hadriel | text; (backdated to the 19th)

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text; (backdated to the 19th)

[ As if the flying monkeys weren't bad enough, Margo had disappeared. He'd spent days searching for his girlfriend with no sign of her. Seth wasn't sure if it'd been the damn monkeys or something else at play. He regretted separating from her and not having gone to Leo for help sooner. Or the network.

Seth wasn't giving his roommate a lot of grief under the circumstances. Leo had his own hell to fight with, being hungry and not able to eat. Seth couldn't talk. Literally. He couldn't make a sound. It was past laryngitis or being hoarse. Almost like a heavy reminder of where the trio had come from. The only positive side about it all was having gotten really good at texting.

Waking up was slow and disorienting in Hadriel. He cleared his throat, finding the task difficult. He smacked his lips and yawned. Another attempt to clear his throat and it was clear he still had no voice. Margo's things were around but still no sign of her. Seth rubbed at his face and sent out a message... ]

anybody out there run into a woman in her mid 20s? Kind of petite, a little over 5ft with an hour glass shape. Dark hair. Dark eyes. Goes by the name Margo or nickname Bambi. She knows magic. 

Id send a pic but not sure how to do that on here

Anyone have any suggestions, Id return the favor somehow

Shes my girlfriend and shes been gone a few days. Basically just before I woke up unable to talk. 

I figure if I woke up like this, she might be in worse trouble

Im Seth aka Clyde to Margo's Bonnie

[ He hated asking anyone for help but it was the only thing left that he didn't do. Seth laid in bed, wondering if Leo would knock on the door or respond with any news. Or anyone had any words of wisdom. ]

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Where are you?

[ Because that's all that matters right now. Her exploration is long forgotten when she reads this. Margo can easily stuff at that happened to her into a nutshell after she gets a chance to wrap her arms around Seth and give him a kiss. That's all she wants now that she's out of the caves. That and a shower. ]

I'll tell you everything, just... Tell me where you are.

Im home. Just woke up. Baby where the hell r u???

[ Like hell he'd just wait for her to get home. Seth shot up out of bed and scrambled to get his clothes on. He kept an eye on the device as he did.

I went for a walk
Found these caves
couldn’t get out

[ The walk had been pretty disorienting, actually, and Margo still doesn’t know where she is or where she went wrong. This is a case where breadcrumbs or something similar would have been extremely helpful.

best guess is north of town?

[ There’s a pause as she thinks something over. ]

I could send a bat signal
I mean obviously not a bat signal, but something so you’d know where I was.

do that but let me get outside first

Can you switch this to video until then? I need to see you

[ Seth scrambled between sending replies. He was frantic which didn't happen often. All the loss (change of worlds, Margo, his voice) in the span of days had his stress level at the breaking point. ]

[ Just like that, Margo switched to video feed with typed captions. She looked a little sad, but more like she was holding in a lot of anger. Whoever ran this place had seen fit to strip her of her sense of hearing and she’d never liked gods all that much to begin with, anyway. ]

If you’re looking for conversation, I won’t hear a word you’re saying. Whoever runs this shithole made me deaf.

[ She licks her lips and sighs, a noise unheard by her. Margo shakes her head and after a moment she smiles, albeit a sad sort of smile. ]

You were looking for me?

Edited 2018-05-22 04:23 (UTC)

[ His mouth formed 'you gotta be fuckin' kidding me' and he sported an angry countenance. By the time she switched to video, he was in pants, socks and shoes with a tank top that he'd been sleeping in along with his pair of boxers. Seth had slid his arms into a shirt when Margo appeared on the screen.

He thought he'd hear her voice but she opted to text. Seth grabbed up the device once each arm was in a sleeve. ]

Dont we make a pair. I cant talk. Cant make a sound actually. 

Been hearing the kid's sass since it happened. Only mentioned today that you've been missing. He's been busy trying not to die. Can't seem to eat here.

[ Seth set the device down and worked on his shirt while Margo digested what he'd informed her of. ]

[ She frowns. What is this that they’re being put through? It was absolutely awful, like they were being toyed with or something, and there was definitely some scheming behind doing what they did to the three living in Margo’s house. Margo couldn’t talk to Seth. Seth couldn’t be heard by Margo. They were both bound to frustrate Leo like crazy. Finally, she spoke, if only to give Seth the opportunity to hear her again. ]

We’ll get through this, babe.

