text; (backdated to the 19th)

[darknstormy]

[ 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. ]

Comments

[stealyoursoul]

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.

[darknstormy]

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.

[stealyoursoul]

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.]

[darknstormy]

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. ]

[stealyoursoul]

[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.

[darknstormy]

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. ]

[stealyoursoul]

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.

[darknstormy]

[ 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!

[stealyoursoul]

[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.]

[darknstormy]

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. ]