everyone would be dragged in again. Because of him. He'd rather have pissed on his mother's grave. So instead- he smiled. "Point of order, Zadkiel, removing myself from a situation that's likely to inspire me to breathtaking violence is, in fact, exactly what you... didn't! Do. But it's alright. I forgive you. I'm probably going to vent a little bit to some of my friends, but that's natural and healthy, and after today, well. This... minor altercation isn't going to bother me at all. You're the one who's going to have to decide if it bothers you at all that you couldn't manage an apology for attempted murder. Would that have helped? I'm not sure. But I hear tell on very good authority that it starts... with 'sorry'."

He bowed, respectfully, opening a portal and backing through it. "Enjoy your evening~"

The portal closed.

Edited 2025-04-22 23:56 (UTC)

arsene can thrust his divinity on you anytimw

[ Ren's a little loopy from his pain meds. ]

Wow...new person is pretty...

Akechi Gogo/Zadkiel now has a very small boy staring up at her with very large eyes.

"...Hm?"

A child was looking up at her, his gaze innocent and curious. She was sure she had no memories of Gogo or Zadkiel being looked at with such genuine thought, so the unfamiliarity was almost disconcerting. But this was still a child, and she had no intention of impressing the jaded cynicism of her Gogo!Self or the desire of her Zadkiel!Self to grant unasked-for care.

"Be not afraid to speak, Little One. I shant harm you..."

"You are beautiful."

A hand goes up to his mouth in shock. That's the best he's ever spoken!! It doesn't sound slurred or bad at all!! Beautiful lady with magic speaking powers...wow...

"Why, thank you, Little One~"

From the mouths of babes indeed. She'd never had an opportunity to see this ability of divine beings to grant others a voice. Perhaps it was because the Angels, from the highest Seraphim, to the lowest ranks, were Messengers at their core, and it didn't matter who needed the message sent, or heard. It was surprising...and in a genuinely good way. She smiled, ensuring she put her Broken Spear out of the way, so he would not reach it.

"I am Zadkiel. I am also Gogo Akechi, if you prefer to call me that. What's your name?"

"I'm Aki-chan...you're beautiful."

His message is that Zadkiel-sama is beautiful.

"My mouth is usually much worse than this...thank you!"

Edited 2025-04-10 03:27 (UTC)

"Please, do not give me the most credit here, I just allowed you to talk, if you wanted to. That effort is all yours, Aki."

She had only just met this child, but he seemed to have an almost preternatural ability to endear someone to him instantly. And without any supernatural, divine, or even diabolical help. Her past self would have envied this...

"Your kind words are most appreciated. I'm sure just a place like this would be boring to someone like you, so if you want to do something else, anywhere else, I would happily oblige."

Cautiously, he reaches out for Angel-sama's hand. "Where do you get your clothes, Angel-sama? Can I have them? Ooh, ooh!! Can we go home? I wanna show my friends my new speaking!!"

Edited 2025-04-13 18:05 (UTC)

She let the child touch the silken part of her clothes. They were a part of her, given when she was turned into an Angel, but it was the first time someone had complimented it so...endearingly.

"I would be most delighted, Aki-chan. If your friends would have me..."

She stood up, willing away her Spear, and held her hand toward the child.

"I will let you take lead, Little One~"

"Oh! I should text them...I live in 'Naba with Crow and Joker and Goro-kun and uhm Raven and Ren..." His hand feels tingly in hers! It feels like he's holding a beam of sunshine. "Do angels have phones, Angel-sama?"

Edited 2025-04-15 03:32 (UTC)

"I still have my phone from when I was human, so yes."

In an all-too-human form of showmanship, she clicked her fingers, her old smartphone appearing in her hand.

"See? They can contact me from the Network~"

Wow!!! So cool!!! Aki-chan bounces in place one (1) time. "So cool...I'll text Crow-san right away!"

A few moments later, and the text comes through loud and clear! "Crow-san says yes!"

Edited 2025-04-15 14:58 (UTC)

The Little One's excitement was infectious. She subtly squeezed her fingers against the child's hand as she held it.

"Then lead the way, Aki-kun."

Apart from that, she was rather curious about the 'Crow' this child referred to, reasoning that it was most likely another version of her, of a different gender.

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[OPEN] + [NETWORK] Be Not Afraid...

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[ option 2 - private - forward to p4kechi ]

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