[ Her frown turns into what it meant to be a hopeful smile, but Margo isn’t the best at comforting and if anyone is good at seeing through her, it Seth. ]

It can’t be forever, right?

[ Margo was many things but motivational speaker wasn't high on the list of reasons Seth fell for her. Loyalty and dedication were the ways she tended to show support. Like her attempt to talk to him.

He couldn't help arch a brow slightly at her voice. It was easy for him to tell that Margo couldn't hear herself. His look wasn't critical or disappointed. Seth was appreciative for the gesture yet concerned that his girlfriend was going through this. He gave her a nod. ]

At least I don't have to worry about you fallin' for Leo's serenade.

[ Given that their roommate hadn't eaten in close to a week, the thought was something of a genuine concern. ]

How about that signal?

[ Seth was out of the house and heading in the direction she initially indicated. He hoped she could speed up the process somehow. Margo might've wanted a shower but the dark circles under his eyes showed what he needed. ]

[ She smiles not really knowing the severity of the situation. Margo has never seen Leo hungry. The only memory she has of fearing him is when he introduced himself on the networks in Reims and that was, she had convinced herself, completely irrational. He was practically family by now. He wouldn’t try to do anything to her or Seth.

…Would he? ]

Got it.

Margo sighs and makes a series of movements with her hands, breathing in deeply and closing her eyes. The last thing she wants to do is fuck anything up when she’s counting on a rescue right now. She hates the word ‘rescue’. It seems so girly. It’s very appropriate, though, so, fuck it, she’ll use it.

A beam of light, very much like the bat signal, shoots up from the ground Margo stands on and seems to pierce the very clouds above her. She smiles slightly, satisfied but also tired. Her eyes go back to her device. ]

Good enough?

He looked up when she went to work and his eyes --for lack of a better word-- lit up at the signal Margo created. Seth gave a simple nod then charged in the direction. No more texting and wasting time. He couldn't talk but it didn't matter since she couldn't hear. Only her voice could keep him company if she chose to continue talking.

It wasn't long yet felt like an eternity before finally finding Margo. Seth charged toward her, picking her up in an embrace and swinging her from side to side a couple of times before setting her back on her feet. He mouthed, 'Are you okay?' in an effort to refrain from having to pull back and use his device.

She held onto him perhaps a second or two longer than was necessary. Margo had never really been a sentimental person before, but all of this jumping from world to world was wearing on her. With each jump came the fear that she had jumped alone, that she had left Seth in the last terrible world and moved on to another awful place on her own. Of course she could survive, but could she really live? It had felt like he’d become her other half, though she’d never said it out loud. She was sure that Seth didn’t know just how important he was to her.

She nodded to his question with a tiny smile. “I’m alright. No mysterious sound-eating or mind-controlling creeps, so far.” Margo didn’t say a word about it, but she was incredibly relieved that she could make sound even if the trade-off was living in complete silence.

“How ‘bout you? Been here long enough to find a skinnier version of me?” It was a joke. Margo wasn’t that insecure about their relationship.

Maybe she didn't say it but Seth had called her his better half on occasion. He was relatively sure that was one of the ways Leo referred to Margo as well. The sexy sorceress might have considered it in jest with how it was said. If there was one thing the happy couple was equally lousy about, it was having heart to hearts.

Now there was a trio that was emotionally stunted.

Seth was the one a little more wordy than the two, particularly in conveying sentiment. He'd been that way since a kid. Not quite always ready with 'I love you' but trying to be with his brother what they lacked from their parents--someone who gave a shit in word and deed.

Uncle Eddie nurtured that trait in Seth rather than tear it down the way Ray Gecko had. Seth didn't know what Margo had experienced in her upbringing or even Leo in his, but they cared in their own ways. There was no question of that to him. He answered the question that Margo posed by clasping her face between his hands and kissing her. There were things a kiss could answer even better than words.

The initial connection was firm, deepening after a moment then dwindling into a few soft presses of lips before he pulled away. Seth relented and took out his device.

I left the ball & chain at home with a steak. Trying to see if maybe real food will help him at all. He'll be glad to see you but might not sound like it. Not eating has him PMSing

Margo’s parents hadn’t exactly smothered her with love. In fact, it was quite the opposite. They were high time professionals in Hollywood, rubbing elbows with stars more often than they’d tucked their own daughter into bed. It was no wonder Margo turned out to be a little cold, building up walls of her own. Seth had managed to effectively crash through several of those walls. Even if she hadn’t said it, she knew she felt something like love for him, but it wasn’t the easiest thing in the world to express. It was much easier to show. A kiss, a cuddle. These were things she snuck in without warning and she was sure they said what her words were lacking.

She relished every kiss and this one was no different. Margo’s mind worked in a funny way. Every time the two of them were apart for an extended period of time she worried that she would never see him again. It wasn’t as if it was an entirely implausible fear with the lives they lived or, as things were currently, the worlds they lived in. Reunions like this gave her a little shred of hope.

There was a scrunch of her nose as she read his words. Steak. Could Leo really be helped with steak? His sustenance of choice were sinners’ souls. That had to give them a reason to be afraid, even if Leo did seem to like them.

“Babe, I talked to him back in Reims and he basically told me that food tastes like ashes to him.” Her mouth twisted into a scowl. “You think we’re safe around him?”

Her concern wasn't wrong. Seth had an arm around her and motioned to start walking home. Once they began walking, he returned to type on his device.

Well he cant take souls here so unless they brought him here just to kill him--which theres easier ways of doing--figured its worth a try

He gave a shrug and returned a hand at the small of her back, the need to make sure she was still at his side. It wasn't as if Seth believed Margo had wanted to be lost or any of her absence was anything but involuntary. In fact, he wouldn't have been so close if he thought she had been the cause for their separation.

Seth was needy but would never appear desperate. There was a line he didn't cross. His old man made it so that neither Gecko would leave themselves vulnerable to someone who didn't give of themselves. Each might have been desperate for a connection but there had to be give and take. And more.

A sense of what neither had much of when boys; nurture, affection and support. It was why he started referring to Margo as Bonnie. She made her loyalty clear. Seth did the same.

“Shit,” She scowled. It was all she said, kind of like a blanket ‘shit’ for all of the weird things going on. Really, it was one of her favorite words. So appropriate for so many situations. The two of them had seemed to grow attached to Leo. While he’d just been a ~~hot~~ creepy monster type at first, he’d become someone Margo invited to dinner. She didn’t want a friend to starve to death.

As she walked with Seth, she nuzzled her head close to him. Margo was a strong woman. If it had come down to it, she knew she could have handled a place like this all on her own. Sure, she’d be lonely as hell, but she was a pretty good judge of her own strength. All that aside, having Seth and Leo here was not something she would take for granted. Margo planned on doing anything she had to to keep both of them safe from harm.

“Promise me you’ll stick around, ‘kay? I know neither of us can keep that promise in the end, but… Write out the words anyway.”

She tilted her head up to look at him with big brown eyes of her own, smiling only faintly. Margo needed a little reassurance. How many times would they hop worlds together before they got home? She supposed the question was actually how many times would they hop worlds together? It was entirely possible that one of these days they’d get separated and Bonnie would have to go on without her Clyde.

Her initial swear didn't stop him, Seth was used to her language often matching his. Margo was taking in what he said--wrote. He kept walking until what she uttered next. The words made him halter his step and look at her.

She was alone when they first met. It wasn't a conversation had, it was simple deduction. She readily took him in and took care of him without having to take phone calls in secret or shoo anyone from her door.

Seth was also alone when they had met, other than Richie and Kate who were family. Margo had that same kind of family with Eliot, Quentin, Alice and a few others she mentioned.

Initially, sleeping together seemed like the most natural thing to do while sharing close quarters and a physical attraction. A few missteps made each realize there was more than chemistry between them. They had been separable ever since, picking up Leo on the way. Seth gave a little smirk and first typed...

Says the one who just disappeared on me

He didn't let that linger and closed in physically. An arm went around her waist before his head lowered to give Margo a longer kiss. One of reassurance, if you will. Assurance they both seemed to need. Seth was glad she uttered what she had out loud.

Reluctantly, he drew back from the kiss--not wanting the contact to end but knowing it was only right to answer what Margo asked.

I promise. We stay together, no matter what.

The schmoopy, Valentine’s Day stuff had never been Margo’s thing. Pretty cards and words were worthless without the action to back them up. She knew Seth well enough, though, to know that he didn’t say things just to say them. At least not to her. When he said-- Typed that the two of them were going to stick together, that was all she needed to quell her fears for the moment. That uneasy feeling in her gut subsided and there was even a smile on her face.

She let herself rest against him, still walking together. It never stopped amazing her the way they fit together, like puzzle pieces. There was another comparison Margo had thought of from time to time when she’d found herself walking with him like this. She’d wondered if maybe he was her crutch and she was leaning on him in more than the literal sense. With pride like hers, that tiny voice in the back of her head would never let her forget about that particular musing.

“Anybody who ships me to a world without you is going to get a perfectly manicured fist in their face.” She smirked. It was an understatement. If Margo had ever woken up in a world without her partner in crime, she would have raised every single circle of Hell.

.....how the hell did you lose her?

[Judgment? Yes, all the judgment, especially since he's currently hangry.]

[ This again. Seth wondered why Leo didn't wander over to berate him in the flesh...or whatever his skin suit was called. ]

Lose her? She's not a set of keys, Jr. 

She wanted to do some shopping. Not something I usually go with. 

You eat yet?

And here I was thinking she would have stayed around for the peace and quiet.

[Is he going to be giving Seth a hard time over losing his voice? Is water wet?]

...What do you think?

[As in he would have answered the question directly if he had.]

Keep it up. I dont care if it works or doesnt, I'll shove a damn Snickers down your throat and we'll find out

[ Because it wasn't bad enough to lose Margo and his voice, Leo was on borrowed time not being able to eat.

There was the possibility that things worked differently in Hadriel. It was worth a try. Seth might not utter it in words but he didn't want anything to happen to his adopted young brother. ]

If I can still communicate without my voice, maybe you can eat real food. I'll whip up some steak and eggs.

So nice to know you care. ...can you even reach up that high?

[Yes, he also has to give Seth a hard time over being taller than him. Feel free to go find him and smack him around the head at any point, Seth.]

Fine. Let's see what happens. Last thing we need is for me to try and eat half the population here. That's no way to get along with people.

Buddy, I've had worse from better--that's both threats and your dumbass jokes

[ Seth really would probably greet Leo with a punch to his face at this rate. Maybe after making the kid a steak.

No, Leo didn't look the part of a child. And Seth wasn't counting the whole being from the future as the reason why he referred to Leo as a kid. It just fit.

The voiceless member of the house finally made his way into the kitchen, even before getting the green light from the soul eater. Seth searched the fridge and started the task before sending another message back. ]

The last thing I need right now is to lose someone else so try the steak and we'll see on who should make the menu.

How about you get your ass in the kitchen and give me a run down on what you're thinking of asking people? For starters, bypass asking for volunteers.

I never claimed to have the best sense of humor. Get used to it.

[Actually, according to August, he had no sense of humor.

Leo made his way into the kitchen, following the scent of the meat sizzling. He wasn't feeling all that hopeful about this plan of action, but this was better than nothing at all. Leo sat down at the table while Seth cooked.]

I was thinking of just playing a song for the network, assuming I get my ability back sometime soon, and seeing if any sinners come out of the woodwork. It's either that or start snatching random people off the street.

[Which he has done before at home. It works surprisingly better than expected some of the time.]

Yet you keep subjecting me to it. Remind me again why I put up with you?

[ As if it was Leo's idea. Seth all but pitched a tantrum that they stay together in this new realm. The sin eater might be taller and stronger but that didn't stop Seth from mothering him.

Seth stopped texting and got to work cooking, glancing up when Leo finally made an appearance. He motioned with his head for Leo to sit then held up a finger for the Sunai to give him a minute. Once food was on a plate, he could use the device to communicate. ]

[Be snarky with him all you like, Seth. Leo knows there's a heart of gold under that gentleman thief exterior.

While Leo can't appreciate the taste of food, he can at least acknowledge that whatever Seth is making smells good. He continues to talk.]

At least it seems like there's more people here than in Reims and more spread out. I might be able to get in a couple of meals before anyone figures out what's going on.

How does that work again? Is it like the pied piper where people just fall for it or does it draw in only sinners? I rather do the survey thing on the network or see if there is some kind of jail than sucker someone in who doesnt deserve it. 

Last thing we need is the wrong kind of attention until we can sort some of this shit out. If they can take away your ability to eat then who knows what else they can do. 

And do you need me to cut the steak? When was the last time you tried really eating food?

[ Apparently Leo could fight a war but Seth genuinely had concern over the Sunai attempting to eat a steak with eggs. Who was he kidding? He had concerns over everything, his protective streak worsening with Margo's absence.

The lone Gecko would possibly become the best meal for Leo if anyone tried to slight him. Seth wouldn't hesitate to put a bullet between the eyes of an attacker--no matter how much grief he gave soul eater.

He stared expectantly like a demanding mother, one second away from putting the device down to cut up the steak. ]

It affects everyone. Innocent souls less so than sinners, but both get taken in by the music.

[He takes the plate of food and sits down at the table.]

Thank you, mother, but I think I can manage on my own.

[He might be stabbing that steak a little harder than necessary with a fork. He's not helpless, thank you very much.]

God, you and the Flynns would get along swimmingly.

[He mutters to himself. Henry and Emily were the two humans he'd connected with best over his life. When forced to choose a side in the war that had engulfed their city, he immediately picked the innocent soul of Henry over Callum Harker, whose hands smelled of blood, and who had committed a sin big enough to create a warped image of himself in the form of his own personal Malchai monster.

The couple had basically raised the three Sunai and the affection they held for the couple was shown in the fact that Leo had taken their last name for his own.

He cuts a slice out of the steak and tries it. Immediately, the taste of ash hits his mouth. Nope, apparently that part of his nature is still intact. He manages to choke the bite down and then pushes the plate back towards Seth.]

No luck.

[ Seth frowned slightly at the answer but the expression was fleeting. He trusted Leo to be upfront and there was a little comfort at sinners being affected more.

The kid got an eye roll when addressing him as 'mother'. It took a full second for Seth to relent and let Leo eat in peace. He might have had a look of annoyance at first but it transitioned to question at what Leo uttered next. The sunai seemed influenced between his use of 'God' and looking indignant at the offer of help.

Or maybe it was having to deal with a mere mortal smothering him.

Seth was oblivious over his mothering, not even as a deep frown immediately formed when Leo started to choke on the bite of steak. He reluctantly pulled the plate and started to eat from it. One forkful in the mouth as he picked up the device and typed more. ]

This is fucking bullshit!!! 

Why bring you here if they're just killing you slow??? 

Have you looked into how things work here? Do people come back? 

Is there someone we can bargain with, maybe get you a meal from the jail or some shit? 

How quick does the music deal work?

[ More nagging, even if it wasn't at Leo. Seth had tried to find some answers but without a voice and sub par skills at using a device, he wasn't successful. The next message would probably come through before his surrogate kid brother could finish any attempt at an answer. ]

Let's at least find out where the powers that be hold up at so if you become a monster for not being able to eat, their sorry asses are the first to go!

[Leo lets Seth rant for the moment, waiting to get a word in edgewise. He seems calm on the outside, but inside, he's worried. He never went dark in Reims, but this place is a whole new can of worms. If he assumes his true form, there will be death and destruction.]

Seems to me like there was a guide for new arrivals around here somewhere...

[He does some digging on his device and pulls it up, scanning it for pertinent info.]

Looks like dead people do come back. Seems to me if the gods are running this place, they might be the ones to ask. Maybe they can, I don't know, conjure up some souls for me to eat.

[Then he gets an expression on his face that's a little bit amused.]

Or we could go with your plan and sic me on these gods instead. Better sell tickets.

[That will not end well for anyone.]

Let me do the talking

[ Bad choice of words. Seth wasn't doing any talking and he set himself up for Leo to easily take a shot at him. Maybe the Sunai would give it a rest. Seth was short in the response, finishing the plate of food before really giving the soul eater his full attention.

It wasn't that Seth hadn't listened to what Leo said about people dying. If the Sunai was paying close attention then he would've noticed the thief's shoulders drop just a little. There was still the matter of Margo being found and some relief in knowing she couldn't be dead. ...This place seemed a lot worse than Reims. ]

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